At first my steps were awkward, and only Heilantu’s skill and care kept her from being stepped on. Her legs practically wrapped around mine as we danced, slowly and flowing like a river from step to step, her dress clinging to my leg. As the dance progressed, I started to catch on. And just as I did, with a twirl, Heilantu passed to the outer circle and Tavorwen spun into her place.
The song continued, and voices joined the instruments. I tried to catch the words for only a moment, but I decided better when I almost stepped on Tavorwen again.
The elves sang in high tones, the males in tenor or countertenor and the females in soprano, though a few altos could be heard as well. The beautiful harmonies and dancing melodies swirled as my matrons took their turn dancing with me in the center of our circle.
It was a touch awkward for me when a new partner took her place in my arms, my hand still low, practically cupping her ass, only for me to realize it was Valentrine, one of my maidens. She didn’t seem bothered, neither did any of my matrons, so I danced with her. She and each of the subsequent maidens pressed against me with a yearning I knew was dangerous. She didn’t hold back as her legs wrapped around mine, and I could feel her through her dress, as she slid up and down my thigh as we moved through the steps.
I breathed a sigh of relief when she spun away, breaking the contact, until Nauveir took her place. Still wearing the garb of a battle maiden instead of a household maiden, her pants did just as little Valentrine’s dress had to keep me from feeling her body pressing against me.
One by one my maidens rotated in. Each taking her turn pressed against me as we danced to the soaring lively beats.
Finally, Heilantu was back in my arms, all of my house having taken their turns, and I was able to breathe again. Yes, I was still basically grabbing the ass of one of the females in my household, but this one was actually bound to me and I didn’t feel like I was violating my bounds with her, just being a bit exhibitionist.
The song ended before the maidens got a second turn, and the plaza cleared as groups stepped aside. Narusil sighed as she reluctantly detangled herself from me, and we walked back toward the table where Ki’Amura still sat.
The music kicked up again, a fast and bouncy tune. Those who wished to now took to the dancing space, dancing alone or in pairs while the males rested. The steps were now fast and high, almost reminding me of a riverdance, except the dancers spun and twirled, their arms as active as their legs.
With the music covering me, I leaned down to Narusil, “Was it really okay for me to dance with the maidens like that?”
She laughed, “Oh, it is the highlight of such gatherings for maidens with any claim to a master to feel so close to a male. They would be devastated if you spurned their one chance at such enjoyment. Feasts, festivals and celebrations such as this come far too infrequently for them to miss such an opportunity, especially in these times. Used to be such celebrations were held at least once a month, more if cause for celebrations were found. No, let them have their fun.”
Indeed, the maidens all looked quite joyful as they took their seats. Risavis and Sarvourn even headed out to dance more wildly and freely to the new song.
I took a moment to appreciate this new and amazing culture I’d found myself in. My time in the military had led to me traveling a great deal, and I’d seen many interesting cultures on Earth. From festivals in Japan, Korea and Thailand, to holidays in France, Germany and Spain, and even some tribal celebrations in various parts of Africa. Once I’d joined the Special Forces, there had been less time to mingle with the locals, but each culture was unique and had aspects to be admired. Elven culture seemed the same. The difference here was, I was here to stay it seemed. I’d been told I could have real relationships with my matrons and I wouldn’t be forced to leave them lonely.
As I came out of my reverie, my eyes settled again on Ki’Amura. Her eyes were unfocused and she seemed lost in thought. I couldn’t feel her emotions, so either she was smothering them or she was emotionally spent and numb.
I almost said something to her, but decided against it. She looked like she was trying to mentally process, and sometimes it was best to just let a person work through everything. She wasn’t in danger, and hopefully this would help her.
Another song passed before my matrons and maidens pulled me to the dance floor again, this time a faster dance, pressed just as tightly together.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in celebration, once the elves grew too tired to dance the celebration turned to song. The chorus of elven voices was replaced with solo performances that made my breath catch in my chest. Intermixed with the songs were the magical shows, maidens and a few of the masters took the chance to dazzle with visual creations, illusions. Some looked like creatures so real it was as if you could reach out and touch them, while others told stories, complete with sounds of clashing blades, roars of beasts, and you could even smell the sweat of battle. Only way you knew some of it wasn’t actually happening was when an image clipped through one of the lower tree branches or stepped through the floor.
