Chapter 8

The Cabin

A/N:: Last chapter was too short! To make it up to you guys, I wrote an especially LONG chapter just for you! Lol… it isn't really that long. Just LONG-ER. Thank you for the lovely reviews. They're really inspiring and it makes me want to post quicker. Special thank you to Eryn Lasgalen for her in-depth review. *Sigh* it is reviews like those that lifts me to a greater happiness. Anyways… here is chapter 8!

Laera sat on her horse, watching silently as Legolas and the girl chattered. She couldn't quite understand him; he who was so silent in her company now talked as if his life depended on it to the strange wild girl. For that was the label Laera gave her secretly. She was a girl who lived in the middle of nowhere. Such a person must be wild… especially when they climbed trees so skillfully. For whatever reason, Laera did not like the attention Legolas was bestowing upon this mortal. A mortal he couldn't even trust a few minutes ago. Glaring at the pair, she would not admit to herself that the burning she felt in her heart was jealousy.

Legolas, in fact, did not trust the girl any more than when he had first met her. He talked to her so that he would find out more about her. He had no suspicion about Laera's jealousy. Actually, he felt he was doing her a favor. She was so quiet with him while they were alone. Perhaps his presence made her feel uncomfortable. Recent recollection of his little act centuries ago did not help matters either.

"How be it that you came to live in these woods?" he asked Rhovan.

She gave him a quick smile. "My business is no concern of yours…" she said mockingly. Laera rolled her eyes. "I am not sure myself," she continued. "Only my father knows why he felt the need to leave civilization behind for a life of solitude. We moved here after the death of my mother."

"I apologize if this comes off as rude, but what happened to your mother?"

Rhovan stared sullenly at the forest floor. "She passed when I was a but a child. I do not really remember her well. I only remember my love for her… which is still quite strong." This time, Laera couldn't help but groan aloud.

Rhovan glanced at her curiously. "You have been quiet," she remarked, her blue eyes twinkling. "Since your friend here will not tell me what you two were doing passing through these parts, will you?"

Laera's eyes narrowed. "He has not told you of our quest? Surprising, since he seems to be telling you quite a lot." Legolas threw her a warning glance, which Laera conveniently ignored.

"Quest?" Rhovan said with interest. "What kind of a quest?"

"Laera is tired," Legolas broke in. "And she tends to utter things that she herself does not understand." He then mouthed out a word to Rhovan, which Laera did not understand, but she knew, from the laughter in Rhovan's eyes, that it was not flattering.

Laera's mouth dropped open in shock. But she said nothing more for Legolas quickly began to talk of other things… slowly leading Rhovan away from the subject of their mission. Pouting, she began to think of ways she could get back at him. How dare he insult her in front of a strange girl!

It took a little while for them to reach Rhovan's cabin and when they did, it was early in the evening. It was a quaint affair; it was made of gray stone, some of which were covered by moss. A light shone merrily from two windows… beckoning strangers closer as smoke arose lazily from the chimney like a forlorn ghost. The cabin was inviting and cheery and Laera could not feel more relieved that she no longer had to watch those two interact. It bothered her, for some reason, to see Legolas talk so animatedly to another girl.

Jumping off with some difficulty (she would NOT let Legolas help her), she corralled the horse herself to a nearby tree and joined Rhovan and Legolas. Rhovan opened the door and the three stepped eagerly inside. A pleasant sight met Laera's eyes. The room was alight with the soft glow from the burning logs in the fireplace and it also made the room feel warm and cozy. A table was off in a corner; books and papers were piled high and in disarray. The room was not tidy… but one felt completely at home surrounded by the clutter and warmth. In the middle of the melee was a man, sitting quite comfortably in a wooden rocking chair.

"Father," greeted Rhovan.

"What have you brought in from the wilderness this time, my girl?" the man questioned.

Rhovan smiled and gestured to Legolas and Laera. "Two elves on some business. It is secret," she added, with that twinkle in her eye. "They need shelter and perhaps some supper."

"My, my…" chuckled the man, slowly rising from his chair. He made his way across the room and grinned warmly at the two Elves. "I have never seen an Elf before. I never knew that they could be so beautiful," she said, smiling cordially at Laera. Laera returned the smile. She decided she liked the man.

