Chapter 5

Hello, Lovelies!

Lady Mex: I think Legolas is hot no matter what mood! (drool) Yes, it's fun to write. You should create a profile for you. Let me know when you've done it so that I can read your first story.

Question: Is that actually your preferred pen-name or did you just label it as such to ask a question? Anyway, yes they are in Lorien, but I've changed the pre- LOTR story. It will become clearer it later chapters.

Plated Shirts and Bees: Wow, strange nick. (Smile) I think Legolas would die if you call him Legs. You will just have to wait (Evil Grin).

You know, I would love to have a Middle-Earth party. But it must be BIG and realistic. Get like a forest or something and decorate it elvish style. Everybody dress like LOTR character, drink wine, make lembas bread (found this cool recipe) and get like an instrumental band to play music while everybody dance….Sigh….Maybe even bribe Orlando to dress up like Legolas again.

Disclaimer: Is this really necessary? Would anyone that owned Tolkien's work post stories on Fanfiction? Anyway, don't know if you know, but Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein in South-Africa and being a South-African myself, I've decided to go and visit the place for inspiration! Yay

Ava moved towards the rope and carefully raised herself to balance on it. One hand was clutching at the tree, her knuckles white, while the other one was stretched out beside her. Legolas stood next to her on the ground and waited for her to start walking. He stood still like a tall statue, waiting patiently for Ava to start moving.

Ava's feet were tiny and did not cover the entire thick rope. She also noticed that the cord was as steady as a plank and did not sway as she feared. Hesitantly she took a step forward and slowly proceeded with the other, releasing the trunk. A lazy breeze was blowing down river, but it did not affect her balance as she steadily and slowly moved across the rope.

Legolas joined her after waiting patiently for a minute. Their progress was slow and he felt the urge to move her along, but thought it unwise. It could positively be perilous to distract her now. Legolas busied himself by watching her tiny steps. She was actually very steady for a human and he could not understand the fear that emanated from her. Her priorities were quite messed-up if she preferred fighting a beast than rather crossing this beautiful river.

They were about halfway over the river when the wind suddenly picked up. The rope did not sway, but Legolas could see that Ava's balance was dramatically affected. She severed a little to the right and with her outstretched arms she desperately tried to regain stability.

"Shit, Shit, Shit…" Ava cursed and felt the need to close her eyes. "Shit, command the wind to stop blowing!" Legolas heard her whimpers, but was confused at the request.

"What?" he asked baffled and moved closer to her. He was about an arm's length from her and could see the little tremors going through her body.

"You're an elf! Tell the wind to go lie down!"

The elf cocked his head to the side and then shook it slightly "I cannot control the wind, no elf can"

He would have laughed, but the pure fear in her voice and tension in her body made him think twice. It was still unusual that she thought that elves could control the weather and a half smile lifted his lips. He would have to ask her about it later. "Come, we must move on. The light is fading and night will be on us soon"

He placed his hand on her shoulder and steadied her wavering balance. "Take one step at a time" he instructed. Ava must have been terrified, because normally she would have made a snarky come-back by now.

"Shit" Ava cursed again when another gust of wind blew over them.

Legolas has never heard a woman curse like that. He was not sure if he was amused or appalled.

When the wind grew stronger, Legolas placed his other hand also on her shoulder and kept encouraging her to move forward. He was surprised at the heat radiating from her. He looked down at his hands on her and noticed how thin the fabric of her garment really was. He could almost see her skin through it. Never before has he seen a woman dressed so thinly, except when she was in her night dress. The fabric under his fingers was soft and silky, nothing like humans own, unless they were royalty.

Royalty? Could she be from noble descent? He pondered this for a moment and then shook his head again.

No, that was unlikely. Humans do not send their queens or princesses out on missions. Plus, they do not curse like a ramping orc….

Ava concentrated so hard on not slipping that she barely noticed Legolas' hands on her. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined herself to walk over a wild river on a rope! Then, she also would have never dreamed of being in Middle – Earth with elves! She gave another tiny step and could hear Legolas sigh behind her. Impatient man…elf.

"Stop groaning like that!" she seethed.

"What? I did nothing" Legolas replied, stumped. He only helped her along and now she's complaining about something he did not do.

"Yes, you sigh a lot and it's working on my nerves" Ava looked down at the river's white foam and felt her stomach turn.

"Well, it is kind of frustrating to walk this slowly" Legolas removed one of his hands to scratch his head. The sudden action made Ava sway to the right again and her foot slipped from the rope. Trying to re-claim her balance, she desperately clutched on to the elf, but the fast movements and weight disadvantage made the regain in stability impossible. Like a rock, Ava dropped from the rope and plummeted into the cold, swirling rapids below. Her scream was deafening and a few birds in the nearby trees scattered away at the sound. Legolas was able to recover his footing, but soon dived down to follow the human when he noticed her being dragged down by the water. The water was cool and somewhat refreshing after the hot day, but Legolas had more urgent matters to pay attention to than how the water felt. The current was strong and Ava was already a great distance from him. Her screaming was occasionally muffled by the sound of gurgling water.

