How Does It Feel

Title: How Does It Feel (5/?)
Author: palephoenix (palephoenix_6@yahoo.ca)
Genre: LOTR FP-het
Pairing: Legolas/OFC
Rating: PG for now...
Warning: Mary Sue... I'm in a Mary Sue mood... if ya don't like it, don't read it!
Archive: My site if I ever get it done... aff.net
Disclaimer: Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.
Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top???
Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, elvish word translations are at the end of the paragraph. The tattoo and ring described in this chapter are my own. If anyone is interested in what the tat really looks like, let me know and I'll post a link to a pic when I have a decent one taken.
Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.

Chapter 5

About a half hour before sunset, the elves and Eilish stopped for the night, making camp a short distance from a small river. Eilish was glad to see the water. After a long day on a horse she was craving a bath and wanted badly to wash her dirty clothing. At their chosen camp site Legolas gracefully dismounted, then reached up to help Eilish down. Strong hands grasped her at the waist and lifted her from the horse's back. He set her gently on the ground, but the next moment Eilish had to grab hold of him to keep from falling.

"Shit, my legs feel like rubber!" She exclaimed.

Legolas grinned and wrapped his arms around her again. "You are not used to riding horses, that is all, but it will pass."

"Easy for you to say," Eilish said, rolling her eyes. After a few minutes the feeling began to creep back into her legs and she tentatively let go of the blonde elf. She managed to stay standing long enough to walk a few step and take a seat on a fallen tree. Legolas sat down next to her.

"Since you have recovered, you did mention yestereve that you wished to wash. We should go to wash in pairs for safety. We are close to the Misty Mountains. There may be orcs and goblins in the area tonight. And perhaps you ought to go in the first pair. It will become cool tonight and I wouldn't want you to become ill."

"Probably a good plan," Eilish agreed. She slipped off her backpack, unzipped it and began to rummage through her belongings. She pulled out her last clean clothes, underclothes, a pair of burgundy yoga pants and a white tank with an Avril Lavigne 'Under My Skin' iron-on on the front. She dug around some more and came up with shampoo, conditioner and body wash and a small towel.

"Okay, I'm ready. Lead on elf-boy," Eilish said, smirking at Legolas' expression. He raised one eyebrow, but didn't say anything, simply getting to his feet and offering her a hand up. She took with her left hand, her clothing and toiletries tucked under her right arm.

Legolas told his guards, briefly in elvish, where he and Eilish were headed, then they continued on to the river. Legolas led Eilish to a spot with water deep enough for their intentions, then moved around a small bend in the river, screened by some bush to give her privacy.

Eilish placed her clean clothes a short distance from the water so they wouldn't get wet, and placed her toiletries on the bank. She peeled her worn clothes off and carefully folded her t-shirt and hoodie, which were still quite clean, then stepped into the water. The water was colder than she'd expected and she inadvertently let out a little yelp.

"Eilish?!"

Eilish's eyes widened as she realized Legolas must have heard her and stepped into water deep enough to guard her modesty just as he came into view.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, worriedly.

"Mmmhmm," Eilish couldn't stop the hot flush that crept up her cheeks in spite of the icy water. "The water was just a little colder than I thought it would be. Thanks for worrying about me, though."

Legolas looked relieved. "I am glad."

Eilish gave him a reassuring smile, then turned away. When her back was turned Legolas allowed his gaze to travel over her slim back, frowning when he caught sight of something strange.

"Eilish?"

"Yeah?" She looked over her shoulder at him.

"What is on your back? On the left side?" Legolas asked, "Near the top."

"Oh, that's a tattoo. I got it a couple years ago," She told him. "I'll let you get a closer look later, okay? And explain the concept of tattooing, if you want to know."

"That is fine, meldis," Legolas agreed. "I shall let you finish bathing."

"Thanks. I'll call you when I'm done, 'kay?" Eilish suggested, now struggling not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation she was in. Legolas nodded and walked back around the bend of the river.

After Legolas left, Eilish quickly set aboout washing herself, as the cold water began to make her shiver. She quickly washed her hair, rinsed it, slicked conditioner through it and washed the grime from her body while that did it's job. Then she ducked under the water to rinse off, finger combing tangles out of her hair at the same time. She stepped out of the water, quickly dried her skin with the towel, then wrapped it around her sodden hair. The sun had gone down and feeling the growing chill in the air, Eilish quickly dressed in her clean clothes.

"Legolas," She called when she was finished dressing, "I'm done."

After a few moments he came back around the bend, wearing only his leggings, his long blonde hair still dripping slightly. He carried his shirt and tunic under his arm. Eilish's eyes widened imperceptibly as she caught sight of him.

"Uh, I'm just going to get the rest of my clothes, so I can wash them, I'll be right back" She told him, anxious to put some distance between herself and the oh-so-tempting elf prince. She practically ran back to the camp and grabbed her backpack.

'Holy shit! What the hell is going on with you, 'Lish?' She silently berated herself as she walked back to the river. Legolas was waiting for her on the riverbank.

"To wash your clothing," He said, handing her a bar of soap. She took it gratefully.

"Thanks."

