Author's Note: If you have any ideas at all for what should happen after this, tell me! I have a bunch of ideas, but I don't know which one is the best. I'm also working on two new stories, but that shouldn't slow down this story at all. My semester is almost over and therefore will be very easy. :) Annalizard – Of course I'll read your story! Can't wait! To everyone – still have no ideas for a better title. If you have an epiphany and think of one, please tell me. Thank you to everyone!!! You guys rock!
Wiping her eyes, Venitia found her strength and determination. With a sudden rush of adrenaline, she lifted Donovan onto her horse and leapt up behind him. With a quick "Hold on, Donovan," she nudged Crystal, and the horse started to gallop at full speed. Donovan's horse followed behind.
Suddenly a flood of panic rushed over her. She had not been paying attention on the way here, and therefore did not know the way back. She hoped with all her might that the horse would find its way. Straining her eyes, she finally saw the white tower standing tall on the hill as the emerged from the forest. Venny breathed a sigh of relief and urged Crystal on. The horse seemed to know exactly where she was going, and seemed to sense the urgency of her rider, for she rode on at full speed.
Donovan's blood stained Venitia's shirt as he breathed shallowly. The white tower drew nearer and nearer as they crossed the wide plain that stood between the city and the forest, though not quick enough for Venitia. To her, it seemed to be taking a lifetime to get to the city.
The palace finally came into clear view, and Venitia drove the horse right into the back entrance that led to the ballroom.
"Help! Someone! Anyone! Help me, please!" she cried as loud as she could as the horse came to a halt. Five or so servants looked alarmed as the hurried toward her.
"Your highness!" they cried as she leapt down off the horse.
"Someone, go find my father and Legolas. Hurry!"
A manservant hurried off in the direction of her father's study. The other's knelt down to where Venitia had placed Donovan.
"Venitia, what is going on? Donovan!" Aragorn cried. He knelt down and looked closely at the wound.
"We were in the forest when a band of orcs attacked us. I fought them, but he was shot before I could do anything," Venitia said shakily.
"It's alright, dear, he will fine," Aragorn said somewhat uncertainly. "Will someone please find the healer and Legolas? Now!"
But Legolas was found sprinting down the hall toward them as soon as the words came out of his mouth.
"Get him to my room. Quickly!" the elf shouted.
The guards who had been watching helplessly now hurried in and picked up Donovan gently. They started walking swiftly toward the elf's room. Venitia followed them anxiously.
They laid him down on the bed, while Legolas rummaged to find his medicines. The palace healer came in with his arms full, and set to work right away.
"Venitia, dear, we have everything under control. Why don't you go clean up and rest?" Aragorn said gently.
Venitia at first wanted to protest, but then realized that there was nothing she could do for Donovan now. She nodded and walked out of the room.
In a daze, she instinctively walked the way to her room. She went straight to her washroom, where a servant was drawing a bath.
"There you are, your highness." The servant took her leave.
"Thank you," Venitia said numbly. She undressed and sunk into the water. She closed her eyes and saw Donovan looking so helpless. I think I have…I know I have…since I first…saw you… What was he talking about? In her heart, Venitia knew what she hoped he was talking about, but she didn't know. I should have told him how I felt when I had the chance, she thought. Now he might never know. She started to cry again, this time with a remorse she had never felt before. Her tears fell into the water, which was stained with blood and dirt. Her cuts and wounds stung, but she didn't seem to consciously notice. Her very bones ached, but nothing ached more than her heart. Ducking her head under the water, she thought on it no more.
***
Legolas walked into the princess's room near midnight to find her sprawled on her bed, staring meditatively at the ceiling. He smiled as he walked over and lay down next to her.
"He is going to be fine," he murmured.
"What?" she asked.
"I said he is going to be fine."
She sat up and looked down at him. "He will?"
"Yes, thanks to you. If you had gotten here one hour later, he would not be," he said.
"May I see him?"
"No, not yet, love. Wait until morn," the elf said softly. "Now, will you take my advice, little one? Or at least think on it?" he asked.
"And what is that, Legolas?"
