(A/N) Do you remember how I said in the last chapter that Vanessa wasn't
in love with Legolas? What I mean to say is that Vanessa isn't in love
with Legolas..yet. If you really hate Legomances then I suggest that you
read no further. Also, there is some sexual content in this chapter. Here
we go again.
For the Love of an Elf
Chapter 4: Beneath These Caves
Dark. If there was any word to describe Moria, it would have to be dark. Vast and expansive, yes. But still dark. The company had been stumbling through Moria for two days now and Gandalf risked no more light than to see a few feet in front of him. Vanessa knew that these halls had once been grand and glorious, but no longer were they so. The vast, empty halls of the ancient city were but a reminder of the splendor and riches of the Dwarf Lords of old. Now they stood, dark and cold, home to countless orcs and other such fell beasts. Vanessa had never experienced such fear in her life. They were creeping forward, inch by agonizing inch, through irredeemably dark chasms and they could be attacked by orcs any minute. Even though she knew that they wouldn't be attacked until they had reached the tomb of Balin, the thought was of little comfort to her tormented mind.
Suddenly, they came to the three passageways and Gandalf said, "I have no memory of this place." He then sat down in the middle of the three and began to ponder their situation. Though she was terrified of the darkness of the mines, Vanessa was glad for the rest. Vanessa wanted some time to think. Why had it been so painful to lie to Legolas that day on the mountain? Why was her heart pounding so much whenever he came near her? Why did she have this growing need to be beside him? "What's the matter with me? You'd think a girl would learn." Vanessa thought as she began to shiver. Suddenly, she felt an arm around her shoulders. "Are you all right Luthien?" She heard Legolas asking her. "I'm fine", she answered, shrugging free, fighting the urge to lean on him. But she was still shivering and Legolas wasn't convinced. He tried again but this was too much for Vanessa. With an angry grunt, she separated herself from the others. Why was the Elf so persistent? As Vanessa stared out into the bottomless chasms of the Dwarf realm she remembered the song May It Be from the Fellowship of the Ring movie. She had always associated that song with hope and light. Now she began to sing it, hoping to warm herself. Her voice was barely audible to the normal human ear, but Legolas heard her singing anyway.
May it be an evening star shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh how far you are from home
Mornie utulie
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now
It was then that Vanessa noticed that Legolas was sitting beside her. She was about to start yelling at him but he beat her to it. "Please, do not stop. I want to hear the rest of it. It's such a beautiful song."
Instead of fighting back Vanessa nodded and continued.
May it be the shadows call will fly away
May it be you journey on
When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
By this time, Legolas had his arm around her shoulders again and she was leaning on his shoulder, breathing in his sweet scent.
"Luthien, I must confess something, to be rid of it." Vanessa looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. Legolas refused to meet her gaze, fearing that he would be unable to speak. "Do you remember that day before we attempted Caradhras?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"Do you remember how you asked me why I followed you around in Imladris? Well, I never answered your question." At these words he began to falter "I should have told you before, but I.I love you." He said as he drew her closer. She was finally able to capture his eyes and Legolas saw the glistening sign of tears in her eyes. He pulled her closer, wanting to wipe away her tears, to take away the pain that he felt deep within her. He felt her shoulders tense under his hands. She was no longer shivering with cold, but she was trembling. There were now tears streaking openly down her face. "Hush", he whispered to her. Then, Legolas did the only thing that he could think of. He leaned forward and kissed her. and she kissed him back. He gently caressed her face with one hand while running the other through her hair. Vanessa wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She was having trouble deciding whether to slap him or rip off his tunic. Vanessa hated Legolas and yet at the same time she never loved another being as much as she did in that moment.
Reluctantly Legolas broke the kiss and backed away from her. "I'm terribly sorry Luthien. That was awfully bold of me". But in that moment, Vanessa made a decision. Her hatred melted away. Against her will, she realized that she truly loved him back. Her resolve to stay away from him vanished as she gazed into his ice blue eyes. She saw into his very soul. He could no longer hide from her what he wanted. There was nothing to do but give into it.
"You love me?" she whispered back to him. Tears of guilt were streaming down her face. Legolas had been so honest with her. He had bared his feelings before her. And what had she done? She had tried to crush him, she had lied to him from the moment she had met him.
"Yes", he said, stepping towards her again.
"Then don't stop", she said as she wrapped her arms around him once more. Without hesitating, he covered her mouth with his own. He kissed her with a passion and hunger that he had never believed possible. Legolas began to drag his lips down her neck and peppered it with kisses. Vanessa lifted his face to hers. He had never seen such a beautiful smile on her face. Once again, they joined their hungry lips in a kiss. This time Vanessa opened her mouth under his, their tongues mingling together. Legolas kissed her as if he'd never kiss her again. He held her tightly to his body. As if he were afraid that if he let go that he would lose her to the darkness. That she would be taken from him almost as suddenly as she had come into to his life.
