I got it out!
Go me.
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Ravyn
Chapter Five
Riding with the female version of the Hero's of Middle earth is rather daunting. For the first five seconds that is. After that it is all out male bashing.
"He didn't!" Eowyn growled. She was, of course, referring to Aragorn, and the growl was more of an attempt not to laugh than anything else.
I had discovered some very interesting facts in the past five minuets.
First of all, Eowyn had been very attracted to Aragorn in the first few battles. Apparently they kept track of the time they spent by the battles they had just fought or they where going to fight, and it really wasn't until she met her fiancé Faramir that she had fallen out of love. She now admitted that she had mistaken the immense respect she felt for Aragorn as something far deeper.
That did not stop her from teasing Arwen however, about the catch she made and asking her if she thought it was fair that the best looking elf caught the only mortal besides her brother and Faramir worth having.
Arwen laughed.
I, of course, only had a few, slightly sarcastic comments since I found the entire thing rather funny.
Until they turned on me.
What is it about Legolas that just attracts admirers? I should have brought something to stuff my ears with because for the rest of the trip (okay the rest of the trip until I starting ranting in Sindarian) I got lectured on the finer points of Legolas.
I refuse to go into detail here because they are not quite what polite society demands.
Seeing the rushing river, I wondered if I could save myself the horror of constant Legolas praising by running my horse and myself into its raging depths.
Instead however, remember I gave up Nimrodel, I challenged the Ladies to a race back to the Castle. We were a good twenty minutes away and it should have been fun.
Until I heard the strange, harsh call that could only mean orc. Reaching over, I slapped the horse Arwen was on and mimicked the movement to Eowyn. Driving my heels into my horse's side, I prayed that we could out race them.
It was daylight, which meant that they where Saruman's foul craft. Which also meant that they where faster than most horses and had nasty abilities to chase.
Looks like it was time for a diversion.
"Eowyn, get the Queen back to the Palace." My tone was very commanding if I do say so myself. I guess Haldir was a good influence. "I have an idea."
"No!" both women screamed.
Do I ever listen to what people tell me?
"You and I both know that Undomiel has to be kept safe, now get going you two! If this works I should be able to catch up with you." I prayed. Furiously and to the Valar with all the panic a full-grown woman can muster.
But instead of praying for my safety from the orcs, I was praying for my safety from Legolas. He was going to very upset.
Oh well.
Turning my horse's head to the east, I headed for the rockier paths I knew lurked there, as I had walked them when we first came through these parts, and I know of a place where it got tricky if you where on foot, much less on horse back.
If we could get past it, it should slow the orcs down.
This is the part where I wish I could use the Archery skill of my kin.
It was the scariest and most dangerous horseback adventure I have ever had. I was clinging to the pommel so tight I am sure I was leaving finger imprints. Have I mentioned I wanted my Nana really bad right about then?
I actually just let the horse have his head and I closed my eyes. I could hear the shrill screams of the orcs behind me, and I could hear the Black Tongue behind me.
Illid.
Elf.
I really, really wanted my Nana.
Somehow I managed to stay on the saddle, and we cleared the rocky terrain. I felt the wind blow the hair off my neck as we picked up speed. Turning my horses head toward the castle, I could see the specks that where Undomiel and Eowyn. Most of the orc had come after me.
Driving my heels in once again, I sped after them. Arwen and Eowyn where quite a distance in front of it me, and it would take some work to catch them, even on an Elven bred horse.
Hearing the sounds of screams behind me, I turned in time to see a band of men coming out and firing at them with some wimpy looking bows. They clearly had nothing on elven archery, but it did the job.
I was alive, and I had not been shot.
Thank the Valar.
I reached Gondor with little problem until I slid down my saddle and looked up. Coming toward me was one very angry Elf Prince, and behind him where two angry Mortals.
Very angry.
Turning to the women approaching me I managed to hiss out a single sentence before they got too close.
"I did nothing."
An attendant came and took my heaving horse away from me and I backed up until I was standing side by side with Arwen and Eowyn. Safety in numbers, first lessons Elflings learn.
Actually I grabbed Eowyn and Arwen and shoved them in front of me. I wasn't stupid, which one of the three was more dangerous?
That is right, the one mad at me.
The three males stopped and glared at us. I placed a perfectly innocent expression on my face, and out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Arwen and Eowyn did the same.
"What," Faramir managed to ground out, his teeth clenched so hard I thought he was going to break them, "do you three think you were doing?"
"Are you aware," this time it was Aragorn who sounded like he was speaking through a mouthful of pins, "that there are Orcs still out there?"
Was I the only one who did not remember any objections at the meal about us riding out?
I exchanged a look with Eowyn and waited for one of them to speak up. If I said anything it was going to be sarcastic and get us into more trouble.
"Well?" Legolas wrenched out.
He was very angry.
"We are now." Perhaps I should have been more tentative in that statement.
