-no regrets-
by: Leabeth
Disclaimer
I own nothing, these characters belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. The only thing I own is Laurence. I make no money from this and I only write for fun.
A/N: for all of those who reviewed, thank you for your words of encouragement, they help me write after a hard day and two babies.
**************************************
Legolas jerked in pain from the sudden withdrawal of Laurence's hand.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry" she said, shocked at the pain she just inflicted.
Legolas relaxed once the pain was gone. The continued action of the morphine took over and he sighed in relief, glad that the pain was gone at last. He looked at Laurence who was still straddling him with a look of astonishment. *Why is that woman sitting on me?* His memories were fuzzy to say the least and he could not place where he had seen the woman before, although she did remind him of someone.
Realizing that she was still sitting on him while Aragorn and Gimli had already released their hold, she quickly scrambled off his hips.
Legolas's gaze rested on the pointy metal object covered in blood, still gripped in the tweezers.
"Was that inside me?" asked Legolas, looking at Gimli, Aragorn and Laurence.
"Aye" answered Aragorn, putting the herbs on Legolas's wound.
"How did it get in my chest?" asked Legolas in a weak voice, slightly wincing from the applying of the healing herbs.
"It was shot out of a strange metal device, imitating the sound of thunder. Never have I seen anything of the sort before and I do not believe it exists in Middle earth. Laurence says it's a gun and it shoots bullets" Answered Aragorn, looking briefly at Laurence, while finishing to bound Legolas's chest.
Legolas looked at Laurence in wonder, trying to figure where she came from. But his drug-induced head wouldn't allow for intensive thoughts and he let his curiosity to rest after several tries at reasoning.
"Are we to understand that you are not from our world?" Inquired Gimli, thinking that it was one of the strangest things that he had ever asked a woman, aside from asking Galadriel for a lock of her hair.
"You're correct," answered Laurence, bowing her head with the despair she felt. "But I don't know how it was possible. One moment I'm in a back alley, facing the wall that the man fell through, thinking that it was just an illusion. But it wasn't, and when I passed through it, I found myself in a clearing surrounded by trees. The city was gone and when I turned around, there were no more walls for me to go back to my world.
"What will you do now?" asked Aragorn, suddenly feeling protective of her. He owed her so much for saving Legolas. He would try to help her in whatever journey she had planned.
"I'm going after the man who shot Legolas. I can't allow him to escape me once more." she answered with evidence of guilt shining in her dark blue eyes.
"Are you a bounty hunter," asked Gimli, surprised that a human woman would be chasing a killer.
"No, I'm a police officer. My job is to serve and protect the citizens of my city.
"Like a ranger!" exclaimed Aragorn.
"Maybe, if you mean men on horses protecting their people. Then…yeah. But the details of my line of work would be much to difficult to explain." Said Laurence, not wanting to tell them about Earth. It would take too much time and they had not yet moved from the location of the massacre. She couldn't wait to get away from the dead bodies of the black monsters.
"Why is it difficult to explain? Are our worlds so much different?" asked Aragorn.
"They are different in a way that your world seems to be like mine once was, many, many centuries ago…and without monsters." Answered Laurence, wishing that he would leave it at that. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to leave you. The killer has already taken too much advance on me. I wish we would have met in different circumstances. Take care of yourselves.
Laurence got up, put her jacket back on, her gun back in its holster and looked at her hands. *I'll have to find a place where I can wash the blood of my hands.* She noticed that they were trembling slightly from the shock of the day's events. *Not surprising after all that I've been through.* She turned towards the men for a final goodbye but was met by the concerned look of Aragorn.
"You can not leave on your own. You know not of the dangers awaiting you in this world." Said Aragorn, trying to convince her to stay with them.
"But I can't let the man go. He's killed two people already, and he almost killed your friend. He will shoot many more if I don't stop him." Replied Laurence, frustration and anger building up inside of her.
Aragorn got up from his crouching position. "You HAVE to let him go for if you do not, you will get lost in the forest and there is a chance that you could come face to face with orcs."
