Ok so I really felt the need to get back into writing and definitely need some more motivation so please leave comments! I'm not adding the next chapter until there are at least two followers please! (I have little time so I don't like to waste it)
DISCLAIMER: All information taken from LOTR belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien
SORRY IF MY ELVEN LANGUAGE IS WRONG :P just tried to add to the plot
*Also I fixed it a little to explain things.
His feet lightly tapped into the mud as he followed the trail into the woods. Midnight danced among the air as the moonlight leaked through the canopy. She could see his disappearing figure as it was consumed by the fog: his toned arms pushed against the thin fabric of his shirt as his blond hair cascaded down his back. He looked as strong as he had always been. He seemed flawless. Yet in his face was carved a great anger. Where was he going at this hour? Merith stepped out of her hidden nook and began upon the path to follow him.
"That would not be a good idea" a low voice grumbled behind her. Merith jumped slightly; she had been so consumed in her spying, her senses had been lost.
"Ahh, I frightened an elf. I apologize, although it is quite an accomplishment for an old wizard like me. And I do seem to have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Gandalf the White but most call me Gandalf. And you must be?"
Merith started at the old, wise man in front of her. His age seemed to strengthen his power. She knew at once who he was, the introduction was superfluous. After the Great War, a council had been held to tell of the story. King Thranduil had said that the tale needed to be known and the heroes needed to be gratified. Legolas was not present.
"I…I am Merith, daughter of Olithir and Ayla. You said going into the forest was a bad idea. Why is that?
"I'm afraid war has turned our Legolas cold. That is why you were going into the woods? Many are taken by the returned hero, no need to be embarrassed. I have been told he is quite attractive."
"Oh no…I…I was just curious. I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk and…."
"Well I'd advise you to walk a different path. Legolas values his solitude these days. Even I do not dare visit him quite yet. He needs something to help him realize that the good is still there and that will come in time. Yet for now, we all let him grieve. He was the most pure of the fellowship meaning he had the most to lose. But alas, I must be off too onto my own path. It has been a pleasure meeting you." Gandalf bowed slightly and turned away.
"And you!" she called off. Merith looked at the slight imprints of Legolas' boots and yearned to follow them. She had seen his face in the soft glow on the moon, the emotions that were there. She saw past the sorrow and knew there had to be more than this empty shell of an elf. And for some reason, she wanted to be the one to find it. Merith knew the silent and considerate boy he had once been. The animals would approach him the most out of the boys, for he was the most gentle. Yet she could not explain this connection. It was like a magic stirring inside her, pulling her to him. He carried with him something so different than of the other male elves near her age. But she did not want to disturb him quite yet. Her curiosity could wait.
Finally, she felt the chill of the sleepless wind and became self-conscious in her night gown. Merith turned to face her house and strode back to her room. Slipping back into her bed, she let herself be pulled into a stupor.
NEXT DAY
"MERITH. You're late for breakfast! Are you even up? Are you bathed? This is not maiden behavior!" the shrill voice of her mother and the hard knocks on the wooden door woke Merith with a start.
"Ok Naneth, I am coming, just let me get dressed first!" Merith slipped into one of her elven gowns, ignoring the rest of her mother's questions and certainly not bothering to bath. She hurried down the stairs to the outdoor seating. Most meals in Mirkwood where held outdoors. The sun shone year round and only the cool mist upset the clear skies. Merith sat across from her mother where her dish sat waiting for her.
"Where's Ada?" she questioned.
"Your father is at a council meeting. And look at you, unwashed. Gentleman like clean, well presented elves. You must always be at your best, even at breakfast." Her response was sharp, as usual.
"Naneth, I have a question," Merith asking, once again ignoring her mother.
"Yes Iell?"
"Why do we never see Legolas? I mean, he is our land's hero and Ada said he only shows up at the council and even there, he is silent."
"Well he lives in that dreaded house beside the forest. Too small, too dark. And all the while he could be living in the palace! But he chooses that cottage! He likes to be alone and I hope you know that. That man is not right and I wouldn't want my iell near such darkness. Understood?"
