Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 27, 2009 16:22:35 GMT -5
It was a sunny day. Summer was blazing with its full glory, the golden sun radiating heavy warmth from its position high above the earth. The city was in full tilt, though everything seemed a bit sluggish for the warmth. It did not, however, dampen Calon’s footsteps any. He had never felt more excited; today was a fine day indeed!
Narbeleth, the lovely little sister of Faeldor, the head of the stables, was going to join him for a day of archery practice. All in preparation for whisking her off into the woods! Hunting would be a finer sport indeed if the lovely creature was going to join him for it. He did hope she would love it as much as he did—it would complete him if she did!
Quiver and bow over his shoulder, a second clutched in his hand, and the man was ready for the day. He had not in mind a long trek; he wished more time spent with teaching and instructing so that Beleth could obtain as much practice as was possible. That, and he assumed it would build up confidence with the eldest sibling so that he could take her away.
He was off to the sixth tier to find her house, and his heart was light as he did so. Right to the Pelennor he would take her, and then he would keep her for as long as he was allowed. Yes, Beleth would certainly enjoy the day! By the end of it, he was sure she would understand the basics of archery. Enough to take her out for a hunt anyway.
Part of him, though, hoped she was slow to learn. Simply so he could take her out all the more often. The streets were busy, and a few people eyed him curiously. It must have been a strange sight, to head upwards through the tiers of the city, armed as he was. Indeed, there was no game atop the city save for the horses, and none would dare seek them for sport in such a way.
He passed a few houses, and finally found the one he was in search of. It looked to be a calm sight; the white stone gleaming proudly against the sunlight. Calon’s blue eyes sparkled all the more as he stepped up to the front door and raised a hand to knock on the door.
He did hope she was ready. He did not desire to wait—the Pelennor was awaiting them both. And all of the chatter and laughter they would share this day.
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 27, 2009 21:22:08 GMT -5
“The door!” Meleth called lightly from the kitchen as she heard the knock resound from the front. Certainly it was Narbeleth’s friend come to take her up for the day. The young woman had hardly even been still within her own skin this morning; such was her excitement! As difficult as Beleth’s energy had been to contain when she was a child, Meleth loved to see her young adult daughter so wound up. She was like a constantly burning candle; like the blinking fireflies that flew the night away on the shores of the sea in Belfalas.
Meleth stepped into the hallway, hearing nobody attending to the door. “Miriel,” she called to the sitting room. “Will you please answer it; I do not know where your sister has lit off to,” she instructed. Meleth would answer the door herself had she not been so covered in flour and dough. She needed a moment to wash her hands.
“Yes, Mother,” Miriel obliged, standing up. She paused for a moment, feeling quite dizzy and nauseated at the motion, but managed her way quite well into the entryway. Miriel had lately been rather sick for the most part of the mornings, though she was learning well to hide it from her family; lest they become suspicious.
The lovely young woman in a gown the color of water made her way just as fluidly to the door, and caught her breath for a moment, before opening it. Little did she know that this man knew her as ‘the witch’ of the household of Faelon. Though, at this moment she was quite complacent; her own issues to worry with. “Good morning,” she said warmly to the man standing before her. Her eyes were not bright like her sister’s but instead seemed far away.
At least Beleth had taste, she thought, as her green eyes looked him up and down. The young man was quite attractive. Black curls, and blue eyes. Tall and lithe. Indeed he looked a man of Belfalas, as Narbeleth had said. “You must be Cal,” Miriel said sweetly, almost humming. She was in fact the only one who had heard her sister’s pet name for the man used often; and over the past few days, Beleth had spoken quite often on him in the solitude of their quarters. “Do come in,” she ushered, opening the door further and making way for the man. “I’ll call Beleth for you,” she said, turning quickly to head toward the opposite doorway of the room, her hand fluttering over her stomach as it often did.
Soon enough though, an elderly man had made his appearance in the doorway. “Do not worry, dear. She was in the gardens with the children and I called her already,” Melanir said. “And you must be Calon,” the phrase was repeated for the second time in a matter of moments. “I do believe you are the one I owe many thanks to… for a certain chicken pie that I beheld some weeks back.” His eyes were full of mirth, and he stepped toward the man, his hand outreached.
A woman’s scream was heard from the direction of the hallway, and then a shout. “Gracious, Eru, children!” Meleth shouted, wringing her hands dry on her apron after she had washed them. “Slow down!”
“Ai! Calon save me!” Narbelth shouted, bursting into the entry room, and carefully missing her grandfather. In tow behind were a myriad of children. A young boy, Faelon was shirtless and chasing his elder sister at full speed, and only moments after he had entered behind her, Marileth and Diore were not far behind. Clicking was heard in the hallway as Haliel entered at the fastest pace she could make, and then laughing Eoric, toddled behind, falling every so often.
“What in the blazes?” Faeldor laughed in awe as he made his way into the entry room alongside Meleth and Tinuves.
