Disclaimer: Do I look like Tolkien?
Author's Note: I'm still taking votes for how I should end this story. Should I a) end this story when Legolas escapes, then write a sequel that starts right where I left off, and after that write a sequel for the sequel, or b) should I just write a honkin' long story and then just a sequel?
So far the votes are tied. And don't vote more than once please, it makes it confusing. Thanks.
Also, see the very bottom for some more important announcements.
***********Chapter 34*************
Eressa slept soundly. So soundly, in fact, that when she awoke the next morning, she felt more alive and refreshed then she ever had been for days.
The young seamstress smiled and opened her eyes. Legolas was still asleep. His blank, eerie looking stare was fixed on the ceiling. Still, Eressa couldn't help thinking what a beautiful creature he was.
She sat up, removing the strong arm that was wrapped tightly around her, and frowned. The left side of Legolas's face, the injured side, was bruising. The area around his gash was a deep, ugly purple. She knew that the temple was the weakest part of the skull and she wouldn't have been surprised if someone told her Legolas's was cracked. Elves must have had hard bones, however, for Eressa hadn't been able to find a break before. She had noticed that the blow had demolished his entire left set of teeth.
Eressa sighed as she looked at the jagged red line laced with stitches. It began just below his left eye on his temple, and it went up into his hairline. It was true that while he was unconscious Eressa had had to cut away some of his dirtied blonde hair to stitch that part, but she didn't think there was need to tell him that.
He will be in a lot of pain when he awakens…Eressa thought. But she had awoken early. The sun wasn't even beginning to lighten the sky. It was still very dark, especially now that the stars had retreated to their sanctuaries in the heavens.
Suddenly, as if to prove her point, Legolas blinked. His face twisted to for a disturbed frown and he whispered something. But he didn't awake.
Eressa narrowed her eyes. Oh no…she realized. What if he's dreaming again? I had better wake him.
"Legolas?" The girl called as she gently took the sleeping elf by the shoulder and shook him lightly. "Wake up, Legolas."
The second she touched him, the elf's body jerked violently, and he sat up abruptly, shouting and holding his head.
"NO! GO AWAY! GO AWAY!" He screamed.
Eressa was so startled and frightened by this that she flung herself across the room against the wall opposite of the bed.
The elf grasped his head and curled up in a fetal position and began to whisper things through his clenched teeth. Eressa could see he was trembling.
He was dreaming again…she thought.
The elf stayed in his curled position for a few minutes, whispering things to himself, not acknowledging Eressa at all. Eressa stood and watched him with a look of fright on her face. It took her a while to interpret what the elf was muttering under his breath, but she caught a few words.
"No…no…I didn't try to….I didn't mean it…Ithilion…please, brother…forgive me…" The elf moaned. "Why won't the faces go away….get out of my head! GET OUT GET OUT!!"
Eressa cringed at the sound she heard coming from Legolas. He had never raised his voice around her before. Still, she had to help him…somehow.
"Legolas…" She said quietly, inching towards him. "Legolas, it's alright. Your awake now, and it was all a dream."
To her surprise Legolas heard her, but didn't look at her. "Lies…all lies…I see them…they see me…"
"Legolas, please!" Eressa said, reaching the edge of the bed. "It's me, Eressa. Don't you remember?"
Legolas was silent for a moment. "Are you a trick of the dark too?" He asked, finally turning his head toward her. There were tears in his eyes.
"No!" Eressa said, sitting down and taking his hands. "See, I'm real."
Legolas looked at her again. His blue eyes were still blue, but there was something missing. They held no brightness. Also, his skin, though it usually was pale, was almost white. He wasn't himself.
"Real." He repeated like a child, staring at the hands that held his own.
"Yes." Eressa said, trying to show him a smile. "Real, like you."
Legolas didn't return the smile. Instead he continued staring at their hands with a frown on his face. He began to gently stroke the skin of her palms and entwine and disentwine their fingers. Eressa watched him with nervousness. The way he touched her seemed very intimate. The thought made her question her nervousness and want to return the effect.
