Title: Diplomacy 18
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 -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- *- She felt a hand on her shoulder and woke instantly, flinging her arms in an attempt to ward off her attacker. A hand pressed her mouth and another grabbed her wrists, pinning her helplessly. She arched her back and kicked out, trying futily to wriggle from the hands. "Rhya! Rhya! Calm, please, calm!"
The voice broke through her panic and she opened her eyes, blinking in surprise at the sunlight that streamed around her. Her eyes met those of her captor, the ice blue orbs of her loves dearest friend. He raised his eyebrows, asked softly, "If I let you go, are you
still going to try to pummel me?"
She shook her head no, calming her breathing, trying to still the hammering of her heart. Carefully he removed his hand from her mouth, watching her warily. "I am going to let your hands go now..." he said, quickly proving the words true. She rubbed her wrists, pulling the blanket higher, tucking it beneath her arms to secure it. "Is it time to go now?" she asked, forcing her voice not to quake with the adrenaline that still rushed through her.
He sat back, crouching, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes surveyed her, and he shook his head. Raising a hand, he ran it lightly through his short, dark hair, sighing as he did. "No, not time yet. I was hoping... maybe, that I could talk to you a bit... alone." His voice was taut, nervous, and she felt a strange fear rise in her. Quickly she turned and looked to the ground next to her, where Legolas should have rested. As if reading her thoughts Kailin said, "He is out having breakfast, he wanted you to rest."
"And yet you have woken me." she stated, sitting up and scooting back from him slightly.
"I am not going to hurt you." he said, a touch of hurt in his voice. "I just want to talk to you."
"Then talk."
He sighed again, unsure how to say what he wanted. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come and so he closed it, his brow furrowing in thought. "Just say it, Kailin, whatever it is. I am not made of glass. I will not break."
Her voice broke through his confusion and the words seemed to tumble out. "When are you going to tell him, Rhya? Are you going to?"
Her eyes narrowed, but he saw her swallow hard. "I will tell him when the time is right. When I think it best. I don not want him to be distracted, we are still far from safety."
Her voice was calm, steady and he felt a sudden bloom of respect for her. "Such strength." he thought, "There is something of steel in this one." Outwardly he merely nodded, then queried, What if something should happen before we reach safety? What if they catch us, or something happens to you?"
"Then he need never know." She remained calm, but he saw her pale at the mention of capture. "You would keep it from him? Doesn't he deserve to know? Don't you owe him that much?" He felt anger swell within him but fought to suppress it, knowing he failed miserably.
Her eyes flashed angrily, her cheeks flushing as her ire matched his. "I owe him more than you can imagine, Kailin. And that is precisely why I have not told him. He is not just going to let us march out of here, you know. Legolas still wears the bond around his neck, and that pales in comparison to the restraints on me."
He looked her over, frustration and helplessness warring with anger within. "Trust me, I know he is bound. I see that collar every time I close my eyes! And do you know, princess" the word dripped with scorn and he saw her eyes widen, "how that collar got there?" She shook her head with denial, lowering her eyes, backing further from him.
Months of bitterness and anger had been released now and he was helpless to hold back the torrent, unsure if he even wanted to try. He followed her, closing the gap she sought to create between them. "You put it there! You with your bells and flashing blade. You trapped him with your beautiful words and your willing body. You damned him as surely as if you had driven a
blade through his heart."
Her head remained bowed and his hand shot out, grasping her chin between his fingers, raising her eyes to meet his. He had expected anger, hate, but the tears and self-loathing he saw in her eyes were more than he could tolerate. She wrenched her face from him, not caring as her skull cracked sharply into the rock behind her. "You think I don't know that, Kailin? You think I
haven't hated myself for it every minute of everyday?" her voice rose, her calm shattering.
"Then why the hell did you do it? Why didn't you leave him be?" he asked, his own calm fleeing as he shouted the question he had wondered so long into her face.
