Chapter Eight-Jealousy and Comfort
For the next few hours Legolas and Faith walked side by side through halls and gardens, their conversations ranging from the weather to their cultural differences. On one occasion they argued about the best way to bring a government's downfall.
"I still believe that an advancing army can best bring down a leader. A show of power is better...."
"Better for who?!" Faith shouted, swinging her arms wildly. "The ones giving the orders who sit on their lazy asses out of harm's way or the innocents caught in the crossfire?!"
Faith knew that not every leader just sat back and watched, she herself being an excellent example, but damn if she wasn't going to make her point.
The woman smiled internally. She felt giddy and lighthearted and her heart pumped rapidly. Her blood on fire. She loved to argue. The sharp tongue and quick wit... She loved it all. Unfortunately, so few were willing to engage in her verbal battles. The few that did were usually untrained, undisciplined soldiers and they never lasted long.
"It's better to have a smaller group go in. they may not have power, but they have speed and stealth."
Legolas nodded his golden head in understanding. After all, that was why the Fellowship was chosen, but he wasn't yet ready to back down.
"As I was saying before. An army is capable of scaring a leader into submission. Without a drop of blood spilt a war can end."
The two continued to argue back and forth, giving examples to support their view. They both saw the sense in the other's words, but neither were willing to admit defeat first.
Finally, Legolas, despite his enjoyment, decided it was enough. Faith grinned and started prancing around the elf in victory, wondering all the while what the hell she was doing. Soon she gained control of herself and placed a clamp on her running emotions.
Legolas watched in concealed amazement as she returned to her pace by his side, giving no indication of anything that had just transpired. He had never know a mortal who could control and hide their feelings with such ease, with the exception of Aragorn, but he was elven raised.
There were so many questions he wished to ask, but he knew her past was dark and she was reluctant to talk about it. That conversation had to be started by her. The problem was getting her to speak. If she ever did.
Through the corner of her eye she caught sight of Legolas and admired his stride as they walked down the palace halls. He was a soldier. She could see it plain as day and she had the feeling that all elves could make at least decent fighters.
She thought back to the night before. The elf guards were much stronger than her, not that surprising since many people were, but they were also faster. She had never encountered someone who could keep up with her before, let alone 15 of them, yet they had. She had an uneasy feeling that the only reason she lasted as long as she did was the fact that she surprised them. Not to mention her anger and worry fueling her fire.
Faith was brought out of her revere by Legolas' soft, musical voice.
"You have a promise to fulfill, Lady General."
'Lady General, huh?' she thought amused. 'It seems he stuck the two titles together. Stubborn bastard. Has a nice ring though.'
"What promise is that, Pretty Boy?"
"The promise of teaching me one of your many languages," the prince replied with a small smile.
"Oh, that one."
She looked across at him with a grin. It was strange how years of emotionless training all but disappeared, in front of him. An immortal elf prince no less. In her life comfort and contentment was rare and she took it whenever and wherever she could find it. She tried to at least.
"What one do you wanna learn?"
"Preferably the easiest one."
The chuckle that escaped Faith's lips brought a smile to Legolas' own. Never before had he felt at such ease with a stranger. Perhaps it was the fact that both were forced to live lives that neither truly wanted or cared for.
"Then it looks like I'm teachin' you Spanish. Personally, I thought it was easy to learn."
"Then let us begin."
"Now?!" Faith questioned, ignoring the looks of curiosity from passers-by.
Who was the strange human woman and why did the Prince smile at her like an old friend?
Legolas gave her a look of slight confusion.
"I don't see any reason why not."
Before she could reply they were interrupted.
"Prince Legolas, would you be so kind as to introduce me to.... your friend?"
Faith didn't miss the barely concealed look of contempt on the elf's beautiful face.
'What the fuck does she have to be cranky about?'
"Good afternoon, Lady Morningstar," Legolas replied courteously.
'Ooh. He doesn't like her.'
Only Faith seemed to hear the subtle strain in his voice. As if he was forcing himself to be polite.
"This is a palace guest who arrived last night. Aelinlaure may I introduce you to Lady..."
"Angel," Faith interrupted.
Legolas sent her a look of confusion, but she ignored him and smiled brilliantly at the she-elf.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Aelinlaure."
"Likewise."
A silence hung in the air and Legolas watched as the two females stared into each other's eyes, wills battling.
He had to admit that Aelinlaure was beautiful. With her golden blonde hair and eyes that reflected the sky on a clear summer day she was an almost equalizer to the Evenstar's dark beauty. In the past he had been unable to ignore her charms and flawless body, and to this day he regretted that night. For, unlike in Arwen, he sensed a shadow filling her heart.
