"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought."
The woods were quiet. Eeriely quiet. The light from the sun had gone, and now the dark woods surriounded them. Legolas shivered as his senses heightened as they entered the souther realm of Mirkwood. The horses were restless and in fear, as the riders were as well. The grass was brow and trampled on no doubt by the many and numerous orcs. Each elf had their sword or bow drawn as they looked around them. Echoes ran along as they hurried forward; and there seemed to be a sound of many heavy footfalls following that of their horses. The stirred.
Legolas stayed close to his brothers, knowing that they would protect him as he would them. The road began to disappear the farther they went down the hill. The bushes moved! Trees swayed noisily above them and the footfalls came louder! The sharp whizzing noise of the arrow flew through the bushes at the company of elves.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Cosette continued to scrub the floor, all the while her thoughts distant. She didn't even hear someone approach the doorway and stand in it. Slowly, wiping her brow, she put the scrubbing-brush back into the water and turned. She gave a small gasp of surprise as she saw Thranduil standing there.
I'm sorry, m'lord...I didn't know you were there. She stuttered.
He smiled calmly. It's all right, my dear. No harm done.
Cosette stood up, holding the small bucket in her hands. Her eyes shifted around casually, though in her mind they screamed. She was alone with him. The only thing that broke her from her thoughts was the sound of Thranduil taking steps towards her.
I'll leave you to your work then, She said with a small nod.
But as she went to leave, Thranduil grasped her arm. He turned her to face him; his eyes confident. Slowly, he leant in, indicating a kiss....but Cosette pulled back and away from him. He stopped and looked at her -- more of a shock than anything. No servant ever refused him, they always just complied. Thranduil's eyes grew a bit darker, embarrassed at the rejection. Dropping her arm, he gave her a warning stare, before storming out.
Cosette watched him go, now full of fear. What would he do? What could SHE do?
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
The black arrow pierced the heart of one of the elven guards, and that set the horses into chaos. "Ambush! Fly! Defend yourselves!" Once cried as a rain of arrows showered upon them hitting anything they could. Many found themselves in both rider and steed.
The black arrow pierced the neck of Legolas' horse and it reared in great pain--hooves lashing out-- causing the youngest elven prince to fall to the ground. Legolas yelped in pain but had he not rolled Estel would have crushed him. The elf looked to his dead stallion now and closed his eyes, whispering in elventongue sweet words of farewell before he stood and went to find his brothers in all the madness.
"Legolas!" they chined as one to their brother as the fought his way through the orcs that had charged at them. Once Legolas reached his brothers they fought as if in an unstoppble force. Every orc that came to face them lay dead at their feet, but it would not last. Another black arrow cut through the air and into Legolas' shoulder. He grimaced but continued to fight. His brothers wounded as well. Huthui had a gash to the head and cut across his arm, and Faeduil had a deep wound in his side.
The orcs flowed out as one and soon they were separated. Legolas felt himself weaker and weaker as he tried to fight off the orcs and rejoin his brothers, but his world went black....
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
It was soon growing darker....and for some reason, Cosette's concern for the prince grew. Something was not right. Normally, with the brothers together along with guards, it took them only a day. Perhaps they had been delayed. Or perhaps something went wrong.
After her confrontation with Thranduil, Cosette stayed within the washer room with a few other servant girls; scrubbing and soaking. She wouldn't wander around today alone anymore. Not until she was sure the king was not upset.
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
A loud hooves of two horses soon approached the gates of Mirkwood. "Open the gate the princes have returned!" Cried Hithui as the gates swung upon and both rushed in. They could hear the gates close behind them softly. Elves ran towards them and gasp at their appearance. Both borthers were bloodied and wounded in grave places. they stabled their steeds and soon were met by a concerned father.
"My sons! What has happened?! So few of you have returned and you are both wounded-" Thrnaduil stopped mid-sentance as he looked around him. "Where is your brother Legolas? Where is my youngest?" And fear took the heart of the king.
Both boys looked down and shook their heads sadly. "The last we saw of him was before the arrow pierced his shoulder. They were all tipped, I think. Then more orcs came and we were separated from him. I know not if our brother s alive, but I fear he would be dead...the orcs ambushed us and had the heart to kill..." Whispered Hithui as tears began to fall for their lost brother.
Thrandul looked at them wide eyed and felt the sting of tears come as well. Slowly he led his sons to the healers wind to get them bandaged and taken care off.
Meanwhile....
Legolas awoke sveral hours later and found hims hands and feet bound. His shoulder throbbed and the gash to thigh was bleed freely. His clothing dirty and matted with blood and dirt. The arrow was tipped. Legolas grimaced as he tried to move slightly but found it useless. The prince took this time too look around him. He was on the cold stone floor of some tower. Then his eyes widened. Dul Guldur. The elve trembled slightly but it was soon shaken when four gruesome orcs pushed in.
