Disclaimer: The list of things I own is getting bigger, but unfortunately, Lord of the Rings, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas are not on there. Gutted. But Eveaniea is, so if you really desperately want her, then......well, give me an email. Anyways, Thank you so much Serenola Greenleaf for reading through this story for me and picking out the mistakes for me! *hugs*
Oh, and if anyone would like to be a beta for this story, please say, because I have a tendency to.....miss slight things. I could re-read a thousand times and still not get something.
And this chapter is slightly longer. About 8 pages this time, I am doubling!!!! I just couldn't resist putting the last bit in here, XD.
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Reviewers:
lolly pop3: Woot! Here you go!
Cayin-Moonchild- Thanks!
Boromir: Hehe! Thanking you for the review
Sweet-Legolas- Hehe this is longer, well........hopefully enough for you :p
Elerrina Rose- Hehe, you should watch out for Gimli and Legolas fighting over a girl then, LOL.
Night Ryder- Both of them are updated. And yeah, sorry, no-one seems interested in ItD...... Im writing 3 or 4 fics at the same time now, and it's a lot of work :S
legolasluver1437: Updated, guilty as charged :P
Serenola- looooooong review, thanks for the time, and the resources u pointed me to :)
KT- thanks
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Eveaniea frowned when she looked up from her soup to see both Aragorn and Gimli watching her curiously as they ate their own breakfast. She didn't like being watched, least of all by a man and a Dwarf, and she nervously looked away, engrossing herself in her food. Although she was starving, she ate slowly, taking, dainty sips of soup. Legolas was watching her, smiling as he slowly ate his own breakfast.
~"If you want another bowl, I suggest you finish that one fast,"~ he smiled, ~"I see that Gimli is already on his third, and Aragorn on his second,"~ she looked down at her nearly full bowl.
~"I think this will be enough,"~ she said, ~"But thank you anyway,"~ She looked over to the man and Dwarf again, but the two of them were too busy eating to look at her now. She looked up uncertainly as Legolas got up, and went over to the two of them, and watched him talk to them for a moment, before he came back. Upon sitting down, he put a thick piece of bread on her knee.
She looked at him, surprised, and opened her mouth to say something, but he spoke first.
~"You look hungry,"~ he said, frowning slightly, ~"Eat that as well, if you will not have more soup, it will not do for you to be hungry all day, we will not stop for awhile,"~ he added gently. She nodded, picking at the bread, eating it slowly as well.
~"Thank you,"~ she said gratefully, ~"I owe you a lot,"~
~"You owe me nothing,"~ he replied, ~"but I would like it if you would at least meet my friends, I will promise you that they will do no harm to you,"~ She looked at him, unsure whether she could force herself to do it or not.
~"You do not have to, I will not force you to, but it will make travelling easier on you,"~ he said, and she nodded understandingly.
~"You have been true to your word , and have not done anything to make me think I shouldn't trust you, so I will talk to your friends,"~ she said, despite her fear of the man. Quickly devouring the rest of the bread as he went to the other two of the group, she started on the soup, finally fulfilling her hunger. She watched him talk to the other two, picking up their conversation from where she was sitting. She smiled as she thought of the Male elf. He had been so kind to her from the second he had sat by her, and every time he had done something she did not like, he would apologize. She had never been around a male who would request her permission before laying a hand on her, but at this time, she appreciated it immensely. And last night when he had hugged her, she could tell that if, at any moment she wanted to draw away, he would have let her. It made her feel incredibly safe in his presence, and she was growing to like him. He was one of the best friends she had ever had without a doubt, and she couldn't help but think that he would make the perfect husband. She sighed as she thought about this, an odd smile crossed her face. It was then that Legolas came over to her, and she quickly put her empty bowl down. A small look of concern came over his face as he saw the food had disappeared so quickly, but he said nothing on the subject.
"You are ready to come over?" he asked instead, and she nodded a little, taking his hand, and he pulled her up. She knew he could sense her reluctancy to meet the Human and the Dwarf, and he slid an arm around her waist. Eveaniea looked up at him, puzzled over his antics, but she said nothing. If anything, the hold made her feel protected, and at the moment, she appreciated it immensely.
"You will be okay," he said reassuringly, "Aragorn is the King of men. It is unlikely he will do anything to you. ~He has a wife for that,"~ Eveaniea looked at him in shock, but saw an amused look on his face. Upon reaching the fire, she felt Legolas' arm move from her side, and she sat down, unable to keep herself from trembling slightly as they looked her over.
