A/N: Aight, the timeline is REALLY messed around with, but that's okay. I needed more time. Also, things do tend to happen really fast. I know, I know, it annoys the hell out of me too when I read stuff that happens too fast, but this is just the way it works in this one. KK? Here it is:
Chapter Six: Rohan!
Don't leave me all alone
Just drop me off at home
I'll be fine, it's not the first
Just like last time, but a little worse.
-Blink-182, Don't Leave Me
Then Gandalf gave a long whistle. So clear and piercing was the note that the others stood amazed to hear such a sound come from those old bearded lips. Three times he whistled; and then faint and far off it seemed to them that they heard the whiny of a horse borne up from the plains upon the eastern wind. Then came the sound of hoofs, at first hardly more than a tremor of the ground.
Legolas spoke, "There are two! There is Hasufel. But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before."
'Oh my,' thought Melanie. She stood and looked at the great horse. He was truly beautiful. And then there was Hasufel. Before she could stop herself she ran to meet them. Shrilly whinnying the way there.
"Hasufel! Hasufel!" she cried. She nuzzled him before he could get a word in edgewise.
"It is good to see you too, Arod." he said, "This is Shadowfax, he is the lord of all the horses, and you'd do well to show your respect!"
"Calm yourself, Hasufel," said Shadowfax, as they trotted toward the company, "I am not the lord over her, she is not truly a horse. But she is still welcomed among us, quickly, let us join them!"
Shadowfax put in a burst of speed as he saw Gandalf, and easily passed Hasufel and Melanie. That was fine by her, she wanted time alone with her friend.
"I'm so glad to see you again!" she said happily.
"The feeling is mutual." said Hasufel. And then Gandalf spoke to them.
"We go to Meduseld, the hall of your master, Theoden," he said gravely. Hasufel and Shadowfax bowed their heads, and Melanie followed suit.
"Hasufel shall bear Aragron and Arod," he said, a twinkle in his eye, "shall bear Legolas. I will set Gimli before me, and by his leave Shadofax shall bear us both."
Melanie felt a bit odd about this whole "bear Legolas" thing. Why is everyone so "smiley smiley" when we were together? She thought. She trotted off to Legolas, who was clearly equally embarrassed. Here it comes. Melanie thought, bracing herself. He mounted her gently and Melanie swore she heard Gimli snigger.
It wasn't so bad, really.
There was one point, when they were ridding, Melanie's neck started to itch. Now she knew how annoying it was to not have hands! But then Legolas reached out and gently scratched her neck. That stopped the itching, but it sent a series of shivers down her back. Unless he was really stupid, Melanie thought, Legolas probably noticed too.
They rode into the night. Finally, Gandalf said they could stop, but only for a few hours. Melanie changed into her elf form and lay down, panting. Legolas walked over to her and lay down beside her. After a few minutes, she looked over at his sleeping face, and was given the shock of her life when she saw that his eyes were open. She looked at his chest, which was rising and falling slowly, telling her he was definitely was asleep. She looked around and saw that Gimli was already asleep, and that Aragorn was lying flat on his back, and Gandalf was staring out into the night. She turned back to Legolas.
She had the strongest urge to touch him. Just to see if he was real. Would it hurt just to touch his face? No, maybe, maybe just his ear. He looked so much like an angel, she could not bear to touch his face. Melanie reached out a shaking hand. She touched the tip of his ear. She ran her finger up and down it once.
Instantly the white mist that covered his open eyes disappeared. Legolas's breathing quickened and became ragged, and he stared at Melanie with wide eyes and mouth slightly open. Had she just done that? Had she actually just done that? Melanie slowly withdrew her hand, her eyes also wide.
"What did I do?" she asked breathlessly. He did not move or speak. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said, not knowing what she was apologizing for. Then slowly, very slowly, his hand shaking worse than hers had, he reached out and touched the tip of Melanie's right ear, and he ran his finger up and down it once.
