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Bold is Elvish/Sindarin/Quenya/Noldorin

Chapter 9

Sakura plummeted downwards, her ebony hair flying upwards as sparks of fire punished her unblemished skin. Her wings shuddered with the change in pressure as her ears popped, and her skin veritably steamed with the unbearable heat. She could still hear the Fellowship shouting in shock after her, but Frodo was right below her, screeching so loudly that her ear drums threatened to burst. The hobbit's eyes reflected pure terror and shock as he finally noticed the fairy flying down towards him. "Frodo!" cried the princess, "it is me, Sakura! Grab onto my hand!" She offered a hand to him as the hobbit stretched to reach, the intense heat starting to singe his clothes, steam rising off of his waistcoat. Sakura gripped onto the tip of Frodo's finger and pulled. Frodo remained on the crumbling rock. She heaved with all of her strength, and the ringbearer slowly rose up off the rock as Sakura billowed her wings to slow their vicious downwards hurtle. She painstakingly dragged him up towards her, her arms complaining agonizingly. Finally, Frodo was squeezed tightly in her arms, and Sakura sighed as she began the tiresome work of getting back up to the Fellowship. Her wings and back ached as she pounded the air, slowly rising inch by inch as she moaned quietly in pain. By now, Frodo had passed out from the shock and heat, and tears ran down the fairy's face as she wondered what would happen if they never made it back up.

Painstakingly flapping her wings, Sakura almost stopped as she considered giving up. Yet, Gandalf's last words were engraved in her mind, and she could not bring herself to dishonor his memory so. The wizard had fallen to his gruesome death, his body probably black and charred, his once silvery hair ashes at the bottom of the chasm, to save Frodo, to give Middle Earth one last hope. For her to dash all of his efforts and ignore his sacrifice would be heartless and cruel. Gritting her teeth tightly, the princess forced herself to flap her wings again as pain shot through her back. For Gandalf, she thought. This is for his fireworks. She flapped once. And this is for that silly, battered old hat of his. She flapped again. And this is for his gnarly old face, and his awful sense of humor, and his apathy towards food, and for all the times he has told me what to do when no one else could. Tears streamed down her face. A memory of Gandalf's laughter sizzled in her brain, and she pounded her wings even harder. When she finally looked up, salty water slightly obscuring her vision, the fairy realized that she could see the Fellowship. "Legolas!" she screamed. "Aragorn! Boromir! Gimli! Hobbits!" Each word was punctuated with a flap of her wings, and soon she rose to ground level.

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Legolas was sitting upon the jagged edge of the twice-broken bridge in shock, his eyes fogged over. Had they really lost the ringbearer to a freak accident? Had Sakura really dove over the edge, literally sprouting wings all the while? Nothing made sense. What is she? I have never heard of a winged, fair creature such as her. Why has she told me nothing? Why does she not trust me? The why's echoed in his head mockingly. The elf stared down into the fiery depths miserably. The hobbits were dashing around, constantly peering over the edge. Merry and Pippin were thrilled to find that a beautiful winged creature had been amongst them this whole time. Meanwhile, Sam was hunched over on a rock, a crease between his eyebrows revealing that he was worrying for Frodo. "Do you think they'll be back soon, Strider?" asked Pippin excitedly. Legolas turned, furious and stripped of hope.

"They are never coming back, foolish hobbit," snarled Legolas, unable to take it any longer, his grief overwhelming him. "They are gone forever, and the hope of Middle Earth with them. Our world shall fall into darkness, Sauron the Deceiver reigning over the free-folk with a poisonous hand. We are all going to die, and nothing we can do will prevent that." Pippin stumbled backwards, his eyes shocked and depressed. Merry caught his cousin and glared venomously at the elf. Gimli waddled over on his short legs.

"I thought better of you, Master Elf," he growled, "even one of your kind should know better than to crush the hopes of those who are still young and unmarred." Legolas stared back hollowly.

"I am only being kind," he replied, "They must face the reality, which is that we have lost three of our Fellowship here today."

