An Anthology of Unfinished Ideas

Fallon should have been back by now. It was getting too dark outside, and the wolves would come. If not the wolves, then some other beast, perhaps something human. Calandrea paused at the top of the stairs - she wasn’t allowed in the tavern section of the inn after hours, but her uncle had to notice that his own daughter was missing, didn’t he?

She touched at her arm, gently grazing the scars to push back the memories of that night.

For Fallon. She took a deep breath and placed her foot on the first step. For goodness’ sake, you’re a grown woman.

Her feet led her down the steps at a slower pace than she would have liked. It wasn’t until she reached the end of the stairs that she noticed the pounding beat of her heart in her ears. Her fingers clutched at the railing as her eyes landed on her drunken uncle laughing behind the bar. He hadn’t spotted her yet, otherwise, she suspected he would excuse himself to reprimand her like a child and send her back up to her room.

Before she could make any more moves toward him, movement by the window caught her eye and she froze.

He’s back.

For four winters, Rogue and his companion, Tristan, arrived on the 21st of December and stayed until March. She had always been rather drawn to him, and when Fallon had meddled and introduced them the group was inseparable. The four of them often enjoying late nights by the fire. Fallon was usually the first to go to bed, often followed by Tristan, leaving Rogue and Calandrea alone. That was how she had come to fall in love with him. Then, last winter he had to go and ruin it all.

It was the night before he and Tristan would be checking out. Fallon and Tristan had already gone to bed leaving Calandrea alone with Rogue. She doesn’t even remember the events leading up to the moment he had her pressed against a tree, fervently kissing her. A moment so intense she felt there was no mistaking that he felt the same for her.

And she was wrong. The following morning, he had left without saying a word, leaving her questioning everything.

It didn’t matter now though; he was here, and he would help her.

But could she be certain?

It was Tristan who looked up and finally noticed her first, waving her over with a smile. She took one more look at her distracted uncle and turned on her heel.

I’ll find her myself.

Her room was dimly lit, highlighting mounds of books scattered about her room regarding herbal medicines and various remedies. She secured her cloak around her neck, fastened her knife around her waist, and grabbed her boots. She had nowhere near as much knowledge of the surrounding woods as Fallon and her tracks would surely be covered in fresh snow, but Calandrea had to try.

She opened her door and bumped right into a hard chest, slowly leaning her head back to meet his gaze. She swallowed.

“You avoiding me?” Rogue.

“No, I just didn’t know you were back.” He squinted at her, waiting for more, “when did you arrive?”

“Yesterday morning.” He gently reached out, tucking a strand piece of hair behind her ear before trailing his thumb down her jaw. She shivered, causing him to immediately drop his hand.

“You shouldn’t be up here, Rogue.” The corner of his mouth tipped upward. He was enjoying this.

“Are you mad at me for not saying hi to you sooner, Calandrea?” She shook her head, too embarrassed to even speak aloud. “Because I had good reason. Tristan was running a fever when we got here, and it finally broke this afternoon. We figured we would enjoy a couple drinks down at the bar.”

“As you should, you don’t owe me any explanations. You don’t belong to me.” She meant to step around him, but he wouldn’t budge. Her words had come out a bit harsher than intended so she softly mumbled. “Excuse me.”

“But he wants to belong to you.” She turned her head to the desired exit and found Tristan leaning against the wall. “Miss me?”

Rolling her eyes, she stepped towards Tristan but was stopped by Rogue’s fingers gently wrapping around her wrist. He pulled her behind him and spread his legs apart, almost like he was trying to protect her from...Tristan?

“I told you not to follow.” His voice was hard, any ounce of his playfulness earlier gone.

“And I told you I’m fine, we’re going to fix it,” Tristan replied. They stared at each other a moment, the tension building.

Fix what?

“Just go back down-”

“What are you all dressed for battle for? And where’s Fallon?” Innocent questions on the surface. They both eyed her expectantly

“Fallon went out for a supply run to the village down the mountain. She hasn’t returned.” The men in front of her shared a brief glance.

“How long would you say she’s been gone.” Tristan had always been soft for Fallon; she could only imagine what he must be thinking.

“Since first light this morning, I’m not supposed to enter the tavern when it’s late, but I needed to let my uncle know I was leaving to find her,” she spoke out from behind Rogue. Tristan turned on his heel, heading back toward the tavern and, she assumed, to his room.

