Commonly known simply as the 'Firien Wood', Firienholt means 'mountain wood'. It took its name from the high hill Halifirien, which for many years was the site of the Tomb of Elendil. The Tomb of Elendil sat on a particular prominent peak of the White Mountains, which rise up to the south of the wood. The wood beneath the Halifirien stands on the borders of Rohan and Gondor. From under its branches flows the Mering Stream the marker of the precise border between the Eastfold of Rohan, and the Gondorian land of Anórien.
With the sun sitting directly above them, Riel Lalaithion, Legolas Greenleaf, Peregrine Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck arrived at the Firien Wood and each breathed a sigh of relief, as their journey was halfway through. Having their horses step over all the fallen branches and random rocks, the usual bracken of woods, they navigated their horses through the maze of trees and they finally found themselves in a small clearing.
Journeying through the first half of the wood, it had taken them most of the afternoon and as the sun slowly set, Riel's black mood grew ever darker along with the sky. She was fed up travelling with 'that concupiscent elf'. Both hobbits had been trying to keep a pleasant outlook throughout the trek and for the miles ahead but after the third day, even they were starting to look forlorn.
Riel owed most of her bad mood to the fact that Legolas' horse had twisted its ankle on the second day and because Pippin and Merry's horses were far too small for the tall elf, he had had to ride with her on Fëa. His attitude towards her was audacious as always but unlike when she was younger, his actions really ground her beans. When she was younger, she had been more accepting of his ways but now she just thought of him as an idiotic dolt with severe mental problems.
However, it wasn't the same even if she was forgiving like her youth. Even with his bold cheekiness it was different, he acted different towards her. She wondered slightly if he was embarrassed about touching her the way he did in the stable on their first meeting in years but she didn't think so. Legolas wasn't the type to be embarrassed so she was left answerless.
She remembered how he had just leapt up behind her, placing his hands on her waist and pulling her towards himself until her back was pressed against his chest. She wanted to have charge of her horse, Fëa was her horse, but Legolas had pointedly taken her hands from the reigns and placed them on the pommel of her saddle. That wasn't all though, he had brushed his thumbs over the tops of her hands before finally taking up the reigns, what cheek!
She had turned her head to gape at him, only he had his head forward and looking into the distance as if she wasn't even there. She had glared at him balefully, her lips twitching into a snarl as she turned also to face forward. She crossed her arms over her chest huffily, her snarl soon turning to pout, 'how dare he treat me in such a manner!' she growled mentally.
---
It was now the eighth day in their journey to Edoras and Riel had finally decided that she would try her utmost to spend as much time away from the swine merchant, also known as Legolas, for the duration of their camp in the clearing. If only for the hobbits' sake, she would stay away from him for as long as she possibly could.
She thought that she might start this off by bathing in the Mering Stream they had passed by on the way to the clearing; that activity alone would take up a generous amount of time. She wondered how males could live with their own stench, especially for such a long period of time, it was beyond disgusting.
As she waited for Legolas to dismount, she glanced around the clearing but she didn't see anything overly interesting so, she turned her attention back towards the boil-brained philanderer. Legolas dismounted and she observed him as he held his hand up to her, obviously wanting to help her down. Her brown eyes rippled with purple at the gesture.
Giving him a dirty and smarting look she told him she was more than able to get down from her own horse and even told him pointedly that she was fully capable to ride her horse without any help from him. Legolas looked at her for a moment, as though he were seeing her for the first time all over again only in a more thoughtful manner and then he said as he turned away, "You are too hard on Fëa's reigns".
He began the necessary preparations of setting up the camp and tending to the horses needs as Riel dismounted, muttering under her breath, "You'll see how hard I am on the reigns when I'm choking you with them". She gave Fëa a mighty rub on the neck as she glared death at Legolas out of the corner of her eye.
As Fëa nuzzled the grass below her before biting into it, she took her saddlebag, which contained all her hygienic objects, and she began laying out the items she required for her bath. She pulled everything she needed from it and arranged it into a neat pile before moving to the adjacent saddlebag to pilfer a towel from it.
She felt the walk to the Stream was incredibly relaxing but she knew that her bath would be even more so. She couldn't wait to wipe the grime of travel from her body. As she finally came upon the stream she smiled broadly, the water looked perfect and it was so clear that she was able to see the smooth pebbles that littered the bottom.
She walked over to a large rock, hefted it up, moved it closer to the stream, and then dumped it back down again to be used as a makeshift table for all her items. Placing all her 'necessities' onto the rock, having to pick up a few of them a couple of times as they rolled off due to the rock not being completely flat, she then arranged them nicely just for hell of it making use of the bumps and grooves of the rock.
Standing up and stretching after she had succeeded in getting all of the needed bathing equipment balanced on the large rock, she then began to undress herself. First to go, was her shirt, which she pulled over her head and as soon as it was off, she folded it neatly and placed it next to the rock. She repeated the procedure with the other pieces of clothing she wore.
Lastly were her boots, she kicked them off sending them flying into a tree. Shrugging at the act, she advanced on the stream and immersed herself in the cool liquid. She was at first surprised at the depth of the stream as it hadn't seemed so deep from the bank but she shrugged it off as she began the more important task of washing herself.
