Sorry I took so long on the next chapter!
VANIMA
Teach Me
The few belongings that could be salvaged from the attack that had taken place in less than three weeks time were compacted into one tiny compartment, easily handled by three strong men. The invaders had taken all they could find, or torn what they found useless to shreds, leaving the survivors with nothing more than one or two articles to bring along on the tideous journey to Mirkwood.
Though only one sunset stood in the way of their arrival, spirits had begun to lower, allowing the citizens to dwell on the homes they were leaving behind, along with everything familiar they had come to know. The only thing that seemed to brighten their faces was the song of an Elf. Many would take turns singing the songs out triumphantly, echoing off the surrounding trees, and drifting to ones ear gracefully, with a soft melody. Even now it swam through the approaching night air, though the owner was left unknown.
Alakdaliel could not deny the song was beautiful, but why torture her people with the words of love and wisdom when there seemed to be so little of it in the world? Surely if there had been some present in Archwood the killings would have gone undone. In the past few days, her bitterness toward her home had grown, finding underlying hatred toward the place she had lived all her life. He eyes had grown cold, and her once carefree nature was replaced by a commanding stance, intimidating those around her. Now that her Father and Mother were…not there, she would be held responsible to carrying Archwood's honor in the great city of Mirkwood. Though the feeling that her small demeanor would be a slight problem never left the back of her mind.
They had been traveling for almost a week, and although they had almost reached the city, it seemed that they hadn't even begun the journey. Her mind had wandered so vastly that the time passed seemed very little in the world she had created around herself. Talking to almost no one was quite easy, she found. Keep your eyes sharp, back straight, and keep at the back of the slowly moving crowd, and you would go unnoticed, royalty or not. And that is what she had done, trying to process what had occurred so quickly that had taken away everything she had loved.
Alakdaliel's thoughts drifted back to her last night spent at Archwood. She recalled Legolas escorting her back to her chambers silently. He had placed a kiss upon her hand and…what had he done? Surely nothing inappropriate, for it would never had left her mind so quickly, and he would never have left unbruised. He had wished her good night. Good night…though not to her. To Alakdaliel, yes. But not to Alakdaliel of Archwood. He had wished a goodnight to Alakdaliel of Mirkwood. Perhaps he had mistaken her for another maiden in his homeland? Shaking her head, she instantly dismissed the ridiculous thought. Of course he had not, though his motives were unclear. Though, when he said it, it did have a nice sound, rolling of the tip of the tongue, and catching to ones ear. But now was not the time to think of mere titles.
Peering just over the forest greenery, Alakdaliel spotted a growing piece of stone, now much larger than the average boulder. Approaching the crest of the hill she was mounting, the rock came into clear view, revealing its true identity. What she had seen was part of the welcoming gates of Mirkwood, intricately carved with the previous rulers, engraved with the care only and elf could provide. It was beautiful, though much unlike the ruined home she had left behind. Surrounded in dense woods, the birds chirped and the trees sang, not at all what Alakdaliel had expected. Accepting what had been placed before her as of yet, she continued silently, knowing full well that others would want to experience the full magnitude of their new home without her disturbance.
Pulling her gaze away from the newfound city, she rested her eyes on something else. A handsome, bright haired elf. Though, she was surprised to find the gaze returned with unblinkingly blue eyes, unmoving. Quickly adverting her eyes, she looked around, blushing slightly. Why did she have to act so childish now? And where had General Raion gone? If he had gotten himself los-
Her train of thought was once again interrupted, though this time by a strong hand grasping her forearm. Turning to find its owner, she found herself face to face than no one other than the Prince of Mirkwood. Stepping back with surprise, he had shocked her with his speed. No elf could cover that much distance in the blink of an eye…could they? He let go of her arm, though did not leave her presence.
"Why do you insist on secluding yourself so?" He asked, trying to catch her eyes, though she refused to look at him. Could he not see she wished to be left alone? Though the question was one she was not prepared to answer. Instead, she shifted the conversation.
"Do you remember, years ago, I was but a small child, you had come to visit Archwood?" Her question was simple, but Legolas's eyes betrayed him, showing the somewhat shocked expression shinning bright in his eyes. Blinking to focus his attention, he nodded.
"I do. You were no more than ten winters. I brought my bow and arrow, and you—" His response was cut off by Alakdaliel's voice.
"I wished for you to teach me how to use it properly. Why did you not?" She tried to keep the resentment out of her words. A slight smile reached his lips.
"A bow and arrow is hardly befitting a woman, especially one of ten." His smile lingered, and than faded, eyes realizing. "There was nothing you could have learned with your time spent with me that could have saved any lives that day, not your mother's, nor you father's. You know that as well as I." His voice was harsh, yet comforting, shaking her out of her state of dullness.
"I know now is not the time to be asking for favors." Alakdaliel began.
"Do not hesitate, I will do anything in my power." He gave her a reassuring grin.
Her next words came out muffled, and a bit fast, based on the embarrassment that had already begun to show by the redness rising on her cheeks and spreading rapidly up her pointed ears.
"Perhaps you could teach me know, being as how I am older, and we have more time to learn…properly" he smiled, bowed, almost mockingly, and strided to his first position at the front of the crowd. But not before shouting three simple words, with a slight bit of laughter resonating in his voice.
"As you wish".
