A/N: Woah, long chapter this one. I've decided on the rape issue but don't
want to ruin the story, so read on. Thanks for all your reviews and
thoughts on this. I will soon start writing quite a few more stories, so I
hope they are just as successful. Oh yes and huge thanks to Blayze for her
offer to be my beta reader. I will certainly need you in future. If anyone
needs a beta let me know, I don't just write. Enjoy!
Knowing What I Know Now
How dare he touch me like that? The words raced through my mind dripping with venom, I had not yet known I was capable of such anger. Boromir had no right or my permission to touch my body so, and to act all innocent - that was the final straw.
I had never liked the man or trusted him. He disappeared too often and devoted too much time to observing me. Often I would turn to find him staring at me. I had tried to be amicable for the sake of the fellowship and Aragorn, but I would not waste my efforts any longer. He was walking alongside me again I could tell, the Son of Gondor possessed a particular odour and he was close enough for me to hear him breathe. I made my discomfort obvious and moved away quickly, too quickly. I stumbled, only to be caught by an unhappy dwarf murmuring of how I almost killed him. This momentary lapse, which caused no injury, was enough to halt the entire fellowship, warrant questioning from all seven of them and for Aragorn to propose a rest on account of my 'tiredness.' If it were not so tragic I would have laughed.
Aragorn remained close at my side for the rest of the day, clearly certain I would collapse at any moment. This did not help my situation; I was attempting to pluck up the courage to tell him that my hearing had worsened noticeably. For the first time I began to muse over how truly cruel this poison that seeped through my veins actually was. It targeted solely elves, attacking them where it would cause most damage, most vulnerability.
Most of my noble people fought with bows and arrows, what use was a blind archer?
Even more of my people avoided danger and conflict all together by fleeing when they heard approaching enemies. What use is a deaf elf?
A tiny voice inside my head answered the question for me.
None.
You are useless, weak.
You can no longer protect the fellowship.
You are no longer a true elf, you are no use to your people.
You call yourself a prince.
I blinked back silver tears; if my lover were not so close I would have let them fall. I knew what was happening. My blindness was driving me mad, as the darkness had threatened to in Moria. What had been my ray of light there? A warm hand encircling my own was the response to my question. I turned my face away slightly to gather myself before Aragorn saw. I believe I succeeded. I even graced him with a smile hoping to reassure, but unable to see his face I don't know what effect it had. That was possibly the one thing I missed seeing most of all. Not the trees, forests or Anor as some might think, but I longed to see my beloved's chiselled face again.
Suddenly the man who held me sped up, dragging me along with him. I may have even heard the sound of laughter. I was slightly hard of hearing, but by no means deaf. I got the impression of being surrounded by the party; I heard gasps and chuckles. Something had evidently pleased them. I found myself smiling too, still unaware of the reason. Four pairs of hobbit hands began clawing and tugging at my clothing. I released Aragorn and bent down.
"Is that it? Is it really Pip?"
"Of course it is fool! Nothing else shines like that!"
"Well Legolas shines like that . . . . don't you Legolas?"
"You really are one of the most stupid hobbits I've -- "
Sam cut them off with a deep sigh. Frodo came between them.
"Quiet you two! Legolas, great news! We can see Lothlorien!"
That truly was great news though I was dismayed at having to be told of this, I reached out my arms wide and managed to scoop up all four protesting hobbits and hug them tightly. Behind my shoulder, Aragorn laughed merrily. A rare but truly wonderful sound. The hobbits adjusted themselves squabbling furiously over whom I was really hugging, and were soon comfortable in my arms. I would miss them after the quest, as I would all the fellowship.
We continued on with added vigour. The bright light of Lothlorien can be seen from many miles away. We still had a long journey ahead of us, but the goal could now be reached. The fellowship had done me proud, abandoning everything to reach Lothlorien as soon as possible. Even Pippin survived on three meals a day for my sake.
The smile creeping onto my face vanished when I heard something. My hearing was still more sensitive than most and I owed to the group to remain alert.
I heard it again, a horrific wailing, almost screeching. It was very distinctive. Unmistakeable. I knew this moment would come. The path to the golden woods was too long to travel without encountering any difficulty. Now Middle Earth's only blind archer would have to prepare himself for battle.
From the lack of reaction from the rest of the fellowship, they had not made out the noises I had. I had succeeded. I had been of use. I quashed my joy and pride and returned focus to the all-important task in hand.
"Aragorn!" I shouted as I drew my bow and notched an arrow. If had known where Boromir was I would have thrown him a look.
