Title: Diplomacy Author: Arisma Rating: NC-17 Feedback: Arisma_@hotmail.com Summary: A tale of desire and secrets. Will love save the day or will evil forces prevail? More bits for the story, "Diplomacy" Enjoy! ~Arisma~ Title: Diplomacy 22 Author: Arisma Rating: R Disclaimer: To the tune of Leslie Gore, "You don't own me"- I don't own it; don't try to claim it in any way. I don't own it; don't hunt me down 'cause I'll never pay! . Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--***--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--*- She cleared her throat and her voice was soft, almost wistful. "When I was little I remember looking out my window and watching all the people moving outside. They would laugh and play and I always wanted to be among them. But it was forbidden. I lived in a tower, you see, and it was my world." She cleared her throat and looked away from them, speaking quietly, as though to herself. "I knew from the earliest age that something was different about me. I lived alone in the tower but sometimes people would come to see me, and they were tall and beautiful and their clothes were shiny and soft. The woman rarely came but the man came nearly every month, though there was no telling when he would come and go. Sometimes he brought me toys, though he often had to show me how to use them. There was always something sad in his eyes when he looked at me and he would never touch me with his hands. It wasn't until much later that I knew he was my father, the king." She shrugged her shoulders and continued. "In my youth I was tended by a nanny, or many nannies, I should say. Every few weeks a new one would arrive and the old depart, again without a fixed pattern. I never knew which face would greet me when I opened my eyes. Most were kind, as much as they could be to a stranger. Some were mean and they left quickly. Some would hold me when I cried and they stayed the shortest of all. I learned not to cry, that it would just make them go faster. I wanted something real, something that was mine." Legolas could hear the quiet sorrow in her voice and he placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. She smiled and swallowed hard, continuing her story. "I wasn't alone all the time, I had tutors. For some reason it was important to them that I learn. I spent most of my days in lessons, history and etiquette. It was then I learned of the Quel'a'Har. That which I was taught was very different than the colorful story you have just told. To us you are the epitome of dishonor, rebelling against that which you do not understand, thinking only of yourselves and forgetting your duty to your people." She shrugged and smiled lightly, meeting each mans' eyes in turn. "I don't know which story I prefer. In some ways it is easier to believe the version I was taught, to have a bad guy, a villain. But having met you, having seen your culture and the beauty you have wrung from the wastelands... I am no longer certain." She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, looking tiny and helpless. Legolas felt his heart break watching her, wanting desperately to hold her. "When I got older my birthdays melded and I was never sure just how old I was. At some point the tutors brought another student to learn with me. He was near my age and smiled at me when the tutor wasn't looking. We weren't allowed to talk for the longest time but eventually I learned his name. Kallo." She smiled wistfully, brushing a tear from her eye and continuing with a small smile on her face. "He was the only person I had ever met who wasn't paid to spend time with me. Some of the tutors were less strict and would let us talk. It was from him that I learned the way the world outside the tower worked. He snuck me sweetcakes and showed me the joys of sticky faces. He taught me to laugh." Her brow furrowed and her lips turned down into a small frown. "When I was a teenager Kallo snuck into the tower, as he was wont to do, but he was in a state as never I had seen. His cheeks were red and he paced angrily, he uttered a steady stream of profanity and I then understood why such words were forbidden. Finally he stopped and knelt before me, took my hands in his and told me why we had been allowed to be friends. He was to be my guardian, my protector. He would be the one to take me to Mondane when the time came, his would be the last face I saw before I became what I was to become." "He was furious and swore he would never do it, would never give me to them. I begged him not to say anything to anyone. I knew if they knew how he felt I would never see him again. He was my only friend and I couldn't stand the thought of losing him. I made him swear to me, to vow, that when the time came he would hold my hand until he placed it in Mondane's. It broke his heart, but he did as I asked." "Sometimes, late at night, we would make grand plans, ways to escape, where we would run, the grand adventures we would have. Kallo was my brother and my savior. He taught me to dream. The day came when I reached majority and my father came, unexpectedly, and told me that for my begetting day I would receive whatever I wished, so long as it was in his power to give. I asked for time to think, for I wanted to talk with Kallo, to get his advice." "Two days later my father returned and I told him I wanted to be a warrior. I wanted to train, to be the best. I wanted to prove myself, I said." Her voice broke then, and she rested her cheek against her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. Unable to stand the sight of her weeping alone Legolas moved forward and wrapped his arms around her, brushing her hair from her face, pressing soft kisses to her temples. She held onto him for a minute and then gently pushed him away. With a sigh she continued. "He consented, having left himself little choice. I don't know what possessed him to make so grand an offer, though perhaps it was an attempt to lessen his own guilt. Whatever the reason I was given a trainer. He was merciless and treated me with utter indifference. He pushed me until I was ready to break and then pushed a while longer. He made me from a soft princess into a warrior, and for that I can't ever thank him enough. Kallo trained as well, sometimes with me and sometimes with others. At some point it became known that I had a good measure of skill with the blade and I was allowed a commission with the army." "When I first stepped from the tower I was terrified. I had never been outside. Not once in all my days. To feel the sun on me was incredible but the people all around, the noise and the press of bodies... it was just too much. I was ready to turn and run back inside, to reject my hard won freedom before I ever tasted it. But then, across the square I saw Kallo and he guided me with his eyes. Before I knew it I had crossed the whole thing and together we left the only world I had ever known." "It was a long journey and I learned something of people on it, talking with the troops at night, putting my tutoring into effect. Some of them would want to pat my back or shake my hand but contact made me nervous. The only person who had ever touched me was Kallo, and then in a purely brotherly manner. He kept them away, the ones who wanted more than friendship. You've seen him, it takes a very special person to stand up to so large an elf." "We arrived at our destination and I was stunned at the place, the lush greenness of it. Even after Mondane's magic Quelnessar seemed so... desolate compared to a real forest. The trees were so large, so dense. And the people. They were so open, so happy. They accepted me as just another of my people. I stayed with my troops, getting to know them, trying to find a balance between my fear and the courage I needed for command." She smiled lightly and sat straighter as she continued. "And then one day the emissaries came to the camp and said they wanted two of the best to compete for the native royalty. At first I chose two of my Elves and sent them. But then my curiosity got the best of me and I pulled rank, claiming my heritage for the first and last time and invoking the title of princess to be allowed to represent my people with my art." "I had no idea that my life would change when I entered that clearing. But it did. I saw you, love, and felt something inside me break. It was like I was a half person and seeing you made me realize it for the first time. And from there, you know the story." She looked away, her shoulders slumped, exhausted from the telling. Caledan spoke softly, with something like pity in his voice. "No Rhyalla, that is not all. Now is the time to tell of what your life was while you were in that place, what your purpose was." Her head snapped up and she paled, her hand going to clasp nervously at her throat. "Do...do I have to?" Immediately Legolas folded her in his arms again, holding her tight to