Thank you for all my reviews. They were very nice! ^_^
Just a random question here – who reckons they had pianos in Middle-Earth? They have flutes and lyres, but did they have pianos do you reckon? Can you please tell me in a review. Cheers. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
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Mrs. Greenleaf – Hopefully this one was quick enough too! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
sunni07 – He is acting just like a child isn't he! Spoilt brat… That's what happens when Elves bring up humans! Heehee……
Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
Mayrana - *Takes hundreds of photos of Legolas with big dazzling smile* Thank you very much! Very kind of you. Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
Jupiter's Light – He just doesn't like the idea of a girl going with the Fellowship. Yep, Legolas is just a wee bit pi***d of now! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
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Chapter 9: True Hearts.
Amy slumped down against the foot of a tree and had to stifle a moan escaping her lips. She was determined not to look weak in front of all these men!
Legolas sat down beside her as she began easing the knots out of her feet. "You did really well today," he whispered.
She laughed. "You think?"
"Yes. We've gone a long way, over that rocky terrain. Your feet must be killing you though."
"Yep, how did you guess?" she asked sarcastically.
He grinned and wiggled his fingers at her. "I must have supernatural powers. I'll get you some food."
She nodded and he walked over to the small campfire they were setting up. Sam was in charge, as he nearly always was, and grinned at the Elf as he joined him.
Amy laughed to herself. It was so funny to see an Elf-Prince chatting idly away to a Hobbit gardener! She whimpered as she eased out a particularly nasty knot in her foot.
Legolas was soon back with a bowl of warm soup for her. "I managed to persuade Sam to make you some," he whispered with a wink, handing it to her.
"He's so sweet to me," she replied, sipping it delicately.
"He's sweet to all of us, but its Frodo he really cares about."
"Of course."
"He'd do anything for the Ringbearer." He removed his quiver and sat back against the trunk with Amy. He sighed.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Believe it or not, I actually feel tired."
"You, tired? I think not!"
He laughed. "I'll get a quick rest, then go on watch."
"As you always do."
"I've got the keenest eyesight and hearing here, I think I should go on watch."
"Yes, but when you go, I always fall onto my side if I'm leaning on you."
"No, I place you gently on the ground and cover you with the blanket.
"But the ground is cold, and you're always so nice and warm!"
"Thank you very much. Just eat that and let me get some rest." He made himself comfortable, then drifted quickly into a light sleep, eyes open.
She shivered. It was quite scary when he did that. She had also seen Elves singing in their sleep too. It was rather strange when that happened to say the least.
She pulled her blanket across her freezing body, leant against a very nice warm Legolas, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
****
//Cold, cold, cold, cold…//
Nothing else seemed to register in her brain. They were trying, (and failing it seemed to Amy) to cross Caradharas. It was freezing cold, and she sure she could no longer feel her legs below her knees. She had lost the feeling in her toes ages ago.
She scowled up at Legolas who was walking gracefully along the surface of the snow. He caught her looking and grinned back. She stuck her tongue out and wrapped herself further into the various layers she was wearing.
Soon, it was dark again, and so they decided to stop. It was far too dangerous to carry on in the dark like this. The Hobbits huddled together for warmth, and using a few sticks they had collected at the foot of the Mountain, they built a small fire.
Aragorn was talking in hushed tones with Gandalf, and Boromir and Gimli were sat next to each, both silent, grimly holding their hands out towards the fire. Amy was sat in between the huddle of Hobbits and Boromir. Legolas was looking out into the gloom, his keen eyes piercing through the swirling flakes.
She shivered. The ground beneath her was bitterly cold, and she was sure that, by the time they started off again, she would not be able to feel anything below her waist.
Silently, Legolas slipped down in between her and Boromir. Without a word, he took her into a huge embrace, passing his body heat onto her. Being an Elf, he did not feel the cold, unlike the others, and was having no trouble with the snow. He could feel Amy shivering, and held her tighter.
She nestled up into him, seeking every bit of warmth she could. He was using his body as a kind of shield against the snow for her, and she was exceedingly grateful.
"I think I'm going to have a cold later," she whispered. The noise of the ever-increasing snowstorm made her voice much quieter, but Legolas' keen hearing picked up the sounds clearly. He laughed softly.
"I'm sure you'll be fine. Now, stop wasting your energy by talking, and preserve it for warmth."
She nodded against his chest, and wrapped her arms right round him. He held her there, and did so until they moved off again.
