Narrator POV
She heard it dimly; a memory that crawled slowly out of the murky lake depths traveling slowly upwards. She could do nothing to stop it, could only watch in horrified fascination as it broke at the surface.
And then panic flooded through her freezing, her limbs as it landed at the rear, looking like some tartarean nightmare that had suddenly, inexplicably bled into reality. The screams, the stench; everything came rushing back like an unstoppable deluge; and blood shot terror opened the gates to hell.
Isengaard.
Those screams that could be heard deep into the dark dungeons of Isengaard. Those.........howls. Howls which no creature of earth ought ever have voiced; humanity's sins came to settle in that sound, and what they wove...
She started shivering uncontrollably as the scene before her melted away, and she was snatched back; the memories ripping her cobwebbed world.
And she saw the dark again.
Darkness. Always darkness. Moonlight never touched those rusted dungeon bars; nothing pure ever shone on those rotting floors.
The first memory came ripping at her; she was surprised that he was the first to surface.
"Ah ah ah ah ah" soft grunts of noise as he rocked back and forth, eyes wild and unstaring. I remembered him, from last night. And the night after that. And the night after that. By the corner rocking back and forth, back and forth. Unceasing he rocked. And always those soft noises "Ah ah ah ah ah ah ....," and in the dim light I could make out his shifting form . The next night he didn't make a sound. Silence.
But he was still moving.
Curiosity moved me, and as I crept closer, I saw. He was dead, and it was the rats that had swarmed hungrily over his flesh that made that soft rocking back and forth; his head slapping against the wall as they reached for his eyes.
And he was gone as fast as he had appeared, and swarming in his place were hundreds screaming for the same fleeting attention. One made it. I should have known.
"My dear you are so valuable to me, surely you must know that?" His voice slid like swamp mud over my skin, seeping into my eyes my hair my ears till all I could see was black. He feathered his hand over my skin, and tightened his fingers like a vise across my face, that pure white hair falling in silver streams around his face, framing two dark dark dark eyes that bore into my soul. "You will give me what I want." My head nodded reflexively, and he still stared.
Despite all your creations mighty wizard, I thought bitterly, Sauron outdid himself with you. Twisted you more than anything you created in those pits of yours. Because you were good once. And nothing is uglier than good become evil.
I smiled at him, mockingly.
"So much spirit," he said, his head nodding sadly, cruelty dwelling in those black eyes, "Such. spirit." He drawled the last word and drew his staff back. It coiled into strands of fire, that flamed madly around his hand. He barely spared me a glance before he whipped it down.
Water swam in her eyes and she blinked them away furiously trying to tamp herself down. Trying to bring back the nets and the locks and chains, and barricade everything into the back of her mind.
A memory palace that had blurred at the seams, and let doors open that had long been nailed shut.
She wouldn't allow it. She couldn't allow it she thought, anger pumping through her. Viciously tugging at Stubborn's reins, she did what she knew best. She ran.
Raveyn's POV
I did not know for how long we ran; oddly enough as the scenery bit past, jagged and reaching, one thought kept hammering in my head.
Stubborn was running like a champion stallion. Fluid long strides, it was as if he was eating up the ground.
I almost laughed. The poor boy was going to burst his heart. I grabbed the reins, and throwing a quick look back, I tugged gently.
And then a little harder. And then a lot harder. Stubborn refused to stop, and from the sounds carrying towards us, it seemed as if we were heading straight for the river. So I took his reins and tugged sharply to the left, twisting his head, and making him stumble a bit.
Since I had not yet mastered the art of the graceful stop, I flew off ungracefully and landed hard on my rump. I glanced nervously around and strained my ears for anything. Any sound any noise that that horror had chosen to follow me. There was nothing, only Stubborn gasping for breath like there was no tomorrow. I dropped my head back in relief, and laid flat out in exhaustion against the floor. My heart was still racing, and I closed my eyes taking in the clean air, and the silence.
I was too far away. No way it could have followed me. The others probably got it. Hopefully. They were elves. They should have got it. Shouldn't they?
I had been watching Stubborn; he was skittishly prancing, his hooves roughing up the dirt, and the whites of his eyes stood out prominently. I stood up quickly and quietly, my heart pounding like a drum in my head, and looked around, straining to see past the dark trees, and murky filtering sunlight. We had stopped in a small clearing, and there were about fifteen paces between Stubborn and I.
