Author's Note:
Sorry about the long chapter couldn't really find an appropriate place to break it up. Please read and review. Enjoy!
Eight
ChangesAs they walked quickly down the hallway Elrond couldn't help but notice Legolas seemed unusually distracted. He was normally so focused on the task at hand it was hard to get his attention off it. Elrond looked over at Aquila who, to one who didn't know her well would seem as poised as ever, seemed to have lost a small amount of composure. 'Odd' Elrond thought. He then looked across at Mithrandir who seemed perfectly fine but with an air of smugness about him. 'Bingo' The Elven Lord made a mental note to speak alone with Gandalf at the next opportunity, as the old wizard clearly seemed to know what had happened to cause the disruption in behavior of Aquila and Legolas.
Before he could let his thoughts wonder further with their current topic they reached Aragorn's study. A large desk had been pushed up against the wall to make room for the chairs, which had been arranged into a circle in the room's center.
Aragorn was already seated in one of the chairs as his four guests entered. Aquila purposefully took the seat directly across from Aragorn so that she could keep a close eye on the King's reactions. Gandalf was unusually quick to take the seat on Aragorn's left and as Elrond seated himself between the Wizard and Aquila he noticed that this forced Legolas to sit in between Aquila and Aragorn. Elrond assumed Gandalf did this as Legolas would be well suited to keep the peace between Aragorn and Aquila should things heat up.
Aragorn straightened himself in his seat while he waited for everyone else to sit.
"We are all by now well aware of what has brought us all here. Something appears to be disrupting things in the Sea. Now we do not yet know if they are friend or foe?" Aragorn looked to Elrond.
"No not yet. I hope to hear from the party I sent in a few days, once they've had a chance to observe these creatures."
"I trust then that you do not recommend we attack without knowing their intentions."
"I believe that would be most unwise."
"There is no harm in gathering our allies though Elrond." Gandalf reminded him.
"That is precisely why I'm here."
"The Elves that remain in Middle Earth will help then?" Aragorn lent forward in his chair.
"I would hope so. I can only offer Rivendell's help and I am yet to speak with the Lady Galadriel in regards to Lothlórien's contribution."
"Mirkwood will aid you my friend. My father will be most pleased when he hears the news of Aquila's arrival. I imagine he may even join us."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow but said nothing on the matter of Aquila's return and it's importance to Mirkwood.
"Thank you Legolas. It is good to have friends you can depend on."
"This matter will affect everyone Aragorn. We will need as many allies as we can get." Gandalf interjected.
"I imagine Rohan will be quick to answer any call made for their assistance and Faramir would be all too willing to gather what forces he has in Ithilien."
"Good, good" Gandalf nodded in approval. He then turned to Aquila "Can we count on the Rocs for help?"
She shot him nasty look before responding with venom lacing her voice.
"You can count on my help. I'm afraid this is all I can offer as I am only the Princess of my people, not their Queen. I do not have the power to raise my father's armies against his wishes."
"Your brother commands a small part of his armies does he not?" Elrond questioned, hoping he would not upset her further but knowing that what Gandalf said was true. They were going to need all the help they could get.
"Pandion is the captain of father's entire army but even he still answers to the king. He would not have the spirit to stand against him at this time. He is still hurting."
Elrond knew that if he wanted to Pandion could order an army into battle without them ever knowing the king had not consented to it. He did not, however, wish to push the subject any further as the furry building in Aquila's eyes was not something he wished to unleash. He settled back into his chair signaling that topic of conversation was now closed. He would be sure to open it again later though, once Aquila was in a more agreeable mood, perhaps when he could get her alone……The Elven Lord allowed his thoughts to wander slightly but was snapped back into reality by Aragorn's rasping voice.
"Lord Elrond!?"
The Elf shook his head to clear it and nearly allowed himself to blush at the images his mind had conjured up. Thousands of years had taught him to control his emotions well and his face remained blank.
"I'm sorry Aragorn I'm afraid I was think of something."
