A/N: Okay so in my one-shot 'Never-Ending Desire', I know I wasn't very clear on how they met and what their connection was, so I decided to make a sort of prequel. This takes place after they arrive in Lothlórien, before they all fall asleep. I was thinking of making a second chapter of her POV, or what happened next, o if anyone like that idea, juts, like, PM me or review with it or whatever. I own no one except Evyn and Honan. They rest of the characters mentioned might be a little OOC, but I still have yet to read the books and rely solely on the movies. So In case your burning desire was to know how they met, here's how it went down.
When he first heard her, Galadriel, her words just seemed to be true for all others and not for him. "And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief". Yes, he had lost many people he cared for, many friends and companions, and he still has yet to lose the people he travels with, but as for a lover? Never.
It's not that he couldn't love-in fact, it was just the opposite. He knew he could love so deeply, so meaningfully, he wanted to save it and not toss the word around. Love is not to be used loosely or in a causal manner. Love is as deep and cruel and ruthless as pain, as sorrow but as bright and beautiful as joy and peace and hope itself. And he, Legolas, knew when the right person came along, he would love them with everything he had left. And it would only be them-once he loves a single person as strongly as he can, he can love no one else with that same intensity, the same feeling.
He just never expected to find that person here, in Lothlórien, an Elven place of safeness and resistance and in the company of such sorrow and grief with the loss of Gandalf.
In the middle of everything, she was there. Before he even knew her, she was there.
"Master Legolas?" a voice says. I look up to see a girl with wavy, dark brown hair standing before us. A few of Haldir's elves had escorted us to a place we could spend the night, mourn, rest and regroup before our venture out tomorrow. The hobbits were busying themselves setting up their meager positions, Gimli was brooding in a corner, and Aragorn and Bormir were talking quietly, with Boromir scowling. I was thinking of our past travels and what we were to do next but more smoothly when her voice interrupted me.
"Yes?" I answer. She bows her head, staring at the ground while she speaks.
"I was sent by the Lady of the Golden Wood and Lord Celeborn to fetch you for a…sort of council meeting." I appraise her with my eyes, not sure I can face a meeting after what we've been through. But when she looks up, I am startled by her face. She does not possess the features of an elf. She looks more like…human. Man. Like Boromir and Aragorn, she has little flaws that us elves do not have. But all the same, she is beautiful.
I feel a rushing in my chest, like everything I've ever known is swirling up in my mind. When she looks at me, with those green-blue eyes that elves could never have, I feel my breath catch in my chest. They look similar to water, clear as that pure liquid. Anything could cause the slightest change and then everything would be altered.
"Of course." Aragorn's voice breaks my thoughts and in a part of my mind, I'm relieved. I felt I couldn't make out her character through her eyes, for as clear as they are, they look like they hold many secrets and turmoil's for someone so young.
She moves her head towards Aragorn but keeps her eyes respectfully downcast.
"I'm sorry Master Aragorn, but I was told to fetch Master Legolas only." Even with her head lowered slightly I can see the fear flash quickly across her face and she flinches, like she believes she will be punished for contradicting someone such as Aragorn. She looks so scared, I almost want to comfort her, to tell her it will be okay, that for something as trivial as that, she won't get hurt.
Wait. Where did that come from? But I banish that thought from my head with another-what had happened in her past that the slightest disproval or wrong move made her believe something bad would happen to her?
Aragorn looks momentarily surprised but shakes it off.
"No need to apologize…" he trails off, waiting for her to state her name.
"Evyn," she answers simply. "Just Evyn." Aragorn nods, suddenly lost in thought. I believe he's thinking that the name Evyn is similar to Arwen, his elf lover back in Rivendale. And for a moment, I feel bad for him. How is it to love someone you know you might never see again and if you do, everything is against you?
"I'm ready when you are, Evyn," I say. She looks at me and gives a small smile. Her smile touches her eyes, an important trait. Evyn turns and I follow her lead for the trek. It isn't very long, but with many steps and paths, and the questioning looks I know I will soon receive from the Lothlórien elves, I'm in no hurry to get there. We pass the willows, with their long branches, bathed in silver. Since the branches are dropped low, it looks as if even nature is crying for the loss of Gandalf.
"I'm sorry," Evyn says softly. I for one, am surprised, for I meant at first not to speak with her, but now I can't resist.
