Hey my loyal readers^-^! Sorry it took me forever to get this one typed.
I've just been so busy lately (my parents are recently divorced and I'm
stuck with constantly being FORCED -I stress forced- to visit my depressing
father and angry mother and her stupid boyfriend. Other than that, school
has been a major pain in the ass. Anyway, on with the show! PLEASE REVIEW!
The sky was black, and all around her was dark, except for a dimming flashlight. The moon was hardly visible, and what little light that was given off from it and the flashlight illuminated the trees and gave them a spooky look.
"Get over here!" A woman hissed.
"No! Leave me alone!" A child cried back, fighting tears.
The woman in black moved towards the eight-year old and towered over her, "Now or I'll beat you!" she screamed and squeezed the girl's wrist, imbedding her nails into her skin.
"You're hurting me! Let me go!" Screamed the child as she struggled and fought to get free.
"This will teach you a lesson!" The lady yelled as she picked up a bottle and swung with all her might, and the little girl feel to the ground, no longer making any sounds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven's eyes snapped open, but saw nothing but blurs. She was breathing heavily, and felt tiny drops of sweat on her forehead.
She closed her eyes, 'It was only a nightmare, nothing more. I'm safe. She's not here.' She thought to herself as she opened her eyes again and got a good view of her surroundings; she was in a strange bed, with beige- colored satin sheets. There was an open balcony with green trees standing tall, and the sun was setting behind the mountains. The room was cream colored, much like the bed. On her left, there was a comfortable-looking chair. Lastly, the floor (especially near the balcony) was littered with a few dead leaves, probably blown in by the wind.
She tried to think how she came to this room, and oddly enough, she couldn't. All she could recall was riding with an unconscious Legolas, being questioned by guards, and then everything had gone blank.
"Oh my god, don't tell me I fainted! For god's sake, how lame is that?" She groaned, finally realizing what had happened.
"I must say, it was very 'lame' as you put it." Said an obnoxious voice.
"What the-!" Raven said rolling over quickly, not realizing that there was someone else in the room.
Legolas was lying on the bed next to her, eyes closed, a damp cloth placed neatly on his forehead, and a bandage tightly wrapped around his arm where the spider had fallen on him. Next to him sat a female elf slouching in her chair.
She had a nose that curved downward at the end, dark brown eyes, and dark brown (almost black) hair that scarcely made it passed her shoulder blades. She might almost have been attractive if didn't have such poor posture, and lost the grimacing face.
"I am Kasseendra." The scowling girl named herself.
"I'm Raven! Nice ta meet you!" She smiled and outstretched her hand to shake Kasseendra's, but she merely gave Raven's hand a disgusted look as if it was diseased. "How's Legolas? Is he going to be alright?" asked Raven with concern, ignoring the other she-elf's rudeness.
"Fortunately, the Price will survive, no thanks to you. He will be dismissed tomorrow, or at least when he wakes up." Retorted Kasseendra as she picked up Legolas's hand and stroked it gently.
"I beg your pardon! I saved his bloody life, thank you very much! And what the hell are you doing to his hand? It's not like you're engaged or something!" replied a very angry Raven.
Kasseendra's face reddened slightly, "No, but, well, I plan to change that you know!" She growled back, but a smile grew on her face as she finished and she licked her lips. Raven's stomach turned and contorted.
Raven rolled her eyes. 'Great. Nowhere is free of mindless fangirls.' She concluded mentally with resentment. "Sure Kasseendra, whatever you say."
"I HOPE I didn't hear mockery in you voice!" she boomed.
Yea, you did. Whatcha gonna do about it?" Raven replied, getting her city attitude back.
"How DARE you talk to me like that!" Kasseendra bellowed.
"Jesus Christ! Don't have a fucking cow! I can talk to you anyway I want!"
"You will do well to respect my authority!"
"What authorities do A class bitches have?" Raven asked defiantly.
"I WILL NOT TALK WITH SUCH A, SUCH A, UH," Kasseendra struggled for a moment to find an insult, "IMBECILE!" She screamed.
"Don't you mean AN imbecile?" Raven corrected rebelliously.
"I shall stand for no more of your disgusting behavior! Be silent if you cannot be civilized!"
