When the girl came to, the forest had changed dramatically. A fine mist hung in the air. The surroundings were still waterlogged, saturated. Bright rays of sunshine bore down, filtered by the thin layer of leaves and the moisture.
A sudden movement startled her as she struggled to recall the events of the past night. Her mind was still tired and sluggish.
Two grey eyes were staring directly at her. They were set in a small, open face, their owner was lean and had hair that was red, giving him a feisty look. It was worn lose, and flowed smoothly, with ceremonial braids woven into them. She had never seen the likes of this stranger before. His features were odd to her eyes, unlike the Men she had grown accustomed to seeing in the marketplace of Hailar. They were delicate and pointed, and his cheekbones were high. There was an absence of any facial hair, his face was smooth. The look of him was very young, like one who had not yet made it into manhood.
He had a very small physique, not unlike that of a petite female, but she could tell that he was nimble and quick, and his eyes were intensely fixed onto her. He was dressed oddly, in green and brown. The material was plain, but the stitching of the clothes fine and delicate. He smiled warmly upon seeing the maiden awake, yet did not make any overt movements.
Three horses were grazing on the grass behind the Elf. The black beautiful mare caught her attention. Her fur was gleaming in the light, soft as pure silk. Strong muscles rippled as she moved about,
The horses were clearly owned by nobles of some sort. A sudden lurching of the stomach. Nobles. They could be related to the Lord Marnor. She fought to keep the panic down. The stranger was still staring at her silently. He did not move a muscle, as if waiting. For what she did not know, and it made her even more uneasy.
The stranger smiled suddenly, his face lighting up, as he saw something behind her. She whipped around and was faced with yet another two of his companions walking in her direction. They carried with them flasks of water. She had not heard their approach. They moved with such silence and surety in the forest. It unnerved her.
The two hardly paused when they saw her turning to face them. The younger of them smiled at her, and she was struck by the beauty she found in his face. His hair was blond and long, and he wore it in the same style of the other. He was lean but tall, and his lithe figure had a grace that Yuvinel never thought possible. He held his body upright with a reality that made her think of royalty and nobility.
His face was fair as the morning sun, and his cheeks were set higher than that of his companion. If she had thought the one she had seen earlier pleasant to look at, this stranger greatly surpassed that. His eyes were of a deep blue that mirrored the sky and the waters of the river, reminding her of a thousand pleasant things. She stared unabashedly at him, taking in the proud profile, the delicate nose, the beauty of his lips.
A slight clearing of the throat was heard from the stranger behind her, and she was started out of her admiration. A faint colour crept into the cheeks of the object of her fascination. His handsome feature darkened as he shot a quick look at the one who coughed.
"You do not happen to be associated with the Lord Marnor, do you?" Yuvinel blurted out. She felt awkward and inadequate, and was suddenly aware of how shabby her clothes were in the presence of such a sight as the stranger.
"The Lord Marnor?" the fair features clouded over as he pulled his face into a frown, his voice low and lyrical. It brought to mind trees whispering in the wind. It was comforting and soft, and a strange accent played in the words.
He turned to look at his companion who had been standing silent behind him all this while. Yuvinel caught a sudden glimpse of his ear. A pointed ear. Elves.
She gasped lightly. Nobody she knew had ever seen one. The relations between Men and Elves had grown cold in recent years. Only stories and rumour were heard about them. What she herself knew about the Elder Race was only through songs sung in the village inn.
"Forgive me. I did not know!" her voice was shaky and her eyes shone with fascination.
"Do not fret, my lady, for my kind has not walked among men for centuries," the small Elf spoke, walking up to join his companions.
"What I am concerned with, is how a maiden such as yourself came to be in such a wild part of the world, for is it not obvious that you did not come here willingly?" the fair Elf added.
"Father!" the events of the past night came crashing back to her in a rush. The wonderment of seeing the Elves had caused her to forget them. She leapt up and started to rush off.
Her arm was grabbed by the strong grip of another. She turned and found herself being swallowed by the mesmerizing blue eyes, a look of mild concern and gentleness that suggested one who cared greatly inherent in them.
"Evil is afoot in this forest. We came across Men with hounds, searching among the trees. It is no secret then, that they are, in all likelihood, seeking you."
"Please, I beg you, let me go! They have taken him away! I need to get him back!"
The Elf's face darkened. A slight wave of conflict swept through. Yuvinel felt a shiver run down her spine. She calmed down slightly, however, as confidence returned to his face.
"Fret not, for aid you we would, in locating your father."
"Perhaps a meal would give you the sustenance to chase the captors?" the small Elf quipped.
Yuvinel nodded tentatively, eyes still fixed upon the Elf's face, unsure of what else to do. Drawing courage from the look he gave her, she felt her body stop trembling. It was then that she noted that she was a strange cloak wrapped around her body. Soft and warm, it was of the same green as the leaves that grew on beeches.