"What do you have to be sorry for Evyn?" I ask. She slows down so she may walk in step with me, for previously she had been slightly in front.
"For Gandalf. I've heard he was a great man and you must have been very close. And for that, I am sorry." She looks straight ahead as she says this and I feel a spark of interest and a feeling of a good heart. She had never known Gandalf, yet she sympathized with those of us whohad and spoke of him kindly. Very few people do that and those who do are rare and one of nature's gifts.
Suddenly my urge to know more about Evyn trampled my usual feeling to stay silent and to simply observe what was happening around me.
"If I may be so bold to ask, what is a human such as yourself in the depths of Lothlórien, a place of elves?" It may have been not my place to ask her such a personal question, but I had the strangest urge to know. Evyn continues to look straight ahead as she answers.
"I myself am not so sure, Master Legolas."
"Just Legoals will do," I correct her. She turns to me for a moment and once again I am startled by her eyes.
"Thank you Ma-Legolas." She stops herself. "As an answer to your question, I was told that when I was younger, I was found at the edges of Lothlórien, by myself. The elves her, they took me in…raised me…and for that, I am grateful. I have been told I cannot go out into the world, that this is the safest place for me. But Legolas, I-" She stops abruptly. I glance at her with mild interest, curious as to why she stopped.
"Yes?" I prod her on. Evyn shakes her head.
"It is nothing, Legolas. I should not worry you with my dreams and wishes after all you've been through. It's just…you are very easy to talk to." I have never blushed before, but now I feel a bit flustered as to her compliment.
"No, do tell me. I would like to hear." I insist. She smiles slightly. We start to mount the delicately carved steps to the highest chamber where the meeting is to take place.
"Very well then. I have always longed to go out into the world, instead of being shaded here by the elves protection. Do not get me wrong, my gratitude is endless for their kindness," she adds hastily "but I have always wanted to see Middle Earth, Rivendale, even the Shire. Just someplace different." Evyn looks down, as if ashamed by her words. But I do not understand her embarrassment. Most women would love to just always be protected, safe, and not in the midst of struggles and grief. But her…she wants adventure, she wants to feel fear, feel the rush of the unexpected. And I admire that.
"There is no reason to feel ashamed, Evyn." I reassure her. "But it's not what you might think. It's dangerous, there's always someone watching, always the risk of injuries-or worse."
"I am not defenseless, Legolas," she says quietly, surprising me. "The elves have taught me how to fight and they have done it well. I do not need saving."
"I never said you were defenseless, nor do I believe it," I say. She simply nods and continues upward. And for the first time in my life, the silence is awkward, rather than comforting. Usually I savor the silence, the quietness, to be able to think and plan and just…feel. But this is an uncomfortable silence.
And yet, I do not mind it. For as I look downward, at the perfectly made stone steps, I cannot keep my gaze from drifting to her every few minutes. Her long white dress, so similar to Galadriel's, trails behind her.
Finally all too soon, we reach the top of the steps to a wooden landing. The view is incredible. You can see all of Lothlórien from here, all immersed in a silvery, pure light. It is beautiful, peaceful. And with Evyn silhouetted by the light, she looks hauntingly alluring. There are maybe ten or so elves milling around, waiting for us. Galadriel and Lord Celeborn are in the center, discussing quietly with Haldir. When we arrive at the top, all talking ceases and all eyes are on us. Evyn looks down, seemingly feeling out of place among such perfection.
"Legolas," Haldir says simply, coming closer to us. The breeze blows towards us, sweet, refreshing, and clean. I notice Evyn shiver slightly through her thin white gown and a sudden urge to warm her overwhelms me. But I force myself to focus on Haldir, Galadriel, and Celeborn.
"Haldir," I say nodding at him. "Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn." They nod back at me.
"Evyn," Lady Galadriel says softly. Evyn winces but no one else can tell.
"Yes, Lady Galadriel?" she asks, almost expecting a scolding as she did when Aragorn spoke to her. And once again I wonder what anyone did to make her that susceptible to punishment, so scared of voicing herself.
Except to me.
She told me her dreams, she said I was easy to talk to. She seemed relaxed around me.
"My dear, it seems you forgot something," Lady Galadriel says. Evyn looks confused for a moment before understanding dawns on her.
