Title: Elven Slave
Disclaimer: Don't belong to me.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who's reviewed! I've put some responses to reviews at the end. And thank you so much to Aliir for the beta! Thank you very much to Kukabura for the chapter title!
* * * * *
I was not having a good day. In fact, so far, everything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong.
Firstly, I had awoken late that morning due to that dratted Elf keeping me up late last night. However, I would have normally been willing to forgive that. Normally, I was a very reasonable dwarf.
But this morning, the Elf was there when I woke up. Standing in the corner of my room, in the weak beam of light the only window provided.
Staring at me.
Did he know how distracting that was? How unnerving it was? The fact that I had been unnerved annoyed me even more.
Then, when I eventually got to the forges, someone else had taken my favourite spot. That was fine. I could deal with that. But now, I had caught my chainmail on something, and several links were broken. Why did all these things have to happen to me?! Wasn't I already suffering enough, having that elf hanging around? I also had an itch, that had been growing steadily worse all morning.
So I was now wasting valuable work time, going back to my chambers to get new chainmail, and I'd have to get this mail fixed. I could send it to the novices that did small tasks like that, but when was I to find the time?
Entering my chambers, the first thing I saw was the Elf. Curled with his arms wrapped around his legs and head against his knees, sitting on the grey stone floor.
What in Aule's name was he doing?!
He looked up at me as I came in.
"I thought you said you wouldn't be back till tonight," his voice subdued and quiet.
"My chainmail got snagged. I need to get a different suit, and send this to get fixed. Have you been sitting there all day?"
He nodded, which gave me an idea.
"Elf. Take this chainmail to the novice workroom and tell them to fix it," I said shrugging out of my chainmail. I dumped it on the floor in front of him. He reached for it hesitantly.
"Where are the novice workrooms?" He asked cautiously. I went through into the storage room to look for some new mail.
"Do you remember how to get to the wash room?" I called through, "Instead of going up the first stairwell, go down. Go out the first door. Follow that corridor to its very end, then go down the corridor leading to the right. It's the door at the end of that corridor. They should have it ready for collection in a few hours, if they say it'll take longer tell them it's for me." I turned to leave, but paused in the stone doorway. "While you're at it, can you collect my laundry?"
I walked off before he had a chance to refuse, feeling quite pleased with myself.
* * * * *
Work done; and feeling much happier than I had this morning, I paused on the stairway just before entering the corridor leading to my chambers: the itch that had been annoying me had grown unbearable. Checking to make sure no one was watching I hitched up my mail and tunic to scratch my ribs through the shirt beneath. I was just finishing when I heard a strange Elf's voice in the corridor.
"Don't act all coy with me. If you're nice, I'll take you back to Imladris." He was speaking quietly, but must be quite close. "You're wasting your looks, toiling after a mad dwarf, and you can't like it here, imprisoned in these dank holes. If you came with me, I could find you much more pleasant duties." I could hear the leer in his voice and wondered whom he was speaking to.
A voice answered him, but they spoke softly and I couldn't hear the words. Still, I knew the tone. If only I could place it.
Legolas!
That Elf! It now seemed so blazingly obvious. No dwarf would let themselves be spoken to like that. And what did the other Elf mean, dank holes? What did Elves have against mines? They clearly couldn't recognise grandeur when they saw it.
I stepped out, surveying the scene before me. A dark haired Elf in rich clothes had backed Legolas up against a wall. He leaned against it, trapping Legolas between his arms, whose eyes were huge as he looked up the other Elf. In one hand he held some newly repaired and polished chainmail, and by his feet was my linen bag.
"You!" I didn't know the Noldor Elf's name, and couldn't be bothered to try and remember it. "What are you doing?" After all, Legolas was my servant, and irritating as he was, he had been slightly useful. And besides, you were supposed to look after your servants -it was the honourable thing to do.
Of course, I was in no way concerned about the Elf. Just because he couldn't take care of himself didn't mean I felt like I should.
At this point an annoying little voice in the back of my head started laughing riotously, so I turned back to the situation at hand.
The Noldor Elf was watching me with a contemptuous expression on his oh-so- lovely face.
"Master dwarf, surely you cannot enjoy having him hampering your work? I am sure he is a hindrance and burden to you - why not let me take him off your hands? He would most likely be happier with other Elves in Rivendell, if you are worried about his welfare." One look at Legolas told me he would not be happier if I sent him off with this elf.
"For your information, he has been of great help to me today! He is not a burden to me in any way." I paused, before registering fully what the Elf had said. "How dare you suggest I am concerned about his welfare!" This I bellowed at the top of my voice, making the Noldor Elf jump.
"I meant no offence, I m merely."
"Well, maybe you meant no offence, but offence certainly was taken!" I seethed for a bit. Concerned about the Elf? Preposterous! "You!" I yelled at the Noldor Elf, "Go! Be gone! Go!"