REVIEWWWWWWWW!
VANIMA
Teach Me
The few belongings that could be salvaged from the attack that had taken place in less than three weeks time were compacted into one tiny compartment, easily handled by three strong men. The invaders had taken all they could find, or torn what they found useless to shreds, leaving the survivors with nothing more than one or two articles to bring along on the tideous journey to Mirkwood.
Though only one sunset stood in the way of their arrival, spirits had begun to lower, allowing the citizens to dwell on the homes they were leaving behind, along with everything familiar they had come to know. The only thing that seemed to brighten their faces was the song of an Elf. Many would take turns singing the songs out triumphantly, echoing off the surrounding trees, and drifting to ones ear gracefully, with a soft melody. Even now it swam through the approaching night air, though the owner was left unknown.
Alakdaliel could not deny the song was beautiful, but why torture her people with the words of love and wisdom when there seemed to be so little of it in the world? Surely if there had been some present in Archwood the killings would have gone undone. In the past few days, her bitterness toward her home had grown, finding underlying hatred toward the place she had lived all her life. He eyes had grown cold, and her once carefree nature was replaced by a commanding stance, intimidating those around her. Now that her Father and Mother were…not there, she would be held responsible to carrying Archwood's honor in the great city of Mirkwood. Though the feeling that her small demeanor would be a slight problem never left the back of her mind.
They had been traveling for almost a week, and although they had almost reached the city, it seemed that they hadn't even begun the journey. Her mind had wandered so vastly that the time passed seemed very little in the world she had created around herself. Talking to almost no one was quite easy, she found. Keep your eyes sharp, back straight, and keep at the back of the slowly moving crowd, and you would go unnoticed, royalty or not. And that is what she had done, trying to process what had occurred so quickly that had taken away everything she had loved.
Alakdaliel's thoughts drifted back to her last night spent at Archwood. She recalled Legolas escorting her back to her chambers silently. He had placed a kiss upon her hand and…what had he done? Surely nothing inappropriate, for it would never had left her mind so quickly, and he would never have left unbruised. He had wished her good night. Good night…though not to her. To Alakdaliel, yes. But not to Alakdaliel of Archwood. He had wished a goodnight to Alakdaliel of Mirkwood. Perhaps he had mistaken her for another maiden in his homeland? Shaking her head, she instantly dismissed the ridiculous thought. Of course he had not, though his motives were unclear. Though, when he said it, it did have a nice sound, rolling of the tip of the tongue, and catching to ones ear. But now was not the time to think of mere titles.
Peering just over the forest greenery, Alakdaliel spotted a growing piece of stone, now much larger than the average boulder. Approaching the crest of the hill she was mounting, the rock came into clear view, revealing its true identity. What she had seen was part of the welcoming gates of Mirkwood, intricately carved with the previous rulers, engraved with the care only and elf could provide. It was beautiful, though much unlike the ruined home she had left behind. Surrounded in dense woods, the birds chirped and the trees sang, not at all what Alakdaliel had expected. Accepting what had been placed before her as of yet, she continued silently, knowing full well that others would want to experience the full magnitude of their new home without her disturbance.
Pulling her gaze away from the newfound city, she rested her eyes on something else. A handsome, bright haired elf. Though, she was surprised to find the gaze returned with unblinkingly blue eyes, unmoving. Quickly adverting her eyes, she looked around, blushing slightly. Why did she have to act so childish now? And where had General Raion gone? If he had gotten himself los-
Her train of thought was once again interrupted, though this time by a strong hand grasping her forearm. Turning to find its owner, she found herself face to face than no one other than the Prince of Mirkwood. Stepping back with surprise, he had shocked her with his speed. No elf could cover that much distance in the blink of an eye…could they? He let go of her arm, though did not leave her presence.
"Why do you insist on secluding yourself so?" He asked, trying to catch her eyes, though she refused to look at him. Could he not see she wished to be left alone? Though the question was one she was not prepared to answer. Instead, she shifted the conversation.
"Do you remember, years ago, I was but a small child, you had come to visit Archwood?" Her question was simple, but Legolas's eyes betrayed him, showing the somewhat shocked expression shinning bright in his eyes. Blinking to focus his attention, he nodded.
"I do. You were no more than ten winters. I brought my bow and arrow, and you—" His response was cut off by Alakdaliel's voice.
"I wished for you to teach me how to use it properly. Why did you not?" She tried to keep the resentment out of her words. A slight smile reached his lips.
"A bow and arrow is hardly befitting a woman, especially one of ten." His smile lingered, and than faded, eyes realizing. "There was nothing you could have learned with your time spent with me that could have saved any lives that day, not your mother's, nor you father's. You know that as well as I." His voice was harsh, yet comforting, shaking her out of her state of dullness.
"I know now is not the time to be asking for favors." Alakdaliel began.
"Do not hesitate, I will do anything in my power." He gave her a reassuring grin.
Her next words came out muffled, and a bit fast, based on the embarrassment that had already begun to show by the redness rising on her cheeks and spreading rapidly up her pointed ears.
"Perhaps you could teach me know, being as how I am older, and we have more time to learn…properly" he smiled, bowed, almost mockingly, and strided to his first position at the front of the crowd. But not before shouting three simple words, with a slight bit of laughter resonating in his voice.
"As you wish".
REVIEWWWWWWWW!