~ Shortcut ~
By Ola
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A/N~ I am really really sorry for the delay. I had meant to write and post this chapter a lot sooner, but then things…happened. (one of which entailed me staring at a hospital ceiling for four hours, bored out of my mind! *sigh*) anyway, I hope you are still here. At first, I wanted to end this story with this chapter, but since I haven't written the ending yet, and didn't want to keep you waiting any longer, there will be one more chapter before the end.
This chapter is written in third person, mainly because I could not decide whose point of view I should choose =) Also, Amia, I am using an idea of yours from your review =) I hope you don't mind =)
Thank you so much for all the reviews! Yay! They make me so happy (and I like being happy, especially before beginning a whole day of school).
Enjoy the story!
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Part 10~ Of tea and hungry elves.
Breath in, breath out…just like mister Strider said…breath in…out…listen, and say what you hear…the wind. No,…it's the leaves in the trees…footsteps…Merry -?- eating…Boromir telling a story… water trickling in the stream...Strider and Legolas talking soflty…Pippin asking when dinner will be ready…Merry t… …!!... Strider! And…and … … Legolas?
The little hobbit's eyes flew open, as he stared at the direction from which he had heard the voices, their owners still hidden behind thick trees.
"Sam? What is it?" Frodo looked up at his friend's sharp intake of air.
"Have you finally realized your stomach feels so VERY empty that my proposition of a third breakfast begins to make REALLY good sense?" Pippin looked ecstatic, thinking he finally got someone to go with him to ask the nice elves in the kitchen for yet one more breakfast.
When Sam did not answer, everyone else turned to look at what held the hobbit's attention, the commotion drowning the approaching footsteps for some time, until two people came into view, appearing suddenly from behind a bend in the path. Silence descended on the clearing, the whistling of the wind through the trees all the louder in comparison.
Pippin reached the elf first, hugging him as hard as his little hands would allow him, not noticing that now, he could encircle his arms around his friend's middle, with a little space to spare. Legolas sank to his knees and returned the embrace with a cheerful smile on his face. Pippin hasn't changed.
"Welcome back, mister elf" Sam beamed with pride, as if it was he, seemingly coming back from the dead.
More hugs ensued from the other Halflings, and for a moment, the elf was buried under a mass of curly haired heads, and hands eager to prove to their owner that yes indeed, this was their friend, in flesh and bones.
"Enough, little ones. Enough. Let me breath!" he mock admonished with a smile, at what time Boromir finally managed to reach Legolas and pat him hesitantly on the back. The elf gave him a thankful smile, for while he was strong –usually- the human was much stronger than he was, and the elf was in no state to be heartily pounded by an overzealous friend, too enthusiastic to see him after fearing the worse. Even now, he fought to stay afoot and hide his weariness. There was no need to worry his companions in this happy moment.
Galadriel did not arrive too soon.
"Come; let the healers perform their trade." Her cerulean eyes glittered in the glow of thousands of torches lighted to keep the night at bay throughout the Golden Woods.
The two elves left the clearing, six pairs of eyes following them until they could see no more. The Prince of Mirkwood was suddenly glad for following the Lady's advice, for although he had waved it away at the edge of the woods, his weariness could not be overlooked anymore. Nor could the fire in the long gash in his leg and the deep puncture marks on his arm.
Legolas would have preferred to tend to his own injuries. He was not comfortable nor used to being fussed over. However, one look at the glare of the healer who stood at the door made him reconsidered. Especially that healer. Nafinelle. A smile stretched his lips as he remembered another similar time. He had been a young elfling then, eager to discover the word and go on what he called adventures. He had not, however, counted on the fact that those adventures would entail a deep and painful wound in his side. He had tried to hide the injury, only ending in making it worse. Nafinelle had been in Mirkwood at that time. And she had been one mean healer then. At least to an eighteen years old youngling unable to stay in place for more than a few minutes. Being ordered to lie abed, unmoving, and on his stomach for two whole days had not turned out very enjoyable. Neither did Nafinelle's herbal remedies. Legolas grinned. So did Nafinelle. Yes, she probably remembered what an impossible patient Legolas had been.