Meleth wrung her hands on her apron. Well, if Calon would stick around with her daughter after this, than he certainly deserved her. There was nothing to doubt that Beleth was not acting completely herself in front of the man; for this was she! “Narbeleth, you have company!” she reminded gently.
“Mama, he is saving me from the dragon slayers!” Narbeleth was making quick circles about the room, ducking and jumping away from Faelon, who was the greatest threat at this game. However, Faelon did all that he could to attack his sister, climbing upon the furniture and attempting to leap onto her as she passed. Haliel fell, but laughed, and Eoric did much the same.
Marileth continued the chase until Narbeleth took it into her own hands to protect herself, lighting behind Calon, and gripping the back of his tunic, carefully avoiding the bows and quiver, and burrowing her face against the back of Calon’s shoulder. Finally, Marileth stopped in her tracks, spotting the tall man that had somehow appeared in the room. My, was he tall, and handsome. She suddenly felt conscious of her childish behavior, and stilled herself, smiling slightly, and looking a bit nervous.
Faelon however was only stilled in his advances, and dove between Calon's legs, as Faeldor leapt forward and grabbed him about the waist, tossing the young boy lightly up over his shoulder. Diore took another jump at Narbeleth, but Meleth soon grasped her as well, and the blond bundle struggled in laughter.
"She called me 'puny'! Fael let me go!" Faelon shouted, hitting his brother's back with his fists, but Faeldor said and did nothing, still staring at his sister, quite surprised at how closely she had brought herself to the young Calon. He raised a warning eyebrow at the stablehand and his sister, though it was probably lost in the array of motion.
“Well then…” Tinuves said gently, eyeing the full room. Melanir was laughing, and Meleth was looking quite startled.
“Welcome to the home of Faelon,” Narbeleth giggled into the man’s shoulder, finally releasing herself and stepping back around him in her blue dress, the very same that she had worn on her day of hen gathering at the market, though wearing it today was unintentional. It was simply a plain and simple dress for an outing. Miriel frowned slightly at her sister's behavior, though did not comment, and Narbeleth did not notice.
“Calon, this is my family,” she said briefly, and began to list them as she motioned, “Mama, Diore, Grandmother, Grandfather, Miriel, of course you know Fael, Faelon, Marileth, Haliel, and Eoric.” She beamed, not expecting him to remember a word of it. "Calon," she said, to her family, squeezing the man's shoulder, and grinning smartly at both brothers, who seemed to be giving her looks of indignation for differing reasons.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 27, 2009 21:50:49 GMT -5
The door opened, but it was not Narbeleth that came to the door. A woman, perhaps just as lovely came instead. Immediately Calon’s heart was in his throat. This was the Witch. It must be. “You must be Cal.” Calon’s smile did not falter. “Uh, yes. I am here to take Narbeleth—“
“Do come in.”
Awed into a bit of a state of compliance, he followed the woman inside. There was no use trying to evade orders in this household, after all. He certainly didn’t need to reach the bad side of this one, either. She excused herself to go find Beleth, but soon an older man came in to cut her trek short, announcing he had already called for her. The man seemed friendly enough.
Calon smiled as the man spoke on the chicken pie. “Yes, I did help catch the hen.” He did not wish to get too carried away, so he didn’t elaborate on the story as he did with Beleth, but did keep smiling and bright-eyed. “I have it on good authority you enjoyed it, though. So it was no trouble.”
A great uproar happened down the hall, and it sounded like a mother scolding her children. Still, his name followed one of the exclamations, and the blue-eyed man went a bit wide-eyed, though subtly. He stepped back as Bel rushed into the room, followed by children. Children that did not seem to end.
“Ai! Calon save me!”
“Forgive me, I do not know how.” Calon laughed as he saw they were having a grand time. It seemed all of Beleth’s family was quite excitable. Faeldor’s voice was next, and instantly, Calon became utterly aware of everything. Well, he was doing nothing wrong. No use in worrying. His pleasant smile turned to the newly entered three, and he nodded in respect to Faeldor.
Then, it all seemed to happen too fast. Beleth was closely tucked behind him, a little boy was trying to wiggle his way between Calon’s legs, and Faeldor had both stilled the child and given him a nice look of warning without even a minute to pass. Calon was a good-natured soul, though, and this did not trouble him terribly.
“Thank you, Beleth.” He replied as she welcomed him to their house.
“Calon, this is my family.”
And then, it was the longest list of names he had ever heard. His mind reeled, and the man tried to keep up, but it was certainly impossible. Faeldor. Check. Narbeleth, check. Meleth, check…Miriel, check. Faelon? Was that the little one’s name or the grandfather? The little girls…Marileth and Haliel…which was which?
He assumed he could worry about it later. After all, if today did not go well, he might be banned from seeing them anyway! He smiled and bowed slightly to them all. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
He turned to look at Beleth excitedly, though did not wish to usher them out of the house. Still, he remembered her listing less siblings than were here. And the littlest ones! They had a nice crown of golden hair that seemed alien to the rest of them.
Still, he was not about to ask for it would be rude. Or, at least in front of the others.
