Meet the Cast

Disclaimer: Nope, we don't own Lord of the Rings. Don't sue us. We'll put everyone back when we're done, maybe.

{ thoughts}

[ elvish ]

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Suzanne woke up, looking outside the window to ascertain the time of day. It was still dark outside, so she couldn't have been asleep for long. She got up, feet softly stepping across the floor of the bedchamber before sitting before the window.

She adjusted the gown so it lay comfortably around her. She looked out the window to gaze at the luminescent moon. Sighing softly to herself she finally gave in to the pressure of her past that she had been avoiding all day. Placing her head in her hands she attempted to stifle her tears. { I can't do it, not again. If I allow myself to get hurt again then I may never be able to go back. I trust Aragorn, I do, but I also trusted Chris and Cleve and Kyle. Look where it got me. They didn't hurt me, I allowed myself to get hurt. I got my hopes up too high and then they came crashing down again. It happened before and it can happen again. Do I really want to put myself in another situation like that? I should be overjoyed at the prospect of getting close to one of the hottest men here, but for some reason I'm still afraid. Afraid of the unknown. }

With a tear-stained face she looked over at Laura, tossing and turning fitfully in her sleep. She hadn't slept well the past few nights, although she couldn't be blamed. The girls were in a strange land with people they did not know. Their families and friends had been left behind. Laura's thrashing became more violent, Suzanne contemplating whether she should go and wake her up. A shrill scream released from the tall brunette's lips, answering the question too late for the other girl to do much more. She heard noise coming from both of the adjacent rooms, knowing that there would be no stopping the two from coming.

Aragorn and Legolas met in the hallway, glancing at each other before prying open the door to the two girls' room. Suzanne was standing by her sleeping friend, shaking her lightly.

The nightmare held Laura captive, not releasing her from its spell. She could hear Suzanne's words, but could not wake up. Aragorn and Legolas rushed to the side of the bed, the brunette placing his hands on the sleeping woman's forehead and neck to ensure that she was alive. She was drenched in sweat, mostly from fear. Legolas shook her lightly.

"Wake up, little one."

Laura's eyes abruptly opened, removing herself from her dream. Her breathing was panicked. She stared at the two before her, attempting to recall who they were. Both were shirtless, exposing their muscular upper bodies in their normal sleep attire. Memories came flooding back to her, reminding her that she was in Middle Earth and under the charge of Legolas and Aragorn. Those were the two men standing before her now. Laura took the opportunity to briefly stare at their torsos, shocked by their appearance. She pulled the sheets closer to her body to cover the low neckline of her gown, her breathing slowly returning to normal.

"What was your dream?"

Legolas looked concerned, not knowing what would have frightened the maiden enough to cause her to scream.

"It was about when we first came here. To Mirkwood, when the spider was attacking."

Laura realized that she probably sounded childish, but at the moment she was still trying to convince herself that she was safe. The spider had been huge, and the woman had been sure that she was dead. Legolas sat down on the bed beside her.

"Uuma dela. Don't worry."

He looked to Aragorn.

"I will stay here with her. Go to sleep, mellon. They will be fine."

When the two had come in Suzanne had shifted from her friend's head to a darker corner of the room. She couldn't help but look at their muscular bodies. Aragorn looked around the room one more time and noted the small girl in the dark. He stepped over, sensing her despair.

"Lady Suzanne, what is the matter?"

She looked up, startled yet again, at his handsome face and features. She nodded, not only in a greeting, but confirming a decision in her mind. She smiled at him.

"It is nothing, my Lord. I was only thinking."

"A shadow of doubt has been around you all day."

"I was just nervous about being here, at last"

"At last?"

"Yes, at last."

Almost unknowingly, but not unwillingly, she threw her arms around Aragorn's neck. Seemingly startled at first he soon put his own arms around the girl's body. They stayed like that for several moments, each basking in the others presence. Finally the girl shifted her weight and withdrew from him.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

He lifted her face so she again looked into his eyes.

"Lle naa vanima"

She did not quite understand the phrase but guessed it’s meaning and blushed as she moved back to the window, only slightly away from where she was standing. He came over and stroked her cheek and gave her a soft good bye before leaving the room and returning to his chamber. Laura looked slightly guilty, depriving Legolas of his needed rest.

"I apologize. You may go. I will be fine."

She wasn't quite sure that she would be; yet she did not want to annoy him by causing him to stay up for her. He could see the uncertainty in her eyes and did not believe her words.

"Go to sleep."

He murmured a few words in Elvish to comfort her, watching her eyes close and her breathing deepen. Legolas began to braid her hair in order to pass the time, glancing over at her friend by the window.

"It would be wise for you to try to sleep too."

Depressing thoughts led to exhaustion, so she didn't have the willpower to argue. Suzanne lay back on the bed again, turning away from Legolas and Laura to stare into space before drifting into a dreamless sleep. The elf had very little room on the bed, so he shifted the tall brunette over slightly to allow him more space. Laura began to stir again. He wrapped his arms around her waist in order to comfort her, singing softly in Elvish. His mind suddenly realized the position that they were in, yet he was reluctant to move again. Legolas rested his head on the human woman's, drifting into a light sleep once he was sure that his charge was all right.

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A/N: Please review. Flame if you'd like. I realize this one's kinda...sappy or something, but, it was a stupid plot bunny that threatened me if I didn't add it.

R&R! Thanks to all of our wonderful reviewers! We luv ya bunches!