Legends of Belariath
Turistima
Turistima's First
Turi wandered aimlessly about the forest for some time, a lost look upon her face. She had gone back to her village after the fires died and the raiders had left, only to find that there wasn't much left for her to salvage. She did manage to find a few bits of food and a pack of her brothers. She did her best to bury as many of the bodies that littered the ground as she could in the following days before finally leaving home, not bothering to turn for one last glance back at what had been the only home she'd ever known. The pack on her back felt feather light, filled with the meager rations she had scrounged up, along with the few coins the raiders had miraculously left behind in their haste.
Whenever she came upon other people during her travels, she hid, terrified that she might run into to one of the raiders that had so viciously attacked and destroyed her village. Eventually, hunger won out and despite her fear, she ventured forth into the next village she came upon. She had very little money and not much with which she could barter. Finding a small bakery, she handed over a few of her precious coins and bought a meat pie. She then spotted a fountain sitting in the center of town, to which she headed so that she could enjoy her meal. While she sat there, she began thinking about her past and how the direction she has thought her life would take, the one her parents had planned out for her since she was a small child, was not to be. Swallowing that first delicious bite of food, she pondered, for the first time since the raids, what it was she would do with her life now that she was on her own in this world.
It was a crisp morning in late fall and she lacked a cloak, but had only a few coins left to live off of with no idea how she would manage to get more. Thus, she sat there upon the edge of the stone fountain for some time, shivering while watching the townsfolk passing by and going about their business, yet not daring to speak to any. Night rolled in much quicker than she had anticipated, thus she retreated back to the woods where she slept, saving half her pie for something to eat come morning. By the time the sun crested over the tree tops, the ground was covered in a blanket of frost and Turistima was chilled to the bone.
Coughing and flushed with fever after several days in the cold, she made her way back to the village in hopes of finding something she could do to earn a bit of money so that she could buy more food and perhaps a warm bed to sleep in for at least one night. Once inside the town, she made her way to the inn where the cook took pity on her and allowed her wash the dirty dishes, in exchange for which he offered her a couple coins. Turi gladly went to work scrubbing and rinsing the dishes, then putting the many mugs and plates away once they were dry. After hours at the basin, scrubbing away at the seemingly unending pile of soiled dishes, her fever spiked once again causing her to pass out. The only thing that saved the plate she held in her hand from shattering to pieces, was that the fact that it was made of wood. The cook found her out cold on the floor, sweat on her brow and her cheeks rosy with fever. He called out to one of the locals, telling him to take her to the healer, as well as to leave a pouch of coins with her for the work she had done that night. The local, a man named Terik, lifted the slight sylvan girl into his arms and carried her limp body to the healer, Darius, and told him what the cook had said before leaving Turi in his care.
Darius glanced down at the dirt smeared, wind burnt face of this beauty brought to him by Terik, lifting her in his arms, he carried her limp body to one of the beds that had been set up for patients, her long blonde hair falling over his arm as he did so. He could tell, despite the dirty, tattered clothes that hung loose upon her frame, that she had a shapely form, even if at the moment it was a bit malnourished. As he was brushing a lock of her hair from her cheek, she awoke, her soft fevered voice whispered only one word. A name, "Raph", and then just as suddenly she fell back into her unnatural sleep. He felt his chest tighten when he heard her voice. He found himself wondering if perhaps this beauty was somehow touching his heart already. He gently laid her down on the bed, then called his maid, Emma, to help her out of her clothes and bath her while he went to his study to mix her up some tea that would help bring down her fever. Sitting there mixing the herbs, he thought of her face, how beautiful she was, and wondered what it was that gave her eyes that haunted look he had caught a glimpse of during that brief moment when she opened them. He relaxed back in his chair while the water warmed, closing his eyes, he found her face kept swimming into his vision. He shook himself and sat up in his seat. Reminding himself of his promise to marry in a year, he pushed her from his thoughts then and finished the tea. "Don't be silly Darius you don't even know her. Why are you letting one look from this girl touch you so?" he said to himself before rising and taking the tea back to the room he has left the two women in. He stood at the door and gave a gentle knock to see if Emma was finished bathing the woman.
