Caranwyn's Tale: In Defence of Middle Earth

Notes: A little bit more hot and steamy this chapter. Participants are only sixteen, yes, but I'm not going to put Minor tagging on it; all participants are fully understanding and consenting of what goes on.

This chapter is a bit longish, compared to Caranwyn's earlier chapters, however, I could find no suitable break point at any place, without creating a blunt leadless chapter, or a contentless chapter on one side or the other, so, sorry.

As always, any comments, criticisms, reviews or other words that I can throw around to imply a desire for feedback, are very much appreciated. Enjoy,

-Niara

====================
A Time of Need

The city was so quiet, these days. Oh, there was the normal bustle and movement of folk going about their every-day work, there was sound and activity… but the people themselves were quieter, ever so much more serious, even pensive, than once she remembered. The wind was more chill, too, and the shadows longer in the evening. The fighting was worse as well; skirmishes had been fought much closer to home than she would have once thought possible, and men died. Caranwyn herself wasn’t a soldier yet, little more than sixteen. Not qualified, or sworn, or formally ranked, yet here she was, halberd in hand and sword at her hip, standing a watch on the gate, as the height of the day rolled by.

She cast a quick glance at Garthstan, standing across from her, on the other side. He didn’t notice, looking out over the land, his face grim and cloudy. She looked forward again. His father had been killed in the fighting two weeks ago, and he had become more stoic and severe than before. She had watched him volunteering for any duty that came up, even though they hadn’t yet gone through their final tests, and seen the others take his new drive as a sign that he was dealing with the loss as well as any could be expected to. None of them knew Garthstan like she did, though, not even her father, who had trained him. She could see it in him, feel it; the burning rage that rippled just beneath the calm, serious face he was putting on. It was still too close for her to say anything though; she couldn’t talk to him about it, not yet. So she stood, and waited, and watched the lands around her home with a careful eye.

There was a movement of feet just behind her and she looked back, just as the midday bells began to sound through the City. She turned to find a pair of guards climbing towards them, and saluted them with her free hand, fist over chest, as they stopped before her. Garthstan also turned and saluted, and the pair returned the gesture. The man on her left spoke with a grin.
“Shift’s up, young soldiers, anything to report?” Caranwyn shook her head.
“No sir. It’s been quiet since we arrived.”
“Very well. Go take your midday, and then I expect your commander will want to see you after that.” She nodded, and stepped away for the fresh guards to take their places, before heading back down the steps with Garthstan. They didn’t say anything for a while, content to walk in the sunlight for the moment, until they approached the mess hall. Garthstan hesitated, then turned as if to walk by.
“I’m not too tired, Captain; I think I’m just going to head home to get a drink, and then see what Thalanen has for me.” Caranwyn rolled her eyes, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him back towards the entry way.
“Oh come on, let’s at least see what the others have been up to. There’s no sense in turning down a bite to eat when it’s on offer, after all.” She knew well enough that he wouldn’t protest her insistence, and dragged him inside.

They propped their weapons on the rack by the door, then looked around. Caranwyn caught sight of Belemir waving one hand to them, seated on a back table with Celegeth and Allagor and they settled down at a spot opposite him. They’d barely gotten seated when Denith dropped down next to them with a sigh. With a small chuckle they all tapped mugs of water together.
“Well boys, all’s safe on the walls this fine day, certainly. What have the rest of you been tasked with while Garthstan and I have been impersonating statues?” Denith put his hands to his face for a moment in mock torment, moaning at them.
“If I look forward to any part of being a sworn guard of the City, Caranwyn, it’s that I’ll only need to care for and maintain my own equipment.” He nodded, then ran his hands through his hair. “The commander had me helping him all this morning, cleaning and examining armour and weapons. I always sort of knew that he took care of our gear in between training us, but I never really realised just how much work that man does.” Belemir punched him lightly in the shoulder with a laugh.

“You could always put yourself forward as a training instructor; then you’d get to know first hand.” The other boy raised his hands, shaking his head vehemently, to the mirth of the others. Belemir continued, looking to the others as well. “Allagor and I pulled patrol assistance about the City. Nothing too special or interesting, as far as it goes, but then, none of the vital little jobs that need doing are, in the end.” He paused. “And better us doing them, who can be spared, than actual guards and soldiers who might be more useful elsewhere.” Caranwyn tried to object to his estimation of their usefulness, but he brushed the protest aside with a grin. “Don’t worry Captain, we’ll all be sworn and official soon enough, don’t you worry.” As he spoke, Celegeth took another drink of his water, looking more serious than usual, and nodded. The others picked up on his mood, and looked across.

