To Breathe Part Three

Of warmth and water

Author- Arisma

Disclaimer- The main character and setting herein are loosely based on the works of the marvelously talented JRR Tolkien. I don't own Legolas (*sob*) though I am borrowing him. When I am done I promise to put him back with as little damage as possible, and I promise also to use a clean cloth to remove the drool he'll undoubtedly accumulate in the process.

Rating- R (cause I know it will eventually be smutty... yay smut!)

Feedback- Feedback equals new chapters, so please press the review button.

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He heard the door open quietly and opened one eye, glancing around confused until he remembered where he was; his home. He rubbed his hand wearily through his long hair, picking bits of leaves from within it. He sat up, his back stiff from the way he had slept, lying haphazardly atop the coverings of his bed. He heard shuffling in the other room and remembered Erwyddons wager of the night before and grinned imagining his old friend dragging himself out of bed early to fulfill his debt.

With a small groan he stood and stretched, feeling the bones and muscles settle back into place, easing the ache from his uncomfortable sleep. He pulled the tunic over his head and tossed it into the corner, scratching at his tummy as he did. With a sigh he sat on the edge of the bed and tugged off his boots and set them neatly together at the foot of his bed before rising again.

With slow, careful steps he made his way towards the bath chamber, his face breaking into a grin as he imagined the look of surprise his friend would make when he startled him. He crept past the sofa and up to the door, squinting slightly in the bright light filtering from within. HE pressed his hands against the door taking a deep breath and listening for a second to the soft sounds of movement within.

With a whooping yell he threw the door open, leaping into the room, momentarily blinded by the change of light. He heard a splash followed by a startled cry... a female cry. Hastily blinking until his eyes cleared he approached the tub and the floundering girl within. With one hand she pushed the majority of her hair back behind her head, limp with water. She raised her eyes to his, her green orbs wide with startlement and fear.

"Legolas!" she exclaimed, trying to hoist herself from the tub but hampered by her thick skirts.

"Hello, Amaya." he said with a sheepish grin, grasping her forearm and hauling her from the tepid water. She stumbled as her feet hit the slick tiles, falling against him, her hands clutching frantically at his shoulders lest she fall.

For a moment she clung to him and then they both became aware of how close they stood, how little he was wearing, how very wet she was. With realization came embarrassment and they flew apart, each leaping backwards a step. He raised a hand and scratched the back of his neck distractedly as he queried, "What are you doing here? I thought you were Erwyddon."

She smiled shyly, trying futily to smooth her sopping skirts. "My brother is a little worse for wear this morning and informed me that as I was the topic of the debate I could help him pay off the debt."

"Oh." he replied lamely, shifting from foot to foot as a silence stretched between them.

"I... I can go, if you'd rather draw your own bath." she said finally, edging towards the door.

His hand shot out before his mind even registered a decision and clasped her lightly about the arm. "No, please stay." he said as she looked at him in startlement. She nodded and moved to lift the basin of water again but he held her hand, restricting her movement. "I can draw my own bath, you just relax a moment, please." he said, motioning towards a bench along the wall.

She sat hesitantly as he retrieved a stack of the fluffy towels she'd brought and set about cleaning the considerable watery mess now covering his floor. When the last towel was tossed into the corner he sat back and looked at her, noticing the way she had wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.

"Oh!" he called, hopping to his feet, her eyes widening as she stood as well. "You're cold!" he exclaimed, watching as she nodded, her eyes big as saucers. "Well, let me see..." he said, exiting the room and searching through his bureau. He'd been home so short a time he'd had no chance to refurbish his wardrobe. Grabbing a pair of legging and a tunic he popped back in the bathroom, walking quickly towards the startled maiden standing there. "This is all I have, I'm sorry. But if you put them on we can put your dress, which is lovely by the way, by the fire so that it may dry."

He realized he was speaking very quickly and repeated the words more slowly as she eyed the clothing dubiously. Finally she nodded and he exited the room again, closing the door behind him as he circled round the large chamber, lighting candles and starting the fire. He was just getting the flames to a decent height when the bathroom door cracked open and she emerged, carrying her dress in a dripping bundle.

Together they spread the fabric evenly, hoping it would dry well enough for her to wear it home. That task completed they settled on the couch together, on opposite ends, watching the flames lick about in the fireplace. His eyes darted to her face, the luminous green eyes, the blonde hair quickly regaining its waves as it dried, the flawless elven skin pinked slightly along her high cheekbones. He realized he was staring and tore his gaze away, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "How have you been?" he asked softly, forcing his eyes to stay on the flames.

"I have been well." she answered, gazing straight ahead. "And you?"

"I am well, I've enjoyed my time abroad." he replied, finding it harder to focus on the flames as she turned to face him.

"You were gone a long time." she said softly to which he nodded in reply. "A lot has changed since you've been gone." she added, and he had no choice but to face her.

"You've certainly changed." he said, watching as her eyes lowered shyly, dark lashes covering glittering green beneath.

"You disliked me then." she stated, quiet certainty in her tone.

He shook his head and moved forward, reaching out towards her, but she moved back as swiftly, nodding her head. "You did, Legolas. You don't have to lie. I know it was not easy for you to have me follow you so but I was a young girl and who but you would have been a better first crush?" She smiled softly as she finished speaking and it was his turn to flush, keenly aware of the truth behind her words.

"Still, I needn't have been so rude." he insisted, meeting her gaze.

"You were never rude to me. When your friends would taunt you, you would make them stop if I were near. You always were kind to me and to my childish mind it was fuel for my young ardor." Shyly she brushed his hand with her own, twining their fingers together for an instant before continuing. "You've never done me wrong, Legolas. There's nothing between us to apologize for."

He nodded and brushed her cheek softly with his fingertips before settling back, a contented silence between them. A soft knock on the door broke into their peace and Legolas called for whomever to enter. A page did so, bowing low, his eyes flickering briefly towards Amaya before settling again on the prince. "Your father, King Thranduil, requests and audience with you now, Prince Legolas, and I am to show you there."

Legolas nodded, saying. "I have a guest now, but I will attend my liege as soon as is possible.

The page bowed again but did not exit, saying, "Your pardons, Lord, but the King was insistent that it be now.

Legolas stood and motioned to his semi dressed state. "Will I be given time to dress?" he asked softly.

"Of course, Lord." came the answer.

Legolas turned to Amaya, smiling softly. "I'm sorry, but apparently I am called. Please, use these chambers as your own." She nodded as he turned and entered his room, closing the doors before hurriedly dressing for an audience with his father. He dragged a brush roughly through his hair but as swift as he was when he emerged from his chamber the couch was empty and her dress was gone.

With a sigh he turned to the page saying, "To my father, if you please." with another low bow the page lead him away, Legolas casting one last glance towards the empty sofa before following.

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A/N-

So, what do we all think of this new story? What should happen between Amaya and Legolas?

Review review review!

~Arisma~

In literature as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others. Andre Maurois