A losing battle...

[Arwen]

"A losing battle indeed, my dear! Why, how came you to fall for him in the first place?" he asked curiously, voice filled with the surprise he felt.

"I heard nothing of your nightmares, but if Aricin did I'm not surprised. His ears are far better than even the majority of the rest of us at the citadels. I suppose he is wary of the sounds of fear and pain. He's heard so many of these cries in his long life..."

He paused, then gazed at her again.'

"But to fall for the lord of Avalbane? Surely not for rank? For as he would state, he is simply like a commonperson leading common people, of no true high position. And... the irony to love someone who could not loe you in return..."

With the last few words, his voice grew softer, then began to trail, eyes gazing in an oddly sad way at her.

[Tiire]

"Irony indeed..."

She murmured, smile fading off her lovely face. She sighed, eyes downcast.

"I have spent my entire life around ranks and order, trust me, I could care less if he where a peasant, much less a lord... love tends to handle me cruelly."

She shrugged, pulling that ever happy smile onto her face, trying to force out the bad so that only good could show. It seemed that only this woman could possibly see good in such a life that was determind to smush her.

"But I value his friendship so much. And Im glad I came here anyways, Dima and Aricin are irriplacable friends..."

[Arwen]

The man nodded slightly as they entered the dining room, seeming rather saddened by her talk.

Dima and Aricin are irriplacable friends...

But why should he care? She hadn't taken to him like she had the other two. She and Dima had some common bond, and she'd certainly spoken to Aricin more than he.

And she was simply another woman, bound through the heavens to an incurable disease that was irony. Falling for every man that was wrong for her, every man that could not give her what she, marvelous person that she was, deserved.

He quickly led to the seat at the right of Aricin, for Erados was still not there. Perhaps Erados had left for Feoras? Or perhaps he'd fallen asleep in a tavern away from here? Who knew. But Akila was sitting to the left of Dima, who was to the left of Aricin, as always.

Aricin greeted the two newcomers with a smile and a nod, and Kalmyr gave a quick bow to Shieg, along with a 'M'lady," before moving to his seat at the table, suddenly cheery again as he greeted Laralen, Lomadia, and the other folk around him.

[Tiire]

Sheig smiled and thanked Kalmyr warmly for escorting her, gladened when his face brightened up. He was a kind soul.

She inclined her head to Dima, Aricin and Akila, greeting them lightly before taking her seat.

"Did you manage any sleep last night, Aricin? I must apolgise again for depriving you so."

She filled her glass halfway with water, reaching out to nibble on a pear. She wasnt that hungry, really.

[Arwen]

Aricin nodded slightly, actually seeming fully awake. And he was the only one of the three she'd interacted with in any way.

Kalmyr had been dead weary, though he kept up the good show of being awake and charming, as usual, and Dima was--well, Dima with half closed eyes.

But Aricin was Aricin, no more, no less. A moment after his nod, he gave a smile, grey eyes glistening slightly in the light, and finished off the last of the orange on his plate.

As he finished, he reclined back slightly in his chair, then allowed his attention to turn to Dima, who was gazing at him oddly.

The dark haired fellow cleared his throat and shuddered slightly as Akila's foot came crashing down on his, though none would have guessed it was more than a quickly aborted cough. He allowed the slightest of tense smiles to pull at the right corner of his lips, then began to pick at a piece of bread.

[Tiire]

Sheig frowned, something wasnt quite right... heavens the atmosphere got so tense when she entered. She was very close to asking dima what was wrong but thought against it, not in the mood for listening to excuses. She finished her food quietly, standing and nodding to them,

"If you dont mind Ill take my leave, Ive been yearning for some fresh air."

she smiled, ruby lips tugged up in that award winning position upon her exotic face.

She turned, very close to asking Kalmyr if he would join her, but deciding against it. He was tired and probably hungry, she didnt want to bug him.

So she headed out on her own. molten murcury hair tinkling and shimmering in the light.

[Arwen]

All four were tempted to join her.

Aricin, but e didn't have any wish to make things worse than they already were.

Dima was tempted, but it would be rather uncomfortable for him. Especially if she'd heard his lecturing Aricin...

Akila would have, but she was certainly not very close to Shieg, and she wasn't sure the girl would have enjoyed her company very much.

Kalmyr would have, but he was engaged in conversation with some of the folk about him and eating, though he could have easily taken some of his food out. But he did gaze after her sadly.

