He nodded as she spoke, what seemed like a faint smile appeared on his face.
He was not sure what he should say after what had just happened so he merely lay there with her, enjoying her company.

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She laud her head down, glad she saw a small smile on his face. She was speechless. She didn't know how this had happened. It was not a bad thing, she decided. She had enjoyed it. She closed her eyes, feeling drowsy and drugged after the fact. She was soon sleeping, her breath steady and even as she dreamed if freedom.

Crixus felt her drop off to sleep and lay his hand protectively over her.
He had no wish to sleep, his mind and body were wide awake. What had just been shared between them both was something he had never felt before or even dreamed possible.

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She shivered as she woke up slightly, she was cold. A glance to the window proved that morning was not yet there. She looked and saw he was still awake, and dipped her head, her cheeks blushing, she felt shy. "You are not tired?"

He shook his head in response.
''I am fine''
Seeing her embarrassed expression he spoke.
''Why do you blush?''

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She ducked her head "I...uhm...well...you see...uhm..." she didn't know how to explain "I've never done that before..." she finally managed. She had never even imagined doing...that. She peeked up at him.

He nodded, understanding her feelings.
''Neither have I'' he admitted. It was true, many times he had been offered the chance, prizes when he won matches from his master yet he had turned them all down.

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"Really?" she was surprised. Yet happy, somehow. "Well...uhm..." she didn't know what to say. It was clear they both had enjoyed it. But what now? What was to be said or done? Would they go their separate ways once they left? She laid her head back down, questions swirling in her head.

@Arg, you guys must have been posting while I was asleep ><

Neither of them had slept after the two slaves had left. The elf had sulked and Aradan had glared at her for hours before watching her go and stand in the moonlight. She had not spoken a word to him, perhaps too caught up in her incessant planning, this time obviously to save Eonwe from the fate that she had consigned herself too. He couldn't understand her, she drove him insane with her odd moods- And the fact that she had become completely serene once the princess had proven still able to do him down. He would not be trapped here.
The human stood leaning against the door, hand on his sword hilt, dressed like a king and wound as tight as he could be. He watched Rhavaniel carefully, knowing that she would be missed. But could he trade her to save the princess? Surely her father would reward him more handsomely than the elves. And the slaver would surely not turn down an elf- if only she would not protest too much. He could still support their cause- perhaps make a few gold coins on the side.
He would have to decide now, before Abrax returned, how he was going to play this. At heart he knew he wasn't fooling anyone with his lordly ways. He was never going to accepted as a rich man, he could not ever convince himself- He was a fighter. The blood and dirt of the arena called to him- But his freedom was something he would not give up again.

He straightened his cloak and marched out into the dawn. Rhavaniel turned towards him as he went, but said nothing. As he approached the slaver's private quarters, he heard her utter a quite prayer and take a few steps. He knew she understood what he was about to do. He had seen a glimmer of fear in her eyes.

"Sir,"Aradan said, as the slaver exited his chamber with bleary eyes."I am sorry to wake you."
"Tell me, man, have you killed Eonwe or do you wish to face my wrath for allowing her to live whilst her brother begs me to do away with her?" Abrax snapped.
"She lives still, mylord. But I have a proposition for you," Aradan smiled, feeling the muscles in his face taughten "A profitable one."
The cruel man's eyes lit up, although his anger was still plastered on his face:"Speak,"he paused for thought "Or I shall have you in the arena tomorrow- Free man or not."
Aradan felt a muscle in his forehead twitch:"Surely the girl is nothing but trouble for you. Let me take her into the hills so you can declare her for dead to her brother. If needs be we shall say she tried to escape but drowned in the river," he was sweating as he continued "The elf you can keep, if such is your desire- A slave through the ages to you, your sons and their sons is handsome payment for a girl so broken. Though maybe you should prefer to have her freedom bought by her kin, far off though they may live."
As soon as he had spoken the words, he regretted them. Abrax had changed; his face had given the impression he was still slightly drunk, but now he seemed more than sober: "Can the elf fight?"
Aradan smiled tightly "It is the way of their people to know the way of both sword and bow."
The slaver laughed a big booming laugh,"Well, my dear boy! They told me you were a business man- But what a business man! A fighter you were, a real hard egg- And with talent for death, rival only to my own! I was so angry when you left me, but of course I understand. Pretty women can catch anybody's eye- Especially when the bring the clinking of coins needed for your release! And there was me cursing you for having left my humble home. You offer me diamonds as an apology!"
Aradan nodded his head, unaffected by his old master's praise: "Do we have an accord?" An accord made in hell, the man thought.
Abrax clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly fashion "Let us watch the sunrise, my boy! Let me mull you offer over in my mind. I'm sure we can agree on something."

@Sorry its so long Didn't seem to be when I wrote it...

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

(it's ok!)

She had fallen asleep again after pulling a blanket over them both. She curled up on his chest, enjoying the warmth he gave off. When morning came she awoke again and had no wish to move right then. The little hut offered shelter, and Crixus offered warmth and protection. Soon they would be free! She was glad she did not have to return to Rohan, she would much rather live a more simple life. She smiled sleepily at Crixus.

Crixus looked at her, his lips curving into a small smile. He got out from under her and stood.
''We should find the others'' he said as he pulled his clothes back on. Knowing their master he wanted them to get away before he could interfere.
Leaving his room, he began to look for the others, though he couldn't find them. Cursing his luck he turned and found the elf.
Walking up behind her he spoke '' When are we to leave?''

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She nodded and followed him, she hoped they were not too late. There was a strange look and the elf's face. "What us it?" Eonwe asked her with concern. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. "What has he done?" she asked slowly, dreading the answer.

Rhavaniel bowed her head slightly "I can only guess, but we must make haste all the same. We came with the notion of purchasing your freedom, 'Crixus'" the name sounded foreign on her lips "But instead we found you, mylady," she turned to Eonwe with a weary smile;"Perhaps it is not his fault he harbours such hate against me. He was never truly accepted back into his society after we freed him; Even if he did make more gold than he can carry."
She brushed down her skirts and looked to the east "If we are to leave, we must go now, before Abrax truly rises. I expect Aradan will have made some offer to him to secure his own free passing. Some offer involving me," she seemed cut deeply by the idea, but didn't comment on it,"Before the sun is at its peak we must be away from here. Is there a way we can leave this place other than the front gates?"

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

They had intended to free him?
He pondered her question before answering.
''There is a way, past the stables we may use. Abrax would lead me through it when he did not want others to see us leave, for private fights''
They could be away before anyone knew what was happening. He could scarcely believe it, one day ago he was a slave, and now he was close to becoming a free man.

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She looked at Crixus. Yes. He would soon be free. She smiled, glad of that. But she had been bought and would be most likely sold again. Or returned to Rogan, which she would not do. "You will finally have a life." she smiled, although a bit sadly at Crixus. She had known in the back of her mind they would go their separate ways. "You might as well get your supplies together now." she said quietly, motioning to the elf.

As she spoke he knew it was likely they were to part, yet he found himself saddened by that. He wished them to remain together.
''Come with me''
Crixus froze, had he spoken out loud? He looked to her, seeing the sadness in her eyes, waiting for a response.

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