Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 20, 2013 1:55:56 GMT -5
“Oh, they will never look upon you now! They know me well enough to fear incurring my wrath. I have proven myself the hardiest competitor in feats of strength, you see. It is a tavern game to wrestle and flex your strength. They would not wish to test their luck should they look upon my wife!”
“How I should adore to watch you compete in your tavern games and win...” Narbeleth commented. “Though perhaps... I suppose you don't find many a classy woman to enter a tavern.” She sighed quite emphatically. “And if I am fair as you say, it would be dangerous for me to enter a place of sorts... dangerous for the other men that is.”
“Shall I?” He was gleaming so smugly at her. What was she to do? “It does sound quite terrible.”
“Terrible for you, or for I?” she quibbled lightly.
“Oh Bel.” Simply the sound of Calon's voice made Narbeleth gulp air, and she felt a warmth rush throughout her body. She already felt her lips and cheeks burning in the warmth of blood and life that had rushed to her face. His voice was so deep and soft... an octave she had not before heard in his usual banters. It was not long before he had pulled her warm and close, and kissed her once more... though this time. This! What would she do? He had deepened his kiss, and it drew on Beleth's heart. She felt blood pounding through her ears, and through her veins, and all the way to the tips of her toes. There was not a spot of her body that was not warmed from the man's touches. He rolled her onto her back in the sand, and the gentle weight of is body upon her did wonders to her thoughts.She would soon enough rip off the thin dress that she wore and feel that hand upon her skin as it traced her side, and oh with what an intensity he kissed her! She could not resist him!
“Now, do tell me, Was that still soon? Or should, perhaps, it last more like this…?”
Given no chance to reply, Narbeleth was taken once more into a long lasting kiss. Her emotions were utterly scrambled, and as gifted her all the generosity of his touch, the woman felt tears in the corners of her eyes. Her breath was quick, and she could not cling to him as much as she desired. No place that she had placed her hands was close enough. It all felt too distant. But then, thoughts could not bother her any longer as the man removed her from the very place that she lay upon the sand, to a place where there were only his breaths and his arms.
“I would hate, after all, to have you think me too fast for your liking.”
The dark haired woman had been reduced to clutching Calon's back as he loomed over her and pressed her body into the sand. When Calon's lips finally released her, she found that she had been digging her fingernails into his skin in desperation. She breathed heavily, and attempted to unclench herself, though her body would not allow it, and she clung to the man some moments longer, finally relaxing enough to release them her grips.
“What have you done to me?” Beleth murmered, laying in the sand, her eyes still closed. She could not bear to look into those blue eyes that were certainly dancing at her in pride for the position in which he had placed her. Yet at the same time, she longed to look at the man forever. She opened her eyes wide and stared up at his face. His breaths were coming deeply, almost as hers, and for a moment she was glad that he had become just as breathless. Serves him right, she thought to herself.
“I should be glad for our betrothal to finish tomorrow,” the woman sighed, wrapping her arms once more around Calon's neck, and pulling him down to rest his head upon her chest, that she might feel him breath. She rubbed his back lightly, feeling where she had dented his skin, and buried her hand within his hair. No, indeed. Suddenly she was very much looking forward to the next eve, and debating how she might manage to make it through the next day. The young woman once more felt tears well up in her eyes and her throat fill. She gasped, clutching Calon to her, though this time with soft hands. What was she to do with him? She could never be parted. No, never. No one should take her Calon from her. She was glad for they days they had still before they must return to Minas Tirith, for the woman did not wish to spend a moment away from him, sooner than need be.
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Calon
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Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Jan 20, 2013 11:08:09 GMT -5
“What have I done to you?” Calon repeated in a low murmur. He let his hands trail down her side one more time. Perhaps, he mused, the proper question was actually what had she done to him. Calon, just a few short months ago, looked into his future and saw horses, hunting, drinking, and riding. Living with his grandparents and helping them around the house, trying to earn himself another promotion, maybe earning Head of Stables on the fifth tier. But now. Now he looked into his future and saw her.
He could hardly contain his smile.
“Nothing we both did not want,” he finally decided in answer. She certainly had enjoyed everything—perhaps almost as much as he had. Calon could feel his heart in his chest, and it was hammering without ceasing, and his breaths had grown heavy trying to calm it. The huntsman could not help but consider how pleasant it was.
“I should be glad for our betrothal to finish tomorrow.”
“I will be too,” Calon chuckled, collapsing under Beleth’s tug to fall against her. At first he was surprised, though quickly found himself entirely fond of the position. He could hear her breathing, feel hear heart. Maybe, he mused for a moment, he was growing soft. He took in a deep breath, the smell of salt and smoke and flour coiling into his senses. Then again, he did not seem to care at that moment.
