Anxiety…
Something you were usually spared from…
However at the moment it was suffocating…
You so badly wanted to do more then just hope and pray for Aragorn’s safe return…
It was useless…
And you had run out of things to do to occupy your restless mind…
Slowly standing you released a light groan. You had been kneeling, as well as bending over for an entire day. Your muscles had become a bit stiff and sore. Alas, your suffering was not in vain. By providing the little medical knowledge you had to the less wounded warriors, the experienced healers had been able to tend to the seriously wounded without interruption.
You couldn’t help but smile at the numerous thanks you received from patients and other healers alike; they were grateful for your contributions. You merely nodded lightly in response before turning to head to the door. You wanted fresh air more than rest.
The cool air was heavenly on your face. Glad to be out of the stuffy chamber you had been in. You stood at the second story of Helm’s Deep, numerous people hustling by you as they either searched for loved ones, food, or something to do. However all the commotion was making it rather hard to collect any rational thoughts. Sighing you decided it would be best to head for a spot void of any one else, and the best place would be at the highest floor of Helm’s Deep. It was where just a balcony stood, once a look out position, however at the moment Théoden didn’t have not even one man to spare; thus leaving the spot vacant.
After stretching your arms out to your sides, you began hiking your way up the winding path that lead up towards the higher levels. It was rather difficult to move past the crowds, however luckily you were able to manage. It was during your journey that you found a small water barrel with some towels and buckets near it. Smirking lightly you stepped over to it. Retrieving some water and a cloth so that you could cleanse away some of the blood and dirt from your face and hands.
It wasn’t but a moment later that you came up to the level of the great hall. Your eyes gazing at the open doors for a moment, dozens of sounds echoing from inside. You could not see inside, but you knew what was going on in there. You knew that mourning and preparation was in process and at the moment you didn’t want to be a part of any of it. Shaking your head, while releasing a remorseful sigh; you once again headed towards your destination.
After a moment of searching you were able to find the outside stairwell that lead to the balcony. Upon entering, your miscolored gaze began to study your surroundings. Without a torch you found the stair well to be hard to walk up. The only light coming from the sun rays that shone through the cracks in the old wooden door at the end; the light just enough to shine over the damp stone walls; the numerous spider webs glistening overhead as you treaded carefully up the steps.
At last you reached the top of the stairs. Your hand reaching forth to take hold of the cold metal belonging to the door handle; it was only after much difficulty that you were able to pry it open, the rusty hinges screaming into the silent air. You decided to leave the door only slightly ajar, after all you didn’t want to have to hear those hinges again, nor did you want to fight with the old door lock.
Striding over towards the stone guard wall, you couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty before you. At such a high level you could see far off into the distance, smiling as you took in the sight of the mountains, forests, and plains that stretched out as far as the eye can see.
After setting down the water bowl and wash cloth, you began the relieving process of stretching out your aching muscles; feeling the stiffness in your body dissipating a good bit once you had completely loosened up.
Next was the fun part. Moving your hands up you began the task of removing some of the layers of clothing from your body. First you removed your Elvin cloak, next was your armguards, soon followed by your tunic and lastly your belts. A light sigh leaving your lips at the improved air circulation. It felt good to stand there in the gentle and cool breeze with only your flimsy undershirt, pants, and boots on. Your weapons long since placed in the armory until they would be needed again.
Bending down you took hold of the water bowl and towel, standing back up straight so that you could set it on the stone guard wall.
You would have began to wash away the filth immediately had it not been for the captivating landscape before you. Shifting forwards, you brought your foot into a crack so that you could hoist yourself up, gaining a comfortable sitting position on the stone. Your miscolored gaze shining lightly in the faint light allowed past the clouds. It was here you found yourself doing something you hadn’t done in a very long time, you began to hum.
You were in no way a singer, that gift had not be granted to you, however you could hum decent enough. It was no particular melody, however a light lullaby that you could vaguely remember. Whether it was from your childhood was unknown, however it always served to relax your weary thoughts.
