by Ency Peterson

Created on: November 04, 2008

Emigail wondered why he had asked, no ordered her to meet him at the lake outside her home village, but she forgot all her worries once she got there. She laughed at the obvious playfulness of some stray pups and stared longingly over the water. She smiled when she noticed a bouquet of her favorite flowers, the gladiolus lying on a course blanket. She limped toward the flowers only to be stopped by the handsomest man she'd ever seen in her life. His grey-eyes sparkled.

"You are not supposed to overdoing anything, Emigail," he stated sternly.

She laughed, "I left my sword at home, General. I wasn't going to risk getting yelled at if one of the meds starts walking out to check on me. Also, I have no hope of recovering completely, Naudiss. Abroldo was too strong. He took my parents. He devastated the world and now you've had me come out to Clearwater Lake. Why?"

"You need to remember the days when you used to go for picnics and swim, well I guess you can't exactly swim. You could go wading, though," his grin made her ecstatic.

He started tickling her. She tickled him back. It didn't take long since she was injured still, for Naudiss to get her in his lap. He then pulled up the bouquet and handed it to her. She giggled a little. The time they spent on their picnic at the lake was a little bit of peace while the war still raged.

He had gotten her favorite foods and beverage for their meal and though she didn't see it she could smell it.

"How did you find out about my favorites, General?" she teased.

"I asked around, Lieutenant. When I mentioned that I wanted to surprise you they mentioned something about it being "harder than hog-tieing three steers, a buck, and a goldarned stallion at the same time!' So I guessed you're not one who likes surprises are you?"

"It depends on the surprise, Naudiss," she sighed, "When I'm away from these gorgeous scenes, I forget how peacefrul they make me feel. I just wish it weren't quite so bare."

"Someday, Emigail, you're going to see a place that makes you cry for Clearwater and wish to return to it. One can only do so much though, " He poured them each a cup of tea and started to serve a juicy turkey between the two as she sorted everything else between them, hiding the dessert. They talked more as they stared at the serene lake wishing they could be in a time other than theirs, but it was time for dessert and he tackled her again. This time he let her win and they teased each other as they ate their dessert and departed.

"Sorry, Naudiss, but there's this General who absolutely hates me for doing my job. This last time I got injured, he warnedme to obey the meds he'd keep me their until we die," she teased him about his strictness.

"Then you'd better get going, huh?" Naudiss laughed.

"A little fresh air is good."

They left in different directions. They both had enemies that could and would kill each other for no reason. She didn't want this lord general to be grateful to her, if she saved his life and the other felt the same. Emigail stooped as some butterflies fluttered along the ground while Naudiss went on his own journey. She knew the picnic was his way of saying he cared.

Naudiss stooped at the water, looking out. His eyes wouldn't leave her and wishing he could take her on more. He knew that couldn't happen ever again. He just wanted to brighten her day as he would not be seeing her for quite some time. Emigail took the gladioli with her and though she had enjoyed the picnic tears still lit her Illuminating her face.

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