(no subject)
Naikele: ::snoring quite contentedly on the couch::
Gorlim: *crouches next to her and strokes her face*
Naikele: ::scrunches up her nose and sneezes::
Gorlim: *chuckles softly*
Naikele: ::sighs and nuzzles his hand::
Gorlim: *whispers* Bless you, Naikele.
Naikele: ::smiles::
Gorlim: *sits there, playing with her hair*
Naikele: ::blinks awake:: . . . hi.
Gorlim: *smiles* Hello.
Naikele: Did I . . . did I wake you?
Gorlim: No! Did I wake you?
Naikele: ::crosses her eyes as she considers:: Nope.
Gorlim: Are you hungry?
Naikele: ::nods:: Is that okay?
Gorlim: Of course! I came in to see how you were doing. You looked so cute sleeping here all curled up...
Naikele: I . . . I wasn't bothering anybody? You're sure?
Gorlim: Of course!
Naikele: I . . . okay. ::smiles at him::
Gorlim: *offers a hand to help her up* What do you like to eat?
Naikele: Well . . . food, I . . . ::motions to her stomach, embarrassed::
Gorlim: What?
Naikele: Um . . . >.< ::pulls her dress tight around her waist:: I'm sorry, if you'd like me to go now, I will.
Gorlim: Go where? Are you talking about your baby? That's okay...
Naikele: You're not . . . it's okay? That I'm . . .
Gorlim: Pregnant? What's wrong with that? Where I come from, pregnant women are practically worshipped second to our gods. I'll take care of you, and your baby, as long as you need, miss Naikele.
Naikele: ::pales and grabs his arm:: R . . . really? I . . . ::speechless, she grabs him and hugs him fiercely::
Gorlim: *laughing* Hey, now, take it easy! *rubs her back* Don't you worry about a thing, miss Naikele. You'll be all right here. I promise.
Naikele: I'm sorry, you've just been so kind, and I don't . . . I don't even know your name . . .
Gorlim: *smiles* Call me Gorlim.
Naikele: Thank you, sir. I mean . . . Gorlim?
Gorlim: *nods and takes her arm, leading her to the kitchen*
Naikele: Oh. ::her eyes widen:: It's so big . . .
Gorlim: Well it feeds the whole palace...
Naikele: I . . . oh, it's *very* big. I'm not used to such big things.
Gorlim: You'll get used to it. If you get scared, I'll protect you. There are little places I can show you, too.
Naikele: ::tilts her head:: Little places?
Gorlim: *nods* Places you can go where things won't seem so big. I've found them, because I come from a place where things were often small, too.
Naikele: Oooh. ::a little thunder-struck:: How can I . . . how can I ever repay you, Sir Gorlim?
Gorlim: Don't trouble yourself about it, miss. That's just my job.
Naikele: ::bites her lip and looks at the floor::
Gorlim: Something wrong?
Naikele: Just . . . I don't think anybody's ever been this nice to me before.
Gorlim: Oh. Well forget about that. You're here now. What do you like to eat? We have eggs. Those are good for the baby...
Naikele: Okay. I've . . . I've never gone through this before.
Gorlim: It'll be okay. There are lots of healers here, and Luthien. She's an Elf. Also the Queen.
Naikele: ::her eyes widen again:: There's a queen?
Gorlim: *nods* Queen Luthien, and the King is Eomer. They have several children, too.
Naikele: . . . ohh . . . what if they don't like me, sir? Will I have to go?
Gorlim: No. Anyway, I'm sure they'll love you.
Naikele: ::a bit like a puppy dog:: You really think so?
Gorlim: I KNOW so! You're a very sweet girl, Naikele. I wish you would try to smile more and be happier.
Naikele: ::giggles:: Okay. I'll try.
Gorlim: See, there's a girl. You've got a lovely laugh. Let me make you some eggs. Do you like those?
Naikele: I . . . I wouldn't know. ::giggles again::
Gorlim: Well, I'll make you some and we'll find out, then! I do love that laugh. Hmmm... do you know if you like cheese, or vegetables?
