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THE COURTSHIP OF THE SPARROW-HAWK
Chapter 17 – Pity
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"Willow" Jasmine Thompson
As Eila stood and listened to Bran's tauntings—including the threat of a legal divorce, allowing the Lady to marry Prince Kili—Eila was surprised to find that she didn't hate Bran as much as she had earlier that morning.
She pitied her.
This poor creature, Eila thought, probably feels it necessary to manipulate relationships because she doesn't know love. Eila even began to feel as though she could forgive Bran for everything the temptress was trying to accomplish, until Bran began to sharpen her words against Kili.
"We might have gone too far this morning," Bran snickered into her sleeve. Anger tentatively poked at Eila's heart, as though asking for permission to blow from a flicker to a bonfire.
No, she told herself, remember what Nur said: use what truths you know to combat Bran's attacks.
"A sort of pre-celebration. You should have heard the naughty things he said in my ear—"
Though Kili was very vocal in their intimacy, Eila would hardly call his noises words. "Kili doesn't talk."
"Maybe he doesn't while he's with you, but he certainly did with me. I wonder if that says anything about how much he favors me over you."
It was such a cheap blow that Eila barely registered it, again regarding Bran with pity because the dwarf-woman thought she could rile Eila with such words. What was Bran trying to accomplish? Didn't she could see that there was no doubt or insecurity lingering in Eila's mind?
"He couldn't have been with you, he had an appointment in his study." Eila said, hoping Bran would take the hint that the Lady's attacks weren't working.
"Sweetheart, I was the appointment." Bran laughed. "You can check with the chamberlain. The Prince seemed to be in a hurry to get there, too." She winked. "What scent do you wear, my dear?"
"Scent?" Eila's eyebrows rose. What in the world could this dwarrowdam be getting at?
"Surely, you must use some kind of scented oil on yourself?"
"Er," Eila shook her head in confusion for a moment. "Jasmine. Why?"
"Well, I wear olive and rose, my dear," Bran held out her arm. "And if you had any doubts about this morning, or about your so-called husband, you should sniff around—"
Out of all the things that would enrage Eila, 'so-called husband' seemed to be the comment that made her self-control snap. That weakly burning fire of a temper did not wait to ask for permission this time, but blazed and took hold of her instincts, causing her clenched fist to fly out at Bran's nose.
The dwarf-woman was instantly knocked onto her backside, a trickle of red beginning to flow from one nostril as a look of surprise erupted on her face.
"Now you smell like olive, roses, and blood." Eila sneered, rubbing at the knuckles on her hand as she strode away, heading toward the council-room she had been summoned to.
Ouch. Her knuckles stung and she expected to feel some kind of satisfaction in having hit Bran again, but to her disappointment, she felt… well, like she should be reprimanded for such behavior. Hitting Bran had not made her feel better, but had reminded her that Eila should have shown compassion to the poor monster. Eila no longer saw Bran as a threat, but a forgotten child who was misbehaving in an attempt to get some attention.
Opening the double-doors to the council-room, Eila stood still as all eyes fell on her.
"Eila," She heard to her left, and turned her head to see Kili approaching her with a look of shame and guilt. "Eila, come with me." He didn't give the council an opportunity to speak, but grabbed Eila's hand and escorted her from the room.
Eila was beginning to wonder where they were going when it dawned on her that Kili wasn't heading for anywhere specific, he just wanted to get away from that room.
"A Thousand Years" The Piano Guys
Kili tried to read his wife's face as they walked arm-in-arm to his personal study room, but she gave no indication of anything other than peace. When at last they reached and passed into the small library, he grimaced as he shut the door—Mahal, how was he even supposed to start?
"Why does it smell like olive and rose in here?" Eila asked with a slight wrinkle of her nose.
"I sharpened and oiled my blades this morning," Kili said with a cocked eyebrow. "I'm sorry, the smell can be a bit overwhelming, but the rose offsets the olive—"
Eila swiftly caught up his hand and sniffed at his fingertips before fixing him with a quizzical expression. The action startled him, but not nearly as much as when she next leaned her head toward his neck to smell him with short, inhaling breaths. Strange as her behavior was, he crossed his arms and sent her an amused smile, waiting for her to explain herself.
"Have you always used olive and rose on your swords?" Eila asked, a portion of seriousness leaving her face as she looked up into his eyes.
He nodded. "Fili prefers a nutmeg concoction and I use what my uncle Thorin used. May Mahal guide his soul safely to the halls of waiting, it reminds me of him even now."
A satisfied smile spread over his beloved's lips and Kili was so caught up in her blush that he had completely forgotten his purpose of bringing Eila there.
"Bran found me just before I appeared at the council-room." Eila said with something of a smirk.
Instantly, a jolt of protectiveness and anger seared through Kili's heart and his crossed arms dropped, as did his expression. "Did she say anything to you?"
"Oh, yes," Eila's eyes crinkled with laughter. "She detailed the events of your audience with the council this morning and informed me that not only would she be destroying our marriage and claiming you for herself, but had already claimed a," Eila cleared her throat melodramatically, "victory of sorts with you this morning in this very study. And she encouraged me to use my nose to find the proof."