The Elf let go of his grip around her wrist. She blushed faintly and pulled the cloak tightly around her. It was so light and fluid that she had not noticed it draped around her initially. The morning air was chilly, and she was suddenly conscious of her tattered clothing.
"Would you care to join us? For it is evident that you have not had a meal for many hours," the small Elf quipped, trying to dispel her uneasiness.
"I am Esendri, and these are my companions, Legolas and Glorfindel," he motioned to the other two, who nodded politely in acknowledgement.
Legolas turned and spoke to the silent Elf in his own tongue. Yuvinel strained her ears, but his voice was so soft that she could barely make it out. Glorfindel frowned and replied back, a disquiet look flitting pass his face. He was looking away into the trees, and pondering. Yuvinel noted that his raiment was different from the other two. Dressed in silver, his clothes were more ornate and resplendent. A strong power emanated from his very being.
Esendri took the maiden by her hand. He grinned at her as he sat her down at the foot of a tree and produced with a flourish an oddly shaped packet. He opened it once sure of her curiosity, beaming at her surprise.
"Lembas, waybread of the Elves," he explained quietly as the other two continued their conversation, "Eat some, for it would give you strength."
Yuvinel picked up a flaky piece hesitatingly. She broke off a bit and placed it in her mouth. A taste unlike anything she had ever eaten before filled her mouth. Strange it was, yet not unpleasant. The rest of the piece was eaten ravenously, for it had been almost a day since she had last eaten. She conversed subsequently with Esendri while the other two continued their debate. He managed to procure her name, and she a little of their origins.
The sun had swung high in the sky, and the maiden was anxious to start the search for her father. She spoke her desire yet again to the Elves, who had sat down upon the grass, and were taking swigs out of the intricate flasks they carried.
Legolas agreed and got up. Dusting himself, he walked over to the horses. Speaking quietly to them, he stroked the mane of the mare, cooing softly, and received an affectionate nibble in return.
"Nardawin has consented to bear you, Lady Yuvinel. However, our kindred do not ride with the saddles that you would have been accustomed to. I fear she would not go a few steps ere you fall off and hurt yourself!"
"Your concern is not misplaced. I have never ridden a horse before." She was unashamed, and a quiet fire burned behind her dark eyes, as if daring the Elf to mock her.
To her relief and mild surprise, he did not show any sign of surprise nor contempt. "Then ride with me you will, for it is a long way to your house, in order we pick up the trail."
The woodsman's daughter found herself being surprised by the Elves yet again. They were strangers to the forest, yet moved about as if it was their home.
"There is much to learn from the trees and the good beasts that inhabit a place," Esendri spoke, seeing the questions in her eyes.
Legolas smiled upon seeing his friend volunteering information patiently. His amusement was caught by the sharp eyes of the other, who turned red and muttered under his breath.
Glorfindel, stood up abruptly and walked over to the horses. His horse was larger than the other two, and had little bells running down its flanks. They tinkered slightly as the horse moved towards his master, and the maiden noted with delight that they did not sound as ordinary bells. Instead, they brought to mind the rustling of trees on an autumn's day as leaves fell slowly and gently to the ground.
"Come! We will begin our journey!" Glorfindel called and leapt up deftly on top of his horse. The stallion did not fidget, and seemed to read his master's mind and will. No words needed to be spoken, and Yuvinel wondered anew. The Elves also showed no urgency, not due to indifference, but for that they were confident of catching up with the soldiers.
Legolas offered her his hand, and indicated to her that she mount his horse.
She blushed suddenly, remembering something. "Wouldn't it be a little, inappropriate?" the words were soft and abashed.
All three Elves turned and looked at her. Genuinely puzzled. They could not understand her reservation at riding with Legolas. He frowned slightly and thought for a while.
"Inappropriate? I think not, Lady, for it is indeed normal for us to share a steed! Nardawin has given her consent! Worry not! She could easily bear the extra burden!"
Yuvinel tinkered. Elves were clearly different from humans. Sensing no malice or threat in them, she consented willingly.
Aided by Legolas, the maiden swung herself onto Nardawin. Years of working with her father in the forest had given her skill in movement, and she did not require much help. Once atop the horse, she marvelled at how still the beast kept. The Elf then leapt up deftly and seated himself behind her. He leaned forward and spoke softly in her ear.
"Do not fret! Nardawin is gentle. She would neither jolt nor bolt. Relax your tense muscles, and enjoyment of the ride would come swiftly!"
The maiden nodded. She was afraid, but felt the hard chest of the Elf pressed against her, and was astonished by the warmth she felt reverberating from it. The Elf himself seemed unaware of her thoughts, and touched her shoulders gently.