"Orcs - they are coming from the west, fewer than last time." I allowed a small amount of relief to creep into my voice. Aragorn did not respond verbally, but the sound of swords being drawn from all directions was enough for me. The ranger had run over to me as I knew he would but merely stood close. Listening hard, I raised my bow in the direction of the sounds. I waited and waited, strangely reminiscent of the last battle weeks ago. Only now instead of waiting for the perfect moment, my first glimpse of the enemy, I was waiting the first mistake, the first mislaid foot. The snap of a twig was my cue, how it felt good to release the arrow into the air, the motion still as natural as it had always been. As I notched another arrow, Aragorn gently patted my back before he charged, letting me know I was on target. My lover would never leave my side unless he knew I would be safe. My heart sank to my shoes as I felt Boromir breathing down my neck.
"Aragorn fights well, he has rid us of much of our foe."
I nodded, releasing another arrow, the bow trembled slightly. Sadly, this did not go unnoticed.
"Do not fear I will protect you . . . . my precious." His tongue coiled around the phrase as it was reduced to a near hiss. I shuddered, I had heard that phrase spoken before, but not by him and not referring to me.
I would have moved away if a large hand had not grabbed at my collar. I would not lower my bow to remove it. Thankfully there was no need to. I could make out Aragorn footsteps coming ever closer and soon another, tearing my tunic, removed the hand forcefully.
Good. I thought, unable to hide my pleasure that Boromir had been caught. I knew now that Aragorn and his protective nature would watch him day and night. He would not bother me again easily.
A hand was once again at my collar, but it was warm and gentle, adjusting torn fabric and no doubt checking for marks on my delicate skin. I'm guessing he found one for I made out a low-pitched growl as my bow was taken from me and replaced on my back. The battle was over, not only had I survived but also I had killed an orc and saved the lives of my friends.
I felt the over whelming urge to bathe now, and told Aragorn this as we set up camp for the night. He motioned that there was a lake not far from here. He would not allow me to go alone however. I smiled when he offered to join me. Then, a hobbit cried out claiming an injury. Could it have been Sam? I told Aragorn to stay and tend to the little one. It was then that Boromir offered to accompany me. Aragorn began to protest loudly, but I silenced him with a shake of the head. This would be a perfect opportunity to confront him, assess his motives. This may all just be a harmless crush or misunderstanding, or it could be something all together worse. If is was, then the large man may begin to target the smaller, weaker members of the fellowship. It was my job to find out.
Knowing what I know now, I would have never made that gesture.
A/N: Sorry guys, I'm a bit evil when it comes to cliffhangers. Calm down, you only have to wait 'til tomorrow.
Knowing What I Know Now
How dare he touch me like that? The words raced through my mind dripping with venom, I had not yet known I was capable of such anger. Boromir had no right or my permission to touch my body so, and to act all innocent - that was the final straw.
I had never liked the man or trusted him. He disappeared too often and devoted too much time to observing me. Often I would turn to find him staring at me. I had tried to be amicable for the sake of the fellowship and Aragorn, but I would not waste my efforts any longer. He was walking alongside me again I could tell, the Son of Gondor possessed a particular odour and he was close enough for me to hear him breathe. I made my discomfort obvious and moved away quickly, too quickly. I stumbled, only to be caught by an unhappy dwarf murmuring of how I almost killed him. This momentary lapse, which caused no injury, was enough to halt the entire fellowship, warrant questioning from all seven of them and for Aragorn to propose a rest on account of my 'tiredness.' If it were not so tragic I would have laughed.
Aragorn remained close at my side for the rest of the day, clearly certain I would collapse at any moment. This did not help my situation; I was attempting to pluck up the courage to tell him that my hearing had worsened noticeably. For the first time I began to muse over how truly cruel this poison that seeped through my veins actually was. It targeted solely elves, attacking them where it would cause most damage, most vulnerability.
Most of my noble people fought with bows and arrows, what use was a blind archer?
Even more of my people avoided danger and conflict all together by fleeing when they heard approaching enemies. What use is a deaf elf?
A tiny voice inside my head answered the question for me.
None.
You are useless, weak.
You can no longer protect the fellowship.
You are no longer a true elf, you are no use to your people.
You call yourself a prince.
I blinked back silver tears; if my lover were not so close I would have let them fall. I knew what was happening. My blindness was driving me mad, as the darkness had threatened to in Moria. What had been my ray of light there? A warm hand encircling my own was the response to my question. I turned my face away slightly to gather myself before Aragorn saw. I believe I succeeded. I even graced him with a smile hoping to reassure, but unable to see his face I don't know what effect it had. That was possibly the one thing I missed seeing most of all. Not the trees, forests or Anor as some might think, but I longed to see my beloved's chiselled face again.