Ava was not a good swimmer and the river was repeatedly dragging her body below the surface. She tried to make for the shore, but her eyes were cloudy from the water on her lashes and made it difficult for her to see. Another freak-rapid wave submerged her, but this time it spun her so wildly that her head banged against a hard rock. The last thing Ava remembered was the sharp pain and the murky red water before she blacked out.

-Dream-

Ava was lazily lying on the couch busy reading a document her father scribbled about new discoveries in Middle Earth. William stepped through the portal, still wearing the clothes from Gondor.

"Hey, love! Whatcha doing?" he asked and Ava saw him tuck a parchment into his cloak.

"Just reading, what is that?" she asked curiously referring to the tucked away piece. William's whole stance was suspicious. She knew if well and could easily detect when he was lying.

"Nothing" he shrugged and made to move away.

"You know we are not allowed to bring anything back, William! What did you take?"

William dodged Ava when she advanced on him "Nothing, love. Just some notes I made there. No big deal. Listen, let me take a shower and I will let you read them. Ok?"

-End of dream-

The faint crackling and popping of a fire nearby was the first sound Ava heard when she regained consciousness. The face of William in her dream brought uncomfortable feelings. She opened one eye and hissed at the pain in her head. She lifted a hand to the throbbing source and noticed that her head was wrapped in a tight wet cloth.

"Here, drink this"

Ava looked up and noticed Legolas standing next to her. His long, light hair was hanging sleek down his face with no braids. His grey-green tunic was removed revealing his smooth, sculptured bare chest. Ava noticed for the first time his broad shoulders and strong arms, previously concealed under his long sleeved tunic. If he wasn't such a prat, Ava might have appreciated the sight more.

Legolas' stormy blue eyes penetrated her gaze as he bent over her with a leather flagon in his hand.

"What is it?" she asked; her voice hoarse and scratchy from all the river water she swallowed. Legolas did not answer, but pressed the container into her hand and swiftly retreated back to the fire. Ava sceptically eyed the contents within.

This elf was out to kill her.

Was it not that she felt this miserable, she would have hit the obnoxious elf over the head with a log and then tossed him into the river! Hell, she knew that nothing good could come from trying to be an acrobat on a rope! She could have drowned! Dead! So told him she could not do it!

Ava was so infuriated that she picked up a nearby pebble and flung it at the elf's back. The small rock hit his back just below the shoulder blades and then dropped to the ground.

"Ae!"

Ava quickly averted her gaze before Legolas could turn and face her. Despite the previous anger, Ava had to stifle a snicker at her impulsive bout. Acting like a child now? She mused in silence.

Legolas observed the woman behind him over his shoulder. He could clearly see that she was the source to the flying stone, but pretended otherwise. A faint blush graces her features and he could not help but appreciate the sight. It was not because he found it lovely, but rather that her face regained some colour. It's been three hours since the river incident and her face was ghostly white and devoid from any expression and colour. Legolas felt responsible for what transpired. He ensured her that nothing would happen to her and that she would not drown. Thankfully, she did not drown, but at some point Legolas feared her dead. He did not suddenly feel particular fondness or liking towards the girl, but rather that he nearly failed his duty again. And in something as simple as in escorting a human towards the palace! The last time he made a promise to protect someone did not end well and the feeling of guilt never seemed to pass.

The palace. Legolas sighed and picked up a long stick to move some orange, glowing embers at the bottom of the fire. They were about half a day's journey from the city now, which meant that they will need to move at first light tomorrow. He could easily make it back to his tallen in the dark, but he felt no need to lead a blind, stumbling, injured human through the woods. The other elves were also probably out looking for them. It was just a matter before they were found. The fire would ensure that.

"Ugh, what is this stuff?"

Legolas turned and gave Ava an unimpressed look. "It called Miruvor"

"It burns!"! Ava complained and rubbed her smooth throat. The liquid flowed like a couple of Stroh Rum shots through her body, but instead of making her drunk, it strengthened her limbs and ceased her throbbing head.

"It's supposed to burn" Legolas stated the obvious and stood up to retrieve his partially dried tunic that hung over a low branch near the side of the fire. Ava watched as he dressed and slung his bow and quiver over his shoulder.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes"

"Can I come?"

"No"

"Why not?"

Legolas gave an exasperated sigh and wiped his hand over his face in frustration. It's been awhile since he's been left in the presence of someone that talked so much. Due to his permanent sullen mood, the elves tend to leave him alone. Some elven maidens tried to gain his attention, but soon gave up when he returned no interest.

"No dhÍnen!" he snapped when he saw Ava's mouth open again.

"You know, you should really stop talking to me in your language. It's not like I can understand it" Ava said coolly.

"Pedin I phith in anÍron, a nin ú-cheniathog" Legolas declared just to irritated the girl.

Ava frowned and rolled her eyes before repeating "So why can't I come? Where are you going?"

"Have anybody told you that you talked too much?" Legolas asked

Ava placed a finger on her chin and pretended to think "They might have, but did someone ever tell you that you are a very grumpy elf?"

Plenty of times, Legolas thought, but kept that truth to himself. He watched as Ava stood up from her sitting position.

