Almost, but not quite…
Joari quickly walked through the halls, not caring if anyone stared or followed her. She quickly stormed into the only room she knew in the house. In there, she started cursing. Looks like those freaking linguist lessons paid off after all, she thought, as she cursed and swore in a dozen different languages on autopilot, thus freeing her mind to think through her situation as she got rid of her anger.
Why does he like her? Despite the fact she's the most breathtakingly beautiful being on this planet, she's still an elf! Why can't he stick to humans? She angrily kicked the bed. What about me? I know I don't look all that great but I've got a better kickass attitude than she does! Maybe that's because she's an elf, a little voice whispered. Joari got even more worked up. So? Does that give him a right to go off with her? The little voice fell silent. Do you like him for who he is or because he's human? It demanded.
With that, Joari stopped swearing.
Oh my. You have a point.
Meanwhile...
Legolas, who had followed the girl, was standing outside the door. Due to his excellent hearing, he had been able to catch every word she had said. Though he had (thankfully!) not been able to understand a single word, he was able to gather that Joari was definitely not feeling herself. As soon as it was quiet, he thought the worst was over, and decided to go in to check the condition of Joari and his room.
When he opened the door, he came face to face with a dreadfully calm lass holding one of his personal daggers in her hand. Oh-oh, he thought. He had left his personal weapons in his rooms as it was considered impolite, even offensive, to walk around in the dining hall bearing a weapon of any sort. (Think about it, Elves eating and Fighting?)
"My Lady, are you feeling alright?" Legolas ventured bravely, hoping that she wasn't about to do anything foolish.
Joari looked at him. "Oh, it's you." She shrugged. "I'm alright. I just wanted to go for a walk after... my outbursts to cool down a bit. I thought I'd borrow one of your daggers to protect myself, just in case you know. I hope you don't mind." She made for the door.
Legolas grabbed her arm. "My lady, allow me to escort you. I can even show you the more pleasant sights that Rivendell has to offer..." he trailed off, hoping she'll take his bait and let him follow.
Joari brightened. "Would you really? Thanks man, I'd really like to." Legolas nodded, inside heaving with relief. He wasn't sure what had happened earlier in the dining hall, but it looked like it had passed; though he felt that now wasn't the time to ask what had happened.
"Hold on, let me get my bow and arrow." Legolas said, as he reached past her, taking the aforementioned weapons. Joari's eyes glittered. Wow, she thought, I wonder if I can get him to teach me how to use that thing.
Together, they slowly walked out of the room, and headed for the great outdoors.
***~~~~~***
"Are we there yet?" Joari asked irritably. She was sweating heavily, which was one of her least favorite pastimes. Long sleeves and pants definitely did not go with forests, she thought. Legolas looked at her, amused. "We haven't gone that far. But, don't worry, we'll be there soon." "I know we haven't gone that far. I'm not tired, just hot. Don't forget you promised me a lake. It had better be worth it after going through all this undergrowth." Legolas just smiled. "We're there!" he announced, pushing back the last curtain of greenery.
Joari gaped. In front of her was the most beautiful stream she had ever seen, even though she was a city kid, she could definitely tell that this stream was perfect. It way surpassed any picture she would have seen in a calendar. The water was clear, save when it ran over the rocks, where pure white foam formed. It probably flows out of Eden, she thought.
Legolas looked at the gaping gal and chuckled. Joari sharply gathered her wits. "It's beautiful." She stated, looking around. "Where is this?" "We're at the border of Rivendell lady. Beyond this will be beyond the magic and protection of the elves. No orc or spy would dare to cross over here."
Joari looked at him, crossing her arms slowly. "Legolas, I have a great deal of answers to ask. Why don't we go to one of the rocks to have a seat while we talk?" "Of course my lady. I'm sure you must be tired after that walk." "I'm not tired!" Joari yelled, as she walked over to the rocks. Inwardly, Legolas laughed. Yes, it looked like the lady was back to normal.
***~~~~~***
So Joari and Legolas talked. She learnt all about his adventures with the quest, and laughed over all the scraps he got into when he was young. (Like only a few hundred years old) He learnt more about her world, about cars, computers, radios, movies...
