Title: Diplomacy Part 11
Author: Arisma
Rating: R
Disclaimer: To the tune of Leslie Gore, "You don't own me"- I don't own it, don't try to claim it in any way. I don't own it, don't hunt me down cause I'll never pay! . Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com
For Kris- I know I promised you two parts, and here is part two. Thank you for the email and the inspiration.
A/N- I know I said there would be an angsty chapter but one more needs to be inserted. The angsty chapter will be up, in its entirety, next. Promise! (I wasn't teasing, and to prove it I'll post this one early so I can't be called -too- much of a tease!)
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The woman sighed in frustration, fixing the elf with a glare. "Please, Lady, this really needn't be so difficult!"
Rhya looked back with obvious disdain, arms crossed firmly in front of her chest, her lips pressed to form a tight line. "I see no reason to mingle with the so called court, Mierna. I am not here for pleasantries, as you well know."
The woman threw her hands up and groaned loudly. She began to pace nervously, the elfs bright eyes watching her, amused. After minutes she turned and faced Rhya, a glint in her eyes. "You know there will be consequences for disobedience."
The seated woman smiled slightly and shrugged, "I am not afraid."
The woman seated her bony hands on her hips and spoke in a low growl, "You are not, but perhaps -he- will be."
Rhya stood, her pale cheeks coloring as she advanced on the smugly smiling woman, "So again it comes to this, does it? No matter what the occasion the same threat looms. What makes you so sure I give a damn what happens to him anyway!"
Mierna raised her chin and narrowed her eyes, answering imperiously, "Because it works every time."
"One of these times it won't work, and what shall you do then?" asked Rhya, airily.
"It will always work, princess. You think you are so smart, that we do not see the way you pine for him. Think again. We see everything. We know everything." Snarled the woman, her face mere inches away.
Rhya narrowed her eyes, her face flushing with anger. "You may think you know how I feel but I assure you that you do not. My emotions are my own, and always shall be."
The woman chuckled and advanced on the angry elf, pressing her against the wall. She felt Rhya stiffen, and smiled. "See, princess? If it weren't true you would never allow yourself to be cornered like this, would you? You think he is your strength, the love you hold for him, your memories of him." Rhyas face slowly drained of color as the woman spoke. "He is your weakness. If not for him I would be on the floor now, and you would not be going to the banquet this evening, or for a pleasant stroll this afternoon. He is the reason we control you. And so long as you love him, we always will."
Rhya bowed her head, away from the womans smug smile, the exultant glow of victory. Mierna turned and tossed the gown to the elf, nodding as the other woman caught it, though her head remained bowed. "Now hurry and dress, you shouldn't keep the others waiting."
Just as her hand met the door the elf called out to her, "How. . . how did you know?"
The woman turned and smiled nastily replying, "I saw it in your eyes. Everyone can. For his sake you had better hope Lord Mondane does not." With that she exited the room, closing the door with a loud bang. Sighing, angry tears in her eyes, Rhya began to ready herself for a pleasant afternoon stroll.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*` *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*
The sun was unbearably hot as they walked, the fans the slaves waved doing little to dispel the stifling heat. She listened as the others gossiped and bickered, not responding when they queried her, not even bothering to look up. They crossed a long lawn, the grass spongy and fragranceless. The others seemed unbothered by the strangeness surrounding them, lost as they were in their intrigue and back-biting. A servant arrived to announce their luncheon and she sighed, not looking forward to the strange food that no matter how it looked always tasted bland and stale.
As they walked towards the meal the group stopped and Rhya followed suit, raising her head and scannign the area for the disturbance. She saw several boulders, seemingly out of place and wondered why they were there. Her brow furrowed and she stood on her tiptoes to see above the gathering. She saw a small dark woman, dressed all in black, holding a bundle of grapes in her bony fingers.
She turned her head trying to see the person next to the woman, could only see a portion of well muscled shoulder. Impatient to be free of the simpering coutesans Rhya allowed her gaze to drift back to the grass, noticing the strange shape of the blades, the splotchy nature of the coloring. From the front of the group she heard one of the males speak. . . his voice low and suggestive, "Is this your new prize, Driza?"
Rhya's head snapped up, her eyes wide. She heard the female respond but couldn't make out the words over the blood pounding in her ears. She took a deep breath and tried to blend further into the group when the same male spoke again, his voice pitched towards he "Oh wait. I think he's already been trained in the Quel ways a little. . .right, Rhya?"