Damn, I thought, what Hollywood wouldn’t give to be able to do 3D projections with sound and even smells…
I knew there were some of the stories that I just didn’t understand, probably because I was still an outsider, really. I didn’t have context for a lot of it. I could tell a sad love story when I saw it. Stories of great victories against mighty foes. But there seemed to be a rule of some kind against using words to explain the story. I knew at least some of them could have words spoken by their illusions, because some would utter a word here or there, especially battle cries, but not enough for me to follow.
I did learn that some creatures that were myths on Earth seemed to exist here. I saw a unicorn, what looked like a phoenix, and something that seemed to be a werewolf, or at least a shapechanger.
By the time the sun set, everyone was exhausted. The food from the feast was still holding hunger at bay, and that seemed to be the case for everyone.
Empty baskets that had held food when we arrived were carried back home, and I found myself in a bit of a cuddle-pile as all six of my matrons snuggled as close as they could to me as we drifted off to sleep. Creadean and Lymarith each claiming a leg, Diamiutar up by one shoulder with Narusil slipping under her to nestle into my ribs, with Heilantu and Tavorwen mimicking them on the other side. Content and at peace I fell asleep.
The next morning, Narusil woke me when she had to run to empty her bladder. I guess some things remained the same regardless of race. I hoped that her pregnancy went smoothly. Driveal had said that elven pregnancies were fairly reliable and safe, and I hoped he was right.
The movement woke all my Matrons, and they began to prepare for the day, the garments of the previous day being discarded in a basket and new dresses and undergarments being donned. I enjoyed the show, of their lithe and graceful bodies. I’d enjoyed them all and would again, but just like with any other woman, damn, I just loved watching them naked.
With a start, I remembered Ki’Amura. She’d been left unsupervised, and I hadn’t even thought to worry she might run off while we slept! I searched through my feelings for the bond to the shadow elf. To my surprise, her bond felt surprisingly close. Closer than her room.
I rose, dressed quickly, grabbed my gear and rifles and stepped out into the hall. My head scanned the hall and found the young she-elf crouched behind a small cabinet.
“How did you sleep?” I asked her.
She seemed to accept that I had found her and she rose, seemingly unsure how to answer.
“Good morning!” Diamiutar greeted her with me. “Come, I’ll start making breakfast.”
The matrons all walked to the dining room as Diamiutar stepped into the kitchen. I followed, and a few minutes later, Ki’Amura slipped into the room too, trying to hide in the corner, but Lymarith pulled her over to the table and sat her down among the other members of the house. The maidens filed in one by one.
“Any more and we’ll need more tables and a bigger room.” I noted.
“Generally.” Heilantu agreed. “Once a household reaches that size, usually the maidens and other household members eat in the adjoining rooms… But if your house grows to the size I’d expect, given your capabilities and… desirability… I’d be surprised if all your matrons will be able to sit with you in the dining room for meals.”
I didn’t particularly like that. I was guessing none of them would hear about me trying to sit in the rooms where more could be accommodated, just like I wasn’t allowed to carry things or participate in minor chores. But I didn’t want to make hierarchies among my household.
“Don’t suppose we could get a house with a bigger dining room?” I suggested.
“Master, the homes here in the Gold Leaf district are among the largest of homes. This is one of the bigger dining rooms.” She replied with mirth.
“It’s ready!” Diamiutar announced, walking in from the kitchen with a large tray of scrambled eggs, seared ham, toasted breads, and what looked like fruit jams or jellies. “Sarvourn, could you fetch the pitchers of vornier and glathka?”
The maiden jumped up and hurried into the other room coming back with a large picture in each hand. One steamed out the top, but the strange mix of scents made me think of sitting in a mall between a Jamba juice and a Starbucks.
The food was great and the drinks were interesting. Vomier was a sort of breakfast cocktail of mixed juices, with a sweet tang and a lingering taste of bright fruits. Glathka was an earthy drink, and I made the mistake of sipping it pure before my Matrons coached me to add cream. Pure glathka was extremely bitter, reminding me of dark, dark roast or high concentration dark chocolate. Once the cream was added, it brought it more to the realm of normal coffee or hot chocolate, though it was thicker, more like liquid chocolate.