****
//Oh crap.//
Simple words. It was all she could think of as she watched helplessly as Gandalf battled with the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-dûm. She slipped her hand into Legolas', who stood next to her, and he squeezed it reassuringly. She cried out as the Balrog fell, catching Gandalf about the ankles with his whip. As the wizard clung desperately to the edge, the Hobbits tried to run to help, but were held back.
"Fly you fools!"
And he was gone.
Her feet were frozen to the ground. She couldn't move or speak. She saw the Orcs on the other side of the vast abyss, still firing arrows at them. Still, she could not move.
Legolas grabbed her round the waist, easily lifted her into his arms and ran out, followed closely by Boromir.
The sun was blinding, and Amy used her hand to shield her eyes. Legolas set her gently on the ground, but she refused to let go of him. The grief built up inside her, and as she looked at the Elf beside her, the first tears fell.
Legolas held her close as soon as the first tear trickled out of her eye. He himself was finding it incredibly difficult not to cry, but he had not encountered death like this before. He did not know how to grieve properly.
She sobbed silently onto his shoulder, gripping the back of his tunic. Gandalf had become one of her closest friends during her stay in Rivendell, and had given her much advice about the upcoming journey. To lose him was a harsh blow.
As they carried slowly on, heading towards Lothlórien, Amy was silent. She was right at the very back of the group with Frodo and Sam. All three were injured, and their wounds were causing them pain. Frodo had the bruising on his chest, Sam a cut to the forehead, and Amy had twisted her ankle. All three kept quiet about it, as they wanted nothing more than to just get to somewhere where they could rest peacefully.
Legolas was running up ahead, scouting out the area. He stopped and looked back. He saw how much she and the Hobbits were lagging behind, and called to Aragorn to stop. He ran back to them with the Ranger at his side.
"Come on Amy," he encouraged. "We're almost there."
"I can't walk anymore," she whispered, hissing as she set weight on her swollen ankle.
He frowned and bent down to examine it. He scowled at her. "Never keep quiet about an injury," he whispered. "I'll carry you, come on." He picked her up and took her up to the front. She leant her head against his shoulder, and dozed, the smell of the surrounding trees and Legolas' woodland scent helping to ease her grief.
****
Once they were in Lothlórien, and had been settled in for a couple of days, Legolas went to find Amy. She had been given a separate encampment to the others, for privacy.
She was brushing her hair as he entered, and did not notice him. He smiled. She looked better, even from this angle. She walked over to a table to place the brush down, and he saw how easily she was able to walk on her foot.
"Feeling better melonin?" he asked softly.
She jumped at his silent arrival. "Legolas, there you are! I was wondering when you would come and see me."
He grinned and gave her a hug. "I thought I would wait until I knew you were recovered. Do you like Lothlórien?"
"I love it. It's so beautiful." She flopped down onto her bed. "But it always makes me feel so tired."
He laughed and sat beside her. "You'll soon get used to it."
"How long are we staying here?" she asked without sitting up.
"Don't know. As long as possible I hope."
"Same here." She sighed and sat up. "I've missed you."
"It's only been two days."
"Yeah, well it might not seem like a long time to you, but it does to me." She leant against him, and he slipped his arm round her shoulders. She smiled and nestled further into the crook of his arm.
He pulled her into his lap, and began fiddling with strands of her hair. He eventually separated three sections off, and started plaiting it, just a small one. He tied it in a gentle knot, and started on another.
She grinned. She loved it when he did this. He was always so gentle and careful not to hurt her by pulling too hard. She could let him do this for hours.
When he had done about eight, all spaced out evenly, he stopped. "There you go."
She leapt up to look in the mirror. "Cool. I love them." She shook her head, and they slapped gently against her cheeks. He laughed. "Suits you."
"You think?"
"Yes, else I wouldn't be saying it, would I?"
She grinned and scurried back to the bed. She planted a soft kiss upon his cheek, and went back to admiring her reflection.
He gingerly touched the area she had just brushed with her lips. A slight tingling remained, and he liked it. He wanted her to do it again…
No, he mustn't think these thoughts. She was a mortal, nothing more. He must not let go of his heart to her.
But it was getting more and more difficult to resist. He did have a great feeling of love towards her, but it was only friendship love, noting more. Or so he thought…
He stood and walked over her, wrapping his arms round her waist. He smiled fondly at her over her shoulder in the mirror. She smiled back.
"Hannon lle," she whispered.
"Your Elvish is improving," he commended. "What else can you say?"
"Amin mela lle."
He raised an eyebrow, but his gaze never left hers. Who had taught her to say that?