"How would it—"
"Lady Bran informed me that her perfume was olive and rose." Eila rolled her eyes. "I can smell it on your fingertips, but not on your neck, not that I really believed her in the first place. And now that you've told me why you use the oil—for your blades and in memory of your uncle—my opinion of her is even less."
The fury building up in Kili's middle was overwhelming and it must have shown because Eila laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and looked up into his eyes with compassion and kindness that bewildered him.
"She won't get what she wants," Eila whispered in a calming voice, as though attempting to work against his temper. "She'll be gone within the week, I'm sure of it."
Kili's glare wasn't meant for Eila and he was certain she knew that, but he swallowed and tried to collect himself. "I told them it didn't matter—I told them that I would just as soon run away with you and give up my title than honor the contract that witch has somehow fabricated." Kili hoped Eila knew "them" referred to the council and she nodded in understanding, as well as a faint blush of pride. At least, he hoped that was pride. Had he done the right thing? By announcing his intentions so openly to them, would they make good on their final word of having him followed through the mountain to make sure he didn't run?
"They are not the King." Eila reminded him softly. "Your brother wouldn't let anything like that happen to you."
Kili snorted. "No. You're right, he wouldn't." Cocking his head sideways at her and taking in her kind smile with a small one of his own, the Prince let out a slow sigh of relief. "Mahal has blessed me with a treasure—a wife who can read my fears and speak peace to them."
Lifting his arms, Kili rested his elbows on Eila's shoulders, and his hands clasped behind her neck as he gave her a cheeky half-grin. "I don't understand how you're being so patient."
Eila wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling herself closer and kissing Kili's nose before speaking again. "I don't have any control over what's happening, but I have faith—faith that King Fili is willing to keep you from harm, faith that Queen Nur's temper will bring justice, and faith that my wonderful husband tells me the truth when he tells me he loves me."
"I do," Kili breathed, clenching his eyes shut and pressing his forehead against hers. "Oh, Mahal, I love you so much."
"And I you." Eila smoothed a hand over his cheek.
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I know, the chapter's pretty short, but I'm exhausted for the night.
Also, I hope there aren't any typos, but I hope you'll let me know if there are!
—and don't worry, Bran is getting what's coming to her!
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Response to Reviews:
"Guest": Eila's definitely still learning, but I think it would be easy for anyone to stand up for themselves with Queen Nur giving them courage ;)
Aranel Merenith: Oh, believe you me, I don't think Bran COULD come between them! As for death, I think that would be too sweet for Bran, so I hope you like the ending I've got in store for her ;)
GoldenPrince: So there I was, just randomly checking my fan fic reviews when all of a sudden—BAM! Holy crap—how did I go up 13 reviews in one day? And then I read each and every one of them and nearly choked on my drink! You're so kind to have given every chapter a review! And for that, yes, you may most certainly ask me to write something based on a prompt!
Shiningheart of ThunderClan: You've followed my exact train of thought, clever reader! And you brought up some excellent points—we'll just have to wait and see how spot on your powers of predicting the future are ;)
Celebrisilweth: No, she's not having a good day at all! I don't think she knew what she was getting into—but do you really think that's going to stop her?
Karebear 119: It's actually really weird how much I enjoy writing Bran's character, I've never put so much thought into a villain before!
Nenithiel: Don't you worry—Eila's been talking quite a bit to Queen Nur, and Nur knows how to hold her own without a sweat!
Diamondgirl647: I like that! Can I use that as a new motto?
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Coming Soon! THE GOBLIN WARS
Sauron has come against Erebor, wielding a terrible weapon: Kili, son of Dis! What losses will King Fili suffer in an effort to take his brother back? And even if Kili is saved, how will he live with the guilt of knowing all the pain he has inflicted on his loved ones?
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Want a Kili and OC humorous parody? Try HOW TO WRECK A MARY SUE
Kili and Danika are tired of being pushed around in fan fiction stories and make a pact to defy writer's prompts, but do they have any idea what will happen if they don't play by the rules? Guest appearances from Luna Lovegood, The Doctor, Sherlock, and others!
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Want some Kili/Tauriel romance/adventure? Try STARS AND HAMMERS
Fluff, Drama, Romance, Hurt/Comfort - This is a compilation of one-shots following Kili and Tauriel's one-year adventure as they accompany Bilbo back to The Shire (after the Battle of Five Armies) and then return to Erebor.
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Want some Fili/OC romance/adventure? Try GOLD AND FIRE
Fili and Nur marry in secret just before he leaves for Erebor, but what is a lonely wife to do while her husband is braving life and death for their future? Covers the Battle of Five Armies and afterward.Explanations for some of the actions within the movies as well as some behind the scenes! A sequel to GEMS AND POISON
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Want some Thorin/OC romance/angst? Try JEWELS AND DAGGERS
Just as Thorin becomes engaged to be married, the dragon attacks Erebor and all is thrown into chaos! Men with wicked intent take captive some of the wandering dwarves- will Thorin, Frerin, and Dwalin be able to rescue the enslaved dwarves, including Runa, Thorin's beloved?
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