Hello my faithful readers and reviewers, how are you? Hope you enjoy
chapter thirteen!
Roain grinned at the broken body below him, "That, sister, is how you utterly obliterate a life," he cackled to Kasseendra, who stood rigid with fear across from the scene in which her brother was present, "You cannot simply ruin the body; you must destroy the soul," he stepped away from the bloody heap.
"Bro- brro- brother? What did you do?" Kasseendra stammered and passed him his black robe.
Roain blinked innocently as he drew the cloth around his naked shoulders, "That?" he nodded to the girl, "I obliterated her," he wiped a crimson streak of blood from the corner of his mouth, "utterly."
"Why?" she trembled.
"It is her innocence; I crave innocence, but once it is spent, I must destroyed her . . . but these women have nothing compared to what Raven has . . . Pity I must ruin her spirit as well."
Kasseendra was too stupid to run, "H- how do you do," she swallowed, "that?"
Roain grinned and narrowed his black eyes as he took a step toward his sister, "Let me show you . . ."
Galadriel pulled her head away from her mirror in disgust as the woman's mortified screams rang through the forest within. Her breaths came in labored gasps as she pieced the puzzle together: her foreboding feelings and the creature's words. Roain, or whatever he was, was going to kill Raven . . . Did that keep her from reading the child's thoughts? No . . . it could not have been a factor. Regardless, the girl was in danger; she needed to tell Legolas.
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Legolas leaned his head against the tree trunk behind him and let a sigh escape his lips when Raven threw her peach pit into the trees.
"What are you thinking about, love?" she asked and absently kissed peach juice from her fingers.
He lowered his eyes to meet those of the girl with her head resting on his lap, "It's so peaceful here, but we must leave tomorrow," he raised his eyes to the setting sun, "which, sadly, is not too far off," he stroked her hair unconsciously.
Raven released a long breath, "I will not be happy to see it go, but we must reach Aragorn before," she cut herself off, knowing that she had already said too much from the sudden pain that flashed in Legolas's expressive eyes. She couldn't bring herself to meet them, so she looked away, "I . . . I'm sorry, I-"
Legolas cut her off and made her face him with a finger under her chin, "Please," he brought her to him in a kiss, "don't be," he said, barely separating their lips, "I would not have made it so far without you. I wouldn't have-"
It was Raven's turn to cut him off, "Don't. You scare me when you talk like that. I . . . I need you to be strong . . . incase Roain," she did not need to say 'comes back' because the same thought always plagued the Prince's mind, even though he denied it.
"I told you that I will not let him hurt you," Legolas furrowed his brows as the green eyes of his love watered gently. He pulled her close to him so she sat on his lap.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," the acceptance and fear in her voice as it wavered to his ears almost brought tears to the warrior's orbs.
"What are you saying?" his heart fluttered slightly.
She opened her mouth to say something, but her tears were so close they choked her words. Just as comprehensible sounds reached the surface, Legolas once again smothered them with his lips, "Don't ever let me hear you say that again," he shook her slightly to emphasize the point.
She looked away.
"I love you," he brought his had to her cheek in a loving caress, which she leaned into without hesitation. The Prince swiftly pulled her to him in a tight embrace while delivering her a kiss composed of love, hunger, and an emotion he could not stop himself from enjoying, desire. But this was not the first time he felt its urge.
Just as their kiss became more passionate, Arien hurriedly rushed into the clearing, "There you are Legolas! I been looking everywhere for you!" in her haste, she failed to notice that her friends were still in lip-lock, "Oh, um, I hope I'm not interrupting something," she teased with a smirk.
"Oh shut up. What did you need?" Legolas asked, but a quick grin took the sting from his words.
"To tell you Galadriel wants you. No, I have no idea why."
A look of confusion crossed the green-eyed girl's face as the Prince continued, "Ah, I see. And just where will the Lady have me meet her?"
"By her mirror," she pointed into the trees.
"You mean the fancy shmansy water tub?" Raven asked.
"The one and only. Now beat it before she comes looking for you," she smiled at her friends as they exited into the forest.
"Hello Arien," an elf said softly from the other side of the clearing.
"Oh, hello Darin!" she smiled and closed the gap, "How are you? You slept well I hope?"
"Yes, thank you. I was wondering . . . what did the Lady say to you?" he came so close to Arien he could feel her warm breath on his cheeks.
"Oh, nothing TOO major," she grinned slightly remembering her secret council, "What did she advise you to do?" she looked down into his gray eyes, which flickered strangely.
"This," his lips made contact with hers the instant he released the 's' in an intense kiss. He felt the jolt of surprise shoot down the tall woman's spine and wrapped his arms protectively around her shoulders and waist to steady her when she wobbled slightly. He could almost smell her uncertainty and anxiety. The elf grinned; so she was not as sure of everything as she made herself appear . . . He let his hands roam freely up and down her back and hips, feeling and massaging every curve and bend. He deepened the kiss even more and quickly slipped is hot tongue through his lips and began to push through hers, but she pulled back suddenly.
She was wide eyed with shock and panting as she tried to force sounds from her lips, "Darin, I," she took another step back, "I need to go," she quickly walked, in full blush, toward the tree that contained her room.
The elf exhaled in slight defeat, but all was not lost. She had not had a terribly negative response until he enforce a little more passion. He smirked knowing her fear, but it quickly changed to a smile at the promise of tomorrow . . .
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As Legolas and Raven came to the top of the leaf-covered stair, the Prince turned to his love, "Wait here for me."
"Um, okay?" she creased her forehead at the tinge of intuitive worry that coursed through her veins briefly, "Why?"
"Just a feeling. I shall be back soon, melamin," he kissed her cheek softly and descended the stairs, which he took two at a time until he reached the bottom. After several minutes of steady decline, he came to the grassy bottom, "Hello, Milady," he bowed his head with respect.
"Good evening, Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Eyrn Lasgaelen," she said with her smooth voice.
"You called for me?"
She nodded without breaking eye contact, "I saw something in the mirror. Something that may hold more meaning for you. I feel you must see my vision, for it is in regards to your Lady Raven's safety," as she stopped to look at the frightened confusion that manifested on her kinsman's face, "Will you look?" she motioned to the basin.
Legolas did not bother to nod in the affirmative as he stiffly walked up to the glistening waters and peered down mesmerized into their depths. After about ten seconds, he could not stand to watch the flickering images that flashed before his eyes; Roain raping and sucking the very life and innocence from Raven's body and leaving with those lifeless eyes, "NO!" he cried and threw himself from the pedestal. He panted furiously and tried desperately in vain to rid himself of the illustration in his mind although he had already dreamt them all several times over, "Please, tell me there is a way to prevent such a fate for Raven!"
Galadriel's icy stare melted into one with an emotion next to sympathy, "I cannot, but nor can I tell you that is her destiny to lose her soul to that creature."
"There must be a way . . . Please Lady Galadriel, I love her," the anxiety in his voice was overpowering.
"I know. You may go," she dismissed him with a nod of her head.
He hurriedly rushed up the stairs, as if he was frightened to find her dead at the top.
"Legolas?" she called to him.
"Yes?" he looked down to her.
"There is a strange aura about her, which is probably what drew him to her in the first place. Individuals with such an air are meant for great purposes; do not let her die," she placed emphasis on her last phrase.
"I won't," he said more to himself than her, as if to reassure himself and continued up the moss-encrusted stair. When he reached the top, he glanced frantically for his love, "Raven?" he asked urgently.
"Hm?" came the she-elf's response as she emerged from behind a large elm. One look at the Prince's face told her his meeting with Galadriel had been less than pleasant, "What's wrong? What did she say?" she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in an act of caring comfort.
He looked down into her concerned eyes, "I saw," he cut himself off; he could not bear to tell her he saw her death, but what could he do to protect her? He gazed piteously into her innocent orbs . . . That was when the answer came to him. He kissed her gently, "I love you."
"I . . . I love you too."
Legolas was overwhelmed by the trusting stare her eyes delivered him and suppressed his sudden urge to make her his over and over in the sweet ferns that grew just out of hearing range. There had to be another way . . .
"What are you thinking about?" she absently played with one of his loose braids, unaware of just how close she was to being raped.
He thought for a moment, "Just how MUCH I love you," he smiled.
She giggled and nuzzled into his chest, "How much is that?"
"Oh, more than you know," he stoked her fine hair.
"Try me," she teased.
His heart stopped momentarily as he remembered the ring that he always carried with him. His hand went to his pocket, but to his utter frustration, Arien chose this moment to find her friends.
"Raven!" she squeaked with wide eyes.
"Yes?" she asked in slight annoyance of having to be separated from Legolas in order to speak to the newcomer.
"I'm sorry if I'm bothering you people, but I REALLY need to talk to you," she latched her hands around Raven's wrists and pulled.
"About what?" her annoyance was replaced with concern, "What's going on?"
"C'mon," she tugged her friend toward their tree.