"I love you?"
"Yeah. And hollen am."
"Shut up?"
"Yep. Just the basics you understand."
He laughed, and held her just a tiny bit tighter. "Of course." For a few moments, they just gazed at each other in the mirror, trying to figure out their feelings.
"Amy…" he whispered, turning her in his embrace.
She looked up at him, eyes wide with anticipation. "Yes?"
He bent down, and placed a delicate kiss upon her lips.
She was a little shocked, to put it simply. But he tasted so sweet against her lips, his mouth like velvet against hers. She leant into it, eagerly accepting more. How long had she wanted this for?
His grip on her tightened, and her arms slid round his neck. The kiss deepened, their tongues meeting in a ferocious duel. She smiled inwardly. She was finally getting what she had been dreaming about since they left Rivendell.
Legolas was shocked at himself, but he refused to stop now. When had these deeper feelings towards Amy come about? For how long had he wanted to hold her in his arms this way, kiss her like this? It can't have been for long, but it felt like years.
They parted, gazing into each other's eyes. "Legolas…"
"Shh," he replied, placing a finger against her lips. "No words, we do not need them."
"I was just going to ask where that came from."
"From my heart, where else?"
"You mean…"
"Aye, I love you." He brought her in for another kiss before she had chance to answer. Even if she did not love him in return, and he had ruined their friendship, he had at long last revealed his true feelings. Only a few times before in his life had he ever been this open with his love towards another, and it felt right.
She pulled away, and brushed her hand over his cheek. "I love you too."
He smiled and pressed their foreheads together. "I only wish I had realised it sooner."
"Why?"
"Then I could have kissed you more than just twice."
She laughed. "We had better make it thrice then."
****
No one knew of their relationship. They kept it from everyone, including the Fellowship. It was not exactly the right time to tell them that they were together, so soon after losing Gandalf.
They would meet in secret, making sure they were always alone together. Over the days, their relationship deepened, their love for each other ever growing.
One day, they were taking a walk together through the woods. They came to a pool, filled with lilies and various other aquatic plants. They sat down on the edge, and talked for a while. Eventually, Amy asked the question she had been aching to ask for a long time.
"Legolas."
"Hmm?" He was playing with her hair as she was sat in his lap.
"Where did you get the necklace from? You never told me." She was holding it in her palm, looking at it. The sapphire sparkled at her in the sunlight.
He was silent for a while. She shifted round to face him. "I was just wondering, because it is so beautiful, and…"
"It was my mother's."
"Lanthir's!"
"Yes."
"But…surely I am not worthy of your mothers' necklace!"
He kissed her. "You are worthy of anything melamin, never forget that," he told her sternly.
She blushed, but grinned all the same. "Don't you want it back?"
"No, it is yours now. it was her who told me to give it to you in the first place. I went down to her, asking her what necklace I could give you, and she told me to give you hers."
"Oh, ok. Fair enough." She kissed him back, and they sat in silence again for a while.
A month soon passed, and then they were on their way again, down the River Anduin. As they were receiving their gifts from Lady Galadriel, she spoke to each of them.
{I know of yours and Legolas' love}
Amy blushed under her intense gaze. But she nodded slightly.
{You are made for each other. Look after him, for he will need you before long.}
Amy gave the Queen a puzzled look, but she had moved onto the Hobbits. She looked at Legolas who stood beside her, gleefully examining his bow. She had been gifted twin daggers, gilded in white pearl, inscribed in gold Elvish. They were steel, and had vines adorning each blade. They hung at her waist, and she feared she would need them sooner than she thought.
Legolas looked back and winked.
"She knows," Amy whispered.
"I know. I have known all along."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't necessary. Do not worry, she will keep it secret."
She snorted, but kept quiet.
Their journey down the River was mostly uninterrupted, except at the rapids. Amy sat in Legolas and Gimli's boat, but let Legolas do all the rowing. She knew she would most probably sink the boat.
They camped at Amon Hen, and Frodo went off alone to decide what path to take. The others waited patiently for him, but when Boromir was noticed missing, they followed.
Amy stayed as close to Legolas as she could, knives drawn. The sound of battle was soon heard. She gulped, remembering her first experience of fighting in Moria. She had hoped she would never re-live that, but it seemed she was about to.
"Return to camp," Legolas told her as Gimli ran off up the hill.
"No, I am staying with you," she replied defiantly, tucking the necklace inside her tunic to keep it safe.
"I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll be fine, come on!" She started to run up the hill, and he followed, notching an arrow as he went.