Naikele: ::shakes her head and smiles brightly:: I'm sorry.
Gorlim: Don't worry. I'll just make you something and if you don't like it, we'll try something else. Okay?
Naikele: ::nods:: I . . . thank you so much.
Gorlim: Any time, my dear. *He gets out some eggs and cooks for her scrambled eggs with mushrooms, sweet peppers, and onions, then puts some thin slices of cheese on top* Here. Try this.
Naikele: ::blinks and takes a bite:: . . . ohmygoodness.
Gorlim: Hmm?
Naikele: It's . . . ::puts her hand to her mouth:: It's really good!
Gorlim: *glows* I'm so glad you like it. I can teach you how to make it so you can have something whenever you get hungry if you can't find me.
Naikele: I . . . ::hesitant, before breaking out into another genuine smile:: Okay.
Gorlim: I can teach you to make other things, too. I can teach you to catch and cook a chicken if you want. I think hunting is a bit advanced for you right now, but there are plenty of chickens the castle keeps for eating, and they're lots of fun to chase!
Naikele: I . . . you want me to kill? o.o
Gorlim: Not if you don't want to, dear.
Naikele: I'd . . . I'd just prefer not to. If you don't mind.
Gorlim: I can teach you how to gather their eggs instead, if you'd like.
Naikele: . . . yes, I'd like that.
Gorlim: *nods* And... let me see. Would you like to learn how to butcher meat that's already been killed? Or perhaps merely to prepare it with the proper spices and cook it? I can teach you how to find the spices growing, what their names are and what they go best with, and which ones can heal. I can teach you how to dry meat or smoke fish, or dry fish and smoke meat, or to carve deer antlers or wood, and to grow things from seeds and how to find the seeds!
Naikele: ::smally:: Sir Gorlim?
Gorlim: Yes?
Naikele: Can I ask . . . well, why you're being so helpful? You don't know me . . .
Gorlim: Because it's my job. And because I DID know you, before you forgot everything.
Naikele: But . . .
Gorlim: Yes?
Naikele: Never . . . mind. But . . . ::shyly:: If you knew me, do you know who gave me my rings?
Gorlim: That I could NOT tell you, my dear.
Naikele: Oh. ::half-smiles:: Silly idea. I'm sorry.
Gorlim: It isn't silly at all! I did know you, miss Maikele, but I didn't know you very WELL.
Naikele: ::smiles:: Naikele. That's okay, I guess I just hoped . . . well, it's not important, is it?
Gorlim: I don't suppose it is. Think of this as a new life. You'll start over, just like I'm doing. We'll help each other out, maybe. I'll teach you things.
Naikele: ::nods:: I can help you?
Gorlim: Yes. You can smile for me. I forget to be happy sometimes. You can remind me.
Naikele: ::smiles, and then covers her mouth when she's realized what she's done, before dropping her hand and smiling even more at the silliness of it:: Okay.
Gorlim: Wonderful! Oh, I almost forgot... *goes and gets some milk for her* There. That's good for the baby, too.
Naikele: You know a lot about babies. ::takes a sip:: Are you a father?
Gorlim: I.... no. I was, for a very little while, but all my children died as infants.
Naikele: Oh, I'm . . . ::squeezes her eyes shut and touches his arm:: I'm very sorry.
Gorlim: *shrugs* It happens. Back home, it was very hard for women to have babies, and harder still for the babies to live. Of the three I had, one was stillborn, and the other two died in the first year.
Naikele: ::considers for a moment, before her eyes light up:: Can I give you a present?
Gorlim: *headtilt* What sort of present?
Naikele: The only kind I can think of right now. Would you like it?
Gorlim: Okay.
Naikele: ::bites her lip again and grabs his hand, pressing it to her belly::
Gorlim: *smiles* To feel your baby?
Naikele: To be here, with me? I'm . . . I'm frightened. And you've lost. But if you're with me, I won't lose it, and you won't be frightened . . . I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense. >.<
Gorlim: *crouches by her and kisses her hands* It makes PERFECT sense. And it is the most wonderful present anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Naikele.
