Title: Diplomacy 24
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 -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- *- Legolas' feet made no sound as he ran, his hair flying behind him, his chest heaving with exertion. He slowed his pace, slipping silently into the tent he shared with Rhya, standing silently for a second, his breath coming in small, sharp gasps. Bracing his hands on his knees he bent forward, closing his eyes and focusing on smoothing his respiration, his body slowly responding, his breath evening, calming.
As he straightened his gaze swept the room, taking in the cold food spread on the table, the smoldering braziers still releasing their smoky aromas into the air. Crossing the room, his feet sinking into the plush carpets, he pushed aside the curtain to the bedroom and took a small step inside. His gaze rested on the bed, seeing the faint silhouette of his love through the lowered hangings.
He crossed to the bedside, kneeling outside the sheer white drapings. Her face was turned towards him, her dark hair falling haphazardly across her bare shoulders, concealing her from his view. He watched her for a time, her breathing slow in sleep, mesmerized by her mere presence. Slowly he parted the curtains and brushed the hair away, his fingers lingering on the smooth skin of her cheek. Instinctively she turned her head, seeking the warmth of his touch and he took the opportunity to cup her cheek, trailing his thumb along her lips, slightly parted in sleep.
So much of his fate was now twined with hers, so much blended that some times he wondered if he had lost himself in the loving of her. He remembered the not too distant past, the carefree young prince he had been, worrying of no more than his father's approval, wanting nothing more than to escape his duties when possible to carouse with his friends. He thought of them now,
the ones he had grown with, the ones he had left behind. Among the many he held dear only one was left to him, and at times he could feel the strain between them palpably.
He wrenched his attention away from those revelations and instead gazed at her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, noting that she slept with her hands tightly balled, as a child. He ran a finger along the ridge of her knuckles, feeling the tension in her even as she slept. Again he raised his eyes to her face, feeling the smoothness of her cheek, tracing the angle of her jaw.
Leaning forward he pressed his lips to hers, his eyes closed, just wanting to feel the warmth of her skin. He remained like that for some time, losing himself in her nearness. When he finally sat back and opened his eyes he was met with her own, bright and intent, if a bit hazed from sleep. He smiled sheepishly as she asked, "What was that for?"
"Just wanted to," he answered, again running his thumb along the line of her lips, shuddering slightly as she shifted to pull the digit within her mouth. She met his eyes intently as she suckled his thumb and he felt goosebumps rise on his flesh. He jerked it away, shaking his head as she grinned. "And what was that for?" he asked, climbing into the bed next to her.
An impish grin spread across her face as she nuzzled against him. "Just wanted to," she said, chuckling lightly. Without another word he grasped her hands and held them above her head, eyeing her intently. She watched him, biting her lip, intensely aware of the proximity of his body.
"Just wanted to?" he asked softly, moving his face so his lips hovered a hairsbreadth from hers. She nodded, her eyes bright, waiting to see what he would do next. "And what if I wanted to do something?" he queried, his voice low and lecherous.
She strained forward, claiming his lips briefly in a kiss of intense passion. "Then I suggest you do it, my lord," she said, her voice a touch husky.
He grinned crookedly and lowered his head to her throat, smiling as she arched her neck away from him, allowing him access to the delicate flesh. She moaned softly as his lips met her skin, twisting her body to be closer to him. He grasped her hip and pressed his lips firmly to her neck, taking a deep breath and blowing it out with as much force as he could muster.
She gasped and twisted away, but he had her firmly and continued his assault, planting wet raspberries all along the column of her neck. After he had reduced her to helpless laughter he raised his head, his hair mussed and grinned, leaning forward to place a quick peck to her chin. "Not what you had in mind, my lady?" he asked, chuckling as she met his gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Not fair Legolas, just not fair!" she shouted, twisting her hands furiously, trying futily to make him release his grasp.
Again he grinned, releasing her hands, chuckling as she moved swiftly to pin his own, knowing he could break her grip if he truly desired. "Who said I'd play fair?" he asked, smirking at the astonished look on her face. She leaned in to kiss him and just as their lips met they heard a throat clear softly in the doorway.