"Kalmyr?"

"Yes?

"Are you paying any attention?"

"Ah... Sorry, could you repeat what you just said? Terribly sorry, Ilion. I was distracted a moment."

[Tiire]

Sheig leaned against the balcony that stood just off of the dining hall, wind tugging at her molten strands. So solitary seeming, probably becouse her colouring stood out among the fair skinned, dark haired elves.

She let her gaze drift over distant mountains, mountains she had been though to com eand see her now deceased friend.

But, not that it could be helped, of course.

"Everything happens for a reason..."

She murmured, head on her hands as she looked over the edge, breathing in deeply.

[Arwen]

"Excuse me," Kalmyr finally muttered, standing and making his way swiftly out to stand beside her, out of the line of vision of the rest of the folk at the dining hall.

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, idly swishing about the wine in the goblet he'd carried out with him, held gently in his right hand.

He closed his eyes a moment, then gazed at her momentarily.

"You are a quiet one," he murmered softly, as if to himself and the fact were unimportant.

His weary eyes then opened a bit more. None would have noticed he had a weak left eye til that moment, when it opened a bit less than the right one.

"You seem rather lost in the midst of all this. And I can understand why, now that you speak of your ironic love for the Lord Aricin. But there's something more, behind the curtains, that I'm not sure of. What is it? Or do you mind telling me?"

[Tiire]

"No, not at all..."

She said standing up straight as she started to speak,

"You couldent be more right when you said I seem rather lost. You see, when I was a child, I lived in a desert with my clan, that last of our race. One night, a vicious rainstorm hit, and that very night my entire family... my entire race where brutaly murdered by a group of drows out for some fun."

She paused,

"They took me down to their city, and all I can remember was it being so dark... so deadly. I met a half-elf, her name was Tiire, and we escaped about a hundred years later. I grew up with her, and we where dear friends. She was my commander in battle, and my best friend.

But she left, for years I did not see my dear, only friend, the only one who understood my life. I finully got wind that she was in this place a few weeks back, but when I came, I foudn not Tiire, but Dinendel, a drow elf that had murdered my dear friend not ten minutes earlier. I killed him in my rage..."

her voice was soft as she spoke,

"But cuold not fail to ntoice a man standing in the bushes. His name was Silas, and he had been Tiires lover, as I have heard. He slit his thout when he saw his love was dead, and I had to bury them both with my own hands, while tending an unconcious Dima.

Im guessing he had tried to stop Silas, but got a rock in the head for his efforts. In any case... I am so lost. I do not know where to go, or what to do. I have nothing...."

[Arwen]

He sighed slightly as her story came to an end. Words formed at his lips, but they remained unspoken as he lowered his gaze, took a sip of his wine, then fell still and silent again.

"I'm terribly sorry, Shieg. I would have never guessed."

She seemed a rather well rounded individual in her personality. One would have never guessed something as such had happened though.

He of course, having been raised in the citadel his whole life, traveling outside on rare orders, and had never really encountered Drows.

But how had a dark-elf found his way into the citadel in the first place? The chateau was surrounded by a high wall impossible even for their fleet feet to leap. And there was one entrance, gaurded by two guards at all time, who remained hidden within the shadows, and there were always Anorians sneaking about in animal form to make sure none passed without notice.

[Tiire]

"Bare few can ever catch a drow when he does not wish to be seen, trust me!"

she chuckled, her story seemed to perterb Kalmyr more than it did her,

"But I am gald to finully meet somone that doesnt heasitate to ask questions! you really are a gift, Kalmyr."

Lips that had been speaking so mournfully had been now tugged into a grateful smile, unique golden eyes twinkling, as did the shards woven into her hair.

[Arwen]

"I suppose the majority of the rest were simply uncomfortable asking questions that might make you uncomfortable..."

He smiled slightly in return, gazing full into her eyes with his bright green-blue ones that stood out so much against his naturally pale skin. They twinkled in the morning light just as her own, seeming to hold the light of the ocean itself.

"I've been taken as rude quiet a few times before for things as such. But it hasn't stopped me yet. I suppose I'm just naturally curious... Can't really help it."

His smile widened ever so slightly, becoming slightly sly as he gazed at her a moment longer, then stepped forward to lean against the half-rail of the balcony, gazing out over the meadows.

[Tiire]

"Curiosity shouldent be considered rude."

She said with a shrug, shifting up so that she was sitting on the railing. Sheig shrugged, sighing.

