It was all so much to take in. Denika was a Princess, he was a Prince, Sabin was a kind of Princess, and Denika was using him to further her own ambitions only this time it would’ve been something neither of them could go back on. But one question still burned in his mind, if she wanted a child by him why would she use the brand to sterilize him? Maybe she wasn’t ready to take on the Queen’s claim even with a child with strong claims of its own.
The Snow Elf would likely never know, he just hoped they hadn’t conceived in the one unprotected coupling. As he listened to Sabin explain how to break the brands power he found his cheek flushing a little. He remembered the night Denika put the brand on him, it was his first night under her ownership and it was a night he constantly wished to forget. The pain, the massive amount of shame, and the death of the last ember of hope that had been glowing weakly in his heart all his years as a slave.
As she asked if he wanted the brand gone now the big man nodded.
“More than anything.” He took Sabin’s hand and grabbed up the blanket from the gate house leading the woman to the forest. “I know of such a spring, Denika had gather ingredients for potent poisons there a couple of times.” He pulled Sabin in close to him holding his arm fondly around her waist.
Sabin enjoyed the gesture and kissed his free hand softly, “Okay then”, she nodded, “As long as you know what it entails. Once it is removed you are still free to choose your path, so know that you are forced into no obligation. I just want to make sure you do so as a free man. Please lead us to the place, we don’t have much time”
The big man nodded.
“I said I choose you my Valkyrie. Brand or no. Come quickly.” He picked up his pace leading Sabin deeper into the forest towards ancient oaks.
Sabin was happy to hear those words. She wanted to believe in him so much, but still wanted to make sure his decision was his, without any magical intervention. She was a firm believer of fate, knowing often that you can find a bound to people or locations, and feel unexplained connection to them- which constantly urges you to find them or go back to them if you are not with them. She knew she felt a hint of it coming from Galmied, as if knowing the man would play an important role in her life. But even so, she was a reasonable woman. She knew random encounters mostly happen for lust, and she wondered if her feelings were honest, or just fleeting feeling. Same for the snow elf. What if his words were forced on him, or his vision was clouded by the brand? Will he still be with her as a free man? Will he not wish to explore other options? Choosing someone as potential mate after only such chance encounter just seemed so unlikely to her.
And yet, here she was, holding his hands as they were led deeper into the forest, believing like a little girl, that such meeting, as fictional as it seems, was meaningful, with a promise of a shared future for the both of them.
It looked like only time will tell and hoped he didn’t notice how happy she was, or how red her cheeks turned to be.
***
Soon the sound of rushing waters reached their ears and the surrounding rocky area was covering their trail. The spring was isolated, and seemed deserted from mortal interference, which made trees, ground and vegetables to grow wild.
Little creatures swam in the lake, and the water were very clear and sweet. The sun kissed the edges of the grass, and the silent of the area was enchanting. Above their head stretched a range of mountains, which seemed to be fading in the horizon and birds and bees flew around, “This area is fantastic”, Sabin said, dipping her hands in the water, enjoying the fact they were warm, “How did you learn of this location?”, she asked.
As they walked along the forest a strange sense of peace and serenity had filled Galmied’s mind as he held the hand of the woman who saved him once and seems eager to do it again. It wasn’t a familiar feeling at least after so many years only feeling hopelessness. He wondered if it would last, his experience with women is fairly one sided. And despite how much proof and love he sees in Sabin’s face and eye that nagging little part of his brain that makes him doubt everything never goes quiet.
Maybe if his vision proves true and Sabin is the mother of his child it will finally be quiet. He could not know and by rights he shouldn’t worry about it. Even if it was all a lie he would at least be done with this brand...hopefully. His mind was called back from it’s wonderings when he heard Sabin speak besides him. Looking down at her he smiled.
“When the Captain first brought us here, I was part o’ the Scouting party she sent out tae recon the area. There was only three of us sent out so we each picked a direction and started walking, mine brought me here. Growing up in around the Glacial Sea you learn tae spot pure water and this place passed the test. And gave me shelter from the storm I walked into.” He placed his hand on the bark of the old oak tree whose branches served as his bed that night. “So what now?” He asked looking out across the lake.