Legolas took a step after the two elves when Arien shot back at him, "Sorry Legs, you can't come; this is personal." The Prince looked taken aback and stood dumbly while trying to come up with something to do or say.
"Legolas, I'll find you later, all right?" she called over her shoulder and let the unusually tall woman push her up the stairs to their room. When the door was closed, she jumped right to the point, "Arien, what has you so upset? You're acting completely crazy!"
The other blushed scarlet and wrung her hands, "I thought you could help me, you know, because you and Legolas are well, 'in love'-"
"Help you with what?" she cocked her head to one side.
"Darin kissed me!" she nearly screamed.
The elf's jaw dropped, "You mean to tell me he hasn't even kissed you yet? I knew he was a little shy, but-"
"Well," she interrupted, "he's pecked me on the lips here and there, but he's never really ever actually given me a PASSIONATE kiss."
"And what's wrong with getting one of those? I actually enjoy them. You should try it," Raven was completely confused as to why this was such a dire issue.
"But, I've never been kissed like that before, except with Dartanian, but even then I didn't have this weird feeling at the pit of my stomach like-"
"Have you taken the possibility you could be in love into account?" she raised her eyebrow and shook her head in exasperation.
"No, but what if I am?"
Raven's jaw dropped once more, "Then congratulations!" she yelled, "Trust me, being in love is much more enjoyable than not being in love, I know. There was a time when I wasn't about to give in and it just made me miserable."
"But how do I know?"
"Again, trust me, you'll know."
"But what if I don't want to be?" she put emphasis on the want.
"What do you mean? You're not getting any younger you know."
"Well I'm not getting any older either!"
Raven blinked, "Wow, good point."
"Thanks."
"Anyway, why wouldn't you?"
"Oh, I don't know. It's not that I'm afraid of love. It's more like I'm afraid of-"
"Commitment?" Raven offered.
"Yes."
"Arien, don't worry. I have a feeling that your relationship won't go fast at all."
"But, but, it just did."
"When?" she furrowed her brow.
"When he kissed me."
"It was just a kiss."
"But he used his hands, too."
"Yes, those can be very pleasant at times."
"But, but it felt weird-"
Raven put her hand to her forehead, "Arien, you're acting like a teenager. You will be fine, I promise. Look at it this way; he brought it up a notch because he really likes you, maybe even loves you."
A smile threatened to come to Arien's face, "Do you think so?"
Raven nodded, "Don't worry. He respects you. He won't rush into anything you don't want to do. Just tell him you want to take things a little slow, and he'll listen."
"Oh thank you Raven, thank you!" she quickly wrapped her arms around Raven's shoulders in a friendly, and certainly unexpected, embrace and raced out of the room.
"Well, that was easy," she thought out loud and let herself fall backwards onto her bed, "Who knew Arien could freak out like that. Poor Darin; he has no idea what he's in for," she chuckled, "I wonder what Legolas would have said to all that." The mention of his name caused a cascade of memories to flood her mind. A smile lit her lips.
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Legolas grasped Raven's hand and pulled her onto Arod's back, "Thank you," she smiled cutely and wrapped her arms securely around his waist.
"Are you ready?" the Prince asked his other two elvish companions.
"Just about," Darin answered as he finished loading his mare with provisions. He saw Arien was doing the same and took that to his advantage, "May I help you?" he offered with minor awkwardness.
Arien blushed and did not dare to meet his eyes, "Um, no thank you, I can manage," she almost mumbled and tightened the last strap across her pack.
Raven rolled her eyes at the uncomfortable exchange, 'This is going to be a long ride if those two don't shape it up. Honestly-,' her thought was cut off by Armanis's gasp.
"Thank you for coming to see us off, Milady Galadriel," Legolas bowed his head for the final time.
She smiled kindly, "I felt it was the least I could do. Master Armanis, I am sorry I did not have the chance to meet you. Perhaps one day we will be able to correct the situation.
"Perhaps," the man barely managed to utter but let his eyes fall anywhere but on hers; the idea of elvish witchcraft was very unappealing in his mind.
"Fare thee well," she looked one last time into Raven's green orbs as if to warn her of her danger, but again her thoughts were indecipherable.
"Farewell, Lady Galadriel," came her reply in stereo as four horses departed from Lothlorien.
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Raven could barely keep her eyes open. It was the twentieth day since they had set out from Lorien and the party had endured almost thirteen hours of steady riding, "Legolas, have you taken the horses' well being into account, or have you forgotten they need rest, too?" she asked bluntly.
"Yes, I'm afraid I agree with Raven on this. Shall we call it a day?" Darin was already slowing his horse.
The Prince half smiled, "Alright, I suppose we've been going for long enough," he pulled back on the reigns to bring Arod to a halt.
"Amen to that!" Raven cried happily as she jumped down onto the grass before the stallion had a chance to stop.
"Too bad there are no trees nearby; I guess we will have to do without fire," Armanis said almost gloomily.
"We'll survive," Arien sighed and tethered her mare to one of the many large rock formations around their designated camp.
"I'll get that for you," Darin said gruffly and released Arien's sleeping cot from her horses hide, purposely flexing the muscles in his arms. Though it was impossible to see in the dark, he could tell by her tone of voice as she muttered her thanks she was blushing deeply in her adopted bashfulness. He bit his tongue in the heavy awkward air that consumed them; had his kiss really upset her so much? He gave her a faint smile, which she did not return and went to tend his horse.
"I'm just glad this is the last night we spend sleeping on the ground," began Armanis, who was completely oblivious to the two elves, "tomorrow we reach Minas Tirith!"
After a light supper off dried fruit and lembas, the travelers left consciousness one by one, except for two stragglers who could not comfort in dreams: Legolas and Darin. An hour had passed since Raven, the last of the other three, had fallen asleep when Darin spoke up out of boredom, "Is anyone else awake?"
"Yes," came Legolas's reply.
"I can't sleep."
"Obviously."
"Well neither can you apparently."
Legolas snort-laughed, "What's keeping you awake?"
The other sighed, "It's Arien."
"No, Armanis is snoring."
"It's not that."
"Oh?" the Prince rolled over and rested on his elbow so he could see his friend lying next to him.
Darin swallowed, "You know how you've been telling me that you think Arien would be great for me?" He could make out Legolas's nodding silhouette in the dark, "Well, the day before we left Lorien, I finally made a move, but I don't think she took it as well as I hoped."
Legolas furrowed his brow, "Yes, I have noticed she's been acting a little strangely . . ."
"The thing is, I'm afraid I might have scared her off," Darin admitted with a tinge of regret in his voice.
Legolas nodded grimly, "I don't think you have much to worry about." He continued before his friend had a chance to interrupt, "Arien probably was very shocked when you finally showed her some passion." He chose his next words carefully, "I have noticed that she takes her relationships slowly. It took her a while to warm up to me simply as a friend, and yours is not an exception to the rule."
"But the Lady said-"
Legolas cut him off, "Well let's hope the Lady can be wrong," his exceptionally dark tone made it impossible for Darin to believe that his friends words did not relate to something very personal.
"Friend, what did she say to you?" his question dripped with seriousness.
The Prince swallowed and pain racked his voice, "That Raven will die."
Darin's heart plummeted, "What?"
"I went to her mirror and saw her death, just as it has been in my dreams. Galadriel made me swear to keep her safe with everything I am."
Darin tried to lighten the mood, although the tremble in his voice made it worse, "Well, you already have!"
Legolas continued as if his friend had not spoken, except his words shook with constricted tears, "But when she came to see us off, I saw it in her eyes Darin, she knows I won't keep my word!" the elf wasn't strong enough to hold the tears back, "Roain hunts her."
"But Roain's dead!" he glanced around suspiciously even as he tried to console his friend.
"No he's not. I saw him. He'll come for her!"
"Why? Why does he want her so much?" he shot a nervous glance at Raven, who slept only a few feet from Legolas's side.
"I don't know. Something about innocence and an aura," he shook his head.
Darin swallowed uncomfortably, "Well, you know, innocence can be taken away- "
"I know, and I've tried, but she's practically emotionally insecure when it comes to that; it could kill her," he looked over his shoulder at the source of his pain, his love.
"But it doesn't make any-?"
"Listen!" Legolas shot out his hand to silence his companion.
Darin shut his mouth instantly and a faint desperate muttering reached his leaf-shaped ears. He looked past the Prince's shoulder to Raven's sleeping form. He could barely make out the swift movements of her lips in the moon and starlight, "What is she saying?"
As if on cue, her voice grew just loud enough for one to hear if they strained, "No, run, they are coming . . . Roain is coming . . .please . . . don't do this . . . run . . . can't you hear them?" the sound of her voice grew steadily, "Can you not hear the howls? Legolas!" her chest and back heaved off the ground with her tremendous gasp.
Legolas quickly reached out a tender finger to her cheek, "Raven?" The instant his fingers made contact with her cold, damp, skin, she sat bolt upright. Her mouth was open in a terrified scream, but no sound exited her lips.
