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Good evening, handsome. I am quite available at the moment, yes, just let me try to set this thing up properly. (Orange, you say? That would have been interesting to see *grins*)
Imrahil turned his webcam on and leaned back in his chair, waiting patiently for Lindir to figure out how to set up the connection. In the large guest room he was making use of while in Edoras, he’d had the fire in the large hearth and all of the wall torches lit so that Lindir would be able to see him clearly; therefore, the room was bathed in a soft, warm light. He’d spent extra time on his hair and clothing to make sure he looked suitably presentable, but still kept looking at his image on the screen and then fiddling nervously. Finally he forced himself to look away.
Are you having difficulties? Would you like me to talk you through it? He typed.
Lindir was a little nervous as he settled down in front of the webcam, not quite sure how to operate it. This was one area where he was technologically challenged, that was for certain. The small fireplace and a few lamps were lit and the curtains were drawn to ensure that Imrahil would be able to see him properly, but only if he managed to turn the damned thing on.
It’s okay, I think I’ve nearly got it… he typed back and fiddled with a setting or two, and then… he could see Imrahil. The Man was incredibly handsome and Lindir was taken off guard by it for a moment. The blush crept onto his cheeks immediately and he smiled shyly to him, playing with the hem of his tunic. “Hello.”
When Lindir’s image popped up on the screen, Imrahil took a sharp intake of breath. His skin was so pale and smooth compared with Imrahil’s own, and luminous in a way he’d never seen on a mortal. The first thing he was drawn to were his eyes, large and blue-grey, framed by long lashes. When he noticed the pink blush spread across Lindir’s cheeks and saw his coy smile, he returned it with one of his own.
“Hello to you too. You’re even more beautiful than I remember.”
Lindir chuckled at the compliment, taking in the sight of the other for a moment. He was as handsome as he had been the last time they had seen each other, and he looked like he hadn’t aged a day. Imrahil looked alert, open and strong, and Lindir liked it. “I could say the same to you.” he said, a warm feeling spreading in his chest at that smile, knowing that it was, at the moment, meant for him only. He also knew that he was staring, but he couldn’t help it. He was far too fascinated.
“How are you? Are they treating you well in Edoras?”
Imrahil couldn’t take his eyes away from the little Elf. He looked so delicate and soft, Imrahil wished he could just scoop him up and sit him in his lap. That thought made him sigh wistfully. Why, he was so pretty he would be taken for a youth of no more than, say, sixteen years were he mortal, Imrahil thought… which then made him feel a little uncomfortable. It was hard to believe he was… actually, Imrahil had no idea how old he was.
“Of course; Éomer is a gracious host. I love it here, actually… sometimes the people of Gondor can be so uptight. The Rohirrim know how to have a good time.” He smiled. “Lindir… I’m just curious. How old are you?” He didn’t know if this was a rude or stupid question, so he felt rather foolish for having asked it.
Lindir tried to keep the smile off his face when he heard Imrahil’s wistful sigh, though he nearly returned it. He really wished he could be with him now, rather than have many miles between them. Though he was a little confused, because Imrahil suddenly looked uncomfortable. What was he thinking about? “Are you alright?” he asked, just to make sure. Perhaps he was feeling ill?
“Good, good. I have only heard good things about him, so it would be surprising if he was a bad host.” Though he had to laugh. “Uptight? If Men are uptight, just wait until you come to stay here amongst us Elves. More uptight people you will have to look long for. Though do not tell them I told you that, I do not think they will look kindly upon me if you do.” He grinned as he was asked that question. “How old I am? Somewhere between three and four thousand. I will admit I am slowly losing count.” He smiled wistfully. “Why do you ask?”
Imrahil fixed a smile to his face as soon as he saw Lindir’s look of concern. Had he been frowning, he wondered? “I’m well, thank you. I just became lost in thought for a moment, that’s all.”
He laughed as well. “Perhaps you should visit Rohan,” he said teasingly, “I’m sure you’d be thoroughly scandalised by some of the antics that go on here.” He cocked his head to one side. “Oh, come now, I know that not all Elves are uptight. A little melodramatic, perhaps, but not uptight,” he said, grinning. He was beginning to feel more comfortable in Lindir’s presence. Lindir was easy to talk to, he thought, nothing near as stern or aloof as some other members of his race. The grin quickly fell from his face to be replaced by a look of astonishment, however, when he heard Lindir’s answer to his question. “Three or four thousand?” he said wondrously. “I must be no more than a child to your eyes…”
Lindir nodded a little and returned the smile. “Okay, if you are sure. But if you need to talk about anything you know where to find me.”
He wrinkled his nose. “I would rather not. I mean no offense, truly, but I have heard that the Horse-Lords are rather…. brutish?” He chuckled. “Definitely scandalized if I saw it, yes. I would probably sit there covering my eyes.” He smiled, shaking his head. “Truly though, they cannot be that bad?”
