he had forgotten that hearts could fly (closed)

[handofsilver]

Who: Celebrimbor & Anne
What: Courting. Old fashioned courting.
Where: At Anne's house to start. (I will update if necessary.)
When: Right after this message/discussion.
Warnings: Lots of cute, I expect. (This will be updated too depending on their discussions.)

It had begun when she had come for a sword, truly, if he were honest with himself. Her dainty features and her fierce resolve had drawn him and, yes, excited him. Celebrimbor saw her fire - a spirit like hers was not common in any of the races he had become acquainted with - and he had started to feel an old longing. Ladies who could hold their own through sheer wit and had hearts that were infinitely patient and kind were a weakness of his.

Artanis - Galadriel - had been his first love. Unrequited love, of course. Then there was his wife - whom he would always love dearly. Yet both of those fierce, beautiful ladies were beyond his reach and he did not expect either of them to forgive him after what he had done. Thus why he was mad to even think about pursuing a third!

But she had held his hand in the clinic. She had steadied him and made him laugh through his pain. Celebrimbor knew it would be dangerously easy to feel for her. Was he putting her in danger by thinking that way? By acting on it?

It should be her decision, he decided. He would tell her everything and let her come to her own conclusion. After all, he knew she loved another man. They were...similar. Very similar.

He dared not arrive at her home without some flowers. They were not what he would have picked for her, but such beauty was scarce in Hadriel. With the small bouquet in one hand and his cane in the other, he knocked on her door, trying to quiet the desperate fluttering in his stomach.

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[souveraine]

Anne quickly put down her phone as soon as she received Celebrimbor's message and went to open the door for him. She had been concerned for him since after she left him after his injury so she was glad to see him now. Her apartment was sparsely furnished but comfortable, she liked that it was her own personal space and she didn't have to think about what anyone else would find appropriate about it.

She opened the door with a smile, gesturing for him to come in. "I am so glad you dropped by. I finished my drawing for you, it's rough but it was fun to do something I haven't in a while," she commented with a laugh. "Please, sit, would you like some tea?"

[handofsilver]

His cheeks flushed with warmth the moment she appeared. Ah. This feeling... Somehow it ached more this time around. Celebrimbor held out the flowers to her silently, his silver eyes intense before he managed a small smile.

"I should have brought mine. I left it at the Forge." he mentally kicked himself and stepped inside, moving as gracefully as his bound leg allowed.

Eru above, he was not what she deserved. Why was he even attempting -

"Yes, thank you." Celebrimbor's voice was unsteady and he took a deep breath, "I want to talk to you, Anne. You deserve my honesty and I will not shield you from it."

[souveraine]

"Please, sit first." The last thing she wanted was for him to fall over while he was still healing. She guided him to one of the comfortable chairs in the apartment, looking at him as he spoke.

"If we are being honest, then there is something that I should tell you as well," she said slowly as she sat beside him. She had only told Maketh about her identity as a queen, but Celebrimbor deserved to know as well. "You deserve the same and I confess I have withheld something from you."

She wasn't sure what Celebrimbor had to tell her but she hoped that he was still willing to trust her and be her friend after she told him what she had kept from him.

[handofsilver]

He sat down with some difficulty, stretching out his splinted leg. Elves were fast healers, but he would likely be plagued by aches and pains for the rest of his life in Hadriel. His body had been through the wringer.

"Then you should go first, my lady." he watched her, wondering what weighed so heavily upon her. Whatever it was, he was certain he could withstand it and, hopefully, in doing so, he could see her smile. At least for a little while.

[souveraine]

She paused to make sure he was settled, moving over to grab a couple pillows for him to make sure he was comfortable.

"I haven't been honest about who I am and I believe you should know. I prefer not to have secrets," she started, taking a moment to choose the right words.

"I was born a princess and when I was 14 years old I married the king of another country, becoming queen. I hesitated to tell you because I did not wish to be just Queen Anne here," she confessed, looking up at Celebrimbor. She wasn't ashamed of being royalty but all her life that was all who she was and it had isolated her. "I hope that does not change our friendship, I have just wanted to be myself without my titles."

[handofsilver]

Her kindness only cemented how he felt for her and his throat felt tight as he accepted the pillows. She might see that his silver eyes were over-bright. At least for a moment until he composed himself.

"I am sure you had a reason..." he listened quietly, softening and bowing his head respectfully in deference to her title, "You do have a queenly manner about you."