him. "No love, no you don't." he said, calmly, repetitively, rocking her gently. "But she does, Taren. You need to know the price she paid. To get through this there must be no secrets between you two." Legolas flashed Caledan a look of pure hate but the other elf met his eyes calmly. "You know I speak the truth, Tarien." She nodded and pushed away from Legolas, her skin so pale and her eyes so bright. "When I arrived there, I knew where I was. I had hoped that you had escaped, but I learned quickly that it was not the case. I had planned for it, you see. I didn't know just what would happen, but I knew it would be awful. And so I had planned to starve myself, to waste away before whatever horrid fate Mondane had planned for me could happen. But because they had taken you as well, I couldn't do as I had planned. They threatened your safety constantly to get me to do what they wanted. And of course, because I love you, I did it." "If I had gone to him from the tower, if I had never met you I would have been his consort. I would have sat atop a throne and been as a queen. Without you I would have smiled as he drained my life. But as it was I had known your love, in every sense, and as such it was beneath him to lay with me. And since I denied him the luxury of a delivered bride he denied me the only thing he thought I had left once he had taken my freedom. My pride." "He sold my services to whomever wanted them, in whatever way. Some of them wanted to study me, as one would an insect. Some merely to talk, though they were few and far between. Most wanted my body, either in lust or anger, and to this day I don't know which was worse." Her voice trailed away and she wiped her hand across her eyes and looked away, wistfully, gathering her thoughts. Watching her Legolas felt his love swell for her, amazed at her courage and strength. He tried to imagine what it would be like to live such a desolate life, never knowing compassion or acceptance, never knowing the loving touch of another hand. He felt the first tear slide down his cheek and he let it, seeing with his mind's eye the tiny version of Rhya that had lived in that cold tower and dreamed of something more. Legolas wrapped his arms around her and started to rise, to bring her back to their tent and hold her until she stopped hurting. A warm hand landed on his shoulder and he raised his eyes to meet the cool blue of Caledans' eyes. "Not yet, Taren. There is more you must hear, more for her to tell." At first Legolas prepared to argue, but Rhya stopped him, nodding as Caledan spoke. Caledan took her from Legolas' arms and sat her back on the cushions. Frustrated but with no choice, Legolas settled next to her again, watching as the elder elf moved away and sat facing them. "Tell of your true purpose there, Tarien. Why did he really want you?" She looked up with something of dull humor in her eyes. "Yes, imagine my surprise the first time he came. I had expected him to come the first week or so, but he never had. He'd sold my services, as you know, but I had never seen him before, in private. In truth I had only seen him once at all, during the first ball I had ever attended. He paraded me in front of his lackeys, smiling and listening as they mocked me. He liked that I blushed, that I was hurt. He liked that he made me feel small and dirty. And that night he sold me to the only enemy I had ever made. Unfortunately, love, you were present to witness my fall from grace." She looked away from him, not meeting his eyes, her voice tiny and embarrassed. He gently touched her face, lifting her chin until their eyes met. To him Caledan had ceased to exist, and his words were for Rhyalla alone. "You did what you had to, love. There is no shame in surviving. Whatever you had to do, whatever they tried to make of you, they failed. You are still precious to me. You never fell from grace, not even in the slightest." She smiled at him, tears standing in her eyes and continued softly. "It was a week or more later that he came, Mondane. I thought he would take me then, as the others had, and I had resigned myself to it by then. Instead he spoke to me, as a person. I was shocked, to say the least. Gradually though I relaxed in his presence. I don't know if it was a spell or my desperate want for comfort. Either way, I began to trust him. We talked until the sun rose anew, and when we left he took my hands in his. It was then I felt the first pains, deep and hot. I lost consciousness and awoke in my bed, so sore I felt I had been beaten to within an inch of my life. I didn't know then what he had done, or why." "I had been given a maid, and though we sparred constantly, we became something like friends. That is due to you, love. Apparently, one day, you helped her son, who is also a servant there. You see, in Mondane's realm, no one helps anyone else, ever. It's too easy to have an accident if word gets around that you put your nose in other's business. But because of that she took the chance of befriending me and she told me what was happening to me. Mondane would steal a part of me, of my life energies, my spirit, if you will." "But why?" the question was torn from Legolas' slack lips, startled at the thought of such a heinous act. "Isn't he immortal?" She nodded, confirming his life span. "Mondane is a powerful man. He will never die a natural death. He didn't take it for his use, he took it for his pleasure. He drank it like a fine wine. That's what he really wanted me for. Traditionally he would take it from his consort during lovemaking, but because I was of no use to him in that way he had to rip it from me in skin to skin contact. Apparently it was much less painful the other way." She shrugged and then continued, an air of hopelessness about her. "And that was the fate my father sent me to, the fate for which I was born. As were so many before me." Legolas felt Caledans' eyes on him and fought a crazy urge to hit him, to beat him. Partially for knowing of this and doing nothing, but mostly for making her relive it for the telling. The Elf nodded and spoke then, his voice low. "Take her to rest, Taren. We can discuss the rest of what needs to be said later. For now, take her. A repast will await you in your tent." Without a word Legolas swept her up in his arms and carried her out, her head resting wearily on his shoulder. With a final backward glance to the man sitting in the dimness of the tent, he made for their own lodgings, carefully avoiding any who would offer assistance. True to his word food lay arranged on the table but Legolas avoided it, carrying her straight to the bed and laying her atop it. He climbed next to her and twined his arms around her, clutching her to him. His emotions raged and he wanted to strike something, to rip and tear. Instead he felt tears leave him, helpless rage that the one he loved had been so hurt. He heard Rhya sobbing quietly and squeezed her against him, trying to be strong for her as the tears slid silently down his face. *** Title: Diplomacy 23 Author: Arisma Rating: R Disclaimer: To the tune of Leslie Gore, "You don't own me"- I don't own it; don't try to claim it in any way. I don't own it; don't hunt me down 'cause I'll never pay! . Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--***--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--*- The moon hung low in the sky as he crept from the tent. Strange animal sounds floated around him, placid in the dark of night. He walked slowly, hands thrust into his pockets, thoughts whirring through his mind like flakes in a snowstorm, swirling and coalescing for a mere moment before setting out again in an explosion of confusion. He had wanted to stay, wanted to hold her as she slept, but his mind worked at him so, tumbling the answers he had received around, still questing for those left untold. His body felt restless, nervous energy tightening his muscles, making him feel jumpy and strange. And so he had left her there, gently lowering her head to the satin pillow, pressing a kiss of infinite tenderness to her smooth brow. His feet made no sound as he walked, no noise at all to distract from his search for solace. Around him the tents loomed darkly, their occupants sleeping soundly, secure in the familiarity of their homes. "And what of my home?" he thought suddenly. "Will I ever see the great trees again, or feel the dew on the long grass against my skin? When did my home become a memory, and did I smile as it faded?" He felt sad and contemplative, his soul weary with new knowledge and burdened with questions as yet unanswered. He found himself at the path they had taken when they entered this place and started walking easily up the sloping lane, the burn in his muscles helping him calm, helping him breathe. With a sigh he picked up the pace, his feet thudding lightly into the hard packed sand, his breathing coming in short puffs. Finally, his