Chapter 64: Nim's Surprise
"Okay, I think I've been pretty tolerant of some of your decisions Nim, but now my patience is at an end," Bishop growled in a low voice into her ear.
Nimbrethil glanced sideways at him and bit back a smile at the disgruntled expression on his face. "What are you talking about?" she asked in as innocent a voice as she could muster. The look he shot her said plainly he wasn't buying her act.
"You know exactly what!" he snapped. "You should have told that stupid, smelly, kobold merchant to follow us to the keep. But no, you just had to go and tell him we would escort him there. What were you thinking? Now we have two runty, squeaky pests underfoot. I swear if you don't do something I'll cut both their throats," he finished with a snarl.
"While I wouldn't go so far as that, I sure have given thought to cutting their tongues out," Neeshka chimed in and then winced as Deekin hit a sour note. "I thought Grobnar's singing was bad, but that Deekin guy, ugh," she grimaced. "He sounds like a dying cat when he sings."
"I'm thinking maybe we could use them for target practice right about now," Khelgar grumbled as he fell into step with them. "I sure as the hells will cut their tongues out if they don't stop that idiotic caterwauling soon."
Nimbrethil couldn't hold back her laughter at their words. Seeing their faces darken with anger she managed to get control and then set about soothing their nerves. "I agree that Deekin doesn't have a very good singing voice but he does keep Grobnar occupied and out of trouble. I will talk with them and see if I can get them to tone it down a bit," she told them and then turned to look ahead at the road.
"I do wish that Bishop and the others would show a little more patience," Shandra said softly to Elanee. "She won't admit it, but Nim actually finds Deekin's tales very interesting and I think she likes the little guy a lot."
Elanee smiled slightly as she watched Nim walking in front with the others. "She has seemed much more relaxed and carefree these past couple of weeks, despite the disturbing discovery we made in the Mere. However, I do not believe it is just because she finds Deekin's presence amusing or entertaining. She had a long talk with her father while we were in West Harbor, remember? Whatever they discussed seems to have healed the breach between them somewhat. Also, being away from the responsibilities that were heaped upon her shoulders has helped enormously."
"Unfortunately, as soon as we get back to Crossroad Keep those are going to come crashing back down on her," Shandra sighed. "I just don't think she is going to handle things as well as everyone seems to believe. She values her personal freedom above all things, including relationships. She may have let us inside her walls for the moment, but I'm afraid it won't take much for those walls to go back up again."
"Yes well, Bishop and I have made some arrangements that will hopefully help in that matter," Elanee said softly. Seeing Shandra's puzzled look she merely shook her head. "I do not want to spoil her surprise so you will have to wait until we get back to find out."
"Nim's not big on surprises or have you forgotten that?" Shandra snorted. Getting nothing but an enigmatic smile from the druid she shrugged, "Don't say I didn't warn you." Deciding that it might be a good idea to run interference between Nim and the others she quickened her pace to catch up with them.
Elanee's smile faded to be replaced by a slight frown as she watched the farmer move off. She hoped that Nim would like her surprise for it would have taken a good deal of time and money for Casavir and Veedle to pull it off. However, if the other elf decided that she hated it then she could very well get very angry at them. Casavir had seemed to feel that Bishop's idea was a good one, and so did she, but what if they were all wrong? She shivered a little at the thought of alienating Nim again. With the danger closing in on them it would be the worst thing that could happen. Zhjaeve had made it abundantly clear that if they were not careful then Nim would turn away from the right path and that would spell disaster for everyone and everything. Shaking off the gloomy thoughts she chastised herself. It made no sense to worry about things that had not happened yet. It was the druid way to watch and observe and then act appropriately.
"While I find this talk of hurting the childlike and innocent creatures of this world fascinating, do you think we could discuss something else?" Shandra asked sarcastically as she joined Nim and the others.
"No one asked for your input farmgirl," Bishop sneered. "When we want to know how to grow corn or something we'll come find you."
"My, someone's a bit touchy today?" Shandra smirked back and saw the ranger bristle. "If it were anyone else I would say you weren't getting enough loving."
Nim gasped in shock and quickly turned to stop Bishop from attacking Shandra only to see him almost doubled over from laughing. "What's so funny Bishop?" she asked, her eyes narrowing at him and her tone going a little frosty.
"Since when have you gotten so sassy farmgirl?" Bishop gasped out, ignoring Nim's question.
"Since I started traveling with a boorish, ill-tempered, filthy mouthed ranger," Shandra retorted.
"I'm glad you two find this line of conversation so amusing," Nim snapped. "Keep it up and I might just ask both Deekin and Grobnar to sing for me at supper." Seeing the expressions of horror cross their faces she had to fight hard to keep from laughing out loud.
"Luckily for all of us, we will be at Crossroad Keep by that time," Elanee said as she joined them. "That will give us plenty of options if we need them."
