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Minthara hates mornings in the surface world, the sun blinds her with its morning glare and pushes her into waking without her input. However, more than even that she despises to be idle once she rises. Today, she rose from the bedroll unwrapping her limbs from Muira’s and shushed her gently as she began to stir “Sleep more my love. Let me take care of you this morning.” She planted a gentle kiss on her lips and pulled herself away reluctantly glancing back at the bundles of curls that now fell over the fur blankets. She changed into her camp clothes and went to get the fire started. This she was confident in, stacking the logs in the way that she had many times before. She added the small nest to the bottom and watched as it began to blaze. She set up the cooking rack and put water on to boil and then looked for pan to make mushrooms. She scanned the camp multiple times ‘Where would you keep a pan?’ She thought to herself. She found a couple of sticks and decided to roast the mushrooms over the fire by hand. A dull clinking came from behind her as she hunched over a handful of tiny mushrooms that she had found by the camp’s edge. Jaheira walked to the fire with a raised eyebrow.
“Up early today your highness!” Jaheira placed the box down containing the pan, food, and all the bowls/plates. She was in a loose tunic that barely seemed to cover her, her hair was not braided and fell to the side. ‘Must belong to someone else.’ Minthara thought with raised interest, scanning the length of her body from her crouched position.
“I am always up early- I simply do not like the sun, so I read and study in the morning. I can hear you all scavenging about like a pack of wild dogs.” Jaheira laughed heartily “It is not nice to speak about the way that Shadowheart eats. Poor cub has seen a lot.” She gave another laugh when she saw an actual grin spread across Minthara’s lips “But truly, are you up to make breakfast?”
“This morning yes. Every morning Muira rises and makes me breakfast. Before she did this I thought it a servants task. She’s been working so hard lately so today I bid her sleep in. I would be the one to nourish our bodies. However-”
Jaheira interjected, standing close to look at the minuscule mushrooms skewered by much larger sticks “You’ve never cooked a meal before.” She smelled of lavender and honey as she bent down to grab the makeshift meal. Minthara breathed her in with a sigh and thought of Muira alone with her every morning, close to her in this way. Did she notice the scent as well?
“Correct. Though I doubt it is beyond my skills once I gather the correct tools.” She stood and inspected the box of pans and ingredients and pulled out what she knew to be the right mushrooms with a look of confidence.
“I can show you how to make breakfast - usually I cook with Muira anyway.” Jaheira placed the pan on the stand and took the mushrooms from Minthara’s hands making sure to drag her nails lightly against her palms as she did. Minthara tried to look as if this was unsurprising handing them over in a nonchalant way. It was odd though, was she marking her territory or issuing a threat. Either way Jaheira did not acknowledge the interaction and began to cut the long mushrooms into a bowl.
“Yes. Show me how she prepares the food, druid.” If this was to be a game - then she would need to learn the rules before showing her hand. It is better she thought to play along for now.
“You are aware that she is truly devoted to you, are you not?” Jaheira handed a parchment with steak in it to Minthara and gave quick instructions “Cut thin slices into the bowl and then season with this” She handed her a bowl and small seasoning container.
“As she should be. I would expect nothing less of my chosen partner. I too am devoted to her. As you can see it has led me to cook like a common servant.” She settled onto a stool and gingerly began to plop small slices into the bowl below.
There was a silence as Jaheira stirred the mushrooms in the pan, letting them sizzle and pop from the oil. “I’ve grown rather fond of her. Though she is ruthless and unforgiving - quite like yourself. She is also easy to talk to with a remarkable amount of knowledge about people. I assume that comes from her old age.” She brushed past Minthara again this time her leg rubbed against her as she bent down to pick up satchels of tea.
“Tell me High Harper, what do you two talk about every morning? Muira is not like anyone else here and has no shared background with you. Yet, you tell me she has grown on you and I know you are one of the few people she speaks to in camp.”
“The shared background of being alive is enough. She is quiet in the morning but we usually discuss our homes, the ingredients we have, the drama around the camp and of course you.” Jaheira let the words fall with a weight - she seemed to be trying to get under the her skin or this was a type of slow interrogation.
