Jack Vettriano The Tourist TrapJack Vettriano The TemptressJack Vettriano The Star CafeJack Vettriano The Sparrow and the Hawk
Chapter One
A single tear, crystalline and glistening, slid down my cheek. My eyes were dark with sadness. No, literally. I know it seems odd, but my eyes change colour when I feel strong emotion. Today, as I choked back sobs at the side of the freshly-turned earth, they were black, as black as my long, poker-straight hair was blonde. Well, blacker than that, because my hair is actually pink and purple as well as blonde. Cool, huh?
But I digress.
A single tear, crystalline and glistening, slid down my cheek, as I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself. Pain clutched at my very soul, mvoices…No, wait. I could hear their voices.“Siltasuvi Araeina Raven Tri’shah Iuhlmati Ellenor Isabella…” Mom said carefully.“…Geliarae Arwen Sarabelle Kitsune Hmrevenueandcustoms,” I added helpfully.“Siltasuvi Araeina Raven Tri’shah Iuhlmati Ellenor Isabella Geliarae Arwen Sarabelle Kitsune Hmrevenueandcustoms Smith, why are you crying over a flower?”“Yeah,” Daddy agreed, monosyllabically. “I think we can replant it.”“You don’t understand!” I cried at them, leaping to my feety blonde-and-pink-and-purple hair shrouding my heart-shaped face as I knelt there, head in hands.
My mother… my father… if only they were there with me now. Looking up, I imagined I saw them there; Daddy was holding Mom’s hand, one hand on her shoulder as though to comfort her. They looked at each other, expressions unreadable, but I read love there – love for each other, but mostly love for me.
I could almost hear their . “George was my best friend! You can’t just replace him like that!” How could they be so cruel? So callous? So utterly, splendiferously, terribly, awfully horrid? Several single crystalline tears streaming down my alabaster-pale cheeks, I turned and fled back towards the shack they called a house – how could anybody expect a growing girl like me to live in a place with only three wings and two hundred rooms? – my frail shoulders racked with sobs.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Jack Vettriano The British Are Coming
Jack Vettriano The British Are ComingJack Vettriano The Blue GownJack Vettriano The Birth of a DreamJack Vettriano The Billy Boys
he said about Gollum was that he was particularly nasty. When he had finished his short tale, they decided to go back home. The sun was starting to set and it was starting to get colder.
When they had gotten back to number two they decided to go to bed. Sam tucked Frodo in and Rosie tucked Elanor into bed. ‘Mummy what happened to Mr Frodo?’ She had asked her mother before falling asleep. Rosie wasn’t sure how to answer this so she ignwhat happened to Frodo.’ Rosie gave a sigh.‘And what did you tell her?’ Frodo had left for Valinor years ago and Sam was finally able to talk about him openly without feeling sad.‘A didn’t tell her anything. I waited for her to fall asleep before taking your hand and coming in here. Should I have told her?’Sam thought for a few minutes before replying to Rosie’s question. ‘No I don’t think you should have. If she asks again, tell me and I will tell her where Mr Frodo went to.’‘Sam I have another thing to tell you. We’re expecting!’ored the question. Soon Elanor and Frodo were fast asleep and Sam and Rosie decided to go to bed as well. The day had been long and it was now very cold and they were looking forward to snuggling up to each other under the covers of their bed.
‘Elanor asked a question as I was tucking her into bed.’ Rosie said as she was pulling the covers back and getting into bed and making herself comfortable.
‘Yes and what was that?’ Sam asked with a little smile as he too climbed into bed and put his arm around Rosie. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat while she talked.
‘She asked me ‘That is wonderful news Miss Rosie! I cannot wait until we have a new addition
he said about Gollum was that he was particularly nasty. When he had finished his short tale, they decided to go back home. The sun was starting to set and it was starting to get colder.
