A/N: Sorry about the short chapter, but my ideas have dried up a little. I
know where I'm going with this, but I'm temporarily stuck, so in the
meantime, here's a little something to keep you all going. I also think I
need a beta reader, so if anyone is interested either email me or leave
your email in a review. Thanks, now enjoy!
Chapter 7
It was the end of another tense day patrolling the northern fences as Larien made her way back to her telain. She was tired, and Orophin had said he was going to visit Rúmil, so she decided to get some rest before finding something to eat and visiting Rúmil herself.
She was lost in thought, striding lightly over the mossy ground with her bow still in her hand, when a nearly imperceptible noise on the edge of hearing alerted her. She continued as she was going, not wanting to let her pursuer know that she had heard him, but her hand crept towards the arrows in her quiver. Now that she was aware of the pursuer, she could track his progress, silent though it was. It could not be an orc, she though, as they would be making much more noise, therefore it must be an elf, but who?
She changed her course a little; not wanting to lead the intruder back into the more populated area of the woods, and made her way east towards the Anduin. She knew the woods like the back of her hand, and soon she had led him round and manoeuvred their courses so that she was following him. Obviously he had lost her as she weaved her way through the trees, for the sounds of his pursuit ceased momentarily. She drew out an arrow and notched it against her bow, catching sight of the grey clad elf in front of her through the trees. He wore a hood obscuring his face, which alerted Larien further as this could only mean he was in Lothlórien with a dark purpose. She drew the arrow back and shot it towards the mysterious elf, pinning him to a mallorn by his sleeve. Another arrow embedded itself in his other sleeve, thereby restricting his movement completely. She walked softly towards her prisoner as he wriggled and swore softly under his breath.
"Who are you and what is your business in Lothlórien?" she demanded as she approached him, an arrow aimed at his heart. The struggling ceased as he turned to face her, but still the hood masked him.
"My Lady, you are more skilled than you led me to believe," came the slow measured reply. Larien lowered her bow as she approached to remove his hood. As she flicked the grey material off his head, she saw a familiar pair of sapphire eyes and long golden coloured hair tumble out.
"Your highness!" she gasped in shock.
"Indeed, Lady Larien," he replied with a self-conscious smile. "It appears I was not silent enough to evade your arrows."
"What are you doing here? Should you not be with your companions?" Legolas tugged ineffectively at his restraints as he looked at her pleadingly.
"I would gladly answer all your questions, if you would release me." Larien searched his face for a moment before refusing.
"It seems you were prowling around the woods of Lorien like one of the dark lord's minions. I see no reason to release you until you explain your intentions," she replied with a trace of a smile on her lips. They stared at each other intensely as Legolas weighed her up before finally deciding that she would indeed be capable of leaving him there as long as necessary in order to get her answer - an answer he was loathe to give.
"I have been intrigued by the tales of the Lorien elves our kin still keep in their hearts, and I was eager to follow the daily life of one such elf." Larien looked at him doubtfully, watching as he lowered his lids warily.
"Why me? I am uninteresting. Haldir is marchwarden, captain of the Galadhrim, and leads a more exciting life. Or if you wish to know what it is the ordinary elves do here, follow Rúmil, or Camthalion, for it is not ordinary for a female to be in the Galadhrim wardens." Legolas was silent for a while, debating whether he should divulge the true reason behind his tracking her. He sighed as he continued.
"I admit you fascinated me from the first time I heard your voice behind me telling me of your superior skill with a bow," he replied uncomfortably. "Needless to say, my interest heightened when your boast happened to be the truth. I was not aware that there were female wardens with such skill."
"There are no female wardens save myself," she informed him as she pulled the arrows out of the tree, satisfied this was the truth. "I am the first and only female to complete the training and pass the required tests." Legolas shook out his cloak as he was released from his confines.
"I thank you, my Lady, although I am not sure whether my gratitude should be for freeing me, or for not killing me as I followed you," he jested.
"Please, your highness, call me Larien, for I an unused to such titles," she told him as she put away her weapons.
