SHADOW DANCER
Chapter Five
Disclaimer : Tolkein is a genius, and I am but a peddler borrowing his wares for a little while.
I hope everybody enjoys this chapter, it is so far the longest. Lots of drama in this one, so consider yourselves forewarned.
NOTE: The paragraphs in stars are supposed to be italicized
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Raveyn's POV
I woke up dismally early, and felt the morning chill in my bones. The sky was grey and overcast, and I fervently hoped that it would thunder and rain with such fury that those blasted elves and their blasted hunting expedition would drown in the muddied water.
I had packed a few tunics and leggings, which were old and faded but comfortable. I also brought my knife, the only one I had managed to take with me, so I felt mildly prepared. I promptly made my way over to his quarters an hour ahead of time, pounded on the door and opened it.
The bastard was awake, calmly selecting weapons off the wall. He didn't even glance in my direction.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
Was I ready? He asks me to wake up at godforsaken hours of the morning and then asks me stupid questions. Would I be here if I wasn't ready?
"Do you think these heels are too much?" I hissed acidly.
He still didn't look at me. I put my bag down and sighed.
"Do you have a weapon," He asked calmly.
I was resigned, "Yes I have a weapon." Brilliant blue eyes pinned me with a reflective stare.
"Show me."
I showed him and tried not to appear affronted at the look on his face.
"That is your weapon."
I looked down at my two inch blade.
"That is not a weapon. That is some misbegotten utensil that somehow had a handle clasped on
it. What on earth where you planning on harming with that thing?"
Well now that you mention it, how about you?
"I actually wasn't planning on harming anything. You see highness, unlike other nameless individuals, I have no intention of rampaging through the forest, going after enormous, and might I add, voracious, animals, who pose a very real threat to my existence." He had ignored me and walked away.
I tried again. I was patient. I could do this.
"Highness." No response, apparently sharp violent weapons were more engrossing than my company, "Highness, What exactly do you want me to do. I don't believe my duties have been specif-"
He had walked back to me and place an enormous knife in my hand. I stared dumbly at the twelve inch serrated blade.
"You might not want to hurt anything, but we are going hunting. And as you so perceptively noticed, the game can sometimes get slightly….upset. You might need to defend yourself. I would rather you use this, than that…that…that object."
I looked back at the knife. Of course the finer points of knife fighting have never been explained to me in full detail, but I had mastered the overall point.
Hurt them before they hurt you.
He walked away and gathered his things. Bow strung across his shoulders, quiver along his spine, sword slung across lean hips. I might have been inclined to feel awed if I had been inclined to forget who had put me in my current predicament.
We walked out silently to where the rest of the company awaited us, some had attendants, some did not. The exalted attendants were privileged to ride mules, and I stared suspiciously at the black coated one handed to me. His eyes looked shifty, and I didn't like how he was watching my fingers.
Sighing, I spoke softly to him, "Alright. We both don't want to be here. But we have to make do understand? So I don't want any funny business. Do I make myself clear," I sternly shook my finger at him keeping it well away from his mouth.
"Well well look at who is coming along," laughter ringed me and I glanced dismissingly as Aegnir went on, "the little witch bitch. Which lord happened to have the misfortune of being burdened with your ugly self?"
Aegnir. Aegnir was a dung beetle with aspirations of one day becoming a dirt clod. He also happened to be big, vindictive, and cruel. Being cock of the walk had apparently addled his wits, and he mistakenly attempted to forcefully approach me one unfortunate evening. He crawled back to his chambers nursing an injury that would keep him out of anyone's bed for a good three weeks. Our relationship had deteriorated somewhat after that incident. We didn't exactly see eye to eye.
"Curious story actually. He saw you first, and apparently after that, anything would do. Hence me," I gave him my biggest brightest smile, and dared him.
I saw him reach down from atop his mule to grab my shoulder, and I viciously smiled. Some people just never learned.
Turning quickly I grabbed his grasping hand, and putting my foot against the mule's shoulder, gave it a shrewd twist and pulled as hard as I could. Off he popped, and as he fell faceforward, I shoved my knee into the small of his back and roughly ripping back on a handful of hair, brought my knife against his taut throat.
I whispered slowly so he could understand, "Listen very very carefully Aegnir. I am only going to say this once. Stay away from me. If you do not, I will dismember those shriveled family jewels of yours, and feed them to you. Aegnir the dickless wonder. Has a nice ring doesn't it? Think about that very carefully before you ever decide to annoy this particular 'witch bitch' again."
"What are you doing to my servant?" Her voice rasped against my skin, like jagged glass. This was just such an amazing morning. So many little surprises.
I looked up to find myself surrounded in a half semicircle by elves, all astride horses. At the fore was Lady Cassandra, in a fitted tan, out fit, that did amazing things for her body. Currently her chest was heaving in indignation, and innocence and shock practically poured from her. Legolas looked pointedly at the knife I had resheathed, and looked up at the sky.
"I was merely helping him up my lady. Surely I could pose no threat to Aegnir, ask him yourself." I turned and smiled at the sprawled individual. Cassandra had her eyes fixed on him, and I could hear him thinking. But I already knew what he had to do.
He would rather throw himself off the highest mountain peak than admit that I had threatened him. Particularly with that singularly….unmanning castration.
He slowly rumbled to his feet, "Its nothing my lady."
As he turned enraged beetling eyes in my direction, I realized that Aegnir and I were going to have problems. I had just humiliated him in front of the servants; of which he considered himself the leader. A little girl had unseated and menaced him. And unless he somehow taught me a lesson, his reputation was going to be shot when we returned to the palace. I was smarter and I was faster, but he, unfortunately was huge. He wasn't the problem however.
I blankly looked at her.
By this time, all the elves had left in exasperation, and only she remained.
Viciousness blazed, licked with lavender flames; her eyes flicked from Aegnir to me. Red lips smiled in satisfaction. Shit. She had set me up. The bitch had set me up, and I, like the idiot I was practically danced into it. She had purposefully brought Aegnir along, she somehow knew we didn't get along. But her motive. What was her damn motive?
Unless it was….him? No….why would she…
Oh my. She must think I am a threat. Laughter and anger rose up together and I laughed in her face. I laughed till tears streamed down my face, and had the satisfaction of seeing her face turn puce.
Legolas didn't see anything in me but a little puzzle he could tweak with, a thing he could while away the passing hours. After all, having lived for a few millennia left you very few amusements I thought bitterly. And why should he see anything else? Was there anything else? He had Cassandra waiting in the wings with her dove white arms open, panting like a bitch in heat, and he was going to give serious thought to me? What the FUCK was she thinking? And why the hell was I letting him toy with me, I thought, flushing furiously.
Why was it, that I saw his eyes in the endless sky? Why, when I walked down corridors did I listen for his footfalls? Why why WHY? Heat coursed in my cheeks, and my palms grew hot and dry.
I breathed deeply. Control. I needed control.