Stubborn suddenly jerked to the left and stared straight ahead. He had stopped breathing. I stopped breathing too, because thats when I heard what Stubborn had heard a long time ago. It sounded like a distant rumbling, a crashing of the tide. And it kept growing louder. Clods of dirt were shaking around us.
It was coming our way...fast. I stood motionless, disbelief freezing my feet. It had followed us.
Turning I stared at Stubborn; he had collapsed on the ground, and was blithering.
The crashing noises kept growing louder, as it headed straight towards us. We were right in the middle of its path.
An odd calm fell upon me; I saw every thing so clearly, so simply. A decision had been made for me. This was the end of the road. I drew my knife.
I couldn't run, I couldn't hide, all my options had melted away like ice in the sand, and all I had were my wits and my blade. A grim smile tugged at my lips. If I was going to die, at least I would take the bastard down with me. It had crashed through the forest clearing, and oddly enough, looked startled to see us. The elves had down some damage. Its hide was quilled with arrows that had sunk deep, and its steps as it moved uncertainly were rapidly becoming sluggish.
Red rimmed eyes stared at me stupidly, filled only with a volcanic rage that seemed to steam from the abyss whence it came. A rage fueled by the desire to destroy. But Death himself would visit this one. Its sagging jowls were already graying, and it was favoring its right back leg.
If I could somehow enrage it enough so it made a foolish leap, or jumped too high. Then I could stab it from beneath, or perhaps even its side - aggravate the arrows and blind it with pain.
But I barely had time to lunge to the side before it sprang, jaws snapping and saliva dripping in thick heated clumps. Scrambling quickly up, I ran as fast as I could towards it. Its back was turned to me, and if it turned around and charged again I would not make it, it was moving too fast- I had underestimated it. If it leaped again, the range was to close for it to miss. Jumping on its back, I grasped thick handfuls of its hair, and jamming hard on its injured leg, I used it to step up. As it tossed its head in pain, I grabbed the knife with both hands and plunged it as hard as I could into the corded muscle around its neck. It sank into the hilt, and blood bubbled up hot and quick. It reared and threw me off hard; I landed and rolled some distance away.
As I drew myself up, I could see it tossing in agony, its howls resounding with rage, and as it shook I could see the blood spray against the bark of surrounding trees. It looked as if a single enormous wave had crashed upon shore and refused to die, frothing tumultuously against the rocks.
It turned its eyes in my direction and I started to back away. But slow steps carried it forward; inexorably forward.
I ran to Stubborn whose eyes where white with terror. He was still collapsed on the ground and refused to get up; I shoved him furiously, beseeching him. I refused to look back, scared of what I might see.
"Move your ass you stupid bloody idiotic damn MULE. I knew you were trouble damn your eyes. Move MOVE MOVE MOVE NOW!!" My voice was panicked and hoarse, my fingers fumbling to untie the reins. Oddly enough it was the pervading scent of the woods that filled my lungs. That smell that was indescribably clean and perfect, and my eyes only teared more at the thought that I was going to be killed in a nice forest. The thought saddened me inexplicably, and-
Two warm arms went around my middle and engulfed my hands, putting pressure slowly, forcing my fingers to lie still; my heart seized, and I stopped.
I knew who it was.
I knew simply by the way my body relaxed, as if everything was going to be all right now. That was a safety promised only by him; Turning I looked at him frankly, my defenses down, and thought sadly, needingly, at the haven promised in the forget-me-not-blue of those endless eyes.
And burrowing my head in his broad shoulders I cried. I actually cried again. Huge wracking sobs that tore at my body and made me shake. I couldn't believe I was crying, and that thought only made me cry harder. He just held me, his arms pulled me in close and the heat of his body wrapped around my body like a shield; I felt nothing at all was strong enough to touch me then. I needed that- I needed that reassurance. It may have been simply a promise in the wind- a promise of the moment. But for that moment I was grateful.
As I grew quiet, he started to mumble hushed words in my ear. His breath softly puffing over my hair. He was singing, and the elven words slipped around me, cocooning and relaxing me as I drifted on clouds of dew. And I knew then with a fierce bursting that threatened to spill from my lips. I knew i knew i knew, and the strength of it tore at me bringing fresh tears to my eyes. I was an emotional wreck. I had cried twice within a matter of days. Twice. And then to top it off, I was in...i was in...
