A Rose By Any Other Name
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
29
Views:
5,753
Reviews:
142
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
29
Views:
5,753
Reviews:
142
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter Five
A.N. Like I said, I’m trying to keep this a non-Mary-Sue… But as one of my beloved viewers pointed out… any Legolas romance with an original character is or at least, can be considered a Mary-Sue. So, to those of you who wish to flame me should it turn stereotypical, I say… fuck you all, thank you, and nighnight! If you don’t like this kind of story… then don’t fuckin read it ya ass wipes! To those blessed reviewers that are still sending me encouragement… I thank you profusely and sincerely. I write this partially for you! For those of which happen to like Mary-Sue’s… I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU, AND ENJOY!!!! I still am however, going to try to keep it as non-Mary-Sue as possible. Now enough of my blabbering because I know that most of you just skipped over this part anyway… ON TO THE FRIKIN STORY NE?! Namaarie! Enjoy! P.S. REVIEW!!! I’m not getting enough…
For those specific thank you’s as well…
AzureDragoness: Thank you once again for the reviews! Yes, I know well how sleep deprivation is. I’m elven I suppose in the fact that I do not sleep long, or deeply for that matter. In fact, one of the reason I always have eyedrops with me, is because I also sleep with my eyes open. Any shift of light or movement in the room, or any noise for that matter, and I snap awake. This makes for many sleepless night, but I’m glad I can fill those nights and the night of some others with my ideas and stories. It brings me joy that you like it so much and continue to tell me so. Thank you. ^^
kirameki: As always, thank you SO much for your reviews, as well as the type of reviews you give. I find it rare to get specific details about what people like about something, though don’t get me wrong, I love just hearing that people like my stories, but it’s a good thing to hear just exactly what people like. I also have just as much fun reading your reviews as I do writing the stories. And once again, there’s that “great minds… and us” bit that’s going to happens between you and I that you’ll find out about in this chapter. If you’d like, I would be honored if you would e-mail me and keep in touch that way. Perhaps you could help me brain storm or listen to my ideas that I have. I’m not sure I have a definite goal but this fic, but it does have a direction. I’d be honored if you would help me decide on a little more defined course in my writing. E-mail me and I’ll explain in detail. ^^
Risika: *Laughs* You sound like me when I’m reviewing for some things. Well here you go mellon nin. Enjoy and tell me what you think ne?
DragonEyeZ: *Falls to knees and worships a little* Oh THANK YOU! You really don’t know how very much it means to me that you think this is not a “real” Mary-sue… not that I mind Mary-sues, like I said, but that is what I was striving for… as you’ll see in this chapter and the next few, yes, the relationship between woman and elf does escalate pretty fast, but then again, love CAN happen swiftly, as in the case of me and my beloved soul mate, who is PERFECT, and I’m well…. Not. But he loves me anyways, and that is what I wanted for Asca and Legolas as well. Once again, thank you so much and keep reviewing and enjoying. Feel free to give me some C&C if you think it necessary as well. ^^
Elerrina Rose: As always, it is a pleasure to hear from you, and I thank you for reviewing again. It is never overlooked and always quite welcome. You and kirameki have both brought joyful laughter to me with your comments and encouragement. I draw strength from it mellon nin, and I extend the same offer to you of e-mailing me and continuing contact that way as well if you feel comfortable with it. I would love to bounce some ideas off of you as well since as I said, some of my unwritten ideas still have shadowed areas that I feel might benefit from your opinions if you would give them. Think on it, but don’t stop reviewing. Diola lle.
Cait: I much like the idea of a Legolas’ sized elven pillow as well. *Cocks head and chuckles* Most likely reason I actually made a life sized Legolas plushy… it’s a good thing! ^.~ Keep up the reviews ne?!
BTW, the song in this chapter is from Mariah Carrey’s album, “Rainbow”. I’ve forgotten the name of the song though. Sorry.
I don’t own any of these characters… except for Ascadholiel of course. Not makin no money!!!
