Love Among the Dying Leaves

Autumn, Year 760 of the New Age
Near Aytan’s den, Glenwood, Glenmore

Rosalie

The wind raced and tore through the branches of Glenwood, shaking the golden and red leaves that were still strong enough to hold onto their trees, and sending the weak and brittle leaves to the ground. Bird songs echoed through the woods, and squirrels noisily chattered at each other as they gathered food.

Rosalie laid under some trees, away from some fawnlings who were gathered in a nearby clearing. A few muscles twitched as she dreamed of running through Glenmore with her children and playing with them. Brynmore did not intrude on this dream, but a dark stag stood along the edges of the dream.

A squirrel overhead chattered loudly at his neighbor, before rushing him and causing the other to drop his acorn. Falling with such precision that only an accident can accomplish, it thunked against the roan does poll. Groaning, she shook her head from her dream, not wanting to get up. She slowly blinked her eyes open, groggy from her nap. *Hmm, what, happened?* she thought to herself, looking around.

The quiet talk of fawnlings breezed from over the shrubs and trees. Lowering her head back down, she gave a sigh. She wondered which part of Blackwood Aytan was in, if he would ever return. It was an unforgiving place, and from what she had experienced, not to fond of newcomers. He may have been killed. Shaking her head, she repositioned herself, getting more comfortable, though a small thought whispered itself *That is probably what has happened to him.*. Closing her eyes, she relaxed her muscles, and tried to forget the world, at least for a while longer. Her children would come calling soon, and she wanted to enjoy this free time for a nap.

Aytan

A cold wind rushed through the creaking trees of Glenmore, and Aytan shivered despite his thick pelt. Autumn was rushing in more quickly than he’d ever seen in the green kingdom, but he was still glad to be home. He’d returned earlier that day, crossing back into Glenmore just as the sun rose up above the trees. Elysia and Eldhara had already welcomed him back with open arms, though he’d brushed off their questions about Thalia with an easy smile. He’d wandered down to Rosalie’s den to try and see her as well, but she and the fawns were gone; he’d assumed they’d be back by now, though.

Elysia and Eldhara had left hours ago too, leaving Aytan with the glade to himself. It felt good to be back. The grass had grown longer and some of the plants were beginning to encroach on the open space, but it still felt like home to him. Stifling a yawn, he gazed in the general direction of Rosalie’s den, wondering if there was chance the doe would be back yet. He didn’t have the faintest idea what he might say to her after being gone for so long, but he felt the need to see the doe, to check she was alright. Perhaps his visit to Blackwood and his experience of their ways had made him more concerned that Brynmore might return for her.

He huffed, annoyed at himself, but regardless found himself walking slowly across the clearing, brushing the trees aside with his antlers and making his way towards the thicket that was Rosalie’s den.

Rosalie:

Sleep did not come back easily to the roan doe. The birds seemed to have doubled, increasing their volume as they sang, the wind gave a cold rush that left the doe with a shiver. And, her own Aspen had come down from the trees, chattering at her and pulling her hair.

“Ooh, alright Aspen. I guess it is time to get up.” Yawning, she stretched and stood, with Aspen practically yelling in her ears the whole time, before running down her leg to grab the acorn and then scrambling back up, the nut held firmly between her jaws as she still attempted to scold Rosalie. Frowning, Rosie wondered what could cause the little red squirrel to act this way. Looking back, she wondered if she should stay in this glen, but as another chilly wind broke through the trees, she shook her head and started heading for her makeshift den. The children knew to go home if they didn’t find her where she said she’d be. They were too big for foxes to eat anyway.

Meandering through the close grown paths, she kept her head low as she passed a group of fawnlings who were chatting and eating. If any had noticed her, she was ignored by them. Her squirrel, however, kept getting louder and louder as they got closer to the den. *At least the acorn is muffling her chattering* she thought. Aspen seemed keen on getting home, having crawled up from Rosie’s shoulder to perch on her horn, her nose and stuffed mouth pointing the way home.

Ignoring her friend, who had gone silent, she slowly stepped through the trees into her small little glen, her grown thicket near the tree empty of her children. She’d grown it over the summer, giving more protection than just the tree had to offer. But the glade was not entirely empty. Aytan stood there, looking into the den. He was far thinner than before, and scruffy looking, but here. Rosie stood at the entrance, staring at him as if he were a ghost. She’d almost given up on him returning. “Aytan?” she whispered.

Aytan

Aytan peered into the den hesitantly, half-expecting to find either Rosalie or her fawns inside. But, sadly, it was empty, and he let out a long sigh, ears flicking backwards.

