A bit more of a happy Elanor this chapter... yay more elf loveliness!
It was the early hours of the morning and still Elanor had not slept. She had tried, but her head would not be quiet and she could not close out the questions that spun around in her mind. Her father's sword stood looming at her in the corner. Elanor glared at it and in a huff, she left her room deciding a walk would be more useful. She no longer wore the elvish dress, but instead wore her clothes of the rangers. She walked through the twisting corridors and out into the courtyard.
Elanor walked over to the stables on the other side of the square, earning passing glances from some of the elven stable hands tending to their duties. She walked past them and stopped in front of one of the stalls.
"Hello Aeglos." She said softly. The white mare snorted in greeting, lowering her head to nuzzle her mistress's outstretched hand. Elanor reached up and stroked Aeglos' neck murmuring gentle words to her. The horse shook her head and stomped impatiently, fed up off being stabled. Elanor smiled and nodded, as if understanding perfectly. She turned to one of the stable hands and asked for her bridle and saddle. The elf nodded and ran to fetch her things. The horse was quickly saddled and Elanor trotted out of the stables. She rode out of the yard and towards the gates where she was stopped by Glorfindel who called out to her,
"Greetings my Lady," He said, raising a hand, "I was not informed you were to leave us."
"I am not going far, Master Glorfindel. As you can see I have no weapons with me. I merely wish to let Aeglos run."
Glorfindel looked over her before nodding and spoke to a guard by the gate. As the guard moved to open it, Elanor was surprised to see Glorfindel reach up pulled a silken red wood bow from his back. He then undid a clasp on his chest and removed his quiver. She stared at him confused as he held the items out to her,
"Although you may not go far, my lady." He said, "I would ask that you take these. I would accompany you myself if I did not have pressing matters to attend to."
Elanor looked at him amazed, "I cannot take these." She said.
"I would feel safer knowing that you were protected my lady. I have no doubt that you would have been taught the skill of a bow."
Elanor nodded gratefully and took the bow and arrows. She had not thought to ask for her weapons or to even bring her sword,
"You have my thanks." She said earnestly. Glorfindel bowed and stepped aside for her to pass. Elanor clicked her tongue and Aeglos trotted forward, swishing her tail.
Elanor followed the beaten trail careful not to go too far and pass the boundaries of the haven. It wasn't soon after that horse and rider came across a small glade.
Elanor climbed down from the mares back and loosely tied the reins to a nearby branch. She stretched her legs on the ground and took the bow and arrow from its holding place on Aeglos. She carefully put the quiver on her back, adjusting the strap that ran across her chest. She picked up the bow, raised it to her shoulder and pulled it back, testing the strength. She pulled out an arrow and fixed it to her bow, holding between her fingers. Elanor narrowed her eyes and fixed a nearby tree as a target. She raised the bow and pulled back the arrow, her arm trembling slightly under the taunt string. With practised precision she released the arrow and her hand recoiled sharply. The arrow soared and skimmed the side of the tree, chipping of pieces of bark. Elanor cursed and shook out her stinging hand, flexing her fingers.
"You pull back to far."
In a blink, Elanor had restrung another arrow and pointed it in the direction of the voice. She peered into the leafy skies from where someone called, sat amongst the branches.
"Come down from there." She called, "Lest I shoot you where you sit." Elanor watched as a shadow moved and a green clad elf sat forward and swung his legs over the branches. Her eyes narrowed as she recognised him,
"Do you make a habit of following people?" she asked,
"Nay I do not." the elf replied with a smile, "I have been here for some time. In fact it is more likely that you were following me."
Elanor scowled at him and lowered her bow, "I would not waste my time." She said indignantly, turning her back to him and retaking aim at the tree.
"I say again, you pull back to far."
Elanor spun around to speak only to find the elf had dropped silently to the ground and now stood before her. She gasped in surprise and stepped back,
"Forgive me my lady." He said, pulling a stray leaf from his golden hair, "It was not my intent to scare you." Elanor gave a short laugh,
"So now I am a lady?"
The elf smiled and bowed his head,
"You must forgive my rudeness yesterday," he said sincerely, "If I had known who you were…"
"You would not have been so rude?" she snapped, "Even if I were a maid I would hope to be spoken to better than you did with me." The Elf seemed to wince slightly at her words,
"You are right my lady. I was tired and aching from my journey but that does not excuse my behaviour. I am sorry." Elanor stared at the Elf before nodding slowly, unsure of what to say. The blond elf smiled and inclined his head,
"I am Legolas, Son of Thrandril of the woodland realm."
"I am Elanor of the Dunedain."
Legolas nodded, "Aragorn has spoken of you, but he told me little of why you are here."
"It is a story I do not wish to tell." She said bitterly, turning from him and raising her bow once more,
"If you raised your arm higher you should shoot more accurately." Legolas said. Elanor glared sideways at him,
"I do not ask for your teaching" she growled.
Legolas merely smiled, "I know, but I give it to you freely. The elven bows are much stronger than men's. They can be harder to work."
Elanor ignored him and shot, the arrow flying right past the tree,
"You are too used to mortal bows, you pull back too far." Legolas said, stepping up behind her, reaching forward to adjust her hands. Elanor stiffened when his hands brushed hers and she pushed back roughly, jolting him away from her. She frowned at him but he only stood there still smiling,
"As you wish." He said, stepping away from her with his hands raised. Elanor drew another arrow back on her bow back and let it fly. Once again her hand snapped back painfully and she gave a yelp of pain. She shook her aching hand, trying to regain some normal feeling. The elf stifled a laugh and Elanor glared at him,
"I suppose you could do better?" she jeered, holding the bow out to him.