Aelinlaure continued to stare down at the woman. How dare she face her as if she were her equal. With a hidden sneer Aelinlaure sized up the human in front of her. Her dark hair with a tint of red and eyes swirling with more than one color made her pretty, not beautiful. Light blemishes and tiny, almost invisible, scars marred her tanned skin. Her breast size was certainly laughable. What ever could the Prince see in her?
Aelinlaure was surprised that the human had managed to stand up to her as long as she had. In the hazel depths she peered and saw nothing except an ignorance if not innocence. Finally, the she-elf broke eye contact, determination filling her. The girl couldn't hold a candle to her. She was no threat. She promised herself that Legolas would fall into her bed, and this time she would make sure he stayed there.
"Well, I had better get going. I want to look my best for the party, majesty."
Aelinlaure flashed a smile and gracefully held out her hand. Legolas took it in his own and bowed low.
"I'm looking forward on seeing you there."
With that he placed a kiss on the silky skin and she continued on down the corridor.
"She's one of those people who thinks she's better than everyone else," Faith observed as they turned a corner and started towards her chambers.
As they walked her head turned this way and that, memorizing the hall paths. If there was one thing she hated it was being lost.
"Aye. How did you tell?"
"The way she looked at me. Granted it was well hidden, but I'm a master actress myself."
"And you're all right with this?" Legolas raised a dark eyebrow in question.
"Why shouldn't I be?"
She looked at him as if he had gone insane and he was hard pressed not to grin at her carelessness. However, he knew that Aelinlaure could be quiet dangerous when she wanted to be.
"You must not underestimate her, Lady General."
"Who says I'm underestimating her?"
The pair reached Faith's rooms and she pushed open the door. Stepping inside she gestured for Legolas to follow her.
"I might have my opinions on her, but that's far from underestimating. I thought I told you I don't make assumptions. They always come back to bite you in the ass."
The Elf Prince raised an eyebrow at her choice of words but said nothing.
"Why did you tell her your name was Angel?"
The general shrugged before flopping ungracefully onto the bed.
"Habit I guess. Very few people know my real name. I'm still not sure why I told you. As it is I don't have a full name. Just Faith. Whenever I went on missions I used the code name Angel. A play off from one of my titles."
"What title, if you don't mind me asking?"
Legolas moved to the chair that was set across from her and slid down with ease. Although his face showed only mild curiosity, inside he was bouncing with expectation. She was talking!
"The Angel of Death."
She stood and walked to the open window. All the while Legolas' eyes never left her slim form.
"That's what they called me and in truth I earned the name."
Her voice was soft, completely monotone, and it stole over his soul. He stood from the seat and walked over to her. Once he reached her side he placed his hands on the window sill and followed her gaze to an elven couple. Turning towards her he nearly gasped at what he saw.
The hazel eyes showed all that her voice refused to betray. They were full of pain and regret. At that moment Legolas wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her small, trim figure, but he refrained. He knew Faith wouldn't except his comfort. Not yet.
The silence reigned heavy between them until Faith's eyes focused back in the present.
"That's my life," she sighed. "I may not like it, but I learned a long time ago to accept it."
"You can always dream of something better," the elf encouraged softly, not realizing he only succeeded in bringing her more sorrow.
"Yes. Dream."
She was quiet, subdued, and he couldn't stand to see her fiery spirit so low.
"Even in the darkest of times there is light to be found," Legolas consoled gently while losing himself in his own dark memories.
The woman turned away from the window and faced the golden prince. He was lost in his own world and by the look on his face it wasn't a nice one.
Remembering the conversation held in the Elven King's study the night before she recalled that this world had just finished a war. A war against an evil that, should they have lost, would have destroyed all things pure and good.
She remembered that the fate of this world had rested on the shoulders of a small hobbit and the group that had sworn to protect him. Legolas was a part of that group. The only representative of this beautiful race.
He knew. Him and those others. They knew what it was like to have so much depending on you. So many people counting on you, even if most didn't realize it. They knew the pressure that the knowledge of what would happen if they failed caused.
Without another thought about it Faith reached out and pulled the elf into an embrace. Slowly she felt arms wrap around her waist and she forced herself not to tense at the unaccustomed touch. His chin rested gently on the top of her head while she caught the scent of the forest that seemed to always cling to him. Clean and fresh. Wild and free. As she closed her eyes she allowed the world to melt around her. Nothing mattered but them. Them and their shared grief.
****************************************************************************************************************************
Okay, okay. Once again this chapter is past due. Sorry. I sorta lost the disk while cleaning my room. Can you believe it? Cleaning!
I'm not sure when the next chap will be out, seeing as how with summer here I've gotten lazy, but I'll try.
The good news is it might not be so long. Hopefully, I'll be going to visit my mother for the remainder of the summer and I get to fly. Goody!! 8 hours of nothing but sitting on my ass in an uncomfortable chair. Not to mention the stop in North Carolina. So that should give me plenty of time to write.
