Some Fall By Virtue

Chapter Twenty-One: it isn't in my skin

"Will you not come out of your rooms for breakfast?" Noeneth asked, tilting her head as she stood in the doorway. "I fear you do not venture out enough, and it is hardly healthy to remain cooped up in one place with but a handful of faces to come and see you when they can spare the time," she remarked, before a fond, mirthful, and slightly sly smile graced her lips. "All aside from your greatest admirer, that is – he is the one who makes time for you."

Sakura smiled, lips feeling as though they were betraying her as she kept up the happy charade she had only recently started practicing. It had made Noeneth's concern for her health subside somewhat. Acting is so very important to you, isn't it, deceiver? the voice purred, reminding her of how much of a pretender she was. Everyone hated those kinds of people. Fakes. They would hate her too when they learned of the truth. "You say that like I should be glad he does as such... But I'm certain there are more important tasks he could be doing than visiting me," she murmured demurely, an ache in her chest – her heart at the reminder of her soulmate's constant visits.

Being the focus of those cutting grey eyes for a few hours on end was unnerving, and yet she longed for those hours. The times she could sneak off somewhere quiet and snuggle into the blissful warmth which was her soulmate. It made her icy heart feel hotter, and she felt content there on a base level. Of course, the whispers didn't subside when she went near him, rather they only reached the height of their fervour. Unworthy, the voice murmured, ever a reality check, reminding her of her rightful place there. She would never have him, no matter what that glimmer of hope which had stuck fast to her made her feel.

"You are important, more so to him, especially. Indeed, I have heard tales of your heroism, and as such can see why that would be. I would wager every soul in Imladris has heard of your feats regarding your dragon slaying adventure," Noeneth reminded, eyes lingering on her as she sat on the edge of her bed. Heroism. Sakura hated the word. Well, when it was applied to her that was for she was no hero. She let out a breath of her frustrations at everything that word held her to. Rather, the voice whispered, you're the exact opposite, aren't you? "I have told you many a times before – there are few who would be willing to leap before a dragon's tail to protect another. He pays you back in turn for this, and I am rather led to believe he is to hold you yet in high regard. Like it or no, you have unwittingly become something of a friend to Lord Glorfindel... become a person important to him so, and this is something which cannot be taken aback. Though I would trust you are accustomed to his affections in these regards by this point in time."

She bit her lip then, staring determinedly at the wall. "He indulges me too much," she admitted, shoulders sinking. She took too much. Greedy, greedy dragon, the voice whispered, those words eternally on repeat in her mind like a mantra. They never let her forget that which she was. Sakura supposed she ought to be grateful for that. It wasn't like she could bury all which she had done. She was meant to face the consequences of her actions, and she would've. Had she not been as much of a coward as she was. "I take more than I should."

Sakura could feel Noeneth's eyes set upon her then, and she barely refrained the flinch. "Believe me, he would inform you, if ever you overstepped your bounds," she said. "The affections of elves can sometimes be subtle in nature—"

A snort escaped her before she could stop herself. "Subtle?"

A grin pulled at Noeneth's lips, and that musical laughter which was seemingly unique to elves rang out. "Indeed—"

"Well, folk often say that his soulmark has affected him so," a familiar voice rang out – one Sakura had only grown accustomed to relatively recently.

Noeneth scowled somewhat, pale grey eyes falling upon a darker set. "Leithedir," she said, lip curling. "Common courtesy involves knocking before sneaking into a room – more so when the room in question belongs to one of the opposite gender," she continued, arms folded even as the ellon smiled merrily at her. "Though I will be most happy to inform Lord Glorfindel of the fact you are all too eager to sneak into—"