Naikele: ::smiles again as she tries to wipe away her tears:: I thought you'd think it was stupid.
Gorlim: No. Nothing could be more perfect. *he wraps his arms around her waist and presses his cheek to her belly*
Naikele: ::strokes his hair softly:: You've got nice hair, you know.
Gorlim: *laughs* Haldir thinks I look like a sheep.
Naikele: ::interested:: Who's Haldir? Did I know him too?
Gorlim: I don't think so. He is a friend of mine, an Elf. He... is very secretive. He doesn't like to come out and be with people very much.
Naikele: Oh. So I guess that means I can't meet him.
Gorlim: No. He went away.
Naikele: Oh. That's sad.
Gorlim: *nods* But he's happier now. He went to live in the wild, where things are quiet and he can rest. He was very very old.
Naikele: Ooooh. ::frowns:: So I guess I can't give him the present like I did you to make him come out?
Gorlim: *shakes his head* I don't think he is ever going to come back here. Maybe I'll see him again someday, but mostly he has gone away...
Naikele: ::shakes her head:: Not very nice of him.
Gorlim: He needed to go. He was... sick.
Naikele: Oh. Still. ::puts her hand on her stomach:: Me and my baby solemnly swear never to go. Does that make you feel better?
Gorlim: *GLOWS, tears in his eyes* Much better.
Naikele: ::softly:: No crying, I'm hormonal. ::waves her hands in front of her eyes frantically::
Gorlim: All right, all right. *sniffs, blinks, nuzzles her* All right. *smiles* Better?
Naikele: ::nods and kisses her fingertips, pressing them to his eyelids:: No crying, my knight in shining omelette.
Gorlim: *laughs* You remembered to remind me! *kisses her forehead* Thank you, little egg.
Naikele: I'm the big egg. The baby's the little one. :-)
Gorlim: *grins* Ohhhh.
Naikele: So. ::chattering:: No hunting and killing but nice stuff, okay? ::fades::
Gorlim: I'll only kill bad things.
Naikele: ::smiles:: Good. That's a good promise to make.
Gorlim: *crouches next to her and strokes her face*
Naikele: ::scrunches up her nose and sneezes::
Gorlim: *chuckles softly*
Naikele: ::sighs and nuzzles his hand::
Gorlim: *whispers* Bless you, Naikele.
Naikele: ::smiles::
Gorlim: *sits there, playing with her hair*
Naikele: ::blinks awake:: . . . hi.
Gorlim: *smiles* Hello.
Naikele: Did I . . . did I wake you?
Gorlim: No! Did I wake you?
Naikele: ::crosses her eyes as she considers:: Nope.
Gorlim: Are you hungry?
Naikele: ::nods:: Is that okay?
Gorlim: Of course! I came in to see how you were doing. You looked so cute sleeping here all curled up...
Naikele: I . . . I wasn't bothering anybody? You're sure?
Gorlim: Of course!
Naikele: I . . . okay. ::smiles at him::
Gorlim: *offers a hand to help her up* What do you like to eat?
Naikele: Well . . . food, I . . . ::motions to her stomach, embarrassed::
Gorlim: What?
Naikele: Um . . . >.< ::pulls her dress tight around her waist:: I'm sorry, if you'd like me to go now, I will.
Gorlim: Go where? Are you talking about your baby? That's okay...
Naikele: You're not . . . it's okay? That I'm . . .
Gorlim: Pregnant? What's wrong with that? Where I come from, pregnant women are practically worshipped second to our gods. I'll take care of you, and your baby, as long as you need, miss Naikele.
Naikele: ::pales and grabs his arm:: R . . . really? I . . . ::speechless, she grabs him and hugs him fiercely::
Gorlim: *laughing* Hey, now, take it easy! *rubs her back* Don't you worry about a thing, miss Naikele. You'll be all right here. I promise.
Naikele: I'm sorry, you've just been so kind, and I don't . . . I don't even know your name . . .
Gorlim: *smiles* Call me Gorlim.
Naikele: Thank you, sir. I mean . . . Gorlim?
