Livewire[LOTR]

Chapter twenty-four- Her

We walked in silence, she sat on the Elk with the two other riders. Naia hopping along beside me. It was strange, but I was relived. I had always thought of him-her as being attractive. Her face was soft, decorated in freckles- lips large and eyes wide like the sun. I couldnt help stare now- I shook the thoughts out of my head. What the hell was I thinking, she was a liar and a cheat. She had almost stabbed me to death- but... I glanced over at her, and our eyes met- had she been eyeing me to? I quickly ripped my gaze forward staring into the trees. We where nearing the greenwood palace now.

She coughed. "I dont think I need to go to the healer, I'm alright." I shook my head. "No. you need to get that hand patched up correctly, and... you know- use of your legs would also be helpful" I joked. She chuckled softly and slipped off the Elk as we reached the camp. Healers raced forward and helped her towards there tents, taking the two boys. I watched her leave, she cast a smile back at me before vanishing into the tent. I covered my mouth with my hand and turned towards Naia, the eagle cocked her head and nuzzled my hand. I took a deep breath and led the bird towards the roost, giving her a little food to nibble on before returning to the palace. 

My sister was waiting for me inside. "Is he alright?" She asked. I shook my head. "Fine, a little beat up- but he'll be alright." I told her. She let out a loud sigh of relief. "Thank god. I was so worried-" I shot a glare at her, it was obvious that she had feelings for the Rider. I could tell her about his little secret, but... I decieded against it. I would talk to her when she was patched up- I followed my sister into the throne room. My father was sitting at the end of the round table, his hands folded under his chin as he glared into a map before him. "We will attack next, we will destroy there horde before they can strike again." He said. Stabbing his dagger into the map. "We will rally our remaining forces and march at dawn."

I nodded. "Go, tell them." he waved to me. I nodded, turning causing my red cloak to bloom behind me like a rose. I opened the door, and the commander shouted for the warriors attention. "The king has commanded, we will march on the Orc strongold Cirith Gorgor at dawn." The warriors shouted in support- they where ready. I spotted Iviaan in the crowd, she looked worried. The crowd disbanded and I went to the medical tent. The healers where elsewhere, so it was just myself and her. She was sitting in the medical robes. Her legs wrapped. "What is your real name." I asked her, sitting down in a chair. "Ireth." She said quietly. I nodded. "Are your legs feeling better, since they had you tied up for two days..."  I said. She nodded. "Whats wrong?" I asked.

She glanced up at me, her hazel eyes where filled with fear. "I am worried, the orcs have already weakened us... this could be what they want. They want us to march, we will be destroyed." she whispered. I stared, my blue eyes widening. No, not possible... but... they had warned her about there attack and my father had not listened. Perhaps they where trying to get us to the dead marshes. A large open space at the foot of Cirith gorgor- they could attack from the surrounding hills and we would be stuck. I stood swiftly. "Put your armor on and come with me." I said, stepping outside the tent to let her change. This would be a blood bath, we could not attack them directly like this. She followed me towards the palace and inside- my father was speaking with some advisers. His cold expression turned colder when he saw her behind me. "Why do you bring him with you Thranduil." he asked me. "I thought about it, and Iviaan agrees- if we attack directly we will be slaughtered. The dead marshes is the Orcs playing field and we are going to walk right into a trap." I said. 

My fathers ice blue eyes narrowed. "This is not your choice, child. We are going to destroy the horde once and for all." Ireth shifted beside me. Threw the helmet I heard her speak. "You cannot expect to win- they know that land better then anyone. They have already weakened us, this is what they want." She stood up to my father- I was surprised- but then again, she had done it before. "Do not speak to me." my fathers snapped. "You do not know, they are not expecting us." she pushed past me and slammed her fists on the table. "You cant send all these good men to their deaths, they will be killed!" she screamed, her voice filling the throne room and echoing off the stone walls. My father moved quickly and appeared beside her grabbing her neck with his hand and holding her up. "Do not, speak to me!" he yelled, throwing the woman against the palace walls. "Father!" i yelped, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. He swung, his hand coming in contact with my face. Causing me to stagger and hit the table. I winced, my face stung- I stared at Ireth as my father stood inbetween us. 

He glared, shook his head then left. Ireth stood, rubbing her neck. I rubbed my face as she approached me. She stood in front of me, her gloved hand touching the hot mark on my face. "Was he always like that?" she asked me, removing the helmet. We where alone now- so it didnt matter. "Only when my mother died, I dont remember her well- but she was beautiful... she had silver hair like the clouds and eyes green like the forests. She died giving birth to my sister." I said quietly. Her hazel eyes filled with sadness. "I'm sorry..." I stood, moving away from her. "It doesnt matter-" suddenly, arms where around my middle and something soft and warm was holding me. I glanced down at her, she was hugging my waist tightly. Her face buried into my back. I turned around to face her and wrapped my arms around her small body. I didnt think, I didnt want to think. I just wanted to hold her, and let our heartbeats become one.