| elflyn |
|
| dreamdancer |
 RE: Ever After (Keeper!)
on: June 23, 2006 03:54
|
|
“My love”, Glyndr said softly , his voice trembling as much as he was .
He held her close, her head resting on his chest, “You have given me the most precious gift I should ever hope for, you have given me the gift of two new lives”.
“Thank you” he whispered as he buried his face in her soft hair, he kissed her neck softly , crystal tears of happiness soaking her hair and running like icicle raindrops down her neck..
Nothing would harm them, Lalaith and the new lives she carried. Glyndr would protect them with his life.
In a while he knew he must go to Narmion. Then to brief the rescue group, after that he must find Arianna and Arato…the Captain needed to discuss the defences for Imaldris …For now ..the outside world could wait.
---@---@---@---@---@---@--@---@---@---@---@
Glyndr’s reaction to her news had thrilled Lalaith. She had known he wanted children, of course, but they’d never really discussed it. She’d been worried that perhaps he would be overwhelmed with the possibility of two new lives, especially with all of the troubles already bearing down on him. He already had so many things to worry about; she’d been anxious about telling him. But when he kissed her all of her anxiety dissolved.
Later she nestled contentedly in his strong arms, half-lost in pleasant dreams of the future she so hoped would come to pass. She knew without a doubt that her Glyndr would be an excellent father… she could just visualize him cooing and doting over the coming elfings, the icy front that everyone else saw completely thawed. The idea made her smile and she sighed, not allowing herself to dwell on anything unpleasant.
Her reverie was rudely interrupted, however, by shouting from outside. As Glyndr mumbled some curse-word or other, kissed her forehead and then went to answer the door she thought of asking him not to go hitting anyone, but didn’t have time to say anything at all.
“WHAT!” Glyndr pulled open the door sharply and fixed the poor messenger to the spot with an ice dagger glare .
“C…Captain…the dwarf..um…” the messenger stared with wide scared rabbit eyes.
“ What of the dwarf?” Glyndr leant on the door frame, his annoyance at being disturbed barely hidden. “This had better be good news” his eyes narrowed threateningly.
“The dwarf is back” the messenger gabbled quickly then ran even quicker , leaving a bemused Glyndr staring after him.
The Captain went back to Lalaith, he smiled as he pulled her to him in a warm embrace, “My love, it appears the dwarf has returned, I must go to see him..her…it? later”, he said with relief in his voice, “But I must still send Telryn to find Neth”, the Captain frowned as he remembered seeing her taken into that den of evil.
“I would lead a group out myself, but there is so much I have to do here in Imladris, defences, plans, training what few warriors I have left in the ranks” the Captain said, a deep regret tingeing his voice.
“It suits me just fine that you’ll remain here,” she said softly, relieved that he wouldn’t be going in search of Neth. She wanted the elleth found, of course… but she didn’t want her husband to leave home again so soon, not for anything. He gave her another kiss which she returned deeply, and then she watched him dress without speaking.
“My love,” he said quietly, a sadness in his voice, “I have something I must do, I would give anything not to have to do this” he paused, and took a deep breath, he stared at his hand still on the door handle .
“I will not be long”.
Glyndr opened the door, and left for the healing houses.
Lalaith sighed again and looked blankly at the door, her thoughts elsewhere. Her most beloved husband hadn’t told her where he was going, but she could guess well enough. He had to speak to Narmion, despite that he and Rolan had only just gotten back hours before. She couldn’t imagine what her two friends had gone through, but she was certain it wasn’t something either of them would be willing to discuss, especially so soon. And she’d seen it in Glyndr’s eyes how much his heart ached that he had to do his duty and bring it up.
After a few more minutes she washed and dressed, wondering if she should wait there for Glyndr to return. In the end she decided that she would… she was anxious to hear what he would have to tell.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Narmion had been dozing fitfully for some time, thanks to whatever medicine the healer had ordered him to take. It was just as well that he slept; aside from being in constant pain, no one had been willing to tell him enough about what state Rolan was in or why none of his friends were coming in to speak to him. Not that he felt like speaking- he still felt ashamed and depressed. And he absolutely hated the pity in the eyes of the healers that tended him. He didn’t like the idea of seeing it in the faces of those he’d fought beside.
Sleep wasn’t all that welcome either, though, for it wasn’t the sweet darkness born from exhaustion that claimed him now; Narmion dreamed of the enemy camp and the horrors of the tormentor’s tent. Eventually he did wake, though, feeling worse than he had before sleeping; and he lay with his eyes closed, his thoughts muddled and tired and the ever-present pain pounding away at his senses. He was aware, though, when someone entered the room. He didn’t look to see who it was, but he knew instantly. It was his Captain and dearest friend, his brother. Glyndr called his name and Narmion shuddered inside. He didn’t want his friend to see him like this.
