Full of Grace

Full of Grace
Prt. 5

Over the next few days, Penelo was able to more or less convince herself that what had happened was nothing more than a drunken nightmare. To her relief, Larsa took several more days to call on her again. When he did send for her, it was for breakfast in his indoor arboretum. Their food had been laid out on a white cloth next to the most crystal clear pond she'd ever seen. The tiny ecosystem that lived within the arboretum had a certain charm and Penelo found herself looking more at the tiny birds and flowers than at the food. She'd had trouble eating much of anything even though she'd been able to block out most of what had taken place. Her body was physically fine as she'd been able to heal herself, but she could not stop the nausea and occasional tears when she was alone in the dark. Despite her best efforts, Penelo couldn't help being a little withdrawn which didn't go unnoticed by the young Emperor.
"Does anything trouble you, Penelo?" he asked, leaning forward to study her face.
"No, I am fine," she replied, picking at her food.
"I'm sorry I've not been able to visit with you. I've just had some security matters to attend to."
"I understand. You are, after all, the Emperor. You can't be expected to take care of everyone's needs..."
"That's still no excuse to be neglecting a guest," he said, taking a bite of fruit. He watched her from across the platters, noticing her lack of appetite silently.
"It's really not a problem," she insisted, forcing herself to nibble at her food. Larsa's gaze upon her felt heavy and she turned her attention to the lake.
"It's beautiful, yes?" Larsa asked, following her gaze.
"Yes, everything here is so beautiful...." She murmured, voice faltering slightly.
Seeming to be at a loss of what to do about Penelo's sollem attitude, he looked away from her. Slowly, a smile bloomed on Larsa's face. Standing quickly, he grabbed Penelo's hand in his and pulled her to her feet. She gasped, pulling away violently, shaking slightly. He withdrew his hand, staring at her panicked face with a look of hurt. Her breath was shaking and she fought to control her reaction. Slowly, she raised her gaze to meet his.
"I am sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"Did I hurt you? If I did, it is I who should apologize," he countered, still looking at her intently.
"No, it is not that," she said, lowering her eyes. "As I said, I don't know what came over me."
Larsa was silent for a moment, his face calm and controlled. Finally, he extended his hand for her to take.
"Come, I wish to show you something."
Penelo took it slowly, feeling the coolness of the skin against her. Larsa had not been responsible for what had happened to her. If anything, Penelo felt she deserved it by refusing his escort when he'd offered it.
"Where are we going?" she questioned, allowing Larsa to lead her towards the water.
"I wish you to have a closer look. There is a boat and if you'll allow me, I would take you onto the water."
Penelo scanned the docks for the boat that he'd spoken of but saw none.
"Where...?"
"In the shed," he said, motioning with his free hand. "I used to use it as a boy while my brothers were bickering over power and policies," he finished, releasing her and pulling open the wooden doors.
Penelo peered inside, searching for a boat. What Larsa dragged out was little more than a two person rowboat. She watched with hesitation as the young man pulled the well preserved vessel to the bank of the lake and pushed it in, soaking his boots and the bottom of his trousers with water. Once he'd settled himself in, he used one of the oars to maneuver himself to the edge of the dock.
"Come on, Penelo. Join me."
After a second, she let go of her doubts and with Larsa's help, eased into the small boat. It swayed beneath her, causing her to think for a moment that it would tip over sending both of them into the water.
"Don't be so nervous," Larsa soothed, helping her sit. "I know how to keep us afloat."
"I hope so," Penelo said with a shaking voice. "I do not know how to swim."
"You don't?" he asked as he began to row. "Then I'll have to take extra care."
As Larsa used the oars with sure, experienced strokes, Penelo leaned over the side to gaze into the clear water. Beneath her she saw dozens of multi-colored fish darting around, their scales shinning in the sunlight. Carefully she reached out a hand to trail in the water, letting some of the bolder fish swim right up to her, attracted by the reflecting of her ring. Without realizing it, she began to smile. When she looked up, Larsa had stopped rowing to watch her, a look of contentment on his face.
"This is amazing," she said, hand still in the water.
"I'm glad you like it. I haven't seen your smile all morning. I was beginning to worry," Larsa said, leaning back.
As she opened her mouth to reply, she cried out feeling her ring slip from her finger into the water.
"What's wrong?" Larsa asked, snapping to attention. "Are you hurt?"
"My ring!" she said in dismay, leaning over the edge of the boat. "It fell off!"
As she watched, the shinning bit of metal sank to the bottom and came to rest there, barely causing a stir in the sand below.
"Oh no..." she moaned, feeling a little sick. "It was a gift from my mother before she died."