**********
~A Rose by Any Other Name~
Chapter Five
During breakfast, Legolas went about teaching Ascadholiel the proper way to hold the dagger he had given her to use and how to do some defensive strokes with it as they sat. Finally, Sam finished cooking breakfast and they all sat and ate in silence, sating their hunger before breaking camp.
Ascadholiel was quite happy that this time they finally let her help break camp. She was only folding and stowing blankets true, but it was still helping. As long as no one said anything about it being a woman’s job anyway, there would be no trouble and good graces for everyone. This time she didn’t say anything about Legolas scooping her up into his arms, knowing that it was inevitable. Stilltill sighed though as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Ascadholiel looked over the elf’s shoulder after they had gone but a little ways and noticed that Frodo had become intensely quiet and pensive. His dark, curly head tilted towards the ground, his eyes tired, sad, and just a little more than a little scared.
Ascadholiel tapped Legolas on the shoulder, not breaking her gaze from the dejected looking hobbit. “Legolas, fall back a little would you? I want to talk to our little hobbit hero.”
Legolas nodded silently and slowed down until he was walking beside Frodo.
Ascadholiel spoke up gently. “Frodo.” The hobbit looked up at her, a little startled. She went on gently. “I can’t even come closed to saying that I know what you are going through, but I can say that I know what it’s like to feel as if the weight of the world rests upon your shoulders. To feel so heavy that it seems like nothing is worth it anymore and it’s hopeless. I know what it’s like to feel darkness closing all around you and it seems that the only light is just out of your reach and growing dimmer by the second.
“I want to sing something. Another song from my world that I’ve never personally sang for anyone. Songs seem to have a greater meaning here than they do in my world, for this I’m grateful. This is a song that was my only support for a long time. Until I came here in fact. This song is special to me, because it showed me another source of light. One that was in my reach, and brighter in fact than the one that I was reaching for before.
“Once again, I apologize if my voice cracks, as it most likely will, or goes sour on a note or two. But I want you to remember this song Frodo. Hold it in your heart and don’t let it go.”
She blushed, embarrassed that she was actually going to do this. She cleared her throat and after one falls start that made Legolas’ ear twitch and sent her embarrassment through the proverbial roof, she raised her voice and sang, her eyes closing unintentionally a little ways into the song as her passion and feelings swept over her and flowed through the music, passing to all listening.
“They can say anything they want to say. Try to bring me down, but I will not allow anyone to succeed hanging clouds over me. And they can try hard to make me feel that I don’t matter at all but I refuse to fall doing what I believe. Or loose faith in my dreams.
“Cause there, there’s a light in me that shines brightly. They can try, but they can’t take that away from me.
“Oh, they, they can do anything they want to you if you let them in. But they won’t ever win if you cling to your pride and just push them aside. See I, I have learned there’s an inner peace I own. Something in my soul that they can not posses. So I won’t be afraid and the darkness will fade.
“Cause there, there’s a light in me that shines brightly. Yes, they can try, but they can’t take that away from me.
“They can’t take this precious love I’ll always have inside me. Certainly the Lord will guide me where I need to go.
“Oh, they can say anything they want to say. Try to bring me down, but I won’t face the ground! I will rise steadily sailing out of their reach! Oh Lord, they do tard ard to make me feel that I don’t matter at all, but I refuse to fall doing what I believe or loose faith in my dreams!
“Cause there’s a light in me that shines brightly. Yes, they can try, but they can’t take that away from me. From me.”
By the time Ascadholiel’s voice drifted to a close, she had tears streaming down her cheeks from the intensity the song always had on her. She opened her eyes again and, for some reason, too embarrassed to look at the elf carrying her, she looked back down at Frodo. She gave him a somewhat shaky smile as she looked into his swimming blue eyes.
The eldest hobbit was staring at her with tears of his own streaming silently down his cheeks as her song hit all the spots in him where is anxieties and worries ate at him. The othinthing he could really choke out was, “Thank you.”
Gandalf spoke up from the front, not stopping or turning, only talking loud enough to be heard down the line. “Yes, thank you Ascadholiel. Very beautiful. A very good song. We would all do well to remember your words and your conviction in these darks times and pathsore ore us.” Everyone could here the smile in his gravely voice.