Everybody was getting ready and saddling up, swinging up onto their mounts, joking or laughing. Leaves swirled along the ground as sun touched the horizon.
Exhaling I thought of ice.
Ice ice ice.
I thought of leagues and leagues of hard, burning, ice. Everything receded to a slight background buzz, and soon I couldn't see anything but ice white, and I couldn't hear anything but the chilled winds that wailed around me. I didn't know for how long I stood there, but when I glanced around, the party was already riding off, and a few servants had turned to stare curiously at me. They quickly looked away.
I took my place at the very rear.
Legolas POV
The first hours passed pleasantly enough. Cassandra kept me company, and her wit and intelligence soon had gathered around us various friends who were all interested in the violet eyed beauty. She was the only elven woman who had deigned to attend, most preferring to stay at Rivendell. There were twenty five elves who had decided to come, many being only acquaintances of mine.
It was Elrond's suggestion to alleviate some of the boredom many were suffering from. Llewiever had been ecstatic at the prospect. The Glades had long been known as the best and most unusual hunting grounds. The creatures there ranged from stags to…more unusual dangerous animals. Howls could often be heard in the dark of night. It did not matter to me presently.
I was at peace. Well and truly at peace. The sunlight was warm on my brow, and the scents of the earth wafted around me. Closing my eyes, I basked in the afternoon sunlight. Unbidden, her image floated into my mind's eye, silhouetted against the light.
I should have checked to see how she was.
"I am going to go survey the rest of the train, pardon me friends, I will be back shortly."
Cassandra's eyes darkened before she replied sunnily, "Don't tarry too long highness, we all need the warmth of your presence," and she pouted prettily. It was impossible to resist smiling.
Turning my horse around, I quickly scanned the bobbing heads.
I found her a good deal behind the rear, with a glower on her face.
"You shouldn't ride too far back, you might get lost," I said in concern.
Raveyn's POV
I was so incredibly mad. The ice had boiled a long, long time ago and I was riding high on furious scalding steam. I was on a plodding stubborn mule, and I was in the fucking sun. I HATED afternoon sunlight.
I was hot, and sticky and thirsty. And his damn highness was enjoying himself in that hussy's company. I could hear her glass cut laugh filtering all the way back to me, and I was practically bleeding from my nerve ends. And then he rides back to reprimand me.
"Really, do you think so," I bit off sarcastically, praying hard that I would get lost.
He looked at me sharply.
Right now I really didn't care. Nothing he could do to me could be worse than this. I technically had nothing to lose. Might as well get out all the attitude I could before I combusted from heat. And he looked just fine. Hair perfect, no sweat, clothes unlined. I hadn't even gotten my damn thunderstorm. Everything was going wrong and I was pissed.
And then I remembered Leia's words to me. Most likely her last words to me, "Have fun."
Have fun.
"It does no good to complain. Everybody else is managing." He said softly.
Yeah? Well fuck you.
"That's nice. I am glad everybody is having a good time. Really I am. Can't you see the happiness on my face. I am radiating good will. Don't worry about me. Go on, go ride ahead. Its quite alright. I wont get lost. Eaten maybe, but not lost. Rest assured majesty."
And then I faced forward again.
I saw his hands flex on the reigns and thought sadistically that at least I was pissing him off too. We had now dropped a good deal behind, my mule was determined to eat ever damn blade of
grass.
"That is petty and ridiculous. You are acting exactly like a child," surliness soured his tone.
I was acting like a child. I was acting like a child. I could not believe this.
"And for someone who boasts of such a grand age, majesty, you are behaving like a child with a doll. I am no man's puppet, and I will not dance to your strings. You dragged me along this expedition for no reason and now you are annoying me. If I am going to die in this miserable place, at least do me the courtesy of letting me die in PEACE. Highness."
Breathing in the air of self righteous fury, I realized belatedly I might have pushed him too far.
His hand quickly fisted around the front of my tunic, and dragged me across my saddle as if I weighed nothing, and brutally deposited me in front of him. Reaching up to shove his arms, and twist away, two hands quickly wrapped around both my wrists and forcefully brought them down.
"You – y-y-you-I can't believe this-I am outraged-before you came I was FINE everything was great and then you had to come and ruin everything I wish I'd-"
Wrapping two viselike arms around my waist, he squeezed, and the air promptly rushed out of my lungs. Speech was impossible, and just when my vision began to dip and wave, he relaxed his grip, breathing harshly into my hair as he tried to regain self control.
And we just sat there for awhile. Slowly plodding along, me madly gasping for breath, and he, casually holding me in place.
"I apologize. That was uncalled for."
Yes. Near asphyxiation is generally uncalled for. Good of him to so graciously admit it.
He deposited me on the ground and ran a hand through his hair. He looked disconcerted and upset, and he turned a troubled gaze in my direction as he intensely stared at me.
Crossing my arms, and righting my shirt, I said witheringly, "Fear not majesty. I am quite accustomed to being throttled, beaten, insulted or what not. Feel free to abuse me any time you need to exert your frustrations. I will attempt to deal with your heated actions as passively as I possibly can." I smiled sarcastically, and his eyes grew very cold.
"I have never in all my life, ever struck a woman-"
"Well then highness I am indeed honored to be your first" And I swept him a low decorous bow.
He raked from head to foot, rage darkening his eyes to a lightning cracked blue. Jerking the reigns slightly, he smoothly galloped away, leaving nothing but little puffs of dirt behind.
I brushed myself off, got on my horse and tried not to think about anything.
(Several hours later)
I was regretting what I did. We had stopped for the night, and dismounting I surveyed our surroundings. There was a large clearing with a fire that had already been started. Most of the elves situated themselves around the comforting heat, but a few straggled near the perimeters.
After struggling for a good hour with my tent I managed to put it up.
The basic idea of a tent is that it covers you while you sleep.
I had managed to accomplish the basic idea.
Sort of.
It was standing at least, and slightly off the ground. I would have to go through some creative acrobatics to get in it for sure but at least it was up.
I glanced at Legolas who was pitching his tent by the perimeter, some 15 feet from Cassandra's. After this afternoon, he had refused to even look my way, ignoring me as effectively as if I'd never existed.
He was so damn good looking. And so noble. And honorable. And good. He was so perfect it made my heart ache.
He was calmly unpacking his saddlebag, and setting down his belongings on the ground. I should make myself useful I thought as I moved towards him. After all, I justified, I was technically supposed to be helping him.
Attendant often implied that.
I haltingly walked to his side and stood over him. He said nothing, still bent near to the ground, separating his tent pieces.
"Highness do you…um…need any help?" I asked courteously.
He shifted his eyes over to my tent, and glancing at me dismissingly minced out a brief "No."
I hesitated before walking back to my sleeping space. He was going to ignore me then. Not talk to me.
Crawling into my small creaking closeted tent, I felt such incredible unhappiness. My house of carefully built twigs just came crashing down on my miserable head, just by a little nudge from him. The events of the past days had taken a heavy toll on me, and today had been so miserable. Everything was breaking. I had tried so hard to make my life work and it was cracking. Again.
