Well, I don't own LOTR or any songs by Christina Aguilera
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Nicole threw her cloak on and hurried over to the healing houses. She wasn't sure what she could do for Faramir, other than ensure he kept breathing, even if she had to breathe for him. 'Hopefully it won't come to that,' she thought with a shake of her head. 'Heaven only knows how people here would react to mouth to mouth if they think showing your knees is scandalous.'
She was greeted with far more anticipation than she would have liked. 'Damn,' she thought, as she looked at all the faces drawn with worry. Their eyes turned to Nicole as if she was their only hope. These people really loved him. 'Ugh... no pressure.' She barely managed to keep her face neutral. She wanted to turn around and go back to Anya. Kids were easy compared to this. She would rather explain where babies came from than try to do any healing with all these people watching.
She stepped into the room. Ioreth lingered by his bed sponging his fevered face and talking softly. He was clothed in white and draped with only a light sheet. The fabric clung to him where sweat made it stick. Nicole dropped her pack beside the bed and checked his pulse. It fluttered under her fingers which was to be expected with a fever. Nicole had never wished for a couple of Tylenol more than she did right now. She offered a small smile to Ioreth.
"Do not fear. He will live. I promise you," she said with more confidence than she felt. In only hours Aragorn would be here. Nicole would watch him until then.
The woman let out a breath. "Thank you. We have tried everything, and still his fever defeats our best efforts."
"You have done well. Leave the cool water here for me and I will care for him for a while. You should rest and eat something."
Ioreth nodded gratefully. "No rest will I find, but I will eat. Thank you Lady Eiliannel."
Nicole nodded and turned back to Faramir. After a moment she reached into her pack and pulled out a sprig of atheas. Idly, she twirled it between her fingers as she stared at Faramir's face. He looked less like her husband than Boromir had, but there was still a resemblance there. A twinge pulled at her heart, not as strong as it had been months before, but still there.
She was no royalty no matter how people might treat her. She wasn't too sure how effective the herb would be in her hands. Nicole plucked a leaf from the stem and crushed it in the palm of her hand to release the sweet smelling oils. Then she pressed it to Faramir's forehead under her hand. She breathed in slowly. On her exhale she reached past her hand until her mind was surrounded on all sides by blackness. She didn't know what she would find, but she was on her own this time.
Around her the darkness lightened somewhat and it became uncomfortably warm. Red light flickered over her face. Once her eyes adjusted she realized a forest surrounded her. The strong smell of smoke filled her nose and she sneezed. Shaking her head she moved cautiously forward, straining her senses as she looked around her in growing alarm. A crack above her head caused her to jump back. A branch covered in flames came crashing down where she had been only a second before. The heat from the flames causing her to flinch and raise her arm in defense.
"Elbereth!" the soft oath slipped past her lips at the near miss. 'Elbereth? I really am getting elfy aren't I?' Another look upward revealed the blackened branches of trees engulfed in flames. She stood for a moment staring up at the burning canopy surrounding her and noted that the fire never seemed to eat up the trees, but burned perpetually. Ash covered the ground and floated on the air almost like snow. How would she find him in this mess? Carefully, she stepped between the underbrush, which clung at her clothes and scratched her legs like the claws of an unfriendly animal.
"Why is it that the people I try to help have such unfriendly environments inside their heads?" she muttered as she craned her head about. Frodo's had nearly frozen and drowned her and Faramir was going to set her hair on fire. In an effort to distract herself from the discomfort of the surroundings and to keep calm she picked the first song that came into her head. It was completely ridiculous given the situation, but that never stopped her before.
"Oh, I'm overdue. Give me some room. I'm coming through." She sang as she stepped around some underbrush. "Paid my dues. In the mood. Me and the girls gonna shake the room." She shimmied her shoulders a bit to that line.
"Eek!" A sudden heat burned her left leg. She jumped to the side and quickly stomped on the edge of her flaming skirt in the ash to put it out. With an impatient huff she moved forward again, glad no one was there to witness the ungraceful moment. She picked up her song where she left off, this time without the dance moves. Some people weren't meant to walk and chew gum at the same time, or in her case sing and dance as she navigated a burning forest.