"Legolas?" She asked, her voice unstable. "Do you understand me?"
Legolas stopped his movements and looked up at her with sad blue eyes. The elf blinked once, and then twice, and Eressa saw the familiar twinkle of life appear back in his eye. He looked around, baffled, and then rested his gaze on her.
"Yes." He said, slowly. "I understand."
Eressa couldn't help but let a small smile escape her lips. Thank goodness…she thought, relieved. I thought he had gone mad or something.
"You had the dream again, didn't you?" She asked. "The one with the screaming faces?"
"Yes." Legolas repeated, then winced. Since he woke up, his wound hadn't begun to affect him, but now it seemed to cause him great pain. Eressa saw this and in fear of him fainting forced him to lie down again.
"Is that better?" She asked. "Do you need anything?"
Legolas looked up at her with gratitude. "No, Eressa." He smiled. "You are so good to me. I don't know what I did to deserve it."
Eressa smiled in return. "Kindness need not be earned."
Legolas frowned. "Is that all it is? Kindness?" He questioned, sounding disappointed.
Eressa heard his tone and narrowed her eyes at him. "What else could it be?"
The elf sighed as his right hand reached for his brow to rub his temple, but Eressa quickly interfered and held his hand in her own small one again.
"There are….there are many things." The elf said looking at her.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Legolas, to ease your pain?" Eressa asked again, smiling sadly as she gripped his hand.
The simple question seemed to startle the elf for a moment, and he looked as if he was in deep thought. Then he blinked and looked back at her with his unwavering gaze that Eressa found so intense.
"No, I'm sorry but there's nothing you can do." He said sadly, turning away and attempting to pull his hand out of Eressa's grasp.
Eressa found herself gripping it even harder, not letting him go, and earning herself a strange glance from the elf.
"Eressa, what's wrong?" He asked bluntly, the way he always did.
Eressa frowned. "Nothing." She lied. "I just don't want to let go." (AN: I'll never let go Jack, I'll never let go…LOL)
Legolas frowned in concern. Using his other arm, he sat up slightly and leaned on his elbow. This way his wound didn't bother him as much.
"I won't." He whispered. "But tell me what's wrong."
Eressa shook her head. "It's nothing. I just am a little frightened. It's dark. It reminds me of my dreams."
Legolas nodded slowly, and to his surprise his wound didn't give him trouble. He was beginning to heal already. Good.
"My dreams are dark too." He agreed. "But this is not a dream."
Eressa sighed as she grasped his hand a little harder. "It feels like it is."
With only some pain, Legolas sat up all the way and embraced her. Eressa smiled. Maybe the elf wasn't as insightful as he sometimes seemed. He thought she had meant that this had felt like one of her nightmares, and was now attempting to comfort her. What she really had meant was that it felt like a fairytale kind of dream, where the princess meets her prince. Either way, she liked the result.
Legolas rested this chin on the top of her hair and once again got a breath of her berry-like scent. He liked that scent. He longed to bury his face in her long hair and breathe in all of her. But for now he satisfied himself with just running his hand over her golden head.
It was so long, it ran almost all the way down her spine in golden tresses, only ending at the small of her back, where his hand stopped and hovered over the clothed skin there. He didn't know whether it was a good idea to touch her there or not, for fear that she might recoil. He decided not to, despite his wanting to. His hand returned to its place on her head, while it's partner was still tightly entwined in Eressa's hands as she leaned into him. It felt good to know that she wasn't entirely afraid of his touch anymore.
"Legolas?" A female voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, Eressa?" Legolas replied musically.
"Forgive me for asking, but have you ever been in love before?" Eressa asked, a touch of nervousness hidden in her voice.
Legolas frowned. He didn't know how to answer this one. The answer was yes, he had been, but how was he to explain the situation now? He was in love with Eressa, yet he couldn't exactly just go and tell her right out! Or could he?
"Yes." The elf finally answered truthfully. "Why might you ask this?"
He felt Eressa frown. "I just wanted to know how you knew about something like that. How do you know when you're in love?"
