Not know how long she had sleep, the water was still warm.  Emerald wakes with a start, as she feels a hand touch her shoulder.  Quickly looking up she see it is Tholin kneeling next to the tub smiling at her.  “You know you shouldn’t sleep in the tub you could drown?”  The handsome smiling elf says to her. Grinning back at him, she turns and gives him a soft kiss on the lips.  “Your right didn’t mean to fall asleep, how did you get in?” she asks.  Grinning returning her kiss with a tender one of his own, “I have my ways.”

     Beaming she slides her arms around his neck, kissing him more passionately.  Lightly stroking her bare arms he removes his cape and proceeds to give her a warm deep kiss.  “Why don’t you join me,” Emerald asks?  Grinning brightly she removes her arms from around his neck, Tholin replies, “thought you would never ask.”  Titters softly Emerald, lays back into the tub watching her lover undress.

     Precisely stepping into the tub Tholin settles in behind Emerald and leans back against the wall pulling Emerald into his arms.  Happily leaning back into Tholing chest she looks up and smiles.  Tholin lightly slides his hands down her arms feeling the soft silky skin.  Reaching up she moves so she can kisses him softly.  Returning the kiss the handsome Gray Elf lets his hands migrates down over her body, as she allows her hand to drift down his arm lightly.

     Tholing sits up in the tub excepting her to straddle his legs drawing her form close to him. Their hearts and breath seem to come together in rhythm, as their desires develops into deep passion.  Emerald reaches up as she presses her body into his, she moves her hands through his hair.  She shivers with pleasure as she feels his gentle hands caress her body.

     As their bodies merge together here passion escalate.  The warm water of the bath enhances their moves as they glide through the water.  Unifying their hunger for each other the two elves are washed away in a tidal wave of bliss. The lovers are swept out into the sea of ecstasy.  Lingering trying to let make the bond last the slowly drift back, clinging to each other in here after glow.  Emerald lays her head onto Tholing chest feeling his heart beating in his chest at the same rate as hers.  Sighing contently as she senses his hand run across her head and down her back lovingly.  Tholin lightly kisses her head closing his eyes constantly, enjoying the feel of her soft hair as it slips through his finger.
 “I would like to stay like this forever,” Tholin says.  Rubs her cheek against his chest Emerald glances up at him with a soft smile on her face, “so would I.”  Reaching into the water Tholin gentle moves it up her back as she rest on him.

     Looking up at Tholin softly she kisses him softly.  Sitting up on her knees, smiles she stands and elegantly, steps out onto the soft rug on the floor.  Her soft feminine form glistening with beads of water from the tub.  Emerald reaches for a towel.   Tholin smiles up at her, moving to follow her out of the tub, taking the towel from her drying her back and legs.  Sliding the soft towel over her soft body.

     Taking another towel, she repays the kindness of him drying her back by drying his.  Guiding the towel across his shoulders and down his back to his legs.  Standing back up she lightly kisses his back.  Smiling softly Tholin turns and picks the beautiful elf up and takes her to the bedroom.

     Laying her gently on the bed, he sits down next to her.  Leaning down gentle stroking her cheek with the back of his hand.  Tholin kisses Emerald tenderly.  She presses her soft lips to his.   He lets one of his hands caress the side of her body.  Her breathing becomes deeper as she feels the delight of his sensitive touch. Slowly moves his kiss down her neck to her shoulders.  Emerald’s hands lightly touches his skin gliding her hand down his sides and back.

     They let their hands explore each other as Tholin’s lips softly touch and her body.  They’re breathing becoming deep as their bodies respond to each other’s touch. They look into each other’s eyes and are lost in their passions and desires.  Their movements are fluid, as if drifting on a calm sea.

     As their passion grows the calm sea becomes rougher, drenching in torrents of pleasure. The two lovers overcome by the sensation of their love.  Wave after wave start to crash down on them. Treating to drown them in their rapture.

     They’re ecstasy cresting into a tidal wave of pleasure.  The tide calms and as again they drift in each other’s arm as a soft warm afterglow blankets them in it’s warm.

