Beauty and the Warg

Chapter Nine: First Kiss?

A/N: Sorry this update has taken so long. I'm running into a bit of trouble with the epilogue. This story just doesn't seem to want to be finished. It's coming along, though. So here you go, chapter nine, enjoy! (BTW- I will be replying to reviewers in the actual review section to save space. : - )

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The next thing Wendy was aware of was waking up in a room of white walls and white floors which was flooded with sunlight that poured forth from one tall, narrow window. She was lying on the floor, cushioned by a pile of what appeared to be some blankets and dirty clothes. It took her a moment to shift from unconsciousness to wakefulness, but when she had made the transition, the first thing she noticed was the small patch of sky she saw through the window.

There were light, fluffy, snowy white clouds floating lazily across the bright blue sky. The great big yellow sun shined his merry light upon the lands below. The thick smog-like clouds were gone, evidence that Sauron's power was crumbling. Wendy's hope was renewed and, since no other soul was around to flinch, she allowed herself a smile.

The smile disappeared immediately, though, due to the sound of footsteps approaching the room in which she lay. Wendy tried to roll over but as soon as she moved, great pain throughout her body made her lay still and quiet. She let out a low groan as she became aware of the sores and hurts all over herself. Besides the searing, white-hot pain emanating from one area of her back and from her chest, her head throbbed, her legs ached, the muscles in her feet screamed in protest whenever she moved the slightest bit, and her poor tail felt snapped in two. In short, Wendy was one bruised and utterly battered little girl.

"Lady Draugwen, are you awake?" said a soft, rough voice from behind her.

"Praise the Valar that she is alive at all!" exclaimed another joyfully, his voice hushed so as not to disturb the wounded Warg lying within the room they approached.

Two people, one short and hairy, the other tall and fair, moved around Wendy so that she could actually see them and kneeled down by her head. Gimli put one heavy hand on her shoulder, stroking softly. Legolas ran a soft, gentle hand along her jaw line. Had she been stuck in the body of a cat instead of a Warg, Wendy would have been purring like a diesel engine.

"Dearest Draugwen, we were so worried about you," Legolas whispered.

"It was quite an ordeal, getting you into the House of Healing at all. The healers said this place was for people, not animals. They don't understand how very human you are," Gimli said.

"Gimli fought hard for you, Draugwen. He would have carried you here himself if he could have," Legolas said with a small smile.

Out of nowhere, Wendy felt tears spring to her eyes. She had no way to convey her immense gratitude. She could not thank the ones who had saved her life. They were the only two in all of Middle-earth that accepted her without question. They had shown her more kindness than she had ever known in her young life on Earth. As beastly as she appeared, Gimli and Legolas had actually taken the time to get to know the woman beneath the fur.

Gimli brushed away a tear that had escaped from beneath Wendy's tightly closed eyelids. "You must be exhausted. We will leave you here, if you wish."

Wendy shook her head quickly. That was the last thing she wanted.

"No? All right, then stay we shall. Are you comfortable, milady? Shall I fetch more bedding?" Gimli asked. Wendy shook her head again. "I apologize that you must sleep on the ground. The beds here are too small for a Warg, even one as dainty as you."

Wendy laughed her great deep rumbling laugh, making both Legolas and Gimli smile. She looked into Legolas' eyes for a moment, feeling great warmth spread throughout her. Then her gaze shifted to Gimli's eyes, and that feeling intensified. Both the Elf and the Dwarf were so very wonderful to her. Was it too much to ask for one of them to fall in love with her?

Just then, a young boy who seemed to be playing messenger-boy rudely interrupted the special moment Wendy was enjoying.

"My lords, the warriors are preparing to leave. Lord Aragorn awaits you at the front gate. He wishes for you to hurry," the boy said to Legolas and Gimli.

The two warriors both looked at Wendy with sadness and longing. While the boy impatiently fidgeted in the doorway, Gimli and Legolas bid farewell to their loyal friend.

"We are off to the Black Gates," Legolas informed her. "We are going to attempt to distract Sauron enough to allow the quest to be fulfilled."

"We do not wish to leave you, Lady Draugwen. But duty calls, and we must answer," Gimli said. Wendy nodded in understanding. They gave her a final pat on the head and bid her farewell. As they followed the pageboy down the hallway, they passed one of the healers who were hurrying around, tending to the injured warriors. Gimli quickly stopped her to speak to her.

"Milady, I have a request to make. One of my dear friends is injured, and I wish to ride off knowing that she is well taken care of," Gimli said.

"Do you mean the Shieldmaiden, the woman of Rohan who killed the Witch-king? I assure you that all that can be done for her is being done," the harried healer said distractedly. Eowyn was the only woman she could think of under the care of the healers, but Gimli shook his head.

"No, I do not mean the Lady Eowyn. My friend is Draugwen. She is an injured Warg," Gimli said. The healer's expression swiftly changed from one of fatigue to one of horror.

"I'm sorry, lord, but I just cannot go near that terrible beast! I'm deadly frightened of them! I've had nightmares about Wargs since I was a little girl!" she cried.

Gimli glanced at Legolas. Very quietly, he said, "Go on, lad. Use that charm of yours."

