Storyboards: Khuldir

An awkward time | Snow

An awkward time
The morning mist begins to descend upon the fens, hovering above the surface of the land and water like a light blanket. Khuldir and Athawe have spent most of the previous night and the morning discussing on the skills of haggling. Still groggy from his sleep, he managed to secure the supplies to the raft and also the knots securing the supplies raft to the boat. Satisfied with the knots, Khuldir stood up and slipped on the wet grassy ground, landing on his bum.
"Belar!" he cursed and winced silently, hoping that Athawe did not catch him in this undignified state. The muffled giggles he caught from her direction informed him that she did.
"The ground's wet and more slippery than an eel." Khuldir tries to explain.
"I've noticed." Athawe replies, trying unsuccessfully to hide her grin while extending a hand to help Khuldir up. Grabbing her hand with in his, he managed to stand up but not before nearly pulling Athawe on top of him in the process.
'This is embarrassing.' he thought to himself.
"Ahem, are you going to hold my hand for the rest of the journey? It'll be pretty inconvenient for us to move around you know." Realizing that he's still holding on to her hand, Khuldir immediately let go of it. "Oops..er..sorry, I've forgotten." he stutters. Athawe gave a nonchalant shrug and continues, "Oh well, we better get going while the sun is up and the mist is clearing, let's hope we can get out of here soon."
As she brushed past him on the way to the boat, Khuldir caught the scent of her, a mixture of lavendar and light herbs.
‘How does she manage to smell so nice despite the days of hard travelling? And how does she manage to make me feel like a fool every time?" he muttered to himself.
"Hey! Are you coming onboard?" Athawe yelled, interrupting his thoughts. Giving a sheepish grin and a nod, Khuldir hurried over, almost slipping again in his haste. As he gets into the rocking boat, Athawe lost her balance and almost fell off before Khuldir caught her in his arms. Holding her close for a few moments to let her regain her balance, Khuldir couldn't help noticing her soft body is and how nice she smells.
‘Keep your mind out of the pigsty man!’ he berated himself silently.
"You can let go now, I'm fine, thanks." Athawe whispered a touch breathlessly.
"Sorry." Releasing his hold, Khuldir almost gave a sigh of regret as he felt Athawe pulling herself away from him. As she settles herself comfortably in the boat, he notices that her face is flushing slightly.
‘There, now you've done it. You've embarrassed her.’ he mutters to himself. ‘Darn, I'm never good with girls...’ Khuldir sighs as he stares moodily at the unchanging landscape of water and moss around him.

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Snow
The blizzard abates and finally stops, covering Boktor in a pure white blanket. The morning sun shines weakly in the clear sky, bringing more light than warmth. Khuldir stands near the entrance to the inn, looking at the serene and beautiful scenery and rubbing his bare hands in an attempt
to warm himself. People begin to walking out of their houses, taking a reprieve from the snowstorm after being cooped up in their houses for days. The streets is soon filled with the shrieks of children playing, snow fights and building of snow figures. Suddenly, a pair of velvet gloved hands cover his eyes.
"Guess who?" a feminine voice asks from behind him.
Reaching up to hold her hands, Khuldir smiles. "Hmm.. Athawe?"
"Psh, you are no fun. Can't you guess wrongly just for once?"
Twisting himself to face his wife, Khuldir hugs his wife and kisses her deeply." I will try to remember it the next time love." he grins.
"They are with my folks." she smiles warmly, eyes twinkling. "My mom can't seem to get enough of them and my dad too even though he is grumbling that she is spoiling them. "
Khuldir chuckles at his wife's remark. "Well, they resemble their mother, love. I can understand why would your mother spoils them." He winks at her." I will too. "
Athawe giggles and hugs her husband tighter, pecking him on his cheek. "Glib tongue. But I think dad is just sore that mom would not let him carry them without her supervision."
Holding hands as they walk down the streets, they soon reach the outlying countryside of the city. The entire forest is covered with a thick layer of snow, the pine trees bowing under the weight of the snow. A small clearing lies nestled between the tall pines and oaks with a frozen pond not far away. It seems that some people have discovered this pond and are skating on it. Standing at the side of the pond and looking at the skaters, Athawe gives a small sigh. "I love it here. If it is possible, I will want to live here forever. "
Khuldir smiles at Athawe fondly." It is a good idea dear. This place is quiet and yet close enough to the city for us to conduct our business." he grins. "I will contact the woodcutter and stonemason for building materials. "
Athawe's eyes widens. "You know how to build houses? I never knew that!" her breath misting the air.
Smiling bashfully, Khuldir replies." Er... No. But I have a few associates who do. I will be paying them to do it dear. They are the professionals."
Giggling, Athawe pecks her husband on his cheek. "You had me for a moment there. Since I am going to live in it, I want a say in the design of the cottage. "she says, grinning impishly.
"What ever makes you happy love." Khuldir chuckles.
Smiling at her husband, Athawe tiptoes to kiss him on his lips. "Now, let us get back to my babies. I am beginning to miss them already." Hooking her arm under Khuldir's, the both of them begin a slow walk back towards Boktor.

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