Chapter 8
"Lorelein! For the love of Mirkwood, would you wake up?" Halin yelled, banging on her door. There was no answer and hadn't been for the past twenty-five minutes that he spent trying to wake her. His patience had become short and he was about to leave her behind while everyone else set off for the Sea.
"What's going on?" Legolas asked, walking out of his room. He was already dressed and packed, ready to leave.
"That lazy excuse for an elf isn't even awake yet! I sent for a key ten minutes ago but goodness knows if I'll ever get it before everyone leaves."
"Oh come now, Halin. It can't be that hard to wake her. She's not deaf."
"If you find it so easy, you do it! You can take on this task, Legolas. All praise to you if you arouse her by next century." Halin threw his hands up and stormed down the hall. He wasn't aware that the elf he passed on his way out was the one who possessed the key to Lorelein's room.
"Prince Legolas. I have been sent for a key to the Mistress' room?" said the elf, a confused look was shown clearly on his face.
"Yes. Halin has left me to do the duty of waking her it seems. I shall take it though I find it rude to enter her room in such a forced manner."
The elf nodded before handing Legolas the key and heading off to fulfill other errands he had to complete by end of morning. Then with a sigh, Legolas silently unlocked the door and opened it, knocking softly as he entered.
"Lorelein?" he called, hoping not to intrude on her if she was in the process of dressing. Though his only reply was a calm silence. Walking further in he saw her curled up, asleep in her bed. He smiled at the sight. A blanket lay at the small of her back as she hugged a pillow to her chest. Her head rested against her arm and she looked very much at peace as she slept.
He slowly made his way toward her and leaned over her, his hand on the mattress, supporting his weight. Shaking her gently he called her name, hoping she would wake. Though luck wasn't with him on this task and she just rolled over.
Seeing this didn't work, Legolas sat down beside her. Grabbing her hands, he took her pillow and tossed it to the other side of the bed. This wasn't the best of his ideas though, as she replaced the pillow with him.
Shocked at first, he looked down at Lorelein as she rested her head in his lap and pulled the covers up over her shoulders. Contented, she sighed and continued to sleep.
Legolas wasn't sure what to do. He had never dealt with such a situation and didn't know how to react. It was possible to wake her but that would cause her to ask even more questions, though he couldn't just let her sleep since they both had to be ready to leave before long.
Moving a strand of hair out of her face, he found it hard to resist the urge to ignore the task at hand and just sit there, watching her rest. Legolas didn't deny the fact that he found her attractive, for many he knew also found her beautiful. But he saw things in Lorelein that many did not. He knew her opinions and morals. He knew her soft side and her stubborn side. He could read her looks and tell when she was uneasy. He saw the determination that she had deep inside. But most of all he knew she was unique and he loved her for it. She had, in the time they have known each other, found her way to his heart and became his closest friend.
These thoughts were interrupted though, as he heard a soft whimper. Looking down at Lorelein he saw she had her eyes tightly shut and her body had become tense. Her breathing increased and she looked as if she was experiencing great fear.
"Lorelein, wake up." Legolas shook her once more, this time with a bit more force. It took awhile but he did manage to succeed in waking her. Startled, she jumped and grabbed Legolas for support. To his surprise, she held tightly to him as she spoke.
"I'm not my father! I won't be. Don't let him near me! I'm not him." Lorelein cried, her eyes filled with tears.
"It's okay, Lorelein. It's okay. Shhh. You're dreaming. Calm down." Legolas tried his best to calm her, rubbing her back and speaking softly in her ear. Tears began to roll down her cheeks and she buried her head in Legolas' shirt. Her small frame shook violently and she seemed weak.
"It's just a dream, Lorie. No one's going to hurt you. I promise. I won't let anything happen to you. It'll be okay."
Shaking her head, she replied.
"He wouldn't go away, Legolas. And my mother. She, she…Oh Legolas, it was horrible." She had come to realize that it was a dream quickly after her outburst but was still greatly shaken by it.
"What happened?"
"My father, I could hear him yelling. And my mother was crying. I wasn't sure why. I was confused. Then she turned to me and told me to leave. I didn't want to leave her, I really didn't. But she insisted I left."
"I'm believe you."
Legolas would have said more but Lorelein continued.
"Then when I tried to leave I couldn't. There were too many men around and they wouldn't let me leave. They held me back."
"Elven men or Mortal men?"
