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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 13:04:58 GMT -5
Flanna had sent a message to Kili yesterday to tell him that she had to see his face again, so lonely had she been without him. It read thus: My darling Kili, I should like to see you at high noon tomorrow on the shore by the saltwater-waves. It has been too many days; hasten to my side. Flanna. She hoped dearly that it had been recieved, as she now sat on her tartan of plaid on the sand, a basket at her side that held some parchment, her quill and ink, and some food: she had a small loaf of bread, some cheese, and a couple of apples.
She hoped that Kili would want to come visit her, that he hadn't gotten already bored with being in her presence, that he still held some feeling for her in his heart. It had been four days to the hour since they had met, and in the meantime, she had been hard at work figuring out how she would present her past to him. She loved him, she knew that now, and she would win him yet. She'd have him all for herself if she could just come out of this trench victorious. And as she looked out at the waves, Flanna thought of the tides of her life. She'd had ups and downs like she wouldn't admit, but Kili was putting her on an upswing. He was sweet and kind and everything she wanted from a man. He was her first real love, and she wondered if he would be her final. She also wondered what she should do if he did not truly feel the same back to her.
She tipped her head back to feel the sun on her neck, and knew that things were looking up. For this time of year, the weather was unnaturally pleasant, and she was wearing only a thin dress and a couple of petticoats. Her slippers were off of the tartan and her surcoat also tossed aside, so that she could feel the power of Mother Nature all around her and on her. It was a marvelous, wonderful feeling.
She tapped her fingers on the tartan but then thought to browse through her basket for something that she had for Kili. She dug it out and placed it beside her, a folded piece of parchment that was addressed to him alone. To have it, she would make him win it. As she smiled upon her own planning, Flanna heard a sound behind her and pulled her eyes from the cresting waves. It was, to her delight, him. She blushed to think that he'd come, despite knowing what he'd said he felt about her.
"Join me, Kili, love! I have something for you." She smiled softly up at him and beckoned for him to sit beside her where she was. Her eyes danced with a little bit of mischief, as she knew what she had in mind to give him the poem. How handsome he was, though! She'd not seen him in days but still had his face memorized, still knew that smile and the way his dark eyes entranced her. Still knew that gorgeous voice and those lovely lips.
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 13:57:49 GMT -5
Kili did not have a permanent residence, but had already purchased the land on which he intended to build Flanna's home. He stayed at the Golden Inn, laughing and joking with the many other patrons when the fancy struck him, chatting mindlessly with the old woman who owned the place, and seeking out Flanna more often than not. It was a surprise when a messenger had come, handing him a message in what could only be her calligraphy... so flawless was it. At first he had grown fond at the thought that she would go so far as to seek him out, and then he had grown concerned, was she in trouble? Was someone after her? Such rage consumed him, such anger at the thought of someone harming her, he was half tempted to hasten to her side now. But he restrained himself. Best not jump to conclusions without proof.
Come morning he was decked to the nines. Battle armor heavy and in place, a recently acquired bow a variety of arrows and his ever faithful sword. If someone was intent on harming her they would know pain. He left briskly a little over a half an hour before he should have. if something was ailing his lade he wished to waste no time in seeing such a wrong corrected. She had grown important to him very fast. His time spent with her was cherished, easy, she challenged his wit and his charm and his slow chipping away at her shyness was more than rewarding. Her importance was beginning to level that of his brother or his uncle. He did not believe he could part with her. Take him with her, he would have too.
His pace was brisk and for once he stopped himself from sharing playful banter with all those who approached him. The thought of her injured, or worse, distraught sent a daggerous twist of pain through his heart, both depression and anger sparking within him. No one would lay a finger on her without her consent. No one.
He reached the ocean several minutes before their allotted meeting time and a fierce sense of relief overtook him when he saw her alive, well, and whole, and he hastened his pace to her side. He dropped to his knees in front of her searching for any signs of ill manner in her eyes.
"Is everything alright Flanna? Nothing ails you?" It mattered little what she had for him if she was in danger.
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 14:30:08 GMT -5
If there was one man that Flanna could decisively point to as the reason she wrote as she did, it was her father, but now that her life had been altered, she saw that the nature of her writing was changing in its emotions and focus. Kili had apparently had quite the impact on her young and fragile heart. Versed she was in the flaws of society, but Flanna would never understand the working of the heart, the workings of love. It was a wonderful thing, yes. But it was, too, a dangerous arrow to shoot. It had the potential to be detrimental.
This she knew, but as she saw his form coming swiftly toward her, Flanna could not bear in mind to be wary of Kili. He did not worry her. He was good to her. And he had, like a good knight, left his damsel chaste when a trying closeness had once arisen. With each hour, she thought more highly of his actions, and she could not bear to spend any more time without him at her side.
He looked dashingly handsome in that armour of his, but he also looked concerned. Was something wrong? Had something happened to him that would--dare she even think it--take him away from her? Or... did he feel concern for her? He need not, she knew, for nothing was wrong, but albeit, he looked like that. Something irked him. She cocked her head as he kneeled before her, and then shook it in denial. "No, Kili. I'm as well as I could ever be, now with you here." She smiled reassuringly at him, and took his hands in her own. "I've only missed you. That is all."
