Fan Fiction ❯ Elves Make For Strange Bedfellows ❯ If At First You Miss The Target; Steady Your Aim! ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter: 7 - If At First You Miss The Target; Steady Your Aim...

"Come now, Samwise. It is not so bad." Frodo called from high above the flet.

"I'm afraid that you won't get me up there Mister Frodo! Not very fond of heights ya' know!" he returned looking at his feet, which were planted firmly on the ground.

"Come on, Merry and Pippin have made it up." Aragorn sighed motioning to the two hobbits that sat near the corner of the platform fumbling eagerly through their sacks for a bite to eat.

"Glad to see they are nearing normalcy again." Frodo looked at his friends.

"If there were ever such a thing with those two!" Gimli chuckled as the two packed their faces with lembas bread.

"I doubt it!" Boromir added, "You had better get a move on before the others get here. I venture to say that the `Elf' in charge might have a thing or two to say about you not being up here," he continued looking at Gimli.

"He is right." Rumil warned, "I would suggest that you ascend before Haldir returns."

"I would make haste if I were you, I can see them coming now," Boromir added.

Frodo and Gimli walked over and looked out in to the forest as Samwise took heed and climbed gingerly up the ladder joining the two.

"I wonder what is going on." Frodo looked concerned as he watched Felicity and Haldir heading towards them; a look of scorn on both of their faces.

"I don't know Mister Frodo! This wood seems a might strange to me." Sam offered, "I don't rightly know why we have done half the things we have done in the past few days, I only know that we are here now and we will have to make the best of it," he smiled trying to mask his fear of falling.

"Samwise, where would I be without you?" Frodo smiled in return.

"Probably not up here!" he laughed.

"Well now, what do you suppose has come upon our pointy-eared friend?" Gimli bellowed with laughter at Legolas who sloshed down the path and followed Kimber up the ladder.

"What has happened to you, Legolas?" Aragorn rushed to his friend, trying to hide his smirk.

"I would imagine that clothing should be removed `before' you take a dip!" Gimli chuckled, "Not too elvish or graceful to go about looking like that!" he could barely contain himself.

"Believe me, this was not my doing." Legolas sighed.

"Well then `whose' doing was it?" Sam inquired.

He looked at Kimber.

"Kimber?" Aragorn offered a look of surprise.

"No, no it wasn't me!" she waved her hands in front of her as her face reddened with the thought of such accusation.

"Felicity! It was Felicity!" Legolas replied as he rung out his tunic.

"And where is Felicity now?" Aragorn inquired looking around the flets.

Legolas motioned to the ladder; Aragorn approached and looked down below to see Haldir and Felicity consumed in heated discussion.

"Now Felicity," Haldir spun her around to face him, "Do not disrespect me in front of the others!" he commanded.

"Disrespect `you'? Who is the one throwing around their brute strength, my dearest Haldir!" she cut her eyes at him.

"This is who I am Felicity! I am the March Warden of this forest!" he retorted as his hand still firmly gripped her forearm.

"I know who you are my dear," she offered sarcastically.

"Do you?" he questioned her sternly, this time squeezing her arm so tightly that she winced, causing Aragorn to descend rapidly down the ladder.

"Is all well here?" Aragorn intervened.

"Yes," Haldir released his grip and raised an arm motioning toward the ladder, "Come let us join the others," he continued but not before casting another look of warning in Felicity's direction.

*********

"Your report?" Epoloven glared at Reitnor from atop his horse.

"I am afraid that the fairies are, in deed, traveling with the group of men you spoke of before. They have passed through the borders of Lothlorien, my Liege," he cast his eye downward.

"Those fools!" Epoloven hissed as he thought of Guile and his band of goblins, for they nearly foiled his plan with their carelessness. Perhaps slicing Guile's throat was too soft a punishment! A smile came upon his face for a moment as he thought of the notion in which the goblins would pay for their inequities.

"My Lord, what are we to do now that they are no longer in the confounds of our forest?" Reitnor questioned.

