Title: Diplomacy Part 17
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
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They rode hard, the horses taking long powerful strides, tails and manes streaming. The landscape blurred and Legolas felt tears being torn from his eyes from the speed of their run. He cast a sideways glance and felt his heart gladden as he saw Rhya, bent low over her pure white stallion, her own dark hair streaming in counterpoint to her mounts. He saw her eyes flick towards him and his lips split in a genuine smile. He nodded to her, watching as she smiled in return.
Daylight came and died again, un-mourned by the group, their haste to put ground between themselves and the forces of Mondane urging them beyond their limits. Finally Kallo raised a hand and the riders slowed. He swung his mount towards Kailins and the two spoke with their heads together. Kailins dark eyes surveyed them all, settling for an extra moment on Rhya as they continued to murmur together.
Legolas felt his eyes narrow, his fists clench. He fought the anger welling in him, surprised by the strength of that particular emotion. He released the reins he held, letting blood begin flowing again to his numb digits. His eyes settled on Rhya, and his brow furrowed. Her face was pale, her breathing a bit too sharp. He urged his mount towards her, hardly believing in the events of the night. When she saw him approach she sat straighter, a smile appearing on her lips, though her face stayed pale.
Legolas did not speak, merely raised a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then ran his thumb over the swell of her lips. Her eyes became intense and he saw a pale pink flush begin over her cheekbones. He cupped the back of her head and drew her towards him, pressing his lips to hers, oblivious to the warriors surrounding them, or even the movement of the horses beneath them. He pulled away and looked into her eyes, a smile curving his lips.
He heard Kailin clear his throat and together they turned to face him. His brow was furrowed but his voice was even when he said, "I think we've come far enough now to risk a rest. Kallo says there's an outcropping ahead, we'll shelter there." The troops murmured their assent and they moved off. Legolas took Rhyas hand in his and followed, tracing the shapes of her knuckles with his thumb.
They descended into a small valley, the horses' hooves kicking up dust on the rocky path. Beside him, she coughed quietly, her hand covering her mouth as she did so. Immediately Kallo was beside her, offering his water skin, concern apparent in his eyes. "No thank you, Kallo. I am fine." She said, shaking her head in the direction of the water.
Legolas watched his brow furrow, and then Kallo spoke again, in the Quel language, his voice soft, the words meant for Rhya alone. She spoke again and he retorted, his voice slightly exasperated. Finally, with a sigh, she took the skin and drank, removing her hand from Legolas' grasp to remove the cork. He released her, but his fingers ached to feel her skin and he unconsciously reached towards her again. Hurriedly she replaced the cork and handed the skin back to Kallo, murmuring a "thank you."
She smiled once at the large elf before turning back towards Legolas, taking his hand in hers, lacing her fingers through his. Leaning forward she placed a soft kiss to his jaw, whispering against his skin, "I love you, Legolas."
Almost reverently he pressed his lips to the top of her head, feeling the warmth of the sun on her dark tresses and replied, "And I you, Rhya. Always."
The trail narrowed and they were forced to ride single file. Legolas rode behind her, his eyes watching her back, the way her muscles moved as she swayed in time with the horses movements, noticing again how very pale she seemed. He looked towards the head of the line and saw Kailins blue eyes locked on Rhya, a look of near animosity twisting his normally jovial features.
Legolas felt anger well within him; this was the second time he'd seen this look upon the others face since they had been reunited, though this time the malice had been even more evident. He fought a crazy urge to gallop his horse past the others and tackle the other, to feel his fist connect with his jaw, to wipe that look of disdain from his features.
Suddenly Kailins focus switched to him and he saw his friend's face go suddenly slack. He knew his confusion and anger were written on his face, but he was powerless to change the fact. Kailins eyes met his and locked, a look very like sympathy replacing the blankness of moments before. Legolas raised his eyebrows in a questioning gesture but Kailin looked away, his eyes fixed firmly ahead.
The path widened suddenly, a clearing opening before them. Around him the others began to dismount and Legolas followed suit, hastily moving next to Rhya and helping her down. Her eyes were warm and she smiled as her feet met the ground, leaning into him, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her close as the others lead their horses away, oblivious to all that happened around them.
A soft tap on the shoulder broke Legolas from his near reverie, and he turned to see Kallo, his arms crossed over his chest, glaring. Again anger surged in him, but he calmly asked, "What is it, Kallo?"
With a low grunt he raised a hand and pointed to a dark splotch on the rock face, his voice terse when he said, "You two sleep in there tonight. Get her inside, she's exhausted." He then turned and walked away, shaking his head.
