Sorry I took so long, but for the delay and the 200 reviews, here is an extra long post!!! Thanks so much for the reviews. Ok, people keep asking me how old Legolas is and the truth is…I can't decide! I don't know the LotR timeline very well, and so I don't know where to put this! If anyone knows the timeline well and would care to help me by answering a few questions so I can answer yours, please email me at jenistar_kenobi@yahoo.com, not the email on my bio. I will be eternally grateful!
Second of all, to Tadriendra of Mirkwood, on the 2 and a ½ hour Bloom movie, it was not FotR, as FotR is over 3 hours. LOL. I'm picky. No, it was Black Hawk Down, which if anyone reading this has not seen, THEY SHOULD BECAUSE HE WAS SO DAMN CUTE! It's pretty scary when I find a guy I can say if cute half-bald. *looks terrified* And I cried a ton. *blushes*
Spoiler ahead for anyone who has not seen BHD, so if you don't want to be spoiled, turn a blind eye!!
*****
Here it comes!!
*****
I cried buckets and screamed at the screen when Orli fell out of the helicopter!! I was also seriously thinking about tracking down the writers when they kept not saying what had happened to him and I had to wait two hours just to find out if he was alive!!! GEEZ!! I also loved the scene between him and Ewan McGregor. "Look, kid, you look like you're about 12, so let me explain something to you. I possess a rare and mysterious skill that precludes me from going on the missions." "Typing." "Can you type?" "No." LOL, I dunno why, but I laughed so much, it just struck me as funny!!! Maybe it was because it was between Ewan and Orli, my two guys. *coddles them*
Anyway, I have babbled WAY too much, so here comes a post.
*****
Legolas slowly followed Sani into the bedroom, where Cerinas stood looking smug. She grinned widely when she saw him, and clapped her hands like a child. "I can't wait to show you off, the girls will be so jealous!!!" She said, and Legolas restrained the urge to roll his eyes.
Sani gave him a gentle smile, and squeezed his arm before stepping forward and focusing on Cerinas. "If you do not need me anymore, Mistress, I have other duties to attend to." She said softly, and Cerinas waved a hand at her impatiently, never taking her eyes off Legolas.
Sani flashed him one last glance, mouthing, "Obey," and turning away and disappearing. Legolas wondered if he would see her again. She truly seemed to care what about happened to him and his sister, but she didn't understand Elvish nature. Giving in to this was not an option. He would have to tread carefully, but he would never give in.
Cerinas made her way over. "It is now time for dinner. You're sister will be there, but you may not go to her. You have to stay by my side and serve me and do whatever I bid. Do you understand?" She asked, looking up into his amazing eyes, feeling somehow elated and frightened at the same time by his gaze.
Of course, Legolas could not answer. Instead, he tiredly nodded his head. Would this girl never give up? He was too exhausted by all that had happened in one day to do anything, and so he decided to bide his time.
Cerinas could barely hide her glee at his acceptance, and she eagerly grabbed the loop of chain, starting out, pulling him after her, like an animal rather than a person. Legolas could barely block his initial desire to tackle her, instead trying to keep up. He had to at least see his sister.
*****
Legolas entered the dining hall behind Cerinas, not even really paying attention to anything except finding his sister among the crowds. His eyes passed the loud gathering of men at the table and the young elvish woman he has seen before, but he barely noticed, not stopping until he finally spotted Luminal, curled up on the floor next to a man he did not recognize.
Luminas' young face was turned up towards the man, and her beautiful green eyes were full of desperate pleading. The man was laughing, waving a peace of fruit just out of her feeble reach, and mocking her, much to the other Turs' delight. Luma was too weak to get what she so needed, and finally, in despair at their laughter and her helplessness, she simply laid her head down on his booted calf, which she was leaning against, and wept quietly to herself. "Ada…nana…gwanur…im baur thou." *Father…mother…brothers…I need you.* She moaned softly.
Legolas was more angry at that moment than he had ever been in his life, or thought he should ever be again. Tears welled in his eyes, and he lunged for the man causing his sister such pain, so much pain that she was even calling for her dead mother. "You hateful orc-waste! Stop tormenting my sister!" He tried to scream, but all that came out was a mangled cry of fury past the metal in his mouth. His anger so great it felt as if it would force him to burst.
He was flying towards the man, ready to kill him with his bare hands, when suddenly the chain in Cerinas' surprised hold went taut, and the manacle around his neck yanked him backwards harshly in mid-air, throwing him to the floor.
