The Long Goodbye

Eldarion sighed as he knew that would be what she would say. He had heard it from Calista, his mother, his sisters and now from Aviana as well. He just shook his head and would speak no more of it. He hadn’t tried to be a hero. He had just been in the right place at the right time and tried to stay alive. That’s what it was like for most people who had been in similar situations. He had left completely unharmed though he easily could have been crushed or his head bitten off. He just continued to eat his eggs.

After they had left he did not say anything right away but he wanted to. He wanted to ask her if she would return with him and not stay for the training but in the last moment he held himself back. When she stopped them and asked him what he was going to say he just played it off.

“Well...I...i just wish you’d not have brought ‘that’ up again. It wasn’t heroic at all. I was just trying to avoid having my head bitten off. That’s all there was to that. My mother did the same and again with that Nazgul. I find myself wondering that...when you get this training...what will you do with these new skills? Will you go into danger? I know you tried to ride in after me...This troubles me Calista. This troubles me a great deal,” he told her honestly. His demeanor was very serious and concerned.

Calista could tell that Eldarion was upset. He became rather quiet throughout breakfast and didn’t say much to her as they left. After several minutes of uncomfortable silence she finally stopped and asked him what was wrong. She listened quietly as he told her. She waited until he had finished before speaking.

“I’m sorry I mentioned your killing the troll to your sister,” she apologized. “I honestly am proud of you for that...although in the moment I was terrified for you. I’m not wanting to learn the sword and bow to go off and do things like that Eldarion. I’m not nearly as brave as you or your parents or grandparents are. I just want to learn because my entire life I have been told what I need to learn and do and I just wanted for once to learn something because I want to. But Eldarion, if this is going to bother you or cause problems between us I don’t want that. I would rather not do it and return home with you than to have this become an issue between us.”

Eldarion listened intently to what Calista said. She was ‘his’ wife, he could still hardly believe it. They were so young and yet, he took her face into his hands and kissed her very deeply. “No, it will not cause an issue between us, it is just that I will miss my wife. I have never spent so much time away from her, will she miss me? When I next see her, her body will be hardened, her senses keener. Will she see me as the same man? Will she think less of me if her skills are better than mine?” he asked with their faces still very close. He kissed her several more times, his soft lips tasting hers passionately. “Will she take me into her bed and make love to me as she has done so many times before?” He said though he whispered that last part as if he meant now, right this instant.

Calista felt her love for Eldarion grow as he spoke and began to kiss her. She loved him so much that she felt her heart might burst from it. She felt her passions growing from his words and she heart began to beat a little harder in her chest. At his last words she opened her eyes and looked into his own. She was about to say something in response, but before she could they were interrupted by his grandfather, who was walking towards them. He had promised to show them around the village after breakfast. She smiled at Eldarion and whispered in his ear.

“Later...I promise.”

Conleth stepped lightly though his gate had a slight limp to it. He had been gravely injured during the war of the ring and the wound’s seriousness left him with a small souvenir to take with him after the war. He and his barded warhorse had been wounded though his warhorse had fared better than he did. Like so many he had nearly died. He was a powerful force during that battle though. Men who had fathers who were there still speak of him in his Green armor atop his jet black warhorse laying about himself with his massive sword. They also spoke of piles of orcs and goblins around him and how his horse had done with nearly as many as he himself killed. Aragorn, Nauriel & Serethiel themselves had seen him personally in action and though Aragorn may edge him out on swordsmanship skill alone, with a horse under him, Conleth was likely the deadliest man alive in his day. Now though in his turned down brown boots, dark gray wool pants and green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms he was just a man. A husband, a father and loving grandfather. He smiled when he was them...together but he made no obvious note he had seem them carrying on as they just had been.

“I’ve been looking for you two...come, let me show you our little village!” he said excitedly. He was excited, he had more than a little pride of their little plot of land that never appeared on my maps. Which was exactly how he had wanted it. Nestled between both Gondor and Rohan Gehenna was a good place to stop for travelers and traders between the two capitals of these two great nations. As they walked he pointed out the Town hall, the healing House and the new training hall and yard. As they passed several men practiced in just clothes, most were shirtless and glistened with sweat. There was two women in that group and none turned their eyes to look at their approach. Locked in concentration they all focused on their opponents as they sparred.

“It might seem like alot but Serethiel’s classes are half again larger than mine. A fact that has been still doing more than my fair share of the cooking I dare say,” he mused as he leaned lazily up against a tree as they watched. “Aviana has said that you wished to ask something of us?” he said plainly but it was clear he was interested into what that could be.

Calista followed Eldarion and Conleth as he showed them around the village. Of course Eldarion had already seen everything, but she had not and was utterly enchanted by it all. She could easily picture herself living there, but she knew that would never happen. Eldarion would be king of Gondor one day, and she queen...a thought that still made her stomach turn from fear. She didn’t believe she could ever live up to Nauriel...she would certainly try though.

After a while they paused to watch as several people sparred in the new training yard. Calista watched closely and realized that sometime soon she could be doing that as well. The thought excited her.

