Chapter 14

Pride Suffers Another Blow

A/N:: So you like long chapters? I wrote an extra long one just for you ^_^! I also fitted in another flashback for those of you who felt I didn't dwell long enough on their childhood. Thank you for the reviews and support. Usual disclaimers apply!

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Seven year old Laera wandered about her palace, humming tunelessly. It had been such a dull afternoon. Prince Legolas was back for yet another visit and she was trying her best to avoid him. So far, she had been successful. She knew, however, that her luck was probably not going to last. She had run into Arwen earlier that day and she had told Laera that Legolas had been looking for her. Ever since, Laera had kept herself locked up in her room, the library, and the study -- the only places Legolas kept his inquisitive nose out of.

She had been kicked out of the library and the study by the older Elves who wished to do their work without an Elven child distracting them. After retiring to her chambers, Laera felt her very room was beginning to stifle her. So the restless girl walked about the palace, glancing nervously about her whenever she heard footsteps approaching. The sky, once a crystal blue had changed its hue to a soft pink and soon it would be evening.

She soon came to a balcony overlooking the gardens. She paused, deciding to rest there. What were the odds of Legolas finding her? Sighing, she rested her chin on the railing and stared sleepily at the sky. The sun had already disappeared from behind the pointed trees, flinging its last banners of gold and light across the sky. From its hazy pink, the sky had now become a silky lavender, clouds tinted orange and ginger trailing across it. Farther back, came the night with her velvet cloak studded with millions of twinkling stars. Laera wondered if the sky looked as beautiful as this everywhere in Middle-Earth.

"There you are!" cried a small voice from below. Laera shut her eyes and groaned. Opening them, she peered over the edge of the railing, her earlier fear confirmed. Below her stood Legolas, dimpled fists on his hips, his face twisted in a frown. "Stay right there! I'm coming up!" Without another word, he bolted towards the castle, disappearing underneath her.

Her eyes grew wide and she stepped away from the balcony. Panic rising in her throat, Laera looked left and then right, desperately looking for a means of escape. She gasped when she heard the frantic footfalls of a small Elven boy approaching from further down the hall. Sighing, she decided to stay put. It wouldn't be long before supper and what harm could he do in that short period of time?

It did not take long for Legolas to arrive, panting. After a few minutes of trying to catch his breath, he stood up and smiled at her. "Hello!" he greeted enthusiastically.

"Hello, Legolas," said Laera, not bothering to sound pleased.

"Where have you been all day? I have looked everywhere!" Legolas threw open his arms as if to assure her that he certainly had looked everywhere.

"I have been in the garden," she lied.

Legolas scrunched up his face in doubt. "Nope, I looked in the garden."

"Well, you did not look hard enough." Laera began to walk away when Legolas grabbed her arm.

"I wanted to find you today because I wanted to tell you something amazing that happened to me," Legolas grinned and awaited for her questioning. To his disappointment, Laera shook off his hand and continued to walk away. "Are you not going to ask what happened?"

"No, I am not," Laera said, turning around.

"Well then, you will never know," Legolas said, turning his back to her and crossing his arms. Glancing over his shoulder, he was dismayed to see Laera already halfway down the hall. "Wait!" Legolas cried, catching up to her. "I will tell you anyways."

"All right," Laera sighed, waiting.

"Well, as you already know, I am an excellent archer." Laera heard a few days ago of how one of Legolas's arrows had found it's way into the back quarters of a servant in Mirkwood, but she decided not to say anything. "I was practicing the other day when I got my arrow in the target! My very first!"

"Straight in the middle?" Laera asked, her curiosity growing.

Legolas's eyes lowered and he began to shift uncomfortably. "Well, not directly in the middle…" Laera raised an eyebrow. "All right, it was no where near the middle but I did hit the target!" Legolas smiled, remembering how proud his father was.

Laera burst out laughing and poked Legolas playfully in his stomach. "That is not much of an achievement."

Legolas bit his lip, stung from her remark. "Well, you were not even there! You should have seen it! I took the arrow and the bow and held them like this…" Legolas brought out his play arrows and bow that he carried around and pointed them at Laera.

"Legolas, do not even think of hitting me with one of those. Those may be play arrows, but they hurt!"

"I wasn't going to hit you with it, I was just showing you how-" he was cut off when his finger slipped and the arrow flew from his bow. It did not hit Laera, but it did collide with an ornate blue vase that stood on a pedestal in the corner. Both watched in horror as the vase rocked back and forth and then eventually fell to the floor with a deafening crash, flinging shards of glass every which way.

Both stood for what seemed a long time staring at the once beautiful vase, their mouths open, eyes wide in disbelief. Suddenly, both heard footsteps approaching. Soon, a very angry looking Elrond stood amongst the scene.

"Which one of you did this?" he asked, his voice low.

Both Elves, paralysed by fear from the murderous look in Elrond's eyes, could not speak. From the corner of her eye, Laera watched as Legolas raised a hand and suddenly pointed a finger straight at her, his mouth still open in shock.

"Laera, I see. I should have known. Come with me, daughter. Legolas, supper is being served. Your father is looking for you." Without another word, Legolas scrambled down the hall and tripped. He lay on the floor, for a moment, sprawled across the marble. "Are you all right, Legolas?" asked Elrond, concerned.

Legolas hastily got on his feet and scurried down the hallway, not bothering to answer. Laera, on the other hand, looked meekly up at her father, still in shock over what Legolas just did. It was not fair, not fair at all. She did not bother to argue. Her father would not listen. Instead she went quietly to her room without protest to "think about her actions around company".

