Part Two

No Escape

The future ain't determined

The present comes and goes

Life's a game of ultimate chance

With an outcome no one knows

But there's a shadow on my tail

A hurt so deep and wide

The dim recollection of yesterday brings

A past from which I cannot hide

Vēnea – Can't Hide from the Past

I waited on the outskirts of the camp, while the one known as Estel tended to the wounds of my friend. I dared not go any closer, the leering faces and sheer bulk of the men who occupied this camp frightened me. I continued my vigil, vainly wishing none of this had happened and Oselle and I were in our own camp a hundred metres to the South. I hunched miserably against the wooden tent supports and tried to blend in with the tent material, hoping to go unnoticed by these soldiers. So preoccupied was I with my camouflage that I failed to notice the approaching figure.

With some trepidation Legolas approached the trembling figure. This boy seemed barely weaned yet there he was fighting in one of the ugliest battles Legolas had seen in all of his many years. The precise age was hard to determine without seeing his face, but Legolas would have guessed him to be about seventeen. With a sigh Legolas reached out a hand to touch the boy. Just a child...

I leapt away from the sudden contact and span on my heel, attempting to flee in any direction just to get away. Strong hands grabbed me from behind and something inside snapped as I panicked at the restrictive touch.

This was not the response Legolas had been expecting at all. The fear in the human's eyes alarmed him and with a sudden revelation Legolas realised that this was no boy. It was a terrified young girl and the elf kicked himself for not noticing sooner, or at least suspecting by her response when they entered the camp of men. He could now understand the response she was giving and he wrapped his arms about her waist and began trying to calm her fears.

A quiet voice began whispering to me in Elvish and I recognised the words Oselle had spoken every night since we met,

"It is alright. Fear not, I am near, I will not let any harm come to you." I relaxed into his grip, as it was now obvious I was not going to get out of it and allowed myself to be lowered gently to the floor. Warily I turned to face him and once again found myself staring into the mesmerising blue, grey eyes of the Prince of Mirkwood.

"I am Vēnea," I whispered not trusting myself to speak loudly, lest my voice betray me and tremble. " I came here with my friend, Oselle, the elf your healer is tending." The Prince gave a slight nod, but his intense gaze never left mine and I could fell my heart rate quickening.

"I know," came his soft reply, "I was there. You were not injured yourself I hope?" I shook my head in the negative and he straightened slightly from his crouch in relief. "Come, " he said locking his hand around my wrist and helping me to stand, "This camp is no place for young women, you shall sleep with my friends and I tonight. Osellë will be resting there too."

I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding at his statement, and unconsciously slid my hand into his and gave it a small squeeze in thanks. He glanced down at our interlaced fingers and I tried to pull out, thinking I had done wrong, but he tightened his own grip, giving me a small smile and holding my hand firmly in place.

I relaxed against him, letting the tension that had accumulated in me throughout the day ebb away. He must have noticed this change in me for he shifted stance slightly, bringing his arm under my shoulders to give extra support. I frowned at this change in position, not wanting to let him think I was weak and couldn't stand alone. He let out a laugh at my expression and turned towards me as we walked,

"As I said before, I do not think you weak for needing my help and I see it a privilege to be the one to escort such a beautiful young lady to our humble camp." The merriment twinkling in his eyes was contagious and I could not help but laugh as he lowered me gently onto a pile of cloaks amassed in the corner of a tent. "This the tent of my friend Estel, the healer you saw before. You will be with he and Oselle in here." He explained as he fussed with the cloaks, arranging them so that they covered my legs and torso.

I let out a snort and graced him with my blackest look as I noticed what I took to be his coddling. He laughed once more and rocked back on his heels, "Vēnea, I think you and I are more alike than we seem!" with one final, warm smile he left me there, and headed back to help the healer tend to Osellë. I closed my eyes dreamily and wondered how his lips would feel on mine. My last thought before sleep claimed me was of his entrancing eyes and they way they danced when he laughed.

