Forgive the grammar or spelling... I did this in about half an hour and I
was rushing... so what are you gonna do?! I hope you enjoy... kind of an
interesting romantic piece that I whipped up... enjoy you LOTR fans! ;)
~*~ STOKES ~*~
**************************************************************************** ****
Torynn sat at her window, staring out into the rainy sky. She sighed as she twisted one golden lock of hair around her fingers, watching a bead of rainwater drip before her peach colored face. It had been two days since she'd been outside, and for someone as adventurous as the nineteen-year-old Torynn, that was an eternity.
How was she supposed to know that it was a noble's son that she'd insulted? It was his own fault for tempting her. He had bated her since she'd arrived in the ivory market of old Rivendell, and she was not one to be put down without some sort of fight. It was true, sometimes she could not hold her tongue and it usually got her into trouble. Especially with her godmother, Piphony. She was a surly elderly elf, who people said was as old as all the grains of sand on the western shores of Harlindon. One thing everyone did know, was never to cross old Piphony. Of course, that never stopped Torynn.
Finally, Torynn heard the front door creak open, and sure enough, a hunched figure, cloaked in a ratty black cloak hobbled out of the doorway and continued to shuffle out of sight, past the walls and down the pristine path toward the market no doubt. Torynn immediately sprung into action. She let her foot slip into one of the animal skin boots, as she searched the room for her father's bow. Today she would sneak into the forests and practice.
Not being of elven heritage, she would practice whenever she had the chance. Piphony discouraged it, saying that the elves would not understand a human wanting to partake in elven tradition. But Torynn didn't care. Her best friend was an elf, she lived in one of the oldest elven cities known, and she lived with an elf. Why shouldn't she try fitting in just a bit? She could not deny that she was never really accepted but she always hoped that one day, she could find piece with her elven peers.
And of course find one to return her love.
Evanita, her only real friend, laughed at the thought of Torynn and one of the elf men. Torynn would always blush and change the subject. The truth was, she too was not completely sure if she would ever find an elf who would respect her mind, body and soul, the way she wished for a spouse to do.
And Piphony would never send her to Gondor or Rohan to find a suitor. She would sooner have Torynn remain untouched than to have her find true happiness. Or that is what Torynn thought. Her parents had died when she was too young to remember, and she had been in Piphony's care as special favor to her mother. Her parents had died when rogue orcs had attacked their village, when Saron was an ever threatening dark force. When Torynn was ten years of age, a young elf, named Frodo from what she'd heard, had defeated Saron once and for all. But still Torynn was left an orphan, and angry young woman, who found things bottled up in her, from rejection and loss.
That was why she wanted to fall in love. To escape all the things she had trapped in her heart. To find peace.
Torynn raced down the stairs, pulling her outer layer dress over her slip. She was clad only in brown animal skin boots, her brown skin slip, and a faded red no sleeve dress that ended about mid thigh. When she was in the forest, she didn't bother to clothe herself in too many layers, the thick trees making it humid.
She threw her sack of arrows over her arm and ventured out of the house, her father's bow in her left hand, and an arrow in the other.
**************************************************************************** *****
Legolas sat cross-legged on the rock, facing Remus, a dark haired elf, and Orthonelle, who's hair was as white as the moon and who's eyes were as dark as the earth. They were his two friends from the court. He was crossing Middle Earth so that he could meet Gimli, and travel across the sea, to the undying lands. His journey with Aragorn and Gimli had ended long, long ago. But he had not found the heart to leave his home in Mirkwood so soon. Nine years later, he knew it was time for him to move on. There was nothing left to stay for.
'You mean, prince, you and that horrid dwarf with the large nose are traveling to the land together?' Orthonelle asked incredulously. Legolas was twirling an arrow in his long thin fingers, nodding, a small smile on his fair face. Orthonelle laughed, a light airy laugh. 'My condolences.' He said grinning.
'But Legolas, will you not miss this land when you leave? It was your home.' Remus said as he tightened the string of his bow. Legolas shook his head.