Sniffling, I gathered myself into some semblance of my hard snappish self. It wouldn't do any good to weep all day. Just get yourself together, have a backbone dammit. One small incident and you fall into pieces all over him. Where is that steel of yours woman?
"Thank you." I said stiffly, unsure all of a sudden. And then I made move to step away.
His eyes were shuttered, but his grip around my shoulders tightened; I winced slightly.
Then, as if making an effort, he released me, and moved away, his eyes saying everything and nothing. He glanced me over swiftly, attempting to ascertain any damage that had been done.
"I'm fine" I said in response to his unspoken question.
His mouth pursed in irritation and he drawled, "Your token answer to everything. If only everybody had your remarkable resistance to injury."
I smiled, I was back on old footing now. There was nothing like a good quarrel to get rid of those little ugly feelings.
"Yes well, thank goodness for small favors. Imagine if I had counted upon the prowess of the supposed master hunters I was riding with," I struck out at him trying to bring balance back.
He simply raised on elegant dark eyebrow, stark against his fair skin. His eyes shifted slightly towards the beast that I had avoided looking at.
I thought I had killed it for some reason. Injured it sufficiently, he had arrived so quickly and I hadn't heard anything... Four fresh gleaming arrows were burrowed almost to their feathered ends in its side, and its eyes had already glazed and dusted over. The forest was silent.
He was watching me carefully as I turned embarrassed eyes towards him. He waved his hand towards me, and somehow managed to make it look commanding.
He said quietly, with intensity in his eyes, "Forgive me, you have been through an ordeal. Several ordeals for that matter. I only meant to question about your health."
And then I opened my mouth and gave my usual dry reply, "If you mean whether or not I am fit to ride, in order that we can quickly catch up to your friends and particularly Cassandra, then yes. I can ride. I can ride to the bloody ends of the earth if I have to."
His head tilted slightly to the side as he looked at me. Intensely. He stepped close to me, invading my space and forcing an acknowledgment. I was getting a crick in my neck from having to look up at him.
"Throw as many barbs as you need to Raveyn. As many as you need to put as much distance between your fears and you." He paused there and I stood mesmirized as he continued. "But know this, " and then his cheeks flushed as his temper rose, " if you ever pull a silly stunt like that again" his teeth clenched, and he continued," ...You ran away woman-"
"Oh alright, for future reference I will stand right in front of the damn thing. Then it can eat me. I can see how that would be an improvement." I said acidly.
His eyes burned into me and he tried to explain, "They can smell fear. They feed on fear like every other creature of the dark. By running you attracted it. You knew this, why did you run?" He was confused and he wanted an answer. Too damn bad, I was not about to give him one.
I set my jaw and said nothing. Memories.
"Can you hear them dearie?" She said her hair like briars branches around her face. Her voice dropped to a whisper as insanity lit her eyes, "You can always hear them. Dont worry lass, they'll start soon enough. Your new, you dont know. Yet, hahahahaha" Her laughter filled my ears and the hair on my arms rose. Because that was when the sounds started up. Terrible bloodcurling howls, that made my blood crawl in revulsion, as they ripped through the dungeon like paper.
I shook my head slightly, and still said nothing. His fist clenched, and tightened as he slung himself across the saddle of his horse. He breathed in, and then rode over to where I stood belligerently, and leaning down he gently wrapped his arm across my waist and slung me astride his horse. Again, I found myself snug against him.
"Someday woman," his voice light, " you will make me lose my temper. And then I won't be so easy on you." Jesting words. I hoped.
"Umm, highness," I said, "I do have a mount."
I could feel him turn to look at Stubborn who was still staring dumbly at the dead...thing.
"Stubborn. Stubborn. STUBBORN!" I yelled. He turned big limpid eyes towards me and his mouth quivered.
"Aww baby its alright now, come on love. Lets go. Its going to be alright. Your safe now." I said coaxingly as soothing as I could trying to remove the iron arm encircled around my waist.
Stubborn took a few steps towards us and Legolas grabbed the reins and tied them to the pommel of his horse.
"Uh. I..can ride him now," I repeated.
"Really?" his tone sarcastic, "I am not so sure he won't collapse from fright and take you with him," he said drily, turning in irritation to stare at Stubborn. Even Legolas' horse looked at Stubborn in disdain.
Well how about that. They were ganging up on him. He wasn't the bravest thing, but he still had feelings. And he ran fast. I mean, how many mules could run as fast as he did back there?
