Fan Fiction ❯ Quest for Truth ❯ Riel ( Chapter 1 )

Sitting beneath Mount Mindolluin in Anórien, on the western banks of the Anduin in Gondor, lays the truly remarkable City of Kings. Constructed by Elendil and his sons before the end of the Second Age and named Minas Anor, meaning `Tower of the Sun'. This vast and magnificent city was renamed Minas Tirith after the capture of Minas Ithil by the Nazgûl in the Third Age 2002. The city kept this name, meaning `Tower of Guard', throughout the War of the Ring and then onwards.

 

She sat alone in her chambers staring out over the wonderful city, watching as the sun set and slowly sank beneath the towers and walls of the well fortified `Tower of Guard'. She watched half in a dream as King Elessar, more commonly known as Aragorn, stood sedately by the white tree in the courtyard looking out at the city that he ruled and the land beyond.

Shifting in her well-cushioned chair to a more comfortable position, she watched her King a moment longer before letting out a deep sigh of boredom. Her Queen, Arwen, had neglected to take her to Lothlorien with her and instead had left her to live out an incredibly dull and monotonous week until the Evenstar returned.

Slowly standing from her chair and wincing slightly when her muscles complained of their misuse, she pouted as she walked over to her highly decorated bed. Noticing that the servants had laid out fresh garments for her, she smiled as she spoke to herself in a voice soaked with smugness, “I have them trained well”.

She looked down at her white, loose fitting nightdress pensively then sighed for a second time. With care, she pulled the garment over her head and winced as it brushed against her body distressing the cuts that were upon her skin.

Depositing the nightdress on the bed, she took hold of the black shirt sporting silver embroidery lying close by; she tried to wear the colours of Gondor as often as she could. She felt she was patriotic and besides, she owed it to her late father.

She was able to tell that the servants had taken special care with the laying out of her clothes; the earbashing they had received, she thought, must have gone over rather well. She hesitated before gingerly pulling the clothing over her head and winced once more at the pain the garments caused as they caressed her fresh wounds. Reaching out again she grabbed her ebony breeches and pulled them up her legs, wiggling a bit to allow the clothing to come over her hips. She then lured her medium length hair into a quick braid as she turned back towards the window, sighing.

She hungered for adventure, craved it. She wished to go out on a journey, to see new sights, to experience new things! However, her wish didn't seem like it would be granted. Placing her hands on the sill, she leaned out the window a little to observe the place where the King Aragorn had resided not moments before. With her exceptional vision, she was able to catch sight of a slight movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned towards the displacement and there was a glimpse of the King as he walked back inside his palace.

Making a B-line for her bed, she stole up her boots and thrust her feet inside as she tried to walk. After a bit of hopping, she reached her large wooden door with both boots on properly and she was able to pad out of her room and silently down the hall.

Winding her way through the multitude of corridors in the palace of Minas Tirith, she came to the kitchens grabbed a green apple in passing and continued on her way. Eating as she went, she strode arrogantly past infinite doors and servants ignoring them both, she was intent on her destination. She stopped finally when she came to the giant, twin doors that lead to the Great Hall she stood in front of them quietly.

She waited patiently as the four guards stationed there struggled to open the hefty doors, two positioned on either side. The doors were massive and dwarfed her, compared to other women she was tall but the twin doors were much taller and even with three of her stacked one on top of the other she still could not measure up and the doors were easily a hundred times as heavy.

When the doors were open sufficiently enough for her to walk through, she entered the Great Hall. The Great Hall was, as its name would imply, great. Its ceilings were incredibly high and the architecture and artisanship on everything including the floor was to a magnificent standard. Amazing Tapestries draped the well-crafted walls, banners with the colours of Gondor hung from the ceiling, as well as the dais at the far end of the Hall with a gilded throne upon it. The King of Gondor sat upon his throne with the squat Peregrine Took at his side.

Her feet were light on the impressive rug, which covered the stone-tiled floor of the Great Hall leading up to the dais, she glided down it, pausing before the King on his throne and entered into a perfect curtsy. He had looked up as she halted in front of him, when she began to genuflect, he smiled wearily at her, “Riel, you know very well you don't have to be so formal with me”, although he spoke softly his deep voice resonated in the Great Hall.

“My King”, She greeted, then began, “was it not just the day before last that you were lecturing me on how to be more polite and respectful to my betters?” There was a nasty glint in her eyes as she queried this.

When Riel's father had died of a fever over five years ago, Aragorn had taken her in and became her guardian. Baramaethor, Riel's father, had been a Captain in his guard and had taken a poisoned orc bolt for his King but he died before they were able to find him a cure. Ever since then he had found that being a parent figure was a lot harder than he would have first believed, for starters his charge was incredibly stubborn and temperamental, so rebellious.

At times, Aragorn did not know what to do with her, her will was so strong that it was a battle just to hold a civil conversation with her. He was certain she held no trust towards him and it brought a deep pain to his heart to bear this knowledge. His wish was for to her accept him, allow him through her defensive barrier and to have her trust. However, he felt that this wish was not an easy one to grant.

When Riel's mother had died, he noticed that she did not trust him enough to talk with him about her feelings and even went so far as not to share her grief openly around him. He felt deeply for her and knew she had developed a bond with Legolas Greenleaf at the impressionable age of three and so he had contacted his old friend to help Riel through her grief.

It was worse, however, when her father had passed on. Her mother's death had been swift by the hands of an orc; Baramaethor's death had been slow and painful. Riel had watched her father die, seen him grow weak little by little, watched as the proud warrior withered and expired. Riel's hatred for the orcs was intense and Aragorn hoped that this hatred did not rule her life or dictate the way she viewed the world.

On lonely nights, when his thoughts wandered, Aragorn's mind would try to find theories behind Riel's obvious lack of trust towards him. One such theory he hoped would stay as theory or eventually proven wrong… but what if, what if somehow she held him responsible, blamed him for the deaths of her parents and this was the reason why she was unable to trust him?

He shook his head, dislodging his dark thoughts, and earned himself a nudge from the plump hobbit standing by his side bringing him back to the present. Riel's eyes were alight with anger, but what he feared was the colour that they were and not the brightness. With eyes, the colour of the stone Amethyst she glared at her King waiting for his response. Although Riel's eyes changed colour depending on her mood Aragorn remembered only purple, forever purple staring at him.

 

Riel's feelings of annoyance grew when her King failed to answer her. At first, she had thought she had gotten one over him, she was feeling smug and proud of herself but when his silence continued she was not so sure. His blue-grey eyes stared at nothing and she knew her King was lost inside himself. Sometimes she hated his eyes. The pity expressed in his eyes was often too much for her to bear. She knew that he cared and had taken it upon himself to be a good parent figure but damn it! She didn't need him! She didn't need anyone! She was strong and could look after herself; they all treated her as though she was some delicate little doll, hah!

