Now We Are Free -Lisa Cannon
Aragorn walked up to Eowyn after Théodred’s funeral. “I am so sorry for your loss, my lady.” She didn’t turn to look at him, just continued to stare at the scenery, but her eyes were glazed over she wasn’t really looking at it. What she saw was some distant memory of three children playing together on the fields.
“He was like a brother to me.” She finally turned back to Aragorn. “Now I have lost both my brothers.” There were tears in her eyes and red streaks down her cheeks. Aragorn couldn’t help but reach out and pull her close, give her a shoulder to cry on, trying for all his might to be the rock in a stormy sea that she needed right now. He had nothing but respect for this strong woman who were now mourning the loss of her family and at the same time he felt honored that she had let down her guard enough to let him see this side of her. After a long while her sobbing stopped and she whispered a quiet thank you.
“No worries my Lady. Is there anything else I can do to help?”
“…Please stay with me?”
Eowyn’s room was decent sized for the Golden Hall. But it lacked the elegance and stylishness of the elven rooms in Rivendell. It was functional though and that mattered more. She quickly changed into a night gown while Aragorn stripped down to shirt and leggings. Then they curled up on the bed, Aragorn wrapping his arms around her.
Moondance - Nightwish
A rather short female elf weaved her way through the busy streets. It was snowing hard and people were trying to home in time for dinner. Some kid ran around in an alley, throwing snowballs. One of the snowballs came hurling towards the elf and she ducked gracefully out of the way. The way she moved was elegant and calculated. Someone who knew the extent of her capabilities and made you aware that she did. Some people said she reminded them of a cat, the people who knew her, or was just trying to suck up to her, said the cat was trying to imitate her.
She found the inn she was looking for and stepped inside. It was a rather large in and it was close to packed but not too bad yet, it would get worse. The half ork bouncer nodded to her as she shook the snow of her hood. She smiled back. Etzel was a good guy, he played dumber than he was and his intimidating manner had scared potential treats, especially the drunken kind away more than once.
“Val! You are late!” An accusing voice form around her waist height said. She smiled and looked down at the gnome.
“I am sorry, Fnipp. Have you seen the amount of snow outside?” She followed him to the table he had gotten for them and ordered warm spicy wine, while Fnipp kept to a hot soup and a beer. “So they are performing soon?”
“Yeah, in about ten minutes. They were sort of distressed that you hadn’t shown up yet. They were afraid you might miss it. Apparently it really matters to them to have us here.”
“Well, I guess, we have known them for a few years yes.” Val smiled and tipped the maid generously. She had had some good nights working lately and the Guild was about to promote her. She had proven her worth by training a few very promising new members, the best of them the little gnome on the other side of the table. Slowly the attention in the room shifted to the stage as the regular inn musicians began packing up their instruments and leaving the stage. Lastly the main lead musician stepped onto the stage and spoke in a loud, clear, boy like voice.
“Tonight, dear patrons, we have a first ever for you. Fresh from the juggling guild, we have the newest attraction in town. You won’t see this anywhere else. It is an honor to present to you, Bunny and Tiger and their fire show!” The room exploded as the two women took the stage and Val glanced at Fnipp.
“Are they crazy?”
“Seems like it...”
Silent Night -
I lay on my bed, reading a book. The others decided to walk to Hogsmeade, but I wasn’t in the mood, so they went with out me. I look at his bed, all made and nice. The only reason for it being made is that he hasn’t been sleeping in his own bed since break started. I can’t help but smile to myself remembering his arms around me, the warmth of his skin when he holds me at night. And my smile turn into a grin when I remember that he’ll be there tonight too, and tomorrow, and every single night until everyone comes back and school starts. Now it is only us and James here. Peter is home with his family. James knows, but after the first shock he was more or less ok about it. Over break he is more or less staying in Lilly’s room anyway. Or is it the common room? I don’t know. He comes in late at night when we are asleep or very close anyway. Sirius said he didn’t have to feel like we were kicking him out, but James just shrugged and said he didn’t mind.