"Because I love him! I didn't want to, I tried not to, believe me. Do you think I wanted to feel this way? To let him in, to give myself to him? You know the price I paid. But don't you see, even then, I thought only I was going to pay! I knew it would kill me to have felt that, his warmth and love and then to go to that place. But I never, for even an instant, thought he'd
be in any danger." She clutched the blanket in her hand, angry tears streaming down her face, her eyes pleading with him to understand.
He felt his anger die, replaced with a weary and undefined rage. He sat on the cool rock, his voice soft and emotionless when he said "But you were wrong, were you not? He paid as you did and he is anything but safe. He loves you, Rhya. I have known him all his life and he has never given away his heart. No matter what happens, if we manage to get away from here, or we all get captured and pay your debt, it's going to end in pain for him."
She opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the light was blocked, a familiar outline standing in the entrance to the cave. Quickly she scrubbed her hands against her cheeks, watching as Legolas entered, his face confused. "What's going on here? What was all that shouting about?" He closed the distance between them, kneeling next to Rhya, brushing the hair from her damp cheeks, his eyes flickering between her and Kailin uncertainly.
Kailin bowed his head, not sure what to say but Rhya spoke quickly, her voice surprisingly steady. "I had a dream, an awful one. Kailin must have heard me and came to see what was wrong, but I didn't realize and fought him. The shouting was him convincing my mind that I was indeed awake."
Concern still shadowed Legolas' eyes, and he looked to Kailin, uncertainly. "Quite the firecracker you've got there, Leaf." he said somewhat shakily, backing away from the two slowly. "Fights like a wildcat, even when she is dead asleep."
Legolas nodded, his eyes still hazed with concern, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'm here now, Kailin, thank you."
He nodded and stood, casting a backwards glance to Rhya before leaving. "I'm sorry you were so upset, I hope you feel better." he said, sincerely sorry for instigating the argument.
She nodded, leaning against Legolas, her eyes locked with Kailin's. "Thank *you*, Kailin. Sometimes it is better for things to come out, even if it's not pleasant when they do. Thank you."
He nodded and walked out, trying futily to sort through his emotions about
the woman his best friend held so dear. **--****--****--****--****--****--****--****--****--****--**
Silence stretched as Kailin walked away, leaving Legolas clutching his love tightly. "Rhya..." he began, stroking a hand down her dark tresses.
"It is okay, a'mael. I am fine." she reassured, pulling slightly away from him. She took his hands in hers, smiling now. "I am fine now love, it was silliness. Please, do not worry about it."
He smiled at her reassurance and nodded. "I'm sorry I left you alone, I thought you needed the rest and I was hungry."
"No need to be sorry." She said, placing a soft kiss on his chin. "All is well. It will just take me some time to readjust, that is all." She stood then, letting the blanket drop. He watched her move, gathering her clothes and slipping them on, appreciative of her comfort with him. Her time in Mondane's realm had softened her, her lean warrior's body now fuller, more curvaceous, though she remained slim.
He heard her chuckle and wrenched his gaze from her bosom to meet her eyes. He grinned and watched as she walked towards him, an eyebrow cocked. "See something you like, my lord?" she queried, her voice full of good humor.
He grasped her hand and pulled her down, settling her onto his lap. Leaning forward he placed a warm, lingering kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, returning the kiss, deepening it briefly before turning her attentions to the point of his ear, nipping it lightly. He dug his fingers into her hips and pulled her more firmly against him, moaning softly. "I see plenty I like..." he whispered, turning his head quickly to catch her lips with his own.
Outside they could hear Kailin giving orders, the whickering of horses as they awaited their riders, the time for departure nearing. One more long kiss and she sat back, sighing. "I think that means we should go."
"Nothing I could say to persuade you to stay?" he asked, smiling lecherously.
Wordlessly she rotated her hips, pressing against him. His breath caught in his throat at the unexpected movement, quickly stilling her with trembling hands. "Rhya... oh, not fair. Do that again and there's no way I'll let you go." She grinned wickedly and repeated the maneuver, laughing as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight to him.
"Legolas, we need to go, they're waiting!" she said, giggling as he nuzzled into her neck.
