Title: Diplomacy Part 27
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
-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-
The room was still dark when she opened her eyes, the sun's light still concealed somewhere behind the dunes. With a languid stretch, she turned on her side and nuzzled further into her lover, feeling the warmth of his body seep slowly into her as she pressed against him. She lay an arm across his chest, her small hand trailing across the clearly defined muscles, her eyes closed as though memorizing the contours beneath her fingers.
The arm on which she lay flexed slightly, the muscles bunching beneath her cheek before relaxing again in sleep. A warm hand curled round to rest on her shoulder, patting reassuringly before slipping off to rest limply behind her back. With soft touches she traced the arc of his neck, the angle of his jaw, tucking some of the long wayward strands of his golden mane behind a perfectly pointed ear.
Silently she slipped from his embrace, from the bed, gathering up some of the discarded clothing, tossing it into a basket. She carefully opened a trunk, removing the set of clothes that had awaited their arrival, slipping the thin shirt over her head, the billowy fabric cool against her skin. Her fingers worked quickly to tie the skirts, the beaded tassels trailing down and over her hip. With one last look at the bed and the Elf sleeping peacefully within it, she slipped from the room, letting the separating flap slide down silently behind her.
Her bare feet sunk into the thick carpets of the main room, absorbing whatever tiny sound her footfalls would have made as she picked her way across, gathering up the discarded clothing here as well, slipping back to the bedroom to place it in the basket. Satisfied, she made to leave again when a tiny squawk startled her. Looking around quickly she saw the pile of pillows in the corner shifting as a tiny pink nose and bright golden eyes slipped from within, the round little body followed slowly as the cathymin emerged from his self chosen nest.
With a sigh of relief she settled to one knee, extending her hand to him again. With a brief sniff he walked past her, settling on his haunches by the side of the low table. He waited patiently a second before fixing her with his liquid gold gaze.
With a smile she walked towards him, speaking in a hushed whisper. "It's not breakfast time yet, little one. You may stay if you wish, but you must be more patient!" In consolation she dropped a hand against his back, stroking the soft grey fur, tracing the long tail, chuckling as his back arched in pleasure, his tail curling around her wrist as though to beg for more. One more stroke and she turned, ignoring his mewl of protest and walking quietly from the tent.
Outside the ground was dewed, tiny birds darting here and there, long tongues flicking out to taste the moisture before flitting to the next drop. The sky was barely beginning to lighten as she made her way through the twisting paths between tents. Occasionally she saw one of the A'Har, walking with slow purpose towards the center of the town. Curious, but with her purpose in mind she made a note to discover their destination.
She continued on, nodding politely to those whose path she crossed, wrapping her arms tightly around herself, near shivering in the predawn chill of the desert. Finally she spotted her goal, a pale grey tent set slightly apart from the others. Carefully she ducked beneath the flap, her eyes working quickly to adjust to the dim interior. Accustomed now, she scanned the small room, the cot in the corner and the small table with a few pillows across from it. The room was empty, though, and with a sigh she turned to leave,
surprised when she had to stop short to avoid running into the large Elf now standing behind her.
She stood for a moment, surprised he had moved so very silently. Remembering herself she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. After a moment his arms lifted to embrace her as well and she felt his lips press the top of her head. They stood in companionable silence for a moment and then he grasped her upper arms, his large fingers as gentle as a mother's caress. He stepped back, holding her at arm's length, his eyes searching her. His gaze flicked for a brief second to the base of her throat before moving back to her face, his grey eyes catching her blue and holding them.
"You're shivering," he said calmly, rubbing a thumb along the pebbled skin of her upper arm.
She felt her face split in a foolish grin. "It's cold outside," she said, bending her elbows to grasp his forearms.
Without speaking he lead her to the bed, pulling the blanket from atop it and wrapping it around her shoulders, rubbing over them with his hands briskly, warming her. After a moment her shivering lessened and he bade her to sit, curling down next to her. "Why were you out so early?" he queried, still rubbing absently at her shoulders.
"I wanted to see you," she answered, smiling at his snorted reply.
"I'd have been here when the sun rose. What was he thinking letting you out in the cold with no shawl?" He shook his head in recrimination and she poked him soundly in the chest, ignoring the brief flare of anger in his eyes, knowing she was perfectly safe with him.
"Letting me out? Am I a child then, to be allowed out to play only when someone deems it fit?" Her voice was a tad angry, though more amused than wrathful.