And yet not. She was not arrogant nor did she seem to consider herself above others. She was likely a very good queen to her people. Much beloved he did not doubt!

"No, it doesn't. You are Anne to me, but now I wish I could see your country."

But not meet her husband. That would be too difficult.

"You were only fourteen when you - " he frowned, confused and saddened, "Children should never be given such burdens."

[souveraine]

"All my life I've been a royal, it was nice to be treated as just Anne." She had been shunned in France for being Spanish, it had left her isolated and lonely especially with a husband who kept her at arm's length at times. Here no one had judged her for her titles or her background.

"I am glad I can be just Anne to you, Celebrimbor, I don't know what I would do without your company," she admitted with a grateful smile. "France is beautiful, as is Spain. I haven't been home to Spain though since I left, though but I admit I miss it dearly."

She looked a little sad, nodding. "I was too young to be queen but such is the way of things. My father and Louis's father, the King of France, betrothed us when we were 11 years old to cement the alliance between France and Spain."

[handofsilver]

"I think living as a commoner would have been simpler for me too." so how could he blame her for wanting a difference? Eru knew he needed something similar after the torment he had suffered at Sauron's hands.

"I feel the same about you." he smiled back, leaning closer to her, "I think all the beauty of France and Spain is sitting here with me." and oh he would take her to Spain in a heart-beat. Just to see her smile and laugh and see her kin again. She deserved that.

"Well I'm not like them. I'm not like Louis either." Celebrimbor flushed, frowning, "You have a choice in everything you do or say with me. I...like you very much, Anne." his voice softened, unsure, "I realize we have those who are likely waiting for us; those who love us and who are loved by us, but I wondered if...for a time...we could be more than friends?"

[souveraine]

She blushed as she bowed her head, leaning back against him slightly. She felt comfortable with him, at peace and she took his hand fondly without having to worry that he would scold her about acting properly.

"More than friends?" she looked confused, not sure as to what he referred to. If he thought of her as family, she would not be offended even if she was not an Elf. "I adore you, Celebrimbor, I feel so fortunate to have your company, your guidance, and your affection."

She meant every word, she had been isolated in a strange country since she was 14, her Spanish ladies had been dismissed and she had been surrounded by unfriendly faces in a country who disliked Spaniards, especially a Spanish princess. She treasured each friend she made, even in this cave. She did not want to be alone again.

[handofsilver]

No, he would never scold her. How could he? He enjoyed her gentle touch and the sweet scent of her hair when he rested his cheek against it. Anne, unexpectedly, had become a point of solace for him and he could not help or resist his attraction.

"Yes." he flushed to the tips of his ears, his fingers trembling as he touched her cheek, directing her gaze to him. The silver of his eyes was dark; molten.

"I am attracted to you, Anne. I want to kiss you and be with you for the entirety of our stay in Hadriel. I know my wife and your lover could arrive at anytime, but I do not want to waste such a precious opportunity."

[souveraine]

She looked at him as he touched her cheek, her heart skipping a beat. She wasn't sure what to say for a long moment but she didn't pull away. She couldn't deny that she cared for him very much but she also couldn't help that her thoughts still dwelled on Aramis.

"Celebrimbor..." She didn't want to hurt him but she would not lead him on. "I care for you a great deal," she said softly, squeezing his hand. Her voice was pained as she looked at him. "I took a vow to my husband, even though he may not be here and it was a marriage for an alliance, I cannot break it again, even for love."

[handofsilver]

There was a deep friendship between them that he did not want to mar, but her answer was not what he had hoped. Yet it made sense and he admired her for keeping her head when he couldn't. This was like what he had felt for Artanis all over again. Would he be forced to watch her with her husband? Her lover? Forever exiled at arm's length?

No. He gritted his teeth, making a decision rapidly. "Then I will be your friend, your confidante; whatever you wish until we part ways."

Him to death and her to... A better life, he hoped. With a weak smile, he kissed her forehead and released her hand. He felt...sad and an all too familiar ache was lodged in his chest, but at least he was close to her. Maybe it was even better this way. She won't be cursed.

[souveraine]

"Thank you, I treasure you greatly, Celebrimbor." She smiled when he kissed her forehead, looking over at him. She had determined that she would say goodbye to Aramis, she had experienced her moment of love and passion, and it would have to sustain her.

"Will you stay with me a little bit? I can make us something to eat if you would like."