Disclaimer: The Tolkien estate owns Middle Earth and alll parts therein.
I own my creations. Seeing as how I am borrowing their stuff, they are
more than welcome to borrow mine.
A/N: I know I'm evil for cutting their enjoyment, but I promise when it happens it'll be well worth it and I'll have to change the rating because of it. Thanks for all the reviews, especially Starbrat and Elfheart who have been with me since I first posted this – you two get a cookie. =)
Chapter 12 – A Battle
Acting purely on instinct, Legolas pushed Alania to the ground and quickly followed her, just barely escaping a score of arrows sent their way. Keeping as low to the ground as possible and moving as fast as they could without making too much noise, they rushed back to the house. Once at the porch, Legolas cried out to Georn but he and Roxy had already heard the shots and were ready. The two of them stood their ground on the porch with arrows flying, as Legolas and Alania ran into the house to get their weapons.
Ignoring Legolas's orders for her to grab her bow, she slung two daggers and a short sword around her shoulders and ran to her study to open the trunk. She was moving purely on instinct. With shaky hands she missed the combination for the trunk twice. Cursing at herself and hearing the commotion outside, she took a full breath and focused on getting the trunk open. Wrenching the lid from it, she grabbed two sawed-off shotguns and four semi automatic pistols. Checking everything was loaded as she left the room, she called out to Roxy and tossed her a shotgun and two of the pistols when she came in the door. She and Roxy ran around shutting off the lights for better visibility and then knocked out a few of the windows.
Legolas and Georn had managed to take down a few of the orcs as the troop moved in closer to the house. They could now see the size of the group as they started moving out from the trees into the clearing around the house. Glancing sideways, Legolas saw Alania and Roxy move onto the porch with their shotguns aimed. Unprepared for the sound and speed of their weapons, Legolas recoiled a bit as he watched Alania aim and shoot an orc's head clear off his shoulders. Smiling grimly, Legolas realized that she had been infinitely more prepared for the situation than he believed and turned back to the task at hand.
Noting the number of orcs heading to the house and their positions, Alania realized that it was a mistake for all of them to be up front. Turing back into the house, she ran up the stairs and quickly climbed up onto the roof to assess the situation more fully. Cursing audibly when she saw what was going on, she felt a fury grow inside at the total disruption into her world. Alania took all the rage she felt at their violation of her land and focused on taking as many of the hideous beasts down. She felt arrows flying past her and one just barely grazed her shoulder, but nothing deterred her. She barely noticed Legolas had climbed up to cover her back.
Roxy and Georn had taken up positions inside the house, Georn up front and Roxy in the back. Arrows had been shot through the windows and were sticking in various items and the walls in the home. For a fraction of a second, Roxy had a clear vision of how pissed Alania would be when this invasion was over. She couldn't believe the number of orcs approaching and how frightening they were. There seemed to be no end of them. "Where are they coming from?" she thought to herself.
As quickly as the attack had started, it ended. It was as though the troop had been ordered to retreat. Legolas knew that there was no way they could have fought all of them off, and was worried the retreat was a diversionary tactic for another attack to come shortly. Legolas had to forcefully get Alania off her roof, her mind was still in the moment of the attack. It took him a few minutes to calm her enough to get her down and into the house. Ordering her and Roxy to stay put, he and Georn quickly ran through the house checking it and headed outside to assess their relative safety. Ten minutes later they were back inside, agreeing that they were safe for a short time.
Inside Alania was ripping arrows out of her furniture and walls, cursing like a sailor. Roxy was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching Alania silently. Motioning to Georn and Legolas when they came into the room, she convinced them to leave her alone for a few minutes. Her home had been violated and she needed to vent.
