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Dark Journey	By : rigby Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 2512 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Title: Dark Journey - Part VII
Type: FPS
Author: Vair�
(vaire@donnesys.com)
Rating: NC17

Pairings:
Erestor/Thranduil, Erestor/Lindir,
Legolas/Haldir/Syshae(OMC),
Legolas/Haldir/Syshae/Anaria(OFC), Thranduil/Sauron

Warning: non-con, abuse, usual graphic NC-17 sex.

Disclaimer: I worship at the JRRT altar. I make no
claim to any of the characters except Syshae. Lysan
owns Anaria and the Sundancers. I make no money from
this, so don�t bother to sue�you�ll only get hairballs the cat hacked up.

Summary: Companion story to Nightstar. Read
that first or you�ll be very confused from part III on. This is Legolas� story.
It fills in some of the gaps in Nightstar about what
happened to him before and during that tale, and also adds some new adventures
for Legolas, Haldir, and Syshae.

Timeline: Begins with Legolas� �escape� from his father
when he was not quite thirty years old and ends nearly three years after King
Aragorn II Elessar�s death.

Notes: AU. I�ve obviously taken liberties with Papa Tolkien�s world�such a messing with the twins� birth date
and creating new characters.

Posting: Please ask first.
Feedback: Much appreciated. I enjoy discussing my stories
with others. All flames will be gleefully passed along to the dragons for their
fiery consumption.
Dark Journey - Part VII

Anaria�s sigh of relief as they stepped from beneath the
tree line of the Golden Wood did not escape Legolas� notice, nor did the
relaxing of tension in her body. �Setting out on a journey never fails to
excite me. �Tis good to be free to wander new paths.�
Haunted green eyes regarded him from the window of her
traveling veil. �Yet �tis relief I feel most. I long to
return to my people and begrudge each passing of Anor
that delays me.�
�We shall travel swiftly as may be, yet �tis a long
journey and dangerous lands lie between as well you know. The Lady is wise
above all others in Middle Earth; heed her words. Let not care for your people
consume you, lest you be unable to succor them when once we come to your
lands.�
Tears stung Anaria�s eyes and she angrily blinked them
way. Spawn of darkness! What was wrong with her that a few kind words from a
stranger made her tear up like an elfling with a
skinned knee? Lengthening her stride, she caught up to Haldir, taking comfort
in his detached efficiency as he led the way toward the river. As she had for
so long, she allowed the routine, watchful movements of a warrior to push her
emotions aside and soothe her.
�She is proud this one, and intelligent, but she is not
yet wise. She will sacrifice herself for her people, yet will not allow herself
aid.�
Legolas glanced over at Syshae, as they started after the
other two. �So you have said, yet this makes no sense. Why can she not see
that, if she is who she claims, her people look to her for leadership? By
denying herself, she harms them, for they may lose her.�
�To that I have not the answer. She has locked her f�a
away, but why I cannot guess. Was something done to her to cause such
abhorrence of feeling and self-esteem, or is it something which she has herself
done? No matter the cause, it prevents her from accepting my gift and finding
the solace she craves, yet fears. More than the shadow of Sauron�s
evil lies upon her f�a; something darker and more ominous dwells there.�
�Then �tis wise for us to remain on our guard �til we
discover the cause, or her true intentions be they different from those she
gave.�
�Nay,� Syshae countered. �Her words were true. The Lady
tested her and found no lie in what she spoke. That her people are in need, I
doubt not. What causes me worry is what she left unsaid. This Anaria of the Sundancers is an enticing mystery, but she is touched with
darkness that could consume an elf more surely than the shadow of Sauron.�

Walking slightly behind Haldir, the late afternoon light
painting the fields golden, Anaria centered her thoughts on Heart Sister,
letting the tiger know she had begun the return journey and that others
traveled with her. The response was immediate and strong. The cat�s frustration
at their separation was as great as her own, but Anaria knew taking her into Lorien would have raised too many questions and slowed
their departure even more. Without thinking, she veered toward the river.
Heart Sister waited.
Anaria�s stride lengthened as she approached the
riverbank.
Heart Sister.
Anaria�s weight shifted as she prepared to enter the dark
water.
�Daro!�
A hand grasped her elbow in a bruising grip.
Furious, Anaria turned and snarled, sounding exactly like
Heart Sister often did.
Haldir�s eyes widened
fractionally but he didn�t release his hold, even when Anaria jerked back trying
to free her arm. �Where do you think to go?� he demanded. When Anaria didn�t
respond, but looked over her shoulder at the river and shook her roughly. �Sundancer! I would have your
answer. The river is treacherous here. The current would pull you under ere we
could lend aid. Why do you seek��
Dimly, Anaria heard the sound of Haldir�s
voice, but the intensity of Heart Sister�s pull blocked out everything else.
Always, when separated for a length of time, the reunion deluged her senses.
The bond between them�the result of centuries of shared memories with the
tiger�s foremothers�ran deep, linking their minds and f�ar.
