Chapter 39
Legolas's POV
Adette was quiet beside me in the carriage. I moved my hand slowly to her lap and took hers into mine. Her eyes flickered up to meet mine and she smiled. I was glad that she was no longer pale and tired looking from morning sickness. She assured me that it was clearing up.
Aragorn had made the decision that we would travel through the villages to find the Uruk-hai. He wished to come with us but because he was king he had to stay although it frustrated him. He had sent with us thirty of his men who rode both in front and behind us. One of them led the carriage so that when we came upon the Uruk-hai he could lead Adette and Alassë to safety while I could stay and fight. Dínendal and my father rode with the men.
I moved my other hand over Adette's belly, rubbing it slowly back and forth. Although barely visible it was still there, hidden by her tunic. She placed her free hand over top of mine.
"Alassë how is Dínendal?" She asked, looking at Alassë who sat across from her.
"He is still upset but he is doing much better." She answered quietly, tucking a piece of red hair behind her pointed ear. She looked away and made it clear that she no longer wished to continue talking about it.
I removed my hand from Adette's belly as she moved hers away. She then leaned her head back against the carriage and closed her eyes. I was right about her not sleeping well. She would wake up from nightmares and throw up or she would wake up with back pain. I was frustrated only because she refused to wake me up when she was in discomfort.
When we suddenly were pulled over a bump, Adette jolted forward and gasped, a hand flying to cover her belly. I looked at her concernedly, releasing her hand only to cup her face.
"Are you alright?" I asked softly.
"I'm fine, just worried. I don't want the baby to be jogged around too much." She answered, settling back into her previous position. I let go of her face and leaned out of the carriage.
"If there is a bump in the road go around it." I snapped to the man leading the horse. He turned to look at me, surprised. I was about to threaten him when a hand pulled me back inside.
"Relax Legolas, it isn't his fault." Adette said without opening her eyes. She shifted, an annoyed expression playing on her features. Her hand released my arm.
"That cannot be comfortable." I mused aloud. She opened her eyes and turned her head towards me. I put a finger to her lips as she went to speak. "Come here."
Slowly she moved towards me and I pulled her close. She laid her head against my chest as I leaned against the side of the carriage to support us. She stretched her legs out on the bench and sighed heavily in contentment. My arms were around the small of her back.
I listened intently to her breathing as it slowly evened out. I could feel her chest rising and falling atop me. I moved my head in very slow, subtle movements so as not to wake Adette from sleep. From the angle I had moved my head I could peek down at the side of her face. A gentle, angelic expression was painted onto her face. Her lips were curled into a faint smile, slightly parted. A faint blush stained her cheeks. Whatever she was dreaming about must have been peaceful and relaxing for she tended to sigh quietly every so often and cuddle closer to me.
I looked away from her to see Alassë dozing off, leaned against the carriage. She was almost curled into the fetal position and I wondered if she were cold. Very carefully I pulled an arm from around Adette and tightened my hold on her with the other arm. I then slowly leaned up, Adette lying against me. With my free arm I took off my cloak with much effort and gently threw it over Alassë. When I settled back down and wrapped my arm back around Adette, Alassë looked over at me.
"Thank you." She whispered tiredly before drifting off. Her eyes were half open but I could tell she was asleep from her even breathing and because she no longer blinked.
(Not in anyone's POV)
Dínendal looked up at the sky from the saddle and saw that it was getting dark. It was decided that the men would rest for the night and so Dínendal dismounted Maethor. He then quietly headed towards the carriage and looked inside.
Adette was lying on top of Legolas, her head resting on his chest. She had one hand pinned to his chest beside her head while the other gripped his shoulder. Legolas had his arms wrapped around her back. He seemed to be staring at the ceiling of the carriage but Dínendal knew he was sleeping.
Alassë was also asleep, Legolas's cloak spread out over her. She was so beautiful in the moonlight. Her pale skin looked to be white and it glowed brightly. Her red hair was tousled from sleep and fell into her face. Her green eyes were half showing for her lids hid most of them from sight.
Dínendal silently climbed inside and sat beside her. With great care he pulled her close and tucked Legolas's cloak further about her. When she did not stir or awaken, he fell asleep.
It was midday when we came upon a village many miles from Edoras. The destruction was evident from even such a ways back. As we arrived and saw that there were no Uruk-hai, I helped Adette out of the carriage.
Charred remains of houses stood on shaky foundations while some had simply collapsed. The scent of death, rotting flesh, and blood hung in the air and certainly made me feel unwelcome. Bodies of men, women, and children littered the ground. There were only two Uruks dead throughout the whole village.
"Oh God…" Adette suddenly took off running. I was quick to follow her, calling out to her. Finally she stopped and dropped to her knees. When I reached her I saw that she was kneeling beside the woman Faina. "Faina?"
The woman's eyes slowly opened although her right eye was badly bruised and looked to be swollen shut. Dry blood was clumped in her hair and on her neck where a gash looked to be scabbing over.
"Adette?" She asked weakly.
"Faina, where are Èothain and Freda?" Adette asked, already working to help Faina. She ripped off a piece of her tunic and began to gently wipe at her neck. Just as she was about to answer, the two children emerged from a nearby house.
"Milady!" Freda cried, rushing at Adette. She threw her arms around her and although Adette gasped in surprise, she hugged the child in return. Èothain kneeled by his mother with a bowl of water and a dirtied rag.
While Adette took care of them, I found Dínendal and pulled him aside.
"I want you to take the men and ride after the Uruk-hai. They can't have gotten far since this attack. I would ride with you but the carriage would slow you down."
"I understand." Dínendal nodded. "Watch after Alassë for me."
"I will mellon." I assured him, clapping a hand on his back. We embraced for a moment before Dínendal returned to the men who awaited orders. They soon rode out after Dínendal had the chance to say goodbye to Alassë.
"Legolas, can you carry Faina to the carriage?" Adette asked, taking the bowl and rag Èothain had brought out. I nodded and gently lifted Faina, carrying her to the carriage. I laid her down on one of the benches. "Alassë is caring for others who have been injured. Hebi en hín e."
(Keep the children out.)
"I will." I then went and took Èothain and Freda with me beyond the village. They were the only children who had survived. From what Adette had told me, besides Faina, three others had lived. Three.
"Master Legolas?" Freda asked, tugging at my tunic sleeve.
"Yes Freda?"
"Where will we go now?" Her voice was small and filled with fear. I kneeled down in front of her, gently holding onto her hands.
"Do not worry little one. We will bring you with us and keep you safe." I promised, smiling to comfort her.
"And Èothain and mama?"
"Yes, they will come too." I nodded to Èothain who stood inches away from us.
"And-" Before Freda could finish her sentence I put two fingers to her lips. Now that she was not speaking I could hear a struggle coming from the village. There were three Uruks there.
"Stay here, both of you." I ordered. I then sprinted back to the village, cursing myself for leaving my bow and quiver in the carriage. I pulled out my knives, readying them as I entered the village.
Adette, who must have left her sword in the carriage, was using her dagger to defend herself against two Uruks who were threatening her. I could see the other fighting Alassë who had no weapons. She proceeded to throw rocks and dirt clods, defending the people she was helping. Without a moment's hesitation I threw one knife at the Uruk's head and watched him fall to the ground.
I then turned back to Adette, who had slayed one of the Uruks'. I watched as the remaining one, after Adette knocked his blade from his hands, grabbed her and pushed her forward. She landed face first on the ground. Using my other knife I ran at the Uruk, thrusting the blade into his neck and ripping straight across. Blood poured from his torn flesh as he fell away.
Adette had gotten up from the ground and dusted herself off. I rushed to her side, kneeling in front of her and placing both hands on her belly. She nearly fell back at my sudden actions.
"Legolas?" She asked curiously. I closed my eyes and waited. The baby leapt after a moment of worry and I sighed in relief, pulling my hands away. I got to my feet.
"I just had to make sure she was alright. Are you?"
"I'm fine. Legolas, we need to send the survivors to Edoras so that they can be safe and so that they can see the healers. Perhaps I should take them."
I shook my head.
"Absolutely not. I will not put you through the pain of separation again." I thought quickly. Dínendal had asked me to look after Alassë and so I could not send her. I could not leave them either. "Èothain could take them."
"Legolas he is just a boy."
"Yes but he has made the journey before. Adette he is the only one who can do it." I said softly. "I know he can do it."
When she gave in I brought Èothain and Freda to the carriage. While Adette instructed them I then carried the two women and helped the man to the carriage. Alassë and Adette settled them all in.
"Èothain just be careful." I told him, patting his back after I had helped him onto the horse.
"I will Master Legolas." I then lifted Freda onto the saddle.
"Be good for your brother Freda." Èothain then kicked the horse and they were off. We watched them for awhile before I turned to them. "We have no horses and so we will have to run after the others."
Adette's POV
We ran through the day, stopping twice when Legolas commented that I looked flushed and when he thought I needed to rest. Honestly I felt fine running but despite my protests, Legolas still made us stop.
The sky was beginning to transform, pinks and oranges swirling together as the sun began to set. The shadows were becoming more prominent as the day began to come to a close.
Suddenly we came upon the battlefield. Legolas had warned us that we would be coming upon it soon for he could smell it in the air. I too smelled it as I stood before it. Blood stained the grass and bodies camouflaged the ground. Relief flooded through me when I saw that not one Uruk stood alive, but I also felt sad when I saw how many men were dead.
"Dínendal!" Alassë ran into the field of death and towards a figure lying on the ground. She lifted him up and I saw that it was indeed Dínendal. I quickly rushed to her side while Legolas called out to the surviving men.
"Men, we ride back to Minas Tirith immediately!" He then joined Alassë and I.
"He is alive Alassë, but he is unconscious." Legolas announced to both of us, whistling. Herenvardo immediately appeared. Legolas lifted Dínendal and put him in the front of the saddle. He then whistled once more and this time Brego rode up. "Alassë, can you ride with Dínendal or shall I?"
"I can do it." Alassë assured him. She climbed onto the saddle without Legolas's help and allowed Dínendal to lean back against her.
Legolas then helped me onto Brego's saddle and mounted behind me.
"I will ride gently so as not to jog the baby." He whispered in my ear, one arm going around my middle. As his hand went over my stomach I felt the familiar jump inside of me and saw Legolas grin.