The Last Flowers Ch 09

~

~*~:~*#D#*~:~*~

Dendelyn's cheeks hurt from smiling so much. She was here, with her sisters. She couldn't believe it was real. It was bittersweet though. There were so few of them left. She hadn't fooled herself into thinking everyone would survive, but was this really all that made it?

Rozenwild set her down gently on a bed of moss. The sultry nymph stroked her face and leaned down to kiss her. Her hand reached under the leaves of her skirt and tickled her root. They moved further, to traverse her labia and dip inside her vagina.

"You're very wet, Dennyflower. Did Aster get you all excited?" Rozenwild bought the sap-covered fingers to her mouth and licked them clean.

Dendelyn chewed on her lip in anticipation. "Mmm."

Rose chuckled. "I wish I'd seen her fuck you in that position. How did she manage it?"

"It was very awkward."

Rozenwild kissed her throat. "I imagine so." She pressed her lips to her sternum, and then her breast. Her tongue slid under the leaf covering it to tease her nipple.

The soft tip of her root slid inside Dendelyn and her pussy greedily sucked it in. Then Rose's mouth was on hers, their tongues entwined, while she drove her root to the depths of Dendelyn's hole. Dendelyn clenched her muscles around its length, rapt to have something inside her again after so long. Rose started slow and she'd kept her root to a very manageable size. Dendelyn wrapped her legs around her and ground herself against her hips.

Rozenwild took her lips away from her skin to whisper, "Do you want more?"

She gave her a funny look. "You know what I like."

Rose kissed her nose. "I do. But you've been a tree for a hundred years, Den. Let's get you accustomed to a smaller size first."

Dendelyn whined. "Rosie, bigger."

She obliged, making her appendage slightly larger. "As you wish. I'll stop treating you like my elhuven. She hadn't had a damn thing in her cunt until she met me."

"I like her. She's a good mate for you."

Rozenwild's face softened. "I like her too."

"Can I have more?" Dendelyn begged in a sexy voice.

"Insatiable creature."

Her cunt filled, growing taut around the cock pumping into it. Dendelyn arched her back in pleasure, shutting her eyes. The drag of her sensitive flesh was luscious, the stretch made her ache for more. Rozenwild was working faster, ploughing into her. She'd missed this. The sex, the connection to another being. Maybe if she was allowed she could have another go at it with Aster and do it properly, like this. She'd like that.

Bliss was closing in on her, but she could tell by Rose's frenetic fucking and the strain on her face that she was going to beat her there. The older nymph tensed and thick sap gushed into Dendelyn's starving cunt. Breathing hard, Rozenwild kissed her and slid free. Dendelyn whimpered and grabbed at her wrist. Sap trickled out of her pulsating hole, but most of it stayed inside to be absorbed by her body.

"I haven't forgotten you, flower." Rozenwild covered her hand with her own. "I thought you might want to do me."

Ooh, she didn't often get to do that with Rose. It would be fun. But she was still so tired. It seemed like such an effort just to get up. Her pained expression must have showed her thoughts because Rozenwild's smile changed and she stroked Dendelyn's cheek.

"Not up to it?" She tangled her fingers in her hair, sadness on her face. "You were really in death's grasp, weren't you?"

She got into her former position and eased her root back inside. Dendelyn exhaled in relief and let herself relax into the motion. Rozenwild took Dendelyn's root between her fingers and stroked it in time with her thrusts. It was still its normal tiny size, but was swollen and erect from her arousal. Dendelyn swallowed. She was right back to the edge. Rozenwild sensed it and changed to a quick pounding that made Dendelyn dig her fingertips into the dirt. Her head tilted back so all she saw were treetops and grey sky. The rest of her body locked up and drifted away, melting into air. Rozenwild buried her face in her neck, while the weight returned to Dendelyn's limbs and her breath steadied. She kissed her and Dendelyn saw she had tears in her eyes. They rolled down her cheeks as she let out a sob.

"I thought you were dead. I was never going to see those lovely eyes of yours again, or your beautiful flowers, or hear your laugh or that soft note you make when you cum," she cried.

Dendelyn reached up and cupped her face with both hands. She'd never seen Rozenwild cry. "Shh," she cooed, though her eyes also wept.

Although weak, she scraped together enough energy to make a bud above her ear. The petals unfolded, revealing all their glory. Rozenwild regarded the flower with such adoring eyes. She gave Dendelyn a hug, only pulling away once she'd stopped sobbing. Once the nymph was off her, Dendelyn sat up and brushed herself off. She wiped some sap from her leg, but despite the rain nothing had come out of her root when she came.