Gently, the Elf slid his hands under her blouse. Legolas felt her shudder as he ran his hands up and down her bare back. Slowly, Vanessa began to undo the straps on his tunic. Then he felt her hands on his skin, shooting fire to the very core of his being. He wanted her so much and yet she was driving him crazy with her touch. He noticed that they were both beginning to pant. Deftly he began to undo the buttons at the front of her blouse. He kissed her neck several times. Softly the two sank to the floor of the cave. By now they were both trembling.
"Legolas! Luthien! It's time to go. Gandalf has found the way." Aragorn called softly to them. As the others disappeared down the tunnel Aragorn went back to find his friends. He saw them farther in the back, caught in a passionate embrace. The ranger didn't actually see anything but he did notice that Luthien's blouse was unbuttoned a little too low for his comfort. "Now is not the time for this," he hissed at them through his teeth as the two made ready to leave. "Just go ahead without us Aragorn. We'll catch up." Legolas said, trying to control his friend's temper.
For awhile. He stared at them suspiciously but he finally walked away. "I'm sorry Luthien. Aragorn is probably right."
"I'm not sorry." Vanessa replied softly and sincerely as she ran ahead to join the others. Legolas followed her as if he were in a trance, still dazed at what had happened. Luthien loved him, she really loved him! It was as if he was finally seeing light after being shut up in darkness for years. The two finally caught up with the rest of the fellowship, hands joined as they walked through the cavernous halls of Dwarrowdelf. Just then Gimli noticed a small anti room just off of one of the great halls.
He rushed towards it, the others hot on his heels. In the center of the room there was a tomb. They all gathered around behind the now silent Gimli. Gandalf began to read from the plaque that was carved into the white stone. "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin. He is dead then. It's just as I feared." Gimli simply bowed his head and lifted his cloak, concealing his face.
Then Gandalf found a book that seemed to be an account of the dwarves' stay in Moria. He began to read aloud from it. Vanessa was so consumed by the moment and her thoughts of what had just happened, that she completely forgot about the events to come until she noticed Pippin.
"DON'T TOUCH THAT ARROW", she yelled suddenly as the hobbit bent to examine an arrow sticking out of a dwarf skeleton. Pippin jumped at the sound of her voice and knocked the skeleton into the well that it was sitting on. As the skeleton fell through the depths it broke the eternal silence of Moria. Everyone stared at her and Pippin in shock. "Fool of a Took", Gandalf hissed at him taking his staff and hat back from Pippin.
That's when the fellowship heard the orcs. Boromir rushed forward to barricade the door and he was almost shot down. "They have a cave troll", he told the others as he rushed back to them.
"They are coming!" Aragorn shouted.
"We cannot get out!" Legolas cried out in despair.
"Let them come. There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath" Gimli growled as the doors began to shake with a horde of orcs behind it. Legolas stepped in front of Vanessa as if to protect her, but she gently pushed him aside. She may have admitted her love to him but she still had her independence after all. Suddenly the door burst open, revealing the horror behind it. An onslaught of the foulest creatures known in Middle- Earth came pouring forth from the fissure in the door. Legolas and Aragorn felled many of them with their bows before they even reached the small group. Then Gimli, Gandalf, Boromir, and all four of the hobbits leapt forward into the fray created by Aragorn and Legolas. Vanessa had managed to kill a few of the beasts with her arrows but they were no longer doing her any good so she pulled out a dagger that she had carried with her from Rivendell. By now all of the blood and carnage that she saw around her was getting to her.
She began to real back and forth almost passing out from the terrible stench in the air. To keep herself from falling Vanessa stabbed out at anything that came near her. Nearby she saw Aragorn and Legolas gracefully felling droves of orcs, as if they were apart of some great dance of destruction. Oh hell with it all, who had time for finesse when your life was on the line. Vanessa was stabbing orcs left and right in a mad fever. Her once white blouse was stained red and black with orc blood. Her garments were also ripped in many places. She desperately wanted to black out, to block out the horrible images that lay before her tired eyes. It had looked cool on TV but in reality it was oh so horrendous. Finally, Vanessa realized that every single orc lay slain and the others were all trying to fell the troll. Frodo lay still as death in a corner of the chamber. When at last the troll fell, they all gathered around the fallen hobbit. Suddenly he popped up, completely unhurt, as Vanessa knew he would. As everyone began to register their shock at his being alive Frodo pulled aside his shirt, revealing his mail coat of mithril. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins", Gimli told him.
Then they heard the next onslaught coming. "To the bridge of Khazad-Dum!" Gandalf muttered urgently.
