Disclaimer: once more, I own nothing, except few ideas and mistakes. ;) and
yes, I corrupted that blond elf
***************************************************************
BY THE RIVER
**************************************************************
"Since she has no family nor friends she straddles around a lot, I'm afraid. But I'm sure she said she would return to the South, to be with her trees and streams, that sounded too much Elvish to me," Gimli concluded his story.
Aragorn said with hope in his voice: "Send our best men to the South - they have to find her! She is probably our only hope! Vesper."
"Bring Vesper!" words echoed through the halls of the tower.
*****************************************************************
Vesper was sitting by the stream and her toes were splashing the crystal clear water. It was just before the dusk. The trees and streams around her were glowing in the soft light, buzzing insects were heard in the bushes and some birds started singing a farewell to the day.
Her horse Aldebaran was standing under the tall tree and looking at her. He was the nicest beast she had ever knew. It was also her only friend and the only family she had left.
Her gaze was resting at the ancient willows by the river. Then a beautiful, silken butterfly landed on her arm. Sun was headed behind the great woods and the long rays of golden light were caressing the land. Mild breeze was playing with green leaves and they sounded as a promise of peaceful and warm night.
She was tired, ride to the South was exhausting but she was now just where she belonged. It was her home although the remains of her people abandoned the place few years ago. But Vesper didn't mind the solitude.
Peace that came to the Middle earth at last, although it came ages too late for her and her kin. Ages too late for the people that were sleeping an eternal slumber under the rich emerald grass that waved when the wind blew in the quiet evening.
It was a cruel twist of fate that she alone of her kin survived the darkest moments of the Middle earth. The Dark Lord deprived her of all the people she loved. His last cruel trick was that he left her alive. Alive to be counting her sorrows and live on her sadness. Nienna's gift was her destiny that fate had chose for her. People she loved were doomed to die and left her grieving. So she returned to the wildness and would try to live day by day until her departure from this place.
Sometimes Vesper regretted that Legolas saved her life. What was she doing in the Middle earth? She was completely useless - not enough skilled to serve the people peace. In war, she meant at least a tiny bit to the battle against Sauron. Who would notice her disappearance now? Hardly anyone. It seemed that her only mission on Arda was to keep her horse company. Her petty, meaningless life.
But while riding back to South and smelling the spring and the blood in her veins rushing she started to feel gratitude toward the fair Elf. There was still so much beauty left in the Middle earth. The South looked perfect in the spring - green meadows, tall trees and rippling of the streams. More and more often Vesper's minds wandered beyond the horizon asking if the Elvish lands looked like South?
The Elves and Legolas must be now in the Undying lands. Why are Men denied to have the equal opportunity for happy immortal life? This kind of thoughts popped up in her head all the time. As if she couldn't stop thinking about the Elves. Such noble and good beings they were. Not at all like treacherous men who betrayed their own blood to get more power and gold, her bitter memories were stubborn. They never rested in peace. They left their dark places in the hidden corners of Vesper's mind and haunted her in her dreams.
As the silver moon reigned the pitch dark sky Vesper cuddled herself near Aldebaran. A small smile reached her face and Vesper put her arms around Aldebaran's elegant neck.
There might still be some Orcs that wanted to destroy some mortals. That bitter comfort hit Vesper before the slumber engulfed her.
*********************************************************************
Legolas was trying (in vain) to catch some sleep. His headache declined to the dull pain and he got up and walked from the field of Gondor. So many things happened in so little time. They won because of the stone - to Legolas it seemed more powerful than the One ring.
Why Sauron never used it? Did he even know about this stone? Too many questions without answers, the fair Elf sighed. It wasn't Sauron's *work of art* he thought. Legolas was aware that many of the Elves didn't approve his use of sorcery that was known before many ages among the Dark Elves. But it helped them without hurting them.
He shall not use it again, Legolas said to himself. It made him powerful for some time, but latter it gave him nothing but paralysing headache and bleeding. He had to pay for the help he got.
The night was still and bright stars poured scanted light down the Arda. He stopped for the brief moment and his gaze travelled to the walls of the White city. Torches were lit and Men were probably packing their belongings.
