Into the World of Elves

Ch 11 – Swan lake.

Temperance found herself running through the forest just like she had her second day in Valinor. Her heart clenched in much the same pain but this time it was stronger, more potent. After running for what seemed like forever, Temp slid to the ground under the shade of a willow tree. Tears ran freely down her cheeks, Temp buried her face in her arms. Everything was wrong and nothing was right! All she wanted was to go home.

“Home….” She sobbed mournfully, into her arm. She cried for how long she had no idea.

“What did I do to deserve this?” She asked pitifully. Suddenly Temp bolted up.

“Nothing! You didn’t do anything to deserve this!” She answered, and angrily swiped the tears from her cheeks.

“No one deserves this!” She said, and then looked out on the lake. Lake? eranerance frowned, she had been through these woods everydath Lth Legolas and never had they come across a lake. Standing Temperance moved to stand by the edge of the pool. The water was crystal clear, and a flock of swans grace the lake. Sighing Temperance moved back to the willow tree. She stretched out on the moss cover ground; she laid her head on hrm. rm. Silently she watched the elegant animals, drifting around the water. After a few minutes her eyes began to droop, and she fought to stay awake.

“I should get back. They’ll be worried.” She said, while yawning. Finally she gave up the fight and sank into the black oblivion of sleep.

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Legolas ran furiously through the woods he had been searching for Temperance forrs. rs. He called her name and no answer was given. He was about to go back to the city when he heard the call of a swan. He turned and followed the sound. Legolas broke through the tree and stood the edge of the water. Sunlight peeked through the leaves of a thousand trees illuminating the otherwise dim hideaway. His gaze scanned the surrounding area, hope fading with each passing second. Then he saw the small figure sleeping under the shelter of the drooping branches of an ancient willow tree. Relief flooded his mind, and he quickly made his way to her side. He was going to demand an explanation but when he reached her the anger evaporated.

“Temperance.” Legolas murmured and sank to his knees. He reached out and stroked her chestnut hair, feeling its silky strands slipping through his fingers. Legolas leaned forward and kissed her cheek. His lips came away salty with her tears. Sitting back on his heels he watched her sleeping. She looked small, fragile, and lost. A shudder passed through her body and he fought the urge to pick her up and warm her. She was pushing him away for reasons unknown to him. He doubted she could push hard enough. Smiling he ran his fingers across her cheek and she sighed.

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Temperance felt the caress of fingers sliding across her cheek, and as she sighed, the fingers touched her lips. Fluttering her lashes, and fighting the tiredness that lingered, she opened her eyes. Seeing Legolas she jerked in surprise and hit her head on a near by root.

“OW!!” she cried and curled her body up cradling her head.

“Temperance.” Legolas cried lurching forward to help her.

“I’m fine!!!” she said batting away but Legolas refused to be shooed and helped her stand. She paled visibly, and swayed on her feet. Reaching out Legolas clamped gently onto the forearms to steady her. Temperance offered him a weak smile.

“I got up too fast.” She said her hands moving up to hold her head.

“ Let me see.” He ordered softly. Temperance ignored the command and continued to clutch her cranium. Leaning he grabbed her hands and gently pried them away from her aching skull. Temperance winced as his fingers slid over the bruise area. Legolas sm at at her in sympathy.

“Sorry, you’ll have a bruise but hopefully you won’t develop a lump.” He said taking hold of her arm once more. He led her to the side of the lake and urged her to wash her face.

“Ah.” She sighed as the cool water splashed over her face. Legolas watched, and sudderealrealized what had once been a game, was a game no more. No longer did he merely want her affection, he needed it. The realization hit him in the chest, momentarily stunning him. When he gained his wits once more he looked back upon Temperance.

“Better?” He asked, gently pushing back a strand of hair that stuck to her damp face.

“Much better.” Temp answered eyeing him with warily. He had an odd look in his eyes, a softness she’d never seen before. That look scared her, and suddenly she wanted to run. Legolas must have sensed her upset because he reached out to take her hand.

“Temperance?” He asked softly, tilting his head to better look her in the eye. Temperance looked nervously at the ground then shot straight up.

“We should get back! Elrond will be angry with me.” She muttered and started walking. Legolas reached her side and pulled her to a stop.

“What is it?” he asked, frowning down at her.

“It is nothing. Now lets go!” Temp replied, tried leave again only to be pulled back by Legolas.

“Something is wrong with you.” He returned. Temperance let out a frustrated grunt.

