Disclaimers are in chapter one.
Many thanks to my beta, Scattered Logic.
Chapter 19: On the borders of Fangorn Forest…
The first thing that reached them was the smell. Though the smoke was blowing toward the north, the stench of burning flesh hung in the air for miles. A great pile of burning bodies sat on the plains not less than 100 yards from the edge of a towering forest. The pile was tall, standing nearly 15 feet high. Weapons were scattered everywhere. A line of silver helmets propped on broken spears stood some ten yards from the dead Uruk-hai. The earth in front of them had been dug into recently. The helmets were markers for graves of fallen soldiers of Rohan.
Legolas maneuvered Arod as his eyes surveyed the surrounding area. There was no sign of life to be seen and he felt dread capture his soul. He turned his eyes to Aragorn who had dismounted his stallion and was helping Kaitlyn down. The mortal woman covered her face with one hand as she stepped down. The Elf did not know if she was crying or protecting herself from the stench.
Legolas dismounted Arod and when he offered a hand to Gimli the Dwarf did not refuse. He quietly took the Elf's hand and accepted his assistance.
Aragorn scouted the land, but there was no sight of the Hobbits. Gimli used his ax to sift through the smoking pile of burning Uruk-hai. He ceased when something captured his attention. He picked up an object and held it for his companions to see. "It's one of their wee belts..." he whispered. His voice was full of sorrow.
Kaitlyn swallowed hard. She recognized the charred belt as Merry's. She choked back a sob and failed, succumbing to her emotions.
Legolas lowered his head and closed his eyes. "Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath," he whispered and he held his hand to his heart before he moved it forward in the movement of a customary Elvish farewell. Let them find peace after death.
Aragorn walked to the pile of bodies and kicked a metal Uruk-hai helmet that had been lying on the ground with all his might. The helmet flew through the air several yards before it fell to the ground with a clatter and rolled to a stop against a broken spear. Aragorn did not watch the path it took through the air, nor did he see the landing. He had been busy venting his anguish in the form of a loud cry that echoed across the plains.
The sun seemed to have disappeared for the moment, mourning the loss of the two young hobbits, as well.
Aragorn fell to his knees and lowered his head in defeat.
Kaitlyn stopped crying. She had never seen Aragorn react in such a manner before. She thought that he was blaming himself because he had been appointed leader when Gandalf had died.
Gandalf. They had lost the wizard in Moria and then Boromir at Amon Hen and now the two hobbits in Rohan. Her dear little friends.
Thoughts of the afternoon she had shared her music with Merry and Pippin and her talk to them about rock and roll entered her mind. She lost control and began to sob again.
Mere seconds had passed when she felt a warm hand slip over hers. Opening her eyes, she gazed into Legolas' grief stricken face. The Elf was watching the tears slide down her cheeks and then his gaze met hers and he peered into her green, tear-filled eyes. His fingers entwined with hers as he attempted to offer comfort to her and himself. She squeezed his hand, drawing strength from his touch.
Kaitlyn turned to see that Gimli's head was lowered and his forehead was resting against his ax. The loss had hit them all very hard.
"We failed them," the Dwarf whispered softly.
No one said a word. Legolas continued to hold Kaitlyn's hand. His grief was strong with the knowledge that the Hobbits were lost to them. Their fellowship was not only broken but it grew smaller with what felt like each passing day.
The Elf gazed at Gimli who was now shaking his head back and forth. Legolas gazed at Aragorn who was kneeling on the earth with one hand covering his face. Finally the Mirkwood Prince looked to Kaitlyn who stood beside him. Her eyes were closed now and tears continued to escape and trail silently down her cheeks.
Legolas' brows furrowed. Who among them would be next? Aragorn and Gimli were great warriors but there was always the chance that they could fall despite their skills. And what of Kaitlyn? She did not fight well and had nearly died once already. Would she be next? Legolas' heart constricted painfully at the thought and without his permission, his hand squeezed hers tighter.
The action caused Kaitlyn to look up at him and for a long moment she stared into the Elf's troubled eyes.
Legolas continued to gaze into Kaitlyn's eyes. He covered their hands with his other hand and did not break eye contact with her.
"A hobbit lay here..." Aragorn said softly moving into a crouching position.
