Author's Note: Hello, hello everybody! Sorry my Friday post is late. My trip went extremely well and now I am able to post regularly (that is, until I must return to school once more and technology quits working against me). Thank you for the many reviews- they now number fourteen- and being so patient in my absence. I am currently working on some corrections in previous chapters and those will be posted soon. Well, I believe that is enough of my sporadic rambling. With that said, Lovely reading!
"Love At First Sight"
A slight breeze blew through the woods, pink blossoms floating onto the path. Rays of sunshine broke through the trees and danced across Legolas' face. Rivendell had always been so beautiful to him. Legolas remembered his journeys here as a boy and how the excitement would overwhelmed his heart. But something seemed different this day.
"Whoa," Legolas told the horse, bringing it to a slow stop. Something was different. He strained his elf ears, hearing nothing. That was the difference- not one creature was to be heard. Legolas reached for his bow slowly, his eyes darting left and right.
"Orcs," he muttered, disgusted. From the corner of his eye he could see the two moving slowly, a few yards apart. The first darted out of his sight behind him as the other scurried behind a tree. Legolas' lips pursed together tightly as he watched the orc draw his crude bow. He quickly released and ducked back into safety, the arrow missing Legolas by a few feet. The orc swiftly strung his bow again for another attack and turned to fire only to find the rider gone, his horse quietly grazing on the path. He turned to his right and left, bow still drawn, his muscles tense with anticipation.
"Where's the elf, Gershen?" he spat quietly to the first. There was no response.
"Gershen?" he repeated. He slowly walked over to where his comrade lay hidden. An arrow lay buried in his forehead. He ducked quickly behind the tree, watching carefully for the assassin. After he was confident there was no danger, he arose, slowly backing away from the path. He turned to calmly walk on when Legolas dropped from a branch above. Raising his eyebrows with a smile, he swiftly punched the orc, knocking it back in anguish. In a fluid motion, he pulled out his blade and slit the orc's throat, sending him to his knees and toppling over. Legolas exhaled with a snarl, releasing his anger. He retrieved his bow nearby and made his way back to his horse, still calmly trotting around the path. He patted the horses' nose, looking up in his eyes.
"Where is Elrohir when you need to boast," he said with a smile. He began stroking the horses' mane when he heard someone behind him in the woods. He looked back sternly, expecting more orcs. He grabbed his bow and quietly raced back through the forest. He heard an orcs' voice as he got closer. He drew his bow, pushing through brush, until he reached a large clearing. Ready to attack, Legolas abruptly froze in astonishment. A she- elf, half the size of her capturer, swiftly hit the orc and brought him to the flat of his back. Hesitating not, she grabbed his knife and drove it into the orc's chest. Legolas cocked his head in curiosity and disbelief, lowering his drawn bow slowly. She spat a remark at the orc and stood up, dusting off her dress.
Legolas didn't know what to think. He watched her intently, his mouth open slightly. She was beautiful. She had long dark brown hair which was half up with braids intertwined her and there. She wore a dark gray dress with long sleeves that belled out and a flowing skirt that brushed the ground. Her collar had beautiful gold patterns that were hair thin and caught the sunlight, sparkling like raindrops. And her face- he felt he could gaze at it all day. Her cream colored skin was flushed a light pink and wisps of her hair fell over her eyes. She looked up, jumping in surprise when she saw him.
"Are you alright?" he asked her, throwing his hands up to show her he meant not to harm her.
She stared at him in fear, slowly nodding her head. She looked as if she might faint- her body was shaking and her eyes were filled with panic.
"Who are you?" she asked, trying to regain her composure.
Before he could answer, the orc behind her began to rise. Quickly Legolas strung his bow and shot him down before the she-elf realized what was happening. She whimpered with a flinch, her knees almost buckling. Legolas raced over, catching her before she fell. Her body was trembling. She looked up at him, her eyes wide.
"Amin hiraetha," he apologized, helping her stand back up.
"I am Legolas."
"Diola lle... Legolas," she replied as she began to calm herself.
"I am- "she began, but was interrupted by coarse cries and loud drums in the distance. They both looked back quickly, intently searching the wood, then turned to each other. He grabbed her hand tightly.
"Follow me,"
"Amin hiraetha," "I'm sorry,"
"Diola lle... Legolas" "Thank you... Legolas,"