"DJ's spinning (show your hands). Let's get dirty (that's my jam). I need that, uh, to get me off. Sweat until my clothes come off."
She gathered her hair over her shoulder and swiped a forearm at the sweat trickling down her forehead irritably. "I might just sweat them off," she muttered. "This place sucks." She knew what he looked like, but other than that she knew little of the man. Could she really find him before the flames trapped her? 'Come on! Think positive. When life gives you fire make smores... If only I had some marshmallows?' She shook her head.
"Rowdy. Gonna get a little unruly. Get it fired up in a hurry. Want to get dirty."
After only a few moments of creeping forward she stepped into a stone hall with a suddenness that caused her to stumble. A bewildered look around revealed the forest was gone. She couldn't believe her luck! A final line of the song fell from her lips.
"It's about time that I came to start the party."
'Perhaps Faramir shouldn't hear the rest of that one. Just in case he's listening.' Happy to be out of the forest she chuckled. She hoped he had a sense of humor if he heard any of that. 'Down to business girl!'
"Faramir?" she called out tentatively, moving forward. The layout of the place reminded her of Gondor's walls and of... Saruman's tower. Her humor deserted her at the memory and she shuddered. This was probably the inside of the citadel, she assured herself. She didn't care for the dark stone. The same people who build the tower also built this place. That's all it is. She reasoned.
She had never been inside, but the building felt familiar. She moved down the hall towards a red flickering light and turned the corner. The turn revealed a wall of flames in front of her, blocking her path. They surrounded two figures up ahead in a wide ring. One stood higher on a stone step near an unadorned chair. The other faced him, his arms held up in supplication. Nicole squinted and held up a hand to shield her eyes from the light. Their words reached her ears easily, for there was no crackling or roar. The fire was silent.
"Father please, have I not done as you asked?"
"No," came his voice. Nicole shivered. The heat of the room couldn't compete with the frost of Denethor's tone. Nicole had never so much as seen the man, but who else could it be?
"You should have died in his place. Boromir would have taken victory. Now we will all burn."
"If I find him and bring him to you will you love me again?"
Nicole stood taller. "Bring what… a body? He is dead." She mumbled, coming as close as she dared to the line of fire. How would she get across? "Faramir!" she called loudly. His surprised eyes turned to her. With that movement a sudden wind blew the flames sideways. She took the opportunity in hand and leapt forward through them. "Faramir!" She called again. "Don't listen to him. There are many others who love you more than this bitter old shadow."
His grey eyes were wide in surprise and confusion as he looked her over. "Who are you? You shine with a strange light."
"It is the light of the eldar race. Your people sent me to guide you back to wakefulness." She held out her hand.
He looked at the offered hand and then back to the slumped form of his father. "I must do my duty to my father."
"He is dead, and so is Boromir. You cannot save them, only yourself. It is what they would have wanted."
"What do you know?" Faramir adopted a cool expression. "About what my father wished, or my brother."
She should have expected that response. Nicole cursed her previous remark. "You are right… I didn't know your father, but your brother was my friend. I knew him in his last months. He was brave. We spoke of you and of your mother." She walked forward. "If you come with me and I will tell you more. Please let's leave this place." She was close now and held her hand steadily, as if he might run. She half expected him to do so. A relieved smile parted her lips when he reached out and took her hand.
"Your hand is so cool" He said in surprise.
"Oh no, you have a fever," she argued with a small smile. "I am a normal temperature." Pulling her conscious further into his mind she used a burst of energy to brush the flames aside. They passed down the hallway and back into the forest.
"Alright almighty steward, lead the way." she turned back to Faramir.
"I do not know the way." he eyed her owlishly.
"This is your mind" countered Nicole "Where are we?"
He looked up. "It looks like Ithilien." He looked around, "but not."
Nicole nodded. "That is often the way with dreams."
Faramir opened his mouth to speak when a shout reached them. Then a horn blew. Nicole knew that sound. A chill shot down her spine. Despite the heat, goosebumps raised on her arms.
With a cry Faramir tore his hand from hers and ran towards the fading echo.
