Chapter Eleven: Playing House

*She could hear another horse’s hoof beats following her and sighed. It was Just as well that her Uncle had sent someone after her. Who though? Surely not one of the hobbits or Gimli. More than likely it was either Aragorn or Legolas. Though she was glad she would have company on her journey, she also worried on what her companion would say. Well, no matter, she would have to address the issue as it came up. Her horse was now tiring quickly, she could tell by it’s heavy breathing and sweaty flank. Slowing the horse, she decided to let the other person catch up, and then they could continue on hard.

Legolas heard Serein’s horse slow to a slight canter, and knew she was only waiting for him to catch up. So instead of taking advantage of her gracious pace, he slowed as well. Though she would be mad he hadn’t caught up to her as quickly as he could have, his horse would be rested for whenever she decided they needed to ride hard. And in this case with Serein, most likely the minute she greeted him she would break into a full gallop once more.

Soon enough Serein stopped her horse all together. Legolas, she was sure now, was the other rider her Uncle had sent after her. Only Legolas would have the nerve to go so slowly when he knew she was merely waiting for him to catch up. A few moments after she had stopped, Legolas’ horse trotted into view.

“You’re slow for an elf, did you know that?” She smirked.

“Me slow?” His expression was filled with false shock.

“You’re a character.” She told him, wheeling her horse around.

“So you’ve told me before. Tell me, will we be stopping tonight? I need to speak to you before we go jumping into anything rash. Besides, we just finished a battle. Aren’t you the least bit tired and sore. You’re back ache?”

“I never act before I think.” She told him.

“So I’ve noticed. But that isn’t the point.”

“Very well. Tonight we will make camp to speak and rest.” She squirmed on the horse. “And yes, my back is killing me.” He grinned and turned his horse to follow her. They rode for another four hours.

But by then it was so dark that they had to stop. If they had continued in the dark, then their horses could have stumbled over a branch or low tree stump and injured themselves. That would be a major set back. Legolas made a fire and Serein pulled out a couple of apples. Then as they ate, he checked her back and re-applied medication to it. The cuts still bled slightly, but for the most part he could see a vast improvement in them.

“It’s so quiet without the hobbits.” She muttered, flinching as he hit a sore place.

“I know. I miss them. I’ve been traveling with them since the beginning of this year.”

“That is indeed a long time to be on the road with someone.” She stated calmly.

“Yes. You get to know your friends quite well. Tell me, how long have you been on the road?”

“I have been traveling since the first month of spring. I think.” She told him quietly.

“You don’t know?”

“It’s a long story.”

“You promised to tell me before the battle anyway. Why not begin you tale now?”

“Very well.” She gulped and silently prayed for everything to go smoothly. “My name is Serein, as you know. But I am not Serein of Mirkwood, or of Lothlorien, or even Rivendell. My home is now spoke about only as a mythical kingdom which had fallen out of grace and died long ago. Part of that is true. My home is known as the Forest of Haze, and our great city of Haze have been around as long as the other elfin cities have. My father and mother were the King and Queen of the forest, and my twin brother and I were to co-rule when we came of age.”

“You have a twin brother?”

“Yes. Though he looks nothing like me. He has hair the color of black coal, and green eyes that never look happy. When we were children, we were the best of friends. We loved each other and we loved playing. Then our mother became sick, and she died. After that, nothing was the same. Nero, my brother, just shut down to everything and everyone. It broke my father’s heart, because he used to dote on Nero so much. We were only twenty when the first War of the Ring began. Orcs ravaged through our city constantly, and because we were so far from the other three elf- inhabited forests, we could not easily call them for help. Father went off to the final battle with nearly all of the men of our home. He took us with him and left his advisors in charge.”

“Why did he take you with him?”

“He wanted us to meet our Uncle, his brother, King Elrond of Rivendell. But when we got to Rivendell, my father decided it wasn’t safe to leave us there. He wanted to be able to supervise us personally. So he took us onto the battle field. We fought in the first War of the Ring. But while we lived, my father died. Nero, being his cold and calculating self, took what was left of our men home before we could meet with Elrond and decide upon what to do. Nero and I took over rule then. But our home was in great distress. The orcs had once again attacked while we had been gone. Water was drying in the rivers near us. No rain had come all year, and famine stuck us hard. We lost a great deal of people that winter, and the elves rebelled. I too, wanted changes. I wanted to contact Elrond for advice and help. I had thought him to be a wise and fair man who could council us through the dark days. But Nero wouldn’t listen to me. He told me I was foolish for caring what would happen to the others in our kingdom. I knew we could not go on as we were. So I asked a few elves to ride to Rivendell without his consent. He found out, executed the elves, and locked me up for treason.”

“Your own brother locked you up?”

