Disclaimer: I AM NOT TOLKIEN!!
*****************Chapter 39*******************
Legolas awoke early that morning. The cell was dark, and it was quieter than any other dawn he could recall. So silent. The only sound he could hear was Eressa's heartbeat against his ear.
Eressa lay on her back under him, his head resting on her chest and above her heart, as he liked to do. His body was partially draped over hers, his thin blanket covering both of them, protecting them from the chilling air.
Eressa's heart fluttered slowly and steadily in Legolas's ear. His head rose and fell with every breath she took.
The events that had taken place last night buzzed in the elf's mind like a nest full of hornets. Valar…the things that had happened! Every kiss…every touch…Legolas just didn't have the words for what he felt. It hadn't been like this before…with the other women…not that he remembered anyway. It was as if suddenly he was a new person, and in a way, he was. He didn't think of himself as Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood anymore. He thought of himself as the Lover and Protector of Eressa, his most treasured and cherished possession.
Eressa shifted in her sleep suddenly, awakening Legolas from his deep thoughts. Her lips parted as she did, and a breath of air escaped from them, forming a miniature cloud as it left her body.
Legolas frowned. It must be very cold in here if he could see her breath. He could feel it to some consent. He tried it with his own and it formed into a cloud of mist also. Winter was here. He could smell it in the air. He hoped desperately that when he, Eredor, and Eressa eventually escaped, the snowfall wouldn't be too severe.
But then again, a heavy snowfall could help them. Curdolin's men and horses wouldn't not be able to move easily in the snow.
But neither will we…Legolas realized. He didn't want to risk either one of his human companions becoming ill from the cold.
Rivendell is not very far from here…He thought to himself. If we could just make it there, we would have the protection of Lord Elrond.
Legolas's thoughts were stopped when Eressa shifted again and then sighed, pulling her arms out from around him and stretching them above her head.
Legolas's face immediately brightened as he lifted his head. "Eressa?" He spoke her name softly and gently.
Eressa's eyelashes flickered open and her gaze met that of the elf's with a smile.
"Good morning," Legolas said, in a silvery voice he didn't know he had.
Eressa smiled wider. "Good morning, Legolas." She said, wrapping her arms around him again, and pressing him to her.
Legolas kissed her on the throat but then pulled away, grasped her waist, and flipped her over so that he was under her. Eressa shrieked out of surprise when he did it, but she giggled and snuggled comfortably against his bare chest afterward.
"How did you sleep?" She asked.
Legolas turned his head toward her, a mischievous grin on his face. "We slept?" He asked innocently.
Eressa grinned and chuckled. "If we hadn't, I wouldn't have woken up." She said, then continued. "But last night was…" She paused
"Indescribable--I know." Legolas finished, grinning at her. Eressa returned the grin for a moment but then it faded, forming a look of uncertainty on her face.
"Eressa?" Legolas asked. "What is it?"
Eressa swallowed and then rested against him, her arms tightly wound around his torso. "I…I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up…that this is all a dream."
Legolas propped himself up with his elbows and stared at her seriously. "It is not a dream, Eressa. You shouldn't worry."
"But I do, Legolas! I do!" Eressa said. "I can't keep thinking these terrible things could happen…I know that's silly of me to do…especially after a night like last night and all that you've given me!"
Legolas frowned when the girl embraced him tightly again. "Legolas, I love you so much." She was saying. "I don't want to lose you!"
"You won't lose me." Legolas said in a soft, comforting tone. "Eressa…do you think I will not stay with you, no matter the cost?"
"No." Eressa replied firmly and truthfully.
"Do you think I wouldn't die for you?"
"I know you would," Eressa answered. "That's what scares me! I would rather die than have you sacrifice yourself for me! I don't want you to give up your life should something go wrong, all for me! I'm just a human! I'm not worth it!"
"Don't you ever say that." Legolas suddenly snapped. "You are everything to me, Eressa, and I'd die a thousand deaths before I let anything happen to you."
Eressa sat up, tugging the blanket around her bare body. "I know. But I don't want you to."