“Well”, Sabin tried not keep her gaze straight, and hoped nothing will betray her expression, “We… we bath… and then---”, at this point she could have no longer look at him, squeezing his hand tightly, letting his mind continue from there.
The big man nodded his face heating up some. They’ve already coupled, but that was under orders...well it started with that then grew into something far better. But doing it again this time of their own free will it felt different. He was sure they would enjoy it even more. With a nod and a sigh he released the woman’s hand and began undressing. “Oh dinnae we need your blood or something too?” He asked undoing the sleeves of his jerkin and pulling it off exposing his firm upper body to the air.
“Regarding this part… Denika’s words were not exactly clear to me. Do I need to cut my hand and bleed on your brand or so? Do you maybe recall how she did it when she put the brand on you?”, Sabin said and as if not caring at all she began to remove her own clothes; The weapons she gathered in a neat pile (safety measures) while the rest of the gear she placed further away so they won’t catch any rust. The rest of the clothing however, she put closer while gathering few bushes and other branches- something to be used to start a fire to warm up once they will get out of the water.
She then jumped in, diving and soaking her hair, rushing above and hugging herself. The water were indeed warm, but not enough and to make matters worse the wind was chilly. It felt like the evening was drawing closer than she originally thought, and realized they will need to hurry.
Galmied was so mesmerized by Sabin’s nude body that he nearly tripped over his pant legs before realizing he hadn’t taken his boots off yet. With an embarrassed sigh he pulled his boots of and worked out of the rest of his clothing. She did bring up a good point, the man had mostly blocked out the last ritual, but he would need to revisit the painful memories once more so as to end all this.
Once he was undressed he placed his clothes and equipment besides Sabin’s and waded carefully into the pond. It was a refreshing feel to his warm body, diving in he swam around under the surface for a few seconds before popping up behind Sabin pressing his body close to her so she could share his body heat. Wrapping the woman in his broad arms the Snow Elf answered. “If I remember right, Denika pricked her finger then traced the brand onto my skin. I guess you would need tae do the same?”
She enjoyed his body, and felt a ruge of heat expanding around her body as she pushed herself back to his embrace, “Sounds good!”, she kissed him and swam for a stoney area by the edges of the lake, where she noticed a prickly reed. She used it to bleed out her finger and made her way back to him, being careful not to wash the blood as she held her hand in the air above water, “Okay big boy, turn your back to me”, she helped him move his long hair over his shoulders, using her finger as a brush tracing his brand with her wounded finger, “I hope it won’t hurt”, she said as she used her own blood to draw over it, noticing it glowing with faint light.
But something felt wrong… She bit her lips so no moans of pain will escape her mouth, as to not worry him. It was good his face was turned to the other side. She placed her free hand over and above her right breast, feeling a strange burning, almost aching sensation. It was not painful per so, but it was uncomfortable. She wondered if it was a mosquito bite or a side effect of the ritual.
While still using the blood of her finger over his brand, she glanced at the wound and noticed something forming on her skin. She was worried, but said nothing, humming carefully, as she moved her fingers over his shoulder.
Galmied had to kneel in the water so the much shorter woman wouldn’t have to climb up his back. Though the idea of seeing Sabin jump up and down to reach was quite amusing, nonetheless he knelt down and began to focus whatever will he had into prayers that this would work. As she began the tracing, a fierce burning began to radiate from his brand to over his heart a little above his left pec. He groaned softly taking a few breaths, the pain wasn’t as bad as Denika’s magic punishment, but it still hurt plenty.
“Hmm I guess it’s working, I just hope the blood dinnae wash off when we begin the bath.”
“Worse case I can cut it again. The blood is a small price to pay for freedom”, Sabin said, pulling both of her hands from him, diving her body so the water rose above her chest. The last thing she wanted was for him to turn around, see the new mark and to worry, “Okay then”, she started to wash his arms and pull his head closer to hers. While still being together like this, knowing that they had to mate here and in such a limited time frame-- felt somewhat forced and Sabin had to make herself relax.