It felt as if he had just touched her in someplace very personal. She never knew ears could be so sensitive! Also, Melanie was assaulted with all sorts of feelings and half-formed thoughts. Her stomach was flip flopping. Suddenly her thoughts started to form, and she thought she would cry out in agony. She wanted to be as close as close could be to him. She needed to be. She HAD to. She let out a little whimper.
He turned her around and pulled her close to him. She thought it could never be close enough. She was trembling. Then she noticed that he too, was trembling. And she tried, she really tried to put her body into sleep mode, but all she could think about was his breath on her neck, the way his arm was encircling her waste, and the flip flopping of her stomach.
And then his breathing started to slow, and hers, much to Melanie's amazement, did too.
She slept in Legolas's arms those few hours in which they were allowed to rest.
Melanie awoke to the sound of laughter. She sat up, and Legolas's arm slid from her waste, yet he slept on. She looked around to find who was laughing at her, and saw it was Gandalf and Aragorn. (Gimli was still asleep.)
She walked over to them. "What?" she said sweetly.
Gandalf replied, "Has our Prince of Mirkwood caught someone's fancy?"
Melanie sighed. Suddenly, she was sick of it. "Why yes, actually," she said in her small voice, "I think he's very nice and well, damn, he's got a nice body!"
Aragorn had a silent laughing fit. Gandalf went a bit red in the face. "It has been long since I was so surprised by an answer," but then he smiled, "And I do believe that it is quite a perfect match, is it not Aragorn? After all, Thranduil has been searching for a wife for Legolas for some time, has he not?"
Melanie could not decide whether or not Gandalf was joking.
Aragorn decided not to answer. But Melanie, being the moron that she was, decided she wanted to risk her life and ask about Arwen.
"Well, well, well, is Aragorn afraid of this little topic?" she said. Aragorn pretended not to hear.
"I would hope that he isn't," said Melanie. Gandalf sent her a warning look, which she ignored. Aragorn turned to her, fury outlined in his features.
'I guess I've lived a full life,' Melanie thought to herself. "Because I would think that Arwen wants little boys and girls. And you don't get babies by kisses. You get babies with a little bit of uh-huh uh-huh! And a whole lot of harder, harder!" She pronounced these with a angsty voice and expression, and she moved her waist, for added effect.
Finally what she was hoping for came. Aragorn let out a yell (which successfully woke Gimli and Legolas up) and lunged at Melanie. She stuck out her tongue as she dodged him. Then she ran to Legolas, Aragorn on her heals.
"Legooolaasss! SAVE ME!" She ran screeching to him. She stepped behind him. Aragorn stepped in front of Legolas.
Legolas looked quickly around at Melanie and then turned to face Aragorn. "What is wrong, my good friend?" he asked Aragorn, and Melanie froze.
"She has insulted Lady Arwen and myself,"said Aragorn angrily.
"I did not!" Melanie shouted from behind Legolas.
"What did you say?" said Legolas.
"Only that Arwen probably wants a lotsa little babies, and Mr. King over their won't be able to give them to her if he doesn't wanna bust a move," she said.
Legolas stepped aside. "She's all yours," he said.
"Legolas! NO!" said Melanie, and she turned to run, but Legolas grabbed her hand and held her back. Now she was fearing a serious ass kicking.
"Aragorn, what shall we do with this scoundrel?" said Legolas, smirking.
Then suddenly Melanie let out a terrified shriek. Why did she always have to play with fire?
"We should cut off her hand for her impudent words," said Aragorn seriously.
"Or perhaps fifty lashes would be more appropriate," said Legolas.
Melanie took a deep breath and lifted her head up. She wondered whether or not they were joking.
"Fine," she said in a breathless whisper, "Whatever you got, I'm ready."
"What do you mean?" said Aragorn, "We are only jesting. I let my emotions control any rational thinking," he said, "I am sorry for my childishness."
"Your childishness? HA!," Melanie shook her head, "Oh well," said Melanie, recovering, "I do seem to cancel out any rational thinking, huh?"
They made it to Medused. Arod stood shoulder to shoulder with Hasufel, behind Shadowfax. They looked out onto the plain which separated them from the city. Arod took a deep breath and prepared herself. Legolas nudged her sides, and off she went.
