** Disclaimer: I only own Zana, Romih, Eva and Lena ****************
Exams times at University, uf.. I'm afraid that I won't be able to update so fast, I mean, maybe one chapter every weekend.. I hate being a student! Writing this story relaxes me a lot so I won't stop it. I'm so happy when I read the reviews! I'm aware of my grammar mistakes, so when I'll have more time I'll ask for help : ) If my memory works well, one of you offered to correct my mistakes, and I would really appreciate it.. so thank you very much for everything!
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I'm dancing in the shadows of life
And death is all around me tonight
Beside myself I'm holding you tight
Someone is waiting for me to rise
And dive into the ocean I cried
And I cried and I cried my baby to sleep
Beside myself my soul to keep
Right beside you I see
Right beside you I stay
Right beside you I'll be
Right beside you always
We're dancing in the shade of the summer sun
The drums are playing the change to come
Was yesterday in the heat
Beside myself I need to keep
The restaurant was built in a huge stoned house, with a luxurious facade and balconies carved on it. It was starting to rain and we hurried inside. A waiter came with a smile and Romih talked to him. At once he was leading us to a corner , in the end of the hall. Ground was made of marble, and from the high ceilings, glass lamps were hanging elegantly. The small tables for two persons were placed along the sides of the room, and many couples were enjoying their dinners. I sat on the dark red velvet sofa, Romih in front of me. The small table separated us, and the candles over it gave a magical light to that place. Anyway, my thoughts were in another part in that moment. Legolas and Haldir were still missing, as well as Gimli.
"What are you thinking?" Romih asked, and I looked at him, surprised with my reaction when I saw his nice blue eyes in the candlelight. "What?" He smiled, and I blushed.
"I think I won't be able to eat anything.." I murmured, feeling my stomach compressed.
"Of course you will eat, there's a long and complicated night waiting for us.." He took the menu and passed me it. I looked at him.
"Is your situation so risky that you would do all those things for me?" My question surprised him.
"More than you can imagine.. tonight you'll save my life" He whispered, and in the end smiled. Looking at the menu, I tried not to think about all the new things that were coming inside my head. A moment of silence came, and I needed some seconds to realise that I couldn't understand a word in German and that I was just staring at the paper. Romih also realised it, and took the folder with a smile. "I can choose for you, if you want" I nodded, silently. After the waiter left, he leaned against the table. "Maybe we must agree on a plan.."
"A plan?" I asked, and he looked around himself.
"People will ask about us, about how did we meet, about your past life.. they think we're married since last summer, so we must invent something, Zana" His blue eyes didn't move from mines, and I found difficulties to think clearly. What was happening to me? I missed Legolas and Haldir, Romih was just a stranger I had just met some hours ago. I tried to look calmed, angry with myself.
"What do you suggest?" He shrugged, and a kind of smile showed up on his lips.
"I went on holidays to an exotic place.. escaping from the cold Germany.." He was making fun of me.
"I don't live in an exotic place.." I tried to look sharp, but he went on smiling.
"And I found you on a beach, laying in the sun.."
"I don't like laying in the sun, and I come from the Northern part, we have cold winters and summers of only 20 degrees.."
"Really? I'm glad to see that you started talking about your mysterious past.."
"This is all what you need to know about me" Suddenly, he looked worried.
"I understand that you're living a difficult situation.. you appeared all from the sudden, you don't want to talk about it.. I only hope that there's nothing dangerous behind this story.. else, I'll have to leave you here.." I froze, and looked at him scared. We stared at each other for some seconds, and soon his smile came again. "I was joking.." I took a deep breath.
"Don't ever do this again.." The waiter brought us two dishes, meat and potatoes. I was glad to find common food there.
"In those war times it's difficult to find.. luxurious menus.. "He apologised.
"I do like this, don't worry. I'll be more than happy eating steaks, I missed them!" He looked at me, surprised. With a strange gaze. "What?" I asked, confused.
"You're so different from German girls.. they ask for all possible things, and even more.. they want jewels, cars and parties.. and you're happy with a modest lunch.." I wondered why he was so shocked that he even couldn't take the fork.
"I'm not German.." Was my simple reply, and finally he decided to start eating. When I took a potato I heard something that stopped me.
"Who are you, Zana?" Our eyes met again, and I looked down.
"I'm a girl who lost her future and had to come back to past to fix it" I was about to smile when I saw his face.
"What?" And then he nodded. "A metaphor, I suppose.." After a silence I heard his nice voice again. "Heart business?"
"No, no" I realised I had replied so fast.. what was I hiding? Why couldn't I tell him that I loved.. two elves.. or men? I remembered Gandalf's words.. I was fixing my own life, and my way back to future would be different.. now I was there, alone.. my friends had gone.. maybe I was destined to live in that time, this would explain everything.
"Zana?" Romih asked, worried. "Are you OK?" I nodded, with a smile.
"Just thinking.."