Sighing in pleasure at the feeling of the water around her, she then splashed some water onto her face but when she went to run her hands through her hair, she then remembered that her hair was still tied in a braid. She waded back to the bank and set about freeing her hair. Halfway through the task, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she felt eyes upon her. Slowly raising her sight, her eyes widened in terror at what her vision displayed.
---
Legolas stood there watching her, his azure eyes roaming over her naked body. Crying out in her humiliation, she covered her body as quickly as was Elvinly possible turning her back to him. Legolas put his head on the side in a common gesture of confusion, enquiring as he did so, "why do you hid yourself, Riel?" Here he grinned maliciously before continuing, "I've seen it all before".
"Just hand me my towel, you wicked good-for-nothing cretin!" Riel cried out from her compromising position in the stream, waving her arm at the spot where her towel lay.
Legolas feasted his eyes upon her indignity, with his eyes flashing with mischief he asked, "Why should I?"
It was a simple question and she was unable to answer it. She was in a suitable spot he thought impishly, she looks like a fish gasping like that. Smirking in superiority at her outraged expression, he then bent and started removing his boots.
Witnessing him shedding his clothing she shrieked, "What do you think you're doing?" She was horrified and she hoped that he wasn't doing what she thought he was doing.
Legolas glanced up at her as he undid his belt and dropped it to the forest floor. "I'm going to bathe, on account of my dirtiness", he told her intelligibly, looking at her as though she were brainless.
"But you can't, I am!" she reasoned her eyes frantic. 'How could he even consider coming here while I'm bathing? I told him I was bathing, why did he come here!' She was hysterical, how was she going to get herself out of this mess?
"I'm not sure I understand your logic, there's more than enough stream for the both of us", Legolas explained calmly as a vicious smile arrived slowly on his face.
That was it, she couldn't handle it anymore! Leaping from the stream, she made a mad dash for her towel, quickly wrapping it around her body, when she attained a hold on it. As she looked back over to Legolas, who was now completely naked, she gasped in shock at the sight of him.
Hearing the gasp, Legolas focussed his blue eyes on her, smirking wickedly as he noticed her eyes glued to his rear. Legolas began to turn around so she was able to get the full view of him but she fled before he could flaunt himself. Disappointed, he hung his head and sighed.
---
Peregrine wondered why Riel was angry all the time. He couldn't understand it, she had wanted to go on a journey and Strider had let her go without the guard unit that he wanted, just like she wanted. He couldn't figure it out, he always caught her looking at Legolas but she spoke to him as if she hated him, insulting him and the like.
Was she still upset about what had happened between them at the stable in Minas Tirith? He had gotten over it and forgave Legolas, why couldn't she? Then again, Legolas hadn't kissed him so he supposed it was different for Riel. Would she hate him if he kissed her? Maybe she wasn't even mad about Legolas kissing her but was actually still mad about Legolas seeing her naked.
Peregrine had been collecting wood for the fire, just as Legolas had asked him to, and he was returning now with his arms full. As he entered the clearing, he stared as Riel stormed past him wearing only a towel with her hair still wet.
Confused he walked over to the middle of the clearing, dropping the wood there, careful not to let any fall on his bare feet. He crouched down and started rearranging the wood so he could start a fire. He would have to wait to eat though as Merry was collecting the food.
---
The errand to Edoras was not exactly what Merry had been expecting but he wasn't one to complain overly. He hadn't starved so the journey had been pretty good for the most part, even if they where only halfway to their destination.
He was worried about his best friend however, as Pippin had done nothing but pine over Riel and the fact that Legolas had kissed her. Even though it hadn't been an actual kiss-kiss Legolas had been kiss-ing her and that was enough to put Pippin into a tizz.
The plump hobbit smiled as he suddenly found some nice mushrooms growing beneath a large tree and he was quick to scramble them up into his already fully loaded arms. He had been very successful in his search for fresh food, he was getting sick of all the easy and light travel rations as their texture was bland and they were practically flavourless.
He was barely able to see over the top of the mountain of food, so he finally decided that it was best if he headed back to the camp. He was still worried about Pippin, he didn't think it wise for the hobbit to make a move on Riel, neither did he think it wise to have an infatuation with the half-elf. He honestly couldn't see what Pippin saw in her.
As he arrived at the camp, he saw the person of his troubled thoughts starting a fire and he walked over and carefully laid out his spoils on the ground next to him. Both old friends greeted each other and then Pippin continued his job with the fire and Merry then went on to sort out the food into piles of type; carrots, mushrooms, potatoes etc.
Seeing Legolas emerge from the puzzle of trees, he waved a greeting and Legolas inclined his head, giving him a warm smile in return. He knew that Riel had gone off to bathe somewhere in the woods but he didn't know how long she would take, though he had known her to take over an hour at one stage.
---
Legolas hadn't really felt like bathing after Riel left, so he decided to return to the clearing. His arms were full as he carried Riel's clothing, boots and her necessities as well as his own shirt and belt. Walking over to her bedroll, he placed the items on it, then turned, walked back over towards the hobbits, and bent to lend a hand to Pippin.
Pippin didn't seem too happy with the help but he insisted and so the Halfling conceded with a huff and then rolled back onto his haunches, turning his head to watch his friend sort vegetables. Legolas shook his head, he didn't know what he had done to upset so many people, well he did know in Riel's case but she was different.
