Authors Note: I revised this chapter from its original state. I like to thank one of my reviewers for that. I know some of you have reviewed saying that you did like the interaction between Maria and Legolas but I decided to remove it. I still plan on writing my idea about Legolas and Maria. Some of you might be upset that I removed it but I thought it would be best. I might make a website which will keep all my stories. If you like to read the original copy of this chapter, give me your email address and I will email it to you. I hope you enjoy the revised version of the chapter.
Life Sucks
By: Honolulu
For the next couple of days, Maria spent most of her time around the hobbits or with Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn was often found conversing with Celeborn or Haldir. Boromir...he would often seek solitude instead of being with others. When approached he would be deep in thought, very distracted or down right grouchy. Right now, Maria was walking with Merry when she heard swords clashing with each other. Maria and Merry ran towards the noise to find Haldir and Legolas in a spar with each other.
The two sat down and watched the spar unfold in front of them. " I wish we had some popcorn." She mumbled to Merry. He looked at her confused.
" What's popcorn?" He asked.
" Nevermind." She told him and turned to watch Haldir and Legolas. The match lasted quite awhile, neither one backed down and they even started tire. Maria watched as they kept exchanging blows at each other. The match finally ended when Haldir managed to slice Legolas' shirt but not deep enough to make contact with his skin. Both elves bowed to each other and put their swords away. Maria and Merry clapped after they finished, Haldir and Legolas looked at them finally noticing them.
" When did you two arrive?" Legolas asked putting his sword in its sheath.
" Just a few minutes ago, you two were so engrossed in the spar you didn't notice us. That's alright though. It was very entertaining to watch you two." She said. " You told me you didn't have any skill with a sword. Pfft. That was a lie." She told Legolas.
" I didn't say I didn't have any skill with a sword. I told you that I am merely an amateur when it comes to Aragorn. I prefer using my bow." He told her. She rolled her eyes.
" Yea, yea. You may not be as good as Aragorn but you do have some moves he doesn't have. You got to show me." Haldir turned to look at her strangely. She noticed his look. " What? Do I have something on my face?" She asked him.
" You know how to fight Lady Maria?" Haldir asked.
" Yea, didn't Aragorn or Legolas tell you?"
" They told me that you fought two orcs but they didn't mention that you had any skills with weaponry." She rolled her eyes.
" Figures. I know how to fight, in fact, Legolas and Aragorn were my trainers. Legolas taught me how to use a bow and my daggers while Aragorn taught me how to use a sword. I didn't want to be some defenseless maiden, not my kind of thing. Someone else can play that part."
" I meant no disrespect milady but as I told you before, it's not very common to find a female warrior."
" I'll forgive you on one condition, you teach me those moves you did. They'll come in handy in the future. What do you say?" Haldir exchanged a look with Legolas.
" You might as well Haldir or she'll annoy you for quite awhile until you give in." Legolas told him with a smirk.
" I'll do as you say milady." Haldir said.
" Wonderful! I'll go get my stuff and go change clothes." Maria moved to go back to her room.
" You wish to start now?" Haldir asked. She turned to look at him.
" Of course. No time like the present." She turned back around, with her back facing them, she called out to Legolas. " Legolas, as much as I enjoy looking at your chest I don't enjoy the sight of having the female elves around here drool around you. So I suggest you go change into a different tunic." With that, she walked off. Legolas looked amused by her comment. He exchanged a look with both Haldir and Merry then walked off to change.
A couple of minutes later, Maria returned with a pair of her jeans and a cotton tunic on. Her daggers strapped onto her thighs and her sword hanging off the side of her hip. Haldir raised an eyebrow at her clothing but said nothing. " Where did Merry go?" She asked him.
" He left to be with the other hobbits." Haldir replied. She nodded. " Let's begin. Let us start with a little spar so I know how much skill you have and then we'll go from there."
" What do you want to start with? Daggers or my sword?"
" Sword." Maria didn't have much time to pull out her sword when Haldir swung his down on her. She blocked his blow and jumped back to gain some room. She pulled her sword in front of her and watched him. Neither one made a move but just watched each other. After what seemed like an eternity, Haldir ran at her. The two exchanged blows. Not too long into the spar did Maria start to tire.
'Damn. He's quick and strong.' She thought as she went down low to dodge a swing towards her head. ' Enough defense.' Maria moved to be on offense but soon found herself on defense again. Haldir thrust his sword down towards her head once again. Maria brought up her sword and blocked. Haldir pushed down on his sword using his strength and body. Maria tried to push him off her but he was too strong. Her body started to move towards the ground as Haldir increased the pressure on her sword. She moved down to one knee, she tried to move him back but he would just add more pressure.
Sweat formed on her brow as she continued to be held in his lock. Haldir decided to end the spar, he brought up his leg and kicked Maria in the shoulder. The kick caused Maria to lose her grip on her sword and sent her landing on the ground flat on her back. She moved to get up but met the end of Haldir's cold blade on her neck. She stared at him. " Um...planning to remove the sword. Feeling kind of nervous here." She told him.
He smiled and removed the sword from her neck. He reached down to lend her hand which she took and got off the ground. She wiped the sweat off her brow with the end of her sleeve. " So... how did I do?"
" You do have some skill and great potential, but you still need some conditioning, you need to build up your stamina and strength. You did quite well though. We'll start with building your stamina. Start running."
***********************
Legolas knocked on Maria's door. " Come in." He heard. He opened the door to find Maria sprawled out on her bed. Her hair messy and wet. " I hate Haldir." She declared.
" Why? What happened?" He sat down beside her on the bed. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
" He made me run."
" What's so wrong with that?"
