Matchmaker, Matchmaker (3/3)

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 16th May 2013

Characters: Reven, Arippa
Description: Reven arrives at EFH after being visited by Felyna and Corowal about a marriage to Arppa.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 11, day 22 of Turn 6
Notes: Green Valley
Mentioned: Felyna, Corowal

Reven

Arippa

She'd stood in the upper level in the Ladies Quarters and watched
through the windows for Reven to arrive. As the day plugged on she
tried to sit in the Ladies solar and work on some needlework but she
just couldn't keep her mind on it and ended up picking out half the
stitches she'd made.

Finally she'd just given up and stood to take a walk around the room.
Negotiations like marriage contracts could take hours and days
provided he didn't just toss the idea out the window in the first
place.

But then a commotion arose out in the courtyard and she rushed back to
the window. The party from Green Valley had arrived right behind Lord
Corowal and Lady Felyna. And Reven... her heart tried to rise up into
her throat. His new runner was magnificent and he made such a fine
figure as he rode into the courtyard it took her breath away.

Just the fact that he'd come back to Emerald Falls meant... she wasn't
quite sure but she ran to the balcony overlooking the entrance.

His trip to Emerald Falls hadn't been completely necessary but he
wanted to see and talk to Arippa. Reven was incredibly pleased that
Corowal and Felyna had come to him with the proposal. If Reven had his
pick of any woman at Emerald Falls he would choose Arippa, so he felt
himself fortunate that the Holders had not suggested another. When
they'd last seen each other at his return celebration at Green Vallry
he'd had no thought if them being engaged and then wed so soon. He
very much looked forward to having Arippa all to himself.

As the small party from Green Valley arrived into the Emerald Falls
courtyard, Reven left his runner to a stablehand and entered the Hold
to find his future bride.

Looking over the balustrade she saw him stride into the main entrance.
She followed along toward the stairs and descended to meet him.
"Reven," she smiled.

A smile spread across the holder's face as he watched Arippa descend the
stairs, quite possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes
on and soon she would be his.

"Arippa." He held one hand out for her, intent on taking her somewhere
more private.

She took his hand and took the final step to the floor. She didn't
miss the warmth in his eyes and her own held steady on his. "It is
very nice to see you," she said softly for his ears alone.

Reven smiled and took her hand in his own, "Come, let's take a walk."
He couldn't believe that he'd known her only a couple of months and
yet the decision to marry her felt so right.

She was content to hold his hand and follow his lead. "That would be
nice," she smiled. This seemed to be moving like a whirlwind but she'd
drug her feet last time and look where it had ended up. For a moment
she held his eyes with an intense sort of gaze. She'd pushed this
along as much as anyone but what she saw in this man made her feel
hopeful and somehow secure for her and their future children.

"I'm sure you know why Corowal and Felyna came to Green Valley today."
Reven said as they walked, his feet leading her in a simple path
through the Hold, and although they passed a person here or there,
Reven felt as if they were the only two people in the world at that
moment.

She nodded, "Yes, Lady Felyna came to talk to me about it before they left."

"And I trust you were pleased?" Reven asked, hoping to find out that
the union was as desired by Arippa as it was by the Lady Holder.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners at her memory of her conversation
with Felyna and she looked up into his eyes and couldn't help but feel
the flutter in her stomach at the question in his eyes. "Yes," she
breathed.

Reven smiled down at Arippa, "So was I. I haven't been able to get you
out of my mind since that first night we danced together." He
admitted, drawing her to a stop now that they were in a more secluded
area.

"Truly?" She couldn't help the glow that lit up her eyes.

"Truly." He captured her chin in his hand, tilting her face up to his
as he kissed her gently.

She melted. Her imagination of this moment was nothing to the reality
and warmth of his lips on hers. She had to hold on to him when her
knees threatened to buckle and there was a terrible roaring in her
ears. Arippa began to tremble, "oh" was all she could say about her
first kiss.

It was far from Reven's first kiss, but never had he kissed a woman as
deliciously sweet as Arippa. The obvious effect that he had on her
made the holder smile as he wrapped his arms around Arippa's waist and
drew her up against him, burying his nose in her hair in the process.
She even smelled wonderful! There was nothing about this woman that
was offensive to Reven, surely he was the luckiest man on Pern to be
marrying her.

She sank thankfully against him and clung for support while her mind
tried to cope with the overload of sensation. He smelled of leather
and runners and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Finally she turned her face up to him with shining eyes. "Again
please?"

How could any man turn down that request? Reven knew, as he looked
down at Arippa's sweet face, that he would never be able to deny her
anything. Kissing Arippa again, Reven traced his finger along her
jawline, and down her neck, noting how soft and smooth her skin felt.

This time wasn't quite as much of a sensory overload but it was still
a wonderful and exhilarating feeling. Her stomach still fluttered and
she was out of breath. But the very best of all was that she knew she
liked it, and it sure looked to her like he liked it too. "Mmmm," she
hummed.

Reven smiled and reluctantly pulled back from Arippa a bit, "Come on,
I'd better get you back." There was no point in sullying the woman's
reputation when they were so close to being wed.

She nodded mutely. It wasn't what she wanted in that moment but it was
probably for the best.

Last updated on the June 1st 2013

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Matchmaker, Matchmaker (3/3)