He looked so tempting now, so sweet was he in caring for her. A gentle breeze danced across the beach, displacing her skirts and moving his long, beautiful hair. It made her smile, and then she dared to tell him, "There's something I want to share with you, but you have to win it first."
Her smile glowed and lit up her face. Though what she had for him was serious and was all about who she really was, she thought she could tell that Kili would be able to accept it. After all, he'd said that he had feelings for her as well. She knew for certain she loved him. And she was hoping so dearly that maybe he'd be able to confess to her that he did love her, really. But for now, she was content to know that he'd come for her, that he was not bored of her just yet.
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 17:34:57 GMT -5
Kili relaxed immediately once she spoke that she was alright, it was in his nature to be cautious and leery of others. He wasn't even sure why he had gotten so anxious in the first, she was such a gentle soul, he doubted much of anything would come after her with an intent to harm. But death, disappointment, and utter despair seemed to follow the dwarves of Erebor like a plague and he couldn't help but fear the worst, although now that she had graced his vision once more and had told him only of her desire to see him, his muscles relaxed and an easy smile drifted across his face.
"You do know if you miss me so very much you need only come knocking, I am never doing anything greater that keeping my weapons sharp and my armor gleaming, and that is a task I can do anytime, your company is a much better distraction I think." He smiled crookedly at her. He had missed her too, but he didn't wish to completely impose himself on her life. She was a head strong woman despite her timid ways, she did well on her own and she didn't need some crude warrior eating up all of her free time, he liked to give her some space too lest he become overbearing.
His dark eyes gleamed with interest and his smile grew wicked as she mentioned he would have to win something. The gears in his mind spun madly, whirling about how he make his lady go about forfeiting such a treasure. His curiosity clawed at him, demanded he discover what it was she was determined to play him for... but how best to win such a prize? With a game of wit and intrigue? Should she have him sing for his prize? Or perhaps she wanted his kisses, his attention? He contemplated his response for several moments... there were a great many things his lady loved, but which was she fishing for now?
"And what, pray tell, does my dear Flanna wish for? If I am to win this game I need to know what I'm playing." His voice transformed into a deep rumble. A purr that was whispered into the winds, intended for her ears only. He was willing to play. He was always willing to play when it came to her.
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 17:52:33 GMT -5
Flanna was glad to watch Kili as he relaxed, but more glad to see him, here with her. Surely there were better ways to spend time, she thought, but remembered that he disallowed her to voice opinions of herself that were not noble. Therefore, she'd voiced very few opinions of herself; never did she feel like a goddess, or a queen, or even a lady. She was Flanna, the writer and the lonely soul, whose father had been awful and whose family had not helped her. Lowly, crude, pedestrian... She was just a simple woman.
She did grin. Did he really have nothing to do here? "You ought take up some pasttime, then, Kili. Writing is mine, I suppose, but there's always others. Music, reading, hunting..." she imposed a couple of the more popular activities upon him, but chose not to say those detrimental things like jousting, cockfighting, wrestling... No, no. Those were terrible things that men in the court did to fetch the attention of those who captured their false hearts. Flanna did not care for the court. Nor did Sean MacLeod, her pen name, who had written numerous satires of the royal household--but it was all alright, for Sean had never been discovered, never been gaoled for his misgivings.
It was with delight that she watched him as he thought. This game, was it? Ha. She hadn't even known what it would take to win the game; she just wanted him to do something for her. With a shy but broad grin, Flanna answered while trying to suppress her laughs, "That's the game, darling. You have to figure that out." Oh, anything would suffice. A song, a confession of love, a kiss. Any of the above.
She sat back but let a couple of her fingers toy with his mane. He was a dark, handsome thing, wasn't he? Her other hand dropped to the paper, whereupon was written everything she couldn't bring herself to tell him aloud. That was his prize. Her past, her soul. She'd already said that she loved him; that much he'd won.
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 18:30:48 GMT -5
A hobby? He tried to picture what might make a good hobby, but his playful mind only drudged up the image of Fili and Thorin sitting by a fire knitting away and arguing over which colors would clash and it was all he could do not to burst out into laughter. As it was a few chuckled pulled themselves free of his throat and he had to shake his head to dispel such an image. He reclined backwards, taking the weight off of his calves so he might relax better, he couldn't decide if he was relieved or not that no person was ailing her it had been a great while since Kili had faced anything in combat and he was growing restless.
"I do not think a hobby would be a wise decision on my part, Erebor forbid I take up sewing and actually like it." He winked at her before a rather loud laugh erupted from his chest. "I have already told you my fair lady that music and your writings appeal to me, but alas! Such manuscripts have not been lain out before me! And the music that my ears yearn for is a bit out of reach. Worlds away I would imagine." His laughter died away as he remembered how in synch the dwarves had been, even so low without a home they had still managed to find joy and a bit of mischief. Blunt the knives and bend the forks! Smash the bottles and burn the corks! Chip the glasses and crack the plates! That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
"Such a clever game... shall I confess my hearts desires to you then? Tell you how much it yearns for your laughter when you are not present? Or perhaps I should speak of your beauty? How much you captivate me just from the barest of glances? Or perhaps... I shall offer my lady a question of her choice? Shall we make this a two sided game? Since you have so selflessly made me a gift, I shall return your favor. Ask of me anything and I shall answer as truthfully as I can." That was mildly dangerous. She could ask him anything from previous lovers to Erebor, but Kili had always thrived best in a challenge and this way... he might make her think, he had turned her game back upon her.