Ascadholiel blushed and ducked her head. “You’re welcome. And thank you for the compliments.”
Legolas so only she could hear. “You look very lovely when you blush.”
Ascadholiel looked up into his eyes briefly and blushed a darker shade of red, making the elf chuckle almost imperceptibly. She pinched his shoulder lightly with her fingertips, since she didn’t have any nails, due to the habit of biting she had never been able to stop. She scolded him jokingly “You keep on like that sir elf, and I’ll be in a permanent full body blush.”
He chuckled again and kept teasing her. “Ah, then you would be lovely indeed. A lovely red rose.”
Ascadholiel smiled gently. “A rose for a rose.” She blushed again at the meaning that she had not quite intended that just struck her in that in that line and looked away, falling silent.
In doing so however, she missed the slight coloring of the fair elves cheeks, that even he didn’t notice. All of this however did esc escape the scrutiny of one member of the fellowship.
Boromir smirked and wondered at this leap in the friendship between the two. The Gondorian mused to himself. ‘How long will it be now until they realize that their friendship is growing closer to romance than just simple friends?
*****
The fellowship stopped at midday for a brief rest. Ascadholiel was speaking with Gimli, trying a little harder to befriend the dwarf, though it wasn’t that hard, when Gandalf came and sat beside her.
“Forgive my interruption, but I thought that you might like to try some of this Lady Asca.”
Ascadholiel looked down at the flask that he held out to her. “What is it Gandalf?”
“Miruvor. It’s a liquor made in Rivendel. It warms you up a little.”
The girl shook her head. “No thank you. I don’t drink.” She saw the blank look on his face. “Alcohol. I don’t like getting drunk, and I hate drunkenness. I’ve seen and felt the effect it has on other people close to me whom I thought I could trust.”
Gandalf smiled kindly. “And I respect that, but this is a mere sip.”
Ascadholiel shook her head. “No thank you Gandalf. Not unless I have no other choice. What you can get me though, are shoes. Preferably boots, but I won’t be picky. That way at least, Legolas won’t have to carry my fat ass around anymore. He can give his poor arms a break!”
Gimli shook his head. “Fat? My lady, you barely have any fat on you!”
Ascadholiel looked at the dwarf like he had gone nuts. “No fat? Are you kidding?! She grabbed the small paunch bellow her bellybutton and squeezed it. “What is this? I’ll tell you what this is my friend. This is called a paunch. It’s a nice term… for fat! I may not be overly wide or horribly overweight, but I’m nowhere near skinny. That full figured kind of look might be great for hobbits, but not for me. I’m also horribly out of shape. I couldn’t run around the edge of a large pond without being winded if my life depended on it!” She paused for a moment as another thought occurred to her, then kept on in the same manner of voice. “Which I’m now realizing is most likely going to be the death of me since you said that you guys are on a very dangerous mission… quest… thing.”
Some members of the fellowship smirked, thinking to themselves, ‘Now where have I heard that before?’ and glancing at Pippin.
Gandalf however sighed. “You are far too hard on yourself my dear. You look very lovely as you are and have quite an exuberant personality as well, if not a bit cynical.”
Ascadholiel smiled, then mock-glared and pointed a finger at the old istari. “Hey! I’m damn proud of my cynicism, you. It’s one of my strong points. But that won’t help me in a fight. My only hope to live through one would be the ability to run faster than the bad guys can. An ability which I will most likely find myself sorely lacking. That means I’m pretty much dead since I still have no clue as to how to fight or defend myself.”
“Speaking of which…”
“AAHH!”
The fellowship fell silent as Ascadholiel brief scream rang out.
The startled girl twisted around and socked Legolas, who was standing right behind her, hard in the thigh. “What is wrong with you?! Make some noise for god’s sake! Jeezus Christ!”
Legolas frowned slightly and winced a little at the small pain in his thigh. “I apologize. It was not my intent to startle you, but…” He cocked his head slightly. “who is this, Jesus Christ? This is the second time you have mentioned him.”
