He was a bit embarrassed to admit it, simply because he'd never mentioned it to her before. "It's a small place down near the docks. Where I stayed when I first arrived in Rhydin. Wes was using it most recently, but he's not in town so I've been staying there."

The owner, a dour-looking lady with a heart of gold, had kept it open to Peredhil after he had helped one of her sons get out of a difficult situation in the West End.

"Does it have a fire an' a place ta sit?" He could see the wheels turning in her head already.

He nodded. "Of course."

"Why do you ask?"

He already knew the answer, so his question was accompanied by a teasing grin.

She grinned. "'Cause we're goin' there. It's closer, there's no stairs, an' cause..." A pause as if she was looking for another justification. "... ya said I had ta choose."

Laughing, he slid his arm around her waist. "I did say that." At the next intersection, they turned left, making their way past several quiet streets until the sound of metal clanking against metal announced that they were nearing the docks. Slipping onto a side street, Peredhil indicated a small cottage half-hidden behind a wooden gate. As they crossed the small yard, he pulled out the key and inserted it into the lock. "Welcome to my humble abode." Pushing the door open, he stepped in first, quickly locating matches and lighting a few candles, then motioned for her to enter.

It was sparsely decorated, but the furnishings were tasteful and the place was exceptionally clean, a tribute to the owner more than Peredhil. The place opened up to the kitchen and living room area, which was all connected. A small staircase led up to the second floor, which housed a bedroom and study.

"Make yourself comfortable, Juliane." Motioning to the sofa in the living room area. "Can I get you something to eat or drink?"

Crossing the threshold, Juliane shut the door behind her and just looked about. A cocoon of coziness and warmth seemed to envelope every timber. "I'll have somethin' if you are. Anythin's fine." Making her way through the living room, she crouched down to stoke some life back into the banked fire. An odd sense of deja vu came over her of another night many months past when she had had the hospitality of his house.

Watching her take care of the fire, he set a kettle of water on the stove. As he waited for it to boil, he leaned against the kitchen counter, admiring her from afar. Once the kettle began to whistle, he set it aside, grabbing two mugs and spooning a healthy dollop of cocoa into each before adding the water.

Making his way over to the fire, he offered her the warm mug and then took a seat on the sofa.

Satisfied that there was no threat to the fire at present, she cradled the mug in one hand and took a seat on the sofa, long legs curled beneath her. Resting on arm against the back of the upholstery, her body was turned towards his and she watched him with an artist's eye, as if seeking to engrave the moment in her memory. "So... this is delicious cocoa. Thank you."

Nevermind the fact that she hadn't even taken a sip yet.

He raised an eyebrow curiously, cognizant that she had not yet tasted it. With his own mug nestled in his hands, he blew gently on the drink and then took a sip before placing the mug on the coffee table. "This feels so normal, you know." He glanced around the room then looked back to her. "As if you'd been here a thousand times."

Juliane nodded, having noticed the same reassuring sense. Following his example however, she took a sip before saying anything. Taking a second small one just for good measure, she rested the earthenware on her knee. "Maybe it's a sort of sign ta how things are supposed ta be."

He paused mid-sip, his eyes resting on her. "Fate... do you believe in that sort of thing?" His voice had grown quiet and there was a slightly cautious edge to it.

"Mmm... " Another sip as she weighed her words. "I believe in a purpose ta things tha' happen, but no' the inevitable can't be changed stuff. Like, things that are meant ta happen usually do, but ya still have th' ways an' means ta change th' outcomes."

She shook her head, running her fingers through the hair at her temples to put it back from her face. "That doesn't make much sense, does it..."

"It does actually," he responded, nodding thoughtfully. "And, believe it or not, it helps too." Taking another sip, he smiled at her over the mug.

Her comment produced a hearty laugh, his eyes flashing with a mixture of gratitude and mirth. Though she undoubtedly had no idea what he was really asking of her, she was still willing to go out on a limb for him. A quick glance at her features told him that her declaration was sincere. Pulling the curtain closed, both as a symbolic act to keep the rest of the world out and as a practical manner of providing them more privacy, he made his way back to the sofa. Taking her hands, he kissed both of them gently. "Thank you, Juliane. That means that world to me." His smile grew. "I think we've talked enough about 'serious' matters for tonight. They'll still be there tomorrow, so let's just enjoy the rest of the night."

"Sounds good ta me... though I'm no' real sure what yer gonna suggest for enjoyment after th' seriousness." She was still rather awkward, feeling her way through the learning experience of what it was to care for someone beyond herself. Especially someone who was willing to put himself on the line for others.

He emitted a gruff chuckle. "That's what I didn't want to bring it up. It's my fault though." Honestly, despite the nature of their conversation, he was still enjoying himself. It didn't take much for him to enjoy himself with her. "I could teach some dance steps." He turned away slightly so she wouldn't see the mischievous glint in his eye.

She groaned. "Are ya prepared ta be limping for th' next week?" It wasn't that she was reluctant to being taught, just that she was horrified at the thought of being unteachable.

He chuckled at her resistance. "I'll take my chances, but only if you're up for it." Grinning, he finished his cocoa. Reaching for her half-full mug, he carried both to the kitchen and refilled them. "If not, then you have to think of something to do."

"Lor' an' Skies... can't a girl get a break 'round here?" She chuckled though, good-naturedly, and stood. "Guess I better start stretchin' or else I'm liable ta get a cramp. I'm no' limber like Kates is."

He rolled his eyes at her exaggeration. Carrying their mugs back to the living room, he nudged the coffee table against the wall and placed them there. In another corner of the room, he fiddled around with a strange contraption, smiling as the first tunes of ballroom music sifted through the room. "Are you done stretching yet?"