The fellowship fled from the chamber and raced toward the bridge when they were suddenly overtaken by the orcs. Before they could react, they were completely surrounded. Vanessa shuddered with revulsion at the sight of their horrible little faces. Just then there was a great BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!!!!! At the sound of it every single orc scattered for cover. The hall was left empty except for the fellowship.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked Gandalf.
"A balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. RUN!" He shouted, leading them through the halls and down the winding passages of stairways. Suddenly they came to a break in the stairway, towering thousands of feet above an endless chasm.
Legolas jumped the gap first, followed by Gandalf. Boromir took Merry and Pippin over next. "Luthien, you next!" Legolas shouted to her.
"You expect ME to jump THAT", she replied incredulously.
"Yes."
"Okay", she answered with a squeak as she leapt into the air. But as she was sailing over the break Vanessa felt a sharp, searing pain in her left shoulder. They were still being pursued by the orcs and they were being assailed with arrows. Vanessa was the first to be hit. Aragorn then tossed over Sam and Gimli jumped next. Then the stairs crumbled away until the crack was far too big to be jumped. But by some miracle the crumbling stairway fell forward, depositing Frodo and Aragorn on the opposite side with their companions. All the while the drum of doom was growing louder. DOOM!! BOOM!! DOOM!!
As they continued to run, Legolas stared in horror at the arrow protruding from Vanessa's back. Finally they reached the bridge and began to cross it one by one until only Gandalf and Vanessa remained. She then flung her arms around the old wizard despite her pain.
"I just wanted to say good-bye Gandalf", she cried to him softly. Gandalf gazed into her sea green eyes and he saw his doom laid out there. This was really it. "FLY" he yelled at her and she fled across the bridge, looking back only once. Meanwhile, Gandalf stood in the center of the narrow bridge, smiting the stone with his staff. The balrog now stood in front of him, trying to pass him.
"YOU CANNOT PASS". He shouted defiantly up at the balrog. "I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire shall not avail you, FLAME OF UDUN. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" he yelled, smiting the bridge one final time with his staff and his sword, Glamdring. With that, the bridge broke in half, taking the balrog of Morgoth with it. As Gandalf turned to join them, the balrog attacked again, catching the old man's leg with its whip. "Fly you fools!" Gandalf yelled as he was dragged over the edge into oblivion.
"NOOOOOOOO!!!" Frodo cried out. He tried to rush forward but Boromir dragged him back and out of the cave. Aragorn stood at the edge of the chasm for a moment in a state of complete shock. But he finally pulled himself free and fled from the mines. The fellowship had finally reached the end of Moria and they saw the light of day once more. But Gandalf was no longer with them. Each member wondered away from the group to express grief in his own way.
Meanwhile Legolas was seeing to Vanessa. The wound could possibly be fatal if it did not have the attention of an experienced healer and fast. Legolas pulled the arrow from her shoulder and bandaged it as best he could with her shirt still covering most of the wound, but he dared not do it properly. "You are lucky Luthien. That arrow almost pierced your heart." He said trying to comfort her and himself.
Vanessa took his hand and placed it over her still beating heart, she could almost feel the fear in his touch. "I'm not so sure that it didn't", she said in a serious voice.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien", Aragorn informed the others as they regrouped.
Legolas gently helped Vanessa to her feet, helping her stand. He would carry her if he had to. "I don't want you carrying me", she said as if she had read his thoughts.
With Legolas helping Vanessa run, the fellowship reached the borders of the golden wood late in the afternoon. By the time they were safe in the forest Vanessa's breathing was extremely shallow and she collapsed on the forest floor, unable to go another step, even with help. So she finally let Legolas lift her into his arms, snuggling up against him.
As they walked through the forest, Legolas heard Gimli telling the hobbits about an elf witch that lived in the very forest that they were walking through. "How can the dwarf talk about the Lady Galadriel in such a manner?" Legolas wondered to himself. "But he will soon see her for himself".
"Legolas", he suddenly heard Vanessa whisper to him. "I feel.so weak. I think.I might.might be."
"No! No, don't talk like this Luthien. You will live! Everything will be all right, you will see. You will live." He said softly, hugging her tightly to him.
Suddenly, Legolas found himself staring down the shaft of an arrow. He would have responded but he was holding Vanessa. Legolas recognized the leader of the band of elves as Haldir. Aragorn stepped up to him and spoke to him in the elvish tongue. "Haldir of Lorien. We need your protection. The girl needs help", he pleaded, indicating Vanessa.
"Aragorn, these woods are perilous. We should go back", Gimli said nervously.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back", Haldir said softly, his gaze resting on Frodo. "Come. She is waiting."
* * *
"Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him." The Elf lord Celeborn asked them.
"He has fallen into shadow." The Lady Galadriel surmised as she saw into the hearts of the fellowship.