"Let them wait." he murmured before continuing his inspection.
"They will send someone in, you know." she said slyly, thinking she had discovered a chink of modesty in his resolve.
"Let them watch, then." he said with a low growl, beginning to push her backwards, stretching atop her. His eyes gleamed as he kissed her, passionate and insistent. His hands roamed her body, caressing, and she fought hard to remember why she wanted this to stop.
"Love..." she gasped, feeling his hands slip under the hem of her shirt "we haven't time, we should go..." futily searching her mind for arguments while her body cried for her to relent to him.
A throat cleared loudly and they both turned their heads to see Kallo, his face blank, leaning in the doorway. Feeling like elflings caught with their hands in the cookie jar, they were speechless, looking at him from faces suddenly red with more than ardor. "If you can separate long enough to mount..."
"Your horses..." Kailin added from directly behind the large elf.
Kallo turned briefly and glanced at the smaller elf and they could see Kailin shrug and turn away. "As I was saying, if you can control yourselves, we really should be going."
The lovers nodded, but remained as they were. With a small groan Kallo turned away and walked off, shaking his head. "Love, shouldn't we go?" she asked, lightly touching his face.
He chuckled ruefully and sat back, showing the obvious evidence of his intentions. "Give me a minute, please." She burst out laughing and he joined, their mirth echoing in the cave and spilling into the clearing beyond.
Kailin looked across to Kallo, his eyes hooded, but Kallo merely smiled. With a sigh he swung into the saddle, taking the reins from the smaller elf. "Feels good to hear them laugh, doesn't it?" he asked pointedly, eyeing his companion.
Kailin snorted and turned his horse, as the two emerged, leaning on each other and wiping their streaming eyes. "Yes, it does." He answered. They mounted and headed off, no one hearing Kailin when he muttered, "I just hope it lasts." -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- *- A/N
Very long chapter here peoples. I want beaux coup reviews. C'mon, you know you want to.
Again, help me welcome Kris, she's more helpful than you can imagine. Say hi to her in your reviews, please???
more to come...
~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 -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- *- She felt a hand on her shoulder and woke instantly, flinging her arms in an attempt to ward off her attacker. A hand pressed her mouth and another grabbed her wrists, pinning her helplessly. She arched her back and kicked out, trying futily to wriggle from the hands. "Rhya! Rhya! Calm, please, calm!"
The voice broke through her panic and she opened her eyes, blinking in surprise at the sunlight that streamed around her. Her eyes met those of her captor, the ice blue orbs of her loves dearest friend. He raised his eyebrows, asked softly, "If I let you go, are you
still going to try to pummel me?"
She shook her head no, calming her breathing, trying to still the hammering of her heart. Carefully he removed his hand from her mouth, watching her warily. "I am going to let your hands go now..." he said, quickly proving the words true. She rubbed her wrists, pulling the blanket higher, tucking it beneath her arms to secure it. "Is it time to go now?" she asked, forcing her voice not to quake with the adrenaline that still rushed through her.
He sat back, crouching, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes surveyed her, and he shook his head. Raising a hand, he ran it lightly through his short, dark hair, sighing as he did. "No, not time yet. I was hoping... maybe, that I could talk to you a bit... alone." His voice was taut, nervous, and she felt a strange fear rise in her. Quickly she turned and looked to the ground next to her, where Legolas should have rested. As if reading her thoughts Kailin said, "He is out having breakfast, he wanted you to rest."
"And yet you have woken me." she stated, sitting up and scooting back from him slightly.
"I am not going to hurt you." he said, a touch of hurt in his voice. "I just want to talk to you."
"Then talk."
He sighed again, unsure how to say what he wanted. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come and so he closed it, his brow furrowing in thought. "Just say it, Kailin, whatever it is. I am not made of glass. I will not break."
Her voice broke through his confusion and the words seemed to tumble out. "When are you going to tell him, Rhya? Are you going to?"
Her eyes narrowed, but he saw her swallow hard. "I will tell him when the time is right. When I think it best. I don not want him to be distracted, we are still far from safety."