The she-elf glanced wildly around until her petrified eyes landed on Legolas and Darin, who stared at her in utter confusion. She sprang from her cot and clung to Legolas as if her life depended on it, "We need to go, now!" she spoke into his chest.
"What? Raven, it was just a dream," Legolas stroked her hair comfortingly
"No," she shook her head and pulled away from his hand, "it was too real, please, you've got to believe me!" she cried against his shoulder, "We can't stay!"
Legolas looked helplessly behind him at Darin, who looked just as perplexed.
"Please," came Raven's sob. As she groped his arms and sides pleadingly, a harsh cackle rang in her ears. She screamed and roused the rest of the camp, "Don't you hear him laughing?"
"Raven, it's just the wind!" Legolas shook her in his arms.
"NO IT'S NOT!"
Armanis sat up," Would someone shut her up? Some of us are trying to get some-" before he could finish his sentence, a huge black mass sprang from the rocks and collapsed on top of him. His angry request was quickly transformed into a cry of mortal panic, which as immediately silenced by the sickening crunch of his skull being crushed in the jaws of the wolf- like creature.
WARGS!" came Darin's yell from behind Legolas, and in an instant both warriors were on their feet rushing to their screaming horses to get their bows and swords. Arien, being an assassin, always slept with a dagger under her pillow and was already in action.
"Raven, get out of here!" Legolas called from the bloody battlefield, but his words were lost in the howls of other wargs answering the distressed call of their fellow and the sudden maniacal laughter that seemed to manifest from the wind. He could recognize that insane cackle anywhere: Roain. The Lady was right.
Raven was oblivious to everything except the steady rhythm of her bow and the movement of wolf-bears as they used fang and claw to tear the living flesh from her companions' bones. This rhythm was the only thing keeping her sanity from escaping her as the maddened cries of the horses, the shrieks of wargs, and the incessant laughter called her away from the fray . . . Aim. Release. Reload. Away from camp . . . Aim. Release. Reload. Away from her friends . . . Aim. Release. Reload. Away from her lover . . . Aim. Release. Reload. To the darkness . . . Aim. Release. Reload. To her death . . . Aim. Release. Reload. To Roain . . . Out of arrows.
Raven felt her heart sink to her toes as she threw down Legolas's spare bow. She looked frantically for something useful when her eyes caught the glint of metal from Arien's bag on the other side of camp. She raced across the field and drove her fingers into the other woman's pack, retrieving a short sword. The she-elf turned to the battle behind her, blade flying.
Arien's training guided her lethal blows down the creature's unprotected neck. It stumbled, mortally wounded, and collapsed on the warrior. She fought desperately to free herself, but the immense weight of her prey pinned her to the ground. She could feel the heavy footfalls of another warg behind her. As its terrible jaws came into view above her head, her heart stopped; she was going to die. Although she had prepared herself for this moment for many millennia, panic flooded her mind, "I'm not ready . . ." she muttered quietly, "I'M NOT READY!" Just as the creature lunged for her neck, Darin came between her and the monster. In her shocked silence, all she could hear was his cry of pain as the beast tore at his flesh. "Darin!" came Legolas's anguished yell from above her as she heard the unmistakable sound of metal cutting muscle. When it stopped, she knew the creature was dead.
Raven raced toward the closest warg, but before she closed the distance, she slipped in mud. She sent her hand down to help herself up and her fingers made contact with the remains of Armanis's head. A scream forced its way from her lips as she realized she was lying in his blood. The girl leapt up from the man's mangled copse just in time to see another warg tear the life from Darin's body. Finally, the last string in Raven's mind snapped as she shrieked wildly in hysteria. She swung violently at anything that growled, led by her ears because of her tear-induced blindness until her hands bleed so much she could not hold her sword.
Legolas panted heavily as he delivered the final blow to the final warg, but he did not lower his blade until it fell dead at his feet. For the first time that night, he looked up to see the whole battlefield. Five massive wargs oozed dark blood in the dirt around him, Armanis was dead, and Arien was deeply shaken but unharmed. Darin was alive, but not in good shape; it was a miracle he still breathed. Both Arien and Armanis's horses had been killed.
"Legolas!" Arien's shrill voice interrupted his mental account of the aftermath of battle.
The Prince was at her side in an instant, but all he could do was watch helplessly as she did as good a job she could, which was not saying much, of dressing Darin's wounds.
Arien smiled faintly up at him, "He's awake."
Sure enough, Darin grinned weakly up at his friend, "Guess I'm the craziest of us all," he tried to laugh, but it came out as a cough.
"Shh," Arien touched a finger gently to his lips as tears lit her eyes in the moonlight.
Even in the dark, the fang marks across his bloody chest and arms were obvious. Legolas looked away; the thought of loosing his best friend was overwhelming.
"Why did you do it?" Arien asked quietly as she softly caressed his cheek.
"Because I had to," Darin swallowed blood.
"Why?" her voice shook.
"Because I ," he closed his eyes and his head rolled back on his shoulders.
"Darin? Darin? Darin!" tears fell freely from her eyes as she screamed hysterically at the elf whom she knew would not answer her.
Legolas walked numbly away from the scene behind him and realized what was missing from his side: Raven. His heart sank as he remembered her words and Roain's laughter. He had been there. Terror flooded his mind when he could not find her, "NO!" he cried out loud as the thought that Roain could have taken her during the fight; losing Raven did not bare thinking about. He raced around the camp and called her name wildly until, to his utter relief, he found her sitting at the base of a particularly odd-shaped rock formation, "Raven!" he cried, but she did not look up. He wrapped his arms around her tiny frame and bruised his lips in her hair. Overcome with relief of finding her, he planted the most urgent kiss he had ever known on hers, but she did not respond, "Raven?" he pulled his head back to get a good look at the girl in his arms and his heart stopped; she was completely covered in blood. Legolas looked frantically at her body for wounds, but found none save on her hands. He sighed in relief; the blood was not hers. He tilted her head back to look into her emerald eyes, "Raven, why will you not answer me?"
For the first time since the end of the battle, sound was emitted from her lips in the form of a gasp, as if she had just woken from a bad dream, "It's my fault," she sobbed without looking at Legolas, "It's all my fault!"
He looked at her in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"Armanis and Darin are dead because of me!"
"What?"
"It's me he's after. If I hadn't been here, none of this would have happened. And now, because of me, everyone is in danger. They're dead because of me!"
It hurt Legolas much more than it did her, but he slapped her lightly across her cheek, "Listen to me, it is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's me for not listening to you. You tried to warn Darin and I, but we were too foolish to listen, and Darin is alive. Arien is dressing his wounds as we speak. Let me show you," he picked her up as gently as he could and carefully hid her eyes against his shoulder. The shrill cast to her voice let him know she was on the verge of hysterics and the sight of Armanis's body could set her off. The Prince knew seeing Darin in his condition could have the same affect, but she needed to know he was alive, "How is he?" he asked when he reached Arien's side.
She looked up at him piteously, "He's alive."
"That's well enough for me. See Raven?" he nudged her softly. Her head fell back from his shoulder, her eyes closed in a peaceful slumber. The warrior could not help the smile that formed on his lips.
"Legolas, he'll die if we don't get him to Minas Tirith," she struggled to pick him up. The Prince gently set the girl on the cold ground and took his friend from Arien's arms, weakened from over-exertion. He carefully put the unconscious body on Arod's back and saw the look of confusion flood across Arien's face as she glanced around anxiously for her horse. He felt a pang of sympathy when her eyes found the mare's bloody body. One of the horse's hind legs was missing. Legolas looked away from his friend's agonized expression and lifted Raven's body onto Elra's saddle. "You ride with her," he nodded to the other girl, "I'll take Darin on Arod; he's much faster," he did not add on, 'and we don't have much time.'
Arien swallowed and bobbed her head up and down as she clambered awkwardly behind her friend's sleeping form. The Prince copied her movements and urged his stallion into a gallop.
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Legolas strained his vision to keep his sight from blurring as Arod's hooves pounded through Minas Tirith's open gates.
"You, state your name and-" the approaching soldier gasped with wide eyes, "He's an elf!"
The Prince could barely stay mounted on his horse; he had been awake for the past twenty-eight hours but was determined to stay awake until he was certain Darin would be taken care of, "I am Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm," the sudden murmur that broke out among the watchmen assured him his name was not unknown, "My friend is wounded. Please, he needs help," he let himself slip off the horse, "Hurry."
"What devilry could have caused such wounds?" asked one of the younger guardsmen in frightened awe.
"Wargs," Legolas blinked deeply out of fatigue but forced himself to stand straight.
"Wargs!" one of the soldiers shouted, "there are no wargs left in Gondor!"
The Prince did not have the time or strength for such arguments, "If you don't believe my word, ride twelve hours northeast and there you shall find five wargs slain as your proof."