When he looked back he saw anew the dark circles under her eyes, the hollowness of her cheeks. "Come love, let's go." He said, curling his arm over her shoulder. She nodded and they walked across the camp, ducking to enter the low mouth of the cave. Inside it was tall enough to allow them to stand and he soon realized that something within was giving a faint light.
He looked around, trying to discern the source when he heard her chuckle softly. "It's just moss, love. It's common here."
He had so many questions to ask her, but she yawned quietly and he knew now was not the time. Looking around he found a mossy area and settled onto it, holding his arms open until she settled against him. He kissed her and then closed his eyes, preparing to sleep. Instead he felt her hands against his chest, unbuttoning his shirt, felt her lips under his chin softly.
"Rhya, we should rest." He said, a low moan trailing the words as she nipped his earlobe.
"I've wanted you so long, love. I don't want to wait." She said her voice soft and low.
He rolled so she lay atop him, her legs on either side of his body. "We do not have to do this, Rhya." He said, regretting the words as her face fell.
She bit her lip and looked away, suddenly wondering if his gentle touches had been a show of pity, not the love and desire she had taken them for. She sat up and began to move away from him, but he stopped her, holding her hips firmly. "Love, what is it?" he asked, confused.
She looked to the ground, her hair falling forward and covering her face. Her voice was soft and trembling when she spoke again. "I understand. Truly."
He sat up as well, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him. "What do you understand, Rhya?" He lifted her tresses and studied her face, disturbed to see moisture gathering in her downcast eyes.
"If you don't want me anymore. You know what I have been. . ." her voice trailed away as the first silver tear traced down her cheek.
He was stunned, his heart aching that she would think such a thing. "No love, it's not that. What happened to you was not your fault. It changes nothing. I love you more now than ever. More than I ever thought possible." He sealed the words with a kiss, feather light against her lips.
She raised her eyes to meet his, and he saw doubt there, pain and fear as well. "Rhya, I am yours. I want you more than air, more than any sane man should want anything." Her voice trembled, but there was something of the warrior she had been in her tone when she said, "Show me, Legolas."
He did not answer, just pressed his lips to hers, twining his fingers in her hair, begging entrance to her mouth. She complied and he tasted her, a shudder racking him at the intensity. Slowly he removed her clothing, tossing it haphazardly over his shoulder, paying no mind to where it
fell. His lips trailed from her mouth to her neck, nipping lightly.
"Love you. . ." he whispered, shifting so she lay stretched beneath him, worshipping her with his hands and mouth. Carefully he settled against her, his eyes searching her face. She nodded, her eyes bright in the dim light. Slowly, his entire body shaking, he entered her, watching as she squeezed her eyes closed and arched against him.
Finally, fully joined, she opened her eyes, pulling his face towards her, kissing him passionately. Slowly he began to move, his senses reeling at the sudden change, from numb servitor to being here, with her, as he had dreamed so many times. He rested his face in the crook of her shoulder, trying to control his breathing, his eyes closed.
"So good. . ." *kiss* "love you. . ." *kiss* "so much. . ." she whispered, each word punctuated by her lips against his fevered skin. The softly spoken words nearly drove him over the edge but he bit his lip hard, continued moving. Her breathing began to roughen, small moans and gasps interspersed in the exchange of air.
He felt a low shudder begin in the base of his spine and knew he couldn't fight it much longer. "Reach for it, love. Let go." He said, his voice shaky, immediately claiming her lips with his own. Her kiss became frenzied for a moment, and then stopped, as her entire body shook beneath him, and he finally let go, joining her in an explosion of sensation.
It seemed minutes before he regained his senses, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Cradling her head in his hands he smiled at her, asked softly, "Do you believe me now? Did you feel it?"
She chuckled lightly, still slightly breathless, she raised her mouth and planted a kiss on his lips, murmuring, "I felt it in my toes, love."
He laughed then, a low merry sound. Her laugh joined his, light and musical as he moved next to her, holding her tight. "I missed you, Rhya." He said, kissing her forehead.
She nodded, kissed his chin. "And I you."
He felt the deep weariness of the flight descend on him and he closed his eyes, listening as she dropped off to sleep and then joining her, a smile on his face as he did.
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A/N- Please welcome my new Beta reader, Kris. Make her feel welcome, drop *her* a review.
Sorry this chap took so long, but at least its somewhat longish. right?
Again, not feeling the love from you guys. I need the love, it's muse food. Honest.
So, read, review. Tell me what you think, what you want to happen.
Just let me know someone is reading this, okay?
