Much thanks to my current reviewers and loads of love.
Me!
Canopy chapter 6
Legolas watched in horror, as Erika jumped off the two storystair railing. His heart was thundering in his chest. All he could think was, 'She is going to die.'
Not even stopping to think, Legolas jumped down a flight of ten stairs and leapt down the next.
Then he stopped short. Erika was now slowly descending to the bottom of the stairs. When she landed she looked up dazed and with a lopsided smile she fainted.
Legolas ran forward and caught her before she could fall down the rest of the stairs. Picking her up, he sighed and began the long trek back up
Erika was standing in a clearing of large trees, with bow and sword in hand. A light breeze blew through the branches, whispering to her.
"Erika, Erika,"
Erika closed her eyes and listened to the peaceful noises of the forest.
"Erika, never be afraid of who you are," The wind breathe.
"Remember Erika remember,"
"Erika, Erika," A Voice sounded in her head. Erika's eyes snapped open. She wasn't in the forest anymore. Looking around she saw she was in a large room she had never been to.
The walls were light beige with pale green swirls every now and then, and the furniture was made from a soft wooded tree, perhaps pine.
To her left was a door, which probably led to the rest of the castle. To her right was a doorway, where she could see a bath and vanity.
"Erika? Are you awake?" The voice said.
Erika turned to see who it was. It was the elf called Nathea. Erika groaned, rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.
"Erika, I understand you have been through many things that are very hard to cope with, but I believe you will never solve your problems by burying yourself in the sheets."
At this statement Erika sat up straight, glaring at Nathea. "How could you possibly understand what has happened to me, no one could," she hissed.
Nathea smiled knowingly. "Ah child that is where you are wrong. There are others like you."
Her smile grew as Erika's eyes grew wider. "You have great potential, allow me to train you, and you could see the true meaning of magic."
"What kinds of things?" Erika asked suspiciously.
"All kinds of things, you are the nymph of air, a mighty guardian, you protect Mirkwood." Nathea's voice softened. "I knew you mother."
"My mother?" Erika questioned. "You knew my mother?"
"Aye." She nodded. "Not your father though."
"Tell me about them." Erika said sitting up properly.
"I will, only if you fulfill your training."
Erika was silent for a moment. Could she trust this woman? Who were her parents, and how did she get to middle earth? What the hell, she thought, nodding in agreement.
Nathea smiled at Erika. "Welcome home. Now, as you know, your mother was the nymph of air." Erika nodded.
"All I know of your father is that he was a traveler and that one day your mother said she was with child then you were here."
Nathea paused to clear her throat. "You lived happily in the forest, until the orcs came to plunder Mirkwood.
Your mother died trying to save you your father had gone hunting that morning and had never returned we assumed the worst."
"But how did I survive?" Erika asked thoroughly confused.
"One of the wizards found you and brought you back to the meeting and the spell was cast," Nathea said, "Now I have told you. I believe you have your end of the bargain to hold up."
"Yeah, okay," Erika said getting out of bed.
Erika gasped as she looked at herself. "How the Hell did I end up in this!" Erika yelled pointing at the white nightgown she was wearing.
"Oh, I changed you into it when you fainted. You have been asleep for a day," Nathea said casually.
The memories of yesterday flooded back to her, how she had floated down and then collapsed. "How did I get here?" She questioned.
"Legolas carried you back up to this room, where you have been ever since."
Erika nodded. "Is there anyway I can have a bath?"
Nathea blinked then suddenly smiled. "Oh yes, just fill the tub and I will go and get you some clothes. Then we must have lunch."
Erika went into the bathroom and filled the tub with water from a pump on the wall. She then went to the cupboard and found a bar of goat's milk and lilac soap.
She sat in the bath for what seemed hours and washed every inch of her body. She was just drying her hair when she heard a knock at the door.
Wrapping a towel around herself, she went to the door and opened it.
It was Legolas.
Legolas's eyes widened as he saw what state Erika was in. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were busy," Legolas said, looking away.
