Author's note :
Ok here goes, Legolas and Willow went on Holiday to enjoy this long weekend and visit the Tulip Festival. When they returned home they were very angry and disappointed because the weather was horrible, it rained and it was cold all weekend. So they've decided to go on strike until the nice weather comes back, if it ever comes back that is...
Sorry I'm taking a quick little break from The Space Between (I know, I know I only have the prologue up... shoot me!) So I've decided to post this little fic I've written back in March during my Economics class. Hey! It was beyond BORING! The professor was nice and all but he couldn't keep my attention. Well I guess its not his fault, Economics really is boring!
Anyhow here's the new story. Well its sad, yeah, it is. I don't think there's any romance in it... Although it does refer to some romantic interlude, a long time ago...
I guess I should warm you, there's a dream in it that could be considered scary to some (it may not be I just don't want to take a change...) And in the next chapter there will be lost more sad stuff...
Well I hope you like it and it won't kill you (or me) if you let me know what you think... I'd be eternally grateful you know :) Ciao, and Happy Spring! (for those of you who are lucky enough to have one... Its fricken cold here!)
Ghost of a Memory
Shadows of a Forgotten Past
"A wild orchid in wild hair." The sweet smell of the enchanting flower filled him with forgotten memories that once were a source of carefree happiness, but are now buried deep inside his soul. A thought, a flower, a smell, a sight, the way a certain word was spoken, a certain song was sung, all of these could randomly cause forgotten dreams to be dreamt, or lost feelings to be found.
"Legolas!" He heard his name being called. The Prince turned towards the source of that calling. The calming scent of camomile invaded the springy air. Legolas saw raven black tresses dance before his eyes, a dark azure orchid dangling from a pointed ear. He looked up to meet huge sparkling violet eyes staring at him.
"Ah! There you are!" Spoke the mysterious velvety voice. "I have been looking all over for you! Come! Every one is waiting." The speaker held out her hand and the Prince took it willingly.
"Legolas! How are you holding out?" The coarse voice strayed the Prince out of his reverie. He had been daydreaming again. Something he had not done in years. Yet for the past few days he had caught himself aimlessly drifting away into the realm of dreams. Legolas glanced blankly as the members of the Fellowship gathered around the crackling fire, consuming their last rations for the day. He did not hear the whispering around him or Pippin chuckling and throwing small morsels of his plate at the expressionless prince. All through the meal, he sat, his face blank, his plate untouched and his eyes as glazy as the substance now cooling in front of him.
"Legolas!" After a second calling the Elf snapped out of within himself. He looked at whomever had spoken to him.
"Lost in your thoughts again." Said an annoyed Boromir, who grew irritated with the Elf's constant daze.
"It would appear so." Gimli said not giving Legolas a chance to reply for himself.
"Yes, Master Dwarf. I have been straying into old memories that I have long forgotten."
"Ooh! Like what?" Asked the all-too-curious Pippin as he bit into a crisp red apple, unconscious of his drooling.
"Nothing of interest to you." Replied Legolas, emphasising on the 'you'. Pippin scoffed at that last remark.
"Well I hope this daydreaming of yours does not become an obstacle in our quest Master Elf. Elves and their stupid dreams!" Puffed Gimli as he stood up and walked away, patting the young hobbit on the shoulder, as if to say 'Elves can get a little bit cranky...'
Legolas ignored him and everyone resumed their business. The night grew cold and called the Fellowship into the realm of the restful. Another long day was ahead of them.
"Who shall take the first watch?" Asked Gandalf.
As every other night, Legolas volunteered. " I will."
"I do not believe it wise for you Legolas." Said Aragorn. "It has been three nights where you assumed first watch and neglected to relieve yourself. You need to recover your strength before you burn yourself out my friend. I can see that you could use a full night's rest."
"And a full dosage of manners," Gimli muttered under his beard.
Legolas was readying to protest when Gandalf broke in. "Aragorn is right, Legolas. As an Elf you are a very valuable asset to the Fellowship, but an exhausted Elf shall do us no good. Allow yourself to rest. You have earned it."
Realising that he actually did feel tired, the Elf gave in. "Very well then, until the morrow." With that he laid himself down and fell fast asleep. All were asleep, safe for the Ranger, who silently kept watch into the starlit night.