River.
She had to cross the river.
Heart Sister waited.
She need to touch the great cat, look into the depths of those
sage eyes, feel the rumbling purr of greeting, run side by side in a hunt�
�Anaria!�
�Anaria!�
�Sundancer!�
�Anaria!�
Gradually, voices penetrated the storm of emotions
enveloping her.
The Galadhrim.
The Gifted One.
Her quest.
Soon, she mentally promised Heart Sister. I am here. We
return. The Gifted One travels with me. Soon.
Heart Sister�s overwhelming presence abated as the tiger
realized her plight.
�Anaria?�
Shaking herself, Anaria opened her eyes and looked into
concerned sapphire orbs.
Legolas.
She wet her lips. �I�am alright.�
His hand gently cupped her chin and raised it until she
met his gaze unflinchingly. �Nay, you are not. Something draws you to the
river. As Haldir said, �tis dangerous here�.� Legolas
paused and took a deep breath, then caught her with a searing look. �I
felt�something. A pull�another f�a, but not� not
something I have felt before.�
Anaria drew in a shuddering breath. The warrior sensed
Heart Sister? But none could sense a totem bond. None but the
bonded. How could he�
�Sundancer.� Haldir�s voice was
flat, demanding.
Anaria gathered her scattered wits. She would have to
speak with Legolas later. At that moment she needed to address her actions�and
tell them of Heart Sister. Well did she understand Haldir�s
concern and demand for an explanation. Accustomed to
leading others; she knew the burden and responsibility he felt. They were her
companions; she owed them the truth.
�My companion awaits across the
river.� Haldir�s nostrils flared and his eyes
hardened, but she continued. �There was no evil intent. She is unused to others
and desired not to enter your realm, but to await me here. We are�� Suddenly reluctant to explain about Heart Sister, and unsure how to
tell the warriors of the totem bond, Anaria hesitated.
�Trust us.�
Legolas� voice was comforting, reassuring.
Trust. Had she ever trusted?
Could she afford to now? Could she afford not to? A gentle nudge pushed at her
f�a. Heart Sister. Urging her to accept the words. Her
people needed the Gifted One�s help. No choice but to accept the words, to step
into the realm of emotion she had avoided for so long.
Bowing to the inevitable, Anaria spoke.
�Heart Sister is more than a companion. She is close to me. We have traveled
far together.� And not only geographically, she added silently to herself. �We
are�aware of each other. At times it feels we are one�the connection� �tis difficult to explain.�
The three warriors exchanged a look which Anaria couldn�t
decipher.
�A ford lies not far downstream. We shall cross there and
seek your companion.�
Haldir�s acquiescence surprised
her, as did his not demanding more information, but she was not in a position
to demur. Gratefully, she nodded.
#
With camp set, a fire started, and Syshae grudgingly starting
to cook the rabbits caught earlier, Legolas� thoughts turned to Anaria�s
companion. Though the n�s swore this Heart Sister was
near, they had seen no trace of her since crossing the river hours earlier.
Haldir lay down against Legolas, resting his head in the
prince�s lap while Syshae spitted the rabbits and hung them over the fire. The
game had just begun to release a tantalizing aroma when a rustle in the
undergrowth alerted them to an intruder.
Seizing their bows, the Galadhrim watched openmouthed as a
giant striped beast emerged from the foliage and padded calmly into the
firelight.
With a joyous cry, Anaria sprang up and threw her arms
around the neck of the unknown beast. Glowing yellow-green orbs eyed the three
archers as the upper lip curled, revealing deadly fangs near touching the white
flesh of Anaria�s neck.
Whirling around, Anaria gasped. Three arrows�arrows she
knew would not miss their mark�were trained unwaveringly on Heart Sister. �Nae!� she cried, rising to her feet and turning to face the
warriors. �She is Heart Sister�my companion.�
�You cried out.� Haldir protested.
�In joy at our reuniting. She
plays with me to come unannounced.�
Playing. Warily, Syshae eyed the
cat. It was huge. Lynx and cougar were sometimes seen in Lorien,
near the mountains, but the largest of them was no bigger than a medium-sized
wolf. The cat standing before them was the size of a large pony.
�Saes, there is no danger,�
Anaria pleaded. �Put away your weapons.�
Legolas and Syshae looked at Haldir, waiting for his lead.
After long, tense seconds, he nodded fractionally and lowered his bow, although
he kept it drawn and ready to shoot. The princes followed suit.
Heart Sister thrust her head under Anaria�s hand and
nudged, asking to have her ears scratched. As Anaria obliged, a rumbling purr
rolled through the glade.
�What,� Haldir demanded, �is this animal?�
Bristling, both at his tone of voice and his referral to
Heart Sister as an animal, Anaria took a deep, steadying breath before she
answered. �She is my companion�Heart Sister, a tiger. As I told, she traveled
here with me, but chose to wait here rather than enter your wood and scare the
creatures there.�
�You know this creature�s thoughts?�
�She is Heart Sister. We share a bond,� Anaria reiterated,
reining in her temper at the warrior�s lack of memory.