Luminal became aware, and, tears in her eyes, tried to go to him on her hands and her knees. "Gwador…thou gar al awartha nin!!" *Brother…You have not abandoned me!!* She cried, this time in joy. The man that had been teasing her so maliciously growled angrily, and pulled her to the ground by her wrist. She struck hard and whimpered slightly, immediately curling back up to him when she saw the look in his eyes, and he calmed a bit.
Legolas hated having to watch his sister being treated this way, especially when she should have been in a healing room, being pampered in her illness. It also brought tears to his eyes to have to hear what she had said, what she had been made to think, and he could not say anything to let her know that he would never leave her!!! This was the worst feeling he had ever had. He could not even reassure her with words anymore. Everything was gone. They had taken denied him everything he could have offered her as comfort. He blinked furiously as a boot landed on his chest.
He looked up it the smoldering eyes of Cerinas. She had one foot on his ribs, another on the floor tapping angrily. "Get up." She said stiffly, and removed her foot. Legolas quickly moved to obey, standing and trying to keep his attention focused on the angry child that controlled both his and his sister's destiny. She was silent a long moment, and Legolas fought to keep his gaze steady, though he wished to run to his sister. Finally, Cerinas spoke. "This is not what I consider good behavior, elf. Now, either you quiet down and start acting like the servant you are, or I promise you, you will regret your actions."
Legolas gave her what he hoped looked like a submissive look, not wanting to invite any further punishment. When she walked for her seat next to her father, he quickly followed her, and when she sat, he kneeled by her feet. His eyes strayed to his sister, but his attention was returned to Cerinas when she yanked on the chain. She was frowning at him, and he noticed a servant above her was serving her, placing the food on her plate. She blatantly ignored it, and crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
Legolas almost groaned as he remembered one of his duties. He had to serve Cerinas. With a sigh, he sat forward to be able to reach the plate. There was a roll of some sort, several kinds of fruit, and a steaming piece of meat. He looked up to Cerinas, wondering where to start. Picking up a knife and fork, he cut the meat into chewable pieces. He started to sit back, not knowing what else to do, but Cerinas was glaring at him. He made an irritated sound in the back of his throat and stabbed a piece of meat with the fork and went to offer it to Cerinas. She frowned. "Don't use the fork." She said simply, and looked away as her father addressed himself to her.
Legolas stared at the food, and back to Cerinas. What was he supposed to do? Use his fingers? He didn't know how long he was going to be able to keep his anger under control at this rate. Grinding the metal in his mouth as much as he could with his jaw locked together, he reached for the plate, picking up a piece of fruit between his forefinger and thumb of his right hand. The slight pressure of his gentle elvish fingers made the golden colored fruit leak fluid onto his fingers, draining down into his palm. He turned to Cerinas and offered it to her, his expression hard.
The human girl seemed not to notice, finally smiling and leaning forward, grasping his hand and taking thr fruit with her teeth, barely touching his skin. He shivered in disgust at what he had to do for this girl he hated so much, but reached for another piece of fruit. Cerinas took this in the same way. Her eyes settled on the roll as she finished swallowing, and Legolas was quick to take the hint, but she stilled his hand. "You will get juice all over my roll if you do not clean your hand, Dansh!" She said, using a strange word that Legolas did not recognize. He looked about quickly for a cloth of any sort to clean his hand on, but saw nothing, and directed a confused gaze to Cerinas. She simply raised an eyebrow. "If you don't find a way, I will." She said with a self-satisfied grin.
Legolas didn't like the sound of that, and looked around again. The only thing that would suit was his leggings, but they were such good fabric that he had no doubt he would get in trouble for using them. He could not even lick the juice off! He was beyond irritated now. Cerinas was absolutely impossible. He looked up and saw that she was looking down at him expectantly. He sighed and came closer, having no way to communicate except through gestures and such. He looked around the room quickly, directing her eyes to the table, to his pants, to his hands, and gestured to his mouth, and then shrugged, as if to say that he could find no way to clean them. She smiled at him. "Oh, do not worry about it." She said with a shake of her head and took his right hand and produced a small cloth, which she dipped in her water glass and began gently cleaning his hand with. Legolas didn't like the attention, it was embarrassing, but if it kept him and his sister out of trouble, he would allow her this.
She dried his fingers off with an expression Legolas did not like in the slightest, and released him. He immediately went for her roll, tearing off a small piece and giving it to her. She took this in the same manner of the fruit, not seeming to notice the gazes they were receiving, except that she lingered longer this time.
