Nearly falling off the branch as she kissed him, Dimitrius blushed as he looked at her and teased, "Ari, love, do you mind if we get down from this bloody tree before you get excited? I'd much rather not die before I get the chance to make you my bride. Speaking of which, I have a ring for you. It was my grandmothers, I think you'll like it. When would like me to fetch it from the house?"

Ariala laughed, smacking him on the arm. "The ring part is suppose to be special, I want it to be a suprise." She said. "I don't want to expect it." Ariala leaped down, swinging downwards through the branches until she landed with both feet on the ground in a matter of seconds. "You're turn." She called up.

Dimitrius rolled his eyes and murmured "Show off.." as he climbed down, reaching the bottom about five minutes later. Wrapping his arms around Ariala's waist after he turned towards her, he grinned, "As for the ring, if it's that important to surprise you, then surprise you I shall, love."

"Good." Ariala said, gently tugging on the front of Dimitrius's shirt so that she could pull him towards her for another kiss. "I'm deciding to be selfish tonight and I think I'm going to keep you." She said, taking his hand in her's and leading him back to the village. "Would you like to spend the night?" She asked, then immediately added, "Of course not spend spend, as in you know spend." She said, putting emphasis on the word then she sighed. "Oh you know what I mean." She said finally.

Dimitrius laughed as he placed a gentle kiss upon her cheek, "Aye, love. I know what you mean, but it's much more fun seeing you try to make me understand. As for staying the night, where shall I sleep, love, and what am I to sleep in? I don't exactly have any pajamas here."

"Would you like to run back to Winterglade to get things?" Ariala asked, stopping them from walking any further. "It would give me time to get dressed and such." She said.

Dimitrius smiled as he placed a soft, tender kiss upon Ariala's neck before doing the same to her lips, "I won't be long. I'll stop in and check on Marreck on my way home, that way you'll know he's safe and sound as well," he added with a smile and he placed a gentle kiss upon her cheek before turning and running off towards Winterglade.

Ariala smiled and ran back to Elimlee, climbing the rope ladder quickly and going to her house. Ariala moved to her bedroom, dressing in her night gown and noticed the thin straps on the silk dress. She pondered if it was to risky to let Dimitrius see her in such a small dress but she pushed the thought out of her head. They weren't going to do anything, she just needed him to be there so she wouldn't be as lonely.

"Ariala?" Erreminette asked, sticking her head through the window.

"Oh, Erre!" Ariala cried, wrapping her arms around her best friend. She was bursting to tell her the news of her engagement but she knew there was someting else she needed to say first. "I'm sorry I left you in the meadow. Marreck and I were awful." She gushed. "You know your my best friend right? I never want you to feel left out."

"Don't be silly Ariala. I'm fine." Erreminette said. "You know I want you guys to be happy. But we are going to have to have a girls' day soon." She said.

"Of course but I have big news that I can't wait to tell you." Ariala said, her nerves trembling with excitement.

It didn't take Dimitrius long to reach Emelaide's house. Opening the door, Dimitrius called out to Marreck, "Marreck? You still here?"

"In here Dimitrius." Marreck called, still holding Emelaide. "Do you think she can hear us?" He asked worriedly, looking down at Emelaide.

~-~-~

"Engaged?" Erreminette said, her eyes wide, after Ariala had told her what happened. "Oh, Ariala. I'm so happy for you. I knew it from when you first talked about him that you guys were meant to be. Didn't I?" She bragged.

"Yes and you got yourself frozen also." Ariala said with a laugh.

"Whatever it takes for my best friend." Erreminette said. "Have fun tonight. But not too much fun." She said with a wink, making Ariala roll her eyes.

"Get out of here." Ariala said, retreating back into her bedroom.

Dimitrius laughed as he entered the room, "Marreck, her mind is as awake and you and I right now. She can hear and feel everything you say and do. Her body simply won't be able to function until tomorrow afternoon, usually about twenty hours or so after her body fails her. I hope you haven't said anything or done anything you wouldn't wish her to know about or hear," he added with a wink.

Marreck rolled his eyes, getting up to put more wood on the fire. "I haven't said anything embarressing thank you." He said. "I just want her to get better. I just feel kind of responsible." He sighed. "I knew she was feeling weak and I tried to tell her to take it easy but she kept acting like nothing was wrong. I didn't know how to stop her." He admitted, feeling foolish.

~-~-~

Ariala moved to the kitchen, putting on water to boil for tea and taking a bite out of an apple from the bowl on the counter. Sitting up on the counter, Ariala leaned back against the cupboards and imagined what it'd be like when she was married to Dimitrius, and was happy with what she saw.

