FINALLY! I've had all but the last page of this chapter written for the
past four months, but I could not for the life of me decide how to end it.
That, and the voices in my head would give me no respite.
Alas, this is the end of the story. I wasn't very pleased with the pace or structure of this story, and though I love my characters, I am overjoyed to finally be finished with it. I plan on starting another story soon, hopefully one of an entirely different nature. I've read so many wonderful stories on this site, and I am always aspiring to someday be as good as the authors who penned them.
Thanks to all of my wonderful readers and reviewers. Can you believe it; I have never received a flame? Likely it is because my story is not so horrid that it would be flamed outright by very annoyed individuals, but neither is it so good that it would draw the attention of the more experienced and canon-brilliant authors either. That made sense in my head, but didn't quite pen right. Thanks also to my wonderful Beta, DaisyPrincess, who keeps me laughing with her creative stories and funny e- mails.
Without Further Ado (indeed, I've kept you waiting long enough, haven't I?)...
Chapter Sixteen- A Man Must Stand Independent
Legolas watched out of the corner of his eye as Imlyana and Olihre prepared the small mammals for dinner. Olihre sat next to the fire with his lower back propped up against his saddle pack, while Imlyana mirrored his posture from the opposite side of the pack, her back and shoulders resting against his, providing him with just the right amount of support. Legolas could see that he was weary and that his head was still paining him slightly, but it appeared that the warm fire and the tonic that he had given the boy earlier were beginning to take effect.
The elf smiled as his keen eyes were distracted by the shiny metal blade in Olihre's hand. There had been quite a commotion when Olihre had found his knife to be missing, yet again, and Legolas had immediately turned to Imlyana and Gimli, who were grinning at each other conspiratorially. Olihre, much to his chagrin, hadn't the strength to pursue Imlyana, and had instead made several threats of a long, painful death towards her, and when that didn't work, had turned his attention on Imlara, who still felt guilty for suggesting Imlyana follow him.
"Imlara," he had said in his most convincing voice of suffering and fatigue, "Please help me-- I'm afraid I'm too dizzy to get up."
Imlara had given him a look of motherly concern and then swiftly turned her wrath upon the two dark, snickering individuals in the corner. "Gimli! Lyana! How could you! Oli has been so brave and so...well...look at him! He's been injured-- for us! This is how you repay him? You should be ashamed of yourselves!" Imlara punctuated the end of her rambling rebuke with a snort of disgust.
Legolas chuckled softly to himself now as he watched the two preparing dinner in an amicable truce. It was obvious that they cared for one another, though they certainly had an odd way of expressing it. He lifted his eyes then to the other side of the fire where Imlara was helping Hyelif with his knots. Legolas had given Hyelif the job of helping Gimli oversee their prisoners, who were still huddled in the dark at the far side of the stable, looking longingly at the warm fire, but remaining silent in obvious fear of what the dwarf who was hovering over them with an ax may do.
"Gimli, friend, come sit near the warmth. Our guests will not be going anywhere."
Gimli grunted and made his way over to the fire, shaking his head almost remorsefully. "I almost feel like we're back on one of our adventures again! It's brought new life to my lazy limbs!"
Legolas smiled and shook his head, but remained silent, as he could hear Imlara inhaling as if to say something. He was not mistaken.
"ALMOST like an adventure?" Imlara raised two very incredulous eyebrows at the dwarf. "I'll be quite sure not to go on any REAL adventures with you then!"
Legolas smiled appraisingly at the girl. She had come out of her shell quite a bit since the beginning of their journey, and though it was usually in the form of reproach, it was still entertaining and encouraging. As Legolas continued to survey the young girl from beneath his eyelashes he felt his cheeks slowly heating, much to his chagrin. The son of Thranduil certainly did not consider himself to be slow, but he had admittedly acted rather daftly when conversing with Imlara. He had of course noticed her strange actions whenever they conversed, and had wondered at them some, but apparently he had not given them the attention that they obviously warranted. Since the groups' reunion a few hours ago, he had not been able to overlook her small and seemingly discreet glances at him, nor the blush that would rise in her cheeks when he would catch her gaze.