Ascadholshooshook her head. “Never mind. Now what were you going to say?”
Legolas held out his hand to help her to her feet. “I told you I would help you learn to defend yourself. So now that you have mentioned it, let us get started. Where we are headed now, you will need to at least know the foundations of how to ward off an attack.”
Ascadholiel froze for a moment as Legolas stood across from her in the little clearing. “Wait. Where are we going? Is it really going to be that dangerous?”
Aragorn, who was sitting not far away on a bolder, smoking a pipe, raised his voice a little to answer her. “There is no need to worry yourself about that right now lady Asca. Best to pay attention and concentrate on Legolas’ lesson. He’s one of the best fighters I know, and his skills as a warrior and with his choice weapons are legendary. He’s a fierce fighter and an equally fierce teacher. You’ll need to keep on your toes.”
Ascadholiel glared at the man and was about to say something when a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye made her turn back. She screamed as something sharp almost skimmed across her throat and then something hit her across the upper chest, knocking her down. She back peddled until her back hit a tree and then she threw her arms over her head, curling into a little ball and shivering. She mumbled and sobbed incoherently.
Legolas stood, looking down at her in shock from where he had knocked her down to start the first lesson with a demonstration on staying alert. It had truly been innocent. This was not the expected reaction. He stepped over silently and leaned down, gently touching her shoulder.
Ascadholiel let out a terrified scream and jerk violently. She whipped out of her ball trietried to push herself back further against the tree. She stared up at him with wide, completely terrified eyes, though it was obvious from their unfocused, glazed look that she was not seeing him standing there.
What she loudly sobbed out pleadingly after that, broke the hearts of all who heard it, standing to horrify them as well. “No! Daddy please stop! No more! Don’t hurt me any more Daddy! Please! I’ll be a good girl! I’ll snuggle with you like you want! But it hurts when we do! Please don’t hurt me anymore! Please don’t hit me again Daddy, please! I love you! I’m sorry Daddy! I’m sorry!”
Legolas reached down to touch her again, but she screamed and curled back into her little ball. She sobbed, shaking violently and rocked herself back and forth, scraping her arm and side against the rough bark of the tree.
Legolas recoiled as if she had tried to bite him. The rest of the fellowship was still shocked beyond words or movement, knowing clearly what, what she had said implied.
Surprisingly enough, it was Gandalf who was able to finally approach her and he gathered the seemingly small girl into his arms. The wizard pulled her into his lap and let her rest against his chest as she sobbed and shivered in panicked terror. Finally, after ae ofe of being in the safe, strong arms, she cried herself to sleep.
Gandalf kept his hold on her and kept up the rocking motion as she slept. He looked up at Legolas, who still sttherthere, with sharp eyes. “Legolas, what happened?”
Legolas still stared at the girl, his face worried and confused and his eyes mournful. “I know not. I think that when I came at her, it triggered some memory. It must have thrown her mind back to a time when she was being beaten. Eru! How could I have been so foolish?! She had mention something earlier about how she used to be beaten quite frequently. Damnit!”
Aragorn had risen to his feet by now, a little shocked to see his old friend behaving this way when he never had before. He laid a calming hand on Legolas’ tense shoulder. “Calm yourself Legolas. You had no idea that this would happen. ‘Tis no fault of yours or hers or anyone’s here. I’m sure she will be fine.”
Legolas looked over sorrowfully at his rugged friend. “Yes, but will she forgive me?”
Gandalf stroked Ascadholiel’s hair gently and spoke. “We shall see Master Elf. We shall see.”
