Title: Diplomacy Part 26
Author: Arisma
Rating: R (for some naughty, naughty bits... and some foul language.)
Disclaimer: Legolas, Mirkwood, Thranduil... all of that is Tolkiens. I'm just taking them out to play with, cause they're shiny. I will put them back in the box, in the proper order, when I'm done. I also promise to wipe the drool off of Legolas and any excess that might have gotten on any of the other characters by proxy.
The basic concept of bladesingers and the title querimhinue is the property of WoTC, and I'm merely borrowing those too.
I do claim The Quel, both Nessar and A'Har as my own. Rhyalla, Kallo, Kailin, all mine. The waste, Tir Roac and all future 'non-canon' locations are the product of my mind as well. When I'm done with them I'll put them back in my own teeny box of creations, next to the cedar wood butterfly and the sculpy clay horns. (Don't ask.) If for some strange reason you'd like to borrow them or the settings, feel free to contact me and we'll work out details.
Feedback / Contact: Arisma_@hotmail.com
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The sun laid low over the desert, its dying rays mirrored a million times in each tiny grain, each fleck mourning the loss of day with a lover's desperation. From beneath rocks, from within deep, cool crevices creatures emerged, lizards and rodents, small flightless birds, all the life of the desert finally released from the oppressive heat of day. With guarded glances and swift feet they scoured the dunes, eating, hunting, dying, living the life of the desert dweller.
They converged around water, their need to quench their abiding thirst greater even than the fear of prey to predator. Some hunted the open dunes, some dug deep to find hidden growths upon which to feast. A brave few crept into the valley, the abundance there tempered with the presence of so many of the tall strange creatures that dwelt within. The guards near the fields watched with amusement as tiny rodents fixed them with beady eyes before darting across the expanse and into the plantings.
Larger, braver animals braved the outskirts of the village proper, foraging in the deep, covered bins of discarded food in the process of becoming the catalyst for the next season's crop. Some ventured further, scratching at tents' flaps or eating from offering bowls left outside certain tents for their use. A low slung, pale gray rodent with startling golden eyes sniffed at the green flap, raising a forepaw and scratching at the material. It settled onto its haunches, sniffing the air, catching delicious whiffs from within.
The flap raised and a golden head poked out, eyes sweeping the air far above the creatures head before lowering his sights to meet the waiting animals. His eyes widened slightly in startlement though he retained a calm demeanor, the golden gaze met solidly with startled mirth within the cornflower blue orbs. Slowly he knelt, extending his hand, cautiously, ready to snatch it back in a moment if he sensed a threat. Casually wary the animal extended its long neck, sniffing at the long fingers, until it satisfied itself of the intentions of the kneeling Elf.
So appeased it strode past the astonished Elf, entering the tent with the calm aplomb of a pet cat. He stood, watching the strange animal saunter through the entry to his home, his lips turning up in a small bemused smile. "Saucy!" he exclaimed, raising his gaze again to meet that of the woman lounging across the room. "We have a visitor, love," he said to her, watching a gleeful smile spread across her face, feeling a thrill in his heart at the sight.
"Oh, Legolas!" she exclaimed, leaning out of the cushions on which she rested and extending also her hand to the visiting beast. After a brief inspection the creature settled again on its haunches, its bright golden gaze resting expectantly on the Elf woman. With a smile she lifted a bit of meat form the trays before her and set it carefully on the carpet, watching as the animal began to eat with gusto.
She felt the cushions beneath her dip as her lover slid behind her, felt his arms encircle her waist and his chin rest atop her shoulder. "What is it, love?" he asked her, absorbed in watching the creature enjoying its repast.
"It's a cathymin! We have them in Quel'Nessar, too," she answered quietly, eyes fixed on the animal in question. "They come at night to forage and have little fear of Elves. Legend says that it's an omen of good luck to have one visit you, and a blessing for the entire household if they cross the threshold."