"Deekin would loves to sing for big boss captain at supper," the little kobold had left Grobnar driving the wagon and come over to them. Seeing the scowls directed at him by the others caused him to duck behind Nim for safety. "Uhm, Deekin just wanted to know how much farther keep is cause horses getting tired boss," he tried to whisper but was unsuccessful.
"We'll be there in a couple of hours Deekin, the horses will be fine," Nim assured him and then smiled as the little guy quickly scurried back to the wagon and out of harm's way. Now if only Grobnar could learn from the little guy and develop a greater sense of self preservation she thought to herself.
"Well at least at the keep we can avoid those two easily enough," Khelgar snorted. "I mean those quarters inside the keep probably have locks on the doors and can be sound proofed right?"
Nim sighed and shook her head before moving ahead to the wagon. Grobnar and Deekin both gave her big smiles and waves as she joined them. She wouldn't ever tell the others this, but these two and their constant cheerfulness made everyday seem brighter than it normally would be. Before leaving the woods she had not socialized with too many others, and now she was coming to appreciate the interaction she had with them. Hopefully, this time, she wouldn't lose what she had found. Losing Amie had been very painful and she didn't know if she could deal with such an occurance again.
"Listen guys, I don't want to put a damper on things, for I do appreciate your efforts to cheer me up," she said quietly. "However, the others have expressed a desire for some quiet time so could you do me the favor of saving any further singing for once you reach the keep?"
Grobnar's face fell slightly but he nodded agreement. "Okay Nim, we'll keep it down. Don't want to cause you trouble or anything."
"Okays boss, Deekin keeps it down too," the kobold grinned toothily at her. "Deekin can works on compostition of new song with Grobnar instead."
"Thank you," Nim smiled in return. "Make it a good one and when it's finished you can sing it for me." She turned away to rejoin the others and then stopped to look back. "Oh and Deekin, the merchant shop hasn't been completely finished inside yet. Master Veedle wanted to wait until he could speak to you about any specific details you might want for the interior. He'll probably still be working when we reach the keep so you'll be able to meet with him once we get there."
"Okays captain, Deekin do that," the kobold answered and then pulled out a book and a pen and began to write with Grobnar looking on.
As she walked back towards the others she saw Bishop and Elanee talking quietly and then suddenly stop as she joined them. "I know that look in your eyes Bishop," Nim said, giving him a suspicious look. "What were you and Elanee talking about?"
"Okay, we were talking about you again," Bishop said smoothly and saw her eyes narrow a little. "Don't get your back up kitten, we were just commenting on your poor choice of pets."
Elanee managed to keep a neutral expression on her face, but barely. She did not like lying, it went against her nature, but seeing Nim relax made her realize that sometimes lying was the best policy. What bothered her most was how easily the lie came to Bishop's lips for it called into question the truthfulness of everything he said. He had told her that he wanted to make the captain's quarters a place Nim would feel comfortable in, but what if that was a lie that sounded true? What else would he lie about and how would one be able to tell the difference? Nim certainly was not easy to fool, but she lacked a solid understanding of humans and their ways. Lying was easy for the majority of humans out there and because it was so unnatural a thing for elves, well except maybe the drow, it made it difficult for them to detect lies easily. Hopefully, Bishop would be honest in his dealings with Nim, even if he lied to everyone else. Nim's trust in him was almost complete and if he abused that trust the results would be devestating. Again she chastised herself for worrying about things that had not happened yet. She would just have to be alert for any problems.
"So as you can see, everything you wanted completed upon your return has been accomplished," Casavir finished his report of the work done on the keep. "Master Veedle is going to put the finishing touches on the merchant shop now that we have an occupant for it."
"I noticed that both Jacoby and Edario are here and already hard at work," Nimbrehil stated. "Do they have everything they need?"
"For now yes, but we will have to find more ore eventually," Casavir answered. "I am looking into finding miners and prospectors that can help in that endeavor, but have nothing to report yet." He saw Nim nod and then took a deep breath. "As you know, the quarters inside the keep are finished, however a problem arose between Qara and Sand."
"Actually sir it was a full blown argument between them," Lt. Kana interjected. Seeing her captain roll her eyes she bit back a smile. The elf's reaction was much the same hers had been. "They were arguing about who would get which room, of all things, which was pointless because they are all pretty much the same size, with the exception being the captain's quarters."
Seeing the scowl cross Nim's face, Casavir hastened to reassure her. "I took it upon myself to assign them rooms and told them that if they did not like it, then they could stay at the inn until you returned and present their cases to you. Needless to say, that was the end of the complaints from both of them."
Bishop bit back a snicker at that last statement. No one wanted to piss off Nim, she had too direct a way of making someone sorry if they did. He had to give the paladin credit for being smart enough to know how to cow the others into compliance. However, he was growing impatient and decided to hurry things along. "So, what about the captain's suite?" he asked.
Nimbrethil shot a surprised look at Bishop. "What about it?" she asked suspiciously.