“Well,” she began when Conleth asked her what it was that she had wanted to ask Serethiel and himself, “I have always wanted to learn swordsmanship and archery and Eldarion suggested that perhaps I stay here a while longer to learn from yourself and Serethiel, if you both would have the time to teach me. I am certainly not looking to go into battle, but would like to learn enough to defend myself if need be. I would pay you both for your time…”

Eldarion’s cheeks colored at her mentioning money. Conleth had given her no sign that she had embarrassed him as well, his face was just as flat as it ever was. However before anyone said anything else Conleth raised a hand to a dueling pair. “Ho there...that’s not like I showed ya!” He said loudly and stepped away quickly. “Eldarion turned to kiss Calista on the cheek. “My darling, I am going to have to instruct you on offering money for something that would never be done for such. You are my wife, Grandfather nor Grandmother would take money for this, that would make them your employees. Cole is employed by the village though he does help Grandfather, Grandfather would not employ him because he is family. “I’ll...explain it to you later...in bed,” he said with eyes that blazed like blue fire for her. When he took her hand he immediately put her palm on his crotch. When she flinched her hand back, her cheeks ablaze with color he laughed in delight at her expression. He was as hard as a board in his pants not that anything could be done about it now he wanted her to know anyway to get a reaction out of her and put his hands up as if to get ready to deflect the blows she could rain down upon him. It would be clear he would only get progressively worse until she did bed him properly though they were only half done with the tour.

Calista realized rather quickly that she had made a mistake in her last comment, but it was too late. She looked at Eldarion after Conleth walked away to correct one of the men who was engaged in the sparring match.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I didn’t mean to offend or embarrass him. I just know that they are both busy and I don’t want to take up too much of their time or to just assume that they would have the time to do this.”

She blushed a little at his words and then blushed even harder when he took her hand and placed it on his crotch. Her eyes met his and she felt herself becoming slightly hot just knowing he was like that. She just smiled and shook her head a little.

OOC- so who is he going to sleep with? Melanie?

ooc-im not certain. What I'm trying to set up though is his sexual appetite. Its quite...vast right now and it might give her worry as time goes on. For her own as well maybe. Not that she will have energy to think about it on her end.

ooc: Back then, having Consorts would not be unusual for noble men but not all noble women, like Calista would put up with it. Certainly not nauriel not that elessar would do that anyway nor Conleth. Its still not unheard of, and back then most wives even selected the consort, if more than one usually one quite homely and one very attractive. (I dont remember reading why though) So, that might be a fun conversation, if she brings up her concerns about his sexual needs.

Conleth had returned after a quick instruction and then sized calista up. In what only seemed a few seconds Calista had been scrutinized, weighed and measured under his steely blue gaze. He nodded to Calista though. “You understand that I do not speak for Serethiel,” he said as he approached her and only set two fingers on her shoulder, her tricep, her bicep and down to her thigh then he stepped back. He held his chin in his hands as he thought about the proposition for another long moment. Then, surprisingly he handed her a brown leather cord. “You understand that gruelling will not be in it. If I am to instruct you, you will do as I say without question while you wear that cord. The moment you put it on you are the student and I am the teacher. Since it is in your best interest to finish quickly, the training will be that much more...difficult. You will stay in the Manor with us for the sake of simplicity. If you do agree then it is done for my part,” he said plainly. “Now, back to the tour?” he asked then nodded not pausing long enough for them to answer.

Conleth went on to show them the the buildings that housed their wool working shops. One for shearing and tending the sheep due to be sheared, one for pulling the wool, one for spinning the wool and another for dying it. The actual seamstress work was done elsewhere. They could sell wool by the spool, bolt or by article in an array of colors. When Conleth had first arrived, they didn’t even have sheep. Now they have hundreds of sheep and an entire industry.

Calista felt slightly uncomfortable as Conleth eyed her. She could feel him scrutinizing her physically and perhaps mentally. She stood her ground, however, as he walked around her and then handed her a brown, leather cord. She looked at it questioningly, but he quickly explained that if and when she put it on that she would be his student. His words feel a little nervous, but she did her best not to let it show.


She kept the cord in her hand as he continued the tour. His words echoed in the back of her mind the entire time. She began to wonder whether she had the strength (physically and mentally) to go through with this. No...she would not allow herself to back out. She knew that if she did that she would regret it for the rest of her life.


After the tour was done she walked with Eldarion back to the guest house. It was about time for lunch, but she had a feeling that he was hungry for something else…

OOC-She’s not going to put up with that. I can tell you that it’s not going to be a good conversation lol

He had did the tour with her...not with exceptional patience but with some. However once they made it back to the guesthouse it was unclear who attacked who first but there was an attack and hands quickly went to remove clothing, forcefully if they would not come off easily. It was the hard and fast kind of coupling. The kind where he put her in very submissive positions so he could move quickly and efficiently up against her wonderfully lithe shape. These positions were not in their repertoire normally and his own orgasm was quite loud for him. She seemed to like to hear it though. As they laid there however the talk of sex did come up.

