The Fire Dance

Authors Notes:
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Blushing - Hheheh...a dancer, well we shall see *Wink* Im glad your still enjoying the story...:)
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Macheil - 25 years ay? Its amazing how we meet the ones we end up with...:)
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TopazKat - Yeah I figured Findel would be a good one to give advice. He may be an overgrown elfling at times, but hes smart...:)
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The Fire Dance

Ch169

Later that evening when Thoniel returned form his shift in the healing
wing, he stopped at the entrance to the garden, then sighed when he
noticed that Taurcalad and his new friend were not there. Turning
around, he grabbed the latch to his door, then frowned "Locked?"

Inside the chamber, Glorfindel spun and whispered forcibly through his
teeth "Taur!"

"What"

"Thoniel is back"

The warrior blinked, then looked around "He can not find you here my lord"

"I know that!"

Glorfindel quickly ran over to the balcony "Now remember penneth, do
not expect any affection. He is going to resist what you are doing
here, just be patient and whatever you do, do Not tie him up and hang
him from the rafters"

Taurcalad rolled his eyes "Oh very funny. Wait, wait Glorfindel
what...what do I say, what should we talk about"

The golden slayer quickly swung his legs over the rail "Talk about the
porcupine, simple conversation. And remember, do not stay to long,
leave when you are finished with the food"

After Glorfindel jumped off the balcony, Taurcalad ran to the door and
opened it

"Hisssss...why was my door locked! And why are you in my chamber you
said that you would be in the garden, what are you...doing...in
my...what is all this?"

Taurcalad smiled as he took Thoniel's healers robe "I thought that
since you would be working late, I would have evening meal ready"

Thoniel blinked as he looked around 'Candles, food, flowers...', "What
do you want"

The warrior smiled as he motioned for the healer to sit "I want for
you to relax and eat, tul my dear sit and eat"

"Wh...where is Maica-anna"

Taurcalad pointed at a wood box that was laying on its side in the
corner of the room "I gathered material for him to make a den, he
spent the better half of the evening making it the way he liked. He
has the old wood box, leaves, dirt..."

"I am not sightless Taurcalad I see the den"

"Mmm...well, aye he...he uh...well he bed down about an hour ago. So,
shall we eat?"

Thoniel slowly walked over to the table, then began to inspect the
chair he was offered

"What are you searching for?"

"Rope!"

Taurcalad sighed as he pulled the chair out "There is no rope, why
would I have rope attached to your chair"

"Because the Last time I ate with you, I was bound!"

The warrior paused for a moment, trying to find the right words....

"Thoniel, saes. There is no rope, I am not going to hang you from
anything, and...and I am not going to hurt you. I did not hurt you
before, frightened you aye, but I did not harm you. Saes...sit and eat
with me?"

The young healer looked at the food, then plopped himself down in the
chair "Fine"

After Taurcalad prepared a plate for them both, he smiled kindly "How
was your shift?"

"Fine"

"Mmm...and what did you do?"

Thoniel swallowed the delicious food and sighed "I catalogued herbs for
lord Elrond...this food is really good, who was the cook this evening"

Taurcalad sat tall "I was. I prepared the meal"

The young healer furrowed his brow as he looked at the food on his
plate "You...you cooked..."

"Do not look so shocked my dear, t'is not like you have never had my
cooking before"

Thoniel tilted his head "I...I have?"

"Aye, when I fed you all those years ago. I had cooked that night"

Thoniel blinked in shock, his mind falling back to the memory of how
Taurcalad had lowered him down from the tree, and while still bound,
the warrior sat on the ground with him reclining back between his
legs, his back leaning against Taurcalad's chest and his head
supported by his shoulder as he slowly fed him from his bowl.

"Thoniel?"

"I was so...scared"

Taurcalad took a deep breath, this was certainly Not simple
conversation like Glorfindel had suggested. Keeping his voice low and
calm, he leaned forward "Thoniel, I was doing my job. I am a warrior
and that was what we did to those who trespassed. The whole idea was
to frighten and disorientate the captive. But after all that, did we
not release you unharmed?"

"Aye, you did"

"I am not a monster Thoniel. I am just a warrior who followed orders"


Thoniel narrowed his eyes as he tilted his head "You nu...nuzzled my
neck. Were you ordered to do That?"

Taurcalad sat back in his chair and shook his head "Nay"

"Then why did you do that. You wrapped your arms around me and nuzzled
me and...and..."

"You were trembling and whimpering I...I was trying to comfort you"

"Comfort me?! I was bound with my arms behind me and you...then you
Nuzzle me in front of everyone who was there! In front of my friend!
Who by the by saw you do that and feared for me! There were two of
your fellows having at one another right there! Right in front of me
as you...you..."

Taurcalad quickly stood and took a step back from the table "Perhaps I
should go. You are becoming upset and I do not wish to upset you further"

Thoniel tried to control his rising panic as he took several deep
breaths "I...I was only 53 Taurcalad. I was only 53 as I watched your
fellows claw and bite and growl and hiss and...and then you nuzzle me
and call me fair? I was bound and laying between the legs of a warrior
who was wearing nothing but a loincloth! What was I suppose to think!"

Taurcalad swallowed hard and lowered his head as he walked to the
door, then whispered "I'm sorry I frightened you Thoniel" then
disappeared down the hall.

Finding a nice tree out in the garden, Taurcalad climbed up, then
shifted when a figure appeared next to him on the limb....

"I am not frightened of you"

Mandos arched his brow "You would be the first Avarin who was not"

"I feel as though my heart is braking...am I fading my lord? It that the
reason for your visit?"

"Nay penneth, I am not here for you"

Taurcalad quickly looked over, panic clear in his features "Nay! Nay
not Thoniel!"

Mandos chuckled and he shook his head "Nay, I am not here for Thoniel"

Taking several deep breaths, Taurcalad finally calmed "Then may I ask
Why you are sitting with me in my misery?"

"One of the warriors was injured during patrol, he will not survive, I
am waiting so that his wife and little ones can say their goodbyes
before I gather him"

Taurcalad tilted his head, his look serious "We were always taught to
fear you. We were told that you crept in and stole us away, yet here
you are, waiting so that a family has a chance to say farewell"

Mandos looked out into the garden as he crossed his arms over his
chest "I am a father, husband, brother...son. My original function was
not what it is now...my home was not originally used for what is it
used for now...."

The Valar of the dead slowly looked over at the young life next to him
"Do you truly believe that Iluvatar would place a cold and unfeeling
being in charge of the fea of his beloved Firstborn?"

Taurcalad smiled "Not anymore"

Mandos laughed loudly, then gently placed his hand on the warriors
shoulder "One nice thing about being immortal penneth, is that you
have time...be patient with your little healer. Oh and by the by...a
porcupine?"

TBC........................


Translations:

Iluvatar -------------------- Eru
Fea ------------------------ Soul
Penneth -------------------- Young one
Saes ----------------------- Please
Maica-anna ---------------- Sharp, Piercing - Gift