Especially after so many years, he had never imagined that she would fill out in such a way. Never would have thought that gangly and annoying Riel would grow into a woman of incredible beauty but he could tell that inside she was still the same old Riel and he had always loved tormenting her, even now, he didn't know why he took such pleasure in it.
He had always showed her that he cared but he wasn't so sure that she was as forgiving as she was when she was a child. He had always made sure that she knew that he didn't do what he did in an evil or nasty way but he did it because he loved her. He was really happy when he had finally completed her bow and was even happier when the bow had brought such a drastic change in her demeanour.
He had never actually apologised to her except for that one time however so he wondered what she expected from him. He didn't like apologising in words, he preferred to do his apologising with actions and in subtle ways and she had always been able to pick up on them but she was refusing all his efforts this time around.
She was older however, and his feelings towards her had changed even if he hadn't wanted them to. He had always loved her but now he knew that those feelings of love were changing in not so subtle ways, he wanted her and he showed her in the bold way he had always been with her. However, was it actually the right way to go about it? She wasn't the same, he knew that, as her eyes were a dead giveaway but what had changed so much about her in a few years?
Riel suddenly stalked out from behind a tree, now fully clothed, and she glared at him. Being the roguish elf that he was he gave her a broad grin in reply but as he waited for the torrent of insults he was sure he was about to endure, he suddenly found himself staggering back in shock, he hadn't expected that!
She hadn't even insulted him before she slammed her fist into his face. He had thought her slaps were painful but they had nothing on her punches! 'Did she just break my jaw?' he thought in amazement as he held his hand up to cradle it.
Riel snarled at him before launching another attack, not expecting her to follow through Legolas wasn't swift enough to dodge her next strike. Tackling him, she straddled his waist and raised her hand for another blow.
---
Peregrine watched as Riel ran at Legolas, struck him, punched him again and then tackling him to the ground, she then set herself on to him and raised her bawled fist for another stroke. Both Peregrine and Meriadoc stood with horrified expressions on their child-like faces.
Merry had seen Riel take to people before but this was Legolas! He was an experienced warrior, how did she expect to win against him? As far as both hobbits could see, she had no reason to be so mad at Legolas and especially to attack him out of the blue with absolutely no warning or provocation.
Merry also didn't think that she had to be angry at Legolas all the time too. She was always growling at him when Legolas offered to help her, glaring at him and calling him names when he smiled at her. Legolas was always nice to her and he didn't think he deserved to be punched.
---
Legolas deftly caught her fist before it bludgeoned his face again so Riel picked up her other hand from his bare chest and raised it to strike. Pulling on her hand and pushing on her hips he was able to dislodge her, grabbing her free hand before she could use it, he held them both above her head in one of his, as his azure orbs stared down at her relentlessly.
---
Pippin and Merry, after hearing a horse whinny nearby, turned their heads to look and they took a unison step back in shock. Peregrine gaped at the three riders, noticing two were elves with the pointed ears of their race. They didn't look like Legolas or the fair elves from Lothlorien but he was put in mind of the elves of Rivendell like Elrond as both elves had dark hair.
Although Merry was more interested in the lady that rode with the two elves and her strange appearance, he discerned one of the elves looking past him with a murderous look upon his face. He was worried that they were in danger so he drew his weapon from its sheathe and then nudged his companion into doing so as well. They held their weapons before them confidently and in a defensive stance.
---
Riel struggled vainly against Legolas' strong grip and when he leaned down boldly and licked one of her sensitive ears, she gasped. "That's not very nice Riel", he scolded and just when she was about to scream out with rage at the hopelessness of the situation, she noticed something that brought her joy.
"Elladan!" she cried out looking towards him, watching with relief as he leapt from his black bay and began to stalk forwards heading for where she was pinned under Legolas.
Legolas was astounded, 'Elladan?' he thought, 'why would she be crying out to Elladan? I was the one that licked her ear!' Leaning back to study her face he noticed that she was staring past him and over his shoulder, following her gaze he quickly choked at what he saw.
Pulling himself away from Riel, he stood glaring at the eldest son of Elrond. As soon as Riel was granted her freedom with Legolas' retreat, she dashed into Elladan's waiting arms. Elladan, of course, welcomed her gladly while giving Legolas a dirty look the entire time.
---
Da-Yina watched the disgusting display of affection for as long as she was able to, glancing towards Elrohir as she dismounted she asked, "Is that Riel Lalaithion?" Elrohir nodded his head in confirmation as he too dismounted, giving his piebald mare a pat on the nose. "And what of the other three?" Da-Yina continued, incredibly curious to know, especially the one who had been on top of Riel just moments before their arrival, he looked like an elf.
"The two smaller ones by the pile of food and wood I would presume are Peregrine Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck of the shire", Elrohir told her with a quick glance over the weapons the hobbits' sported assertively. He then paused and a frown appeared on his handsome face, "The other is Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood".
Da-Yina glanced at her travelling companion and she knew immediately that he too, was interested in knowing why Legolas was here and what he had been doing to Riel and why. Keeping her manners, Da-Yina thanked Elrohir for his help before moving forward to let everybody know how she was feeling at the moment, as was her nature, "Elladan hurry up! I'm hungry and need to be fed!" She stood near him, hands on her hips glaring.