Upon their entry into the city of Caras Galadhon the remaining members of the fellowship had been brought before Celeborn and Galdriel. Vanessa had insisted on joining them instead of seeking immediate medical attention. Legolas was now helping her to stand before them.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true." Galadriel intoned. As she said this she met the gaze of each member in turn. Each of them turned away from her, unable to bear her gaze. When the Lady's eyes fell on Vanessa, she heard her voice inside her head saying, "You are not of this world, Vanessa. You are the keeper of the stone.Falynn." Vanessa stumbled backwards at these words, shocked that the Elf Lady knew her real name.
"But do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." With that the fellowship took leave of the two Elves. As soon as they had left the room, Vanessa collapsed once more and she was rushed to the healers.
The fellowship was given their own flet to sleep on. As he waited for news of Vanessa'a condition, Legolas heard the elves singing. "A lament for Gandalf", He said sadly.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked him.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." Legolas said, bowing his head.
Just then, one of the healers came to them with news. "She is not in good condition. She should have been brought to us immediately after you arrived."
"But will she live?" Legolas asked the Elf. The fear in his voice was apparent.
"She may not make it through the night", he informed them.
Legolas walked away from them. Hanging his head in disbelief. First Gandalf, and then Luthien. He couldn't take it. The grief and pain would simply tear him in two. He sat down, his head in his hands, anguish and emptiness consumed him. Why couldn't he have prevented this thing? Maybe if he had been more watchful she wouldn't have been shot.
Legolas immediately rushed to the healer flet. He couldn't let her be alone in her hour of need. Luckily they let him pass in to see her. When he was led into her room and he saw her, Legolas felt as if he had been slapped. Vanessa was still conscious but she lay as still as if she were already dead. He sat next to her and took her hand. "Hey" she whispered to him as best she could. His heart nearly broke at how feeble and weak her voice was. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Not too bad actually. The pain is gone." She answered, noting the pained expression on his face. "Do I really look that bad?" she asked him, trying to crack a smile.
" Please, do not speak. You need to save your strength." He said, dodging her question.
"You need to leave now, Elf prince. She must rest", said a chambermaid that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Can't I stay with her. I do not wish to leave her alone."
"All right, but you must let her rest. She is very weak." With that the maid left.
Legolas sat by her side all through the night and for most of the following days. She slept fitfully but she lived. During every moment Legolas was by her side, never sleeping and hardly ever eating. One day Aragorn came to visit Vanessa and he noticed how tired the Elf was.
"Take some rest. If Luthien has made it this far, the healers believe she will live."
"I can't. I can't eat or rest until I know that she is going to be all right", he said, staring down at her pale face, his eyes filled with unshed tears.
"Legolas, I truly am sorry for the way that I treated her."
"I know".
Getting no further response from him, Aragorn left them.
* * *
About a week after their arrival, Vanessa began to revive. Slowly the color returned to her face and she quickly began to regain her strength. Legolas spent almost every moment of his time with her. The night before she was officially released from the healers care Legolas came to see her once more, not knowing that the events of this night would alter the course of his future forever.
"I am so happy that you are all right." He said to her, wrapping his arms around her in a loving embrace.
"I couldn't have made it without you. Even though I was asleep, I could still feel you with me." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew his face down to hers.
Being careful of her shoulder, Legolas pulled her into his arms and met her lips. Suddenly, she drew her breath in as a hiss and winced as his shoulder bumped against hers. Quickly he backed away from her and made her sit down on her bed. He sat next to her and began to gently caress her sore shoulder. It was then that Legolas noticed how thin her hospital gown was. In the fading light of dusk, the material looked almost transparent. His eyes drifted down from her face, past her neck..
Suddenly he snapped back to attention, shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind. When he was finally able to look up again Legolas found that she was leaning on him. Her arms were around him once more. Luthien was far too close to him and yet he wanted her to be closer. He pulled her to him once again for another short kiss. The kiss would have indeed been brief if Luthien hadn't opened her mouth under his. Legolas could no longer hold back. He leaned closer to her and squeezed her tightly to him, drinking in the sweetness of her lips. He lay back upon the bed and pulled her onto him. Her warm weight upon his body made him long for her even more. . Legolas started to pant as she undid the straps of his tunic. He, in turn, undid the buttons on her dress, the feeling of her bare chest on his sending him to heaven, hell, and back again all at the same time. As they broke the kiss, Legolas gazed into Luthien's eyes. She was such an amazing woman and he realized how lucky he was to have found her.
For hours they moved together on the bed, celebrating that they could finally be together this way. The world fell away and it was just the two of them, combined into one soul as they reveled in their passion for one another. Until at last, the two lovers slept, naked and spent, in each others arms.
That was how Aragorn found them the next morning.
