Disclaimer: Nothing is mine except for Valora. I don't own either of the songs, either.
A/N: I am so incredibly sorry this took forever. I honestly wouldn't blame you if you came after me with torches and pitchforks for taking so long. My muse is being a total #er to me right now. Apparently, he decided that just because I managed to write a poem that is now a semi-finalist in an international poetry contest that he could let me rot with all my other stuff. (Jerk.) But before you do come after me with those torches, pitchforks and whatever else, keep in mind I need to write the rest of the story. I can't do that if you kill me.
You know, I'm getting quite a few requests for Valora and Legolas to hook up. I thought you guys liked my story because it was different. I'm sorry to break you guys, but this story will not have actual Valora/Legolas romance in it. It's not that I don't think they'd be good together. It's just that I feel like... She's only sixteen and he's what, almost three thousand? I know that love knows no age (I firmly believe this.), but she's still very young and still changing as a person. I just don't think it's a good idea. That and, well, Valora has some issues that are about to be discussed. Besides, it would kind of complicate things if they were to fall in love right away. That's not to say it won't happen later in the story. Like, way, way later. You never know. Well, I know. (Evil grin) But the rest of you will just have to wait and see, now won't you? (Ducks as readers throw things at me) What? You were planning on reading all three stories anyway, weren't you? (Hides behind Aragorn, just in case.) But, as I mentioned earlier, there are attractions and tension in this particular story. This chapter is a prime example. If you really want Leggy and Val to be together, I'm sorry. Please just bear with me on this. And try to understand my reasoning.
Anyway, this is where I usually post review responses, but that would take me another day or so, so I'm just going to say thank you to all of you, my readers. Thank you so much for reading my fanfiction and putting up with my horrible updates. I hope this chapter is worthy of your time. And it's going to be quite some time. This is a looong chapter.
"For the last time, I'm fine," protested Valora.
"For the last time," responded Gandalf, "we are not going anywhere until you have rested some more." He was fighting desperately to keep his cool. But the stubborn girl was not making it easy for him.
"But I feel fine," she insisted. "We should keep moving."
"No."
"But Gandalf-"
"No!" he fairly shouted.
Valora would have protested further, but the look on the wizard's face made her reconsider. Instead, she huffed and sulked a little.
It was now late into the morning. Around ten, she would guess. She had only been allowed to get up to go to the bathroom behind some bushes. Other than that, she had been made to stay in her bedroll. She hadn't minded at first, because she was still feeling the after effects of being sick. She had hardly been able to move for a while there. But, after a while, she had begun to feel stronger. She had even managed to eat some bread and water. It had gone down into her empty stomach and not come back up.
Part of her, though, was relieved that they wouldn't be going yet. Truth be told, she still wasn't feeling quite a hundred percent. Some slight dizziness and protesting muscles, nothing really serious. Just enough to make her want to stay in bed for a while longer.
But she hated being fussed over.
"Can I at least get up and stretch my legs when I want to?" she asked, even though she had no intentions of getting up just yet.
Gandalf gave her a look.
"Okay, okay," she said, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender, though she was not happy about it. And she had no problems letting them all see that displeasure on her face. "Geez," she grumbled.
"Valora," said Frodo, trying to sound stern, though the disgruntled look on her face was making him want to laugh, "you need to rest. We wouldn't want you to get ill again."
"But, I- you- Ugh!" She glared at Gandalf and Aragorn, even though it wasn't really their fault. "Turning the Hobbits on me was uncalled for, not to mention completely unfair!" This raised a storm of laughter and made her scowl fiercely.
"Well, if turning the Hobbits on you, as you call it, will keep you from complaining and keep you in bed, we will do so as much as necessary," said Aragorn.
"Teriffic," she grumbled. "Cheaters."
Aragorn just smiled in response.
For a while, everyone just went about doing whatever they were doing. Valora just sat on her bedroll and drew little pictures on the ground with a stick, still annoyed that they were losing a day of travel because of her. And that every time she tried to get up, she got that look from Gandalf that clearly said, "You will stay right there, or else." Someone nudged her shoulder and she looked up to see Boromir holding a flask of water. She took it from him and took a few sips. "Thanks," she said, tossing it back up to him.
He nodded and started to walk away.
"Uh, Boromir?"
He turned back to her. "Yes?"
She hesitated and lowered her voice. "What I said while we were getting firewood yesterday. That stays between us, right?"
He raised an eyebrow. He would have expected some kind of threat to follow that request. "I had no intentions of repeating your words."
"Thank you."
A few minutes later, she felt someone watching her. When she looked up, it was to find the Hobbits looking at her. They all wore the same expression on their faces. It was an expression she had grown to know well in the last week or so. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Not that she didn't love to sing, but what was she, their personal jukebox? "You guys have that look on your faces again."
"What look?" asked Merry.
"Is there something you guys would like to ask me?" She looked at them expectantly.