"A drink and a nap will fix that problem," Rozenwild reassured her as she helped her to her feet.

They walked back to where the group waited. Everyone crowded around Dendelyn once more, a flurry of familiar faces. They escorted her to the orchard where they were staying for now and when the nymphs gave her a chance she got to meet the elhuvens properly. She looked for Aster, but the tall girl hung back like she was shy or not interested.

~

~*~:~*#R#*~:~*~

It was funny how much attention Dendelyn was getting. Maybe it was because she was one of the babies of the tribe. But hadn't they all been the youngest once? Rozenwild still fondly remembered the exasperated sighs of the older nymphs when they'd catch her up to mischief. "Oh, Orchidthorn, what have you created!?" they'd say, shaking their heads.

Willow blocked her view of the greetings. She had a stern expression. "Rozenwild, I think you've managed to offend two elhuvens at once."

"Uh...which ones?"

Willow gestured to Aster and Kerensa, who were sitting by a blueberry bush watching the scene. "I forgot that village they come from has a monogamous culture."

Rozenwild glanced at Dendelyn and frowned. "Let me handle this." She went over and knelt before Kerensa. "Did it bother you that I went with Dendelyn?"

Kerensa rubbed her lips together.

Willow stood over her shoulder. "Remember how I told you we have multiple partners?"

"I said I would handle it," Rozenwild hissed at her. She turned back to Kerensa. "Elhuvens aren't entirely monogamous, nor do they mate for life so marriage is senseless."

Willow slapped her forehead in dismay. "Rozenwild, no."

Rose waved her back. "But I understand that's what you were brought up with." She took Kerensa's hands. "Did it bother you?"

Kerensa fiddled with her skirt, unable to make eye contact. "Not really. I'm just afraid you'll forget about me."

She snorted. "How could I forget about you?"

"Because she was your lover first and she's really pretty."

"

You're

really pretty." She kissed her cheek. "Where's that confidence from yesterday gone?"

Kerensa smiled shyly. "I don't know."

"I see I'm going to have to whisper more comforts while I do dirty things to you." She chuckled at Kerensa's attempt to keep her face neutral and turned her attention to Aster. "Did we trouble you?"

"Oh, no, not at all! I don't even know her. I just wanted to help her because I could."

Rozenwild reached for her hand. "Thank you."

"It was nothing."

"Yes, it was. Maybe not for one of us, but for you, coming from your background, that was an amazing gift. The others were all suffering from the tree when they found us. You chose to help."

Aster's eyes darted around before meeting hers. "I wouldn't say it was completely without aid if you recall what you were doing yesterday."

Her face froze as she realised what the elhuven was saying. With a guilty smile, she shot a glance at Kerensa. "Oops."

She laughed. "You did want to show

everyone

how powerful you are."

~

~*~:~*#S#*~:~*~

The nymphs were quite pleased with the rain and took to lounging about the garden, while the elhuvens looked on rather less enthusiastically. Sarielle noticed Ellowyn was no longer with them, so she went to look for her down by the stream. The nymph had panicked when it started raining. She'd raced back to the camp worried the elhuvens were going to leave. It was only sensing Dendelyn that made her calm down.

Sarielle found her crouched behind a rock, a pensive expression on her face. She sat beside her and gave her a hug. "What's wrong?"

Ellowyn stared the water. "I'm a horrible being."

"What makes you say that?"

She turned to her with tears in her eyes. "I'm happy to have Dendelyn back. So happy I can't explain it, but part of me is disappointed Aster didn't revive Amaranth instead. How could I think such an awful thing? She nearly died and I'm—"

"Wanting Amaranth back doesn't make you a bad person. We all like some friends more than others. That doesn't mean you don't care about everyone else."

Ellowyn sobbed. "But...she couldn't even walk."

Sarielle rubbed her back. "You are the kindest, most compassionate creature I've ever met. Look how upset you are. Do you think Rozenwild would be feeling this guilty? I'm sure someone will rescue Amaranth soon. Come on, why don't we go sit with her?"

She sniffled and slowly stood up. "Are you sure your friends aren't mad about getting wet?"

"I don't think so."

Willow emerged from the trees ahead. "Hello, you two." She cocked her head. "Are you unwell, Ellowyn?"

"She's fine. Just worried we're going to run off," Sarielle said.