-3rd POV-
A supposedly calm Elf walked through the main hall, none knew of his raging anxiety. Worry feeling his heart as he thought back to his friend that could quite possibly be lying on a river bed, void of life. He had attempted to distract his thoughts, however all had failed.
He was about to head back to the armory when he glanced past the large oak doors. His gaze softening as he caught the sight of a feminine silhouette, a new anxiousness taking hold of him as he marveled at how beautiful Caleigh could look even covered in dried blood and dirt. That was a trait of the Elves, to always have the appearance of a rose even when amongst thorns.
His heart sank as he saw a melancholic expression take her features before she abruptly headed back off towards her destination. The mood of the Keep was starting to get to her.
Deciding it would do no harm to check up on her, he turned and headed off after her. There were few places that lie in the direction she headed off to. It was only a moment before he reached a dark outside stairwell, his curiosity on whether Caleigh came here or not quickly being answered as he heard the light screeching of old hinges at the top of the stairs.
Waiting only a moment longer, he finally headed up the steps. He was just about to reach the top when a very faint humming reached his ears; the soothing tune obviously belonging to the calm and tranquil voice of his quarry. Though he wanted to listen a little longer, he never approved of ease dropping and with his luck it would be Gimli who caught him.
After glancing past the slightly open door he saw her to be sitting on the ledge, completely distracted by the scene before her. At first he was unsure on whether to bother her or not considering she had stripped herself of some of her clothes, however seeing that she was decent he continued on.
Slipping silently past the open door he slowly crossed the distance separating them, to step up behind her; a faint smile touching his lips as he spoke “Enchanting.” However her response was much more unexpected. She twisted around with so much speed that her boots slipped on the stone causing her to begin a decent that was almost like a slow motion fall from the ledge.
Legolas hesitating not a moment to wrap his hand around her delicate wrist before she could descend even a foot. Jerking her towards him with a bit more ferocity then he originally meant. Sending Caleighs’ slender form colliding into his, knocking them both back towards the awaiting ground.
-Your POV-
You released a light gasp as you went hurdling into Legolas’ firm chest, his arms wrapping securely around you as he took the fall for the both of you.
You had not had even a moment to reclaim yourself before you were rolled over to your back, your eyes opening to stare up at Legolas as he pushed himself up so that he was straddling your waist on his knees, his hands resting on each side of your head to keep himself up right “Are you alright?”
His concerned filled iris’s shifting to confusion as he saw the wide grin plastered over your rosy lips, along with a faint tint of color to your cheeks. His head cocking slightly to the side, his eyes asking for an explanation towards your amused appearance “Tell me Legolas…how is it we keep finding ourselves in this position?” He couldn’t stop the light smile from curving his lips nor the light rise in color in his own cheeks as he realized exactly what you meant.
Playing it calm, he quickly rose from over you, offering his own hand to help you up, which you graciously accepted. A light exasperated breath slipping past you “You shouldn’t sneak up on people Legolas; after all I almost fell because of it.” He shook his head, his gaze shifting from amusement to seriousness “As long as I’m here, I will never let you fall.” You were silent as you stared into those endless oceanic orbs; there was not a doubt in your mind that he spoke of the truth.
Then just as quickly as the serious tone had come it vanished “Besides, it is unwise to loose track of your surroundings during such times.” You released a light chuckle as you walked up towards the water bowlandtowel “I suppose your right.”
Wringing the towel of excess water you began to work on cleaning your hands, which was proving an annoying task, considering every time you cleaned a bit off, you only managed to smudge more with your other hand.
Legolas taking note of your plight stepped forth, taking the towel from your hands “Here, let me help. Your not making any progress this way.” You sighed lightly “Sorry for being a bother.” He shook his head, taking your right hand first as he began to gently wash away the dirt and blood from each of your slender digits “It is quite alright. After all you earn your keep.”
Your lips curved into a wide grin as a hearty laugh left your lips, which Legolas matched with a soft chuckle.