"The Elves will not pass into the twilight and the Dominion of Men will not begin..." due to this odd stone. Legolas was content because he prove Elrond wrong.
The blond Elf was walking to the great river of Anduine. Its surface was still as dark glass and stars were mirroring in it. He decided to sit down by the great willow that spread its twigs above the water. The weather was getting a bit warmer, and the wind brought smell of the wide ocean to him. Good weather to sail, it occurred to him.
Sitting by the river he thought of the stone. Legolas wondered if the force returned to the stone. Just to take a look at it. No harm, really.
The stone appeared in his palm immediately. Like it needed some fresh air too. The Elf let his fingers slide down the delicate curves of fine engravings. The answer about its origin must be hidden somewhere in this stone, was Legolas idea.
Silver rays of moonlight fell on the stone and the writing began to glitter in cold light.
His headache got stronger and he found himself in that empty place again. Legolas was surrounded with mists and the objects of strange shapes were blurred in the distance. He looked at his hands that were covered in dark blood. His nose was bleeding again. The blood was dark because the place was scantly illuminated.
*YOU THOUGHT YOU WON THIS WAR, BUT YOU WON JUST THE BATTLE. THE GREATEST PERIL TO YOUR PEOPLE STILL WALKS FREELY IN THE MIDDLE EARTH..."
The voice that was powerful yet so quiet was all around him. The whispers wrapped Legolas in the web of odd sensations.
*FIND VESPER. FIND THE LIGHT. TAKE THE LIGHT. THE LIGHT WILL LEAD YOU INTO THE NEW AGE OF THE FIRSTBORNS. TAKE THE LIGHT. DO NOT LET THE MEN GET IT...*
"How...should I kill her?" he was in trance, the voice paralysed him. The Elf couldn't move. Strange and soft tiredness was threatening to swallow him. He couldn't think straight. "Vesper is...she is not like men...she is more like Aragorn...no greed whatsoever...only pain and sorrow...but she is not like Aragorn either... Vesper posses no power...only pain ...she is not very good with the sword...she knows no greed...she can not be a threat to anyone...she is ...only Vesper..." Legolas tried to argue in his minds.
*EVEN THE ELF CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE PATH OF ERU. SOMETIMES A VICTIM IS NEEDED TO BRING NEW LIFE. TO MAKE THE ELVES MIGHTY AGAIN YOU NEED THE LIGHT FROM HER EYES. "
"How?" Legolas whispered in agony.
"DAVOUR TEARS - THE STREAM WILL BLOOM FROM HEART TOREN IN DESPAIR. AND LIGHT SHALL BE YOURS."
Everything disappeared in the sound of great thunder that was coming closer and closer. Before the funnel of the wind sucked him, he closed his eyes.
*********************************************************************
Legolas opened his heavy eyelids. He blinked once or twice and the stars were looking at him from the sky high above. He was laying on the shore and he was holding the stone in his fist. The Elf noticed warm blood on his upper lip. Legolas rested for a minute and then he stood up. He washed the trays of the blood away. Then he returned to his warriors. "Bring Faonor!" he gave orders.
***********************************************************************
"You sent for me, my lord," Faonor was fast.
"Yes, I did. Take few of our best men and ride to the South. Look for a mortal young woman called Vesper. She will be probably somewhere near the river or the wood. Invite her to the great Greenwood on my behalf," he told to the surprised Elf who frowned while listening to Legolas.
"Is something wrong," Legolas asked Faonor.
"I beg you pardon, my lord. But she will not trust us - there is war between the Men and the Elves. Do you honestly believe that she shall come on her free will?"
"Vesper doesn't know about the war, at least not yet. She returned to her homeland but there are no people left. She told me. She is probably avoiding people's company. You cannot miss her - she has a great horse. Her hair are pitch black and her eyes are grey. She will be by some stream or ridding her horse through some meadow," Legolas said. "And even if she had heard about the war she will come. She thinks that I saved her life once. Do not bother your minds, my friend. She won't hesitate. But make haste! The Men from Gondor might found out something about her. Bring her quickly!"