"I want a glass of wine." She said matter-of-factly, and again, directed her attention away from him as she waited for him to obey. Spotting the pitcher with his eyes on the table, he went for it…just as the man who had been tormenting his sister did. The pitcher fell over, the rich red fluid flowing in all directions of the table. Legolas watched with calm eyes, when suddenly he heard a growl. He looked up to the man who had caused the pitcher to fall. The man's eyes were dark with fury, and he was sitting forward. "Stupid elf, look what you did!!" He boomed, and stood, his fist flying out and catching Legolas under the chin, throwing him away from the table. He crashed down a few feet away, the chain caused unbelievable pressure on his wrists as they were yanked in different direction as he tried to catch himself. He cried out slightly, and fell to the floor, landing in an odd position. He gave a slight moan, pulling his abused wrists to his chest, trying to relieve the throbbing pain in the joints that had been so abused.
Wearily, he looked up and saw that the man was coming for more, and that his sister was crying again. He could not let her watch while he was beaten, and, as much as he hated it, there was only one place he could go and possibly get some kind of protection. Blocking a grimace, he quickly pushed himself to his knees and made his way back to the table, falling at Cerinas' side and pressing himself against her thigh, turning his face away from the advancing man as if in fear, hoping to appeal to her on some level. He felt a hand on his head, gently stroking his golden hair, and he looked up into Cerinas' face. She was looking down questioningly at him, not understanding the sudden change, and he pushed away his initial reaction and gave her the most pleading glance he could before pulling closer to her. He could still hear his sister's sobbing, and his resolve strengthened. Cerinas brightened considerably, and drew herself up and held a hand out to the man.
"Stop!" She cried in a firm, angry voice. The man immediately halted, looking to her in confusion. "Berak, what is the meaning of this?!! How dare you strike MY servant!!" She said, her eyes flashing, and she turned his gaze to Revenhal. "Father!"
Revenhal saw the expression, and quickly looked to Berak. "Return your seat this instant, and do not touch what belongs to my daughter ever again." Legolas hated how he was an object to these people, but said nothing. He realized now that this girl was the leader's weak spot, and he would manipulate it as much as he could to help he and his sister escape.
As the man retreated, Legolas straightened a bit, giving Cerinas a thankful glance. He would get this girl so attached that she would do stupid things, she would make mistakes…and then they would be gone. He almost smiled to himself. It would be hard to push away his initial disgust, but he would do it if it would help.
And he had no doubt it would.
Cerinas smiled at him. "Are you all right?" She asked. He nodded, and sat still as she took his wrists and looked at the abused flesh. "Poor boy." She breathed. Legolas wanted to tell her that not only was he not a boy, he would have been fine if she hadn't put the chain on in the first place, but he could not, and it wouldn't have been a good idea in the first place, so he was quiet.
Cerinas had been poured a glass of wine by this time, and the mess cleaned, so at her urging, Legolas returned to the food. He gave her a piece of meat, refusing to flinch when it burned his skin or when she took it. She noticed the reddened flesh, and, with a devilish glance, drew his finger to her mouth and kissed it. Legolas struggled not to pull away. She dropped his hands, seeming satisfied with something, and reached behind him, untying the leather straps that held the metal contraption in his mouth. "You have earned the right back to speech, but do not think for a second that I will hesitate to return it." She breathed, and coaxed him to open his lips so she could unhook the metal and draw it out of his mouth.
Legolas couldn't block the rush of breath that left with the metal in a half-sigh as he regained control to his mouth. He licked his lips, his mouth unbelievably dry, and she noticed this, handing him the water glass. Legolas drank deeply, and when she took it away, he said quietly, "Thank you."
Cerinas smiled, but shook a finger in his face. "You will call me Mistress." She instructed.
Legolas almost rolled his eyes, but he would do almost anything to keep that metal away from him. "Thank you, Mistress." Cerinas' eyes were full of glee, and his words were barely out of his mouth before her lips were descending on his. Legolas jerked, almost yanking away from her, but she wrapped her hands on both sides of his face, holding him there as she ran her tongue along his bottom lip, then sucked the same lip into her mouth. Legolas could not help himself now, and he pulled fervently, not wanting the kiss to go any deeper.
Cerinas just chuckled and released him. "I suppose you need a little more time." She said, then glanced at the plate. "I am full. You may have anything on the plate you desire."
Legolas felt his mouth watering, not knowing when the last time was he had eaten. He almost started eating, but then paused and looked up to Cerinas. "Mistress?" He tried softly.
