Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize in this story.
Chapter Eight
Legolas silently thrust his paddle into the water. They were leaving for Mount Doom again and for him, he was glad. He was getting restless and ready to go and nothing seemed to calm his restlessness.
In his boat were Gimli and Merian. Legolas had protested sharply against her riding with him in his boat, but Aragorn pointed out that every other boat was filled. Legolas didn't say anything, but he was sure they could've changed the seating a little bit. He didn't want to have anything to do Merian. She wasn't supposed to be here.
Merian turned around in her seat and smiled brightly at Legolas. He gave a cold smile back and returned his face to a thin, stony line.
"I think you should be more grateful, Legolas," Merian stated.
"Should I?" Legolas asked as Gimli let out a long laugh.
Merian glared at both Gimli and Legolas. "I don't know what you're laughing at Dwarf, but whatever it is, it's not funny."
"Don't turn on the Dwarf, Merian," Legolas said.
"Why shouldn't I?" Merian snapped at Legolas.
"Because he hasn't done any harm. All he did was laugh and you snap at him like it's illegal to do so," Legolas said.
"Well, I thank you for standing up for me, Elf," Gimli said as Merian huffily turned around.
"Well, we're companions, are we not?" Legolas asked.
Gimli nodded. "Yes, of course we are."
"I am sure an alliance between a Dwarf and an Elf is helpful between the races," Legolas stated.
Gimli nodded and turned around to smile at him and the Elf smiled back. Silently the two of them bonded a friendship that would last forever. The two of them didn't know it, but their friendship would help them through the tough times and save each other's skins a million times over.
Several hours later, the three boats pulled onto shore for the night. Legolas lightly jumped onto shore and pulled the boat further up before helping Merian and Gimli out. After he did this, Legolas turned and walked up the small hill and looked around, making sure there wasn't any Orcs or Uruks hiding in the brush, waiting for an ambush.
"Anything?" Aragorn called up to him.
"No, nothing. We are safe for the night," Legolas said, but as he said this, Legolas felt uneasy. There was something lurking out there, following them silently. He didn't know what it was, but he hoped that it wasn't Orcs.
Later that night, Merian drifted over to Legolas who was standing a few feet in the distance, keeping watch. He didn't even notice her, and if he did, he didn't say anything to her.
"Why are you being so mean to me? You were so kind-hearted that night we met. So fun-loving," Merian stated.
"That was when I could let down my guard and have some fun. But we're out in the danger again and we need to be watchful," Legolas said.
"I understand," Merian said and she sat upon a rock near the Elf.
The two of them fell silent for a while and Legolas silently celebrated in it. He didn't feel much like talking.
"Are you going to look for somebody else again? Somebody that you can marry?" Merian asked.
Legolas sighed. "You're one of the million who ask me that question. No, I do not think I'm going to be looking for a relationship right now. I can't anyways, I've got to help fight this war."
"Do you like me?" Merian asked.
Legolas looked at Merian in surprise. Why should she ask that question? Of course he liked her.
"Yes, of course. You are a beautiful woman, Merian, probably catching all the young men's eyes and fancies," Legolas informed her.
"Do you like me enough to start a relationship with me if I asked?" Merian said.
"And why would I want to start a relationship with you?" Legolas asked, but he felt his heart flutter. Did he really love her? Was he willing to risk a relationship with her when he could die so easily at the hands of the Enemy?
"Because I have a feeling that you love me. And ever since I set my eyes on you, I fell in love with you also," Merian stated.
Legolas forced himself to turn away from her even though every inch of him was telling him not to. He had found himself staring at her lately, thinking how beautiful she was and everything. But Legolas forced himself not to think about it. He couldn't start a relationship. Not now.
"I can't start a relationship with you right now, Merian. If this war ever ends, maybe then. But I can't right now; I have to fight. People need me," Legolas said.
Merian got up from her rock and walked over to Legolas, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind him. Legolas felt a flood of emotions engulf him. By the love of Eru, he was falling in love with her and he didn't want that to happen. Why did this have to happen to him now?
"Please don't be bitter with me anymore, Legolas. I love you, and you me. We'll be together, helping each other as we fight against the Dark Lord. Please?" Merian said.
Legolas turned around and cupped Merian's face in his hands. He found himself getting lost into her deep, big blue eyes. In there he found that she truly loved him and wanted to take care of him.
"If you think you can handle it, Merian. If you want to risk being with me and having the risk of getting killed yourself, you can be with me. I love you, Merian. I didn't expect I'd say that, but I just did. I love you and I will say that a million times over if you wish me to," Legolas whispered.
Merian smiled slightly and Legolas brushed his lips against hers and let them linger there for many moments. Elves had could their breaths for a long period of time.
The two of them broke off for air and then they kissed again. They didn't want to stop, each one taking comfort in the other's touch.
"Legolas?" a voice asked uncertainly into the dark.
Legolas sighed and broke off from Merian. He turned to face the shadowy figure.