He would follow her around, when he did not have much to do. He would just smother her with care and affection and she hated it. He was always so calm and collected, never raising his voice, eternally understanding! Why couldn't he lose control? Why couldn't he shout at her? She just wished he did understand sometimes, he didn't understand anything. He had no idea how she felt. She wasn't about to tell him either, why the hell should she?

Her eyes flared with her fury, the deep purple becoming brighter, more luminescent. He made her feel so angry. She just wished she could ram a sword into some part of his body and twist it around. Riel could not help but feel slightly ashamed for her last thought. She looked up at her King then, and noticed he was thinking again with one hand under his chin holding his head up.

 

`Perhaps if I change tactics, alter my strategy? Usually I go slow, lead her into it, and give her all variables… I should throw her off guard and get straight to the point. Just tell her! Tell her what though?' Aragorn's thoughts spiralled around in circles and he was about to crack when he was returned to reality once again, this time he was brought back by the sound of Riel's aggravated voice.

“My King, do you fare well?” She couldn't really care less but she just wanted him to say something, instead of just sitting there with that stupid blank look on his face.

`Tell her simply; use as few words as you can…' Aragorn took a steadying breath, “Riel, I need a favour from you”, he let the breath out. `See simple, good start, Strider. Don't worry, everything will be fine, oh Valor look at her eyes!'

He had been noticing Riel's growing anxiety and had come to the decision of giving her a little more responsibility a bit of adventure. `Is not that what all young people want?'

“I will do what my King asks of me”, Riel replied her voice as ice, “What favour do you wish to gain from me?”

 

Peregrine had been watching quietly, mostly because his mind was on what he was to eat for second breakfast. Peregrine looked up at Riel, she was much taller than he was. She was as tall as Aragorn though she was much slighter with her feminine frame. He gazed up at her mesmerized; he had always thought Riel was incredibly beautiful. Especially when she got all dressed up in an elegant gown with her hair piled upon her head and stray strands framing her face. She never did that much though, Riel often confused him, `why does she want to be a man?'

Riel was cold and distant to many people but she was never cold to him, she always laughed at his jokes and Peregrine was proud that he could make such a beautiful woman laugh. He would not lie to himself, he liked Riel a lot but he knew that it would not work out. She was a half-elf and he was a lowly hobbit, she didn't like him that way he knew but there was always that tiny ball of hope locked away inside him.

He turned his attention back towards his King, Aragorn was starting to look advanced in years; mainly it was the stress lines littered across his noble and handsome face. However, the grey that flecked his hair was what really made him look as though he was getting on in years.

 

“I want you to take a package and some maps to King Eomer in Edoras”, Aragorn began, watching with a slight smile. Riel's eyes widened quite noticeably and the purple started to swirl away, returning to her natural brown, `You're on a roll, Strider, don't give up now!' “You will of course have one of my guards to accompany you and make sure your safe”, he finished. He braced himself for the violent torrent he knew would come spewing forth from her mouth by tightly gripping to his throne.

 

Peregrine winced and made a move to put his hands over his ears. He had been privy to quite a few of Riel's little outbursts, though little was hardly the proper word. Peregrine also made special note of the purple that once again returned to poison her unusual eyes.

 

Riel had started feeling shocked but it quickly turned to anger when her King finished stating his favour. She had thought that she was at last been given the trust and responsibility to ride out on her own. Finally receiving the wonderful chance of adventure, embarking on a journey, and that would allow her to prove that she was not just some childish doll. Her feeling was short lived and it cut deep. How dare he command her to take pathetic men with her to protect her, it had not saved her father…

She began her assault on Aragorn by hurling her half-eaten apple at him, “I don't need any guards to `protect' me! You trained me with the sword yourself Aragorn; you know I'm more than capable to defend myself!”

 

Aragorn was able to duck his head just in time. The apple was a surprise. “Riel you indeed are strong, not just in body but in spirit as well”, he began to explain. `You're just driving yourself deeper into your coffin, Strider!' he growled in his mind before continuing aloud, “however, that may not be enough to save you if you are attacked by a band of orcs, especially if they happen to have an Uruk-hai travelling with them!”

He sighed and hoped his voice had stayed calm; the last thing he wanted was this minor conflict to turn into a full-blown war. However, somehow, knowing Riel he recognised that this was not possible. She always seemed to make things bigger than what they were.

 

Riel discarded her formality with her King completely, her anger fully flaring. How dare he not have faith in her abilities! Unlike some people she would take the arrow herself, not have some guard take it for her! “Aragorn”, she growled his name, “you know as well as I do that Orcs, not even mentioning Uruk-hai, are extremely rare! You have scouts out all the time searching for signs of them and nothing!” her amethyst hued eyes narrowed to slits then as she lowered her voice to a toxic hiss, “not even one of their disgusting black claws have been found in five months!”

Although he knew it was true, Aragorn did not want her to journey out on her own just yet. Even without the threat of Orcs, a multitude of horrible things could happen, especially to an unseasoned traveller such as Riel. She needed the aid of one of his highly trained guards.

“That is no reason not to take precautions!” Aragorn forced trying to keep his voice calm and level. “What if one of the rare bands of Orcs comes out of hiding and you were captured by them? What would you do? I don't want to think about what they'd do to you!”

“Then, my King”, Riel reasoned her now fully purple eyes flashing with anger, “do not think on them”.

Peregrine was feeling pretty good; Riel hadn't even started screaming yet!

“Besides you're being pedantic!” she cried throwing her arms in the air.

Aragorn was well aware that he was being thus but he was unable to shake the feeling of unease he wore. Every time his thoughts ventured to Riel leaving the relative safety of Minas Tirith, alone, to travel the long distance to Edoras he cringed. His mind developed extraordinary situations with them all ending in Riel's death.

Peregrine chose to come to the aid of his old friend, he knew that Riel had a soft spot for him and he decided that he would be the perfect guard for her. Riel liked and trusted him, he was more than competent with a sword and Aragorn had faith in him. As far as Peregrine could see, there wasn't a downside.

“My lady Riel, I would be greatly honoured if you would allow me the privilege of escorting you to Edoras”, Peregrine bowed low but kept his eyes fixed on Riel's own, knowing full well she wouldn't be able to resist.

Aragorn looked to Peregrine, who was coming out of his bow, and smiled mischievously. Pippin's cute hobbit looks and child-like innocence may be just what he needs; Riel might be more inclined to acquiesce to taking the guard unit if the adorable Pip was along for the ride.

“I understand Your Majesty's concern for Riel's safety”, Peregrine said slowly, trying his hardest to speak in a diplomatic manner. He stole a quick glance at Riel and noticing with relief that she was not making to kill him and was actually starting to compose her self, he was feeling pretty good. “I am concerned also, so if I go with Riel perhaps she will be safe because I will be there looking after her. Plus I'm pretty good with a sword!” He grinned as he finished his sentence and made the whole scene more adorable by putting his hands behind his head and puffing out his chest in what the little hobbit hoped was a heroic way.

