Last Act of Love (Sequel to The Last One)

Chapter 17

Ruive gently floated down the river, her face peaceful. The current pushed her onto the gravel shores, the little waves lapping over her and spreading her hair out around her. Ruive felt like she was in a dream, she felt light and free. 

Her eyes fluttered open and she observed her surroundings. She laid in the middle of a lush green field surrounded by a forest of oak trees. She sat up and looked around, her eyes catching sight of the flags dancing in the wind on top of the towers of the castle behind the trees. She knew this field, the smell, the sounds, she was home.

At first she thought it was a dream, but when she saw the blonde-haired Elf walking towards her she realised, it was a memory. Of all the time she spent with Legolas, this was her favourite.

Legolas walked towards Ruive who was sitting on the grass with her leg stretched out, soaking in the sunlight.

"I thought I might find you out here." Legolas mused.

Ruive smiled up at him, shading the sun from her eyes with her hand.

"Aye, well it was either this or history lessons. I chose this." She shrugged.

Legolas shook his head and laughed.

"Are you going to join me, or are you going to just stand there?" Ruive inquired.

"As much as I would love to join you, I am actually here on behalf of your sister. She told me to inform you that you are meeting with the Guard today." 

Ruive groaned and laid down on her back, rubbing her hand over her face.

"Damn, I forgot that was happening today." Ruive muttered.

Legolas grinned and held his hand down to her. Ruive propped herself up on her elbows and looked at his outstretched hand, a smirk forming on her lips. Ruive gripped his hand firmly, then pulled Legolas on the ground and rolling on top of him.

"Well look at you, you are practically falling for me." Ruive teased. 

Legolas looked up at her in shock at first, but he mirrored her smirk and rolled her over and hovered over top of her. The two laughed at their childishness and couldn't help but get lost in each other's eyes. Ruive reached up and brushed a stray piece of hair behind his pointy ears.

"Men lananubukhs menu." (I love you)

Legolas looked at her in confusion.

"I don't know what that means."

Ruive smiled and placed her hand on his cheek, running her thumb over his cheek bone.

"I think you do."

Ruive carefully pulled his face towards her and pressed her lips to Legolas'.

The memory faded away and all the pain that came after flooded back to her. Her body ached and her head throbbed. Slowly her senses returned, she could her the river running and the sound of hooves on the rocks. She could hear the heavy breathing of a horse by her ear and the puffs of air fanning over her face. A soft, furry muzzle gently nudged the side of her face.

"Kerberos." She murmured.

The faithful horse knelt down beside her. Ruive opened her eyes slightly, and reached up and gripped Kerberos' mane and pulled herself onto his back.

"Quel Iôn." (Good boy) Ruive whispered, barely able to sit upright on Kerberos' back.

Ruive and Kerberos rode towards Helms Deep. Ruive now more awake and alert, could hear loud marching footsteps close by. The two hide behind a large rock as they watched at least 10,000 Uruk-Hai march towards Helms Deep. Ruive turned Kerberos away and headed towards Helms Deep, Kerberos stopped at the top of the hill that overlooked the fortress. She smiled and patted Kerberos' neck.