Kare'el laughed. It felt strange for he hadn't laughed in a long time.

Lorelai had definitely changed into a strong confident woman. He had always known it was there. He had seen it over andd over, but now... it seemed like Lorelai had come into her own. She smiled at Kare'el as she led them down to the lake.

Kare'el's spot had a very convenient path down to a small cove by the lake. He dressed in comfortable short pants, leaving his shirt on a large boulder. He dove in after Lorelai and swimming around realized that Lorelai was IN the water. Another thing that had changed. She had all but fought to stay away from the water before Kare'el had left. The story of her sister's drowning had been told to him by Lorelai...as well as how that affected her.

Now though, she was as comfortable as if she wwere in her evening wear sitting with a cup of tea. It was almost like this was a completely different poerson than he had left. Othere than a certain bossiness... He chuckled and Lorelai gave him a quizzical look.

"I am just amazed at who you have become. I feel a strength in you that I have seemed to have lost. It makes me think of taking on life again." He said rubbing the water out of his eyes. " It is a feeling I have not felt since I left you."

For the first time Kare'el felt a loss of what he had been missing out on with Lorelai. He had felt bad about leaving her before...but he had never felt that he had lost out on something. No, though he knew that without Lorelai in his life, the world had been a darker place for him.

"Lorelai...I do not know where to go from here. I don't know what there is to say to make amends for what I have done...but I do know that My life is not as full and rich as It can be or will ever be without you." She sat ther looking at him with her dark brown large eyes taht were at once soft and loving and fiery expression.

"Please say something..." Kare'el said as he watched her looking at him.

OOC: sorry for the Delay. Not sure where else to go with this utnil we go meet your parents. Let me knwo what direction you want to go and I will follow...

Kare'el

NightsShadow

Lorelai's Love

OOC: Sorry for the Delay...RL can get really tough on a person. :)

Kare'el refrained from jumping in the air and yelling in delight.

~She still loves me!~ He thought.

There was nothing else it could be. His head felt lighter as he looked at her.

"Why are you smiling like that?" She asked

"Nothing...I just..." His smile dropped and he became suddenly somber. She needed to know. He could not let her go back without knowing what kind of danger she was in. "Lorelai, I...I want to tell you something, but I am...I just don't know." He stopped. How could she believe him. What would they do about it. Kare'el had no proof, not in the real world.

She was looking at him, waiting.

He smiled a crooked smile and looked at her sideways, "I...I've wanted to come back. I'm just not sure if the Kin would accept me." He said, he bowed his head again. He couldn't tell her about Owen, but he could go back in the Wolf's den and face the dark one himself to keep Lorelai safe. She was smiling at him...maybe she did not notice. Maybe she would believe that he was just nervous about coming back.

The only thing Kare'el knew was that he would never trust Owen again, but he could not let Lorelai go back alone. He would not forgive himself if Lorelai was hurt because he was a coward.

Kare'el

Lorelai's Love

NightsShadow

Her hands on his face almost made him lose the last shred of resolve he had. Lorelai had that effect on him.

She took out the razor and told him how ridiculous he looked. Kare'el rolled his eyes, knowing that he looked worse than ridiculous...as he was about to come back with some witty remark or another, she took his chin in her hands and started to shave him.

"I know that you have been taught the sword...but are you sure you know what you are doing with that blade?" He asked, eyeing the razor as she gently slid the blade down his cheek and towards his throat. She just smirked and continued as if she didn't hear him.

As she finished she looked over her job. she gave a small smile and wiped the rest of the lotion off his face. "There you are, all handsome again." she said pinching his cheek.

"You mean you did not think I was handsome before?" He said mockingly. She just looked at him and raised her eyebrow.

All at once they both burst out laughing. it was as if the tension Kare'el had felt earlier washed away. He watched Lorelai as the words he had such a hard time saying only hours before flowed out of him easily.

He told her how he missed her and began to tell her where he had been for the last two years.

"...So smoke and I just traveled together ever since I left...keeping each other company and out of trouble. Until I started having those dreams." He looked at Lorelai. He had left out why he left and still did not tell her anything of his thoughts and suspicions of Owen and Bane. He still did not know if he could fully trust her...But...

