Title: Diplomacy Part 29
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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They stood in silence for a moment, listening to Kailins soft footfalls as they moved away from the tent. Rhya pressed her cheek to Legolas' chest and he raised his hands to cradle the back of her head, running his fingers through her hair. "Were you going to tell me?" she asked quietly, her voice guarded.
With a sigh Legolas took her hand and led her to the bedroom, ignoring a tiny sound of protest from her. "I want to talk, Legolas."
Upon reaching the bedchamber he lifted her easily and set her upon the bed, climbing up next to her and grinning like a Cheshire cat. "And I want to lay down. This way, we both get what we want."
She looked dubious for a moment but then lay stiffly on her side, facing him. "So were you going to?"
He nodded, taking her hand in his own. "I was going to, yes. I didn't want anything to mar your happiness and I knew this would." With slow deliberateness he laced his fingers through hers, rubbing his thumb across her palm.
"What are your fathers conditions, exactly?" she asked, her brow furrowed.
"Rhya, it doesn't matter, I'm not going back." he answered calmly, trying to capture her lips with his.
She moved in time with him, easily avoiding the kiss. "No, Legolas, not now. We need to talk about this. No more secrets, remember?" He nodded and sat back, his lower lip protruding slightly in a pout. Shaking her head she traced the curve of said lip, "What is this for?" she asked softly.
"Am I so easy to resist for you?" he asked, affecting a hurt tone.
With a smile she pinched his lip lightly, waggling it back and forth. "Not at all. If you were, I'd have let you kiss me. As it is, if I'd have let you, I doubt we'd be speaking now." She released his lip and he grinned, his eyes sparkling.
"Good to know." he said in a low, lecherous voice.
Despite herself she laughed, leaning forward to kiss his lips lightly. "I'm trying to be angry with you, Legolas! Stop being so damnably cute so I can get on with it!"
He grinned and grabbed her waist, pulling her tight against him, pressing a kiss to her chin. "Why do you want to be mad at me?" he queried, running his hand along her spine.
"I don't want to, but I think I really should be, don't you? You make so large a decision without speaking to me about it... shouldn't I be angry?" She replied, looking earnestly into his crystalline eyes.
"Be angry if you wish, love. I didn't talk to you about it because nothing you could say would change it. I would do anything for you, anything you asked, except for leave you. That I would, could, never do." He sealed the words with a kiss, tender and caring, each caress of his lips a reaffirmation of his love.
"Do you understand?" he asked softly, his lips still touching hers. She shook her head no, her eyes filing with silvered tears. "What is it, love? Why are you so sad?" he questioned, pulling her tighter against him.
She nestled her head in the bend of his neck, her body trembling, kissing him softly. "I just don't understand how in the world I deserve you."
Legolas pulled her away form him until their eyes met and he nodded slowly. "You must have done something very, very bad." he said earnestly, grinning and laughing at the confused look on her face.
Still chuckling he kissed her soundly, his hands beginning to roam her body lustfully but she clasped them with her own, sighing. "As much as I would love to feel you now, Kailin was right. If we mean to make this place our home we need to try and help as much as possible."
Again his lower lip protruded his eyes large and pouty. "Aww, do we have to go right now?" he asked, his voice sullen.
She nodded and made to stand, but he grasped her hand and pulled her back towards him. "Surely it can wait an hour or so, can't it?" He kissed slowly along the length of her neck, sensuously, teasing the skin of her arms with feather light touches of his fingertips. "Can't it?" he asked again, claiming her hand and moving it to his lips, kissing each fingertip slowly, languidly.
A deep shudder racked her body and she leapt to her feet, backing away from the bed, her eyes wide. "That is simply not fair, Legolas." She said, breathless.
Slowly he stood, stretching, noting with satisfaction the appreciative eye she cast over his form. With measured steps he walked to her, cupping her face in his hands, her eyes wide as saucers. Deliberately he kissed her, slowly, languidly, teasing her lips with his own, tasting her with obvious enjoyment. When he finally released her he saw a fire in her eyes, her body trembling with want.