Suddenly the man who held me sped up, dragging me along with him. I may have even heard the sound of laughter. I was slightly hard of hearing, but by no means deaf. I got the impression of being surrounded by the party; I heard gasps and chuckles. Something had evidently pleased them. I found myself smiling too, still unaware of the reason. Four pairs of hobbit hands began clawing and tugging at my clothing. I released Aragorn and bent down.
"Is that it? Is it really Pip?"
"Of course it is fool! Nothing else shines like that!"
"Well Legolas shines like that . . . . don't you Legolas?"
"You really are one of the most stupid hobbits I've -- "
Sam cut them off with a deep sigh. Frodo came between them.
"Quiet you two! Legolas, great news! We can see Lothlorien!"
That truly was great news though I was dismayed at having to be told of this, I reached out my arms wide and managed to scoop up all four protesting hobbits and hug them tightly. Behind my shoulder, Aragorn laughed merrily. A rare but truly wonderful sound. The hobbits adjusted themselves squabbling furiously over whom I was really hugging, and were soon comfortable in my arms. I would miss them after the quest, as I would all the fellowship.
We continued on with added vigour. The bright light of Lothlorien can be seen from many miles away. We still had a long journey ahead of us, but the goal could now be reached. The fellowship had done me proud, abandoning everything to reach Lothlorien as soon as possible. Even Pippin survived on three meals a day for my sake.
The smile creeping onto my face vanished when I heard something. My hearing was still more sensitive than most and I owed to the group to remain alert.
I heard it again, a horrific wailing, almost screeching. It was very distinctive. Unmistakeable. I knew this moment would come. The path to the golden woods was too long to travel without encountering any difficulty. Now Middle Earth's only blind archer would have to prepare himself for battle.
From the lack of reaction from the rest of the fellowship, they had not made out the noises I had. I had succeeded. I had been of use. I quashed my joy and pride and returned focus to the all-important task in hand.
"Aragorn!" I shouted as I drew my bow and notched an arrow. If had known where Boromir was I would have thrown him a look.
"Orcs - they are coming from the west, fewer than last time." I allowed a small amount of relief to creep into my voice. Aragorn did not respond verbally, but the sound of swords being drawn from all directions was enough for me. The ranger had run over to me as I knew he would but merely stood close. Listening hard, I raised my bow in the direction of the sounds. I waited and waited, strangely reminiscent of the last battle weeks ago. Only now instead of waiting for the perfect moment, my first glimpse of the enemy, I was waiting the first mistake, the first mislaid foot. The snap of a twig was my cue, how it felt good to release the arrow into the air, the motion still as natural as it had always been. As I notched another arrow, Aragorn gently patted my back before he charged, letting me know I was on target. My lover would never leave my side unless he knew I would be safe. My heart sank to my shoes as I felt Boromir breathing down my neck.
"Aragorn fights well, he has rid us of much of our foe."
I nodded, releasing another arrow, the bow trembled slightly. Sadly, this did not go unnoticed.
"Do not fear I will protect you . . . . my precious." His tongue coiled around the phrase as it was reduced to a near hiss. I shuddered, I had heard that phrase spoken before, but not by him and not referring to me.
I would have moved away if a large hand had not grabbed at my collar. I would not lower my bow to remove it. Thankfully there was no need to. I could make out Aragorn footsteps coming ever closer and soon another, tearing my tunic, removed the hand forcefully.
Good. I thought, unable to hide my pleasure that Boromir had been caught. I knew now that Aragorn and his protective nature would watch him day and night. He would not bother me again easily.
A hand was once again at my collar, but it was warm and gentle, adjusting torn fabric and no doubt checking for marks on my delicate skin. I'm guessing he found one for I made out a low-pitched growl as my bow was taken from me and replaced on my back. The battle was over, not only had I survived but also I had killed an orc and saved the lives of my friends.
I felt the over whelming urge to bathe now, and told Aragorn this as we set up camp for the night. He motioned that there was a lake not far from here. He would not allow me to go alone however. I smiled when he offered to join me. Then, a hobbit cried out claiming an injury. Could it have been Sam? I told Aragorn to stay and tend to the little one. It was then that Boromir offered to accompany me. Aragorn began to protest loudly, but I silenced him with a shake of the head. This would be a perfect opportunity to confront him, assess his motives. This may all just be a harmless crush or misunderstanding, or it could be something all together worse. If is was, then the large man may begin to target the smaller, weaker members of the fellowship. It was my job to find out.
Knowing what I know now, I would have never made that gesture.
A/N: Sorry guys, I'm a bit evil when it comes to cliffhangers. Calm down, you only have to wait 'til tomorrow.