"I did miss you." He said, softly touching her cheek. She looked at him and he smiled. a cheeky, mischievous smile. "Life was far too quiet without you." He said laughing at her expression. She wrinkled her nose at him and punched his arm.

"are you...Have you...met anyone else?" He did not know what made him ask the question, but it was out there now and couldn't be called back. He just looked at her, fearing the answer was yes...but still hoping that, if it made her happy, it was someone who took good care of her.

Kare'el

Her hands on his face almost made him lose the last shred of resolve he had. Lorelai had that effect on him.

She took out the razor and told him how ridiculous he looked. Kare'el rolled his eyes, knowing that he looked worse than ridiculous...as he was about to come back with some witty remark or another, she took his chin in her hands and started to shave him.

"I know that you have been taught the sword...but are you sure you know what you are doing with that blade?" He asked, eyeing the razor as she gently slid the blade down his cheek and towards his throat. She just smirked and continued as if she didn't hear him.

As she finished she looked over her job. she gave a small smile and wiped the rest of the lotion off his face. "There you are, all handsome again." she said pinching his cheek.

"You mean you did not think I was handsome before?" He said mockingly. She just looked at him and raised her eyebrow.

All at once they both burst out laughing. it was as if the tension Kare'el had felt earlier washed away. He watched Lorelai as the words he had such a hard time saying only hours before flowed out of him easily.

He told her how he missed her and began to tell her where he had been for the last two years.

"...So smoke and I just traveled together ever since I left...keeping each other company and out of trouble. Until I started having those dreams." He looked at Lorelai. He had left out why he left and still did not tell her anything of his thoughts and suspicions of Owen and Bane. He still did not know if he could fully trust her...But...

"I did miss you." He said, softly touching her cheek. She looked at him and he smiled. a cheeky, mischievous smile. "Life was far too quiet without you." He said laughing at her expression. She wrinkled her nose at him and punched his arm.

"are you...Have you...met anyone else?" He did not know what made him ask the question, but it was out there now and couldn't be called back. He just looked at her, fearing the answer was yes...but still hoping that, if it made her happy, it was someone who took good care of her.

Kare'el

It had been awhile…Awhile since the darkness had haunted him. Many months had gone by since the dreams had followed him…hunted him down to bring him back to the wasteland. The scent of Death and despair reeked through the air. Kare’el stood up in the middle of the desert land, wind pelting him with waves of dirt.

“I will not do this again.†Kare’el said. He closed his eyes fixing his mind on a location, and felt the wind die away. He opened his eyes and was standing in the clearing he had camped a couple days ago. He heard rustling in the bushes.

~Smoke?~

*No* spoke the voice. And a dark wolf rushed out of the bushes. It had two heads both with gnashing teeth. As it came into the clearing it leapt at Kare’el sinking their jaws into his neck…pain erupting through his….

Kare’el’s eye shot open into the late afternoon light. The wolf was gone…the pain was gone. Smoke was lying next to him, his breathing slow and steady. He looked past the wolf and found Lorelai sitting at a stump…watching him.

He sat up and absently brushed leaves from his shirt.

“I’ve brought you some food.†She said and her eyes narrowed. “ I expect it to be eaten and not wasted. I’ve brought you clothes as well. They should fit.â€

“Thank you, Lorelai.†Her name rolled from his lips along with memories of their life together. “Lorelai…I…I…†She looked at him expectantly, waiting for hims to speak. He knew that she was waiting for an explanation. He could not give her one. How could he tell her that he left fleeing from the man who had trained her and taken her into the Ranger’s circle. The only thing he could think to say was…

â€I never meant to hurt you. Never. I only wanted to keep you safe. And I…You were not safe with me when I left.â€

Her eyes looked at him questioningly.

He walked over to the basket of food and looked down, he smiled. She obviously thought he had been starved to death. The basket was packed with enough food to feed four people. “Are we having company?†Kare’el joked. He looked up at her and smiled again at the admonishing look on her face. On reflex he lifted his hand and brushed her hair behind her neck…the way he used to when he was teasing her and she did not fully appreciate the jest. He realized what he was doing and abruptly dropped his hand.

