Hey guys, thank you so much to those who reviewed! Here is the next chapter.
Just to warn you, there is a paragraph of so that is of M rating. It isn't much at all, but I am just warning you! :)
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING to do with LOTR.
Warning: There is one M rating scene in this chapter.
...
By the time we eventually stopped to camp that night, my butt felt like it was on fire, having been sat in one place for so long, and my cheeks still hadn't ceased from burning. Being in such close proximity to him wasn't exactly helping me either. Do you think Aragorn would mind if he rode with Legolas and I had Kate?
Then again, the horse may collapse...and by the look on Aragorn's face...
Perhaps not.
I watched as Legolas elegantly jumped off Arod, before extending his hand out to me. Well, at least he isn't sufficiently annoyed with me to forget his always exemplary manners.
"Thank you" I said as he helped me gently to the ground.
He nodded, let go of my hand and turned back to the others, where they were setting up camp for the night. I took a deep breath and steeled my nerves; no way is he walking away from me after what happened!
"Legolas" I said. I was aiming for my voice to sound firm and dignified. It didn't work. The sound that actually came out was a wobbly, misshaped version of his name.
He stopped, before turning his head, is eyes silently telling me to continue.
"We need to talk" I finished lamely.
Seriously, that was my one chance to say something smart, witty and perfect...but that...that was like a line from a measly love struck girl.
I may be one, but it doesn't mean I have to act like it! Agh!
Legolas turned, still staring at me.
"Do you have something you wish to say?" he asked smoothly
"Yes, yes I do. But not here" I said firmly, slowly finding my courage. Legolas looked at me neutrally, before gesturing to the area around us.
"I believe here would be sufficient" he said
THE JERK.
"But if you wish to speak somewhere away from prying ears, then allow me to escort you, my lady" he finished, holding his arm out to be.
I take it back; he is one lovely bloke...elf...gorgeous thing.
"Thank you" I whispered nervously, before taking his arm and pulling him away to a random patch or trees, they seem to have trees everywhere around here!
"Legolas!"Aragorn called as we walked away "Come, we need your help"
"It shall have to wait, Aragorn" Legolas called back over his shoulder. HELL YES.
Aragorn looked between the two of us, our arms, and the rather distinctive glare on my face. After a second, his mouth formed into an 'O' shape, and he nodded his head, before moving away to do whatever it is he wanted to do. Most likely something boring and undesirable.
It took me a while to realise that during my inner rambling, Legolas had led me to a more secluded area, and was now standing in front of me, looking at me expectantly.
Why the heck is he looking at me like that? Does he actually want me to speak first?
"You wished to speak with me" he asked.
Oh yeah, I didn't, didn't I?
"Yeah...look, I don't want this to be awkward" I said helplessly, gesturing between the two of us.
"I do not understand how things between us are...awkward." he said; though the tip of his ear turned slightly pink.
BUSTED.
He does think it's awkward.
"After what happened...almost happened, outside of Fangorn" I said, regretting this conversation ever taking place.
He feigned almost perfect look of innocence. I bet he got away with everything as a child. The only thing giving him away is the fact that he chewed his bottom lip slightly, and I have always been good at reading people, apparently.
Eventually, he cleared his throat, before looking back to the others, who were barely visible through the trees.
"We should get back" he murmured. I watched in shock as he turned and began to walk away, his posture stiff.
WHAT?! HE CAN'T JUST LEAVE IT THERE! DOES HE KNOW NOTHING?!
He's never going to kiss me, is he?
Oh for Christ's sake. There is only one thing for it then. Well, if he's not going to kiss me...
"Legolas Greenleaf don't you dare walk away from me!" I called after him, standing tall and looking him square in the eye as he jumped and turned, his eyes wide. Before either of us had registered what was doing, I had stridden forward and stopped right in front of him, tilting my face up, forcing him to look me in the eye. His blue eyes burst with light and darkened all at once as I brought my mouth closer to his.
"Do you have no idea?" I whispered, before reaching up and pressing my mouth to his in a gentle kiss.
"Wha-"he started, shutting up only when I kissed him again, wrapping my arms around his neck and surrendering all of my feelings towards him. It was in that moment that I let my guard down and let him through, not caring who saw.
I froze when he rested his hands on my shoulders, before pushing me away. My eyes widened when I thought back and realised something.
He never kissed me back.
Not once.
"I can't" he whispered.
My lips parted in horror and my eyebrows furrowed.
"Please let me explain-"
THWAK.
