Title: Diplomacy Part 4
Author: Arisma
Rating: R Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own LOTR, the characters, the settings, any of it. I write non-fan based fiction and this story is the product of that line being crossed with my unhealthy fixation with a certain elf. I'm making no money off this, in any way, shape or form, though feedback is better than cheesecake. Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com
The cold air pebbled his bare skin as he moved, bringing his arms in a slow arc above his head, palms barely touching as he lowered them together, stopping just before his waist. Nearby he heard a bird sing and knew that soon the sun would crest the hills. He continued the careful, slow movements, letting his body fall into the familiar pattern of early morning exercise. He bent low and brushed the earth with his hand, a sweeping movement and felt the tightness that was the only evidence of the wicked injury that had once resided in his shoulder.
The first rays struck his flesh as he finished the last of the movements, coming to rest with his hands flat palmed against his chest. He shook his body rigorously, even hopping a few times as he wind-milled his arms, happy to be alone for the first time since his injury. Treian was a capable healer, and a good friend but he had a few things to learn about the heart of a warrior. It had taken him days after he first woke to convince him that he was suffering more from the lack of movement and constant fussing than he ever had from the wounds his body had sustained.
He ran his hand across the smooth expanse of his stomach, scratching lightly at his collarbone as he turned and walked to a nearby table. He picked up the goblet of water that rested there and took a deep swallow. Smiling ruefully he picked up the large pitcher that rested next to it and lifted it carefully over his head. Thinking of the look on the healers face when he returned he upended it, gasping as the cold liquid splashed over his bare flesh.
"Are you trying to drown yourself, milord?" asked a familiar voice directly behind him.
He spun to face her, barely believing that she was actually there. Yet there she was, wrapped in the same pale blue robe he had seen her in a full week before. She smiled at him and her eyes sparkled in the morning sun and he felt his heart nearly burst for longing. "Rhya. " he whispered, unable to stop himself as he drew her into a tight protective hug.
She laced her arms around his waist and was silent as he ran a hand through her hair, down her back, before squeezing her tightly to him once again. He breathed deeply, trying to calm his emotions as he held her, trying to remind himself how little he knew about her. She pulled away from him slightly, gazing up into his eyes. She brought a hand to his cheek and carefully traced the outlines of his jaw, his ear, finally the outline of his eye. She raised herself to tiptoes and pulled his head towards her, kissing his cheek carefully, lightly, murmuring softly in the Quel language.
Using every ounce of will he could muster he stepped back from her, feeling his heart break as a look of hurt and fear passed swiftly over her features. She let her hand drop from his face and looked swiftly to the ground, her hair falling and covering her. But not before he saw the moisture gathering in her luminous eyes. The moisture in her eyes made him feel ill and to be the cause of it was nearly more than he could bear.
"Rhya, please, I just want to talk to you." he said placing his hands carefully on her shoulders, watching as her eyes remained fixed on the ground. Carefully he slid his hand beneath her chin and raised her eyes to face him, nearly sobbing himself at the silvery trail of tears that glistened down her cheeks. "Please, I just want to talk, I just need to know where I stand."
She smiled through her tears as he moved his hand to cup her cheek, brushing the tears away with his thumb. "I love you with all my heart." she whispered, leaning into his hand, closing her eyes as she did so. "I don't pretend to understand why I feel this way, but I know I do and this time without you has been like living in darkness."
He bent his head forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, unable to believe that she had felt the same as he during their separation. He whispered into her lips, "And I love you as well, Rhya." She made a small choked sound and he looked at her strangely, opening his mouth to speak. She placed a finger to his lips as he did so, moving forward to replace the finger with her own lips.
When the kiss ended he began to speak again and this time she shook her head saying, "Legolas. please, no words. I just want to feel you and touch you, now, while I still can. Please." Her words trailed away as she began to kiss him. He wanted to pull away, wanted to ask a million questions but the thought of causing more pain to her was unbearable to him and instead he laced his fingers in her hair and kissed her, deeply and passionately.
