Knights and Childhood Friends (DragonSong)

[Saber-Five]

With Elora's slient nudging, Rubin finally took at ease posture as well. He followed his old friend's example and bowed respectfully by the waist. Straightening up, he spoke again.

"Understood general. Rest assure we will serve in whatever way you command as best."

Quietly, he wondered if Hardin will treat him with distaste like plenty of others have before. So far it didn't look to be the case, but one couldn't be sure. Then the commander herself looked at her two young subordinates in great study and back forth before commenting further.

"As matter of fact I'm in need of both of your services. Elora Braun, you will be reassign to serve as part of my personal bodyguard. Don't worry you will have plenty of opportunities to learn, because my staff tends to complain that I lead charges too often for their care. As for you Rubin Morrell, a company of infantry who just came out of training lost their commander a few days ago due to a riding accident. Considering your rank and experience I'm placing you in charge of them."

A bit stunned, Rubin recover enough to bow again and humbly said.

"I live to serve crown and country."

[DragonSong]

"As- as you command, General," Elora stammered out, a bit surprised. She flashed Rubin a wide-eyed look as she dipped into another bow.

"Shall I report to you then directly?" she asked as she straightened up. She'd been under the impression that she would be mustering out with the rest of the foot soldiers when the time came.

[Saber-Five]

Shaking her head no, General Hardin explained.

"You're both still off-duty for now. Enjoy your break, until it ends, then report to your new stations at once. Morrell, one of my staff officers will you direct to the company."

With a salute and a playful wink the general turn away and left the young knights. Rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand, Rubin stated the obvious.

"Well...that was interesting."

[DragonSong]

Elora snorted. "That's certainly one word for it."

Then she turned to him with a grin, elbowing him playfully. "Well hey, look at that! Given a command before we've even hit the field. You must be feeling pretty pleased." The gold in her eyes glinted up at him.

She was happy for her friend, and oddly proud of him. She knew he must have been having a hard time of it since the scandal his father had caused, and she was glad their General didn't seem to care and was giving him a real chance to prove himself.

[Saber-Five]

"A bit terrified in all honesty Elora. The only unit I ever lead was a small squad temporaryily during a skirmish."

Of course, he didn't mention the part that he observed how his uncle Carl and other officers, good and bad commanded troops over the years. He just didn't want to brag that he learned much about it. He looked sideways and smirking at Elora.

"You don't got such a bad position yourself. Bodyguard to General Hardin herself, rather impressive for a new knight. That means you're going to be on the front a lot. They say she likes to get in the thick of the fighting whenever the chance present itself."

[DragonSong]

She puffed herself up dramatically. "What, you don't think I can handle it?" she teased, bumping her shoulder against his.

Sobering a bit, she said with a soft smile, "I'm sure you'll do fine, Rubin. She wouldn't have given you the command if she didn't think you'd be good at it." A gleam lit her eyes again and she added, "Besides, you're a born commander. You've always been a bossy little thing, even when we were kids."

[Saber-Five]

Bumping his shoulders back at hers, he countered humorously.

"You did scream and cry a lot back then heheh. It's no wonder I had to take charge."

Lowering his eyes for a bit, he added.

"In all seriousness though, thanks Elora. So how about I escort you back to your lodgings? I imagine you want to rest before heading to headquarters."

[DragonSong]

She couldn't quite stop the impulse to stick her tongue out at him this time, but then she smiled. "I'd like that. Thanks." She turned to go, asking over her shoulder, "Where are you staying then? If we didn't see each other until the tavern tonight, I assume we're not in the same lodging house."

[Saber-Five]

Rubin gladly pointed out where he was staying from their position. His lodgings were at east side of the fort at the lower end corner. Once that was done, he followed Elora back to her place. On the way there, a new question popped into his head, it felt rather awkward to conisder asking about for some reason. Still curious he went ahead.

"Been seeing anyone lately? I imagine you must broke a heart or two by now."

[DragonSong]

Elora shot him a slightly surprised look, not expecting the question. "No, actually," she said, keeping her voice carefully even as she looked ahead again. "I haven't. Messed about with a few of the boys in training, but it was just for fun, nothing too serious. I haven't...seen anyone since I was knighted."

She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye, curious now that he had brought it up. "What about you then? Must have your pick of the litter with the name your making for yourself." There was something a little forced in her tone, but she told herself it wasn't noticeable.

[Saber-Five]

Perhaps that wasn't the right question to ask Rubin told himself, realizing he may have struck a nerve with that one. Gluping down, he replied carefully.

"As matter of fact I made an effort to avoid people who give me too much praise. They're only shadow people who insulted my family when I'm not around, trying to cash in on that new reputation. "

The next part felt harder to confess but Rubin knew he had to be straight with Elora. She told her side it was only he did the same.

"Like you I...messed around for fun. Just with only some women. No I'm not seeing anyone lately either, it's hard to trust somebody else on that kind of level you know."

Why I do feel this nervous all sudden? He asked inwardly.

[DragonSong]

They were getting closer to her lodgings. Not wanting to break the conversation off, Elora paused, grabbing his arm so he stopped with her. "Rubin," she said, using her best no-nonsense tone. "You're jumpy. What are you trying to ask me here?"

She'd never been the kind of person to tiptoe around a subject, so she looked up at him expectantly, not realizing she still had a hold on his arm.

