Between the Lines
By penpunk
Disclaimer: Elements of my fic are owned by JRR Tolkien and I am not making any money of off this.
Chapter 8: On the Road Again
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Kat spent her last day in Mirkwood shooting at the archery range and spending time around the palace. She would miss this place. Even in her short time in the Northern Realm, she had grown very fond of the dark forest, but the situation with Legolas was enough to not feel bad about leaving.
Kat woke up the next day refreshed and ready to leave. She packed her, -Elenril's, belongings and gave them to an elf to be packed onto her horse. As she sat in front of a mirror, braiding her long black hair, Legolas walked into her room carrying a small bundle with him. Kat turned around and stood up as he stopped to stand next to her bed.
Legolas' mouth turned into an amused smile when he saw that the she-elf had forgone all the beautiful riding dresses she had in possession to instead wear the same blue tunic and riding pants that the lake-men had given her.
"What?"
Legolas realized he had been staring at Elenril for a few moments and quickly looked away. Kat smiled as she saw a faint hint of red show on his cheeks. He looked back up at her as he held out the parcel in his arms.
"You've expressed your hatred for dresses numerous times, my- er, Elenril. I had these made for you," said Legolas. He set the parcel on Elenril's bed. "We are ready to leave whenever you are my Lady."
With that, Legolas turned and walked out the door. Kat watched the retreating elf as he left and then looked down at the parcel he left. She walked over to her bed, sat down, and pulled the package closer. She opened the dark green wrapping to reveal a stack of clothing. On top was a blue silk tunic. Kat unfolded it and saw that it was smaller than a normal tunic and looked to be the perfect size for her. Underneath the tunic was a pair of black riding pants, also small and fit to her size. But what was under the clothes really delighted Kat. In the package was a pair of black soft leather boots. Real shoes.
Kat quickly undressed and slipped on her new clothes. They fit her perfectly and comfortably. She rejoined in the feeling of real shoes oh her feet. She was about to walk out the door and leave when something silver caught her eye. She looked down and saw a hair clasp. It was a tiny fragile looking thing with a leaf motif. She looked down at her tunic and saw silver stitching that matched the clasp.
"The boy can put an outfit together at least," thought Kat as she took the clasp and walked back over to the mirror. She unbraided her long hair and instead put it up into a half ponytail. She secured her hair with the clasp and pulled out her long, curling side locks. She then bundled up her old tunic and pants and tied the dark green wrapping around them.
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"So my friend," said Galarien as Legolas finished packing his horse. "When will I see you again? I did not expect to part with you so soon."
"To tell you the truth, neither did I," said Legolas with a smile. "The journey will not be long if everything goes as planned."
"Yes, well plans have been good for nothing lately," said Galarien as he shook his head. "Just return safe friend."
"I will," said Legolas. He turned his head as he saw Elenril walking out of the palace with his father. She was wearing the new clothes he had brought her. Legolas had had them made as sort of an apology for the last few days. He couldn't help but notice the way the new tunic and riding pants flattered her body.
Get a grip Legolas. He couldn't let his thoughts stray. He had a journey ahead of him and he wasn't going to let anything get in the way of his goal of returning the troublesome she-elf home.
"Legolas, are you ready to leave?" asked Thranduil as he led Elenril to her horse. Legolas nodded as he walked over to Elenril. He held out a hand to help her onto her horse. She took it without a glance at him.
"Do you find your new clothing acceptable Elenril?" asked Legolas as he handed her the reigns.
"Very much so," said Elenril as she took the leather strap. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Legolas tried to regain eye contact with Elenril but saw that it was a losing battle and walked over to his horse.
"So that is the gift you told me about yesterday," said Galarien as Legolas mounted his horse. "Odd. . . ."
"Odd?"
"Elenril? Wanting something other than jewelry or men?" asked Galarien with a wry smile. Legolas was not amused.
"She expressed a dislike for dresses," said Legolas as he took the reigns of his horse. "She insisted on wearing a set of clothing she received second hand from a man from Esgaroth we met on the way here. I though shed be better suited in something more feminine."
"Or maybe she was hinting at something else," said Galarien, the smile still on his lips. "Perhaps she has a particular dislike for clothing when she's around you."
"Galarien, I suggest you hold your tongue, unless you want an arrow through it," Legolas hissed dangerously. Without looking at his friend, he moved his horse over to Elenril.
"Be careful Legolas," said Thranduil as he patted Legolas on the leg. The elf shook off the coldness he had shown his friend and smiled warmly at his father. "You as well Princess. We will miss you here in Mirkwood."
"Thank you for everything," said Kat genuinely. "I will miss Mirkwood as well."