I had just returned to reading when he came back inside. He was covered in snow and he tossed the big bag of candy next to me before he proceeds to removing all the layers of heavy winter clothing.
“James and Lilly still in Hogmeade?” I ask as I admire the body emerging from underneath the wool. All that qudditch practice does make for one nice sight. And he knows how to dress to make it even more obvious.
“Nah, they just wanted to go for a walk or something like that.” He grins as he turns and notices that I am looking at him. “Like what you see?” I just smile in answer to that, he knows I do, and if I say it. Well his ego doesn’t need more boosting. He comes over and sits down on the bed and kisses my shoulder as he leans over to look at what I am reading. “Why are you studying? It is Christmas.”
“Why not? You have any other ideas of better things to do?”
“Actually...” He laughs and I can’t help but join. His laughter does that to people. That is one of the thing I like about him. He curls on the bed next to me, kissing my neck now. I half purr push the book of the bed and stretch my neck. I can hear him chuckle as he flips me over so I am on my back, him leaning over me. “I love it when you purr.” He grins at me. I shut him up by kissing his jaw, making sure to leave a little mark. It’ll be gone by the time every one comes back. At least I hope so. He chuckles again as he reaches for the hem of my t-shirt, wanting to pull it off.
Later when we curl up to go to sleep, I kiss him and nuzzle his neck. “Merry Christmas Sirius.” In response I get a kiss on my forehead and those nice string arms around me once more.
“Merry Christmas Rem.”
Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijain - Nightwish
He comes over and sits down next to me and smiles. I can feel my heart skipping a beat or two. I brush the hair out of my face and hand him the half empty wine bottle. “Legolas, what are you doing out here? Everyone’s inside.” His voice carries a bit of worry.
“Watching the stars. You don’t have to worry about me, go back inside to them.” I answer, hoping he will stay but afraid that he might.
“The stars? Why? We see them everyday.” He takes the bottle from my hand and takes a long sip. And I notice how his face looks so very different in this light. I don’t think he knows I can see this well. After all, all he knows is that I am a friend of Inara’s, a male companion. They let me in, even if I was too old. I had many of the skills already, being a prince and all. I did not tell them that, though. I said I was of noble birth, which is not a lie. Inara and I hit it off when I ended up in her class. And then we stayed friends. Then a few weeks ago she called me up and said we hadn’t talked in a long while. I came, I had only intended to stay a few days, but there is something about this crew. They interact with each other in a way I have not seen since the fellowship. But I am rambling. The light on his face, yes. Earlier today we had a run in with some bandits - that seems to happen to this crew often - and I saw the warrior side of him. Not that I hadn’t noticed it before. It is hard not to notice it the way he sports his guns and the way he talks about them like they were lovers. How I wish…
“Yeah, but how often do you really watch them? Look at them Jayne, lean back and watch the beauty.” I smile and return to gazing at the sky. “They were the first thing I remember seeing, back home. Looking up between the branches of the giant trees of Eryn Lasgalen.”
“Trees? You’re from the rutting’ Core or something’?”
“Yeah” I lied; I had figured a long time ago that humans don’t really want to know.
“Oh, I guess I should have guessed the fancy accent and all...”
“Oh that is the training.” I can tell he is drunk; he doesn’t normally talk like this. Also I can smell it on him. I take the forgotten bottle back and drink a bit, keeping my eyes on the sky. After a while I look back at him and notice he is looking at me, half-reaching for me. We both freeze and just stare at each other for a long moment, before he grabs my hair and pulls me close. His breath is warm on my face and a moment later he is kissing me. The moment feels like it lasts for ever and at the same time it is over far too soon.
“Whatcha got funny lookin’ ears for?” He wishers into my ear and I can hear the grin on his face as I shudder slightly.