" You didn't let me finish. He made me run five miles nonstop and if I stopped he would add on another mile." Legolas tried to stifle his smile but failed miserably.
" How many times did you stop?"
" Three." He started laughing. She groaned.
" It's not funny Legolas. I had a hell of a time just taking a bath. My legs are sore from all the running." She whined but he continued laughing. She grabbed a pillow and whacked him in the head.
" What?"
" You punk!"
" Sorry but you were the one who asked him to train you."
" Why didn't you stop me? You could've smacked some sense into me."
" His training is not that hard." She looked at him.
" Hah! Says you, you are an elf. It may not be hard for you but for a mere mortal like me it will be. You elves are like the energizer bunny, you keep going and going."
" Energizer bunny?"
" Nevermind. You were saying."
" You'll be fine. Your body will get use to it after a couple of days. Right now it's time for dinner. That's why I came here, to retrieve you."
" I don't think my legs can handle my weight right now. They'll probably turn to jelly as soon as I stand up."
" Then I shall help you." Legolas stood up and placed one arm under her knees and his other arm around her back. He picked her up as he would with a bride. He walked towards the door.
" Wait! You can't take me like this, at least let me comb my hair." He rolled his eyes and set her down in a chair. He went to her dresser and picked up a brush. He walked back to her and motioned to brush her hair. " Here, give the brush. You don't have to brush my hair for me."
" Just relax Maria and let me do this for you. Tilt your head back besides it's not too much trouble." He told her.
" Fine but don't be rough. I may not have a lot of hair but I still get tangles." She tilt her head back and closed her eyes. Legolas gently ran the brush through her dark hair. Whenever he found a tangle, he would use his fingers to unknot it. Maria enjoyed the way his fingers would go through her hair. She wondered how his fingers would be on her skin.
" Maria? Maria?" She came out of her fantasy to hear the calling of her name.
" Yeah?"
" I'm done. Let us go join the others." She nodded and Legolas lifted her up from the chair. With her in his arms, Legolas walked down from her room to the others on the ground.
*****************************
Maria awoke to the sun that next morning. She moved her legs to find them still a little sore but otherwise fine. She got up and got ready for the day. After eating breakfast with the hobbits, she went looking for Haldir. She couldn't find him anywhere, she asked a the closest elf to her and asked him where she could find him.
" The Marchwarden should be by the northern border." The elf told her.
" Okay, thank you." She walked the path that lead to the northern border and indeed found Haldir. He was speaking to an elf who was clad in some kind of armor. She walked up to them. " Sorry for interrupting but I can speak to you Haldir?" He nodded and spoke elvish to the elf telling him he was dismissed.
" What is it you wish speak of?" He asked her after the elf left.
" Well, I was wondering when we can start training again."
" I can't train you right now, I have my duties to take care of first."
" Okay then how about after you finish working?"
" Sorry but no." He told her.
" What? Why not? You said you would train me."
" Indeed I did but I did not say how long I would train you."
" What? You can't do that." She complained.
" But I just did milady. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to my duty. Good day." He walked off leaving her with her mouth gaping after him.
" He did not just do that." She ran after him. " Haldir!" She called out. He turned at the sound of his name. Maria jumped on him and tackled him to the ground.
" What are you doing?!?" Elves from the gate and near them turned to look at the commotion. They were surprised to find a human sitting on top of the famous Marchwarden.
Maria straddled his waist. " You told me you would train me and I'll be damned if I let you go because of some stupid loophole." She told him.
" Milady, I refuse to train you because it's not proper to train a woman to fight when there is no need for them to fight." Haldir told her.
" You didn't say this yesterday."
" I didn't say anything because I only trained you to amuse you." Her eyes narrowed into slits.
" Let me amuse you Haldir. I get dirty, I fight, curse, I do everything that a lady shouldn't do. I am no lady! So stop calling me 'milady' and just call me Maria like everyone else. Second of all, I need to know how to fight because I'm part of the Fellowship. I don't want someone protecting me because I can't fight and then they end up getting killed themselves. I will be no damsel in distress. Have I amused you enough Haldir? Will you train me? I know I can seek help from others but right now you have more skill then the rest. You said it yourself, I have potential and skill. Please help me Haldir." She pleaded with him.
Haldir looked at her. " Please." She whispered. He nodded.
" Fine...Maria. Will you please get off me?" He asked. She stood up and lended him a hand. Maria looked around to see the elves staring at them.
" Okay people, show's over. Move on, nothing to see here!" She called out. Haldir told the guards to pay attention to the gates. " So, when do we start?" She asked him.
" We can start after my duty is over today."
" And when is that?"
" At five but that only gives us a few hours before the sun sets. So we'll also train before I go to work."
" When's that?"
" Five."
" A.M!?!"
" Yes, so we'll set to work at 2:00."
"...."
" Now excuse me Maria but I must see to my duties, I will see you at five." She didn't say anything as he walked away.
" What have I've gotten myself into?" She mumbled to herself before walking off.
***********************
As the days passed, the fellowship did not see much of Maria. The only time they did see her was at lunch or she would be in the company of Haldir. Maria was having lunch with everybody, not joining in the conversation all that much.
" Maria? Are you alright?" Aragorn asked her.
" Huh? What?"
" I asked if you were alright."
" Oh yeah I'm fine. Just a little tired from all the stuff Haldir has me doing." She told them as she took a bite from her apple.
" Maybe he's pushing you too hard if your not having enough sleep. Maybe you should cut down some of the sessions." Legolas suggested.
" Nah! It's not a big problem besides I enjoy spending the time with him."
" Would you like to walk around Lorien with me Maria?" Legolas asked.
