Snowbound
by Tal Greywolf

---

"All right, Eleria, explain it to me again.  Why are we trudging through a snow
covered mountain pass in the middle of winter?"

Jadren shifted his pack and waited for his partner to answer.  She trudged
behind him, her breath visible in the air.  "Because there are raiders operating
in this area, and the Guild wants us to either find them or locate their camp.
And that we're familiar with this region and know the mountains well enough."

"That I know.  But why not riding horses?  And don't tell me it's because of the
weather or the snow, we both know horses could deal with this early snowfall."

Eleria sighed softly and shook her head.  Jadren wasn't being stubborn, she knew
that.  He was trying to help keep her mind off of the cold and the snow.  In the
last few months he's turned from a rookie into a damned decent partner.  Lately
he'd been taking the lead in their missions, something she had been hoping would
occur.

"Horses would give away our position a lot more quickly.  And we'd have to carry
a lot more provisions for the horses, with winter coming down the ability to
forage would be difficult."

Jadren nodded, again shifting his pack.  He'd taken a bit more of the provisions
in his pack, mostly to give her a bit easier time.  The last few months had
helped fill out Jadren's frame, his arms and legs hiding the strength that had
built up from training.  His sh'kai heritage showed as well, having learned how
to deal with his ability to shapechange.

He pulled out a piece of dried apple and handed it to Eleria.  "That I can
understand.  Snow's building up earlier than usual this year here, likely it'll
be a hard winter."

Eleria nodded.  "That's what I heard from the farmers in the last village we
passed.  They're prepared for it, having already stored up as much as they
could."  She nibbled the apple slice, then pointed towards the pass.  "We've got
to get up there by nightfall.  Think we can make that trapper's cabin by then?"

Jadren squinted a bit, then nodded.  "Might be a little after sunset, but we
should make it."  He hitched his pack again, then smiled. "Let's just hope the
clouds don't thicken up.  Even with a waxing moon we'll have enough light for a
while ."

---

It was just after sunset that they found the cabin on the trail. Cautiously they
checked it out from the outside, finding nothing unusual.  Then Jadren slipped
inside, signaling to Eleria that it was safe after a minute.  Quickly they
settle d down for the night, getting a small fire going to provide heat and cook
a warm meal.

Eleria looked at Jadren doing his share of the chores, smiling warmly to
himself.  ::Wonder what he'd think if he knew who he was sleeping with.  Not
that he hasn't found out.::  She hadn't told him at all about her heritage, only
that she was like him in some respects. She never mentioned her parents, the
current rulers of Faerlisle, or her own sh'kai abilities.

Jadren never asked.  He treated her fairly, listening to what she had to say and
always taking only his share of the work.  The only times he tended to be a
little protective was in some fights, when he'd take a form like a plains lion
or a forest wolf.  But he accepted who and what she was to begin with, never
wanting more from her.

"Copper for your thoughts."  Jadren's comment broke her thoughts, and she shook
her head.

"Just trying to get a feel for the bandits.  Something about their tactics seems
familiar to me, like I've seen this before."

Jadren nodded, spooning out a bit of the trail stew and handing it to her.  "I
didn't want to mention it, but I think we have before.  When we were talking
with the farmers one of them said that the leader wore black leathers, with a
silver stripe down the left sleeve."

Eleria pursed her lips together.  "Tarkis."

"Exactly."  Jadren took a nibble of his stew, then shook his head.

"Looks like he's moved his operations from where we first met him." Jadren
sighed, remembering that first meeting.

"Jad, if it is him, we'll have to be careful.  He's dangerous, and if he knows
it's us coming after him, he'll be ready."

Jadren nodded slowly.  "Remember I have some tricks up my sleeves as well.  My
magic's not as powerful as Alari's, but..."

"But you managed to stop her well enough," Eleria finished.  "Let's try not to
think about it right now.  Instead, let 's get some sleep."

Jadren nodded, making a motion with his fingers.  A soft glow surrounded the
door and the windows, fading as quickly as it appeared. "Wards are in place."

Slipping out of her leathers, Eleria slipped into her covers. "Good.  Sleep
well, 'brother.'"

"Sleep well, 'sister.'"  Jadren settled down, the fire slowly dying down as they
both fell asleep.

---

The next day they continued trudging through the mountain pass, their senses on
edge.  Jadren kept looking up at the sky, watching the clouds thickening around
the mountain peaks, then lowering towards them. A soft breeze blew the snow
around, swirling in the air.

