Disclaimer: None of it's mine!
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Legolas gapped at the young woman who stood above him. Though she her age was only a tiny fraction of his own she seemed to have no doubt over her right to command. In fact this right seemed to apply to him as well when she glanced down at him.
"You, get up while I deal with this ruffian." She gestured imperiously at the hulking armored man standing across from them.
"Ye have no right to speak to me that way, missy." He growled unconsciously fingering one of his many weapons. His men however glanced at each other uneasily. A few of them even seemed to step slowly back, away from this threatening girl.
"I do, Commander, I think my husband would agree with me." Her pale eyes held his dark green ones, an oddity for Rhohan and she smiled coldly, "Or if his Lordship would not be so kind then surely my father would speak differently."
Legolas watched the man's eyes travel nervously down her, breaking eye contact with her. For a moment the elf was confused, could men think of nothing else? He doubted his champion would appreciate her enemy's attentions. Then he realized that the man was eyeing the girl's hand, which clutched a sword hilt.
The man opened his mouth, and then closed it. Legolas took his distraction as an opportunity to scramble awkwardly to his feet. The maneuver distinctly lacked his usual elven grace. He glanced down at himself in disgust, fastidiously attempting to remove the worst of the much to no avail.
"I think you're right to say you're husband will want words about this missy. Aye, he will. You've shamed me before my men; do not think this will be quickly forgotten!" This last he growled as he spun around stalking rather hurriedly across the mud coated street.
The fire in the young woman seemed to dim and she seemed to shrink into herself now that her audience had left. Legolas shook his head in amazement at how young she now seemed for all her elegantly embroidered blue dress and carefully arranged veil. She brushed her light colored hair out of her face and turned towards him. Even the spark of curiosity which remained seemed almost extinguished now, almost faded and lifeless.
Her face twisted into a half smile, "I believe that he speaks truly about what I shall shortly receive from my husband, yet I cannot abide by the way in which his men treat the citizens of these lands. Did he harm you?"
Legolas just shook his arm to disengage some of the clinging mud, "Only my pride."
Inara reached out to make this determination for her self, coming away with mud covered hands, she laughed, "It appears that elves can in fact get dirty does it not Legolas?"
"Hmph," Legolas' response was so reminiscent of Gimli that Inara only laughed harder. His rescuer looked at them in some bemusement, some of the griminess vanishing from her face.
Legolas turned to her, "My thanks to you; it appears that I now owe you a debt."
She simply shook her head, "It was my duty. Not all here on the farthest reaches of civilization have forgotten duty." A trace of bitterness wound its way through her words.
"We have not endangered you though? If we have we must make amends." Inara kept her hand on Legoals' arm, turning towards the sound of the girl's voice.
She gave a short bark of laughter, "No, my strange friends. No one would dare touch the Lady Marja, not even her husband." The sadness with which she spoke was hidden from neither Inara nor Legolas.
At that moment Gimli chose to make his appearance, muttering under his breath about the indecencies and fraudulent practices of innkeepers as he did. As he caught sight of Legolas his jaw dropped and he simply stared for a long moment before he burst out in a roar of laughter.
Legolas winced, glaring at his friend, hoping that his return would mean they had rooms and he could remove his new coating of mud. He certainly did not share his companions' opinion about the humor of the situation.
Marja looked Gimli over, and raised one eyebrow, "And who might you be?"
Gimli frowned, glancing from the young but elegantly clad lady to his rather disreputable looking friend, "My name is Gimli son of Gloim, my lady, and if you had anything to do with my friend's current condition I owe you my thanks."
Marja smiled slightly, "I am sorry Master Dwarf, but that was no fault but his own, I merely ensured that he did not sustain any greater injuries from my husband's men."
"Humph, it appears we still owe you a debt then. How may we repay it?"
"Actually it would give me great pleasure if you would stay with me, and join me for dinner."
"We wouldn't want to trouble you my Lady, we have gotten rooms at the inn."
"With Banahger? I could not allow you to stay there. That man is a thief."
"And of your husband lady?" Inara's soft voice interrupted their discussion. She had come to stand beside Gimli, Nodin in her arms.
Marja's face hardened, "His lordship will not be troubled with the knowledge of my activities. It is time he is reminded of whom he married in the first place." She looked down her hand tracing the filigree on the hilt of her sword, "The women of Rhohan have always been strong."
She swung up into her horse's saddle, calling behind her, "Gather what you need here in town. Any of the townsfolk can tell you where his Lordship stays." She galloped off down the street, forcing a few of the loitering soldiers to lunge out of the way, the watery sunlight glinting off the sword hanging at her side.
Author's Note:
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Well, here it is, I'm starting to get back on track now with fan fiction. It's been a rough week with homework and debate. I would have posted yesterday but I had to wait until I could get back to LOTR after seeing the Matrix, which in case you're wondering was a *beautiful* movie. Anyway, for those of you who love the little details, all the new names are either Scandinavian or Celtic, which is in my opinion similar to the ethnicity of Rhohan, so I am trying. I'll try to be Quick with the next chapter!
shortie-1318: Cool! I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.
BoredCoed: Unfortunately despite the fact I think horses are beautiful animals, they seem to react to me the same way they react to Gimli. I enjoy them from a nice safe distance. That's really cool if you can ride, if the horses enjoy your company you are a great deal more talented than I am!
itarilde-elenastar: The first teacher you should go for is my calculus teacher… No, it's ok I'll see if I can keep updating, I just had a really interesting idea for the next bit of the plot so it could get *very* interesting coming up. Not this chapter, but the next one, you'll have to tell me what you think.
White Wolf1: Well it will be sort of peaceful for awhile, little less battle with a little more strange intrigue.
littlesaiyangirl: Ah, yes I certainly am mean to our elven friend, but that's what makes it so much fun is it not?
Roseblade22: I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, the next one here is going to have quite a bit of Legolas, and it's going to be strange. I'm going to have a belated Halloween celebration of sorts.
Did you finish the second chapter in the new fic you're writing? I hope it's going well, it sounds like it's going to be interesting.
MidnightMidlight: Yep, more LOTR fun, did you like it? Do you think there should be more Inara/Gimli or is it good as is?
Star-Stallion: It's never too early for Christmas. And I agree humor is the best part of fan fics. And for the bit with Poshnak, the most fun and the most interesting part of writing is to develop the lesser known characters. I'm glad you noticed it. It's foreshadowing things to come.
Lady Jaina: Thank you!!! I know I portray Gimli a little differently, but I think it's how he deserves to be portrayed. He's very under appreciated.
Coolio02: Thank you! I will certainly try!
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