Hi, all
So…. this morning I woke up to two wonderful reviews and it placed me it such a good mood that I decided to post another chapter.
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After every member of the company was awake, they retreated to the top of the small hill. There were a couple of old, twisted trees there and between them a circle of boulder stones. Aragorn and Sam light a fire in the stone ring. There was no reason to sit in the dark when the wolves could easily pick up their scent in the night.
They all sat in a circle with their backs toward the fire, keeping watch for a dark shadow or a gleaming eye. Boromir made a torch for each of the Hobbits to serve as extra light and as protection. Sierra sat between Pippin and Legolas branding her silver knife. The elf had his bow drawn with an arrow already nocked.
"Do not shoot until I give the command" Gandalf said to Legolas. Sierra briefly glanced at the elf beside her and was surprised that she wasn't scared by the foreboding look he had on his face. She was actually feeling quite safe by his side.
All around them the howling got louder and nearer. Soon after flecks of glowing eyes could be seen above the brim of the hill.
"They are here" Pippin squeaked beside her and Sierra reached out with her one hand to pat his leg in reassurance. Reassurance of what she was not sure, but hopefully it was offering a bit of comfort.
The pony was quivering and shanking and nearly standing atop of Sam.
At a large gap between the trees a great dark wolf-shape appeared, gazing at them. Sierra could see the white of its teeth glinting from the light of the flames.
"If they attack, I want you to move behind me" Legolas whispered. His eyes were focused on the dark wolf, but Sierra knew he was addressing her. Sierra frowned. One civilized conversation between them did not give him the reason to declare himself protector over her.
"I can take care of myself" she haughtily whispered back and gripped the hilt of her knife tighter. She would show him she could fiend of any beast he could. Ok, maybe not, but she would not be a damsel in distress!
A shuddering howl broke from the dark-wolf, as if it were the captain summoning his pack to assault.
Gandalf stood up, holding his staff in the air. "Listen, Hound of Sauron! ' he cried.
"Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring."
The wolf gave a menacing growl and snapped its teeth. He leaped into the air towards Gandalf, ready to kill. At that moment there was a sharp twang followed by a hideous yell.
Legolas had loosened his arrow and his elvish shot had pierced the dark-wolf's throat.
Suddenly three other wolves jumped into the circle. Aragorn killed one and Legolas managed to shoot another one down, but he was not fast enough for the third. The grey wolf leaped at Pippin, the little Hobbit frozen in shock and unable to defend himself.
Sierra shoved the half-ling aside and turned just in time to see as the wolf's teeth sank into her arm. Sierra screamed at the pain, but managed to turn her arm that was caught in the wolf's mouth and thrust her knife underneath and into the soft flesh between his throat and jaw.
The wolf went limp, dragging Sierra to the ground with it. Legolas turned and pierced the head of the wolf with his silver blade, killing it. Everything happened in a few seconds.
On the other side of the circle Gandalf gave a bright blast from his staff and suddenly the watching eyes were gone. Gandalf and Aragorn strode forward, but the hill was deserted; the hunting packs had fled. All about them the darkness grew silent, except for muttering and cursing of Sierra.
"Owe, fuck! Get it off!" she shrieked and tried to pry the wolf's jaws open with her left hand. "Shit, shit, shit"
Legolas stilled her actions "Stop wrenching. You are going to damage your skin" Sierra muttered something foul under her breath, but removed her hand. The other's gathered around looking at the scene.
The elf gripped the jaws of the wolf and with one strong heave he pulled them apart, freeing Sierra's arm. Blood leaked from the penetrated skin, soaking the fabric of her shirt and jersey. Sierra turned her head away, the rustic smell of blood made her stomach turn.
"We will have to clean the wound" Aragorn announced "Sam get one of your cooking pot and heat some water" Sam jumped to his command and went to retrieve the smaller pot from his pack. "Gimli would you mind taking the watch, we do not know if the wolves would return"
The dwarf squared his legs and gripped his axe. He looked over to Legolas and said "No wolf would ever get past me"
The elf gave him a dirty look and had to bite on his tongue not to throw an insult back.
Aragorn walked over to the dead wolf "Boromir, help me drag these carcases away, we do not want to attract other predators" Boromir went to the one of the beast's head, while Aragorn picked up its back legs.
"I'm sorry. This is my fault" Pippin said remorsefully. Sierra looked up his guilty face and shook her head.
"Did you summon the wolves, Pippin?"
The Half-ling shuffled his feet "No"
"Then you are not to blame" Sierra declared. She did not feel putting up with a guilt stricken Hobbit at the moment, she was in too much pain "Pippin, could you please open my bag?"
The Hobbit fumbled with the straps for a while, but managed to open the satchel. Sierra rummaged through the bag with her left hand and retrieved a glass bottle with white powder in it.
"Could you please mix half the bottle with water in a cup and bring it to me?" Sierra asked Pippen and handed him the ampoule. It was a strong powdered painkiller. Before Sierra came to Middle-Earth she had the original packaging of the painkillers removed and placed it in a various small glass jars. The Hobbit did as she asked, with Marry trailing behind him.
