After

Flowers swayed in the wind, and I stood on the hill basking in the sunlight. I watched as my lovely bees fluttered in the fields I tended to. Working in tandem with the hardworking bees were the beautiful butterflies, as they sipped on the sweet nectar. A dark shadow lied at the edge of my vision. Turning to look, I-

Everything faded away slowly. Blinking blearily, Pollen stretched and sat up. A creaking noise caught her attention, Roswell had returned! Watching intently, she waited for her to finish placing her equipment down. Striding over, Roswell placed her palm on Pollen and gently petted.

I purred happily and kneaded on the woolen blankets. She leaned forward to nuzzle up against me. I smiled contentedly as we cuddled on the mattress.

Roswell walked to her 'Bag of Holding' and took out a pretty feather. Carrying it to Pollen, she waited for her reaction. The feather was a gorgeous iridescent color that she picked up in the night.

As she was slashing wraiths with the scythe, something glimmered in the moonlight. It distracted her for a mere second, and it caused her to receive a cut on her chin. Returning to her senses, Roswell lunged forward to incapacitate the ferocious wraith. Pinning it down, she chanted quickly and hovered the lantern over to banish the evil wraith. Crouching next to a rock nearby, she found a feather lying within the grass. She stored it away for safekeeping, hoping to bring it home as a gift to Pollen.

Pollen exclaimed, "A hummingbird tail feather? Why how rare it is to find them! Thank you so much, Roswell!" She cradled her gift carefully and immediately placed it into a woven basket. Then, she picked up some herbs and whipped up a medicinal concoction. She crushed marigold petals and horsetail to make a paste as an anti-inflammatory and to improve healing.

Pollen carried the bowl and lightly smeared the blend of herbs on Roswell's chin. Pushing Roswell down, she tucked the blanket around her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Now then, you should have a short rest in bed. You must have been tired, after spending days out on the fields." With that, Pollen bustled around tidying up and neatening the hut. Listening to the sounds of her mate close by, Roswell soon fell asleep.

Pollen closed the door softly and went on to check on her bees. Passing under beehives, she found a struggling bee on the grass. She cradled it and gently placed the little one on a flower. Fluttering vigorously, the bee squeezed its way into the blossoming bud. Smiling, Pollen was on her merry way to the village nearby.

Wandering down the narrow path, she waved to people. After buying some fresh meat from the butcher, she noticed villagers milling around the plaza. Serenading young ladies was a handsome troubadour with lyrics of passion and love. This made her realize the numerous decorations hanging about, patterns shaped like a heart made of paper, wood and stone. Wooden stalls adorned with cut flowers and rose garlands, craftsmen working on refining delicate accessories and bakeries with colorful jeweled pastries.

Oh! It's the yearly event held by the villagers. It is called Valentine's Day?

Shaking her head, Pollen pondered.

Should I spend this Valentine with Roswell? It should be nice to celebrate our time together, it isn't that we can't celebrate at any other time but.. since everyone is already celebrating. We could all celebrate together!

Humming happily, Pollen set about to prepare for the special occasion. She tended to her duties and an idea popped into her mind.

Why don't I.. replant some camellias to a special spot? We could have a picnic and spend the night outside!

Acting decisively, Pollen grabbed her gardening gloves and started to dig out the soil around her blossoming camellias and transferred them into a straw basket. She went to their cliff-side and planted the pink beauties by some bushes. She hung some small lights across tree branches, and made her way to the kitchen.

There, she cubed the raw meat on a wooden board and wrapped it in leaves to store in a crevice under a running stream. Going out to the vegetable garden, she soaked freshly harvested leafy greens in a jar of salt solution and retrieved ingredients and tools needed to bake bread. Pollen had just begun to shift the dry materials when the door creaked open.

Roswell shuffled in, stooping to get through the archway. She bent over Pollen’s shoulder, watching as she mixed some dried rosemary and dill into the dough. Covering the mixture with clean cloths, Pollen brewed a pot of tea and chatted with Roswell as she waited for the dough to rise.

"Roswell, are you going out these next few days?" Roswell shook her head, "I have just returned and will not leave for a fortnight, do you have any wishes for me?" Blushing shyly, Pollen lowered her head as she asked Roswell to accompany her to the village tomorrow afternoon.

Pollen padded over to check on the dough, confirming that it had risen beautifully, she started to knead it. Without a word, Roswell moved to light a fire and set up a metal sheet above the clay stove. With paws clad in cloth mittens, Pollen set down the dough to bake. Together, they watched the fire cook the raw dough into edible bread.

The day turned to night as they feasted on soft bread and dried jerky. Warm tea to wash down the crumbs as they nibbled on ripe fruits. Soon, they retired to the cottage to sleep.

