Tembovu

His brows had raised when Rexanna found him. A part of him had worried that she needed a job in the Edge, a rank of some kind since she had abandoned her station as head Thief in the Basin. But, it seemed that his golden lover had found something to fill her days with, for as he was busy with Kingly duties she seemed to be preoccupied with tasks of her own. So he hadn’t pursued the issue, though his curiosity had been piqued by her daily disappearances. Jealousy had not (yet) risen its ugly head, as they were starting anew.

So, when Rexanna, with twinkling eyes, embraced him in a hug (that he returned, tightly, in kind; it would never cease to exult him that he had her in the Edge), he grinned but with renewed curiosity. “A surprise, mpenzi?” His deep rumble sounded affectionately around the pet name he reserved solely for her, “You are the only surprise I need,” his muzzle reached out to lip along the delicate skin of her throat as the thought of teaching her Dorobian flashed through his mind—but it was quickly replaced by the mischief that flashed through her face as she insisted he close his eyes before she’d lead him there. “Lead me where?”

But, despite his question, his navy eyes shuttered close and he felt her silken heat press into his side. A grin spread across his muzzle as he leaned into her, his muzzle blindly reaching to gently nip whatever part of her flesh he could get into his mouth. But then she was gone, only soft nudges of her velvet muzzle guiding him towards whatever ’there’ she was speaking of. Though his steps were choppy and uneven, feeling with his ivory hooves for even earth, and he felt ridiculous, he could not help his rumbling chuckle when he heard her light giggles.

Mbwene chortled at this entire arrangement, meandering behind the slow-going couple. also very curious about Rexanna’s surprise. She loved surprises. Tembovu’s nostrils flared as the briny scent of the sea grew stronger she she led him. And finally ”Okay! Open!”—he blinked rapidly against the setting sun’s vibrant palette across the horizon, looking around.

”I call it ‘the King’s Quarters.’”

Lips parted slightly. His navy eyes swept across the alcove of rocks, stopping at the two smaller caves before sweeping up the length of the impressively large tree. Its stalwart presence was a statement to its integrity against the sea’s salty onslaught to the cliffs. Slowly, with a glance towards Rexanna, he began to walk into the alcove, stopping first to peer into the small caves, seeing the small beds so painstakingly made.

And, despite the gratified awe that swelled in his chest at what his love had done, his chest tightened slightly. Only one of their children was there to live in the home she had created. And it was hard not to hate blame himself for that. As time wore away his understanding with claws made of malice, it was becoming harder to not blame her. Not for losing their son, but for not living in the Edge so that he could ensure that Kianzo would not have been lost.

So, instead of dwelling further on the bittersweetness of the paired front caves, his long strides carried him beyond them and past the threshold of their new home. His ears tilted back, to listen for her hooves against the stone, following his. But his eyes and attention were sweeping the roots that arched over the entrance, and then flickered to the fresh edges of large roots, obviously recently cut away by caring and loving attention to their comfort in this new home. He saw their bed, so much larger and filled with leaves, needles, and feathers—a proper place to sleep as compared to his bachelor-pad pine nest. He saw even the two smaller places for Mbwene and Marembo.

And his eyes swept back to hers, wide and warm (but not entirely devoid of the sadness that had lanced into them from the thoughts of their missing son). He stepped closer, “Rexanna, I—“ his voice failed him, it had been long years since someone had done something like this for the King. So, instead, he closed his eyes and slipped his muzzle over her withers, holding her, as his lips rumbled against her skin, “Thank you.”

Mbwene, who had been admiring her new bed, glanced towards the couple. She knew that feeling that pulsed from her bonded, and so she began to slip out of the cave—not before sending a wave of irritation to the King. Not even ten minutes, and already she was being booted for the proverbial ‘sock on the door.’

Rexanna

The Elephant King wasn’t easy to maneuver through the forests of the Edge, but Rexanna did her best as they went slow – watching his ivory hooves reach out for steady ground as it caused a giggle to escape her pale lips. Though, thankfully, it hadn’t taken them too long to reach the place she had found and created, her pride bellowing in her breast as he looked around the outcrop. She, too, joined him in looking around at all the work she had done, her heart growing heavy with the dual caves, but hope laced through it all. She’d rather have both caves there to be sure Kianzo had a place to sleep upon his arrival. Her motherly instinct refused to let her deny that he wasn’t alive – besides, she would know right? Mother’s intuition and all that?