Slowly they lowered to the ground and their lovemaking was slow and careful, their eyes locked as their bodies moved as one. She pressed her face into the cup of his neck, murmuring his name over and over, placing soft kisses between exhalations. Finally she gasped and arched against him and he followed her swiftly, calling her name as he soared through the heights of passion.
When he regained his senses he looked down at her, smiling at the glow of love he saw in her eyes. She pulled him to her, kissing him carefully. He rolled so he lay next to her, running his hand lightly along the length of her body, watching as she shivered beneath his caress. He leaned forward and kissed the swell of her shoulder lightly, moving to her neck and finally claiming her lips. "I love you." he murmured, pulling back when he heard her make that same strangled sound. He watched as she ran a hand lightly down his face, leaned forward and kissed him passionately.
He watched also as she stood, gathering the fallen robe and wrapping it around her body. He sat up, watching carefully as she turned to face him, and he frowned when he saw the new tears standing in her eyes. "Know always that I love you, that I always will. No matter what happens, Legolas, know that I love you and you alone." She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, falling to her knees, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I love you, please believe me."
He brought his hand up to cradle her head, soothing and holding her closer in one. "I know it love, I can feel it in your every breath." He whispered, stroking her hair and feeling her sob into his chest, the tears hot on his bare skin. "Please, tell me what causes such sorrow, please, love, that I may fix it."
Suddenly she pulled away and stood. She raised her hands and scrubbed them on her cheeks, and when she dropped them her features were painted into a hard mask. He felt his face twist in confusion at the change and he stood, caring not that he was naked. "Please, what is the matter? What's wrong, Rhya?" he asked, something within him trembling at the hardness of her gaze.
She took a step back and looked at him with dispassionate eyes. She turned then and began to walk away but he chased her and swiftly captured her, grasping her shoulders and turning her to face him. He was startled at the anger in her face as she shrugged away his hands, stepping away from him again. "Let me go, Legolas." She said, in a voice like brittle ice.
He felt confusion well within him and he grasped her shoulders again. He was caught completely unawares when her fist connected with his cheek, sending him reeling backwards, his hand pressing the wounded flesh carefully. He raised his eyes to hers, confusion painting his face. "Do not touch me again." She said, her voice hard and cold. "Whatever was between us is ended. Leave me be, Legolas."
Unmindful of her wrath he grasped her shoulders again, feeling her tremble beneath his touch. "You can't mean that, Rhya. Not after all those things you said, not after. not after making love like that. Tell me what's wrong, please?"
This time she did not pull away, merely met his eyes with her own and stated coldly, "The only thing that is wrong is that you can't take a hint. I don't want to see you anymore. It was fun, but it's over. Let me go while you still have some dignity." The words hung in the air as he stared open mouthed at her. Slowly he removed his nerveless fingers from her shoulders, watching silently as she turned and walked away, head held high and shoulders square.
He ran his hand through his hair, and walked slowly to where his breeches lay forgotten on the ground. Slowly he pulled them on and walked into the building, returning to the room he had fought so fiercely to leave. He crossed to the bed and curled onto it, his heart breaking. He closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep, his heart torn and his mind blank.
Meanwhile.
She spun into the room, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist, trembling uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her knees shook. She walked before the large elf reclining lazily in the chair and glared at him through her tears. "I hope you are happy, Kallo. I did as you asked."
The large elf calmly stood and walked until he stood directly before her. "You knew what had to happen, Rhya. I made you do nothing. You can't change tradition."
She began sobbing as the tears streamed down her cheeks and he wondered briefly if she would fall for the way she trembled. "I don't care about tradition! I love him, Kallo! What am I supposed to do?"
He watched dispassionately as she fell to her knees, her chest hitching with powerful sobs. After a few minutes he replied, "You should have known better than to entertain such thoughts, princess. Your path was determined before you were ever born. You should have stayed in the tower, as you were supposed to. Being your fathers favorite can't change everything, you know. You know as well as I do that the law is the law and it can't be changed. You caused this at least as much as I did by reminding you of the law."
Suddenly she stopped sobbing and looked at him with eyes eerily calm. " I know it." She whispered. "And for that I hate us both."