"This may take a little thought my dear subject as Haldir and his brethren may pose a bit of an obstacle," rubbing his chin, he thought for a moment before being distracted by the sound of heavy foot soldiers. He turned his gaze to the west and then turned to Reitnor. "Orcs! Ride out to them at once and bring them to me!" he commanded.

"My Lord?" Reitnor looked upon him with surprise.

"They may prove to be most helpful to our task at hand." A grin came upon his face now as he motioned for Reitnor to take leave.

Within a few moments Reitnor finally returned, following close behind him were thirty Orc soldiers that bore the mark of the white wizard, Saruman.

"Who is in charge of this infantry?" Epoloven inquired sternly. At once a mammoth Qrc appeared from the ranks. His face hedonistically distorted and black.

"Who wants to know?" he growled, showing fangs of purulent yellow.

"I do, for I know of what you seek." Epoloven grinned.

"You've seen the Halflings?" he groveled.

"Perhaps," he replied slyly.

"We do not have time for games dark one! Saruman has ordered us to find the halflings at once!" he turned to retreat.

"Ah, but I have seen this halfling and I know where he has traveled," Epoloven replied, now taunting the orc.

"Where?" the orc bellowed turning back around.

"Ah, mighty one! I cannot reveal such information as of yet," Epoloven offered as he now held the attention of the group. "For you seek the halflings and I seek those whom they are traveling with! Perhaps we could be of service to one another?"

"Get on with it, we haven't got all day! Where are they?" The head Orc was losing his patience.

Epoloven leapt from his dark horse and walked over to him; the ground beneath them shook with fury as he spoke to them in a language that even Saruman dared not utter.

Soon after the Orc company retreated; fearful, for they were not only charged with the task of retrieving the halfling on Saruman's behalf but two fairies as well!

"My Lord, are they only to bring forth to us the fairies?" Reitnor quivered with fear now in his master's presence.

"So they think, but upon their return they will be surrendering the halfling to me as well," he replied ringing his sinister hands together, "The Orcs are easily persuaded my dear Reitnor, I am sure that their return will be swift."

The thought of the power now within his grasp amused him; and the thought of possessing Kimber and Felicity pleasured him even more.

"And until then?" Reitnor now joined his side.

"Until then, the mind games will continue," Epoloven snickered before mounting his stallion once again and heading for his keep.

*********

"He is not allowed up in the talans!" Haldir fumed when seeing the dwarf amongst them.

"And why is that Master Elf!" Gimli retorted as he approached Haldir.

"I do not have to explain myself to the likes of you!" Haldir spat as he readied himself to spar.

"Gimli travels with us Haldir and was picked by Lord Elrond, himself. Surely you do not question his decision?" Aragorn interfered, placing himself now in between the two. "We do not want trouble my friend! We only ask that you let us pass in peace as we make our way through your forest."

"Then you are the fellowship of which word was sent from Rivendell?" Haldir questioned as he continued to glare at Gimli. He looked around at the group that stood before him then turned his attention to Felicity and Kimber. "And how may I ask did these two become involved with your quest?"

Felicity and Kimber quickly glanced at one another then both looked at Aragorn for his answer.

"We became lost in their forest and they helped us find our way." Frodo answered instead.

"That maybe your version Frodo, but I think that you should let Pippin and myself tell it like it really happened!" Merry jumped up and walked over to Haldir. "You see, we saved the two fairies from a group of nasty goblins, we did!"

"Goblins you say?" Haldir quirked an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Yes!" Pippin shouted out, "And we became their Masters for savin' them."

"Their Masters?" Haldir could not believe what he was hearing. He looked over to the two in question, who both now wore half-hearted grins. "Is what they speak of true?"

Kimber and Felicity nodded in unison as everyone now looked to them.

"We were also told that you would confirm that they are also fairies as they have claimed to be!" Boromir interjected.

"Yes, they are in fact fairies or should I say troublesome pixies!" Haldir glared once more at Kimber then at Felicity who was now sticking her tongue out at Boromir.