“Don’t tell Crispin anything yet. Let me find her with Tristan. We know the woods.” If she let them go without her, they would be faster; she knew that. But she would go crazy sitting in her room, sitting in her own anxieties. She had to move, had to do something to calm the nerves in her stomach and expel the energy pent up within her. She had to go with them to keep herself sane, even if it was rather selfish of her.

“I’m coming with you.”

“No.” Said with such absolution, no hesitation. Which was fine really, she had expected his response. But now, with his earlier reaction to Tristan, there had to be some underlying reason aside from the typical ‘it’s too dangerous’ excuse.

Then it hit her. “What’s wrong with Tristan?”

“Nothing.” He said, again, much too fast to feign innocence. She stared into his eyes, looking for any clue, any giveaway. There. His eye twitched just ever so slightly.

“I’m not stupid.” She spoke.

“No, not my Calandrea.” He whispered. Had his eyes always been this dark? She couldn’t recall them ever looking quite like this. Even that night when there were pressed against each other- no. She wouldn’t distract herself with memories of that night.

Wait, what did he say?

“Your-”

“Let’s go.” Tristan had returned, fully dressed. When he’d commented earlier that she looked ready for battle, he had clearly been poking fun. Now, when she looked at his attire it was clear that he had dressed for true battle. If anything, that could only mean the more help they had the better, and she had quite a few hidden tricks up her sleeve.

“I’m coming with you.” She tried again.

“No, stay here.” He said, turning from her briskly and putting a hand on Tristan’s shoulder, “Let’s go.” Tristan looked at her a moment longer before turning on his heel, leaving with Rogue.

“Fine.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

She tried to be obedient and stay in the room, sorting through her notebooks and even cleaning Fallon’s already tidied chamber. She laid out comfortable clothes for her cousin, filling the bathroom they shared with herbs meant to heal and calm. It was no surprise to her when she still felt restless and found herself fully dressed, hand on the doorknob to the back entrance of the tavern.

They had plenty of time on her, but she wasn’t naive; she knew the woods too. She knew how to track and assess for predators. She knew how to use the moss - when there was any - and the light and the stars. She knew which plants were beneficial and which to avoid. She was more intelligent than she’d been given credit for and would prove it. She knew she didn’t have to, but she would. She could be resourceful, responsible, and just as good as any man who went out in search of a lost family member.

The dark didn’t scare her, she would manage with the tools she had; it was more the fear of creatures with abilities to see through the absence of light.

It hadn’t been long that she’d been walking when the wind picked up. The wiser decision would be to find a safe area to set up camp. Calandrea knew that. She knew the risks of forging on in this weather alone. Her weary legs were begging her to take pause and rest.

Have they set up camp too? Did they make it to Fallon? Did they make it down the mountain?

When she collapsed against a nearby pine, she knew it was time to set up a shelter and fire. It was difficult to convince her body to obey her mind, but she managed. If only she had packed a second cloak for warmth, though to be fair, she hadn’t expected to be stuck in the snow.

With shaking fingers, she worked to start a fire, if she listened hard enough she could fool herself into thinking she heard whispers. She turned her body in a defensive stance just as hands wrapped around her arms tightly.

“I knew you wouldn’t stay put.” Rogue. She pushed off him, too frustrated to allow him another moment of physical contact. Frantically, she searched their surroundings and came up short. It was still dark, but she was certain Tristan wasn’t nearby. So where was he?

It didn’t matter, this was her breaking point.

“Why did you kiss me last winter?” She cringed and thanked the stars it was nighttime. She had no intention of that question escaping her lips, but it was too late.

“Did you not want me to?” He asked; she could almost hear the smirk in his tone.

“You’re deflecting.” She sighed, taking several steps back from where she thought he was. He was silent and she almost wondered if he had left her there. Then there was a properly lit fire to her left and he was two steps in front of her; she craned her head up to look at him.

“I’ve been fighting a losing battle against my feelings since I’ve met you, Calandrea. It would be wise that I keep a distance from you. I’m obviously failing.” He searched her eyes for any give indication that she was softening up to his words. She wasn’t. “I’m back now.”

“Do you think that makes a difference? That I would sit around and wait for you like some silly girl?” He couldn’t have truly thought that, she knew, but she wasn’t about to go easy on a man that hadn’t made his intentions known.

