Isilme

Disclaimer: Yes! Yes, I confess: I wish all of this belonged to me. Well it doesn't (except for Isilme, Lani and her mother)! Happy now?

Author's Note: And here's another one. Made especially for you. ;p And. Yes! Yes, the one you've all been waiting for is finally here!!! Hurray for Legolas!!

Chapter 6

The last ray of light was almost fading in the far horizon. Never had the sun seemed so distant to the fair elven prince of Mirkwood! His long blonde hair flew wildly around his face hiding the unusual tired look he held upon his perfect Eldar’s face.

These last few days had been extremely harsh, especially for the hobbits. They were all weary but needed to keep going: they held on their hands the future of Middle Earth.

Caradhras had been too impetuous on them so the ringbearer decided the Fellowship should try their luck through the Mines of Moria.

Legolas was terribly uncomfortable with such decision. There's nothing worse to an elf than to be kept from the sunlight, the stars. No elf would get inside a mine by its own will or unless one had no other choice. This last one was his case exactly!... A mine?! And a dwarves' one to make it worse!! The prince shivered just to think of it.

His beautiful deep blue eyes were locked on the moon. It already shined brightly upon them, despite the clarity that refused to fade.

"Ah! The moon shines brightly upon us! Beautiful!..." _ Legolas let out in a whisper for no one but himself. Not that often in his long life had he seen the moon look as magnificent and perfect as it did that day.

He suddenly stood still. He strained his ears: he was now definitively hearing light footsteps, and those weren't from none of his companions! He quickened his pace to reach the two men talking in the front of the group.

"Aragorn, Mithrandir! We're not alone! I could sense someone near those bushes."

Boromir was also listening and gave them a sign as he grabbed the hilt of his sword and started heading that direction steadily.

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Isilme stopped as she slowly raised her head. She could clearly hear people talking not that far from where she stood.

"Lani, there are some people near us. I'll have to see who they are, just to be sure were safe. Please stay there under that bush. Don't leave 'til I tell you so! If anyone sees you run, as fast as you can and don't worry about me. Ok? Promise?"_ Lani nodded lightly.

Isilme was running out on empty. She would even carry her while she slept. This had been going on for two days now.

Still, she elegantly jumped on to a lower branch and pulled herself up, ignoring the aching pain on her belly, to get a better view.

Three men she saw with four children maybe and a pony standing still and looking somewhere in her direction, the tree's foliage would provide her some coverage. There was also what seemed to be a dwarf with them. Dwarves don't usually like elves. Isilme was now starting to worry.

But another man was walking straight at them, straight at where Lani was hiding. His eyes moved frenetically searching.

Isilme had not much time to think. She quickly and silently leapt off the tree landing right in front of the man, sword in hand and ready to attack. For a moment she thought she would fall down the minute she touched the floor, she was too weak to go on! But somehow, she dug deep and found the strength to hold on.

The man gasped surprised at this. It was a woman who was standing in front of him menacingly holding her sword in his direction, still her eyes showed just how weary she was.

She looked at the other men now approaching and her eyes immediately locked on one of them!

"Gandalf!..."_ she slurred and almost immediately lost the grip on her sword and past out falling hard on the floor.

Lani couldn't help but run to her when she saw Isilme fainting.

"NO! Go away! Do not harm her! Go away!"_ Lani was screaming hysterically as she ran and wrapped her arms around Isilme's neck crying.

Gandalf run towards Isilme the minute she touched the ground and he was able to recognise her. He was now standing over the both of them.

"Child. Isilme is hurt. I need to look at her to heal her! I won't harm her!"_ he said in a tender but firm voice.

At this Lani stopped screaming to look at the tall and old man standing above her.

"Everything is alright! Isilme will be alright! Just let me help her!..."_ Gandalf's hand laid now on Lani's head.

The girl reluctantly got up and backed away from Isilme's motionless body with tears still running furiously down her cheeks.

Gandalf ran his eyes through Isilme's body and bent over her to remove her arm, which was pressed tightly against her belly.

By the Valar,.. that cut! It was deep and completely infected.

"Legolas, please bring me some water and bandages! We'll stay here this night! "

Legolas was gazing mesmerised at the beautiful elven maiden. What could have possibly happened for her to get in that state? He quickly got the things he was asked to and got back to Gandalf running.

"I will need your help! The rest of you'll make camp and go catch some wood to set a fire!"_ Gandalf turned with a heavy look on his face. "How long has she been like this child?"

" Two days."_ Lani answered crying and in a low voice.

"All is good! Go rest now, you need it too! Tomorrow, when you wake up she will be alright!"_ Gandalf now held a comforting smile upon his face.

The girl nodded and walked to the hobbits who immediately assisted her.

"She does not look good Gandalf!"_ Legolas held a terrified look_ " I believe she lost too much blood!..."

"Help me remove the bodice. We'll need to clean that wound!"

Not long after they were finished and Isilme was still unconscient. Legolas picked her up carefully from the floor and laid her down over his own cloak, now spread across the floor.

"You should rest Mithrandir! I'll stay on watch today and keep an eye on her! Worry not!"

Gandalf nodded and turned to lie down and get some sleep. All the other members of the Fellowship were already sleeping except for Aragorn who was standing alongside Legolas and Gimli who was looking at their small fire.

Lani was sleeping on Isilme's side with her hand on Isilme's hand.

Author's Note: WWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Legolas is here!!!!