Thank you all for reviewing my last chapter, it brings a smile to my face.
Now I'm having trouble starting off this chapter, but I hope that you will
enjoy it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
Slowing down to a gentle walk, Afod, trod lightly on the springy grass, blanketed over the canopied clearing. Oaks, yews, and beeches stood tall and strong, enclosing them in a small alcove. The sun shone in patches, streaming down to a small pond, shaded and peaceful. Blackberry bushes were littered over on the far side, and birds flirted through the trees. The breeze smelt of fresh morning dew, misting over enhanced senses.
Stopping smoothly beside a large oak, Legolas jumped off. He had discovered this quiet haven while out on an orc raid, a wild contrast to the horror and rush of their bloody hunt. It was special to him, a place of sanctuary. A place where he could come away from his many duties. It made it even more perfect now that Emeriel was apart of it. Carefully taking her off from Afod's back, he led her over to the pond. Watched her taking in her surroundings, and delighting at the small pleasure written over her face. Turning quietly away to get the food, remembering her lingering hunger, he concentrated on stilling his raging emotions. They had not said a word on their journey, leaving no distraction for feelings to hide behind. He felt like a young boy again, awkward and clumsy, and he hoped he did not betray his stoic stature. Gathering the food, Legolas followed her wondering path, reaching deep under the sweeping willows skirting the pond. Finding her, he set the bags near by. Seeing her fascination, and awe, he spoke, 'You like, milady?'
'Very much,' turning towards him, her voice hushed. Another emotion ran through it, so fast that Legolas could not catch it. Was that almost...grief? He did not dare ask, not yet anyway. Though anything to comfort this fragile being, would be rushed upon by his heart-struck soul. Emeriel's violet eyes told nothing of the inner conflicts, within her, but kept the same pleased sparkle. Brushing it off for later, he centred his attention on getting the food prepared.
During this period his thoughts ranged from food to Gimli, Mirkwood and back to Emeriel. Strange, unconnected and different in all ways seemingly possible, but they brought his heart up. Finished, he moved over to lie next to the golden maiden, who was now, stretched out on her stomach facing the pond. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and back, reflecting the peeking sun, and almost shining light over their small patch. Picking a flower, a pale blue and white in colour, he spoke again, breaking the peaceful silence, that so longed to be left in peace, 'I'm glad it pleases you. I found this place after getting separated from my hunting party. I don't really bring people here.'
'It's amazing. It reminds me of,' she broke off. Unsure whether it was himself causing her discomfort or her inner turmoil's which called for this halt, he waited patiently to see if she would continue. Obviously this was something which could not just be approached without some kind of personal note ringing out. Taking a deep breath she continued, as he hoped, 'It reminds me of my home, on Amon Olos. It's so long since I've been there. We were forced to leave during the War of Ring. Our people were being taken prisoner.'
Becoming more concerned, apparently this was more than he expected, Legolas studied her face even closer, but trying not to appear too intrusive. But he was so interested in this girl that it worried him to the heart when she spoke of such troubled times. Even though they were over by five years now, the terrors and tragedies remained ever present in some beings. 'My mother and brothers were taken away, by the orcs and wild men. I've never seen them again. It is said that thousands of years ago, some of our people...were the ones, which ...which had been, transformed into orcs. They wouldn't have done that to them, would they? They breed them all the time without the need of more elves, they wouldn't need them would they?' Her pleads, slashed into his soul. It was of one who was almost at the end of a line of hope. Drawing closer, and sitting up, he knew he had to reassure her, even if it meant that he was telling a lie.
'No, I'm sure they're fine. Nothing would have happened to them,' She had sat up now, and was staring out at the lake, head resting on drawn-in knees. Hesitating, Legolas took her chin in his hands and turned her face towards his, memorising every curve, every detail, and every perfection. There were tears in her eyes, of pain, worry and fear. He swore to himself, he would never let anyone hurt her again. Later, he would have realised that it was a promise incapable of strength and endurance, but it seemed right at that moment, and his heart, which was so full and praying with joy, that he could not see that it was not possible.
He did not know when he moved over to hug her, to relieve her of the outburst of emotion, or when she relaxed into his touch, opening her heart, laying her head upon
his shoulder. All he saw and knew, was the need to relieve one troubled heart. One, which belonged to an elven maid, traumatised by the lose of family, and astray along the path of hope. Holding her close he whispered, sweet words of comfort into her ear. Rubbing her back, with the patience of a parent comforting their distraught child. Her sobbing soon subsided, and she lay trembling in his arms.