"But he is only 70 years older than me. I saw him growing up. He was gentle, Naneth. He was one of the animals. He was the one who-"
"Understood Merith? He is not the elf he used to be. Stay away. Now, tell me why you haven't found a kind elf suitable to be your mate? You need to do this soon you know. Even unwashed, you do possess an exotic beauty. I see how the men stare at you. They want you! And the men in town are good, unlike this Legolas. "
"It was only a question of curiosity. I didn't ask for his hand in marriage and I wouldn't be taking any offers anytime soon either! And mother, if you remember, he did fight to restore this land that all these 'good men' stare at me upon!"
"Merith! I don't know where this behavior has come but I will not have it!" Her mother cut her off, standing over her. Then she grabbed her dish and went back inside, leaving Merith alone, which she was quite accustomed to.
Merith stared down at her plate. He couldn't possibly be dangerous…Dark or not, he was a former hero. He had saved the lives of many. And he was an elf. Elves of Mirkwood do not turn into the shadows, they stray into sunlight. They are known for this. Their culture, their lives. Each were wrapped around their kindness in spirit. Well, some strayed a little, but not like Legolas. She heard tales of other Elves enthralled by the dark powers but she believed that this was different.
Merith finished her breakfast alone and silently got up from the table. Her mother had hurried off to her job in the fields of the flowers after Merith's outburst. Merith went upstairs and changed again, this time into her favorite huntress outfit that lay hidden within her closet. She pulled the tights over her legs, grinning as the fabric hugged her shape. Then she coiled her hair into a braided bun, leaving it to be forgotten on top of her head. Her caramel spun hair was different from the other maidens around her. Her features were not as fair, not as kind. But she did not care. If anything, it made her more different.
Merith gently strode over to the mahogany wardrobe that stood in silence by her door. Her mother only knew it to keep her sewing, which was "a good practice of a future wife". It opened with a creak and the sun coming from the window shed light on the dust that swirled out. Merith felt back and pulled off the black curtain behind the fabrics. There, in the shadows, stood her bow. She grasped one hand around it, pulling it into daylight. She let it balance in her hand, running her fingers across the smooth wood. It brought an aroma of nature. Placing it on her body, she snuck out of her house and into the trees. Her mother did not know of this weaponry and it was Merith's intent that she would not find out. Her mother would find the arrows "vile" and "unfit for a young woman". But Merith loved the sound of their blades slashing streaks into the air, the feel of the string as it tightened, the anticipation as she pulled back the arrow. And she loved to break free from the slavery found in her house. Her mother wished for her to be trained as a healer and had her taking lessons each week in which Merith told the instructor that she would not participate. They agreed that she could observe the healer work and nothing would be said to her mother. Because my mother controls my life.
The only reason she would marry was to get out of her dread house but marriage was too sacred to use as an excuse. Maidens lived with their mother until they were wed off. She knew her mother would be enthralled the day someone asked to betroth her. Her eyes would gleam as the rings were exchanged. Mother says this, mother says that. Mother says I must find a man yet Mother says they're all unacceptable. Yet Mother doesn't even ask if I want to get married. I don't want to settle down, I want adventure. I don't want this calm life. I don't want some husband who treats me as a woman. She saw the way her mother and father interacted. Both were too soft, too conscious of each other. There was love yes, but there was not fun. It seemed to have drifted away with the years that flew into the past. There was only seriousness, respect. I don't want that. I want to be treated as an equal. I don't want an ordinary maiden life. I SO DON'T WANT TO BE MY MOTHER. Why is she so concerned with me finding true love anyway? She had hers! Merith began to storm through the woods as her thoughts rose within her. Then, from a distance, she heard the intake of a breath. Drawing an arrow, Merith turned to observe her surrounding, finding no recognition. In her blind rage, she had lost sight of the trail. She did not know where she was. All she knew is that she was no longer alone.
And that's all for now! It looked longer in word doc…. R&R my friends! Follow it up! And if you do, next chapter will be posted by the end of this week.