They reached the outside of the city and Gandalf told Legolas to dismount from her.
"Change back into yourself, Melanie." said Legolas in her ear.
She gave her tail a little flick and then transformed into herself again.
They walked up to where the guards to the castle were waiting, passing through the small village. Gimli remarked that, "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," and Melanie thought he had a point.
Unfortunately, Melanie saw some of the men cast looks of some strange emotion at her. Lust it was, but Melanie didn't know that, having never had that look sent to her before. Melanie had always hidden behind baggy clothes (to hide her bruises) when out in public, so people never really knew what she looked like.
They reached the guards and were commanded to relinquish all weapons, and that the king would see them the following night. They wanted to take Gandalf's staff, but he worked them over so they'd let them take it in with them. Until the King wanted to see them, they were allowed to bathe, change, (the guard said, looking pointedly at Melanie, more particularly at her non-traditional style of dress) and then if the king was up to it, he'd see them.
"Follow me," said Hama, the chief guard.
They followed him. They passed a large hall where many men were speaking. They stopped talking as they saw Melanie. Gandalf, Legolas and Aragorn saw this and Legolas moved in front of Melanie, blocking her from view of the men. Melanie and Gimli did not notice, and that added worry onto the heart of Aragorn.
"This is were the lady will sleep," said Hama, pointing to a room to his left, "There is a bathing room within, and I shall ask Lady Eowyn if she will lend you some proper clothing. You" he said, motioning to Gandalf and Gimli, shall sleep in this room." he pointed to his right, "Lord Aragon and the elf shall sleep in that room," and he pointed to the room across the hallway.
Then he left, and Melanie ran into her room saying, "Need to bathe." She closed the door and stripped quickly and praised God that some water had already been provided for her. She stepped slowly into the water, hissing at its welcome warmth, and laid back, lowering her head into the water. She watched as filth was washed from her body. She found what looked like soap and shampoo and used both. If you have not bathed for a long time, and then did, you know how wonderful Melanie felt. And you also know that she wanted to stay in that wonderful water for as long as possible. But there was a knock on the door that she didn't hear, her head in the water. She did not hear the door to her room open and close. She did, however, hear someone say, "Melanie?"
She swallowed a considerable amount of water. Then she jumped out of the tub and threw a towel around herself. Breathing quickly, she stepped into the room to find-
"Legolas? What are you doing?" she asked, pushing a sopping piece of hair out of her face.
"I-I-I," he said staring at her wet and towel-covered appearance, and his ears turned red.
'What?' thought Melanie to herself, 'I'm covered aren't I?'
"Yes?" said Melanie patiently.
"I-uh-clothes," he said, eyes wide. He thrust the amount of folded green material in his arms towards her. She took it from him and said, "Thank you Legolas." He stood there for a moment, staring at her, and then realized what he was doing.
"Sorry," he mumbled and he practically fled from the room.
Melanie discovered, that Legolas had brought her not only a green dress and some fresh undergarment thing, but a white see-throughy night gown. "Would Eowyn actually wear this?" she said to herself.
She put on the green dress (after drying off and putting on the underwear first, moron!) and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was damp, and tangled. She had gotten it cut a while back to stop it from being tangled all the time, but to no avail. She tried to move a bit in the dress, but found it was far to tight. 'Well, obvioulsy,' she thought to herself, 'I'm in Eowyn's dress, that chick has got to be a zero. Oh well, it isn't so bad,' but then she heard a little giggle. She turned around to find a girl of about twelve. The girl had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes.
"What's so funny?" Melanie asked her.
"A thousand pardons, it's just, your dress, is far to tight, because you haven't put on a corset."
"What?"
"A corset, to slim your figure." Melanie shook her head, but the girl was fast. Before Melanie could blink, she was stripped of her dress. "What the fuck?!?" And she the girl was tightening a corset around her waist.
"Ahhhhh!" Melanie cried, "It's too tight, loosen it!"