*THEN FIX IT. What the hell is the matter with you? Everything is breaking, oh no let me sit and weep. Get back up on your feet you stupid bitch!*
Tears blurred my vision as I tried not to sob. Squeezing my blanket into a knot, I tried so hard not to make a sound.
I wanted him.
*You want HIM? Is this what this is about?! You want him.. What on earth for? Oh I see, somebody glances your way once in a while, somebody decent and you melt is that it? And you call yourself strong you pathetic puny excuse for CHARACTER*
I wanted to hear his clear voice, I wanted to see his river water eyes, I wanted his arms wrapped around me. Because in his arms, it felt as if the world didn't matter. It felt as if everything in his world was right there in his arms; as if I were the stability of his earth, and the freedom of his sky.
*His earth and sky. His EARTH and SKY, oh my god words fail me. Did I already call you pathetic?*
I didn't want him to be mad at me, and tears rolled down even more at that thought. I actually cared. I actually cared and it hurt.
*Aww poor darling…it hurts. He is sleeping soundly in his tent, having completely forgotten about your miserable emotionally baggaged self, and your weeping your little heart out. Go back to being nothing darling. Your so much better at it. Melt away shadow girl, melt away, and no one will ever know you came to stay…*
I had listened so many times before to that little ringing sting of reason. But not tonight. I couldn't tonight.
So I slept in my bed of salt and pain.
NARRATOR's POV (Omniscient POV)
He had heard her last night. She was quiet but he heard her and it tore at him as the hushed sobs wracked her. He couldn't sleep that night, and he had lain awake for a long time listening, till she quieted down, and finally went to sleep. Sleep wouldn't visit him so easily. He went out and looked at the blanketed night sky.
Gold eyes flickered in the star light; gold eyes bright with pain haunted him that night. His eyes closed as he rested beneath the shadow of a great oak, hearing her voice in the whispering wind.
(DAWN)
When he woke at dawn and looked again at the huddled lump in that pathetic tent disgust washed over him. She must have been so uncomfortable. And cold. In her own way she had tried to make peace with him, and he had blatantly refused.
Not like him. Not like him at all.
You always make me act badly don't you little one? Bring out the worst in me, trip me up, glare, taunt, laugh…enchant.
Cassandra had awoken too. She glanced at him quizzically, "You are in ill humor my lord. What is the matter?"
"Nothing my lady, please wake the rest.." He said and turned and walked to Raveyn's tent. Grasping her shoulder lightly, he gave her a gentle shake.
Raveyn's POV
I woke up swollen eyed, and disoriented, to feel a strong hand on my shoulder. I looked up confused. The sky appeared to be an ugly greenish brown color; as my eyes focused I dimly noticed the strongly woven canvas threads. And then I remembered everything.
Ugghh.
Struggling, I managed to wriggle out of my tent, my tunic riding up. I felt the cool morning air tingle over my stomach.
Turning grumpily, I stared straight into veiled azure eyes. They had swiftly given me a once over, lingering slightly over my waist before meeting my gaze calmly. He was crouched at eye level.
"We will be leaving soon. You will remain with the rest of the attendants," He said quietly
How wonderful. And didn't he look charming this lovely morning. No circles under his eyes.
Bastard.
My voice came out harsh and heavy from sleep, "Then why did you wake me up."
"I-….I just thought I would let you know."
"Oh. Thank you." An awkward silence hung in the air.
"Then I guess I will go back to sleep" I said.
He nodded and as he was about to stand, an ugly thought occurred to me.
"Wait!," I grabbed his arm, "Umm. Uhhh. Just be careful. Come back in one piece."
Releasing him, I looked down and swallowed uncomfortably. Stupid impulses. I shouldn't have done that. Now he is going to think I am becoming attached and that-
Cool fingers drifted across my face, to tilt my head up.
He was smiling slightly, and looking at me intensely, as if he wanted to burn the words into my memory said, "I will always come back little one. No matter how hard I am pulled away, I can't seem to help coming back." And then he swiftly walked away.
He did it so easily; a single glance, a few words.
His earth and sky.
I went back to sleep.
(Hours later)
Emerging again from my tent, into the blinding sunlight, I found the servants slowly coming awake, crawling out of their tents. Aegnir looked distinctly disgusting, and I shuddered. Who would willingly bed that bag of shit was well beyond me.
Narrator's POV
It was late afternoon, and the sun had covered the earth in a haze of light and dust.
Laughter rang up to the loftiest leaves, as the servants amused themselves in various ways. Some slept. Others talked. The men fought. Save for one. Aegnir was conspicuously absent.
He traveled surreptitiously through the dry forest floor, following her tracks. The rush of the river could be heard distinctly now, and when the trees became scarcer, he saw her by the river.
She had shed most of her clothes, and was clad in a simple sleeveless short tunic that barely brushed the tops of her thighs. Smoothly diving, she resurfaced a few seconds later, emerging dripping wet; her hair was dark and jagged against the sheer white of her blouse, and he stiffened as he saw her nipples raised against the smooth thin cloth.
Slender and like one of the fabled water gods dryads, he could hardly believe this was the same mousy, dark dustball that drifted from corner to corner. A crooked smile spread across his face; his eyes hardened as he thought viciously.
He would show the cunt who he was. He would show them all. Nobody insulted him, especially she, who was nothing. Cassandra herself had told him he would one day be great. He would be; a leader among men. He would make them fear him; and from fear stemmed respect. From respect glory and wealth. If he didn't break her, then everyone would laugh.
Cassandra had looked at him disappointedly this morning. She had known what really happened. He had to show Cassandra he was strong. He stepped out onto the rocky riverbed shore and walked swiftly towards her; his fists tightening.
Raveyn's POV
I saw him approaching and my eyes darted to shore. I needed to get on stable land. Turning I began running as fast as I could. If I could reach my clothing, then I would have my knife. Shit, shit SHIT he was too fucking close. Heart pounding I stopped, in water up to midcalf, dripping wet and virtually naked as he stood leeringly in front of me.
His fists were bunched at the sides, and his dirty white shirt was open at the collar, black hairs curling and glistening with sweat. He reeked of sweat and sex, and his groin protruded thickly.
Throwing my head back, I said icily, "So Aegnir, you finally decided to prove that there is something hanging between your legs. "
Confusion registered across his features. If I could keep him unbalanced enough…
"You think by showing me good, by hurting little itsy bitsy me you would prove to everyone how big and bad Aegnir son of nobody is," I spat viciously, bile and panic rising in my throat.
My façade was so flimsy, and I was counting too much on his stupidity.
"Tell me Aegnir," I shoved him hard with my hand, jerking him back, "what do you think they will say when you tell them? Oh they'll be proud Aegnir. When you strut in like a puffed cock and sneer domineeringly, 'Yes I finally hurt her! She knocked me down so I had to show her who was boss. Yes she was nearly naked. Yes she was in the river, unarmed, cold, alone; and I managed to rape her all by myself!'" I raked him from head to toe sneeringly my voice dripping stinging scorn, "Oh they'll jump at that Aegnir, they'll be so proud."