"Two elves could not handle such foes!"
"Two others who fought in the battle are on their way. We lost another in the fray. He was our guide, Ar-"
"Armis, get this elf to the House of Healing immediately," a stern looking old soldier barked to the guardsman and deliberately cut off the elf's words.
"Yes Uncle," the boy, Armis, awkwardly took the unconscious elf from the warrior's almost reluctant arms and rushed off down a cobblestone street.
When the boy was safely out of earshot the older man turned to Legolas, "Tell me, was the name of your guide, the one you lost in battle, was Armanis his name?"
The Prince nodded, "You knew him?"
His face paled, "He was my brother," he said in slight shock, "I stopped you for the boy's sake . . . he loved his father very much . . ." the soldier's movements and words were numb, "Escort him to a room by the healing quarters and take his horse to the stables. Thalian, take half a dozen others to burn the wargs."
After a little over fifteen minutes walking, Legolas threw his bloody cloak in a heap on the floor and collapsed on his bed. He was asleep before he could touch his head to the pillow.
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Raven's eyelashes fluttered as they acknowledged the sunlight filtering into her emerald orbs. Moaning softly, she lifted her hand to her forehead and was startled by the feeling of a cloth other than that of her gloves. She quickly shifted her sight to her palms, remembering the battle and blistered hands when she saw the bandages. It was also at that precise moment that she realized she could not recall anyone putting them on, nor did she remember ever sleeping in a bed . . . The elf instantly sat up and looked about her strange surroundings, and to her surprise discovered Legolas sleeping soundly in an armchair beside her. She smiled at his childlike expression, "Well, now I know where I am," she thought out loud and reluctantly pulled herself from the warm comforts of her bed sheets. She glanced about the room curiously in search of her belongings and found them next to Arien's pack, "Wonder where she ran off to."
Raven dug through her bag in search of clean clothing and after a quick change, Legolas stirred, "Raven, you're awake!"
"So are you."
He grinned, "You've been a guest here at the House of Healing for the past six hours and have slept through each of them. I arrived nearly a day ago, but I've been by your side almost since you arrived," he strode over to her and delivered his warm embrace.
"Where's Arien?" she asked, leaning her head against his shoulder.
The Prince paused for a moment, "She's with Darin. Come, I shall take you to them," he said somewhat grimly and took her under his arm as a show of affection.
The two exited the room and walked quickly down the corridor to one of the rooms off the central courtyard and knocked softly, "Arien, are you awake?"
The woman on the other side opened the door, "Darin isn't," she said while mopping his face with a damp cloth.
Legolas felt the Raven's muscles tense when she saw the wounded elf, and he was sure he had the same reaction to seeing his friend in bandages, "What do the healers say?" he swallowed
"They'll try to save his arm, but if," she paused and altered her words mid- sentence, "when he recovers he'll have some serious scars to look forward to," she put the cloth on the bedside table and stoked Darin's forelock.
Raven quickly took her handkerchief, saturated it in the herb water, gently sat down on the elf's bed and dabbed his forehead where Arien had off, "Legolas, would you go get something to eat? I have a feeling our lady friend here hasn't touched any food today. Don't worry, we'll take care of Darin."
The Prince walked as fast as he could out of the room; he could not stand seeing his friend so crippled. He needed to clear his head. The elf wandered aimlessly about and soon forgot all about food in his remembrance of Minas Tirith. Aragorn had truly done a superb job of restoring the great city of Men; no longer where there cracks on street, and greenery graced every corner.
He was so preoccupied with noting the changes, he failed to here a surprised gruff voice shout his name, "Legolas!"
The elf kept walking.
"Legolas!" it yelled again.
The Prince stopped to admire a particularly handsome tree.
"LEGOLAS!" the voice called for the last time and its barer raced up to the elf to deliver a death grip hug around his midsection.
This managed to get his attention, "What!" cried the elf, who tried in vain to jump away. He looked down to see his attacker. His jaw dropped open, "Gimli!" he laughed and returned his hug with vigor, "Why are you here?" he asked without thinking.
The dwarf took a step back and said grimly, "Same reason as you."
Memory flooded the Prince's face, "Sorry old friend. It's just, quite a lot has happened recently. Come, I've got some people I'd like you to meet."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The two walked to Darin's room and were surprised to find it locked. Slightly worried, the elf led the group to Raven' s room. He knocked on the door. His leaf-shaped ears picked up a faint 'come in' and walked through, "Everyone, I found a friend."
"My Legolas, you've brought a whole flock of pointy-ears!" Gimli laughed heartily.
"Huh?" Raven turned around.
Gimli's eyes widened as he got down on one knee, "Gimli the Dwarf at your service, milady," he got on one knee.
The she-elf blushed scarlet, "Um, thanks. The name's Raven, and this is Arien," she nodded to the elf next to her, who turned around as well.
"Aye Legolas, you were right. Her beauty DOES rival that of Lady Galadriel's," he grinned at the woman's embarrassed expression.
"Sorry we left. The healers told us to go back to our room," the tall woman smiled apologetically at the Prince.
"I see a lot's happened to you over the years, Legolas."
"Yes, we've quite got much to catch up on."
"Mmm, ketchup," said Arien smiled widely as she recalled her earthly condiments, "I used to put it on toast," she motioned with her hands to symbolize squeezing a bottle.
"I put it on eggs!" chirped Raven.
"Yea, I heard people put it on eggs. I never did though; I put syrup on my eggs."
"Ew, that's disgusting!"
"I put ketchup on chocolate chips and marshmallows," she listed with her fingers.
The other she-elf sighed, "I miss ketchup."
"Yea, me too."
"You know what's weird? I hate tomatoes, but I love ketchup."
"Bizarre."
"How did we get on this conversation?" Raven blinked.
"Hm," she thought for a moment, "Prince-boy said something about catching- up, and we screwed up the spelling."
Raven turned to the elf and the dwarf, who stared back with blank looks, "You!" she cried with mock anger, "It's your fault! You shall pay!" she ran in slow motion toward the elf.
"Ou, whatcha gonna do to 'im?" Arien teased.
"I'm going to KISS him!" she hissed and jumped onto the warrior, knocking him into a chair. She instantly wrapped her arms and legs around him, "You're mine!" she swiftly planted a playful yet powerful kiss on his lips, to which he did not object.
Within seconds, everyone in the room was in fits of laughter at Raven's unexpected antics, but their mirth was quickly silenced when a sharp knocking reverberated about the room. Legolas would have been the first to the door, but he had a she-elf clinging to his chest. He nodded at Arien to get answer. She opened it a crack, "May I help you?" she asked as coolly as she could.
Though the rest of the group could not see or hear the man, they could feel the tension in his words. Arien ducked back in the room, "The King will see us now," she said gently.
Raven swallowed in her unease brought on by the heavy sorrow and anxiety that hung in the air as they walked down Minas Tirith's gray streets to the King's chamber. Everyone, even the townspeople, seemed solemn. After several minutes of walking, the group reached a grand white tower carved out of the very living rock of the cliff and mountain. She reached out and laced her fingers with Legolas's to offer what little comfort she could, knowing he was marching to bare witness to his friend's death, but did not know that her little hand gave the Prince more strength than either of their bodies possessed. They passed down a long corridor lit with torches and came to an enormous wooden door.
The guard waited a few moments before opening the massive gate. When they were finally permitted to enter, Raven's breath caught in her chest, but it was not the King that made her gasp. The look of Lady Arwen's misery froze her blood and made her forget how to breathe. She felt as if her heart had been stabbed by an icy dagger when Arwen looked up from her dieing husband's side and looked into her eyes, "My love," she looked back to the King, "your friends have come," she said while caressing his cheek.
Everyone nodded with sympathy and respect to the rulers. The elf and the dwarf walked over to their fallen comrade's side, "Hello again Aragorn," Legolas smiled with tears threatening to fall, but he was not ashamed of his showing emotions, for even Gimli's eyes were red.
The dieing king looked up at his friends, "It has been a long time, friends of old. I am glad you came to see me off to the final adventure," he almost laughed. "I see you finally have found yourself a bride," this time he did laugh as Raven's eyes and mouth grew wide with shock. Still laughing, he continued, "I'm sure Thranduil will be pleased," with a groan, his head fell back on his pillow.
Arwen pushed Arien less than kindly out of her way, "Estel?"
"Bring me my son," he did not open his eyes.
The Elvish queen of Men nodded, but a boy's voice spoke up before she could sent her summon, "I am here father!" he rushed to Aragorn.
"Eldarion," he smiled softly at the soon-to-be King of Men, who could only have been a mere fourteen years old, "I wish to be alone with you and your mother."
