For the first time in memory Covina sat in front of her mirror frowning at her reflection. Were her ice colored eyes set to far apart? Were her high cheeks bones a touch too high?

Her callused hand pinched her cheeks this way and pulled her hair from her face in every imaginable fashion, before letting it fall with a sigh.

Ghaul would have to take her as she was or not at all. Her heart threatened to fall at the barest thought of rejection, but she pressed that all firmly to the back of her mind.

Covina had no real experience with men but surely no man who could kiss a woman in that way would deny her now.

 

With her confidence once again restored Covina glanced at her reflection one last time before gathering her shawl.

 

Set just next to her tent flap was a large basket complete with dinner, implements for cooking, and a bottle of wine she’d bought from one of the Maidens, and tea for herself. Fold with care and laid on top of the wicket basket was a blanket. The nights in the Wetlands were decidedly mild compared to those in the Three Fold Land but the blanket offered more than just warmth.

 

In the fading light Covina’s tanned cheeks heated at the ideas that had sprung in her mind. She could not help but imagine Ghaul’s strong arms wrapped around her, and the feel of his lips on her skin….. Her face glowed red to match the sunset and she had to take a moment to calm her nerves. She was an adult, she was a woman of power and composure not a young girl scared of her first intimate encounter.

 

With her emotions held firmly in check Covina bent to gather the basket and the blankets when a shadow cast across the ground. She did not need to look up to know that it was the shade of her heart. A smile split her face, and her cheeks once again took on a rosy glow. This one caused by all the love that filled her heart.

 

” I thought we could take our dinner to a spot more private, just outside the camp” She smiled up at the love of her life as he took the basket and blanket in one arm and her in the other. With the burdens it was an awkward embrace but Covina cherished every moment.

 

  Ghaul watched Covina from a distance for quite a while. He had never seen her like this, so worried and at the same time so happy that it literally radiated from her. She was busy packing, though Ghaul arrived too late to see what she was packing, he saw that she had a bottle of somekind in the basket, and a blanket folded on top of the basket. He wonder for a while what the blanket was for, his mind comming with several very practical and good ideas, and some that would defiantly made Covina blush had he shared them with her.Part of him grinned widely on the inside and made a note to definatly share those ideas with Covina and see just how crimson she would get. Well perhaps another time, it was not time to meet the Wise One, which was until today the segade thorn in his side and from today - the shade of his heart.

 

  He did not have to announce his presence, he just stood so his shadow will fall on her. She stood up, faced him and smiled. There was some blush to her cheeks, and Ghaul decided that he loved to see Covina blushing.

 

" I thought we could take our dinner to a spot more private, just outside the camp”

 

Outside the camp? Intresting, perhaps Covina had some ideas on her own? And Ghaul was now intrested in what they were.

 

  "A dinner outside the camp it is then, Covina"

 

He picked up the basket she had prepared with one hand and the other seemed to find its way around Covina's waist and pulled her to him in an embrace. As the camp began to disappear behind them, Ghaul turned to Covina.

 

  "And have you chosen a spot yet ?"

 

  Ghaul

Covina had to crane her neck to stare into Ghaul’s eyes, but the awkward stretch was well worth what was earned. Since their first kiss Covina had been able to see a part of herself with in stony Clan Chief’s eyes. It was hard to remember a time when she had not loved him, but in fact the realization had only been a few days past. Covina had transformed from a hard eyed former Maiden to a flighty moon eye girl. Try as she might Covina was on able to focus on anything but thoughts of Ghaul. She hoped dearly that her wits would not always remain so muddled.

 

As they grew closer to the spot that Covina had painstakingly picked her stomach began to turn flip flops. She had cooked many times as a Maiden and much more since becoming a Wise One, but never before had it been for a man; a man she desperately hoped to impress.

 

The sounds of the camp began to fade, and soon strange birds were all that could be heard. Large trees that did not lose their green provided cover from the fading rays of sun, and they filtered the sun to a soft glow. When the trees gave to the moderately sized pond Covina was able to take her eyes from Ghaul to stare in wonder at so much water in one place. When she needed time to think she often came to sit on the banks of the water, but she was seldom alone. This night she had made sure there would be no disturbances.