“Hey! I'm good with a sword too, take me!”

Everyone turned at the sound of the new voice and watched as another little hobbit ran up the rug that led to Aragon's throne.

“Merry!” Peregrine shouted pleased to see his partner in mischief but then said, “You can't go I'm going to be Riel's bodyguard!” He struck another heroic pose, hands on hips with his chin jutted out.

When he was standing in front of the dais, Merry shouted waggling a finger at his long time friend, “I can too!” then he turned to Aragorn his eyes all pleading and watery, “can't I Strider?”

Aragorn tried not to laugh at the Halfling's actions and words, `they certainly were a handful in the fellowship! Wait, that's it!' With the two of them Riel would be kept occupied, they were both hard to control and as they said they could both wield swords well. “Of course Merry”, he replied. He grinned as he reached forward to ruffle the hobbit's hair.

Merry's eyes were wide with excitement and he jumped here and there and danced a small jig around the unimpressed form of Riel. Pippin, however, only pouted but he soon cheered up, having his best friend along would be fun. Pippin ran over to where Merry was dancing and joined in.

She tried her hardest but was just unable to keep her laughter in they were just so cute! She stopped, though, when she saw Aragorn's smug smile, he was using them to make her concede! How dare he! She stomped her foot gaining the attention of all in the room. Pippin and Merry stopped their delightful dancing and Riel was happy to watch as her king's smug expression drained away.

“Although I have no objections to Pippin and Merry accompanying me, Aragorn”, she growled dangerously savouring the look of dread that crossed over the king's face, “I still feel that there is no need for a guard unit! Between Merry, Pippin and I no stray Orc will stand a chance! Why do you not trust me?”

Aragorn had won a small battle, `at least she's not opposed to Merry and Pippin's presence'.

“I do trust you Riel-“, he began to say but was cut off by another un-lady like snort.

“Then why do you not let me do this on my own? If you really did trust me you would let me do this!”

Riel's eyes started to water with the strain of all the emotions she was feeling. She did not mind that Pippin and Merry had volunteered to escort her; in fact, she was pleased that they did, it would have been incredibly boring if she had to spend her first journey all alone.

`I do trust you Riel, what will it take to make you believe this? Will you believe that I do if I let you go alone? Will that make you trust me in turn?'

Aragorn sighed and ran his fingers through his grey-flecked hair, “Riel I do trust you and no matter how confident in your abilities you may be it does not take away from the fact that you have never fought a true battle! You have never fought for your life and you have never known the fear and uncertainty of not knowing if you will survive to see the next day!” He stood from his throne in the tow of his emotions as he beseeched his charge, then he sighed. “Riel I do not wish to see you injured or killed, I care for you like I would my own sister”, he paused and closed his eyes. `Do you dare do it Strider? Is the middle ground worth her life? She will not die she cannot die! Merry and Pippin will be with her the whole way she will be safe! Don't kid your self Strider…' he took a deep breath. The fear of the compromise he was about to make was eating him alive, “You will take the package and the maps to Edoras. You will stop at every town along the way to send a messenger back to me, so I know that you are safe”, his voice was stern and commanding, `That's the way Strider, grant yourself that much!' He looked to Riel and saw the tears that threatened to break free.

 

Riel was fighting to keep her tears held back, `he's going to pull rank on me! How dare he do this to me!' She took a deep breath willing her tears not to fall. Her hands were clenched into fists by her side as she tried not show her weakness then Aragorn surprised her for the second time that day.

 

“And you will do it all with only Pippin and Merry as your bodyguards”, Aragorn watched as Riel's eyes snapped up from where they had been glaring a hole in his floor. He could see the unshed tears and surprise in her eyes which had made a transition from deep purple to a brilliant blue, `lets hope we don't regret this Strider…'

Riel rushed to Aragorn and wrapped her arms around his neck. She hugged him so hard it seemed that he would faint from lack of oxygen. Peregrine and Meriadoc felt as though they were missing out and so they ran over to add their arms to the tight embrace.

Aragorn tapped Riel's back and she released him from her tight grip. Making to step back, Aragorn realized that Pippin and Merry each had one arm around his leg and the other wrapped around Riel's own. He smiled down at the hobbits, Pippin on his left and Merry on his right, and placed his battle worn hands on the Halflings' heads.

Feeling the weight of Aragorn's hand on his head, Peregrine looked up and saw that he was smiling down at him. He blushed and looked towards Riel to find she was grinning at him too, her eyes flashing with withheld laughter. He felt incredibly embarrassed and so shuffled his feet before giving Merry a nudge. Merry was just as embarrassed to find that he was being laughed at and he tried to put on a brave front by crossing his arms over his chest.

Aragorn's smile only grew as he witnessed the twin embarrassment of the hobbits. He ruffled their hair before turning his attention back to Riel. She was still smiling down at Pippin but she turned her head slightly to bask in Meriadoc's embarrassment also. Removing his hands from the hobbits' heads, he reached his hands out and cupped Riel's face making her look at him, “you had best prepare yourself for the journey ahead, Riel”. She gave him one enthusiastic nod before moving away, Aragorn stopped her before she got too far, “you will be given your own horse of course for I can not consider you walking all the way to Edoras”.

Riel's face was glowing with happiness and she was grinning like a maniac at the prospect of her own horse. Aragorn laughed aloud at the expression displayed on her face, `so this is what it will take?' Turning back to Peregrine and Meriadoc, who both already had their own horses, he relayed his concern for Riel's safety once again, noticing out of the corner of his vision Riel's eyes rolling in exasperation, `well at least they're still blue'.

 

Riel left the Great Hall feeling so full of joy that she was sure she was going to pop! She had been trusted with responsibility and was going on a journey, an adventure! `This day', she thought, `could not get any better!'

Walking back through the labyrinth of corridors and doors, she noticed that the palace was unusually abuzz, `news of my venture has not yet been heard, has it?' she questioned silently feeling confused. She continued walking back to her chambers, watching the servants scurrying about reminding her of ants after someone has just walked over their nest.

Finally arriving back at her chambers she opened her large wooden door and entered. Once she was in her domain and the door carefully closed and locked she let out a squeal of excitement and danced a small jig before composing herself and walking calmly over to the large chest at the foot of her bed. Reaching inside she pulled out her good riding boots as well as her other riding gear that she was sure to require. Digging down deeper into the recesses of the chest she wiggled her arm around until her hand brushed against what she was searching for, tugging a little she extracted her two most prized possessions a dagger and a bow. She smiled warmly then as she held her first and only bow in her hands. The bow was a gift to her from Prince Legolas of Mirkwood `he was such a show-off' she chuckled quietly. Her smile changed and it held a hint of sadness as she laid her old gifts down upon her bed then her eyes began to cloud with tears from her memory, “it's been so long!” she sobbed.

She had received the dagger from Elrohir and Elladan but she knew better than to trust those twin elves' scheming words, it was from their father Lord Elrond. Riel placed the dagger down on the folded garments as she remembered how she had received the gift, her eyes misted over and a small smile played at her lips.

