*********Chapter 23************
It was Eressa who woke first that morning. As soon as the light of the dawn began to show through the cells small window, she had twisted from her sleep and stirred. What shallow sleep she did have was thankfully dreamless.
Sitting up, Eressa immediately turned her head towards the still sleeping elf. He looked so strange, so alien to her.
I wonder why elves sleep with their eyes open anyway…she thought, and she crawled towards him.
She tried to forget about last night's dream as she observed the sleeping elf. What she saw last night wasn't Legolas. It was a dream. But it made her wonder. Sauron had now appeared to her twice in her dreams. And he had taken Legolas's form in her last one. Once could be excused as a coinsidence, but twice?
Maybe Sauron really is visiting me in my dreams! Eressa thought dreadfully. But why?
The girl looked at the sleeping elf next to her doubtfully. Should I tell Legolas? He knows more about Sauron than I do. He could help, couldn't he?
Swallowing her shyness Eressa decided that telling the elf would be the best. She had nothing to lose, as long as he didn't find out about the parts of the dream with him in it.
"Legolas," she said softly. "Legolas, it's dawn. Wake up."
The elf didn't stir from his deep slumber. Eressa grabbed a hold of one of his shoulders with both her hands and shook him. Like the first morning they had spent together, Legolas moaned and blinked, his eyes regaining focus.
He didn't get up, but instead turned over, presenting Eressa with his back. Eressa lowered her brows. She placed her hands on his back, nervously if not hesitantly, and shook him again.
"Legolas!" She said, louder this time.
Suddenly the elf's body tensed, and Eressa heard a wince of pain come from him. Her hands shot away from his back like she had touched fire. Legolas turned over, looking at her guiltily.
"What's wrong?" The girl inquired immediately, demanding answers. "Is your back hurting you again?"
Legolas sighed, and nodded his head. He wasn't an elf of many words in the morning.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Eressa asked, angered. "I could have helped you."
"I know." Legolas finally said. "But it is not life-threatening, Eressa. I will survive."
Eressa stood up and put her hands on her hips. "That's what you said before, and still I helped you."
"I'm out of Athelas solution." Legolas excused. "I used the last of it yesterday, before you came."
"Oh." Eressa said. Her mind suddenly came back to last night, and to what she had been dreaming about. Legolas looked just as he did before he had offered her the bed in her dream. Legolas saw the expression on her face change.
"Eressa?" He asked.
Eressa continued to stare at him, somewhat blankly, as the shell protecting her secrets dissolved.
"Le…Legolas, can I tell you something?" She asked softly.
Legolas nodded. "Of course."
Her dream. She's going to tell me about her dreams. Legolas predicted, although he did not know for sure if it was true.
"You know my dream? The one with Sauron?" Eressa began.
Legolas fought the urge to smile. Yes.
Instead the elf furrowed his brows with concern...and then realized something. "You had another, didn't you? Another dream? With Sauron?"
Eressa nodded. "He said the same thing to me. I would love him as I love myself." She closed her eyes, remembering. "He also said he wouldn't cease coming to me. I don't think my dreams are merely coincidences."
"You feel he is actually making contact with you through your dreams?" Legolas inquired, his face alarmed.
Eressa nodded again. "That's not all…Sauron…he's been using your form. He appears to me as you."
Legolas's eyes widened. "Me?" That was something he definitely didn't expect.
"Yes." Eressa answered. "But in the end he changed back. The dreams are so real, Legolas."
Legolas looked at the girl seriously. Sauron. Speaking to a human girl in her dreams. And using his form.
This just got much more complicated…Legolas thought.
"Legolas?" Eressa's small voice asked. "Can't you help me? I don't know what to do! What does Sauron want with me?"
Her lower lip began to quiver as the girl began to cry. Legolas was suddenly hit with the urge to hold her…to comfort her…just to be closer to her.
I must be going out of my mind! The elf thought. Why am I thinking these things?
