Hi, All!
A happy new year to you all! I was away on holiday for a while and when I returned and logged into Fanfiction, I was happy to see that I have a 103 followers! Thank you so much!
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Why are you afraid of me?
Even though Legolas said the words softly, it sounded to Sierra as if it bounced and quivered off the mine's stone walls; echoing through the dark tunnels straight into her mind. She gave a slight, involuntary shake of her head that looked more like a twitch than anything else.
'She knew he would ask the question!' she thought unhappily.
She started worrying her lip, her teeth almost drawing blood. What should she tell him? Should she even tell him anything? She tugged at the hem of her cloak and nervously started picking at the little patches of dried mud. Her grey-green cloak was faded from the harsh weather and soggy terrains she treaded through, but she hardly noticed the difference as she picked at the dirt flecks.
She gave another small shake of her head. He is an elf. A Mirkwood elf. She did not need to tell him anything about those weeks in the dungeon. She let out a heavy sigh. But despite those things, she actually did want to tell him. Why? she did not know. Maybe it was his calming nature, the open trustworthy look on his face. Maybe it was the way he always looked out for her best interest even when he did not know her. What the reason was, she was not sure, but deep down inside her she knew she wanted to share some of her secrets with him.
Legolas waited patiently for Sierra to come to a decision. The emotions of her thoughts played vividly across her face. He almost felt sorry for asking her the question, but he was determined to find out. If his people wronged her in some way, it was his duty to correct the situation. He was after all the heir to his father's throne and had to start managing his people. But he still could not imagine the elven race inflicting such fear into a person. He understood that the humans in general had their doubts about his folk and usually led to mistrust and rumours, but nothing that resulted into the extent of Sierra's distress.
"I..I… was" Sierra began. She struggled to form the words on her lips. She tried again but was interrupted by the sudden announcement from Gandalf still sitting in the doorway.
"Ah, it is this way!" he bellowed, drawing the attention of everyone. He was pointing to one of the archways leading into a dark tunnel.
"He has remembered!" a Hobbits said happily. He was probably relieved that they were moving again. The gloom of the mines weighed heavily on the little folk's hearts.
"No, if ever in doubt, follow your nose" the old man replied and tapped his nose. "The path this way smells less foul. Come, follow me!"
Sierra let out a breath of relief. She wanted to tell Legolas, but she did not know where to begin. With them continuing their quest, she could sort out her thoughts first, before giving the elf an answer. She quickly shot to her feet; her hand slipping from the elf's and adjusted the sling of her satchel over her shoulder.
"Sierra…." The voice of Legolas sounded below her. She looked down to where he was sitting, his face slightly glowing from the blue flame of Gandalf's staff. His deep blue eyes were regarding her steadily, clearly reflecting that he will not drop the matter even if they were now to continue on their journey.
"I will not let this matter go" he said gently "If there is something I can do to help you, I will. Mayhap certain habits of mine makes you feel uncomfortable, I would like to correct hem. Perhaps there are things I can explain to you regarding your encounter with my race. I want to know so that I can lessen your fear, Sierra." He slowly rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I know not what you two are whispering about, but you can continue at a later stage. We will not wait for you" Gimli grumbled at them and Sierra noticed that everyone has passed through the archway except for the dwarf. He was wearing a sour expression on his face and glowered at the elf and thankfully not at her.
"We are on our way" she called back. Gimil mumbled once again and then disappeared through the archway. Sierra rapidly gave a couple of steps towards the tunnel, in fear of losing Gandalf's light, but then abruptly turned around to face the elf following her. Legolas fiercely halted in his tracks to avoid bumping into Sierra. He did not expect her sudden move. Concerned he studied her face for indication on what was going on, but to his surprise he did not detect anger or rejection, but gratitude.
"Thank you, Legolas" she whispered and gave him a weak smile before following once more in the footsteps of the dwarf.
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They continued for another couple of hours before halting again. The path became less treacherous and broader, making it easier for them to walk. There were no cracks or gaps in the stone floor. The dripping noises of water and the shuffling of feet were the only sounds that could be heard within the mines. The passage they have chosen wound steadily upwards, and that in itself was a comfort to Sierra for it meant that they were not deepening their way into the ground. Sierra assumed that the first day under the mountain has passed or could it already have been the second? It was hard to tell with no sign of light from the outside world. All she knew was that Gandalf said it would take them no more than four days. The darkness was oppressing, but with Gandalf in front of her and Legolas to her side, she felt comforted and less afraid.
