Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Ashes and Remembrance ❯ Chapter Sixteen ( Chapter 16 )

SIXTEEN

"C'mon slow poke! I'll race you!" Jindra yelled back to Folken as she urged her mount forward with her heels. The young woman let out a wild laugh as the horse took off at a gallop.

"Jin! Don't - Jin!" Damn that girl! Folken let out an exasperated sound and kicked his horse into a gallop. When I catch up to her . . . He found himself smiling at the implications of that unfinished thought. Keeping low over his horses' neck, he watched as Jindra drew even farther away.

Folken couldn't remember the last time that he had gone riding just for pleasure. Certainly not since he had been in Zaibach; the sorcerers in the tower never did anything for pleasure. When Jindra had suggested going riding outside the city, he had immediately agreed. He had been so overwhelmed with his studies and other work in the tower lately, that the two of them had not been able to spend much time together.

Jindra had met him at the western gate to the city with the horses and they had started out towards the lightly forested hills just after breakfast. The early spring air was crisp, but had warmed as the sun rose up higher overhead. For the first time in so long, Folken Lacour felt nothing but joy - joy in the day, the ride, the sun, the wind and most importantly, in being with the woman that he loved.

Folken rounded the bend in the road to see Jindra just a few yards away. It appeared that she had pulled her horse to a stop and was waiting for him to catch up. Looking back in his direction, she waved and he could see that she was laughing. As he got closer, Jindra urged her horse forward once again, this time at a slower trot. When Folken finally reached her side, the pair slowed their horses to a walk. Jindra was still laughing at him, "I thought you said you could ride."

"I can ride - I just haven't done so in a while." Folken tried to frown, but her smile was infectious.

"What, since you were ten? Guess I should have picked a less spirited horse."

Folken reached out and pulled Jindra's horse to a stop with his own. "I prefer more spirit, not less." Jindra arched her brow at him. Smiling, he pulled her towards him and kissed her.

The young woman pulled away, "Alright you - enough of that. We've still got a little farther to go."

"Just where are we going by the way?"

"You'll see. It's still a few more miles." Jindra saw the skeptical look that Folken gave her. "It'll be worth the ride, I promise."

Spurring their mounts to a gentle gallop, the couple started off once more.

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Folken sat leaning back on the fallen tree trunk and absorbed the view that spread out before him. He could hardly believe that the beautiful vista around him was only a couple of hours ride away from the soaring metal and glass buildings of the city. Closing his eyes, he breathed in the scents of the forest around him. It's almost like being home - in Fanelia. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around.

Jindra smiled down at him. "If you could only see the look on your face . . . so, did I deliver on my promise?"

Reaching for her hand, Folken pulled her down to sit next to him. "I'd certainly say so." Putting his arms around her, he hugged her close. "It's wonderful - I never would have guessed that there could be such a place this close to the city." He looked down at Jindra, "You've been here before, I take it?"

Snuggling closer into his embrace, she answered. "Not for a long time. My father used to have a hunting lodge down near the foot of the mountain. When Coren and I were younger, our family would come and stay here for a few weeks during the warmer months. It's like a whole different world compared to the city." Jindra shifted and looked up at him, "I had a feeling you'd like it."

"I do, it's beautiful." Folken put his hand under her chin and tilted her face up towards him. "Thank you for bringing me here." He bent his head and lightly brushed her lips with a kiss. Jindra lowered her head and let it rest on Folken's chest as he held her in the circle of his arms. The two sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes, Folken closed his eyes and let his mind drift. Unbidden, he started to remember the dream again.

He had only been about thirteen or fourteen years old; and was hiding out from the old sword master, when he had come upon his father's groom and one of the laundry maids behind the stables. He remembered feeling excited and embarrassed as he hid and watched the couple as they kissed and touched each other. His skin felt oddly flushed and his breathing became more rapid as the pair rolled and moved in the straw, and as the maid cried out and clutched at the man astride her. Then suddenly the image blurred, and Folken found that the faces of the trysting pair had changed. Their bodies locked in the most intimate of embraces; he and Jindra had become the couple crying out their pleasure under the warm afternoon sky.

Folken had found himself jolted awake in his bed; his skin flushed, his heart racing and his breath coming in ragged gasps. The dream had come more than once, and each time he would cry out Jindra's name as he clutched at the bed pillow and felt his body shudder from the force of his emotions.

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Jindra glanced up at the sky as she started to pack up the remnants of their lunch. "It looks like it's getting cloudier . . . and the wind seems to have picked up a bit."

Folken handed her some empty plates. "Could be a storm . . . do you want to start back?"

"Probably - spring storms usually come up fast. I hate to go back though, it's still so early." Closing the lid on the wicker hamper, she cinched up the leather buckles.

"We wouldn't want to get caught up in a storm though." Folken took the basket from her and went to strap it onto her horse.

"No, there's not much in the way of shelter between here and the city - just a few small farms." Shaking out the blanket they had been sitting on, she started to roll it up. "I was hoping we could spend the whole day together. You've been so busy . . . we just haven't had been able to see each other that much."

Folken took the rolled blanket from her and strapped it behind his saddle. Turning, he found Jindra surveying the clearing for any last items. Coming up behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist. "I love any time that I get to spend with you." Jindra leaned back against him and he bent his head to nuzzle at her neck.

Giggling, she tried to twist out of his embrace. "Stop that - don't!"

Laughing, Folken released her. "What's wrong?"

"You're tickling me."

Giving Jindra a sly smile, he stepped towards her. "Oh really . . . ticklish, huh? Now that's certainly interesting."

Jindra put her hands up to stop him. "No you don't . . . Folken!" She shrieked as he caught her in his arms and kissed her. Moving his head down, he lightly blew on her neck and kissed it. He felt her shiver in his arms. "What - no more giggling? I thought you were ticklish?"

Jindra could feel his breath on her throat has he spoke. "I am . . . but it's not . . ." Her voice sounded hoarse, "It's not the same now."

Looking up at her face, Folken could see the confusion in her eyes. She feels it - like I do. Gods, I want her so much . . .

Cupping Jindra's face in his hands, he bent his head to kiss her. As their lips met, Jindra forced his mouth open as she sought out his tongue with her own. Clutching her tightly, Folken could feel the heat slowly rising between them as their eager tongues dueled with one another.