Post by EymberFyire on Mar 22, 2010 15:39:18 GMT 10
Title: The Holiday Arc (3), G
Rating: G
Length: 810
Competitor: Alanna
Round/Fight: 3/A
Summary: Alanna and Kel discuss Home
A/N: Lisa and I jumped on Kit and Nicki's thought of passing fics back and forth. Lisa- I apologize. I was going to trouble shoot this one a little more but I was too tired.
Being the Knight Commander of a prospering town you helped build has its set of privileges, Kel muses as she lounges next to a small pond on the outskirts of the walls of the town in question. Not the least of which being the zeal with which her people guard her rare moments alone.
This far north the heat is bearable even in the hottest part of Midsummer’s day, but it is still thick as honey and heady as poppy. Kel lounges beneath the trees, reveling in the small breeze that finds its way to her quiet sanctuary. The beauty and rare moments alone are not enough to lift her black mood.
If she is honest with herself, Kel knows exactly why she is upset, but she is feeling too contrary to be honest. When the midafternoon break is over and her people begin their festivities she will have to face the reality of her disappointment, but for now she will lounge and think of nothing more than the pond at her side.
Thought of the pond makes her smile and sit up, running a fingertip lightly over the surface. She had heard Loey and Gydo whispering and giggling to one another about ponds and Midsummer. Kel watches the ripples fade from her finger stroke and a calm settle over the water once again.
She glares at the glassy surface.
“Still pond indeed.”
She slaps the water with an open palm, gasping in suprise as it splashes back over her. She breaks into breathless laughter at her own folly as tiny waves wash over the shore.
As her laughter fades she considers the pond for a moment. She had never had time for girlish games when she was younger. Too busy with her shield, she had never searched the still water for the face of her true love, or jumped through embers, or danced around the bonfires.
Curiously, she leans over the water and looks down, waiting. Patience has always served her well, and as the ripples fade a face appears in the water, meeting her gaze. Squinting to make it out, she gapes at violet eyes and shockingly red hair.
“I didn’t take you for superstitious, Lady Knight.” Startled by the voice behind her Kel gives an undignified yelp and falls forward, head first into the water. As she comes up sputtering, she is mortified to discover Alanna nearly doubled over in laughter.
“I’m not… I was just…” She is not sure whether she is more embarassed at being caught at foolish notions or at her headfirst plunge into the water. She wipes the water off of her face, pulls herself out, and stands before Alanna, sopping wet and red faced.
“You… you said you weren’t coming!” She manages finally. “You said you couldn’t make it!”
Alanna smiles and shrugs, then squeaks as Kel hugs her, wet clothes and all. “I couldn’t let you spend midsummer alone, scrying for your true love.”
Kel laughs and blushes and shakes her head. “It… it was folly, truly My Lady. I had just never…”
Alanna raises her eyebrows, turning to face Kel full on now. “You never looked for your true love?” When Kel meets her eyes she shakes her head. “Even Squire Alan could have been caught doing such a thing at one time or another. But I suppose you’re much too sensible for such madness. Come, lets sit and catch up.”
They sit, side by side, to speak of the past few months, Kel's wet clothes dampening Alanna's where they lean together. Finally, Alanna turns to her. “You seem unhappy, Kel.
Kel looks into the distance where the stalks of wheat sway with the wind. “It’s midsummer. The harvest will be coming in soon, and my people will be well fed and prosperous. I should be happy.”
“But it hurts, knowing they won’t need you anymore.” Alanna finishes, a wry smile on her face. She shakes her head at Kel’s look of astonishment. “I’ve let two of my brood off into the world already, Kel. I understand how you feel about your strays.” She gestures with one hand towards the walls of the town. “You’ve done well by them, lass. They are safe, happy and strong. The hardest thing you’ll ever learn is to let them go.”
Kel sighs unhappily. “I know. Truly I do. They don’t need me anymore. It’s just…” She pauses, trying to find words for her emotions. “This place has become my home.”
Kel is startled by Alanna’s hand as it reaches out to tentatively take her own. “Your friends at the palace miss you. And… I miss you. It will be nice to see you return to Corus.
Kel pauses in suprise, but does not take her hand away. Neither does Alanna. Kel smiles to herself. Gradually, she is beginning to have reasons to look forward to going home.