“Aytan?” A soft voice said, and he jerked his head back so quickly his antlers got caught in the dense foliage. Twisting to see if the voice belonged to who he thought it did, he froze at the sight of Rosalie, looking at him curiously from the edge of the glade.

The glade was suddenly silent around them, and the two simply stared at one another, before the squirrel -- Aspen, was it? -- suddenly scurried down the doe’s back and vanished into a tree, leaving the two fawnlings alone.

Aytan found a wide grin blossoming on his muzzle, then with one final tug managed to dislodge his antlers. “Rosalie,” he said softly, taking a step or two towards her and then freezing. “Hello.”

Rosalie:

Little Aspen took her cue from the silence and how the two fawnlings stared at each other, and hopped down Rosie’s spine and into the bushes, to feast on her own little reward. Rosie hardly noticed the light weight scamper away from her horn and down her back, and the rustle of the branches seemed muted.

Rosie gave a gulp as he tried to turn toward her, and struggled with the branches of her den before defeating them and taking a few steps toward her. Butterflies flew around her stomach, and a bit of wild flowers sprung up at her hooves. Her legs seemed rooted to the spot, and while she wanted to come closer to him, she felt frozen and at a loss of words. Looking over him, she saw more in depth how thin he was, and his dirty fur, and...branches on his antlers?

Giving a small grin, “Hello, Aytan.” Her thoughts raced with things to say, but nothing seemed right to say. Looking from his eyes back to his branch riddled antlers, her legs finally seemed free and she took a few steps closer to him. “I, uhh, how long have you been back? Have you seen Eldhara and Elysia?” The words just rushed out at she looked at him, almost not believing her eyes that he was back. Not many returned from Blackwood, least of all stags looking for fights. But, she should have known better, he’d come in and defeated Brynmore in Blackwood.

“Was your trip, successful?” she asked as she took another step closer so they were at a reasonable conversational distance.

Aytan

Aytan smiled a little as he saw a few bright flowers sprout around the doe’s hooves, taking it as a sign that his presence was appreciated, no matter how much the doe’s body language seemed to say otherwise. She soon relaxed though, and took a hesitant step or two towards him, her eyes flitting across his body. Her gaze rested on his antlers, and too late Aytan realised that he still had some branches tangled up in them. With no way to get them off besides utilising a nearby tree -- and he could hardly do that in polite company -- he had to bear the shame, and hope that his red fur hid the blush blossoming across his cheeks.

Meanwhile, Rosalie’s questions were coming thick and fast, though she seemed embarrassed when she had finished. Aytan smiled reassuringly at her, resisting the urge to stretch his neck out across the gap between them and brush his nose against hers.

“I got back early this morning,” he said quietly, almost hoping it would entice her closer. “Eldhara and Elysia were waiting for me when I got back… I tried to find you, though you weren’t anywhere to be found.” He paused, his eyes flitting to hers before he gazed over her pelt and body. She seemed to be in good health -- better than he was, anyway. “It was… eventful,” he said with a chuckle, lifting up a leg to display the gash he’d received at the hooves of the Blackwood soldier, then dropping it immediately when the doe’s expression turned to one of horror. “But yes, successful, I suppose….”

He changed the subject quickly. “I have the pelt Danzig wanted back at the thicket, if he wants to come fetch it from me.” He attempted to smile reassuringly at her, though Rosalie didn’t seem to convinced. Damn it, Aytan, he thought to himself, angry that he had ruined their conversation with such a cocky display of his battle scars.

Rosalie:

As he quietly explained when he got back, Rosie leaned ever so slightly forward. Nodding, she smiled. “I was with the children, we went down by the creek. They’re off playing now.” She felt a rush of warmth reach across her cheeks as she noted his gaze sweep over her. *Oh, he’s just making sure you are well, stop it!* she thought to herself. Rut hadn’t seemed to affect her much this year, but she felt a bit in a tizzy with seeing Aytan back and in relatively good health.

As he lifted his leg, she looked down and gave a little gasp. Eyes wide, she leaned down to get a bit of a closer look. It was already healing, but the missing fur, or more like the dirt and dried blood and sweat around it, made it look horrible. Looking back up, her mouth agape as he changed the subject.“I have the pelt Danzig wanted back at the thicket, if he wants to come fetch it from me.”. Rosie flicked her ears back, giving a small nod. Danzig will be so happy to have it back, and Rosie wasn’t sure how she’d feel, seeing it.

