NEW LEAF (Legolas FF) | ✔️

Chapter 3: Mellon nin

Turwaithiel's PoV

The road I was on was quiet, save for the occasional animals that scurried about. I walked quietly like a shadow, my heart beating strangely fast in my chest. I was starting to doubt if what I did was rational. My hand grips on one of my daggers, dreading the moment I might use them. I have killed countless of orcs during my training and yet, somehow, orcs seemed to be least of my problems.

I start running, the canopy of leaves casting shadows as I pass under them. The night had grown heavy with a feeling of eminent danger, making me wish I had thought this through. Somehow I had lost my way even though I was quite convinced where I was going. I was going to the Shire but after days of traveling without the welcoming sight of Bree, I felt my hope weaken. I had wanted to see the Hobbits since I had met Bilbo when he arrived in Rivendell those many years ago. I had been nothing but an elfling, hiding behind stone pillars. There were never much books on their kind and when I had heard how peaceful it was there, I had listed it as one of the places I would like to go to if I had been given the chance. The first on the list was 'Mirkwood'. I find myself frowning in the dark. I must not allow such thoughts to enter my mind. I stopped then, looking at the path before me. I recall where I had been. I had crossed the Last Bridge. I had to make a long detour from the mountain. I had only packed food enough for two weeks. I bite my lip. I should have packed more. I look at the path before me again, hoping to the Valar this was the East-West Road. I continue walking, feeling the weight of my failure for even a simple task such as this. I was about to lose all hope when I find a familiar structure from the maps I have read and seen. It was Weathertop. With such a sight, I quicken my pace. I was on the right path, Bree was near by.

--

I finally saw the distant lights of a small town after walking for two days, only stopping for an occasional snack and rest. Finally, a warm bed for tonight. The rain had start to pour then, making me run across the dirt roads to find an inn of some kind. Anywhere I could get some rest without the fear of getting murdered in my sleep. My leather boots sunk in the mud as I trudged along, with the rest of the travelers that seemed to have not anticipated the rain as well.

When I found an Inn, I quickly strode inside. I did not want to draw attention to myself so I pulled my hood higher and loosened the braids in my hair to cover the point in my ears. Perhaps they did not get many elven travellers, seeing as most elves belonged in a Kingdom or a home. The inn was bustling with activity as I guided my way to one of the corner tables where the light seemed to be dimmer. I had only sat down when a plump little woman made her way over to me.

"What can I get ya?" she asked. She had looked at me like I was nothing but an ordinary customer. I glanced at my surroundings, seeing the many different races mingling with one another. I have yet to see an elf. It calmed me somehow, that I had not looked suspicious. I had read about the food the men of our world ate. I looked up at the woman through my hood, seeing her bored expression. I ordered a half loaf of bread with ale, even though I had never in my life drank the thing.

My order came rather quickly and I pretended to drink and eat when in fact I had just broke the bread and spread it on the plate. The owner of the inn seemed too busy to be bothered and so I waited until the right moment to talk to him in private. I began to chew on bits of bread when one of the big men that had been drinking, sat across me.

"What you hiding for, lil miss?" He slurred and suddenly my heart began to beat faster in my chest. I found that I feared men more than I feared orcs. Orcs I could kill. I have killed. Men on the other hand. I ignore him, wishing he would go away but it seemed to encourage him further as he glanced around to his friends and they laughed. I began to panic. Would they dare touch me if they knew I was an elf? Lord Elrond had warned me about men and the horrid things they do. My hand goes instinctively to one of my daggers as the man in front of me turns to face me again. He had a disturbing smile on his face as he tried to see through my hood.