Chapter Three
The stars sprinkled the evening sky like the faintest of glitters on velvety black, while the setting sun and slowly rising moon battled on a celestial field for dominance. Lis sighed as a cool breeze passed over the makeshift soccer field, fluttering the blankets laid down on the lawn. Gimli and Strider ran through the sweet smelling grass, kicking a ragged- looking ball between them. Arwen watched quietly and Lis could see the tinniest of glimmers in her brown eyes as Strider's figure moved across the lawn. Dinner had been quiet, and the dinning hall was, as Lis put it, "In keeping with the resplendent nature of Rivendell", to which Arwen chuckled.
After eating, Legolas suggested a visit to "the fields" as they were called, and the gang agreed. Lis walked slowly behind the rest as they made their way expertly down the cobbled paths. The food had strengthened her, but her knowledge of Rivendell's roadways was narrow and she found keeping up with the regulars a rigorous task.
Frodo noticed her absence from the group and slackened his pace to keep her company. Lis thanked him, and took his arm when he offered it, her legs still a tad too weak from her fall. She marveled at the campus's beauty in the day, but the waning light cast a fairy-land aura about the place, dew clinging to the slightest cobweb, slivers of reds crawling through the veins of large maple leaves as they turned for the season. Everything about Rivendell was otherworldly, from the buildings to the landscapes. It was as if Rivendell's founders had watched Lis's dreams, taken notes and reproduced them to an exact likeness. The place was light and airy and, homey. Bilbo's words came back to her now as she realized he was right. She was home, finally, after so long.
The little stone path meandered its way through the campus, past Avalon and the boy's dorm, more commonly known as "the Pen". Dozens of trees and flowering shrubs lined the way until the stones stopped and the hedges opened out into a large field. Strider and Gimli took immediately to kicking the soccer ball between them, while Legolas and Sam spread out sheets for the rest of them to sit on. And so they did, the deepening night sky watching the contented specks below. Legolas lounged on his side, his slender fingers boredly playing with a tuft of grass. Sam, Merry and Pippin were playing cards. Every once in a while Merry and Pippin would exchange sly glances at each other, while Sam sat pondering over his hand, his tongue sticking out of his mouth in thought. Arwen watched Strider, Lis watched her and Frodo watched Lis, while Boromir lay on his back, counting the stars.
It was a delicious calm night, neither too hot nor too cold, and every one in a while a gentle breeze would sweep through the fields, rippling through the grass like wind on the ocean. Lis smiled, pulling her gaze from Arwen to survey the field. She'd always liked wide-open spaces; the confining nature of Mordor alone was enough to make her long for expanses. Mordor. A discomforting thought. A shadow passed over her face as her past began to creep into her memory. The wind rustling through the grass suddenly became a loud roar, and the moon seemed to glare down with sun-like brilliance in a cold, frozen sky. The wind seemed to pick up as well, whipping around her with icy lashes. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. She closed her eyes, squeezing them shut, hoping she was merely dreaming again, but as the din grew louder and the wind colder, she found she couldn't ignore it anymore. She dared to open her eyes, and found that no on else seemed affected. The hobbits were still playing cards, Strider and Gimli were still playing ball, no one noticed her, or her momentary attack. How she wished Ridley were here. He always seemed to know when she was in trouble, which had been happening a lot. Her brother could take care of her when no one else could, he could sense things no one else could sense.
She closed her eyes again, silently praying Ridley would wake up and find her, wake her up. Almost as soon as the thought entered her mind, a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders. Strong arms, she thought, too strong for Ridley.
She opened her eye, and looked down. Legolas's arms surrounded her. She turned her head and found his piercing blue eyes staring down at her. She swayed a bit, but didn't collapse, the rest of his face coming into view. Slender, like the rest of him, but not without its strengths. Long blonde hair fell about his shoulder, and even though it had been pulled back, a few wisps fell across his cheek. He ran his fingers across her forehead, his eyes intent-looking, his features worriedly rigid.
"You aren't well." He whispered.
Lis tried to shake her head, but his eyes stopped her from lying. He knew. She didn't know how, but he knew she was ill. He could sense it, she saw it in his eyes, the same look Ridley had. But something else was mingled in with it, something she couldn't sense.
She looked around, and saw that no one was watching them. Frodo had join the card game, and all the hobbits were laughing merrily as Sam was duped again. She sighed and started to lean her head on his shoulder, but remembered he was not her brother and scooted away from him, the shivering gone. Legolas watched her quietly, something like a amusement dancing in his eyes now.
