Eternal Life, Eternal Pain

IX. Danger Looming Ahead

~*~*~

When I first saw you I already knew
There was something inside of you
Something I thought that I would never find
Angel of Mine

~*~*~

Nighttime was the only thing Anya feared. The sun had set, and dinner was ending; nighttime drew nearer, and Anya grew tenser.

"Well," she heard Arwen say, "we should retire to our rooms now." The tavern was starting to empty out.

The five arose from the table - Gimli needed a little help as he was on the verge of being completely drunk - and walked up the stairs to the bedrooms.

"There are three bedrooms - Aragorn and I will take one, Gimli and Legolas another, and Anya can have the last."

"Why does Anya get a room all to herself?" Gimli asked drunkenly.

"I suppose you'd like that last room?"

"Yeeeeep!"

"And what? Anya sleeps outside?" Arwen was a bit irritated.

"Naaaw!" Gimli laughed and slapped Legolas on the back. "She can sleep with this here boy!"

"Gimli, I think you've drunken too much," Legolas muttered, pushing him into one of the rooms Arwen had motioned to. He was also trying to hide the blush on his face.

Anya made no such attempt. She had barely heard what Gimli said.

"Good night, Anya... Anya?"

"What?" Anya looked up at Aragorn.

He glanced at her for a moment, debating what he should say. Finally, Aragorn settled on repeating his earlier words: "Good night."

"You too," Anya mumbled. She slowly opened the door to her room and flopped onto the bed in it.

Sleep. She hated it so. I won't sleep. She decided. I'll just stay up the whole night. No sleep... But her will was stronger than her body. Soon Anya's eyes began to droop, and the thing she feared the most happened again.

* * *

"Where am I?" Anya looked around. The ground was dark and barren, and fires burned everywhere. "Mordor?" she wondered aloud.

"No my little pretty," a voice cackled in her head. "Your home."

"My home! What have you done with it?!"

Ignoring her demands, the voice continued, "This is what will happen if you continue to run."

Anya whirled around trying to find a body to attach to this voice - or even a face at least. But none could be seen - only miles and miles of dark land. "I don't care for these dreams," Anya declared loudly. "You scare me no more."

"Oh?" asked the voice. "I have no intention of making this your typical dream..."

"What do you mean?"

But instead of answering, the world around Anya began to fade, and she was somewhere else now.

"Legolas?" she asked. Yes, it was him. She'd recognize that face anywhere. But he didn't turn when she called his name. "Legolas?"

Anya moved closer to where he was sitting. As she did so, she saw chains clasped around his wrists and whip marks all over him. His clothes were now nothing but rags - his tunic had been ripped to shreds. Legolas's once smooth golden hair was now dirty, tangled, a mess. Anya couldn't understand why he was like this.

"Legolas!" she cried out. As rude as he was to her, Anya didn't like seeing him injured so badly. She bent down beside him and tried to shake his shoulder. "Legolas?" she said for the fourth time.

Finally, he seemed to hear her. Legolas looked up at Anya. "What have you done to me?"

"Nothing!" she cried out. "I did nothing!"

"It's your fault, isn't it? Just like everything else."

"Everything else?"

"Arwen, Aragorn, Gimli... you did it too!"

"What did I do?" Anya sobbed. "I'd never hurt them."

"Peraguf." (Bitch) Legolas spit at her feet.

It was the first time she'd ever heard Legolas swear at her. Anya stepped back. "What did I do?" she whispered.

In the distance she could hear someone screaming. "Arwen!" she said. "It's Arwen!"

She ran off to where she heard the screaming. Anya saw Arwen tied to a post, being whipped mercilessly by dark beings, and Aragorn was sitting in a chair nearby, tied to that too, gagged and forced to watch his wife suffer.

"Where is she?"

"I don't know!" Arwen screamed.

"Where is she?! Tell me now or I'll kill you!"

"Kill me then!"

"Naaaaaaah..." one of them whispered wickedly. "Your far too pretty just to kill..." He stroked one finger down Arwen's face. "Maybe we could have a bit of fun with this one, eh?" All of them laughed.

Aragorn was crying. Anya had always considered him too brave to cry - yet this made her own heart wrench...

A figure stood beside him. "Are you ready to tell us now? Your dwarf friend is already dead, the elf is indisposed, and your wife is suffering before your very own eyes. Do tell us where the girl is."