"Oh, I did. I'm so sorry. Excuse me for a moment," she says then turns and quickly goes back down the steps. I look at Lord Celeborn for understanding, for Lady Galadriel had turned o another elf and started to converse with them in low tones.
"Evyn was supposed to fetch you some new clothes as well. It seems she forgot. I wonder why. Usually, she always does exactly what we have asked of her perfectly."
"I see," I say, because it seems rude of me not to say something. But a glimmer of hope rises in me. Maybe she forgot because she was so entranced by me.
No. what are you thinking? Do not be conceited. Don't even think like that.
Evyn returns moments later with a silver, embroidered garment in her arms.
"Here you are, Master Legolas." I notice she has gone once again to calling me 'Master'.
"I'm dreadfully sorry. It won't happen again, I promise," she says, bowing her head once more. I see one of the elves standing by one of the columns smirking at her and I feel a wave of anger rise in me. It's surprising, that I would feel such resentment to another elf, but I don't like the way he is looking at her right now.
"Do not fret, Evyn. Simply show Legolas where he will change, bring him back here, then go with Honan for your daily practice." A flicker of fear passes on Evyn's face at the mention of his name and I see the one who had been smirking at her earlier take a step forward.
"Hurry back Evyn. Do not make haste. I have a wonderful lesson planned," he calls after us as Evyn nods her head then turns to lead me to change. I keep my face expressionless but I stiffen. Honan seems…different for an elf. There's something not right about him.
"I'm so sorry, Legolas," Evyn says as we descend the stairs to another landing. Evyn opens the wooden door and gestures to a room cut in half with a curtain.
"It's perfectly all right, Evyn. I do not mind in the least." She gives me a half smile as I step behind the curtain. I sling off my green cloak and start to undress myself.
"Why must I wear this?" I ask her through the curtain. I can see her at the window, her back to me. She answers softly:
"Because Lady and Lord of Lothlórien wish it." I do wonder the real reason but keep my thoughts to myself as I usually do. I slip the garment over my head, the silk and softness feeling smoothing against my skin after our more traveling-appropriate clothes. When I'm done, I emerge from the flowing curtain to find Evyn still standing by the window. She turns and sees me, ready.
"Come, let us go," she suggests. But she doesn't move. Instead she continues to look out the window.
"Evyn, do tell me what's wrong," I ask of her. She hesitates for a second.
"Legolas, you must promise not to tell anyone. I know we have only just met, and you are of greater importance then me, but I must tell someone." I nod for her to keep going, entranced by what she's about to say
"Honan…he is part elf, part dwarf." I raise my eyebrows in surprise, thinking is that even possible.
"Because of that, he is more open about…certain things then you would be." She pauses and I'm afraid to ask her to go on, but at the same time, I do want to know what's troubling her.
"Honan is very open about his…feelings. Being what he is, he feels he is better than me and at every lesson he does not fail to point it out. I don't like it, Legolas. He makes me feel inferior. As a human, I suppose that is my place, but still. I dread every time we're together."
"Does Lady Galadriel or Lord Celeborn know?" I ask. It is true she would be under us, but it is not right for someone to point that out. Evyn shakes her head.
"No. I have told no one. Legolas, you are the only one who knows. I just feel like I can trust you." She looks at me, with her tangled yet earnest eyes, innocent yet wise beyond her years and I feel I know her inside and out. Like I can see her heart, her soul, and they are beautiful.
"I'm…homered," I say to my surprise. She smiles at me at these words, a real gentle, genuine smile. I feel the corners of my mouth curve but even then I cannot smile. I hope she understands.
"Come, let's go." I follow her out of the room, hoping she feels better after telling someone about her troubles. Right before we reach the landing, she stops.
"Legolas, thank you. I do hope we will see each other again." Before I can say anything, she walks quickly ahead of me. In fact, I am glad, because for once I do not have any idea of what to say or do next. I feel I have just made a friend, but no, something deeper than that.
I feel something that I have only heard stories about and never experienced before. I feel an aching in my chest, like m very heart is trying to escape and get to the woman in front of me. I feel light, weightless, even more than normal and my heart speeding up. I feel like what I'm feeling could not be expressed by mere words, because mere words could not capture the intensity, the beauty that I have rushing through me.
I don't know what is coming ahead, but whatever is coming I hope, despite everything, Evyn is there with me.