---
As she heard the feminine voice call to her love, Riel pulled back from her embrace with Elladan and as she looked over his shoulder, she found herself making a face at the sight of the woman. With the majority of her long black hair being in a multitude of braids, she surely looked like something Riel had never seen before.
Five braids wrapped around Da-Yina's forehead to keep the other braids out of her face like a headband. Random plaits hung loosely and haphazardly around while the remainder of her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail. But even more shocking then that, were the coloured beads scattered throughout the braids in colours that matched her revealing outfit.
"Who are you?" Riel asked with disgust laced within her tone.
She looked the short woman up and down shaking her head at the scandalous and bizarre clothing she sported. Dyed leather boots with buckles and chains were among the strangest of Da-Yina's ensemble but the most shocking would have to be, in Riel's opinion, the reprehensibly short skirt that showed off Da-Yina's well-toned legs, 'as if anybody needs to see those'.
Additionally, the brazen female wore a leather corset with a high collar and no sleeves leaving her shoulders bare, 'and Aragorn thought that I was abominable for wearing breeches…' Riel thought with unmasked loathing.
---
Distinguishing the disgust in Riel's voice and observing her, as she looked her body up and down, Da-Yina made the pointed decision that Riel was simply not worth her time and proceeded to ignore her. Da-Yina had always known that she was strong and the females were generally considered to be weak but she had never really felt obligated to wear men's clothing because of it, she was woman and proud of it and women wore skirts and the like.
---
Elladan released Riel slowly, turned to Da-Yina and told her to make herself comfortable; he would organize food for her. Nodding in understanding, she walked over to the evidently confused hobbits. Inclining her head in greeting to them before placing herself on the ground in front of the wood, she stuck her hands out in front of her as if she were warming her hands with the heat of the fire.
Both hobbits took a long glance around then shrugged, sheathing their weapons and taking a seat themselves, although they did give Da-Yina a strange look not only because of her appearance but because of her bizarre antics also.
---
Legolas looked at the woman confused by her actions and manner and then he looked to Elladan who had walked to his horse and began tending to it before walking over to Pippin and Merry to ask politely if he could use some of the food they had already gathered.
"This isn't nearly enough for all of us", Pippin said thoughtfully then looked to his long time comrade, "we could gather some more?"
Merry nodded eager to get away from the tight tension that surrounded the once calm clearing. What was it about humans and elves that made everything so complicated?
"Your help is greatly appreciated", Elladan thanked as the three of them walked away and to the woods but not before, Elladan looked to his brother, jerking his head in Legolas' direction undeniably telling Elrohir to keep an eye on him.
---
Elrohir nodded in acknowledgement of his brother's signal to watch Legolas and then he began seeing to Herion, Da-Yina's horse, and his own horse, Raina. Legolas watched Elrohir for a moment before making his way over to the strange new woman.
---
Riel eyed Legolas resentfully as he moved over to Da-Yina and she was immediately angry but had no clue as to why. Therefore, she decided she would talk with Elrohir while she waited for Elladan to return. Strolling over to Elrohir, her thoughts strangely strayed back to when Legolas was naked by the stream and how good he looked, with a pink blush staining her cheeks she greeted Elrohir with a wide smile.
---
Da-Yina heard Legolas approaching she turned her head and gave him a greeting, her hands still outstretched as if gaining warmth from the dead wood. She tilted her head on the side when he sat down beside her and put his hands out towards the wood as if it had a fire licking at it, imitating her own actions.
Although she would never admit it, Da-Yina was nervous about being away from Edoras. Her almost insane antics were a way to deal with the torrent of emotions that run under her otherwise calm exterior. She missed her brother, she missed her home and another thing that she would have a hard time admitting was that she also missed Eomer.
Legolas placed his hands by his side when the woman looked at him as if he was obnoxious. Giving her a smile, he introduced himself and she nodded replying that she already knew who he was. Waiting patiently as she yawned, placing her hands over her mouth daintily, he then asked her if she were willing to divulge her name.
"My name is Da-Yina", she said without any elaboration. Picking up a twig off the grass she began twirling it with her fingers, quickly becoming bored, she then tossed it onto the pile of wood. Looking back over to him, she raised her eyebrow in question to his silent surveillance of her.
---
"Greetings Riel, it is good to see you again after so many years!" Elrohir hailed.
Riel only nodded before giving him a quick hug and a peck on his cheek, "it is good to see you again also, I must say you have impeccable timing", she said finally as she released him from her light embrace.
Elrohir asked her what was burning on his mind before he was able to stop himself, "what was Legolas doing to you?"
Riel's disposition immediately plummeted and a frown took over her face, "He was being an ass, Elrohir! I thought you might have noticed!" She cried incredulously throwing her arms up in the air.
"My apologies, Lady Riel, I spoke without thinking", He bowed his head regretting that he had asked her that question. Raising his head, he caught a glimpse of Da-Yina and he saw that she was speaking very animatedly to Legolas. "Have you spoken to Da-Yina yet", he asked Riel as he felt a pang of jealously course through him.
"So that's her name? I haven't spoken with her yet, no", she replied and then continued. "I did ask her what her name was but she ignored me. Went over to the pile of wood and acted as though she were warming her hands by a fire. Is she insane, Elrohir?" she asked making a face. "I mean, her style of dress most certainly is".