"What are you thinking?"  Eleria looked at the darkening clouds as well, worry
becoming visible on her face.

"I'm thinking we'd better find some shelter, soon."  Another gust of wind
confirmed Jadren's comment, this time coming straight from the dark clouds.
Both picked up the pace, pushing through the snow to try and find a place to
wait out the storm.

"There, over to the right."  Eleria spied something through the snow, and they
headed towards the spot.  An outcropping, and what looked like a possible cave
loomed ahead.  But when they got there disappointment was waiting.  The cave was
a small passageway, no way they could possibly squeeze through.

Jadren cursed loudly.  "I could get in there if I wanted to take something like
a snowcat form, but that'll leave you out here in the storm."  He shook his
head, then looked at Eleria.  "I'm not about to do that."

Eleria touched his arm, looking apprehensive.  "Jad," she said slowly, "I need
to tell you this.  I... I'm sh'kai."  She looked down, afraid.

"You're sh'kai??"  Jad looked shocked, then shook his head. "Eleria.  ELERIA!"
He lifted her head, making her look at him.  "Tell me later, right now we need
to get under shelter.  Now.  If you're sh'kai, then shift into a snowcat and get
in the cave."

Eleria nodded, then slipped her pack off, followed by her leathers. Her form
blurred, a soft moan coming from her that changed into a throaty purring as she
became feline.  She fell to all fours, hands and feet becoming paws.  She looked
up at Jadren, her ears flat against her head.

"Go in, I'll be right behind you.  Need to make sure our packs will be safe as
well."  She nodded, slipping into the tight opening and disappearing from sight.
Jadren slipped his pack off his shoulders as well, putting the packs under the
rocky outcropping and making sure their weapons would be safe.  Then he shifted
form as well, shivering in pleasure as his body went from human to snowcat in
seconds.  He looked through altered eyes, seeing how bad the storm was about to
be, then squirmed through the opening into the cave.

Blinking at the changed lighting, he looked about at the shelter. Already Eleria
had found a spot and curled up, looking back at him.  The cave was larger than
he would have guessed, if the opening was larger they would have fitted in
comfortably.

::Jadren.::  The sudden sound of Eleria's voice in his head made him sneeze.  He
padded over, purring unconsciously.

::Eleria?::  He sent a thought back at her, watching her nod in amazement.  ::We
can talk this way?::

::Many sh'kai can.  Only when in other forms.::  Eleria raised her head up,
still looking a bit apprehensive.  ::I'm sorry I didn't tell you Jad.  I wanted
to, but didn't know when.::

Jadren settled down next to her.  ::It's ok.  I suspected you were, something
one of my instructors alluded to.::  He flicked an ear, then let out a soft
chuckle.  ::No more secrets from me?::

Eleria nodded slowly.  ::No more secrets.  We have to work together, and I can't
keep hiding things from you.  Not any more.::

Jadren looked into Eleria's eyes, then surprised her by licking her nose.
::Eleria, it's ok.  Really.  You're a very wonderful partner, and I've wondered
how you'd look in various shapes.  Guess now I'm going to find out, no?::

That got a laugh out of Eleria.  ::You might be surprised.::  She looked at the
cave opening, her ears flattening again.  ::How long do you think the storm will
last?::

::At least through the night.::  A whistling sound came from outside, making
both shiver a bit.  ::Hopefully it won't be too bad.::

Eleria nodded, then lay her head back down on her paws.  ::Guess we just wait.::

::And get some rest.::

---

Eleria woke up slowly, her mind aware but her body not quite totally awake.  She
could feel her fur being groomed by a rough tongue, and the warm scent of male
next to her.  Her tail curled slowly about her, the only signal that she was
enjoying the attention.

::Mmmmm, that feels nice.::

A soft sound of surprise came from behind her, then a rather sheepish thought
entered her mind.  ::Sorry, I guess I got carried away there.::  Jadren moved
around to in front of her, the look in his eyes both puzzled and worried.  ::I
was seeing you there, and the instincts took over.  Shouldn't have done it, but
I couldn't think of a reason to stop.::

::I don't want you to stop.::  Her quiet voice was echoed in her gentle licking
of his muzzle.  ::Jad, this wasn't the way I wanted to say this, but I happen
to like you.  A lot.  And I wanted to tell you that, but I didn't know how.::
She yawned, then licked her whiskers clean.