Aragorn sighed, the Lord of Rivendell had had a nasty habit of tuning out of conversations since Aragorn could remember.
"Legolas was just suggesting that perhaps we should try and enlist the help of the Dwarves."
"Gimli, after all, would be more than willing to help and I'm sure he could gather some of his people to his side. Perhaps even convince other Dwarf communities to lend their aid." Legolas spoke confidently, back to himself after being thrown off his usual rhythm.
"Well thought of Legolas" Elrond nodded his approval. "We should alert those whose help we plan to enlist as soon as can be organized."
"I will ride to Rohan as soon as we are finished here." Gandalf offered.
"Good" Aragorn nodded. "I suggest Legolas speak with the Dwarves as Gimli is a good friend." He smiled at the elf who smiled back. "I think perhaps it would be best if you took Aquila with you as relations may be tested if she were to remain in the city." His voice sounded stretched as he said this, making an effort to sound as calm as possible. Legolas and Aquila both nodded.
"I will speak with the Lady and Lord of the wood." Elrond offered. "I can travel with Aquila and Legolas as far as Lothlórien. I fell it may be best that you enlist the help of your people Legolas before asking the Dwarves for their aid. After all we can count on Mirkwoods assistance and by visiting Aglarond on your return to Gondor we would ensure no delays should the Dwarves end up refusing to help." Aragorn nodded.
"I will send message to Faramir as soon as we are done. I suggest that you all leave as soon as possible. Gandalf will be safe traveling from here to Rohan but there are still roaming bands of Orcs between here and Lothlórien. So I will send a party of Men along with the rest of you for your protection."
Before Aquila could object Aragorn interjected.
"I promise they will be hand picked by me and will give you no grief."
"I was actually going to comment on the fact that it would be faster to fly but I cannot carry two Elves and a band of Men."
Aragorn looked confused so Elrond answered her.
"I think is best we keep your presence in Middle Earth as quiet as possible. If this means keeping you out of the skies so our potential enemy cannot spot you then so be it."
Aquila looked away, frustrated at being forbidden to fly.
"I'm sorry but I think it is best for now, we will simply have to ride."
Aquila closed her eyes and nodded, knowing very well that he was right. He had after all seen and fought in how many wars? She imagined he knew what he was talking about.
"Well" Aragorn said standing, inviting the others to stand with him "I suggest we find the Hobbits, have lunch and then those who will be traveling prepare to leave as soon as possible."
With that said the five walked from the study, Aragorn in the lead, speaking with Legolas about how the Elf had been since his last visit to Gondor. Aquila walked a few paces behind the two, features set and something hidden deep in her eyes.
'Was that jealousy?' Elrond wondered. 'Why would she be jealous of Legolas speaking with Aragorn?' Elrond pushed the thought aside and put the look in Aquila's eyes down to a mixture of anger towards Aragorn regarding her treatment since arriving and the frustration he had seen surface earlier at being told she could not fly.
Gandalf joined Elrond at the back of the group.
"I wish to speak with you Mithrandir."
"Oh really? What of?"
"I think you know. I do not however wish to question you on the subject in front of the others."
"Perhaps we should speak alone before you leave then?"
"Yes. We might find some time after lunch. I don't imagine it will take long."
"No it shouldn't. It was silly really."
"I will be the judge of that."
The two walked in silence as they emerged from the king's halls into the Citadel. The sun warmed them as it was now well into its climb. The small party set off down the stairs to an open courtyard where lunch was being laid out on a long table in the sunshine.
"I thought some of our guests might appreciate a meal in the open." Aragorn stated, smiling before walking over to ask a guard to fetch the Hobbits.
The lunch was light and friendly, despite the many tensions that hung over their heads. Even Aquila and Aragorn managed to put their differences aside and be half civil to one another. Throughout lunch Gandalf was kept amused by the timid flirtations occurring between Legolas and Aquila. Little things that the Wizard only picked up on cause he was looking for them. Too hard to tell if it was merely a physical attraction or if there, perhaps, was more. The way Elrond was looking at Aquila, however, had most certainly not escaped him. There was a hunger in his eyes unlike Gandalf had seen for a long time and he began to think that perhaps the Elven Lord had been without a mate for too long.