"That's the point, and I won't loosen it. At least now you'll fit into your dress." And the girl helped Melanie into the dress. Melanie tried to speak again, but her breath got caught in her throat because of the corset. She tried again.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"Ennoi, just Ennoi m'lady."
"My lady? Don't call me that. My name is Melanie, pleased to meet you Ennoi," Melanie shook Ennoi's hand, and she laughed with glee. "Thanks for helping me fit into my dress, even if you are cutting off my air supply." Ennoi smiled evilly.
"I'm also to do your hair, but you have none to do! Why is your hair so short?"
"I like it this way, can you just, brush it or something?"
Ennoi nodded, "I'll do better."
Fifteen minutes later, Melanie's short hair was done. Two mini braids were pulled together at the back of her head. (A/N, think Lego-braids;)) Melanie looked in the mirror and discovered she didn't look half bad. She turned to thank Ennoi. "Thanks again." Ennoi nodded and smiled. "I must take my leave, but should you need anything, don't hesitate to call." And she left the room.
Melanie stood up to get a better picture of herself. Normally she did not hold with dresses. They never looked good on her. This dress was the opposite, and she found it really hard not to like it. She looked good! Hell, she was no Arwen, but she thought she was as pretty as Eowyn had been in the movies.
She smiled. Then she went into her bedroom and lie on her bed. Melanie hummed softly to herself songs that she knew she could never hear again. Thankfully, she was pulled out of her despairing thoughts, the cause being a knock on the door. She got up out of bed and opened the door to find Legolas. He still flushed slightly from the memory of thirty minutes ago.
Melanie breathed in. Damn! That elf cleaned up good. "Hello Legolas," she said.
"It is dinner time. I am to escort you to the dining hall," he mumbled. Melanie sighed. She hated seeing him being embarrassed because of HER. So she grabbed by the arm and pulled him into her room, shutting the door behind them.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand in protest.
"Don't," Melanie said shortly (which was such an odd thing to choose to say, out of all the thoughts irrupting inside her head).
"Pardon?" said Legolas, looking at the floor.
"Don't be ashamed, I was covered," Mel said, taking a step toward him. Legolas said nothing, he only looked at her. He looked at her for a long time. Melanie shivered. It felt like being X-rayed. She took a deep breath. Legolas took her hands and brought her closer to him.
"Your beauty shines bright Melanie," he said, gazing into her eyes.
Melanie looked at him for a moment. "I'm not beautiful. I'm not even pretty."
Legolas shook his head and smiled. "You are wrong."
Melanie rolled her eyes, "Yeah, right, and you're the king of England." Legolas looked puzzled. "I am not king, but I am Prince, is England a word in your language for Mirkwood?"
Melanie slapped her hand to her head. "You see, this is why I love you," she said, without thinking.
Legolas opened his mouth for a moment. "What?" he said, aghast, "How can you love me? We've only just met."
"I'm sorry," Melanie said, and a lone tear slid down her cheek. How could she be so stupid? Why did that just slip out? She knew that he would never, could never, love her. She had, of course, liked him when she read the books as a child and saw the movie later on in her life. But love? Was it really love? She did not know. Maybe there was such a thing as love at first sight. Maybe she loved him for the way he looked. No, she knew that wasn't it . . . there was just something about him . . . something she knew she could never have. "I don't know, that just slipped out, I didn't mean-" Legolas reached out and brushed the lone tear that slid down her face. She froze, not knowing why her whole body tensed as he touched her face, not knowing how to read that expression on his face, not knowing much of anything.
"Melanie," he said, searching for the right thing to say. "I do not deny that I am attracted to you. However, you are just a child, and I-" he let his sentence fall into silence. She opened her mouth, and, against her will, she gasped. This could not be happening. There was no way this was happening. Why was this happening? Hadn't her father always told her that, "NO ONE in their right mind would EVER love you, you ungrateful bitch!" How could this be happening? He didn't say love, though. He said he was attracted to her.
"Melanie," he called softly, realizing she was day dreaming. She shook herself briefly. "Lego-Legolas?"
"Perhaps we should go to dinner," he said. He took her hand in his and they left her room for dinner.
