B2MEM2012, O65, Smells card - Soap: Clearer than the Water

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Challenge: O65, Smells card - Soap
Author: Azalais
Title: Clearer than the Water
Characters: Legolas
Rating: G
Warnings: Elven nakedness. (Yes, I realise that may be an inducement rather than a warning...)
Format: Triple-drabble
Summary: Sometimes more than dirt needs washing away.

Clearer than the Water

He slips through the trees in the direction Haldir indicated, knowing when he is drawing close by the burgeoning scent of damp and growing things. He is glad to find the place deserted; he wants no more company than the stars. 

Carefully placing the borrowed linens atop his pack, he sits cross-legged, listening to the faint gurgle of the little spring feeding the pool and the whisper of the breeze; asking blessing of the water. For Ulmo knows I am in need of it!

Eventually he stands, pulls off his clothes and sinks, at last, into the pool. Somehow, he had known it would not be cold…

He soaks slowly, gazing up at the starlit sky.  Then reaches for the soaproot and wild mint he found along the way, crushes them roughly – relishing the clean, sharp smell that fills his nostrils – and begins to wash.

The sweat of a day’s hard running, bow at the ready, looking ever over his shoulder. Orc-blood, black and sticky, caked where it splashed across his cheek and into his hair; and his own, where he barked his knuckles in the haste to get the Halflings through Moria’s narrow passageways. The dust of that foul dark place, rock and ash and – he shudders – bone, grained into his skin.  Sam’s tears … and his. Days and weeks of tensions, flashes of anger, unspoken fears, guilt – and now, grief.  He is not sure he will ever be clean again.

Yet the pool works a slow magic; perhaps, here in the Lady’s domain, there is more than the caress of pure water and the refreshing smell of the herbs.  Perhaps not.  But by the time he has dried off and dressed and rebraided his hair, bowed his head in thanks and turns to go, he feels far better.

~~~

Comments

[engarian.livejournal.com]

It is amazing what a nice bath will do. Lovely gapfiller.

- Erulisse (one L)

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

I really think he needed it, too - I have a feeling Legolas would hate not to be clean. Glad you liked it.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

All the sensual details make this such a vivid moment. Beautiful imagery.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I wanted it to be very physical - literally blood, sweat and tears. I'm glad that came across.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

You know there is very little, as after dinner entertainment goes, to beat a naked elf...

And, seriously, this reflects how he would feel very well, to me.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

I confess that "warning" was a bit of a tease. Technically, you did get an elf who was naked, but that wasn't really the focus of the piece!

And I'm glad he feels right to you. I've always thought of him as quite fastidious; and also someone who is quite reserved and restrained, who needs to deal with his emotions on his own. After the strain of Moria, and the Balrog, and Gandalf's death, and then having to share with Boromir and Aragorn the responsibility of getting the Hobbits out safely, and then negotiate safe passage into/through Lorien - I'm sure he just wanted some quiet, and some peace, and space, and the chance to wash it all away...

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

And then after the peace and quiet, the cleansing of body and nourishment of soul, there was the possibility of taking the comfort offered...

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Well, you could always write that ;-)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

Mmm.... it is certainly 'canon' for my stories.... I may come back to it!

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Might hold you to that :-)

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Don't laugh when I say I found this very visual, first off, and then was more enchanted as you evoked the scents as well as the images. I love the description of the secluded woodland pool, the burgeoning scent of damp and growing things, and his tangible sense of relief at finding the pool deserted, giving him the opportunity for some time alone with his thoughts. Also, this: faint gurgle of the little spring feeding the pool and the whisper of the breeze; asking blessing of the water. *loves*

I've never been particularly a Legolas fan, but I can truly empathize with him as he scrubs away his memories, fears, his anger and guilt. And I really loved his final sense of purification, more than the caress of pure water and the refreshing smell of the herbs, almost a prayer.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Don't laugh when I say I found this very visual, first off,

[Whistles nonchalantly]

I've always assumed that as a Wood-elf (which culturally, to me, he absolutely is, even if technically he's Sindar) Legolas' experience of nature is both very sensual and very spiritual at the same time. I think after the sort of day - and week, and month - he'd had, he'd very much want to be alone with the water and his thoughts. Thank you again for such lovely feedback.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I can just imagine this happening. Though I'm not a Legolas fan, I liked it.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

A most wonderful gapfiller that not only is what he needs but which we can truly appreciate both morally and sensually. Thanks for this one.

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you appreciated it - I think Legolas did too...