Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings, only my OC, Freya.
I used Italic for Elvish conversations.
Author's Note: Hey guys. Thank you for reading and your support. I appreciate your comments and I do plan to finish this story, yes.
I really love to hear from you so don't be shy. Your comments give me more energy.
Sorry this chapter came a bit late. I had an exam. Here you go. I hope you like it.
Mira
Chapter Nine
It's not nice to be woken up at fucking four in the morning. Is it? FOUR? It's still dark for God's sake. Why do we have to get up so early? Another tiny hour of sleep wouldn't hurt anyone, would it? Apparently it might actually endanger the safety of all middle earth as Gandalf says. As a result to this, I'm in my bitchy mood right now. I don't particularly enjoy getting up at four. Maybe five thirty. Six is more like my usual routine. The only other grumpy one right now is Gimli. And we both curse everything and everyone in the universe under our breath and stay away from the group as we gather our stuff to get back on the road. Or maybe our companions are staying away from us. That's more likely.
If it's even possible, my mood gets even worse when I find out that Legolas has been on watch duty all night long. Meaning he hasn't slept at all. And here he is standing on top of a rock as if travelling by foot at 4 A.M. is the most exciting thing in the world. And he looks just as perfect as ever. Perfect clothes, perfect clean hair. His blue eyes sharp, looking around, and they find me just then. I glare at him. Not fair. I'm sure I look like a mess with my hair pointing to every possible direction and my clothes all wrinkled. And my eyes feel puffy. And he's standing there so abnormally perfect. I pout. "How is it that you're so energetic? Weren't you on watch duty last night?"
"Good morning Freya. Did you sleep well last night?" He ignores my questions and gives me a very amused grin.
"Well, I could have. If Gandalf wouldn't have woken me up in the middle of it." I whine some more since somebody just offered their ears.
His eyes soften. "You will get used to this soon. And to answer your question, yes I have been on watch."
I frown at his happy expression. Is he crazy? He rolls his eyes. "Elves do not require as much sleep as humans do Freya. That's why I appear, as you say, energetic." He explains, laughing, and starts walking ahead.
We walk, munching on bread as we go. We can't lose the light, Aragorn says. What light? I don't call this light. I know I'm being a bit overdramatic but letting it out will help me get back to normal sooner. There are other solutions to get rid of my bad mood of course. One of them is the elf. I always feel better when I'm close to him. But it also has other damaging side effects which I promised myself not to unnecessarily cause for my heart. So I go with my next best option, the hobbits. I walk to catch up with them and Gandalf.
"Feeling better Freya?" asks Merry as I approach.
"Yeah. It'll pass. Sorry." I answer, shy. Merry nods his head in understanding. It's in times like this that I notice my hobbit friends are actually older than me not the other way around.
Then they just continue talking about this festivity they have in Shire and how everyone would celebrate and give gifts to each other. They describe the parties in the evening and the music and the dance. Eventually the talk leads to foods and drinks and the spectacular cakes in Hobbiton of course. I expected that, really. Every time we talk about the Shire, we end up at the food or the long bottom leaf they seem to worship equally. Such a happy life. It must be wonderful. I smile, imagining how the green valley would look like.
See it worked. If you're in a bad mood, just a little doze of hobbit will get you right back on the track. Before long I'm laughing with them at the stories and memories shared by the four friends. One day I really like to see Shire. If I can. I mean if I stay of course. If I can stay. If Lady Galadriel doesn't ship me back to earth immediately, that is.
These days I keep wondering if Gandalf knows something about my situation. You know he's the kind of guy who knows things. And in my case I think he's hiding something from me. He acts weird somehow. I eye him suspiciously from the corner of my eyes. He's walking a little bit ahead of me and my four little friends. As if feeling me staring a hole in the back of his hat, he turns toward me. "Freya, my child." Gandalf gestures for me to go to him. I walk to his side slowly.
"How are you feeling on this morning my dear? Is it hard for you to be out of Rivendell?" He asks me in his old voice.
I smile. Here's the clever wizard. Like always, he reads my moods instantly. "I'm alright. Thanks Gandalf." I smile at him gratefully. "And it's just been a day since we left. I'm not a child. Of course, I miss Rivendell and my friends, but I'm with some of my other friends now so it's fine." I shrug, feeling childish in secret under his wise eyes.
"Good. Very good." He looks deep into my eyes. And then he goes silent again. The moment our eyes locked, I felt this strange thing in my head. Like a whisper in my thoughts. A whisper I couldn't exactly manage to understand. It seemed too far away. The moment he looked away the feeling also disappeared. It happened before with Gandalf when I first came here. But then I thought he was using magic to help me cope with the shock of what happened to me with the portal travelling and all. Now I just didn't know what it was. Gandalf was indeed being strange again.
