Chapter 1
³In the depths of Hollin²
Over the mountains, Anor slowly swept, bathing all in her majestic glow. The forests awakened to a new dawn, glittering in their own gold and being. In the distance, the cry of an unknown bird echoed throughout the once silent land. Once again, the world had awakened to a new day. Yet, its course remained to many unknown.
The war of the Ring had been over for 3 months now, and the Fellowship had split. Each member parted his own way. Aaragorn returned to Arwen, claiming his throne in Gondor, Frodo and the rest of the hobbits decided to pay Bilbo a visit before returning to the Shire, Gimli, decided to stay with his father, before traveling with Mirkwood¹s prince as he promised, and Gandalf seemed to have completely dissappeard from the face of the earth.
All was well in Middle Earth for once, and yet, minor threats still remained.
In the midst of the woods of Hollin, a tall figure suddenly rose from the flowery fields. The elf stretched out his long arms, yawning. His long blond hair lie disheveled about the elf¹s angelic face.Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he bent over, picking up his belongings from the ground.
³Well, looks like another day for us on our journey has begun, Aron, my lad.² Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, walked over to his raven steed. He carefully readjusted his cloak, then tightened the silver pin on his robe before gathering the rest of his belongings. His long blond hair glistened in the sun¹s rays, filtering through the trees, casting a golden crown above his brows. Grabbing fists full of his hair, Legolas pulled a portion back into a small ponytail.
³I wouldn¹t want to forget these² He picked up his bow and quiver, placing them on his back. ³We¹d be hurting bad if we were to run into orcs.² The elf winked at the black horse, giving one last look at their resting place from the night before. As usual, the woods of Hollin were silent, other than the birds. All life seemed to be absent. The elves that once lived in this forest have long left for their Haven. Soon Galadriel, the lady of the wood, would be departing soon. The time of the elves had come to leave Middle-Earth. Yet something stirred within Legolas¹ heart that told him to stay. The call of the sea could wait, for it had not yet reached his keen ears. Though he knew that his time drew near, balanced on the tip of a knife.Legolas jumped onto Aron, and headed towards Rivendell. It would take him more than a few days to get there, at the rate he was moving.
³Ai, my lad, let us be on our way!² Aron galloped off through the glimmering trees of Hollin, his black mane appearing almost blue as they rode off, Anor¹s rays always keeping watch of them above.
As he rode off, many thoughts swam throughout his mind. The elves were leaving, and Thranduil wanted his eldest soon to take his throne. Mirkwood would then be his responsibility, a heavy load that Legolas did not want to carry on his shoulders yet. Along with the responsibility of taking care of a wife. Mirkwood¹s prince had no intentions of falling in love. It could wait. Mirkwood could wait. Life could wait.
Still, a strange voice kept on calling from the depths of his soul. Drawing him closer and closer to Rivendell, giving him no choice but to follow.
Legolas frowned.Years had passed since his last visit, ever since the war of the ring. It was time to meet up with some old friends. Then, he knew that it was time to go back to Mirkwood. The thought weighed down at his heart. He had little intentions of becoming the next king, yet his father had insisted on it. Maybe his small journey would buy him more time before his father decided to seek him out and bring him back to his kingdom.
**************************
Silently, she struggled to free her wrists from the thick rope bound tightly around them. Her face was flushed with anger, her emerald eyes fury. The hem of her dress drug over the soft dirt, her feet making no sound as she walked. Behind, the heavy sound of metal clashing into the tender earths ground, shredding her about, pierced her keen ears. She held her head high, never looking back at the army of orcs trailing behind. There were at least 20 of them, she had counted. There would be no way for her to escape and outrun 20 of them.
She sighed inwardly, closing her eyes.
Anywhere.....To be anywhere but here....
Beneath her feet, the ground quaked with discomfort. It¹s grass remained bruised after the soiled feet of Orcs made their way about. She could feel the earth scream in her head. The trees seemed to weep, the flower¹s dying. Nature was dying. Middle Earth was dying. She felt it, and partially died with it.