"You're always thinking" We went on eating in silence. And I observed him. I didn't remember when was the last time I had really missed my friends.. I felt as if I was at home.. with the right person.. no, no, what was I saying? That couldn't be the end, I still had to make lots of things, and future was waiting for me. But somehow, I forgot about everything when his blue eyes stared at me again.
"You're my wife, we met in summer, when we both were having holidays in Italy. But you're not Italian. We were sleeping in the same hotel and we met in the restaurant. Since the first moment I fell in love with you, and during one month I was able to make you love me too. Then, you had to come back to your country, and I returned to Germany and got the job. When everything was settled, you moved here, exactly today" I stared at him, he had spoken so fast that I needed some time to understand what he was saying. "You know.. the story we'll tell." He explained, suddenly a bit shy.
"Oh.. of course.. yes, it's a good story.." I didn't know what else to say, and luckily for me, the waiter brought us the coffees and picked up the dishes. When we were alone again, he took his wallet, and showed me a picture.
"He was my father.. " I was surprised with that confidence.. I was used to more reserved boys. I saw sadness in his eyes.
"I'm sorry" I said, and he smiled.
"I just thought that my wife should know about his appearance.." He kept it again, and then looked at the candle, lost in his thoughts.
"What will happen after the party? I mean, what will happen tomorrow? " My question changed his face.. I hated to admit that mine also changed.
"I can't ask you to stay.. because we don't know each other, and you have your own life, whatever is it.. you must find what you have lost.." He looked at me and I blushed.
"I guess it's true.. but I really don't know if I actually lost something.."
"Promise me something" He said, suddenly. "Promise me that when you'll leave, you'll tell me all the truth about you.. I need to know that you'll be OK.."
"You almost don't know me.. we met few hours ago.. I'm sure you don't need to know it" I tried to smile, surprised because my own words were hurting me.
"I can't explain it, Zana.. but I do. I have the feeling that we met before, and I'm sure that never before I had felt so comfortable with a girl, and this has to mean something. I believe in destiny and you were brought here. " I looked at my cup, full of coffee.
"Talk to me about those kind of parties" He smiled, and I was happy to change from subject.
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Haldir and Legolas walked in the crowded place. Full of tables and the smoke from cigarettes, a band over a stage playing music, and in the end of the room, a huge second room with high ceilings where hundreds of people were dancing. Loud voices filled the air. Half of them were already drunk. Haldir observed that most of men were wearing the same uniforms as him.
"So this is a human party from Zana's world?" Haldir murmured, and Legolas felt a kind of pain when he heard her name. He touched his head, his hair so short that he looked like all those soldiers. His pointy ears hidden under the hat. His hand moved fast over it when he felt someone trying to remove it.
"Your hat, Herr.." A waiter asked, and Legolas didn't understand the language. Looking at Haldir, asking for help, he tried to smile.
"My friend wants to keep it, thanks" The elf replied, and Legolas looked at him surprised.
"You speak this language.." His blue eyes were confused.
"There are too many things I don't understand, and I want to escape from this world as soon as possible" They stopped in the bar, and sat on the small high chairs. A waiter brought them two cocktails, and while they drank them, they looked around.
"Do you think that Zana is here?" Legolas murmured, and Haldir saw hope in his eyes.
"Maybe being a human changed me, Legolas.. but I don't expect to find her here.. I don't expect to find Gimli neither.. somehow, they both found their destiny." His blue eyes looked inside the liquor.
"I don't like when you talk like this. As a human, you're horrible. I wish that Aragorn was here, I have the feeling that I'm also loosing you"
"My emotions changed.. I've lost my elvish mind, remember it.. but my heart is the same.."
"I don't believe you..you already gave up, you already accepted that Zana won't come.. I can't recognise you.." He stopped talking when he saw Haldir's face. He was so pale, so shocked, looking at the main door. "Haldir, what's wrong..? " He followed his gaze and he felt his heart stopping. There , on the main door, a couple had just arrived. A tall young man wearing the usual uniform, holding a girl's arm.. Zana's arm..
"It can't be possible.." Haldir couldn't move, and it was Legolas the one who was able to react. He felt Haldir's hand on his arm, stopping him. "Legolas, we can't call people's attention, and you know it.." Legolas needed all his will to stop.
"Zana.. she's here.. but then, what's going on?" A fat short man walked towards them, the horrible man who kept him kidnapped. Legolas knew he was in danger.. he was dressed as a German soldier, but he couldn't speak German. "Haldir, please, help me.." Haldir froze when Himmler stopped in front of them, looking at Legolas with a suspicious gaze. As soon as the man arrived, Legolas went into the dancing crowd.
"Who was your friend?" Himmler asked. Haldir noticed he was drunk.
"A soldier.. come on, I invite you.. you're not drunk enough!" Haldir tried to distract him, and soon the man laughed and asked for a whiskey. They started a stupid conversation, and Haldir went on giving him strong drinks. His eyes weren't as good as his former elvish ones, so he lost Legolas after some minutes. When Himmler was absent minded, talking to another guest, he ran towards the main door, but the couple had already disappeared.
