A/n: No, Lirabeth doesn't like Legolas in THAT way. Read on, my
fair readers, and review! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
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PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, also check
out my anti-Sue fic! I'm feeling depressed because my friends don't e-mail
me anymore and reviews are the only things I get in my inbox. Sniffles...
I need a self-esteem boost... flatter me please? :(
Sobs! I went to camp, and, suprise suprise suprise!!!!!! My friend from like, two years ago was there! We keep bumping into each other! Yayful sobs!
But still sobs. I think I'll get going now...
In response to reviews:
MoroTheWolfGod: Hiya! More, here. :)
Star Future: Hey hey, that's a heck of a lot of OHMIGOSHs. :) This is a cliffie chapter...
Cerasi2: ^_^; Ahahaheeheheheh... Er... well, drat. Romance was indeed rushed. (Though I did try to spend the first bunch of chapters building tension... guess I didn't work that too smoothly.) And, by way of repenting for the Americanism ( I live in America, though I got no prob. dissing it... not very patriotic!) I updated early!!!!!
val: Doncha worry, hunni, the ending is gonna be angst-ish. And... This could be the second-to-last-chapter!!!!!! Aieeeeee!!!!!! ... unless, of course, I am persuaded to write the sequel. :)
Princess Flame: Luv ya, darlin'! :) Here is a gift-wrapped update for P.F. and a pair of online grey socks for Kara. Wahahahaaa... evil!
moonlightgoddess: Here ya go, mysterious past all dished up and served nicely. :) Luv ya, hun.
Legolas19: Yo! Here ya go! Is this ASAP 'nuff?
Gilraen3: Oh, of course not you silly!!!! Legolas ain't kinky for gals, you dig? He... 'bats for the other team'. Ya. :)
Chapter 11: Two Thorn'd Roses
Lirabeth's PoV
I am very grateful for Legolas and Aragorn for coming with me. They add a reassuring prescence to my back, glaring at the drunk men in the seats of the bar who reach out for me. I wonder who they are?
Belhemos is a small town, not quite a city. Everybody knows everybody, except for once every autumn when the traders come. We're too close to Mirkwood for comfort for them to come more often.
The village priest is my enemy. All of Hagurl's priests are. I am enemies with them because of my demon blood. It taints me, they claim. Legolas doesn't think they are right to say such things. It is the first time anyone has ever believed me.
My blood is why they are enemies.
And because I don't want to get married, or join a convent.
They hate me. And it is because of nothing I can help.
Let me fill you in on my childhood. My father was crucified a few months after we were born, accused of witchcraft and of being a demon. My mother was weak, and when Father died, she forgot who me and Elisabet were, and she began to behave like a madwoman. Perhaps she was. But only when the priests came to call. Only when they were there did she get so agitated. Still, they call her a madwoman.
The priests say so. But I am inclined to disagree with the priests.
Anyway, we were looked after by everyone in the village. And everyone in Belhemos thinks we are demons. Parents don't let their children look at me when they walk by me. They cross themselves when they think I do not see them.
It hurts.
I have no one. No one but Elisabet, and she uses me as an outlet for all the pain and anger she experiences in her work. I have scars from when she threw a lamp at me. It was a lit lamp.
The burning hurt.
Even though they looked after us, they were always stopping us from making friends with their sons and daughters. They expected us to be ever so grateful for clothing us and housing us and feeding us. And no matter what we did, we were called ungrateful, we were called spoiled, were called rebellious.
We never asked for their help.
They could have simply given us away. I didn't want to become anything everyone wanted me to be, so I was called a disagreeable child. I don't like any of them, they're far too narrow-minded.
And they do not want to accept what I am in reality, much as they do not want to accept that I am no demon.
I prefer the touch of a woman to that of a man.
I am tainted. Unclean.
Alone.
__________________________________________________________
Aragorn stared broodingly at Lirabeth. //Something tells me she's got a sad, sad story to tell.// Legolas seemed to like her immensely. Aragorn wasn't jealous, not really, but Lirabeth seemed to be more work that Legolas. She was very strong physically, but mentally... Dear Valar.