Gorlim: *nods and takes her arm, leading her to the kitchen*
Naikele: Oh. ::her eyes widen:: It's so big . . .
Gorlim: Well it feeds the whole palace...
Naikele: I . . . oh, it's *very* big. I'm not used to such big things.
Gorlim: You'll get used to it. If you get scared, I'll protect you. There are little places I can show you, too.
Naikele: ::tilts her head:: Little places?
Gorlim: *nods* Places you can go where things won't seem so big. I've found them, because I come from a place where things were often small, too.
Naikele: Oooh. ::a little thunder-struck:: How can I . . . how can I ever repay you, Sir Gorlim?
Gorlim: Don't trouble yourself about it, miss. That's just my job.
Naikele: ::bites her lip and looks at the floor::
Gorlim: Something wrong?
Naikele: Just . . . I don't think anybody's ever been this nice to me before.
Gorlim: Oh. Well forget about that. You're here now. What do you like to eat? We have eggs. Those are good for the baby...
Naikele: Okay. I've . . . I've never gone through this before.
Gorlim: It'll be okay. There are lots of healers here, and Luthien. She's an Elf. Also the Queen.
Naikele: ::her eyes widen again:: There's a queen?
Gorlim: *nods* Queen Luthien, and the King is Eomer. They have several children, too.
Naikele: . . . ohh . . . what if they don't like me, sir? Will I have to go?
Gorlim: No. Anyway, I'm sure they'll love you.
Naikele: ::a bit like a puppy dog:: You really think so?
Gorlim: I KNOW so! You're a very sweet girl, Naikele. I wish you would try to smile more and be happier.
Naikele: ::giggles:: Okay. I'll try.
Gorlim: See, there's a girl. You've got a lovely laugh. Let me make you some eggs. Do you like those?
Naikele: I . . . I wouldn't know. ::giggles again::
Gorlim: Well, I'll make you some and we'll find out, then! I do love that laugh. Hmmm... do you know if you like cheese, or vegetables?
Naikele: ::shakes her head and smiles brightly:: I'm sorry.
Gorlim: Don't worry. I'll just make you something and if you don't like it, we'll try something else. Okay?
Naikele: ::nods:: I . . . thank you so much.
Gorlim: Any time, my dear. *He gets out some eggs and cooks for her scrambled eggs with mushrooms, sweet peppers, and onions, then puts some thin slices of cheese on top* Here. Try this.
Naikele: ::blinks and takes a bite:: . . . ohmygoodness.
Gorlim: Hmm?
Naikele: It's . . . ::puts her hand to her mouth:: It's really good!
Gorlim: *glows* I'm so glad you like it. I can teach you how to make it so you can have something whenever you get hungry if you can't find me.
Naikele: I . . . ::hesitant, before breaking out into another genuine smile:: Okay.
Gorlim: I can teach you to make other things, too. I can teach you to catch and cook a chicken if you want. I think hunting is a bit advanced for you right now, but there are plenty of chickens the castle keeps for eating, and they're lots of fun to chase!
Naikele: I . . . you want me to kill? o.o
Gorlim: Not if you don't want to, dear.
Naikele: I'd . . . I'd just prefer not to. If you don't mind.
Gorlim: I can teach you how to gather their eggs instead, if you'd like.
Naikele: . . . yes, I'd like that.
Gorlim: *nods* And... let me see. Would you like to learn how to butcher meat that's already been killed? Or perhaps merely to prepare it with the proper spices and cook it? I can teach you how to find the spices growing, what their names are and what they go best with, and which ones can heal. I can teach you how to dry meat or smoke fish, or dry fish and smoke meat, or to carve deer antlers or wood, and to grow things from seeds and how to find the seeds!
Naikele: ::smally:: Sir Gorlim?
Gorlim: Yes?
Naikele: Can I ask . . . well, why you're being so helpful? You don't know me . . .
Gorlim: Because it's my job. And because I DID know you, before you forgot everything.
Naikele: But . . .
Gorlim: Yes?
Naikele: Never . . . mind. But . . . ::shyly:: If you knew me, do you know who gave me my rings?