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I gave my coat to the waiter, and looked around. The place was charming, so big and old, but full of light. The soft music came to my ears, and the sound of smiles from people. For the first time I relaxed a bit. Romih looked at me.
"So we're here.. " He took my hand, and we walked between the small tables, towards the dancing room. Once there, I was amazed with the size of the place..hundreds of people were moving there, the bar along both sides, the high ceilings with glass lamps, it looked like a castle.
"This place is so nice.." I murmured, and he led me towards a corner.
"Zana.. look there" He pointed at a horrible man, completely drunk. "He's my boss"
"That one? Your boss? But he even can't stand on his feet.." Romih nodded, smiling.
"He looks inoffensive.. but he's the most dangerous man in the SS" His words made me freeze, yes, but I froze even more when my brain reacted and I heard myself speaking.
"Himmler?" Now Romih looked shocked.
"How can you know him..?" His blue eyes looked distant for the first time since we met. "Nobody would have recognised him so fast.." He left my hand.
"Romih.. I know many things about everything.. " I felt as if I had spoiled my own life, just one name, Himmler, and now Romih didn't trust me any more.
"Unless you'll give me a good explanation.. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay here with you.. I'm risking too much.."
"Romih, please.. listen to me.. I know about this, like I know about past.. I live in a world where things can be known.. I'm not a spy, if this is what you're thinking about.. but I heard about him.. like I've heard about the horrible things that the SS make to.."
"Shut up, Zana.. look where you are! You're with almost thousand of SS people.." He looked scared. Then, taking my arm, we walked to a more hidden place. "Listen to me.. I don't know why, but I trust you.. we have to meet my boss, he's waiting for all his guest to do it.. please, try to look calmed.. " he took a deep breath, and looked at me kindly. "I'm sorry because I lost my nerves.. I don't doubt about you, Zana.. " I smiled, and when he took my hand and kissed it, I felt a bit dizzy.
We were walking towards the quiet area, where people were sitting on small tables having a calmed drink. I tried not to push anybody as we moved along the crowd. I knew that Romih was with me because I felt his hand on mine, not because I was able to see him. Lights were soft there, and soldiers so tall that I couldn't distinguish anything. Finally we reached the bar, and when Himmler saw us, a big smile drew on his lips.
"Romih" He greeted him, shook hands and started a speech in German, Romih looked so calmed, smiling back and nodding. When they both looked at me, I knew I was the subject from their conversation.
"Venezia?" Himmler asked, and I froze. What did he want to mean? Romih gave me a warning look, nodding.
"Oh, yes, Venezia" I tried to smile, my heart was beating so fast. To my surprise, Himmler started to speak English.
"You met in Venezia.. Romih is a romantic boy, my poor boy, whose father was a hero!" He moved his dizzy hands in the air. "A hero who died for our Adolf.."I thought he would start crying, but soon his red fat cheeks smiled again. "It was about time to met you! I thought you didn't exist" We three laughed, I saw Romih more and more nervous. "And you know what would happen if she didn't exist, right, Romih?" Then, Himmler looked at me. "So now that you're real.. enjoy the party!" He seemed to turn back to take his glass, and when we were leaving, we heard his voice again. "You didn't show me the expensive ring you gave her.. " Romih froze, as well as I did. He didn't have a ring on his hand.. and I only had Haldir's one. But it was a strange ring with a flower made of a kind of stone.. what if it wasn't as expensive as he expected? Shaking, I turned around and showed him my hand. A woman behind him looked too, taking her glasses.
"Oh, mein Gott!" She shouted, in German, and murmured something in Himler's ear. Then he looked at me.
"Romih! This is the most expensive jewel I had ever seen!" Romih looked as surprised as them, but soon he smiled and took my hand, hiding the ring.
"I would do anything for her " Himmler looked satisfied.
"This is what we want.. a good father and a good husband.. well, when will children come?" And his strong laughs filled the air, as we were leaving. I realised how nervous I had felt when we finally reached a quiet place. Romih leaned against a marble column and took a deep breath, looking at me.
"You really saved me, Zana" His blue eyes smiled gratefully. "I owe you my life"
"Don't exaggerate.. I also owe you mine.. you found me when I was lost.."
"Is this another metaphor?" He smiled kindly, and then looked at my hand. "Zana.. can I ask you where did you get such a ring? In those times, those pieces are sold in the black market, people need food.." He was right, I was so stupid.. probably I was one of the few women there wearing jewels.. "Anyway." He went on. "Now they think you come from a good family, so you really saved me, Zana.. " We stared at each other for some moments, and suddenly I couldn't bear the lies any more, I couldn't bear my silence, I needed to tell him everything.. but I knew it wouldn't be possible.
"I found this ring on a beach.. it came from the sea.." Somehow, it was true.
"I want to believe you.." He smiled, and sighed. "Why not? Maybe a rich old woman threw it from a big ship.." We both smiled. He was so nice.. he accepted all my explanations, he didn't care about my past.. he was just there, making me feel so comfortable after the difficult times I had lived.. I realised I was looking at him too much.