"Why did you not defend yourselves with your enchantments?" Haldir questioned the two fairies further.

"I wish I knew the answer to that question, but since our capture we no longer possess such powers," Kimber sighed.

"Besides, don't you think that Boromir would have been croaking by now if we did?" Felicity added sharply.

"Felicity!" Kimber scolded her sister.

"Well, I fear that you cannot travel back through the confounds of Lorien and then Ediowine with no defense," Haldir insisted. "You will accompany us to Caras Galadhon, certainly Galadriel will help you along," he smiled.

Felicity rolled her eyes, now she would have to endure his arrogance for a few nights, though looking now upon Frodo who was grinning at her, the idea didn't sound so bad.

Pippin stood up and strolled over to where Boromir sat. "Well now, I think `you owe our fairies' an apology, yes?"

"I owe them nothing!" Boromir shot back at the over confident hobbit. Merry quickly spun on his heel and headed over to where Pippin stood in front of Boromir and was about to give him a piece of his mind when a hand was lightly placed on each of the hobbits shoulders. "Merry. Pippin. If Boromir does not want to give an apology then that is his right. For a forced one would mean little as none at all!" Kimber spoke quietly as she gave them a gentle squeeze to show how much she appreciated their efforts.

Haldir shook his head in disbelief for he could not fathom what he was hearing.

Legolas approached him, "It pleases the fellowship that you have extended us such grace, Haldir," he lowered his head.

Haldir pulled him aside, "Legolas, the manner in which your comrades found Kimber and Felicity troubles me greatly. We must seek the council of Celebron and Galadriel and though I do not readily agree with the dwarf being in our company he may stay, so long as you accept the charge of keeping a watchful eye upon him," Haldir insisted.

"I do not need anyone to keep a watchful eye upon me, Master elf!'' Gimli offered curtly.

"Either Legolas can accept the charge, or I can keep a watchful eye upon you, dwarf, which would you prefer?" Haldir snipped. Gimli only huffed in response, as the tension that was now arising was becoming quite thick.

"Well, I don't know about you but I would fancy a bite to eat!" Pippin rubbed his tummy offering a distraction, "got anything to eat around here?" he continued.

"Anything but lembas!" Merry added smiling at Kimber who now was becoming a bit hungry herself.

"How about setting up a nice fire and I'll get the pot on for some stew," Sam suggested.

"I wouldn't try that up here!" Orophin cautioned and motioned to the ladder. The hobbits were all too anxious to plant their feet on solid ground again as they toddled down the steps.

"Rumil," Haldir motioned for his brother to follow them before turning his attention to Felicity who was calling over the edge of the flet to the group that was now down below, "Yes, I will be right down." she called after Frodo. She turned to head for the ladder when she walked right into Haldir.

"And where do you think you are going?" he questioned her.

"Um, down there," she replied trying to get passed him, as she stepped to the right so did he and the same followed suit as she stepped to the left.

"I do not think that would be wise Felicity. You are to stay up here," he stated flatly motioning for her to take a seat next to her sister who was now gazing at Legolas. Unwillingly, Felicity joined her.

"Hey there." Felicity nudged her sister breaking her concentration.

"Felicity, you startled me! What brings you over here?" Kimber questioned her sister in curiosity.

"Well I was wondering if you might like to take a walk with me?" Felicity batted her eyelashes at her sister.

"Where?" she sighed.

"Down there", Felicity motioned to where the hobbits were just bellow the talan, busying themselves with preparing a nice fire.

"Ah," Kimber was on to her sister as she looked down once more to see Rumil helping Sam gather firewood. His heart was golden, she thought to herself and for a moment her mind drifted to her last eve in this part of the wood.

She then looked at Legolas as he tried to console a rather annoyed Gimli, could he be the love she was looking for? She looked at Rumil once again, how was she going to tell him about her relationship with Legolas! But how could she call it a relationship, since Legolas seemed to want to keep it away from the others. She knew that her feelings for him were growing but did he feel the same for her? And what about Rumil! Telling him would hurt him to no end! She was so confused it all seemed so simple when they were alone but now that they were all together.

