Disclaimer: Don't own him, right? Haldir: "Of course you do not, but you could own me if you wanted to." Uh, Haldir? Haldir: "Yes?" Maybe you shouldn't be dressed in a black suit while dancing to "Do You Love Me" when you say something like that. It just makes me laugh, you look like one of the men in black, and dancing is just wrong! Why are you wearing a suit? Haldir: "I have been told that a pink tutu is not appropriate for males of your species. I wished to impress our wonderfully talanted, sweet writer." Uh, Hal, you're not going to get the girl, don't start. But ya know what? If you try on some black leather pants with those really hot studs all over, then you'll get this girl.
Chapter 21 – More dreams? You've got to be kidding me.
"We depart for Mirkwood immediately." Legolas commanded several minutes later when the touching moment had passed, and only silence followed for some time. Laura's head shot up from where it had previously lay on his chest contentedly. She turned and looked at him, her face a mixture of confusion, annoyance, and amusement. "Excuse me?"
Legolas frowned at the way she looked at him, and took her hand in his. "I would tke you back immediately, to keep you safe. Someone here has attacked you, and may yet again try to cause you harm. You would be safe in Mirkwood Laura." Laura smiled at his concern, and squeezed his hand comfortingly. "I'll be fine Legolas, I do not wish to leave so soon. I…" Before she could finish her thought, Legolas has held a hand up to silence her. "Nay, we return immediately Laura, do not fight me on this."
Laura sat up, and glared at Legolas. "Sorry? Are you trying to tell me what to do?" She asked the elf angrily. Legolas frowned as she pulled away from his arms, and sat on the edge of the bed, twisted around to continue glaring at him. "Laura, the king and I have spoken, and have decided it would be best you left for your own safety." Legolas lied, but he knew otherwise she would never listen. If Aragorn, the king of Gondor thought she should leave, then he may stand a chance of getting her back to Mirkwood, and remain in one piece.
Laura frowned. The king thought she should go? "Aragorn thinks I should leave? Will I be allowed to return again?" Legolas cringed at the frown that formed on her face. He could see she was hurt Aragorn would want her to leave so soon. Legolas smiled, and nodded taking her hand in his again. "You may return when he has learned more of your attack, and attacker." Laura sighed, and nodded her resignation. Legolas cheered inwardly, he had won a battle, albiet with a lie, but he had bettered Laura for once.
The following morning Laura, and Legolas stood at the gates to Gondor, both atop the horses they had come to Gondor upon. Legolas was speaking silently with Aragorn, who looked strangely concerned, and Laura spoke sadly with Arwen. "I'm terribly sorry to be leaving so soon Arwen. I had hoped to spend some time in this beautiful city, and with you." Arwen smiled, and took Laura's hand. "I am sad to see you go my friend. I trust you will return again some day." Laura nodded sadly. "Yes, Legolas has said we can return again."
With their goodbyes said, Legolas, and Laura waved goodbye to a sad looking Arwen, and a confused, slightly annoyed looking Aragorn. Laura frowned when she saw Aragorn's face as they rode away, but decided he was merely sad to see his friend leaving so soon. Sighing, she turned to the road ahead, and turning to Legolas grinned. "Race ya home!" She laughed, and urged Buckley on at a run.
Legolas' heart jumped in his chest when she'd used to word home, and with a wide smile, urged his own horse after her. The pair rode until the horses began to grow tired of the run, and were then content to ride side by side at a walk for the rest of the day. When night finally came upon them, the pair stopped and made camp under a lone tree.
Together the two gathered wood and built a small fire for warmth. They ate the food they had packed in silence and when they finished Legolas unrolled their bedrolls and placed them together. They lay down then side by side staring up at the dark endless sky alight with all the tiny spots of light they came from the stars.
After a time Laura began to suspect that Legolas had fallen asleep. His breathing became deeper, and his eyes were shut. This worried her so she began to get up from the bedroll. A hand reached up out then to wrap itself around Laura's wrist. She looked down to find Legolas was looking up at her questioningly.
"I thought you were asleep." She began in answer to the unspoken question. "I was going to stand watch or something."
Legolas shook his head, and tugged downwards on her wrist indicating she should lie back down. "I was not asleep, nor shall I sleep until we have reached safety." Laura frowned, and lay back down beside him.
"You're not going to sleep at all?" Legolas pulled her into his arms, and she lay her head on his chest.
"Nay, I will take rest when we have reached Lothlorien."
Laura visibly tensed at the mention of the home of that insufferable elf. "We are going to Lothlorien?"
Legolas frowned as suddenly his own mind held the very same thought that ran through Laura's at the moment. One word – a name: Haldir.
"We will only take rest for a short time on the border. It is well protected." Laura frowned, and snuggled in closer to Legolas to chase away the new unbidden, and unwelcome thoughts concerning that arrogant elf.
Legolas was warm, gentle, kind, and sweet. He is also a strong, and handsome warrior. She considdered herself lucky to have his love. Haldir is nothing more than an arrogant, self-assured, tall, strong, equally handsome warrior who puts his life on the line daily to protect the people, and home he loves.
His lips soft, and gentle, yet demanding. His tongue delishously sweet. Laura's cheeks reddened as she tried in vain to push the thought of his kisses out of her mind. The thought of his big strong hands, hands of a warrior, and what they could do to her should she welcome it.
Would she welcome it? She loved Legolas right? RIGHT? Needless to say she dreaded drawing closer to Lothlorien, and the elf that now plagued her thoughts. Soon enough though her unwanted thoughts were chased awa by the blissful unawareness, and unknowing of sleep.
Insert doodily doo sound from Wayne's World here to indicate begining of dream sequence
"Laura." A musical voice caused Laura to stop her carefree running through the most beautiful woods she could ever have imagined.
Golden leaves fell from the sky all around her. White tree trunks stretched towards the clear blue sky. The air that surrounded her, embraced her was crisp and cool. She however felt neither cold, nor warm, it was pleasant, almost perfect. She felt at peace in this new unfamiliar place, she felt happy.
"Laura," again the voice called out to her.
Warrily she answered the call. "Yes?"
Silence for a time, but then as if it was on the very wind itself, the voice again sounded in her head.
"I have seen your coming Laura. Not only your coming to Middle Earth, to Arda, but your coming to my woods that you now stand in. You feel joy here Laura as this place may be your chosen path, your home. I have seen your choices. Seen what you face before you. You will come to us ten days hence, you will be greatly wearied but you must make a choice then and only then.
"One path, the path you would take in leaving my woods takes you into great peril, and requires much of you. Sacrifice, hardship, and great heartache. The path you would travel with the young prince. The other I see lies in the Golden Wood. You would live out your days in peace, and bliss. You would find great happiness and joy here. I see a wonderful future, a family, and children that would love you greatly.
"That path you would take with my Marchwarden. You have already met him, and I assure you he is not as hard as you may think. He has a good heart, and would love you with every breath he takes. I look to your coming."
Insert doodily doo sound from Wayne's World here to indicate end of dream sequence
Laura woke with a start and found it was daylight around her, and that Legolas no longer lay beside her, but stood by the horses readying them for the journey. She whispered his name causing him to turn. He found her awake, and it caused him to smile. He also whispered her name. She frowned then. "Legolas, who is Galadriel?"