Someone spoke in German behind us, and when I turned around, I opened my mouth. Only this, opened, completely opened and without saying a word. I heard Romih talking behind me, in German too. But I was too shocked to react.
"Zana, this soldier is the second boss.. Ghering" Haldir gave me his hand, shaking mine.
"Pleased to meet you" He looked so calmed, so..
"He asked me if he can dance with you, and I said that as my wife, you have the last word" Romih smiled, and I tried to smile too. "Ghering, she's the woman I told you about.. we married last summer" Haldir didn't move when he heard this, he just smiled. I couldn't believe that. Why was he acting like this? Was I so different that he couldn't recognise me? "Zana.." Romih called me. "What do you say?"
"Ye.. Yes, I'll dance with him"
"Ok then.. I have to talk to my boss again because I'm sure he wants to know all details about us.. see you in some minutes" I felt his hand on my shoulder, and he realised this was a too friendly sign, so he stopped and kissed my cheek. I blushed. Once we were alone, I looked at Haldir again. He was changed.. he was called Ghering, he had round ears.. he was not an elf any more..
"I know what you're thinking, Zana.. but you have to pretend that nothing happens or else we'll put us in a big trouble" He led me to the dancing floor, where we started to move slowly. "I can't believe I found you again.. I thought I would never see you again" I was still too shocked, confused..
"What about Legolas?"
"He's here.. but he's in danger.." I stopped moving.
"Where is he?" But Haldir pushed me against him again.
"Zana, please.. trust me and obey me, and nothing bad will happen. We have to escape from here. Tonight. We'll leave the party in some minutes" When I heard this, I felt so bad. But.. why? I should be happy.. I should be happy as I was in Mirkwood, Troy or wherever we went, as long as I was with Haldir and Legolas.. but now.. things looked so different, and I didn't know why. Haldir saw the doubt in my eyes. "What's wrong?" He asked.
"Haldir, I can't leave tonight.."
"Are you crazy? What are you saying? They almost killed Legolas, they think I'm someone I'm not!!"
"This is what I'm talking about! You're a human now, Haldir.. for some reason you changed, so you must find out which reason is it! If you leave now, you can spoil everything!" I was almost shouting, some people looked at me.
"Spoil what? Zana, don't you understand that I don't belong here?" I stopped dancing and looked at him.
"Look at yourself, Herr Ghering.. and tell me if you belong here or not." Haldir looked at me , sadly.
"Gimli is gone.. now I'm destined to be here.. what else is waiting for us, Zana?" Before I could reply, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard Legolas voice.
"Legolas!" He smiled, and stood there, just watching me. He was so different..his hair so short.. "legolas, what did you do? You're also a human?"
"Zana, I can't explain how happy I am to see you.." he murmured, taking my hand. "I'm an elf and I'll always be"
"At least you react in a normal way.. " I looked at both of them. "Well, it would be suspicious if I spent here too many time with you.. Romih is waiting for me" Legolas looked at Haldir.
"Romih?"
"Her husband" Said Haldir, with irony in his voice. "Not the real one, I suppose.. I guess he's helping her.."
"I ended up in a park, with only the Trojan dress, and he offered me help.. we're living a war, there's no safe place.."
"But.. Zana.. we must escape tonight.. in fifteen minutes, wait for us in the main door.." I shook my head, and Legolas looked at me worried. "What's wrong?" Haldir looked at us. I sighed.
"I'm sorry, Legolas.. we can't leave. Haldir turned into a human here, this means he must stay. And I have to find out which is my mission here.. if I left now.. where would we go? You know that only when missions on each century are over, we move to another time.. we have to wait.."
"Yes, you're right.." He murmured. I saw Romih coming, and I felt something in my stomach, something new. He smiled and took my hand. Legolas gave him a killing look , and disappeared.
"Who was him" Romih asked Haldir, and Haldir shrugged.
"Just a drunk friend.. Zana, it was a pleasure to dance with you.. I hope to see you some day.." Haldir left and I turned around to meet Romih's eyes. I smiled.
"Are things going well?" I asked him, as we walked to a corner again.
"Sure.." He replied kindly, looking at the distance. We were in silence for some moments. "Zana.. when you saw Ghering, you acted as if you were shocked.. did you know him?" I became pale, and shook my head.
"No, I was just afraid that they would discover me.. us.." Romih took my hand.
"Now you're famous among us, you're the pretty Romih's wife" He joked, and I felt a bit ashamed when I blushed. What was happening to me?
"I'm glad that I helped you.." He suddenly became serious, and he came closer to me.
"Don't talk as if this was the end.. there's still a long night to dance" He gave me his hand and led me to the dance floor. When he wrapped his arms around me, I forgot about all my worries. I felt his hands on my waist, and his face close to mine. "Zana.. thank you very much. It was a magical moment. But only until I saw Legolas sitting on a table and staring at me. My Legolas.
