Eternal Life, Eternal Pain
VIII. Snow in the Spring
Hey there boy did ya happen to know
Wherever you go I'll follow
Ooh babe you're like a cool breeze
On a summer day
When you're near me
I don't know what to do
I feel like a fool
Like a schoolgirl
True blue girl
Who wants to know
Can you come out and play
~*~*~
Legolas was beginning to get restless. They had been staying at camp for four days now, and Anya was still not better. Things were beginning to get weird. Right now, Anya was wearing a tunic Arwen had lent to her - in other words it was his. Anya in his clothes. He'd have to burn it. Legolas looked over to where Anya was resting by the river they had camped near. And one of my best too, he thought regretfully. I'm going to have to kill Arwen as well, I suppose.
Carefully, Anya put her feet into the river. The cool water splashed sweetly over her tired legs. The scenes around her were so beautiful, she mused. Flowers - they were beginning to bloom. Anya looked over to dogwood three nearby. Its leaves were now fully grown and lush, the buds were starting to peek out.
Under the dogwood tree grew tiny flowers. Seeing them sparked Anya's interest. Pulling her feet out of the water, she neared to see what the were. When she recognized them, she cried out in delight.
Legolas only heard her cry. "What is it?" he asked her.
"Oh!" she said happily. "White roses! Bluebells! Lilies! My favorites!"
Legolas rolled his eyes.
Anya sat down by the flowers and examined them. The roses had yet to bloom.
"I love spring," Anya declared.
Arwen, who had taken needlework with her and was working on it, looked up and smiled at Anya. "So do I."
"Everything's growing," Anya continued. "Flowers are blooming, the air is fresh, and winter is gone!"
"I need more arrows," Legolas said abruptly. If he heard Anya gushing about spring anymore, he'd hurl. "I'll be back. Gimli, will you help me?"
"'Course."
When they left, Anya turned toward Arwen. "What's wrong with him?"
Arwen looked into the young elf's eyes. "You'll find out soon enough, Anya."
You make me feel the way
A woman is supposed to feel
Show you that my love's for real
~*~*~
"You fool!" A loud slap rang out.
"Master, please, it takes time."
"Time? I don't have time!" The owner's voice moved slowly past his weeping servant.
"Yes, I know," blubbered the kneeling elf. "Before the leaves fall."
"Before the leaves fall, I must have my queen with me, and my heir."
"Master, I don't understand why the rush..." The servant was slapped again.
"Idiot! Of course you don't understand! Your brain can't comprehend such complicated things!"
"Yes, master. Of course, master."
Evil laughter echoed through the hallways. "Soon, little girl," he purred, "you'll be mine. Run, hide... You only waste your time."
I'll be the rain in your summer
The chill in your fall
I'll be wutcha want
Anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
~*~*~
"I think," Anya declared at dinner that night, "tomorrow we can continue our quest! Whatever it is."
Aragorn looked at her. Anya was standing. "Are you sure? Have you completely healed?"
Anya nodded her head impatiently. "Yes, yes of course. Besides," she added, "I'm getting quite restless, sitting here. Action!" she cried out. "I need action!" She pretended as if she were fighting an orc with a sword.
Gimli added, "Me too!"
Aragorn nodded. "All right, we leave in the morning. There's a city nearby," he said. "Perhaps we shall stop there to rest tomorrow."
"What is this city called?" Arwen asked.
"Kathlia."
Legolas wondered if he was the only one who noticed Anya's brief look of fear...
I'll be the fire in your winter
The sun in your spring
I'll do what you want
Give ya everything
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
~*~*~
"Arwen?"
"Yes Anya?"
"Tell me," Anya said as she jumped over a rock. "How did you meet Aragorn?"
Aragorn smiled, pushing aside some branches so his wife could walk through. "Aragorn?" she asked.
"Ye-es."
"Well, my father adopted him when..."
Anya stared at Arwen. "You married your brother?"
"He's not my brother, only my foster."
"Why did your father adopt Aragorn?"
"My parents died," Aragorn replied.
"Oh."
"Like yours," Aragorn added.
"Huh?" Anya stared at him.
"Your parents. You said they died." Aragorn looked at her in shock.
"I did? Oh, right. Sometimes, I forget," Anya said rather carelessly.
"How could she forget?" Aragorn whispered to Arwen.
"I doubt," Arwen replied, "that Anya is as simple as she tries to seem."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you need an explanation for everything? Can't you tell? Anya says her parents died when she was young, and that she grew up alone in the woods. Impossible. From her attitude, she has been around elf and human contact. And she speaks far too well. Her fighting is another thing. I truly wonder about her sometimes."
Aragorn stared at her. Arwen, you are too damned smart.