"Well I don't think I could eat or drink much more" Aragorn stood, silver goblet still clutched in his hand.
"I'm glad to see you feed your guests better than you treat them King of Gondor" Aquila remarked snidely, sending a coy smirk the king's way.
"And you are much less irritable once you have some drink in you Princess" he returned the smirk before continuing to address the rest of his guests. "We shall meet at the gates to the city in two hours to farewell those who are leaving. In that time I will organize the party that will travel with Lord Elrond, Legolas and Aquila. I suggest that you use this opportunity to relax as I know well that Elrond likes to make haste on horseback." The Elf smiled at the comment. "I hope you will hang around until everyone else departs Gandalf?"
"Yes, I believe I will." The old wizard smiled.
"Most excellent!" Aragorn threw his arms up, temporarily forgetting that he was still holding the goblet, spilling the drink on himself. "First, however, I will change my tunic." At that Aragorn excused himself amidst muffled laughter.
"'Tis such a shame we all had to come together under these circumstances. It would have been nice to enjoy our time in Minus Tirith" Elrond sighed.
The Hobbits excused themselves from the table to continue their exploration of the city. They did, however promise to see them off at the gates. They had begged to be allowed to travel with Legolas to see Gimli again but agreed to remain so long as Legolas promised to bring the Dwarf back with him, even if no other Dwarves came.
Gandalf had a hard time stopping Merry's begging to be taken with him to Rohan. The Wizard finally managed to make the hobbit cease when he told him he imagined he would be bringing at least half of Rohan's armies back with him. So the Hobbits had agreed to wait in Minus Tirith with Aragorn so that they could greet all the peoples as they arrived. Frodo and Sam were also eager to see Faramir again and had been promised he and the Lady Éowyn would be arriving in the city before the end of the day.
Once the hobbits had left Gandalf turned to question Aquila about the Rocs. As always she answered his questions as best she could. Most of them seemed to be regarding the general well being of her people and how they were prospering.
"Funny how all those reports of Men and Elves and the like seeing Rocs in the skies were true." He smiled and looked off into the sky. "I wont ask you where you are residing because clearly you are not going to tell me but I would like to know if you fly from your hiding place often?"
"Only when it is necessary and as for your next question" she began, preempting the Wizard "My brother's children had never been to the sea and being royalty gives you certain advantages so they went with a fishing expedition."
Gandalf nodded and chuckled at her eagerness to explain everything.
The conversation soon turned to Gandalf's journey's across Middle Earth and for all the interest Aquila had in the Wizard's accounts the lack of sleep coupled with the wine from lunch caused her eyelids to drop and before she knew it she had fallen asleep across the chair she was seated in. Her back supported against one of its wooden arms, her legs dangled over the other.
Gandalf smiled warmly when he noticed she had dropped off.
"Don't imagine she got much sleep chained to that column."
"No and on top of that she flew for three days straight with no rest. On the fourth night, which was the night we arrived, we paused for a short rest to wait for the sun to go down but she would have only slept for a few hours then." Elrond sighed.
Legolas quickly excused himself from the table and made his way towards the stairs leading to the Citadel with seeming great purpose. Both Elrond and Gandalf raised eyebrows as he disappeared from sight.
"I suspect he's off to speak with Aragorn regarding the treatment of…" Gandalf motioned to the sleeping Roc with a nod of his head.
"What makes you say that? Does this have something to do with what happened earlier?" Elrond leaned across the table so that he could lower his voice and still be heard by Gandalf.
"Perhaps." The wizard stated simply "But you saw the way he reacted last night surely. I know you would have acted the same were you still his age. You only held back because you knew wiser."