"You started it! Jesus, if you hadn't been a bitch in the first place I wouldn't be winning a swearing contest right now!"
"I DID NOT START THIS!"
"Fine, whatever." Raven rolled her eyes, "How long have I been out for, and when can I leave?" Raven made a coughing noise that sounded suspiciously like 'did too'.
"You have been asleep for almost two days now, and you may leave tomorrow when you awaken."
"Thanks. Lovely. When are you leaving?" Raven replied monotonously.
"I refuse to move until Legolas awakens." She said crossing her arms and legs in her chair.
"How romantic." Raven said sarcastically and rolled over. 'Great,' she thought, 'One more day of Little Miss Bull-Shit Bitch.'
Raven lay awake for a short time, and sleep finally covered her in a dreamless slumber. She was unaware though, that she was being watched with sour eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Something soft and warm brushed against sleeping Raven's cheek.
The tickling sensation instantly woke her up, and with her newly found elvish reflexes, she grabbed the object that had touched her; a hand. Before seeing whom it might have belonged to, she instinctively turned the hand backwards and twisted the wrist it was connected to.
The pour victim to Raven's impulses gave a yelp of surprise and pain, "Ack! Raven, it's me! It's Legolas!"
"Legolas! NO! What in the name of the Valar are you doing to him you witch?" Kasseendra shrieked as she moved towards the other two elves.
"Legolas!?" Raven yelled ecstatically as she turned her head and gazed into his blue orbs, "Thank god your alright! I'm like so terribly sorry about everything! Does it hurt? Can you move your arm? Are you free to leave? When did you wake up? How long have I been asleep for? Do you even know? Can I get out of the hospital place thingy? Am I speaking to fast?" She yelled excitedly all in one breath ignoring Kasseendra, and Legolas blinked once not knowing which question to answer first.
Before letting him answer a single question, Raven waved her arms for enthusiasm, then tightly wrapped her arms around Legolas's waist and squeezed him in a death-grip hug.
"Uh, Raven? I need air." Legolas stated as he started to turn purple.
"Oh, sorry Legs." She said as she released him and pointed to Kasseendra," Hey, whose that nasty lady?"
Legolas glanced over his shoulder, "Kasseendra? She's an acquaintance of mine. Her father is one of my father's advisors! I don't know her that well I'm afraid." Legolas replied.
"Oh. Just wondering." Raven converted her eye contact to Kasseendra, "I wanted to know whom I was crediting for my 'warm' welcome." Legolas gave her a confused look and glanced over to Kasseendra for a moment. "Anyway, I hope I didn't do anymore harm to your arm. How are you feeling?" She asked reverting her eyesight back to Legolas.
"I'm fine thank you, and no, you didn't hurt my arm. I can take my bandages off in a week or so, and we may leave as soon as my father dismisses us. He should be here to do so shortly."
"No, I am here now." Thranduil corrected his son, "Kasseendra, Thank you for watching over my son and his companion. You may go." Thranduil motioned to the door with his arm.
Thranduil was almost a twin to Legolas. They both had golden hair and blue eyes, but Legolas's sparkled more brightly. He was only about an inch taller that Legolas, but again, the high cheekbones must run in the family. Despite the similarities, Raven concluded that Legolas was far more handsome.
Kasseendra sent a swift smile to Legolas and shot Raven a mean look as she departed the healing quarters. 'Bitch.' Raven said simply in her mind.
"Father, tis good to see you. I managed to destroy many colonies of spiders and orcs on my hunt. I have much news!" Legolas said and placed his good hand on his father's shoulder as a token of affection.
Thranduil followed suit, squeezing his son's shoulder slightly, "I should like to hear of this news at tonight's ball that I am scheduling in your and your companion's honor." He finished and smiled at the redness he caused in Raven's face.
"Thank you father! This is Raven. She saved my life. I met her by chance in the forest-" Legolas motioned for Raven to come over when he was cut off.
"Reserve your adventures for tonight's entertainment." He said smiling at his son.
"Pleased to meet you, King Thranduil." Raven said as she held out her right hand to shake his.
"Tis and honor to meet the woman who saved my son. I thank you greatly. Praise the Valar that you met him. You do not look familiar, where are you from?" The king asked and placed a kiss on her hand as he gave Legolas a loving smile.
