**********Chapter 29**********
AN: Sorry for the slowness of the story lately, I'll get to the good stuff soon, I promise! Also sorry for any late updates that might (I repeat—might) come eventually. My life is becoming busier and busier by the minute and I just have no time to myself to type. I just wanted you to know that if I don't update for a while, I'm not dead and I didn't give up! Thanks!
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As Legolas laid in bed he listened to the sound of Eressa's breathing. Her breathes were normal and equally spaced for a few minutes, but then he heard them grow deeper and longer, and he knew she had fallen asleep.
I hope she has no nightmares tonight…Legolas thought…and I hope that I do not have another strange dream tonight also.
The elf prince's thoughts strayed to the incident that had happened later that day, when he had seen his brother. He had dismissed the sighting as a simple trick of the mind—but there was a feeling he felt deep in his soul that it was not that simple.
Ithilion, what do you want with me? Are you really there, or am I going mad? Legolas thought grimly.
Turning his head slightly, Legolas rested his eyes on Eressa. Her small body was curled up in a tight ball on top of his blanket on the ground. Her fists were clenched under her chin, and she reminded Legolas of a small child asleep after a hard day of play.
But she isn't a child…Legolas told himself. She's the young woman that I'm falling in love with.
Legolas blinked, thought he never took his eyes off of the girl. Had he just openly admitted his love for her?
Valar…I did. Legolas drew in a sharp breath and closed his eyes. He opened then again when he missed the sight of the sleeping Eressa. He stayed like that for a while, unable to do anything but stare. Soon the moon appeared and began to shine though the small window and onto the sleeping girl.
The streams of moonlight glinted off of Eressa's golden hair and made her seem pale and flawless. Legolas found himself in a world of thought—he thought of waking her to tell her how beautiful she was, he thought of placing a feather-soft kiss on her cheek and whispering a lullaby in her ear, and he thought of doing both and then more.
It's impossible. He said to himself. What I am daydreaming about cannot happen. What would Father think? And the rest of my people?
They would never accept her, Legolas decided.
Hearing a short intake of a breath, Legolas took himself out of his thoughts and looked back at Eressa. She had pulled herself into a tighter ball, and a frown formed on her face. Observing her once more, Legolas noticed that she was shivering.
She's cold…he thought.
Eressa continued to shiver, and Legolas pondered for a few minutes whether to wake her or not. To wake her would to mean bringing her into his bed with him…and Legolas knew that that would make her uncomfortable, as well as only make sleep harder for him.
But I cannot allow her to shiver like that all night…Legolas told himself. Valar.
Slowly, Legolas dragged himself out of his bed. As he stood, he felt the cold brush of wind against his skin. Looking out the window, he saw that fog was forming in the streets outside his prison. The moonlight cast down upon the lingering mist made the world above him seem like some eerie dreamland.
Another cold gust of wind came into the window, and Legolas, thought he himself was not affected, realized why Eressa was so cold. Winter was coming. Snow would fall soon. What was he to do then? He couldn't possibly let Eressa share his bed with him every night of the chilling season, could he?
Eressa drew in another cold breath and then turned over, still hugging herself for warmth. Legolas sighed, and then kneeled down next to her. A hand involuntarily reached over and tenderly touched her hair, and then the soft, fragile skin of her cheek. Then it went further still and traced the edge of her lips…then down towards her throat…
That's when Legolas finally caught himself and jerked his hand away.
What would she think of me if she awoke and found me hovering over her like this? He thought, mentally scolding himself.
Eressa began to shiver again as another cold gust leaked through the window. She turned over again in her sleep, and she almost rolled right into Legolas's lap. Finally, after much hesitation, Legolas gently reached an arm under her head and shoulders and pulled her up towards his chest. Eressa sighed and she shifted her body to and fro for a bit, but she didn't wake up.
Legolas looked down at her sleeping face and he was tempted to dip his head down and kiss her…but he couldn't….shouldn't…
With an aggravated sigh Legolas ripped his gaze away from Eressa. Why did the Valar have to torment him like this? Was this his fate? To fall in love with a lowly human?