Hearing the knock, Emma came to the door and offered him a soft smile. "She is clean now and in a dressing gown that had belonged to my daughter." She clucked her tongue like a mother hen. "Poor thing is so tiny and she has bruises on both her knees and yet another on her back," she told him. "Also, her hands have healing cuts on them. Take care of her Darius dear, she is fragile this one," she said then left him to go to work. Darius walked into the room holding his breath when he first saw her laying there so pale and fragile, like a lily ready to wilt if handled too carelessly. His feet moved on their own accord as he crossed the room and then sat down on the side of the bed. He placed the tea on the table and picked up the wash cloth, dipping it in the basin to wet the tip. "Wake up for me please. We need to get some tea in you to bring that fever of yours down," he cooed softly to her, as he washed her brow, which was damp from the sweat caused by her fever.
Those eyes that had seemed to capture his heart fluttered open, but were glazed over with fever. "Where am I?" she asked so softly that he had to lean in close to hear her. "You're at the healers house. I am Darius and I'm going to take care of you," he told her. He then helped her to sit up and offered her a drink of the tea he had made. Daring to trust in this unfamiliar male, she nodded her head and took a small sip from the cup, which he held so carefully to her lips. He sat there with her for some time, giving her a gentle shake in order to rouse her every once in a while, so that she would drink some more of the tea. Much of the time, however, he simply sat there just watching her as he washed her brow enjoying simply being near her. Once she finished the last of the tea, he left the room, his excuse to stay no longer existed. He headed down the hall, off towards his own room, all the while knowing he would check on her throughout the night simply out of duty or at least, that is what he told himself. What he didn't know was that when he closed his eyes, she would haunt his dreams with those fevered green eyes staring back at him and those soft red lips.
Morning came and his patient was awake, though still far too weak to get out of bed. "Good morning”, he said when he opened the door to check on her yet again. He found her lying in bed, with her head propped up slightly so that she was able to gaze out the window. "I am Darius. I don't know if you remember me telling you that last night or not.” He stepped into the room, his eyes locked on her. “Forgive me, but I didn't get your name." Turi tore her attention away from the view outside and turned her head in the direction of the voice. Her long hair was matted to her neck from the fever and sweat, but to him she looked beautiful. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke, "Hello. I am Turistima. Please forgive me for having caused you so much trouble Darius. I will leave just as soon as I can find my things."
Darius crossed the room and sat in the chair by her bed, smiling at her as he spoke. "Nonsense, you are not nearly ready to leave yet. Your fever is still high and I am willing to bet that you haven't had a proper night's sleep in a bed for some time." Turi's cheeks flamed with color and unshed tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about the turn her life had taken. "Please don't cry Turistima. You're welcome to stay here as long as you need to heal", he told her as his heart ached seeing the tears in her emerald eyes. "Thank you Darius, you are far too kind to make such an offer. You remind me of my father, he was a healer as well.” Her voice filled with such emotion as she spoke and with that, the tears did fall down her cheeks. Darius moved from the chair to the bed, gathering her in his arms, simply holding her while she cried for the first time since her family was taken so abruptly from her. The tears ran hot down her cheeks as she sobbed in his arms for what felt like hours to her, serving to help with purging herself of the pain that she had been holding in. This man with his dark hair and piercing blue eyes had touched her with his kindness.
Once her tears stopped she withdrew from his strong, muscular arms, wiping her face before glancing up at his face. "I'm so sorry. I seem to have made a mess of your tunic", she whispered, embarrassed at having made such a fool of herself in front of Darius, a man she hardly knew. Her green eyes even more beautiful to him with the crystal like tears reflecting in their light. He handed her a handkerchief, then let her have some space while he made her some tea. He turned and gave her a small smile. "There's nothing for you to apologize for, and my tunic is just fine.” His smile fading and his tone changing when he spoke next. “Your family must miss you. You mentioned a Raph last night, is this your husband?" he asked as he brought her back her tea. Turi shook her head sadly. "Oh no. I am not married and my family will not be missing me. They are all dead...killed by raiders", she told him. Her voice was not much more than a whisper as she spoke and he was afraid he might have heard her wrong. He reached out, placing his and on her shoulder. "I am truly sorry for your loss. Please, stay here with me while you heal and perhaps once you are well again, you can help me here. Tell me, do you know anything of healing?" He didn't want her to leave so soon, though he still hadn't a clue as to why she affected him so. "I know a little of it. My parents where teaching me about herbs and making poultices before they died", she said smiling softly for the first time now that it seemed she might have a place to stay, as well as find a purpose to her life. Darius's heart skipped a beat at the sight of that smile with the way her lips curves with such perfection he thought, then turned away so that she wouldn't see the way she affected him. "Good, it is settled. You'll stay here", he said almost gruffly as he left the room, lest he take her in his arms and kiss those soft red lips right then and there. When he made it back to his study, he spent the next half hour calling himself a fool for his reactions to her and telling himself it would lead to nothing.
