Life's what you make it. (Keldon/open)

[Selena Ile Andra]

Third Cycle of Pontius, Season of Spring

Paxia was a great deal different then the places Selena had visited before, broken and weathered but slowly being built back up. She kept to herself as she rode atop her black mare, unsure of where she was really going. She wore a comfortable sapphire dress, a cloak wrapped snuggly around her shoulders to keep the spring breeze away, was Keldon even here? Did he even remember her? Selena often believed she wasn't easy to forget, but who knew anymore. Selena wished she had the courage to face Viskyia, gods she wished she could more then anything, but Viskyia had gone from Nexus Prime when Selena had tried to visit, the startling news of her father's death shocking Selena more then anything.

Would Viskyia hate Selena for not keeping her promise, she would fully understand it since Selena had been impatient and somehow believed she would be able to rescue Kaiser when really she merely put herself and her children at risk. She had been foolish and berated herself often for it all, she had been safe with Viskyia. Minds well not think about it now. She would save it for when she actually did face Viskyia, if she ever even saw her again. She placed a hand on her stomach, unsure of how much longer they would reside inside her, she had lost count of how long she had been pregnant and for that reason she had to be careful. It would be horrible to have her children when she was traveling alone, too scary to even think about.

A couple times she stopped to ask where the Provost resided and while she got lost a few times, she finally made it the the place where Keldon hopefully was. She dismounted carefully and walked...well waddled really towards the entrance, hoping she hadn't made a mistake coming. She waited for someone to come out before asking. "Pardon me, is this where Provost Keldon Elsdragon resides?" Her voice was soft and possibly held a bit of fear in it, what if Keldon didn't remember her or didn't want her anymore?

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Selena had moved towards the adiles office where Keldon was only a short time ago, it was a lowly farmer that came out and stopped looking at her rather blankly then thinking. "Well, isn't that an interesting question miss... he was here sometime ago while I was waiting, with them Imperial folks... maybe they can finally do some good... bas..." he said and shook his head. "No no that won't do now will it mam, he had some of those naval folks with him, you are best to head over to the naval yard things that they have established. Shouldn't be to hard to find him there... nope... now if you excuse me miss." the man said moving his way around her and down the lane way towards the outer ruins of the city.

One of the most important buildings in the city was located between the part that was built up currently and the outside. Though people had returned to the city that once was a very good trade hub fear still ran threw the hearts of many. The orcs had been beaten off and thought to be gone, but even a city of peace needs law enforcement officials and that is where the Falcon Legion compound now stood, not completely built up yet but enough to offer many citizens comfort when they passed it that the men and women there were ready and willing to give everything that they had to protect the city.

The protective wall to the compound did not yet stand fully erect but it was being worked on. The gates would be in place incase the citizens needed to fall back into the compound if an attack were to ever set in on Paxia again once they were complete that is. For now there was a small wall, maybe 3 feet high at it lowest point enough to mark off the area. They tried their best to duplicate what it had once been.

Like before two entrances had been built at the south and west. The west gate was for the use of military personnel only, the south was for anyone who had business with the legion. At each gate stood at least two guards, the south was to inquire people about what business they had and escort them if necessary to the main building.

The numbers were fewer than before but the sounds of training could be heard louder than ever. New recruits wanted to join and help Paxia. Many of these were younger men who had lost their families to the wars nd wanted to pay homage to their memories. The layout was very similar to that that it had been in the past.

To the right lay the two-storey East barracks of the newer recruits and the compound guards and beyond them, the training courtyards. To the left lay the West barracks of the other companies of the Legion, with the stables and armory further on.

The main building was no longer the large tower that it had once been, yet at any rate though there was rumor that rebuilding was already being planned. In it’s place was a simple looking stone building. It was four stories high plus a basement. Upon entering the building one would have a feeling of smallness to them. The entrance area was wide open and made almost entirely of stone. Behind the main desk was a large wooden closed door. Those that had been to the Legion in it’s past would recognize the face of the guard that stood there.

A short walk outside of the complex was a building that was empty for the time being. Inside of it was a large desk with several chairs all around it. It could easily fit the dozen people requested. Formerly a briefing room for the vaunted Falcon Legion of Paxia, it was now the temporary shore offices of the Imperial Navy, until such time that the Paxian Naval Academy was reconstituted. Outside it flew the Imperial Standard, and the flag of Arium, and to make true their commitment, outside stood two marines in full uniform and in arms.