Elrohir frowned at her words but chose not to say anything about it. Instead, he offered his hand to her so that they might walk.
---
"…and that's when Elrohir showed up!" Da-Yina exclaimed with vivid hand gestures, "He killed most of the orcs but if I had my sword, I'd wager I could slay more than him!" She concluded.
Legolas listened intently as she recounted her entire experience of the day before she left Edoras. She, of course, grazed over a couple of points but she was an extremely entertaining storyteller nonetheless in his opinion.
"My dear Da-Yina, you know as well as I do that you could never kill as many orcs as I, sword or no sword", Elrohir said with joking patronization patting her on her head as he took a seat beside her and then offered to help Riel sit.
Riel declined his offer and sat by herself, sitting cross-legged. Riel quietly observed as Da-Yina scoffed at Elrohir's bold statement and heard the meaty sound as Da-Yina's fist connected with Elrohir's shoulder and then the woman's cheeky reply. Riel had never seen a woman like her and she felt strangely thankful of this fact.
---
Legolas watched half-awed as Elrohir and Da-Yina jokingly insulted one another. He could see Elrohir's obvious attraction to Da-Yina but he wasn't so sure the woman reciprocated his feelings. It would be hard for the two if they did eventually get together, how could it really work with immortals and mortals? However, he knew that love was not only blind but also unrelenting. It didn't matter what you were, you could love someone who could be your complete opposite and they could wholly return your feelings.
As these thoughts came to mind, he sighed and glanced to Riel. He was surprised to find that she was staring at him dreamily. Was she just acting that she didn't return his feelings? She had always been stubborn, it would be no surprise if that stubbornness also crossed over and was a part of her love life as well.
---
Meriadoc tried to explain to Elladan how bad tempered Riel had been throughout the whole journey. Of how she had been the one to attack Legolas and that she had been readying her third blow when Legolas had flipped her, trying to take charge of the situation.
Merry couldn't blame Legolas for his actions, he wouldn't exactly want to be attacked by a crazed woman for no reason and if he had been he would fight back. Although he would never actually beat a woman abusively, he wouldn't allow himself to come to harm either unless he felt that he actually deserved it and then he would take the abuse with no defensive.
In his point of view, Legolas had simply been trying to get Riel under control. However, the hobbit did not see that Legolas had not simply been whispering in her ear to try to calm her, but had in fact been doing a lot more.
Elladan listened closely to everything the little hobbit had to say, everything he said sounded so much like Riel. 'However', he thought, 'the hobbit does have an air of innocence about him. I'd wager that he does not see everything that Legolas does but I will make sure that that vile excrement for an elf never lays his hands on my Riel again!'
---
Arriving back at the campsite with his arms heavily laden with fresh food, Peregrine walked over to the group and sat down. Handing the food he carried over to Elrohir, who in turn handed it to Da-Yina he then took a seat in front of the pile of wood. Da-Yina glared at him but took the food anyway. She was soon knee-deep in food when Elladan and Meriadoc came to her and relinquished their loads of food to her as well.
Da-Yina asked Elrohir politely but not exactly nicely, as she was put out by the dumping of food onto her, "Could you please get the necessary cooking implements, so that I can do what I do second best?"
"What do you do first best?" Pippin asked.
"Why that would be battle!" Da-Yina replied with large grin then chuckled.
Da-Yina still spoke to Elrohir politely and showed him respect. She had seen him in battle, he was extremely skilled, and that skill had saved not only her life but also that of her brother's. She admired him and his strength, Elrohir had not really given her any reason to be mad at him or want to hit him. Sure, she did it in jest all the time but she never truly wanted to do him any harm.
Elrohir stood up gracefully making Da-Yina shake her head, everything he did could be considered graceful. She wagered that if he did anything disgusting like a man would, then somehow, someway he would make that seem beautiful and wonderful. It was simply amazing to her especially as she had spent her whole life around men, Elrohir was the first elf she had ever seen.
Walking past his brother, Elrohir trudged to Da-Yina's horse and gathered up a pot and a ladle, as well as a sharp knife. Looking back over to where the hobbits had finally gotten the fire going, he saw Riel and his brother walking off together and Legolas taking his bow and quiver and then dashing off into the woods. Most likely to fetch Da-Yina some meat for the stew she was doubtless going to make, he figured.
---
After delivering the vegetables to Da-Yina, he had then taken his brother's seat next to Riel, once Elrohir had deserted it. Drawing Riel close to him, he noticed Legolas' angry glare, whispering in her ear he asked, "Could I have a private word with you Riel?"
"No, I'm talking to Da-Yina at the moment, Elladan", she told him but not in a whisper.
Da-Yina heard, and not wanted to put up with the two lovebirds, she told Riel to beat it, "Don't worry, I will be able to cook without being disgusted by your public shows of affection".
Laughing, Riel stood up and taking Elladan's hand, she began to walk to the trees, which made the clearing what it was. Elladan drew her away from her chosen path and she let him until she noticed that he was leading her towards the Mering stream.
Elladan felt Riel tense up as they approached the stream, and he immediately felt suspicious. He turned her to face him, gripping her by the shoulders and looking into her eyes, which had started to transform to a colour resembling the precious stone, amber.
