Chapter 25
Greetings Aran Thranduil,
ha would n- mui pleasure na hoth mín woodland kin.
Mín thír forward na cín arrival in i ethuil.
Maui i roads n- safe.
- Elrond
Evie POV
The palace was a hectic place over the weeks it took to ready the King, Queen, Prince and their entourage for the journey from Greenwood to the elven city of Imaldris, but final the day of departure dawned.
"Legolas!"
Evie was dressed in her dark blue riding habit and black leather boots, her wild curl tamed somehow in a single braid down her back.
Her green eyes were frantic as she search for the little elf Prince.
"Legolas, the company is ready to leave...where are you?"
The red head crouched to look under the bed and walked into the bathing room, blowing out a frustrated breath when she came up empty.
She hastened her steps down the halls and entered the stables, slightly breathless.
"Thranduil, I can't find -"
She stopped suddenly spying the blonde haired little elf already mounted on his grey horse.
"Legolas."
She whirled around when she heard a deep chuckle from behind her and glared at the blue orbs that watched the scene with mirth.
"It's not funny! If this is any indication how this journey will go, we may as well stop here."
"Fear not, my love, all is well. Come, we must leave."
She shivered when she felt him press a kiss to the back of her exposed neck and dutifully followed him to her white mare. Once there she felt his warm hand enclose over her waist and lift her up and on to the horse.
She clasped his hand before he could move away and leaned down to kiss him, not caring about prying eyes.
She was delighted that he kissed her back with a eager pressure, but it was finished all too soon for her liking.
Patience
Spoilsport
"Are you ready Naneth?"
She looked at the little elf almost bouncing in his seat in excitement.
"Yes, honey."
And before anything else could be said, the King made a whistling noise and the company began to move out.
They had been traveling all day and Evie, despite being an experienced rider, was saddle-sore. Her irritable mood grew worse as the hours passed.
Relief rocked through her when the Captain of the guard called for them to halt and dismount to make camp.
"Thank god for small miracles"
Not realizing how stiff her muscles were, the red head got her foot caught in the stirrup when she swung her other leg over and the end result had her falling in an ungrateful heap to the hard ground.
"Christ, that hurts!"
She glared at the dark haired elf that was laughing at her pradicament.
"Feren stop that this instant and help me!"
"Yes, My Lady"
The elf was gentle as he grasped her arms and heaved her to her feet, holding on a moment to make sure she was steady.
"The King said you were an experienced rider." This statement was said with teasing in his eyes.
She snapped back, her temper unleashed "I am. I have not fallen on my ass in many years. Don't you dare tell anymore!"
"It will remain our secret. Are you hurt?"
"Just my pride. I shall live." She said this distractedly as she rubbed the pain from her ass and her tummy rumbles.
"Good. Come, it will not be safe to linger."
He held out an arm for her and began to lead her toward the fire in the middle of the camp.
"My horse?"
"Will be taken care of, worry not."
Satisfied with this answer, she moved her eyes over the figures coming and going the camp area.
A smile bloomed on her face when she spotted the little elf that held a piece of her heart.
"Naneth, come. I want to go to the river and Ada said I was not to go by myself."
She let Legolas pull her along once she disentangled herself from Feren.
She heard him call out to her as she moved away.
"Be vigilant, My Lady!"
"Of course, Captain!"
And then they were walking through a thicket of trees, which opened out to a glistening river in the late afternoon sun.
So inviting was the water after a hard day's ride, Evie didn't hold Legolas back as he let go of her hand and ran to the edge. Dropping to her knees next to the little elf, she cupped her hand together in the water and drew it up to splash her face, removing all the dust from the road.
Feeling refreshed from the cool water, Evie sat back and began to undo her braid, eyes on the bank opposite, occasionally checking the elf slashing around next to her.
All of a sudden, the woman spotted a pair of dark black eyes, with yellow pupils staring straight at her. Her eyes narrowed and she started to plan the quickest way to get Legolas out of their, when she startled back to reality when cold droplets fell on her face.
Her eyes closed and when she opened them again the threatening eyes were gone. Shaking her head, she wondered if imagined it at all.