Legolas suddenly realized how pointless this discussion was. Besides, the guards would be coming shortly and he and Eressa needed to get dressed. He needed to resolve this.
"Eressa, melamin…" He began, leaning forward, close to her. "How do we know that something will go wrong? There's no proof of that."
"Sauron." Eressa replied. "He…"
"Don't." Legolas whispered. "Whatever Sauron has planned, I won't let anything happen to either you, nor me, nor your brother—anyone. I promise."
"Promise?" Eressa questioned, confused.
Legolas nodded and placed his right hand above his heart on his bare chest. "I swear by the Valar."
Eressa looked at him for a moment, and then smiled weakly. "Legolas…what did I ever do to deserve you…and all the things you'll do for me?"
"You loved me." Legolas answered simply. He leaned in for a kiss and received one, and Eressa held him to her as if she would never let go. Which wasn't a problem to Legolas. He didn't ever want to let her go either.
"I love you, Eressa." He whispered in her ear as he slipped his head to the side and brushed his lips against her bare shoulder and neck. Eressa sighed and began to mimic what he was doing, but then Legolas pulled back.
"We should get dressed before the guards come. We wouldn't want them to find us like this." He said with a smile.
Eressa understood, and got out of the bed to gather the pieces of her clothing that had been scattered throughout the small cell during the night. Legolas watched her in awe for a moment before beginning to search for his own clothes.
To think that such a perfect female could be his—and human!
Eressa was thinking very much the same thing. How, of all people, could she have fallen in love with a beautiful immortal creature—and that he loved her back and was willing to give up everything for her!
After they dressed, the two new lovers waited for the guards while lying in each other's arms, not saying a word. There weren't any words to be said. They loved each other, and that was all that mattered.
After a few minutes Legolas's sensitive ears picked up the sounds of the guards coming. He also heard something he hadn't heard in two weeks—something he had dreaded hearing—the sound of shackles clanging against each other as they were carried down the hall.
So this was it. This was the day he returned to the ranks of slaves and worked again.
The door clanged open, the guards stepped in. As usual, one stepped forward to escort Eressa back to the main home. She went, as always, without a word or so much as a smile to Legolas. They had to keep their relationship secret.
The other guard watched as his partner and the girl left, and then stepped forward to the elf, the shackles held forward. Legolas sighed and outstretched his arms as his heart became heavier and heavier. The guard took his time in attaching the shackles to his wrists and ankles. Then, for the first time in two weeks, Legolas left his cell.
The air in the corridor rang with the sounds of prisoners. They turned a corner and nearly ran into the back of the line of slaves that was growing as they went on down. The guard in charge of Legolas muttered some curse and then hastily attached Legolas to the rest of the group. He then joined his fellow guards.
Legolas tried to avoid all the gazes he was being given by the slaves. All looks of surprise, awe, and loathing. All but one.
Legolas could feel Eredor's gaze on him as soon as he joined the line. He kept his head down at to avoid the gaze of the other slaves, but smiled a bit when he practically felt the emotions radiating from his friend. He was relieved, surprised, and unbelievably happy.
Legolas realized he was feeling very much the same way. It would be good to see his friend again. He couldn't wait until lunch.
The last prisoner was added to the line, and the slaves were marched out into the arena, Legolas, to work. But stepping out into the scattered sunlight he saw that the new arena looked very much finished!
Twice as large as the old arena, and twice as high, with twice as much seating. It was positively huge! Even Legolas himself was taken aback by the site of it. The other slaves, however, didn't react in surprise at all. They had, after all, made this arena from the ground up…and with their very own hands.
The slaves were ordered to situate themselves into a straight line. Legolas was caught on the end, with Eredor about eight bodies down from him. The young man was trying to catch the elf's eye when suddenly Angarod appeared.
Legolas felt his insides shift when he saw the man. Valar, how he hated him. And how it angered him that he must depend on one he so hated to survive.