“You aren’t wrong, Belemir. Things are only getting worse these days. I’ve been running messages all morning, reports, mostly. Things are more grim that even we are seeing.” Caranwyn’s eyebrows drew down for a moment, and she cast him a scolding look.
“You know, you aren’t supposed to be reading the reports you’re carrying, Celegeth.” The boy held out his hands, palms up, the innocent grin betrayed by mischievous eyes that they all knew so well gracing his features.
“What? It’s not like any of them were sealed or anything. I could hardly hold them without them screaming for me to have a look, could I?” This brought another round of laughter from them, Caranwyn included, before he continued, serious again.
“Anyway, you all know we’re not the only ones who have been seeing more fighting of late. It’s been on the increase everywhere. The ongoing battle for Pelargir, down south, has never been more desperate than it’s become now. Some might even call it hopeless, and lost, from what I’ve been able to gather. The refugees from that conflict are many; whole lives uprooted or spent in the struggle.”
“And here we are, unable send forces of our own to aid them, because of constant conflicts that claim so many of our own as well.” Garthstan’s voice was bitter and grave. Caranwyn sat up straighter so that she could casually drape an arm around the older boy’s shoulder.
“Indeed. It seems we are beset at every turn, and everywhere we look, these days. But that is our lot; the duty of those who would stand up against the darkness and, where anger at the foe makes no difference, bravery and a steady heart will serve us all much better. We’re all together, and I’m with you, so chins up, men.” she smirked at them all. “Or do you really think that I’d ever let the forces of evil get the better of me?”
“That’s not fair, Captain; you’re invincible. We can but barely hope to stand in the shadow of your confidence.” Belemir made a face at her, and there was a chuckle from her friends.
“Well, unless the dark lord decides to hold an archery competition, of course.” Caranwyn wanted to scowl at the comment, but for a moment the old smile was back as Garthstan’s eyes twinkled and the other’s laughed again, and she couldn’t help grinning with them, despite the dig.

The hall was beginning to empty and they each finished their drinks. As the others stood to leave, Celegeth caught Caranwyn’s eye.
“Can you spare a moment, Captain? I’ve got to talk to you about something.” She nodded and waited by the table, but when a couple of the others stuck around as well, Celegeth hesitated. After a second, Caranwyn waved the others off and took Celegeth by the arm, leading him away a short distance, then turned to face him again.
“What is it, Celegeth?” The young man still seemed to hesitate, but only briefly.
“It’s about your sister, Captain. Russellwen, is she…” He bit his lip, but Caranwyn waited him out. “I mean to say, is she being courted by anyone, or does she have her own eyes on someone yet?” She turned her head, looking at him side-on with a small smile.
“What exactly are you asking, there, Celegeth?” The boy blushed, then recovered himself quickly.

“Simply, I think Russellwen is the most attractive maiden in this City, to my eyes, and I should like, I think, to tell her so, and perhaps even continue to tell her so, in a wide variety of ways in the future as well. Her laugh makes my heart warm, and I don’t see her as much as I should like to. In fact, I would go so far as to say, I should like to see her much more; so much as my free time and hers allows. I want to find out if she would be agreeable to that.” As much as the boy always spoke quickly, Caranwyn was sure the pace of his words reached a new height as he talked. When he finished he drew a breath, then glanced down at his feet for a moment. Caranwyn bit her lip.
“She is not seeing anyone, Celegeth, calm down. You still seem nervous.”
“I, well, I thought you might object, Captain.”
“Me? You really ought to be having this conversation with our father, you know that.” He shuffled his feet for a moment, then looked up at her, grinning.
“Aye, and I will, someday if Russellwen accepts my interest and thinks that I should, but, see, your father is our instructor; soon we’ll be seeing much less of him anyway. I’d much rather risk his displeasure, than have to live with yours, Captain.” Caranwyn smiled softly and shook her head.
“I’m not her keeper, Celegeth, but I’ve no objection, if it makes you feel safer.” She was surprised by how pleased he seemed, as the boy tapped her a quick salute then darted out of the mess hall after the others. Left behind, Caranwyn dropped down on the bench again, feeling strangely deflated and thrown off, though she couldn’t explain in her mind what was wrong. She shook it off and ran a hand through her hair, brushing herself out as she stood again before heading after the others.