Until then, there was plenty of energy in the small room. Yet, Calon's wordy nture seemed to fail him miserably. Now what?
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 28, 2009 12:22:36 GMT -5
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“And to meet you as well,” Meleth said happily. Oh! A fine young man! He was quite polite, and his smile made him seem quite at ease, even among the large family. He would make a fine suitor for her Narbeleth, Meleth was certain, now that she had seen him anyway. She would indeed have the girl invite him over to supper soon; that they might get to know him a bit better. For now though… “Oh the rolls!” Meleth exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air suddenly, and releasing Diore. “Excuse me,” she looked to the room for just a moment before lighting back to the kitchen.
“Have a fine time,” Melanir instructed Beleth, moving toward her to bend and kiss his granddaughter upon the cheek. “You take care of her, and get her some fresh air. This girl needs to be outside,” he then instructed Calon, glimmering eyes. “Do watch your hands, Narbeleth,” Tinuves added. “Do not hurt yourself.”
“Of course not,” Beleth smiled, and kissed both her grandparents before they in turn exited the room.
Faeldor place Faelon on the ground, and swatted at him to leave the room. “Go on out back to the gardens, and I will find you there,” he said calmly to the children. They were all well accustomed to listening to Faeldor; even young Diore, saw his authority, and soon she and Haliel had left the room.
Faelon lingered, still eyeing the tall man with the hunting gear tacked to his back. “Faelon,” Faeldor said sternly. “If you do not finish your reading assignment, then I will not have time to take you to the Stable.” The warning was imminent and Faelon quickly darted from the room. “Marileth…” Faeldor said, in shock that the twelve year old had not left at his first instruction. Marlieth was always the first to listen, and very well behaved.
In fact, Marileth had not left because she had not even heard the instruction given. She was standing in the very same place of which she had stopped her previous chase of Narbeleth. Her grey eyes were wide and dreamy, and she stared up at Calon, still smiling shyly. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” The words still resounded in her mind; that bright tenor voice! It was as if he were speaking directly to her, and not the whole family that was standing about. He was such a handsome man! Beleth was so lucky! How Marileth wished that she had been wearing that pretty violet dress that she had seen in Arien’s shop, and that she had not been running and shouting the way she had when she entered.
Beleth eyed her little sister amusedly, her eyes glinting up to Faeldor who expressed a bit of shock in his own look. “Marileth,” she said, a bit more loudly this time. The young girl heard this time; for Beleth was standing right in front of her at Calon’s side, which was where her attention was fixed. “Listen to Faeldor,” she instructed, playing the part of older sibling; yet Faeldor was still the authority in the household; and Marileth must listen to him first.
“Back now to your reading, I will be out shortly and will hear your recitations,” Faeldor told her, when the girl had looked quickly back to him; embarrassed that she had missed his instruction.
“Yes, Fael,” she said quietly, casting one more dreamy look on Calon before bending to pick up Eoric, and quickly leaving the room.
Narbeleth laughed aloud after she had gone, and looked at Calon briefly to see his reaction, though in such a fit of energy that she could barely stand still, and she flitted off to the other side of him. “I am ready to go… I will just go gather the dinner I have packed. You will enjoy it,” her voice sparked. Indeed it would certainly bring delightful conversation, for she had cooked the chicken that very morning, purposely. She turned and walked out of the room down the hall, calling for her Mother to bid her goodbye.
As soon as the room had cleared of most of the family, with the exception of Miriel, Faeldor’s turn to speak had come. “You and my sister are rather close already, are you not?” Faeldor questioned, a bit of discomfort in his eyes. He was obviously referring to the way Narbeleth had felt so comfortable to press against him. That little moment had not passed by the Stable Master’s eyes. Nor had the way that she had squeezed his arm before turning to the kitchen.
Faeldor was frowning at Calon. Despite the fact that the man had not moved from the door, nor done anything to require disapproval, he was still frowning. “I should say, that you will only be given one chance, Calon, should you dishonor my sister in any way…” Faeldor was then cut off. “Fael!” Narbeleth was frowning in the doorway, a satchel over one shoulder. She marched into the room. “Faeldor, you will not speak like that to Calon. If he wished to get under my skirts he has already had prime opportunity and not taken it. I will be quite safe. I would not wish to be near a man such as that. You know that.”
The young woman walked to Calon’s side, and stood with him once more, crossing her arms slightly.
“Should I suggest to the city that you wish to get beneath Gilwen’s skirts? For that must be the only reason that a man spends time with a woman in the first place,” her voice was larkish and teasing, though she was attempting to appear entirely serious. Of course Faeldor’s motives were not such, and the younger sister never would have said such, but Faeldor must see that Calon was just as honorable a man!
Beleth hated to bring Gilwen into the argument, with Miriel still standing close at hand, but it did seem quite necessary. The eldest sister shot Beleth a worried glance, though Narbeleth seemed unaffected by it. Miriel had already had words with her sister about this man she spoke so fondly of, and she dared not speak on the matter in front of Faeldor.
