Encounter in the Woods

Writers: Paula, Vix
Date Posted: 24th August 2007

Characters: Lymria, Benaran
Description: Benaran's runner knock down Lymria
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 2 of Turn 4

**I wish he would just get on with it and decide.** The thoughts were
running angrily through Benaran's head as he rode through the forest. In
his opinion, his father had waited far too long to name an heir. Of
course, he also felt that the only suitable choice was himself.

Lymria looked her basket. She was quite satisfied with the collection of
herbs she had found so far, taking account the lateness of the season. The
forests around Amber Hills were plentiful.
Not to mention, it was very relaxing, to go there all alone. No children,
no demands, just her, herbs and trees. In trader caravan, they always had
collected their own medical herbs. While growing up, Lymria had often
followed her mother and grand-mother on herb foraging, and learned where
what grew and when.

He became aware of her only at the last moment, pulling up sharply on the
runner's reins, but not before the animal had side-swiped the woman and her
basket. Quickly, Benaran slid from his saddle and was at her side. "Are you
alright?"

"Argh, shards!" Lymria swore. She got up and brushed herself. She did quick
inventory of her limps. "I seem to be all right, although there might be
bruises later. But my basket..." It had gotten trampled by the runner and
was crushed, with the herbs. The loss of few candlemark's work was what
irritated her most. "You really should watch out more carefully."

"You're right, I should watch." He bent to pick up the basket. "Could I
help you to gather the plants? Some of them might be salvageable."

"I do hope so, some of them were really hard to find," Lymria sighed. She
picked up a root. "Well, these should be all right."

He stooped down next to the pile of vegetation, taking the root from her.
"I'll hold the ones that you can keep. When we've sorted through them. . ."
He glanced around to get his bearings. "There's a small cot nearby, a
thread shelter for those working in the forest. Perhaps there will be
something there to hold the plants that you want to keep until we get you
back to the Hold."

"Good idea, sir," Lymria agreed. She knew who he was. She was trader's
daughter, first thing she did when she came to new hold was to found out
who was who and what kind of power structure the hold had.

"You needn't call me 'sir.' Benaran will do." He smiled at her, taking in
her clothing and of course, the curves beneath. "And I'll call you . .
.?"

"Lymria, one of the many refugees from Amethyst Cliff hold," Lymria
introduced herself. "A widow who earns her bread by fostering orphans," she
added.

"Ah, I see." He spoke softly, his eyes on hers. "The situation at Amethyst
Cliff was so sad. I trust that all of your needs have been supplied in your
new quarters?"

"Yes, they are," Lymria said, responding to his look. She felt exciting
flutter in her stomach.

"Good. I'd hate to think that you were lacking anything." Benaran picked up
another herb, brushing her wrist with his hand as he did so. "Is this one
alright?"

"A bit crushed but usable," Lymria replied.

"Then we'll save it." He placed the plant with the others in the crook of
his arm. "Are there others you wish to keep? Or more that I can help you
gather?" As he spoke, his voice low, his eyes once again swept over her,
appreciating what he saw.

"The berries are goner, and I would like to have more of them," Lymria
replied. She had to swallow nervously. If only he didn't look her like that.
It made her feel nervous and incredibly sexy at the same time.

"I'll help you pick some." He rose to his feet, extending a hand to help
her as well. "Where did you find them?"

"From a clearing nearby."

"How about if we ride there on my mount? Ramble can easily carry both of
us."

"All right," Lymria agreed, but part of her wondered if it was wise.

Benaran removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped the few herbs
that had been salvaged within the clean cloth. Handing that packet to her,
he untied the runner's reins and drew himself lithely to the saddle. With
no warning to her, he reached down, gripped her under her arms and lifted
her to sit before him. "There - that's not too uncomfortable for you, is
it?"

"None at all," Lymria replied. She was expert rider after all. Although his
closeness had an interesting effect when they rode thru the woods, her
giving directions once and a while.

It definitely felt nice to have her within his arms and perched in front of
him. He walked the runner, mindful of overhanging branches - and allowing a
longer time together. "So this is the place?" He slid from Ramble's back
and reached up to help her dismount.

"Yes it is," Lymria replied. When he help her down, she lingered inside his
arms moments longer than was needed. She was feeling intoxicated by his
presence.

He thought to himself that this could turn out to be very interesting - and
his body was saying that it certainly hoped so. He captured her hand,
looking down into her eyes. "I'll help you pick the berries." And more
softly, "Just let me know what you want me to do."

"Kiss me," the words were out before she could stop her tongue. She blushed.

His lips curved into a smile as they moved closer to hers. "Anything the
lady wishes. . ." The kiss started gently, chaste, and ended, but then his
mouth captured hers again, this time more demanding.

Lymria's body was responding to his demands on her own, or so it felt. Her
mind tried to warn her off.

He definitely wanted her, but was not about to rush into anything. The lady
was responsive and they were far enough from the Hold to allow time to play
this out. He broke off the kiss, though his lips remained close to hers.
"Perhaps we should pick those berries now, my lady."

"Mmh, yes," Lymria said. Her mind had hit a complete blank for a moment,
but now she remembered why she was there.

Stepping away from her, he unbuttoned and pulled off his shirt. "We can use
this to hold the berries until we get a proper basket for them."

"It will get stained," Lymria warned, ogling at his bare chest. Why did it
felt so hot suddenly?

Noting her gaze, the corners of his mouth crept upward into a slight smile.
"It can be washed. Besides, it's a fair exchange for your basket that I
ruined."

"All right." Lymria tore her gaze away from him and started picking the
berries. Unconsciously, she was making her every move as gracious and
seductive she could. She wondered what was wrong with her. She never acted
like this around Faran. Shells, she liked Faran, she wanted to marry Faran,
she... wanted to roll around in grass with Lord Holder's son.

He enjoyed watching her and indulged himself in that pursuit for a few
moments before stepping closer, very close, holding the shirt with both
hands, next to her. "Don't try to hold so many in your hands at once, my
lady. I'd hate to see you stain your beautiful hands."

"My hands are already stained from the previous time," Lymria replied when
she dropped the berries into the shirt.

"But this will allow you to pick them more quickly without dropping them."
He raised the shirt and lowered it again in front of her, his arms now
encircling her as his body pressed against hers.

"At this rate I won't get anything picked," Lymria replied with a husky
voice.

He bent even closer, his words breathed toward her neck. "And that would
disappoint you?"

"No, not terribly. After all, the berries aren't going anywhere," Lymria
replied.

"In that case, I'm sure we could think of better things to do than pick
berries." His lips nuzzled her neck, his tongue flicking to taste her
tender flesh.

Lymria closed her eyes and moaned softly. The knockings of her conscience
got buried under the pleasant feeling.

He knew a moment of triumph - and of definite arousal. His voice low, his
lips spoke near her ear. "There's a Threadfall shelter nearby. If we go
there we can find a basket for the berries . . . and some privacy for
other
things."

"Let's go," was only thing Lymria could say.

Not allowing her a chance to change her mind, he led her toward the nearby
cot.

Last updated on the September 2nd 2007

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Encounter in the Woods