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Neithawen's Deception
10. Unease and Laughter


Legolas looked over at Neithawen. You what? he asked, shocked.

I swear to protect you, my lord. And I will. Neithawen smiled and offered the reigns to Legolas again.

Bu-but-- Legolas started, then seemed to think better of it, and said, I am honored, Teleadan, but the protection oath is usually something you reserve for very close friends. Surely you have someone better to bestow your kindness upon?

Nay, my lord. Surely there is no one more worthy than the Prince of Mirkwood. Besides, all my friends and kin deserted me, if you remember. Neithawen said, a smile growing inside her that she had to keep from shining over her face. She could feel his surprise and discomfiture. She had spoken of the protection oath to her father before, but she wasnt aware that it was such a major event. Maeglin had told her that you should swear the oath to someone that you cared for and wished would make it home safely, and someone that you would be willing to lose your immortality for. Had she been traveling to Rhn openly, Neithawen would have pledged her protection to her father. Since such a thing was not possible, Legolas would have to suffice. She smiled again, this time letting it blossom over her face like a new rose in the springtime. Come, my lord. It is time. And indeed, the trailing remains of the first company had started to move out.

Legolas took his horses reigns from Neithawen and leapt lithely upon its back. He yelled back to the other elves, An i auth! The assortment of young and old soldiers clamored up onto their horses, and soon the company was ready.

Legolas looked over at Neithawen, eyes narrowed in thought. I am ready, my lord, she said to him, smiling once more. He returned the smile and clicked softly to his horse, and they began to leave Mirkwood.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Thranduil looked over his shoulder at the regiment behind him. He smiled. I have a great feeling about this Maeglin. The two were riding at the head of the column, leading the elves to Rhun. Thranduils smile faded, however, when he thought of Legolas far, far behind them. I fear for my son, though. He is young and brave, yes, but I put him with mostly old, young, and inexperienced elves. Should they have the need to fight, I fear that they will not hold out.

Maeglin looked sharply over at Thranduil. What do you mean, should they have the need? Is that not what they have come for? Maeglin asked.

Thranduil laughed at the puzzled look on Maeglins face. Mellon nin, I havent quite told you the degree of severity that the war has come to. It is quite true that orcs are attacking the men of Rhun, but the men are weak, and a fresh surge of orcs would seem like much to them. However, I feel that the moment we arrive, the battle will be over. The orcs will turn tail and run, and even if they dont right away, they should before the second company gets there, at very least.

All confusion faded from Maeglins face, to be replaced with mirth. But why, dear friend, have you rallied all these troops?

Well, friend, there hasnt been any excitement around Mirkwood for so long, I thought itd be nice for the elves to get out of forest and see some new sights.

Maeglin smiled. Always the warmonger, you were, Thranduil. His gaze turned back to the open path ahead of them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Legolas head turned from side to side. He could sense something. He didnt know what, but something in the air was amiss. Two days ride and nothing had befallen them, and while this was good, it also held some air of suspicion. He glanced over at Teleadan, whom he was leading the column of riders with. His face was young and regal, but almost feminine. Legolas remembered when he was at that stage. It was a turning point in most elves lives. They either decided if they were warriors or if they were to stay home when war presented itself. The latter decision bore no shame, as he had heard it did in many societies of men. It was just a decision to be made. Legolas had decided to follow in his fathers footsteps. While it was odd for the king to go off to war, Thranduil had made that decision, and none had questioned it. Legolas had done the same.

Neithawen, feeling Legolas eyes upon her, turned her head slightly toward him. He swiftly looked away. Pretending that he had not been looking at her, Legolas said, Never have I been this far East into Mirkwood. It is dark, and strange. I feel something.

As do I, Neithawen replied. It was true in two ways. She did feel a strange sense of foreboding, very slight, but ever present. She also felt an odd sensation of companionship with Legolas, different from that which she had felt the night before their departure. She felt a bond that only friends without romantic ties could feel. She liked it, true, but she thought she liked the other bond just slightly more. She grinned, not meaning for it to show, but it did. Legolas noticed.

Why do you smile so, friend? Is what you feel different than what I feel? In a way, yes, Neithawen thought to herself. To Legolas she said, nay, I feel the presence of ill. Far away, yet present. I do not like it. But I was thinking of something else, that is the reason for my smile.

Something from your past, your former home, I daresay, Legolas suggested. A female, perhaps? He began to lament, Uin I hiril hebin meleth nin a bain na ind nin. The sound of his voice was pleasant to her ears.

Neithawen snorted. No lady has ever graced me with her presence, she said, being perfectly truthful.

You must be telling me a falsehood. A young, strapping elf like yourself? Surely youve been with your fair share of ladies.

Nay, my Prince. Nor shall I ever need to. Neithawen adopted the manner that shed seen the younger elves do back in Lothlrien. She sat up straight and tall in the saddle, pushing her nose into the air in an aristocratic manner.

Legolas nearly fell off his horse with mirth. He clutched at his stomach as he doubled over with laughter. Neithawen tried her best to look miffed, but all she succeeded in doing was making him laugh harder.

When he had calmed enough to speak, he said, one day you will feel much differently, mellon nin. I am quite sure of it.

Neithawen smiled. Whatever you say, my lord.

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