Her voice was calm, steady and he felt a sudden bloom of respect for her. "Such strength." he thought, "There is something of steel in this one." Outwardly he merely nodded, then queried, What if something should happen before we reach safety? What if they catch us, or something happens to you?"
"Then he need never know." She remained calm, but he saw her pale at the mention of capture. "You would keep it from him? Doesn't he deserve to know? Don't you owe him that much?" He felt anger swell within him but fought to suppress it, knowing he failed miserably.
Her eyes flashed angrily, her cheeks flushing as her ire matched his. "I owe him more than you can imagine, Kailin. And that is precisely why I have not told him. He is not just going to let us march out of here, you know. Legolas still wears the bond around his neck, and that pales in comparison to the restraints on me."
He looked her over, frustration and helplessness warring with anger within. "Trust me, I know he is bound. I see that collar every time I close my eyes! And do you know, princess" the word dripped with scorn and he saw her eyes widen, "how that collar got there?" She shook her head with denial, lowering her eyes, backing further from him.
Months of bitterness and anger had been released now and he was helpless to hold back the torrent, unsure if he even wanted to try. He followed her, closing the gap she sought to create between them. "You put it there! You with your bells and flashing blade. You trapped him with your beautiful words and your willing body. You damned him as surely as if you had driven a
blade through his heart."
Her head remained bowed and his hand shot out, grasping her chin between his fingers, raising her eyes to meet his. He had expected anger, hate, but the tears and self-loathing he saw in her eyes were more than he could tolerate. She wrenched her face from him, not caring as her skull cracked sharply into the rock behind her. "You think I don't know that, Kailin? You think I
haven't hated myself for it every minute of everyday?" her voice rose, her calm shattering.
"Then why the hell did you do it? Why didn't you leave him be?" he asked, his own calm fleeing as he shouted the question he had wondered so long into her face.
"Because I love him! I didn't want to, I tried not to, believe me. Do you think I wanted to feel this way? To let him in, to give myself to him? You know the price I paid. But don't you see, even then, I thought only I was going to pay! I knew it would kill me to have felt that, his warmth and love and then to go to that place. But I never, for even an instant, thought he'd
be in any danger." She clutched the blanket in her hand, angry tears streaming down her face, her eyes pleading with him to understand.
He felt his anger die, replaced with a weary and undefined rage. He sat on the cool rock, his voice soft and emotionless when he said "But you were wrong, were you not? He paid as you did and he is anything but safe. He loves you, Rhya. I have known him all his life and he has never given away his heart. No matter what happens, if we manage to get away from here, or we all get captured and pay your debt, it's going to end in pain for him."
She opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the light was blocked, a familiar outline standing in the entrance to the cave. Quickly she scrubbed her hands against her cheeks, watching as Legolas entered, his face confused. "What's going on here? What was all that shouting about?" He closed the distance between them, kneeling next to Rhya, brushing the hair from her damp cheeks, his eyes flickering between her and Kailin uncertainly.
Kailin bowed his head, not sure what to say but Rhya spoke quickly, her voice surprisingly steady. "I had a dream, an awful one. Kailin must have heard me and came to see what was wrong, but I didn't realize and fought him. The shouting was him convincing my mind that I was indeed awake."
Concern still shadowed Legolas' eyes, and he looked to Kailin, uncertainly. "Quite the firecracker you've got there, Leaf." he said somewhat shakily, backing away from the two slowly. "Fights like a wildcat, even when she is dead asleep."
Legolas nodded, his eyes still hazed with concern, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'm here now, Kailin, thank you."
He nodded and stood, casting a backwards glance to Rhya before leaving. "I'm sorry you were so upset, I hope you feel better." he said, sincerely sorry for instigating the argument.
She nodded, leaning against Legolas, her eyes locked with Kailin's. "Thank *you*, Kailin. Sometimes it is better for things to come out, even if it's not pleasant when they do. Thank you."