I have questions. I always do when I see Gandalf. I'm pretty sure he always knows more than he shows.
"Gandalf, I was wondering…" I start but grow silent, thinking whether I should really ask him or not.
"What is it my dear?"
"I was wondering about what Lady Galadriel would say about me." I shift uncomfortably under his gaze. "I… if she decides that I should go back… and that it's been an accident… and I shouldn't be here in the first place…"
"Would you like to? Is that what you wish for?" He asks me, his expression unreadable.
"I… I'm not sure… I don't know…" I look at him again. He's looking at me kindly, not judgy. "Is it bad if I don't want to?" I look at my feet. I know I should be eager to go back but… when I picture myself back in my apartment all alone…, going back doesn't seem like a very exciting option. And I'm already attached to this place. And what about the friends I made? Gliriel, Thandir, Arwen, my dear hobbits, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas? Even Boromir is considered a friend at this point.
"We do not know what future holds for us Freya. Not even the wisest know. You shouldn't weary yourself with those thoughts." He pats my shoulder. "And I wouldn't dislike the idea of you sticking around here my child. I'm sure I'm not the only one either." He smiles reassuringly and looks forward again. By now I know Gandalf enough to realize that means he won't say anymore. Fair enough. I waited two months already. Another month of waiting surely won't kill me. Who knows maybe Lady Galadriel won't kick me out of here as I fear anyway. For now let's just enjoy the trip while nothing horrible has yet happened. Yup, I'm gonna do that.
We stop for lunch when the sun is high up in the sky. Aragorn and Boromir disappear somewhere to get us something to eat. I help Sam starting the fire. I always liked starting fires in camps. It gives me a sense of adventure. Of course in this world it's something very trivial. Everyone can make a fire here but I still get excited anyway.
When the flames start to burn steadily, Aragorn and Boromir get back to the camp. Boromir is carrying an animal on his shoulder. Something like a deer I guess. I don't like this part but this is also a part of this world. You can't just go and buy what you need. I look at Aragorn putting down refilled skins of water beside Sam.
"Water?" I ask Aragorn stupidly. Water meant a nearby lake or something right?
"Yes Freya. Why are you so shocked?" Aragorn laughs at my happy face. "There is a small lake nearby this place with clean water. I filled them from a small waterfall pouring down into the lake." He pats my head affectionately and starts walking away. I jump after him.
"Aragorn, is it safe? Can you show me where it is?" I ask.
"Why?" He's confused with my over enthusiasm.
Guys. Looking at Aragorn and his disheveled appearance, I get why he doesn't understand my enthusiasm about clean water. "I'm a girl. You know. I was thinking maybe I could go for a quick wash while we're waiting here for lunch." I keep looking at him with big eyes so he would agree easier.
"Freya. You are very clean. It is but our second day…" He starts to argue.
"We don't know when another chance would come up. Please, I'll be very quick." I almost beg. We walked and walked for a day and a half and we slept in the woods last night. If there's a possibility of a wash, I will definitely seize it.
Aragorn looks at Gandalf, who apparently heard our conversation.
Gandalf nods, smoking his pipe all the while. "It is alright I suppose. We shall be stopping here for a while. But you cannot go alone Freya. It still could be dangerous." I nod happily. Aragorn will definitely come with me. I turn to him smiling, but he shakes his head.
"I can't. I should help Boromir with skinning the deer, so we could finish faster." He says, amused with the massive pout on my face. He looks at somewhere behind me, searching for someone. "Legolas, my friend. Can you accompany Freya to the lake?"
Oh no. No fucking way. No. He did not just ask Legolas to go with me, did he? I mean anyone else is fine. Why Legolas? I feel, the elf walking to us. He stands beside me. Yeah, Aragorn must have definitely asked him to go with me. Shit.
"I do not mind." Legolas said something briefly. I look at him. "Shall we go then?" He asks me already getting ready to go.
It's too late for me to say I don't want a bath now. There's literally no possible way for me to refuse without offending him. "Oh. Okay. I'll just get my bag." I'm being too conscious of him. Just because I find Legolas incredibly hot and attractive, it doesn't mean he thinks the same about me. I'm just a normal boring human girl. He wouldn't even care. I'm his student and probably his friend. Yes. That's how I finish my internal monologue and stop feeling shy instantly. He's just showing me the way. I walk back to him with my bag and we start moving away from the camp. Legolas is walking ahead of me in that graceful elvish manner, his feet making no noise on the ground. I follow close behind him in a hurry.
"Sorry Legolas. I'm being a bother again." I say quietly. He has good hearing. I know he can hear me even if I whisper.
He turns and looks at me with a smile. "Don't apologize. I am merely showing you the way. It's no inconvenience at all." I smile back. "And I'm a wood elf. I always enjoy wandering around in the woods."
We walk for a few minutes before Legolas suddenly stops and turns to me again. "Here it is."
