DISCLAIMER: I don't own Lord of the Rings. I don't own Legolas. I wish I owned Orlando Bloom, but that can't happen, *sad sad day*. I do own Aerana and Marothorn and a few other characters though. :] Enjoy!
Marothorn leaped into the tree, pulling crazy stunts as he seemingly flew up the branches. Hanging upside down, then flipping into the higher branches, and swinging like a trapeze artist. "C'mon m'lady let's see what you've got!"
Aerana took the steady route. She climbed slowly, but surely. Only looking upwards, only reaching for the branch ahead of her. Steadily she made her way to the top. Just as Marothorn was about to break through the top with a flying flip, his foot slipped. He lost his grip and fell down about twenty feet, breaking some smaller branches along the way. A loud gasp came from the crowd below.
The crashing noise broke Aerana's concentration. She looked down to see if Marothorn was alright. Big mistake. Her vision went blurry and her palms got all sweaty. She tried to steady herself, but it simply wasn't working. Meanwhile, Marothorn was shaking his head and starting the climb again. He was gaining quickly, Legolas saw. He almost panicked and went to help Aerana, but he knew if he interfered, then she would have to forfeit
"ONE MINUTE LEFT!" bellowed the judge.
*Aerana!* Legolas thought desperately. *Keep moving! You have to win. Come on!*
Aerana shook her head as if coming out of a trance. She looked around, presumably for the sound of Legolas' voice. *Keep going Aerana.* Legolas thought soothingly. *If you make it to the top I will bring you down. You'll be fine.*
*Promise?* Aerana located Legolas' eyes and stared straight into them.
*I promise* Legolas thought.
A new determination swept over Aerana's face. She focused on the tree. The top was probably only ten feet above her head. Her movements were sure and steady, while Marothorn's were delayed and jerky because of his slip up.
"TWENTY SECONDS!" came the call.
Marothorn's desperateness caused him to make mistakes. He missed a branch here, lost a foothold there. He gritted his teeth and pushed forward. There was no way he would lose to this stuck up girl.
He strove to catch up with her almost reaching her foot. He felt anticipation rise up within him as the final seconds passed in the competition. Going starkers in front of everyone was not something he truly wanted to do.
"TIMES UP!" called Jerboas. "STOP WHERE YOU ARE!"
It was quite obvious that Aerana had won. She was a good fifteen feet higher than Marothorn. Legolas saw she was trembling in fear. "Alright, she definitely won. Marothorn, take off your clothes and come down." He said loudly. Not that he wanted to see his best friend starkers, but he did want to help Aerana down without causing a scene.
This statement was followed by catcalls and whistles as Marothorn almost shyly stripped off his tunic and tights. Legolas saw that he was trying to put on a brave face, but the red blush creeping up his neck could not be hidden. As Marothorn hopped grandly down from the lowest branch, Legolas saw that his friend had put a cocky smile on his beet red face. Everyone was following him towards downtown, like rats following the Pied Piper.
Legolas watched everyone leave, willing them to move faster so he could go help Aerana. As soon as the last elf rounded the corner, Legolas jumped into the tree and climbed swiftly up the giant oak. He reached her in a moment, her athletic form trembling with fear. "Aerana…" he spoke hesitantly.
She jumped then, his voice startling her out of her paralysis. The jump caused her to lose her balance. Aerana was about to fall when Legolas reached out and grabbed her wrist. He steadied her, and she looked into his eyes. There was this buzzing connection between them. Legolas leaned forward, cautiously, not wanting to scare her off. He placed his hand behind her neck, rubbing his thumb softly against her warm skin. He leaned in a little further….
Aerana jerked back suddenly. Her green eyes were as hard as steel, her voice cold and condescending as she said, "I don't need your help. Or your pity."
Then she proceeded to climb down the tree, leaving Legolas alone and his heart aching.