sweat slicked skin beading in the cool night air, he crested the valley. He walked slowly to a large rock and sat upon it, gazing at the horizon, feeling his heart thud in his ears. He heard the soft footfalls approaching and shook his head softly, the familiarity of them comforting. They stopped a short way behind him and he couldn't help but smile when he heard, "How's it going, boss?" "I've been better," he said, sliding to his left and offering a piece of the rock to his friend. Kailin settled next to him, running a hand through his hair, following his prince's gaze as it settled again on the horizon. "I bet you have," came the reply, trailed by a light pat on his shoulder, offering comfort with the ease of a long time companion. A comfortable silence stretched between them, and Legolas was content to leave it that way, but Kailin spoke again, concern evident in his tone. "How's your lady?" he asked. Legolas turned his head sharply, looking at his friend, sensitive at the mere mention of her. "As well as can be expected, I suppose," he answered carefully, shifting his gaze to the horizon once more. "You don't need to guard her from me, Legolas," his friend's voice was tight, almost angry. He ran a weary hand through his long blonde locks and nodded, looking down to the sand below him, sighing. "I know, Kailin. I'm just so used to it... I'm sorry, my friend." Kailin nodded and chuckled dryly, shaking his head in mock consternation. "Apology accepted. Would you mind waiting here while I mark my calendar?" Legolas chuckled as well, replying, "Come now, that's hardly the first time I've made a mistake." "That's very true, Leaf, but it is one of the few times you've admitted it." The two shared another laugh, sitting silently when the sound had faded from their ears. Overhead stars shone and the moon moved in a slow arc, its soft glow adding a touch of mystery to the dunes. Finally, after long minutes, Legolas spoke. "How much do you know, Kailin?" His friend sighed, settling back against the stone. "I know enough," he thought for a moment and then ran a hand through his short, dark hair, looking at his friend sideways. "I know a damn sight more than I care to, really." Legolas nodded, his eyes still scanning the horizon as though looking for answers there. They lapsed again into silence, each lost for a moment in his own thoughts. "Talk to me, Leaf. You can't carry this alone." The gentle plea broke through his numbness and he thought for just a moment before he began to speak. "She was a virgin, Kailin. Did you know that?" he watched his friend's face, waiting for the small nod before he continued. "She came to me pure and I took that from her without a thought." "Legolas, you couldn't have known..." he tried to counter, but his friend met his gaze with suddenly livid eyes. "Of course I could have! If I would have taken half a second to get to know her I could have. But I didn't. All I saw was flashing eyes and blades, a beautiful maid who wanted me and I took what she gave without even knowing the extent of what she offered." Legolas stood then, pacing before the rock like a caged tiger. "I love her. Something inside her called to me from the first moment. All I could think of was her eyes, the way she moved. I was so lost in the thought of having her I never stopped to find out who she was. I still don't know her...maybe I never will." "Leaf, you didn't know. Stop blaming yourself. She made a choice. She had all the facts here, not you. She chose you, doesn't that count for something?" Kailin's voice was plaintive, his brow furrowed as he struggled to get the words out. "Of course it counts, Kailin. It counts for everything. But she knows me as little as I know her. Where do we go from here? I mean, can we just go back to Mirkwood and pretend none of this happened? Can I give her a normal life, and if I can, can she lead it?" Legolas watched his friend's face fall. Watched as he wrung his hands, exhaling slowly, his cheeks puffing. "I've been meaning to talk to you about all that," he started, not meeting the prince's gaze. "All of what?" his brow furrowed in confusion and he waited impatiently as his friend searched for the words. "I can't exactly go back to Mirkwood, Leaf," his voice was soft, sad. "Why? What happened?" "I disobeyed a direct order, I stole from the armories, I broke every rule we ever lived by. I can't go back." "I'll talk to father, Kailin. It can't be as bad as all that. He'll see reason if I can just speak with him." Kailin turned, his face full of sorrow, his eyes dull as he spoke. "But you can't. When I said I can't go back, I meant we can't go back." *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* A/N- This chapter was terrible to write, and much thanks go to Kris the Wonder Beta (Tm) for both her patience and input. I'm starting a new story and am lacking in good elvish names... any chance you all could help me out? I'll make a note here when the new one goes up, hopefully not too terribly far in the future. Soon I'll be leaving on vacation but I hope to update more before I go. More reviews people. Feed that muse. Please? ~Arisma~ Title: Diplomacy 24 Author: Arisma Rating: R Disclaimer: To the tune of Leslie Gore, "You don't own me"- I don't own it; don't try to claim it in any way. I don't own it; don't hunt me down 'cause I'll never pay! . Feedback: chalice_nazarene@hotmail.com -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--***--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--*- Legolas' feet made no sound as he ran, his hair flying behind him, his chest heaving with exertion. He slowed his pace, slipping silently into the tent he shared with Rhya, standing silently for a second, his breath coming in small, sharp gasps. Bracing his hands on his knees he bent forward, closing his eyes and focusing on smoothing his respiration, his body slowly responding, his breath evening, calming. As he straightened his gaze swept the room, taking in the cold food spread on the table, the smoldering braziers still releasing their smoky aromas into the air. Crossing the room, his feet sinking into the plush carpets, he pushed aside the curtain to the bedroom and took a small step inside. His gaze rested on the bed, seeing the faint silhouette of his love through the lowered hangings. He crossed to the bedside, kneeling outside the sheer white drapings. Her face was turned towards him, her dark hair falling haphazardly across her bare shoulders, concealing her from his view. He watched her for a time, her breathing slow in sleep, mesmerized by her mere presence. Slowly he parted the curtains and brushed the hair away, his fingers lingering on the smooth skin of her cheek. Instinctively she turned her head, seeking the warmth of his touch and he took the opportunity to cup her cheek, trailing his thumb along her lips, slightly parted in sleep. So much of his fate was now twined with hers, so much blended that some times he wondered if he had lost himself in the loving of her. He remembered the not too distant past, the carefree young prince he had been, worrying of no more than his father's approval, wanting nothing more than to escape his duties when possible to carouse with his friends. He thought of them now, the ones he had grown with, the ones he had left behind. Among the many he held dear only one was left to him, and at times he could feel the strain between them palpably. He wrenched his attention away from those revelations and instead gazed at her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, noting that she slept with her hands tightly balled, as a child. He ran a finger along the ridge of her knuckles, feeling the tension in her even as she slept. Again he raised his eyes to her face, feeling the smoothness of her cheek, tracing the angle of her jaw. Leaning forward he pressed his lips to hers, his eyes closed, just wanting to feel the warmth of her skin. He remained like that for some time, losing himself in her nearness. When he finally sat back and opened his eyes he was met with her own, bright and intent, if a bit hazed from sleep. He smiled sheepishly as she asked, "What was that for?" "Just wanted to," he answered, again running his thumb along the line of her lips, shuddering slightly as she shifted to pull the digit within her mouth. She met his eyes intently as she suckled his thumb and he felt goosebumps rise on his flesh. He jerked it away, shaking his head as she grinned. "And what was that for?" he asked, climbing into the bed next to her. An impish grin spread across her face as she nuzzled against him. "Just wanted to," she said, chuckling lightly. Without another word he grasped her hands and held them above her head, eyeing her intently. She watched him, biting her lip, intensely aware of the proximity of his body. "Just wanted to?" he asked softly, moving his face so his lips hovered a hairsbreadth