---
Da-Yina watched with undisguised relief as Riel and Elladan left, scrunching her nose up in disgust, 'Lovers', she thought scoffingly. Turning her attention to the Prince of Mirkwood, she noticed him keeping a close eye on Riel and she raised her eyebrow quizzically, 'what is it about her that has those two elves so infatuated? And they're not the only ones!' she gave a quick glance towards Pippin where he sat playing with the unprepared food and then returned her gaze to the golden haired elf.
"Legolas, could you please take your bow and arrow in to the woods and bring me back a rabbit, preferably dead?" she asked politely with a sickly sweet smile plastered to her face. Legolas nodded his acquiescence and gathered his bow and quiver before stalking off into the woods reminding her of a cat and her earlier thoughts on elves.
After his departure, Da-Yina turned to the two hobbits and smiling broadly at them, they all cried out at the same time, "Food!" while throwing their arms into the air. As Da-Yina began preparing the vegetables, she told Pippin and Merry some jokes her father used to tell her while the hobbits' lent a helping hand.
---
Elladan watched inside himself as Riel's eyes deepened in colour as the thing that dominated him, dominated her as well. He squeezed her shoulders tighter, "what is the situation between Legolas and yourself?" he asked, knowing that he had hit a nerve when she flinched back visibly. "Well?" he pressured when she didn't answer him.
"There is no situation, Elladan!" she replied, her eyes starting to flood with purple.
He loved her, he believed her but he stared at her harshly. He wished he could cry out to her and that she could hear him, to tell her that this wasn't him and that he would never treat her so callously but he was powerless as the thing that controlled him used his vocal cords, the thing obviously didn't believe a word she said and it told her so.
"I don't believe you, you're lying!" he yelled though she was adamant in her denial.
"I'm not Elladan!" she cried in reply, "please believe me!"
"He was on top of you!" he howled jealousy ripping though him.
This wasn't him, how could act in such a ruthless way, especially towards the woman he loved more than anything? The thing used parts of him, when he had seen Legolas atop her, he had been jealous but he would never have expressed himself so brutally. Yet, the monster knew him, knew parts of him but acted in its own evil manner.
"He provoked me!" she cried out again, her alibi seeming weak and unconvincing even to her.
"And you did nothing to pull away!" he shouted back at her, "Did you enjoy his weight upon you, Riel?"
Riel glared at him ferociously after he spoke his hurtful words. They tore her apart and pained her to the core the very fact that he could ever say such things to her was abhorrent. Shaking in rage, her hands bawled into fists and she struck him hard across his jaw with her right fist, causing the skin on her knuckles to split and tear.
His head swung back with the power of Riel's strike, but when he turned his head to face her again, his eyes were alight with fury. "You should have tried harder to move away, you were promised to me!" He growled backhanding her.
Elladan was sure he could have died as he watched his love's head snap back with the force of the blow that came from his own hand. He watched horrified as blood and spittle flew from her mouth. Riel cowered before him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she shook in fear.
'Why did you do that?' he shouted from his comatose area. 'You didn't have to strike her! I love her!' he cried.
'Really?' came the sickening reply. 'And I thought that all that shouting you did was all just for me'. It chuckled at him causing him to cringe back and away from the grating feeling that it radiated. 'You no longer have to trouble yourself with her as she is now mine. None shall have her, not even you!'
'You're turning my feelings, twisting and perverting them as you make them your own!' he shouted but all he got was a chuckle in return and he could feel the smirk on his lips.
'Yes, elf', he replied still chuckling, 'and I like it!'
---
Legolas had been hunting rabbits for supper, just as Da-Yina had instructed, when he heard some raised voices coming from the direction the stream lay in. Gripping his prey tightly he ran to where he heard the voices, as he drew closer he recognized the two individuals as Elladan and Riel.
Elladan seemed to be greatly displeased by something and he could see how intimidated and frightened Riel was even though her back was facing him, she was shaking with fright. Loading his bow he aimed the arrow at Elladan and stalked closer soon drawing Elladan's attention.
---
Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye, Elladan looked towards it and he was shocked to find Legolas with his bow loaded and the arrow aimed at his head. Legolas was well known for his skill in archery and he didn't wish to test Legolas while he had an arrow ready to penetrate his skull.
Legolas glared at Elladan icily, you should never raise you hand to a woman! Riel turned to face him, he could see blood trickling out of the corner of her lips, and he knew immediately what to do. "Do you make a past time of hurting women, Elladan?" he raged as he strode towards him, his bow held steady.
Elladan looked fearful and he released Riel and then backed away his eyes wide as he frantically looked for an escape route. "Please forgive me Legolas, I don't know what came over me!" he appealed with his arms wide, pleading for his life.
Legolas scowled pulling the already taunt bowstring tauter, "Do you not realise what you did to her?" he interrogated angrily as he advanced on Elladan.
Riel watched the two males her heart beating rapidly in her anxious fright. "Please don't kill him, Legolas", she whispered. She was surprised when he turned to face her.
"Go back to campsite, Riel", he commanded and he was relieved when she nodded her head and acquiesced without question, turning and running back through the tangle of trees and to the clearing. Legolas marked her departure before turning his wrath filled glare back to Elladan, "Why did you hurt her?"
"You tried to take her away from me!" Elladan roared, "She belongs to me!"
Legolas glared at him choosing to say nothing. He remembered Elladan being possessive but not to such an extreme degree and definitely not to the point that he would turn abusive.
