Hi readers. So I've been made aware this chapter wasn't readable. I hope I've fixed that now. I think this is my favourite chapter so far. I think its cute. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!
P.S I DO NOT OWN ANY OF TOLIKIEN'S CHARACTERS OR IDEAS - JUST MY OWN ONES.
Chapter Three: An Interrupted Afternoon
For the first time in what felt like forever, excitement sparked in me.
I ran at full speed, all the way to my rooms, bursting through the doors. I wasted no time in rushing to the ornately carved chest at the foot of my bed. I flung it open and peered inside. The chest contained my most prized possessions: A small book from my father, my mother's broach, a drawing of the three of us when I was a mere teenager, two beautifully made daggers – A gift from Papa, back when he allowed me to fight, and finally, nestled at the bottom of the chest, my trusty bow and quiver. I threw the arrows over my shoulder and grasped the bow in steady, strong hands. It felt good. I cast my eyes over to the mirror. The elf who looked back was not the princess from this morning, but the warrior I knew I truly was.
I rushed from the room knowing Legolas would be waiting for me. He was never late.
I saw him standing at the farthest end of the west garden, at the foot of a sweeping stone staircase. I smiled slyly, hatching a cunning plan. I pulled my bow onto my back, so my hands were free. I softly padded down the steps, ensuring Legolas could not hear me.
When I was just a few steps away I crouched low and sprung at him. I'd hope to land on his back, taking him by surprise, but he turned at the last minute and caught me in his arms.
"Caught you!" He grinned.
I laughed freely, and he lowered me back onto to my feet.
"See, I told you I would cheer you up!" He beamed at me and I was stunned one more by my feelings for him.
"You did." I agreed "But why am I here, with these?"
I waved an arrow at him.
"Well I figured, that seen as you haven't had any practice for a while, you might be a little… rusty."
I glared at him. "I am NOT rusty with anything, thank you very much!"
He chuckled. He knew exactly what buttons to press to annoy me. "Go ahead then. There is an X marked on that tree, can you see it?"
"Of course I can bloody see it!" I snapped. I put an arrow into my bow an pulled it back. I held it taught before quickly releasing it. My keen elven eyes watched the arrow soar through the air. It missed the tree entirely.
Legolas chucked. Ignoring him, I repeated the action, and once again I missed.
"Try lifting your arm a little…" he suggested
In my current mood I chose to ignore his advice. I pressed on exactly how I was.
"You're being stubborn." He chided
I shrugged and fired another arrow. This time it struck the tree but was still far from the X I was attempting to hit.
Legolas gracefully sauntered over to the tree to retrieve my arrows.
"Relax yourself." He said softly as he made his way back to me. "We both know you can do this with ease. You just need to get into the right mind-set. Remember who you are, and what you can do."
I nodded and closed my eyes, concentrating on my task.
"Let me help you." He murmured
I was expecting more instructions. I was NOT expecting him to step up behind me, so close he was pressed against me. His hands covered mine; One on the bow, the other holding the arrow firmly in place.
My eyes flew open and my breath caught in my throat. "Oh!" I gasped.
He nuzzled my pointed ear softly. "Relax" He whispered, his breath warm against my cheek. "Focus."
I wanted to tell him that I was trying, but that it was difficult with him standing so close. Then I worried that he'd move away, and I really didn't want him to. I tried my best to regain my composure.
He prompted me to release the arrow and it flew towards the target. It embedded itself in the very centre of the X.
I lowered my bow but Legolas did not step away. I turned slowly so I was facing him, held in his arms for the second time today. Couldn't he feel my heart hammering against my ribcage?
"I told you. Have more faith in yourself, I certainly do." He murmured.
I nodded unable to speak. His eyes were locked with mine; sapphire against sky-blue. We were mere inches apart. I was certain he was about to k…
"My Lord Legolas…"
We broke apart quickly. I blushed , my gaze on the grassy floor.
"Tauriel!" Legolas smiled
I bristled inwardly. "Of all the people!" I whispered, too low for them to hear.
"The spiders my Lord. We must go…" Tauriel muttered
"One moment, Tauriel. Now you Eryn, do it again." He motioned to me
Feeling a little self conscious, I loaded another arrow into my bow. I breathed steadily and took careful aim. Releasing, I watched as my arrow struck the target, obliterating the arrow I had fired with Legolas.
"Well done, Hiril vuin." (My lady) He said taking my face in his hands. "Boe i'waen." (I must go)
I nodded. "Iston." (I know)
He brushed a kiss against my forehead "He you later, Eryn."
"Galu." (Goodbye)
I waited until the two of them had left before sinking to the floor. I screamed in frustration. What just happened? I sighed heavily. Legolas was confusing. Papa was frustrating. Tauriel was getting in the way.
From my position heaped on the floor, I could still see the X marked on the tree. I stood up and rapidly began firing arrows. Each one hit it's mark, shattering the previous arrow.
Legolas was right – as usual. An afternoon of archery practice had eased some of my stress. How did he know me so well, when he was an enigma to me?
The late afternoon sun was warm on my face as my thoughts turned to Thranduil. I'd angered him this morning. I felt guilty for causing him any misery but also justified in the point I'd been trying to make. I should go see him, I thought to myself.
Resolutely, I made my way back into the palace.