* *
*
(A/N) ooooooooooooh. How is Aragorn going to react to finding Legolas in bed with Vanessa? And what will come of this night of passion? (Hint, hint, wink, wink) Please review and you will soon find out.
For the Love of an Elf
Chapter 4: Beneath These Caves
Dark. If there was any word to describe Moria, it would have to be dark. Vast and expansive, yes. But still dark. The company had been stumbling through Moria for two days now and Gandalf risked no more light than to see a few feet in front of him. Vanessa knew that these halls had once been grand and glorious, but no longer were they so. The vast, empty halls of the ancient city were but a reminder of the splendor and riches of the Dwarf Lords of old. Now they stood, dark and cold, home to countless orcs and other such fell beasts. Vanessa had never experienced such fear in her life. They were creeping forward, inch by agonizing inch, through irredeemably dark chasms and they could be attacked by orcs any minute. Even though she knew that they wouldn't be attacked until they had reached the tomb of Balin, the thought was of little comfort to her tormented mind.
Suddenly, they came to the three passageways and Gandalf said, "I have no memory of this place." He then sat down in the middle of the three and began to ponder their situation. Though she was terrified of the darkness of the mines, Vanessa was glad for the rest. Vanessa wanted some time to think. Why had it been so painful to lie to Legolas that day on the mountain? Why was her heart pounding so much whenever he came near her? Why did she have this growing need to be beside him? "What's the matter with me? You'd think a girl would learn." Vanessa thought as she began to shiver. Suddenly, she felt an arm around her shoulders. "Are you all right Luthien?" She heard Legolas asking her. "I'm fine", she answered, shrugging free, fighting the urge to lean on him. But she was still shivering and Legolas wasn't convinced. He tried again but this was too much for Vanessa. With an angry grunt, she separated herself from the others. Why was the Elf so persistent? As Vanessa stared out into the bottomless chasms of the Dwarf realm she remembered the song May It Be from the Fellowship of the Ring movie. She had always associated that song with hope and light. Now she began to sing it, hoping to warm herself. Her voice was barely audible to the normal human ear, but Legolas heard her singing anyway.
May it be an evening star shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh how far you are from home
Mornie utulie
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now
It was then that Vanessa noticed that Legolas was sitting beside her. She was about to start yelling at him but he beat her to it. "Please, do not stop. I want to hear the rest of it. It's such a beautiful song."
Instead of fighting back Vanessa nodded and continued.
May it be the shadows call will fly away
May it be you journey on
When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
By this time, Legolas had his arm around her shoulders again and she was leaning on his shoulder, breathing in his sweet scent.
"Luthien, I must confess something, to be rid of it." Vanessa looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. Legolas refused to meet her gaze, fearing that he would be unable to speak. "Do you remember that day before we attempted Caradhras?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"Do you remember how you asked me why I followed you around in Imladris? Well, I never answered your question." At these words he began to falter "I should have told you before, but I.I love you." He said as he drew her closer. She was finally able to capture his eyes and Legolas saw the glistening sign of tears in her eyes. He pulled her closer, wanting to wipe away her tears, to take away the pain that he felt deep within her. He felt her shoulders tense under his hands. She was no longer shivering with cold, but she was trembling. There were now tears streaking openly down her face. "Hush", he whispered to her. Then, Legolas did the only thing that he could think of. He leaned forward and kissed her. and she kissed him back. He gently caressed her face with one hand while running the other through her hair. Vanessa wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She was having trouble deciding whether to slap him or rip off his tunic. Vanessa hated Legolas and yet at the same time she never loved another being as much as she did in that moment.
Reluctantly Legolas broke the kiss and backed away from her. "I'm terribly sorry Luthien. That was awfully bold of me". But in that moment, Vanessa made a decision. Her hatred melted away. Against her will, she realized that she truly loved him back. Her resolve to stay away from him vanished as she gazed into his ice blue eyes. She saw into his very soul. He could no longer hide from her what he wanted. There was nothing to do but give into it.
"You love me?" she whispered back to him. Tears of guilt were streaming down her face. Legolas had been so honest with her. He had bared his feelings before her. And what had she done? She had tried to crush him, she had lied to him from the moment she had met him.
"Yes", he said, stepping towards her again.
"Then don't stop", she said as she wrapped her arms around him once more. Without hesitating, he covered her mouth with his own. He kissed her with a passion and hunger that he had never believed possible. Legolas began to drag his lips down her neck and peppered it with kisses. Vanessa lifted his face to hers. He had never seen such a beautiful smile on her face. Once again, they joined their hungry lips in a kiss. This time Vanessa opened her mouth under his, their tongues mingling together. Legolas kissed her as if he'd never kiss her again. He held her tightly to his body. As if he were afraid that if he let go that he would lose her to the darkness. That she would be taken from him almost as suddenly as she had come into to his life.
