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| Neithawen's Deception |
| 14. Grapefruit |
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A smile lit up Legolas’ face as he rode back toward Melindin’s house. He began to formulate a plan in his mind. ‘How to get her,’ he thought. ‘I just don’t know.’ But he did know that if he did not tell her soon that he would burst with want for her. With need. ‘With love,’ he thought. For he truly did love her, at least as Teleadan. He was sure it would be the same with Neithawen, if not in a slightly different way. The thought of touching Neithawen the way he had that night at the palace made him ache with need for her. Suddenly, it hit him. He knew just how he was going to get her back. He smiled broadly and focused on the road ahead, scheming. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Neithawen sat up suddenly in her bed. It was still daylight, but Melindin was nowhere to be seen. She didn’t remember the dream that had roused her, but she remembered it being a bit unpleasant. All she could remember was King Thranduil and her father, fighting. Not with one another, but side by side, against some unseen foe. She remembered naught else, however. Shoving the dream aside in her mind, she suddenly felt a pain in her stomach. It was not from her wound, but from hunger. She took this as a good sign, and thought about seeking out Melindin when the woman came bustling in with a fresh bunch of flowers and a thick, leather-bound book. “Awake, I see,” she said. “Hungry?” “Oh yes, Melindin, quite.” “Then I shall see that you get some food. If you insist on going with Legolas tomorrow morning, then you’d better have your strength back.” Melindin smiled and pulled a grapefruit from a cupboard and set to work on it with a knife. “I find that grapefruit is just the thing to get your strength back when you’ve been healed by the herbs I used on you. Quite uncanny, how well it works. I just hope that you’ll be able to keep it down, since yours was a stomach wound. But you’re a strong girl. I know you’ll be all right.” The old woman turned to Neithawen with a smile. She pulled a plate from another cupboard and put the grapefruit quarters on it. As she walked over to Neithawen, picking up a jar of sugar along the way, there was a knock at the door. “That must be Legolas.” She set the plate and jar down on the bedside table and moved toward the door. Legolas stood there, holding a bunch of wildflowers. He smiled at Melindin, who stepped aside, admitting him. He strode over to the bed, a model of beauty and grace. Neithawen was rather stunned by him. Melindin came over with a vase filled with water, and Legolas put the flowers inside. A smile touched his lips as he arranged the flowers with care. When he was finished, he sat down on the edge of Neithawen’s bed and grasped her hand in his. “How are you feeling, dear friend? Better, I presume?” “Yes,” she said breathily, both from exhaustion and from his skin on hers. “And even better once she eats that grapefruit there,” Melindin interjected. “Now, I’ve got some gardening to do, so Legolas, now that you’re here, will you help Teleadan to eat? If he needs it, that is. He’s a strappin’ lad, I’m sure he’ll do fine on his own.” She winked at Neithawen. Legolas smiled. “I shall be happy to help.” “Good. Then I’ll be in the garden if you need me.” She smiled at them both and walked out the back door. Legolas watched until the door shut behind her, then turned to the table where the grapefruit lay. “You must eat this, my friend.” “Yes, Legolas.” Neithawen watched as he picked up a quarter and sprinkled a bit of sugar on it. His lithe fingers moved deftly over the melon, spreading sugar in an even pattern. “What of the other elves?” “They have decided to go on.” He continued speaking, addressing the expression of confusion that fell upon her beautiful face. “We can move much faster than they, and we shall reach them two days from now. Do not worry.” His face shone as he smiled at her as he held out the fruit. His beauty was astounding. Neithawen licked her lips. “Hungry, are we?” he chuckled. ‘Not for grapefruit,’ Neithawen thought. She raised her hands to take the fruit from Legolas. She watched him watching her as she brought the fruit to her mouth. Her eyes didn’t leave his for a second. The fruit was juicy, and when she took a bite, the sweet liquid ran down her chin. Legolas’ hand was immediately at her mouth. He watched her as his fingers smoothed away the sour nectar. His hand lingered by her lips, the pad of his thumb gently caressing the very bottom of her lower lip. A shiver ran down her spine, settling forward into the lower region of her stomach. Her mouth opened slightly, moving into his caress, but he pulled his hand away. “There,” he said. “Now you keep eating.” His voice was husky and full of desire. It never occurred to her that he should not be doing that. All thought of Teleadan had vanished momentarily. She longed to kiss him, but his expression changed suddenly from that of desire to friendliness. He picked up another slice of grapefruit and began to put sugar on its surface. She blinked a few times and her hand moved back to her face. She took another bite of the grapefruit, savoring the juice in her mouth. When she had finished eating all the grapefruit, Legolas stood up and moved to the washbasin. He dampened a cloth and handed it to her. She cleaned up as best she could with it and he took it back from her. At that moment, Melindin came in and smiled at them. Her hands were stained with earth and grass, and she brought the smell of earth with her. It was a pleasant and pungent scent. “I see you’ve finished the grapefruit. How’re you feelin’?” “Much better, I thank you, Melindin,” Neithawen said. “Och, ‘twas my pleasure, dear.” She turned to Legolas. “And how’re you farin’? Be needin’ some food, right?” “No, my lady, I ate the grapefruit that Teleadan did not.” “Of course. Well, now that everyone’s fed and watered, where’re we going to sleep? Teleadan stays in the bed--,” “I should not wish to be such a burden when you have done so much,” Neithawen said. “Pshht, nonsense. I’m more worried about Legolas sleepin’ on a pallet on the floor than me. I was plannin’ to sleep under the stars tonight. I do that often, you know.” “You are sure?” “Dead sure. I’m sorry, Legolas, but you’ll have to sleep on the floor. Here, you can use these.” She picked up a bundle of blankets from a rocking chair and handed them to him. “I thank you for your hospitality, my good lady. Your kindness will not go unnoticed.” Melindin smiled at him and moved to Neithawen. Tucking the bedclothes around Neithawen’s shoulders, Melindin kissed her forehead gently. “I’m glad you’re better, sweet dear.” Neithawen smiled, snuggling under the covers. “Thank you,” she said simply. Melindin rose and moved to the door. “G’night, you two,” she said, and left the cottage. Neithawen watched from her warm enclave while Legolas spread the blankets out on the floor beside the bed. He lay down in them, positioning himself for the night. “Legolas?” she said. “Yes?” Neithawen paused momentarily. Her heart wanted to say ‘I love you,’ but her mind made the decision for her. “Thank you,” she said finally. Legolas’ hand reaching up and slipping into her own was the only reply. |
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