Still looking into the water for her lost treasure, Penelo barely noticed when the boat shifted and Larsa came to look over with her, trying to locate the ring.
"Where is it?" he asked, scanning the water.
"There," she pointed. "I can't believe it came off like that..."
"I will retrieve it for you," Larsa said, looking at the small object.
"How?" she asked in return. "Is there a bit of fishing line in here?"
A smile was her only answer before Larsa began stripping off his boots.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting your ring back," he replied, peeling his shirt off to reveal the ivory skin beneath. "Startled, Penelo turned away, face flushed with a sudden heat. Though she tried to keep her gaze diverted, she could not help but and look as the boat rocked and Larsa dover over the edge into the water. Nude from the waist up, the water reflected against his smooth skin as she swam. His dark hair was wild around around him as he pushed downward. Once at the bottom, he reached out, closing his fingers around the tiny ring before pushing off the sand. When he broke the surface, Penelo felt a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding escape her lips.
"Larsa! Are you alright?"
"Of course I am," he replied, swimming closer. "It is only water."
When he was near enough, he began to tred water so he seemed to float there with only his head and shoulders above the surface.
"Here you are," he said, extending his hand. "Your ring."
"Thank you," she whispered, happy to have it back on her finger. She never would have forgiven herself if it had been lost. "Thank you, Larsa."
"It was nothing," he said, still treading easily.
She watched him for a few minutes, wondering why he had not returned to the boat. Was swimming actually something enjoyable? The only time Penelo had seen anyone do it had been out of nessesity. Watching Larsa keeping afloat so easily, she wondered.
"Come on now, the water must be freezing."
"You've touched it with your own hands, run your fingers through it. You know it to be cool and soothing," he countered. "Come, join me."
"What?" she gasped. "I have already told you, I do not know how to swim!"
"Do not fret, Penelo. I will not let you drown," Larsa urged.
The offer was tempting but fear was a powerful emotion. Surely she would sink to the bottom as quickly as her ring had and she was much larger than it.
"Come on, Penelo. I will keep you afloat," he soothed.
She hesitated, but after all, when would she get another chance?
"Can you... turn around?" she asked, embarrassed.
"Of course," Larsa replied, moving with fluid grace so that his back was to the tiny boat and Penelo.
Slowly, making sure Larsa was not looking, Penelo began undressing. She pulled at the lace on her back and slipped off her shoes. The cloth slid easily from her shoulders, falling in a neat pile around her ankles. Making sure the dress was neatly folded, she turned. Standing in only her slip and under-garments, she folded her arms over herself shyly.
"Okay, you can turn around now."
When Larsa's gaze fell upon her, the look he gave made her blush scarlet. The look lasted only a moment before it passed and the young emperor swam closer, pulling himself up to the boat. He reached up for her, face placid.
"Come, I'll help you."
Penelo stepped closer and froze when the young man's hands wrapped around her thighs, lifting her with ease and slid her into the clear water. It was a shock, the feeling of the cool water encompassing her, her feet unable to touch anything to keep her head above the surface. Larsa's hands held her firmly around the waist, supporting her. Her own arms wrapped around his bare shoulders as Penelo struggled to control her breath. With her eyes tightly shut, she did not see the mixed look of amusement and desire that crossed his face as he held her. Pressed so closely to him, Penelo could feel his legs kicking strongly in the water, keeping both of them steady. She could feel the firmness of his muscular shoulders as she cluing to him. She could feel the heat of his breath against her skin when he shifted with the currents. When she felt their bodies pressed so closely together, she fought the reaction to flee. Larsa had not harmed her, there was a difference between him pressed against her and those who'd attacked her.
"Penelo, open your eyes," he coaxed, gently swimming backwards, the small woman still holding tight.
Slowly, he began to ease her back, putting some distance between them while never letting his grip on her waist falter.
"Kick your legs," he instructed, indicating his own. "It's easy."
Obediently, the blond mimicked his actions, using her hands to push against the water for balance. After a few minutes, she felt Larsa's hold on her loosen and finally withdraw all together.
"No!" she said urgently, grabbing him by the forearms. "Don't let me go, I don't know what to do!"
Even to her it sounded pathetic. Her voice was high in panic and she knew Larsa must think her a fool for behaving in such a way. To her surprise, Larsa nodded and return his hands to where they had rested on her hips.
"Be calm, Penelo. I will support you as long as you need," he whispered, drawing himself close to her again.
