Short Story: Naive =]

Spring was in full bloom in the woods of Álainn. Different shades of vibrant green were accented by the colors of countless flowers. Male cardinals and jays flew to and fro displaying their brilliant colors and executing flawless acrobatic flight in hopes of impressing a female. Warmth emanated throughout the wood. Light shone down through the trees in such a way that you could see each ray of sunlight stretching down to meet with the thriving earth. A slight breeze lifted leaves and debris to float through the sunbeams and create sparkling shadows. The green of moss and lichen looked so inviting; it made one want to lie down upon it and stretch out for a soft, cozy nap. Deer grazed quietly upon the sweet grass while squirrels scampered around in the trees and across the forest floor. A bubbling stream could be heard as the water moved over the stones and small ledges to slash into the next tier below.
Liyah and Standin strolled through this seemingly enchanted wood quietly, not speaking a word. Just soaking in the beauty of God's artistry displayed so magnificently. How could such wonderful complexities not have been created or planned? The thought that it wasn't had never crossed the couple's mind.
They had grown up simply. Best friends from their childhood in a little village. They were still best friends. Such blessed innocents! They knew nothing of a tarnished world. At least they had not before this journey. A quest of sorts. Their world had been turned upside down and inside out and that was what had instigated the quest. Though not far from their minds, this was not what was at the forefront of their minds at the moment. Something strange and new and possibly exciting had started to happen between them. But in their naivety, they didn't understand. It was confusing why they felt such an enormous joy inside when around the other. So much so that they feel they might burst with the pressure of it!
"Liyah, we are far ahead of the others. Let's stop and rest," Standin suggested. They took a seat at the bottom of an enormous tree to rest. Liyah pulled off her shoes and stockings to wiggle her toes and stretch her feet out in the cool grass.
"Ohhh, that feels marvelous! Like cool sheets on a summer evening," Liyah sighed. Standin laughed and began to follow suit.
"Indeed! You are right," he smiled. Liyah stood and took a few steps across the carpet of green in her bare feet.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed. A pinecone was lying in the grass and she had stepped on it. Standin laughed again.
"Oh, Liyah! You need to watch where you're walking!"
"Maybe the pinecone needs to watch where it's lying! Doesn't it know it's dangerous to hide in deceptively soft grass?" Standin stood, still laughing, and traversed the distance between him and Liyah, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Maybe you should know it's dangerous to walk through 'deceptively soft grass' without shoes on."
Liyah smiled, but ignored his comment and danced away, treading more lightly this time. He shook his head at her with a smile upon his face as he watched her twirl and leap around the trees. Not paying attention to how she was dancing, she almost collided with Standin but he stepped aside and caught her in time to keep her from running into the tree behind him.
"My lady," he said with practiced stuffiness, "May I have the honor of this dance?"
"Yes," she replied in kind. They bowed and curtseyed in turn before dancing together with their noses upturned in mock snobbery. They lasted but a few minutes before laughing at being so ridiculous.
"If you will sing," Standin declared, "I shall dance a jig with you."
"Hmmm... I don't much feel like dancing a jig at the moment. I'm rather tired..." Standin's face was the picture of exaggerated dejectedness. "...but, you could sing a ballad. That requires much less energy for dancing."
"Do I look like a bard to you?" Standin winked. "Who dances to ballads anyway? Ballads are for campfires..." Now it was Liyah's turn to mimic dejectedness. "...but I will compose a melody on the spot to hum as we dance."
Liyah clapped her hands and smiled widely. Standin extended his hand and this time, he asked her to dance with sincerity in his voice,
"Beautiful lady, may I have the pleasure of the next dance?" Liyah inclined her head as she replied, "You may."
They joined hands and began to dance as he started to sing. It was a beautiful song and Liyah loved the melody. Liyah's dress swirled around her as they stepped in time to the inspired dance.
Standin lifted Liyah into the air with his hands on her waist. Spinning her around, he stepped on another pinecone. He yelled, lost his balance and fell, bringing Liyah down with him, but the grass cushioned their fall.
"Oh, Standin! You should watch where you're walking!" Liyah laughed as she repeated Standin's earlier chide and rolled on the grass. He grinned and grabbed a handful of grass to throw at her. She sat up and pushed him, rolling him over.
Liyah sighed and fell backwards into the grass, laughing while staring up at the canopy of trees. Her hair was a crazy mess and it was all over her face, but she didn't care. Ah, it felt so good to lie down and rest. She closed her eyes and sighed again. Standin sat up and moved closer, intending to tickle Liyah, but when he looked down at her, he was stunned for a moment at how pretty she looked. She smiled with her eyes closed and she had grass in her hair.
He pushed the hair out of her face and moved away as Liyah opened her eyes. He stood and walked over to the tree where they had left their packs and shoes. Liyah sat up and followed. They sat back down at the base of the tree and enjoyed their quiet rest until the others arrived to find them sleeping, exhausted from a long day and fun play.