Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own Lord of the Rings.
***Chapter 4***
**Saffy's POV**
We had made camp at the edge of Fangorn forest, already having begun our journey back towards Edoras. Every member of our party kept sneaking glances at Legolas, his back was stiff and he had not spoken a single word since shooting Wormtongue atop Orthanc.
"Legolas, are you alright?" I finally breached the silence with the elf prince, earning me a steely glare.
His features were fiercely set, giving him a dangerous look. Instead of answering me, his mouth set in a firm line. The elf rose from his place by the fire and began to make his way determinedly into the forest. After glancing over at Nimiwen, who gave a nod of encouragement, I followed the silent elf into the woods.
"Legolas?" I questioned, my voice coming out softly in the silence of the trees.
"Please understand that I do not wish to talk, Saffron." His voice rang out tersely, clearing withholding his anger and pain.
"Legolas, you can't keep blocking all of us out. It's not healthy." I tried, looking cautiously at his face as he turned around to face me.
"Neither is caring for a traitor." He spat out, anger flooding his tone.
"Legolas, it will all turn out alright. I mean, it's Di. Caring about people is in her nature." I returned, though the uncertainty in my voice was obvious.
"When are you going to understand that she betrayed us?" Legolas shouted his voice loud enough to silence our party back at our campsite about 100 feet behind us.
"Don't say that. I need someone else to have faith. I don't want to lose her." My voice quivered as I spoke, earning a look of fury from Legolas.
"We have already lost what was our Deirdre. There is nothing remaining of her. She betrayed us." Legolas swore vehemently.
"But, Di would never do that." I argued.
"She has, Saffron. You have to get that through your head. She is working with the enemy now. That was her choice. And we all have to live with it." He stated in an enraged tone of assurance.
My eyes found his and in the blue orbs, I saw a misting of tears. He refused to let the water fall from his eyes. A sad comprehension filled me and with a depressed manner I left the elf behind in the trees and returned to the campsite, sinking down beside Nimiwen.
**Deirdre's POV**
Life in Mordor was actually going surprisingly well. There were several human servants who waited upon the black tower, and because I was going to be queen, me. This at least insured me some company, other than the grotesque visits from the Mouth.
Every day, my mind would stray a little to my old friends and companions. But truly those words did not reflect those beings for me anymore. Every time that I thought of them my blood ran hot with anger at their betrayal. They could have done something to save me from my time in Isenguard. But I was beginning to enjoy my life in Mordor. I was lady of all before me. And with Sauron still incorporeal I didn't actually have to answer to anyone.
Just as I was relaxing at the vanity, brushing out my growing hair which seemed to lighten with every day spent in Mordor turning slightly blonder, a knock sounded at my door. With a huff, I rose from my seat and strode over towards the door yanking it open to reveal the form of my lady maid Morwen.
"Mistress Deirdre, the Mouth of Sauron has requested your presence at dinner." Morwen said, her eyes averting so that she would not offend.
Although that was still pointless with me, she was my only female companion and so she was often the only person I spoke kindly toward.
"Very well." I returned, stepping out into the hallway.
We walked down the hall toward the formal dining room that was designed for entertaining and holding council. Sitting already to the left side of the head of the table was the Mouth. The creature had lost its name many years ago, and now was called after his most prominent feature. I strode toward the head of the table, taking my place in the lord's seat. It was technically my place as highest member of the household until Sauron regained a body, so I sat proudly in the seat of honor.
"You wished to speak with me, Captain?" I questioned in a bored tone, preferring to address him aloud by his rank.
"Yes, my lady. It seems that we need to discuss your knowledge of the future and how exactly we are going to be handling the assault on Gondor." He questioned, his enormous teeth straining against his thin lips.
"The attack on Gondor will continue as planned. There is no reason for a change. While we may not win the initial assault once the Rohirrim arrives, fate will turn in our favor and deliver all that we could desire to our front door." I replied, my mouth seeming to work against what I was planning to say.
Instead of allowing the frown to mar my calm façade, I turned to the food that was set about on my plate. There was fresh fruit and vegetables as well as meat and bread sitting on my plate. I placed one of the grapes into my mouth, crushing out its innards in my mouth.
