Chapter 4

Outlets for Agression and Babysitting

Legolas, feeling somewhat bored, sat beside by his long-winded father. Thranduil was making one of his speeches.. again. Legolas loved and respected his father very much but this was one of those times when the elf wished he could say he was not related.

A sudden movement from the corner of the room, caught his eye. Gandalf and the two humans, apparently having gone to one of the gardens, were just walking back in. The old wizard looked weary, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

Legolas smiled bitterly. That was entirely possible.

The entertainment lasted long into the night. It was practically morning when Thranduil bid his guests goodnight and bid Legolas to come speak with him. In one of many hallways of the stronghold, the king studied his son.

" Legolas " he began, the torchlight playing odd shadows across his face, " There is something wrong… isn't there?"

The prince was taken aback. Though shocked, he didn't comment. What could he say to that, anyhow?

" My son, it seems that you are not content here in Mirkwood..."

Legolas was truly confused.

" There is nothing that you need worry about, ada. All is well. "

The king sighed.

" Legolas, I've seen you. For instance, tonight in the Great Hall; all you did was slouch in your seat and stare off into space. "

As Thranduil tried to read the look in his son's eyes there was an uncomfortable silence.

" Legolas. "

" What is it?" the boy interrupted, " What is it that you expect of me that I have been unable to deliver?"

The king shifted uncomfortably. Legolas watched his face.

The tense moment was thankfully cut short when Gandalf emerged.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything, my lord," Gandalf whispered solemnly in the darkness of the corridor. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if he were inwardly smiling. Legolas had a feeling it had nothing to do with the torchlight.

" Oh... yes, " Thranduil said halfheartedly, " Good, Legolas, please excuse me a moment. We'll finish our discussion later. "

Turning his back to Legolas, the king struck up the end of some previous converstation concerning the two human females.

" Mithrandir, " he began, " I don't care if they are women, they still pose a threat to the security of this stronghold..."

The prince found it slightly suspicious that his father was speaking in elvish with the wizard. The elf knew that the old man was most comfortable speaking Westron. What did he have to hide?

The prince suddenly realized the reason for his father's secrecy when he dropped out of his daydreams. It sounded as though his father was referring to the girls as his prisoners!

" -I don't CARE, Mithrandir! The face that they speak some bizarre new language and were found, unarmed, in the midst of my forest severely disturbs me! I am putting them in the dungeon just like I did those moronic dwarves and you can not change my mind-"

" Thranduil!" Gandalf roared, " You cannot be serious! These are women we are talking about; young women! Despite their situation they are much different from those thirteen vagabonds you hindered years ago."

Legolas noted that his father's porcelain face flushed at the wizard's comment. Before the kind could say anything, Legolas stepped in.

" Mithrandir is right, father! This is completely uncalled for. What would be the threat that they could pose? You said it yourself; they were unarmed!"

Thranduil frowned at his son, seeing in him the embodiment of the problem. He believed children, let alone spies, should not be allowed to run freely through his kingdom.

Gandalf, Legolas saw, was merely smirking. The prince didn't like that look at all.

" Thranduil, I have a proposal,"
the mage spoke. He was still looking at Legolas with an unnerving expression on his face.

" Legolas, you tell me is in need of some responsibilities. And I think that this is the opportunity you've both been looking for. "

To the prince's horror, his father broke out into a smile.

" That is an excellent idea! He can be sent to guard the two while they rot in my cell for spying. "

The wizard frowned. Thranduil chuckled uneasily.

" Or.. not.. " the king sighed and redirected his sentence toward a rather reluctant son, " Legolas, you will be put in charge of guarding them. " Thranduil exchanged a severe look with Gandalf, " And ensuring that they enjoy their stay in Mirdwood. "

Gandalf was now smiling.

" You know, that is an excellent idea, Legolas.. I have full confidence that you will live up to the expectations this job requires of you. "

Almost as an afterthought, the wizard added.

" As a matter of fact, why don't you take them to their quarters?"

The young elf had visibly paled. This situation was far too akin to that of baby-sitting his younger cousins.

" Father, I-"

"Now, now Legolas," Thranduil chided, grinning, "Mithrandir will show you back to the Great Hall where he's left the girls. I know you won't let me down..."