She took a deep breath and stepped forward, her face rigid and impassive. She shrugged but didn't answer, not trusting the surety of her voice. "Well you know him, don't you, Rhya?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Yes, I do know him. But I suggest you keep your innuendo to yourself. Lord Mondane would be very unhappy to hear you were spreading rumors about me." She said mustering what strength she could to make her voice proud and defiant. She watched Jaren deflate, his face paling from her threat. She tried to focus on her antagonist but her eyes strayed to the elf behind him, the sun making his hair a halo of golden fire. She saw a small smile curve his lips and wanted desperately to return the gesture, to speak to him, to run to him. . .
She pulled her eyes away after an instant, but the damage was done. Jaren turned, his face livid and an angry sound emerging from his throat. She watched him spin, his open palm slamming into Legolas' cheek, the elf making no move to resist. Instinctively she moved to retaliate, remembering her lack of weapon and the over-whelming odds. She forced herself to calm, her breathing to remain steady.
She wanted to leave this place, to get as far away from the beautiful blonde elf as she could. Despite her apparent indifference to her companions she had listened to their conversations. Pooling the information she spoke calmly, meeting the furious mans eyes proudly. "Honestly, Jaren, how uncouth. I know he's handsome but there's no need to punish him for your own secret tendencies, now is there?"
Jarens jaw dropped open and she allowed her eyes to briefly linger on Legolas' face, but he was looking at his attacker, his face expressionless. Not daring to linger she turned and walked away, calling over her shoulder "We have a banquet tonight, remember? If you're done gaping like a gutted fish I suggest we go prepare." The assemblage laughed and began to follow her. She wanted to turn back and see him one more time but she did not, her eyes once again fixed on the earth below. *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*` *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*
A/N- My beta convinced me to rework the next chapter, adding a bit and separating it into two. I guess the concensus is for me to go with it as the muse dictated so other than a few additions I will.
Laura- I know you suggested longer chapters, and it is something I plan to work on. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of a multi-perspective angst ridden arc and think the smaller bits are right for now. After this is done I will work on that, honest. Thanks for the comment.
Ashley- Thank you for coming out of lurkdom! I appreciate it very, very much. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Tainted Elf- LOVE your nick! Great!
Satanat & Lessien, welcome. Thanks for your comments, they are greatly appreciated. I hope to hear from you again!
Peace to all
~Arisma~
*--**--**--**--**--**--* \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ *--**--**--**--**--**--*
Author: Arisma
Rating: R
Disclaimer: To the tune of Leslie Gore, "You don't own me"- I don't own it, don't try to claim it in any way. I don't own it, don't hunt me down cause I'll never pay! . Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com
For Kris- I know I promised you two parts, and here is part two. Thank you for the email and the inspiration.
A/N- I know I said there would be an angsty chapter but one more needs to be inserted. The angsty chapter will be up, in its entirety, next. Promise! (I wasn't teasing, and to prove it I'll post this one early so I can't be called -too- much of a tease!)
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The woman sighed in frustration, fixing the elf with a glare. "Please, Lady, this really needn't be so difficult!"
Rhya looked back with obvious disdain, arms crossed firmly in front of her chest, her lips pressed to form a tight line. "I see no reason to mingle with the so called court, Mierna. I am not here for pleasantries, as you well know."
The woman threw her hands up and groaned loudly. She began to pace nervously, the elfs bright eyes watching her, amused. After minutes she turned and faced Rhya, a glint in her eyes. "You know there will be consequences for disobedience."
The seated woman smiled slightly and shrugged, "I am not afraid."
The woman seated her bony hands on her hips and spoke in a low growl, "You are not, but perhaps -he- will be."
Rhya stood, her pale cheeks coloring as she advanced on the smugly smiling woman, "So again it comes to this, does it? No matter what the occasion the same threat looms. What makes you so sure I give a damn what happens to him anyway!"
Mierna raised her chin and narrowed her eyes, answering imperiously, "Because it works every time."
"One of these times it won't work, and what shall you do then?" asked Rhya, airily.
"It will always work, princess. You think you are so smart, that we do not see the way you pine for him. Think again. We see everything. We know everything." Snarled the woman, her face mere inches away.
Rhya narrowed her eyes, her face flushing with anger. "You may think you know how I feel but I assure you that you do not. My emotions are my own, and always shall be."
The woman chuckled and advanced on the angry elf, pressing her against the wall. She felt Rhya stiffen, and smiled. "See, princess? If it weren't true you would never allow yourself to be cornered like this, would you? You think he is your strength, the love you hold for him, your memories of him." Rhyas face slowly drained of color as the woman spoke. "He is your weakness. If not for him I would be on the floor now, and you would not be going to the banquet this evening, or for a pleasant stroll this afternoon. He is the reason we control you. And so long as you love him, we always will."