Erika frowned. "What do you mean? I'm not busy. Have you seen Nathea? She was supposed to be getting me clothes." Erika said peering around Legolas for Nathea.
"I'll go see if I can find her," Legolas mumbled.
"Thanks," Erika said and was about the close the door when she opened it again. "Legolas," she called out, "thank you for helping me." Legolas smiled.
Erika waved and closed the door.
Not two minutes later Erika heard another knock at the door. Erika opened it and Nathea bustled in, arms laden with clothes.
"These are for you, Erika. They should last you until the end of your training. Quickly now, get changed, lunch is in 30 minutes." Nathea said, dumping the clothes in a heap on the bed.
"Here, put this on, it should be your size." Pulling a light blue dress from the heap.
Erika went into the bathroom and pulled on the dress. It was quiet elegant. It had a soft blue under material that came to her ankles and wrists. Then a simple darker blue over lay, the sleeves dripped out into a bell shape, almost touching the ground.
Erika looked in the mirror, pleased with her appearance. She walked out to Nathea.
"You look beautiful! Now, sit here, I need to do your hair."
Nathea combed all the knots from Erika's long hair until it shined, then put it into a loose braid, as to keep it out of her face.
Nathea stood back and looked at her work for a moment, before dragging Erika out the door.
Nathea led her down two flights of stairs and to a large door. Nathea pushed it open and the two were greeted by the king and Legolas, who were sitting at a table. There weretwo other elves that Erika did not recognize; a boy and a girl. Both looked quite young.
The girl elf had long blond hair with silver white streaks; she had a pale complexion and large grey eyes.
The elf had long black hair pulled off his face and dark blue eyes that seemed to bore into her. Erika inwardly shuddered.
Erika sat down in between Legolas and Nathea. Two she-elves came in carrying large trays; they put them down on the table and quietly left. Legolas and the black haired elf pulled the lids of the trays, to reveal a beautiful feast of smoked boar and turkey, with a delicate side dish of salad.
Erika was almost drooling. In the cells she had been living on dog food.
Erika filled her plate to the brim and started stuffing her face.
Nathea smiled knowingly, whereas Legolas and the blond girl stared. Erika gave a low growl and they looked away quickly. Satisfied Erika continued to devour her food.
Small talk was exchanged, but Erika took no notice of it, as she was eating her third plate of turkey.
Nathea was the first to stand up. Looking at Erika, she said, "Remember your end of the bargain. Meet me on the training fields after breakfast." Nodding to the king she left.
After the meal, everyone left except Legolas and Erika, who was guarding the table so none of the maids would take her food away.
Wiping her face with a napkin, Erika smiled at Legolas and sat back.
"Finished?" Legolas inquired.
Erika nodded and stood up, Legolas following suit.
Legolas walked her to her room, making light conversation. "Who were those other two elves?" Erika asked curiously.
"I do not know." Legolas admitted. "Father said they were guests."
"Oh my gosh, Melody!" Erika cried. "I totally forgot her, where is she?"
"She is in my quarters. I shall get her for you." Legolas offered.
"Do you know the way to your quarters?" Erika nodded. "Then I shall meet you at your room with Melody."
Legolas turned, and walked off in the other direction leaving Erika to find her way through the huge castle to her room.
"Now was it left or right?" Erika muttered to herself. Erika sighed and took the left. After several minutes of opening every door in the hallway, Erika found her room. She was just sitting on her bed when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in." Erika called.
Legolas pushed the door open with a small bundle in his arms. He sat down on the bed and handed her the small treasure. Melody was curled up in a little ball, fast asleep.
"She spent her day climbing my curtains," Legolas explained.
Erika smiled. "Thank you for looking after her, it means a lot to me." Erika gently laid Melody on one of her many pillows on the bed.
"You are welcome," He replied.
"So what do you do around here for fun?" Erika questioned.
Legolas smiled broadly "Many things. Would you like to go riding?"
Erika's eyes grew wide. "Oh yes! I love horse riding. My grandfather and I would go all the time," she said happily, "I cannot ride in this though," she said pointing at her dress.
"Do you have any other clothes?" Legolas questioned.
