The Sea Cave

The sea cave was their safe place, and the most dangerous place she had ever spent time in, but then she supposed the setting only added to the excitement. Unlike her, the man lying next to her had the sea running through his veins. He had been born in this coastal town, he worked on the sea and was the most exotic man she had ever met.
She had only been in the town for a few days, having come with the sole intention of marrying. Her father had arranged an alliance between her and the Lord of this land, one which would join her landlocked country with his sea faring one. Together the two lands would be a major trading power, and all would benefit. That was what she was told.
The sun was glinting off the sharp clean edges of the rocks and she could hear the waves lapping at the shore; the taste of the sea was on her lips.
The first time they had come here she had been afraid, but now she was relaxed. She didn’t worry about the sea entering the cave anymore. The tides were as familiar to him as the curves of her body; he instinctively knew when it was time to leave.
She thought back to the night that she had arrived. Having settled into her quarters, she spotted him down in the great hall as she looked over the balustrade at the assembled guests. Her husband-to-be had invited all the important people of the town to a welcome party for her, but she only noticed him that night. And he, her.
He was handsome and bold as she soon found out. She was whisked away by him during a busy dance and hid behind a vast curtain, so he could speak to her in private. He asked her to meet him the next day and she had agreed.
But today would be the last day that they would meet. Tomorrow she would marry the ageing Lord just as her father wished, and her love would be leaving on a quest that would last years; this was at the Lord’s command. Whether this was co-incidence or whether they were being deliberately separated, they didn’t know.
He stroked her hair gently.
‘Come, we must leave, I’ve left it as long as I dare.’
He helped her up, then picked up the oiled cloth they had been lying on. He looked out of the mouth of the cave.
‘I’ll have to carry you. Just until we’re out onto the beach. If you get your skirts and shoes wet, you may get questioned.’
He lifted her effortlessly, and as they left the cave she nestled into his neck, taking in his scent.
She committed it to her memory and she would recall it many times over the years. She never saw him again, nor did she visit the sea cave, but she always remembered his scent during the times when she ached for comfort.

So, I hope some of you had a go at this month’s challenge?

What shall we do for December – how about The Christmas Jingle?