Always the early waker, Roswell stared towards the sunrise as she reminiscenced the times when nobody believed her. She tried showing them intentions of protecting through her actions, but it scared the mortals even more. Instead, they ostracized her even more. Where once she could find some kindness in a few, none were left when word spread of her dastardly actions. In contrast, Pollen was a simple and warm-hearted individual. She was the ember to my flame, a fragile dear one that loved whole-heartedly, accompanied by her bees.

Roswell sat quietly by the windowsill as Pollen rustled about in their nest. Leaping up, a  dishevelled Pollen tried to comb her hair but failed. Roswell seized Pollen and groomed her, licking her fur and untangling knots. In return, Pollen tenderly smoothed her fur and together they sat while the sun rose higher into the sky.

After their mutual grooming session, they took a stroll outside, walking through flower meadows. As they neared a shady undergrove, Pollen stumbled as she tried to steer Roswell away. She pointed towards a grassy field and tugged at Roswell. Roswell conceded and followed Pollen, and they settled down on a patch of grass.

"It’s such a lovely morning, after lazing around here for a bit, do you mind accompanying me to the village below?" Roswell answered in confirmation, and fiddled with some wildflowers growing close by. Her fingers clumsily twined the flower stems together. On the side, Pollen swiftly twisted blades of grass into a long garland, tying exquisite-looking knots to make it nicer. In silence, they each worked on their small projects, as time passed quickly.

Together they lazed on their small patch of heaven with the sun shining warmly upon them. The wind gently breezed, drifting by and twirling about their hair. The gentle leaves tickled Pollen’s feet as she scrunched her feet. Her gentle giant placed a flower crown in her arms, and she dusted the soil off the roots and smiled as she wore it proudly. Drooping purple bellflowers adorned her hair and the sight dazed Roswell.

When she first laid eyes on Pollen, a purple sunset and a lovely lady greeted her. The young lass invited her into a house, to which she felt a deep sense of comfort. Her mate tended to her battle wounds and bandaged it up, all while humming softly with a smile. With her gentleness and sweet fragrance, Roswell slowly fell further and became more and more enamoured towards this mysterious stranger that appeared in her life all so suddenly.

Pollen flitted about, folding blankets and packing food neatly into a straw basket. She hurriedly added in a bottle of chilled water to go with snacks. Stashing the basket in a shady corner, she departed along with Roswell to the village.

A cheerful atmosphere surrounded the mortals wearing bright and colorful clothing. The air was heavy with the scent of flower extract and sugar pastries. Roswell watched in wonder as the mortals held hands and danced in circles to the beat of the music. Couples clasped fingers as they were lost in their own worlds. Flowers, trinkets and delicate confectionaries were presented to their other halves, sweet words whispered in a lover's ear.

Laughing gaily, Pollen entwined their arms and snuggled in. "Pollen, would you like to dance?" Roswell tentatively asked.Smiling brightly, Pollen replied with a loud, "Yes!"

Swaying along with the lively music, encircled within her significant other’s embrace. Pollen could not be happier. They bought and tasted handmade savoury pastries, none of it filling to the stomach but to Roswell the entire experience was the essence of making memories with Pollen.

Requesting a wooden plaque from an elderly craftsman, they inscribed it with their initials. Roswell moved to hang it up on the wall with the other plaques but Pollen stopped her. Pollen snatched and kept it into the ‘Bag of Holding’.

Tugging on her hand, Pollen pulled Roswell back up the mountain. Nimbly treading on rocks, Pollen skipped with Roswell following behind.

A few steps ahead of her, Roswell watched as Pollen peeked into the cottage and swung out with a basket on her arm.

"Come with me?" Pollen extended her hand, waiting.Roswell reached out and accepted, and they walked towards the cliffside.

Along the way, the night sky was lit brightly with the ever-twinkling stars. Pushing aside thorny branches in their path, Roswell escorted Pollen to their destination.

A hint of pink showed as camellias wavered under the direction of the breeze. Small fireflies brightened the area, showing a hidden cliffside spot.

"I- I thought that it would be nice to have a picnic." Pollen stuttered as she laid out the blanket and food. Roswell patted Pollen on her head, slightly jostling the flower crown. "It’s lovely, Pollen. Just like you."

Blushing shyly, Pollen broke off a section of homemade beef puff pastry glistening with oil. She offered it up to Roswell, waiting for a compliment. Roswell finished it in a bite, and reached for more. Soon, all the food was devoured between the two of them.

Stomach sated, the duo relaxed under the stars. Roswell hung the wooden plaque on a low-lying branch. She enclosed a tiny trinket in her fist. Dropping a small silver bell in Pollen’s palm, Roswell presented Pollen with a family heirloom enchanted with the ability to protect and guard their loved ones. She hoped that she would stay with her mate forever.

"Promise me a life with you, Pollen."

"I never knew that someday I would have a home with you, but I’m glad."

"I will cherish you forever."

"This is just the beginning of everything."

The small bell chimed as the wooden plaque swayed in the wind. The pair of lovers lived on, and devoted their everyday lives to each other. Peace was no longer a dream for them both as there existed a haven to belong to.