'It was merely a place I lived once.' He said, his hands stopping the twirling motion of his arrow. 'For I have many homes, and many companions. But yes, Remus, I do not deny that my heart has grown heavy, since my decision to leave Middle Earth.' He said heaving a small sigh. Orthonelle stood up, throwing his sack of his shoulder.
'I hear the sound of game.' He said smiling politely motioning to his right. 'Shall we continue our quest my lords?' Remus nodded and Legolas and he followed their friend deeper into the wood. They tread lightly, barely making a footprint in the moist earth, their ears picking up sounds that were oblivious to their actions.
'There.' Remus whispered, a long pale finger stretching out toward a doe, grazing in a clearing. Orthonelle nodded and raised his arrow to his bow, pulling it steadily back sot that the end of the yellow feathers tickled his pointed ears. His eyes narrowed and just as he was about to release the bow, the doe dropped to the ground with a soft splash. Orthonelle frowned and removed his arrow from the bow. He looked to Legolas and Remus who were looking as shocked as he was.
'Did it - just die?' Orthonelle asked moving forward, but before he could take another step, Legolas grabbed his shoulder, halting him. He turned his head, and Legolas was looking out into the clearing, his brow furrowed and his jaw set.
'Do not move.' He said quietly. 'We are not alone.' The three companions looked around, waiting for some sign of another hunter. They stood still as stone until they saw movement from behind a tree. All three pairs of eyes snapped to the large, moss covered graying tree, as a figure stepped out from behind it. The most unique figure they had ever seen in this land.
It was a woman, perhaps no older than two hundred and fifteen, with hair long and golden as the sun, and skin neither tanned nor pale. She was not tall, perhaps five feet and seven inches, and was not skinny at all. She was shaped like the hourglass in the grand hall, and she did not wear much more than a small red dress. But what Legolas' eyes snapped to immediately were her large green eyes. Orbs that were the color of the lush forest surrounding them. They were warm and intense. Challenging.
She stepped out into the clearing, her bow dropped, as she cautiously walked toward her prey.
**************************************************************************** *****
Torynn stopped looking down at the game she had just shot. She hadn't meant to, she was aiming for her mark at least two meters back. But a swarm of birds had erupted from the trees, startling her. She sighed. This was definitely not how elves reacted. She just was no match for people who could see, hear and smell better than she could. For the first time in her life, she felt discouraged. Like she wanted to give up.
Suddenly she heard something creak. She looked up just as an arrow came whizzing toward her. She dropped back, landing on her rear, leaned against the tree, as the arrow hit the coniferous only a few inches up from her head. She let out a deep breath and felt as though her throat was closing up. If she hadn't dropped when she had...
And then she heard laughing. She suddenly frowned and stood, finally noticing the three figures standing amongst the trees, maybe twenty meters away from her. She could not make out their faces, the tall trees blocking much light, but she was angry. Beyond angry. She was livid.
The three elves (for she knew they were) began making their way toward her, and she felt her hands clench and unclench as they one by one made their way into the clearing. First their was the tallest, an elf with silvering blond hair, then the shortest, one with chestnut brown locks down to his waist, and then there was...
She felt her breath hitch. It was another elf, but somehow he was different from any she had ever seen before. Most elves prided themselves on being almost identical to one another. But the one that stood before her...
His hair was a very pale color blonde, down to his shoulders and tied back from his pale, chiseled face. He had dark eyebrows that contrasted with his hair and blue gray eyes that seemed to penetrate her very flesh. He was tall and thin, yet she could she outlines of muscle. He was the epitome of perfection.
'My apologies, my lady, if my companion startled you. The prince was just attempting a bit of jest.' The tall silver haired one said, motioning toward the blonde. The blonde one seemed as intrigued with her as she was with him. A prince? Torynn thought. He exceeds my expectations. She nodded, trying to keep her face straight, to hide her complete awe at this being. She had to show she was not a weakling.
'Thank you, my lord, but do you not see it fitting that he apologize himself?' she said coolly, her eyes hardening. The prince smiled, a confident smile, and the brown haired elf simply laughed.
'My lady, if you were more alert, perhaps you would not have fainted.' Torynn felt her temper flare at his implication that she had fainted. Her jaw clenched at his kind smile.
