Disclaimer: You know the drill…I only own Julia.
Author's Note: Good grief it's taken me a long time to get this chapter out. I am so sorry for that. I just had the hardest time getting it the way I wanted it. I'm still not completely happy with it, but I decided to go ahead and post it. Man I am really not happy with this chapter lol.
Thanks to all of you for the great feedback. I really, really appreciate the fact that each and every one of you have taken the time to give your responses to my story. I have written fan fiction for years and I've never felt as strong of a connection to a story as I have with "Music of Love". I think maybe it has something to do with the fact that I absolutely adore every single one of the characters. Anyway, thanks you guys and please…keep it up.
CJ - ::blushes:: I'm so happy you approve. I love all of these positive responses!
Jennifer Bloom- Oh I intend to continue my dear. I don't think it would be possible for me to stop…even if I wanted to.
Sam- I'm so glad you and your friends like my story. It makes me feel good to know that you liked it enough to share it with them.
Ridea, who is too lazy and evil to sign in- Well…at least you weren't too lazy to reply lol. So, thank you for that.
Myri78- You'll find out what happens soon enough hehehe…just keep on reading.
Katie- I seriously think I'm getting spoiled by all of these reviews. Don't stop! Keep spoiling me lol.
ElvenStar5- Well, now…if that isn't inspiration I don't know what is. When do I get Legolas and how long can I play with him? ::giggles::
Francine- I agree with you about the whole more romance thing. I just don't want to rush into it. I want it to be believable. But, trust me…there will be romance.
Trapped in icy flame- Thank you very much. We're working really hard on it and I can't wait until it's finished…I would really love to have more time to concentrate on my writing.
Chapter 8They had only been walking for a few moments and Legolas hadn't taken his eyes off of Julia for a second. She was weakening. The dream's materializations in this reality were taking their toll on her, not just physically, but mentally as well. To any one else her suffering might not be as apparent, but Legolas could see with the slight shuffling of her feet and the deeper breaths she was taking that it was affecting her more than she wanted him to know.
"Julia, stop." He said softly, taking her hand and giving it a slight tug. "You can't go on like this. We have no way of knowing where in the city your grandmother is and I won't watch you struggle with each step."
Julia sighed. "I'm alright. Just a little tired." She tightened her fingers around his hand and nodded her head. "Don't worry about me. If we can just get to my grandmother I'll be fine."
"It would be impossible for me not to worry. You didn't see the look upon your face or the way your body was reacting to the dream." She was so stubborn about showing her weaknesses. If there was one thing he had learned since first meeting her, it was that. "Why do you fight so hard to maintain this façade that you aren't affected by what is happening? You are hurting Julia and I'm not just talking about your hands and arms."
Her shoulders straightened and she felt her temper flare. "I don't have to explain myself to you, Legolas. I am alright." She turned as if to walk away from him, but his hand held firm and she was unable to escape his grasp. Forcing her gaze to narrow on his, she was surprised at his sudden forcefulness.
"You are not alright! Do you think I'm blind? That I can't see with my own eyes that there is fear in your eyes? You don't have to go through this alone." He moved forwards and cupped his hand against her cheek. "Do you not understand the connection we have after so short a time? I can see your strengths as well as your weakness. Why won't you just let go and allow me to truly help you?"
Though her first reaction had been to argue, she couldn't help, but smile at his sudden outburst of emotion. It had seemingly come out of nowhere and she was thankful for it.
Her eyes softened on his. "Lle Tela? (Are you finished?)" Legolas frowned as she reached her hands up and pulled face his closer to hers until their foreheads rested together. "Uma dela, Legolas. (Don't worry, Legolas). Everything is going to be fine." She smiled and pulled back just enough for him to see the pure emotion in her eyes.
"Mani naa lle umien? (What are you doing?)" He asked.
"I'm allowing you to help me." She remained still and calm while inside she was a bundle of nerves. He'd made a huge step and showed that he did care about her, but were his feelings to the same extent as hers? "You are right, we need to know where to find my grandmother. I can do that, but I need your help. I…I need your strength. Help me?"
As if he would refuse her anything, he just nodded his head in affirmation. "Take what you need."
She took his free hand and pulled it up to her chest, near her heart, closing her eyes in concentration. His strength was vigorous and was like a breath of fresh air after being nearly suffocated by her thoughts and dreams. He was filled with power and it surged into her body and mind, recharging her weakened condition. To him, it was a mere tingling sensation, but he watched in fascination as her shoulders straightened and it was obvious that his strength was helping her.
"Grandmother." Her inner voice called out from the emptiness in her mind, her head began to drift backwards, but Legolas' hand kept it upright. She could already feel Galadriel's presence and knew that her grandmother had heard her. That she was already near. "I need you."