Raven felt one of those infamous painful knots grow in her throat that you get when something sad crosses your mind. Seeing the love between Legolas and Thranduil made her think of all the things she had missed out on in her life. 'Be strong girl, be strong.' She told herself mentally. "Um, I'm not really from anywhere, actually. I suppose you could say that I'm something of a nomadic elf. You know, always on the road." Raven said with a half- fake laugh.
"I see. What brings you to Eyrn Lasgaelen?" (The Wood of Green Leaves) (The name Celeborn and Thranduil renamed Mirkwood near the end of the trilogy)
"Erm, I uh, was just passing through I guess. This was just the closest place on the map!" Raven replied brightly.
An elf dressed in gray and seemed to be of some importance appeared in the doorway. He bowed respectfully, "My Lords, Lady, A message for King Thranduil." He said and pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and handed it to Thranduil.
Thranduil sighed as he read the elvish writing and folded it up, "I am sorry Legolas, but I have business to attend to. I shall see you later tonight outside the palace. It was a pleasure to meet you, Raven. I regret that I could not get to know you better. I will just have to wait until tonight. Oh yes, you are free to go. Legolas, why don't you show Raven to a room? I'm sure she'd like to freshen up. Farewell." Thranduil said as he walked down the hall and sent Legolas and Raven one last smile.
Legolas sighed, "Sorry you didn't get to have a longer talk with my father."
"That's alright. Tis the burden of being royalty." Raven said the last part with pretend dignity.
"You haven't the gist of it. My father is constantly working."
"Well, he's king. Anyone who is king has a constant load of work. Are YOU up to the challenge?" Raven asked more playfully than seriously.
"Legolas gave her a funny look and laughed slightly, "Come along. I must take you to your room." Legolas said and offered his good arm.
Raven took it and asked, "Could you give me the grand tour first, that is, if we have enough time?"
Legolas smiled, "Why of course. Up ahead is the library." Legolas said as he steeped inside an open doorway.
Raven's mouth hung open. Books where her life up until let's just say, 'recent events'. Now, there was a huge library with books covering floor to ceiling. There was a spiraling staircase that led to another room used as an extension to the library. Most of the books were old with cracking spines and dusty covers, but it didn't matter to her. "H, h, how-" Raven struggled to ask when Legolas cut her off.
"How many are there?" Legolas asked for her, enjoying her every reaction to the vast scroll room.
Raven made eye contact with Legolas as she nodded her head slowly.
Legolas furrowed his brow and sighed, "I don't know really. I used to come here and count them for fun as a child, but I always lost count. Anyway, even if I had counted them all, it was thousands of years ago."
Raven blinked a few times; she had almost forgotten that Legolas was nearly three thousand years old. She wondered if that was why elves where commonly considered ageless.
"This way Raven, there is more to see." Legolas said as he headed out the library and clasped Raven's hand.
Raven glanced down at her hand that was currently entwined with Legolas's and blushed slightly at her laced fingers. She felt the warmth and softness of his palm on hers and tightened her hold. Thought it was a comforting feeling, it made her feel slightly uncomfortable.
Legolas led Raven down another series of hallways naming off the rooms and occasionally stepping in one.
Soon they came to the end of a hallway and pushed open a set of double doors that led to the ballroom. Raven gasped softly at the size of it. She could probably fit her old flat in it easily. The room was lit with lamps that hung on the wall and two open balconies on both lengths.
"This is the ball room. What do you think?"
"Big. Very nice, very airy, very clean. Big. Is this where we are going tonight?"
"No, tonight we are going to the gardens." Legolas smiled down at Raven.
"Could you take me to see the gardens?" Raven asked flashing him a sweet smile.
"Certainly." Legolas replied and took her hand again.
After a series of corridors, they finally came to the garden's gate. Legolas held it open for Raven and stepped out after her.
It wasn't the first time that Raven was amazed by the beauty and magnitude of an area of Legolas's home. Trimmed bushes created paths, hundreds of rose bushes and lilies seemed to almost grow wild, small ponds where surrounded by wild flowers and honeysuckle, tall bushes formed mazes, willows and other shade trees where placed at even intervals around the gravel paths with benches at their bases, and sculptures of stags and people graced the trails.
