By Your Side by Fetalstar (Patreon)

By Your Side by Sade  

Image by the talented Fetalstar. Please support her Patreon. 

Story is Unedited

“Come sit by me, under the tree.” He says, patting next to him. 

“I want to share this with you.”  I ignore the indicated spot and sit down between his legs and lean against him. He is not uncomfortable. He does not flinch. I have sat here many times. He smiles at me, a warm and content smile. It is a smile that I haven’t seen him give anyone else. Not his mother, not his father, not those whom he’s loved so deeply, not even his cherished brother. It is a smile only I ever see. It is a smile free of weariness and anxiety. My lord is not putting on a show. Hiding his strength, concealing his fragility, or standing up as an example. He doesn’t need to impress me or impress upon me. There is no ambiguity between us. I know him and I know all of his secrets. There is nothing but trust here. As it should be. 

Long ago, back when the Dales were just a few tribes and prides of desperate kinlings defending their Valleys, the Valenrows were the ones who stood their ground against all comers. They were the first to defy those who would conquer us and our ancestors followed them and made them their leaders. They became the Shield of the Dales.

Ever so often, one of other families, a House like mine, devotes a child to helping that great family in their unending mission. A Shield needs a sword after all and I am that for Adolyn Valenrow. As I rest my head against his chest and feel his heartbeat, calm, relaxed, I know his trust in me is absolute. He feels safe. As one should with a sturdy sword in his grasp. 

I hear his words and I wish to fall into the moment, but I am what I am. I cannot truly relax, not as he has. As he reads, my senses heighten and my mind clears. Though consciously I am in the moment with him, listening to him read some old book about flying carriages, and the wonderful machina of the fictional past; my soul mind is out and about, combing the area for danger. In this instance, I too am at ease. I can react in a second to anything happening kilometers around me, but I am not anxious or tense. I feel content. This is my purpose.

He will live and love, maybe a few... maybe many. He may meet someone that will captivate him completely. Nothing would make me happier. But I know that no matter who he meets, befriends, beds, or even loves... we are the two of us connected in a way that cannot be compared. I would say we love each other, but we are not lovers. We are so much more than friends or family. There is not a word yet written to properly describe what we ‘are’.

Though I was meant to be his my entire life; a sword to aid the future shield of these lands, it is a choice I happily made for myself. Even as a child I could see what was special about this man. I wish everyone knew what that was. That they could see him in his unguarded moments and realize that despite him being just a kin, just as he always suggests, he’s so much more as well. He is beautiful and terrifying... something that the fates made for a purpose that only Gods know, and I am humbled to be a witness to it. No, to be a part of that life.

For a second I am stirred. He holds me closer in his arms and shields me against the chill of the wind. I feel warm as I always do with him. It has nothing to do with the air around us. I try not to focus on my heart beating hard and fast in my chest. I feel his presence enwrap me, as if it was his job to protect me. He is the shield after all. He wants to protect. It is his nature and I will not take that from him. I will leave him to protect me and anyone else he so chooses, it is his right. But I am in no need of protection... especially for him. It is my nature to defend. Not the lands, not anyone else, just him. He protects and I defend. It is how it should be.

It seems the same but our callings are much different. It is the subtleties that matter. Could anyone understand. Could they even fathom the amount of blood on my tiny, little,  paws. Maybe not, but he does. He knows me, all of me. I have no secrets before him. No words need be said to quantify our relationship. In a moment like this, when it is just the two of us, I know that for certain; and in that knowledge I’m happier and more content than you could ever imagine. It is a love that cannot be replicated. Together we are the Sword and Shield of these Dales and I want for nothing more than that. As he brushes my hair and asks if I am listening, I reply that I am. I will always listen to him whatever he has to say. With a smile on my face I lean my head back into him. Go on then, read your insane little book to me, my lord. I hope it never ends.