The elf was walking silently next to her and for eight straight hours he didn't utter a single word. Sierra was quietly admiring how soundlessly the elf could be with no audible footsteps, no labouring breath, not even his quiver straps creaked as it usually does with leather. He was like a ghost walking beside her.
No, she could not compare the elf to a ghost; his presence was too real, too intense. Sierra cocked her head to the side and openly stared at the elf as they walked on.
He was tall, that she knew already, but she never noticed how towering he could be next to her. Despite his height, Legolas was not willowy as would be the normal perception at first glance. His frame was strong, but not to the point where one would call him exceedingly buff. Sierra moved her gaze to his golden hair and studied the braids that led from his temples, past his ears to the back. It was twisted and looped with such intricate knots that she could not imagine ever learning to do something so elaborate. 'Did his braids mean something in his culture?' she wondered, but did not ask.
Sierra then diverted her gaze to his pointed ear, once a symbol which she feared, but now she could only stare at it in amazement. It was not large like the stories she heard back home about North Pole elves that worked for Santa Clause, but then yet again, Middle-Earth elves were nothing like the little imaginary snow dwellers of her world.
Her eyes travelled to his cheekbones and how perfectly positioned they were, not too low to make his eyes seem saggy, nor too high to make his face look long and thin. His skin was smooth and flawless, his jaw strong and hard. Sierra then suddenly noticed a small dimple appearing in his cheek as a smile split over the elf's face. Legolas caught her staring at him, well more ogling than staring, because throughout her study of him she came to the conclusion that he was indeed a very handsome elf. A thing she never would have thought would ever cross her mind.
Mortified, Sierra quickly diverted her gaze and looked to the front, her eyes locked on the back of Gandalf's head. She could feel the heat of a blush spreading over her face, probably reddening her face from ears to neck.
"May I enquire as to why you were looking at me so intently?" Legolas probed with a very notable smile in his voice. She could see in the corner of her eye that his head was now turned towards her. 'That must have been what Legolas saw the whole time she was staring at him. Why did he not react sooner?' she thought miserably.
Despite Legolas' obvious enjoyment of her current discomfort, she gave a shrug that hopefully conveyed being nonchalant and moved to faced him "I've never had the opportunity to openly study an elf up close. I find you to be a…very peculiar being"
One of Legolas' brows slightly rose at her description of him. "Peculiar?" he questioned. Of all the things females have ever remarked about him in the past, he has never been described as peculiar.
Sierra pressed her lips tightly together to keep from smiling. 'He did not expect her to say that!' she thought 'Serves him right!'
"Yes, peculiar. You know…odd" she said with a frown like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I know what the word peculiar means, Sierra" Legolas drawled, not so amused anymore, but not upset either "I was merely enquiring as to how you came about such a conclusion"
Sierra was about to answer when unexpectedly the stone sides to her left and right vanished and Gandalf was halted in front of her in a mass of blackness. There was a great draught of warmer air behind her, and before her the darkness was cold on her face. They seemed to have passed through some arched doorway into a big empty space. The rest of the company gathered behind and next to her, all anxiously wondering what area they now have entered.
"I chose the right way" Gandalf said "At last we are coming to the habitable parts, and I guess that we are not far now from the eastern side. But we are high up, a good deal higher than the Dimrill Gate, unless I am mistaken. I will now risk a little real light"
Sierra was delighted that she would be able to see something besides the darkness and the dim figures of her companions, but also a little afraid of what the dark space would reveal.
Gandalf raised his staff, and for a blaze of light flared bright from its tip. Great shadows sprang up and they saw a vast roof far above their heads upheld by many mighty pillars hewn of stone. Before them and on either side stretched a huge empty hall; its black walls, polished and smooth as glass, flashed and glittered. Three other entrances they saw, dark black arches: one straight before them eastwards, and one on either side. Then the light went out.
"That is all that I shall venture on for the present" said Gandalf. "There used to be great windows on the mountain-side, and shafts leading out to the light in the upper reaches of the Mines. I think we have reached them now, but it is night outside again, and we cannot tell until morning. If I am right, tomorrow we may actually see the morning peeping in. But in the meanwhile we had better go no further. Let us rest, if we can"
Sierra's heart leaped at the possibility of seeing actual morning sun again. How she wished the night would pass quickly to reveal the dawn!
The company sought out a corner in the great hall as to where they could spend the rest of the night. Sierra helped Sam with dividing rations of food between the group members until everyone had a small bite to eat. Sam and Pippin questioned Gimli about the great hall and how many dwarves must have lived there long ago. Gimli was glad to relay the stories of his folk and the city of the Dwarrowdelf, even if he has never set foot in the mines before now.