"Well, actually," started Pippin.
"-we were wondering if you'd sing us a song," she finished with him. "Honestly, why do you guys like my singing so much? I suck."
Frodo and Sam, quite familiar with her 'slang terms,' as she called them, from the time she'd stayed at Bag End, both frowned. "You do not suck," protested Frodo.
"Yes, I do."
"If you did, why would we keep asking you to sing?"
She couldn't think up a response to that that wouldn't sound lame. Sighing in acceptance of her fate, she asked, "What do you want to hear, something you've heard before or something new?"
"New," they chorused.
"Ok." She thought about a song they might enjoy.
"Why not that song you sang the other day?" suggested a voice. They all turned their attention to Legolas.
Valora blinked at him. "What song?"
"I heard you singing after you and Aragorn had your," he cleared his throat, "disagreement."
She blinked again and then scowled slightly. "How long were you there?" she asked.
"Just a few minutes."
"You know," she said slowly, giving him a cool look, "it's rude to eavesdrop."
He flushed slightly. Very few people spoke to him that way, due mostly to his title. Valora hadn't seemed to care about it for some time now, but it was still a little surprising.
Aragorn, of course, chose just that moment to come over to check on her. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She hoped he would go away before-
"What song were you singing after you and Aragorn fought?" asked Pippin curiously.
Valora closed her eyes. She wanted to wring his chubby little neck. She knew Aragorn would be looking at her curiously when she opened her eyes. She wasn't wrong, either. "You're going to make me sing it now, aren't you?" she asked Aragorn.
"No. However, I would very much like to hear it." He was pretty sure that it wouldn't be very flattering. He raised an eyebrow as he saw her shoot a dirty look in Legolas' direction.
Valora shifted nervously. She cleared her throat, took a deep breath, let it out slowly, took another breath and began to sing.
It wasn't my intention to mislead you It never should have been this way What can I say? It's true, I did extend the invitation I never knew how long you'd stay When you hear temptation call It's your heart that takes Takes the fall
Step by step Heart to heart Left, right, left We all fall down Like toy soldiers Bit by bit Torn apart You'll never win The battle rages on For toy soldiers
It's getting hard to wake up in the morning My head is spinning constantly How can it be? How could I be so blind to this addiction? If I don't stop The next one's going to be me Only emptiness remains It replaces all All the pain
Step by step Heart to heart Left, right, left We all fall down Like toy soldiers Bit by bit Torn apart You'll never win The battle rages on For toy soldiers
Aragorn was surprised to say the least. He would have expected her to have been angry and resentful right after they had fought. But if this was what she had been feeling at the time, she had just been sad.
He couldn't have felt more like an ass if he sprouted long ears, a tail and some hooves.
Only emptiness remains It replaces all All the pain
Step by step Heart to heart Left, right, left We all fall down Like toy soldiers Bit by bit Torn apart You'll never win The battle rages on For toy soldiers
Step by step Heart to heart Left, right, left We all fall down Like toy soldiers Bit by bit Torn apart You'll never win The battle rages on For toy soldiers
As always, all of them had stopped to listen to her sing. And as always, they were entranced. Valora didn't believe her voice was anything special, but they all knew she was wrong. She could have enchanted a dragon with her singing. They had long stopped telling her as much, well, except for Frodo, as she never believed them.
Thoroughly humiliated now, Valora fought the blush she felt creeping up her neck. If she hadn't been so stubborn, it was a battle she would have lost. "Gandalf, can I please get up?" she pleaded.
"No," he answered flatly.
"Ok." She'd had enough. She wanted to get out of bed and she wanted to get out of bed now. "We've tried you telling me what to do and me listening, even though I don't like it. Now, we are going to play, you let me move, or I am going to whine and nag until you go crazy from it. Sound good to you?"
Gandalf was about to argue with her. However, the challenging look on her face made him pause. She would make good on her threat. He knew she would. "Well," he said slowly, "I suppose it would be alright as long as you do not exert yourself and stay nearby at all times."
She stared at him for a second. "Darn," she said. "There went my plan to run a mile into the woods, get lost and then eaten by animals."
He frowned at her. "There's no need for sarcasm."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Was that a yes?"
He sighed. "I do not think it is a good idea for you to get out of bed, but if it will keep you quiet, then alright. But," he added, "you will not go anywhere without someone with you and you will not go anywhere where we cannot see you or at least hear you."
"Yeah, yeah," she grumbled, wondering when he had become her mother, but didn't want to push it by voicing the thought.
"I mean it, Valora," he warned. "I want you to rest for most of the day."
She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I'm fine," she insisted.
"Well, you are going to rest."
She sighed, knowing that this was as far as she was going to get in this argument. To continue to protest would only be pressing her luck. "Fine. I won't lift heavy objects, operate heavy machinery or anything else dangerous. Can I get up now?" She really had to pee now, anyway.