At the words, Legolas and Kaitlyn broke eye contact and the two, as well as Gimli, looked at Aragorn.
The Ranger swept his hand over the dry earth. "And the other." His voice was low and full of sadness.
"They crawled," Aragorn continued. His eyes darted across the ground and his voice suddenly held a lighter tone. The Ranger moved along the tracks, moving away from the pile of burning carcasses.
"Their hands were bound." Aragorn moved away again, his keen eyes picking up what none of the others had noticed in their sorrow.
Aragorn stood and began to walk further. He lowered to his knees suddenly, reached into the trampled grass and pulled out a piece of worn rope that was frayed at the ends. He brought the ends up close to his face, his eyes widening. "Their bonds were cut." He got to his feet, dropped the rope and began to walk away.
"They ran over here…" Aragorn continued, gesturing toward the ground with his hands.
Legolas, Gimli and Kaitlyn were in pursuit, following Aragorn as he weaved over the plains. There was no grief on their faces now. Hope flared within them even though they knew it could slip away again.
"They were followed..." Aragorn picked up his pace now that an additional set of footprints could be seen.
Suddenly, the Ranger began to run and the others followed him across the plains.
"The tracks lead away from the battle!" Aragorn called out and the hope could be heard loud and clear in his voice.
But the Ranger halted as he neared the tree line. Legolas was by his side and the two looked up at the towering trees. "Into Fangorn Forest."
Kaitlyn stepped up behind the two men, her eyes falling upon the trees and then the men. Gimli was by her side.
"Fangorn..." the Dwarf repeated. "What madness drove them in there?" Gimli sounded bewildered and Kaitlyn couldn't understand why.
"Why are we stopping? They're alive! We need to find them!" she spoke with determination.
Aragorn turned to face her. "We know not if they are alive."
Kaitlyn frowned at the words, but Aragorn was not finished speaking.
"But we can hope. They escaped once, let us hope they have done so again."
Kaitlyn looked deeply into Aragorn's fair eyes, which gleamed with belief. "Then what are we waiting for?" she asked.
Gimli snorted and leaned on his ax. "One does not rush into Fangorn headfirst without consequences, young lassie."
Kaitlyn frowned and looked at Legolas and Aragorn who did not seem in any rush to enter the forest. Her brows lowered and she put her hands on her hips. "What has gotten into to you all? Aragorn, you said that they were followed. They could be in danger."
Aragorn nodded. "Aye, but they have been in danger the moment they left their Shire. Just as you have been in danger since you arrived." The Ranger nodded toward the sky. "The darkness of night will soon be upon us."
"Nightfall is a few hours away!" Kaitlyn cried out.
"A few hours is not enough time to search for Merry and Pippin. They are nearly 13 hours ahead of us." Aragorn gazed back at the trees. They were tall, their branches and trunks dwarfed only by the giant mallorn trees of Lorthlorien. The forest was dense and one could barely see a few feet beyond the thick foliage.
"We cannot risk entering Fangorn before nightfall." The Ranger then turned back to his companions. "We will set up camp and take some much needed rest before we set out at dawn."
There was no argument from Legolas or Gimli on the matter. Though they wanted to push forward to make sure that the hobbits were safe, they knew about Fangorn and the many dangers of traveling through it at night as well as during the day.
Kaitlyn's mouth dropped open. She was shocked and angry. She snapped her mouth shut and bit her lower lip to keep from arguing as well as crying.
She watched as Aragorn walked a few yards away, removed his cloak and spread it on the ground, taking a seat on the gray wool fabric. The sun was still shining brightly and Kaitlyn could not comprehend why they were making camp when Merry and Pippin could be in trouble. They had camped within woods at night before, what was the big deal?
She walked a few steps toward the Ranger. "Aragorn, I don't-" she started, unable to help herself.
"The matter is closed. Take some rest or eat," the man said, his voice firm.
She exhaled loudly at his response and instead of crying as she wanted to, she became angry.
"I'll take watch instead," she spat back and Aragorn was surprised by the venom in her tone. He watched as she moved away in long strikes, and stopped many yards away to watch the open plains, her back turned on the three men.