[Selena Ile Andra]

Selena had expected an offical to exit the office, but instead she was greeted by a farmer who looked at her rather blankly for a moment. Selena suddenly felt shy and backwards, she wrung her hands as she waited patiently for an answer, if he chose to even give her one. Finally he answered, though seemed to sidetrack with his own thoughts a few times, finally he told her that he was with Naval people at the naval yard thing, hopefully she could find it. She moved out of his way quickly and stared at him for a moment, he wasn't even going to point her in the direction, how ungallant could one get.

Sighing as she took to the task of once again mounting Sania, spurring her away from the Aedile's building, she wondered if perhaps she should find a place to stay for now and then search for Keldon later, at least she knew he was in Paxia, it would have been horribly disappointing to come all this way and find that he wasn't there. At least the skies were clear as she rode around Paxia, had it rained she would have been forced to seek shelter to keep from getting sick again.

After reciving various directions from different people on where the compound was, she soon arrived. It surely was an important building for all the security that surrounded it. A wall that didn't exactly stand fully erect, but would work as a defense should anyone attack and guards at both gates. Surely Selena wouldn't have the appearance of one who would post a threat to anyone. She wished she still had the ring Keldon had given to her when they last saw each other, but she hadn't taken it with her when she left for Vortex and believed it still remained in the safe in Nexus Prime.

She traveled to the south gate, having heard the north gate was for Military officials only. She once again dismounted from Sania carefully and walked up to the one guard, a weak smile on her face. "I wish to speak to Provost Elsdragon please." She paused for a moment, recalling that he had been with some naval people and might be busy. "Its rather important."

[Keldon Elsdragon]

The marine who she spoke to looked down at her with a quirked brow and shrugged. "Your name miss?" he asked in a emotionless tone and once given it would go inside the building looking for the Provost.

When he found Keldon he was in a meeting, plans for the cities walls where laid out on the table before him. A copy of the former cities plans nearby, the new drawings had a vast amount of walls on, the external walls, external defense's internal walls separating the city. Making his way the the Provost he saluted. "Sir, there is a one Selena Ile Andra at the south gate requesting your presence..." he said half expecting him the tell the man to send her to a room and he will be there later however Keldon looked up the second he got to the end of Selena, his eyes widened.

His face snapped to the men in the room and then back to the marine. "Excuse me gentlemen," he said quickly turning towards the door and picking up a half jog. However once down the hall the jog turned into a run, towards the door leading towards the south gate. The sound of Keldons armor ringing and the the sound of the marine following in suit more or less confused as all hell.

Once he exited the building he saw her, and he stopped flat in his tracks the marine coming to a halt behind him. Almost knocking into Keldon, "By the gods...." a soft whisper came from his mouth.

[Selena Ile Andra]

The man whom she spoke to gave her an odd look and she realized she must look rather odd asking for the Provost like this. "Selena Ile Andra." She said in a soft voice, being a guard must truly be a boring monotonious chore because most guards she came acros in her travels were blunt, bland, or mean. Very rarely did she meet one who was cheerful. once she gave her name, the guard turned and went inside, which was a relief, she was left outside with the other guard, waiting patiently with Sania's reins still in her hand.

Selena was unsure how long Keldon would take, if he came at all. Her heart racing as she waited, Sania the only comforting presence Selena really had at that moment. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a breath, the sound of amour clanking caught her attention and she opened her eyes quickly. At that moment she saw him, it took her back to the day in Taralon when she last saw him, he didn't look a bit different. He looked surprised to see her, which was understandable since she hadn't been sure she ever would see him. "Keldon." She said softly and walked up to him, her head down as though in shame. Once she stood in front of him, she looked up at him, her jade eyes sparkling with a light that she had thought left her completely. "I..." She stopped, unsure of what to say at that moment.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Standing there motionless for a moment as she moved towards him. Inside his armor he was shaking ever so much, the visions of the women wearing much less then she was now came flashing through his mind, the soft smile on her face as the wind blew through her hair as they laid in the grass. As her lips started to move his hand slid down to his finger and removed the item and then both of his hands took hers into there grasp. Selena's left hand would feel something push into it, a small object.