"Mortal men, Legolas. And my father stood with them. He just looked at me and accused me of betraying him. I didn't know what he spoke of and Mother just looked at me and shook her head. When I finally got to speak to her she said that I was too much like my father and that she couldn't handle another like him. Legolas, I hated it. It seemed so real."
Legolas didn't speak. He just continued to hold her close and slowly digest what she had told him. He didn't question how she knew they were her parents for dreaming was a common doorway to retrieving lost memories. But what she had told him about the dream made him wonder about her childhood. He had no clue as to who her true parents were and it made him wonder how wise of an idea it would be to pass her off into the possession of her parents without knowing what kind of people they were.
"Lorelein?" he said, after awhile. She had been very quiet as she sat curled in his lap and he wasn't sure if she had fallen asleep once more or not. But she proved herself conscious by looking up at him.
"I don't want to rush you but we must leave very soon. It wouldn't be good if we kept the Lord and Lady waiting and if you aren't prepared to depart yet then you might want to get ready now."
Lorelein groaned and sat up. She had felt very comfortable and at ease where she was and she regretted moving. She felt safe with Legolas and leaving Lothlorien meant that she would probably soon face the decision that he had informed her of the night before. She didn't think too much of it until she was alone in her bed late that same night. It hit her hard that Legolas would no longer be a big part of her life once she went her own way. And being forced to go live with parents who are strangers to her didn't help her outlook.
"Do you want help packing?" Legolas asked, watching her.
"I already did so last night. I just need to dress which I think I can manage on my own. But thank you." her words were of light sarcasm but her tone was still a bit shaky.
Legolas gave her an amused look.
"Well then, I'll wait for you outside. Don't take too long for we're probably late enough as it is." and he made his way out the door.
Lorelein nodded before dressing quickly and grabbing her bag. With the generous donations from the elves of Lothlorien, she had gained three different outfits. She was very grateful of the clothes and liked them so but she favored most the shirt that Legolas had loaned her the day she left the Mortal Lands. Though it was big and considered unladylike, she loved it for his warmth and most of all it's smell. It had a masculine scent worn into the cloth and a faint aroma of spring clung to it's fabric. She wore it proudly as she stepped carefully down the ladder.
"I forgot you even had that." Legolas stated. He was mounted on Arestel, his own bag secured near the horse's haunches.
"Well you never asked for it back." She replied, rubbing Arestel on her crest.
"And I don't intend to. It looks better on you than it did on me." he held his hand out and she took it before mounting behind him.
"So how late are we?" Lorelein asked as Legolas began into a swift trot.
"Late enough." he replied, quickening his pace. They made their way out of the city and through a large group of elves. It seemed most of Lothlorien's population had already gathered outside the city gates. Continuing to the front of the great crowd, he rode up beside Lady Galadriel. Neither spoke for she already knew that he was prepared to set off but he still smiled in greeting. Looking to his right his smile disappeared as he notice Calinril beside him. Since Legolas was to ride in front with the Lord and Lady, it seemed that he would be forced to spend more time with the Elf than he cared to. Calinril showed nothing but disrespect toward Lorelein, not to mention animosity. He would be sure to watch Calinril carefully and keep Lorelein from having any contact with the cruel elf.
Calinril turned to Legolas and gave him a fake smile.
"Well isn't this just a fancy treat. It seems the young Prince will be riding with us after all. Ever so kind are you to grace us with your presence, Legolas."
A look of disgust shown fiercely in Legolas' eyes. Calinril's smile reminded him of a venomous snake gazing hungrily at it's prey.
"Why don't you drop the act, Calinril. We both know how you feel about Lorelein and I."
"Of course. I give you all that you deserve. The both of you."
"Go slither off into the Lands of Mordor. It's filthy creatures will greet you with open paws, I'm sure.
"Are you insulting me?"
"Would you prefer a threat?"
"Legolas Greenleaf, that is enough." spoke Galadriel. She knew of the tension between both males and if it wasn't for tradition, she would place Calinril with those of lower rank. But since breaking tradition was not an option, she would have to do her best to keep things civil between the two.
"But Lady, it is not fair to let--" Legolas began.
"Do not lower yourself to his standards, dear boy. You are much too good for that."
Legolas didn't dare counter her again for fear of it seeming disrespectful. Both Celeborn and Galadriel had great power and honor in his eyes and he would show them nothing less.
And so from there the first day of their journey began. Even though Calinril somehow seemed to keep his words to himself and Legolas kept his glares to a minimum, the tension between the two was so thick that Lorelein felt almost suffocated by it. The hours dragged on and the sun seemed to take it's time before finally setting behind rolling hills. Once they decided to set camp she was tired, her butt was tired, and she felt as if she was in serious need of a blanket and pillow. It made her miss the tree she had stayed in at Lothlorien.