"Wait!" Nicole cried as she raced behind.
She was surprised again enter an uneven clearing that resembled the terrain around Rauros. Faramir dropped to his knees at the side of a fallen man pierced with many arrows. How was this possible? Faramir had never seen Boromir's death. He knew not the lay of the land.
"Brother... you did not come at my call. I needed you," said the Boromir weakly from the ground.
Nicole sighed as she moved up behind Faramir. 'How long will this poor man be tormented?' Out of the corner of her eye Nicole saw flames catching the underbrush and climbing a tree. The fire was coming here too. She wiped at her brow. This was so tedious. She was getting tired. She sighed and turned to the brothers.
"Had you been there, both of you would be dead," she said sternly. "Faramir, this isn't the true world. There is hope. Lets leave this place. We will find-"
"-What are you to Faramir that he should take your counsel?" snarled the supine form of Boromir. "A fickle reincarnation that toys with the hearts of men. Have you set your sights on my brother now?"
Nicole recoiled. It couldn't be. This was just a figment of Faramir's fevered mind. How could he know anything of what passed between her and the real man?
"I do not know what you are talking about." She couldn't help her frosty tone.
Boromir pushed up, the wounds in his chest seeping an impossible amount of blood. "You know of what I speak." He pointed to a fresh pink scar on his neck.
Her eyes widened. Faramir tried to keep him from rising as he mumbled placating words, but she saw the suspicious look the younger brother directed at her over his shoulder.
"What are you?" said Nicole slowly. 'What the hell is happening?'
Boromir grabbed at something in the dirt beside him, a broken sword, as he roughly shoved Faramir back with the other hand. Before her eyes his face shifted subtly.
"Josh?" she said brokenly.
He stood and took a step forward. "Go on kiss me. The gesture was meant for me, not his pitiful brother."
"I... You are not." Nicole moved back, cursing the stutter in her voice. Pain lanced through her heart. Would she ever be free of the guilt?
"You never loved me! You always wanted more than I could give you. Did you find what you wanted?" His face shifted again, a leer replacing the previous expression. "Perhaps I will take it from you." Andrew stared her down now.
She felt cold. It was an illusion, she told herself. Andrew threw down the sword and drew something from his waistband, holding it up in a threatening gesture.
Faramir chose that moment to move in front of her with his sword in hand. "Don't!" she yelled, grabbing his shoulder and stepping to the side. Thankfully, the pistol tracked her movement and was no longer trained on Faramir. She was unsure if this shadow was capable of causing real injury. It obviously saw her as a threat. Then it dawned on her... This was like the wraith in Frodo's mind and stupidly she had engaged it. Just like Elrohir had told her not to do. It was feeding off both their imaginations now.
She gathered her soul's light about her in a blazing halo of color.
"Nicole?" came a smooth voice off to the side. In surprise she released her energy and turned to meet the fathomless blue eyes of Legolas. Her lips moved but no sound rose from her throat. It felt like her breath had been stolen from her lungs. As if in slow motion, Andrew swung the gun around to him. Nicole jumped forward trying to block the line of fire, but it was like trudging through thick mud. A crack filled the air and Faramir flinched, his face becoming pale as he stared at something on the ground behind her. Nicole turned her horrified gaze to see Legolas' prone form. "No" she screeched. She ran forward to fall at his side. All her medical training seemed to flit from her brain as she stared at the gaping hole that went all the way through his back. She pressed her hands over it but couldn't stem the blood. Against her better judgement she looked into his eyes and saw the once shimmering depths were flat and lifeless. She felt a scream clawing its way up her throat. If only she could take a breath it would get out.
"Miss Nicole." came a small voice at her side. And then louder, "Miss Nicole."
She lifted her horrified gaze to meet the wide innocent eyes of her new charge. "Anya?" She said in confusion, her shock derailed by the presence of the child.
"I came with Lord Aragorn to help you." She smiled, and all other thoughts flew from the elleth's mind. Nicole was struck suddenly with how beautiful a child she was. The sun cascaded through her dark wavy hair, creating a halo of light around her head where the strands separated. There was a soft glow of it in her eyes too, a sunset through morning fog.