�How is this done?�
Seeing Anaria straighten her spine and clench her fist in
the cat�s fur, Legolas decided to step in and try to alleviate the rising
tension. Haldir would not back down, or cease probing until he had the answers
he sought. No, as much as he desired Anaria, he was a warrior first�with two
bondmates to protect. He would keep questioning and likely anger Anaria. Haldir
was not the subtlest of elves when aroused.
�Why do we not sit and discuss this amazing development? I
would know more of Heart Sister and your bond, but I would rather learn of this
by the comfort of the fire than standing with arrow nocked.�
Legolas offered Anaria and the tiger a smile.
Haldir�s jaw clenched but he
nodded agreement. Syshae grinned conspiratorially at Legolas; he knew what his bondmate was up to. The two princes often manipulated
Haldir.
�Ai,� Anaria agreed, �but Heart Sister must greet you
first. She has your scents from trailing us after we crossed the river, but would
know them from your hr�a.�
�What exactly does that mean?� Syshae eyed the big cat
warily.
�Heart Sister shall approach and greet you, then mark you with her scent that all may know you are under
her protection while we travel together. Unnock your
arrows.�
Slowly, Legolas eased the tension off his bowstring. He
slung the weapon across his shoulder, but kept the arrow in his hand. No, he
thought. A weapon is a weapon, be the arrow nocked
and ready to fly, or in hand. As he slid it back in his quiver, he felt his
bondmates� unease but, acting on instinct, ignored it. Next, he stepped away
from Haldir and Syshae, giving them room to defend themselves if need be.
The big cat ghosted toward him, moving as silently over
the ground as any elf. Stopping in front, she raised her great head to look him
in the eye. Legolas felt the weight of that gaze, the intelligence behind it.
Even the elven horses did not possess such
intelligence. Perhaps once, fresh from Valinor,
but no longer. Not even Shadowfax.
Heart Sister dropped her head and carefully sniffed at
Legolas, moving in an entire circle around him and emitting a series of muted
chuffs and grunts. When she returned to her original position, she started
rubbing her cheek and chin over every part of his body she could reach.
Startled and nearly thrown off balance, Legolas glanced at
Anaria.
�She has accepted you as a traveling companion and marks
you with the scent glands in her cheeks.�
�Honorary tiger?�
Anaria laughed lightly. �Not quite, but she has agreed to travel
with you. That is much.�
Fascinated by the big cat, Legolas asked if Heart Sister
would allow him to touch her.
Anaria considered a moment, then
nodded.
Drawn to the plush, velvety looking fur, Legolas
tentatively placed a hand on the cat�s forehead, between her ears. Heart Sister
chuffed and raised her head, curling her tongue out and around his wrist.
Finished with Legolas, Heart Sister turned to Syshae and
waited until he put away his bow and arrow, then repeated the same behavior,
marking him before turning to Haldir.
Looking far less than pleased, Haldir put away his weapon.
Heart Sister subjected him to the same careful inspection and thorough marking,
then butted him with her head strongly enough to send
him sprawling. The cat sat on her haunches and lifted her head, lips drawn
back, mouth open a bit. Legolas would have sworn the cat was laughing.
Anaria hid a smile behind her veil. Heart Sister sensed Haldir�s arrogance and pride and, in her usual direct way,
went about correcting it. Oh, all three Galadhrim were arrogant and
prideful�the Sun Father knew she wanted to strangle them all frequently�but
Haldir was by far the worst. Looking at the marchwarden,
sprawled on his backside, an astonished look on his face, she had to work hard
to keep from laughing aloud. It gratified her to see that Legolas and Syshae
turned away, hiding smiles.
They moved back to the fire, Syshae and Haldir still
eyeing Heart Sister warily as they sat. Anaria stepped past Legolas, her hand
on the great tiger�s neck, and sank gracefully to the ground further back from
the flames than before and a bit to one side. The tiger turned to look at
Legolas and again he felt the weight of that gaze as a physical thing.
Mesmerized, he stared back, feeling a faint echo pulling at his f�a.
Deep within the tiger�s eyes, something moved. Though he
denied his heritage, his blood was that of a wood elf and as such he was more
connected to the trees and other creatures than any Galadhrim, though their
woodcraft far surpassed any other elf. Again a gentle brush against his f�a: a
cat twining around his ankles, the faint odor of niphredil drifting on a
breeze. He reached out, seeking to connect as he did with his bondmates, but
the presence danced just out of reach, too faint and elusive to identify.
�Legolas?�
Anaria�s quiet voice brought him back to reality and he
looked away from Heart Sister. �Ai?�
She gestured toward the fire. �Heart Sister waits for you
to seat yourself.�
Shaking his head to clear his mind, Legolas seated himself
partway between Anaria his bondmates. Heart Sister lifted her head, scenting
the air, then placed her body in front of Anaria,
shielding her from the three warriors. The cat rumbled, yellow-green eyes
gazing calmly at the Galadhrim as the tip of her tail tapped restlessly and the
elves began to speak among themselves.
