Spotnmushlover – Thanks. Here's the next one.
Legolaslover – OhmyGod, will you get out of my head already! LOL. You're reading my thoughts before I can get them on my laptop. :oP Aleera actually won't need any training. You'll see why in this chapter. I can't seem to come up with anymore pranks that Leggy can pull on the twins. If you come up with any, email me at marisap7 at direcway . com (without the spaces) - my email address can also be found from my profile.
Laebeth – Thanks for the compliments. Yep, Leggy's got some trouble coming his way. As for angst, I haven't really put too much in this story, but there may be some coming up with all the action. He knows he's got troubles, but he doesn't seem to be too worried about it.
Lou – Thanks, Bro. Okay, there'll be some intense fights coming up in the next few chapters and I promise there will be some Orc killings…hehehe. Here's your fix, you junkie:o) Maybe I should have Legolas break out in song somewhere during the battle scenes because elves love to sing. He can do Elvis…Luv ya.
Raider-K – I like a strong heroine too and Aleera will get to see some action.
Disclaimer – See chapter 1.
Chapter 19 – Vengeance and Fear
Seated around the large table were Thranduil, Legolas, Aleera, Celeborn, Glorfindel, Haldir, Aragorn, Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, Galadron, Celegmin, Dagnir and Emlin. The gathering of the minds…to determine the best course of action against the enemy. Even though an Orc had told Thranduil when the attack would come, none put any trust in the source and deduced that the attack would come much sooner. So they needed to be prepared.
"I say we bring the battle to them," suggested Aragorn. "Why risk the lives of the citizens of Mirkwood?"
"The citizens will be departing for refuge in the Mountains of Mirkwood," Thranduil answered. "I have no concerns. Their well being will be looked after by thirty of my guards. However, Aragorn, I am not against the idea of taking the battle to the Lonely Mountain rather than it coming here."
"I agree," said Celeborn. "But do not forget that elves have an advantage over Orcs. We can climb trees and shoot from above."
"Then we do both," added Legolas. "We attack them in the open and drive the survivors into the trees to be finished off."
"What about these Kozari? How proficient are they in battle?" asked Thranduil.
"We did not see much battle while in their company, my lord," replied Aragorn. "But they wear heavy armor and carry heavy weapons. Their horses are small and swifter than ours. Carrying the extra weight does not seem to hinder the agility of their mounts. I saw them fight against wargs and their movements were rather fierce and efficiently precise."
Legolas recalled the day in Kozar when in jest he would not allow Aragorn the glory of a single kill. But he had made note of the fierce manner with which the Kozari warriors fought against the attacking wargs. He imagined Hurrnäd had the same skill, even though he had not witnessed the Kozari king raise a finger to aid.
Aleera sat in silence as she listened to their battle discussion. She felt that all of this was all of her doing. If Legolas had not been forced to rescue her from the clutches of Hurrnäd, the attack on Mirkwood would not be happening. She glanced around the table. Any one of them had the possibility of losing their life in this battle. What if her brother, Celegmin lost his life, or her father, or Legolas? Her heart pounded harshly in her chest and she willed away the tears that threatened her eyes.
Legolas's attention was drawn away from the discussion for a brief moment as he felt Aleera's sudden panic. He glanced at her. She was looking around at the faces around her and he knew she was close to tears. He opened his senses to her and felt that she thought herself at fault for all that was happening. How could she think she was at fault? She was but an innocent pawn in the doings that had played out up to this point. He wanted to reassure her, to eliminate her feeling of guilt.
"Legolas," called his father.
Legolas's attention was jolted back to where his father sat across the table. "Aye?"
"What drives this Kozari king?"
"Vengeance and fear," he replied without hesitation.
Thranduil nodded. "We have all come to the same conclusion on why he seeks vengeance. But why do you think fear brings him here?"
"He fears me and he has never feared anyone or anything before." Legolas dug deep into himself, recalling the sensations he had felt while in Hurrnäd's company. "He does not understand this fear and it eats away at him. I sensed this while in his company, but I knew not how deeply it affected him until I began to question his practices. Aleera had been led to believe that she would be his wife, but she later learned of his true intentions and told me. It angered me to know the manner in which she would be treated and I did not hide my feelings when she was brought to dinner covered up for none to look upon. Hurrnäd saw my anger and I sensed his fear of it."