He had kept moving back little by little, and all I needed was just a bit more room, if I managed to move him back a bit more I could maneuver around him-
"No." He spoke for the first time, that single syllable harshly glutted with raging delusion. His eyes lit up, "She would be proud of me. She would understand. She told me I was strong and smart. I know that. And the servants would not say anything. Because if I hurt you then they will be even more scared."
He moved towards me, like a lumbering bear, "Because you scare them. So if I destroy what scares them, then they will become more scared of me."
My mouth nearly dropped to the floor. Said haltingly, and with a distinctly limited vocabulary, he had just managed to parrot back to me one of the canons of tactical warfare. And he had said destroy.
Insanity lit his eyes as he charged me. Moving backwards I tried to sidestep him and duck, using his force to drive him past me, but he spread his arms and slammed into me driving us together into deeper waters. We fell into the river, and water clouded my eyes, and burned up my nose.
Struggling, I fiercely raked my nails down his face and brought my knee into his groin, yelling the whole time. He yelled in pain but tightened his grip around my wrists and slammed me back into the water with a vicious back handed slap that drew blood. My vision blurred as he hit me again, and brought his knee into my stomach.
He reached down to the front lacings of his leggings and tugging them apart, he brought out his engorged groin. All I could see was his black eyes glowing hotly as he grunted incoherently, and no matter how hard I struggled, I couldn't set free. He was too strong, and the water had slicked over his arms, not allowing me to get a good grip. He spread my legs, and my tunic rode up high on my waist. As he poised himself over me, panic rushed away and I just felt such a chocking fury,
"I'll see you in hell you son of a bitch," I blazed at him.
He hit me again, and I swam out of consciousness as he dragged us to shore, the world melting into various hazy shades of blue and black. My mind was numbed, and my body was hurting from so many places. I went away from the pain. I closed my eyes and went to my place far away from the ugliness and the noise.
Narrator's POV (Told mainly from Legolas POV)
Without thought, he had notched two arrows, and sent them whistling through the air, their pointed tips delivering a quick deadly kiss. Each found his heart, and stopped the greed, and insanity that had festered there. Before they had found their target he was already running over the sandy ground.
She was hurt badly; he ran assessing hands over her frame ascertaining the damage. Blue and purple marred the smoothness of her cheeks, and blood trickled from her nose and mouth. She wasn't moving, and her pulse was slow and sluggish.
Cradling her gently in his arms, her limbs folding up limply, he rocked her back and forth gently whispering feverishly. He didn't even know what he said, all he knew was that if she died….
She stirred.
Her eyes opened brilliantly, the gold a stark contrast against her pallid features; and for a while they sat there. The Prince and the girl from nowhere. Gold resting softly in Blue.
He broke the silence, "Are you in pain?"
She stared at him blankly and then began to laugh.
"Highness, your penchant for asking piercing questions is at times overwhelming," she coughed slightly, blood flecking her lips.
He laid her gently on the ground, and healed her to the best of his ability, running impersonal hands over her small frame. She watched him. From the corner of her eye she saw Aegnir, eyes glazed over and open wide with death. Sand had grained them over, and blood spilled from his open mouth. Two arrows protruded starkly from his back. Too bad. He was dead. If she'd had her way….
He wrapped her gently in his cloak, and when he made a motion to pick her up, she waved him away.
"I can walk. I feel better, you don't need to carry me. Thank you."
"You will stumble, don't be stubborn, let me-" She placed a restraining hand on his chest and looked at him.
"I've been through worse before, don't worry about me."
She looked at him intensely, from under thickly veiled lashes, "This isn't your fault," she said quietly.
Yes it is he thought, and bitterness pulsed through him as he stared at the bruises that in spite of his healing, still wrapped faintly across her skin.
"Legolas. It is not your fault. Do you understand me?" She spoke to him sternly.
He didn't respond.
She started walking slowly; past the shore, into the coolness of the forest. He was walking behind her, when she turned suddenly, and looked at him appraisingly.
"Highness, you should inform Cassandra that her servant is dead. And kindly tell her for me, that her flowerbeds will have to wait. And I too shall wait." Her eyes hardened, and she regally turned and swept away, with all the aplomb of royalty.
Cassandra and he needed to have a conversation that was long overdue, he thought, as he glanced at Aegnir.
If Aegnir had been alive. And if Aegnir had seen the manner in which his highness was currently regarding his carcass, he would have wished fervently for the fires of Mount Doom.
A slight wind swept a fine dusting of sand across his body, and moved quickly across the river. The shores were empty now, and silence settled once again.
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Author's note
To everyone:
First off I would again like to reiterate my immense gratitude at the lovely reviews I have received for this story. Seriously, everybody is fantastic, and I am so happy you all like this story so much. And that you like Raveyn.
Second, I apologize for how long it has taken me to update. This weekend the internet shut down at my university so I couldn't get one, but I was planning to post earlier.
Third- I hope you all liked this chapter, it was one of the hardest ones to write. Any concerns or questions please feel free to ask, I will respond.
Fourth- there have been questions about the Narrator's POV. Narrator's POV is basically a way for me to cheat. It is an omniscient pov, and using Narrator's POV, I can basically get into the head of other minor characters. I will be using the narrator for Cassandra, and other people. In this chapter for example I used it for Aegnir. I hope you guys weren't terribly confused. I tried to make it less choppy and flow more.
Lia – Angels are so perfect though, and they are so boring don't you think? Oh la, lets take the elves off their pedestals and get them a bit dirty. Look at Arwen, the lass went all gung ho for Aragorn. She knew how to kick it. Although I doubt that is how she would describe it….
Princess Stormy – My dear, women of all ages suffering from waning sex drives. Don't you dare blame it on yourself. If the male specimens in this world looked persay, like Legola, do you think any woman would suffer from a waning sex drive? I sincerely doubt it. The voltage would be sizzled up quite a few notches.
Onyx- Yes the narrator's part would have been better in Legolas, but sometimes I like using he and not getting fully into Legolas' head. With the Legolas POV you get to experience everything raw, but the Narrator POV turns it down a little. There is a big Narrator's POV in this one that is mainly Legolas. I hope you like it.
rm- Rest assured I will be taking you into Cassandra's head using the narrator. I wont be doing her own POV, but the narrator one will be good, don't worry.
Ankoku- 'smash her into a bloody pulp, over and over and ov-' Very nice imagery there Ankoku. I am glad you like Raveyn.
Vorbis- I tried to make the narrator pov easier to follow. I hope it wasn't too difficult.
Andrea- I tried to do the third person omniscient with Legolas in this one in the narrator block, see if you like it. Thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it.
PS. Does anybody know how to put in italics? Because me and my mass computer skills are just not cutting it.
