Aeron and Nykira cuddled together for several long moments, struggling to regain their breath and basking in the afterglow of what had been the greatest sexual experiences in either of their lives. She nestled her head against his muscular chest as its heaving subsided, while he gently stroked her short, silken mane with one hand and held her about the waist with the other. “Do you think I could know your name now?” Aeron asked with no small measure of sarcasm, cocking his head to look into her beautiful face. “Nykira of house Nightstar of Everlund,” she replied in a mock formal tone, but with a playful smile. “And you, sir? Might I have the honor of your name… as well as your bed?” “My bed is definitely yours.” he replied with warmth and sincerity as he bent his head to kiss her. “Whenever and however I have one to share and you would grace it with your presence, my lady… and I am Aeron Dardragon of… nowhere.” His voice fell off in painful loss, as the reality of what had led him here cut through his linger bliss. Nykira raised herself up from his chest to look questioning into his eyes and Aeron smiled at the true concern and compassion he saw on her face, even though they only really knew each other through sex. “My home and family are gone,” he answered her unasked question. “They were taken by the savagery of orc marauders, who I hunted down and slew.” Then he smiled ironically; “I’ve been called “the wanderer” since my youth, when I’d spend days on end exploring the Moonwood… now I truly am a wanderer with no ties left to bind me to any place or anyone.” “No ties!” Nykira challenged with feigned injury in her voice and a coy smile on her lips. “Didn’t you just pledge your bed to me whenever I would grace it?” “Yes, I did,” he confessed as a broad smile grew on his face, “and I sincerely meant it.” “Then there is a bond between us,” she announced as she settled her head back down with a content sigh. “Where-ever you wander… I go as well.” With her head nestled upon his chest, Nykira didn’t see the look that crossed Aeron’s face. The startled recognition that what he’d wished for earlier that night when he wondered if there was a destiny awaiting him, would it be kind enough to bring her back to him, had just come true. He’d dismissed those musings as vanity once, then questioned that when he’d heard the tales of the other strangers he’d met that night. But now couldn’t dismiss the thought that there was some high power, fate or destiny at work here. How else could he, a simple woodsman, left with no home and no family to hold him back, be graced with the willing bond to follow him anywhere from this elf-lady rogue, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen or even imagined.