A/N: Well, to those of you who have been long awaiting an update and are still around to read it, I'm so very sorry that it's taken me so long. I began to get into other things and nearly forgot about this story. But please read on and enjoy and I will try to update sooner in the future!
Neithawen's Deception
16. Arrival
Neithawen awoke to a feather light touch across her lips. She shivered slightly and opened her eyes. Above her was the smiling face of her Legolas, and a smile crossed her lips before she even knew it.
"Ah, you have awoken, my love," he said, smiling back at her. His finger traced a line along her jawbone. She smiled again and moved to sit. Her side still hurt slightly, and in light of what had happened last night, she was not surprised. Legolas' arm reached around her to help her lean against a nearby tree. Once Neithawen was settled in, Legolas chuckled melodically. "Or, should I call you Teleadan?"
Neithawen smiled sweetly. "My love shall be fine. But," she said, her smile fading a bit, "there is no need for the others to know of my lie. My father must never know, lest he become worried."
"Do not fear, my love, he shall not, if you do not wish it. But it may be hard for me to keep my impish hands off of Teleadan after this night." He winked at her and stood. "However, I shall try." Grinning, he walked over to where he had built a small fire. He stooped, gathered something wrapped in leaves in his hands, and stood again.
"Ah, we are blessed with sunshine this morning," Neithawen said, basking in it. She leaned her face toward the heavens to feel the light upon her face and closed her eyes.
"You are so right, my love," Legolas said, walking back to join her. He knelt down beside her and held out his small package. "Here, eat this," he said. She looked into the little wrapping of leaves. "I've stewed some herbs. They will help with the pain."
Neithawen smiled at Legolas gratefully and took some of the soft, wet leaves in her hands. She put it into her mouth and began to chew. As the juices flowed down her throat, she felt the pain in her side begin to flow away. She sighed and continued eating the much appreciated herbs.
Legolas smiled. "I thought it might help." He left the herbs on the ground next to her and moved to pack their things on Araroh's back. He nickered softly when Legolas touched a long, slender hand to his flank. Neithawen smiled, watching them.
With a small groan, she moved to stand. A pained expression twisted her lovely countenance, but she finally stood, with the help of the sturdy tree behind her. Legolas came to her side and helped her onto Araroh's back. Once she had mounted, Legolas swung up behind her and spurred Araroh into a brisk walk.
They met up with the group several hours later. Fixing her face in a masculine, stoic expression, Neithawen sat up straight and tall in the saddle in front of Legolas. They passed the elves closest to the back and smiled at them. The elves stopped where they were and stared happily at the two riders. None of them had believed Neithawen could survive her injury, but here she was, before their very eyes, healthy enough to ride a horse. Being a stoic race of people, the elves did not throw up a cheer for her recovery. However, being elves, they began to sing a beautiful song of a warrior returned from the dead. A slight hint of tears threatened to well up in Neithawen's eyes, but she suppressed them, instead adopting a masculine air as she smiled appreciatively at the singers.
When they reached the head of the column, Legolas leaned to her in a friendly manner and said quietly, "You are loved by all, not only I." She caught his eye and gave him a look of pure contentment and joy. He returned her smile, then turned to the elves behind them and inquired, "How far ahead is the first group?"
"Twenty miles, at least. If we continue at our current pace, our delay will set them into Rhûn long before we will get there. Truth be told, we did not travel very swiftly in our concern for Teleadan. We sang songs of lament for him, which slowed us greatly. But I believe that we shall make good time now."
"Thank you," Legolas said. He turned forward again, a dubious look upon his face. He weighed their options in his mind. Neithawen watched the expressions rove freely over his beautiful face. Suddenly he turned to her and said, "My friend, would your condition permit us to quicken our pace? I should like to reach the other group before they get to Rhûn."
Neithawen saw the lover's concern in Legolas' eyes. Determined to behave like a warrior, she said passively, "My wellbeing is not in the balance. I will survive and live to fight in Rhûn to help our world. Please decide as you see fit." Her words were crisp and slightly cold, but the glace she gave to Legolas, unnoticed by the other elves, warmed him and he knew her harsh words were meant to preserve her masculinity in front of the others. "I will be needing my mount back, however." An elf brought Rochroval forward as Neithawen dismounted from Araroh. She patted his neck and turned toward Rochroval. "Oh beautiful girl, I missed you." The horse whinnied softly and rubbed her head against Neithawen's shoulder. Legolas helped her mount and then quickly slid back up onto Araroh.
"Very well," he said. "Send word through the company that we will be quickening our pace. I should like to reach the others by nightfall." And with that, he spurred his mount into a quick trot with Neithawen right behind.