"Basically, it's all just called technology." She ended, with Legolas hanging on to her every word. He looked at her, with his eyes a little wild. Good thing I didn't I didn't tell him about our bombs and everything, she thought, shuddering at his reaction to such instruments of destruction. Speaking of which...
"Okay, my next question. Will you teach me how to use those things?" She said, gesturing toward his bow and arrow. Legolas was surprised. "These? Are you sure?" "Why not? Is it too inconvenient?" "No, it's not that. It's just that I've never had the opportunity to teach a lady how to." She folded her arms. "So answer the question already. Yes or no?" Though he already knew what he would say, Legolas pretended to deliberate over his answer. "Yes."
With that, she grabbed the bow and the quiver of arrows and hopped down from the rock that they were sitting on. Laughing, she ran back into the forest. He ran after her, smiling to himself.
Joari stopped in front of a tree. "Okay, I'll use this for target practice." She said, not realizing she had set herself up for an easy fall. She fitted the arrow to the bow, and let it go. The arrow whizzed through the air, and narrowly missed Legolas who was running in after her.
"Omigosh! I'm so sorry!" she cried, shocked at how Legolas almost became her target. Legolas warily walked to her. After all, one does not take being shot at calmly, even if one were Mirkwood's best archer. "Come, now I will teach you the right way to do it."
So Legolas showed her how to fit the arrow correctly, how to hold the bow, how to stand, how to draw it. After she got the hang of it, she tried shooting, but went way off mark instead.
"Here, try aiming like this," said Legolas patiently, standing behind her and adjusting the bow. He closed one eye and brought his head to her level. "Aim for that point, make sure you follow through, and the trajectory will line up."
At this point, Joari almost felt like giving up, if it wasn't for the fact that he seemed intent on teaching her to use the bow. Also, the fact that they were so close… "I feel like we're doing the tango." She said. "It's a sort of dance." She continued, as questioning look appeared on Legolas's face. He turned towards her. "Speaking of dances, Elrond will be holding a ball for the betrothal of Arwen."
"Oh." Joari said. She jerked and let the arrow go. It hit the tree squarely in the middle. "We did it!" she cried, seriously considering doing a jig right there in the spot. Legolas shook his head. "No, you did. I merely you showed you how to." Joari looked at him. "Well then, thanks for being the best teacher I've ever met."
Legolas looked at her seriously. "Now I have a question to ask you. Would you allow me the pleasure of being your escort for the ball tonight?"
She froze. It was absolutely the last question she had expected and wanted at that point. "Why don't you bring someone else?" she asked. "I'm sure there are plenty of gentleladies or elves or whatever, who would more than happy to."
He looked at her, "But I'm asking you. Would you? Please?" Besides, you're the only one I feel any inclination to go with. He pleaded silently. They looked at each other, both not saying anything. Slowly, their faces got closer and closer…
Are you sure? The voice in her mind asked, as her eyelids fell. Well, I do like him and he seems to be the sort to let a girl down nicely. She answered, tilting her head. But he's an elf prince. What if he has some betrothed love of his life somewhere? Then I'll end it, she stated firmly in her mind. Suddenly, a cold feeling struck her, and despite the fact she was just split seconds away from kissing the elf prince, she opened her eyes.
Right behind Legolas, there was an orc. A very nasty-looking orc, which was holding an even nastier looking blade. Oh oh… this cannot be good…
"Don't move." She whispered, as she whipped out her dagger and threw.
Legolas opened his eyes. "Wha-" And was greeted to the sight of Joari throwing a dagger right at him!
The dagger hit the orc with a sickening 'thud'. "Orc alert!" she shouted. Instantly, Legolas grabbed the bow and started shooting at the surrounding orcs. "Run!" he said, "I'll be right after you!" "Hold on a sec!" Joari cried, as she ran to the body of the orc she had just killed. She quickly pulled the knife out of the body and started running. "Legolas! Move!" she shouted, as she ran back along the path they had taken. Quickly, with Legolas covering their backs, they headed for the palace.
***~~~~~***
So how? Any better? Do you think its romantic enough? What do you think of the action I added to liven it up? I didn't want just a cliché romance y'knoe…Reviews needed please! In it isn't clear. The title refers to the kiss.