"Aragorn, Gimli, this is Eveaniea," Legolas said to the pair, and she felt a little more at ease. He was sitting right beside her. She flinched when she felt Aragorn take her hand, and she scrambled away from him, into Legolas' lap, where the Elf secured his arms around her. The human pressed forward, and took her hand, gently, and place a kiss upon it.
"It is nice to meet you, finally, Eveaniea," he smiled kindly, and she blushed a little, feeling herself relax instantly. Gimli moved over as well.
"Ah, so you're the pretty little she-elf that Legolas has taken quite a liking to," he said cheerfully, "You should consider yourself lucky, he doesn't often have a lot to do with the females,"
She couldn't help but blush more, and she half hid her head in the Elf's shoulder, but she realised it was impossible to be scared of the Dwarf.
"You don't need to have any fear of Gimli," Legolas retorted, saying just loud enough for his companion to hear him, "He is completely harmless," She couldn't help but laugh as she heard Gimli splutter at these words, and also heard Aragorn chuckle softly.
"I am sure he is harmless," she smiled, looking up at Legolas, "but at least he isn't my seat,"
"But I would gladly take that offer," Gimli smiled, "Ye'r a pretty one, you got lucky this time crazy elf,"
"Trust you two to fight over a girl," Aragorn teased, "Gimli, I thought you liked Lady Galadriel," he raised an eyebrow. She could have sworn his cheeks turned pink at this, but she could have been mistaken. A Dwarf! Liking an Elf- especially the lady of the Golden Forest. She had never heard of it before, and it both astonished and amused her immensely. Legolas certainly did keep an odd company of friends around him, but they seemed a good combination, even though they were an Elf, a Dwarf, and a Man. She was, nonetheless shocked at the way they were talking about her so openly. Not only did it make her embarrassed, but it was almost offending. Never had she heard such a thing- yet it almost made her feel at ease.
~"Do not worry about what they say,"~ She heard Legolas whisper quietly in her ear, and she shivered slightly, ~"They are just trying to be friendly,"~ She smiled up at him.
~"I do not take any offence,"~ She said, ~"It is quite amusing,"~ He smiled back at her, and Gimli coughed, a little too loud, and definitely on purpose, drawing the attention of the two Elves back to them. Aragorn gave him a warning look, but said nothing of the subject. Instead he brought up their travel plans.
"Eveaniea, we plan to travel to Rivendell, and stay there for a short time, and then travel to Gondor. While you are most welcome to come to either place, or stay put in Rivendell, it is your choice. Unless you came from another settlement?" he asked.
"No, I will come with you to Rivendell, and see if my mother and father are there," she said, "If they are not, then they will most probably have stayed in Gondor. They were going to marry me there, to some Elf who had taken up residence there, but now I am not sure," she said, "That is, if you do not mind. I do not wish to be a burden.
"You are no burden to us," Aragorn said, his eyes fixing cautiously on Legolas, "You are most welcome to travel with us, I would rather you be safe than with whoever it was that was not treating you with the respect you deserve," He smiled at her.
"Thank you," Eveaniea replied softly, "I do appreciate your help,"
"I think we should pack up the camp now," Legolas said, "the sooner we move on, the sooner we get to Rivendell, and you can search out your family," he let go of her reluctantly, and she got up, brushing her torn dress down.
"I will get you some clothes to wear," he smiled, "Ones that will make it easier to travel in,"
Not knowing what to say, she followed him, and he handed her the clothes, ~"You may find somewhere in the surrounding bushes to change, but do not stray too far, stay close enough so I can hear you if we have any trouble, I would not want you to be harmed,"~
~"Thank you,"~ she nodded, and disappeared, leaving Legolas to pack.
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Meanwhile Aragorn was discreetly watching his friend, not wanting the elf to realise. He frowned slightly, thinking about what Gimli had said to him earlier. The Dwarf had been right. The way the two Elves had been acting, he thought that Legolas may want to stay in Rivendell with Eveaniea, if she found her kin there. He did not want to be sad at the thought, he knew Legolas had every right to be happy, and that he should have settled down a long time ago with a female elf, yet he would lose his friend and companion once more. He mentally cursed his jealousy, and forced himself to think straight. It was not fair to ask Legolas to leave her just to travel with him, he had no right, and it might just be him imagining things. It was then that he saw the male elf approach him and Gimli, who was near him.
