Disclaimer: Blab Blab Blab! I own nothing!
********Chapter 15*********
Legolas's eyes went wide. "Eressa?"
The girl nodded slowly, still unsure if she should fear this stranger or not. "Yes…"
Legolas smiled widely. The irony in this situation was not exactly funny, but it made him want to laugh. Eressa…Eredor's sister! No wonder she looked familiar!
Eressa stared at the elf. He was acting so strangely. "Who are you?" She asked quietly.
Legolas was startled by the question, but he took a breath and contained himself. "My name is Legolas." He said coolly. "And I am a friend of your brother's."
At the mention of her brother Eressa's mouth opened and soon she too began to grin. "My brother's friend? Eredor? I had no idea he had one!" She said the last statement a bit loud, and Legolas put a finger to his lips.
"Hush," He whispered. "I suspect the guards will take you away if they find that small detail out."
"Why would they do that?" Eressa asked.
"I don't know, but you don't want to be taken to someone else's cell, do you?" Legolas replied. "Someone who would be more interested in you than I am?"
Several emotions flashed across Eressa's face as she thought about what Legolas had suggested. "I have no doubt that I much prefer being with you."
"Good." Legolas said. "Because I think Eredor will be relieved when he finds out you were given to me instead of somebody else."
"He doesn't know." Eressa told the elf quietly. "About this. It's my first time."
Legolas narrowed his eyes. "They didn't even come to him to tell him what they planned on doing to you?"
Eressa made a face and shook her head, making her hair bounce. "Of course not. We're slaves. Our masters do what they want with us. They don't need our permission."
As she explained to him, Legolas noticed that when Eressa spoke of her masters her voice held no remorse. Eredor was often the same way. It puzzled him.
"Why do you not speak of your masters bitterly, Eressa?" Legolas asked.
Eressa's expression changed to one of surprise. "Why I have no reason too!"
"Until now." Legolas said, gazing at her with a knowing smile.
Eressa blushed again, though not as terribly as last time. "I'm seventeen…almost eighteen. I'm now old enough to please a man, they said. Besides, they needed someone for you, and I receive more privileges for it."
"So you have not a single grudge against the people who own your body and soul?" Legolas questioned, searching her eyes for answers.
Eressa shrugged her small shoulders. "It's always been this way. My brother and I were born into slavery. It's what we're used to."
Legolas nodded, his eyes shifting from the girl by his side to the walls of his cell. He was silent for a while, and Eressa observed him. He was tall, she could tell that just by looking at him sitting next to her. She guessed his long hair was blonde, but it was covered in soot and dust and dirt, making it look a few shades darker. His face was also dirty, and she could see now that he had a few scratches on it, probably received in the arena. Eressa's eyes strayed downward from his face to his body. Once again, she blushed when her eyes came to rest on his exposed chest. She had never seen a shirtless man…well elf, before. But her embarrassment turned to concern when she saw the multiple slashes scarring his perfect body.
"You're hurt!" She cried suddenly, and the elf turned and looked at her. Crystalline blue eyes met deep emerald green ones. For a second Eressa was mesmerized. She had no idea a person's eyes could be that piercing. It was almost like he was looking right through her, into her very soul.
Legolas looked down on himself and realized that she had been looking at him. "Ah…yes." He said shyly. "But these wounds are shallow. They will heal in time."
But as if to prove him wrong, Legolas's injured back began to throb again, and he visibly winced. Before Eressa could say anything about her being right, he turned to her.
"But for now they feel as if they will only get worse," He jested slightly, offering Eressa a painfilled smile.
"They will do just that, if you don't take care of them." She said. Her mother had been a nurse, and before she and Eredor were sold, she had taught Eressa all she had know about healing.
"I have been." Argued Legolas. "I've been using this." He held his blanket around him with one hand while reaching to the side of the bed with the other. Eressa saw him pick up a small vial of liquid. Legolas opened it, and she immediately smelled the contents of the inside.
"It's Athelas." Legolas explained. "Kingsfoil in human words. Angarod gave it to me."
"He doesn't want you to fall ill." Eressa replied.
"Elves are immune to sickness." Legolas said.
"But surely you can catch infection from a filthy wound, can't you?" Eressa asked.
Legolas nodded his head in defeat. "Yes, I suppose."