---
As soon as she was through the trees and back at the clearing and campsite, Riel immediately made her way to Fëa. She leaned against her, drawing courage and strength from her horse, which seemed to radiate it. When she heard someone approaching, she raised her head and her eyebrows soon rose as well when she heard Da-Yina's incredible offer.
"Did you want me to castrate him for you?" the woman seemed to be somewhat serious about her offer and this information scared her but gave her a semblance of safety at the same time. This woman was willing to do such a deed for her even though they didn't know each other for very long and Riel knew then that she was indeed a worthy friend to have even with all her eccentricities.
Elladan looked at Legolas and sneered, "You bootless, tardy gaited strumpet!" he shouted and then fell heavily to the ground as Legolas kicked him in the chest.
Legolas placed his bare foot on Elladan's sternum and pushed down forcefully, holding him when he fell. Releasing his arrow, it implanted itself into the ground mere millimetres from Elladan's head.
"Let that be a warning!" He snarled, "If you ever hurt Riel again", he paused making his threat more effective and intimidating before finishing. "I'll kill you", he said, his voice low and deadly. He meant every word and he'd follow through with his threat if Elladan ever did raise his hand to Riel again, he didn't care about the consequences that would no doubt follow.
He turned away from Elladan, giving the despicable excuse for an elf one last threatening glare before picking up the rabbit he had killed for Da-Yina and heading back to the clearing. Even though he knew Riel would be safe with Merry and Pippin, he was still worried about her and he wanted to see how she was as soon as he possibly could.
---
With Da-Yina's disgusting and audacious proposition, it had aroused the curiosity of Riel, why would a woman I hardly know, offer such a thing to me? Laughing unenthusiastically Riel declined Da-Yina's mischievous offer. Da-Yina, not one to let go so easily much like a bull terrier, began to describe, in a severely graphic way, just how she'd go about fulfilling the task.
---
Legolas arrived back at the campsite to see Da-Yina talking to Riel, next to Fëa, quite enthusiastically with obscure gestures and much gesticulating, some, he thought, were trying to explain something extremely vulgar. 'What is she talking about?' he thought with dread.
Legolas came up to the two women looking highly confused as Riel had just been abused yet she was laughing not even two minutes later. "What strange words are being said here?" he asked curiously of them. He then studied Riel closely, he could see the bruises forming already but he tired not to let it effect his disposition unduly.
"Da-Yina was just telling me some extremely amusing things, it was so funny it made me laugh, that's all Legolas", Riel replied with a slight smile on her face.
Legolas could see that she wanted to smile more but the pain such a broad smile would bring stopped her, though her eyes sparkled with mirth however. He couldn't stand seeing Riel in such a state, he wanted Riel but he would never raise his hand to her because Elladan wanted her also. Such a thought was absurd as well as wicked; never would he do such a thing!
Da-Yina smiled at the mention of her name, "Indeed!" she exclaimed, "I'm going to castrate Elladan for her!" She then started to describe to Legolas how she was going to go about it, obscene gestures and all. Legolas looked fearful but after a moment, he too started to laugh along with Riel.
"I am glad to see you're all right, Riel", Legolas said softly, his eyes holding a deep emotion.
Da-Yina grinned with cunning, she recognized the look in Legolas' eyes she'd seen it before. That was how Mordemir looked at Aerin. Legolas suddenly turned his attention to her and she immediately wiped the grin from her face as she listened to him.
"Do you have any poultices to put on Riel's contusions?" He asked and she nodded her head, walking off to Herion and her saddlebags.
---
Da-Yina returned with the poultice for Riel's bruises only to find her wrapped in Legolas' arms as he trailed feather light kisses along her cheeks and neck. Confused by the sudden intimacy between the two but seeing an opportunity for mischief, she grinned maliciously as she walked over to terminate the warm scene that was playing in front her.
---
Legolas suddenly felt breath on his cheeks and he jumped in shock, turning his face he then cried out in shock, as Da-Yina's face was directly in front of him. She was so close to him and she had the most enormous smile plastered to her face as she inspected his affections.
"By the Valar, what are you doing woman!" he exclaimed.
"I should ask you the very same question", she muttered then frowned, "only it'd be 'elf' not 'woman'". Then she shrugged and waved the poultice around in front of his face, "the lady is bruised she must be tended to", Da-Yina paused a cheeky grin sneaking up upon her lips again, "although you were tending to Riel, sweet Prince, she needs to have the poultice applied. I'm truly sorry for you won't be able to apply it with your tongue and lips unless of course, you wish to have diarrhoea?" She smirked.
---
Legolas coughed in shock, he felt incredibly shamed and humbled by her words. 'How could I let myself lose control like that?' he thought. He had just gone to inspect the bruise closer but then he had been overcome with the desire to touch her, to kiss her and he had done so but 'How did I get caught? Why didn't I hear her approach?' he wondered confused, 'Humans have heavy footfalls!' he thought frantically.
He shook his head to clear his mind then snatched the poultice from Da-Yina's hand. "I will tend to Riel's injuries then", he said icily. Da-Yina just smirked at him earning herself a dirty look in return.