Faeldor grumbled, embarrassedly once again. Must Gilwen truly be brought into this! “I did not say—“ He fumbled over his words, but Narbeleth would not hear it.
“You implied it,” Beleth cut in, still smiling despite the rebuttal. “Calon,” she said his name in a sing songy voice. “Say goodbye to my brother. I am ready to go outside.” She was still smiling as she moved to hug Miriel, touching affectionately the hand that the elder sister had drawn back over her stomach in nervousness. "Do not worry for me," Beleth whispered to her sister, who was feeling rather protective. "He is a good man," she assured her.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 28, 2009 12:53:29 GMT -5
Well the entire family was warm. Even the Witch, now that Calon had had the time to collect his thoughts rightly. Well, she hadn’t been as warm as the rest, but she certainly had not given him a hellish time, though. Meleth was quite a bright one, herself. It was easy to see where Narbeleth inherited her vivaciousness. He offered the mother another grand smile before she excused herself to handle the rolls that she had, presumably, left in the oven.
“You take care of her, and get her some fresh air. This girl needs to be outside.”
“Of course, Sir. I shan’t let a thing harm her.” Well, he certainly liked the old man. Quite a sparkle the man held in his eye, and while his words were cautioning, they were not nearly as heavy and threatening as Faeldor’s had been the day previous. Though, Calon mused rather jubilantly, they had held the same tone.
Both of the grandparents left the room as well; now all that remained was Faeldor, Miriel and the small children. For a moment, Calon did not quite know what to do, though he felt a pair of eyes upon him that felt different from those the rest of the family had given him. He had not bothered to find the source, though it puzzled him and amused him greatly, until Faeldor had dismissed the children—and only one had remained.
His glittering blue eyes turned to young Marileth, her grey eyes were full of awe and reverence. It almost brought the man to chuckle, though he was far too much of a gentleman to cause the young thing a fluster. She seemed completely enthralled, though. Ever a joyful one, Calon gave the young girl a quick wink as she was finally sent away from the room. She had looked quite embarrassed that she had had to have been told a few times to leave.
No use in her worrying on the matter.
Though, now Beleth excused herself and Calon had right reason to worry. Faeldor was certainly giving quite a fine stare. “You and my sister are rather close already, are you not?” Perhaps admitting he thought he had found his soul mate was not the proper thing to do in this situation. Instead, Calon smiled and crossed his arms in a manly way. “Well, she is not wary of me,” Calon admitted brightly. That, though, should only speak for his character, right?
“I should say, that you will only be given one chance, Calon, should you dishonor my sister in any way…”
Well, Calon was growing a bit impatient. Still, the easy-going man was hardly angry or upset. Faeldor had already been described to him in a way that seemed overly doting, and in the few days since Beleth’s outing was approved, Calon had gotten a few of such talks. He was well prepared to answer, though Narbeleth showed up to interject herself.
The way the conversation followed and flowed was entirely entertaining. It seemed young Bel had managed to skirt the conversation back toward hr brother; such a thing clearly embarrassed the Stable Master, and Calon was entirely impressed. Such liveliness! And quite a tongue! It was all so amusing!
“Say goodbye to my brother. I am ready to go outside.”
As Beleth danced over to her sister, Calon offered the brother a courteous nod of the head, his bright smile and eyes still shining upon his face. “Master Faeldor. I shall have Beleth returned to you before nightfall. You will find her in the same condition as she left, I assure you.” His words were light, though truthful. He had no intention of letting her come to harm, or taking advantage of her in any way. She was too stunning a creature to treat poorly, after all. And it was not in Calon’s nature to do so anyway.
Women were to be respected, that was certain. But until now, they had not been to enjoy time with. None had ever had a spirit worth knowing. He smiled to Narbeleth as she returned to him and he said, “Now, Bel,” he had already slipped in front of Faeldor once, why bother hiding it? It was, after all, only a nickname. “We shall be off.” He looked back to the others and bowed again a bit.
“Do have a wonderful day.” And with that, he whisked Beleth out of her own door. He laughed slightly as they made their way down the stairs, though once at the bottom, he offered her is arm. No use parading a woman down through the lower tiers without claiming her in such a way; nothing good would come of it.
“I do hope you are excited about an archery lesson,” he said cheerily. “I must say that I have been looking forward to it.”
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 28, 2009 19:17:14 GMT -5
“Well, she is not wary of me.” Faeldor frowned at the indirect answer. Of course Beleth was not wary of him; why, she was barely wary of anyone, whether they be fair or foul. Even as a child she had kissed her older sister and cried at disappointing her, when it had been entirely Miriel’s fault and blame in most conflicts.
“Master Faeldor. I shall have Beleth returned to you before nightfall. You will find her in the same condition as she left, I assure you.” Faeldor could not wipe the frown from his face, and Narbeleth returned to him the same look of misery.