Looking at him worriedly she said, “Thank you, I appreciate it, and I’m sure Danzig will be more than happy.” She gave a small smile, wondering about his adventures. Perhaps she’d try to glean them off from him or Eldhara a little later. He looked tired, and with his answer earlier, didn’t seem to want to talk about whatever had happened.

“Well...” she trailed off, wondering what to say. Glancing up, the bramble branches twined in his antlers, “May I, help get the brambles out of your antlers?” She took a small, dainty step forward, tucking her head in shyly.

Aytan:

Thankfully, the doe didn’t seem to probe the matter of Aytan’s absence any further, instead replying gratefully for his gift for her colt. Then, though, she surprised him, by asking if she could help remove the branches caught in his antlers.

He blinked at her dumbly for a moment, then quickly cleared his throat. “Ah…. yes, that would be very helpful,” he said, trying to hide the fact that his heart had suddenly started pounding like he was a lovestruck yearling. He dropped his head a little so that she could reach his antlers, though kept his eyes on her as she stepped closer and closer.

Then, suddenly, she was stood beside him, her neck and shoulder a hoofs-breadth from his face as she stretched up to tug at the greenery. His heart thudded even faster, and he couldn’t help but notice a sudden instinctive feeling rear up inside him, to protect her and keep her away from other stags. He tried to keep his breathing deep and even, but he just ended up inhaling her scent, which sent his head spinning. She smelt like high summer, all fresh grass and clean air, mixed with the scent of something deep and intoxicating that made his ears perk forwards. He hadn’t felt it for many years, but this was Rut taking control; his instinct was telling him to claim Rosalie for his harem.

Suddenly though, the doe had pulled the branches away, giving Aytan a good enough reason to take a hasty step back. As he pulled his nose up though, the doe suddenly stretched back up, perhaps to grab a branch that was still lingering, and their muzzles bumped together. Rosalie squeaked quietly, and the pair of them jerked their heads back.

Aytan felt his face go red beneath his pelt, and tried not to meet the doe’s eyes. His muzzle tingled where hers had brushed it, and he wiggled his nose in an attempt to dislodge the feeling, even if he hadn’t regretted it happening. “Sorry,” he murmured quietly, glancing up at her, and dreading her response.

Rosalie:

Smiling at the stags answer, Rosie took the few steps that brought her right in front of him. Gulping, she reached up to his lowered antlers. Craning her neck, she stretched to reach them, her heart pounding in her ears. She felt a bit perspired from becoming nervous. *I’m so close to him, why, why am I feeling like this?* she thought, as mixed feelings of Brynmore, seeing Aytan attack him and them fighting, of the kindness of both stags flittered through her head.

Grasping the branches, she tugged them gently, and slowly worked them out of the tangle. Concentrating on that, she tried keeping her head clear of the silly thoughts that autumn and rut always conjured up. One last loop, and free! Bringing her head back, she dropped the bramble vine as Aytan took a hasty step back. Looking back at him, she saw a single, little strand dangling from his front tines, and without thinking, took another step to him trying to reach it. A jolt of her heart wracked through her body as Aytan’s nose touched her own, as she gave a little “Eeep!” and hastily pulled her head back.

Mouth forming a perfect little O, she stared at Aytan. Had it been an accident? On purpose? No, it had to have been an accident, he was far too much of a gentlestag to play with doe’s hearts. “Sorry” she heard him he murmur.

Her heart slowing down a bit, she looked away shyly, not really knowing what to say. “It’s...all right. It was an accident.” she gave a small grin to him. It had to be an accident, she kept telling herself.

“May I, get the last bit off your antlers?” she asked after regaining some of her composure. She felt like a giddy two year old, over such an accident.

Aytan

Aytan sighed quietly, glad that Rosalie wasn’t offended or scared off. “Yes… of course... an accident,” he said, trying to keep his composure. He couldn’t help but smile as she offered to remove the last piece that was still clinging to his antlers. “Oh! Of course,” he bent his head again, making sure to keep his nose well away from hers this time.

Though as he held his head there he began to wonder if Rosalie had enjoyed the happy accident as much as he had. She didn’t seem put off by the event, and he even thought he’d seen her blush slightly after their noses had touched.  Even now, as she stretched up to his antlers again, he thought he could hear her heart thudding faintly within her chest. Was that from excitement? Or was she now scared of him? Again the doe’s intoxicating scent washed over him, and he had to stop himself from letting his instinct take over. She still had fawns, she wouldn’t want to be with another stag so shortly after leaving Blackwood.