Anyway, so long for now.
For the next few hours Legolas and Faith walked side by side through halls and gardens, their conversations ranging from the weather to their cultural differences. On one occasion they argued about the best way to bring a government's downfall.
"I still believe that an advancing army can best bring down a leader. A show of power is better...."
"Better for who?!" Faith shouted, swinging her arms wildly. "The ones giving the orders who sit on their lazy asses out of harm's way or the innocents caught in the crossfire?!"
Faith knew that not every leader just sat back and watched, she herself being an excellent example, but damn if she wasn't going to make her point.
The woman smiled internally. She felt giddy and lighthearted and her heart pumped rapidly. Her blood on fire. She loved to argue. The sharp tongue and quick wit... She loved it all. Unfortunately, so few were willing to engage in her verbal battles. The few that did were usually untrained, undisciplined soldiers and they never lasted long.
"It's better to have a smaller group go in. they may not have power, but they have speed and stealth."
Legolas nodded his golden head in understanding. After all, that was why the Fellowship was chosen, but he wasn't yet ready to back down.
"As I was saying before. An army is capable of scaring a leader into submission. Without a drop of blood spilt a war can end."
The two continued to argue back and forth, giving examples to support their view. They both saw the sense in the other's words, but neither were willing to admit defeat first.
Finally, Legolas, despite his enjoyment, decided it was enough. Faith grinned and started prancing around the elf in victory, wondering all the while what the hell she was doing. Soon she gained control of herself and placed a clamp on her running emotions.
Legolas watched in concealed amazement as she returned to her pace by his side, giving no indication of anything that had just transpired. He had never know a mortal who could control and hide their feelings with such ease, with the exception of Aragorn, but he was elven raised.
There were so many questions he wished to ask, but he knew her past was dark and she was reluctant to talk about it. That conversation had to be started by her. The problem was getting her to speak. If she ever did.
Through the corner of her eye she caught sight of Legolas and admired his stride as they walked down the palace halls. He was a soldier. She could see it plain as day and she had the feeling that all elves could make at least decent fighters.
She thought back to the night before. The elf guards were much stronger than her, not that surprising since many people were, but they were also faster. She had never encountered someone who could keep up with her before, let alone 15 of them, yet they had. She had an uneasy feeling that the only reason she lasted as long as she did was the fact that she surprised them. Not to mention her anger and worry fueling her fire.
Faith was brought out of her revere by Legolas' soft, musical voice.
"You have a promise to fulfill, Lady General."
'Lady General, huh?' she thought amused. 'It seems he stuck the two titles together. Stubborn bastard. Has a nice ring though.'
"What promise is that, Pretty Boy?"
"The promise of teaching me one of your many languages," the prince replied with a small smile.
"Oh, that one."
She looked across at him with a grin. It was strange how years of emotionless training all but disappeared, in front of him. An immortal elf prince no less. In her life comfort and contentment was rare and she took it whenever and wherever she could find it. She tried to at least.
"What one do you wanna learn?"
"Preferably the easiest one."
The chuckle that escaped Faith's lips brought a smile to Legolas' own. Never before had he felt at such ease with a stranger. Perhaps it was the fact that both were forced to live lives that neither truly wanted or cared for.
"Then it looks like I'm teachin' you Spanish. Personally, I thought it was easy to learn."
"Then let us begin."
"Now?!" Faith questioned, ignoring the looks of curiosity from passers-by.
Who was the strange human woman and why did the Prince smile at her like an old friend?
Legolas gave her a look of slight confusion.
"I don't see any reason why not."
Before she could reply they were interrupted.
"Prince Legolas, would you be so kind as to introduce me to.... your friend?"
Faith didn't miss the barely concealed look of contempt on the elf's beautiful face.
'What the fuck does she have to be cranky about?'
"Good afternoon, Lady Morningstar," Legolas replied courteously.
'Ooh. He doesn't like her.'
Only Faith seemed to hear the subtle strain in his voice. As if he was forcing himself to be polite.
"This is a palace guest who arrived last night. Aelinlaure may I introduce you to Lady..."
"Angel," Faith interrupted.
Legolas sent her a look of confusion, but she ignored him and smiled brilliantly at the she-elf.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Aelinlaure."
"Likewise."
A silence hung in the air and Legolas watched as the two females stared into each other's eyes, wills battling.
He had to admit that Aelinlaure was beautiful. With her golden blonde hair and eyes that reflected the sky on a clear summer day she was an almost equalizer to the Evenstar's dark beauty. In the past he had been unable to ignore her charms and flawless body, and to this day he regretted that night. For, unlike in Arwen, he sensed a shadow filling her heart.