Faonor mounted his horse and yelled to the riders he had chosen for this task -"Make haste my lords, long way is before us!" They flew from the field as one.
*********************************************************************
Vesper wake up just before the dawn. Aldebaran was standing in the river and drinking water. She got up and walked to the river to take a bath. Swimming in the cool water was refreshing and she loved water caressing her body.
After the bath she put on her dress and decided to get something for her breakfast when unusual sound surprised her. She heard someone approach.
The gallop of many horses in the wood. Who would care to come to this wildness? Orcs? Vesper stiffened and jumped into the bushes and grabbed her sword. Not now when she has just started to enjoy her life! Vesper screamed in her head.
Vesper stood with her sword in her hands and waited for the intruders to arrive. She caught the glimpse of the shiny armours through the branches. Men, she frowned. But when they came closer her surprise increased - they were Elvish riders.
The Elves halted their horses and one of them hailed her. "Lady Vesper, the prince of Great Greenwood sent us to bring you his invitation to do him the honour and come to the great Greenwood."
Vesper stood there speechless and amazed. When she could find the words, she asked: "Are you Elves still in the Middle earth? I thought that you should be in the Undying lands by this time."
"Change of plans, my lady. The prince can explain the matter to you, if you wish. But now - will you ride with us?" Faonor asked her. They were riding for days without taking a rest because time was important.
"Yes, of course I will ride with you. Just wait a minute for my horse to come!" Vesper whistled and Aldebaran came right away. She caressed the beautiful beast and mounted it.
"We can go now," she smiled at the Elves.
Faonor felt her trust and it made him uneasy. He had never lied in his life before.
The sound of more horsemen approaching hit their ears. More Elves? Vesper looked at Faonor. But the bushes revealed the riders - they were the Men of Gondor, Vesper saw the token of the white tree and the star.
"Lady Vesper, you have to come to Minas Tirith by the order of the King of Gondor." The tall man with brown beard said that in commanding tone and glared at the Elves.
"I will go with the Elves, and after paying a visit to the prince Legolas I can come to Gondor," Vesper retorted.
"King Aragorn is your king - you should come to Gondor first! And do not trust the Elves. You are one of us and not one of them. It is your duty to obey the orders from your king." Aragorn's messenger was serious.
Vesper didn't know what to do - something terrible happened or what. But Legolas saved her that day and she has to trust him. She will visit him. She owes him.
"Look, I trust prince Legolas with my life. I am to go with the Elves. And I promise you that I will come to Gondor right after that. But I have to come to Greenwood first. Legolas saved my life. Furthermore I never got anything good from the Men. So forgive me if I trust you less than I do trust the Elves. They are not capable of evil, but the men on the other hand are full of twisted plans, " Vesper decided and turned her horse in the direction to the Greenwood.
Faonor experienced the feeling of ultimate shame for the first time in his life. It felt bitter and bad. But he had to do what Legolas told him to.
The Men of Gondor raised their blades in order to defeat the Elves and took Vesper by force to the Gondor. Faonor yelled to the Elves:" I must take her to the prince!" Then he said something in elvish and Aldebaran followed him in full speed.
Vesper managed to hear some noise of the Men and the Elves fighting. She and Faonor rode like thunder - with her black hair waving around her shoulders. They were galloping all day and all night and she started to feel exhausted and afraid that she would fall down the horse when Faonor stopped for a brief moment and he extended his hand towards her. Vesper took his hand and he lifted her into the saddle in front of him. Aldebaran was following them.
Vesper closed her eyes, she couldn't keep them open anymore. She was tired and hungry and the exhaustion overpowered her. Vesper couldn't remember when did she lay her head against the Elf's arm and fell asleep.
If we were fast enough, we would get to the great Greenwood before night, Faonor thought. He started to miss his home and old ages.
**********************************************************************
At the sight of tall, ancient trees Faonor wake Vesper in relief. "We had come," he smiled. It was his home.
"Thank you for the ride, " she said gratefully. "I'm sorry to cause you troubles. But I was really exhausted. And I still don't know your name." Vesper added after some time.