Tears began to stream down Eressa's freckled cheeks and Legolas searched his mind for something to say that would calm the girl. "Uh…just…sit down…" He began. "Tell…tell me every detail about your dream."
Eressa looked up suddenly. "I…I can't."
She hated saying that, and she desperately wanted to tell him everything, but still her mind lingered on the edge of doubt.
I don't understand…she mourned. What if I'm still asleep and this is another dream? What if it isn't and I tell him and he begins to dislike me?
Legolas reached for her, but as usual Eressa flinched away. He reached for her a second time and this time was able to catch hold of her hand and pull her towards him. He used his elven strength to gently but forcefully sit her on the bed next to him.
"Eressa, I cannot help you if you refuse to tell me these things." He explained. "Please tell me."
Eressa's emerald eyes darted from Legolas to the floor. She wanted to tell him so he could help her, but to do so she would embarrass herself severely.
Why do I have to have feelings for him? Why not someone else? Eressa thought to herself somewhat angerly. Her eyes met the dirt floor and did not move.
"Eressa." The elf repeated. "Please. What could be so terrible you cannot tell me?"
Eressa didn't say or do anything, but as Legolas continued to watch her, he saw a blush creep up her neck and onto her cheeks, staining them a deep crimson.
The elf looked at the blushing girl strangely. Why was she embarrassed? Really, having dreams about someone you know couldn't be that embarrassing to tell about unless…
Oh Valar…Legolas thought.
Legolas's mouth formed the perfect 'O' as he suddenly realized exactly why Eressa was so persistent in not telling him about her dreams. She was attracted to him! And she was having dreams about it!
The elf prince sat there staring, trying to think of something to say, when there was a loud pound on the cell door and it flung open. Both Legolas and Eressa jumped, as they didn't expect to not hear the guards coming.
Quickly Eressa got up and went towards them, glancing upon the shocked elf one last time. The shorter guard took her by the arm and led her out of Legolas's sight, and the taller one approached him with shackles in his hands.
She's physically attracted to me…Legolas thought. Why didn't I notice this before? How could I be so blind?
There was a yank on his chain as the guard escorted the confused elf from his cell. Legolas followed without resisting.
Should I tell Eredor? He thought further.
Legolas ceased his thoughts as he was led to the arena. For a young girl Eressa's age it was probably normal to have dreams about the opposite sex. Legolas knew when he was Eressa's age in elven terms he had gone through many changes, and dreams were part of them.
I should not take Eressa's feelings toward me too seriously. The elf prince thought. It is not as if she's in love with me.
But my feelings toward her…Legolas didn't even allow himself to go there. Elven warriors falling in love with human girls--very young human girls--was simply unheard of. Not to mention unacceptable.
Did I just say 'falling in love'? Legolas thought, surprised and shocked. Oh no…I am never falling in love with a human. Not even Eressa. I will not allow it.
******Personal thing******
AN: I know, this is a very short chapter, but I wanted to end it here. Just a good spot to end it in. Next chapter should be longer. Hehe…I hope.
I ask you all to be very patient with the next chapter cuz I have literally just finished this chapter and have to start writing the next chapter right now! And since you guys want it to be longer, it's gonna take a little longer for me to get it up and posted. I hope you don't mind. I'm doing the best I can.
Whitecoyote: Your speechless? I made somebody speechless! *grins and laughs* Hooray! *does long long happy dance*
Yay! You got to see Pirates again! I'm so glad for you! Last night I went to see Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Has Johnny Depp in it. He's a messed-up CIA agent who gets his eyes gouged out. I've seen Johnny Depp without eyes. *shudder*
I want Will Turner for Christmas too! I'll update soon! Bye and thank you!
Crystal Snowflakes: CRYSTAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*scream*
Yay, you came and read and reviewed my ficcy! I'm sorry you got to chapter 22 so quickly! I know that my chapters are pretty short, but I try and update like every 4 or 5 days, so that doesn't give me a whole heck of a lot of time to write in between with school going on now and all. Ugh.