"Lorelein? Are you awake?" Legolas' voice startled her from her daze.
"Mm? Yeah. I'm awake."
Legolas chuckled and dismounted. Holding his hands out, he helped Lorelein, who seemed half asleep, off his horse. True, it had been a long day and he knew she must have been bored out of her mind sitting on the back of a horse all day. She didn't speak once, which wasn't too surprising considering the fact that the few conversations made were of other Elven groups that she knew nothing of.
Grabbing two blankets from a bag placed near the horses haunches, he found a nice tree and motioned for Lorelein to follow.
"I want you staying near me tonight. I know you can very well fend for yourself when needed but I'll sleep better knowing Calinril cannot bother you without my knowing."
"Okay." Lorelein replied softly. She didn't ask for a pillow, knowing he wouldn't have one, and decided to make the best out of the situation. While Legolas walked off to speak to Lord Celeborn and his Lady, Lorelein looked at the scenery around them. She was beside one of the few trees in the area and tall grass surrounded them from all sides. They would be very well hidden that night.
Yawning, she slowly bent the tall grasses under the tree down to form a small cushion. Then gently resting herself on top, she covered herself with a blanket, closed her eyes, and waited for sleep to wash over her.
Legolas returned much later, tired but more at ease. Lord Celeborn had agreed to move Calinril behind them with the royal servants. That way he was neither in a lower class, or too close to Lorelein and himself. Sitting down under the tree he grabbed his blanket and crawled under it. Looking to his left he saw Lorelein, resting silently beside him. She shivered a bit in the chilly night and unconsciously pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
Legolas, out of kindness, laid down beside her and wrapped part of his blanket around her. He didn't mind the weather so much and would be fine with little cover. Lorelein, out of instinct, rolled over and drew closer to Legolas for body heat. But this time, he didn't act surprised. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his head above hers. He knew that she was slowly becoming more and more of a necessity to him and by now was willing to accept that. Though he thought her only to be a close friend of his, he never suspected that which he would face next. Nor how it would effect them both, emotionally and physically.
"Lorelein! For the love of Mirkwood, would you wake up?" Halin yelled, banging on her door. There was no answer and hadn't been for the past twenty-five minutes that he spent trying to wake her. His patience had become short and he was about to leave her behind while everyone else set off for the Sea.
"What's going on?" Legolas asked, walking out of his room. He was already dressed and packed, ready to leave.
"That lazy excuse for an elf isn't even awake yet! I sent for a key ten minutes ago but goodness knows if I'll ever get it before everyone leaves."
"Oh come now, Halin. It can't be that hard to wake her. She's not deaf."
"If you find it so easy, you do it! You can take on this task, Legolas. All praise to you if you arouse her by next century." Halin threw his hands up and stormed down the hall. He wasn't aware that the elf he passed on his way out was the one who possessed the key to Lorelein's room.
"Prince Legolas. I have been sent for a key to the Mistress' room?" said the elf, a confused look was shown clearly on his face.
"Yes. Halin has left me to do the duty of waking her it seems. I shall take it though I find it rude to enter her room in such a forced manner."
The elf nodded before handing Legolas the key and heading off to fulfill other errands he had to complete by end of morning. Then with a sigh, Legolas silently unlocked the door and opened it, knocking softly as he entered.
"Lorelein?" he called, hoping not to intrude on her if she was in the process of dressing. Though his only reply was a calm silence. Walking further in he saw her curled up, asleep in her bed. He smiled at the sight. A blanket lay at the small of her back as she hugged a pillow to her chest. Her head rested against her arm and she looked very much at peace as she slept.
He slowly made his way toward her and leaned over her, his hand on the mattress, supporting his weight. Shaking her gently he called her name, hoping she would wake. Though luck wasn't with him on this task and she just rolled over.
Seeing this didn't work, Legolas sat down beside her. Grabbing her hands, he took her pillow and tossed it to the other side of the bed. This wasn't the best of his ideas though, as she replaced the pillow with him.
Shocked at first, he looked down at Lorelein as she rested her head in his lap and pulled the covers up over her shoulders. Contented, she sighed and continued to sleep.
Legolas wasn't sure what to do. He had never dealt with such a situation and didn't know how to react. It was possible to wake her but that would cause her to ask even more questions, though he couldn't just let her sleep since they both had to be ready to leave before long.