from hers. She nodded, her eyes bright, waiting to see what he would do next. "And what if I wanted to do something?" he queried, his voice low and lecherous. She strained forward, claiming his lips briefly in a kiss of intense passion. "Then I suggest you do it, my lord," she said, her voice a touch husky. He grinned crookedly and lowered his head to her throat, smiling as she arched her neck away from him, allowing him access to the delicate flesh. She moaned softly as his lips met her skin, twisting her body to be closer to him. He grasped her hip and pressed his lips firmly to her neck, taking a deep breath and blowing it out with as much force as he could muster. She gasped and twisted away, but he had her firmly and continued his assault, planting wet raspberries all along the column of her neck. After he had reduced her to helpless laughter he raised his head, his hair mussed and grinned, leaning forward to place a quick peck to her chin. "Not what you had in mind, my lady?" he asked, chuckling as she met his gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Not fair Legolas, just not fair!" she shouted, twisting her hands furiously, trying futily to make him release his grasp. Again he grinned, releasing her hands, chuckling as she moved swiftly to pin his own, knowing he could break her grip if he truly desired. "Who said I'd play fair?" he asked, smirking at the astonished look on her face. She leaned in to kiss him and just as their lips met they heard a throat clear softly in the doorway. In an instant Legolas was on his feet, his stance ready for anything. He swept his gaze over the large Elf standing there, catching a strange _expression on his face for the barest of moments. Recovering quickly he relaxed his stance, nodding to the visitor. "Hello Kallo, can we help you?" The large Elfs' eyes flicked briefly to Rhya, noting the flush of both desire and embarrassment upon her cheeks. "Actually," he said, resting his gaze solidly upon Legolas again, "I was wondering if we could talk for a bit." Legolas fought to hide his surprise and nodded, looking briefly to Rhya before he did so. "I'll rest a bit more, if that's alright," she said uncertainly, watching the two eye each other warily. Legolas broke eye contact first, leaning across the bed and planting a solid kiss on her lips efore straightening. "I'll be right back, love," he said calmly, meeting her gaze for a moment before walking across the room and past the large Elf in the doorway. Kallo remained standing for a moment, watching Rhya and then turned, following her lover into the main room. Legolas walked towards the pillows and motioned for him to sit, but Kallo interrupted him, asking softly, "Will you walk with me?" Again caught off guard Legolas could only nod and follow as the large Elf lead him outside, weaving through the streets with an alarming familiarity. With dismay Legolas saw him approach the same path he had taken earlier, when he had spoken with Kailin. At the last minute he turned aside, striding up a path Legolas hadn't noticed, well concealed in tall shrubs. They walked in silence, the sun rising around them as they trekked. Reaching a level widening in the path Kallo stopped, moving forward to sit with his feet hanging precariously over the edge. Legolas remained standing, his gaze sweeping across the amazing vista their climb had revealed. Below them stretched the entirety of the valley, a patchwork of brightly colored tents and, in the distance, fields and a small lake, laid out below them, impossible in their tiny perfection. "Amazing..." the word seemed to fall from his lips as he settled next to the other, his legs also dangling over the foolishly high drop. "It is, isn't it?" Legolas could hear a near reverence in his companion's voice and he turned to regard him curiously, though he remained silent. Suddenly Kallo met his gaze, his grey eyes seeming to bore straight into him. "It's the kind of place you could start over, make a real go of it," his voice was low, filled with meaning. Legolas nodded and turned his attention back out over the valley, watching as tiny swirls of smoke began to drift from several tents. A silence fell between them again, and rather than break it Legolas studied the tiny inhabitants as they moved about, waiting patiently to discern the large Elfs' motivations. "I know you spoke to Kailin," he said finally, so suddenly that Legolas nearly jumped as a result. Something about this Elf put him ill at ease and he disliked it intently and so he merely nodded, affecting indifference though his muscles tightened involuntarily. "What are you planning?" Something about the tone of the question sparked an anger within him and he turned his gaze again on the large Elf, not surprised when he met the calm grey eyes. "What do you mean, Kallo?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice level. The Quel warrior shrugged but held his gaze, his eyes passive, nearly bored. "Just want to know what you're planning, now that you no longer have a home." He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, fighting hard to keep his raging temper in check. "Watch yourself, Kallo," he warned, not wanting to strike this Elf who had done so much for his love. Huge shoulders shrugged, eyes still impassive. "The truth is the truth, however it is said. I want to know what you are planning...if I'm going to have to pick up the pieces you leave behind." "What pieces would that be, Kallo? Rhya? You think I'm going to leave her, now, after all of this?" Legolas was incredulous, his pulse thumping in his ears. "That is the price your father named," his voice was calm, nonchalant. Legolas leapt to his feet, pacing along the edge, his voice ringing loudly. "And he won't get it! I can't give her up Kallo. She's all I have, all I've ever had and he thinks I'll just toss her away to be his whipping boy again? I'd rather die with her than live without her!" As he stopped speaking he glared at the back of Kallo's head, his eyes burning into the dark hair. He saw the shoulders slump, the head bow, and then Kallo stood, approaching him. A large hand snaked out and caught him by the shoulder and Legolas realized then just how close he stood to the precipice. For an instant he thought he saw baleful, murderous intent in Kallos' eyes but as soon as he noted the look it was gone, replaced by the large Elf's customary calm. With a gentle jerk he backed the prince from the lip, with a murmured, "The edge is unsafe, be more careful," and then he walked away, heading back down the path. Legolas waited a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion. Making a snap decision he ran after Kallo, gripping his upper arm and spinning him around so that their eyes met. Again, if only for an instant, a gleam of malevolence shone in the larger Elfs' eyes, and Legolas wondered suddenly just how deep the large Elf's resentment of him ran. They stood for a moment in silence and then Kallo turned again and made to walk away. Frustrated, his hands clenched into tight fists, Legolas called after him angrily. "Dammit, Kallo, what was this about? Why did you bring me here? To show me a pretty view?" Again the large Elf startled him, spinning and racing back to where he stood, his eyes bright with an unnamed emotion. "Are you daft? Do you really not understand?" "No Kallo, I don't understand. What the hell is wrong with you people? Why can't you ever just SAY something?" his voice rose to a shout, the tendons of his neck snapping taut with anger. "You want me to say it, to spell it out for you? Fine, then I will. I was showing you that you could live here, the two of you, that you could leave behind all that has come before and make something new, together. I was giving her to you, you blasted fool!" his voice rose sharply, his eyes boring into Legolas. They stood that way a moment, Legolas silently digesting the words. With a loud snort Kallo turned and again began to make his way down the path, shaking his head as he walked. Calmly, evenly Legolas spoke, his voice soft but carrying easily to the other Elfs' ears. "She is not yours to give, Kallo. She never was." The effect on the other was instantaneous, his spine snapping straight, his fists clenching. Legolas could see his chest heaving but pressed on, looking to the heavens and shaking his head n wonderment at his own blindness. "I can't believe I didn't see it before, have you ever told her? Does she know?" Kallo didn't turn, and his voice barely reached Legolas, his tone flat, unemotional. "I don't know what you're talking about." Exasperated Legolas flung his hands to the sky, incredulous, "Of course you do, you're in love with her! How long has it been, Kallo? How long have you wanted her?" Again the other remained silent his head bowed and his respiration even more hitched. "That punch...after the attack, when Rhya was wounded. I thought