"Then why aren't you using it?"
"But I have been." Legolas repeated.
"Then you should not still be in pain." Eressa said. Legolas had to admit, the girl knew something about healing.
"Are you a nurse?" He asked.
Eressa grinned and shook her head. "My mother was. She taught me much. Now let me help you."
Legolas smiled gratefully at her. "I've put the potion on every wound, save the ones on my back." He added with a hint of embarrassment: "I cannot reach there."
Eressa suddenly realized what she had gotten herself into. "Oh." She stammered. "Do…do you want me to help you?"
"Only if you're comfortable with it." Legolas replied graciously.
Eressa smiled and tried to look confident. "I think I can survive."
"Very well." Legolas said, handing her the vial and turning his back towards her. He held the blanket around him one last moment, but then let it drop, exposing his marred back.
Eressa struggled to not gasp. The elf's back was absolutely covered with red slash marks. It was hard to find a place where the skin had not been scarred or torn away. Not only that, but she was blushing as well, and she imagined what a beautiful creature this elf must have been before he was captured.
She was about to pour some of the Athelas mixture when she remembered something.
"Do you have a clean cloth? It would be better than using my hands." she said, blushing even more so as she said it.
Legolas smiled a bit. He could sense the girl's embarrassment. He had been quick to hide his when he turned away. "I don't think so. The only thing I have is the blanket."
He took his first reward into his hands and gave it to Eressa. In doing so he had to turn and expose most of his chest to her. He watched with an understanding smile as she turned redder than the leaves in autumn and quickly snatched the blanket from his hands, allowing him to turn back around. He had been a young and inexperienced youth not too long ago too, and he partially understood her embarrassment.
Eressa poured a small amount of the Athelas mixture onto the cloth, and then used the cloth to softly bath Legolas's back. He winced as it came in contact with his back, and she apologized but soon the soothing affects of the drug began to work. Even Eressa found the aroma of the liquid calming.
"You know, I could make you a shirt if you wanted." She offered as she added more of the mixture to the cloth and Legolas's wounds.
"Could you?" Legolas asked. "That would be very kind."
"Yes, I could." Replied Eressa. "I'm a seamstress. I'm sure I could find you some extra fabric and sew you a shirt. I could bring it to you next time I come here."
"Next time?" Legolas asked, turned his head to look over his shoulder at her. "There's a next time?"
Eressa blinked. "Would you rather I not come?"
Legolas turned back and shook his head. "No. I simply thought that this would not become a regular occurrence."
"They told me that I would be coming here nearly every night if you wished." Eressa explained.
"I think I would like that very much." Legolas said. "I could use another friend."
"As could I." Eressa agreed. "There." She said, screwing the cap of the vial back on. "That should take care of the pain."
She handed Legolas back the blanket, which he promptly wrapped around himself. "Thank you." He said graciously.
"Your welcome." Eressa replied, bowing her head.
For a short while, neither of them said anything. Then Eressa broke the silence with her curiosity.
"So…Legolas…where did you come from?" She asked in a timid voice, looking up at him shyly.
Legolas smiled sadly at the thought of his home, Mirkwood. He had only been away for two weeks, counting the hunting trip he and his party had taken. Yet his heart ached with a yearn to see those tall green trees again, swaying in the wind, whispering in his ear…
"Legolas?" Eressa asked again, snapping the elf out of his head. He cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly, a bit ashamed of his lack of attention for his guest.
"I come from a place your people call Mirkwood. It was known as Greenwood the Great throughout most of my life." He answered sadly.
"It must be terrible to have your freedom taken from you." Eressa stated. "Although I can not say that I know how you feel, as I have never truly known freedom."
She shifted her eyes towards the small barred window above their heads. The sun had set, and the dim twilight was beginning to sparkle with stars. Ever since she was a little girl she had secretly wanted to get out and run endlessly under those stars. She wanted a taste of what she'd never had before. Eressa looked back at Legolas, her eyes eager.
"What's it like?" She asked quickly, smiling excitedly.
Legolas blinked. "What?"
"Freedom, of course!" Eressa answered.
Legolas smiled lightly. "It's wonderful. But no matter how hard I might try, and elves tend to be rather skilled with words, Eressa, I would never be able to truly describe freedom to you."