"Ready to go?" he asked, careful to hide his amusement.
Her mouth fell open and she gaped, her brow furrowed. "You do that to me and then expect me to just go?" she asked, her voice tremulous.
With a grin he kissed her quickly, then took her hand and started walking for the door of the tent. "Now you know what every minute is like for me when you are near." he replied, tugging her after him into the sun.
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"This is the washbasin, on your days you'll spend afternoons here. For now I'll schedule you with me so I can help you learn." The A'Har woman smiled and gestured to the low stone troughs and Rhya followed the pointing hand, her eyes wide, overwhelmed.
"I.. I don't know how to do that." she said softly, embarrassed.
"I know. You'll learn it easily, I promise." answered the other woman, Saida by name, looping her arm over the startled girls shoulders.
She and Legolas had entered Caledans tent nearly two hours ago, asking to be added to the rosters. An hour and a half ago she had met Saida and embarked on a journey through the village. She'd known that she was unschooled in domestic matters, but the sheer number of things she would be expected to do baffled her and she despaired of ever earning her keep.
As though sensing her thoughts Saida interrupted her. "Don't worry, Rhyalla. You will do fine. We know you will need time to learn and adjust. We'll help you. It's what a family does." she said, hugging the flustered elf.
"A family?" she queried, trying to hide the tears in her voice.
"We're not just a village. We are a family. Your family." the woman's dark grey eyes were sincere and Rhya smiled, nodded, tears falling down her cheeks. With an embarrassed grimace she wiped them away, her cheeks flushing. "None of that either.' said Saida, 'Part of family is helping each other through things. If you're sad, let us help you, ok?"
Rhya nodded and the two women shared a brief comforting hug. "Now then, lets start you with cooking lessons..."
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"Right then. I'm Rolan. You're Legolas, I presume?" The elfs gruff demeanor and rigid stance showed him easily as a soldier. Legolas nodded once, clasping the other in a firm handshake. "Right then. Lets see what you can do so I know where to put you."
Legolas nodded and followed as the older male lead him with swift steps away from the village proper, further into the valley. Along one wall were carven doorways, gracefully arching. With a sharp gesture Rolan indicated the caves. "That's the safe rooms, for the women and children, should we be attacked. Make sure your lady knows where they are." Legolas nodded, making a note to do just that.
Walking in silence they reached another low building with a large cleared yard ahead of it. "This is the armory. You'll find weapons here, until you earn your own. "
"Earn my own?" Legolas queried.
"Can't just let anyone who wants them have them, now can we? Few things more dangerous than a terrified, unskilled elf with a sword." He shook his head short dark hair bobbing in time as though saddened. "Tried to tell Caledan we needed to start a compulsory training, but he wouldn't have it. This is the next best thing."
Legolas nodded again, uncomfortable with the tension evident in his tone. "Well, here we are. Do you know how to fight?" asked the older elf, his eyes measuring the prince.
"I've been trained, though its been a while since I've done so." he answered, calmly.
"What do you use?" he continued, eyeing him critically.
"In melee, paired long knives, though I prefer to use a bow, when possible." he answered feeling himself measured with every word.
The dark haired head nodded and he lead the way around the structure, where several males lounged in the shade from the building. Catching sight of the gruff elf they leapt to their feet, guilty looks upon their fair faces. "Oh stop." chided Rolan. "I knew you'd be slacking off if I left for a minute. You lot don't surprise me a whit. Now, I need one of you to spar this stripling."
A hand shot up in the back and Rolan waved him forward. The small group parted to reveal Kailin, a long bow staff held in his hands. "I'll do it, Kirrar." he said, grinning at his friend.
"I think not." answered the elder, waving another elf forward. "Calebon can serve as well."
Kailin shrugged and stepped back, and Legolas noticed how well he fit in, his dark, short hair similar to many of the A'Har warriors. He shifted his attention to the one he was to fight, his mind shifting gears, sizing him up with long years of practice. From the corner of his eye he saw Kailin tossing him something and his hands snapped up to catch the wooden sparring poles.