“Narmion, you and I have been through much together, we have fought side by side against enemy ranks that way outnumbered us..We have seen much evil , much pain you and I my friend”.
The Captain paused, and was silent for a moment, “Narmion, It was you who I trusted with my fears on the eve of my wedding, you who I would trust with my life. Narmion, all this may seem like I am trying to gloss over what I am about to say..well maybe I am..Narmion, I must know everything that happened while you and Rolan were kept prisoner..Narmion…what do the enemy know of Imladris? What do they know of our defences?”
Narmion’s heart had fallen further and further as his friend spoke. Glyndr was beating around the bush, something he *never* did- that elf was the bluntest, most forward person in Imladris. The younger of the two opened his bleary eyes at the final question, looking up at the ceiling listlessly. So, Glyndr knew- how he knew was a mystery, but he’d obviously figured out that someone had broken and given away Imladris’s secrets. But desiring to know everything that had happened, everything that Narmion was trying so hard to forget? He felt his voice stick in his throat as he tried to speak. Swallowing, he turned his head on the pillow to look at his friend, who was looking at the floor. Even Glyndr couldn’t look at him? Was he so ruined by Di’Shan’s tortures or was his friend simply unnerved?
“I am sorry,” Narmion said, his voice weak and raspy and thick with the threat of unbidden tears, “I’ve betrayed you, Glyndr, and everyone else in Imladris. I’m to blame for Rolan’s blindness and sickness, and I will be to blame when the enemy comes to the valley and our home is left in ruins. Me and my pathetic weakness- you should have left me where I was.”
He blinked his tears away furiously, snarling in disgust at himself and closing his eyes again. He didn’t want to go back and retrace the tale, recall his suffering, or even speak at all. He knew that if he wanted to he could simply be silent, refuse to say another word… but of course, Narmion couldn’t do that to his dearest friend. Glyndr’s words were true… they’d been through much together, situations both inane and dangerous. The Captain had risked his life on a perilous rescue… the least that Narmion could do was to tell him what he desired to know.
“My right arm is useless, you know,” he stated dully, and dropped his eyes to look at the wounded limb. Because of the cruel cuts running all the way up there were bandages wrapped from wrist to shoulder, and then the ruined shoulder had been tended as well. He attempted to wiggle his fingers, but only succeeded in making them move a little- the cost was a sharp pain all through the arm that made him cringe. Most of his person was hidden by bandaging, in fact- even the torn flesh on his throat from the leather strip was obscured.
“I shouldn’t have gone on the patrol in the first place… but if I hadn’t, then Rolan would have borne his torment alone.”
He lapsed into a long silence, then glanced at Glyndr, finally meeting his gaze. The emotion in his friend’s eyes was unreadable- but at least it wasn’t pity.
“I do not know how much I remember. You want to know everything, from start to finish?”
Glyndr did, of course. After a drink of water the liberated elf began, starting in his raw voice with when he’d abandoned the battle against orcs to try and save Rolan, and had only ended up being taken prisoner himself. As he spoke his thoughts felt disconnected and far away- almost as if it were someone else speaking besides himself. He went on, though… as well as he could remember he described the camp, chilling when he mentioned the hateful elf who had seemed to be in charge. In a softer, halting voice he told of what had happened within the awful tent, his face noticeably paler and his wet eyes unable to meet his friend’s as he did so. The tears he couldn’t help when he recounted the evils done to Rolan, and the part he’d played in it all. The Questioning that Di’Shan had given him was the most blurred memory, and he admitted shamefully that he couldn’t remember everything that he’d cried out during those agonizing hours. What he did recall was telling the condition of Elrond’s sons, that Arianna was in charge, and some other bits of information concerning the defenses that should never have left Imladris at all.
“I’m truly sorry, Gylndr” Narmion said quietly once he’d ended with himself being unable to use Di’Shan’s “merciful” dagger, and he didn’t say anything else. He didn’t ask forgiveness or enquire as to what was happening everywhere else. No complaint came from his lips. He’d done as he’d been asked- he’d told his friend what had happened in full. Now all he wanted to do was be left alone in silence, out of sight, to try again escaping his pain and guilt.
-------------------------------------------------
Bellas nodded at Istale as she rushed off, inwardly relieved to hear that Glyndr was back. When news came that Hanni was not the elf became more worried.