" I'd love to but I'm gonna get some sleep after I eat then meet up with Haldir. Sorry." He gave her a some what forced smile.
" That's alright. If you would excuse me." He left before any could say a word. Maria looked at everyone.
" Was it something I said?"
" Don't worry about it lass. I'll go speak with him." Gimli got out of his seat and walked after Legolas.
" Don't worry about it Maria, Legolas has been acting strange for the past week." Frodo told her.
" But why?"
" I'd like to say it's because he's jealous." Boromir spoke up. Maria looked at him.
" Jealous? Why would he be jealous?" Boromir and Aragorn exchanged glances. " What? What are you not telling me?"
" It's quite obvious." Merry said.
" Not to me."
" Legolas likes you." Pippin blurted out. She looked at him, her eyes wide.
" What?!? That can't be right." She shook her head. " Aragorn, is this true?"
" I'm afraid so."
" Then that means he's jealous of...no! This can't be right! You're crazy, the whole lot of you. I'm going to get some sleep." She looked at them once more than left the table.
**************************
Maria laid on her bed, tossing and turning. " Arg!" She cried out. She kept shifting around trying to get some sleep. ' Legolas likes you.' The thought kept running through her head. " No! It's not true. It can't be! He would never like me!"
'Legolas likes you.'
'Legolas likes you.'
'Legolas likes you.'
'Legolas likes you.'
" Shut up!" She yelled at herself. She grabbed her pillow and screamed into it.
**************************
Gimli found Legolas sitting under a tree near the stream. " Go away Gimli. I am no mood to talk." Legolas told him without moving.
" That's too bad Master Elf because I am." Gimli walked up and sat next to him.
" I'm serious Gimli."
" So am I laddie. Now tell me, what is wrong with you?" Legolas looked at him.
" What?"
" Don't make me repeat myself, I know you heard me."
" Nothing is wrong."
" Hah! Don't lie to me laddie. This past week you've been nothing but a...what would Maria say? Oh yes! This past week you've been nothing but an ass." Legolas' eyes widened.
" Excuse me? I believe Maria has been rubbing off on you."
" Bah! Don't change the subject. I'm not good at heart to heart talks but I'm willing to give it a try. Now don't lie to me and answer me truthfully. What is wrong with you?"
Legolas sighed, " It's Maria..."
" I knew it!" Cried Gimli. Legolas looked at with a confused look on his face.
" Knew what?" He asked.
" I knew your problem dealed with the lass. It's quite obvious too." Legolas raised an eyebrow.
" Oh really!?! Then /Master Dwarf/ please tell me my problem."
" Alright. You like the lass but you don't know how to deal with your feelings also you're jealous of that Marchwarden because Maria has been spending more time with him then with you." Legolas bowed his head and sighed.
" So it really is that obvious." Gimli gave a deep chuckle.
" Only to some of us, Maria has no idea." Legolas groaned.
" What am I going to do?" Gimli gave him a hard pat on the shoulder.
" Don't worry about it lad, you'll figure out what to do. All I suggest is to make a move before that Marchwarden does."
" What?" His head whipped up.
" You may be older than me Legolas but my eyes have seen plenty. You don't think you are the only one who fancies that lass?" He gave a thunderous laugh. Legolas jumped to his feet.
" I must speak with her."
" She won't be in her room, she's probably meeting Haldir now. It's nearly five. I've been looking for you for over an hour."
" I'll speak with her when she is alone then."
" Good idea."
" Thank you Gimli."
" Your welcome." Gimli got to his feet and started to walk away. " Oh! Legolas!"
" Yes, Gimli?"
" This conversation never happened." Legolas smiled.
" But of course."
*******************************
Gimli was correct, Maria was with Haldir. She was practicing with her sword with him while talking. " And then... Pippin says that Legolas...likes me." She told him between swings. " Isn't that... the most... ridicules thing... you've ever heard?"
" No...it's not...that...ridicules. It makes... plenty...of sense."
" Hold up! Stop! What do you mean it makes sense?"
" Must we discuss this now?" He asked.
" No time like the present."
" Fine, then let's stop training today because you're already distracted and we won't get anything productive done today." He told her as he put his sword in its sheath.
" Okay, so explain." He rolled his eyes.
" It makes plenty of sense because you are a young attractive female with good qualities."
" What kind of qualities?"
" You're funny, attractive, smart, very sarcastic which isn't always good, you're strong, determined, and nice."
" Ah! Haldir, you're so sweet. Go on."
" Your different than the other females Legolas has met."
" How so?"
" Most elleths find Legolas attractive not just because of his looks but because of his title." He explained to her.
" Ah."
" You saw beyond his looks and title and saw him as himself. That's one of your best features. You get to know people before you judge them."
'That's not always true.' She thought but didn't speak up. " Do you think I should go speak with him?"
" That would be wise."
" Okay, I'll go speak with him now." She turned but didn't walk.
" What are you waiting for?" He asked.
" I'm trying to psyche myself up. Okay, I'm ready. Wish me good luck."
" Why?"
" Because if we're wrong about him liking me then I'm going to need plenty of luck."
" Good luck." Maria straightened her back and walked.
" Amin n'rangwa edanea. [I don't understand these humans.]" He said to himself before walking to his flat.
*****************************
Maria walked down to the fellowship's campsite to see Legolas speaking with Aragorn. She tried to walk to them but her feet wouldn't comply with her. ' I can't do this!' Maria turned and ran off in the opposite direction. She didn't stop running until she reached her room. She walked inside and laid down on her bed. ' Strong and determined my butt.' She rubbed her temples in frustration.' What if they were wrong? What if he doesn't like me? This could ruin our friendship.'