Sorry this took so long to come, as I said it was hard starting off. This is going in a slightly different direction than what I intended, but I'm just going with the flow. Please R&R. You don't know how happy it makes us authors, when a review is written to us. It's wonderful to get something back from the readers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
Slowing down to a gentle walk, Afod, trod lightly on the springy grass, blanketed over the canopied clearing. Oaks, yews, and beeches stood tall and strong, enclosing them in a small alcove. The sun shone in patches, streaming down to a small pond, shaded and peaceful. Blackberry bushes were littered over on the far side, and birds flirted through the trees. The breeze smelt of fresh morning dew, misting over enhanced senses.
Stopping smoothly beside a large oak, Legolas jumped off. He had discovered this quiet haven while out on an orc raid, a wild contrast to the horror and rush of their bloody hunt. It was special to him, a place of sanctuary. A place where he could come away from his many duties. It made it even more perfect now that Emeriel was apart of it. Carefully taking her off from Afod's back, he led her over to the pond. Watched her taking in her surroundings, and delighting at the small pleasure written over her face. Turning quietly away to get the food, remembering her lingering hunger, he concentrated on stilling his raging emotions. They had not said a word on their journey, leaving no distraction for feelings to hide behind. He felt like a young boy again, awkward and clumsy, and he hoped he did not betray his stoic stature. Gathering the food, Legolas followed her wondering path, reaching deep under the sweeping willows skirting the pond. Finding her, he set the bags near by. Seeing her fascination, and awe, he spoke, 'You like, milady?'
'Very much,' turning towards him, her voice hushed. Another emotion ran through it, so fast that Legolas could not catch it. Was that almost...grief? He did not dare ask, not yet anyway. Though anything to comfort this fragile being, would be rushed upon by his heart-struck soul. Emeriel's violet eyes told nothing of the inner conflicts, within her, but kept the same pleased sparkle. Brushing it off for later, he centred his attention on getting the food prepared.
During this period his thoughts ranged from food to Gimli, Mirkwood and back to Emeriel. Strange, unconnected and different in all ways seemingly possible, but they brought his heart up. Finished, he moved over to lie next to the golden maiden, who was now, stretched out on her stomach facing the pond. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and back, reflecting the peeking sun, and almost shining light over their small patch. Picking a flower, a pale blue and white in colour, he spoke again, breaking the peaceful silence, that so longed to be left in peace, 'I'm glad it pleases you. I found this place after getting separated from my hunting party. I don't really bring people here.'
'It's amazing. It reminds me of,' she broke off. Unsure whether it was himself causing her discomfort or her inner turmoil's which called for this halt, he waited patiently to see if she would continue. Obviously this was something which could not just be approached without some kind of personal note ringing out. Taking a deep breath she continued, as he hoped, 'It reminds me of my home, on Amon Olos. It's so long since I've been there. We were forced to leave during the War of Ring. Our people were being taken prisoner.'
Becoming more concerned, apparently this was more than he expected, Legolas studied her face even closer, but trying not to appear too intrusive. But he was so interested in this girl that it worried him to the heart when she spoke of such troubled times. Even though they were over by five years now, the terrors and tragedies remained ever present in some beings. 'My mother and brothers were taken away, by the orcs and wild men. I've never seen them again. It is said that thousands of years ago, some of our people...were the ones, which ...which had been, transformed into orcs. They wouldn't have done that to them, would they? They breed them all the time without the need of more elves, they wouldn't need them would they?' Her pleads, slashed into his soul. It was of one who was almost at the end of a line of hope. Drawing closer, and sitting up, he knew he had to reassure her, even if it meant that he was telling a lie.
'No, I'm sure they're fine. Nothing would have happened to them,' She had sat up now, and was staring out at the lake, head resting on drawn-in knees. Hesitating, Legolas took her chin in his hands and turned her face towards his, memorising every curve, every detail, and every perfection. There were tears in her eyes, of pain, worry and fear. He swore to himself, he would never let anyone hurt her again. Later, he would have realised that it was a promise incapable of strength and endurance, but it seemed right at that moment, and his heart, which was so full and praying with joy, that he could not see that it was not possible.
He did not know when he moved over to hug her, to relieve her of the outburst of emotion, or when she relaxed into his touch, opening her heart, laying her head upon
his shoulder. All he saw and knew, was the need to relieve one troubled heart. One, which belonged to an elven maid, traumatised by the lose of family, and astray along the path of hope. Holding her close he whispered, sweet words of comfort into her ear. Rubbing her back, with the patience of a parent comforting their distraught child. Her sobbing soon subsided, and she lay trembling in his arms.
Sorry this took so long to come, as I said it was hard starting off. This is going in a slightly different direction than what I intended, but I'm just going with the flow. Please R&R. You don't know how happy it makes us authors, when a review is written to us. It's wonderful to get something back from the readers.