Aragorn returned with Boromir just then "Legolas, help Sierra remove her clothes. I'm going to prepare the herbs"
"What?! No!" Sierra shrieked "I can do it myself!" she wriggled away from the elf's hands and scooted closer to the fire.
"Sierra, let me - "
"No!" Sierra yanked on her cloak to remove it quickly but yelped went the pain in her arm intensified. She cursed a couple of times again before tugging at her cloak clasp. Sierra's threshold for pain was limited and she felt like a complete moron with her moaning and whining.
"No!" She said again as the elf moved closer to help, clearly disturbed at her whimpering. She held her left palm up to halt him. "I do not need your help"
Legolas shook his head and stood up "And they say that the Dwarves are stubborn" he however did not move away and stood watching as Sierra struggled to release herself from her clothes.
After a lengthy fight with her cloak and jersey, Sierra was finally just wearing her long-sleeved shirt. She looked up at Aragorn, waiting patiently on her, and back down again at her top "I'm not removing my shirt" she pressed her lips in a thin line and scowled at the man.
There was no way she was sitting in just her bra and pants in front of these men!
"I was not expecting you to" he replied and crouched down beside her. He placed the herbs next to the pot Sam brought and removed a knife from where it was secured at his hip.
"Do you mind if I cut away your sleeve?" he asked her.
Sierra shook her head and slightly lifted her injured arm. Aragorn moved the blade to her shoulder.
"Wait!" Sierra panicked "Why do you have to start up there? My arm is only injured at the lower part; you do not need to remove the whole sleeve"
Since the incident at Lake Town, Sierra has never showed her burn mark to anyone. It looked…strange.
"It will make it easier to cut at the seam" he clarified and before Sierra could object again, he started ripping the little stitches loose with his knife.
Sierra took the cup pippin brought her and drained the contents with one big mouthful.
"Thank you" she handed the mug back and closed her eyes. She did not want to see the wound or the scar.
Aragron gently removed the fabric from her arm and gave the sodden cloth to Legolas "Throw it in the fire".
His hands stilled for a moment and Sierra knew he saw the burn mark, but she did not open her eyes to look at him. There was a couple seconds of silence until Legolas softly whispered something in his own language.
"Ùr amlug"
Sierra could not help opening her eye then, and saw Aragorn looking up at Legolas. His face had a bewildered expression on it.
She cleared her throat and Aragron turned back to her. He gave her a smile, but the question in his eyes did not dim.
"This might hurt" he said and dipped a cloth in the water. Sierra clenched her teeth and closed her eyes again. The pain was already starting to lessen due to the painkillers, but she was certain the cleaning process will hurt tremendously.
Aragorn placed the rag n her arm and Sierra jerked at the contact. Her wounds stung and burned like fire. Though Aragorn's hands were gentle, she could not help the occasional hiss that escaped through her teeth.
"Almost done" the ranger assured her. After the washing, she felt a cool paste on her arm and the sweet smell of flowers drifted to her nose.
"What is that?" she asked, still not opening her eyes.
"Athelas" he answered "It is a strong herb that helps with preventing infections and helps dull the pain"
Sierra nodded and bit her lip. 'I had worse injuries than this' she thought, trying to sooth herself 'I will get through this one as well'
"We will need to wrap this. Do you have any clean cloth available?" He asked her.
"Yes, I have bandages. Hand me my bag please"
Legolas handed her the satchel. She retrieved a roll of bandages and gave it to Aragorn. He took it from her and studied the fabric.
"This is a fine cloth and perfect for dressing a wound" he remarked and started wrapping the bandage around her arm. The camp was quite, except for the crackling of the fire and the soft whispers of the four Hobbits.
"I wish I had taken Elrond's advice," muttered Pippin "I am no good after all. There is not enough of the breed of Bandobras the Bullroarer in me. I don't ever remember feeling so wretched."
"Don't fret, Pippin" Sam said "No one had been eaten and master Gandalf chased them all away"
The four of them continued talking about the wolves and the dreaded mountain pass. How the missed the Shire and the different types of foods and treats.
Sierra listened to their conversation, keeping her mind away from her arm. She would someday like to travel to the Shire. The way the Hobbits described it made it sound like heaven on earth… well Middle-Earth.
"Done" Aragorn announced "You should get some rest now. Dawn is about two hours away"
Sierra thanked him and placed her injured arm in her lap. She was starting to feel drowsy, either from the painkillers or loss of blood. She bent down to pick up her jersey and scowled at the blood stains. She was not willing to wear a blood sodden jersey. She sighed and dropped it to the ground. Her cloak sleeve did not look any better.
"Here" Legolas handed her his cloak "I do not need it"
Sierra was reluctant, but she was cold and not in the mood for being stubborn. She took the offered cloak and pulled it over her shoulders.
