(no subject)
Artamir: *knocks on Arvedui's door*
Arvedui: *opens the door, blanches* Right. Come in.
Artamir: *enters without many words and paces, not knowing where to start*
Arvedui: *shuts the door firmly behind him and turns, keeping his back to the door and eyeing Artamir warily*
Artamir: Well. *crosses his arms and faces Arvedui* What is all this I've been hearing about you and Theoden?
Arvedui: ...That depends. What have you been hearing? *evades* >.>
Artamir: *clenches his teeth* Arvedui, you know very well what I mean.
Arvedui: *sighs* I do. And I also knows that it matters little to any of us. It's a foolish fancy, one which I was just as surprised as you were to find out, and just as disturbed. I am determined not to let it affect anything. *can't quite meet Art's eyes, but his own show resolve*
Artamir: *breathes deeply* I am not worried so much for what you've told Theo, because we have already talked about it. *slightly harshly* What of my sister?
Arvedui: *winces* It changes nothing, as I've said. *takes a deep breath of his own* My feelings for her remain and so does my loyalty, despite any strange paths my heart chooses to take. This changes nothing, other than perhaps making me look and feel like a fool.
Artamir: *shakes his head* Arvedui, things like this shouldn't be taken lightly. You say nothing has changed, but you declared love for him. That does change things. And you will speak to her about this when she arrives.
Arvedui: Of course I will speak to her about this! *suddenly angry* I would not dare hide such a thing from her! But I do know that despite what you may think, this truly does change nothing. *steely determination* As I've told him, the only thing this means is that I'll worry for him a bit more than usual, but he asked me not to display that, so I won't. I have far better control of my own self than to let this insane thing interfere with my life, or that of those I care about.
Artamir: *shakes his head and chuckles* We'll see. I suppose the next few months will be rather trying. Do you think you truly will be able to live as if nothing has changed?
Arvedui: I do. If there's anything I've ever been good at, it's acts of will. *pauses, then observes* You've been in this room with me for more than five minutes and I'm not bleeding yet. >.>
Artamir: No, you're not. I would prefer not to have to make you bleed. Unless that's what you want. *raises an eyebrow* You surprise me, Arvedui.
Arvedui: Wanting and deserving are two different things. And do I? *sounds sort of old now, with something of sad resignation in his tone and the way he still can't meet Art's eyes*
Artamir: *takes a deep breath and shakes his head again* Arvedui, if it were up to me, you would be seeing the healers right now. But I can't do that, not to my best friend, nor the man who would be my brother-in-law. *muttering* I would never hear the end of it from her.
Arvedui: By the time she gets here, I'm hoping to be healed. Mostly at least, barring broken bones. >.>
Artamir: Is this an invitation? *tilts his head back and closes his eyes, breathing deeply* I have calmed down since hearing about this. Don't make me want to do something now that I'll regret. However... *walks forward and punches him in the jaw* That is for all of this. Keep yourself in check.
Arvedui: >.< *has enough dignity not to make a sound even though he thinks some of his teeth had gotten slightly looser* I will.
Artamir: *firmly, as if giving orders to his men* Now get that looked at and go figure out what you are doing in this mess.
Arvedui: ... *feels a bit affronted to be spoken to like that, but he knows better than to do anything about that, so he merely nods and goes to the Healers to have his jaw looked at, his mind already busy at working up a good excuse for it*