Eressa made a disappointed face and sighed. Her eyes dropped to the bed, and she said nothing more.
Suddenly, an idea shot through Legolas's mind. It was quick as lightening in a storm, but it was golden. He turned to the girl beside him.
"Eressa, do you have access to most of Curdolin's home?" He asked, causing her to look up sharply at the strange question.
"Most of it, but why?" She answered.
"Maybe…maybe if you, Eredor and I worked together, we would be able to get out of here." Legolas said.
Eressa widened her eyes, and drew in a nervous breath. "You…you mean escape?"
"That's exactly what I mean." Legolas got up from the bed and began pacing around the room, with an anxious Eressa watching his every move. He bounced slightly on the balls of his feet and turned towards her once more.
"How many slaves does Curdolin have?" He asked, though he knew not if Eressa had a clue.
Eressa was quite startled but the elf's sudden decision. All her life not once had she thought of escaping from her captors. She would not know what to do without them. Though they owned her, they were much like a guide in her life. She wanted to experience freedom, but, at the same time, was wary about it too.
"Eressa?" Legolas asked again, waiting her answer patiently.
"I'm not sure…maybe a hundred, counting the fighters?" She said, the statement more of a question. But it was what Legolas needed.
"If we could somehow band together and fight back…we could…" Legolas began, but Eressa cut him off.
"Legolas, I don't want to fight people!" She said rather loudly, but then hushed herself.
Legolas looked at her with an understanding smile. "I never asked you to fight. We'll leave that to the ones who do it professionally." He held his blanket to his chest and gestured to himself and the other fighters outside with his other hand. "It will be perfect. Curdolin will never expect it."
"You can't expect every slave under Curdolin's rule to want freedom." Eressa said quietly, to herself, but she didn't know that elves had exceptional hearing. Legolas turned to her.
"Why not?" Legolas asked.
"Some people are perfectly happy with the way they live." Eressa said urgently, as if Legolas would interrupt her at any second. "Like me."
A lie, she knew. She was content with the way she lived, but not happy. She knew that Legolas would probably say something to convince her of that, and part of her wanted him to.
Legolas moved alongside her again and sat next to her on the bed once more. "But you could be so much happier, Eressa. And think of your brother! How long until he dies in the ring?"
At that comment, Eressa paused and gasped. Long had she denied the fact that her brother could not stay the invincible fighter forever. He would be defeated someday. Deep in her heart she knew it.
Legolas knew it too. "He cannot last forever." He said sadly. "And neither can I."
Eressa looked up at him. "Yes you can." She said, a hint of anger in her voice. "Elves don't age. And your skills can't be matched."
Legolas looked into her eyes. "I can assure you, Lady Eressa, they can. Easier than you think."
"No." Eressa said simply, refusing to believe. She was afraid to.
"Yes." Legolas said firmly. "I can think of a plan. Trust me. I've been in dangerous situations before and have escaped. This will be no different."
Eressa lowered her eyebrows. "Such as?" She asked expectantly.
Legolas opened his mouth to answer but then thought better of it. "We don't have time to discuss it, Eressa."
In truth, Legolas really hadn't been in serious trouble since he was younger…the most recent time when Ithilion had dared him to walk out into the forest unarmed and find a spider hatchling and bring it back. Legolas had accepted the task, and he had found a spider hatchling—or rather a whole nest of them. Now infant spiders weren't at all big compared to they're parents—only the size of and adult elf's hand, but these were many, and spiders know how to spin a web at birth. The hatchlings had surrounded him, and the elf prince bounded in hopes of escape into a nearby tree, only to be entangled in the web of another spider's nest. In the end, Ithilion had gone looking for him after a while, and found his younger brother covered in webbing and hung upside-down in a tree waiting to be eaten.
The memory made Legolas want to smile, the remembrance of his late brother and the fun they had, even if it had gotten them in mortal danger. Legolas realized that if he slipped up this time, his older brother wouldn't be able to save him.
"I can do it Eressa." Legolas took a deep breath and then exhaled. "But I fear that I can't find my way out of here on my own. Will you help me, Eressa? You have access to things that I don't."
Eressa stared at the elf for a moment, looking into his clear blue eyes. She thought of her brother. And then she nodded in agreement. "What will you require for me to do?" She asked quietly.