“Nothing is wrong with ME.” She said, trying to tug her arm away. Legolas moved to stand directly in front of Temperance.

“What do you mean?” He asked. Temperance continued to try and gain control of her arm.

“I didn’t mean anything!” She answered.

“You did, now tell me!” Legolas ordered, tightening his grip slightly. Temperance gave up.

“Really Legolas I didn’t mean anything. I’m telling the truth.” Temperance said, with vehemence.

“You’re sure?” Legolas asked, studying her face.

“YES!!!” She cried. Legolas smiled.

“Good.” He said, gently circling her waist and bringing her against him. Temperance’s eyes widened and she stiffen. Slowly Legolas leaned forward determined to kiss her. He had almost reached his goal when Temperance suddenly jerked back, throwing them off balance. They landed sprawled in the ground, Legolas lying on top of her. Temperance shoved Legolas away and scrambled to her feet and away from him. She stood watching him. He rose to his feet and started towards her. When he stood before her, he reached out. Temperance stepped back hastily.

“No Legolas. Don’t!” She said, holding up her hands to ward him off. Legolas frowned.

“Why not?” He demanded, stepping forward.

“Because I don’t need this!!! Not now, not ever! Oh!” She said, as she stepped back and found herself against a tree with nowhere to go.

“Don’t need what?” He inquired quietly. Temperance let out an exasperated groan.

“THIS!! This game you’re playing!!!!! I have resigned myself to a life of loneliness. So just STOP!” She cried waving her hands furiously. Legolas’s brows drew together.

“How can you wish that upon yourself?” he asked in disbelief.

“Oh that’s easy! Like this! I am going to die alone! See? No problem!” She said hurriedly. Legolas stepped closer, standing inches away from her. She had to tilt her head back to look him in the eyes, eyes that had turned stormy.

“I want you to listen to what I have to say before you condemn yourself to a eternity of loneliness.” He commanded. Temperance frowned slightly.

“Eterni…..” She started but found Legolas’s hand covering her mouth to quiet her.

“I told you to listen Temperance, not question me. Are you going to listen?” He asked. The intensity in his eyes and voice was so strong that Temperance could only manage a jerky nod.

“Good.” He said and removed his hand from her mouth. His gaze swept her face.

“When an elf’s passion and love have lain dormant for as long as , an, and it’s suddenly ignited by a captivating little human, it is more powerful and ferocious than either could have known. It won’t wither, or diminish. Its never fleeting and it is most definitely never a game. Do you understand?” Legolas asked as he brought his speech to a close. Again all Temperance could do was manage a wide-eyed nod of her head. Legolas movorwaorward wrapping his arm around her waist to bring her against him.

“Wonderful.” He murmured before covering her mouth with his. Temperance let out a sigh of pleasure just before his tongue invaded her mouth. Legolas pressed her into the tree to bring her closer against him. Slowly her arms moved up to lock around his neck and he pulled her up so that her feet dangled and he supported most of her weight. They kissed until they become breathless. They broke the kiss panting with need and lack of air. Temperance shivered as Legolas’s pants tickles against her ear and down her neck.

“I want you to come to me when you’re ready to accept what I just told you.” He said against her ear. With that said he left her slide to her feet and walked away. In complete shock Temperance moved away from the tree and watched him walking away.

“What the hell?” Temp thought and turned to look back at the lake. She found a swan stand on the shore blinking at her. Temperance frowned and muttered.

“Stop looking at me swan!!!!” With that she turned to leave. Next thing she knew the swan and latched onto her bottom.

“OW!!!” She cried and danced away from the attacking animal. The swan waddled in for another attack and Temperance squealed and ran from the spot. When she was far enough away from the animal she slowed to a walk.

“Damn bird. What is it with today? Everyone gang up on Temp day?” She muttered as she entered the palace. She wasn’t paying attention to anything when Haldir stopped her.

“Temperance? Are you well?” He asked, studying her.

“Yes. Why do you ask?” She asked frowning up at him.

“ Well…..” He said, and looked pointedly at her rear. Temperance looked back to see her hands rubbing her sore bottom. She tried not to think if how foolish she looked meandering through the city rubbing her bum. She sent Haldir a harassed smile.

“I was attacked by a swan.” She revealed.

“A swan?” He asked incredulously. Temperance nodded.

“Yes, and if you’ll forgive me it’s been a long day and I would like to rest.” Not waiting for an answer she started for her room still muttering and rubbing her butt. Haldir shook his head and laughed. ‡