Escape (underOath) -Closed-

[mystic.]

Aragorn
Because to the past I say farewell.
And on unfinished business, I shall not dwell.

Miles upon miles we had run. It seemed I hadn't stopped running since the fire. Galadriel, well she was lucky. I looked up to see her, wings outstretched, enjoying a breeze, luckiest of us all to be able to simply soar the long distances. Spike had followed us. I wasn't surprised either. Of course he would come. Not that the fire was any danger to either of us, but to Galadriel it could be certain death. No doubt he wanted her safe. Maybe they couldn't see it, but I could tell they were falling hard for each other. There was no doubt in my mind that they would eventually end up together. Had I half a mind to bring it up, maybe they'd do something about it. But I was protective of Galadriel and still a bit unsure about this wolf called Spike.

My mind jumped back to the matters at hand. The fire. It had started very close to where we had been staying, and spread quickly to our cave. Galadriel had flown above while Spike and I had kept it as contained as possible. My little sister had explained that it was far too big a fire for either or both of us to control. So we left. We had been straight out running for hours now, with the exception of Galadriel, who had flown above us the entire time. I turned to look at Spike, who was maintaining a steady pace beside me. Then I turned my attention to Galadriel. "G!" I called into the air. She glanced down and then spiraled towards me, landing between me and Spike, running with us. "Yeah?" she asked in a wind chime voice. "Can you look around for some kind of water source, somewhere open where we can rest?" I asked. "You bet," she smiled. With one subtle glance at Spike, she was off, into the sky. I lost sight of her for a moment, while she searched and become a little worried. But she was back in no time, running between us again.

"Lake. There's one right up ahead. You know, I'm pretty sure we're far enough away from the fire. Even if it didn't rain for a week, it would be put out before it reached us now." She was right. I nodded, and slowed my pace. She mimicked me, and slowed to a walk as well. "Alright. We'll stop up here and rest for the night. We can look for somewhere to live in the morning." I looked up. It would be dark in a few hours. We finally reached the lake and I went to take a sip. Galadriel flew into the air a few feet, spiraled, and dove into the crystal clear water. She came up laughing.

[(|underOath|)]

I caught up with them, and followed them to the lake. It was beautiful. The sun was setting, casting a long beam of light on the lake. I smiled at Galadriel as her head came above the water, a smile stealing her features. I jumped in and came out with a fish. The fish let out small screams of horror as I brought it to shore. It gasped for air and flopped madly in my mouth until I pinned it down on the ground with a flaming paw. I cooked it through and took it to a small spot beneath the trees. About halfway through my meal, a small lightning bug came to me. She whispered to me about a party that was being held in a large field just south of here. I smiled. "I can't go. I'm bound to stay here with my friends," I whispered. The firefly giggled and flew away. Curiosity drove me insane as I wondered what it would look like. Finally I sighed and got up. I slinked away through the trees, following the giggling firefly. She led me through the trees, across a small stream, and to the large field. The fireflies danced, laugh, and sang as they twirled in circles. I smiled when I saw them. They were having so much fun. I longed to be with them, but I couldn't bring myself to move. I was waiting for Galadriel. I wanted to see if she would follow me. The little firefly giggled as I laid down. "Join us!" She squealed. I shook my head before laying it on my paws.

"I can't. I'm waiting for someone," I said softly. She sighed and sat on my paw in front of me. "No, you don't have to wait for me. You can go join them," I encouraged. She shook her head. "Not until you do, lupe," she said. I sighed. I guess it would be fun. I stood up and she giggled. She grabbed some fur on my ear and pulled me towards the rest of her kind. She took me into the middle of the event. She fireflies danced and sang around me, blinking their little lights. It was a beautiful sight. The did a waltz, and then a beautiful slow dance. The did a line dance, and a square dance. A foxtrot, and a sock hop. I stared in awe as the beautiful ball unraveled in front of me. They danced as if at a masquerade. I sat down in the middle of them and watched, not wanting to intrude on this beautiful sight. Just as I thought this, the little firefly came and stood on my head. Her beau came with her, embracing her and dancing with her. The little firefly giggled with delight as they swirled around. The stars shone for them as they twirled in small circles on my head, giggling and laughing. It was such a beautiful sight, and I was elated to be a guest to such a marvelous event. I was glad that this little firefly chose me to be part of this event. I wondered what is was about me that drew her attention.

