Kystrel followed Haldir downstairs, her bare feet making little noise on the smooth hardwood of the floor. She caught a glimpse of the twins out of the corner of her eye as they passed the kitchen, and shuddered, scurrying after the blond elf. "Better the devil you know, 'Tre," she muttered to herself.
"We're not evil, Kystrel." Haldir didn't turn around as he spoke, leading her into a large room that bore the look of a place meant for arms practice. The only windows were near the ceiling, and there were racks on the walls that held a variety of bladed weapons. Haldir turned to face her, watching her through grey eyes. "Though we do guard artifacts that were used to cause great evil, in a far different time, that doesn't make us evil."
Kystrel stared at him, frowning in confusion. "What are you talking about? Artifacts of evil?" She snorted. "Sounds like something out of a fantasy novel. This is reali life. Good and evil don't exist. Just people trying to make ends meet, with some doing better than others."
Haldir raised an eyebrow. "Those rings you were hired to steal. Do you know what they are?"
"A bunch of bits of gold that are being given a far greater value by a bunch of people than they actually have." Kystrel shrugged. "Worth a few quid at a pawn shop, but nothing spectacular."
"They were touched by a great evil, and anyone who wears them becomes a shadow of what they were, twisted and dark. No longer alive, they exist in a twilight world, serving the whim of the ring."
Kystrel stared at him a moment, then began to laugh, falling to the floor with a thump. "You really believe that kind of nonsense! Stories like that are meant to scare little children and gulliable fools. No one really believes them these days. Magic? The undead?" She shook her head. "They're not real. Just fairy stories told to keep the masses happily entertained."
"Are they?" Haldir watched her a moment. "And elves? Are they simply a 'fairy story to keep the masses happily entertained'?"
Her laughter faded, and she glared up at him. "I wish I could say they were. But those... twins, for lack of an insult coming to mind, ensured that was a comfortable fantasy thrown out the window."
Haldir offered her his hand to help her up, and she regarded it a moment before taking it. He pulled her to her feet as he spoke. "And good and evil are no less real than elves. Mortal man has forgotten that."
"I still don't think good and evil exist. Only people with intentions that don't hold up to some archaic code of conduct that arbitrarily decides what is 'good' and what is 'evil'." She pressed her lips together. "No, real evil and real good don't exist."
"Then consider that the intentions of those who hired you were far less than honorable, and that they intended harm by you bringing them those rings." Haldir gave her a penetrating look, and Kystrel scowled.
"I don't give a damn about honor! Honor doesn't put food on my table. Honor doesn't keep a roof over my head and clothes on my back." She sneered at him, her expression hard and bitter. "Honor is for dreamers and fools. I am neither."
Haldir stared at her in shock, but Kystrel wasn't done.
"Why do you think they say there is no honor among theives? Because we're too damned busy trying to stay alive to give a shit about something exaulted like honor. Food in our bellies, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs. And damned romantic idealists think they can paint a picture so much brighter than that. The thief with a heart of gold. Rob the rich and give to the poor. Hah! A thief's favorite charity is their own comfort. Maybe you bloody high-and-noble snots never thought of that. You wonder why people want to steal a little bit of pretty trinkets, with your tag of evil?" She met his eyes, a cold grey gaze boring into his. "Because the people who want them pay well enough for a thief to retire to some place warm, where we never have to worry again where our next meal is coming from."
"For how long?" Haldir asked quietly. "The rest of your life?"
"I should bloody well hope so! I have no intention of coming back to bloody England again. And my friends and family can come visit me in Tahiti."
"And how long do you think your life would be if they got those rings?" Haldir walked over to the weapons on the wall as he spoke, looking them over. He picked out a slim sword, raising an eyebrow at Kystrel. "I doubt they'd let you live long enough to collect your feee, Kystrel."
"They?" She frowned. "What's this 'they' business? Only one person wants them, that hired me, anyway. And he wasn't working as an agent for someone else."
"Did he tell you that?" Haldir took down another sword, and came back to where she was standing. He held the first out to her hilt first.
Kystrel stared at the weapon he held out for a moment, then transferred her disbelieving gaze to his face. "What the fuck do you expect me to do with that?"
"To learn how to use it, Kystrel." His voice was calmly matter-of-fact. "You didn't answer my question. Did he tell you he wasn't an agent for someone else?"
"Hell no. I'm not learning how to use a bloody sword! There isn't a use for it, once I get the hell out of here." Kystrel glared at him, ignoring the proferred blade. "And as for the man who wanted the rings, I do have a little care for the truth of the stories of a potential client. I want to be sure they can pay my fee. His bank account can cover more than what he offered. An agent won't have the money in the bank. They'll have it in cash. No way to put them in prison alongside the thief and their employers, most of the time. No prrof."
Haldir's eyes narrowed, and he stalked back to the rack, hanging the sword up again. He said nothing as he stood a moment. Kystrel had no warning before he turned and struck. The thief yelped as the flat of his blade smacked her across the hip, staring at him in shock.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" She rubbed her hip with her free hand, glaring at him now.
He raised an eyebrow, the expression clear as words. What do you think, thief?
She backpeddled away from him, scuttling sideways as he feinted left. He herded her into a corner, the only escape route blocked by him. Kystrel watched the blade warily, licking her lips.
"What now, Haldir? You have me trapped." She gave him a questioning look. "Do you ask me questions I won't answer with the promise to kill me if I don't? Or maybe you just kill me, and get me out of your hair?" She tilted her head, shifting her weight slightly on her feet.
"No..." He was cut off by Kystrel carrying through on her shifting weight. Her foot connected with his hip as Haldir twisted rapidly, barely avoiding having her kick him in the groin.