"Then you must call me Legolas, for I shall have it no other way," he returned as he gestured to her, letting her walk ahead of him. "Tell me, Larien, how did you come to train for the wardens?"
"My brothers were all in training when I was young, and naturally, I longed to follow in their footsteps."
"You must have been close," he commented.
"We were. We were inseparable. I was often mistaken as the fourth brother," she smiled at the memory. "Haldir himself began training me when I was but an elfling. He hated the fact that a female would be considered as a warden, but agreed on the basis that I would never be skilled enough to pass the tests."
"I myself trained as a master archer from a young age," he interjected.
"Legolas, this was expected of you. You are the prince of Mirkwood. You must be able to fight to defend your land," she argued softly. "My other brothers, luckily, have always encouraged me, despite the additional fact that I am female, training with me when Haldir was unable to. I owe my success in part to them also."
"Haldir does not approve of your status?" he questioned.
"I think he has come to understand that he cannot oppose this, but he is not comfortable with my presence there. I believe he wishes I would remain on my telain, sewing, cooking and tending children!" Legolas searched her face as they walked, the intensity of his gaze unsettling Larien.
"You are not suited to such activities, my Lady. You have a leader's heart and the courage and skill to accompany it." Larien smiled uncomfortably under his scrutiny.
"I thank you for the compliment, Legolas, but once again you honour me too highly by calling me a lady. I am but a simple Galadhrim. I have no titles, nor do I have any important position within the community." Legolas shrugged.
"As you wish, Larien, but I believe you will one day realise the error in your words."
* * *
lausie - Leggers will be involved, and I am sure you can figure out how, but I'm not saying a word more about it! ;o)
Tap-dancing hobbit - I'm glad I'm one of the few Haldir fics you like, in fact I'm delighted! Thanks!
Jenny - I've changed the feet to yards. I think that's what I meant in the first place, but I got my measurements wrong. I KNEW it wasn't metres! Gimli will make an appearance soon, don't worry, but in the meantime, where's that link??? :oP
Lady of Legolas - You hit the nail on the head, Haldir is indeed a jealous elf! As for Rúmil, he will come further into the picture soon, but for the moment, two brothers with love lives is more than enough!
Auror198 - Poor Legolas! He didn't know Larien was Haldir's girl at the time! In fact, he still doesn't! *Rubbing hands together gleefully* This sets the scene nicely for quite a few misunderstandings!
Aurora - To answer your questions, yep, and OK! Lots of tension coming up. . .there's that word again!
padawan_jinx - Thanks! I quite liked how Larien and Legolas' first meeting went, sets the pace for further encounters. As for smut, the jury's still out on that one. I'll probably end up chickening out of the whole thing though!
Stardust - You mean you think Larien is a bit too cocky? Hmm, sorry if she came across like that, I'll have to tread a bit more carefully in future.
fan81981 - Argh! The wailing, the wailing, make it stop! I've updated already, even if it IS a short chapter. I'll do better next time! About the contest though, although Legolas didn't beat her technically, he is still the better archer since she had to concentrate but he shot a bull's-eye without trying.
dramagurl - Thanks, although I seem to have slowed down a little!
Werecat99 - Chorai is in fact from the English word 'chorus', after a bit of mutilation on my part! I figured that although it's a ball and not a concert, (1) elves tend to sing quite a bit, don't they, and (2) chorus can also mean a chorus line in a musical.
JadeGoddess - Let's just say I was cringing on Larien's part as I was writing it!
Okie - Thanks a lot! There's definitely more of Larien speaking without thinking coming up.
Tricia - Woohoo! Rúmil is still alive! But I'm going to have to warn Orophin not to take any lip from you. Poor elf, it's bad enough having Rúmil, Larien and Haldir watching the progression of his live life! You just KNOW they're gonna tease him silly!
Nine & Swing - You can't lay that on my conscience! Please don't start having fits due to my writer's block! Glad you liked it anyway. I think we all know someone like that!