“Come now, brother, take him to his word. If you let the man tend to your horses, I am certain he can tend to me,” her frowned turned to a sweet smile, as Faeldor had nothing else to say; such was his previous embarrassment at the talk of Gilwen’s skirts. If the undergarments earlier this week had not been enough! Now even his sister mocked him over it. Faeldor nodded, “He best keep to his word, or he shall find a replacement waiting for him at the stables in the morning. And I will be sure that he is sent back to Belfalas.”
“Fael! You will do no such thing,” Narbeleth announced, grinning. “Do not worry, Calon, you shall have your work waiting for you in the morning; I so promise. My brother can be so… silly,” she said lightly. Faeldor grimaced, though he could barely carry on an argument with this sister. Her point had been taken well, for his thoughts were on Gilwen now, and though he would not put down his front, he knew very well that he hated Gilwen’s father convicting him of the same things.
“Now, Bel…, We shall be off.” The young woman smiled, though made no response, for if she were to speak she would give away the fact that her heart was trembling in elation by the name he had called her; even as much as Marileth’s had at that precious wink. She simply nodded, and let the man lead her out.
“I do hope you are excited about an archery lesson. I must say that I have been looking forward to it.”
They excited the home and as they left the walkway to the street, Beleth’s steps felt light and airy. “I have never been more excited for archery in my life, Cal,” Beleth gleamed, taking the man’s arm with both hands and pressing her head against his shoulder for just a moment, before quickly relenting to walk properly beside him. “Oh, the sunshine is so pleasant, and I will spend my day with my huntsman. I could ask for nothing better. I already know that this day will be perfect.”
“Where now are we now going?” she questioned gaily. “You best take me a jump away from the city; for I have never attempted the bow before… it could be rather dangerous. I would not wish to harm another soul with my poor shot,” she laughed.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 28, 2009 19:37:12 GMT -5
Calon did not stop smiling while still in the home. Still, Faeldor’s words had been quite bothersome. If he had not been at the door to fetch Faeldor’s sister, the young man was quite sure no harm would have come from being in Faeldor’s presence in his home. Truly, the man had been kind and accepting of him before he had sought Bel for an outing. A pity that it seemed all of that confidence meant nothing.
He had managed to get Beleth out the door. In part, he was sure it was because Faeldor was still flustered over the quip about his own lady. Nonetheless, the young stable hand was quite happy and joyous as they got into the streets. Even more so when Beleth took his arm.
“I am glad you are as anxious as I am,” Calon laughed looking down upon the young woman for a moment as she laid her head to rest against his shoulder for a moment. “Today could not be more lovely for such a thing, either. You are right. The sun is magnificently warm, no chance of rain—the clouds do seem to have left the sky to a perfect shade of blue.” He smiled and lifted the spare bow to show her as he continued, “No foul winds to hinder your shots or mine.” He laughed pleasantly.
“I do believe perfect is quite a fine word.”
“Where now are we now going?”
Such a lovely lady! Her inquisitive questions made the man smile all the more. “Well, I should certainly not risk the health of the people of Gondor,” he said in a jest. “We must, after all, make sure that the Steward cannot try you for harming another citizen. And I doubt your brother will hinder long in replacing me, then.”
Calon stepped lightly, weaving the way through the thick crowds with Narbeleth. “I am taking you to the Pelennor, Nightingale. I do think that the open fields will be enough to protect the people of Gondor. If one happens to cross your path,” he laughed pleasantly here, “I should think that they deserved it. Though, I did bring training arrows. They are not quite as sharp.”
He led her some more, and then watched a few of the people and sighed. “I do believe if we take a short walk from the city, though, we shall not run into any others at all.” He grinned down at her. “I should think you will be ready for a true hunt in no time at all.”
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 29, 2009 9:35:22 GMT -5
“Well, I should certainly not risk the health of the people of Gondor. We must, after all, make sure that the Steward cannot try you for harming another citizen. And I doubt your brother will hinder long in replacing me, then.”
“No, he shall have your replacement ready as soon as he sees the guard carrying my victim past my home to the Houses of Healing. He will just know it was you and I causing the trouble; his notions are so intrinsic.” She smiled, a bit embarrassed. “I am sorry for his distrust; though I knew it would be so. You see, some weeks past, he did tell me that if I should ever… take company with a man,” she hesitated at her choice of words, her voice a bit dramatic. “That he would cut off both hands and feet of the poor soul; that he may never touch me, and we shall never leave the city walls.”
She smiled, “So he must think kindly of you, to let us out of his sight, and with weapons nonetheless.” She almost skipped next to the man, “Hurry Cal, through this tier at least, lest he change his mind!” Beleth laughed lightly.
I am taking you to the Pelennor, Nightingale. I do think that the open fields will be enough to protect the people of Gondor. If one happens to cross your path, I should think that they deserved it. Though, I did bring training arrows. They are not quite as sharp.”
Narbeleth smiled pleasantly, “I do love the Pelennor.” “And I should hope that with open fields I will have no need to strike a person down with bow and arrow. My eyesight is not as poor as my grandfather’s after all. But I am thankful for the training arrows.” She had an image in her mind of a poor farmer getting himself caught between the arrow and her target, and frowned slightly. “I do not think that I am yet ready for the broad heads. The training arrows will do quite well.”