you just got carried away...but you meant it! You're jealous Kallo, jealous that I have what you always wanted but were to afraid to try for!" Whatever restraint he had been using fled and Kallo turned, seething, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Afraid? No, not afraid. I respect her, and I knew the price she would pay if I tried to take that from her. And unlike some people I took that into consideration, placed her interests above my own. Not that you can grasp such a concept." Now it was Legolas' eyes that narrowed, the large Elfs' words rubbing salt into that still open wound. "To hell with you. I didn't know," he felt his rage building and fought hard to suppress it. Now Kallo threw his hands into the air, laughing aloud. "What's her middle name, Elf? What's her favorite color, favorite food? Of course you didn't know, because you never asked! You have no idea what gift you've been given and I doubt you even care!" Legolas struggled for words, for anything in the red haze that was dropping before his eyes. He fought hard, trying desperately to contain himself as Kallo spat, "She was mine before you, Elf, and I will still be here when you are but a distant regret to her." Without a thought Legolas launched himself through the air, his fist colliding solidly with Kallo's jaw, his eyes flaming with anger. He felt those large fists slamming into his ribs, his chin, but he ignored the pain, raining blow after blow on that smug face, wanting to deny the truth of the words by denying the source. Finally the others blows stopped and with a final punch Legolas stood, his clothing hopelessly ripped, blood flowing freely from his nose and mouth. Kallo lay in a near stupor, his face battered and near unrecognizable. Without a word Legolas bent, grasping the front of his shirt. As if from reflex Kallo flinched, bringing his hands up in a futile attempt at defense. Ignoring the gesture Legolas bunched his muscles, flinging the large Elf's body over his shoulder, startled at the sheer weight of him, his legs protesting quickly at the extra burden as he started again down the path. *-*-*-*-*-*-* The sun was high in the sky when they left the tent, gentle clucking and soft rebukes from the healers following them. They both squinted, still unaccustomed to the glare of the desert sun. Blue eyes met grey, a silent understanding passing between them, no words needed. And then Legolas turned and began walking to his tent, towards the woman that waited there for him. Kallos' eyes followed his progress for a moment and then he turned, walking towards his own tent, and the cool solitude he knew awaited him. Title: Diplomacy 25 Author: Arisma Rating: R Disclaimer: To the tune of Leslie Gore, "You don't own me"- I don't own it; don't try to claim it in any way. I don't own it; don't hunt me down 'cause I'll never pay! . Feedback: arisma_@hotmail.com -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--***--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--*- He left the healer's tent behind, feeling the weight of the other Elf's gaze. He turned a corner and shrugged, happy to be out of Kallo's line of sight. Wearily he raised his hand and rubbed his still sore jaw, sighing deeply. The healers here were skilled and had erased most of the evidence of their brawl...most, but not all. He knew she would notice and resigned himself to the host of questions that would follow. He pondered his responses as he walked, the settlement beginning to feel familiar to him already. "It's the kind of place you could start over, make a real go of it." Kallos' words echoed in his mind, and he acknowledged the truth of them. They could stay here, build a life, together. He felt a deep ache in his heart and realized just how badly he wanted that. He wanted to wake every morning to see her, and sleep every night holding her close to him. He wanted a life with her, not these mere stolen moments. But at what price? His brow furrowed at the dissident thought, his subconscious again forcing him to consider weightier matters then what his heart desired. His father had issued an ultimatum, made his wishes known. He wasn't to return to his homeland unless he did so without her, unless he left behind the one he'd fought so hard for. Was she worth that price? Worth never seeing the trees, he friends he had cherished since birth? He could leave her, return to his father's side, take up the mantle of prince and protector again. He could turn his back on her as so many others had. He knew she wouldn't resent him, would accept his decision. He knew it and the knowledge made the choice for him. He raised his gaze and saw the deep green of his tent, the slim purple veins glinting in the sunlight. A thought struck him as he entered and he held onto it, wanting to remember that exact moment, for all time, the moment this place became his home. Quietly he slipped through the doorway, letting the hanging slide down his back as it again sealed away the harshness of the sun. With silent steps he crossed the room and entered the bedroom, his eyes intent, knowing within himself where she would be. She stood quietly, her back to him, carefully smoothing the bedclothes, making sure everything was just so. He watched her movements for a moment, a strange thrill in observing her unnoticed. Quietly she began to hum, a melody he didn't know, lilting and lovely. With utmost stealth he crept behind her, placing a soft kiss to the base of her neck. She jumped, making a small startled sound, beginning to turn to face the intruder. Faster then should have been possible he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder, murmuring comforting words. In an instant she relaxed against him and he felt what reservations he had slide away and he did not mourn them. "You scared me!" she exclaimed, placing her hand on both of his, laced together over her navel. "I didn't mean to," he murmured, brushing a soft kiss to the delicate skin behind her ear. He felt her sigh and lean back, resting against him. Craning his neck he pressed his lips to her throat, feeling her pulse leaping from the scare. "Miss me?" he asked softly, intently, adding a kiss to the base of her jaw. She shuddered lightly, raising a hand and reaching behind to cradle the back of his head. "You were not gone long, Legolas," she answered softly, adding after a moment. "It felt like an eternity." He smiled, nuzzling into her hair, the softness of her tresses warm against his cheek. "I have a question for you, love," he began, sure now of his decision. He felt her stiffen in trepidation and made a soft soothing sound, squeezing her back, even tighter against him. "It's a good one, I think," he said, feeling his stomach clench with nerves. "Then ask, please," she said, laying her head back against his shoulder, closing her eyes, waiting. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly as he willed himself into the unknown. "Rhya...Rhyalla, will you...would you please...will you bond with me? Will you be my wife?" Despite his best efforts the words faded to a whisper and he felt his hands tremble beneath hers. A moment passed, and he felt the hot weight of disappointment as she still did not answer. He'd given so much, left so much behind...and she denied him. He made to pull his hands away, to flee this pain but she turned in his arms before he could and wrapped her arms about his neck, nestling beneath the cup of his chin. He was startled to feel moisture against his skin, to feel the trembling that emanated not only from him, but from her as well. "Rhya?" he asked, uncertainly. "Of course Legolas, of course," she said, her voice dim with tears. "Is that a yes?" he asked, his stomach flipping wildly within him. "Yes, yes, yes!" she cried, still sobbing, placing kisses all along his face. It seemed to slowly dawn on her as she did so that dark smudges marred his otherwise perfect skin. "Eru, Legolas, what happened?" He watched her face fall, her smile replaced by a worried grimace. She ran her fingers hesitantly over the marks as he shook his head, smiling broadly. "No worries Rhya, I'm fine. Better than fine, perfect." He tried to sweep her into a kiss and she allowed it, but the moment their lips parted she asked, "But what happened? Is Kallo alright?" He felt a momentary pang at the mention of his name but continued smiling. "Everything is fine, love, I promise. We had a few things to work out, and like typical males we got a little carried away. All is fine between us, truly." She searched his face and he worked to make his smile more earnest, but still she opened her mouth to protest. Frustrated, he swept her up, kissing her with every ounce of passion he could muster. "Hush now. It's your turn to trust me, love," his clear blue eyes searched her darker orbs, waiting a mere moment after she nodded to continue. "Besides...unless I am mistaken we have