Hot Breakfast

Jamie stood in the woods watching, horrified. Her mother was wrapped in the arms of a man that was not her father. They were more than friendly and Jamie could feel the bile rise in her throat. How could she do that? Father risked his life on the pacific so that they could have a good life and this is his reward?

"My God, Mother! You slut! How could you do that?" Jamie shouted at her as she ran toward the porch.

The man stepped away in shock. "You got a kid? Hey, I'm outta here!"

He took off, and Jamie's mother called after him. "Wait!" He just drove away. Jamie's mother turned and slapped Jamie across the face.

Jamie smelled the booze on her breath as she backed away in shock. She never said another word to her, she just ran back into the forest…

Jamie tossed and turned. Her mother had stopped hiding it after that. She'd always hated her mother's drinking and loose habits. Without Jamie there, her mother would probably completely self destruct. She simply didn't know how to take care of herself anymore. Jamie woke suddenly and she was shaking. She tried to push all thoughts of her old life from her mind and focus on the present.

The morning was quiet, but after that dream, Jamie couldn't sleep anymore. Today they would resume their journey north, and Jamie didn't know what to expect. She rose, dressed and packed her saddlebags. Alcon had assured her she had room to bring a few changes of clothes. She sorted through the closet and selected sensible travel clothes and one gown, just in case. The rest of the space she used for supplies. She carried her bags down to the front door and then explored the kitchen for something to make the men for breakfast. The four of them had all tried so hard to take good care of her, but she could take care of herself. She didn't want to be a helpless burden on this trip. She decided that it was time she contributed as well. They had found her a horse of her own, and worked hard to get it. They deserved a hot breakfast.

There was a bowl of fruit and some dry goods for making bread. Jamie remembered a few recipes, but cooking on a wood stove would be a real trick. The easiest thing to make that she could remember was fruit cobbler. Jamie loaded the oven with wood and started the fire. Then she started peeling the apples and peaches and filled a pan. After she was satisfied with that, she mixed the sugar, flour and butter for the topping. The fire in the stove was going good, and Jamie sprinkled the topping over the fruit and put it in the oven.

Jamie would give anything for some bacon, but they were stuck with hard cheese and salt pork. Jamie found a left over loaf of bread from the previous night and had an idea. She sliced it for sandwiches and fried up some of the pork. She started humming to herself as she cooked. She turned back to the table to get the eggs and was startled to see someone standing there watching her.

Polodrin had watched her for almost five minutes. She hovered around the kitchen comfortably and obviously knew how to cook. Her hair had grown a little more and now her long braid hung past her waist. Her movements were graceful, and her sweet voice filled the kitchen with music. Polodrin's heart tightened in his chest at the sight of her.

"Oh, I didn't know you were standing here," she said, giving him a shy smile. "Good morning."

Polodrin smiled when she turned. She had a smudge of flour on her cheek and she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Good morning, Jamie. Need any help?" he asked as he gazed into her eyes.

Jamie blushed shyly at his proximity and at being caught off guard and just said, "You could set the table."

Polodrin picked up the stack of plates and gave Jamie a nod as he passed through the kitchen door. Jamie let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She returned her attention to her cooking and pushed the encounter from her mind. She sliced the cheese and then cooked the eggs. The smell of fruit cobbler filled the kitchen, so she knew it was about ready. She reached for a towel to take it from the oven, but a strong hand grabbed hers. Jamie turned and Polodrin was standing right beside her.

"Allow me," he said as he took the towel from her hand.

Jamie stepped aside and Polodrin took the pan out of the oven. He set it on the table and stepped closer to Jamie, backing her into a corner. Jamie's breathing was erratic and she looked up into his fiery blue eyes questioningly.

"You have flour on your cheek," he said huskily as he reached up and gently brushed the flour away with his thumb. His hand slipped around behind her neck and he could feel her trembling.

"Oh," she said breathlessly.

"My lady, it is summer," he said.

"The weather has been pleasant," she said lightly with a quiver in her voice.

"I did not come back here to talk of the weather," Polodrin said seriously as he drew her into his arms. He gazed into her eyes with desire. She was so beautiful, and as he held her he knew there was no way possible she was only sixteen. The curves he held did not belong on a sixteen year old; this was the body of a woman.

"Uh, Polodrin, the eggs…" Jamie stammered nervously as she braced her hands against his broad chest.

"Good morning," Legolas said brightly as he strolled into the kitchen. He caught sight of Polodrin and Jamie and was brought up short. "Well, it's rather hot in here," he said with an annoyed look on his face as he glared at Polodrin who quickly released Jamie.