"Ah, I agree we require more substantial structures for the elhuvens." She sighed. "But...here's not the place. It's so close to the town and stained with bad memories. I'd rather live in the big grove, only it's too far for anyone to come this way..." Willow's gaze fell to the ground. Ellowyn nodded, both of them looking equally guilty.

Sarielle suspected she knew why. "You want Abelia and Hevani to rescue your friends."

Willow gave her a sad look. "I'm ashamed to admit it. I know it's so much to ask, but yes, I hoped that would happen."

"Forgive us?" Ellowyn begged with puppy eyes.

Sarielle squeezed her hand. "I brought them here so we could help each other. But I don't know about those two. Hevani, well, you've seen how she is. And Abelia's a bit finicky. It could be a long time before they feel comfortable exploring their sexuality."

"I understand." Willow tried to smile. "We must seem ungrateful wanting for more after all you've done for us."

Sarielle shook her head. "Staying a little longer won't hurt anyone. Let's go visit Amaranth and when we get back we can reinforce the main shelter so it's nice and comfy."

Willow squeezed her in a tight hug. "Thank you."

~

~*~:~*#A#*~:~*~

It was late afternoon and the camp was quiet. The nymphs had all gone off to visit Amaranth and were just getting back. Aster was sitting in the grass at the edge of the clearing, wishing Abelia would quit giving her awkward glances. She'd had enough of that from her in the past.

As the nymphs trailed in, Dendelyn plonked down beside her, a playful grin on her face. "Hi. I just wanted to say thank you again."

"You're welcome." Aster craned her neck to get a better look at the yellow bloom she now sported. It was a bit like a tiger lily, with seven petals that tapered into fine vermillion curls. Like her skin, it was dotted with freckles in its centre. "That's a pretty flower."

Dendelyn beamed and a second popped out next to the first. "Anyway, we haven't really had a chance to talk. Tell me about yourself."

"Well, we're from—"

"No, I've already been told about your town. I want to know more about

you

."

"Me...um, I'm nineteen, twenty in a couple of months. I lived with both my parents on a small farm. They were okay until I lost my virginity because of that stupid tree. The boy's uncle told everyone and the community shunned me, so I only left the farm to go to worship. My father never spoke to me much, but it became worse after that. And my mother resented me for the dirty looks and whispers she got."

"Willow tried to explain it to me, but I can't understand how anyone could think it was wrong. Did they expect you to never lie with anyone?"

"No, they just expected it to be after I got married."

"What's the difference?"

Aster shrugged. "Tradition. Rules of the society."

"I'm glad we don't have anything like that."

"You do. Maybe not anything strict, but you have your own culture. Like...don't cut down trees."

She frowned. "Well, of course you shouldn't cut down trees!"

Aster smiled in a knowing way.

"Huh, I never thought about that. I've never left the forest. I've only met fae, some nymphs and dryads. Although we have our differences, they're fairly similar to us and we're all creatures of the forest. Those beings outside of it, the tales I'd heard made them sound weird and wrong, but you must think the same of us."

"It's...different. I haven't come across anything you do that I consider wrong though."

"Well, I still think it's wrong to cut down trees. And to chain up your womenfolk."

Aster sniggered. "Me too."

"What's your favourite fruit?" Dendelyn asked.

"Oranges."

She pouted. "There's no orange tree in this grove."

"There's one in the grove by the village. Only ever produced a couple of fruit each season."

"It'll have plenty for you next time you visit. I promise." She smiled sweetly and gazed at her with kind eyes.

Aster was jolted away from their depths by someone sitting down on her other side.

Rozenwild glanced between them. "Did I interrupt something?"

"No," Dendelyn said.

Sage came across the camp, arms full of kindling. She set about coaxing the damp fire back to life, turning over the coals with a stick. Dendelyn saw the flickering flames and panicked.

"What are you doing?!"

"The fire keeps the elhuvens warm at night," Rozenwild explained as Dendelyn cowered wide-eyed.

Aster placed a gentle hand on her back. "It's just a fire."

Rozenwild sighed. "Fire's a scary thing to us. Dennyflower's only seen it a couple of times."

Aster patted the youngest nymph's arm "I wouldn't have thought that with your fiery colours. Was your mother pyrellevian?"

She shook her head. "She was a woodland elf."

Rozenwild smiled. "You can get a little closer, Den. Aster won't feel the cold as much now, but she'll have to sleep with one of us a few more times before it's no bother to her."

Dendelyn pouted and reluctantly shuffled a few inches on her butt.

