Disclaimer: Once again, no one you were unfamiliar with before you
read this fic is mine and everybody else is J.R.R. Tolkien's.
Author's Notes: Thank you guys, the ones who reviewed. Oh, especially a big thanks to Trancos because I always appreciate constructive criticism, and to everyone else just for reviewing. Thanks guys! Argh, after reading over the first chapter (I always read the previous one before writing the next one just to get into the mood of it) Christina was right, Morgause did meet Legolas too quick. I was thinking about rewriting the first chapter but then, what the heck. I'll just go with it. ~sigh~ Poor delusional Morgause. She's so incredibly brainwashed...well, I hope you guys are enjoying this so far!
Morgause inspected Legolas warily. Thankfully, it was getting dark and Legolas did not seem to notice her scrutinizing glare. Then, suddenly, as quick as a lit candle, an idea hit Morgause. Looking towards the castle, Legolas missed the nearly sly expression crossing the silent girl across from him. By the time he turned back towards her, her face was as stony as ever.
"Well, then," said Legolas. He cocked his head to the side, trying to figure this girl out. She was built like an elf, lean and silent, but lacked the ears. Human? Morgause pressed her lips together then pushed them up into a fake smile. It was hard. It had been nearly seven years since she had some sort of smile on her face.
"I'd love to have some shelter," she said. Of course. The Prince of Mirkwood would live in a castle, at least a palace. He'd have his own wing of his enormous house where he'd sleep in his own private chamber full of velvet, silk, and fur. Even if he tried to yell for help, he'd be dead before anyone even tried to reach him. This was perfect.
Legolas smiled. Finally this girl seemed to be melting.
"All right then, please, come with me." He walked towards the castle and had to refrain himself from turning around to see if his companion was still following him. She moved silently, like a shadow.
Morgause thought silently to herself. Maybe she could kill him now. Finish the job while she can. She looked from side to side and opened up her ears. There didn't seem to be anything alive around except for the trees. Carefully, Morgause moved her hand to the hilt of her dagger. Almost immediately, Legolas, without even turning back, rested his hand on top of hers. She resisted the impulse to quickly yank her hand back. She cursed silently. This was going to be harder than she thought.
"Don't worry, I don't hear anyone. Raiders usually pass Mirkwood, they think there's only trees here. Well, that's true but if we run into some trouble, you can count on me," he said, softly. He pointed to his dirk on his belt and the bow on his back. Legolas finally turned and studied the dark haired girl in front of him. He could barely decipher her face and seeing that she remained silent, he thought perhaps he had offended her.
"Not that I don't think you can defend yourself," he said, hastily. "You must be an extremely excellent fighter to have come here all alone." Legolas could barely hear her breathing. He started to become uncomfortable. There wasn't anybody else quite like her that he knew.
"Well, at least tell me your name," said Legolas, almost pleading. Morgause pressed her lips together but before she could stop, she heard her name being slipping out from between her lips. This time, she thought a whole string of curses. Morgause hadn't been planning in giving out her real name. Then again, what harm could it do? He was going to be dead soon anyway.
"Morgause then," Legolas said, smiling. He took her hand again and led her in front of two massive wooden doors. They depicted a hunting scene where trees swayed in the wind and dogs bayed with energy. Elves were true artists. Morgause could feel the hunters' sweat on their brow, the dogs' throats relaxing then tightening with the howling, the ache building up in the boar's cloven feet. She shook her head and that broke the spell.
"Morgause, welcome to my home." He opened up one of the doors and she was enveloped in ebony, furs, and jewels. It felt awkwardly cluttered compared to the bare palace she lived in. Her ears pricked at the sound of her horse, far away, shifting impatiently. She knew that Andulet wouldn't dare move a hoof without her command.
"I hope you're hungry," said Legolas. He was unable to say anymore because someone burst into the entrance hall, beaming.
"Guests?" he asked, clearly delighted.
"Just one, Father," said Legolas, smiling. Morgause studied the father. She wished she had been assigned to kill him instead. He seemed so easy. Too jolly and unconnected to the real world, getting rid of him would have been a breeze. She saw how much more serious and intense Legolas was next to his father. Then, Morgause grinned inwardly. She always loved a good challenge.
"Well, get your friend comfortable and join me for dinner."
"Do you have any more clothes?" Legolas asked. Morgause didn't move. Her clothes were pretty worn from traveling. The blonde elf sighed. He hated one way conversations and wasn't used to them.
"Come on," he said. "I'll show you to your room." She followed Legolas, peeking around the castle under thick lashes. Although it still had an uneasy quality (did they really need all those chandeliers) it wasn't altogether unpleasant.
Legolas stopped at a door and opened it. Morgause pushed past the elf and into the room. The rich smell of wood and old roses filled her nose.