"Oh Legolas, it's so beautiful . . ." Raven trailed off and scanned the gardens.
Legolas smiled softly at Raven, "Come Raven, I should take you to your room now." Legolas said as he led her back into the palace, "I'm glad to see you enjoyed your tour."
"Thank you very much for giving it to me. I still have a feeling that I'm gonna get lost every five minutes; this place is so huge!" Raven said exasperatedly and waved her arms in the air for emphasis.
Legolas laughed, "Don't worry! You may stay in the guest suit across the hall from my room. I'll escort you to wherever you need to go."
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course! It's the least I could do for the woman who saved my life!"
Minutes later the two elves turned down one last corridor and stopped in front of a door.
"This is it." Legolas said pushing the door open for Raven.
"Oh, a gentleman now aren't we?" She teased and made Legolas blush slightly, "Or should I say gentleELF?" Raven kidded again as she looked at her new room.
It had several floor-to-ceiling windows and the traditional large arched open balcony with a railing and a bench. A desk with several pieces of fresh parchment, a bottle of ink, and two or three quills on it was placed against a wall with a padded and wooden armchair pushed neatly under it. On the other side of the room, a large armoire with intricate carvings on it stood against another wall. Lastly, a bed that Raven estimated to be a king size with five pillows, and tea-colored silk sheets gave the room a very warm feeling.
"Will this suit you needs?"
"Yes, thank you, but I have one small question."
"Yes?"
"Just guessing, but I don't think my muddy cloak-and-dagger traveling get- up is gonna be in good taste for tonight's little garden party."
Legolas portrayed another one of his charming laughs and strode to the dresser, "Here are all the clothes you shall ever need." He said as he pulled its doors open.
"Thanks Legs! You're a natural-born lifesaver." Raven said with a pleased smile, "By the way, how do I get to the gardens again?"
Legolas smiled, "Simply go left down the hall then take two right turns. When you get to the library, make one more left and go straight until you reach the statue of Lúthien Tinúviel. From there the gate should be in sight. Anything else?" The elf asked inquiringly.
"No, that will be all thank you. See you tonight!"
"If ever you need anything, I'll be across the hall. Are you certain you don't want me to escort you to the gardens?"
"Nah, that's okay. I don't want to bother you. Don't be too surprised if I'm late, I'll probably just be lost. What time am I supposed to be there?"
"Eight o'clock I should think. Are you certain you don't want an escort?"
"Yes, yes, yes. I'm sure. See ya tonight. Bye!"
"Farewell, Raven." Legolas said as he smiled and stepped out the door, slightly confused why she refused his accompaniment. 'I'm sure it's just nerves.' Legolas thought to himself encouragingly.
Raven sighed. She estimated it had been at least eleven when she left the healing quarters, then another five or six hours of tours. Raven looked out the window at the sun and estimated the time. She had grown good at this due to the fact that she read a sundial everyday back in California. She concluded that it was about six.
Raven stepped over to the armoire and tried to decide which one to wear. Legolas wasn't kidding when he said there were enough clothes in there for the rest of her life. The dresser contained a velvety maroon colored dress, a mauve dress with white trim, a deep forest green one with soft fabric, a deep blue dress, a white one that seemed to shine and sparkle when the sun hit it in a certain way, a shimmering silk silver dress, several sets of earth tone traveling outfits that looked surprisingly like her own, several cloaks, and many other dresses and other things. Raven decided on the silver one. What could she say- she had a thing for that color.
Raven folded her filthy clothes and placed them by the door. Next she slipped the gown over her head and pulled her hands through the full-length sleeves. She glanced around the room for a brush- she had gone several days without it, but surprisingly enough, her hair didn't seem to need it that much. 'It must be part of being an elf.' Raven concluded. She pulled open one of the drawers in the armoire and found what she was looking for.
Raven gave the brush a curious look; she had never seen such an elegant one in her life. The head and handle was made of a silver-like metal and had designs on it.
When her hair was combed to her satisfaction, Raven turned and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled brightly at the way her dress hung on her curves. As her gaze moved downwards she saw something that made her heart stop when she saw where the sleeve on the dress ended. She exhaled deeply and pulled the sleeve down as far as she could and pushed the memories out of image out of her mind. She didn't have to worry about it anymore. She was gone. She didn't plan on going back any time soon. She didn't want to.