He went.
"Thank you," The quiet voice startled me, and reminded me that Legolas was there. I turned to him, to see him staring at the floor. My chain mail, in his left hand, was dragging on the dark stone floor and his hair fell down over his face. I tried to push away any unwanted feelings of concern, but he did look so very young.
Deciding my thoughts were going a dangerous direction I jerked my head towards the door of my chambers.
"Come on, Elf. In."
He followed me peaceably enough, but that night I got no more sleep than the last.
A/N: Aargh! Has anyone else ever done that thing where you get this idea, only to be told that it's not your idea, you nicked it off someone else? Maybe I'm just an idiot. Anyway, the scene in the last chapter between Legolas and the Noldor Elf comes from a book called Page by Tamora Pierce. I went and got a copy out the library, and my God they are similar. I must have read it years ago. Thank you to killslay for pointing that out. I feel really guilty now! Also stupid.
Responses to Reviews.
I was going to copy many other authors and add a little bit at the end where I could give replies to reviewers (I love you all!), but ff.net screwed up the reviews. Now, anyone who left an unsigned review has been given xing's profile. Please don't be offended and hate me if I don't reply to your review! Most likely I just don't know what your name is to reply to.
Andmetwen - Legolas probably would like some comfort at the minute! He is not a very happy wood-Elf. And I'm glad you like! And thank you thank you thank you for both reviews!
Allora Gale - Thanks! And I am trying very hard to keep up the good work.
EMerald QUeen - Wow! Two reviews! I feel so flattered. I think Gimli does feel sympathy for Legolas, he's just in denial, lol. This would be set about the time of LOTR, but Legolas was born later in this AU.
tenshiamanda - I hope you mean 'different' in a good way, lol. But I'm glad you want me to continue.
Lisseyelen aka Lady V - Ooh! Someone else whose reviewed twice! ::does happy dance:: And hopefully all 'Elf's' now have capital letters. You want Gimli to beat Legolas?! Um, maybe. If he does, it'll be in chapter 4 or 5. And I like long reviews!
Moose - yes, they are claustrophobic. Meaning there is lots of Legolas angst in store. And here! More.
Dolenurya - They might become friends. I don't want to give away too much of the plot.but keep reading to find out!
And thank you to MoroTheWolfGod, Ryoko, Marcy, amlugwen, Michi-Chan and everyone whose names I haven't got for reviewing! You're all wonderful. And someone recc'd my fic? Wow.
Disclaimer: Don't belong to me.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who's reviewed! I've put some responses to reviews at the end. And thank you so much to Aliir for the beta! Thank you very much to Kukabura for the chapter title!
* * * * *
I was not having a good day. In fact, so far, everything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong.
Firstly, I had awoken late that morning due to that dratted Elf keeping me up late last night. However, I would have normally been willing to forgive that. Normally, I was a very reasonable dwarf.
But this morning, the Elf was there when I woke up. Standing in the corner of my room, in the weak beam of light the only window provided.
Staring at me.
Did he know how distracting that was? How unnerving it was? The fact that I had been unnerved annoyed me even more.
Then, when I eventually got to the forges, someone else had taken my favourite spot. That was fine. I could deal with that. But now, I had caught my chainmail on something, and several links were broken. Why did all these things have to happen to me?! Wasn't I already suffering enough, having that elf hanging around? I also had an itch, that had been growing steadily worse all morning.
So I was now wasting valuable work time, going back to my chambers to get new chainmail, and I'd have to get this mail fixed. I could send it to the novices that did small tasks like that, but when was I to find the time?
Entering my chambers, the first thing I saw was the Elf. Curled with his arms wrapped around his legs and head against his knees, sitting on the grey stone floor.
What in Aule's name was he doing?!
He looked up at me as I came in.
"I thought you said you wouldn't be back till tonight," his voice subdued and quiet.
"My chainmail got snagged. I need to get a different suit, and send this to get fixed. Have you been sitting there all day?"
He nodded, which gave me an idea.
"Elf. Take this chainmail to the novice workroom and tell them to fix it," I said shrugging out of my chainmail. I dumped it on the floor in front of him. He reached for it hesitantly.
"Where are the novice workrooms?" He asked cautiously. I went through into the storage room to look for some new mail.
"Do you remember how to get to the wash room?" I called through, "Instead of going up the first stairwell, go down. Go out the first door. Follow that corridor to its very end, then go down the corridor leading to the right. It's the door at the end of that corridor. They should have it ready for collection in a few hours, if they say it'll take longer tell them it's for me." I turned to leave, but paused in the stone doorway. "While you're at it, can you collect my laundry?"
I walked off before he had a chance to refuse, feeling quite pleased with myself.