"Well, I hope you like it," said Legolas. "And feel free to stay as long as you want, I don't mind and of course, Father doesn't either." He turned to leave when suddenly, Morgause said,
"How do you know you can trust me?" She bit the inside of her cheek to punish herself and dug her fingernails into her palms. She had never been afraid of confrontation but what was she doing?
Legolas grinned.
"How do you know you can trust me?" he asked, arching a fine golden crescent eyebrow. Morgause grew control of her mouth once more.
"I don't," she said, and closed the door firmly in his face. What possessed her to say something like that? Morgause laid down on the fluffy bed and contemplated the possibilities. It must be because she's eager to get this over with. What else was there? Crossing the room, Morgause opened a cherry wood chest filled with clothes. So elves were hospitable. That shouldn't change what she came here to do, right?
"Ah, finally, the guest has arrived," said Thranduil. Morgause sat down and watched Thranduil start to eat. Mid swallow, he realized that she had not joined in the hearty supper.
"Is there something that does not please you?" he asked, frowning. "Not a meat eater, perhaps?"
"Where I came from, the elders ate all they could and the minors were left with what ever was left," she said, her words crisp. That was true. Sometimes she had gone without eating for days on end. Igraine was rich but he could be stingy. He claimed that to her those hungry days that it was to cleanse her soul. It was brilliant. Only Igraine could think of something like that.
Obviously Thranduil didn't share her beliefs.
"Everybody should eat," he said, a crease still between his brows. "Well, you are in my domain now and I believe that if you wish to eat now, of course you may." Hmmm, not the answer she had quite liked to hear. There were plates with steaming venison and salted steaks. One of the very first lessons Morgause had learned was to never eat something that was hunted. The art of hunting and killing was just that, an art. Nobody should disgrace that by stooping to such a level that you kill to eat. That was nearly laughable. She stubbornly did not touch her heavy silver utensils all dinner and though Thranduil had resumed to laughing and talking all throughout dinner, the crease between his eyebrows did not fully smooth.
Legolas rose to leave and Morgause did the same. Thranduil raised a hand.
"A word my son?" he said mildly. Legolas shrugged and sat back down.
"If you need any help finding your room again, just holler," said Legolas, with another raise of his eyebrows. His attempt to get Morgause to smile was lost and she just floated out of the room.
"Yes?" asked Legolas. Thranduil's frown deepened.
"Where did you meet your friend?" he asked. Legolas shrugged.
"In the forest," he said. "She's harmless, Father. Maybe a little out of touch with the real world but I assure you she's not dangerous." Seeing that Thranduil had not yet seemed to approve that, Legolas continued.
"You said so yourself, Father. I could size up a suspicious person before they knew me." Thranduil's face finally smoothed over.
"Alright then. Never hurts to be careful. Goodnight, son."
"Goodnight." Legolas left the room and headed to his own chambers with only sleep on his mind.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Morgause laid silently in bed, the silver moonlight distracting her. She waited carefully on her bed. She was still wearing her leggings and tunic for she had better things to do tonight than sleep. Finally, when the moon was high in the sky, she decided to act. Approaching the door, Morgause discovered by jiggling the handle that it was locked. Elves are getting paranoid, she thought. She took out her dagger and put the point inside the keyhole. She twisted it gently and it opened. A strange mechanism. It was able to lock from both sides but only able to unlock if you had the right key. A double door.
A mere shadow, a trick being played by too tired eyes, Morgause melted into the darkness and slipped down the hallway. She had done her homework, trailing Legolas secretly, she discovered where he slept. Her past assumption had been right. He did sleep alone in the far end of some hall. All of the halls had some sort of name, this was Phoenix Hall? Or maybe Willow Hall? She couldn't remember and frankly she couldn't care. Reaching a thick wooden door, so smooth that in the dark one could mistake it for glass, Morgause pressed her ear against it. Inside she could hear light breathing. This was it. She took out the dagger and gave it a twirl and felt a thrill running through her veins. This was what she had been set out to do, what she had been training for all her life. She opened up the door and carefully walked in. Had she been anyone else, Legolas would have awakened in a moment and realized what was happening. But the recently made Black Dragon was nothing but a breath of air in the still room. His room was not what Morgause had expected it to be. It was not full of velvets and furs and satin, rather it was practical, bare. It almost seemed a pity to kill off what could be a useful creature. Morgause raised her dagger and held it against Legolas' throat, moonlight glinting off the blade, making Legolas' hair silvery. It was just a fraction away from actually touching the pale, pale skin. Then, Morgause was struck with brilliant idea. Maybe she'll play this out. Not kill him quite yet. The plan forming in her mind wasn't complete but Morgause always knew when something good was going to happen and oh yes, she knew this first little endeavor of her as a Black Dragon was going to be very memorable.