"HELLO?!" Felicity snapped her fingers in front of her sister's face sending her back to reality. "Are you coming or not?" she huffed.

Kimber looked at Rumil once more surprised that he was now looking up at her as he offered her a wink causing her to quickly look away with cheeks red from embarrassment. Without fail she lifted her eyes to see that Legolas had his gaze fixed upon her as well and she sighed in disbelief as he too offered her a wink. She looked quickly at the floor as she offered a reply to her sister "No, I will wait a few minutes, I think."

"Well, will you at least distract the `Warden' so that I may go down then?" Felicity pined.

"I suppose!" Kimber sighed as she began to think of a way to get Haldir's attention. "You know this is not going to be easy!" Kimber turned to her sister, "What should I do?"

"Anything! I don't care! Just get his attention off of me!" Felicity said hurriedly as she pushed Kimber in Haldir's direction.

Kimber started slowly towards Haldir, when an idea suddenly came to her! She stopped, quickly turned and made her way over to Legolas and Gimli. She waved her hand lightly signaling for her sister to get ready. Felicity hoped this would work, for when it came to being devious, her sister wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer! Nevertheless, Felicity inched closer to where Haldir was standing near the ladder and as predicted he was watching her every move.

Legolas turned to see Kimber now standing beside him. "Hello!" he said, greeting her with her a smile.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to interrupt the two of you." She apologized.

"No, No my little lady! You have not interrupted us!" Gimli smiled glancing back and forth between Legolas and Kimber, noticing how they gazed into one another's eyes as though there were something going on between the two.

"Is there something the matter Kimber?" Legolas inquired raising an eyebrow at her.

"Nothing is wrong. I was just wondering if you could show me how to shoot your bow? I mean, just to pass the time until supper is ready that is!" she asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

"Ah Legolas! How could you turn such a request from a pretty lady down!" Gimli laughed.

"I suppose there is time to show you a few things!" Legolas beamed as he took his bow off of his shoulder. Stepping behind Kimber, he leaned in close showing her how to properly hold the bow. Once he was satisfied with her stance, he proceeded to give her an arrow from his quiver for her to shoot.

Kimber slowly pulled back the arrow aiming at a tree not too far off. Felicity watched her sister in amazement. She was not going to do what she thought she was going to do, was she??

Kimber was just about to let the arrow fly when `suddenly' she `sneezed' launching the arrow in Haldir's direction, missing him by a scant six inches!

"What are you doing?!" Haldir yelled as he made way over to Kimber, Legolas and Gimli. Kimber was at a loss for words and looked at Legolas who attempted to explain to Haldir, who was more than irate, that it was just an accident. Victory was hers as Felicity winked at her sister and quickly made her way down the ladder.

"Well the next time she wants you to show her, take her somewhere else!" Haldir growled, before heading back to his post near the ladder unaware of Felicity disappearance.

*********

"What is going on up there?" Merry walked over to the bottom of the ladder.

"Legolas was giving Kimber a bow lesson and it nearly cost Haldir his life," Felicity snickered as she reached the ground.

"Why that…he just can't keep away from her, can he? I think I'm gonna march up there and tell that elf a thing or two about himself! If he wants a fairy, then he should go rescue his own!"

"I agree Merry!" Pippin chimed in readying himself to climb.

"No!" Felicity yelled pulling him off the ladder, "Let us help Sam get dinner together. Aren't you two hungry?" the mention of food was enough to send the two scattering about for more wood.

Kimber looked at Haldir again who still looked upon Legolas disapprovingly, "I am sorry," she whispered to Legolas.

"Kimber?" Legolas looked at her and touched her cheek, "Do not apologize, for it was an accident." he stroked it gently, forgetting that Gimli was still in their presence.

Gimli looked at them now differently. Perhaps this is why his little pointy-eared friend spirits seemed to have lifted suddenly, he smiled to himself.

"I just don't want Haldir to think any less of you, because of me." she sighed, feeling slightly guilty about the situation.