A blind, uncertain step ahead caused her to trip. Her wild, raven mane flew about her angelic face, her blue eyes torn awake. She stood up quickly, her bound wrists ached, as she tried to wriggle herself more space.Alongside, their leader, clad in stained armor, held a sharp dagger up to her throat.
³Move it, elf. Our road¹s still long, do not tempt me to ram this through you!.²
He smiled, revealing rows of yellow, uneven sharp teeth. His eyes were tantalizing, slivers of black slit pupils. In his other, small, callused hand, he held her bow and quiver. Her eyes wandered over to it, wishing she held them both in her hands.
Turning her head from his cold gaze, she moved on in silence. The orc¹s eyes still lingered on her, causing her to a sharp stop in her tracks.
³What?! Must your rotten eyes always stare at me?!²
The rest of the army had come to an abrupt halt, all of their eyes now on the elf and their leader.
The leader leaned closer to her, the stench of his foul breath invading her nostrils. She flinched, and before she could make sense of anything, fell onto the ground. A low moan escaped her lips, when she felt the harsh slap slash across her cheek.
³My eyes fall upon whom I please! And I can stare you up and down as much as I want, you are MY prisoner!²
Her eyes looked up at him, and found his dagger inches away from her throat. The young elf¹s face twisted in disgust. She spat at his feet, only to find his dagger grazing her skin. Her breath quickened, every muscle in her body froze. She could now make out the screeching laughter from the other orcs. Each one of their faces, closer to her now, their rows of sharp teeth so dangerously close.
³And my prisoners,² he continued, ³Never talk back! So let me teach you a small lesson, to make sure your pretty little head doesn¹t forget²
Slowly, he drug the daggers tip down the length of her neck, leaving a small incision. The sharp metal burned into her skin, and she screamed. Tears streamed down her face, her mouth wide open, struggling for air.
³Damn you! Damn all of you!² Her voice cracked, a bitter coating of tears in the back of her throat.
The orc with-drew the dagger from her neck, dropping it on the ground. He gestured for the others to come closer. They¹re hideous sneers would forever be engraved in her mind. They¹d find their immortality in her nightmares, bathing her in a cold sweat every night. If she would ever make it out alive from this mess she drug herself in.
³You know² She now found his voice next to her ear.²I always wondered what elf flesh tasted like....Especially yours.² He then laughed, a shattered siren to her ears. The rest of the army closed in on her, her vision hazed, then turned black.
She felt their breath on her skin, their sharp teeth grazed at her pearly flesh. Behind her back, her bound wrists struggled to be freed. Razor fangs slid into a patch of her shoulder and she screamed. More teeth invaded her, she was being torn to shreds alive.
Eru(God)...........Tua amin(help me).....I¹m going to..........die....
Every bite sank deeper into her. Draining her of her immortality. They laughed, terrible shrill cries. Darkness devoured her as she began to feel her body dimnish into nothingness.
From a distance, her keen ears picked up the sound of hooves. Then the sound of arrows whizzing past her. One by one, it seemed as if the fangs had been pulled out of her pearly flesh.
One last pair of desperate razor fangs slid into her shaking hand, before they also seemed to have been torn out of her violently.
She cried out once again, and then suddenly realized that the constant gnawing on her skin had diminished. They screamed. All of them screamed, as if in pain. No longer could she feel their presence close to her, yet their high pitched cries echoed throughout her head.
*************
Feeling the cool breeze brush her raw, exposed flesh, she sucked in a painful breath. Her eyes slowly adjusted to her surroundings, and she found the entire army of orcs slain. Their leader lay straight ahead, an arrow buried deep into his skull, stranded by his side, she found her quiver and bow.
Her legs slid painfully over the soft dirt, as she made her way towards him. Grasping onto one of her arrows, she drug its tip repeatedly over the rope until her hands were freed.