Legolas grinned and nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear, still watching the cathymin as it finished the meat and then looked expectantly at them. "I think he wants more," he whispered, nodding towards the waiting beast. With a smile Rhya took the entire plate of meat and set it on the carpets, chuckling as the animal began to scrounge through, eating quickly, its angular jaw working soundlessly to get through the meat.
"He's hungry," she murmured, leaning back, relaxing into her lover's arms.
Legolas grinned and kissed the top of her neck, chuckling as he spoke, "Luckily we'd already eaten. I can't believe something that size can eat so much!"
A contented silence fell, broken only by the soft eating sounds as the cathymin filled his stomach. The elves watched in silence until he was done, smiling and chuckling occasionally at his antics. Finally, with a contented wuffle it stood, stretching lithely. With a soft tone Legolas said, "Thank you for visiting little one, please come again," but much to their surprise the tiny rodent walked deeper into the dwelling, pushing under a pile of cushions in the corner and turning tight circles within. Apparently satisfied it settled, its small pink nose and bright eyes gazing sleepily from the depths. Again they sat in silence as the burnished gold eyes slowly
closed.
"It's sleeping!" though whispered, Legolas' words held more than a touch of incredulity. "Do they usually do that?"
Rhya chuckled, watching the soft movements of the pillow pile. "Not that I've ever heard, though I doubt they ever ventured deep enough to get near the tower. Not that the nannies would have let them in, regardless."
"Did you have a favorite?" Legolas asked, leaning further back into the cushions, drawing her with him.
She sighed softly, her brow furrowed in thought, "I don't know if favorite is the right word, but there were some who were less strict than others, and I guess I liked them more then not. To tell you honestly I never knew their names, they were just 'nanny'. For a while I tried to number them in my mind but it was so erratic I just lost count." She shrugged her shoulders lightly as Legolas squeezed her to him in a tight hug.
"So what did you do there, all alone? You must have done something to keep yourself busy...right?"
"Oh, it wasn't as bleak as it sounds to you. I did have toys, a great number of them actually. I liked to play dress up, though I daresay I got a lot of things wrong."
She chuckled softly as he prompted, "How do you mean? Can you be wrong in dress up?"
"Well, not wrong, just...limited. Sometimes I played tutor, sometimes nanny. I remember one summer I saw a girl in the square with a basket of flowers, and for a week after I played flower girl. Then the nanny figured out who I was imagining and put an end to it, too common to play a flower seller, she said."
He listened carefully to her replies, intent for any signs of distress. But this was her life and as hard as it was for him to imagine it didn't really bother her, it was merely fact and she had accepted it long since. He traced the contour of her knuckles as he pondered, finally asking, "When you were younger what did you want to be, what did you dream?"
She was silent for a long moment, pondering, and when she spoke her voice sounded smaller, almost childish. "I don't know what I wanted to be. I had no idea of the way the world worked, and I guess I didn't understand that you could be something. I always kind of assumed that you were born and then you lived. I didn't understand the concept of choices and decisions and the consequences that resulted. It was like the world just was how it was, I never questioned my role or that of anyone else I came in contact with."
He nodded, trying to understand what it would be like to have lived that life but his thoughts were interrupted when she continued, her voice taking on a passionate quality. "They were all so indifferent to me. They didn't try to show me what the world was like, how normal people lived. Sometimes I think back and I have to wonder, did they truly never think to teach me or did they just never bother because they knew I'd never have a chance to use it?"
Legolas remained silent, listening as she spoke, feeling her tremble in his arms. "I'd never seen water boil. I didn't know where clothes came from. I knew proper form for a traditional tea ceremony but I had no idea what the people in the square were doing. I didn't understand a job or even work. I was so clueless, and they would have sent me off to my fate like that. Thank Eru for Kallo, I don't think I'd have survived without having known him."
Again he nodded, his voice soft, murmuring, "He's been a good friend to you."
"No, he hasn't. He's so much more than a friend, Legolas. He's my brother, even if we share no blood. He actually spoke to me. I know that sounds silly, but it made all the difference to me. Sure, some of the nannies read stories to me, or the tutors with lessons, but they weren't ever talking to me, they were talking to their charge, to a nuisance, not a person. He was the first one to look beyond that and see me. And because he did, I saw it as well."
