Title: In the Midst of Adversity Author: Maram68 Rating: R Feedback: maram@zuper.net… Please, I need to know if you like it, to keep on writing. So, please, R & R . I have a tough hide, criticism is welcome if it helps me to improve. Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.R.R. Tolkien's characters or settings, even if I love them as if they were my own. The idea and Cyrene are mine, only mine. ****************************** Rating: R ! A MILLION THANKS AND ALL MY LOVE TO DEB, AND MORE LOVE TO MY MATE UNA IX. Almost an hour later, Aragorn sought Gimli and Legolas out to join the Kings war council. They entered the tent of King Theoden where Gandalf, Theoden, Eomer and the army's generals stood. When Legolas and Gimli stood next to Aragorn and Gandalf, the last group of soldiers entered the tent. Among them was Cyrene. The soldiers of the group where all captains, who went down on one knee in front of their king and Liege to greet him. Cyrene didn't kneel, but put her closed fist over her heart and bent her head. Theoden walked over to the kneeling soldiers and bid them to rise. He smiled as his eyes fell on the amazon. "I have heard of your heroic deeds in the battle, amazon. You live up to the legends of the warrior women. Thank you for your services, daughter of Artemis" Cyrene looked up. Her look was serene and proud. She bent her head again to the King of Rohan. "I am proud to fight under your command, Sire. The Rohirrim fought bravely a hard battle." Theoden smiled to the woman again and turned to the council. "Gandalf has once again saved the day. I don't know what magic you have used, but we have beaten the enemy." There were joyous exclamations among the soldiers. Gandalf said. "I promised to come with reinforcements and I did. It was very fortunate that Erkenbrand's army was so fast and we arrived in time to turn the outcome of the battle. The others who lent us their assistance were the Ents, an ancient power from long before the elves were in Middle Earth." Theoden asked, "Ents, are this powerful creatures our allies?" Gandalf shrugged. "To find the answers to your questions you would have to go with me to Isengard. I am going back there with whoever wants to join me." "But even if we could gather the army together, heal their wounds and give them some rest, there are not enough men in the whole Mark to attack Saruman's fortress " Eomer interrupted. "Anyway I am going to Isengard, but I will not linger there for long for my way leads me now east, to Edoras, before the new moon," said the wizard. "No," said the king, " I might have doubted you in the dark hours before dawn, but I will not part from your side again. I will go with you if it is your counsel that I should do so." "I will speak to Saruman as soon as possible, and since the damage made to you was grand, it would be right if you would accompany me. How soon would you be ready to ride?" "The battle has exhausted my men and I am also tired." "Then, those who have decided to accompany me should have their rest now. We will ride in the dark hours of the night, for from now on our actions must be kept secret. Do not gather a large escort, Theoden. We are going to Isengard to negotiate, not to battle." Theoden agreed and called his fastest riders who weren't injured and sent them to proclaim the victory of the last battle in all the valleys of the Mark and gather all men in Edoras for the full moon. For the escort who would ride with him to Isengard he chose Eomer and twenty men, among who were Cyrene and five of her archers. With Gandalf would ride Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. When the council was dismissed, Theoden called Cyrene to his presence. The woman stood again in front of the king, her head bent and her closed fist close to her heart in salute to the king in whose service she stood. "Sire, I am listening to your command" "Cyrene, many of my ancestors have not yet dared to make a claim on the pact forged between Eorl and Lysippe ages ago. I think now it is the time." Cyrene felt a shiver run down her spine. Theoden would call the amazons to help. And they would come, because it was their duty to honor the ancient pact. "Yes Sire. They will come." Theoden came close to her and gave her the medallion with the white horse that Eorl had once given to the amazon queen Lysippe, and that Cyrene herself had given to Theoden when she had arrived at Edoras. "How will you get the message to your sisters, Cyrene? I want you to come with Eomer and me to Isengard." "I will send Dumetar with the medallion and a message to a friend on the coast, that will send notice to the island. I will meet the amazons there and guide them to you for the battle, Sire." Theoden reached to her and clasped her forearm as a sign of respect. "You are a great warrior; the Rohirrim are honored to have you fighting at their side." The amazon bent her head again and left the king's tent. She had to write a message and find Dumetar as soon as possible. ************************************************** Eomer was walking towards his tent to sleep a couple of hours before sunrise, when he saw someone sitting on the battlements of the fortress, away from the fires, staring at the decreasing half moon. He recognized the silhouette