"Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green."
Song of Solomon 1:15-16

*********

"Ian?"
"Mmmmmm?"
"Are you awake?"

Ian popped open an eye to look at his wife. Skye lay beside him basking in the summer sun on what they had come to think of as "their" rock, a ledge sitting on a hillside with a sweeping view of the valley below and Camelot off in the distance. Neither were clad in very much, but then again, what they had been pursuing did not require much clothing. He leaned over and kissed her." Very awake"

"And diligent. Don't forget diligent." She returned the kiss with a soft laugh, then pushed him gently away. "Someone's coming. I see a horse." She pointed to the valley floor and Ian stood to gaze down at the rider intently. He had on only a breechclout (and a dagger strapped to his leg) but at this distance no one could see either he or Skye unless they were of elven blood. He shaded his eyes as he watched the rider draw closer.

"Timmons. He always looks like he's about to fly off the saddle. Best we get dressed for company, love." He reached down with one calloused hand and she drew herself up to plant a kiss on his face. He chuckled. "We better hurry. I'm sure Timmons has some sort of bet going on just what we are doing on our outing."

When the Sergeant's horse finally reached the summit of the hill a half hour later, he found a scene of bland domestic tranquility. Ian sat with his back to a tree trunk, whittling away on a toy whistle for Shane. Meanwhile, Skye's head was bent over a piece of small embroidery. Neither looked up at him immediately so he coughed.

"Milord? Milady?"

Blackthorn looked up. "Why, Timmons! Whatever brings you here?"

"Why, you did, milord."

"Obviously." Blackthorn grinned and standing up, motioned his Guardsman to dismount. "But why?"

Timmons' jaw dropped. "You told me to ..."

"Iaaaan...." Now Skye was heard, her voice low..but not sounding pleased in the least.

"I did?"

"Aye, milord, you told me the minute I had this to.."

" Ian-BLOODY-vethallion Blackthorn! You PROMISED!"

"..bring it right here.."

"NO interruptions! NO duties! Just you and me and the stars and sky, you said.."

"And give it to milady Blackthorn"

"You slippery, deceitful, manipulative .... ELF!! I should have.."

She stopped, green eyes ablaze, as Timmons thrust a large bag at her. "What is this? I warn you, Ian..."

"Just open it, love."

"If this is some sort of joke, you will.." Her voice trailed off as she opened the bag and dug through handfuls of straw. What could have required such careful packing? "Ian. What is this?" She drew a clay pot sealed with wax out of the bag, then a rolled scroll. That had no answers for her, as it proved to be written in Arabic. She handed it to Ian in exchange for one of his daggers and set about prying it open as Ian read the note aloud.

'To my friend Iannon of the Silver Rose,
Greetings:
I have done as thou requested and have sent to thy wife sundry herbs and tinctures that have been harvested and processed here in warmer climes. I hope it pleases her and brings thee pleasure in her happiness. I have also sent several treatises and a scroll of instructions on the combinations that are most of use and efficacious.

Lastly, I send to thy wife seeds for those plants you told me would most likely flourish in those cold climes of your chosen home.

It has been too long since last we saw thee. Bring your fire dragon to meet the man who was saved by a savage ifrit from the north.

Im'shallah, we shall sit once more under the orange trees and speak of philosophy.

Ibrahim of Toledo'

"Im'shallah. God willing, my friend." Ian looked over at Skye, who had happily set each packet out reverently as she read their labels. "Surprised, shurrukai?"

"Ian, you wonderful man! Christos! Do you know what he's sent me? There's things here I've only heard rumors of being used!" She rose, most likely to kiss him, but was blocked as Timmons stepped in front of her, handing Ian a rather worn looking scroll.

"Sorry, milord. This is for you."

Blackthorn opened it, scanned it, then cursed before looking at Skye.
"It's from Brother Llwyd. There's trouble in Penally."

07/2000


Fiat Lux II - Part II

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD."
Proverbs 19:14

Skye met the news with nary a blink, only the nod of her red gold head as she began to gather up the things they had scattered about the green of their resting place. Meticulously she began to pack, still silent as her husband watched her, unsure of what to say. He cleared his throat, as Timmons shifted uncomfortably, watching the two of them.

"Shurrukai, I know I promised you today and tonight...a few more hours wait won't make much of a difference to Llwyd....I can dispatch someone to ride ahead and then catch up with them....dammit Skye, what ARE you thinking?"

Timmons flinched at the uneasy tone of his commanding officer and gave them both a bow, looking to retreat as soon as humanly possible. "My Lord...my Lady...I need return to Camelot. There are....things needing my attention."

Noting the sergeant's very obvious discomfort, Blackthorn nodded his assent, and the younger man nearly ran to his horse, speeding the mount back to Camelot. By this time, Skye had the provisions from their day completely packed up and moved to their own horses to place them carefully in the saddlebags. The tall man moved behind her and placed his large hands on her shoulders. "Talk to me Shurrukai..."

