Kitana slowed to a trot as she stepped into the clearing.She laughed when she saw the boys.'Both of you are quite childish.'She teased.She shook her pelt and approached the side of the bank where she lowered onto her belly and lapped up cool fresh water.She panted as she stared ahead of them.

Lupay stood up and shook off, "You know I can't be serious all the time right? It's too hard to do." :upay smiled bareing his small feline teeth.

Eresain stood in the water and spotted a deep area, "I don't know about you guys but I think I am gonna go swimming. This water a very pleasant temperature and it has been a while since I have last swam..." He smiled and trotted over to the deeper area and pulled off his shirt. He jumped in happily with a large clumsy splash.

Lupay laughed, "I could use a swim I guess." He also ran over shifting in to human form, pulling of his shirt at the same time and sliped falling in to the water. Lupay tackled Eresain and pushed him under water then swam away, "Come on Kitana!" he shouted and gestured to her.

Kitana leaped away from the edge avoiding the spray of water as the boys went for a swim.She shifted to her elven self and glared at the two."I'd rather not."She snapped."We have a long way to go.We should get moving."Despite her words kitana couldn't help but stare at Eresain.When was the last she had swam with him?She stripped her weapon and laid them atop Eresains shirt before stepping into the water.

Lupay laughed, "Thats the spirit!" He swam in circles, "You are the one who said we have plenty of time anyways!" He went under and swam around looking at the bottom of the river and watching fish swim by. Then he popped back up.

Eresain watched Kitana smiling widely. Then he went after Lupay and tackled him. The two boys wrestled in the water splashing around until Eresain broke away. Eresain saw Kitana stepping in and ran out grabbing her hand and pulling her in with him. He laughed as he slipped falling backwards in to the water.

Lupay laughed at the two of them and swam over, "See this is fun! You gotta learn to have fun Kitana."

Kitana gasped as she fell in when Eresain pulled her in.She watched the boys with a small shake of her head even though she smiled.She swam out to the deep end and floated on her back staring at the tree tops."Life wasn't fun back at home."She said with a far away look in her eyes.

Lupay snorted, "Well alright Kill Joy.'' He continued to swim around just minding his own business.

Eresain swam over to her and said, "Hey, it was fun some of the time remember?" He looked at her warmly with a smile. "Remember all the fun we had?" Eresain placed a hand on her stomach and pushed her down so she had to tread water with him.

Kitana pushed herself away from Eresain and surfaced."Of course i do."She smiled."It was always during training sessions."She laughed."I remember when there was an arrow in your butt."

Lupay laughed hearing what Kitana said

Eresains cheeks flushed slightly as he remembered that. "That was not fun at all... and it was very painful..." He splashed her a bit. "How about when I threw you in to that mud puddle when we were little? That was fun, for me at least."

Kitana shield herself by throwing her hands up from the water and glared at Eresain."That was terrible.But of course I got my revenge."She moved close to him with a cold look in her eye.

Kitana laughed at his reply."How could I forget.It was our first meet.I still think they should have put you in the gutter.Father would hear it."She dove under the water and gazed at the fish as they swam away in fear.

As kitana surfaced, she saw that Eresain had gotten out.She laughed as she swam to shore and wadded out.Her braid dripped and her suite was soaked."It's a warm day."She said as she climbed a top a boulder and basked in the single ray of sunlight, shoving it's way through the dense treetops."An hour of drying and then we will be on our way."She added after a silence.

Eresain kept his shirt off and laid in his bak across the back of the Creo. He lifted one hand an the trees branches parted slightly letting in the light. Eresain closed his eyes with a happy sigh and put his hands behind his head the muscles in his arms becoming more prominent. The Creo wurred and rested its head.

Lupay got out and laid on the pebbled shore. He looked up at the sky and soon nodded off. He kept on hand on his stomach and the other over his face.