Gimli gave a great sigh. He sat upon the ground and kept gazing up at the trees. It made him uneasy to sit in the shadow of the Fangorn Forest.
Legolas had not moved from where he had been standing. The giant trees amazed him as they would any wood Elf. It was with some difficulty that he tore himself away from their presence. He walked toward the angry mortal woman who was facing the east, her back to him and his companions and her arms crossed over her chest.
Aragorn watched as Legolas moved toward her and he almost intervened but decided against it. If anyone could calm Kaitlyn and make her understand, it would be Legolas.
For once, Kaitlyn knew that Legolas was standing beside her. While she had not heard him approach, she knew that he was there. She had the feeling that he would come and she had been right. The Elf stood there without a word. His blond hair and cloak drifted around him in a cool breeze.
It was several minutes before he spoke. "I know that you are angry, I can feel the emotion clearly and I understand your anger as well as your determination."
Kaitlyn spun to face him. "Do you?" She cocked her head to one side, her green eyes flashing as they bored into his. "Then why was I the only one that spoke up?"
"Because I understand why Aragorn has chosen for us to rest here for the night," Legolas told her.
"It's like twisting the knife in," Kaitlyn said through clenched teeth. "Sleeping on the very ground that our enemies slept and died on. The very place that still reeks of burning flesh." She stepped closer to Legolas and looked deeply into his pale blue eyes. "Aragorn has chosen a wonderful place for us to spend the night."
Legolas saw the tears in her eyes that she tried to hide from him. He felt worry mix with her anger and frustration.
"If we could just go after them..." she said softly. "We could sleep beneath the trees. The forest-"
"-is not safe at night," Legolas interrupted. "While Fangorn fascinates me, even I know it is not wise to enter it when night approaches and when there is so much anger and hurt from what has happened here."
Kaitlyn watched as the Elf looked away to cast his eyes upon the forest. He seemed to be listening to something, but Kaitlyn could not figure out what. She heard nothing but the wind and the sound of the trees creaking.
"I don't understand," she told him honestly and the anger was gone as if it had never come at all. Her arms hung loosely at her sides and she looked lost and confused.
Legolas gazed at the trees a few moments more before he settled his eyes on Kaitlyn. "Nor will you, Rodwen, until you have walked beneath the trees and have seen and felt for yourself. You are not of this world, and although you have been here for a few months, you still do not understand all of the dangers."
She frowned, knowing that he spoke the truth. She knew next to nothing about the world she was traveling in and the thought of that frightened her.
Legolas' hand found her shoulder and gently his fingers glided over the fabric. "Keep watch until sundown and then I shall take over for you."
Kaitlyn nodded slowly, appreciating that he was willing to let her spend some time alone with her thoughts. She watched as Legolas moved away to stand by the tree line to gaze up at the forest again. A feeling of loss filled her as it had that same morning when Legolas had left her side in search of breakfast.
Kaitlyn sighed and resumed her watch. She stood there until the sun disappeared over the horizon and Legolas went to relieve her.
The mortal woman awakened with a start, gasping for breath, her eyes wide. She panted, realizing that darkness surrounded her. She jumped when a man wearing dark clothes crouched beside her.
"Ah...Aragorn," she breathed, recognizing him in the pale moonlight. She sat up and put a hand over her heart. She could feel it racing beneath her palm. She realized that she must have fallen asleep the moment she had laid down after her watch.
"Are you well?" Aragorn asked quietly.
She looked into his clear blue eyes, which shone with deep concern. "I...Yes. Yes, I'm all right," she nodded. "Just a bad dream."
Her gaze lifted from him and Aragorn followed it, his eyes coming to rest on Legolas who stood on the edge of their small camp.
The blond Elf had turned to gaze at the woman. He had no doubt heard her awaken from her latest dream and the concern from such a discovery was evident on his fair face.
Legolas and Kaitlyn watched each other for a moment before the Elf regretfully turned his eyes back to the land so that he could continue his duty.
Kaitlyn sighed heavily and returned her gaze to the concerned Ranger who was crouching beside her.
"Are you certain that you are well?" he asked again. He brushed his unruly hair behind his ears as he awaited her answer.
She nodded and licked her lips. "Yes. I'm well. I'm sorry that I disturbed you."