She sat on a rock on the river bank and washed her clothes, one item at a time. After she'd rinsed the soap out of each piece, Legolas took it from her and wrang the excess water out of it. Then he took each article and hung it on the branches of trees surrounding the camp.

When it came to her unmentionables, Eilish blushed again. "I'll do these myself," She said as she rinsed the soap from her bras and underwear. Then she packed her toiletries and mostly clean clothes in her bag. "Okay, I'm done," She said, getting to her feet.

Legolas rose as well and they walked back to camp, where the four guards had the evening meal ready. Eilish discreetly hung her underclothes on a branch, then pulled the now wet towel off her hair and hung it up as well. As she was doing this she heard Legolas dismiss Tathar and Lalven so they could go bathe.

Back at the fire, she took a seat next to Legolas on a fallen tree, then rummaged in her bag until she found her hair brush and a hair elastic. She drew the brush through her damp red locks, carefully untangling any knots. When it was free of snarls she adeptly plaited the long strands into a thick braid. Legolas watched the whole scene as though entranced. He quickly blinked and shook off his stupor when Eilish tossed her brush back into her bag and turned to him.

"So, you wanted to see my tat, right?" She asked.

"Oh, yes," Legolas said, when her words permeated his foggy brain.

"Okay," Eilish turned her back to him and slid the left strap of her tank off her shoulder so he could see the design inked in her skin. "Tattooing is an art form that originated, I believe, in Polynesia, an area in the Pacific Ocean that has many small islands. Sailors brought the tradition back to the rest of the wor It\ It's done, in the modern way, by taking a needle and pricking the skin, forcing ink deep down. The ink stays there after the wound heals and is a tattoo."

Legolas winced. "Is it not painful?"

"It totally depends on where you get it done. Mine didn't hurt at all. It was much more an uncomfortable sensation than a painful one. My younger sister has a tattoo here," Eilish placed her hand on her abdomen, "And she found it very painful. Whereas a friend of mine has a large tattoo on her stomach and it didn't hurt her at all. It took two hours to do and she almost fell asleep. But, then, she has a very high pain tolerance."

"She must have," Legolas remarked. "What is this pattern called?"

"My tattoo? It's called a celtic star. This type of design is called celtic knot. It's in a star because stars are my favourite shape and it's celtic knot to remind me where I come from."

"It is a Canadian design?" Legolas asked, gently tracing the lines with his fingertips.

"No," Eilish explained, trying not to shudder at the feeling of his touch on her skin, "My grandparents came to Canada from another country, called Ireland. The people of Ireland and another country nearby, called Scotland, are descended from the Celts, whose art form this is. So, this tattoo is to remember my heritage."

"It is beautiful," Legolas said softly.

"Thank you," Eilish flushed. "I'm quite proud of my Irish heritage. That's why I also wear this," She said, turning and showing Legolas the silver ring on her right hand. Legolas took her hand and studied the ring, which showed two hands clasping a heart, which was topped with a crown. The heart was formed by a shiny silvery grey stone.

"This is called a 'Claddagh'. They were originally Irish wedding bands. The heart symbolizes love, the hands, friendship and the crown, loyalty. How you wear it also has meaning. The way I'm wearing it tells others that I'm not involved in a relationship. That's what wearing it on the right hand means. If it were on my left hand, with the heart pointing away from me, it would mean that I was involved with someone, but wasn't sure how strongly I felt for him. If I wore it on the left with the heart pointing toward me, then it could mean I was in love with the one I was with."

"That is a very lovely tradition," Legolas said, his voice taking on a husky tone. He lifted her hand and gently pressed his lips to her skin. Eilish blushed furiously. Never had a guy's touch felt to intimate, while still being sweet and gentlemanly.

"Eilish?" Legolas asked softly, not yet releasing her hand. "May I kiss you?"

Eilish froze, shocked beyond comprehension. She stared into his blue eyes, searching. All she found was absolute sincerity. She swallowed hard. "Yes," She whispered.

Legolas scooted closer to her, as close as he could be without being in her lap, and gently, reverently, stroked her cheek with his fingertips. Then he leaned in and softly brushed his lips overs. rs.

Eilish sighed as he pulled away a little. His was a kiss unlike any she'd ever received before. She lifted her eyes to his, silently answering his unspoken question. Legolas' lips met hers again, staying longer and becoming a little deeper, but still remained soft and sweet. As they pulled apart, Eilish glanced around the camp, finding that Tathar and Lalven had returned and Lalorn and Thala had gone.

"Um, I think it's about time we turned in for the night,\e sae said, blushing.

"I believe you are right, meleth," Legolas agreed, the endearment slipping out before he realized what he was saying. He kissed her once more, then they got to their feet and made their way to Eilish's bed roll.

"I will take the first watch tonight," Legolas told her. "I will see you in the morning." He kissed her one last time, then returned to the fire at the same time as Lalorn and Thala returned from the river. Eilish smiled contentedly as Legolas looked back at her from his place at the fire, then she curled up under the blanket and closed her eyes.

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So, is that long enough for ya? I'm pretty sure this is the longest chapter so far. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Please keep it up, it keeps me writing. :)
<3 Erin