* * * * *
Work done; and feeling much happier than I had this morning, I paused on the stairway just before entering the corridor leading to my chambers: the itch that had been annoying me had grown unbearable. Checking to make sure no one was watching I hitched up my mail and tunic to scratch my ribs through the shirt beneath. I was just finishing when I heard a strange Elf's voice in the corridor.
"Don't act all coy with me. If you're nice, I'll take you back to Imladris." He was speaking quietly, but must be quite close. "You're wasting your looks, toiling after a mad dwarf, and you can't like it here, imprisoned in these dank holes. If you came with me, I could find you much more pleasant duties." I could hear the leer in his voice and wondered whom he was speaking to.
A voice answered him, but they spoke softly and I couldn't hear the words. Still, I knew the tone. If only I could place it.
Legolas!
That Elf! It now seemed so blazingly obvious. No dwarf would let themselves be spoken to like that. And what did the other Elf mean, dank holes? What did Elves have against mines? They clearly couldn't recognise grandeur when they saw it.
I stepped out, surveying the scene before me. A dark haired Elf in rich clothes had backed Legolas up against a wall. He leaned against it, trapping Legolas between his arms, whose eyes were huge as he looked up the other Elf. In one hand he held some newly repaired and polished chainmail, and by his feet was my linen bag.
"You!" I didn't know the Noldor Elf's name, and couldn't be bothered to try and remember it. "What are you doing?" After all, Legolas was my servant, and irritating as he was, he had been slightly useful. And besides, you were supposed to look after your servants -it was the honourable thing to do.
Of course, I was in no way concerned about the Elf. Just because he couldn't take care of himself didn't mean I felt like I should.
At this point an annoying little voice in the back of my head started laughing riotously, so I turned back to the situation at hand.
The Noldor Elf was watching me with a contemptuous expression on his oh-so- lovely face.
"Master dwarf, surely you cannot enjoy having him hampering your work? I am sure he is a hindrance and burden to you - why not let me take him off your hands? He would most likely be happier with other Elves in Rivendell, if you are worried about his welfare." One look at Legolas told me he would not be happier if I sent him off with this elf.
"For your information, he has been of great help to me today! He is not a burden to me in any way." I paused, before registering fully what the Elf had said. "How dare you suggest I am concerned about his welfare!" This I bellowed at the top of my voice, making the Noldor Elf jump.
"I meant no offence, I m merely."
"Well, maybe you meant no offence, but offence certainly was taken!" I seethed for a bit. Concerned about the Elf? Preposterous! "You!" I yelled at the Noldor Elf, "Go! Be gone! Go!"
He went.
"Thank you," The quiet voice startled me, and reminded me that Legolas was there. I turned to him, to see him staring at the floor. My chain mail, in his left hand, was dragging on the dark stone floor and his hair fell down over his face. I tried to push away any unwanted feelings of concern, but he did look so very young.
Deciding my thoughts were going a dangerous direction I jerked my head towards the door of my chambers.
"Come on, Elf. In."
He followed me peaceably enough, but that night I got no more sleep than the last.
A/N: Aargh! Has anyone else ever done that thing where you get this idea, only to be told that it's not your idea, you nicked it off someone else? Maybe I'm just an idiot. Anyway, the scene in the last chapter between Legolas and the Noldor Elf comes from a book called Page by Tamora Pierce. I went and got a copy out the library, and my God they are similar. I must have read it years ago. Thank you to killslay for pointing that out. I feel really guilty now! Also stupid.
Responses to Reviews.
I was going to copy many other authors and add a little bit at the end where I could give replies to reviewers (I love you all!), but ff.net screwed up the reviews. Now, anyone who left an unsigned review has been given xing's profile. Please don't be offended and hate me if I don't reply to your review! Most likely I just don't know what your name is to reply to.
Andmetwen - Legolas probably would like some comfort at the minute! He is not a very happy wood-Elf. And I'm glad you like! And thank you thank you thank you for both reviews!
Allora Gale - Thanks! And I am trying very hard to keep up the good work.
EMerald QUeen - Wow! Two reviews! I feel so flattered. I think Gimli does feel sympathy for Legolas, he's just in denial, lol. This would be set about the time of LOTR, but Legolas was born later in this AU.
tenshiamanda - I hope you mean 'different' in a good way, lol. But I'm glad you want me to continue.
Lisseyelen aka Lady V - Ooh! Someone else whose reviewed twice! ::does happy dance:: And hopefully all 'Elf's' now have capital letters. You want Gimli to beat Legolas?! Um, maybe. If he does, it'll be in chapter 4 or 5. And I like long reviews!
Moose - yes, they are claustrophobic. Meaning there is lots of Legolas angst in store. And here! More.
Dolenurya - They might become friends. I don't want to give away too much of the plot.but keep reading to find out!
And thank you to MoroTheWolfGod, Ryoko, Marcy, amlugwen, Michi-Chan and everyone whose names I haven't got for reviewing! You're all wonderful. And someone recc'd my fic? Wow.
