~*~
That night had been one of the longest in Legolas' life. Several times he thought he had lost his friend, but on closer inspection he saw that her chest still rose and her heart was still beating. But just. Onward throughout the night Legolas walked, dragging the near unconscious ranger with him. Legolas' thoughts were torn from him when he heard a faint moan from his shoulder. "Bele?" the elf prince spoke softly. "Legolas." her voice was weak, as was her shallow breathing. Belegorath moved her head a little and her eyes were only half opened. "Where. are we?" "We are almost in Rivendell. Almost home, just hang on. You see just over that ridge? That's home." "Good. I'm so tired. I can't stay awake anymore. I .sleep." her words trailed off. Legolas heard the ranger moan quietly before her head fell once more on his shoulder, her body losing tension and becoming limp. "Bele? Belegorath! No, no no. Wake up! Please, don't fall asleep! Wake up! Estelea! Come on! Saes!" A wave of heightened panic swept through Legolas as he gently placed Belegorath down on the ground. He then placed an ear to her chest and to his utter horror, he did not feel the soft beating of her heart. And no matter how hard he looked, he could not find the faint rise and fall of her chest. "No, please.no." He whispered, frantically checking again for a pulse. His worry turned almost to anger as he lost control. "Don't you dare leave me now!" he yelled at his friend. Turning his eyes to the blackened sky he pleaded, "Illuvitar do not call her to your golden hall yet, not yet." He held back a sob, fearing his friend was lost forever. "No, no you can't do this to me." He told her, despite the fact she couldn't hear him. He grasped her hand, twining their fingers. "Belegorath?" he brushed his hand across her forehead, down her cheek. "Wake up." Her skin was cool. Legolas felt tears spring to his eyes as he stroked her face, trying to coax her back. "Don't do this to me." He clutched their hands to his chest as he caressed her cheek. She didn't stir. Not until this moment had he noticed he was hopelessly in love with the mortal that lay in his lap. He leaned over, kissing her icy lips. "Amin mela lle Belegorath. Come back to me." She didn't kiss him back. "Saes. don't leave me."
From far away she felt a voice call to her, and she wanted to respond but she knew not how. The void surrounded her, she was lost. No matter how she tried her body refused to respond. A voice called to her, pulling her into the light and away from her dark reverie. An out stretched hand, like a guiding light, offered a second chance. A chance without an afterthought she took. Like taking a breath after being held under water for too long Bele's heart began to beat. Her senses flood back to her. Aware that she was enveloped in a pair of strong arms, and she heard someone crying. A male voice called her name. a voice she recognized. But could not quite place. "How could you leave me? It's my fault. how could you leave me." The voice sobbed. Belegorath took a painful breath, as her body started to remember how to do so. Her eyelids fluttered slightly. And she spotted a face hovering above her, surrounded by shining golden hair. His green eyes glimmered with tears. His name was on the tip of her tongue. If only she could remember. "Belegorath.please.I don't want to live without you. I can't live without you." Visions flooded back as she remembered. "Legolas?" She whispered. "Belegorath?" His voice was full of disbelief and surprise. She managed a weak smile, as much as it pained her. "I thought you were dead. Well, you are dead- I mean, you were, a minute ago." A bemused look crossed his face before it split into a wide, heartfelt smile. "Elves do not give up so easily, my prince and neither do I. Do you have such little faith in me?" Belegorath teased. Legolas was beside himself with confusion and joy. Once more his eyes drifted skyward as he gave his unspoken thanks. It began to rain. He looked down at the woman laying in his arms who was smiling up at him, though it was hard to tell for the dirt, dried blood, and bruises. Without a moment's hesitation he leaned down and kissed her. She shuddered at his smooth lips as they brushed lightly against her own split and cracked ones. It was almost as if the life that had been slipping from her grasp had rejuvenated in ten-folds. The kiss was gentle at first, growing feverish as the moments passed. His jaw locked with hers, passion overflowing. After wanting him for so long she finally knew his coy glances in her direction was neither a trick of her eyes nor the hope of her heart. She had no breath left and less strength. Bele felt like she would die if this ever longed for kiss lasted, but he needed this more than she. The ride to her home had left him weary and to carry a near full-grown woman down the treacherous slopes in which her home had been built was unheard of. Letting all the emotion he held spill over like a river after a storm, he cried into the crook of her neck. "I thought I'd lost you." sorrow mixed with joy filled the shaking voice of the elf prince. Bele didn't know what to do, or say, or think. She had admired him from afar for so long, all hope that he returned her affection had been lost. Bele smiled, not for the fact that she was happy but because that was all her tormented body would allow. Once more the blonde archer pressed his mouth to hers. Tenderly he parted her lips with his tongue, loving every inch of her. She was warm and gentle and.perfect. She continued the kiss, but when they ran out of breath Belegorath sighed into Legolas' mouth before he pulled away, gently sucking on her bottom lip before he laid a trail of delicate kisses from her lips to the side of her neck. She whimpered and let her head fall backwards as the talented mouth moved up to her ear. Legolas licked the tip of her ear, the sensation sending shivers up Belegorath's spine. He pulled away, looking into the eyes that he wished nothing more than to devour. They were blue. He had never noticed that before. But then again when was the last time he stopped to look? //This one will be untamable, I can tell.// His expression turned serious. "Amin mela lle Belegorath, never do this to me again." He said, a stern look crossing his brow. "What?" "I said never do that to me again." He repeated. "No. Before that." She said truly not comprehending what had transpired here. "I love you." he smiled as his own words dawned on him and how much he truly meant them.