Gently, the Elf slid his hands under her blouse. Legolas felt her shudder as he ran his hands up and down her bare back. Slowly, Vanessa began to undo the straps on his tunic. Then he felt her hands on his skin, shooting fire to the very core of his being. He wanted her so much and yet she was driving him crazy with her touch. He noticed that they were both beginning to pant. Deftly he began to undo the buttons at the front of her blouse. He kissed her neck several times. Softly the two sank to the floor of the cave. By now they were both trembling.
"Legolas! Luthien! It's time to go. Gandalf has found the way." Aragorn called softly to them. As the others disappeared down the tunnel Aragorn went back to find his friends. He saw them farther in the back, caught in a passionate embrace. The ranger didn't actually see anything but he did notice that Luthien's blouse was unbuttoned a little too low for his comfort. "Now is not the time for this," he hissed at them through his teeth as the two made ready to leave. "Just go ahead without us Aragorn. We'll catch up." Legolas said, trying to control his friend's temper.
For awhile. He stared at them suspiciously but he finally walked away. "I'm sorry Luthien. Aragorn is probably right."
"I'm not sorry." Vanessa replied softly and sincerely as she ran ahead to join the others. Legolas followed her as if he were in a trance, still dazed at what had happened. Luthien loved him, she really loved him! It was as if he was finally seeing light after being shut up in darkness for years. The two finally caught up with the rest of the fellowship, hands joined as they walked through the cavernous halls of Dwarrowdelf. Just then Gimli noticed a small anti room just off of one of the great halls.
He rushed towards it, the others hot on his heels. In the center of the room there was a tomb. They all gathered around behind the now silent Gimli. Gandalf began to read from the plaque that was carved into the white stone. "Here lies Balin, son of Fundin. He is dead then. It's just as I feared." Gimli simply bowed his head and lifted his cloak, concealing his face.
Then Gandalf found a book that seemed to be an account of the dwarves' stay in Moria. He began to read aloud from it. Vanessa was so consumed by the moment and her thoughts of what had just happened, that she completely forgot about the events to come until she noticed Pippin.
"DON'T TOUCH THAT ARROW", she yelled suddenly as the hobbit bent to examine an arrow sticking out of a dwarf skeleton. Pippin jumped at the sound of her voice and knocked the skeleton into the well that it was sitting on. As the skeleton fell through the depths it broke the eternal silence of Moria. Everyone stared at her and Pippin in shock. "Fool of a Took", Gandalf hissed at him taking his staff and hat back from Pippin.
That's when the fellowship heard the orcs. Boromir rushed forward to barricade the door and he was almost shot down. "They have a cave troll", he told the others as he rushed back to them.
"They are coming!" Aragorn shouted.
"We cannot get out!" Legolas cried out in despair.
"Let them come. There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath" Gimli growled as the doors began to shake with a horde of orcs behind it. Legolas stepped in front of Vanessa as if to protect her, but she gently pushed him aside. She may have admitted her love to him but she still had her independence after all. Suddenly the door burst open, revealing the horror behind it. An onslaught of the foulest creatures known in Middle- Earth came pouring forth from the fissure in the door. Legolas and Aragorn felled many of them with their bows before they even reached the small group. Then Gimli, Gandalf, Boromir, and all four of the hobbits leapt forward into the fray created by Aragorn and Legolas. Vanessa had managed to kill a few of the beasts with her arrows but they were no longer doing her any good so she pulled out a dagger that she had carried with her from Rivendell. By now all of the blood and carnage that she saw around her was getting to her.
She began to real back and forth almost passing out from the terrible stench in the air. To keep herself from falling Vanessa stabbed out at anything that came near her. Nearby she saw Aragorn and Legolas gracefully felling droves of orcs, as if they were apart of some great dance of destruction. Oh hell with it all, who had time for finesse when your life was on the line. Vanessa was stabbing orcs left and right in a mad fever. Her once white blouse was stained red and black with orc blood. Her garments were also ripped in many places. She desperately wanted to black out, to block out the horrible images that lay before her tired eyes. It had looked cool on TV but in reality it was oh so horrendous. Finally, Vanessa realized that every single orc lay slain and the others were all trying to fell the troll. Frodo lay still as death in a corner of the chamber. When at last the troll fell, they all gathered around the fallen hobbit. Suddenly he popped up, completely unhurt, as Vanessa knew he would. As everyone began to register their shock at his being alive Frodo pulled aside his shirt, revealing his mail coat of mithril. "You are full of surprises Master Baggins", Gimli told him.
Then they heard the next onslaught coming. "To the bridge of Khazad-Dum!" Gandalf muttered urgently.
The fellowship fled from the chamber and raced toward the bridge when they were suddenly overtaken by the orcs. Before they could react, they were completely surrounded. Vanessa shuddered with revulsion at the sight of their horrible little faces. Just then there was a great BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!!!!! At the sound of it every single orc scattered for cover. The hall was left empty except for the fellowship.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked Gandalf.