Alania was seething. She hadn't asked for this, nor did she think she deserved it. She had worked hard for her land, and it was her security in this world. It was hard for her to believe that in such a short amount of time everything she knew could be turned upside down. Furious at how violated she felt, she turned her anger to Georn and Legolas. Throwing broken arrows at them she yelled "You! This is all your fault. You bastards. You knew this would happen and just let it. All this talk of making sure we were safe was bullshit. There wasn't anything you could do to stop them from coming was there? And yet you stayed here knowing the danger. My home and land have been violated. How am I supposed to ever feel safe here again?! Do you have any idea how I feel?!" Breathing hard and feeling the release of the anger, Alania started to shake with the terror of the situation she had kept in check during the crisis. Unable to remain standing, she sank to her knees and let the tears come.
Torn inside at feeling as though he was a part of what caused this, Legolas kneeled next to her and wrapped his arms around her to soothe her. He whispered quiet and comforting words in her ear as he rubbed her back and hugged her close. Slowly he felt her body relax a bit and she put her arms around him and nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck. Kissing her forehead, Legolas said to the three of them "We cannot stay here. Pack what you need, we leave for Middle Earth in the morning."
When Roxy and Georn left the room, Legolas looked down at Alania who still had her face buried in his shoulder. He couldn't believe how there were two completely different people in her body. One was a warrior comparable to the great legends in Middle Earth. She had fought with a determination and a strength he hadn't known was in her. He would always be concerned for her safety, but no longer would he worry she wouldn't be able to take care of herself. He was exceedingly proud of her ability and actions that night and told her so as he consoled this other side of her. The side of her he was seeing now was the complete opposite of the warrior he had fought alongside earlier. The woman he held in his arms now was all the softest sides of a female. Her reactions to the battle created a need in him to be her strength and assurance.
Knowing how exhausted she must be, he gently picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her room. Laying her down on her bed, he stroked her hair for a while. When he got up to prepare for their trip, Alania whispered "Please stay. I don't want to be alone tonight. Just stay until I fall asleep." Turning back to look at her, Legolas saw she had turned on her side to face him and was watching and waiting for his response. He walked to the other side of the bad and crawled in. Pulling her close to him, he savored the feel of how right she felt in his arms like this. He felt her take the hand around her waist in her own and bring it to her lips. "Thank you" she whispered as she kissed his hand, and fell asleep shortly after.
*****
Guess what I'm gonna ask? That's right folks! Bring on the reviews.
A/N: I know I'm evil for cutting their enjoyment, but I promise when it happens it'll be well worth it and I'll have to change the rating because of it. Thanks for all the reviews, especially Starbrat and Elfheart who have been with me since I first posted this – you two get a cookie. =)
Chapter 12 – A Battle
Acting purely on instinct, Legolas pushed Alania to the ground and quickly followed her, just barely escaping a score of arrows sent their way. Keeping as low to the ground as possible and moving as fast as they could without making too much noise, they rushed back to the house. Once at the porch, Legolas cried out to Georn but he and Roxy had already heard the shots and were ready. The two of them stood their ground on the porch with arrows flying, as Legolas and Alania ran into the house to get their weapons.
Ignoring Legolas's orders for her to grab her bow, she slung two daggers and a short sword around her shoulders and ran to her study to open the trunk. She was moving purely on instinct. With shaky hands she missed the combination for the trunk twice. Cursing at herself and hearing the commotion outside, she took a full breath and focused on getting the trunk open. Wrenching the lid from it, she grabbed two sawed-off shotguns and four semi automatic pistols. Checking everything was loaded as she left the room, she called out to Roxy and tossed her a shotgun and two of the pistols when she came in the door. She and Roxy ran around shutting off the lights for better visibility and then knocked out a few of the windows.
Legolas and Georn had managed to take down a few of the orcs as the troop moved in closer to the house. They could now see the size of the group as they started moving out from the trees into the clearing around the house. Glancing sideways, Legolas saw Alania and Roxy move onto the porch with their shotguns aimed. Unprepared for the sound and speed of their weapons, Legolas recoiled a bit as he watched Alania aim and shoot an orc's head clear off his shoulders. Smiling grimly, Legolas realized that she had been infinitely more prepared for the situation than he believed and turned back to the task at hand.