A/N: Well? Lemme know. I need ta know if I should keep on' writtin' this thingamabob! Click on that there review button an' get them motor-fingers typin'! I mean it now!
Chapter Six: Rohan!
Don't leave me all alone
Just drop me off at home
I'll be fine, it's not the first
Just like last time, but a little worse.
-Blink-182, Don't Leave Me
Then Gandalf gave a long whistle. So clear and piercing was the note that the others stood amazed to hear such a sound come from those old bearded lips. Three times he whistled; and then faint and far off it seemed to them that they heard the whiny of a horse borne up from the plains upon the eastern wind. Then came the sound of hoofs, at first hardly more than a tremor of the ground.
Legolas spoke, "There are two! There is Hasufel. But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before."
'Oh my,' thought Melanie. She stood and looked at the great horse. He was truly beautiful. And then there was Hasufel. Before she could stop herself she ran to meet them. Shrilly whinnying the way there.
"Hasufel! Hasufel!" she cried. She nuzzled him before he could get a word in edgewise.
"It is good to see you too, Arod." he said, "This is Shadowfax, he is the lord of all the horses, and you'd do well to show your respect!"
"Calm yourself, Hasufel," said Shadowfax, as they trotted toward the company, "I am not the lord over her, she is not truly a horse. But she is still welcomed among us, quickly, let us join them!"
Shadowfax put in a burst of speed as he saw Gandalf, and easily passed Hasufel and Melanie. That was fine by her, she wanted time alone with her friend.
"I'm so glad to see you again!" she said happily.
"The feeling is mutual." said Hasufel. And then Gandalf spoke to them.
"We go to Meduseld, the hall of your master, Theoden," he said gravely. Hasufel and Shadowfax bowed their heads, and Melanie followed suit.
"Hasufel shall bear Aragron and Arod," he said, a twinkle in his eye, "shall bear Legolas. I will set Gimli before me, and by his leave Shadofax shall bear us both."
Melanie felt a bit odd about this whole "bear Legolas" thing. Why is everyone so "smiley smiley" when we were together? She thought. She trotted off to Legolas, who was clearly equally embarrassed. Here it comes. Melanie thought, bracing herself. He mounted her gently and Melanie swore she heard Gimli snigger.
It wasn't so bad, really.
There was one point, when they were ridding, Melanie's neck started to itch. Now she knew how annoying it was to not have hands! But then Legolas reached out and gently scratched her neck. That stopped the itching, but it sent a series of shivers down her back. Unless he was really stupid, Melanie thought, Legolas probably noticed too.
They rode into the night. Finally, Gandalf said they could stop, but only for a few hours. Melanie changed into her elf form and lay down, panting. Legolas walked over to her and lay down beside her. After a few minutes, she looked over at his sleeping face, and was given the shock of her life when she saw that his eyes were open. She looked at his chest, which was rising and falling slowly, telling her he was definitely was asleep. She looked around and saw that Gimli was already asleep, and that Aragorn was lying flat on his back, and Gandalf was staring out into the night. She turned back to Legolas.
She had the strongest urge to touch him. Just to see if he was real. Would it hurt just to touch his face? No, maybe, maybe just his ear. He looked so much like an angel, she could not bear to touch his face. Melanie reached out a shaking hand. She touched the tip of his ear. She ran her finger up and down it once.
Instantly the white mist that covered his open eyes disappeared. Legolas's breathing quickened and became ragged, and he stared at Melanie with wide eyes and mouth slightly open. Had she just done that? Had she actually just done that? Melanie slowly withdrew her hand, her eyes also wide.
"What did I do?" she asked breathlessly. He did not move or speak. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said, not knowing what she was apologizing for. Then slowly, very slowly, his hand shaking worse than hers had, he reached out and touched the tip of Melanie's right ear, and he ran his finger up and down it once.
It felt as if he had just touched her in someplace very personal. She never knew ears could be so sensitive! Also, Melanie was assaulted with all sorts of feelings and half-formed thoughts. Her stomach was flip flopping. Suddenly her thoughts started to form, and she thought she would cry out in agony. She wanted to be as close as close could be to him. She needed to be. She HAD to. She let out a little whimper.