Turi watched him bolt from the room, her smile fading as she wondered if she had done or said something wrong. The elf gave a sad sigh and did her best to brush it off, leaning back against the pillows and sipping her tea as she tried to think of what the future might hold for her were she to stay here. The path that her parents had planned out for her was no longer an option, yet maybe somehow she could still honor them and continue in their footsteps as a healer with Darius 's help. After some time of letting her thoughts wander, she placed the cup on the nightstand and drifted back off to sleep. She dreamt once more of her brother pushing her out of the path of the arrow that had been aimed at her, killing him instead, haunted her sleep and left her tossing and turning in her bed.
Over the passing days her body healed and so did her spirit. She was fascinated by this broody man that had taken her in. He had a kind heart, that she knew, which seemed at odds with his surly nature. As best she could, she helped him with patients and took over the job that Emma had done, not that Emma minded as it gave the maid time for other things around the house. Turi did indeed find a place to call home before long and she soon fell in love with the man that had healed not only her body, but her heart as well. Darius couldn't stop the way his feelings seem to grow for the elven girl that had come into his life after so many days and nights spent together. He would watch her while she worked, doing his best to not let her see him as his eyes followed the graceful movements of her slender body, such as the way she flipped her hair over she shoulder when she worked in the herb garden outside. He found his heart fluttering when she was near, her scent like a lure for him, drawing him closer and beckoning him to touch her soft skin. Turi wasn't clueless about Darius watching her for she watched him as well as he worked. She was drawn to the man that had given her a home, yet she was still a virgin and thus she was timid, as well as uncertain of how to reveal her feelings for him and just how deep they went. She wanted to let him know that she felt much the same for him he did for her.
Wanting to show her appreciation for all that he had done for her, she made him dinner one night, something special she had learned to cook from her mother. She had spent the day in the market, buying all the items she needed for the recipe, then playfully shooing him out of the kitchen while she cooked. Darius grinned as he went, liking the way she would get stern with him when she caught him trying to sample the delights she cooked while her back was turned. They had become more comfortable with each other with so much time spent together each day, so on one of his attempts at stealing a quick nibble, as she moved to swat his hand, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in close enough to kiss. He chuckled as he said "Is that anyway to treat your savior?". She giggled at his teasing, all the while her heart raced and she shivered in his arms. He felt her shiver, holding her tightly to him for a moment longer before letting her go, though it pained him to have such a temptation before him and not to act on the impulse to kiss her then and there. "Alright, I will let you be for now, but I am hungry so don't keep me waiting long" he teased. She watched him turn and leave, feeling the same pang of regret that they hadn't closed that small gap that had stood between them to share a warm embrace. Once he was gone, she sighed and went back to working on the meal she had planned, thinking her chance with him had come and gone. She would not give up hope just yet for she had felt a spark between them. She smiled as she prepared the food, hoping he would enjoy the meal that she'd made him.