He leaned forward, curiosity and mischief crackling in the depths of his eyes as he awaited her answer.
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 19:22:47 GMT -5
Kili had this tendency, Flanna noted. He liked to erupt into quite spontaneous laughter, perhaps at his own thoughts or at something... she didn't know what. But it did make her smile, and she was glad to see him in a jovial light. It was a light she avoided sitting under for too long, as melancholy seemed to flow better from the pen. But now, she rethought her writing choices. He was a better, more merry inspiration that perhaps might inspire a lighthearted comedy. She smiled sideways and nodded at the thought.
"Sewing," she laughed. "Not even something I considered for you, darling. Not even I would take up such a thing." She might have been diligent and otherwise talented intellectually, but manual labor and craft did not come easily to Flanna. Her creativity streamed onto paper only. And that wasn't even 'art,' it was just words. She did not like bringing up things that disapated his smile, but it looked as though that was part of what she'd just done, so Flanna bit her lip in contention. She almost wanted to apologize. Perhaps--yes! She would go ahead and present him the poem about her to read. She handed it to him. "Here, then. I wrote this for you. I think it explains just about everything." she looked away in fear and shame. The poem read thus:
A saint was never in my blood;
A sinner, a thief, a flaw.
A past that wrote a future
Th’ exception wrote the law.
A fairer family never found
Outside, as it appeared—
More broken people never were
However well revered.
My father was a merchant,
He told me every day;
My brother would apprentice
To keep the family way.
Mother raised me righteous
To love and to have worth,
Never saying anything
That might procure my wrath.
But father came with presents sweet
And jewels of numbers great
And every day bedizened me,
My brothers, and my faith.
Till days bygone did whisper
And Mother’s cries resound,
I never understood the truth
That circled all around.
My brother told me everything,
Of lies and loss and hate,
And answered every question
Destructing all my faith.
Father was a thief, you see
A man besot with greed
Every measure’d taken he
The same were want and need.
My mother hid from me myself,
My brothers huddled round me
My father was a dang’rous man
Whose fate became my hist’ry.
To Thaivshaen City marched we,
A fortnight then bygone
To see upon a twisted rope
A fallen, awful man.
A noose, a neck, a snap:
The sound never leaving
A parting of ways in hatred
A scar for never healing.
Most infamous of all of them
My father had become
And half of him inhabits me
Thus I now hold his sum.
A saint was never in my blood,
My family forsook me.
I left my life for newer truths
But light I will not see.
Her story, bound up in stanzas and littered with alliteration or figurative speaking. She watched warily as he read, worried but confident he would not judge her so much as she'd once feared he would. This was no longer part of the game.
Glad to be back to the game, though, she answered prettily, "Oh, I ask now? All I wanted was a kiss, Kili, but... certainly. I shall ask. I would ask you to tell me what your heart thinks of me but no... Tell me..." she dared a very bold and very uncharacteristic question, but did not care. She was going to venture to realms that the innocent never touched. "Tell me what you want to do to me." For the first time probably in her life, she dared to be the temptress, and her smile was genuinely wicked. Turn the tables, would he? She countered. His move.
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 19:59:52 GMT -5
Kili had a tendency to become lost in his own thoughts, he and Fili were both guilty of such a trait and half the time they were accused of being twins, for the sole fact that there could be utter silence, Kili could look at Fili or vice versa and the two would burst into loud obnoxious laughter for seemingly no reason. Thorin chalked it up to the two being odd in which case Kili and Fili both would quite maturely offer him their tongues.
"I am glad you do not expect me to take up sewing, I am afraid I would have had to deny you. Not even dwarven women of the oldest of ages sew...or knit and if you would dare suggest such things to them you would be in worse for wear let me tell you. Dwarven women may be small but they pack quite a ferocious punch." He winced, slightly reliving some forlorn memory and quickly shaking it from his mind. It seemed however that his bribe had worked, and she handed him a parchment covered in flawless calligraphy.
He read the words slowly, engraving them into his brain, realizing almost immediately that this was not just a remarkable poem, but one that told him of her history. Spoke of her past and what she had endured as a child. One so beautiful both in appearance and soul should have never had to deal with such a man as this, and anger churned in the pit of his stomach only to be released as he read of his death. It was a wonder how she could trust him so quickly when she had been so wronged in the past. he finished it and took a moment to gather his thoughts. He needed to say the right thing for once. She needed his reassurance, and words, unlike his lady, had never been his forte. Slowly he set the parchment down to face her.
"Someone as pure and gentle, and sweet and loving as you Flanna should have never had to endure such things. It is beyond my comprehension how one man can be filled with so much cruelty, and if I could I would avenge you until your heart was satisfied, but your past it does not matter to me my Flanna, for I love the woman before me regardless of her demons." He kissed her quickly, as gently as he possibly could before smiling crookedly at her question.