"Three?" asked a sweet voice from behind Legolas, "Gandalf was a great loss indeed, but I hardly think he accounts for three of us." The prince froze. He would recognize that voice anywhere, that voice with its lilting accent and careful pronunciation. He turned around slowly, not willing to believe his ears. There before him floated Sakura with Frodo in her arms, the two of them covered in ash and steam. This was the first time he had seen her without her silver robe. His eyes were immediately drawn to her dress (A/N: This dress would be fashioned after the Vietnamese or Chinese style, and not so much the Korean ones I described in previous chapters). Her body was clad in a smooth, high-necked sheath of black silk, violet and pink blossoms embroidered upon it. Legolas had never seen such style of a dress before. There was no corset or unnatural torture mechanism, no disturbingly low neckline, and he found that he quite appreciated the look. He was tired of the court ladies' impossibly tiny waists, their constricted ribs and their pushed-out bosoms. His eyes moved from her dress to her face. Her features were every bit as beautiful as he remembered it to be, even though it was covered with sweat and marred by little cuts inflicted by flying, flaming rocks. The flames behind her lit her shadowy hair into a glorious halo, and Legolas smiled quietly.

"Light and shadow," he murmured. Sakura stopped suddenly. Light and shadow? Is that not what Mother told me I would find on this quest? she thought. Is – is Legolas my light? No! No, it cannot be! Surely not! The revelation was too much for her exhausted body and mind. She collapsed on the hot stone, her ebony hair pooling around her body.

Legolas stepped forward, a quiet cry escaping for his lips. A worn hand shot itself in front of his chest. "No Legolas," warned Aragorn, "we do not know what – or whom – she is. Remember that she is an enchantress and a temptress. It would be for the good of us all if you left her here. There must be a reason she did not tell us of these wings," here he spat the word 'wings', "these wings of hers." Legolas stared stonily back at his old friend.

"Since I first met her," the elf began, "you have dissuaded me from befriending her. Yes, I admit that these wings of hers and her secrecy about her true identity are off-putting, to say the least, but she is a good woman, just as I am a good elf. And no good elf would leave a lady of any sort laying in a goblin-infested mine." Frodo, who had recently recovered consciousness, stepped forward shakily.

"I do not trust her either, Legolas," he started. Legolas moved forward angrily, but the hobbit held up a hand. "I do not trust her, but I will not leave her here either. Besides, she saved my life. In the Shire, it is considered extremely bad luck to leave debts like these unpaid." Aragorn gazed at Frodo searchingly, sighed heavily, and moved aside. Legolas is blinded by love, he thought silently, but when he finds out what he loves, he may not be so happy anymore. May Eru forbid that he is cursed to have a love like mine – hopeless and full of dashed dreams. Arwen's pale face floated in his mind, the memory of her sweet scent lingering in Aragorn's nostrils. Oh, my love, the ranger thought wistfully, what I would give for you to be here with me, for you to be with me for just one moment longer.

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Near Lothlorien: January 17, 3019

Legolas rolled his sore shoulders, popping them in their sockets with a grimace. How did Sakura, with her slender frame, carry me for a day and a half? he wondered. The female was extremely light, but his arms still ached from carrying her for about a day and a half. The Fellowship was nearing the outskirts of Lorien, for which Legolas was grateful. A chance to be among his kin and wash the sweat and grime of travel from his body would be greatly appreciated. Sakura had not yet stirred, which was to be expected. Although Legolas had never flown before, he would guess that carrying about twice his body weight while flying vertically for several hundreds of meters would have tired him out as well. Gimli was shifting uncomfortably at his side. "Stay close young hobbits," hissed the dwarf ominously, "they say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell, and never seen again." Legolas snorted disbelievingly. He had seen Lady Galadriel once when he was a mere elfling, and while she was certainly intimidating, she was no "elf-witch of terrible power," as Gimli so gracefully put it. Frodo suddenly halted, his blue eyes widening in shock. Sam tugged on his elbow.

"Mr. Frodo?" the gardener asked curiously. Frodo flinched and turned to his friend, shaking his head dismissively. Meanwhile, Gimli was continuing his rant. This dwarf is more gossipy than half of the ladies in Mirkwood, thought Legolas grumpily.