Dimitrius couldn't help but chuckle as he walked over and put a hand on Marreck's shoulder, "Nothing can stop the whirlwind known as Emelaide. Well, nothing except her magic," he added with a laugh. "Between her temper and her magic, you're best not to anger her. So therefore, just do as I do. Stand in place until she caves, for eventually she will. And don't you dare try to tell him otherwise, Em, because you know very well I've always used that tactic ever since we were children and it hasn't failed yet."

Emelaide clenched her hand into a fist as Dimitrius spoke, her anger allowing her to make that small movement. Unfortunately for Marreck, the hand she clenched happened to have been interlocked with Marreck's.

Marreck pulled back slightly as he felt her grip. "Easy, Em. We're just trying to keep you safe." He said, rubbing his hand.

"How's Ariala?" Marreck asked. "No more sign of Adan I hope?"

Dimitrius nodded, "Not at all. I believe he's been officially overcome by Ariala, at least, that is my hope. When I left her she was doing fine, but she wanted me to stay with her tonight - probably to make sure Adan doesn't try coming to talk to her again during the night. Don't worry, Marreck," he added with a smile, "nothing is to happen."

Smiling, with a hint of a blush to his cheeks, Dimitrius walked over to Emelaide and gently brushed her hair from her face, "And don't be too angry with me, love. You still have to come to my wedding, after all."

"Wedding?" Marreck asked. Dimitrius had proposed? "You're going to marry Ariala?" Marreck said then before he gave time Dimitrius to answer, he started to laugh. "I never thought I'd say it but congratulations on your engagement to Ariala." He said, enjoying the irony.

Emelaide sighed internally, truly happy for the couple.

Dimitrius blushed, "Aye, thanks. It wasn't exactly planned... it just kinda came out that way.. but when she said yes.. I was.. I can't describe to you how happy I was. But I'd best get going, I still need to get home before I head back to Elimlee. Are you planning on sticking like glue to Emelaide's side all night?"

"Yes, that's the plan." Marreck sighed. "I don't plan on going home until she's better....or kicks me out. Which ever come first." He said.

Dimitrius laughed, "Well, you're safe until tomorrow afternoon, that's when she gets her voice back and is able to move more. You'll see things starting to twitch, but it's just her body restarting itself, she's not doing it on purpose. Well, not usually anyways," he added with a smile before turning and heading out of the house - rushing to his to change before running to Elimlee and to his beloved Ariala.

As Dimitrius left, Emelaide made a note to kick Dimitrius into next Winter the second she was better. By this point, Dimitrius was like a brother to Emelaide - he knew her better than anyone, and wasn't afraid to tease her or tell her the truth to her face. Dimitrius, in turn, felt the same about Emelaide.

Marreck placed another piece of wood on the fire and tried to supress a yawn. "I'll be in the other room, love." He said, bending down next to Emelaide. "I'm not sure you'd paticularly like me sleeping in your bed with you but I'll be back every hour to check on the fire and such." He said, giving her a kiss on the forehead and tucking a piece of hair behind her ear before leaving to rest on the couch.

~-~-~

Ariala poured her tea and sipped it slowly. Adan won't be back tonight... She tried to assure herself but she still wished that Dimitrius would be with her soon. She glanced through the window, waiting for him to come to her door.

Dimitrius paused at the rope ladder to take a deep breath from the long run. Composing himself, he climbed the rope ladder and headed for Ariala's house and knocked on the door before entering. Closing the door behind him, he looked over at Ariala and smiled, "Hello, love. You hungry? I doubt you've eaten much today after all the excitement. Speaking of which, Marreck's fine and so is Emelaide. They're both resting and Marreck has yet to leave Emelaide's side. I wouldn't be surprised if we go tomorrow to find them joined at the hip permanently," he added with a soft chuckle.

Ariala smiled, mostly out of relief when she saw Dimitrius. "I'm fine, really." She commented, she was sure how much her stomach was able to handle through all of the excitement. "I had an apple before you arrived. Would you like anything?" She asked, setting down her tea.

Dimitrius nodded, "Toast would be lovely, if you feel up to making it. If not, just tell me where everything is and I'll make myself some," he added as he walked over to her and placed his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Placing a gentle kiss upon her neck, he smiled and whispered, "You look picturesque, and here I am dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants."

Ariala blushed as his hands left a trail of fire underneath her pale pink, silk nightgown. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest choice but she couldn't have cared less. She moved out his embrace, not before giving him a gentle kiss on the lips, and made her way to the bread, slipping two pieces into the toaster.

As she waited for the toast to be finished, Ariala moved back to Dimitrius, embracing him once more. "You look just fine." She said, looking up at him and it wasn't a lie in the least. She loved how she saw his rigid muscles underneath his shirt, tracing the lines of his chest with her finger.

"If you say so, love," Dimitrius said softly as he smiled and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips to gently kiss each fingertip before placing a tender kiss upon her lips.