"Alright. But the moment you feel tired or ill again, or I think you need it, back to bed you go," he warned.
"Gotcha."
"Good."
"Ok then." She got up and headed quickly for a private spot.
When she got back, she sat down and pulled on her boots. She hadn't taken them off herself, so someone else must have sometime last night. Once finished, she got up and headed for the waterfall. She didn't dare look back to check the look on Gandalf's face because she was pretty sure it wasn't a pleasant one.
"Where are you going?" asked Aragorn.
"Just stretching my legs," she explained, glancing over at him. As she moved forward, she accidentally stubbed her foot on a rather large rock. Hard. She yelped in pain and grabbed her foot. Almost immediately, she began to swear viciously, not even bothering to keep her voice down.
The Fellowship raised it's eyebrows as they were once again treated to the numerous curses that she had said to Boromir that first day. And some others. If nothing else, they had to give her credit for her creativity on some of them.
But Valora didn't stop there. She went on to curse in other languages as well. Spanish, French, Italian. She knew how to swear in about five or six different languages, though she was only fluent in English. This was something that both annoyed and amused her mother to no end.
Aragorn didn't understand a word she was saying now, but was certain it would burn his ears off if he could. Never, in his entire life, had he met anyone, anyone at all, who could swear like that. He froze as she spat out an Elvish curse. He allowed her to continue for a moment before the shock wore off. "Where did you learn that?" he demanded.
Valora froze, realizing what she had just said. Oh, boy, she thought. Now I'm in trouble. "Uh, what?"
"Who taught you that?"
"Er, well, uh." She tried to think of a way out of this. The look on Aragorn's face was definatly not a pleasant one. "I, um, learned it in Rivendell," she said slowly.
Aragorn's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He was aware that his foster father had taught her a few words in Sindarian, but surely he would never have taught her to say that. Arwen might have, if asked to, but he highly doubted that was the case. By the looks on Gandalf and Legolas' faces, they were just as shocked as he was. Who else did that leave?
"Who taught you?" he repeated.
Valora hesitated. She didn't want to answer that. The look on his face, however, clearly stated that she had better, or else. "Well..."
"Who!" he demanded.
Finally, she reluctantly answered. "The twins."
There was a moment of surprised silence. Then Aragorn practically exploded. "I am going to kill Elladan and Elrohir!" he vowed.
"Now, Aragorn," she reasoned. "It wasn't entirely their fault."
"They had no business teaching you to say such things," he said angrily. "When did they teach you that? I thought you didn't like them."
"I like them," she protested. "But you scared me with all those horror stories of yours."
"When, Valora?"
She sighed. "The night after the Council. I ran into them in one of the gardens and we started talking a little. They were being idiots, so I called them that in Japanese. They wanted to know what I said, so I told them. And the next thing I knew, we were teaching each other how to swear in different languages."
He blinked. "Are you telling me they can now insult me and I'd never have any idea what they were saying?"
"Well, um, yeah." She rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed.
He rubbed his hand against his forehead. "Wonderful," he said sarcastically. "Just wonderful." Then he cursed a little.
Valora raised a brow. "Well, that was rather rude."
He glared and she ran behind Gandalf. Exasperated, and frustrated, he asked, "Why do you always run behind Gandalf?"
She peeked out from behind the wizard. "Because I'm fairly certain you'd be willing to go through Boromir or the Elf to get to me and Gandalf is the only other one big enough for me to hide behind."
Boromir and the Hobbits cracked up. Gandalf and Aragorn looked less than amused. Gimli looked rather indignant. Didn't she think he was capable of protecting her? Legolas simply watched with interest.
"Ok, going to take that short walk now." She quickly headed for the waterfall.
"We'll go with you," volunteered Merry, tugging Pippin along behind him.
Valora would have protested, but Gandalf had said she needed someone with her at all times. Giving a resigned sigh, she nodded.
"Legolas," said Aragorn. He tilted his head in their direction. Legolas gave a slight nod in return and began to follow them.
Valora wanted to scream in frustration. She didn't need a baby-sitter, let alone three. Unfortunately, she knew that protesting would only result in more insistance and probably being made to go back to lying down. So she kept her mouth shut, but did nothing to hide the sour look on her face.
Legolas almost laughed at the look on her face when he caught up to her a few seconds later. He knew that look well. It was the look of someone who resented being babied and looked after so actively. He'd worn the same look quite a few times himself when he had been much younger. His parents had been quite protective. They still were to a degree. He was certain that they had not been thrilled to receive word that he had volunteered for this mission, but knew that they would understand why he had done it. Besides, he was no youngling. He did not need to be looked after at all times any longer.
Which was probably very close to, if not exactly what Valora was thinking at the moment.
Aragorn was becoming very protective of her, he noticed. Despite the fight they had had, it was nearly impossible to miss the bond they had formed. And his guess was that her near death had only strengthened that bond.