"Faonor, my lady," as their eyes met, she saw something like sadness or remorse in Faonor's gaze. She didn't understand it.
"Here," he told her as he helped her to dismount the horse. Faonor showed her to the stairs that led to the great wooden doors. "I will take care of the horse, you need some rest, the room is ready for you," he told her. Vesper walked up stairs when the doors opened and beautiful She-elf invited her in.
"Come in, my lady. I will show you your room," she took her to the pretty room illuminated with many candles. "There is a warm bath ," she pointed to the small room on the left. "And there is some food and a clean dress," Vesper looked at the bed and the loaded table with dishes near the fireplace.
"Thank you very much, that is very kind of you," she was really grateful. That was all she was dreaming about the last two or three days. Then the She-elf left Vesper alone.
Vesper climbed into the hot bath and forgot everything. It felt so good to be clean again. After napping for half an hour she woke up and dried herself with the soft towel. Then she put on some dress that felt smooth on her skin and stumbled into the bed. Vesper fell asleep in second. She pushed aside all her questions and odd sensations. She can think tomorrow.
***********************************************************************
Legolas arrived to the great Greenwood soon after Faonor and Vesper. "Did it go well?" he asked Faonor.
"It went fine, my lord," Faonor answered. "She is very tired and she sleeps, I might say."
"Good, good. We have enough time because of your efficiency," Legolas said.
Legolas left Faonor and went to see Vesper. He opened the door and silently approached her bed.
Here she was, laying still and sleeping. Her damp black hair were all over the pillow, her long eyelashes drew shadows on her pale face in the scantly light of few candles. Her lips seemed soft and tender in the twilight. Vesper looked so fragile and harmless. How could she be a peril to the Elves? Legolas asked himself this question for the millionth time since he heard the prophecy.
Legolas was fighting with his doubts - is he strong enough to follow his plan and take that light of her away? Is he prepared to sacrifice her for the benefit of his own people?
***********************************************************************
OK, is Legolas enough evil and determined to finish his *work*? I think he is.
BTW: I read this fanfic called "For the Good of Gondor" and it was great. Truly original work, and really twisted.
***************************************************************
BY THE RIVER
**************************************************************
"Since she has no family nor friends she straddles around a lot, I'm afraid. But I'm sure she said she would return to the South, to be with her trees and streams, that sounded too much Elvish to me," Gimli concluded his story.
Aragorn said with hope in his voice: "Send our best men to the South - they have to find her! She is probably our only hope! Vesper."
"Bring Vesper!" words echoed through the halls of the tower.
*****************************************************************
Vesper was sitting by the stream and her toes were splashing the crystal clear water. It was just before the dusk. The trees and streams around her were glowing in the soft light, buzzing insects were heard in the bushes and some birds started singing a farewell to the day.
Her horse Aldebaran was standing under the tall tree and looking at her. He was the nicest beast she had ever knew. It was also her only friend and the only family she had left.
Her gaze was resting at the ancient willows by the river. Then a beautiful, silken butterfly landed on her arm. Sun was headed behind the great woods and the long rays of golden light were caressing the land. Mild breeze was playing with green leaves and they sounded as a promise of peaceful and warm night.
She was tired, ride to the South was exhausting but she was now just where she belonged. It was her home although the remains of her people abandoned the place few years ago. But Vesper didn't mind the solitude.
Peace that came to the Middle earth at last, although it came ages too late for her and her kin. Ages too late for the people that were sleeping an eternal slumber under the rich emerald grass that waved when the wind blew in the quiet evening.
It was a cruel twist of fate that she alone of her kin survived the darkest moments of the Middle earth. The Dark Lord deprived her of all the people she loved. His last cruel trick was that he left her alive. Alive to be counting her sorrows and live on her sadness. Nienna's gift was her destiny that fate had chose for her. People she loved were doomed to die and left her grieving. So she returned to the wildness and would try to live day by day until her departure from this place.
Sometimes Vesper regretted that Legolas saved her life. What was she doing in the Middle earth? She was completely useless - not enough skilled to serve the people peace. In war, she meant at least a tiny bit to the battle against Sauron. Who would notice her disappearance now? Hardly anyone. It seemed that her only mission on Arda was to keep her horse company. Her petty, meaningless life.
