Kizár Elená Durin · @SilmarilNaro
20th Feb 2015 from TwitLonger
Stone-verse: All About Brothers.
After http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1skova6
One brother is concerned, a sister is defensive, and memories of being brother and sister are brought up.
@FaramirRanger @SilmarilNaro @Valandhir
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Faramir
It had been days, almost weeks that Faramir had finally gotten the chance to talk to the blacksmith. It had not been his fault, aside of directing rumours and anxiously awaiting Baranor's return from Minas Tirith - which had been calm and composed, to everyone's surprise. Then the East had come up with new troubles, and Faramir had been out there, hunting the Shadow. He had to get used to Shakurán's support, who proved more than just insightful when it came to Minas Morgul's plots.
All in all Faramir had not had any time to even think about his worries until now. As he approached the forge in the early evening of a windy autumn night settling in, he debated whether or not he should approach the issue at all. In a way it was not his matter - but then, it was a dangerous game the blacksmith was playing, and while Faramir was well aware that the dwarf culturally might not feel anything wrong about accommodating Boromir's attentions, it could be a very dangerous thing, if they were found out.
And there was the reason Faramir wanted this discussion, to protect his brother. While he was sure that the blacksmith was not after rank or advancement, he was not sure what his agenda was. He approached the forge, seeing the bright light ablaze that indicated Kíli was still working. He could hear the hammer ring on the anvil, and to his surprise heard a song, that accompanied the work.
Out in the woods, where the ancient stone stands,
down by the old road crossing the land,
where the Blackbird sings, when dawn is at hand,
stands the Obelisk of the fallen.
And that ancient stone in the grassland so deep,
where the Black Crows come when they want to sleep,
is the Pillars that all the memories keep,
called the Obelisk of the Fallen.
And when you come there, some people say,
when you stay until the dawn of the day,
and sit in silence, you'll hear if you may,
the Voices of those who have fallen.
And if you there, so the old story tells,
if you stay there till the afternoon swells,
you will see him come, right down from the fell,
the Guardian of the Fallen.
And he has been there since the Elder Days,
he buried the first there in Alberic's Days,
and he remains there till the last sun's rays,
to Honor those who have fallen.
There was something in the tune, an echo that Faramir only picked up the second moment, because his mind was still trying to unravel the references of the words, but then he realized that the tune itself carried something that made his senses tingle. Was the tune part of some arcane work? Faramir had read of something like that, but only in connection with the elves. He approached on soft feet and watched as Kíli finished two blades on his anvil.
His face shone with sweat, his hair was damp and Faramir knew that he was seeing arcane exhaustion, without needing to ask. There were bundles of finished weapons resting on the workbenches. When Kíli thrust the blade into the water barrel and was clearly not in that painful focus any more Faramir spoke up. "If you strain yourself that much, you may well burn yourself out one day." It was a matter of fact observation, skill was a good thing, over-straining such power could easily kill a man.
Kíli looked up, having set the hammer aside and cleaning his hands in the water. "I have been doing it for a long time, Lord Faramir, one gets used to the strain as time passes." He replied calmly. "When one starts young the body adjusts as well."
Faramir arched an eyebrow. "You have been doing that since you were a youth?" he asked. "Why take the risk with the talent?" Youngsters should not tap into the talent before a certain age, and Faramir was sure it was no different for dwarves.
"Need asks for no age," Kíli replied. "who'd keep the people fed and taken care of, if not those who can?" He shrugged. "As long there's people willing to pay for lethal blades, questionable weapons and the odd artifact, a crafter can support many others without too many problems. But I doubt you are here to debate that, Lord Faramir. What can I do for you?"
It would be so easy to ask a few question on the insinuation of what he had hinted at and forgetting about his original questions. "No, I am here for another reason, it concerns my brother." Faramir began watching the dwarf's reaction.
Kíli arched an eyebrow. "You mean the repairs on Dawnstar?" he asked, his eyes darkening. "no need to worry, I knew the one who made it, making the repairs easy. Yes, the stone in the hilt doubles the blade's natural power, but it is nothing that will endanger the Captain in any way. Just something that could not be done back then."
"It was more about your personal relationship to my brother." Faramir replied, realizing that Kíli was good at providing distractions, someone must have taught him that skill and taught him well. It was a skill that befitted a council hall much better than a forge. "You certainly are familiar with the laws of this land?"
"Having lived in this land for decades, I should be." Kíli replied. "And you need not worry, should someone talk, your brother's name will be kept out of it."
"Easy words," Faramir replied. "and harder followed up upon." He had been eye witness to their closeness, so he had not waited for confirmation but Kíli's not even trying to deny it was unnerving.
