Dancing in the glen

Aaralon watches silently within Taya's dream world to see a dream-version of the red-headed beauty dancing slowly in the middle of a moonlit glen. It was at that point that Aaralon realized the dream-Taya was naked, her long red hair draping across her body as the beams of the full moon shimmered and caressed her lily white skin. For several minutes she danced alone to the alluring Celtic tunes of an unseen piper.

A rustling is heard in the bushes nearby. Aaralon turns to see a dream-version of himself, also naked, walk slowly to Taya. She reaches out to him and their hands interlock briefly, smiling at each other as they gaze into each other's souls. Then their hands separate as they dance together. They never hold each other, but they dance close together as their hair and hands caress each other, their cool skin rubbing against each other, and the dream-Aaralon's dark brown eyes meeting the dream-Taya's violet-blues over and over as they finally embrace, stealing a soft, tender kiss.

At this moment, Aaralon hears the Nightmare shudder a bit. Fearing he might loose control, he regrettably banishes the stallion and awakes in his own room. Lying there, Aaralon realized all of the times he and Taya studied together... how their eyes would meet on occasion, how their hands would brush against each other, how they would laugh at each other's jokes or finish each other's thoughts...no matter how twisted or sadistic the thoughts may be. All this time it was in front of him and he never realized... or never acknowledged his feelings for her.

A fitful sleep is chased away by bright sunlight. Aaralon dresses before going to the dining hall for breakfast, wondering what he would say to Taya as he sits at a corner of the table by himself. As if his thoughts summoned her, Taya sits down beside him and slyly asks, "Did you enjoy my dream?"