"What?" Then, just as quickly her mind returned to her surroundings. She snatched up the feather light girl in her arms, turning to face Andrew. In surprise, she saw only Faramir standing there brandishing his sword and looking about in confusion.
Where is he?" she asked frantically.
"An orc like I have never seen cleaved his head from his shoulders, and then evaporated like mist in the sun." His wide grey eyes took in the pair before him. He seemed about to speak again when Anya interrupted.
"No silly," said Anya. "That wasn't an orc. Orcs are bad. That was my sister. She helps me when I most need her."
Nicole looked down at Anya in bafflement. Then she realized that the sun was indeed shining. A cool breeze swept through the clearing, rustling the leaves above and teasing her hair. Around them the fire sank into the earth as if someone had turned off the gas on the stove. She turned to Legolas to see he had vanished. She let out a breath and wiped away the tears that stained her cheeks. 'It isn't real, it isn't real' she chanted to herself.
"-Can we go now?" Anya's voice cut through her thoughts, "Thandor wants to visit the horses."
"Uh... Ok." Nicole waved at Faramir. "Looks like everything is ok here. See ya later." She dropped her hand awkwardly and closed her eyes. Reaching out, she felt for her body. Damn! She had such a cramp in her neck.
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Legolas sat on his heels on a small patch of green grass that had escaped the fires of the battle. The evil army was defeated at last. He was not weary in body, not exactly, though he could sleep if he ever found a place that was peaceful enough. He glanced down at Gimli beside him. The dwarf lay sprawled on the ground snoring softly. The elf shook his head with a laugh. They were spattered with blood, both black and red. He marveled that the dwarf could rest. There was still so much commotion. The injured were being carted into the city. Bodies of orcs were being piled and burned and the dead men gathered to be buried. Tents of the living soldiers were already mostly set up. Legolas sat still through all this and was content to feel the afternoon sun on his face after so many hours of bloodshed. Slaying an orc was one matter, men were another. No matter the color of their skin or the language they spoke, their blood was red just like his. He had killed men before in battle. In fact he could not even hesitate, or it would be him dead on the ground… but it always made him uneasy. Would he find rest? He looked up at the now blue sky and let his mind wander, seeing Nicole's impish smile as she turned and looked at him over her shoulder. Was she safe? Was she happy?
"Sir… Sir elf." the sound of small feet scampering his way surprised him and he focused blearily on a young boy who stood before him. Heavy shadows fell across his wiry form. Legolas blinked. It was nearly dusk and cooking fires were burning beside the tents. A glance beside him showed a sleepy Gimli sitting up and rubbing his eyes with a yawn.
"Are you the friend of Master Pippin?"
"We both are" said Gimli, now wide awake beside him. "Speak up lad. What mischief has that young hobbit gotten himself into now?"
The boy took a step back at Gimli's tone. Legolas laughed and the child relaxed at the sound. "He sent me to come find you."
"Did he? Are you his friend?" asked Legolas fondly.
"I am Bergil. My father and Pippin are guards of the citadel together." He said proudly, puffing out his small chest.
The elf and dwarf shared an amused glance. "And what need does he have for us."
"He sends only for the elf Leg… Lego"
"Legolas" finished the elf. Bergil nodded.
Beside him Gimli harrumphed.
"What is the great need that he sent you at such a late hour?" Legolas watched the boy fidget and dance on his feet. He had forgotten how energetic children were. A fond smile spread on his face.
"He says an elf lady is in the healing houses and is in need of you."
A sense of foreboding filled him. "What is her name?"
"Lady Nicole."
"…" he stared, not comprehending as his mind buzzed. She was here. SHE WAS HERE? The sharp nudge of Gimli's elbow in his ribs pushed him into action. "Take me to her." He jumped up, startling both his companions.
Legolas wordlessly strode towards the gates, leaving Gimli and Bergil scrambling to catch up behind him.
"Wait you blasted elf!" called Gimli.
"I need to show you the way," said Bergil from behind him. "And tell the guards why you enter the city."