"Let's 'ave a bit o' fun lads!" belowed the first one with a long and pointed nose.
"I say we eat him! It been dayssss since we 'ad a good meal!" claimed another as he lifted his lips.
"I'll 'ave nun o' dat! We 'ave sum fun then we eat 'em!" And that caused a round of cheers, and shiver from Legolas. The hurried over to him and began to drag him out and gave him a kick causing him to fall face first into the dirt.. It stung his wounds he felt another pang of pain in his arm. The dirty old orcs had stabbed him with the crocked knife and laughed deviously. They kicked and poked fun at the elf constantly, beating him and taunting him.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
As Cosette helped bring water and cloth to those injured in the infirmary, she couldn't help but notice Legolas was not among them. Easedroping on the king and his sons as they spoke, she heard the reason. He'd been captured. Possibly dead, they didn't know. Her heart lessened that much more in spirit at the news and her eyes lost their shine.
Yet the king was not giving up. He ordered his men to begin to assemble. Even if Legolas was dead, they would bring him back here. To be buried, or to spend his last moments. Either way, he was coming home. Cosette had some urge then. Why not help?....Not as herself, no, they wouldn't allow her.
Setting down the pitcher of water and cloth, she slipped back out of the room.
Your task is to bring back my son, whether air still grace his lungs or not!....I want him found and braught home! Thranduil yelled to the lines of sentinals in armor on horse. The nearest haven for the orcs would be Dul Guldur. Search it and leave no stone unturned, no hallow unsearched!
The men roared in responce and headed out. Among them, though quiet and disguised, was Cosette. The helmet was a little large on her, but covered her face well. The armour was heavy and she wasn't used to it -- but she had to help in some way. Legolas had been so nice to her.
She rode; averting eyes from all the others as they headed out to save the prince.
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
The orcs laughed cruely at the beaten prince that laid bloodied and marred on the ground. Still the prince did not cry out in pain or protest. He would not give the the pleasure of knowing he was in pain.Instead, he gave then an icy glare no matter what they did, which seemed to worsen the conditions of him, but soon the orcs froze as the sound of distant hooves reached their ears. They slooked arounded wildly and began to panic. Had help come for him?
Legolas' body ached badly, and the pain was so over-whelming that he closed his eyes ad slipped into unconcious partly on purpose and partly from weariness.
The orcs screamed as riders and horses charged forth and bows, spears, and the tips of swords gleamed in the faint light. The company of evles slaughtered the orc party easily.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Cosette threw a large spear which penetrated an orc easily. It fell to the ground screaming horribly in pain. It was then she saw him; Legolas. He was on the ground with his eyes closed. But before she could reach him, one of his brothers got to him first. He hoisted Legolas atop his steed and whistled for all the elves to clear out -- a few stayed behind to burn corpses of orcs.
She followed in suit along with the others, riding with them and still hiding. Once they reached the city again and home of Thranduil, they rushed Legolas inside. They were all so preoccupied with the state of the Prince, Cosette snuck away easily. She changed out of the armour and put on her servant dress again.
Heading down the hall, she heard the comotion in the infirmary and decided against going there. She would only be scolded for being in the way.
Knowing she had to do something to occupy herself, Cosette went to Legolas' room and began to prepare it. She made his bed, swept, dusted, and tidied up the many many scattered papers and maps about his desk.
Once she finished, it was evening. Tired, but still concerned, she left his room and headed back down the hall towards the infirmary. All was quiet now. Thranduil and his sons had gone to bed, along with everyone else, save a guard at the door. But he did nothing to her as she walked by -- for she was merely a servant.
Standing by his bedside, she looked down at Legolas sadly. At least he was home. The healers seemed to had stablized him. Taking a cloth from the endtable by his bed, she poured some water out of the pitcher into the white dish. Dipping the cloth in, she began to lightly dab Legolas' forehead -- to keep down the feaver.
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Slowly the weary eyes of the young prince opened and for the first time beheld the peacful surroundings. Though his sight was blurred, he could still make out the shape of a form dabbing his forehead. It felt cool against his heated skin. His now bandage shoulder throbbed and burned with pain and he certainly felt it and was keen not to move it.
The haze over his eyes began to disappear as he blinked rapidly--trying to be rid of the blurrs and make them into sharp shapes. "W-Where am..I?" Came the raspy and soft voice of Legolas as he looked to the woman caring for him. She seemed familiar, but his eyes still needed to adjust before he could make out who the person was.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.Your home, m'lord....your in the infirmary.... Cosette answered softly. She did not want to startle the prince. They rescued you....from Dul Guldur.....your home... She wanted him to know he was in a safe place. Some victims were prone to panicing upon waking, but luckly, such was not the case with Legolas.
