What Happens When You Close Your Eyes,

Chapter 2

Disclaimer + A/N: Forewarning- I've yet to read any of the books aside from "The Hobbit", so if I kill the concept, flame me or something and make me stop! Thank you! LOTR isn't mine, but, as I said before, Legolas is tied up in my closet. Nelanna belongs to me. I apologize for the unoriginal storyline, but it was dying to be written. Please R+R!!! Flames accepted and embraced, ^_^!!

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Lord Tanon had her dressed in some ridiculous gown. It was forest green, and low cut, held by tiny straps that bit into her shoulders. Nelanna could barely move in it and, under different circumstances, would gladly have burned the awkward thing, had not her marriage been so important to peace.

The elven guests mingled politely, seeming to purposely avoid Lord Tanon himself, who sat in a huge chair at the head of the table. Nelanna sat on his left, an elf Tanon's age, Rinale in front of her. Rinale was every bit as revolting as Tanon. Nelanna did her best to ignore the two, nodding and adding "Mmm?"'s and "Yes."'s when necessary.

These responses seemed to be enough for the two elves, and they enjoyed adding, "But what would a GIRL know of such matters?" every so often.

When a break in their conversation came ("I see no reason why slaves are not brought in!"), Nelanna took advantage of the silence to ask, "My lord, did you happen to invite Legolas Greenleaf?"

"I don't know, girl, they simply seem to pop up, don't they?" Tanon slurred, slightly intoxicated. Nelanna couldn't help but notice that when her betrothed called her 'girl', it didn't touch her heart and twinge her soul the way it did when Legolas said it, so lovingly.

Lord Tanon left the table with Rinale in the middle of the third course, probably to rid themselves of the copious amounts of alcohol they had consumed in the rose bushes outside.

Nelanna picked at her food. "Tomorrow," she whispered miserably to herself. "I'm to be married tomorrow to a fat pig of an elf who cares only for his vineyards."

"What's that, now?" a silver-tongued voice asked from across the table. It was NOT Rinale's voice.

"Legolas?!" Nelanna asked, incredulous. He was there, resplendent, sitting across from her, a concerned look on his face.

"How are you, Nelanna? Are you treated all right?" he asked hurriedly.

"Yes, so far, except I'm supposed to wear atrocities like this all the time and Legolas... He, he's-"

"Deplorable? Disgusting? Nauseating? I know, which is why I'm here now," he said, in the same hushed tones. "Nelanna, I- You-" he stopped, shook his head slightly, then continued. "You could-"

"Oh, keeping my seat warm for me, are you boy?" a loud, raucous said, cutting off Legolas. Rinale and Tanon had returned, and they fairly shoved Legolas off of his seat. He still stood behind Rinale, who resumed with his ale as if nothing had passed.

"Nelanna, you-"

Again, he was cut off by the older elves. "You're bothering me, boy," Tanon said, waving his arm and nearly catching Nelanna in the face. She ducked. "Nobody talks to my wife without my approval. Or are you courting?" His beady eyes narrowed. "Get out of my house, boy, before I have you thrown out. Out, OUT!"

Legolas looked helplessly at Nelanna before racing out.

Tanon stood. "The feast is over, my friends. It's time for you to leave now. Good eve!" With that, he grabbed Nelanna's wrist and hauled her upstairs, to her bedchamber.

Upon entering, he flung her to the ground roughly. "Thought you could court behind my back, eh wife?" he spat, pacing the room as Nelanna struggled to stand.

"I'm not your wife yet, my lord," she said as respectfully as she could, her voice quivering. "And I've done nothing to upset you."

"YOU HAVE!" he roared, and hit her across the face.

Struggling not to cry out, Nelanna crouched against the wall, biting her lip. "You're drunk, my lord, please, go downstairs-"

"NOBODY INSULTS ME WITHOUT PUNISHMENT!!!" he bellowed, hitting her again.

Nelanna wondered wildly if she was going to die, as his other wives had died, as he pummeled her body violently with his fists. She curled into a ball in the corner, shielding her head with her hands and waiting for him to leave.

"You'll marry me tomorrow, girl, and you'll never see that damn boy again, you hear?" he sneered contemptuously, kicking her one last time. She heard the door open and slam shut, a key clicking in the lock.

Nelanna stayed in the corner for a long time, afraid to move. When she finally stood, checking herself for any broken bones, she stood slowly and painfully. She made use of the large mirror in the room to inspect her injuries. The majority of the bruises were on her back, rising black and ugly on her skin. Some dotted her arms, and one livid bump was showing on her cheekbone, where he had first beaten her.

Her ugly scrutiny finished, she collapsed on the bed, sobbing, terrified and lonely, hoping and praying for Legolas to come and save her. Dawn crept up over the empty window, and Nelanna finally slept.