"A balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. RUN!" He shouted, leading them through the halls and down the winding passages of stairways. Suddenly they came to a break in the stairway, towering thousands of feet above an endless chasm.
Legolas jumped the gap first, followed by Gandalf. Boromir took Merry and Pippin over next. "Luthien, you next!" Legolas shouted to her.
"You expect ME to jump THAT", she replied incredulously.
"Yes."
"Okay", she answered with a squeak as she leapt into the air. But as she was sailing over the break Vanessa felt a sharp, searing pain in her left shoulder. They were still being pursued by the orcs and they were being assailed with arrows. Vanessa was the first to be hit. Aragorn then tossed over Sam and Gimli jumped next. Then the stairs crumbled away until the crack was far too big to be jumped. But by some miracle the crumbling stairway fell forward, depositing Frodo and Aragorn on the opposite side with their companions. All the while the drum of doom was growing louder. DOOM!! BOOM!! DOOM!!
As they continued to run, Legolas stared in horror at the arrow protruding from Vanessa's back. Finally they reached the bridge and began to cross it one by one until only Gandalf and Vanessa remained. She then flung her arms around the old wizard despite her pain.
"I just wanted to say good-bye Gandalf", she cried to him softly. Gandalf gazed into her sea green eyes and he saw his doom laid out there. This was really it. "FLY" he yelled at her and she fled across the bridge, looking back only once. Meanwhile, Gandalf stood in the center of the narrow bridge, smiting the stone with his staff. The balrog now stood in front of him, trying to pass him.
"YOU CANNOT PASS". He shouted defiantly up at the balrog. "I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire shall not avail you, FLAME OF UDUN. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" he yelled, smiting the bridge one final time with his staff and his sword, Glamdring. With that, the bridge broke in half, taking the balrog of Morgoth with it. As Gandalf turned to join them, the balrog attacked again, catching the old man's leg with its whip. "Fly you fools!" Gandalf yelled as he was dragged over the edge into oblivion.
"NOOOOOOOO!!!" Frodo cried out. He tried to rush forward but Boromir dragged him back and out of the cave. Aragorn stood at the edge of the chasm for a moment in a state of complete shock. But he finally pulled himself free and fled from the mines. The fellowship had finally reached the end of Moria and they saw the light of day once more. But Gandalf was no longer with them. Each member wondered away from the group to express grief in his own way.
Meanwhile Legolas was seeing to Vanessa. The wound could possibly be fatal if it did not have the attention of an experienced healer and fast. Legolas pulled the arrow from her shoulder and bandaged it as best he could with her shirt still covering most of the wound, but he dared not do it properly. "You are lucky Luthien. That arrow almost pierced your heart." He said trying to comfort her and himself.
Vanessa took his hand and placed it over her still beating heart, she could almost feel the fear in his touch. "I'm not so sure that it didn't", she said in a serious voice.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien", Aragorn informed the others as they regrouped.
Legolas gently helped Vanessa to her feet, helping her stand. He would carry her if he had to. "I don't want you carrying me", she said as if she had read his thoughts.
With Legolas helping Vanessa run, the fellowship reached the borders of the golden wood late in the afternoon. By the time they were safe in the forest Vanessa's breathing was extremely shallow and she collapsed on the forest floor, unable to go another step, even with help. So she finally let Legolas lift her into his arms, snuggling up against him.
As they walked through the forest, Legolas heard Gimli telling the hobbits about an elf witch that lived in the very forest that they were walking through. "How can the dwarf talk about the Lady Galadriel in such a manner?" Legolas wondered to himself. "But he will soon see her for himself".
"Legolas", he suddenly heard Vanessa whisper to him. "I feel.so weak. I think.I might.might be."
"No! No, don't talk like this Luthien. You will live! Everything will be all right, you will see. You will live." He said softly, hugging her tightly to him.
Suddenly, Legolas found himself staring down the shaft of an arrow. He would have responded but he was holding Vanessa. Legolas recognized the leader of the band of elves as Haldir. Aragorn stepped up to him and spoke to him in the elvish tongue. "Haldir of Lorien. We need your protection. The girl needs help", he pleaded, indicating Vanessa.
"Aragorn, these woods are perilous. We should go back", Gimli said nervously.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back", Haldir said softly, his gaze resting on Frodo. "Come. She is waiting."
* * *
"Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him." The Elf lord Celeborn asked them.
"He has fallen into shadow." The Lady Galadriel surmised as she saw into the hearts of the fellowship.