"I was not sleeping," he told her simply and then he rose, patting her shoulder and walking away to where he had laid out his cloak.
Kaitlyn watched Aragorn lay on his back. The Ranger propped one arm beneath his head and gazed at the stars above.
Gimli was asleep and Kaitlyn did not have to look at him to figure that out. The Dwarf's snoring could most likely wake the dead.
Kaitlyn frowned at the thought of the dead. She prayed that the hobbits were safe, but she was beginning to lose hope. Merry and Pippin were now well over 13 hours ahead of her and the others and they were in the forest at night.
With a great sigh, she laid her head down on the coarse dry grass of the plains that abutted Fangorn Forest. Most of her dream was already forgotten. She vaguely remembered places from her home, but beyond that she remembered nothing and for that she was glad. She had enough troubles on her mind.
The moonlight was dim and it cast an eerie blue glow on the plains. As the grass moved in the breeze of night, the plains reminded Kaitlyn of water. She imagined the drifting grass was the rippling water of Lake Walten. The small lake had been one of her favorite places to visit after moving to Otter Lake. Otter Lake was always crowded with the locals or tourists, but not many traveled to Walten.
"Does something amuse you, Rodwen?"
Kaitlyn blinked and realized that Legolas was standing beside her. She had not heard or seen him approach.
She looked up to see that he was grinning at her. She had been smiling as she thought about Lake Walten and the blasted Elf had caught her.
The smile on her face faded as she looked away from Legolas and back out over the plains. The 'water' had reverted back to grass.
Gazing up at the sky, Kaitlyn frowned when she realized the moon had moved much higher and farther. How long had she been daydreaming about the lake?
"Rodwen?" Legolas asked with concern. She had seemed in light spirits while she gazed over the plains, but now she seemed despondent.
Kaitlyn sat up slowly, grimacing at how sore she was from riding. Her back and thighs hurt her terribly. "I was only thinking of home."
Legolas crouched beside her and gestured toward the ground with one hand. Kaitlyn nodded when she realized that he was silently asking permission to join her.
Glancing away again, Kaitlyn realized that Legolas must have finished his watch because Aragorn was now standing in his place along the edge of the camp.
The Elf sat himself on the grass and drew one knee to his chest while the other leg was positioned carelessly on the ground.
"A good memory?" he inquired.
She nodded slowly and returned her gaze to him. "Yes. The grass moving in the wind and moonlight reminded me of water. I was thinking about a lake that I would sometimes visit."
Legolas nodded. He regarded her for a few moments. He could still feel her sadness though it had lessened in intensity. "We do not have any lakes in Mirkwood. Only the rivers and streams. The Forest River runs through the heart of Mirkwood and past the King's Cavern Halls. There is the Enchanted River, which I spent much of my youth training beside. The great spiders live near its banks."
"Spiders?" Kaitlyn repeated.
"Aye. Large and dark they are. Fierce are their hearts but they are no match for Elven bows or blades."
Kaitlyn frowned. "How big are these spiders? I mean, why don't you just step on them?"
Legolas' eyebrows raised. "Step on them? They are too large for that. These spiders are as large as horses and some are even larger."
"What? Spiders are large as horses?" Kaitlyn's eyes had grown as wide as saucers.
Legolas tilted his head. "Do you not like spiders?"
"I hate them. I never minded them until I moved into my apartment in Otter Lake. The place was infested with them. I had nightmares about them. Out in the woods they don't bother me but I don't like them in my home. And giant spiders...ugh." She made an expression of disgust, her noise wrinkling and her lips forming a frown.
Legolas chuckled softly. "If you ever visit Mirkwood, I will be sure to steer you clear of the spiders."
"Gee, thanks," she told him and she rested her face on her hand.
Legolas sighed. "I have seen the Long Lake Esgaroth from the treetops. It sits outside our borders, but I have never seen a body of water larger than that. Have you ever seen the sea?" The Elf suddenly looked lost in thought. "I have heard that it is magnificent, with waves of white foam that reach for the sky."
Kaitlyn shook her head. "No. Well, I've seen it in movies or pictures but never in person."
Legolas nodded again. He gazed over the mortal woman for a few moments who suddenly appeared to be frowning as she stared out into the night. He could sense that something was wrong.