The response was immediate. "Do not move from that spot. I shall be with you within moments and I won't be alone." Galadriel could feel Julia's hesitation at those words and knew whom it was she feared. "Do not fear, my child. Celeborn is not with me."
Trusting her grandmother Julia severed the connection and opened her eyes to look at Legolas. "She is coming and she is not alone. I don't know who she would bring with her and I wish she were by herself."
His hand ran through her hair, experiencing it's silky texture. "If your grandmother wishes the company of another there is a good reason for it. You must trust in her, Julia. Out of all who dwell in this land she alone is most worthy."
His words and the gentle ease of his hand playing with her hair caused the pulse in her throat to quicken. "You're right." She smiled nervously at the elf with whom she was growing so attached and casually wrapped her hand around his wrist. "You can release me now." She said softly, feel a bit uneasy now that she was feeling better and had noticed just how close together they were really standing.
He shook his head, understanding her hesitancy and striving to prove her wrong. Instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer. "No, I can't." He said not giving her a chance to react, before leaning further into her and brushing his lips lightly against hers. It wasn't like their first kiss, with this one he knew full well what was happening and he wasn't going to listen to the arguments raging war in his head.
He had never been known for spontaneity, yet since he had met Julia it seemed like he couldn't help himself. Whether it be running through the forest hunting for ripe berries or standing in the middle of an open field devouring her lips with his, the later being his favorite spontaneous act by far, she was changing him. Giving him a taste of freedom.
He could sense her yielding in his arms and let out a soft groan as he felt her willing arms wrap up around his shoulders, pulling his body closer as to deepen the kiss. He began to feel his control slip as her teeth gently bit his bottom lip then with the softest touch of her tongue she began her exploration of his mouth.
Julia felt as if she could stay in his arms forever, their bodies seemed to mold together perfectly as if they were a puzzle that had finally been perfectly matched. If not for a nagging thought in the back of her mind, she would have gladly stayed in that position for as long as he wished, but she could already feel her grandmother's presence and knew that she and her guest were near.
Wishing they had more time, she hesitantly eased back, breaking the contact of her lips to his, taking a few slow breaths before even attempting to speak. She felt a sudden need to explain her reasons for pulling away when she saw the look of confusion upon his face. "Legolas, my grandmother is near."
He looked beyond her to the edge of the woods and nodded his head when he saw the shimmering white of Galadriel's dress. "We will need to talk later." He said his voice slightly gruff, but his focus was immediately back on the beautiful she-elf before him.
She smiled and ran the back of her hand down the side of his face. "Yes, we will." It felt almost effortless to care for him after so short a time together and the feelings that were starting to make their appearance known inside of her were already quite strong. "You'll stay with me, won't you?" She asked.
"If you wish."
"I do. I…I need you to stay."
He caught her hand before she could pull it away completely, careful not to harm her injury, while his eyes remained in constant connection with hers. "Julia, whatever you do, please do not be sorry for your affection. I am not." His voice came out a bit more harsh than he had intended, but he could judge by her reaction to his words that she had caught their full meaning.
"Legolas, are you saying…" Her voice stopped in mid-sentence and stiffened as she heard footsteps coming from behind her. She turned to see her grandmother walking into the clearing, Aragorn walking swiftly by her side. She could have groaned aloud with their untimely arrival yet, the sight of the ranger gave Julia a surge of relief. If there were to be anyone other than Legolas and Galadriel to see her like this, Aragorn would be the only man she would feel comfortable with.
Though never having met him before his arrival in Lothlorien, Julia knew without a doubt that he could be trusted. She had already heard from Arwen's mouth concerning the good deeds of the future king and seeing the look of respect on Legolas' face when he saw his friend, she felt a great respect for the man herself.
Legolas stood slowly and stepped back, taking his place beside Aragorn, as Galadriel moved gracefully to her granddaughter's side. A look of pure concentration crossed her face when she lifted her hands as if to touch her, but stopping only a feather's breathe away and placing the softest of kisses upon her forehead. This simple action lifted a large weight from Julia's heart. "Let me see your hands."
The moment Galadriel saw them a single tear slipped down her cheek. "You have seen more than I thought. Oh Julia…" She gathered Julia into her arms and for the first time in many years, Galadriel felt fear. No, not fear, but terror at the thought of what the dreams meant for her darling Julia.
"Seen? What do you mean? Was it not only a dream?"
"Julia, dreams do not cause such destruction as this." Galadriel said harshly looking at the cuts on Julia's hands, producing a bandage seemingly out of nowhere, and starting to bind the wounds. "Something must be done and quickly before anything worse happens." She turned to Aragorn and met his eyes. "It is time."
