Lookie at who is here! I didn't get a good turnout last chapter but oh well. I hope you like this one.
XXXXXX
Chapter 25- Tremors that Shake the Body and Heart
Jaimea locked her gaze with Legolas's. He frowned worriedly at her, then turned to watch Turwaithiel's fleeting form. Without another word, the company continued to ride.
Soon, the horses became restless and nervous. They could sense the oncoming storm and the riders had difficulty keeping them calm. Turwaithiel still rode far ahead of them, never looking back, but even from where they were they could feel tension and annoyance radiating off of her.
It was now almost black. The sunlight had been cut off from them. A strong, cold breeze blew through the plains and it began to drizzle. The riders could see the breath in front of them and their whole bodies were cold, though the elves couldn't feel it. Finally, they saw the lady pull back on her stallion and circle slowly back towards them and they stopped. She approached them at a brisk trot. Her pale cheeks had turned a rosy red. Uhako, her horse, was breathing heavily and walking with shaky legs.
"I am sorry," She said, "But I must say this again. I strongly feel that it is necessary for us to find shelter.:
"What makes you think this will be a large storm, milady?" Mithrandir asked.
"My lord, I have never seen the skies like this!" She exclaimed, almost desperately, "I am begging you to find shelter!" Mithrandir didn't respond. He affixed her with a piercing gaze and she quickly looked away.
She smirked when she met eyes with Jaimea.
"Lady Jaimea, what do you think?" She asked, "Do you think we should seek out cover?" The elleth didn't respond but glared at the woman before her, clenching and unclenching her fists in her mare's mane.
"You, so far, have not made any decisions for this party. It seems more like you are luggage then an actual benefit for this group." Turwaithiel continued bitterly. Jaimea's glare did not falter.
"Lady Turwaithiel?" Mithrandir questioned but she ignored the Istar.
"To me, Jaimea," She spat out her name, "The only thing you have done is cause delay and pain."
The elleth's face fell and she looked down to her hands. She could feel the woman's gaze on her head but it was gone when she heard step in front of her. She glanced up quickly and smiled when she saw it was the golden haired prince. He sat straight up on his mount, anger and protectiveness pulsating around him. He ground his teeth together in frustration, his normally caring eyes now an icy glare.
Turwaithiel snorted, eyeing Legolas suspiciously, then turned away. The ellon heard Jaimea sigh and he turned around to face her, wearing a worried frown. The elleth smiled slightly at him, nodding her thanks.
"Well," Turwaithiel began, "We have not gotten any further. Either way, I am going to search for shelter."
"How can we trust that you will come back?" Arwen asked as she brushed away a few drops of rain from her cheeks.
"Have I done anything that would cause you to loose your trust for me?" She responded and no one spoke up. Jaimea glanced at Legolas again but he shook his head to the negative, giving her a warning glare, "So, is everyone going to follow me?" A few heads nodded and she smiled, "Good! Now, there is a-"
"Wait!"
Turwaithiel spun in her seat to glare at the one who had spoken. Her glare became even more fierce when she saw that it was Legolas again. She growled.
"Yes, Legolas?" She asked through gritted teeth.
"Do not follow her!" He exclaimed, "Look at the sky! The storm is still far off and we can continue on!"
Once again, the stallion of Turwaithiel flattened his ears. He pawed at the ground and chewed on his bit in agitation. The lady atop seemed to share his exasperation.
"Let us ride on until the storm is right at our heels. It will save time; I know it will!" He gazed around at all of his companions. Some held annoyance in their eyes and others held understanding. Norui moved his horse towards his brother.
"Legolas," He began quietly, "There is no shelter out on the plains. If this storm is bigger then it appears, we might run into trouble." Legolas looked at him with desperate eyes.
"Please, brother, give me a chance," He said, "Please."
The Crown Prince sighed.
"Oh, Legolas…" He rolled his eyes and nodded, "Alright, my brother, I shall follow you but I cannot command the others to do so as well." He said softly and the young prince smiled, nodding.