Inside the cockpit of Serenity,
Spiel Mit Mir - Rammstein
The heavy sleet was making little pools on the cave floor. Or rather it was an overhang, but the Dunadain had known about it for centuries and had made it into more of a cave. The innermost part was outfitted with wool blankets, some food in a few, well hidden chests. Elladan glanced up at his brother. They had been helping out the northern rangers and were now returning to Imladris for the holidays. Elrohir smiled down at him. “The horses are rubbed down and fed.” Elrohir was the horseman of the two. They both knew horses well, but Elrohir connected with them in a way Elladan could only gape at and be jealous of.
“Good, now get into some dry clothes, you are soaked.” Elladan returned to the small fire he had made as Elrohir grabbed his bag and went to the back. A few minutes later he was back, wearing leggings and a loose shirt. He was running his hands through his still wet hair getting some of the knots out. Elladan handed him a cup of the hot stew he had been making, it wasn’t much but it was warm. For a while they just ate in silence. They didn’t need to talk; they knew each other well enough not to.
“I think I am headed to bed, I am exhausted.” Elrohir announced when the meal was over.
“Really?” Elladan glanced up at him with a slight smile on his face as he put dirt over the fire to put it out and cleaned their cups.
“No, but you know…” They both chuckled at that. This was their first night alone in a long while.
”I guess I should join you then.” Elladan stood and followed his brother to the back of the cave, where he flumped down on the straw and pulled his brother down on top of him. “Play with me, brother dear.” Elrohir just laughed and proceeded to undo the laces on Elladan’s clothing, sitting up to do so and pinning his brother down. Elladan didn’t fight; he had long ago discovered that Elrohir preferred being the one in charge. He just laid back and enjoyed the attention. Elrohir grinned down at him and pulled the shirt off, but managed to do it in such a way that Elladan’s hands were tied above his head. He pulled on it a bit. “Elrohir, I am stuck.”
“That is the idea...”
“But…” Elrohir shut him up with a long kiss, fingers trailing circles down Elladan’s sides.
“Shh, trust me, brother dear.”
Way Of The Warrior - Jeff Johnson
Val walked into the big room towards the lord who had said to be the only one with the cure. Fnipp followed her, glancing around, obviously unnerved by the presence of the potential foes behind the curtains. Music softly played in the background. Val almost looked like she was dancing when she walked forward.
“My Lord?” The man at the other side of the room turned and smiled at them. He was tall and handsome. Everything from the way his hair was groom to this posture to his shoes indicated his lordship. “I am Lady Valanthe Asarina Galanodel. I have been told you can help my companion and me with a problem we are facing.” Fnipp gaped; he had never heard Val use her entire title before. Somewhere in the back of his head he knew she was a lady of some remote elven kingdom. But it was still odd to hear her say it. Val quickly outlined the problem they had been facing. Eztel had been bitten a few days back and soon it was full moon. “If you can help us my lord, you’ll have mine and my family’s gratitude.”
“Hm... I can help, but it is going to take a bit more than some fake promises, my Lady.”
“Name your price, my Lord.” He gave them a long story about some battle and something about the cellar of the castle. Fnipp didn’t listen. Val could tell him later. He was more worried about the fact that the whispering and giggling behind the screens had stopped the moment Val said her name. That was never a good sign. If she had been important enough to inspire that kind of silence, he would have heard of her before. This was very disturbing. He listened back to the conversation just in time to hear Val agree to undertake the mission. The lord nodded and offered them rooms for the night.
“Val, I don’t like this.” Fnipp voiced his opinion as soon as they were alone.
“Neither do I, but we don’t have any choice. The ‘healers’ in town are not going to cure Ez, you know that. This is a risk we have to take. We owe it to him.”
“Val…You are mixing business and pleasure again…”
“What? No! I would have done the same for you, you know that.” Val looked stressed though, and worried to bits. She had gotten worse and worse ever since Ez’s bite. It was clear that she cared about the guy.
“..Ok, ok. Let get some sleep and do this in the morning.” Fnipp hoped Val would sleep; she did not look in shape to go on a job.
The next morning Val looked a little bit better, and determined as hell as they stood before the cellar door. “For Eztel.” She smiled to Fnipp who nodded and they opened the door.
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