     Tholin gazes lovingly down at Emerald, kissing her lightly as he moves to her side.  Emerald moves to lay her head on his chest looking up into his eyes and smiles lovingly.  Draping an arm over his abdomen, she lightly pets his stomach and side.  He reaches down lighting playing with her long silky tresses.  Thinking he really would like to meet this enchanting creature.  Tholin asks, “RL (real life) where are you from?”  Raising up on her hand she responds, “originally from the East Coast but we moved to the mid west about 10 years ago.  Why where are you from?”   Kissing her lightly, “I’m on the East Coast.  You are a special person there is something about you that I would like to know you better,” the attractive elf remarks.

     Warmly smiling at her lover, as his hands come up and lightly brushes the sides of her breasts as he moves his hands around her to her back pulling her close to him in a loving embrace.  Emerald lays her head back down on his chest.  Slips a hand and lightly plays with his long mane, enjoying the feel of his soft hair passing through her fingers.

     Curiously Emerald asks, “what day is it?”  Kissing the top of her head lightly, he answer, “Saturday why?”

      Smiling softly to Emerald says softly, “just curious, one day seems to blend into another sometimes.”

      Giving her a soft squeeze her lover says, “I know what you mean.”

     Signing Tholin looks down at his love and informs her that he just got a whisper from Queen Martla.  Pulling the blanket up over her shoulder Emerald sighs not wanting to face the queen again.  Tholin tells Emerald that they are being summoned to her dream.  Sitting up with a start Emerald asks, “what does she want?”  Giving Emerald a curious look Tholin replies, “I don’t know she just requests presents at her dream.”

    Stroking Emeralds back lightly, then pulls Emerald back into his arms.  “Don’t worry about it, she most likely wants us to play at her wedding,” Tholin knowing better but trying to ease Emerald’s mind.

     Emerald looks up at Tholin, “I know how much you wanted to get into the Black Breeches and I messed that up for you didn’t I?”

      Gentle outlining her lips, putting his finger to his lips then back to hers, “yeah, but you’re more important and if Queen Martla can’t see I was only defending you then to hell with her and the Breeches.”  Closing her eyes, Emerald dreads going to that meeting.

     Grubbing softly Tholin says, “well, I guess we better get up and find out what she wants before they come and get us.”  Emerald rolls onto her back, still apprehensive about the meeting she reluctantly climbs out of bed.

     Tholin grabbing her and kissing her once more before releasing her. Emerald returns the kiss and giggles softly.   He gets up and smiles at Emerald, then walks out the door to the bathroom to get his clothes.

     Getting out of bed again, she acquires some clean clothes for the closet and dresser.  Quickly dressing she walks to the bedroom door.

     Stepping out into the hallway she sees Tholin coming out of the bathroom.  Giving him a soft smile as he approaches her.  Taking her into his arms he says, “come on lover lets get this over with.” Nodding she hugs him before heading for the stairs.

     Together they decent the stairs and move their way out of the dream and into the garden off the road of Dreams.  There they see a group of men recognizing the black garb and crimson bracer as Black Breeches.  The assembly has gathered outside a dream that Emerald assumes is Queen Martal’s Dream.

     Putting his arm around Tholin gives her a reassuring hug.  Together the two gray elves walk to the Dream.  The men part as they reach the gate.  Tholin opens the garden gate for Emerald.

     The garden instead of being a English garden, it is made up of wildflowers.  There is a winding path to what appears to be a enclosed stairway protruding out of the garden at the end of the path.  Emerald looks at Tholin then back at the group of men on the outside of the garden gate.  Tholin takes her hand and they proceed to the small building.

     Turning her attention back to the direction, they were traveling to her amazement out of the doorsteps Blood Bath.  Pulling Emerald tightly against him his eyes narrow as it is, all Tholin can do to control his anger.  Holding the door open for the two Gray elves, Blood Bath leers at the beautiful little Gray elf.

     Emerald looks into the little building and there is a landing with a spiral stairway in it.  Emerald enters the dimly lit stairway and starts down with Tholin close behind her as the door above closes making the stairs seem darker.

     Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the door is opened by another clansman.  Making a swiping motion to Emerald and Tholin beckoning them into them to enter the main part of the Dream.

     Stepping through the door they find themselves into a anti-chamber there is a door across from the door they just entered and on against the wall on both sides of the room is a row of benches.