After packing away the leftover food, Sierra made her way to the corner of the group where Legolas sat, not participating in the discussion of the Dwarven city. As she went to sit next him, Sierra saw Aragron approach them.
"Your cloths have dried out and I think it time to bandage your arm again" he held the clean bandages in his hand and motioned with it towards her arm.
"Aragorn, you look weary. I would not mind binding Sierra's arm should you wish to rest" Legolas offered. The elf could see that his friend was tired. The ranger has not slept for a couple of days. Dark thoughts about the journey and Arwen plagued his mind. Legolas knew the hardship Aragorn bore of never seeing his love again. Legolas knew that Elrond instructed Arwen to sail West soon after the fellowship departed Rivendell.
"Le Hannon, Legolas" Aragron said and inclined his head in thanks. He handed the bandages over to the elf and bid Sierra goodnight. She smiled up at him "Sleep well, Aragorn"
Sierra shrugged out of her cloak once more and rolled her sleeve up. The wound still looked gruesome, but she was surprised that it no longer hurt as badly. Legolas moved closer to her and looked down at the gashes on her arm. He has only seen the bite marks after the wolf drove its teeth through her flesh, but not the result of the aftermath. 'She would be left with scarring after the lacerations were healed' he thought sadly.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, still looking down at the swelling cuts.
"It sometimes feels like my heart is thumping in my arm and if I move too quickly it would sting a bit, but other than that it is quite all right" she clarified. She watched as Legolas moved to retrieve a small vile from the little pouch at his side. He held the bottle up to her and slightly swirled the yellowish liquid inside of it. He then opened the top and held it under her nose. Sierra smelled the contents and was met by a very pleasant floral aroma.
"What is it?" she asked and took another whiff before Legolas moved it away again.
"It is called Ruthiniël, it a mixture of herbs and flower we use to help heal wounds easier" he explained "Would you like me to treat your arm with it?"
"Will it hurt?"
Legolas shook his head "No, not in the least. I will rub it on very carefully"
"All right, but be gentle, please" she said. Her arm was just starting to feel better and she did not want to let something make it hurt again.
"Elves can be gentle" Legolas said softly and gave her a compassionate smile. He still did not know her cause of fear for elves, but he will restore her faith in them no matter what happened. Sierra watched has he poured a little bit of the liquid onto her arm and gently massaged it in. His touch was feather light and Sierra had to keep her eye on her arm to discern when he was actually touching her or not.
"So…Sierra…" he suddenly said drawing her attention away from her arm to his face. His expression was of innocence, but she could see a slight glimmer of amusement in his eyes "Peculiar?"
Sierra blinked twice, staring into his blue eyes, before bursting out with laughter "Really Legolas?" she tittered and shook her head. "Of everything you could have asked me know, this was what came to mind?"
"Well, I deem it a very important question. It is not often that an elf is referred to as peculiar" he grinned. He finished rubbing on the ointment and was proceeding with wrapping her arm again. Sierra laughed once more, but softer this time round.
"You just are, Legolas" she smirked.
Legolas shrugged "Very well. If I might add, you are quite an unusual person yourself" he said. He reached the end of the bandage, neatly wrapped to where the two piece of end cloth came together. He quickly looped them tight into a little knot. "There, done" he stated happily.
"It takes one to know one" Sierra said and looked down to her wrapped arm "Thanks"
"Aye, I agree with you upon that" he rolled down her sleeve and handed Sierra her cloak. "One maybe more so than the other. Habits and unexplained things more so than race…"
Sierra knew what he was implying and sighed. She might as well get through with it while they were having such a relaxed moment. She fastened her cloak and leaned her head back against the stone wall. Legolas scooted next to her and imitated her position. The stone beneath their head was cool and hard, but despite that, it was actually quite comfortable. In the distance the voice of Gimli drifted up in a song. His baritone voice telling a tale of the Moria:
The world was young, the mountains green,
No stain yet on the Moon was seen,
No words were laid on stream or stone
When Durin woke and walked alone.
He named the nameless hills and dells;
He drank from yet untasted wells;
He stooped and looked in Mirrormere,
And saw a crown of stars appear,
As gems upon a silver thread,
Above the shadow of his head….
"I will tell you" Legolas heard Sierra softly say between the signing of the dwarf "But you will have to guide me through the telling with specific questions. It is difficult for me"
The world was fair, the mountains tall,
In Elder Days before the fall
Of mighty kings in Nargothrond
And Gondolin, who now beyond
The Western Seas have passed away:
The world was fair in Durin's Day….