[Saber-Five]

The gripe and her voice, compiled Rubin Morrell to stop in his tracks. He can bravely charge against a host nomads or hold his own in a bar fight but right now he felt twelve years ago. In some ways things haven't changed since that time. Rubin knew now that crush was still there yet it seem grown into something more than that along the way. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.

Morrell didn't want to ruin this reunion with something that would embarrass them both. Spirits' sake they only seen each other again nearly hour before. Despite all of his efforts to cleanse his family name, Rubin still felt tainted and unworthy. Why should he add a burden to Elora who was just starting her own career? Yet, she demanded an answer, no the truth from him, she deserved no less.

Beating around the bush or lying won't help matters. Rubin took a deep breath before the mustering the courage. Staring into her amazing eyes, he spoke slowly.

"Elora do you remember the last time we were together? We were at your favorite tree in my mother's garden. I bruised my face after falling from a branch we're sitting on. You came down and help me back up and...kissed my cheek to make it feel better. Well it made my face go all red."

He struggle with the words if they would cut off an arm but managed before finally saying.

"I cared about you before then Elora as I do now..."

Lowering his head in condemnation, he continued.

"Forgive me, I had no right to bring this all up. We just only saw each other after all these years. I don't want to ruin our friendship because of my foolishness. You have your own life, who am I to complicate it?"

[DragonSong]

She simply stared at him for a moment, silent. When she could speak, all she managed to get out was a soft, "I remember..."

Elora bit her lip, just staring at him. The grown woman knew she should probably smile and brush it off, telling him that of course she cared for him too, but it would be easier to just stay friends.

But there was a small part of her, a part of her that still felt like the little girl whose heart would skip a beat every time those green eyes looked at her, that desperately needed to know what could be. She felt that if she didn't act now she would regret it.

"Rubin." Her hand slid down his arm to his wrist, then she slowly threaded her fingers through his, the touch almost a question. Almost without her permission, her other hand went up to lightly touch his cheek.

She opened her mouth but for a long moment no words came out. Finally, cheeks flushing, she murmured, "Do you...want to come in?" She nodded at the lodging house, letting her gaze drop. "We could, you know. Talk. I-" She let out a shaky sort of breath. "I've missed talking to you."

It was the most she could admit just then. I am a damned coward.

[Saber-Five]

The way she reacted and touching his cheek, caused him to pause. Did she felt the same way he wondered within the sanctuary of his mind. He looked up and answered with his own blushing face.

"Yes I would like to."

No matter what happens next, he felt a great load was lifted from him. She wasn't just somone have a fling with she was more special than that, Rubin reminded himself. Following her inside, Morrell commented.

"What do you want to talk about first?"

[DragonSong]

Elora led him to the small room she was using, nodding for him to take a seat on the bed as there wasn't really anywhere else to sit.

"Oh, I don't know...anything really," she mused. Without really thinking about it, and because she had too much anxious energy to sit down, she began pacing  in a small circle, undoing the ties in the front of her tunic and slipping it over her head, leaving her in undershirt and breeches.

What did we used to talk about? None of their old conversation topics seemed exactly appropriate. She fidgeted a little nervously, kicking off her boots. Was it warm, or was that just her?

[Saber-Five]

 Ironically, not considering what being on the bed could lead to, Rubin sat on it. Watching how Elora circle around and slighty undress, made the man become more aware of how the situation could lead to. A part of him welcomed the possablity but he refused to take advantage of it, unless Elora really wanted that.

"I seem to recall that you had some crazy cousins who use to visit. I forgot their names to be honest. They were a quite the bunch."

[DragonSong]

She laughed quietly, dropping onto the bed next to him. "Aunt Scara's kids," she said, nodding. "Oh they used to make me so mad. They called me names, then said I was a crybaby."

She pouted dramatically. "Well of course I was upset! I was seven years old and Darren had taken one of my toys. And then he threatened to break it if I told Mother." She glanced up at him, eyes softening a bit. "You got it back, remember? I never did find out how, just- there you were, holding a silly doll out to me with this shy little smile..."

Looking away again, she cleared her throat. "Look, you can, you know. Get comfortable." She gestured to herself as an example. "I certainly don't mind."

It was only then that she realized such action may not be entirely appropriate. She hadn't really been thinking about it- it was Rubin for gods' sakes! She remembered once they'd gotten themselves so filthy playing outside that he mother had refused to let them back into the house until they were cleaned and they'd wound up sharing a bath in the maids' laundry washbasin.

But that had been a long time ago, and the rules were different now. She folded her arms; she didn't like the new rules.

[Saber-Five]

"Oh yes, I managed to steal back from Darren and evaded him in amazing chase, worth telling in legend." Rubin declared with over-dramitic voice to be funny but yes he did all of that minus it being epic but just downright silly.

When Elora offered allow him to get comfortable, Rubin examined her debeating with himself.

"If you're okay with it, then I will." He offered, Rubin wasn't a perfect man. He sometimes wasted money on brothel visits or threw himself into danger recklessly. Yet he was a gentleman and more importantly how Elora felt about this situation mattered the most right now.

[DragonSong]

Forcing herself to relax, she gave him a small smile. "I don't mind, really. It's nice to just be able to relax with you. It's certainly been awhile."

She flipped back onto the bed, absently undoing her braid and combing her fingers through her hair so it fell around her shoulders. "You nervous?" she asked abruptly, feeling the need to say something. "About tomorrow I mean."