Legolas was not unfamiliar with gawking females, especially among the human race, which he visited with more frequency than most elves, but he was somewhat shocked and disconcerted that someone who he still considered scarcely more than a babe would be interested in him.
Gimli caught the Prince's rueful gaze and chuckled. "You aught to be careful lad," he whispered gleefully, "Hyelir is already likely to throw a fit when he sees his oldest daughter cavorting about with the boy here." Gimli glanced at Olihre, who was quite purposefully jabbing Imlyana in the side with his elbow with every sweep of his knife. "I can just see the purple hue his face would turn if his youngest girl announced her intentions with you!"
Legolas rolled his eyes and gave the dwarf a wan smile while simultaneously rising and stroking the fire in preparation for their meal.
* * *
Dinner had gone well, and soon the group had positioned themselves for a good night's sleep, with Legolas and Gimli agreeing to divvy watches over the captives during the night. Olihre had insisted that he be allowed a shift, but had been promptly quelled by Legolas's firm rejection, on the grounds that he needed his rest, and that the tonic would be putting him to sleep soon enough anyway. With a huff of displeasure, Olihre had procured his sleeping bundle, unrolled it between Hyelif's and Imlyana's, and settled into it, where minutes later, anyone still awake could hear his deep and even breathing.
The next morning was cold and wet, but the company was relatively comfortable in their shelter of aging wood. The fire burned merrily again as plans were made for the remainder of the journey.
"I say we tie 'em up to one of your infernal trees and leave 'em until we're ready!" Gimli was smoking a pipe, much to the displeasure of Imlara, who was wrinkling her nose and glancing at Legolas, as if to ascertain whether he too were above such base pleasures. Hyelif on the other hand was looking at the dwarf with what resembled mild reverence. He nodded animatedly at the dwarf's suggestion, sucking on a small twig in a supposedly covert imitation the burly child of Aule.
Legolas grinned and shook his head. "This trip was meant as more of a diversion than an actual mission in the first place. Aragorn does need to ascertain what mineral stores he has available to him in these hills, but it is certainly not a pressing matter at this moment. He will not begrudge us if we return early, for even now, I believe we may perhaps have learned more than we realize from our guests."
Gimli scowled up at the elf as he worked to make sense of his vagaries. Imlyana looked up from where she was rolling Olihre's sleeping bundle and chuckled. "I wondered how long it would be until someone caught on to that."
Legolas nodded and cast his glance towards the captives. "These men were searching for gold, though by the looks of it, they have not yet found any." He stood and walked towards the men. "I did find your tailings pile this morning, and I thank you for all the hard work that you have spared us. I have taken samples that will certainly be useful to the King's advisors, though I am sure that the most useful gift I shall bring them will be yourselves."
"You can't take us all the way back to Minas Tirith!" Dorgan protested, his voice raw with cold and fatigue.
"Though I do hate to drag you away from your thieving, I am afraid that it is necessary." Legolas crouched in front of the two men, and for a moment, the calm visage slipped from his face, replaced by a look of cold certainty as he spoke in a low and lingering voice. "The King is no friend to those who molest his subjects, and he is a bitter foe to any who dares touch a woman without her consent. Pray that he shows mercy upon you."
Dorgan swallowed hard as Ghrevn turned his head to avoid the elf's piercing gaze. Imlyana inclined her head in appreciation towards Legolas as he walked back to the fire, but did not cease in her activities.
"Nay, I think it best if we leave here immediately, heading directly for the settlement before making haste back to the King's halls." All three of Hyelir's children looked disappointed at Legolas's decree, though none as much as Imlyana, whose face fell as she glanced furtively at Olihre. Olihre had already been studying her, and quickly turned his eyes away from her somber and imploring gaze.
Legolas studied the two for a moment before turning to Gimli and inclining his head. "Let us pack up then-- we've a long way to go and we'll likely be slowed down a fair amount by our captives."