“Me? I doubt there is anything for her to divulge about my past to a stranger.” Minthara bristled at the thought of her secrets being shared with anyone. Would Muira really divulge their intimate talks with someone else?
“She dotes and worries like a lovesick pup.” Jaheira chuckled lightly as she moved on to slicing onions.
“She noticed you weren’t eating when you first arrived save for mushrooms. Immediately she asked me for tips on growing mushrooms and had me set up trays for propagating them. You have an entire box devoted just to food of your taste, every morning she mists and cares for them as if they were little nuggets of gold.” Jaheira wipes a couple tears from her eyes, the onions had begun to agitate her and dropped those into the pan as well after scooping out the mushrooms.
“I do not like the sun grown food. It leaves a taste in my mouth.” Minthara retorted.
“She knows and by extension I know. Chop the meat thinner or it will never cook.” Jaheira muttered after inspecting the knife work.
Minthara looked down and focused on cutting the steak into thinner pieces. “She does not eat steak.” Minthara commented after looking down at the ingredients that were coming together. “I need to get her a piece of fish and also that disgusting smelling soup she drinks each morning.” She handed the finished bowl to Jaheira and stood up to get a piece of fish.
“I was waiting on you to mention it - you know where the fish is and underneath are small satchels of dried fish broth - the only thing she drinks in the morning. You’ll also need greens but we usually cook that together.” Jaheira watched her as she picked out the ingredients and headed back over to her. “I will be forward then since we are running out of time with playing cat and mouse.”
“You were playing with yourself, something I’m sure you’re used to these days.” Minthara ribbed at her making sure not to hold back the teasing she had held onto until now.
“I have grown fond of Muira and will not stand to see her hurt by selfish people. Even those she thinks are on her side.” Jaheira continued.
“Do not make idle threats elf.” Minthara began to rise but thought better of attacking someone that Muira was fond of.
“I have never and will never wag my tongue unless my sword is ready to follow. Treat her well or I will. How does that sound? ” She turned and with a complete change in tone said “Ok - the meat is ready for the fire. This will wake everyone up so I usually put some bowls out for them all to get food.” When the food had browned nicely Jaheira pointed it out to Minthara and they made plates for themselves. Minthara piled fish and greens into a bowl as well as a small serving of soup and turned to bring it to Muira in the tent. She froze - seeing her lover standing outside of the tent with a grin. “For me?”
“Yes, you needed more rest this morning. Here.” She pushed the bowls gruffly into Muira’s hands and sat on a low stool to eat. Muira cooed as she scarfed down breakfast. “Delicious! You have some skill, I did not know you could cook at all. Did Jaheira help much? Sometimes she can be a bit bossy so I’m surprised if you got to even touch the food.” Muira let out a devilish grin her rows of sharp teeth adding to her sinister look as she eyed Jaheira for a reaction.
“I can hear you just fine cub! Sometimes you move around the fire so slow - we would have burnt mounds of ash if not for me.” Jaheira responded moving closer and allowing herself to rest close to Muira. Their arms rubbed lightly as she sat and ate. “Here try this.” She scooped a spoonful of a thickened fish soup into Muira’s mouth gently leaving her hand to linger on her chin.
“Delicious of course but did I hear you call me cub? Don’t insult me. I am many times your age young elfling. I could easily bend you over my knee.” She pat her lap in a mock show and they both threw their heads back in laughter. Muira rose to plant kisses on Minthara’s neck and wrap her arms around her. “What a lovely morning surprise, thank you. Will I be seeing you for morning duty again? I must admit I’d miss the sight of you scantily clad in my tent as I serve you.” She grinned again and nibbled gently on Minthara’s ear. Jaheira turned from them briskly and began to make conversation with Shadowheart who sleepily rested against her.
“Unlikely - I prefer the view of your body from our bedroll and the fire is too hot of a thing to wake up to. Plus, I’m not sure if cooking is truly my calling. I’ll leave the work of servants to Jaheira and the work of the nobles to myself.” She rubbed a hand greedily around Muira’s shoulder and pulled her into a sloppy kiss.