"I suppose you're right" Elrond muttered. "Enough with the sidestepping Mithrandir, are you going to tell me what happened while Aragorn and I were speaking or not?" His voice was barely above a whisper now. He did not wish to wake the sleeping Princess, how beautiful she looked when she slept. Once again Elrond caught himself staring at the girl and it was not until he felt Gandalf's eyes on him that he realized he was. He coughed awkwardly and turned his eye's to meet Gandalf's laughing ones. The Elven Lord sighed and rolled his eyes upwards.
"Am I not allowed to enjoy a beautiful female now?"
"No of course not" the wizard shook his head before breaking out into a wide grin. For about the first time in several millennia Elrond felt like sinking right through his chair. "She is quite striking though." Gandalf continued, "I can see why Legolas may have an interest." He watched carefully to gauge the Lords reaction.
"Legolas?" Elrond looked surprised, jealous, and happy all at the same time. "Did I miss something? I know they used to inseparable friends but you seem to think there may be deeper feelings now?"
"Yes, just little things. They're both still very young adults as immortals go, it could very well be they're just seeing one another in a different light now they're grown."
"I take it then what happened earlier, when they both seemed off, had something to do with this?"
"Oh yes, nothing really happened at all. Legolas was replacing Aquila's Scimerang for her and his hand brushed over her hip. Gave her quite a start and shook him up a little too. I don't imagine either of them as ever considered the other in a sexual manner and I imagine it was a eye opening encounter."
"Quite." Elrond leaned his head on his hand.
"I don't think it's very serious though. You might still be in with a chance." Gandalf added with a chuckle. Elrond responded by throwing a stray grape at the wizard. It bounced off his arm and he laughed harder as Elrond sank back into his chair.
After excusing himself from the others Legolas wasted no time trailing Aragorn. He had allowed his friend enough time to make it to his chambers and change his tunic before heading off after him. He decided it was high time he confronted Aragorn on matters concerning Aquila. It was difficult having two of your best friends fighting constantly about things they should be trying to put behind them. There was no sense cornering Aquila on the matter, after all it was the race of men who were responsible for her being forced to leave Middle Earth. She remembered it well too, so did he. Aragorn however, was not alive when the Rocs had left. His thoughts of them were based on what he had read in Minas Tirith's history books. He was also raised predominantly by Elrond and the other Elves in Imladris and it was this that Legolas was hoping would perhaps allow Aragorn to see the situation from another angle. If not, perhaps he could come to some sort of truce whereby they agreed not to argue in his presence.
Legolas had visited Minas Tirith often since Aragorn had been crowned its King and he knew his way around relatively well. He walked quickly through the entrance to the throne room and then out into the long hall. He made his way up several flights of stairs, past the guests rooms they had been given for their stay there, all except Aquila. He reached the floor that Aragorn's chambers were located on and as he stepped out onto the landing he almost collided with Arwen.
"I'm so sorry Lady Arwen, I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Oh it's not your fault Legolas. I really shouldn't be walking backwards yelling things down the corridor at my husband." She smiled warmly at him. "It's good to see you again though I wish you were staying longer. Aragorn tells me you're heading off this afternoon."
"Yes I'm afraid we are" Legolas shifted impatiently. Normally he loved catching up with Arwen but today he was in a hurry. "Elrond thinks it best that we leave as soon as possible."
"Very wise of him" she smiled and tilted her head to the side "Are you in a hurry to be somewhere?"
"Actually I really need to speak with Aragorn before we leave."
"Yes, I hear we have a Roc in the city? I was most excited to find out. It's a shame Aragorn does not feel the same way. I'll see you off at the gates before you leave. Perhaps you can introduce me to your Princess then?" Arwen winked before turning and walking down the stairs Legolas had just come up. The playfulness involving Aquila was lost on Legolas, as he was busy trying to think of the best way to confront Aragorn on the matter he wished to discuss.
He continued on down the corridor until he came to a large wooden door, which had been left slightly ajar. The Elf took a deep breath and knocked loudly.
"Come in"
Legolas slipped quietly into the room and shut the door behind him.
