"Not a bloody thing!" Niniva was scowling, ignoring the lines it was sure to leave on her face. She didn't care at this point. "Not even the bloody twins have stirred out of that fucking house and bedeviled forest in the last fours months except for that brief expedition three bloody months ago to the local village. And that was just the Mirkwood fuckhead." Her arms were crossed over her ample breast, and a low growl came from the irritated fashion designer.
Angelo leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk on his face. It was amusing to see Niniva in this state, but more importantly, his plan was working flawlessly so far. The thief was still in the house, working her way into their lives simply by being there. "Patience, Niniva. We have the time to wait."
Niniva graced that with merely a growl, and an angry glare.
"And once they let down their guard, we take the thief." Alyca chuckled softly, not looking up from the pile of photographs she had in front of her. "One distraction for fool Ellysson, and one for the elves. Edward takes what he wants, and we get the information we need from the thief to take what we all want."
Niniva's good mood appeared restored by that prospect, and she nearly purred. "Ah, yes. I shall most enjoy dealing with those two."
"Are you still holding a grudge against them for trying to put you out of business, Niniva?" Penara's face was illuminated by the screen of her laptop as she typed up her notes for an arguement in her current case. "Or are you still upset over the mess they made of your warehouses last lifetime around?" She looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"All of it, Penara." Niniva was glaring at the lawyer. "Every single time they've tried to bring me down, I will repay them for."
"Tried?" There was a chuckle from the narrow-faced woman. "I believe the only time they've failed to succeed was this most recent time."
"Enough." Angelo spoke before Niniva could retort. "We know well what those two have done. To all of us. But that does not matter at the moment." He leaned forward again. "When they trust the thief not to run, we must be ready. And this pointless bickering does not help us. It helps them." He met the eyes of each of the others, and most of them bowed their head graciously. Alyca raised an eyebrow, and Penara was already back to her typing, ignoring him altogether. "Now, what was the report from Surano?"
Kystrel flipped through the book, scowling at the neat elvish script on the page. She wondered if she could get away with flinging the thing across the room, and glanced up, looking for anyone else in the room. She caught sight of Haldir out on the lawn, and her scowl deepened. If only I could throw it at him! The Marchwarden was frustrating her no end. He was still trying to wheedle the name of her employer out of her, and she was getting to the point she was tempted to give him a name just to get him out of her hair.
And you think he's handsome, and ever since you prooved you could understand elvish, he's been avoiding you. You don't like that.
Bollocks! Kystrel's scowl deepened. I don't care if he walks off a cliff.
Liar.
With a growl, she slammed the book shut, and stalked towards the door, contemplating trying to get outside again. She hadn't been let outside, even on one of the balconies, since she'd tried to run, and nearly gotten another arrow in someplace vital for her troubles.
Trying to get someone's attention, are we?
"No, I'm not," she muttered, stalking through the hall.
"You're not what?" Haldir's voice came from behind her, and Kystrel spun, glaring at him.
"None of your business!" she snapped.
He raised an eyebrow, waiting for an answer to his question. Kystrel turned back the way she'd been going, and stalked away, trying to ignore him.
You like him, Tre. Why won't you admit it?
Maybe because he's an arrogant, irritating bastard who won't let me out of this fucking house! The only room in this house I don't know the inside of other than the bedrooms of the other elves is the one room I need to get into to get those bloody rings. And I can't get near THAT without one or another of those damned elves being in my way before I can even figure out the security system, much less disarm it and get in.
She kicked at the wall as she came to the end of the hallway, and looked out the window at the enticing nearness of the woods. Just once, I'd like to get out there, even if I don't have the bloody rings, and get some sun. Hell, even if it's only on his bloody balcony, with a guardian watching over me the whole fucking time. I just want out in the bloody sun! Kystrel slid down the wall next to the window, not noticing the tears on her face.
And if you quit acting like a sulking little brat who is as likely to bolt as not around him, he'll give you a bit more freedom.
Kystrel snorted. The hell he will. He'll never let me leave, anyway. And that's what I want to do!
Is it?
She clenched her hands into fists, wishing she could wrap her hands around the annoying voice in her head, and strangle it. You know, it doesn't matter, does it? Whether I want to leave or not, whether I like him or not. Because the only way I'll get out of here is without the rings, which means I break contract, and I can't do that. Not and retire. Hell, if I break contract, no one will hire me again! And I like my line of work.. No matter what some elf with a pole up his ass thinks.
So make the most of things here. He's handsome, and he's availible. And neither of you are going anywhere.
No. Kystrel set her jaw stubbornly, her sight blurring and giving her no chance to ignore the angry tears. I am not staying here. Hell, if I have to, I WILL break contract, and then I'll call April, and I'll go over to the States.
And what will you do then?
"I'll figure out something," she whispered to herself. "But I'm not staying here."
Haldir had followed Kystrel, frowning when he saw the tears on her face, tears she paid no attention to.