“Did you?” He smiled with his eyes this time and the response was all she needed to scoff and turn on her heel in an attempt to walk away. That is until his voice rung out behind her pleadingly. “Okay, I’m sorry. Just wait”

Her body betrayed her, freezing in place; she refused to face him.

“I was scared.” He spoke softly. Unfortunately, that was all she needed to lose her resolve entirely and turn to him. She was weaker than she thought.

“Of what?” This she had to hear.

“I was scared how you would feel in the morning, scared you would regret our actions and I didn’t want to face that, so I ran. I thought that maybe if I acted like it didn’t happen things could go back to how they were.” He said, taking a small step closer to her.

“That is the stupidest-”

“The feelings I have for you I’ve never come across in my entire life. I can’t fathom the mere thought of another man’s hands on your body. I can’t fathom you belonging to anyone else but me. It’s selfish - I’m selfish. If I succumb to these feelings, there is no turning back. I won’t be able to let you go.” She didn’t mean to widen her eyes the way they did, she knew how he would take it, but he spoke before she had the chance. “I could if you needed me to but there would be no one else for me.”

This is what she had been waiting for and wanted since last winter. But was this enough? Would this be enough to make up for the abandonment she felt at hearing he’d left without a word? Here Rogue was professing strong feelings for her, and did she reciprocate?

Yes...but she wasn’t ready to let him know that.

“Say something.” He whispered.

“You should’ve let me make my own decision about this.” She said, taking the final step so that they were chest to chest. He didn’t try to create distance nor look uncomfortable, and she took this as a good sign. But something he said before echoed back in her mind. “Earlier tonight you said it would be wise to keep a distance, why?”

He chewed on his lower lip before answering, “four winters ago, I started coming to your uncle’s tavern in search of a cure. Something that would take this illness from me.”

“You’re dying?” She asked.

“Not quite, it’s more what I could become.” He grasped her hand in his gently pulling her towards where her tent was. She thought about his vague words while he set up their shelter and pulled her close to him under the cover. It was now that she - ashamed to admit - remembered Tristan. “Where’s Tristan?”

“He’s safe.” Before she could could ask him to continue what he’d been saying, he began to speak, “My ancestors consist of mostly humans, but some were elementals. As it goes, if I do nothing, I am next to inherit my abilities.”

“You don’t want to?” She had not a clue what an elemental was, but she would judge later, when she had more information.

“No, I have no desire to be anything apart from what I’ve always been, Calandrea. I didn’t ask for this.” They were huddled side by side under his makeshift roof, his arm wrapped around her. She dared to peek her eyes at him only to find him already looking back.

She cleared her throat, “so, what triggers the change?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care to find out.” He whispered, softly brushing snow off her lower cheek. His thumb traced back and forth, pausing just at the corner of her mouth. If she had known this, would it have made a difference? She’d like to think it would.

“Rogue, you could have told me all of this from the start - we could’ve avoided so much.” She spoke, leaning her cheek into his hand fully. His forehead came to a rest upon hers and she held her breath. This was so not the time for the heat pooling in her belly or the thoughts intruding her mind. She had to put Fallon first.

“Is an apology enough?” He asked, breath fanning her lips and pulling her from the inner corners of her mind. She had to think about this. If he were being honest in this moment, then yes. An apology would be enough. What more could she expect of him? It was a valid response, his fear. Without breaking contact, she slowly moved so that she was kneeling him front of him.

He closed his eyes, tilting his head back and exposing his neck to her in submission. Placing a gentle kiss to his jugular, she carefully pulled his arms around her waist and linked her arms behind his neck.

She analyzed his features for a moment longer before finally speaking a soft, “yes.”

Calandrea could feel him shiver and if his warm body were any indication, it wasn’t from the weather. She pressed herself closer and at first when his lips touched hers, he was hesitant. His hands gently cupped her face, thumbs caressing her cheeks. A soft moan escaped her throat, earning a growl like rumble to leave his chest. She wasn’t sure how to move forward. Her hands remained stiff around his neck before she finally dragged her hands down his shoulders and rested them on his chest. When she entangled her fingers in his hair, he took that as an invitation to grip her closer, trailing his fingers down her body. He laid her body down on the ground, careful to adjust his weight so as not to crush her. The snow was cold, but she didn’t mind, they had the fire and each other.

“Do you consent?”

She nodded, but when his hands came back up to graze under her breast she stilled. He was pulling away immediately and inspecting her face intently.

“Was that too much?”