She resisted the urge to cuss as she stepped out of the way of yet another person in her path as she made her way back towards the training yard. For a city so much quieter these days, it felt as if every one of them had chosen now to walk about with some burden or other and slow her down. She joined the line just as her father entered the yard from the other direction and began them on combat drills immediately. Today it was form work with poles, staves and halberds, a style Caranwyn usually excelled with, compared to her companions. This afternoon, though, she found herself distracted by every little thing, and her concentration wavered. Her hair was annoying her, for one thing. She could feel loose bits of it tickling around her forehead and beside her eyes, and the urge to stop and brush them away nagged at her. It would need another trim soon anyway.

Besides that, her staff today had a notch in the grain, running its length, and she could feel it under her hand as she moved through the forms. Something like that shouldn’t have been allowed to happen to the weapon in the first place, no matter that they would normally be wearing gloves or gauntlets. She grit her teeth, shoving the annoyance away.

As the afternoon wore on, however, her mood didn’t improve, and every little annoyance built up in her mind into a growing mass of irritation. Thalanen called a halt late in the afternoon and took her staff from her with a serious look on his face.
“Your form is sloppy, Caranwyn, and your mind is elsewhere. Both are unacceptable at this stage. What is the matter with you this afternoon?” She glared up at him for a moment.
“I’m fine, sir.” She snapped, scowling, then stopped herself, taking a breath and trying to smooth her features. “No. I’m not, am I?”
“Well?” He awaited her answer.
“I’m angry, father. And I’m upset. But I don’t know why, or about what.” She looked down, unable to meet his eyes properly, and heard him sigh.
“Then it seems we are each as informed as the other. It is still, however, unacceptable. One day, you will be relied upon to keep a cool head when all others lose theirs. A panicked Captain cannot lead, a fearful Captain cannot rally others, and an angry Captain makes poor decisions. The first two, you have mastered, if you ever knew them in the first place, but I often worry about your fire. Leave, Caranwyn. Go home, cool off and clear your head. Work out what is bothering you, and then fix it. When we meet tomorrow, I expect you to be attentive and focused. You are dismissed.” He turned from her as she stood, head down, cheeks burning and fists clenched. She heard the others start up again, over the sound of her own heavy breathing, trying to prevent shamed tears from building behind her eyes. After a moment, she turned and left the courtyard without looking up.

She didn’t go home at once, climbing the winding streets and putting distance between herself and the training yard as swiftly as she could instead. She kept her head down as she broke into a run, trying to hide the tears that had finally overcome her efforts to hold them back. Glancing up just enough to see where she was going, she ran until she reached the fourth level wall, climbing the stairs and standing out on the battlement to stare out over the city and the lands beyond. The cold breeze against her face did nothing to cool her cheeks, and only made her more aware of how hot they burned, streaked with her quickly chilled tears.

Swallowing, Caranwyn gulped a breath, then let it out, trying to calm herself. She realised how much of a mess she must look. Not that that mattered at all, anyway. A chord of stillness went through her mind. There it was. She sniffed, leaning on the battlement now, head in her hands as thoughts unfolded in her head, rushing through all at once, crashing against each other in contradiction and swelling the sensation of angry hurt that dragged at her chest. No one had ever noticed her, no, that wasn’t true, people knew her everywhere in the city; her friends looked up to her, as their comrade, and leader, even. But they never noticed her, not like they noticed other young women. That was what she wanted, though, wasn’t it? She didn’t want to be treated like a girl, or treated differently because of her gender; it didn’t matter, didn’t make a difference between friends, surely? Wasn’t that how she’d always felt. Yes. And no, not like this.

