OPEN POST

[grumpycatanthir]

I mean far be it from me to cause more
drama in this family full of
pretentious princes but I think I
could solve our cash flow
problem if you lot would STOP
KILLING MY BUSINESS PARTNERS.

- Morifinwë ‘Caranthir’ Carnistir, to his brothers, cousins, and assorted followers, the Silmarillion, on more than one occasion.

 

http://incorrecttolkienquotes.tumblr.com/post/141254726581/i-mean-far-be-it-from-me-to-cause-more-drama-in

 

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[canien]

Caranthir hadn't been reborn by the time Canien Sailed West. It had taken eavesdropping to learn, but more, she knew it in her heart.

She was gifted land, thanks to Elrond's kindness, and she'd built a home for herself on it. A beautiful small house with a garden, one end bordering a river. She's rarely there though. She goes on hunts, and explores this new home as her heart aches for those left behind. But so too for those who promised to follow, when it was their time.

Canien is on one of her longer hunts when her heart tells her of Caranthir's rebirth, but it is still months before she gets back and goes hunting for where her father had ended up. Her identity's truth remains misted, and so finding him is more a challenge than she'd wished for.

But she doesn't give up. Ever. Not now. So eventually, dirty, travel-stained, and on a grumpy, tired horse, she makes her way up the rough path he'd carved into his land. She let's her mount drink from the river, knowing even grumpy that it won't abandon her. Then turns to trudge up to where she expects to find her father - in the field on the other side of the parcel of land. In the orchard she can smell.

Orange trees! Neither of them liked the fruits themselves...but Haleth had.

[grumpycatanthir]

He's alone, and damnit he likes it that way, go the fuck away Curvo!!!!

The trees he babies, out there every day, rain or shine. He's entirely focused on carefully trimming them back, and doesn't notice Canien's presence at all.

[canien]

Grumpy! Just like her beloved horse! But then, that's what she'd looked for when she was looking for a mount, wasn't it? Grumpy, stubborn, and utterly resilient.

Canien feels herself able to breathe just a little easier, seeing him work on the trees with such care. Better than to cry on him, though perhaps that is just through stubborn will to hold them back.

Instead, she pulls out a tool to start helping, checking over each branch before moving in tandem. As if they do this every day and she'd just been off playing for a little while.

[grumpycatanthir]

He doesn't notice, at first, she falls in so easily with him. But it's when she hands him a clipper that he freezes, blinking at the clipper and then tracking up towards...

"Canien?" He croaks, eyes wide and disbelieving.

[canien]

Handing him that tool had been a test to see just how deep in his concentration he was. And to just relish working so well beside him again.

Her smile is just as sardonic, if small and genuine, as his when he smiles. She holds still, letting him look his fill. Not quite able to will herself forward, not just yet.

What to say to explain her tardiness?

"I am here, atto."

[grumpycatanthir]

"Canien!" He gasps and drops everything to fling his arms around her, weeping.

"You're here!"

[canien]

She swallows hard at that gasp and burrows into the embrace, clinging. His tears drag her own out, tears she hasn't let fall in far too long. Long enough they hurt now, but...

It's a good hurt. She doesn't try to quell them.

"I was too far when I felt you return." Muffled by his shoulder, but she doesn't care.

[grumpycatanthir]

The hug is almost certainly too hard, but he cannot bring himself to let go.

"When... you were not here... I thought..."

He'd feared, that she'd changed her mind.

[canien]

Oh no, she's too strong for it to be too hard! She'd be digging an elbow in until he caved and hugged her properly. Canien only tightens her hold in answer, sensing his fear and understanding it.

"I did not tell them who I am, so they did not know to tell you where I was. Or to send word where to find you."

She butts her head against his. "Hunting by heart is a challenge."

[grumpycatanthir]

"I thought I was dreaming." He smoothes back her hair after the headbutt.

"I thought... I would not see you again."

[canien]

She leans against him, settling under that hand. Too familiar to do any less. Presses into the gentle, fond touch.

"I promised too many people that I would Sail when my heart told me it was time."

A sly smirk touches her lips. "Including my husband, who has made the same promise." Even though he hasn't done so yet, and it itches at her mind and heart constantly.

The curse of Half-Elves, perhaps.

[grumpycatanthir]

For all the roughness of the hug, this touch is gentle, wondering.

"I am g....wait. Husband?"

WHAT.

[canien]

The laughter bursts from her, helpless and bright at his delightful reaction to her little bombshell.

Her head drops to his shoulder as she gives herself permission to finally laugh. Wiping her tears that had changed to mirth, she grins, lifting her head to peer at her beloved father.

"Yes. My husband. Whom I hope will not meet a horrible end as soon as he arrives." I n n o c e n t

[grumpycatanthir]

He scowls, attempting to be as fearsome as possible.

"That will remain to be seen based on how he arrives."

FINE HE GUESS HE WILL BE... NICE.

[canien]

Oh she has missed him.

"What way would see his head removed from his neck?"

Maybe she can find a way to warn her Elladan so he can...attempt...to avoid that fate...

Even if knowing him...he'd probably find a way to make sure that's how he arrives. What better challenge?

[grumpycatanthir]

"Hm." He pretends to scowl deeper.

"I suppose if you vouch for him..."

[canien]

Her eyes sparkle at him.

"I do. Plus he is one of lord Elrond's sons. I know two of your brothers would sulk if you hurt him."

Not to mention she would be less than happy! Though there are days she thinks her beloved deserves such smacking over the head...

[grumpycatanthir]

"Ah, making life difficult for me!" He flicks her nose fondly.

"Very clever. That's my daughter."

[canien]

That earns him a decided smirk, between the complaint, the nose flick, and then the praise.

"I wish never to disappoint you." Meaning of course she's clever! She is very much her parents' daughter.

And a survivor.

[grumpycatanthir]

"You never could." He promises her.

"Even if you had changed your mind and followed after your mother, I would have grieved you, but I would not have been disappointed. We raised you to know your mind, Canien - and you have made me proud, and I am sure your mother also."

[canien]

That earns him a sweet smile and tighter embrace.

"I truly believe you will approve of Elladan. He reminded me of the joys of life, after I'd near forgotten them. He reminded me who I am. I could do no less than love him."

[grumpycatanthir]

He hugs her back and huffs.

"If you think so well of him I suppose I will have to as well, eh?" He murmurs, and presses a kiss to her hair.

"He must be a very good elf."

[canien]

She grins at that huff. She'd missed it more than she'd ever have expected.

"You will have to meet him and decide for yourself. He will probably grate on your poor nerves though." Because her Elladan just loves poking at buttons to see what they do.

But her grin softens to something sweeter. "He is."

[grumpycatanthir]

"Hm." He raises an eyebrow at her.

"Did you pick him specifically to give your poor father heart attacks, is that what I am hearing?" He teases, and cups her cheek fondly.

"If you love him, then I am sure I will adjust."

[canien]

Her eyes are a bit too bright to be completely innocent, even as she leans into the hand on her cheek.

"Who am I to deny my heart's other half?"

A beat.

"Making my beloved father's heart explode is only a bonus."

Canien grins, unrepentant. "Of course you will."