He crouched down and started busily ruffling through the food in the basket…avoiding looking at Lorelai. He pulled out a slice of the roast and some berries and walked to a tree and sat down. Quickly stuffing some food into his mouth. ~what am I thinking?!~ He could remember a time when nothing would throw him off. If something happened he took it in stride. When he and Lorelai met, that all changed. He always felt surprised and delighted at what she would say and how he reacted. Everything was new again and he was not that sure that the world was the same world he was so accustomed to.

That sensation had not gone away in the last couple years.

With a half full mouth he asked…â€What has happened in the stedding since I left? Tell me How things are going now?â€

Kare’el could tell that Lorelai knew he was avoiding talking about what just happened, but he sat back and looked at her expectantly…waiting for her to answer the question.

OOC: I;m back!!!

Kare’el

NightsShadow

Lorelai’s Lost Love

OOC: oooohhh, You are evil. :P

He tensed for a moment, not knowing what to do...not prepared for her to even look at him and here she was in his arms. He breathed in her scent pulling her closer to him. And then, as suddenly as she had wropped her arms around him, Lorelai was gently pushing him away.

"I will see you, then. Goodbye." She turned and walked out of their spot. He stayed listening until he could no longer hear her footsteps.

He dropped down next to a tree and leaned his head back, softly knocking the back of his head against the tree. ~What am I doing? What am I doing? whatamIdoingwhatamIdoingwhatamIdoingwhatamIdoing? This is just so stupid! I should leave now...she knows to be careful. Light, She is a Ranger, she can probably take better care of herself than I could.~

*That is very likely.* Kare'el heard in his mind. He looked around and could feel Smoke getting closer. The Charcoal Gray wolf entered the clearing and lay next to him.

~Hush! Old dog!~ Kare'el sent. Smoke just gave a slight harumph and lay his head down, closing his eyes.

Kare'el went over his and Lorelai's conversation...listening past his emotion and letting what he heard sink in. He wanted to know if she was being used by Owen. he wanted to know if...if she loved him. ~Perhaps.~ he thought, giving himself a small spark of hope. But not too much. He could not mess this up and he was not willing to open up again. He had to be sure.

If Owen gave her this assignment, he would go with her...or at the very least follow her. Then, maybe he could be sure. He wanted to be sure. Perhaps she would leave with him. They could leave this place and live...safe from Dreaming and death and ...

But the thought of her when she was speaking of the Rangers crushed the hope of her ever leaving.

If he was to stay...

~No!~

Smoke Harumphed again. the Wolf had heard this arguement many times in the last few weeks. *We should stay...maybe you would grow from a Pup ito a real Wolf. The Wheel sends many injuries and pain and death...it is part of living. If you have an enemy...Kill it and be done. Then you can have your She-Wolf in Peace.*

Kare'el looked at the wolf and shook his head. ~If only...If only it were that easy.~ He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, falling into a light sleep.

OOC:BTW I am out of town for three days...I will not be able to get to my computer until after the weekend. See ya!

Kare'el

Lorelai's Lost love

Her words cut at him. Though, deep inside a spark of hope ignited.

~She does not hate me...But...Neither has she said she loves me.~

Off on this thought he was abruptly brought back when she said she was now a Ranger. Fear and worry crept back in, all that time spent with Owen...He did not even know if the others knew about his relation to Bane, the evil that engulfed the Dream. But Owen had tormented and tortured Kare'el for nearly a year in the Dream...it was the reason he fled. Now, Kare'el finds that Owen has been instructing Lorelai. What if she was corrupted...what if she was being manipulated.

Calming all of this and keeping his scent inside of this calmness he merely said "I am proud of you." And he really was. She had grown to be true to herself, turning her anger and despair to a higher cause. He smiled slightly as he looked up into her deep brown eyes.

"Kare'el, I don't want you to leave. This place was your home a long time before it became mine and I will not have you leave on my account. Please. I can't take that right now. If you're truly concerned for my well being, stay." She said. Her words were hypnotic to him, but he shook himself out of that thought.

Stay...Stay and be in harms way. To worry that Owen would slit his throat in the middle of the night or worse, drag him back into the dream. There would be no avoiding Owen if he stayed. he would need to deal with that one way or another.