He felt his heart tighten and his brow furrowed, needing to know but terrified of the answer. "Did you ever think, the two of you... together?" He fought to keep his voice steady and was pleased that it remained so.
She was silent for a moment, and when she answered her voice was soft. "I thought of it, of course I did. There was a time I thought he wanted it too. But he'd never talk to me about it and he never acted on it in anyway. I think if things had been different, maybe there could have been something between us, but I guess we'll never know, now."
"Because of me? Because I got in the way?" He knew some of the hurt he was feeling shone through his words and he cringed form it slightly, but had to ask, to know.
She turned in his arms to face him, her eyes finding his and holding them. "I think lots of things would had to have been different. As much as I love him, I'm not in love with him. I never felt a pull towards him like I did to you. I think in the end I was destined to be his friend, in the same way I feel I was destined to be with you." Slowly she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, her gaze still upon him. He pulled her closer, kissing her gently, softly, loving intent in every meeting of lips, every touch of his tongue to hers.
The kiss ended slowly, each reluctant to lose the contact, moving so that their foreheads rested lightly together. Again she was struck by the sheer beauty of him, the clear blue depths of his eyes, moving forward again, eager to feel his lips on her own. Before she could make contact, however, he spoke, his voice soft. "Is that why you gave yourself to me, you felt it was destined?"
She stopped moving, shifting backwards slightly, her brow furrowed, her cheeks reddening slightly. "I have no idea what came over me... I'd never done anything even vaguely like that before. I just... from the moment I saw you I couldn't stop thinking about you, wondering how you smelled, how you tasted. And then when we were out there, and you were saying you'd been thinking of me too, it was like..."
"Lightning..." he added softly, her head bobbing in agreement.
"And I was so overwhelmed, I never gave a thought to whether or not it was right..." she continued, feeling his arms tighten around her.
"You just knew." he finished, smiling.
"I just knew." she repeated, smiling softly.
"I wish I'd known, that I'd taken the time to find out I was your first. I would have made it special for you, not as it was." He shook his head with regret, sighing softly, but she chuckled, raising his chin so that their eyes locked again.
"It was special, Legolas, because it was with you. I knew you didn't know and that was part of what made it special. You were so gentle, even without knowing why. It was more precious to me against the rocks then it would have been on a bed of roses if it had been anyone but you with me there." she smiled at him, her eyes clear and free of regret and he felt some of the guilt he'd been carrying disappear.
"But if you could have, if it'd been like you'd imagined, what would it have been like?" He watched her cheeks redden, her gaze dropping from his and her hair falling forward as was her habit when embarrassed. With a chuckle he ran his fingers through her hair, brushing it back from her face, cradling the back of her head. "Come now, love, you can tell me. After what we've been through, what we've done with each other, do you really think you need be embarrassed of anything when it comes to me?"
She raised her eyes to meet his, shyly, "I know I shouldn't be, but I've never spoken to anyone like this before, and its... well its silly."
He smiled softly at her, pressing soft kisses to her forehead. "If you wanted it, there's nothing silly about it. We all have fantasies, love. Please share yours with me."
She nodded, the words slow in the coming, still embarrassed though she fought against the emotion. "I.. I just had this image, of candles and water, and a soft blanket beneath the trees. I know it sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but its what I thought I wanted."
Again she raised her eyes to his, having lowered them while speaking. He smiled gently at her, his eyes warm. "Thank you for telling me, love." She smiled in return, her cheeks returning to their normal pale hue.
Suddenly he remembered his conversation with Kallo and without thinking asked, "What's your favorite food? Do you have one?"
She chuckled, apparently relieved at the change of topics. "Oh, yes I do. I like kardiss, its a sort of spicy vegetable stew with little bits of fish in it." she watched his face wrinkle in disgust as she described it, laughing. "Oh its really good, honest. What about you? What's your favorite?"