cut against the starry sky. He walked toward the steps that lead to the battlements, as he saw a lean shadow also carrying a bow approaching the one seated on the wall. Eomer cursed under his breath and decided to talk later to Cyrene, who was the one sitting on the wall. Having another scene with the elf, which was approaching her at the moment, was not what he had in mind when telling her about his feelings and asking her to stay in Edoras with him. He was a fool for not having recognized his feelings for the amazon sooner. Legolas was sure that Cyrene could not hear him approaching for no human could hear an elf walk, except maybe Aragorn, who had been brought up in Rivendell among elves. So he was startled to hear Cyrene ask, without turning her head, "What can I do for you, Master Legolas?" "I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier today, Mistress Cyrene" "You do? Well then you are a very exceptional male, Master Elf, since all males are so used to confound women with possessions that they wouldn't even notice their mistake. You are forgiven. Go and have your rest before the ride to Isengard" She almost heard him grin. "Elves almost don't need any rest, Mistress. Seems like amazons don't bother to sleep either." She felt for a moment like smiling too. This elf was indeed distracting her from the dark thoughts she was trying to sort out in her head. The prospect of being with her sisters in matter of days was disturbing; she didn't think she was ready for the encounter. "I am saying my prayers to the Goddess, Master Legolas. Then I will rest." "Do you mind if I join you, Mistress? I would like to know more about your people." "My people? Would you judge us again by the standards of those who are different to us and by the old tales spun by those who never knew the amazons?" "I promise to try not to judge what I do not know of, Mistress. May I join you?" She sighed. She was not going to sleep. And maybe she just needed to forget her thoughts of exile and duty for a while. She nodded to the elf that carefully sat down close, but not too close to her. She recognized the manner. It was the same way she would have used by accustoming a horse to be touched by humans. Close enough to be recognized but not too close not to scare the horse away. , she thought wryly, . Some time later, Cyrene had almost forgotten her reserves about Legolas. He was a great companion. She had told him about the origins of the amazons and he had told her about the creation of the elves. She avoided telling him about the customs of the amazons regarding men. Just enjoyed listening to his tales and stories. Listening to his pleasant voice she felt at ease and relaxed. Legolas was enjoying sitting in the dark next to Cyrene. Since he was curious about her and the amazons, he listened to her low voice telling him about ancient stories from gods, goddesses and long forgotten wars. He could tell the woman was exhausted and troubled but he also sensed she was relaxing in his presence. While Cyrene was shifting, accommodating against the wall, she felt her forearm cramp. It was something she had since she was very young, the cramping of her forearms or calves. She knew her cramped hand wasn't a pretty sight, so she hid her arm in the shadows while she untied the lacings of her wrist-guard to massage her arm. Legolas noticed something was wrong with Cyrene, but didn't see what was bothering her. He thought if he should ask her or just come closer, to see if he could help her, risking her rejection. He came closer. The woman had removed her wrist guard and thrown it on the ground and was slowly massaging her forearm, trying to unclench her hand. Her fingers were tensed, her hand looked almost like a claw. It was painful, but she would ease the pain soon. She turned her attention from her hand and found Legolas kneeling at her side, closer than before. He just reached silently for her hurting hand and stopped before touching it, asking her with a look if he might take her arm. She looked for a couple of seconds into his gentle eyes and nodded. Then turned her face away, as if embarrassed by the ugly sight of her cramping hand. The elf focused on the amazons arm. By the clenching of the hand and the tensed muscles, he imagined it was painful. He touched her skin very lightly and started massaging gently the muscles and bending the fingers. He looked up as he heard that Cyrene had inhaled sharply at his touch, but her face was still averted from him. "Is the pain subsiding, Mistress? Do not be ashamed about the cramp. Archers suffer these injuries often" he offered. "Even elven archers suffer them, when they overexert themselves." Cyrene was touched by the sympathy of the words. She looked back at his face, with a smile on her lips. "I thank you for your kindness, master elf. You have wondrous hands, the pain is fading now. " Under his warm hands, the fingers began loosening up and the muscles of her arm relaxed. As soon as her arm felt like normal again, the effect of the elve's touch on her skin, on her arm, began spreading to the rest of her body like the warmth of fire after having been in the cold for too long. Her senses began to tingle, aware of the closeness of this male. She put her left hand on his and stopped