Fear crept up in Laurence's stomach. "Orcs? You mean those black monsters?" she said in an unsure voice.
"Aye! They are evil and foul creatures existing for the sole purpose of bringing darkness to our world. They fear not and if you're captured, they'll take pleasure in torturing you in unimaginable ways. Then they'll eat you and they won't care if you're alive or not.
Laurence visibly paled and felt tears well up in her eyes. "God, I'm stuck in hell!!
She sat down and putting her elbows on her knees, she rested her face in her hands.
Aragorn crouched beside her and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Worry not! Once Legolas is on his feet again, we will track the man down. We have been tracking Orcs for many months. Tracking a bleeding man will be easy. If the Orcs don't find him first, we will.
"Don't you think that his tracks will be long gone before Legolas is fit enough to walk? Asked Laurence, certain that Legolas would be to injured to travel for the next week.
"Legolas is an Elf, and his healing abilities are far superior to those of humans.
"Legolas is an Elf? You mean he's not human? So that's why his ears are different! Said Laurence, her eyes lighting up in understanding.
"Yes, and if you wish it, I'll tell you about the different species of our world around a warm fire later this day." Said Aragorn, extending his hand in an invitation to help her stand up.
Laurence took a hold of his hand and got back on her feet. "That sounds better than being eaten by Orcs."
They turned back to face Gimli and Legolas.
"How is he?" asked Aragorn, putting his hand on Legolas's forehead. It did seem hotter than usual but it was to be expected after such an injury.
"He's sleeping and he appears not to be in any pain." Answered Gimli, intently watching the elf for any signs of unease, prepared to help him if he should need attending.
"You would make a good nurse Gimli." Aragorn said with a grin, teasing his friend to lighten his mood.
"And you a good target for my axe." Answered Gimli with mirth in his eyes.
Aragorn laughed then grew serious after seeing a dead Orc lying not far from them. "Come, let us not tarry here any longer. We will make for camp as soon as our belongings are gathered.
Gimli and Aragorn went back in the clearing, picking up their discarded bags and every arrow they could find that belonged to Legolas. Laurence was left with Legolas for some time, giving her the chance to look at him for the first time in a calm manner.
He seemed to be no more than 26, with smooth looking skin, a strong built, long slender fingers and full red lips that looked good enough to kiss. What disturbed her the most were the pointed ears and the long blond hair. She didn't remember ever seeing a man with long hair as shiny and silky looking. *Won't hurt no one if I touch them…*
Laurence moved a little closer to his head and stopped. She looked at his face, making sure that he was sound asleep and extended her hand towards the end of his hair. Gently taking them in her hand, she felt how soft they were, like cool water running through her fingers. She laid his hair back on the ground, careful not to wake him. *I'll get the secret of that hair of yours, even if I have to torture you.* she thought with a smile. But then her gaze rested upon his ears and she was once more shocked at their foreign appearance. *You're not a man, are you!?* She felt at peace besides him. His strange looks were disconcerting but she didn't feel threatened by them. She felt an aura of goodness and wisdom around him and wondered how such a young man could send off such feelings. He was definitely more than he seemed and she couldn't wait to hear all about this world and it's inhabitants.
She turned her attention back to Aragorn and Gimli, who were making their way towards her.
"Now that we've found all of our things, I suggest we get back to our camp." Said Aragorn.
He handed his things to Gimli and crouched low besides Legolas. Carefully easing his arms under the elf's shoulders and thighs, he picked him up as if he weighted nothing. The elf's head came to rest on Aragorn's shoulder, softly breathing on the man's neck. Aragorn felt at peace with his lover in his arms. He couldn't feel more blessed that Legolas was still living and breathing, and he didn't want to dwell on what his life would have been should he have died.
Laurence looked with astonishment at the ease Aragorn demonstrated in picking up Legolas. "How can you carry him as if he weights no more than a feather?