She stopped dabbing his forehead to resoak the cloth within the bowl. You need to rest, m'lord. Sleep. I shall leave you, if you desire peace.
"No please..." And he reached for her hand and squeezed it lightly. "Please do not leave me alone...I cannot sleep now...not after what has happened...stay with me..until I fall into slumber again...please.." Legolas asked her in a pleading tone. He was quite shaken at what had happened, but ht tried to remain calm and reassure himself he was safe and it would not happen again.
As his eyes cleared he looked up into the woman's face. It was then he reconnized her. "Cosette...?" And a small smile came to his lips as the fond memory of the other day came into his mind.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Cosette gave a small nervous smile and nodded slowly. Yes....'tis me. She continued to dab his head with the wet cloth. You need your rest, m'lord....please try and sleep. Knowing he had to be soothed, Cosette began to gently pet his face and hair with her soft hand and delicate fingers.
What are you doing in here?! A voice came from the door. Cosette looked back to see another female servant there. It's my shift, not yours. Your not even supposed to be here, Cosette. She snapped.
Cosette looked down and put the bowl and cloth down. I-I know...it's just.....he was all alone....and I-I....
Forget it. Go to bed. The servant girl huffed, taking a seat near the bedside of the prince.
Cosette nodded slowly and left without another word.
Re: .:A change of Heart:."Cosette?" But before he could say more, she was gone. Sighing sadly he looked to the servant girl with sad eyes. Slowly the prince turned his head away form her and stared at the wall across of him. The only one who brough comfort to him had left without a goodbye, but he understood. She couldn't. This girl was superior to Cosette, adn she had to obey. Already for some odd reason he could not fathom his heart longed for Cosette.
Slowly the elf closed his eyes and wished to see Cosette again, or let sleep take him.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
It was soon morning, and the prince had again fallen asleep during the night. The servant girl by his bedside soon stood and left again as his father and brothers came in. They roused Legolas and began to speak with him about his ordeal.
I knew you'd pull though. My youngest, and strongest. Thranduil beamed while looking down at his son. The healers say you are able to transfer back to your own room if you like. As long as you have a nurse to watch over you in the night.... He waited for his son's responce.
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Legolas smiled slightly. "I would like to go back to my own room, father. And for my nurse, would itt be too much to ask for the servant named Cosette to stay with me? SHe is tender and nice, and she is comforts me more than an other nurse here. If you would grant that oh kind father I would surely be in ever thanks." Perhaps he could get Cosette to see him everyday. He wanted to much to know her more, and be with her more.
He waited his father's response, adn he hoped his father would not be upset. Legolas knew Thranduil's temper,a dn it was not a kind one at ALL.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Thranduil knew of the girl. The one who refused him. If she is what you want, then you shall have her. Anything that will make you better. He responded with somewhat of a tight lip. Nodding, he turned to go make arrangements.
One of his brothers sat on the bed with a small smile. Fancy gettin' your end in a servant, eh?
Re: .:A change of Heart:."No...I simpe enjoy her company. She was kind to me and I wish to have someone I am familiar wth visit me than someone I do not know and is hard! Besides, I am not well enough to do anything exillurating now anyways." He smiled and stared at the wall.
"Father was not pleased with what I said...did you not see the stonic face he gave with I asked?" Sonething about what Legolas said upset his father, but what?
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.Have you ever known father not to be stonic?....At least not for a long time. His brother laughed. Well, get some rest before we move you into your room. I'll get the healers and two guards to help you down there, eru knows you are not well enough to walk on your own. He nodded and the two brothers left Legolas.
Soon, guards arrived with healers and they transfered the Prince back to his own room. His clean room, since Cosette had been there.
Once she was summond, slowly, she came in. M'lord?...You sent for me?
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Legolas smiled to her and nodded slowly. "Yes...I wanted to see you again, seeing as we never had time last for t he other woman rushed you out. Please make yourself comfortable here, unless you would like to leave, then you can if you like. I just wanted to...know you more. You comfort me and were watching me whilest I slept, and you were there when I woke. Thank you..." And the prince motioned her with his other arm to the side of the bed.
'Let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow...an Elf.'
Re: .:A change of Heart:.
Cosette closed the door gently behind her and came over to the side of the bed. I was told to watch over you, and I intend to do just that, m'lord. Anything you need, please tell me. She said with a nod. This would be her chance -- her chance to prove herself. Show the other servants she wasn't useless and she could do something as impotant as taking care of the Prince. She'd show them and prove her quality.
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