Aelinlaure continued to stare down at the woman. How dare she face her as if she were her equal. With a hidden sneer Aelinlaure sized up the human in front of her. Her dark hair with a tint of red and eyes swirling with more than one color made her pretty, not beautiful. Light blemishes and tiny, almost invisible, scars marred her tanned skin. Her breast size was certainly laughable. What ever could the Prince see in her?
Aelinlaure was surprised that the human had managed to stand up to her as long as she had. In the hazel depths she peered and saw nothing except an ignorance if not innocence. Finally, the she-elf broke eye contact, determination filling her. The girl couldn't hold a candle to her. She was no threat. She promised herself that Legolas would fall into her bed, and this time she would make sure he stayed there.
"Well, I had better get going. I want to look my best for the party, majesty."
Aelinlaure flashed a smile and gracefully held out her hand. Legolas took it in his own and bowed low.
"I'm looking forward on seeing you there."
With that he placed a kiss on the silky skin and she continued on down the corridor.
"She's one of those people who thinks she's better than everyone else," Faith observed as they turned a corner and started towards her chambers.
As they walked her head turned this way and that, memorizing the hall paths. If there was one thing she hated it was being lost.
"Aye. How did you tell?"
"The way she looked at me. Granted it was well hidden, but I'm a master actress myself."
"And you're all right with this?" Legolas raised a dark eyebrow in question.
"Why shouldn't I be?"
She looked at him as if he had gone insane and he was hard pressed not to grin at her carelessness. However, he knew that Aelinlaure could be quiet dangerous when she wanted to be.
"You must not underestimate her, Lady General."
"Who says I'm underestimating her?"
The pair reached Faith's rooms and she pushed open the door. Stepping inside she gestured for Legolas to follow her.
"I might have my opinions on her, but that's far from underestimating. I thought I told you I don't make assumptions. They always come back to bite you in the ass."
The Elf Prince raised an eyebrow at her choice of words but said nothing.
"Why did you tell her your name was Angel?"
The general shrugged before flopping ungracefully onto the bed.
"Habit I guess. Very few people know my real name. I'm still not sure why I told you. As it is I don't have a full name. Just Faith. Whenever I went on missions I used the code name Angel. A play off from one of my titles."
"What title, if you don't mind me asking?"
Legolas moved to the chair that was set across from her and slid down with ease. Although his face showed only mild curiosity, inside he was bouncing with expectation. She was talking!
"The Angel of Death."
She stood and walked to the open window. All the while Legolas' eyes never left her slim form.
"That's what they called me and in truth I earned the name."
Her voice was soft, completely monotone, and it stole over his soul. He stood from the seat and walked over to her. Once he reached her side he placed his hands on the window sill and followed her gaze to an elven couple. Turning towards her he nearly gasped at what he saw.
The hazel eyes showed all that her voice refused to betray. They were full of pain and regret. At that moment Legolas wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her small, trim figure, but he refrained. He knew Faith wouldn't except his comfort. Not yet.
The silence reigned heavy between them until Faith's eyes focused back in the present.
"That's my life," she sighed. "I may not like it, but I learned a long time ago to accept it."
"You can always dream of something better," the elf encouraged softly, not realizing he only succeeded in bringing her more sorrow.
"Yes. Dream."
She was quiet, subdued, and he couldn't stand to see her fiery spirit so low.
"Even in the darkest of times there is light to be found," Legolas consoled gently while losing himself in his own dark memories.
The woman turned away from the window and faced the golden prince. He was lost in his own world and by the look on his face it wasn't a nice one.
Remembering the conversation held in the Elven King's study the night before she recalled that this world had just finished a war. A war against an evil that, should they have lost, would have destroyed all things pure and good.
She remembered that the fate of this world had rested on the shoulders of a small hobbit and the group that had sworn to protect him. Legolas was a part of that group. The only representative of this beautiful race.
He knew. Him and those others. They knew what it was like to have so much depending on you. So many people counting on you, even if most didn't realize it. They knew the pressure that the knowledge of what would happen if they failed caused.
Without another thought about it Faith reached out and pulled the elf into an embrace. Slowly she felt arms wrap around her waist and she forced herself not to tense at the unaccustomed touch. His chin rested gently on the top of her head while she caught the scent of the forest that seemed to always cling to him. Clean and fresh. Wild and free. As she closed her eyes she allowed the world to melt around her. Nothing mattered but them. Them and their shared grief.
****************************************************************************************************************************
Okay, okay. Once again this chapter is past due. Sorry. I sorta lost the disk while cleaning my room. Can you believe it? Cleaning!
I'm not sure when the next chap will be out, seeing as how with summer here I've gotten lazy, but I'll try.
The good news is it might not be so long. Hopefully, I'll be going to visit my mother for the remainder of the summer and I get to fly. Goody!! 8 hours of nothing but sitting on my ass in an uncomfortable chair. Not to mention the stop in North Carolina. So that should give me plenty of time to write.
Anyway, so long for now.