But there was Lorelai. Really the only reason he could think of to stay. Could he leave her in the care of Owen and the Wolfkin who were blinded by their faith in Owen.

He wanted to believe that she wanted him to stay...to stay with her. But her eyes told the lie of this thought. She could not love him.

But he did Love her.

"Fine. I will stay. But...Tell no one I am here. I will stay up here and I will not bother you all." He did not know if she would keep his presence a secret, but if she did not...that would tell him all he needed to know of what has been happening. " also, You must tell me if you are leaving on a mission. I came to see you safe, and I will not let you go out and find someone to make my dream come true."

He turned back into the clearing and tossed his pack on the ground. He turned to look at Lorelai ~My beautiful Lorelai~ "It is good to see you are well, my...um" He flushed at what he almost said, but turned the words instead to say "My...uh...Wolf companion will be pleased to meet you."

He could not break his eyes away from her face...

Kare'el

She smelled just the way he remembered, the light touches of scents she would put in her bath…the scented oil she used after.

But ice covered her scent and was reinforced by the way she would not even look at him. She made it clear that she was not happy to see him.

~I don’t even think she has noticed how I have changed since we were last together~

At the mention of Owen, Kare’el stiffened slightly, but quickly covered his scent and emotions…He would not allow the man to enter on this. This was not going well, but she had not taken a knife to his heart either. Kare’el dropped his gaze to the ground before him.

“I have no excuse for leaving…Especially without you. I…I just had to go.†That was not what he had meant to say, the words just spilled from his lips. He was not prepared for the longing he had buried deep down, Truth was He missed Lorelai beyond measure, but since he was captured and Tortured, he could not get things right with her…Could not explain what had happened or seem to say the right thing with her. So he ran, like a coward, leaving the one person he had ever truly loved.

Now she was lost to him…He could tell by her stance that she would not accept him.

~I will just warn her…then I will go.~

“I…I had a…I need to warn you. I think you are in danger. I have had dreams and…well, you were in danger. I have been having this dream for the last few weeks and felt you needed to know. “ He turned and started walking. “I’ll not bother you again.â€

~Apologize…say sorry…something! Don’t leave her!~ His mind screamed. But Kare’el Smashed it down into the cavern he had built around his love. He knew she would never accept him.

OOC: I just can't make this too easy! :P

Kare’el

It was her…He could smell her scent as he drew close to the clearing. He stood on the trail before the clearing, transfixed by the thought of seeing her again.

Images and thoughts raced through his mind…Was he dressed OK, would she hate him…jump into his arms? Would she try to take him to … Owen? All the courage he had built for this moment seemed to have left him. His limbs would not move.

~She will hate me…It does not matter, as long as she lives. That is all I came for anyway.~

He took a breath and quietly entered the Clearing. She lay there on the ground, her soft face seeming to gleam in the noon sun. Kare’el’s mouth went dry at the sight of her and he crouched there, just watching her.

Suddenly, her eyes shot open looking straight at him.

“Hello, Lorelai.†Kare’el croaked softly.

OOC:Let the fireworks begin. :P

Kare’el Hasaen the Betrayed

NightsShadow

Lorelai’s Lost Love

The moon above gave the forest a soft glow that was undisturbed but for the breeze whistling through the leaves. In the cool dark air, a thin mist covered the ground lazily moving in the breeze.

But the moment was disrupted. None but someone accustomed to the forest would have noticed, it could only be told by the hush that fell over the birds and other animals in the area. Quietly, though not on purpose, a man walked into the clearing. Looking around for a moment he gave a satisfied nod and set his pack on the ground. As he rolled out his blanket another form walked into the clearing. With its eyes glowing in the moonlight, he gave a soft growl, staring at the man.

He stiffened and looked behind him into the eyes of a large dark grey wolf. The low rumble grew into a full fledged growl, the wolf’s hind quarters crouching as if to leap.

“Relax, Smoke, I will give you your dinner. Be careful, though…the others will think that I tamed you.†The dark skinned man crouched and tossed a small piece of meat to the wolf, which was quickly snapped from the ground and swallowed in one gulp. The wolf sniffed the air and walked over near the blanket on the ground and lay down next to it.