"You do not trust me?"
"No, no, it's not that, it's just that, I don't know you. Not well, and it isn't proper." Lis blushed at the prudish politeness that had controlled most of her life. Still, she didn't wish to become a known name for her draping behavior, as some girls were. Distance was the only thing that could prevent that, and keep her good anonymity intact. But his eyes called to her, begging her to come closer. She wanted to trust him, she ached to, but prudence guarded her actions towards the melancholy youth… for now.
"Perhaps we should leave formalities for later," he said, scooting closer to her, a small grin spreading across his face. "You are not well, and should probably go back to your room. You've had, quite the interesting day, wouldn't you say, Miss Corma?"
" I suppose I have," she giggled in spite of herself, her earlier attack all but melting away into the shadows of her memory. "But I'm afraid I'll have to venture back by myself. Boys aren't allowed in the dorms."
As soon as she said it, the absurdity of her statement hit her. All day she had seen more men in her rooms than girls, despite Bilbo's earlier admonishments.
"Ah, yes. Well, technically, we aren't. But exceptions are always made. I hope you will make me one of them."
His eyes grew serious again, even as his smile flashed debonair. She felt a quick blush rising into her cheeks at his words, his eyes, his smell…
She began to sway again, and the rustling in the grass began to roar once more. Legolas saw her beginning to slip and whispered, "It seems I'll have to be one of your trusted few for the moment." Before he stood up, clearing his throat.
Arwen looked up at him.
"Lis is tired. Long day. I think I'm just gonna take her back to her room. I was on my way up anyway."
Arwen nodded and smiled. The company called out their various good-nights and Legolas reached down to help her up. He held her close to his side, his hand clamped gently around her arm.
"Walk for just a few feet, at least until we're out of sight. You wouldn't want to have to explain this again would you?" he whispered into her ear with a small smile. He waved to the group and started off for the path, Lis leaning heavily on his arm. When they reached the protective barrier of the hedge, she collapsed her legs no longer able to support her. Legolas was down by her side in a flash, his arm winding protectively around her waist and a hand cradling her neck.
"You alright there?" he asked, but his eyes already knew their answer.
Lis nodded and tried to stand up, but stumbled forward, where Legolas caught her and rested her upon his chest.
"Now, you're going to have to stop that," he laughed, "You not alright, are you?"
She gave her head a little shake before giving in and letting it collapse onto his chest. Legolas looked down at her thoughtfully.
"Do you think you can walk?" he whispered throatily. When Lis shook her head again, he swept his arm under her knees, lifting her off the ground and into his arms. He started walking for the dorms, a small smile flickering across his face, while Lis, slightly confused and uncomfortable, leaned her head on his shoulder, relaxing into his arms.
"How long have you been like this?"
Lis shrugged. "Ever since we left Mordor."
"I thought so." Legolas looked thoughtful for a moment and fell quiet, leaving Lis to gaze up at the quiet man.
"You should be careful with shadows Lis. They mean trouble."
"Shadows…?"
"Your shivering and fainting spells. You can't go blaming it on feminine delicacy much longer. You'll have to deal with it, and soon. Rivendell is peaceful, but not without its eyes and ears," at this Legolas grew somewhat distant, as if remembering his own shadows. "There are those here who would want to know everything about you. They mean well, don't get me wrong. But I know what prying minds are like, Lis. Its better to rid yourself of that which you cannot hide easily."
"What did you have to hide?" Lis's eyes flashed suprisingly. His words, she new were bred from concern, but she couldn't help but see it as an outcast lamenting his own tortured life. Tortured life? Ha, he didn't know what torture was. How could he? How could anyone with a face so beautiful know?
"Much, and lets let it rest at that." He smiled down at her, quickly taking note of her agitation, but choosing to ignore, or at least seeming to.
Avalon loomed ahead of the strolling pair, while moonlight slanted odd shadows through the rough touched façade.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she sighed, the sight of her new home occupying her thoughts instead of Legolas and his shadow. "Ya know, I always wanted to live in a place like this, pretend I was a queen or a princess in desperate need of rescuing."
"And are you so sure your not?"
