Chapter 26

Evie bolted up in bed gasping for air, her red hair plastered to her skin with sweat, green eyes wide as she stared ahead of her, not seeing the red materials of the tent, but black eyes with yellow pupils peeking out from the bushes.

Her panic was blinding, stopping any coherent thoughts, but all that started to fade when she felt a familiar calm wave down the bond and then warm arms wrap around her, pulling her against a male chest smelling of earthy pine.

"Breath, my love. You're ok, it was just a nightmare."

Kisses were peppered over her hair as she closed her eyes and her breathing began to even out.

"I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?"

"I just...isn't it a bit weak to be seen..."

"Emotion is not weak, Evangeline. You could never look weak to me. I am always here for you anytime you need me."

She reached for one of his hands and brought it to her lips.

"Thank you."

A few heartbeats passed.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"No, not yet."

"When you are ready, I'm here."

"I know. I love you."

"As I you. Come and lay down, dawn is a way off yet."

"Hold me?"

"Always."

...

Later, Evie found herself mounted again on her beautiful white steed in the middle of the company, Legolas to her right.

"You look tired Naneth."

"Hmmmm yes, the road has not been kind for rest."

"You will be ok?"

"Of course honey, it is not long until we reach Imladris and then we can all rest well."

"Shall we sing Naneth?"

"Great idea, my darling, what do you think they would like to hear? Something upbeat?"

"Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today (ah ah ah)

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one"

She broke off suddenly, looking at the blonde Elleth laughing in front.

"What is so funny, Haleth?"

"What a strange song, I have never heard its like in any realm."

She snorted and shared a look with the little Prince. "Nor shall you." She muttered to herself.

"Care to entertain us then?"

"Gladly..." and she opened her mouth to begin, but stopped when she heard a commotion not far away and stopped her horse, gracefully leaping off.

"What is it?"

Turning to grip Evie's saddle, she spoke urgently.

"Stay here My Queen. Legolas, stay with Evie."

The red headed woman saw her rush back towards the trees, disappearing with half the soldiers at a single call.

Looking up ahead, Evie couldn't see Thranduil and slid off her horse, hurrying to his offspring.

"It's going to be alright honey."

"Naneth?"

"Yes honey."

"I can hear something coming. Something taking heavy steps."

She scanned the surrounding area, but found no elves nearby.

Where have they all gone? She thought angrily.

"Get off the horse and run."

She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the tress.

"Come, hurry now."

Around trees, over logs, under branches, they ran like the wind.

Thranduil! Where the hell are you!?

And then her foot got caught on a unexpected foot and she fell, hard, grazing her palms.

"Naneth! Are you alright?"

She quickly tried to stand and run, but her foot cried out in agony when she put her weight on it. Wincing, she answered him.

"No, get behind me."

She watched the elfling obey without hesitation and reached down to stoke his hair as he gripped her legs from behind.

She grabbed the blade hidden at her back and held it out in front of her, taking deep breaths as she waited.

"If it turns ugly, honey, I want you to run."

"But..."

"No Legolas, promise me."

"Yes Naneth." She squeezed his hand.

And waited. And then she heard it, the footsteps her little elf had detected following them.

It took all her strength not to flinch at the ugly creatures emerging from the tree line. Dark grey and black hideous beings. Orcs. The leader had those black and yellow eyes from her dream.

She narrowed her eyes. She had faced one of their kind before and won. Today shall be no different.

One, two, three, four, five, she counted in her head.

She reminded herself to show no fear as they smirked at her.

"Come little woman, had over the elf brat."

"You will never touch him."

"Now now, it wouldn't do to anger us, for we wouldn't have hurt you too badly."

"Be gone, there is nothing for you here."

"Such conviction. Will the Elf King cry over your dead body, I wonder?"

She held her sword higher but did not deign to reply to the taunt.

She closed her eyes for a moment as she gathered her magic, calling it to her.