Kíli crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Let's review the Law of the Land, Lord Faramir..." he began and suddenly the calm blacksmith had vanished and faded into a much stronger presence. "On the Day of Reflection those who are accused of immoral relations are brought before the judge - usually it is the "guilty" party, usually the older partner - and they are asked to foreswear their relationship. If they do, they pay a fine and are considered dishonorable for five years. If they do not they are sentenced to thirty lashes, to be executed at once, and then asked again if they foreswear, if they do not, they are penned down as dishonorable person and sent home, to be called before the same judge in one year's time... where it all will begin again."
"Thirty lashes are nothing to laugh about." Faramir pointed out. "Even if you might not care about the dishonorable person, as you already live in the Undercity and certainly have no ambition to rise into the City Council..."
"Thirty lashes... the first time I got them, some Anorian Lordling living in a wooden hut of the worst kind, dished them out for stealing a loaf of bread." Kíli shrugged. "I did not say who had really taken it, and he really enjoyed dishing out some pain to a race he despised. My.... brother supplied some elfroot paste after and I was back to work within a week." His eyes had become dark, dark and fierce. "Never let pain be stronger than yourself, Faramir, never let it rule you, and you will find that a lot of 'power' is taken from the small-time tyrants of this world, be they Orcs or others."
Faramir decided to not debate the comparison of a Northern Númenoran to an Orc chieftain, he was sure Kíli was goading him into it. "Be that as it may," he waved off the disregard for the legal punishments. "you should not be forced to go so far. Your... dalliance with my brother... is it worth that?"
The dwarf strode up to him. "You assume I am indulging your brother for some reason, that I have something to win in this and thus accept a phyiscal relationship with him... is that what you think?" He asked in dangerously low tones.
"Is it not?" Faramir asked, confused. Was the dwarf meaning what it sounded like? That he was... in love with Boromir?
"The last man who thought that as a dwarf I should be 'accommodating' to his lusts, ended up four storeys down in the crypts of lower Rath Dínen..." Kíli replied grimly. "ask Baranor, it was initially what got him on the trail of the crypt murders." His hand closed around Faramir's wrist like an iron clamp. "you are lucky to be his brother, and thus I will let it slide... any other I might call out and kill for such words. You are a pitiful soul to assume that no one could love your brother, think long and hard about that."
Faramir gasped at the anger, at the sheer strength in that grip. "I did not mean to insult you, only..." He had never considered that another man might be with Boromir for heart's reasons, for honest attraction... it made the entire thing all the more tragic. He felt his cheeks heat. "Only what shall become of it?"
Kíli released the iron grip and stepped back. "Those who always worry for the future will lose their present to it." He replied. "Do you know the story... no you cannot know it. It is the story of a King, who had led a grim life. He lost much, fought many battles, and in time there was a young warrior who came along, someone who was a bright point in his life. Someone who loved him. And the King... well, he too had feelings for the younger fighter. Only he did not act on it, because there were still battles to fight, because he thought he was too old, to scarred, too damaged... because of all kinds of questions on the future. And in the end - they both fell in the same battle. Only death could unite them, Mahal take their souls home." He looked up at Faramir. "I have given up on planning or hoping for the future, on worrying about things that might be in ten years, when a black arrow may take my life tomorrow. I am here, because I want to be, I am with your brother, because I want to be... and everything else can go to the Gate of Night, for all I care."
Elennárë
Elennárë had seen Faramir heading for the forge from the courtyard where she practiced. Her daily schedule had started to become fairly full, with her spending time with the healers helping and learning, time exercising to teach her body the basic skills she had memories for and practicing the basics of both staff and sword, then at night she would spend a good three or four hours talking with her sister, something that required an afternoon rest. It was not quite late enough for her sister to be seen in the sky, so Elennárë had been out idly practicing moves with the long shaft of oak that was her practice staff.
Faramir was an issue that remained a niggling bother. Knowing what she had observed over the years, she knew he tried to protect Boromir, guard his back, from all sides. Though he had only the best intentions, he did have a tendency to be concerned over the risks involved in Boromir's relationships, and while Elennárë knew he had plenty good reason, the idea that he would step in to try and break up what was between Boromir and Kíli upset her. They were destined, and having the memories of Elenaria's dreams and visions, as vague as they were, only helped confirm that.
So it was because of her worry of Faramir's well-meaning interference that she followed at a distance and stood just beyond the door to hear what was spoken. Her hand tightened on the staff as she heard Faramir speaking as she expected, but what truly caught her was Kíli's tale of a fallen king who did not act on his feelings. The story sounded far too like faces she now knew, people her Other knew and considered family.