Legolas gently took her hand in reassurance and nodded. He would make it easier for her. "Thank you, but you must tell me when your fear of relaying your tale gets too heavy. I do not wish to give you grief"
A king he was on carven throne
In many-pillared halls of stone
With golden roof and silver floor,
And runes of power upon the door.
The light of sun and star and moon
In shining lamps of crystal hewn
Undimmed by cloud or shade of night
There shone for ever fair and bright….
Sierra squeezed his hand and nodded. "Ok, so what is your first question?" she breathed and mentally steeled herself. 'She could do this' she thought bravely. Gimli's voice was sombre as Sierra listened to him, waiting for Legolas to ask his first question. She did not expect the dwarf to be able to sing so well.
There hammer on the anvil smote,
There chisel clove, and graver wrote;
There forged was blade, and bound was hilt;
The delver mined, the mason built.
There beryl, pearl, and opal pale,
And metal wrought like fishes' mail,
Buckler and corslet, axe and sword,
And shining spears were laid in hoard.
Unwearied then were Durin's folk
Beneath the mountains music woke:
The harpers harped, the minstrels sang,
And at the gates the trumpets rang.
The world is grey, the mountains old,
The forge's fire is ashen-cold
No harp is wrung, no hammer falls:
The darkness dwells in Durin's halls
The shadow lies upon his tomb
In Moria, in Khazad-dûm.
But still the sunken stars appear
In dark and windless Mirrormere;
There lies his crown in water deep,
Till Durin wakes again from sleep.
Legolas closed his eyes and smiled. Tonight he would finally receive some answers about the mysterious Sierra.
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Ok, so nothing revealed it this chapter, but I promise to do so in the next one….
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BrokenButStillStanding – Thanks for your review. I hope this one was not too fluffy…
Bella Diggory Cullen - No, Julien is not Sauron, but he will be revealed in due course…. hehe
1Deivle – Thank you for your review, I hope you enjoyed this one.
Sensistar – Thanks for all your reviews. Yes, I like the dark, angry, serious Legolas, but with this story a light-hearted version of him (like in the books) works better. You can't have both the main characters with heavy personalities.
OPOSOJOJ – Thanks for all your reviews! Much appreciated! And I'm glad you like Sierra!
Arabella – Here is another chapter! Thanks for your reviews!
Sarah Jackson The Other – I might. I quite enjoyed Legolas in the Hobbit, so who knows where it will lead in the future.
Lady Syndra – Oh, Legolas. He is such a happy, easily pleased elf…well in this story anyway…thanks for the reviews!
Tribolt2121 – haha, thanks for the review!
Crankiestnebula - With time… Legolas will know everything it time… but perhaps it is time for Legolas to keep a secret…oops said too much...
Watergoddesskasey – thanks!
Mistyworld – Here is your update!
Kilataia – Thank you!
SchadenFreude95 – Thanks for your long review! I'm happy you like Sierra, I was afraid she might come across as a wuss. Sorry for the typos and grammar mistakes. English is my second language and things like still needs to be drilled into me. You don't know of a good beta perhaps? Yeah, I also don't like stories where Legolas is immediately in love with the OC. (Though, I can't really blame a fanfic girl to fall straight in love with him…he is just so dreamy!) Yes, you describe Tauriel's roll in the Hobbit perfectly! She was very two-dimensional. I think they could have built on her character a little bit. Legolas was awesome. Oh man he knows how to fight! Thanks for your great review!
Mewlexii – sorry, another one…
TwistedTounges – Thank you for your compliment. It makes me really happy. I'm glad you like Sierra! No, in this story Tolkien's writings do not exist. It is two separate worlds instead of 'history' or 'fiction'. So our world is a complete different dimension than Middle-Earth. Ummm, no.. the uncle is not a bad guy…what statement revealed that, I'm curios? Maybe I made a mistake….
Guest – Thanks for the review!
Noface – Yeah, like SchadenFreude95 mentioned, Tauriel was very two-dimensional.
Molly45 – Here you go!
Finalfan21 – Yeah, but it is heart breaking to see Legolas in the Hobbit sad that Tauriel is developing feelings for Kili. He is clearly so in love with her…thanks for your review!
Pheebee – Thank you! Your review really makes me happy. Sorry that the conversation did not took place in this chapter.
Marie Aithne – Thank you for the review!
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If I skipped someone's review…so sorry! But I do appreciate all of them! Please do not stop!
I'm curious as to where my readers are from? So please tell me from what country you are from. I love meeting people from across the world….
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