“I don’t know how others wait so long. A mate of mine was betrothed to his lady a whole year before she finally finished all the planning! Can you imagine waiting longer than a day? I would not even wait that long, should Dol Amroth not sleep like the rest of the world come night.” He smiled, pleasantly musing on the following morning. “I doubt any man wants to wait the moment after he asks for the hand of his lady.” Calon shifted, and placed a kiss at the crook of Beleth’s neck.
“It surely drives them crazy.”
Perhaps Calon had not thought on the matter long, but he had seen it enough around him. He knew his parents were quick to wed because his father was every bit as impulsive as his youngest son, the other man that often came to the tavern for a drink with him had groaned about the long days before his wedding. And even Faeldor, though Calon did not wish to think of him in any sympathetic light at all, when Gilwen had visited those few times, he always seemed loathe to release her again.
“We, though, are smart enough to avoid that long wait,” Calon hummed pleasantly. “And we shall not have to live without each other again.” It was a wonderful thought, and the huntsman could not quell his smile or happy sigh.
His sigh morphed into a yawn, and he once more settled his head against Beleth’s shoulder. It had been quite a long day. “Tomorrow you will be mine,” he added dreamily, as his eyes already had begun to shut in his exhaustion. “And I will be yours.”
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Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 20, 2013 18:34:18 GMT -5
“I don’t know how others wait so long. A mate of mine was betrothed to his lady a whole year before she finally finished all the planning! Can you imagine waiting longer than a day? I would not even wait that long, should Dol Amroth not sleep like the rest of the world come night. I doubt any man wants to wait the moment after he asks for the hand of his lady. It surely drives them crazy.”
Narbeleth hummed in agreement. Though she had desired it, she had gone for some time without touching the man. Had she opened up and let the the man touch her before as she had now, she would have been in a sea of danger, for she had so enjoyed his hands and his lips upon her.
Certainly this was where Faeldor's fear for her had come in. She had not understood it before, for she had been careful to keep at least a small distance between herself and the man. But Faeldor understood well. He knew her impulsivity, as he knew his own, and his own had indeed been tested.
“We, though, are smart enough to avoid that long wait. And we shall not have to live without each other again.
“I do believe for those like us... a short betrothal is for the best. We are too spirited to remain apart after we have decided to be together,” Beleth agreed. “To think after this evening... if we had thought to wait a month or a year... to go to sleep at night and know what I was missing. I fear I would become a wreck. We might plan our union for a year away, and I would simply come to you one day and demand that we wed immediately. We may as well simply get it out of the way.” She laughed lightly. “Yes indeed, it would drive me crazy as well. I do not know how other ladies manage to compose themselves. Now that I have felt... what it is like to be loved. I simply cannot imagine it another way.”
“Tomorrow you will be mine, and I will be yours.”
“Yes...” the young woman murmered, letting her hand brush through Calon's seawashed hair. Her breathing had turned to normal now, though where she had before felt chilled, she was nowhere near cold with the fire roaring near and her huntsman beside her. “I should like that very much.” Beleth was perhaps at a loss for words, yet she sensed Calon's exhaustion. She had felt him calm against her, and his last words had held a drowsy sound. He had taken a long and quick trip to make for Belfalas. Many hours on stiff horseback, and many hours likely stressed from the danger of the passes and the always eminent threat that loomed over unwary citizens. He had mentioned that he was tired before even their swim, but she was glad to have pressed him so hard in the waters still. It was good for him to move his muscles after the long ride, and he would feel better for it in the morning.
The young woman was still quite alert, and she lay upon the ground watching the embers rise high in the clear sky before disappearing in the smoke flumes. She would let her huntsman begin his sleep, and she knew that if she lay still enough, she would not easily stay awake long either. She would sing to him. She had promised to do so, after all.
“At the outer edge of the world, Where the long grey mists arise, Between the sunset and the sea I gaze with longing eyes.
O the twilight and dreams for me, And the things my fancy paints -- My hopes the light upon the sea Which slowly faints and faints.
The surge and beat of the sea, The mournful and endless dole, -- They swell with a thousand questionings And overflow my soul.”
After several such songs, Beleth felt herself growing drowsy as well. The light crash of waves and the crackle of the fire were there to sing her to sleep, and that she did.
------- Poetry : Twilight and Dreams by William Stanley Braithwaite
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Calon
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Post by Calon on Jan 20, 2013 19:21:56 GMT -5
The next morning came brightly, and Calon’s sleep nearly bounded brightly away. The huntsman, of course, was never one to be a morning person unless some great hunting arty had been set, but it was certainly a day the man knew he could not let idleness be. He had to get to Dol Amroth. Immediately.
He lifted himself from the sandy ground, golden grains falling like raindrops from his curls and shirt. The fire had burned out, nothing now but a smoking coil of grey; the moon had gone and the sun had come, bathing the cove with a warmth that set his heart to soar.
The sky was cloudless.
It was the perfect day to end the greatest hunt of his life: the day his prize became his wife.
