Ok, here is where I really start adding in the extra bits. Nephryn's link to the Ring will be revealed soon (but not quite in this chapter) , so ya better keep them reviews comin!!
PS thanks to Lynliss for the always constructive reviews. And off course to every one else who endures the very long tale of romance and woe. Thanks guys!!
As the Nephryn walked by Legolas's side, she was compelled to lean in closer for warmth. The night that had started chill and clear had descended quickly into freezing mist that clung wetly to their garments. The sickle moon cast a luminescent blanket over the mist and soon their hands before them disappeared into the thick silver abyss.
Legolas pulled up short beside her, tugging her to a halt with him. He passed out a hand in front of him, cutting through the thick film that surrounded them. He frowned, as it seemed to swarm around his hand, completely engulfing it. He pulled back his hand, as though stung by something.
"This is not natural. Has this ever happened before?"
Nephryn clung tightly to one arm as the vapour seemed to come alive, clawing its way through her layers, fingering her warm skin with sharp freezing digits. The hairs on the back of her neck stood and she felt that mist was harbouring some dark force within its opaque folds. The pale cast of the moon was gone now and they were utterly enveloped by the heavy mist.
"No! I fear that it is the doing of dark forces."
She did not get the chance to finish for Legolas pulled her face roughly toward him, crying out.
"Your lips!" Nephryn's hand went instantly to her chapped lips. She frowned for there was no blood on her fingertips.
"They are blue. You are freezing!" He pulled out her hand that was tucked into his arm, holding it up. Sure enough, the base of each nail was a sickly blue-grey.
"We must get back to the city. Can you find your way?"
Nephryn nodded though already her feet felt numb and her knees weak. They turned as one and began to run back the way they came. The fog was so thick that they could not see obstacles until the fell over them. Several times they stumbled, falling roughly to the ground, grazing palms and bruising limbs. Soon Nephryn closed her eyes, letting the familiar ground under her feet guide her back, trusting Legolas to keep at bay any unforeseen enemies.
Their breathing became laboured as the icy air burned in their lungs. Still they ran on. All around them, Nephryn could hear panicked voices of her kin. This was unlike anything seen in the mystical Golden Woods.
Though her eyes were still tightly shut, the elf-maid could feel dizziness pull at her fragile balance and darkness tear at the edges of her mind. Her face hurt now as the biting breeze pushed back the hood on her cloak. Beside her, she heard Legolas grunt in pain for he wore less garments than she. She was terrified now, for elves bore an inherent fear of the darkness, and the fog that threatened to suffocate them completely was the very embodiment of darkness.
Suddenly, Legolas slowed and stopped, pulling Nephryn with him. The abrupt stop made her head swim and she swayed wildly until Legolas caught her in his embrace. Warily, she forced open one eye. Ahead, muted light shone from beyond the mist and muffled voices broke through the blanket.
"Aid!" She pulled forward out of Legolas's warm embrace, yearning to be away from the all-encompassing darkness.
"No!" Legolas pulled her back, pointing with one finger to another dull light. The light moved in an arc, back and forth.
"It is a trick! This way is safe." Nephryn needed no further convincing for she trusted the elf-prince implicitly.
Still huddled in his arms, they moved toward the true lights. Soon they found several Woodland elves, bearing sparkling phials that cast off a great light. Minutes later they were back in the city. There were crowds of very frightened elves for never before had the dark forces come so close to their beloved homeland.
Before them, Celeborn cut through the crowd with Aragorn on his heels. Legolas kept one arm firmly around Nephryn's slim waist and moved toward the elf-lord. The concerned elf-lord descended on them, relief evident on his face. Truly he must have worried for her safety.
"Thanks be to Elbereth you are safe!" He took her chin gently, angling her dazed face toward him searching for any injury.
She batted his hands away, trying to banish the stupor and look lively.
"I am fine. We both are. Please see to those who are in real need!" Celeborn stood back and surveyed her once more. Satisfied that she spoke the truth, he placed a loving hand on her cheek before departing into the foray.
Aragorn remained, shock and anger written plainly on his face.
"The Dark Lord grows ever stronger if he can penetrate the stronghold of Nenya. I had hoped that this sacred place would be free from such evils."
Legolas nodded as he stroked Nephryn's hair murmuring soothing reassurances.
"I will go and check that the rest of the company is well. Perhaps you ought take her to the Lady?" Aragorn nodded once to Legolas and departed after Celeborn.
Legolas felt Nephryn loll in his arms, the need to keep strong appearances gone. Swiftly he swept her into his arms and she willingly tucked her head into his chest, stifling the sobs that shook her slender frame. He took her back to her chamber and set her down gently on the bed. Pulling on the clasp, he removed the cloak that was soaked through now. With shaking hands, he pushed back the curtain of ebony hair that obscured her face.
The elf-prince was shocked by what he saw. In the brighter light now Nephryn's features were pale and grey, partly from the cold and partly from fear. It seemed that the cold had dried and cracked her lips, and tiny veins of blood seeped through on them, making her face seem even more ashen. She reached out trembling arms, begging to be held.
He could not deny her. Pausing only to remove his damp, frozen tunic, he slipped onto the bed beside her and drew her into his arms once more. He cradled her against him, one hand smoothing hair away from her face while the other held her close, trying to impart some of his own warmth to her. He sprinkled light kisses over her face, catching her tears on his lips, willing away her fear with soft words and gentle embrace.
Hours later, her tears had subsided and her body stilled and she slept, lulled by his comforting presence and warm body. But Legolas could not sleep. Though the cold had drained him physically and the fear that he might have lost Nephryn left him utterly spent, he could not banish the fears that plagued him now. The only reason he'd agreed to sending his beloved to Lorién was because it was a fortress, which had been heretofore impenetrable by the dark forces. Tonight though, that had changed. He knew that he could not and would not leave her when time came to depart. But neither could he abandon his duties to the fellowship. The fate of Middle Earth would weigh heavily on its success in banishing the Ring once and for all eternity.
The prospect of losing her froze his heart more than any evil spell and he knew that whatever might have happened before today was no more. Fortunes had turned and Lothlorién was no longer the safe haven. When exhaustion finally compelled him to sleep, it was with open eyes he rested for he would not waste a single moment with her when it might be the last.
Ok, let me know: have I gone completely off the walls or should I keep at it??