Neithawen watched the shapely elf on the horse in front of her. There hadn't been much conversation in the last hour or two, as the path had become narrow enough for only one horse at a time, and two elves on foot. Their progress was slowed slightly by the surrounding trees and bushes, but Legolas plowed ahead, heedless of any slowing. Neithawen's mind drifted to their night of passion. It was still very fresh in her mind and helped to dull the pain of her wound. She hoped it would be nearly gone by the time the came upon Rhûn, for in elves when the pain was gone, so was the wound. The gentle loving of Legolas was healing her wound rapidly, she thought, and beamed to herself.
Araroh slowed to a halt and Legolas' hand came up into the air, signaling her to stop. She pulled lightly on Rochroval's reigns, who obeyed instantly. She got as close as she could to him and he leaned back to her, never taking his eyes off the road ahead. "Something stirs. Are you able to fight, my love?"
"No, I'm afraid not. I am not yet healed."
"Very well, you should go to the end of the line, and let everyone know to prepare for battle soon. We are nearing Rhûn and there will be much evil afoot." He turned briefly to look at her. "If only I could kiss you farewell, my love," he said, a sad smile on his face.
"It is only goodbye for now. I shall linger at the end of the column until I am well, and then I will be back to fight." Legolas' eyes closed as her soft voice came into his ears. "Yes, when you are well. Until then."
Neithawen turned her mount and threaded through the elves behind her. She let them know that there would be fighting ahead. They nodded and smiled in acknowledgement, readying their weaponry as they continued to march forward. Not long after she reached the back of the line her keen elf ears picked up the familiar clanging and crashing of battle. She closed her eyes and let the heady sound wash over her. "Soon I shall be well again," she muttered to herself, willing it to be true. The thought of her love fighting strengthened her will and resolve. She felt the areas of her wounds tingling lightly as they healed in a rapid manner. She was certain that by the time they reached Rhûn that she'd be more than fit to fight.
Maeglin spun around, his back touching that of his fighting partner Thranduil. The number of orcs that Thranduil had anticipated was vastly less than the amount that was truly there. He still knew that they would outnumber the beasts when the second company arrived, but he didn't know how long they could keep fighting them before Legolas and his elves arrived. The elves were presently spread amongst the ranks of orcs, battling and killing as many as could be found, but their numbers were just a bit too few. Maeglin called over the din to Thranduil and he sliced his blade neatly through an orc's neck.
"When will they arrive? The elves grow weary!"
"They should have been here now, but something must have held them," Thranduil called back. He passed his sharp blade between the ribs of a foul beast and neatly wiped his blade off onto the orc's filthy shirt. "They'll be here soon, we must have faith in Legolas as a warrior. He would not let anything happen to them."
Suddenly, in a flash of silver and green, Legolas and Araroh burst through the bushes. "Father!" he called. Thranduil looked to him, smiled, and waved his blade. Behind Legolas an army of elves burst through the thicket to swarm over the orcs. Maeglin looked around and saw the orcs near the edge of the field retreating from the new forces. His gaze swung around to the entry point of the elves and saw a young, gallant elf appear, riding a white horse. He was slender and elegant, possessing a feminine air, but masculine at the same time. He watched as the young elf rode up beside Legolas and smiled widely at him. Legolas waved again at his father, and the elf followed his gaze. As the elf's gaze swung around, his eyes locked to Maeglin's. Shock came over Maeglin as he realized who the elf was. His beautiful daughter, in battle! As Neithawen continued to stare at Maeglin, the initial shock subsided and he began to chuckle. Trust Neithawen not to be left behind when something exciting was happening.
Maeglin mounted and rode to her, still laughing. His horse nuzzled Rochroval as he leaned forward to hug her in a congratulatory manner. "Your ruse I shall not break, but you could not keep it from me," he whispered in her ear. "I am glad you have come after the danger is over, for I would not have wanted you to get hurt." He pulled away from her and she gave him a sheepish smile. "My name is Teleadan," she said with laughter in her eyes. Maeglin laughed heartily. His gaze then turned to Legolas, who was hugging his father. "Well done, Legolas," Maeglin said. "You have brought the elves to us safely." Maeglin looked into Legolas' eyes, and Legolas understood he meant Neithawen. Legolas nodded slowly. Thranduil, sensing something was going on that he didn't understand, kept silent during the exchange. Then the elves began to rally together around the small group.
"Well done, my brothers, we have done what we came to do, now we will go home and celebrate!" A song-like call rang out among the elves, a traditional song of old that was to be sung after battle. When the chant was over, the group made their way into a line behind Thranduil, Maeglin, Legolas, and Neithawen, and began their journey homeward after the short adventure.
A/N #2: I know it was kinda short, I'm pretty sure the story will be ended soon. You won't have to worry about me not updating ever anymore lol! Probably just one more chapter and then Neith's story will be over. For now. Perhaps I'll try this character again. But I don't make any promises! However, I do promise next time to write the entire story first and THEN upload it so I don't disappoint anyone. J Until next time, my fellow writers/readers!
JG
P.S. I changed my name from Yeuua Summoner to Jacqueline Gregory although I'm sure you all figured that out!