I was moved to my his defense; his head was drooping from shame.
"Stubborn is not a coward! He has.... he has coordination problems. He legs sometimes don't function properly and he falls." That was the best I could come up with, and I gently patted Stubborn on the head and gave him a slight smile, and turned in irritation to his royal highness.
"Highness kindly put me down," I said as sternly as I could.
"No."
I gaped. No? That was it? No?
"I beg your pardon majesty?" I said affronted.
He laughed, his voice full throated and deep. He could do most things with that voice that men couldn't even accomplish with their hands.
"No. This way, I can at least control you. If I put you on that blasted mule, no telling what the two of you might do," he said, mirth still heavily evident in his voice.
I tried to remember I was affronted. "Are you implying that I am a troublemaker?"
"I never imply."
"Well then. Why did you bring me along? If all I bring you is grief why burden yourself? A touch of the sadist highness?"
He chuckled, "Perhaps. I always had a fondness for troublemakers" he said matter of factly.
"What a magnanimous nature!" I said incredulously, "A fondness for troublemakers."
"Yes," he paused and his shoulders shook, "Troublemakers with gold eyes… and one inch knives." He was full out laughing again.
And unwillingly, my lips cracked into a smile.
"You are making fun of me," I said crossing my arms.
"Never. I wouldn't dream of it."
"Humph."
And we plodded on, with me throwing wisecracks and barbs, and him laughing. I knew what he was trying to do. He was being subtle but I knew none the less. And it was working. The events of today receded more and more, as I laughed them away.
Legolas POV
I had wrapped my arms around her waist to still her frantic trembling, to quiet and reassure her. And she didn't start, she simply relaxed against me and cried. Cried so hard, her thin frame shook under my arms. And I let her, furious at myself for dragging her along on this selfish misguided attempt at leisure. I had taken her with me simply because I had wanted her there, not giving a passing thought to her safety. In my monumental arrogance, I had simply assumed that nothing would happen that I couldn't handle. My arms tightened around her and I was chilled.
If she had died....my heart felt like iron fingers had clamped around it and squeezed. I tore the thought away and simply held her; and then I began to sing. I sang of home, as I held her and it did not occur to me until much later, that I had not sang for anyone in a long time.
Then she drew away with a muttered, "Thank you," and I found I didn't want to let go.
I looked at those big cat eyes that were glassy from crying, and checked her for injuries, my eyes worriedly looking for injuries.
"I'm fine, " and her eyes closed as she stepped away.
Her words upset me; always always she had to hide any weakness. She needed that facade of invincibility so much that she had built it into her carapace. Why?
What on earth could possess someone to push help away at every possible turn?
I said lightly, my voice held in check, "Your token answer to everything. If only everybody had your remarkable resistance to injury."
As if I gave her an opening, her eyes brightened and she snapped back her response; it had become a reflex now. I glanced slightly at the warg, and turned to face her. She hadn't known. And she hadn't known the fear that tasted like ash in my mouth when I saw how close it was to her.
"Forgive me, you have been through an ordeal. Several ordeals for that matter. I only meant to question about your health," I said soothingly. If she needed to hone her weapons, I would be her willing target. She deserved at least that much, I thought admiringly. Ahh Raveyn, you needn't worry about your strength. Very few woman have the your steel. What you must have survived...
"If you mean whether or not I am fit to ride, in order that we can quickly catch up to your friends and particularly Cassandra, then yes. I can ride. I can ride to the bloody ends of the earth if I have to."
Would you Raveyn? Would you ride to the ends of the earth if I asked you? The question had blossomed absurdly in my mind, but a sudden desire to force an acknowlegement from her moved me closer to her. Till I towered over her, and those gold eyes that stared defiantly; trying so hard to cover the fear.
"Throw as many barbs as you need to Raveyn. As many as you need to put as much distance between your fears and you." I couldn't understand why she ran? Why she was afraid. Why why why WHY, and flushing I continued tightly, "But know this if you ever pull a silly stunt like that again...You ran away woman! Ran right where it could follow you."
I have lived for three thousand years, and fought horrors you could only dream of, but when you went missing Cat eyes, that was the first time my heart nearly stopped.
I ignored whatever she said and bit back, "They can smell fear. They feed on fear like every other creature of the dark. By running you attracted it. You knew this, why did you run?"
And then those sunset eyes closed and she became as still as a puppet doll with glass eyes.
