Chapter Three:
Samantha
I could not face him, or what I had done. I hid for days. Rivendell was a large place and being so small it was easy to scamper out of sight when I heard him coming. I hid in the gardens during Estel's official celebration, watching the festivities from a shadowed tree. Being black made hiding much easier. I knew it was getting closer to Legolas' departure and I had half a mind to let him leave without me.
If he loved this ellith I could not ask him to give her up for me. I could not remember what it was like being human anyway. I could hardly remember where I was from and my name only stayed with me because I had given it to Legolas, but even then I found myself thinking he had named me.
I closed my eyes.
"Sam, Sam. Don't go. Please I have a bad feeling."
I laughed, "Luke I'll be right back." Luke's bright blue eyes looked at me pleading.
I laughed again and gave him a quick kiss before grabbing my car keys, "Don't worry sweetie, I'll be home before you know it."
"Sam, Sam. Sam."
I opened my eyes blinking slowly, was I dreaming? Luke looked up at me from the branches.
"Sam, thank Valain. Where have you been?"
I blinked again, no, it wasn't Luke. Who was Luke?
"Come down here."
I looked down at him sadly. Why was I sad? Why did I feel like looking at him was breaking my heart?
I remembered why I was hiding and with out much thought I climbed higher into the tree, disappearing into its leaves.
"Samantha! Get down HERE!" there was panic in his voice and for a moment I paused I looked down. I could just make out the glow of his hair through the trees. And with a pain filled mew I leapt from the tree onto the roof tops of Rivendell and hurried out of sight.
His voice followed me, but his eyes haunted me. I knew them, from someone else. But who? Where?
Luke, something whispered in her mind. Luke, who was Luke?
I jumped down onto the balcony at the end of the building and slipped in. It turned out to be the library. I walked silently through the shelves and froze when I heard voices.
Two men were speaking in low tones.
"Is everything in place?"
"Yes. The prince will not find his home so very welcoming on his return. Everything will go as planned, and the last piece will be set on his arrival."
"Good. He will be ruined before the end of the fortnight and then we will destroy the royal family."
I peeked out from around the bookshelf and hissed in surprise as the handsome elf glanced down at me.
"It is that cat."
He reached down and picked me up by the scruff of my neck.
"How about sending the prince home with one last gift?" the other said drawing a dagger.
I yowled twisting and biting the hand that held me. The man cursed and dropped me. I twisted landed on my feet and shrieked out of the library.
I heard them curse and follow me. I skidded around the corner nearly loosing my footing and ran faster turning every corner I could find.
"Samantha!" I looked down the hall and felt relief flood me. The twins stood looking at me in shock. I sprang into one of their arms and meowed frightened.
The two elves came around the corner and slowed at the sight of the twins.
"You found her. Legolas will be glad to hear you two found."
I narrowed my eyes at them and then they disappeared as the twins turned and walked away.
"You've had Legolas worried sick. We have wondered if he'd fade from losing you."
I mewed and sighed. I couldn't hide any longer. Legolas was in trouble now. Someone was planning on hurting him. I had to stick close to him. I had to find out more and keep him safe.
Legolas
I was watching the moon play hide and seek with the clouds. Why would Samantha run from me? The look in her eyes, as if I had destroyed her heart. I didn't understand it? It was like she was looking at someone else. The moon's light faded behind a cloud and my eyes widened, did she have someone waiting for her? Someone who was going through the same torment I was at loosing her? The thought rose a pang of jealousy, but I pushed it away in shock. I could not be jealous, I had my own love.
The door opened behind me and the twins entered carrying Samantha.
"Sam!" I cried rushing over and lifting her from their arms.
"Well, now you can stop moping about. You've got your cat back. Though why the animal is so dratted important to you we can not fathom."
"Thank you." I said unable to be offended through my relief.
The twins left muttering to each other about my mental stability, but I ignored them.
I placed a kiss on Sam's forehead, "Why did you run from me? Why have you been hiding? I thought something terrible had happened to you."
I held her close and she nuzzled her soft head on my chin.
Murrrowe
I lifted her over and looked her in the eyes.
"Why did you leave? Why were you hiding."
She looked at me but said nothing. Her eyes were both sad and frightened.
"Gods, Samantha what happened?" I only then realized she was trembling like a leaf. I pulled her back to my chest gently cradling her in my arm. I sat down upon my bed and gently ran my finger down her spin until her trembling ceased. Slowly her trembling eased into soft purring.
She slept in my arms. How long I spent simply petting her I can not say. But as my mind began to drift off to sleep I was no longer holding at cat. In her place a human lie curled, her hair spread out across my lap like a blanket of ebony. Her skin was a the color of old ivory and as I touched her cheek I almost believe I was touching smooth skin. I blinked and she was once again my pet cat and I drifted off to sleep.
