Ithel
I had the most beautiful dream.
I felt warm, excited, happy, and amazingly fulfilled. So much that I didn't want to wake up. There was a sweet lingering feeling in my heart that I wanted to live over and over. I didn't open my eyes, if I did I might lose that string that connected me to my dream... my most delicious dream...
I shifted slightly and my eyes flew open when I heard a soft moan. I woke up to find the delightful cause of my dream to be lying between my arms.
Memories from last night flooded and I grinned like a fool with pride.
The beautiful Aella... he is here in my den... and he's actually between my arms and snuggled to my chest!
I almost flinched at the feeling of my hard on that confirmed the sight before my eyes. He was peacefully asleep, his sunny curls tickling my upper arm and his lips slightly parted. He breathed in ad out slowly, almost as if he knew I was watching him and he was trying to seduce me with the rhythm of his breaths.
I leaned in and kissed his cheek, his forehead, and then his sexily naked shoulder. I hugged him gently while caressing his half covered back. I smiled at the way he fit perfectly in my arms.
Eventually I had to get up and get him food and clothes. I reluctantly detached myself from him. He just moaned slightly and hugged himself. I raised an eyebrow at how he quickly replaced me. I scanned my den under the faint first morning light. I had enough water to go for a while, but that was all. I needed to go to the main clan territory and get some of my things.
I took a last gaze at him before I left my den.
I walked across the big rocks and through the forest. I ran to save time and get back to him as soon as possible. When I reached the clan, there was no one there. No wonder, almost everyone is busy in their own den with their Agape. Even those who got no Aellas for the year, they remained in their dens too to avoid being teased or humiliated.
I walked between the various brown tents and got to mine. I went inside and packed whatever could be useful; mainly clothes, but also a few deer skins and some kitchen tools. I made sure to check for the Leader's tent, but as expected, he wasn't there.
I stood there debating whether to risk doing what I was about to do or if I should be reasonable and do what was best to keep my neck in its place. A single memory of the way Ceri was hurting yesterday made me quicken my steps towards the Leader's den.
Ceri... what a beautiful name, deserving of a sweet Aella...
With a good run, I was soon facing a nice little waterfall, beside which a higher cave resided with bear markings on each side.
I looked around, debating my chances. I stepped closer and saw two little children, a boy and a girl, playing at the entry of the cave. It was normal for the young children to accompany their mother on her Agape. They usually either stay with the mother or the father, if the father's Aella allowed it. I recognized the children to be my Leader's children. I wondered if it was their mother inside. She's quite nice, and with some luck, the Leader might not skin me alive for disturbing his Agape.
The tempting smell of cooking sneaked out of the den. I guess they were up since they started cooking their morning meal.
The children smiled at me and the boy waved. I waved back and whispered: "Is your father inside?"
The girl put her arm on her hip as if denouncing my hesitation. Then the little devil called inside the cave: "Father, father, there's an Aello lurking outside our den!"
Lurking????
I gulped and prepared to retreat when I heard the Leader babbling and threatening to use me as fire fuel. I stood my ground when he came out glaring. Our Leader was a very strong man. He never lost a fight to either men or even the wild animals. His usually calm and wise features were replaced with a withering glare. He seemed more ready to hunt than meet a fellow Aello. He looked about to actually kick my ass, but he halted when he saw me and sighed in exasperation: "Ithel! What in the spirits' names are you doing. Here. At MY den. ON THE FIRST MORNING OF MY AGAPE!!!" He was talking angrily through his teeth. He was doing his best not to yell; of course it was more in respect to his Aella than in consideration of my presence.
I raised my hands in surrender: "Leader, I promise I have a good reason!!"
"You better have one, because I'm about to teach my boy how to skin a prey, and I might just use you"
His boy child watched with innocent eyes while his daughter folded her arms and smirked at me.
I laughed awkwardly: "He-heheh, Leader is always...... funny"
"Whatever. Just get to the point"
I walked closer, determined to get what I risked my life for: "I need some healing herbs"
His anger dissipated and a worried frown took its place: "Are you hurt??"