She pressed her hands to her face for a moment, then looked out over the City. Why did she make an effort to look nice, if not to be seen as a young woman? She dressed like a soldier, and kept her hair short, but for the rest… She was fair, beautiful even, some might say; she wasn’t tall, but her body was well apportioned, her eyes a brilliant green, and her skin was smooth and clear; the twin of her sister, whom many of her friends had frequently appraised to each other. Her sister, yes, but never her. They complimented her strategy, her cunning, her skill, her determination and drive… but never her features, or form, never her eyes, never her laugh. No-one ever complimented her like that; she may as well look like a deformed, one-eyed hunch-back. She wanted to be noticed, even if it was just in passing, that wasn’t so bad, was it? She didn’t want to be treated like a girl, like some less-capable, less-able woman, but… that didn’t have to mean she wanted to be treated like a boy, did it?

Caranwyn let out an angry shout, punching the battlement in her frustration. After a moment she closed her eyes and forced her mind to stillness, as she had trained herself to against times of panic or fear. Calm for the moment, she looked up at the sky and made an effort to wipe away her tears. She wasn’t going to settle this in her own mind alone, certainly. Russellwen was sure to see what she couldn’t, or at the very least would understand. She took a few more minutes to collect herself, then headed for home.

Russellwen was working with their mother again today, so she might not be home until evening, or, if it had been a light day, she would be getting free already. The times always changed, depending on who needed their help, but she always went home briefly afterwards, then came by the training yard if she was released ahead of Caranwyn, so home was the place to wait.

As she walked, her mind returned to the matter, unbidden. She realised that it was most likely the conversation she’d had with Celegeth that had triggered the realisation and tried to think of a way she could talk to her sister about it, without letting on about what had been said. After all, that was his place to bring up, and as much as Russellwen would know she was being secretive about something, it was his right. She was still trying to think of what to say as she quietly opened their front door and walked through towards their room. The door was closed over, but ajar slightly and she pushed it open as she walked in, then stopped still, frozen for the moment as all fragments of thoughts and words were dashed from her head.

Russellwen was already home, in fact; she could see her hastily discarded shirt and shoes by the side of the bed. On the bed itself, Russellwen was on her knees, head pressed sideways on her pillow with one arm above her, eyes closed and a slight blush touching her cheeks. She wore only her breast-bindings and her day leggings still, though the latter had been shoved down to bunch part way to her ankles, allowing her knees to spread wider across the sheets. Caranwyn bit her lip, feeling a heat creeping over more than just her cheeks as she took in the sight; from her sister’s blushing features, to the smooth, pale curve of her rear, and below, to where her other hand reached down, working three fingers in a slow circle, only partially obscuring the folds of her sex from view.

She ought not to stand and watch like this. It wasn’t polite. She opened her mouth to announce herself, averting her eyes, but she was cut off by the small shiver that rippled through her as Russellwen let out a soft, breathy sigh. Caranwyn found her gaze drawn irresistibly back to the sight, even as she told herself to leave and wait in the other room. It wasn’t as though they hadn’t spent ample time exploring each other’s bodies as they grew, or that there was any real embarrassment involved, not really but… this was intended to be private, and she ought to let it be so. She bit her lip harder, trying to force herself to turn away.

Russellwen’s eyes flickered for a moment, then darted open as she saw Caranwyn standing by the door. She started, then immediately rolled over and sat up, folding her legs in front of her and surreptitiously wiping her hand on the sheet behind her. They watched each other for a few seconds, Caranwyn more aware than ever of the heat in her cheeks and other places, until Russellwen giggled.
“You have no idea how glad I am that that was you, and not mother or father.” She swallowed and put the back of one hand to her cheeks, trying to cool them. “You’re home early; it’s not like father to let anyone go ahead of time lately. Is something the matter?” Caranwyn hoped her sister couldn’t hear the hammering of her heart. She blinked, trying to focus.
“Umm, I’m sorry. Don’t let me interrupt you. I can go wait in the other room until you’re finished if you like?” The suggestion sounded silly to her as she made it, but at least the moment helped her recover her composure. Russellwen grinned and shook her head.
“No, it’s ok; I think I was about done anyway.” Here Caranwyn tilted her head slightly.
“Aww, no big finish today, then?” She wrinkling her nose in a small smirk, but Russellwen seemed confused for a moment, her brows drawing down.
“Hmm? Oh! Oh, no, I don’t… you know… climax, like some women do. You do?” Caranwyn tried to hide her shock, though she blinked a few times regardless.
“Russellwen, I just assumed…” She stepped over to sit on the bed beside her sister, taking her hand. “What I mean is, it’s not a ‘some women’ thing, you know? You mean, you’ve never… not once?” The other girl shook her head.

