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The wind off the Númenorean coast whips through your hair, tangling it into hopeless knots as you stand on the docks, watching Elendil manage a rather troublesome shipment of cargo. The majestic Sea Guard captain, son of noble lineages and proud ships, is currently in an undignified battle with a rogue barrel that refuses to roll the right way. You stifle a laugh as he nearly loses his balance, his usually impeccable stoicism cracked by a flash of frustration.
At last, he steadies the barrel with a low mutter—something distinctly unpoetic—and straightens, only to catch you watching him, amusement all too evident in your expression. His brows lift, and he crosses his arms, trying and failing to look severe. “Finding this amusing, are you?”
You grin. “Immensely. Who knew that the great Elendil could be bested by a simple barrel?”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair, the same ocean breeze tousling it with a bit more grace. “I am far more used to ships than I am to cargo logistics,” he replies, a bit dryly, though you catch the hint of a smile threatening to break through. “Besides, that barrel has been… selectively difficult.”
You bite your lip to keep from laughing again, moving closer. “Perhaps it’s been trying to teach you a lesson in humility.”
“I am very humble,” he retorts, finally letting his stern expression crack into a lopsided grin. “It’s just… an occasional surprise, apparently, that I’m not perfect at everything.”
“Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed,” you say with a teasing glance, stepping in front of him. “Last week, you nearly tripped over your own boots while trying to command the trainees. It was quite endearing.”
Elendil rolls his eyes, though he doesn’t move back as you draw nearer. “How fortunate I am, then, to have you here to witness all my most inspiring moments.”
You laugh, emboldened by the warmth in his gaze. “It is rather inspiring, actually, knowing that even the great Captain Elendil is human.” You tilt your head, searching his eyes with an openness you know only he brings out in you. “It makes me feel like there’s a chance, somehow, that I’m good enough to stand beside you.”
At that, his expression softens. He reaches out, his hand warm as it comes to rest on your arm. “You’ve always been more than good enough,” he says quietly, the teasing edge in his voice gone. “If anything, it is I who wonders how I’ve managed to hold your attention.”
You feel a blush creeping up your cheeks, and before you can find a response, he pulls you closer, the faintest hint of nervousness in his gaze as he lets his fingers brush down to your hand, entwining them with yours.
“Would you… perhaps join me on the cliffs tonight?” he asks, his voice barely a murmur. “I know a place where you can see the stars brighter than any other on the island.”
“Oh?” You raise an eyebrow, feigning suspicion. “Is this a romantic ruse to distract me from your fight with the barrel?”
He chuckles, squeezing your hand. “Perhaps. But it’s an honest one. I’d rather spend tonight with you than any barrel or shipment of cargo, I assure you.”
Laughing, you squeeze his hand back. “Then you’d better lead the way, Captain.”
As he guides you down the docks, his shoulder brushing yours, the sun setting over the vast expanse of sea, you realize that for all his faults and flustered barrel battles, there’s no one else you’d rather follow—even to the edge of the world.
The walk to the cliffs is leisurely, filled with teasing remarks and laughter echoing in the golden dusk. When you finally reach the edge of the high, rocky coastline, the view takes your breath away: the sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting the sea in hues of deep orange and soft lavender. You glance at Elendil, already enraptured by the scene—but he doesn’t seem surprised in the slightest.
Instead, he guides you to a small clearing by the cliff's edge, and that’s when you see it: a carefully laid-out picnic spread, nestled on a blanket amid wildflowers and the warm glow of lanterns he must have arranged earlier. There’s an assortment of bread, cheeses, fruits, and even a small pitcher of wine. You blink, surprised, as he leads you over to sit.
“Elendil,” you say, unable to hide the smile spreading across your face. “I didn’t realize the mighty Captain of the Sea Guard also had a knack for… romance?”
A faint blush rises on his cheeks, and he shrugs a bit sheepishly. “I… had some assistance with the details,” he admits, but the glint of pride in his eye says he’s pleased with himself. “However, I did manage to carry this up the cliffs myself—without dropping a single thing.”
“Ah, there’s the humility again,” you tease, settling down on the blanket beside him.
He chuckles, pouring you both a glass of wine and handing one to you. “Yes, well, this time, I made sure to leave the barrels out of it.” His smile softens as he looks out over the sea, the wind ruffling his hair as he turns to face you. “But in all seriousness, I wanted tonight to be special. After all, it’s not every day I get to spend an evening under the stars with… you.”
Your breath catches as his words sink in, the sincere warmth in his eyes more beautiful than even the sunset painting the ocean. The usual confidence in his posture softens as he watches you, vulnerable in a way he seldom lets himself be, and the moment is so perfect that you almost feel shy.
You raise your glass, smiling. “Then here’s to no barrels, no cargo mishaps, and no interruptions. Just you and me, and this beautiful sunset.”
He clinks his glass against yours, his fingers grazing yours as he murmurs, “To you and me.”
The two of you share a quiet moment, sipping wine and nibbling on bread as the first stars begin to twinkle above. Soon, you’re laughing and talking in hushed voices, trading stories from your days on the docks and your childhoods, and at one point, he leans back, resting on one elbow as he watches you with a soft, adoring gaze that leaves you breathless.
Finally, as the sky darkens into twilight, he reaches out, pulling you closer to him. “I’d like to do this again sometime,” he says softly, his hand settling over yours. “And maybe, if you’ll let me, I’d like it to be a regular occurrence.”
You smile, leaning into him, letting your head rest against his shoulder as you feel his warmth and the steady rhythm of his breathing. “I’d like that very much, Elendil.”
The two of you stay like that, wrapped up in each other under the blanket of stars, the gentle breeze off the sea, and the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the quiet happiness that neither of you need words to express.