To be continued, feedback, please!!!!
Author: Arisma
Rating: R Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own LOTR, the characters, the settings, any of it. I write non-fan based fiction and this story is the product of that line being crossed with my unhealthy fixation with a certain elf. I'm making no money off this, in any way, shape or form, though feedback is better than cheesecake. Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com
The cold air pebbled his bare skin as he moved, bringing his arms in a slow arc above his head, palms barely touching as he lowered them together, stopping just before his waist. Nearby he heard a bird sing and knew that soon the sun would crest the hills. He continued the careful, slow movements, letting his body fall into the familiar pattern of early morning exercise. He bent low and brushed the earth with his hand, a sweeping movement and felt the tightness that was the only evidence of the wicked injury that had once resided in his shoulder.
The first rays struck his flesh as he finished the last of the movements, coming to rest with his hands flat palmed against his chest. He shook his body rigorously, even hopping a few times as he wind-milled his arms, happy to be alone for the first time since his injury. Treian was a capable healer, and a good friend but he had a few things to learn about the heart of a warrior. It had taken him days after he first woke to convince him that he was suffering more from the lack of movement and constant fussing than he ever had from the wounds his body had sustained.
He ran his hand across the smooth expanse of his stomach, scratching lightly at his collarbone as he turned and walked to a nearby table. He picked up the goblet of water that rested there and took a deep swallow. Smiling ruefully he picked up the large pitcher that rested next to it and lifted it carefully over his head. Thinking of the look on the healers face when he returned he upended it, gasping as the cold liquid splashed over his bare flesh.
"Are you trying to drown yourself, milord?" asked a familiar voice directly behind him.
He spun to face her, barely believing that she was actually there. Yet there she was, wrapped in the same pale blue robe he had seen her in a full week before. She smiled at him and her eyes sparkled in the morning sun and he felt his heart nearly burst for longing. "Rhya. " he whispered, unable to stop himself as he drew her into a tight protective hug.
She laced her arms around his waist and was silent as he ran a hand through her hair, down her back, before squeezing her tightly to him once again. He breathed deeply, trying to calm his emotions as he held her, trying to remind himself how little he knew about her. She pulled away from him slightly, gazing up into his eyes. She brought a hand to his cheek and carefully traced the outlines of his jaw, his ear, finally the outline of his eye. She raised herself to tiptoes and pulled his head towards her, kissing his cheek carefully, lightly, murmuring softly in the Quel language.
Using every ounce of will he could muster he stepped back from her, feeling his heart break as a look of hurt and fear passed swiftly over her features. She let her hand drop from his face and looked swiftly to the ground, her hair falling and covering her. But not before he saw the moisture gathering in her luminous eyes. The moisture in her eyes made him feel ill and to be the cause of it was nearly more than he could bear.
"Rhya, please, I just want to talk to you." he said placing his hands carefully on her shoulders, watching as her eyes remained fixed on the ground. Carefully he slid his hand beneath her chin and raised her eyes to face him, nearly sobbing himself at the silvery trail of tears that glistened down her cheeks. "Please, I just want to talk, I just need to know where I stand."
She smiled through her tears as he moved his hand to cup her cheek, brushing the tears away with his thumb. "I love you with all my heart." she whispered, leaning into his hand, closing her eyes as she did so. "I don't pretend to understand why I feel this way, but I know I do and this time without you has been like living in darkness."
He bent his head forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, unable to believe that she had felt the same as he during their separation. He whispered into her lips, "And I love you as well, Rhya." She made a small choked sound and he looked at her strangely, opening his mouth to speak. She placed a finger to his lips as he did so, moving forward to replace the finger with her own lips.
When the kiss ended he began to speak again and this time she shook her head saying, "Legolas. please, no words. I just want to feel you and touch you, now, while I still can. Please." Her words trailed away as she began to kiss him. He wanted to pull away, wanted to ask a million questions but the thought of causing more pain to her was unbearable to him and instead he laced his fingers in her hair and kissed her, deeply and passionately.