"My lady?" said Galarien as he walked over to Kat's mount. "I have a gift for you."
Galarien look the bow and quiver off his back and handed them up to Kat.
"So you remember Mirkwood," he said with a smile to Kat and Legolas also. "You may use it to keep young Legolas in line. I heard you were quite talented."
"Oh, um, thank you," said Kat as she looked over the bow. It was similar to the one she used at the archery field but was made of a darker wood and was slimmer and a little shorter, more suited to her size.
Legolas caught Galarien by the shoulder as he head back towards the city.
"Is that your handiwork?" asked Legolas as he motioned towards Kat as she examined her new weapon.
"Aye, it is," said Galarien.
"And you reason for it?"
"I saw her practicing yesterday, my Lord. You could another marksman, er- markswoman. Do not underestimate this journey. It is a dangerous one. She could be of use."
Legolas though about Galarien's reasoning for a moment before deciding that he was right. Legolas was underestimating this trip. There were many dangers they could encounter. Many things hid in the shadows of Mirkwood and along the base of the Misty Mountains.
"You are right," said Legolas. "We will be careful."
Legolas moved his horse next to Kat. He looked at her for a moment before urging his horse to a canter. Kat took one last look at Mirkwood before following Legolas out of the elf city.
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After a few hours of riding at a fast pace, Legolas slowed his horse to a walk. Kat had been riding at his side most of the way, straying behind only on a few occasions.
"Legolas," said Kat as she pulled up her horse next to him. "Aren't we going to wear out the horses as this pace?"
To her surprise, Legolas let out a small laugh.
"We're riding elven horses Elenril. They could go at this pace for days," Legolas reached down and patted his horse's neck. "There is no horse finer than Blaith in all of the Northern Realm."
Kat looked over at Legolas' dark brown stallion. Her own horse was a white mare and a very good horse as well. She responded to every command Kat gave her.
"Legolas, what is my horse's name?" asked Kat after a few moments.
"Sitha," said Legolas after he looked over at the horse. "A fine mount as well."
"Sitha," repeated Kat quietly to herself. She reached down and patted Sitha on the neck. "Nice to meet you Sitha. You are a good horse. Yes you are."
Legolas watched Kat talk to her horse and pat her on the neck. Her actions caused a smile to escape his lips. She looked up suddenly, causing Legolas to look away quickly. Kat smiled as she saw him try to act smooth. She let go of her reigns briefly to stretch her arms over her head. This action caused her to lightly brush the bow and quiver she had around her back.
"Legolas, why did Galarien give me this?" said Kat as she motioned to the bow on her back. "It's not that I don't like it, because I do, it's just that I haven't ever talked to him and I don't see why he would give me this."
"Well, for one, he's just like that," said Legolas with a smirk. It was true, his best friend was unusually generous, even for an elf. "And because he saw that your talents deserved to be served well with a fine weapon. Also because he fears that we will be in danger and your skills could be needed if we are attacked."
"Attacked?" said Kat with surprise. "I thought you said this was an easy journey."
"Well, it is. We just have to be careful and avoid certain things."
"Things? Things like what?" asked Kat with a little apprehension.
"Spiders. Big spiders. Bands of orcs," said Legolas, avoiding looking into Kat's eyes. "Really, we shouldn't worry."
"But. . . ."
Legolas took a deep breath.
"But, it is possible we could run into problems."
"How possible?"
"Please Elenril," said Legolas with a sigh. "I don't know. The best thing would be to not worry about it."
"How can I? Giant spiders?"
"Don't blame me," said Legolas, holding up his hands in front of him. "You asked."
"I hate spiders."
"They are an essential part of nature," said Legolas.
"Big elf eating spiders?"
Legolas shook his head and urged his horse into a run. He didn't need any more questions.
"Legolas? Where are you going? Answer my questions!" yelled Kat as she followed behind the escaping elf. She caught up with him as he slowed his horse. "Why are you running away?"
"I'm not used to you being so. . . so. . . inquisitive," said Legolas as he looked over at her.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," said Kat as she adjusted the quiver on her back. "Besides, would you rather me go back to having no voice at all?"
Legolas continued looking at her, but he didn't answer.
"Legolas?"
"I do enjoy you having a voice," said Legolas. "It's been almost five hundred years since I talk to you last."
Legolas fell silent and Kat decided to hang back behind him. Kat wondered to the extent that Elenril hurt this proud elf. He still seemed to be hung up on it, which Kat felt sorry for him for. What could she do? Apologizing, sure, but what good would it do? She only knew a few details, and even so, the apology would not be sincere. She could be sincerely sorry for what the real Elenril did but that wouldn't be good enough. Not for herself.