Legolas tossed and turned. His dreams where haunted with faces from the past. All was but a haze of long forgotten images. A wild orchid in raven black hair, starry violet eyes gazing at him adoringly, a velvety soft voice speaking words of comfort and passion, the soft touch of silken skin, the sound of a child's laughter, a young face running into a loved one's arms, all these were spiralling in the Elf's head. Then, suddenly these warm images turned bitterly cold. The orchid wilted and turned black, the starry eyes lost their vitality, the soft voice was silenced, the skin became blood stained, the laughter turned to cries of pain and blood was flowing from the young face. Blood, so much blood around him. He was drowning in blood. Legolas saw a beautiful face become dark and deathly as a throat was slit and blood poured freely to the ground. Arms outstretched towards the Prince, the now raspy voice yelled out as blood was unleashed, pouring down her face, her arms and down her gown: 'Legolas... You did this to me! It is your fault! And now you shall drown in your own blood!' Legolas was gasping for air as blood, his blood, trapped him, drowned him.
Aragorn noticed his friend's distress. He peered deeply for a closer look. It was evident Legolas was having a nightmare. The Ranger could see the Elf's lips moving silently, then his words became audible. Aragorn understood what he was saying.
"No, no! Stop this at once! Take me instead! LEAVE THEM!" He spoke softly. Then Legolas' voice grew louder to the point where he awoke as he shouted in an agonising voice, into the black night: " No! Elimariel! NOO Please no!"
He was breathing in short gasps unaware of his surroundings. Aragorn rushed to his side and placed a hand of his friend's shoulder.
"Legolas?" Asked the Ranger worriedly, it was very rare and unusual for the Elf to be in this state. It was obvious Legolas was traumatised by the images haunting his dreams.
"Huh?" Aragorn's hand on his shoulder provided a stable bridge back into reality.
"You were dreaming. You seem unnaturally affected by what you have dreamt."
"Yes, I was" Responded a dazed Legolas.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Legolas' eyes grew wide for he was not one to share his feelings, especially with a certain human male.
"No, I would rather not. Thank you." He still appeared to be unaware of his surroundings, his voice was filled with uncertainty.
"Very well." Aragorn returned to the fire, as Legolas feared returning to sleep. His dreams have been haunting him for so long. He was restless, therefore he found it best to go sit next to Aragorn.
"Can't sleep?" He asked as Legolas sat down.
He nodded. "I have been plagued with these haunting dreams for quite some time."
"That must have been some nightmare to cause you to fear returning to sleep."
"Yes. I have been avoiding sleep for the past few days."
Aragorn seemed puzzled. "Why? Tell me, maybe I can help you."
Legolas shook his head. "No, Aragorn I do not wish to discuss it."
"Then why did you come ?"
"To sit by the fire and watch the flames dance before me. Maybe sleep shall come."
The ranger felt he had struck a nerve and he new something was plaguing his friend, something much greater than a stray nightmare. "Legolas, please let me help you!"
"Please Aragorn cease this! I do not wish to continue this conversation!" The Elf's wanted his voice to sound angry but he could not help the pleading tone he used.
At this moment Aragorn knew he could not give up on his friend. "Legolas, I want to help you! We have known each other for such a long time! How many times have you helped me in my times of distress?" He waited patiently for the Elf to answer.
"A few occasions I suppose. Please Aragorn! It is unnecessary. I believe I have made a mistake in coming here." As he finished his words, he got up and headed towards where he slept.
Without removing his eyes from the fire, Aragorn spoke to Legolas in a slightly more rigid tone. "Legolas! You never told me who is the name you cried out? Elimariel?" At the sound of that name, Legolas stopped dead in his tracks. Shuddering, he closed his eyes, pain searing through his entire body.
"What is it Legolas? Who is Elimariel?" Legolas could hear the concern in his friend's voice, it was genuine. The Elf opened his eyes, which were shinning with tears. The door that led towards a dark passage in Legolas' past was reopened. There was no turning back, once opened he had no choice but to enter the threshold and walk down that dark path. He sat back down next to the Ranger, whose eyes were filled with alarm.
"Legolas! Talk to me! Please." The Prince took a slow deep breath and without lifting his gaze from the flames dancing before him, he spoke softly.
"Elimariel was my wife."
Aragorn's eyes grew wide at hearing the Elf's words. His face was lit up with an utter look of surprise.
"You're married?"
Legolas lowered his eyes and nodded sadly. "I was."
To Aragorn, this certainly was a surprise. For as long as he knew the Elf, he had not mentioned once being married.