"A wonderful coloring you got yourself" the healer's lips quivered in a suppressed grin. "I have never seen a blue elf before this day."
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A few growls, threats, curses and yelps later, Legolas was sitting wrapped up in a heavy Lorien cloak and hood in front of a merry fire, a bowl on his knees, another two lying empty by his side.
"I do believe I have never seen an elf eat so much."
"Shush your mouth, or you will injure Pippin's pride, and he will become inclined to "borrow" some of Legolas's food –or what's left of it- to compete with him. No hobbit will ever loose an eating contest to an elf! Of all people!" The said elf grinned at his friends, happy to see their good mood back. During the long nights alone, he had wondered what they thought had happened to him, and how they were dealing with those thoughts. It had never been his intention to purposefully hurt his companions by suddenly disappearing into that lake, letting them all think he had died.
The elf shuddered at the memory of the dark waters closing above his head, and looked around the camp fire. Aragorn sat to his left, nursing a cup of hot tea, similar to the one Legolas was holding minus the medicines. On his other side were the hobbits and Boromir, asking all sorts of impertinent questions about his "adventures." The elf's eyes strained into the woods surrounding the group, looking for the still missing member of the company. It had given him quite a fright not to see the grumpy dwarf yell at him as soon as he reached the woods of Lorien, and numerous reasons for this absence quickly presented themselves to his mind, each one worse than the previous one. It had taken the ranger some time, and a reassuring mind touch form Lady Galadriel, before he calmed down.
He sighed at the embarrassing memory. A frightened elf? No. I had not been afraid. Merely …slightly worried. Yes. That was it.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash in the near woods and a well-known gruff voice sounding somewhat angry. Somewhat?
"Where is he? WHERE IS HE!? I'm gonna kill 'im!! I'm g…" the dwarf rushed into the circle of fire, swinging his arms around him so as to forestall anyone who would even think of delaying or stopping him on his way toward the object of his wrath.
Legolas stood up, the hood falling from his head. He heard an undignified squawk somewhere to his left, but his full attention was drawn to his late friend. Gimli, son of Gloin, unafraid of anyone or anything, unstoppable in his rage and a formidable foe with or without his trusty axe, was rooted into place a few inches from the elf.
The elf standing tall and proud, his fair visage betraying no emotions.
The burly dwarf not in the least slighted by having to look up in order to glare at his opponent.
Many minutes passed as the two stared at each other, unaware of the world around them. Later, it could not be said who made the first move, for it was too fast to decide, as the two companions leaped at each other, arms wide open, falling into the other's embrace.
Sounds and time itself returned to that clearing in the Golden Woods of Lorien as the two warriors dropped their masks of impassivity and let their tears flow freely.
Many more minutes passed ere Gimli let go of his friend to pick up the thick cloak that had fallen from the trembling shoulders. No dwarf ever looked so joyful to see an elf. And not ANY elf! But Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, son of Thranduil, and member of the fellowship of the Ring. And most importantly, his friend. He grinned and shakily dried away a tear, fully aware of his too quickly beating heart. But Legolas was alive. He is alive! I shall pray to the gods of the elves to thank them for this miracle. Aii, my friend, I had thought never to see you again. A dwarf's heart should not be subject to such misery. We do not weather such losses well. But why am I thinking about myself? Aii, just look at you! Even thinner than before! You cannot hide the tiredness and the trembling form me friend, even though I know you wish not to show your weaknesses. A small smile stretched on Gimli's lips. No, you will never change. And I am glad of that, for I like you just the way you are –thought not this thin, or this tired, or this…blue-. Pfff, what would my kin say to those thoughts? Liking an elf! How preposterous! But you do merit my friendship Legolas. And I only hope that I am worth even a bit of yours.
Finally realizing the eyes of the rest of his companions were strained toward him, the dwarf stretched himself to the maximum extent of his height and grumbled indignantly.
"As I was saying, this is one lucky elf. Mostly idiotic, but rather friendly." He winked at the hobbits and was about to add more before he glanced at Aragorn…and froze. His size gave him an impeccable view of a certain part of the human's body –over wise saying: belt high-.
