AN: Hello all! Wow… another chapter up. I'm so thankful to all of you who reviewed! It's nice to know that there people out there who are really enjoying this. You're all great people you know that? ^_^
I'm pretty sure no one thinks I own Lord of the Rings. But at any rate, I know I have to say this: I don't own Lord of the Rings in any way, shape, or form.
Chapter 5: Bluegrass
"Legolas! I have searched for you everywhere…" A blond elf, taller than Legolas, glanced at Auruin sitting on the log. He grinned, "But I see you have been enjoying yourself without me."
"Oh, it is only you, Eluthar," Legolas sighed in relief. He followed the elf boy's gaze, "If you must know, I am not enjoying myself." Auruin's face tilted upward, indignant. "I mean, I am enjoying myself, of course, but I am not enjoying myself." For a moment, nobody made a move or spoke and an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Legolas quickly found himself, "Auruin may I introduce Eluthar, an old friend. Eluthar, this is Auruin."
The tall elf bowed grandly and took the girl's hand, touching his lips to her soft skin. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Auruin."
An impish smile befell her lips. "It is nice to meet you, too," she paused, "Eluthar…? Does that not mean 'blue grass'?"
"No," he said—too quickly, "Wherever did you get such a silly notion?"
"I do believe that we all speak Sindarin here…"
"Well, blue grass is no worse than 'green leaf'!" he muttered. He grabbed a cordof from the tree and polished it on his shirt before strolling over to the log. He pointed to the empty area beside Auruin. "May I sit here?"
"You may."
After biting into his apple, Eluthar noticed Legolas frantically making strange hand motions. "Whatever are you doing, Legolas? Are you feeling ill? Perhaps we should take you to the infirmary…"
"I am in perfect health!"
"Well, then what do you mean by gesturing bizarrely toward Auruin?"
Legolas blushed brightly and the elf girl let out a giggle. "He means to say that I am blind."
"Blind! Oh… I see…" he said rubbing his chin, "Well, how am I supposed to understand what it is he means from this?" Eluthar covered his eyes, pointed his index fingers toward the girl, and covered his eyes once more.
"I see not what you are doing," Auruin said flatly.
He laughed nervously. "Right… of course…"
The girl shook her head at him teasingly, a wide smile on her lips. "You are a strange one, Eluthar."
"Why, thank you, Auruin. It is nice to know that I am recognized for something."
* * *
Many years passed in peace and merriment as their bond of friendship grew. As the years crept on, Auruin slowly felt secure enough to befriend the two other elves wholeheartedly. Much to her parents' relief, she began to open up to them… although, she always held back, just a little.
Eluthar bounced merrily passed Legolas and Auruin. They each carried a pack on their backs and a long pole in their hands but Eluthar also held a small bucket full of kindling wood and bait. The three were headed for the river and it would be Auruin's very first time fishing.
"Your first time!" Eluthar cried when he had found out, "You have missed out on much delight."
They settled at the river's edge, Eluthar quickly setting up. "See, the trick is, you must throw in your lure in just the perfect angle, thus ensuring the best chance of catching your fish." The girl giggled and Legolas smiled flicking his pole toward the water. Although he had fished countless times and preferred the world of adventure, the other's moods were rather infectious and he found himself joining in their enthusiasm.
It wasn't long before Auruin and Eluthar began to yelp with excitement, each tugging on their poles.
"I have caught one!" Auruin cheered. She pulled at the pole with all her might, "but it is very strong!" Suddenly, she snapped backward and nearly fell.
Legolas and Eluthar looked uneasily at the end of her pole. Caught on her hook was a piece of gaeruil—seaweed.
"Is it big?" she asked hopefully, trying to grab hold of the string.
The other two looked at each other, a silent conversation of disappointment and just a little amusement passing through their faces. Legolas motioned to the long, silver fish on the end of Eluthar's pole. He nodded.
"Yes, it is very big, Auruin," Legolas smiled.
Eluthar took the fish that he had caught over to the elf girl. He switched it with the bit of gaeruil and handed the string to her. "Here you are."
"Thank you, Eluthar," she grinned. "My! It is quite big! How is your fish?"
"Oh, I caught nothing but seaweed…"
"Do not be disheartened," she said cheerfully, "I am certain you will catch a fish to put this one to shame!" The other two elves simply laughed.
Slowly, the sun sank low on the horizon and the fire Legolas had made crackled with life as he cooked the fish over its comforting heat. He watched Auruin and Eluthar set up camp not too far away. Tonight, the three would sleep under the stars by the river. The two elves collapsed beside him in a huff.
"I never knew this would be so much work," Eluthar groaned and Legolas smirked.
"Mm… they smell delicious," the other elf sighed sniffing the air.
They had only kept two fish and threw the rest back into the river. All three quickly devoured the cooked food then settled themselves in their comfortable fur skins and blankets. Suddenly, Eluthar pointed a finger to the heavens.
"A shooting star!" he cried.
"Where?" Auruin perked up. The boys had learned that she needed no babying. She preferred to know what was going on about her. Legolas took her hand and gently directed it to the falling star before freeing it.
"There is a saying with the men," he began slowly, "They believe that when you see a shooting star, you may make a wish."
"How do you know this?" Auruin asked with interest.
"Ah… well, when you two get to be my old age, you will learn many grand things."
"You have wandered but a mere eighteen years longer than Auruin!" Eluthar frowned. "And forty-two years longer than I. Besides, Arathorn has traveled to the Mirkwood palace countless times and, if I am not mistaken, we have both heard this tale!"
Legolas laughed. "Yes, Arathorn has taught me many a thing," he turned to the girl on his other side. "You know, Auruin, the shooting star still awaits your wish."
"So it does…" she pondered a moment, a smile on her face. "Hm… I wish—"
"Wait! It is not intended that you express it out loud… it would not come true." Eluthar's tone was so serious that they all fell silent as the girl made her wish without so much as a sound.
For an instant, the wind wafted through the leaves… rustled quietly… then died down. The queer silence that had held them finally lifted. Auruin could've sworn that she heard her wish being whispered by the wind to the trees but quickly dismissed her strange thought. They wished each other a pleasant night before drifting off to sleep.
Auruin was running from something… an orc perhaps. Yes, it was an orc and it was catching up to her. She could hear it panting, breathing down her neck. She tried to scream but no words escaped her lips. She had to get away… she needed to find him before the monster did… she had to—she fell to the ground tripping over something.
It was too late. He was sprawled there… in front of her… the pale moonlight surrounded his even paler face. A pool of crimson red flowed around him; the boy who had rescued her was dead and she failed to save him as he had saved her.
The voice that had been lost was finally returned to her and she let out a shrill scream. "Legolas! No…! Please! You cannot be dead…! You cannot leave me…"
Auruin whimpered into the chest of strong arms embracing her. Slowly, realization came upon her. It was a mere nightmare… and yet, her fears lingered on. She gripped her protector urgently, trying to reassure herself that he was there.
"Shh, Auruin," whispered Legolas as he rocked the girl back and forth. "I am here, I will not leave you." Gradually, her tears began to subside and the girl fell asleep in the elf's embrace. In the morning, she would no longer remember all that had happened the night before. She would wake to a feeling of safety, wrapped tightly in a pair of soothing arms.
* * *
Whoa… did I write that? Heh… so how'd you like it? Comments, suggestions and the like are appreciated!