The sound echoed through the trees as I lifted up my hand and planted it square across his face in a slap. I felt mildly horrified by my actions, but my anger drowned those feelings of shame out as I thought about how he has treated me. How dare he lead me on like that! I actually believed he could feel something towards me! Hell, I had fallen in love with him! Tears threatened to fall as I stormed away from him, leaving him alone in the trees. I don't care; he can stay there for all I care! I have never let anyone through as I had just then. Yes, I had had boyfriends before, but never had I felt towards them as I do Legolas. Never had one simple kiss made me feel like I had been set on fire, never!
I continued to run away from him, tears falling freely down my cheeks now, how could I have been so stupid?!
He's a Prince! He is way, way out of my league. Hell, he probably has queues of 'perfect' ladies which are 'perfect matches' of the court just waiting to marry him...and who am I? Nothing but a lost girl from a different world!
Wait...I just slapped a Prince.
GOOD.
I am too tired and I hate to admit it, heartbroken, to care.
I want Kate.
The thought made my heart hurt further and my whole body to start shaking. If Kate were to die...I would have nothing.
Granted, I could die on this quest...but if I don't, once it is finished, where would I go? What would I do? Prince Legolas certainly won't want me anywhere near him.
It was with that overly depressing thought that I plopped myself down in the Fellowships camp. It was my turn to take watch again- more time to mull over my life, oh yippee!
"Lass are you alright? " Gimli asked as he sat next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off, angrily wiping away the tears.
"I am fine. Thank you Gimli" I choked out.
"What has that elf gone and done now?" he asked
"Prince Legolas has done nothing of consequence. He merely saved me from further embarrassment and humiliation" I replied bluntly.
He caught on pretty quickly.
Gimli stood quickly, his waving his axe around with an angry face.
"When I get hold of that good for nothing-"
"Gimli. The Prince did nothing wrong. Granted, he could have let me know my feelings were not returned earlier on, but I shall recover"
"Just as long as you do" Gimli said gravely, before shaking his head at me "I really thought he loved you lass, I am so sorry"
It took me a minute to work out whether meant.
Elves can die of a broken heart.
I don't feel like I'm dying? Well, I do, but only in a heartache sense. Besides...it's not as though the Prince has died or anything.
Kate...
If I lose her too...no, that would be too much. The mere thought made me want to curl up into a ball of sleep that I never return from.
Huh, who knew, one wound kills us both. Lovely.
How can I still be sarcastic at a time like this? Then again, I probably need to stop feeling sorry for myself and get on with life. Without Legolas...why is it that the mere thought makes me choke up and cry?
I looked up at Gandalf, who was looking at me knowingly, and Aragorn and Boromir, who were searching the trees angrily.
At least they're all okay.
I took a shaky breath and pushed my hair out of my face, before smiling weakly at the others.
"I think you should all get some sleep. I shall take watch" I said decisively.
"Emma-"Aragorn began
"Just go to sleep" I snapped, needing to be alone with my thoughts for a while.
Eventually, they all settled down, albeit hesitantly.
I sat near to Kate, who was still passed out under a blanket. Gandalf saw to her earlier and apparently she is stable and should wake up soon. He cast some form of spell that encourages 'flesh to knit itself back together'
I stopped his explanation there.
I have no idea how long I sat there for, staring at nothing in particular, throwing and catching a random stone I found on the floor. I need to hurl something at something else. It was only once I decided to get up to practise my blade hurling did I realise just how long ago my butt fell asleep. I got up with a creak and a groan, before unsheathing my daggers from my back and beginning to swing them around rhythmically.
If anything is good for venting anger, flinging sharp blades around is it.
I twirled around, arching my body different ways, making my 'intimidating' swords look more like a dance than anything else. Admittedly, my blade work is improving vastly, and I could probably stab an orc or two, but compared to the rest of them, I look like a child with a plastic toy.
"You are improving" a voice said from behind me. I whirled around and let go of the blade, sending it whistling past the persons head and into the tree behind.
He didn't even flinch.
No prizes for guessing who it is.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly.
"I have come to apologise" Legolas replied.
"That will not be necessary, Prince Legolas" I replied, my tone crisp and clipped.
"I did not mean-"
"I know perfectly well what you meant. You do not return my feelings. I understand" I forced the words through my teeth, feeling tears prickle at the back of my eyes. No way am I crying in front of him!
"That is not what I meant when I pushed you away. I wanted nothing more than to kiss you back" he said.
Well, that is not what I was expecting. What tactic is he playing with me?