The Uruk-Hai were huge, Amy discovered as she crested the hill. Much larger than your average Orc.
//Crap, here we go again…//
She fought carefully, neatly dodging any wildly swung swords and flying arrows. It took her a while to kill one Uruk, but she soon got the hang of it.
Suddenly, the sound of a horn rang out through the woods. Boromir needed aid.
"To Boromir!" Gimli called.
Amy was the nearest to the edge of the trees, and so ran, heading in the direction the sound was coming from. She met many enemies upon her way, but cut them down swiftly. She was surprised that she did not trip or fall.
She could hear Hobbit cries. Pippin's voice was very distinguishable, and she could quite clearly him shouting for help. She picked up her speed.
She raced into a clearing just in time to see Boromir collapse to his knees, one arrow in his chest. She cried out, then her gaze fell upon Merry and Pippin, stones falling from their tiny hands.
"Run!" she screamed at them. "Run!"
They looked at her, then back at Boromir. He struggled to his feet, and carried on killing the Uruk-Hai that were rapidly growing in number. They unsheathed their small swords and ran, yelling at the Uruk-Hai. She ran after them, cutting down any opponents.
The Hobbits were easily lifted up and taken away. More came for Amy, but she filled with an indescribable anger now. She would not let them take away Merry and Pippin!
She fought desperately, trying to reach them, but to no avail. Boromir was shot again, but still, he carried on. She saw the largest Uruk holding the black bow, getting ready for a third aim. She screamed and chucked a knife at him.
It embedded itself deep in his chest, but he just growled and turned his bow to her.
//Oops.//
She ducked just in time to miss being shot through the heart, and ran to Boromirs' side. She lifted his sword, and held it up in front of her. She had been practising with both his and Aragorns' in Lothlórien, and had just about adjusted to the weight. Her other knife hung limply in her left hand.
Lurtz grinned maliciously at her stubbornness. This human girl would be easy to get rid off.
He chucked his bow on the ground, and picked up a discarded sword. He ran towards her. She held the sword out in front, and swiftly threw the knife at the charging beast. It him in the chest again, but he did not falter.
She swerved as he aimed his sword at her, and blocked the next. She wielded Boromirs' sword with both hands, finding it much easier. He cut her down the arm, and disgustingly licked the blade clean of her blood. That nearly made her throw up. Her hesitation, he used to his advantage, and aimed again, this time at her heart. She managed to block it, and brought the sword down hard.
But he moved, and pushed her against a tree. She hit her head, and the world span. The sword fell from her hands, and she struggled under his vice-like grip.
His hand clenched around her throat, and he leant closer. He sniffed her, leering all the while.
"You smell so clean," he hissed, scratching his nail down her cheek, leaving a red line. "And you fight well. You would make an excellent ally."
"Get your…hands…off of….me," she choked, his grip cutting off her air supply. The trees started blurring.
//Legolas…//
"Hey," said a voice suddenly.
Lurtz turned around, still holding Amy against the trunk.
Legolas grinned, Aragorn and Gimli beside him. His bow was loaded and aimed straight at the Uruk leader.
"If you want her," he continued. "You'll have to get through me first." He fired, and the arrow went straight through Lurtzs' heart, killing him instantly.
Amy collapsed to the ground, holding her throat. Legolas ran to her side, the others to Boromir. He sat her up and kissed her cheek. "Its ok," he assured her. "You're all right now. Deep breaths Amy, nice and slowly now." He rubbed her back, supporting her as her strength had all but drained away.
She leant back against him, taking long deep breaths as he instructed. She had never been strangled before, and found it was a rather harrowing experience. She did not like it.
"Melamin," she gasped.
"I'm here." He held her tighter.
"They took Merry and Pippin. We must go after them!"
"Ok, ok, calm down, you'll only make yourself worse by panicking. Slow down." His melodious voice calmed her, and she slowly relaxed in his embrace.
"Boromir…" she whispered.
He picked her up and carried her over to their fallen comrade. She knelt beside him and stroked his cheek.
"Thank you…Amy," he stuttered, his life draining.
She smiled warmly, and placed a chaste kiss upon his brow. "Here's your sword," she whispered, placing it in his hands. He smiled, and sighed deeply.
She left Aragorn with him for the last few moments. Legolas held her tightly against him, his tunic soaking up her tears.
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Good chapter? I hope so! ^_^
Next chapter will be here when I get a reasonable amount of reviews. Ok? Good… ^_^
~Lainfaer~