“Well, no. I just, you know… and it feels nice, and then after a while I stop and get back to whatever else I need to be doing.” She seemed to get a little exasperated at the situation. “So what do you do then, oh knowledgeable sibling?” Caranwyn bit her lip again for a moment, thinking.
“Well, I… Hmmm…” Words really wouldn’t do any good, to describe it. She began to slip off her shoes and undo the laces on her shirt, pausing to glance at Russellwen. “Mind if I—” The other girl shook her head and scooted back towards the head of the bed to make more room. Free of her top, Caranwyn turned to the door. “First things first, sister dearest,” she closed the door properly and put the latch down. “There. Lesson learned.” The other girl giggled sheepishly as Caranwyn undressed the rest of the way, stretching after she had placed her clothes in a neat pile. She stroked her fingers through the light stretch of darker red hair at her groin for a moment, then dropped down on the bed opposite her sister, running her hands quickly over her body and wondering how best to communicate what was important.

“Hmmm…” As she thought, she watched Russellwen kick her own leggings off the rest of the way and began undoing her bindings, shifting to a cross-legged position as well and letting one hand drop to her groin, massaging lazily. “Right, so, umm… It’s important that you’re relaxed, and comfortable, but that goes without saying, I guess. It’s better if you’re not actually trying to climax, or thinking about doing so, specifically. Reaching for it seems to get in the way of getting there, for me anyway. Hrmmm…” She could feel her body aroused slightly already, but she couldn’t get herself off and explain what was important at the same time; that just wouldn’t work. A thought nudged at the back of her mind, encouraged by the quickening of her heart as she contemplated it. She hesitated only a moment before daring the suggestion.

“I can’t just demonstrate, can I? That won’t really help. How about I, help you?” The other girl shrugged and nodded.
“How should we—”
“Here, move forward a bit…” Caranwyn shifted, motioning Russellwen towards her, down the length of the bed, then crawling around behind. She propped up the pillows so she could sit comfortably, leaning against the wall, legs spread out, then pulled her sister back, until the other girl’s back was close up against her, pressing against her breasts. “There, how’s that? Are you comfortable?” Russellwen relaxed into her, leaning and snuggling until she was comfy, and tilted her head back, leaning it on her sister’s shoulder and looking up at her.
“All good. I’m not crushing you?”
“No, that’s good. So, just relax now, then. What do you normally think about?”
“Hmmm,” she smiled, closing her eyes.
“All sorts of things, usually I imagine we’re out on campaign somewhere, amongst friends and comrades, and my lover and I have stolen away, in the night time, to some grassy spot by a stream, and the moon is full, and the sky is full of stars…” As she murmured quietly, Caranwyn rand her hands first over her shoulders, stroking gently, then down over the curve of her breasts, and across the firm, smooth expanse of her middle. She repeated the soft actions, letting her hands wander and explore, moving eventually down to stroke across the tops and insides of her thighs as well. The other girl’s breath caught for a moment, and Caranwyn whispered in her ear.

“Relax, keep going; just let your body enjoy itself.” Russellwen hummed softly and looked up at her sister again, green eyes intense, then closed them, turning her head to nuzzle at Caranwyn’s neck.
“We embrace, and kiss, and I can feel his hands on my back. I kiss his neck softly as he holds me,” Caranwyn felt her heart jolt at the sensation of warm lips pressing against her, “and he lowers me gently to the ground. I can feel the soft grass underneath me as he begins to undress me, and I stroke his cheek and whisper my love to him as he does, and then we make love beneath the stars, and hmmm…” she trailed off into another quiet hum, and Caranwyn let one of her roving hands dip down to the shock of dark red hair that matched her own, brushing her fingers through it in a repeated downward motion, leading with the soft backs of her fingernails. As she ventured further she could feel the heated flush of her sister’s arousal, and felt Russellwen spread her legs apart further, tilting her hips up slightly in offering. Caranwyn swallowed, feeling the hot flush of excitement in her cheeks as she moved her fingers lightly over the other girl’s sex as she would her own, making long strokes that circled slightly, her middle fingers bending and stretching more than the others to give full attention to every lip and fold. Russellwen’s excitement coated her fingers rapidly as she worked; creating a thick, slippery film that soon pervaded the whole region. A similar sensation was spreading through her own groin, but there was no room to put her other hand down to help. Russellwen put her head back, gasping a sigh at the ceiling.