She got to her feet and walked to the bathroom. She took out her contacts and put on her glasses. She walked out to the balcony and looked at the view below. So occupied with her thoughts, she didn't hear the knock at her door until her name was called. " Maria? Are you there?" The voice called out from the other side of the door.
" Legolas?"
" Yes, can you open the door. I like to speak with you."
'What am I going to do? What am I going to do?' She chanted in her head.
" Maria?"
" I'm coming." She walked to the door. ' I can do this. I /can/ do this.' She ran her fingers through her hair and opened the door. Legolas stood there with some flowers in his hand. " Hey."
" Hi. These are for you."
" Thank you." She took the flowers to find that they were lilies. She smelled them and placed them on the table. Legolas closed the door behind him.
" I thought you would be training with Haldir." Legolas said.
" He had some other stuff to tend to so we ended practice early." They looked at each other awkwardly. " You said you wanted to speak with me?"
He nodded. " Yes," ' Tell her. Tell her you fell in love with her.' His mind screamed at him.
" Legolas?"
' I don't want to ruin our friendship.' " Since you're not with Haldir I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk with me."
" Sure, I'd love to." They smiled at each other.
******************************
The two walked around Lorien. Maria told him of the many things Haldir had her do while Legolas spoke of the many talks he had with Aragorn and Gimli.
" So you and Gimli are friends now?"
" I wouldn't exactly call us friends."
" Then what are you?" She asked.
" Close companions." She laughed at him.
" Okay then. So what do you do when you're not with the guys?"
" Sometimes I speak with Lord Celeborn but I'm often climbing the trees."
" I haven't climbed a tree since I was ten and climbing the trees here don't count. My Dad was always afraid I would break something so he would never let me climb trees." Legolas looked at her.
" Do you want to climb a tree?" She looked at him.
" You serious?"
" Very." Maria didn't answer at first. She looked at the high trees warily.
" If I fall, I'm going to kill you."
" I won't let you fall. I'd catch you before you even hit the ground."
" We'll see." Legolas walked to the nearest tree and climbed up to the first branch. He lended her a hand to get to the branch. As they climbed up, Legolas would lend her a hand. They kept climbing until the branches could no longer hold their weight. They sat in the tree and continued talking until the sun set.
" We should start heading down. I'll be your eyes." Legolas told her. Slowly but surely, they climbed down the tree. Maria was coming down the last branch, since the sun had already set she didn't see the small little sharp branch sticking out. Her hand connected with it and cut her palm.
" Ow!" She cried out.
" What's wrong?"
" I cut myself on a stupid branch."
" Let me see." She gave him her hand. Legolas inspected it.
" Tis a small scratch but it needs to be cleaned nonetheless. Let's go to my room since it's nearby."
" I didn't know you had a room. I thought you slept on the ground floor like the others."
" No, Lady Galadriel gave me my own room." He told her as she followed him. They soon came to his room. Maria sat down on a chair while Legolas went to retrieve a wet rag from the bathroom.
" I noticed that your room is kind of isolated from the rest. Why is that?" She asked.
" The room Lady Galadriel originally gave me, some elleths found out so she gave me a new room. The elleths still believe that I remain there so it's a good getaway. Besides, when I want to be alone I come here. Only Aragorn, Lady Galadriel, Gimli and now you know that I reside here." He told her.
" Interesting."
" Give me your hand." Legolas placed her hand in his. She winced at the sting of the rag making contact with her hand. " Sorry."
" It's not your fault." As Legolas focused on cleaning her hand, Maria stared at his ears. Before she realized what she was doing, her free hand was tracing the rim of his ear. Legolas dropped the cloth and groaned. She immediately pulled back her hand. " I didn't hurt you did I?" She asked.
" No, quite the opposite. Elves ears are quite sensitive. I didn't expect your touch but it was nice." He told her.
" Do you mind if I touch your ear again? I won't if you don't want me to." She asked.
" No, it's fine." Maria scooted closer to him. With her index finger, she started tracing his ear again. Legolas closed his eyes and reveled in her soft touch. Being bold, she placed a light kiss on the tip of his ear. She heard him take a sharp intake of breath. Legolas turned his head to face her. His eyes became a darker shade of blue. " Why did you do that?" He asked her.
She didn't say anything, she grabbed his chin and pulled his face closer to her's. " Because I wanted to." Was all she said before her lips descended upon his. Legolas was too stunned to move. Thinking she did something wrong Maria started to pull back when his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. Her lips where not even a inch away from his when he captured her lips. The kiss was sweet and slow.
Maria moved closer to him until her chest was touching his. She gave a breathy moan as he pulled back. Her eyes were still closed, her lips moist as he looked at her. " You should go." He told her. Her eyes slowly opened to meet his.
" Yeah." She got to her feet thanking god that her knees didn't buckle under her. Legolas walked her to the door. She grabbed the handle to pull it open when a hand prevented it slammed on top prevention it from opening. " Legolas, wha-" Her sentence was cut off when he kissed her. She grabbed part of his tunic and pulled him closer to her. His hands were against the door beside her head, his body firmly pressed against hers. Maria's back pinned against the door.
When they pulled apart for air Legolas spoke up. " I'm sorry."
" It's alright but I really should go." Legolas nodded. " Goodnight."
" Goodnight." He stepped back so she could open the door. She walked out feeling the cool air brush up on her skin as she walked back to her room. When the door shut, Legolas banged his head against it." what was I doing?" He asked himself.
Maria walked to her room, licking her lips, still tasting Legolas. ' What was I doing? I probably just ended our friendship.' She thought. She reached her room, she looked at her door but didn't enter. ' Screw it. I'm not getting any sleep tonight.' She turned and walked away. Both Legolas and Maria did not sleep that night. Both with the same thought on their mind.