Cerinas looked down to him. "Yes?" She returned.
Legolas turned a hesitant glance to his sister, who still hadn't eaten. "May I share with my sister, please Mistress?" He asked pleadingly, laying a hand on her arm and looking up through his silver covered eyelashes.
Cerinas was lost. She breathed in deeply, caught in his gaze, and began nodding before she knew what she was doing. "Yes." She said, and Legolas gave her a small smile of thanks before picking up the plate and hurrying to where his sister lay.
Legolas gently lowered himself to the ground next to his sister, setting the plate on the floor. Luminal had buried her head in her arms and barely moved as he approached. He put a hand to her forehead and was glad to feel that her fever had gone down somewhat. Luma looked up as she felt the pressure, and broke into a soft, tired grin that nearly broke Legolas' heart. "Gwador." She breathed, sitting up slightly with a wince and pulling herself to his side, wrapping her arms around his chest.
Legolas felt tears in his eyes. "Ha nin. Pan nad innas na pan fair si. Im sí." *It's me. Everything will be all right now. I'm here.* He soothed her gently, and Luminal broke into heavy sobs.
"Lothron ammen goanna bar si, Las?" *Can we go home now, Las?* She asked in between her tears, hugging him harder desperately. Legolas briefly wondered as he struggled to breathe past her grip if she was worried her would disappear.
"Im iest ammen taur." *I wish we could.* Legolas whispered, and Luma whimpered in response.
"Im baur ada, Las. Im baur bar min." *I need father, Las. I need our home.* There was a long pause, and Legolas had to strain to hear her as she continued. "Im nauth nin gwanno." *I think I'm dying." She whispered.
Legolas froze, then pulled her away firmly so he could look in her eyes. "Don't you ever say that!" He hissed, no longer caring if they were heard. "Do you hear me, Luminal? We are going to be all right!!" Hhe shook her lightly for emphasis.
Luminal nodded through her tears. "Ned rant, Legolas. Díheno nin." *Of course, Legolas. Forgive me.* She wrapped her arms desperately around his neck. "Díheno nin." She repeated, desperately.
Legolas rubbed her back soothingly. "Im díhena thou." *I forgive you.* He assured her.
After she had calmed a bit, Legolas gently started to try to get her to eat. That was when he heard the voice. It was a female's voice, pretty, a little deeper than usual perhaps, and heavy with sarcasm, distrust, and anger. "Just so you know, talking elvish here isn't a good idea."
Legolas looked up quickly, suspiciously, as Luminal chewed the fruit he had given her. He saw the elvish girl he had seen before, the one he had noticed several times, in dinner as well, being passed back and forth between the men. Looking closer, he realized she was much younger than he had though, as young as Luminal, if that. Her face was half hidden by a lot of dark hair, but he spotted blue eyes underneath them, conveying the same emotions as her face. "What?" He asked.
"The Turs don't like it." The elf-girl said simply. From looking at her, Legolas wondered if she was a Rivendell elf. She certainly seemed like one.
Legolas frowned. "They will not stop me from speaking my own language. You should understand that, you are of elf blood, are you not?" He knew the answer, but he asked anyway.
The girl gave a toss of her hair. "So what if I am?" She declared, flippantly.
Legolas looked her up and down, his expression one of disbelief. "How can you deny your heritage so?" He asked.
The girl flared. "They have all but denied me! I have been here for much longer than I would care to remember, and no one has ever come looking for me or anything."
Legolas frowned at that, feeling for the girl. "What is your name?" He asked.
The girl looked at him suspiciously, and there was a long silence before she answered. "Demenarth." She finally said.
Legolas frowned. Demenarth was the name of an elvish boy in a story told for centuries. The boy had been taken from his family, and left alone in the wilderness. After a long time, he finally died in the wilderness of grief. His name meant 'Abandoned one.' He doubted this could truly be her name, but he let it go. "Perhaps they do not know." He said softly.
Demenarth laughed harshly. "They know. They just stop caring once you end up here. You'll see. No one will come for you either." When he began to open his mouth to deny it, she just grinned a twisted smile. "You thin that just because you're a prince you're different? You're nothing once you're here. No one cares anymore."
Legolas flared, and sat up. "You will not speak this way in front of my sister. You may not believe it, but there is always hope, and you will not put it out with your words. Please leave."