[mystic.]

Galadriel
Whisper to me now,
That it's for real...

The sun was beginning to fade behind the horizon. I wondered what was going through the minds of both Spike and my brother as I spun and played in the water. Spike jumped into the water and my heart leaped. But he was only just grabbing some dinner. I sighed, but continued to splash through the water. I watched him eat for a while, propelling myself around the lake with my wings. But suddenly, Spike wandered off into the woods. I stopped swimming and immediately emerged from the water, pulling myself onto shore, dazed. Was he leaving us? When would he be back? Aragorn stopped me in my tracks, and I realized I was blindly wandering toward the woods. "Where are you going?" he asked. "Um...um...nowhere, I just...Spike, he went off in the woods and I was just making sure that he, um, you know, is coming back?" I rambled. "I don't think so. G, we barely know this guy, and why does it matter whether or not he comes back?" Aragorn argued. I shrugged. "I think I know him a little better than you do," I argued back. "We've both known him the same amount of time!" he shouted. I flinched back, "But you don't connect with other wolves. You protect me, and you run from ghosts. You don't make friends."

I regretted the words as soon as they were out. Aragorn went silent for a while. Then he spoke up, "What's the real reason you want him to come back?" He spoke quietly. I looked down. "I have feelings for him, okay? I like him. I just need to know he's okay." Aragorn didn't respond, so I looked up. He looked me right in the eyes. "Okay." I cocked my head to the side. "What?" I asked, a little surprised that he caved. "Okay. Go." I didn't say anything. I just nodded and back up. When I was a few feet away, I spun around and ran into the woods.

I had to admit, I was a little nervous. What if I couldn't find him? What if I got lost? The questions swirled around in my head while the trees flew past me. I stopped in my tracks when I saw a light through the trees. I looked up and spread my wings, and before I knew it, I was soaring above a field. I hovered above, watching with disbelief as a ball was taking place beneath me. It was the greatest show of light I'd ever seen. Then I spotted him, a white wolf watching the same ball as I was. I flew back into the woods behind him and took a deep breath.

"It's beautiful..." I said softly, walking up to him slowly .

[(|underOath|)]

The ball went on longer as the moon started to shine brighter. The little firefly came to my ear and whispered, "Now is when it starts to get good." I smiled at her as the moon grinned down on us, a Cheshire cat in the sky. Wings broke through the air, and I heard the slight thud as paws hit the ground. My only thought was that it had to be Galadriel. The grass crunched as she came nearer. I did not turn to look, I only watched the fireflies as they hooted, and laughed. They twirled round and round in a light show so beautiful, it could only be described as the best on Earth. I turned my head to look as Galadriel spoke up. It's beautiful... she said softly. I dipped my head twice in a subtle nod. My eyes wandered back to the fireflies as I sat down, nodding to the spot next to me for her. The firefly giggled as she looked over me and Galadriel. "Is this who you wait for, lupe?" I smiled and nodded. "Yes, this is who I waited for. You never told me, firefly, what is your name?" She giggled. "Tell me yours first." "Spike," I called. She spun around in the open air. "Aurora," She whispered. "Fitting name, young woman," I grinned.

I turned to look at Galadriel. "Why did you follow me?" I asked. Not in a tone that implied I was upset, or annoyed that she did, but more in one that implied I marveled at the fact. I paused, and then spoke again. "You look beautiful in the moonlight." I gave her a small, impish grin. Was now the time to tell her? Why else would she have followed me through the woods, without my little guide? It took her a while to get here, so she obviously waited a moment before coming. Did she have second thoughts? Was Aragorn opposed to the idea? A small wind teased my fur and disturbed the ball. Everyone cheered as they tumbled a little, but then returned to the places they were, and continued to pair up and dance. I looked at Aurora. "Why do they dance, other than pure fun?" She grabbed her man by his hand and smiled at him. "We dance to find mates." I looked at my paws. "Oh, if only it were that easy. You could find your mate by who you think dances best." I chuckled at the idea. Me? Dancing? No. But then I looked at Galadriel. I would dance for her, if she asked. I would do anything, if she asked. "Come walk with me," I whispered to Galadriel. Aurora giggled and waved. "I hope to see you again, little firefly." She nodded. "Me too."