In an instant Legolas was on his feet, his stance ready for anything. He swept his gaze over the large Elf standing there, catching a strange expression on his face for the barest of moments. Recovering quickly he relaxed his stance, nodding to the visitor. "Hello Kallo, can we help you?" The large Elfs' eyes flicked briefly to Rhya, noting the flush of both desire and embarrassment upon her cheeks.
"Actually," he said, resting his gaze solidly upon Legolas again, "I was wondering if we could talk for a bit."
Legolas fought to hide his surprise and nodded, looking briefly to Rhya before he did so. "I'll rest a bit more, if that's alright," she said uncertainly, watching the two eye each other warily. Legolas broke eye contact first, leaning across the bed and planting a solid kiss on her lips efore straightening.
"I'll be right back, love," he said calmly, meeting her gaze for a moment before walking across the room and past the large Elf in the doorway. Kallo remained standing for a moment, watching Rhya and then turned, following her lover into the main room.
Legolas walked towards the pillows and motioned for him to sit, but Kallo interrupted him, asking softly, "Will you walk with me?"
Again caught off guard Legolas could only nod and follow as the large Elf lead him outside, weaving through the streets with an alarming familiarity. With dismay Legolas saw him approach the same path he had taken earlier, when he had spoken with Kailin. At the last minute he turned aside, striding up a path Legolas hadn't noticed, well concealed in tall shrubs.
They walked in silence, the sun rising around them as they trekked. Reaching a level widening in the path Kallo stopped, moving forward to sit with his feet hanging precariously over the edge. Legolas remained standing, his gaze sweeping across the amazing vista their climb had revealed. Below them stretched the entirety of the valley, a patchwork of brightly colored tents
and, in the distance, fields and a small lake, laid out below them, impossible in their tiny perfection.
"Amazing..." the word seemed to fall from his lips as he settled next to the other, his legs also dangling over the foolishly high drop.
"It is, isn't it?" Legolas could hear a near reverence in his companion's voice and he turned to regard him curiously, though he remained silent. Suddenly Kallo met his gaze, his grey eyes seeming to bore straight into him. "It's the kind of place you could start over, make a real go of it," his voice was low, filled with meaning.
Legolas nodded and turned his attention back out over the valley, watching as tiny swirls of smoke began to drift from several tents. A silence fell between them again, and rather than break it Legolas studied the tiny inhabitants as they moved about, waiting patiently to discern the large Elfs' motivations.
"I know you spoke to Kailin," he said finally, so suddenly that Legolas nearly jumped as a result. Something about this Elf put him ill at ease and he disliked it intently and so he merely nodded, affecting indifference though his muscles tightened involuntarily. "What are you planning?"
Something about the tone of the question sparked an anger within him and he turned his gaze again on the large Elf, not surprised when he met the calm grey eyes. "What do you mean, Kallo?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice level.
The Quel warrior shrugged but held his gaze, his eyes passive, nearly bored. "Just want to know what you're planning, now that you no longer have a home."
He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, fighting hard to keep his raging temper in check. "Watch yourself, Kallo," he warned, not wanting to strike this Elf who had done so much for his love.
Huge shoulders shrugged, eyes still impassive. "The truth is the truth, however it is said. I want to know what you are planning...if I'm going to have to pick up the pieces you leave behind."
"What pieces would that be, Kallo? Rhya? You think I'm going to leave her, now, after all of this?" Legolas was incredulous, his pulse thumping in his ears.
"That is the price your father named," his voice was calm, nonchalant.
Legolas leapt to his feet, pacing along the edge, his voice ringing loudly. "And he won't get it! I can't give her up Kallo. She's all I have, all I've ever had and he thinks I'll just toss her away to be his whipping boy again? I'd rather die with her than live without her!"
As he stopped speaking he glared at the back of Kallo's head, his eyes burning into the dark hair. He saw the shoulders slump, the head bow, and then Kallo stood, approaching him. A large hand snaked out and caught him by the shoulder and Legolas realized then just how close he stood to the precipice. For an instant he thought he saw baleful, murderous intent in
Kallos' eyes but as soon as he noted the look it was gone, replaced by the large Elf's customary calm. With a gentle jerk he backed the prince from the lip, with a murmured, "The edge is unsafe, be more careful," and then he walked away, heading back down the path.