"Is it your belief that Hurrnäd will not join in the battle?" asked Glorfindel. "That he will watch from afar?"
"Nay, he will come after me, if I am anything but his sole target. He will desire to prove to himself that his fear is nothing but a fabrication of his own mind."
Thranduil studied his son from across the table. Legolas was a successful warrior. He rarely returned from battle with any serious injuries. He knew his son was quite capable of taking care of himself. But the thought of a madman wanting Legolas's blood worried Thranduil. Any father would be concerned for the well-being of his children. He hoped Legolas was up to the challenge against someone whose sole purpose was to see him suffer greatly in death.
Legolas immediately sensed his father's concerns and looked up at him. "I will be ready for him. What I was unable to do in Kozar for lack of time, I will definitely finish this time around."
"You will have our help, Legolas," Celegmin reassured.
"Hannon le," he said, nodding in Celegmin's direction. (Thank you)
Later that afternoon, Legolas stood with Thranduil on the bridge of the Forest River. Together they watched as the citizens of Mirkwood passed them before heading southwest to the Mountains of Mirkwood. It would be a walk of a little over fifty miles through the forest. Most of the elf citizens were excellent archers, so there was little concern over spider attacks. When they reached the foot of the mountains, they would set up temporary talans in the surrounding trees and await word that the battle was over.
"Galu na le, Aran, Ernil," they each said as they passed the bridge. (good luck to you, king, prince)
Legolas nodded to them along with his father. "I have decided to take Dagnir with us while Emlin leads the people and thirty guards to the mountains."
"That is a wise decision, Legolas," commented Thranduil.
"Haldir of Lothlorien is a superior archer. He can take his elves through the eastern path toward the Long Marshes. They will draw attacks away from Lake-Town. Glorfindel will lead his Rivendell elves north through the woods and hide in the trees. They will take the second wave, if there is one. Dagnir and I will lead our troops directly east toward the Lonely Mountains. We will draw the first attack."
"How many in total?"
"Twenty Lothlorien elves with Haldir, twenty Rivendell elves with Glorfindel, thirty Mirkwood elves with Emlin and the people, fifty Mirkwood elves with Dagnir and I. which leaves you with forty Mirkwood elves to protect the caverns."
More elven citizens walked passed, bowing to the king and prince. "What of Aragorn and the others?" asked Thranduil.
"Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir and Celegmin ride with me. I leave Galadron and Celeborn with you."
Thranduil nodded and continued to nod to his people as they passed him on their way to their temporary sanction. After a few moments he turned to his son. There was a faraway look in Legolas's eyes. He seemed to be staring wide-eyed at the wooden planks of the bridge, but not truly seeing them. He knew Legolas sensed something. "Man car le matho?" (what do you feel)
"Tôl acharn. Ihan mathon ned gwilith." (vengeance comes. I feel it in the air)
"Min innas nagellui." (we will be triumphant)
Legolas blinked and turned to Thranduil. More times than not, he did not see eye to eye with his father. He had no desire to rule Mirkwood. He only wished to lead the troops into battle. And when there was no trouble, then he wanted to travel to places he had never been to. There were placed south of Gondor that he desired to see, places west of the Misty Mountains, beyond Rivendell. He wanted to visit the Grey Havens where he planned to build a ship to sail west to Valinor with Aleera one day. There would come a day when the age of elves would come to an end and those that did not sail west would become corrupted by the changing times. But while there were still battles to be won in Middle Earth, Legolas had no designs to leave it just yet.
Legolas studied his father's profile. Many of Thranduil's physical qualities were passed on to Legolas. They were of the same build, same height. While Thranduil's facial attributes were brutally handsome, Legolas's were more refined and delicate. However, behind the delicate features lived a being who had seen many battles and was skilled in all that he endeavored. He was also an extremely sensitive being, aware of his surroundings and the emotions of those around him. This was passed on to him by his mother, a rare gift seldom seen in elves. His empathic abilities were an asset in many situations, especially if the other party was unaware of his capabilities.
And so Legolas was aware of his father's emotions. He sensed the thrill of battle in him, yet also sensed in him the uncertainty in his own abilities against a force he was unfamiliar with. Thranduil had fought Orcs many times in his many millennia, but he was unfamiliar with the abilities of the Kozari and it worried him. It saddened Legolas to sense apprehension in his father. Perhaps none of this would have played out as such if he had only negotiated with Hurrnäd in a calm, controlled manner. "Goheno nin, adar," he whispered nearly under his breath. (forgive me, father)
"An man?" (for what)
Legolas felt tears stinging his eyes. "An pân gerin car rûth le." (for all I have done to disappoint you)
"Nay, ion. Ú-moe edaved. Ú-gerin matho rûth ned le." Thranduil placed an arm around his son's shoulders and then leaned to plant a kiss on the side of his forehead. (Son. Do not ask forgiveness. Never have I felt disappointed in you)
Legolas closed his eyes to the contact of his father's lips on him and he continued to fight the tears that threatened. It had been a very long time since his father had shown him any tenderness and perhaps Legolas himself had been the cause of it. He missed the affection and made a promise to himself that he would make every effort to do all his father asked of him from that moment on, regardless of whether he agreed with his father's ways or not.
A moment later, Legolas heard Aleera and her family approaching from the other side of the bridge. He turned to greet them and waited while they parted company. Aleera's mother, Nórui and sister, Brithla would be accompanying the rest of the Mirkwood people to the mountains for safety. Aleera's father, Galadron and brother, Celegmin would be aiding in the battle. As for Aleera, she was a whole different matter.
Nórui and Brithla embraced Galadron, Celegmin and Aleera before the two elleths turned to head across the bridge. They both bowed their heads to Thranduil and Legolas before moving on.
Legolas moved from Thranduil's side. "Dartha," he called out to them. He walked over to where they stood at the other side of the bridge. Then he bent to the ground and picked a handful of uilos, a small white flower that grew near the river. He separated the bunch into two, handing one bunch to Nórui while kissing her on the cheek and then the other bunch to Brithla as he kissed her on the cheek as well. (wait)
"No i Melian na le, ernil nin," said Nórui with a sad smile, bringing the uilos up to her nose to smell. (May the Valar be with you, my prince)
"A le," replied Legolas with a respectful tilt of his head. He turned his gaze to Emlin, who stood several feet away and gave the second in command a nod. Emlin returned Legolas's nod and waved three other guards to follow. The four of them had been given strict orders from Legolas himself that they were to protect Nórui and Brithla with their very lives. (and you)
Aleera watched from the center of the bridge, tears stinging her eyes. She leaned into her father while his arm was around her shoulders. She knew her mother and sister would be well taken care of. It just felt wrong to her to be parting with them in this manner. She watched as Legolas turned to make his way back toward the center where she stood.
"Bedi lin hervenn," urged Galadron as he nudged her forward. (go to your husband)
Legolas sensed Aleera's sadness and he embraced her as she came up to him. "Beria innas hain, meleth nin. Gar bronwe ned gwaith nin." (They will be safe, my love. Have faith in my people.)
"Im ista a im car gar bronwe ned gwaith lin," she replied with a heavy sigh. (I know and I do have faith in your people)
He kissed the side of her face. "I wish you would reconsider and go with them."
Aleera pulled back to look into his eyes. "Legolas, I cannot leave you here to fight alone."
"I am not alone."
"Nay, I will fight at your side."
Legolas frowned at her. "You cannot fight."
"I can so fight."
Legolas looked into the depths of her pale green eyes, seeing the confidence in her statement. "I have not seen you fight thus far, Aleera."
"That is because I was unaware I had the ability until I regained my memory and I have been with no weapon to defend myself."
"What is your weapon?"
"Sword."
"Very well. If you are able to convince me that you are capable, then I will allow you to fight at my side." Legolas took her hand and pulled her along with him toward the Great Gates of the caverns.
Celegmin glanced in their direction and then just as they entered the caverns, he decided to join them.
Minutes later, in the largest of the halls, Legolas handed Aleera a lightweight sword. Even though it was light, the blade was extremely sharp and capable of slicing flesh and bone with a single swipe. He glanced at Celegmin who hopped up to sit on a table that had been pushed aside to give them room. Legolas decided to use a similar sword, though it was not his weapon of choice. He moved to stand before her. "Try and disarm me."
Aleera gave him a smile. "I will try not to hurt you, meleth nin." (my love)
Legolas smiled back. "You cannot hurt me," he said confidently.
"Careful, Legolas," Celegmin called out. "She has bested me on many occasions during her training."
Aleera lunged forward, swinging her sword to Legolas's left. He blocked it and blocked the next that came at him from the right. She tried different variations and he blocked her each time.
"You are moving far too slow, Aleera. I can sense your every move."
Aleera paused abruptly and glared at him. "Then stop sensing me, Legolas. My enemy does not have your abilities. It is not fair that you fight me with them."
Legolas nodded. "You are right. I will cease." He raised his sword again and blocked his mind of his surroundings.
Aleera tried her variations again, this time putting more force into her blows. Legolas still blocked her easily. But she had not used her secret tactic yet. While briefly stepping out of the fighting circle, she lifted the hem of her gown and tucked it in her belt.
Legolas's eyes immediately went down to her legs, bare nearly to her thighs. She swung again and he blocked. But he found himself distracted by the sight of her bare flesh. He even heard Celegmin chuckling behind him as he blocked each of Aleera's swings. With the next series of hits, he was surprised to find himself suddenly without a sword in his hand as she struck it hard, sending it clear across the room. Then the tip of her sword was at his throat. She smiled confidently at him and he frowned. "You cheated!"
"I did not cheat."
"Aye, you did. I have never fought an opponent with…legs."
"Really now, Legolas? Am I to understand you fight an enemy that has no legs?"
"Not like yours."
Aleera gasped when she saw that the tip of her sword had drawn blood under Legolas's chin. "Ai, I have drawn blood!" She moved closer to him and swiped her thumb at the bead of blood on his skin. It was not much, but she felt terrible. "Goheno nin." (Oh. Forgive me)
Legolas could not feel where she had pierced his skin accidentally. All he felt were her lips suddenly on his throat and the side of his neck, kissing and licking him. He brought his hand to the back of her head and she turned her face up toward his. His lips descended upon hers and he kissed her without reserve.
Celegmin waited a moment, hoping they would end their sickening display of affection. When Aleera dropped her sword on the floor with a loud clang, he decided it was best he left before other things dropped to the floor.
Legolas heard Celegmin's light footfalls as he left the hall and closed the door behind him. Then he returned his attentions to Aleera who was deviously attempting to slide her hand down the front of his leggings.
Are any of you interested in reading a fanfic I'm not sure I'd be allowed to post on this sitebecause of the NC-17 rating I've given it? Here's a short write-up. If you are interested, please email me at marisap7 at direcway . com (without spaces) and when I am finished with it I will email it to you. It's not very long, less than 50 pages. - my email address can also be found from my profile.
Story Summary – Legolas is provided with a consort to sway him from fornicating with the rest of the kingdom. Not a comedy.
Rating – NC-17
WARNING – This story contains the following:
1) mushy, sappy romance
2) a Mary-Sue character, written in first person
3) mild Mary-Sue angst
4) EXTREMELY EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT
5) representation of Legolas in an out of character manner
6) no violence
7) no significant plot (I know, you're thinking, "huh?")
8) imperfect elvish language, but it sounds so pretty
If any of the contents of the above list is not to your liking, or if you are faint of heart when it comes to SEX, then I urge you not to read this story. You have been warned.
Just to let you know, I was inspired to write this after I received a not-so-complimentary review on one of my other stories. It's kinda like my retribution because this story contains everything that the reviewer thought was not appropriate. Hehehe…Even though I wrote it out of spite, I still had fun putting it together.