I look around. Ah, yes the lake is just behind the trees in front of us. "Thanks. I'll be very quick." I start moving away, happy I can get clean again.
"I'll be around. Call for me when you're done." I nod my head automatically. "And if anything happens and you need help, I'm here Freya."
"Thanks."
The water feels just perfect. Not too cold and not too warm. Considering it's December already and it should be cold. The valley of Imladris is just perfect to me. The nature is beautiful and the weather is amazing, not to mention the occupants are elves. What could one possibly ask for more than this?
The moment I was sure Legolas is nowhere in sight and can't actually see me through the trees, I took off everything and jumped in the water as fast as I could. I took one moment to just enjoy the fresh water on my skin and then I moved as fast as lightning to wash my hair and body. I don't want to be late and be looked down on by anyone because I'm a woman and I need unnecessary things, as they might say.
I swim around a few times when I finish washing, savoring the freshness of water and how good it feels. And then pick up the thin towel I left on the rock nearby to warp around myself. I don't think I'll be able to take baths like this in the next month. Men don't care very much about these things anyway. I thank Gliriel silently for the amazing soap she gave me. The floral smell is the best.
Everything's been quiet so far. Well I didn't exactly expect to get attacked while still in the territory of elves. But it is my first time almost alone in the woods here. I dry up quickly and put on my favorite purple bra and panties. I know, not very practical in middle earth but it will take ages for me to get used to the huge medievalish undergarment women put on here. So I just went with my own, since I had enough of them packed in my bag. I always believed that underwear gives you the right amount of confidence.
I take off the towel to dry my hair, when something moves. I jump in the opposite direction and stare at the trees, wide eyed. My heart is beating so hard it feels it's gonna jump out of my chest. I know it's not Legolas. Something is out there, something probably aggressive, and it knows I'm here, and I don't have anything but a knife to defend myself, since I left everything else back at the camp.
There's another movement in the trees, much closer to me this time and I scream in panic without even realizing, dropping the towel. Seconds later, Legolas appears out of nowhere, bow in hand and ready to fight. "Freya, what's wrong? Did…" He doesn't finish his sentence. He just stands there frozen.
I don't have time to discover why he's frozen in spot. I run over to him immediately and clutch at his side. "Thank God you're here. Something's out there. In the trees. It moved. Twice. And it's getting closer." I whisper to him, not noticing the strange way he's looking at me or the stiffness of his body under my hands.
"There." I point to the trees again when Legolas doesn't move. His eyes finally leave me and look at the direction I'm showing. He carefully examines the area in front of us. I think his elf eyes can see what it is out there that scared the hell out of me.
"Don't be afraid. It's not an enemy." He finally says in a strange tone I never heard from him before. "It's just a rabbit." I exhale visibly at that.
A rabbit? Did he say a rabbit? Oh God.
I made such a big fuss over a tiny rabbit. I was pretty sure it's an orc or something even more terrible, planning to eat me for lunch. "Oh... I.. um…" I look up at him. His eyes are back on me again. His expression unreadable. I feel myself turn pink from embarrassment. It was just a rabbit. Feeling his heavy gaze on me, I notice I'm still very much glued to his right side. I let go immediately and take a step back.
"Sorry. I freaked out for a second. Thought it was an orc or something." I barely look at his eyes, embarrassed they may be looking at me mockingly. And I notice something. His eyes are not looking back at me at all. Or you could say he's not looking back at my EYES. That's more accurate. I find out that his eyes are traveling up and down my body…
Wait just a minute. My body... Did I finish dressing or not? I did have the towel around me. Or not. I cover myself with my hands. "LEGOLAS."
His eyes snap back to my red face instantly. I can't believe he just… I know it's more my fault, but he just can't… OH GOD.
"CLOSE YOUR EYES… please." I manage to add a please in the end after shouting at him.
He immediately shut his eyes and clears his throat. "Sorry."
I grab the clean clothes from my bag and put them on frantically while he's standing there with closed eyes. I can't believe what just happened. I'm an IDIOT. Who would be afraid of a bunny to the point of forgetting they're actually naked. And then cling to a guy like that. Ughh…
"I apologize, my Lady. I… I was just shocked. I did not mean to offend you. I shouldn't have…" I hear Legolas trying to explain, clearly thinking I'm mad at him for… that. His eyes are still shut, his head down.
I feel stupid and unimaginably embarrassed. I'm not even close to being mad, really. I just displayed myself in my sexy underwear, in front of the hot guy I secretly fancy and he actually stared at me. I'm not mad. I'm blushing like a freaking teenager. I can actually feel the heat radiating from my face. And my heart's pounding like crazy.
"Um Legolas, I'm sorry, for shouting at you. You can open your eyes now." I say very quietly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to..."
