Kiss by the Waterfall

Jennile was watching the threads of colour wind through the waterfall in the starlight, just outside the cave. It was so pretty. So changing. The roaring seemed to have lessened to a gentle humming, washing away all other sounds of the night and encasing her in a little bubble of light and warmth. She glanced upwards, beyond the waterfall, at the spangled stars. Each one so bright it was unbelievable. Like little glowing gems. A cool breeze picked up through the air, touching her cheeks and splashing a thin shower of icy water onto her face. Gentle firelight from a watch-fire in the distance made the pool below light with orange color and fireflies glowed near the surface of the pool, like little fallen stars.1

Even in spite of her sharp senses, the thunder of the water nearly cut out the sound of footsteps behind her. Jennile spun around, and was surprised to find Finn standing in the entrance to the cave. “You should come inside.” he said quietly, only just loud enough for her to hear. She smiled slightly. “I don’t want to. It’s pretty out here. The world’s so beautiful.”2

Finn stepped up beside her. “Yes.” he said softly. “It is. Beautiful enough to fight for. Isn’t that what we’re doing in this war?”3

Jennile looked back at the waterfall. “Yes, but does everyone see it that way? Or do some people see war as a way to get power?”4

Finn turned to her, eyes full of emotion. “No one should see this as a way to get power. We are fighting for the world, for our homes, for…”5

“For?” prompted Jennile. Finn stayed silent. She stepped nearer and turned his face towards him, though he kept his eyes down. “For what are people giving up their lives, Finn?”6

“The people they love.” said Finn softly. Jennile didn’t really mean it to happen. But her lips were suddenly on Finn’s and she was kissing him. His beautiful eyes flickered up to her in surprise, but then he closed them again, kissing her back. His arm snaked around her waist, drawing her close to him and she could feel his heart pounding.7

He ran his tongue over her lips, and she opened them, letting his tongue explore her mouth while hers did the same for him. She put up a hand to his cheek, touching the ends of his hair with her fingers. His skin was tanned but smoothed by wind and soft air, and it felt like buttermilk against her palm. He smelt faintly of straw and horses, but it was such a sweet reassuring smell it was like kissing a dream, like breathing in oxygen after hours of suffocating. Jennile leaned in closer, kissing him as his arm tightened on her waist and his other hand went to her hair to stroke it. She couldn’t hear anything but the roaring of the waterfall now deafeningly loud, and the thudding of her heart. She had her eyes shut, kissing him passionately, and felt a soft touch on her cheek, delicate and gentle. Dizziness from lack of air was overwhelming her, ironic since she felt as though she was breathing properly for the first time, but she pulled back and looked up at him.8

He seemed to snap out of a dream, releasing her quickly and stepping backwards. “I’m sorry, I didn’t intend-” he began, but Jennile shook her head. “My fault, I kissed you.”9

He took a long slow breath. “Well, in that case, I must thank you.”10

“For what?”11

“For showing me what it really means to be fighting for a loved one.”12

Jennile didn’t get time to reply; he had covered the gap between them and was kissing her again. The roar of the waterfall grew louder and Jennile could feel the spray on her bare arms, but she didn’t pay it any attention. Flecks of rain began to fall, bigger and bigger drops, soaking into the weave of her clothes, which were already damp from the waterfall’s spray. Jennile drew back for air and rested her head on Finn’s shoulder, feeling safe with his arms wrapped so tightly about her. His hand returned to stroking her hair, and she found herself kissing him again. The rain fell harder, stinging their skin and rattling down about them on the shiny rock surface, but neither of them noticed, nor did they feel the ice coming over them from the chilled water. They were lost in their own world, where nothing existed but the light of each others’ eyes and the taste of each others’ kisses. Not time, not life, not anything. Just for the chance to stare at each other and share another kiss.13

Then Finn started. His lips moved from Jennile’s and she glanced up at him to see what had disturbed him. He was looking to the left, back at the cave entrance, an expression of intense concentration on his face. Jennile listened and realised footsteps were echoing towards them. She suddenly realised Finn’s arms were wrapped around her still, and shook herself free. He stepped sharply back from her just as Gamling appeared at the entrance. “Captian Finn?” He looked up and his eyes focussed on them. “Sir, you’re soaked, you will take a chill.” he gasped. Finn looked dazed, but hastily shook the dreaminess away. “We will join you in just one moment Gamling.” he said firmly. Gamling looked reluctant but hesitantly returned to the dark cave. Finn waited for the echo of his footsteps to die away before turning back to her. “He’s right, we must go in before you take ill.” he said softly. Jennile couldn’t deny she was cold. She glanced back at the stars still glimmering behind the sheet of ever-falling water. The only witnesses to what had just happened.14

She felt Finn’s hand wrap around hers. “Come.” he said softly. He had a slightly lilting voice, gently tilted with a Western accent. Jennile loved it. Perhaps she could learn to speak Old West too. She had listened to Finn’s men speak it in swift, flowing sentences, and couldn’t help admire the beauty of the speech, old and unused as it was, except by the folk who had invented it.15

He was gently tugging at her now. She turned, but glanced back once again. “One last kiss.” she said quietly. He looked between her and the cave mouth, then leant forwards and planted his lips over hers. She leaned towards him, relishing every second, closing her eyes and blocking off her other senses until he eventually drew back. “We really must go.”16

“Why?”17

He flushed. “Jennile, I- Well, it’s not easy to…”18

“Please don’t tell me you felt that was a mistake.” said Jennile. She could feel tears ebbing up around her eyelids already but she wouldn’t let them fall, or take her gaze from Finn’s soft irises. “Listen to me.” he said softly. “This was the most perfect thing that has ever happened to me, but there’s something you should know.”19

“What? Are you betrothed or promised to someone?”20

Finn gave a grim laugh. “I think not. No. But… well, I’ve lied to you. Well not exactly lied, but deceived you.”21

“About…?” Jennile had a sudden feeling she knew where this was heading. Finn swallowed, his flush deepening. “My… My father is Lord of the West.”22

Jennile gazed up at him. “Oh.” she said quietly. “It’s ok.”23

Finn bit his lip. “I… well, I thank you for taking it so calmly, but I warn you, my father cannot and will not accept this. When he finds out…” Finn’s voice trailed off and Jennile wondered if she detected a hint of fear in his eyes. She laid her head against his chest and put her arms up around his neck. “Finn, I promise I will tell no one. It can stay a secret.”24

Finn gazed down at her. It looked as though he longed to say thank you, but couldn’t find quite the right way to voice it. Instead, he suddenly leant down and kissed her again, and this time he did not draw back.25

“Captain Finn! You must come now!” called Gamling, and Jennile could hear him coming back through the cave. Finn released her, and turned. “We are coming, Gamling. Go on ahead and make sure there is a fire lit and dry clothes. For both, of us Gamling.” he said, the faint emphasis on the word “both” making his meaning crystal clear. Gamling nodded reluctantly and hurried away. Finn took Jennile’s hand in his own and led her back into the camp, where the cloak of darkness would hide the contact from everyone else. Jennile snuggled under his arm and by the time they reached the camp again, she was almost asleep. But before he let go of her hand so she could go to bed, he put his cheek on her hair and whispered “I love you Jennile.” Then he was gone, hurrying over to his men to help them with the battle plans that could cost the lives of millions. He could be ruthless alright. Jennile smiled. Love was a strange thing indeed.26