Trees, Painting and a Weekend Away
Jul. 4th, 2004 03:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sildilYet another episode in the classic serial,
Sildil and Mirien Go Walking
"When are you coming down from that tree?" Said Mirien as he sat, patiently waiting and leaning against the tree trunk.
A muffled grumble came from the branches.
" I am still waiting."
Another muffled grumble accompanied by a lot of heavy sighing.
"Sildil. If you do NOT come down in one minute I will start shaking the branches."
This time there was a loud muffled grumble and a groan, followed by a lot of rustling and cursing. Sildil suddenly appeared on the ground in front of Mirien, pretending that he had planned to jump the last eight feet.
"What did you want Mirien?"
What Mirien actually wanted, which he would never admit to Sildil, was to see if he was all right as he had been last seen heading off into the woods looking glum. However, he also knew that to ask Sil bluntly would just get the usual 'um', followed by an embarrassed blush, maybe an 'oh bugger' and that Sil would try to change the subject as he always did.
Mirien looked at Sildil with a critical eye, assessing the situation and taking in the slightly pale face, the disheveled look as though he had been sleeping in his clothes all night, and the fact that he was clutching his sea shell secretly in one hand and came to a conclusion.
"Sea longing bad, eh?"
Sildil looked shocked. "How did you know?"
Mirien pointed to Sil's left hand. "That does rather give it away."
His friend blushed. " Um...oh bugger," he muttered, "and how is Celebrimbor today?...feeling better?" Sil said evasively.
Mirien's eyes narrowed. This was going to be difficult. "What you need is a distraction. A break. A short holiday....but NOT near the sea." He added hastily. Mirien knew that if he and Sil ever again ventured near the sea, together, Mirien would probably cure Sil's sea longing, permanently and rather soggily.
Sildil frowned. "Well, that's why I came to the woods, I used to find that it helped when I was upset or worried, but this time it didn't help as much."
Mirien gave a silent groan. He knew what he was going to suggest and he knew that Sildil would leap at the suggestion and he wished that he could keep his mouth shut. But, his friend was hurting and he thought he might be able to make it better.
"Perhaps these woods are too familiar. You need to see fresh places, climb hills, let the wind blow the cobwebs away."
Sil nodded. " I would like that, but Taurnil is preparing for a large banquet and has no time to come with me and I wouldn't want to go on my own."
Mirien braced himself. "I will accompany you, if you wish."
The expression of gratitude on his friend's face made his sacrifice in leaving Celebrimbor almost worthwhile. "Oh, would you Mirien? That would be wonderful. It would be like the weekend we spent by the sea!" He said happily.
Mirien sincerely hoped it would be nothing of the sort, but just smiled encouragingly. "As long as it helps." He said, already thinking of ways to make it up to Telperinquar.
*****
Two days later an excited Sildil was happily leading Mirien along the fresh forest paths and pointing out every interesting tree, commenting on its size, its age, how pretty it was, whether he could climb it, whether Mirien could climb it, or whether it was in fact, unclimbable even for a Sindar, and why it was unclimbable. This led on to other trees that Sil had known and climbed or not climbed and he was just about to explain why he hadn't been able to climb them when Mirien suddenly stopped dead in the middle of the track and threatened actual bodily harm if Sildil did not shut up.
They walked together in silence for a bit, until Sildil thought of another topic of conversation.
"I am sorry to drag you away from Celebrimbor. It was very kind of you to come. You must be missing him. Are you missing him? I'm missing Taurnil a lot, though I am glad you are here with me though of course it isn't the same as being with one's other half. I wonder what they are doing? I imagine Taur is missing me, though he will be busy during the day. It will be the nights that he misses me most....."
Mirien told his teeth firmly to behave. "...Yess I am missing him. Yesss he misses me. Yessss we are all missing each other. Now, is that clear?"
Sildil nodded, a little anxiously. "Very." He said.
After steadily climbing another mile or so in relatively companionable silence Mirien and Sildil suddenly broke out of the woods and a wide, sandy path stretched before them along a broad, flat hill top. The whole of the land stretched out in front of them, dark woods, sun shadowed green valleys and in the distance the haze of blue hills and grey mountains.
Sildil smiled. "This is nice."
Mirien sat for a bit as Sil wandered over the hill top staring out at the view and lost in thought. He did noticed that his friend's eyes looked westwards rather more than in any other direction, but that was understandable. He could see that it had been the right place to come, for both of them in fact. The breeze cleared the mind and the soul of all troubles and frets and Mirien watched as the heaviness left Sildil's heart.