Chapter Five
Disclaimer : Tolkein is a genius, and I am but a peddler borrowing his wares for a little while.
I hope everybody enjoys this chapter, it is so far the longest. Lots of drama in this one, so consider yourselves forewarned.
NOTE: The paragraphs in stars are supposed to be italicized
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Raveyn's POV
I woke up dismally early, and felt the morning chill in my bones. The sky was grey and overcast, and I fervently hoped that it would thunder and rain with such fury that those blasted elves and their blasted hunting expedition would drown in the muddied water.
I had packed a few tunics and leggings, which were old and faded but comfortable. I also brought my knife, the only one I had managed to take with me, so I felt mildly prepared. I promptly made my way over to his quarters an hour ahead of time, pounded on the door and opened it.
The bastard was awake, calmly selecting weapons off the wall. He didn't even glance in my direction.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
Was I ready? He asks me to wake up at godforsaken hours of the morning and then asks me stupid questions. Would I be here if I wasn't ready?
"Do you think these heels are too much?" I hissed acidly.
He still didn't look at me. I put my bag down and sighed.
"Do you have a weapon," He asked calmly.
I was resigned, "Yes I have a weapon." Brilliant blue eyes pinned me with a reflective stare.
"Show me."
I showed him and tried not to appear affronted at the look on his face.
"That is your weapon."
I looked down at my two inch blade.
"That is not a weapon. That is some misbegotten utensil that somehow had a handle clasped on
it. What on earth where you planning on harming with that thing?"
Well now that you mention it, how about you?
"I actually wasn't planning on harming anything. You see highness, unlike other nameless individuals, I have no intention of rampaging through the forest, going after enormous, and might I add, voracious, animals, who pose a very real threat to my existence." He had ignored me and walked away.
I tried again. I was patient. I could do this.
"Highness." No response, apparently sharp violent weapons were more engrossing than my company, "Highness, What exactly do you want me to do. I don't believe my duties have been specif-"
He had walked back to me and place an enormous knife in my hand. I stared dumbly at the twelve inch serrated blade.
"You might not want to hurt anything, but we are going hunting. And as you so perceptively noticed, the game can sometimes get slightly….upset. You might need to defend yourself. I would rather you use this, than that…that…that object."
I looked back at the knife. Of course the finer points of knife fighting have never been explained to me in full detail, but I had mastered the overall point.
Hurt them before they hurt you.
He walked away and gathered his things. Bow strung across his shoulders, quiver along his spine, sword slung across lean hips. I might have been inclined to feel awed if I had been inclined to forget who had put me in my current predicament.
We walked out silently to where the rest of the company awaited us, some had attendants, some did not. The exalted attendants were privileged to ride mules, and I stared suspiciously at the black coated one handed to me. His eyes looked shifty, and I didn't like how he was watching my fingers.
Sighing, I spoke softly to him, "Alright. We both don't want to be here. But we have to make do understand? So I don't want any funny business. Do I make myself clear," I sternly shook my finger at him keeping it well away from his mouth.
"Well well look at who is coming along," laughter ringed me and I glanced dismissingly as Aegnir went on, "the little witch bitch. Which lord happened to have the misfortune of being burdened with your ugly self?"
Aegnir. Aegnir was a dung beetle with aspirations of one day becoming a dirt clod. He also happened to be big, vindictive, and cruel. Being cock of the walk had apparently addled his wits, and he mistakenly attempted to forcefully approach me one unfortunate evening. He crawled back to his chambers nursing an injury that would keep him out of anyone's bed for a good three weeks. Our relationship had deteriorated somewhat after that incident. We didn't exactly see eye to eye.
"Curious story actually. He saw you first, and apparently after that, anything would do. Hence me," I gave him my biggest brightest smile, and dared him.
I saw him reach down from atop his mule to grab my shoulder, and I viciously smiled. Some people just never learned.
Turning quickly I grabbed his grasping hand, and putting my foot against the mule's shoulder, gave it a shrewd twist and pulled as hard as I could. Off he popped, and as he fell faceforward, I shoved my knee into the small of his back and roughly ripping back on a handful of hair, brought my knife against his taut throat.
I whispered slowly so he could understand, "Listen very very carefully Aegnir. I am only going to say this once. Stay away from me. If you do not, I will dismember those shriveled family jewels of yours, and feed them to you. Aegnir the dickless wonder. Has a nice ring doesn't it? Think about that very carefully before you ever decide to annoy this particular 'witch bitch' again."
"What are you doing to my servant?" Her voice rasped against my skin, like jagged glass. This was just such an amazing morning. So many little surprises.
I looked up to find myself surrounded in a half semicircle by elves, all astride horses. At the fore was Lady Cassandra, in a fitted tan, out fit, that did amazing things for her body. Currently her chest was heaving in indignation, and innocence and shock practically poured from her. Legolas looked pointedly at the knife I had resheathed, and looked up at the sky.
"I was merely helping him up my lady. Surely I could pose no threat to Aegnir, ask him yourself." I turned and smiled at the sprawled individual. Cassandra had her eyes fixed on him, and I could hear him thinking. But I already knew what he had to do.
He would rather throw himself off the highest mountain peak than admit that I had threatened him. Particularly with that singularly….unmanning castration.
He slowly rumbled to his feet, "Its nothing my lady."
As he turned enraged beetling eyes in my direction, I realized that Aegnir and I were going to have problems. I had just humiliated him in front of the servants; of which he considered himself the leader. A little girl had unseated and menaced him. And unless he somehow taught me a lesson, his reputation was going to be shot when we returned to the palace. I was smarter and I was faster, but he, unfortunately was huge. He wasn't the problem however.
I blankly looked at her.
By this time, all the elves had left in exasperation, and only she remained.
Viciousness blazed, licked with lavender flames; her eyes flicked from Aegnir to me. Red lips smiled in satisfaction. Shit. She had set me up. The bitch had set me up, and I, like the idiot I was practically danced into it. She had purposefully brought Aegnir along, she somehow knew we didn't get along. But her motive. What was her damn motive?
Unless it was….him? No….why would she…
Oh my. She must think I am a threat. Laughter and anger rose up together and I laughed in her face. I laughed till tears streamed down my face, and had the satisfaction of seeing her face turn puce.
Legolas didn't see anything in me but a little puzzle he could tweak with, a thing he could while away the passing hours. After all, having lived for a few millennia left you very few amusements I thought bitterly. And why should he see anything else? Was there anything else? He had Cassandra waiting in the wings with her dove white arms open, panting like a bitch in heat, and he was going to give serious thought to me? What the FUCK was she thinking? And why the hell was I letting him toy with me, I thought, flushing furiously.
Why was it, that I saw his eyes in the endless sky? Why, when I walked down corridors did I listen for his footfalls? Why why WHY? Heat coursed in my cheeks, and my palms grew hot and dry.
I breathed deeply. Control. I needed control.
