The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

mark12_30 · 10-27-2002, 06:06 AM

After everyone had dispersed, Gamba gave Esta a wry, disappointed look. "No kiss again tonight."

She returned the wry look, but hers ended in a delightful smile and a conspiratory whisper. "Take me swimming."

"Now? Tonight?"

"Show me the stars."

She took his hand, and led him toward the tunnel, Gamba's heart racing out of control. They walked hand in hand down to the waters' edge, jumping in fully clothed.

They swam down the long dark tunnel side by side. Gamba felt the grime of the caves rinsing off of him, and then they came out under the starry vault. Esta gasped, he pushed her gently to the shallows, and for a while they just stared.

She climbed up onto the grassy bank, feeling the moist dirt and live greenery with her hands in wonder. Then she sat down, and beckoned him; he followed as if in a dream, and sat down beside her. She shifted, leaning back towards his lap, and lay in his arms, gazing up at the sky.

He gazed down at her, studying her in the starlight; her skin was now quite clean, and glistening, stark lily-white against her dark hair that was swept straight back from her face. Her deep brown eyes reflected the starlight. He thought that he had never seen anyone or anything so beautiful, and then he smiled at his own sappiness. Part of him wanted this moment to last forever; and the other part replied, Don't be an idiot; freedom comes tomorrow night.

He tore his gaze from her long enough to look down the river, and wondered how close the ships would get, and what it would be like to be on one. Then his eyes returned to Esta lying in his arms; and he simply watched her breathe.

She lay peacefully for a while, and then stirred and sat up. "We should go back, " she said. "We'll see the stars again."

They returned to the water and swam back into the caves.

10-27-2002, 06:06 AM	#299
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	After everyone had dispersed, Gamba gave Esta a wry, disappointed look. "No kiss again tonight." She returned the wry look, but hers ended in a delightful smile and a conspiratory whisper. "Take me swimming." "Now? Tonight?" "Show me the stars." She took his hand, and led him toward the tunnel, Gamba's heart racing out of control. They walked hand in hand down to the waters' edge, jumping in fully clothed. They swam down the long dark tunnel side by side. Gamba felt the grime of the caves rinsing off of him, and then they came out under the starry vault. Esta gasped, he pushed her gently to the shallows, and for a while they just stared. She climbed up onto the grassy bank, feeling the moist dirt and live greenery with her hands in wonder. Then she sat down, and beckoned him; he followed as if in a dream, and sat down beside her. She shifted, leaning back towards his lap, and lay in his arms, gazing up at the sky. He gazed down at her, studying her in the starlight; her skin was now quite clean, and glistening, stark lily-white against her dark hair that was swept straight back from her face. Her deep brown eyes reflected the starlight. He thought that he had never seen anyone or anything so beautiful, and then he smiled at his own sappiness. Part of him wanted this moment to last forever; and the other part replied, Don't be an idiot; freedom comes tomorrow night. He tore his gaze from her long enough to look down the river, and wondered how close the ships would get, and what it would be like to be on one. Then his eyes returned to Esta lying in his arms; and he simply watched her breathe. She lay peacefully for a while, and then stirred and sat up. "We should go back, " she said. "We'll see the stars again." They returned to the water and swam back into the caves. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.