Kystrel took advantage of the brief distraction, darting past him, heading for the door. He ran after her, grabbing her good arm with his free hand. She spun, reaching up to scratch at his face, and he dropped the sword to the floor, grabbing her wrist before her hand could connect.
"Let go of me, you pointy-eared freak." She almost hissed the words, her eyes narrowed. "And don't you think I'm going to touch one of those ancient weapons of yours except to carry it to a fence who'll sell it to a less than scruplious antique weapons collector."
"You're not leaving, Kystrel." His voice was steely, and his expression brooked no arguement. "And you will tell me everything you know about the man who hired you to steal the rings."
"It will be a cold day in hell if I ever listen to you." Kystrel glared at him, trying to free herself from his grip. He simply increased the pressure on her wrist, making her winces. "God damned bastard, that hurts!"
"Expected." He held her gaze, saying nothing more. A battle of wills made the room crackles with tension, neither speaking or moving a muscle.
"Am I interrupting something?" Legolas was leaning against the doorframe, watching them with an amused smirk on his face.
Haldir didn't move, except to flicker an eyebrow at Kystrel in unspoken question, the stalemate broken temporarily. The corner of her mouth quirked upwards, and they turned towards Legolas in perfect unison. The Mirkwood elf straightened, his amusement fading rapidly. He took off with a yelp as they both chased after him, tearing down the hallway towards the front door. It slammed behind him, the blond elf taking off towards the boundries of the forest.
Haldir stopped in the middle of the entrance, a smirk on his face. Kystrel skidded to a halt beside him, stumbling as she did so. He caught her, his arm around her waist to steady her.
Kystrel looked up, still grinning, her cheeks flushed. He was smiling, his eyes sparkling with amusement. The light pouring in from the skylight behind him created a halo from his golden hair, and she unconsciously licked her lips. Their gazes never broke as Haldir lowered his head towards hers.
His lips were soft against hers, and she reached up her good hand, tangling her fingers in his hair. Her mouth opened beneath his, and his tongue invaded, tangling with hers, his arms tightening around her waist. A moment later, they parted, Kystrel staring up at him with wide eyes.
The crack of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the entrance hall, and Haldir stared after her as she ran up the stairs. She slammed the door to the room she'd first woken up in, her breath coming in sharp gasps.
"Kystrel Blaise Tirith, what the bloody hell did you go and let that happen for?" she whispered to herself, one hand coming up to touch her lips. "Just because he's handsome doesn't mean a damned thing. You don't know anything about who - or even what - he is, he's holding you prisoner here.... and you have a job to think about." She took a deep breath, trying to focus her thoughts.
"Come on, 'Tre. Think about retiring to Tahiti. Warm, sunny. Cabana boys. Think about cabana boys."
Haldir stalked to the sparring room, his mind in turmoil. He picked up the sword, carefully placing it back on its rack before going up to his room, and pulling out the gear for arrow making. Settling at his table, he laid out the supplies carefully, concentrating on the familiar motions.
His mind worked at the problem of Kystrel as he mechanically wrapped fletching and arrowheads. She's irritating, stubborn, rude, and a thief after the rings. She's mortal. She doesn't listen very well, and she refuses to give me the information I need on her contact.
And you like her. That voice sounded like Legolas, and he scowled.
I do not, and you can be quiet! he replied irritably.
Denial doesn't suit you. The voice refused to be quiet. You like her, Haldir.
I do not! He set down the arrow he was working on, his eyes narrowing. There are too many flaws in her personality that will cause trouble...
If you allow them to.
... and she's mortal.
Arwen married a mortal.
Haldir's jaw clenched. And she died when Ellesar did.
So?
She could afford to. She wasn't guarding the remaining evils of Middle Earth.
Actually, your logic is flawed there, Haldir. Arwen died because she let herself die. You wouldn't. Too much a sense of responsibility.
"Shut up!" Haldir's voice was full of irritation, and he had a dark expression on his face.
You know I'm right.
Penara watched the forest from the driver's seat of a small sports car. There was a darkly-dressed figure near the edge, and she shook her head. Gydion. What was he doing out here? "Did we not tell you to remain at your flat, where the little bitch theif can contact you? Stupid man," she muttered, pulling out her cell phone.
"Angelo Dominarus's office, Domine Shipping. Can I help you?" The perky voice of the secretary nearly made Penara growl.
"I need to speak with him immediately. Penara Mordaren."
"One moment, please. I'll see if he'll take your call. He's in a very important meeting right now."
Penara supressed the urge to snort sarcastically. She knew he's take the call. No meeting with pathetic humans was as important as the Nine. And she'd have to remember to tell him his company had awful music for those on hold. Perky and modern just wasn't Penara's cup of tea.
"This had better be important, Penara. I was in a meeting with the CEO of my rival, working on details of buying them out."
"Gydion's back at Sherwood Forest. Did you give him orders to do so?"
There was silence on the other end of the line a moment. "Make sure he returns to his flat, Penara. Immediately. We do not need the elves finding him yet."
"Of course, Angelo." She paused. "Shall I call a meeting tonight?"
"No. We will meet when we usually do, Penara."
"Until then, Angelo."
"Goodbye, Penara." There was click as Angelo hung up, and she flipped the phone shut.
"You'll wish you'd never been born, Gydion." Penara spoke to herself softly, her expression cruel.
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long to update! I've been neglecting it. looks sheepish My only excuse was finals, followed by a trip to Ohio. And you can blame that trip for about half this chapter. And the slightly faster plot. Never write stories when in the presence of one of your readers. It warps the plans. Of course, it also resulted in plans for a sequel or two, so.... shrugs
Thank you to detsiwt m'i, KnowInsight, Almost Funny, lucy, and ElvenPrincessSapphire for your reviews on the previous chapter, and I hope everyone enjoyed this one, and enjoys the next one as much!