Well, all that remains to be said at the end of this pitifully short and not very good chapter is, THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who's reviewed, and please continue! Potential beta readers, please contact me ASAP, otherwise I'm going to carry on making stupid mistakes like the whole feet/yards thing, and other equally silly mistakes I won't remind you all of now! :oD
Chapter 7
It was the end of another tense day patrolling the northern fences as Larien made her way back to her telain. She was tired, and Orophin had said he was going to visit Rúmil, so she decided to get some rest before finding something to eat and visiting Rúmil herself.
She was lost in thought, striding lightly over the mossy ground with her bow still in her hand, when a nearly imperceptible noise on the edge of hearing alerted her. She continued as she was going, not wanting to let her pursuer know that she had heard him, but her hand crept towards the arrows in her quiver. Now that she was aware of the pursuer, she could track his progress, silent though it was. It could not be an orc, she though, as they would be making much more noise, therefore it must be an elf, but who?
She changed her course a little; not wanting to lead the intruder back into the more populated area of the woods, and made her way east towards the Anduin. She knew the woods like the back of her hand, and soon she had led him round and manoeuvred their courses so that she was following him. Obviously he had lost her as she weaved her way through the trees, for the sounds of his pursuit ceased momentarily. She drew out an arrow and notched it against her bow, catching sight of the grey clad elf in front of her through the trees. He wore a hood obscuring his face, which alerted Larien further as this could only mean he was in Lothlórien with a dark purpose. She drew the arrow back and shot it towards the mysterious elf, pinning him to a mallorn by his sleeve. Another arrow embedded itself in his other sleeve, thereby restricting his movement completely. She walked softly towards her prisoner as he wriggled and swore softly under his breath.
"Who are you and what is your business in Lothlórien?" she demanded as she approached him, an arrow aimed at his heart. The struggling ceased as he turned to face her, but still the hood masked him.
"My Lady, you are more skilled than you led me to believe," came the slow measured reply. Larien lowered her bow as she approached to remove his hood. As she flicked the grey material off his head, she saw a familiar pair of sapphire eyes and long golden coloured hair tumble out.
"Your highness!" she gasped in shock.
"Indeed, Lady Larien," he replied with a self-conscious smile. "It appears I was not silent enough to evade your arrows."
"What are you doing here? Should you not be with your companions?" Legolas tugged ineffectively at his restraints as he looked at her pleadingly.
"I would gladly answer all your questions, if you would release me." Larien searched his face for a moment before refusing.
"It seems you were prowling around the woods of Lorien like one of the dark lord's minions. I see no reason to release you until you explain your intentions," she replied with a trace of a smile on her lips. They stared at each other intensely as Legolas weighed her up before finally deciding that she would indeed be capable of leaving him there as long as necessary in order to get her answer - an answer he was loathe to give.
"I have been intrigued by the tales of the Lorien elves our kin still keep in their hearts, and I was eager to follow the daily life of one such elf." Larien looked at him doubtfully, watching as he lowered his lids warily.
"Why me? I am uninteresting. Haldir is marchwarden, captain of the Galadhrim, and leads a more exciting life. Or if you wish to know what it is the ordinary elves do here, follow Rúmil, or Camthalion, for it is not ordinary for a female to be in the Galadhrim wardens." Legolas was silent for a while, debating whether he should divulge the true reason behind his tracking her. He sighed as he continued.
"I admit you fascinated me from the first time I heard your voice behind me telling me of your superior skill with a bow," he replied uncomfortably. "Needless to say, my interest heightened when your boast happened to be the truth. I was not aware that there were female wardens with such skill."
"There are no female wardens save myself," she informed him as she pulled the arrows out of the tree, satisfied this was the truth. "I am the first and only female to complete the training and pass the required tests." Legolas shook out his cloak as he was released from his confines.
"I thank you, my Lady, although I am not sure whether my gratitude should be for freeing me, or for not killing me as I followed you," he jested.
"Please, your highness, call me Larien, for I an unused to such titles," she told him as she put away her weapons.
"Then you must call me Legolas, for I shall have it no other way," he returned as he gestured to her, letting her walk ahead of him. "Tell me, Larien, how did you come to train for the wardens?"
