Ana, and love comes anew.

Years passed and Bjorn began to forget his pain.  He knew Ana’s brother Melki and Lashir had become the new controllers of the master’s plantation and had two children of their own, but the pain was now a vague memory with his busy life. And, it wasn’t so bad, he reasoned, with all the available maidens in the mountains. He had his pick of women and still none, it seemed, could to take Lashir’s place, till one day, when he was visited by Ana.1

Bjorn was working in the fields that day. He had hitched a fine team to his plow and was plowing for his spring crop of mountain wheat. He had already laid in a fine supply of early Vitoemin and was using the shucked stalks, chopped well as a base for the planting. Working carefully into the rich soil, it would make a perfect root work. Bjorn had promised Bradley this year there would be enough wheat flour for him to open his own bakery and begin a business of his own. Bradley, excited by the idea had dug out a well with his bare hands, which was no hard task for an Elf whose people could bore out rock with their immense muscle and claw like nails. As Bjorn walked slowly along behind the horses, tossing out seed, he was singing a song he and Bradley liked to sing. 2

Here in the hills of Spinea, we’re men of might and power.3

We work the fields with no respite, forever and an hour.4

When comes the sun and comes the rains, the soil will surely bring,5

The finest crops on all Atoz, a bloomin’ in the spring.6

Here in the mountains high we’ll make the finest wines and ale,7

And we will all be happy, though slightly drunk and hale.8

None will be wantin’ us to sport, when we are drinkin’ so,9

For we’re the mightiest men of all, wherever we may go.10

He heard a delighted, musical laugh and looked up to see Ana standing there, a bouquet of wild flowers in one hand, wearing a silk gown, radiant green. Leather boots peeking out from under the hem of the skirt and a sheer peasant top, laced with matching lacing. She smiled and applauded. “Bravo, sir knight. A man in the field is always the most attractive sight to any maiden, especially one with such a fine voice!”11

Bjorn dropped his bag of seed and let loose the reign, hurrying to her side. “Anna, what are you doing here?” He hadn’t seen her since the day they’d met in the market place. She was as lovely as a wild doe, with the same deep eyes and the sweetest face, still like a child, but so full of energy it seemed as though a halo grew about behind her. He couldn’t help but reach out a hand, which she playfully placed the bouquet into. Bjorn stopped short, holding the flowers, while Ana covered a giggle. Then she unexpectedly ran into his arms, hugging him tightly, her energy flowing into him. When he stepped back, Bjorn was stunned by the beautiful elfin lady, more stunning and fetching than she had ever been.12

“I came to see my favorite knight and to view this castle I hear tell you have built yourself here in the reserve Bjorn. You never invited me, so I thought I would have to be forward and come to see it for myself.”13