"I had Master Veedle fix up the captain's quarters and I would hope that you would at least look at them before deciding on whether or not to use them," Casavir said cautiously.
"I gave them a few ideas on how to do it and they finished them yesterday," Bishop told her as he moved to stand in front of her. "I think I know you pretty well now and I think you will like them. I wanted it to be a surprise," he told her as he pulled out a bandana. He held up the cloth in front of Nim, "Do you trust me?" he asked softly. He held his breath waiting for her answer.
Nimbrethil eyed the bandana and then stared hard at the man before. Did she trust him? she asked herself. After a couple of minutes she concluded that he was one of the few she did trust and so she nodded at him and then stood still as he tied the bandana around her eyes. She felt him place an arm around her shoulders and then lead her through the keep and towards the captain's suite. Being unable to see, she relied upon her ears and her nose to tell her what was there.
Bishop paused before the room and nodded at Casavir to open the door and then led Nim inside. He saw her whole body tense and her head lift and knew she was trying to determine what the room looked like by what she could hear and smell. He had to admit that the place looked even better than he had pictured it would. "Okay, ready to take a look?" he asked and then removed the bandana when she nodded.
Nimbrethil took one look and gasped at what she saw. Her nose and her ears had told her she was in a woody area but her mind had been unable to comprehend how that could be inside a keep. Yet, everywhere she looked she saw trees, birds, water and grass. The walls were covered in a fine mix of moss and ivy and it was intertwined all across the ceiling overhead. Bending down she touched the grass she was standing on, finding that it was indeed real and not just some illusion. The floor had been landscaped into gentle rolling slopes with a small brook running down the middle and into a small pond that had fish! There was an oversized hammock strung between two trees and a spot near it that had been set up for a campfire. There was no glass in any of the windows and thus the breeze was able to circulate through the room, stirring the leaves on the trees. As she moved further into the room she saw there was a small glade with a low table set up at one end on which were set writing implements. An indoor/outdoor office of sorts she imagined. Then she saw that the brook actually branched and following it, saw it ended in another small, deeper pool at the far end which had a slight mist rising off of it. Touching the water she found it was warm and realized that they had actually engineered a hot spring in her quarters. She saw that soap and towels had been placed on a small shelf next to it. She stood up and headed back towards the others waiting at the door.
Bishop watched silently as Nim inspected her quarters. He couldn't tell how she was feeling about what they had done and he hoped that she liked it. He imagined that it had cost a pretty penny of her money to do all this. He saw her coming back towards them and felt himself relax when he saw the smile curving her lips. "You like it?" he asked and was totally suprised when Nim threw herself into his arms and began kissing him, the force of which sent him sprawling on his back. He couldn't hold back his laughter at her enthusiastic response. "I take it that is a yes?" he chuckled.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Nim shouted and then looked up to see Casavir and Elanee both looking relieved and happy. "You did this? This was your idea?"
"It was Bishop's idea, I merely carried out the plans that he and Elanee laid out," Casavir smiled at her.
Turning to look down at the man beneath her Nim whispered, "You did this for me?"
"I just want you to be happy elf," Bishop said gruffly. The smile on her face and in her eyes made his stomach clench for it was full of tenderness. "Now you have your own private retreat where you can relax when things get too stressful." He gave her a soft kiss which she returned and then deepened. Soon, the fire she always stirred in him leapt up and their kiss became passionate as their hands began to roam over each other, seeking out those places most sensitive.
Elanee nudged Casavir and together the two left the room and closed the door. "I think they want to be alone now," she smiled slightly.
Casavir nodded and then paused when he heard Nimbrethil's laughter float towards them. A bittersweet smile came to his face at the sound of her happiness. He still sometimes wished that it was him who made her that happy, but it wasn't meant to be.
"I must admit that I had my doubts that your plan would work Elanee," Lt. Kana spoke up. "I am glad that you and Bishop were right and I was wrong. This way, everyone is comfortable and protocol is maintained."
"Kana, you will have to learn to be more flexible with protocols and procedures if you are ever to have a working relationship with your captain," Casavir cautioned. "Nimbrethil plays by her own rules and doesn't care about other people's ideas of what is right or wrong. However, you can rest assured that she would never do something that would endanger those whom she has a duty to protect. She will respect your opinions and ideas even if she doesn't agree with them or decide to implement them."
"Nimbrethil may seem to be easy going or lax, but she only seems that way," Elanee interjected. "Be assured that if anyone or anything threatens her friends or those inside the keep, she will not hesitate to use whatever means necessary to protect us. She does not tolerate laziness or half-hearted measures and will not allow anyone to bend the rules."
"It will not be easy for me to do as you suggest, but I will try," Kana nodded and then excused herself to go finish some reports.
"I imagine that you want to get settled into your room, allow me to show you the way," Casavir said as he held out his arm to Elanee.
"I would like that, thank you," Elanee smiled in return as she took his arm and let him lead her away. "Besides, I doubt we will be seeing Nim again anytime soon."