Although he was instructed to rest after his wound had been tended he went to his smithy- the one place where he could find comfort. His arm was stinging too badly for him to do any work, but he checked over the things he’d been working on and made note of what still needed doing. In exasperation he realized that Glyndr *still* hadn’t sent him the tally. When he asked about where the Captain was, though, he was told that Glyndr was with his wife. Bellas decided the tally could certainly wait- no one in his right mind would go bothering Glyndr while he was spending time with Lalaith, not unless it was urgent.
He also heard that volunteers were being asked for to join in another rescue mission- for Neth. Without hesitation the smith found Telyrn and insisted that he was going. He just couldn’t stand the thought of his dear friend undergoing the same evils that had befallen Narmion and Rolan.
He was sitting in the smithy later in the day and writing in his small note-book (which served as a record-book of sorts) when he heard a familiar voice that was tired and yet full of anger ringing in the courtyard.
“BELLAS!! Get me my hammer!!”
The elf jumped to his feet, his first thought that Hanni was back, and alive- then he winced, realizing he’d forgotten all about her precious weapon in the flurry of activity once their rescue had been discovered. Biting his lip (certain that she’d be ready and willing to attack his knees with whatever weapon was available) he went outside. There was a moment of fear when he saw Aiden and a healer standing by the dwarf, who lay unmoving on the ground.
"Sleeping," he declared. "Not sure how badly the dwarf was injured. I figured it was best for one of you to see to the dwarf, as there could be a chance the dwarf's injured more than it appears." He rose and allowed the healer to take his place before heading back to see Diablo again.
Bellas walked up and kneeled beside the healer, sharing a glance with him.
“Need help getting her to a bed?” he offered, inwardly amused by the elf’s befuddled expression. The healer nodded wordlessly, and calling on his strength (which was waning) he and the healer, plus another elf who had been passing by, managed to carry the still-unconcious Hannalisa to the halls of healing, and to a bed.
They were all three winded, of course, and as the healer began checking Hanni over (with the help of another elf) Bellas excused himself. He did ask, however, that he be called as soon as she should wake, because he definitely had some heavy explaining to do.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delvan woke in a terrible mood. He hadn’t rested and he ached everywhere… grumbling and mumbling he got up and got dressed without bothering to bathe. Still cursing the loss of his flask (the most expensive thing he owned!) he trudged out of his tent to get some breakfast. His eyes narrowed when he saw Morgai eating with the golden-haired elleth. So what, was she one of ‘theirs’ now? Growling inwardly he said nothing, but sat and ate in silence.
Once they got their breakfast sorted out, Neth went to retrieve something to drink for herself and Morgai, and as she turned to return to his side, she found the way blocked by a man who obviously was still drunk from the night before. He made a grab for her, and she punched him in the face, and the resulting sound caused several others to turn and look at them.
When the man spun around from the force of the punch, Neth kicked him in the kidneys and sent him to his knees, and then brought her dagger to rest against his throat. "Maybe you'll think twice before trying to paw me again," she hissed. Then she smiled and said, "Too late." She drew the blade across and let the man drop dead at her feet.
She walked back over to where Morgai was and said softly, "Here you go," handing him his goblet. She sat down and resumed eating as if nothing had just happened.
Delvan was more annoyed than ever. It didn’t matter that he killed his own men himself when he felt like it- this was a woman who had shown up amid chaos that left their camp half-ruined. She had no business even eating with them! He watched the way that Morgai and the elleth acted toward eachother. It was subtle, but he could see ‘something’ between them- and it made him sneer. Morgai was weaker than he’d thought!
When the two of them had gotten up and were heading for Morgai’s tent, Delvan followed, determined to find out why she was here. And of course, the chance to jab at his “comrade” was always welcome.
“Morgai!” he called, keeping one hand (as always) on the hilt of his sword as he approached, “Good morning… I trust you slept well?”
He blatantly ignored Neth for now, glaring at the dark-haired man before him.
“And where were you last night, while I was trying to stop the fools who entered our camp? Out making friends, I see?”
He glanced at her then, the expression on his face one of disdain. For a moment he studied her, letting his eyes rake over her from head to toe before looking back to Morgai.
“You truly are a fool, aren’t you?”