Author's Notes: Thank you guys, the ones who reviewed. Oh, especially a big thanks to Trancos because I always appreciate constructive criticism, and to everyone else just for reviewing. Thanks guys! Argh, after reading over the first chapter (I always read the previous one before writing the next one just to get into the mood of it) Christina was right, Morgause did meet Legolas too quick. I was thinking about rewriting the first chapter but then, what the heck. I'll just go with it. ~sigh~ Poor delusional Morgause. She's so incredibly brainwashed...well, I hope you guys are enjoying this so far!
Morgause inspected Legolas warily. Thankfully, it was getting dark and Legolas did not seem to notice her scrutinizing glare. Then, suddenly, as quick as a lit candle, an idea hit Morgause. Looking towards the castle, Legolas missed the nearly sly expression crossing the silent girl across from him. By the time he turned back towards her, her face was as stony as ever.
"Well, then," said Legolas. He cocked his head to the side, trying to figure this girl out. She was built like an elf, lean and silent, but lacked the ears. Human? Morgause pressed her lips together then pushed them up into a fake smile. It was hard. It had been nearly seven years since she had some sort of smile on her face.
"I'd love to have some shelter," she said. Of course. The Prince of Mirkwood would live in a castle, at least a palace. He'd have his own wing of his enormous house where he'd sleep in his own private chamber full of velvet, silk, and fur. Even if he tried to yell for help, he'd be dead before anyone even tried to reach him. This was perfect.
Legolas smiled. Finally this girl seemed to be melting.
"All right then, please, come with me." He walked towards the castle and had to refrain himself from turning around to see if his companion was still following him. She moved silently, like a shadow.
Morgause thought silently to herself. Maybe she could kill him now. Finish the job while she can. She looked from side to side and opened up her ears. There didn't seem to be anything alive around except for the trees. Carefully, Morgause moved her hand to the hilt of her dagger. Almost immediately, Legolas, without even turning back, rested his hand on top of hers. She resisted the impulse to quickly yank her hand back. She cursed silently. This was going to be harder than she thought.
"Don't worry, I don't hear anyone. Raiders usually pass Mirkwood, they think there's only trees here. Well, that's true but if we run into some trouble, you can count on me," he said, softly. He pointed to his dirk on his belt and the bow on his back. Legolas finally turned and studied the dark haired girl in front of him. He could barely decipher her face and seeing that she remained silent, he thought perhaps he had offended her.
"Not that I don't think you can defend yourself," he said, hastily. "You must be an extremely excellent fighter to have come here all alone." Legolas could barely hear her breathing. He started to become uncomfortable. There wasn't anybody else quite like her that he knew.
"Well, at least tell me your name," said Legolas, almost pleading. Morgause pressed her lips together but before she could stop, she heard her name being slipping out from between her lips. This time, she thought a whole string of curses. Morgause hadn't been planning in giving out her real name. Then again, what harm could it do? He was going to be dead soon anyway.
"Morgause then," Legolas said, smiling. He took her hand again and led her in front of two massive wooden doors. They depicted a hunting scene where trees swayed in the wind and dogs bayed with energy. Elves were true artists. Morgause could feel the hunters' sweat on their brow, the dogs' throats relaxing then tightening with the howling, the ache building up in the boar's cloven feet. She shook her head and that broke the spell.
"Morgause, welcome to my home." He opened up one of the doors and she was enveloped in ebony, furs, and jewels. It felt awkwardly cluttered compared to the bare palace she lived in. Her ears pricked at the sound of her horse, far away, shifting impatiently. She knew that Andulet wouldn't dare move a hoof without her command.
"I hope you're hungry," said Legolas. He was unable to say anymore because someone burst into the entrance hall, beaming.
"Guests?" he asked, clearly delighted.
"Just one, Father," said Legolas, smiling. Morgause studied the father. She wished she had been assigned to kill him instead. He seemed so easy. Too jolly and unconnected to the real world, getting rid of him would have been a breeze. She saw how much more serious and intense Legolas was next to his father. Then, Morgause grinned inwardly. She always loved a good challenge.
"Well, get your friend comfortable and join me for dinner."
"Do you have any more clothes?" Legolas asked. Morgause didn't move. Her clothes were pretty worn from traveling. The blonde elf sighed. He hated one way conversations and wasn't used to them.
"Come on," he said. "I'll show you to your room." She followed Legolas, peeking around the castle under thick lashes. Although it still had an uneasy quality (did they really need all those chandeliers) it wasn't altogether unpleasant.
Legolas stopped at a door and opened it. Morgause pushed past the elf and into the room. The rich smell of wood and old roses filled her nose.