a little celebrating to do." Remembering suddenly, she smiled broadly, looking up into his eyes. "Did you mean it, Legolas?" "Of course I did, love. I don't think I've ever meant anything more. My only regret is that I have no token to give you, no ring," he ran his hands lightly up and down her shoulders, meeting her eyes earnestly. With a sudden smile she dashed from his grasp, fishing for something beneath a pillow. She returned clasping a small velvet pouch, which she held nervously out to him. Silently he took it, unsure what it meant. He tugged the strings open and upended it to reveal a ring. He looked at it and then to her and back again, smiling. "But how?" he asked, baffled. "They took it off me at the healer's house, after the battle in the clearing. Kallo held it for me. After you two left I found it on the table...he must have left it," she looked up at him, her eyes bright, "Did he know, then?" In reply Legolas pulled her close, running a hand down her back. "I think maybe he did," he answered, and then he kneeled before her, gazing up into her face with adoring eyes. "Rhyalla, will you bond with me, and stand by my side, as my wife and equal, forever?" He asked the words in the ancient way, feeling the weight of them as he voiced them. Silently she nodded and he slipped the ring onto her finger, though it was much too large. Slowly he stood, cradling her chin with one hand and kissing her softly, lovingly, while tracing the ring with the other, tracing his signet ring as he sealed the ending of that part of his life. -*--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--***--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--*- A/N- Note the new email addy for feedback, for those of you who have issues with the button. So... what does everyone think of this turn of events? Are we on the cusp of a happily ever after? I'd appreciate some feedback from you all in the literal sense. I want to know what questions you have in your mind that you'd like answered. Anything you've just been dying to know, or vaguely curious about? Review and include the question in it and I'll see about getting them answered in a timely manner. ~Arisma *** For those of you who are music oriented as myself, check the song "Anywhere" by Evanescence, it's the current tune that makes me think of our happy (?) couple. Plus, damn good tune in and of itself. http: // www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/evanescence / anywhere.html *** Title: Diplomacy Part 26 Author: Arisma Rating: R (for some naughty, naughty bits... and some foul language.) Disclaimer: Legolas, Mirkwood, Thranduil... all of that is Tolkiens. I'm just taking them out to play with, cause they're shiny. I will put them back in the box, in the proper order, when I'm done. I also promise to wipe the drool off of Legolas and any excess that might have gotten on any of the other characters by proxy. The basic concept of bladesingers and the title querimhinue is the property of WoTC, and I'm merely borrowing those too. I do claim The Quel, both Nessar and A'Har as my own. Rhyalla, Kallo, Kailin, all mine. The waste, Tir Roac and all future 'non-canon' locations are the product of my mind as well. When I'm done with them I'll put them back in my own teeny box of creations, next to the cedar wood butterfly and the sculpy clay horns. (Don't ask.) If for some strange reason you'd like to borrow them or the settings, feel free to contact me and we'll work out details. Feedback / Contact: Arisma_@hotmail.com *--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--* The sun laid low over the desert, its dying rays mirrored a million times in each tiny grain, each fleck mourning the loss of day with a lover's desperation. From beneath rocks, from within deep, cool crevices creatures emerged, lizards and rodents, small flightless birds, all the life of the desert finally released from the oppressive heat of day. With guarded glances and swift feet they scoured the dunes, eating, hunting, dying, living the life of the desert dweller. They converged around water, their need to quench their abiding thirst greater even than the fear of prey to predator. Some hunted the open dunes, some dug deep to find hidden growths upon which to feast. A brave few crept into the valley, the abundance there tempered with the presence of so many of the tall strange creatures that dwelt within. The guards near the fields watched with amusement as tiny rodents fixed them with beady eyes before darting across the expanse and into the plantings. Larger, braver animals braved the outskirts of the village proper, foraging in the deep, covered bins of discarded food in the process of becoming the catalyst for the next season's crop. Some ventured further, scratching at tents' flaps or eating from offering bowls left outside certain tents for their use. A low slung, pale gray rodent with startling golden eyes sniffed at the green flap, raising a forepaw and scratching at the material. It settled onto its haunches, sniffing the air, catching delicious whiffs from within. The flap raised and a golden head poked out, eyes sweeping the air far above the creatures head before lowering his sights to meet the waiting animals. His eyes widened slightly in startlement though he retained a calm demeanor, the golden gaze met solidly with startled mirth within the cornflower blue orbs. Slowly he knelt, extending his hand, cautiously, ready to snatch it back in a moment if he sensed a threat. Casually wary the animal extended its long neck, sniffing at the long fingers, until it satisfied itself of the intentions of the kneeling Elf. So appeased it strode past the astonished Elf, entering the tent with the calm aplomb of a pet cat. He stood, watching the strange animal saunter through the entry to his home, his lips turning up in a small bemused smile. "Saucy!" he exclaimed, raising his gaze again to meet that of the woman lounging across the room. "We have a visitor, love," he said to her, watching a gleeful smile spread across her face, feeling a thrill in his heart at the sight. "Oh, Legolas!" she exclaimed, leaning out of the cushions on which she rested and extending also her hand to the visiting beast. After a brief inspection the creature settled again on its haunches, its bright golden gaze resting expectantly on the Elf woman. With a smile she lifted a bit of meat form the trays before her and set it carefully on the carpet, watching as the animal began to eat with gusto. She felt the cushions beneath her dip as her lover slid behind her, felt his arms encircle her waist and his chin rest atop her shoulder. "What is it, love?" he asked her, absorbed in watching the creature enjoying its repast. "It's a cathymin! We have them in Quel'Nessar, too," she answered quietly, eyes fixed on the animal in question. "They come at night to forage and have little fear of Elves. Legend says that it's an omen of good luck to have one visit you, and a blessing for the entire household if they cross the threshold." Legolas grinned and nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear, still watching the cathymin as it finished the meat and then looked expectantly at them. "I think he wants more," he whispered, nodding towards the waiting beast. With a smile Rhya took the entire plate of meat and set it on the carpets, chuckling as the animal began to scrounge through, eating quickly, its angular jaw working soundlessly to get through the meat. "He's hungry," she murmured, leaning back, relaxing into her lover's arms. Legolas grinned and kissed the top of her neck, chuckling as he spoke, "Luckily we'd already eaten. I can't believe something that size can eat so much!" A contented silence fell, broken only by the soft eating sounds as the cathymin filled his stomach. The elves watched in silence until he was done, smiling and chuckling occasionally at his antics. Finally, with a contented wuffle it stood, stretching lithely. With a soft tone Legolas said, "Thank you for visiting little one, please come again," but much to their surprise the tiny rodent walked deeper into the dwelling, pushing under a pile of cushions in the corner and turning tight circles within. Apparently satisfied it settled, its small pink nose and bright eyes gazing sleepily from the depths. Again they sat in silence as the burnished gold eyes slowly closed. "It's sleeping!" though whispered, Legolas' words held more than a touch of incredulity. "Do they usually do that?" Rhya chuckled, watching the soft movements of the pillow pile. "Not that I've ever heard, though I doubt they ever ventured deep enough to get near the tower. Not that the nannies would have let them in, regardless." "Did you have a favorite?" Legolas asked, leaning further back into the cushions, drawing her with him. She sighed softly, her brow furrowed in thought, "I don't know if favorite is the right word, but