Valora looked over at him once they'd reached the waterfall. He hadn't said a word to her all morning and was now just standing there, a couple of feet away, as he kept a lookout for any kind of trouble. She was a bit disappointed that he hadn't asked about how she feeling, but at the same time was thrilled that someone hadn't pestered her about it. He could have at least asked, her mind argued, but I know he cares, otherwise he wouldn't have been so worried last night. Besides, he probably saw how irritated I was getting at everyone else for asking over and over again. He still should have asked. Women are nuts, she thought to herself, turning her attention back to Merry and Pippin, who were throwing stones into the water.
For a few minutes, she just relaxed.
"Are you ready to return yet?" asked a voice from very close behind her.
Valora nearly had a heart attack. Again. She jumped about a mile and turned to glare at Legolas. Again. Angrily, she shoved a finger in his face. "How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?" she demanded.
His lips twitched slightly. "Forgive me. I did not mean to startle you."
She thumped him on the chest with her fist in response.
He fought the urge to rub the spot where she had hit him. That had actually hurt a little. "Gandalf said-"
"Yeah, yeah," she cut in with a wave of her hand. "I heard what Gandalf said. But I would like to enjoy this while I can."
There was another few minutes of blessed silence, save for the sound of water as Merry and Pippin had wandered a little further away and began talking in hushed tones.
"You said the other night that you can see things," he said suddenly.
"Sometimes."
"These visions that you see. You have no idea why you see them?"
"No." She sighed. "It's really strange."
"Are you certain you are not a seer?"
She shook her head. "Seers see thing before they happen. Sometimes after. As far as I know, they don't usually see things during. And this never happened to me before I got to Middle-Earth. I mean, I've had deja vu before, but this is a whole other ballgame."
Legolas' brow furrowed. "Deja what? Ballgame?"
"Deja vu. You know, it's like you do or see something and you could swear you've seen or done it before, even though you know you haven't."
He looked at her blankly.
"Nevermind. Anyway, when I say whole other ballgame, I mean it's something entirely different."
That he understood. "Ah."
"It really is weird. It's almost like-" She froze in midsentence, awareness dawning in her eyes. Then she began to laugh softly. "Oh, god." She covered her face with both hands, leaning her head back. "Of course." I am so stupid, she thought. Why hadn't she figured it out earlier?
"What?" asked Legolas curiously.
Instead of answering him, she turned and headed back to the others. Confused, he and the two Hobbits followed. "Gandalf," she called, "I think I know what's going on."
Everyone looked up as she approached Gandalf. Gandalf gave her a careful look. "What are you talking about?"
"The visions. I think I know what they are."
"Well?" he urged when she paused.
"Have you ever read a storybook?"
He frowned. He didn't often bother with such things.
"Ah. Of course. You prefer to spend your time on less fun things. Well, sometimes the reader of the book is aware of things that the characters are not. Like if one of their friends is captured. Or they're being pursued." She gave him a meaningful look.
Gandalf stared at her for a moment before blinking, beginning to understand what she was getting at.
"If I had just been reading the book instead of drawn into it, literally, I probably would have known about the black riders and you being captured when no one else did. Thats what's happening. I am seeing things that I would have been reading about."
Boromir and Gimli still looked confused, but the others began to understand.
"You can see things," said Frodo, "as they happen, even when you're not there, because you would have been reading about it in the book at the moment it happened."
She nodded. "Yes."
It had been a few hours. Two, maybe three. They had all taken in thoroughly what Valora had told them about her visions. This was a great advantage to them, they all knew. If she knew danger was coming, she could warn them. She had told them it was unlikely she would be able to know too much more than they did, but it might be enough to keep them safer.
This development seemed to have lightened Gandalf's mood somewhat and he was no longer yelling at Valora to rest. He still pestered her about it of course, but not nearly as much as before. The responsibility of threatening to tie Valora up and make her rest had passed to Aragorn.
She didn't understand what the big fuss was about. She was taking it easy. Practically every time she even moved, she was told not to and that she needed rest. Frankly, if she heard it one more time, she was going to put her boot up someone's ass.
The Hobbits had tried to find ways to entertain her without exerting her. Unfortunately, there are only so many ways to do that. Her greatest enjoyment came from beating Boromir at tic-tac-toe many times. The look he had worn stated clearly that he was continuing with this game only for her benefit. But even that had gotten old after half an hour or so. Now she was bored again. Pippin had brought her some small wildflowers he had found and she was just finishing making them into a crown.
Valora fidgeted uncomfortably on her bedroll. At home, she hadn't had much of a problem with staying in her room for practically the whole day. But now, having gotten so used to moving around and traveling, she felt restless. Besides, back home she had shelves of books, dozens of DVDs, videos, satellite television and plenty of music to keep her entertained. Not to mention a computer equipped with games and things like puzzles if she was in the mood for them. She had adjusted to living in a world without technology everywhere she looked. That didn't mean she didn't miss certain things. Especially right about now.