The burning of the mark didn’t help that either.
She moved her hands over his belly as she began to place soft kisses over his neck and nape, breathing near his ear, while still holding him close, almost cradling him. He obviously was too tall for that, so he had to lean back and let the water carry his body above the surface, “Are all the snow elf this big?”, she teased him and chuckled softly while playing with his hair, “I find it so hard to believe, but I am always fascinated to learn at how different other people and races exist in our world”, she kissed his neck some more, now using one of her hands to push water over his body and hair, “Where I come from, there is a ritual of placing a maiden on the throne. You need to take a mug of oil and soak her hair with it. Something about it being symbolic to having a crown”, she took some water in her hands and dipped it over his head and hair, “I now crown you the king of the lake”, she laughed softly, still holding him close, “And since you are king, you obviously cannot be slave anymore… this is why from here on out you will live as a proud man, Galmied.”
While the burning sensation continued to grow in his chest the woman’s hand made him inch away and try to cover a laugh. Leave it to a Dark Elf to find a man as ticklish as he, but he focused on watching her wonderful body as it moved around him in the water. His body reacted as any man’s would, but the water hid it from obvious view. Wiping water from his eyes he tried to answer all her comments.
“Well lassie, Snow Elves are the biggest race o’ Elf in Eisignol. I am 6’8 which is tall, the average Snow Elf just being 6’1 or 6’2, but there have been records o’ Elves going over 7 foot tall, but that hasnae been since the time o’ old King Alistair he was 7’3 and all his court and family were close tae that height. But we were a mightier, prouder race then.” He frowned a little, but shook it as he was dubbed King of the Lake which made him smile and let out a short laugh.
“Well every King needs a Queen my Valkyrie. And now it is my turn tae bathe you.” Standing back up he began scooping up water into his large hands and pour it over Sabin’s head watching the droplets trickle down her smooth dark skin. He started with her head running his fingers slowly through her hair working all the tangles out and slowly moving his hands her faces and shoulders.
He leaned down and kisses Sabin on her lips while his hands scooped up some more water and poured them over her shoulders and torso his hands roaming slowly across her breasts his finger tracing the bump forming at the top of her right boob. He looked at it hmm softly before leaning in and kissing it and move down her torso teasing her breasts slowly before he began kissing back up to her lips his hands rubbing the water down the flesh before he lifted her from the water a little and set her on his hip. He winked at her before he stepped into a deeper part of the pond dunking them both under the cool clear water. Once they were under he looked into Sabin’s eyes for a few seconds before he kissed her deeply pulling her body close to his own.
He held the kiss for a few seconds before he surfaced with Sabin still sitting on his waist.
“I’d say we’re clean now.” He chuckled lightly.
“Good”, Sabin said, as a wicked smile spread on her face, “But I think you missed a spot”, she pushed him back under water, leading his body down the water as she rose over his, surfacing from time to time to grab air and give it to him through kisses, while still holding his body close and under water.
She knew that he was able to withstand this. He seemed to show he was capable even more underwater, so she continued to tease him as she attached herself to him, and once she had her fur, allowed them both to raise their heads slowly over the surface--- both gasping for air. She placed her legs around him, moving as she kissed his neck, “I think we are clean now…”, she chuckled. To be honest, she was very surprised with herself. It’s been a while she was able to let go and enjoy herself. She continued her attack of kisses, moving her lips down from his neck to his chest, nuzzling him, hearing the “poking” sound as the edges of their hair dripped tears of waters back into the lake.
Galmied groaned softly at Sabin’s attentions.
“Hmm dinnae forget the last part, magic needs tae be coursing through the brand tae clear it.” With that final thought Gelmied began the third part of the ritual. Consenaul pleasure and mutual hope flushed out all doubts from the minds of the Elves. They were separate entities before, but in that moment they became one, two souls melded together in something as honest and true as nature itself. The water churned around them and the air seemed to shimmer as magic Sabin thought was too dormant to come to the surface began to course through their bodies and into her hand as she clutched to Galmied’s broad shoulders for support as his hands were clapped around her buttocks guiding her body into his.
