(Author: Alasia)
Leila had the sudden urge to close her eyes. She did not want to look
back at the creature behind them, and she did not want to jump over that
big hole in the stairs! As they ran down them, Leila came to a sudden realization,
Gandalf would die fighting the Balrog, and she could do nothing.
'Man," she thought idly, 'Knowing things like this will give you wrinkles…"
The group came to a halt and Legolas jumped over the gap, followed
closely by Jairah. Gandalf followed, being steadied by Legolas. She watched
as Boromir wrapped his arms around Merry and Pippin and jumped across.
She froze as Aragorn tossed Sam to Legolas. Could she do this? Did she
really have the guts…. Her question was answered as an arrow flew past
her. Yes! She did!!! She locked eyes with Boromir and jumped, eyes closed,
praying that she'd be caught. She was, but not at first.
An orc arrow flashed through the air and buried itself in her
shoulder, coming out the back. She winced, trying not to scream as Boromir
caught her in his arms. She looked up at him as he gazed down at her in
concern, "Ow…"
Soon they were moving again, making a fast getaway to the bridge
of Kahzad-dum. Leila felt like passing out, but realizing that Boromir
had to pull Frodo away would not keep her down. So, when Boromir crossed
the bridge she looked up at him, "Put me down."
"But-"
"Now! I can get out, I have a feeling you'll be needed here," she told
him as he set her down. She smiled up at him and clutched her arm to her,
and then rounded the corner, following the elves and three Hobbits out
of Moria. She reached the outside and took a deep breath of fresh air.
Then she looked down at herself. Oh, did she look horrid. Her blue plaid
skirt and pale blue button up with the crest of her school on it were torn
and dirty, not to mention covered in her own blood. Her legs and arms were
covered in scratches she hadn't known she'd received and her sketchers
were destroyed.
Her gaze moved to the far away woods of Lothlorien before being
pulled out of her reverie by Boromir pulling a screaming Frodo from the
depths of Moria. 'Oh my head,' she thought, 'I feel I must pass out now…'
The ironic internal comment was followed shortly by her emerald eyes
rolling back in their sockets, and her knees giving out. Boromir reached
her in time to catch her and pull her into his arms. Aragorn turned back
to the group and spoke, "Legolas, Gimli get them up."
"Give them a moment for pity's sake," Boromir cried.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs," Aragorn snapped,
"We must reach the woods of Lothlorien."
Leila awoke feeling clean and strangely, the pain in her shoulder
had been reduced to a mere throb. She opened her eyes and looked up at
the ceiling… Wait! Ceiling?! Since when? Then she realized that they must
have reached Lorien and she sighed. She sat up, taking the bedclothes with
her when she realized that all she wore above her waist were bandages wrapped
around her shoulder and chest. She looked around and ran a hand through
her long, layered golden brown hair, sighing again.
Her eyes landed on Boromir, who was fast asleep in the chair
across from her bed. Or, so she thought. His eyes snapped open at the sound
of her movement and he closed them to clear his mind. He looked up at her
and took in a sharp breath, he really hadn't realized how beautiful she
really was, and now that she was clean and dry her tanned skin glowed healthily
and her brown hair framed her face. Her green eyes watched him carefully
and he spoke, "You're awake."
She nodded, "Where are we?"
"We're in Lothlorien," he replied, standing.
"Have you been in here since we got here," she asked curiously.
"No, I was ordered a bath and change of clothes while they attended
your wounds, then they let me in," he said, smiling at the double meaning
in her words, "You've been unconscious for the better part of forty-eight
hours."
Her eyes widened, but he spoke again, "I'll wait outside while you
get dressed."
With that he left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Leila stood and wandered over to the emerald-silver dress on
the chair. Her eyes widened at its simple elegance. The neck was a long
oval, falling loosely off her shoulders. The sleeves were slightly long,
and ended just below the middle of her hand, and she had a sneaky suspicion
that it was made that way. The bodice clung to her frame and the skirt
fell in a waterfall to the floor, brushing it slightly. She ran a comb
through her hair and allowed the natural soft curls that always held the
ends of her hair to make it look presentable. She slipped on matching slippers
and moved to the door. Taking a deep breath and opening it.
She stepped out of the room and Boromir's eyes widened. She smiled
shyly, blushing at his scrutiny. He suddenly realized what he was doing
and offered her his arm, saying, "Shall we milady? I'm sure the others
would like to see you."
She smiled up at him and took his arm, allowing him to lead her down
the steps and across the grounds. As they walked she stared around her
in awe of the beauty surrounding her. The trees were a golden canopy above
them and green grass and spring flowers below their feet. She had always
wanted to see Lothlorien, and now, she was seeing it with her own eyes,
on the arm of a man she was growing rather fond of.
This sudden realization struck her like a tree branch over the
head.
"Leila!"
Leila smiled at Pippin's voice as he waved to her. When they neared
the group of men she knelt down and gave the excited Hobbit a hug, wary
of her injured shoulder. She stayed in her position as Merry and Sam hugged
her and then Frodo, she stood and turned to the others.
Aragorn had been wrong when he had called her young. For she
was a full grown woman with the soft curves that were natural for her family
- for those of Celtic heritage. She smiled at Jairah and Legolas before
hugging the other female and then gave a quick embrace to the to the male
elf. She turned to Aragorn and hugged him as well and then finally spoke,
"I hope that none of you missed me all that much…"