Angarod swaggered passed the line to a man with a scar across his bare chest. He raised an eyebrow but did nothing more. His eyes moved along the line until they rested on the elf, who was trying to hide himself behind the man next to him.
Angarod immediately brightened. He had forgotten that today was the first day the elf would return to the arena again. Slowly he walked over.
"Stand up straight, elf." He ordered coldly.
Legolas obeyed, but he refused to look the man in the eye. Angarod wouldn't have that.
"Look at me, you idiot!" He shouted, and he grabbed Legolas's chin and forced him to face him.
Angarod smiled. "Welcome back." He said in a soft, dangerous voice. "We missed you."
I'm sure you did. Legolas thought.
"We're going to make up for the time we lost, aren't we?" Angarod asked, eyeing the still-visible scar on the side of the elf's head.
Legolas said nothing.
"I want an answer from you, elf." Angarod said through clenched teeth. "And I'll do what it takes to get it."
Legolas's eyes floated to the ground for a moment and then back up. He was defeated, for now.
"Yes." He said as quickly as possible.
"Yes…" Angarod urged.
"Yes…sir." Legolas let out.
Angarod grinned and slapped Legolas in the shoulder. "Now that's a good elf. Pity not all elves are like this one, right boys?"
Some of the guards laughed in response to Angarod's question. Legolas bristled when he heard it. How DARE this inferior man insult his kindred—his superior kind?
Angarod, who still had his hand upon the elf's shoulder, felt the elf tense at his statement, and his jaw and face grow tight and controlled. He smiled wider, pleased at the elf's reaction.
Stepping away, he shouted to the guards. "Have them do laps a bit! Consult me in an hour!"
With that, and one last cruel sneer aimed at Legolas, the slave trainer walked away and back into the building.
Valar…curse him. Legolas thought with anger, as he began to run.
*******
Lunchtime approached slowly for the slaves. After running Angarod had ordered that they do a little "endurance training" and the slaves were tested to see how long they could run with additional weights attached to their limbs.
Legolas lasted until Angarod got bored with watching him run alone around the ring while the remaining slaves collapsed. Eredor was one of the others that had been taken out of the activity early by their trainer, so they would not hurt themselves.
Legolas was somewhat thankful of the hate he felt for Angarod. It helped to convert his anger into energy and use it for times like these.
After Angarod had called him in, Legolas's shackles and weights were removed, and he was admitted to lunch, along with the few other privileged slaves. He met up with Eredor immediately.
"Thank the gods you are alright, Legolas!" Eredor cried as he approached him with a hug. "I thought for the longest time you were dead!"
"How did you find out I was still alive?" Inquired the elf.
"I over heard some guards talking about you." Eredor replied, pulling away. "It's so good to see you again."
"And you also." Legolas answered gratefully. He smiled, and he and Eredor got in line for food. They received some—bread soup—and sat down at their table.
"You've healed remarkably quickly," Observed Eredor as they sat down. "Elvish trait?"
"Yes." Legolas said. "Though it did help that I had the medical advice and attention of your sister."
"How is Eressa?" Eredor asked. "You saw her while you were injured?"
"She still came to me." Legolas said. "She's fine—better than ever, in fact."
Eredor smiled and took a gulp of his bread soup. Legolas still hadn't touched his. Having hot vegetable soup every day for two weeks made this stuff seem unappetizing.
"Eredor…" He began. "There's something I have to tell you…about Eressa."
Eredor's head shot up. "What is it? Is something wrong?"
Legolas shook his head, biting his lip from nervousness. How could he tell his friend that just last night he and his sister had made love for the first time? Eredor didn't even know they had started a relationship!
"I..uh…she's eager to see you." He said, suddenly becoming far too afraid to tell him.
I should at least ask Eressa if it's alright with her if I tell her brother of our relationship…He excused.
"See me?" Asked Eredor, confused. "But when will she see me?"
Legolas leaned forward. "The escape. I have the plan completely figured out."
Eredor's eyebrows furrowed. "Oh. Will you tell me it?"
Legolas nodded, but didn't smile. "I will, but not here. Tell me, Eredor…can you read?"