Calon stretched, and cast his eyes down toward his side. Beleth was there, her dark hair mussed and strung about her face and cheeks, moved by the wind and their sleep. She seemed content and rested, and had it been any other morning, Calon would have gladly looked upon her fondly for some time and never thought of waking her up.
This day, though, was too special to let her stay asleep; it was the day of their wedding! He grinned. While many lovers, he supposed, would wake their betrothed with a kiss, Calon had a better idea. He reached for her, and ever so readily began to tickle his lady. “Bel,” he sang as he went. “We have quite the day ahead of us!”
He had a mind to bring her back to his house, that they might change and he might fetch some money to procure for her that ring he had spoke of the evening before. He would announce to his parents that they would be off to marry. And then he could sweep her away, take her as his wife, and get directly to the part of his life where he would not have to let her go.
There had never been a better dawn.
“Dol Amroth awaits!” Calon chimed, finally stilling his tickling and moving to stand. A whole band of orcs could have come upon him there, and even then, the man would not have lost his smile. “And we certainly don’t want to wait much longer!”
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Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 21, 2013 0:02:36 GMT -5
Sleep was so beautiful, so peaceful, and so deep! Narbeleth rarely slept past the rising of the sun, but she must have been exhausted, for this day she could already feel the warm rays upon her face. She felt something brushing her, and batted it away from her face, sighing and rolling over.
The bothering persisted, and soon Narbeleth began to awaken. There was sand upon her face and in her mouth, and confusedly she blinked and tried to open her eyes against the bright light. Someone stood above her, and was reaching down to her, and for a moment, she almost panicked! Who was standing above her?
“Bel, We have quite the day ahead of us!”
The voice was larkish and Narbeleth's eyes finally opened wide. Recognition overtook her, and the events of the evening past flooded back into her mind! Why, how could she have forgotten? But before she had a chance to say a word, the man, she realized was tickling her! Her senses had come alive, and she began to writhe and wiggle, and attempt her grand escape, but he seemingly had her pinned!
“Caaaaaal,” she prolonged his name, whined, and attempted to curl herself into a ball. “This... is not...a fair game!” The woman gasped, the light touches overwhelming her. And before she had even managed to wake herself fully!
“Dol Amroth awaits!”
Suddenly the tickling ceased, and Narbeleth left herself breathless and curled upon the ground for some moments. Calon was standing now above her.
“And we certainly don’t want to wait much longer!”
“Oh no,” the woman said eventually, standing up slowly. She needed to shake the sand from her dress, for it bore her a terrible itch upon her back! And her arms and legs. And gracious it had even worked into her bloomers. She stretched, arms above her head, and behind her, and glanced at Calon. Oh, she had been sleeping so soundly and so well! The best, perhaps that she had since she had come to Belfalas.
Calon would pay for awaking her in such a manner. He was so proud and his smile was gleaming before her. Could he not have awakened her gently in the least? Her eyes glinted in the sunlight, and she braced herself for a moment, staring upon him... then jumped! She leapt upon the man in an attempt to knock him into the sand, though, she was much lighter, perhaps she still had the advantage of taking him by surprise, and on unlevel ground.
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Calon
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Post by Calon on Jan 21, 2013 19:10:30 GMT -5
Beleth agreed that she did not wish to wait, and Calon was very pleased. He was about to turn away, when suddenly he felt upon him a force he did not expect. The man toppled to the ground, falling heavily onto the sand and nearly losing his breath. Beleth was now on top of him, grinning bemusedly to herself.
And Calon was not going to let that happen.
“Is that how you want to play?” He asked jocularly. Immediately he took hold of her and smiled himself, blue eyes bright and playful. It was not too terribly difficult for the man to put her onto the sand beside him, and it took little time at all before he had her pinned herself. “A great huntsman is never bested, Bel,” he chimed pleasantly. For a moment he held her there, warring with himself whether he should resume his tickling and cause her such pleasant torture.
However, he ended up with a better idea.
“Now look at us! All sandy,” he started. “While I don’t care much for formality for our wedding, I doubt highly my mother would like us tromping through the house bringing with us the entire beach!” He grinned mischievously, and stood, reaching down to haul her up with him.
“We best wash you off,” he chimed. He lifted her into his arms, holding her tight so that her squirming could not free her, and began to take her to the lapping waters of the bay. He waded out until the water was to his thighs, soaking his breeches that had long since dried the night before. The morning was crisp, but it was not too cool; the southern winter was rather mild. He had no remorse as he twisted Beleth and placed a kiss to her lips, and let her loose to fall to the water below.
“After all, even nightingales need their baths, I suppose,” he laughed brightly, crossing his arms in triumph. “Dol Amroth can wait for this, I should think.”
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Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 21, 2013 20:28:07 GMT -5
Beleth was prideful as her attempt to bring Calon to the earth was satisfied. She looked happily upon him from above as her hair fell down around her face, and she gleamed.