Once finished, she headed out of the kitchen to find him waiting patiently at the table with a smile on his face. His eyes lighting up as she entered the room with the bowl of soup for him, which was followed with the main course of roasted pig with apple stuffing. They sat across from one another, eating and talking cordially, finding their time together to be a nice change from their stiff beginning and his broody ways. Darius smiled more then she had ever seen before while they dined and she smiled in turn, laughing at his jokes. The meal progressed to dessert, a berry pie with heavy whipped cream with coffee together after, sitting on the rug in front of the fire. He wrapped his arms around her as she tucked her body against his, feeling almost like this was exactly where she belonged. A soft sigh leaving her lips, her head resting on his shoulder, content to relax in his arms. Darius smiled and reaching out to touch her chin, tilting her head up to finally give her that kiss he had denied them both earlier that day. The kiss was everything that she had hoped it would be and more, sweet and tender as they explored each others mouths with tongues and lips. The coffee soon forgotten as the kiss lead to other explorations, tender touches and clothing being slowly shed with the fire crackling in the background. He gently lay her back on the rug, kissing down her neck as she moaned her pleasure, trembling with uncertainty and desire mixed into a heady combination. "Darius, I have never done this before", she whispered nervously, worrying what his reaction might be. He caressed her face as he smiled at her. "I know, but don't worry my love. I promise to be gentle." Her heart stilled when he used such a loving endearment with her, leading her to push her uncertainty to the side so that she could give herself completely to him and the desire she felt coursing through her slim and curvy body.
Turi gazed up at him, losing herself in his piercing blue eyes that were so full of longing and disbelief at finally being able to touch her as he had wanted all these past months. Her scent soft and feminine was intoxicating to him. Darius slowly inched his way down her body, pressing petal soft kisses along her neck and over her chest before capturing her pert nipple between his lips, giving it a tentative pull to gauge her reaction. A moan escaped her lips, a thrill shooting through her body that was unlike anything she'd felt before. She was amazed how the pull on her nipple felt as though he had a cord that ran from that tender bud down to her core and attached directly to her groin. His hand lingered over her side wanting to trail his fingertips lower, but forcing himself to take his time with her, wanting to make this the special night that she deserved. Darius kissed his way across her chest to her other nipple, flicking it with his tongue, grinning as he watched it perk up and tighten as though begging for more of his tender caresses. He could feel the pounding of her heart in her chest, her excitement causing it to race. His piercing eyes fixed on her, drinking in her every reaction as he pulled her nipple between his lips and lavished it with his attentions. He didn't linger there for long though, he wanted to show her all the wonders that could come of the passion shared between a man and a woman. His kisses moved lower over the trim, taut muscles of her stomach, skipping her pelvis so that he could part her thighs and kiss along the inside of her soft, shapely limbs.
Darius gazed over her body spread before him like a decadent dessert that he could take his time with, savoring the sweet taste and pleasures of her flesh. When he glanced up at her face, he found an expression there that was one of both want and fear, her emotions and desires at war with one another. "Relax my love. Allow me to show you the pleasures I have to offer", he whispered as he lowered his mouth and licked up her soft folds, wanting to ease the fear from her eyes. He flicked the tip of his tongue over her, using it to part those silken folds so that as he licked up his tongue caressed that hidden pearl of her clit. She felt that soft lick on her tender flesh, but the moment his tongue found her clit, it was as if she had been hit with a jolt of electricity. Turi gasped in pleasure, her hands curling in the rug beneath them as her hips rocked upwards. He sealed his lips over that sensitive nub, nipping and flicking his tongue over that bundle of nerves, loving the way she would wiggle her hips and push them up against his mouth when he pulled back to look at her. Before long, he added his hand to the mix, stroking her slick sex with his finger then pushing it gently inside her. Darius's lips curving up into a smile against her core as he heard that gasp once more and felt her walls clench around his questing digit, loving how her body responded to him. He worked that finger in and out slowly while he lavished her clit with attention, wanting her to be nice and wet for when he finally entered her. He could tell by the sound of her breathing that she was close to her orgasm, her hips rocking with the rhythm of his finger and the way her hand crept from the rug to his head to pull him more firmly against her needy sex. He savored Turi's moans, which were like a sirens call, urging him to lavish her with even more attentions till her hips left the rug, her trembling thighs pressing against him. It was then that he felt that first rush of her sweet taste covering him. Darius withdrew his hand, drawing a whimper of protest from her, replacing it with his mouth to lick that sweetness of her from her opening while she writhed in pleasure for him.