Half of him hated himself for it, but the other half was excited. Humans had certain aspects that elves didn't…to Legolas…they seemed more interesting.
More vile and barbaric too…Legolas added, thinking of Curdolin and some others.
But they were interesting. They had flaws. And weaknesses. They lived life knowing that someday they would wither away and die of old age, if not before by some cruel twist of fate. Legolas wondered how Eressa could stand that thought. He wondered what a typical human would do to be like an elf, and never have to die. Would they kill, or steal? Would they go against every promise they ever made to be immortal?
Legolas shook his head. The enigma of humans was too tangled, to complex to decode. Eressa shifted in her sleep again, and he looked upon her once more.
What would you do, Eressa? He asked her silently. What would you do to be like me?
Again, the cold night air blew into the small cell, brushing stray strands of hair across Legolas's face. Eressa shivered again, but not as severely as before. Legolas could feel his own body warming her. She was leaning into him, unconsciously welcoming the comfort he offered.
Legolas realized that he could not stay like this for the whole night. He would have to either leave Eressa here, on the floor, cold and shivering, or risk sharing the bed with her again.
Or…perhaps I can stay here…on the floor…with her. He pondered, blinking.
Legolas smiled as he came to his solution. That way they could be as close or as far apart as they liked. His blanket was fairly large, when it was spread out all the way, so they would have enough room for them both and then some.
Slowly, Legolas lowered Eressa back down to the ground. She resumed her tight-curled-ball position, and Legolas stretched out beside her, yawning. He curled both arms in back of his head and tried not to look at the young girl for a while, and maybe sleep, but his efforts were fruitless. His gaze would always wander around for no more than a few minutes before resting on Eressa's form.
He then realized that if he didn't keep her close she would become cold again, and he took one arm and pulled her gently to him. She was facing him, and when he did, her head was rested on his shoulder, their faces not even inches apart.
Valar…she is beautiful…his mind again began to wander in an endless void of dreams and fantasies (AN: Naughty minds! I know what you're all thinking!). The hand that was curled around her began to play with the long tresses of her hair in his thought.
"Why do you do this to me?" Legolas asked the girl aloud, surprising himself. His voice was hushed, however, and did not wake the sleeper, so he continued. "How did it happen? How did I fall in love?"
Legolas continued to speak to the girl for a time, but she didn't even stir from her current position, curved against his body. When he was through asking fruitless questions, he turned his head to look back into the face of Eressa.
There she was. Her lips were so close…
One kiss…one kiss won't hurt…Legolas thought, and before he knew what he was doing, he had placed a feather soft kiss onto her perfectly molded pink lips. He didn't pull away from her until the last moment.
"Sleep well, Melamin." He whispered tenderly. (AN: Melamin means "my love" in elvish.)
Then, with nearly all the willpower he had, Legolas turned his head away and forced himself to find sleep, as the shadow of the moon passed over them both.
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"You have returned." A soft voice called from across the crystal stream.
Legolas turned and saw his love across the water. "Yes, Eressa, I have."
As soon as sleep had overcome him, the elf had found himself in his bizarre dreamland once again. He didn't understand. This was not a typical dream…it felt…different. That fact alone unnerved him.
Eressa frowned, but not too strongly. "I told you to stay away from here." She said somewhat sadly, somewhat not.
"I couldn't." Legolas answered simply.
Eressa cast her eyes downward at the flowing water at her feet. "Will you wade the stream to be with me?"
Legolas blinked. The question was ridiculus. Of course he would. Without an answer, he stepped into the cold waters. Eressa watched him with a glint in her eye.
The stream was deeper than Legolas had estimated, and the current was faster. When he had gotten to the middle the waters threatened to overcome him and sweep him away. Legolas wouldn't let that happen. He eventually made it out of the stream, and was surprised to see that he had not gotten wet at all.
Eressa noted his amazement. "That is no ordinary stream." She said plainly. "Look into it."
"What will I see?" Legolas asked her.
Eressa simply smiled softly at him. Legolas narrowed his eyes but then obeyed and looked into the water.
"I see nothing," He said after a moment of observing.
"You have not looked hard enough." Replied Eressa.