Everybody was getting ready and saddling up, swinging up onto their mounts, joking or laughing. Leaves swirled along the ground as sun touched the horizon.
Exhaling I thought of ice.
Ice ice ice.
I thought of leagues and leagues of hard, burning, ice. Everything receded to a slight background buzz, and soon I couldn't see anything but ice white, and I couldn't hear anything but the chilled winds that wailed around me. I didn't know for how long I stood there, but when I glanced around, the party was already riding off, and a few servants had turned to stare curiously at me. They quickly looked away.
I took my place at the very rear.
Legolas POV
The first hours passed pleasantly enough. Cassandra kept me company, and her wit and intelligence soon had gathered around us various friends who were all interested in the violet eyed beauty. She was the only elven woman who had deigned to attend, most preferring to stay at Rivendell. There were twenty five elves who had decided to come, many being only acquaintances of mine.
It was Elrond's suggestion to alleviate some of the boredom many were suffering from. Llewiever had been ecstatic at the prospect. The Glades had long been known as the best and most unusual hunting grounds. The creatures there ranged from stags to…more unusual dangerous animals. Howls could often be heard in the dark of night. It did not matter to me presently.
I was at peace. Well and truly at peace. The sunlight was warm on my brow, and the scents of the earth wafted around me. Closing my eyes, I basked in the afternoon sunlight. Unbidden, her image floated into my mind's eye, silhouetted against the light.
I should have checked to see how she was.
"I am going to go survey the rest of the train, pardon me friends, I will be back shortly."
Cassandra's eyes darkened before she replied sunnily, "Don't tarry too long highness, we all need the warmth of your presence," and she pouted prettily. It was impossible to resist smiling.
Turning my horse around, I quickly scanned the bobbing heads.
I found her a good deal behind the rear, with a glower on her face.
"You shouldn't ride too far back, you might get lost," I said in concern.
Raveyn's POV
I was so incredibly mad. The ice had boiled a long, long time ago and I was riding high on furious scalding steam. I was on a plodding stubborn mule, and I was in the fucking sun. I HATED afternoon sunlight.
I was hot, and sticky and thirsty. And his damn highness was enjoying himself in that hussy's company. I could hear her glass cut laugh filtering all the way back to me, and I was practically bleeding from my nerve ends. And then he rides back to reprimand me.
"Really, do you think so," I bit off sarcastically, praying hard that I would get lost.
He looked at me sharply.
Right now I really didn't care. Nothing he could do to me could be worse than this. I technically had nothing to lose. Might as well get out all the attitude I could before I combusted from heat. And he looked just fine. Hair perfect, no sweat, clothes unlined. I hadn't even gotten my damn thunderstorm. Everything was going wrong and I was pissed.
And then I remembered Leia's words to me. Most likely her last words to me, "Have fun."
Have fun.
"It does no good to complain. Everybody else is managing." He said softly.
Yeah? Well fuck you.
"That's nice. I am glad everybody is having a good time. Really I am. Can't you see the happiness on my face. I am radiating good will. Don't worry about me. Go on, go ride ahead. Its quite alright. I wont get lost. Eaten maybe, but not lost. Rest assured majesty."
And then I faced forward again.
I saw his hands flex on the reigns and thought sadistically that at least I was pissing him off too. We had now dropped a good deal behind, my mule was determined to eat ever damn blade of
grass.
"That is petty and ridiculous. You are acting exactly like a child," surliness soured his tone.
I was acting like a child. I was acting like a child. I could not believe this.
"And for someone who boasts of such a grand age, majesty, you are behaving like a child with a doll. I am no man's puppet, and I will not dance to your strings. You dragged me along this expedition for no reason and now you are annoying me. If I am going to die in this miserable place, at least do me the courtesy of letting me die in PEACE. Highness."
Breathing in the air of self righteous fury, I realized belatedly I might have pushed him too far.
His hand quickly fisted around the front of my tunic, and dragged me across my saddle as if I weighed nothing, and brutally deposited me in front of him. Reaching up to shove his arms, and twist away, two hands quickly wrapped around both my wrists and forcefully brought them down.
"You – y-y-you-I can't believe this-I am outraged-before you came I was FINE everything was great and then you had to come and ruin everything I wish I'd-"
Wrapping two viselike arms around my waist, he squeezed, and the air promptly rushed out of my lungs. Speech was impossible, and just when my vision began to dip and wave, he relaxed his grip, breathing harshly into my hair as he tried to regain self control.
And we just sat there for awhile. Slowly plodding along, me madly gasping for breath, and he, casually holding me in place.
"I apologize. That was uncalled for."
Yes. Near asphyxiation is generally uncalled for. Good of him to so graciously admit it.
He deposited me on the ground and ran a hand through his hair. He looked disconcerted and upset, and he turned a troubled gaze in my direction as he intensely stared at me.
Crossing my arms, and righting my shirt, I said witheringly, "Fear not majesty. I am quite accustomed to being throttled, beaten, insulted or what not. Feel free to abuse me any time you need to exert your frustrations. I will attempt to deal with your heated actions as passively as I possibly can." I smiled sarcastically, and his eyes grew very cold.
"I have never in all my life, ever struck a woman-"
"Well then highness I am indeed honored to be your first" And I swept him a low decorous bow.
He raked from head to foot, rage darkening his eyes to a lightning cracked blue. Jerking the reigns slightly, he smoothly galloped away, leaving nothing but little puffs of dirt behind.
I brushed myself off, got on my horse and tried not to think about anything.
(Several hours later)
I was regretting what I did. We had stopped for the night, and dismounting I surveyed our surroundings. There was a large clearing with a fire that had already been started. Most of the elves situated themselves around the comforting heat, but a few straggled near the perimeters.
After struggling for a good hour with my tent I managed to put it up.
The basic idea of a tent is that it covers you while you sleep.
I had managed to accomplish the basic idea.
Sort of.
It was standing at least, and slightly off the ground. I would have to go through some creative acrobatics to get in it for sure but at least it was up.
I glanced at Legolas who was pitching his tent by the perimeter, some 15 feet from Cassandra's. After this afternoon, he had refused to even look my way, ignoring me as effectively as if I'd never existed.
He was so damn good looking. And so noble. And honorable. And good. He was so perfect it made my heart ache.
He was calmly unpacking his saddlebag, and setting down his belongings on the ground. I should make myself useful I thought as I moved towards him. After all, I justified, I was technically supposed to be helping him.
Attendant often implied that.
I haltingly walked to his side and stood over him. He said nothing, still bent near to the ground, separating his tent pieces.
"Highness do you…um…need any help?" I asked courteously.
He shifted his eyes over to my tent, and glancing at me dismissingly minced out a brief "No."
I hesitated before walking back to my sleeping space. He was going to ignore me then. Not talk to me.
Crawling into my small creaking closeted tent, I felt such incredible unhappiness. My house of carefully built twigs just came crashing down on my miserable head, just by a little nudge from him. The events of the past days had taken a heavy toll on me, and today had been so miserable. Everything was breaking. I had tried so hard to make my life work and it was cracking. Again.
