Always

Chapter 5.

The Elf leaned low on his stallion’s neck , keeping his eyes locked firmly on the haunches of the bay horse ahead of him , cursing the day he had ever decided to ride in this direction . The pursuing riders were slowly falling behind , their shouts becoming fainter , and Legolas began to allow himself to believe that the worst of it was behind them .

Until one of the razor-sharp darts sliced deeply into his right thigh .

The bay horse began to tire , his hoofbeats faltering and half stumbling . She cast a glance back over her shoulder , and saw only Legolas behind her ; the other riders had finally given up . She allowed the gelding to slow , and Arod followed suit , his rider clinging to his mane . The rain drove down harder , and lightning split the sky . She pulled her hood up to cover her head and reined the horse down a steep hill , slipping and sliding , toward a rocky embankment . They rode in silence for another hour , putting as much distance as possible between themselves and Tanderrah’ .

“Caitlin !” Legolas called , stopping his horse and shaking his head . “I need to stop , we need to find somewhere to camp .” he said hoarsely . Caitlin turned in her saddle to face him curiously ; the Elf was the last being she would have guessed to be ‘soft’ . They rode on together in silence until they came to an open-mouthed cave overlooking the forest ; it was large enough to house not only them , but their mounts as well , and would shelter them well from the storm outside .

The cave had obviously been used many times in the past to house weary travelers ; there was a pile of firewood against one wall , and a ring of ash toward the front clearly showed where many fires had previously burned . Caitlin sprung off her horse , landing lightly , and began untacking him , tossing the packs against the wall . She glanced up to see Legolas still mounted , leaning forward on the pommel of his saddle , his wet hair hanging in his face . “Well , are you going to stay mounted all night ? You’re the one who wanted to stop so badly , you know .”

He raised his head to glare at her darkly . “It’s not bad enough for you to be hung for murder , now you wish to be hung for a horse thief as well .” he grumbled , an sucked in a deep breath as he swung his injured right leg over Arod’s rump and gingerly settled onto the ground . The sight of his leggings soaked with blood caused Caitlin to gasp , and she stopped what she was doing to come to his side .

“Why did you not tell me you were hurt ?” she asked , touching her fingers to the blood soaked leather . Legolas moved away from her , leading Arod toward the back of the cave , balancing on one leg and beginning to untack him .

“What does it matter to you ?” he grunted . “I shall live .”

Caitlin followed him and took hold of his arm . “Sit . I will finish here , and then take a look at your leg .” When he did not move immediately , she repeated , “SIT .” , shoving him toward her pack . Legolas stumbled slightly , and dropped to the ground , hissing through his teeth with the pain . Caitlin first fell to starting a fire , and soon the cave was filled with it’s welcome warmth while she quickly finished unsaddling the horses . Then she returned to Legolas’ side . He was leaning against the wall , eyes shut , blood still seeping from the wound . She came to her knees beside him and drew his dagger from it’s sheath , slicing through his leather leggings above the wound .

His eyes popped open wide , and he attempted to stop her . “Haute , titta er! “ he demanded . “These were good leggings !”

“Were is right . They are ruined now , my friend .” she said , not looking up . “Tis a deep wound , Legolas . It will need stitched .” she rose and went to the bay horse , plucking several hairs from his tail , and came back to the Elf . “Hold these .” she said , handing the hair to him , and set about finding a small pot in his pack and quickly went back out in the storm to collect water from the nearby stream , putting it over the fire to boil . She cleaned the wound as gently as she could without a word passing between them , then withdrew a small sewing packet from her cloak , and began working on stitching the gaping wound back together . Legolas endured the pain in silence , teeth gritted , eyes closed , until she had tied the horsehair sutures off and replaced the needle into her kit . “I am sorry this happened .” she said softly .

“Then that would make two of us .” he replied with a sigh . “Caitlin , why did you come after me ? I thought I made it clear that I wanted no more to do with you ?”

She hung her head , unsure of how to answer . “I don’t know .” she said with a very small voice . “I just …. Didn’t wish to be alone any longer . Is there anything wrong with wishing companionship ?”

“I offered you companionship , and had it tossed back in my face .” Legolas leaned back against the wall , crossing his arms across his chest . Caitlin began rummaging through his pack in search of anything to eat . “Looking for something else to steal ?” Legolnappnapped .

The corners of her mouth turned down , and she thought for a moment her resistance was going to fail and the tears would come . She wouldn’t , couldn’t allow that . She found a bundle of traveling cakes and jerky , tossing it to Legolas . “I just thought you might be hungry .” she said tersely .

“There is a skin of wine there as well .” Legolas said , his voice gentling . “I’m sorry , titta er , could we perhaps start anew ?”

She turned slowly to face him . “I think I’d like that , Legolas .” she said softly , and came to sit beside him , handing him the skin of wine . “How does your leg feel ?”

He uncorked the skin , taking a long drink and offering it to her . “Not as good as it did this morning .” he replied wryly , and chuckled softly . Caitlin took a drink , and looked up at the same time Legolas did , and their eyes locked , ice blue to emerald green , and she felt heat rising in her cheeks . Suddenly there was no one else in the world but the two of them , and Legolas leaned forward , cupping his hand about the back of her head and pressing his lips to hers once more , waiting for her to strike him again , or at the very least to recoil . Neither happened . She raised one hand , resting it on his forearm , and sighed into the kiss .

After a moment , she pulled away , her head spinning , overwhelmed by the emotions and feelings pulsating through her body . “I swore no man would ever touch me again .” she breathed , her lips only inches from his . His fingertips gently stroked her hair , and he kissed her again .

“I am not a man .” he whispered into her mouth .