I nodded for Galadriel to follow me. We walked down the long, open field for a little bit before I finally spoke. "It's beautiful out. Summer's almost over. Fall will soon be here. It's gonna get colder real soon." I didn't know where I was going with that, so I spoke again. "Galadriel, I like being with you. I have fun when you're around. I'm not normally a happy person, but you've changed me. I feel... happy. I'm more a person now than ever. I don't miss being bitter," I said, chuckling after that last part. "When I'm around you, or when I think about you, I'm a better person. I feel happy, and I don't want to miss out on that." I hoped she would get where I was going with this. "Galadriel, will you be my mate?" There. I said it. I looked up into her eyes and held her gaze. I then realized, we weren't walking anymore. We stood on an over look of a valley below, peering down on herds of elk, deer, and flocks of water birds. Of course, if was all a little hard to see in the dark, but the moon spilled light enough to see it, and make out shapes. The stars twinkled and laughed, and the moon smiled down on us. My spine, ears, paws, and the tip of my tail all glowed faintly when I looked up and saw her face. "I love you," I whispered.

;Word count 734

[mystic.]

The ball was marvelous. It wasn't so much a dance, from my perspective, but a glorious light show. The twirling and soaring of the multitudes of tiny lights definitely caught my attention. But Spike looked at them differently. He was curious, and in awe like myself, but he also saw something I didn't. As I looked closer, I could see the fireflies dancing. It was incredible! I came and sat beside Spike and watched them. He conversed with one of the fireflies, exchanging names and speaking of the ball. Spike asked why I followed. I stared at the grass for a moment and then returned my gaze to the ball. "You never told me you were leaving. I worried you wouldn't come back..." I glanced at him and then looked at the dance again.

As I watched, my mind raced. What it would be like to dance like that... But I could. I could fly around, spinning and soaring like them. Not quite like them, of course. I wasn't so graceful. But I had the advantage of wings. Of course, there was always the ground dancing. And then I had Spike as a partner. I blushed thinking of this. Dance with Spike? He would surely laugh at the idea. And why should he give it another thought. He was older than me, wiser, more mature. I acted half my age. Why would he want me? Even for a dance partner...

Spike's words jolted me. "You look beautiful in the moonlight." I blushed some more, smiling shyly at him. He thought I was pretty? Beautiful. The fireflies cheered as the wind tossed them lightly through the air. I giggled, watching them pair up once more. Spike and Aurora spoke some more; about dancing and mates. I was lost in thought once more. Would Spike ever see me as a potential mate? I had time. But like I had told him; I didn't expect him to return. And why should he? But I did have feelings for him. I did consider him as a potential mate, and should he ask, I knew what I would say. Of course. Maybe I hadn't known him long, but still...it was quite possible I loved him. I had never loved before, so I couldn't be sure, but it was possible.

"Come walk with me," Spike's words pulled me out again. A walk? I nodded, and the firefly giggled. They said their goodbyes and I nodded mine to the firefly. I followed Spike through the field. The summer night air was comfortably warm and freeing. I felt at ease with Spike, happy to follow him to the ends of the earth, should he ask me along. He began speaking of the weather, rambling it seemed. I nodded my agreement. He paused and turned the conversation on me. I felt nervous all of a sudden. He liked being with me? I made him happy, a better wolf? I held my breath. He asked me to be his mate. Oh joy! I smiled, nodding. "I thought you'd never ask." I stepped closer and hugged him, laying my head on his back, feeling like I was on cloud nine.

Spike; my mate. I stepped back, feeling like I could fly. I nearly soared, but knowing Spike was right here...it grounded me. I wouldn't leave him, even for a moment to fly into the sky. I only wished he could fly with me. In the darkness, he whispered, 'I love you'. I knew right then and there that the feeling was mutual. I did love him. More than life. "I love you too, Spike." Just saying his name made me happy.