Noting the number of orcs heading to the house and their positions, Alania realized that it was a mistake for all of them to be up front. Turing back into the house, she ran up the stairs and quickly climbed up onto the roof to assess the situation more fully. Cursing audibly when she saw what was going on, she felt a fury grow inside at the total disruption into her world. Alania took all the rage she felt at their violation of her land and focused on taking as many of the hideous beasts down. She felt arrows flying past her and one just barely grazed her shoulder, but nothing deterred her. She barely noticed Legolas had climbed up to cover her back.
Roxy and Georn had taken up positions inside the house, Georn up front and Roxy in the back. Arrows had been shot through the windows and were sticking in various items and the walls in the home. For a fraction of a second, Roxy had a clear vision of how pissed Alania would be when this invasion was over. She couldn't believe the number of orcs approaching and how frightening they were. There seemed to be no end of them. "Where are they coming from?" she thought to herself.
As quickly as the attack had started, it ended. It was as though the troop had been ordered to retreat. Legolas knew that there was no way they could have fought all of them off, and was worried the retreat was a diversionary tactic for another attack to come shortly. Legolas had to forcefully get Alania off her roof, her mind was still in the moment of the attack. It took him a few minutes to calm her enough to get her down and into the house. Ordering her and Roxy to stay put, he and Georn quickly ran through the house checking it and headed outside to assess their relative safety. Ten minutes later they were back inside, agreeing that they were safe for a short time.
Inside Alania was ripping arrows out of her furniture and walls, cursing like a sailor. Roxy was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching Alania silently. Motioning to Georn and Legolas when they came into the room, she convinced them to leave her alone for a few minutes. Her home had been violated and she needed to vent.
Alania was seething. She hadn't asked for this, nor did she think she deserved it. She had worked hard for her land, and it was her security in this world. It was hard for her to believe that in such a short amount of time everything she knew could be turned upside down. Furious at how violated she felt, she turned her anger to Georn and Legolas. Throwing broken arrows at them she yelled "You! This is all your fault. You bastards. You knew this would happen and just let it. All this talk of making sure we were safe was bullshit. There wasn't anything you could do to stop them from coming was there? And yet you stayed here knowing the danger. My home and land have been violated. How am I supposed to ever feel safe here again?! Do you have any idea how I feel?!" Breathing hard and feeling the release of the anger, Alania started to shake with the terror of the situation she had kept in check during the crisis. Unable to remain standing, she sank to her knees and let the tears come.
Torn inside at feeling as though he was a part of what caused this, Legolas kneeled next to her and wrapped his arms around her to soothe her. He whispered quiet and comforting words in her ear as he rubbed her back and hugged her close. Slowly he felt her body relax a bit and she put her arms around him and nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck. Kissing her forehead, Legolas said to the three of them "We cannot stay here. Pack what you need, we leave for Middle Earth in the morning."
When Roxy and Georn left the room, Legolas looked down at Alania who still had her face buried in his shoulder. He couldn't believe how there were two completely different people in her body. One was a warrior comparable to the great legends in Middle Earth. She had fought with a determination and a strength he hadn't known was in her. He would always be concerned for her safety, but no longer would he worry she wouldn't be able to take care of herself. He was exceedingly proud of her ability and actions that night and told her so as he consoled this other side of her. The side of her he was seeing now was the complete opposite of the warrior he had fought alongside earlier. The woman he held in his arms now was all the softest sides of a female. Her reactions to the battle created a need in him to be her strength and assurance.
Knowing how exhausted she must be, he gently picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her room. Laying her down on her bed, he stroked her hair for a while. When he got up to prepare for their trip, Alania whispered "Please stay. I don't want to be alone tonight. Just stay until I fall asleep." Turning back to look at her, Legolas saw she had turned on her side to face him and was watching and waiting for his response. He walked to the other side of the bad and crawled in. Pulling her close to him, he savored the feel of how right she felt in his arms like this. He felt her take the hand around her waist in her own and bring it to her lips. "Thank you" she whispered as she kissed his hand, and fell asleep shortly after.
*****
Guess what I'm gonna ask? That's right folks! Bring on the reviews.