Skye turned, her deep green eyes unreadable. She gave a small smile, and reached up to touch his face with her fingertips. "Ian, would Brother Llwyd have sent word unless it were absolutely necessary?" At his negative shake of the head, she smiled again softly, almost wistfully, "Then what is there to say? He needs you, and you must go. Telling the truth, Ian...you want to go."

Ian Blackthorn sighed softly, his shoulders slumping just a bit. "Aye, I need to go....I have to go...but I will return."

"Of that, my husband I have no doubt."

The final pack up took only moments and before long the couple were well on their way back to the great firehall of Camelot. Precious few words had passed between them during the trip, and none about Ian's upcoming departure. Arriving at the front door, Skye slid from the saddle and called up to her beloved "See Fyre to the stables for me will you Ian? I've a few things I need to take care of and pack before you depart. Promise me you'll not leave until I give you the necessities you'll need?"

Nodding, and knowing his wife would hound him unless he agreed, a small smile tugged at the corner of Blackthorn's mouth. The grin grew rueful as he laughed softly "Forever mothering us all aren't you? Aye love, I'll not leave without your necessities." He slid from the saddle and lead the horses toward the stables, very calm now that Skye had accepted the inevitability of his duty.

Even as he moved away from the hall, Skye entered it, her saddlebags over her shoulder as she disappeared into the little workroom that held her herbs and potions for healing. Unloading her precious bundle from Ian's friend, she stored it away in a locking rosewood box, and then hustled and bustled about, making sure there were enough healing herbs packed in the saddlebags for a long, and possibly dangerous journey.

Upon Blackthorn's return, he strode to the armory and gathered what he needed for his trip to Penally. Gathering food supplies from Lumiere he turned and looked for his wife. The dusk was gathering and Ian wanted to be on his way. Calling out, he hoped to rouse her from her sanctuary beneath the stairwell. "Skye? Where are you? The day grows short and I need those 'necessities' you spoke of."

The door to the workroom opened and a lithe form dressed in warriors leathers filled the space there. Copper hair was pulled back tightly in a braid, and her sword, bow and arrows, and daggers were firmly affixed. The saddlebags were slung over one shoulder and a determined gleam now showed in the emerald eyes. "Here are your necessities, Ian. My herbs, my weapons and myself."

Skye Blackthorn 07/2000


Fiat Lux II - Part III

"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth."
Proverbs 5:18

Ian grinned. "I knew it. So did Timmons; I tried to wager you were going to do this, but he wouldn't touch the bet." Leaning over, he kissed her. "I spoke with my uncle. He'll take charge of our little horde, and I sent a message to Corwin to come take the Watch in hand. So..let's ride, heh?"

He took her hand and together they walked out to their horses.

**********

The late afternoon began to fade into dusk as they rode through the gates of Camelot and turned onto the road leading west. Ian nodded to himself. Dusk was a time of change, a good time to work magic, and there was the added bonus of the river flowing lazily on their left. Power tended to be greater near water, and he would take any advantage he could get to speed their journey along that other Road.

"You never told me how you met this monk, Ian." Skye rode easily at his right, her eyes inquisitive as she waited for an answer. He had never been able to tell her of the three tasks set him by the Goddess. A tightness at his neck as he tried now told him that stricture still held, but perhaps he could tell enough to stay within the geas.

"I ran across him in the mountains. He'd found some bodies and needed help. It was about this time last year."

She nodded. "I remember. That Heryn fellow was behind it, and behind that business with Lerrad and Elspeth. Imagine, a chance meeting leading to all of that!" She made a face as she recalled the O'Donnell's reactions to Ian 's attempts to investigate a smuggling charge against him. "Well, it can't be Heryn. The trouble, I mean. They hung him, didn't you say?"

"Aye. No, I'm afraid it's some sort of illness striking the village. But Heryn's involved in a way; seems his nephew inherited the tavern and the villagers blame him. Llwyd fears the folk of Penally will do something rash and asked me to come. Having you come with me will be a pleasant surprise and a help as well. I fear, Shurrukai, that you will be pressed into service a bit more than on a casual trip"

He looked about. They were far enough from Camelot for him to summon the Road without any effects to the surrounding area. The speed he felt needed to get to Penally quickly required a greater use of power and he wasn't sure it might not damage things nearby. This spot was at a point where there was nothing but the river on one side and a large empty meadow on the other. "This will do." He raised his hands, gestured, mentally picturing an opening to the Road in the dirt ahead of them. A blast of cool air rushed by them as his summoning was completed and blue mist swirled in the dusk. He grinned at Skye. "Shall we, love?"

As one, they rode out onto the Road.

07/2000