Title: Diplomacy Part 38
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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His eyes roamed ahead as he forced his body to maintain an easy loping pace. He was less than a half a days walk from the sheltered valley of the A'Har and every muscle in his body was strung tightly in anticipation. As though to thwart him the other members of his party kept the same slow pace.
Without warning an image formed in his mind, the detail of it stunningly complete. He was running through the valley, not seeing the hands raised in welcome. He rounded the corner and saw his tent, his home. Barely slowing he entered, eyes searching. The main room was empty and his heart leaped in his chest as he pushed into the bedroom.
And there she was.
Laying on the bed, eyes half closed in sleep. Dark hair fanned over the pillow, glossy like a ravens wing. As beautiful as he remembered, more so even. His breath caught as he walked to the bed, leaning on one knee over her. Almond shaped eyes opened slowly and regarded him with undisguised affection. Without a word he cradled her face, cupping a cheek in each curved palm. Leaning forward he pressed his lips to her, running his tongue along the swell of her lower lip. Easily, eagerly she opened to him and his tongue darted in, delving deep, losing himself in her taste, her feel.
A sharp whistle broke his reverie and he looked around, looking back over his shoulder to see the rest of his party a quarter mile or more behind him. He felt his cheeks burn as he made his way back to them, ignoring the chuckles of his fellows. It wouldn't have been so bad if this had been the first time, or even the second that his fantasies had pressed him to outpace his party. But the sixth... it was just embarrassing.
He met the eyes of the leader of the band and smiled sheepishly, receiving a knowing smirk in return. With a groan he allowed himself to fall to the back of the walking elves before starting to walk again. Maybe from back here he would remember himself before he got too far ahead, next time.
By the time they approached the valley the pace of the other elves had picked up greatly. He wasn't the only one anxious to see loved ones or a lover again. He took some small measure of comfort in seeing the same gleam in his friends eyes that he'd had in his own for the past three days.
By the time they started descending into the valley proper the neat column had disappeared as the warriors dispersed, feet thudding as they ran for their homes. Legolas looked one final time at his leader and after receiving a brief nod gave in to his instincts and joined the running men.
It was so like his fantasy, with the sun angled low in the sky, glimmering off the tent fabric. He felt his face spread in a grin as he rounded one final corner and saw his destination do close at hand. As in his imagining he dashed inside, casting a cursory glance over the main room, expecting the emptiness that greeted him. He slowed, walking with careful steps into the bedroom, his muscles tense in anticipation.
A pair of golden eyes blinked sleepily from the bed, Ip stretching his long neck in surprised greeting. His eyes scanned the room again before landing again on the rooms only occupant, the buildings only occupant. He say heavily on the edge of the bed, reaching out to stroke the cathymins soft fur.
His fantasy dashed, he felt the smile slip form his face. "Where is she, boy?" he asked after a moment, scratching under a pointed chin. Golden eyes regarded him coolly and then they were closed again as the creature slipped back into the sleep his arrival had disturbed.
The next half hour was spent wandering the encampment, ears straining to catch the sound of her voice. He spotted a familiar red head across the square and made his way over to his friend. "Calen... you haven't seen Rhya anywhere, have you?"
Green eyes regarded him with a bit of mirth but before he could answer a tiny blonde insinuated herself between the warriors. "I know where she is." she said, smiling prettily.
Legolas felt a bit wary of the blonde, remembering her from the day of his first testing. "Lira." he said, nodding in recognition. "Can you tell me?" he asked, trying to keep the edge of desperation out of his voice.
"I can do you one better!" she exclaimed, confidently taking his hand and leading him away from a chuckling Calen. "I can take you to her."
Legolas was wary, but his desire to see Rhya out weighed his hesitance and so he meekly followed, though he did take a moment to gently take his hand from his guides. He was a bit surprised when she lead him away from the main settlement, taking him up a winding trail that branched and branched again.
Just when he was ready to object, she stopped walking, placing a delicate finger to his lips. "Shh, almost there." she whispered, smiling.
Again she grasped his hand, pulling him into a crouch and coming to rest behind a large rock. He raised his eyebrows questioningly and she pointed around the side of their concealment.
Cautiously, not trusting the blonde girl, he peeked his head around the base of the jutting stone and felt his eyes widen in shock. A small fire burned in a fire pit, a large kettle held over it by a wrought iron hook. He caught a whiff of spicy stew but paid it no mind, his attention firmly riveted on the people by the fire.
Kailin sat on a rock broad shoulders and back facing the crouching prince, head tipped back, fingers wound in the hair of someone kneeling before him. He gasped softly in disbelief as he recognized those raven tresses, the pale hand grasping the mans hip. For a second the head raised and he caught sight of his loves face, flushed, eyes wide.
"What was that?" hearing her voice was like a sweet torment. He'd dreamt of it so long, but had never expected this.
"Nothing, nothing, just keep going. Please, Rhya." Kailins voice was low, husky. He felt his heart break at the sound, break further when her head disappeared again behind the mans body. Without a word he turned, walking back towards the encampment. After a moment he heard rushed footfalls and Lira came up beside him.
"What's the matter?" she asked, eyes wide.
"How... how long has this been going on?" he asked, his voice breaking on the first attempt.
"The very same day you left. I thought you knew... everyone else knows."
Legolas wanted to cry, laugh, wanted to run back to the tiny camp and strangle Kailin, strangle her. He wanted to run away and forget he'd ever seen this, pretend it had never happened. Instead he just walked back to the camp, face calm though his eyes were blazing.
After he entered he saw Calen, pale face flushed. The red head walked up and wrapped the tiny blonde in his arms, kissing her soundly. Legolas could smell wine and mead wafting from him. Blurry green eyes met his and the younger elf pointed back over his shoulder.
"The celebration is in full swing now, 'Las. They've been looking for you. Find your girl?" his words were slightly slurred and he swayed a bit, Lira easily wrapping and arm around him, helping support him.
"Yes." The red heads eyes widened at the tone of voice and took a shaky step back form the raging warrior. Without another word Legolas entered the pavilion and accepted the first mug pressed into his hands. Without even checking the contents he upended it, drinking the mead in one quick draught. Holding the container out to the elf behind the make shift bar he fought to keep his tone neutral.
"Keep them coming." he said, pleased when the other just smiled and nodded, taking the empty mug and handing it back full to the brim. Face set in grim lines he found a stool, perching carefully on it, and set about getting utterly, totally, inebriated.
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A/N-
Hey there... remember me?
I know I've been awful about updating, but I have a surplus of chapters, so I can guarantee more frequent postings. Is anyone still reading? Feedback feedback feedback! The more I hear the faster I will post the backlog.
Ellerina Rose- Doodles in the office? SO wish I could see those. Kailin is one of the best creations my fractured little psyche has every come up with, at least in my own eyes. Yay for you appreciating him.
Kate- I could answer that... but then I'd have to kill you. Angst cookie, angst cake, angst pie. Which would you prefer?
As always to Kris the Wonder Beta, my thanks and appreciation. Without her to prod me ever so lovingly I'd never get anything done. Also, judicious application of the 'writers time out' is a good thing indeed.
~Arisma~
Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.
Hans Margolius