Amethyst McMahon smiles as she lets her gaze sweep the reflections of the setting sun shimmering on the water and wanders across the sweetly smelling meadow to sink down against the log the Druid is resting against. His eyes are closed, so she leans in to softly brush a kiss across his lips.
Jaekob: A smile curls onto his lips as he realizes she is there and slips out of reverie, "Ah, Ame my love, come to join me hmmm? This is my favourite time of the day I think... when the lands begin to quieten... the people and the animals prepare for a night of rest."
Amethyst McMahon sits back, regarding him silently for a moment, before smiling again and returning his greeting, "Hello Druid, you looked so peaceful resting here as I came, but now that I look closer..." she pauses and sighs, "...whatever is the matter now? You have been absent and brooding for days!"
Jaekob Faolan: " Brooding?" he forces a laugh. "I would not call it brooding. More, I am contemplating the past few days. I worry for my friend the Cat and then Fit was injured..."
Amethyst McMahon takes his hand gently, but her voice is impatient, "Yes, yes, I know you are feeling guilty about Fit, but she is recovering quite well now... and the Cat is holding on too. At least I can bring you some very good news on that front. I just returned from visiting with Audrey and Gabriel and both are well pleased. Since you left the Cat with them it has been listless and mostly unsettled. They were quite worried, especially when the rejuvenation potion that Gabriel brewed was not quite a success at first," she pauses and smiles, ".. until Audrey came upon the idea of adding a tinge of catnip to the liquid and your feline friend was then quite willing to lap it up! The Cat is now resting peacefully most of the day, although it is still weakening... but its decline has slowed noticeably."
Jaekob Faolan me nods and begins to chew on his lip, "Aye Fit will be fine. But, I wonder for the Cat. There seems to be nothing..... well nothing is working. And, frankly I am running out of ideas," he says softly, not mentioning he is ready to storm the Underdark and take the collar himself.
Amethyst McMahon nods and gazes at him searchingly, "... but you are not telling me everything, my love. What is amiss in the Lands. If you refuse to tell me, I'll only hear it from Audrey or Alice from the Sword and Shield Tavern on the morrow."
Jaekob Faolan: "Aye, there is more. But, I am remiss to tell you and yet, I know I must. I have reason to believe the dark Drowess has returned and that the Underdark is ripe with plans to cause our lands harm yet again." Then he looks at her seriously, "Would you consider a trip....." and his words falter as she interrupts.
Amethyst McMahon widens her eyes and looks at him startled, before her raised voice causes a curious squirrel nearby to scuttle for cover, "Oh no you don't, Druid. Not again! I will be going precisely no where, not without reason... well, not at all to be exact! Now tell me what is going on or I will continue to let my burgeoning anger grow - and you know that you would rather that did not happen!"
Jaekob Faolan: "When Fit visited the Unseelie, she brought back a message for me, a message that I know to be from Arianna. I am sure she has the collar now and plans to use it to advantage. And more, I believe she and the Unseelie, despite their differences, will unite in this campaign against me and the lands."
Amethyst McMahon straightens her shoulders, kneeling beside Jaekob and cupping his face with her hands, her voice softened, "Jaekob Faolan, do not send me away. You underestimate how much I know of what occurs in these Lands. I have feared for some time the return of the Drowess. She will not stop until she has destroyed you and all you love. I have seen your Elven Guard hovering around our home, I know that Tangles BarkFellow and other Rangers are constantly on border patrol, that Fit did not scratch herself on a kitchen knife at home, that the number of guards has rapidly risen in the campground outside the Citadel and that your journey to the neighbouring Elven Kingdom nearly ended in tragedy, but for Saphira."
Amethyst McMahon takes a deep breath and continues, her voice quivering, "If you truly fear for me at some point, then I will not cause you more distress, but I can just as well go and stay behind the thick walls of the Citadel with Alice, Gabriel and Audrey, as I suppose you would send all the unarmed citizens of the Lands there in a time of dire need. I could be of help to them then and perhaps my presence would calm many a fearful soul."
Jaekob Faolan nods and turns to gaze into her eyes, "I merely want to protect you from harm. If they can't get to me.... they will try to get to the people I love."
Amethyst McMahon gives him a shaky smile and takes his hand, leading him back towards their cottage, her eyes sweeping the view of the Citadel throning in the distance, dark clouds gathering menacingly on the horizon, before quickly looking away and blinking to hold back the welling tears...
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