"Euuuh... y-yeah" I debated whether to tell the truth, especially with the look he gave me that said he didn't believe me
When I didn't explain any further, the Leader sighed and shook his head: "Fine. What do you need to cure exactly so I knew what herb to give you?"
"It's a foot. I fell, and twisted my ankle"
He didn't look convinced, but luckily he turned away and went into his den to fetch the healing herbs for me.
I waited for my Leader to get back. I heard his children whispering about me being injured, 'poor man' the boy said. But then I was actually shocked when the girl called me a 'clumsy Aello'!!! And I had a feeling she wouldn't feel embarrassed if she knew I was listening!!!
She would definitely become an Aella-hunter one day.
"Here" the Leader came out and handed me a piece of folded leather, "Cut these into small pieces and heat them. Then put them on the injured foot..." he looked at my feet and raised an eyebrow accusing me of lying, "or whoever is hurt. The herbs can be reheated and reused as long as the heat causes their smell to get stronger. If you apply it well few times a day, three days should be enough for the pain and the fever to go away-"
"Fever??"
"Sometimes a sprain can cause a fever. If it's something you can't handle, come look for me. But ONLY if these don't work, you got me?"
"Yes, Leader. Thank you for the help"
He sighed and patted my shoulder: "I haven't seen you at the gathering yesterday. Are you doing ok?"
"I'm doing ok, Leader. Actually, I'm doing great!"
He looked at me suspiciously, most probably thinking I was still lying to him: "It's no shame to not find an Aella, Ithel. It is a shame to give up trying, though"
Easy for him to say. The Leader never spent an Agape alone, even before he became the head of our clan. He was one of the most wanted Aellos in our clan, while I...
Yes. I was definitely the least wanted one.
It's true that, since the number of Aellos has always exceeded the Aellas, some of us remained without an Agape. But while my fellow clan members skipped an Agape or two, I skipped seven in a row. I actually did the most humiliating thing for an Aello;
I bored an Aella so much that she broke our laws and left me, in the middle of our Agape, to join a better Aello
"Ithel"
"Yes"
"Don't think too much of the past, my brother. It was my fault for trusting you'd actually show up his year"
I laughed and bowed my head at him. Before I could leave, his Aella stepped out of their den looking as radiant as always, with her little boy child holding onto her dress.
"Aella Halina", since she was the Leader's Aella for the year, I bowed my head at her in respect. This will be the third year in a row for them to have their Agape together, I think.
"Aello Ithel. It's been a very long time since I last saw you, my boy"
"Sorry to bother your Agape, I was just leaving"
"Oh, there's no need to act like a stranger. I remember the day you left us to live with your late father like it was yesterday. Our mountain actually missed your mischievous spirit"
I laughed and she came to hold the Leader's arm while talking to me: "The bread is about to be ready. It' the most delicious bread an Aella could make. Why don't you stay and have a meal with us?"
"NO!" My Leader answered before I could deny. Then he cleared his throat and tried to save himself from looking less than courteous in front of his preferred Aella: "Ithel needs to go. He has...... things to do"
I didn't want to embarrass my Leader and bother him any longer: "Thank you, like the Leader said, I have to go"
"Too bad, take this with you then" She moved gracefully back to the den and came out holding a covered bowl: "Use this to make your own bread, then. It might not be as good as mine though"
I bowed to both of them and left. I couldn't help but turn around for a last glance to see my Leader caressing her long sunny hair and kissing her forehead.
My throat constricted when I realized they still had 30 days to enjoy each other's company, while I... who knew how long my Aella will bear my company.
The thought of him waking up, alone in my den and without anything to eat, it made me regret not waking him before I left and making sure he'd wait for me. I tucked the food that Aella Halina gave me with the rest of the things I carried on my back and I quickened my pace.
I couldn't go back to him yet, I had to find proper food for a morning meal. I first set some traps to come and check on them later during the day. Then I gathered as many fruits as I could carry and headed back to my den.
I was in a hurry when I stepped inside and I went straight to the look for him.