Yallume! (at last)
Tears sprang to her navy eyes, her long fingers caressing her swollen wrists. She gazed at the bite-marks, covering her shoulder and legs. They were not too deep, yet they burned with every brush of the wind.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she picked up her weapons. The comfort of her bow protectively in her hand, and her quiver on her back filled her with a certain warmth. Yet, coldness quickly followed as light footsteps drew from behind.
Slowly, she rose, a quiver already placed loosely in her bow. Turning around, she strung it with such quickness, any human eye could have been fooled.
³Do not move!²
Her raven hair fanned out about her, her blue eyes wide as she found the tip of an arrow pointed at herself as well. Her heart caved in within her chest, a pair of icy blue eyes staring directly at her. The elf standing before her suddenly took a step backwards, his gaze softening. Loosening his arrow, it fell to the ground followed by his quiver.
She still had hers pointed at him, her hands were shaky, and for some reason, her fingers froze in place. His fair face blinded her with such beauty. Horrified, she watched in agonizing silence as he stepped closer and carefully brought the tip of her arrow down till it faced the ground and eventually fell. Her fingers unfroze from her bow and dropped it as well.
³Uuma dela² (don¹ t worry)
His voice was music to her ears. She found herself trembling within. Her quivering lips managed to force out words.
³I never do.²
He stepped closer to her, taking her hand in his. His silky lips traced the small form of her hand, and carefully kissed on of the bite-marks on it. She flinched as he did.
³Then why are you shaking?²
³What does it matter?² She stopped. For Eru¹s sake! Her bones were even shaking.
He looked up at her and smiled. ³You don¹t have to answer. Especially the state you¹re in. Let me take you to a healer.²
Gently, she pulled her hand from his. A small tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she showed it.
³Is that an offer to escort me out of these woods?²
³It certainly is, my lady.²
He leant down and picked up both of their weapons. ³May I ask for your name, my lady?.² He asked, his back turned to her as he studied her bow. A crescent moon was carved on its side. Turning it in his hand, he caught traces of silver sparkling in the dark wood it was carved from.
³Meril.²
³Rose. Lovely.² He turned his head to the side, eying her. ³I am Legolas.²
Meril walked towards him, the hint of a smirk on her angelic face. ³Son of Thranduil. The prince of Mirkwood. Legolas Greenleaf. So we meet.² Legolas now found her standing before him.
³Yet, I wished it could have been under different circumstances.² Her voice was low, merely above a whisper.
³And why is that?² Legolas frowned, and handed back her weapons.
³I¹m afraid my weakness seeped through, and you found me in such a horrid state.² Meril pointed at one of the bite-marks on her shoulder. Her full, blood red lips twisted, as if in pain. Somehow, they reminded Legolas of the beauty of crimson roses.
³Everyone appears helpless at some point and time.²
³Oh, even the legendary prince Legolas of Mirkwood?² She smirked, walking past him gallantly. Her eyes never left his as she made his way around him slowly. Legolas watched her in silence, the gentle sway of her perfectly curved hips. The way her blood stained lips pulled back into a mesmerizing smile made him freeze in place. Her deep eyes captured him, holding him hostage. He already found himself infatuated. There was no way for him to help himself now. She had a certain aura about her, drawing him to her.
³You¹d be surprised at how scared the world¹s greatest hero may be, when he finds himself alone in the bitter cold. With nothing but the comfort of danger in the air.² Legolas¹ eyes grew cold, his voice stern.
Meril¹s eye¹s narrowed. ³I guess you¹re right. I¹m glad you came. And I thank you.²
³My lady, there¹s no need to thank me.²
³Meril.² She corrected.
³Fine.² He led her towards Aron. ³Meril. Let us make haste to Rivendell.²
³Rivendell?² Meril¹s mouth stood aghast, as if the breath had been pounded out of her lungs.
He had to get rid of her soon, before she filled every corner of his thoughts and dreams. Now was not the time for him to let himself fall.