But while riding back to South and smelling the spring and the blood in her veins rushing she started to feel gratitude toward the fair Elf. There was still so much beauty left in the Middle earth. The South looked perfect in the spring - green meadows, tall trees and rippling of the streams. More and more often Vesper's minds wandered beyond the horizon asking if the Elvish lands looked like South?
The Elves and Legolas must be now in the Undying lands. Why are Men denied to have the equal opportunity for happy immortal life? This kind of thoughts popped up in her head all the time. As if she couldn't stop thinking about the Elves. Such noble and good beings they were. Not at all like treacherous men who betrayed their own blood to get more power and gold, her bitter memories were stubborn. They never rested in peace. They left their dark places in the hidden corners of Vesper's mind and haunted her in her dreams.
As the silver moon reigned the pitch dark sky Vesper cuddled herself near Aldebaran. A small smile reached her face and Vesper put her arms around Aldebaran's elegant neck.
There might still be some Orcs that wanted to destroy some mortals. That bitter comfort hit Vesper before the slumber engulfed her.
*********************************************************************
Legolas was trying (in vain) to catch some sleep. His headache declined to the dull pain and he got up and walked from the field of Gondor. So many things happened in so little time. They won because of the stone - to Legolas it seemed more powerful than the One ring.
Why Sauron never used it? Did he even know about this stone? Too many questions without answers, the fair Elf sighed. It wasn't Sauron's *work of art* he thought. Legolas was aware that many of the Elves didn't approve his use of sorcery that was known before many ages among the Dark Elves. But it helped them without hurting them.
He shall not use it again, Legolas said to himself. It made him powerful for some time, but latter it gave him nothing but paralysing headache and bleeding. He had to pay for the help he got.
The night was still and bright stars poured scanted light down the Arda. He stopped for the brief moment and his gaze travelled to the walls of the White city. Torches were lit and Men were probably packing their belongings.
"The Elves will not pass into the twilight and the Dominion of Men will not begin..." due to this odd stone. Legolas was content because he prove Elrond wrong.
The blond Elf was walking to the great river of Anduine. Its surface was still as dark glass and stars were mirroring in it. He decided to sit down by the great willow that spread its twigs above the water. The weather was getting a bit warmer, and the wind brought smell of the wide ocean to him. Good weather to sail, it occurred to him.
Sitting by the river he thought of the stone. Legolas wondered if the force returned to the stone. Just to take a look at it. No harm, really.
The stone appeared in his palm immediately. Like it needed some fresh air too. The Elf let his fingers slide down the delicate curves of fine engravings. The answer about its origin must be hidden somewhere in this stone, was Legolas idea.
Silver rays of moonlight fell on the stone and the writing began to glitter in cold light.
His headache got stronger and he found himself in that empty place again. Legolas was surrounded with mists and the objects of strange shapes were blurred in the distance. He looked at his hands that were covered in dark blood. His nose was bleeding again. The blood was dark because the place was scantly illuminated.
*YOU THOUGHT YOU WON THIS WAR, BUT YOU WON JUST THE BATTLE. THE GREATEST PERIL TO YOUR PEOPLE STILL WALKS FREELY IN THE MIDDLE EARTH..."
The voice that was powerful yet so quiet was all around him. The whispers wrapped Legolas in the web of odd sensations.
*FIND VESPER. FIND THE LIGHT. TAKE THE LIGHT. THE LIGHT WILL LEAD YOU INTO THE NEW AGE OF THE FIRSTBORNS. TAKE THE LIGHT. DO NOT LET THE MEN GET IT...*
"How...should I kill her?" he was in trance, the voice paralysed him. The Elf couldn't move. Strange and soft tiredness was threatening to swallow him. He couldn't think straight. "Vesper is...she is not like men...she is more like Aragorn...no greed whatsoever...only pain and sorrow...but she is not like Aragorn either... Vesper posses no power...only pain ...she is not very good with the sword...she knows no greed...she can not be a threat to anyone...she is ...only Vesper..." Legolas tried to argue in his minds.