“Ahh… that’s good, Caranwyn.” She could feel the heat in her sister’s breath and increased the pace of her motions slightly, just enough to notice, and every few circles, began to raise her middle finger enough to make a quick loop around that sensitive spot at the peak. She heard her breath catch as she brushed it the first time, and felt her whole body begin to shift ever so gently in time with the sensation when she returned to it. Again Russellwen was kissing at her neck, and she heard herself let out a shuddering, hot breath as she did. Her body wanted to form a rhythm with the motions of her hand; she could almost feel the sensation. Her breasts, pressed against her sister’s back had become teasingly sensitive, aware in a pleasant way of the slight motions of Russellwen’s body against hers. She craned her head down to kiss softly along the other girl’s neck, eliciting gasps as she did, and felt her sister’s hand reach up to brush her cheek, and shift around to tangle fingers in the hair at the base of her neck.

“Mmmm… Ahh… I want…” Russellwen gasped, unable to articulate more. Her hips began to move, circling up against Caranwyn’s fingers swiftly, rubbing the core of her pleasure against her touch. Caranwyn matched pace with her needy motions, kissing the top of her ear as she murmured a response though panting of her own.
“Good, don’t force it.” The other girl moaned, kissing fiercely at her sister’s neck and jawline. Her legs twitched, moving first wider, then straightening, then somewhere in the middle, desperate to increase the sensation, but unsure how.
“I can… ughh… I can feel… something… It’s…” The hand in Caranwyn’s hair coursed and clutched as she squirmed. Helpless to stop herself, Caranwyn could feel her own hips circling with the rhythm, rubbing herself against the small of Russellwen’s back.
“It’s ok… Don’t strain for it… Enjoy it... Just relax… let it happen.”
“Mmmm… Caranwyn, it’s…. Mrhm… Ahhnn…” Her voice collapsed into voiceless gasps and exclamations as their combined rhythm peaked. Beside them, Russellwen’s free hand clawed at the sheets, bunching into a fist and clutching tight. Caranwyn felt the hand at the back of her head grip more tightly, pulling her head down to meet her sister’s eyes for a moment, before the rest of the world dissolved around her at the sensation of the other girl’s lips pressing hungrily against her own. She kissed back just as passionately until Russellwen broke away moments later, her eyes clenched shut hard as her body went tight in her sister’s arms. Her breath became a tight gasp of ecstasy that rocked through her body in repeated waves, making her jerk and gasp as each hit. It was a while before her body relaxed again, and Caranwyn let the motions of her fingers subside into gently massaging circles again. Russellwen was panting hard, still recovering, but she turned her face to look up at her sister again.
“I, I’ve never felt… That was amazing.” She blinked, looking down. “But now I’ve really made a mess…” Sure enough, a notable damp patch had begun to spread out into the sheets, and Caranwyn giggled.