Tears you caused. The voice was almost accusing, and his eyes narrowed. You know you caused them, Haldir. She's been trapped inside for months. You haven't even let her out on the balconies. And they're designed such that she wouldn't be able to escape from them without causing herself injury.
And what do you propose to do about it? I can't let her go. She'll just come back after the rings again. Or she'll be killed, and they'll send someone else.
I thought you didn't care about her. That's what you've been telling yourself for the last several months. Why should you care if they kill her?
A snarl crossed his face a moment. She became my charge as soon as she found out what we are. I have a responsibility to keep her alive.
Is that all? There was a hint of skepticism in the voice. You care for her, Haldir, and you are a stubborn fool for not admitting it! Maybe if she didn't feel like you were about to run rough shod over her, she might be more willing to talk to you!
Hah! She's more stubborn than anyone, mortal or elf, that I have ever known.
I know someone just as stubborn as she is.
Kystrel's whisper distracted Haldir from his arguement.
"I'll figure something out. But I won't stay here." She reached up to wipe tears from her face with both hands, before pushing off the wall. He cleared his throat, stepping out of the doorway he'd ducked into earlier without noticing, and her eyes narrowed. "How long have you been there?"
"Only a moment." Haldir paused, thinking a moment. "Would you like to have lunch out on the balcony?"
See, that wasn't so hard, was it?
Shut it!
Kystrel's brow furrowed in confusion when she heard Haldir ask her if she wanted to have lunch on the balcony, certain she was hearing things. "What?"
The elf raised an eyebrow. "I asked if you wanted to eat lunch on the balcony today."
"Sounds good to me." She shrugged. "If you're not afraid I'll go and jump off or something."
Haldir chuckled. "No. I'm sure you wouldn't do something like that." He gestured for her to proceed him, and she ambled along the hallway, pausing as he ducked into the kitchen, coming out with a tray of fruit, cheese, and sausage, with a loaf of bread balanced pecariously on top. A pair of mugs dangled from one hand, and a jug from the other.
"Here, let me help with that." Kystrel rescued the mugs and jug, tucking it into the crook of her arm before grabbing the bread. They went upstairs, and he directed her through his room again, out onto the little south-facing balcony. There was a small table out here that she hadn't noticed before, and Haldir set the tray on it.
He took one of the mugs, and filled it from the jug with a clear amber brew. "The twins brought it back from one of their expeditions, and insisted on figuring out how to brew it." Haldir gave her a rueful look as he filled her mug. "Legolas banished them from the kitchen for months."
Kystrel chuckled briefly. "Why are you telling me that? I'm not exactly a welcome guest, after all." There was an edge of bitterness to her voice, and she almost thought she saw him wince. Hah. Haldir, flinch? Not that arrogant bastard.
"No, you haven't been." He reached for an apple and, pulling his knife, began to peel it. "You've been a prisoner."
"Why?" Kystrel set the untouched mug onto the table, crossing her arms. "Yeah, I tried to steal something. You could have reported it to the local constable. And you have to have been able to conceal what you are, or those twins never would go all over the place, and you give the impression they have been for a very long time. Not to mention you had to go and buy the cold box. And probably a generator to go with it, since I didn't see any sign of this house being connected to the power grid."
"People see what they want to see." Haldir set the apple peel aside, keeping his gaze on what he was doing.
"I wouldn't have told anyone what I saw. I still won't. Because no one would believe me."
"There are those who would, Kystrel." Haldir raised his gaze to meet hers. "And some of those people would be more than happy to get their hands on us, and torture us. Or worse."
She dropped her gaze, trying not to squirm uncomfortably.
He's right about that, you know. Scientists wouldn't care that they're living beings. They'd probably just dissect them, or experiment on them. Just to see what would happen.
Fuck off. I don't need you to tell me that. Kystrel reached out to grab an apple, and bit into it, using it as an excuse not to talk for several minutes.
"So you plan to keep me here for the rest of my life, don't you?" She looked up at him, the question acid.
Haldir suppressed the urge to wince at the biting tone in Kystrel's voice as she asked him, "So, do you plan to keep me here for the rest of my life?"
Hmm. She's got you there, Haldir. I believe that was your original intention.
Oh, shut up. Haldir watched Kystrel silently for a moment. "That was the idea, after you saw what we are." He held up a hand to stall her protest. "Yes, I know you have said you wouldn't tell anyone because you didn't think you'd be believed. But you haven't given us any reason to trust you, Kystrel."
"Look, I'm not stupid. I'm not going to try to run. Not when I know you can kill me before I get to the road." She scowled at him. "And I'm still not telling you who hired me. I can't. I won't break contract like that."
A smile twitched at his lips. "And you said there was no honor among thieves?"
She rolled her eyes. "There isn't." She picked up a piece of cheese, turning it in her fingers a moment before eating it, studiously avoiding his gaze.
