Disclaimer: All rights belong to Tolkien.
Chapter 4
Had it been two or three days since she last felt the warm touch of the ever shining sun on her skin? Perhaps it had been less than that, and perhaps more, for time stood still and ran at a gallop all the same when one was cut out of it.
In all truth, being held captive in a medieval fantasy had not been on Cecilia's top ten things to do before thirty list, but came to pass in spite of that. Someone had played a nasty trick her way after all. How had this terrible fate chosen to bestow itself upon her?
She dared not to step out of the safety of her assigned space for who knew what might await if she did.
Elves, wizards and dwarfs, that's what; something her twenty five and a half year long life did not brace for.
The many odd things she had seen were turning out to be not so strange, for she was the out of place one. It seemed that she would not be finding a companion to share this misery with after all.
She was alone.
Existentialist questions rose up for many uncountable times: Would anyone realize she was missing? What of her life back home? Why was she of all people sent here? Had she crossed a border between the two worlds while journeying with the elves or had she done it on her own? Could she go back?
Surely, if she had came forth she could go back!
She was cooped up in this God forsaken room for too long, the air had become so dense as if a sickness roamed the lodge. She had not yet taken the liberty to bathe, for a bath was not provided in sight and she feared the worst: public bathing spots, for who was to say how deteriorating this society was? Cecilia would rather hinder away in grime than clean herself in front of others.
Next to nothing helped her pass the time she spent in silence and fear from venturing out, she had brought a book or two to read on the train ride but they turned out useless. She could not bring herself to care upon the written words in such a situation. All that was found to do was brooding about what to do next. She had grown to detest the lifeless room and now dared to a desire to step out, yet was not quite ready to do so.
Minutes that seemed as hours had passed in deep thought until Cecilia had came up with a solution, the only one that was close to reason and the only one that she could lay calm with. Twas all a dream, of course! How could she have thought otherwise in the first place?
True, she did not think her imagination as vivid as to create an illusion of another world, but Alas, it was so. She would be awake soon, none of what the wizard had said made sense anyway.
It was a reach, she knew, yet felt her mind would slip away if she did not make something true of this that she was forced into now. How would one explain it other than a dream, a daze? She had spent days here already, and knew she would soon doubt all that was concluded now, but it was better to stay sane for as long as possible. Losing her head tomorrow or the day after would be better than losing it today.
With newfound strength she left the armchair on which she rested and advanced forth where her bags lay hidden. Her hair was filthy enough to be a shame to reveal so, knowing that she was clever enough to arrive well prepared for a trip it was of little wonder to reveal the straw cloche hat which was the dearest to her heart.
She popped it low on her forehead and made to put on her slippers as to progress to track down a possible bath. She stuffed the green backpack with all the necessities one would require for such a journey and checking herself for presentability twice, she did not hesitate to let herself out.
Despite Cecilia's earlier decision about the nature of how things stood a feeling of dread pricked her mind with every footstep she took. She now knew that a few steps to the left a staircase awaited for her to descended, otherwise she would have to climb the fence once again and such a deed in broad daylight would certainly leave an ill impression on any who were looking.
The day was almost hot, the Sun was set high above the ground revealing the hour to be no later than one in the afternoon. A smell of good food circled around Cecilia as she strode through the nature and made her wish to peek inside the houses to discover the source of the delicious smell more than once. Some even took to have lunch outside, families and friends of pointed ears and fair faces lay upon the grass laughing together, not having the curiosity to acknowledge the human that walked their forest, perhaps mistaking her for one of their own.
It was soon that the many faces became small in number and the gardens gave way to a clear field whose high end held the company of more elves. They were not seated as the ones before, but rather stood strong on their feet and brawled amongst each other, in no ill-manner of course, but Cecilia was quite too far away to note any action from them at all. One seemed to be leaving the many.
Not giving them any mind she turned her head right and left, looking to find which way was best to go. Nothing of great importance lay right, only the creek which flew throughout the whole county and she remembered being warned that it led to a waterfall, therefore, the path would be of no use. The left side housed a rather small civilization of wood and stone, but she knew it would be trouble to differ the houses of families and those of shops and other such things for one that first set their eyes upon them. She feared that she was not skilled enough to track the bath house by herself and would be too ashamed to ask any for directions, even if the people appeared good faithed.
As she made to test her chances left a familiar bright head came into view whilst carrying a soft melody on its lips. The whistle came to a halt as soon as the ever alert eyes lay gaze upon the soles of her shoes. The face of the whistling man did not belong to a man at all, rather, an elf. Cecilia was both joyous and wrathful, joyous for spotting a pair of pointed ears she recognized amongst the many unfamiliar ones and wrathful for knowing that it was his company that forced her among the said.
"Mae govannen. " Well met. Greeted Legolas, standing well over a head taller than she, content to see a familiar face himself. "This is a fine chance. "
"Yes, it is. Hello to you too." He curtised with a soft nod of head and the faint smile which he wore at all given times. Cecilia thought it a fine chance only if he directioned her to where she needed to go, otherwise not as much for she felt uneasy around all of these creatures, her three captors most so.