“No, I’m sorry. I just- This feels inappropriate considering Fallon is still missing and you left Tristan.”

“About Tristan, there’s something you should know-”

“Calandrea, Rogue, good to see you two are doing well.” In seconds Rogue was standing in front of her, crossbow armed and pointed at... Fallon.

“Fallon!” Calandrea cried, but before she could stand properly Rogue had her pressed against his back with one arm, still point his weapon at her cousin.

“Don’t! She’s one of them.” He sneered.

One of them? She took this time to really look at Fallon, noting the paleness and transparency of her skin. It looked like Fallon. But the more she looked at her, the more something seemed off.

“Don’t you mean one of us? It’s only a matter of time before you accept what’s always been meant to be. It’s already started.” As Fallon crept toward them Rogue walked them in a circle, keeping a safe distance at all times. Calandrea remained clutched to him, eyes on her cousin. “Why don’t you tell her the truth about why you leave at the end of each winter? Go ahead, I’ll wait.”

“Rogue, what is she talking about?” The arm that was still wrapped around her tightened.

“It’s nothing-”

“Don’t lie to her.” She Scowled. “He’s being pulled away, Calandrea. His body doesn’t belong in this world. And now, nor does mine. But every winter we are granted access to these lands to feed. What did he tell you? That he wanted a cure? Well, it’s too late for that - much too late. His fate it sealed.”

“That’s not true.” She said.

“Poor, naive, cousin. He’s fooled you into thinking he still has time to change who he is. Fooled Tristan too.”

Tristan.

“What did you do to him?!” Rogue roared.

“Only what was necessary, I thought he was you. My mistake.” Rogue took the shot the moment Fallon lunged at them. Her body jolted back, and she hissed. “You missed, imbecile.”

Calandrea stood frozen and watched the scene play out in slow motion. In the time it took Rogue to reload his weapon, Tristan had appeared. He was bloodied and very clearly wounded but he grabbed Fallon’s neck with sharpened claws. This allowed Rogue enough time to cock the crossbow and take deadly aim.

There had to be a way to save everyone.

“Rogue, wait-”

The crossbow shot and hit its mark. Fallon fell to the ground the snow turning a dark purplish red. When Calandrea kneeled beside her cousin she found a small smile playing on her lips.

“It had to be like this, Cal” she whispered, “Otherwise, I would’ve lost my humanity.”

With those final words it became clear to Calandrea. Fallon wanted to die. She knew her fate and she chose death over the possibility of fighting the monster that would’ve grown within her mind. She wouldn’t let the same thing happen To Rogue. She couldn’t.

* * * * * * * * * * *

They hadn’t spoken the entire way back to the tavern. Rogue focused on helping an injured Tristan and with Calandrea’s homemade salve made of the available roots and herbs he was able to hold on until they could call in a doctor. Once Tristan was safe in his chamber, Rogue knew to find her outside. She was standing in front of the fire, and he stood next to her.

“Calandrea, I won’t make the same mistake I did last time, but I won’t fool myself into thinking you see me in the same light after the events of last night. I wouldn’t blame you if you’re angry with me-”

“How could I be? She made her choice and you had to react accordingly. I’m only hurt that it had to end the way it did.” He nodded, but she wasn’t sure he was picking up on what she was saying. “My feelings for you haven’t changed, Rogue.”

He exhaled roughly, pulling her tightly into his arms and pressing his lips firmly to her hair.

“But what are we going to when the end of winter nears?” She hated that she had to ask that question; she would be damned if she didn’t and it snuck up on them, though.

“We have time to find me an anchor. If Tristan read correctly, there’s a chance that an anchor would bind my soul here so we wouldn’t be apart. He has the incantation in his chamber, I just need a person or a special item.” Doing this would buy them time to find a cure. Not that she cared about finding one, she wanted him any way she could have him. But she knew this would be the only answer to him for now, and they had to try.

“Anchor yourself to me.” She said, heart pounding. When he nodded and led her body inside, she didn’t feel anxious or worried. She was calm. Should this work, he would be hers for longer than just the winter and the rest they would figure out together.

* * * * * * * * * * *

This was a prompt given to me by one of my best friends that read: Winter was the only season we could be together. It took me forever to finish, and even now it’s not really done. I may come back to this one someday.

All constructive criticism and comments are welcome.

Please use this sentence to comment prompts or ideas that I could turn into stories - credit will be given. Thanks!

KJC