As the final piece of greenery dropped to the ground, Aytan raised his head again, still trying to gauge what the doe was feeling. “Sorry again,” he said gruffly, tail waving in mild worry. He watched her for a brief moment, then looked away, over her shoulder and out into the trees, trying to think of something else to say to her. Before he knew it though, his gaze was back on the doe, travelling over her lovely body before coming to rest on her eyes again. He blinked like a lovestruck fawn at her, still unsure of what to say.

Suddenly, before he could even gauge what was happening, he’d taken a step forwards and had pressed his nose against the doe’s once again, though this time it was no accident. His eyes shut of their own accord, and he waited for the doe to pull away, though when she didn’t they flitted open again. She was mirroring his expression, eyes closed and ears perked forwards in a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

Then, as soon as it had begun, the moment was over as Rosalie pulled away. “Sorry…” they both murmured, ears flitting backwards in embarrassment as they both went a little pink.

Rosalie:

Rosie gave a small nod and smile as the red stag lowered his antlers again for her. Breathing a bit shallowly, she reached again for that last little bit, her heart still thudding hard in her chest. She hadn’t realized she’d missed him so much, this much to have develop, these sorts of feelings.

Struggling with the vine, she forced herself to breath deeply, to calm down a little bit. Only it had an almost opposite effect, as she was so close she had to inhale his scent. He smelled very male like, dirty and sweaty from his trip, the old dried bits of blood that still clung to him and hid in his fur giving just the slightest tang to it. It was intoxicating.

Finally, she got the tricky vine untangled and let if fall to the ground. She bent her neck just so, able to breathe forest air and try to clear her head but not enough to seem rude. Flicking her ears to him, she gave her full attention as he apologized again. Giving a shy smile, she nodded and looked down at the ground not knowing what to say. She shuffled her hooves a bit, her mind both racing and stubbornly blank for what to say. Her gaze slowly drifted of its own accord up from the ground onto his legs, traveling up before resting on his wound. Frowning, she continued the ascent before meeting Aytans eyes, and as he gazed back at her, her face alighted and a smile grew back.

At the back of her mind, she could feel her reservoir of magic begin leaking out, running down her legs to feed the plants at their feet. As if in slow motion, he took a few steps to her, closing his eyes and brushing his nose against hers and holding it there. She gave a tiny inhale as they touched, before closing her own eyes. Many thoughts ran through her mind. Don’t do this. He took you away from your mate. It was done as his duty. Perhaps, it was for the best. He killed Brynmore. He protected you here. The little voices nagged at her, before one rose above the others. I forgive him. She hadn’t realized all these conflicting feelings before. Before, nothing like this was possible, only a small crush she hadn’t realized herself she’d cultivated and grown.

Flowers exploded through the glen, spring, summer, autumn, even a few rare winter plants gave bloom. Her magic gushed like a waterfall, pumping out her resources into the glen, giving life to so many before winter came. And then, it shut itself off as she gave a small gasp and took a small step away. Shaking, she blushed at the thought of what had happened. What if her children saw her? A bit of guilt washed over her. What would they think? “Sorry..” she murmured, hearing his own echoed apology. Clearing her throat, she said in a bit stronger voice, though it too shook the slightest, “I forgive you.” Smiling, she looked around at the glen, eyes widening as she took in what she’d done. “Oh my.” she whispered.

Aytan


“I forgive you,” the doe said suddenly, her voice strong but shaky. Aytan was confused. What is she forgiving me for? The kiss? He’d apologised for it, but he got the feeling she was referencing something different entirely. He left it though, putting it down to her being a tad overwhelmed by what had just happened. “Oh my.” She whispered shortly after, and it was only then that Aytan looked around again.

Plants of all kinds and flowers of a million colours had sprouted all around them, where before there had been none, and his eyes widened as he realised that it was Rosalie’s magic that had done all this. And all because I kissed her, he thought to himself, a grin erupting on his face. The colours were vibrant beyond compare, their colours vivid against the autumn backdrop.

The beautiful plants could only hold Aytan’s attention for so long though, before he turned back to look a the doe beside him. He could already feel his affections for her deepening to levels he hadn’t felt since he was with Caysa, but he wasn’t afraid, and let the feeling blossom and grow within him. It had been years since Caysa, and he was ready to try and win over a new doe, and to raise a family with her instead. And Rosalie seemed perfect.

“You’ve got some true talent,” he said eventually, his voice turning into a chuckle as he gazed around the glade again. “And you’ve finally added some colour to my old glade!” Stepping over to the nearest flowers, he bent his head low and inhaled their scent, smiling as the smell of lavender washed through his senses. He carefully caught a sprig of two and broke them off the main plant, then, turning back to Rosalie,  carefully tucked them into her mane. “Pretty flowers for a pretty doe,” he said quietly, bending to catch her eye and smiling.