Moving a strand of hair out of her face, he found it hard to resist the urge to ignore the task at hand and just sit there, watching her rest. Legolas didn't deny the fact that he found her attractive, for many he knew also found her beautiful. But he saw things in Lorelein that many did not. He knew her opinions and morals. He knew her soft side and her stubborn side. He could read her looks and tell when she was uneasy. He saw the determination that she had deep inside. But most of all he knew she was unique and he loved her for it. She had, in the time they have known each other, found her way to his heart and became his closest friend.
These thoughts were interrupted though, as he heard a soft whimper. Looking down at Lorelein he saw she had her eyes tightly shut and her body had become tense. Her breathing increased and she looked as if she was experiencing great fear.
"Lorelein, wake up." Legolas shook her once more, this time with a bit more force. It took awhile but he did manage to succeed in waking her. Startled, she jumped and grabbed Legolas for support. To his surprise, she held tightly to him as she spoke.
"I'm not my father! I won't be. Don't let him near me! I'm not him." Lorelein cried, her eyes filled with tears.
"It's okay, Lorelein. It's okay. Shhh. You're dreaming. Calm down." Legolas tried his best to calm her, rubbing her back and speaking softly in her ear. Tears began to roll down her cheeks and she buried her head in Legolas' shirt. Her small frame shook violently and she seemed weak.
"It's just a dream, Lorie. No one's going to hurt you. I promise. I won't let anything happen to you. It'll be okay."
Shaking her head, she replied.
"He wouldn't go away, Legolas. And my mother. She, she…Oh Legolas, it was horrible." She had come to realize that it was a dream quickly after her outburst but was still greatly shaken by it.
"What happened?"
"My father, I could hear him yelling. And my mother was crying. I wasn't sure why. I was confused. Then she turned to me and told me to leave. I didn't want to leave her, I really didn't. But she insisted I left."
"I'm believe you."
Legolas would have said more but Lorelein continued.
"Then when I tried to leave I couldn't. There were too many men around and they wouldn't let me leave. They held me back."
"Elven men or Mortal men?"
"Mortal men, Legolas. And my father stood with them. He just looked at me and accused me of betraying him. I didn't know what he spoke of and Mother just looked at me and shook her head. When I finally got to speak to her she said that I was too much like my father and that she couldn't handle another like him. Legolas, I hated it. It seemed so real."
Legolas didn't speak. He just continued to hold her close and slowly digest what she had told him. He didn't question how she knew they were her parents for dreaming was a common doorway to retrieving lost memories. But what she had told him about the dream made him wonder about her childhood. He had no clue as to who her true parents were and it made him wonder how wise of an idea it would be to pass her off into the possession of her parents without knowing what kind of people they were.
"Lorelein?" he said, after awhile. She had been very quiet as she sat curled in his lap and he wasn't sure if she had fallen asleep once more or not. But she proved herself conscious by looking up at him.
"I don't want to rush you but we must leave very soon. It wouldn't be good if we kept the Lord and Lady waiting and if you aren't prepared to depart yet then you might want to get ready now."
Lorelein groaned and sat up. She had felt very comfortable and at ease where she was and she regretted moving. She felt safe with Legolas and leaving Lothlorien meant that she would probably soon face the decision that he had informed her of the night before. She didn't think too much of it until she was alone in her bed late that same night. It hit her hard that Legolas would no longer be a big part of her life once she went her own way. And being forced to go live with parents who are strangers to her didn't help her outlook.
"Do you want help packing?" Legolas asked, watching her.
"I already did so last night. I just need to dress which I think I can manage on my own. But thank you." her words were of light sarcasm but her tone was still a bit shaky.
Legolas gave her an amused look.
"Well then, I'll wait for you outside. Don't take too long for we're probably late enough as it is." and he made his way out the door.
Lorelein nodded before dressing quickly and grabbing her bag. With the generous donations from the elves of Lothlorien, she had gained three different outfits. She was very grateful of the clothes and liked them so but she favored most the shirt that Legolas had loaned her the day she left the Mortal Lands. Though it was big and considered unladylike, she loved it for his warmth and most of all it's smell. It had a masculine scent worn into the cloth and a faint aroma of spring clung to it's fabric. She wore it proudly as she stepped carefully down the ladder.
"I forgot you even had that." Legolas stated. He was mounted on Arestel, his own bag secured near the horse's haunches.
"Well you never asked for it back." She replied, rubbing Arestel on her crest.
