Title: Diplomacy Part 41
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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He lay silently, listening to her breathing, his mind tumbling over possibilities. She'd seemed so happy to see him, so full of joy. Was it possible that she could feign such a thing so well? Did she have that level of deception within her? He didn't think so.
But then, he never expected to see her in a situation like the one he witnessed in the clearing either. For all his imaginings nothing like the scene he'd stumbled upon had ever entered his mind. As far as he knew she was ignorant of that act. But if she wasn't, if he had seen what he thought he had, what he had been so sure he had, why? Why would she do such a thing? Because he had been away? No, he couldn't believe that her love for him would fade in so short a time.
And besides that fact, even if she were willing, would Kailin have allowed it? Admittedly the dark haired elf had been more than a bit of a rake in Mirkwood, in fact he was well known for his numerous dalliances and the lack of guilt he held for them. But would he work his charms on his best friends intended? In his heart Legolas felt the answer was no.
They had simply been through too much together, been too close for too long for anything, much less a casual fling, to come between them. But what if it was more than a casual fling? What if Kailin harbored deeper feelings for Rhya than a simple romp would dispel?
Around him the tent lightened, announcing the arrival of the dawn. Beside him Rhya shifted, snuggling backwards towards him, her hand lying lightly on his arm where it rested about her waist. Silently he untangled himself from her, rising from the bed carefully. He found his pants form the night before and slipped them on, fastening them around his narrow hips.
For a moment he paused, turning back to look at the peacefully sleeping woman in his bed. He'd get no answers from his own mind and something compelled him against waking her and demanding them. Barefoot and shirtless he walked silently from the tent, ignoring the mewling cries of the cathymin as it sleepily demanded its breakfast.
His steps were even and sure as he made his way across the encampment, but with every step he felt his muscles grow more and more tense. As he walked his hands tightened to fists. The few people who were about at this hour gave him a wide berth as he passed.
He paused outside Kailins tent, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before pushing the flap aside. Inside was dim and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. He took the opportunity to continue the deep breathing, controlling his raging emotions along with his respiration. He watched as the bed came into focus, the slumbering form sprawled atop the covers bare but for a pair of low slung leggings, muscular back stretched as his arms pillowed his head.
For a minute he fell into memory, his mind's eye recalling the dark-haired elf's bare back, the breathy exhalations and the raven-tressed head bent down in front. He felt his fists clench, heard the faint popping of his knuckles as they gave way to the pressure he was exerting.
Across from him a sleep tousled head raised, heavy lidded eyes blinking in owlish puzzlement. "Leaf?" He didn't respond, not trusting his voice and Kailin sat up, running a hand through his spiky hair, brow furrowed in puzzlement. "What's the matter? Are you okay?"
The lanky elf rose and took a halting step forward. "Stop," said Legolas, startled by the growl that was his voice. Kailin complied, raising his hands defensively, opening his mouth to speak but he never had the opportunity as the golden elf before him continued, his voice filled with fire. "I'm going to ask a question, and you are going to answer it." It was a statement, no hint of questioning in the tone.
"Alright." he answered lamely, distinctly unnerved to be addressed in such a tone from his oldest and dearest friend.
"Last night, by the fire, you and Rhyalla."
"Me and Ry what?" he asked, not understanding the statement-like question.
"What were you doing?" Ice was warmer then his friends voice and his sleep fuzzed mind suddenly made the connection.
"Oh gods! No, Leaf, it's not what you thought it was!" without thinking he took another step towards his friend, halting abruptly as the pale form before him tensed further, his eyes drifting to powerful hands, knuckles white with rage.
Hastily stepping back he thought quickly, drawing a finger along the line of his wound. "See? I was hurt. She was cleaning it. That's it, I swear, it was nothing like what it must have seemed to you."
For his part Legolas managed to look ashamed almost instantly, the lines of his body sagging as he loudly exhaled a breath he was unaware he'd been holding. His eyes dropped closed and he nodded gently. "Of course. Of course it wasn't. I'm such a fool."
Having received the answers he'd sought Legolas turned, so washed with relief he'd almost forgotten Kailins presence. He took a step then two, began reaching out to lift the flap when a question stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Where is Rhya now?" There was something wary in Kailins tone and Legolas felt his back stiffen.
He turned back, looking for a long moment at his friend before continuing. The dark haired elf was standing easily now, no longer looking in the least sleepy, his muscular arms folded over his chest and his blue eyes narrowed speculatively. "She's sleeping." His eyes remained narrowed, only a slight nod acknowledging that he'd heard the statement.
"Is she okay?" This time there was a depth of emotion in the dark elfs voice, concern, anger, even something dangerous in the tone.
Bristling, Legolas' voice dropped into a growl. "Of course she's alright. Why would you even ask that?"
"Why... why would I ask that? Are you serious?" Kailin shook his head, chuckling softly though there was little mirth in his eyes. "Have you not seen yourself lately?" Legolas felt his own eyes narrow, leaned back on his heels, motioning for his friend to continue. "Gods, Leaf! Something is not right with you, hasn't been for a while."
"I'm fine." his tone was flat, the denial half hearted at best.
"Fine? You're fine. Great. So you're in your right mind to think I'd do something like that to you. Perfectly reasonable to think she would just fall into my arms the second you're out of eye-shot. And I'm sure you were as loving and kind to her as she deserves last night, weren't you?" Kailins voice had taken on a slightly hysterical bent and Legolas felt his face redden as the last remark hit home.