Demenarth shrugged and stood. "If you want to dream, feel free. It will do you no good." Suddenly, a drunken man was calling for her, and she winced and glanced up, then looked back down to Legolas. "I should know." She finished, then started away. "Oh, and by the way, I know you don't what your Mistress' nickname means, so I shall tell you. 'Dansh' means 'favored pet.'"
Second of all, to Tadriendra of Mirkwood, on the 2 and a ½ hour Bloom movie, it was not FotR, as FotR is over 3 hours. LOL. I'm picky. No, it was Black Hawk Down, which if anyone reading this has not seen, THEY SHOULD BECAUSE HE WAS SO DAMN CUTE! It's pretty scary when I find a guy I can say if cute half-bald. *looks terrified* And I cried a ton. *blushes*
Spoiler ahead for anyone who has not seen BHD, so if you don't want to be spoiled, turn a blind eye!!
*****
Here it comes!!
*****
I cried buckets and screamed at the screen when Orli fell out of the helicopter!! I was also seriously thinking about tracking down the writers when they kept not saying what had happened to him and I had to wait two hours just to find out if he was alive!!! GEEZ!! I also loved the scene between him and Ewan McGregor. "Look, kid, you look like you're about 12, so let me explain something to you. I possess a rare and mysterious skill that precludes me from going on the missions." "Typing." "Can you type?" "No." LOL, I dunno why, but I laughed so much, it just struck me as funny!!! Maybe it was because it was between Ewan and Orli, my two guys. *coddles them*
Anyway, I have babbled WAY too much, so here comes a post.
*****
Legolas slowly followed Sani into the bedroom, where Cerinas stood looking smug. She grinned widely when she saw him, and clapped her hands like a child. "I can't wait to show you off, the girls will be so jealous!!!" She said, and Legolas restrained the urge to roll his eyes.
Sani gave him a gentle smile, and squeezed his arm before stepping forward and focusing on Cerinas. "If you do not need me anymore, Mistress, I have other duties to attend to." She said softly, and Cerinas waved a hand at her impatiently, never taking her eyes off Legolas.
Sani flashed him one last glance, mouthing, "Obey," and turning away and disappearing. Legolas wondered if he would see her again. She truly seemed to care what about happened to him and his sister, but she didn't understand Elvish nature. Giving in to this was not an option. He would have to tread carefully, but he would never give in.
Cerinas made her way over. "It is now time for dinner. You're sister will be there, but you may not go to her. You have to stay by my side and serve me and do whatever I bid. Do you understand?" She asked, looking up into his amazing eyes, feeling somehow elated and frightened at the same time by his gaze.
Of course, Legolas could not answer. Instead, he tiredly nodded his head. Would this girl never give up? He was too exhausted by all that had happened in one day to do anything, and so he decided to bide his time.
Cerinas could barely hide her glee at his acceptance, and she eagerly grabbed the loop of chain, starting out, pulling him after her, like an animal rather than a person. Legolas could barely block his initial desire to tackle her, instead trying to keep up. He had to at least see his sister.
*****
Legolas entered the dining hall behind Cerinas, not even really paying attention to anything except finding his sister among the crowds. His eyes passed the loud gathering of men at the table and the young elvish woman he has seen before, but he barely noticed, not stopping until he finally spotted Luminal, curled up on the floor next to a man he did not recognize.
Luminas' young face was turned up towards the man, and her beautiful green eyes were full of desperate pleading. The man was laughing, waving a peace of fruit just out of her feeble reach, and mocking her, much to the other Turs' delight. Luma was too weak to get what she so needed, and finally, in despair at their laughter and her helplessness, she simply laid her head down on his booted calf, which she was leaning against, and wept quietly to herself. "Ada…nana…gwanur…im baur thou." *Father…mother…brothers…I need you.* She moaned softly.
Legolas was more angry at that moment than he had ever been in his life, or thought he should ever be again. Tears welled in his eyes, and he lunged for the man causing his sister such pain, so much pain that she was even calling for her dead mother. "You hateful orc-waste! Stop tormenting my sister!" He tried to scream, but all that came out was a mangled cry of fury past the metal in his mouth. His anger so great it felt as if it would force him to burst.
He was flying towards the man, ready to kill him with his bare hands, when suddenly the chain in Cerinas' surprised hold went taut, and the manacle around his neck yanked him backwards harshly in mid-air, throwing him to the floor.
Luminal became aware, and, tears in her eyes, tried to go to him on her hands and her knees. "Gwador…thou gar al awartha nin!!" *Brother…You have not abandoned me!!* She cried, this time in joy. The man that had been teasing her so maliciously growled angrily, and pulled her to the ground by her wrist. She struck hard and whimpered slightly, immediately curling back up to him when she saw the look in his eyes, and he calmed a bit.