The house was burning. Flaming timber crashed to the ground in front of me and my starved lungs that gasped for air were filled once more with acrid smoke. I tried to draw breath to scream, to cry out for help, but my strength had all but fled me.

I stumbled through the hell of flames and clouds of dark smoke that drifted across my vision like remnants of a nightmare after waking, my thoughts bound on one quest. Mother. The orcs had come, they had taken her and set torches to the house. Where was she? Had they killed her? A curse on them if they had, a thousand curses, each more terrible than the last.

I stumbled on, fear and revenge fuelling my desperation. I gained the door and flung it open my lungs gagging for a taste of the air they craved. I took several deep breaths. A cry from my left had me spinning in a moment. I turned to see my mother fall, collapsing to the floor her blood pooled around her like an incoming tide, seeping slowly into the earth.

This struck me more than any physical blow. Falling to me knees pain radiated through every fibre of my being. The orcs spotted me and began to laugh. I half hoped they would finish me, send me to follow where my mother already trod. At that moment I would have welcomed death.

An orc sprang up unseen behind me and cuffed me hard with the pommel of its sword. The ground reached up to meet me and I fell gladly into the darkness.

I flew into an upright position the last notes of a scream dying on my lips. Not even in sleep could I escape my past, or the very reason I had set out for this battle. Orcs had taken my mother and now I would take as many of them as I could to make up for her loss. But deep down I knew that it would not change the grief itself and one day I would have to face up to that. But not today. Right now I wanted nothing more than to sleep.

I curled up on the hard ground beneath me, but sleep did not come. Loneliness and bone-deep cold filtered through me and I tried edging closer to Osellë for warmth. But her wounds prevented me from getting too close and I eyed the ranger with some trepidation.

With a sigh I snatched up the nearest blanket to me and tucked it around my shoulders, making my way to the entrance of the tent. Stepping briskly into the chilly night air I made my way swiftly to the tent where I knew Legolas lay. Cautiously sliding back the outer flap I stepped inside. A dwarf lay, curled into a ball, at the far side, but laying to my right was Legolas. He was positioned on his back, his fair hair falling enchantingly around his shoulders, his eyes were open. This made me jump, I took a step backwards opening my mouth to explain myself when I noticed his gaze was not fixed on me. Rather, he seemed to be staring vacantly, his breathing deep and regular. Could it be that he actually slept? Cautiously I dropped to his side and waved my fingers in front of his face. His gaze did not alter. Satisfied that he slept I flopped onto my side beside him and snuggled in close, drawing the cloak about me for comfort, I closed my eyes and drifted easily into sleep.

Awareness returned to Legolas slowly. He knew that there was someone sleeping close to him on his right. He chuckled, if it was the dwarf then he was never going to live this down. Glancing down, he was astonished to note that it was in fact Vēnea who slept curled so close. He stilled his movements immediately, not wanting to wake the girl. He began to wonder what events had transpired during the night that led to her coming to sleep in his tent. With a small smile he reached over to tenderly push away the tendrils of dark hair that fell across her pretty face. She reminded him of someone though he could not say whom… When Vēnea stirred beneath his hand he moved slightly so that he could hold her close. For some reason he could not comprehend he wanted nothing to alarm the girl.

I tossed my head to one side. I could feel that I was encased in someone's arms and they were speaking to me softly. Whoever that someone was I felt incredibly safe and happy where I was and I almost wanted to remain there, in that half-asleep state forever and so avoid the sharp bite as reality kicked back in. Unfortunately, reality was unavoidable and the world began to regain focus, as did the face above me.