"By the Valar leaf, you do realize you are set to marry her in less than a week, right? Something is wrong that you're doubting this, that you're accusing her, accusing *us* of things you should know would never happen. It's not fair of you to cast us in the shadow of your own transgressions."
In an instant Legolas was across the tent, his eyes flaring, fist pulled back, knuckles white with pressure. Unfazed, not moving an inch from his easy stance Kailin responded to the threat with a raised eyebrow. "Now you're going to hit me? Fine. If that's what you need to do, have at it." Dark blue eyes slipped closed and the raven haired elf tipped his head back, presenting his chin for an inspection or a blow.
After a moment when no strike fell he opened his eyes and saw his prince standing, head bowed and eyes squeezed shut. There was another moment of silence and then the fair elf spoke, his voice a mere whisper. "I don't know what to do, Kailin."
"What's happening? Why are you like this?" No recrimination now, just concern for a friend.
"I... I don't know. I get so lost in my own mind. Nothing bothers me, nothing can even reach me unless its about her and then... then it just blows me away. The love, the fear, the feelings of betrayal, all of it is so strong it just... just sweeps me away. I love her so much, Kailin. Every fiber of my being is saturated with it. But I know that I don't know her, not truly, not like I should. But there's nothing that could change it. Even when I thought... what I thought, there was never even an instant where I thought of leaving her, not even a moment where my anger and hurt outweighed my love."
"Towards her, anyway." added Kailin dryly, scrubbing a hand through his hair. "Look Leaf, you've been through a lot, the both of you. And so what if you don't know the facts and figures of her? The way you two love... it's a gift. I've never seen the like of it. You have eternity to know the trivia. But it's just not healthy the way you've been acting. No man is an island, but you're trying hard to make it so. Maybe, I mean, have you thought, that maybe part of the reason you don't know much about her is because she knows so little about you?"
"What is there to know?" Legolas looked a mixture of equal parts defensiveness and embarrassment.
Kailin quirked a dark brow, chuckling. "How about your fathers name? How about telling her about your mother, how it felt to lose her. Maybe if you start at the beginning and work up to now you'll hit at least the major plot points. You have six days, I suggest you make the most of them."
After a moment Legolas nodded, raising his eyes to lock them with Kailins, an expression of gratitude on his fair features. "Thank you Kailin. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
The dark haired elf snorted, breaking into a wry smile. "It's common knowledge which head I prefer to think with, so this time, I'll let it slide." he pulled his friend into a brief embrace, releasing him with a chuckle. "Next time though I'll kick your sorry ass from here to Mirkwood."
They shared a grin, Kailin scratching absently at his stomach as he flopped back on the bed, nuzzling into the pillows, his muffled voice drifting out. "Now go, I'm still tired."
"Sleep well, my friend, and thank you." with those words the blonde haired elf turned and left, careful to snug the tent flap down as he left. Now that he was no longer furious the extent of the early morning chill became known to him, his feet aching in moments from the frosted ground. Even his bare arms crossed over his chest did little to warm his flesh.
And so it was that he made excellent time in getting back to his tent, pausing only briefly to take a platter of fruit from one of the serving women before ducking into the warmth of his tent. He paused again, dropping several bits of fruit and cheese into the cathymins dish before entering the bedroom.
His eyes rested again on the slumbering form of his lover and the rush of warmth he felt surprised him still with its voracity. After a moment he settled on the edge of the bed, watching the rise and fall of her chest, the delicate sweep of her hair against a pale cheek. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out, feather light to brush the errant tresses away. He'd forgotten the frigid state of his body though and her eyes opened immediately.
"Legolas?" her voice was warm, slightly husky from sleep and he smiled to hear it, leaning forward to claim her lips in a long, languid kiss. 'When they finally broke apart both of their breathing was faster than was warranted, their cheeks hot and flushed red. Legolas sat back, settling himself against the pillowed headboard, drawing her against his chest, settling an arm around her shoulders comfortably.
After a moment, smiling when he felt her nuzzle deeper to his embrace he began to speak, thinking hard for a moment before saying, "My fathers name is Thranduil..." The sun rose around them as they spoke, him telling of his life before her, tears shared when he recounted the loss of his mother to orcish arrows, laughter ringing through the air as he told of his early relationship with a certain dark haired scoundrel. They shared fruit, feeding each other tiny bites, the only breaks in conversation those times when they were too occupied with chewing to continue.
As the sun was reaching its zenith they drifted away together, each sleeping securely in the circle of the other's arms.
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A/N-
Ellerina Rose- Are you disappointed? I know you were hoping for a mud-pit wrestling match... But, sleepy semi-nekkid Kailin... that's got to count for something, eh?
Funky- Yet another member of the 'Lira Sucks' fan club! I think more people hate her then like Kailin... crazy.
Lady Lossehelin- Wow! Enthusiasm! Yay! I'm glad you like it, hope you keep enjoying it!
Allison- Thanks! Nice to hear from you! Keep reviewing I'll keep writing!
Kate- No crying, NO CRYING! Yeah, ok, maybe a couple sympathy tears. *sends tissues and cookies* Now wipe the tears and munch a cookie... better? See, I'm a full service writer.
Ravenhart- Computers are wonky like that. Love to play little superiority head games... "I know it all and don't have to tell you if I don't want!" Isn't it a mark of insanity to ascribe humanistic traits to inanimate objects? Heh, let's pretend not.
Huge snootches and bootches to Kris the Wonder Beta (tm).
~Arisma~
Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.
Hans Margolius