Legolas delved his mind for a reasonable explanation but couldn't find one, to his great surprise. "I suppose you just know."
"Well, what does love feel like?" Eressa continued.
Legolas fought in a raging battle with his emotions. Should he tell her the truth about his feelings for her, and risk being rejected? He didn't think that he would be able to deal with something like that. None of the females he had ever fancied had turned him down. But Eressa was human, young, and different. He just didn't know.
"It feels…it's a very comforting feeling, sometimes." He attempted to explain. "But other times it can be very distressing."
"Is that it?" Eressa questioned.
Legolas frowned again. "I suppose so." He didn't know how to go on.
Eressa giggled, but it was not as lively as it usually was. "I guess there are some things even elves do not know."
"I guess not." Legolas agreed sadly, disappointed in himself for not having the courage to confess his own feelings.
Eressa sighed against his chest, but then frowned again. "But…why is love distressing? I don't see how that could be."
Legolas bit his lip nervously, and then spoke. "Sometimes…when one is in love, and doesn't know how or when to express his feelings for someone, it can be very frustrating."
Eressa pulled away just enough so that she could look him in the eye. "And you know this from experience?" She asked.
Legolas smiled. "Yes." He answered simply…sadly.
Eressa frowned deeply when she saw the look in the elf's eyes. Great, she scolded herself. She had made him think back to some past love that broke his heart and now he was sorrowful. Eressa hated herself to think that she made him feel that way.
"Legolas?" She asked timidly. "What are you thinking?"
Legolas looked away from her gaze. "Many things." He answered quietly, again too shy to reveal his feelings.
"Like what?" She asked. "I hate it when you don't tell me things."
Legolas looked at her seriously. "Do you really want to know?"
The girl nodded her head eagerly, making her hair bob. Legolas sighed and then pulled her close again, not answering. Eressa frowned when she was left without an explanation and pulled away abruptly, angered.
"I said I want to know." She ordered. "Why do you keep your secrets?"
Legolas frowned. "They would not be secrets if they weren't kept to oneself." He replied, earning himself a fiery glare from Eressa.
Valar, she's so beautiful when she's angry at me. He thought, fighting the urge to smile.
Eressa continued to glare at the stubborn elf for a moment, and then began to pull away from him entirely and stand up. Legolas desperately didn't want that to happen, so he dragged her back down, using his elven strength. Eressa fought him a little, but he was so much stronger and eventually he gently forced her to sit down in her original position.
When she looked at him in question, he replied the only way he could: "I just don't want to let go." He breathed passionately. (AN: Oooooohhh….good stuff…)
That being said, Legolas didn't know what else to do. So he did the first thing that came to his mind… he wrapped his arms around her slim waist, gathered her as closely as he could…and kissed her.
*********Personal thingy**********
AN: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There you have it, folks! The first kiss!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Oh, thank the LORD that that is done and over with! FINALLY!! You guys have know IDEA how long it took me to write this chapter!! I had to get it totally PERFECT, and now IT IS!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy!
Nirobie: Hey! Sucks that your computer is screwed up! I hope it gets ok soon! I don't know what the heck I would do without my computer! *hugs computer* yay! Your cuz is comin'! Thanks for the e-mail, but I usually don't do that. Replying like this at the bottom of the stories is a little more sensible anyway. Plus, you know what? I haven't checked my e-mail in like a month! It's probably overloaded with spam! LOL. Thanks! I bet you liked this chapter, they finally kissed! Yay! All rejoice!
ShadowWriter: You didn't read all my story just to say that one little sentence did you? You are right, it's kind of modern to use 'funny' but hey, that's what I wrote, so whatever. Thanks for the constructive criticism though.