When they had gotten back to number two they decided to go to bed. Sam tucked Frodo in and Rosie tucked Elanor into bed. ‘Mummy what happened to Mr Frodo?’ She had asked her mother before falling asleep. Rosie wasn’t sure how to answer this so she ignwhat happened to Frodo.’ Rosie gave a sigh.‘And what did you tell her?’ Frodo had left for Valinor years ago and Sam was finally able to talk about him openly without feeling sad.‘A didn’t tell her anything. I waited for her to fall asleep before taking your hand and coming in here. Should I have told her?’Sam thought for a few minutes before replying to Rosie’s question. ‘No I don’t think you should have. If she asks again, tell me and I will tell her where Mr Frodo went to.’‘Sam I have another thing to tell you. We’re expecting!’ored the question. Soon Elanor and Frodo were fast asleep and Sam and Rosie decided to go to bed as well. The day had been long and it was now very cold and they were looking forward to snuggling up to each other under the covers of their bed.
‘Elanor asked a question as I was tucking her into bed.’ Rosie said as she was pulling the covers back and getting into bed and making herself comfortable.
‘Yes and what was that?’ Sam asked with a little smile as he too climbed into bed and put his arm around Rosie. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat while she talked.
‘She asked me ‘That is wonderful news Miss Rosie! I cannot wait until we have a new addition
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Jack Vettriano Baby Bye Bye II
Jack Vettriano Baby Bye Bye IIJack Vettriano At Last my LovelyJack Vettriano Artist and ModelJack Vettriano AngelJack Vettriano And So to BedJack Vettriano an Imperfect pastJack Vettriano An Imperfect Past II
word that he was delayed. He will probably be here in a few days.”
Thranduil nodded.
“I will go, in that case. Arbellason has gone to secure the eastern border and the Elflings will be disappointed if none of us is there to admire their skill.”
Almárean nodded and left. Thranduil stood outside a few minutes more before he collected his cloak and went to the practice fields where the Archery Mawith the Colhador, ask me then.”“Ask you? What is Arbellason commander of the army for? I will ask him.”Thranduil smiled now in recollection. In two hundred years Legolas would be deemed experienced enough to undertake the most dangerous responsibilities of a warrior. As he had told Lindariel, he would be lying if he said he was truly happy about that – a part of him was terrified at the thought of Legolas in the Colhador or the Eastern or the Southern Guard – but a part of him was also satisfied.He would have had just as much pride in his son had Legolas chosen to be a healer, or anything else for that matter. All the same, he was pleased that Legolas had taken the sters were awaiting his arrival to begin the trials.
The trials were held once a month, and were an occasion for the Archery Masters to assess the progress their young charges had made. The King and the commanders usually made it a point for at least one of them to attend as well, so that they would know what to expect of the next generation of archers.
It had been on one such occasion a couple of centuries previously that Thorontur, watching Legolas make a series of perfect shots, had turned to Thranduil and said in an undertone, “The boy is mine.”
Thranduil had laughed and said cheerfully, “He will be on routine patrol duty until he can count seven centuries. If you want him to ride same path Thranduil himself had done, and that he had braided the thin warrior braids into his son’s hair on the day he had completed his training, just as his own father had done for him millennia ago.
word that he was delayed. He will probably be here in a few days.”
Thranduil nodded.
“I will go, in that case. Arbellason has gone to secure the eastern border and the Elflings will be disappointed if none of us is there to admire their skill.”
Almárean nodded and left. Thranduil stood outside a few minutes more before he collected his cloak and went to the practice fields where the Archery Mawith the Colhador, ask me then.”“Ask you? What is Arbellason commander of the army for? I will ask him.”Thranduil smiled now in recollection. In two hundred years Legolas would be deemed experienced enough to undertake the most dangerous responsibilities of a warrior. As he had told Lindariel, he would be lying if he said he was truly happy about that – a part of him was terrified at the thought of Legolas in the Colhador or the Eastern or the Southern Guard – but a part of him was also satisfied.He would have had just as much pride in his son had Legolas chosen to be a healer, or anything else for that matter. All the same, he was pleased that Legolas had taken the sters were awaiting his arrival to begin the trials.