'What happens now?"
To be continued....
Authors Note: I hope you like this version of the chapter. Let me know by reviewing.
Life Sucks
By: Honolulu
For the next couple of days, Maria spent most of her time around the hobbits or with Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn was often found conversing with Celeborn or Haldir. Boromir...he would often seek solitude instead of being with others. When approached he would be deep in thought, very distracted or down right grouchy. Right now, Maria was walking with Merry when she heard swords clashing with each other. Maria and Merry ran towards the noise to find Haldir and Legolas in a spar with each other.
The two sat down and watched the spar unfold in front of them. " I wish we had some popcorn." She mumbled to Merry. He looked at her confused.
" What's popcorn?" He asked.
" Nevermind." She told him and turned to watch Haldir and Legolas. The match lasted quite awhile, neither one backed down and they even started tire. Maria watched as they kept exchanging blows at each other. The match finally ended when Haldir managed to slice Legolas' shirt but not deep enough to make contact with his skin. Both elves bowed to each other and put their swords away. Maria and Merry clapped after they finished, Haldir and Legolas looked at them finally noticing them.
" When did you two arrive?" Legolas asked putting his sword in its sheath.
" Just a few minutes ago, you two were so engrossed in the spar you didn't notice us. That's alright though. It was very entertaining to watch you two." She said. " You told me you didn't have any skill with a sword. Pfft. That was a lie." She told Legolas.
" I didn't say I didn't have any skill with a sword. I told you that I am merely an amateur when it comes to Aragorn. I prefer using my bow." He told her. She rolled her eyes.
" Yea, yea. You may not be as good as Aragorn but you do have some moves he doesn't have. You got to show me." Haldir turned to look at her strangely. She noticed his look. " What? Do I have something on my face?" She asked him.
" You know how to fight Lady Maria?" Haldir asked.
" Yea, didn't Aragorn or Legolas tell you?"
" They told me that you fought two orcs but they didn't mention that you had any skills with weaponry." She rolled her eyes.
" Figures. I know how to fight, in fact, Legolas and Aragorn were my trainers. Legolas taught me how to use a bow and my daggers while Aragorn taught me how to use a sword. I didn't want to be some defenseless maiden, not my kind of thing. Someone else can play that part."
" I meant no disrespect milady but as I told you before, it's not very common to find a female warrior."
" I'll forgive you on one condition, you teach me those moves you did. They'll come in handy in the future. What do you say?" Haldir exchanged a look with Legolas.
" You might as well Haldir or she'll annoy you for quite awhile until you give in." Legolas told him with a smirk.
" I'll do as you say milady." Haldir said.
" Wonderful! I'll go get my stuff and go change clothes." Maria moved to go back to her room.
" You wish to start now?" Haldir asked. She turned to look at him.
" Of course. No time like the present." She turned back around, with her back facing them, she called out to Legolas. " Legolas, as much as I enjoy looking at your chest I don't enjoy the sight of having the female elves around here drool around you. So I suggest you go change into a different tunic." With that, she walked off. Legolas looked amused by her comment. He exchanged a look with both Haldir and Merry then walked off to change.
A couple of minutes later, Maria returned with a pair of her jeans and a cotton tunic on. Her daggers strapped onto her thighs and her sword hanging off the side of her hip. Haldir raised an eyebrow at her clothing but said nothing. " Where did Merry go?" She asked him.
" He left to be with the other hobbits." Haldir replied. She nodded. " Let's begin. Let us start with a little spar so I know how much skill you have and then we'll go from there."
" What do you want to start with? Daggers or my sword?"
" Sword." Maria didn't have much time to pull out her sword when Haldir swung his down on her. She blocked his blow and jumped back to gain some room. She pulled her sword in front of her and watched him. Neither one made a move but just watched each other. After what seemed like an eternity, Haldir ran at her. The two exchanged blows. Not too long into the spar did Maria start to tire.
'Damn. He's quick and strong.' She thought as she went down low to dodge a swing towards her head. ' Enough defense.' Maria moved to be on offense but soon found herself on defense again. Haldir thrust his sword down towards her head once again. Maria brought up her sword and blocked. Haldir pushed down on his sword using his strength and body. Maria tried to push him off her but he was too strong. Her body started to move towards the ground as Haldir increased the pressure on her sword. She moved down to one knee, she tried to move him back but he would just add more pressure.
Sweat formed on her brow as she continued to be held in his lock. Haldir decided to end the spar, he brought up his leg and kicked Maria in the shoulder. The kick caused Maria to lose her grip on her sword and sent her landing on the ground flat on her back. She moved to get up but met the end of Haldir's cold blade on her neck. She stared at him. " Um...planning to remove the sword. Feeling kind of nervous here." She told him.
He smiled and removed the sword from her neck. He reached down to lend her hand which she took and got off the ground. She wiped the sweat off her brow with the end of her sleeve. " So... how did I do?"
" You do have some skill and great potential, but you still need some conditioning, you need to build up your stamina and strength. You did quite well though. We'll start with building your stamina. Start running."
***********************
Legolas knocked on Maria's door. " Come in." He heard. He opened the door to find Maria sprawled out on her bed. Her hair messy and wet. " I hate Haldir." She declared.
" Why? What happened?" He sat down beside her on the bed. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
" He made me run."
" What's so wrong with that?"
" You didn't let me finish. He made me run five miles nonstop and if I stopped he would add on another mile." Legolas tried to stifle his smile but failed miserably.
" How many times did you stop?"
" Three." He started laughing. She groaned.