He was a little flustered when Imrahil suddenly appeared astonished and he ducked his head. “Aye,” he mumbled, grinning sheepishly. “Is that weird?” He frowned for a moment. “Child? No. No, I clearly know you are a fully grown Man, so you do not appear like a child in my eyes. You look nothing like it. If I were, say, Lord Glorfindel I might think so, but he is not very good with humans in general.”
Imrahil looked Lindir in the eyes with an expression of sincere gratitude. He wanted Lindir to know just how much he trusted him and cared for him. “I have already laid my soul bare to you once. I would do so again if anything were to trouble me. I hope that you would feel able to do the same.”
Then his seriousness was lost when Lindir wrinkled his nose in disaste. He was just so adorable. “Brutish? I suppose you could say that. Besides the royalty, few are literature, many seem to regard bathing with suspicion and the men are perhaps overfond of ale and women.” He laughed. “But a sturdier and braver folk you would be hard pressed to find. They are good people, though perhaps not for the likes of you to mingle with.” The image of delicate, neat Lindir amidst a gaggle of rowdy Rohirrim was just too funny. “If you ever did visit, I would keep you close and protect you. It would be an honour.”
“Weird? No, no. Not weird, it’s just hard to wrap my head around. You look so youthful. I mean to say that some Elves, though they may have no lines on their faces, you can nevertheless see in their eyes how many winters they have seen. You, on the other hand, seem so innocent…” He reddened slightly. “It’s as though the years have drifted past you without leaving a trace.” He sighed. “I know that you can see I’m an adult member of my race, but I meant that all mortals must seem like children to you, because of our lack of life experience. I suppose an Elf of my years wouldn’t have even come of age.” He hoped very much the Lindir didn’t find this too strange.
Lindir met his eyes and saw how sincere he was being, and it was truly touching. “I would definitely be able to do the same. I already did, didn’t I? I would gladly do it again.” he said, and a sudden longing to reach out and touch Imrahil struck him. He bit back a soft sigh and smiled instead.
He grinned. “Sounds just like what I have thought them to be, though I do not doubt their heart, for inwardly they must have a streak of gentleness. All do, even if they are loathe to show it. Though I cannot imagine how it would be to be among a group of them. Rather intimidating, I would think.” Lindir smirked at him. “Protect me, hm? If one of the Rohirrim approached me, what would you do?” He watched him closely, awaiting his answer. He was truly curious as to what Imrahil would say.
Lindir could only sigh a little. “I know. I think it is because most Elves that you have met have seen or felt the Wars in any kind of way, while I have not. Not ever.” He shrugged slightly and smiled coyly. “I quite like being thought of as innocent at times. No one ever knows if I actually am or not. It is fun to surprise them…” He thought about it for a moment. “I don’t know about lack of life experience… even though we Elves have lived longer, it does not always mean that we have experienced more than Men have. It is true that an Elf of your years would not have come of age, but… I know that you are not an Elf, and therefore I know that I must think differently when it comes down to it. I mean, it was strange in the beginning when I first met you and your people and came to realize how young you were, but now that has changed. I no longer think of you as an Elfling. If I were to think of you as an Elf now it would come much more natural to me to think of you as one as old as myself, or even older.” He wasn’t really sure if he was answering Imrahil’s question or not, but it was not that easy to answer it in the first place.
Imrahil felt pleased upon hearing that Lindir would open up to him about anything on his mind. Many may tell you that they trust you enough to take you into their confidence, but few really mean it. He believed that Lindir really meant it.
“Intimidating they may be, and yet my daughter - who is sweet, gentle and mild - has fallen in love with one of them. They do say that opposites attract…” He gave a sly smile then, hoping that Lindir would pick up on his true meaning; of course, it wasn’t merely Lothíriel and Éomer he was talking about.
“Approached you? You mean, made a pass at you?” He frowned. “I would tell them you’re to be left alone, and if they didn’t listen, I wouldn’t hesitate to draw my sword in defence of your honour. I wouldn’t stand to have you insulted like that.” And I want you for myself, he thought, but considered it unwise to add that part.
“I’m glad that you’ve never seen war. Those such as you weren’t made for battlefields, but for luxury and pleasure.” He smiled and for a moment imagined Lindir dressed in fine coloured silks, playing his grandest harp just for him. He shivered a little in longing. Then he raised an eyebrow at Lindir’s next comment, snapping out of his reverie. “Surprise them? Are you not as innocent as you appear..?” He gave Lindir a suggestive glance before chuckling softly. “I’m glad that you no longer think of me as an Elfling. That wouldn’t do at all.” He wondered if perhaps he was being too forthcoming, but it was hard not to be with Lindir in front of him, as beautiful as he was.