Ava's motions were slow, but calculated. She felt Legolas' cloak that covered her body like a blanked drop as she stood up. Her legs were a bit wobbly and she tried to give a step forward. She noticed that Legolas dropped his gaze and turned away from her. Ava frowned and looked down to her body. Her white blouse clung to her figure in a very revealing way. She could just imagine what she must have looked like when she came out of the water. White, see-through top and all…

She glanced back up at Legolas and smirked when he still averted his eye.

"What? Never saw a woman's body before?" she could not help but tease. She could clearly see some potential fun in harassing this old-fashioned elf. It's not like Ava liked revealing her body, but come-on, back on Earth, this was considered overdressed. So old fashioned…

Legolas' eyes widened for a fraction at her comment but then quickly regained his wits.

" Lasto I lalaith nÍn!" T'is not that. Humans just normally feel inferior compared to our elven bodies; therefore I pretended not to see yours. You can say thank you later. " he shrugged and purposely looked her up and down.

This was not entirely true. Yes, humans usually did feel that way, but even in elven customs it was improper for a man to see a woman almost naked when they did not court each other. He just gave that remark to irritate the girl.

Ava however did not take the bait and to Legolas' disappointment she stayed composed. Not even a flicker of annoyance reflected in her eyes. So much for that fiery spirit…

"So, where are you going?" she repeated. Honestly, was it always this hard to get information from an elf?

"If you really must know, I'm going to find a scout to deliver a message and no, you can't come."

"Oh…"

For some reason Ava expected a different answer. More like I'm going to go hunt a dear and pluck some berries for supper…

Food…

Ava's stomach complained about its empty state. The last thing she ate was a couple of pieces of dried fruit and biltong. What she would give to have a nice big bowl of steaming hot lasagne right now. Oooh or even better a family size pizza with all the toppings on… yum.

Oblivious to her fantasizing about food, Legolas lifted a slender finger and pointed it towards her.

"You stay here" he commanded in the voice he always used on his troops.

"Woof…" Ava muttered and the elf gave her a quizzical look.

"I do not understand that word"

"Haha, Do not blame me for your ignorance in my language" she repeated Legolas' statement of earlier that day or yesterday. What time was it? Legolas rolled his eyes, clearly not liking the revers phycology.

"Well, technically it's not really my language, but rather that of a dog's…"Ava mused as an after though. Is it even a language? Do dog actually speak or just bark random noises?

If the elf's face looked baffled the first time, it was nothing compared to as how it looked now. His face was drawn blank, except for the little frown between his eyes.

"What?"

"You know… a dog…" Ava stretched out the last word like she was talking to a dumb person.

"Yes, yes I know what a dog is." Legolas snapped "I was rather referring to about you speaking its tongue. It's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible" Ava laughed. She thought it impossible to travel to Middle-Earth and now look where she was! So, it was imaginable that one could try and understand animals….

It looks like Orion understood her.

"Orion!" Ava gasped. The horse must be going ballistic when she never returned to tend to him.

Poor beast! She could just imagine the havoc he will cause the elves when they try and calm him. Though Haldir seemed more that capable in handling him…

Hmmm, Haldir was a nice fellow. A bit quiet, but still very nice. Ava could imagine her being friends with him. Then there was also Vadinar, a bit smooth, but also pleasant. Both of them were nothing like the obnoxious Legolas.

Thinking about him, Ava noticed that the elf slipped away while she was thinking about everything. She took the time to take in her surroundings.

The forest was black except for the faint light the fire gave, highlighting the nearer features around it in a soft glow. Dark shadows danced in the flickering light making the forest seem quieter than it already was. The black shapes sometimes looked like faces or beasts and Ava did not particularly like that idea. The ground around them was smooth and dark with no forest debris. It was like someone swept the ground around them. There was only a couple of rocks and stones in the clearing and a large tree stump near the fire. In the distance Ava could hear the faint trickling of water flowing over pebbles.

I'm kind of thirsty, Ava thought and her eyes wandered to the flask of Miruvor on the ground.

I wonder if there is any alcohol in the drink? Ava shrugged to herself and picked up the bottle and took another burning swig. Two drinks later the liquid did not burn anymore and was actually quite pleasant. It had a sweet honey taste too it. Quite pleasant indeed….

Ava's stomach rumbled again. Darn, I need to get some food!

Elvish Translation:

"Ae!" – Startled exclamation

"No dhÍnen" – Be Silent

"Lasto I lalaith nÍn" – Hear me laugh!

"Pedin I phith in anÍron, a nin ú-cheniathog" - I can say what I wish, but you still won't understand me. (it's like saying she is stupid)

Biltong is a type of dried meat you get in South-Africa. (Cow, Sheep, Kudu etc.) I think it is almost like beef jerky? Not sure, because I have never eaten beef-jerky, but I think it's the same concept.

Thanks you so much for reading. I just love it went my BBM goes off saying I have a review or that my story is being followed.

This is going to be a long story and I know that my starting chapters are taking their time, but they will start picking up soon…or I hope they will.

It will still be a while before they join the Fellowship. Legolas first needs to short out some personal issues….

If you like…..please review!

Love,

The Poet.