By.CorvidQueen
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Our blustry arrival was like the catalyst to a brooding storm, my father waiting with almost baited breath as I drew Islingdur to a hault outside the stable doors.
"What news, what news?!" He verily demanded as I dismounted, taking hold of the stallion's bridal.
"A company of four come hither to this house as we speak, their given names Gandolf the Gray, Aragorn the Dunedane, Legolas the Elf, and Gimli the Dwarf."
He nodded at each name before releasing Islingdur to my care, clapping his hands.
"Make ready the guest wing, prepare the dinning hall! What language did they speak, you obviously know it."
"Their tongue is like none in this land."
"Then you can translate for us." He answered. "Wait for them here and bring them to the short hall."
With a swish of robes, he was off to do only lord knew what. I gladly went to the stables, calling for three of the best stalls to be set up before tending to Islingdur. He was more than happy to receive my pampering and it was nearly half an hour later when I emerged to find the company just arriving. I smiled and greeted them after our fashion, waiting till they had assembled before speaking.
"I was beginning to worry that I would have to come back for you." I said, catching the bobbing nose of the elf's unbridled mount and stroking it's kind face.
"How long have you been waiting? It took us no more than fifteen minutes to arrive." Gimli protested as he dismounted.
"Nay lord, I have been waiting for near unto half an hour." I answered as I skillfully caught the reigns of Aragorn's mount.
"If that is so, than flight truly was the talent of your mount who's name I don't quite recall." Legolas noted, looking to me.
"It was Islingdur. Give pause here for a moment, I will return after delivering your mounts." I said, looking to Gandolf. "He is welcome to come at his own leisure, I fear I have not been honored with his name."
"It is Shadowfax." He answered almost primly, eyeing me.
"I will take my own mount." Legolas offered.
"Whatever for?" I questioned as I started forward, Aragorn's mount following on a loose lead and the other on none at all.
Shadowfax stepped ofrward on his own accord, muscling the Legolas' mount out of position to walk by my side, to the surprise of both me and the others.
"I will return shortly." I called over my shoulder, laughing inwardly at their otherwise bewildered expressions.
They watched and made no response. As I had promised, I returned shortly to see they had moved little. Legolas was first to speak.
"You have quite some way with horses, if I knew no better, I would think you an Elf!"
"I am far too short and not nearly as fair. You flatter me." I blushed.
They smiled and I was all the redder for it, turning promptly to enter the house.
"I am sure a feast awaits you."
"Then by all means, lead on!"
I had the tiering feeling I was in for little eating and much talking.
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I collapsed in the drawing room, exhausted and at want for food and drink. I had spent nearly five hours translating for my father and the company which was to stay overnight and leave in the early afternoon.
"You where marvelous!"
I found myself enveloped suddenly in strong arms, a passionate kiss placed on me. I was to startled to react, frozen in my father's arms. I found my voice suddenly as his hands found my chest, my gasp a high pitched plea of alarm.
"Put me down!"
He placed be back on my feet, but held me about my middle with one arm, his free hand slipping down.
"Stop!"
"Don't be like this Mathis, you enjoy my touch. You know you do." He whispered harshly in my ear, moving as if to kiss my neck.
"Mat- oh."
We both started and looked up to see Legolas standing in the doorway.
"Do you need something?" I asked tersely, pleading silently for an escape.
"Yes, I need you for a moment actually." He answered slowly, eyeing my father. "Am I interrupting something?"
I bit back a retort and shook my head before speaking to my father.
"I am needed."
He bowed and let me go. I left the room as quickly as I dared, following Legolas in silence. He slowed to walk beside me after a few moments, emotion floating in his eyes, but I could not identify them.
"Are you sure I was not interrupting something?" He finally asked and I addured him as steadily as I could manage, but his sight was as keen as his hearing. "Is there anything wrong?"
I didn't answered and he did not press the issue, having reached the guest wing. He opened the door that led to their rooms and motioned me in. I found all four had gathered in the small living room of sorts, a large plate on the table and a goblet of drink beside it. Aragorn smiled at my confusion.
"We noticed you had little to eat or drink and took the liberty of getting you something." He explained.
I blinked, so taken aback and pleased by their thoughtfulness I nearly burst into tears right then.
"You didn't have too, I would have gotten something on my own." I stuttered, voice trembling slightly.
"Our most gracious hostess, will you not sit and eat?" Gandalf asked.
I quickly wiped my eyes and smiled, forgetting about my father as I sat at the table and ate. We held a running conversation, sharing tales of trips and our homelands, their stories far more interesting than mine. I did not remember falling asleep, but waving voices brought me from the peaceful black.
"I care not for the way her father gazes upon her. It gives me an ill feeling." A fair voice stated, clear amid the gloom.
Legolas?
"Aye, neither do I, but we have not come here to judge. Though still, it is the sin of omission that is most vile. There is something greater amiss here than simple perversion."
"So long as she is not harmed in our presence, we will do nothing. This is not our fight. Agreed?"
There was a grudging consensus.
I sighed slightly, stirring. I sat up to find I had been lain on a couch but a few feet from where the others still gathered around the table. Legolas smiled and came to kneel beside me.
"We bored you." He grinned, overring a hand.
"I would watch with you the passing of the moon, but I doubt I could endure so long." I answered, blushing as I accepted his hand and stood. "What is the hour?"
"Nearly midnight." He responded.
I swallowed, mustering all the self-control I had to not sprint from the room right then. If I did not get to Cypris Hill within a few minutes, I would face a torture worse than death.
"Take your leave of us till morning. Sleep well Mathis."
I smiled, bowing before quietly leaving the room-and racing down the hall. My footsteps, though light, seemed to echo impossibly loud, my heart pounding in my ears.
"Islingdur, Islingdur! My need is great, oh Islingdur, save me!" I called as loud as I dared, breathless as I entered the stable.
He was waiting for me and I mounted without normally needed aid. Clinging to his mane, I sent him down the lessger trails for it was over grown and good for hiding the beat of flying hooves.
"Please Islindgur, I have to make!"
He became a flame, a streak of sunlight lost in the night. We came to Cypris Hill faster than I had known possible. A script was waiting and though I deeply abhorred the fell words scrawled upon it, I spoke them anyway. A deathly chill crept through my limbs and nestled painfully in the pit of my stomach. Darkness blinded me for a moment, my strength failing as I collapsed, trembling as the script burned to sunders, blue flames licking harmlessly at my fingers. Islingdur attempted to comfort me, lipping my ears and hair, but recoiling at the evil energy that festered inside, eating away at my being. I desperately tried to shake it off, sobbing.
"I have done something tonight that I fear is more horrible than any of my past actions. I feel it in my bones, this chill will not simply pass. Islingdur, my only friend. How will I face the day?"
He could offer no council.