Exams times at University, uf.. I'm afraid that I won't be able to update so fast, I mean, maybe one chapter every weekend.. I hate being a student! Writing this story relaxes me a lot so I won't stop it. I'm so happy when I read the reviews! I'm aware of my grammar mistakes, so when I'll have more time I'll ask for help : ) If my memory works well, one of you offered to correct my mistakes, and I would really appreciate it.. so thank you very much for everything!
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I'm dancing in the shadows of life
And death is all around me tonight
Beside myself I'm holding you tight
Someone is waiting for me to rise
And dive into the ocean I cried
And I cried and I cried my baby to sleep
Beside myself my soul to keep
Right beside you I see
Right beside you I stay
Right beside you I'll be
Right beside you always
We're dancing in the shade of the summer sun
The drums are playing the change to come
Was yesterday in the heat
Beside myself I need to keep
The restaurant was built in a huge stoned house, with a luxurious facade and balconies carved on it. It was starting to rain and we hurried inside. A waiter came with a smile and Romih talked to him. At once he was leading us to a corner , in the end of the hall. Ground was made of marble, and from the high ceilings, glass lamps were hanging elegantly. The small tables for two persons were placed along the sides of the room, and many couples were enjoying their dinners. I sat on the dark red velvet sofa, Romih in front of me. The small table separated us, and the candles over it gave a magical light to that place. Anyway, my thoughts were in another part in that moment. Legolas and Haldir were still missing, as well as Gimli.
"What are you thinking?" Romih asked, and I looked at him, surprised with my reaction when I saw his nice blue eyes in the candlelight. "What?" He smiled, and I blushed.
"I think I won't be able to eat anything.." I murmured, feeling my stomach compressed.
"Of course you will eat, there's a long and complicated night waiting for us.." He took the menu and passed me it. I looked at him.
"Is your situation so risky that you would do all those things for me?" My question surprised him.
"More than you can imagine.. tonight you'll save my life" He whispered, and in the end smiled. Looking at the menu, I tried not to think about all the new things that were coming inside my head. A moment of silence came, and I needed some seconds to realise that I couldn't understand a word in German and that I was just staring at the paper. Romih also realised it, and took the folder with a smile. "I can choose for you, if you want" I nodded, silently. After the waiter left, he leaned against the table. "Maybe we must agree on a plan.."
"A plan?" I asked, and he looked around himself.
"People will ask about us, about how did we meet, about your past life.. they think we're married since last summer, so we must invent something, Zana" His blue eyes didn't move from mines, and I found difficulties to think clearly. What was happening to me? I missed Legolas and Haldir, Romih was just a stranger I had just met some hours ago. I tried to look calmed, angry with myself.
"What do you suggest?" He shrugged, and a kind of smile showed up on his lips.
"I went on holidays to an exotic place.. escaping from the cold Germany.." He was making fun of me.
"I don't live in an exotic place.." I tried to look sharp, but he went on smiling.
"And I found you on a beach, laying in the sun.."
"I don't like laying in the sun, and I come from the Northern part, we have cold winters and summers of only 20 degrees.."
"Really? I'm glad to see that you started talking about your mysterious past.."
"This is all what you need to know about me" Suddenly, he looked worried.
"I understand that you're living a difficult situation.. you appeared all from the sudden, you don't want to talk about it.. I only hope that there's nothing dangerous behind this story.. else, I'll have to leave you here.." I froze, and looked at him scared. We stared at each other for some seconds, and soon his smile came again. "I was joking.." I took a deep breath.
"Don't ever do this again.." The waiter brought us two dishes, meat and potatoes. I was glad to find common food there.
"In those war times it's difficult to find.. luxurious menus.. "He apologised.
"I do like this, don't worry. I'll be more than happy eating steaks, I missed them!" He looked at me, surprised. With a strange gaze. "What?" I asked, confused.
"You're so different from German girls.. they ask for all possible things, and even more.. they want jewels, cars and parties.. and you're happy with a modest lunch.." I wondered why he was so shocked that he even couldn't take the fork.
"I'm not German.." Was my simple reply, and finally he decided to start eating. When I took a potato I heard something that stopped me.
"Who are you, Zana?" Our eyes met again, and I looked down.
"I'm a girl who lost her future and had to come back to past to fix it" I was about to smile when I saw his face.
"What?" And then he nodded. "A metaphor, I suppose.." After a silence I heard his nice voice again. "Heart business?"
"No, no" I realised I had replied so fast.. what was I hiding? Why couldn't I tell him that I loved.. two elves.. or men? I remembered Gandalf's words.. I was fixing my own life, and my way back to future would be different.. now I was there, alone.. my friends had gone.. maybe I was destined to live in that time, this would explain everything.
"Zana?" Romih asked, worried. "Are you OK?" I nodded, with a smile.
"Just thinking.."