The three elves and the dwarf did not need telling twice and were in the outside hall in seconds. Knowing that he and Gimli were in pain, Raven wrapped her comforting arms around Legolas and his friend and waited. After a few silent minutes, her heart stopped as Arwen's hysteric cries reached her leaf-shaped ears, "Estel! Estel!" Aragorn was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roain grinned at the broken body below him, "That, sister, is how you utterly obliterate a life," he cackled to Kasseendra, who stood rigid with fear across from the scene in which her brother was present, "You cannot simply ruin the body; you must destroy the soul," he stepped away from the bloody heap.
"Bro- brro- brother? What did you do?" Kasseendra stammered and passed him his black robe.
Roain blinked innocently as he drew the cloth around his naked shoulders, "That?" he nodded to the girl, "I obliterated her," he wiped a crimson streak of blood from the corner of his mouth, "utterly."
"Why?" she trembled.
"It is her innocence; I crave innocence, but once it is spent, I must destroyed her . . . but these women have nothing compared to what Raven has . . . Pity I must ruin her spirit as well."
Kasseendra was too stupid to run, "H- how do you do," she swallowed, "that?"
Roain grinned and narrowed his black eyes as he took a step toward his sister, "Let me show you . . ."
Galadriel pulled her head away from her mirror in disgust as the woman's mortified screams rang through the forest within. Her breaths came in labored gasps as she pieced the puzzle together: her foreboding feelings and the creature's words. Roain, or whatever he was, was going to kill Raven . . . Did that keep her from reading the child's thoughts? No . . . it could not have been a factor. Regardless, the girl was in danger; she needed to tell Legolas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas leaned his head against the tree trunk behind him and let a sigh escape his lips when Raven threw her peach pit into the trees.
"What are you thinking about, love?" she asked and absently kissed peach juice from her fingers.
He lowered his eyes to meet those of the girl with her head resting on his lap, "It's so peaceful here, but we must leave tomorrow," he raised his eyes to the setting sun, "which, sadly, is not too far off," he stroked her hair unconsciously.
Raven released a long breath, "I will not be happy to see it go, but we must reach Aragorn before," she cut herself off, knowing that she had already said too much from the sudden pain that flashed in Legolas's expressive eyes. She couldn't bring herself to meet them, so she looked away, "I . . . I'm sorry, I-"
Legolas cut her off and made her face him with a finger under her chin, "Please," he brought her to him in a kiss, "don't be," he said, barely separating their lips, "I would not have made it so far without you. I wouldn't have-"
It was Raven's turn to cut him off, "Don't. You scare me when you talk like that. I . . . I need you to be strong . . . incase Roain," she did not need to say 'comes back' because the same thought always plagued the Prince's mind, even though he denied it.
"I told you that I will not let him hurt you," Legolas furrowed his brows as the green eyes of his love watered gently. He pulled her close to him so she sat on his lap.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," the acceptance and fear in her voice as it wavered to his ears almost brought tears to the warrior's orbs.
"What are you saying?" his heart fluttered slightly.
She opened her mouth to say something, but her tears were so close they choked her words. Just as comprehensible sounds reached the surface, Legolas once again smothered them with his lips, "Don't ever let me hear you say that again," he shook her slightly to emphasize the point.
She looked away.
"I love you," he brought his had to her cheek in a loving caress, which she leaned into without hesitation. The Prince swiftly pulled her to him in a tight embrace while delivering her a kiss composed of love, hunger, and an emotion he could not stop himself from enjoying, desire. But this was not the first time he felt its urge.
Just as their kiss became more passionate, Arien hurriedly rushed into the clearing, "There you are Legolas! I been looking everywhere for you!" in her haste, she failed to notice that her friends were still in lip-lock, "Oh, um, I hope I'm not interrupting something," she teased with a smirk.
"Oh shut up. What did you need?" Legolas asked, but a quick grin took the sting from his words.
"To tell you Galadriel wants you. No, I have no idea why."
A look of confusion crossed the green-eyed girl's face as the Prince continued, "Ah, I see. And just where will the Lady have me meet her?"
"By her mirror," she pointed into the trees.
"You mean the fancy shmansy water tub?" Raven asked.
"The one and only. Now beat it before she comes looking for you," she smiled at her friends as they exited into the forest.
"Hello Arien," an elf said softly from the other side of the clearing.
"Oh, hello Darin!" she smiled and closed the gap, "How are you? You slept well I hope?"
"Yes, thank you. I was wondering . . . what did the Lady say to you?" he came so close to Arien he could feel her warm breath on his cheeks.
"Oh, nothing TOO major," she grinned slightly remembering her secret council, "What did she advise you to do?" she looked down into his gray eyes, which flickered strangely.
"This," his lips made contact with hers the instant he released the 's' in an intense kiss. He felt the jolt of surprise shoot down the tall woman's spine and wrapped his arms protectively around her shoulders and waist to steady her when she wobbled slightly. He could almost smell her uncertainty and anxiety. The elf grinned; so she was not as sure of everything as she made herself appear . . . He let his hands roam freely up and down her back and hips, feeling and massaging every curve and bend. He deepened the kiss even more and quickly slipped is hot tongue through his lips and began to push through hers, but she pulled back suddenly.
She was wide eyed with shock and panting as she tried to force sounds from her lips, "Darin, I," she took another step back, "I need to go," she quickly walked, in full blush, toward the tree that contained her room.
The elf exhaled in slight defeat, but all was not lost. She had not had a terribly negative response until he enforce a little more passion. He smirked knowing her fear, but it quickly changed to a smile at the promise of tomorrow . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Legolas and Raven came to the top of the leaf-covered stair, the Prince turned to his love, "Wait here for me."
"Um, okay?" she creased her forehead at the tinge of intuitive worry that coursed through her veins briefly, "Why?"
"Just a feeling. I shall be back soon, melamin," he kissed her cheek softly and descended the stairs, which he took two at a time until he reached the bottom. After several minutes of steady decline, he came to the grassy bottom, "Hello, Milady," he bowed his head with respect.
"Good evening, Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Eyrn Lasgaelen," she said with her smooth voice.
"You called for me?"
She nodded without breaking eye contact, "I saw something in the mirror. Something that may hold more meaning for you. I feel you must see my vision, for it is in regards to your Lady Raven's safety," as she stopped to look at the frightened confusion that manifested on her kinsman's face, "Will you look?" she motioned to the basin.
Legolas did not bother to nod in the affirmative as he stiffly walked up to the glistening waters and peered down mesmerized into their depths. After about ten seconds, he could not stand to watch the flickering images that flashed before his eyes; Roain raping and sucking the very life and innocence from Raven's body and leaving with those lifeless eyes, "NO!" he cried and threw himself from the pedestal. He panted furiously and tried desperately in vain to rid himself of the illustration in his mind although he had already dreamt them all several times over, "Please, tell me there is a way to prevent such a fate for Raven!"
Galadriel's icy stare melted into one with an emotion next to sympathy, "I cannot, but nor can I tell you that is her destiny to lose her soul to that creature."
"There must be a way . . . Please Lady Galadriel, I love her," the anxiety in his voice was overpowering.
"I know. You may go," she dismissed him with a nod of her head.
He hurriedly rushed up the stairs, as if he was frightened to find her dead at the top.
"Legolas?" she called to him.
"Yes?" he looked down to her.
"There is a strange aura about her, which is probably what drew him to her in the first place. Individuals with such an air are meant for great purposes; do not let her die," she placed emphasis on her last phrase.
"I won't," he said more to himself than her, as if to reassure himself and continued up the moss-encrusted stair. When he reached the top, he glanced frantically for his love, "Raven?" he asked urgently.
"Hm?" came the she-elf's response as she emerged from behind a large elm. One look at the Prince's face told her his meeting with Galadriel had been less than pleasant, "What's wrong? What did she say?" she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in an act of caring comfort.
He looked down into her concerned eyes, "I saw," he cut himself off; he could not bear to tell her he saw her death, but what could he do to protect her? He gazed piteously into her innocent orbs . . . That was when the answer came to him. He kissed her gently, "I love you."
"I . . . I love you too."
Legolas was overwhelmed by the trusting stare her eyes delivered him and suppressed his sudden urge to make her his over and over in the sweet ferns that grew just out of hearing range. There had to be another way . . .
"What are you thinking about?" she absently played with one of his loose braids, unaware of just how close she was to being raped.
He thought for a moment, "Just how MUCH I love you," he smiled.
She giggled and nuzzled into his chest, "How much is that?"
"Oh, more than you know," he stoked her fine hair.
"Try me," she teased.
His heart stopped momentarily as he remembered the ring that he always carried with him. His hand went to his pocket, but to his utter frustration, Arien chose this moment to find her friends.
"Raven!" she squeaked with wide eyes.
"Yes?" she asked in slight annoyance of having to be separated from Legolas in order to speak to the newcomer.
"I'm sorry if I'm bothering you people, but I REALLY need to talk to you," she latched her hands around Raven's wrists and pulled.
"About what?" her annoyance was replaced with concern, "What's going on?"
"C'mon," she tugged her friend toward their tree.