"Thank you." He said. Norui smiled as he turned towards his sisters.
"But I do command you to come." He said with a smirk and the two moaned.
"We do not want to come, Norui! We wish to follow Lady Turwaithiel." Lothron complained and Melyanna nodded in agreement. The Crown Prince sighed.
"You two are so stubborn. Why do I even bother?" He shook his head and brushed away the rain from his eyes, "Alright, stay. Legolas and I will go along with anyone who wishes to follow."
No one spoke and the two princes glanced around at the companions. There was a sudden loud crack of thunder and the horses cried out nervously but remained in place.
"Well, I guess that settles it. It looked like it is just us two." Norui said, "But I would like to see a map before we leave so we may arrange a meeting place." Turwaithiel nodded.
"Alright." She swung off her horse and began rummaging through her saddle bags. She pulled out a tattered piece of yellow parchment, only the thick, curling lines identifying it as a map. There were various holes burnt and torn into it and it threatened to fall apart from the heavy creases. Norui then hopped off Urúvion and stood beside her. She opened the parchment carefully and immediately started explaining.
Legolas watched his brother for a little while but then slipped over to Jaimea again. She sat on her mare, staring nervously at the swirling, gray clouds. He brought Cuilpantiel up beside and touched the elleth's arm gently but she didn't respond. She was too busy watching the storm.
"Jaimea?" He whispered.
"Yes?" She replied shakily, still not meeting his gaze. He moved his hand to her cheek and brought her head to look at him. He smiled and caressed her cheek with his thumb, then replaced it back on his mare's mane. She smiled at him.
"Will you come with us?" He asked, causing her to become flustered.
"W-Well, I don't know…" Legolas frowned at this, "I don't like storms, as you know. I don't think I would be comfortable and-" The prince cut her off by placing two fingers on her lips.
"Please?" He asked simply, cupping her cheek again. Jaimea sighed and closed her eyes as she leaned into his touch. Immediately, she felt heat rise up her neck to her cheeks where he held her and she shot up ramrod straight. Legolas frowned at her, curiosity radiating from his sapphire eyes. She looked down to her hands again, shying away from his touch.
"Are you going to join us?" He asked again and she looked up hesitantly.
"Why should I?" She asked, "Turwaithiel was right. I have done nothing but delay." Legolas frowned.
"Do not think like that. I want you to come because I just do."
"But why?" She questioned and his frown deepened but he didn't answer, "Well?" She asked expectantly. The prince looked back to his brother who was still discussing with Turwaithiel. He could tell that Norui was irritated with something but he wasn't sure what, "Legolas?"
He looked back to the elleth and sighed. He moved Cuilpantiel next to Jaimea, close enough that their legs touched, and he leaned over to whisper something in her ear.
"I do not trust Turwaithiel, as you know, and I do not want you to be with her. I do not want you to be hurt." He said. Jaimea shivered when his breath tickled her ear and she inhaled sharply, "I want you to be with me."
"Legolas!" Norui shouted suddenly as he hopped up on his stallion. The younger prince looked over at him.
"One moment!" He shouted in return. The Crown Prince nodded and then pulled out the old map to study it again. Legolas turned back to Jaimea, "Please, Jaimea, come with Norui and I. I would be able focus better if I knew you were safe." He said hurriedly. The elleth sighed and looked at him slowly.
"I suppose I could…" She said and the ellon grinned.
"Thank you." He said happily and took her hand in his, then brought it to his lips. A slight tinge of pink crept up on her cheeks and Legolas grinned wider. He turned his horse around and motioned for her to follow as he trotted over to his brother. He frowned when he saw that she stayed. She had a glazed look over her eyes and the prince stopped, "Jaimea?"
She shook her head, as if clearing her mind, and smiled. He smiled back and watched as she trotted up to Norui as well.
The Crown Prince looked up from the map and smiled brightly. She nodded, answering the question he was thinking, and he gave her a grin identical to his brother's. He took one last glance at the map and then carefully folded It up and shoved it in his pack.