"Well, then you shall, m'lady Anna," Bjorn said with a bow. He handed her back the bouquet and slipped an arm around her tiny waste. Lifting her up, he placed her in the saddle of his mare, who grazed there where Bjorn had left her before he started his work. She huffed and turned her head to see who sat on her back, examined her and deciding she liked her.
“And, who is this fair beauty,” Ana inquired?
“Her name is Marsdek”, Bjorn answered climbing in to the saddle. “I named her after a nymph who was said to inhabit the mountain streams. It seemed a fitting name as the nymph was said to possess the power to race the wind. If any horse could race the wind, surely it is this one.” Bjorn tossed the reigns, clucking and giving Marsdek a nudge with his heels and they set off towards the caverns. When they reached the cavern castle, Bjorn lit a torch and led her inside. A fire was burning on the hearth and the lamps threw a pale blue over all the cavern walls. The iron works were hung with weapons and shields and braziers in which scented herbs and tree bark smoldered. On the table were mountains of apple tarts fresh baked that morning, which Bjorn had planned to dine on later. There was a service for tea and a bottle of hard cider and another of wine with chalices set up on the edge of the table a candelabra set in the middle and the table was draped with a hand woven silk table cloth, made for him by some of the elfin women. If he had planned it to be, it couldn’t have been more beautiful to Ana’s eyes and she was instantly drawn in.
“Oh, Bjorn, it is as lovely as I have heard. No wonder the people of the settlement make such a fuss about your work. I simply love it.” She wandered about the cave e and stopped before the enormous tub. “This must be a grand bath”, she exclaimed. Walking over to the raised platform which served as his bed chamber, she marveled at the snow white lion’s fur and the patchwork of browns and grays that made up the pillow coverings, all tailored from loper hides. Ana leaped into the air landing in the middle of the immense bed, bouncing high and dropping back into the thick furs. “It’s so soft Bjorn. I could sink away and never be found ,” she laughed delightedly, rolling towards the center.
“It’s a web work of leather, covered with thick feather beds, that’s the reason for it.” Bjorn offered. “I thought it would be best if I could bury myself in the bed in the cold winter nights, though I must say the hot springs and the fire mantle make it toasty warm in the winter.” He looked at her bouncing up and down on the bed like a little child and his heart was melting at the sight of her there. He’d never thought she would come one day to his cave home.
Suddenly he felt quite bold seeing her there transformed into some fairy princess of legend, in the glow of the lamps. “Ana, now that you’re here, why don’t you stay the evening and have supper with me. I haven’t heard what you have been doing for a long time now. And, I think you’d be surprised at what a cook and baker I have become, thanks to my friend Bradley! He’s tutored me in every aspect of the kitchen.”
Ana courtsied graciously. “I would be most honored, sir knight, to have supper here in this castle of yours.” She looked at him playfully. “You’re not trying to seduce Ana, are you?” 14

“If I were, would that be a sin?” He laughed. 15

“Perhaps, but a little sin is sometimes forgivable, if the man is worth it.” Ana smiled in such a way that spoke more than words ever could and he helped her up from the bed and carried her in his arms to the table.16

Dinner was a delicious roast of venison with fresh vegetables cooked up in the meat juices, mushroom in a thick gravy made of butter and cream, crusty bread just out of the oven and wine from his vineyards. Ana and he talked as he prepared and served dinner and ate in delighted companionable company. After dinner, Bjorn fixed tea and brought out some of his finest brandy. They lingered over these, while Ana sampled an apple tart and pronounced it the most delicious sweet she could remember ever having tasted. When she finished her dessert Ana stretched out on a low divan by the fireplace and sighed, contented. 17

Suddenly Ana turned to Bjorn and smiled. “I have traveled along way Bjorn and I should truly like to try out that tub of yours.” Bjorn shook his head and smiled. 18

“I will be glad to fill it for you.” He showed her how the trap in the bottom worked, letting the hot water flood up and adding bath oils and fragrant blossoms to the bath as it did. The scent filled the air and he poured in just enough ice water to cool the bath to a comfortable temperature. He stood back and Ana slipped behind the dressing screen emerging wrapped in a towel and slipped into the water till the frothy water was at her chin. “Ah, this is sheer heaven,” she sighed. 19

As he watched her luxuriating in the tub, Bjorn got an idea. He brought out soap made from plant oils, fragrant petals and herbs and he offered to wash Ana’s hair. “I should be delighted, indeed, sir knight.” Ana laughed playfully. Bjorn soaped her hair, taking his time washing it over and over in the shampoo and rinsing it with water warmed in one of the braziers. Then he toweled it dry and twisted it up onto the top of her head. She turned to him with a wink. “Sir, you do this with such expertise. Have you done it many times?” Blushing, he shrugged. “A few” Bjorn admitted. And, they exchanged another smile. 20

He couldn’t say what made him do it, but as she looked up at him, Bjorn found himself kissing her. In his mind the sudden realization came to him that he was kissing a princess of high regal bearing, and the sister of the man who now possessed the largest plantation in all the realms. He pulled back and stammered. “Anna, I don’t know what came over me, I didn’t mean to be so forward, I “but before he could say another word, she pulled him back to her and kissed him with a fever that melted him.21

“Forward? Bjorn, what must a lady do?” She sighed. Then, she pulled herself from the water, clutching the bath towel and wrapping her arms and legs about him, tightening her embrace, kissing him again with renewed fire. And, he carried her off to the great bed, this time with no doubts in his mind, or in his heart.