'Forgive me my lord, but I do not have the god given talents that you have. I have to earn them.' She said, her voice icy. 'Of course, a prince would not know much about earning anything would he?' the last comment had come out before she could stop herself. She was already in trouble for fighting with the noble's son; this would not be pretty if the elf really was a prince.
'No?' he said nonchalantly. 'And I suppose you could teach me?' he said jokingly. 'Perhaps how to cook or clean or swoon at the sight of an arrow?' Torynn's eyes must have flashed something because the three immediately frowned at her. The prince halted his attacks. 'What is it you mean by you do not have my god given talents, my lady?'
'It means I am of the race of men, your highness.' She replied with a small curtsey. He winced slightly at her action and she reveled in her revenge. 'And a spoiled brat of prince would know nothing of the trails of acceptance. Now excuse me my lords, but our trivial conversation has consumed far too much of my time.' She said grabbing her sac and beginning her walk back to her home, before Piphony could return and hear the new damage she had done.
'Wait.' Torynn halted, frowning. She turned to face them again.
'Yes my lord?' she replied curtly. He smiled at her tone and once again she felt her stomach stretch at the sight of his perfection.
'A name, my lady?' he asked. She felt herself blush at his forwardness, though she was not sure whether he was inquiring so that he might see her again, or so that he might find a suitable punishment. She inwardly shrugged. She lived dangerously.
'Torynn, my lord.' She said grinning, showing her pearly white teeth. 'Torynn, daughter of Rethren and Kilm of Leof.' He returned her smile and nodded. His companions watched their transaction with fascination. 'And you, my lord?'
'Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the King of Mirkwood.' So that was why he was different from all the other elves. He was from the woodland realm of Mirkwood. Torynn had never encountered any elf from outside Rivendell and had never been outside the confines of the mountain set city. She nodded before she turned. She gave out a small sigh and began walking away when she heard him speak again.
'Perhaps we shall see each other again, Torynn of Leof!' he called, but she did not turn back, smiling to herself. She did call back though.
'Perhaps Legolas Greenleaf.' She shouted behind her. When they disappeared she repeated herself softly. 'Perhaps.'
~*~ STOKES ~*~
**************************************************************************** ****
Torynn sat at her window, staring out into the rainy sky. She sighed as she twisted one golden lock of hair around her fingers, watching a bead of rainwater drip before her peach colored face. It had been two days since she'd been outside, and for someone as adventurous as the nineteen-year-old Torynn, that was an eternity.
How was she supposed to know that it was a noble's son that she'd insulted? It was his own fault for tempting her. He had bated her since she'd arrived in the ivory market of old Rivendell, and she was not one to be put down without some sort of fight. It was true, sometimes she could not hold her tongue and it usually got her into trouble. Especially with her godmother, Piphony. She was a surly elderly elf, who people said was as old as all the grains of sand on the western shores of Harlindon. One thing everyone did know, was never to cross old Piphony. Of course, that never stopped Torynn.
Finally, Torynn heard the front door creak open, and sure enough, a hunched figure, cloaked in a ratty black cloak hobbled out of the doorway and continued to shuffle out of sight, past the walls and down the pristine path toward the market no doubt. Torynn immediately sprung into action. She let her foot slip into one of the animal skin boots, as she searched the room for her father's bow. Today she would sneak into the forests and practice.
Not being of elven heritage, she would practice whenever she had the chance. Piphony discouraged it, saying that the elves would not understand a human wanting to partake in elven tradition. But Torynn didn't care. Her best friend was an elf, she lived in one of the oldest elven cities known, and she lived with an elf. Why shouldn't she try fitting in just a bit? She could not deny that she was never really accepted but she always hoped that one day, she could find piece with her elven peers.
And of course find one to return her love.
Evanita, her only real friend, laughed at the thought of Torynn and one of the elf men. Torynn would always blush and change the subject. The truth was, she too was not completely sure if she would ever find an elf who would respect her mind, body and soul, the way she wished for a spouse to do.