Legolas looked back over his shoulder at the girl, who was still smiling. With a sigh he gazed back into the clear waters again, this time concentrating on seeing something he didn't before.
He saw nothing at first. But then…shapes began to appear in the water. Bodies…and faces…of men and elves and other creatures. The sight startled him, and he drew back with a gasp. Eressa joined him at his side after a moment.
"You know not where you are." She said directly.
Legolas looked at her. "You speak in riddles, Eressa. Please, tell me what is going on."
"You are in Waiting." Eressa said, a hint of sadness reflecting in your eyes. "As we all are…or all will be."
"I don't understand."
"Nor could you, if I fully explained it to you now." Said the girl. She glanced at the stream. "But I must, for if you do not know, you are bound to come back here. The stream you see before you is not a stream; the water is not water. What you have seen flowing as water are souls of the dead, Legolas."
"What?" Inquired the baffled elf.
"The stream runs to what my kind like to call Heaven." Eressa continued. "The souls of the living linger here, in the Spirit World, until after their bodies die. Then it is their turn to join the stream and go to Heaven."
"But I, nor you, are dead." Legolas argued. "Why are we here?"
"This world stretches far and wide. There are more of us here than you and I, many more of us who are in Waiting, but they linger farther away." The girl explained. "My fate as a human is to die. I will eventually join the others in the stream."
Legolas frowned. "I am an elf, immortal. I am not destined to die. So why am I here?"
"True. You are not meant to die, but yet you are in Waiting, as I am." Repeated the girl, looking him in the eyes in a way that chilled Legolas to the bone.
"Waiting?"
Eressa's green eyes swirled as tears began to form. "Waiting."
"I still do not understand." Legolas whispered. He wanted to ask Eressa why she was beginning to cry, but no words came out. Finally he was able to choke out a few words.
"Waiting for what?" He asked, not sure if he knew the answer already or not.
"What do you think?" Returned Eressa softly.
The girl's eyes became darker with despair and doubt as she watched the elf ponder whether to risk answering.
"I…I do not know." He finally answered, looking at her disappointingly.
"You do, in your heart, you know." Eressa said, ripping her teary gaze away from him. She was not able to turn away from him for long, and soon turned back, whispering one last sentence:
"Legolas,you are dying."
*********Personal thing**********
AN: Yes, I know I kind of left you all hanging on a limb here and confused. Legolas is not destined to die, so why is he waiting to die? You'll find out in the next chapter. Toodles!
Samwise the Strong: Why do you have to hate romance? Why did you start reading a fic that was categorized as a romance if you didn't like it? Sorry just curious. Yes, there's gonna be a crappy chapter…maybe not for a couple chapters, but one is coming. It has to be done, or else this story will go nowhere for a very long time! *slaps Sauron away from me* Ahhh!! Run for you lives!! *Sauron gets up and starts chasing* Thanks!
breeNbloom: Glad you had fun at golf! I still want a pool at my school, cuz then my parents wouldn't be all "Elaine, you should really get involved in a sport!" I don't like any of the sports at my school!! Yes, I've read a few Orli fics. Some of them are weird though, and I'm kind of quizzical when it comes to them now. Your's will be great, I'm sure, but I can't help thinking of what Orlando would think if he read some of them!! I know that if I was him I'd freak out!! LOL!! Thanks!
ElvenStar5: Me: (sees you on floor, barely breathing) Ah! Legolas! Legolas get in here!
Legolas: (rushing in) Yes, milady!
Me: (points to you on the floor) Quick! Administer CPR!!
Legolas: (wincing) Do I have to?
Me: (glare)
Legolas: (now looking scared) I…I mean…Sir, yes sir!! (administers CPR—hehe)
You: (gasps and starts breathing again)
Me: (all crazy scientist like) IT IS ALIVE!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
You and Legolas: ….
Me: (looking sheepish) Oh…um…I mean, You're alive! Yay!
Jeesh, don't do that! Collapse on the floor in the middle of my fanfic, I mean! You really gave me a scare! But thanks!! I'll have more up soon!
Shadow of Mordor: Thanks, and thanks again for the tip. But it would help if you could tell me just exactly what I could improve on. I hope you find the second part of the story as good as the first! Thanks again!