The trials were held once a month, and were an occasion for the Archery Masters to assess the progress their young charges had made. The King and the commanders usually made it a point for at least one of them to attend as well, so that they would know what to expect of the next generation of archers.
It had been on one such occasion a couple of centuries previously that Thorontur, watching Legolas make a series of perfect shots, had turned to Thranduil and said in an undertone, “The boy is mine.”
Thranduil had laughed and said cheerfully, “He will be on routine patrol duty until he can count seven centuries. If you want him to ride same path Thranduil himself had done, and that he had braided the thin warrior braids into his son’s hair on the day he had completed his training, just as his own father had done for him millennia ago.
Jack Vettriano Winter Light and Lavender
Jack Vettriano Winter Light and LavenderJack Vettriano Welcome To My WorldJack Vettriano We Can't Tell Right from WrongJack Vettriano WaltzersJack Vettriano Valentine Rose
the garden as two elves ran after one another, uncaring for the inquiring eyes. “You’ve been cheating, Ernilen!” (my prince!) Galion huffed-out as he continued chasing the ellon. (male elf.) “Tis not my fault that you lost your senses due to your old age, Galion!” Legolas laughed melodically evading Galion’s attempt to catch him for he knows that the tickles would come next. Galion just tried harder to catch him. Servants who had spare time to look-see what the two was doing giggled and grinned.
Since before dawn, Legolas had beentickled the poor-sleeping ellon and ran like hell as Galion instinctively gave chase.“Have I not been resting my eyes for that moment, I would’ve caught you before hand!” The butler attempted to regain a bit of vanity. “Really now~” the prince sing-sang as he twirled and ducked narrowly missing one of Galion’s long arms. He ran again, having the endurance of an elf—funnily enough, he IS one.And that’s how the King found them.Running around and having too much fun to even notice that they have a steady audience, they laughed after Galion’s 4th attempt in capturing the beaming prince—for he too, had twirled; almost that of a ballerina, too. After the 5th attempt he truly gave it up and just sat on the grass. Legolas jogged to his friend and pounced on him, being on the mood of high adrenaline—and endorphin. After tossing and turning in his sleep. Unable to place any particular reason for it, he tried shifting to a more comfortable position—only to end-up standing and getting ready for the day. He went straight to the kitchens afterwards in search for some apple. Again, the reason behind looking for the fruit evaded him. He wasn’t hungry for it; rather he just wanted to hold it, keep it in his pocket, and maybe throw it around if the kitchen servants won’t hit him for making a mess. Right after picking up one lone green apple, he spotted Galion with his head leaning on the kitchen window; slumbering. He chuckled knowing that his friend was never a morning person; had his father known this he would’ve just scheduled him work for the afternoon. He sneaked-up on him a minute passed, Galion had Legolas begging for release from the tickles. Pleas and sweet laughter filled the air as Galion continued
the garden as two elves ran after one another, uncaring for the inquiring eyes. “You’ve been cheating, Ernilen!” (my prince!) Galion huffed-out as he continued chasing the ellon. (male elf.) “Tis not my fault that you lost your senses due to your old age, Galion!” Legolas laughed melodically evading Galion’s attempt to catch him for he knows that the tickles would come next. Galion just tried harder to catch him. Servants who had spare time to look-see what the two was doing giggled and grinned.