~*~
"I won't let you die." Ignoring her young friend, the Dunidain cast her eyes once more to the sky, "I wish we could stay like this forever. You're so warm and I could just lay here forever. I love the way I'm just content to have you hold me. If the valor sees fit, I still might." She said looking up from her place in the prince of Mirkwood's arms. For the first time in weeks she felt safe and loved. "That's a terrible thing to say. You will be fine. I know it. Soon enough Elrond will tend to you and you'll be fine, I promise." Legolas said, tears springing to his eyes. "But if I don't, tell my fam." her words trailed off as he placed a finger on he lips. "You can tell them yourself." he insisted. Her eyes fluttered, feeling too heavy to keep open. Once more her body lost all tension. Not hearing Legolas' protests, she passed out. He looked down at her. She was only eighteen years old, but she was still ready to die. She was unafraid.
~*~
//We're almost home// he let out a sigh, but firmly told himself the night was not over yet. It had taken them all night to steal down into the deep gorge that the palace had been built into. His torn and tattered tunic was the only proof of how many times he may have lost his footing and died that night. His mind never strayed far from his friend. The starlight had been their only guide as the new moon had cast the valley into near darkness. Once again he thought of Illuvitar shining down on him, leading them home. The elven prince was partly glad for the cover of darkness but his eyes, unable to compensate for the lack of light often missed the obstacles in their path, making the trip down the cliff face perilous. He was worn out himself but the ragged, shallow breathing of his friend spurred him on. Coughing fits wracking his friend's delicate frame, occasionally drawing blood.
"Hold on." He brushed the wayward strands of hair out of her face, pressing his hand against the wrecked form of his friend's forehead. The elf was running a fever and her skin was clammy. Over the three days they had traveled, her fever had grown steadily worse, even under his constant medical aid. There should have been some kind of improvement. Legolas' heart clenched inside of him, they didn't have much time left. He hoped it wasn't too late already. Slipping his arms around the Dunidain's waist, he pulled them both into a standing position, "We are almost there; almost home. Don't give up on me now." He whispered the words of encouragement into the elf's ear as she allowed his head to fall against the male's shoulder. Her lungs seemed to close. Leaving her gasping for breath, and inducing another coughing fit. Legolas held her down with some difficulty, he was torn between being gentle and possibly letting her cause further damage or holding firmly and possibly hurting her. Every time she coughed she aggravated the wounds on her stomach and not to mention her broken bones. He pulled a piece of cloth from his pack and handed it to Bele. She excepted it and covered her mouth as she coughed. Once she had finished Legolas took it from her, and for the rest of his days he will never be as horrified as he was now. Blood. Lots of blood. It soaked the cloth, leaving it deep crimson instead of the white it had once been. External wounds could be healed but what of the injuries they could not see?
~*~
"Bele? Can you hear me?" She had to answer. But all she could manage for sound was a soft moan. She could feel something wet on her face. But the water wasn't cool. It was hot. And it moved in lines down her cheeks. She suddenly realized she was crying. And even though it hurt as the sobs rattled in her chest, she couldn't stop. Crying felt good somewhere deeper than the pain reached. A pair of arms wrapped themselves about her. Belegorath slowly ventured opening one eye again. Even though all she could see was darkness. "Belegorath?" The voice called again. It was soft and comforting, but filled with concern. A cool, wet cloth wiped across her face, taking her tears with it. But fresh ones soon replaced them. "I told you I'd get you home."