"I interrupt you in a journey once more." Stated he, not wishing to be as discourteous as to bring up her curious choice of garment, but surveyed it several times nonetheless. "But I am content for it to be so, as I desired to speak with the one I wrongfully accused again. " He wished to offer his sorry and yet Cecilia did not feel inclined to accept the horrid fate that followed because of their error, the apology would not be accepted as well, but she would keep the thought to herself.
"Goheno nin, I mistook your intentions and brought shame upon myself for it. I wish not to part in ill-faith." Forgive me. He did not seem overly honest speaking the words, but neither would any go as far as to call him dishonest, the simple distant politeness in his regrets was all that the dark headed maid could make of this.
"I suppose that you couldn't have known better." The voice with whom she spoke was tight and far from persuading, she wished to say more: inquire, curse, dismant, anything at all; but the being in front of her stood strong and proud, his eyes instilling a dull blue feel in the nape of her neck.
"Aye, tis true." Their eyes met in a brief moment and Legolas became silent only to speak again once Cecilia made to shield the peepers which she feared divulged too much of her unease. The sun was bright and therefore made her action unsuspicious. "We could not have known."
"It's alright." She told, shifting from one leg to another as would one in a great rush, but she was not busy at all. "I have to go." A nervous smile appeared on her lips then, toothless and the first one Legolas had ever seen.
He did not mind nor care for her hasty retreat for many things were to be done before night fell and so Legolas bid the lady farewell. Cecilia felt at ease once he turned on his heel and marched forward, not looking back to see if she had gone as well.
His golden head soon became lost in the distance and it was time that Cecilia proceeded onwards with her quest. She had left the training grounds at a speed lest she encounter yet another one of her horrid captors.
The field was quickly no more and the silence and serenity of a world which she knew departed. Many voices were being exchanged and once the soles of her shoes touched stone rather than grass she heard and saw clearly. All wore their hair long, some longer than others and if Cecilia had not taken a closer look at each face she would not know if one was male or female. They were fair, striking and tall and did not spare her another glance.
Would she dare inquire for directions?
She dare not, worse fate be suffering a cold, demeaning gaze than getting lost; or so she thought.
The square was not large nor crowded and Cecilia made sure to inspect every nook of it, but the result of the vast search proved disappointing. Nothing differed from the small stores which lay next to one another, all with interesting content inside, no doubt given.
She had walked in a circle more than ten times now, straining her eyes for a sign of anything other than this that she had already seen; bloody shops.
It was on about the twentieth trip around the market when she finally decided to stop. All thought not much time passed since she first arrived the people had greatly lessened. Once she finally looked around, now aware of more than just buildings she had found herself almost abandoned, only a few walked the street now. Cecilia thought they may be taking up on their afternoon rest or perhaps a late lunch and thus did not give it a second thought.
A late lunch.
Her stomach snarled and howled and from it came the not-so-subtle undertone of pain, now that she was out of the maniacal search haze she could feel the hunger to every extent. She had not eaten since yesterday, and one could hardly call that a full meal ; four bites and she was done, the misery from days past forestalled the dull ache in her stomach. Now it felt like it might digest itself.
Oh God… The food was brought into her quarters four times a day, it was always a different elf that brought a different meal, she had not seen any of the said twice. The hour on which the entity came inside seemed to be the same one, over and over again. Her lunch would be waiting for her with open arms and this knowledge eased the sadness of a quest failed.
She had turned her back towards the market and made to walk the same way by which she had arrived, unaware of another approaching, unaware until they spoke. "Hiril nin." My lady. Said the woman who had caught step with Cecilia, startling her. She did not let her express the shock and spoke again. "I am told that the bath prepared was of little use." It was hard to say if the tall woman was agitated, her words could claim so but her voice and face were stripped of any emotion one might possess. "You failed to show. "
Perhaps Cecilia could feign disinterest as well, it did seem to be the norm amongst the people. "I'm sorry." She offered lamely, her eyes darted down and away for it was difficult to match the woman's own when they were much higher up than Cecilia's and to look up to her made it seem as if she was inferior. "I didn't know when or where that would be… I thought someone would come and fetch me when it was ready…"
"A, so it is. " Ah. "It would have carried better fate for us to have been told this sooner, we had the thermae emptied to ensure the commodity of our human guest, no easy task it was, make no mistake." Said the lady, her anger, if ever existing, now put at ease.
"I'm sorry… " Cecilia repeated.
"It is of no matter now, what is done cannot be undone." She had stopped speaking, having noticed the funny hat Cecilia wore, if she did have a thought about it it was not worded. "Come, follow. "
And so she did, the stroll was quick and unpleasant, if Cecilia dared to fall back a step or two the elf did not hesitate to shoot a stern look her way and then double the briskness of their step. They arrived before the dormitories in a matter of minutes and the woman only spoke these words before departing: "A bath will be prepared once more, I will see that you be directed to it. Farewell." And thus she left.
Cecilia entered the room, the sickly air inside now cleansed and the bed made as if no one had ever laid on it.