Legolas hated having to watch his sister being treated this way, especially when she should have been in a healing room, being pampered in her illness. It also brought tears to his eyes to have to hear what she had said, what she had been made to think, and he could not say anything to let her know that he would never leave her!!! This was the worst feeling he had ever had. He could not even reassure her with words anymore. Everything was gone. They had taken denied him everything he could have offered her as comfort. He blinked furiously as a boot landed on his chest.
He looked up it the smoldering eyes of Cerinas. She had one foot on his ribs, another on the floor tapping angrily. "Get up." She said stiffly, and removed her foot. Legolas quickly moved to obey, standing and trying to keep his attention focused on the angry child that controlled both his and his sister's destiny. She was silent a long moment, and Legolas fought to keep his gaze steady, though he wished to run to his sister. Finally, Cerinas spoke. "This is not what I consider good behavior, elf. Now, either you quiet down and start acting like the servant you are, or I promise you, you will regret your actions."
Legolas gave her what he hoped looked like a submissive look, not wanting to invite any further punishment. When she walked for her seat next to her father, he quickly followed her, and when she sat, he kneeled by her feet. His eyes strayed to his sister, but his attention was returned to Cerinas when she yanked on the chain. She was frowning at him, and he noticed a servant above her was serving her, placing the food on her plate. She blatantly ignored it, and crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
Legolas almost groaned as he remembered one of his duties. He had to serve Cerinas. With a sigh, he sat forward to be able to reach the plate. There was a roll of some sort, several kinds of fruit, and a steaming piece of meat. He looked up to Cerinas, wondering where to start. Picking up a knife and fork, he cut the meat into chewable pieces. He started to sit back, not knowing what else to do, but Cerinas was glaring at him. He made an irritated sound in the back of his throat and stabbed a piece of meat with the fork and went to offer it to Cerinas. She frowned. "Don't use the fork." She said simply, and looked away as her father addressed himself to her.
Legolas stared at the food, and back to Cerinas. What was he supposed to do? Use his fingers? He didn't know how long he was going to be able to keep his anger under control at this rate. Grinding the metal in his mouth as much as he could with his jaw locked together, he reached for the plate, picking up a piece of fruit between his forefinger and thumb of his right hand. The slight pressure of his gentle elvish fingers made the golden colored fruit leak fluid onto his fingers, draining down into his palm. He turned to Cerinas and offered it to her, his expression hard.
The human girl seemed not to notice, finally smiling and leaning forward, grasping his hand and taking thr fruit with her teeth, barely touching his skin. He shivered in disgust at what he had to do for this girl he hated so much, but reached for another piece of fruit. Cerinas took this in the same way. Her eyes settled on the roll as she finished swallowing, and Legolas was quick to take the hint, but she stilled his hand. "You will get juice all over my roll if you do not clean your hand, Dansh!" She said, using a strange word that Legolas did not recognize. He looked about quickly for a cloth of any sort to clean his hand on, but saw nothing, and directed a confused gaze to Cerinas. She simply raised an eyebrow. "If you don't find a way, I will." She said with a self-satisfied grin.
Legolas didn't like the sound of that, and looked around again. The only thing that would suit was his leggings, but they were such good fabric that he had no doubt he would get in trouble for using them. He could not even lick the juice off! He was beyond irritated now. Cerinas was absolutely impossible. He looked up and saw that she was looking down at him expectantly. He sighed and came closer, having no way to communicate except through gestures and such. He looked around the room quickly, directing her eyes to the table, to his pants, to his hands, and gestured to his mouth, and then shrugged, as if to say that he could find no way to clean them. She smiled at him. "Oh, do not worry about it." She said with a shake of her head and took his right hand and produced a small cloth, which she dipped in her water glass and began gently cleaning his hand with. Legolas didn't like the attention, it was embarrassing, but if it kept him and his sister out of trouble, he would allow her this.
She dried his fingers off with an expression Legolas did not like in the slightest, and released him. He immediately went for her roll, tearing off a small piece and giving it to her. She took this in the same manner of the fruit, not seeming to notice the gazes they were receiving, except that she lingered longer this time.