She fidgeted and shifted again, earning a warning look from Aragorn. "Aragorn, my legs are cramping. Can I please get up for a few minutes?"
He sighed quietly. He supposed it would do her some good. Besides, he had no desire for her to start whining again. And he'd thought he'd been good at this when he was growing up in Rivendell. "Alright, but not too long." Merry and Pippin had gone to the waterfall, which is where he was fairly certain he would go, so she wouldn't be alone. He had realized that it was a bit silly to worry about her being attacked during the day. While not impossible, it was unlikely.
She almost asked, "No armed escort?" but decided to let it go. Just one minute to herself sounded like heaven right now. She walked slowly, stretching out her legs. The feeling was very welcome. When she reached the pool and waterfall, she paused. Raising her hands above her head, she stretched them as high as they would go. She leaned back a bit, stretching out her back as well. God, what she wouldn't give to be able to do her Yoga for Dummies workout right now.
"AAHHH!"
Valora spun, letting out a high-pitched, startled scream. She stumbled back from the source of her fright on instinct. Unfortunately, the pool was now right behind her.
Merry and Pippin had leapt out from the bushes behind her and yelled just to scare her. They began to laugh. The laughter, however, was very short-lived, for they could see what was about to happen. Their eyes went wide as they lunged forward to try to prevent it from happening. Too late. They watched in horror as Valora fell into the water. They stood, frozen for a moment before looking at each other. Then, they ran back towards the camp as fast as they possibly could. She was going to kill them.
The others heard the screams, followed closely by a loud splash. No sooner had they began to run towards the water than the two Hobbits came barreling into camp.
"What happened?" asked Frodo.
They didn't answer him, but they did look awfully panicked.
Legolas had mostly ignored them and continued to the water. The only thing that had prevented Aragorn from following directly was the fact that Merry and Pippin bumped into him, nearly knocking him off of his feet. Legolas reached the pool in time to see Valora stand up. He stopped dead in surprise. Boromir nearly crashed into him from behind.
Valora flung some of her wet hair out of her face. "Ooh!" she fumed. Those two were so going to pay for this. She marched right past the gaping Elf and Gondorian and into camp.
More than one eyebrow shot up as Valora came striding into camp, completely drenched and with a murderous look on her face. Boromir and Legolas trailed after her, looking bewildered. "Oh, Merry. Pippin," she called in a sing-song voice.
The two Hobbits in question cringed and hid behind some trees.
"I'll pop those little zits later," she vowed in a low voice.
Frodo did everything in his power not to laugh. He had seen her like this once before. Merry and Pippin had purposely tripped her into the river, where she had been getting some water for the laundry. That was the time she had chased them right through the woods, cursing and yelling that she was going to kill them slowly and painfully. He hadn't thought even they would be fool enough to do that again.
Valora headed over to her pack and dug out some clothes that she'd made in Hobbiton, grateful that she'd had the foresight to bring them. They were simple, just a white shirt and a pair of brown breeches. The shirt was frankly a little big, but comfortable. They weren't exactly camouflage, but they were dry. Dirt and grime she could handle just fine, but soaked clothing clinging to her skin was another matter entirely. Besides, it was cold standing around in wet clothes. She rummaged around for something she could use as a towel and the extra undergarments she knew were in the bag somewhere. Now, those she'd had made.
"What are you doing?" asked Gandalf as she collected everything she needed and started for the pool.
She looked at him. "Gandalf, I'm already soaked. I might as well make a job of it."
He didn't argue. That was logical enough. And he remembered she had wanted a bath last night.
"Wait," said Aragorn.
She looked at him. He had better not suggest what I think he's going to suggest, she thought. If he thought she was going to allow someone to stand there while she took a bath, he had a whole other think coming. "No," she said flatly.
"You need a lookout."
She glared at him. "I'm a big girl. I can take a bath all by myself, thank you very much."
He refused to back down. Hearing her scream had frightened the hell out of him. He'd thought she'd been hurt and had cursed himself for not sending someone with her. "You are not going there alone," he said firmly.
I can't believe I let him talk me into this, thought Valora twenty minutes of arguing later. She set aside her things and glanced nervously around to make sure she was out of sight of the camp. She started to remove her shirt, but stopped when it was less than an inch up. She looked uneasily at her reluctant escort.
Legolas dutifully turned away and kept his back turned to Valora as he looked for any signs of danger. He also tried not to think about the way her clothes clung to her body and especially not about the fact that she would be removing them in a moment.
Still hesitant, Valora began to peel the wet clothing from her body. She trusted Legolas not to peek, for the most part anyway, but this still felt weird. She hadn't had a supervised bath since she was six or seven. When the shirt and jeans were removed, she stopped. The fact that she'd once had a crush on Legolas aside, she definitely did not want to be naked with him standing right there, even if he wasn't looking at her. Oh, well, she needed to wash her clothes anyway. She stepped into the chill water, anxious to be a bit more covered.