 

“Father it's my birthday!” Young Riel shouted as she raced around the courtyard of Minas Tirith excitedly, “I'm seven!” she promptly held up five fingers and Baramaethor only laughed. His daughter certainly was enthusiastic! He laughed more as she danced around, spinning in circles.

 

`I always did love my birthday…'

 

She kept on dancing until she collided into two rather tall dark haired elves. She was startled for a moment then she looked up and grinned, “Elrohir and Elladan!” she cried wrapping her arms around their legs.

 

Riel smiled as she brushed a finger lightly down the length of her dagger, she was always grabbing hold of people's legs. It was not until she turned thirteen that she started to grow tall, she had been short before then.

 

The twins looked down at the small half elfin girl at their feet and grinned, “Hello Riel”, they said in unison.

“It's my birthday!” she announced proudly smiling up at them as sweetly as she could manage, “did you get me anything?”

The princes both exchanged a look at her question and gulped, “Well uh, no” Elrohir began.

“However we came up for the idea behind father's gift!” Elladan lied, he had noticed the dark frown that started to creep its way to the child's face. Elrohir only nodded agreement with his brother knowing better than to say anything.

“Okay then, what's my gift?” Riel asked, her big brown eyes looking up at the twins with her hands clasped innocently behind her back.

“Oh well uh, this” Elrohir said then handed her the exquisitely made dagger.

 

She looked down at the dagger much the same way as she had done all those years ago. An Elvin blacksmith had forged it and with such incredible skill that no mortal could ever hope to match. The blade was of an Elvin metal similar to silver and the hilt and sheath matched with a beautiful leaf and branch design covering them, using the same metal as the blade. Also on the hilt were the Elvin characters used to spell her name.

 

She had run away with the dagger immediately, she did not run so far that she was unable to see her father's `respectful' anger, however.

“Your idea was it, your majesties?” Her father said a dangerous glare in his eye.

Most people said that her father was where her bad temper came from but she loved him regardless of what they said.

 

A lone tear fell and she felt slightly ashamed of letting her self get so emotional, “I still do daddy, I still do!” she whispered before wiping her eyes hoping no more tears came.

 

Elladan and Elrohir looked to each other, their brains frantically scheming a way to get out of the trouble they now found themselves in.

“Well Lord Baramaethor, it is just that little Riel is so energetic that we thought it would be good to focus her abundant energy on something, uh” Elladan began before nudging his brother in the hopes that he could continue their deceit.

“…On something, um, that is more productive?” Elrohir tried not to notice his brother's wince.

“Are you asking me or telling me this, your highness?” Baramaethor said his brown eyes bright with his anger.

After that, it had become quite fierce and though she watched for a little while, she ended up leaving. She knew that eventually someone would tell her to go away; they would all think she was too young to see that kind of violence.

 

She placed her riding gear and her treasured dagger on her bed ready for when she needed them. She held her bow in both hands and looked upon it with fondness, `he really is show-off', she thought as she laughed quietly to herself. She remembered being eleven at the time…

 

Young Riel hugged her pillow tight to herself trying to gain comfort from the inanimate object as a waterfall of tears streamed down her face. She was crying so hard that she had not even heard him enter her room, “Riel do not weep, come here”, was all he said coaxing the pillow from her and pulling her into his warm embrace. She did not want to talk she just wanted to cry.

He told her sweet nothings, saying soft words till her tears were no more then he gave her an offer, “Riel I'm willing to continue your archery training if you are also”. She looked up at him and forced a smile. He turned his head slightly so he could see her and then he looked at her with revulsion clearly etched on his face, “Though you are so ugly right now. You will have to buy a new face before we start!” laughing heartily he tweaked her nose before running out her door, giving her a cheeky wink before he was out of sight.

“Legolas you bum!” She shouted with pseudo anger, giggling none the less. She jumped up from her bed and chased him through the corridors laughing the whole time.

 

`He made my pain and miseries leave so easily, perhaps it's a gift. I wonder when he will come and visit me again…' Riel caressed the carvings of Elvin runes and vine leaves that curled their way around the bow's body. She placed two fingers on the twin butterflies that she knew he painstakingly carved just for her, to make her happy. Standing up and walking to her bedside table, she attained the bowstring from it and then set about fastening it to her beloved wooden bow.

 

Young Riel watched as Legolas ran down the corridor, she was almost upon him when suddenly a door opened and he slammed into it with a resonating `thwack'. Legolas was stunned and he collapsed to the stone floor, eyes unfocused and hair slightly displaced. She let gravity take control of her as she fell to the floor laughing, holding her sides as stitches began to form in her abdomen. Through her tears of laughter she saw a head peer around the door and although he, and it had to be a he because nature surely couldn't be so cruel as to make a female look like that, was the height of a child but looked as though a man with a dead animal upon its face. Upon closer inspection of the being, Riel's mind thought of a beast and as it started to move for Legolas, she began to fear for her friend's safety. She leapt deftly for her friend, pulled his twin daggers from his still dazed form, and took up a defensive position in front of him.

 

Riel snickered, `the stupid dolt had been running so fast it was his own fault that his face got flattened!'

 

Young Riel narrowed her eyes at the strange looking man trying to make sure that she was ready for any move the thing might make. Legolas was watching through misty eyes, he blinked and shook his head attempting to remove the last of his daze.

“You touch the elf and I'll carve you up into teeny weeny little bits!” She shouted angrily at him.

The man gulped ad she smirked in turn, she found that she enjoyed evoking fear into the thing. She flicked her eyes to Legolas when he started to stand up, leaning his weight against the wall, “Riel settle down, it's only Gimli”, he spoke slowly, his head still feeling a little sore.

“What's a Gimli? Is it dangerous? If it is I'll kill it!” she snarled as she gripped the daggers tighter and her narrowed eyes returned to the man who was smiling nervously where stood.

 

`If only I had known!' She laughed openly at her memory as she patted her now strung bow.

 

The `Gimli' noticed Riel's pointed ears and he laughed uncertainly, “oh hey! You're an elf! Well I'm not called Gimli Elf-Friend for nothing!” he said wringing his hands together in his nervousness.

Riel only narrowed her eyes further, “what's a Gimli Elf Friend?” she asked suspiciously moving forward slightly in a threatening manner, “you eat elves don't you!” her eyes glowed in her anger and even though she was small… she looked fierce.

“He's a dwarf!” Legolas sighed as he rubbed his hands over his sore face.

“'A dwarf?'” Riel said as she lessened her stance somewhat. She screwed her face up into a look of distaste, “and that's its face?”

“Yes. Hey, here's an idea! Why don't you ask him if you can buy it?” Legolas laughed but soon quietened when Riel turned on him letting out an animal like snarl. Legolas looked at her uncertainly for a moment then laughed as he pointed a mocking finger at her, “did you just snarl at me?” He chuckled more as he asked his next question, “Riel, you're not going to start marking your territory now are you?”

