Disclaimer..Yea, I probably should have put this thing on the first chapter
but....oh well. This story isn't really involved with Lord of the Rings,
however it does take place some thousand years after the war...SO, Im using
the places and stuff from LOTR. Most of these charecters are made from my
imagination, save a few like Thranduil and the people from Lothlorien.
Plus, I own most of the places, 'cept for the ones you find...in LOTR. ^.^
Chapter 6
"Shhhh." A hand was placed on my mouth, silencing me. I widened my eyes and stepped back, letting him up onto the balcony.
He lowered his black hood and we shared a few moments in silence. "What...are you doing here?" I finally asked, nervous beyond words. "My lord has ordered me to take you back. You are Paranuil's property and you belong to us."
I shook my head, stepping back farther. "No, I'm happy here...Mattox bought us." "No, he didn't. He paid with buttons and dirt. He didn't buy you with gold."
"Reagan?" A voice coming from down the hall said, making both of us turn and look toward the door. "I will return in fifteen days. Be waiting and ready to come back." With a kiss to my knuckles, Orion climbed back over the railing and slid to the ground before running into the trees.
A knock at my door interuppted my nail biting. "Reagan?" A familiar male voice said on the other side of the wooden door. "Yes?" I asked walking hurriedly toward it and opened it. Mattox stood looking pass me to my room. He pushed me aside lightly and stepped in the room, inspecting it.
"I thought I heard voices."
"Well, obviously you were mistaken. Please leave my room now. You had no right coming in here without my permission." I held the door open for the Elf as I looked him from his head to his feet.
He was barefooted and had no shirt on. Only a pair of black silk leggings for the males to sleep in. His hair was still perfectly situated.
"And you my Lady had no right to spy on me while I was bathing. We are even now. I bid thee a good night." For the second time this night, I was kissed across the knuckles on my hand as a deep blush appeared on my cheeks.
As soon as he was out of my room, I slammed the door and bit my lip. I put my hands on my hips and paced around the room. Orion was returning in fifteen days to take Julia and I away. In fifteen days, the Army of Mirkwood will be gone for the second day.
If only there were some way to escape and leave with them. Then, it hit me. If there was some way Julia and I could go with the Elves to battle, that would mean when Orion and his men returned, I would be in...Lothlorien.
Immediatly, I ran across the hall to Julia's room. "Julia!! Julia!" She sat up, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hand. "Wha?"
"Julia! Orion was just in my room!"
"What?!" I nodded and sat on her bed facing her. "He said he was taking us back to Paranuil in fifteen days! Then Mattox barged in my room right after Orion left and we had an argument. But, I was thinking of ways that we could escape.."
I paused for a breath and Julia made a hand motion telling me to continue. "It is going to be difficult. But, if there is a way, perhaps we could disguise ourselves and travel to Lothlorien."
She gasped, closing her hand around her mouth. "We could be seriously prosecuted for an act like that. Pretending to be a man, and going into battle is tough, but what if we don't survive? We could be killed out there!" I put my hands on her knees and sat up smiling.
"We don't have to fight. We can stay toward the back, firing arrows or something. There are hundreds of Elves going, not to mention the ones already there, they can fight without the two of us. Besides, it's better than being taken back to become slaves."
I sat up quietly, waiting for her to become convinced. Although, it did take some more persuasion she gave in. We shared a hug and I went back to my room, pausing at the door.
"Don't worry, we will be fine. I promise you, nothing will happen to us." Julia smiled and layed back down in her bed, rolling away to face to window. Once back in my room, I stripped and got into bed, falling asleep immediatly.
The next morning, Mattox was no where to be found. I asked King Thranduil where he was, but the only thing I could get out of him before another Elf came up and interuppted me, was 'forest'. My mind didn't want to think about that awful forest.
But, if Mattox could go into it, so could I. I changed into a small light blue dress that came to my thighs and a pair of matching boots. When I viewed myself in the mirror, I became furious.