Sildil came and sat beside Mirien, sighing happily. " You were right, Mirien. I do feel much better. This is a good place." He pulled his knees up to his chest and looked wistful. "You know, if I was upset when I was young, I would often find a hill to climb where I could gaze out over the forest. If ever I went missing my brothers always knew where to find me."
Mirien could see that Sildil was about to get miserable again, and didn't want the elf to go down that particular path, not just now. He somehow knew he was going to regret his next question. "What other things did you do to cheer yourself up?"
Sil thought for a minute and then grinned. "We played games! We could play one now, Mirien."
Mirien was right, he did regret it. For a fleeting moment the vampire elf considered suggesting that they play 'hide and seek' (he would hide a very long way away while Sildil counted to a million) or 'pin the tail on the dragon' (using a real dragon) when Sildil exclaimed, " 'I Spy!' Please, can we play 'I Spy'?"
The only thing that Mirien particularly wanted to 'spy on' at that moment was a certain part of Celebrimbor's anatomy, and the thought brought a slow smile to his face. Unfortunately, Sildil took that as a 'yes' to his suggestion and immediately launched in with the first round.
"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with.....'T'?"
Mirien was having a pleasant thought about what he wanted to do to said part of Celebrimbor's anatomy and said, half in a dream, " 'T' for 'Tongue'." Then he blushed.
Fortunately Sil was completely oblivious to his friend's embarrassment.
"No, try again."
Mirien tried to compose himself and shifted uncomfortably. "Er.....'T' for 'Tree'?" He said, knowing that Sil would think him an idiot for being so obvious, but desperate to cover up his discomfort.
Sil nodded happily. "Yes, well done! Your turn."
Mirien, his mind still on more attractive things said the first letter that came into his head. "C."
Sildil frowned. "No, you have to say, 'I spy with my little eye, something beginning with' and then the letter. Haven't you ever played this game?"
Mirien closed his eyes. This was going to be a long afternoon.
*****
The next morning, Sildil felt happy enough to do some drawing and painting. He left Mirien still asleep and climbed the nearby hill settling down to work for a couple of hours.
A shadow fell across Sildil's sketchbook Sil looked up in sudden alarm and then gave a sigh of relief. "Mirien, you startled me!"
Mirien had seen Sil draw before, many times, but for some reason and in spite of himself this time he found it fascinating. "What are you painting?" He asked, peering over his friend's shoulder.
Sildil gave a little smile. How many times had he heard that question while out in the open and drawing but this was a first from the vampire elf.
"I'm painting the forest and the hills over there." He said pointing vaguely westwards.
Mirien wriggled a little and cleared his throat. "Um....do you.....er....think I could have a go?"
"Of course. Hang on, I'll get you some paper and a brush, you can share my paints." Replied Sil enthusiastically. As far as he was concerned, painting and drawing was the best thing since lembas and if anyone showed any interest in it he was more than willing to encourage them.
Mirien sat for the next half an hour receiving an impromptu painting lesson. He had to admit that Sildil was most impressive when he got going on his favourite subject and by the end of the morning Mirien had learnt how to mix paints, colour theory, how to draw, how to 'see' and the different merits of oil and turpentine among other things, and had produced a recognisable oak leaf of which he was very proud.
Mirien's eyes lit up suddenly and he sniggered slightly. Sildil raised his eyebrow and looked questioningly at his friend. Mirien blushed, again, for the second time that day and coughed apologetically. "I..um..was just musing on the possibilities of painting on..er..skin actually he said.
Sildil giggled. "It's alright....I have some rather nice strawberry and chocolate flavour body paints at home! I'll lend them to you!"
*****
All too soon for Sildil the weekend came to an end and before he knew it he and Mirien were heading back to Imladris.
"Feeling better now?" Said Mirien as they neared the valley.
Sil grinned happily. "Oh yes, much Mirien. Thanks, it was what I needed. Thank you for coming with me."
Mirien returned his smile warmly. "I was glad to. I enjoyed it." And to his slight surprise, he had to admit to himself that he really had.
The two friends embraced and parted at doors of the Last Homely House, leaving for their respective partners. Sildil, to tell Taurnil all about the trees and woods and how much better he felt, and Mirien to show Celebrimbor his new skills as an artist. Mirien chuckled. He could just imagine how pleasant it would be demonstrating them to Telperinquar and how delicious trailing ivy leaves and pink roses could be.
Read and enjoy, friends!!!
Sildil and Mirien Go Walking
"When are you coming down from that tree?" Said Mirien as he sat, patiently waiting and leaning against the tree trunk.
A muffled grumble came from the branches.
" I am still waiting."
Another muffled grumble accompanied by a lot of heavy sighing.
"Sildil. If you do NOT come down in one minute I will start shaking the branches."