"am I pathetic or what?"

She laughed,

"I lost my only friend, Im the last living member of my race, and Im in love with a man who cannot possibly return the emotion. Geez, might as well give up on me now..."

Sheig, smile still ever- present, chuckled.

"But... still. Ive met some great friends, even if one is slowly killing me."

But the last remark she tilted her head slightly in the direction of Aricin's seat, not even looking to see if he where still up there.

[Arwen]

Kalmyr chuckled slightly in return.

"Sounds like you should find someone that not only can, but will return your love."

He didn't think, simply spoke. He never thought before he spoke--or rarely. And that was what got him into trouble so often. That was why he was rude. He popped curious, confusing questions without thinking bout them or how they could affect those he asked them to.

He then fell deep into thought, seeming to ignore completely what he'd just said, and simply thinking about something completely different.

[Tiire]

"Yes, its true, but who can possibly choose who to love? I mean, I did not choose... I just met him and I felt... connected. I... I dont know how to explain it."

She shrugged,

"I dont think I can explain. Even if it is a loosing battle, I know I wont ever stop loving him, becouse love is a consistant thing."

Sheig finished her words off in a murmur, reveling in the silence that persued.

[Arwen]

He remained silent for a few minutes, then turned to her again.

"You don't have to explain it at all though, Shieg. I believe I know exactly of which you speak."

Another pause, in which he turned and leaned backwards against the rail, thought better of it, and stood, turning again but remaining standing. Crossing his arms, he allowed his ocean-blue eyes to gaze out over the trees again.

"Funny really--most of the women here would believe that I don't have the capacity...well, more ability to love--truly love a woman. Most women I've ever met, really--regardless of race. Some even claimed they loved me. But every one would suggest that I am to boisterous, too...playful and flirtateous to love.

"And every one of them would suggest that when I love a woman, it is simply another foolish feeling inside of me, and that I would play harder, flash the smile just a few times more often, all the whatnot--all because I didn't recognize that extra emotion. That I didn't know it was love."

He turned to gaze at her a moment again.

"My love was always a losing battle--one of the thousand-one ones, where you're standing in the middle of the other side, and they're closing in on you. And then they let arrows fly. I know it cannot be. But there's always that temptationn to dash to the other side and see what there is to see..."

[Tiire]

Sheig listened to his words, tears of understanding floating up, but not flowing out. Without even saying a word she reached out and embraced the man in a tight hug,

"Inever thought for a single moment you could not recognise such an emotion, Kalmyr! when it is so obvious you are filled with it. You are kind, and you are gentle, and is that not also a form of love? to unconditionally just care?"

She moved away for the embrace she had created,

"One might say I myself have already given up hope, but that doesnt mean I wont stop loving... Dont let the gossip of woman keep you from your own emotions, your an amazing person! and I dont want that to change."

[Arwen]

And the arrows keep flying...

"Ah, but Shieg, my dear... I usually don't get the chance to show these emotions of caring. And you must know... I'm not always like this. You've... Not seen my usual actions since you've been here."

He sighed, finally looking away from her, seeming rather downcast, though his eyes focused on something in the distance.

"I admit, Shieg... I've made mistakes-- big ones. This causes me to be a bit unpopular among most people I've interacted with."

Something tugged at him, but somehow, he could bring himself to say no more. Could only gaze out over the fields, trees, mountains in the distance, thinking.

[Tiire]

"I do not care."

She said simply, ruby lips cruving upward once more. Her tanned skin contrasting wonderfully with the molten silver of her hair, most noticible now as the mid morning sunlight hit the long locks and made them shimmer.

"I dont need to see what your like around others, I care about you for who you are, my friend. And amazingly, I do not doubt for a moment that however you act later on will never change my perception of you."

Shapely body was pulled back from the now abused balcony, said balcony probably yelling at them to make up their minds, if the two would lean on it or not.

She reached up a hand to gently caress his cheek,

"Dont ever forget there are people who care for you, it was only trying to convince myself of that very thing that kept me from certain death at times in my life.

Thats why I was so afraid, so very scared when Tiire died. Becouse for those few hours, I didnt have anyone to care, anyone to love me. For the second time in my life, I was entirely alone.

Do you know how much that frightened me? my whole life was ased on the fact that I knew at least one person cared about me, and that was something I held onto with all my heart. and to have it taken away like that..."

She shook her head, mystified,

"Can you even imagine?"