The Last Othellan

The Black Ships

Unexpected confidence brimmed in my heart as we stood on the shore of the river. Aragorn and I stood on either end of our group, Legolas and Gimli beside us. As the ships approached, oblivious to their ghostly fate, I saw that they were large enough to carry many men aboard. Their sails looked a little like dragons wings, but somehow also reminded me of swans. Shouting came from all of them, and I assumed the men on board were being ordered around by their chief officers. However, corsairs were not known for their discipline, in battle or out of it. That, I reflected, was why they had such useless armies.

As the ships came close enough to be in hearing range, Aragorn called out.

"You may go no further". A scowling, brutish man on the ship nearest to us stood up. "You many not enter Gondor", Aragorn continued. His voice sounded somehow different – less like a ranger's, and more like a lord's. I smirked in pride.

However, his words were still met with a burst of mirth from the ships. "Who are you to deny us passage?" demanded the brutish looking man in challenge.

"Legolas, fire a warning shot past the boson's ear", Aragorn commanded, in his unfamiliar, deep tone of voice. Obediently, Legolas raised his bow, taking an arrow from his quiver.

"Mind your aim", Gimli warned. I barely had time to think of what an odd comment this was for the best archer we'd ever met when Gimli nudged Legolas' bow with his axe, just as his arrow was loosed. It sunk into the chest of a thickset, bearded man who yelled in pain. I rolled my eyes at Gimli and frowned as Legolas looked down at him, annoyed. Gimli put a hand up to his mouth, feigning surprise.

"Oh, that's it, we warned you. Prepare to be boarded!" Gimli growled. Another shout of laughter erupted from the ship at his comment, but none of us moved an inch, only stared unflinchingly at our enemy.

"Boarded?" One of the men shouted out gleefully "By you and who's army?"

I grinned, knowing that the answer to the man's question was seconds away.

"This army", I heard Aragorn hiss in satisfaction. Cold swooped through me from head to toe as the ghosts ran through us, their king yelling a cry which was soon drowned out by the screams of the men. One thing was certain – they would not be harming Gondor.

***

Hours later, as the first hint of sunset reached the western skyline, I stood at the prow of a corsair boat, letting the breeze play with my hair. There was a pleasant, salty smell in the air. I breathed deeply as it washed over me, a slight smile playing on my lips.

"It's the sea", said a soft voice beside me. I turned to find Legolas had joined me. The wind teased his braids away from his shoulders and he spoke again. "This river widens until it joins with the waves of the southern ocean."

"It smells almost familiar" I smiled "though I've never seen the sea myself"

"It is said all elves know that smell. My father often says that our paths are all destined to lead to the sea, and across it, back home."

"Valinor" I spoke the name reverently, almost cautiously, feeling I scarcely deserved even to think of such wonders. "Do you think you'll ever leave?" I directed my question at Legolas.

"One day" he muttered "When there is nothing left for me here". I saw him glance slightly to the side, to where Gimli and Aragorn were eating. "Will you leave?"

"I've never really thought about It" I answered slowly. "I suppose I will one day, for the same reasons as you".

We lapsed into silence, each lost in our own thoughts as the sky darkened gradually. The sound of white gulls filled my ears as they sang out the day with their mournful lament. I felt strangely joyous and, at the same time, melancholy. But it was a hopeful kind of sad.

The smells of the sea were more enticing than anything I had ever experienced. I thought of waves crashing onto sand, of moonlight reflected in water, and, despite tomorrow's battle and the trials that would follow, I was at peace.

The others behind us were rummaging through their packs, tugging out blankets as the last vestiges of the day slipped under the western horizon. We bade them goodnight as they chose spaces on the ship to rest their heads. Soon, the sound of Aragorn's deep breathing and Gimli's persistent snores filled our ears.

Once we knew they were both asleep, Legolas wrapped an arm around my waist and I stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek. "Quiet at last" I whispered. Legolas smiled easily.

"You call this quiet?" he raised an eyebrow and indicated Gimli. I chuckled and shook my head.

"I just mean – tonight, for once, we are out of danger. The ghosts surround us, and nothing is getting past them." I paused "It is a comfort to know we're safe, even if it's just for a few hours"

Legolas nodded in agreement and his hand curled around my waist a little tighter. The combination of his smell, a spring day after rain mingled with wood smoke, and the salty smell of the air was luxuriously enjoyable. My lips bent upwards as he pressed his own softly to my cheek. I couldn't resist turning my head and brushing my lips against his. The feel of them, the knowledge that there was so much meaning behind their touch, made my stomach flutter.

I watched his eyes flutter open when we pulled away, enjoying studying their deep blue gaze locking on to mine. We lapsed into a calm silence. When I glanced back, our friends were still fast asleep. A few minutes later, it was Legolas who spoke first.

"You were scared, under all those skulls." Even weeks before, I would have found it difficult to admit he was right, but now I only nodded.

"I was scared the whole time we were under the mountain" I admitted bashfully "I hate small spaces, places where I can't see the sky, I hate situations where I can't fight my way out, like those skulls"

"You hide your fear deep down." Legolas commented "I would never have guessed you were afraid all that time."

"Good" I laughed quietly "That's how it's supposed to be". Legolas gave me a tiny, almost quizzical smile, like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. I spoke again. "Thank you. I just froze under those old bones. I would be dead if you hadn't been there"

He shook his head slightly, turning and pressing his lips to my temple. The arm around my waist pulled me even closer. I rested my head in the crook between his neck and his shoulder.

"You don't need to thank me, meleth nin", he muttered. I smiled at his endearment and snuggled a little closer, reaching for his opposite hand and knotting his fingers through mine. (My love)

"We should get some rest, tomorrow we will need our energy" Legolas murmured almost regretfully after we had remained in the same position for a few more minutes. I made a tiny, complaining noise in the back of my throat and he laughed softly.

He stepped away and I sighed silently, but followed him, padding past the others and retrieving our blankets to lay down. Unluckily, I ended up the closest to Gimli, though we were all spread out over the deck. I sighed and, rolling my blanket up and stretching across, I managed to hit him with it. I grinned and lay down as his snoring stopped abruptly. He turned over, and fell silent.

I glanced to the side to see Legolas sniggering a few feet away. "I didn't actually expect that to work" I whispered, satisfied.

"After all these months, I think you've finally discovered how to make him quiet." I hid my mouth, trying to stifle a giggle, but shook my head.

"He'll be snoring again in five minutes".

Legolas chuckled, mischief in his dark blue eyes. "Goodnight, Aúthiel" he whispered.

"Goodnight, meleth nin", I breathed back. Before I closed my eyes, I saw him grin contentedly. 

Enjoy, 

AM