"Legolas" Aragorn sighed "I'm glad you're here, I've been wanting to speak with you since I woke this morning." It was then that the king noticed Legolas had not moved from his position in front of the door and his features were set, eye glaring daggers at the King. Aragorn groaned. "Not you too. What is it?"
"How can you sit here and pretend last night never happened!? She is my friend Aragorn and not only did you treat her with less respect than you would a stray dog you humiliated her!" Aragorn could tell his friend was fuming but he wasn't about to let him hold the high ground, not after everything he had kept from him.
"You want to talk about pretending Legolas? Then how bout we talk about where your 'lucky feather' really came from? Or even better, why don't we discuss why you aren't called 'Prince' Legolas?" Aragorn's breathing had quickened due to his anger. Legolas looked like he had been slapped in the face and Aragorn almost regretted bringing up the obviously sensitive topic in such a thoughtless manner. Luckily for Aragorn the Elf's features softened and he sighed, hanging his head.
"You are right. I have no right to accuse you of anything when I have told you anything but the truth on the matter."
Aragorn motioned for Legolas to take a seat on the bed next to him. Legolas sat down and locked eyes with Aragorn.
"I wanted to tell you Aragorn. You are one of my dearest friends and you have no idea how hard it was keeping it all from you. You can understand why I did though? The way you reacted to her last night was more than enough proof that keeping my friendship with her a secret was the best thing to do."
Aragorn chose not to respond to this as he knew what his friend was saying was all true. He would have died had he know that Legolas was friends with a Roc, but then again perhaps it would have caused him to been more eager to find out about them from Elrond. Then he would have seen the story from the others perspective. Either way it didn't matter, things had played out as they had and it had brought them here.
"I will tell you now everything you wish to know. All you need do is ask." The whole time Legolas never let his eyes leave Aragorn's.
"Thank you Legolas. I found out a lot last night courtesy of some visions Elrond sent to me in my sleep."
"What did he show you?"
"Some things I would rather not see again, the slaughtering of the Rocs by my people being one of them." Legolas lowered his gaze and his voice became dull.
"Yes. I don't imagine you would, but think of how they feel. Many of the Rocs killed have families that still live."
Aragorn's eyes darkened at this realization, it had escaped him that the Rocs were immortal. They had lived through those times, he had not. What position did that leave him in?
"What else?" Legolas prompted.
"You and her, when you were small. By a stream I think it was. You were saying goodbye." The sadness in Legolas' eyes was like none Aragorn had ever seen and he wanted nothing more than to hug his friend but pride would not allow it. "You lost more than a friend that day didn't you?"
"Aquila was taken I gave away my title feely, I did not lose it."
"Why did you?"
"I'm not sure. It seemed the right thing to do at the time. I don't know, I guess I blamed father in some way for not stopping them from leaving. I knew giving up my right to the throne would anger him to no end." Legolas smirked, reliving the moment he had told his father what he'd done.
"So all you said about having to earn your title?" Legolas laughed.
"All made up by father to explain why no one was allowed to call me Prince. No one could till the ring was returned to me."
"And now?"
Legolas held up both hands.
"Do you see my ring?"
"No but she has it. The silver one with the leaves, I've seen it on her finger."
"True but I cannot take it back. It must be returned to me freely."
"Didn't she agree to return it to you when she came back just as you did her feather?"
Legolas looked blankly at his friend then desperately began to search his memory. Finding it he smiled.
"You're right we did agree to that. I imagine she has forgotten just as I have. I've sort of grown used to people not using my title. I imagine it would be strange to be called Prince Legolas." He smiled at Aragorn. "She will return it when she is ready."
Aragorn thought this an odd thing to say but did not push the matter. It suddenly occurred to him that the two hours he had set were quickly slipping by and he had still yet to organize the party that would be traveling with Elrond, Legolas and Aquila.
"I'm sorry to have to rush off Legolas but I have so much to see to before you are to depart." Aragorn stood but before he could make it to the door Legolas' voice stopped him.