The Noble Platypus: HAVE YOU UPDATED YET??!!?? Sorry, I have to read your story and NO ONE is updating and it's so boring without good fanfic to read!!
Hehe!! I broke the innuendo machine! *pumps fist* Go me! Sorry, here, have $200. *forks over money* Sorry again. Hehe.
A'course this means we can think nasty things until you get that thing fixed…hehe.
Yes, Eressa should be cross at Aleka! I would be!
You are right on the money with your theory for the Ithilion thing, at least the part about the Stress. The coma/dream thing is kinda something different. But you'll find out more! Promise!
SECHOOWAL TENSHUN!!! Jeesh, that is so freaking fun!! WEEEEE!!!
That is so becoming a tradition!
Thanks a lot, I'll be seeing you!
Nirobie: Yay, my advice works on both moms and dads!! Coolness! Hehehe!! You didn't read the WHOLE story to your friend over the phone, did you? Wow!! Thank you! I'm honored! Tell your friend thank you too! Bye!
Starknight: Yay! You got online! Double Yay!! You updated! I'll check it out as soon as I upload this! 2 LotR fics at the same time = a very happy Elaine so don't worry!! I know the action has been slowing in my story and I'm terribly sorry for that, but I have to do a number of things…in the story I mean…let's see…chapter 29…yeah, two more chapters and Legolas is in the ring again!! So all you need to do is wait until chapter 31!! Sorry for taking so long! Thanks Louis! Luv ya!!
LegyLuva: Thanks!! Poor Legolas. Hehe. You know, it's weird…I love him…yet I like writing stories when he's tortured…yeah, I'm weird! And lovin' it!
Thanks for your compliments about the length of my chapters! I needed something like that! I'll continue, I hope you catch up soon!
LegyLuva (again): Wow, thank you! You know you are really specific when you compliment me! I like that!! Thanks!! It's ok, take as long as you want! I've been updating slower than usual anyway, so you should be able to catch up quick! Thanks again!
Crystal Snowflakes: Yep, another update! Have you updated yet? Please?? I wanna read your ficcy! *hugs and kisses from me and the guys* Thanks a lot, girl! Wuv you!
Legolas_gurl: DON'T WORRY I WON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU LITTLE PEOPLE YOU LITTLE PEOPLE ARE WHAT KEEPS ME MOTIVATED TO WRITE AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL SO THANK YOU!!! Heh. Using Caps lock is fun.
Truffles: Thank you a bunch!
Whitecoyote: HI!!! Guess what movie I saw this weekend? No, no Don Juan, although I would have liked to, but something good nonetheless: Benny & Joon!! WEEEEE!!! That is such a freakin' cute movie, I love it!! Johnny is so cute in it!
I'm making it my goal to see Don Juan someday! I swear I'm gonna see that movie soon!! I don't care about sex scenes or anything, as long as my parents aren't watching them with me!! Then their all like "you just get the movies cuz their all sexual!" And that's so not the reason! The reason is (duh!) Johnny Depp!!
(back at the house, Will still locked in bedroom, Pippen still locked in closet)
Will: WATER!!! WATER!!! Awhgighathchph…..(makes several choking noises)
Pippen: Just shut up in there!
Will: No! I'm thirsty, dammit!
Pippen: At least you're stuck in a bedroom. Look at me.
Will: Dude, I cannot see you. I don't have X-ray eyes.
Pippen: Let's hope you don't.
Will: (pause, then he finally gets it) Oh…eeewwww….
(suddenly voices are heard. It's Whitecoyote and Rose returning from tea! What will now happen to Will and Pippen!)
LOL!! I love doing that! Thanks a lot! Bye!
itarilde-elenastar: Ew, looking at houses for 3 hours? I'd die!! Seriously! Your lucky you have Columbus day off! My school doesn't do anything like that! Superb! Or you could use my favorite word in the world: Surreal!! Ain't it the funnest word to say? Surreal! Surreal!! Surreal!! Mwahahahaha I love it! Thanks a lot!! Good luck on your science fair project! Bye!