Astievia: Yay for going to see Pirates! Great movie! I've seen it five times! *gasp* Your family thinks Jack is UGLY? Jack UGLY??? I think he's really sexy in that movie! A little grungy yes, but gosh, that's Johnny Depp!! He couldn't be not sexy if he tried! And from what I've read about him, he has before! Oh, but yes, Will is so the best. He's so yummy! Thanks!
itarilde-elenastar: I'm glad you liked it! Everything! Wow! I'm flattered, really. Tsk tsk for not going to bed! LOL just kidding. Be careful with your mom there! And thanks a whole bunch! Bye!
breeNbloom: Yeah, I'm glad it's over too! I hate being sad, as do most sensible people. Glad you liked this chappie, and the ending! Thanks a lot! And I don't think I'm being to hard on the nerd…I'd still talk to him if he'd talk to me…he hasn't lately, not that I mind or anything…but still…I think it's kind of rude…to stop talking to me just because I won't date him. Jeez, boys. They are complicated aren't they? Thanks again!
ElvenStar5: It's ok! I don't mind at all, as long as you read them sometime! Thanks though! Yay! Your oxy-tank free! No more fainting though! LOL. Thanks a bunch, girl! Bye!
Nikki: Thanks!! Yay, I couldn't help thinking back to Wizard of Oz and that specific quote when I wrote that. Putting in them Author's Notes snippets makes the story a little more carefree…I know mine is kind of depressing. Well, Thanks again, cya later! Bye!
itarilde-elenastar(again): Thanks! You have a pretty good theory…but it's wrong. Sorry, keep guessing! Ah, homework. Yeah it sucks, and because I missed two days of classes practicing for the school musical, I'll have a ton of it to do too! *sigh* Don't worry about reviewing late…I don't care as long as you review eventually! Happy Birthday to your friend! My lil' sister's birthday party (not her actual birthday, which was the tenth) was yesterday. Yeah…nothing like a hoard of crazy 12 year olds screaming at the top of their lungs all night. LOL. Thanks!
Whitecoyote: Glad that part made you laugh! Another person told me that that was too modern of writing. Whatever, I said. It's gonna stay! Yeah, Legolas is really nervous when it comes to Eressa….it's cuz he doesn't know what to do with her and his feelings…she's human…so it's all different for him! Poor Leggy….NO, no no! You don't understand! You wouldn't want to be asked out by this nerd! He's a Drew Carry look-alike and he's really annoying. I would have rather not been asked out! Yeah, my 3 big-o crushes are problems too: Two are graduated…one hates me…the other is nice to me but he's such a good, handsome, perfect person (he was homecoming king!) he don't deserve me…the other one is a grade younger than I am and I don't want to tell him cuz we have a really good friend ship! Sigh…the greatness of being a teenager!
(cut to Me, dragging away Legolas to another bedroom)
Legolas: (very drunkenly) Do you know…the MUFFIN MAN!!
Me: No, but I know an elf who has nice muffins!
Legolas: (still drunkenly) Do you? Who ish it?
Me: (grins evilly)
(cut to You and Will and Pippen)
Pippen: Well? Is anybody gonna answer my question?
You: I don't know, Pippen! Sorry, I'm trying to hold down a full grown man here!
Pippen: If you let me out I could help!
Will: (drunk) Parl…parleloo….Parsnip…parsley…Parshy…Daggit what'sh the word!
Pippen: Parley?
Will: Yeash! Parley!
You: Shut up Pippen!
Will: (triumphantly) Now you have to take me to your capi-tan!
You: (rolls eyes) Its captain. And I AM the captain!
Mysterious Deep Voice: Says who??
To be continued….wheeee!
Crystal Snowflakes: Hey girl! How are you doing? Yep, I checked your update and I loved it! Thank you! I think it's the best chappie I've written too! My month's been hectic too! But it's all gonna be over in two days! Yay! Good luck with your project! Thanks again! Bye!
*huggles from me and all the guys forever*
LegyLuva: Thank you! I liked this one too! Yes…poor Legolas…things never seem to get better for him…until this chappie! Yay! How'd you like the kiss?
More with Sauron is coming up, but you don't find out exactly what he wants with Eressa and Legolas until the end of the story. Sorry, but I'll try and make it as good as possible before then! Thanks a bunch!