"Nyarin uuye, Aragorn!" (Don't tell!)

But one look into Arwen's eyes... Aragorn nodded. His head dropped in defeat. Tears streamed down Arwen's bloody face.

"Anya!" she whispered.

"Me...?"

"See little girl? This will happen if you don't come now..."

"No. Leave them alone!"

Evil laughter rang in her ears. "Leave them alone... please..." Anya began to cry hard. "Leave them..."

* * *

"Leave them alone!" Anya woke up and found her bedsheets completely soaked with sweat. Groaning, she murmured, "Not another one. Hopefully this time it won't come true." She looked outside. The sun was about to rise. "This time," she whispered, "I won't let it come true."

Anya jumped up out of bed, grabbed her belongings, and quietly left her room. She sighed. Could I risk one more look at them? No... Anya's heart dropped. She would have liked to have seen them one more time... But the longer she stayed the more she endangered them.

Silently, she crept down the stairs, and slipped out of the tavern. Anya looked back one more time. I suppose I'll never see them again. She walked through the sleeping city and out into the pastures beyond it.

The girl couldn't have been walking for a few minutes when someone called out, "Anya?"

Anya froze. It couldn't be him! Had he come and found her already?

But it wasn't him. It was someone else... "Anya is that you?"

She turned around and saw Legolas looking at her. She sighed. "Legolas."

"It is you."

"No kidding."

"What are you doing out here so early?"

"Well what are you doing out here so early?"

"You do make a habit of reasking questions, don't you?"

Anya smiled sassily. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't."

Legolas muttered something incoherently, but to Anya's sharp ears, it sounded a bit like, "Jemakic uuera, Legolas." (Self-control, Legolas)

"Well?" Anya asked.

"Well what?"

"What are you doing out here?"

Legolas was completely distracted now. Completely forgetting he had asked her first, he said lamely, "Oh, I was out here thinking. I couldn't sleep."

Anya sighed. "Me neither... Hey!" she said, grabbing his hand. Anya had completely forgotten about her nightmare by now, as she saw something else. "Let's watch the sun rise."

"Why?"

"Because it's pretty, that's why."

"Seems rather pointless."

"Not everything in life has to have a point, Legolas. Here, sit," she said, motioning next to her.

"So what do we do?" he asked after a moment of nothing.

"I told you - watch the sun rise."

"And...? You mean we just sit here and watch?"

"What did you expect?" Anya looked at him. "You mean to say you've never done something like this?"

"Exactly."

Anya laughed. "Oh dear," she said. Then, pointing to the sky, she said, "See the colors? It's so beautiful."

Legolas looked at the sky. Pinks, purples, and blues where starting to stretch across the dark blue background. Stars were slowly fading out, and at the horizon, a glimmer of bright yellow slowly peeked out.

The sun was all the way up in the sky before either of them spoke. "Let's go," Anya said, standing up.

"Hmm?" Legolas was still gazing at the sky.

"Come on elf-boy, let's go."

"All right, elf-girl."

"Ah... so funny Legolas."

"Yes, I found it rather amusing myself."

"I was being sarcastic."

"Oh. Well that ruins it all."

Anya was dying to ask him what was ruined, but before she could Arwen and Aragorn spotted them and were shouting for them to come.

"Anya! Legolas! You've already awakened."

Legolas nodded.

"Where's Gimli?" Anya asked.

Aragorn chuckled. "You obviously do not know Gimli well yet. He's still sleeping from drinking so much last night."

"What were you two doing up so early?"

"Watching the sun rise," Legolas replied rather frankly.

Arwen raised an eyebrow. "Inye noa melme uuye sinome," (I think love is here.) she whispered into Aragorn's ear. Legolas glared at Arwen, but Anya looked away, pretending she didn't hear.

"Anya saira lambe uuye?" (Anya doesn't understand this language?") Aragorn did not try to hide his words.

Arwen looked a bit surprised at Anya. "Intya uuye." (Guess not.)

"Legolas," Aragorn said, "let's go."

Legolas said nothing but began to follow Aragorn.

"Go?" Anya repeated. "Go where?"

"None of your business," muttered Legolas.

"Oh, I see."