//Wait a minute... Legolas and Lirabeth might be good for each other. They say people are stronger when they have something to protect. This girl could be exactly what he needs.//
Intrigued by this new idea, Aragorn began to think about what they could do. Obviously, Lirabeth needed help, so...
Legolas was rather exited to have a genuine human to discuss human religion with. Most, if not all members of royal houses were schooled as diplomats, for they were often required to speak in councils and at public events where leaders of other nations were present. And it would, quite frankly, not be good for a kingdom at all if the diplomats of that kingdom terribly insulted another kingdom's beliefs.
So, naturally, all the bizarre cults and assorted practices of the surrounding lands were taken to memory by Lords, Ladies, and especially Princes.
Legolas had had to learn all about Hagurl before the Watcher.
But, no one really ever went to Belhemos. (Knowlege wasted.) But now, he was in Belhemos, with real humans and real religious practices going on all over the place.
So, now he had finally met an actual human who belonged to the central area that worshipped Hagurl, he got to find out what had happened to the annoying little cult that had spread from Belhemos.
Many words were spoken between Lirabeth and Legolas concerning the fundamental beliefs, and how the hymns and chants had changed over the past few millenia. Legolas was currently reciting a twelve-stanza passage from the old book of worship off of memory, and Lirabeth was comenting on how it had been revised.
Apparently, even the musical chatter of the elves could get pretty damn annoying after the first half-hour.
Aragorn sighed, bored out of his mind by the babble. He knew it was good for Legolas to talk about things he knew of, with people he could relate to, in order to get him accustomed to speaking up when he thought of something (he was pretty quiet in the wilderness, and serious conversation was difficult to bring up.) But...
//Learning that the heathen Belhelmosian religion is regarded as utter truth and the ultimate word of the God- Ach! They only have ONE god! How on earth do they expect Hagurl to manage it all?! Besides, everyone knows that Christos was the true messiah... Silly elves and Belhemosians. They obviously have no idea what they're talking about, the poor misguided souls.//
Meanwhile, at the table...
"Lirabeth, that's simply heathen! Elves have known for AGES that the only Lords are the Valar. You can't possibly think that Hagurl or- or- Christos, for example, are really Gods to be worshipped!"
Lirabeth laughed. "Oh? If you said that in the prayer house, my friend, you would be stoned for blasphemy. Are you sure you want to discuss this with me, though? I am no friend to organized, enforced religion. It was the downfall of my- father... You are sure I do not bear demon blood? None... at all?" She sounded so desperate that Legolas was taken aback.
He had to think for a while to give her an answer. Finally he looked up into her eyes again. "You are pure. Your soul is clean. No matter whom you worship, your soul will go to a haven among the skies. You are not evil. You are beautiful, and you are light." Lirabeth smiled sheepishly.
"I-I thought that Hagurl's was the only Way. I didn't know that others approved of... of... well, er, Legolas? May I ask you a question?" Legolas nodded, a bit suprised.
"Do you love Aragorn?"
Legolas praised his mask, not for the first time, for he was sure he was a violent shade of scarlet. He looked down.
"Um. Well... yes, I guess I do," he said in a voice that was much higher than usual. Lirabeth blushed, as well.
"Do you think... Am I evil if I love women?"
Legolas sputtered in the middle of sipping his mug of ale. He coughed for quite awhile, and when he had gotten that under control, he gazed at Lirabeth with a mixture of bemusement and shock. "Who put that ridiculous notion into your head? It's normal, it's fine, there is nothing wrong with it at all. Let me tell you, if you just went out into the lower, less expensive areas of living, you would probably find someone like you in no more than a week."
Lirabeth was about to answer, when she caught sight of a scene behind Legolas's shoulder, and she froze with her mouth hanging open. Legolas, curious, turned around.
Aragorn and Elisabet were in the booth next door, and Elisabet was kissing him.
Legolas didn't notice when his mug slipped out of his fingers and clattered on the floor.