"Well, here is one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk, and the ears of a fox!" Gimli boasted. Two elven arrows appeared before the surprised dwarf's face. "Oh!" he cried. A dozen elves stepped into the moonlight.

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark," intoned an arrogant voice. Legolas barely refrained from snorting. He recognized the voice to belong to Haldir, marchwarden of Lorien, an old friend from Legolas' visit to Lorien long ago.

"Well met, Legolas, son of Thranduil," greeted Haldir formally.

"Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien," replied Legolas, shifting the unconscious Sakura in his arms uncomfortably. Haldir stared at the cloaked figure in his friend's arms for a moment before he moved on to Aragorn. Legolas gazed down at Sakura, who was still slumbering away.

"And who is this?" asked the detached voice of the marchwarden from behind the Mirkwood elf. Legolas turned quickly.

"I am not sure if she would appreciate me disclosing her identity," he said quietly, not telling Haldir that even he wasn't sure who she was anymore. Haldir raised an eyebrow.

"I must know who she is before bringing her into the Golden Woods," he insisted. Legolas frowned. Haldir's lips pulled up into a smile momentarily. He leaned in and whispered, "Besides, I would like to know who has so captured my dear friend's heart." Legolas flinched away. He had known for a while that he was attracted to Sakura, that he liked her childish yet insightful personality, but love? Love was far from his mind - at least it had been until Haldir brought it up. The Lorien elf stared sagely at his younger friend. "I shall not press," he relented, "but I at least need to see her face." Legolas sighed deeply, but he knew there was no other way for the Fellowship to gain entrance into Lorien. He pulled back the silvery hood from Sakura's face.

"Happy now?" he questioned irritably. Haldir stared at Sakura for a little longer than Legolas would have liked.

"Well, I certainly see why you love her so," the marchwarden grinned cheekily. Legolas groaned at his friend's frivolity. He reached for Sakura's hood to sweep it back over her face, but Haldir's hand caught his wrist.

"What is it now?" asked Legolas, frustrated. Haldir gently pulled the female's hair back, revealing a delicate, double-pointed ear. Legolas stared at Sakura's ear, stunned. He looked up at Haldir. "I have never heard of a creature with double-pointed ears," the prince mused. Haldir stared at the woman disbelievingly.

"It cannot be," he breathed quietly. "There is no way, there is –"

"There is no way, what?" hissed Legolas, annoyed. Haldir's silver-blue eyes blinked rapidly as he put on a smooth mask.

"Nothing," replied the warden. "Nothing at all." Legolas stared back at his friend. He knew that Haldir had been raised by Lady Galadriel after the sudden death of his parents, and was deep in her counsel. Haldir was a wise elf with access to resources that most elves did not have. If there had been any precedent for Sakura's strange attributes on Middle Earth before, the Lorien elf would remember it. "Come," called Haldir to the Fellowship, "you will follow me."

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The Fellowship traipsed after Haldir, the hobbits slightly out of breath. Golden mallorn trees towered above them, their smooth trunks glistening in the fading light, their leaves glimmering gently. The whole glade seemed to be alight with silver and blue. Sakura would love this place, thought Legolas sadly as he remembered her telling him of her love for the moon, if only she would regain consciousness. He shifted her gently in his arms so that her head was supported by his shoulder instead of lolling around listlessly.

"Caras Galadhon, the heart of elvendom on earth. Realm of Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light," Haldir breathed proudly, his eyes glowing with adulation. The warden led the Fellowship up onto a dais where two seemingly mystical beings stood, hand in hand. Legolas' breath was stolen away by the beauty of Lady Galadriel, and he could see the adoration already growing in Gimli's eyes. The Lady's golden mane was unmatched, the wavy locks flowing smoothly over her shoulders and back. Her crystal blue eyes were piercing and slightly frightening, as Boromir proved as he whimpered slightly. The Lady's husband, Celeborn stood silently at her side, his silver hair reflecting the light.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine stand here, yet ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him? I can no longer see him from afar," Celeborn questioned. His wife raised her head mournfully.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow," intoned Galadriel in a low, husky voice.