Jamie's face was bright pink as she returned to the stove to finish her cooking. Legolas just looked at Polodrin and said, "Give me a hand with something."

They left the kitchen and no sooner had they exited the room than Legolas smacked Polodrin on the back of the head.

"Ouch!" Polodrin exclaimed as he rubbed his head.

"Are you mad?" Legolas demanded. "What were you thinking?"

"Perhaps I was a little forward…" Polodrin admitted.

"A LITTLE?" Legolas repeated sarcastically. "You are fortunate I found you when I did. We are guardians, Polodrin, not suitors. Aside from the fact that she is too young for such attention, she has a quest to fulfill. Think you that your feelings are unique? Thelyn also cares for her, but he maintains his distance. I expect the same restraint from you or you may return to Ithilien now."

"I won't leave her," Polodrin said firmly.

"Then leave her alone," Legolas said firmly. "You have only to look in her eyes to know she is not ready to see anyone as more than a friend."

"Looking in her eyes has been my undoing," Polodrin admitted. "And she does not look sixteen."

Legolas knew the truth in that. She had filled out since she'd arrived. He half wondered if the Ent draft was growing more than her hair. His expression softened as he looked at the lovesick young man before him. "You are a good man, like your father," Legolas said with a sigh. "Do not forget who you are."

The twins came in from the landing and knew immediately that they had interrupted a serious discussion. They glanced at each other a moment before Alcon finally spoke.

"The horses are saddled and ready, and Quickbeam has brought them to the spring to water them," Alcon said. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes," Legolas said as he stared at Polodrin's guilty expression meaningfully. "I just cleared up a misunderstanding. Everything will be fine now."

Jamie entered with a tray of hot sandwiches. "Breakfast is ready," she said with a bright smile. "Everyone have a seat, I'll be right back."

She set down the sandwiches and disappeared into the kitchen. The men sat down and looked at the odd sandwiches. They looked like they were fried, with eggs, ham and cheese on them.

"That's interesting," Alcon said.

Jamie returned with the cobbler and then took her seat beside Thelyn. She watched the men staring at the sandwiches and frowned.

"Breakfast sandwiches," she said flatly. "Haven't you all learned to trust my food yet?"

They all laughed and started eating. Within minutes, she had an earful of compliments. Jamie just shyly shrugged them off and ate quietly. She tried not to look at Polodrin or Legolas. She was still embarrassed by the little episode in the kitchen. She wasn't sure if she was more upset over being hit on by Polodrin, or being caught before he could kiss her. How pathetic is that? She liked Polodrin, and probably wouldn't have protested too much if he had kissed her. After all, he was rakishly handsome, and sexy. There is definitely something exciting about a man looking at you like that.

But Jamie couldn't follow this quest all moon eyed over one of these guys. The last thing she wanted to do was turn into her mother. For her mother, men were all available and she chose them according to her mood. There was always a new flavor of the week hanging around. It repulsed Jamie, and she vowed to never toy with people the way her mother did. So Jamie withdrew and occupied her time in solitude. She saw people as basically good, but didn't risk her own heart on that belief. Jamie was a one man kind of girl, but she was so afraid of picking the wrong one, she tended to shy away from all of them. The company she found herself in now was sometimes unnerving. It was hard to look at them as merely friends. She found herself liking them more than she felt comfortable with, especially Thelyn. She'd never been very close to anyone, so she had no frame of reference for the feelings she was discovering. Perhaps it was just good friendship. That would be okay, wouldn't it?

As the meal concluded, the final things were packed. Jamie cleaned the kitchen, not wanting to leave behind a mess. She was stowing the clean pans when she heard a voice behind her.

"Did he hurt you?" Thelyn asked softly.

"What?" Jamie asked in surprise.

"Polodrin," Thelyn clarified. "Legolas had to remind him of his manners. Did he hurt you?"

"No," Jamie said simply, "Nothing like that."

"He has feelings for you," Thelyn said. "He forgets himself around you."

"That much was obvious," Jamie said sarcastically.

"Jamie, I have feelings for you too, but I promise that you never need fear me," he said seriously.

Jamie looked at him and could see the concern in his eyes. He had been upset by her mistrust of him by the river in Ithilien. She knew she'd never be afraid of Thelyn 'forgetting his manners' as he put it. She gave him a warm smile.

"I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone, Thelyn," she said, and she knew she meant it.

Thelyn stepped back and gave her a bow. "Then, my lady singer, allow me to escort you down the stairs."

Jamie took his offered arm and they descended together. Thelyn was pleased to have her trust. One day he hoped to have her heart as well. But he knew he would not gain her love without her trust. Polodrin was a fool. He'd lost Jamie's trust and would have to earn it back. Thelyn just hoped it would take a very long time.