Kiitana watched the boys in a silence.She chuckled as she watched Eresain and leaped from her rock, landing beside him.She settled close to him and breathed in the warm air, twisting her long braid between her fingers.

Eresain smiled feeling Kitana settle next to him. 'Just like old times' he thought. He moved his arm around her shoulders and murmured, "I love you." Eresain kept his eyes closed a small smile still on his face.

Lupay had fallen asleep and rolled on to his side with a snore.

Kitana curled onto her side facing Eresain and whispered in his ear,"I love you too."She chuckled and feel into a deep sleep.

Kitana awoke at the sound of a twig snap.She rose to her feet and retrieved her bow and arrows, not bothering to wake the others.She heard whispers and narrowed her eyes.She climbed the trunk of a tree and perched on a high branch gazing below for any sign of movement.Her fingers itched for her bow.

Eresain slept on as Kitana had gotten up. He rolled on to his side and stretched out looking comfortable. The Crei looked over at Kitana with a small huffing sound, it's head tilted curiously watching her.

Lupay kept sleeping like a bear. He wasn't snoring anymore but he twitched slightly as he dreamt.

Kitana watched the wooded area with intense concentration.When she saw movement, she leaped from her perch and landed on the ground drawing an arrow and pointing it at the man standing before her, sword drawn and pointed at her throat.The man was tall, around her age, a year or two older and had forest green eyes and long hair like herself.The blade he carried was glowing red and the black suit he wore, made him seem more dangerous than she let on.But she knew this man.She didn't speak, for he did."Hello princess."He hissed."Out for a morning stroll?You are quicker with that bow than I remember."Kitana was silent.She stared at the elven warrior with a look full of hared and distrust.

Eresain woke slightly hearing a voice in the woods. When he reaches iver and doesn't find Kitana laying next to him he sits up looking around. The voice was a male no doubt. Eresain looked to Lupay and gave a sharp bird whistle.

Lupay woke hearing the bird whistle and looked to Eresain. Eresain was gesturing to the woods to make a round about approach to something in there. Lupay slowly nodded and shifted in to his lion form. He slowly crept across the river an around to the left of Kitana and the male. Although he could not see them he could scent them.

Eresain watched as Lupay crept in to the shadows around the left if the two. He soon slunk around the right of them with silent steps. His eyes focused on the two and he remained still ready to help if he had to. Eresain kept his eyes on the blade the man held to Kitanas throat.

Kitana snorted and the man moved closer to her and took the long rope of hair lightly in his hand eyes on the princess and keeping the blade steadily at her throat."I heard you ran off."He stated as he whiffed at the hair that smelled of leaves and dirt and flowers."You never said goodbye."He added when he saw her eyes narrow."I never said anything to anyone."She said simply."I just left."The man chuckled and moved closer so that his lips caressed hers."Tolem..."He pressed his lips to hers and then pulled back."Your safe now, Princess."he didn't remove the blade.Kitana watched him but then her eyes fell to the earth her chest flaring."How dare you?"She hissed.She had lowered her bow but Tolem had a hand where her grip was so she couldn't raise it.

Eresain growled quietly watching as the male elf, Tolem, kissed Kitana. He took a few steps forward then circled around behind the elf. Eresain remained out of sight as he approached.

Lupay could catch Eresains frustration and stalked forward. They were closing in on the two of them. Lupay could see the glint of the sword and Tolem rest his lips upon Kitanas. His eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip on Kitana. Lupay stopped moving forward when Eresain signaled for him so stop. Eresain had let out a animal like sound.

Eresain had made a small calling sound of an animal. He hoped that Kitana would recognize it and know he was there.

Kitana stood in silence as Tolem studied her expression.When her left ear twitched, kitana gazed around wildly, the wolf calling out to her.Tolem chuckled."It seems we have company."He raised his voice."Come out young warrior and show yourself.You've given away your position after all."Kitana's heart pounded in her chest and she felt the change in her beginning once more but she fought it back.