Well neither one of the two next to me had decided to say anything, so I decided to handle it the way I handled everything else.
Tick the boss man off as bad as possible and maybe he will be mad enough to leave you alone.
Legolas' eyes lit like twin flames.
Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.
Aragorn and Faramir walked over and gently grasped their lover's arms and dragged them off, their voices low and hissing.
I was left staring at a furious elven Prince who was as scary as Lord Elrond. I backed up, he moved forward. I ended up with my back pressed up against the wall of the barn.
"Legolas..." I managed before he pressed his lips to mine in possibly the most searing kiss I have ever received. It was almost like he was trying to brand himself to me or me to him.
In other words, my knees turned to jelly, my hands clutched at his shoulders, and I was left think that his kissing technique had vastly improved.
"Do not ever do that to me again." His voice was husky and firm, and I was left feeling slightly dazed.
" I..." His lips pressed against mine again, this time he pulled me to him as if he could absorb me into his being, his mouth searching and branding every inch he could. His arm was an iron vise around my waist; his other hand was buried at the nape of my neck.
My arms for reasons I am still lost on, seemed to slide around his neck and my own hands buried into his golden hair.
How long he kept me there, hey what girl can walk away from that, kissing me breathless with every intention of making his feelings apparent, I will never know. If it hadn't been for some soul approaching I probably would have been trapped there for some time.
He tugged us both into the growing shadows and yanked me against his chest.
"So," my tone was dry and slightly sarcastic, "Are you going to let me talk now?" I was very proud that I did not sound like I was breathless and weak-kneed. Which I was.
He lowered his head to mine, till we were nose to nose, and I noticed his eyes where almost colorless.
That was a new expression.
"Never, ever put yourself in that position again."
"What position?"
"You are never going to be a distraction for orcs again, or else I am going to chain you into my chambers and never let you leave." There were several hidden meanings in that phrase.
"Legolas Greenleaf." My tone was, as you can imagine, outraged and shocked.
His hand slid down and cupped my check. "I will not lose you meleth-nin," His tone was firm, dark, and smooth as honey. "Even if I have to chain you to a ship going to Valinor myself."
My mouth hung open. "Are you insane?"
He kissed me again, but this time it was so light I could barely feel his lips on mine.
Then he brushed his fingers against my cheek and simply stared into my eyes. "Meleth-nin, you will never do something so stupid again, or I shall not be able to control my reaction."
And he walked away.
I stood there staring at his back, wondering how in the world he controlled his reaction this time. I mean the only thing he can do that is worse is throw me down and ravish me.
Right.
A delusional and insane Elven Prince was chasing me.
Goody.
~*~
I considered hiding with my horse for the rest of the night, but I decided that would be tactless so I chose the next best option.
Girl night.
Arwen and Eowyn looked at me like I was insane, but I told them in my best impersonation of my mother, that women who did not spend all their time sewing needed other options of gossiping. As our session had been interrupted by the fowl smell of orcs, we needed to spend more time together.
They laughed at me.
Apparently they had other plans, so I shrugged, raided the kitchen for bread and cheese, and found a tree to sit in, away from the prying eyes and hidden deep in the Garden of the White City.
Okay,so it was the only healthy tree and the only one in the garden, but it had leaves and it would work for a little while. I needed some time to think over the last few days and the feelings that Legolas seemed to be bringing to the fore.
The ones besides disgust and resentment.
Munching on the bread, I thought about what everyone had been telling me for the last couple of thousand years.
Could that blasted proposal have really been a real one?
Arwen, an elf who knew him better than even I, had practically sworn that he loved me most of his life, Eowyn, a human mortal who had never met him before the War of the Ring, had said the same thing.
Great, next Aragorn, the King of Men, would be petitioning me for him.
But honestly, how did I feel about it?
If he was stupid enough to fall in love with me, he was just going to have to be discouraged. I mean honestly, I had no desire to marry and raise a bunch of pointy-eared children.
I had no desire to take on the responsibility that would come with being the wife to the Prince of Mirkwood.
Besides the small amounts of banter that we threw at each other, and the hot kisses he likes to give out freely, I knew very little of the Elf that made up Legolas.
Oh of course I knew the major facts about his life that every elf maiden knew, but what made him really tick? What was his favorite food; was he scared of anything? I knew very little about him actually, and I had no intention of getting involved with anyone who I knew so little about.
Not that I planned on it anyway, but I did have my reasons.
I finished swallowing my snack when I felt a warm hand wrap around my ankle, and I fully expected it to be Legolas. He was the only one who had the tendency to jump out of the wood work, but I almost fell out the tree with shock.
"Gerion."
The only other Elf besides Legolas who had lived through a basket of apples falling on his head, repeatedly.
"Celede." His warm chocolate eyes smiled at me, but I felt none of the flutter that I felt when Legolas looked at me with that same warmth. Bad Celede.