~*~
That night had been one of the longest in Legolas' life. Several times he thought he had lost his friend, but on closer inspection he saw that her chest still rose and her heart was still beating. But just. Onward throughout the night Legolas walked, dragging the near unconscious ranger with him. Legolas' thoughts were torn from him when he heard a faint moan from his shoulder. "Bele?" the elf prince spoke softly. "Legolas." her voice was weak, as was her shallow breathing. Belegorath moved her head a little and her eyes were only half opened. "Where. are we?" "We are almost in Rivendell. Almost home, just hang on. You see just over that ridge? That's home." "Good. I'm so tired. I can't stay awake anymore. I .sleep." her words trailed off. Legolas heard the ranger moan quietly before her head fell once more on his shoulder, her body losing tension and becoming limp. "Bele? Belegorath! No, no no. Wake up! Please, don't fall asleep! Wake up! Estelea! Come on! Saes!" A wave of heightened panic swept through Legolas as he gently placed Belegorath down on the ground. He then placed an ear to her chest and to his utter horror, he did not feel the soft beating of her heart. And no matter how hard he looked, he could not find the faint rise and fall of her chest. "No, please.no." He whispered, frantically checking again for a pulse. His worry turned almost to anger as he lost control. "Don't you dare leave me now!" he yelled at his friend. Turning his eyes to the blackened sky he pleaded, "Illuvitar do not call her to your golden hall yet, not yet." He held back a sob, fearing his friend was lost forever. "No, no you can't do this to me." He told her, despite the fact she couldn't hear him. He grasped her hand, twining their fingers. "Belegorath?" he brushed his hand across her forehead, down her cheek. "Wake up." Her skin was cool. Legolas felt tears spring to his eyes as he stroked her face, trying to coax her back. "Don't do this to me." He clutched their hands to his chest as he caressed her cheek. She didn't stir. Not until this moment had he noticed he was hopelessly in love with the mortal that lay in his lap. He leaned over, kissing her icy lips. "Amin mela lle Belegorath. Come back to me." She didn't kiss him back. "Saes. don't leave me."
From far away she felt a voice call to her, and she wanted to respond but she knew not how. The void surrounded her, she was lost. No matter how she tried her body refused to respond. A voice called to her, pulling her into the light and away from her dark reverie. An out stretched hand, like a guiding light, offered a second chance. A chance without an afterthought she took. Like taking a breath after being held under water for too long Bele's heart began to beat. Her senses flood back to her. Aware that she was enveloped in a pair of strong arms, and she heard someone crying. A male voice called her name. a voice she recognized. But could not quite place. "How could you leave me? It's my fault. how could you leave me." The voice sobbed. Belegorath took a painful breath, as her body started to remember how to do so. Her eyelids fluttered slightly. And she spotted a face hovering above her, surrounded by shining golden hair. His green eyes glimmered with tears. His name was on the tip of her tongue. If only she could remember. "Belegorath.please.I don't want to live without you. I can't live without you." Visions flooded back as she remembered. "Legolas?" She whispered. "Belegorath?" His voice was full of disbelief and surprise. She managed a weak smile, as much as it pained her. "I thought you were dead. Well, you are dead- I mean, you were, a minute ago." A bemused look crossed his face before it split into a wide, heartfelt smile. "Elves do not give up so easily, my prince and neither do I. Do you have such little faith in me?" Belegorath teased. Legolas was beside himself with confusion and joy. Once more his eyes drifted skyward as he gave his unspoken thanks. It began to rain. He looked down at the woman laying in his arms who was smiling up at him, though it was hard to tell for the dirt, dried blood, and bruises. Without a moment's hesitation he leaned down and kissed her. She shuddered at his smooth lips as they brushed lightly against her own split and cracked ones. It was almost as if the life that had been slipping from her grasp had rejuvenated in ten-folds. The kiss was gentle at first, growing feverish as the moments passed. His jaw locked with hers, passion overflowing. After wanting him for so long she finally knew his coy glances in her direction was neither a trick of her eyes nor the hope of her heart. She had no breath left and less strength. Bele felt like she would die if this ever longed for kiss lasted, but he needed this more than she. The ride to her home had left him weary and to carry a near full-grown woman down the treacherous slopes in which her home had been built was unheard of. Letting all the emotion he held spill over like a river after a storm, he cried into the crook of her neck. "I thought I'd lost you." sorrow mixed with joy filled the shaking voice of the elf prince. Bele didn't know what to do, or say, or think. She had admired him from afar for so long, all hope that he returned her affection had been lost. Bele smiled, not for the fact that she was happy but because that was all her tormented body would allow. Once more the blonde archer pressed his mouth to hers. Tenderly he parted her lips with his tongue, loving every inch of her. She was warm and gentle and.perfect. She continued the kiss, but when they ran out of breath Belegorath sighed into Legolas' mouth before he pulled away, gently sucking on her bottom lip before he laid a trail of delicate kisses from her lips to the side of her neck. She whimpered and let her head fall backwards as the talented mouth moved up to her ear. Legolas licked the tip of her ear, the sensation sending shivers up Belegorath's spine. He pulled away, looking into the eyes that he wished nothing more than to devour. They were blue. He had never noticed that before. But then again when was the last time he stopped to look? //This one will be untamable, I can tell.// His expression turned serious. "Amin mela lle Belegorath, never do this to me again." He said, a stern look crossing his brow. "What?" "I said never do that to me again." He repeated. "No. Before that." She said truly not comprehending what had transpired here. "I love you." he smiled as his own words dawned on him and how much he truly meant them.