Gimli nodded hesitantly and began stowing the cooking gear, though most of his attention seemed bent towards Olihre and Imlyana, who were on opposite sides of the fire, stowing their gear in the rucksacks that they would tie to the pack horses. Gimli heard no words exchanged between the two, but their body language and the fleeting glances that they were sending each other spoke more than any words would have.
Making his way over to Legolas, Gimli cleared his throat softly and whispered, "Why are we in such a hurry to be back? Surely it wouldn't hurt for us to spend a few more days here. Give the kids a bit of time, why don't we?"
Legolas smiled slightly and shook his head. "I am afraid we cannot. We must return these men to Aragorn, lest we delay the justice he places upon them, and any information he may obtain from them. I have a feeling that they are not here independently, but rather they are working for another. Aragorn will need to find out as soon as possible who it is that seeks to plunder his people's resources."
"But what of the boy," Gimli pressed, "and Lyana-- surely we can't separate them at such a vital moment in their...well, their acquaintance."
Legolas smiled again, this time with more humor, and glanced at the two, who were both helping Imlara pack her rucksack, though in reality, three sets of elbows were more of a hindrance than a help.
"They have a firm base now on which to build. The settlement is not so far from Minas Tirith. With Gaviwyr helping Noradol with the horses, Olihre is free to seek whatever future he wishes. Perhaps it will be good for him to come to her independent of us. No doubt Hyelir will see it as more legitimate."
Gimli nodded and grunted simultaneously, while Legolas sighed and then let out a shrill whistle, drawing their steeds into the enclosure to be packed and mounted. The captives were put on their own mounts, hand tied in front of them, and their mounts tied together closely in a way that would permit a slow trot, but never a full-out gallop.
With one last glance around, Legolas signaled for the party to begin their return journey. The mood was somber and the days passed slowly for most, but for two among the group, the time was entirely too fleeting.
* * *
Hyelir was very much amused, though one wouldn't likely be able to tell based on the scowl he wore. "Out with it boy! You're party is anxious to be leaving, I'm sure."
Olihre felt his heart plummet. 'Boy?' he though miserably. "Sir," he cleared his throat one last time and prepared to be thrown bodily from the front porch. "I wish to ask your permission to visit here again. Soon." He finished with a glance towards Imlyana, who was speaking quietly to her younger brother. Hyelif was standing next to Gimli's horse, arms crossed stiffly in front of him and eyebrows furrowed in rebellion. Olihre could see the unshed tears in his eyes, and if he was not mistaken, Imlyana seemed to bear the same characteristic.
"Soon, eh?" Hyelir growled, "I suppose that would be acceptable, though it is likely a waste of your time."
Olihre almost choked. "What? Why?"
Hyelir chuckled at Olihre's lack of cohesion. "Because knowing my Lyana, she'll be jumping on a fresh horse and riding out of here as soon as is humanly possible." Hyelir looked at the confusion written across the lad's face and clarified, "She's always wanted to see Minas Tirith."
Olihre mouthed his understanding, too stunned for the actual words to come forth. He looked back at Imlyana, then at Hyelir, and then back at Imlyana again. "Sir," he started, not breaking his gaze from Imlyana, "please keep her here. She should not be traveling alone, and I would very much like to visit her again. I have things I would like to speak to you about." Olihre glanced at the large man, "With your permission of course."
"I've already given it," Hyelir laughed, "now get on with you and come back soon. I'm not sure how long her mother and I can restrain her."
Olihre grinned and nearly skipped to his horse. He turned to Imlyana and bowed, resisting the urge to pick her up and throw her across the back of his horse. When she demurely inclined her head towards him, he winked and then turned to jump on his horse, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He had only half turned his head when he felt a hand on each cheek and a lithe body pressing his firmly against his horse, which seemed to snort in irritation. As quickly as it began, the kiss ended. Imlyana winked at Olihre and then turned and led her crestfallen sister to the front porch.
Olihre glanced ruefully at Hyelir and was surprised to see the intimidating man nearly doubled over with laughter. Deciding not to press his luck, Olihre jumped quickly upon his horse and set a brisk pace towards home. He could hear Hyelir, Gimli and Legolas laughing heartily, while Hyelif and Imlara sniffled in the background.