"Do not trouble your mind with such thoughts," he whispered softly to her while he brushed the brown wisps of hair from her face. She looked into his welcoming eyes and smiled.

"Alright, alright! That's enough of this lovely-dovey nonsense." Gimli grumbled jokingly, "You're making `me' blush."

The two looked at him now and laughed at the red-faced dwarf.

"Legolas," Boromir now called to him, for he too had picked up on the emotion between the two and felt that he should thwart such nonsense before Legolas fell prey to what he deemed as wicked enchantment.

Kimber looked on as Legolas left her side and walked over to Boromir, who now gave her a look of contempt.

"Don't worry about him my lady. He is not schooled in the ways of which a fair maiden should be treated," Gimli offered, "And may I add that as for you marksmanship, I applaud your efforts." he paused and leaned in closer, "Only next time a little more to the left, you'll be sure to hit the mark!" he whispered, elbowing her heartily.

"Gimli!" she smiled at him, for he was a gem.

*********

Boromir remained silent for a while as Legolas joined him on the far end of the flet.

"Is there something the matter?" Legolas finally asked, feeling a little awkward as Boromir rarely ever spoke to him.

"I am just a bit concerned with your fast growing relationship with `that' fairy." Boromir stated flatly.

"My relationship?" Legolas repeated, a little shocked by the statement.

"Yes, your relationship! Legolas did you not think that no one would notice the way you two act around one another!" Boromir lashed back. His eyes grew dark as he looked at Legolas with all seriousness.

Legolas was becoming agitated with him. "This is what you wanted to speak to me for? To tell me that you do not condone my relationship with Kimber?" Legolas shook his head in disbelief, "Boromir, in all do respect, I feel that would be none of your business!"

"I do not trust them Legolas!" Boromir shot back.

"You do not trust them? What have they ever done to make you feel such hatred towards them?" Legolas tried to reason, not wanting an argument.

"Witches! Witches they are! Why I would not be surprised if they haven't cast a spell on you!" Boromir began to ramble like a madman.

"Boromir, you are talking nonsense!" Legolas could feel himself beginning to lose his control.

"She has made you blind, the enchantress has! She is using you!" Boromir cried.

"Please I ask you to refrain from speaking of Kimber in that way!" Legolas shot back in defense.

"Then I suppose you didn't see the way Haldir's brother and her look at each other?" Boromir added with a smirk.

"Rumil?" Legolas questioned.

"Yes! I saw them! I saw the lust in his eyes as he looked upon her." Boromir smiled devilishly seeing the look of distress that Legolas now wore on his face.

"I think that you are seeing what you want to see and I ask that you stay out of my affairs from now on!" Legolas returned flatly as he stood and briskly walked away.

"You are a fool Legolas! You will see!" Boromir yelled to Legolas' retreating back.

*********

Legolas returned to where Kimber and Gimli sat. Taking a place next to Kimber, he pretended to be interested in Gimli's tales of the lifestyles of the dwarves, as he put Boromir's convictions to the back of his mind.

"That is amazing Gimli!" Kimber exclaimed before turning to Legolas'. He looked less than happy. "Legolas, is everything alright?"

Forcing a smile on his face he looked to the both of them, "I am fine," he quickly reassured her.

In attempt to change the subject, Legolas suggested that they should go join the others below. Not wanting to press the issue, Kimber and Gimli agreed. The threesome made their way over to the ladder and was about to descend when Haldir came over and pulled Kimber over to the side. "I need to speak to you," his dark eyes locked hers.

Kimber, though a little shocked with his actions, followed him obediently.

"If you ever try something like that again, you will regret it!" Haldir seethed.

"Excuse me?" Kimber tried to sound confused.

"Your little `distraction' with the arrow?" Haldir mocked, "Did you honestly think that I would not figure it out?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about!" Kimber lied, trying to keep her nervousness in check.

"Pretend all you want Kimber. Just keep in mind that I know now that you can be just a sinister as your sister and I will now keep a close eye on you as well!" he remarked coolly.