#
Seeing Legolas making his way toward her, Anaria smile
behind her veil. She had known he would seek her out after the revelations of
the night before. How could he not? He was attuned to nature in a way that
Haldir and Syshae were not, First Born though they were. She and Heart Sister
held the answers to his questions, but only she could give them to him.
�I would speak with you, Anaria, if you would allow.�
�Saes.�
She gestured to the space beside her and Legolas sank gracefully to the mossy
ground. �You wish to know the presence your f�a senses.�
�Ai. �Tis
Heart Sister?�
�Tell me of the bonds between your people, for I have
spoken with the Lady Galadriel but know not yet that I understand. Her words
make sense, but I do not grasp the underlying reason, nor the emotions of those
involved.�
Reluctantly, Legolas allowed her to turn the focus from
his question. Quid pro quo. Something
for something. He wanted answers; he must give answers. A shiver raced
through him as he realized that, for the first time, the mysterious n�s was offering free speech with one of them. A flare of
triumph lit his thoughts. She would speak with him. Not Haldir. Not Syshae. Him. Legolas. For once, he would be
the focus. Nay! he denied the traitorous thoughts
instantly. �Twas no archery contest, no counting of
slain Orcs. Never had his bondmates held him less
than they. Or had they�
�Legolas?�
A nudge from Heart Sister�s cold nose accompanied Anaria�s
query, drawing him back from his dark thoughts. Bonds.
Where to begin? What to include? What to omit?
�Customs differ, but all First Born I know of practice
some form of bond between a pair who desire no other�physically nor
emotionally. They require no other to complete them and they desire to spend
eternity together and part not. �Tis
a linking of their f�ar, but less than a true melding. There is a
ceremony, which differs from realm to realm, but �tis mere form for the true
bond is made by the two.�
After a small silence, Anaria spoke. �My people practice
not this bond as you describe it. �Twould be
foolhardy for we are few and cannot risk the loss of one through the loss of
the other for mere grief.�
�Mere?� A blonde eyebrow arched upward.
Anaria bristled, but counseled herself to patience.
Legolas did not know of her people�s history and plight�not yet. Not fully. Not
viscerally. He had not seen their number dwindle steadily as they spiraled
toward extinction, nor could he know how precious they held their elflings. The young ones were the Valar�s
gift and no Sundancer would hesitate to deny their
own f�a to protect the young ones.
�Mayhap when you are among us you shall understand. For
now, suffice to understand that my people abjure an eternal bond between two of
us.� At Legolas� nod, she continued. �You were careful to draw the difference
between a linking of f�ar and a melding. Of what do you speak?�
Silently, Legolas cursed her perceptivity. �There
are�legends of other bonds. Closer bonds than those our people now share.�
�Legends. As
the Sun Father is a legend?�
A wry smile quirked Legolas� lips. �Perhaps.�
Slowly, he reached out to Heart Sister. The tiger regarded him solemnly, then
licked his proffered hand and began a rumbling purr deep in her chest. The wry
smile turned peaceful. �I feel her.�
�Nay, �tis not possible. None of
those who share not a totem bond��
�Totem bond?�
Bowing her head, Anaria felt for Heart Sister. How much to
reveal? How much to hide? Could this elf truly understand a bond that joined
f�ar? Heart Sister chuffed and rolled onto her side, stretching out a paw to
Legolas that covered more than half his thigh. Well, it seems that one of us
has made up her mind to trust this handsome warrior, Anaria mused. So be it,
my other.
Abruptly, Haldir strode into the dying firelight and gave
her a way to end the conversation before she thought carefully about how much
to reveal. She smiled behind her veil. �Perhaps tomorrow eve.
I believe �tis your watch.�
�Ai,� Legolas touched her gloved hand. �I shall look forward
to the hearing.� Standing, he turned to Heart Sister and bowed formally. �My thanks, mellon.�
The tiger rolled onto her side, yawned hugely, and closed
her eyes.
#
�She speaks to you, not to Haldir nor I.�
Legolas smacked Syshae�s shoulder good-naturedly. �You are
jealous, melethron.�
�Ai,� Syshae agreed with a rueful grin. �She is exotic,
enticing, bewitching. An enigma I burn to unwrap, yet she treats me as
carefully as I would approach the Valar.�
�Perhaps to her you are as a Vala.