“As much as I used to love him, I hate him for what he did to me. I was in a dungeon. For three thousand years I sat and waited. Then one day I heard a large noise. From my cell I saw orcs invading. One broke open the door for me, and I knocked it out. Then I ran to a hiding place. When my brother came in to look for me, he thought I had simply been taken by the orcs, just as they had stolen the Gemstone of Haze.”

“So that is what we risked our lives for inside Saruman’s tower? The Gemstone of Haze?”

“Yes. It was the only thing keeping our city alive. You see, the Gemstone was the one thing that kept the ever-present haze and mist in our woods. We were shielded from the eyes of Sauron by it. But Saruman knew that. He knew we had the powerful artifact. So he stole it, leaving our forest defenseless. That is why I need to get back there. Nero can fight, but not well enough to hold off that many orcs. And he certainly cannot raise and army, for if he does, they will turn on him after the orcs have been driven back. Civil war will rage and my home will be only broken more.”

“Serein, you cannot save Haze on your own, as much as you wish you could. If it is so far gone that one raid will bring a civil war, then there is little you can do…”

“But I can help! I know I can! Listen. The elves, they don’t know I’m alive, Legolas. They think I died long ago of the same sickness that took my mother. That is what Nero told them. They know I want to help them, they will remember me. I am sure of it. Then I can raise the army and hold off the orcs long enough to do something about Nero and his horrible lifestyle.”

“No matter what advantages you have, you can’t just expect the people to remember you Serein. Three thousand years is a long time for a missing Queen. How will they know it is you? Or how will they know they can trust you after all of the years have passed?”

“I do not know. Perhaps I am only wishing I did know how to help my kingdom. But I can’t just sit and do nothing. Will you help me?”

“I will do anything in my power to help you.”

“Thank you Legolas. My friend.” She smiled a true and bright smile at him for the first time in two days.

“You’re welcome, fair maiden. Now how about sleep? If we both climb a tree, we can both sleep without the need to keep watch.”

“What of the horses?”

“Don’t think so much.” He laughed.

“I cannot help it.” They put out the fire and each climbed a tree. Finding a snug place to sit, one in which her back would not rub so hard against the trunk of the tree, Serein settled down for a needed sleep. Legolas too, found a niche in a tree that was comfortable and settled in for a long night.

It was well past midnight, but dawn was still a far way off. Legolas woke to hear screams and pain-filled cries. He looked over and saw Serein thrashing about in her sleep. He quickly jumped to her and put his arms around her.

“Serein, Serein wake up.” He implored her.

“No! Please no! No!” She cried again and again. She finally flew up straight and sat, breathing hard and drenched in a sticky sweat. Her bangs were matted to her forehead, slightly obstructing her vision. Suddenly a pair of string and warm arms encircled her waist and pulled her back. She rested her head upon Legolas’ chest and breathed.

“Alright?” He asked concerned.

“It was only a nightmare. Only a nightmare.”

“Tell me of what.”

“The faces of those whom I had known, both in the past and now. Only it was just their faces.”

“Just their faces? That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“When I say just their faces, I mean it was their heads, decapitated from the rest of them. They were bloodied and hanging from the ceiling in my room. And the entire of the Forest of Haze was on fire, burning down.” She shuddered, and Legolas pulled her in closer and kissed her forehead.

“But it was only a dream.” He muttered.

“Yes, only a dream.” She repeated. Soon her eyelids felt like lead. She relaxed and closed her eyes, listening to the strong heartbeat of the elf who had helped her so much. He was truly a good elf, trustworthy, compassionate, handsome, everything she had always dreamed… And Serein was asleep.

Legolas knew Serein was finally asleep because her eyes had shut and her breathing had become constant. He smiled down upon the poor girl he held in his arms. She was older than him by two thousand years, yet he felt as if she were younger than him. She had been through so much that all he wanted to do was take her far away from here and let her forget about her responsibilities and duties. But he knew she would never agree to it. She cared more about the welfare of her friends and people than she did for herself. That was dangerous… he would have to watch her more closely from now on… and Legolas was asleep.

The next morning, though it was gray and over cast, was pleasant for the two elves. As they awoke in the tree wrapped in each other’s arms, they said nothing. It was slightly uncomfortable at first, and neither really knew how to break the silence. But finally Legolas stood and jumped down from the tree.

“Hungry?”

“Yes. I believe there are more apples in my bag…”

“I was thinking of game. I wouldn’t mind hunting us a rabbit if you think we could wait to leave an extra hour or so.”

“I would rather us leave now…” She looked around at Legolas, then the horses, and finally down at herself. “But I think that perhaps we should leave a bit later this morning. I think we should water the horses and get a good meal before we go off to slay more orcs.”

“Good decision.” Legolas grinned.

“I thought so. Well? Why are you just standing there? Go hunt us that rabbit!” She mock ordered him.

“As the maiden wishes.” He joked. Then gathering his bows and arrows, he took off.