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³In the depths of Hollin²
Over the mountains, Anor slowly swept, bathing all in her majestic glow. The forests awakened to a new dawn, glittering in their own gold and being. In the distance, the cry of an unknown bird echoed throughout the once silent land. Once again, the world had awakened to a new day. Yet, its course remained to many unknown.
The war of the Ring had been over for 3 months now, and the Fellowship had split. Each member parted his own way. Aaragorn returned to Arwen, claiming his throne in Gondor, Frodo and the rest of the hobbits decided to pay Bilbo a visit before returning to the Shire, Gimli, decided to stay with his father, before traveling with Mirkwood¹s prince as he promised, and Gandalf seemed to have completely dissappeard from the face of the earth.
All was well in Middle Earth for once, and yet, minor threats still remained.
In the midst of the woods of Hollin, a tall figure suddenly rose from the flowery fields. The elf stretched out his long arms, yawning. His long blond hair lie disheveled about the elf¹s angelic face.Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he bent over, picking up his belongings from the ground.
³Well, looks like another day for us on our journey has begun, Aron, my lad.² Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, walked over to his raven steed. He carefully readjusted his cloak, then tightened the silver pin on his robe before gathering the rest of his belongings. His long blond hair glistened in the sun¹s rays, filtering through the trees, casting a golden crown above his brows. Grabbing fists full of his hair, Legolas pulled a portion back into a small ponytail.
³I wouldn¹t want to forget these² He picked up his bow and quiver, placing them on his back. ³We¹d be hurting bad if we were to run into orcs.² The elf winked at the black horse, giving one last look at their resting place from the night before. As usual, the woods of Hollin were silent, other than the birds. All life seemed to be absent. The elves that once lived in this forest have long left for their Haven. Soon Galadriel, the lady of the wood, would be departing soon. The time of the elves had come to leave Middle-Earth. Yet something stirred within Legolas¹ heart that told him to stay. The call of the sea could wait, for it had not yet reached his keen ears. Though he knew that his time drew near, balanced on the tip of a knife.Legolas jumped onto Aron, and headed towards Rivendell. It would take him more than a few days to get there, at the rate he was moving.
³Ai, my lad, let us be on our way!² Aron galloped off through the glimmering trees of Hollin, his black mane appearing almost blue as they rode off, Anor¹s rays always keeping watch of them above.
As he rode off, many thoughts swam throughout his mind. The elves were leaving, and Thranduil wanted his eldest soon to take his throne. Mirkwood would then be his responsibility, a heavy load that Legolas did not want to carry on his shoulders yet. Along with the responsibility of taking care of a wife. Mirkwood¹s prince had no intentions of falling in love. It could wait. Mirkwood could wait. Life could wait.
Still, a strange voice kept on calling from the depths of his soul. Drawing him closer and closer to Rivendell, giving him no choice but to follow.
Legolas frowned.Years had passed since his last visit, ever since the war of the ring. It was time to meet up with some old friends. Then, he knew that it was time to go back to Mirkwood. The thought weighed down at his heart. He had little intentions of becoming the next king, yet his father had insisted on it. Maybe his small journey would buy him more time before his father decided to seek him out and bring him back to his kingdom.
**************************
Silently, she struggled to free her wrists from the thick rope bound tightly around them. Her face was flushed with anger, her emerald eyes fury. The hem of her dress drug over the soft dirt, her feet making no sound as she walked. Behind, the heavy sound of metal clashing into the tender earths ground, shredding her about, pierced her keen ears. She held her head high, never looking back at the army of orcs trailing behind. There were at least 20 of them, she had counted. There would be no way for her to escape and outrun 20 of them.
She sighed inwardly, closing her eyes.
Anywhere.....To be anywhere but here....
Beneath her feet, the ground quaked with discomfort. It¹s grass remained bruised after the soiled feet of Orcs made their way about. She could feel the earth scream in her head. The trees seemed to weep, the flower¹s dying. Nature was dying. Middle Earth was dying. She felt it, and partially died with it.