"You know you are not a child, but still he should take better care of you. You still need someone to remind you of the little things at times." His voice was low and caring and the little spark of anger his words had brought died swiftly.
"I know, Kallo, but don't blame him. I left him sleeping like a babe." She smiled sweetly at him and he shook his head, gripping her shoulders briefly as though to shake her.
"What in the world am I going to do with you?" he asked, exasperated.
"Love me, as always," she answered, and his eyes slipped from hers for a moment before locking again with them.
"As always," he said softly, tracing her cheek with his large, callused fingers. Her eyes slipped closed and she leaned against his palm, turning her head to press a soft kiss to the roughed skin. They sat in silence for a moment and then he removed his hand, sitting back and leaning on his elbows, his eyes fixed on her again, his face faintly flushed. "Did he ask you then?" he queried, his voice soft.
Her eyes flew open, an undeniable gleam of joy lighting them from within. "Oh yes!" she exclaimed. "He asked and I accepted. Isn't it wonderful?
"Does it make you happy?" he asked softly, his voice full of unnamed emotion.
"Yes, Kallo. I don't think I've ever been so happy." Her voice was full of love and hopes and his lips curled into a smile despite him.
"Then yes, it is wonderful," he answered, leaning forward to kiss her forehead as she grinned.
"Who would have thought we'd end up here? All those wild plans we made in the tower and not a single one involved me marrying a prince whom I actually loved. The reality is so much better even then my wildest dreams." Her voice was wistful, dreamy, and he smiled to hear the tone.
"You deserve to live your dreams. You deserve happiness, Rhya. I am grateful you have found it." His voice was sincere his grey eyes open and honest as they met hers.
"You don't like him, do you?" she asked quietly, regretting the question as soon as she had voiced it.
Kallo remained silent a moment, thinking, and his voice was low and steady when he answered. "I do not dislike him, but I do not like him either."
"But...why?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What has he ever done to earn your enmity?"
He sighed, leaning back against the bed, drawing her with him, nestling her in the crook of his arm. "Imagine you have a flower, a beautiful, delicate flower. You've spent a long time protecting it from weeds and pests and you've watched it bloom into something more beautiful than you ever thought possible. And then a man comes, and he takes the flower. You know he's better prepared to care for it, and that he too will keep it safe from harm. Even though you know in your heart it's time to let go, it's still hard to like the one who took so great a treasure from your safekeeping."
She thought a moment, her eyes downcast, her dark lashes concealing the brightness of her eyes. He waited patiently, watching her. Finally she spoke, her voice soft. "But he didn't take anything. You are still my best friend, my brother. You don't lose anything by my loving of him, in fact you gain something." He looked at her quizzically and she raised her eyes to meet his. "Freedom. You aren't chained to me any longer. It's not solely your responsibility to keep me from harm."
He opened his mouth to protest but she placed a delicate finger against his lips with a soft shushing sound. "I know you've never resented it, resented me, but because of me you have had as little life as I. Now you're free of that. You can go as you please, do as you please. You don't have to think of me before yourself, as you always have. It's time for you, now, to come first. I want you to find yourself, who you are. I want you to find someone you will love as I love him. I want you to know what it's like to lose your
breath every time you speak to someone, what its like to cherish someone with every fiber of your being. I want you to know these things because it's what life is. Life is lived in the loving of another."
He was silent and she stood, removing the blanket from her shoulders and folding it carefully before setting it atop the bed. "I have to get back before he wakes. I just needed to tell you, so you'd know. Think about what I said, Kallo. I love you and want you happy. I want you find those things because the bliss of having them is beyond words." She smiled at him and then left, the tent seeming suddenly empty to him.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He pulled the blanket from the bed and spread it atop him, the scent of her warming him more than the fabric. His eyes were fixed on the flap, the last image of her fixed in his mind. The sun was rising as he rested his head back against the bed, his eyes closing wearily. His voice was quiet, barely a whisper, "I have known those things and the only thing more intense then the bliss of having them is the pain of watching them smile as they leave you behind."
-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-**-
Okay everyone. What do we think of Kallo? Let me know what your thoughts are on the big lug.
I forgot to mention but I have started a new story, called To breathe. It is another view of our favorite elf, and very different than this story. Check it out, if you want.
Give my wonder beta some love, she could use it.
~Arisma~
True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read; and in so living as to make the world happier for our living in it.- Pliny The Elder