"Ye uuye faika, Legolas." (Don't be so mean, Legolas.)

"Umin!" (I am not!)

Anya smirked.

~*~*~

I look at you looking at me
Now I know why they say the best things are free
Gonna love you boy you are so fine
Angel of Mine

~*~*~

"Anya, try this on."

The girl rolled her eyes. "Another, Arwen?"

The older elf laughed. "You can't possibly wear that tunic to the festival tomorrow."

"This?" Anya tugged at the green shirt she had on. "Why not?"

"You're a girl, so you should look like one."

"What about you?"

"I already have something."

"What?"

"Yes don't worry about me. We're worrying about you right now."

Anya groaned and took the yellow dress Arwen had handed her.

"I don't like it."

"You've barely looked at it."

"I don't like yellow."

"Then what do you like?"

Anya thought a bit. "Um..."

"Exactly."

"Well, I don't know, I know I just don't like yellow!"

"This one?" Arwen pointed to a white dress at which Anya made a face of disgust. "How about this one?"

"Pink?!"

"You are quite choosey."

"I know." Anya laughed.

"Is there any dress that would please you?" Arwen wondered aloud.

"I doubt it - " Anya cut her own words off. "That one!"

Arwen looked at it and smiled. "That's lovely."

"Good, because I'll only wear that."

After getting the dress for Anya, the two walked out of the building and through the streets of Kathlia. Anya looked around interested.

"Anya!" Arwen called to her.

"Yes, Arwen?"

"These young hobbits asked us to help them with this." Arwen motioned to some flowers. "Chains," she explained. "For tomorrow."

"That's nice."

"Would you mind?"

"No, just tell me what to do."

Arwen and Anya sat side by side, threading string through flowers. Arwen who was an expert seamstress had no problem whatsoever, and she was quite surprised Anya did just as well as she. Interesting... Arwen though.

An hour passed where the two worked in silence while the other hobbit girls chatted away. Speaking of the dance tomorrow and who they'd dance with. Hearing this, Anya though immediately of Legolas.

"Arwen?" Anya asked. "Tell me a bit about Legolas."

Arwen looked at her in surprise. "Legolas?" She smiled a bit at Anya. "Why would you want to know about Legolas?'

"I do not know." Anya sighed. "He's always so serious. Immature too," she added, making a face.

Arwen laughed. "Perhaps it is because he has never loved."

"Never loved?" Anya repeated. "Impossible."

"Not as impossible as it may seem."

"How could he have never loved? He's not that horrible of a person... someone must have loved him..."

"If you are referring to young elves and women as yourself, then you are correct" - Anya pricked herself with her needle and blushed - "for many a maiden has loved Legolas. But he has loved no one."

"Why." It was more of a demand than a question.

"Well, like you, he grew without parents." Arwen looked at Anya, surveying the look on her face.

Anya bit her lip. How long was she going to have to cover that story? She said no more until Arwen stopped her sowing saying the hobbits had enough. Dusk was near, anyway. As a thank-you, the hobbits gave each of the elves a flower chain, although both profusely refused. Hobbits can be quite deadset on doing what they want sometimes.

"Look," Arwen said. "Aragorn and Legolas are coming back - and Gimli with them... but..."

Their faces were dark.

~*~*~

How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now, you helped me grow

~*~*~

The news Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn brought back were not good. Legolas's serious face - if possible - looked even more serious now. Gimli was frowning deeply, and Aragorn looked more tired than ever before.

"Nothing we can do," Aragorn said. "Lanmuir is trouble as always" - Anya sighed - "and Traeson... he has been kidnapped and held for ransom. Seems all to be the work of the orcs - and whoever's creating them."

Legolas looked down. Then, without warning, he bolted away.

"Legolas, where are you going?" Anya called out. "Legolas?" He was running away farther and farther. She looked at the other three. "Well, isn't somebody going to go get him?"

"He will come back," Arwen said smoothly.

"I don't care," Anya retorted. "If you won't, then I will."

* * *

Wild thoughts were running through Legolas's head. He stopped running when he was tired - which was sooner than he had expected. Leaning his hand against a tree, Legolas fell to his knees.

Why... why... Legolas couldn't seem to think properly.

* * *

It was nightfall before Anya could find him. There was little light, and it became very difficult to see. But Anya could hear sharp ragged breaths she knew belonged to Legolas.