THE END
Alas, this is the end of the story. I wasn't very pleased with the pace or structure of this story, and though I love my characters, I am overjoyed to finally be finished with it. I plan on starting another story soon, hopefully one of an entirely different nature. I've read so many wonderful stories on this site, and I am always aspiring to someday be as good as the authors who penned them.
Thanks to all of my wonderful readers and reviewers. Can you believe it; I have never received a flame? Likely it is because my story is not so horrid that it would be flamed outright by very annoyed individuals, but neither is it so good that it would draw the attention of the more experienced and canon-brilliant authors either. That made sense in my head, but didn't quite pen right. Thanks also to my wonderful Beta, DaisyPrincess, who keeps me laughing with her creative stories and funny e- mails.
Without Further Ado (indeed, I've kept you waiting long enough, haven't I?)...
Chapter Sixteen- A Man Must Stand Independent
Legolas watched out of the corner of his eye as Imlyana and Olihre prepared the small mammals for dinner. Olihre sat next to the fire with his lower back propped up against his saddle pack, while Imlyana mirrored his posture from the opposite side of the pack, her back and shoulders resting against his, providing him with just the right amount of support. Legolas could see that he was weary and that his head was still paining him slightly, but it appeared that the warm fire and the tonic that he had given the boy earlier were beginning to take effect.
The elf smiled as his keen eyes were distracted by the shiny metal blade in Olihre's hand. There had been quite a commotion when Olihre had found his knife to be missing, yet again, and Legolas had immediately turned to Imlyana and Gimli, who were grinning at each other conspiratorially. Olihre, much to his chagrin, hadn't the strength to pursue Imlyana, and had instead made several threats of a long, painful death towards her, and when that didn't work, had turned his attention on Imlara, who still felt guilty for suggesting Imlyana follow him.
"Imlara," he had said in his most convincing voice of suffering and fatigue, "Please help me-- I'm afraid I'm too dizzy to get up."
Imlara had given him a look of motherly concern and then swiftly turned her wrath upon the two dark, snickering individuals in the corner. "Gimli! Lyana! How could you! Oli has been so brave and so...well...look at him! He's been injured-- for us! This is how you repay him? You should be ashamed of yourselves!" Imlara punctuated the end of her rambling rebuke with a snort of disgust.
Legolas chuckled softly to himself now as he watched the two preparing dinner in an amicable truce. It was obvious that they cared for one another, though they certainly had an odd way of expressing it. He lifted his eyes then to the other side of the fire where Imlara was helping Hyelif with his knots. Legolas had given Hyelif the job of helping Gimli oversee their prisoners, who were still huddled in the dark at the far side of the stable, looking longingly at the warm fire, but remaining silent in obvious fear of what the dwarf who was hovering over them with an ax may do.
"Gimli, friend, come sit near the warmth. Our guests will not be going anywhere."
Gimli grunted and made his way over to the fire, shaking his head almost remorsefully. "I almost feel like we're back on one of our adventures again! It's brought new life to my lazy limbs!"
Legolas smiled and shook his head, but remained silent, as he could hear Imlara inhaling as if to say something. He was not mistaken.
"ALMOST like an adventure?" Imlara raised two very incredulous eyebrows at the dwarf. "I'll be quite sure not to go on any REAL adventures with you then!"
Legolas smiled appraisingly at the girl. She had come out of her shell quite a bit since the beginning of their journey, and though it was usually in the form of reproach, it was still entertaining and encouraging. As Legolas continued to survey the young girl from beneath his eyelashes he felt his cheeks slowly heating, much to his chagrin. The son of Thranduil certainly did not consider himself to be slow, but he had admittedly acted rather daftly when conversing with Imlara. He had of course noticed her strange actions whenever they conversed, and had wondered at them some, but apparently he had not given them the attention that they obviously warranted. Since the groups' reunion a few hours ago, he had not been able to overlook her small and seemingly discreet glances at him, nor the blush that would rise in her cheeks when he would catch her gaze.