He nodded and walked out, trying futily to sort through his emotions about
the woman his best friend held so dear. **--****--****--****--****--****--****--****--****--****--**
Silence stretched as Kailin walked away, leaving Legolas clutching his love tightly. "Rhya..." he began, stroking a hand down her dark tresses.
"It is okay, a'mael. I am fine." she reassured, pulling slightly away from him. She took his hands in hers, smiling now. "I am fine now love, it was silliness. Please, do not worry about it."
He smiled at her reassurance and nodded. "I'm sorry I left you alone, I thought you needed the rest and I was hungry."
"No need to be sorry." She said, placing a soft kiss on his chin. "All is well. It will just take me some time to readjust, that is all." She stood then, letting the blanket drop. He watched her move, gathering her clothes and slipping them on, appreciative of her comfort with him. Her time in Mondane's realm had softened her, her lean warrior's body now fuller, more curvaceous, though she remained slim.
He heard her chuckle and wrenched his gaze from her bosom to meet her eyes. He grinned and watched as she walked towards him, an eyebrow cocked. "See something you like, my lord?" she queried, her voice full of good humor.
He grasped her hand and pulled her down, settling her onto his lap. Leaning forward he placed a warm, lingering kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, returning the kiss, deepening it briefly before turning her attentions to the point of his ear, nipping it lightly. He dug his fingers into her hips and pulled her more firmly against him, moaning softly. "I see plenty I like..." he whispered, turning his head quickly to catch her lips with his own.
Outside they could hear Kailin giving orders, the whickering of horses as they awaited their riders, the time for departure nearing. One more long kiss and she sat back, sighing. "I think that means we should go."
"Nothing I could say to persuade you to stay?" he asked, smiling lecherously.
Wordlessly she rotated her hips, pressing against him. His breath caught in his throat at the unexpected movement, quickly stilling her with trembling hands. "Rhya... oh, not fair. Do that again and there's no way I'll let you go." She grinned wickedly and repeated the maneuver, laughing as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight to him.
"Legolas, we need to go, they're waiting!" she said, giggling as he nuzzled into her neck.
"Let them wait." he murmured before continuing his inspection.
"They will send someone in, you know." she said slyly, thinking she had discovered a chink of modesty in his resolve.
"Let them watch, then." he said with a low growl, beginning to push her backwards, stretching atop her. His eyes gleamed as he kissed her, passionate and insistent. His hands roamed her body, caressing, and she fought hard to remember why she wanted this to stop.
"Love..." she gasped, feeling his hands slip under the hem of her shirt "we haven't time, we should go..." futily searching her mind for arguments while her body cried for her to relent to him.
A throat cleared loudly and they both turned their heads to see Kallo, his face blank, leaning in the doorway. Feeling like elflings caught with their hands in the cookie jar, they were speechless, looking at him from faces suddenly red with more than ardor. "If you can separate long enough to mount..."
"Your horses..." Kailin added from directly behind the large elf.
Kallo turned briefly and glanced at the smaller elf and they could see Kailin shrug and turn away. "As I was saying, if you can control yourselves, we really should be going."
The lovers nodded, but remained as they were. With a small groan Kallo turned away and walked off, shaking his head. "Love, shouldn't we go?" she asked, lightly touching his face.
He chuckled ruefully and sat back, showing the obvious evidence of his intentions. "Give me a minute, please." She burst out laughing and he joined, their mirth echoing in the cave and spilling into the clearing beyond.
Kailin looked across to Kallo, his eyes hooded, but Kallo merely smiled. With a sigh he swung into the saddle, taking the reins from the smaller elf. "Feels good to hear them laugh, doesn't it?" he asked pointedly, eyeing his companion.
Kailin snorted and turned his horse, as the two emerged, leaning on each other and wiping their streaming eyes. "Yes, it does." He answered. They mounted and headed off, no one hearing Kailin when he muttered, "I just hope it lasts." -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- *- A/N
Very long chapter here peoples. I want beaux coup reviews. C'mon, you know you want to.
Again, help me welcome Kris, she's more helpful than you can imagine. Say hi to her in your reviews, please???
more to come...
~Arisma~