Here it is...not one, but TWO new chapters. I had sudden inspiration. The complimentary Eowyn chapter for the next scene should be up soon.
By the way, did I tell you all how much I appreciate the reviews you leave? You people are awesome!
*hugs*
-Mel
Waiting
I can't sleep. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to find rest. We had been travelling for days with the company of the Rohirrim, and each time we'd stopped I'd slept peacefully, but tonight I can't. Tonight we make camp near the Dimholt.
Ever since I was a girl I'd been told the story of the haunted mountain, how the men had pledged allegiance to the King of Gondor and then abandoned him in his hour of need. The stories always ended with a stern warning to never make the same mistake. When you make a vow you keep it, if you do not wish to join the damned in the mountain.
But that was not the only thing keeping me from sleep.
Just days from now our people will ride to Gondor, to a battle that may mean the end of Men themselves. A battle I am not permitted to join. A battle in which all my family, all my friends may perish. How is it that my lot is to be the survivor? The one who must stay behind to 'lead the people' as Uncle would have me do? Am I to be doomed to be the caged pet, brought out occasionally to wag my tail and sit by my master's side, and guard the house when he's away? I want more than that.
With a frustrated sigh I get out of bed. I'm obviously not going to get any rest tonight, and so I might as well do something constructive. Perhaps I'll go for a walk, or begin preparing for the morning meal. I try not to make a sound as I leave my tent, hoping no one will notice that I'm up. The guards will be close by and I don't want to disturb their watch.
I'm halfway to the mess tent when I stop dead in my tracks. Standing before me on sentry duty is Legolas. I freeze, feeling suddenly self-conscious and realizing that I wore nothing but my nightclothes. Hoping that He hadn't heard me I slowly begin to back away before he could turn and see me.
"You should be sleeping," the soft words grip my heart and squeeze it, and I again freeze in my tracks. I struggle to find voice to answer him, trying hard to sound unaffected by his mere presence.
"I can't." Slightly, very slightly I see his head drop and I knew I'd failed. Scolding myself, I prepare to meet his eyes. When he turned I see a look of surprise on his flawless features. Surprise, or...shock? I watch as his eyes travel down over my body and then quickly back up to my face. I was so concerned with his reaction that I didn't notice that my own expression betrayed my feelings to him.
"You fear for your family," he said. His words hit home, and I realize in that moment that I truly was worried for them. Worried that they may not come home, worried that there will be nothing of Rohan left even if they do. The war may end, yes, but what kind of world would be left when it does? Without warning I feel stinging heat in my eyes and lower my head to hide it. When that doesn't work, and the tears begin to fall I turn away, unable to bear him watching me, weak and crying over such a simple statement.
I turn but I can't move, as my feet feel as if they'd been turned to lead and refuse to walk. As I stand there, trying desperately to not shake with the intensity of the grief that filled me, I suddenly feel soft hands and strong arms envelop me. Without thinking I turn into the embrace, burying my face in his warm chest. The tears came unhindered now, soaking into the soft fabric under my cheek. Nothing else mattered now that he had me in his arms. In that moment the world could end, the Shadow cover all, and it still would not tear me from the warm comforting embrace I found myself in.
His arms tighten around me as my tears continue, and I feel a gentle hand on my head, soothing away the pain in my heart. My hand reaches up to cling to one of the leather straps across his chest as I feel my knees weaken under me, but I know he would never let me fall. Then I hear his voice, enfolding me in calm like a warm blanket. The tears slowly cease.
"Shhh," he soothes. My emotions immediately obey and I feel the grief subsiding. "I know things look dark." I look up at those words, into his deep blue eyes. Yes, things do look dark, I think to myself, but as long as there is light in those eyes, I will endure it. I must. For Rohan, for my King, my brother...and my elf. Almost as if hearing my thoughts, he turns me towards the still dark horizon. His arm drapes possessively around my shoulders as he points to the stars.
"You see?" he says. I look past his hand to the glittering jewels in the darkness. "The stars still shine, and the moon still waxes and wanes in its proper course." As he spoke the words I saw the great crescent in the sky and turned my gaze towards it. "As long as the sun rises and the stars fill the night sky, evil has not yet won. Iluvatar will not abandon his children to shadow." A strange sense of peace fell over me at his words. I knew of the Elves' belief in the one called Eru Iluvatar, though never thought much of it beyond myth or fairy tale. Hearing him speak of it now somehow made those tales more real. If there was a powerful evil force in the world, would it not make sense that there would be a force of good to balance or triumph over it?
Once more, his arms encircle me in a soothing embrace. He let me go and stepped back and immediately I feel the loss of warmth. Trying to not sound disappointed I speak. "Thank you, Master Elf. You have given me hope." More than you'll know.
"Nay, lady," he responds with a smile, "my name is Legolas." I have to lower my head to hide the red heat that rose at the words. He wants me to call him Legolas...like his friends do. He considers me a friend!
As much as I would love to stay in his company all night, I bow and take my leave, too afraid of crumbling in his presence. There would always be tomorrow. I walk swiftly back to my tent and collapse onto my bed, suddenly very tired.