Giving Rings [backdated: December 25th]

[god_of_the_arena]

Gannicus knew the holiday was important to a lot of people in Darrow. It fell about the same time of year as the Roman Saturnalia and it was not far from the solstice his people had celebrated. He knew, now, that people often exchanged gifts this time of year, and he'd thought for quite some time about what he might give Krem and Hild.

His mind kept turning back toward the same thought, despite the weight it might bring. He would just have to be clear about his intentions, especially since he imagined Hild and Krem would both be familiar with what he wanted to give.

For Hild he had a lighter torc, the ends crafted into ash leaves; he also had a bracelet for her. Krem's torc had loose spirals on the ends.

He only hoped the reception went well and took a breath before he knocked on the door.

Comments

[light_of_the_world]

Hild swallowed. To answer truly would invite shame upon her. Perhaps even from Gannicus, who had up until this point shown her nothing but acceptance and fondness. She didn't wish to test that, to see how far his understanding could stretch.

"I was told long ago that I could not have him." That was true, but also not an answer to the first question, not really. "It was my uncle, the king's doing. Tying up loose ends, so to speak. One of his lands needed a lord. That lord needed a lady. He had less use of me, but didn't want to throw me away completely."

[god_of_the_arena]

It sounded political, the way she said it, even if she welcomed the union. It also sounded like she might be leaving something out, but Gannicus didn't press. He had no need to; if she wished to ever tell him, she would.

"You bear no obligation in this, Hild. It is a gesture without expectation, given freely with deep affection. That is all it is meant to be."

[light_of_the_world]

She nodded, but kept silent for a time, mulling on this, turning it over from all sides, just to be certain. She could not see the harm in wearing it, not just now, except that a nagging sense of disquiet pulled at her stomach. Not wrongness. There was a rightness to it. But it wasn't quite what she wanted.

Seer though she was, Hild never was good at knowing her own wants, at seeing herself.

There was definitely no harm in not wearing it, as Gannicus had said. He would not deceive her in this, even to spare his own feelings. His disappointment would be plain.

"Then I thank you." She reached out to take his hand and give his rough fingers a squeeze. She gave him a smile. "Thank you for the beautiful gift. Thank you for all the good things you give me, made tangible in this."

[god_of_the_arena]

Her gratitude relaxed him and he squeezed her hand gently. "Gratitude for accepting them."

Gannicus lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. "Nothing changes, Hild. These are only mean to express what I cannot always find proper word for." He kissed her hand again before letting it rest between them, fingers still intertwined.

[light_of_the_world]

She nodded again, giving his fingers a squeeze, to reassure herself perhaps more than him, who remained steady and true in her eyes, more precious to her than gold.

"My gift pales in comparison," Hild admitted, huffing out a soft laugh of embarrassment. There was nothing wrong with her gift itself, she thought, but to give it after what Gannicus had given her made her second guess herself. "Though I hope you will enjoy it, as it requires time with me."

[god_of_the_arena]

"I think you have better mind for gifts than I might," he quipped. Gannicus smiled at her, soft and warm and adoring. "Especially when I did not expect one." He caught her chin to give her a kiss.