"You're always thinking" We went on eating in silence. And I observed him. I didn't remember when was the last time I had really missed my friends.. I felt as if I was at home.. with the right person.. no, no, what was I saying? That couldn't be the end, I still had to make lots of things, and future was waiting for me. But somehow, I forgot about everything when his blue eyes stared at me again.
"You're my wife, we met in summer, when we both were having holidays in Italy. But you're not Italian. We were sleeping in the same hotel and we met in the restaurant. Since the first moment I fell in love with you, and during one month I was able to make you love me too. Then, you had to come back to your country, and I returned to Germany and got the job. When everything was settled, you moved here, exactly today" I stared at him, he had spoken so fast that I needed some time to understand what he was saying. "You know.. the story we'll tell." He explained, suddenly a bit shy.
"Oh.. of course.. yes, it's a good story.." I didn't know what else to say, and luckily for me, the waiter brought us the coffees and picked up the dishes. When we were alone again, he took his wallet, and showed me a picture.
"He was my father.. " I was surprised with that confidence.. I was used to more reserved boys. I saw sadness in his eyes.
"I'm sorry" I said, and he smiled.
"I just thought that my wife should know about his appearance.." He kept it again, and then looked at the candle, lost in his thoughts.
"What will happen after the party? I mean, what will happen tomorrow? " My question changed his face.. I hated to admit that mine also changed.
"I can't ask you to stay.. because we don't know each other, and you have your own life, whatever is it.. you must find what you have lost.." He looked at me and I blushed.
"I guess it's true.. but I really don't know if I actually lost something.."
"Promise me something" He said, suddenly. "Promise me that when you'll leave, you'll tell me all the truth about you.. I need to know that you'll be OK.."
"You almost don't know me.. we met few hours ago.. I'm sure you don't need to know it" I tried to smile, surprised because my own words were hurting me.
"I can't explain it, Zana.. but I do. I have the feeling that we met before, and I'm sure that never before I had felt so comfortable with a girl, and this has to mean something. I believe in destiny and you were brought here. " I looked at my cup, full of coffee.
"Talk to me about those kind of parties" He smiled, and I was happy to change from subject.
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Haldir and Legolas walked in the crowded place. Full of tables and the smoke from cigarettes, a band over a stage playing music, and in the end of the room, a huge second room with high ceilings where hundreds of people were dancing. Loud voices filled the air. Half of them were already drunk. Haldir observed that most of men were wearing the same uniforms as him.
"So this is a human party from Zana's world?" Haldir murmured, and Legolas felt a kind of pain when he heard her name. He touched his head, his hair so short that he looked like all those soldiers. His pointy ears hidden under the hat. His hand moved fast over it when he felt someone trying to remove it.
"Your hat, Herr.." A waiter asked, and Legolas didn't understand the language. Looking at Haldir, asking for help, he tried to smile.
"My friend wants to keep it, thanks" The elf replied, and Legolas looked at him surprised.
"You speak this language.." His blue eyes were confused.
"There are too many things I don't understand, and I want to escape from this world as soon as possible" They stopped in the bar, and sat on the small high chairs. A waiter brought them two cocktails, and while they drank them, they looked around.
"Do you think that Zana is here?" Legolas murmured, and Haldir saw hope in his eyes.
"Maybe being a human changed me, Legolas.. but I don't expect to find her here.. I don't expect to find Gimli neither.. somehow, they both found their destiny." His blue eyes looked inside the liquor.
"I don't like when you talk like this. As a human, you're horrible. I wish that Aragorn was here, I have the feeling that I'm also loosing you"
"My emotions changed.. I've lost my elvish mind, remember it.. but my heart is the same.."
"I don't believe you..you already gave up, you already accepted that Zana won't come.. I can't recognise you.." He stopped talking when he saw Haldir's face. He was so pale, so shocked, looking at the main door. "Haldir, what's wrong..? " He followed his gaze and he felt his heart stopping. There , on the main door, a couple had just arrived. A tall young man wearing the usual uniform, holding a girl's arm.. Zana's arm..
"It can't be possible.." Haldir couldn't move, and it was Legolas the one who was able to react. He felt Haldir's hand on his arm, stopping him. "Legolas, we can't call people's attention, and you know it.." Legolas needed all his will to stop.
"Zana.. she's here.. but then, what's going on?" A fat short man walked towards them, the horrible man who kept him kidnapped. Legolas knew he was in danger.. he was dressed as a German soldier, but he couldn't speak German. "Haldir, please, help me.." Haldir froze when Himmler stopped in front of them, looking at Legolas with a suspicious gaze. As soon as the man arrived, Legolas went into the dancing crowd.
"Who was your friend?" Himmler asked. Haldir noticed he was drunk.
"A soldier.. come on, I invite you.. you're not drunk enough!" Haldir tried to distract him, and soon the man laughed and asked for a whiskey. They started a stupid conversation, and Haldir went on giving him strong drinks. His eyes weren't as good as his former elvish ones, so he lost Legolas after some minutes. When Himmler was absent minded, talking to another guest, he ran towards the main door, but the couple had already disappeared.