Since before dawn, Legolas had beentickled the poor-sleeping ellon and ran like hell as Galion instinctively gave chase.“Have I not been resting my eyes for that moment, I would’ve caught you before hand!” The butler attempted to regain a bit of vanity. “Really now~” the prince sing-sang as he twirled and ducked narrowly missing one of Galion’s long arms. He ran again, having the endurance of an elf—funnily enough, he IS one.And that’s how the King found them.Running around and having too much fun to even notice that they have a steady audience, they laughed after Galion’s 4th attempt in capturing the beaming prince—for he too, had twirled; almost that of a ballerina, too. After the 5th attempt he truly gave it up and just sat on the grass. Legolas jogged to his friend and pounced on him, being on the mood of high adrenaline—and endorphin. After tossing and turning in his sleep. Unable to place any particular reason for it, he tried shifting to a more comfortable position—only to end-up standing and getting ready for the day. He went straight to the kitchens afterwards in search for some apple. Again, the reason behind looking for the fruit evaded him. He wasn’t hungry for it; rather he just wanted to hold it, keep it in his pocket, and maybe throw it around if the kitchen servants won’t hit him for making a mess. Right after picking up one lone green apple, he spotted Galion with his head leaning on the kitchen window; slumbering. He chuckled knowing that his friend was never a morning person; had his father known this he would’ve just scheduled him work for the afternoon. He sneaked-up on him a minute passed, Galion had Legolas begging for release from the tickles. Pleas and sweet laughter filled the air as Galion continued
Monday, May 11, 2009
Jack Vettriano Dressing to Kill
Jack Vettriano Dressing to KillJack Vettriano Dream LoverJack Vettriano DevotionJack Vettriano Devotion II
Almira was just the opposite. She was pissed. Uh-oh.
Glorfindel disentangled himself fromright, I almost forgot. Of course, the fact that I’m wearing a sling could not have possibly tipped you off."Her eyes narrowed, but before she could reply Glorfindel called me over to him. Until then I hadn't noticed the weird looks the other elves exchanged behind my back after hearing our conversation."I owe you one for getting me out of there," I said as I walked up to him."I’m sure one day you will be able to repay the favor," he replied."Sad, but true. So what did you need me for?""I was wondering if you had any camping supplies of your own amongst these bags.""No. No, I don’t. Bugger." Glorfindel just quirked an her muttering something along the lines of, "No way in hell," and all but ran away to help his fellows, while Almira stalked past me, bumping into my shoulder. My injured shoulder.
"Ouch! What the hell?" I cried.
"Oh dear. I’m so sorry. I had absolutely no idea you had injured your shoulder. I was passed out during the fight. Don’t you remember?"
Sure she didn’t. I would have believed her if she didn’t look quite so self-satisfied. I wanted to scream at her that yes, I did in fact remember, seeing as I helped save her passed out ass. But whatever. I didn’t need this.
"That’s eyebrow in response. I was really looking forward to sleeping until now. Now that I realized I didn’t have any supplies, it kind of took all the joy out of it.
"It figures. Leave it to you to be unprepared," Almira sneered walking over to us.
Almira was just the opposite. She was pissed. Uh-oh.
Glorfindel disentangled himself fromright, I almost forgot. Of course, the fact that I’m wearing a sling could not have possibly tipped you off."Her eyes narrowed, but before she could reply Glorfindel called me over to him. Until then I hadn't noticed the weird looks the other elves exchanged behind my back after hearing our conversation."I owe you one for getting me out of there," I said as I walked up to him."I’m sure one day you will be able to repay the favor," he replied."Sad, but true. So what did you need me for?""I was wondering if you had any camping supplies of your own amongst these bags.""No. No, I don’t. Bugger." Glorfindel just quirked an her muttering something along the lines of, "No way in hell," and all but ran away to help his fellows, while Almira stalked past me, bumping into my shoulder. My injured shoulder.
"Ouch! What the hell?" I cried.
"Oh dear. I’m so sorry. I had absolutely no idea you had injured your shoulder. I was passed out during the fight. Don’t you remember?"
Sure she didn’t. I would have believed her if she didn’t look quite so self-satisfied. I wanted to scream at her that yes, I did in fact remember, seeing as I helped save her passed out ass. But whatever. I didn’t need this.
"That’s eyebrow in response. I was really looking forward to sleeping until now. Now that I realized I didn’t have any supplies, it kind of took all the joy out of it.
"It figures. Leave it to you to be unprepared," Almira sneered walking over to us.