"What is it, Aragorn?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn stepped into the light so Legolas could see him better. The Elf mentally beat himself up. Did the human see him kissing Merian? He hoped not.
"Have you seen anything on your watch?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas shook his head. "No, nothing. Not a breath of wind, neither. All I found was miss Merian. She couldn't get to sleep."
Aragorn turned to face the she-Elf.
"You shouldn't be out here, Merian. It's dangerous for a woman like you," Aragorn said.
"I can take care of myself, human. And even if I couldn't, I would be safe near Legolas. He's a master shooter, if I heard the tales rightly," Merian said, smiling.
"I haven't doubted you or Legolas' abilities, Merian," Aragorn said impatiently, "would you mind leaving us for a while? I need to talk to Legolas privately."
Merian nodded quietly and brushed past Legolas and Aragorn, disappearing into the darkness. Human and Elf watched her leave before Aragorn turned to face his companion.
"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Aragorn asked.
A small smile crept onto Legolas' face despite himself. He had to tell the truth to his friend.
"I can't deny anything that you have said, Aragorn," Legolas said.
"You know these aren't the best of times to be starting a relationship, you know that?" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Of course I do. I do not think we're going to take anything further right now. We're just going to work as partners until the war's over. And after that...maybe something will go further and we'll get married or something," Legolas exclaimed.
"But are you sure she's the right one? I mean you barely know the girl. I mean, you two have been seeing each other for a while when you were in Lothlorien and then all of a sudden you're talking about marriage and the like," Aragorn said. "And then you were mad at her for a moment with her coming with us."
"Well, things change, don't they?" Legolas stated. "Maybe I was loving her the whole time. I cared about what happened to her, that's why I didn't want her to come with us. But I love her, Aragorn. Just like you love Arwen...like I had loved her, too."
"But—," Aragorn began.
"What, are you becoming my personal advisor now? I don't really appreciate that, Aragorn," Legolas said.
Aragorn sighed and Legolas grinned broadly. He knew that he had overcome the human and there wasn't anything he could do.
"I just don't think it's a good idea, is all," Aragorn said lamely.
"Oh, you can love Arwen and I can't love anybody?" Legolas asked.
"No, it's not that. I was just saying. But it's your life, you can do what you want with it, it's not my choice," Aragorn said.
Legolas smiled. He was glad he had the human's blessing, though he had to rip it out of the man. But at least he had the blessing. Now he only had to endure the other's teasings. But right now, Legolas could endure anything.
Chapter Eight
Legolas silently thrust his paddle into the water. They were leaving for Mount Doom again and for him, he was glad. He was getting restless and ready to go and nothing seemed to calm his restlessness.
In his boat were Gimli and Merian. Legolas had protested sharply against her riding with him in his boat, but Aragorn pointed out that every other boat was filled. Legolas didn't say anything, but he was sure they could've changed the seating a little bit. He didn't want to have anything to do Merian. She wasn't supposed to be here.
Merian turned around in her seat and smiled brightly at Legolas. He gave a cold smile back and returned his face to a thin, stony line.
"I think you should be more grateful, Legolas," Merian stated.
"Should I?" Legolas asked as Gimli let out a long laugh.
Merian glared at both Gimli and Legolas. "I don't know what you're laughing at Dwarf, but whatever it is, it's not funny."
"Don't turn on the Dwarf, Merian," Legolas said.
"Why shouldn't I?" Merian snapped at Legolas.
"Because he hasn't done any harm. All he did was laugh and you snap at him like it's illegal to do so," Legolas said.
"Well, I thank you for standing up for me, Elf," Gimli said as Merian huffily turned around.
"Well, we're companions, are we not?" Legolas asked.
Gimli nodded. "Yes, of course we are."
"I am sure an alliance between a Dwarf and an Elf is helpful between the races," Legolas stated.
Gimli nodded and turned around to smile at him and the Elf smiled back. Silently the two of them bonded a friendship that would last forever. The two of them didn't know it, but their friendship would help them through the tough times and save each other's skins a million times over.
Several hours later, the three boats pulled onto shore for the night. Legolas lightly jumped onto shore and pulled the boat further up before helping Merian and Gimli out. After he did this, Legolas turned and walked up the small hill and looked around, making sure there wasn't any Orcs or Uruks hiding in the brush, waiting for an ambush.
"Anything?" Aragorn called up to him.
"No, nothing. We are safe for the night," Legolas said, but as he said this, Legolas felt uneasy. There was something lurking out there, following them silently. He didn't know what it was, but he hoped that it wasn't Orcs.
Later that night, Merian drifted over to Legolas who was standing a few feet in the distance, keeping watch. He didn't even notice her, and if he did, he didn't say anything to her.
"Why are you being so mean to me? You were so kind-hearted that night we met. So fun-loving," Merian stated.
"That was when I could let down my guard and have some fun. But we're out in the danger again and we need to be watchful," Legolas said.