"Let us get moving now. We want to cover as much ground as possible." He said.
"As should we." Turwaithiel added. Without another word, she spurred Uhako on the flanks and with a whinny, he darted off. The group exchanged glances with the three that were being left behind and then quickly rode off in the trail of the lady.
As soon as Turwaithiel disappeared over a hill, Norui sighed exasperatedly and ran his hand through his mahogany hair.
"Let us move." He said and urged Urúvion into a canter shortly followed by the other two.
Soon, the two groups appeared as black dots on the horizon to each other. The storm still drew closer to them and the light drizzle had turned into a heavy rain. All sunlight had been stripped away from the sky and dark shadows crossed the faces of the travelers like horrible scars. The once dry earth was now thick with mud and the horses stumbled frequently but they did not stop.
Norui seemed to know where he was going as he led them. He never stopped the whole fifteen miles that he had them push through. He would occasionally look back at the them but all he could make out were dark shapes in the unyielding rain. He sighed and rubbed the water off his face and pushed some hair that stuck to his face behind his pointed ear.
'Perhaps we should stop.' He thought. He heard someone come to a stop next to him and he glanced over.
"Norui?" Legolas had to shout through the rain, "Are you alright? Why did you stop?" The Crown Prince shrugged it off.
"I am fine," He responded, "But how are you and Jaimea?"
"I am fine but I think Jaimea is tired. Her horse appears exhausted as well." Legolas said as he glanced over his shoulder. The elleth did indeed lag behind and she was almost lost in the steady curtain of rain. Norui sighed.
'I have been sighing a lot, lately,' He thought with a sad smile, then spoke aloud, "Go back to her and do anything you can to get her to catch up." He said and the young prince nodded. With a word to his mare, he cantered carefully and slowly back to the elleth.
Jaimea's head hung and she leaned over the mare's neck. Her hands barely held onto the drenched mane. The horse's hooves dragged tiredly in the mud and its head hung low as well. The elleth looked up slightly as she heard the elf approach her. She could barely make him out except for the glowing of his sapphire eyes. He walked up next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. She met his caring gaze.
"Jaimea, are you alright?" He asked and she nodded slightly, "Are you tired?"
"Yes," She croaked, "I do not think I have ever been this exhausted." Legolas smiled sympathetically.
"It will pass once we find the time to sleep." He said reassuringly.
"When will that be?" She asked and his smile faltered.
"I am sorry but we cannot stop. At least, not yet." He said apologetically and he heard her groan quietly, "I am sorry." He said again. Jaimea sighed softly and nudged her mare softly but Legolas caught her arm. She looked at him with a confused expression and he smiled sheepishly.
"If you are that tired and you don't mind parting with your mount for a while, we could…well, if you want to, I mean…" He trailed off when he saw her smile at him.
"That would be very kind of you, Legolas." The prince grinned at her and swung off his horse. The mud splattered up his leggings to his knees and he wrinkled his nose in annoyance, emitting a small laugh from the she-elf. He gave her a warm smile, then moved in front of the mare. He rested his forehead on the horse's and mumbled some quiet elvish words, then stepped away and moved to Jaimea's side. She leaned forward and slid off the mare but stumbled in the thick mud.
Legolas quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up before she could fall. She moaned softly.
"My limbs ache, Legolas, can't I just sleep here?" She asked, her eyelids drooping. The prince tightened his grip on her, pulling her tight to him. He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger longer then necessary, then rested her head on his chest.
"No, Hiril-nín, not now. You may sleep as we ride if you can. But you must stay awake for a few moments more." (My lady) He said. She moaned quietly and nodded, sitting up again.
In one swift motion, he sat her up on the horse and she clutched the mare's mane tightly until he swung himself up behind her. He removed his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Rest now," He said, "Cuilpantiel can bear the two of us and your mare will follow at her own pace." Jaimea nodded. She leaned fully against his chest and put her head by the crook of his neck.