------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ----------- -------- ---------------
I gave my coat to the waiter, and looked around. The place was charming, so big and old, but full of light. The soft music came to my ears, and the sound of smiles from people. For the first time I relaxed a bit. Romih looked at me.
"So we're here.. " He took my hand, and we walked between the small tables, towards the dancing room. Once there, I was amazed with the size of the place..hundreds of people were moving there, the bar along both sides, the high ceilings with glass lamps, it looked like a castle.
"This place is so nice.." I murmured, and he led me towards a corner.
"Zana.. look there" He pointed at a horrible man, completely drunk. "He's my boss"
"That one? Your boss? But he even can't stand on his feet.." Romih nodded, smiling.
"He looks inoffensive.. but he's the most dangerous man in the SS" His words made me freeze, yes, but I froze even more when my brain reacted and I heard myself speaking.
"Himmler?" Now Romih looked shocked.
"How can you know him..?" His blue eyes looked distant for the first time since we met. "Nobody would have recognised him so fast.." He left my hand.
"Romih.. I know many things about everything.. " I felt as if I had spoiled my own life, just one name, Himmler, and now Romih didn't trust me any more.
"Unless you'll give me a good explanation.. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay here with you.. I'm risking too much.."
"Romih, please.. listen to me.. I know about this, like I know about past.. I live in a world where things can be known.. I'm not a spy, if this is what you're thinking about.. but I heard about him.. like I've heard about the horrible things that the SS make to.."
"Shut up, Zana.. look where you are! You're with almost thousand of SS people.." He looked scared. Then, taking my arm, we walked to a more hidden place. "Listen to me.. I don't know why, but I trust you.. we have to meet my boss, he's waiting for all his guest to do it.. please, try to look calmed.. " he took a deep breath, and looked at me kindly. "I'm sorry because I lost my nerves.. I don't doubt about you, Zana.. " I smiled, and when he took my hand and kissed it, I felt a bit dizzy.
We were walking towards the quiet area, where people were sitting on small tables having a calmed drink. I tried not to push anybody as we moved along the crowd. I knew that Romih was with me because I felt his hand on mine, not because I was able to see him. Lights were soft there, and soldiers so tall that I couldn't distinguish anything. Finally we reached the bar, and when Himmler saw us, a big smile drew on his lips.
"Romih" He greeted him, shook hands and started a speech in German, Romih looked so calmed, smiling back and nodding. When they both looked at me, I knew I was the subject from their conversation.
"Venezia?" Himmler asked, and I froze. What did he want to mean? Romih gave me a warning look, nodding.
"Oh, yes, Venezia" I tried to smile, my heart was beating so fast. To my surprise, Himmler started to speak English.
"You met in Venezia.. Romih is a romantic boy, my poor boy, whose father was a hero!" He moved his dizzy hands in the air. "A hero who died for our Adolf.."I thought he would start crying, but soon his red fat cheeks smiled again. "It was about time to met you! I thought you didn't exist" We three laughed, I saw Romih more and more nervous. "And you know what would happen if she didn't exist, right, Romih?" Then, Himmler looked at me. "So now that you're real.. enjoy the party!" He seemed to turn back to take his glass, and when we were leaving, we heard his voice again. "You didn't show me the expensive ring you gave her.. " Romih froze, as well as I did. He didn't have a ring on his hand.. and I only had Haldir's one. But it was a strange ring with a flower made of a kind of stone.. what if it wasn't as expensive as he expected? Shaking, I turned around and showed him my hand. A woman behind him looked too, taking her glasses.
"Oh, mein Gott!" She shouted, in German, and murmured something in Himler's ear. Then he looked at me.
"Romih! This is the most expensive jewel I had ever seen!" Romih looked as surprised as them, but soon he smiled and took my hand, hiding the ring.
"I would do anything for her " Himmler looked satisfied.
"This is what we want.. a good father and a good husband.. well, when will children come?" And his strong laughs filled the air, as we were leaving. I realised how nervous I had felt when we finally reached a quiet place. Romih leaned against a marble column and took a deep breath, looking at me.
"You really saved me, Zana" His blue eyes smiled gratefully. "I owe you my life"
"Don't exaggerate.. I also owe you mine.. you found me when I was lost.."
"Is this another metaphor?" He smiled kindly, and then looked at my hand. "Zana.. can I ask you where did you get such a ring? In those times, those pieces are sold in the black market, people need food.." He was right, I was so stupid.. probably I was one of the few women there wearing jewels.. "Anyway." He went on. "Now they think you come from a good family, so you really saved me, Zana.. " We stared at each other for some moments, and suddenly I couldn't bear the lies any more, I couldn't bear my silence, I needed to tell him everything.. but I knew it wouldn't be possible.
"I found this ring on a beach.. it came from the sea.." Somehow, it was true.
"I want to believe you.." He smiled, and sighed. "Why not? Maybe a rich old woman threw it from a big ship.." We both smiled. He was so nice.. he accepted all my explanations, he didn't care about my past.. he was just there, making me feel so comfortable after the difficult times I had lived.. I realised I was looking at him too much.