Here I was, making a fuss over my appearance when all Im doing is asking him if he could train me to sword fight. I messed up my hair and smiled. Even though there was tangles in my black hair, I felt better, thinking if I made myself messed up, I wouldn't care so much.
One step into the trees and my hair was fixed back into its natural look. To keep my tracks, I broke a branch off each tree.
"Mattox?" I whispered loudly, hoping those spiders wouldn't hear me first.
"Matto--" A pair of arms wrapped around my arms and held me in place. I kicked and jerked, but no matter what, the person wouldn't let go. I prayed to the God above that it was not Orion.
The only time in my life where I have wished to have an Elf holding me. "LET GO OF ME!" I screamed, biting their arm that was around my neck. I was dropped to the ground, making my hands hit the ground hard, along with my knees.
I looked up and saw that same Elf that I was hoping it would be. He glared at me and pulled me up, bringing me close to him.
"What are you doing?" I pounded my fist on his chest but he didn't budge. "Do you want us to both be killed?" Mattox whispered still glaring at me. I fell silent and he released me, taking his bow out quickly.
When he drew the string back and aimed it at my face, I dropped my jaw and kneeled on the ground. A second later, the arrow was released and a scream was heard through out the whole forest. I uncovered my head and stood up slowly.
"He was after you since you stepped into the trees." Mattox grabbed my hand and directed me back to the castle. I pulled back and we stopped. "Im tired of you saving me. I don't need you to be my gaurdian." He took a step forward, standing over me a foot. "Would you rather me leave you to be killed? Come along. Im taking you back to the castle."
"No you aren't. Why were you out here?" I grabbed onto a tree, preventing him from dragging me farther. "Practice, and yes I am. Let go." I shook my head and jerked my wrist free, grabbing onto the tree with my other hand. "No!"
"YES!" He placed his hands around my waist, pulling me so hard, my feet weren't touching the ground anymore. "WILL YOU PLEASE! JUST LET --" I did as he asked and we both fell backward, me landing on top of him. He groaned, since my rear just got knocked into his groin area.
He pushed me off to the ground, as he rolled over on his side. "Well, you shouldn't of pulled me so hard." I brushed my chest off and looked to the left, to see an Orc walking slowly up to me.
Fear shot down my spine, and before I could think, I grabbed Mattox's sword and swung at him, chopping his head clean off his shoulders. The severed head landed right in my lap, giving me a good view of the yellow eyes still starring at me.
I let out a ear peircing scream and shoved the head off my lap, crawling on my back until I was up against a tree, still screaming. Mattox grabbed me and placed his hands over my mouth quickly. "That was amazing. Never before have I seen a woman capable of beheading a creature. Especially one of that size."
I glared at him before I broke down and sobbed. His hands left my mouth and he sat back, puzzled at why I was crying. "Don't worry, the blodd will come out of your dress." I kicked him in his knee.
"Thats not why I'm crying!!!! It just surprised me. I didn't think I was going to even survive that. Little did I know that I could cut it's head off either." He stood up and walked to get his sword, cleaning it off with the Orc's cloth it had made into clothing.
I stood up and brushed myself off, gagging at the dark black blood all over my legs and stomach. "I know of a spring where you can wash off. It isn't far from here and it is secluded. No Orc knows about it." I nodded and followed him through the trees, watching every direction in case there were more Orcs.
"The..reason I came looking for you was...I- I want to learn how to sword fight. And..ugh..use a bow." I pinched my nose and tried not to look at my stained clothing. Mattox stopped in his tracks and stared at me. "You...want to learn how to sword fight? Would not be hard..It seems you know some." I nodded with a smile.
"Yes, my brother taught me when I was about 14. But, I never really put it to the test." We shared a laugh until he stopped laughing and just stared at me. "You continue to amaze me Reagan. Only 17 and you have more stories to tell than some Elves. Your husband must be missing you terribly."