HE thought a moment and then smiled brightly. "Honeycakes. Kailins mother used to make these sweetcakes that were to die for. They were so soft and fluffy and the icing was so sweet and creamy. She'd make us batch after batch when we were little and she always sent some home with me, though they rarely made it all the way to my rooms."
"You've known each other since you were small then?" she asked, fascinated with the sparkle in her loves eyes as he remembered.
"Oh yes, nearly as long as I can remember. His father is in the guard so Id seen him around, but it wasn't until later that we actually became friends."
"How did you meet, then?" she asked, running her hand along his arms as he spoke.
He hesitated a second, distracted by her touch but with a swallow he answered, avoiding her eyes. "I was a spoiled little thing, thinking I was so much better than everyone else. I was in the garden one day, ordering the other children about as I was wont to do when one little boy told me no. I was flabbergasted. None of the other children had ever stood up to me before and I didn't know what to do."
"So what did you do?" she asked, picturing an imperious young prince and the dark-haired imp that Kailin had surely been
Legolas grinned sheepishly, saying, "I didn't know what else to do, so I hit him."
"You hit him?!? What happened? Was he hurt?" She laughed, imagining it all in her minds eye.
"Oh no, he wasn't hurt." he answered, his grin turning wry. "He was pissed. He beat the snot out of me and told me that if I ever touched him again he'd beat the blonde out of me."
Her jaw dropped open and she stared at him in wonderment. "He beat you up and then you became friends?" Her voice was part incredulity, part bafflement.
His smile widened. "Yes, inseparable. Sometimes it takes a good fight to come to an understanding."
Her voice dropped low but her eyes were sharp when she asked, "Is that what happened with you and Kallo? Is that how you came to an understanding?"
Legolas was taken aback for a moment but then he nodded, slowly. "I think that's exactly what happened, love. Sometimes things build up and you just have to let them out."
"And since boys will be boys you have to let it out with your fists." she said, shaking her head in disgust.
"Hey," he began grinning widely, "I seem to remember a certain someone having a pretty mean right hook, now that you mention it. I wonder, gee, who could that be?"
She grinned, eyes narrowing. "Alright, point taken. I am sorry for that, by the way... all of it."
He stopped her with a finger pressed to her lips, his smile not faltering at all. "There's no need to apologize, love. The past is just that, the past. We both made mistakes, lets leave it at that."
She nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling. "Anything else you'd like to know?" she asked, settling against him again.
He thought for a moment before he spoke. Again his earlier conversation with Kallo sparked questions within him. "Have you a middle name?" he queried, wishing there were a more delicate way to get such information.
"Yes," she answered, her voice calm, "Imayana, though I've never actually heard anyone but the tutors use it for any purpose. Have you one?"
In answer he shook his head in negation, explaining. "It's not something that is common amongst the noble classes where I'm from. As a matter of fact my surname is simply a reiteration of my parentage, so I only have a first name to claim as my own. Kailin has a middle name, and I always kind of envied him it."
She turned to face him, smiling, "So what is it?"
"What is what?" he asked, confused.
"Kailins middle name, of course!" she replied, giggling.
"Urime, though he loathes it. He once told me that his parents only saddled him with one so that the other children would have something to taunt him with," he chuckled thinking of his friend's baleful grimace whenever the moniker was mentioned.
"Good to know..." she said mischievously, painting a calculating look across her features.
"You wouldn't!" he exclaimed, looking startled, "He'd kill me if he knew I'd told you!"
With a wry grin she waggled a finger in his direction, her tone light-hearted and mocking, "Shouldn't have told me, then!"
A huge grin spread across his features and he grasped her hands with his own, "Guess I'll just have to make you forget," he stated, his eyes narrowing and darkening.
"Oh dear!" she exclaimed softly, trying to back away though he held her hands tightly.
His eyes sparkled as he advanced, moving into a kneel to edge closer, "Indeed," he murmured, intensely focused on her face. He noted the swift flush that crept over her cheekbones, the tremble in her lips as she watched him. He felt suddenly predatory, animalistic, enraptured with the sight of his prey before him, helpless to his whim. A low growl escaped his lips and he saw her eyes widen, strangely satisfied with the reaction. He felt the grin change, twisting into something more primal and hungry, the mirth entirely gone from his visage. He continued moving forward, still grasping her hands though she had ceased to struggle.