"Well…yes." Eredor said. "I'm one of the few slaves here who can."
"Good." Legolas replied, finally taking a sip of his soup. "I'll write you a letter and have it delivered to you somehow."
"How?" Eredor asked.
"Trust me." Legolas said. "You'll get it."
Eredor nodded uncertainly, and then gulped down the last of his soup. He smacked his lips. "Hits the spot, don't it?" He asked with a wild grin.
Legolas smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it does."
***********Personal thingy*************
AN: There. That wasn't so much of a cliffy, was it?
Happy Holidays to everybody!
GAH!! THE RETURN OF THE KING WAS KICK-ASS!! If that movie doesn't get a Best Picture Oscar I will personally hunt-down and kill every member of the Academy! Just kidding…
Ah, now for my lovely reviewers:
The Namelss Elf: Um…I'm not sure if you intended you name to be spelled like that or if it was a typo, so I just wrote it the way it was. Anyway, thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoy my story. As for you question, Sorry, but I'm not revealing any secrets of the story! You'll have to wait! Hehe! Bye!
XxDarkgoddessxX: Yay, you updated! Wow, you got to be in the news! Cool! I wish I could be in the news! Oh, BOO to Rosio for trying to steal your crush. Friends shouldn't do that! Tsk tsk! We had only one snowday too! I want more! More, dammit, more!! You have a boyfriend? You've never met him? He's not an internet boyfriend is he? God, I hope not! Sorry, I have a friend (not a very good one, but a friend) who is obsessed with internet boys and every single week she has a new one and she waves their pictures in our faces and then whines about how they live far away and she can't hug or kiss them like other people do. And we're just sitting there like "You dumb idiot, at least you have one!" It just really pisses me off. Also there's the fact that some of them guys aren't boys at all—like their pervy adults looking for girls to rape and stuff. Sorry if I offend you, I just don't want you to get hurt or heartbroken! Well, even so, I do wish you luck with him! And thanks for the review! Bye!
LegyLuva: Aw, thank you! I'm gonna see RotK on Saturday too! Yay! I can't wait, all the people that went already told me it's the best movie and that Legolas kills and elephant thingy all by himself! That's my Leggy! Yay! Well, thank you, and I'll update as soon as possible! bye!
Inion na Hoice: Thank you! I'm honored that you sacrificed an entire night just to read my story! Flattering! Thank you! And thanks for the Harry Potter fic offer, but frankly (and I'm not saying this to be mean, just honest) I don't like Harry Potter very much. If I have the time, I might check out your other fics, but I usually only read ones associated with Legolas. The one with Legolas and Haldir sounds good. It's not slash, is it? Well, thank you very, very much! Seeya!
Inion na Hoice (again): Thank you for the constructive critisism. I do appreciate it that you would go out of your way (writing two reviews for instance) to try and help me! I know the love scene was very short compared to some of my other chapters, I'm sorry. It's just that it's my first one. In the future, I'll probably get more bold when it comes to that stuff. I'm glad you suggested that! Thanks again, bye!
breeNbloom: Oh, your sick? Why is everybody sick? I hope your better soon! You get out really early in spring! Last year we got out on June eighth! Isn't that terrible? But why was the chapter "blah"? Don't you like romance? I don't want to take it as an insult, since I know you'd never do that intentionally! LOL. Well, thanks again and bye!
random-candle: Ah. Great beginning to a review! LOL. Don't worry, I'll update! I don't want you to die! LOL. Yeah, I'm trying my hardest not to fail chemistry…hehe…I hope it's working! Thank you! Bye!
Nikki: Thank you very much! Don't worry, you don't have to kick anybody's butts. No flames yet. Whew! And Merry Christmas! Bye!
Whitecoyote: Yes! 400 reviews! Go me! Thank you!
Legolas: *glares at Will at sound of nickname* Alright, I'll hop to it, Will-Yum!
You: Just go do it!
Legolas: *sighs* Alright…*walks off*
Me: *to You* How do we know that he won't just run away too?
