Marvina Joyce Loveridge's Story

Marvin was tired from the lack of sleep, but he felt that even if he tried to get some sleep, he'd be too worried about Nepta to get any rest. After comforting Nepta and they had rested a while Marvin got ready to start again toward the Emerald Sea. "We should get going. The faster we get this over, the better," he told Nepta before hoisting her onto his back. A bit of worry evident in his voice, but he tried to hold back all his concern. He didn't want to stress Nepta anymore than she already was.

As they moved closer to the forest, the pressure Nepta felt grew with more and more force. She had to stifle her need to cry out in pain, if she were walking the small Druid would be on the ground, gasping for air. Marvin could hear her panting and it pained his heart with every step he took, but it was something they both had to endure. It didn't take long for night to come, once again they moved through the night, but Nepta wanted the gypsy to get some sleep. His efforts made their destination only a day away. The Druid couldn't sleep well though, the pressure was strong and it hurt her to breathe as she gulped down deep breath after deep breath.

The gypsy held his companion closer to his body, she was still ice cold and her breath was labored. He knew that this wasn't her, Nepta wasn't some weak little girl who needed someone to carry her. The amount of curse words that she spewed in the desert was proof of that. Giving up on trying to sleep, Marvin was about to pick up the sleeping female, when the scent of lavender entered his nose, "Dangerous travel by moonlight, neither will survive. The Emerald is close, by sunlight follow the path of the red rose. Salvation will be found."

After hearing the voice of his spirit guide telling him to stay, he decided that it was best to listen and stay for the night. Follow the path of the red rose, Marvin repeated the words in his head trying to embed it into his memory. Marvin tried to sleep, but couldn't. He tossed and turned. Anxiety of what was to come was keeping his mind from truly resting. Marvin worried about Nepta's current condition, which was both whatever was causing her coldness and grey hair as well as the pressure from the area around the Emerald Sea. He was nervous about what would come as they finally reached their destination. He spent a while, his thoughts racing in spider web thoughts. Then, as he took a deep breath, the smell of lavender returned. He felt his mind become silenced and he drifted off to sleep.

As the night passed, Marvin awoke to find that Nepta's condition had worsened. Her grey hair and markings were now snow white, the gypsy could visible see the freezing Druid's breath, and her skin had become even colder than before. Picking her up, he held her to his chest as he quickly ran to the Emerald Sea, the young whitette's breathing became more and more labored as they got closer and closer to getting help for the shivering girl. Making it into the forest around eleven, the young man quickly looked for red roses to follow.

Marvin's panic grew as the only roses around where white, the guide said to follow red roses but he couldn't find any! Nepta's labored breath turned into a cough, the gypsy was immediately worried as blood flew from her mouth. This wasn't good, he had to hurry! Looking around once more he noticed that the blood had landed on one of the roses, the gypsy was both relieved and concerned as the Druid's blood had made the red rose he was looking for. Thankfully red roses quickly grew in front of him, this was the path he was looking for. Taking no time to rest, the gypsy sprinted down the path, holding the mage tighter in his arms. Marvin hoped that she would make it through.

Marvib felt his heart sink and gut wrench when Nepta coughed up blood. He felt panicked. He didn't want to - no - he couldn't lose her. He then noticed that the blood landed on a rose transforming it red. Then a trail of roses grew up. He began running as fast as his legs would carry him after the trail of red roses with Nepta in his arms. "You're going - to - be okay," Marvin began shouting between breaths as he ran, "You - have - to be - okay. Just fight. Hold on. A little longer. We - are almost - there." He had to stop talking as it made it harder to breath while he ran.

The pressure was torture, Marvin was warm but the cold was stronger. Nepta could barely register the young man's words, she only heard bits and pieces, her antlers came forth from her head as an attempt to try to stay awake. The antlers were coated in frost, and came out slower than any other time. The gypsy looked down at the mage, she was getting worse by the moment, he needed to go faster he had to. Almost as if reading his thoughts, fate decided to give a hand in the form of a small town not to far out. Seeing the settlement, Marvin felt a small amount of hope as a new found energy rushed through his system.