She seated herself on the chair closest to the table. What stood on it seemed unreal, the meal so heavenly arranged one would hesitate to eat only to preserve its beauty and smell. But the one was not Cecilia, she dug into the rich food with ravenous hunger. She shoved bread, carrots, mushrooms, fish, corn, and roasted potatoes into her gaping mouth, filling her famined belly. The elves were gracious hosts when concerning food, if naught else.
The plate was sparkling clean within minutes and Cecilia was content at last, now feeling the need to rest, and she would have done so if not for a knock on the door.
Was the bath prepared already?
The one behind the walls did not wait to be let in, on the contrary, they opened the door and entered. It was the wizard with the pointy hat, it was Gandalf.
"I hope i do not arrive at a bad time." He said, closing the door with his staff and stepping in deeper. "We must speak."
"Oh, no no! No, not at all." Cecilia exclaimed, surprised to see the old man but more than curious as to find out what he had to say. She stood up and sat back down offering the seat across from her. He slouched onto it and kept quiet for a moment.
"I have been in deep thought since we saw each other last." Admitted the wizard whilst taking out the long pipe from his draped bag. "May i?"
"Of course, be my guest."
Would he mind if i lit up as well?
She could not remember the last decent smoke she had and smelling the old fume made her lungs trickle. The green bag in which she hid the cigarettes was neatly stacked on top of her other bags and once Cecilia passed a layer of unnecessary possessions she found them. She had brought along five packs and some rolling tobacco, after all, it was better to arrive safe than sorry.
Once she managed to squirm the box out of the overflowing backpack she sat back down lighting it. Gandalf spoke none of it.
"As i was saying. " His expression turned grim and it was without a doubt that this which he would say next would be ill news. "A strange time of arrival yours is, this could mean much and naught at all, you see. A great wizard has turned sour and for all my knowledge i know not how this came to pass. Perhaps he was the one who brought you to us. " The leaves in the pipe burned brighter. "And perhaps not. "
"I don't understand."
"Neither do i. " His words were firm and a feeling of dismay overtook the already uncomfortably dense room. "But some things are more certain than others."
He did not allow Cecilia to inquire and spoke again, clearer. "There will be a quest, a quest in which you too must take part. "
"A quest? What kind of quest? "
"One of great importance my dear girl! And should our enemy truly hold your presence valuable i would not have you at a place where your safety lies at stake. The elves are leaving the shores, their numbers grow smaller by the day."
His eyes showed the kind of gentle concern a grandfather might have held and yet his words were worrying and Cecilia did not know how to respond to this command. Would she be able to refuse?
"They will not be able to protect you. "
"Protect me from what?" Dealing with the wizard's riddles was a tedious work and Cecilia held her temper aback as well as one could at such a time. Her calmness was almost at its end. "Can anyone, please for once, tell me something that makes sense. Please. "
Her pleadings, of course, were ignored for Gandalf spoke his own accord and gave her almost no mind.
"A company of nine was to travel into the deep darkness, crossing many lands in its way, many lands that may hold salvation for our brand new tenth friend. " He talked onwards stopping only ever so often to relight the leaves inside the pipe or reward her with a keen eye. "Lord Elrond and I have decided it for the best that you accompany, if any trouble should arise one will not find better men to guard you than the very ones that will do so."
"What kind of quest are we talking about?"
"I would have you know all that you wish, my dear, if only knowledge held no danger in its stead." With the last word he rose from his seat, his visit much too short for Cecili´s liking, once he was on his feet she was not slow to follow suit. He decided the conversation over and lastly just before departing placed a comforting hand over her shoulder and said his last words for the evening: "Fear not, all will be revealed in good time. Rest for now, we depart on the morn. " And he left.
Hey guys, im really sorry about being late with the update but writers block finally caught up with me and since i didnt want to serve my readers with a piece of shit the waiting had gone on longer than expected, but now im back and you can look for the next chapter in two or three weeks. Once again, really sorry about the delay BUT i have decided to redeem myself by providing 5 OF MY READERS a oneshot of their own choice, i dont know if the pairing for the stories will be only Legolas and Cecilia or something else but for now, lets limit the choice at that. There will also be a possibility of chosing an only Legolas oneshot. Idk i thought it would be neat because i found myself liking a Oc and character pairing many times and wished for more opportunities to see them together. Naturally, if you dont like my pairing you will not partake in this.
So, the rules are simple; 3 people who leave the most reviews win, and the other 2 will be chosen randomly. You can choose whichever topics you like; lemons, gore, more romance, fluff (which i do not like writing and it will probably turn out horrible), you can also chose situations, for instance: Someone getting drunk, trying drugs, the ultimate human death… Basically, i will write whatever you want to read and will try my best to do it as good as possible. The first winner will be announced by chapter 10 (the person who leaves most reviews by that time wins, but keep in mind that the minimum number of reviews for entry will be 5). More details will be sufficed by chapter 7.
So, what are your impressions so far? Is Legolas going to be kind or rude or something else? What of Cecilia? Im interested in your thoughts on the matter so please, do not hesitate to leave a nice review.
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