Aragorn smiled at the unexpected question. "Elves weight far less than us humans, and unfortunately, I do not have inhuman strength. Now come, we have less than an hour of walking before we reach the site where we will make camp." With that said, Aragorn started walking towards the forest.
Laurence walked with long strides behind Aragorn, followed by Gimli. She turned around and noticed that he was carrying all of the bags, including Legolas's bow and quiver full of arrows. She could barely see his face and wondered how he could walk without stumbling. She couldn't let him carry all of it by himself.
"Here, let me help you," she said while moving her arm to grab a bag.
"You will do no such thing. You are a woman and women do not carry bags! Said Gimli indignantly.
Laurence instantly stopped, effectively blocking his way. "This is nonsense. Now give me a bag and the quiver!
The commanding voice and piercing glare made him freeze on the spot. Although he had faced even harder glares from Legolas, he wasn't prepared to face the wrath of a woman. He blinked a couple of times, looked at her with an astounded look and regaining his senses, tossed her a bag and the quiver while muttering under his breath.
"Thank you kindly dear Sir." Said Laurence, slightly bowing to him before turning back towards Aragorn and hurrying to catch up with the man. Gimli was left standing with his mouth open in shock at being called 'dear Sir'.
Aragorn heard the short arguing between Laurence and Gimli and couldn't help but smile. He had a feeling that their views and beliefs of human women were going to change drastically in the next few days. She certainly was not like the women of Middle-Earth, giving them a taste of what was to come. He first noticed that she was almost as tall as he was, and seemed just as strong. He also noticed that her skin was pale and smooth like the skin of a wealthy maiden, and that her dark-brown hair smelled of fruits. The sweet scent was heaven after having his senses tortured by the stench of dead and living Orcs.
Thinking of sweet scents, he dropped his gaze on the elf in his arms, relishing in the feel of the long golden hair brushing against his cheek and his neck. This was also heaven. Turning his head, he brushed his lips against Legolas's forehead, checking for a fever. He didn't think he could ever grow tired of feeling the elf's skin on his lips. It felt like kissing fire, consuming and engulfing him in extreme heat, yet soothing and caressing. Just thinking about it made his heart beat madly in his chest.
He was startled by the sudden appearance of Laurence by his side. So lost was he in the feel of the elf that he failed to notice Laurence's sudden appearance until she was right next to him. He was slightly startled, but his calm exterior showed nothing of his surprise. For too long he had been used to hide any emotion in the face of danger. He felt her eyes on him and turned his face in her direction.
*Are Elves much different than men?* asked Laurence, letting her gaze rest upon Legolas craddled form.
'Like day and night, and they being the light of day.' Answered Aragorn.
'How so?
'Aragorn looked down at Legolas once more and love shined in his eyes.
'They posses beauty and grace beyond the mesures of men. They are connected to all that surrounds them, giving them the gift of understanding animals, trees, plants, even rocks…' continued Aragorn.
Laurence stared in wonder at Legolas, wondering if there was more.
'They love the stars like no other creature. They need the presence of the stars like no other and often gaze upon them for comfort. They are also immortal, unable to die unless they are mortally wounded, or if their hearts are broken. They can also choose to die of their own free will.
'Immortal?' whispered Laurence. 'He's not even near 26 years old, isn't he?'
'He hasn't been 26 years old for almost 2 milleniums' answered Aragorn with a smile, remembering the look of shock on Legolas face when she called him 'young man'.
The shear number stole her breath. She couldn't even begin to understand how someone could live for so long.
'How can someone live for so long and not get bored? Asked Laurence.
'They don't feel the passing of time like we do. But not being an elf, I would not know how to explain it.
After less than an hour of walking in the woods, they emerged upon another clearing, near the shores of a small river, with bedrolls set on the ground near an extinguished campfire. The river didn't look very deep and the glistening water seemed very inviting to Laurence. She felt sticky with dried blood and couldn't wait to jump in the water to wash herself. *I hope there are no man-eating fishes in the river, it would be just my luck!*
She followed Aragorn towards the bedrolls and watched him as he laid Legolas on top of one of them. She noticed how his hand caressed the elf's hair and wondered if they were not more than just good friends. She quickly discarded the idea, remembering how it was considered a sin on earth not even a century ago.