Legolas barely slowed his stride and held his tongue. He wanted to yell that he had waited long enough to see her and he would wait no more. He'd realize later that such an exclamation was exactly the sort of thing his father would say, but in his current state he couldn't see the humor in the situation.
He turned back around in time to see the guards at the entrance of the city eyeing him warily. Obviously, they knew their job well, which was to allow no one without the password to go through. Though he knew he could intimidate them into allowing him entrance by announcing his title and connection with Boromir, he had no desire to make them uncomfortable. In frustration he slowed to allow the others to catch up. As he scanned the area he noted the men were still digging graves. One, dressed more finely than the others was watching him with pale blue eyes as he leaned on his shovel. The look was not friendly by any means. Legolas narrowed his eyes at him and, with a shrug, turned back to the guards, swiftly forgetting the man altogether. Not everyone trusted elves after all, especially if Gimli's people were to be believed.
Drawing up next to him the boy proudly whispered the password into a guard's ear. The men let their party pass with amusement on their faces.
"What is the quickest way to the top?" asked the elf briskly.
"But I am to show you there," said the lad with a hint of petulance as he jogged to keep up with the two companions.
"It is best to humor him," huffed Gimli, "wood elves can be notoriously unreasonable when they do not have their way."
Legolas said nothing to this, if Gimli's ribbing got him what he wanted, he could tell everyone elves were arrogant pointy eared devils.
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He offered his services as a wandering inventor to a man in their military who was of some rank. He was put to work digging ditches. Andrew gritted his teeth, but did not ask for another task. He could see in the eyes of the men around him that it was a test, that they did not trust outsiders without proof. Biting back a growl, he glared down at the blisters forming on his hands. He hated being hot and sweaty. His strength was in his cunning and his ability to design great works out of metal with minimal effort. Somehow, he would perform these menial tasks with alacrity, and be granted entrance to the city. Keeping his grumbling to himself, he kept his face carefully neutral and did his best to be helpful. If this was what it took to meet with steward then he would do it to gain their trust. His healing wound ached and he fought the urge to rub at the spot on his back.
When he woke to find that Saruman's tower was intact, but that he no longer had any army. He took the opportunity and left as soon as he felt strong enough, taking his most complete firearms along and burying the rest. Not that there was much left after that bitch did her best to destroy everything. He sneered at the dirt and drove the shovel more forcefully into the rocky soil.
"Wait you blasted elf!" came an exclamation ahead of him near the gates of the city. Andrew looked up in surprise. 'Elf?' he zeroed in instantly on who had spoken. It was a strange sight. A slender boy of 8 or so years led a very short and stout bearded man clad in heavy looking armor toward the gate. His eyes travelled nearby and then he saw him, standing arrogantly tall above everyone else, his skin glowing in the low light of dusk and his hair shockingly black against the darkening sky. Andrew's eyes narrowed. 'So this is what the males of their species look like.' He leaned on his shovel letting his eyes travel over the creature, envy and disgust warring within him for dominance.
Suddenly the creature seemed to perceive his look and turned to meet Andrew's glare head on. He felt the sudden urge to look down, but steeled himself and narrowed his eyes instead.
With a dismissive shrug. The elf turned his nose up and looked away. Andrew nearly gaped at the dismissive gesture. 'Does he think himself above me simply because he is immortal?' His fingers itched to relieve the arrogant prick of his brains with a well-placed bullet.
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Nicole pushed herself upright from where she had hunched over Faramir. He slept peacefully now and Nicole noted that his head was no longer feverish.
"Nicole I confess I was surprised to find you here." Came Aragorn's baritone. "It is also fortunate you had atheas at hand."
Nicole looked up at the face of her friend. "What? How long was I? You? Huh?" she finished articulately.
Aragorn laughed. "You have been here for hours as I heard from Pippin. You seemed to have done some good too. They say Faramir rested more peacefully once you arrived, but this power was beyond you.
"You don't have to tell me twice." mumbled Nicole wearily. "I could sleep for a week. I'm going back to my room." She pushed slowly up from the chair and looked around. "Where is Anya?"
"Anya?" came Gandalf's voice. "That little girl I saw Thandor carting about earlier?"
