Spirits of Light

Spirits of Light

Chapter 6
Author: Frosty the Singing Ferret
Codes: Elrond, Arwen, Elros, OC, AU, M/F, Oral, N/C.
Rated: NC-17
Summary: A young elf studies under Elrond and falls for more than she realizes. Takes place pre-FOTR.

Author's Notes: LOL @ Freya. You better watch what you say - Elven's not gonna like that you're dissin' her elf. ;)

*

Cala sat on her bed, staring at the floor. After her encounter with Elrond she had gone back to her rooms, bathed and put on fresh clothes, and prepared herself for her dinner with Arwen. Her thoughts were constantly on him, though, and on what they did. She didn't want to deceive Arwen, but she also didn't want to be the one to speak to her about being involved with her father. Sighing, she decided to speak with Elrond tomorrow about being truthful with his daughter.

She looked up at the window. It was still bright outside, but the air was growing cool. Dusk was approaching. Taking a deep breath, she stood and left her room, making her way to Arwen's quarters. She took her time walking, enjoying the air and thinking about what she would say to Elrond tomorrow.

When she arrived at her friend's rooms she knocked softly. The door opened moments later to a smiling Arwen. "Cala," she said, motioning her to enter, "Please, come in."

"Thank you." Cala looked around the large room as she made her way inside. It was tastefully decorated in dark reds and golds, and was obviously the home of royalty. It was nothing short of lavish and feminine. When Cala looked up, though, and noticed a sheathed sword hanging decoratively on the wall, she grinned. Arwen played the princess well, but beneath that Cala knew she was as much a warrior as Aragorn was.

The dinner table held an assortment of foods that quickly drew Cala's attention. Holding a hand to her stomach, she frowned in realization of how hungry she was. "Everything looks wonderful," she said as Arwen brought two goblets of red wine to the table.

She motioned for them to sit. "Yes, the cooks outdid themselves." She took pieces of food from the table, cheeses and bread and fruit, and set them on her plate. "How was your day?"

Cala looked up as she took a sip of wine. "Fine," she answered, "And yours?"

Arwen pursed her lips, but did not meet her companion's gaze. Instead, she picked up her glass and looked down at the burgundy liquid held within. "Disconcerting."

Frowning, she leaned forward and asked, "Arwen, is something wrong?"

Those grave blue eyes that reminded her so much of Elrond looked up. "I saw something today, Cala. Something that upset me."

Setting down her glass, anxious about what was about to be said, she asked, "What happened?"

Arwen turned her eyes away. "I went to see my father, to borrow a book from him. He had already gone to meet you, so I went into his rooms. They were a mess." Her jaw clenched as she continued, "Books had been scattered over the floor, the bedsheets were tossed as though he had been victim to nightmares. I became worried, so I went to the greenhouses."

Cala blanched. She felt numb and hollow as Arwen looked up at her, her eyes hurting and accusing. "What did you see?" she asked faintly, accepting what was being brought out into the open.

"A kiss." Arwen's voice was breathy and fragile, as though it pained her deeply to speak the words.

Taking a shaking breath, she inquired gently, "Anything more?"

"No," she answered, "I left."

Nodding her head, Cala looked down at the table. "Have you spoken to your father about this?"

"No. Not yet."

"I'm sorry, Arwen," she said, "I know not what else I can say."

"You can answer my questions." When Cala looked up, Arwen continued, "When did this begin?"

She didn't want to answer. She didn't want any of this to be happening. Still, though, she owed Arwen the truth. "Last night."

"Do you love him?"

Cala felt her eyes sting with tears, but she did not allow them to fall. "I want to. I've had feelings for your father for a while now, but did not have the heart to tell him nor you."

She didn't seem to care for what had been said. In a low voice, she asked, "Does he love you?"

"I don't know," she responded honestly.

Arwen's eyes glittered in the dying light. "Do you want to see him again?"

Biting her lip, she replied, "I do."

Cala could tell Arwen was holding back her own tears. "I trusted you," she said softly, "Why would you do this?"

She shook her head, "I'm sorry, Arwen."

"No, you're not sorry. Not if you would do it again."

Swallowing heavily, she replied, "You're right. You're my friend, Arwen, and I'm sorry this hurts you. But I'm not sorry it happened. I have intense feelings for your father. It hurt me to have to deny them. When he came to me, I was terribly relieved."

"H-He came to you?" Her eyes widened in anger. "He would not do that. He wouldn't do that to..." she stopped, shaking her head.

"To who?" she asked, curious.

Arwen took a deep breath and said, "To my mother."

Indeed that had been a big reason why Cala had never tried to pursue a relationship with Elrond. She knew much of Celebrian, having lived in the Golden Wood for much of her life. Rarely did elves take another mate after theirs had passed, thought it was not unheard of to have occured. "I'm positive he meant her no dishonour," she said, knowing nothing she said would make Arwen feel better.

Sniffing and rubbing her eyes, Arwen stood and walked to the window. "I apologize, Cala. I'm finding it difficult to deal with this right now. Would you mind leaving me alone for the evening?"

"Of course," she replied. Sadly, she stood and walked to the door. She turned to say goodnight, but it somehow felt out of place. Instead, she simply exited and left her friend alone with her thoughts.

*

TBC