Chapter 34 everyone!
Thanks to all readers, followers, favourites & reviewers!
Flynalien: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked it. 'Mad genius', well, no pressure, haha. I'll see what I can do (I'm juggling around with a couple of ideas) though I won't promise anything, but it's an interesting thought, I'll give you that :)
Jessie Rae Baby: You're welcome & thanks for reviewing! It's great that you liked the chapter and I hope I won't disappoint when we enter LotR-timeline.
Proud2BGeek: I'm happy you liked the chapter and I never really thought about the different berries in the different chapters. It was interesting. Thanks for reviewing!
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guest: Yes, he is, isn't he? :) Thanks for reviewing!
We are starting to (slowly but surely) enter the LotR-timeline in this chapter. Hope you'll like it!
I do not own any characters or places; J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson and Co do.
Enjoy!
Chapter 34: Tauriel
The pale, dirty creature carried one of the most despicable auras she had ever felt. He crawled and climbed, thin, spider-like fingers clawing and tearing apart everything he could get his hands on. He muttered hateful words under his breath in a high, raspy voice, having an argument with someone only he knew. He was a bad omen and the forest was dying.
She was standing in the shadows, watching the creature climb a fragile tree, cursing at the same time. It wasn't her time to watch him, but she had offered to. She couldn't find any sanctuary with the ghostly presence there. If she could spare her fellow guards this fearful and uncomfortable task, she would.
"He's an odd one, is he not?"
She didn't turn around, recognizing the voice – calm and deep – to belong to the ranger that had brought the creature in, along with Mithrandir, the wandering grey wizard.
He came to stand beside her and his blue, haunted eyes expressed thoughts that she couldn't read.
"An odd one", he continued, "but I can't phantom what he's been through. Such a pitiful creature."
"The world's changing", she answered and her tone was dark. "His mind is poisoned and body broken. It's only the beginning."
"I'm afraid it already has begun", said the ranger heavily. "There's a darkness creeping up on the world, my Lady; hard times are to come."
They exchanged a swift glance that was thick and clear with understanding. The man had a rugged, handsome face, aged by time and weather. He was healthy and dark in hair. To her, he seemed more regal than king Thranduil, this ranger. A king over the wandering people.
"The prince was looking for you", the ranger spoke up and broke her thoughts of him, the world and bad little creature. "I offered to release you from your post."
She hesitated, but eventually gave in. She turned her murky eyes towards the creature one more time and she felt anger and pity when she saw him try to catch a crow, one of the few birds that had stayed. With a curt nod to the ranger, she walked away, feeling as tired and sick as the forest. The last thing she heard was the raspy voice of the creature, hissing:
"We'll get it next time, precious, yes we will."
It chilled her to the bone.
. . . .
Legolas waited for her as she came walking out from the thicker part of Mirkwood. His face was troubled, but when he saw her, his face lit up with a smile and she felt something tug at her heart. She smiled back.
"Good, Aragorn found you", Legolas said relieved and easily fell into step next to her. "How's the creature?"
"Full of anger and hate", she responded, resisting the urge to grab the prince's hand as their fingers softly brushed against each other as they walked. "I do not think he can be cured."
Legolas hummed and looked her over with a serious expression. His blue eyes were nearly black in the dim light that barely managed to seep through the tree crowns. She raised an eyebrow at him, keeping her eyes locked with his.
"You look tired", he said and sounded displeased about the fact. "Worn-out. I don't like it."
She sighed and rolled her eyes, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"The patrols have been doubled", she explained, though she guessed that he probably knew that. "The king's weary and he wants the kingdom safe. I'm happy to keep it that way."
"But it tears you apart", said Legolas quietly.
She realized now that they had stopped walking. They stood outside the gate and they were alone in an eerie silence. She felt chilly and put her arms around herself as if to shield her from the imaginary cold.
"I'll talk to my father", Legolas promised and they were standing so close that she could count all his dark eyelashes. She swallowed. "See if we can get more people to join the Guards so they'll not be undermanned."
"Thank you", she whispered, suddenly overcome by the realization that she was tired.
They stood still for a while, just looking at each other and she remembered the time a few years ago when their lips had been inches from meeting. The memory brought a warm flame to her heart, but before she could comprehend anything else, Legolas had stepped back.
"I must go", he said, looking serious. "It's my turn to lead the archery practice. I'll come and find you later."
She only nodded and he left her, but kept glancing over his shoulder as if reassuring himself that she was still there. She sighed as she watched him go. It didn't seem as if she could hold on to anything these days.