     The clansman instructs them to sit on the bench and wait for her majesty to grant them a audience.  Emerald taking Tholin’s hand and moves to the bench.  Tholin squeezes her hand and sits next to her putting his arm around her shoulder as they sit and wait for the Queen to summon them to her.  Giving Emerald a pick on the cheek.  Tholin wonders how long she is going to make them wait.

     Just as they sat down Blood Bath enters the anti-chamber for the stairway and crosses to the other door, ogling Emerald as he walks by.  It is all Tholin can do not to deck the clansman.  Opening the door to the next chamber, he disappears within.  Leaving the two Gray elves to wonder what is going on.

     As they sat there other clans, members entered the chamber. Finally what seemed to be forever.  Othello the Oak opens the door, living up to his name he is a very large human, tall and very muscular.  He has long mousy brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, and a large handlebar mustache.  There is cold about his gray eyes.

     Peering at the two musicians sitting on the bench, he waves them in.  Tholin stands and offers Emerald his hand.  Taking his hand Emerald raises and enters the chamber first.

     The chamber is made of rough cut stone walls with black wrought iron brackets holding touches to light the room.  There is two rows of four wooden benches with a aisle between them.   In front of the benches is a raised platform with a large throne made of ebony and crimson red velvet.  Upon it sits Queen Martla.  On either side of her are slightly smaller versions of the throne.  Behind the raised platform is a stone wall covered in tapestries depicting knights battling dragons and wizard combating demons.  There is are heavy bared gates in the center of each of the side walls to the room.

     Sliding his hand along Emeralds back the two walk up the aisle to the front.  There the Queen sits sideways, her long leather clad legs seductively draped over the arm of the throne.

      Waving her hand at the two, “come here you two, you to have distracted me from my contest.  I’m not happy, if you would have just submitted to Rogue I would be happy and doing what I wanted to not have to deal with you too.”  Snapping her fingers out from behind the tapestries steps Rogue Black.

     Eyes wide trying not to faint, Emerald clings to Tholin.  Putting his arms protectively around the beautiful little Gray Elf Tholin fights back the urge to tear Rogue apart, his bright blue eyes glowing as he watches the one eyed man.  “How?” Emerald says weakly.  Laughing diabolic the queen says, “foolish little elf, do you think I’m queen because of my yiffing ability?”  Changing her mood like a light switch, swinging her legs off the arm of the chair, leaning forward placing her elbows on her knees, her eyes narrowing at the two Gray elves, “I have told my brother that if he wants the you that is his problem.  So I propose a duel between Rogue and Tholin.”

     Tholin holds Emerald tightly to him, “what is I don’t agree to the challenge?”  Putting her arms around Tholin she can’t help looking at Rogue.  The beautiful queen laughs, “you lose by default and the lovely Emerald goes to my brother.”  Filled with rage and hated for the Rogue, Tholing agrees to the duel.  Protesting Emerald looks into Tholin’s eye, “you can’t do this I don’t want to lose you.”  Kissing her forehead, “you won’t lose me, this has to be settled once and for all.”

     Glancing up at the Queen, the handsome gray elf asks, “when and where?”
Looks at the one eyed human then back at Tholin, “no time like the present.”  Addressing Tholin the queen asks, “do you have a second?”

      Before he can answer out of the back of the room Emerald and Tholin hear Wildfire say, “yeah, me.”   Moving to the front of the room Tholin give the Wildfire a curious look.   Whispering to Tholin, Wildfire tells Tholin, “I would rather have her myself but I can’t stand the thought of that enchanting creature with Rogue.” Tholin nods to Wildfire, then smiles at Emerald, “everything will be all right.”

     “Rogue who is your second going to be?” the Queen asks.  Responding immediately, Rogue says, “Tibis.”

     Tibis steps up and stands beside the Queen’s brother.  The Queen nods, “to insure a fair fight, since Rogue you challenged, Tholin it will be your choice of weapons.  I will provide the arena.  If there is any cheating on either side the on doing the cheating will be executed on the spot.  Is that understood?”  Both men nod.  Rogue knowing his sister, knows she can be ruthless but always believes in a clean fight.  “Very well then, these are the rules.”  She instructs the two opponents, “there will be no magic.  You can only use conventional weapons, such as sword, mace, dagger, that sort of thing.”