His mouth tightened into a thin line as he nodded his head. His shoulders stiffened and he knew exactly what she wanted him to say. He sighed with regret at the thought of leaving the magical woods of Lothlorien, but did not question Galadriel. She knew what was best and he would see it done.
He turned to Legolas and noticed his full attention was on Julia. "Legolas." He called to him. "We will leave tomorrow. There is no holding back the next step in our journey."
Julia's attention was immediately turned upon Aragorn at his words and she felt a strong feeling of distress at the thought of Legolas leaving. "So soon? But, you have only just arrived."
"Milady, the ring cannot continue to dwell here. You are affected too greatly. To remain in this land, though our hearts wish it, would be folly. Surely you can see the best course of action is for us to leave." His voice was kind a gentle as he spoke trying to ease the knowledge of their upcoming absence.
Julia glanced at Legolas out of the corner of her eyes and saw that he was no happier about the news than she was. She realized that it must be even worse for him. He had a duty to fulfill in the fellowship and now he felt as close of a bond to her as she did to him.
Perhaps it was for the best, she thought. Cursing herself for forgetting that he had more important things to deal with, things a hell of a lot more important than her dismal problems, and taking up all of his time like a selfish child.
Julia glanced up at Aragorn as an idea occurred to her. "Maybe you're right, it would best for you to continue on with your journey." She saw the frown appear on Legolas' face, but did not stop her words at that. "Though I would rather you stay much longer, I will agree that it would be best. However…"
"However?" Aragorn asked.
"However, I would request that I be able to spend this night in the company of the fellowship. I have not had the chance to get to know any of the others and I'm most interested in speaking with the hobbits. I even have a question or two for the dwarf as well." She gave him an amused smile as she mentioned Gimli, obviously thinking something privately and not wishing to share her thought.
Galadriel shook her head, having finished with the bandages. "Julia, you would be too close to the ring of power. I cannot allow this."
Julia's eyes softened, she hated saying the next few words. "I am not asking you, grandmother. I know my limitations as far as the ring is concerned and I am asking you to trust me. To allow me this one request." At Galadriel's silence she turned back to Aragorn. "Where are they dwelling at this moment?"
"When I left them they were eating dinner, but I'm sure that by now they are sitting by a warm fire in our enclosure." He replied absently his mind still worrying over her decision to meet with the others. "Are you sure that this is wise? You do recall what happened the last time you were in close proximity to the ring."
"I will not lie to you Aragorn, the ring does concern me." She stopped and swallowed nervously, thinking about her dream, but dismissing her nerves and making a decision. "But, Aragorn, if I don't not face this right now, I don't know if I'll ever be able to. I have allowed it to control everything about me today and I've had enough. Now will you take me to them or not?"
He was surprised by the sudden intensity in her voice, but did not show it. "By all means, Lady Julia, I will take you to them if that is what you truly wish."
"Thank you, Aragorn." She watched as he turned to walk away, following quickly behind, only stopping to turn to speak with her grandmother. "Please understand that I must do this. I know that it goes against your wishes, but there's this feeling inside me that's telling me I have to face this."
"Julia, you have already made it clear that my opinion does not matter. Do as you will." Galadriel replied leaving Julia staring after her. Of all the responses she had imagined, Galadriel's reaction shocked her most of all. Julia had never heard her grandmother speak to her in such a way and it hurt her deeply.
She swallowed the emotions welling up in her chest and lifted her chin proudly, turning to Legolas and giving him a brave smile. "Are you coming?" she asked, reaching her hand out to him.
"Don't be upset with her. She is only worried about you, Julia. That is her right." He reached forward and took her hand. "Can you blame her for not wanting you to be anywhere near the ring?"
Julia sighed and shook her head. "No, I understand why she worries, just as I understand your feelings on the matter. You feel the same way she does. That I shouldn't be tempting fate."
He gently lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles softly, and softly caressing the tips of her fingers. "I think that if you believe you can handle this temptation, then I will be by your side. I trust in you, Julia, and I believe that you know what you can and can't handle. However, if it affects you too greatly, I will take you away from it." His voice was soft, yet she could hear the seriousness of his threat. "Agreed?"
"Agreed." She replied slightly mystified at the feelings his words stirred inside of her. How could it be possible to feel such care and admiration for someone after a single days time together. Whatever the answer, Julia knew without a doubt that her feelings for the young prince were not going to leave anytime soon. And she didn't want them to. Not now. Not ever.
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I seriously hope this chapter wasn't as bad as I think it was, so if you guys don't reply I will totally understand…though I could really use some constructive criticism.