I wanted to shake her and force her to tell me. Grasp those thin shoulders and knock some sense into her.
And I wanted to kiss her till those lips of hers, swollen and flushed, would have been too sated to let loose the next barb. Till those beckoning eyes would be glazed with pleasure. Till-....till.
Turning away I walked over to my mount and swung myself up.
Out of a whim perhaps, a desire to unbalance her as she did me, I picked her up, and slid her in front of me, her body pressed sharply against mine. My self restraint was straining, "Someday woman, you will make me lose my temper. And then I won't be so easy on you." And when it comes, I thought darkly, I hope for your sake there is a bed nearby.
Narrator's POV
He had let her quickly refresh herself and wash off the smatterings of blood at a stream they crossed. He stayed alert, listening, and when she was ready they continued, Stubborn trailing stubbornly behind. Anybody looking on would have wondered at the odd party they made. One stallion, one mule. One slave one prince. And yet with the latter two oddly enough, anybody looking then would have glanced away. As if embarassed at looking in on such a private moment. Because those two had that air about them; nothing else mattered. The world could blow itself to pieces but as long as she was there, and as long as he was there, everything would be all right. The arguing, the bickering, and the snappish responses all melted away in light of that.
And so they talked, and so time went, and so the sun slowly set.
He found a clearing for them and they settled in for the night. He stayed awake watching, and she fell asleep, her eyelashes curling against her face as weariness finally closed in. His eyes would turn to her many a time during that night; but his questions went unheard. Only the stars stared down in their magnificence at the two. They flickered in the darkness, as he too finally slid into sleep. Then they too were dimmed and vanished as the brilliance of the sun burst in streaks across the sky.
Raveyn's POV
I woke up slowly, the sun beating a steady pulsing rhythm on my face. And I shifted in closer to the source of my warmth, with his arm draped heavily across my hip. Hip. Arm. Arm on hip.
Not even daring to breathe, I opened my eyes a crack at a time and stared at him. How the hell did I come to be wrapped around him like...like...
His face was furrowed in sleep, and those bow shaped lips were tilted slightly, as if in thought. He looked so beautiful. His hair had draped over the mossy ground like a waterfall of sun, a brightness that slid along the sharpness of his cheekbones, and lay across his skin like an invitation. Forgetting everything I slid in closer to him, bit by bit, and brought my head up to look at his sleeping features.
Sliding my hand from between us, I brought it up to brush the strand away, and lightly tucked it back behind that deliciously pointed ear. His shirt had fallen open a bit, revealing smooth corded flesh, and his hand spanned half of my hip tingling the area underneath it. I just stared, and my fingers itched to touch smooth warm skin, to trace the ridges of that sensual mouth.
I was getting impulses. Damn.
He was in front of me, asleep. He was asleep. And I was awake.
In the end I don't know what prompted me.
Perhaps it was Leia's words.
Perhaps it was the damn sun.
Perhaps I didn't care.
Running my head lightly down his face, my fingertips barely skimming his skin, I touched my lips to his. A simple brush of butterfly wings and I smiled. He hadn't even woken up. He must have been so tired, staying up the entire night almost-
The hand lying across my hip tightened possessively, and with an effortless push Legolas sent me sprawling across his chest. I stared shocked into hawk blue eyes that were bright with desire. Desire.
He looked at me, really looked at me, and before I could utter any inane apoogies for unappropriately kissing a scion of one of the most prominent elven families, he said quietly,
"Why Raveyn?"
"I don't know," I said. For the memory of those warm blue eyes. For the comfort you gave freely in those capable arms. For the honor that binds you more strongly than death. Why? I thought bitterly, and looked away. Why me? What draws you to me highness? Tell me, because all I see is a girl with yellow eyes and a wide cynical mouth.
He reached up and brushed a strand of my hair across my face.
I didn't want gentleness then. No I wanted an understanding. I turned to him, my mouth curving, "Why? I daresay the question is why your interest in me. I am no one."
His eyes widened at my change in tone, "No one? Ravey-"
"Is it the mystery? The puzzle? How to fit the pieces in? Are you bored?" And my questions continued bitten out in an acid stream of frustration that had built up with each kindness he showed me. Each time it was getting harder and harder to understand why. And I was getting caught deeper and deeper, and I had to pull myself out. But I couldn't. Even after Cassandra, I couldn't. Tears threatened to rise again.
