Accompanying the traveler...

[Arwen]

"I try to be," he replied in a soft voice after a very long pause, and they were finally in the courts.

He led her gently to a bench, the hand still gently resting at the small of her back, and sat down, pulling her gently down beside him as he moved to take her hands.

But there was naught to say. What could he say if there was nothing? He'd rather not speak pointlessly. So he was silent, gazing at the young woman who was but a child compared to him with a gentle compassion, still fighting to pull up that long lost paternal instinct.

[Tiire]

Sheig just sat there for a moment, pulling herself together with help from the peaceful atmosphere. This man was so naturally charming... much like Dima...

The thought entered her head but she just mentally shrugged it off, they where probably related.

"Thank-you. For the dance, the comfort..."

aye, the dance was nice while it lasted, but was it all really worth thanking him? "thanks for giving me a short dance and a hug, now, can I have my heart back?" hah. And thats exactly what its like isnt it? I have to get out of here before I make a mockery of myself.

Ither that or I kiss him and get kicked out of avelbane.

the thought of being heaved out the gates by a couple of elves was quite amusing, even as she shifted away from Aricins touch uncomfortably.

Even as she did so, as embarrased as she was, for that movement probably gave away her thoughts, her hands twitched on inpulse and she leaned forward swiftly and embraced Aricin in a tight hug, crying.

Crying for Tiire's death, crying for Silas' death, for Dima's pain, for Aricins pain, for Efion, crying for her own losses, for all the people in this world that found love before she did.

But even as she held the elf lord tight to her, one foot on the ground that kept her balance slipped, and she fell backwards into the large fountain ((shut your face there was a fountain behind them )) behind them, pulling Aricin in with her.

She let go of him with a surprised yelp when they hit the knee-high water, both of them landing on their rumps. It took a second for Sheig to pull herself together, looking at Aricin in a surprised way, water droplets glistening on her skin.

And... she started to laugh. Everything had gone so wrong that all she did was laugh. Hard. She was soaked from head to toe, silken dress clinging to her like a second skin... very alluring.

She sobered up after a moment, smile of contempt on her face as she looked at the elf-lord. She had needed that. A good cold soaking and a good long laugh.

On impulse, scince the moment was so perfect, and without even alowing herself to think she leaned forward and kissed Aricin gently on the mouth, lips wet from the water, but warm and soft. She pulled away within a spance of five seconds, shocked at her own behavior and rendered silent for a moment.

"I am so... so sorry... I shant do it again..."

She looked away, tanned skin flushed cutley with embarrasment.

[Arwen]

((shut my yap? Honestly now, I can agree with the fountain behind, but making my character land on his rump in the fountain is god-moding. I can have you deleted for that. ))

He was going to thank her the same for the dance. He'd enjoyed it, even though he did not seem to do so. She was such a kind girl-- he owed her so much for taking care of Dima. If not, who knew what might have happened to him?

He was also going to give her a soft 'You're welcome,' though he didn't see the comfort as being much-- it was just in his job description. And of course he owed her more thanks for the dance than she did he. But the comfort-- the comfort had been mostly for himself. He could not seem to find the paternal part of him.

Until she began to weep into his chest.

As she began to weep into him, he'd finally found that part of him that was not thinking about himself, was only thinking about the young woman beside him and attempting to comfort her. Yes, that was what he'd wished would show itself. She needed more comfort than he-- she was closer to Tiire. Her losses were more recent. He wrapped his arms about her, holding her close despite the fact that he was already pulled close to her.

But when she slipped backwards, pulling him with her, and his attempt to catch himself failed, he landed in the water practically atop the woman. Despite himself, he began to laugh as well.

And as he began to laugh, he reached up to wipe some of the water left over from her tears from her eyes with his thumb, cupping her cheek in his hand.

Thus, in that impulse, she'd leaned forward to place that kiss upon his lips. But considering the position he was in, his spare hand caught on the edge of the fountain, legs dangling over the edge, attempting to keep at least part of himself dry, he remained at the girl's will for those few seconds.

Incredibly shocked, he only gazed at the girl for a few moments before pulling himself slowly out of the water and back to dry land, reaching back in for her hand to help her out.

That was the only response given to her action and words--for the time--the severe sobering of his attitude and thoughtfulness that took him, thus accompanied by a certain sense of sadness shown in his eyes.

He did not speak.

[Tiire]

She just had to ruin it. The perfect moment and she had to ruin it. Sheig mentally berated herself, lips still tingling from the contact. Great. Just freakin wonderful.

"I apologise if Ive offended you, truely..."

She murmured pleadingly. just dont hate me... she thought to herself, oh please dont make me leave... Sheig shifted her gaze away from him, standing with her head hung, almost like a child being berated by a parent.

Her dress clung to her body and legs, utterly soaked, and molten silver hair glimmered with the water droplets from the fountain.

((Aricin fell on his rump bc he shouldent have taken Seremidel back. She made a misktake and that should have been the end of it but nooo, he had to be all nice guy on her... ))

[Arwen]

"Dear Shieg, 'tis alright, really. But I will never understand how you young folk ct on impluse as you do. And I will never understand why one of your age and person would enjoy one as myself for company, if not for my rank."

He paused, grey eyes flashing over her a moment before reaching up and tilting her chin upward again, gazing into her eyes a moment with one brow raised.

"But, my dear, what you want cannot be. I've given up on any hope of that, and I cannot accept what you have to give. You are also... Much too young, I'm afraid, even if I wanted to accept."