"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame, a Balrog of Morgoth, for we went needlessly into the net of Moria," reported Legolas sadly.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin." Gimli looked up, looking startled but slightly more heartened.

"For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief," continued Galadriel. Her husband seemed to wilt at her side.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost," muttered Celeborn hopelessly. Galadriel's eyes fixed on the unconscious form as a tiny smile danced across her lips.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true, and with hope comes friendship and love," the elf-queen murmured.

"Hope, friendship, and love have forsaken us," muttered Boromir bitterly, his brow creased as he refused to meet the Lady's gaze.

"That cannot be so," retorted Galadriel, "no, not when the beloved princess of the fairies resides amongst us. For never shall we lose hope when the fair daughter of Titania is still in Middle Earth." Legolas' eyes snapped up to meet Galadriel's knowing ones.

"Princess? Of fairies?" he asked, bewildered. Gasps echoed as the Fellowship turned to the unconscious Sakura. Haldir's silvery-blue eyes widened as his previous theories were confirmed. Galadriel smiled.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you shall sleep in peace," she said. As Legolas began to leave, he felt a presence in his head. Stay back for a moment, young prince, whispered Galadriel's voice in his mind, we have much to discuss. Legolas lingered as the rest of the company followed several elleth to bathe, eat, and retire.

"Milady, excuse my impoliteness, but the information you have revealed has taken a toll on my heart. My body and mind are also weary, and I would like to retire," the blue-eyed prince pleaded. The elf-queen stared down at him, her gaze unyielding.

"Remain for a moment, Legolas Greenleaf." She floated over to where Sakura lay in his arms, and passed a slender white hand over the fairy's face. Muttering an incantation, the Lady's lips pursed for a moment with concentration before she removed her hand. The princess awoke with a start.

"Legolas," she breathed, staring into his crystalline eyes. The prince smiled warmly at her before he realized what he was doing.

"Your Majesty," he returned sarcastically, setting her back on her feet. Sakura's eyes widened with horror.

"What – what did you call me?" she asked, confused. Legolas had not brought up her occupation since Imladris. Why was he bringing it up now? Galadriel silently left the glade, her husband's hand in her own.

"I know everything now, Sakura," Legolas spat, "or shall I say, Princess Sakura of the fairies?" Sakura turned white.

"Legolas," she pleaded, "let me explain." The Mirkwood prince's eyes narrowed.

"Let you explain what? That you are royalty, why you never bothered to tell me? Why you told me that you trusted me, and why you broke your promise to explain everything? And Eru forbid that you tell me what race you are, for goodness' sake, and that the only time I have seen your face is by accident or in dreams," Legolas ranted furiously, his normally flawless complexion turning blotchy. Sakura looked confused.

"You dreamt of me? And I thought you knew what I did, you were always commenting on it in Imladris." Legolas stared blankly back at her.

"No," he said slowly, "that is most definitely not what I thought you were." The fairy's face scrunched up.

"Well, if you did not know I was a princess, what did you think I was?" she asked cautiously.

"Hem," Legolas coughed awkwardly.

"Tell me!" ordered Sakura, the part of her that was born to rule coming out with claws fully unsheathed. The elf winced.

"Well, Gandalf said something that made me think that – well of course I didn't want to believe it, seeing as how you are such a wonderful person, but -"

"Out with it, Legolas Greenleaf, or I shall shove you into a place so dark, Moria will have seemed like nothing! What did you think I was?" the princess barked.

"A – a woman of the night," whimpered Legolas quietly in Common Tongue.

"What?" questioned Sakura dangerously. "Legolas, you had better hope that my Common Tongue is extremely spotty and that you did not just call me a woman of the night." Legolas winced and shook his head jerkily. Sakura clenched her fists and opened her mouth.

Alright, well I think I well end it here for this chapter. I'm sorry if it isn't too great, with school and everything I am a teensy bit stressed, and I got home pretty late today with an amount of homework that should be illegal. Well, please read and review! Good night!