 

`That idiot, as if I would'. Riel was all packed and ready to go; all she needed to do was to change into her riding habit. Walking towards her riding gear she stopped short as she remembered she had not bathed yet that day and she decided that she best do that before she left. She changed direction and headed for the bell rope that would call the servants. She could then give them their tasks and relax in a lovely warm bath.

 

Later that day, eleven-year-old Riel walked alongside Legolas. The earlier `Gimli issue' had been resolved with much embarrassment on Riel's part while Legolas' only contribution was intense amusement. It had been raining for a little over a week and the rain had left in its wake numerous groups of large muddy puddles. Riel was still slightly angry with Legolas for his previous insults. He had not even apologized yet! She was about to say something to him when suddenly without warning he pushed her into one of the puddles they were passing. She sat in the muddy pool for a moment trying to come to terms with what he had just done to her as she tried to drown out the sound of his infernally mocking laughter. Covering her from hair to toe was mud she was entirely drenched, `he's just lucky it wasn't my good clothes' she snarled vehemently in her mind, `or he would be eternally sorry!'

Legolas did nothing to hide his amusement at the situation in which she now found herself and he openly laughed at her. Riel was sure a vein was showing on her forehead, she could feel her anger as it boiled up inside her chest, she was just about ready to burst.

“Do you take pride in making me look stupid?” she shrieked making her throat hurt.

“Pride? No. Glee? Yes!” he replied quickly starting to laugh again.

She was unable to think of anything worth saying so she just decided to screech again. She took a small amount of pleasure by splashing some mud in the direction of her ire but he simply dodged which ruined her joy.

 

Relaxing into the warm liquid, Riel sighed in appreciation. The servants had poured a lovely bath. Riel had already scrubbed her body, careful of her scrapes and bruises from her training the previous day, and washed her hair. She was simply soaking now and considering the events that had taken place that morning while her mind wandered faintly in her memory.

 

He was sitting under the white tree, light brown carving chips surrounded him, and he held an expression of intense concentration. He did not look up from his obviously significant task when she sat down next to him, carefully avoiding the chips. She simply stared at him a moment and blushed when she realized that she was marvelling at his handsomeness. She decided that she would stop that and look at what Legolas was carving with such intensity. When she moved to see he moved also and blocked her view. She quickly grew annoyed at the game, “you still haven't apologized to me yet!”

He only smiled in reply. Her frown dipped lower and her bottom lip came out in a pout as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Ah…” Legolas said quietly finally looking up from his carving. He looked her directly in her eyes and she found that she was unable to look away. “I'm sorry”, he said quietly and with such sincerity that she thought she would cry with the emotion he expressed. She was about to look down at her hands, trying to hide the tears that had begun to form in her eyes, when she found a bow in them. She looked up at Legolas and he wore a large silly grin on his face. “It's about time you had a bow of your own, Riel”, he said leaning forward slightly to kiss her forehead. He got up from his cross-legged position and ruffled her hair before walking inside the palace. She sat there for what seemed like an eternity just caressing the bow, in awe of its beauty. Her wandering fingers came upon two butterflies and she found herself helpless to stop her smile and the sweet laughter that bubbled out from within her.

 

Riel smiled at her beautiful memory, finally deciding to liberate herself from the soothing bath she climbed out and immediately slipped on a pool of water. Thanking her Elvin blood when she was able to save herself from falling onto her rear she soon cursed however when her foot went into a bucket of icy cold water. In her indignity, she picked up the bucket of freezing water and threw it out of the nearby window. She quickly ran to the window when she realized what she had done and watched in horror, as it landed on a passer-by's head. Stiff with shock she could only observe as the man reached his arms up and removed the bucket from his head.

He shook his head from side to side, displacing the water from his hair and face. He looked up, trying to find the source of where the bucket had come from. The scandalous image of a naked woman, a very beautiful naked woman was more than he thought he could take.

Noticing the man was staring at her Riel frowned, finally realizing she was naked she cried out and grabbed the nearest object to her so she could hurl it at the perverted man.

Perceiving that something bad was about to occur, the man cocked his head wondering at what gave him such a bad feeling and made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Squinting so he could get a better view of what the woman was doing he noticed her arms held above her head, which gave him an incredibly attractive view of her breasts.

Riel was outraged beyond belief and she growled out her anger as a tirade of insults ran through her mind, `how dare that lecherous, common-kissing, beetle-headed barnacle!' She continued her litany of slighting thoughts as she lifted her arms higher above her head ready to launch the object out the window. `How dare he even think about laying his roguish good-for-nothing eyes upon my body! The nerve of the craven dismal-dreaming gout is beyond reason!' With that last thought, she threw the object forcibly out of her window and straight onto the man's head.

Riel watched with a great deal of satisfaction as her elvish dictionary pummelled the man, “Hell yeah! Three points you fly-bitten maggot pie!” she shouted down at the man, pumping her fist into the air in her victory. She wiped her hands together in a show of finished business and turned away to put her riding clothes on, a wide smile of pride upon her face.

 

Peregrine bolted out of the kitchen a basket of fruit clutched in his chubby fingers. A loud shout from the fat cook followed him as he retreated. Merry crashed out of the door soon after, fruit and bread rolls tumbling in his effort to get away while still having an armful of filched foodstuffs. They both ran, not caring where they ran to just as long as they weren't caught for thieving the majority of the cooks prepared meals. Peregrine looked back over his shoulder as another angry shout sounded from the direction of the kitchen. As he took his eyes off where he was going he ran straight into a pair of legs and all his pilfered fruit went rolling.

“Pippin!” Merry gasped in shock at his fallen friend. He gasped again as he was lifted off his feet by the scruff of his collar suddenly. “Please, I'll give the food back, just please don't hurt me!” he begged throwing his hands up in front of his face defensively.

Pippin shouted out when he felt his feet leave the ground and he threw his hands in front of his face mimicking his comrade in crime, “Please don't hurt me either!” he pleaded, “I don't have any food to give back because I ate it all but still, please don't hurt me!”

The hobbits heard a `pat pat' sound like water dripping and harm had still not found them so they removed their arms. With their hands no longer blocking their view both hobbits let out a loud laugh of relief and joy. Wide, twin grins spread across their round faces and they both shouted as they leapt catching their captor with a strangling hug, “Legolas!”

Legolas chuckled at the two hobbits as best he could without an air supply. He forcibly removed their arms from his neck in the end and he smiled down at them. “Pippin! Merry! It has been so long since I last saw you and it is a joy to see you both once more! I am happy that I am able to once again lay my eyes upon a Halfling!” He exclaimed as he plucked both hobbits up again to give them a less oxygen deficient hug.

Both hobbits were ecstatic to see their old friend again, but then they noticed something strange.

“Legolas why are you all wet?” Pippin asked.