She was happy despite the hard times they were facing, and she knew that eventually Kianzo would find his way home. Though it was hard to think that with everything going on with all the missing members. Arah, Mauja, their Kianzo. It was a hard idea to swallow. But she found that it made it a bit easier to try and relish in the bright times they still could carry. What good was it dwelling and pushing yourself past your limits because of what happened? At least a little break would be nice – a time to regenerate all the spent energy in searching for the colt.

Yet, the gilded siren followed her lover further into the cave for the two of them. Her eyes didn’t miss Mbwene as she inspected her own bed. However, as Tembovu’s gaze sought hers, she felt the burning sapphires among her gilded pelt and so she turned her head to meet his. He began to speak, stuttering over his words as Rexanna beamed a smile to him. His eyes closed, pulling her tightly to him. She leaned into him, then, pressing her body gently against his chest, pressing her head against the side of his broad neck lovingly. “You deserve it.” She breathed to him.

She hadn’t even noticed Mbwene leave, but as the tiny elephant began to make her way out of the cave, Marembo had slipped from his bonded to follow the tiny annoyed companion. He was not nearly as annoyed by the events that happened – probably due to the fact that it had happened just after his hatching. Consider it a good memory type of feeling. Yet, he remembered the tiny elephant taking him away as he sat upon her ear in exhaustion. He was larger now, able to stand and run on his own. And so he squeaked to Mbwene as though it said “wait up!” and soon they had started their own adventure.

Rexanna’s head pulled away from Tembovu,  her lips nipping at his neck and chest gently in overwhelming happiness that he liked all her work. “Look at the view from here.” She whispered, nudging him to turn with her. Her oceanic gaze watched the skyline from the mouth of the cave, the hues washing her pelt and glittering off of her gilded chains. She leaned into him again, her tail fidgeting and flicking against his hide softly. "I love you Tembovu."

"Talk."

Tembovu

Guilt was a fickle thing.

It waxed and waned on its own whims, regardless of the mind inhabited by the parasitic emotion. It was a glutton for happiness, consuming it and corrupting it to shame. How can one be happy when they should be failing beneath the weight of fault? It bathed in quiet, gentle moments, dirtying them with whispers of unworthiness blame. And so now, the leech began to engorge with his happiness and wallow in the soft moment shared between the King and his lover.

Even the lean of her silken warmth against his embrace, and the soft whisper of her hot breath against his neck could not satisfy guilt’s greed. The desirous pressure of her lips against his neck cause a pulse through the base of barrel—but it was a sensation that only fed his guilt. How could he spend time desiring, wanting, and taking his lover when their son was missing? How could he waste any time not looking for him, even if he had sent the Laurelin to search?

So black-rimmed ears tilted back, pulling away from Rexanna just as she pulled her head away from his neck. His chest, twitching beneath her teasing and nipping lips, still pulled away as his darkening gaze turned away from her bright, joyous cerulean. It, instead, found and remained on a particularly bright blue feather that dextrous paws had woven amongst needles.

He remained still, despite her gentle whisper and nudge to look at the view from the mouth of the cave—though the corner of his vision was not immune to the vibrant colors that leapt across her bright gold coat. He blinked, body flinching against the heat that raged through his veins as she said, “I love you, Tembovu.” A hard sigh pushed out his nostrils, wanting to embrace this moment—he had waited for this moment since he buried the corpses of Mara and Faxr.

But his guilt would not let him.

So anger stirred in his chest—an emotion he never wanted to bring into this new home Rexanna created for them. But here it was, arriving on the very day she had created this home. His lips pursed, ears tilting even further back, as his gaze moved from the bright blue feather to the jagged edges of freshly cut roots along the walls.

“Do you thi—” his low rumble, unexpectedly hoarse, was cut off by the sheer amount of emotions pounding and constricting his chest. Anger, guilt, fear. So silence stretched for a long, painful moment before he tried again, “Do you think he’s alive?” The word was a broken whisper, the King’s defenses stripped bare as the true depth of his demons were exposed.

Only then did his navy gaze flicker back to Rexanna’s, pained and raw; free to be a father, rather than a King.

Rexanna

Of course, all that is wonderful may not last long. It appeared to be the course for the aurelian siren and her elephant lover – but she wouldn’t let the dwelling pressuring questions ruin the beautiful surprise she had saved for him. She tried to lighten the mood, but instead found his sandy coarse body slip away from hers yet continued to stand as a statue. And as she spoke those words she knew that he had longed to hear for so many months, years even as she had come to grips with living in a new land, all he simply did was sigh.

