~In progress~
Set around the year 2060
Mirkwood fights to keep the enemy at bay. Prince Legolas, leading Captain of King Thranduil's military, prepares new recruits to join Mirkwood's patrols. In these novices, he finds a young she-elf. For reasons...
The next day, Legolas awoke before the sun to pack the necessary items for their journey. As he packed, his jaw clenched in irritation. Rhavaniel of all people! Couldn't be someone else? No, it just had to be her, he thought. His mind wandered to Ithreon. He had been informed of their departure and no doubt had a good laugh.
Legolas inspected his weapons before securing them on his back. He wore his usual hunting garb: green and brown to blend with his surroundings.
Making his way out of his chambers and to the stable, he spotted Rhaveniel approaching him, and he sunk in his boots. He didn't wait for her to catch up.
"Thranduilion, mea govannen," she greeted as caught up to him. Legolas couldn't tell if she was teasing or not, and Rhavaniel noticed his loathing. "I loathe your company as well, but I am most happy our King saw me fit to join."
Legolas pursued his lips and entered the stable. "Let's hope you don't do anything stupid again," he snapped and strapped his pack onto his horse.
Rhavaniel said nothing. She was grateful his back was turned. Were it not, he would've seen the regret in her eyes. She wanted to apologize and thank him, but her pride was strong. Too many times she made a fool out of herself in front of him, she realized. It couldn't happen again.
She took her own horse, a strong black mare, and mounted. Her own pack was filled with necessary items and already secured on her saddle. She was ready.
Legolas mounted his horse. "Do not forget who is in charge," he said to Rhavaniel before spurring his horse on.
~*~*~
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They rode for hours in silence, nothing but the breeze made a sound and the soft clattering of hooves. Their eyes scanned every inch of the dense forest, both knowing the potential danger lurking in these woods. Their mission was to remain unseen and avoid engaging unless unavoidable. Though they were both skilled in combat, they were only two. What are two against dozens? Hundreds?
Late-night had passed. The stars were barely visible through the vast canopy of trees, and the distant sound of chirping crickets filled the air.
Halting their horses, the elves dismounted to rest and eat. They didn't light any fires, not risking bringing attention to themselves. Their eyesight had to make due. Both elves kept their cloaks tightly around them to conceal their outer glow, knowing it attracted orcs like months to bright lights.
Legolas dug into his pack and withdrew enough food for two. He offered Rhavaniel some, but she lifted her hands, showing she had her own.
Legolas wordlessly nodded and stuffed the extra food back into his pack.
They ate in silence sitting on a fallen log some distance from each other. The only sound was the gentle breeze blowing stray leaves across the forest ground. It soon became awkward, and Legolas cast an eye to Rhaveniel to see she was already looking at him. He saw no resentment in her eyes, and he was grateful. Her mouth opened to speak, but she instantly closed it and cast her eyes to the ground.