“Is that how you want to play?”
“Yes, that is how I wish to play,” Beleth answered triumphantly as she looked to the man. Her attempt of a surprise attack had succeeded, and though she did not assume she would be able to do much more than knock the man to the ground before he took an attempt to still her.
“A great huntsman is never bested, Bel.”
“If his prey gave him no challenge, he would not delight so in the hunt,” the young woman pointedly replied from beneath him. “I simply cannot allow you to wake me in the manner that you did without at least the attempt to defend myself.”
“Now look at us! All sandy. While I don’t care much for formality for our wedding, I doubt highly my mother would like us tromping through the house bringing with us the entire beach!”
“Oh, it shall easily shake off,” Beleth laughed as Calon helped to raise her to her feet. Now their game was over and she was satisfied. Apparently though, Calon had something else in mind. “We best wash you off.” She was promptly lifted from her feet into the man's arms.
“Calon, son of Istor... you put me down this instant!” the woman demanded larkishly as she attempted to escape from the arms which gripped her, though she could not protest the fact that she enjoyed her huntsman's strength. He did not even quake at all her protests, and it was certain that she had no escape. He began toward the waters and waded in, deeper and deeper with here, and soon he had stopped and was twisting her in his arms.
“Oh, no, Cal, stop, stop, stop,” she begged, attempting to beat the man upon his shoulder and writhe free at the same time. She was so warm and happy from slumber, and he was going to toss her into that cool water. She just knew it! The man forcibly kissed her, as she was attempting to evade him the pleasure of it! And then he suddenly released her.
The young lady fell with a splash, and at least had the sense to hold her breath so that she did not splutter and choke. The water chilled her in an instant and she thrashed, hearing Calon's statement before she went under.
“After all, even nightingales need their baths, I suppose. Dol Amroth can wait for this, I should think.”
“You... you...” she leaped out from her place underneath the waters and grabbed Calon about the knees, pulling him down with her. Then she stood, up again in the shallow waters looking down on him, her hands on her hips in a feigned affrontedness. “Now look what you have done,” she stated emphatically. “We shall not trail sand into her home, but drip all the waters of the sea!”
“Now Dol Amroth shall have to wait for you to return me to my Uncle's house, that I might find a dry dress.”
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Calon
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Post by Calon on Jan 21, 2013 20:54:35 GMT -5
He had been feeling rather smug, though the moment Beleth pulled at him and he toppled into the water, he was quite wiped of his expression. Instead, the man rose again in spluttering coughs, and slowly those turned to laughs. “My, a nightingale does prove to be the finest quarry!” His curls were plastered to his face, dripping salty water into his eyes and setting them to sting ever so slightly.
Now they were both dripping, and Calon did not seem to mind at all.
“Bringing in all the sea is not so bad as the shore,” Calon mused aloud in a hum. Water can be mopped readily enough. Sand, though—that is another matter entirely! The grains get everywhere, and mother never was one to enjoy heavy cleaning.” He reached for Beleth’s hand and pulled her back close to him, lifting his hands to wipe her dark strands of hair from her face. For a moment, he stared, then he kissed her lips one more time.
“Now Dol Amroth shall have to wait for you to return me to my Uncle's house, that I might find a dry dress.”
“Yes, I suppose it shall,” Calon agreed, turning and leading them both back to shore. “And I shall stop by my own house for some fresh clothes. But then, Bel! Then we are off on our greatest adventure yet. And it will not come soon enough!” The man smiled and gave her a wink. “Besides! Your family should wish to know of your plans for the day.”
He laughed all the more, content to know that their sudden marriage was going to seem no different than a trip to the market. Linnon’s girls were surely going to be soak up the announcement like water, and likely they were going to think Calon barking mad, romantic, or both. Calon imagined that they would immediately sit down to write letters to their family in Minas Tirith, sending word to Meleth and Faeldor of Beleth’s decision to come home wed to a man she had hardly known.
Calon figured they better try and beat the letters. “By the end of the day, Nightingale, you will not be able to escape me!” Calon grinned. “It may be my finest trap yet,” he added with a wink.
“Now come, let’s pick out a nice dress for you so we can be on our way!”
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Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 21, 2013 23:02:06 GMT -5
“By the end of the day, Nightingale, you will not be able to escape me! It may be my finest trap yet.”
“Oh, how I have let myself be lured. My huntsman shall never be rid of this quarry, for I would not even consider an escape now. Save... from being tickled perhaps.” The man had kissed her again, so tenderly, and Beleth once more wished him to continue as he had the night before, leaving her breathless and barely alive at the end of it. Though, there would be time for such things later, she knew. The rest of their lives, in fact. Today they had errands to run!
“Now come, let’s pick out a nice dress for you so we can be on our way!”
