Author's Note: I know I said I would be updating quickly, but I received a promotion at work and school's starting for me soon. I'm trying my hardest to keep this going, so please review and I'll post again soon!
Chapter 7: Counterpoint
She saw the little pointed ears in the dim light and knew why the child did not lower his hood or make eye contact with many people. There were some humans who would be able to know what he is just by looking at the color and the light of his eyes. For the eyes are the windows to the soul, and in an Elf they are a window to the great light and magic their species contain.
When she was certain he was asleep she silently went to go to her own room. Her room was only two doors down from the child's. There she paced. He would not survive long as an Elf on his own. She did not even know his name or how it was that he ended up here, but she already felt obligated to protect him. The number of Elves in the world was decreasing rapidly and she did not want to see another Elvish thing taken from Middle Earth.
She had thought she had seen an Elf before, but she wasn't certain. This was definitely the first one she had ever been in close quarters with. They did not come to this city very often, and that put the child in even more danger. She would have to find a way to keep him safe. There was only one way to do that. She would have to keep him hidden in her establishment. She would protect him as long as he wanted her to, but if he wanted to leave, she would not stop him. It was not in her nature to keep people, or elves, against their will. She would propose her idea to him tomorrow and it would be his choice.
The sun rose over the morning mists. Its rays penetrated into the room and Legolas woke to the light. At first he was lightly confused by where he was. By the time he had reached this room, he was so exhausted he could barely think straight. He had not really slept since his hasty departure from Mirkwood. Now he had slept way past the dawn without anyone disturbing him.
Suddenly, his thoughts turned to the woman that had taken him in last night. He vaguely remembered her staying with him while the exhaustion stripped him of all control of his emotions. He did not know what came over him, but letting himself relax felt pretty good.
He did not know what to do now. Should he slip away from here or was he a prisoner of some type? What did this woman really want from him? He suddenly noticed that his cloak was missing, or rather it was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. That could only mean one thing. This woman knew what he was. Fear suddenly washed over him like a great wave of water. Now he knew he would have to try and escape, for she could have some devious idea in mind of what to do with him. He had not been on his own very long and already he was discovered by a woman. How careless he was!
He slipped his hood back over his head and slowly crept to the door. He was an Elf and an Elf can sneak anywhere undetected. He slowly opened the door to make good his escape when something completely unforeseen happened, the door made a very loud creak as it opened, completely ruining his slight attempt.
Legolas decided to forgo anymore attempts at silence and quickly ran out the door, and straight into Jaden nearly knocking her down.
"You're up, wonderful! Breakfast is ready, if you are hungry."
The young Elf looked up in began backing away, only to have his legs ungracefully cross each other and send him flying backwards into the room again.
Jaden laughed at the small one's stumbles, obviously little Elves have just as much difficulty with their rapidly growing legs as human children do.
"Or you can go back to your room and sleep some more if you prefer."
Legolas looked up at her and saw her humor at his fall. Her smile was warm and did not speak of any shame brought down on him, only gentle playing.
"Come, I'm sure you are hungry for you are nothing more than skin and bones. Don't they feed little Elves enough?"
Legolas was startled as he rose, she outwardly admitted it. She knew what he was, but when he looked upon her again, she gave him a small wink and extended her hand to him.
Pondering his position, he took it and she helped him back up.
"Tell me one thing, little one. What is your name?" Now she waited, for she knew that he had not said one word to her directly in the time he was with her. All she got from him was occasional glances and nothing more. If he was going to trust her, he would have to prove it now.
She waited.
A voice smaller than a whisper responded.
"Legolas."
Jaden smiled.
With that word, a friendship was forged.