Legolas furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "Right now all I need is time." He said.
Eressa nodded again and looked away towards the stone wall of the cell, when Legolas spoke again.
"But a shirt would be nice too." He said, blushing.
*********Personal thingy***********
AN: Thank you for all your funny and great comments girls! I was unsure of how people would react to the whole prostituting thing…well, it technically wouldn't be that would it? It would be more like…um…(rape)…if the girl wasn't willing, but anyway, changing the subject cuz I don't want my buddy Louis to get mad at me. She don't like (rape)-ish stuff. I'm glad that some people thought it funny! Thanks!
Nikki: I'd take him too! LOL. Yes, I can imagine that that must have been terrifying for Eressa, but I wanted her to appear strong and just nervous and try and conceal her fear so Legolas could perceive it and surprise her with his insight. Yeah, Legolas could never do that to a girl…you know…take her even if she didn't want to. The thought just appalls him, and so does the fact that she's barely begun to become a woman and had to be subject to this sort of nature. He is admirable…in more than one way! LOL! Thank you! *gives you cookie*
XxDarkgoddessxX: OMG! Thank you so much girl! It's a great compliment when someone tells an author that their work is original…yeah, I was thinking about doing a girl-falls-into-middle-earth thing before, but there are so many of those and this was better anyway. Thank you again!
Wow! You must have relatives from all over the world! How lucky are you? Hey, don't fuss around about being called a Mutt—my local nickname ever since second grade is Grasshopper. Not after the drink. The bug. My nickname is a bug! Ew! It's cuz my last name has certain similarities to the word 'grasshopper'. But I've learned to get used to it.
Hey, tell me if I said this right: "De donde esta mi gato?" (Where is my cat?)
"Mi gato esta en de pantelones de Elijah Wood!" (My cat is in Elijah Wood's pants!)
Just an inside joke between me and my friends. But I haven't seen them in a long time so I want to make sure my Spanish is right when I do see them again.
Here's some more: Orlando Bloom esta guapo. (Orlando Bloom is handsome) I haven't learned the word for 'sexy' yet, and I'm not gonna ask my teacher! I hope it's not bad grammer!
Yes, Elvish dictionary would be awesome! Too bad no one has a complete one.
*pulls on Will when you grab his legs*
Hey, wait! *drops Will* I have an idea! I get Will and Haldir now, and you get Jack and Legolas now, and later we'll rotate men, deal?
*sticks out hand, awaiting your shake that will or won't come in the next review*
TangoNova is really unpredictable…I loved it when Rowden first showed up and Legolas saved Robyn from his affections (but still not attentions) by saying that they were betrothed! That was really cool, totally never expected it! I didn't expect that Robyn would slap Legolas when he didn't let her fight the uruks either. I was like "No, she didn't just do that! She didn't just do that!" but it was great!
I get money from my grandparents and aunts and uncles too, but only for good grades, birthday, or holiday. They just don't hand it too me. But I got a lot of money for my birthday this year…125 bucks, which is more than I've had in a long time…cuz money burns a hole in my pocket as soon as I get it, but lately I haven't really needed nor wanted anything I see in stores…so I haven't spent it. Which is good, cuz then when The Two Towers 4-disk Extended Edition comes out in November, I'll have enough money to buy it! Plus lots of movie money!
I watched The Little Mermaid last night! I find it far-fetched (well, other than the mermaids I know) but with the main character being 16 (my age) and falling in love and marrying…it just doesn't happen. Well, normally.
I used to have a friend who lived within two blocks of me, but for some reason this year she started avoiding me and then not inviting me to her birthday party and then spreading rumors about me…so I stayed away from her. People told me that she was doing it cuz she felt jealous of me…I don't know why…but oh well. I make new friends, they just happen to live far, far away.
You are a single child? Fun. I have one eleven year old sister, who can be a bitch at times and a baby the next. She's a handful.
Pass the strawberry sounds like a fun *giggle* game. But at the parties we go to we'd never be able to do that! *pouts*
I already knew that Orlando was dating Kate Bosworth. I can't say I like it, but I can't say I hate the girl either. But still, when ever I see a picture of her (or worse, a picture of them together) I have a sudden urge to go strangle something. LOL. I'm trying to not care, cuz I'd have no chance with Orlando anyway no matter what I do, but it doesn't work. I just hope they'll never get married.