"Hold on, let me check." Erika hopped of the bed and went to the wardrobe. After several minutes of rummaging though, Erika pulled out her green tunic and breeches.
She ran into the bathroom to put them on.
"Ok, let's go!" Erika said enthusiastically opening the door.
Legolas smiled, got up and left the room shutting the door behind him.
They walked down the halls and out a large door that lead to a cobblestone area, it was lined several large sheds.
"In this one." He said gesturing at the first shed.
Inside Erika gasped with joy at what she saw. There were twelve enclosures; each one had a beautiful mare or stallion inside.
Legolas smiled broadly at Erika's reaction.
Erika ran up to the third stall, and inside was gorgeous chestnut mare.
The mare stuck her head over the side, as to get a closer look at the newcomer.
Erika reached out and stroked the mare's nose, feeling the velvety coat.
"I see you have taken a liking to Venea, she is a pure beauty," a voice said from behind her. Turning around she saw a young elf, which she recognized as Herenyo.
"I heard of your, talents wild one," he said grinning.
"Oh, is that so? By the way, my name is Erika." She said holding out a hand.
Herenyo bowed his head. "We shall put the scenario in the woods behind us. I am Herenyo, soldier of Mirkwood, Lady Erika Nymph of Air."
Erika blushed. "Please, just call me Erika."
Herenyo smiled. "Then it is Erika. I hope to see more of you," he said bowing once more, before leaving.
"Here, take these, I assume you know how to use them." Legolas said handing Erika a saddle bridle and other things.
"Do I ever," Erika said, grabbing the stuff as she opened the door to Venea's stable.
After both horses were saddled up, Legolas led them out into the courtyard, down another path and out into a huge grassy area.
"These are the riding fields, over there are the training fields." Legolas said, pointing to the east. His horse was a tall white stallion named Arod he seem to be very arrogant.
The two mounted their horses and trotted into the fields. Erika suddenly gunned Venea into a fast gallop, speeding away from Legolas and his stallion.
Legolas, taking the hint sped of after her. The two rode for hours chasing each other backward and forward, until Erika saw a large dark forest. Erika drew Venea to a stop and stared at the mass of trees.
"That is the darker area of Mirkwood," Legolas said, stopping beside her. "This is what you are here to destroy." Erika shuddered at the thought of even setting a foot inside the area.
Wheeling her horse around, she turned to Legolas. "I'll race you back," Erika cried galloping back towards the castle.
Erika laughed out loud as Legolas told her of Gimli's height disadvantage in the fellowship.
They were walking through the many halls. They had well and truly missed dinner, it was pitch black outside.
Legolas told Erika not to worry; they would simply eat supper in the kitchen. Erika laughed out loud again as they rounded a corner, they then heard quiet talking.
The elf and she-elf from dinner walked out of a room in deep conversation.
They stopped talking when they saw Erika and Legolas.
The elf stared; whist the blond fluttered her eyes and smiled at Legolas. Erika snorted at the both of them.
The blonde's eyes narrowed at her. "What's so funny?" She demanded haughtily folding her arms across her chest.
"Nothing. Who are you?" Erika questioned, not being one to be pushed around.
"I am Latisha, nymph of water and earth and this is Etienne, nymph of fire, and you are?" the girl said proudly.
"Erika, nymph of air. How are you a nymph of two elements?" Erika said curious.
"Well, my mother was the nymph of water and my father the nymph of earth. Simple enough?" She smirked.
Erika rolled her eyes. They had girls like this at school. "Oh, now I see, and then they made you, mud!" Erika said sarcastically.
Latisha glowered at Erika, and stepped closer to her.
Legolas didn't really want to interfere. Erika was fine by herself, although, he didn't want to be scrubbing the blood off the carpet. So he gently gave Erika's wrist a squeeze.
Erika took the hint. "Well, must be off! See you tomorrow, hopefully on the training grounds."
"Yes, then we shall see how developed you are, Erika." Latisha smirked before stalking of with Etienne.
Erika shook her head. "Well they are, interesting, would you say?"
Legolas nodded vigorously.