And Piphony would never send her to Gondor or Rohan to find a suitor. She would sooner have Torynn remain untouched than to have her find true happiness. Or that is what Torynn thought. Her parents had died when she was too young to remember, and she had been in Piphony's care as special favor to her mother. Her parents had died when rogue orcs had attacked their village, when Saron was an ever threatening dark force. When Torynn was ten years of age, a young elf, named Frodo from what she'd heard, had defeated Saron once and for all. But still Torynn was left an orphan, and angry young woman, who found things bottled up in her, from rejection and loss.
That was why she wanted to fall in love. To escape all the things she had trapped in her heart. To find peace.
Torynn raced down the stairs, pulling her outer layer dress over her slip. She was clad only in brown animal skin boots, her brown skin slip, and a faded red no sleeve dress that ended about mid thigh. When she was in the forest, she didn't bother to clothe herself in too many layers, the thick trees making it humid.
She threw her sack of arrows over her arm and ventured out of the house, her father's bow in her left hand, and an arrow in the other.
**************************************************************************** *****
Legolas sat cross-legged on the rock, facing Remus, a dark haired elf, and Orthonelle, who's hair was as white as the moon and who's eyes were as dark as the earth. They were his two friends from the court. He was crossing Middle Earth so that he could meet Gimli, and travel across the sea, to the undying lands. His journey with Aragorn and Gimli had ended long, long ago. But he had not found the heart to leave his home in Mirkwood so soon. Nine years later, he knew it was time for him to move on. There was nothing left to stay for.
'You mean, prince, you and that horrid dwarf with the large nose are traveling to the land together?' Orthonelle asked incredulously. Legolas was twirling an arrow in his long thin fingers, nodding, a small smile on his fair face. Orthonelle laughed, a light airy laugh. 'My condolences.' He said grinning.
'But Legolas, will you not miss this land when you leave? It was your home.' Remus said as he tightened the string of his bow. Legolas shook his head.
'It was merely a place I lived once.' He said, his hands stopping the twirling motion of his arrow. 'For I have many homes, and many companions. But yes, Remus, I do not deny that my heart has grown heavy, since my decision to leave Middle Earth.' He said heaving a small sigh. Orthonelle stood up, throwing his sack of his shoulder.
'I hear the sound of game.' He said smiling politely motioning to his right. 'Shall we continue our quest my lords?' Remus nodded and Legolas and he followed their friend deeper into the wood. They tread lightly, barely making a footprint in the moist earth, their ears picking up sounds that were oblivious to their actions.
'There.' Remus whispered, a long pale finger stretching out toward a doe, grazing in a clearing. Orthonelle nodded and raised his arrow to his bow, pulling it steadily back sot that the end of the yellow feathers tickled his pointed ears. His eyes narrowed and just as he was about to release the bow, the doe dropped to the ground with a soft splash. Orthonelle frowned and removed his arrow from the bow. He looked to Legolas and Remus who were looking as shocked as he was.
'Did it - just die?' Orthonelle asked moving forward, but before he could take another step, Legolas grabbed his shoulder, halting him. He turned his head, and Legolas was looking out into the clearing, his brow furrowed and his jaw set.
'Do not move.' He said quietly. 'We are not alone.' The three companions looked around, waiting for some sign of another hunter. They stood still as stone until they saw movement from behind a tree. All three pairs of eyes snapped to the large, moss covered graying tree, as a figure stepped out from behind it. The most unique figure they had ever seen in this land.
It was a woman, perhaps no older than two hundred and fifteen, with hair long and golden as the sun, and skin neither tanned nor pale. She was not tall, perhaps five feet and seven inches, and was not skinny at all. She was shaped like the hourglass in the grand hall, and she did not wear much more than a small red dress. But what Legolas' eyes snapped to immediately were her large green eyes. Orbs that were the color of the lush forest surrounding them. They were warm and intense. Challenging.
She stepped out into the clearing, her bow dropped, as she cautiously walked toward her prey.
**************************************************************************** *****
Torynn stopped looking down at the game she had just shot. She hadn't meant to, she was aiming for her mark at least two meters back. But a swarm of birds had erupted from the trees, startling her. She sighed. This was definitely not how elves reacted. She just was no match for people who could see, hear and smell better than she could. For the first time in her life, she felt discouraged. Like she wanted to give up.