“And be careful!” She called after him. After she had rekindled the fire, she untied the horses from their ties and lead them towards the river that was nearby. Retying them closer to the water so they could drink as they pleased, she dripped her hands into the water and washed them thoroughly. Dried orc blood was still caked on them from the battle yesterday. In fact, the whole of her was caked in blood. She had not bathed since Saruman’s town had fallen. That had been three days ago, and since then she had done the dirtiest work she had ever done before.

Though the river was cold, she paid no head in stripping to her underwear and diving in. Rubbing her arms vigorously, she scrapped the blood off. She did the same to her legs, neck, and tried as best she could to do so to her back as well. She also ducked under and scrubbed her long golden hair till she felt it was as clean as she would get it without soap.

Finally feeling clean and very refreshed, she got out and looked at her clothes. They were so stained she couldn’t tell they had once been a grass green. Hoping Legolas was still busy catching that rabbit, she nimbly raced back to their campsite to her pack, which she knew held an extra dress. Seeing no Legolas, she quickly pulled the new dress out and slipped it on. Shaking out her crushed blue velvet cloak, she threw it around her shoulders and then preceeded to sit and brush her hair as best she could. Leaving it completely down, she finally relaxed. Fetching the horses from the river, she sat by the fire and waited for Legolas to return.

“Serein, here’s that rabbit!” He announced as he walked into camp.

“Good. Took you long enough. Hand it to me so I can start it cooking, I’m hungry.”

“You’re hungry, I’m the one doing the physical activity here!” He handed her the rabbit.

“Yes, but I did more yesterday.”

“I doubt it.” He snorted.

“Well, I ’m just hungry, alright?” Legolas stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. He realized her hair was slightly damp to the touch. And her skin was pristine white.

“Did you fall in the river?” He asked amused.

“For your information,” She stood and turned around to face him. “I decided to at least try to clean up while you were gone. After all, I don’t want to smell like you do, like sweat and orc blood.” She smirked. He watched her face light up with amusement. Her skin was so pale when it was clean, he realized. She had the looks of a beautiful but innocent elfin maiden. But he was sure she was all but innocent. He remembered the first time he had met her; she had looked just the same, her defenses slightly raised, and her eyes dancing with something he did not recognize. But this time she was clean. Without the orc blood to hide her features, he was left astounded.

“Legolas?” She breathed and waved her hand in front of his face. He caught it and held onto it smirking.

“Thank you for the compliment on my hygiene, fair maiden. I will not forget it.”

“You are too much!” She cried in exasperation.

“I know. But I think I will go down to that river and at least wash my hands and face. No peeking!” She gasped and a deep red flushed through her white cheeks.

“I would never…!” She began. He just laughed hard and strode down towards the river. Never would he forget her face at that moment. Though she was not innocent, she even acted as though she was. Serein was filling his mind… he knew she was poisoning him slowly… and he didn’t care either way.

When Legolas returned from the river, he was completely clean and wore a new set of clothes. He sat down and combed out his hair, muttering to himself the whole while.

“Fell in washing your face, didn’t you?” Serein teased him. He frowned. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Except maybe Pippin and Merry…” She smirked He looked at her and glared.

“How’s the rabbit?” He asked.

“It’s dead. How would you feel?” She toyed with him. If looks could kill, she’d be dead. “Oh come now Legolas! Please don’t be angry! It’s roasting on the spit as we speak!” She laughed. He certainly didn’t see what was so funny. Serein was trying separately to think of a way to cheer him up. But she could think of none. She hadn’t had to cheer anyone up for so long she had forgotten how. Instead, she sat next to him and placed her head upon his shoulder.

Legolas’ jaw dropped slightly. What was she thinking? A few seconds ago she had been teasing him mercilessly, but now she was laying her head on his shoulder. An interesting change. He snaked his arm around her back and pulled her in closer as they waited for the rabbit.

Serein had been mildly surprised at Legolas’ arm, but she didn’t mind. His arm was comforting, and as the gray day was becoming colder it kept her warm. Feeling an incredible tranquility wash over her, she soon relaxed and sighed. Her mind wandered to their new quest, if she could even call it that.

They would have to move out soon though, if they wanted to beat the orcs. Though she and Legolas were taking a straight path to Haze, the orcs were taking a roundabout route. But they would eventually have to go through Haze if they wanted to ransack important places like Rivendell and Mirkwood. That was why she and Legolas had to make good time. What little time they had between the time they arrived and the orcs came would be needed to build up defenses.

“Serein?” He had called her four times already. He wondered if she had fallen asleep with her eyes open. Then her eyes blinked and she moved. Maybe not…

“What?”

“That rabbit’s done.”

“Good.” She stood. “We need to eat quickly and leave. The Forest of Haze can’t wait for us forever.”*