Aragorn spoke softly. " Legolas, I never knew of this. I am truly sorry."
Legolas smiled faintly. " That is because I have never spoken of her. I was married long before you were born. It was so long ago, I had almost forgotten it."
"What, may I ask, happened?"
The Prince's eyes grew dark and unsettled Aragorn. "It is too painful to recall. I buried the memories as deep as they could go. It is only three days ago they have resurfaced, when Pippin found some wild orchids. Elimariel almost always had orchids in her hair."
Legolas could no longer speak for he was choking back tears.
"Go on my friend. You should not repress your memories. Tell me, free yourself of this great burden you have cast upon yourself."
"I cannot, it is far too difficult. I fear..."
Aragorn placed a comforting had on Legolas' shoulder. "You can, and you must. It is eating you up on the inside. You shall never rest until you let go."
Legolas reluctantly agreed. "Very well then. I shall try, but for this I shall have to explain everything, maybe then shall you understand."
Aragorn nodded in approval and patiently waited for the Elf to begin his tale.
Legolas closed his eyes to clear his mind and allow these long forgotten memories to resurface in his thoughts.
"Elimariel was my dear wife. To me, she could not have been more wonderful. Elimariel was a kind hearted Elf who had nothing but goodness in her soul. In my perspective, she was the most beautiful Elf in all of Mirkwood, beautiful in every way imaginable. We got along so well, we were true kindred spirits. We knew what the other wanted without even speaking.
Of course it was not always that way. When we first met we hated each other and would constantly taunt each other and avoid each other's company. Finally something in our minds changed and we looked upon one another in a different way. Instead of intense hate, we felt intense love.
And she chose me, of all the other Elves, I was the one she chose to spend eternity with. Elimariel embodied everything I could possibly want in a wife. I swear to you Aragorn some days I wondered if I had dreamed her into life. The day we married was the happiest day of my life, at least until then."
"What do you mean?" Interrupted Aragorn.
Legolas smiled sadly. " Every day after we married was ever better than the last. Every day was a new adventure, a new day to look forward to. We enjoyed the simple pleasure of being alive together. I am telling you, Aragorn, there is nothing better than the bliss of wedded life."
Aragorn smiled, thinking of the prospect of his future life with Arwen. Oh yes how much he loved her and how much he anticipated that fateful day where he would claim the Lady Evenstar for his own.
Discerning his thoughts, Legolas smirked. " I am certain you shall know what I mean. You shall know what it is to wake up every morning to look into the adoring eyes of the one you shall love for all of eternity, to feel you heart tingle every time your love comes near you and how your heart stops when you feel her soft skin against yours. We enjoyed married life for nearly three hundred years, when it was discovered that Elimariel was with child."
The Elf saw the look on the Ranger's face. He could not believe that Legolas was a father! Aragorn could not envision Legolas in a fatherly way, he always seemed to be so young and innocent. Strange how he never met the little one.
Legolas continued. "It was an incredibly joyous time in our lives. I could not believe that I was to become a father, that I had helped to create a new life. The feelings I felt when my newborn son entered the world were overwhelming. I remember sitting hours at a time, holding my son and staring at him sleep. He was a beautiful child, so wonderful and full of life. Elianas was his name."
"Rainbow?" Asked the Ranger, slightly amused, yet he found the name to be quite suiting to a young Elf.
"Yes, Rainbow, Elimariel always said his eyes captured the colours of a rainbow. Also he was born right after a great storm, by the time he entered the world, the sun was shining high, follow by that beautiful arch of colours."
Aragorn smiled. "That is quite charming, I'm certain I would have loved to know Elimariel."
"Oh yes, you would have. All would say Elianas was my spitting image, blond hair with twinkling blue eyes. Yet I always knew he had his mother's good looks, her charm and her wit. He also had my agility as well as my unbound curiosity. There was nothing I wanted to do but spend every waking moment with my son. I was looking forward to teaching him about archery, nature, the Elves, our history, our people. I am certain he would have grown to be quite the Elf. To think this was my little family. My family. My life was perfect, there was no way it could have been any better. I thought I would know them forever."
Legolas' voice was broken. He held his head in his hands as tears rolled uncontrollably down his face.
Well that's it for chapter one, there is another on its way I just have to type it up... I will be posting a new chapter for The Space Between sometime soon, I just have to revise my draft one thousand times, okay? Ciao!