"Wait! There is one thing I came to ask of you Aragorn though I almost feel as though it is no longer necessary. I believe you're beginning to understand the hurt and pain the race of Men caused the Rocs and I hope in time you can put this ugly past behind you. However until you can accept Aquila as a friend of yours I ask that you accept her as a friend of mine. I would truly appreciate that you treat her with as much respect as possible and that you attempt not to argue with her in my presence."
Aragorn grinned at Legolas who smiled back.
"I will try my best my friend. I will see you at the gates then?"
Legolas nodded and let Aragorn pass through the doorway and into the hall. The Elf stood still for only a few moments before he too headed back down the stairs.
Gandalf was still laughing after being hit by the grape when Aragorn strode up to the table.
"And what, may I ask, is so funny?"
"Nothing" Elrond mumbled "I don't think he's laughed in a very long time and one little joke has had him going for at least five minutes. How are preparations going?"
"I got distracted momentarily"
"Yes, Arwen came by earlier saying Legolas had cornered you in your room. Glad to see you made it out in one piece."
"We have come to an understanding with regards to the Lady's treatment" Aragorn waved a hand in Aquila's direction. His comment however, only got Gandalf laughing harder. Aragorn looked confused while Elrond growled quietly to himself. "Anyway. I must be off, I still have to organize your accompanying party and send a messenger off to Ithilian." With that said Aragorn took off once again but this time in the opposite direction.
"Would you stop it?" Elrond hissed at Gandalf who was finally managing to suppress his laughter.
"I'm sorry Elrond, you must understand it's all very amusing."
"So it would seem."
Gandalf then glanced over at Aquila's sleeping form and frowned.
"That chair will do nothing for her back, especially seeing as you'll be riding for the next few days. Someone should take her up to one of the guests beds where she can get a decent sleep." Gandalf raised an eyebrow suggestively at Elrond.
"Stop it and I mean it Mithrandir." The Wizard held his hands up in front of him defensively. "You are right though, about her back." Elrond turned his head in the direction on the stairs as he heard soft footsteps approaching. "Care to test your theory Gandalf?" Elrond asked with a smirk. Though every five in his body cried for him to be the one to carry the sleeping girl up to his bed where perhaps she would get no sleep at all, he couldn't bare the thought of fending off any more of Gandalf teasing.
"How so?" Gandalf asked just as Legolas rounded the corner. "Ah, I see" He too smiled.
Legolas crossed the courtyard to the table with long graceful strides but before he had the chance to take his seat again Elrond stopped him.
"I hear talks with Aragorn went well."
"Better than I thought they would." The Elf smiled.
"That's good. Listen Mithrandir and I were just discussing how Aquila really shouldn't be sleeping like that…" Legolas was quick to cut him off.
"She hasn't slept for days! How would you fare after flying all that way on only a few hours sleep only to be chained to a column where you got even less sleep!"
Elrond looked almost shocked at the sudden outburst but merely smiled at Legolas.
"If you had allowed me to finish Legolas. What I was going to say is she really shouldn't be sleeping like that, as in that position. It's going to cramp her back and we have several days of riding ahead of us."
"I see. So you want to wake her?" He looked confused.
"No, neither myself nor Lord Elrond have the heart to wake the poor thing."
"You want me to wake her?"
"No, we were wondering if you'd be so kind as to carry her up to the guest room Aragorn provided you with and allow her to get some sleep on a proper bed."
"Oh…"
"We would do it ourselves but you know with old age comes the inevitable bad back." Gandalf added with a phony cringe as he stretched his back. Elrond merely nodded. Legolas looked suspicious, he knew neither of them had anything close to a bad back but he decided that what they said made sense. Why they had to make excesses he didn't know. He decided they were probably just being lazy or had consumed too much wine and didn't want to let on. Either way it didn't bother him so much. What did bother him was the two sets of eyes upon him as he made his way over to the sleeping Princess. He bent down and gently lifted her into his arms; one under the bend in her knees while the other supported her neck and back. He cradled her to his chest, making sure she would not slip from his grasp, and then carried her across the courtyard and up the stairs. All the while aware of the two pairs of eyes following his every move. Elrond and Gandalf exchanged a look as Legolas disappeared from sight.