"Honest answers hmm? I want to everything to you Flanna. Steal your breath and steal your heart. I want to be the reason you open your eyes in the morning and the reason you draw each breath in the late afternoon. I want you in all ways, mind, body and spirit in every way imaginable, and once and if you decide you want no other man, I will marry you."
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 20:45:14 GMT -5
Flanna watched lovingly everything that Kili did. She was mad for him. Every story he told, every hint of his past she listened to, she remembered. She'd write him a poem some day. She hung on his every word, memorized them with a memory beyond the capacity of most other people. It was one of her gifts, but also a curse. She recalled the snapping of her father's neck, her mother's screams, like they had just happened.
"Your dwarven women must be... very masculine, if I may suggest so. I am used to women who sew and sing and try to look their very best at every moment possible." A bit of sarcasm laced her litling voice. Society could be so displeasing at times, and it did her good to remember that there were still those like Kili who were outside the bounds of normal "etiquette" and thus normal corruption. He was fresh air; he was wonderful. And she saw now why she'd so quickly come to fall under his charm and love him. He was everything she needed in her life.
Biting her lip, Flanna watched as Kili read the poem. It had taken her a day's worth of editing to make it what she wanted, and even then she did not know if he would understand it enough to feel sympathy. But he seemed to; his eyes showed compassion and he was not going to get up and run from her. His motions were slow, deliberate. She could see that he was trying to be gentle with her.
Her eyes smiled up at him, her heart leaping with love and surprise. She answered with a soft, memory-laden voice. "That I do not know either. He was some sort of demon, I always thought... never a good father, and mother loved him anyhow. That is why I only speak of my brothers. They were so good to me, Carson especially." She did smile at his memory, so good to her as he'd been. Always there, always caring. And she looked at her dear Kili and said quite happily, "And I love you too, Kili. You filled the void; you are the man I always needed there." To have his confession of love! This was better than any game! This was life at its fullest and most beautiful.
His next words, carefully said and beautifully created, made her close her eyes and sigh in spite of herself. Was this... oh, she dared not think he could love her so. "I... I know not what to say to you but that I want you to be everything. I want to be yours... Am I to take this as a proposal?' She was up and at his side, her arms around him and kissing him with such joy overflowing in her. How she loved him!
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 21:03:33 GMT -5
He tried... he really did to imagine dwarven women sitting amongst one another chatting of days gone by, knitting away and dressed in the finest silks money could by, but all he could see was the blunt side of an axe swinging at his head and knocking off a few of his hairs as it went. No.. no dwarven woman would ever be caught dead in a dress. A skirt, on rare occasions only but a dress... he would have paid good gold to see that, half of them didn't even wear a dress on their wedding day. It was a customary tradition for the bride to present the groom with his weapon of choice and the groom to do the same. Very brutish were dwarven ceremonies.
"Dwarven women are the epitome of the word masculine, a great vast many of them can out fight the strongest of men. We learn very quick and very fast to respect women not only as they are, but as great warriors too. There is not much difference in our society between the two, save for the private areas." He chuckled lightly. If a woman wished to go to battle no one questioned as such. Respect was commanded regardless of race, it was one of the better traits in the dwarven society and one that had served him well in a variety of cultures and races. It seemed a shame that more women were not treated as such.
"Your brothers sound like good men, if they should ever chance upon this world, I should be more than happy to meet them."[/color] She spoke it more for her own sake. If there was one thing he had found universal about the fairer sex was that the people they respected and loved... they yearned for such approval, and if meeting these relatives would her happy Kili was all the ready for it. Its not like he couldn't hold his own should they choose to turn to violence.
"This is not a proposal my lady." He stopped her before she could get too close and bewitch him with sinfully soft lips, the utmost seriousness on his face for only a moment before his strict visage broke and he grinned crookedly. "For I do not yet have a ring and if I will take you as my bride, I will do so proper."
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 21:20:34 GMT -5
Flanna's heart was harder and harder to control in his presence. A week, merely, had been all that it had taken to convince her that he was right for her, that she deserved to have him always in her arms. She wanted it to be him who took her body for the first; she wanted it to be him who was the bright light to which she awoke in the mornings. Poetic, all of this was, and very sudden. Was she sure, she asked herself? Yes, came the answer.
"And to think," she teased, finding her step again, "that perhaps you would have courted one of them and I would never have gotten you." His race was so foreign to her, but she was so curious and so intrigued by it all. They were boisterous but they were melacholy. They were lost but they were still in good spirits. And she almost felt the need to meet more of them, so that Kili could show her to them for their approval. Thorin, especially. He seemed... very kingly. Supposing he was the king, though... "Should I ever get to meet your dwarves?' she asked, not thinking.
She smiled, thinking of Carson. He'd been the best. Yes, there were Brian and Darren, but they were a bit younger. Still, all of them were good. Not like her father and not like her mother. The four children had tried to raise themselves to be good. "And I believe they would like you very much, because I certainly do." She smiled graciously upon him.