Legolas is in character? *grins* REALLY?? Yay! You think my Legolas is in character!
*so happy…so happy*
*hugs to you from me and all the boys!*
Bye Crystal, thank you soooooo much, I love you!!
Crystal Snowflakes (again): No no! That's not dark at all! Lots of people thought that was a great line. I was actually thinking about taking it out before posting, but now I'm really glad I left it in and even gladder you like it! Thanks again Crystal!
Samwise the Strong: Aha! Torturing Samwise is fun!!! *pokes you more* Mwahahahah! Well, Sauron himself isn't trying to get into Eressa's skirts, but he's trying to convince her of something else…you'll see later. I can't give anything away. *slaps Sauron, just for fun* Oopsy…*runs away!*
Homecoming does kinda suck, if you don't have a date. So far, no date for me. Maybe I will go with you! LOL. Thanks!
Ayriel Greenleaf: Yay! You're a member of ff.net! Go you! *does happy dance* Thanks! I will read your fic, but not now, I have to go watch a movie with my mother. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Hmm….thanks a bunch! Bye!
Aldulin: Hello again! I didn't tell you this before, but I like your name. Anywho, on with the subject. Yep, Eressa was dreaming. It would have been terribly wrong if she wasn't. *shudders* Oh, good. My love scenes are good. Your right, they are really hard to get right. But they are kinda fun and interesting to write. And enjoyable if people give you compliments. Like you. *grins* Thanks.
Whoa…seen Pirates 9 times? I've only seen it 4 times, but I'm gonna make it more! I can't wait until the sequel either, but I think the only one actor that Jerry Bruckheimer has actually confirmed is Johnny Depp. However, I think that Orlando and Keira couldn't pass another one up. I'll keep my hopes up and agree with you. Thanks again! Bye now!
Nirobie: Hello, I'm glad your back!! I'm honored that the first thing you did when you got home was read my fic!! I love you! *feels real special* I'm very glad you liked my newest chapters! More coming as soon as I can write it! Thanks so much, and bye!
Starknight: Hey! Yeah the musical….ugh…don't remind me…I was severely depressed Friday and part of Saturday. Awww, your not gonna be in pit? Why not? *cries* I'm never gonna see you! You'd better skip a lot of gym classes so you can make them up with me!! LOL—relax I'm just kidding.
Hm…yeah I know my chapter was pretty heavy with the romance and stuff…nice…yeah the whole time I was writing I was thinking "Louis is gonna flip now!" LOL. I thought it maybe a bit too graphic so soon…um…but hey! Whatever works for my story.
"Tell me you want me, Eressa." Mwahahahaha!!! Attack of the evil soap opera quotes!! Next comes "Are you leaving me?" and "Ohmigod!!!" Mwahahahahaha!!!
Dude, Louis—how can you read them Dune books if you don't like this? LOL. Just wondering. You still need to show me that chapter you know.
I don't think Mrs. Nulton's that screwed up. Beth Hayes was the best choice for Grace (the character I got called back for but didn't get) because she can sing great and dance great. I can't dance too well. The only part I don't understand is why she didn't give me an orphan part instead of a Boyland Sister. But I guess it's okay since she said I could be in the chorus too, as long as I can change in time. But hey—your talking to the woman who went from a dress to a wedding gown in 2 minutes flat last year for the musical. So yeah, I'll be okay. But I really really want a good role next year.
Thanks Louis! Hope you liked this chapter…it was less smutty. Did I just say smutty? Wow. What fanfiction does to you. LOL. Bye!!
PS: You need to sign my yearbook and I need to sign yours!!
Nikki: Tell you? Tell you what? About what the dreams mean? Sorry girl! I'd love to, but that would spoil the plot of the rest of the story for you, and I can't do that!! Not even with Legolas on top. Just hold on…I'll update as soon as I can! Thanks! Bye!