******************************************************************************
A.N. YES!!! There it is!!! And sooner this time as well! For those of you who were wandering, there’s another little hint at our Asca’s painful history. Oh yeah… there’s more as well. That’ll be discussed in later chapter, with much angst… but also much sweet elfy smootchies to soothe the tattered soul as well. I really cried when I came up with her past. So far I’ve just hinted at things he father has done to her. … Now just wait until I get to what her so called boyfriend did to her. I ran my idea past one of my very emotionally sting friends, and she even cried. But don’t get me wrong… there’s gonna be a lot of comfort from Legolas there, as well as a pleasant surprise for our favorite elf as well. BTW… if you haven’t seen Pirates of the Caribbean… SEE IT!!! Much of Orli and Jonny goodness! Anyways… hopefully the next chapter will be out soon, and KEEP REVIEWING NE?! I soak it up!!! I need more! COME ON!!! I’M SUFFERING FROM DEPRIVATION HERE!!! LUV ME!!! Namaarie!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
For those specific thank you’s as well…
AzureDragoness: Thank you once again for the reviews! Yes, I know well how sleep deprivation is. I’m elven I suppose in the fact that I do not sleep long, or deeply for that matter. In fact, one of the reason I always have eyedrops with me, is because I also sleep with my eyes open. Any shift of light or movement in the room, or any noise for that matter, and I snap awake. This makes for many sleepless night, but I’m glad I can fill those nights and the night of some others with my ideas and stories. It brings me joy that you like it so much and continue to tell me so. Thank you. ^^
kirameki: As always, thank you SO much for your reviews, as well as the type of reviews you give. I find it rare to get specific details about what people like about something, though don’t get me wrong, I love just hearing that people like my stories, but it’s a good thing to hear just exactly what people like. I also have just as much fun reading your reviews as I do writing the stories. And once again, there’s that “great minds… and us” bit that’s going to happens between you and I that you’ll find out about in this chapter. If you’d like, I would be honored if you would e-mail me and keep in touch that way. Perhaps you could help me brain storm or listen to my ideas that I have. I’m not sure I have a definite goal but this fic, but it does have a direction. I’d be honored if you would help me decide on a little more defined course in my writing. E-mail me and I’ll explain in detail. ^^
Risika: *Laughs* You sound like me when I’m reviewing for some things. Well here you go mellon nin. Enjoy and tell me what you think ne?
DragonEyeZ: *Falls to knees and worships a little* Oh THANK YOU! You really don’t know how very much it means to me that you think this is not a “real” Mary-sue… not that I mind Mary-sues, like I said, but that is what I was striving for… as you’ll see in this chapter and the next few, yes, the relationship between woman and elf does escalate pretty fast, but then again, love CAN happen swiftly, as in the case of me and my beloved soul mate, who is PERFECT, and I’m well…. Not. But he loves me anyways, and that is what I wanted for Asca and Legolas as well. Once again, thank you so much and keep reviewing and enjoying. Feel free to give me some C&C if you think it necessary as well. ^^
Elerrina Rose: As always, it is a pleasure to hear from you, and I thank you for reviewing again. It is never overlooked and always quite welcome. You and kirameki have both brought joyful laughter to me with your comments and encouragement. I draw strength from it mellon nin, and I extend the same offer to you of e-mailing me and continuing contact that way as well if you feel comfortable with it. I would love to bounce some ideas off of you as well since as I said, some of my unwritten ideas still have shadowed areas that I feel might benefit from your opinions if you would give them. Think on it, but don’t stop reviewing. Diola lle.
Cait: I much like the idea of a Legolas’ sized elven pillow as well. *Cocks head and chuckles* Most likely reason I actually made a life sized Legolas plushy… it’s a good thing! ^.~ Keep up the reviews ne?!
BTW, the song in this chapter is from Mariah Carrey’s album, “Rainbow”. I’ve forgotten the name of the song though. Sorry.
I don’t own any of these characters… except for Ascadholiel of course. Not makin no money!!!
**********
~A Rose by Any Other Name~
Chapter Five
During breakfast, Legolas went about teaching Ascadholiel the proper way to hold the dagger he had given her to use and how to do some defensive strokes with it as they sat. Finally, Sam finished cooking breakfast and they all sat and ate in silence, sating their hunger before breaking camp.