"Where is Espenshade?" She managed to whisper before they moved again.
"Hush, Jaimea. She is safe in my pack. Sleep." He said but the elleth had already dozed off. The prince smiled before clucking to the mare and they rode off to meet Norui.
The Crown Prince smiled when he saw the two together. Jaimea's face was buried in Legolas's golden mane and his cloak was wrapped closely around her. The young prince had his arm wrapped securely yet gently around her waist and he wore a small smile on his lips. The elleth's eyes had closed in sleep as is the way with elves if they suffer injury or fatigue.
"Are you ready?" Norui asked with a playful tone and Legolas grinned.
"Yes, my brother." With that, they urged their mounts on and were soon lost in the rain again.
IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI
Turwaithiel curses and ground her teeth together as she pulled herself out of the mud. Her brown tresses were soaked and now partially coated in the sludge. Uhako pranced nervously about as he, too, had to struggle through the mud and rain. The lady pulled herself up and glared at the stallion, then snatched the reins roughly in her hands.
"You are going to regret this moment." She hissed and continued to pull him along.
After walking a little more, seven more horses came into view. Just as Uhako was, they danced nervously in the pouring rain, whinnying in fear. Turwaithiel tied the stallion to a rock that jetted out from the cliff they had decided to stop at.
She pulled her hood down as she entered the crevice in the rock wall. It was barely big enough for them all to squeeze in comfortably. Once they all had arrived, the twins immediately began trying to start a fire while the others were wringing out their clothing. The lady sighed as she glanced around.
The cave was shallow but extended up to a great height. One could hear the high pitched squeaking of the bats if they listened close enough. The ground was coated in sharp pebbles and the occasional small bone of a bird or rabbit.
Elladan and Elrohir tried desperately with the fire but the logs were too saturated with water. Finally, though reluctantly, Mithrandir stepped forward and created a bright green flame from the gnarled staff he always carried. They all laid out their blankets close to the fire and spread their extra clothes on the floor to let them dry.
Once she was settled, Turwaithiel took from her pack an assortment of maps and other pieces of parchment. She grumbled when they threatened to break apart from being drenched. The others watched her curiously when she would shuffle through the papers and mumble some names of places that they had heard of and some they had not. Finally, she let her gaze on one of the maps and she moved everything else aside. After studying it for a moment, she placed it in the middle of the group and placed one long finger on one spot.
"This," She said, "Is where we are." Thick, black lines were drawn intricately to illustrate the areas between Dunland and the realm of Gondor. The Misty Mountains cut between the center of the page as well as the White Mountains. The Gap of Rohan was the center of the map. Her finger was placed on the southern end of the Misty Mountains on a place called Dol Baran.
The others gathered around and studied it, estimating the distance they still had to travel. Their eyes widened in shock once they had calculated. Mithrandir furrowed his brow.
"My lady, are you sure that is correct?" He inquired and she nodded.
"Indeed, it is, my lord."
"But we could not have possibly traveled such a great distance in a short amount of time." He took a puff from his pipe and dragged the map towards him. He placed a finger on the northern area, "Rivendell is right here," He said, then trailed down towards their present spot, "And here is Dol Baran. If I am not mistaken, that is a distance of…" He raised his bushy eyebrows and stared at Turwaithiel in bewilderment, "Five hundred and forty miles." The lady's eyes glittered as she smirked at the Istar.
"That is correct, Mithrandir, we are more then half way to the city of the Muruién." The wizard stared hard at the woman in wonder. After all of the distractions and detours, they had made remarkable time.
Excitement and joy radiated from the others. They had set out but ten days ago and already they were closer to rescuing Thranduil, Glithiel and all of the other elves that had been controlled by the Muruién. Lothron and Melyanna had to bite their lips to keep from bursting out with joy. The twins were grinning at each other while Estel and Arwen smiled at each other, clasping their hands together. Mithrandir still continued to study the map, quite perplexed, but a small smile had formed on his lips.