---
Da-Yina grinned malevolently from her seat by the fire, observing as the Elvin prince gently applied the poultice to the afflicted areas of Riel's face with the tips of his fingers. Riel was gazing deep into Legolas' eyes as he concentrated on his task. He wouldn't have come down with diarrhoea if he had ingested some of the poultice but he didn't need to know that.
When Da-Yina went to see Riel, Elrohir was left in charge of cooking the food, he understood though. Riel looked upset, why he didn't know, but if Da-Yina could help then that was fine with him. Although, he had been doing battle with Pippin for what seemed like an hour! The obnoxious Halfling had been stealing food, right from the pot!
Merry was less conspicuous about it and wasn't nearly as aggravating but Elrohir had slapped Pippin's hand that many times and he still came back for more! Every now and then, he felt forced to throw something at him. He raised his head, from where he was glaring over the pot at Pippin, when Da-Yina returned and he gave her a welcoming smile, waving in greeting.
She nodded at him in turn before playfully tousling Peregrine's curly hair. He looked up at her with a wide smile upon his face as he chewed on a piece of recently acquired rabbit. Da-Yina only smiled at the hobbit's antics as he reached into the pot again and filched another piece of rabbit.
She laughed aloud at Elrohir's expression when he caught the hobbit and giggled when he threatened to pull every hair off Pippin's feet with a pair of tweezers if he continued with his thieving ways. 'Stealing is bad', she giggled in her mind watching as his empty threat blew over Pippin's head as the hobbit then snatched up a piece of cut carrot from the pot.
---
Legolas leaned away from Riel when he finished applying the poultice and he examined his work briefly before asking, "Do you feel any better?"
She nodded her head and smiled at him as she wondered why he was being so kind and considerate to her now, when just a short hour ago he had been harassing her to the point where she wanted to scream with frustration.
Riel quietly reflected on the past few days and her time with Legolas as the object of her thoughts continued his inspection of her wound. Even though she was cross or angry the majority of the journey she had still thoroughly enjoyed her little adventure.
Perhaps her favourite part was the long rides atop Fëa with Legolas' strong arms wrapped around her, feeling so safe. She would deny it black and blue of course because of her pride and stubbornness but she was smitten with the Elvin Prince, which didn't bode well for her relationship with Elladan.
Then again, Elladan hitting her didn't bode well for their relationship. As she thought more on it, she knew that she had been in love with Legolas for a very long time it had just evolved, as she grew older. Probably from their very first meeting, when she had attached herself to his leg and refused to be pried from it at the age of three, she had loved him.
She now found herself torn as she still held deep feelings for Elladan even with his recent abuse but she also was in love with Legolas. She was confused as to what to do, she had been promised to Elladan though not officially but she had wanted to marry him ever since she found out that she could. When she was young, it was a terrific thought but now with all these other factors…
Legolas leaned away slightly, finishing his inspection and when he returned her gaze, she looked away and broke eye contact feeling ashamed of her thoughts. Legolas shook his head, ran his fingers along her good cheek, down towards her chin and turned her head so she could look him in the eye again. He then gently placed his lips to her forehead in a light kiss just as he had done so many years ago when she was grieving for her father and he had presented her with the bow he had painstakingly carved for her.
She sighed and closed her eyes a moment and when she opened them again, Legolas found himself looking deep into her dark pink, almost maroon coloured eyes. Even before her eyes had started to change colours, her eyes had always fascinated him, as they seemed so magical. Pippin had informed him that the change in her eyes had begun when she turned fourteen; it was a mystery to be sure.
"You definitely aren't the child I remember, Riel", he paused before continuing a chuckle in his voice. "Though I think you've changed for the better even if you're still the little Ruthaer!"
"You, dear prince, are the major cause of my anger!" She blamed him. As her stomach suddenly growled loudly, she clutched it as she walked over to the fire where Da-Yina was dishing up bowls of the stew and ripping chunks of bread off a loaf to be eaten with it, Legolas' laughter followed her the entire way.
---
Deep in the darkest part of the woods, a mysterious cloaked figure stood waiting for his slave to return and hopefully he would come bearing a corpse. Elladan made his way through the shadowy trees, stopping before the concealed character and falling to his knees, bowing his head and waiting for his master to speak.
"Did you succeed?" the figure asked in a harsh raspy voice.
Elladan shook his head, "I did not, master. The Elvin Prince Legolas Greenleaf interfered before I was able to kill her".
The figure looked down at Elladan and two fiery red eyes appeared suddenly in his cowl, grabbing Elladan by his collar with hands made of darkness so black that they made the shadows look light in comparison. "I gave you a task and you have failed me Del Faroth. I do not appreciate or accept failure in my minions!"
Elladan looked fearful, or was it that Del Faroth looked fearful? "I promise you, my master, that I will not fail you a second time! I will bring you back her corpse so that you may awaken-"
"Silence you fool!" the figure snapped cutting him off, "Do not speak of him aloud!"
"My apologies, master", Del Faroth replied closing Elladan's eyes in his own fear.
The cloaked figure threw Del Faroth to the ground and laughed a sickly laugh that was so awful that the Elvin body Del Faroth inhabited vomited were it had fallen. "It had better work, Del Faroth", the figure warned dangerously. "I want her dead and our master needs her exterminated!"
"I will do as my master commands!" Del Faroth said with conviction watching as his master disappeared before stalking back into the woods to find the campsite.