"I am ever so relieved to hear your input on the strategy, my lady." His mouth pulled up to one side in a smirk, which creepily still bared his teeth.
I nodded my head, covering my thoughts with the pretense of eating. But my mind was trying to figure out what exactly he had meant by that. And why I was so willing to help them. As I had nearly cleared my plate of food, a wave of weariness spread through my body, beginning at my core and sweeping out to my extremities.
"Please excuse me, Captain. But it seems that I have need of rest." I excused myself politely, rising from my seat and making my way back towards my chambers where I collapsed onto the bed.
"My lady, is something the matter?" Morwen's voice cut through the fog in my head.
"No, I just feel overtired at the moment. I think it would be best if I retired for the evening." I replied.
"Very well, my lady." She returned, helping me rise from the bed.
Morwen assisted me in removing my clothing and corset as well as changing into my nightgown. With every passing minute my body seemed to grow wearier. Finally, she doused the candles and lamps about the room, leaving only the one by my bedside glowing, before departing from the room.
As I lay in the bed, my mind began to wander over what had changed since I had come to Mordor. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was causing the change in my attitude or the willingness to assist both the Mouth as well as Sauron himself. But still I felt that I was now leaning towards their side in this war. Shaking the thought from my head I quickly extinguished the remaining light source and settled in among the plush fabrics of my bed. A final thought floated through my mind of Legolas and how he would be reacting to my absence from Isenguard. A flash of anger flooded me before I fell into the oblivion of sleep.
**Saffy's POV**
I hadn't tried talking to Legolas anymore since that encounter; instead I was finding myself spending all my time with Nimiwen and the hobbits. The journey back to Edoras was fairly swift, only taking a few days, and it was early in the afternoon when we reached the edges of the town and passed through the gates.
A stable boy came out to collect our horses when we reached the area before the golden hall. It seemed so strange to me to be coming back to Edoras in such a similar way as before, yet it was so glaringly different. There was life in the town, children played in the streets and laughter was heard throughout the walled in area. While children and most every adult were not allowed to venture far from the walls of Edoras, for their safety, there was still much more life in the town. Several families were still unloading their things back into their houses and women were clustered together minding their children with sad expressions on their faces, they were the widows.
Standing atop the steps of the Golden Hall, was Eowyn. A soft smile set on her face to see our return and I was sure that she was going to embrace both her brother and uncle as soon as they reached her. For Eowyn, things were definitely looking up. Even though she wasn't allowed to fight in the past conflicts, which I know weighed heavily on her pride.
"Welcome back to Meduseld." Eowyn proclaimed, her smile warm as her eyes met those of our party. "Please rest, for their will be a great feast held in the honor of those who fell in battle."
With her words, we dispersed. Both Theoden and Eomer embraced Eowyn before going into the hall, presumably for a bath; while our fellowship slipped inside in hopes of returning to where they had been resting since our previous stay in Edoras. Nimiwen and I approached Eowyn, planning on a short greeting prior to heading inside for some much deserved rest.
"Where is your friend Deirdre?" Eowyn asked, her observance scraping across raw nerves.
"Mordor, we believe. She was taken from Isenguard prior to the take-over." I replied, my voice slightly cracking with emotion as I spoke.
Nimiwen laced her fingers with mine as Eowyn's face fell to comprehension. She gave a soft nod and rested her hand gently on my shoulder for comfort. With a weak smile, she left Nimiwen and me to make our way into the Hall and prepare for the feast tonight.
We found our way back to my old bedchamber. The sheets had been freshly changed, along with two tubs resting in the bathing room to the side, both of which containing steaming water.
"Don't worry so much, my love." Nimiwen soothed, sweeping my hair away from my face and back behind my ears. "Just for tonight, relax and enjoy yourself. The troubles of the world can wait 'til morning."
I gave her a small smile and nodded my head in agreement. She must have decided that wasn't an appropriate response, as she brought our lips together in a fiery clash.
"Let's get out of these filthy traveling clothes." She muttered against my lips, her voice holding the implications of a wonderful night.
***End Chapter 4***
So, here's the latest chapter. I hope that you all like where the story is going so far. Please Review.