"Yeah" Nicole looked up at the wizard blearily as if just noticing he was in the room.
"She went down with Shadowfax to the stables. She really likes your friend."
"No kidding" said Nicole faintly. She moved slowly around the tall wizard towards the door, fatigue pulling at her limbs. The room tilted and she braced herself on the doorjamb. She shook her head to clear it of the fog that had settled over her mind.
Aragorn, Ioreth, and Gandalf shared a look. As she stepped through the door a force jostled her. She would have tipped over if it hadn't held fast around her waist in a vice grip. Nicole looked down in surprise at a curly head of hair and short but stout arms wrapped about her middle.
"Miss Nicole! I thought that you would become ill alongside Faramir when you yelled out earlier. "I was so worried."
"You... Were there?"
He looked up. "You don't remember? Well no matter. I panicked and sent word with Bergil. He will no doubt be here soon."
"Who?" Nicole really was feeling terribly confused. There were so many people in here. Her eyes lifted and looked around, Other than Pippin, Aragorn, Ioreth, and Gandalf she didn't recognize the other men, but they were dressed in bright armor and looked important. Funny... how had she missed them before? And why wouldn't the walls hold still?
"Nicole you look pale." said Pippin sternly, releasing her and stepping back to look at her face. "I know for a fact you haven't had a bite to eat or drink since I found you here this morning."
Nicole made a grunt of acknowledgement. It really was too much effort to form actual words. She turned to the open doorway and stepped forward. Well, that was what she tried to do. Suddenly, she was being squeezed in a second grip, this time around her shoulders. A flood of whispered words poured into her ear. It was too fast for her brain to process, though the warmth of the breath sent a shudder through her. She breathed deep and tilted her head to see black hair and the tip of a pointed ear.
"Legolas?" she slurred.
"Yes, Yes!" came his hushed voice. The full depth of his azure eyes crashed into hers. Her mind was having trouble catching up. All she could do was feel his arms around her. A cool hand found her cheek. Nicole smiled slowly. "Missed you." her own hand rose in a mirror of his own to land on his face. Her thumb ran over the soft skin just below his eye. "God you're beautiful." she thought.
Chuckles sounded behind her.
His eyes widened comically. "Nicole?" he said worriedly, leaning back to take in her appearance.
Her knees buckled and he caught her, surprise and alarm filling his eyes. Her head lolled against his neck. You smell wonderful" she murmured, taking a deep breath, "Better than my other dreams." This comment was followed by a few more that were thankfully too quiet for the others in the room to overhear. She went completely limp then.
The only thing that kept him from panic was the soft sound of her breathing. He shifted her weight and gathered her in his arms, looking down at her peaceful face. He could hardly believe she was here…. After a long moment he realized that he was very much not alone and there were quite a few whispers going on around him. His cheeks burned. He had no clue what to do. He looked helplessly up at his companions. Aragorn was no help. He had a hand covering the lower half of his face and mirth shone in his eyes. He was laughing. Laughing! And here Nicole was unconscious, in dire need- a snore sounded. He glanced down. Hm… perhaps not dire need. He had expected a lot of things on meeting her finally, tears or maybe happy laughter, but she had surprised him again...
The healer, who had been staring just like the others finally shook herself. "Well, dear, Oh my, but of course she is exhausted. I don't think she has slept in two days." She bustled forward, "I will show you where her room is." Legolas followed behind her gratefully. Thank God Gimli was slower or he would have witnessed that display. Legolas would have never lived that one down. In fact, when their young guide had finally given him the directions to Nicole, he was gone so fast that his shorter friend barely had time to yell, "I'll meet you at the top," before he was out of earshot.
Legolas followed Ioreth, through the stark halls of the healing houses, out into the open air. They crossed a courtyard, the first bit of green he'd seen in the entire city, and entered another building. They filed up some steps to the second floor. His guide paused before a door, her hand hesitating on the handle. She looked back at the tall elf beside her and then down at the sleeping female in his arms. He was just about to question her when she opened the door to allow him inside. He turned in a circle, noting the position of the large bed and that there was a breeze entering the chamber through a small balcony. Nicole would like the view, he was sure.