Ascadholiel was quite happy that this time they finally let her help break camp. She was only folding and stowing blankets true, but it was still helping. As long as no one said anything about it being a woman’s job anyway, there would be no trouble and good graces for everyone. This time she didn’t say anything about Legolas scooping her up into his arms, knowing that it was inevitable. Stilltill sighed though as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Ascadholiel looked over the elf’s shoulder after they had gone but a little ways and noticed that Frodo had become intensely quiet and pensive. His dark, curly head tilted towards the ground, his eyes tired, sad, and just a little more than a little scared.
Ascadholiel tapped Legolas on the shoulder, not breaking her gaze from the dejected looking hobbit. “Legolas, fall back a little would you? I want to talk to our little hobbit hero.”
Legolas nodded silently and slowed down until he was walking beside Frodo.
Ascadholiel spoke up gently. “Frodo.” The hobbit looked up at her, a little startled. She went on gently. “I can’t even come closed to saying that I know what you are going through, but I can say that I know what it’s like to feel as if the weight of the world rests upon your shoulders. To feel so heavy that it seems like nothing is worth it anymore and it’s hopeless. I know what it’s like to feel darkness closing all around you and it seems that the only light is just out of your reach and growing dimmer by the second.
“I want to sing something. Another song from my world that I’ve never personally sang for anyone. Songs seem to have a greater meaning here than they do in my world, for this I’m grateful. This is a song that was my only support for a long time. Until I came here in fact. This song is special to me, because it showed me another source of light. One that was in my reach, and brighter in fact than the one that I was reaching for before.
“Once again, I apologize if my voice cracks, as it most likely will, or goes sour on a note or two. But I want you to remember this song Frodo. Hold it in your heart and don’t let it go.”
She blushed, embarrassed that she was actually going to do this. She cleared her throat and after one falls start that made Legolas’ ear twitch and sent her embarrassment through the proverbial roof, she raised her voice and sang, her eyes closing unintentionally a little ways into the song as her passion and feelings swept over her and flowed through the music, passing to all listening.
“They can say anything they want to say. Try to bring me down, but I will not allow anyone to succeed hanging clouds over me. And they can try hard to make me feel that I don’t matter at all but I refuse to fall doing what I believe. Or loose faith in my dreams.
“Cause there, there’s a light in me that shines brightly. They can try, but they can’t take that away from me.
“Oh, they, they can do anything they want to you if you let them in. But they won’t ever win if you cling to your pride and just push them aside. See I, I have learned there’s an inner peace I own. Something in my soul that they can not posses. So I won’t be afraid and the darkness will fade.
“Cause there, there’s a light in me that shines brightly. Yes, they can try, but they can’t take that away from me.
“They can’t take this precious love I’ll always have inside me. Certainly the Lord will guide me where I need to go.
“Oh, they can say anything they want to say. Try to bring me down, but I won’t face the ground! I will rise steadily sailing out of their reach! Oh Lord, they do tard ard to make me feel that I don’t matter at all, but I refuse to fall doing what I believe or loose faith in my dreams!
“Cause there’s a light in me that shines brightly. Yes, they can try, but they can’t take that away from me. From me.”
By the time Ascadholiel’s voice drifted to a close, she had tears streaming down her cheeks from the intensity the song always had on her. She opened her eyes again and, for some reason, too embarrassed to look at the elf carrying her, she looked back down at Frodo. She gave him a somewhat shaky smile as she looked into his swimming blue eyes.
The eldest hobbit was staring at her with tears of his own streaming silently down his cheeks as her song hit all the spots in him where is anxieties and worries ate at him. The othinthing he could really choke out was, “Thank you.”
Gandalf spoke up from the front, not stopping or turning, only talking loud enough to be heard down the line. “Yes, thank you Ascadholiel. Very beautiful. A very good song. We would all do well to remember your words and your conviction in these darks times and pathsore ore us.” Everyone could here the smile in his gravely voice.
Ascadholiel blushed and ducked her head. “You’re welcome. And thank you for the compliments.”
Legolas so only she could hear. “You look very lovely when you blush.”
Ascadholiel looked up into his eyes briefly and blushed a darker shade of red, making the elf chuckle almost imperceptibly. She pinched his shoulder lightly with her fingertips, since she didn’t have any nails, due to the habit of biting she had never been able to stop. She scolded him jokingly “You keep on like that sir elf, and I’ll be in a permanent full body blush.”
