~Bird songs~

by Ola

~*~*~

A/N~ reviews are dwindling =( . finally found some time to post. But also found a VERY interesting book that I can't put down (and for those expecting new stories soon, too bad, cause the book is part of 5 others. Lol) but I'll finish posting this story. Don't worry. (well, when I get the time. =)

Enjoy =)

~*~*~

Part 9~

Much too quickly, my leg healed. I had to leave soon, both to return to my studies and to stop abusing from the hospitality of those nice people. I will miss those mountains, the little brooks, the scent of the air, and the simple peacefulness of this valley, for somehow, it was different from all the others. But my heart will miss something else…

~*~*~

That was it. I left one morning. "One," because I had lost count of days in this strange place. Alrovir, Legolas and Mirime would again accompany me back to my camp, both because they knew where it was and I didn't, and because the woods around here "weren't safe." I would have objected to the second reason; I knew how to defend myself and disliked being thought of as an innocent and vulnerable young woman. But I could not contradict the first point, so I kept my mouth shut. No point in getting them angry and leaving me to find my way back by myself.

The morning was fine, the weather cooperating. We were walking along no defined trail, and yet the going was not hard. I took the time to admire the trees we passed silently (well, at least they did, and I tried to, without really succeeding), and to wonder at their age. How would it feel to live that long? What would I do if I was allowed such a long life? I didn't know. Probably take it one day at a time. But in the long run, maybe it was better that we humans had a limited time?

~*~*~

It was not long after we had a quick bite to eat and a little break that I heard it. It seemed such a long time ago that I had last heard it that it took me a moment to realize what it was. But it could be nothing else than the strange bird that I had come here for in the first place, and I still had no idea as to where we were, so I would not be able to come back here to study it. That irritated me quite a bit. So close and yet so far. My thoughts took  no longer than a few seconds to assemble into coherent clumps and during that time, the expression on the usually impassive faces of those men turned into worried looks. I didn't understand (again). What was wrong? The three spoke quickly in their native tongues then two of them left, or rather, simply disappeared into the shadows under the trees. It was a small comfort that it was Alrovir who stayed with me, although he didn't seem to happy about it.

"What's going on?"

For a moment, he was silent, as if considering what he could safely tell me. Finally, he settled on "trouble." His bow was out and he fitted an arrow in a smooth movement, looking all around him, on his guards, listening.

Later, I was a little amazed at how long it took me to put two and two together. It was rather simple, really, if you knew what you were looking at. However, at that time, when I realized what was going on, I acted on impulse, without really thinking of the consequences (even now, I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had stayed like I was supposed to). But I didn't. I left. I ran in the direction I last heard the "bird's" twirling from, Alrovir a step behind me. He didn't try to stop me except for an initial and somewhat undignified squeak of protest. I suppose he wanted to go there too, wherever "there" was.

 From a way off, the sound of fighting came to us, and we both ran even faster, Alrovir to help, and me…I don't really know why. I heard an arrow fly from right behind my ear and saw it thump into an awful looking beasty. I had no idea what the heck it was, and the fact that I hadn't seen it until it was gurgling with blood from its wound throat didn't seem to faze me too much. In a moment of lucidity, I wondered if during my stay in Rivendell I wasn't constantly high on something. This whole little adventure was just a bit too strange. Anyway, soon after, silence descended on this part of the forest. Legolas and Mirime looked at me then at Alrovir reproachfully, but he just glanced at me and shrugged it off, as if to say "no big deal bro, nothing happened."

Three more tall, blond men (what other kind was there around here?) sat on the ground, wounded in different degrees and places. One of them had a bleeding gash on his forehead and looked rather pale. So I was right. This "bird" that I had spent the past three months studying was nothing more than a secret code call for those men. They knew all along what I was here for because I had told them. But did they tell me that I was looking for something that did not exist? Of course not, the bloody idiots! I was not extremely happy, to say the least. I was about to leave and try to find my own way back when Alrovir shouted and threw himself toward me. What the heck?!!

I heard the whoosh and saw his stagger, and I still didn't understand…until I saw the pain in his eyes, looking directly into mine, and his feeble smile before he fell into my arms. I almost let go of him when I saw the black arrow protruding from his back. Before I could call the others for help, they were there, taking Alrovir away from him and laying him on his stomack on the ground. When they yanked the arrow out, I saw Alrovir's body jerk with pain. He bravely clenched his jaw to keep from crying out. I marveled at his strength of will, and could not help a tear of my own from falling. I stood nearby like an idiot, not knowing what to do. I knew that had Alrovir not done what he had, it would have been me lying there, with an arrow sticking out of my chest. I felt guilty, and at the same time oddly disconnected from reality, as if what was happening wasn't true. A dream. Yea, right, who was I kidding? I could go on deluding myself for a time or face the facts head on. Alrovir had saved my life and was now loosing his. I had run here like an airhead, not thinking about what the "trouble" could be and here we were.

Alrovir was ghostly pale and his blue-gray eyes empty, but open. The others were stemming the blood flow from Alrovir's wound and talking among themselves in that melodious language of theirs. One of them was standing guard, looking outward at the forest surrounding us. I felt useless.

"He will be all right…eventually," said Legolas calmly.

Yea right, I thought, feeling my insides squeezing in sadness and anger.

~*~*~

A/N- Arggg! Just prickled myself on a cactus while opening my window. Damn it hurts! Feels as if the needles were still in my arms! Guess I will have to stop typing now, cause I can only use one hand. Stupid cactus! =( and it took me a while just to write this little note, not mentioning all the errors that kept on appearing. So please take pity and review! =)

~*~*~