The elf placed the hobbits back on solid ground and then stood back up. `How best to answer this?' he thought somewhat embarrassed as to the reason why he was soaked.

 

Riel was feeling slightly better about the incident in her room. She was going to find her dictionary a little later and hopefully by then the lecherous man would be long gone. She grinned again as she thought of the sound the giant book had made when it had contacted with the man's head. `That will teach the overzealous fool!' She thought smugly as she walked. She was on her way to the stables to meet with Aragorn for the choosing of her horse. She was happy about how she had battered the pervert and was extremely excited about receiving her own horse that she walked with a skip in her step. `I wonder what colour and pattern my horse's coat will have', she thought in anticipation, `Will I choose a horse that is tall or an average size? Will it have a star on its forehead or maybe a spot over its eye? One thing is certain, my horse will have character!' She continued thinking of the possibilities of her horse as she made her way through corridors and to the stables.

 

Peregrine and Meriadoc were on the ground laughing their guts out, both were certain that he had never laughed this hard in his entire life! Legolas patiently waited through the hobbits' mocking laughter. When he had started his tale, beginning with his walk through the courtyard, he had not thought that he would receive a reaction like this. He watched as Peregrine hugged his sides, his legs running circles with tears streaming from his eyes as he laughed and giggled. Then there was Meriadoc who was rolling from side to side, holding his stomach lest it burst as tears of mirth spilled down his round cheeks, occasionally he pointed a mocking finger in his direction when he had enough air to allow for such an action. When he had held up the book which had been sadistically dropped on him from the window both hobbits had recognized it immediately and had been overcome with laughter ever since.

 

Aragorn smiled at Riel when she bounced over to where he was and he was happy to see that her eyes were once again the joyful shade of blue. Her excitement soon started to rub off on him. She was unable to stay still. She kept moving, not staying in the one spot for very long as she constantly rearranged her hands around into different positions, clasping them behind her back one second and then placing them on her hips the next. He chuckled at her antics before asking her, “Are you ready to pick out your horse?” He laughed at the enthusiastic nod she gave him as her answer, `I won't regret this. This will be good for her!' he kept telling himself. `She is so happy and her eyes look brilliant when they are so bright and blue! Stop your worrying Strider', he commanded himself. Riel grabbed his hand to urge him to walk faster and he looked back at her smiling countenance. He submitted and followed her at a less sedate pace when her tugging continued.

“You're not getting old are you Aragorn? Come on, hurry up!”

“Hold your horses Riel we'll get there soon enough”, he replied in his steady voice.

“I don't have any horses to hold! That's what this whole trip is all about!” She shouted at him tugging his hand harder in the effort to reach the market grounds as quickly as possible.

“Yes, yes Riel. Patience is a virtue you know?”

“I know Aragorn but just for today it's not because I want my horse!”

He chuckled but did not increase his speed any more, which earned him an angry growl.

 

Merry and Pippin had finally stopped their laughing to the great relief of their Elvin companion. They however still had short bursts of giggles at random.

“Are you two finished now?” Legolas asked slightly flustered by the extreme ridiculing he had just endured.

The Halflings simply nodded not trusting themselves not to giggle if they opened their mouths.

“Good. I do not know how much more of your mocking laughter I could have suffered”, Legolas' voice hinted at the embarrassment he was feeling.

“So you were able to see everything?” Pippin asked his eyes wide.

Legolas had to stop himself from smirking when his mind painted the beautiful picture of the woman again for him, “Pippin that probably is not an appropriate question to ask but yes I was able to see everything. My vision is exceptional remember?” Legolas allowed himself a sliver of a smirk as he looked down at the awe-filled hobbit.

“Yes Legolas. So really, you were able to see everything. I mean everything!” Pippin asked his green-brown eyes bright with interest.

“Pippin”, Legolas said beginning to become suspicious, “why do you want to know?”

Pippin began to clap his hands together in a `nothing to see here' kind of way, “oh no reason-“ he started to lie but was cut off by Merry.

“Because he secretly likes her and wants to, oof!” Merry turned angrily to Pippin who had just elbowed him in his side, “what is your prommmrrrhhh” he was unable to finish what he had to say as Pippin viciously grabbed him in a headlock with his hand firmly clasped over Merry's mouth hindering his speech.

Legolas looked at Pippin feeling confused as well as shocked by the hobbit's uncharacteristic violent actions towards Merry, his best friend.

“Pippin what has come over you?” Legolas asked his forehead creased with his concern as he moved forward to stop Pippin and Merry from brawling further. Pippin, however, promptly kicked him in the shin. Legolas leaned down to rub his now sore leg as he glared at the impious hobbit having to bite his tongue so he did not give voice to a venomous insult.

Shocked by his actions, Pippin released his hold on his friend but did not stay long as he turned tail and ran. Merry stood where he was a moment watching his friend's retreating form. Turning around to give his attention back to Legolas, who had one eyebrow raised in query but was forcing himself not to ask, Merry thought on how to proceed.

Legolas had finally come over his shock at Peregrine, the nice innocent little hobbit's, wicked behaviour and he asked Merry, “was there something else you wished to say?”

Merry began to shake his head `no' but then as a devious thought came to his mind he couldn't help but grin and he nodded his head an affirmative, “as a matter of fact yes! We, I mean, me and Pippin, are going on a quest with someone of great interest to you”.

“'Of great interest to me', who do you mean?” Legolas felt immediately suspicious, `has living with man made these sweet hobbits turn wicked? Surely Aragorn would not let such a turn of events occur!'

“You've seen her a few times”, Merry said then decided to give Legolas a big clue to the identity of the person he spoke of, “mostly when she's grieving”.

“Riel she's still here?” Legolas could not help but feel excited about Riel's presence, she was one of his most valued friends and he had known her since she was very young. A strange thought entered Legolas' mind and he was unable to stop his mouth from speaking it aloud, “is she still all gangly looking?” Legolas decided to go all out with his question and tried to imitate a gangly looking person, he only succeeded in making himself look retarded.

Choosing to ignore Legolas' eccentricity, Merry instead replied, “I couldn't really say. If you would like to see her, she will be at the stables. She is choosing her horse at the moment with Aragorn. Would you like to join us on our journey? Pippin and I are going to be her bodyguards on her errand to Edoras and I'm sure Riel will be overjoyed to have you along!” Merry had of course failed to inform his Elvin friend that Riel was the very same woman who had thrown her dictionary out of her window, with every intention to incapacitate or possibly murder.

Although he had only just arrived in Minas Tirith Legolas was eager to meet Riel again and so he had to make a choice, `it will be nice to visit her on an occasion that isn't marked with grief but then travelling with her has not always been joyous…' It would be easy. There was also a danger to Riel if he did not journey with her as even with the added strength and experience of the two hobbits they might not be a match for large band of orcs. He would go with her. As he made his decision, his mind brought forth the memory of the last time he travelled with Riel and he could not suppress his shudder. Pushing that feeling aside Legolas gave Merry his answer, slightly embellished of course, “I would be more than pleased to accompany yourself, Pippin and Riel on your errand to Edoras, Merry! Did Aragorn send just you and Pippin to escort her?”