This time there was a loud muffled grumble and a groan, followed by a lot of rustling and cursing. Sildil suddenly appeared on the ground in front of Mirien, pretending that he had planned to jump the last eight feet.
"What did you want Mirien?"
What Mirien actually wanted, which he would never admit to Sildil, was to see if he was all right as he had been last seen heading off into the woods looking glum. However, he also knew that to ask Sil bluntly would just get the usual 'um', followed by an embarrassed blush, maybe an 'oh bugger' and that Sil would try to change the subject as he always did.
Mirien looked at Sildil with a critical eye, assessing the situation and taking in the slightly pale face, the disheveled look as though he had been sleeping in his clothes all night, and the fact that he was clutching his sea shell secretly in one hand and came to a conclusion.
"Sea longing bad, eh?"
Sildil looked shocked. "How did you know?"
Mirien pointed to Sil's left hand. "That does rather give it away."
His friend blushed. " Um...oh bugger," he muttered, "and how is Celebrimbor today?...feeling better?" Sil said evasively.
Mirien's eyes narrowed. This was going to be difficult. "What you need is a distraction. A break. A short holiday....but NOT near the sea." He added hastily. Mirien knew that if he and Sil ever again ventured near the sea, together, Mirien would probably cure Sil's sea longing, permanently and rather soggily.
Sildil frowned. "Well, that's why I came to the woods, I used to find that it helped when I was upset or worried, but this time it didn't help as much."
Mirien gave a silent groan. He knew what he was going to suggest and he knew that Sildil would leap at the suggestion and he wished that he could keep his mouth shut. But, his friend was hurting and he thought he might be able to make it better.
"Perhaps these woods are too familiar. You need to see fresh places, climb hills, let the wind blow the cobwebs away."
Sil nodded. " I would like that, but Taurnil is preparing for a large banquet and has no time to come with me and I wouldn't want to go on my own."
Mirien braced himself. "I will accompany you, if you wish."
The expression of gratitude on his friend's face made his sacrifice in leaving Celebrimbor almost worthwhile. "Oh, would you Mirien? That would be wonderful. It would be like the weekend we spent by the sea!" He said happily.
Mirien sincerely hoped it would be nothing of the sort, but just smiled encouragingly. "As long as it helps." He said, already thinking of ways to make it up to Telperinquar.
*****
Two days later an excited Sildil was happily leading Mirien along the fresh forest paths and pointing out every interesting tree, commenting on its size, its age, how pretty it was, whether he could climb it, whether Mirien could climb it, or whether it was in fact, unclimbable even for a Sindar, and why it was unclimbable. This led on to other trees that Sil had known and climbed or not climbed and he was just about to explain why he hadn't been able to climb them when Mirien suddenly stopped dead in the middle of the track and threatened actual bodily harm if Sildil did not shut up.
They walked together in silence for a bit, until Sildil thought of another topic of conversation.
"I am sorry to drag you away from Celebrimbor. It was very kind of you to come. You must be missing him. Are you missing him? I'm missing Taurnil a lot, though I am glad you are here with me though of course it isn't the same as being with one's other half. I wonder what they are doing? I imagine Taur is missing me, though he will be busy during the day. It will be the nights that he misses me most....."
Mirien told his teeth firmly to behave. "...Yess I am missing him. Yesss he misses me. Yessss we are all missing each other. Now, is that clear?"
Sildil nodded, a little anxiously. "Very." He said.
After steadily climbing another mile or so in relatively companionable silence Mirien and Sildil suddenly broke out of the woods and a wide, sandy path stretched before them along a broad, flat hill top. The whole of the land stretched out in front of them, dark woods, sun shadowed green valleys and in the distance the haze of blue hills and grey mountains.
Sildil smiled. "This is nice."
Mirien sat for a bit as Sil wandered over the hill top staring out at the view and lost in thought. He did noticed that his friend's eyes looked westwards rather more than in any other direction, but that was understandable. He could see that it had been the right place to come, for both of them in fact. The breeze cleared the mind and the soul of all troubles and frets and Mirien watched as the heaviness left Sildil's heart.
Sildil came and sat beside Mirien, sighing happily. " You were right, Mirien. I do feel much better. This is a good place." He pulled his knees up to his chest and looked wistful. "You know, if I was upset when I was young, I would often find a hill to climb where I could gaze out over the forest. If ever I went missing my brothers always knew where to find me."
Mirien could see that Sildil was about to get miserable again, and didn't want the elf to go down that particular path, not just now. He somehow knew he was going to regret his next question. "What other things did you do to cheer yourself up?"
Sil thought for a minute and then grinned. "We played games! We could play one now, Mirien."