I looked up at him sharply. "Husband?! I am not married." He winked and picked me up, his hand under the bend in my knee and the other across my shoulder. "Good. Can you swim?"
"Yes..Why?" I looked at him, nervous and excited to how he was holding me. His smile faded and he took off running seconds before he jumped off the side of a bluff and straightened me out in mid air. I let out a scream until my feet hit the water. It was cold as ice and my boots filled up with water quickly, however I swam to the top and flipped my black hair over my shoudler.
"I am going to kill you." I growled, glaring at him. Mattox ran a hand through his black hair starring at me. "I wouldn't doubt it, the way you be- headed that beast." I slapped his shoulder and grinned. "Do not slap me. I own you, slave."
With a scream, I splashed him and dove at him, pushing his head under the water. We continued playing, splashing and pulling each other under the water for half an hour. Finally, we ended up floating on our backs, looking at the waterfall behind us, and the canopy of trees above us. They grew together like someone had weaved them but left holes for the sunshine to pour into the dark forest floor.
"How did you find this place?" I asked, treading water. He sighed and looked around at the rocks surrounding the pool. "I cant remember. I think I just stumbled upon it." I yawned and started swimming toward the shore.
"Where are you going?" I rung out my hair, turning to face him. He was starring at me, looking my dripping wet body up and down as I stood on the shore. "Well, you have to train tonight don't you? I was thinking maybe you could give me some archery lessons further on into the night." He blinked but swam to the shore and got out of the pool.
"Reagan.."
"Yes?" I asked, turning to face him. His blue eyes were looking at me as if he were looking to find the right things to say. "If you do not like Elves, why have you relaxed around me." We both looked at each other for a minute, silent and still.
"I...You have proved to be a good friend. I have not totally relaxed around you. Lets say if your were to just walk up on me, I would probably hurt you." I chuckled but stopped when he walked up to me. "Reagan, I know you have been through things most people only experience in their nightmares. So...If you need me, know I am always here."
My stomach dropped to the sand as I watched him wrap his arms around my shoulders and hold me tightly. All the stories I have heard about Elves being emotionless all boiled down to this hug. Perhaps, I was wrong about them. I decided to give in and wrap my arms around his waist. Maybe, I can trust him...
Chapter 6
"Shhhh." A hand was placed on my mouth, silencing me. I widened my eyes and stepped back, letting him up onto the balcony.
He lowered his black hood and we shared a few moments in silence. "What...are you doing here?" I finally asked, nervous beyond words. "My lord has ordered me to take you back. You are Paranuil's property and you belong to us."
I shook my head, stepping back farther. "No, I'm happy here...Mattox bought us." "No, he didn't. He paid with buttons and dirt. He didn't buy you with gold."
"Reagan?" A voice coming from down the hall said, making both of us turn and look toward the door. "I will return in fifteen days. Be waiting and ready to come back." With a kiss to my knuckles, Orion climbed back over the railing and slid to the ground before running into the trees.
A knock at my door interuppted my nail biting. "Reagan?" A familiar male voice said on the other side of the wooden door. "Yes?" I asked walking hurriedly toward it and opened it. Mattox stood looking pass me to my room. He pushed me aside lightly and stepped in the room, inspecting it.
"I thought I heard voices."
"Well, obviously you were mistaken. Please leave my room now. You had no right coming in here without my permission." I held the door open for the Elf as I looked him from his head to his feet.
He was barefooted and had no shirt on. Only a pair of black silk leggings for the males to sleep in. His hair was still perfectly situated.
"And you my Lady had no right to spy on me while I was bathing. We are even now. I bid thee a good night." For the second time this night, I was kissed across the knuckles on my hand as a deep blush appeared on my cheeks.
As soon as he was out of my room, I slammed the door and bit my lip. I put my hands on my hips and paced around the room. Orion was returning in fifteen days to take Julia and I away. In fifteen days, the Army of Mirkwood will be gone for the second day.