there were some who were less strict than others, and I guess I liked them more then not. To tell you honestly I never knew their names, they were just 'nanny'. For a while I tried to number them in my mind but it was so erratic I just lost count." She shrugged her shoulders lightly as Legolas squeezed her to him in a tight hug. "So what did you do there, all alone? You must have done something to keep yourself busy...right?" "Oh, it wasn't as bleak as it sounds to you. I did have toys, a great number of them actually. I liked to play dress up, though I daresay I got a lot of things wrong." She chuckled softly as he prompted, "How do you mean? Can you be wrong in dress up?" "Well, not wrong, just...limited. Sometimes I played tutor, sometimes nanny. I remember one summer I saw a girl in the square with a basket of flowers, and for a week after I played flower girl. Then the nanny figured out who I was imagining and put an end to it, too common to play a flower seller, she said." He listened carefully to her replies, intent for any signs of distress. But this was her life and as hard as it was for him to imagine it didn't really bother her, it was merely fact and she had accepted it long since. He traced the contour of her knuckles as he pondered, finally asking, "When you were younger what did you want to be, what did you dream?" She was silent for a long moment, pondering, and when she spoke her voice sounded smaller, almost childish. "I don't know what I wanted to be. I had no idea of the way the world worked, and I guess I didn't understand that you could be something. I always kind of assumed that you were born and then you lived. I didn't understand the concept of choices and decisions and the consequences that resulted. It was like the world just was how it was, I never questioned my role or that of anyone else I came in contact with." He nodded, trying to understand what it would be like to have lived that life but his thoughts were interrupted when she continued, her voice taking on a passionate quality. "They were all so indifferent to me. They didn't try to show me what the world was like, how normal people lived. Sometiems i think back and i have to wonder, did they truly never think to teach me or did they just never bother because they knew I'd never have a chance to use it?" Legolas remained silent, listening as she spoke, feeling her tremble in his arms. "I'd never seen water boil. I didn't know where clothes came from. I knew proper form for a traditional tea ceremony but I had no idea what the people in the square were doing. I didn't understand a job or even work. I was so clueless, and they would have sent me off to my fate like that. Thank Eru for Kallo, I don't think I'd have survived without having known him." Again he nodded, his voice soft, murmurring, "He's been a good friend to you." "No, he hasn't. He's so much more than a friend, Legolas. He's my brother, even if we share no blood. He actually spoke to me. I know that sounds silly, but it made all the difference to me. Sure, soem of the nannies read stories to me, or the tutors with lessons, but they weren't ever talking to me, they were talking to their charge, to a nuisance, not a person. He was the first one to look beyond that and see me. And because he did, I saw it as well." He felt his heart tighten and his brow furrowed, needing to know but terrified of the answer. "Did you ever think, the two of you... together?" He fought to keep his voice steady and was pleased that it remained so. She was silent for a moment, and when she answered her voice was soft. "I thought of it, of course I did. There was a time I thought he wanted it too. But he'd never talk to me about it and he never acted on it in anyway. I think if things had been different, maybe there could have been something between us, but I guess we'll never know, now." "Because of me? Because I got in the way?" He knew some of the hurt he was feelign shone through his words and he cringed form it slightly, but had to ask, to know. She turned in his arms to face him, her eyes finding his and holding them. "I think lots of things would had to have been different. As much as I love him, I'm not in love with him. I never felt a pull towards him like I did to you. I think in the end I was destined to be his friend, in the same way I feel I was destined to be with you." Slowly she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, her gaze still upon him. He pulled her closer, kissing her gently, softly, loving intent in every meeting of lips, every touch of his tongue to hers. The kiss ended slowly, each reluctant to lose the contact, moving so that thier foreheads rested lightly together. Again she was struck by the sheer beauty of him, the clear blue depths of his eyes, moving forward again, eager to feel his lips on her own. Before she could make contact, however, he spoke, his voice soft. "Is that why you gave yourself to me, you felt it was destined?" She stopped moving, shifting backwards slightly, her brow furrowed, her cheeks reddening sightly. "I have no idea what came over me... I'd never done anythign even vaguely like that before. I just... from the moment I saw you I couldn't stop thinking about you, wondering how you smelled, how you tasted. And then when we were out there, and you were saying you'd been thinking of me too, it was like..." "Lightning..." he added softly, her head bobbing in agreement. "And I was so overwhelmed, I never gave a thought to wether or not it was right..." she continued, feeling his arms tighten around her. "You just knew." he finished, smiling. "I just knew." she repeated, smiling softly. "I wish I'd known, that I'd taken the time to find out I was your first. I would have made it special for you, not as it was." He shook his head with regret, sighing softly, but she chuckled, raising his chin so that thier eyes locked again. "It was special, Legolas, because it was with you. I knew you didn't know and that was part of what made it special. You were so gentle, even without knowing why. It was more precious to me against the rocks then it would have been on a bed of roses if it had been anyone but you with me there." she smiled at him, her eyes clear and free of regret and he felt some of the guilt he'd been carryign disappear. "But if you could have, if it'd been like you'd imagined, what would it have been like?" He watched her cheeks redden, her gaze dropping from his and her hair falling forward as was her habit when embarassed. With a chuckle he ran his fingers through her hair, brushing it back from her face, cradling the back of her head. "Come now, love, you can tell me. After what we've been through, what we've done with each other, do you really think you need be embarassed of anything when it comes to me?" She raised her eyes to meet his, shyly, "I know I shouldn't be, but I've never spoken to anyone like this before, and its... well its silly." He smiled softly at her, pressing soft kisses to her forehead. "If you wanted it, theres nothing silly about it.We all have fantasies, love. Please share yours with me." She nodded, the words slow in the coming, still embarassed though she fought against the emotion. "I.. I just had this image, of candles and water, and a soft blanket beneath the trees. I know it sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but its what i thought I wanted." Again she raised her eyes to his, having lowered them while speaking. He smiled gently at her, hsi eyes warm. "Thank you for telling me, love." She smiled in return, her cheeks returning to thier normal pale hue. Suddenly he remembered his coversation with kallo and without thinking asked, "Whats your favorite food? Do you have one?" She chuckled, apparently relieved at the change of topics. "Oh, yes I do. I like kardiss, its a sort of spicy vegetable stew with little bits of fish in it." she watched his face wrinkle in disgust as she described it, laughing. "Oh its really good, honest. What about you? Whats your favorite?" HE thought a moment and then smiled brightly. "Honeycakes. Kailins mother used to make these sweetcakes that were to die for. They were so soft and fluffy and the icing was so sweet and creamy. She'd make us batch after batch when we were little and she always sent some home with me, though they rarely made it all the way to my rooms." "You've known each other since you wre small then?" she asked, fascinated with the sparkle in her loves eyes as he remembered. "Oh yes, nearly as long as I can remember. His father is in the guard so Id seen him around, but it wasn't until later that we actually became friends." "How did you meet, then?" she asked, runnign her hand along his arms as he spoke. He hesitated a second, distracted by her touch but with a swallow he answered, avoiding her eyes. "I was a spoiled little thing, thinking I was so much better than everyone else. I was in the