Mirien was right, he did regret it. For a fleeting moment the vampire elf considered suggesting that they play 'hide and seek' (he would hide a very long way away while Sildil counted to a million) or 'pin the tail on the dragon' (using a real dragon) when Sildil exclaimed, " 'I Spy!' Please, can we play 'I Spy'?"
The only thing that Mirien particularly wanted to 'spy on' at that moment was a certain part of Celebrimbor's anatomy, and the thought brought a slow smile to his face. Unfortunately, Sildil took that as a 'yes' to his suggestion and immediately launched in with the first round.
"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with.....'T'?"
Mirien was having a pleasant thought about what he wanted to do to said part of Celebrimbor's anatomy and said, half in a dream, " 'T' for 'Tongue'." Then he blushed.
Fortunately Sil was completely oblivious to his friend's embarrassment.
"No, try again."
Mirien tried to compose himself and shifted uncomfortably. "Er.....'T' for 'Tree'?" He said, knowing that Sil would think him an idiot for being so obvious, but desperate to cover up his discomfort.
Sil nodded happily. "Yes, well done! Your turn."
Mirien, his mind still on more attractive things said the first letter that came into his head. "C."
Sildil frowned. "No, you have to say, 'I spy with my little eye, something beginning with' and then the letter. Haven't you ever played this game?"
Mirien closed his eyes. This was going to be a long afternoon.
*****
The next morning, Sildil felt happy enough to do some drawing and painting. He left Mirien still asleep and climbed the nearby hill settling down to work for a couple of hours.
A shadow fell across Sildil's sketchbook Sil looked up in sudden alarm and then gave a sigh of relief. "Mirien, you startled me!"
Mirien had seen Sil draw before, many times, but for some reason and in spite of himself this time he found it fascinating. "What are you painting?" He asked, peering over his friend's shoulder.
Sildil gave a little smile. How many times had he heard that question while out in the open and drawing but this was a first from the vampire elf.
"I'm painting the forest and the hills over there." He said pointing vaguely westwards.
Mirien wriggled a little and cleared his throat. "Um....do you.....er....think I could have a go?"
"Of course. Hang on, I'll get you some paper and a brush, you can share my paints." Replied Sil enthusiastically. As far as he was concerned, painting and drawing was the best thing since lembas and if anyone showed any interest in it he was more than willing to encourage them.
Mirien sat for the next half an hour receiving an impromptu painting lesson. He had to admit that Sildil was most impressive when he got going on his favourite subject and by the end of the morning Mirien had learnt how to mix paints, colour theory, how to draw, how to 'see' and the different merits of oil and turpentine among other things, and had produced a recognisable oak leaf of which he was very proud.
Mirien's eyes lit up suddenly and he sniggered slightly. Sildil raised his eyebrow and looked questioningly at his friend. Mirien blushed, again, for the second time that day and coughed apologetically. "I..um..was just musing on the possibilities of painting on..er..skin actually he said.
Sildil giggled. "It's alright....I have some rather nice strawberry and chocolate flavour body paints at home! I'll lend them to you!"
*****
All too soon for Sildil the weekend came to an end and before he knew it he and Mirien were heading back to Imladris.
"Feeling better now?" Said Mirien as they neared the valley.
Sil grinned happily. "Oh yes, much Mirien. Thanks, it was what I needed. Thank you for coming with me."
Mirien returned his smile warmly. "I was glad to. I enjoyed it." And to his slight surprise, he had to admit to himself that he really had.
The two friends embraced and parted at doors of the Last Homely House, leaving for their respective partners. Sildil, to tell Taurnil all about the trees and woods and how much better he felt, and Mirien to show Celebrimbor his new skills as an artist. Mirien chuckled. He could just imagine how pleasant it would be demonstrating them to Telperinquar and how delicious trailing ivy leaves and pink roses could be.
Read and enjoy, friends!!!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Trees, Painting and a Weekend Away
Date: 2004-07-04 02:13 pm (UTC)I have, during the course of this latest trip, discovered another rule for any hapless Noldor who happen to be in the position of having a Sinda for a close friend.
Rule 1, of course, is do not argue with them, somehow it will always end up being your fault.
Rulw 2 (the new addition) Do not try to conceal your laughter when your Sinda friend falls from a tree. It will benefit your ingrained sense of angst greatly (particulraly if they land on you), and keep them in their place.
Re: Trees, Painting and a Weekend Away
Date: 2004-07-04 03:07 pm (UTC)...and I LIKE playing 'I Spy'!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-04 02:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-04 03:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-04 03:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-05 04:29 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-05 02:01 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-05 07:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-07-05 08:07 am (UTC)