In her distraction her balance failed her and she stumbled in the doorway. Straightening her self she set the staff by the door and somewhat fussily brushed off her practice clothes.
Kíli
Kíli heard the sound and turned around to see Elennárë in the doorway, straightening up and fussing over her clothes. He was sure she was hiding being caught behind the nervous gesture. He turned towards her, to take the practice staff from her hands. "If Baranor keeps working you that hard, you will end up sleepwalking through a day or so." he said gently, as he put the practice weapon into the corner where they usually were stored.
Faramir
The shift was impressive, within a moment Kíli went from the dwarf with the strong presence back to the unassuming blacksmith of the warcamp. It was a skill that warned Faramir all the more that this dwarf wore masks, combine that with the fact that he had been around for so long that most men felt he 'belonged' here and easily trusted him, and it was a dangerous trait. He was not sure whether Elennárë had listened in on their conversation or was simply done practicing, which was no worry, given her special place with Boromir she probably knew more about Boromir's dalliance with Kíli than Faramir ever wanted to know.
Elennárë
"It's not only Papa," Elennárë had taken to calling Baranor by affectionate paternal titles to keep cover, and kept doing so even with those who were privy to the truth because it helped her remember to use it. "I feel I need to do it for my own pride, and for the sake of memories..." The subject of the memories had been mentioned between her, Kíli and Boromir, not in great detail, but they knew her Other had given her some things that led partly to some of her current choices. "But I was not practicing all that hard, right now. I do have to stay awake once Losá is visible."
Kíli
Kíli smiled at her reference to her sister who traveled the skies. "You know - it might be a year or two before these troops are recalled to the city for some rest, but when it happens and get a chance to go back - we could go up old Mindolluin, take the hidden path to the peak and stay there during the night." It would bring her closer to the sister she had lost.
Faramir cleared his throat with a glance at them. "I think our discussion is concluded?" he said, with a clear intent to leave.
Kíli nodded curtly. "I don't think there is more to say, Lord Faramir." he replied.
Elennárë
"Faramir," Elennárë spoke, to stop him before he chose to leave. "I know you worry, but Boromir knows the risks of being in a relationship. He has dodged being uncovered before and he will strive all the harder this time to keep this from being made public in an... inopportune manner." She turned more towards the man who was a second brother. "I know what is at stake here as well, and I fear if Boromir loses this time, it will break him. Losing the one Fate has promised will do that to a person, and I will fight to keep it from happening to him."
Faramir
Faramir stopped by the door and turned around. "You will forgive me, that I do not believe in partners sent by fate." he replied calmly. "though I do believe that your friend here has honest feelings for Boromir, more than I gave him credit for." He hesitated for a moment. "I... The first time I realized that Boromir was different, was when I was fifteen - and found out about him and one of his comrades. I did not like the man who had 'seduced' my brother, but I will acknowledge that of those few there were, he was the most honest. Two others were more interested in Boromir's rank than in him, and one... one gave him away to the law, and only thanks to the quick actions of one of Boromir's friends, of a comrade smart enough to act, he evaded a public trial. And that came at the price of an innocent man being convicted of that... sin." Ever since Faramir had kept a close eye on his brother, to prevent another such disaster to happen. "What I mean to say is, that each time my brother dared to open up to someone in these last years, he was hurt in the end. And I am not blind to it. And that has me worried - because for all his courage, all his bravery, he is vulnerable where it comes to his heart. I may have been sterner than I should be with Kíli here, because - you will forgive me for saying he is the unwisest of choices so far, regarding his rank or background, and maybe also because my brother is already more invested in this, than.... in short, I felt he was in danger, and would rather act beforehand, ere I see him hurt again. For in one thing you are right - another betrayal of the heart might destroy him."
Elennárë
Elennárë frowned, knowing at least a few of the instances Faramir referred to. "I cannot say you are wrong in everything you say, but here and now, I believe that if another betrayal comes his way, it will not come from Kíli, but from others who hold places in his heart." She walked over and put a hand on Faramir's arm. "If I can defend him from such a betrayal, I will. With fire and sword if I have to. I will not lose another brother, not if I can help it." She took a step back, with a nod.
Faramir
Faramir inclined his head. "I have no doubts that Kíli would be loyal to him." he replied, maybe he did not fully understand this, because his own heart had never been so set on another. Maybe he shared the colder nature of their father... and even their father had once loved fiercely. "I shall not bother you with further questions." Which did not meant that he'd not be watchful, in case someone else tried to make a move on them. And he'd have to ask Baranor about the crypt murders when he got the chance. Turning around Faramir left the forge.