"My brothers were all in training when I was young, and naturally, I longed to follow in their footsteps."
"You must have been close," he commented.
"We were. We were inseparable. I was often mistaken as the fourth brother," she smiled at the memory. "Haldir himself began training me when I was but an elfling. He hated the fact that a female would be considered as a warden, but agreed on the basis that I would never be skilled enough to pass the tests."
"I myself trained as a master archer from a young age," he interjected.
"Legolas, this was expected of you. You are the prince of Mirkwood. You must be able to fight to defend your land," she argued softly. "My other brothers, luckily, have always encouraged me, despite the additional fact that I am female, training with me when Haldir was unable to. I owe my success in part to them also."
"Haldir does not approve of your status?" he questioned.
"I think he has come to understand that he cannot oppose this, but he is not comfortable with my presence there. I believe he wishes I would remain on my telain, sewing, cooking and tending children!" Legolas searched her face as they walked, the intensity of his gaze unsettling Larien.
"You are not suited to such activities, my Lady. You have a leader's heart and the courage and skill to accompany it." Larien smiled uncomfortably under his scrutiny.
"I thank you for the compliment, Legolas, but once again you honour me too highly by calling me a lady. I am but a simple Galadhrim. I have no titles, nor do I have any important position within the community." Legolas shrugged.
"As you wish, Larien, but I believe you will one day realise the error in your words."
* * *
lausie - Leggers will be involved, and I am sure you can figure out how, but I'm not saying a word more about it! ;o)
Tap-dancing hobbit - I'm glad I'm one of the few Haldir fics you like, in fact I'm delighted! Thanks!
Jenny - I've changed the feet to yards. I think that's what I meant in the first place, but I got my measurements wrong. I KNEW it wasn't metres! Gimli will make an appearance soon, don't worry, but in the meantime, where's that link??? :oP
Lady of Legolas - You hit the nail on the head, Haldir is indeed a jealous elf! As for Rúmil, he will come further into the picture soon, but for the moment, two brothers with love lives is more than enough!
Auror198 - Poor Legolas! He didn't know Larien was Haldir's girl at the time! In fact, he still doesn't! *Rubbing hands together gleefully* This sets the scene nicely for quite a few misunderstandings!
Aurora - To answer your questions, yep, and OK! Lots of tension coming up. . .there's that word again!
padawan_jinx - Thanks! I quite liked how Larien and Legolas' first meeting went, sets the pace for further encounters. As for smut, the jury's still out on that one. I'll probably end up chickening out of the whole thing though!
Stardust - You mean you think Larien is a bit too cocky? Hmm, sorry if she came across like that, I'll have to tread a bit more carefully in future.
fan81981 - Argh! The wailing, the wailing, make it stop! I've updated already, even if it IS a short chapter. I'll do better next time! About the contest though, although Legolas didn't beat her technically, he is still the better archer since she had to concentrate but he shot a bull's-eye without trying.
dramagurl - Thanks, although I seem to have slowed down a little!
Werecat99 - Chorai is in fact from the English word 'chorus', after a bit of mutilation on my part! I figured that although it's a ball and not a concert, (1) elves tend to sing quite a bit, don't they, and (2) chorus can also mean a chorus line in a musical.
JadeGoddess - Let's just say I was cringing on Larien's part as I was writing it!
Okie - Thanks a lot! There's definitely more of Larien speaking without thinking coming up.
Tricia - Woohoo! Rúmil is still alive! But I'm going to have to warn Orophin not to take any lip from you. Poor elf, it's bad enough having Rúmil, Larien and Haldir watching the progression of his live life! You just KNOW they're gonna tease him silly!
Nine & Swing - You can't lay that on my conscience! Please don't start having fits due to my writer's block! Glad you liked it anyway. I think we all know someone like that!
Well, all that remains to be said at the end of this pitifully short and not very good chapter is, THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who's reviewed, and please continue! Potential beta readers, please contact me ASAP, otherwise I'm going to carry on making stupid mistakes like the whole feet/yards thing, and other equally silly mistakes I won't remind you all of now! :oD