Aragorn let his hand on Legolas's brow for a few seconds, slightly concerned that he was getting warmer to the touch. He would prepare tea with healing herbs and make Legolas drink it to bring down his fever. If that didn't work, he could always bathe him in the cool river. Looking at his friend, he knew that Legolas would not feel clean with all the blood smearing his chest, face and hair. Getting up, he took one of the rags in his bag and made his way to the river. Dumping the rag in the running water, he soaked it wet, then made his way back towards Legolas. He saw that Laurence had temporarily taken his place in watching the elf and that Gimli was busy gathering dry pieces of wood.
Sensing his approach, she looked up and met his eyes, seeing the lingering sadness in them. On impulse, she blurted out.. "I can see how much you love him, but don't worry yourself, he's going to be just fine." She sensed him relax and saw that the light shining in his eyes was really love. "I know, but my heart aches to see him thus." She gripped his shoulder in a friendly gesture then gently released him. "He is truly fortunate to have a friend such as yourself."
Aragorn shook his head with sadness in his eyes. "It is I who am fortunate." Laurence wondered at what she saw, not understanding what could evoke such an emotion in the man.
Aragorn returned to Legolas's side and proceeded in washing the blood off the elf's body.
He gently washed his face, careful not to wake him, then cleaned his chest, stomach and shoulders where the blood had left trails. Searching in his bag for blankets, he found two warm ones and spread them over his friend, gently tucking them around his shoulders to keep him warm. Placing his hand on Legolas's brow, he frowned at the heat. Taking the bloodied rag to the river, he cleaned it and brought it back to Legolas. The elf moaned weakly when Aragorn soothed his flushed cheeks with the cold water and placed the cool cloth on his forehead.
Gimli returned with the dried wood and dropped it in the middle of their camp. Turning his attention on Aragorn, he noticed that he was finished tending to the elf. Legolas seemed to sleep peacefully, only his face slightly flushed from fever. Gimli knew from experience that the fever would disappear before the dawning of a new day and thanked the Valar for Elven healing.
"How is he?" asked Gimli anyway.
"He is as fine as can be expected, and his fever will be gone by morning." Answered Aragorn
"It is as I thought. The elf will make our lives miserable the instant he is well again and I, for once, will welcome it." Wistfully said Gimli.
"Aye, and I will suffer your endless argues with a lighter heart." Said Aragorn with a smile.
Both man and dwarf looked at Laurence who was chuckling softly at them. They could see that she was enjoying their light mood.
"Sorry to interrupt you both, but I was wondering if the river was safe for a swim."
"It is quite safe." Answered Aragorn "The water is not deep and it will not drag you down the river."
"Well, if you don't need me for a while, I'll go wash a bit." Laurence said with a huge grin, eager to jump in the river. She quickly discarded her jacket, blouse, boots and pants, keeping only her grey sports bra and panties. Not once did it cross her mind that her new attire would embarrass her new friends.
"What are you doing?" asked Aragorn in a bewildered tone, both man an dwarf turning their backs, Gimli cursing under his breath about other world women and their strange ways.
"If I offended you, it was not my intention. I did not remember that men of old times felt threatened by a woman's body." Replied Laurence, waiting to see if their implied weakness would be enough to stab their pride. It turned out that it worked like a charm.
"We do not feel threatened. It is merely improper for a woman to expose herself like that."
Replied Gimli with surpressed impatience. "Now if you would kindly dress yourself, we could resume our tasks."
"No, I will not bend to your barbaric ways. Where I come from, I'm a free woman, and as far as I know, I still am. So if my lack of clothing offends you, then deal with it." Shot back Laurence, her voice tainted with anger. She quickly left for the river and jumped in the cool water. She ducked under the flows, letting the silence calm down her anger.
*MEN!*
TBC…