*~Arisma~*
** Cry rutabaga! Let slip the weasels of inconvenience.~ C.A.M.C. Dm extraordinaire **
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
-*-*-*-*-***-*-*-*-*-***-*-*-*-*-***-*-*-*-*-***-*-*-*-*-***-*-*-*-*-***-*- *-*-*-
They rode hard, the horses taking long powerful strides, tails and manes streaming. The landscape blurred and Legolas felt tears being torn from his eyes from the speed of their run. He cast a sideways glance and felt his heart gladden as he saw Rhya, bent low over her pure white stallion, her own dark hair streaming in counterpoint to her mounts. He saw her eyes flick towards him and his lips split in a genuine smile. He nodded to her, watching as she smiled in return.
Daylight came and died again, un-mourned by the group, their haste to put ground between themselves and the forces of Mondane urging them beyond their limits. Finally Kallo raised a hand and the riders slowed. He swung his mount towards Kailins and the two spoke with their heads together. Kailins dark eyes surveyed them all, settling for an extra moment on Rhya as they continued to murmur together.
Legolas felt his eyes narrow, his fists clench. He fought the anger welling in him, surprised by the strength of that particular emotion. He released the reins he held, letting blood begin flowing again to his numb digits. His eyes settled on Rhya, and his brow furrowed. Her face was pale, her breathing a bit too sharp. He urged his mount towards her, hardly believing in the events of the night. When she saw him approach she sat straighter, a smile appearing on her lips, though her face stayed pale.
Legolas did not speak, merely raised a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then ran his thumb over the swell of her lips. Her eyes became intense and he saw a pale pink flush begin over her cheekbones. He cupped the back of her head and drew her towards him, pressing his lips to hers, oblivious to the warriors surrounding them, or even the movement of the horses beneath them. He pulled away and looked into her eyes, a smile curving his lips.
He heard Kailin clear his throat and together they turned to face him. His brow was furrowed but his voice was even when he said, "I think we've come far enough now to risk a rest. Kallo says there's an outcropping ahead, we'll shelter there." The troops murmured their assent and they moved off. Legolas took Rhyas hand in his and followed, tracing the shapes of her knuckles with his thumb.
They descended into a small valley, the horses' hooves kicking up dust on the rocky path. Beside him, she coughed quietly, her hand covering her mouth as she did so. Immediately Kallo was beside her, offering his water skin, concern apparent in his eyes. "No thank you, Kallo. I am fine." She said, shaking her head in the direction of the water.
Legolas watched his brow furrow, and then Kallo spoke again, in the Quel language, his voice soft, the words meant for Rhya alone. She spoke again and he retorted, his voice slightly exasperated. Finally, with a sigh, she took the skin and drank, removing her hand from Legolas' grasp to remove the cork. He released her, but his fingers ached to feel her skin and he unconsciously reached towards her again. Hurriedly she replaced the cork and handed the skin back to Kallo, murmuring a "thank you."
She smiled once at the large elf before turning back towards Legolas, taking his hand in hers, lacing her fingers through his. Leaning forward she placed a soft kiss to his jaw, whispering against his skin, "I love you, Legolas."
Almost reverently he pressed his lips to the top of her head, feeling the warmth of the sun on her dark tresses and replied, "And I you, Rhya. Always."
The trail narrowed and they were forced to ride single file. Legolas rode behind her, his eyes watching her back, the way her muscles moved as she swayed in time with the horses movements, noticing again how very pale she seemed. He looked towards the head of the line and saw Kailins blue eyes locked on Rhya, a look of near animosity twisting his normally jovial features.
Legolas felt anger well within him; this was the second time he'd seen this look upon the others face since they had been reunited, though this time the malice had been even more evident. He fought a crazy urge to gallop his horse past the others and tackle the other, to feel his fist connect with his jaw, to wipe that look of disdain from his features.
Suddenly Kailins focus switched to him and he saw his friend's face go suddenly slack. He knew his confusion and anger were written on his face, but he was powerless to change the fact. Kailins eyes met his and locked, a look very like sympathy replacing the blankness of moments before. Legolas raised his eyebrows in a questioning gesture but Kailin looked away, his eyes fixed firmly ahead.
The path widened suddenly, a clearing opening before them. Around him the others began to dismount and Legolas followed suit, hastily moving next to Rhya and helping her down. Her eyes were warm and she smiled as her feet met the ground, leaning into him, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her close as the others lead their horses away, oblivious to all that happened around them.
A soft tap on the shoulder broke Legolas from his near reverie, and he turned to see Kallo, his arms crossed over his chest, glaring. Again anger surged in him, but he calmly asked, "What is it, Kallo?"
With a low grunt he raised a hand and pointed to a dark splotch on the rock face, his voice terse when he said, "You two sleep in there tonight. Get her inside, she's exhausted." He then turned and walked away, shaking his head.