"I think there's one thief with honor," Haldir said softly, looking out over the forest. "She hasn't betrayed the name of the person who hired her, no matter how many times those holding her captive have asked. And there is little incentive for her do to so, except for her honor."
"I don't believe in honor." Kystrel's voice was quiet. "I told you that. I have no use for it. I'm simply looking out for my own interests."
Haldir shrugged. "I have not met anyone else who would have held out on the name for so long. Especially when it would have earned them their freedom the first day."
"More fool they. You don't get good contracts if you don't keep the ones you make." Kystrel shifted in her chair, leaning back to put her bare feet up on the railing. "And as much profit as there may be in lifting from the unsuspecting, you can't garuntee you'll find something useful every time. Contracts are better for a steady income."
He looked over at her curiously. "Do you put everything in terms of personal gain and loss?"
Kystrel looked up at the sky, squinting her eyes against the sunlight, taking a sip from her drink. "Why not? You gain knowledge, you gain experience. You gain or loose wealth, friends, family. Doesn't everyone put things in terms of gain and loss?"
"No." Haldir frowned, shaking his head. "Sometimes there is no way to put an emotion, or an action, into terms of gain or loss. I neither gain nor loose anything staying here to watch the rings. And how can one put friendship in terms of gain or loss?"
There was silence from Kystrel for a long moment. "Do you really loose nothing watching those trinkets? I mean, you four are the only elves I know of outside of books. And the rest, well, if those books in your library are to be believed, they've all left. Leaving your four alone. The only ones of your kind." She looked over at him, her grey eyes unreadable. "And not a she-elf in sight. How do you deal withÉ wellÉ" she trailed off, blushing.
Haldir felt the tips of her ears warm, and returned his attention to the forest, unsure if he could say anything without stumbling over his words.
"Or perhaps you're all gay?" Kystrel giggled at the odd look he gave her. "Come on. Don't tell me you've never heard anyone use that term?" He shook his head. "Homosexual?" Another shake. "Likes guys?"
Kystrel raised an eyebrow as she tried to explain what gay meant to Haldir, and tried not to snicker when he went bright red, and stammered out a reply that wasn't entirely intelligible. She failed, giggling madly as he glared at her, then let out a shriek as her chair toppled over, knocking the jug of drink off the table as she flailed about trying to keep her balance.
A moment later, Haldir was smirking at her as she stared up from underneath sodden hair, her shirt plastered to her body. She glared at him, fiercely willing him not to laugh, and growled when he did so, using the edge of the table to haul herself to her feet. She reached out to grab his mug, and dumped the contents of it over his head, exchanging glare for glare for a long moment.
Faces twitched at the same moment, and they burst out laughing, drawing Legolas from the hallway to see what was going on. He looked confused at their laughter, and took a sniff of the air.
"What is so amusing about getting yourselves drowned in the twins poor attempt at what I think was meant to be ale?"
Kystrel shared a look with Haldir, and shook her head, trying not to snicker. A smirk from him broke her concentration, and she burst out laughing again, gripping the table to keep herself upright. The other elf left, still mystified, and they took a long moment to get themselves back under control.
"We should really get out of these things, and I need to get theÉ" Kystrel paused. "Beer, for lack of anything more descriptive, out of my hair." She glanced over at Haldir. "And since my room doesn't have a shower or bath, umÉ" She blushed, glancing down at her feet.
"You are welcome to use the bath. I will wait until you are done," Haldir offered.
Come on! It's the perfect opportunity! You know you want to. That inner voice of hers could be very irritating, and oh-so-convincing sometimes.
"Well, I could use some help getting it all out of my hair." She raised an eyebrow, surprised she was actually trying toÉ She gave her head a mental shake, waiting for Haldir to reply.
Author's Notes:
Laer4572 - Well, Kystrel is decendent from Faramir and Eowyn, and you could say there's a hint of Eowyn's soul to her, but I didn't intend for the good guys to be re-incarnations, persay. Though I do have some ideas for some off-shoot stories that aren't quite sequels, or prequels, involving other family of the main characters, at some point. There's a brief fic that goes with this one - I Walk Alone - that is a brief bit about Haldir. I might do some like that with each of the other characters. Character sketches, if you will, which will give more an idea of who may or may not be who. Though you've given me an interesting idea...
And you are now officially responsible for the mayhem that is the backstory. I will be posting the other short ficlets that I have on as soon as possible. I must thank you very much for putting the kernal of an idea in my head that gave rise to the need for the backstory.
Oh, and we will be seeing Faramir's reincarnation in a sequel. He doesn't feature in this story, and I will make a note now that the only one of those brought back are aware of their previous life. She (he? depends on the lifetime) will be coming in later, possibly in the sequel to this one. And for more information on the characters, and the upcoming stories, please see the website I will have the content updated this weekend to include the stories, and some of the character stuff.