" It's not funny Legolas. I had a hell of a time just taking a bath. My legs are sore from all the running." She whined but he continued laughing. She grabbed a pillow and whacked him in the head.
" What?"
" You punk!"
" Sorry but you were the one who asked him to train you."
" Why didn't you stop me? You could've smacked some sense into me."
" His training is not that hard." She looked at him.
" Hah! Says you, you are an elf. It may not be hard for you but for a mere mortal like me it will be. You elves are like the energizer bunny, you keep going and going."
" Energizer bunny?"
" Nevermind. You were saying."
" You'll be fine. Your body will get use to it after a couple of days. Right now it's time for dinner. That's why I came here, to retrieve you."
" I don't think my legs can handle my weight right now. They'll probably turn to jelly as soon as I stand up."
" Then I shall help you." Legolas stood up and placed one arm under her knees and his other arm around her back. He picked her up as he would with a bride. He walked towards the door.
" Wait! You can't take me like this, at least let me comb my hair." He rolled his eyes and set her down in a chair. He went to her dresser and picked up a brush. He walked back to her and motioned to brush her hair. " Here, give the brush. You don't have to brush my hair for me."
" Just relax Maria and let me do this for you. Tilt your head back besides it's not too much trouble." He told her.
" Fine but don't be rough. I may not have a lot of hair but I still get tangles." She tilt her head back and closed her eyes. Legolas gently ran the brush through her dark hair. Whenever he found a tangle, he would use his fingers to unknot it. Maria enjoyed the way his fingers would go through her hair. She wondered how his fingers would be on her skin.
" Maria? Maria?" She came out of her fantasy to hear the calling of her name.
" Yeah?"
" I'm done. Let us go join the others." She nodded and Legolas lifted her up from the chair. With her in his arms, Legolas walked down from her room to the others on the ground.
*****************************
Maria awoke to the sun that next morning. She moved her legs to find them still a little sore but otherwise fine. She got up and got ready for the day. After eating breakfast with the hobbits, she went looking for Haldir. She couldn't find him anywhere, she asked a the closest elf to her and asked him where she could find him.
" The Marchwarden should be by the northern border." The elf told her.
" Okay, thank you." She walked the path that lead to the northern border and indeed found Haldir. He was speaking to an elf who was clad in some kind of armor. She walked up to them. " Sorry for interrupting but I can speak to you Haldir?" He nodded and spoke elvish to the elf telling him he was dismissed.
" What is it you wish speak of?" He asked her after the elf left.
" Well, I was wondering when we can start training again."
" I can't train you right now, I have my duties to take care of first."
" Okay then how about after you finish working?"
" Sorry but no." He told her.
" What? Why not? You said you would train me."
" Indeed I did but I did not say how long I would train you."
" What? You can't do that." She complained.
" But I just did milady. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to my duty. Good day." He walked off leaving her with her mouth gaping after him.
" He did not just do that." She ran after him. " Haldir!" She called out. He turned at the sound of his name. Maria jumped on him and tackled him to the ground.
" What are you doing?!?" Elves from the gate and near them turned to look at the commotion. They were surprised to find a human sitting on top of the famous Marchwarden.
Maria straddled his waist. " You told me you would train me and I'll be damned if I let you go because of some stupid loophole." She told him.
" Milady, I refuse to train you because it's not proper to train a woman to fight when there is no need for them to fight." Haldir told her.
" You didn't say this yesterday."
" I didn't say anything because I only trained you to amuse you." Her eyes narrowed into slits.
" Let me amuse you Haldir. I get dirty, I fight, curse, I do everything that a lady shouldn't do. I am no lady! So stop calling me 'milady' and just call me Maria like everyone else. Second of all, I need to know how to fight because I'm part of the Fellowship. I don't want someone protecting me because I can't fight and then they end up getting killed themselves. I will be no damsel in distress. Have I amused you enough Haldir? Will you train me? I know I can seek help from others but right now you have more skill then the rest. You said it yourself, I have potential and skill. Please help me Haldir." She pleaded with him.
Haldir looked at her. " Please." She whispered. He nodded.
" Fine...Maria. Will you please get off me?" He asked. She stood up and lended him a hand. Maria looked around to see the elves staring at them.
" Okay people, show's over. Move on, nothing to see here!" She called out. Haldir told the guards to pay attention to the gates. " So, when do we start?" She asked him.
" We can start after my duty is over today."
" And when is that?"
" At five but that only gives us a few hours before the sun sets. So we'll also train before I go to work."
" When's that?"
" Five."
" A.M!?!"
" Yes, so we'll set to work at 2:00."
"...."
" Now excuse me Maria but I must see to my duties, I will see you at five." She didn't say anything as he walked away.
" What have I've gotten myself into?" She mumbled to herself before walking off.
***********************
As the days passed, the fellowship did not see much of Maria. The only time they did see her was at lunch or she would be in the company of Haldir. Maria was having lunch with everybody, not joining in the conversation all that much.
" Maria? Are you alright?" Aragorn asked her.
" Huh? What?"
" I asked if you were alright."
" Oh yeah I'm fine. Just a little tired from all the stuff Haldir has me doing." She told them as she took a bite from her apple.
" Maybe he's pushing you too hard if your not having enough sleep. Maybe you should cut down some of the sessions." Legolas suggested.
" Nah! It's not a big problem besides I enjoy spending the time with him."
" Would you like to walk around Lorien with me Maria?" Legolas asked.
" I'd love to but I'm gonna get some sleep after I eat then meet up with Haldir. Sorry." He gave her a some what forced smile.
" That's alright. If you would excuse me." He left before any could say a word. Maria looked at everyone.
" Was it something I said?"