"Those about right?" asked his friend, his hands again wrapped around the staff, leaning upon it.
Legolas smiled and nodded, twirling the poles in a quick circle. "Perfect."
"Lets go then." stated Rolan, stepping back, joining the rest of the elves in a sparse circle around the combatants. The two elves were left facing each other, the A'Har stripping off his shirt and tossing it to the side, a show of confidence. Not to be outdone Legolas mirrored the gesture, tossing his garment to Kailin, who caught it with a mock fawning expression.
Ready for combat now, Legolas ignored his friend, his entire being focused on his opponent. Calebon held his weapon before him, ready, waiting patiently. Remembering the fight between Rhya and her opponent long ago and mindful of the relationship between the cultures, Legolas waited, his blades held at an angle to either side of his body.
After a moment Calebon moved forward, incredibly fast, bringing his pole in a vicious overhead chop. Legolas met the blade with one of his own, twirling beneath the high held arms, aiming his remaining pole towards his opponents abdomen, missing only when the dark haired elf released his breath in a whoosh, sucking his tummy in.
The battle joined, the encircling elves began to call to the combatants, bits of advice and taunts. For nearly a half hour they fought, circling, darting, each brilliant maneuver rebuffed, each counter flawlessly executed.
Finally Rolan stepped forward, clapping a hand to Legolas' shoulder. "Enough. Good work, the both of you. Now lets see your archery..."
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Sweat dripped into Rhyas eyes as she struggled to lift the heavy sack, her hands aching from the effort of gripping it. Just as she thought she'd lose her hold two more hands came from nowhere, lifting it with ease, settling it on the low counter. "Next time ask, ok? We'll help if we can, but if you don't say, we won't know."
Rhya nodded, eyeing the speaker, a small blonde elf with startling green eyes. Her long hair fall in soft waves around her face, and Rhya felt suddenly shabby with her sweat dampened locks. "I'm Lira, by the way. What were you thinking, trying to lift a whole sack of mannin root by yourself? You'll pull something, and then that gorgeous elf of yours will be angry with us all."
Rhya's eyes opened wider at the mention of her lover and she turned quickly, pulling the tubers from the sack. "His name is Legolas." she said, her voice flat.
"Oh, we know. Don't worry. It's not often we get visitors and never any as delicious as him." The girl reached across and snatched up a root, began peeling it absently. "You're a lucky girl, you know. Most any of us would give her eye teeth for a shot at him."
Rhya turned away, her teeth grinding in anger. Who was this girl that she would talk this way to her? She felt rage well within her and fought hard not to strike the blonde. Suddenly she heard a whisper in her ear, "Forget her, she's just trying to get a rise out of you. Play it off or she'll never leave you alone."
She nodded gratefully at Saida and swallowed, waiting a moment to ensure her voice would not reveal her anger. "He is lovely, isn't he? What's your name again? I'll be sure to invite you to our bonding ceremony." Turning she smiled sweetly at the tiny tart, her eyes daring her to say more.
The girl turned a decided shade of green and quickly found something to do on the other side of the tent. "Well said." whispered Saida and the two shared a secret smile.
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*Thunk, thunk, thunk*
Faster then the eye could follow, three shots landed in the bulls eye, each splitting the previous arrow neatly. Some of those surrounding them cheered, some muttered, but Rolans face remained impassive. "Nice shooting, son, but what a waste of arrows." his tone spoke of disapproval and the grin slid from Legolas' face.
"So you can fight and shoot, you've got a helluva set of pipes on you there." said the older elf, pointing to Legolas' arms. "Can you ride?"
"I've been riding since childhood." He answered simply.
"Seems we have a triple threat on our hands, fellows." he said, chuckling, patting Legolas on the back. "Well, now we need to teach you some of the commands we use in battle. They're in Quel... do you speak it?" Legolas shook his head and the older elf smiled, leading him into the shade, the others staying to practice their archery or swordsmanship. "Finally something you don't know."