***

Laera smiled at the old memory. She remembered how angry she was, how hurt. It seemed such a trivial thing to get upset over now. She really hadn't realized how important Legolas was to her. Glancing sideways at the now tall Elf, she found herself smiling fondly. They really have become friends, despite of the odds. Her likeness towards him seemed so sure and real that her earlier grudge appeared ridiculous and childish --and of course it was. As she thought back to their younger years and how he had teased and belittled her, she now saw that that was merely Legolas's odd way of showing that they were friends.

The day passed quickly although the tension still hung thickly in the air. Not many words were exchanged between the two of them as the mountains loomed higher and higher before them. Legolas was reviewing his plan for getting the gem over and over in his head while other, less important thoughts passed through every now and then like background music. And just like background music, he could not ignore it.

The sun had vanished behind the mountains and dusk was settling upon the pair. They decided to rest at the foot of the mountain for they had finally reached it. They chose to make camp there and to continue travelling at dawn.

Legolas left for a moment to survey their surroundings and left Laera to watch over the camp. So there she sat, looking about her bored and apprehensive about going into the tall, rocky mountain. She was frightened for she never liked the dark, being a child of the sun and warmth. But then again, fear and hesitation had no place in this adventure.

As she looked about her, a glint of silver caught her eye. Moving closer, she saw that it was Legolas's long knives. She twiddled her fingers, itching to pull them out to examine them further. Legolas would not like her fiddling with his things… she thought, looking away. But then again, Legolas is not here…

Biting her lip, Laera cleared her mind of all thoughts and pulled out one of the long knives. It was beautiful, she saw, as she held it up before her face. The gleaming metal of the blade reflected her face so clearly. She frowned when she saw just how horrid she looked. Quickly, she tugged her fingers through her hair, trying to achieve a certain order. After a few moments of struggle, she gave up.

She rose from her seated position and began to wave the sword in front of her. It was light and easy to manoeuvre. She glanced over her shoulder and saw the silhouette of Legolas still far off. Smiling, Laera could feel the imaginative little girl inside of her come forth and take over.

"You vile orc," she sneered to the creature her mind's eye saw in front of her. "You dare challenge the great Laera?" She laughed at the boldness of the monster. "I see my reputation, although immense, has not been able to reach your despicable corner of Middle-Earth." She waved the sword threateningly, making swishing noises.

***

Legolas slowly made his way back to the camp. He had not seen anything hunting them. But he did sense it. The creature was not far off. He paused when he heard the noises.

Coming closer, a strange sight met his eyes. Laera was moving about the campsite, waving one of his long knives in the air. Smiling, he reflected that he had never seen anything more adorable.

"As you can see my power exudes yours a hundred times. Surrender now, you evil creature!" A laugh from behind her caused Laera to jump and spin around. Cheeks aflame, Laera awaited, with dread, for Legolas's laughter at her foolishness.

Surprisingly, it never came. "I have not heard of your great power. Perhaps it will come in handy on our adventure," Legolas suggested, trying hard to keep his face still.

"You were not supposed to see that," Laera murmured. "I was… practicing…" she said. Well, in a way she was!

Legolas allowed a chuckle to escape his lips. "Looks like you need a lot more practice."

Laera timidly handed Legolas back the sword and sat down primly on a mossy stone, attempting to appear as dignified as she can. "Well, did you see anything?" she asked.

"No, I think we'll be safe for tonight." He winced at the look of relief that dawned on her face. Was she frightened? "Laera, you know that you can still go back."

"Let us not start this conversation again," Laera said, helping herself to a piece of lembas -- one of their very last. "You know my feelings towards the thought of me leaving you. We have gone much too far to turn back. Besides, I would not like passing through that village again alone." She shivered, remembering.

Legolas sighed. He saw that she was right. There was nothing he can do or say to persuade Laera to stay behind. Silently, he watched her as she chewed her food. Her once beautiful hair now an unmanageable mess of curls; her delicate skin tainted by dirt and grime; the corners of her mouth peppered with lembas crumbs. No, Laera did not look her best. But now, more than ever, did Legolas desire her and know it.

Laera continued to eat like her life depended on it. She was quite aware of Legolas's intense gaze. Did she have a smudge of dirt on her nose? She hoped she didn't for she was still burning from the whole imaginary orc event. Finally, it became to much for her. "What?" she asked.

Legolas's eyes widened like he had just realized just how hard he had been looking at her. "Sorry… I… did not mean…"

"Look," Laera sighed. "I know I am no where near as lovely as my sister but that is partly not my fault. I am aware of the fact that I look a mess." He watched with amusement as Laera began to frantically wipe at her face. "Where is it? Here? Have I got it? I am no where near it, am I?"

Laughing, Legolas rose from his spot and squatted in front of her, his faces only a few inches away. Taking a cloth that was conveniently near, Legolas gently wiped at the dirt on her cheek. "You have dirt here… and here… and over here as well."

Laera groaned in embarrassment. "Is there any place that does not have any dirt?" she asked exasperatedly.

"Here…" he said softly, dropping the cloth and gently tracing a finger over her lips. His eyes gazed expectantly at hers… she could not look away. Laera closed her eyes as his face drew nearer to hers. She surprised herself when she found she was not afraid. And as his lips pressed softly against her own, she did not draw back.

Legolas was wondering what on Middle-Earth he was doing. He hadn't even been sure if she felt the same way. But something in her eyes that night urged him to the point of distraction. He was happy as one is when one finally receives the one thing that they have yearned for for literally centuries.

Time passed and Legolas and Laera, wrapped in each other's arms slept under the stars both apprehensive about tomorrow yet also eager. Neither knew just how much more they had to endure on their adventure, but, for now, the future of Middle-Earth seemed certain and secure. The gem was as good as theirs.

***

A/N:: They kissed! I'm so strangely happy!