This was not entirely true though. He'd not completely given up. There was the hope that-- Ah, she still loved him. And he had ever loved her. But was there the chance that they would ever be together again?

His gaze went from stern to gentle then.

"I may not be able to give you what you wish from me-- but I can have you put into some dry clothes."

[Tiire]

She chuckled and nodded, her words soft,

"No, its alright. I... I may be young, Aricin, but Im used to such a reaction. Dont worry,"

Her voice was calm, if sad, as she looked up at him,

"Ive long scince given up anyway. After three thousand years of rejection you might think I would take a hint..."

She offered a stiff curtsy to the lord,

"Look at me. Standing here soaking wet and blubbering like a child. What was that you said about dry clothing again?"

[Arwen]

Her words seemed to throw him into a deeper sadness. The way she spoke, she passed herself as a harlot.

"Don't speak like that, Shieg. You're better than that... You're a beautiful person-- a beautiful woman. And if you degrate yourself like that, you'll never find anything worth having in this life."

Odd that one that did the same thing to himself might say such a thing.

"As to clothes-- Come along. We'll have you some in no time."

He took a step back towards the inner portions of the citadel, then turned and offered his arm with a slight smile.

"We won't reenter through the Dining hall, but another hallway. Then we'll head straight for your clothing, no?"

[Tiire]

She shook her head violently at his first words. It wasnt fare! every man she had dared love, every childish fantasy used to protect herself, and she still managed to get hurt.

But she was glad, though. Glad for coming here, meeting these people. Even if she made such a fool of herself.

The next few times the elvish lord spoke she only nodded her head, pretending to be thinking about somthing.

She accepted his arm as they walked though.

[Arwen]

They encountered a servant in the hallway, so Aricin paused.

"Ah, kind sir?"

"My lord?"

"Would you please inform the seamstress that made this dress that dry clo--"

"Actually, my Lord-- forgive my interupting --I've just returned from placing fresh clothing in the Lady Shieg's quarters-- If I'm not mistaken of the dubbing? But-- that is why I was not on duty in the Halls."

"You are not. Thank you very much, sir. ah, but one more thing. Would you mind terribly running up to my quarters and pulling out something dry for myself? I must return to the Dining Hall to show myself again. There are also a few folk that would worry themselves over my whereabouts. Quickly now! Thankyou..."

he then turned back to Shieg, on his arm. "I'll accompany you to your room then. Wouldn't want you lost in such a large place. You'd be surprised what happens when people get lost here."

His expression was humourous, though it might have been more than obvious that what he held was not all humour, but the sadness that remained in his eyes-- mourning for this girl and what she could not have, what she seemed to think of herself...

[Tiire]

"No, your needed back at the hall. I have a good enough sence of direction, Im sure Ill find my way."

She extracted herself from his arms and turned to go, but paused and turned back.

"Just wondering, Aricin, but... who is she?"

[Arwen]

"I am in the need of a change of clothing too, lady, and my room is past yours, so I'll accompany you all the same."

But at her last words-- the question of who 'She' was, he appeared rather confused.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean by your question though, Shieg," he said as he stepped up beside her again. "I'm not a seer... And I cannot read your mind."

[Tiire]

She smiled and apologised.

"Yes, my question was rather vauge... I mean, the woman, in your life. Who is she? I saw a flash in your eyes when we spoke before, and I knew that was for somone. Surly.... Efion?"

She asked, shrugging.

"Yes, your right, if your room is near time. In anycase, I do love your company..."

[Arwen]

"Ah..."

He appeared rather thoughtful for a few moments as he began to lead up a flight of steps.

"I'm afraid I shan't be able to disclose all this very personal information to you as of yet. But if you stay long enough for me to grow to trust you with that-- not that you are not an obviously trustworthy girl --and I am comfortable enough... Perhaps I'll bespeak you about it. But I must admit it to you-- I never even disclosed it to my son"--a hiss of breath between his teeth-- "or Dima until they stumbled upon it a while back."

[Tiire]

"Oh.. now Im embarrased. I thought Dima was your son... or, I mean, he is related to you am I right?"

she asked, tilting her head.

"Its just... he looks so much like you, and you are both so charming, I was sure...."

Sheig shrugged. So, she was wrong. Oh well, not the biggest embarrasment htat happened tonight.

"I understand, it was not my place to ask such a question, and I apologise."

that last sentance was about the woman, and it was true, she thought, it is none of my buisness whome he has loved or lovves, even if he stol my heart within five minutes of me meeting him.

[Arwen]

"Erados is my son. Dima is-- well, his father is dead, as his mother would say. But I'm begining to find, as is everyone connected with this... that it might not be so. Truth be told-- I've never thought he looked like me."

Except when he was an infant...

They were near opposites now. About the same height, yes, but Dima had a better build, and near perfectly chisled features, while his own were quite average. Dima also had a more finely squared face, while his was slightly rounder. Again, his hair was silver grey, as well as his eyes, while Dima's hair was darkest of browns and eyes a deep brown. And oh how much like his mother he looked!

But perhaps there was more of a likeness than he had guessed. Despite all the differences in their appearance and personality. Despite--

"We are not-- as I know --related, though you never can tell unless you trace back several generations for both of our family trees. Who knows-- his father and myself might be closer than any of us can guess, though, as I've said, his father has been said to be dead.

"There is, though, no need to apologize. We can all be curious. Here we are..."

He opened the door to her room with a quick smile, but did not relinquish his hold on her.

"Shieg?"

He shook his head thoughtfully, then placed a hand on her cheek and a gentle, warm kiss on her forehead before turning on his heel and starting further down the hallway.