He turned her around and pulled her close to him. She thought it could never be close enough. She was trembling. Then she noticed that he too, was trembling. And she tried, she really tried to put her body into sleep mode, but all she could think about was his breath on her neck, the way his arm was encircling her waste, and the flip flopping of her stomach.
And then his breathing started to slow, and hers, much to Melanie's amazement, did too.
She slept in Legolas's arms those few hours in which they were allowed to rest.
Melanie awoke to the sound of laughter. She sat up, and Legolas's arm slid from her waste, yet he slept on. She looked around to find who was laughing at her, and saw it was Gandalf and Aragorn. (Gimli was still asleep.)
She walked over to them. "What?" she said sweetly.
Gandalf replied, "Has our Prince of Mirkwood caught someone's fancy?"
Melanie sighed. Suddenly, she was sick of it. "Why yes, actually," she said in her small voice, "I think he's very nice and well, damn, he's got a nice body!"
Aragorn had a silent laughing fit. Gandalf went a bit red in the face. "It has been long since I was so surprised by an answer," but then he smiled, "And I do believe that it is quite a perfect match, is it not Aragorn? After all, Thranduil has been searching for a wife for Legolas for some time, has he not?"
Melanie could not decide whether or not Gandalf was joking.
Aragorn decided not to answer. But Melanie, being the moron that she was, decided she wanted to risk her life and ask about Arwen.
"Well, well, well, is Aragorn afraid of this little topic?" she said. Aragorn pretended not to hear.
"I would hope that he isn't," said Melanie. Gandalf sent her a warning look, which she ignored. Aragorn turned to her, fury outlined in his features.
'I guess I've lived a full life,' Melanie thought to herself. "Because I would think that Arwen wants little boys and girls. And you don't get babies by kisses. You get babies with a little bit of uh-huh uh-huh! And a whole lot of harder, harder!" She pronounced these with a angsty voice and expression, and she moved her waist, for added effect.
Finally what she was hoping for came. Aragorn let out a yell (which successfully woke Gimli and Legolas up) and lunged at Melanie. She stuck out her tongue as she dodged him. Then she ran to Legolas, Aragorn on her heals.
"Legooolaasss! SAVE ME!" She ran screeching to him. She stepped behind him. Aragorn stepped in front of Legolas.
Legolas looked quickly around at Melanie and then turned to face Aragorn. "What is wrong, my good friend?" he asked Aragorn, and Melanie froze.
"She has insulted Lady Arwen and myself,"said Aragorn angrily.
"I did not!" Melanie shouted from behind Legolas.
"What did you say?" said Legolas.
"Only that Arwen probably wants a lotsa little babies, and Mr. King over their won't be able to give them to her if he doesn't wanna bust a move," she said.
Legolas stepped aside. "She's all yours," he said.
"Legolas! NO!" said Melanie, and she turned to run, but Legolas grabbed her hand and held her back. Now she was fearing a serious ass kicking.
"Aragorn, what shall we do with this scoundrel?" said Legolas, smirking.
Then suddenly Melanie let out a terrified shriek. Why did she always have to play with fire?
"We should cut off her hand for her impudent words," said Aragorn seriously.
"Or perhaps fifty lashes would be more appropriate," said Legolas.
Melanie took a deep breath and lifted her head up. She wondered whether or not they were joking.
"Fine," she said in a breathless whisper, "Whatever you got, I'm ready."
"What do you mean?" said Aragorn, "We are only jesting. I let my emotions control any rational thinking," he said, "I am sorry for my childishness."
"Your childishness? HA!," Melanie shook her head, "Oh well," said Melanie, recovering, "I do seem to cancel out any rational thinking, huh?"
They made it to Medused. Arod stood shoulder to shoulder with Hasufel, behind Shadowfax. They looked out onto the plain which separated them from the city. Arod took a deep breath and prepared herself. Legolas nudged her sides, and off she went.
They reached the outside of the city and Gandalf told Legolas to dismount from her.