Someone spoke in German behind us, and when I turned around, I opened my mouth. Only this, opened, completely opened and without saying a word. I heard Romih talking behind me, in German too. But I was too shocked to react.
"Zana, this soldier is the second boss.. Ghering" Haldir gave me his hand, shaking mine.
"Pleased to meet you" He looked so calmed, so..
"He asked me if he can dance with you, and I said that as my wife, you have the last word" Romih smiled, and I tried to smile too. "Ghering, she's the woman I told you about.. we married last summer" Haldir didn't move when he heard this, he just smiled. I couldn't believe that. Why was he acting like this? Was I so different that he couldn't recognise me? "Zana.." Romih called me. "What do you say?"
"Ye.. Yes, I'll dance with him"
"Ok then.. I have to talk to my boss again because I'm sure he wants to know all details about us.. see you in some minutes" I felt his hand on my shoulder, and he realised this was a too friendly sign, so he stopped and kissed my cheek. I blushed. Once we were alone, I looked at Haldir again. He was changed.. he was called Ghering, he had round ears.. he was not an elf any more..
"I know what you're thinking, Zana.. but you have to pretend that nothing happens or else we'll put us in a big trouble" He led me to the dancing floor, where we started to move slowly. "I can't believe I found you again.. I thought I would never see you again" I was still too shocked, confused..
"What about Legolas?"
"He's here.. but he's in danger.." I stopped moving.
"Where is he?" But Haldir pushed me against him again.
"Zana, please.. trust me and obey me, and nothing bad will happen. We have to escape from here. Tonight. We'll leave the party in some minutes" When I heard this, I felt so bad. But.. why? I should be happy.. I should be happy as I was in Mirkwood, Troy or wherever we went, as long as I was with Haldir and Legolas.. but now.. things looked so different, and I didn't know why. Haldir saw the doubt in my eyes. "What's wrong?" He asked.
"Haldir, I can't leave tonight.."
"Are you crazy? What are you saying? They almost killed Legolas, they think I'm someone I'm not!!"
"This is what I'm talking about! You're a human now, Haldir.. for some reason you changed, so you must find out which reason is it! If you leave now, you can spoil everything!" I was almost shouting, some people looked at me.
"Spoil what? Zana, don't you understand that I don't belong here?" I stopped dancing and looked at him.
"Look at yourself, Herr Ghering.. and tell me if you belong here or not." Haldir looked at me , sadly.
"Gimli is gone.. now I'm destined to be here.. what else is waiting for us, Zana?" Before I could reply, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and heard Legolas voice.
"Legolas!" He smiled, and stood there, just watching me. He was so different..his hair so short.. "legolas, what did you do? You're also a human?"
"Zana, I can't explain how happy I am to see you.." he murmured, taking my hand. "I'm an elf and I'll always be"
"At least you react in a normal way.. " I looked at both of them. "Well, it would be suspicious if I spent here too many time with you.. Romih is waiting for me" Legolas looked at Haldir.
"Romih?"
"Her husband" Said Haldir, with irony in his voice. "Not the real one, I suppose.. I guess he's helping her.."
"I ended up in a park, with only the Trojan dress, and he offered me help.. we're living a war, there's no safe place.."
"But.. Zana.. we must escape tonight.. in fifteen minutes, wait for us in the main door.." I shook my head, and Legolas looked at me worried. "What's wrong?" Haldir looked at us. I sighed.
"I'm sorry, Legolas.. we can't leave. Haldir turned into a human here, this means he must stay. And I have to find out which is my mission here.. if I left now.. where would we go? You know that only when missions on each century are over, we move to another time.. we have to wait.."
"Yes, you're right.." He murmured. I saw Romih coming, and I felt something in my stomach, something new. He smiled and took my hand. Legolas gave him a killing look , and disappeared.
"Who was him" Romih asked Haldir, and Haldir shrugged.
"Just a drunk friend.. Zana, it was a pleasure to dance with you.. I hope to see you some day.." Haldir left and I turned around to meet Romih's eyes. I smiled.
"Are things going well?" I asked him, as we walked to a corner again.
"Sure.." He replied kindly, looking at the distance. We were in silence for some moments. "Zana.. when you saw Ghering, you acted as if you were shocked.. did you know him?" I became pale, and shook my head.
"No, I was just afraid that they would discover me.. us.." Romih took my hand.
"Now you're famous among us, you're the pretty Romih's wife" He joked, and I felt a bit ashamed when I blushed. What was happening to me?
"I'm glad that I helped you.." He suddenly became serious, and he came closer to me.
"Don't talk as if this was the end.. there's still a long night to dance" He gave me his hand and led me to the dance floor. When he wrapped his arms around me, I forgot about all my worries. I felt his hands on my waist, and his face close to mine. "Zana.. thank you very much. It was a magical moment. But only until I saw Legolas sitting on a table and staring at me. My Legolas.