(ooc: Well, I started it at work and finished this morning while half-asleep… forgive me if its overly-dramatic or confusing o_o I’ll edit if I need to! )
|
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| Iell-daughter-of-elves |
|
| elflyn |
|
| anduril269 |
|
| dreamdancer |
|
| elflyn |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| Iell-daughter-of-elves |
|
| Sirithros_Lirenel |
|
| anduril269 |
|
| Iell-daughter-of-elves |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| dreamdancer |
|
| Salkiethia |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| Iell-daughter-of-elves |
|
| otterling |
|
| elflyn |
|
| Iell-daughter-of-elves |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| Salkiethia |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| Iell-daughter-of-elves |
|
| anduril269 |
|
| dreamdancer |
|
| elflyn |
|
| Salkiethia |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
| Sirithros_Lirenel |
|
| anduril269 |
|
| dreamdancer |
RE: Ever After (Keeper!)
on: August 02, 2006 03:36
|
|
Ari smiled gently at Laliath and Eadoin. She had been too absorbed with the Twin's speaking and hadn't heard their approach. Silently she berated herself. "It's all right, Eadoin," she said,. She turned to Laliath, catching the small smile flitting across the Elf's face. She let a gentle smile of her own answer before the conversation unfolding recalled her attention to the Twins and Eadoin.
"We were practicing," Elrohir said, somewhat sourly, to Arianna's thinking. His voice became condensending then. "We are wearing mail to keep from hurting each other." He spoke each word like Eadoin was a toddler or very slow at understanding.
Ari glared at him. "You don't have to be so - so -" she searched for a word that might let him know what she thought of him for talking down to Eadoin.
"So what?" Elrohir asked calmly.
Elladan put a warning hand on his twin's shoulder.
"So churlish," Ari answered.
Elrohir rolled his eyes a bit, but left when Elladan tugged on his arm. The Twins walked off a bit and chose an empty practice court to begin hacking and bashing at each other once again.
Ari turned to look at Eadoin. "I am sorry about Elrohir," she said with a sigh. "He just doesn't seem to understand that humans aren't as weak and contemptible as he thinks. Ever since that first battle and Rolan -" her throat closed for a moment and she swallowed a couple of times. "He's just been difficult with all of you lately," she concluded.
She looked at Faeringil who seemed slightly unnerved by the turn of events. She hadn't properly returned his greeting, had she? "Mae govannen," Ari offered to the scholar who seemed determined to turn warrior. He held a blade in his hands and was attired in chain mail that seemed slightly too big for him. His dark hair was tied back and a determined look burned in his eyes, even as the sword he carried set him a little off balance. What a picture the warrior-scholar made, Ari admitted to herself. She also was carrying a blade and wearing mail. Eadoin was not. Besides the point was the fact that he was a much better swordsman than she could ever hope to be. Perhaps Faeringil was closer to her experience.
"Eadoin," Ari said lightly, "maybe you'd like to get some practice in yourself. The three of us can switch on and off. That is," she paused, wondering if Fae would even want to spar with them. "If you don't mind, of course, Faeringil."
Ari gave Lalaith another smile. "Would you care to join us, perhaps?" she inquired, guessing that Laliath would refuse, but feeling like it was prudent to make the offer anyway.
“No, that’s quite alright,” Lalaith said, “I probably should practice, but I think I will wait for another day.”
She was a little unsettled over Elrohir’s reaction to Eadoin’s question, but mostly she was thinking of Glyndr. He’d finally finished practicing and gone off, probably to his office to grumble and mumble and tend to the boring duties there. Lalaith was convinced he spent far too much time in the stuffy little room, and she was planning on going and interrupting his work as soon as she’d spoken with her friends a little further. Her husband had too much on his mind already… there were pleasant things to discuss so that they could forget the worrisome things. For one, she wanted to know when he planned on announcing that he was a father-to-be. It was indeed amusing to think of the reaction that others would have to the idea of two ‘little Glyndr’s’ running around Imladris. That would be, of course, if Imladris remained standing…. And she felt her happy feelings diminishing again.
“I guess that teaches me to address who I'm asking before I ask a question," Eadoin muttered, glaring at the elf's back as the twins walked away. "I was actually asking you, Ari, seeing as it's not attire I'm used to seeing you in. Why are you here?"
"It's something called observation, Eadoin," Aiden said, coming up behind his brother. "One, she's on the training grounds. Two, she's carrying a sword. Three, she's in mail, as you intelligently noticed. What would she be doing other than sparring? Standing here sweating?" Aiden handed his brother a sword and some mail.
"Wha...? Where'd you get these?" Eadoin asked.
"Pay attention, Eadoin," Aiden sighed. "I went to the armoury when you were occupied with gawking at the Twins. Since we're here, why not do something useful, like train?"
"Er... right." Eadoin shrugged into the mail and buckled his sword around his waist. "Why don't we all switch off every once and a while? I'll start with Aiden so you two can warm up - if you'd like to join us," he added to the elf who's name he didn't know. Little surprise there.
Fae shook his head. “I came here to spar, so… the arrangement is perfectly agreeable to me.” He glanced around a little nervously, a little disappointed that so many people were near by.