“That just means you had fun.”
“True… On my side of the bed, though. Ugh, think we should change them?” She climbed off the bed, still shaky, then paused, reaching a hand around to touch the small of her back. Her fingers came away slippery and sticky, and she glanced at Caranwyn, eyebrows raised. “Having a lot of fun yourself?” The other girl blushed, though it was hard to tell beneath the aroused flush already tinting her skin.
“Well who wouldn’t, with such a beautiful young lady quivering in their arms?” She grinned in spite of herself, unashamedly reaching for her own highly aroused groin, now that there was finally room to do so. Standing beside the bed, one leg raised up on the edge, Russellwen watched her for a moment, glancing between her and wiping herself up with a cloth. Caranwyn watched back, enjoying her form as her fingers toyed, and feeling her heart quicken again. When Russellwen was clean she stopped, sitting on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped around one knee, and looked at her sister, biting her lip. Caranwyn stopped as well, sitting upright and closing her legs when she caught the serious concern in her sister’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?”
“Caranwyn… That was more than just you teaching me something; more than just us exploring our bodies together like we always have, wasn’t it?” She looked down, then up at her eyes again, uncertain. Caranwyn shrugged, smiling softly.
“Maybe. I enjoyed it, you enjoyed it, didn’t you? You’re not uncomfortable about it, are you?” Russellwen shook her head, thinking.
“No, no of course not, but, well… confused, I guess. I like boys, Caranwyn. At least, I’m pretty sure I do. I like to look at them when they train, and I’ve always imagined myself with a boy, and I like the idea. I don’t think that way about girls, I don’t find other girls… you know… interesting. Like that.”
“So, you don’t like…” Caranwyn looked down, gesturing to her body. “Me?” Russellwen started back, shocked.
“I do! Yes, I really do! That’s why I’m confused. I, I like being close to you, I like looking at you, and the thought of doing things like this with you again… Mmm,” She let out a long breath. “Light you have no idea, now.” She shook her head. “But just you, and nice looking boys.” Caranwyn laughed, covering her relief, and darted forward to pull her sister into a hug, warping her arms around under her breasts and dragging her back to lie beside her.
“So what does it matter then? We’re sisters, and we love each other; what else is there to worry about?” Russellwen laughed as well as she settled alongside her.
“I knew you’d say something like that. You’re right, I suppose, but… as you say, we’re sisters; people would frown on us very heavily if we made a habit out of this sort of thing.”
“We’re sisters; it doesn’t count!” She nuzzled at the back of Russelwen’s neck. “Though, that said, I imagine it would be best if no-one knew. Especially mother and father; they’d try to put a stop to it one way or another, and I shudder to think what lengths mother would go to just to be sure.”

“Indeed.” They giggled again, and Russellwen rolled over in her sister’s arms until their foreheads were touching. She ran one hand down Caranwyn’s body, caressing her hip and rear, before moving the hand in to rest lightly on the soft fuzz at her groin. “Before that happens, though… Should I offer you some assistance with that most noble of endeavours you were pursuing before I turned everything serious? You could tell me if I’ve learned anything.” She poked her tongue out for a moment. “Besides, you got to put me into a state of such utter helplessness. It’s only fair you let me at least try to do the same.” Caranwyn shivered with excitement as she felt her fingers creeping through the hair, exploring, towards her heat.

“Hahh, that’s not a fair question! How could I ever refuse it?” She ran her hand the length of Russellwen’s back and tilted her head to kiss her softly, then turned onto her back, parting her legs enough to allow the other girl access. She raised her arm as her sister snuggled in closer, draping it around her back, aware this time of the other girl’s breasts pressing in against her. She felt Russellwen loop one leg over hers and pull it wider, locking the limb between her own as the fingers worked quickly at her groin, coursing over the already much excited and teased skin. It felt so different, now that the hand doing the work wasn’t her own; much more present, and real, in a way.

She gasped as the fingers arced high, focusing around her most sensitive spot, grabbing at Russellwen’s shoulder with her free hand.
“Ahh… Just keep going there… like that, that’s good… hahh…” Her hips rocked of their own accord, thrusting against the motion of her sister’s fingers in a gradually increasing beat. Russellwen was nuzzling and kissing at her cheek, ear and neck as she worked, murmuring soft, inarticulate affirmations in breathy pants. She could feel her sister rubbing her own crotch against her thigh with the rhythm of their motions. Caranwyn could feel her toes flexing and curling forcefully as the building swell of sensation grew towards a head. She cried out as the climax broke over her, back arching off the bed in a trembling strain that arced through her whole body. The pulsing sensation made her twitch and jerk for several seconds as Russellwen’s ministration continued at her demanding pace. Finally she dropped back to the sheets, gasping, and quickly pulled her sister’s hand away, the spot growing quickly too sensitive for such a fervent assault to continue.

Instead she pulled the arm over, dragging Russellwen part way on top of her, enough so that their faces met and she could kiss her properly.
“Mmmm…” she hummed softly when they broke. Russellwen slipped back to lie on her side and press herself in close against her sister’s body, draping one arm across her as Caranwyn turned her head enough to look at her, eyes lidded. “That was good.” She nuzzled against her, smiling. They lay together for a while, as Caranwyn let the warm, post-orgasmic buzz wash over her, until Russellwen shifted, propping herself up on one arm.