Jack Vettriano Games of Power
Jack Vettriano Games of PowerJack Vettriano Gambling BoysJack Vettriano FetishJack Vettriano Fair Exchange is No RobberyJack Vettriano exit EdenJack Vettriano Evening RacingJack Vettriano Elegy for the Dead Admiral
you are not a threat. Don’t prove me wrong. However, Elrond will still need to listen to your tale and decide what is to be done with you. We will travel until sundown, which is now just an hour off, and then make camp and journey the rest of the way tomorrow.” That being said Glorfindel made to move towards his horse and I noticed the sudden lack of bodies in the area and the subsequent return of the rest of our Elven captors. What they did with the bodies I don’t know. However, we were once again surrounded, although this time I assumed it was more for protection than anythe was an Elf Lord and supposed to be all chivalrous and stuff, he had no choice but to offer that she ride with him. Poor, poor Elf.Almira of course was overjoyed, that is as much as she was able to be in her “state.” She kept shooting me triumphant glances from over her shoulder while riding with him. Whatever. If she thought I cared then she was sorely mistaken. My Elven companions around me noticed and shot me sympathetic glances. I guess I won big points with them for helping out during the skirmish because they were being fairly nice. Faelon even leaned over and said, “Don’t feel too bad. It could be worse. You could be Lord Glorfindel.” Between his comment and the look on Glorfindel’s face earlier, I couldn’t help hing else.
But before we could start moving, Almira gave a little cry of distress and her knees gave out. One of the warriors caught her, even though it was almost painfully obvious she was faking.
“Oh dear,” she whimpered, “I don’t think I will be able to walk.”
“Pfft. Yeah right,” I muttered. There was no way I was buying this. Glorfindel didn’t look too impressed either. But seeing as it, I laughed. Lord Glorfindel turned around and shot us a dirty look. We were supposed to be fairly quiet so our presence would not be too obvious, but I think he was just ticked off because of the truth of the statement. I mean, come on, he had bells on his horse. However, I refrained from saying this and gave him an apologetic look seeing as I really did pity him. I
you are not a threat. Don’t prove me wrong. However, Elrond will still need to listen to your tale and decide what is to be done with you. We will travel until sundown, which is now just an hour off, and then make camp and journey the rest of the way tomorrow.” That being said Glorfindel made to move towards his horse and I noticed the sudden lack of bodies in the area and the subsequent return of the rest of our Elven captors. What they did with the bodies I don’t know. However, we were once again surrounded, although this time I assumed it was more for protection than anythe was an Elf Lord and supposed to be all chivalrous and stuff, he had no choice but to offer that she ride with him. Poor, poor Elf.Almira of course was overjoyed, that is as much as she was able to be in her “state.” She kept shooting me triumphant glances from over her shoulder while riding with him. Whatever. If she thought I cared then she was sorely mistaken. My Elven companions around me noticed and shot me sympathetic glances. I guess I won big points with them for helping out during the skirmish because they were being fairly nice. Faelon even leaned over and said, “Don’t feel too bad. It could be worse. You could be Lord Glorfindel.” Between his comment and the look on Glorfindel’s face earlier, I couldn’t help hing else.
But before we could start moving, Almira gave a little cry of distress and her knees gave out. One of the warriors caught her, even though it was almost painfully obvious she was faking.
“Oh dear,” she whimpered, “I don’t think I will be able to walk.”
“Pfft. Yeah right,” I muttered. There was no way I was buying this. Glorfindel didn’t look too impressed either. But seeing as it, I laughed. Lord Glorfindel turned around and shot us a dirty look. We were supposed to be fairly quiet so our presence would not be too obvious, but I think he was just ticked off because of the truth of the statement. I mean, come on, he had bells on his horse. However, I refrained from saying this and gave him an apologetic look seeing as I really did pity him. I
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Jack Vettriano Drifters
Jack Vettriano DriftersJack Vettriano Dressing to KillJack Vettriano Dream Lover
conversation decreased in volume, and most people turned in his direction. He glanced at Strider. Even though the other man’s face was hidden by shadow, Logan sensed that he would have liked very much to kill him. Just as well that most of these people probably did not know what ‘hell’ was, or else they might just have tried that. Logan held up his hands in apology, and they all resumed their conversations.
