Legolas self-insert throwaway fanfic (My Love, My Heart)

Chapter 2: Escape

   Light assaulted my eyes as I slowly woke up from my sleep, it was obviously noon or so as the sun was high in the sky and heat melted and bent images in the ground, I slowly dragged my creaky body from under the bushes' thick canopy and into the sun, and looking around I saw rocks and grass wavering in the wind, I had no idea where I was, I couldn't tell if I was near bay-Orns house or further from it, but I simply started to walk in whatever direction felt best, "West must be the way to Rivendell." I thought, playing the events of the movie in my head of the dwarves' journey, I groaned, it'd be many months of travel without a horse. I walked for hours in the direction the sun would set, those hours seemed like weeks, and the heat made me tired and thirsty, though I rested often at any shady spots I found, I still dripped sweat and the feeling of dehydration slowly crept through my body, my head drooped lower and lower at each minute, I figured I'd stop at the next bit of shade, then wait to travel at night as it would be cooler. Another ten minutes passed, and I came upon a thick grove of slightly shorter trees, which offered shelter from the unforgiving sun, and sat against one catching my breath a moment I sighed, thirst was all I felt, other than hunger I looked about and saw some vibrant green grass that grew in small patches around me I hurriedly ripped some from the ground, and against my better judgement, took the chance and began to chew on it hoping through its bitterness it would supply some nourishment.

It was well after dark after I woke up again, I inhaled the smell of night air, I stood up, a bit shakily, and continued my journey after snagging some more grass the clothes I wore now had dirt and sweat stains on them, and I smelled like trash but I tolerated it, my hair was matted and dirty, I tried but failed miserably to comb it with my fingers, though I refuse to give up. After a few hours of walking, I came upon a forest, hesitating before going in, the darkness made me uneasy though I could see, I felt out of my league, but I pushed on anyway walking into the trees slowly, eyes and ears alert for unexpected company. Half a moon lit my way through the place, its rays piercing through branches and shining on spots of ground, it was beautiful in there, a true sight to behold, frogs croaked, owls screeched and howls echoed through the night, I felt the call to become wild, beastly I even broke into a slow jog before regaining my senses.

Time could've stopped and I would've been alright with-it peace never felt this good, until the snapping of a twig caught my attention, "Who- who's there!" I called into the trees, shuffling to my left caused me to whirl my body around, almost tripping on myself. "Reveal yourself at once, or I will-" I couldn't think of anything to say before a rugged figure stepped out into my line of sight, I gasped slightly as I took view of the scraggily long beard, unkempt hair, and dirty clothing of one Radegast the brown with his staff in hand, looking surprised but ready to fight. I relaxed my stance, "You are Radegast?" I asked, he looked taken aback and replied with caution. "Yes..." I bowed in respect and dusted off my arm.

"I didn't know I had hit your part of the world yet." I said apologetically I smiled, "I have nowhere to stay, may I sleep in your house? I'll pay you back with work." I offered, he looked suspiciously at me.

"How did you come by these woods?" he asked, stepping toward me in a more cautious manner.

"I was captured by King Thranduil, and escaped about four days ago." I replied, "please, I haven't had food nor water I will gladly work as payment," I begged, dying of thirst, my stomach growled loudly, I looked down embarrassed and he chuckled lightly seeming to trust me a bit more.

"You may stay for a few nights; come I must show you the way." He absent-mindedly guided me to his home I thanked him profusely and followed through the twists and turns he made, soon coming upon his shack from which grew several trees, the lop-sided door creaked open, and the alarmed squeaks of small animals faded as they scurried away, the whole place was muddy and a bit dark save for the moon, I was supplied with a large slice of bread and a chunk of cheese, which I happily accepted, drowsiness overcame my mind. "Here is a cot you may sleep on, don't touch anything else." Radegast warned me I nodded tiredly and lay on the cot; it only took a few minutes to sleep.