“I do believe if we take a short walk from the city, though, we shall not run into any others at all. I should think you will be ready for a true hunt in no time at all.”
Narbeleth grinned up at the man in response. “I will be glad for it then. To be with just you. And away from the city walls. Fael will not have his spies watching us, that is certain. Oh, pity if I were to shoot down one of Faeldor’s spies! That would get us in even more trouble!” The young woman’s exclamations were nonsense, but she was enjoying herself already, far too much to still her behavior.
“And soon enough we will hunt! Oh, I will be afraid to shoot an animal though; what if I do miss and the shot does not take it down? I think that for the first hunt I should just watch you. Yes, I will just go along, and you will tow me through the forest; and teach me what I must learn. After that; well, then I should try my hand at it,” she announced, planning not only their first hunt, but their second. “Unless you should tire of me before we go that far,” she grinned, testing the man.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 29, 2009 17:34:33 GMT -5
“I am sorry for his distrust; though I knew it would be so.”
Calon laughed slightly. “It is quite all right, Bel. I would not have doubted your brother would distrust me. It did seem when you spoke to me upon the tower that he does not quite trust himself with you, either.” He had, after all, refused to take the lively thing out for fear he would not be able to handle and control her. But such a woman was not meant to be controlled; protected yes. But it was her spirit that was so divine!
The woman recounted some words that had passed between her and her brother some time ago, and Calon laughed, though looked to her with a face of mock horror. “And you speak to me of his intentions to maim any man who should accompany you now?” As if it would still his advances. Calon was quite sure it simply made this all the more enjoyable. A challenge, after all, was what a huntsman lived for. “Though, I suppose you are right. He did allow me leave with you—and I do still have both my hands and my feet intact.” He grinned boyishly. “Though, I do not believe that was because he is endeared to me. Actually, I quite believe it was a combination of the facts that your family was there, my blood would have dirtied everything, and your own little quip. It did seem to stun him a bit.”
He smiled all the more as she spoke on loving the Pelennor. “Then I am glad to please you. And I do not doubt your eyesight; merely your aim.” Calon jested lightly. She was, after all, new. He had had to work hard to gain the precision in mark that he possessed. When he was young, his own shots had been a bit dangerous themselves. He was certain he had scared his mother once or twice.
“I will be glad for it then. To be with just you. And away from the city walls.
And he would be glad as well. The man smiled down at her for a moment and then returned his gaze back to the streets. They were reaching the lower tiers and it was always much busier. “Does your brother have spies then? I have heard tale of many a brother enlisting aide to protect his sisters.” He jested in return, though perhaps a part of his charming face and bright eye was a bit serious. Faeldor would indeed have many loyal contacts to report to him. Well, Calon would do nothing to harm their report.
He listened some more as she weaved a wonderful story that had to do with her plans for their hunt. It greatly pleased him, though, that she spoke of a different one, as well. She had intention of returning. That had caused a grand smile to cross his lips and the man was utterly contented at the thought. Yes, this was the one.
“After that; well, then I should try my hand at it. Unless you should tire of me before we go that far.”
“Well, do prepare yourself to try your hand then, Nightingale.” He laughed, looking down to her. “There is no way in all of Arda I should ever tire of you.” He grinned honestly and then led her through the thick crowd. It took them mere moments to get to the front gate of the city. He smiled at the guardsmen, and they opened the door.
The rush of fresh breeze and the lovely golden grasses alerted them both the second they got out of the city. Calon took a deep breath. “This way, Bel. We shall walk some before we give you a bow.” He smiled.
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 29, 2009 19:49:22 GMT -5
“And you speak to me of his intentions to maim any man who should accompany you now?” Narbeleth made a face of shock, as if the man finding out the truth would truly send her away! “I simply did not wish to scare you from me, Cal. I need you…” she smiled, continuing before she sounded too attached already. But oh she was! “…For you will teach me how to hunt. Who would take me on a hunting trip if not you? And… whatever should I do if I had a stray hen and it made its escape?” She giggled at just the thought of hens! Oh, who would have thought that such plucky creatures would entertain her so?
“Does your brother have spies then? I have heard tale of many a brother enlisting aide to protect his sisters.”
“Well, he mentioned the spies, but I do not know if he has hired them just yet,” she looked around at the crowds, mocking wariness. “Yet, it is not to be certain. They could be anywhere. Though, I think we are safe. I am not well known in the city. They would likely think I was Miriel, as you did,” she teased. “And my brother does not have stringent reign on Miriel. She does not submit well to his authority.” It was the truth. “It is difficult work to be a brother. You are quite lucky to not have younger sisters to manage as my Faeldor does. We are quite the burden at times, I believe.”