"Thank you"
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Legolas waited until Sierra was asleep before walking over the where Aragorn sat.
He passed Boromir who busy scrubbing the dried blood from Sierra's clothes. It would not be dry by morning, but at least it would be clean.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked as he stood beside the ranger. Aragorn was sitting at the edge of camp, looking out into the night. He shook his head and the elf took a seat next to him.
"I would like to go and inspect the wolves at dawn" Aragorn said "There is something amiss with them".
"I agree. I shall accompany you".
They were quiet for a while before Aragorn spoke again "So, are you certain?"
Legolas did not need to ask what he was referring to, for the matter was ever present in his thoughts.
"Aye" he nodded.
"It could have been a trick of the flames. Weary eyes can mislead the mind" Aragron tried again, doubtful as to what they saw.
"No, mellon. It was dragon fire that scorched her skin" the elf said "Of that I am certain"
Legolas knew that there was no other fire that burned smoke spirals into the flesh. When the spirals came into contact with open flames, they would start to shimmer like faint golden gossamer coils.
"The last dragon left the face of Middle-Earth over sixty years ago. She does not look near sixty to me. I would guess her age no more than twenty and five." Aragorn pulled out his pipe "Do you mind?"
Legolas shook his head and watched as the ranger light the tobacco. The sweet smell filled the air and the elf wrinkled his nose, not quite enjoying the odour.
"You lived back then. Were you not nearly 30 years old then?"
"She is not a descendant of the Dùnedain" Aragorn said firmly.
"True, but perhaps there is another race that also has extended life years like the Dùnedain" Legolas has never heard of such as race in all his existence, but then Middle-Earth held plenty of secrets.
"Possibly" the ranger shrugged; nowhere near a definite answer. There were a couple of strange things about the girl. Or perhaps not strange, just well advanced.
He noticed the finer details of her clothes; the perfect stitching or the exceptional quality of the fabric. Her boots were perfectly sewn and there were no flaws or patch work. The soles of the boots were also made of something he has never seen before; a blackish solid substance.
As he glanced into her bag, there were strange bottles and trinkets he could not name. She was from a land far from here, perhaps from the unknown lands beyond Forodwaith in the North or beyond Harad in the South.
"Where did she say she was from" he asked the elf and took another pull from his pipe.
"She did not specify, only stating that she was from the Rhovanion area" Legolas said and frowned at his words "Smaug was the last dragon and he lived in that realm"
Aragorn sighed "She is not over sixty years old"
"Maybe she is, maybe she is half-elven" the elf objected. If there were two things he was certain about were that, that was a dragon–fire burn on her arm and that Smaug was the last living dragon. So the only logical thing to conclude was that she was there.
"Why don't you ask her?"
Legolas scratched the soft spot just behind the lower part of his ear "I don't think she will tell me"
"Because she's afraid of you?" the ranger lifted one brow and looked at his friend.
"You have noticed as well?"
"It is hard to miss" he smiled "Do you want me to ask her?"
"No, no. I would like to do it. It puzzles me more than it does you. You seem content with her mysterious ways and past, but I can't help wondering about it" Legolas stood and placed his hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "Le Hannon, Mellon"
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I haven't gotten around to sending PM so here are my replies and thanks to your reviews.
LoveLifeAlways94 – Thank you so much for my first review. I am glad you like to story. Yes, the M is for future chapter, when the battle and …erm…romance scene comes. But it won't be too heavy. M is just a precaution. Thanks for reading!
Guest – Not sure who you are, but thanks for the review. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to visit ME?
Claribel21 - Yes, still no Beta. No one seems to do Beta work for LOTR stories anymore. Thanks for your review though. All will be revealed soon…then more plots will develop…so on and so forth. As I stand now, it looks like it's going to be a loooong story.
RegalRiot – Thank you – I hope you enjoyed the other chapters as well. It's difficult to write a different kind of tenth-walker story, because the main story-line will more or less be the same. But thanks for reading!
Guest – Guest number 2! Thanks for your review.
Fandomenforcer – Cool name. Well hopefully this chapter eased some of that itching . Thanks for the review.
Potato – Here is your update! Enjoy!
Blueberry-heaven – Thank you for your review. I'm so happy that my story is a little bit different. More details of Julien to follow. He will become a character way later on…
Kat7CA – Soon Kat, soon. Might happen when Sierra is in Moria….thanks for the review.
Guest – Guest number 3 – or maybe it is the same guest, who knows? Thanks for the review though!
BrokenButStillStanding – Awwww I love your review! No, there is no sequel. This is my first fanfic, but the story will reveal more about Sierra's past as it goes along. You have no idea how afraid I am that she will turn into a Mary Sue, so reading your review made me very happy! Thanks again!
EvilPandaCat – Haha like your name. Yes, it is a Legolas/OC romance, but I do not want the story to revolve just around them….though this chapter does not really focus on that principle. Ooops.. Thank you for your review, it made me really happy!
Then also thanks to the 25 people following my story.
Love
Andrea