It only took a few moments to soak herself entirely. Once that was done, she returned to the shore and opened one of the small bottles Arwen had given her before leaving Rivendell. Arwen had explained to her that most males simply did not understand a female's need to be clean and would tell her such things were only adding weight to her pack, so she shouldn't tell them she had them. In all, there were two small bottles and a small bar of soap. The one she opened now was an herbal mixture to clean her hair with. She poured some into her palm, went quickly back into the water and proceeded to lather her hair.
Legolas heard her movements behind him, despite the presence of the waterfall. He tried even harder not to think about what was going on behind him. When the image of that shirt clinging to her curves entered his mind once again, he admonished himself. She was sixteen years old for Valar's sake. Marriageable age, perhaps, but still only a girl. How could he think of her in a way that was so inappropriate? For shame, Legolas!
Still, the temptation to look at her was there. He was, after all, a healthy male. It was only nature's way that he should be curious about what she would look like without her clothes. She was attractive enough and he was only reacting how any other red-blooded male would. Well, most other red-blooded males. But then, Valora would more than likely not appreciate such behavior, and rightfully so.
She returned to the shore once again for the soap. She worked it into a lather with her hands and spread it over her body. Once that was done she dunked herself into the water to rinse it off. Then she lathered the soap on her hands again. While it felt awkward to have someone standing nearby while she bathed, she knew she might as well take the time to insure she was clean. Who knew when she'd next have a chance to clean up?
After the second soaping, she felt as though she'd gotten most, if not all the dirt and sweat off of her body. Her hair still felt like a mess, though. She began to lather it with the herbal mixture again, making sure to work it in well.
Legolas wondered why it took females so long to bathe. It felt like she'd been in there for an eternity. Admittedly, that might be partially due to the fact that he wanted this done with as quickly as possible, but still.
Thank goodness I don't need to shave, thought Valora. Her legs and underarms were still smooth, thanks to the wax she had made and used back in Rivendell. It was a very good thing she had memorized that all-natural hair wax recipe she had found in a magazine last year. It was just plain old-fashioned luck that she was able to find all the ingredients she needed here. It was a pain to make, not to mention use, but it beat needing to shave every damn day. It was especially useful to her here, where she didn't have a ready supply of razors at her disposal. The last thing she needed was another embarrassing incident involving the Elf. At least if he decided to peek, which she was more than willing to cream him for, unsightly body hair wasn't going to be an issue.
When she had scrubbed every inch of her hair, and let it soak for a minute or two just to be sure it was cleaned, she went to rinse it. This time, instead of dunking under the water, she headed for the waterfall. She stood underneath the curtain of water allowing it to rinse her off. It felt almost like a shower, but not quite. It was good enough for her.
Legolas slowly turned his head to look over his shoulder. He sincerely hoped that she either wouldn't notice or be too angry with him. She was standing under the waterfall, her back, thankfully, to him, as she scrubbed the suds out of her hair. The thing that first caught his attention was the fact that her skin, where it had always been covered by her shirt, was nearly as pale as his. Second was the fact that she was still wearing a garment of some kind. He blinked in surprise. Who wore their clothes while they bathed? He froze as she turned towards him. He relaxed for a second when he saw that her eyes were closed as water ran over her face. He tensed again when he saw the front of the garment she was wearing. Whatever it was, it was black and didn't cover very much of her body, but enough, shielding all but the tops of her breasts from view. The water came to just above her waist. She looked like a water nymph. He turned away before she opened her eyes.
"Legolas," she called. "Could you do me a favor and toss me my dirty clothes?"
He said nothing, but went to the pile of wet clothes and picked them up. He glanced over his shoulder again to make sure of where she was. Much to his disappointment, she had sunk down into the water so that only the tops of her shoulders, neck and head were clearly visible. He mentally slapped himself. He was going to kill Aragorn for getting him into this. He tossed the garments to her and turned his back again.
Valora quickly cleaned her clothes. Now came the part she had been dreading. She took a deep breath before moving towards the edge of the water. she hastily gathered up her things and headed for the cover of some trees. Standing behind one of them, she dried herself with her cloak. It wasn't the cleanest thing, she inwardly winced, but she needed to dry herself with something. She, as quickly as possible, changed into her spare undergarments. They, unfortunately, didn't have elastic in Middle-Earth, so she had to tie them on with drawstrings. She opened the second bottle and hastily rubbed some of the oil on her skin to soften it.
When that was finally done, she pulled on her shirt. When she pulled on the breeches, however, she was surprised. They were looser than she had made them. Not enough that they would fall down, but looser. Had she lost some weight?
Of course, she realized. She had gotten an awful lot of exercise lately, what with walking/running to the Shire to Bree, from Bree to Rivendell and now on her way to Mordor, of all places. Funny, she hadn't even thought of the possibility that she was losing weight and an inch or two off her waist. Not that she was complaining, though.