Concern laced her brow as her cerulean gaze focused on him, watching as he refused to look at her and instead found his attention among the details she had so meticulously and carefully crafted in their own home. Her lips formed into a small tight line, her eyes like a raptor as they focused on the little things he did until he began to stutter, words dripping and cutting from his throat as if the thought of speaking them aloud would suffocate him.

“Do you think he’s alive?”

She froze for a moment, eyes dropping from his as she thought about it. She knew he was alive. He had to be. Whenever her first son had passed in her womb, she knew something was wrong. Surely that sort of thing worked otherwise? Whenever the twins would wander, she would stress of course, but she was positive that if something happened to her beautiful striped son Kianzo that there would be something from the gods to let her know. Be it Mother’s Instinct or mother nature – she would know. And that’s what drove her to continue to find him. Despite taking breaks here and there to re-energize and rejuvenate, she would never stop looking for him.

Rein had been different, acknowledging his departure to her. And she welcomed this for him – he had grown, lived, adventured, and he was his own person. It was different between her first born living son versus the twins she carried from what seemed like yesterday. And the more she thought about it, the more she remembered the connection that Kiada and Kianzo carried. Surely, if she couldn’t tell, then Kiada could. And despite being a worried mess, her daughter hadn’t felt that disconnect from her sibling like Rexanna imagined the beautiful filly would.

So after a few moments passed, her gaze lifted to capture the raw emotions illuminating from reflective navy gaze – pained and darkened by the horrors of what could be out in the world. She reached out, pale muzzle aiming to press into her lover’s own pale muzzle. “I know he’s alive.” She began, gaze aiming to stay with his own as she pulled away. “He has to be. Kiada’s a mess, but she’s determined to find him like we all are. But I imagine if something happened to our little boy, Kiada would be the first to know.” She added in, tilting her head trying to get him to understand what she meant. “They’re twins, mirror images of another. They shared such a long time together. Do you remember when you first met them and they seemed to walk in sync?” She began, a soft smile creasing her lips at the memory. “Do you know that they found their companions at the same time in the same place? They have an unbelievable connection to one another. And if Kiada believes he’s still alive, I’ll search until my dying breath to ensure that she was right.” Her ombre tail danced against her hocks as she ended her words, her gaze continuing to seek his out. "But dying of exhaustion and overexertion won't find him quicker. We have so many bodies out there searching for him - the herd, Thranduil even. You have so much on your plate, love, just relax with me for a night? Please?"

"Talk."

Tembovu

The Elephant was too lost to his demons to feel the sharp, watchful gaze Rexanna turned on him; the woman, who knew his heart better than most, carefully seeing through the thick, protective layers the King had been creating since his first son’s death. But the father did feel the painfully long silence that stretched after his question; navy eyes boring into cerulean as he waited for an answer he had no right to request of Rexanna.

But Rexanna, his heart’s siren, the slayer of his demons, did give him an answer. An answer that he wanted needed to hear. Her answer was honest and genuine, not a superficial assurance; and the man let out deep sigh, closing his eyes and pushing his muzzle into hers—needing the physical as well as audible hope. But his lips chased hers as she pulled away, not yet ready to let go of that soft, warm reassurance; his nostrils were flared to take in her scent as it calmed him and pacified his fears.

Thick, black lips moved past her retreating muzzle, thick limbs taking a half-step towards her as she continued to speak, lips skating along the side of her face and then to the juncture of her throat. And he stopped there, his cheek pressed against hers, black-rimmed ear tilted sideways as she spoke of their daughter and her connection to their son. “Do you remember when you first met them and they seemed to walk in sync?” He felt the crease of her soft smile against the thick, but sensitive, skin of his neck.

A low, wordless noise murmured in agreement from the back of his throat, followed by deep breaths that drew in her scent and slowly settled him. His ears twitched as she continued to speak of their children, giving him precious bits of knowledge that he had missed in his absence from their lives. Slowly, muscles that had grown rigid beneath the anger and fear his guilt and demons both created and thrived on began to relax, each of her syllables calming the storm that had begun to rage in his mind and chest. His muzzle, already at her throat, gently and absentmindedly lipped at her skin and strands of mane there, taking solace in all things Rexanna.

And, his perked and attentive ears did not miss the sound her tail made as it swayed and brushed against her hocks. So complete was the calming spell the Aurelian siren wove over her Elephant that even the mention of the Laurelin’s name did not rouse him. Though there <>was something that roused him: “Just relax with me for a night.” A long, hot breath pushed out of his nostrils and across her neck’s cream, silken skin.

“Mpenzi,” his deep, guttural murmur was laden with meaning; the word he reserved only for her an answer to her previous declaration of love. There was also a carnal craving in his voice; she had soothed his mind with her words; but his body still desired full and complete solace in his woman. He began to move forward, pressing his broad, hot chest against hers for a moment before shifting to the side and walking forward, sliding his left side along her right.

His lips drug along her crest, gently tugging a few silken strands of her her mane, before moving to caress along her spine. Only throaty murmurs of need and appreciation sounded from the stallion—the time for words had passed. He stopped at her haunches, jowls reaching across her gold-blanketed and pulling it close in an embrace, navy eyes closing as he savored this closeness with his love. A long, hot breath pushed out of his nostrils, expelling his guilt and shame and worry; ridding himself of emotions in lieu of the sweet devotion they were about to share. A single heartbeat of relief amidst the tumultuous sea of sadness.

[fade to black]

Rexanna

Rexanna needed him to understand the words she spoke. She needed him to understand the fact that despite everything that had happened, he would end up being able to be a true father to his children – regardless if they wanted it or not. She wasn’t truly sure about Tembovu’s history with his own parents, but as far as the gilded woman was concerned, even if their twins didn’t think they needed their parents that they would regret it later in life. There were so many things to learn – where Rexanna bore the strength of mind and ability to attain information, Tembovu made up the brawn, the strength in physicality as well as the power to do whatever you set your mind do. And she constantly admired that in him.

As he stepped toward her, his muzzle tracing her body as she spoke, her previously tense body began to relax as she thought about all the events that had occurred. They had survived her womb, survived Calstron’s force, survived with and without one another. She knew Kianzo had to be out there somewhere – and they’d find him when the time was right. She was sure of it. And if the Elephant King chose to be mad with her over losing their children, he had every right to be. Even still, the mare had a lot on her plate at the time. It was truly no excuse, but it would have to do. And as long as she tried to mentally prepare herself for the retaliation of the man she loved, she ended up being wrong in the end.

She had grown so accustomed to a love like Calstron’s. A poison that numbed every bit and piece, that made everything seem as though it was your fault regardless of what you did. Even though she knew Tembovu wasn’t like that, it was all she knew. It was all she could prepare herself for. It was almost like a fresh breath of air as he relaxed beneath her touch and her words, the complete opposite of the only other relationship in her life that she felt really mattered. And part of it made her feel as though she didn’t deserve such kindness – such a love for everything she had done in the past.

Of course, they both weren’t without their ailments. He had his flaws, and she had hers. But now, living with one another in the Edge allowed for the ability to start over new, to work with each other on such pressing issues. She was excited by this opportunity, as well as falling in love over and over again. And when he spoke to her after the silent approval and mumbled words, his rough voice cut through to her chest like a beautiful spear. She was melting into him – becoming a part of something she could never really imagine. This time, this whole turn of events was different. It wasn’t angry, it wasn’t sad. She wouldn’t have to leave that night. They had the chance to spend the rest of their lives together.

And it was beautiful.

He made his way toward her gilded hide, his lips tracing every piece of her spine and she shivered under his touch, willing and of course joyous at the turn of events. She’d run to the ends of the world with him, she’d do anything for him. And so, the gilded siren stilled in wait.

---- fade ----

She loved him so much. It almost hurt how despite the fact she had been branded by a nightmare from her past, broken and beaten in every opportunity she seemed to have, that he could stand beside her and still love her beyond all the pain and frustration everything in both their stubbornness had caused.

Sweat laced her pelt, and with the tinge of wetness, her pelt began to show various different black markings across her hide – ink in the shape of various fireworks dancing and bursting in both joy and beauty laced across her pelt wherever there was any dampness. Rexanna didn’t know what was happening, she didn’t even notice it. Her eyes stayed closed, a gentle smile on her lips as she found Tembovu’s side, melding into him and pressing every inch of her body against his thick scarred hide. She couldn’t think of any words to say – nothing could make this moment better. The sun continued to set, lacing the new King’s Quarters in hues of blues and purples as the moon began to rise, enveloping everything in its gentle and cool embrace. Her eyes finally opened, then, seeking his navy gaze with true happiness.

"Talk."

Tembovu

As he slipped from her his tired navy eyes widened slightly; where he had seen sweat patch on her withers (their lovemaking had been as long as their worries were deep), he had thought the movement of the markings a side effect from her activity in their exploits (his siren was not a passive partner).

However, now as he slipped back to his own four hooves, he realized he had been mistaken, “Rexanna—” his low rumble was quiet and hoarse from exertion. His muzzle, pale fuzz darkened with sweat to the black skin beneath, reached out to gently touch the bursting displays of fireworks across her coat, “Did you know about this?” His lips spoke against her skin as they traced the spray of black, exuberant sparks across sweat-shaded gold. She didn’t seem to notice, so perhaps it was commonplace to her, now?

A lopsided, playful grin crossed his muzzle, “I did not know it was possible for you to become even more beautiful,” was his content murmur as he gazed at her, slick with sweat, bursting with elegant magic across her skin, and sated from sharing their love. He paused shifting to lean into her as his gaze looked to the ending sunset that cast them in blues and purples.

“I am not sure that I can make a child any longer—” his deep voice cracked slightly, but from tired exhaustion and a small amount of defeat, rather than the brokenness of earlier, “Elsa—she fought me and her companion…his attack landed there,” his muzzle lazily gestured towards the area beneath his barrel—which had just been sated by Rexanna’s silken love. He wasn’t sure if Rexanna wanted more children but, “I would like to be with you for a brith of one of our children,” was his next, quiet confession. It wasn’t sad, per say, but a melancholic longing edged into the bottom of his tone as he said it, lips seeking to play with her sweat-matted mane as he enjoyed the simple ease of sharing his thoughts with his love.

Rexanna

How strange it was, to finally be free and happy with her mate. No longer did she have to break both their hearts by leaving every night. No longer did she have to keep making empty promises that she’d return with him one of these days. Likewise, she no longer had to worry about what he was up to. She had gifted him all that she could – a new place to sleep (regardless if he was the King of the land she now resided on) as well as children. It was almost like a fairytale, one with a finally happy ending despite the amount of hardship and troubles they seemed to create for one another.

She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed the black markings that lined her coat where sweat dampened it. Instead, her gaze just sought the sunset’s beautiful hues as Tembovu moved toward her side. His words captured her ears, but she didn’t move. Instead, her ears flickering back toward him as he spoke, his muzzle touching gingerly along her barrel. “Hmm?” She questioned quietly, turning her head to finally look upon her lover. “Know about what, Darling?” She questioned with a tilt of her head.

However, when she spotted the grin as it spread across his muzzle, lopsided and silly (the one she fell in love with of course) she returned a cheerful grin. That was when she saw the marking along her shoulder, hidden away was the “C” etched into her flesh, as sprouting black fireworks danced across her coat. It covered up that evil horrid marking, and even a few more patches along her coat. Tilting her head slightly she shook her head. “Oh.. no, I didn’t know about this.” She hummed curiously. “I had a strange dream awhile back where I woke up in a world that was inverted. It was snowing and fireworks rained from the sky in black. It was a beautifully morose place, with a terrible sound of something dying. It was a firework, seemingly taking its last breath, and when I touched it, it felt like water across my skin.” She recalled the dream easily, curiously tilting her head further as the lines began to complete one another.

Tembovu continued to talk, though, and she paid attention to his words of having children. It seemed to be filled with a sadness, a simple hint of regret that they wouldn’t be able to bear children anymore. It didn’t matter to the gilded siren, though. As long as she had Tembovu, she’d be happy. She already bore his children once, and if she carried no more from him she wouldn’t mind. Still, she watched silently as he motioned toward his slick underside. Rexanna simply reassured him, offering him a gentle and kind smile as she flicked her tail against his hip. “It’s alright, love. If we don’t have any more, at least we have our twins. And if we do indeed have more, you will be the first face I seek.” She reached her muzzle out then, pressing it against his muzzle before sliding it across the side of his face. Then, she moved past him with a small playful nudge. “I think we should rest now. Get as much sleep as we can before going out and looking for Kianzo in the morning.” She offered, craning her head over her back to look upon him, her oceanic eyes seeking out the beautiful sapphires that he had.

"Talk."