"Gerion, what a surprise." I can honestly say that. I had hoped to never see him again when I accidentally tripped him into the rushing Nimrodel. Unfortunately, Haldir found it important to fish him out.
Thankfully I act well.
"What exactly are you doing here?" My voice may have come out slightly angry, but hey he was not my favorite elf since he kissed me under my favorite apple tree and I could never go there again without blushing and cursing.
I heard footsteps on the rocks and turned to see Haldir and Legolas coming our way deep in conversation. Turning, I opened my mouth but he covered it with his fingers. "I will talk to you later, star eyed." He kissed my check and turned and left, his walk smooth but nothing compared to the cat like grace of Haldir and Legolas, who had both turned in time to catch that kiss and stared at me.
Option: Run like hell.
But a pair of ice blue eyes held me in place. " Legolas, Haldir," I managed to not sound panicked but I did lick my suddenly dry lips. "Enjoying the evening air?"
Legolas narrowed his eyes. "Not as much as you it seems."
Ouch. "Hey now listen here," I place my hands on my hips and glared at him. " I like that elf even less than I like YOU!" I really have no idea why I am defending myself.
Haldir burst into laughter at this. "Was that Gerion?" I stared at him in surprise. Haldir rarely laughed, much less around me the walking disaster. He was more likely to try and pull out his warrior braids in frustration.
"Yes." My tone was understandably hesitant.
"Don't worry then my friend," he said, placing a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "She attempted to kill him by pushing him into the Nimrodel right about the time the ice cleared. It was a rushing mess and it took three elves to pull him out."
I glared at him then. "I tripped on a root. That is a totally understandable occurrence when an Elf is in a dress."
Legolas' eyes narrowed even more. "You, in a dress?" His tone clearly demanded to know why I was in one without him around. He had only seen me in one once, and that the ball the other night, and it was not a particularly flattering one at that.
I opened my mouth to say something that would have been entertaining, but Haldir beat me to it. "Yes. I was a rather becoming silver creation made for her entrance to the Guard party."
I placed my hands on my hips in annoyance. "If all you two are going to do is recall my past apparel, I am going to find more entertaining company."
"Such as?" Legolas demanded. I stuck my nose in the air and turned around.
"Gerion for one." I called over my shoulder.
It was only with quick steps in doors that I avoided his hands.
I slipped back in doors and followed the sound of music. Gerion was a talented singer and he would be there. I could give the impression of listening and/or paying attention.
All I wanted was to duck myself into a nearby stream and never come back.
I did manage to sneak back into my room and slip into a warm bath without any problems. I washed my hair, noticing that it once again reached my waist and figured it was about time for a trim.
Stepping out of the tub I pulled on my robe and ran a towel through my hair as I stepped back into my room. Walking over to my dresser I picked up my brush and began to run it through the wet tresses.
Moving over to the window I watched the stars sparkle in the sky. I managed to yelp, quite loudly at that, when the brush was taken from my hands and I was steered back to the bed.
"Legolas Greenleaf." My tone was anything but approving.
"Be quite Celede." His tone was full of royal commanding. I shut up. Hey, only idiots argued with the royal tone.
He began to pull the brush through my hair gently. I relaxed under his administrations, how can anyone not? The best feeling in the world is someone playing with your hair.
"Celede, are you interested in this...Gerion?" His tone was low and held no emotion in it.
"Interested how?"
He pulled me back and dipped me so fast I squeaked. He pressed his lips to mine and kissed me, hard. It was that whole possession thing again, I believe.
"That interested."
Oh. "No, Legolas, I have no desire to dip him backwards and kiss him." My tone was sarcastic, if slightly breathless.
His dark eyes bored into me. "Are you sure?"
He seemed to be falling into the flow of my sarcasm. It was easier just to fall into the flow than fight it.
"Yes Legolas. What do I need to do to prove it to you? Dump you into the Nimrodel?"
He looked thoughtful. "Kiss me."
I swallowed wrong. I was still leaned back against the mattress and he was still leaning over me. "What? Isn't that blackmail?" I am wondering why I should care to prove it to him anyway. Stupid brain just throws these phrases out without talking to me first.
He smirked. "If you want to prove you have no interest in Gerion you will kiss me Celede, and if you want me to raise the stakes, feel free to argue with me."
My mouth opened and shut but nothing came out. "You...you...ELF!"
He smiled then. "Yes I am."
I frowned up at him. To kiss him was a completely different ball game than him kissing me. But if I didn't, I was saying that it was open war for the two males to silently challenge each other.
Are you aware how ugly that can get?
I could only do one thing.
Reaching up I pressed my lips to his and eeped with surprise when he pressed me back into the mattress. He ran his fingers through my loose hair and I must say, I returned the favor.
He pulled back only around the time I was forced to have air, or pass out.
He pressed a much gentler kiss to my lips and ran his hands over my face.
"Good night Celede."
He pushed himself away from me and walked out of my room.
Slumping back, I could only think of a few words.
"Oh Valar."