Upon their entry into the city of Caras Galadhon the remaining members of the fellowship had been brought before Celeborn and Galdriel. Vanessa had insisted on joining them instead of seeking immediate medical attention. Legolas was now helping her to stand before them.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true." Galadriel intoned. As she said this she met the gaze of each member in turn. Each of them turned away from her, unable to bear her gaze. When the Lady's eyes fell on Vanessa, she heard her voice inside her head saying, "You are not of this world, Vanessa. You are the keeper of the stone.Falynn." Vanessa stumbled backwards at these words, shocked that the Elf Lady knew her real name.
"But do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." With that the fellowship took leave of the two Elves. As soon as they had left the room, Vanessa collapsed once more and she was rushed to the healers.
The fellowship was given their own flet to sleep on. As he waited for news of Vanessa'a condition, Legolas heard the elves singing. "A lament for Gandalf", He said sadly.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked him.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." Legolas said, bowing his head.
Just then, one of the healers came to them with news. "She is not in good condition. She should have been brought to us immediately after you arrived."
"But will she live?" Legolas asked the Elf. The fear in his voice was apparent.
"She may not make it through the night", he informed them.
Legolas walked away from them. Hanging his head in disbelief. First Gandalf, and then Luthien. He couldn't take it. The grief and pain would simply tear him in two. He sat down, his head in his hands, anguish and emptiness consumed him. Why couldn't he have prevented this thing? Maybe if he had been more watchful she wouldn't have been shot.
Legolas immediately rushed to the healer flet. He couldn't let her be alone in her hour of need. Luckily they let him pass in to see her. When he was led into her room and he saw her, Legolas felt as if he had been slapped. Vanessa was still conscious but she lay as still as if she were already dead. He sat next to her and took her hand. "Hey" she whispered to him as best she could. His heart nearly broke at how feeble and weak her voice was. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Not too bad actually. The pain is gone." She answered, noting the pained expression on his face. "Do I really look that bad?" she asked him, trying to crack a smile.
" Please, do not speak. You need to save your strength." He said, dodging her question.
"You need to leave now, Elf prince. She must rest", said a chambermaid that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Can't I stay with her. I do not wish to leave her alone."
"All right, but you must let her rest. She is very weak." With that the maid left.
Legolas sat by her side all through the night and for most of the following days. She slept fitfully but she lived. During every moment Legolas was by her side, never sleeping and hardly ever eating. One day Aragorn came to visit Vanessa and he noticed how tired the Elf was.
"Take some rest. If Luthien has made it this far, the healers believe she will live."
"I can't. I can't eat or rest until I know that she is going to be all right", he said, staring down at her pale face, his eyes filled with unshed tears.
"Legolas, I truly am sorry for the way that I treated her."
"I know".
Getting no further response from him, Aragorn left them.
* * *
About a week after their arrival, Vanessa began to revive. Slowly the color returned to her face and she quickly began to regain her strength. Legolas spent almost every moment of his time with her. The night before she was officially released from the healers care Legolas came to see her once more, not knowing that the events of this night would alter the course of his future forever.
"I am so happy that you are all right." He said to her, wrapping his arms around her in a loving embrace.
"I couldn't have made it without you. Even though I was asleep, I could still feel you with me." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew his face down to hers.
Being careful of her shoulder, Legolas pulled her into his arms and met her lips. Suddenly, she drew her breath in as a hiss and winced as his shoulder bumped against hers. Quickly he backed away from her and made her sit down on her bed. He sat next to her and began to gently caress her sore shoulder. It was then that Legolas noticed how thin her hospital gown was. In the fading light of dusk, the material looked almost transparent. His eyes drifted down from her face, past her neck..
Suddenly he snapped back to attention, shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind. When he was finally able to look up again Legolas found that she was leaning on him. Her arms were around him once more. Luthien was far too close to him and yet he wanted her to be closer. He pulled her to him once again for another short kiss. The kiss would have indeed been brief if Luthien hadn't opened her mouth under his. Legolas could no longer hold back. He leaned closer to her and squeezed her tightly to him, drinking in the sweetness of her lips. He lay back upon the bed and pulled her onto him. Her warm weight upon his body made him long for her even more. . Legolas started to pant as she undid the straps of his tunic. He, in turn, undid the buttons on her dress, the feeling of her bare chest on his sending him to heaven, hell, and back again all at the same time. As they broke the kiss, Legolas gazed into Luthien's eyes. She was such an amazing woman and he realized how lucky he was to have found her.
For hours they moved together on the bed, celebrating that they could finally be together this way. The world fell away and it was just the two of them, combined into one soul as they reveled in their passion for one another. Until at last, the two lovers slept, naked and spent, in each others arms.
That was how Aragorn found them the next morning.
* *
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(A/N) ooooooooooooh. How is Aragorn going to react to finding Legolas in bed with Vanessa? And what will come of this night of passion? (Hint, hint, wink, wink) Please review and you will soon find out.