He carried her the way he had just come, being sure to step as carefully and lightly as possible so he didn't wake her. Up the stairs to the courtyard of the Citadel where he received several odd looks from the guards but none said anything. His light footfalls made little noise as he crossed the throne room and entered the long hallway. Aquila stirred slightly in her sleep as Legolas took the first step of the large staircase. He paused for a moment but when she didn't seem to be moving anymore he continued up the stairs. The guest chambers were located on the second floor, the floor below where Aragorn's chambers were located. Legolas left the staircase at the second landing and walked carefully down this hall to the third door on the right, which was the room he had been given to stay in.
He paused in front of the door, suddenly feeling odd about the whole situation. He would just take her in, place her on the bed, make sure she was comfortable and then leave her so she could get some well-deserved sleep. He nodded to himself. However at the back of his mind a little voice insisted that were he to take her in there much nicer things could happen than her sleeping. Legolas furrowed his brow at this voice. His body seemed to agree whole-heartedly with it as every fiber in him tingled. He shook his head hard to clear his thoughts and once he was sure the voice had gone he turned the doorknob and entered the room.
He left the door slightly ajar, planning to shut it on his way out. He crossed the room to the freshly made bed. First dilemma, how was he going to pull the sheets back with Aquila still in his arms? He decided it was a warm enough day to just let her rest on top of the blankets, he doubted she'd even notice she was so sound asleep.
He leant over the bed and gently slid her from his arms onto the soft mattress, ensuring her head was laid against the pillow. He straightened himself and smiled at her sleeping form. He still couldn't believe she was really here, how many times had he dreamed of her return? It would have been more often then he could count. When he was younger he used to sit in a tree on the edge of Mirkwood and watch the skies for any signs of his friend. He could have sworn he'd seen a Roc at least once but everyone put it down to a desperate mind, clinging to a lost memory. Maybe, now that he thought about it, they really were Rocs he'd seen.
He turned and made his way quietly across the room to the door.
"Lie with me?" Aquila whispered her voice softened with sleep. She lay on her side, facing him her eyes barely open. Legolas turned back and looked at her questioningly. "I would feel safer if I knew you were with me Legolas. This place is full of Men who hate my kind. I would not like to be left sleeping alone in a building full of them." She smiled and held her arm out to him. He smiled back and crossed the room to the bedside, forgetting completely that he was still yet to close the door.
He placed his hand in hers and let her led him onto the bed. He placed a knee carefully beside her and used this to lift himself up. He then placed his other knee to her other side, temporarily straddling her before he shifted his first knee to follow the second. She released his hand as he settled beside her. He lay down next her and, pushing some of her hair out of the way, lay his head on the pillow beside hers. Her back remained to him and he moved his body up against her. She sighed sleepily and pressed herself back against him. Legolas' breath hissed out as this simple act set all his nerves on fire. He held his breath for a moment and let it out only when he heard Aquila's breathing slow to that of one sleeping. She stirred once more but then seemed to lie still.
Once Legolas was sure she was in as deep a sleep as she was going to get he slipped his arm about her small waist, pulling her closer to him. Pressing her back against his front and enjoying the feeling of her closeness. The skin on her stomach was soft and smooth. He desperately wanted to stroke the feathers along her legs or even better, the ones that covered her breasts. He didn't though, the good, responsible voice in his head taking charge on that decision. It was not long before he too drifted into a light sleep. His arm still circled about her waist and his face buried in the crook of her neck.
To be continued…
Disclaimer:
I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the places, characters, items, etc associated with it. I am not making any money from this piece of fiction and am merely borrowing these places and characters to place in a new situation for your and my amassment.
However, the Rocs, the City of Cirus, Aquila, Pandion, Audax and any other characters, weapons, places, etc associated with the Rocs are my own creation and I lay full claim to them.