Legolas waited a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion. Making a snap decision he ran after Kallo, gripping his upper arm and spinning him around so that their eyes met. Again, if only for an instant, a gleam of malevolence shone in the larger Elfs' eyes, and Legolas wondered suddenly just how deep the large Elf's resentment of him ran. They stood for a moment in silence and then Kallo turned again and made to walk away. Frustrated, his hands clenched into tight fists, Legolas called after him angrily. "Dammit, Kallo, what was this about? Why did you bring me here? To show me a pretty view?"
Again the large Elf startled him, spinning and racing back to where he stood, his eyes bright with an unnamed emotion. "Are you daft? Do you really not understand?"
"No Kallo, I don't understand. What the hell is wrong with you people? Why can't you ever just SAY something?" his voice rose to a shout, the tendons of his neck snapping taut with anger.
"You want me to say it, to spell it out for you? Fine, then I will. I was showing you that you could live here, the two of you, that you could leave behind all that has come before and make something new, together. I was giving her to you, you blasted fool!" his voice rose sharply, his eyes boring into Legolas. They stood that way a moment, Legolas silently digesting the words.
With a loud snort Kallo turned and again began to make his way down the path, shaking his head as he walked. Calmly, evenly Legolas spoke, his voice soft but carrying easily to the other Elfs' ears. "She is not yours to give, Kallo. She never was."
The effect on the other was instantaneous, his spine snapping straight, his fists clenching. Legolas could see his chest heaving but pressed on, looking to the heavens and shaking his head n wonderment at his own blindness. "I can't believe I didn't see it before, have you ever told her? Does she know?"
Kallo didn't turn, and his voice barely reached Legolas, his tone flat, unemotional. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Exasperated Legolas flung his hands to the sky, incredulous, "Of course you do, you're in love with her! How long has it been, Kallo? How long have you wanted her?" Again the other remained silent his head bowed and his respiration even more hitched. "That punch...after the attack, when Rhya was wounded. I thought you just got carried away...but you meant it! You're jealous Kallo, jealous that I have what you always wanted but were to afraid to try for!"
Whatever restraint he had been using fled and Kallo turned, seething, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Afraid? No, not afraid. I respect her, and I knew the price she would pay if I tried to take that from her. And unlike some people I took that into consideration, placed her interests above my own. Not that you can grasp such a concept."
Now it was Legolas' eyes that narrowed, the large Elfs' words rubbing salt into that still open wound. "To hell with you. I didn't know," he felt his rage building and fought hard to suppress it.
Now Kallo threw his hands into the air, laughing aloud. "What's her middle name, Elf? What's her favorite color, favorite food? Of course you didn't know, because you never asked! You have no idea what gift you've been given and I doubt you even care!"
Legolas struggled for words, for anything in the red haze that was dropping before his eyes. He fought hard, trying desperately to contain himself as Kallo spat, "She was mine before you, Elf, and I will still be here when you are but a distant regret to her."
Without a thought Legolas launched himself through the air, his fist colliding solidly with Kallo's jaw, his eyes flaming with anger. He felt those large fists slamming into his ribs, his chin, but he ignored the pain, raining blow after blow on that smug face, wanting to deny the truth of the words by denying the source. Finally the others blows stopped and with a final punch Legolas stood, his clothing hopelessly ripped, blood flowing freely from his nose and mouth.
Kallo lay in a near stupor, his face battered and near unrecognizable. Without a word Legolas bent, grasping the front of his shirt. As if from reflex Kallo flinched, bringing his hands up in a futile attempt at defense. Ignoring the gesture Legolas bunched his muscles, flinging the large Elf's body over his shoulder, startled at the sheer weight of him, his legs protesting quickly at the extra burden as he started again down the path.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The sun was high in the sky when they left the tent, gentle clucking and soft rebukes from the healers following them. They both squinted, still unaccustomed to the glare of the desert sun. Blue eyes met grey, a silent understanding passing between them, no words needed. And then Legolas turned and began walking to his tent, towards the woman that waited there for him. Kallos' eyes followed his progress for a moment and then he turned, walking towards his own tent, and the cool solitude he knew awaited him.
