Chapter 4
February, Third Age 2968, Halls of King Thranduil
Training routines always put Sidhel's mind at ease. He enjoyed the flow of each set he worked through, the tug and burn it set through his muscles towards the end of the repetitions. There was a steady peace in knowing his body was healthy and in the best condition it could be, ready for anything.
Lately, he had been coming in the mid morning when it was quieter and he had to admit there was a pleasantness to having fewer people there. It helped him settle into his own thoughts and unwind.
Well, most of the time.
Every other day, when she wasn't in her late morning class, Emily came to the training rooms around the same time he did. To say she was not just a little distracting would be a lie. Still, Sidhel did his best not to interrupt her focus or to talk to her too often. He knew she got self conscious when people were a round and she always had a better session when she forgot people were there. All the same, he was glad of her company in the back of his mind while he did his own practice. She had even begun to share his training space without asking when more the rooms were on the busier side.
Shaking his head, Sidhel swung through another set of combat motions, hitting his practice target with precision.
Convincing her that there was plenty of room and that she didn't need to ask every time she was in search of somewhere to work out took him weeks. He hadn't met someone so shy and seemingly uncomfortable in their own skin when other people were around to see.
Once he asked her about it and he had more appreciation for it.
Simply put, she worried about looking stupid in front of people who 'totally know what they are doing'. She wanted to be as good as the rest of them right away and expected perfection off the get go. Convincing her that she could take her time and be gracious with herself as a beginner took the team effort from those closest to her. Eventually, about a week ago she started marching in with her head held high, taking up a space nearby and getting to work without scoping the place out first to see who might see her training.
Sidhel was so proud of her.
Finishing his session, Sidhel stole a glance. Correction. It was more like a fourth glance, which was an improvement for him these days. He frowned when he spotted her standing motionless, staring down at her knuckles lost in thought.
"Are you alright?" Sidhel asked, not able to help himself. She looked sad and if there was anything he could do to help bring that smile of hers back, he wanted to do it.
"Hmm?" Emily looked up from her knuckles and flashed him a weak smile that really didn't reach her eyes. If anything it made her look sadder. "Oh, yes. I'm alright."
"It's just...you seem...very melancholy."
Emily drew a slow breath and ran her fingers through her pony-hair. It was curled on the ends from perspiration, the shorter pieces that had escaped her hair tie coiling around her rosy cheeks.
"I suppose I am a bit melancholy." She admitted as she sat down heavily upon the bench and leaned on her knees while playing with her fingers. "I didn't mean for it to be noticeable though."
Sidhel smiled and crossed to join her, sitting a respectful distance from her and drinking some water.
"I'm afraid your expressions give much away, Emily." He told her, enjoying the soft blush of annoyance that heated her face. Among all their friends, it was agreed upon that she was the worst liar of them all and it bothered her. Sobering, Sidhel switched from teasing and asked. "What's wrong? Is there anything I can do?"
Emily sighed, and shrugged. "Not really."
For a moment he thought that was it. He was about to let it go and, as much as it pained him, respect that she didn't wish to share with him.
All at once she blew another long breath and leaned back against the wall comfortably before she started talking.
"I guess I'm a little homesick today." She confided. "It's weird to think that I've been living here nearly...six months now, wow...it feels like so much longer...anyway, I've been here long enough to consider this home now. I love being here. I do truly feel this is where I belong and where my heart and soul are meant to be...it's just…"
She paused, staring up at the ceiling and twiddling her thumbs as she considered her words. Sidhel waited, warmed to the core that she was confiding in him as easily as she would have Merenith or one of her family. While he was becoming more and more willing to share things that he held deep in his heart with her (things he wouldn't even necessarily admit to the rest of his friends) Sidhel had not anticipated that she was also coming to that same place in her comfort levels with him.
"I just it's just the little things, you know? Things that aren't earth shattering, or really that important, but they were once a part of my life, and I miss them."
