Chapter 19
He hitched his shoulder slightly as he felt a new bundle of arrows fall into his quiver, not loosing pace as he continuously fired into the mob below. He sighted another orc and let fly, already drawing forth another arrow to the string.
~SO!~
He flinched slightly his arrow veering off course but striking an orc nevertheless. Iiten's grinning face appeared just under his bow arm.
~.How goes the battle?~
He didn't spare a glare at the grinning elf. ~What has you so cheerful Iiten, did you find the lady?~
~No, not the lady that gave Holil the herbs at least but I did find another lady.~ He smiled dreamily as he cut open another bundle of arrows, this time funneling them into the next archer's quiver. Legolas let one eyebrow arch slightly.
~Not just any lady I take it.~ He replied with an amused yet congratulating tone.
Iiten smiled warmly. ~I completely revoke anything I may have said on the subject, and you have my most humble apologies.~
~Must be some lady to evoke that sort of reaction out of you, was she perhaps wielding a meat knife when you first saw her?~
~Hardly, she is more the nurturing type. One of the lovely, reassuring ladies that are valiantly tending to our warriors. I could not keep her from her quest to aide the wounded.~
~That's. lovely. Don't forget your quest though, I think Fathiel's just run dry.~ Iiten rose to replenish the other archers.
Legolas listened to his receding footsteps, as clear as a bell despite the sounds of battle that permeated the air around him. Iiten's new find would bring an end to all of his taunts and teases, that was good. They would probably loose him for a month or so, while he relished in the company of his Lady. Twenty one more days than he had been gifted with. The edge of his bow brushed the small compartment on his belt holding sage leaves he had filched from her supply during the time they were together. The seven soft green leaves were thin and warped from constant fingerings. His arrow imbedded itself into an arm, injuring but not killing the orc. He lowered his bow and strode towards the steps for the next level. There was no point in shooting if he couldn't concentrate enough to hit what he was aiming at.
Iiten sought out Tanielle and found her resting in a corner, where she pressed a bowl of stew into his hands. He downed it quickly, wanting to ask his question before he was pulled off topic. He rested the bowl on a counter and welcomed her into his arms, shrugging his shoulders so his cape fell down over her back.
~I was wondering, some of my party were seeking herbs earlier this week and ran into a lady, probably from this colony. Do you know who that was?~
She leaned her head against his chest, exceedingly pleased with his apparent warmth. ~A few days ago. well the only one out in the weather was Lilluil. She was collecting herbs too, why?~
~Well.~ He recounted to her the entire story, clipping out his brash arguments and the joke that it started with.
~I see, yes. That would be Lilluil, she's the only one crazy enough to go out in this sort of weather. Good thing too, her last minute collecting provided us with enough herbs to keep tending all the injuries the lot of you seem to be acquiring. I put her to bed last night but she should be able to talk by now, and I'm sure she'd like to know the result of her aide. Would you like to talk to her?~
~Very much so, it is due to her that I walk today.~
~Then we are both much indebted. Come, our room is this way.~ She led him up the next flight of stairs and along the bridges to their room. Lilluil was still in a light sleep, but she suspected that she would like to hear the news as soon as she was able so she shook her shoulder slightly. The mass of brown hair that was visible shifted slightly as her friend nestled into the blankets that must seem wonderfully warm in comparison to the still damp weather.
~Lilluil?~
~.yes?~
~Are you feeling better? How's your shoulder?~
~Much better, tired though, and it's still sore. What can I do for you?~
Iiten stepped forward and bowed. ~A few days ago you gave some healing plants to some hunters in the wood, they saved my life and I am forever grateful to you Lady Lilluil.~
~.oh. I am glad that they came to such good use. I too am indebted to you, for I have never before heard Tanielle so alive at these hours, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience I had never expected. So seeing that we have gifted each other with considerable means I will be content to call it even on the condition that you bring me some food, and a drink, preferably hot.~
Iiten bowed mockingly. ~It will be as you have commanded, M'lady.~
~Wonderful, I shall sleep and await your immediate return with the edibles.~
Tanielle smiled softly and tucked the blankets more firmly around Lilluil. Iiten smiled, how caring and thoughtful Tanielle was! He enjoyed the witticisms of her roommate too. Glancing at the bed he stiffened in shock, then quickly shook it off as Tanielle turned back to him murmuring about the bowl of soup. His mind was elsewhere though. No wonder why we couldn't find the slightest trace of her along the southern border! And then on a softer note. Legolas will be pleased.