He was stopped by the two Druids who guarded the gates, "Hold human, state ye-Wait look! Dormancy!" the other guard cut off the first one off pointing to Nepta, "Shite, come human. We'll take ya to our healer." thanking them immensely Marvin followed the guard into a small wooden shack. The shack had multiple doors, two on either side and one across from the entrance, the healer was an old woman with large, intricate antlers. Seeing the state the young woman was in, the healer quickly rushed and took her from the gypsy's hands, "Oh dear, I was hoping I wouldn't ever see this again." the old woman quickly rushed into one of the side rooms, the door locking behind her.

After the guards left, the young man paced around the center of the room for what felt like hours. It was about nine when the old healer walked out of the room, "I won't lie to ya, yer friend had stage 3 Dormancy. If ya brought her any later, she would have died. Ya can go in and see her, she's just restin'." Marvin quickly walked into the room seeing Nepta lying on a bed, he breaths were calm and, upon cupping one side of her face, she was back to a normal temperature range. He hair was back to it's earthy brown, he markings a leaf green. The gypsy couldn't help but give her a kiss out of relief, "M-Marvin...?" her voice was weak, but she was still alive.

"Y-yes. It's me." Marvin replied choking back tears. He took a deep breath. "You're going to be okay," he said grabbing one of her hands with both of his. "There was a healer druid. She's helping you. You're going to be back to your normal self in no time," he promised her seeing as her hair and markings had already returned to normal. He leaned closer to her and whispered, "I love you," into her ear. Marvin stayed there for a while, holding on to her hand. "I'm going to go now. I'll be right outside that door. You need to get rest so you can heal." He told her before leaving the room and making his way toward the healer. He began by thanking her. "Thank you so much. For everything. If it wasn't for you. If I lost her. I just." He talked quick broken sentences. "I don't think I could make it without her. I am so grateful for your help." He then thought for a while. Stage 3 Dormancy. His curiousity grabbed a hold of him. "What is Dormancy?" Marvin knew it was some kind of disease or sickness and saw gow it had affected Nepta, but other than that he knew nothing.

Looking at the human the elder Druid responded, "I'm not surprised ya don't, not many out side our race know of it. It's duh Druid equivalent as yer human's cancer. There be four stages, duh first stage affects duh mind. Things be outta focus, but is easily ignored. Then duh second stage hit hours later, as frost enters duh blood it removes our color. Only warmth of a soul bound be felt by duh Druid, an' about a day or two later if duh soul bound is near does stage three hit." the old woman took a sip of the tea she made, offering a cup to Marvin, "Ya brought ya friend in at a good time, as it was in early stage three. But stage three has duh frost multiply, makin' duh Druid colder then before, an' all color be lost at this stage. Duh longer this stage goes on, duh lower duh survival rate. At stage four there be nothin' we can do but prepare a bonfire, as it be too dangerous to eat duh affected."

The gypsy was stunned, any later and...and...NO! Marvin couldn't think about it, Nepta was safe and recovering. He asked about what a soul bound was, but the old healer just smiled at him with amusement, "Ya human term be a 'soul mate' an' yer's be in that room." she pointed to the room that his companion was in, "I've been 'round long enough to know when two people are soul bound. Ya compliment each other well. Ya should go to her, I can tell ya want to." at the Elder's words, the young man thanked the healer for all she had done, before returning to Nepta's side.

The younger Druid was sleeping, as Marvin sat down, her body turned to face him. The color in the young woman's hair and markings were closer to what they originally been, the gypsy reached out and held one of her hands. She was warmer, unconsciously the mage pulled her companion into the bed, clutching on to him as a feeling of safety washed over her. In her tired state she mumbled, "Don' go...Don' wanna be 'lone again. Love ya too..."

Marvin lay in the bed next to her and stroked her hair. "Don't worry. I won't leave you." He promised as he lay next to her. He thought about what the healer said. Soul Bound. He thought about it. Before now he didn't know whether or not he believed in soul mates. He believed in true love, but never really thought of soul mates. If anybody was to be his what the druids call soul bound, he was happy that it was Nepta.

Nepta felt safe in the gypsy's arms, she still was weak from the Dormancy, but at the moment she didn't care. The only thing that mattered was Marvin and peace between them, nothing else mattered. The Druid didn't care whether they returned to their original genders, Nevas would love Marvina as much as she did Marvin, or if for what ever reason the world ended the next day, at least they would go together. She used as much of her remaining strength as she could to grip the young man tighter, if anyone tried to take him from her again, like those women tried to, she would show them just how terrifying a small, female Druid could be when empowered by womanly rage.