But his words stopped her cold. What? There may have been a gasp or a sniffle that escaped her; she couldn't tell as shocked as he was. And there she'd been, telling him of her love and... She shook her head at him. The devil. She smiled in their proximity, answering, "I need not a ring. Just your promise, your love. You." She kissed him again, not letting him stop her this time, because to declare her love for him was not something he could stop. "I love you so," she said against his lips.
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 21:42:07 GMT -5
He wondered vaguely what would happen if a way came to return them all home, would they have a choice? Could they leave if they wanted and linger if they choose? Could someone pass with them into a realm that was not theirs? What if Flanna did not wish too? Kili had an obligation to return home. He was Thorin's nephew and a guard to his personal safety. If he found away from this place, he had to return, he knew his company would not stop searching for him and he owed it to them to come back if nothing else... especially Fili. But could he take her with him and more importantly would she want to come? He released the thoughts with a soft sigh, there was no point in dwelling on things that had not come to pass.
"Court a dwarf? My lady when a dwarven woman decides she wants you, she merely takes you. We have little say in the matter. Dwarven marriages are not always about love, they are often chosen for nobility bloodlines to cross. I was supposedly betrothed to a woman before I was even born, whoever it was, was killed when the great dragon Smaug attacked and without a kingdom or noble houses... it seemed a waste to replace such a marriage. As for meeting them, I suppose if I ever find a way to get home, you would have to come with me... I must warn you, they will strip you of your manners and etiquette within a few days time."[/b] It was spoken dryly and in jest, but there were no truer words to describe his race.
He was curious about her brothers, they seemed like honorable lads, they never should have shown her her fathers wretched death, but they seemed like good enough people and if they brought a smile to Flanna's face then they could not be so bad. Of course... they would need to find a way to cross both time and space but Kili would not mind meeting them. Her sweet kisses, however, successfully demolished thoughts of her kin from his brain.
"Nonsense. I shall craft you a ring. I have already purchased the land of your new home and all I need is to find the blacksmiths shop. I will forge a ring of utmost beauty for you. Have no fear my love."
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 21, 2013 22:02:03 GMT -5
The thoughts that passed behind Kili's eyes did not cease to stir Flanna's curiosity. He held the sadness of being without his kin, and she supposed that she understood that, but he was also so strong and happy in the front. Was it a facade? No, she did not think so. It was his nature. But it was also what he seemed to resort to when he needed to cope. "I... do not wish ill befall anyone, but am glad that you are unbound, except to me." She watched for a minute and then pulled another paper from her basket. It was something she had not intended on sharing today, but he had so much as promised he would propose to her and she wanted to show him.
It read thus:
Through darkest night and brightest day
Through mountains cold and gray,
I shall not wander, never falter,
Forever at your side to stay:
Roving always, hand in hand
Never to be pulled away.
Your ever on me watchful eye
And mindful of my laughter shy
Will keep and hold and love me
And never wish to say good-bye;
And I shall love you every nigh
My love for you in every sigh.
This poem was written for him alone, and for no one else. She handed it to him and smiled, saying, "I was never going to show you this, but I feel I ought." She gave him another quick kiss and set him to reading it while she gave herself time for quiet reflection and wondering why logic always deserted her in his presence. He was beyond reason, she supposed.
"I would follow you to Hell if you went," she concluded. She knew of his loyalty to his king and kin, and hoped it would grow to that for her also. She knew for certain that she would never leave his side, given the chance, and if he wanted her in his world, she would follow like a disciple. Besides, his world sounded so much better than this, her own. "My brothers do still reside in Eirinn," she reminded him. She had never been dropped into this place. She was from it.
He made her smile. "Whatever you make, it shall be beautiful. As are you." He was too good to her. Building her a house, marrying her...
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Post by Kili on Jan 21, 2013 22:36:14 GMT -5
"You need not fret love. I have never been bound by a woman since my birth before today. Smaug was a monstrous beast he killed thousands, her was not the only life he took nor will it be the last. I do imagine I would be well past dead. I was traveling with a band of fourteen to reclaim our home from Smaug. We were a good distance into our journey and gaining ground on Lonely Mountain, but as I said we were only a band of fourteen and Smaug... is a ferocious dragon, a drake from the North that spewed lava like fire and was the size of an entire village. He stole our home for our hoards of gold, and once a dragon secures a hold... he guards it well until his dying day. We were traveling to slay the beast." She had shared such a grave secret with him, he only found it fair to return as such and that journey was entirely secret she was one of fifteen who knew of it existence.
He read her second parchment wearily, fearful that it may too reveal some wickedness of her past. It was not that he judged her for such things, but simply he hated reading them. So gentle and loving was his lady he hated to hear of wickedness brought upon her. So wicked was this world and such beauty did not deserve to be dragged through the mud. But his worries were for not, for this poem was a confession of love and a gentle smile curled his mouth as he finished it.
"I feel inadequate. I fear I have no skill at poetry I may only speak of how my heart yearns for your smiles." Kili mused gently, offering her numerous playful kisses along her mouth as his thanks. He was happy that she had shown him such things. Her poems, he found, revealed more about her than she was willing to speak out loud. He looked forward to more of her writings, poetries or not with something akin to excitement.