(cut to Legolas, who is searching the halls of whatever building we're in)
Legolas: Here, Pippy! Here boy! *whistles*
Pippen: *hiding in yet another closet, listening* Legolas?
Legolas: Pippen? Are you there? *turns toward closet*
Pippen: Don't take me back to them! I don't want to die!
Legolas: I doubt that they would go so far as to kill you. It's not worth the effort.
Pippen: I'm too young to die! *cries*
To be continued….
Nirobie: You'd better find a place where your mom and dad won't hear! Hehe! No insult taken! Thanks for reviewing! Bye!
Gothamin: Hey! I live like really close to you! I live in Greenville! You know where that is, don't you? Cool! Some one from around here! Have you seen RotK yet? I have, and it ROX!! Thanks for the compliments! bye!
Gothamin (again): OKAY OKAY!! So I'm a liar! Heh.
Elainor: Sorry. *cringes* Legolas and Eressa will get married, I'll tell you that much! But not telling when or where…and no, you probably will never find out who Eressa's father is…it's just not important to the story. And No. Her daddy is not Sauron. Her daddy was some human chap. That's all! Thanks a bunch!
Ral: What am I supposed to describe if not the actual act? I'm not sure what you mean by that…but thanks for your compliments, they really make me feel great! I'm pretty proud that I stumped you. *feels real smug* Hehe. Yeah, how'd you like RotK? I just saw it today, and it was the best freaking movie I've ever seen! I loved it! I can't put into words how much I loved it! Hehe! Well, thank you! Keep reviewing! Gotta make it a habit, you know!
Legolas_gurl: Your welcome! Always happy to help! Yep, I've seen RotK! I loved it! Didn't Legolas look so hot in his tiara thingy and the end! I loved that part so much, I burst out laughing in the theatre! And I was right in the front row too, and my friend had to hit me to make me shut up! It was great! Thanks a bunch, and tell me what you thought of the movie!
ElvenStar5: No. You can't have the Legolas license back. Mine. *hugs license to chest* Lol, just kidding. Currently, Legolas is cleaning my room for me. He don't mind much cuz he's the one who what complaining that it was very messy. Not all humans can be as neat and tidy as others, I say! LOL. Thank you!
Trixy: Oh, but people have complained a little, but mostly about the length. I might have over reacted a bit…but thanks for the advice. I'll use it wisely. Wise words. Thanks!
The Noble Platypus: SECKSHOOWAL TENSHUN!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Yeah, I know the chapter was on the short side, but the only way to make it longer would have been to…you know…describe..the whole…thing. Heh. Not ready for that yet. Thank you though! *grabs shield and readies it* I'm still awaiting the rocks. I've only gotten a few pebbles tossed this way so far! Thanks again! Bye!
itarilde-elenastar: Thank you so much! *wipes away tear* You make me feel so appreciated and talented! Thank you girl! I hope you get your story up soon, I want to read it. I hope I'll have the time…wait…Christmas break is in two days…yeah, I'll have the time. I look forward to it! Don't worry, I always repeat myself too! Yep, I drew a little Legolas in a santa suit! It's like kind of that anime style, with the really big, baby eyes, and it's so cute! I want to color it and make Christmas cards out of it! I also drew a big anime Legolas, and It's pretty good. Not great, but good. Someday when I get a scanner I'll have to start a website that I can post my work on! Thanks a lot! Bye now!
PaliminoRider16: Sorry…no continuation…I really can't go any further without getting into…details…and I'm not comfortable with that now. Maybe when I'm bolder and braver. Hm. Thanks though! Bye!
HalandLeg4ever: Hey! Thank you! Glad you thought it was cute! I'm not telling anyone or anything about the message from Sauron! Sorry! But I can't! Thanks though! Bye!
Deana: Thank you so much! Eressa and Legolas will eventually get married, though I'm not telling when or where. Yes, Legolas is a very very very very very very handsome elf! Hehe! Thanks again! bye!
WHEW!! That's enough typing for one night!