* * *

"Are you all right?" a soft voice asked him from behind.

When he turned around, Legolas had expected to see Arwen, but standing there instead was Anya, looking up at him with deep concern. All the teasing was out of her eyes, and he could see her sincerity. In the short time they had known each other, never had she been quite like this. it was almost as if she really cared...

"Anya..." he whispered.

* * *

"Legolas, are you all right? What's wrong? Tell me."

"Traeson... kidnapped... my uncle..."

Anya wrapped her arms around him, taking him by surprise. "It's okay, Legolas."

"I don't understand," Legolas said softly after Anya broke the embrace. "I feel so guilty."

"Of what?"

"I accused him of being weak, both in front of my friends and family, and in front of him. The look on his face when I said it to him... I was too arrogant and ignorant to care then, but now I see..."

"If you use yourself as a standard, Legolas, many would fall short."

"You don't understand. My uncle saw his immediate family killed before him. He was never the same after that. His wife, three daughters and two sons..."

Anya took a step closer to Legolas. "So you blame yourself? Why, Legolas?'

"I just feel I could have done something..."

"And what might that something be? Change the past? No one can do that - "

"There must have been something I could have done!" Legolas turned away from Anya's gaze, but Anya just stepped in front of him again.

"Not everything in this world that goes wrong is your fault. Get that notion out of your head."

Seeing Legolas so distressed tore at Anya's heart. Though she did act like she loathed him deeply, in her heart, she cared for him as she cared for Arwen, Aragorn, or Gimli. In a week, that had been more of a family then hers had ever been - kind and understanding.

"Legolas, you have a big heart. You care for those around you." Anya smiled a crooked smile. "That makes a good person."

"Good person! Me?" Legolas shook his head. "No. I cause too many horrible things in this world."

"No you don't Legolas. You do far more good than you do bad - I would know," Anya laughed. "The way you've been treating me."

"I cause too many horrible things in this world," Legolas repeated.

Anya was getting a bit frustrated now. "You think you caused your uncle to be kidnapped? No!"

"If I were home with my uncle instead of out here..."

"Yes, but," Anya found it difficult to continue. "Say you were at home - what if - what if instead, I was killed by orcs?"

Legolas's face registered fear. "Oh..." he said. "I never thought of it that way."

Anya smiled. "Everything happens for a reason."

"I know. Just sometimes it's a horrible reason."

"But at least you know," Anya continued, "that there is a silver lining in every cloud. All bad things end well."

"Is that true?"

Anya looked straight into Legolas's eyes. "I've found it so."

* * *

Neither of them said anything for a while. Legolas just looked into Anya's deep blue eyes, glistening by starlight. Angel...

"Thank you," Legolas whispered.

Anya replied, "For what? Telling you things you already know? There is no need."

* * *

Legolas held out his hand. "Truce?"

Anya grinned. "All right."

"From now on, we are friends."

Anya's face fell, although she tried to cover it with a desperate smile. Did Legolas just say 'friends'? She looked back at him and tried to hide her disappointment. Taking his hand in hers, replied, "Friends."

* * *

Did I just say "friends"? What am I a bloody idiot? Legolas couldn't believe himself. But when Anya smiled, took his hand, and repeated, "friends" Legolas sighed. He had completely missed Anya's disappointment.

"Well," he said a bit stiffly, "I suppose we should return? I'm surprised Gimli hasn't sent out search parties for me yet."

Anya laughed. "Doesn't he know you're a big boy already?"

Legolas smiled. "Gimli is my dearest friend. He cares for me greatly."

Anya said nothing, but nodded. Legolas began to walk, silently cursing himself. She was right when she called me an idiot, I suppose. He turned back to look at her. Anya was looking up at the sky. A soft breeze blew her hair back, making Anya look...

Legolas turned back. They were friends now, and nothing more.

~*~*~

You came into my life
Sent from above
When I lost the hope
You show my love
I'm checkin for you
Boy your right on time
Angel of Mine

~*~*~

"Good night, Anya." Legolas stopped in front of her room.

"Night." She took one last look of him and disappeared in, sighing.

"Friends," Anya repeated. "Friends."

Life - especially hers - was very messed up.

"Legolas..." she murmured. That name sounded so sweet rolling off her tongue...