*THEN FIX IT. What the hell is the matter with you? Everything is breaking, oh no let me sit and weep. Get back up on your feet you stupid bitch!*
Tears blurred my vision as I tried not to sob. Squeezing my blanket into a knot, I tried so hard not to make a sound.
I wanted him.
*You want HIM? Is this what this is about?! You want him.. What on earth for? Oh I see, somebody glances your way once in a while, somebody decent and you melt is that it? And you call yourself strong you pathetic puny excuse for CHARACTER*
I wanted to hear his clear voice, I wanted to see his river water eyes, I wanted his arms wrapped around me. Because in his arms, it felt as if the world didn't matter. It felt as if everything in his world was right there in his arms; as if I were the stability of his earth, and the freedom of his sky.
*His earth and sky. His EARTH and SKY, oh my god words fail me. Did I already call you pathetic?*
I didn't want him to be mad at me, and tears rolled down even more at that thought. I actually cared. I actually cared and it hurt.
*Aww poor darling…it hurts. He is sleeping soundly in his tent, having completely forgotten about your miserable emotionally baggaged self, and your weeping your little heart out. Go back to being nothing darling. Your so much better at it. Melt away shadow girl, melt away, and no one will ever know you came to stay…*
I had listened so many times before to that little ringing sting of reason. But not tonight. I couldn't tonight.
So I slept in my bed of salt and pain.
NARRATOR's POV (Omniscient POV)
He had heard her last night. She was quiet but he heard her and it tore at him as the hushed sobs wracked her. He couldn't sleep that night, and he had lain awake for a long time listening, till she quieted down, and finally went to sleep. Sleep wouldn't visit him so easily. He went out and looked at the blanketed night sky.
Gold eyes flickered in the star light; gold eyes bright with pain haunted him that night. His eyes closed as he rested beneath the shadow of a great oak, hearing her voice in the whispering wind.
(DAWN)
When he woke at dawn and looked again at the huddled lump in that pathetic tent disgust washed over him. She must have been so uncomfortable. And cold. In her own way she had tried to make peace with him, and he had blatantly refused.
Not like him. Not like him at all.
You always make me act badly don't you little one? Bring out the worst in me, trip me up, glare, taunt, laugh…enchant.
Cassandra had awoken too. She glanced at him quizzically, "You are in ill humor my lord. What is the matter?"
"Nothing my lady, please wake the rest.." He said and turned and walked to Raveyn's tent. Grasping her shoulder lightly, he gave her a gentle shake.
Raveyn's POV
I woke up swollen eyed, and disoriented, to feel a strong hand on my shoulder. I looked up confused. The sky appeared to be an ugly greenish brown color; as my eyes focused I dimly noticed the strongly woven canvas threads. And then I remembered everything.
Ugghh.
Struggling, I managed to wriggle out of my tent, my tunic riding up. I felt the cool morning air tingle over my stomach.
Turning grumpily, I stared straight into veiled azure eyes. They had swiftly given me a once over, lingering slightly over my waist before meeting my gaze calmly. He was crouched at eye level.
"We will be leaving soon. You will remain with the rest of the attendants," He said quietly
How wonderful. And didn't he look charming this lovely morning. No circles under his eyes.
Bastard.
My voice came out harsh and heavy from sleep, "Then why did you wake me up."
"I-….I just thought I would let you know."
"Oh. Thank you." An awkward silence hung in the air.
"Then I guess I will go back to sleep" I said.
He nodded and as he was about to stand, an ugly thought occurred to me.
"Wait!," I grabbed his arm, "Umm. Uhhh. Just be careful. Come back in one piece."
Releasing him, I looked down and swallowed uncomfortably. Stupid impulses. I shouldn't have done that. Now he is going to think I am becoming attached and that-
Cool fingers drifted across my face, to tilt my head up.
He was smiling slightly, and looking at me intensely, as if he wanted to burn the words into my memory said, "I will always come back little one. No matter how hard I am pulled away, I can't seem to help coming back." And then he swiftly walked away.
He did it so easily; a single glance, a few words.
His earth and sky.
I went back to sleep.
(Hours later)
Emerging again from my tent, into the blinding sunlight, I found the servants slowly coming awake, crawling out of their tents. Aegnir looked distinctly disgusting, and I shuddered. Who would willingly bed that bag of shit was well beyond me.
Narrator's POV
It was late afternoon, and the sun had covered the earth in a haze of light and dust.
Laughter rang up to the loftiest leaves, as the servants amused themselves in various ways. Some slept. Others talked. The men fought. Save for one. Aegnir was conspicuously absent.
He traveled surreptitiously through the dry forest floor, following her tracks. The rush of the river could be heard distinctly now, and when the trees became scarcer, he saw her by the river.
She had shed most of her clothes, and was clad in a simple sleeveless short tunic that barely brushed the tops of her thighs. Smoothly diving, she resurfaced a few seconds later, emerging dripping wet; her hair was dark and jagged against the sheer white of her blouse, and he stiffened as he saw her nipples raised against the smooth thin cloth.
Slender and like one of the fabled water gods dryads, he could hardly believe this was the same mousy, dark dustball that drifted from corner to corner. A crooked smile spread across his face; his eyes hardened as he thought viciously.
He would show the cunt who he was. He would show them all. Nobody insulted him, especially she, who was nothing. Cassandra herself had told him he would one day be great. He would be; a leader among men. He would make them fear him; and from fear stemmed respect. From respect glory and wealth. If he didn't break her, then everyone would laugh.
Cassandra had looked at him disappointedly this morning. She had known what really happened. He had to show Cassandra he was strong. He stepped out onto the rocky riverbed shore and walked swiftly towards her; his fists tightening.
Raveyn's POV
I saw him approaching and my eyes darted to shore. I needed to get on stable land. Turning I began running as fast as I could. If I could reach my clothing, then I would have my knife. Shit, shit SHIT he was too fucking close. Heart pounding I stopped, in water up to midcalf, dripping wet and virtually naked as he stood leeringly in front of me.
His fists were bunched at the sides, and his dirty white shirt was open at the collar, black hairs curling and glistening with sweat. He reeked of sweat and sex, and his groin protruded thickly.
Throwing my head back, I said icily, "So Aegnir, you finally decided to prove that there is something hanging between your legs. "
Confusion registered across his features. If I could keep him unbalanced enough…
"You think by showing me good, by hurting little itsy bitsy me you would prove to everyone how big and bad Aegnir son of nobody is," I spat viciously, bile and panic rising in my throat.
My façade was so flimsy, and I was counting too much on his stupidity.
"Tell me Aegnir," I shoved him hard with my hand, jerking him back, "what do you think they will say when you tell them? Oh they'll be proud Aegnir. When you strut in like a puffed cock and sneer domineeringly, 'Yes I finally hurt her! She knocked me down so I had to show her who was boss. Yes she was nearly naked. Yes she was in the river, unarmed, cold, alone; and I managed to rape her all by myself!'" I raked him from head to toe sneeringly my voice dripping stinging scorn, "Oh they'll jump at that Aegnir, they'll be so proud."
