Night Watch
The elves set camp at dusk. Legolas pulled out a cake of lembas and began to lightly nibble on it.
"Why are we going to Imladris, Hir nin?" Nimue asked while unrolling her sleeping pallet.(My lord)
"You have not heard?"
"Well, I did hear something, I just was not sure if it were true."
"About Smegol escaping?"
"Yes."
"It is true. That is the message I am sent to give to Lord Elrond."
Nimue sat silently and shivered slightly. They built no fire, for fear of attracting unwanted company.
Legolas was not cold at all. Nimue was only, because of the bit of mortal blood in her, making Nimue susceptible to such uncomfortable sensations. Fortunately, though, she could not fall seriously ill from the cold nor the heat.
Legolas was standing peering through the mass of trees, trying to get a good glimpse of the road ahead. At the same time, he was listening for any slight stir of a leaf or snap of a twig.
Mirkwood was deathly still.
Suddenly, in the silence, Legolas' ears picked up a light tapping sound. He turned to Nimue. Her teeth were chattering a little bit. Legolas' brows furrowed.
"Are you cold, Nimue?" Legolas asked with concern.
"N-no," Nimue lied, while mentally cursing her chattering teeth.
Legolas smiled and, giving one last glance into the shadows, walked over to Nimue and sat beside her.
But, once Legolas sat down, Nimue hastily stood up.
"Uh . . I guess it's my turn for watch then, is it?"
Before Legolas had a chance to reply, Nimue strode to the edge of their camp and looked out at the trees.
Legolas gazed curiously at her. He could not figure her out.
He remembered that when he first saw her:
She had been in the palace courtyard reading a red leather-bound book. He hadn't noticed her there, at first, because all the maidens surrounding him made it practically impossible to see anything. It was a wonder that he even knew where he was.
Nimue had first attracted his attention when she groaned, obviously in reaction to one of the elf-maidens flirtatious comments. When she had lowered the book from her face he was startled by the color of her hair. Legolas had never seen an elf with red hair before. Legolas was also intrigued by her from the mere fact that she was not part of the throng of elf-maidens that followed him around.
He had later asked one of the elven maidens the name of this red-haired elf, and she replied with a scowl: "Nimue."
The elf-maidens were not fond of Nimue, because she was different. She was either reading a book, or being un-ladylike, from their perspective, by practicing her swordsmanship.
As Legolas sat in his reverie, a sudden noise pierced both his ears and Nimue's.
It came from very far away, past the Misty Mountains, from the Edge of the Wild. It sounded like an unearthly screech from some kind of unearthly creature. Legolas jumped up. The sound clutched the elves' hearts in an icy grip.
The sound soon died away.
"What was that?" Nimue quietly asked, after a moment.
"I do not know," Legolas replied in an equally hushed voice.
"Well, whatever it is, fortunately it is quite far away."
"Yes," Legolas agreed, but continued to stare uneasily at the horizon.
Nimue stood watch for the first hour as the prince slept. She watched as Legolas chest steadily rose and fell under his clasped hands. His eyes were half closed, for elves did not fully close their eyes when they slept. Blending night and dream together.
Nimue suddenly realised that she had been staring at Legolas' sleeping form for quite some time. She chastised herself for getting distracted from her duties and forced her head to turn away.
Before she knew it her hour was up. Nimue stepped lightly over to Legolas and croached down by him. She spoke.
"Hir nin. Awake, hir nin."
Legolas' eyes slowly opened fully and became alert. He turned his head slightly and smiled warmly up at her.
Nimue's heart leapt into her throat. Why was he affecting her this way? She had never been in love and had always seen it as something silly and overly sentimental. She didn't understand it. Nimue was determined not to become like one of the elf-maidens who trail after Prince Legolas.
"It's your turn for the watch, hir nin."
Legolas sat up and lighty got to his feet.
"Le hannon." Legolas stretched his limbs briefly, then proceeded to walk to the edge of their camp. (I thank thee)
As Nimue stretched out on her pallet, Legolas glanced over his shoulder at her.