the massaging, lifting her right arm from his hands. "I thank you again, for your assistance, Master Legolas. You have been a true and kind brother in arms to me." Legolas understood her wish and retreated to where he was sitting before. This woman was intriguing, fascinating, but he did not wish to rush anything with Cyrene. He sat back leaning on the wall, close to her and began singing softly an elvish lullaby. She laced her wrist-guard again, and folded her right arm into her cloak. She leaned also against the wall, and listened to his song. Slowly her eyes fell shut, as she peacefully drifted into slumber. ************************************************** THE RATING WILL BE R FROM NOW ON !!!!! Chapter X It was still dark as the riders left Helm's Deep heading for Isengard, crossing the forest of the Ents. In the front rode Gandalf, Theoden, Aragorn, Eomer, Legolas and Gimli. Further back, leading the archers of the escort rode Cyrene. She felt refreshed after a few hours of deep sleep. She remembered having fallen asleep while Legolas was singing, sitting next to the elf in the battlements of the fortress. While they rode, she reflected on the previous night. She was enjoying the easy camaraderie with Legolas and Gimli. And she was sure that the tingling sensation she felt whenever the elf touched her came from the fact that he was an elf not a human. She would have liked to have Eowyn close to ask her about that, but the question would have to wait. Cyrene still felt uneasy with Eomer though. After the incident in Edoras they had not talked anymore than to discuss battle strategies and moves. She was aware that he wanted to talk to her and the fact that she had walked away from him and the elf the day before was not making the matter any easier for them. She saw Eomer leaving the front of the group and leading his horse towards her. He rode next to her. "This is a strange forest, Cyrene, it sends cold shivers down my back. Do you feel it?" said Eomer. Cyrene looked at her friend and then to the dark, menacing trees around them. "This is a magic forest, Eomer. It feels very alive; as if there were eyes watching us at every step we take. If Gandalf says they are friendly, I take his word for that and try to adjust to the thought that this is something that I haven't seen before." Eomer smiled at that. There she was, calm and brave adjusting to whatever came her way. He missed her smile. "I wanted to speak to you since before the battle, my friend. I think I owe you some explanations for my behavior the past days …" started Eomer. Cyrene was not sure she wanted to discuss the matter. "Eomer, you are my dearest friend, almost as a brother to me. You have been patient and generous with me when I arrived in Rohan, while I was learning the ways of your people. I beg you not to change the deep friendship we share … " "Cyrene, I have come to think differently. You are more to me than a friend, a comrade in arms, and a sister. I want you sharing my life and I want to court you and make you care for me the way I do for you …" His beautiful eyes sought hers, hoping to see acceptance and care. But the amazon's eyes were sad, as she looked at him and ruefully shook her head. "You are the Heir to the Throne of the Mark, Eomer. You have a duty towards your kingdom and your people. You will marry for an alliance that brings peace and strength to Rohan. And I cannot give you neither, only the promise that you can count on my sword and my bow, whenever you might need them. There is no more I can give you my friend, my brother." Her fingers gently touched his cheek. "If you might excuse me milord, my first duty is to see to the men in my charge. " Then she turned her horse and went riding to the last riders of the group. Eomer saw her leave and understood she would not give in. She never did. ************************************************** The night caught up with them after the riders had left the strange forest and were riding through the valley of the Isen River. They made camp for the night when they reached the beginning of Misty Mountains. Legolas was restless. The atmosphere was tense; the air foul with smoke and a dense mist was coming from Isengard. All plants around them had been burned down, the trees had been ripped out from the ground. The destruction of nature around them was far more disturbing to him than the dark murmurs of the Ent's Forest. He found no ease, neither in Aragorn's nor in Gimli's company. Gimli and Aragorn had fallen asleep, and Legolas was standing guard by the campfire, even though all watch shifts had been given to Theoden's escort. About midnight, the mist had covered the camp. Legolas heard very light steps approaching their fire and armed his bow; turning to the faint noise only he was able to hear. From the mists emerged a cloaked figure, which saw him and let the hood of the cloak down. It was Cyrene. "Be at ease, Master Legolas, it is only me. " she said and smiled at him, approaching to the fire and warming her hands. "It is a disturbing night, Master Elf. Since my watch is over and I could not rest I came to see how my new friends are faring." Legolas put down the bow and smiled at her also. This woman made him feel a little better, even if he felt restless and wary