***

As everyone prepared for bed that evening, Aster went to join Hevani and Abelia under the blanket in their makeshift shelter. It was where she'd been sleeping so far and no one had invited her to sleep anywhere else. Ellowyn had snuck off with Sarielle for the second night in a row. They didn't go far, just to an old gnarled pear tree.

"Do you want to find somewhere to ourselves?" Rozenwild asked Kerensa.

Kerensa looked up at the moonlit clouds. "I don't want to get rained on."

Aster didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She'd just noticed Dendelyn curled up in a tight ball under a plum tree. She looked like a lost dog, all alone. The sight pulled at Aster's heart.

"Oh. I feel bad for her," she whined.

Rozenwild saw where she was looking. "Why? She looks happy enough to me."

"But she's all alone without shelter."

"She'll be comfier there than squished under a shelter with the rest of us. It's normal for us to sleep like that if we're away from our den."

"But if it does rain..."

"She's a tree, blossom."

"Oh, right." A little humiliated, Aster slunk away.

"She wouldn't mind the company if you wanted to join her," Rozenwild called out.

"Um, I'll be fine here." She dropped to the ground to crawl under the shelter with her friends.

~

~*~:~*#D#*~:~*~

Dendelyn glared at the smouldering remains of the fire. She didn't like it being there, even if it did keep the elhuvens warm. She got up to walk down to the stream. The nymphs had gone off to search another section of forest to the south and taken two of the dark-haired elhuvens with them. They'd told her to stay behind and rest, even though she felt strong enough to go. She tried to say as much, but they'd told her someone needed to mind the elhuvens. It was probably just an excuse to leave her behind. She really was feeling much better now.

Her hand grabbed a tree to steady herself on the slope and she noticed she was already out of breath. "Okay, so I'm still a little weak."

The stream was ahead of her, but there wasn't an elhuven to be seen. The last of them had disappeared from the camp only moments ago. She'd watched her leave.

"They can't have got far." She scanned the bank to the north and south, and the surrounding trees. Willow had shared a bit about the beings last night. It did not include the ability to turn invisible.

"Hello?" she called. "Elhuven creatures?"

There was no reply. She was alone. She spun around to look again, tension tightening her muscles. They were here somewhere. They had to be. They hadn't just vanished.

"Don't panic, Den."

She tried to crush the anxious feeling rising up within her, but she could feel her pulse in her neck. Her legs took her back towards the camp, her pace quickening while she fought to stay rational. She was overreacting. They'd pop up any moment now. She hadn't been abandoned. They would come back. Everyone would come back.

She broke into a run up the gentle slope to the grove and burst into the clearing. It was empty. Dendelyn's eyes darted around wildly. Her chest was tight, and she could hear her heartbeat thumping in her ears. A whimper of fear came from her narrowing throat. Her lungs were pulling in air quicker and quicker yet it felt like she couldn't breathe. It was terrifying. What was happening to her? Was she dying?

The crunch of leaves came from behind her and she spun around.

"Dendelyn, do you—?" The question fell from Abelia's parted lips.

"Dendelyn!" Aster pushed past the short blonde and ran across the clearing. "What's wrong?" She patted her arm, wearing a worried expression. "Deep breaths. Here, sit down."

She helped her sit and Dendelyn clung to her, trying to do as she said.

"What happened?" Abelia asked.

"I don't know," Dendelyn panted, finding her breath coming back to her. "I got worried and my breathing went crazy."

"I know this," Hevani said solemnly. When the elhuvens looked at her, she continued. "Sometimes when I knew Father was in bad mood, or if I'd made a mistake I would suddenly be overcome with panic and have a fit like that. Did something frighten you?"

Dendelyn hung her head. "It's silly."

Aster stroked her hair. "What was it?"

"I couldn't find anyone...I was all alone."

Aster hugged her close. "That's not silly at all."

"Please don't tell anyone. They'll baby me." She saw the uncertainty in their faces, but they seemed to understand. "Let's forget it and I'll make you all flower crowns. Which ones do you like?"

***

Dendelyn was sure that was the end of it, that a little panic that first time she found herself alone would be it. Until she woke up screaming in the middle of the night.

A quieter scream came from the shelter of unbred elhuvens.

"Oh my goodness," one of them said.

"What's going on?" someone asked.

"Who is that?" asked a voice from somewhere else in the dark grove. It sounded like Sarielle.

"That's Dendelyn," Rozenwild was already scrambling out of a shelter. She was the first to get to her, though her hands were more startling than soothing. "What's wrong, Den? Bad dream?"

Dendelyn crawled into Rose's arms. So many figures crouched around her. It was unnerving, but she quickly calmed down.