"Losto mae, Nimue." he said. (Sleep well, Nimue)
Even though, they had agreed an hour for each watch, Legolas was vigilant for two, purposely giving Nimue more hours of sleep. He wasn't tired anyway. He was excited. Excited that he was going Rivendell. He hadn't been there for seven years.
He always enjoyed the open splendor of the place. He also enjoyed, there, the company of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, when he was present, and Arwen Evenstar.
It had been fun to watch the growing attraction between Arwen and this brave man. Though, a trifle upsetting at the same time. For, he worried about the future of Arwen and Aragorn's relationship. If it developed into something serious, how would it be dealt with, Arwen being an elf and Aragorn being a human. What would happen to Arwen? Would she leave with the rest of the elves from the shores of Middle Earth? Or stay with Aragorn, living as a mortal.
Legolas glanced over his shoulder at Nimue. His glance became a stare as he watched her sleeping form. Her eyes were closed!
He rushed over to Nimue's side.
"Nimue, Nimue!"
Nimue's eyes flew open.
"Man?" (what?)
"Manen- your eyes were closed." (how-)
"Yes. I know." Nimue was a little annoyed at being awakened in the middle of a lovely dream involving cake. "I have mortal blood in me."
"So the rumors are true. Your father was a half-elven.."
"Yes, hir nin."
"Oh."
"Is that all, hir nin?"
"Yes."
Suddenly their ears picked up the far-away sound of figures crashing through trees and brush. They heard snatches of harsh voices. By their judgement the sounds were coming from ten miles away from the directions of the Mountains of Mirkwood.
"Ai! Yrch anglennar!" Nimue cried. (Ah! Orcs are coming!)
"We had better keep moving then," Legolas said, gathering his gear. "Judging by the sound, they are far and are not heading straight for us. There are only about maybe . . nine or ten of them."
Soon the travelers reached the Forest Gate. It consisted of an arch made out of two small birch trees. One on each side. The limbs of both trees were twisted together in intracate designs in order to form the arch.
Legolas and Nimue walked under it, gazing at it's beauty as they did.
Once out of Mirkwood they came upon the Great River of Wilderland. There they refilled their waterskins.
"We do not have the time to build any boats," Legolas said, "we will have to travel down along the Great River past the House of Beorn to the Old Ford. We'll cross there."
"But, after we cross at the Old Ford, does that not bring us dangerously close to Goblin-gate of Eyrie?"
"Yes. We will have to tread with extra care."
"I have heard of Beorn, but I have never seen him," Nimue remarked as they walked alongside the river.
"Neither have I."
"I heard that he can transform into a large bear."
"I have heard that too."
The two walked in silence for a while, until Legolas broke it with a question.
"Nimue?"
"Yes, hir nin?"
"Why do the other elf-maids not like you?"
"I think it was because I told them that they looked ridiculous, following you around every day."
Legolas laughed. He could just see the maidens' faces now. Scrunched up in anger. Completely unbecoming.
Nimue felt strangely thrilled by the fact that she had made him laugh. She frowned. "No, Nimue," she thought, "you must concentrate on your duties. Of course he's distracting you, he the Royal Prince Legolas, heir to the throne of Mirkwood, son of your King Thranduil, of course you're feeling a bit intimidated. Who wouldn't?
"But it's nothing serious. It's perfectly normal, the feeling will wear off, once you get used to being around him."
"Is something wrong, Nimue? . . . . Nimue?"
"Hm?- What?"
"I said, is something wrong?"
"No. Nothing. Nothing is wrong. Why?"
"You were frowning deeply, I thought you were maybe concerned about something, and perhaps I should know."
"I-"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering . . . . . how did you escape from that giant spider web."
Legolas sighed, then gave her a small, lopsided smile.
Nimue's heart skipped.
"When we set camp, I'll tell you."
Then Legolas gave her a side-glance. He knew that that was not what she had been thinking about.