A blind, uncertain step ahead caused her to trip. Her wild, raven mane flew about her angelic face, her blue eyes torn awake. She stood up quickly, her bound wrists ached, as she tried to wriggle herself more space.Alongside, their leader, clad in stained armor, held a sharp dagger up to her throat.
³Move it, elf. Our road¹s still long, do not tempt me to ram this through you!.²
He smiled, revealing rows of yellow, uneven sharp teeth. His eyes were tantalizing, slivers of black slit pupils. In his other, small, callused hand, he held her bow and quiver. Her eyes wandered over to it, wishing she held them both in her hands.
Turning her head from his cold gaze, she moved on in silence. The orc¹s eyes still lingered on her, causing her to a sharp stop in her tracks.
³What?! Must your rotten eyes always stare at me?!²
The rest of the army had come to an abrupt halt, all of their eyes now on the elf and their leader.
The leader leaned closer to her, the stench of his foul breath invading her nostrils. She flinched, and before she could make sense of anything, fell onto the ground. A low moan escaped her lips, when she felt the harsh slap slash across her cheek.
³My eyes fall upon whom I please! And I can stare you up and down as much as I want, you are MY prisoner!²
Her eyes looked up at him, and found his dagger inches away from her throat. The young elf¹s face twisted in disgust. She spat at his feet, only to find his dagger grazing her skin. Her breath quickened, every muscle in her body froze. She could now make out the screeching laughter from the other orcs. Each one of their faces, closer to her now, their rows of sharp teeth so dangerously close.
³And my prisoners,² he continued, ³Never talk back! So let me teach you a small lesson, to make sure your pretty little head doesn¹t forget²
Slowly, he drug the daggers tip down the length of her neck, leaving a small incision. The sharp metal burned into her skin, and she screamed. Tears streamed down her face, her mouth wide open, struggling for air.
³Damn you! Damn all of you!² Her voice cracked, a bitter coating of tears in the back of her throat.
The orc with-drew the dagger from her neck, dropping it on the ground. He gestured for the others to come closer. They¹re hideous sneers would forever be engraved in her mind. They¹d find their immortality in her nightmares, bathing her in a cold sweat every night. If she would ever make it out alive from this mess she drug herself in.
³You know² She now found his voice next to her ear.²I always wondered what elf flesh tasted like....Especially yours.² He then laughed, a shattered siren to her ears. The rest of the army closed in on her, her vision hazed, then turned black.
She felt their breath on her skin, their sharp teeth grazed at her pearly flesh. Behind her back, her bound wrists struggled to be freed. Razor fangs slid into a patch of her shoulder and she screamed. More teeth invaded her, she was being torn to shreds alive.
Eru(God)...........Tua amin(help me).....I¹m going to..........die....
Every bite sank deeper into her. Draining her of her immortality. They laughed, terrible shrill cries. Darkness devoured her as she began to feel her body dimnish into nothingness.
From a distance, her keen ears picked up the sound of hooves. Then the sound of arrows whizzing past her. One by one, it seemed as if the fangs had been pulled out of her pearly flesh.
One last pair of desperate razor fangs slid into her shaking hand, before they also seemed to have been torn out of her violently.
She cried out once again, and then suddenly realized that the constant gnawing on her skin had diminished. They screamed. All of them screamed, as if in pain. No longer could she feel their presence close to her, yet their high pitched cries echoed throughout her head.
*************
Feeling the cool breeze brush her raw, exposed flesh, she sucked in a painful breath. Her eyes slowly adjusted to her surroundings, and she found the entire army of orcs slain. Their leader lay straight ahead, an arrow buried deep into his skull, stranded by his side, she found her quiver and bow.
Her legs slid painfully over the soft dirt, as she made her way towards him. Grasping onto one of her arrows, she drug its tip repeatedly over the rope until her hands were freed.