With a small laugh, the man lay next to the wolf and slept. It was a fitful rest as it had been for the last few weeks. Images of a long ago love and a sense of imminent danger. He woke, as he had from the other dreams, with a sheen of sweat dripping from his forehead. The dreams disturbed him, it was not the dream he was accustomed to...not The Dream World...they seemed to be regular dreams. But he could not shake the feeling that they meant something. Which was why he was going back...back to a place he thought never to see again. A place that represented pain and betrayal.

Would she remember him? ~Of course she will remember me. She may try to take my heart out, but I don’t think she would forget me. It has only been a couple years.~ He shook his head at himself and changed into fresh clothes (or as fresh as he had after his travels). He slipped his knife around his waist and threw his pack over his shoulder.

After the morning sun reach it’s noonday height, He felt the cold familiar splash of walking through the barrier. He was back in the Stedding. Fear Gripped him again...and, for a moment, he was held by the terror of what he had fled...the lies...the...

“No…I can’t let this happen†He whispered. He did not know what the dream meant...or if it meant anything at all. But, He still loved her, and if there was a chance that she was going to be harmed, he would still give his life for her. Even if it meant going through... ~Stop thinking about it and go in!~

*Smoke…Wait on the outskirts. I will call if I need you. Please stay out of sight and keep a low profile…I do not want to even be noticed if at all possible.*

*You are still a pup, running up here to your she-wolf. There is either the dream or not and you were not in the Dream.* The man shook his head…this was a conversation he had with the wolf before, but he still could not shake the feeling that she would need him.

Smoke gave a harrumph and trotted off the way they had come.

Kare’el stood and looked again at the last hill before entering the main town. Then he took a breath and started walking.

As he topped the rise, he crouched low, looking for the sentries that he knew would be watching. Carefully he found them. His old friend…the man who betrayed him, had taught him well. He scanned his surroundings and found a route that would serve him well. He might be seen, but he would likely be mistaken for one of the Wolfkin.

Through the brush, he made his way into town, and though he was seen, a wave of the hand and a nod was all it had taken to make it past. The young man on duty, he hoped, would not be punished to severely for his mistake. The hardest part was upon him. Slowly, but trying not to be too careful so he wouldn't look suspicious, he made it through the town.

Behind a house he had seen the betrayer off in the distance. Owen...training the recruits as usual. ~How could they?! Why would they let him live after... ~ he shook his head, He may have to confront the man yet, but he would not do it before he absolutely had to. He was here for one purpose only. To find Lorelai and help her.

He made a wide circumference making his way to the only spot he had felt safe here. He was not especially worried about being recognized at a distance. He was nothing of the man he was two years ago. His had given up his long black hair to the Short dark hair he wore now, and though his skin was the same dark brown it had always been, his small wiry body was a tightly wound spring, compared to the soft weak man he had left as. His fine clothes that he had been so proud of had all been thrown to the fire. He was now clothed in the garb of a woodsman, for he had nobody he could trust, so he had left the world of man to roam with Smoke. His rough wool shirt and coarse trousers did not bother him…until he thought of her. But it did well to keep any from knowing him as the man who had left.

He made it around the town and up the mountains…his plan was to stay in his spot and find Lorelai tomorrow...Tomorrow.

OOC:Well Lorelai, Here is a start. I thought I would make my way to my spot on the mountainside and stay there, then find you. As you can see, I have changed a bit in my Physical appearance, but underneath it all, I am the same man who loved you. :) My Dream can be just my own unfinished business with you or a random fortelling of the future, your choice. Feel free to play with this…I will roll with whatever you come up with. You can even be in our spot and surprise me or…whatever you like.

Anyway, On We go!!!

Kare’el Hasaen

NightsShadow

The Betrayed

Lorelai’s Lost Love

Hey All!

Kare'el here! Missed you guys and thought I would Drop in... *Looks around* Love what you've done with the place.

Mostly, I am around to wrap up a few loose threads with Lorelai...Still will not be very active at all...but who knows what the future holds, Eh?

So...How you all doin'?

Kare'el Hasaen

Lorelai's Lost Love

Former Tracker

and Deserter of the Wolfkin...

Yep, that 'bout sums it up :D