"I am not some harlot, Prince" I hissed, immediately denying any other implications of his words. It would hurt too much to be let down again.
"I would never think of you as such!" he replied angrily, taking a step towards me. I reflectively took a step back, folding my arms to create a barrier between us.
"I fail to see just what you mean." I told him truthfully. My gaze travelled over his face, before coming to rest on his usually pale and flawless cheek, which was stained red from where I slapped him. The guilt is beginning to get to me about that. I shoved it down for now ad settled for glaring at him with all my might.
"I mean that now is not the time to explore these...feelings I, I mean we, have developed" he corrected himself. I raised one eyebrow, feeling both annoyed and slightly relieved.
"What do you mean?"
"This is war. Either of us may die any day" he replied
"Did...did you hear nothing I said to Aragorn earlier today?" I asked him.
"I heard." He replied simply. Is that honestly all he has to say?
I stared at him in disbelief. Does he do everything to be so faultless yet a pain in the backside all at once? I swallowed the huge lump in my throat that had developed, my fists clenched at my side.
"I do believe we shall be riding separate horses tomorrow, Prince Legolas. Goodnight" I said, before turning on my heel and waking Gimli, who was next on watch. He got up without a complaint and sat dutifully on a log, glaring at Legolas as he did so.
"Goodnight Lass" he said as I passed him
"Goodnight" I replied, before lying down on the ground, facing away from the one person that had managed to destroy my heart, all by himself.
How proud he must be.
XxX
I smiled as I was lowered gently down onto the four poster bed in a grand room. All around us practically screamed the bedroom of nobility, right down to the finely polished desk to the side of the chambers. However, my full attention at that time was firmly fixed on the being above me, the one who held me so gently, and the one that could never hurt me.
Legolas bent over me, kissing me hungrily. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, before rolling us over on the huge bed and straddling his hips. He groaned as I ran my hands along his chest and started undoing his shirt, grinding my hips into his.
His hands travelled lightly over my skin, tugging my shirt over my head before exploring my collarbone, neck, and areas lower down exposed to him. I gasped and arched against him, wanting to have all of him. I needed him. Soon, all our clothes were lost and he hovered over me, before pushing inside of me slowly, repeating my name in short gasps. I gripped onto him as pleasure shot through me and I clung to him, screaming. My nails made crescent moon shapes on his back as he moved slightly, pressing his lips onto mine once more.
However, what was once a scream of pleasure quickly turned to pain as the beautiful room dissolved away, leaving me chained to a wall in a dark, cold room, screaming for someone, anyone to help.
I was surrounded by orcs, each one of them taunting me and slashing at me with whips. They made a semi circle around me, seemingly enjoying the pain they could get from me, and cheering louder whenever I screamed in agony.
"He never loved you!"
"He would never love you!" they jeered.
"Stupid girl"
I whimpered and cowered against the wall as they came at me again, brandishing their daggers and taunting me in their disgusting voices.
The last thing I saw was the face of an orc above me, spitting in my face and brining his dagger down, sealing my doom.
I jolted up with a gasp, my dagger drawn and safe in my hands. I looked around nervously, taking in the early morning sunshine and forms of my friends around me. I pushed my hair off my sweat ridden forehead, noticing that the rest of me was in no better shape.
What a time to have such a dream, especially as the elf is sitting just a few metres away staring at me, a look of concern and something else on his face.
Luckily, no one questioned my unusual behaviour, and even Boromir didn't question as to why I was suddenly riding with him and not Legolas. In fact, we all rode in pretty much silence as we rode towards Edoras.
I kept the eyes fixed firmly down and my hood firmly up as we rode forward, not listening to any of my surroundings. It was only one Boromir dismounted and helped me off behind him did I realise we were there.
I remained silent as the others were ordered to hand over their weapons, before letting mine go without so much as a glare. I really need Kate; she has a lot to catch up on.
"You Staff" the guard I remembered to be named Hama told Gandalf, holding his hand out expectantly.
Gandalf looked at it as if noticing for the first time, before slumping slightly, clutching the old grey cloak closer to his body. He looked small, frail, weak.
We knew better.
"Oh, no. You would not part an old man from his walking stick?" he asked
Eventually, Hama nodded and we were allowed through. I watched as Gandalf threw us a wink over his shoulder, before holding Legolas' arm for 'support' and walking through.
I yelped as someone pulled off my cloak from behind me, leaving my face bare to the world. Why do they do that? Seriously?