*EVEN THE ELF CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE PATH OF ERU. SOMETIMES A VICTIM IS NEEDED TO BRING NEW LIFE. TO MAKE THE ELVES MIGHTY AGAIN YOU NEED THE LIGHT FROM HER EYES. "
"How?" Legolas whispered in agony.
"DAVOUR TEARS - THE STREAM WILL BLOOM FROM HEART TOREN IN DESPAIR. AND LIGHT SHALL BE YOURS."
Everything disappeared in the sound of great thunder that was coming closer and closer. Before the funnel of the wind sucked him, he closed his eyes.
*********************************************************************
Legolas opened his heavy eyelids. He blinked once or twice and the stars were looking at him from the sky high above. He was laying on the shore and he was holding the stone in his fist. The Elf noticed warm blood on his upper lip. Legolas rested for a minute and then he stood up. He washed the trays of the blood away. Then he returned to his warriors. "Bring Faonor!" he gave orders.
***********************************************************************
"You sent for me, my lord," Faonor was fast.
"Yes, I did. Take few of our best men and ride to the South. Look for a mortal young woman called Vesper. She will be probably somewhere near the river or the wood. Invite her to the great Greenwood on my behalf," he told to the surprised Elf who frowned while listening to Legolas.
"Is something wrong," Legolas asked Faonor.
"I beg you pardon, my lord. But she will not trust us - there is war between the Men and the Elves. Do you honestly believe that she shall come on her free will?"
"Vesper doesn't know about the war, at least not yet. She returned to her homeland but there are no people left. She told me. She is probably avoiding people's company. You cannot miss her - she has a great horse. Her hair are pitch black and her eyes are grey. She will be by some stream or ridding her horse through some meadow," Legolas said. "And even if she had heard about the war she will come. She thinks that I saved her life once. Do not bother your minds, my friend. She won't hesitate. But make haste! The Men from Gondor might found out something about her. Bring her quickly!"
Faonor mounted his horse and yelled to the riders he had chosen for this task -"Make haste my lords, long way is before us!" They flew from the field as one.
*********************************************************************
Vesper wake up just before the dawn. Aldebaran was standing in the river and drinking water. She got up and walked to the river to take a bath. Swimming in the cool water was refreshing and she loved water caressing her body.
After the bath she put on her dress and decided to get something for her breakfast when unusual sound surprised her. She heard someone approach.
The gallop of many horses in the wood. Who would care to come to this wildness? Orcs? Vesper stiffened and jumped into the bushes and grabbed her sword. Not now when she has just started to enjoy her life! Vesper screamed in her head.
Vesper stood with her sword in her hands and waited for the intruders to arrive. She caught the glimpse of the shiny armours through the branches. Men, she frowned. But when they came closer her surprise increased - they were Elvish riders.
The Elves halted their horses and one of them hailed her. "Lady Vesper, the prince of Great Greenwood sent us to bring you his invitation to do him the honour and come to the great Greenwood."
Vesper stood there speechless and amazed. When she could find the words, she asked: "Are you Elves still in the Middle earth? I thought that you should be in the Undying lands by this time."
"Change of plans, my lady. The prince can explain the matter to you, if you wish. But now - will you ride with us?" Faonor asked her. They were riding for days without taking a rest because time was important.
"Yes, of course I will ride with you. Just wait a minute for my horse to come!" Vesper whistled and Aldebaran came right away. She caressed the beautiful beast and mounted it.
"We can go now," she smiled at the Elves.
Faonor felt her trust and it made him uneasy. He had never lied in his life before.
The sound of more horsemen approaching hit their ears. More Elves? Vesper looked at Faonor. But the bushes revealed the riders - they were the Men of Gondor, Vesper saw the token of the white tree and the star.
"Lady Vesper, you have to come to Minas Tirith by the order of the King of Gondor." The tall man with brown beard said that in commanding tone and glared at the Elves.
"I will go with the Elves, and after paying a visit to the prince Legolas I can come to Gondor," Vesper retorted.