With slow deliberate grace he lay atop her, stretching her body below him, his every muscle taut with this strange energy. He shifted his gaze from her face to her lips as he pressed his own to them, light for a moment and then with more urgency, nibbling at her lower lip, watching with satisfaction as her eyes fluttered closed with a soft moan. The sound was like fuel to a fire and it burned his blood as surely. He released her hands and laced his fingers in her hair, holding her head still as he ravaged her mouth, eliciting a string of gasped moans, seemingly against her will.
He lowered a hand and traced along her neck and shoulder, along the curve of her waist before slipping his hand swiftly beneath the fabric, exploring the flesh beneath. He massaged and teased, even nipping at the sensitive flesh with his teeth through the thin material of her shirt. He felt her arch her back and tremble at the barrage of sensation he was giving to her and again claimed her lips, gratified when her hands cupped his face, pulling him closer, softly repeating his name all the while.
Those same hands slipped slowly down and made short work of his tunic, his bare skin pebbling in the now cool night air that had filtered in while their guest dined. Moving quickly he sat up, pulling her with and astride him, lifting the shirt over her head with a quick gesture, ripping the fabric in his haste. She shrugged her shoulders to aid him, groaning when he
spread a palm across her back as he lowered his head to taste her newly exposed skin with another low growl.
She rested her hand against the back of his head, letting the golden strands slip through her fingers, pressing him tighter against her with a loud moan. He obliged happily, nipping and tasting, focused on nothing in the world but this woman atop him. Without warning she grasped a handful of his hair, jerking his head back and away from her, swiftly pressing her lips to his. He growled low in his throat as he kissed her, hearing an echo of the sound from her, driving him to new heights of desire.
He made to bend his head again, to taste the flesh he so craved but she restrained him, surprisingly strong, her grip on his golden locks nearly painful. He met her eyes with a questioning glare and saw a challenge there, one he could not allow to go unanswered. With a groan he stood, cradling her bottom with his hands, holding her tight against him. His steps were swift and sure as he crossed the room, walking through the hanging between the rooms as though it did not exist.
With one hand he held her against him while untying the laces of her skirt with the other, dropping it to the floor with nary a thought. He lowered his hand to his breeches, making short work of the bindings and pushing them down, leaving them puddled at the base of the bed as he lay her upon it. He stretched atop her, feeling tiny sparks of electricity course through every inch of flesh that pressed together between them.
"Gods..." he whispered hoarsely before again claiming her lips, grasping her hip with one hand and the other wrapping firmly in her dark locks. Somehow he managed to wrest some control from the maelstrom of his mind, careful not to hurt her as they were joined. Within moments they were moving as one, their lovemaking feral in its intensity. They twisted and writhed, struggling against each other, their eyes bright and locked to the others.
Every nerve felt alive, every cell in his body screaming for release, not just for him, but for her as well, her well being important even as he moved closer to the edge of bliss. Suddenly she dropped her head, locking her teeth onto the muscle that connected his neck to his shoulder, groaning loudly as her release hit. In an instant he followed, grinding his teeth at the intense combination of pleasure and pain.
Their surprise was complete when they landed with a thud on the floor, only at the last moment realizing and catching his weight with his elbows lest he crush his lover. For a moment only harsh breathing filled the air, each still lost in the swirl of sensation that resulted from their joining. Silently their eyes met and they leaned in to share a sweet kiss, calm now, their animalistic urges well satisfied.
They heard a small sound and raised their gazes to the doorway, to the small grey creature busily scratching behind his ear with a hind foot. Slowly he realized he had an audience and lowered the appendage, fixing them with a baleful glare. With one voice they burst out laughing, the serious expression comical on the small animal. The baleful glare turned affronted and he stalked from the room, the flap falling closed behind him, concealing again the two giggling Elves.