Yallume! (at last)
Tears sprang to her navy eyes, her long fingers caressing her swollen wrists. She gazed at the bite-marks, covering her shoulder and legs. They were not too deep, yet they burned with every brush of the wind.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she picked up her weapons. The comfort of her bow protectively in her hand, and her quiver on her back filled her with a certain warmth. Yet, coldness quickly followed as light footsteps drew from behind.
Slowly, she rose, a quiver already placed loosely in her bow. Turning around, she strung it with such quickness, any human eye could have been fooled.
³Do not move!²
Her raven hair fanned out about her, her blue eyes wide as she found the tip of an arrow pointed at herself as well. Her heart caved in within her chest, a pair of icy blue eyes staring directly at her. The elf standing before her suddenly took a step backwards, his gaze softening. Loosening his arrow, it fell to the ground followed by his quiver.
She still had hers pointed at him, her hands were shaky, and for some reason, her fingers froze in place. His fair face blinded her with such beauty. Horrified, she watched in agonizing silence as he stepped closer and carefully brought the tip of her arrow down till it faced the ground and eventually fell. Her fingers unfroze from her bow and dropped it as well.
³Uuma dela² (don¹ t worry)
His voice was music to her ears. She found herself trembling within. Her quivering lips managed to force out words.
³I never do.²
He stepped closer to her, taking her hand in his. His silky lips traced the small form of her hand, and carefully kissed on of the bite-marks on it. She flinched as he did.
³Then why are you shaking?²
³What does it matter?² She stopped. For Eru¹s sake! Her bones were even shaking.
He looked up at her and smiled. ³You don¹t have to answer. Especially the state you¹re in. Let me take you to a healer.²
Gently, she pulled her hand from his. A small tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she showed it.
³Is that an offer to escort me out of these woods?²
³It certainly is, my lady.²
He leant down and picked up both of their weapons. ³May I ask for your name, my lady?.² He asked, his back turned to her as he studied her bow. A crescent moon was carved on its side. Turning it in his hand, he caught traces of silver sparkling in the dark wood it was carved from.
³Meril.²
³Rose. Lovely.² He turned his head to the side, eying her. ³I am Legolas.²
Meril walked towards him, the hint of a smirk on her angelic face. ³Son of Thranduil. The prince of Mirkwood. Legolas Greenleaf. So we meet.² Legolas now found her standing before him.
³Yet, I wished it could have been under different circumstances.² Her voice was low, merely above a whisper.
³And why is that?² Legolas frowned, and handed back her weapons.
³I¹m afraid my weakness seeped through, and you found me in such a horrid state.² Meril pointed at one of the bite-marks on her shoulder. Her full, blood red lips twisted, as if in pain. Somehow, they reminded Legolas of the beauty of crimson roses.
³Everyone appears helpless at some point and time.²
³Oh, even the legendary prince Legolas of Mirkwood?² She smirked, walking past him gallantly. Her eyes never left his as she made his way around him slowly. Legolas watched her in silence, the gentle sway of her perfectly curved hips. The way her blood stained lips pulled back into a mesmerizing smile made him freeze in place. Her deep eyes captured him, holding him hostage. He already found himself infatuated. There was no way for him to help himself now. She had a certain aura about her, drawing him to her.
³You¹d be surprised at how scared the world¹s greatest hero may be, when he finds himself alone in the bitter cold. With nothing but the comfort of danger in the air.² Legolas¹ eyes grew cold, his voice stern.
Meril¹s eye¹s narrowed. ³I guess you¹re right. I¹m glad you came. And I thank you.²
³My lady, there¹s no need to thank me.²
³Meril.² She corrected.
³Fine.² He led her towards Aron. ³Meril. Let us make haste to Rivendell.²
³Rivendell?² Meril¹s mouth stood aghast, as if the breath had been pounded out of her lungs.
He had to get rid of her soon, before she filled every corner of his thoughts and dreams. Now was not the time for him to let himself fall.
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