"King Aragorn is your king - you should come to Gondor first! And do not trust the Elves. You are one of us and not one of them. It is your duty to obey the orders from your king." Aragorn's messenger was serious.
Vesper didn't know what to do - something terrible happened or what. But Legolas saved her that day and she has to trust him. She will visit him. She owes him.
"Look, I trust prince Legolas with my life. I am to go with the Elves. And I promise you that I will come to Gondor right after that. But I have to come to Greenwood first. Legolas saved my life. Furthermore I never got anything good from the Men. So forgive me if I trust you less than I do trust the Elves. They are not capable of evil, but the men on the other hand are full of twisted plans, " Vesper decided and turned her horse in the direction to the Greenwood.
Faonor experienced the feeling of ultimate shame for the first time in his life. It felt bitter and bad. But he had to do what Legolas told him to.
The Men of Gondor raised their blades in order to defeat the Elves and took Vesper by force to the Gondor. Faonor yelled to the Elves:" I must take her to the prince!" Then he said something in elvish and Aldebaran followed him in full speed.
Vesper managed to hear some noise of the Men and the Elves fighting. She and Faonor rode like thunder - with her black hair waving around her shoulders. They were galloping all day and all night and she started to feel exhausted and afraid that she would fall down the horse when Faonor stopped for a brief moment and he extended his hand towards her. Vesper took his hand and he lifted her into the saddle in front of him. Aldebaran was following them.
Vesper closed her eyes, she couldn't keep them open anymore. She was tired and hungry and the exhaustion overpowered her. Vesper couldn't remember when did she lay her head against the Elf's arm and fell asleep.
If we were fast enough, we would get to the great Greenwood before night, Faonor thought. He started to miss his home and old ages.
**********************************************************************
At the sight of tall, ancient trees Faonor wake Vesper in relief. "We had come," he smiled. It was his home.
"Thank you for the ride, " she said gratefully. "I'm sorry to cause you troubles. But I was really exhausted. And I still don't know your name." Vesper added after some time.
"Faonor, my lady," as their eyes met, she saw something like sadness or remorse in Faonor's gaze. She didn't understand it.
"Here," he told her as he helped her to dismount the horse. Faonor showed her to the stairs that led to the great wooden doors. "I will take care of the horse, you need some rest, the room is ready for you," he told her. Vesper walked up stairs when the doors opened and beautiful She-elf invited her in.
"Come in, my lady. I will show you your room," she took her to the pretty room illuminated with many candles. "There is a warm bath ," she pointed to the small room on the left. "And there is some food and a clean dress," Vesper looked at the bed and the loaded table with dishes near the fireplace.
"Thank you very much, that is very kind of you," she was really grateful. That was all she was dreaming about the last two or three days. Then the She-elf left Vesper alone.
Vesper climbed into the hot bath and forgot everything. It felt so good to be clean again. After napping for half an hour she woke up and dried herself with the soft towel. Then she put on some dress that felt smooth on her skin and stumbled into the bed. Vesper fell asleep in second. She pushed aside all her questions and odd sensations. She can think tomorrow.
***********************************************************************
Legolas arrived to the great Greenwood soon after Faonor and Vesper. "Did it go well?" he asked Faonor.
"It went fine, my lord," Faonor answered. "She is very tired and she sleeps, I might say."
"Good, good. We have enough time because of your efficiency," Legolas said.
Legolas left Faonor and went to see Vesper. He opened the door and silently approached her bed.
Here she was, laying still and sleeping. Her damp black hair were all over the pillow, her long eyelashes drew shadows on her pale face in the scantly light of few candles. Her lips seemed soft and tender in the twilight. Vesper looked so fragile and harmless. How could she be a peril to the Elves? Legolas asked himself this question for the millionth time since he heard the prophecy.
Legolas was fighting with his doubts - is he strong enough to follow his plan and take that light of her away? Is he prepared to sacrifice her for the benefit of his own people?
***********************************************************************
OK, is Legolas enough evil and determined to finish his *work*? I think he is.
BTW: I read this fanfic called "For the Good of Gondor" and it was great. Truly original work, and really twisted.