When he looked back he saw anew the dark circles under her eyes, the hollowness of her cheeks. "Come love, let's go." He said, curling his arm over her shoulder. She nodded and they walked across the camp, ducking to enter the low mouth of the cave. Inside it was tall enough to allow them to stand and he soon realized that something within was giving a faint light.
He looked around, trying to discern the source when he heard her chuckle softly. "It's just moss, love. It's common here."
He had so many questions to ask her, but she yawned quietly and he knew now was not the time. Looking around he found a mossy area and settled onto it, holding his arms open until she settled against him. He kissed her and then closed his eyes, preparing to sleep. Instead he felt her hands against his chest, unbuttoning his shirt, felt her lips under his chin softly.
"Rhya, we should rest." He said, a low moan trailing the words as she nipped his earlobe.
"I've wanted you so long, love. I don't want to wait." She said her voice soft and low.
He rolled so she lay atop him, her legs on either side of his body. "We do not have to do this, Rhya." He said, regretting the words as her face fell.
She bit her lip and looked away, suddenly wondering if his gentle touches had been a show of pity, not the love and desire she had taken them for. She sat up and began to move away from him, but he stopped her, holding her hips firmly. "Love, what is it?" he asked, confused.
She looked to the ground, her hair falling forward and covering her face. Her voice was soft and trembling when she spoke again. "I understand. Truly."
He sat up as well, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him. "What do you understand, Rhya?" He lifted her tresses and studied her face, disturbed to see moisture gathering in her downcast eyes.
"If you don't want me anymore. You know what I have been. . ." her voice trailed away as the first silver tear traced down her cheek.
He was stunned, his heart aching that she would think such a thing. "No love, it's not that. What happened to you was not your fault. It changes nothing. I love you more now than ever. More than I ever thought possible." He sealed the words with a kiss, feather light against her lips.
She raised her eyes to meet his, and he saw doubt there, pain and fear as well. "Rhya, I am yours. I want you more than air, more than any sane man should want anything." Her voice trembled, but there was something of the warrior she had been in her tone when she said, "Show me, Legolas."
He did not answer, just pressed his lips to hers, twining his fingers in her hair, begging entrance to her mouth. She complied and he tasted her, a shudder racking him at the intensity. Slowly he removed her clothing, tossing it haphazardly over his shoulder, paying no mind to where it
fell. His lips trailed from her mouth to her neck, nipping lightly.
"Love you. . ." he whispered, shifting so she lay stretched beneath him, worshipping her with his hands and mouth. Carefully he settled against her, his eyes searching her face. She nodded, her eyes bright in the dim light. Slowly, his entire body shaking, he entered her, watching as she squeezed her eyes closed and arched against him.
Finally, fully joined, she opened her eyes, pulling his face towards her, kissing him passionately. Slowly he began to move, his senses reeling at the sudden change, from numb servitor to being here, with her, as he had dreamed so many times. He rested his face in the crook of her shoulder, trying to control his breathing, his eyes closed.
"So good. . ." *kiss* "love you. . ." *kiss* "so much. . ." she whispered, each word punctuated by her lips against his fevered skin. The softly spoken words nearly drove him over the edge but he bit his lip hard, continued moving. Her breathing began to roughen, small moans and gasps interspersed in the exchange of air.
He felt a low shudder begin in the base of his spine and knew he couldn't fight it much longer. "Reach for it, love. Let go." He said, his voice shaky, immediately claiming her lips with his own. Her kiss became frenzied for a moment, and then stopped, as her entire body shook beneath him, and he finally let go, joining her in an explosion of sensation.
It seemed minutes before he regained his senses, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Cradling her head in his hands he smiled at her, asked softly, "Do you believe me now? Did you feel it?"
She chuckled lightly, still slightly breathless, she raised her mouth and planted a kiss on his lips, murmuring, "I felt it in my toes, love."
He laughed then, a low merry sound. Her laugh joined his, light and musical as he moved next to her, holding her tight. "I missed you, Rhya." He said, kissing her forehead.
She nodded, kissed his chin. "And I you."
He felt the deep weariness of the flight descend on him and he closed his eyes, listening as she dropped off to sleep and then joining her, a smile on his face as he did.
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A/N- Please welcome my new Beta reader, Kris. Make her feel welcome, drop *her* a review.
Sorry this chap took so long, but at least its somewhat longish. right?
Again, not feeling the love from you guys. I need the love, it's muse food. Honest.
So, read, review. Tell me what you think, what you want to happen.
Just let me know someone is reading this, okay?
*~Arisma~*
** Cry rutabaga! Let slip the weasels of inconvenience.~ C.A.M.C. Dm extraordinaire **