The elves set camp at dusk. Legolas pulled out a cake of lembas and began to lightly nibble on it.
"Why are we going to Imladris, Hir nin?" Nimue asked while unrolling her sleeping pallet.(My lord)
"You have not heard?"
"Well, I did hear something, I just was not sure if it were true."
"About Smegol escaping?"
"Yes."
"It is true. That is the message I am sent to give to Lord Elrond."
Nimue sat silently and shivered slightly. They built no fire, for fear of attracting unwanted company.
Legolas was not cold at all. Nimue was only, because of the bit of mortal blood in her, making Nimue susceptible to such uncomfortable sensations. Fortunately, though, she could not fall seriously ill from the cold nor the heat.
Legolas was standing peering through the mass of trees, trying to get a good glimpse of the road ahead. At the same time, he was listening for any slight stir of a leaf or snap of a twig.
Mirkwood was deathly still.
Suddenly, in the silence, Legolas' ears picked up a light tapping sound. He turned to Nimue. Her teeth were chattering a little bit. Legolas' brows furrowed.
"Are you cold, Nimue?" Legolas asked with concern.
"N-no," Nimue lied, while mentally cursing her chattering teeth.
Legolas smiled and, giving one last glance into the shadows, walked over to Nimue and sat beside her.
But, once Legolas sat down, Nimue hastily stood up.
"Uh . . I guess it's my turn for watch then, is it?"
Before Legolas had a chance to reply, Nimue strode to the edge of their camp and looked out at the trees.
Legolas gazed curiously at her. He could not figure her out.
He remembered that when he first saw her:
She had been in the palace courtyard reading a red leather-bound book. He hadn't noticed her there, at first, because all the maidens surrounding him made it practically impossible to see anything. It was a wonder that he even knew where he was.
Nimue had first attracted his attention when she groaned, obviously in reaction to one of the elf-maidens flirtatious comments. When she had lowered the book from her face he was startled by the color of her hair. Legolas had never seen an elf with red hair before. Legolas was also intrigued by her from the mere fact that she was not part of the throng of elf-maidens that followed him around.
He had later asked one of the elven maidens the name of this red-haired elf, and she replied with a scowl: "Nimue."
The elf-maidens were not fond of Nimue, because she was different. She was either reading a book, or being un-ladylike, from their perspective, by practicing her swordsmanship.
As Legolas sat in his reverie, a sudden noise pierced both his ears and Nimue's.
It came from very far away, past the Misty Mountains, from the Edge of the Wild. It sounded like an unearthly screech from some kind of unearthly creature. Legolas jumped up. The sound clutched the elves' hearts in an icy grip.
The sound soon died away.
"What was that?" Nimue quietly asked, after a moment.
"I do not know," Legolas replied in an equally hushed voice.
"Well, whatever it is, fortunately it is quite far away."
"Yes," Legolas agreed, but continued to stare uneasily at the horizon.
Nimue stood watch for the first hour as the prince slept. She watched as Legolas chest steadily rose and fell under his clasped hands. His eyes were half closed, for elves did not fully close their eyes when they slept. Blending night and dream together.
Nimue suddenly realised that she had been staring at Legolas' sleeping form for quite some time. She chastised herself for getting distracted from her duties and forced her head to turn away.
Before she knew it her hour was up. Nimue stepped lightly over to Legolas and croached down by him. She spoke.
"Hir nin. Awake, hir nin."
Legolas' eyes slowly opened fully and became alert. He turned his head slightly and smiled warmly up at her.
Nimue's heart leapt into her throat. Why was he affecting her this way? She had never been in love and had always seen it as something silly and overly sentimental. She didn't understand it. Nimue was determined not to become like one of the elf-maidens who trail after Prince Legolas.
"It's your turn for the watch, hir nin."
Legolas sat up and lighty got to his feet.
"Le hannon." Legolas stretched his limbs briefly, then proceeded to walk to the edge of their camp. (I thank thee)
As Nimue stretched out on her pallet, Legolas glanced over his shoulder at her.