She undertook a journey of three seasons to reach us on nothing more than faith
in legends. You have a mystical ability to heal illness of the f�a. To our
people, it is history from the elder ages. To her people, it is myth. She views
you with awe. She needs your gift for her people and fears to offend you.�
Bending quickly, Syshae scooped up a stone and hurled it
far into the dead grasses that stretched all around them. �I desire not to be a
prince, nor a Vala, nor
worshipped, nor feared. I desire only to be Syshae. To be accepted as
Syshae�neither more nor less.�
�As I desired to be looked upon only as myself
when I first enter the Golden Wood�not condemned for my heritage.�
�Ai. �Tis
a common desire as I have come to understand.� Syshae chuckled. �Shall this
also separate us for long years with bitter judgment?�
�Nay, melethron, for we now
share f�ar and have no secrets, nor illusions. We know the truth of the other,
and of our own desires and beliefs.� Legolas paused. �Oft times, �tis not easy
to be not whole in oneself.�
�Do you rue our bonding?�
�Nay! Never would I regret that
which has given me the greatest pleasure and contentment in my life, but still
�tis a thing which is not natural to me. You and Haldir have shared such a bond
for many years. Does it become more natural, more instinctive, this feeling of
duality? Of not truly being yourself as you were?�
Grabbing Legolas� elbow, Syshae swung the blonde to face
him. �At first, for many years, it was most unsettling, but ai
it becomes second nature. �Tis your fear that prevents the transition.�
�Fear?�
�Fear. Your childhood does not
dispose you to trust, neither do our actions when Erestor revealed your true name. My own pain and fear
overwhelmed me, and I reacted in terror�as I did to your father.� He laughed
ruefully. �And what does this have to do with the fact that Anaria avoids me
while she seeks you out?�
�Nothing, melethron.
�Cept that perhaps none can escape their past, for we
carry it inside us. As do you and I, so does she also.�
#
�And Haldir and Syshae.� Legolas
began another conversation, another attempt to discover more of Anaria. Over
the past few weeks, she had accepted his presence, and most days they spent
walking together, speaking on all manner of things. That day, he determined to
discover the feelings behind her frequent perusals of his bondmates.
�Ai.� Anaria bowed her head and
felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. �It is shameful but, I am drawn to
each of you.�
Strong fingers cupped her chin and lifted until her eyes
met Legolas� blue ones.
�Where is the shame in it? Would the Valar send desires
that are shameful?�
Anger flashed through her. Games! Just like the esoteric
debates her father insisted upon. What was the point of arguing impossibly arcane
positions when daily reality was a struggle to survive? She had no time for
philosophy. She had people to protect, elflings to
provide food for, borders to protect�
�Anaria?�
Reining in her emotions, she focused on Legolas. �Your pardon. I am a warrior. I have not the time, nor the
inclination, for pointless speculation.�
Pointless speculation? How had
she drawn that conclusion? �I meant only that such feelings are natural. Why
can one not be drawn to more than one other? Certainly, you may see many others
as attractive, as may I.�
The same strong fingers drew her gloves off, turned her
hand over, and drew slow circles in her palms. Why was she allowing this? her ingrained protective instincts screamed at her.
�I also am drawn to more than one other.�
Legolas� tone of voice alerted her. �You speak of more
than admiring one�s appearance or skills.�
�Ai. I speak of more. I speak
of�bonding, of melding f�ar.�
Worried blue eyes searched hers. She saw trepidation
there, and hesitancy, and�a plea. A plea for her to hear him
out and not judge prematurely. This was a warrior she had come to
respect and trust. A strong n�r,
not used to making himself vulnerable to others. As
she was not used to allowing herself to be vulnerable.
Acting on impulse, without the reason that had governed
her every move in all the long years since the�accident�Anaria unfastened one
side of her face veil and lowered it, allowing Legolas to see her face for the
first time.
Tentatively, Legolas reached out and touched her lips with
a finger, then traced the faint scar nearly hidden in her eyebrow. �Exquisite. Beauty. Strength. A warrior�s beauty.�
Anaria let out a breath she hadn�t been aware of holding.
He understood. She wasn�t a simpering n�s who needed
to be cosseted and protected. But was he not taken aback that she was a
warrior? No, she admonished herself quickly. None of the three Galadhrim had
shown any hesitancy in accepting her as an equal in skill, nor had they treated
her with any more�or less�consideration than they did each other. Yet, still
they managed to convey their admiration of, and desire for her as a female with
both word and gesture. How did she feel about the latter? Searching within, she
knew the answer. Like the others who had attracted her, she felt desire and
curiosity�yet it was overshadowed by the accident with all of its accompanying
blackness that ate at her constantly.
�Let it not consume you.�
The blonde warrior�s soothing voice broke into her
thoughts. She realized her eyes had not left his in long moments; he had seen
the emotions warring within her.
A tentative smile shaped his lips. �No harm. No fear. Not
from us, lirimaer.� Gently he fastened her face veil back in place. �I thank
you for your gift of trust, my lady. I shall not betray it.� The smile widened
into a wry grin. �Though it will cost me dear with my others should they learn
of it. They��
�Your others?�
Legolas� smile slipped a bit. �My fellow
Galadhrim.� He stood and offered her a hand.
Taking it, she allowed him to pull her to her feet. No,
that hadn�t been his meaning, but she would pursue it later. With each step,
each day, their tentative friendship was growing stronger. He would tell her
when he was ready and, in the meantime, mayhap she could discern the answer
herself.