He opens his eyes slowly and looks back at me. He's so good at hiding his feelings that I really can't tell what's going on in his head right now. Did he think I looked weird? Did he like…? NO NO FREYA. Don't you even dare. He was shocked and he might have stared at you for a second or two. That's it. Guys don't have to like a girl to stare at them naked, in their sexy purple underwear on top of that. Don't go concluding things on your own.
"I hope you can forgive me?" Legolas says. His usual velvet tone back in place.
"Yeah. It's not that important." I decide moving on from this subject is the best approach. "Now you may really think I'm just a useless girl. I mean, who gets terrified of a bunny?" I chuckle softly.
He smiles back, following my example. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone of your bathing incident." He chuckles, back to his usual self, teasing me.
"Stop it. I might actually die if I blush more than this." I know I look like a tomato by now.
Warmth flows back in the blue orbs of his eyes as he smiles at me, reaching for my face. I feel a ghost of a touch on my left cheek, before he withdraws his fingers and takes my bag from my hand. "Let's head back. Before Merry and Pippin eat your share of lunch."
Before I can catch my breath or calm my heart he moves away. I follow him through the woods. Silent. My mind playing out his touch and eyes for me uncontrollably. As I struggle with my delusional fantasies, trying to get them away from a very sexy Legolas eating me up with his eyes, I notice the said elf is looking at me from the corner of his eyes. I snap out of it immediately, afraid he might be able to read my mind.
"What?" I ask. He looks unsure. Like something's bugging him.
He stops in his tracks and gives me a serious look. "Freya. Are you hurt?" He finally asks me, deadly serious.
Hurt? Why would I be hurt?
"What? Hurt?" I ask him confused.
"I saw you." He seems slightly embarrassed. "By the lake. You were hurt. There." He points at my… well my stomach.
I look at his finger. Then at him. "Legolas, I'm not hurt. What are you talking about?"
He frowns. "I saw your body." Why does he keep reminding me that? I don't need extra reference really.
Then I get it. This talk all over again. He probably means my tattoo. Yeah. Gliriel freaked out a bit too, at first. It's something unusual here after all.
"That's nothing. I'm not hurt." I hope he would just let it go with that.
Well he doesn't. He keeps staring at me worriedly, thinking I'm hiding something from him. I sigh. He's not gonna let go. Not until I tell him. This elf doesn't like to be left out. I know after these two months spent here.
"It's a tattoo." I explain.
"Tattoo?"
"Yes. It's like painting something with ink on your skin."
He looks confused. "But you just washed?"
"Well, it's permanent. It doesn't wash off." I decide to show him a bit of the tattoo. I pull my shirt up a bit, so he can see the black pattern on my side. He looks a bit shocked for a second. Then moves closer. Now I look shocked. What's with the intense gaze?
"May I?" He asks softly. For a second I don't get what is it he wants to do, then I realize he's asking permission to look closely.
"Well it's not like you haven't seen me naked before. Go on." I laugh nervously.
He smirks at that and gets down on one knee to examine the pale flesh of my stomach. I gulp and decide to keep talking about the function of tattoo to keep myself distracted from his proximity to my exposed stomach.
Legolas listens as he inspects the pattern. "Does it hurt?" He asks, not looking up at me.
"Not now. It only hurts when you get it. And then it's sore for a while, but now it's fine."
He frowns. "Why would you hurt yourself then?" He doesn't get it just like Gliriel. I chuckle at his confused face.
"Well, if you want the honest answer, I just loved it and it's considered very sexy in my world. So I didn't mind the pain." I answer him carelessly.
He looks at me without any expression on his face. The corner of his lips goes up into a devilishly handsome smirk. My heart speeds up. He looks down at my tattoo again. "Well, I can't disagree with that. It definitely does its job perfectly."
I can't believe my ears. He meant… He said he finds my tattoo sexy. Or was I wrong? And what's with the smirk? I drop my shirt back down immediately and start walking ahead of him, trying to hide the monologue acting out in my head from him.
"Well then, you see, I'm not hurt. Now let's go back before Gandalf sends someone for us. We're late. And I'm hungry." I say, planning to distract the elf. Legolas agrees. He gets up swiftly and follows me without a word.
Meanwhile I keep repeating his words in my head. He said he thinks my tattoo is sexy. And he was looking at me earlier like that. But these are not the things that I'm really thinking about. All I'm concerned with at the moment is that for a fraction of a second I saw his eyes darken. As in he looked at me as a woman and his eyes darkened. And I freaked out.
He's an elf and I'm not even half as beautiful as the ellets in Rivendell. It's impossible. It was probably the light or the angle I was looking at him. Yes. It was that. It's stupid to think otherwise. I keep repeating these lines to myself but the memory of Legolas's smirk and dark eyes don't leave me alone until we get back to the camp and it stays with me for a while after that too.