He had kept moving back little by little, and all I needed was just a bit more room, if I managed to move him back a bit more I could maneuver around him-
"No." He spoke for the first time, that single syllable harshly glutted with raging delusion. His eyes lit up, "She would be proud of me. She would understand. She told me I was strong and smart. I know that. And the servants would not say anything. Because if I hurt you then they will be even more scared."
He moved towards me, like a lumbering bear, "Because you scare them. So if I destroy what scares them, then they will become more scared of me."
My mouth nearly dropped to the floor. Said haltingly, and with a distinctly limited vocabulary, he had just managed to parrot back to me one of the canons of tactical warfare. And he had said destroy.
Insanity lit his eyes as he charged me. Moving backwards I tried to sidestep him and duck, using his force to drive him past me, but he spread his arms and slammed into me driving us together into deeper waters. We fell into the river, and water clouded my eyes, and burned up my nose.
Struggling, I fiercely raked my nails down his face and brought my knee into his groin, yelling the whole time. He yelled in pain but tightened his grip around my wrists and slammed me back into the water with a vicious back handed slap that drew blood. My vision blurred as he hit me again, and brought his knee into my stomach.
He reached down to the front lacings of his leggings and tugging them apart, he brought out his engorged groin. All I could see was his black eyes glowing hotly as he grunted incoherently, and no matter how hard I struggled, I couldn't set free. He was too strong, and the water had slicked over his arms, not allowing me to get a good grip. He spread my legs, and my tunic rode up high on my waist. As he poised himself over me, panic rushed away and I just felt such a chocking fury,
"I'll see you in hell you son of a bitch," I blazed at him.
He hit me again, and I swam out of consciousness as he dragged us to shore, the world melting into various hazy shades of blue and black. My mind was numbed, and my body was hurting from so many places. I went away from the pain. I closed my eyes and went to my place far away from the ugliness and the noise.
Narrator's POV (Told mainly from Legolas POV)
Without thought, he had notched two arrows, and sent them whistling through the air, their pointed tips delivering a quick deadly kiss. Each found his heart, and stopped the greed, and insanity that had festered there. Before they had found their target he was already running over the sandy ground.
She was hurt badly; he ran assessing hands over her frame ascertaining the damage. Blue and purple marred the smoothness of her cheeks, and blood trickled from her nose and mouth. She wasn't moving, and her pulse was slow and sluggish.
Cradling her gently in his arms, her limbs folding up limply, he rocked her back and forth gently whispering feverishly. He didn't even know what he said, all he knew was that if she died….
She stirred.
Her eyes opened brilliantly, the gold a stark contrast against her pallid features; and for a while they sat there. The Prince and the girl from nowhere. Gold resting softly in Blue.
He broke the silence, "Are you in pain?"
She stared at him blankly and then began to laugh.
"Highness, your penchant for asking piercing questions is at times overwhelming," she coughed slightly, blood flecking her lips.
He laid her gently on the ground, and healed her to the best of his ability, running impersonal hands over her small frame. She watched him. From the corner of her eye she saw Aegnir, eyes glazed over and open wide with death. Sand had grained them over, and blood spilled from his open mouth. Two arrows protruded starkly from his back. Too bad. He was dead. If she'd had her way….
He wrapped her gently in his cloak, and when he made a motion to pick her up, she waved him away.
"I can walk. I feel better, you don't need to carry me. Thank you."
"You will stumble, don't be stubborn, let me-" She placed a restraining hand on his chest and looked at him.
"I've been through worse before, don't worry about me."
She looked at him intensely, from under thickly veiled lashes, "This isn't your fault," she said quietly.
Yes it is he thought, and bitterness pulsed through him as he stared at the bruises that in spite of his healing, still wrapped faintly across her skin.
"Legolas. It is not your fault. Do you understand me?" She spoke to him sternly.
He didn't respond.
She started walking slowly; past the shore, into the coolness of the forest. He was walking behind her, when she turned suddenly, and looked at him appraisingly.
"Highness, you should inform Cassandra that her servant is dead. And kindly tell her for me, that her flowerbeds will have to wait. And I too shall wait." Her eyes hardened, and she regally turned and swept away, with all the aplomb of royalty.
Cassandra and he needed to have a conversation that was long overdue, he thought, as he glanced at Aegnir.
If Aegnir had been alive. And if Aegnir had seen the manner in which his highness was currently regarding his carcass, he would have wished fervently for the fires of Mount Doom.
A slight wind swept a fine dusting of sand across his body, and moved quickly across the river. The shores were empty now, and silence settled once again.
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Author's note
To everyone:
First off I would again like to reiterate my immense gratitude at the lovely reviews I have received for this story. Seriously, everybody is fantastic, and I am so happy you all like this story so much. And that you like Raveyn.
Second, I apologize for how long it has taken me to update. This weekend the internet shut down at my university so I couldn't get one, but I was planning to post earlier.
Third- I hope you all liked this chapter, it was one of the hardest ones to write. Any concerns or questions please feel free to ask, I will respond.
Fourth- there have been questions about the Narrator's POV. Narrator's POV is basically a way for me to cheat. It is an omniscient pov, and using Narrator's POV, I can basically get into the head of other minor characters. I will be using the narrator for Cassandra, and other people. In this chapter for example I used it for Aegnir. I hope you guys weren't terribly confused. I tried to make it less choppy and flow more.
Lia – Angels are so perfect though, and they are so boring don't you think? Oh la, lets take the elves off their pedestals and get them a bit dirty. Look at Arwen, the lass went all gung ho for Aragorn. She knew how to kick it. Although I doubt that is how she would describe it….
Princess Stormy – My dear, women of all ages suffering from waning sex drives. Don't you dare blame it on yourself. If the male specimens in this world looked persay, like Legola, do you think any woman would suffer from a waning sex drive? I sincerely doubt it. The voltage would be sizzled up quite a few notches.
Onyx- Yes the narrator's part would have been better in Legolas, but sometimes I like using he and not getting fully into Legolas' head. With the Legolas POV you get to experience everything raw, but the Narrator POV turns it down a little. There is a big Narrator's POV in this one that is mainly Legolas. I hope you like it.
rm- Rest assured I will be taking you into Cassandra's head using the narrator. I wont be doing her own POV, but the narrator one will be good, don't worry.
Ankoku- 'smash her into a bloody pulp, over and over and ov-' Very nice imagery there Ankoku. I am glad you like Raveyn.
Vorbis- I tried to make the narrator pov easier to follow. I hope it wasn't too difficult.
Andrea- I tried to do the third person omniscient with Legolas in this one in the narrator block, see if you like it. Thank you for reviewing, I appreciate it.
PS. Does anybody know how to put in italics? Because me and my mass computer skills are just not cutting it.