     Waving to Othello, “show them to the armory,” the queen instructs her second in command.  The leviathan ushers the four men out of the room, through the gate on the right side of the room.   Tholin gives Emerald a parting kiss smiling softly saying, “good luck lover.”  Grinning Rogue blows kisses to the dainty little elf, Emerald cringes at the blown kiss.

     Turning her attention to the delicate little creature before her, she think it is beyond her why anyone would fight over such a helpless mortal.  Standing she nods to two of her guardsman.  The two move to stand on either side of Emerald, directing her to the left gate.

     Moving towards the left gate she can see a long corridor through the gate.  One of the guardsmen unlocks and opens the gate, escorting Emerald down the corridor to a gate at the end.  The corridor is make of the same stone as the throne room, like the throne room there are iron brackets holding torches on the walls.  Along the hall there is several doors with heavy iron gates across them.

     Coming to the end of the corridor, the guard opens the gate and pushes Emerald through.  Stumbling into what looked like a viewing stand.  Grabbing her arm he takes her and sits her in front of the stand.  It is an open air-viewing stand with a large round area below.  Center front is a large throne like the one in the throne room again smaller versions on either side.  Emerald is instructed to sit in the seat to the right of the Queens throne.  There are bleacher type seating behind her.  The stand seems to be made of polished black marble.

     Looking down into the arena she can see that is floor is made of flagstone and there is large patches of dark stains on it.  Not wanting to think of what the dark stains could be she looks away.  The arena has two gates, one on either side of the battlefield.  Across from her on the field is a stone bench.  “She sure would be a great prize wouldn’t she,” Emerald over hears on guard say to the other.  “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having her warm my bed,” replies the other guard.  Looking over her shoulder at them, feeling their gaze on her, she shivers with apprehension.  Laughing the first guard comments about Emerald’s shiver, “cold milady? I think we could warm you up.”  Just then a group of clansmen and their women enter the viewing stand, they seem to be of some rate, for the guard’s bow respectfully to them.  The women are dressed similar to Emerald in long black gown.  Then men are black in silk Jerkins and leather breaches, with high leather boots.  They have the trademark crimson bracers.

     Othello enters the viewing stand and tells everyone to rise, “Her majesty Queen Martla, is honoring you with her presents.”  Holding the gate open to the queen to enter he stepes back out of her way.  Everyone in the stands rise including Emerald.  Smiling warmly at the group and moving her way to her throne she looks out over the area. He then instructs everyone to sit down.  Waving her hand at Othello, “see if they are ready, and lets get this over with, Oh by the way I want you down there to make sure my brother doesn’t cheat.” Othello nods acknowledging her majesty orders, leaving the viewing stands.  Peering down at the little gray elf she says, “it wouldn’t look go for me if he did.”  Looking back at the Queen with amazement.

     A few minutes later, the gates on either side of the arena open, out steps Rogue and Tibis from one and Tholin and Wildfire from the other.  Each opponent caring a katana.  Othello entering from the gate, Rogue entered carrying a two handed broad sword stops and tells Rogue something, Rogue nods.  Then goes and says something to Tholin that Emerald can’t hear, Tholin nods.

     Both men move to the center of the arena, turn and bow to the Queen.  She stands and says, “this will be a fair fight! Anyone caught cheating will be executed on the spot.  Is that understood?”  The men nod. She continues, “because lag seems to be a problem today we will take lag into account for slow movement.  Are either of you lagging today?”  The men responded with a no.  “Good, let the battle begin.”  Sitting down in her throne to watch the battle, the Queen whispers to one of the men behind her and he gets up and leaves quietly.

     The two men bow again to the queen and Tholin smiles reassuringly at Emerald.  Forces a soft smile back to Tholin as he turns to face Rogue.

     Facing each other they move into position for combat.  Rogue strikes first.  Tholin blocks the strike. Countering with a slice to the adbomen cutting through Rogues shirt.  Tholin can tell that the kanata is not Rogue’s usual weapon, for he seems awkward with it.  Using this to his advantage the battle continues.
 