When she was fully dressed, she came out from behind the tree to find Legolas still waiting for her. She went back to the water and washed both her cloak and her black undergarments as fast as she could. The bundle of wet cloth was rather heavy, but she managed to carry it closer to the camp, where, after telling Legolas to go ahead of her, she hung them up to dry, making sure her bra and panties were out of view unless you knew where to look.
Satisfied, she went back to camp and began to comb out her hair.
Night had fallen and Aragorn let himself enjoy an opportunity to rest. They were moving on in the morning. Valora had made it very clear that she did not want to delay them anymore than she already had. She was much better, so they had agreed.
Of their own accord, his eyes drifted over to Valora. She was just returning with her now dry clothes tucked under her arm. So far, she hadn't done anything to Merry and Pippin, but they were absolutely terrified of her getting even with them. And she had made it known that she was not going to forget the incident anytime soon.
He started abruptly. He blinked and looked again. No, he hadn't imagined it. In the right light, Valora bore a very slight resemblance to Arwen. True, she was not as tall or thin, but her face and hair. Why hadn't he noticed it before?
Thoughts of Arwen filled his head. How he longed to see her again. His fingers found their way to the pendant he bore around his neck.
Valora watched Aragorn finger the necklace Arwen had given him. He looked so very sad.
He wasn't aware that she knew, but she knew he had ended his relationship with Arwen the morning they had left Rivendell. She would never have guessed it if she hadn't run into Arwen shortly after it had happened. She had been in tears. She had told Valora exactly what had happened. It had given Valora an extra reason not to talk to Aragorn for the better part of that day. But they both knew he was doing this to protect her. They couldn't really fault him for that.
"Is something wrong?"
At the softly spoken words, she looked over at Legolas. What is he, stalking me? "No. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Why?"
"You look... sorrowful."
"Just, thinking... about Aragorn and Arwen. That's all." If Aragorn and Legolas had been friends for years, then surely he knew about them.
"What of them?"
"Just... How horrible it must be for them. I mean, look at him. He's so sad."
"Yes. But I believe they will find a way."
She gave him a surprised look. "Based on what?"
"They are in love," he said simply, as if that explained everything.
"And? Being in love doesn't always mean a happy ending Legolas. Think about it. He's a human, she's an Elf. It would never work. It never does. Love is the joke the gods played on us lower beings."
He frowned deeply at her words and the bitterness in her tone. "Why is it that you doubt so much?" he asked.
Valora looked up at him. Should she tell him about Tom and Meredith? And her father? Did she really trust him that much?
Legolas saw the hesitation in her eyes. He was about to just leave her be when she suddenly spoke. "I was in love once." The words were spoken softly. He looked at her, patiently awaiting the rest.
"We were courting for over a year. And we'd been friends for about two years before that. He wanted me to... I wouldn't give myself to him. I was only fifteen. I wasn't ready. He said it didn't matter. That he loved me anyway and that I was worth waiting for. Then, on his birthday, I went to see him at his house and I caught him, in bed, with another woman, who also happened to be one of my closest friends. Afterwards, they said it was my fault for not taking care of his needs."
"I see," he said slowly.
"Oh, that's not the half of it. When I was a little girl, my father was unfaithful to my mother. She forgave him, but he did it again. And again. Finally, she told him to leave. And he did, with his latest whore on his arm. He told me he'd still come see me, but he almost never did. And eventually, he stopped all together. He always said he loved me and my mother. My mother went through hell and back because she loved my father. And with Aragorn and Arwen, the pain comes from not being able to be together. All love brings is pain. If that's what love is like, I want no part of it."
No wonder she had very little, if any, faith in love. She had been hurt and seen much hurt inflicted on others because of love. He couldn't really blame her. But she was young. Still practically a newborn baby in the eyes of an Elf. One so young should not have so little faith. It wasn't right.
"Valora, you should rest for tomorrow," called Gandalf.
"So should you," she retorted. But she went to her bedroll and sat down.
"Miss Valora?"
"Yeah?"
Sam hesitated.
"Let me guess," said Valora. "You want to hear a song."
"If it's no trouble Miss Valora."
She decided it was useless to try to get him to stop calling her Miss Valora. She would let it go for the moment, but she still planned to argue with him about it in the future. "Anything specific?" she asked, getting up to go sit near the Hobbits.
"Something to help them sleep would be a good choice," said Gandalf.
Valora thought for a moment. An old tune, one that she hadn't heard in ages, but was permanently embedded in her memory, came back to her. It seemed fitting, for all of them.
May it be an evening star Shines down upon you May it be when darkness falls Your heart will be true You walk a lonely road Oh! How far you are from home
Mornie utulie (darkness has come)
Aragorn, Gandalf and Legolas looked at her sharply.