of the surrounding shadows. "You are welcome to our fire anytime you like, Mistress Cyrene. We are very honored to be considered your friends. " He sat on his haunches and rubbed the tense muscles in his neck "It is a very strange night indeed. I will not rest until we leave this place." Cyrene observed the elf from the corner of her eye. She had heard that elves had strong connections to nature, and Legolas was very distraught over the damage done to the land. She found the heavy mist and the moonless night also disturbing and didn't dare to lay down and sleep. She knew she was in Gimli's and Legolas' debt for their care and help after Helm's Deep. She saw the shadows in the elf's eyes and decided to comfort him as he had comforted her the night before. She approached him embarrassed, but she knew what she wanted to do. "Let me help you, Master Legolas, the same way you helped me last night. Let me ease your discomfort." He didn't know what she meant at first, but nodded and let her step closer to him, until she stood at his back. She reached for his neck, carefully gathering his long pale hair on his shoulder and putting her hands inside the collar of his tunic to be able to massage the tense muscles. The instant her fingers touched Legolas skin, both felt the tingling, running up her arms and down his spine. Cyrene almost shied away from him, but forced herself to endure the strange and pleasant sensation that made every nerve in her body aware of the others presence. She rubbed and massaged with deft fingers tension and strain away from the elf's neck and shoulders. Legolas was fighting the urge to take the magic hands that were easing his muscles and sweep the woman into his arms. While the soreness from his neck was slowly disappearing, he felt desire build up in his loins as the motion of the firm fingers at the nape of his neck sent waves of warmth through his body. He took some deep breaths and closed his eyes, as he reasoned with himself that he shouldn't give in to the impulses and sensations raging inside him, because the amazon was a cherished friend, a comrade in arms, a woman who was tending to him in friendship and trust. It had been difficult to earn Cyrene's trust, he would not loose it on a momentary lapse of passionate insanity. He would keep control of himself. Cyrene felt the warm, now soft and supple skin under her hands and reveled in the feeling, letting her hands roam further beneath the tunic, to his shoulder blades and from there up to his scalp. The muscles had relaxed and she heard Legolas' breath quicken under her ministrations. Legolas wanted to thank her for her kind return and before he knew it, his own hands took hold of hers and gentle caressed them. Planting a soft, albeit innocent kiss on them, his heightened senses took immediate stock of the texture of her fingers, both soft and rough, callused even, speaking of her life as a warrior. He didn't know what came over him but his lips seemed to have a life of their own as he started to nibble and lick at her soft skin, a heady sensation running up and down his spine as his earlier thoughts left him and passion and yearning for the amazon took over his rational thinking. He breathed light butterfly kisses on her fingers, her palms, the base of her thumbs, and the soft skin in the inside of her wrists. She enjoyed the unknown sensations and closing her eyes leaned into his back. As Legolas felt her body closer, he started nipping, licking reverently the pulse at her wrists, biting gently the flesh at the base of her thumbs, worshipping the fine fingers that had generously taken the strain in his neck away. The amazon had never before felt anything like the warmth his touch provoked in her before. She felt weak and light, as if her blood had turned into air and she was floating. Cyrene fell to her knees, her arms still wrapped around Legolas neck. He reached for her turning around and pulled the woman onto his lap. She opened her eyes in shock as she found herself trapped in his arms and his manhood hard against her thigh but kept looking into his eyes that held her enthralled. Slowly, ever so slowly, Legolas leaned into her and brushed very lightly his lips against hers. She sighed and he started worshipping her lips as carefully as he had been wooing her hands before. When he licked her lips, she instinctively opened her mouth and he let his tongue enter slowly and rub against her tongue very softly, belying the need he felt raging through his body. Cyrene moaned into his mouth as she pressed herself against him. Gimli grumbled and moved in his sleep. Cyrene and Legolas sprung up and apart, standing mere feet away from another, breathing hard and flushed with unfulfilled desire. Legolas smiled, his eyes showing resignation. Cyrene felt confused and ashamed. She did not smile. "I thank you for your kind help, Mistress Cyrene" said Legolas, not taking his eyes even for a second away from the amazon's face. She nodded, put up her hood and walked away into the mist, wrapping her arms around herself, trying to put the wild sensations that still coursed through her body under control. The elf sat down by the fire, sighing. His neck was relaxed but others parts of his body were aching. It was going to be a very long night.