"I would appreciate, Master Dwarf, that you would not vocally express to Eveaniea that I have feelings other than friendship for her, even if it is true," he said, almost coldly, his tone shocking both himself and Gimli, "I can do that for myself," and he turned and left, leaving the pair of them awestruck. Neither of them had ever head Legolas sound so angry with them, even at Helm's Deep, and they looked at each other, confused. Normally he would laugh something like that off, if anything.
"I really do think that Legolas likes her Gimli," Aragorn said softly, "Just leave him be for the moment, he will settle down again,"
Gimli frowned slightly, but did not stop packing his things, and he rolled up his bed tightly, binding it to stay on his back.
"Elves," he heard the Dwarf curse under his breath.
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Eveaniea quickly slipped the shirt over her dress, then slid the ripped fabric over her arms beneath it, and slid it down. She did the same with the breeches, pulling them up under her dress, sliding the well-used dress off, and kicking it into the bushes. She then smoothed down the shirt, and tucked it in, before sliding a tunic over the top, and cinching it around her waist with a thick silver cord. She lightly pulled her hair back, and looked at the clothes she was wearing. They must have been expensive, she thought, and they were a little too big for her, but they were much better than her dress, and she was thankful. She headed back to the camp, only to hear Legolas say something angrily, but she was too far away to hear what it was. She flinched, but when she approached him, he looked calm, and friendly as he ever did when she saw him. When he saw her, he approached her, looking at what she was wearing.
"You look much better," he smiled, carefully fixing what she was wearing, pulling the tunic down slightly, and tying it round her waist more securely. She sat still, and to her relief, she was able to stop herself from pulling away from him. "Would you like me to fix your hair a little to keep it from your face?" He asked
"That would be good," she laughed, and he went behind her, taking a few strands of her hair, braiding it, and fastening it behind her ear. He went to her other side, and did the same, and then stood back a little.
"Thank you," she smiled, "I was never good at braiding my own hair,"
"Your welcome," he laughed, "Either that or I could get Gimli to do it for you,"
"I would much rather you do it," she retorted, and helped him pack, by collecting up the blankets from the bed she had slept in the night before, folding them up, and passing them to him. Then she rolled the bed up, and bound it as he collected the last of his items.
"Can you use a weapon?" he asked, holding out a bow to her. She looked alarmed, and shook her head, taking it from him, and looking it over.
"Of course not!" she exclaimed, "I would probably kill you with that," he smiled a little.
"Then when we stop tonight, I will teach you to use it," he said, "I have a spare one, it comes in useful sometimes,"
"That might be fun," she admitted, looking at the bow wearily, as Aragorn and Gimli approached them, "Are we leaving now?" She asked.
"It seems so," Legolas replied.
"Let us be off," Aragorn said, having extinguished all signs of a camp, "We will have to find somewhere to stay tonight,"
With that, the little group took off, readying themselves for a full day of travelling on foot.
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Legolas walked a little away from Gimli and Aragorn, staying close to Eveaniea, but not close enough for his liking. He frowned at the Dwarf in front of him, sure he was a good friend at the best of times, but at the worst, the Dwarf could be more lucid than he would have liked. He sighed, and looked the female Elf over, before he caught himself. 'Stop it', he thought to himself, 'she will barely let me touch her, there is no way she would possibly want to be more than friends'. He frowned inwardly, that last thought had hurt him more than he wanted to think about. Shaking his head, he looked over at the Elven female, who was staring at him, a concerned look on her face.
~"Legolas, are you okay?"~ she asked softly, in a worried tone, causing him to touch back down to earth.
~"I am sorry, I was just thinking,"~ he said gently, forcing a smile on his somewhat blank face.
~"I heard you before, you sounded angry at something. Was it something I did?,"~ She whispered, looking slightly scared, and shy. He was blank for a moment, thinking when she might have heard him yell, and he saw her tense a little when he didn't say anything. Then he remembered when he had told Gimli about......her. He gasped slightly in realisation.
~ "Nay, it was not about you,"~ he lied, ~"We were merely talking about a battle we were at in Helm's Deep,"~. He saw the relieved look on her face, and felt guilty. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up. Eveaniea wasn't like the other females he had met, although she now felt more at ease around Aragorn and Gimli, he was the sole person she truly trusted- he could not distance himself from her, it would not be fair. He knew what she had gone through at the hands of the men, and he was surprised she had survived for so long. Even though she was now safe, she would have to live with it for the rest of her life, which he imagined would be horrible.