Silence filled the air as he worked on your hands, his caress ever so soft and tender. It was a touch you were completely unaccustomed to, but you couldn’t deny that you liked the way your hands fit in his. You cursed yourself. Reminding yourself that you two would always remain merely comrades. Never companions and it was foolish of you to fantasize otherwise.
All too soon did Legolas finish cleaning your hands. His movements shifting so that he could clean the towel, before wringing it free to hand it back to you. Or at least that’s what you thought he was doing. However instead he shifted his left hand up, brushing rouge strands of your hair back as he began to very tentatively cleanse your neck with his other hand.
Chills raced down your spine, causing you to inner-wardly shudder under his torturous ministrations. You had no idea that your neck was so sensitive to touch. Your breath was slow as his eyesremained transfixed to his actions, making sure his attempts were thorough.
Neither of you noticing that while shifting your weight nervously back and forth from each leg, you had both began the slow process of inching closer to each other. Your bodies seeking the warmth of the other while never noticing it; your head tilting back slightly to offer him a better view of your neck as he continued.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. The touch of the cloth rising as he began to move upwards towards the skin of your face. The course cloth of the towel unnoted. Your miscolored gaze drifting shut as he continued his task, even though it unnerved him to do so. To see your face so serene was affecting him like a drug. Watching as with each swipe of the towel, he unveiled more and more of your soft and flawless ivory skin.
Your heart skipped a beat as you and Legolas took a breath at the same time. Your chest touching his as it expanded. Your eyes slowly slitting open to reveal your glassy emerald and stone iris’s. Your visage finding that his eyes were not looking to yours, yet instead they were transfixed to your lips as he wiped away the very last bit of dirt from your chin; his left hand shifting to cup your jaw to make sure he got the rest of it without you moving.
Neither of you seemed to truly take in how close your proximity had become. His gaze finding yours, he seemed so far away, however so did you. You felt as though you were just a spectator, that this wasn’t truly happening and merely a concoction of your own fantasy. But the bite of the winter air soon informed you that it was all real.
Legolas found himself scared, for the first time in his life, scared because he had no control, not even over his own body. He couldn’t stop himself from slowly leaning forward, hypnotized by the way your lips moved as they took in your precious breaths.
Instead of pushing yourself away like your mind told you too, you found yourself moving slowly up to your toes as he leaned down to you. Your body shuddering as his breath graced your cheeks, igniting an inferno that instantly warmed every inch of your skin.
So close, so close, just an inch or two. I want him closer to me; I want his arms around me. Push him away! His eyes so intoxicating… No this is wrong! Legolas…I...he’s returned…what?!
Legolas and you broke apart instantly, you two both rushing to the ledge to look down upon the walkways as you heard chanting from below. A lone figure was riding through the crowd looking battered and exhausted “O-Oh my goodness…Aragorn is alive!”
Legolas shifted his gaze up to you, however you did not see joy in his eyes like you expected, instead you saw uneasiness “Caleigh…we must forget about what almost just happened. It was a mistake.”
Forcing a smile you nodded, though you agreed with him, it still hurt to hear him say it “Yes it was, sometime desperate situations call forth awkward reactions. But we can rest easy now, Aragorn is back. You should go greet him; I will be right behind you.” His eyes stared at you for only a moment longer before he nodded, heading off without any more hesitation to greet the fatigued Aragorn.
However you did not move from that spot. You couldn’t move. You felt so empty, drained, lonely…you had never felt so alone. However you were wrong to act this way towards Legolas. Causing him such distress by throwing yourself at him like a whore in a tavern.
But he was right. It was a mistake. A mistake you would not repeat. So there you sat with your resolve, for a good hour until you finally rose…ready to greet Aragorn with a true smile…
((Sorry if this chapter wasn't the best. I wanted to have a really close scene before what was to come. Plus I must admit I'm lacking drive right now. Let me know if you like it or if I should come back in an improve something!))