Rhya bowed her head, away from the womans smug smile, the exultant glow of victory. Mierna turned and tossed the gown to the elf, nodding as the other woman caught it, though her head remained bowed. "Now hurry and dress, you shouldn't keep the others waiting."
Just as her hand met the door the elf called out to her, "How. . . how did you know?"
The woman turned and smiled nastily replying, "I saw it in your eyes. Everyone can. For his sake you had better hope Lord Mondane does not." With that she exited the room, closing the door with a loud bang. Sighing, angry tears in her eyes, Rhya began to ready herself for a pleasant afternoon stroll.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*` *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*
The sun was unbearably hot as they walked, the fans the slaves waved doing little to dispel the stifling heat. She listened as the others gossiped and bickered, not responding when they queried her, not even bothering to look up. They crossed a long lawn, the grass spongy and fragranceless. The others seemed unbothered by the strangeness surrounding them, lost as they were in their intrigue and back-biting. A servant arrived to announce their luncheon and she sighed, not looking forward to the strange food that no matter how it looked always tasted bland and stale.
As they walked towards the meal the group stopped and Rhya followed suit, raising her head and scannign the area for the disturbance. She saw several boulders, seemingly out of place and wondered why they were there. Her brow furrowed and she stood on her tiptoes to see above the gathering. She saw a small dark woman, dressed all in black, holding a bundle of grapes in her bony fingers.
She turned her head trying to see the person next to the woman, could only see a portion of well muscled shoulder. Impatient to be free of the simpering coutesans Rhya allowed her gaze to drift back to the grass, noticing the strange shape of the blades, the splotchy nature of the coloring. From the front of the group she heard one of the males speak. . . his voice low and suggestive, "Is this your new prize, Driza?"
Rhya's head snapped up, her eyes wide. She heard the female respond but couldn't make out the words over the blood pounding in her ears. She took a deep breath and tried to blend further into the group when the same male spoke again, his voice pitched towards he "Oh wait. I think he's already been trained in the Quel ways a little. . .right, Rhya?"
She took a deep breath and stepped forward, her face rigid and impassive. She shrugged but didn't answer, not trusting the surety of her voice. "Well you know him, don't you, Rhya?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Yes, I do know him. But I suggest you keep your innuendo to yourself. Lord Mondane would be very unhappy to hear you were spreading rumors about me." She said mustering what strength she could to make her voice proud and defiant. She watched Jaren deflate, his face paling from her threat. She tried to focus on her antagonist but her eyes strayed to the elf behind him, the sun making his hair a halo of golden fire. She saw a small smile curve his lips and wanted desperately to return the gesture, to speak to him, to run to him. . .
She pulled her eyes away after an instant, but the damage was done. Jaren turned, his face livid and an angry sound emerging from his throat. She watched him spin, his open palm slamming into Legolas' cheek, the elf making no move to resist. Instinctively she moved to retaliate, remembering her lack of weapon and the over-whelming odds. She forced herself to calm, her breathing to remain steady.
She wanted to leave this place, to get as far away from the beautiful blonde elf as she could. Despite her apparent indifference to her companions she had listened to their conversations. Pooling the information she spoke calmly, meeting the furious mans eyes proudly. "Honestly, Jaren, how uncouth. I know he's handsome but there's no need to punish him for your own secret tendencies, now is there?"
Jarens jaw dropped open and she allowed her eyes to briefly linger on Legolas' face, but he was looking at his attacker, his face expressionless. Not daring to linger she turned and walked away, calling over her shoulder "We have a banquet tonight, remember? If you're done gaping like a gutted fish I suggest we go prepare." The assemblage laughed and began to follow her. She wanted to turn back and see him one more time but she did not, her eyes once again fixed on the earth below. *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*` *`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*
A/N- My beta convinced me to rework the next chapter, adding a bit and separating it into two. I guess the concensus is for me to go with it as the muse dictated so other than a few additions I will.
Laura- I know you suggested longer chapters, and it is something I plan to work on. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of a multi-perspective angst ridden arc and think the smaller bits are right for now. After this is done I will work on that, honest. Thanks for the comment.
Ashley- Thank you for coming out of lurkdom! I appreciate it very, very much. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Tainted Elf- LOVE your nick! Great!
Satanat & Lessien, welcome. Thanks for your comments, they are greatly appreciated. I hope to hear from you again!
Peace to all
~Arisma~
*--**--**--**--**--**--* \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ *--**--**--**--**--**--*