He hitched his shoulder slightly as he felt a new bundle of arrows fall into his quiver, not loosing pace as he continuously fired into the mob below. He sighted another orc and let fly, already drawing forth another arrow to the string.
~SO!~
He flinched slightly his arrow veering off course but striking an orc nevertheless. Iiten's grinning face appeared just under his bow arm.
~.How goes the battle?~
He didn't spare a glare at the grinning elf. ~What has you so cheerful Iiten, did you find the lady?~
~No, not the lady that gave Holil the herbs at least but I did find another lady.~ He smiled dreamily as he cut open another bundle of arrows, this time funneling them into the next archer's quiver. Legolas let one eyebrow arch slightly.
~Not just any lady I take it.~ He replied with an amused yet congratulating tone.
Iiten smiled warmly. ~I completely revoke anything I may have said on the subject, and you have my most humble apologies.~
~Must be some lady to evoke that sort of reaction out of you, was she perhaps wielding a meat knife when you first saw her?~
~Hardly, she is more the nurturing type. One of the lovely, reassuring ladies that are valiantly tending to our warriors. I could not keep her from her quest to aide the wounded.~
~That's. lovely. Don't forget your quest though, I think Fathiel's just run dry.~ Iiten rose to replenish the other archers.
Legolas listened to his receding footsteps, as clear as a bell despite the sounds of battle that permeated the air around him. Iiten's new find would bring an end to all of his taunts and teases, that was good. They would probably loose him for a month or so, while he relished in the company of his Lady. Twenty one more days than he had been gifted with. The edge of his bow brushed the small compartment on his belt holding sage leaves he had filched from her supply during the time they were together. The seven soft green leaves were thin and warped from constant fingerings. His arrow imbedded itself into an arm, injuring but not killing the orc. He lowered his bow and strode towards the steps for the next level. There was no point in shooting if he couldn't concentrate enough to hit what he was aiming at.
Iiten sought out Tanielle and found her resting in a corner, where she pressed a bowl of stew into his hands. He downed it quickly, wanting to ask his question before he was pulled off topic. He rested the bowl on a counter and welcomed her into his arms, shrugging his shoulders so his cape fell down over her back.
~I was wondering, some of my party were seeking herbs earlier this week and ran into a lady, probably from this colony. Do you know who that was?~
She leaned her head against his chest, exceedingly pleased with his apparent warmth. ~A few days ago. well the only one out in the weather was Lilluil. She was collecting herbs too, why?~
~Well.~ He recounted to her the entire story, clipping out his brash arguments and the joke that it started with.
~I see, yes. That would be Lilluil, she's the only one crazy enough to go out in this sort of weather. Good thing too, her last minute collecting provided us with enough herbs to keep tending all the injuries the lot of you seem to be acquiring. I put her to bed last night but she should be able to talk by now, and I'm sure she'd like to know the result of her aide. Would you like to talk to her?~
~Very much so, it is due to her that I walk today.~
~Then we are both much indebted. Come, our room is this way.~ She led him up the next flight of stairs and along the bridges to their room. Lilluil was still in a light sleep, but she suspected that she would like to hear the news as soon as she was able so she shook her shoulder slightly. The mass of brown hair that was visible shifted slightly as her friend nestled into the blankets that must seem wonderfully warm in comparison to the still damp weather.
~Lilluil?~
~.yes?~
~Are you feeling better? How's your shoulder?~
~Much better, tired though, and it's still sore. What can I do for you?~
Iiten stepped forward and bowed. ~A few days ago you gave some healing plants to some hunters in the wood, they saved my life and I am forever grateful to you Lady Lilluil.~
~.oh. I am glad that they came to such good use. I too am indebted to you, for I have never before heard Tanielle so alive at these hours, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience I had never expected. So seeing that we have gifted each other with considerable means I will be content to call it even on the condition that you bring me some food, and a drink, preferably hot.~
Iiten bowed mockingly. ~It will be as you have commanded, M'lady.~
~Wonderful, I shall sleep and await your immediate return with the edibles.~
Tanielle smiled softly and tucked the blankets more firmly around Lilluil. Iiten smiled, how caring and thoughtful Tanielle was! He enjoyed the witticisms of her roommate too. Glancing at the bed he stiffened in shock, then quickly shook it off as Tanielle turned back to him murmuring about the bowl of soup. His mind was elsewhere though. No wonder why we couldn't find the slightest trace of her along the southern border! And then on a softer note. Legolas will be pleased.