Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, but I wish I did!
The Ring of Stars by Shelly
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning dawned bright and clear as if mother nature herself were wishing her a safe journey. She had already packed what few things she would need, and what few weapons she brought with her were fastened securely to her body. Her sword hung at her left hip and a long dagger rested on her right hip. Two smaller daggers were concealed in sheaths sewn into her boots, and she never went anywhere without her bow and arrows which were slung across her back.
Leaving the room she had called her own for so long, she walked outside to the stables where her horse, Lanthir, waited for her, and as it turned out she wasn't the only one packing their horse in readiness for their journey to Minas Tirith. Boromir was there also, saddling his horse and securing his packs to it once the saddle was secure, and she tended to Lanthir in silence, speaking soft words to him as he nuzzled her hand in greeting.
Though she tried her hardest not to, she couldn't help but watch him, admiring his strength and gentleness with his horse as she brushed her own horse's long dark mane. He turned, perhaps feeling her eyes on him, and looked her way, causing her to find a sudden interest in what she was doing and curse herself for being so weak whenever he was near. She soon felt his presence and continued brushing as if she had never seen him.
"A fine animal," he said, holding his hand out to the stallion, who sniffed at it and whickered in greeting, earning a caress from him.
"Thank you," she replied. "I've had him for many years now."
A small smile tugged at his mouth. The horse's midnight coat fairly shone as it was and still she continued brushing him in long smooth strokes. "What is his name?" he asked.
"Lanthir," she answered. "It's elvish for waterfall."
He nodded as he stroked the horse's forehead. "An appropriate name for such a beautiful animal."
She found herself wondering what it would feel like if he were to touch her in the same way, and she found her thoughts drifting back to last night when he had caressed her cheek with a soft touch. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, which irritated her further as she knew he could sense her discomfort and enjoyed seeing her in such a state. She looked up at him and saw him trying hard not to smile. "What is it you find so amusing, I wonder?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied. "I'm merely admiring your horse, my lady."
"Somehow I get the feeling that that's not the only thing you're admiring," she remarked softly.
He did smile then as he had heard her words. "Does that bother you?" he inquired.
She stopped brushing and faced him. "Yes, as a matter of fact it does, but I do not think that it will stop you from doing so. And I also do not take too kindly to being the victim of someone else's amusement."
"Then please tell me what you plan to do about it," he retorted teasingly, which only aroused her ire further, and before he knew it she had her dagger pointed at his heart. He looked down at her in surprise as she had been too quick for him to see her draw it. "I see your point," he answered.
She smiled at the pun. "You're lucky you didn't feel it." She suddenly sensed they weren't alone and turned her head to see Aldarion standing there, his mouth hanging open in surprise as the last thing they expected to see was Boromir's life being threatened by her. She sheathed her dagger just as quickly as Boromir stepped back away from her. "Have you met them, my lord?" she asked to break the awkwardness of the situation.
"No," he replied. "And please call me Boromir."
She nodded her head in response. "This is Aldarion," she introduced the younger blond elf then gestured to the older one. "And this is Tarcil, his brother."
They nodded to each other in greeting, Aldarion stepping up to Lillisandra. "Your father bids you to see him before you leave." His eyes held many questions, but she merely raised an eyebrow to let him know she would get no answers from her. "Okay," he breathed, then ducked into his horse's stall to prepare him before they departed.
She caught Boromir's gaze on her and smiled at him. "Oh, Aldarion?"
His head popped up from behind the stall door. "Yes?"
"Please take your time," she told him. "I wish to take Lanthir out for a short ride before we leave."
Boromir turned questioning eyes towards her. "Do you think that's wise? I mean, shouldn't we be leaving soon?"
She stepped closer to him, a smile on her lips. "My lord, before this journey is over, I plan to do all I can to keep that worry line between your eyebrows from deepening," she said, touching the spot she spoke of with her finger.
He smiled. "I wasn't aware that we would be traveling together so long."
Her smile faded somewhat. "Oh. I apologize as I was under the impression that you would be accompanying us for the entire time."
"Perhaps I should be the one apologizing as the reply my father sent may not have been clear enough." He took her right hand in his own warm one. "But if you wish it, I would more than gladly go with you beyond Minas Tirith."