The magic burned through the brand and an audible click like a key in a lock rang through their ears as their voices rang out in pleasure and pain. The intensity of the seal breaking caused all the magic Denika had bound in it to be released. And as their chests pressed together in the final moments before the ritual was complete a bright flash of light erupted between them and
Galmied let out a final yell and reached release. The brand on his back shrunk to two lightning bolt shaped scars and on his left pectoral muscle a new brand appeared, this one of a waxing crescent moon. His body spasmed as he held Sabin to his body feeling her entirely around him.
Sabin gasped as she fully accepted him into herself, losing herself and her grip over him, feeling her body experiencing so many things at once--- Pleasure, pain, excitement, fear--- as she was becoming numb, losing control of her own body.
She couldn’t speak for several minutes, still panting and reliving the feeling, a smile spreading over her lips.
The water enveloped around her body as she realized Galmied has made them both sink under water. She shivered, both from the sudden feeling of cold water, and the aftermath of their mutual deeds, she used the water to wash her face and his, placing her head on his chest, inhaling and exhaling, “We… should… definitely… try this… again”, she laughed, while coughing, “Ouch…. Rough… but I like it…”, now that the feeling returned to her body, she realized that the pain above her breast was still there. She looked at it, but only briefly, as she was far more interested in the reaction of the blue skinned elf in front of her. What would he say next? How would he react? Has the ritual worked?
Galmied chuckled keeping his hands on Sabin’s bottom as he too caught his breath. Everything was tingling with magic and it felt like a huge weight he didn’t even know was there had been lifted from his shoulders. Where they were once constantly tense and twinged with pain, now they felt as cool and free as the ice flows of the north.
“Thank you my Valkyrie.” He leaned down to kiss her lips, but his head was still swimming from the ritual and he misjudged the target. He bumped foreheads with Sabin and suddenly they were both whisked away to a night many years ago that Galmied had long since blocked from his active memory.
They were like ghosts in the mist, the pair of them were floating in a large long hall in the heart of Stormgard. Before them a much younger Galmied, this one smaller, leaner, his hair was much shorter and he had an imperial beard growing on his grim face. He was dressed in the garbs of a city guard, pale blue scale mail armor, a gray kite shield across his back, and a Snow Elf long sword at his waist.But he was hidden in the shadows of the torchlight.
In the center of the empty, a Snow Elf woman, his closest in age sister Igna was on the ground. She was dressed in the long white tunic of a Scholar’s Apprentice, but her sleeves were torn and the dress itself was messy and blood smeared. Her face was bruised and tears were streaming down her face. In front of her was a half-naked Snow Elf man, he was a large specimen, but he held none of the nobility of features both Igna and Galmied had, he looked more like he was half Ogre. Ugly and misshapen, this was Elder Basit the Records Keeper of the Snow Elf Elders, and he was abusing his newest and prettiest student, Igna Ice-Sworn.
“Now, now Igna, dinnae ye want tae graduate from Apprentice this year? What did I tell you last week about crying during your lessons?” He licked his lips lustfully as he lifted Igna up by the front of her tunic ripping it open before tossing her across a nearby table making her lay on her back.
“No!”, Sabin hands reached forward, only to meet some unseen wall. A closer look at her hands made her understand that what she was experiencing now was some kind of out of body astral projection. She looked at Galmied for answers, but the last seemed to have his face bent, avoiding her. She bit her lips, thinking that she might learn more of what was happening, so she decided to just watch for now.
Igna coughed weakly trying to pull her torn tunic closed and inch away from her Master.
“Aye, but please Elder Basit. You’re so strong and rough, my parents are beginning tae ask questions about the bruises. I’m nae a warrior like my brother and sister, the excuse of training with the Guards is becoming less and less believable.”
The ugly Elder sneered wrenching the woman’s hands away from her bust.
“Then do a better job o' hidin’ it ya stupid girl.” He quickly slapped Igna across her face silencing her whimpers. Galmied face both in the vision and watching from the outside was clenched in so much pain and anger one would think he was the one getting slapped.
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