Portal to Arandor Ch. 20

It was late morning when I woke up in the elf woman's house. I was very grateful to Caladhiel for providing me a bed. My body was still stiff and sore and riding with Drahden had not helped. He rode Brego hard and I had been jostled around for days. I was anxious to know what we were to do next, but the thought of travelling had me wary. I dressed and ventured into the sitting room to find Drahden and Caladhiel in deep counsel. When they saw me, they stopped and regarded me.

"How are you feeling Rebecca?" asked Caladhiel with a kind smile. "Would you like some tea and something to eat?"

I looked at Drahden, but his face was masked as usual. "Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you for everything."

"Oh, you are welcome," said the elf.

I sat down near Drahden while Caladhiel poured tea and arranged some cakes on a plate. He looked as bad as he had been all week and I could tell he had not slept much.

"So, what is next, Drahden?" I asked after I took the first sip of tea.

He looked up finally and there were dark circles under his eyes. His usual good looks were clouded with worry.

"I discussed it with Caladhiel last night. You will stay here and recover your strength. I need to ride south and do some investigation."

"But what of the portal?"

"The portal is unclear. I need to determine what we should do about it. Until then, Caladhiel has offered to let you stay here and recover."

Caladhiel smiled her kind smile at me once again. "My dear, your body may be healing, but your mind and soul need more time. Drahden told me what happened to you in detail. Spend some time here with me. It is peaceful and my people will be delighted to take you in."

I thought about that. If Drahden had to figure out where the portal was, it was probably easier if I stayed here. To journey back to Wrexridge would have been hard on me, plus the thought of being with elves was more interesting than being back in that boring city. I decided to stay with her and told her that. They both looked relieved.

Drahden stood up.

"Rebecca, let us take a walk, if you will."

I finished my cake and pulled on my boots and cloak and stepped out into the brilliant sunlight with Drahden. Everything was sparking and fresh after the snowfall the night before. My spirits brightened a bit, even though Drahden would be leaving.

We crunched along in the snow for a while. Birds and other small animals were scurrying along, mindful of us. I breathed in the fresh air and it cleared my head. Eventually we reached a path that brought us to a group of rocks. Upon further investigation we found that a bench had been carved in the side of the largest boulder. We sat down and in the summer it must have provided a pretty view of the stream that was now frozen at our feet.

"Rebecca...I am going to leave this afternoon. I must journey hard to the south so I don't want to waste anymore time."

"I understand. Can you tell me anything about this portal?"

"Not yet. I know who Caladhiel's husband is. I am going to find him and question him. I think Caladhiel's memory is hazy. The book you saw probably came across when her husband first came here."

I shook my head. "Jack was pretty adamant about his age."

"Well he's dead now, so we have to rely on Caladhiel."

Drahden turned to me and lifted my chin with his hand. His blue eyes pierced my heart.

"Promise me you will stay here and do not speak of the portal to anyone, including Caladhiel?"

"Yes, I promise. But when will you return?"

"I will come for you once the spring thaw has begun."

"But that is months away! Drahden...I want to go home!"

He dropped his hand and anger flashed in his eyes.

"Rebecca, you cannot just expect to find this portal and return home. We don't even know if it still works or where you will find yourself once you cross through. It could be very dangerous."

I kicked the snow with my boot. "How much more dangerous could it be? Since I've been here I've seen a dragon, been imprisoned, raped and beaten and probably would be sentenced to die if I ever made it to the King. No, I am sick of this world and its cruelty. I want to go home!"

I stood up forcefully as the tears cascaded down my cheeks and began to walk back to the cottage. Drahden called out to me once, but I ignored him and stomped back to my room where I would not come out until I knew he was gone.

I spent the first few weeks at Caladhiel's cottage in isolation. The elf woman let me have my space as no doubt she was grieving for her only child. We spent evenings together by the fire and she would tell me stories of Jack, her people and old tales of elves from long before man showed up. During the day I would take long walks or just meditate in my room. There were chores to be done and I pitched in whenever I could, but she did not press me much.

Eventually I felt well enough to meet some of the other elves in the settlement. They were all kind but I felt like a complete outsider and did not spend much time with them, preferring my relative isolation.

One day when the sun was bright and the wind had turned bringing warmer air from the south, I trekked in the woods until I found the hot springs that Caladhiel had told me about. It was completely isolated and private so I decided to shed my clothes and take a long hot soak. I wrapped my clothes inside my cloak and slipped into the pool up to my neck and let the warm water soothe me.

As I soaked I let my mind wander, not thinking about anything in particular. I had rehashed my captivity at the hands of the drow enough times and was ready to start thinking about other things. Eventually I drowsed in the pool until I heard a tiny voice.

"What is this fair lady here?" came a voice to my left.