Legolas nodded and winked subtly. Turning back to the healer, he said, "Milady, would you be so kind as to step into this room with me? Perhaps I can persuade you to think differently about my friend Draugwen."

He took her by the arm and steered her into a small room where supplies, such as extra blankets and bandages, were stored. They were shut in the closet for only a few minutes, leaving Gimli to assure the anxious pageboy that they would be on their way soon enough. When the door opened, Legolas stepped out first, smiling confidently. The healer, who was considerably more flustered than when she had entered, exited second, jumping in surprise when the door shut loudly behind her.

"I thank you again, kind lady," Legolas said to her, winking. She turned redder, giggled, and hurried down the hall in the direction of Wendy's room.

"What did ye do to her, boy?" Gimli hissed as the pageboy hurried them along.

"I simply turned on the charm. She will take good care of Draugwen in our absence. Hurry, Gimli, Aragorn awaits us!"

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Wendy had no idea how long she was waiting for Legolas and Gimli to return. Every minute felt like a lifetime, every day an eternity. She had plenty of time for thinking, and not much else to occupy herself, so she thought a lot about the 'future,' whatever that meant. Could she ever find love in this beast's body? Sure, Legolas and Gimli were nice enough to her, but was it love? Surely not!

Yet…

Could it be?

Wendy had never been in love. She had no idea how one knew whether one was in love. All she knew was that while Legolas and Gimli were away fighting the forces of Mordor, they were all that she could think of. She worried for them, even feared for them, for she did not know how she could go on if something happened to them. What if Tolkien had changed the ending to make it more appealing to readers? What if Sauron really won and took the Ring? What if Legolas or Gimli actually died while fighting?

These thoughts, among many others, plagued Wendy night and day as she drifted in and out of fitful sleep. The healer Legolas had appointed to her checked on her often, bringing food and drink and other comforts. However, Wendy could not be persuaded to eat more than a few bites nor take more than a few sips of water. She did not care to try to get up and move about, even though the medicines given to her took away most of the pain.

All Wendy wanted was to see Legolas and Gimli just once more. Perhaps then her heart would tell her whom she wished to give her hear to. Based on looks alone, Gimli stood no chance. Legolas was tall and graceful and beautiful and masculine all at once. However, he was an Elf, an immortal being far wiser than Wendy's mind could comprehend. Gimli was not of the immortals, though he would long outlive Wendy in her mortal state. She wondered about the lifespan of a Warg. Perhaps if they normally outlived humans she could take a few of those extra years for herself.

At any rate, it was impossible to choose between the two. Both had their positive characteristics and both made Wendy feel as though she was on top of the world when they were around.

Finally, after many restless nights of waiting and hoping and yearning, Wendy's healer burst in full of excitement.

"The King is returning! The King of Gondor has vanquished the Lord of Mordor! Now he comes back to his people to rebuild this great city!" she exclaimed. "Come, Lady Draugwen, surely you can find some strength in that great body of yours! Come see the warriors march into Minas Tirith!"

Wendy leapt up instantly and followed the healer out of the House of Healing. Crowds of happy, celebrating people filled the streets to welcome the men who had saved Middle-earth from destruction. Wendy's eyesight, keener than when she was in girl form, desperately searched the faces of the armor-clad soldiers, looking for a thick beard or a long mane of gold among the shining helmets. There were so many, and they were moving so fast in and out amongst the people of Minas Tirith…

Suddenly there was a tall figure beside her. Long, slender arms enveloped her in a great hug and a soft voice whispered, "Hello, Draugwen."

"Legolas!" Wendy cried, forgetting for a moment that she was a Warg. He seemed to understand her all the same, and laughed brightly.

"It is so good to see you, Draugwen. I cannot even begin to express to you how much I missed you while I was away. But now I am back, and you are well once more! I trust that you have been cared for well during your stay in Minas Tirith?" Legolas asked, holding her face in his soft hands and looking straight into her eyes. Wendy nodded vigorously.

"Now we can rest in peace, knowing that Sauron's realm has ended. A new King comes now to this city. It will take many long years to regain the glory that Gondor once had, but Aragorn is more than capable. Great days are coming for this land!" Legolas said happily. He laughed again, seemingly just because it felt good. Wendy joined him in laughing, rubbing her head against him just to feel him by her. It was almost too good to be true, having him with her again.

Yet there was an emptiness still in Wendy's heart that needed fulfilling. She frowned, wondering why she did not feel completely content. Before she could ponder it further, Legolas lifted her face to his. He bent down slowly, his head coming ever nearer to hers. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized that he was about to kiss her.

Legolas' perfect pink lips were puckered, his brilliant eyes hidden beneath soft golden lashes. Wendy's own eyes drifted shut. She felt her heart beating dreadfully hard against her chest and wondered if Legolas could hear it.

Those beautiful lips pressed themselves against Wendy's hairy cheek. Time stood still for a moment. Wendy and Legolas were alone in the world, despite being in the middle of a huge crowd.

Legolas moved back, smiling. Wendy froze, her eyes still closed, as she waited for the transformation.

Nothing happened.

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Wow, another cliffhanger, I'm feeling evil! Tee hee hee…