He chuckled again and kept teasing her. “Ah, then you would be lovely indeed. A lovely red rose.”
Ascadholiel smiled gently. “A rose for a rose.” She blushed again at the meaning that she had not quite intended that just struck her in that in that line and looked away, falling silent.
In doing so however, she missed the slight coloring of the fair elves cheeks, that even he didn’t notice. All of this however did esc escape the scrutiny of one member of the fellowship.
Boromir smirked and wondered at this leap in the friendship between the two. The Gondorian mused to himself. ‘How long will it be now until they realize that their friendship is growing closer to romance than just simple friends?
*****
The fellowship stopped at midday for a brief rest. Ascadholiel was speaking with Gimli, trying a little harder to befriend the dwarf, though it wasn’t that hard, when Gandalf came and sat beside her.
“Forgive my interruption, but I thought that you might like to try some of this Lady Asca.”
Ascadholiel looked down at the flask that he held out to her. “What is it Gandalf?”
“Miruvor. It’s a liquor made in Rivendel. It warms you up a little.”
The girl shook her head. “No thank you. I don’t drink.” She saw the blank look on his face. “Alcohol. I don’t like getting drunk, and I hate drunkenness. I’ve seen and felt the effect it has on other people close to me whom I thought I could trust.”
Gandalf smiled kindly. “And I respect that, but this is a mere sip.”
Ascadholiel shook her head. “No thank you Gandalf. Not unless I have no other choice. What you can get me though, are shoes. Preferably boots, but I won’t be picky. That way at least, Legolas won’t have to carry my fat ass around anymore. He can give his poor arms a break!”
Gimli shook his head. “Fat? My lady, you barely have any fat on you!”
Ascadholiel looked at the dwarf like he had gone nuts. “No fat? Are you kidding?! She grabbed the small paunch bellow her bellybutton and squeezed it. “What is this? I’ll tell you what this is my friend. This is called a paunch. It’s a nice term… for fat! I may not be overly wide or horribly overweight, but I’m nowhere near skinny. That full figured kind of look might be great for hobbits, but not for me. I’m also horribly out of shape. I couldn’t run around the edge of a large pond without being winded if my life depended on it!” She paused for a moment as another thought occurred to her, then kept on in the same manner of voice. “Which I’m now realizing is most likely going to be the death of me since you said that you guys are on a very dangerous mission… quest… thing.”
Some members of the fellowship smirked, thinking to themselves, ‘Now where have I heard that before?’ and glancing at Pippin.
Gandalf however sighed. “You are far too hard on yourself my dear. You look very lovely as you are and have quite an exuberant personality as well, if not a bit cynical.”
Ascadholiel smiled, then mock-glared and pointed a finger at the old istari. “Hey! I’m damn proud of my cynicism, you. It’s one of my strong points. But that won’t help me in a fight. My only hope to live through one would be the ability to run faster than the bad guys can. An ability which I will most likely find myself sorely lacking. That means I’m pretty much dead since I still have no clue as to how to fight or defend myself.”
“Speaking of which…”
“AAHH!”
The fellowship fell silent as Ascadholiel brief scream rang out.
The startled girl twisted around and socked Legolas, who was standing right behind her, hard in the thigh. “What is wrong with you?! Make some noise for god’s sake! Jeezus Christ!”
Legolas frowned slightly and winced a little at the small pain in his thigh. “I apologize. It was not my intent to startle you, but…” He cocked his head slightly. “who is this, Jesus Christ? This is the second time you have mentioned him.”
Ascadholshooshook her head. “Never mind. Now what were you going to say?”
Legolas held out his hand to help her to her feet. “I told you I would help you learn to defend yourself. So now that you have mentioned it, let us get started. Where we are headed now, you will need to at least know the foundations of how to ward off an attack.”
Ascadholiel froze for a moment as Legolas stood across from her in the little clearing. “Wait. Where are we going? Is it really going to be that dangerous?”