Hands clasped, arms extended up over her head, she bent forward and back, then side to side. "Um... how long do ya think I can use stretchin' as an excuse?" A turn of her head so that she can still see him as she moves.

He was openly admiring her, his face alit with amusement and affection. "As long as you want."

"And there ends that gamble." Grinning broadly, she straightened up and took the three steps necessary to be standing in front of him. "Here goes nothin', I suppose."

He could not conceal his smile, extending her right hand and then wrapping his left hand around it. After placing her other arm so that her elbow rested against his right shoulder and her fingers brushed against his neck, his other arm wrapped around her, his fingers resting gently against the middle of her spine. "Are you ready?"

"Mmm, ready as I'm ever gonna be I s'pose." Her brow furrowed lightly. "Are ya sure ya don't wanna start wi' somethin' easier? Like recitin' poetry while knittin' an' standin' on yer head?"

As if on cue, a combination of piano, violin, and bandeoneon sounded from the apparatus. Leaning in ever so slightly, ignoring her questions, he whispered in her ear. "The tango is among the most sensual dances in existence, so what better to start with?"

"One of the beauties of this dance is its flexibility and variation, but we'll start with the 'basic' eight-count step. It's quite easy, like walking, with a couple of pauses thrown in."

"I had been thinkin' th' easiest... but I'll follow yer lead. Don' really have an option standin' this close, do I?" Her tone of voice lifted in hopeful question.

He glanced at her sharply. "You'd prefer to be farther away?"

"No, no... that's no' what I meant. Jus' feelin' all topsy-turvy."

As he slowly led her through the steps, he explained softly, "As the partners become more intimate, they begin to glide together as one, allowing themselves to dance to the music rather than following rote steps. So you see, Juliane, this is more than just a dance. It also represents mutual trust and understanding between the partners."

She just nodded, trying to keep herself from being stiff-legged or trodding hard on his foot. Bit by bit, she relaxed though and was able to go with the flow of his guidance.

Her fears proved overblown as she possessed the same natural rhythm as her twin and her cousin. "Excellent." As the music quickened, he guided her more rapidly, straying from the basic steps into more complex moves. "Creativity is a central aspect of the tango. However, what the eye may not pick up, the body senses. A soft touch to the back indicates which way I'll turn and the slightest contact of the foot may mean a change in pace." He demonstrated both actions, his touch light but firm.

It was the same sensation of feeling her way through a painting. Using all of her senses to pick up the impulse not connected to her brushes... or in this case, her feet.

Always observant, Peredhil watched her closely. His observations, however, were not just to provide feedback to Juliane. In fact, they were mostly for his benefit. Questions of trust had most disappeared--Peredhil would trust Juliane with anything--but her approach to new things, her resolve... all of that was under scrutiny as he debated in his head how far he should involve Juliane in what he would have to confront. How much could she take? For that matter, how much could he? As he considered these questions, he realized with a start that the music had stopped. Blushing, he wondered absently how long they'd been dancing. Releasing her, he bowed his head to her. "Thank you, Juliane. You're really a wonderful dancer. I don't know why you don't like it."

"Didn't know I could dance." Chuckling softly, she just stood there, seemingly planted in the middle of the room. Not exactly where to go, she rocked lightly on her feet. "Guess it helps ta hav' a teacher other than yer cousin and ta no' hav'ta learn in front of a whole lotta people."

Having gone over to pick up the mugs of cocoa, he handed one to Juliane. "That makes sense. I wouldn't want to have to learn in front of a lot of people either. Although your cousin is a good teacher, not to mention Perfection Personified."

"Yeah, but don'tcha think perfection is intimidatin'?" Gratefully accepting the mug and taking a healthy sip of the warm cocoa. "I'm pretty tickled wi' th' teacher I go' though." Grinning slyly, she leaned against the back of the sofa.

He joined her on the sofa, returning the grin. "It helps that I have such an attentive and advanced student."

"Advanced? Hardly." Crossing her legs at her ankles, she stared down the length of her legs. "It's hard bein' tall when yer young and sprout up like a scarecrow. Makes ya doubt yerself, yeah?"

He brushed her cheek softly. "I'm not sure there is another lady in Rhydin as beautiful as you, Juliane. If there is, I haven't met her."

She blushed as if his fingers were a paintbrush, depositing hue in their wake.

He brought his lips just under her chin, kissing her softly. His other hand wove through her hair. "It's true," he said, as if her blush had been an unspoken denial. Peredhil pulled back and met Juli's gaze. He'd been mulling this decision over all night. They were a number of dangers involved, but he still held onto the hope that Juli might be able to find answers where others had missed them. "Come to Elessar with me, Juli."

She froze for only a moment, eyes rapidly scanning his, a thousand thoughts racing at once. "Only if comin' will no' compromise ya or impede what ya need ta do while yer there. But yes, I will come if you wish." Juliane tentatively reached out to wrap her arms about his torso. "Though yer gonna need ta get a cart so I can bring all those papers from th' Studio wi' me."

He shook his head. "We'll leave the papers for now. It'll be quicker if we travel without them." Holding her hand, he suggested softly. "We could go now if you'd like."

"Now? Won't I need ta pack anything? A comb or toothbrush at th' very least?" The concept of leaving in the middle of the night and unprepared was completely foreign to her.

Still gripping her hand, he said, "I'm sure you will have all you need there. But if you prefer, we can leave when you're ready."

"I'll need ta tell th' family an' pack some things. Tomorrow then or th' day after? Would tha' be soon enough?" Her brows lifted as she watched his face, all the while making mental lists.

He shrugged. They could come and go as they pleased. The trip itself would only take a moment, but he would leave those decisions up to her. "Whenever you're ready, Juliane. Just let me know."