Suddenly, the presence of a large, black horse interuptted them. Diablo came straight for Eadoin after he had tried chewing on the elf's mail, probably looking for something sweet. Eadoin looked helplessly at his brother.
"Eadoin doesn't have anything, Dia," Aiden said, patting the black on the neck. "I've got sugar if you'd like some." He offered a few cubes to the horse from his pockets.
Lalaith shook her head, thinking Diablo perfectly silly. She’d never seen another horse who could speak so clearly without words, and she smiled in amusement at the way he more-or-less ‘demanded’ attention from those standing around. The elleth turned to Istale who’d come up beside her and greeted her, noticing that she looked very tired.
“Did you come to practice?” she asked, “Or just to watch the others? I’m certain that I should take up the sword myself, but I’m not prepared at the moment. Are you alright? You look tired…”
She shared an amused glance with the elleth over Faergril, who neither of them had ever seen dressed so- at least, not in the last *several* years. Lalaith was wondering what Amata would think of it, should she see her brother out sparring…
-----------------------------
Amata shifted herself into a more upright position, her body protesting as several parts of her seemed to be aching. She returned his smile readily with a surprised and happy one of her own.
. “Hanni,” she mumbled before glancing back at Narmion. “Yes, there is a dwarf here – it was no dream. Hanni is a fearsome fighter, and…” she smiled. “Well, she’s just… you’ll have to wait until you see her, I suppose,” she gave up trying to describe the dwarf’s nature. And after all, she hadn’t actually spoken to Hanni yet. But then suddenly a thought struck her. She hadn’t seen Hanni since the rescue party had left. Her expression changed and she switched her eyes back to Narmion. “Why, did you see her in the camp?”
“I think so,” he replied, “A very odd-looking orc, anyway… and I seem to remember Glyndr speaking to him-her?- in the tent before Diablo bore me out of the camp. It’s all very confused in my memory from that point on… but it seemed strange to me. Dwarves in Imladris.”
He lapsed into silence and his smile diminished at recalling the tent at all- and of course Amata didn’t know what ‘the tent’ was, though she probably guessed. The dark lair of an evil tormentor- Di’Shan- where the very air smelled of fear and death. Gods, would he ever be able to forget? An involuntary shudder shook him and he cleared his throat, trying to push the dark thoughts away. It didn’t work.
“Have you heard how Rolan is faring?” he asked, his mind going at once to the boy who had shared in his pain- who he’d ‘given’ to their torturer, “I’ve not heard a thing for what seems a terribly long time... I’m worried for him.”
----------------------------------------------------
“Oh I’m sorry Bellas”, he smiled an embarrassed smile at Bellas,’ look of obvious bewilderment at his outburst , “Do go on”.
The young soldier listened as the smith spoke, his heartbeat quickening as Bellas described the layout of the camp and told of the number of orcs and men they were likely to encounter if they were unlucky.
Telryn swallowed hard, and tried to put on his most impressive impersonation of his Captain –god as he stood tall.
“Thank you Bellas” he said in his ‘Captain’ voice, “Now we know what we must face, we go fr….” Telryn stopped in mid sentence, “What?”
The soldier had just registered Bellas’ last comment.
“A dwarven hammer?” Telryn stared at Bellas for a moment in utter bemusement, all authoritative demeanour lost for a few seconds..“Ummm…er yes, of course I will”, he said quickly before regaining his composure.
“Check all weapons”, he said surprising even himself at the authority in his voice, “We leave here within the hour”.
The young Section leader stared again towards the hidden path they would take, his hand trembling slightly as he weighed his sword in his hand.
Bellas could sense Telyrn’s unease as he checked his own weapons. He’d been sure to bring his sword this time- he wouldn’t be caught battling orcs with naught but a dagger and stones again!- and several knives as well. His own hands were trembling too, but not with fear of the danger ahead. He was wondering what evils had befallen Neth by now- his Neth, as he was thinking of her. Surely she would be treated as badly as Narmion, because she was an elf… and worse, because she was an elleth. It mad him nauseous to think of what horrible things she might have already endured at the hands of the one who had hurt the other captives. He wanted to find her, bring her home, care for her like the friend he was supposed to be. He had the secret wish to be more… but, for now, his only concern was rescuing her.
An hour before they would leave the horses behind? The smith sat down and closed his eyes, trying to calm his nerves. To infiltrate the enemy encampment would be nearly impossible… it was *very* possible that they would become captives themselves in the attempt. But, he was willing to risk everything… even himself… to see the elleth of his heart safely to Imladris.
(no Delvan, again *hides* sorry! Hope this is ok!)
|
|
| Salkiethia |
|
| Nimeneth |
|
Author
))