“I thought a view for dinner would not be amiss.” As usual silence was his response, but the smile that lit his face was words enough for anyone.

 

With deft hands Covina unpacked the dinner she had so studiously prepared. The roasted goat was just shy of done coated with a spicy mustard sauce. She set up the cook pot and added the roast goat with red peppers and a few key spices. All it needed was a few moments to warm. With dinner radiating delicious smells Covina turned her attentions to the wine.

 

She could feel Ghaul’s eyes on her as she worked. His eyes traced her body feeling like fingers stroking her soul. He made not a sound on his approach but Covina still knew moments before his strong arms wrapped around her. She allowed herself a moment in his embrace before forcing herself to pull back. It was too soon to let him know how eager she truly was. “I cannot prepare you dinner if you insist on remaining in my way” Her words held none of their usual venom, but Ghaul fained hurt. “Do not try to fool me Ghaul Targaryen, make yourself usefully and spread out that blanket for us,..just over there” Her strong arms pointed towards a shady spot nearly hidden by low hanging branches. Covina could not help but admire the view as he walked away, and on impulse she embraced Saidar and pinched him with a flow of air. He gave no sign of her pinch but she saw his lips quirk into a smile. He turned and stood staring back at her with an impassive look on his face and his arms crossed across his broad chest.

 

“If you take forever at such a simple task you will spend you life eating a cold dinner, I do not like being made to wait.” Her cheeks colored and Covina was glad for the fading light. Had Ghaul caught her slip?

She covered her embarrassment with a warm smile and brushed his lips with a kiss before handing him his plate. Covina eyed the roast goat and hoped it was up to his standards. Try as she might she could not force a bite into her mouth until she saw him eat.

 

    “I cannot prepare you dinner if you insist on remaining in my way”

 

  Ghaul pretended that he was hurt, while in reality he was greatly amused and the happiest he has been ever since they crossed the Dragonwall.

 

    “Do not try to fool me Ghaul Targaryen, make yourself usefully and spread out that blanket for us,..just over there”

 

  Well having been caught there was no point to act anymore. Plus he was indeed hungry and could not wait to taste the meal she had prepared. As he was about to set the blanket though, he felt a pinch on his backside. He smiled to himself. So, Covina wanted to play, eh? That was fine with him. She has told ti herself, he was not going to make things easy for her, and Ghaul knew just the way to pay her back for that little cheek. Setting up their campside he turned to see Covina putting the finishing touches on their meal. The roasted goat looked delicious and smelled even better! He took a bite and realized that Covina's reputation for being a good cooked is well deserved and a bit of an understatement. A lot actually, but he was not going to tell her that, not yet anyway. He did however, had a plan.

 

Having tasted the goat, Ghaul proceeded with taking a small sip of wine and then took another taste of Covina's meal. He pretended to be thinking on the quality of the meal. He turned to Covina with an expression she knew well - the usual mask of emotionlessness he had on. He kept it for a few moments before cracking a smile at her.

 

  "Best roasted goat I have ever tasted, Shade of my Heart"

The years she had spent as a Maiden and even more her years as a Wise One had failed to prepare her for this. Handling a man was not something women were taught, at least not Maidens of the Spear. Men were warriors to fight along side and on occasion to share a bed, but a husband? Men, the Clan Chief most of all remained a mystery to her.

 

Covina attempted a smile and said nothing as she refilled Ghaul’s plate. She had always know the Clan Chief had a hearty appetite and tonight of all nights she wanted him to be full. It still amazed her that a man such as him could love her. More amazing still was that she returned his feelings ten fold. Covina knew she would marry, for duty or for the love of sister but she never imagined it would be for love. Covina ran her hands through her white blonde hair and stared off towards the water. A life with Ghaul would make everyday seem even more of a dream… Covina blushed again, a deep crimson as her purpose became clear.

 

Her decision had been made; she would make a bridal wreath for Ghaul……when was still the question unanswered.