She gazed into his eyes with surprise. "You would do that for me, knowing that you would be leaving behind all who need you in times such as this?"
He raised her hand to place a soft kiss on the back, her fingers brushing his wrist and sending jolts of electricity through them both. "Indeed I would follow you anywhere if you would only ask it of me."
She reluctantly pulled her hand from his, a smile appearing once again. "Perhaps I should've been warned about your ability to charm females in advance." She turned to gather Lanthir's reins in her hands and saw Aldarion trying his hardest not to laugh, which brought back his words to her from a few days earlier. She led him out into the morning sun, the sudden brightness piercing her eyes for a bit.
"If you were to ask anyone, they would only laugh as I am quite a different person when around my own people," his voice came at her side.
She swung up onto Lanthir's back, and he pranced around excitedly in anticipation of some exercise. She held her hand out to Boromir, and he looked at her questioningly. "You didn't think I was going alone, did you?" she asked. "Unless you'd rather stay here and endure the thousands of questions Aldarion's going to pelt you with."
That made up his mind for him, and he swung up behind her as she nudged Lanthir into a walk. "Aren't you concerned at the talk this will generate?" he asked, trying his hardest to keep from brushing against her in a manner that would have her using her dagger on him for real. Instead he was tormented by the scent of her hair and the knowledge that she was sitting so close to him yet he was unable to touch her.
She laughed. "Don't you know me well enough by now to realize that I care nothing of what others think of me?" she replied, knowing well the torture she must be putting him though and determined to give as good as she got. She smiled and was thankful he could not see it.
"Yes, I suppose that was a silly question to ask," he answered. They rode in silence for a bit as he was struck speechless when she leaned back against his chest and he came into contact with the softness of her body, causing his emotions to run even wilder within him. But what she did next tested his restraint even further when she wiggled her hips closer to a place that he did not want her anywhere close to as his body was reacting very strongly to her presence. "My lady, would you please be still?" he finally growled softly.
She managed to stifle her laugh. "Whatever is the matter, my lord?" she asked in her most innocent voice.
"Do you have any idea of the effect your nearness has on me?" he questioned. When she didn't reply, he looked down at her face and saw her smiling, the knowledge of what she had been doing bringing a smile to his lips. He reached up and pulled her hair to one side, leaving the side of her neck open to his touch as he softly caressed the silky skin with his fingers. He saw her head tilt sideways, and he lowered his mouth to her ear. "You brought me out here just so you could torment me, didn't you temptress?"
Her gaze became unfocused as his breath teased her neck, but she was determined not to fall under his spell again. "Certainly not! I had a very valid reason for coming out here."
He continued his caress down her back and moved it back up her side. "And that would be?"
She jumped as he found a ticklish spot and leaned away from him slightly. "I'll never tell," she replied, feeling she was in deep trouble now.
He smiled. "Ticklish are we? Then I guess I'll have to torture it out of you."
She felt his fingers at her sides, and she spun around as far as she was able. "Please don't," she pleaded, grabbing onto his hands to keep him from tickling her.
He looked down into her eyes. "Fine, I will not. But remember, you deserved it."
She couldn't argue with him there as it had been cruel of her to do such a thing to him. But she wasn't about to apologize as he took just as much pleasure in doing the same to her. Turning back around, she eased up a little further to open some space between them, unable to see his sudden disappointment. "I wanted to show you something of our land that I wish to see again before we leave. I have only seen it once when my father showed it to me, but I have never forgotten the way there."
"Tell me," he urged.
She smiled a little. "We will wait until we arrive. Be patient as it is not far now."
Once they had reached the northern end of Silmarion, they continued up the side of the mountain by way of an ancient path that had been worn down or rather carved into the rocky side, and he wondered why it was here. Soon after another half hour of riding, they came to the end of the trail that led to what appeared to be ruins of a settlement, the area around them still blackened from whatever had destroyed it. But that wasn't what made his jaw drop in awe.
Many years ago, three bridges crafted from stone once crossed the Ciril River that flowed below them, but now only ruins were what remained of their splendor, the bridges seeming to have crumbled with age until it seemed only the edges clinging to the sides of the mountain survived.