Narbeleth smiled all the while they walked. Though she was an unusually joyful person, there could be nothing that would steal the brightness of her eyes this day! Especially after Calon’s next words. “There is no way in all of Arda I should ever tire of you.” This indeed carried the woman through the last part of the first tier and the Great Gate of Minas Tirith. If he should never tire of her, she would always be happy. The words almost swept her up with the breeze as they came out upon the field, and her steps were light.
The Pelennor was utterly lovely. The sunshine against the grasses and the blue sky made the woman wish to sing; and the flowers that could withstand the heat of the daily sun grew up among the green and gold. “This way, Bel. We shall walk some before we give you a bow.”
“Hark! The fields await!” Beleth shouted to the grasses, skipping in her step, and grasping Calon’s arm with both hands. “Who is walking?” she grinned at the man. Then, she let go of Calon, and took the satchel from her shoulder, reaching up to string the bag over his instead. Beleth patted the man’s shoulder, and then took off in a run ahead of him, in the direction that he had motioned. Nothing was more freeing than running away from the city in the grasses.
The young woman turned to glance back at Calon, and as she faced the wind again, she put her arms out ahead of her and lunged forward, letting her body carry her through a cartwheel. After she was back on her feet she took a few more steps and did another, then let herself fall down in the grass laughing as she sat to wait for Calon.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 29, 2009 20:02:36 GMT -5
“I simply did not wish to scare you from me, Cal. I need you…”
Well, that had pleased the man nicely. Indeed, nothing could have made him happier than to hear such words. While he did respond to her latter list of things, in his mind the man ended the sentence right there. Quite elated he was!
“I presume you could always find another who does adore a good hunt. Though, I do sincerely doubt you should ever find someone so willing to catch your hens.” Calon laughed. He would, indeed, be happy to assist her anytime. As long as it was with her, and no other woman.
Calon laughed as Beleth continued. “You know, Bel, I am sorry for mistaking you for another. I do not know how I could have done so.” Indeed, Beleth was unlike even the rest of her siblings! She was so fine a lady, indeed. “Though, I should say that I am not at all worried for Faeldor’s spies. They may watch us all they wish; I shall give him nothing to detest me for.” He grinned.
Upon the field they were now, and Beleth seemed utterly freed. She slipped the bag from her shoulder and handed it to him, though Calon laughed simply and asked jokingly, “Have I become your mule?” Indeed, he was carrying now everything for this outing. The quiver of arrows on one shoulder, the bag of food on the other. A bow upon his back and a bow within his hand. He certainly must look a sight! He laughed though and enjoyed the way Narbeleth flitted out and cart-wheeled her way to a resting position within the grasses.
She laughed, and Calon smiled at the sound. She was entirely ideal for him; he could never deny it now. “Is this your spot then?” He asked laughingly. “It is as good a place as any, I might say.” The man looked around crossing his arms in a manly fashion as he played up the look of surveillance. “I see no poor citizens that could ever cross paths with you accidentally. That also means there are no spies here,” he smiled presently and laughed openly.
So, he began to lay down the things he carried. One bow he set upon the grasses and the other he extended to her. “I assume you have seen one,” he grinned playfully. “Have you ever held one?”
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 29, 2009 20:36:43 GMT -5
“I will never look for another hen-herder then, nor do I desire another huntsman of any type,” Narbeleth announced happily. Oh, what truth were in her words! She bid her life away to the man; quite pleased that this had been her eighteenth summer, and she had been allowed to attend the ball the week previous. However, it seemed that even then, the Valar would have found a way to put these two in line of each other; the hen hunt in the market was enough to say that.
“Have I become your mule?” The question only made the woman laugh as she darted away from him. A light satchel was hardly work for a man of Calon’s build, she was certain, and so she had not grievance for making him carry it. When he came upon her in the grace, she looked up at him, still amused as she watched him lay down all of his equipment.
“No citizens in sight; than we should be good. My fear is that the spies hide in the grasses and will leap out at any moment; but at least we shall be properly armed to defend ourselves,” she laughed. In truth, Narbeleth was not entirely worried for her aim. It would be poor, certainly, but she was not about to send an arrow in the opposite of it’s intended direction. She had a strong arm, afterall. At least, for a woman. And her balance and grace had to assist in something of this archery lesson, did it not?
He came bearing her bow now. “Have you ever held one?” The man sounded amused at the question.
“Of course I have seen a bow, Cal,” the woman said delightedly as he placed it In her lap. She stayed seated for a moment. “And I have not ever held one, but I think I know how,” she answered, her voice equally as playful as she proceeded to turn the bow to proper handling position. She made a show of holding it completely wrong, with the string facing away from her, and the grip and limbs on the opposite side. It was upside down, and in the wrong hand as well.
“Alright, I am ready for my arrows,” she grinned, holding her hand out, and waiting for the man to rebuke her.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 29, 2009 21:17:12 GMT -5
“I am pleased you would not search for another. I am quite sure that without you and your hens, I would be quite jobless. And it would be a shame for me to miss being able to teach you archery.” Calon agreed with a laugh as he readied his things.