"Would you like me to meet them my lady love? We could send for them once I have built you a home or we could visit them there?" It was solely up to her, if she missed her brothers so dearly, he wondered why she had not chosen to stay near them... why venture here to Aledon? Not that he was complaining of course.
"May you never follow me to somewhere so foul and your laughter will guide my hand when it crafts your ring. It will be a reflection of your eyes, and of the light I see in your smile."
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 22, 2013 17:21:37 GMT -5
Flanna listened and absorbed his story. This did not sound like something that was openly available to know; it was something with which he was enrusting her especially. She nodded, understanding most of what he said. Treacherous journeys were not too foreign to her; she'd come from Ireland to here and it had not been a walk in the park, especially with it involving leaving her brothers. She smiled gently at him and answered, "Should you... we... ever go back, will you still intend on winning it? It sounds like a life's worth of work."
She would hope that he could trust and feel strongly enough about her to let her go along if the chance ever arose. She knew already that he loved her; perhaps it was enough to let her go along. She knew, if nothing more, how to use a bow. This, she had not told him yet because she wasn't sure if it would make him uncomfortable or even if he'd believe her. But that was what Darren, another of her brothers, had taught her as her defense, after she'd learned about the truth of her father and wanted to know how to protect herself. Well. Perhaps he should know now. "I would help you if I could, Kili. I can wield a bow." She smiled sweetly, a striking incongruancy.
The smile on his face enchanted her and Flanna had to return it on her part. She laughed gently, and answered, "Do not. Your charm makes up for anything you could possibly lack." She grinned, savoring her courtier's sweet, wonderful kisses. Perhaps later, if he came back to her lodgings, she would allow him read more of her works; they seemed to please him, and it made her very happy to see so.
"We'll send for them," she answered, perhaps a bit too quickly. She did not want to go back and see her mother any more than was necessary. It was not hate; it was simply a distrust and misunderstanding between the two. "But I would," she promised, and her eyes glowed with his description. What a good man he was, Kili. Making a ring of his own crafting, all for her. And she was having a hard time keeping her lips away from him.
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Post by Kili on Jan 22, 2013 21:51:28 GMT -5
"If we go back I will do what Thorin wishes." His answer came quickly and with nothing short of resolution. It was like stating a fact, they sky was blue, the grass was green... Flanna was beautiful. "Lonely Mountain, Erebor as we call it, is a gem, a masterpiece and while it holds a great deal of meaning to me, it does not matter near as much as my family. If my uncle still wishes Erebor reclaimed, I will fight for it, and if he wishes it lost, it will remain as such." His eyes darted to the thick seas of the ocean and they flickered through a variety of emotion. "I may not seem like a man of much thought, but my loyalty to my uncle is unwavering. It is the one thing I am built upon. My love for him is difficult to describe."
His attention changed quickly from the past to his fair maiden as she mentioned her skills with a bow. Kili was deadly accurate with arrows and more often than not, preferred them over his sword. His love for a bow had stemmed, rather ironically, from his love for deer. The meat was impossible to kill with a blade and archery had seemed the best route, he merely altered the direction of such arrows in battle and he wielded them with deadly force... he could not picture Flanna hunting such animals though... and yet she claimed to be an archer.
"Truly? Does my lovely Flanna hunt?" His interest was very much piqued, perhaps he could take her with him, teach her his trades? Such adventures would be a great deal of fun especially if she was willing! "Who taught you to wield such a deadly weapon?" His own fingers itched, aching for a bow and the thought of sharing such a thrill with his lady, adrenaline burst through his veins.
'My charm, I fear, will only hold your sway for so long my lady! Eventually you will wish for eloquence upon my tongue and I am afraid I will disappoint you." His laughter was light hearted and gentle, very rarely were the words that escaped his mouth to be taken seriously. "Send away for your siblings my lady, I will be on my very best behavior, you have my word." He kissed her once more, simply because he could.
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 22, 2013 22:24:19 GMT -5
Flanna was a little startled by the quickness in his answer but she was settled by his apparent undying loyalty. Would he be so to her? She could only wish right now; they were not so deep into a relationship, were they? Promises of rings and marriage had flown about, and had excited her, but she also realized the quick simplicity of her situation. Had Kili had enough time to grow that attached? She smiled at the prospect. She would be loyal to him, certainly. "An admirable trait, that. Your loyalty comforts me." she smiled. "I do not think you so shallow. But I do so hope that you've similar feelings to me someday."
She wasn't going to coax another 'I love you' out of his throat, as much as she loved its sound and its implications. She'd willingly give herself to him now, as a bride or a lover or a companion in thought. Hopefully the former would be true. Was a man like this so honestly ready to be bound to something? She shook her head to herself, passing the thought. "Aye," she reciprocated, "I do. As oft as I dare." Which really wasn't often, as she never had a party to go with.
"Well, since Father learned the blade, I wanted to learn else. Darren taught me, when I was naught but ten and three, an I've done so ever since." Six years, tops, but it was long enough for her to be mostly accurate. Of course, she could never hurt another without overjustification for it, but it was a skill she possessed nonetheless. "And I know you to be fond of it also. Shall we go to seek the hart sometime?" Her subtle pun may or may not have been kind of pathetic.
