Chapter three. Thanks for the reviews.


The sun was already up when I woke, and I could tell I had a bad dream for I was sweating and uncomfortable. And it continued to haunt me. I sat myself on my elbows, my breath short and my hair in loose strands. They were soaked with perspiration, but I had to control myself before heading off again. A noise caught me in the middle of trying to stand.

It was low. I strained to hear it, and as little as I could I didn't like it. My hands went for the guns at my side, but there were no guns, nor were there pouches. I cringed, reaching for the little knife around my ankle. As long as I have this, everything is fine.

Another noise, almost a growl. It was threatening and I jumped back as the shrub besides me shook and rattled.

I scolded myself as a snake slithered out from underneath it's branches. Honestly Lara, control yourself!

My knife suddenly slipped from my hand and fell on the set of leaves I stood above. My eyes widened at the strange feeling between my palms. I hesitated, but looked down while raising my hands and gasped. They were bleeding. Heavily. But I felt no pain when I know I should. However, I cried out.

For someone. For anyone.

Why wasn't anyone listening? Where was I?

I could feel myself getting pulled down to my feet and I didn't want to know what was causing me pain. Pain that I didn't feel. Pain that I couldn't recognize. I cried out again, my mouth gaping at the blood that was easing down my arms and dripping down onto the ground. I half closed my eyes and thought of happy thoughts. But my eyes flew open anyway, my right eye twitching.

"There are no happy thoughts." I heard myself say, but it was only a whisper.

A whisper that was soon followed by a broad grunt, and the tree above me shook and I didn't bother to move aside as the shadow hovered above me. I couldn't see its face, but I knew it wasn't something to be tampered with. I held my breath at the awful stench of fish and blood filled my nose. My blood.

I looked at my side and saw the blood circling the little gap of trees. It was almost as though it was following something. Something that I could not see. I turned my head as the sharp pain gathered against my arms. I felt it. And I saw my intruder.

He was awful. His clumps of gray hair were parted not so neatly across his blotched scalp, his eyes large and red. His mouth was curling into what I hoped was a smile, but it was too horrible to look at. He was broad. Very broad, and I started going numb. That's what I realised the hand that was wrapped around my neck. My eyes widened with terror.

"Gah da ruu." He shouted to me, his face flickering at my gags. "Du gada rah!"

"No." I gagged, wondering why I couldn't do anything and wondering why I felt so weak. "No."

A long pause. "Yes." His voice was no longer deep, but high pitched, and the strength around my neck loosened.

His face turned into a shadow once again and I fluttered my eyes. "I feel weak." I breathed, the hands trailing down my chest and stopping at my waist. "I am weak."


My eyes flew open. He was standing above me, his long fingers wandering across my body. I froze for a moment, but gathered myself and shoved him off. He hit the floor behind him and he looked at my gaze. He lowered his head.

"I thought you were sleeping." He mumbled, rubbing his elbow. "You didn't have to shove me like that, my lady!"

"Gods, where am I?" I rubbed both my eyes and stared at the large room, not to mention the large bed I was laying in. "How the fuck did I end up here? Ah! And why the hell does my rib hurt?"

He seemed uneasy at the questions I threw at him, but he was willing to answer them. It turned out that I had somehow damaged my ribcage trying to fight off at least a dozen Orcs, which wasn't so bad since I can't remember. I smiled. This bed was a bit comfortable.

"I'm just glad we don't have to set up camp anymore." I flinched when I stretched out my arms, looking down at what I was wearing. "Who dressed me in this gown?" I looked up at him, bewildered. He went to answer, but I waved him off. "I don't wear dresses!"

He frowned. "Your daily.. Outfit," He scowled, but continued, "Was covered in mutt. I don't suppose you would care to be living among the Elves in such a disgrace, now would you? It's bad enough you have to act like a..."

I raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Go on."

He shook his head and apologized. "I won't bother, my lady. I have to attend to some things now. And to answer one last question, you are in Mirkwood. My home. Good day." And with that, he left.

I crossed my arms. So, I was finally in Mirkwood. From what I could see out of my window, which doesn't show much sunlight, I could tell that this is exactly what Mr. Banks told me to look out for. I shifted against the pillow behind my head and relaxed. When I get well enough to stand, I'm definitely changing out of this dreadful thing!

Hell, what was I waiting for?

I heaved myself up on my elbows and worried my lip. This hurt more than the throb on the side of my head. Then I remembered, as I carefully stood on my feet, the cut across my ear. From Legolas. I gritted my teeth, noting that I would get him back as soon as possible.

"Ahem." I froze at the figure standing by my door, looking mused. "Going somewhere?"

I flushed, but kept my cool and leaned against the chair Legolas was sitting in. "Maybe."