#
�No.�
Anaria�s refusal stopped Haldir in his tracks and he swung
around to face her, eyes and expression growing cold.
Not again! Legolas stifled a dismayed groan. Increasingly
in the last few days, Anaria resisted Haldir�s
leadership for no apparent reason. At the same time, she grew increasingly
withdrawn, avoiding even Legolas� attempts to engage her in conversation and
shunning his company as they journeyed. Legolas eyed Haldir; he had no need of
their shared bond to see the tight rein on his lover�s temper fraying. His gaze
slid to Syshae who leaned against the bole of an aspen, arms crossed, an enigmatic smile playing about his lips. Great! Legolas
stifled another groan. No help there in deflecting Haldir�s
temper.
�No?� The query was delivered in a tone of voice that
managed to impart both anger and astonishment in the two letters.
�No. I shall not enter an Atani settlement!�
�It will be easier buying supplies from them than hunting.
They are mere humans. There is nothing to fear��
Eyes flashing in anger, Anaria cut him off. �I fear no
Atani! Neither do I go among them. I wish no contact with savages.�
Through their bond, Legolas felt Haldir�s
anger as well as Syshae�s amusement turn to uncertainty. Legolas wasn�t certain
what he felt. The Sundancer�s anger was disproportionate
and the rigid set of her shoulders belied her words. As for naming the Atani
savages�Ai, there were many who were even less than that, but many were
cultured, people of honor and courage.
�You refuse to walk among those you indiscriminately name
savages, yet you choose to travel with a wild beast.�
�Not only travel, but live with. You know nothing of the
Atani else you would not dare compare the honor of my companion to their brutality.
The only beasts here are your precious Atani�and perhaps yourself!� With that
startling pronouncement, Anaria spun on her heel and strode back into the wood.
Haldir made to follow, but Heart Sister materialized from
the underbrush and barred the way, lips curled away from her great teeth in a
silent warning. �Legolas,� Haldir remained still, staring at the tiger. �Go
with Syshae. I shall remain and try to find our Sundancer
and sort this out.�
Legolas didn�t think that was the best plan, but he wasn�t
about to argue. Anaria�s bizarre behavior was enough for Haldir to worry about.
He started toward Syshae, but Heart Sister moved in front of him, blocking his
way. Uncertainly, he studied the cat. Her bearing wasn�t threatening, but she
was still over eight hundred pounds of muscle�and teeth and claws and temper.
�Uh, Heart Sister,� he began uncertainly. �We�re not, uh, going to be
unpleasant or, uh, well, uh, uncivilized, are we?� He felt ridiculous talking
to the tiger, but it seemed his only option at the time.
Stifled laughter caused a flash of irritation. Syshae. Of course. No one else
would find the situation amusing. His bondmate would
pay later, Legolas vowed.
Raising her head, Heart Sister stared directly at him, and
Legolas sensed her agitation. Two silent steps, and
the great striped head butted against him, forcing him to step back to keep his
balance. Heart Sister repeated the behavior.
�Haldir, I, uh, think she wants me to go with her.� Another gentle yet insistent shove. Yes, the cat was definitely
herding him.
Cursing in Sindarin and Westron, Haldir gestured for Syshae to follow and set off
toward the Atani settlement, leaving Legolas alone with Heart Sister.
�All right,� Legolas turned and swept his arm grandly
toward the wood where Anaria had disappeared. �Take me to her.�
And Heart Sister did just that.
Stunned, Legolas could only stare at Anaria as she knelt
on the ground, arms wrapped tightly across her abdomen, rocking back and forth.
Shudders wracked her body, interspersed with dry heaves. Agony was too pale a
word for the gut wrenching pain pouring off her. What could possibly�?
Heart Sister prevented him going to Anaria, keeping him at
the same distance. After five attempts, Legolas gave up in frustration.
�What?!� he demanded of the cat. �You brought me to her. Now let me go to her,
offer what comfort I can.� He stepped forward again, and again the cat blocked
him.
�She�s suffering!� Legolas paced and pulled
absent-mindedly at his braids with one hand, while gesturing with the other.
�Why won�t you let me help her? What sort of companion are you? you walking pelt!�
Great. Not only am I arguing with
a cat, I�m losing the argument. Briefly, Legolas offered thanks that Syshae
wasn�t there as a witness. The Sindon would never let
him hear the end of it.
�Saes,� Legolas figured if
frustration was getting him nowhere, he might as well try pleading. �Help me.
Help her. Let me go to her.�
Heart Sister remained implacable and time crept as Legolas
resumed his pacing. Half a dozen times, the idea of shooting the tiger crossed
his mind, but each time he dismissed it. While bizarre, the tiger�s behavior
seemed to have a point. But what in Varda�s name
could it be?
Shadows lengthened. Eventually, Anaria�s rocking slowed
and she slumped to one side, exhaustion claiming her. Only then did the tiger
move aside and allow Legolas to reach her.
A rapid examination revealed no physical injuries.