"And I don't intend to. It looks better on you than it did on me." he held his hand out and she took it before mounting behind him.
"So how late are we?" Lorelein asked as Legolas began into a swift trot.
"Late enough." he replied, quickening his pace. They made their way out of the city and through a large group of elves. It seemed most of Lothlorien's population had already gathered outside the city gates. Continuing to the front of the great crowd, he rode up beside Lady Galadriel. Neither spoke for she already knew that he was prepared to set off but he still smiled in greeting. Looking to his right his smile disappeared as he notice Calinril beside him. Since Legolas was to ride in front with the Lord and Lady, it seemed that he would be forced to spend more time with the Elf than he cared to. Calinril showed nothing but disrespect toward Lorelein, not to mention animosity. He would be sure to watch Calinril carefully and keep Lorelein from having any contact with the cruel elf.
Calinril turned to Legolas and gave him a fake smile.
"Well isn't this just a fancy treat. It seems the young Prince will be riding with us after all. Ever so kind are you to grace us with your presence, Legolas."
A look of disgust shown fiercely in Legolas' eyes. Calinril's smile reminded him of a venomous snake gazing hungrily at it's prey.
"Why don't you drop the act, Calinril. We both know how you feel about Lorelein and I."
"Of course. I give you all that you deserve. The both of you."
"Go slither off into the Lands of Mordor. It's filthy creatures will greet you with open paws, I'm sure.
"Are you insulting me?"
"Would you prefer a threat?"
"Legolas Greenleaf, that is enough." spoke Galadriel. She knew of the tension between both males and if it wasn't for tradition, she would place Calinril with those of lower rank. But since breaking tradition was not an option, she would have to do her best to keep things civil between the two.
"But Lady, it is not fair to let--" Legolas began.
"Do not lower yourself to his standards, dear boy. You are much too good for that."
Legolas didn't dare counter her again for fear of it seeming disrespectful. Both Celeborn and Galadriel had great power and honor in his eyes and he would show them nothing less.
And so from there the first day of their journey began. Even though Calinril somehow seemed to keep his words to himself and Legolas kept his glares to a minimum, the tension between the two was so thick that Lorelein felt almost suffocated by it. The hours dragged on and the sun seemed to take it's time before finally setting behind rolling hills. Once they decided to set camp she was tired, her butt was tired, and she felt as if she was in serious need of a blanket and pillow. It made her miss the tree she had stayed in at Lothlorien.
"Lorelein? Are you awake?" Legolas' voice startled her from her daze.
"Mm? Yeah. I'm awake."
Legolas chuckled and dismounted. Holding his hands out, he helped Lorelein, who seemed half asleep, off his horse. True, it had been a long day and he knew she must have been bored out of her mind sitting on the back of a horse all day. She didn't speak once, which wasn't too surprising considering the fact that the few conversations made were of other Elven groups that she knew nothing of.
Grabbing two blankets from a bag placed near the horses haunches, he found a nice tree and motioned for Lorelein to follow.
"I want you staying near me tonight. I know you can very well fend for yourself when needed but I'll sleep better knowing Calinril cannot bother you without my knowing."
"Okay." Lorelein replied softly. She didn't ask for a pillow, knowing he wouldn't have one, and decided to make the best out of the situation. While Legolas walked off to speak to Lord Celeborn and his Lady, Lorelein looked at the scenery around them. She was beside one of the few trees in the area and tall grass surrounded them from all sides. They would be very well hidden that night.
Yawning, she slowly bent the tall grasses under the tree down to form a small cushion. Then gently resting herself on top, she covered herself with a blanket, closed her eyes, and waited for sleep to wash over her.
Legolas returned much later, tired but more at ease. Lord Celeborn had agreed to move Calinril behind them with the royal servants. That way he was neither in a lower class, or too close to Lorelein and himself. Sitting down under the tree he grabbed his blanket and crawled under it. Looking to his left he saw Lorelein, resting silently beside him. She shivered a bit in the chilly night and unconsciously pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
Legolas, out of kindness, laid down beside her and wrapped part of his blanket around her. He didn't mind the weather so much and would be fine with little cover. Lorelein, out of instinct, rolled over and drew closer to Legolas for body heat. But this time, he didn't act surprised. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his head above hers. He knew that she was slowly becoming more and more of a necessity to him and by now was willing to accept that. Though he thought her only to be a close friend of his, he never suspected that which he would face next. Nor how it would effect them both, emotionally and physically.