The fidgeting of the woman behind him alerted him to her position still beside the door. She watched him nervously. He had nearly forgotten her, so preoccupied was he with thoughts of what had just occurred in the healing houses, and how her form felt more delicate in his arms, than he recalled from the few times they had been close.
"My Lord…" she began slowly, as if trying to gather her confidence. "Will you be staying here… with her?"
He stared blankly at her for an uncomfortable moment before realizing what exactly she was asking. Warmth flooded his face as he looked down at Nicole "Yes, for now… at least until she wakes."
"May I ask how you are related?"
His eyebrows shot up and he looked back at the woman with new scrutiny.
She stood taller, "I apologize for the impertinence of the question, but reputation is important… and Lady Nicole is dear to us here."
She didn't sound very apologetic to him. He wouldn't be separated from her because of customs he did not wish to partake in. Reaching a decision, he took a slow breath. "She is my… distant relation." He paused as her eyes narrowed slightly. She did not believe him? He successfully fought the urge to look away as he spoke this falsehood. Ioreth was not nearly as intimidating as others he had faced. "She is safe here with me… alone."
The woman backed out of the room slowly, a look of suspicion on her face. "Of course. I will leave you… with your cousin," she finished, watching his expression carefully.
He let out a breath as she closed the door the rest of the way. 'That woman is quite intuitive. I have not lied… well not precisely. As an elf Nicole is possibly distantly… very distantly related to me.'
He moved out to the balcony and reclined in a plush chair, pulling her close. He relished the feel of her slender muscled body against him as he stared down at her closed eyes. A small smile was on her lips. He reached out and brushed a few wayward strands from her face. Their silk texture fascinated him and he found himself smoothing the rest back just to keep touching her. He didn't see any blemishes on her person from her recent capture. 'Is it possible they have healed? What has she been through?'
"Hmmmph," she mumbled something unintelligible and snuggled closer to him, turning her face into his chest and inhaling deeply before stilling again. It was difficult to describe the feelings this action evoked within him as he had never felt anything quite like it before meeting Nicole. Now he supposed he would think on them at every reminder of her. His eyes rested on the top of her head and trailed down to her ear and the curve of her neck. The clothes she wore concealed little of her feminine shape. With a bit of surprise he realized he recognized the shirt. New warmth filled him. 'She wears my clothing? How has she come by it?'
"What are your dreams like?" he said softly to himself as he stared down at her face. In her sleep, or perhaps in response to his words her nose wrinkled briefly and she drew her lower lip into her mouth. When she released it the skin there glistened and he found himself lifting a hand to trace it before the conscious thought occurred to him. The hand froze just millimeters from her mouth. She was in love with her husband still. It would be wrong to touch her that way.
"Mmm dreamsh… bout you stupid."
His hand dropped back down to cradle her close. "Nicole?" he shifted her in his arms to see she still slept. She let out a disapproving sound and curled into him again. He tried and failed not to laugh. She talked in her sleep?
"Nicole…" he whispered warmly, "What trouble have you gotten into recently?"
Her response was strange. He could've sworn she mentioned something about "your room" and "dad's pajamas," but that didn't make any sense. He shook his head and stood, moving over to the bed to lay her down. He belatedly realized he should put a bit of distance between them. Remembering the picture of her husband in the sketchbook, he sighed. But he would do this first… He leaned over her to press his lips to her forehead, lingering a few moments longer than he had intended. She smelled wonderful. Like healing herbs and fresh sea breeze. He attempted stand straight when she unexpectedly slung an arm about his neck and nearly pulled him on top of her. Despite an attempt to stifle it, another laugh escaped from where he knelt half on the bed looking down at her face. There was a wrinkle between her eyebrows, he had noticed before when she was displeased or annoyed. Luckily, the sound didn't wake her. With difficulty he detangled her arm from his person and sat beside her on the bed. After many long moments of watching her sleep. He stood and moved out onto the balcony to consider the stars.
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Yay for fluff! It's one of my favorite past times. Sorry for the wait. Life got busy all of the sudden. I have to be careful because things get tricky here on out and I don't want to mess it up.