Samwise the Strong: Yes, Johnny Depp is very very very very hot!! Me and like a zillion other girls at my school have fallen in love with him!! Sooo, soo sorry I haven't been participating in the group very often, but the with the school musical and all I've had to stay after school nearly every day until 8 or 9 at night! Plus a whole bunch of people got sick, and one got suspended for threatening to bring a gun and there's some real confusion replacing them! I'm really sorry and as soon as this is over I'll try my best to be a better member! Sorry! Sorry! But thanks for reviewing anyway! And I will eat my wheatcakes.
Elainor: I do that too. I always think of how the story would go on if the cliffie wasn't there, and then it turns out to be totally different! LOL. Thank you for all the wonderful compliments, I really appreciate it!
Yeah, I'm sorry for the young man too! I didn't expect for my reviewers to get so attached to him! I didn't even get the chance to name him! God, what are you gonna think of me when the story goes on? Oh dear….well, thank again! Bye!
HalandLeg4ever: Good, you got it! Poor boy. I know. I kill them all. Mean, evil me. LOL. Don't worry! You saw what happened in this chappie! Didja like it? Didja didja didja? No more waiting!! WHEHEHEEH!! Ok that was weird. Sorry, just really happy I finally got them to kiss! Thanks a bunch!
The Noble Platypus: Hey! That's right! Twice! SECKSHOOWAL TENSHUN!!! SECKSHOOWAL TENSHUN!!! WEEEEEEE!!!!
Yes, this is one of the very few happy chappies…I really really think I should have categorized this story as an agnsty one….did I spell that right? I don't think I did. Whatever!
I'll update sooner now, cuz my musical is almost over! Yay! Speaking of updates, you update! I can't get enough of your stories or you, girl!
Yep, here's the big smooch! Did you like it? Was it good? I hope so! Thanks a lot girl!!
Legolas_gurl: Yep. 116 pages, all Orli-goodness! My friends think I'm nuts!! But I like it! I want to send it to him for Christmas or something but I don't think I will cuz I love it too much! It would be a good gift though.
Oh, so that's where you saw it! I haven't seen any RotK previews yet!! I've seen one for Troy though and MYGOD it's gonna be a HUGE movie!!!
Oh! I have a spoiler for the sequel to Pirates! Barbossa's gonna be back! Someone on this site I visit often wrote in that she met Geoffrey Rush, the guy who plays him and asked him about it and he said that Barbossa's return will have something to do with voodoo magic. Creepy!
Dang! I wish my Spanish class was that cool…I have a project to do too, but it is on the architectural styles of Spain. How boring is that?
Oh! Yes, I hope you mom says it's ok so you can post it! I'm making it a goal to write a PotC fic too, go see the very bottom for some spoilers for that as well as other stories I'm planning to write! And don't worry about the length of your story…look at mine…34 chappies and Legolas hasn't even escaped yet. There's a WHOLE crap-load of stuff that happens after he escapes!! This is gonna be one long story, if I don't make it a trilogy!
Thanks a lot, you're great to talk to! Seeya!
XxDarkgoddessxX: OHMIGOD JENNI!!! INUYASHA'S BACK ON!!! RIGHT NOW!! THEY STARTED THE 10th. And the next episode is the first one Sesshoumaru appears in!!!!! I'M SOOO EXCITED!!!!!! My VCR is working again so I can tape it!! YAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!! *does happy dance*
And thanks so much for telling me that Tango Nova updated! I'm grateful! Did you like what she wrote? I LOVED it! She's so talented, it's a shame she's having problems and can't post often!! Oh, but I can't wait until the next chapter! The last ones were so emotional and beautiful and I could go on and on…
I've never seen Shanhai Noon, but it seems cool! I like this one, from What's Eating Gilbert Grape…I think this is how it goes…
Gilbert: You know why I won't let anybody hurt you, Arnie?
Arnie: Cause you're Gilbert!
Arnie is so cute in that movie! But Johnny is the cutest!! Yum!! Bye, girl, and thanks a bunch!!