Legolas took a step after the two elves when Arien shot back at him, "Sorry Legs, you can't come; this is personal." The Prince looked taken aback and stood dumbly while trying to come up with something to do or say.
"Legolas, I'll find you later, all right?" she called over her shoulder and let the unusually tall woman push her up the stairs to their room. When the door was closed, she jumped right to the point, "Arien, what has you so upset? You're acting completely crazy!"
The other blushed scarlet and wrung her hands, "I thought you could help me, you know, because you and Legolas are well, 'in love'-"
"Help you with what?" she cocked her head to one side.
"Darin kissed me!" she nearly screamed.
The elf's jaw dropped, "You mean to tell me he hasn't even kissed you yet? I knew he was a little shy, but-"
"Well," she interrupted, "he's pecked me on the lips here and there, but he's never really ever actually given me a PASSIONATE kiss."
"And what's wrong with getting one of those? I actually enjoy them. You should try it," Raven was completely confused as to why this was such a dire issue.
"But, I've never been kissed like that before, except with Dartanian, but even then I didn't have this weird feeling at the pit of my stomach like-"
"Have you taken the possibility you could be in love into account?" she raised her eyebrow and shook her head in exasperation.
"No, but what if I am?"
Raven's jaw dropped once more, "Then congratulations!" she yelled, "Trust me, being in love is much more enjoyable than not being in love, I know. There was a time when I wasn't about to give in and it just made me miserable."
"But how do I know?"
"Again, trust me, you'll know."
"But what if I don't want to be?" she put emphasis on the want.
"What do you mean? You're not getting any younger you know."
"Well I'm not getting any older either!"
Raven blinked, "Wow, good point."
"Thanks."
"Anyway, why wouldn't you?"
"Oh, I don't know. It's not that I'm afraid of love. It's more like I'm afraid of-"
"Commitment?" Raven offered.
"Yes."
"Arien, don't worry. I have a feeling that your relationship won't go fast at all."
"But, but, it just did."
"When?" she furrowed her brow.
"When he kissed me."
"It was just a kiss."
"But he used his hands, too."
"Yes, those can be very pleasant at times."
"But, but it felt weird-"
Raven put her hand to her forehead, "Arien, you're acting like a teenager. You will be fine, I promise. Look at it this way; he brought it up a notch because he really likes you, maybe even loves you."
A smile threatened to come to Arien's face, "Do you think so?"
Raven nodded, "Don't worry. He respects you. He won't rush into anything you don't want to do. Just tell him you want to take things a little slow, and he'll listen."
"Oh thank you Raven, thank you!" she quickly wrapped her arms around Raven's shoulders in a friendly, and certainly unexpected, embrace and raced out of the room.
"Well, that was easy," she thought out loud and let herself fall backwards onto her bed, "Who knew Arien could freak out like that. Poor Darin; he has no idea what he's in for," she chuckled, "I wonder what Legolas would have said to all that." The mention of his name caused a cascade of memories to flood her mind. A smile lit her lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas grasped Raven's hand and pulled her onto Arod's back, "Thank you," she smiled cutely and wrapped her arms securely around his waist.
"Are you ready?" the Prince asked his other two elvish companions.
"Just about," Darin answered as he finished loading his mare with provisions. He saw Arien was doing the same and took that to his advantage, "May I help you?" he offered with minor awkwardness.
Arien blushed and did not dare to meet his eyes, "Um, no thank you, I can manage," she almost mumbled and tightened the last strap across her pack.
Raven rolled her eyes at the uncomfortable exchange, 'This is going to be a long ride if those two don't shape it up. Honestly-,' her thought was cut off by Armanis's gasp.
"Thank you for coming to see us off, Milady Galadriel," Legolas bowed his head for the final time.
She smiled kindly, "I felt it was the least I could do. Master Armanis, I am sorry I did not have the chance to meet you. Perhaps one day we will be able to correct the situation.
"Perhaps," the man barely managed to utter but let his eyes fall anywhere but on hers; the idea of elvish witchcraft was very unappealing in his mind.
"Fare thee well," she looked one last time into Raven's green orbs as if to warn her of her danger, but again her thoughts were indecipherable.
"Farewell, Lady Galadriel," came her reply in stereo as four horses departed from Lothlorien.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven could barely keep her eyes open. It was the twentieth day since they had set out from Lorien and the party had endured almost thirteen hours of steady riding, "Legolas, have you taken the horses' well being into account, or have you forgotten they need rest, too?" she asked bluntly.
"Yes, I'm afraid I agree with Raven on this. Shall we call it a day?" Darin was already slowing his horse.
The Prince half smiled, "Alright, I suppose we've been going for long enough," he pulled back on the reigns to bring Arod to a halt.
"Amen to that!" Raven cried happily as she jumped down onto the grass before the stallion had a chance to stop.
"Too bad there are no trees nearby; I guess we will have to do without fire," Armanis said almost gloomily.
"We'll survive," Arien sighed and tethered her mare to one of the many large rock formations around their designated camp.
"I'll get that for you," Darin said gruffly and released Arien's sleeping cot from her horses hide, purposely flexing the muscles in his arms. Though it was impossible to see in the dark, he could tell by her tone of voice as she muttered her thanks she was blushing deeply in her adopted bashfulness. He bit his tongue in the heavy awkward air that consumed them; had his kiss really upset her so much? He gave her a faint smile, which she did not return and went to tend his horse.
"I'm just glad this is the last night we spend sleeping on the ground," began Armanis, who was completely oblivious to the two elves, "tomorrow we reach Minas Tirith!"
After a light supper off dried fruit and lembas, the travelers left consciousness one by one, except for two stragglers who could not comfort in dreams: Legolas and Darin. An hour had passed since Raven, the last of the other three, had fallen asleep when Darin spoke up out of boredom, "Is anyone else awake?"
"Yes," came Legolas's reply.
"I can't sleep."
"Obviously."
"Well neither can you apparently."
Legolas snort-laughed, "What's keeping you awake?"
The other sighed, "It's Arien."
"No, Armanis is snoring."
"It's not that."
"Oh?" the Prince rolled over and rested on his elbow so he could see his friend lying next to him.
Darin swallowed, "You know how you've been telling me that you think Arien would be great for me?" He could make out Legolas's nodding silhouette in the dark, "Well, the day before we left Lorien, I finally made a move, but I don't think she took it as well as I hoped."
Legolas furrowed his brow, "Yes, I have noticed she's been acting a little strangely . . ."
"The thing is, I'm afraid I might have scared her off," Darin admitted with a tinge of regret in his voice.
Legolas nodded grimly, "I don't think you have much to worry about." He continued before his friend had a chance to interrupt, "Arien probably was very shocked when you finally showed her some passion." He chose his next words carefully, "I have noticed that she takes her relationships slowly. It took her a while to warm up to me simply as a friend, and yours is not an exception to the rule."
"But the Lady said-"
Legolas cut him off, "Well let's hope the Lady can be wrong," his exceptionally dark tone made it impossible for Darin to believe that his friends words did not relate to something very personal.
"Friend, what did she say to you?" his question dripped with seriousness.
The Prince swallowed and pain racked his voice, "That Raven will die."
Darin's heart plummeted, "What?"
"I went to her mirror and saw her death, just as it has been in my dreams. Galadriel made me swear to keep her safe with everything I am."
Darin tried to lighten the mood, although the tremble in his voice made it worse, "Well, you already have!"
Legolas continued as if his friend had not spoken, except his words shook with constricted tears, "But when she came to see us off, I saw it in her eyes Darin, she knows I won't keep my word!" the elf wasn't strong enough to hold the tears back, "Roain hunts her."
"But Roain's dead!" he glanced around suspiciously even as he tried to console his friend.
"No he's not. I saw him. He'll come for her!"
"Why? Why does he want her so much?" he shot a nervous glance at Raven, who slept only a few feet from Legolas's side.
"I don't know. Something about innocence and an aura," he shook his head.
Darin swallowed uncomfortably, "Well, you know, innocence can be taken away- "
"I know, and I've tried, but she's practically emotionally insecure when it comes to that; it could kill her," he looked over his shoulder at the source of his pain, his love.
"But it doesn't make any-?"
"Listen!" Legolas shot out his hand to silence his companion.
Darin shut his mouth instantly and a faint desperate muttering reached his leaf-shaped ears. He looked past the Prince's shoulder to Raven's sleeping form. He could barely make out the swift movements of her lips in the moon and starlight, "What is she saying?"
As if on cue, her voice grew just loud enough for one to hear if they strained, "No, run, they are coming . . . Roain is coming . . .please . . . don't do this . . . run . . . can't you hear them?" the sound of her voice grew steadily, "Can you not hear the howls? Legolas!" her chest and back heaved off the ground with her tremendous gasp.
Legolas quickly reached out a tender finger to her cheek, "Raven?" The instant his fingers made contact with her cold, damp, skin, she sat bolt upright. Her mouth was open in a terrified scream, but no sound exited her lips.