Rosalie:

The sweet scent of the flowers washed over her as she gazed out to them. So many different colors and shapes, who knew so much potential was in this glade. At the feel of heat in her cheeks, the roan doe looked back to Aytan. He was looking at her, looking at her the same way Brynmore used to look at her. She felt a cold flash flow through her body, and then a hot one follow it.

Biting her lip, she looked away shyly as he praised her. “Thank you, I’ve been practicing.” Smiling, she watched from under her eyelashes as he walked to some of the flowers. Many of them came up his knees, she noticed. Taking a nervous step in place, she lowered her head and curved her neck as she watched him sort through some of the flowers and pick some purple lavender. The smell wafted to her as he came back to her, bringing thoughts of spring and happiness. Smiling, she half closed her eyes as he placed the two in her mane, above her own rose and the crocuses Brynmore had given her. *Strange, that the two stags I know have given me purple flowers* she thought.

“Pretty flowers for a pretty doe,” she heard him say, his breath tickling her cheeks. Opening her eyes, she took a small step closer to him. “Thank you, Aytan.” she whispered his name out, feeling this close to him. She didn’t feel the need to address him with his proper title, and didn’t worry about it at that moment. She stood, content next to him, so close they could be touching, just a little bump would be all it took.

The scream of happy children through the forest broke the spell though. Giving a jump and a startled “eep” she stepped away from him. Clearing her throat, she turned so that she was facing him. “Uhh, erm, uh. Thank  you, Aytan,” she stammered out, feeling hopelessly inadequate in her speech. “I suppose you should get some rest, Sir, before the children come back and catch you,” the thought of them jumping all over and around him brought a giggle to her throat. Biting her lip again, she looked around the glen, then at her new set of flowers in her mane, and smiled. “Thank you, for the flowers. I shall cherish them.”

Aytan

Aytan felt a shiver roll across his skin as Rosalie whispered his name, and he was scared to move for fear of ruining the moment. She was so close it was almost impossible that they weren’t touching, and he hadn’t to hold himself back from curling his neck around hers and pulling her close. He turned his head slightly to look at her better, to see she was looking back at him, the softest of smiles on her lips. He was contemplating ducking in for another kiss when--

“AHH! DANZIG, NO!” The shrieks of fawns pierced the quiet air, announcing the imminent arrival of Rosalie’s two children. Aytan sighed, then smiled, unable to stay annoyed at fawns who were simply being happy.

Rosalie had already moved away, and the spell of their moment had been broken entirely. “I suppose you should get some rest, Sir, before the children come back and catch you,” she said quietly, and Aytan felt his heart twist at the sudden reappearance of ‘Sir’. He smiled though, ducking his head in agreement.

“I suppose that might be wise, they are rather energetic,” he chuckled, trying to keep things friendly despite how much he wanted to step forwards and embrace the doe. “Though please, call me Aytan, we’re too close for formalities now.” He let the words hang in the air awkwardly for a moment, before realising the doe had spoken again. “Ahh, you’re very welcome, though you were the one who grew them,” he smiled at her again, then sighed as silence drifted between them once more.

Admitting defeat, he took a step back, bowing his head to the doe. “A pleasure to see you again, Rosalie, I hope we’ll talk again soon,” he said tersely, then turned and walked slowly away, fighting the urge he had to look back to see her reaction. He chastised himself as he moved back towards his den, cursing himself for both getting too close and not getting close enough to the doe. She’d settled herself in the centre of his heart, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he had done the same in her’s.

Rosalie:

Rosie’s breath hitched as she caught what he had said, about them being too close now for such formalities. What could it mean? Looking at him with wide eyes, she nodded at his second statement.

The silence drifted in like an unwelcomed mist, clinging to both of them. She could still hear her children crashing through the forest, coming closer and closer. Aytan seemed to take that as his cue for his exit, and gave her a short farewell, “A pleasure to see you again, Rosalie, I hope we’ll talk again soon.”. She was to slow though, as he turned away she had taken one step toward him, her mouth agape. Swallowing, she watched his red form melt into the brush that surrounded her own den area. Stepping back, she stared at the spot he’d gone through, wishing she had said more, cursing her own silly self for being too shy to even say goodbye or even goodnight to him.

*But, why am I feeling this way? It can’t be just rut, it feels, deeper. I never thought I’d feel this way again.* As her children burst through into the glade, yelling and galavanting, she gave one last look toward Aytan’s own den, before devoting her attention to them, occasionally flickering her ears and gaze back to where she knew he would be, wondering what these feeling could do.