I heard people gasp but we continued forward. I cringed back as my eyes came to rest on a greasy, slimy excuse of a man, who was staring at me intently. So, that must be the famous Grima Wormtongue. Disgusting fellow.
"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming" I heard him whisper "He's a herald of woe"
I tensed at these words, wishing to add him to the list of people I have slapped in Middle Earth. It would be my pleasure.
"The courtesy of your hall has somewhat lessened of late Théoden King." Gandalf said
" He's not welcome" Grima whispered. Oh shut up slimy, no one wants your opinion!
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Théoden asked. I hate to say it but he looked old...and really, really ill and cranky.
"A just question my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjuror chooses to appear. Lots spell I name him, ill news is an ill guest" Grima said, his eyes looking behind Gandalf and to me. I swallowed nervously, shuffling on my feet.
"Be silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crude words with a witless worm." Gandalf snapped. Well said! I couldn't have put it better myself.
I smiled smugly as Gandalf took out his staff, causing Grima to scuttle back like some form of reptile.
"His staff! I told you to take the wizards staff!" he said angrily. Haha sucker!
I ducked as some huge bloke swung at me, before ramming my elbow into his stomach and bringing my knee to his nose, rendering him unconscious. That is so becoming my signature move!
I retreated to the side of the room, only to flee when I noticed Grima coming towards me. Oh shoot! What the hell do I do with him?
"Be still, my darling. For I shall not harm you" he said 'soothingly', reaching his hand out to touch me. I looked around desperately. Typical. The exact moment there could be at least one person present, there wasn't.
I have managed to pick the one bit of the hall no one could see or chose to stand in.
Good going Emma.
I take back what I said about my past signature move. This is mine.
SLAP.
I never thought I would actually find joy in hitting someone. He so deserved it.
I took that opportunity to run away from him, shrieking as he gripped hold of my tunic as I ran past, I yanked harder away from him, tearing the tunic as I did so. I don't care if I rip one tunic, but I do care about having to spend a second longer with that.
The mere thought made me shudder with disgust and gave me the urge to throw up.
Luckily, I made it sufficiently far enough to be in eyeshot, and sprinted to hide behind Legolas, not caring that we weren't really talking.
He looked to me in surprise, before looking at my face, my ripped tunic and Grima, who had followed me out.
His expression turned thunderous and he began to move towards the slime ball, only to pause when Gimli knocked his target to the ground, snarling at him viciously.
"I would stay still if I were you" he said, placing his foot on Grima's chest.
Legolas came back again and clutched my hand, before pulling me against his chest. I clung to him, not caring what was proper or whether or not I was supposed to hate him.
"I'm so sorry" he whispered. I wrapped my arms around his waist, not willing to let him go for even a second. Luckily, this time he kept a tight hold on me, breathing deeply, to make me even more confused, I swear I felt him kiss my temple.
Then again, I could just be going mad. He is pretty bipolar about his feelings, so I have gathered.
I nodded and turned, still in his arms, just in time to see the whole Théoden ageing backwards thing. Bloody hell that's awesome!
A pretty young woman, must be Eowyn, rushed forward and caught him as he fell forward, smiling as he looked up into her face.
"I know your face. Éowyn. Éowyn." He said with a smile, Eowyn nodded, clearly excited "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again my friend." Gandalf said, pleased with his work. So he should be the complete genius!
"Dark have been my dreams of late" Théoden said, looking to his hands.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword."Gandalf hinted as Hama approaches holding his sword.
We all hold our breath as the King unsheathed it, recognition dawning on his face. And he's back!
However, as soon as his eyes came to rest on Grima, shit hit the fan.
To say that Grima was thrown down the stairs is a bit much...but yeah, he was.
"Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast" Théoden said, taking a shaky step towards him.
"Send me not from your sight" the weasel begged. I rolled my eyes, fingering the absent bit of tunic by my waist. Legolas squeezed my hand, having not let go of it from the hall. What the hell is going through his mind?
The poker face he has going on there says not much.
Remind me to never play cards with him.
I watched with a measure of relief as Grima ran away and out of Edoras.
"Hail Théoden King!" Aragorn shouted. We all lowered ourselves onto one knee in respect.
For that one second, it looked as though everything would be okay...and then Théoden turned, looking for something desperately.
"Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
...
Okay! Please don't hate me! I swear it will get better between Emma and Legolas...but it had to get worse first!
I just wanted there to be a bit more of a 'build up' story, as it hopefully keeps you guys entertained. Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed that one, and I swear it will get better! Please don't kill me! :)
Reviews?
Thank you :)