Later, the sun lowering in the sky and insects calling loudly from the newly cool shade, a soft jangling of bells announced the arrival of dinner. "Gods, its about time!" muttered Rolan, grinning and looking to the females walking gracefully down the path. The warriors sat in a semi-circle and the women entered, lowering trays from their heads and setting them carefully before each elf.
Legolas raised his eyes and saw Rhya, near the back, easily managing the large tray. One of the other women leaned close to Rhya and whispered and in an instant her eyes met his, a delicate flush covering her cheeks. With slow even steps she crossed to stand in front of him, kneeling gracefully and setting the plates out as she'd been shown.
Legolas watched her, his eyes bright, finally reaching out to grasp her hand with his. "Hello, love." he said in a quiet voice, his eyes shouting his devotion.
"Hello." she replied, her eyes locked to his.
"Did you cook this?" he asked int he same low tone.
"I helped." She answered, blushing slightly.
With a smile he cradled the back of her head, pressing his lips to hers. Around them the warriors hooted, amused at the display of affection. When he released her Rhya's cheeks were as red as an apple, her eyes lowered to the ground.
"I couldn't resist..." he said, grinning.
"Eru knows I wouldn't have been able to." said one of the warriors, grinning good naturedly.
"Will you be long?" Rhya asked, brushing his hair from his face.
"A while longer yet." he answered, raising her hand to his lips.
"I will see you when you get home." she said, brushing a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Home." he said softly. "I think I like the sounds of that."
They shared a sweet smile and then the one who had spoken to her previously came and gripped Rhya's arm gently. "More trays to deliver!" she called, chuckling as she whisked her away. Before she disappeared Rhya turned once and waved, smiling at something her friend said before darting away.
"Quite the woman you have there, Legolas." said Rolan, clapping him on the shoulder before turning his attention back to his food.
"Don't I know it." he said, staring at the spot where she'd last stood for a moment before beginning to eat as well.
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"Oh, he is handsome!" exclaimed Saida, giggling as she pulled Rhya away. "Such hair, and those eyes! I do envy you, Rhyalla. Your children will be stunning." Rhya grinned in return unsure what to say. "And oh! the way he looked at you!" the two walked on, grinning as they spoke, the small blonde walking behind them, in a definite sulk.
"Are you really to be bonded?" asked Saida, holding Rhyallas hand in her own. With a blush Rhya nodded, her joy shining in her eyes. "Oh, envy! Will it be here?" Again she nodded and the grey eyed elf laughed. "We'll need to start work on a gown then. Can you sew? No matter, I can. You're so lovely, most anything will look perfect."
Soon they turned their thoughts to planning and time slipped away from them. When finally she noticed the time again, the sun had sunk beneath the horizon and the night birds were singing their pale songs. With a hug and promises to meet each other later, Rhya slipped from the domestics tent and ran full tilt for her own, eager to see her lover.
With silent steps she entered the tent and surveyed the main room, finding it empty, save for Ip, sleeping soundly, his white belly exposed, tiny snores rumbling through the room. She smiled to watch him and then entered the bedchamber, expecting to find Legolas within. Instead it was empty and she felt a moment of sharp disappointment.
Her body ached as she undressed, slipping on a thin night shirt as she slid under the covers, pillowing her cheek on her hand. The night sound surrounded her, Ip's gentle snoring lulling her, and soon she drifted to sleep. When Legolas entered and found her thus a weary smile tilted his lips. After changing into his own bedclothes he lay behind her, gently touching her hip.
Though deeply asleep she shifted backwards, nestling into his embrace, her breathing steady and slow. The moonlight filtered dimply through the fabric of the tent and he watched her sleep, her features smooth, her lips parted ever so slightly. He brushed her cheek with his lips and then drifted away as well, rushing to meet her in the realm of dreams.
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A/N-
Big thanks to Tamara and Legolas lover for taking the time to review.
A day in the life, hmm?
If any of you have heard the song "Solitude" by evanesence, it is the "official" Kallo song. If you haven't, check it out.
Be well.
~Arisma~
If I didn't have writing, I'd be running down the street hurling grenades in people's faces.
Paul Fussell