His words snapped her back to reality. He stared down at her calmly, a gentle breeze catching a few strands of hair and blowing them across his face. She reached up, brushing it aside, not wanting anything to block her view of his eyes, she wanted to read their meaning. Her fingers brushed against his cheek as she did, and the minute she touched him, a shock went through her body. An eternity seemed to pass before her fingers fell from his skin, and the two stood looking at each other, Lis still tucked up in his arms. Legolas closed his eyes, a troubled look sweeping over his face. He put her down, slowly, and Lis found her bearings quickly, though she silently wished to be back in his arms.
Then something unexpected happened. Legolas touched her. He reached out his hand, his eyes still closed, and ran his fingers along her neck. She shivered slightly, his touch making her knees quiver. His fingers traced the neckline of her shirt and slowly slipped underneath. Lis's eyes widened, but she couldn't find it in her to pull away. Legolas's fingers trailed down to her collarbone, stopping in the middle. He stood there for a moment, his eyes still closed.
"That's where he hit you first." He whispered.
Lis's eyes widened more and she finally found the energy to pull away. Legolas's hand slipped back to his side and his eyes snapped open.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice quivering.
"Sauron. That's where he hit you the first time. Isn't it?"
Lis nodded slowly, her mind racing numbly.
"How did you...?"
"You touched me." He said, as if that answered the sea of questions storming in her mind.
"I saw your shadows when you touched me. Looks like your stuck with me now." He chuckled slightly, though very much aware of the seriousness of their current situation.
"What are you talking about?"
"Who knows how often you'll see Ridley now. You're older than he is, he hasn't finished high school. You need someone else to take care of you Lis. I guess that's me now."
"Take care of me?"
"You need sleep Lis. We'll talk about this in the morning. Over breakfast, alright?"
Lis nodded slowly, her face numb with shock and confusion. Legolas led her to the door and opened it, the heavy oaken panel creaking anciently on its hinges.
"The dinning hall makes a mean bagel, ya know," He smiled and helped her over the small step on the landing.
"I'm gonna go now. Do you think you can make it up the stairs by yourself?" Lis nodded. "Good. Try to get some sleep, my ransomed Princess." He winked at her slyly, and started to leave. He stopped and quickly took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips and kissing it. He stared at her for a moment, then quickly let go of her hand and hurried off. Lis watched, awe-struck, for a few minutes, before she closed the door and went to bed.
The stars sprinkled the evening sky like the faintest of glitters on velvety black, while the setting sun and slowly rising moon battled on a celestial field for dominance. Lis sighed as a cool breeze passed over the makeshift soccer field, fluttering the blankets laid down on the lawn. Gimli and Strider ran through the sweet smelling grass, kicking a ragged- looking ball between them. Arwen watched quietly and Lis could see the tinniest of glimmers in her brown eyes as Strider's figure moved across the lawn. Dinner had been quiet, and the dinning hall was, as Lis put it, "In keeping with the resplendent nature of Rivendell", to which Arwen chuckled.
After eating, Legolas suggested a visit to "the fields" as they were called, and the gang agreed. Lis walked slowly behind the rest as they made their way expertly down the cobbled paths. The food had strengthened her, but her knowledge of Rivendell's roadways was narrow and she found keeping up with the regulars a rigorous task.
Frodo noticed her absence from the group and slackened his pace to keep her company. Lis thanked him, and took his arm when he offered it, her legs still a tad too weak from her fall. She marveled at the campus's beauty in the day, but the waning light cast a fairy-land aura about the place, dew clinging to the slightest cobweb, slivers of reds crawling through the veins of large maple leaves as they turned for the season. Everything about Rivendell was otherworldly, from the buildings to the landscapes. It was as if Rivendell's founders had watched Lis's dreams, taken notes and reproduced them to an exact likeness. The place was light and airy and, homey. Bilbo's words came back to her now as she realized he was right. She was home, finally, after so long.
The little stone path meandered its way through the campus, past Avalon and the boy's dorm, more commonly known as "the Pen". Dozens of trees and flowering shrubs lined the way until the stones stopped and the hedges opened out into a large field. Strider and Gimli took immediately to kicking the soccer ball between them, while Legolas and Sam spread out sheets for the rest of them to sit on. And so they did, the deepening night sky watching the contented specks below. Legolas lounged on his side, his slender fingers boredly playing with a tuft of grass. Sam, Merry and Pippin were playing cards. Every once in a while Merry and Pippin would exchange sly glances at each other, while Sam sat pondering over his hand, his tongue sticking out of his mouth in thought. Arwen watched Strider, Lis watched her and Frodo watched Lis, while Boromir lay on his back, counting the stars.
