Disclaimer: don't own LOTR, but I own Legolas… or at least… in my dreams I do! Does that count? LOL.
megs: thanks for the first review!!! Sob… I'm so happy you think it's that good, you have no idea how much I appreciate that!!!!!!!
Heavenly Angel: Thank you! Don't worry; I'm hoping Gimli and Kendra will cheer things up! Next few chappy's will be better, it's just cos no one trusts anyone right now! LOL.
LilLeggs: Woo! Thank you! No way on earth was that a flame so don't worry! Thanks for the advice; I'll try to be more descriptive! Thanks!
**~~** Chapter TwoThe next morning was horrible. The rain pounded on the rocks outside, cracks of illuminating white lightening bolts flashed in the air, half of the cave was soaked wet due to the slant of the rain and the ever thickening veil of clouds in the air rumbled and tumbled, covering the light blue sky of which everyone present at the cave longed to see, but none more than Ama and Legolas.
Ama sat at the edge of the cave in a small alcove. It shielded her from the rain and she sat with her knees drawn up to her chin and her impassive silver eyes just simply staring into the depths of the grey clouds above, sheets of matted raven hair fell over her face. Her misery was infectious and the beings present rarely spoke to each other.
Legolas stood next to Aragorn with his arms crossed. One of his own kinds was seriously injured and he wasn't allowed to help her. All because a human had ordered him not to. Legolas felt his pointed ear tips growing red in anger but he scolded himself. Aiva was simply protective over Ama.
The man and Elf both remained in silent understanding, choosing not to talk to each other. The silence did feel somewhat comforting.
Kendra remained at the very back of the cave with Aiva, her ginger hair hiding her wounded expression. They were both still asleep but their fitful states caused them to wake up every now and again. Sweat shined on the two women's foreheads and two hands found each other in their sleep and held on tight for comfort and reassurance.
Gimli however, was fuming mad. He had had enough of the silence and he wanted to move. His impatience grew and his eyes shifted from wall to wall.
"So today didn't bring us clear skies or answers huh laddie?" Gimli grunted, standing up.
Aragorn glared while Legolas simply moved out into the sheets of silvery rain. The pounding droplets did not frustrate him, they merely soothed his aching muscles after eight days of target practice and hunting.
"We should continue. Queen Arwen will be worried if we are late." Legolas muttered.
"Yes," Aragorn paused and sighed as he remembered his loving wife, he missed her, "it should take at least three days. The women shall come with us if they are willing." Aragorn nodded as if agreeing with himself.
"Something tells me they will be willing to have protection and shelter." Gimli said knowingly.
"Yes, we shall." Ama stood up wincing, her wounds had opened during the night but recently closed.
Aragorn turned to her and Legolas smiled in approval through the rain, his hair soaking wet and his clothes clinging to him. Gimli positively beamed.
"Great! Alert your friends then lass, we'll be leaving soon! Nothing like a bit of rain to wake you up…" He laughed at the prospect of moving, whether it be on horses or not.
Ama nodded slowly and locked eyes with Legolas for no more than a second. A great sympathy lay in his crystal blue eyes and instead of angering her pride, Ama smiled gratefully. She needed to be able to trust her on kind at least.
At the back of the cave, Kendra and Aiva tossed in their sleep, resulting in their heads knocking together sharply. They sat up instantly and after a while of confused gazing, they both laughed, and laughed, and laughed. It felt so good to laugh.
As they saw Ama walk over they greeted her with a hug, Ama smiled gently and told them that they would be leaving with the males soon.
"To Gondor? Are you sure you don't want to go home?" Kendra cocked her head to one side.
"I want to go to Gondor, the stories of it say it is a majestic city." Ama smiled wider, trying to appear happy.
Kendra drank it all in while Aiva stood with her arms crossed and her brow furrowed. Legolas and Gimli noted Aiva's silent need to talk to Ama so they called Kendra over.
"Come young one, help us with the horses." Legolas guided Kendra to the impatient horses.
Kendra, who was in awe of the warrior Elf, followed obediently and laughed as Gimli twisted his face in disapproval.
"You are running away." Aiva scolded lightly.
"Yes." Ama said simply.
"You cannot run away. You have to accept these things." Aiva knew she sounded harsh but she knew she was right.
"Let me tell you something Mellon. We are two very different people, I will accept it within time but right now I need to escape. You may have been strong enough to go home but I am not. Will you leave me or shall you stay?" Ama gave another small fake smile and took Aiva's hands.
"I shall stay till I die." Aiva grinned widely.
"Dear Valar, we sound like the world is ending! Come, I am sure Gimli will need help getting on his horse!" Ama giggled and dragged Aiva away.
So strong… Aiva thought sadly, you are so strong.
**~~**
Aragorn watched Kendra laugh as Gimli turned beetroot, he was having quite a hard time getting up on that horse of his… a smirk crept onto Aragorn's lips. He broke out into a full smile when he saw the smile of the Elf maiden. She had been hurt and though he had no idea why, Aragorn felt that her smile was a big step.
"I think riding arrangements will have to be made Estel." Legolas came back into the cave and stroked Arod's long white coat. The horse nudged against his shoulder in hello.
Everyone gathered around the three supply burdened horses. Ama looked nervous once more and the smile had disappeared.
"Ama? Who do you wish to ride with?" Aragorn asked gently.
"Aiva or Kendra." Ama replied instantly.
"I do not mind riding with one of you," Kendra signalled to Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas, "I know Aiva will not wish to ride with any of you." Aiva nodded solemnly in agreement.
"Fine, Gimli, you can ride with me on Hasufel, Aiva and Ama may ride on Nimrandel, Legolas? Can you adjust the stirrups?" Aragorn asked Legolas.
"That's okay, Elves can ride bareback and I'm sure Aiva can." Ama said, trying to cover any pleading in her voice, she did not want any help.
Aragorn cocked a black eyebrow but did not protest.
"Kendra? Do you mind riding with Legolas?" Aragorn knew the answer.
"Nope. I wish to know more about royal Elves anyway." Kendra beamed.
Aragorn smiled in appreciation, Kendra was far lighter hearted than Aiva and Ama, and maybe she could bring a little sunshine to the group.
With a lot of difficulty, Ama mounted Nimrandel, her wounds caused her tears to fall afresh and before Aiva could protest, Legolas was helping her up. Ama pushed away but Legolas took a firm grip on her waist and placed on the bare black back of the fidgeting horse, her legs to one side so the wounds that Legolas had guessed about would not be affected. Aiva growled and aimed a kick at Legolas.
"I can help her! She does not need your help!" Aiva said lowly.
Legolas dodged the kick and looked at Ama in shock. Her head was bowed and the tangled mass of her hair covered her unreadable eyes. Her shoulders shook though.
"Very well." Legolas replied with supreme calmness.
Everyone mounted and just as they left to ride out into the sheets of morbid grey raindrops, Legolas leaned over to Ama, Aiva eying him suspiciously.
"I am always here if you need me, we are of the same kind, you need not always follow Aiva's orders." He whispered so low so as only Ama's Elven ears could hear him.
She looked up and gave a flickering smile, her silver eyes shining with gratefulness.
"On we go…" Gimli said slowly, a smile on his already soaked face.
And so they rode out to make the weeklong journey back to Gondor.
Secrets would be discovered, and not just the females.
**~~**
Rogue mystique: a little shorter than the first chappy but if I kept going I would be babbling! Hope you liked it! Please review! Another big thanks to my three reviewers! (Hands out big chocolate chip cookies)