Arwen couldn't read minds, but she could clearly read her husband's face. Laughing, she said, "Aragorn, simple observations tell me that. Nothing more. Perhaps if you paid a little attention, you would have seen that too."
Down the road a few yards, Legolas was strolling alone. He was rather enjoying the silence until he heard Anya singing some sort of song she had made up. About flowers, spring, and love. She sang completely out of tune, and the words were even worse! Legolas resisted the urge to slap her silly; Anya was clearly taunting him.
Anya noticed the look on Legolas's face and found it quite amusing. She continued to purposely sing horribly, rather enjoying it. "Biiiiiiirds, they f-liiiiiiiiiiie! Up in the skeee-iiiiiiiiiiie! So bluuuuuuuuuuuuuue... So truuuuuuuuuuuuuuue... Laaaaa Laaaaa laaaaaa..."
"Stop it already!" Legolas couldn't stand it anymore. Self control, Legolas, self control... I want to slap her... no no... self control... maybe hit her in the stomach... he glared darkly at Anya who was giggling uncontrolablly.
"Oh lighten up, Legolas. You're far too serious."
"Twas how I was brought up."
"Not me!" Anya laughed.
"Stop annoying me."
"Why should I?"
"I said so."
"Oooh, and I suppose you think you're the ruler of everything?" Anya slapped a hand over her mouth and widened her eyes in fear. She'd better watch what she was saying...
Legolas gritted his teeth. Self control... he thought. Self control... he barely noticed Anya slapping herself.
If I don't leave her presence soon, I may do something I shall regret, though I doubt I'd regret an arrow through her noisy mouth... self control, Legolas, you're higher than that.
Anya watched Legolas. Young, but too serious, she decided. His face - he looks like he doesn't smile much. But his face is rather... No. Stop that. He's an idiot remember? Idiot... Idiot... Idiot... with incredible eyes... And good-looking too...
In a weak attempt to distract herself from thinking any further thoughts of Legolas, Anya took up singing horribly again. "Floooooowers, bloooom, there isn't much rooooooooom..."
"You know, with your loud singing, you will attract orcs." Legolas paused. "I suppose it is atrocious enough to scare away any living being though."
"Are you insulting my singing?"
"But of course," Legolas said airily.
"How dare - ! Ugh!" Anya stomped away from him.
I won that battle, I suppose, Legolas thought.
Aragorn who had been watching them turned to Gimli and reported, "Ah, though 'tis spring, I fear we may have some heavy snowstorms soon."
Gimli laughed. "With those two going at it, the entire valley will be covered!"
Aragorn and Gimli laughed at their joke, but Arwen stood watchfully, observant as she always was.
"What you two miss," she said softly, "are the tiny seedlings growing out of the snow."
I'll be there for you
Keepin you warm
Through the storm
I'll guide you
Stand by you until the stars fall from the sky
~*~*~
"I can't wait until we reach Kathlia," Gimli declared. "It's been a while since I last tasted a drop of wine, or laughed amongst others besides you, my faithful companions."
Aragorn agreed. "Yes, and I hope to find out news of what's going on at home."
Legolas quickened his pace. "So let's go."
All but Anya were eager to reach the city. "Ahh." Anya faked a cry feebly. "My side," she complained. "It hurts."
Arwen immediately sat her down on a nearby rock and examined her. Anya pretended to grimace as Arwen looked over a wound near her hip. "Ow..."
"You'll be fine," Arwen said. "The wound has closed."
"Yes, but," Anya said, "it really hurts."
Legolas impatiently retorted, "Get up and let's go."
"You don't order me around!" she yelled back. Anya jumped to her feet and tried to get into Legolas's face - unfortunately, he stood a good six inches taller than her. But Anya held her accusing gaze. She was angry beyond reason now. "You can't tell me what to do!" she cried out angrily. "Nobody can tell me what to do! I shall do as I please! Oh..." Anya was embarrassed. "Sorry, I got carried away," she said meekly. "So, um," she continued awkwardly, "like Legolas said - let's go."
The young girl walked by Legolas, missing the smirk on his face.
Battle #2 won for me, he thought. She's so arrogant sometimes, acting so high and powerful.
"Well, are you coming or not?" Anya's voice brought him back to reality.
"Yes, yes," Legolas said. "I'm coming."
"What were you smiling about?" Anya peered at him.
"Smiling?"
"Well, Legolas, you were standing there for the longest time, staring at nothing with a smirk wide across your face." Anya walked right in front of him. "So tell me," she said, raising an eyebrow, "what were you smiling about?"
Legolas looked at her gazing up at him. She is actually quite pretty when she's not singing like a possessed hobbit, he thought. He lowered his face until their noses were only inches apart. Legolas then whispered, "'Tis none of your business."