"Change back into yourself, Melanie." said Legolas in her ear.
She gave her tail a little flick and then transformed into herself again.
They walked up to where the guards to the castle were waiting, passing through the small village. Gimli remarked that, "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," and Melanie thought he had a point.
Unfortunately, Melanie saw some of the men cast looks of some strange emotion at her. Lust it was, but Melanie didn't know that, having never had that look sent to her before. Melanie had always hidden behind baggy clothes (to hide her bruises) when out in public, so people never really knew what she looked like.
They reached the guards and were commanded to relinquish all weapons, and that the king would see them the following night. They wanted to take Gandalf's staff, but he worked them over so they'd let them take it in with them. Until the King wanted to see them, they were allowed to bathe, change, (the guard said, looking pointedly at Melanie, more particularly at her non-traditional style of dress) and then if the king was up to it, he'd see them.
"Follow me," said Hama, the chief guard.
They followed him. They passed a large hall where many men were speaking. They stopped talking as they saw Melanie. Gandalf, Legolas and Aragorn saw this and Legolas moved in front of Melanie, blocking her from view of the men. Melanie and Gimli did not notice, and that added worry onto the heart of Aragorn.
"This is were the lady will sleep," said Hama, pointing to a room to his left, "There is a bathing room within, and I shall ask Lady Eowyn if she will lend you some proper clothing. You" he said, motioning to Gandalf and Gimli, shall sleep in this room." he pointed to his right, "Lord Aragon and the elf shall sleep in that room," and he pointed to the room across the hallway.
Then he left, and Melanie ran into her room saying, "Need to bathe." She closed the door and stripped quickly and praised God that some water had already been provided for her. She stepped slowly into the water, hissing at its welcome warmth, and laid back, lowering her head into the water. She watched as filth was washed from her body. She found what looked like soap and shampoo and used both. If you have not bathed for a long time, and then did, you know how wonderful Melanie felt. And you also know that she wanted to stay in that wonderful water for as long as possible. But there was a knock on the door that she didn't hear, her head in the water. She did not hear the door to her room open and close. She did, however, hear someone say, "Melanie?"
She swallowed a considerable amount of water. Then she jumped out of the tub and threw a towel around herself. Breathing quickly, she stepped into the room to find-
"Legolas? What are you doing?" she asked, pushing a sopping piece of hair out of her face.
"I-I-I," he said staring at her wet and towel-covered appearance, and his ears turned red.
'What?' thought Melanie to herself, 'I'm covered aren't I?'
"Yes?" said Melanie patiently.
"I-uh-clothes," he said, eyes wide. He thrust the amount of folded green material in his arms towards her. She took it from him and said, "Thank you Legolas." He stood there for a moment, staring at her, and then realized what he was doing.
"Sorry," he mumbled and he practically fled from the room.
Melanie discovered, that Legolas had brought her not only a green dress and some fresh undergarment thing, but a white see-throughy night gown. "Would Eowyn actually wear this?" she said to herself.
She put on the green dress (after drying off and putting on the underwear first, moron!) and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was damp, and tangled. She had gotten it cut a while back to stop it from being tangled all the time, but to no avail. She tried to move a bit in the dress, but found it was far to tight. 'Well, obvioulsy,' she thought to herself, 'I'm in Eowyn's dress, that chick has got to be a zero. Oh well, it isn't so bad,' but then she heard a little giggle. She turned around to find a girl of about twelve. The girl had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes.
"What's so funny?" Melanie asked her.
"A thousand pardons, it's just, your dress, is far to tight, because you haven't put on a corset."
"What?"
"A corset, to slim your figure." Melanie shook her head, but the girl was fast. Before Melanie could blink, she was stripped of her dress. "What the fuck?!?" And she the girl was tightening a corset around her waist.
"Ahhhhh!" Melanie cried, "It's too tight, loosen it!"
"That's the point, and I won't loosen it. At least now you'll fit into your dress." And the girl helped Melanie into the dress. Melanie tried to speak again, but her breath got caught in her throat because of the corset. She tried again.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"Ennoi, just Ennoi m'lady."