A/n: Gasp! A ... CLIFFHANGER!!!!!! How on earth am I going to work my way out of this impossible situation? Review me, I'll write more sooner. I swear it shall be done... :) Luv you alls, buh-bye!
Sobs! I went to camp, and, suprise suprise suprise!!!!!! My friend from like, two years ago was there! We keep bumping into each other! Yayful sobs!
But still sobs. I think I'll get going now...
In response to reviews:
MoroTheWolfGod: Hiya! More, here. :)
Star Future: Hey hey, that's a heck of a lot of OHMIGOSHs. :) This is a cliffie chapter...
Cerasi2: ^_^; Ahahaheeheheheh... Er... well, drat. Romance was indeed rushed. (Though I did try to spend the first bunch of chapters building tension... guess I didn't work that too smoothly.) And, by way of repenting for the Americanism ( I live in America, though I got no prob. dissing it... not very patriotic!) I updated early!!!!!
val: Doncha worry, hunni, the ending is gonna be angst-ish. And... This could be the second-to-last-chapter!!!!!! Aieeeeee!!!!!! ... unless, of course, I am persuaded to write the sequel. :)
Princess Flame: Luv ya, darlin'! :) Here is a gift-wrapped update for P.F. and a pair of online grey socks for Kara. Wahahahaaa... evil!
moonlightgoddess: Here ya go, mysterious past all dished up and served nicely. :) Luv ya, hun.
Legolas19: Yo! Here ya go! Is this ASAP 'nuff?
Gilraen3: Oh, of course not you silly!!!! Legolas ain't kinky for gals, you dig? He... 'bats for the other team'. Ya. :)
Chapter 11: Two Thorn'd Roses
Lirabeth's PoV
I am very grateful for Legolas and Aragorn for coming with me. They add a reassuring prescence to my back, glaring at the drunk men in the seats of the bar who reach out for me. I wonder who they are?
Belhemos is a small town, not quite a city. Everybody knows everybody, except for once every autumn when the traders come. We're too close to Mirkwood for comfort for them to come more often.
The village priest is my enemy. All of Hagurl's priests are. I am enemies with them because of my demon blood. It taints me, they claim. Legolas doesn't think they are right to say such things. It is the first time anyone has ever believed me.
My blood is why they are enemies.
And because I don't want to get married, or join a convent.
They hate me. And it is because of nothing I can help.
Let me fill you in on my childhood. My father was crucified a few months after we were born, accused of witchcraft and of being a demon. My mother was weak, and when Father died, she forgot who me and Elisabet were, and she began to behave like a madwoman. Perhaps she was. But only when the priests came to call. Only when they were there did she get so agitated. Still, they call her a madwoman.
The priests say so. But I am inclined to disagree with the priests.
Anyway, we were looked after by everyone in the village. And everyone in Belhemos thinks we are demons. Parents don't let their children look at me when they walk by me. They cross themselves when they think I do not see them.
It hurts.
I have no one. No one but Elisabet, and she uses me as an outlet for all the pain and anger she experiences in her work. I have scars from when she threw a lamp at me. It was a lit lamp.
The burning hurt.
Even though they looked after us, they were always stopping us from making friends with their sons and daughters. They expected us to be ever so grateful for clothing us and housing us and feeding us. And no matter what we did, we were called ungrateful, we were called spoiled, were called rebellious.
We never asked for their help.
They could have simply given us away. I didn't want to become anything everyone wanted me to be, so I was called a disagreeable child. I don't like any of them, they're far too narrow-minded.
And they do not want to accept what I am in reality, much as they do not want to accept that I am no demon.
I prefer the touch of a woman to that of a man.
I am tainted. Unclean.
Alone.
__________________________________________________________
Aragorn stared broodingly at Lirabeth. //Something tells me she's got a sad, sad story to tell.// Legolas seemed to like her immensely. Aragorn wasn't jealous, not really, but Lirabeth seemed to be more work that Legolas. She was very strong physically, but mentally... Dear Valar.