"Like what?" Sidhel asked, curious.
"Oh, just silly things." Emily flicked her head to glance at him, as if suddenly self conscious. "Nothing important."
"I could be mistaken, but the little things often as a whole make up a huge part of our identity...I am sure they are important...and I am happy to listen, if you would like someone to tell." Sidhel smiled easily. "And if you do not, I understand. Whatever helps, I am here."
Chewing her bottom lip, Emily studied him with those big brown eyes that he'd learned were more thoughtful and expressive than a doe or a fawn, yet could become fierce and fiery like a bear or bobcat.
She leaned forwards again and tapped her fingers together, staring forwards into the quiet training room.
"I miss music." She blurted finally. Then she laughed ruefully and rolled her eyes at herself making Sidhel smile again. "Not that any elf would call it music, I imagine. The music of Earth is seldom in comparison to the ethereal beauty of elven music. Even our classical music seems meager by comparison now that I have heard the musicians perform...but, there is something about the simple, meek, raw and primitive music of Earth that I really miss. Take contemporary songs, for example. Most of them I really don't like, unless it's a good country song, and or the odd pop song. Even then sometimes I'm not the biggest fan. Every so often someone would come out with the most beautiful, relatable song, with a catchy lyric and it spoke to your heart the way nothing else could. Sometimes, I just need a little Miranda Lambert, or Band Perry when I am feeling angry, because they speak what I am feeling. Sometimes I just want to browse the internet again and stumble across those beautiful gems of songs that most people would never come across. Sometimes I need some Lindsay Sterling in my life, or Thomas Bergersen, or Vivaldi, or Luke Bryan or some chillstep followed by a peepy techno pop song by some guy called Fat Rat...there was such a huge pool of feelings put into sound that was at my fingertips...and now it's gone. Music used to be a private experience, when I wanted it to be. I could blast it as loudly and as many times as I wanted and FEEL just what I needed to feel in those notes..."
She trailed off and glanced at him again, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, I'm rambling about things that probably aren't making any sense."
Sidhel shook his head. "Don't apologize. I think I am following the gist of what you are saying, even if I only have a minimal concept of all that you are talking about. Please...go on, if you would like."
"Are you sure?"
Sidhel had to laugh. "Yes. I am sure."
A real smile graced her face, and Emily leaned back into the wall, relaxing finally. "It's not just the music I miss. I miss the food, I miss the convenience of things...I miss my books a LOT. I miss that I will never see my favorite movies again, and I'll never find out what happens next in the book series or TV shows and movies I followed. All the Marvel movies and Disney movies that were coming out and I wanted to see...I won't. I'll never go to University and live on my own with friends. I'll never see Ireland. I'll never sleep in my bed with my favorite blankets again...you know how you can have that perfect pillow or blanket and it just makes such a world of difference? And honestly, it's ok! I really do love being here. I don't think I could ever feel truly at home on Earth again, but sometimes I still miss it. I miss the cottage, I miss the lakes, I miss the farm...I guess sometimes I just miss my old life."
"It sounds like a wonderful life." Sidhel told her honestly. "And I am sorry that you left it behind...change is always...difficult."
"It is." Emily agreed. "And don't be sorry. I made the choice on my own to stay here."
"I wish I could have seen Earth." Sidhel commented, bothered that he couldn't fully appreciate all that she had walked away from. "It sounds like it had its own moments of magic."
"It did and it didn't." Emily mused with a small frown. "We may not have had giant spiders or dark lords or witches and wizards, or orcs...but we have our own share of corruption and evils. But, enough of my sad story. I'm here, this is now, and I've got a class in...I don't even know what time it is right now."
"Nearly eleven I would think." Sidhel guessed, glancing at where the daylight was being cast upon the wall for reference. "I could go check if you would like-"
"No! It's ok. I better be going regardless." Emily sprang up, hurriedly gathering her things and haphazardly throwing them into her bag. "See you later! And...thank you for listening."