"I want a glass of wine." She said matter-of-factly, and again, directed her attention away from him as she waited for him to obey. Spotting the pitcher with his eyes on the table, he went for it…just as the man who had been tormenting his sister did. The pitcher fell over, the rich red fluid flowing in all directions of the table. Legolas watched with calm eyes, when suddenly he heard a growl. He looked up to the man who had caused the pitcher to fall. The man's eyes were dark with fury, and he was sitting forward. "Stupid elf, look what you did!!" He boomed, and stood, his fist flying out and catching Legolas under the chin, throwing him away from the table. He crashed down a few feet away, the chain caused unbelievable pressure on his wrists as they were yanked in different direction as he tried to catch himself. He cried out slightly, and fell to the floor, landing in an odd position. He gave a slight moan, pulling his abused wrists to his chest, trying to relieve the throbbing pain in the joints that had been so abused.
Wearily, he looked up and saw that the man was coming for more, and that his sister was crying again. He could not let her watch while he was beaten, and, as much as he hated it, there was only one place he could go and possibly get some kind of protection. Blocking a grimace, he quickly pushed himself to his knees and made his way back to the table, falling at Cerinas' side and pressing himself against her thigh, turning his face away from the advancing man as if in fear, hoping to appeal to her on some level. He felt a hand on his head, gently stroking his golden hair, and he looked up into Cerinas' face. She was looking down questioningly at him, not understanding the sudden change, and he pushed away his initial reaction and gave her the most pleading glance he could before pulling closer to her. He could still hear his sister's sobbing, and his resolve strengthened. Cerinas brightened considerably, and drew herself up and held a hand out to the man.
"Stop!" She cried in a firm, angry voice. The man immediately halted, looking to her in confusion. "Berak, what is the meaning of this?!! How dare you strike MY servant!!" She said, her eyes flashing, and she turned his gaze to Revenhal. "Father!"
Revenhal saw the expression, and quickly looked to Berak. "Return your seat this instant, and do not touch what belongs to my daughter ever again." Legolas hated how he was an object to these people, but said nothing. He realized now that this girl was the leader's weak spot, and he would manipulate it as much as he could to help he and his sister escape.
As the man retreated, Legolas straightened a bit, giving Cerinas a thankful glance. He would get this girl so attached that she would do stupid things, she would make mistakes…and then they would be gone. He almost smiled to himself. It would be hard to push away his initial disgust, but he would do it if it would help.
And he had no doubt it would.
Cerinas smiled at him. "Are you all right?" She asked. He nodded, and sat still as she took his wrists and looked at the abused flesh. "Poor boy." She breathed. Legolas wanted to tell her that not only was he not a boy, he would have been fine if she hadn't put the chain on in the first place, but he could not, and it wouldn't have been a good idea in the first place, so he was quiet.
Cerinas had been poured a glass of wine by this time, and the mess cleaned, so at her urging, Legolas returned to the food. He gave her a piece of meat, refusing to flinch when it burned his skin or when she took it. She noticed the reddened flesh, and, with a devilish glance, drew his finger to her mouth and kissed it. Legolas struggled not to pull away. She dropped his hands, seeming satisfied with something, and reached behind him, untying the leather straps that held the metal contraption in his mouth. "You have earned the right back to speech, but do not think for a second that I will hesitate to return it." She breathed, and coaxed him to open his lips so she could unhook the metal and draw it out of his mouth.
Legolas couldn't block the rush of breath that left with the metal in a half-sigh as he regained control to his mouth. He licked his lips, his mouth unbelievably dry, and she noticed this, handing him the water glass. Legolas drank deeply, and when she took it away, he said quietly, "Thank you."
Cerinas smiled, but shook a finger in his face. "You will call me Mistress." She instructed.
Legolas almost rolled his eyes, but he would do almost anything to keep that metal away from him. "Thank you, Mistress." Cerinas' eyes were full of glee, and his words were barely out of his mouth before her lips were descending on his. Legolas jerked, almost yanking away from her, but she wrapped her hands on both sides of his face, holding him there as she ran her tongue along his bottom lip, then sucked the same lip into her mouth. Legolas could not help himself now, and he pulled fervently, not wanting the kiss to go any deeper.
Cerinas just chuckled and released him. "I suppose you need a little more time." She said, then glanced at the plate. "I am full. You may have anything on the plate you desire."
Legolas felt his mouth watering, not knowing when the last time was he had eaten. He almost started eating, but then paused and looked up to Cerinas. "Mistress?" He tried softly.
Cerinas looked down to him. "Yes?" She returned.
Legolas turned a hesitant glance to his sister, who still hadn't eaten. "May I share with my sister, please Mistress?" He asked pleadingly, laying a hand on her arm and looking up through his silver covered eyelashes.