~"I shouldn't have pried,"~ she apologised, ~"it is not my business,"~
~"You are my friend,"~ Legolas assured her, ~"I do not mind,"~ He could have sworn he had paused at the word friend, and he mentally kicked himself for it. He was thankful for the ability to keep a straight face in such a moment, and he decided to check himself more carefully next time.
He saw her nod in reply, and he smiled. At least she was talking to him, he would have hated it if she flat out ignored him, or extremely disliked him. With that last thought, he felt his mind ease slightly, and he felt a little better.
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Eveaniea watched Legolas intently. For the whole time they had been travelling, he had barely uttered a word to either her or the Human and the Dwarf, which she found odd. He had a look of deep concentration set upon his face once more, and it was then she knew for sure there was something weighing heavy on his mind. She knew he had repeatedly told her that she was no trouble, but even so, she still felt out of place, and it made her sad. She liked Legolas a lot, he had been so kind and tolerant to her, and she wondered absently for a moment if he had family.
~"Legolas?" she asked hesitantly, not wishing to bother him, yet he focussed his attention on her, as if he was doing nothing important.
~"You are alright?"~ he asked softly.
~"I'm fine,"~ she said, ~"I just wanted to ask, you sound like you travel a lot. Do you not miss your family?"~ She looked at the ground, wondering whether she should ask if he had a wife or not. 'Of course he does,' she cursed herself, 'he is by far the most handsome elf I have seen, he must have at least a wife,'
~"Of course I miss my father,"~ he replied, ~"But he does not always have a lot of free time, so I am able to keep myself busy, and not feel too guilty,"~
~"Don't you have a wife? You must, and a child or two,"~ she said, astounded. He shook his head, smiling in amusement.
~"No, I have not yet taken a wife,"~ he said, his eyes sparkling, ~"You must have heard what Master Gimli said about me not keeping good company with females,"~
~"But...."~ she stuttered, almost speechless, ~"How can you not keep good company with females, you are one of the kindest, gentlest male elves I have met, anyone female elf would be honoured to have a mate with such qualities,"~ she studied his face intently, unable to read it, but she noticed he blushed slightly at her comment.
~"I am not lying to you,"~ he said steadily, ~"But I thank you for the compliment, you are quite beautiful yourself, I would think the same of you,"~ this time he definitely blushed, and she ducked her head, slightly embarrassed.
~"No-one will ever want me,"~ she sighed sadly, unable to look at him, ~"Not after what the men did to me,"~
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~"No-one will ever want me, not after what the men did to me"~
He heard her say these words, sadly, and she sighed. She had not looked up at him as she said this, but had she dared to, she would have seen his eyes, and it would have given him away.
'But I do,' he thought to himself sadly, 'I would not care what had happened,'
~"You are wrong there,"~ he said instead, ~"I can think of at least five elves I know who would love you more than anything, regardless of what had happened to you, and still feel lucky,"~
He felt worse as he said that, but the look on her face was worth it.
~"Really?"~ she asked, her spirits lifting a little at this, but then she looked doubtful.
~"Like who?"~ she asked cautiously. Legolas paused for a moment, and she frowned a little.
~"..................Like me,"~ he said hesitantly, and looked at the floor of the forest, not daring to look up at Eveaniea, nor to see her reaction.
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The female elf's eyes widened as he said this, and she looked at him in disbelief. He couldn't mean it, 'he must be lying' she thought. Yet he refused to look at her, and looked somewhat ashamed of himself, surely he would not react in such a manner if he was lying. She didn't know what to think, or to say to him.
~"Forgive me,"~ he said softly, unsure of himself, ~"I hope that I have not ruined our friendship,"~
She frowned as she noticed he moved a little further away from her, still not looking her in the eye. She contemplated the situation momentarily, before she shyly walked in front of him, halting his movements, and tilting his head up, so he could not avoid her gaze.
~"Did you really mean what you said?"~ she asked quietly, not wanting to believe it.
~"Of course I do,"~ he replied, his gaze softening, and she quickly checked where Aragorn and Gimli were.
~"You deserve someone much better,"~ she murmured in a soft voice.
~"No I don't,"~ he slid his arms around her waist, and kissed her gently, cautiously at first, as not to frighten her. Eveaniea's eyes widened, but she relaxed immediately in his hold .When they broke apart a few seconds later, he held her against him for a moment, and she clung to him tightly.
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And no, the story hasn't finished yet, k guys, XD
Hope you liked. R/R please
~RTT