Believe and you will find your way Mornie alantie (darkness has fallen) A promise lives within you now
May it be the shadows call Will fly away May it be you journey on To the light of day When the night is overcome You may rise to find the sun
Mornie utulie Believe and you will find your way Mornie alantie A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now
"Where did you learn that song?"
She looked over her shoulder at Aragorn, who was giving her a most peculiar look. She wondered why. "My grandfather. He used to sing it to me when I was very little." She turned away from him. "Before he died," she added softly. "After that, my mom sang it to me sometimes."
"Where did your grandfather learn it?" Aragorn pressed.
Valora looked at him again and gave him a very confused look. "I don't know. I don't think he ever told me. Maybe he did, but I can't remember. It was too long ago. Why?"
Before Aragorn could tell her, Gandalf cut in. "It was quite lovely. Now, I think you should get some rest soon."
Taking the hint, the others didn't mention that she had been singing a song that had Elvish in it. But they wondered why Gandalf didn't seem to want her to know.
As Valora prepared to lay down and try to sleep, Aragorn came and sat down on the ground next to her. "Your grandfather taught you that song?"
"Yes."
"How old were you when he died?" he asked gently.
"I was six," she replied softly.
He raised a brow. "And you still remember it?"
She shrugged. "He sang it to me so many times. I don't think I'll ever forget that song."
He nodded. "Do you have any idea what language those few lines are?"
She frowned. "No. I remember asking him what it meant, but I don't think he ever told me what language it was."
"Hmm. Goodnight, Valora."
"'Night."
Everyone else was sleeping. Except for Boromir, who had volunteered to keep watch for the first half of the night. Valora rolled onto her side. It was no use. She just couldn't get to sleep. What else is knew, she thought.
She glanced around at everyone else. Boromir was facing another direction, so it was likely he wouldn't see her if she was quiet enough.
Slowly, and as quietly as possible, she climbed to her feet and snuck behind a tree. There, she sat down and rested her back against the rough bark. Thoughts of home filled her head.
The crunching of a few leaves announced Boromir's arrival. He had seen her get up out of the corner of his eye. He was a bit annoyed. If he hadn't seen her leave, he would have been in a panic should he have discovered her missing. Not to mention Aragorn and Gandalf would have his hide if anything happened to the girl on his watch.
He would have lectured her, but she looked somewhat depressed. He frowned. And when she looked up at him with those innocent looking eyes of hers, he couldn't quite bring himself to be angry. "What are you doing?" he asked finally.
"Thinking."
"About?"
"I miss my mom," she said simply.
Ah. "Don't we all?"
She smiled slightly, but it faded in a heartbeat. "It's not fair. She has no idea where I am. She must be worried sick," she said mournfully. "It's not fair."
He gave her a sympathetic look and seated himself nearby. "Do you have any other family. A father, a brother?"
"No. My father is still alive, but… I haven't seen him in years. My parents' marriage ended a long time ago. It's just me and my mom. It has been since my grandfather died. Even though my parents were still married at the time, my father was never around."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. My mother gave me everything she could. We're better off without him. He always said he wanted a son, but got me instead, anyway. Do you have any family, Boromir?"
He nodded. "A younger brother. Faramir." Pride shone in his eyes. "He is a good man and a fine soldier." And I miss him, he thought to himself sadly. "Our mother died many years ago. Our father is the Steward of Gondor." His thought turned bitter as he remembered the last time he had seen his father and brother.
"You don't look overly fond of him."
He looked at her. "He looks on me as though I am his greatest pride, but he treats my brother as though he is lowly."
"And does your brother deserve that?"
"No. Nothing he does pleases our father. No victory we achieve is to be shared between us, but is placed solely upon me," he said bitterly. He didn't know why he told her all of this, but he somehow knew she would understand. And that she wouldn't repeat his words. "It was Faramir who wished to journey to Rivendell for the council. It was our father who decided to send me."
"So," she said slowly, "he puts all the responsibility on you, but treats your brother like dirt, is that it?"
"I supposed one could say that," he reluctantly agreed.
"It doesn't sound like he's doing right by either of you then."
He nearly snapped at her to mind her own business, but stopped himself. He had told her about his father and she had only said what she thought. Besides, Faramir did deserve better, so she was partly right. "He is a noble man," he said quietly in defense of his father.
Valora said nothing, but she highly doubted that was the case. A noble man wouldn't treat his children that way. If she said anything, she might ruin the alliance they had formed.
"But I wish he would see my brother for what he truly is."
"You resent him for it."
"At times," he admitted.
"Maybe we have more in common than we thought," she said softly.
They sat for a few more minutes, for the first time in completely companionable silence.
Are you Leggy/Valora shippers starting to see my point? It's just in general not a good idea for them to get involved at this time. Like I said, attractions, tension, no real romance. Sorry.
Well, the good news is the story has now returned to the movie storyline for the next two or three chapters. Hopefully those won't be nearly as much trouble as the last two chapters were to write. (Yeesh, and I thought the last chapter was a bitch to write.) Later dudes.