"What…happened…to you? If that would not be asking too much?"
The ranger glared at the dwarf, who looked around innocently, rummaging through his memory for whatever could have caused the man to glower at him so. Nothing came to mind. Perhaps because that mind was too occupied with stifling a bubbling laugh that threatened to spill out at any moment, and further endanger the dwarf under the man's hands. But, the dwarf had to admit to himself that this indeed was a sight to behold. Aragorn, the proud and capable leader of the Dunadain, ranger of the north, foster son of the Lord Elrond…
…exhibited a suspicious wet stain on his trews, just below the buckle.
The dwarf raised an eyebrow, as the man managed an "it's tea" with very tight lips.
Somewhere from behind Gimli, there came a suppressed snicker.
Aragorn's face became a very interesting shade of red. He quickly sat down, still glowering at the dwarf for all he was worth, as being the cause of his embarrassment. And to think this is the only pair of pants I own! Aii! Fortunately for the ranger's sanity, Legolas winked conspiratorially at him and took away the attention from the poor mortal by taking up the thread of his story where he had left it before Gimli's arrival.
"…came a warg over the hill. He was rather lean and seemed very hungry. But so was I. he was stubborn for a beast of his ilk, but…"
"You ate him?!" the elf flashed his teeth at Pippin's round eyes.
"No, little one. I had not the time nor the necessary utensils." The hobbit's eyes became even bigger and rounder, and his mouth hang open in a little "o." Legolas could not help himself from bursting into a laugh.
"Nay. I was not that hungry. Quite some more time would still have passed ere I brought that action into being." Pippin's jaw closed shut with an audible click.
"Oh. I knew that." He looked around, as if he really had.
Overhead, the stars continued their eternal waltz.
Below, eight friends shared stories and listened to the wind, glad to be reunited at last.
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A/N~ so? *grins* happy/silly/funny enough? Because there's some deep talk coming up. (as in: final confrontation between Legolas and Aragorn) however, I haven't even written the title for it, and I have two exams coming up this week, so it may take a little while. I'll try to make this my first priority though.
-saki- thank you =)
-crazygirly- thanks for the hug (mmm, did I get to be hugged with legolas? *dreamy sigh*) =) lol, I made pictures too, and went trecking down the road to buy milk and water at a dairy mart. Took half an hour instead of ten minutes. I was soaked through, and incredibly hot (picture here: me with big puffy coat, two pair of pants, and goggles, crossing the road =). Well, Aragorn didn't exactly pee in his pants but…. =) and no drinking for Legolas. He is recovering. But maybe later? =) I'm so happy I'm making you happy by writing this fic =) *grins*
-rosie- thanks!
-andmetwen- lol. Yep, he's back. There'll be more of him in the next chapter.
-white wolf- mmm, I think Galadriel respect's Legolas's sense of honor and his irksome proudness. I guess she knew he wouldn't die so she let him come on his own so he wouldn't be embarrassed. Also, she wanted Aragorn to be the first one to meet him (yea, she knows of how he feels. More of that in final chapter). As for Aragorn, well, I guess he is a little stupid from time to time (you know, some electrons are not connecting right =). Don't get me wrong. I really like Aragorn. I just like making fun of him from time to time =)
-cherise- the big reunion =) and more of it still to come (but more of a one on one between Legolas and Aragorn)
-s-star- =) hee hee. Sorry that it wasn't as "soon" as you probably would have liked it.
-evil spapple- Legolas is all safe and warm (with a bloated belly to boot =)
-skywise- err, skywise? Yay! You resuscitated!! (hee hee =) I'm happy you liked that chapter because I didn't know how people would take it since it was a bit different from the gloomy first chapters. But I guess people like the humor =)
-orli- cool name *grins* (eh, does that mean you're a guy? *wonders how many guys actually read/write fanfiction because thinks it's mostly girls*) anyway, more Legolas! Was that good enough? There's more coming up =)
110 reviews. *blinks stupidly wondering where they came from* *mouth hangs open quite stupidly* wow. Weeeeeee!!!!! Lol =) *does happy dance before posting chapter 10.
~Ola~