“Yes he did. He felt that with both of our knowledge and skill with swords, Pippin and I were perfectly capable to be her bodyguards. Riel was really pleased that she was getting to do this job for Aragorn!” Meriadoc grinned up at Legolas.

So he had been correct in his assumption then, `I wonder what events transpired to have Aragorn send Riel out on her own with only Pippin and Merry to guide and protect her', Legolas voiced his question to his young friend, “Knowing Aragorn I would have thought that he would send at least one unit of Gondor's finest with her. Why did he not?”

Merry simply shrugged in answer. He did not want Legolas to ask him any more questions, he was hungry and he wanted to get to the stables before both Riel and his Elvin highness so that he had front row for the entertaining show he was certain would play. He also had to run and tell Pippin so that his friend did not miss out.

Legolas felt that Merry did not wish to talk any longer and he felt somewhat hurt by this and slightly suspicious, was there something more important to him than seeing an old friend? Giving Merry a polite farewell and receiving on in turn, he watched as the hobbit's face lit with a cheeky grin and ran down the same path as that which his friend took. Legolas left then to get his gear back together and wondered at what Aragorn must have been thinking to allow such a thing as Riel journeying on her own. He knew that his experience and skill would be a great asset to Riel on her errand.

Merry chuckled inwardly at the thought of Riel's indignation when she found out that the person who she had chucked her dictionary at was going to join her on her trek to Edoras. He had already informed Pippin of his wicked plan and they were both on their way to the stables to watch the show unfold.

 

Riel tried to keep her excitement under control if only for her new horse's sake. She walked her to her reserved stall near the back of the stable. Riel was glad that she had inherited at least some of her ancestor's Elvin eyesight as it made seeing in the gloom a much easier task.

Aragorn had helped her pick her horse there had been many horses on show that had what he thought a good temperament, was of a good age and was strong and enduring. None of the horses Aragorn had pointed out to her she found appealing as they were all too boring and plain and had no character.

It was not until one unruly horse had escaped from her supposed master to trample about the market place destroying almost half of the stalls and sending a majority of the other horses into a panic. Of course, mass chaos ensued but as she watched the rampaging horse, she knew that she had found the horse for her, a horse that had enough character and personality to match her own. Fëa was her horse's name and she thought it matched her horse perfectly, Spirit. She had read it in her elvish dictionary, `which reminds me, I have to go back for that thing'. The honour of naming her already grown horse was hers as Fëa's previous owner had simply been calling her `Bloody Blight-filled Mare'. She smirked cruelly, `at least I got her at a good price! That fat old sod didn't know a good horse when he saw one!'

She loved her new horse she was so gorgeous! Fëa had a reddish brown coat with a white stripe down her forehead that went down and covered her nose. She also had three white socks as well as half of her tail being reddish brown and the other being white. She ushered Fëa into her stall and began tending her she had already decided to spend the rest of her time in Minas Tirith with Fëa so that her horse was wholly comfortable with her presence.

 

Legolas was all set to go and Meriadoc had said he would meet him at the stables. He strode down the pathway leading to the King's stables and pang of disappointment hit him, `I had hoped to see Aragorn before I departed…' he thought wistfully. As he pushed his pain aside, he soon arrived at the stables and he walked in to find the very same woman who had so brutally dropped the rather heavy book on his head. He watched her a moment, `even though she is fully clothed now…' he smirked wickedly as he stared at the sway of her hips and the way her breeches fit so snugly. `Black truly is a slimming colour', he turned his head on the side slightly to get a better view of her as she bent over to pick up an armful of hay, `though not too slimming', his smirk grew in size at the view she had granted him of her behind. The horse nipped at her hair making the woman laugh. She stood up to scold the horse playfully as she dropped the hay in front of the obviously cheeky mare. The horse, he could tell with his experienced eye, was a good strong horse and most noticeably was full of character definitely a noteworthy steed.

Even with the dull glow that clung to the stables and the bare light filtering in from the open doorway behind him, he was able to see the mischievous glint in the woman's blue-green eyes. The woman's attractive eyebrows lowered and curved as her luscious lips rose at the corners, curving upwards. Her eyes glittered and she blew into the horse's face suddenly, the horse immediately pulled its face away sneezing in the process causing phlegm to fly past the woman's delicate-featured face. The horse phlegm although luckily missing the beauty, unluckily hit him and he could not help the disgusted sound he let out of his throat when he looked down at his chest at the glob of repulsive goo.

 

Riel picked up the bucket of water she was planning to give to Fëa she did not know how long her horse had been without a drink considering her previous owners. She was just about to provide the water when she heard an `uck!' from behind her and she turned quickly, the water sloshing in the confines of the bucket. She saw a man, no, an elf standing there. Squinting so that she was able to see the figure that stood before her and not the silhouette created by the light coming through the open doors of the stable. She felt her eyes widen as the shock and excitement filled her body, she recognized the elf as Legolas Prince of Mirkwood! She was about to call out her thrilled greeting to the prince, her friend since three, when she noticed him pulling what looked to be her Elvish dictionary out of his shoulder pack. `That's the same book I threw out of my chamber window at the lecherous man below!'

“My lady, you dropped this book earlier today. It landed on my head but do not worry I don't need an apology” Legolas informed her with a broad smile upon his face.

`No, I bet you don't you depraved git!' she thought vehemently in her mind as her eyes narrowed and poisoned with the colour purple signifying her immeasurable anger. She watched him as a predator does its prey as he moved forward and handed the book to her, she snatched it up much as a starving wolf would snatch up a defenceless lamb, biting her tongue lest she hiss at him.

 

Legolas was waiting for her to say something, her jaw was stiff and set but her eyes had surprised him more than her hostile actions. Once blue-green, they were now a smouldering purple that glared at him through slitted eyelids. He was almost lost in the anger he found in her dark, violet hued eyes and he had to ask the woman what was on her mind. He opened his mouth to begin his question when he was soaked though, for the second time that day, with a mouthful of water and a bucket on his head.

 

After quickly rescuing her dictionary, she balanced her book on the door to her horse's stall and boiled with the rage that filled her. She gripped the bucket in both her hands as her eyes, although still glaring at her now foe, widened as she locked onto her target. Her eyes flashed luminescent purple as she flung the bucket at him and she smirked wickedly when she hit her mark with a satisfying `splash'!

 

Peregrine watched from behind a stall door, he was glad that Merry had told him his plan for the reunion of Riel and Legolas. Although he had feelings for Riel, this was just too funny to let slide. Merry stood behind him, his head resting on his shoulder as they both peered around the door, being careful to stay hidden.