"Losto mae, Nimue." he said. (Sleep well, Nimue)
Even though, they had agreed an hour for each watch, Legolas was vigilant for two, purposely giving Nimue more hours of sleep. He wasn't tired anyway. He was excited. Excited that he was going Rivendell. He hadn't been there for seven years.
He always enjoyed the open splendor of the place. He also enjoyed, there, the company of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, when he was present, and Arwen Evenstar.
It had been fun to watch the growing attraction between Arwen and this brave man. Though, a trifle upsetting at the same time. For, he worried about the future of Arwen and Aragorn's relationship. If it developed into something serious, how would it be dealt with, Arwen being an elf and Aragorn being a human. What would happen to Arwen? Would she leave with the rest of the elves from the shores of Middle Earth? Or stay with Aragorn, living as a mortal.
Legolas glanced over his shoulder at Nimue. His glance became a stare as he watched her sleeping form. Her eyes were closed!
He rushed over to Nimue's side.
"Nimue, Nimue!"
Nimue's eyes flew open.
"Man?" (what?)
"Manen- your eyes were closed." (how-)
"Yes. I know." Nimue was a little annoyed at being awakened in the middle of a lovely dream involving cake. "I have mortal blood in me."
"So the rumors are true. Your father was a half-elven.."
"Yes, hir nin."
"Oh."
"Is that all, hir nin?"
"Yes."
Suddenly their ears picked up the far-away sound of figures crashing through trees and brush. They heard snatches of harsh voices. By their judgement the sounds were coming from ten miles away from the directions of the Mountains of Mirkwood.
"Ai! Yrch anglennar!" Nimue cried. (Ah! Orcs are coming!)
"We had better keep moving then," Legolas said, gathering his gear. "Judging by the sound, they are far and are not heading straight for us. There are only about maybe . . nine or ten of them."
Soon the travelers reached the Forest Gate. It consisted of an arch made out of two small birch trees. One on each side. The limbs of both trees were twisted together in intracate designs in order to form the arch.
Legolas and Nimue walked under it, gazing at it's beauty as they did.
Once out of Mirkwood they came upon the Great River of Wilderland. There they refilled their waterskins.
"We do not have the time to build any boats," Legolas said, "we will have to travel down along the Great River past the House of Beorn to the Old Ford. We'll cross there."
"But, after we cross at the Old Ford, does that not bring us dangerously close to Goblin-gate of Eyrie?"
"Yes. We will have to tread with extra care."
"I have heard of Beorn, but I have never seen him," Nimue remarked as they walked alongside the river.
"Neither have I."
"I heard that he can transform into a large bear."
"I have heard that too."
The two walked in silence for a while, until Legolas broke it with a question.
"Nimue?"
"Yes, hir nin?"
"Why do the other elf-maids not like you?"
"I think it was because I told them that they looked ridiculous, following you around every day."
Legolas laughed. He could just see the maidens' faces now. Scrunched up in anger. Completely unbecoming.
Nimue felt strangely thrilled by the fact that she had made him laugh. She frowned. "No, Nimue," she thought, "you must concentrate on your duties. Of course he's distracting you, he the Royal Prince Legolas, heir to the throne of Mirkwood, son of your King Thranduil, of course you're feeling a bit intimidated. Who wouldn't?
"But it's nothing serious. It's perfectly normal, the feeling will wear off, once you get used to being around him."
"Is something wrong, Nimue? . . . . Nimue?"
"Hm?- What?"
"I said, is something wrong?"
"No. Nothing. Nothing is wrong. Why?"
"You were frowning deeply, I thought you were maybe concerned about something, and perhaps I should know."
"I-"
"Yes?"
"I was wondering . . . . . how did you escape from that giant spider web."
Legolas sighed, then gave her a small, lopsided smile.
Nimue's heart skipped.
"When we set camp, I'll tell you."
Then Legolas gave her a side-glance. He knew that that was not what she had been thinking about.