For a moment the pair were still. Only the movement of Larsa's slowly kicking legs made any movement in the still water. Despite her best efforts, Penelo found herself seeking glances at the man. His bare chest gleamed, water dripping from his skin. His long hair hung limply around his shoulders and face, clinging to his skin. To her embarrassment, she found herself glancing at another bit of hair as well. A thin trail that started just below his navel and disappeared into his slacks made her breath catch . When she looked back into Larsa's face, she saw that he was taking cautious looks at her as well. The slip she wore clung to her body, leaving more exposed than she would have liked and she flushed red. Larsa seemed to notice her discomfort and began swimming again, pulling her along easily.
"Are you alright?" he asked as they moved.
"Yes," she replied, gaining confidence with each stroke.
The water around them parted with ease as she began using her own legs to help propel them through. She took long looks at the fish below as they passed. As Penelo watched the fish, Larsa watched her.
"Take a deep breath," he said, a grin on his face.
"Why...?" she asked uneasily.
"I'm going to submerge us. Don't fret, nothing will happen. Just take a deep breath and hold on to me.."
"Alright," she whispered, placing her hands on his arms. Although she was nervous, Penelo pushed it back. When Larsa shifted his hold on her waist, Penelo tightened her own grip on his arms..
"Ready?" He asked. "Take a breath."
At his instruction, Penelo did so. As the water covered her head, she tightened her grip on Larsa. After a second, she allowed her eyes to open to look around. What she saw was astounding. Tiny fish swam next to her face, seeming to play hide and seek in her hair as it fanned out around her.
Larsa drew her attention back to him by motioning with his hand. She looked to where he pointed and hand to stop herself from gulping in water. Below the pair was what could only be described as an underground flowerbed. Vibrant colors dazzled her eyes as blue and green creatures swam beneath them. they were large, only slightly smaller than a man. Larsa lifted her, allowing them to break the surface to take another breath.
"Sea-folk!" she gasped. "There are Seas-folk in here!"
"yes," he laughed. "They're rather shy but they seem to get along well enough here. Not many people ever see them."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she cried, eyes scanning the water.
"I wanted to surprise you," he replied, using one hand to slick back his hair. "Do you want another look?" he asked.
"Yes1" she said excitedly. "Can we?"
"As you desire," Larsa whispered, taking them once again below the surface.
This time, however, he pulled Penelo deeper and closer to the beautiful and haunting Sea-folk. As Penelo had never seen any up close before, she allowed herself a long look. Their skin was covered in tiny scales that glittered in the light. Their hands were long and thin with paper like skin stretched from knuckle to knuckle between their fingers and toes. She was startled to see that when they opened their mouths the teeth within were razor sharp and viscous compared to their otherwise beautiful appearance.
Penelo jerked when Larsa released her and swam closer to the unearthly creatures. He moved until he was nearly nose to nose with one of the beautiful women, her long red hair curtained around them. Penelo watched with a mix of awe and jealously as the woman closed her hands around Larsa's face in what looked like a lover's embrace. For a moment she thought they would kiss, but Larsa signed something to her, indicating Penelo. The haunting woman turned, eyes falling on the small blond. Slowly, she swam towards her.
Fear clutched at Penelo's chest when the other reached for her, stroking her face with surprising gentleness. The woman smiled, revealing those ghastly teeth. She lowered her face, rubbing the side of her face against Penelo's hair before turning back to Larsa. She signed something to him before returning to her people who'd begun to move on. As Larsa returned to her, Penelo felt a flood of relief wash over her. Once safely back above the water, she spoke.
"What was that?"
"That was Konni. She was one of the first of her kind to allow me to approach and try to communicate with me," he explained, signing something with his hand.
"What did she say?"
"I told her that you were my guest, a friend of mine. She told me that you were a welcome guest of her's as well if you wished to be," Larsa said using the back of his hand to brush away a stray strand of Penelo's hair that had fallen into her face. Unconsciously, she leaned into that touch, enjoying the feel of it. Larsa moved ever so slightly closer to her, hand still on her cheek.
"Penelo," he began.
"My Lord!"
Startled, the two jerked apart from one another. Penelo turned to see Basch standing on the shore. Penelo turned from Basch, suddenly aware of how little she wore.
"What is it?" Larsa called, a hint of aggravation in his voice.
"Majesty, the Lady Ashe has just arrived. She says it is a matter of some urgency."
Larsa cursed under his breath and turned to Penelo.
"I am sorry, her visit is unexpected. Forgive me, Penelo, I must go."
"I understand," Penelo said quickly, trying to cover the disappointment she felt.
Only a few moments before, Larsa and she had shared something. If only they'd had a few moments more.... Silently she scolded herself for the resentment she felt for Basch for interupting. Still, she regretted the lost moment as she followed Larsa back to the boat.