garden one day, ordering the other children about as I was wont to do when one little boy told me no. I was flabbergasted. None of the other children had ever stood up to me before and I didnt know what to do." "So what did you do?" she asked, picturing an imperious young prince and the darkhaired imp that Kailin had surely been Legolas grinned sheepishly, saying, "I didn't knwo what else to do, so i hit him." "You hit him?!? What happened? Was he hurt?" She laughed, imagining it all in her minds eye. "Oh no, he wasn't hurt." he asnwered, his grin turning wry. "He was pissed. He beat the snot out of me and told me that if I ever touched him again he'd beat the blonde out of me." Her jaw dropped open and she stared at him in wonderment. "He beat you up and then you became friends?" Her voice was part incredulity, part bafflement. His smile widened. "Yes, inseperable. Sometimes it takes a good fight to come to an understanding." Her voice dropped low but her eyes were sharp when she asked, "Is that what happened with you and Kallo? Is that how you came to an understanding?" Legolas was taken aback for a moment but then he nodded, slowly. "I think that's exactly what happened, love. Sometimes things build up and you just have to let them out." "And since boys will eb boys you have to let it out with your fists." she said, shaking her head in disgust. "Hey," he began grinning widely, "I seem to remember a certain someone having a pretty mean right hook, now that you mention it. I wonder, gee, who could that be?" She grinned, eyes narrowing. "Alright, point taken. I am sorry for that, by the way... all of it." He stopped her with a finger pressed to her lips, his smile not faltering at all. "There's no need to apologize, love. The past is just that, the past.We both made mistakes, lets leave it at that." She nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling. "Anythign else you'd like to know?" she asked, settlign against him again. He thought for a moment before he spoke. Again his eariler conversation with Kallo sparked questions within him. "Have you a middle name?" he queried, wishing there were a more delicate way to get such information. "Yes," she answered, her voice calm, "Imayana, though I've never actually heard anyone but the tutors use it for any purpose. Have you one?" In answer he shook his head in negation, explaining. "It's not something that is common amongst the noble classes where I'm from. As a matter of fact my surname is simply a reiteration of my parentage, so I only have a first name to claim as my own. Kailin has a middle name, and I always kind of envied him it." She turned to face him, smiling, "So what is it?" "What is what?" he asked, confused. "Kailin's middle name, of course!" she replied, giggling. "Urime, though he loathes it. He once told me that his parents only saddled him with one so that the other children would have something to taunt him with," he chuckled thinking of his friend's baleful grimace whenever the moniker was mentioned. "Good to know..." she said mischievously, painting a calculating look across her features. "You wouldn't!" he exclaimed, looking startled, "He'd kill me if he knew I'd told you!" With a wry grin she waggled a finger in his direction, her tone light-hearted and mocking, "Shouldn't have told me, then!" A huge grin spread across his features and he grasped her hands with his own, "Guess I'll just have to make you forget," he stated, his eyes narrowing and darkening. "Oh dear!" she exclaimed softly, trying to back away though he held her hands tightly. His eyes sparkled as he advanced, moving into a kneel to edge closer, "Indeed," he murmured, intensely focused on her face. He noted the swift flush that crept over her cheekbones, the tremble in her lips as she watched him. He felt suddenly predatory, animalistic, enraptured with the sight of his prey before him, helpless to his whim. A low growl escaped his lips and he saw her eyes widen, strangely satisfied with the reaction. He felt the grin change, twisting into something more primal and hungry, the mirth entirely gone from his visage. He continued moving forward, still grasping her hands though she had ceased to struggle. With slow deliberate grace he lay atop her, stretching her body below him, his every muscle taut with this strange energy. He shifted his gaze from her face to her lips as he pressed his own to them, light for a moment and then with more urgency, nibbling at her lower lip, watching with satisfaction as her eyes fluttered closed with a soft moan. The sound was like fuel to a fire and it burned his blood as surely. He released her hands and laced his fingers in her hair, holding her head still as he ravaged her mouth, eliciting a string of gasped moans, seemingly against her will. He lowered a hand and traced along her neck and shoulder, along the curve of her waist before slipping his hand swiftly beneath the fabric, exploring the flesh beneath. He massaged and teased, even nipping at the sensitive flesh with his teeth through the thin material of her shirt. He felt her arch her back and tremble at the barrage of sensation he was giving to her and again claimed her lips, gratified when her hands cupped his face, pulling him closer, softly repeating his name all the while. Those same hands slipped slowly down and made short work of his tunic, his bare skin pebbling in the now cool night air that had filtered in while their guest dined. Moving quickly he sat up, pulling her with and astride him, lifting the shirt over her head with a quick gesture, ripping the fabric in his haste. She shrugged her shoulders to aid him, groaning when he spread a palm across her back as he lowered his head to taste her newly exposed skin with another low growl. She rested her hand against the back of his head, letting the golden strands slip through her fingers, pressing him tighter against her with a loud moan. He obliged happily, nipping and tasting, focused on nothing in the world but this woman atop him. Without warning she grasped a handful of his hair, jerking his head back and away from her, swiftly pressing her lips to his. He growled low in his throat as he kissed her, hearing an echo of the sound from her, driving him to new heights of desire. He made to bend his head again, to taste the flesh he so craved but she restrained him, surprisingly strong, her grip on his golden locks nearly painful. He met her eyes with a questioning glare and saw a challenge there, one he could not allow to go unanswered. With a groan he stood, cradling her bottom with his hands, holding her tight against him. His steps were swift and sure as he crossed the room, walking through the hanging between the rooms as though it did not exist. With one hand he held her against him while untying the laces of her skirt with the other, dropping it to the floor with nary a thought. He lowered his hand to his breeches, making short work of the bindings and pushing them down, leaving them puddled at the base of the bed as he lay her upon it. He stretched atop her, feeling tiny sparks of electricity course through every inch of flesh that pressed together between them. "Gods..." he whispered hoarsely before again claiming her lips, grasping her hip with one hand and the other wrapping firmly in her dark locks. Somehow he managed to wrest some control from the maelstrom of his mind, careful not to hurt her as they were joined. Within moments they were moving as one, their lovemaking feral in its intensity. They twisted and writhed, struggling against each other, their eyes bright and locked to the others. Every nerve felt alive, every cell in his body screaming for release, not just for him, but for her as well, her well being important even as he moved closer to the edge of bliss. Suddenly she dropped her head, locking her teeth onto the muscle that connected his neck to his shoulder, groaning loudly as her release hit. In an instant he followed, grinding his teeth at the intense combination of pleasure and pain. Their surprise was complete when they landed with a thud on the floor, only at the last moment realizing and catching his weight with his elbows lest he crush his lover. For a moment only harsh breathing filled the air, each still lost in the swirl of sensation that resulted from their joining. Silently their eyes met and they leaned in to share a sweet kiss, calm now, their animalistic urges well satisfied. They heard a small sound and raised their gazes to the doorway, to the small grey creature busily scratching behind his ear with a hind foot. Slowly he realized he had an audience and lowered the appendage, fixing them with a baleful glare. With one voice they burst out laughing, the serious _expression comical on the small animal. The baleful glare turned affronted and he stalked from the room, the flap falling closed behind him, concealing again the two giggling Elves.