If only there were some way to escape and leave with them. Then, it hit me. If there was some way Julia and I could go with the Elves to battle, that would mean when Orion and his men returned, I would be in...Lothlorien.
Immediatly, I ran across the hall to Julia's room. "Julia!! Julia!" She sat up, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hand. "Wha?"
"Julia! Orion was just in my room!"
"What?!" I nodded and sat on her bed facing her. "He said he was taking us back to Paranuil in fifteen days! Then Mattox barged in my room right after Orion left and we had an argument. But, I was thinking of ways that we could escape.."
I paused for a breath and Julia made a hand motion telling me to continue. "It is going to be difficult. But, if there is a way, perhaps we could disguise ourselves and travel to Lothlorien."
She gasped, closing her hand around her mouth. "We could be seriously prosecuted for an act like that. Pretending to be a man, and going into battle is tough, but what if we don't survive? We could be killed out there!" I put my hands on her knees and sat up smiling.
"We don't have to fight. We can stay toward the back, firing arrows or something. There are hundreds of Elves going, not to mention the ones already there, they can fight without the two of us. Besides, it's better than being taken back to become slaves."
I sat up quietly, waiting for her to become convinced. Although, it did take some more persuasion she gave in. We shared a hug and I went back to my room, pausing at the door.
"Don't worry, we will be fine. I promise you, nothing will happen to us." Julia smiled and layed back down in her bed, rolling away to face to window. Once back in my room, I stripped and got into bed, falling asleep immediatly.
The next morning, Mattox was no where to be found. I asked King Thranduil where he was, but the only thing I could get out of him before another Elf came up and interuppted me, was 'forest'. My mind didn't want to think about that awful forest.
But, if Mattox could go into it, so could I. I changed into a small light blue dress that came to my thighs and a pair of matching boots. When I viewed myself in the mirror, I became furious.
Here I was, making a fuss over my appearance when all Im doing is asking him if he could train me to sword fight. I messed up my hair and smiled. Even though there was tangles in my black hair, I felt better, thinking if I made myself messed up, I wouldn't care so much.
One step into the trees and my hair was fixed back into its natural look. To keep my tracks, I broke a branch off each tree.
"Mattox?" I whispered loudly, hoping those spiders wouldn't hear me first.
"Matto--" A pair of arms wrapped around my arms and held me in place. I kicked and jerked, but no matter what, the person wouldn't let go. I prayed to the God above that it was not Orion.
The only time in my life where I have wished to have an Elf holding me. "LET GO OF ME!" I screamed, biting their arm that was around my neck. I was dropped to the ground, making my hands hit the ground hard, along with my knees.
I looked up and saw that same Elf that I was hoping it would be. He glared at me and pulled me up, bringing me close to him.
"What are you doing?" I pounded my fist on his chest but he didn't budge. "Do you want us to both be killed?" Mattox whispered still glaring at me. I fell silent and he released me, taking his bow out quickly.
When he drew the string back and aimed it at my face, I dropped my jaw and kneeled on the ground. A second later, the arrow was released and a scream was heard through out the whole forest. I uncovered my head and stood up slowly.
"He was after you since you stepped into the trees." Mattox grabbed my hand and directed me back to the castle. I pulled back and we stopped. "Im tired of you saving me. I don't need you to be my gaurdian." He took a step forward, standing over me a foot. "Would you rather me leave you to be killed? Come along. Im taking you back to the castle."
"No you aren't. Why were you out here?" I grabbed onto a tree, preventing him from dragging me farther. "Practice, and yes I am. Let go." I shook my head and jerked my wrist free, grabbing onto the tree with my other hand. "No!"
"YES!" He placed his hands around my waist, pulling me so hard, my feet weren't touching the ground anymore. "WILL YOU PLEASE! JUST LET --" I did as he asked and we both fell backward, me landing on top of him. He groaned, since my rear just got knocked into his groin area.
He pushed me off to the ground, as he rolled over on his side. "Well, you shouldn't of pulled me so hard." I brushed my chest off and looked to the left, to see an Orc walking slowly up to me.
