[Closed] Mighty of Arm

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington and Ingrid Kief
WHAT: Let the Courtship Begin
WHEN: 20th of Kingsway
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: UGH templars breeding ew.

At first James didn't really know what the letter was - it had a seal of a Mother he didn't recognize after all. He frowned at it for a long moment, tipping his head to the side, before he peered at the seal again. Then he stood straight up from his chair, tipping it over to the floor as he stared at it.

Without another word, he stepped over the chair, leaving it on the floor where it was, moving through Skyhold. Searching, hunting, for that familiar head of golden hair, the warm smile that was like the sun, and the form that was like the Maker's deadly glory put into sword and shield. When he finally did see her, all he did was lift the parchment above his head, so she could see it, and hoped that she would come to him.

Comments

[ingrid_kief]

Ingrid was not one for resting if she didn't have to, finding ways to keep herself busy throughout the fortress. But, for now, she was still nursing the sprained wrist she had gotten facing the red Templars, which limited her somewhat. She could only practice her sparring one-handed. She was just taking a moment's rest when she spotted James across the courtyard. He had something in his hand, though she couldn't quite see what it was at first. Still, she smiled at him, and hurried up to him.

"James!" Her face was lit with delight to see him. "What is it? Good news, I hope?"

[judgemewhole]

"Good news for both of us, I hope."

He smiled, holding the scroll in front of them, his green eyes bright but the curl of his lips were concerned as he looked down at it.

"This came from the Mothers who are currently making up the Chantry's hierarchy, such as it is. I believe this is confirmation on whether or not we can formally be together. Do you, ah, have time to open it with me?"

[ingrid_kief]

Her breath caught for a moment, but she nodded.

"Of course. I am with you. Perhaps... we might wish to read it somewhere... more private?" she suggested. "Whether it is good news or not, it should be just us two, ja?"

[judgemewhole]

He looked around, before he nodded and wrapped his fingers around hers. "Come along with me, then. We shall see what private little corner we can find."

He tugged her along, heading towards the ramparts at an almost run, grinning behind her like a boy.

[ingrid_kief]

She smiled back, his excitement infectious, hurrying along with him, hand in hand. She had a feeling anyone who saw them would suspect they had gone beyond a strictly professional relationship, but for the moment, Ingrid didn't care. They found a quiet, unoccupied room, away from the bustle of the rest of the keep.

"You open it," she said breathlessly, once they were alone. "It came to you first."

Still, she pressed close to him, eager to see what was written there.

[judgemewhole]

He leaned against the wall, looking over at her as she pressed against his side, giving her a slightly nervous smile as he broke the seal at last and unrolled the document. He read it quietly, "Knight Commander James Norrington ... honored to hear from you ... pleased that you still follow the codes of your Order ... pleased to inform you that your petition to court your fellow Templar, Ingrid Kief, has been approved."

His smile was wide, as he looked over at her, "Well, how about that. We're approved."

[ingrid_kief]

She had to re-read it herself first, still pressed up beside him, a smile breaking out as she read the last word.

"Approved... So we are! This makes it real, then? We are courting now?"

[judgemewhole]

He exhales, with a relief that seems to expand his entire chest, before he looks over at her. A little apprehensive, but a glint in his eyes that stated he might just be encouraged to be bold, now that they were alone.

"We are, if you say we are."

[ingrid_kief]

"Ser, it has been a pleasure meeting you, an honor to serve with you, a joy to get to know you." She took his hand and brought it gently to her lips, brushing a kiss over his knuckles.

"There is no one I would be happier to have at my side than you, James."

[judgemewhole]

He looked at her for a long moment, before tucking his hand under her chin and drawing her mouth up to his, for really there was no better answer that that. Besides, he had wanted to kiss her for ages. He just hoped she felt the same way.

Now that he had started this, however, he was glad that he had. Her lips were warm, a little chapped, but absolutely what he wanted. So he was just going to keep on kissing her.

[ingrid_kief]

The kiss wasn't quite unexpected, but it still caught her a little by surprise. She eased into it, though, sliding her arm around his waist. He was warm and solid, a reassuring presence, and a man she was happy to kiss.

"A good start to the celebrating," she said approvingly, "I think we also agreed there should be wine and apple cake, though, ja?" She glanced down at her healing wrist. "Would you like to help me bake it?"

[judgemewhole]

He cleared his throat as he pulled away flushed about the ears of the warmth of her, the press of her hands around his waist. Well, it had been ... a little while for that sort of feeling to rush through him.

"I think we did, and I think I would be delighted. May I have the honor of offering you my arm, my lady?"

[ingrid_kief]

She was a bit pink herself. After all, the last man she'd kissed had been her husband.

"I am a soldier from a farm. Not much of a lady," she laughed, a little awkwardly, as she took his arm, "But come. We will make it together. And you get to learn my family recipe."

She headed with him down toward the kitchens.
"We should start with the ingredients, flour, butter, apples, eggs, salt..."

[judgemewhole]

He gave her a warm little smile, liking that blush on her.

"Remember what I always say - what makes the lady is who the lady is, not what she wears or where she comes from. You, my own Ingrid, are the lady of my heart." He gave her a crooked smile, as he walked them towards the kitchen area.

"All right, sit down right there, and I shall get our supplies."

[ingrid_kief]

"You are getting flowery, Bärchen," she teased.

"I also said together. One of my hands is still good. Do not think you will get me to sit quietly while you do the work." For all her seeming defiance, there was laughter in her eyes.

"Have you baked before?"

[judgemewhole]

"Hmmm, perhaps I am just in the mood to be." He smirked at her, before he sighed with mock drama, then put the mixing bowl and the ingredients in front of her, along with a spoon.

"I have never, so you are going to have to help me from burning it to char."