She arrived just after the sun reached the highest point in the sky. She was wearing a brilliant red dress. It accentuated the darkness of her hair and eyes. Areniel sighed. She stepped into the meadow and uttered a few phrases that he could not understand. A small purplish cloud appeared and covered the flowers of the meadow. The cloud dissipated; the flowers of the meadow were colored with the purplish hue. She smiled broadly.
Areniel stepped forward. He was no longer hidden by the foliage. The maiden stood and was alert. She stared at the Gray Elf and started to conjure. Areniel looked directly into her eyes and did nothing. The maiden interrupted the spell and directed her eyes into his. The two stood motionlessly; neither said anything. Areniel took a step forward; so did she. They stood twenty feet apart.
“Why do you watch me? Who are you?” Theandra asked.
“I am but a simple servant of the forest. I am but a grateful observer of your Magick. I am clay in your hands; I am your pawn,” the Gray Elf warrior answered.
“Why should I not destroy you for spying upon the lands of my father?” she asked.
“I would not resist your efforts if you choose to do so. I can no longer watch you without revealing myself. I have never beheld such beauty or fairness. I will comply with any wishes that you impart to me. I am a candle and you are the flame. I have lived all my life in the darkness and you are the light that I have seen for the first time. I have lived no life until I first saw you. Since my eyes first beheld you, all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you. I am at your mercy,”Areniel replied.
The Gray Elf lay down his bow and short sword. He stood helpless before the raven-haired maiden.
Theandra kept her index finger pointed in the direction of the mesmerized Gray Elf.
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