My eyes fluttered open and I looked around but did not see anyone.

"Down here, please."

I looked down to regard a tiny creature with wings. I blinked once.

"A faerie? Is that what you are?" I asked, incredulously.

"Why of course I am, silly human," said the voice.

"I can barely see you...I'm sorry."

"Oh well, I can fix that."

There was a brief flash of light and then the faerie stood opposite of me on the other side of the pool. I was expecting a female, but this one was male. I gasped at the sight of him. He was about 6 feet with short black hair. His body was perfectly sculpted and breathtaking to behold. And his wings were spectacular. They were of a translucent black color and fluttered as he regarded me.

"Ohhhh....my," I said, feeling strange at the sight of him.

"Am I not the most fetching creature you have ever seen?" he said, as he preened and pranced in front of me.

I nodded and took in his fine form which was clad in only a pair of dark breeches.

"And what is your name, my fair miss?"

"Rebecca. And yours?"

"Why, it's Oren, of course."

"Well nice to meet you, Oren."

I had been keeping my body underwater but I'm sure he could see me. But for some reason I didn't feel all that shy about it.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Just soaking, I guess."

"Nay, human...what are you doing amongst the elves?"

"Oh well...I am passing the winter with them. I needed some time to heal."

He cocked his head and regarded me.

"Heal? From what?"

"Well, I...I was captured by the drow and they tortured me," I replied.

The playful look left his face. "Then you are lucky to be alive, my fair miss."

"I know...I am lucky."

"Well then, I hope you will join me here another time, Rebecca. I am terribly lonely in these woods. The elves are bored with me, I'm afraid."

"Oh...I guess I could come back then."

"Of course you will. No one can resist me for long!"

And with that he changed appearance and disappeared into the sun's rays.

When I told Caladhiel about Oren she laughed at first, but then warned me about him. She said that faeries like to meddle in the affairs of others. I took the warning in stride and proceeded to visit the hot springs every few days. Oren was often there and would keep a respectful distance while I soaked. Mostly I would listen as he entertained me with stories of frivolous things. He brightened my spirits considerably.

One day as I was soaking his mood turned from the usual playful tone to something more serious.

"Rebecca," he said when he was finished gazing at his reflection. "How is your healing process progressing?"

I was taken aback by that question at first, but I answered truthfully.

"Well my body is fine now, Oren. But I am still afraid..."

He raised one perfect eyebrow. "Afraid? What are you afraid of?"

"I...I am afraid of men, I guess," I replied. In truth, I was afraid of a man touching me -- it seemed repulsive.

"A beautiful young woman as you should not be afraid of a man," he said in a soft voice. "The creatures that raped you were drow, not men. They were lower than men."

"I know, but they were very male, Oren...they hurt me," I said in a small voice.

"And do you believe the next man that touches you will hurt you?"

"Well, no...but the thought..." I trailed off. I was extremely uncomfortable.

Oren came closer to me. It was the closest he had been to me in his large form. He looked at me with large green eyes.

"Rebecca, listen to me. I am going to help you."

I nodded, unsure of how he could help me.

"Please close your eyes."

I closed them and took a deep breath. I was nervous as hell.

"I want you to think of a man. It must be a man that has made love to you and it must be an occasion that you enjoyed. Picture his face in your mind."

I thought about Jack immediately, but it was so painful to see his face. My heart still ached for him. I let my mind wander and then it settled on Robert. The few times we had been together were very pleasurable. Although I missed him too, I felt certain he was safe back at his brother's farm. I recalled the night in the barn and how he drove me wild. The blood rose in my cheeks.

"Now...open your eyes and do not be shocked at what you are going to see," he said.

I opened them and standing before was Robert himself. I gasped and almost jumped out of the pool, but he grabbed my wrist firmly.

"Rebecca, do not be afraid. Trust your eyes and trust me," he said.

I realized that Oren had me under some sort of spell where he appeared as Robert to me. I almost smiled at his thoughtfulness.

"Let your self go with me," Robert said. "Remember the times we had and how enjoyable they were."

I took in his powerful build and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of his naked body.

"Now come to me, my dear," he said as he held out his hand.

I emerged from the water slowly and cautiously and stood before him. The water rolled off my body but the steam kept me warm. I felt the blood rush through my body and I quivered in nervousness.

"Rebecca," Robert-Oren said in a soft voice. "I have missed you so..."

He placed his finger underneath my chin and lifted it so that he could look into my eyes.

"You are beautiful, my love. No one can take that away from you."

I parted my lips to say something, but words failed me. I was so caught up in the vision. Instead I gazed into his eyes and saw desire there. I trembled.

Robert delicately stroked my cheek and pushed a few strands of wet hair from it before lowering his lips to mine for a very soft and very sensual kiss. I stood still with arms hanging limply at my sides as I felt his tongue caress my lips. I was still rigid from nervousness. He broke away.