Marvin felt the young woman's grip lightly tighten, he pulled her closer in order to give her some comfort, as he pulled the blanket up to their necks. As he two cuddled throughout the night, Marvin didn't have a single night terror. When morning came, the gypsy gave a light groan as he begun to wake up. He tried to get up, but a weight on his chest stopped him. Looking down, Marvin saw Nepta sleeping on top of him, her arms still held his shirt and she tried to get even closer as the Druid curled up keeping him pinned. Lightly brushing a strand of hair out of her face, the gypsy didn't have the heart to wake her, as the small Druid was most likely still recovering from the Dormancy.

Marvin smiled down at the sleeping Nepta. He lay in the bed awake, not wanting to wake the druid up by trying to get up. Thank you. He said to his spirit guide, who he wasn't sure could hear him and figured wouldn't respond. It was likely that without it's help he never would have found the druid village. The smell of lavender filled his nose. Although he received no response, he knew the spirit had heard him. Marvin then returned his attention to Nepta who was still sleeping. He stroked her hair until he fell back asleep.

It was around eleven when Nepta woke up, she slowly reached up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, a soft yawn escaped her mouth before seeing Marvin under her. Lightly putting a hand on his face, she brought herself in to give him a quick kiss, though due to her still recovering, she struggled somewhat. If it wasn't for the gypsy, she wouldn't have made it...the young woman's darker thoughts struck again. The mage's train of thought derailed when she felt a pressure on her lips, focusing back in on reality the small Druid quickly realized that her companion had kissed her back.

A small smile graced her face, "M-morning...Darlin'.." her voice was still weak, but it was better than when Marvin originally checked on her after she was healed, "I don't...wanna get...up." she cuddled closer into him, and was still pinning him down. The gypsy chuckled before getting up using his superior strength, though Nepta still holding on to him, as he explained that they had to get up, "Fine...c-carry me?" nodding Marvin set her back on the bed before having her hold on to his back. Exiting the room the kind old Druid smiled at them, "Finally up, eh? Come, let's get ya both some food then ya can talk to duh Keeper." before the young man could ask about what a Keeper was, the young woman on his back gave a quick explanation, "Keepers...be duh leaders...of our...clans."

Marvin nodded at Nepta's explanation. The healer then led the two to where they could get some food. Along the way Marvin wondered what the Keeper would be like. He wondered what the customs when meeting the Keeper would be. He knew when metting human rulers, there were certain things that you were supposed to do. Marvin wasn't sure if a Keeper would be the same way or not. He figured he should ask to make sure he didn't do anything impolite. He felt somewhat silly for not knowing, but how could he, Nepta was the first druid he had ever met. Feeling more comfortable asking Nepta than the healer, he turned his head toward Nepta and asked in a hushed tone, "Is there anything I should - that I am supposed to do when meeting the Keeper?"

"Accept any...gifts. Be...polite and...r-remember that...Keepers put...safety of their...clan first. So...don't show any...hostile behavior." the gypsy nodded, it was good to know what he should do. It wasn't long before they were led to a building with many tables inside, said tables were long, big enough to fit ten people. Entering Nepta noticed other Druids scattered around, it was getting closer to lunch so it made some sense. Though a few of the female Druids who, from appearances, were in their early to late thirties, kept looking at her companion like a piece of meat. Antlers escaped her head as she glared at them, though the small Druid was still weak, she wouldn't hesitate to put bitches down.

Marvin felt the mage's arms tighten slightly, he turned his head slightly just as she turned her head to look at his, "Mine..." the jealous Druid's statement caused the gypsy to lightly chuckle, giving her a quick kiss on the lips as he repeated her own statement back to her. Nepta turned to see the other woman glaring at her, the younger woman just smirked before sticking her tongue out. The duo were seated and Nepta ordered nuts for her companion and a squirrel for herself. See her companions confused look she went to explain, "We don't...cook our meat...you would only...get sick, and...I don't want...you sick."

Their food came out, and they ate peacefully, until a few male Druids started to hit on Nepta, "Come on lass, we could show ya a better time then this human." the female Druid had yet to retract her antlers as she scooted closer to Marvin, "I happen to...like this...human if ya...don't mind." the three Druids did mind, as one roughly grabbed the mage's arm, "Look either ya comin' with us willin'ly or by force." Marvin quickly forced the male Druid's hand off of his companion, seeing her pained expression. Luckily before any thing else happened, the old healer intervened, "Ya boys best not be botherin' our honored guests, specially not tryin' to manhandle one of ma patients. Are ya?" the three Druids ran away in fear of the elderly Druid, "Come, it be time to meat with duh Keeper. And don't worry 'bout them, I saw everythin'. Duh Keeper will pass judgement on those three."