With a little shock of surprise I found that I rested in the arms of Legolas Greenleaf and it was he who spoke to me so softly. In that instant I opened my mouth and began to stutter out an apology, "My Lord! I did not realise you were awake or that I had slept so long. I did not intend-"My words were cut off as he laid one slender finger over my lips a smile playing around his features. "I do not mind," were his soft words and I noted that he had not yet relinquished his hold on me. With further surprise I realised that I was glad. "What I would know, is how I came to hold you in my arms this fair morning. I had been under the impression that you slept in a different tent." The smile remained and I hoped that that meant his words had only been in jest. "I had a nightmare my Lord, "I whispered fully aware of how pathetic that sounded. " I was disturbed and I had hoped you wouldn't mind…" My words trailed off and I stared dejectedly at the side of the tent waiting for the reprimand. It never came. "Then you read me well, I do not mind. And please, my name is Legolas." I could not stop the unbelievably wide grin that consumed me features as his words sank in. "Now, tell me of your nightmare." His words were final and they carried all the authority of a Prince. I began to speak, "I dreamt of the night my mother died." My voice was soft and low but Legolas did not seem to have to strain to hear my words so I continued in that tone.

"Orcs came to our house. They dragged her out and trapped me inside while they set fire to the building. I found my way out alive, but I was too late, they had already killed my mother. Osellë found me there some days later, still holding her body. I refused to leave until she told me of a chance to gain my retribution on orc kind. She was beautiful you know, "I whispered, Legolas seemed momentarily lost by my abrupt change of subject, but it was not long before understanding shone in his eyes. " Your mother, " I gave a barely perceptible nod. " She was important to you, was she not?" He questioned softly. I graced him with a look of mild incredulity, "What mother is not important to her child?" Legolas nodded as if it was the answer he had been expecting. "It is hard to lose a parent, a mother especially, as they play such an important role in our lives. I am truly sorry for your loss." There was a strange note to Legolas' voice; almost a tremor in the sound and my worry and curiosity was piqued. "Do you speak of some personal tragedy?" I questioned carefully, unwilling to hurt him if I could help it. He gave me a wordless smile and only the barest inclination of his head. "It was a long time ago but some wounds never really heal." He whispered. "I had thought I had forgotten it, but you seem to be stirring all kinds of forgotten emotions in me, young Venea."

His sentence ended and he stared off into middle distance, looking pensive. I was in a mild state of shock. What did he mean 'I stir emotions in him'? What kind of emotions? Surely that was a sentence that deserved an explanation! I sat there and waited for a continuation of his sentence but none seemed forthcoming. I felt a sudden sense of desperation, without fully understanding his sentence my own feelings were in disarray. If he was trying to say that he liked me, then… it was not very eloquently put, but it would do. I was now unsure how to react, what to say? I settled for turning over to face him and looked directly into his eye, trying to read his feelings there. That garnered his attention and he turned to look at me in puzzlement. There was nothing there, no emotion for me. Just a void. He made a move to read my eyes but I turned away, horribly embarrassed, leaving him facing the back of my head.

"I have offended you." It was a statement sounding equally sorry and worried. "It was not my intent. I realise humans are not so open with their emotions, but I was not trying to say that I was interested in you, in that way." My eyes widened even further. That was far worse! I bet this is what he does with all the girls! Osellë had said his effect on women was 'catastrophic'. He was playing with me! Sitting there with those impossibly blue eyes and breath-takingly handsome face and he had the nerve to accuse me of stirring emotions! I huffed out a breath at the sheer cheek of the elf. Now he was going to think that I was in love with him! I felt like telling him I'd rather be romantically attached to a warg! The floating feeling in my stomach and the blush on my cheeks whenever he spoke to me were telling another story but I tried to convince myself that that was beside the point. "Your opinion on my romantic feelings does you no credit, my Lord." I said coldly, shifting away from him and rising to my feet. He followed suit, rising to his feet also.

"Vénea, I did not mean…" he began, but I did not want to listen and instead made a break for the opening of the tent. Legolas sprang after me, catching up before I could even take another step. "Let me explain…" he tried again, but I shook my head. " There is nothing to explain my Lord." I said, holding back tears and minimising the shaking in my voice. "I fully understand. Now please let me leave." He looked lost for a moment and I wondered fleetingly if I had misjudged the situation, but that thought fled the second he moved aside to let me out. I ran, without a backward glance. He must have thought me easy, going into his tent in the night like that. I wiped away an angry tear. If I had only looked back things might have been different as I would have seen Legolas wiping away a tear of his own.