"Man trastch?" What troubles you?"
Kaitlyn frowned more deeply. She often forgot that if she didn't keep her guard up that Legolas could sense how she felt.
"Rodwen?" he questioned.
"I don't like when you talk about the sea," she blurted honestly.
Legolas felt worry radiate from her and it puzzled him. "Why does it trouble you so? It is no different than if we talk about Ithil or Elaneth." The Moon or Stars.
Kaitlyn bit her lip and lowered her head.
"Pedo an nin." Speak to me. "Your silence and your reluctance to tell me what troubles you causes me to worry," Legolas told her.
Kaitlyn sighed and looked up into Legolas' eyes. "When you talk about the sea it..." she swallowed." It makes me think that you're going to...well, you know. Leave."
Legolas frowned. "You are afraid that I will sail over the ocean with my people and leave you," the Elf realized aloud and it made his heart ache that she was worried over such a thing.
"And the others," Kaitlyn said quickly. "You and Aragorn are good friends and Gimli is coming around. We would be lost without you."
Legolas smiled gently and took one of her hands into his. He knew that she was upset due to the hobbits as well as losing her home and family. The man she loved had left her for another. He could not fault her for her fear of losing people.
Legolas' voice lowered. "I will not leave the others nor you. It is not my time to leave, Rodwen. My heart is not ready to sail from these shores."
Kaitlyn did not seem relieved.
"Estel nin," he told her, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. Trust me.
She nodded slowly and forced herself to think happier thoughts, though none seemed to enter her mind. She wanted to find the hobbits and get to their destination, wherever that might be.
Legolas stroked her hand a moment more before releasing it and returning his hand to his side.
Kaitlyn shifted, drawing her knees to her chest.
They sat in silence for a few moments before Legolas spoke. "You dreamt again." It was not a question but a concerned statement.
Kaitlyn turned to look at him. "Yes, but it's already been forgotten."
"Maer," he told her. Good
They sat in silence again and Legolas shifted.
"A storm is coming, thunder and rain," he said softly.
Kaitlyn looked at him in surprise. "But there isn't a cloud in the sky." She glanced up again to be certain that it was still clear and it was. The sky was cloudless and the moon and stars were casting their light on the world below.
"It is in the distance, but I feel its presence," he explained, his eyes drawn to the north sky.
Kaitlyn gave a soft laugh and the Elf turned at the unexpected sound.
Legolas raised his brows. "Have I said something amusing?"
Kaitlyn laughed again and shook her head, smiling gently. "No."
"Then why do you laugh at me?" The Elf's brows were now lowered and drawn in confusion.
Kaitlyn smiled. "I'm not laughing at you. I was just thinking that if you're right about the weather, you would have been a very successful weatherman back in my world."
The Elf's brows furrowed even more and Kaitlyn raised a hand, waving it off. She was not about to discuss meteorology with him.
She lowered her head, the smile fading rapidly from her lips. She gave a weary sigh. Her thoughts turned to home and, once again, she realized just how much she missed it. She missed her parents most of all. She could still envision their facial expressions and could still hear their voices in her mind. She wondered what they were doing right at this moment.
"You should sleep," Legolas told her, disrupting her thoughts. He could sense her deep sadness and he hoped that rest would relieve her of it for the time being. "We do not know what the morrow will bring."
She stretched and then winced as the action bothered her sore muscles. "I'm sure that tomorrow will be more riding and...hey." She frowned as she noticed something. "Where are the horses?" Her eyes gazed around frantically for the stallions, but she saw no sign of them.
"They have gone," the Elf replied calmly.
Kaitlyn's eyes widened. "What do you mean they've gone? Gone where? Are they going to come back?" While the idea of more riding was repulsive, walking or running was even worse.
"Ú-istan." I know not. Legolas told her.
"When did they leave? How? Why?" she asked frantically.
Legolas gently covered one of Kaitlyn's hands in an effort to calm her. She marveled at how serene he could be in a situation like this.
"There was an old man dressed in long robes walking in the woods. The horses did not like his presence and they ran off over the plains. We could not stop them from fleeing."
"An old man? How did an old man appear out of nowhere?" Kaitlyn asked in disbelief though she knew Legolas couldn't possibly be lying about the man.