“Did I not tell you not to draw attention to us?” hissed Strider.
“Hey, I drew attention to me,” said Logan, shrugging. “They didn’t really see you.”
“Most of them did not, but some of them did,” said Strider. Logan immediately turned his attention to his companion, for Strider’s voice was edged with worry.
“Err...erm...sorry,” said the mutant lamely. “I’ll just shut up, okay?”
Having recently learned that ‘okay’ meant ‘all right’ in Logan’s strange dialect, Strider nodded and did not pursue the matter further. Nor did he explain to Logan about why he was so worried. The two men simply stood in their corner and watched the goings on in the room. That was when he noticed that he and Strider weren’t the only ones standing in the shadows andnormal,” he whispered, and then he pulled Logan to a table. The two men sat down. Strider flagged down one of the barmaids and asked her to bring them two tankards of beer. The way she looked at him implied that she was afraid of him. She nodded quickly and fled before he could say any more. Moments later, she returned, deposited the beer on the table, quickly took the coins which Strider offered her, and almost tripped in her haste to get away.“We’re not that scary, are we?” said Logan as the girl disappeared back to the main dining hall.“Breelanders do not like strangers very much,” replied Strider, “especially not large strange looking men such as you and me.”“Sounds like a friendly bunch,” said Logan, raising an eyebrow. Strider spying, for lack of a better word. There were other men there, and they didn’t seem to be paying much attention to the numerous conversations. Instead, he got the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He straightened himself, preparing for a fight, only to have Strider tug on his sleeve subtly.
“Act pushed one of the tankards towards him, and he took it with a nod of thanks. “At least the beer’s good.” He took an appreciative sip, at the same time looking out for those ‘hobbits’.
The serious one had now retired to a corner and was watching his companions. The other two hobbits
conversation decreased in volume, and most people turned in his direction. He glanced at Strider. Even though the other man’s face was hidden by shadow, Logan sensed that he would have liked very much to kill him. Just as well that most of these people probably did not know what ‘hell’ was, or else they might just have tried that. Logan held up his hands in apology, and they all resumed their conversations.
“Did I not tell you not to draw attention to us?” hissed Strider.
“Hey, I drew attention to me,” said Logan, shrugging. “They didn’t really see you.”
“Most of them did not, but some of them did,” said Strider. Logan immediately turned his attention to his companion, for Strider’s voice was edged with worry.
“Err...erm...sorry,” said the mutant lamely. “I’ll just shut up, okay?”
Having recently learned that ‘okay’ meant ‘all right’ in Logan’s strange dialect, Strider nodded and did not pursue the matter further. Nor did he explain to Logan about why he was so worried. The two men simply stood in their corner and watched the goings on in the room. That was when he noticed that he and Strider weren’t the only ones standing in the shadows andnormal,” he whispered, and then he pulled Logan to a table. The two men sat down. Strider flagged down one of the barmaids and asked her to bring them two tankards of beer. The way she looked at him implied that she was afraid of him. She nodded quickly and fled before he could say any more. Moments later, she returned, deposited the beer on the table, quickly took the coins which Strider offered her, and almost tripped in her haste to get away.“We’re not that scary, are we?” said Logan as the girl disappeared back to the main dining hall.“Breelanders do not like strangers very much,” replied Strider, “especially not large strange looking men such as you and me.”“Sounds like a friendly bunch,” said Logan, raising an eyebrow. Strider spying, for lack of a better word. There were other men there, and they didn’t seem to be paying much attention to the numerous conversations. Instead, he got the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He straightened himself, preparing for a fight, only to have Strider tug on his sleeve subtly.
“Act pushed one of the tankards towards him, and he took it with a nod of thanks. “At least the beer’s good.” He took an appreciative sip, at the same time looking out for those ‘hobbits’.
The serious one had now retired to a corner and was watching his companions. The other two hobbits
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