They reached the base of the tree where the horses were waiting, and mounted up. Alcon knew the quickest way out of Lorien, so he took the lead. They rode through the wood and emerged on the northern side near the banks of the Anduin. There was nothing left now but to follow the river north.

Out in the open, they picked up their pace a little. They rode across the Gladden Fields along the banks of the Anduin. It was a good two day's ride to the Old Forest Road. Their first day's ride went quickly and was uneventful. They camped on the banks of the Gladden River where it emptied into the Anduin.

Jamie and Quickbeam walked upriver to look for dead wood for the fire. Quickbeam waited until they were out of earshot before he spoke to her.

"You are quiet today," he said. "Would you sing me a song?"

"I do not feel much like singing," she said.

"That is when you need a song the most," Quickbeam said seriously. "Let me sing for you then."

Quickbeam started to sing of the days before the Entwives disappeared. His song carried across the fields and lifted Jamie's spirits. She felt much better by the time they found their wood and headed back to camp.

"Thanks for the song," she said with a smile. "I guess I needed it."

"Your smile is my reward," Quickbeam said.

Polodrin took the wood Jamie was carrying and looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry," he said softly so only she would hear. "Forgive my outburst this morning."

Jamie just backed away a little and said, "Already forgiven."

Polodrin was about to feel relieved until he saw her turn away and go sit with Thelyn by the water. He heaved a sigh and started the fire. Alcon came and sat beside him.

"Not going very good, is it?" Alcon asked.

"I don't want to talk about it," Polodrin said.

"You know, you haven't lost her," Alcon said. "You cannot lose what you never had."

"So who has her? Thelyn?" Polodrin asked.

Alcon glanced at the pair a moment before answering that question. "Jamie is too free to belong to anyone."

"The way she hangs out with that tree you'd think she belonged to the Ent," Polodrin said bitterly.

Alcon frowned at the stupidity of such a comment. Jealousy makes men fools. "Your envy does not become you, Polodrin," Alcon said as he got up and walked away. The Ranger had a lot of growing up to do.

After dinner, Jamie went right to bed. She was obviously tired, but Legolas wondered if she just wanted a break from the attention. She reminded him of Miranda at times. But he could see differences. She carried different painful memories. She was friendly and caring, but afraid to love. He knew the difference. Miranda had offered love, from the very beginning. Her friendship had been backed by her big heart.

Jamie offers only friendship. She has a giving nature, but a guarded heart. She hides her feelings behind smiles and blushes. He knew that finding out she could not go home had upset her, but she didn't let it show. Legolas wondered what it would take to remove that fear she carried. What would it take to draw her out of that shell?

He watched her sleep and knew she was troubled. He wasn't the leader of this quest, or this group, but he chose to make her his responsibility. She needed someone to look after her who didn't want to marry her. He felt he could substitute for a father for a little while. He'd been worried there for a while, thinking she had feelings for him, but he knew now that wasn't possible. She wouldn't let herself have feelings for anyone. He hoped for her sake that she would get over that some day. But after breakfast in Lorien, he was grateful for it. This journey would become very complicated if he had to deal with a pair of roosters.

Thelyn and Alcon lay on their blankets beside each other and stared up at the stars. Polodrin was off keeping watch and Thelyn frowned when he glanced at him. Alcon noticed and smirked.

"So, what did you and Jamie talk about?" Alcon asked.

"We didn't talk much," Thelyn admitted. "She needed a little quiet; she just didn't want to be alone."

"Hmmm," Alcon said. "Interesting that she chose you."

"Not really," Thelyn said. "She trusts me."

"Unlike Polodrin," Alcon offered.

Thelyn frowned, "He does not love her," Thelyn said. "There is more to love than desire. If all he sees is her beauty, then he is a fool."

"Oh, dear brother, what am I to do with you?" Alcon asked.

"Let me sleep in peace," Thelyn said with a sigh. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

Polodrin heard the brothers talking softly in Elvish. He'd learned a little, but wasn't very fluent. He didn't need to understand them to know they were talking about him. He'd more than earned it today. How could he have been so stupid? Maybe it was spending several years in the wilderness with a bunch of scruffy men. The first moment he'd seen Jamie he was overwhelmed by her beauty. The desire to hold her was killing him. But he should have known better. Now he would have to salvage her trust before he would ever have a chance at her affections. It may already be too late to redeem himself in her eyes. Her smiles are always the warmest and her laughter the brightest for Thelyn. Polodrin quietly paced the perimeter of the camp and berated himself for his lack of restraint. Perhaps with the sun he would have a brighter outlook, but tonight his heart was heavy.