Hello little girl.

You!

Miss me?"

Hardly.

You really should give up. I know where you are. I know who you are with. I know what you are doing. And now, I know what you are thinking.

That you are a bastard that should fall off the face of the earth and die?

More like...

More like what? What do you want.

You know what I want.

Well, you know what is my reply.

Run away from me, and you shall only bring harm upon your precious prince!

What are you speaking of? I know no prince!

YOU LIE!

I do not!

You lie! Do not lie to me! I know what goes on in your mind!

I do not lie!

You think your lies can cover up what I can do? Do to your precious prince...

Leave Legolas alone!

So you confess! You know!

Leave him alone! Leave him out of this!

You love him!

I...I... no! I do not!

Don't be silly. I see what's in your heart as easily as I can see the fright on your face.

Go to hell!

Sorry, little girl, I'm afraid I'm already there! Come to me... or I will hurt your precious prince...

"No! Legolas!" she cried out.

~*~*~

Nothing means more to me then what we share
No one in this world can ever compare
Last night the way you moved is still on my mind
Angel of Mine

What you mean to me you'll never know
Deep inside I need to show


~*~*~

Legolas stood outside Anya's door for the longest time, just staring at it. Anya... She was so beautiful. The way she smiled, the way she laughed... But no... they were friends.

He had started to walk down the hallway when he heard a voice cry out, "No! Legolas!" It was Anya's voice, he knew it. As fast as he could, he pushed through the door of her room and ran right in.

"Anya! What is it?"

Anya was crying. "Legolas."

Legolas went over to her and held her tight. "Don't cry."

Anya sniffled. "I'm not."

"Oh please."

"I'm not!" Anya said a bit defensively now.

"Right, right, you're not crying." Legolas laughed. "Now dry your face up before someone thinks you are."

Anya's tears dripped onto Legolas's shoulder. "I think I'll go burn my shirt now."

In reply, Anya stuck her tongue out. "Hey watch it," Legolas teased. The last time you did that, you licked my nose!"

"You're right," Anya said. Legolas was surprised at her agreement.

"I'm glad you know."

"I wouldn't want to lick you again. I was afraid I'd have to chop off my tongue." That sounded more like something Legolas had anticipated.

Anya broke out of Legolas's arms and said, "Thanks."

Legolas smiled and said, "That's what friends are for." There, he thought. I did it again. "Friends." I am a bloody idiot.

"Good night, Anya... for the second time," Legolas tried to joke as he walked out the door.

"That was very bad," Anya replied, laughing.

"What was?"

"Your lame attempt at trying to be funny."

"Well, I made you laugh!"

"Oh you..." Anya pushed him out the door. "You were leaving?"

"Yes." But his feet didn't move. Damn. I must look like a bloody idiot… I think I've used the term "bloody idiot" at least a hundred times today.

"Good night, Legolas."

"Good night Anya... for the third time."

Anya groaned as she closed the door, making Legolas burst out into laughter as he walked to his room.

~*~*~

I never knew I could feel each moment
As if they were new
Every breath that I take
The love that we make
I only share it with you

~*~*~

She leaned against the door. "Friends..." Anya said. "He must really mean it then." Her heart sank to her stomach.

As Anya laid in bed, she whispered, "Good night, Legolas Greenleaf, Son of Thranduil, Prince of Mirkwood."


A/N: And here we thought little Anya didn't know anything! Guess she surprised us all - Legolas never told her she was a prince, and she never identified him as one before - so how does she know? What else does she know? And why is she hiding the fact she knows? In other words: WHO THE HECK IS ANYA??? I guess you'll have to wait until Ch 10 to find out... =P Until then, you can prompt me to write more quickly if you review (heh heh). Actually, seriously. Reviews - they make me write faster.

*Newsflash* I had to change Anya's age to... 75. Sorry. I did a little research (ah hahaha...) and well, I think she'd be better of at 75. Legolas is still ... nearly 2300, as nobody really has a clue of how old he really is. In my story, Aragorn is 95, and Arwen is Arwen. If you have a problem with Legolas and Anya having a *counts* 2225 year-old difference, sorry! Thank you for your time.

**Credits to Monica for the song "Angel of Mine."**

Thanks, once again, to my reviewers. Much love to ya... *payce*