Unforgiven

Fight

Anodien's fear for Legolas' safety only grew the longer his absence went, and her search for him continued to be fruitless. She prayed desperately once more, but began to lose faith. Her heart pounded faster and faster, and a low breath escaped her lips when the fear gripped her. The bushes ahead rustled, and she prepared herself for a fight. After all, it was close to the Fae border. Who was to say it wouldn't be a hostile Fae?

To her relief, Legolas was the supposed 'foe' to walk from the bushes. Thank the gods. Anodien ran to him and held him tightly, but instantly knew something was amiss. The Faeling released him and stared worriedly. She tipped her head and wrote in the dirt. 'What's wrong?' Still, he didn't reply, only stared at the ground guiltily. He knew the next words were meant as more of a jest, but had to respond anyhow. 'I swear, you'd better answer me, or I will

Legolas kicked the words out of existence before she could finish her sentence and fixed a frown on his face. "You'll what?" he snapped, taking a step back. Anodien's surprise was evident, and as he continued, the hurt was as well. "What could a weak little witch do to me?" This time, Anodien did not bother to write, instead mouthing the words she intended. She knew Legolas could read them anyways.

"Legolas, what's going on?" Tears gathered in her eyes.

"I was wrong, little fairy. You're nothing, Anodien." The Faeling gaped at the Elf, but the familiar development of having someone she cared about toss her aside began to take over. "Iluvatar above, what have you turned into?" She knew this, yes indeed. She took a step backwards and opened her lips. "What, are you going to mouth something? Write in the muck?" Anodien clutched at her ears, hoping it was a dream.

At the same time, she knew within her heart that it was not. The darkness was known to her, and it was strong. This was true, and the one she'd trusted was trying-- and succeeding-- to break her. "Gods above, I was wrong to love you. I'm actually ashamed to have you as part of my race!" Legolas turned around, so Anodien did not see the utter self-hatred spreading across his face. That did not stop the outrage stirring within Anodien's stomach, and she clenched her fists. However, she did not yet make a move against him.

"You're nothing." She took a step back. "That's right," Legolas whispered, certain she'd hear him. "Run away, you freak. You're nothing. Nothing to me, and nothing to the world." He didn't know why he was continuing. The words weren't his, but he couldn't help it either. "You'll never be anything! You're just like your father!" The appalling insult was the final straw, and she could no longer handle the sickening energy roiling within her.

She fell to her knees and clawed at her cheeks, the sound that burst from her lips throwing Legolas backwards. It was all too vicious of a shriek, and her entire body was engulfed in red-hot flames for the first time in countless years. The grass began to flare up as well, and it instantly surrounded both of them. Anodien could taste the Elf's fear.

Legolas now kept his mouth shut, his focus on the tongues of flame licking at his back. Anodien's mouth once again opened, and a shiver ran through the Elf's body as he heard the first words forced from her throat. They were not the ones he'd hoped before, and he knew he'd made a grave error. "...A ...Fae, am I? A ...villain?" the Faeling snarled, advancing on Legolas with fire in her eyes. "It... was you that... kept me... on my path, that... healed me... through it all." The blazes grew even larger and began to singe the edge of Legolas' clothing.

"Anodien, I--"

"DID I SAY YOU COULD TALK, YOU WICKED SON OF A BITCH!" Legolas' surprise could not have been greater. The sheer volume of her voice struck him to the bone, and for the first, he became truly frightened of the princess of herself. He had seen her anger, felt her animosity, but never had he witnessed either to this degree. He doubted even she had ever felt this fury.