Legolas was not unfamiliar with gawking females, especially among the human race, which he visited with more frequency than most elves, but he was somewhat shocked and disconcerted that someone who he still considered scarcely more than a babe would be interested in him.
Gimli caught the Prince's rueful gaze and chuckled. "You aught to be careful lad," he whispered gleefully, "Hyelir is already likely to throw a fit when he sees his oldest daughter cavorting about with the boy here." Gimli glanced at Olihre, who was quite purposefully jabbing Imlyana in the side with his elbow with every sweep of his knife. "I can just see the purple hue his face would turn if his youngest girl announced her intentions with you!"
Legolas rolled his eyes and gave the dwarf a wan smile while simultaneously rising and stroking the fire in preparation for their meal.
* * *
Dinner had gone well, and soon the group had positioned themselves for a good night's sleep, with Legolas and Gimli agreeing to divvy watches over the captives during the night. Olihre had insisted that he be allowed a shift, but had been promptly quelled by Legolas's firm rejection, on the grounds that he needed his rest, and that the tonic would be putting him to sleep soon enough anyway. With a huff of displeasure, Olihre had procured his sleeping bundle, unrolled it between Hyelif's and Imlyana's, and settled into it, where minutes later, anyone still awake could hear his deep and even breathing.
The next morning was cold and wet, but the company was relatively comfortable in their shelter of aging wood. The fire burned merrily again as plans were made for the remainder of the journey.
"I say we tie 'em up to one of your infernal trees and leave 'em until we're ready!" Gimli was smoking a pipe, much to the displeasure of Imlara, who was wrinkling her nose and glancing at Legolas, as if to ascertain whether he too were above such base pleasures. Hyelif on the other hand was looking at the dwarf with what resembled mild reverence. He nodded animatedly at the dwarf's suggestion, sucking on a small twig in a supposedly covert imitation the burly child of Aule.
Legolas grinned and shook his head. "This trip was meant as more of a diversion than an actual mission in the first place. Aragorn does need to ascertain what mineral stores he has available to him in these hills, but it is certainly not a pressing matter at this moment. He will not begrudge us if we return early, for even now, I believe we may perhaps have learned more than we realize from our guests."
Gimli scowled up at the elf as he worked to make sense of his vagaries. Imlyana looked up from where she was rolling Olihre's sleeping bundle and chuckled. "I wondered how long it would be until someone caught on to that."
Legolas nodded and cast his glance towards the captives. "These men were searching for gold, though by the looks of it, they have not yet found any." He stood and walked towards the men. "I did find your tailings pile this morning, and I thank you for all the hard work that you have spared us. I have taken samples that will certainly be useful to the King's advisors, though I am sure that the most useful gift I shall bring them will be yourselves."
"You can't take us all the way back to Minas Tirith!" Dorgan protested, his voice raw with cold and fatigue.
"Though I do hate to drag you away from your thieving, I am afraid that it is necessary." Legolas crouched in front of the two men, and for a moment, the calm visage slipped from his face, replaced by a look of cold certainty as he spoke in a low and lingering voice. "The King is no friend to those who molest his subjects, and he is a bitter foe to any who dares touch a woman without her consent. Pray that he shows mercy upon you."
Dorgan swallowed hard as Ghrevn turned his head to avoid the elf's piercing gaze. Imlyana inclined her head in appreciation towards Legolas as he walked back to the fire, but did not cease in her activities.
"Nay, I think it best if we leave here immediately, heading directly for the settlement before making haste back to the King's halls." All three of Hyelir's children looked disappointed at Legolas's decree, though none as much as Imlyana, whose face fell as she glanced furtively at Olihre. Olihre had already been studying her, and quickly turned his eyes away from her somber and imploring gaze.
Legolas studied the two for a moment before turning to Gimli and inclining his head. "Let us pack up then-- we've a long way to go and we'll likely be slowed down a fair amount by our captives."
Gimli nodded hesitantly and began stowing the cooking gear, though most of his attention seemed bent towards Olihre and Imlyana, who were on opposite sides of the fire, stowing their gear in the rucksacks that they would tie to the pack horses. Gimli heard no words exchanged between the two, but their body language and the fleeting glances that they were sending each other spoke more than any words would have.