 Emerald watches in horror as the larger Rogue slices Tholin’s arm. Glancing over at the Queen she is astonished, the Queen almost looks bored with the whole affair. Turning her attention back to the two men in the arena.  Rogue seems to be getting the better of Tholin when Tholin swings slicing deep into Rogues chest.  Rogue backs up grabbing his chest.  Angered by the Gray elf, Rogue thrusts his sword at him.  Tholin sidesteps, just getting grazed by the sword.

 Abruptly, from the stands behind Othello, a @FireBall is cast.  The ball explodes between the two men sending them both flying in opposite direction.  Othello jumping to him feet from the bench he was sitting on looking into the crowd for who had cast the spell.  Emerald gashes and looks to see if Tholin was injured by the blast. The two men get to their feet, looking suspiously at each other.

 The Queen stands up and orders that the person that cast the spell be brought before her.  Within minutes some guardsman brings down Mentor into the arena.  Othello drags the half-beaten Mentor to the center of the arena to face the angry Queen.   “What is the meaning of this,” she exclaims!  Mentor looking up at his Queen says nothing.  “Answer her majesty,” Othello warns.  Remaining silent, Mentor looks up at Emerald.  Fuming the queen looks at her brother, knowing his is one of his henchmen, “what do you know about this, brother dear?”  Rogue looking at Mentor then back at his sister, “nothing, I have nothing to do with this.”  Looking over at the little female gray elf next to her she grows weary of the whole thing.  Waving her hand at Othello, “cut his head off and lets finish this.”

 Turning away as she sees Othello raise his blade and Emerald hears a dull thud as Mentor’s head hits the flagstone floor.  “Get the body out of the way so they can finish the fight,” the Queen instructs.  Turning back not wanting to see the beheaded body, Emerald looks sadly at Tholin.  Tholin whispers to his lady, “don’t worry it is almost over and we will be in each others arms again.”  Emerald gives Tholin a small soft smile as the two men get back into position.

 Striking with all his might in a downward slash Rogue slices the front of Tholin’s shirt cutting into his flesh.  Seizing the moment Tholin swing slicing through Rogue’s neck.  Eyes going wide Rogue drops his blade and grabs his throat.  Taking a quick look at the Queen she nods, letting his angry free at last for what Rogue had done to Emerald, he swings again separating Rogue’s head from his torso.

 Emerald putting her hands to her mouth.  Staring in shock at the sight.  Tholin looks up at Emerald his shirt drenched with his blood, and smiles a bittersweet smile.  Wildfire walks up to Tholin and pats him on the back.  The queen stands and declares, “I declare the contest between Rogue Black and Tholin T’equenduis, to be over.  The winner is Tholin T’equenduis and is to get the hand of Emerald, May the Server smile on you both.  Anyone have a problem with that has to see me.”  With a smile she says, “now I can get back to my contest.  You are all dismissed.”  With that she rises and leaves the viewing stands.

 Jumping up wanting to get to Tholin Emerald flaps her winds and flies over the side of the stand.  Landing softly next to her lover.  Tholin pulls her close to him hissing slightly at the pressure on the wounds.  Wildfire parts the two lovers and @casts a Heal Spell on Tholin’s injuries. The pushes the two back together.  Smiling brightly Wildefire says, “I’m glad this didn’t take to much longer I got to get your work.”  Sliding his hand in front of himself, Wildfire vanishes back into reality.

 “Let’s get out of here, Em,” Tholin says looking around at the bloody remains around him.  Nodding quickly, Emerald agrees. Thinking the quickest way out was through the viewing stands, they fly up there and pass through the corridor to the throne room, to the anti-chamber.  Moving to the stairs Tholin opens the door and the two Gray elves move back to the garden and the Road of dreams above.

 With reality starting to creep back into Tholin’s presents, he wants to see her safely back to her dream before he has to leave.  “Em, I hate to go but I must Rinhanon, is bugging me for lunch,” Tholin tells Emerald as they walk back to her dream. Emerald smiling brightly, “it is ok, lover feed her and do what you have to do.”  They walk back up to the house in her dream before his is willing to leave; “I’ll see you later, after I put amaii to bed.”   Giving him a tight hug and a loving kisses she steps up onto the porch, “I’ll be here somewhere,” she says with a smile.  Smiles then sighs he opens the @Gate and steps back into reality.

Chapter 16

Chapter 14

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