As Nepta and him sat, the three druid boys began to hit on Nepta. Although it bothered him quite a bit, he tried to ignore it because he didn't want any trouble. If those druids had strength anything like Nevas had when they can across the warrior women, Marvin stood not even the slightest chance against them. On top of that, Marvin was trying to be on his best behavior during their time at the druid village. He didn't want to get in any trouble for showing "hostile" behavior. Marvin gave a slight smile at Nepta's response to the druid males as she scooted closer to him. He started to move an arm around her, but then one of the druid boys grabbed Nepta's arm and a look of pain crossed her face. Without even a thought, grabbed the druid's wrist, moving the hand off of Nepta. Then, he heard the dealer's voice behind him and quickly dropped the wrist in his hand. Marvin gave a small sigh of relief as the three ran off. "Thank you... Again." He said to the healer as he put Nepta back onto his back as they were about to go meet the Keeper.

The three walked to the Keepers hall, Nepta tried to walk but was stumbling with almost every step, so she just climbed on to Marvin's back. It was around twelve thirty when the reached the hall, walking inside the traveling duo were guided to where the Keeper waited. Moving off the gypsy's back, Nepta slightly shook as she stood, using her companion's arm as a support, "So, this be duh human that helped save one of our kin? Duh guards keep tellin' me about ya lad. Say ya were rushin' to our gates like death himself was at yer heels." the Keeper was an older man, with grey hair mixed into his brown. Upon confirmation, the Keeper looked to one of the other Druids, before he nodded.

A box was brought out, in it was something that made Nepta gasp in both shock and happiness, it was a old, wooden necklace. The pendent was just a normal circle, but it was carved to have a small sun embedded into the oak wood, "This necklace is a prized possession of our people, and with it I name ya Druid. Welcome to duh clan." Marvin gratefully accepted the gift as Nepta quickly explained what just happened, "Darlin' duh Keeper has...decided that ya be...worthy enough to be...an honorary Druid. That...means ya can come...and go from any... Druid settlement as ya...please." she gave the gypsy a hug as the Keeper chuckled, sneaking a glance to the old healer to get confirmation, she nodded with a smile. Getting their attention again the Keeper continued, "Now it has come to ma attention that these two here be soul bound. So with duh power entrusted to me as Keeper, an' duh Sun above as witness, I here by name these two, Oak and Willow."

Nepta's eyes widened before she jumped on to her companion, giving him a big kiss. When they broke for air she answered his unasked question, "Druid tend to only...marry their soul bound...Duh Keeper has been...given conformation...by duh healer and...had wed us as...an act of good...will. Yer...my Oak, an' I...be yer Willow in...duh eyes of duh...Druid we be husband...an' wife." she explained as two large bracelets were presented to them, the only unique feature about the bands were the engraved, interlocking circle pattern on them. Grabbing one, the small Druid placed it one Marvin's left hand, while the gypsy quickly understood and put the other on to the mage's wrist, "We can do it...yer human way sometime...later if ya want."

"Th-thank you." Marvin managed to stammer out upon receiving his gift, that was so more than just a necklace. Little did he know that the next gift would be even greater, as the Keeper had married Nepta and him. "No, that's alright," he told Nepta. "The human way is rather long and boring. If we do it the human way, I say we just skip to the celebration part." Marvin was extremely happy to now be wed to Nepta. He preferred the druid way. They tended to marry only soul bound, which meant they married soul mates. People meant to be together. Humans typically could not tell when they are really soul mates. On top of that when humans married, there were many reasons for doing so. Many of which weren't for love. He then thought of what he would tell his family. He felt a need to update them on his life. He thought in his head what he would make out in the letter. He would of course tell of the adventures he had had so far. Then Nepta/Nevas. Oh yeah, of course I can't leave out the fact that I'm a guy now and I'm married. He smiled as he thought of the shock he would see upon his parents face upon hearing that news. He then brought his mind back to reality. Where he was now. Next to Nepta. In front of the Keeper

"We thank ya kindly...for yer gifts an'... yer hospitality Keeper." Nepta couldn't keep the joy out of her voice, this was one of the happiest days in her life, "Yer both welcome here anytime. Now I hope yer don't mind, but I there be other things that be needin' ma attention." nodding in understanding, the newly weds left the hall. The small Druid was insistent that she didn't need to be carried...until after three shaky steps the mage was stopped from falling by her new husband. Marvin on the other hand chuckled at her stubbornness, this was the Nepta he knew.