" Don't worry about it lass. I'll go speak with him." Gimli got out of his seat and walked after Legolas.
" Don't worry about it Maria, Legolas has been acting strange for the past week." Frodo told her.
" But why?"
" I'd like to say it's because he's jealous." Boromir spoke up. Maria looked at him.
" Jealous? Why would he be jealous?" Boromir and Aragorn exchanged glances. " What? What are you not telling me?"
" It's quite obvious." Merry said.
" Not to me."
" Legolas likes you." Pippin blurted out. She looked at him, her eyes wide.
" What?!? That can't be right." She shook her head. " Aragorn, is this true?"
" I'm afraid so."
" Then that means he's jealous of...no! This can't be right! You're crazy, the whole lot of you. I'm going to get some sleep." She looked at them once more than left the table.
**************************
Maria laid on her bed, tossing and turning. " Arg!" She cried out. She kept shifting around trying to get some sleep. ' Legolas likes you.' The thought kept running through her head. " No! It's not true. It can't be! He would never like me!"
'Legolas likes you.'
'Legolas likes you.'
'Legolas likes you.'
'Legolas likes you.'
" Shut up!" She yelled at herself. She grabbed her pillow and screamed into it.
**************************
Gimli found Legolas sitting under a tree near the stream. " Go away Gimli. I am no mood to talk." Legolas told him without moving.
" That's too bad Master Elf because I am." Gimli walked up and sat next to him.
" I'm serious Gimli."
" So am I laddie. Now tell me, what is wrong with you?" Legolas looked at him.
" What?"
" Don't make me repeat myself, I know you heard me."
" Nothing is wrong."
" Hah! Don't lie to me laddie. This past week you've been nothing but a...what would Maria say? Oh yes! This past week you've been nothing but an ass." Legolas' eyes widened.
" Excuse me? I believe Maria has been rubbing off on you."
" Bah! Don't change the subject. I'm not good at heart to heart talks but I'm willing to give it a try. Now don't lie to me and answer me truthfully. What is wrong with you?"
Legolas sighed, " It's Maria..."
" I knew it!" Cried Gimli. Legolas looked at with a confused look on his face.
" Knew what?" He asked.
" I knew your problem dealed with the lass. It's quite obvious too." Legolas raised an eyebrow.
" Oh really!?! Then /Master Dwarf/ please tell me my problem."
" Alright. You like the lass but you don't know how to deal with your feelings also you're jealous of that Marchwarden because Maria has been spending more time with him then with you." Legolas bowed his head and sighed.
" So it really is that obvious." Gimli gave a deep chuckle.
" Only to some of us, Maria has no idea." Legolas groaned.
" What am I going to do?" Gimli gave him a hard pat on the shoulder.
" Don't worry about it lad, you'll figure out what to do. All I suggest is to make a move before that Marchwarden does."
" What?" His head whipped up.
" You may be older than me Legolas but my eyes have seen plenty. You don't think you are the only one who fancies that lass?" He gave a thunderous laugh. Legolas jumped to his feet.
" I must speak with her."
" She won't be in her room, she's probably meeting Haldir now. It's nearly five. I've been looking for you for over an hour."
" I'll speak with her when she is alone then."
" Good idea."
" Thank you Gimli."
" Your welcome." Gimli got to his feet and started to walk away. " Oh! Legolas!"
" Yes, Gimli?"
" This conversation never happened." Legolas smiled.
" But of course."
*******************************
Gimli was correct, Maria was with Haldir. She was practicing with her sword with him while talking. " And then... Pippin says that Legolas...likes me." She told him between swings. " Isn't that... the most... ridicules thing... you've ever heard?"
" No...it's not...that...ridicules. It makes... plenty...of sense."
" Hold up! Stop! What do you mean it makes sense?"
" Must we discuss this now?" He asked.
" No time like the present."
" Fine, then let's stop training today because you're already distracted and we won't get anything productive done today." He told her as he put his sword in its sheath.
" Okay, so explain." He rolled his eyes.
" It makes plenty of sense because you are a young attractive female with good qualities."
" What kind of qualities?"
" You're funny, attractive, smart, very sarcastic which isn't always good, you're strong, determined, and nice."
" Ah! Haldir, you're so sweet. Go on."
" Your different than the other females Legolas has met."
" How so?"
" Most elleths find Legolas attractive not just because of his looks but because of his title." He explained to her.
" Ah."
" You saw beyond his looks and title and saw him as himself. That's one of your best features. You get to know people before you judge them."
'That's not always true.' She thought but didn't speak up. " Do you think I should go speak with him?"
" That would be wise."
" Okay, I'll go speak with him now." She turned but didn't walk.
" What are you waiting for?" He asked.
" I'm trying to psyche myself up. Okay, I'm ready. Wish me good luck."
" Why?"
" Because if we're wrong about him liking me then I'm going to need plenty of luck."
" Good luck." Maria straightened her back and walked.
" Amin n'rangwa edanea. [I don't understand these humans.]" He said to himself before walking to his flat.
*****************************
Maria walked down to the fellowship's campsite to see Legolas speaking with Aragorn. She tried to walk to them but her feet wouldn't comply with her. ' I can't do this!' Maria turned and ran off in the opposite direction. She didn't stop running until she reached her room. She walked inside and laid down on her bed. ' Strong and determined my butt.' She rubbed her temples in frustration.' What if they were wrong? What if he doesn't like me? This could ruin our friendship.'
She got to her feet and walked to the bathroom. She took out her contacts and put on her glasses. She walked out to the balcony and looked at the view below. So occupied with her thoughts, she didn't hear the knock at her door until her name was called. " Maria? Are you there?" The voice called out from the other side of the door.