Making his way over to Legolas, Gimli cleared his throat softly and whispered, "Why are we in such a hurry to be back? Surely it wouldn't hurt for us to spend a few more days here. Give the kids a bit of time, why don't we?"
Legolas smiled slightly and shook his head. "I am afraid we cannot. We must return these men to Aragorn, lest we delay the justice he places upon them, and any information he may obtain from them. I have a feeling that they are not here independently, but rather they are working for another. Aragorn will need to find out as soon as possible who it is that seeks to plunder his people's resources."
"But what of the boy," Gimli pressed, "and Lyana-- surely we can't separate them at such a vital moment in their...well, their acquaintance."
Legolas smiled again, this time with more humor, and glanced at the two, who were both helping Imlara pack her rucksack, though in reality, three sets of elbows were more of a hindrance than a help.
"They have a firm base now on which to build. The settlement is not so far from Minas Tirith. With Gaviwyr helping Noradol with the horses, Olihre is free to seek whatever future he wishes. Perhaps it will be good for him to come to her independent of us. No doubt Hyelir will see it as more legitimate."
Gimli nodded and grunted simultaneously, while Legolas sighed and then let out a shrill whistle, drawing their steeds into the enclosure to be packed and mounted. The captives were put on their own mounts, hand tied in front of them, and their mounts tied together closely in a way that would permit a slow trot, but never a full-out gallop.
With one last glance around, Legolas signaled for the party to begin their return journey. The mood was somber and the days passed slowly for most, but for two among the group, the time was entirely too fleeting.
* * *
Hyelir was very much amused, though one wouldn't likely be able to tell based on the scowl he wore. "Out with it boy! You're party is anxious to be leaving, I'm sure."
Olihre felt his heart plummet. 'Boy?' he though miserably. "Sir," he cleared his throat one last time and prepared to be thrown bodily from the front porch. "I wish to ask your permission to visit here again. Soon." He finished with a glance towards Imlyana, who was speaking quietly to her younger brother. Hyelif was standing next to Gimli's horse, arms crossed stiffly in front of him and eyebrows furrowed in rebellion. Olihre could see the unshed tears in his eyes, and if he was not mistaken, Imlyana seemed to bear the same characteristic.
"Soon, eh?" Hyelir growled, "I suppose that would be acceptable, though it is likely a waste of your time."
Olihre almost choked. "What? Why?"
Hyelir chuckled at Olihre's lack of cohesion. "Because knowing my Lyana, she'll be jumping on a fresh horse and riding out of here as soon as is humanly possible." Hyelir looked at the confusion written across the lad's face and clarified, "She's always wanted to see Minas Tirith."
Olihre mouthed his understanding, too stunned for the actual words to come forth. He looked back at Imlyana, then at Hyelir, and then back at Imlyana again. "Sir," he started, not breaking his gaze from Imlyana, "please keep her here. She should not be traveling alone, and I would very much like to visit her again. I have things I would like to speak to you about." Olihre glanced at the large man, "With your permission of course."
"I've already given it," Hyelir laughed, "now get on with you and come back soon. I'm not sure how long her mother and I can restrain her."
Olihre grinned and nearly skipped to his horse. He turned to Imlyana and bowed, resisting the urge to pick her up and throw her across the back of his horse. When she demurely inclined her head towards him, he winked and then turned to jump on his horse, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He had only half turned his head when he felt a hand on each cheek and a lithe body pressing his firmly against his horse, which seemed to snort in irritation. As quickly as it began, the kiss ended. Imlyana winked at Olihre and then turned and led her crestfallen sister to the front porch.
Olihre glanced ruefully at Hyelir and was surprised to see the intimidating man nearly doubled over with laughter. Deciding not to press his luck, Olihre jumped quickly upon his horse and set a brisk pace towards home. He could hear Hyelir, Gimli and Legolas laughing heartily, while Hyelif and Imlara sniffled in the background.
THE END