Suddenly she heard something creak. She looked up just as an arrow came whizzing toward her. She dropped back, landing on her rear, leaned against the tree, as the arrow hit the coniferous only a few inches up from her head. She let out a deep breath and felt as though her throat was closing up. If she hadn't dropped when she had...
And then she heard laughing. She suddenly frowned and stood, finally noticing the three figures standing amongst the trees, maybe twenty meters away from her. She could not make out their faces, the tall trees blocking much light, but she was angry. Beyond angry. She was livid.
The three elves (for she knew they were) began making their way toward her, and she felt her hands clench and unclench as they one by one made their way into the clearing. First their was the tallest, an elf with silvering blond hair, then the shortest, one with chestnut brown locks down to his waist, and then there was...
She felt her breath hitch. It was another elf, but somehow he was different from any she had ever seen before. Most elves prided themselves on being almost identical to one another. But the one that stood before her...
His hair was a very pale color blonde, down to his shoulders and tied back from his pale, chiseled face. He had dark eyebrows that contrasted with his hair and blue gray eyes that seemed to penetrate her very flesh. He was tall and thin, yet she could she outlines of muscle. He was the epitome of perfection.
'My apologies, my lady, if my companion startled you. The prince was just attempting a bit of jest.' The tall silver haired one said, motioning toward the blonde. The blonde one seemed as intrigued with her as she was with him. A prince? Torynn thought. He exceeds my expectations. She nodded, trying to keep her face straight, to hide her complete awe at this being. She had to show she was not a weakling.
'Thank you, my lord, but do you not see it fitting that he apologize himself?' she said coolly, her eyes hardening. The prince smiled, a confident smile, and the brown haired elf simply laughed.
'My lady, if you were more alert, perhaps you would not have fainted.' Torynn felt her temper flare at his implication that she had fainted. Her jaw clenched at his kind smile.
'Forgive me my lord, but I do not have the god given talents that you have. I have to earn them.' She said, her voice icy. 'Of course, a prince would not know much about earning anything would he?' the last comment had come out before she could stop herself. She was already in trouble for fighting with the noble's son; this would not be pretty if the elf really was a prince.
'No?' he said nonchalantly. 'And I suppose you could teach me?' he said jokingly. 'Perhaps how to cook or clean or swoon at the sight of an arrow?' Torynn's eyes must have flashed something because the three immediately frowned at her. The prince halted his attacks. 'What is it you mean by you do not have my god given talents, my lady?'
'It means I am of the race of men, your highness.' She replied with a small curtsey. He winced slightly at her action and she reveled in her revenge. 'And a spoiled brat of prince would know nothing of the trails of acceptance. Now excuse me my lords, but our trivial conversation has consumed far too much of my time.' She said grabbing her sac and beginning her walk back to her home, before Piphony could return and hear the new damage she had done.
'Wait.' Torynn halted, frowning. She turned to face them again.
'Yes my lord?' she replied curtly. He smiled at her tone and once again she felt her stomach stretch at the sight of his perfection.
'A name, my lady?' he asked. She felt herself blush at his forwardness, though she was not sure whether he was inquiring so that he might see her again, or so that he might find a suitable punishment. She inwardly shrugged. She lived dangerously.
'Torynn, my lord.' She said grinning, showing her pearly white teeth. 'Torynn, daughter of Rethren and Kilm of Leof.' He returned her smile and nodded. His companions watched their transaction with fascination. 'And you, my lord?'
'Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the King of Mirkwood.' So that was why he was different from all the other elves. He was from the woodland realm of Mirkwood. Torynn had never encountered any elf from outside Rivendell and had never been outside the confines of the mountain set city. She nodded before she turned. She gave out a small sigh and began walking away when she heard him speak again.
'Perhaps we shall see each other again, Torynn of Leof!' he called, but she did not turn back, smiling to herself. She did call back though.
'Perhaps Legolas Greenleaf.' She shouted behind her. When they disappeared she repeated herself softly. 'Perhaps.'