"What was this place?" he asked in a low voice as if by speaking any louder he would send the last remnants crashing into the river.
"Many years ago, before I was born, my people lived here. The bridges were built as others desired to trade with us that lived across the river. For a long time it was this way until evil came disguised as traders and forced us to destroy the bridges for the safety of our people. It has been told that evil still remains on that side, as they had destroyed what we had been forced to abandon."
He sensed the sadness in her voice and laid his hands on her arms, offering what comfort he could give. He soon caught movement in the ruins on the other side and narrowed his eyes to focus better. "It appears you are right," he pointed out.
No sooner had he said anything than the shrill whistling of arrows screaming towards them split the air and bounced off the rocks near them. He unconsciously reached for his shield, but realized in dismay that he had left it back at the stables. She, on the other hand, had her bow and arrows and she used them now to fend off their attackers with swift precision as she heard their dying screams whenever she hit her mark. He was amazed that she was so proficient and realized that if she had meant to kill him when they had first met he wouldn't be here now, and he knew now that they wouldn't be unless they left now. Reaching in front of her, he grabbed the reins and spun Lanthir around.
"What are you doing?" she cried in surprise as they raced back down the side of the mountain, her eyes still on their attackers.
"Keeping us alive," he replied.
Her blue eyes looked into his, still bright with fury, and he returned her gaze just as firmly, letting her know not to argue with him. Putting her bow away, she settled in for the remainder of the ride back to Silmarion as he slowed Lanthir's pace to a slow walk. Soon her back began to ache from the strain of having to sit upright for so long, and she leaned back against him, her head resting on his shoulder. He gathered the reins in one hand and wrapped the other around her waist, holding her close to him, and she laid her hand on his, not to remove his, but let it rest there as she looked out across the land she had called home since she had been born. She felt safe and comfortable in his arms, and soon found herself drifting off to sleep as he led them down the side of the mountain and towards home.
*************************
Next chapter: They finally leave Silmarion for Minas Tirith where the only danger they will encounter is in each other's hearts. Please read and review!
The Ring of Stars by Shelly
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning dawned bright and clear as if mother nature herself were wishing her a safe journey. She had already packed what few things she would need, and what few weapons she brought with her were fastened securely to her body. Her sword hung at her left hip and a long dagger rested on her right hip. Two smaller daggers were concealed in sheaths sewn into her boots, and she never went anywhere without her bow and arrows which were slung across her back.
Leaving the room she had called her own for so long, she walked outside to the stables where her horse, Lanthir, waited for her, and as it turned out she wasn't the only one packing their horse in readiness for their journey to Minas Tirith. Boromir was there also, saddling his horse and securing his packs to it once the saddle was secure, and she tended to Lanthir in silence, speaking soft words to him as he nuzzled her hand in greeting.
Though she tried her hardest not to, she couldn't help but watch him, admiring his strength and gentleness with his horse as she brushed her own horse's long dark mane. He turned, perhaps feeling her eyes on him, and looked her way, causing her to find a sudden interest in what she was doing and curse herself for being so weak whenever he was near. She soon felt his presence and continued brushing as if she had never seen him.
"A fine animal," he said, holding his hand out to the stallion, who sniffed at it and whickered in greeting, earning a caress from him.
"Thank you," she replied. "I've had him for many years now."
A small smile tugged at his mouth. The horse's midnight coat fairly shone as it was and still she continued brushing him in long smooth strokes. "What is his name?" he asked.
"Lanthir," she answered. "It's elvish for waterfall."
He nodded as he stroked the horse's forehead. "An appropriate name for such a beautiful animal."
She found herself wondering what it would feel like if he were to touch her in the same way, and she found her thoughts drifting back to last night when he had caressed her cheek with a soft touch. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, which irritated her further as she knew he could sense her discomfort and enjoyed seeing her in such a state. She looked up at him and saw him trying hard not to smile. "What is it you find so amusing, I wonder?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied. "I'm merely admiring your horse, my lady."
"Somehow I get the feeling that that's not the only thing you're admiring," she remarked softly.
He did smile then as he had heard her words. "Does that bother you?" he inquired.