“I can barely handle a week without you in my bed Calista, what will I do for months?” He asked her frankly. They didn’t often talk about such intimate things but this was important and his tone did sound concerned. She knew full well he had a strong libedo and this form of release, of making her feel good was a way he unleashed his stresses. She had been his first and only woman he had ever had and she had been there to help him through his stresses and his worries when he needed her.

Calista hadn't realized just how much she had needed him until they began to tear at each other's clothes. Within seconds they were on their bed. She just let him take her how he wanted. Her orgasm was loud and happened only seconds before Eldarion's.

Afterwards, she lay in his arms amongst the now messy sheets. She listened to him and sighed a little.

"Perhaps I shouldn't do this then Eldarion."

Eldarion furled his brow at that. If she didn’t do it and the reason was himself and his ‘needs’ he’d never hear the end of that. He’d get it from just about everyone. It was a concern though, he knew how much he wanted her and how often. It wasn’t how often between days it was how often, daily! Not that they acted on those feelings all the time...but often enough to suit him...for the most part. He sighed as well and he shifted which made her shift so he could sit up and he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“See, I knew you would say that...I should never had brought it up at all!” He said now feeling embarrassed. He also felt that she was making it out to be a silly thing to be worried about. But he felt that she didn’t really know what being a man was like. He was a prince, women fawned over him daily if he allowed it. With her near they were easy to ignore. With her away...it would gnaw at him. He loved Calista very much, but he wasn’t certain if he wouldn’t just get on his horse and ride back here if it got to bad.

Calista sighed and sat up and looked at him. She didn’t really know what to say or to suggest at this point. It seemed to her that there was no good answer. She moved closer to him and lightly kissed his bare shoulder a few times.

“Then it will be a test for us both. We’ll just have to make the best of it. If we can get through being apart for that long then we will be able to get through anything. And you’ll come visit and I’m sure I will be back before either of us knows it.”

Eldarion looked down at his feet and remained silent for a time as he thought about what she had said. It would be a test then...months without ‘being’ with the woman he loved. He thought that maybe he could do that….maybe. He only nodded then turned his head back to look at her. He liked how she was not embarrassed to show her body to him. When they were first married she’d take the sheet with her to the bathroom. Now, she...well she was a very beautiful woman. Her breasts hung only slightly and were the perfect size he thought anyway.

That afternoon Eldarion played chess with Aviana while Serethiel and Calista chatted over tea. She had agreed to train Calista in the bow and Hunting which went with the bow training hand in hand. It was a deal less grueling as the sword training though running...alot was in it. Sometimes the animal you hunted went on for miles and a hunter never let an animal suffer so if you shoot it, you had to find it was her only real rule.

“So...you two are newly wed and already you separate? Well, how did you think he’d take that Calista?” Serethiel said in a kind and patient tone. “You can’t really take it back now though, what’s done is done and if you took it back now he’d blame himself...now,” she just shook her head as she set her teacup down. “I’m not going to say you are being selfish, it is your life, do with it as you wish with the time you have. I was already alive for nearly 500 years when I met Conleth,” she said and smiled warmly when she thought of that moment. “We hated one another right off so naturally we fell in love,” she mused. “It wasn’t always honey and roses though, we had our ups and down, our fights and brawls, maybe moreso than some but no matter what we did to one another we were always able to find our way back. Being friends for so long...you begin to miss the friendship alone and then the rest of it just happens. I always swore that I would never survive Conleth’s death long and to that I still hold true. That is what it is to be so close to someone like him. He takes nothing for himself and gives all. I gave up my mortality to love him but it was he that gave up his life to save me even before he really knew how he felt about me,” she continued remembering. “Eldarion is a young man thrown into a world that needs him to mature faster than I think he is ready for. He has made mistakes but always has he learned from them. Try to remember that when you next find yourself wanting to put a dagger in his eye” she said giving a small chuckle than waving off what she had just said.

OOC-Do we want to start a new thread?

ooc: what would you like it to be about?

OOC-I'm game for just about anything. We could jump into Calista's training or we could do a Cole/Aviana thread or we could do a Elessar/Nauriel thread

ooc: Alright, then jump on the plotting thread and throw me out some ideas for any of these, woman! Good, bad, crazy, lets write, we got a good open thing going.

OOC-Well, to be perfectly honest the only thing I can focus on right now is Eldarion and Calista. We could always just continue on with that. I'm kinda anxious to get to her finding out or him telling her (not sure which way you are wanting to go on that)

ooc: well, this is something i wanted to work out, i dont think her moving out would be good for either family so do you think he would just be forced to sleep in their spare room a while while they figured things out? That and she is ofcourse angry as hell with him but slowly maybe sees how much he really needs her?

OOC-Maybe she starts packing to leave and is planning to leave, but stays because she knows how it will look. But she is going to be furious...just be prepared...I mean screaming...probably throwing things. I think it should take quite a while to repair their marriage.