"Ú-istan. He did not stay long. He drifted out of the woods and then in again after the horses had run."
"This is just peachy," Kaitlyn spat and she gave another sigh.
A faint rumbling could be heard and Kaitlyn looked up to see clouds approaching from the north. She shook her head when she saw them swallowing up the stars. The darn Elf had been right!
"Gee, what else is going to happen tonight? First, we think that we've lost the hobbits and we still don't know if they're alive. Then we lose the horses and no one tells me, and now it's going to rain."
"The rain will refresh us as well as the parched earth, " Legolas told her.
Kaitlyn turned, looked at him and sighed. His optimism never ceased to amaze her. She gave a slight smile. "Well, I have been wanting a bath."
Legolas smiled. "The Valar have decided to reward you with one." The Elf tilted his head, his silky, straight blond hair spilling down one shoulder. "Now, please, will you not rest?"
Kaitlyn raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. "Why do I have the feeling that you are going to nag me until I do?"
Legolas laughed softly. Then his expression grew slightly more serious. He shifted his position and sat cross-legged. He grasped his cloak and pushed it behind his shoulders and then opened his arms toward the mortal woman.
Kaitlyn's eyes widened. "What? You don't expect me to...?"
"You wound me with your hesitation, hiril nin. I will wager that I am much more comfortable than the hard ground." my lady He smiled gently. "Tolo, I will protect you from the coming rain and any foul dreams that would dare to torment you." Come.
Kaitlyn felt her cheeks grow warm at the sight of his smile and at the thought of him holding her while she slept. Her hesitation and most of all her nervousness surprised her.
"Are...are you sure?" she stuttered, hating that she suddenly couldn't seem to talk correctly. "I mean, I don't want to trouble you. I might start snoring or something."
Legolas raised a brow. "I doubt that you would snore as loud as Master Gimli does. The noises he makes rivals thunder in the heavens."
Almost as if to help prove Legolas' point, Gimli snored even louder than he had been previously and rolled over in his sleep. Just after the Dwarf had shifted, a thunder rumbled in the distance.
Kaitlyn laughed out loud and the unexpected nervousness that she had felt lifted momentarily. "I think you're right. Nobody can snore as loud as Gimli."
Legolas nodded. "Then it has been settled. You could not possibly be any trouble." He opened his arms wider, beckoning her to join him.
Kaitlyn swallowed hard and crawled very slowly on her knees. Her heart was pounding and the closer she crept toward Legolas, the faster it seemed to race. She stopped when she was directly in front of the Elf and was silent and still for a few moments.
"Do I still frighten you?" Legolas asked quietly and Kaitlyn winced at the hurt that colored his tone.
She shook her head quickly and looked into his worried blue eyes. "No, you don't frighten me... It's just... It's been a long time since..." She halted, not wanting the words to come out wrong. It had been a long time since she had been in a man's arms, is what she had nearly said. Four years to be exact and that had been her choice.
Kaitlyn did not count the brief embraces between her and Legolas over the last several days. They had been in comfort and she realized that this was as well.
She gazed at Legolas and his innocent expression of hurt and confusion. It was blatantly obvious that he was worried about her and that he wanted to protect her. There was no harm in that and nothing to fear or feel uncomfortable about.
She smiled slightly as she realized this and moved forward, pressing her cheek against his tunic. The cloth was warm where it rested against his flesh and it was soft against her skin. He smelled of the forest, pine and earth as well as leather from his belt and quiver. She could hear the steady beating of his heart beneath her ear.
She forced away the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. It had been over two years since she had seen Megan and Tammy and over a year since Brian had left her life, having returned home when college was completed. In the past year, she had not even seen her parents as much. She had chosen to dive into work and spending time alone walking in the woods or by the lake.
The effects of a year spent in solitude had its drawbacks and she was feeling them now. She blamed them for her nervousness around Legolas, both in the beginning when they had first met, as well as now. She knew that she needed to lighten up. There was nothing to fear.
She smiled against him. "It's been a long time since I had such a good friend," she finished.