"I am Feredir. A simple man who leads a simple life. Welcome to our home." Laera and Legolas then sat down to a mortal meal, which, Laera reflected, was fairly good. Afterwards, Legolas chose to retire and Rhovan showed him to his quarters. Laera, on the other hand, felt the need to explore a bit. She was feeling very antsy the whole evening and wanted to look around.

"I am going out for a walk," she informed Feredir. Taking a quick puff from his pipe, he waved a hand airily in her direction.

"Do as you wish. No creepy crawlies in these parts of the woods. You will be quite safe." Laera slipped outside and breathed in deeply the crisp night air. She was astonished to find the forest alive with noises for it was as silent as a passing cloud during the day. Laera wasn't afraid. After all, there were no 'creepy crawlies' out in the forest that would cause her any harm.

She strolled about the woods for a bit, then sat on a log to gather her thoughts. She was still quite confused about her feelings regarding Legolas. Surely she was not considering… no…! She was not even fond of him! Shaking her head to rid her mind of thoughts of Legolas, she began to think wistfully of home. Of Arwen and Elrond, mother and the twins. Did they miss her? Of course they did. How she longed for Arwen's comforting pats on the shoulder and her father's stern, but loving scoldings.

Her thoughts were cut short by a new sound that reached her ears. The sounds made by a body not that of an animal or nature. The sound of someone following her. Swallowing thickly, Laera rose, preparing to flee.

"What are you doing here?" Rhovan asked, stepping into the clearing. Despite of herself, Laera let out a sigh of relief. For once, she was glad to see the wild girl.

"Thinking," she replied vaguely.

"About Legolas?" Rhovan said bluntly. At this, Laera's cheeks crimsoned and she threw a hateful glance at the girl.

"No! Certainly not! We are not betrothed if that is what you believe. We are not even friends. We were… thrown together, I guess that is the best way I can put it."

Rhovan smiled, seemingly accepting this outburst. "That is good. For me, that is. He is so handsome…" Laera raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. Yes… good for her.

"What did happen to your mother?" Laera asked, trying to change the topic of conversation.

Rhovan took a seat next to her on the log and gazed silently at the dark trees, their branches swaying slowly in the breeze. "I should not tell you. I do not think you like me a great deal."

Laera turned to the girl, suddenly realizing her unjust prejudice. She did have no reason for hating her. This was her non-sensical grudge against Legolas all over again. Taking a deep breath, she decided to give her a chance. How childish she was acting! "I do not not like you…" she explained, falteringly. "It just takes time for me to… to befriend people. I really am not sociable. I apologize…" Laera beamed at her.

Rhovan laughed gently and said, "Well, then, I hope we can be friends."

"So do I," Laera said quickly, meaning it.

"My mother…" Rhovan continued. "Was killed by a monster. Dreadful-looking beast it was. We were running through the woods near our village. Our village was attacked by an army of these horrible men-like creatures. I was so frightened… I did not know where my father had gone. My mother urged me to hide in the trunk of a large tree and I reluctantly agreed. She left, not being able to fit into my hiding spot, to find one of her own. She did not get far…" Rhovan's voice trembled slightly, her hand balling into a tight fist.

Laera did not say anything. There did not seem to be much to say. She patted Rhovan on the shoulder in silent comfort and waited for her to continue. Rhovan twisted around and took an arrow from her quiver. It was unlike that of any other arrow Laera had seen. Long and thick, the feathers being from a bird Laera did not recognize. It was the arrow of an orc.

"One of my dreams," Rhovan said, continuing, "is to shoot this into the heart of the creature who killed my mother. Alas, I will never have the chance." With a regretful sigh, Rhovan handed Laera the arrow. "Wherever your journeys take you, whatever enemies your path crosses, kill at least one of them with this."

"Rhovan, please, just come with us. You can fulfill your dream yourself."

Rhovan laughed bitterly. "I can never leave my poor father. These woods are my home. I can never picture myself leaving the sheltering boughs of these ancient trees. I do wish you luck on your adventure… and with Legolas." Laera shot her a warning glance and Rhovan did not say anymore. She did have a strong fancy for the handsome Elf whose eyes were as blue as the sky on a summer day. But, she realized, looking sadly at Laera, most things are not meant to be.

The two girls returned to the cabin and went readily to sleep. Under its sheltering roof lay a human girl and a girl not-so-human… dreamily peacefully of subconscious desires and unfulfilled wishes.

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A/N:: Was it good for you? Because it was for me! Muahahaha! Next chapter coming soon!