Aragorn, who was sitting not far away on a bolder, smoking a pipe, raised his voice a little to answer her. “There is no need to worry yourself about that right now lady Asca. Best to pay attention and concentrate on Legolas’ lesson. He’s one of the best fighters I know, and his skills as a warrior and with his choice weapons are legendary. He’s a fierce fighter and an equally fierce teacher. You’ll need to keep on your toes.”
Ascadholiel glared at the man and was about to say something when a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye made her turn back. She screamed as something sharp almost skimmed across her throat and then something hit her across the upper chest, knocking her down. She back peddled until her back hit a tree and then she threw her arms over her head, curling into a little ball and shivering. She mumbled and sobbed incoherently.
Legolas stood, looking down at her in shock from where he had knocked her down to start the first lesson with a demonstration on staying alert. It had truly been innocent. This was not the expected reaction. He stepped over silently and leaned down, gently touching her shoulder.
Ascadholiel let out a terrified scream and jerk violently. She whipped out of her ball trietried to push herself back further against the tree. She stared up at him with wide, completely terrified eyes, though it was obvious from their unfocused, glazed look that she was not seeing him standing there.
What she loudly sobbed out pleadingly after that, broke the hearts of all who heard it, standing to horrify them as well. “No! Daddy please stop! No more! Don’t hurt me any more Daddy! Please! I’ll be a good girl! I’ll snuggle with you like you want! But it hurts when we do! Please don’t hurt me anymore! Please don’t hit me again Daddy, please! I love you! I’m sorry Daddy! I’m sorry!”
Legolas reached down to touch her again, but she screamed and curled back into her little ball. She sobbed, shaking violently and rocked herself back and forth, scraping her arm and side against the rough bark of the tree.
Legolas recoiled as if she had tried to bite him. The rest of the fellowship was still shocked beyond words or movement, knowing clearly what, what she had said implied.
Surprisingly enough, it was Gandalf who was able to finally approach her and he gathered the seemingly small girl into his arms. The wizard pulled her into his lap and let her rest against his chest as she sobbed and shivered in panicked terror. Finally, after ae ofe of being in the safe, strong arms, she cried herself to sleep.
Gandalf kept his hold on her and kept up the rocking motion as she slept. He looked up at Legolas, who still sttherthere, with sharp eyes. “Legolas, what happened?”
Legolas still stared at the girl, his face worried and confused and his eyes mournful. “I know not. I think that when I came at her, it triggered some memory. It must have thrown her mind back to a time when she was being beaten. Eru! How could I have been so foolish?! She had mention something earlier about how she used to be beaten quite frequently. Damnit!”
Aragorn had risen to his feet by now, a little shocked to see his old friend behaving this way when he never had before. He laid a calming hand on Legolas’ tense shoulder. “Calm yourself Legolas. You had no idea that this would happen. ‘Tis no fault of yours or hers or anyone’s here. I’m sure she will be fine.”
Legolas looked over sorrowfully at his rugged friend. “Yes, but will she forgive me?”
Gandalf stroked Ascadholiel’s hair gently and spoke. “We shall see Master Elf. We shall see.”
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A.N. YES!!! There it is!!! And sooner this time as well! For those of you who were wandering, there’s another little hint at our Asca’s painful history. Oh yeah… there’s more as well. That’ll be discussed in later chapter, with much angst… but also much sweet elfy smootchies to soothe the tattered soul as well. I really cried when I came up with her past. So far I’ve just hinted at things he father has done to her. … Now just wait until I get to what her so called boyfriend did to her. I ran my idea past one of my very emotionally sting friends, and she even cried. But don’t get me wrong… there’s gonna be a lot of comfort from Legolas there, as well as a pleasant surprise for our favorite elf as well. BTW… if you haven’t seen Pirates of the Caribbean… SEE IT!!! Much of Orli and Jonny goodness! Anyways… hopefully the next chapter will be out soon, and KEEP REVIEWING NE?! I soak it up!!! I need more! COME ON!!! I’M SUFFERING FROM DEPRIVATION HERE!!! LUV ME!!! Namaarie!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman