Fan Fiction ❯ Elves Make For Strange Bedfellows ❯ Don't Do The Crime Lest Your Sister Does The Time! ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter: 5 - Don't Do the Crime Lest Your SisterDo The Time!

Soon after Felicity's surprising announcement, Aragorn called a meeting of the Fellowship and it was agreed to let her lead them to the elven forest of Lothlorien the next morning.

The evening grew late and silence engulfed the camp as the group ate dinner. Sideways glances were all that were exchanged save little conversation during the course of their meal regarding the night watch. It was agreed, (much to the delight of the hobbits) that Aragorn would take the first watch and Legolas would do the second.

As everyone settled down for the evening Kimber soon found herself nestled in between Merry and Pippin as she looked on to see Felicity lying between Frodo and Samwise. A sense of comfort came upon her and soon she found herself lost in the perils of sleep.

Her dreams took her flying through a lush meadow of wild flowers; the aroma of orange blossoms heavy in the air about her, she stopped to smell them and twirled about; happy to have her wings once again. She frolicked through the botanicals for a moment when off in the distance she noticed a figure standing near the edge of the meadow. Focusing harder, she saw that figure was motioning to her, calling for her to come. Cautiously she inched closer to the person when the familiarity of golden locks came upon her, `Legolas!' she smiled and darted toward him. Growing ever closer she noticed that his features were beginning to distort and twist and upon reaching him. Soon she realized that it was no longer Legolas standing before her. The figure showed no identity only as its face was beneath a black cloak. The apparition laughed in such a way that sent a rushing chill up Kimber's spine as it came upon her.

"Kimber, it has been too long!" the figure hissed.

"Who are you? What did you do with Legolas?" Kimber trembled.

The figure laughed out once more, "Oh Kimber! Your words hurt me! Why worry over that worthless elf when you could have so much more?" the figure drew closer to her, caressing her cheek with its soft deathly cold fingers.

Kimber, though terrified, slapped away the hand touching her.

"Oh, I see that you have become a might brave in your days!" the voice chuckled "No matter though my fair fairy; your elf is no longer for I had to make sure that he did not come in between the two of us."

Kimber now became enraged with grief "You Lie!!" she screamed back at him.

"Do I?" the voice sighed sarcastically "Then maybe you should see with your own eyes." With that, a faint glowing light appeared and shined down on to a large patch of tall grass not too far from where they stood. She slowly walked towards the light and pushed her way through the tall grass and coming upon a rather small clearing. Her heart fell when looking down to see Legolas lying there with a sword embedded in his chest. Tears began to form in her eyes as she fell to her knees.

"Why? Why? Why did you do this? Who are you?" she choked out. The figure now stood behind her.

"Kimber, do not be foolish for you know who I am!" his voice hissed.

Kimber turned to face the hooded figure and gasped with horror as she now saw Epoloven. "Now you belong to me!" he declared in a malicious tone as he reached down to grab her.

"NO!!!" she screamed as his hands reached for her...

Kimber sat straight up and realized that she must have been dreaming. She wiped the sweat from her brow and looked around to see the rest of the fellowship sleeping soundly. Not wanting to go back to sleep anytime soon, she decided that perhaps she would keep Aragorn company during his watch. He seemed friendly enough. She looked around and noticed to her dismay that Aragorn now laid fast asleep.

`I must have slept longer than I thought.' she whispered to herself as she glanced around once more and realized that Legolas who should now be taking his watch was nowhere to be found. She began to worry as visions of her dream came creeping back to her mind. She ventured into the surrounding forest of the camp walking through the dark wooded area in hopes of spotting him. Her heart began to race as she felt like someone was watching her. Stopping she quickly glanced around her and saw no one. Thinking that it would be best for her to return to camp, she made a quick about face and suddenly found herself looking into another pair of eyes. Startled, she opened her mouth to scream when it was was quickly covered by the intruder's hand.

"Quiet!" a familiar whisper commanded. Kimber realized it was Legolas, or rather, an upside-down Legolas, as he hung from a tree branch.

"You scared me!" she gasped.

"A maiden should not be wandering about this hour, what brings you to this place?" he wondered.

"I couldn't sleep and I was worried when I saw that you were gone." she replied feeling a might embarrassed that she had been looking for him.

"I normally do not stay in the camp during my watch. I find it better to find a spot such as this tree, so that I can easily keep watch on our perimeters."

"Oh...." she replied softly, feeling even more foolish than before.

"Here." he offered his hand for her to take, "I need to speak with you and now would be a good of time as any."

Slowly she reached out and took hold of his hand and before she knew it, she was quickly hurdled up to the branch. Feeling a little disheveled from the motion, she sat still for a moment in effort to regain her bearings and watched as Legolas slowly began his ascent up the huge mellorn tree.

He paused for a moment before calling down to her, "Can you climb or do you need me to help you with that?" he inferred sarcastically. With that she hopped to her feet, steadied herself on the limb and followed after him. Higher and higher they climbed and for a moment Kimber thought that perhaps this tree had no end when alas she came upon the elf perched on a sturdy limb with his back against the tree's ashen trunk. Her steps were careful as she settled herself across from him and drew her knees to her chest.

He stared coldly at her for few moments making her shutter before he began.

"I want to know why your sister cut my hair to make that doll for you?" his eyes now pierced her through the dark night. Kimber suddenly had the overwhelming urge to jump from tree! But then what? Not as though she could fly away! She would have to sit there and endure the "interrogation". He waited for a reply.

"I do not know why my sister made the doll or why she does half of the things that she does for that matter," she offered, for she wished it were her up here on this tree limb now in the hot seat! Once again Kimber was forced to answer for her sister's antics. "Please believe me! For if I had known what she had planned to do I would have stopped her!" she conceded, stealing a glance, she saw that he still held her with an icy stare.

"Well then I must inform you now that since you are the benefactor, you must endure the consequences of your sister's actions."

Kimber's eyes grew wide as she watched him unsheathe one of his elven swords, "May I ask what you are going to do?" her voice now shaky.

"Ay! `Tis the elven way my lady..." pausing as he admired his blade, "For your sister cut my hair, and now I will cut yours!" he stated flatly.

Her face now became pale as she gazed at the swords edge gleaming in the moonlight. She could not believe that he was actually going to cut her hair. Legolas leaned in closer to her and grabbed onto a lock of her hair. Slowly he raised his sword and positioned it to cut off the strands.

"It is a shame that I must cut such beautiful hair" he sighed, shaking his head, "Do you think that your sister would make me a doll of you as well?"

Kimber was a might surprised by the remark, but offered no reply. She closed her eyes tight, bit at her bottom lip and readied herself for her punishment.

"Though it pains me to mention such things, I must tell you that there is another alternative for my recompense." he paused. Kimber slowly opened her eyes to see herself now face to face with him as he sat ready to cut her tendrils.

"Dare I ask what this alternative is?" she questioned meekly.

He stared back intently at her, "Your alternative is that you must give me whatever is requested from you. Though if you decide not to, then the consequence will be much worse than a shave. 'Tis your choice my lady." he grinned slyly, "you must decide now, post haste".

She thought but for a moment before offering, "Then what is it that you ask of me?" not really wanting to hear his answer.

"I cannot tell you that, you must choose!" He held the blade but an inch from her scalp.

"Okay, I will choose my second option!" she replied swiftly, the shear position of the blade was enough to sway her decision, now there was no telling what her fate would be! He looked away from her for a moment as if he was contemplating what he would ask. Kimber's heart raced as she waited for him to make his decision.

"I have decided!" he finally proclaimed, returning his blade to its sheath.

"And....?" she asked, startled by his outburst

"I want you to kiss me," he stated.

Kimber confused, shook her head. Surely she did not hear him correctly. "I am sorry, what did you just say?"

"I said I want you to kiss me" he was serious. She said nothing as she sat there in the darkness staring at him in disbelief.

"Well?" he raised an eyebrow.

Taking in a deep breath, she mustered up all the courage she had as she began to lean into him. She closed her eyes as she drew closer to his mouth and when feeling her lips upon his, she quickly kissed him. She started to pull away only to find Legolas' hand was now placed behind her head and pushing her back into him. He was now in control as he kissed her longingly. She began to melt as his lips gently caressed hers and she wished that it would never end, as it felt so right having his lips pressed to hers! Their lips parted and he leaned back into the tree.

"Please promise me that we will do that again!" he smiled, taking her hand in his.

"But... I thought..." she began to stutter.

"Thought I was upset over my hair being cut?" he smirked, "I could not resist using it to my advantage!" he teased.

"So you mean that you had no intention of cutting my hair?" she couldn't believe what was happening to her. He had tricked her into kissing him!

A mischievous smile now formed on his face.

"Your just as bad as my sister!" she exclaimed folding her arms in front of her, she gave him a stern look.

Legolas chuckled. "Kimber, please do not be mad."

"I do not find this funny at all!" she scolded.

Trying to keep his laughter at bay, he reached out and pulled her close to him, her body melded into his as he leaned back once more and sighed.

"What are you doing?" she inquired as he wrapped his strong arms around her.

"What does it look like I am doing? I am holding you. Now try to get some rest, for you are too cranky." He insisted as he kissed her on top of her head.

She began to relax as she lay against his chest listening to his heartbeat. He gently caressed her hair as he then began to softly sing what she thought sounded like an elvish lullaby. Eyes growing heavier by the moment, she soon surrendered to a peaceful sleep.

*********

"Kimber…Kimber! Wake up!" came a voice as someone began to lightly shake her from her sound sleep.

"Hmm…?" was the only reply she could muster as she tried to go back to sleep.

"Come on Kimber! It is dawn and Aragorn wants us to start our journey soon.

"Where am I?" she mumbled, as she sat up wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"You do not remember us, Kimber?" she opened one eye to see Merry and Pippin kneeling in front of her now looking a little sad.

"Of course I remember you, silly!" she smiled at them, "What I meant was that I thought I fell asleep..." Kimber paused, suddenly hearing a loud cough come from across the way. Kimber, looking in the direction of sound, noticed Legolas sitting next to Gimli. In an instant, Legolas coughed again and while covering his mouth with his hand, he winked at her.

`Oh!' she thought, `He does not want me to tell them!'

"You thought you were sleeping where?" Pippin inquired curiously, taking no notice of Legolas' cough.

"Oh never mind!" she laughed half-heartily, "I must have been dreaming!"

"I have had those dreams from time to time myself!" Merry said matter-of-factly and began to tell Kimber of the many similar dreams that he had.

Gimli, taking interest that his elf friend was actually coughing, was a little surprised. "I thought elves do not get sick?"

Legolas did not reply, instead he looked away pretending that he did not hear him.

"Legolas!" Gimli shouted, as Legolas jumped from the loudness of his voice. "Are you ill? First you have been coughing and now it seems that you have lost your hearing?"

"Gimli I am fine!" Legolas stated, rubbing his sensitive ears, "You do not have to shout, I am sitting right besides you!"

"I would not have to yell if you would acknowledge my question with an answer elf!" Gimli shouted once more, a little annoyed.

"I apologize for not answering you. My mind was elsewhere Gimli." he spoke calmly, in hopes that Gimli would stop shouting.

"Mind elsewhere! Ha! Elves! The supposedly superior race of Middle Earth...." Gimli began to mumble underneath his breath.

Legolas grinned as he listened to his friend ramble on. He knew now that he would not have to answer the question since the dwarf had now forgotten as he went on an elf-bashing spree!

'What was that!?' Felicity raised her eyebrow in curiosity as she watched Legolas wink at her sister, 'I will have to get to bottom of that later!' making a mental note.

"What would you be thinking about there Miss Felicity?" Sam said, tearing Felicity away from her thoughts.

"Oh nothing important! Just reminding myself of a few things that I need to do that is all." Felicity smiled.

"Well then why don't I go prepare us some breakfast? Not good to think on an empty stomach, ya know!" Sam offered as he went over to his sack and began to search for something for them to eat.

Felicity laughed, still amazed at how much a hobbit could eat in one day. 'Thinking of hobbits!' She looked to see Frodo talking with Aragorn and Boromir. Frodo, she found herself growing quite fond of him as of late. Since first seeing him, she had not even thought of Haldir, well with the exception of mentioning his name last night that is. She now wondered if it were wise to bring his name up, to involve him in such things, that meant having to face him once again and after their last confrontation she was not looking forward to that. She frowned at the thought and fixed her gaze upon Boromir, he had to open his big fat mouth, this was all his fault!

"Samwise, I am afraid that we will have to eat on the run", Aragorn announced, "For we must keep a steady pace".

"Aye! But I've just gotten some water on the boil and…" Sam whined.

Aragorn looked upon him sternly for a moment before offering a solution, "What about the lembas?"

"Argh lembas!" Gimli retorted as he wrinkled up his nose, "Must we eat of the cracker again?"

"Gimli, I would like to reach Lorien by nightfall." Aragorn replied.

"Oh, very well," Sam conceded non-to happy, handing each member of the fellowship a wafer.

"Can Pip and I have two?" Merry smiled widely. Samwise, shaking his head, obliged.

"Well that would certainly explain that foul stench in the air this morning surrounding the halflings!" Gimli chuckled, "They're eating enough for an army!"

"Let us be on our way, my lady, the bell tolls for thee!" said an impatient Boromir as he approached Felicity who was helping Samwise sling his cooking pots on his back.

Aragorn took notice of his tone and followed after him. "Boromir will you leave well enough alone," he turned to Felicity, "My apologies to you and your sister. If you would lead us to Lorien now we would be ever so grateful." Aragorn respectfully addressed them.

"I will." Felicity nodded at Aragorn though she did not take her cold eyes from Boromir. For if she had her wits about her he would be crawling on all fours at the moment.

"I know what you are thinking." Kimber whispered from behind.

"You do?" Felicity's eyes widened, for that was an ability that most fairies shared; especially kin, the reading of one's thoughts-perhaps their powers were back?

"Well, not like we are used to, but I do know how you feel about Boromir and I can't say that I blame you much as he does lack a bit of self control." Kimber agreed.

"Well I am afraid that his lack thereof will cost him his life," Felicity stared blankly past Kimber to Legolas who now looked a might concerned at the prophecy.

"Let's us be on our way then!" Aragorn declared.

Boromir approached the front of the group, but stopped as Aragorn placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"Legolas, I think it would be wise for you to walk with Felicity and Boromir and I will take up the rear", he concluded

Legolas nodded in agreement and stood by Felicity "Looks like we will be traveling mates, is my hair safe?" he teased. Felicity looked at him, his meticulously braided locks reminded her of Haldir, she teased him on many occasion, as he too was particular about his tresses.

"Perhaps this day mellon en mellonamin (friend of my friend), lest you can keep that eye under control!" she smiled at him while motioning to her sister Kimber who was now fussing with the hobbits once more. She winked at him allowing him to know full well that in as much very little escapes him the same went for her.

"I see that between the both of us, nothing will slip idly by?" he conceded.

"Amin weera yassen lle (I agree with you)" she replied before heading on her way.

Merry and Pippin fashioned themselves close behind with Kimber following. She wondered what Felicity and Legolas were talking about so incessantly. She tried to hear them but with no avail for it was hard enough to understand her sister when she was speaking elvish and now the hobbits were going on about the many dreams they had since embarking on their journey. Kimber sighed and resided to the fact that though she didn't mind, this would be her company for the next few hours.

"Don't mind them," Frodo came up and placed a hand upon Kimber's shoulder. Turning, she looked upon him seemingly for the first time. His face was so delicate and pure and his eyes were the deepest blue she had ever seen. Kimber reached for his cheek and touched it with her hand for a moment; a little surprised by her actions, she offered, "I do not mind them Master Frodo, I do not mind any of you," she smiled politely.

He smiled in return for he was glad that they had stumbled upon such company. Only now he was more confused than ever. What if what she said was true! What if they did come to their camp the other evening! Who then kissed him, if anyone did at all? He placed at hand upon the cheek that Kimber had touched for but a moment, before it found itself once more clasping the gold band that hung around his neck.

"'Tis better that I am back here with you hobbits," Gimli boasted, "For dwarfs are the keenest of all races here in Middle-earth. We have the sight like an eagle and the hearing as sharp as a blade," he whispered.

"Merry, can blades hear?" Pippin gave him a queer look.

"Argh! Never mind! Why do I even bother?" he gruffed as they continued on the narrow path to Lorien.

"I have never traveled these parts before," Legolas offered "It is magnificent!" he continued as he admired the vast willows and elms blowing in the breeze.

"Creoso a'baramin,"(Welcome to my dwelling) Felicity smiled.

"Quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie!" (You do speak elvish!) he raised a brow.

"Uma." She had picked up the language rather quickly, having learned it from spending so much time with Rumil and Orophin. It was an even exchange, she taught them the common tongue and they in turn taught her elvish, for that was how she first met Haldir many months ago. He had insisted that his brothers tell him who was teaching them.

"You know I thought that dream would never end," Pippin was still rambling on.

"Kimber?" he nudged her.

"Huh? Oh I am sorry," she apologized. She was consumed with thoughts of Legolas again as she replayed last night's images over and over in her head. The kiss… his embrace! She sighed to herself as she looked upon him and blushed as he met her stare and winked at her once more.

"Lle tela! (I saw that!)" Felicity grinned at Legolas, catching him off guard. He offered a cough and smiled innocently at her.

"Now I know that was a cough!" Gimli sounded from the ranks. Frodo looked upon him with surprise then at Samwise.

"You know Mister Frodo; I had visions of a nice stew for breakfast! I was saving this for a special occasion" he sighed pulling a small box from his pocket. "Ah do you remember Mister Frodo, the sweet aroma of potatoes and carrots roasting over a fire? Rounds of ale?"

"Stop that Sam, you're making my tummy rumble again!" Merry insisted.

"Yes mine too! Aragorn, can we not stop but for a moment for lunch?" Pippin insisted.

"Pippin, you've been snacking on lembas since our walk began," Boromir snipped.

"Yes, but I wonder if we could have something else to eat, perhaps if we could stop for…" he offered.

"I am afraid that we cannot stop Pippin, for the sun is now high above us," Aragorn interrupted him. "You needn't be so curt with them Boromir," he then offered to his comrade.

Boromir only offered a sideways glance in return, for as far as he was concerned this was merely a waste of his time. His homeland was under attack from every angle and it sickened him to think that Aragorn's loyalty were anywhere else.

"It isn't enough that Gondor is about to fall! Now we have to follow along after these "fairies" and for what purpose might I ask? So many sacrifices have been made and now this seems so trivial," he huffed, the thought of having to take direction from a woman!

Aragorn stopped and looked at him "Do not think that you are the only one who has made sacrifice in this journey, Boromir! Heed the words of Elrond, you have been charged with nothing, you came on your own." Aragorn looked first at Kimber then at Felicity, such beauties before him brought about thoughts of Arwen and the "sacrifice" that he had made to fulfill his destined path. He brought his hand to the pendent around his neck. Its weight was light and he wore it in remembrance of her, of her love for him, their love for each other. It brought a smile to his face, when he suddenly remembered that he wasn't the only one who bore a reminder upon his chest. He looked upon Frodo, who despite his charge, seemed to toddle along with high spirits.

"Samwise, do you suppose they are truly fairies?" Frodo inquired.

"I don't rightly know Mister Frodo. They `re not hobbits and they are not dwarfs and they don't seem to be elves or men, or women I mean. So I guess fairies they might be," Sam conceded.

"Do you suppose they really came into our camp the other night and did all of that to us?" Frodo continued.

"I would say so, how else would they have known about it? And did you see that doll? My gracious, Mister Frodo can you imagine anything but a fairy making that? Can't wait to tell the Gaffer about that one!" Samwise laughed heartily and Frodo offered a smile for a moment before touching his lips once more.