" Legolas?"
" Yes, can you open the door. I like to speak with you."
'What am I going to do? What am I going to do?' She chanted in her head.
" Maria?"
" I'm coming." She walked to the door. ' I can do this. I /can/ do this.' She ran her fingers through her hair and opened the door. Legolas stood there with some flowers in his hand. " Hey."
" Hi. These are for you."
" Thank you." She took the flowers to find that they were lilies. She smelled them and placed them on the table. Legolas closed the door behind him.
" I thought you would be training with Haldir." Legolas said.
" He had some other stuff to tend to so we ended practice early." They looked at each other awkwardly. " You said you wanted to speak with me?"
He nodded. " Yes," ' Tell her. Tell her you fell in love with her.' His mind screamed at him.
" Legolas?"
' I don't want to ruin our friendship.' " Since you're not with Haldir I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk with me."
" Sure, I'd love to." They smiled at each other.
******************************
The two walked around Lorien. Maria told him of the many things Haldir had her do while Legolas spoke of the many talks he had with Aragorn and Gimli.
" So you and Gimli are friends now?"
" I wouldn't exactly call us friends."
" Then what are you?" She asked.
" Close companions." She laughed at him.
" Okay then. So what do you do when you're not with the guys?"
" Sometimes I speak with Lord Celeborn but I'm often climbing the trees."
" I haven't climbed a tree since I was ten and climbing the trees here don't count. My Dad was always afraid I would break something so he would never let me climb trees." Legolas looked at her.
" Do you want to climb a tree?" She looked at him.
" You serious?"
" Very." Maria didn't answer at first. She looked at the high trees warily.
" If I fall, I'm going to kill you."
" I won't let you fall. I'd catch you before you even hit the ground."
" We'll see." Legolas walked to the nearest tree and climbed up to the first branch. He lended her a hand to get to the branch. As they climbed up, Legolas would lend her a hand. They kept climbing until the branches could no longer hold their weight. They sat in the tree and continued talking until the sun set.
" We should start heading down. I'll be your eyes." Legolas told her. Slowly but surely, they climbed down the tree. Maria was coming down the last branch, since the sun had already set she didn't see the small little sharp branch sticking out. Her hand connected with it and cut her palm.
" Ow!" She cried out.
" What's wrong?"
" I cut myself on a stupid branch."
" Let me see." She gave him her hand. Legolas inspected it.
" Tis a small scratch but it needs to be cleaned nonetheless. Let's go to my room since it's nearby."
" I didn't know you had a room. I thought you slept on the ground floor like the others."
" No, Lady Galadriel gave me my own room." He told her as she followed him. They soon came to his room. Maria sat down on a chair while Legolas went to retrieve a wet rag from the bathroom.
" I noticed that your room is kind of isolated from the rest. Why is that?" She asked.
" The room Lady Galadriel originally gave me, some elleths found out so she gave me a new room. The elleths still believe that I remain there so it's a good getaway. Besides, when I want to be alone I come here. Only Aragorn, Lady Galadriel, Gimli and now you know that I reside here." He told her.
" Interesting."
" Give me your hand." Legolas placed her hand in his. She winced at the sting of the rag making contact with her hand. " Sorry."
" It's not your fault." As Legolas focused on cleaning her hand, Maria stared at his ears. Before she realized what she was doing, her free hand was tracing the rim of his ear. Legolas dropped the cloth and groaned. She immediately pulled back her hand. " I didn't hurt you did I?" She asked.
" No, quite the opposite. Elves ears are quite sensitive. I didn't expect your touch but it was nice." He told her.
" Do you mind if I touch your ear again? I won't if you don't want me to." She asked.
" No, it's fine." Maria scooted closer to him. With her index finger, she started tracing his ear again. Legolas closed his eyes and reveled in her soft touch. Being bold, she placed a light kiss on the tip of his ear. She heard him take a sharp intake of breath. Legolas turned his head to face her. His eyes became a darker shade of blue. " Why did you do that?" He asked her.
She didn't say anything, she grabbed his chin and pulled his face closer to her's. " Because I wanted to." Was all she said before her lips descended upon his. Legolas was too stunned to move. Thinking she did something wrong Maria started to pull back when his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. Her lips where not even a inch away from his when he captured her lips. The kiss was sweet and slow.
Maria moved closer to him until her chest was touching his. She gave a breathy moan as he pulled back. Her eyes were still closed, her lips moist as he looked at her. " You should go." He told her. Her eyes slowly opened to meet his.
" Yeah." She got to her feet thanking god that her knees didn't buckle under her. Legolas walked her to the door. She grabbed the handle to pull it open when a hand prevented it slammed on top prevention it from opening. " Legolas, wha-" Her sentence was cut off when he kissed her. She grabbed part of his tunic and pulled him closer to her. His hands were against the door beside her head, his body firmly pressed against hers. Maria's back pinned against the door.
When they pulled apart for air Legolas spoke up. " I'm sorry."
" It's alright but I really should go." Legolas nodded. " Goodnight."
" Goodnight." He stepped back so she could open the door. She walked out feeling the cool air brush up on her skin as she walked back to her room. When the door shut, Legolas banged his head against it." what was I doing?" He asked himself.
Maria walked to her room, licking her lips, still tasting Legolas. ' What was I doing? I probably just ended our friendship.' She thought. She reached her room, she looked at her door but didn't enter. ' Screw it. I'm not getting any sleep tonight.' She turned and walked away. Both Legolas and Maria did not sleep that night. Both with the same thought on their mind.
'What happens now?"
To be continued....
Authors Note: I hope you like this version of the chapter. Let me know by reviewing.