That night was... awkward for the most part. When they got back to his home, finding places to put her things. He was going to speak with some of the village men about the additions, or possibly a new home altogether. He pushed as much of his clothing and items out of the way.
After getting settled in as much as possible, he could feel the exhaustion creeping up on him. Pulling on buckles and untying his robes, then dropping his turban on top, he felt some relief from the fire. Turning around he found Lyra staring at him with big eyes. "What's wrong?" The second he asked, he could see the redness creeping along her face down her neck. Her eyes going up then down repeatedly. Looking down at himself, he still had his shoes, pants, and his sleevless tunic on. She herself was still fully dressed, and was not changing into nightclothes.
Rubbing her arm, not wanting to look at him. After seeing the muscles in his arms and shoulders, even his hands showed strength. She felt flustered. His hair, she just wanted to run her hands through the curly locks. When asked what's wrong, she couldn't form a sentence. She would try to look at his face but couldn't focus. His tunic had a deep v shape and she could see the small amount of hair and the muscles underneath.
Mustering up what she could, when he started making his way to her. She moved away him closer to the door. "Where... where am I going to sleep?" She finally stammered out. He pursed his lips for a moment, looking at the bed. He didn't have enough blankets to make a bed somewhere else. He could sleep on the chair, but he could already feel the phantom pain he would be in the morning. When he saw her move towards the door, he thought she would run again. But now knowing it was about sleeping, he relaxed a little. "We will sleep on the bed." She looked at him with wide eyes. "No need to be scared. To our people we are married. The ceremony needs to be arranged, but all is well." He said trying to calm her. "Marriage. Got it." She murmured quietly. "Is something wrong with that?" His eyes narrowed. "Not with you, no. But we don't have to do...anything, right?" Watching her gesture towards the bed then between herself and him, he couldn't stop the laugh. That's what she was nervous of, that he would jump her like some young man hungry for a womans touch.
Slowly making his way closer, she backed into the wall. Standing right in front of her, he lifted her face to his. "I would never force you. You have my word. Now let us go to sleep, we have much to do tomorrow." He let her go, turning and heading to one side of the bed and falling down on it letting out a vocalized sigh. She hadn't moved from her spot. Lifting his head, he patted the other side, watching her.
Feeling tired herself, she didn't debate with herself too long before shuffling to the side he patted. Reaching for the blankets at the end of the bed, she went to climb in and cover herself. He sat up, which caused her to still. "Your not sleeping that way are you?" He questioned while pulling his boots off. Looking down at herself, she still had all the jewelry, head and face covering, shawl, and skirt on. She frowned at him, he just gave a grin and layed on his stomach. Waving his hand at her to proceed with undressing. Huffing she pulled the head and mouth covering off, hair a bit messy from the fabric. The mouth piece came off since they had a way to attach to each other. She faced him not looking to happy. Going to where one of the chest were she opened one and pulled out a leather strip and a comb. Her hair tamed for the most part, she could tell she would need a bath soon. Looking into the chest there were oils and other things for cleaning herself. Taking another chest she removed all the jewelry, then started on her lions mane. Pulling all her hair over one shoulder she started braiding. The shawl kept getting in the way, so off it went to land on one of the parcels. Continuing to braid her hair, she made her way to the other side of the bed. Tying the end, she untied the skirt, balled it up and threw it over the bed to the pile on the floor.
Ardeth could almost feel himself salivating, he was amused at first her pulling the face and head covering off. Watching her walk over to her things, she took off the jewelry before dealing with her hair. Seeing her struggle with the braid, he pulled himself up on his elbows about to offer his assistance when she threw the shawl off. The firelight dancing along her neck and back not covered by hair. When she moved to make her way to the other side, her hips moved side to side, almost tempting him. Facing the bed he thought she caught him staring when she took the skirt off and threw it. Closing his eyes he heard fabric hitting the floor. He only gave it a glance, before bringing his eyes to her.
The fire behind her showed off her figure. A small waist that led to somewhat wide hips. He couldn't see her legs from the harem pants. But watching her grab the blanket and jostle around on the bed to make herself comfy, causing her breast to bounce from the movement. He quickly closed his mouth when she turned to him, then faced away covering her entire body head included. She cacooned herself.
Taking a shaky breath of his own. He pulled the blanket over himself and faced away from her. When he talked to the builders tomorrow, he would have to ask them how quickly they could be done. Alongside that, the elders were another matter. He knew they would try to object but like he thought before. The seer has already spoken of their union. So he had no worries there. His mind pondered over many things, like when he would have to go on duty next, speaking with his mother. Fluttering to the forefront, her face she made when she was told of her destiny and the marriage. She looked torn. She told him why while in her trance like state but he didn't understand. She was a beautiful creature, she seemed strong both physically and mentally. The seer said a little over ten years. She said 29 then that could make her anywhere from 17 to 18. He had been listening to her breathing while thinking and heard it deepen, signaling she was asleep. He would need to learn more about his little flower. He closed his eyes and made himself a bit more comfortable, stilling when his back brushed against hers. She hadn't moved and breathing remained the same. Resting back to back with her, he fell asleep to the future and what all will hold. The night went pretty well. After hearing her breathing deeply, he drifted off alongside her.
Morning however was a different story. He awoke to movement. Lyra had woken up, using her hand to rub at her eyes. When she tried to stretch, she found herself stuck. Feeling warmth on her left side. Her eyeballs almost fell out of her skull. Her entire left side was pressed against Ardeth. Her left arm thrown over his chest. Left leg wrapped around his. She realized during the night she must have turned and even with the blanket and decent fire in the firepit...fireplace thing, she'd have to ask later. She had grabbed the next thing giving off warmth.