 

As Ghaul finished eating Covina began packing the dishes away, all except the wine and her tea. She poured another cup for Ghaul but set it just out of his reach. A childish tactic perhaps, but one she hoped would work. He reached across her lap, his strong arms stretching to grasp the cup. The motion brought him only inches from her face and Covina leaned in and pulled him into her embrace. The feel of his lips made her feel like a bird in flight and when she finally pulled back the Clan Chief was as out of breath as she was.

“Ghaul, do you ever….” Covina stopped unable to make herself continue She took a deep breath and began again. ” Do you ever think about the past? And what could have been?” She could see that the question had him confused so she pressed on. “I know my duty to my people and I take pride in my position, but I often wonder what if I had never had to give up the spear.” Those thoughts were private, never spoken aloud, but she wanted Ghaul to know just how deep her trust for him ran.  Still waiting for an answer Covina layed back into his strong arms and rested her head on his chest.

 

  Covina's question caught him by surprise, he wasn't expecting it. Nevertheless, it was a good one, and one that deserved a good, honest answer. With Covina snuggled into him, her head resting on his chest, Ghaul's gaze turned westwards, over the river and to the setting sun. The passing day made a fitting scenary for such questions and thoughts. With one arm arround her, and the other stroking her hair gently, Ghaul spoke

 

  "To say that I do not look back at the choises I have made and wonder what would have been if I made another choise will mean to be lying. Like all humans, I also look at past events. I no longer allow myself anytime to wonder what would have happened if I have made this or that. It's is history now and I can not change it, I just have to live with the consequences of my actions and choises."

 

  Making a slight pause to look at Covina, he continued.

 

  "In the Borderlands, they have many wise sayings. One of them is that you can either mourn the dead or  take care of the living, but not both at the same time. If we take that saying to the question you asked  it will sound like you can either wonder what would have been or deal with what it is, but not both at the same time. Yes, I used to wonder what would have happened have I remained just a Hama N'dore, if you remained a Maiden, but not anymore. Like you, I have a duty to the Aiel, and I can not do it if I constantly wonder if my choises were the right ones."

 

  Smiling he leaned down to softly kiss Covina's lips.

 

  "I hope my answer did not bore you, Shade of my Heart"

Covina wanted to shout that nothing Ghaul could ever say would bore her, but her station and pride made her keep her voice level. “Just as I have always known Ghaul, you are wise beyond your years.”  Covina reached up and brushed his cheek with her hand.

 

It truly had been many years that Covina had held the battle hardened chief close to her heart. Looking back now she knew that she had loved him from almost the moment they met. Suddenly all the raids they had been on and all the nights they had spent talking back when she was still Far Dareis Mai meant so much more. Duty had been foremost in their minds then, and perhaps still was, but now there seemed to be room for more. Room for love.

 

Covina sat back so that she could look into his knowing eyes. “For ones such as us, our people and duty are, and must be foremost in our thoughts; especially in times such as these. It seems though that my heart has made up my mind…” Covina’s hands shook and for what felt like the first time in years she knew fear. Where a strong stubborn woman had once stood was a girl. A girl scared down to her toes. Fear had never been allowed to rule her life before and would not now. It was only three words and she suspected the Clan Chief already knew as much. “Ghaul Targaryen, I love you”

 

Seconds passed and then minutes and still Covina waited. What she waited for she was unsure……

 

  “Ghaul Targaryen, I love you”

 

  A simple sentance, five simple words and yet they weren't. And even though it felt like the words were still ringing in the air around them, the clan chief remained still and silent, as if nothing was said. he could feel Covina get a bit nervous as she waited for his reply. She was probably wondering why was he not saying anything. Knowing her, probably all kinds of things were passing through her mind, from him not having liked the dinner to him not having any feelings for her. Well, she could not be more wrong about the last one. Ghaul was simply waiting for the sun to set. And once it disappeared beyond the horizont, he broke the silence.

 

  "Watching today's sunrise, I had no idea that it's sunset will be so symbolic, as the sun set not only on today, but on my life as a single man" - with a grin on his face, Ghaul leaned in to kiss a bit surprised bu his sudden speech  Covina. - "I appologize for making you wait so long for my reply, Shade of my Heart, but I hope you'll find my answer satisfactory and worth waiting for."

 

  Ghaul

Aiel Clan Chief

    Caught