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 -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- *- Legolas' feet made no sound as he ran, his hair flying behind him, his chest heaving with exertion. He slowed his pace, slipping silently into the tent he shared with Rhya, standing silently for a second, his breath coming in small, sharp gasps. Bracing his hands on his knees he bent forward, closing his eyes and focusing on smoothing his respiration, his body slowly responding, his breath evening, calming.
As he straightened his gaze swept the room, taking in the cold food spread on the table, the smoldering braziers still releasing their smoky aromas into the air. Crossing the room, his feet sinking into the plush carpets, he pushed aside the curtain to the bedroom and took a small step inside. His gaze rested on the bed, seeing the faint silhouette of his love through the lowered hangings.
He crossed to the bedside, kneeling outside the sheer white drapings. Her face was turned towards him, her dark hair falling haphazardly across her bare shoulders, concealing her from his view. He watched her for a time, her breathing slow in sleep, mesmerized by her mere presence. Slowly he parted the curtains and brushed the hair away, his fingers lingering on the smooth skin of her cheek. Instinctively she turned her head, seeking the warmth of his touch and he took the opportunity to cup her cheek, trailing his thumb along her lips, slightly parted in sleep.
So much of his fate was now twined with hers, so much blended that some times he wondered if he had lost himself in the loving of her. He remembered the not too distant past, the carefree young prince he had been, worrying of no more than his father's approval, wanting nothing more than to escape his duties when possible to carouse with his friends. He thought of them now,
the ones he had grown with, the ones he had left behind. Among the many he held dear only one was left to him, and at times he could feel the strain between them palpably.
He wrenched his attention away from those revelations and instead gazed at her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, noting that she slept with her hands tightly balled, as a child. He ran a finger along the ridge of her knuckles, feeling the tension in her even as she slept. Again he raised his eyes to her face, feeling the smoothness of her cheek, tracing the angle of her jaw.
Leaning forward he pressed his lips to hers, his eyes closed, just wanting to feel the warmth of her skin. He remained like that for some time, losing himself in her nearness. When he finally sat back and opened his eyes he was met with her own, bright and intent, if a bit hazed from sleep. He smiled sheepishly as she asked, "What was that for?"
"Just wanted to," he answered, again running his thumb along the line of her lips, shuddering slightly as she shifted to pull the digit within her mouth. She met his eyes intently as she suckled his thumb and he felt goosebumps rise on his flesh. He jerked it away, shaking his head as she grinned. "And what was that for?" he asked, climbing into the bed next to her.
An impish grin spread across her face as she nuzzled against him. "Just wanted to," she said, chuckling lightly. Without another word he grasped her hands and held them above her head, eyeing her intently. She watched him, biting her lip, intensely aware of the proximity of his body.
"Just wanted to?" he asked softly, moving his face so his lips hovered a hairsbreadth from hers. She nodded, her eyes bright, waiting to see what he would do next. "And what if I wanted to do something?" he queried, his voice low and lecherous.
She strained forward, claiming his lips briefly in a kiss of intense passion. "Then I suggest you do it, my lord," she said, her voice a touch husky.
He grinned crookedly and lowered his head to her throat, smiling as she arched her neck away from him, allowing him access to the delicate flesh. She moaned softly as his lips met her skin, twisting her body to be closer to him. He grasped her hip and pressed his lips firmly to her neck, taking a deep breath and blowing it out with as much force as he could muster.
She gasped and twisted away, but he had her firmly and continued his assault, planting wet raspberries all along the column of her neck. After he had reduced her to helpless laughter he raised his head, his hair mussed and grinned, leaning forward to place a quick peck to her chin. "Not what you had in mind, my lady?" he asked, chuckling as she met his gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Not fair Legolas, just not fair!" she shouted, twisting her hands furiously, trying futily to make him release his grasp.
Again he grinned, releasing her hands, chuckling as she moved swiftly to pin his own, knowing he could break her grip if he truly desired. "Who said I'd play fair?" he asked, smirking at the astonished look on her face. She leaned in to kiss him and just as their lips met they heard a throat clear softly in the doorway.