Looking around then at him, she moved her leg off his. But the second she moved her arm, his arm around her waist tightened on her. Before it was just laid across her but now he was holding it. Feeling herself panic, she tried to pull again to no avail.
She just pushed her face back into the pillow with a groan, when she could feel her arm shaking. Lifting her head, she could see her captors chest vibrating. Lifting herself more, he had turned his face away. "Ardeth." She sat up using her other to swat him. He gave off quiet chuckles. Looking at her face, seeing she didn't look to happy with him.
He himself sat up and got out of bed. Turning to her he leaned onto the bed, when she leaned away from him. A grin formed on his lips before ruffling her head. "Come we must have breakfast then go see the elders." He stated before he pulled on a clean robe and his turban under his arm before leaving her in the room.
Once the door was closed, she could hear him messing with things in the other room. Getting off the bed she went to where the clothing and other items were. Looking at the amount, she just shook her head. Going through them she picked out very similar harem pants, and put the skirt back on she wore the night before. Looking through she found a burgundy colored top. This one was sheer in material just like her other one and clung to her like a second skin. Seeing as he didn't have a full length mirror, she looked down. Going through the parcels she found a burgundy colored wrap to tie around her waist that moved along with her. Grabbing a black shawl, head and mouth covering she eyed the make-up and jewelry. Foregoing the make-up since she had no mirror, she picked out a simple necklace and a ring. Satisfied she pulled her shoes on and made her way to the door. Looking at herself one last time pulled the shawl over herself then exited the room.
Seeing a plate sitting on a small table, while Ardeth sat in another area with his weapons laid out. He turned when he heard the door open. Seeing her dressed, he gave a nod, then waved one hand towards the food. "For you." He said still watching her. His hands laid on the table not moving. "What about you?" "I had my fill." Waving his hand again she knelt by the table and started to eat slowly. She doesn't remember when she ate last. Looking at the plate there was almost too much. Things like fruit, cheese, eggs, bread. She glanced at him, just to see him look way quickly and fiddle with his weapons.
Eating her share, then saving what she could. They were preparing to leave. "Wait." He quickly said. Going to where she sat to eat, grabbing her head and face covering. He put them on her, pulling her braid over her shoulder. Looking her over, he grasp her hand and lead the way. Walking with him, she could feel eyes watching them. Whispers and some excited chatter came from the villagers. Keeping her eyes down she followed a little closer.
Reaching a building bigger then the seers, they entered.
For a moment she was blinded. It was early morning, so the sun wasn't too bright. But going from a sunny outside to a dark inside threw her off. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she was being led then told to kneel down. Once her eyes adjusted, there were about eight or nine men sitting in front of them. Graying or white hair, covered in dark clothing just like Ardeth, as well as the same tattoos.
The elders shifted almost uncomfortably. Her green eyes staring them down. Ardeth held her hand. Looking at her then turning to the elders. "Ardeth. You brought the foreign woman." One man said. "Of course. I apologize for not bringing her yesterday." He apologized. "Well, now that she's here, we must discuss what to do with her. She's not part of ours or another tribe. She should be sent on her way." There was a few men murmured their agreement. While the rest observed her in silence, before one spoke up. "Ardeth said he dreamt of her. We should consult with the seer." "The seer is a crazy fool of a woman. This woman is nothing more then a purse of money for her services."
Ardeth felt her stand up quickly, but he stood up as well to calm her. "Are you calling me a whore?" The men looked surprised and angry that she spoke out. "You can speak our language?" One of the quiet ones asked her equally surprised, but had a small smile from the fire in her. The village women usually follow and stay silent. "We have already seen the seer." Ardeth spoke out. The men seemed to still before murmering amongst each other. "What has she foretold? Your dream has truth, which here she stands before us." The quiet man spoke waving his hand in their direction. They quieted down after that to hear. "She said it was destiny that brought us together. I was not the only one having dreams. She dreamt of me as well. Our fate is tied." He explained to the elders, some turned their heads while the rest nodded. "So be it. She has been with you in the night. She is to be your bride." "Yes." He stated grabbing her hand the other over her shoulder to grasp her arm, pulling her to him.
Nodding and giving Ardeth and her a smile. "We will need to make preparations for the wedding and union. You agree with all this Miss..." He trailed off not knowing her name. "Lyra, sir" She said quietly. Giving her a smile. "May Allah smile upon you."
Ardeth wasted not a moment from pulling her from the building. She was somewhat lost in her thoughts. She was getting married. He pulled along behind him, watching as he stopped in front of a group of men building something. She was getting married. She looked Ardeth over. He was very handsome, deep dark brown eyes, tanned skin, tattoos not bothering her at all, muscles to boot. She could feel her face heating with the blush. He had been nothing but kind to her, minus tackling her and giving her little scares. She felt herself being dragged elsewhere for him to speak with some other men and the women with them.
Her mind started to focus when she heard the last part of his conversation with the people. "Look at how the homes there are set, I want her to feel as comfortable as possible." The villagers nodded before he pulled her along again. Tired of being dragged, she stopped her feet digging them in the sand. Feeling the resistance he turn to her. His brow drawn deep in confusion. "What were you talking about?" "Ah. Well the first were builders. They just started on the new stables which won't take long with how many there are. The others are traveling to the city and are going to look at the homes there to give the builders an idea on the home they'll build for us." She just nodded. One thought kept coming to the forefront of her mind. "Is something wrong?" He asked bending himself slightly to look at her. Seeing tears building in her eyes, he looked a bit worried. But seeing the small smile getting bigger on her lips. "I'm getting married." She said quietly like she couldn't believe it. She lifted her head towards him, he could almost feel the happiness radiating from her. "I'm getting married."