Legolas' smile widened as joy bubbled within him. He drew Kaitlyn closer, pulling her legs over his thighs so that she was practically sitting in his lap. He was pleased when she did not pull away and settled more firmly against him instead. The hesitation and anxiety he had sensed from her was gone and contentment filled its place. He drew his cloak over them both and tilted his head again so that he could gaze into her eyes.
"You shall always have my friendship, as well as my kindness and concern," he told her.
She drew closer at this, pressing her cheek firmly against his chest and raised a hand to settle beside her face. She traced the gold embroidered leaves and swirls of his tunic with her fingers. All of the uneasy feelings had gone completely.
"Le hannon, Mallen Calad." Thank you, Golden Light
Legolas squeezed her shoulder gently and then put one arm around her. He rested his chin upon her head, suddenly feeling more content than he had in a long while. Her words had warmed his heart and had invigorated his soul. It amazed him how this mortal woman had come to mean so much to him in such a short amount of time.
The thunder drew closer with each passing minute. It was not long before the moon and stars had gone, to be replaced by dark clouds that shrouded the land in shadow.
The rain fell gently at first. A warm wet mist that was refreshing.
Aragorn sat on the ground and watched the lightning. No one would dare to approach them in a storm like this and he took some well-deserved rest.
Gimli snored away until the rain began to fall harder and it awakened him. "What is this?" he grumbled, sitting up. He held out his hand and felt water drip onto his dry, cracked palm.
"It's called rain, Gimli," Kaitlyn called. "It falls from the sky."
Gimli turned to face the mortal woman and he was slightly surprised to see her curled up against the Wood Elf. "Humph, I know what rain is, but why does it have to fall on us? I was content in my slumber and now it has disturbed me."
Kaitlyn laughed softly.
Legolas pulled his hood over his head, as did Aragorn. Mumbling to himself, Gimli did the same.
The Elf drew his cloak further about himself and Kaitlyn to avoid the rain. But soon it was pouring and not even the Elvish cloak could protect them.
The lightning flashed more frequently and thunder rumbled loudly directly after the bright bursts of light. The rain fell hard and swift and before long, the four companions were soaked to the bone.
A bolt of lightning and thunder crashed directly above them and Kaitlyn jumped at the deafening sound. Legolas drew her closer.
Just as quickly as the storm arrived, it left, continuing its path through the sky. The cool earth began to steam due to the warm rain. The air felt slightly warmer then it had earlier. Soon the clouds were gone, retreating to the south, and the moon and stars were shining again.
"The warmer weather approaches," Legolas told Kaitlyn.
She nodded looking up at him. The Elf was drenched, his blond hair looked dark and, for once, it was not perfectly in place. She smiled lazily at his appearance and yawned, suddenly feeling tired.
Legolas said nothing, but smiled in return. He watched as Kaitlyn's eyelids began to grow heavy. She fought sleep for a short while and finally gave in. Her eyes slipped shut and Legolas watched her body rise and fall gently in her slumber.
The rain and wind settled the smell of death that had been lingering and now it smelled of earth and sweet grass. Eventually, the bodies would decompose and become part of the earth. The cycle of nature was one the Elves never tired of.
Legolas glanced down to see that Kaitlyn had settled against his shoulder. He carefully pushed back his cloak so that the warmer air could begin to dry them.
Aragorn had resumed watch and he was crouching on the ground, watching the lightning retreat to the south.
Gimli had lain down upon the earth again and it was not long before his snoring filled the air.
Not desiring to rest, Legolas kept watch from where he sat. Instead of gazing at the land, as one on watch would do, his eyes kept finding their way back to the mortal woman that slept peacefully in his arms. He watched her body rise and fall gently with each breath. He listened to her soft contented sounds each time she moved herself closer to him. He could not seem to tear his eyes away from her,so he did not attempt to cease.
The Mirkwood Elf watched over her and sang softly in his tongue about his homeland into the long hours of the night.
To be continued…
Many apologies to all my readers for the large delay in posting this chapter. Real life is still keeping me busy. Someone asked what my posting schedule was. Heh, I don't have one. I post whenever I feel I've finished a chapter. Sometimes I have time to write a chapter quickly and other times I don't.
Thanks to everyone for continuing to review. 200 reviews. That's lovely. Thank you all. Keep them coming. I love reading your responses.
Also, side note: I've edited chapter one a bit.