The Traveler: Chapter Fourteen

Ariana slowly opened her eyes. A golden shim covered the room. She could see out the window that the sun was just beginning to set.

Ariana felt a warm breath on the back of her neck and she gently turned her head to look behind her. Legolas lay sleeping behind her, his arm laying across her body. The covers were resting at his waist, his smooth chest rising and falling steadily.

Smiling, Ariana laid her head back down and closed her eyes. She felt Legolas' body pressing against her back. She'd never felt as safe as she did now, in his arms.

Cherish it while it lasts, a small voice said in the back of her head. Remember the way his hair falls, the way he holds his bow, the way he touches your skin, the way he kisses you. Remember it all cause you don't get to keep him. Ariana's eyes popped open as this last thought came to her.

It scared her to think all this, but she couldn't help it. Sauron wasn't going to stop until he regained his power and when he does, nothing would survive. Ariana silently cursed the Dark Lord. He was the devil of Middle Earth. So what does that make me? Some kind of angel? Oh god, we're screwed.

Ariana's gaze swept over the room as she felt the familiar sting of tears.  Suddenly, her eyes fell on the forgotten charcoal under the window. She stared at it for a few minutes, then she quietly slide out from under Legolas' arm. Art always helped to ease Ariana's mind and she had a beautiful and unconscious model waiting for her.

Ariana grabbed the charcoal and a clean piece of parchment and settled herself on the ground across the room from the bed. The orange light coming in the through the window still held enough light for Ariana to sketch quickly.

Legolas lay on his side, the arm that had held Ariana now stretched out in front of him. Ariana was happy to see his eyes were closed as he slept. She took that to mean he was finally feeling safe too.

Another voice suddenly began yelling in her head about how it was her fault but Ariana blocked it out. She didn't want to cry anymore.

* * *

Legolas slowly opened his eyes. The room was darkening quickly as the sun finally set behind the trees. Legolas stretched his limbs and sat up. "Ariana?" he quietly asked the dark room.

His keen Elf eyes spotted her a few feet away, bent over a drawing. She looked up when he said her name. A small pout came to her lips. "You moved."

Legolas chuckled as he slipped out of bed and crouched down beside Ariana. He looked at Ariana's drawing and frowned.

Ariana saw the look on his face and quickly folded the parchment up. Then she looked at Legolas and smiled. "So I can hold on to you," she said quietly.

Legolas looked at her for a moment, then stood up, pulling Ariana up with him. "You are not going to lose me," Legolas said. Then he pulled Ariana to him and kissed her.

As Legolas' lips pressed against her own, Ariana felt a sob catch in he back of her throat. But I will, echoed in her mind. Legolas broke away from Ariana and smiled at her. Ariana couldn't help but smile back.

The smile faded from Legolas' face as he suddenly looked to the window. Ariana watched him sniff the air silently.

"What is it?" she asked him as she also looked to the window.

"I am not sure," Legolas paused. "But I smell smoke."

"A fire?"

Suddenly a sly grin spread across Legolas' face. "And I hear Hobbit laughter."

Ariana laughed and looked back at Legolas. His own face was lit up with his beautiful smile. Ariana felt a painful pull in her chest but shrugged it off.

Legolas let go of Ariana's hands and stepped closer to the window, searching out the source of the smoke. Ariana stooped and picked up the loose pieces of parchment and charcoal that lay forgotten on the floor. She slipped the parchment and charcoal into a small pocket on the hip of her dress, along with her drawing of Legolas.

As she stood up again, Legolas grabbed her arm and gently pulled her towards the door.

"What is it Legolas?" she asked worriedly. She'd never seen him so excited.

"I think I know what is going on," Legolas quickly replied. "Come with me."

Ariana figured anything would be better then sitting in the dark, alone so she agreed. The two left the room and made their way through and out of the House of Elrond.

****Notes****

::frowns:: Well, that was a much shorter chapter than I thought it was. ::shrugs and sips her soda:: Moving on! [So I says to Mable, I says… We'll finish this late, oh, and check the first chapter for the disclaimer.]