My heart sank when I found his spot empty. The deer skins that were spread on the ground were folded and put aside.
Wh...... why? So soon...
I knew he was leaving eventually, but I hoped...
I frankly didn't know what I hoped exactly. But it certainly didn't involve him leaving already!
I tried to ignore the voice in my head that reminded me that, once again, I broke the record of the whole tribe's history at driving an Aella to abandon me. He was passing through my life like a delicious dream, but the dream was too damn short! And it felt even more painful to lose than delightful.
I dropped everything I was carrying in my hands and on my back, and I ran outside. Maybe I could get to him before he reached far already? Maybe I could somehow convince him to come back for another day... just one day more.
As I climbed the big gray rocks that surrounded my den, I already started plotting ways to convince him to come to my den again. In my drive, I almost missed the sweet voice that called me like an early morning melody
"Ithel?"
I turned around to find him looking at me with worried eyes... those enchanting eyes... how could they look so captivating
I climbed back down towards him. He was sitting close to the edge of the rocks. His clothes sprayed under the sun a few feet away. He was nicely wrapped in leather while his feet dipped in the sea
"Are you alright, Ithel? You looked alarmed-"
I dropped on my knees and hugged him tight. It felt as if I suddenly dove in cool water; my mind unwound and my heart settled.
"I thought you left me"
"...... Sorry. I wanted to take a close look at the sea. And then I wanted to touch it"
I chuckled at how childish he sounded and pulled back: "How's your foot doing today?"
"Still hurts a bit. I think the sea water actually numbed the pain"
"Good... good..."
I took my time to admire his beauty to my heart's content. A long silent moment passed, after which he looked away from me. I was about to start thinking that he didn't want to look at me that much or maybe I bored him. But, through his sunny curls, the redness in cheeks suggested otherwise.
His eyes refused to leave the water and he kept clenching and unclenching his hands on the smooth rock. I smiled when I realized that he was self conscious about us being this close; but it wasn't because he hated it, it was because he remembered the way we touched and kissed the night before.
It was truly amusing to watch his shyness manifest. But I chose it was better if he could freely look at me, talk to me.
I pushed some of his curls back from his face. I reached for his chin and gently made him turn look towards me. Then I leaned in and captured his lips with mine. The kiss was gentle and slow, and my heart reveled in the fact that he enjoyed it with me without any resistance.
I pulled back and a string of saliva linked between our mouths. I licked his lips as he looked at me with half hooded eyes
"I'm glad you didn't leave, Ceri"
He offered a smile in response. A smile that was interrupted by the voice of his stomach claiming food. He hugged himself in embarrassment and I laughed
"That's my fault for not feeding you, Aella. Do you like fruits?"
He nodded excitedly: "Yes, please! I love them"
I brought him the fruits I gathered and he gasped in awe: "This is... this is too many! And they look so delicious!!"
I handed him some berries to start with. He didn't need an invitation, though as he dug in immediately.
"So I guess fish and fruits are your favorite, huh"
"Yes! We get to eat fruits, but the Aella-hunters always barely enough for everyone. I usually get a piece, so I can't taste everything. It's really cruel that they don't let us go down to the forest and get our own food"
"Yeah, the laws of our clan are very strict in that matter"
He nodded with his cheeks filled and I laughed at him. I grabbed a pear and took a bite
"Now help me solve this mystery. An Aella, so beautiful and seductive, how could he live all these years on the same island as I am without us meeting sooner?"
"...... I know it's very uncommon...... you must think I'm strange"
I met his escaping eyes and said very calmly: "I don't find you strange. I just regret all these years of not knowing you"
His eyes looked in mine for a few seconds as if verifying my sincerity. Then he simply shrugged and answered me, looking very regretful, and sad: "My mother passed away while giving birth to me. My aunt raised me as her own, but... she couldn't breastfeed me. So for the first year, I was fed by different Aellas; the ones who gave birth around the same time and weren't against someone like me"
"Someone like you??"
"I was a fatherless baby... It also seems like my mother had me only after six months of the Agape......"