Fear shot down my spine, and before I could think, I grabbed Mattox's sword and swung at him, chopping his head clean off his shoulders. The severed head landed right in my lap, giving me a good view of the yellow eyes still starring at me.
I let out a ear peircing scream and shoved the head off my lap, crawling on my back until I was up against a tree, still screaming. Mattox grabbed me and placed his hands over my mouth quickly. "That was amazing. Never before have I seen a woman capable of beheading a creature. Especially one of that size."
I glared at him before I broke down and sobbed. His hands left my mouth and he sat back, puzzled at why I was crying. "Don't worry, the blodd will come out of your dress." I kicked him in his knee.
"Thats not why I'm crying!!!! It just surprised me. I didn't think I was going to even survive that. Little did I know that I could cut it's head off either." He stood up and walked to get his sword, cleaning it off with the Orc's cloth it had made into clothing.
I stood up and brushed myself off, gagging at the dark black blood all over my legs and stomach. "I know of a spring where you can wash off. It isn't far from here and it is secluded. No Orc knows about it." I nodded and followed him through the trees, watching every direction in case there were more Orcs.
"The..reason I came looking for you was...I- I want to learn how to sword fight. And..ugh..use a bow." I pinched my nose and tried not to look at my stained clothing. Mattox stopped in his tracks and stared at me. "You...want to learn how to sword fight? Would not be hard..It seems you know some." I nodded with a smile.
"Yes, my brother taught me when I was about 14. But, I never really put it to the test." We shared a laugh until he stopped laughing and just stared at me. "You continue to amaze me Reagan. Only 17 and you have more stories to tell than some Elves. Your husband must be missing you terribly."
I looked up at him sharply. "Husband?! I am not married." He winked and picked me up, his hand under the bend in my knee and the other across my shoulder. "Good. Can you swim?"
"Yes..Why?" I looked at him, nervous and excited to how he was holding me. His smile faded and he took off running seconds before he jumped off the side of a bluff and straightened me out in mid air. I let out a scream until my feet hit the water. It was cold as ice and my boots filled up with water quickly, however I swam to the top and flipped my black hair over my shoudler.
"I am going to kill you." I growled, glaring at him. Mattox ran a hand through his black hair starring at me. "I wouldn't doubt it, the way you be- headed that beast." I slapped his shoulder and grinned. "Do not slap me. I own you, slave."
With a scream, I splashed him and dove at him, pushing his head under the water. We continued playing, splashing and pulling each other under the water for half an hour. Finally, we ended up floating on our backs, looking at the waterfall behind us, and the canopy of trees above us. They grew together like someone had weaved them but left holes for the sunshine to pour into the dark forest floor.
"How did you find this place?" I asked, treading water. He sighed and looked around at the rocks surrounding the pool. "I cant remember. I think I just stumbled upon it." I yawned and started swimming toward the shore.
"Where are you going?" I rung out my hair, turning to face him. He was starring at me, looking my dripping wet body up and down as I stood on the shore. "Well, you have to train tonight don't you? I was thinking maybe you could give me some archery lessons further on into the night." He blinked but swam to the shore and got out of the pool.
"Reagan.."
"Yes?" I asked, turning to face him. His blue eyes were looking at me as if he were looking to find the right things to say. "If you do not like Elves, why have you relaxed around me." We both looked at each other for a minute, silent and still.
"I...You have proved to be a good friend. I have not totally relaxed around you. Lets say if your were to just walk up on me, I would probably hurt you." I chuckled but stopped when he walked up to me. "Reagan, I know you have been through things most people only experience in their nightmares. So...If you need me, know I am always here."
My stomach dropped to the sand as I watched him wrap his arms around my shoulders and hold me tightly. All the stories I have heard about Elves being emotionless all boiled down to this hug. Perhaps, I was wrong about them. I decided to give in and wrap my arms around his waist. Maybe, I can trust him...