In an instant Legolas was on his feet, his stance ready for anything. He swept his gaze over the large Elf standing there, catching a strange expression on his face for the barest of moments. Recovering quickly he relaxed his stance, nodding to the visitor. "Hello Kallo, can we help you?" The large Elfs' eyes flicked briefly to Rhya, noting the flush of both desire and embarrassment upon her cheeks.
"Actually," he said, resting his gaze solidly upon Legolas again, "I was wondering if we could talk for a bit."
Legolas fought to hide his surprise and nodded, looking briefly to Rhya before he did so. "I'll rest a bit more, if that's alright," she said uncertainly, watching the two eye each other warily. Legolas broke eye contact first, leaning across the bed and planting a solid kiss on her lips efore straightening.
"I'll be right back, love," he said calmly, meeting her gaze for a moment before walking across the room and past the large Elf in the doorway. Kallo remained standing for a moment, watching Rhya and then turned, following her lover into the main room.
Legolas walked towards the pillows and motioned for him to sit, but Kallo interrupted him, asking softly, "Will you walk with me?"
Again caught off guard Legolas could only nod and follow as the large Elf lead him outside, weaving through the streets with an alarming familiarity. With dismay Legolas saw him approach the same path he had taken earlier, when he had spoken with Kailin. At the last minute he turned aside, striding up a path Legolas hadn't noticed, well concealed in tall shrubs.
They walked in silence, the sun rising around them as they trekked. Reaching a level widening in the path Kallo stopped, moving forward to sit with his feet hanging precariously over the edge. Legolas remained standing, his gaze sweeping across the amazing vista their climb had revealed. Below them stretched the entirety of the valley, a patchwork of brightly colored tents
and, in the distance, fields and a small lake, laid out below them, impossible in their tiny perfection.
"Amazing..." the word seemed to fall from his lips as he settled next to the other, his legs also dangling over the foolishly high drop.
"It is, isn't it?" Legolas could hear a near reverence in his companion's voice and he turned to regard him curiously, though he remained silent. Suddenly Kallo met his gaze, his grey eyes seeming to bore straight into him. "It's the kind of place you could start over, make a real go of it," his voice was low, filled with meaning.
Legolas nodded and turned his attention back out over the valley, watching as tiny swirls of smoke began to drift from several tents. A silence fell between them again, and rather than break it Legolas studied the tiny inhabitants as they moved about, waiting patiently to discern the large Elfs' motivations.
"I know you spoke to Kailin," he said finally, so suddenly that Legolas nearly jumped as a result. Something about this Elf put him ill at ease and he disliked it intently and so he merely nodded, affecting indifference though his muscles tightened involuntarily. "What are you planning?"
Something about the tone of the question sparked an anger within him and he turned his gaze again on the large Elf, not surprised when he met the calm grey eyes. "What do you mean, Kallo?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice level.
The Quel warrior shrugged but held his gaze, his eyes passive, nearly bored. "Just want to know what you're planning, now that you no longer have a home."
He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, fighting hard to keep his raging temper in check. "Watch yourself, Kallo," he warned, not wanting to strike this Elf who had done so much for his love.
Huge shoulders shrugged, eyes still impassive. "The truth is the truth, however it is said. I want to know what you are planning...if I'm going to have to pick up the pieces you leave behind."
"What pieces would that be, Kallo? Rhya? You think I'm going to leave her, now, after all of this?" Legolas was incredulous, his pulse thumping in his ears.
"That is the price your father named," his voice was calm, nonchalant.
Legolas leapt to his feet, pacing along the edge, his voice ringing loudly. "And he won't get it! I can't give her up Kallo. She's all I have, all I've ever had and he thinks I'll just toss her away to be his whipping boy again? I'd rather die with her than live without her!"
As he stopped speaking he glared at the back of Kallo's head, his eyes burning into the dark hair. He saw the shoulders slump, the head bow, and then Kallo stood, approaching him. A large hand snaked out and caught him by the shoulder and Legolas realized then just how close he stood to the precipice. For an instant he thought he saw baleful, murderous intent in
Kallos' eyes but as soon as he noted the look it was gone, replaced by the large Elf's customary calm. With a gentle jerk he backed the prince from the lip, with a murmured, "The edge is unsafe, be more careful," and then he walked away, heading back down the path.