Beleth took the bow, and Calon let her do as she wished while he readied himself to teach her. He had taught a few lads before; back in Belfalas. Teaching Beleth should not be too terribly difficult. She did already have a strength in her arms—that he knew from their impromptu arm-wrestle the few nights previous.
By the time he had turned his attention back to her, she was certainly holding the bow the wrong way. For a moment, Calon’s smile utterly vanished, and his eyes widened. Was she starting with so little knowledge? Perhaps she was jesting with him. That must have been it.
Or.
He grinned.
“Bel, you are holding it the wrong way.” He moved around her and took her wrist into his hand and pried the bow from her hand, then lifted the other and placed it correctly in this one. “It should feel more comfortable here.” He added with a smile. He took the other bow from his back. It was strung tighter, and made of a stiffer wood. It was not his first bow, but one of the ones that matched his own skill and strength nicely.
“Now,” he turned back to her, holding it himself. “I guess I shall let you go ahead and try to shoot something. Just to see how much you know.” He reached over his shoulder to grasp one of the arrows in his hand and handed it toward her. “Do stand up,” he laughed. “It will make this much easier.”
|
|
Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
|
Post by Narbeleth on Sept 29, 2009 21:59:18 GMT -5
“Bel, you are holding it the wrong way.” She giggled as he showed her how to better hold the bow, and then smiled gratefully. “I guess I shall let you go ahead and try to shoot something. Just to see how much you know.” “If you trust me to shoot without instruction,” she obliged, seeing it as a challenge.
Narbeleth stood laughingly, and then took the arrow from Calon. “Well then, I will make my aim for that pile of sand out there,” she nodded, pulling up her sleeves that they would not get in the way. It was not too far, she presumed, to hit; perhaps only twenty yards ahead. Certainly Calon would have been able to hit something five times that distance, but Beleth did not wish to push her first shot and embarrass herself. “I will try then, but you should not tease me when I miss,” she said lightly.
The young woman was slightly uneasy as she stood with the bow in her left hand and the string in her right. She placed the arrow at the nocking point, and then took an open stance, her right foot slightly in front of left, and her body turned properly. She had seen as much from watching the men train, but that was as far as her knowledge took her. The thought of failing in front of Calon upset her. She could sing and dance for him just fine; and talk his ears off, but this… she just did not know. Beleth bit her lip.
She gripped the string with her whole hand as she raised the bow, and drew the string back, holding the bow straight, yet she did not bend her elbow out, nor did she grip the string lightly enough. When she stood to draw it back to her jaw, she did well to steady herself though. She held her breath until she was ready and released the string.
The arrow launched forward, but before Narbeleth noticed where it had landed, she felt the bowstring snap against her left arm, and she let out a cry and managed to not let the bow go from her hand. How horrible would it be to drop Calon’s bow on the ground! She moaned a slight as she raised her forearm again to look at it and saw her skin reddening. Oh, did it sting! “I think I did it wrong,” she muttered, finally looking up and seeing that the arrow had landed quite a ways from her actual target.
|
|
Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
|
Post by Calon on Sept 30, 2009 9:26:58 GMT -5
Calon grinned. “I should never tease a lady,” he offered lightly, stepping to the side to watch Beleth as she worked in preparing herself for a shot. He crossed his arms, and his smile faded as he concentrated. Blue eyes were intent on her arms and hands, and immediately Calon could see that the woman had been paying attention to an archer at one point or another. Her stance and balance were quite sound; but it was her handwork that was a bit off.
He thought to step in and halt her before she fired, but the woman was a bit too quick and let fly the arrow, as it was foreseeable, she hurt her arm and Calon winced for her. He stepped over to her, letting his hand come to rub her forearm gently. “I think I did it wrong.” “Aye,” Calon said softly, his smile returning a slight bit now that he was no longer concentrating. Snapping yourself as she did was painful. But it was not fatal. “Do not worry, Bel. I did that many times when I was learning. It is something you shall learn from,” he said brightly, finally stilling his touch to grasp his own bow in the correct hand.
“Here,” he said. “You do not need to use your whole hand as you did. Three fingers are all.” He grinned a bit as he took an arrow from the quiver again, demonstrating that portion of the hold. “Your other arm needs to bend,” he showed her with a motion how she was holding the bow, and then the proper way to bend the arm there. “It will keep you from hurting yourself,” he added brightly.
“And Bel, you do not need to grip the string so tightly.” He laughed. “It shall not run away from you, nor does it need your strength. It is like a friend; you merely need to help it. It shall do its own work.” He had been looking at her all the while, though now he turned his attention to the little sand pile she was aiming at before, letting loose his own shot. A little flutter of sand in the air was a clear enough marker that the gentleman had hit his target.
“It shall get easier for you,” he assured her, going to get another arrow from his quiver. “Now, let you try again, and I shall help.”
Inwardly, he was quite pleased that Beleth had needed work like this. It meant he had a reason to draw close to her and touch her. He extended the arrow to her with a charming smile and awaited her acceptance to the request. Such a fine day this was!
|
|