Slowly they lowered to the ground and their lovemaking was slow and careful, their eyes locked as their bodies moved as one. She pressed her face into the cup of his neck, murmuring his name over and over, placing soft kisses between exhalations. Finally she gasped and arched against him and he followed her swiftly, calling her name as he soared through the heights of passion.
When he regained his senses he looked down at her, smiling at the glow of love he saw in her eyes. She pulled him to her, kissing him carefully. He rolled so he lay next to her, running his hand lightly along the length of her body, watching as she shivered beneath his caress. He leaned forward and kissed the swell of her shoulder lightly, moving to her neck and finally claiming her lips. "I love you." he murmured, pulling back when he heard her make that same strangled sound. He watched as she ran a hand lightly down his face, leaned forward and kissed him passionately.
He watched also as she stood, gathering the fallen robe and wrapping it around her body. He sat up, watching carefully as she turned to face him, and he frowned when he saw the new tears standing in her eyes. "Know always that I love you, that I always will. No matter what happens, Legolas, know that I love you and you alone." She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, falling to her knees, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I love you, please believe me."
He brought his hand up to cradle her head, soothing and holding her closer in one. "I know it love, I can feel it in your every breath." He whispered, stroking her hair and feeling her sob into his chest, the tears hot on his bare skin. "Please, tell me what causes such sorrow, please, love, that I may fix it."
Suddenly she pulled away and stood. She raised her hands and scrubbed them on her cheeks, and when she dropped them her features were painted into a hard mask. He felt his face twist in confusion at the change and he stood, caring not that he was naked. "Please, what is the matter? What's wrong, Rhya?" he asked, something within him trembling at the hardness of her gaze.
She took a step back and looked at him with dispassionate eyes. She turned then and began to walk away but he chased her and swiftly captured her, grasping her shoulders and turning her to face him. He was startled at the anger in her face as she shrugged away his hands, stepping away from him again. "Let me go, Legolas." She said, in a voice like brittle ice.
He felt confusion well within him and he grasped her shoulders again. He was caught completely unawares when her fist connected with his cheek, sending him reeling backwards, his hand pressing the wounded flesh carefully. He raised his eyes to hers, confusion painting his face. "Do not touch me again." She said, her voice hard and cold. "Whatever was between us is ended. Leave me be, Legolas."
Unmindful of her wrath he grasped her shoulders again, feeling her tremble beneath his touch. "You can't mean that, Rhya. Not after all those things you said, not after. not after making love like that. Tell me what's wrong, please?"
This time she did not pull away, merely met his eyes with her own and stated coldly, "The only thing that is wrong is that you can't take a hint. I don't want to see you anymore. It was fun, but it's over. Let me go while you still have some dignity." The words hung in the air as he stared open mouthed at her. Slowly he removed his nerveless fingers from her shoulders, watching silently as she turned and walked away, head held high and shoulders square.
He ran his hand through his hair, and walked slowly to where his breeches lay forgotten on the ground. Slowly he pulled them on and walked into the building, returning to the room he had fought so fiercely to leave. He crossed to the bed and curled onto it, his heart breaking. He closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep, his heart torn and his mind blank.
Meanwhile.
She spun into the room, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist, trembling uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her knees shook. She walked before the large elf reclining lazily in the chair and glared at him through her tears. "I hope you are happy, Kallo. I did as you asked."
The large elf calmly stood and walked until he stood directly before her. "You knew what had to happen, Rhya. I made you do nothing. You can't change tradition."
She began sobbing as the tears streamed down her cheeks and he wondered briefly if she would fall for the way she trembled. "I don't care about tradition! I love him, Kallo! What am I supposed to do?"
He watched dispassionately as she fell to her knees, her chest hitching with powerful sobs. After a few minutes he replied, "You should have known better than to entertain such thoughts, princess. Your path was determined before you were ever born. You should have stayed in the tower, as you were supposed to. Being your fathers favorite can't change everything, you know. You know as well as I do that the law is the law and it can't be changed. You caused this at least as much as I did by reminding you of the law."
Suddenly she stopped sobbing and looked at him with eyes eerily calm. " I know it." She whispered. "And for that I hate us both."
To be continued, feedback, please!!!!