She stopped brushing and faced him. "Yes, as a matter of fact it does, but I do not think that it will stop you from doing so. And I also do not take too kindly to being the victim of someone else's amusement."
"Then please tell me what you plan to do about it," he retorted teasingly, which only aroused her ire further, and before he knew it she had her dagger pointed at his heart. He looked down at her in surprise as she had been too quick for him to see her draw it. "I see your point," he answered.
She smiled at the pun. "You're lucky you didn't feel it." She suddenly sensed they weren't alone and turned her head to see Aldarion standing there, his mouth hanging open in surprise as the last thing they expected to see was Boromir's life being threatened by her. She sheathed her dagger just as quickly as Boromir stepped back away from her. "Have you met them, my lord?" she asked to break the awkwardness of the situation.
"No," he replied. "And please call me Boromir."
She nodded her head in response. "This is Aldarion," she introduced the younger blond elf then gestured to the older one. "And this is Tarcil, his brother."
They nodded to each other in greeting, Aldarion stepping up to Lillisandra. "Your father bids you to see him before you leave." His eyes held many questions, but she merely raised an eyebrow to let him know she would get no answers from her. "Okay," he breathed, then ducked into his horse's stall to prepare him before they departed.
She caught Boromir's gaze on her and smiled at him. "Oh, Aldarion?"
His head popped up from behind the stall door. "Yes?"
"Please take your time," she told him. "I wish to take Lanthir out for a short ride before we leave."
Boromir turned questioning eyes towards her. "Do you think that's wise? I mean, shouldn't we be leaving soon?"
She stepped closer to him, a smile on her lips. "My lord, before this journey is over, I plan to do all I can to keep that worry line between your eyebrows from deepening," she said, touching the spot she spoke of with her finger.
He smiled. "I wasn't aware that we would be traveling together so long."
Her smile faded somewhat. "Oh. I apologize as I was under the impression that you would be accompanying us for the entire time."
"Perhaps I should be the one apologizing as the reply my father sent may not have been clear enough." He took her right hand in his own warm one. "But if you wish it, I would more than gladly go with you beyond Minas Tirith."
She gazed into his eyes with surprise. "You would do that for me, knowing that you would be leaving behind all who need you in times such as this?"
He raised her hand to place a soft kiss on the back, her fingers brushing his wrist and sending jolts of electricity through them both. "Indeed I would follow you anywhere if you would only ask it of me."
She reluctantly pulled her hand from his, a smile appearing once again. "Perhaps I should've been warned about your ability to charm females in advance." She turned to gather Lanthir's reins in her hands and saw Aldarion trying his hardest not to laugh, which brought back his words to her from a few days earlier. She led him out into the morning sun, the sudden brightness piercing her eyes for a bit.
"If you were to ask anyone, they would only laugh as I am quite a different person when around my own people," his voice came at her side.
She swung up onto Lanthir's back, and he pranced around excitedly in anticipation of some exercise. She held her hand out to Boromir, and he looked at her questioningly. "You didn't think I was going alone, did you?" she asked. "Unless you'd rather stay here and endure the thousands of questions Aldarion's going to pelt you with."
That made up his mind for him, and he swung up behind her as she nudged Lanthir into a walk. "Aren't you concerned at the talk this will generate?" he asked, trying his hardest to keep from brushing against her in a manner that would have her using her dagger on him for real. Instead he was tormented by the scent of her hair and the knowledge that she was sitting so close to him yet he was unable to touch her.
She laughed. "Don't you know me well enough by now to realize that I care nothing of what others think of me?" she replied, knowing well the torture she must be putting him though and determined to give as good as she got. She smiled and was thankful he could not see it.
"Yes, I suppose that was a silly question to ask," he answered. They rode in silence for a bit as he was struck speechless when she leaned back against his chest and he came into contact with the softness of her body, causing his emotions to run even wilder within him. But what she did next tested his restraint even further when she wiggled her hips closer to a place that he did not want her anywhere close to as his body was reacting very strongly to her presence. "My lady, would you please be still?" he finally growled softly.
She managed to stifle her laugh. "Whatever is the matter, my lord?" she asked in her most innocent voice.
