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"Finlay." Malenia's voice softly cut the calm, night air. The knight stirred from her slumber as a warm arm snaked around her waist. In the starlight Finlay could make out Malenia's shape on the bed, the ivory colored sheets the only thing covering her body. Her lips curved into a gentle smile as Finlay wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "Can't sleep?" Finlay murmured.
"No." Malenia replied. Finlay reached up and gently brushed a lock of scarlet hair away from Malenia's eyes before allowing her hand to softly caress her cheek. "Shall I fetch you a sleep aid, or do you require something more rigorous?" Finlay allowed herself a cheeky smirk, in the gloom she could see the blush on her Lady's pale face. "While I relish the thought, I can't allow myself to tire you before you resume your duties." Malenia said quietly. Her eyes were filled with such intense emotion, contrary to tranquil calm she displayed to the world.
"Your eyes are alight with dragonfire." Finlay said with a breathless chuckle. "They only do that when you are eager for action." Malenia made a non committal sound of agreement. For a moment her gaze wandered past her lover to the still and glass like northern sea. "I cannot deny what you see so clearly, but for your sake I must show discipline. I can wait for another night, there was another matter on my mind."
"What ever you say to me shall never leave this bedroom." Finlay said as she propped herself up on her elbow. Malenia was silent for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "I've been pondering our future together, and how we'll spend our lives once the war is over." Malenia said as she rolled onto her back. "I spoke with Miquella and he agreed to look into the matter for me, but I wished to discuss it with you."
"Was it what you originally called me here for, before we got carried away?" Finlay asked with a quiet laugh. "Yes." Malenia laughed, the musical sound making Finlay's heart skip beats. Then her smile faded as she hid it behind her stoic mask, the subtle gesture had Finlay watching and listening carefully. "I need to know. Do you think I would ever be a good mother?" Malenia asked. Finlay was quiet as she looked her lady over, and carefully she gave her answer.
"I feel you would be an honest and loving mother, your children would be blessed." Finlay replied. She watched as Malenia's eyes went to where her right arm once was. "I'm not so sure." She said quietly. "It's been a dream of mine to raise a family, but, I don't want to see them suffer my fate." She let out a quiet sigh as her eyes went back to Finlay. "I know one day I shall rot into nothingness, and I feel it would be cruel to raise them only to leave them behind."
Just then a gentle breeze drifted through the open window, stirring the curtains and carrying the sweet scent of the Haligtree's blossoms. "The future is uncertain now that Queen Marika is gone and the Elden Ring is shattered." Finlay said as she reached down and took Malenia's hand. "But whatever the future has for us, just know I would give my all to see your dream fulfilled and I would protect your family as my own." As Finlay said this she softly kissed Malenia's hand causing her to smile.
"That's wonderful, because I wanted you to be their other mother." Malenia said as she began to smile once again. "I'm not sure how you would accomplish this." Finlay said as the gears of her mind began turning in an attempt to process the situation. "As I said earlier, I spoke with Miquella and he would look into the matter." Malenia replied. The pair paused as the sound of an oracle horn broke the quiet to signal the late hour.
"Perhaps I shall take you up on the offer of a sleep aid." Malenia said as she moved to sit up. "Of course, just a moment then." Finlay replied as she untangled herself from the sheets. Going across the room she picked up a vial containing a Trina's Lilly tincture. In a stroke of mischief she uncorked it and climbed onto the bed, taking a sip she kept it in her mouth and leaned in to kiss Malenia on the lips. Malenia accepted the tincture with an amused noise, and when they pulled away she couldn't stifle her giggling. "You are truly amazing Finlay." Malenia said with a shake of her head.
"Sleep well, my Lady." Finlay said with a loving smile. "With you at my side how can I not?" Malenia replied.
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Finlay woke to the warmth of the morning sun against her bare skin, next to her Malenia had cocooned herself into the sheets they were sharing. Her momentary serenity was quickly shattered as the jangle of jewelry alerted her to a visitor. Miquella stood at his sister's desk, his ivory colored gown draped over his small delicate frame. The bangles on his wrists clinked together as he worked away with a mortar and pestle.
Finlay's face went as red as her hair with embarrassment, she tried to pull some of the sheet away from Malenia but failed. So as a last resort she crouched down on the other side of the bed to hide. "There is no need to hide yourself Lady Finlay, we are all adults here." Miquella said with an amused smile. In a gesture of sympathy he approached the bed and handed her the gown she discarded the night before and turned away to let her dress.
"I apologize for you having seen me like this Lord Miquella." Finlay said quietly. "You needn't apologize, had I known my sister had company I would not have intruded." Miquella replied as he poured a medicine into a teapot to steep. "I only stopped in briefly to bring her morning medicine and to request your aid."
"I am at your service, my Lord." Finlay replied. "Dress in your armor and ride with me to Leyndell, the first blossoms of spring are coming into bloom. I seek to collect several specimens of healing plants to cultivate in our gardens before the capital is forsaken." Miquella said with a calmness that was almost surreal. How he could just accept the world being turned on it's head was baffling. With a quick bow Finlay moved around the bed and towards the doorway. But just before she stepped out a small slender hand grabbed her wrist.
"Thank you, for what you do for my sister. Your love and support has caused her health to improve drastically. Dare I say her affliction has even slowed it's pace for a while. You have my appreciation, Lady Finlay." Miquella said with a sweet smile. Finlay couldn't help but smile back, with a final glimpse at her sleeping lover she crept out into the hall and hurried off to fetch her armor.