He found this amusing and laughed, going ahead and walking towards me. I felt naked under his gaze and crossed my arms across the cleavage of my chest. As he came closer, my eyes narrowed at how familiar looking he was to Legolas. Same blonde hair, I mused, same eyes and same bloody gaze. I shuddered.

"Cold?" He asked, politely grabbing a quilt off the edge of the bed and wrapping it around my shoulders. I nodded. "Well, to introduce myself would be the right thing to do, wouldn't it? I am Thranduil, King here. And you're Lara Croft."

At this I smirked. "I'm glad someone around here knows how to address me."

"The way you want," He finished with a nod. "Trust me Lara, I know how that is. However, that is not why you are here. Why you are here is something much more important. I'm sure that Banks fellow told you enough?"

My smiled flicked into a grin. Well, how do you like that! He knows Mr. Banks. Anyone who is friends with that old man shouldn't be too bad, now would they? Nodding my head, I watched as Thranduil crossed the room and ran his gaze outside of the window.

"Something bothering you?" I asked quietly, tugging the quilt closer to my cleavage. "I'm sure Mr. Banks informed you on what's happening, am I correct?"

The King nodded but regarded the dark Woods before him. "Yes. He is a good man."

I smiled. "He is."

There was a pause as Thranduil turned to regard me rather closely. "I know what you carry, my child, and I know what danger it's causing to be here. Among my people."

My eyes widened. Bloody hell, I completely forgot about that Ring Watch! Angry now, I let the quilt drop and walked forwards towards Thranduil, my finger poking his chest. "Where is it? Where did you put it?"

He narrowed his eyes, upset at my sudden outburst. Ah well! "Don't worry, Lara, it's quite safe."

I shook my head, laughing. "Look, King, I want to know exactly what this Mirkwood place is, and I want to know where you put my things, including my weapons." When he didn't reply, I pushed him a little and let my eyes flare. "Now."

"Father?" Called a shaky voice.

I turned my head to the door as Legolas appeared, looking from me to his father. I hid a smirk at the look on his face and backed away slightly. He walked forwards, hesitating, and cleared the distance.

"Yes?" Thranduil asked, his voice calm and steady. "What is it?"

His eyes widened as he glanced back at me. "Um-- A messenger from Imladris is here. He seeks council with you." He glanced at me once more. "Now."

Thranduil and me sighed in unison. Him wanting to talk more with me, and me wanting to get my stuff and do what I came to do. But, from seeing the look on bother faces, I knew this was going to take a little while. Thranduil excused himself, leaving Legolas and me alone, but stopped at the door and called over his shoulder, "Show her her stuff, Legolas."

He closed the door behind him and I turned to Legolas with a grin. "Yes, Legolas, show me."

His face stiffened and he pointed a finger at me. "You shoved my father! How dare you!"

"How dare I?" I pointed my finger at him as well, closing the small gap between us. "Maybe if you and your people knew how to handle someone's stuff, maybe I wouldn't be so upset!"

"Maybe if you knew how to treat a noble, then I, nor my father, would be upset!"

"He didn't seem upset to me." I whispered, letting my eyes dance around his body. With the pointed finger, I let myself shoved him back a bit. "Oops."

After a short pause, his face scrunched up in outrage and he seized me by my waist and pushed me into the chair, a knife already in his grasp. Before he could assault me with it any further, I wrapped my leg around the back of his and nudged it in. He lost his balance on top of me and shoved his face in my neck.

Groaning, I felt him move to get up, but I kept my hands firmly on his back and with a strong shove, I knocked both of us back with the chair. He hovered over me, his strong hands pressed against my thighs and his face still digging into my neck.

My loose hair was caught under the chair and I found myself unable to move. When he got his balance back, he pulled himself up and stared down at me. I stiffened my neck and looked up at him. He didn't seem pleased.

"How dare you." He repeated, his voice low.

"Yes, how dare I defend myself." I looked him over, his hands resting against my waist. "Hmm, I don't think you find this unpleasant now, now do you?"

Realising what I meant, he flushed furiously and returned his gaze over to my eyes. "Well-- You see--"

"Just get off me." I grabbed the front of his white blouse and threw him off, freeing my hair and standing. "Great! I've gone and got my dress all dirty!" I saw him stare at me uneasily and I frowned. "What?"

"Your cleavage is showing a bit more than expected, my lady." He flushed even more, bright pink shades appearing across his cheeks. Indeed, my entire chest was exposed, so I quickly covered myself up and threw back my long hair. After I was done, I saw him fixing his tangled blonde mass and turn to me. "Your stuff."

"Right." I followed him mid way to the door and stopped. "Legolas?"

He turned around. "Yes, Lady Lara?"

"Can't you.. Give me something else to wear. Perhaps something that you're wearing now?" It was worth a try.

He took a moment to run his gaze across my body and sighed. "I suppose so. Just follow me. I'll take you to my room and let you borrow some of what I'm wearing now."

I smiled. Excellent. I was liking this Prince more by the minute.