“Let us go to your home first. You look quite the disaster.” Beleth answered. “You will need to make a good impression upon my family. Should my Uncle Linnon attempt to prevent our marriage. Though, he is quite unlike Faeldor. Much more mellow. I know he knows your family, so he should not protest.”
“I did not tell my cousin's about knowing you. They were quite taken by surprise yesterday, I think, when I left with you. They would have pried, you see, and I did not wish to become too emotional over it in front of them. I missed you so terribly. It was lovely when Uncle would bring your letters to me, and he was secret about it too for me... I did not wish to share them, I suppose, and those girls would have made me!” Perhaps with her own sister she would have shared such letters. She had saved them all and kept them under her pillow, so that her cousins might not see them, and each had been read many times.
“Let us fetch our things,” the young woman announced as they made their way back into the cove. She stalled for a minute to toss some sand over the fire with care, should any coals be yet hidden within and come aflame again. She would hate for the beautiful vinery to catch fire and cut off the would be path to their berries.
“I suppose...” she commented, reaching the dress that was still discarded from the swim the previous night. “I should put these on. Best for your parents not to see me me as this, yet! This sight is only for my huntsman.” Her chemise was soaked right through again after her bath, and she blushed for a moment to realize that in the sunlight, the transparency of white fabric was much more evident than it had been the night before in the dark. She moved to redress herself, lacing the dry dress over the soaking chemise. It was a terrible feeling to do so, as the cold salt water and remaining sand was tightened against her skin. Perhaps she would have time to take a quick bath before finding dry clothes. Yes, that would warm her again and lend her to feel nicer. She may not dress for a frilly wedding, but she would at least be cleanly about it. Calon would have for himself a clean wife this evening. Narbeleth's cheeks turned rosy again at the thought, and she moved to gather Calon's shirt, some berries spilling out as she did so. She had almost forgotten!
“Now, let us go home.” As home as any, Narbeleth thought. If she were to wed Calon, his home would be hers, and her home also his. Truly it was quite exciting to think on the fact that once they were wed new arrangements would need to be made. Would they stay at his grandparent's home once they returned to the city? Or would they stay at her mother's home? Certainly it would take at least some time and expense before Calon could afford for them their own home. Or perhaps he had been saving for one all along. They had never discussed his monetary situation. It did not matter much to her, as long as she might keep her nights with her huntsman. She could, quite easily, live simply.
“We shall have breakfast on the way,” she motioned to the shirt-full of berries. “I cannot believe I climbed up that ledge for these last night, and you only consumed one.”
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Calon
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Post by Calon on Jan 21, 2013 23:39:42 GMT -5
“Hm,” Calon hummed for a moment. He had not truly thought about his own state of appearance, though now that Beleth made a fleeting mention of her uncle and of having his advances possibly be denied, the man grew for a moment serious. “I shall take special mind of myself today, then. I know yesterday I showed up quite caked in mud and very well mussed.” He squeezed Beleth’s hand tightly, and perhaps a shade possessively. Nobody was going to deny him his Nightingale.
“We may not be clad in white and garlands, but when we get to Dol Amroth we shall be clean and collected. Faeldor did not take you from me, though he tried. I shall not be deterred by anyone else, either.”
Beleth redressed, and swept up his shirt, a few blueberries sprawling upon the sand as she did so. “We shall have breakfast on the way. I cannot believe I climbed up that ledge for these last night, and you only consumed one.” Calon grinned, and reached for a handful of the berries even as they walked. “Well, last night I had something much sweeter to keep me busy.” He popped the fruit into his mouth and near sighed with delight.
“That is quite a compliment for you, Bel. These really are the best berries in Arda!” Calon contentedly strolled, a hand laced between her fingers and heart soaring like a gull of the sky. The day was bright, and while he was certainly not one to sing, the man began to hum. It was a tune Beleth had sung for him the night before, and one that had stuck into his heart with joy and pleasantries.
They made their way up the road for some time before coming to Calon’s house. “Here we are. Home.” He winked to her, and then shoved the door open triumphantly and dragged Beleth behind him.
“Mother! Father!”
“Calon?! Heavens, were you out all night?” Arobes’ voice chimed back. Hurried footsteps carried the woman around the corner. Immediately it was apparent she was surprised that Beleth was there, though perhaps more so by the mess they presented. “Beleth!” The woman exclaimed finally, a smile coming to her face. “Oh, you poor thing. My son must have hauled you along for an adventure or two. Come in, have some breakfast!”
“Make it quick for her, Mother,” Calon half sang as he dropped Beleth’s hand and moved toward the stairs. “We cannot stay long—we are off to Dol Amroth.”
“Dol Amroth?” His mother repeated with a slight frown. “Looking like that?” She motioned to her youngest son’s stained, rumpled and sandy shirt.
Calon grinned. “Of course not, Mother. I am here to change!”