"Tell him."
"Tell him what, may I ask?"
"You know. He knows, too, but it would be better coming from you," the wise elf said.
Venitia only sighed.
"He asked and talked only of you. I think it is time to let your past go, melamin," he said musically. He kissed her cheek and rose from the bed.
"Now sleep. You do not want to look tired and sleepy tomorrow, do you?" He winked and left.
Venitia chuckled and lay back down on the bed. Her eyes became heavy, and sleep finally overcame her.
The next morning, Venitia woke to find the day half over. She leapt out of bed, only to fall back again at the pain that overwhelmed her. The wounds she had come by, it seemed, had finally made themselves known. She rose slowly and stood. She carefully and slowly got dressed and left the room.
Walking slowly and stiffly, she reached her father's study.
He looked up, and with a cry rose from his chair and quickly walked toward her.
"My darling, you look horrible. Stay here, I will retrieve the healer," he said worriedly and ran from the room.
Venitia stayed very still, for she felt that if she moved, her whole body would crumble. She thought very hard back to the fight. When had one of them hurt her so badly? She could not remember a thing.
Suddenly the healer bounded into the room, followed by a very apprehensive Aragorn.
"Just some minor cuts. They will be healed in no time," the healer said, and set to work with bandages and cleansers.
"Where is Legolas, father?" Venitia questioned.
"Oh, he seems to have left. He left a letter saying that his job was done for now, whatever that is supposed to mean." Venitia smiled knowingly. "He will be back, someday soon, unless I miss my guess. I think he missed Almira horribly." Her father laughed.
"There you are, your highness. Just do not do any extraneous activity, and they will heal quickly," the healer said.
"Thank you," Aragorn said to him as he left.
"Now, Venitia, would you like to see Donovan?"
"Yes!" Venitia said, nodding.
They left the study and headed toward what was Legolas's room. Donovan was lying on the bed, propped up by a few very large pillows.
"Venitia!" he said with a smile as she walked in.
"Donovan!" she said as she hurried toward him and sat in the chair next to the bed.
"I guess I should leave," Aragorn smiled as he closed the door, leaving them alone.
"Donovan –"
"Venitia –"
They both started talking at the same time, then laughed.
"You can go first," Venitia said.
"I just wanted to thank you. For saving my life, I mean. You passed your test with flying colors," he said, smiling.
She laughed and said, "Well, good. If you had died, I would have died too from never knowing if I passed or not," she said jokingly.
He chuckled. Should I tell him? The determination that she had had before was now completely lost. Being with him, having him right there before her made her stomach clench up. She did not want to disregard Legolas's advice, but she assured herself that she could tell him some other time.
"Venitia?"
"What? Sorry, I was just thinking of…of how amazing it is your alive," she finished hastily.
He only smiled. "I'm alive because of you. I am forever indebted to you."
She blushed and waved it away. "The only way I am alive is because you taught me so well. I would have died in an instant otherwise."
"Venitia, right before I blacked out, I think I was saying something to you, but never finished it. Do you recall what it was?"
Venitia froze. "Um…I…no…no, I do not think I do," she lied.
He looked disappointed. "I keep thinking it was something important, something I really needed to tell you. You don't remember at all?"
"No. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I will think of it eventually."
Suddenly Venitia stomach grumbled. She blushed.
"Perhaps you had better go get something to eat," Donovan laughed.
She laughed as well. "Good idea. I'll come back later."
He nodded. She squeezed his hand and rose to leave. He, however was still holding her hand.
"Venitia! You have cuts everywhere! Are you alright?" he sounded concerned.
"Oh, it is nothing serious. I'm fine. Honestly," she said as he started to protest.
She left and headed for the kitchen, the fastest way to get food. :)
Author's Note: I am thinking of starting a new story but I wanted to get your opinion. Which name do you like: Arien, Ashling, Lehana, Noleta, Serafina, Galiana, or Raina? I think this one is going to be about an elf, if that helps. Thank you so so much! And should it be a Legolas fic? Because I'm not too sure I want it to be…?? *Emma*