“So, do tell, why did father let you off early? Was something the matter?” Caranwyn blew a hair out of her face.
“Oh, I was angry and upset, and it was affecting me. I got dressed down in front of everyone and sent home.” She felt Russellwen hug her tightly with the arm that was still around her.
“What was wrong?”
“It seems silly now, I guess. A little.” She hesitated, looking for a way to put it to words. “I was upset because I felt like no-one thought I was pretty. And angry, because I was worried that I’d all but demanded that no-one do so myself. I felt slighted, because I felt like not a single boy or man in the City was interested, or would ever show any interest in me.” She sighed again, and Russellwen squeezed her tighter, nuzzling into her neck and kissing her several times.
“Well, sister dearest,” she murmured, still with her face buried in Caranwyn’s neck. She looked up to find her eyes. “I happen to think that you are beautiful. So that’s one part out of the way. As for the rest,” she tilted her head to look at her sibling. “Is there a single boy or man in the City that you are interested in yourself?” Caranwyn blinked. She hadn’t thought about it like that in her rage.
“Well, no, not that I know of.”

“Then, to quote a young and upcoming captain for whom I have the greatest respect: so what does it matter then?” Hearing the words come back to her made Caranwyn smile softly as her sister giggled. “Think on this as well. What if, just randomly, one of the others came up to you, all nervous-eyes and shuffle-footed, because he wanted to tell you that he thought you were pretty, and could he court with you? Hmm?”
“That would be a bit awkward.” She couldn’t help laughing at the idea, because it seemed strangely humorous in a way that her earlier conversation with Celegeth hadn’t at all. Russellwen nodded.
“And would you be interested in accepting?” Here Caranwyn wrinkled her nose.
“No! Of course not. I don’t think of any of them like that. I couldn’t ever!”
“And you couldn’t ever see yourself approaching any of them, to tell them how fair you think they look, strip-shirt and sweating in the training yard, or how you just want to fall into their eyes?”
“You’re being silly now.” As Caranwyn giggled, her sister raised her eyebrows.
“Am I? Could you see yourself ever doing that with any man, Caranwyn? Honestly?” The other girl’s mirth faded for a moment as she thought about it, coming to a gradual realisation.
“You know… I don’t think so. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at a boy, or a man, and thought like that about him. I just don’t.” She frowned, thinking about it still as Russellwen continued.
“Because, you know, sister of mine… I have seen you standing there alongside them, joyously appreciating the fair maidens of the City in such a light.” Caranwyn remained silent for a moment, contemplating the conclusion that followed. At last she spoke.

“So, I shouldn’t worry that none of the men show any interest?”
“Once, we all baked the youngest children some raisin bread, but one little girl wasn’t given any, getting plain sweetbread instead. She got very upset that she hadn’t been given any raisin bread, when all the other children had some, so very upset and tearful, and eventually her mother relented, and offered her a piece. When the girl finally got it, she remembered that she didn’t like raisins at all, and gave it back without eating any. We all thought her a very foolish young girl.” Caranwyn blushed as it was spelled out for her.
“So, then, well… do you think the others all know that I, uhh, don’t like raisins?” Russellwen shrugged.
“Maybe. It could be that, like that little girl’s mother, they’ve not given you raisins because they know you’re not interested. Or, they could just be blind, oblivious boys who can’t help but think of their Captain as just ‘one of them’. Does it matter, in the end?” She was grinning, and Caranwyn smirked back.
“I guess not. Though, no matter much sense it makes now, looking back, it is a bit of a revelation still. I knew you’d see the things I hadn’t, and tell me what I needed to hear.” She rolled over enough to catch her sister up in a proper hug, squeezing her tightly, and whispered in her ear. “Thankyou.” Russellwen hugged her back, then climbed off the bed and began reclaiming her discarded clothing.
“An enlightening afternoon for both of us then,” She laughed, then made herself stop as she began to rebind her breasts. Caranwyn climbed out of bed after her, starting to redress as well.
“Did you hear the bells before? I didn’t realise how much time had passed. The others will have gotten out of training by now; they’ll wonder where we are. Let’s hurry and get back, so I can tell father that I’m feeling ever so much better now.” They laughed again quietly, dressing as quickly as they could.

As they came out of the bedroom, they glanced about, relieved to find that no parents had arrived during their seclusion. They shared a quick drink of water and a hard white cake between them, then dashed out the door.

====================