"My lady? Don't call me that. My name is Melanie, pleased to meet you Ennoi," Melanie shook Ennoi's hand, and she laughed with glee. "Thanks for helping me fit into my dress, even if you are cutting off my air supply." Ennoi smiled evilly.
"I'm also to do your hair, but you have none to do! Why is your hair so short?"
"I like it this way, can you just, brush it or something?"
Ennoi nodded, "I'll do better."
Fifteen minutes later, Melanie's short hair was done. Two mini braids were pulled together at the back of her head. (A/N, think Lego-braids;)) Melanie looked in the mirror and discovered she didn't look half bad. She turned to thank Ennoi. "Thanks again." Ennoi nodded and smiled. "I must take my leave, but should you need anything, don't hesitate to call." And she left the room.
Melanie stood up to get a better picture of herself. Normally she did not hold with dresses. They never looked good on her. This dress was the opposite, and she found it really hard not to like it. She looked good! Hell, she was no Arwen, but she thought she was as pretty as Eowyn had been in the movies.
She smiled. Then she went into her bedroom and lie on her bed. Melanie hummed softly to herself songs that she knew she could never hear again. Thankfully, she was pulled out of her despairing thoughts, the cause being a knock on the door. She got up out of bed and opened the door to find Legolas. He still flushed slightly from the memory of thirty minutes ago.
Melanie breathed in. Damn! That elf cleaned up good. "Hello Legolas," she said.
"It is dinner time. I am to escort you to the dining hall," he mumbled. Melanie sighed. She hated seeing him being embarrassed because of HER. So she grabbed by the arm and pulled him into her room, shutting the door behind them.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand in protest.
"Don't," Melanie said shortly (which was such an odd thing to choose to say, out of all the thoughts irrupting inside her head).
"Pardon?" said Legolas, looking at the floor.
"Don't be ashamed, I was covered," Mel said, taking a step toward him. Legolas said nothing, he only looked at her. He looked at her for a long time. Melanie shivered. It felt like being X-rayed. She took a deep breath. Legolas took her hands and brought her closer to him.
"Your beauty shines bright Melanie," he said, gazing into her eyes.
Melanie looked at him for a moment. "I'm not beautiful. I'm not even pretty."
Legolas shook his head and smiled. "You are wrong."
Melanie rolled her eyes, "Yeah, right, and you're the king of England." Legolas looked puzzled. "I am not king, but I am Prince, is England a word in your language for Mirkwood?"
Melanie slapped her hand to her head. "You see, this is why I love you," she said, without thinking.
Legolas opened his mouth for a moment. "What?" he said, aghast, "How can you love me? We've only just met."
"I'm sorry," Melanie said, and a lone tear slid down her cheek. How could she be so stupid? Why did that just slip out? She knew that he would never, could never, love her. She had, of course, liked him when she read the books as a child and saw the movie later on in her life. But love? Was it really love? She did not know. Maybe there was such a thing as love at first sight. Maybe she loved him for the way he looked. No, she knew that wasn't it . . . there was just something about him . . . something she knew she could never have. "I don't know, that just slipped out, I didn't mean-" Legolas reached out and brushed the lone tear that slid down her face. She froze, not knowing why her whole body tensed as he touched her face, not knowing how to read that expression on his face, not knowing much of anything.
"Melanie," he said, searching for the right thing to say. "I do not deny that I am attracted to you. However, you are just a child, and I-" he let his sentence fall into silence. She opened her mouth, and, against her will, she gasped. This could not be happening. There was no way this was happening. Why was this happening? Hadn't her father always told her that, "NO ONE in their right mind would EVER love you, you ungrateful bitch!" How could this be happening? He didn't say love, though. He said he was attracted to her.
"Melanie," he called softly, realizing she was day dreaming. She shook herself briefly. "Lego-Legolas?"
"Perhaps we should go to dinner," he said. He took her hand in his and they left her room for dinner.
A/N: Well? Lemme know. I need ta know if I should keep on' writtin' this thingamabob! Click on that there review button an' get them motor-fingers typin'! I mean it now!