Greetings, I come bearing a Christmas present. TADA! The seventh chapter. THANK YOU to everyone who reads, reviews, or even glances at this story. I live on feedback. So once again, I beg of you to please leave at least a tiny review. Suggestions are welcomed and put in high esteem. Happy holidays! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Even if it is the Christmas season, I still don't own the Lord of the Rings, or the Tolkien estate. Geez, ya think you could have figured that out by now…?
-0-o-0-o-0-o-Chapter Seven-o-0-o-0-o-0-
Waking up slowly, Anira stretched and cautiously stepped out of her bed in early morning. She pulled a brown work dress from her wardrobe; she would have to do laundry today. After sliding it on and fastening the ties, she folded her nightgown neatly and dropped it in the basket outside her door.
She started the morning meal and warily headed towards Haldir's room. He was never up when she was, and usually she ended up rousing him.
Haldir gave a noise suggesting extreme drowsiness when she opened the curtains of his room. Picking up his basket of dirtied clothes, she set it next to hers in the hallway.
"You could have at least had a little lenience on me you know. I just got back from seven sleepless nights of watching trees, and nothing happened!" He said as she reappeared in the room.
"It's not my fault. Besides, you've slept over nine hours already, that should be enough to restore your energy." She retorted. He mumbled distractedly in response to her observation.
He walked past her, nearly touching her, to get to his wardrobe. After being with him for a month or so, one would think she had gotten used to seeing him without a tunic. This was…almost correct. The sight of him in this manner sent chills up her spine, which she so desperately needed to ignore. He certainly was doing nothing to help, last night's actions sent her spiraling in confusion.
"I am guessing you are playing the laundress today?" His tone was mocking her in a way.
"Why yes, I am. Did you have something else in mind or should I continue with my plans?" Anira almost blushed as she realized her words, which sounded quite bold and suggestive if one took them a certain way.
"No, no. You can carry on." This earned him a glare, and almost a slap had she not been across the room. He smirked and continued rummaging for some clothes. A few moments later he had selected his desired clothing and Anira, taking the hint, left to check up on breakfast to leave him his privacy.
What to do with that little elleth? She was getting more and more tempting every day. Living with her made it worse, she was there constantly.
"Milord? Will you be needing anything while I am out?" She asked him. He looked at her, warning her of his dominance. She took no heed of it, as usual, but remembered what he had countered her with the last time she had played games with him.
"No, Anira, I am fine. Are you feeling well? You seem a bit…distant." He stared at her, not breaking his gaze, moving closer all the while.
"I-I am f-fine." Why did she have to lose herself when he got that close? And what was this nonsense about her health? He didn't give a care about her welfare most of the time, or so she thought.
"You're sure?" He was now inches away from her and looking down at her, he being the taller one by at least six inches. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes. P-positive. Now if you r-really don't mind I h-have some laundry to d-do." She struggled for ages to get that little sentence out. His scent surrounded her and she was swept up in her thoughts. Standing there for what seemed like ages, she was frozen. His eyes drew her in and she felt as though she was drowning in their gray depths so dark and mysterious. He neared her lips, so close…
"Good. See you at noon." He turned her around abruptly and hurried her to the door. Feeling as though she was being led like a herd animal, she half-accepted his hand on her lower back exerting gentle pressure to move her. The other half of her felt stupid and tricked. Deceived by an ellon that was charming, charismatic, and to put it bluntly, coercive, put her in a right little temper as he practically shoved her out the door.
He shut the door and she stood there stunned. With a scoff, she turned around and headed to the stream. She needed to collect her thoughts quickly before they all tumbled away from her.
Haldir sat down with a book smiling smugly. That should make her think twice about toying with his mind. There was no doubt that she looked alluring when she was threatened, but he had to suppress those feelings before they got out of hand.
Walking back from the stream, Anira set her mind on ignoring his advances. After all, they were only ploys to intimidate her and weaken her resistance. He seemed to think he could control everything.
His looks, however handsome they may be, made him confident and egotistical. No, she would not bow to him and goggle over him like so many other ellith seem to have done. But his hair, the long strands, swaying…
Pushing those thoughts out of her mind forcefully, she hurried her steps and neared his talan.
Haldir, hearing her steps, gave a playful smile and set his book down. His ideas of fun, however, were probably the things that drove her over the edge.
The door opened and she headed for the rooms to replace the laundry in their proper places. He made it look entirely by chance that he just happened to run into her on his way to the kitchen.
Averting his eyes to the wall, he walked into her and immediately wrapped his arms around her, nearly causing her to drop the laundry basket.
"So sorry, my mind seems to be elsewhere. I do apologize profusely." He looked at her, untwined himself from her, and continued. She narrowed her eyes, catching on to his game.
Anira prepared, ate, and cleaned up the noon meal. Haldir, as always, stayed for one of those tasks and proceeded to polish weapons for the rest of the day.
Ok really short chapter, but it's hard to write during the christmas season. Comments welcome, suggestions treasured and used as I seem to be running low on ideas. Actually at this point, I'll accept anything. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW! I'm wishing everyone a happy holiday and good year! Isusarad 'elir! (merry christmas)
-----ElfLuver13-----