"Place your hands on her mane. If you feel yourself getting unseated, lean back into me to regain your balance," his tone was guileless and honest, and Yuvinel knew that he was not taking advantage of her. She obeyed his instructions obediently and appreciatively.
Yuvinel watched then as Esendri cleared up the spot where they had rested a while ago. He carefully picked up the flask that Legolas had left behind. It was strange, the way he picked up after his friend.
Her mind drifted again to her father, and she felt her stomach knot in fear.
"Fret not, for find your father we will," Legolas murmured into her ear, eyes sweeping the area about him, seemingly reading her thoughts, "Once we come across the trail, we would turn hunters, and it would not be long ere you be reunited with him!"
The third Elf had now mounted his horse too, and Legolas moved off, leading the way.
Yuvinel gave a little shriek of fear as Nardawin started walking. The ground seemed so far below. She soon calmed down, as she realised that the horse barely seemed to move, so smooth were her steps.
Legolas turned and winked at Esendri. He was amused by how tense the maiden was. Esendri frowned and gave him an odd look. It spoke very clearly about his doubts and confusion about whether to help the girl. They had a task at hand, and it was so like the prince to deviate from it. On the other hand, it was not in his heart to abandon her.
The speed of the mare increased to a canter, and very soon they were at a gallop, tearing through the woods. Yuvinel clenched her eyes tightly as they sped up, and grabbed on wildly to the horse's mane.
She felt cool hands wrap themselves around her own. They interlaced themselves with her own fingers, then slowly unclasped and released their grip on the long hair of the horse. She remembered his advice and leaned back. The body of the Elf was rock-solid and hard. She felt confidence flood back into her limbs.
Eyes opened tentatively and took in the surroundings, marvelling at the fact that there were no collisions with the trees, that the horse knew exactly where to go without being told. The wind blew in her face, and she gradually gave herself in to the exhilarating feeling of it. A smile broke on her face, and she was soon enjoying the experience.
All worries faded from her mind as she recalled the confidence of the Elves, and felt the strength of Legolas right behind her.
It was all too soon that the horses began to slow down progressively. The blur that had been their surroundings came into focus gradually. She found herself recognizing the forest around her as being near to her home. The Elves had not been wrong about locating her house.
She strained her eyes to look out for the clearing she knew would burst into view in a few moments.
Nardawin came to a complete stop suddenly. Esendri and Glorfindel drew abreast of her. Yuvinel turned and looked questioningly into the now worried and tightly drawn face of the Elf she rode with.
"What's the matter?" a cold knot of fear seized her stomach as she noted the same expressions on the faces of the other two.
The Elves were speechless, and seemed at a lost for words. They did not answer.
Perched atop the horse, Yuvinel struggled to free herself. With a wild cry like that of a frantic and wounded beast, she leapt off the horse and fell to the floor. Picking herself up, she ran in the direction that was her house.
She heard a sharp voice call out in an Elvish tongue. A moment later, firm arms had wrapped themselves around her from behind. Restraining her, pinning her arms to her sides.
"Esendri is right. A wrong turning was made. Let us leave at once!" the voice of Legolas whispered into her ear.
It was confirmation of the suspicion that grew in her mind. The Elves were hiding something from her. She struggled and thrashed convulsively in his grip, as if gone mad.
"Let go of me! I recognise my own home! Let go!" her voice was hoarse from the strain she was exerting. The Elf was very strong in spite of his lithe appearance. She beat on him furiously, fists raining down on his arms as he tried to hold her still. It was due to his respect for her that he did not pick her up and carry her back towards the horses.
Esendri and Glorfindel dismounted and ran up to their friend. They stood there, helpless, at a loss.
Yuvinel went still after a long moment of trashing about. Tears streamed down her face. She was shivering and trembling slightly. Legolas glanced at his companions, worried.
"Please. I beg of you! Let go!" she spoke again, voice pleading.
The arms around her loosened their grip abruptly. She fell forward, but was held steady. She turned and gazed into his sad eyes. There was gratefulness mirrored in her own.
Legolas sighed heavily. He closed his eyes and turned away. He did not have the heart to see the maiden discover what the Elves had seen. She was determined, and it was not his place to protect her.
His companions stood aside him, and Esendri placed a hand on his master's arm. Legolas did not look up, but the gaze of his friends were steady, eyes baleful and full of sorrow, as they watched the maiden run in the direction of her home. Or what was left of it.
A/N:
If you see this up, congratulate my having overcome all difficulties with my stupidness with computers, but I doubt that is highly likely! Ai, I really do hope it's been corrected, I'll hate to delete more chapters by mistake!!
Gwyn - Thanks so much for your kind words, I was off the computer for a bit, and couldn't really update, but I'm back with a vengeance now! Hope you enjoy this chapter, and it's just that little bit longer..;)
Natalia - Yup, OFCs are rather challenging, and I hope I maintain some form of control over the story despite their apperances! here's your update!