"You need not say words, your presence could silent the imperial forum itself. You need not worry about your safety for now you are in my protection and no one shall harm you any longer... you... here.... you.... you are loved..." he said puller her close and pushing his lips up against hers briefly. Then leaning back slowly letting go of the hand with the item, leaving it in her hand he would wait for her to notice what it was before he spoke. A tear gently rolled down his cheek.

[Selena Ile Andra]

Selena had been unsure of what exactly his reaction would be, would he demand an explanation for her disappearance, would he be mad at her? He had looked completely surprised when he saw her standing there, the look in his eyes telling her that he did remember her, which was a relief. Trying to think of an explanation, her halted when she felt his large hands take her hands and place something small against the palm of her left hand gently. It felt like a ring but surely it couldn't be the ring he had given her before, it was back in Nexus Prime, at least she was almost sure it was. She looked behind Keldon for only a moment to see the guard from before who had nearly knocked into keldon when he stopped so suddenly, undoubtedly he was confused at what exactly was going on.

Before she unclenched her hand to see if it was indeed the ring, Keldon spoke first, his words giving her a warm feeling and made her feel safe for the first time in a long time. She was safe and she was loved, gods that felt so good to know. He pulled her closer to him and she smiled as he leaned down to give her a gentle and brief kiss on the lips, immediately her mind flashed back to the first time he ever kissed her. After being away from him for what seemed like eras, this kiss felt just like the first. Once he pulled back, she smiled at him gently before looking down at her hand to see what exactly he had placed in her hand. in her hand, the center of her palm was the ring Keldon had given to her before, glittering gently in the sunlight. Somehow he had gotten the ring back, she would ask later, for now she looked back up at him, noticing for the first time the teardrop that rolled down his cheek. Once again proper words escaped her, how could she put into words what she was feeling at that moment? "Gods Keldon, I missed you so much."

[Keldon Elsdragon]

For the first time in a very longtime Keldon had little to no clue what to do at the moment. Turning over his shoulder he looked to the guard. "Inform my staff I am currently disposed of at the moment with someone, advised them to carry forth with the layout of the west walls." the guard saluted and gave a quick yes sir and moved away. Keldon turned to Selena and gazed at her rather helpless.

"Word could never surmount to how much I have missed you Selena... you must be tired.... come with me..." he said looking down at her belly which was obviously visable now he would lead her in the direction of his quarters.

[Selena Ile Andra]

Selena looked up at Sania who had behaved the entire time, which was a milestone for the horse since Sania normally did not like standing around idly. It must have been because the horse was so tired, she would need a place where she would be safe and taken care of while Selena stayed here. "Is there a stable where I could put Sania?" She asked Keldon, she was pretty sure there was, since Keldon himself owned a warsteed, or at least she thought he had.

She hadn't thought it would feel so awkward to see Keldon again, it seemed he felt just as awkward, she didn't know exactly what she had been expecting when she saw him again. She dreaded to tell him of why she had disappeared for so long and the circumstances of her pregnancy. He most likely wouldn't take well to Dimitri and what had happened, she hadn't told him last time she had seen him but she would tell him this time. She was about to speak when Keldon turned his attention on his guard who still appeared to be a bit dazed from all this. It seemed Selena's arrival had interrupted a meeting that Keldon had been in, her cheeks flushed as she felt bad for taking him away from his meeting. "Oh I apologize, I didn't know you were in a meeting."

He was right, she was very tired and needed rest, though she also wanted to catch up with him. She noticed his gaze go to her swollen belly and sighed, that wouldn't be fun to explain at all. Taking his arm gently, she walked with him towards his quarters.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Keldon nodded, "Soldier take the horse and put her in the stable and have her tended to." He said to one of the guards who nodded and moved towards Sania and would lead her to the stable for the darkening. Keldon then turned back to Selena. "Do not worry Selena, you could interrupt a meeting with the Regent and I would not say a word." He said a smile and would continue leading her towards his tent. "You get some rest and we will talk more in the morning."

Once in the tent Keldon would attend to her needs, he would make her a small meal and set the bed for her. There was only one bed which was fine as Keldon intended to spend the evening on the floor of the tent.

[ Continued Here ]