While I was in that state, Legolas, with a smooth twist of honed muscle, switched our positions. He lay above me, neatly between my legs,and my head was imprisoned between his arms.
"A mystery? A puzzle? Is that truly what you think?," emotions flashed rapid fire across his eyes, as he sought something. As he searched. He looked at me pensively.
"Do you know how I felt when I thought you killed?" His eyes darkened, and as his body brushed deliberately against mine.
"I felt as if death himself had brushed his hand across me."
He dipped his head, and brushed his lips against the skin behind my ear, his breath teasing my hair, and tingling my skin. He started slowly kissing his way down to my neck.
"My heart seized," kiss, "and I found myself imagining," kiss, "a dismal world without you," He finished huskily, a biting edge to his words, which carried in his eyes and whispered across his skin.
"A world with out those rebuking eyes, and that beautiful sarcastic mouth," he enunciated, each word held in check thinly as sexuality charged the air.
I was shifting uncomfortably now, my stomach flip flopping madly.
And then rising over me, he bit the side of my throat, and I arched at the sharp contact, heat darting like needles across my skin.
Those deft hands brushed lightly against the side of my breasts; and those piercing eyes pinned me under.
Lips brushed against mine, once and then twice. Soft pulling kisses that made me want to open like a flower coaxed to blossom by the sun.
My senses were shaken, and my nerves were practically humming; all from a few simple caresses and one steely cloud covered gaze.
And then his hands delved into my hair and he tilted my head up to coax my mouth open, and with infinite tenderness slid his tongue against mine. Gently spread across the forest floor, Legolas, with a sinner's skill, seduced my lips and tongue to move to his siren call. His body pressed hard against mine, and my legs lifted to envelop him, as I held him closer. But, he just kissed me, as if his whole world centered around our mouths.
He put passion into that kiss. He put want and need. And he put, belonging. On a sigh, in a kiss, he put belonging.
Raising himself slightly, and holding me with those warm summer eyes he slowly unlaced the front ties of my shirt, and it spilled open, falling across my shoulders to lie in the moss.
It laid bare a triangle of skin, and my breasts tightened as the cool air hit them.
And so began Legolas of Mirkwood's seduction of Raveyn of No land.
Narrator's POV
Holding her with his eyes, his hips moved hard against hers, in a continual primitive rhythm, as his hands teased circles around those dark aureoles. As he bent down to lave them tenderly, he rasped his teeth gently across their beaded tips. He smiled ferally at her sharp intake of breath, at the slim body arching in his arms. And he knew instinctively the right chords to pluck; the infinite tenderness held in a caress, the sharp spike of pleasure in pain. And she hummed like a bow string beneath his arms.
Desire and lust built together layer after intoxicating layer of pleasure; her hips thrust urgently at his, as her legs tightened with need and an ache that demanded fulfillment. But he kept her to that slow, maddening rhythm, his hips moving lithely and his hands and mouth running teasingly along her body, removing the rest of her clothes, till she lay completely naked against the smooth, soft moss forest floor. A masterpiece; he thought wonderingly. Possessiveness burst suddenly in him; his masterpiece. As his hands drifted lower, her eyes glazed and that beautifully shaped wide mouth opened luxuriously on a moan. She couldn't think couldn't speak, for once. Only feel. Only feel the delicious tantalizing brush of his hands across her skin, that bowed cruel mouth that teased along her nerves. The cloth of his tunic braised against her breasts, and his leggings were rough against her thighs. Diving her hands into his hair, she pulled him to her and kissed him bruisingly, her motions frantic. Still that same slow circulating rhythm, of his hips against hers. Slow and soft the pressure built agonizingly, as she helped him remove his clothes.
The sun bore down on them, and the trees and animals were silent witnesses to a joining that shattered the still morning air, but by no means put an end to the furious onslaught of emotions and passions that had been unleashed by a simple chaste kiss. A kiss that came willingly from her.
In the forge of red hot lava two elements had been melted together and lifted in a bubble above the rest of the world, for that moment. In the bower of delight that he sought to weave for them, they were perfect, for that moment.
Earth and spice.
Light which sometimes darkened shadow beyond night.
Past present future became indistinct, meaningless, as time paid homage to them.
For that moment.