When they had first arrived at the stables, they did not have to wait long before Riel entered pulling her new lovely reddish-brown mare behind her. Both hobbits had quickly become bored, however, when Legolas failed to show. They reminded themselves to stay patient and wait for him so that the fun could begin. After what seemed like an hour had passed and Legolas still had not arrived, Merry pulled out a deck of cards and they began a game of poker. They used the nearby straw as their currency and betting material.

A shadow had shifted in the hiding spot of their stall alerting them to a new presence. They both ducked their heads around the corner of their door and watched as Legolas walked forward. Both hobbits soon became bored again when all he seemed to do was stand there and do nothing. Then Riel's horse sneezed which brought on Legolas' disgust, which in turn informed Riel of the prince's existence.

Peregrine snapped his hands over his mouth trying in vain to hold back a fit of giggles when he witnessed Riel hurling the bucket of horse water at Legolas for the second time that day. Pippin thought that he would lose all capability of breathing as he strove to keep in his mirth, tears of pressure and laughter ran down his dimpled cheeks like waterfalls. He was not oblivious to his friend's efforts of not laughing either; Merry had grabbed a handful of his cloak and shoved it into his mouth. The little hobbit's face was bright red and as much as he wanted to close his eyes to will the laughing away, he could not shut out whatever interesting thing would happen next!

 

“You artless, beef-witted, brutish rump fed tardy-gaited lecherous swine merchant!” Riel screeched. “You're so utterly perverted! Just you wait until Elessar hears about this outrage!” She continued, her hands bawled into fists ready if he came within range.

Legolas had taken as much as he was willing to take. He pulled the bucket from his head and launched it at the stable wall where it shattered on impact, “Your right about it being an outrage, my lady”, he almost growled as he glared at the anger-inducing woman. “I was strolling out in the courtyard earlier and a bucket full of water, freezing water I might add, lands on my head! I then look up to find a naked woman, wondering at the strangeness of such an event, I was then greeted by a five thousand page dictionary!”

“You shouldn't have been staring at me you perverted harlequin!” She shouted back at him. Fëa whinnied in her stall sensing her master's stress.

Taking no notice of the horse Legolas snarled his reply, “May I so kindly enquire what you were doing standing in your window bare in the first place, my lady? Could it possibly be to impress me? Do you wish to go to bed with me, the Prince of Mirkwood?” He finished his series of questions with a malicious chuckle and a smirk on his regal face.

Legolas' words cut at Riel and she stepped forward intent on slapping his smug and superior face into another dimension. He saw her coming and waited until she made her move, her hand came fast and hard. Legolas was faster and he grabbed her arm, twisted her around and pulled her flat against his chest. As hard as she struggled, Riel was unable to shake Legolas' unrivalled strength and his forceful grip.

Legolas looked down at the woman's face, her anger intensifying her beauty and bringing out her unique plum hued eyes. In her struggle to free herself she tossed her head to one side her hair followed the momentum and unveiled a pointed Elvin ear. He could not help but lick his lips as he looked at the delectable item. The soft moans she emitted obliviously in her determination to free herself only fuelled the heat that he felt growing within him.

He felt powerless within himself almost as though he was a spectator inside his own body. He leaned down slowly and brushed his lips lightly across her ear, as soft as a butterfly's wing is delicate. Feeling her stiffen within his hold, he breathed out a heavy breath as he leaned in again. She had stopped her struggles, her eyes were wide and the purple irises now had light pink stains speckled within them, `how strange' he thought vaguely as he laid another faint kiss on her exposed ear.

Legolas heard the woman's breath catch in her throat and he could not help the wicked grin that tainted his lips at this knowledge. He left a trail of kisses running from the tip of her beautiful pointed ear down to the crook of her neck where her shirt hindered any further advancement. Kissing his way back up he licked a complete circle around the very tip making the woman shudder in what he knew to be pleasure, “Is that a `no' my lady?” he breathed to her before kissing her neck once more.

 

Meriadoc had not expected Legolas to react this way and he had to physically hold Pippin back lest his friend tear the tall elf's shins from his knees. Pippin had immediately lost his giggling fit when Legolas had grabbed Riel and started kissing her. Merry wondered after his friend's sanity, Riel was not someone he pictured Pippin settling down with and he thought that a nice hobbit woman would be a much better choice. Riel was not exactly the best cook…

“Let me go Merry!” Pippin hissed struggling a bit harder; he just had to save Riel!

“Wait Pippin, let me deal with it!” Merry begged his friend as he held on just that little bit tighter.

To Merry's surprise Peregrine halted his struggling and turned his head so that he could look his friend in the eyes. Merry released his hold and nodded thankfully to his friend as he began to straighten out his clothes from his brief scuffle with Pippin, “Never you fear Pip I'll take care of this!” Merry said as he thumped his chest reinforcing his statement.

Exiting the hiding place of the empty stall, Merry advanced on the joined figures of Legolas and Riel. Pippin, who seemed unable to pry his eyes away from Legolas and the attention he was giving to Riel, followed closely behind him.

“I see you have met Lady Riel, Legolas!” Merry called out loudly allowing a devilishly large grin to take up house on his face. Merry and Pippin both were able to see Legolas' shock and Pippin's face grew a grin also; he hoped Riel would hit him just once, hard.

 

Legolas' whole mind shut down at Merry's shouted greeting, `Riel?' he questioned silently in his mind, horrified. `It can't be true!' He let go of her hands, took hold of her shoulders and swung her around while pulling her away from in so that she was arms length, “By the Valor, Riel is it truly you?” Legolas then leaned in slightly his face barely inches from Riel's as he searched for the truth in her violet eyes.

Riel had had about enough and she stepped back slapping Legolas in the process, hard. Pippin's grin grew wider. Unable to block Riel's attack, Legolas' head snapped to the side with the force of her blow. The sting of the slap appeared slowly at first but as the sting reached its peak, the pain was stunning. Legolas never thought a female could hit as hard as Riel had just then.

“Of course I'm Riel, you saucy hasty-witted twat!” She insulted him mercilessly, her eyes filled with purple scorn, “Who did you think I was, Legolas? Maybe you thought I was Arwen, I mean, how many half-elves live in Minas Tirith!” She gave Legolas one last glare before turning her attention to the exceptionally happy Pippin and the mildly amused Merry. “Are you two ready to leave?” Her tone was forceful even if she did not mean for it to be. As it was not the hobbits' fault that Legolas was too stupid to realise her identity.

Both hobbits knew the tone well and were greatly relieved that they were in fact ready to leave, they feared to think about what she would have done to them if they were not.

“We sure are Lady Riel!” They exclaimed in unison, turning to scowl at each other when they had finished.

“We're not twins you know!” Pippin shouted at Merry his hands on his hips accompanied by an adorable frown.

Merry simply shrugged in response and turned his attention to Legolas, “Are you ready Legolas?” he asked cunningly.

“Why does he need to be ready? Merry, he's not coming!”

“Yes he is Riel!” Merry argued then turned to Legolas, “Aren't you Legolas? You said that you would!”

Riel did not like the answer she received…