Lily was floating at least a foot in the air off the ground. She clung to the prince's arm as he escorted the two humans down the hall. The elf had really only offered an arm to Jessie, since she couldn't see, but Lily had 'insisted' on taking his other arm.

"So, Prince Legolas" she purred"You are going to show us around your palace... right?"

Legolas had been hearing soft mumblings in the girls' strange language for every few minutes; he still had absolutely no idea what they were saying. From the look on Lily's face, it could not be anything good.

He sighed. Why? Why did he always have to be the good son and listen to his father...

Jessie clung lightly onto the elf's strong arm. She was not happy. Legolas.. the one person she would have been happy to avoid, seemed to have been put up as their charge. Lily was not helping the situation, her voice silkily musing about how her dear prince would escort them around his father's citadel.. blah blah blah... Legolas blah blah... That was all Jessie seemed to hear from Lily's mouth.

After walking down the cold stone pathway, the prince stopped. Jessie could barely hear the other elves walking around, still merry from the feast. She knew elves didn't really sleep; they went into a sort of trance with their eyes open and could do it whenever they wanted, so night was really no different for them then day. She rubbed her useless with her free hand. Never mind the elves, she was tired.

The sound of an old wooden door creaking open led the girls to believe that they had reached their destination. Lily was actually quiet. That was a first…

Jessie heard Legolas say something to them in elvish, but, thanks to their wonderful language problem, she did not realize what he was saying until she felt him guide her to something about waist height, soft and cushiony. It appeared they would be getting some sleep after all.

Once Legolas was sure all was settled, he left the room. Lily flounced onto the bed next to Jessie's, filling the room with her giggling.

"That was wonderful, don't you think?" she sighed in contentment. "I think he likes me. Did I make a good impression?"

Jessie didn't answer, her vacant milky eyes staring up at the high ceiling. When Lily didn't hear her friend answer she rolled over to see what was the matter. Lily would have at least expected some saracasm...

"Jess, what's wrong?"

Jessica closed her eyes.

"What do you think?"

Lily bit her lip.

"Look, this is the chance of a lifetime! Don't be upset just because you can't see-"

Jessie snorted, a sour smile on her face. Lily continued.

"-Besides, these are elves! They've gotta have some sort of weird athelas plant or something that will cure you..."

Jess massaged her temples, sighing.

"Maybe you're right, Lily. Sorry I'm being so crabby."

Lily nodded, forgiving her friend.

"I'll see you in the morning Jess."

Jess tried not to laugh bitterly, "Yea; g'night, Lily."

"Good night."

There was a silence.


That night the dream came again. The golden-haired angel appeared, only to disappear as the darkness swallowed him whole. The eye wreathed in flame emerged in his stead, it's black pupil watching Jessie as she floundered in her sleep. The girl felt hands on her, shaking her. In her distressed state, Jessie lashed out, and woke up with a yelp.

Jess was breathing hard. Someone was sitting on the bed along with her. Listening intently, all she could hear was her own labored breathing.

"Jessie; you slapped Legolas!' Lily suddenly cried out from her left.

Oh...

Now Jessie knew who was sitting on her bed, whom it was that had been shaking her. The prince must have heard her thrashing about, and had come to wake her.

She sighed.


Ten minutes and a furtive apology later, Lily and Jessie were back to sleep. Jessie's assumption had been correct to a point; Lily was the one who fetched Legolas. Lily had enver seen her friend act like that before, and it had frightened her. Now she was merely angry that her darling prince now had a large red handprint on his cheek.

"Jessie," she whispered, knowing her friend was still awake. "What were you dremaing about?'

She heard Jessie shift under the covers.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Lily pouted, what was so wrong that her best friend couldn't talk to her about it!

"Jessie," she began again, "Why'd you have to hit him?"

The girl in the other bed growled.

"Because he's an annoying snotty elf prince! Now go to sleep. I don't want to discuss this with you."

Lily's brow furrowed in anger. Something was definitely wrong with Jessie…Then the full force of what had happened finally hit her.

She and Jessie were alone in Middle-earth.

Jessie was blind...

Lily cried herself to sleep.