**Now, for that note I promise you guys:** I have been brainstorming a lot lately…my mind has been hungry for fanfiction writing but I haven't been able to get to it because of my school musical…and I have a few ideas for other fanfics that I would really like to do…and I'd like your opinion…or your awareness at the very least. Well, here goes…it's a pretty long list. Tell me what you think if you don't mind! Thanks!
Most of these are just the summaries…ones that have a title will have the title in bold before the summary. Titles are subject to change.
Title: None
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Probable Rating: PG-13
Category: Romance/Action/Adventure/Mystery
Pairing: Legolas/OC
Summary: Takes place before The Lord of the Rings. Legolas spots a beautiful maiden he has never seen before deep in the forests of his home. He's mesmerized by her and before long becomes obsessed with seeking her out. Little does he know that she is the most dangerous of the Ringwraiths—a female one—the daughter of one of the nine kings of men, who was seduced by the ring her father received and killed him to have it, so becoming a Wraith. Will Legolas recognize friend from foe before it's too late? Or will this seductress draw him completely into her dark, tangled web? Expect lots of Leggy torture.
Situation: I'd love to do this story, but there are others that I'd like to write first.
Title: None
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Probable Rating: PG-13
Category: Action/Adventure…maybe a smidge of romance.
Summary: Legolas, being an elf, has outlived Middle Earth and it's many other races and is now disguised as a modern man, married to a human and with a teenage daughter. He has forgotten his past…but his past has not forgotten him. What will he do when a dark power returns and he must reveal the truth to his human family?
Situation: I've got the first two chapters written…but my beta says they have work to do…so if and when I get it done and posted, if people seem to like it then it's probably gonna work!
Title: Pictures
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Probable Rating: G or PG
Category: Romance/Angst
Pairing: Legolas/OC
Summary: Takes place before The Lord of the Rings. A pregnant young woman is found wandering in the depths of Mirkwood and is brought back to the palace to stay. No one can figure out who she is or where she came from, for a simple reason: She is both deaf and mute. Legolas takes special interest in her (for elves don't suffer from such things as deafness or muteness unless from some injury, and it's kind of intriguing to him) and slowly, she tells him her life story…the only way she knows how. She draws pictures…hundreds of pictures, depicting her life, her love, and her cause for being here.
Situation: I'm definitely doing this story…it doesn't seem like it would be to long…not like "Cheating Darkness". In fact I'm gonna try and get started writing it today!
Title: The Song of the White Wood
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Probable Rating: PG-13
Category: Action/Adventure/Mystery
Summary: Takes place during The Lord of the Rings, when the Ring is being taken south. The Fellowship spots a pass in the mountains and takes it…leading them to a place that was only believed to exist in legend and song: Nimeryn, the White Wood. What will happen to Legolas when he attempts to delve into the dark past of the people who live there?
Situation: Actually, The first six chapters of this one are already posted, but I stopped so I could brainstorm about how I should go about ending it and write "Cheating Darkness". Now, I'm nearly done, and I'm planning to remove the parts of the story I already have posted, then repost them one chapter at a time, as not to confuse anyone. I really think the story is good…and I lied. I told you guys that this was my first fanfic, well it wasn't…"Song of the White Wood" was…no, actually it wasn't…it was second, and "Cheating Darkness" is the third…my first one I wrote and it's a total Mary-Sue, not even worth continuing! So, anywho…be on the lookout for this one if you interested.
Title: None
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean
Probable Rating: Knowing me and the way I write…PG-13.
Category: Action/Adventure
Summary: This was a challenge from my friend Louis, but she didn't have very many requirements when I asked her, but they are these so far:
A) Should take place before the movie
B) Should be about Jack
C) Shouldn't involve any "Barbossa reincarnated" or "Barbossa's children" stuff…unlikely it would anyway if it took place before the movie.
D) I'm pretty sure she said it shouldn't be a parody or a girl-falls-into-movie-thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, Louis.
I'm currently waiting for her to give me some more so I can brainstorm. *ahem, Louis! I know your reading this! LOL. Just kidding, take your time, darling.*
Situation: I pretty much explained it in the summary thing…but I really want to do it.