"How did we accomplish such a thing?" Mithrandir asked, "Have we done that much without noticing?"
"Yes and no." Turwaithiel answered, then stood to retrieve her write staff from the corner. She leaned heavily on it and gently blew against the feathers so that they twirled around. After a moment, she looked towards them with a slight frown, "Some magic is at work though I do not know if it is for good or for evil."
The company looked between each other anxiously. Perhaps whatever it was, they wanted the group to make it there quickly. But that one could have also wanted to lead them to their deaths.
"How can you sense this magic?" Lothron asked.
"It is a power familiar to me for I have heard of it before."
"What is it?"
"I cannot tell you." Turwaithiel said with finality in her tone. They all shared worried glances and returned to their own business. The once joyous moment had turned dark and worrying again. Mithrandir continued staring at the intricate map.
The wind picked up outside and it howled past the mouth of the crevice like a pack of howling wolves. The rain drops became bigger and faster as the dark clouds they fell from began to swirl and rotate. Much to their surprise and worry, hail began to pelt down on the earth as well. Estel sat by the opening and stared out into the blackness. He forehead was creased as he watched the ice balls become larger and more frequent.
"This hail is very unusual," He said, "Very rarely is it seen this far south." Arwen approached him quietly from behind and rested her head on his shoulder.
"That is true, Estel. 'Tis very strange, indeed." The human wrapped his arms around the elleth's waist, pulling her close. She smiled as her forehead brushed up against his chin. A faint stubble was beginning to grow.
"How do you think Norui and Legolas are faring?" Estel asked.
"I am sure they are fine." Arwen replied, "All three of them." He nodded.
"I hope so."
There was a sudden gust and the trees bent in the wind. The two lovers' hair whipped wildly around them and they clutched onto each other if they would blow away. The birds cried frantically as they searched desperately for a shelter. The horses that were tied whinnied and reared in fear, trying to break their ropes.
The others came running to the sudden outburst from the creatures. Elladan and Elrohir put a comforting hand on their siblings' shoulders. The two princesses gazed out into the blackness and their thoughts strayed not the first time to their brothers. The Istar gripped his staff and Turwaithiel was wide eyed. She cried out suddenly.
"Ai! 'Tis worse then I imagined!" She dashed out of the cave, paying no heed to the other's calling. She brought a knife from her belt and quickly severed the rope restraining Uhako. He reared in panic and she sprang upon his back. With a cry, the stallion bolted and quickly disappeared in the rain. The group called out to her but she never returned.
They were about to follow her example and run but suddenly a tremor ran through the earth. The froze in their steps, eyes wide and hearts pounding. Another tremor boomed and the crying of the horses increased. There was an ear-splitting crack and they all looked out into the distance with fearful eyes.
XXXXXX
Muahaha! Cliffhanger! I hope you liked this one! And wow! Look at quickly it was done! I am so proud! Hehe.
Lasien- LOL! I know, isn't she nuts? And she likes Dominic! YICK! He is a good actor but…eww. Lol. Not a horse? Well, a horse is a horse, of course. Lol. Good thought though. I like knowing what my readers think is going to happen. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Legolas's Girl 9- Aw, I made you feel bad? I'm sorry. What did I do? I went through it but I couldn't find anything that would upset someone. Hmm…was it the fact that they slept together? Hehe. I'm glad you still like it, though. Lol. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Swasti- Hehe, I am delighted that you liked that part. I actually put a lot of effort into it to be sure it didn't seem corny or whatever. Lol. And thanks in advance for the review on 'Call of the Red Bird' and for being a faithful reviewer and reader for it! I'm glad I can put a smile on your face. :sings "Put a smile on! Put a smile on! Everybody, come on!": lol. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Thank you everyone! I am so glad you read this! Also, one thing. If there is anyone out there who is reading this but doesn't review, could you try to review at least once before the end? I want to make a final chapter thanking everyone who read it and reviewed and everything. Thanks a million!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel
