-Four-
Where the Lady Runya Rinuialrilwen lied was beyond the reach of even the moon's strong rays. Nevermind the fact that during the Battle of Helm's Deep it had been pouring sheets of rain and that any moonlight would be feeble from behind the clouds. The author delicately avoided that fact entirely.
The beautiful Elf lied on her back, and with both hands stained with orc blood resting on her stomach, her large eyes fluttered open. A pain stabbed at her shoulder, and she realized there was a large wound issuing blood, her own blood, onto the stone beneath her. Runya gasped, trying to remember what had happened. Every thought and memory that raced through her mind (which admittedly, wasn't impressive) seemed veiled behind a cloud of pain. She slowly began to remember with somewhat haziness.
Oh yes, that's what happened.
She had been fighting skillfully by the side of Legolas, the handsome blond Elf from Mirkwood, and an orc had slashed at her shoulder from behind. She could remember the look that had passed over Legolas' face. At first it seemed like great relief and joy, but after she blinked his countenance revealed deep sorrow and undeniable fear for her safety. He carried her gently through the masses of orcs that suddenly didn't seem to notice not just one, but two vulnerable, and easily slayable beings. He gently set her down far from the fighting, and whispered romantic things to her until and orc charged at her stricken form. He then defended her valiantly. The last thing Runya remembered before her pain caused her to black out was Legolas battling the huge Uruk Hai.
"Legolas?" Runya murmured to the darkness, slowly raising her head. There was no one in sight. The maiden frowned. Where was her prince? Where had he gone to that was more important that making sure that she, Runya, his true love, was safe?
Runya leapt to her feet. Her wound seemed to have clotted and her body to have replaced all the blood she'd lost. There was still time, though, Runya reasoned, to make a huge attention- getting yet still terribly attractive and fashionable bandage around her shoulder. Artfully ripping her underskirts she then wrapped the strips around her arm. This required her to also rip off the sleeve of her dress, revealing now much of her throat and an almost risqué amount chest.
Satisfied, she hurried off in the direction of the meeting hall. For the battle not yet being won, there was a conspicuous lack of Uruk Hai. Runya dramatically flung open the doors of the hall where the whole company was gathered.
"Lady Runya, you're hurt!" Aragorn exclaimed, and rushed forward.
"Don't touch me and don't give me that hurt look of dejection," Runya snapped, her eyes roving the room, noticing that a certain blond Elf was not present.
"Where's Legolas?"
"I thought he was with you," Gandalf replied, but Runya didn't wait for more deliberation. She turned on her heel and sped out of the room. Outside it was raining torrents now, and all the Uruk Hai were suddenly back and fighting with malicious determination.
"Legolas!" Runya screamed, her dark hair dripping in her face very prettily. She cut through the crowd of warriors and searched desperately for her true love.
Legolas, meanwhile, was trying to understand what was going on. He had hid himself cleverly between a boulder and some fallen stone from the fortress in hope that Runya wouldn't find him.
He'd somehow seized his freewill for a few precious seconds, and he didn't intend on wasting them. He knew Runya would be looking for him, and once his eyes met her large red, or orange eyes depending on her mood, he would be under her control again.
Legolas shuddered at the thought, and wondered if it was possible for him to blindfold himself, avoid all contact with the woman, and manage to kill her.
He wasn't a murderer, though.
The Elf shook his head purposefully. No, he would have to get her somewhere an orc would see her and shoot without hesitation. He would fight her power over him. Of course! He would defy her control she placed over him, pretend, though, that he loved her madly, and then lead her to the goblins! It would work! It had too!
"Legolas?" a soft voice called from the distant sounds of battle, "Darling, where are you?"
Legolas felt his self-control slipping away like a tablecloth being tugged off a table. The Elf hastily set as many important thoughts of victory on this metaphorical table...
... But Runya was good.
"Oh Runya, you are safe!"
Runya turned to see Legolas hurrying towards her; arms outstretched to envelope her in an embrace.
"Why do you hide so, dearest?" she asked. Legolas' smile slipped from his face, and he hung his head.
"I am nothing but a coward, Runya. I love you so much I couldn't bear the thought of being killed without living a lifetime with you. I'm sorry I didn't find you, I'm sorry for not being brave, but I love you too much to care for the fate of the world."
"Hush, now," Runya said lovingly, stroking his wet hair with her long tapering fingers, "you and I, darling, are the world. All we need is each other. Our love has become the fate of the world"
"The thread of the world hath no greater care than our two hearts as one combined to rule land and sea." Legolas paused, wondering what on earth he had just said. Even Runya looked a bit puzzled. After a moment she smiled, and burst out into an original song, making the Lord of the Rings suddenly a musical.
"Oh Darling care for me,
our love will always be
above this dying world
of crime and hate unfurled.
Oh Darling care for us
as we sing this grand chorus.
Your eyes set mine on fire,
your heart is my desire."
And then Legolas found himself singing the next bit.
"Oh lovely sky above
how pure is our great love
Promise me, Treasure Sweet
my love you'll always greet!
Oh hold my hands in yours
as we open these new doors
to bind us as one soul
Oh Sweet, you make me whole."
In perfect harmony the two finished:
"So in this gift of life
we'll never have great strife
for you, my love, my dear
give me no need to fear.
Just love me as I am
Just hold me as I am
I'll love you evermore
beyond greed, hate, and war.
Just love me as I am
Just hold me as I am!"
Inside Legolas wanted to kill himself and any poor victim that had been in earshot of that sickeningly sweet love song.