"I shall never ask it of you," she promised, "but you may develop some if you spend much time with me." she smiled at the thought of him spending so much time with her that he learned her wordcraft. She loved him so! Should he ever desert her, she would be broken--more so than when she had lost her Father's trust and love, she should think. Love was a curious sensation, a morphing feeling that felt so nice. "I shall, and soon. Why--they should attend should we have a wedding." This thought procured a smile, and his kiss an even bigger one. She loved him so.
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Post by Kili on Jan 23, 2013 17:29:54 GMT -5
Kili smiled then, eyes glittering with something akin to mischief. Her words, as always were thoughtful, insightful and Kili found himself once again at a loss. She offered him a plethora of surprises, from her intelligence to her clever words. While his fierce loyalty was both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness, she was fast becoming a high priority, which made him uneasy. He had never gotten attached to anything so quickly and it made him nervous. Nervous that she would grow bored with , nervous that she would up and vanish and he would never again see her.
"Without Thorin, we would not have survived. We would have been slaughtered by a beasts we call orcs. He strengthened our spirits when we were at our worst, he gave us the courage, the strength to keep fighting. He led us to victory." He wasn't ready to tell her that he had lost both his father and his grandfather, they had been important to Kili as well and even he swayed uneasily when he thought of such things. So filled with war his life had been. He smiled at her regardless of his thoughts. "Do not fret Flanna, you are far higher on my list of priorities then you know." She was, in fact, his only obligation here, and what a fine obligation it was.
"I would love to travel the woods with you... although I must say, I do not indulge in horses so if you are hunting with me it will be a journey by feet." Kili had never enjoyed riding anything. Dwarves feet were to remain firmly on the ground and he believed this whole heartedly. "It would be an honor to hunt with you Flanna. I think I would very much enjoy such a journey, perhaps we should wait until the weather warms the earth? We might catch our deaths if we were to leave now." The cold did not bother Kili, he came from caverns, deep and dark within the snow covered mountains. Cold was his home, but his Flanna... she was a delicate thing and he would not see her uncomfortable... even if it meant her curling around him to keep warm. Oh how she had caught him!
"The only eloquence I have ever claimed to have my lady, is a swift movement in battle. I am afraid I will have to hold your attention with poems and sweet songs." He still had yet to sing for her, and if truth be told he was nervous. He knew of no lively songs only the depressing hymns calling to the lost dwarven caverns. "When we have a wedding, they can most assuredly be there." He captured her in a kiss once more, it seemed he would never get enough of his delicate prize. An addiction, he concluded of the sweetest sin.
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 23, 2013 21:58:09 GMT -5
There was a light, a fire that danced in his eyes, and it made her wonder all the more what thoughts flashed and blazed behind them. He was an interesting thing, Kili. He was gorgeous--untouchably gorgeous--but she wondered if he knew the extent of it. He was clever and he was the most caring man she'd ever met, brothers included. What was there not to love? Why not him, for her husband, if he'd captured her heart so quickly and she trusted him so much? No reason. No reason not to marry him.
What woman got free choice in her marriage? So few, she knew. The poorer had such freedoms! She grinned at him, and then thought about his words. "You admire him so. I should so wish to someday meet him, though I wonder if it would ever be possible." she smiled in reassurance, and then had his words reassure her. "Oh, Kili!" she said, shying away into his chest. Her voice muffled by his body, she continued, "I should be glad to hold any place in your heart. You've a high place in mine."
She lifted her head and found it was very close to his. "I should like that very much. Perhaps you could teach me a thing or two." At this she was able to procure a bit of a giggle and a beautiful, radiant smile. "Oh no," she laughed, shifting to sit in front of him, leaning her shoulder on his chest and stroking his cheek with her hand. "We might go this time of year without worry. I'm sure you can keep me warm enough." Her radiant face glowed for love of him, and she was unable to hide it.
Shaking her head, Flanna looked up at him. "You should keep my attention should you but stand in my presence, Kili, my love." As she watched the ocean, she reminisced upon her brothers and her past, glad to have come here upon finding herself. Kili was for her--and he'd said when. It was not a question, it was a promise. Her joy shone from within, bright and happier than she'd ever been. His kiss knotted her stomach, made her cheeks hot. She pulled herself a little closer to him, if she could, and upon breaking the kiss whispered, "It must be soon, my love... must we wait so long though? Might you... might you take me now?" Her sweet voice echoed from her heart.
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Post by Kili on Jan 23, 2013 22:51:28 GMT -5
Kili was very young when Erebor had been taken, not more than a toddler. It was Thorin who had found him tottering about, hiding amongst the remains of the shattered feasting hall, it was Thorin who had dragged him to safety and it was Thorin who had saved his young life. Thorin had raised both he and Fili while his father had led them to safety. Thorin helped where he could and taught Kili damn near everything he knew. Kili's life's mission had been to make him as happy as he had made both he and Fili as children. His uncle was a great man and he deserved nothing short of utter happiness, it was why Kili strove so hard for perfection in combat, laughed and joked until he squeezed a smile out of his stoic relative. His entire life he had revolved around Thorin, his entire life had been making his dream, a reality... but Thorin was not here, and that knowledge had wounded Kili like no blade ever could. It had hollowed him emotionally, shook him of his carefree demeanor and had stripped him of his courage. For long weeks he had trudged through the snow, hoping with no avail to come upon his band of dwarves.