I spent two full days avoiding Legolas. Repeatedly he came up to me, trying to say… something, but I refused to listen. What could he possibly have to say that would make any difference? Aragorn tried to plead his case to me, but I made my excuses and fled. I couldn't deal with building up anymore enemies right now, not with the eve of battle so close. I shook my head slightly, hoping to clear the web of confusion from it. I needed to enter this battle with a clear head if I was to stay alive. I felt someone coming up behind me; I paused momentarily, hoping vainly that it was a fully recovered Osellë. The voice told me otherwise when I heard it, a few moments later. "Vénea, you need to hear me out." I held back a sob. Was he deliberately torturing me? I had been truly obsessed with the Prince of Mirkwood and he had shattered my hopes utterly. Now I was not even being allowed enough time to move on from it! "What do you want?" I gasped wearily, not with anger, or even with resentment, I had cried all that out of me long ago, just with a bitter weariness that seemed even worse. "You misunderstood my intentions!" He cried, sounding the nearest to desperate that I had ever heard. Something within me moved and I felt myself freeze, turning slowly to face him. "What was there to misunderstand?" I asked, my manner still cold, but I was giving him an opening. He looked quietly relieved. "I was not interested in you in a physical way that was what I feared may have offended you. In another capacity, I think…" I held my breath, willing his next words not to shatter the impression his previous ones had created. "I think that I really want to get to know you better." I gave a little shriek, yes, a shriek. But that was nothing, it was all I could do not to scream the camp down in sheer delight.

I launched on him, forgetting briefly the reserve which elves often show when speaking with others. I had learned that from the few times I had tried to hug Osellë. But Legolas seemed a little more accustomed to it, at least when I hugged him round the chest, he wrapped his arms around me in a hesitant manner and patted me almost gingerly on the back. I presumed Aragorn had given him some context of the normal mortal ways to show affection so had more experience with hugs than Osellë had been given chance to. I released him with some embarrassment, wondering whether I had been too bold, but the grin on his face told me otherwise. I responded in kind, grinning back widely, if a bit shyly. He leaned forward and gave me a polite kiss on the cheek, "We will talk about this later," he promised and left. I watched him go, feeling a new sensation bubble up inside me. Later we would need to do a lot of talking. I had a funny feeling this could be love.

"It is time. " I spun at the soft words behind me and a delighted smile crossed my face as I sighted Osellë, "You live!" I cried joyfully as I ran to my friend. "I should very much hope so or you would presently be hugging a ghost and that would do your boyfriend's opinion of your mental health irreparable damage" retorted Osellë. I flinched, both at her comment and at her mention of Legolas as my boyfriend; did she know of our talk the previous night? I gazed into her eyes and was certain I saw some masked emotion there, whether jealousy or joy I could not tell, but just as quickly as I sensed it, it vanished. "Well, are we headed out to war today or not?" questioned Osellë, humour glinting in her dark eyes. "We most certainly are, if you feel up to the challenge," I responded, knowing full well what kind of response that would garner. I ducked her light returning blow and skipped out of reach. "With you watching my back I'm sure I'll be just fine," she replied, sarcasm evident in her tone, but she gave me a small smile to let me know it was only a joke. I laughed at her response and slung my arm over her shoulder, looking just quick enough to see Legolas glancing sheepishly away from me. A small smile of my own appeared. Gathering my weapons from the spot I where I had abandoned them I felt a lightness in my heart that lessened slightly my internal dread at the situation I was about to face. Though my situation was perilous I had people around me who I could not leave to walk alone. Drawing my blade I studied it carefully. It would be my task today to watch over them and protect them from the orcs. I stifled a laugh as I realised in their opinions I was the one who would need protecting. Turning swiftly I faced the battlefield ahead and prepared to embrace my destiny, whatever it may be.