It didn't take long before they found the market area, like the town it was small however the quality of goods were better than anything the gypsy had seen. As they looked around, the smaller Druid caught sight of a beautiful, strapless dress. It was emerald green, with small gold accenting around the bust area, it wasn't very noticeable from a distance as it looked like a lighter shade of green, and a gold clasp for the silk-like belt, which was adjustable to fit different body sizes, and to top it off it came with a separate collar that had the same gold trim, and a semi-transparent green cloth, that was slightly smaller than the dress itself, which was attached to a clasp in the front and sown in the back.

It would show her shoulders and her upper back slightly, but the cape-like cloth would hide that part of her skin. Making her husband go over to the dress, she climbed off his back before taking the dress into the changing room. After a few minute of waiting for his new wife, Marvin's jaw dropped as she walked out. Apart of him was trying to reboot as he became stunned, the other part was having a feild day, the dress fit her like a second skin. The small Druid put the old dress she was wearing away before moving to her husband, "Alright, let's go look...at duh other shops." that snapped Marvin out of his trance as he told her he wouldn't be able to afford that kind of dress. Nepta just gave him a light giggle, "Welcome to life as...a Druid, we don't...pay for things. We...don't believe in using...money, as long as...duh person who takes...it is happy then...that's all duh payment...needed. Why do ya...think I tried to...steal our map?"

Marvin thought of the idea. Being able to have things that make you happy, no payment required. It was much different from the human world. It was... better. "That's amazing," Marvin told Nepta. He knew such an idea would most likely not work among humans. Give just to make people happy. Most would not give without return, and on on top of that there would be people who would take advantage of being able to freely take. But here, with the druids, it worked. He looked at Nepta and smiled. "You look beautiful," he told her.

Hearing the compliment, the Druid beamed with happiness as she held onto his arm and started walking. They had stopped by a stand that made staves, Nepta loved her staff, she really did, but she could feel that it was ready to settle down into a tree. The small Druid turned in her old staff, and became connected to a simple shepherd's staff, though the larger hook curved back in making a smaller hook to hang things. The couple also found things for Marvin as well. One was a book on Alchemy, at the insistence of his wife due to it being one of the thing she was proficient in, another item was new clothes, he went for simple and got clothes similar to what he was already wearing but more vibrant and came with a larger satchel, he was slightly surprised to find paper, but his wife just explained that the paper was made from dead trees, the last item he got was a small knife.

The knife was about eleven inches over all, with a small cross guard. The handle was wrapped in a black leather as metal rings helped to keep it together, it's pommel was a hexagonal like shape with two metal strips making a small, flat point. The blade itself was wide, as a small fuller ran about two thirds the blade, starting from the guard, and it's scabbard was all black with silver metal at the point and opening. A small chain was located at the opening to help carry the blade when not needed. Nepta understood why he wanted the blade, if something happened, and she either was unconscious or too busy with something else, the gypsy needed someway to protect himself.

She helped him secure his new blade to under his shirt, making sure that it both wasn't going to fall and that it could be easily reached in a time of need. When they returned to the dining hall they shared a large platter of nuts and had a glass of wine, it was around ten when they returned to the old healers place, who insisted as the small Druid was still recovering. Marvin started on his letter to his family, as Nepta helped him recall some events, out right refusing to have him describe others, like the warrior women. As he finished, the young healer had slipped out of her clothes into a simple nightgown she took when her husband wasn't looking.

It was a simple gown, only reaching a bit past her knees, though unlike her dress, it was an earth brown color and had thin straps. The gypsy only thought in made her more beautiful as it put more attention to her face, while the dress pulled his attention to her hair, "Come Darlin', I need...my Oak's warmth." yup, she was teasing him again. So in turn he took off both of his new shirts as he climbed into the bed, pulling her lightly into his chest. Nepta's red face and dazed look of content was all he needed to know he won this round of teasing, so he pulled the blankets back up and blew out the candle. Marvin two, Nepta zero.