Legolas looked from her to the bow and grinned. He took the bow from her hand and lithely plucked an arrow from the quiver on her back. Elanor scowled at him and stepped back to allow him room. With a grace that only the elves can possess, Legolas drew back the bow and released the arrow all in one fluid motion. It flew fast and straight and hit the tree with a sharp thud which echoed. Legolas spun around smiling proudly, his chin held high. Elanor stood there, her arms folded across her chest looking unimpressed.
"Stupid elvish bow." she muttered, although Legolas' elven hearing heard everything. He said nothing but smiled as she looked away, lips pouting slightly, arms folded tightly across her chest, a look of utter annoyance on her face. Suddenly something caught in him. He didn't know what it was. Whether it was the morning light playing in her hair, or the way she suddenly looked at him, angry but not defeated. He was caught in her silvery eyes. Before him stood no longer stood a helpless woman but a ranger of the north. He looked down at the woman wondering how he ever mistook her for maid.
"Very well." She said, "Seeing as I have little hope of using this thing, I shall require your help master elf."
Legolas smiled again and nodded, handing her the bow. Elanor took her stance and raised the bow, hooking an arrow with her free hand. Legolas watched her as she prepared to fire,
"One moment." He called. Legolas walked up beside her and gentle raised her outstretched arm. His hand moved to the small of her back and she flinched. Legolas noticed but said nothing, moving his hand upwards, adjusting her shoulders.
"Keep both eyes open." He said softly, his words breathing warmly in her ear "Don't pull back to far."
Elanor visibly swallowed and pulled the arrow back gently. She steadied herself, trying to ignore the elfs closing proximity, his warm hand pressed against her back. With a deep breath she let the string loose and the arrow soared forward. It skimmed through the air and landed deep into the wood with a resounding thump. Elanor stared a moment in disbelief before breaking out into a smile.
"You really are a good teacher Wood elf." She said, laughing. Legolas smiled and gave a small bow. "What other talents do you hide?" Elanor asked.
"If I were to tell you now then there would be nothing to find out later." He replied, grinning. Elanor raised an eyebrow at his statement,
"Later?" she asked, "You assume I would wish to talk to you again?"
Elanor watched as Legolas leaned back against a tree, laughing and sunk to the floor. Elanor smiled and shook her head. For some inexplicable reason she felt compelled to join him there. Gently she lowered herself to the ground next to the elf who still chuckled to himself.
"Thank you." he said, once the laughter has stopped. Elanor looked at him confused, "I haven't laughed for sometime."
Elanor gave a smile and the pair sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
"It your home far?" Elanor asked suddenly. Legolas' face fell slightly,
"It is many leagues east of here." He said, "It was a beautiful place,"
"Was?" Elanor asked,
"Orcs have past through our lands many times and each time they brought more darkness to it. I hope one day for that darkness to leave our land, and me."
Legolas' face saddened as he spoke, Elanor looked at him wondering what has caused his sudden change,
"I'm sure it will." She said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I have never travelled this far before." Elanor mused, and looked over at him. "Do you miss your home?" Legolas nodded solemnly.
"Then it must have been important for you to leave."
"I believe you heard the council."
Elanor nodded somewhat embarrassed, "I did."
"Then you know why I am here. The question is; why are you?"
Elanor looked away, "I do not…"
"Do not wish to say." Legolas interrupted. He sighed, "I guess you are to stay a mystery."
Elanor smiled, "That is how I prefer it."
"And yet you look for your father?" Legolas asked. Elanors head whipped around and glared at him,
"How did you know that?" she asked angrily,
"Aragorn spoke to me."
"What else has he told you?" she stood up abruptly,
"Nothing that I did not already know from lord Elrond" Legolas explained, standing along with her,
"So you have been discussing me? Speaking while my back is turned?" Elanor said, voice gaining volume,
"I would never speak anything harmful about you." he said honestly, his hand reached out to her,
"I came here to bring warning to Aragorn" She said, turning from him, "I had no wish find my father. I have nothing but contempt for him and his kind."
As soon as the words had left her mouth, she regretted them. The look on Legolas' face told her that she had crossed a line. He advanced towards her, his eyes flashing in anger,
"We do not hold men responsible for the actions of their ancestors." He spoke quietly but forcefully. "I would have hoped you would give us the same courtesy."
He gave a final stormy look before striding away into the trees. Elanor watched him go, guilt rising in her heart. Saying such things had never bothered her before, but seeing the way Legolas looked at her made her feel as if she had crawled out of Mordor itself. He hadn't deserved those words. Sighing loudly she picked up Glorfindels bow and swung it over her shoulders. Elanor walked over to Aeglos and attached the quiver to her saddle. She let out another sigh and stared at the path leading back to Rivendell. Aeglos snorted and nudged Elanor in the side. Elanor glared back at her steed,
"Alright, alright." Elanor sighed dejectedly, glaring at Aeglos. She unhitched the reins from the branch and threw them up onto the saddle. Elanor swung herself up and followed the path back to Rivendell.
I know, I know.. angst! But I needed to put that in so Elanor could see how much of a muppet she's being! next chapter up soon!