Anya stuck out her tongue at him and accidentally touched his nose. "Oh disgusting!" Anya sputtered.
"You're telling me!" Legolas began to furiously wipe his nose. "What on earth did you do that for? You immature..."
"Me? Immature?" Anya scoffed. "Look in the mirror, elf-boy." She turned around, whipping her hair into his face.
"Don't call me elf-boy!" Legolas yelled at her.
"Yes, oh mighty prince," she said mockingly.
Legolas watched her run down the road, her hair flowing behind her, so gracefully. Like an angel... An arrogant angel... he added mentally.
When you call me
I never hesitate
Makin you wait for my love
Never lie love
It's something that I just can't deny
~*~*~
"Kathlia! We arrive at long last!" Aragorn sighed happily.
The sun was beginning to set. Anya turned to watch the sun slowly slip through the horizon. Legolas, unfortunately was standing right behind her, and when she turned, she rammed right into him.
"Auh!" she said, stumbling. Legolas reached out to steady her.
"Um... thanks," Anya said, flushing red at Legolas's touch. Legolas did the same, and they just stood there for one awkward moment, Legolas holding onto Anya's arms.
"Anya? Legolas?" The sun had set, and Arwen was calling to them. "Come, we rest for the night."
"Do not touch me ever again," Anya hissed into Legolas's ear as she pushed him away.
"If I didn't catch you you would have fallen onto the ground!"
"I told you not to touch me, and you rebel against my demands? How dare you!" Anya stared at him ferociously. If looks could kill, Legolas would very well be dead.
"Fine," Legolas snapped. "If you ever fall again, I will not catch you!"
"Fine," Anya replied.
"Fine!"
Anya didn't answer; instead she chose to walk away, into the tiny tavern from which Arwen had called for them. After waiting a bit, Legolas followed her. As he neared the open door, someone slammed it into his face.
"Ouch!" Legolas rubbed his nose again. First he gets licked, then yelled at for helping her, and now this? He pushed open the door and found Arwen waving to him from the deepest corner of the room. Pushing his way through, Legolas joined them at the table.
Gimli handed Legolas a glass of wine. "Here, Legolas."
Without thinking, Legolas took the glass and set it down. "Thank you, Gimli." He glared at Anya; luckily Anya was looking intently at the ceiling.
"Can you believe it? Day after tomorrow, there is to be a festival here!"
Arwen smiled. "Yes, it should be fun. Could we stay, Aragorn?"
Aragorn nodded. "I don't see why not. I was thinking we stay in the city for a few days. I'd like to collect some information, possibly on any other orc attacks, and of course, of how Rivendell is holding up without us there - well, it's probably better well off." He laughed.
"Can we not leave tomorrow?" Anya asked. "I thought..."
Aragorn looked at the young elf. "There's no need to strain ourselves too much, Anya," he replied. "Yes, we are on a quest to stop the orcs, but we are but beings that tire, need rest, and relaxation. I see no harm in staying here a while."
"But I already stalled you so long, Aragorn." Anya was almost begging. "Can we not leave? Another stall? What if the orcs attack some other city, or something far worse?"
"I have seen you worry more in the past few minutes than the few days we've met, Anya," Gimli teased. "Relax as the dwarves do! Here, take some wine."
Anya held up a hand. "I do not drink."
"Oh come now," Gimli laughed. "A little. Just a little."
"I have never drunken before..."
The rest of dinnertime, Gimli kept trying to slip Anya some wine, Legolas continued to glare at Anya, Arwen laughed of the festival, and Aragorn kept an ear on what his companions were saying, another ear on what the townspeople were saying... one could never be too careful; however Aragorn missed the shadowy figure that had heard every word they had spoken.
I'll read your each and every feelin
When you need me to
So now I gotta let you know
This love's for you
~*~*~
"Where is she?"
"Kathlia."
"How long will she stay?"
"I heard that she would stay with her companions until the festival."
"Anything else?"
"No..."
"Useless wrench!"
"No! No! Master, please, have pity! I know... something... I know!"
The poor messenger, bent at his knees, his face on top of his master's feet, grabbed onto the end of his master's robes.
"Good." His master smiled. He withdrew his whip. "What is it?"
"Her companions..."
"Yes..."
"They would interest you."
"I'm sure they would."
"King Elessar, the Lady Arwen Evenstar, Gimli, son of Gloin, and..."
The standing figure waited. "And...?"
"Legolas Greenleaf, sire, Prince
of Mirkwood."
A/N: Sorry it's a bit shorter, but I wrote this late at night and I was tired. Sooooo... review? Thanks a bunch.
**Credits to Christina Aguilera for the song, Love for all Seasons (seemed to fit, no?)**