The she-elf glanced wildly around until her petrified eyes landed on Legolas and Darin, who stared at her in utter confusion. She sprang from her cot and clung to Legolas as if her life depended on it, "We need to go, now!" she spoke into his chest.
"What? Raven, it was just a dream," Legolas stroked her hair comfortingly
"No," she shook her head and pulled away from his hand, "it was too real, please, you've got to believe me!" she cried against his shoulder, "We can't stay!"
Legolas looked helplessly behind him at Darin, who looked just as perplexed.
"Please," came Raven's sob. As she groped his arms and sides pleadingly, a harsh cackle rang in her ears. She screamed and roused the rest of the camp, "Don't you hear him laughing?"
"Raven, it's just the wind!" Legolas shook her in his arms.
"NO IT'S NOT!"
Armanis sat up," Would someone shut her up? Some of us are trying to get some-" before he could finish his sentence, a huge black mass sprang from the rocks and collapsed on top of him. His angry request was quickly transformed into a cry of mortal panic, which as immediately silenced by the sickening crunch of his skull being crushed in the jaws of the wolf- like creature.
WARGS!" came Darin's yell from behind Legolas, and in an instant both warriors were on their feet rushing to their screaming horses to get their bows and swords. Arien, being an assassin, always slept with a dagger under her pillow and was already in action.
"Raven, get out of here!" Legolas called from the bloody battlefield, but his words were lost in the howls of other wargs answering the distressed call of their fellow and the sudden maniacal laughter that seemed to manifest from the wind. He could recognize that insane cackle anywhere: Roain. The Lady was right.
Raven was oblivious to everything except the steady rhythm of her bow and the movement of wolf-bears as they used fang and claw to tear the living flesh from her companions' bones. This rhythm was the only thing keeping her sanity from escaping her as the maddened cries of the horses, the shrieks of wargs, and the incessant laughter called her away from the fray . . . Aim. Release. Reload. Away from camp . . . Aim. Release. Reload. Away from her friends . . . Aim. Release. Reload. Away from her lover . . . Aim. Release. Reload. To the darkness . . . Aim. Release. Reload. To her death . . . Aim. Release. Reload. To Roain . . . Out of arrows.
Raven felt her heart sink to her toes as she threw down Legolas's spare bow. She looked frantically for something useful when her eyes caught the glint of metal from Arien's bag on the other side of camp. She raced across the field and drove her fingers into the other woman's pack, retrieving a short sword. The she-elf turned to the battle behind her, blade flying.
Arien's training guided her lethal blows down the creature's unprotected neck. It stumbled, mortally wounded, and collapsed on the warrior. She fought desperately to free herself, but the immense weight of her prey pinned her to the ground. She could feel the heavy footfalls of another warg behind her. As its terrible jaws came into view above her head, her heart stopped; she was going to die. Although she had prepared herself for this moment for many millennia, panic flooded her mind, "I'm not ready . . ." she muttered quietly, "I'M NOT READY!" Just as the creature lunged for her neck, Darin came between her and the monster. In her shocked silence, all she could hear was his cry of pain as the beast tore at his flesh. "Darin!" came Legolas's anguished yell from above her as she heard the unmistakable sound of metal cutting muscle. When it stopped, she knew the creature was dead.
Raven raced toward the closest warg, but before she closed the distance, she slipped in mud. She sent her hand down to help herself up and her fingers made contact with the remains of Armanis's head. A scream forced its way from her lips as she realized she was lying in his blood. The girl leapt up from the man's mangled copse just in time to see another warg tear the life from Darin's body. Finally, the last string in Raven's mind snapped as she shrieked wildly in hysteria. She swung violently at anything that growled, led by her ears because of her tear-induced blindness until her hands bleed so much she could not hold her sword.
Legolas panted heavily as he delivered the final blow to the final warg, but he did not lower his blade until it fell dead at his feet. For the first time that night, he looked up to see the whole battlefield. Five massive wargs oozed dark blood in the dirt around him, Armanis was dead, and Arien was deeply shaken but unharmed. Darin was alive, but not in good shape; it was a miracle he still breathed. Both Arien and Armanis's horses had been killed.
"Legolas!" Arien's shrill voice interrupted his mental account of the aftermath of battle.
The Prince was at her side in an instant, but all he could do was watch helplessly as she did as good a job she could, which was not saying much, of dressing Darin's wounds.
Arien smiled faintly up at him, "He's awake."
Sure enough, Darin grinned weakly up at his friend, "Guess I'm the craziest of us all," he tried to laugh, but it came out as a cough.
"Shh," Arien touched a finger gently to his lips as tears lit her eyes in the moonlight.
Even in the dark, the fang marks across his bloody chest and arms were obvious. Legolas looked away; the thought of loosing his best friend was overwhelming.
"Why did you do it?" Arien asked quietly as she softly caressed his cheek.
"Because I had to," Darin swallowed blood.
"Why?" her voice shook.
"Because I ," he closed his eyes and his head rolled back on his shoulders.
"Darin? Darin? Darin!" tears fell freely from her eyes as she screamed hysterically at the elf whom she knew would not answer her.
Legolas walked numbly away from the scene behind him and realized what was missing from his side: Raven. His heart sank as he remembered her words and Roain's laughter. He had been there. Terror flooded his mind when he could not find her, "NO!" he cried out loud as the thought that Roain could have taken her during the fight; losing Raven did not bare thinking about. He raced around the camp and called her name wildly until, to his utter relief, he found her sitting at the base of a particularly odd-shaped rock formation, "Raven!" he cried, but she did not look up. He wrapped his arms around her tiny frame and bruised his lips in her hair. Overcome with relief of finding her, he planted the most urgent kiss he had ever known on hers, but she did not respond, "Raven?" he pulled his head back to get a good look at the girl in his arms and his heart stopped; she was completely covered in blood. Legolas looked frantically at her body for wounds, but found none save on her hands. He sighed in relief; the blood was not hers. He tilted her head back to look into her emerald eyes, "Raven, why will you not answer me?"
For the first time since the end of the battle, sound was emitted from her lips in the form of a gasp, as if she had just woken from a bad dream, "It's my fault," she sobbed without looking at Legolas, "It's all my fault!"
He looked at her in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"Armanis and Darin are dead because of me!"
"What?"
"It's me he's after. If I hadn't been here, none of this would have happened. And now, because of me, everyone is in danger. They're dead because of me!"
It hurt Legolas much more than it did her, but he slapped her lightly across her cheek, "Listen to me, it is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's me for not listening to you. You tried to warn Darin and I, but we were too foolish to listen, and Darin is alive. Arien is dressing his wounds as we speak. Let me show you," he picked her up as gently as he could and carefully hid her eyes against his shoulder. The shrill cast to her voice let him know she was on the verge of hysterics and the sight of Armanis's body could set her off. The Prince knew seeing Darin in his condition could have the same affect, but she needed to know he was alive, "How is he?" he asked when he reached Arien's side.
She looked up at him piteously, "He's alive."
"That's well enough for me. See Raven?" he nudged her softly. Her head fell back from his shoulder, her eyes closed in a peaceful slumber. The warrior could not help the smile that formed on his lips.
"Legolas, he'll die if we don't get him to Minas Tirith," she struggled to pick him up. The Prince gently set the girl on the cold ground and took his friend from Arien's arms, weakened from over-exertion. He carefully put the unconscious body on Arod's back and saw the look of confusion flood across Arien's face as she glanced around anxiously for her horse. He felt a pang of sympathy when her eyes found the mare's bloody body. One of the horse's hind legs was missing. Legolas looked away from his friend's agonized expression and lifted Raven's body onto Elra's saddle. "You ride with her," he nodded to the other girl, "I'll take Darin on Arod; he's much faster," he did not add on, 'and we don't have much time.'
Arien swallowed and bobbed her head up and down as she clambered awkwardly behind her friend's sleeping form. The Prince copied her movements and urged his stallion into a gallop.
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Legolas strained his vision to keep his sight from blurring as Arod's hooves pounded through Minas Tirith's open gates.
"You, state your name and-" the approaching soldier gasped with wide eyes, "He's an elf!"
The Prince could barely stay mounted on his horse; he had been awake for the past twenty-eight hours but was determined to stay awake until he was certain Darin would be taken care of, "I am Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm," the sudden murmur that broke out among the watchmen assured him his name was not unknown, "My friend is wounded. Please, he needs help," he let himself slip off the horse, "Hurry."
"What devilry could have caused such wounds?" asked one of the younger guardsmen in frightened awe.
"Wargs," Legolas blinked deeply out of fatigue but forced himself to stand straight.
"Wargs!" one of the soldiers shouted, "there are no wargs left in Gondor!"
The Prince did not have the time or strength for such arguments, "If you don't believe my word, ride twelve hours northeast and there you shall find five wargs slain as your proof."
"Two elves could not handle such foes!"