Rating: G
Length: 810
Competitor: Alanna
Round/Fight: 3/A
Summary: Alanna and Kel discuss Home
A/N: Lisa and I jumped on Kit and Nicki's thought of passing fics back and forth. Lisa- I apologize. I was going to trouble shoot this one a little more but I was too tired.
Being the Knight Commander of a prospering town you helped build has its set of privileges, Kel muses as she lounges next to a small pond on the outskirts of the walls of the town in question. Not the least of which being the zeal with which her people guard her rare moments alone.
This far north the heat is bearable even in the hottest part of Midsummer’s day, but it is still thick as honey and heady as poppy. Kel lounges beneath the trees, reveling in the small breeze that finds its way to her quiet sanctuary. The beauty and rare moments alone are not enough to lift her black mood.
If she is honest with herself, Kel knows exactly why she is upset, but she is feeling too contrary to be honest. When the midafternoon break is over and her people begin their festivities she will have to face the reality of her disappointment, but for now she will lounge and think of nothing more than the pond at her side.
Thought of the pond makes her smile and sit up, running a fingertip lightly over the surface. She had heard Loey and Gydo whispering and giggling to one another about ponds and Midsummer. Kel watches the ripples fade from her finger stroke and a calm settle over the water once again.
She glares at the glassy surface.
“Still pond indeed.”
She slaps the water with an open palm, gasping in suprise as it splashes back over her. She breaks into breathless laughter at her own folly as tiny waves wash over the shore.
As her laughter fades she considers the pond for a moment. She had never had time for girlish games when she was younger. Too busy with her shield, she had never searched the still water for the face of her true love, or jumped through embers, or danced around the bonfires.
Curiously, she leans over the water and looks down, waiting. Patience has always served her well, and as the ripples fade a face appears in the water, meeting her gaze. Squinting to make it out, she gapes at violet eyes and shockingly red hair.
“I didn’t take you for superstitious, Lady Knight.” Startled by the voice behind her Kel gives an undignified yelp and falls forward, head first into the water. As she comes up sputtering, she is mortified to discover Alanna nearly doubled over in laughter.
“I’m not… I was just…” She is not sure whether she is more embarassed at being caught at foolish notions or at her headfirst plunge into the water. She wipes the water off of her face, pulls herself out, and stands before Alanna, sopping wet and red faced.
“You… you said you weren’t coming!” She manages finally. “You said you couldn’t make it!”
Alanna smiles and shrugs, then squeaks as Kel hugs her, wet clothes and all. “I couldn’t let you spend midsummer alone, scrying for your true love.”
Kel laughs and blushes and shakes her head. “It… it was folly, truly My Lady. I had just never…”
Alanna raises her eyebrows, turning to face Kel full on now. “You never looked for your true love?” When Kel meets her eyes she shakes her head. “Even Squire Alan could have been caught doing such a thing at one time or another. But I suppose you’re much too sensible for such madness. Come, lets sit and catch up.”
They sit, side by side, to speak of the past few months, Kel's wet clothes dampening Alanna's where they lean together. Finally, Alanna turns to her. “You seem unhappy, Kel.
Kel looks into the distance where the stalks of wheat sway with the wind. “It’s midsummer. The harvest will be coming in soon, and my people will be well fed and prosperous. I should be happy.”
“But it hurts, knowing they won’t need you anymore.” Alanna finishes, a wry smile on her face. She shakes her head at Kel’s look of astonishment. “I’ve let two of my brood off into the world already, Kel. I understand how you feel about your strays.” She gestures with one hand towards the walls of the town. “You’ve done well by them, lass. They are safe, happy and strong. The hardest thing you’ll ever learn is to let them go.”
Kel sighs unhappily. “I know. Truly I do. They don’t need me anymore. It’s just…” She pauses, trying to find words for her emotions. “This place has become my home.”
Kel is startled by Alanna’s hand as it reaches out to tentatively take her own. “Your friends at the palace miss you. And… I miss you. It will be nice to see you return to Corus.
Kel pauses in suprise, but does not take her hand away. Neither does Alanna. Kel smiles to herself. Gradually, she is beginning to have reasons to look forward to going home.
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!