Once he coaxed her down from the first peak of her climax, he raised his head and slid higher up her body so that his hard cock was pressing against the front of her sex. Any lingering fears she might have were swept away as she gazed up into those blue eyes of his that reflected her lust back at her, her heart racing and body thrumming in the afterglow of her orgasm. Leaning down, Darius kissed her deeply, letting her taste her own sweetness on his lips. Ever so slowly, he guided his tip inside of her, pushing against the resistance of her body as her hands found his back and her legs wrapped around him. He pushed forward with his hips, closing that small distance between them. Turi cried out, tensing around him from the sharp pain as he claimed her maidenhead. He paused only a moment before resuming that slow, steady rhythm, hips thrusting and working her slowly past the first bit of pain till he felt her relax again. The pain soon subsided and was replaced by sheer bliss that seemed to soar higher with each stroke along her walls. Their bodies now joined as one, eyes locked on one another as he claimed her, their passions having been ignited and sending their lovemaking to new heights. It was something that neither had felt before.
The first night of their passions ended with the exhausted lovers sleeping there on the rug, the fire burning nearby, casting its soft light over their tangled forms. From that night on, they shared a bed and their feelings for one another grew. Turi felt at home in his arms and more alive than she had ever thought possible. However, Darius knew that it couldn't last for he was tortured by the promise he made to his family. He was to return home in 4 months time to marry another and thereby seal the truce between his village and a neighboring one. It was a heartbreaking day for both of them when he sat Turi down to tell her of it. It pained her greatly, thus she tried hard not to think of just how short their time together was as they worked together all day, then made love all night before collapsing and falling asleep in each others arms.
Their time together grew shorter as winter moved to spring. When the first flowers bloomed, Darius found her sitting outside, crying softly to herself. "My darling Turi, what's wrong?" he asked as he knelt down before her, taking her hands into his own. She wiped the tears from her eyes, frowning as she gazed down at him, seeing how much he cared for her and the concern that filled his eyes as a result of her tears. "I'm sorry my love. It is just that I know our time together draws to an end and it breaks my heart to know that soon you will be laying in the arms of another, while my bed will be cold once more without your love to keep me warm" she said in a shaky voice, her emotions still swimming at the surface. He gathered her into his arms, pulling her close as though to comfort and protect her from such unpleasant thoughts. "I know dearest. I too think of this often. I have no desire to leave you, but I have to Turi. This is the only way to end the war between my people and the neighboring village. I have know my fate since I was but 5 years old and until I met you my love, I was content with that fate. Now, I want nothing more than to turn my back on my people and run away with you." Turi heard this and pulled back from him, shaking her head sadly. "No Darius, I know what it is like to lose your family and that is not something that I can ask that of you" she said softly, having told him in their time together about her own loss. He kissed her, each lost in their own thoughts as they grieved the loss of the other, yet not wanting to part from one another's arms just yet. Both knowing that the day was fast approaching, the day when he would have to leave and when she would set out on her own once again.
They did their best to treasure what little time they had left together. A week before he was to leave, she came to him overwhelmed by her emotions. "I love you Darius. You know this, but I can't bare to watch you leave me, so I will leave first. When you put me on the horse you gave me, you will know that I love you with all of my heart and that I am letting you go in peace to help your family, but I shall never in all my life forget you or the love we shared" she said not able to hold back the tears that trickled down her cheeks that came from speaking of her plans. "Turi, my love, please don't leave me so soon. Let us have those extra couple of days my darling, please" he begged her. The pain in his voice as he pleaded with her to stay, caused the tears that welled up in her eyes to threaten to spill over once more and she simply shook her head. "It will be hard no matter what dear heart, but this way you can set me on my way and I can leave knowing that I love you and leave you to your family" she told him softly.
That night they made love and it was almost like the first time all over again, gentle and exploring one another's bodies, taking their time with each for they knew that come morning, she would be leaving. He knew he would have to let her go and that with her, she would be taking his heart when she departed. When morning came, Darius helped her to pack her horse and kissed her good bye, setting her on her way with words of love and forever. Turi climbed up on the horse, the pain of saying goodbye nearly breaking her heart and making it impossible to leave, however she rode it out of town and managed to barely hold back her tears until she was out of sight of both her love and the village that she had come to call home for the past year. Her wandering continued for several years, knowing she would one day find another place to call home, though she doubted that she would ever find a love again like the one she had let go.