"I understand," Merian said and she sat upon a rock near the Elf.
The two of them fell silent for a while and Legolas silently celebrated in it. He didn't feel much like talking.
"Are you going to look for somebody else again? Somebody that you can marry?" Merian asked.
Legolas sighed. "You're one of the million who ask me that question. No, I do not think I'm going to be looking for a relationship right now. I can't anyways, I've got to help fight this war."
"Do you like me?" Merian asked.
Legolas looked at Merian in surprise. Why should she ask that question? Of course he liked her.
"Yes, of course. You are a beautiful woman, Merian, probably catching all the young men's eyes and fancies," Legolas informed her.
"Do you like me enough to start a relationship with me if I asked?" Merian said.
"And why would I want to start a relationship with you?" Legolas asked, but he felt his heart flutter. Did he really love her? Was he willing to risk a relationship with her when he could die so easily at the hands of the Enemy?
"Because I have a feeling that you love me. And ever since I set my eyes on you, I fell in love with you also," Merian stated.
Legolas forced himself to turn away from her even though every inch of him was telling him not to. He had found himself staring at her lately, thinking how beautiful she was and everything. But Legolas forced himself not to think about it. He couldn't start a relationship. Not now.
"I can't start a relationship with you right now, Merian. If this war ever ends, maybe then. But I can't right now; I have to fight. People need me," Legolas said.
Merian got up from her rock and walked over to Legolas, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind him. Legolas felt a flood of emotions engulf him. By the love of Eru, he was falling in love with her and he didn't want that to happen. Why did this have to happen to him now?
"Please don't be bitter with me anymore, Legolas. I love you, and you me. We'll be together, helping each other as we fight against the Dark Lord. Please?" Merian said.
Legolas turned around and cupped Merian's face in his hands. He found himself getting lost into her deep, big blue eyes. In there he found that she truly loved him and wanted to take care of him.
"If you think you can handle it, Merian. If you want to risk being with me and having the risk of getting killed yourself, you can be with me. I love you, Merian. I didn't expect I'd say that, but I just did. I love you and I will say that a million times over if you wish me to," Legolas whispered.
Merian smiled slightly and Legolas brushed his lips against hers and let them linger there for many moments. Elves had could their breaths for a long period of time.
The two of them broke off for air and then they kissed again. They didn't want to stop, each one taking comfort in the other's touch.
"Legolas?" a voice asked uncertainly into the dark.
Legolas sighed and broke off from Merian. He turned to face the shadowy figure.
"What is it, Aragorn?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn stepped into the light so Legolas could see him better. The Elf mentally beat himself up. Did the human see him kissing Merian? He hoped not.
"Have you seen anything on your watch?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas shook his head. "No, nothing. Not a breath of wind, neither. All I found was miss Merian. She couldn't get to sleep."
Aragorn turned to face the she-Elf.
"You shouldn't be out here, Merian. It's dangerous for a woman like you," Aragorn said.
"I can take care of myself, human. And even if I couldn't, I would be safe near Legolas. He's a master shooter, if I heard the tales rightly," Merian said, smiling.
"I haven't doubted you or Legolas' abilities, Merian," Aragorn said impatiently, "would you mind leaving us for a while? I need to talk to Legolas privately."
Merian nodded quietly and brushed past Legolas and Aragorn, disappearing into the darkness. Human and Elf watched her leave before Aragorn turned to face his companion.
"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Aragorn asked.
A small smile crept onto Legolas' face despite himself. He had to tell the truth to his friend.
"I can't deny anything that you have said, Aragorn," Legolas said.
"You know these aren't the best of times to be starting a relationship, you know that?" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Of course I do. I do not think we're going to take anything further right now. We're just going to work as partners until the war's over. And after that...maybe something will go further and we'll get married or something," Legolas exclaimed.
"But are you sure she's the right one? I mean you barely know the girl. I mean, you two have been seeing each other for a while when you were in Lothlorien and then all of a sudden you're talking about marriage and the like," Aragorn said. "And then you were mad at her for a moment with her coming with us."
"Well, things change, don't they?" Legolas stated. "Maybe I was loving her the whole time. I cared about what happened to her, that's why I didn't want her to come with us. But I love her, Aragorn. Just like you love Arwen...like I had loved her, too."
"But—," Aragorn began.
"What, are you becoming my personal advisor now? I don't really appreciate that, Aragorn," Legolas said.
Aragorn sighed and Legolas grinned broadly. He knew that he had overcome the human and there wasn't anything he could do.
"I just don't think it's a good idea, is all," Aragorn said lamely.
"Oh, you can love Arwen and I can't love anybody?" Legolas asked.
"No, it's not that. I was just saying. But it's your life, you can do what you want with it, it's not my choice," Aragorn said.
Legolas smiled. He was glad he had the human's blessing, though he had to rip it out of the man. But at least he had the blessing. Now he only had to endure the other's teasings. But right now, Legolas could endure anything.