It was a delicious calm night, neither too hot nor too cold, and every one in a while a gentle breeze would sweep through the fields, rippling through the grass like wind on the ocean. Lis smiled, pulling her gaze from Arwen to survey the field. She'd always liked wide-open spaces; the confining nature of Mordor alone was enough to make her long for expanses. Mordor. A discomforting thought. A shadow passed over her face as her past began to creep into her memory. The wind rustling through the grass suddenly became a loud roar, and the moon seemed to glare down with sun-like brilliance in a cold, frozen sky. The wind seemed to pick up as well, whipping around her with icy lashes. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. She closed her eyes, squeezing them shut, hoping she was merely dreaming again, but as the din grew louder and the wind colder, she found she couldn't ignore it anymore. She dared to open her eyes, and found that no on else seemed affected. The hobbits were still playing cards, Strider and Gimli were still playing ball, no one noticed her, or her momentary attack. How she wished Ridley were here. He always seemed to know when she was in trouble, which had been happening a lot. Her brother could take care of her when no one else could, he could sense things no one else could sense.
She closed her eyes again, silently praying Ridley would wake up and find her, wake her up. Almost as soon as the thought entered her mind, a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders. Strong arms, she thought, too strong for Ridley.
She opened her eye, and looked down. Legolas's arms surrounded her. She turned her head and found his piercing blue eyes staring down at her. She swayed a bit, but didn't collapse, the rest of his face coming into view. Slender, like the rest of him, but not without its strengths. Long blonde hair fell about his shoulder, and even though it had been pulled back, a few wisps fell across his cheek. He ran his fingers across her forehead, his eyes intent-looking, his features worriedly rigid.
"You aren't well." He whispered.
Lis tried to shake her head, but his eyes stopped her from lying. He knew. She didn't know how, but he knew she was ill. He could sense it, she saw it in his eyes, the same look Ridley had. But something else was mingled in with it, something she couldn't sense.
She looked around, and saw that no one was watching them. Frodo had join the card game, and all the hobbits were laughing merrily as Sam was duped again. She sighed and started to lean her head on his shoulder, but remembered he was not her brother and scooted away from him, the shivering gone. Legolas watched her quietly, something like a amusement dancing in his eyes now.
"You do not trust me?"
"No, no, it's not that, it's just that, I don't know you. Not well, and it isn't proper." Lis blushed at the prudish politeness that had controlled most of her life. Still, she didn't wish to become a known name for her draping behavior, as some girls were. Distance was the only thing that could prevent that, and keep her good anonymity intact. But his eyes called to her, begging her to come closer. She wanted to trust him, she ached to, but prudence guarded her actions towards the melancholy youth… for now.
"Perhaps we should leave formalities for later," he said, scooting closer to her, a small grin spreading across his face. "You are not well, and should probably go back to your room. You've had, quite the interesting day, wouldn't you say, Miss Corma?"
" I suppose I have," she giggled in spite of herself, her earlier attack all but melting away into the shadows of her memory. "But I'm afraid I'll have to venture back by myself. Boys aren't allowed in the dorms."
As soon as she said it, the absurdity of her statement hit her. All day she had seen more men in her rooms than girls, despite Bilbo's earlier admonishments.
"Ah, yes. Well, technically, we aren't. But exceptions are always made. I hope you will make me one of them."
His eyes grew serious again, even as his smile flashed debonair. She felt a quick blush rising into her cheeks at his words, his eyes, his smell…
She began to sway again, and the rustling in the grass began to roar once more. Legolas saw her beginning to slip and whispered, "It seems I'll have to be one of your trusted few for the moment." Before he stood up, clearing his throat.
Arwen looked up at him.
"Lis is tired. Long day. I think I'm just gonna take her back to her room. I was on my way up anyway."
Arwen nodded and smiled. The company called out their various good-nights and Legolas reached down to help her up. He held her close to his side, his hand clamped gently around her arm.
"Walk for just a few feet, at least until we're out of sight. You wouldn't want to have to explain this again would you?" he whispered into her ear with a small smile. He waved to the group and started off for the path, Lis leaning heavily on his arm. When they reached the protective barrier of the hedge, she collapsed her legs no longer able to support her. Legolas was down by her side in a flash, his arm winding protectively around her waist and a hand cradling her neck.