Jad looked puzzled still.  ::You... like me?  As in... wanting to be bedmates?::
He took a step back, unsure.  ::I mean, I have thought about wanting to do more
with you...::

Eleria stood up and went over next to Jadren, purring and rubbing up against
him.  ::Jad, please listen to me.  I do like you.  I want to be more for you
than just your partner here.  There's... reasons for it. Important reasons.  But
they're only part of it, I've learned a lot about you in the last few months.
Things that I happen to appreciate, things I think are worth cherishing.  And I
want to share things with you.::

Jadren stood there, his body frozen in place as Eleria continued rubbing against
him.  ::Eleria... I... don't know what to say.  This is...::  He let out a
rumble/sigh and shook his head.  ::This is too fast.  I do want to be important
to you, but this isn't the time or place.::

::Why not?::  Her thought caught him off guard with the vehemence. ::What's
wrong with us sharing each other right now?  I'm wanting you, and I can see and
smell you're wanting me.::  Her laughter made him hang his head down in shame.
Licking his muzzle again, she pressed against him gently.  ::Jad, I want to be a
part of you.  And I want you to be a part of me and my life.  Please, we can
make this work.::

Jadren closed his eyes, rumbling softly to himself.  When he opened them again,
he looked straight at Eleria who met his gaze unflinchingly. ::Eleria, gods...::
He shook his head again, then managed to smile at her.  ::Never could say no to
you yet, could I?::

Eleria winked slyly at him, then turned around and flicked her tail in his face.
::Not a chance.  Now.::

Jadren didn't need any more prompting.  As if he had always been a snowcat he
mounted Eleria with ease, both of them joining together mentally as well as
physically.  Initially they took each other with animalistic haste and need,
then as time passed went into slower rhythms.

During their lovemaking they shifted forms from the purely animal shape into a
more morphic body, human felines that lay entwined together, resting quietly
after their powerful lovemaking.  Jadren trailed a long furry finger across
Eleria's chest, listening to her purr from the touch.

"Lover, what else haven't you told me?"  Jadren peered into her eyes, seeing
them snap open from his statement.  Before she could say anything, he laid his
finger on her lips.  "Yes, I want to hear the truth from you."

Eleria nodded slightly, and he took his finger away.  "Jad, love... I'm Eleria,
Heir to the throne of Faerlisle.  My parents are the King and Queen."

Rather than looking shocked, Jadren merely nodded.  "And your interest in me is
political?"

"NO!"  She shouted her response, making him wince in reaction. Wrapping her arms
around him, she pulled him down against her.  "Jad, I wanted you for yourself.
Not because of politics.  Yes, I have to marry someone.  And by law it has to be
someone who could be King.  A lord, a Baron, a Duke.  And it also should be
someone who's sh'kai, that's kingdom law.  You would be perfect for me alone for
that, but I wanted someone I could love with my heart.  I love you, Jad.  I'm
just realizing that, and it scares me."

Taking a deep breath, Jadren lightly kisses Eleria on her lips.  "As I'm finding
out how much I love you, Ele.  Politics be damned.  I don't care to be King, I
just want to be with you.  Have you there by my side, at my back, keeping me
going ."

Eleria smiled and hugged him tightly again.  "Jad, we can make this work.
You'll like my parents, they already happen to like you a lot. They respect you,
and that's high praise from them."

That made Jadren blink in surprise.  "They do?  Huh."  He snuggled up against
her again, letting out a satisfied sigh from the feelings. "Got a lot to live up
to, then.  Gods knows I'm not the best for you."

"Oh hush."  Eleria tickled him lightly, making him laugh out loud.  "I happen to
think you're the best, and don't give me any back talk!"

"Ack!  Ok! Ok!  I won't argue!"  Jadren batted her hands away, then went back to
snuggling against her.   For a long time they lay there, listening to the winds
howling outside as the blizzard continued to rage.  Finally, Jadren broke the
silence.

"So when do you want to make it legal?"

Eleria giggled and burrowed her muzzle against his fur.  "We can wait a while
still.  The Guild doesn't prohibit us from being bedmates, and I know my parents
won't complain either.  So we don't have to do it any time soon."  She paused,
then giggled again.  "You know it'll be a state ceremony, don't you?"

Jadren made a face.  "Gah, that's all I'll need to deal with. Raiders are better
company than having to deal with the Court."

"Get used to it."

---

Snowbound
copyright 2015, by Tal Greywolf
All rights reserved