*********************
They had arrived in the morning, and the camp had hailed the return of their prince. They were ecstatic, and some noted that he looked oddly sated. They barely took time to notice his small companion, until Legolas, after dismounting, turned and helped her down. Then they say her, a smallish thing. Odd looking. Their attention turned away. But his did not. There was an indescribabl affection in his eyes, as he looked at her tenderly. An unspoken communication passed between them, and she nodded slightly. With a whisper and a smile she moved away, slipping easily through the crowd, and leaving him to the embrace of his companions. She sobered when she noticed the haunted looks on the faces of the rest of the servants huddled around the fire. What they must have gone through...
She turned towards Cassandra, who stood a little ways off, leaning against a tree. She cut quite a picture, sleek black framing her slim body, her glossy hair tossed over one shoulder. She was smiling broadly too, those fleshy fully lips pulled in a scarlet smile, that stood out starkly against the pale alabaster of her skin.
She walked over towards Raveyn, and circled her, violet eyes flashing over her.
"You survived."It was a statement delivered blankly. If anything there was curiosity, as Cassandra put one pointed finger on her chin, and tilted her head in an innocent poise.
She smiled broadly, and hugged Raveyn tightly in a gesture that left her speechless, "Oh its so good to have you back. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."
Raveyn drawled, "Your pleasure knows no bounds I'm sure."
Those honey eyes flicked over her dismissively, and then Raveyn sauntered away.
But Cassandra spoke once more, "Be careful. You never know what might hit you next."
Silence.
And with a smile she turned and walked away, slim hips swaying.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this chapter, it took me a hell of a long time to write; a lot of pain and frustration. I know some of you will be disappointed, possibly because they had sex too soon, or for a variety of other reasons. I don't know. I hope the flashbacks weren't too difficult to understand. And also, I apologize for the long wait; Finals hit me bad, and procrastination came and bit me in the ass. There many reviewers who reviewed about the update, and I felt so bad. I am ducking my head in shame. Hopefully it wont happen again and I will update roughly every two weeks.
Now about the rest of the story, there are only around 3 or 4 chapters I have left to write. Next
chapter will be big, a lot of stuff is going to be revealed and what not. Ok, now onto the reviewers: without you guys honestly, this story would have stopped a while ago, it began on a whim and was carried by the strength of your responses. My thanks.
Fruity: I am so incredibly sorry. My update took such a damn long time, my apologies! Your review was so lovely, it made me incredibly happy! Thank you so much and I really hope you liked this chapter. I look forward to your review.
Stefynae: Yeah I seem to keep doing that. Damn it! Sorry about that, I hope there is nothing like that in this chapter. Thanks!
Alexandra87: I am flattered, and glad Cassandra fascinates. Its amazing how much people like her character. Morbidly interesting…hehe, glad you enjoy the story.
Rosethorn83: Rosethorn, I hope what I said helped. Thanks for the review, it was lovely as usual. Keep writing!
Rebekka: OH MY GOD, Your review was great, thank you so much!
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: Stubborn is rather stable in comparison, a lovable coward. Sorry for the long update, but it was around finals time. And you know how lovely those couple of weeks are. Thanks for the review!
Blade Swinger: I doubt very much Cassandra finds herself in positions where she is it. Royal bitch aint she? And I completely agree with you, Rivendell would be disgustingly happy. It makes you wonder how they survive with so much goodness and light. Even Cassandra's a relief. Psociopathic maniacs are interesting don't you think? : ) Hope you like Stubborn in this chapter. Gotta love the mule.
Crimson Starlight: At least you have snow! You get to throw snowballs and roll in the snow and shovel it out of the driveway! Sounds great : ) Glad you like the descriptions!
North Star: Sugar and gum drops, haha, that was good. Your review had me grinning, thank you! I am happy you like the characters and the story. Cassandra didn't get as big a part in this chapter but she will in the next one. Don't worry. And by the by it was the humans blood. Thanks again for your lovely review, and I hope you liked this chapter as much as the other seven.
Depth : ….I am so sorry. You are absolutely right, when it says Legolas POV it should stay in first person. But sometimes, stupid me gets confused, and I start writing in third person. I try to go back and catch all the times I do it but sometimes the little buggers slip away. Sorry!
Lady Marmalade: Lady Macbeth was a piece of work wasn't she? Amazing woman, and yes Cassandra is sort of like her! I hope you enjoyed the smidgens of Raveyn's past, don't worry, a lot will be revealed next chapter. Thanks for the review!
To everybody else who reviewed THANK YOU!