Silly woman, she thought.
Not long after, she caught sight of the blonde elf, wet from head to toe.
"Oh, honey, look at you!"
The adorable elf just grinned cheekily and giggled.
She held out her hand. "Come, supper will be ready soon and we need to get you dried off."
"yes Naneth."
Hand in hand they walked back quickly, not wishing to linger. Just before the trees blocked her sight of the riverbank altogether, Evie glanced back over her shoulder for one last look.
"Everything ok?"
"Hmmmm? Yes."
Evie was touched by the concern in the blue eyes of the tall elf she loved so much.
She stepped forward to place her hands on his shoulders, stood on tippytoes and met his lips with her own in a quick kiss. Surprise flooded through her when a large hand held the back of her head gently, her hair entangled in his fingers, as he pulled her in for a more intimate, lingering kiss.
When he pulled away and let go, she moved her arms around his middle and placed her head against his chest, seeking the warmth of his body in reassurance. She almost purred when she felt his hand stroking her hair soothingly.
Toady's ride was alright for you?
Mmmmmm, my ass is not so happy about being on a saddle all day.
I'll rub it for you later
The promise in those words made her toes curl in her boots.
I'll hold you to it
"Come, Amos is serving supper."
She allowed him to lead her travel weary body over to the fire where all the elves were gathering and sat on a log next to Legolas, who only smiled at her, now freshy grabbed in dry clothing, but quickly returned his attentions to the bowl held with both hands.
She thanked Amos when he handed her and identical bowl and breathed in the wonderful smell rising with the steam that made her mouth water. Spoon in hand, she dug in and moaned at the taste.
Should I be worried?
About what?
Being replaced by the maker of the food in your hands
She couldn't help but laugh.
"You have nothing to worry about, but damn, Amos makes great food. Never let him leave!"
His deep chuckle was the only response she received for this but happily kept eating.
Much later, Evie sat with her back against the log, her legs stretched out in front of her and she opened her arms to welcome a tired little elf to cuddle up to her.
"They're going to sing and tell stories now Naneth."
"What kind of stories?"
But it was her golden haired friend that answered her.
"All sorts. Battles. Love stories. Whatever they feel like telling. Every trip is different."
"Who tells the stories?"
"Feren will begin."
"What? The big bad Captain tells stories? I have a hard time believing that."
She joined in with Haleth as they laughed together.
"Feren has lived almost as long as our King, he had seen much and is passionate about sharing our legacy on."
Evie went silent as she contemplated this. It was a part of the dark haired elf that she hadn't seen before and was very curious now to hear the storytelling begin.
They didn't have to wait long, once everyone was settled with a warm cup of tea or mug of ale, the rough yet musical voice of the Captain of the Guard resonated for all to hear.
"Once, long ago…"
So wrapped up in the story, Evie didn't realise that her little charge had fallen asleep against her, his little hand fisted around her cloak.
She was deliberating how to get up and take the elf to bed when she heard a deep voice above her and looked up into blue orbs.
"Would you like some help?"
She gave him a grateful smile, "Yes, please."
She sighed in relief softly when the heavy weight was lifted off her form and stretched her stiff muscles a moment before getting to her feet and following the tall elf, sleeping offspring draped over his shoulders, into their tent.
She knelt next to the cot when Thranduil placed the elf gently down and hummed as she tucked him in, leaning over to place a kiss to him brow.
"Sweet dreams, honey."
Resuming her humming, the woman got up and turned to face the middle of the tent, unclasping her cloak as she went, but stopped when she felt a pair of eyes on her.
"What?"
"You're beautiful."
The way he said it, with such tenderness and sincerity, that she melted inside and smiled at him.
Finishing removing her outer clothes, she made her way to their bed, happily cuddling up to his warmth and feeling perfectly safe in the circle of his arms.
She left a small kiss on his chest where her head lay and closed her eyes.
I love you
Sleep sweet my love
* Greetings King Thranduil, It would be my pleasure to host our woodland kin. See you in the spring. May the roads be safe. Elrond