Shandalar was sewing shut a hole in a large green cloak, in front of her house, humming to herself. The breeze swaying the springtime bloom. In the distance, she could hear heavy, armoured footsteps. Looking up, she saw several knights walking to her hut along the path, the gilded flag of the emperor held up as they marched.

She sighed and shook her head, continuing with her work.

The knights arrived, standing only a few metres away. The most decorated knight stepped forward, “Have you seen her recently, elf?”

Shandalar didn’t look up, her face blank of all emotion, “You’ll have to be more specific. I treat many people, including women.”

“We know she sees you often elf, you know who we are talking about.” The knight captain scowled. “So watch your mouth. Is she here?”

“No,” she said bluntly.

The knight captain walked past her, “Then there will be no issue if we search your ‘home’.”

Shandalar ignored him and continued sewing. The knight captain swung the door open, looking around the ramshackle house, seeing nothing but shelves filled with mysterious plants and spices, and an empty cauldron.

“There’s nothing here. If you see her and do not report her, you will be considered a traitor to the empire. Soldiers! March!” The captain glared at the elf once more, before taking point and marching on.

After some time had passed, Shandalar spoke out, “They are gone, you can come out.”

A loud thud could be heard from the hut, ducking from out the door way, Bael stood tall, stretching her reptilian tail out her arms reaching for the sky.

“Thank you my dear. They are getting more bothersome than I’d hoped.”

Shandalar handed the cloak to Bael, patting herself off as she stood, “Such a pest, Bael. Will you be staying for dinner?”

The dragoness laughed as she threw the cloak over herself, “Only you could say those two things in the same breath. No, I wanted to take you somewhere while the day is still young. Also I’ve packed us food.”

Bael offered her claw to the tiny elf.

“Fine, but I want to be home before dark,” Shandalar grunted, then took Bael’s claw.

“Then the dragon shall steal the princess away from her castle, do hold on tight.”

Bael effortlessly picked up Shandalar in her arms, spread her wings and leapt into the air.

Shandalar screamed all the way up, the air rushing past her as she held tight onto Bael, burning her head in her chest. Once their ascent had stopped, the dragoness nudged the frightened woman, “I’ve got you, you are safe with me. I won’t ever let you go.”

Shandalar’s body eased up, peering over her shoulder to see the landscape expand into the horizon, forests, towns and hamlets passing below. She buried herself in Bael’s chest again, gripping tight. Bael smiled, turning in the air slowly, before descending into a large clearing in a forest.

The dragoness set down in a large field of flowers, nudging the frightened elf, “We are here, you can let go if you want, though I don’t mind this either,” she teased.

Shakily the elf looked over her shoulder, her eyes going wide. They were surrounded by white lilies, a vast field dotted with pure white buildings in ruin.

Shandalar began to tear up, “Falantras.”

Bael nodded, placing the elf down, and digging through her satchel. She pulled out a large blanket, and an impossible amount of food from inside it. She sat herself down and patted the blanket in front of her.

“Sit my dear. We will eat, talk,and then leave at your luxury,” Bael offered a warm smile, and Shandalar accepted.

“I saw the flower in your hair the first time we met. That’s how I knew you were from here. I’ve had friend’s help me turn this tragic place into a thing of beauty,” Her gaze met the elf, “But it pales in comparison to you.”

Shandalar felt overwhelmed, and tried to glare but failed, breaking into a hearty laughter, “You are such a nuisance.”

Bael joined in the laughter, “I can’t help it, it’s too easy.”

The two continued laughing, until they petered out. Shandalar wiped the tears from her eyes. Saddening.

“I don’t know why you bother with someone as plain as me. Five years of you coming and leaving. Why?” the elf said, resigned.

“That’s easy, I fell in love with you on that first night. Gushing with blood, bleeding all over myself, true romance,” Bael smirked. The dragoness rested her claw on Shandalar’s hand, “You never treated me with fear, you’ve never fell at my feet for my beauty, you’ve always seen me as I am.”

Shandalar lifted Bael's claw, and began tracing the scales with her other hand, “I’m not good at dealing with feelings. The Triumvirate knows.”

“You don’t need to be. I just need you to be yourself, that’s all I ask,” Bael grabbed the elf’s wrist and pulled her onto her lap and began running her claw through the elf’s hair, “And those goddesses know nothing.”

“How would you know?” Shandalar said coyly.

Bael hesitated for a moment, “I... guess I wouldn’t.”

Shandalar could feel the dragoness’ heart racing, but she felt hers race too.

“Will you stay with me forever?” Shandalar asked tenderly.

Bael casted her gaze to the side and shook her head, “I cannot.”

The elf caressed the dragoness’ cheek, staring deep into her emerald eyes,“Why?”

Bael took a deep breath, Shandalar’s attention fully commanded, “I am immortal,” she spoke in hushed tones.

Shandalar exhaled and laughed, “I guessed. I don’t mind.”

Bael blinked in bewilderment, “Even if I outlive you?”

“Even so.”

Bael smiled, “Good. I can see in your eyes you have questions. You aren’t as subtle as you think.”

Shandalar nodded, anxiously rubbing her arm, “May I know how old you are? How long you’ve travelled?”

Bael pondered for a moment, frowning, “I’m not sure, I lost count after four thousand. It stopped mattering. Perhaps a guess could be closer to eight thousand, my dear.”

The elf seemed to be having trouble comprehending this. She ran her finger up Bael’s arm, tracing her scales. She pushed forward with her interrogation, “How many loves have you had?”

Bael traced her finger down Shandalar’s arm, “A handful.”

Her face was visibly pained, struggling to continue.

Shandalar placed a peck on her wife’s hand and smiled at her, “There’s no need to continue, thank you, Bael. I can’t express how much I appreciate you sharing this with me. Truly.”

“I want to be as transparent as possible, but it’s not easy. Thank you for accepting me.”

Shandalar nodded, and smiled. Feeling like a piece of the puzzle just fit together.