"You are most welcome! I am honored to be of service." Sidhel told her sincerely, waving as she cast a bright smile over her shoulder with a hurried goodbye.
Moments later she dashed back.
"Sidhel, can I ask a huge favor...like...only if you have time, of course." She looked unsure for a moment, but then shook her head a little and tilted it with confidence.
"What can I do for you?" He asked, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face. She just had that effect on him. It was getting worse.
"I haven't had a chance to take Resia out this morning for a run...she is nattering away in the back of my head and it's going to drive me crazy during class if I don't find some way to let her burn some energy-"
Laughing, Sidhel nodded. "I believe I can be of assistance. I would be happy to take her for an adventure."
Relieved Emily dashed forwards and gave him a very swift hug. Bouncing back, Emily went to leave again, talking rapidly. "Thank you! She's up in the family room right now, I think. I'll tell her to behave and she shouldn't be any trouble for you and-"
"Get to class, Emily. We will be fine." Sidhel assured her while waving her off and moving to gather his own things.
With that accomplished, he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed through the halls to find Reisa. He found her waiting impatiently by the entrance to the Royal Wing. The dog greeted him exuberantly, bouncing around him and then scrambling off to find a toy to show him. She came back moments later with a raggedy looking cloak in her mouth, grinning and dancing in circles around his legs while 'showing' him her treasure.
"Yes, it's a very nice toy." Sidhel told her patiently. He understood dog better than he did cat, though speaking to animals had never been his strongest suit. Still, not being able to know exactly what she was saying would not hinder him, for Reisa was generally an easy dog to understand. "Shall we go out for a walk?"
Reisa ran to the doors, the treasure still in her mouth.
"No, I think you had better leave that here."
Obediently, Reisa dropped it, raced over to him, then back to the door.
"Come ON." She seemed to pant, the message loud and clear.
Chuckling, Sidhel opened the door and off they went.
Sitting somewhat attentive in her class on politics, Emily jotted down notes and answered a few questions. The hyper nattering of Reisa had been replaced with a warm, happy hum of energy and the occasional burst of adoration of the elf that was taking her for a walk.
The fondness grew more and more, until Emily was distracted during a debate her sister was having with their teacher and Joel (he was still attending class when he wasn't working his butt off in the forge). Reisa was tugging at her song, nudging and harassing her until she acknowledged her.
'Yes, Reisa.'
'I am a good dog.' Reisa told her happily. 'And this is a good elf. I love this elf as if he were my own master...can we keep this elf? I will take him home and love him and bring him my toys and-'
Emily choked on a laugh. 'No, we cannot keep him. He's not a pet.'
'But I keep you!' Reisa protested, confused that she couldn't claim a new person whenever she wanted.
Unsure how to explain Emily tried again. 'Sidhel is a friend. He's a good friend to me and you, that's why he is taking you for a walk. But he doesn't live with us and is his own...master...we can't keep him like we do each other.'
'Well...I still don't see why not.' Reisa huffed, before Emily felt the dogs ears perk up at Sidhel calling her and his laugh at the exuberance she had as she raced to follow him. Emily felt warmth spread through her chest, and she watched through the dog's eyes a moment longer, enjoying the way Sidhel was chatting easily to Reisa and clearly taking as much joy in the dog as Emily did.
Shaking herself, Emily broke free and muted Reisa for a bit so she could be alone in her own head. She felt weird for spying on Sidhel and wasn't sure how she felt about this...fond...affection she was experiencing towards him. Drawing a deep breath and relaxing her shoulders as she refocused on her studies, Emily brushed it aside as being residual emotions from the dog.
That was all. Right?
AN: This one if for all you Sidhel and Emily fans out there, but especially for you Katia0203. :) Hope you enjoyed! Keep the requests coming, I am working on a few of yours and am open to more! Leave a review if you have a min! Stay safe everyone!