"You alright there?" he asked, but his eyes already knew their answer.
Lis nodded and tried to stand up, but stumbled forward, where Legolas caught her and rested her upon his chest.
"Now, you're going to have to stop that," he laughed, "You not alright, are you?"
She gave her head a little shake before giving in and letting it collapse onto his chest. Legolas looked down at her thoughtfully.
"Do you think you can walk?" he whispered throatily. When Lis shook her head again, he swept his arm under her knees, lifting her off the ground and into his arms. He started walking for the dorms, a small smile flickering across his face, while Lis, slightly confused and uncomfortable, leaned her head on his shoulder, relaxing into his arms.
"How long have you been like this?"
Lis shrugged. "Ever since we left Mordor."
"I thought so." Legolas looked thoughtful for a moment and fell quiet, leaving Lis to gaze up at the quiet man.
"You should be careful with shadows Lis. They mean trouble."
"Shadows…?"
"Your shivering and fainting spells. You can't go blaming it on feminine delicacy much longer. You'll have to deal with it, and soon. Rivendell is peaceful, but not without its eyes and ears," at this Legolas grew somewhat distant, as if remembering his own shadows. "There are those here who would want to know everything about you. They mean well, don't get me wrong. But I know what prying minds are like, Lis. Its better to rid yourself of that which you cannot hide easily."
"What did you have to hide?" Lis's eyes flashed suprisingly. His words, she new were bred from concern, but she couldn't help but see it as an outcast lamenting his own tortured life. Tortured life? Ha, he didn't know what torture was. How could he? How could anyone with a face so beautiful know?
"Much, and lets let it rest at that." He smiled down at her, quickly taking note of her agitation, but choosing to ignore, or at least seeming to.
Avalon loomed ahead of the strolling pair, while moonlight slanted odd shadows through the rough touched façade.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she sighed, the sight of her new home occupying her thoughts instead of Legolas and his shadow. "Ya know, I always wanted to live in a place like this, pretend I was a queen or a princess in desperate need of rescuing."
"And are you so sure your not?"
His words snapped her back to reality. He stared down at her calmly, a gentle breeze catching a few strands of hair and blowing them across his face. She reached up, brushing it aside, not wanting anything to block her view of his eyes, she wanted to read their meaning. Her fingers brushed against his cheek as she did, and the minute she touched him, a shock went through her body. An eternity seemed to pass before her fingers fell from his skin, and the two stood looking at each other, Lis still tucked up in his arms. Legolas closed his eyes, a troubled look sweeping over his face. He put her down, slowly, and Lis found her bearings quickly, though she silently wished to be back in his arms.
Then something unexpected happened. Legolas touched her. He reached out his hand, his eyes still closed, and ran his fingers along her neck. She shivered slightly, his touch making her knees quiver. His fingers traced the neckline of her shirt and slowly slipped underneath. Lis's eyes widened, but she couldn't find it in her to pull away. Legolas's fingers trailed down to her collarbone, stopping in the middle. He stood there for a moment, his eyes still closed.
"That's where he hit you first." He whispered.
Lis's eyes widened more and she finally found the energy to pull away. Legolas's hand slipped back to his side and his eyes snapped open.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice quivering.
"Sauron. That's where he hit you the first time. Isn't it?"
Lis nodded slowly, her mind racing numbly.
"How did you...?"
"You touched me." He said, as if that answered the sea of questions storming in her mind.
"I saw your shadows when you touched me. Looks like your stuck with me now." He chuckled slightly, though very much aware of the seriousness of their current situation.
"What are you talking about?"
"Who knows how often you'll see Ridley now. You're older than he is, he hasn't finished high school. You need someone else to take care of you Lis. I guess that's me now."
"Take care of me?"
"You need sleep Lis. We'll talk about this in the morning. Over breakfast, alright?"
Lis nodded slowly, her face numb with shock and confusion. Legolas led her to the door and opened it, the heavy oaken panel creaking anciently on its hinges.
"The dinning hall makes a mean bagel, ya know," He smiled and helped her over the small step on the landing.
"I'm gonna go now. Do you think you can make it up the stairs by yourself?" Lis nodded. "Good. Try to get some sleep, my ransomed Princess." He winked at her slyly, and started to leave. He stopped and quickly took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips and kissing it. He stared at her for a moment, then quickly let go of her hand and hurried off. Lis watched, awe-struck, for a few minutes, before she closed the door and went to bed.