"Rebecca...do not be afraid. Remember the night in the barn when you gave yourself to me so completely."

I thought back to that night that seemed like years before. He was right -- I gave myself to him and it was my choice. What happened after was pure delight. I returned to the present and slid my arms around his waist. He murmured something and brought his lips to mine again where I returned the kiss more eagerly than before.

Robert pulled me close to him and my bare breasts rubbed against his muscular chest. He slid his hands down my back and cupped my ass, which was still submerged in the water. Each touch of his hands on my body wiped away a bad memory from the drow. Much like the lands around me, I began to thaw.

We kissed slowly and gently for some time. He was in no hurry as he explored my body with his hands and his lips. I arched my neck to let him lick the smooth skin there. I sighed when he gently cupped one breast, weighing it in his hands before squeezing it. I felt a shiver as the nipple crinkled and got hard.

"Touch me, Rebecca. I would have your hand on my cock," he said in a low, sexy voice.

I moved my hand between us and gasped as I felt the hardness of his cock. I grasped it and tried not to think of the black cock of the drow that assaulted me. Instead I went back to the night in the barn when I took him inside me willingly. I ran my thumb over the smooth cockhead and he groaned.

Smiling softly, I stroked him lightly at first then tugged his hard member until he was panting with desire.

"I must have you, love, before I release too soon," he breathed into my ear. "Are you ready for me?"

"Yes," I said, a little fearfully.

But I wanted him too. I wanted to wipe away at last all the fears I had been harboring and remember what it was like to take pleasure with a man. Robert's strong hands reached under my ass and pulled me up until I could settle on his cock. I gasped as it slid into me easily and realized how wet he had made me with his ministrations. He impaled me fully and I cried out in pleasure.

"Ahhhh, yes. Ride my cock, Rebecca. I will hold you," he said and I heard the desire in his voice and for a fleeting second I wondered how much of this was illusion versus Oren's own desires.

I wrapped my arms around his big body and held on tightly as he literally bounced me on his cock. My nipples gleefully glided against his wet chest sending jolts of pleasure all the way down to my toes. My pussy was filled completely and I once again experienced how wonderful a fully erect cock could be. I whispered that to Robert and he chuckled before grabbing my ass tighter.

I rode him for a bit before he set me on the edge of the pool. He pushed my legs apart and lowered himself over me so he could really thrust into me. I moaned and writhed beneath him. He gently licked and nipped my breasts until I was fairly screaming with pleasure. It felt so fucking good I didn't want it to end. I wrapped my legs around his waist while he plowed my pussy deeply and completely.

"Oh yes, Robert...oh that feels so good..." I moaned.

I looked up at his body and that handsome face as he grunted with the effort. And then I felt it -- the orgasm gathering itself in my lower spine.

"Ohhhh...I am going to cum," I whispered.

"Yes, love...release for me," he whispered back.

I shut my eyes and concentrated on the feelings invading my body in a delicious and sensual way. My pussy contracted once, twice then I let out a long shuddering moan as I came. My vision clouded and for a fleeting moment I saw Oren's wings over me as he came too, flooding my pussy with his cum.

When at last I recovered, I sat in the hot pool and tears streamed down my cheeks. Oren was back in his form on the other side of the pool. He regarded me with a mixture of different looks -- one minute it was pity, the next lust. At last I found my voice.

"Oren...I can not thank you enough," I said through the tears.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.

"Because...because it was so wonderful and because I miss Robert," I said truthfully.

"Will you go to him now?"

I shook my head. "He is too far away. Besides..."

Oren looked at me with those sharp green eyes. He was just as breath-taking as Robert.

"Nevermind," I mumbled. "I should go now. I am very tired."

He nodded and watched me as I got out the pool and dressed. Once I was bundled up, I looked over at him. He was also dressed in his usual outfit of black pants and boots only. Oren's wings fluttered a bit and he came near me.

"I am glad to help you, my lady," he said very seriously. His usual playfulness was gone.

"You did...very much," I said, smiling slightly. "But it was a bit overwhelming."

He took my hand and bowed low over it, kissing it softly. I shuddered.

"Until next time," he said before straightening up.

"Until next time," I repeated.

And so I passed the remaining weeks of winter in Oren's care. Caladhiel remarked on my recovery and said I looked radiant. I smiled and said it was from the healing waters of the pool and the quiet life of the elves. Only one more time did I make love to Robert's form. It was bittersweet and when it was over I wondered vaguely if I should wait a while to go home and visit him first. But I knew it would dangerous -- I was still a wanted woman in Fairfax.

Those thoughts were fleeting and as I trudged home I felt stronger than ever.