My eyes widened in realization; if his mother gave birth to him so early it would mean she met an Aello before the Agape.
And that is much forbidden in our tribe. No Aella had ever done such thing and survived her punishment.
But...
"Ceri, six months does not definitely mean that your mother did something against the rules. I heard that some women carry their child less than nine months and the child still survives"
His lips were pressed tightly against each other. He shook his head while shrugging: "I don't know. My aunt refused to tell me anything and she also forbade the other Aellas from talking about the matter. I watched all my male peers leave the mountain to join their fathers at ages between seven and ten. When I was ten and no one came for me, I thought my father simply miscalculated. But then I was eleven... and twelve... and thirteen... I waited for my father to come claim me every day. I went into trouble so many times for starting the red fire that signaled for the Aello's Leader to come forward to the mountain."
I looked at him in surprise as I clearly remembered the red fire incidents! The Leader would dress up and take some gifts along and some of the strongest and best Aellos in our clan, he was hoping he'd have a meeting with some Aellas, only to be turned back and told that it was simply a child's fault.
My heart fell at the thought that I wasn't there for him. I know I wasn't aware of his existence or his pain back then, but still. He was calling out to our clan yet no one bothered to ask; exactly why is a child starting the red fire so many times...
"I just... I hoped the Aello clan's Leader would remind my father and bring him along, but it never happened. At fourteen, I witnessed yet another child leave with his mother for her Agape and not come back. 'He belongs to his father now' they told me. I decided to go look for my own myself"
"You escaped!???"
For a second I was too scared for him and even forgot that he was sitting safely beside me. He was still young. His actions were very understandable, but if he left the mountain without his Leader's consent he could get severely punished!
To my relief he shook his head, but he looked quite embarrassed: "No, I was caught by a hunter-Aella. I thought she was going to hit me, she wasn't exactly known for being gentle. But she didn't hurt me. She didn't even tell on me. Instead, she told me the truth; that my late mother had me early, she told me why some Aellas treated me very poorly. And she said that what made everyone believe my late mother was guilty, was that she refused to tell anyone the name of the Aello with whom she spent her last Agape... not even her own sister."
Living without parents in this world is harsh enough. On top of it, he was the only man over ten to live on the mountain. Seven damn years I could've seen him and met him. If his aunt sent him to my clan, he would've been raised and taught the Aello ways. Why would his aunt keep him? It almost sounded cruel of her.
I didn't voice my thoughts, though. Something about the story felt wrong, like there was a missing piece to it. But I wouldn't tell him that the most logical explanation he had of his situation was flawed.
He probably thought I wasn't looking when he turned away and wiped a tear. And I swear I was about to cry with him.
"I'm sorry... I... Thank you for the generous meal and everything. I need to go"
"What? No!"
I grabbed his shoulders: "Why would you want to leave so suddenly????"
"...... You're a brave and honorable Aello, Ithel. And I..."
He didn't need to finish, I already knew was he was going to say. I pulled him into a hug to keep him from it. He was tense at first, but a moment later he relaxed a bit in my arms.
I pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes: "You are by far the most gentle and seductive Aella I even laid eyes upon"
"...... Really?"
"Definitely"
My heart warmed when a small smile tugged his lips. It was like the sun was shining again.
His eyes glittered with appreciation. Then he leaned in closer, his nose brushing mine, his eyes staring at my lips, and then meeting my gaze. His voice came in a low delicious tone that had me hypnotized:
"You are very kind, Ithel... You are so handsome, I actually wonder if you're just a dream"
I went speechless at his compliments and my lower stomach throbbed as a certain part of me immediately rose. My mind was torn between the fact that Ceri was seducing me and the fact that, for the first time in my life, my heart and body were responding to someone.
Both facts were confirmed and also drowned in the back of my mind when Ceri's honeyed lips claimed my hungry ones.
~~~~~~
AN: Hey fans! Another humble chapter of the Aello couple! Now we know the story of sweet Ceri ;)
I hope u enjoyed it!
Bisouuuus ^_^