Anaria�s luminous eyes were open, but glazed and unseeing. Scratches marred her
hands and forearms where she had fled heedlessly through the wood. Legolas tore
her veil loose and used it to wipe away the kohl streaked by her tears. Anaria
moaned softly and moved in his arms.
Suddenly, fur filled Legolas� vision as Heart Sister
licked Anaria�s face, the rough tongue far more effective than his efforts.
Anaria�s breathing evened out and she relaxed, becoming heavier.
A bath first, Legolas decided, wrinkling his nose at the
sweat, dirt, and vomit that stained Anaria�s clothing. Definitely
a bath. Then, when she awoke, hopefully some answers. Instinctively, he
decided against taking her back to the camp. Though she sought to conceal it,
Syshae still awed her and Haldir�well, Haldir was Haldir.
By the time Ithil rose, Legolas
and Anaria were curled together on a bed of grasses growing beneath the low
hanging boughs of an evergreen. Reverently, he ran his hands over her torso,
regretting that he had dressed her in his own tunic. Her golden skin deserved
to be kissed by Anor and caressed by a lover.
Murmuring, Anaria snuggled closer, her body pressing close to his warmth. His
own body reacted, blood singing and pulsing hotly, like fire in his veins.
Thump.
Heart Sister dropped to the ground on the other side of
Anaria, yellow-green eyes glowing in the dim starlight. With a groan, Legolas
dropped his head back and drew a hand across his face, cursing the hardening of
his body and tiger chaperones with equal fervor.

Sunlight greeted Legolas when he roused. So did the sight
of Anaria�s rigid back, still clad in his tunic. She sat with her knees drawn
up and her arms wrapped around them. Her head was up and she sat perfectly
still. There was no sign of Heart Sister.
In the light of day, Legolas felt vaguely ashamed of
having seen and touched her so intimately when she had gone to such lengths
hide that lush body from sight. Still, the circumstances left him no choice.
She could not have been left alone and disheveled. She needed comfort. And his
presence had comforted her, of that he was certain. Why now was she angry?
Embarrassed? He couldn�t read her and that worried him.
He cleared his throat.
Anaria didn�t move.
He rolled so that he rested on one elbow and started to
reach for her.
�I had seen only thirty-six coranar
when the Atani raped me.�
Legolas� hand fell back. No.
�It seems a nightmare now�one that always lurks , waiting to pounce on me.� Anaria�s monotone voice
continued. �Anger. I remember anger so hot it nearly
blinded me. Blood pounding in my ears. Sitting high in
the trees, hidden, I could see the cursed Atani below sorting through pelts
from the poor creatures already fallen to their traps. They come every year,
passing up the river and invading my home. They care nothing for the balance of
life, for the creatures, or the foliage�or for my people.
�No, the Atani care only for their own
pleasures and profit.� Anaria�s braids swayed as she shook her head. �Such hatred. Such stupidity. Can
they not see the blessings bestowed? The harmony and beauty
of life? No, they cannot.�
Legolas remained motionless, lest he break the spell and
Anaria cease speaking.
�More Atani came, bringing more dead creatures, throwing
them carelessly into a pile to skin later. Then laughter,
loud boasting, singing. Such good spirits could only mean a good catch
for them. They stepped into the firelight and my blood froze. I snarled before
I could stop myself, my anger spilling out.
�They carried a tiger. A beautiful
tiger. So rare a creature. So
regal. And she hung by her feet from a bamboo pole slung between two of
their number. I moved closer, taking care to remain hidden in the foliage for
there were no others of my people near. And then I saw she was nursing! Her
cubs had to be close. They would be helpless without her. Perhaps they too
would fall prey to the filthy Atani.�
Images of Heart Sister flashed through Legolas� memory.
The tiger could not possibly be the one Anaria spoke of. The life span would be
impossible for such a creature. But yet, he envisioned the tiger helpless,
hanging from a pole, destined for death�or worse. His own blood heated.
�They placed her in a cage to one side of the clearing and
I knew then that I could free her.�
Gasping, Legolas barely stopped himself from crying out. Alone? With all those men? What
chance did a lone warrior�even one as skilled as Haldir or Glorfindel�stand?
�Night fell and I lay hidden behind the cage. The tiger paced ceaselessly�awake and very, very angry. Her
eyes glittered in the firelight and her lips drew back as she snarled silently,
hating her captors. I shared her hatred, her anger. She turned on me as I began
to saw at the rope holding the cage poles together.
��Be at peace, forest mother. I mean you no ill. I seek to return you to your cubs�no more,�
she whispered. Intelligent eyes stared
at my hands for a moment, before the great head turned back to stare at the
Atani gathered about their fire.
�They drank, and yelled, and boasted of their prowess in
the hunt. Each sought to outdo the others in the number of creatures they
slaughtered and the suffering inflicted. Bile rose in my throat�sour and hot.
Finally, the last of the knots gave way and I removed enough of the back of the
cage that the tiger could force her way out.