He had been left in this lonely world without a purpose. What good were his blades if he could not defend his people? What good were his arrows if they failed to fly under Thorins banner? He was nothing without his family... and then he had chanced upon Flanna. Her beauty initially had roused the fighter within him, hatred of elves was engrained in his blood, but quickly it had faded to reveal intrigue. She challenged him, both with her mind and her witty tongue. So delicate and deadly all at the same time. She made him think and slowly but surely she had helped regain the spirit she probably knew not had been broken in the first place.
"If I ever find a way to meet my uncle once again... you shall be the first thing I present to him. I warn you now my uncle is not the most loving of individuals." Kili laughed lightly, appreciating her gesture of comfort, whether she intended to be or not, he wondered what Thorin would say of his Flanna. He laugh whole heartedly at her tempting words of a hunt. "Oh how my lady love teases me! Promises of hunts and other things! You are the most deadly of sirens my love and I fear I am likely to crash upon your shores!" She pulled him forward for another kiss and he was powerless to stop her, laughter dying in his throat as he focused all of his attention on her. She pulled away only to whisper the most sultry of questions and his eyes turned serious.
"Are you sure my darling Flanna? I have no desire to rush you or ruin what we have." Kili would never have to be asked twice, but he cared for her too much to be a mindless encounter of sweat, sex, and lust. He was too attached to her for such folly.
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Post by Flanna Kelly-MacDowell on Jan 23, 2013 23:15:37 GMT -5
Flanna was the gentlest of souls with the darkest of lineages, whose pride resided in her writings and whose humility radiated beyond the reign of any tyrant. She was caring and for all her past problems with trust and distrust, was easy to befriend. This was her paradox; everyone has one. She was kind, but she was guarded. And, lo an behold, her wall had been decked with a new door, her veil pulled aside by one man. Kili. Her love. And with each word he said, with each moment he spent kissing her, she grew more and more fond of him--and beyond that, in love.
She was not so easily dissuaded, either; he seemed to feel a bit unworthy, as she did herself, but she wanted him to know that she could imagine no life else; he was her stay. She smiled to have such an honor proposed; Thorin seemed to be the loftiest and most benevolent of wartime leaders, who though kind was well worn. Flanna imagined many of them were. "I should be grateful to such a man for being so good to you, hardened or no," she smiled up at him.
His laugh! What a pleasant sound; what a jovial thing. It set her spirits alight and made her feel like the queen of any realm she pleased. Still caressing him, still wanting to feel more of him and feeling a bit wanton, Flanna answered, "Do, then! You've promised my binding to you. But recall that I am no siren. I'll be your huntress, your lady, your poet, instead." Her words spilled forth and rolled off her tongue. She'd not meant to be so wordy.
He could no more reject her kisses. She smiled upon him, and while her heart was beating wildly, her face hot, and her nerves dancing dangerously, she knew that she wanted him and no one else. Knew with her heart, as the truth. "Now," she whispered, gracing him with another short kiss, "unless you can marry me by dusk and take me then." Would he wait? She wanted to be bound and she wanted her brothers to see, but... she wanted him, too.
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Post by Kili on Jan 24, 2013 0:00:02 GMT -5
Kili knew very little of love or affections. He was not an affectionate man by nature and much preferred a blade or a bow in the stead of a random woman's bed. He had indulged in mindless pleasures only a scarce few times and he had never stayed the eve. Kili was a detached person to all except Fili and his uncle, he attended the feasts, he threw food for Bombur to catch... but he did not reveal a great deal about himself to anyone really, but when he looked at Flanna, warmth blossomed in his chest and a smile forced its way upon his mouth. She made him...feel things he had never felt before and he found himself wanting to please her, bring her small trinkets to make her smile, watch her laugh, and so terribly much more. It had made him uneasy at first, but he had come to terms with it and while he himself had not pondered marriage before today, when he had blurted it out in the haste of himself he had not been frightened but rather relaxed.
"I should be thankful that a woman with such intellect has chosen a warrior for her beloved. Such beauty and elegance does not exist where I am from." He toyed with a stray lock of her hair brushing it back to rest with the rest of her locks. She denied his claims of her siren nature but he would take it to his grave that the lady had bewitched him. "You may be whatever you like love. I will be a mere servant to your every beck and call."
She demanded of him then, gave her servant his orders and like he should, who was he but to obey his mistresses wishes. Eyes burning with mixed emotions, he lifted himself off of her, standing to his full height and offering her his hand. Only when she had grasped it and he had tugged her to her feet did he speak once again.
"If my lady commands it, then it shall be, but not here, in the warmth and comfort of your own home amidst the satins and blankets you are so fond of. I will not take you like some wild beast your first time..." And then his smile grew wicked... wickedly sinful. "That comes much later."
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