Cerinas was lost. She breathed in deeply, caught in his gaze, and began nodding before she knew what she was doing. "Yes." She said, and Legolas gave her a small smile of thanks before picking up the plate and hurrying to where his sister lay.
Legolas gently lowered himself to the ground next to his sister, setting the plate on the floor. Luminal had buried her head in her arms and barely moved as he approached. He put a hand to her forehead and was glad to feel that her fever had gone down somewhat. Luma looked up as she felt the pressure, and broke into a soft, tired grin that nearly broke Legolas' heart. "Gwador." She breathed, sitting up slightly with a wince and pulling herself to his side, wrapping her arms around his chest.
Legolas felt tears in his eyes. "Ha nin. Pan nad innas na pan fair si. Im sí." *It's me. Everything will be all right now. I'm here.* He soothed her gently, and Luminal broke into heavy sobs.
"Lothron ammen goanna bar si, Las?" *Can we go home now, Las?* She asked in between her tears, hugging him harder desperately. Legolas briefly wondered as he struggled to breathe past her grip if she was worried her would disappear.
"Im iest ammen taur." *I wish we could.* Legolas whispered, and Luma whimpered in response.
"Im baur ada, Las. Im baur bar min." *I need father, Las. I need our home.* There was a long pause, and Legolas had to strain to hear her as she continued. "Im nauth nin gwanno." *I think I'm dying." She whispered.
Legolas froze, then pulled her away firmly so he could look in her eyes. "Don't you ever say that!" He hissed, no longer caring if they were heard. "Do you hear me, Luminal? We are going to be all right!!" Hhe shook her lightly for emphasis.
Luminal nodded through her tears. "Ned rant, Legolas. Díheno nin." *Of course, Legolas. Forgive me.* She wrapped her arms desperately around his neck. "Díheno nin." She repeated, desperately.
Legolas rubbed her back soothingly. "Im díhena thou." *I forgive you.* He assured her.
After she had calmed a bit, Legolas gently started to try to get her to eat. That was when he heard the voice. It was a female's voice, pretty, a little deeper than usual perhaps, and heavy with sarcasm, distrust, and anger. "Just so you know, talking elvish here isn't a good idea."
Legolas looked up quickly, suspiciously, as Luminal chewed the fruit he had given her. He saw the elvish girl he had seen before, the one he had noticed several times, in dinner as well, being passed back and forth between the men. Looking closer, he realized she was much younger than he had though, as young as Luminal, if that. Her face was half hidden by a lot of dark hair, but he spotted blue eyes underneath them, conveying the same emotions as her face. "What?" He asked.
"The Turs don't like it." The elf-girl said simply. From looking at her, Legolas wondered if she was a Rivendell elf. She certainly seemed like one.
Legolas frowned. "They will not stop me from speaking my own language. You should understand that, you are of elf blood, are you not?" He knew the answer, but he asked anyway.
The girl gave a toss of her hair. "So what if I am?" She declared, flippantly.
Legolas looked her up and down, his expression one of disbelief. "How can you deny your heritage so?" He asked.
The girl flared. "They have all but denied me! I have been here for much longer than I would care to remember, and no one has ever come looking for me or anything."
Legolas frowned at that, feeling for the girl. "What is your name?" He asked.
The girl looked at him suspiciously, and there was a long silence before she answered. "Demenarth." She finally said.
Legolas frowned. Demenarth was the name of an elvish boy in a story told for centuries. The boy had been taken from his family, and left alone in the wilderness. After a long time, he finally died in the wilderness of grief. His name meant 'Abandoned one.' He doubted this could truly be her name, but he let it go. "Perhaps they do not know." He said softly.
Demenarth laughed harshly. "They know. They just stop caring once you end up here. You'll see. No one will come for you either." When he began to open his mouth to deny it, she just grinned a twisted smile. "You thin that just because you're a prince you're different? You're nothing once you're here. No one cares anymore."
Legolas flared, and sat up. "You will not speak this way in front of my sister. You may not believe it, but there is always hope, and you will not put it out with your words. Please leave."
Demenarth shrugged and stood. "If you want to dream, feel free. It will do you no good." Suddenly, a drunken man was calling for her, and she winced and glanced up, then looked back down to Legolas. "I should know." She finished, then started away. "Oh, and by the way, I know you don't what your Mistress' nickname means, so I shall tell you. 'Dansh' means 'favored pet.'"