Unfortunately, one of the men looked over. Perhaps he must saw movement
or the glint of fire off two sets of eyes rather than one. His cry of alarm
roused the others faster than I thought possible. Before the tiger and I melted
back into the undergrowth, several of them seized weapons.�
Caught up in the story, Legolas nevertheless tensed,
knowing worse remained to be heard. Breathing deeply, he readied himself.
Horrific memories needed to be purged lest they poison the f�a. Was this the
darkness Syshae alluded to in Anaria? Would the hearing of her horror bring
back memories of his own? Would he feel Thranduil�s hands
on him again, hear that golden voice, weep with longing for the degradation
that provided such blissful release?
�I had to give the tiger time to escape. There was no time
to reach the deeper forest and safety. The Atani would be upon us too fast. I turned,
snarling as a tiger and launched myself at them, seeking to take down those
closest as quickly as possible. My bow
sang as I sent arrows through the camp.
Cries from the Atani carried pain as well as anger. I delighted in their
destruction.
�Whilst they were scattered and in disarray, I leapt from
the foliage and ran across the trampled grass of the clearing, still firing.
Flames leaped ahead, reflected in the river beyond. I felt the heat as I
vaulted the firepit and used a bow limb to scatter
the burning logs.
�Still I ran. Don�t stop. Don�t slow. Flee. Draw their
fire. Finally the river. I turned, pausing to regain
my breath and fire the last of my arrows. Keep attention on me; give the great
cat time to escape. Two more Atani went down, then I
reached back over my shoulder and grasped only air. No arrows, no more time.
�Dark water closed over me and the swift currant pulled at
me, but a burning pain in my shoulder drove the air from my lungs. The river dragged me deep. I tried not to
fight, saving what little breath I had until my lungs screamed and I struggled
to the surface, gasping in air. I tried
to grasp at the roots of trees as they swept past, but the numbness in my
shoulder grew and strength fled. The
last thing I remember is hearing a great splash in the water next to me and
eyes glinting in the moonlight. Then something clamped down painfully hard on
my injured shoulder and darkness took me.�
Heart Sister crept into the cavelike
refuge beneath the tree and lay down beside Anaria. A slender hand reached out
and buried fingers in the striped fur. The sight caused a hitch in Legolas�
breathing. So little had he seen of the golden flesh, the lithe muscular body. The night before, consumed with worry, he aid little attention to her nakedness while bathing and
caring for her, but in the light of day�
�The memories came then as I lay unknowing. The nightmares. Eight-seven years before that night, I
encountered the Atani for the first time and still every detail remained
crystal clear. It was all so similar. The jungle, the night,
starlight�and the Atani invaders bringing death and terror. Another
great tiger imprisoned in a cage. My people are few and we who choose the
warrior�s path must needs take our place young. I
followed the river as before, and found the killers preparing to leave. There
was no time to summon help.�
Anaria�s voice never faltered, its tone never varied; her
body posture didn�t waver as she continued. �I was too young, too convinced of
my own prowess to realize I stood no chance. Much as it would have shredded my
f�a, I should have let them go and turned my attention to preparing for their
return. Only later did I learn this truth, though many tried to tell me after.
I didn�t want to believe them, didn�t want to admit the fault lay with me, but
it did. It still does. I sought to stay in the trees, to slay them one by one,
but they were too many and too experienced. Swiftly, they took refuge in the
undergrowth and, in my rage, I sought them one by one.
Na�ve. They only led me on and ensnared me.
�The fire seemed to blaze brighter as they forced me back
to the camp. Calloused hands pawed at me. Crude words and laughter assaulted my
ears. Odors of unwashed bodies, uncured pelts, sour wine, and blood flooded my
nose. Then my clothes were gone and I could feel damp soil under me as they
bore me to the ground. They took turns�sometimes one, sometimes two, other
times more. They forced their vile flesh into me every way they could. Over and over and over. I know not how many, nor for how
long it went on, for that was not the worst of it. At some point, as one of
them rode me, another forced my head to the side so that I should see what
others were doing. Terrible screams of agony erupted from the other side of the
clearing. They went on and on. As the Atani raped me, I watched helplessly as
others skinned the great tiger alive.�
Anaria�s fingers clutched in Heart
Sister�s fur. The cat rested her head against a bare thigh, offering
comfort.
Legolas forced down the bile that threatened to break
free. No wonder the sight of another tiger captured had affected Anaria so
strongly. And the memories�
�When I woke next, warm fur surrounded me. The tiger had
pulled me from the river and taken me to her den. Four half-grown cubs lay on
and around me. I drifted in and out of consciousness until the great cat
returned, bringing with her the bloody haunch of some prey. As the cubs fell on
it, she bathed my wound with her tongue.
�When I returned to my village, I came to understand that
a bond had begun between us. We explored it together, each learning as it grew
stronger. Since then, each of my bond sisters has borne a single female cub in
her last litter�a cub whose f�a melds with mine.�
- 6
- 7
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Dark Journey

Dark Journey - Part VII