//Wait a minute... Legolas and Lirabeth might be good for each other. They say people are stronger when they have something to protect. This girl could be exactly what he needs.//
Intrigued by this new idea, Aragorn began to think about what they could do. Obviously, Lirabeth needed help, so...
Legolas was rather exited to have a genuine human to discuss human religion with. Most, if not all members of royal houses were schooled as diplomats, for they were often required to speak in councils and at public events where leaders of other nations were present. And it would, quite frankly, not be good for a kingdom at all if the diplomats of that kingdom terribly insulted another kingdom's beliefs.
So, naturally, all the bizarre cults and assorted practices of the surrounding lands were taken to memory by Lords, Ladies, and especially Princes.
Legolas had had to learn all about Hagurl before the Watcher.
But, no one really ever went to Belhemos. (Knowlege wasted.) But now, he was in Belhemos, with real humans and real religious practices going on all over the place.
So, now he had finally met an actual human who belonged to the central area that worshipped Hagurl, he got to find out what had happened to the annoying little cult that had spread from Belhemos.
Many words were spoken between Lirabeth and Legolas concerning the fundamental beliefs, and how the hymns and chants had changed over the past few millenia. Legolas was currently reciting a twelve-stanza passage from the old book of worship off of memory, and Lirabeth was comenting on how it had been revised.
Apparently, even the musical chatter of the elves could get pretty damn annoying after the first half-hour.
Aragorn sighed, bored out of his mind by the babble. He knew it was good for Legolas to talk about things he knew of, with people he could relate to, in order to get him accustomed to speaking up when he thought of something (he was pretty quiet in the wilderness, and serious conversation was difficult to bring up.) But...
//Learning that the heathen Belhelmosian religion is regarded as utter truth and the ultimate word of the God- Ach! They only have ONE god! How on earth do they expect Hagurl to manage it all?! Besides, everyone knows that Christos was the true messiah... Silly elves and Belhemosians. They obviously have no idea what they're talking about, the poor misguided souls.//
Meanwhile, at the table...
"Lirabeth, that's simply heathen! Elves have known for AGES that the only Lords are the Valar. You can't possibly think that Hagurl or- or- Christos, for example, are really Gods to be worshipped!"
Lirabeth laughed. "Oh? If you said that in the prayer house, my friend, you would be stoned for blasphemy. Are you sure you want to discuss this with me, though? I am no friend to organized, enforced religion. It was the downfall of my- father... You are sure I do not bear demon blood? None... at all?" She sounded so desperate that Legolas was taken aback.
He had to think for a while to give her an answer. Finally he looked up into her eyes again. "You are pure. Your soul is clean. No matter whom you worship, your soul will go to a haven among the skies. You are not evil. You are beautiful, and you are light." Lirabeth smiled sheepishly.
"I-I thought that Hagurl's was the only Way. I didn't know that others approved of... of... well, er, Legolas? May I ask you a question?" Legolas nodded, a bit suprised.
"Do you love Aragorn?"
Legolas praised his mask, not for the first time, for he was sure he was a violent shade of scarlet. He looked down.
"Um. Well... yes, I guess I do," he said in a voice that was much higher than usual. Lirabeth blushed, as well.
"Do you think... Am I evil if I love women?"
Legolas sputtered in the middle of sipping his mug of ale. He coughed for quite awhile, and when he had gotten that under control, he gazed at Lirabeth with a mixture of bemusement and shock. "Who put that ridiculous notion into your head? It's normal, it's fine, there is nothing wrong with it at all. Let me tell you, if you just went out into the lower, less expensive areas of living, you would probably find someone like you in no more than a week."
Lirabeth was about to answer, when she caught sight of a scene behind Legolas's shoulder, and she froze with her mouth hanging open. Legolas, curious, turned around.
Aragorn and Elisabet were in the booth next door, and Elisabet was kissing him.
Legolas didn't notice when his mug slipped out of his fingers and clattered on the floor.
A/n: Gasp! A ... CLIFFHANGER!!!!!! How on earth am I going to work my way out of this impossible situation? Review me, I'll write more sooner. I swear it shall be done... :) Luv you alls, buh-bye!