Raven sighed one last time and stepped out her door and made a left turn.
REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!
The sky was black, and all around her was dark, except for a dimming flashlight. The moon was hardly visible, and what little light that was given off from it and the flashlight illuminated the trees and gave them a spooky look.
"Get over here!" A woman hissed.
"No! Leave me alone!" A child cried back, fighting tears.
The woman in black moved towards the eight-year old and towered over her, "Now or I'll beat you!" she screamed and squeezed the girl's wrist, imbedding her nails into her skin.
"You're hurting me! Let me go!" Screamed the child as she struggled and fought to get free.
"This will teach you a lesson!" The lady yelled as she picked up a bottle and swung with all her might, and the little girl feel to the ground, no longer making any sounds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven's eyes snapped open, but saw nothing but blurs. She was breathing heavily, and felt tiny drops of sweat on her forehead.
She closed her eyes, 'It was only a nightmare, nothing more. I'm safe. She's not here.' She thought to herself as she opened her eyes again and got a good view of her surroundings; she was in a strange bed, with beige- colored satin sheets. There was an open balcony with green trees standing tall, and the sun was setting behind the mountains. The room was cream colored, much like the bed. On her left, there was a comfortable-looking chair. Lastly, the floor (especially near the balcony) was littered with a few dead leaves, probably blown in by the wind.
She tried to think how she came to this room, and oddly enough, she couldn't. All she could recall was riding with an unconscious Legolas, being questioned by guards, and then everything had gone blank.
"Oh my god, don't tell me I fainted! For god's sake, how lame is that?" She groaned, finally realizing what had happened.
"I must say, it was very 'lame' as you put it." Said an obnoxious voice.
"What the-!" Raven said rolling over quickly, not realizing that there was someone else in the room.
Legolas was lying on the bed next to her, eyes closed, a damp cloth placed neatly on his forehead, and a bandage tightly wrapped around his arm where the spider had fallen on him. Next to him sat a female elf slouching in her chair.
She had a nose that curved downward at the end, dark brown eyes, and dark brown (almost black) hair that scarcely made it passed her shoulder blades. She might almost have been attractive if didn't have such poor posture, and lost the grimacing face.
"I am Kasseendra." The scowling girl named herself.
"I'm Raven! Nice ta meet you!" She smiled and outstretched her hand to shake Kasseendra's, but she merely gave Raven's hand a disgusted look as if it was diseased. "How's Legolas? Is he going to be alright?" asked Raven with concern, ignoring the other she-elf's rudeness.
"Fortunately, the Price will survive, no thanks to you. He will be dismissed tomorrow, or at least when he wakes up." Retorted Kasseendra as she picked up Legolas's hand and stroked it gently.
"I beg your pardon! I saved his bloody life, thank you very much! And what the hell are you doing to his hand? It's not like you're engaged or something!" replied a very angry Raven.
Kasseendra's face reddened slightly, "No, but, well, I plan to change that you know!" She growled back, but a smile grew on her face as she finished and she licked her lips. Raven's stomach turned and contorted.
Raven rolled her eyes. 'Great. Nowhere is free of mindless fangirls.' She concluded mentally with resentment. "Sure Kasseendra, whatever you say."
"I HOPE I didn't hear mockery in you voice!" she boomed.
Yea, you did. Whatcha gonna do about it?" Raven replied, getting her city attitude back.
"How DARE you talk to me like that!" Kasseendra bellowed.
"Jesus Christ! Don't have a fucking cow! I can talk to you anyway I want!"
"You will do well to respect my authority!"
"What authorities do A class bitches have?" Raven asked defiantly.
"I WILL NOT TALK WITH SUCH A, SUCH A, UH," Kasseendra struggled for a moment to find an insult, "IMBECILE!" She screamed.
"Don't you mean AN imbecile?" Raven corrected rebelliously.
"I shall stand for no more of your disgusting behavior! Be silent if you cannot be civilized!"
"You started it! Jesus, if you hadn't been a bitch in the first place I wouldn't be winning a swearing contest right now!"
"I DID NOT START THIS!"
"Fine, whatever." Raven rolled her eyes, "How long have I been out for, and when can I leave?" Raven made a coughing noise that sounded suspiciously like 'did too'.
"You have been asleep for almost two days now, and you may leave tomorrow when you awaken."
"Thanks. Lovely. When are you leaving?" Raven replied monotonously.
"I refuse to move until Legolas awakens." She said crossing her arms and legs in her chair.
"How romantic." Raven said sarcastically and rolled over. 'Great,' she thought, 'One more day of Little Miss Bull-Shit Bitch.'
Raven lay awake for a short time, and sleep finally covered her in a dreamless slumber. She was unaware though, that she was being watched with sour eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Something soft and warm brushed against sleeping Raven's cheek.
The tickling sensation instantly woke her up, and with her newly found elvish reflexes, she grabbed the object that had touched her; a hand. Before seeing whom it might have belonged to, she instinctively turned the hand backwards and twisted the wrist it was connected to.
The pour victim to Raven's impulses gave a yelp of surprise and pain, "Ack! Raven, it's me! It's Legolas!"
"Legolas! NO! What in the name of the Valar are you doing to him you witch?" Kasseendra shrieked as she moved towards the other two elves.
"Legolas!?" Raven yelled ecstatically as she turned her head and gazed into his blue orbs, "Thank god your alright! I'm like so terribly sorry about everything! Does it hurt? Can you move your arm? Are you free to leave? When did you wake up? How long have I been asleep for? Do you even know? Can I get out of the hospital place thingy? Am I speaking to fast?" She yelled excitedly all in one breath ignoring Kasseendra, and Legolas blinked once not knowing which question to answer first.
Before letting him answer a single question, Raven waved her arms for enthusiasm, then tightly wrapped her arms around Legolas's waist and squeezed him in a death-grip hug.
"Uh, Raven? I need air." Legolas stated as he started to turn purple.
"Oh, sorry Legs." She said as she released him and pointed to Kasseendra," Hey, whose that nasty lady?"
Legolas glanced over his shoulder, "Kasseendra? She's an acquaintance of mine. Her father is one of my father's advisors! I don't know her that well I'm afraid." Legolas replied.
"Oh. Just wondering." Raven converted her eye contact to Kasseendra, "I wanted to know whom I was crediting for my 'warm' welcome." Legolas gave her a confused look and glanced over to Kasseendra for a moment. "Anyway, I hope I didn't do anymore harm to your arm. How are you feeling?" She asked reverting her eyesight back to Legolas.
"I'm fine thank you, and no, you didn't hurt my arm. I can take my bandages off in a week or so, and we may leave as soon as my father dismisses us. He should be here to do so shortly."
"No, I am here now." Thranduil corrected his son, "Kasseendra, Thank you for watching over my son and his companion. You may go." Thranduil motioned to the door with his arm.
Thranduil was almost a twin to Legolas. They both had golden hair and blue eyes, but Legolas's sparkled more brightly. He was only about an inch taller that Legolas, but again, the high cheekbones must run in the family. Despite the similarities, Raven concluded that Legolas was far more handsome.
Kasseendra sent a swift smile to Legolas and shot Raven a mean look as she departed the healing quarters. 'Bitch.' Raven said simply in her mind.
"Father, tis good to see you. I managed to destroy many colonies of spiders and orcs on my hunt. I have much news!" Legolas said and placed his good hand on his father's shoulder as a token of affection.
Thranduil followed suit, squeezing his son's shoulder slightly, "I should like to hear of this news at tonight's ball that I am scheduling in your and your companion's honor." He finished and smiled at the redness he caused in Raven's face.
"Thank you father! This is Raven. She saved my life. I met her by chance in the forest-" Legolas motioned for Raven to come over when he was cut off.
"Reserve your adventures for tonight's entertainment." He said smiling at his son.
"Pleased to meet you, King Thranduil." Raven said as she held out her right hand to shake his.
"Tis and honor to meet the woman who saved my son. I thank you greatly. Praise the Valar that you met him. You do not look familiar, where are you from?" The king asked and placed a kiss on her hand as he gave Legolas a loving smile.