Elennárë
Elennárë turned to look at Kíli, searching his face to get an idea on how he was feeling. "I knew he worried, and I knew he would ask someone, but I was more expecting that he would go to speak to Boromir, questioning how wise he thought your relationship to be." She sighed and moved to sit down.
Kíli
Kíli shook his head and lightly placed a hand in Elennárë's arm, he much appreciated her support and her understanding. "Ever since the soul-stone story, he was somewhat sure that I had used magic to ensnare his brother somehow.", he replied. "It never occurred to him that someone might simply love Boromir. And of course there is the fact that I am a dwarf and seemingly more of the lowlife of the White City."
Elennárë
"How much of that is that he truly does not know your background, and how much of it is what you prefer not to speak?" Elennárë looked at him with eyes narrowed in thought. "I merely wonder if this is just his own action or if Denethor suspects something and set him on this path. It would not be the first time he as."
Kíli
"Ironically Denethor knows more about me than Faramir does." Kíli replied with a small smile. "He did look into my person quite thoroughly before granting me the right to stay in Gondor indefinitely. He was honest in his thoughts then, that he saw the political advantage, or potential usefulness of being the home-in-exile of one of the last of Durin's true line." He walked over to the fire, a few flames leaped on his fingers. "I am not sure Faramir knows much of me - he was not there when Shakurán made my story known here. And for most I was simply Kíli, a dwarf who belonged nowhere."
Elennárë
"Not just the last of the line either..." Elennárë could not stop from murmuring that, a dozen little facts dancing through her mind, and a few very big ones besides. "Ahh, I feel as though I know too much since that vision we had of that life. Not just about myself, but about you as well."
Kíli
"Your other knew my other version like a sister," Kíli well remembered the moment in the forge, meeting his younger self - so much younger, it had to have been shortly after the Quest, and in a way he was someone Kíli had ceased to be many decades ago. "and he loved you like one. If she shared her memories you probably know a lot of my early life, of me... maybe that is why... why I often feel like you understand me without me even explaining myself right."
Elennárë
"I know it, or at least I know a version of it. There were things they learned only on the quest, or even after, that I am not sure even you know, and I worry about even speaking as I do not want to cause hurt." She leaned over to wrap and arm around Kíli's shoulders. "But I feel you are more a brother of mine now, for knowing all of it."
Kíli
Kíli embraced her, he could not explain it sometimes, but she felt like he had known her for much longer than he did. Maybe it was because she was Boromir's sister, maybe it was more, he did not know. "You will always be a treasured sister of mine." he replied, looking up. "I cannot say what you learned - or whether or not I do know it - but please... do not burden yourself with things, or with fears for hurts. Pain just is..." He did not want to push her, if she wanted to keep her silence, he respected that. "If you wish to speak of things you learned form your Other..."
Elennárë
"I heard what you said to Faramir about a king who did not acknowledge love and both he and the one who loved him fell." Elennárë started. "I can guess who you meant, you did mean Thorin and Fíli there, didn't you? Because I know what Elenaria thought she saw there before she left the mountain to head back to Cardemir." She frowned, thinking of the other major secret she knew. "I... no, I don't want to go telling you everything you know is wrong, because if I understand what Dís said, it was all to protect you... and what your other self told of your past lives, you went through plenty already, on top of what this life has left you with."
Kíli
Kíli gently took her hands between his, touched how much she worried to not hurt him. "Yes Thorin was the King I spoke of, and Fíli was the young warrior he did not allow himself to love, even when he did in his heart." His eyes went to the fireplace, inside this forge he would always feel their presence, like an echo of them still lingered inside the very stones that built this place. "And if you mean to ask... I know that Thorin was my father, and that Dís raised me instead of the black dwarf who was my other parent. My mother... Dís... she told me before she died, she did not want to disgrace Dari's memory... and I later chose to hide that heritage, in favor of the chance that Thorin and Fíli might..." his voice became a bit constrained and forced it to become steady again. "Had we succeeded and they lived I'd have wanted their children to inherit the crown."
Elennárë
"That was what I wondered, if you ever found out. It's a secret you deserve to know, but I also have a concept of close you were to your brother, and that it might have hurt to question that bond." Elennárë moved to hug him again. "And at least you got to see her again, I did not like the thought that you might not have."
Kíli
"Fíli was my brother, nothing could ever change that." Kíli's voice became softer when he spoke of the brother who lay sleeping under the pines outside of Erebor. "after Dís died, we became rather closer than more distant." He hugged Elennárë close. "but all that is in the past. I have a sister now and a family."
Elennárë
"Yes, you do." Elennárë murmured in assurance. "And I'll defend you as much as any I call family."