Gorlim: That I could NOT tell you, my dear.
Naikele: Oh. ::half-smiles:: Silly idea. I'm sorry.
Gorlim: It isn't silly at all! I did know you, miss Maikele, but I didn't know you very WELL.
Naikele: ::smiles:: Naikele. That's okay, I guess I just hoped . . . well, it's not important, is it?
Gorlim: I don't suppose it is. Think of this as a new life. You'll start over, just like I'm doing. We'll help each other out, maybe. I'll teach you things.
Naikele: ::nods:: I can help you?
Gorlim: Yes. You can smile for me. I forget to be happy sometimes. You can remind me.
Naikele: ::smiles, and then covers her mouth when she's realized what she's done, before dropping her hand and smiling even more at the silliness of it:: Okay.
Gorlim: Wonderful! Oh, I almost forgot... *goes and gets some milk for her* There. That's good for the baby, too.
Naikele: You know a lot about babies. ::takes a sip:: Are you a father?
Gorlim: I.... no. I was, for a very little while, but all my children died as infants.
Naikele: Oh, I'm . . . ::squeezes her eyes shut and touches his arm:: I'm very sorry.
Gorlim: *shrugs* It happens. Back home, it was very hard for women to have babies, and harder still for the babies to live. Of the three I had, one was stillborn, and the other two died in the first year.
Naikele: ::considers for a moment, before her eyes light up:: Can I give you a present?
Gorlim: *headtilt* What sort of present?
Naikele: The only kind I can think of right now. Would you like it?
Gorlim: Okay.
Naikele: ::bites her lip again and grabs his hand, pressing it to her belly::
Gorlim: *smiles* To feel your baby?
Naikele: To be here, with me? I'm . . . I'm frightened. And you've lost. But if you're with me, I won't lose it, and you won't be frightened . . . I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense. >.<
Gorlim: *crouches by her and kisses her hands* It makes PERFECT sense. And it is the most wonderful present anyone has ever given me. Thank you, Naikele.
Naikele: ::smiles again as she tries to wipe away her tears:: I thought you'd think it was stupid.
Gorlim: No. Nothing could be more perfect. *he wraps his arms around her waist and presses his cheek to her belly*
Naikele: ::strokes his hair softly:: You've got nice hair, you know.
Gorlim: *laughs* Haldir thinks I look like a sheep.
Naikele: ::interested:: Who's Haldir? Did I know him too?
Gorlim: I don't think so. He is a friend of mine, an Elf. He... is very secretive. He doesn't like to come out and be with people very much.
Naikele: Oh. So I guess that means I can't meet him.
Gorlim: No. He went away.
Naikele: Oh. That's sad.
Gorlim: *nods* But he's happier now. He went to live in the wild, where things are quiet and he can rest. He was very very old.
Naikele: Ooooh. ::frowns:: So I guess I can't give him the present like I did you to make him come out?
Gorlim: *shakes his head* I don't think he is ever going to come back here. Maybe I'll see him again someday, but mostly he has gone away...
Naikele: ::shakes her head:: Not very nice of him.
Gorlim: He needed to go. He was... sick.
Naikele: Oh. Still. ::puts her hand on her stomach:: Me and my baby solemnly swear never to go. Does that make you feel better?
Gorlim: *GLOWS, tears in his eyes* Much better.
Naikele: ::softly:: No crying, I'm hormonal. ::waves her hands in front of her eyes frantically::
Gorlim: All right, all right. *sniffs, blinks, nuzzles her* All right. *smiles* Better?
Naikele: ::nods and kisses her fingertips, pressing them to his eyelids:: No crying, my knight in shining omelette.
Gorlim: *laughs* You remembered to remind me! *kisses her forehead* Thank you, little egg.
Naikele: I'm the big egg. The baby's the little one. :-)
Gorlim: *grins* Ohhhh.
Naikele: So. ::chattering:: No hunting and killing but nice stuff, okay? ::fades::
Gorlim: I'll only kill bad things.
Naikele: ::smiles:: Good. That's a good promise to make.