Arobes winked to Beleth before chirping back, “Well, you best! You look a mess. Nobody in Dol Amroth would be willing to let you walk about their streets looking like that.” Calon vanished upstairs and his mother turned to look at the woman still in the entry. “Come, then. I have some bread and fruit for you, if you would like it. And I shall grab you a towel—you must be cold.” And with that, the woman turned and led the way back toward her kitchen, stopping at a hall closet to grab the girl a warm towel.
“Here,” she hummed.
She motioned to the counter for her to sit once they were in the kitchen. “So you and Calon are heading to Dol Amroth?” The lady inquired pleasantly. “Lovely place—haven’t been often enough.”
“Dol Amroth?” Istor chimed as he found his way inside the kitchen as well. “Our Calon wants to go to Dol Amroth? Is a beast loose upon the streets that needs felling?” The man winked to Beleth himself.
Arobes laughed. “He is not one for cities, as I am sure you have noticed. And, I sure haven't heard of any beast! What is bringing you both there, may I ask?”
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Narbeleth
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Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 22, 2013 0:38:43 GMT -5
One of the first things that young Narbeleth noted upon their entrance into Calon's home was the calm demeanor of the household. Arobes had clearly not expected her to be there with Calon, and them both dripping wet and dirty, yet she was not cross, and she did not seem phased.
“Oh, you poor thing. My son must have hauled you along for an adventure or two. Come in, have some breakfast!”
She made no suggestions as to what they had done on their night out, as her brother might have. In fact, she only seemed amused at their state, and Narbeleth felt no pressure to explain herself. It were as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Come, then. I have some bread and fruit for you, if you would like it. And I shall grab you a towel—you must be cold.”
“Forgive the water,” she stated. “Cal insisted on a morning swim. But I would very much like that towel, thank you.” The young woman was quite chilled. Calon had stepped away from her and even the warmth from his hand was gone now. She graciously accepted the offered towel, and wrapped it about her shoulders as she followed Arobes into the kitchen, straying near the stove for a moment and relishing the heat, before moving to sit where the woman instructed.
“So you and Calon are heading to Dol Amroth? Lovely place—haven’t been often enough.” “Dol Amroth? Our Calon wants to go to Dol Amroth? Is a beast loose upon the streets that needs felling?”
“He is not one for cities, as I am sure you have noticed. And, I sure haven't heard of any beast! What is bringing you both there, may I ask?”
“Well, perhaps there are some fell beasts upon the streets that my huntsman must manage,” Beleth started, smiling at Istor. Best simply out with it, she chided herself, continuing, “Calon has proposed that we off to the city to wed today.” She seemed a bit nervous making her announcement, and wished that Calon had explained further before leaving her in the room, but she smiled nonetheless.
“And we see no reason to wait a day longer. Mother, Father,” she looked to each of them in turn, praying to Eru that they would be as delighted as Calon was over the matter.
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Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Jan 22, 2013 1:24:35 GMT -5
“Wed? Today?” Arobes blinked, glancing for a moment to her husband.
They both sat in silence for a good breath, and then broke out into laughter. “Gracious!” The woman leaned over and hit her hand across her husband’s arm. “Just like you! Every little bit!”
Istor grinned, a lopsided expression that was identical to Calon’s, though perhaps with cheeks that wrinkled a bit more with age. “Well, Arobes,” Istor volleyed back pleasantly. “I wasn’t the only one who ran off to elope.”
“I was corrupted,” Arobes gleamed, mockingly placing a hand upon her chest in offense. “There you were, so handsome and charming, and you whisked me away to marry me before my parents had a reason to say no!” She winked to Beleth.
Istor laughed, and set himself down at the counter with the other two ladies. “Me? Corrupted you? I recall you nearly dragging me the last few steps for your excitement!”
The lady laughed some more. “The men in this family corrupt easily. Every single last one of them are smooth talking charmers,” Arobes seemed to lament. “He waltzed into my father’s carpenter shop to borrow a hammer, and I dare say he winked and swept me away instead.”
“No, I left with the hammer,” Istor recalled brightly. “But when I returned it, you never stood a chance!”
“See? He admits it!” Arobes exclaimed brightly, pointing to her husband with an even brighter smile. “Never asked my father to court me, no formality…he is a bad influence!” Her tone was light and jesting, and Istor and she shone so brightly that it was nigh impossible to believe Arobes held any truth to her words.
“I suppose I never asked,” Istor admitted. “But I made you a promise that I would keep you happy. I have done well with that, have I not?”
Arobes’ smile softened, and for a moment she leaned over and kissed his cheek. She stood and breezed over to the far counter. “There now. We best get our daughter some food. And I might pack a lunch for the two of you. If I know Calon, he will be a bit too preoccupied to even think about food until it is too late.”
She reached for a fresh loaf of bread and gathered into a bowl some grapes, some apples and a citrus that was a specialty at the market. Imported. “Here—the grapes are particularly sweet this week!”