When she opened them, the orcs took a half step back at the green flame within.

"Leave us or die."

They gave her a menacing smile.

"So be it."

And at the same time as they charged at her, she pushed the little Prince back and urged him to run.

"Find you Ada. Use the trees"

She didn't have to time to watch him run off, for she blocked a blade coming for her face, just managing but earning a cut on her cheek.

Raising her empty hand her usually calm and sparkly magic had turned molten like liquid fire and she slashed at the nearest orc, feeling triumphant when it went down, screeching in pain.

Turning her attention to the remain four orcs, she raised her hand again and watched the nearby trees move, entwining their branches around three of the four and squeeze. She flinched at the screaming but didn't not stop defending and blocking the remaining orc leader leering at her.

"It doesn't have to be this way. Come back with me and join the master. "

"Never."

She was breathing hard, but felt an inner strength and directed her fire magic to wrap around the horrific being and burn him to a crisp, leaving only ashes in its place.

Evie swayed on her feet, her energy drained from using so much power at once, crying out when she accidentally stepped on her injured ankle again.

There was was nothing she could do to stop her fall, the adrenaline perviously cursing through her now receding and dropped the blade to the ground next to her.

She lifted her head when she heard a shout.

"Evangeline!."

Relief washed over her. Thranduil has found her. Good boy Legolas, she thought.

"Over here!"

Frantic hand were on her body, searching for injures before cupping her face, a thumb brushing over the cut on her cheek.

"You are hurt."

Her eyes met bright blue full of worry and anger. She reached out a hand to touch his face.

"I will heal. Legolas, is he?" She couldn't bare to finish her thought.

"He is perfectly fine. Worried for you, of course."

"I'm glad to hear it. My ankle - I can't walk on it."

His warm touch felt nice on her aching skin.

"Ohhh"

She felt him lift her with ease into his arms and stride back to their entourage. She was grateful, for she didn't have the energy left.

"I feel so tired, Thranduil..."

A kiss was placed on her hair.

"Sleep, my love. I will keep you safe."

"How do you fare this morning, My Queen?"

Evie looked up to see the dark haired elf enter the grand tent and bow.

"I am fine."

"My King said that you needed my assistance?"

"Yes. My ankle has not healed enough for me to walk. Would you mind?"

"Of course. May i?"

She saw he stop just in front of her with his arms out in invitation, not presuming to touch her without permission.

"Yes, of course."

She allowed him to lift her into his arms and arranged her arms around his neck comfortably as he strode out of the tent.

"You are well, Captain?"

"Well enough, My Queen."

She let go of him long enough to grasp the saddle, but did not release him completely.

"Something is bothering you. Tell me." The request was softly spoken, but not without authority.

She allowed him the moments it took for him to gather his thoughts, waiting for him to speak next.

"i failed you."

"How so?" this confused her.

"It is my duty to protect you and i failed to do so. If you had been lost to us..."

"But i was not. He was not too harsh with you i hope?"

"He was not hard enough i think. He blames himself too i suspect."

"He told you of how i defended myself?"

"I do not doubt your skill, but rather find myself lacking.."

"i'm going to stop you right there. Do not blame yourself. I am fine. You will not fail me again."

"Yes, My Queen."

"Now, where is the King? I should like to ride with him."

"Up the front, may i have the honour of leading you..."

"Please."

She thought about this warrior elf, torturing himself for the events that we out of his control and hoped that her words had helped him heal in some small way.

The woman smiled when she looked ahead and saw her beloved platinum haired elf mounted on his steed, his son seated in front of him, feeling her heart fill with joy.

"Good Morning Naneth. You are well?"

"Yes, Honey. Are you behaving for your Ada?"

A cheeky giggle was all she got in response and the sound made her smile in turn.

Her green eyes locked with a pair of bright blue as she came to a halt next to the pair.

"Shall we continue on, My Queen?"

"Lead the way, My King."