Raven felt one of those infamous painful knots grow in her throat that you get when something sad crosses your mind. Seeing the love between Legolas and Thranduil made her think of all the things she had missed out on in her life. 'Be strong girl, be strong.' She told herself mentally. "Um, I'm not really from anywhere, actually. I suppose you could say that I'm something of a nomadic elf. You know, always on the road." Raven said with a half- fake laugh.
"I see. What brings you to Eyrn Lasgaelen?" (The Wood of Green Leaves) (The name Celeborn and Thranduil renamed Mirkwood near the end of the trilogy)
"Erm, I uh, was just passing through I guess. This was just the closest place on the map!" Raven replied brightly.
An elf dressed in gray and seemed to be of some importance appeared in the doorway. He bowed respectfully, "My Lords, Lady, A message for King Thranduil." He said and pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and handed it to Thranduil.
Thranduil sighed as he read the elvish writing and folded it up, "I am sorry Legolas, but I have business to attend to. I shall see you later tonight outside the palace. It was a pleasure to meet you, Raven. I regret that I could not get to know you better. I will just have to wait until tonight. Oh yes, you are free to go. Legolas, why don't you show Raven to a room? I'm sure she'd like to freshen up. Farewell." Thranduil said as he walked down the hall and sent Legolas and Raven one last smile.
Legolas sighed, "Sorry you didn't get to have a longer talk with my father."
"That's alright. Tis the burden of being royalty." Raven said the last part with pretend dignity.
"You haven't the gist of it. My father is constantly working."
"Well, he's king. Anyone who is king has a constant load of work. Are YOU up to the challenge?" Raven asked more playfully than seriously.
"Legolas gave her a funny look and laughed slightly, "Come along. I must take you to your room." Legolas said and offered his good arm.
Raven took it and asked, "Could you give me the grand tour first, that is, if we have enough time?"
Legolas smiled, "Why of course. Up ahead is the library." Legolas said as he steeped inside an open doorway.
Raven's mouth hung open. Books where her life up until let's just say, 'recent events'. Now, there was a huge library with books covering floor to ceiling. There was a spiraling staircase that led to another room used as an extension to the library. Most of the books were old with cracking spines and dusty covers, but it didn't matter to her. "H, h, how-" Raven struggled to ask when Legolas cut her off.
"How many are there?" Legolas asked for her, enjoying her every reaction to the vast scroll room.
Raven made eye contact with Legolas as she nodded her head slowly.
Legolas furrowed his brow and sighed, "I don't know really. I used to come here and count them for fun as a child, but I always lost count. Anyway, even if I had counted them all, it was thousands of years ago."
Raven blinked a few times; she had almost forgotten that Legolas was nearly three thousand years old. She wondered if that was why elves where commonly considered ageless.
"This way Raven, there is more to see." Legolas said as he headed out the library and clasped Raven's hand.
Raven glanced down at her hand that was currently entwined with Legolas's and blushed slightly at her laced fingers. She felt the warmth and softness of his palm on hers and tightened her hold. Thought it was a comforting feeling, it made her feel slightly uncomfortable.
Legolas led Raven down another series of hallways naming off the rooms and occasionally stepping in one.
Soon they came to the end of a hallway and pushed open a set of double doors that led to the ballroom. Raven gasped softly at the size of it. She could probably fit her old flat in it easily. The room was lit with lamps that hung on the wall and two open balconies on both lengths.
"This is the ball room. What do you think?"
"Big. Very nice, very airy, very clean. Big. Is this where we are going tonight?"
"No, tonight we are going to the gardens." Legolas smiled down at Raven.
"Could you take me to see the gardens?" Raven asked flashing him a sweet smile.
"Certainly." Legolas replied and took her hand again.
After a series of corridors, they finally came to the garden's gate. Legolas held it open for Raven and stepped out after her.
It wasn't the first time that Raven was amazed by the beauty and magnitude of an area of Legolas's home. Trimmed bushes created paths, hundreds of rose bushes and lilies seemed to almost grow wild, small ponds where surrounded by wild flowers and honeysuckle, tall bushes formed mazes, willows and other shade trees where placed at even intervals around the gravel paths with benches at their bases, and sculptures of stags and people graced the trails.
"Oh Legolas, it's so beautiful . . ." Raven trailed off and scanned the gardens.
Legolas smiled softly at Raven, "Come Raven, I should take you to your room now." Legolas said as he led her back into the palace, "I'm glad to see you enjoyed your tour."