“Are you coming home tomorrow?” Istor asked thoughtfully. “Or is Calon just going to whisk you away and never let you look back?”
“Hush, Istor,” Arobes scolded lovingly. “Don’t speak such things. Calon won’t leave and never come back!”
Istor laughed. “He picked up and moved to Minas Tirith, did he not?”
“He writes!” Arobes protested, a bit sullenly. “…Sometimes.” The woman quickly turned and placed the food upon the countertop. “Maybe when he takes you back into the city you could prod him to write a bit more. A woman sometimes just needs to hear from her son, even if he can only mention horses and dirty laundry!” She let out a sigh, though it was caught somewhere between excitement and fancy. She turned to her husband then, once more bright. “I told you, Istor! I told you she was going to be a daughter!”
“You did,” Istor agreed. “Though, I must admit I am a bit surprised. Calon never took much interest in girls.”
“We thought he was going to elope…with his bow," Arobes expounded, dropping her voice low.
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Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 22, 2013 17:23:46 GMT -5
“Wed? Today?”
Narbeleth glanced nervously at the couple, he hands fluttering in her lap as she awaited the response. For a moment she thought that Arobes would have great protest over the matter, or at least, encourage them to wait. To know each other more fully. But soon, the woman, and her husband both began to laugh! Were they making fun! Perhaps they thought her jesting!
“Gracious! Just like you! Every little bit!”
As Arobes and Istor continued, Narbeleth had a feeling of delight. They were speaking upon their very own meeting, their own wedding. Short and swift, and they were speaking gladly upon the decision that she and Calon had allowed no one else to make for themselves. The young woman sat bemusedly listening, holding tight the towel about her shoulders to warm herself, and looking between the man and woman as they fashioned the story for her ears. Though at times it seemed they were speaking only to each other. Istor reminded her of Calon. They were so very much alike, and she could see that even now.
“There now. We best get our daughter some food. And I might pack a lunch for the two of you. If I know Calon, he will be a bit too preoccupied to even think about food until it is too late.”
“I am famished,” the young woman agreeably took some of the food offered, enjoying the grapes just as Arobes had stated, and breaking a piece from the bread. She did wish to wait for Calon, but between the man and the night of sea and fresh air, quite the appetite had been kindled with in. Aside, her huntsman was on a great mission, and would likely whisk her out the door not long after he returned.
A daughter. It was nice to be called such by his parents. They had accepted her among them so easily, it was a wonder! They barely knew a thing of her, and they thought her well enough to be with her Calon, and even then... her showing up dripping wet and in a mess with him, obviously having spent the night together. They hadn't even looked quizzically upon her.
“Are you coming home tomorrow? Or is Calon just going to whisk you away and never let you look back?”
“Hush, Istor. Don’t speak such things. Calon won’t leave and never come back!”
“He picked up and moved to Minas Tirith, did he not?”
“He writes! …Sometimes. Maybe when he takes you back into the city you could prod him to write a bit more. A woman sometimes just needs to hear from her son, even if he can only mention horses and dirty laundry! I told you, Istor! I told you she was going to be a daughter!”
“You did. Though, I must admit I am a bit surprised. Calon never took much interest in girls.”
“We thought he was going to elope…with his bow."
Did the two go on and on! They hardly allowed Beleth a moment to answer their questions as they went. It was true, the two seemed delighted. Calon had said that his mother and father would love her, and she had no reason to not believe him. If only my family would take the news so well! She looked upon Istor for a moment, watching him speak and noticing how his smile curved slightly to the side, and his eyes creased in laughter. And the ceaseless talking. It was no wonder now where Calon had acquired his voice and demeanor.
“Elope with his bow,” Beleth whispered lightly to herself, shaking her head, then looking back to Arobes. “I had noticed his attraction to that one, and I would never ask her to give up affections for her. She will always have a place in our home,”
“We had not made plans past our wedding this afternoon,” she answered Istor, when finally there was room for speech. Beleth had hardly thought on what they would do afterward, or where they would go.
“Of course we will return to the city shortly, I imagine. But I will see fit that I write you of our adventures often,” she stated freely, “And perhaps I might even get him to scribble a few sentences of his own. Even if he only writes of chickens and horses, though pity that... he wrote me quite nice letters since I've been away. He never mentioned his dirty laundry at all!”
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Calon
Man
Stablehand
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 145
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Post by Calon on Jan 22, 2013 17:51:00 GMT -5
Arobes laughed. “Yes, I suppose you would have to give the bow her space in your home. At least you are walking in knowing how Calon feels about the thing. I found out from Istor the hard way!”
Istor shrugged bemusedly. “I was in the process, I suppose, of running off with my bow. But I needed the wagon fixed first, so I went to borrow a hammer instead.” He winked, and Arobes laughed all the more.