"Two others who fought in the battle are on their way. We lost another in the fray. He was our guide, Ar-"
"Armis, get this elf to the House of Healing immediately," a stern looking old soldier barked to the guardsman and deliberately cut off the elf's words.
"Yes Uncle," the boy, Armis, awkwardly took the unconscious elf from the warrior's almost reluctant arms and rushed off down a cobblestone street.
When the boy was safely out of earshot the older man turned to Legolas, "Tell me, was the name of your guide, the one you lost in battle, was Armanis his name?"
The Prince nodded, "You knew him?"
His face paled, "He was my brother," he said in slight shock, "I stopped you for the boy's sake . . . he loved his father very much . . ." the soldier's movements and words were numb, "Escort him to a room by the healing quarters and take his horse to the stables. Thalian, take half a dozen others to burn the wargs."
After a little over fifteen minutes walking, Legolas threw his bloody cloak in a heap on the floor and collapsed on his bed. He was asleep before he could touch his head to the pillow.
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Raven's eyelashes fluttered as they acknowledged the sunlight filtering into her emerald orbs. Moaning softly, she lifted her hand to her forehead and was startled by the feeling of a cloth other than that of her gloves. She quickly shifted her sight to her palms, remembering the battle and blistered hands when she saw the bandages. It was also at that precise moment that she realized she could not recall anyone putting them on, nor did she remember ever sleeping in a bed . . . The elf instantly sat up and looked about her strange surroundings, and to her surprise discovered Legolas sleeping soundly in an armchair beside her. She smiled at his childlike expression, "Well, now I know where I am," she thought out loud and reluctantly pulled herself from the warm comforts of her bed sheets. She glanced about the room curiously in search of her belongings and found them next to Arien's pack, "Wonder where she ran off to."
Raven dug through her bag in search of clean clothing and after a quick change, Legolas stirred, "Raven, you're awake!"
"So are you."
He grinned, "You've been a guest here at the House of Healing for the past six hours and have slept through each of them. I arrived nearly a day ago, but I've been by your side almost since you arrived," he strode over to her and delivered his warm embrace.
"Where's Arien?" she asked, leaning her head against his shoulder.
The Prince paused for a moment, "She's with Darin. Come, I shall take you to them," he said somewhat grimly and took her under his arm as a show of affection.
The two exited the room and walked quickly down the corridor to one of the rooms off the central courtyard and knocked softly, "Arien, are you awake?"
The woman on the other side opened the door, "Darin isn't," she said while mopping his face with a damp cloth.
Legolas felt the Raven's muscles tense when she saw the wounded elf, and he was sure he had the same reaction to seeing his friend in bandages, "What do the healers say?" he swallowed
"They'll try to save his arm, but if," she paused and altered her words mid- sentence, "when he recovers he'll have some serious scars to look forward to," she put the cloth on the bedside table and stoked Darin's forelock.
Raven quickly took her handkerchief, saturated it in the herb water, gently sat down on the elf's bed and dabbed his forehead where Arien had off, "Legolas, would you go get something to eat? I have a feeling our lady friend here hasn't touched any food today. Don't worry, we'll take care of Darin."
The Prince walked as fast as he could out of the room; he could not stand seeing his friend so crippled. He needed to clear his head. The elf wandered aimlessly about and soon forgot all about food in his remembrance of Minas Tirith. Aragorn had truly done a superb job of restoring the great city of Men; no longer where there cracks on street, and greenery graced every corner.
He was so preoccupied with noting the changes, he failed to here a surprised gruff voice shout his name, "Legolas!"
The elf kept walking.
"Legolas!" it yelled again.
The Prince stopped to admire a particularly handsome tree.
"LEGOLAS!" the voice called for the last time and its barer raced up to the elf to deliver a death grip hug around his midsection.
This managed to get his attention, "What!" cried the elf, who tried in vain to jump away. He looked down to see his attacker. His jaw dropped open, "Gimli!" he laughed and returned his hug with vigor, "Why are you here?" he asked without thinking.
The dwarf took a step back and said grimly, "Same reason as you."
Memory flooded the Prince's face, "Sorry old friend. It's just, quite a lot has happened recently. Come, I've got some people I'd like you to meet."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The two walked to Darin's room and were surprised to find it locked. Slightly worried, the elf led the group to Raven' s room. He knocked on the door. His leaf-shaped ears picked up a faint 'come in' and walked through, "Everyone, I found a friend."
"My Legolas, you've brought a whole flock of pointy-ears!" Gimli laughed heartily.
"Huh?" Raven turned around.
Gimli's eyes widened as he got down on one knee, "Gimli the Dwarf at your service, milady," he got on one knee.
The she-elf blushed scarlet, "Um, thanks. The name's Raven, and this is Arien," she nodded to the elf next to her, who turned around as well.
"Aye Legolas, you were right. Her beauty DOES rival that of Lady Galadriel's," he grinned at the woman's embarrassed expression.
"Sorry we left. The healers told us to go back to our room," the tall woman smiled apologetically at the Prince.
"I see a lot's happened to you over the years, Legolas."
"Yes, we've quite got much to catch up on."
"Mmm, ketchup," said Arien smiled widely as she recalled her earthly condiments, "I used to put it on toast," she motioned with her hands to symbolize squeezing a bottle.
"I put it on eggs!" chirped Raven.
"Yea, I heard people put it on eggs. I never did though; I put syrup on my eggs."
"Ew, that's disgusting!"
"I put ketchup on chocolate chips and marshmallows," she listed with her fingers.
The other she-elf sighed, "I miss ketchup."
"Yea, me too."
"You know what's weird? I hate tomatoes, but I love ketchup."
"Bizarre."
"How did we get on this conversation?" Raven blinked.
"Hm," she thought for a moment, "Prince-boy said something about catching- up, and we screwed up the spelling."
Raven turned to the elf and the dwarf, who stared back with blank looks, "You!" she cried with mock anger, "It's your fault! You shall pay!" she ran in slow motion toward the elf.
"Ou, whatcha gonna do to 'im?" Arien teased.
"I'm going to KISS him!" she hissed and jumped onto the warrior, knocking him into a chair. She instantly wrapped her arms and legs around him, "You're mine!" she swiftly planted a playful yet powerful kiss on his lips, to which he did not object.
Within seconds, everyone in the room was in fits of laughter at Raven's unexpected antics, but their mirth was quickly silenced when a sharp knocking reverberated about the room. Legolas would have been the first to the door, but he had a she-elf clinging to his chest. He nodded at Arien to get answer. She opened it a crack, "May I help you?" she asked as coolly as she could.
Though the rest of the group could not see or hear the man, they could feel the tension in his words. Arien ducked back in the room, "The King will see us now," she said gently.
Raven swallowed in her unease brought on by the heavy sorrow and anxiety that hung in the air as they walked down Minas Tirith's gray streets to the King's chamber. Everyone, even the townspeople, seemed solemn. After several minutes of walking, the group reached a grand white tower carved out of the very living rock of the cliff and mountain. She reached out and laced her fingers with Legolas's to offer what little comfort she could, knowing he was marching to bare witness to his friend's death, but did not know that her little hand gave the Prince more strength than either of their bodies possessed. They passed down a long corridor lit with torches and came to an enormous wooden door.
The guard waited a few moments before opening the massive gate. When they were finally permitted to enter, Raven's breath caught in her chest, but it was not the King that made her gasp. The look of Lady Arwen's misery froze her blood and made her forget how to breathe. She felt as if her heart had been stabbed by an icy dagger when Arwen looked up from her dieing husband's side and looked into her eyes, "My love," she looked back to the King, "your friends have come," she said while caressing his cheek.
Everyone nodded with sympathy and respect to the rulers. The elf and the dwarf walked over to their fallen comrade's side, "Hello again Aragorn," Legolas smiled with tears threatening to fall, but he was not ashamed of his showing emotions, for even Gimli's eyes were red.
The dieing king looked up at his friends, "It has been a long time, friends of old. I am glad you came to see me off to the final adventure," he almost laughed. "I see you finally have found yourself a bride," this time he did laugh as Raven's eyes and mouth grew wide with shock. Still laughing, he continued, "I'm sure Thranduil will be pleased," with a groan, his head fell back on his pillow.
Arwen pushed Arien less than kindly out of her way, "Estel?"
"Bring me my son," he did not open his eyes.
The Elvish queen of Men nodded, but a boy's voice spoke up before she could sent her summon, "I am here father!" he rushed to Aragorn.
"Eldarion," he smiled softly at the soon-to-be King of Men, who could only have been a mere fourteen years old, "I wish to be alone with you and your mother."
The three elves and the dwarf did not need telling twice and were in the outside hall in seconds. Knowing that he and Gimli were in pain, Raven wrapped her comforting arms around Legolas and his friend and waited. After a few silent minutes, her heart stopped as Arwen's hysteric cries reached her leaf-shaped ears, "Estel! Estel!" Aragorn was gone.
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