"Thank you very much for giving it to me. I still have a feeling that I'm gonna get lost every five minutes; this place is so huge!" Raven said exasperatedly and waved her arms in the air for emphasis.
Legolas laughed, "Don't worry! You may stay in the guest suit across the hall from my room. I'll escort you to wherever you need to go."
"You'd do that for me?"
"Of course! It's the least I could do for the woman who saved my life!"
Minutes later the two elves turned down one last corridor and stopped in front of a door.
"This is it." Legolas said pushing the door open for Raven.
"Oh, a gentleman now aren't we?" She teased and made Legolas blush slightly, "Or should I say gentleELF?" Raven kidded again as she looked at her new room.
It had several floor-to-ceiling windows and the traditional large arched open balcony with a railing and a bench. A desk with several pieces of fresh parchment, a bottle of ink, and two or three quills on it was placed against a wall with a padded and wooden armchair pushed neatly under it. On the other side of the room, a large armoire with intricate carvings on it stood against another wall. Lastly, a bed that Raven estimated to be a king size with five pillows, and tea-colored silk sheets gave the room a very warm feeling.
"Will this suit you needs?"
"Yes, thank you, but I have one small question."
"Yes?"
"Just guessing, but I don't think my muddy cloak-and-dagger traveling get- up is gonna be in good taste for tonight's little garden party."
Legolas portrayed another one of his charming laughs and strode to the dresser, "Here are all the clothes you shall ever need." He said as he pulled its doors open.
"Thanks Legs! You're a natural-born lifesaver." Raven said with a pleased smile, "By the way, how do I get to the gardens again?"
Legolas smiled, "Simply go left down the hall then take two right turns. When you get to the library, make one more left and go straight until you reach the statue of Lúthien Tinúviel. From there the gate should be in sight. Anything else?" The elf asked inquiringly.
"No, that will be all thank you. See you tonight!"
"If ever you need anything, I'll be across the hall. Are you certain you don't want me to escort you to the gardens?"
"Nah, that's okay. I don't want to bother you. Don't be too surprised if I'm late, I'll probably just be lost. What time am I supposed to be there?"
"Eight o'clock I should think. Are you certain you don't want an escort?"
"Yes, yes, yes. I'm sure. See ya tonight. Bye!"
"Farewell, Raven." Legolas said as he smiled and stepped out the door, slightly confused why she refused his accompaniment. 'I'm sure it's just nerves.' Legolas thought to himself encouragingly.
Raven sighed. She estimated it had been at least eleven when she left the healing quarters, then another five or six hours of tours. Raven looked out the window at the sun and estimated the time. She had grown good at this due to the fact that she read a sundial everyday back in California. She concluded that it was about six.
Raven stepped over to the armoire and tried to decide which one to wear. Legolas wasn't kidding when he said there were enough clothes in there for the rest of her life. The dresser contained a velvety maroon colored dress, a mauve dress with white trim, a deep forest green one with soft fabric, a deep blue dress, a white one that seemed to shine and sparkle when the sun hit it in a certain way, a shimmering silk silver dress, several sets of earth tone traveling outfits that looked surprisingly like her own, several cloaks, and many other dresses and other things. Raven decided on the silver one. What could she say- she had a thing for that color.
Raven folded her filthy clothes and placed them by the door. Next she slipped the gown over her head and pulled her hands through the full-length sleeves. She glanced around the room for a brush- she had gone several days without it, but surprisingly enough, her hair didn't seem to need it that much. 'It must be part of being an elf.' Raven concluded. She pulled open one of the drawers in the armoire and found what she was looking for.
Raven gave the brush a curious look; she had never seen such an elegant one in her life. The head and handle was made of a silver-like metal and had designs on it.
When her hair was combed to her satisfaction, Raven turned and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled brightly at the way her dress hung on her curves. As her gaze moved downwards she saw something that made her heart stop when she saw where the sleeve on the dress ended. She exhaled deeply and pulled the sleeve down as far as she could and pushed the memories out of image out of her mind. She didn't have to worry about it anymore. She was gone. She didn't plan on going back any time soon. She didn't want to.
Raven sighed one last time and stepped out her door and made a left turn.
REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!