SYLVAN ELF CHRONICLES. Christianne Van Keuren
Two
THE remainder of Darius’ trip home was fairly uneventful, well unless you counted all the teasing he did to Vitaria when she was tending his wound when it first happened. His payback for his teasing attacked with a vengeance during the night in the form of sleepless wakefulness when the numbing ointment wore off and the pain jabbed him rudely awake every time he rolled onto his injured shoulder.
More than a couple of times Vitaria heard him groan in pain as Darius rolled the wrong way as he slept, or attempted to… She made a mental note to herself to use more of Brian’s ointment when she changed Darius’ bandage in the morning. She was more embarrassed at having been caught admiring the view; as Darius put it; than anything else. Vitaria had put him in the same category as most males she came in contact with, whether it be elf, the village men or otherwise. That opinion rapidly evolved for the better during the trip and when she saw him talking to his Grandfather, Telasar. How he acted, the respect he showed and then when he put his life on the line to save hers. It wasn’t just the respect that Darius exhibited. He mirrored many of the same mannerisms of his grandfather. These actions were definitely ingrained from bloodline as Darius had never met or had contact with his grandfather. It reminded her of when she was a young she-elf; when she had a major schoolgirl crush on the then young Telasar. He didn’t even know she existed, as a female that is, when he helped her learn how to handle a bow. To him, she was just another student being taught how to handle a weapon. He helped her when she was having a problem with a certain elder elf lord harassing her. He didn’t think twice about protecting a young she-elf in need. She tried hard to push it out of her mind so she could sleep, but couldn’t.
Darius displayed these same traits. Her sleep disrupted by his unselfish act by putting himself between her and the assailant pricked at her conscience, giving Vitaria an overwhelming sense of indebtedness. Taking care of his wound was one way she could repay the debt. She would do that until they parted company back at the village.
Renewal of hidden feelings stemming from seeing Lord Telasar again were transferred onto Darius. He looked so much like his grandfather did at that age. Looks and mannerisms unwittingly stirring the pot of sexual tension between the two.
The next morning she arose before the others and found more soap weed with which to cleanse the wound. She had some water warming as the others got up. She came back into the campsite to find them all around the fire. She approached Darius, who was sitting; or more accurately squatting; right next to it and the bowl of warming water.
“We need to clean and redress that wound.” Vitaria stated matter-of-factly.
Darius looked up at her with a very pained look on his face. “I think it’s just fine. Thank you very much.”
“I think we need to take care of it.”
“Not if you’re gonna do what you did yesterday and try to scald the skin off of me like a butchered hog. Just leave it be.”
“Stop whining like a baby.”
“I’m not whining, woman. That hurts worse than the spear itself.”
By this time Darius was standing, turning to face her and forcing her to look up at him. She didn’t back away, hands on hips, chin jutting out in defiance. Darius didn’t move. They probably would have stayed that way for a long time if Brian hadn’t intervened.
“Darius.”
“What?” Darius’ eyes never left Vitaria’s. Challenging her.
“Darius.” Brian’s voice firm, annoyed.
Darius finally looked at Brian only to be rewarded by a look that an annoyed parent gives their child. Darius tried to give a firm look back, but failed miserably.
“Just stop grousing and let her do her job. Get the wound cleaned and put a fresh bandage on it.”
Darius turned back to face Vitaria with a pouting scowl on his face. Vitaria had to turn away for a quick moment, biting her lip to keep from smirking.
“And Darius?”
“Yeeesss.” His eyes never leaving Vitaria’s face.
“You’re not a little boy anymore. Deal with it.”
The scowl became focused on Brian. Brian’s face just broke out into a grin as he polished off his coffee. The scowl was lost on him as it was when his own children did it.
Darius growled at Brian. “Oh you’re such a funny man Brian.”
“So I’ve been told.” He said, saluting with his coffee cup. “At least that’s what my offspring complain about.” Chuckling as he walked away.
Darius focused his attention back on Vitaria. “No more hot water?” Eyes narrowed to thin slits of accusation.
“No. No more hot water, just warm.” She held out both hands, palms up. “I promise.”
“Gee. Why don’t I believe you?”
“Your problem not mine. Now sit back down so I can attend to that wound. Please.”
He did as she asked. As he mocked her. “Yes mother.” Miffed, she responded, which was the worst thing she could have done. “If I were your mother, I’d turn you over my knee and…”
Darius’ eyes became owlishly wide with feigned innocence as he looked up at her. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
At first Vitaria became annoyed with his flipness, until she caught the connotation behind his comment. Annoyance flipped to embarrassment, pink cheeks and a slack jaw; unable to do more than sputter indignant sounds. Shoulders stiffening as she turned and walked away; or, more correctly, stomped away. Darius’ laughter dogged her footsteps. That is until he realized how much he had offended her. He stood up and chased after her.
“Vitaria! Vitaria!” She ignored his pleas. Fists clenched, shoulders and back stiff as a board.
“Vitaria come on…stop I was only kidding, come on.”
She spun on him when he caught up to her. Her words as sharp and pointed as the fingertip she jabbed into his chest with each word.
“Everything is always a joke to you. You need to stop treating me like one of your…your village girls that fawn over your every word like…like they were pearls of wisdom. Thinking every scrap of attention you pay them is is, oh just leave me alone.” She turned her back on him for a brief moment before turning back, again the finger punctuating her every word.
“I was only trying to be decent. Why must you always make it so hard?” Her face mottled with red and white splotches. All the while, Darius just stood taking the poking not saying a word, just grimacing with each successive poke. She finally stopped, eyes shiny bright with tears of frustration.
“Well?…Why?” She demanded; biting her lip for control. Vitaria wanted to grab him and shake him till his teeth rattled, that or…or. She quickly pushed those thoughts from her mind.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s stupid…childish. I…I don’t really know what…and I don’t treat you like the village girls. I never have…honestly.”
“Then why do you do it?” Her voice losing some of it’s anger. “I expected better of you.”
Darius looked down at his feet that had taken to shifting back and forth. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her. He knew why, but was too embarrassed to tell her the real reason. What he really gave her was an extremely lame excuse and she knew it.
“I was showing off in front of the other guys. Just being juvenile.”
“There’s more to it than that Darius and I know it.”
Darius tried to explain, but couldn’t keep himself from tripping over his tongue. “I guess… I just…you.”
“Just what…?Me what?”
He let out a huge sigh. “Just trying to get your attention.