~*~
"I won't let you die." Ignoring her young friend, the Dunidain cast her eyes once more to the sky, "I wish we could stay like this forever. You're so warm and I could just lay here forever. I love the way I'm just content to have you hold me. If the valor sees fit, I still might." She said looking up from her place in the prince of Mirkwood's arms. For the first time in weeks she felt safe and loved. "That's a terrible thing to say. You will be fine. I know it. Soon enough Elrond will tend to you and you'll be fine, I promise." Legolas said, tears springing to his eyes. "But if I don't, tell my fam." her words trailed off as he placed a finger on he lips. "You can tell them yourself." he insisted. Her eyes fluttered, feeling too heavy to keep open. Once more her body lost all tension. Not hearing Legolas' protests, she passed out. He looked down at her. She was only eighteen years old, but she was still ready to die. She was unafraid.
~*~
//We're almost home// he let out a sigh, but firmly told himself the night was not over yet. It had taken them all night to steal down into the deep gorge that the palace had been built into. His torn and tattered tunic was the only proof of how many times he may have lost his footing and died that night. His mind never strayed far from his friend. The starlight had been their only guide as the new moon had cast the valley into near darkness. Once again he thought of Illuvitar shining down on him, leading them home. The elven prince was partly glad for the cover of darkness but his eyes, unable to compensate for the lack of light often missed the obstacles in their path, making the trip down the cliff face perilous. He was worn out himself but the ragged, shallow breathing of his friend spurred him on. Coughing fits wracking his friend's delicate frame, occasionally drawing blood.
"Hold on." He brushed the wayward strands of hair out of her face, pressing his hand against the wrecked form of his friend's forehead. The elf was running a fever and her skin was clammy. Over the three days they had traveled, her fever had grown steadily worse, even under his constant medical aid. There should have been some kind of improvement. Legolas' heart clenched inside of him, they didn't have much time left. He hoped it wasn't too late already. Slipping his arms around the Dunidain's waist, he pulled them both into a standing position, "We are almost there; almost home. Don't give up on me now." He whispered the words of encouragement into the elf's ear as she allowed his head to fall against the male's shoulder. Her lungs seemed to close. Leaving her gasping for breath, and inducing another coughing fit. Legolas held her down with some difficulty, he was torn between being gentle and possibly letting her cause further damage or holding firmly and possibly hurting her. Every time she coughed she aggravated the wounds on her stomach and not to mention her broken bones. He pulled a piece of cloth from his pack and handed it to Bele. She excepted it and covered her mouth as she coughed. Once she had finished Legolas took it from her, and for the rest of his days he will never be as horrified as he was now. Blood. Lots of blood. It soaked the cloth, leaving it deep crimson instead of the white it had once been. External wounds could be healed but what of the injuries they could not see?
~*~
"Bele? Can you hear me?" She had to answer. But all she could manage for sound was a soft moan. She could feel something wet on her face. But the water wasn't cool. It was hot. And it moved in lines down her cheeks. She suddenly realized she was crying. And even though it hurt as the sobs rattled in her chest, she couldn't stop. Crying felt good somewhere deeper than the pain reached. A pair of arms wrapped themselves about her. Belegorath slowly ventured opening one eye again. Even though all she could see was darkness. "Belegorath?" The voice called again. It was soft and comforting, but filled with concern. A cool, wet cloth wiped across her face, taking her tears with it. But fresh ones soon replaced them. "I told you I'd get you home."
~*~