The evenings over the past few weeks grew increasingly tiresome for the warrior as she continued to pull
her horse up the unrelenting slopes of the mountainside. For three days it had been like this, the passing of time was of no gentle comfort for now, but she knew her destination was well worth it. Soon she would reach the path to the inn not far ahead, and her bard would be there waiting for her. The thought put a gentle smile on her lips.
She hadn't seen her bard for some time, an eternity which seemed unbearable as the cold winter nights of the mountain passed uneventfully. Where there was usually a bright camp fire and soft bardic smile, there had only been reminders of those days. The snow and pressed hoofprints around the small fires seemed of little comfort to her. She had made due with the memories. It was enough to keep her warm.
The winding trail would soon lead her down the mountain side, returning her to the warm summer air that blanketed the land. There was a stream nearby. The warrior could hear it in the distance. She had traveled to it dutifully every night to gather water ... and to bathe.
Each night she removed her leathers in the same manner. The boots were first to be taken off as she had a secret love to feel the warm grass against her feet. Then the arm protectors and armor, which were carefully laid down to the side. She would then reach back and unhook her leather clothing, letting it fall free from her body. She stepped out from it as it lie on the ground, with only her body and nature sharing the silent moment.
The walk to the water was deliberately slow. She breathed in deeply to take in every scent and fragrance nature had to offer. There was always the smell of pine from the nearby forest and the flowers which rested near the waters. Pine trees had been near her native village. Somehow it felt comfortable to be reminded of that as the warm waters surrounded her. She had always felt bathing to be a sensuous experience. One which every woman should share appreciation for. It was one of her hidden pleasures in life.
The water was like her silent partner, which had shared an intimacy with her from the beginning. It alone held her beauty as a woman. It surrounded her and caressed her with gentle motions. The water brought a gentle warmth to her like no other. At times the touch almost felt like a lover's gentle hands. Hands which reached out and held her so completely that she desired to loose herself in the embrace.
Her thoughts naturally turned to her bard. How many times had they shared moments such as those together, with only the two of them in the warm bathing waters. She had lost count and in all those times ... she wondered. Did her bard realize the invitation that had been given to her? The waters were her private intimacy, her one true openness where she was no longer a careful warrior but a woman.. a delicate relaxed woman ... if only for a brief time.
When the bathing was done, she always returned to the flowers which surrounded the sides of the lake. Water flowed down her body as she stepped out to dry off. Her hands reached up and slowly drew down the length of her long black hair. She then took a deep breath to smell the fragrance of pine and roses.
Time always seemed to stand still for her at such moments. The warmth of the summer sun could be felt across her body. It reached out and bathed her in a brilliant glow of light and heat. She would draw her hands softly from her neck slowly down past her breasts to her waist. She enjoyed its warm embrace as much as the water. Sometimes she would keep her warrior clothing off and kneel down on the soft grass. She would stretch out and lie nude on the ground to bathe in the sunlight of the sun.
She would remain resting like that for as long as it took for the sun to dry off her body. Beads of water would roll off of her well toned legs as she lie there, arms outstretched, hair flowing outward, eyes closed with a relaxed smile on her face. Her beauty was that of a warrior goddess succumbing to the delicate pleasures nature afforded her.
And in her dreams those times she drifted to sleep, a strong lover would come to rest by her side. Her eyes would look up to see the fall of clothing and a warm body which would join by her side. No words would have to be spoken. No permission asked for or given. Both would know their place and be caught in a passionate moment of sharing. Gentle kisses and a greater kind of pleasuring would soon follow. Her legs would draw upward against her mate's waist slowly, reveling in each moment their bodies pressed against one another. The smell of flowers and pine and the sensations of love making would take her to new heights of ectasy.
A snap of a twig beneath her boot caused her to forget her vivid memory. Her thoughts returned to the trail ahead with an exhausted sigh. Oh how she enjoyed the feel of warm relaxing baths. As she continued down the trail, she silently wished for another warm summer day beneath the high mountains.