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A few days passed and Kat and Legolas were still riding on, stopping briefly to rest themselves and the horses. Kat wondered why she had gotten so worked up over the dangers they could encounter. They had been riding for days and had seen only normal animals. No giant spiders, or orcs, or anything unnatural. Along with the lack of danger was also the lack of hostility Legolas was showing her. Pleasant conversations were coming more frequently. Still, they argued as much as they talked, but Kat reveled a little more in arguing, now that she could argue back.
"How much longer do you think we'll be?" asked Kat as they again slowed the horses to a walk. The sun was setting and Legolas thought it wise to walk their horses through the night, not wanting to run straight into danger.
"Four more days perhaps," said Legolas as he dropped the reigns on Blaith and grabbed a water skin off his pack. He took a sip of water and handed it over to Kat. She simply shook her head. He closed it and put it back on his pack before taking up the reigns again. "Are you anxious to return home?"
"I. . . I don't know," said Kat as she shook her head. "I don't know where I want to be."
"You don't know?" said Legolas with a puzzled grin. "Shall we just continue riding throughout Middle-earth until you figure out where?"
"That would be lovely," said Kat with a smile. "I love to travel."
"Really? I never knew that," said Legolas as he furrowed his brow. "Do you do it often?"
"No, not really," She said. It was true. Back in her own life, she rarely left New York.
"So you are enjoying yourself right now then?" asked Legolas. "I mean, with all the traveling you've done lately."
"Well, lets see. I've been unconscious on all my journeys so far at least once. I'm still debating whether or not I'm enjoying myself," said Kat wryly.
"Well, this journey's been relatively uneventful so far, wouldn't you say?" asked Legolas.
At that moment, an arrow flew right in front of Kat, causing her to fall backwards slightly out of surprise. Legolas stopped his horse and pulled out an arrow quickly. Kat looked over at the arrow sticking out of the tree. It had ugly black feathers and was very big.
"Orcs!" cried Legolas. "Go Elenril. Go!"
Kat kicked her horse and galloped ahead, Legolas following behind her closely. He had his bow drawn and his torso was turned on the horse, shooting behind him. Kat looked back briefly and could see a dark mass of beings running after them. Thankfully, they were on foot, but that wasn't stopping the arrows from whizzing past them.
"You were saying Legolas?" said Kat to herself as she galloped forward, the forest darkening as the sun sunk lower in the sky. Her horse suddenly reared forward as another mass of black jumped out in front of them. Nine or so orcs met them from the front, while a band of another ten closed in on them from behind. "Legolas!"
He spun forward and saw the group of orcs running towards them from the front. He shot the arrow he had drawn in front, taking down one of them.
"Elenril! I need you to take the smaller group," said Legolas as he turned his horse around to fight behind them. Kat cursed as she took the bow of her back and pulled out an arrow. She drew it back, aimed as best as she could and let it go. It flew ahead and caught one of the hideous beings in the throat. Shock that she had just killed something flooded over, but she shook herself out of it and pulled another arrow out of her quiver. She drew it back and let it go. It strayed off course slightly and caught one of the orcs in the shoulder. It was taken back slightly, but proceeded to pull the arrow out and kept running forward.
Kat hurriedly pulled out another arrow, but her nerves were getting to her and her hands started to shake as she tried to nock another arrow.
"Come on, come on," she thought to herself as she tried desperately to put the arrow on the bowstring. Finally, she got it and drew the bow back. She let go and caught one of the orcs in the face. But that was only two down and she still had six rabid creatures advancing on her. They were close and Kat back Sitha up as they continued running towards her.
"Legolas!" she cried. She turned around and saw that he was off his horse, fighting with knives he kept in his quiver. He turned around and saw the orcs approaching her. He turned and slashed the last orc on his side across the throat before running around to the front of her horse.
"Go Elenril. Ride back from where we came," he said as he readied himself for the new wave of enemies.
"What about you? You can't take on them by yourself," said Kat as she looked in his eyes.
"Go. NOW!"
Kat turned Sitha around and started to gallop away. What was she supposed to do now? There could be more orcs where these had come from. She turned around briefly to see if there was another alternative. At that moment, she saw the golden head of the elf prince flip back and fall to the ground. He was trying to regain his standing position but the orcs were closing in on him. Kat watched in horror as they descended upon him.
"Legolas!"
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Wow, it's been a while since I updated last. Sorry for making everyone wait. It wasn't my intention at all. All the responses to the reviews I received for the last chapter are in the index. I hope you liked this chapter.