Legolas waited a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion. Making a snap decision he ran after Kallo, gripping his upper arm and spinning him around so that their eyes met. Again, if only for an instant, a gleam of malevolence shone in the larger Elfs' eyes, and Legolas wondered suddenly just how deep the large Elf's resentment of him ran. They stood for a moment in silence and then Kallo turned again and made to walk away. Frustrated, his hands clenched into tight fists, Legolas called after him angrily. "Dammit, Kallo, what was this about? Why did you bring me here? To show me a pretty view?"
Again the large Elf startled him, spinning and racing back to where he stood, his eyes bright with an unnamed emotion. "Are you daft? Do you really not understand?"
"No Kallo, I don't understand. What the hell is wrong with you people? Why can't you ever just SAY something?" his voice rose to a shout, the tendons of his neck snapping taut with anger.
"You want me to say it, to spell it out for you? Fine, then I will. I was showing you that you could live here, the two of you, that you could leave behind all that has come before and make something new, together. I was giving her to you, you blasted fool!" his voice rose sharply, his eyes boring into Legolas. They stood that way a moment, Legolas silently digesting the words.
With a loud snort Kallo turned and again began to make his way down the path, shaking his head as he walked. Calmly, evenly Legolas spoke, his voice soft but carrying easily to the other Elfs' ears. "She is not yours to give, Kallo. She never was."
The effect on the other was instantaneous, his spine snapping straight, his fists clenching. Legolas could see his chest heaving but pressed on, looking to the heavens and shaking his head n wonderment at his own blindness. "I can't believe I didn't see it before, have you ever told her? Does she know?"
Kallo didn't turn, and his voice barely reached Legolas, his tone flat, unemotional. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Exasperated Legolas flung his hands to the sky, incredulous, "Of course you do, you're in love with her! How long has it been, Kallo? How long have you wanted her?" Again the other remained silent his head bowed and his respiration even more hitched. "That punch...after the attack, when Rhya was wounded. I thought you just got carried away...but you meant it! You're jealous Kallo, jealous that I have what you always wanted but were to afraid to try for!"
Whatever restraint he had been using fled and Kallo turned, seething, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Afraid? No, not afraid. I respect her, and I knew the price she would pay if I tried to take that from her. And unlike some people I took that into consideration, placed her interests above my own. Not that you can grasp such a concept."
Now it was Legolas' eyes that narrowed, the large Elfs' words rubbing salt into that still open wound. "To hell with you. I didn't know," he felt his rage building and fought hard to suppress it.
Now Kallo threw his hands into the air, laughing aloud. "What's her middle name, Elf? What's her favorite color, favorite food? Of course you didn't know, because you never asked! You have no idea what gift you've been given and I doubt you even care!"
Legolas struggled for words, for anything in the red haze that was dropping before his eyes. He fought hard, trying desperately to contain himself as Kallo spat, "She was mine before you, Elf, and I will still be here when you are but a distant regret to her."
Without a thought Legolas launched himself through the air, his fist colliding solidly with Kallo's jaw, his eyes flaming with anger. He felt those large fists slamming into his ribs, his chin, but he ignored the pain, raining blow after blow on that smug face, wanting to deny the truth of the words by denying the source. Finally the others blows stopped and with a final punch Legolas stood, his clothing hopelessly ripped, blood flowing freely from his nose and mouth.
Kallo lay in a near stupor, his face battered and near unrecognizable. Without a word Legolas bent, grasping the front of his shirt. As if from reflex Kallo flinched, bringing his hands up in a futile attempt at defense. Ignoring the gesture Legolas bunched his muscles, flinging the large Elf's body over his shoulder, startled at the sheer weight of him, his legs protesting quickly at the extra burden as he started again down the path.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The sun was high in the sky when they left the tent, gentle clucking and soft rebukes from the healers following them. They both squinted, still unaccustomed to the glare of the desert sun. Blue eyes met grey, a silent understanding passing between them, no words needed. And then Legolas turned and began walking to his tent, towards the woman that waited there for him. Kallos' eyes followed his progress for a moment and then he turned, walking towards his own tent, and the cool solitude he knew awaited him.