Where did you find that picture!?! I must see that thing! Seeing is believing!
Thanks for the funny comments! Next chapter coming soon! *gives you cookie*
Samwise the Strong: No, sorry, Leggy isn't a virgin, at least not in this story. Haldir? I love Haldir! He's my second fave elf! Things are fine. I just got back from a sleepover so I'm reeling but still awake at the moment. Johnny Depp has been in France for a while, actually. I think he's been living there ever since he had kids with that Vanessa Paradis chick. He's a hottie. Really bad for me to say that since he's more than twice my age (I'm 16) but I don't care. He's a frickin' sexy man. Dominic Monaghan…well, he's more on the cute side to me…but yeah, he's handsome. He's hilariously funny, that's what I like most about him. And he does great impressions of his costars in the LotR: TfotR Extended Edition. It's so great. Thank you! *gives you cookie*
breeNbloom: You don't like the slippery feeling? I liked it! Oh well, people gotta have their differences, or else we'd all be the same! Haha, ain't I a genious? Poor you. My school district (in Wisconsin, USA—hey, we aren't that far from each other!) doesn't start until Sept. 3, thank god. I don't want to go back to school. It sux. Good luck with your volleyball tryouts! I hope you make it! As for me, I just was not built for sports. I'm not fat or anything (actually I only weigh 125 lbs—I'm not lying) I just don't enjoy them. Last year my friend made me join Track and Field—oh. My. God. That was pure torture. I'll never do that again! Ever!
Thank you for your compliments! As you just read in this chapter, yes, Eressa is Eredor's sister. So we got the triangle effect going on here…whatever. *gives you cookie* Thanks again! ttyl, byes!
Chanra: Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to spell your new name wrong! *hits self* I'm so dumb. I'm sorry. I'm blonde! I'm sorry! C-H-A-N-R-A. I got it! I like how you pronounce it. It's cool! As for the thing about John…that's why people use nicknames like Johnny or Joe. Or in rare cases Jinglebells. (Inside joke between me and one of my guy friends, sorry. LOL.)
Yeah, I'm not sadistic in real life, thank goodness. I'd be scared of myself then! LOL.
OMG! My bird is the exact same kind! The wild-type-colored budgie or parakeet! His name is Pixie and I love him and he's the sweetest little thing! We taught him some tricks and words, but none as good as yours, and he's forgotten half of them anyway, cuz he's old for a bird, seven years to be exact. He's still in good health though. I just cleaned his cage today. Too much info, I know. Anyway…Don't worry about reviews being long! I like long ones!
Glad to make you snort! LOL. I thought that some people would think it was funny. I guess I was right for once! Thank you! *gives you cookie*
Andmetwen: yeah, he was a jerk. Your crush sounded like a jerk at first too, but after you yelled at him and you became friends then he sounds nicer. Fate is funny, ain't it? I just learned that my crush tried out for the third season of American Idol. AND HE FRICKIN' MADE IT. Which means that he might be on the tv show. Which means that I might get a chance to see Simon Cowell insult him on national television! *evil laugh* I love it! Don't get me wrong, my crush has got singing talent, but not enough to get him to win. This will be soo great.
As you read, yeh the girl is Eredor's sister. More chapters to come soon! Thank you! *gives you cookie*
HalandLeg4ever: Hi! Was your guess of who Eressa is right? Thanks for the compliment, the next chapter will be up soon! *gives you cookie*
Starknight: Hi Louis! Sorry with the cliff-hanger and all. But now you know all about who Eressa is. LOL. Did it surprise you? I hope. I want the element of surprise in my story.
It's ok about your friend. I'll keep a tab on him and review when he posts, kay?
Glad your vacation "wasn't too bad." I bet that Glacier Park is really pretty. I've seen pictures and it sure looks like. You saw a grizzly? Wow, that would have scared me! Too bad about the "God of Thunder" next to your room! Like that nickname by the way.
Yeah, I wish I had a study hall. Without it I won't have time enough for my story because of homework and all that crap. I don't want summer to end! Anyway, glad you liked my chapter. It makes me feel like a really really good writer when you compliment me, you being a 4.0 student and a really good writer yourself. Thanks! *gives you cookie*
See you at school!