“Of course we will return to the city shortly, I imagine. But I will see fit that I write you of our adventures often. And perhaps I might even get him to scribble a few sentences of his own. Even if he only writes of chickens and horses, though pity that... he wrote me quite nice letters since I've been away. He never mentioned his dirty laundry at all!”
Arobes pouted slightly, though through her general good mood it was not convincing in upset or worry. “I suppose we’ll just have to take the trip out to Minas Tirith. It would be good to see your parents again, anyway,” she added thoughtfully to Istor.
“He wrote to you? Well, well!” Istor exclaimed. “Can’t hardly get him to respond to his mother! You must be quite a woman indeed.”
Arobes laughed a little herself. “Here, let me show you that last letter I got from him. Near two weeks ago this came.” she stood and moved off toward the far side of the kitchen, finding a pile of parchments that she kept stacked in the corner. “Aha! Here.”
She put it down and slid it so it was in front of Beleth and she could easily read it. Calon’s script was hardly as careful as that which he had used on Beleth’s own letters, and the tone of the content was entirely different.
Mother,
Your letter did find me well, though tired. The stables are working out well enough for my tastes, so there is no use asking me to come home again! Grandmother and Grandfather have certainly enjoyed the company, and I am growing fond of the city.
You and Father and Remlas should certainly come for a visit. I know Grandmother and Grandfather would love to see you, and I would like to show Remlas all about! I think he would take to the market here—there are quite a few smithies.
I would love to make this letter longer, but I find that I smell entirely of horse manure this evening. The stable master has charged me with early morning mucking, and I am quite in need of laundry done! Perhaps I should go find Grandmother.
Hope you are well, Calon
“And that one is long!” Istor added with a bit of a grin.
Arobes laughed herself, returning now to the counter with a bag of prepared sandwiches and fruits. “Sometimes I think the boy just forgets how to write.”
There was the sound of footsteps in the hall, and Istor and Arobes lifted their bright eyes to mark Calon as he entered. “I certainly remember how to write,” he offered pleasantly. “I just forget that I must!”
He was freshly washed, adorned now in a clean green tunic and dark bottoms and new brown boots that held no sign of sand. Even Calon’s hair looked to have been tended to, and the man’s curls were a bit tidier and combed through.
“Calon! Now when were you going to tell us you were running off to marry?” Arobes hummed, a single eyebrow lifting.
“Well now, Mother!” Calon replied, taking his seat beside Beleth and taking a grape from her plate. “I was going to hold to the family tradition and tell you when we came back!” Arobes swatted at his hand as he reached for another.
She placed his own plate before him, and Calon eagerly began to eat. His stomach had started growling while he was upstairs. “Leave her plate be and eat this,” Arobes scolded gently. “And take this when you go.” She placed a brown satchel upon the countertop.
“Can’t get married on an empty stomach!” Istor added pleasantly.
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Narbeleth
Man
Midwife
Laugh as much as you breath, and love as long as you live.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 143
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Post by Narbeleth on Jan 24, 2013 17:36:39 GMT -5
“Yes, he told me much of his bow on the first night I met him... well... the second night. The first time, I'm afraid that we hardly spoke. We more or less chased a hen down the street. The second though!” Narbeleth thought back on the ball of Midsummer's eve. “I do not fear though, for he has promised to take me with him to the forest when he runs off with his bow. We shall all co-habitate.”
“I suppose we’ll just have to take the trip out to Minas Tirith. It would be good to see your parents again, anyway.”
“And my own family would be glad to meet you,” Beleth chimed. “Mother and my grandparents are always longing for news of Belfalas to reach their ears.
Beleth's interest soon turned to the letter that Calon had most recently sent to his parents, and how amusing it was!
“Would you look at that...” Narbeleth laughed pleasantly as she leaned to look upon the writing. Calon's chicken scratch barely took up a quarter of the parchment. “Oh, and he even mentions my brother! Pity, Faeldor still has him doing the mucking, even though I've been away so long...” she murmured the last bit.
“Well I dare say, he shall never write about dirty laundry to you again. I will do my best to keep him in clean pants and shirts...” Her eyes glinted at Arobes. “Washing days will be none the easier though, for I think he shall go through as many pants and shirts as all my siblings combined.”
It was upon her last statement that the man himself came hurtling down the stairs and quite a sight was he. Why... perhaps he had even taken greater care this day than he had for the midsummer's ball! His hair was tidy about his head and he was completely clean. She had not seen him dressed in such a way since then, and his blue eyes were shining.
“Calon! Now when were you going to tell us you were running off to marry?”
“Well now, Mother! I was going to hold to the family tradition and tell you when we came back!”
“Leave her plate be and eat this. And take this when you go.”
“Can’t get married on an empty stomach!”
Beleth enjoyed the light banter as Calon joined her for breakfast, and it was not long before she had finished clean her plate. My, it had looked quite too full sit in front of her, but now it had all managed to fit inside. It was certain that one had a voracious appetite after all that fresh sea air and ingested salt water.
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