"So this is what you were … thanking me for?" Aldrec said.
Mericlou hummed an affirmative, demurely tracing a finger from Aldrec's chin to his chest. "It was a dream of ours, to have a house one day. Because of the money you paid me to take care of your garden, we were able to make that dream a reality far sooner than it would have taken us before I met you."
"She leaned into him closer, lowering her voice to a sultry whisper. "And that was why I wanted to thank you."
She pressed her lips to his softly. Aldrec returned the kiss. "You're quite welcome," he said.
"You know, my family will be leaving for Rogart in a few days," Mericlou said. Noroa's having an expectancy ceremony given by the elves she works with."
"So you'll be gone for about a week?" Aldrec said. Mericlou could tell that he was attempting to disguise his disappointment.
"Well, if what I heard about that ceremony is true, then yes," she answered. "Only, it's my family who'll be going." She then added with faux bravado, "I, being the brave, selfless soul that I am, have decided to stay behind, in order to take care of the business."
"You alone?" Aldrec said, surprised. "Won't that be a bit difficult?"
"Not really. Since the festival season's starting, the jobs will be mostly yard decorations and the like, and there aren't many of those anyway. Besides," her gaze softened, "it'll give us more time together. Unless of course you want to celebrate the festival season alone?"
"You know I'll be glad to have company, Tulyr," Aldrec said. "Especially yours."
***
Mericlou could not remember ever having wanted the days to pass by so quickly. In that time, she and Aldrec had begun to see each other more assiduously. They began to take the transcon to more distant cities like Borinora and Snaerlo, in order to entertain themselves away from Alaema's prying eyes. Though Mericlou never questioned his sudden desire for change of scenery, she did notice that the elven population in those cities ranged from small to nonexistent. The bustle oncoming Festival season, however, made her forget any growing concerns. With Aldrec, she could be nothing more than content. She loved him for that.
Still, as if there had to be a dark side to every happy moment in her life, Alaema had gone through a change for the worse. She had been so excited about going to Rogart for the first month, but now, as the time for the expectancy ceremony came closer, she seemed to have changed her mind in a most unruly way. But Skori was adamant in his insistence that she go with them. Strangely, though, Alaema had been unrelenting. The incessant din of their loud and bitter arguments often ruined peaceful evenings at home, but Mericlou was determined not to interfere. Alaema, though candid with just about every other subject, was intensely private with personal matters, including the exact reason as to why she wanted to stay. Her refusal to give that information was the very reason why Skori refused to allow it.