"Well, I hope you like it," said Legolas. "And feel free to stay as long as you want, I don't mind and of course, Father doesn't either." He turned to leave when suddenly, Morgause said,
"How do you know you can trust me?" She bit the inside of her cheek to punish herself and dug her fingernails into her palms. She had never been afraid of confrontation but what was she doing?
Legolas grinned.
"How do you know you can trust me?" he asked, arching a fine golden crescent eyebrow. Morgause grew control of her mouth once more.
"I don't," she said, and closed the door firmly in his face. What possessed her to say something like that? Morgause laid down on the fluffy bed and contemplated the possibilities. It must be because she's eager to get this over with. What else was there? Crossing the room, Morgause opened a cherry wood chest filled with clothes. So elves were hospitable. That shouldn't change what she came here to do, right?
"Ah, finally, the guest has arrived," said Thranduil. Morgause sat down and watched Thranduil start to eat. Mid swallow, he realized that she had not joined in the hearty supper.
"Is there something that does not please you?" he asked, frowning. "Not a meat eater, perhaps?"
"Where I came from, the elders ate all they could and the minors were left with what ever was left," she said, her words crisp. That was true. Sometimes she had gone without eating for days on end. Igraine was rich but he could be stingy. He claimed that to her those hungry days that it was to cleanse her soul. It was brilliant. Only Igraine could think of something like that.
Obviously Thranduil didn't share her beliefs.
"Everybody should eat," he said, a crease still between his brows. "Well, you are in my domain now and I believe that if you wish to eat now, of course you may." Hmmm, not the answer she had quite liked to hear. There were plates with steaming venison and salted steaks. One of the very first lessons Morgause had learned was to never eat something that was hunted. The art of hunting and killing was just that, an art. Nobody should disgrace that by stooping to such a level that you kill to eat. That was nearly laughable. She stubbornly did not touch her heavy silver utensils all dinner and though Thranduil had resumed to laughing and talking all throughout dinner, the crease between his eyebrows did not fully smooth.
Legolas rose to leave and Morgause did the same. Thranduil raised a hand.
"A word my son?" he said mildly. Legolas shrugged and sat back down.
"If you need any help finding your room again, just holler," said Legolas, with another raise of his eyebrows. His attempt to get Morgause to smile was lost and she just floated out of the room.
"Yes?" asked Legolas. Thranduil's frown deepened.
"Where did you meet your friend?" he asked. Legolas shrugged.
"In the forest," he said. "She's harmless, Father. Maybe a little out of touch with the real world but I assure you she's not dangerous." Seeing that Thranduil had not yet seemed to approve that, Legolas continued.
"You said so yourself, Father. I could size up a suspicious person before they knew me." Thranduil's face finally smoothed over.
"Alright then. Never hurts to be careful. Goodnight, son."
"Goodnight." Legolas left the room and headed to his own chambers with only sleep on his mind.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Morgause laid silently in bed, the silver moonlight distracting her. She waited carefully on her bed. She was still wearing her leggings and tunic for she had better things to do tonight than sleep. Finally, when the moon was high in the sky, she decided to act. Approaching the door, Morgause discovered by jiggling the handle that it was locked. Elves are getting paranoid, she thought. She took out her dagger and put the point inside the keyhole. She twisted it gently and it opened. A strange mechanism. It was able to lock from both sides but only able to unlock if you had the right key. A double door.
A mere shadow, a trick being played by too tired eyes, Morgause melted into the darkness and slipped down the hallway. She had done her homework, trailing Legolas secretly, she discovered where he slept. Her past assumption had been right. He did sleep alone in the far end of some hall. All of the halls had some sort of name, this was Phoenix Hall? Or maybe Willow Hall? She couldn't remember and frankly she couldn't care. Reaching a thick wooden door, so smooth that in the dark one could mistake it for glass, Morgause pressed her ear against it. Inside she could hear light breathing. This was it. She took out the dagger and gave it a twirl and felt a thrill running through her veins. This was what she had been set out to do, what she had been training for all her life. She opened up the door and carefully walked in. Had she been anyone else, Legolas would have awakened in a moment and realized what was happening. But the recently made Black Dragon was nothing but a breath of air in the still room. His room was not what Morgause had expected it to be. It was not full of velvets and furs and satin, rather it was practical, bare. It almost seemed a pity to kill off what could be a useful creature. Morgause raised her dagger and held it against Legolas' throat, moonlight glinting off the blade, making Legolas' hair silvery. It was just a fraction away from actually touching the pale, pale skin. Then, Morgause was struck with brilliant idea. Maybe she'll play this out. Not kill him quite yet. The plan forming in her mind wasn't complete but Morgause always knew when something good was going to happen and oh yes, she knew this first little endeavor of her as a Black Dragon was going to be very memorable.