"Do you have any idea of the effect your nearness has on me?" he questioned. When she didn't reply, he looked down at her face and saw her smiling, the knowledge of what she had been doing bringing a smile to his lips. He reached up and pulled her hair to one side, leaving the side of her neck open to his touch as he softly caressed the silky skin with his fingers. He saw her head tilt sideways, and he lowered his mouth to her ear. "You brought me out here just so you could torment me, didn't you temptress?"
Her gaze became unfocused as his breath teased her neck, but she was determined not to fall under his spell again. "Certainly not! I had a very valid reason for coming out here."
He continued his caress down her back and moved it back up her side. "And that would be?"
She jumped as he found a ticklish spot and leaned away from him slightly. "I'll never tell," she replied, feeling she was in deep trouble now.
He smiled. "Ticklish are we? Then I guess I'll have to torture it out of you."
She felt his fingers at her sides, and she spun around as far as she was able. "Please don't," she pleaded, grabbing onto his hands to keep him from tickling her.
He looked down into her eyes. "Fine, I will not. But remember, you deserved it."
She couldn't argue with him there as it had been cruel of her to do such a thing to him. But she wasn't about to apologize as he took just as much pleasure in doing the same to her. Turning back around, she eased up a little further to open some space between them, unable to see his sudden disappointment. "I wanted to show you something of our land that I wish to see again before we leave. I have only seen it once when my father showed it to me, but I have never forgotten the way there."
"Tell me," he urged.
She smiled a little. "We will wait until we arrive. Be patient as it is not far now."
Once they had reached the northern end of Silmarion, they continued up the side of the mountain by way of an ancient path that had been worn down or rather carved into the rocky side, and he wondered why it was here. Soon after another half hour of riding, they came to the end of the trail that led to what appeared to be ruins of a settlement, the area around them still blackened from whatever had destroyed it. But that wasn't what made his jaw drop in awe.
Many years ago, three bridges crafted from stone once crossed the Ciril River that flowed below them, but now only ruins were what remained of their splendor, the bridges seeming to have crumbled with age until it seemed only the edges clinging to the sides of the mountain survived.
"What was this place?" he asked in a low voice as if by speaking any louder he would send the last remnants crashing into the river.
"Many years ago, before I was born, my people lived here. The bridges were built as others desired to trade with us that lived across the river. For a long time it was this way until evil came disguised as traders and forced us to destroy the bridges for the safety of our people. It has been told that evil still remains on that side, as they had destroyed what we had been forced to abandon."
He sensed the sadness in her voice and laid his hands on her arms, offering what comfort he could give. He soon caught movement in the ruins on the other side and narrowed his eyes to focus better. "It appears you are right," he pointed out.
No sooner had he said anything than the shrill whistling of arrows screaming towards them split the air and bounced off the rocks near them. He unconsciously reached for his shield, but realized in dismay that he had left it back at the stables. She, on the other hand, had her bow and arrows and she used them now to fend off their attackers with swift precision as she heard their dying screams whenever she hit her mark. He was amazed that she was so proficient and realized that if she had meant to kill him when they had first met he wouldn't be here now, and he knew now that they wouldn't be unless they left now. Reaching in front of her, he grabbed the reins and spun Lanthir around.
"What are you doing?" she cried in surprise as they raced back down the side of the mountain, her eyes still on their attackers.
"Keeping us alive," he replied.
Her blue eyes looked into his, still bright with fury, and he returned her gaze just as firmly, letting her know not to argue with him. Putting her bow away, she settled in for the remainder of the ride back to Silmarion as he slowed Lanthir's pace to a slow walk. Soon her back began to ache from the strain of having to sit upright for so long, and she leaned back against him, her head resting on his shoulder. He gathered the reins in one hand and wrapped the other around her waist, holding her close to him, and she laid her hand on his, not to remove his, but let it rest there as she looked out across the land she had called home since she had been born. She felt safe and comfortable in his arms, and soon found herself drifting off to sleep as he led them down the side of the mountain and towards home.
*************************
Next chapter: They finally leave Silmarion for Minas Tirith where the only danger they will encounter is in each other's hearts. Please read and review!
