The Healer and Her Lover

A/N: My absolute apologies at such slow updates. My life has been overrun with the responsibilities of being an adult, and let me tell you—it sucks. However, I found this FF needed some attention. Hopefully I can provide it more often. Though, the semester is beginning again and I have no idea what’s in store, so hang in there with me, and know I appreciate all of my readers!

“There you are my sweet one.” Said a soft voice to the tiniest of finches sitting in the palm of an equally soft hand. The finch peeped gratefully as it stretched a newly bandaged wing. It beat the air valiantly, but was unable to lift itself from her palm and made a frustrated peep. It looked up at its healer with a similarly upset look. The finche's gaze met that of a woman, her eyes gently willing it to stop fidgeting. Carefully the woman stood, bird in hand.

“You’ll just have to stay with me a while. At least until your wing is healed.” She said with a lilting tone as she walked towards a path in the woods, tiny companion in hand. She hummed her way through the forest, keeping an eye on the gray sky. She had stayed too long as it was and the dim sky was darkening quickly. Though she held no fear in her heart, the woman was aware of the dangers when what little light came everyday, disappeared completely. It would be unwise to ignore it. Her journey came to an abrupt stop when she heard a twig cracking behind her. She stopped suddenly, turning to look and found the path empty. Sensing she should be moving on, the young woman gently tightened her grasp on the tiny bird and moved faster. A feeling of alarm settled in the pit of her stomach, urging her on. As she neared her home, Meora’s eyes skittered across the landscape ahead of her, though the dark was creeping across it, feasting on what little light was left of the day.

The little finch peeped in her hand its black eyes fearful. Meora held the tiny bird close, comforting it as best she could. Then, before she knew what was happening, a great shape leaped in front of her. Hugging the bird to her chest, Meora couldn’t help but let out a frightened yelp. Her heart thudding in time with the tiny life in her palm, Meora stared into the encroaching darkness, trying to make out what the figure was just ahead of her. It moved towards her, and she shrunk back.

“Who’s there?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly, but not betraying her. Whatever it was moved forward and still no answer, forcing Meora to back up further.

“Answer me, who are you?” Finally the shape came into the light. Meora relaxed as the form was infused with deep masculine laughter. Rolling her eyes and slackening her hand on the tiny bird she used the other to smack the shoulder of the man standing ahead of her.

“Tynan! What is wrong with you? Scaring me half to death.” She pretended to be angry, though one look at him left her smiling.

“What’s wrong with me?” he replied, his lips turning to a grin as he moved to her, hands grasping her waist.

“What’s wrong, is that I’ve spent entirely too much time away from you.” His grin growing wider at Meora’s flushing cheeks. She looked away as her fair skin turned pink at his words.

“Oh really, Tynan— What if someone sees?” She said her voice only slightly scandalized. Tynan laughed, his eyes snapping with amusement. He found her quite adorable when she was flustered.

“See? Who could see in this pitch?” He said with his eyes glinting, Tynan grasped her tighter round the waist and lifted her up, making her squeak with surprise, she laughed as it passed.

“Besides,” Tynan added, “It matters not to me if the whole world knows how much I adore you.” His words were only truth. Meora was his light, she had brought nothing but joy to him and he could not remember when his life had seemed so complete. He set her down once more and lifted her chin, her green eyes meeting his gray ones. His fingers traced their way up her face, following the curve of her cheek, the angle of her eyes, his fingertips brushing over the soft threads of her hair. She leaned into his touch. After a moment, Tynan leaned towards Meora, her eyes closing in anticipation. With their lips close to brushing, a small but strong chirp broke their reverie.

Pulling back Meora looked down at the finch, realizing that the dark had settled around them like a suffocating blanket. She stroked the bird's feathered head, soothing its fears.

“My little friend is right, we should go home, before night things come.” She said softly, turning to reclaim her position on the path home. Tynan’s eyes looked to the heavens, unbelieving that a chance to kiss his lady had been shattered by a feathered beast.

“Oh of course. Listen to the bird.” He answered, though his annoyance was overcome when he realized Meora had begun walking down the path alone. He hurried behind her and wrapped an arm protectively around her.

“If we must walk, let me walk with you my love. Night things are known to steal fair maidens as they make for their hovels.” He said, noticing a bemused smile cross Meora’s face. She looked up at him as they walked, eyes shining in the dark.

“Then you must always be there to wrap your arms around me, Tynan. No evil may touch me when you are here.” She murmured, glad to feel him close. They walked like this for a few minutes until Meora’s home appeared ahead of them. When they reached the door, Tynan opened it for her, smiling when she grabbed his hand as she passed.

“What if someone sees?” he asked playfully as she pulled him into the confines of her home. She walked to a small nest sitting upon a bookshelf and shooed a small squirrel out of it. It’s exit unsettling several other wild animals around the room.

“Go on.” She said gently as she settled the injured finch into the soft bedding. When she was sure the little bird was comfortable, she turned and gave a coquettish smile to Tynan.

“See? Who could see in this pitch?” she replied, she shortened the space between them once more, putting a hand to Tynan’s chest, her voice low.

“Besides, it matters not to me who sees how much I adore you.” She said, leaning up on her toes and pressing her lips to Tynan’s, the young man taking her face in his hands deepening their kiss and pulling Meora closer to him. As they kissed, the finch peeped loudly; infuriated that Tynan stood so close to what he considered his lady. Tynan broke their kiss and glared at the winged creature.

“Shut it bird, or you will find yourself in a pie.” He said, quite serious. Meora laughed and moved to the fireplace, starting a fire until it’s warmth could be felt across the room. She warmed her hands for a moment and then took a stew pot and began to cook a meal.

“You might as well stay and eat. The dark is only going to get darker.” She said, beginning to throw in the ingredients of a stew dinner. Tynan nodded and sat at the table, picking at the vegetables on the table, while Meora cooked, the mouth-watering scents of her cooking taking very little time to waft through the room. Tynan watched Meora as she bustled about, kneeling beside the fire.

He could see himself with her, Meora as his wife. It seemed only right, and he couldn’t imagine giving his heart to anyone else. He was entirely sure that this had been true since the moment he met her, but he had been afraid to tell her.

Until now.

“Meora?” he called softly. At the sound of her name, Meora turned from her cooking and faced him, only to find him out of his seat, coming towards her.

“Yes, Tynan?” she answered, wondering what he was up to now. He stopped ahead of her, and took her hands in his.

“Meora, I’ve made a decision to do something. Something I should have done long ago.” He began, bringing her hands to his chest. He took a deep breath and continued.

“I have loved you from the moment I met you. My heart was yours the second you spoke to me. But now,” he stuttered slightly, regaining his strength to speak only a second later, “now I know something is missing.”

Meora’s brows drew together as she began to fear Tynan’s news was not good.

“Tynan—“ she began, but was stopped by Tynan moving closer.

“Meora, I love you and nothing will change that. Only, I know there is something that can only make it stronger.” He said, seeing the worry that had appeared in Meora’s eyes. He dropped on one knee before her, his eyes never leaving hers, reveling in the realization that killed the worry there.

“Meora, I swear, with my heart and soul, you are the only woman who has ever made me whole. Complete me forever, by becoming my wife.”

And in that moment, everything became silent.