Okay, the chapters are generally going to be short, cuz I cut them off every time I switch perspectives, so I'll probably start posting two at a time. Thanks for the reviews, most of the stuff you guys told me, I already knew (i.e. Legolas's colony in Ithilien, as I planned to use it in later chapters), I just had worded funny or something, and the things I didn't, I have fixed or will fix, so it helped, thanks! (you guys might wanna reread the 1st chapter for corrections)
The name of the chapter indicates who's perspective it is, and anything in Elvish will have an asterix and a number by it from now on so you can scroll to the bottom for translations. (though I think there's only one sentence in here that's not in English) Alright, I think that covers everything. Enjoy!
Legolas
I watched silently as Aragorn embraced his daughter, having left his Council's deliberation to do so. Eowyn stepped up when they had pulled apart to take her in her arms as well, and I suddenly felt dreadfully out of place. As much so as if I had been standing in a room full of drunken dwarves. Seeing them made me long for my own family back in the northern forest of Mirkwood, not that I wasn't pleased to see my good friend reunited with his. I found myself wishing I could leave the three humans without it being considered rude.
"Legolas," I heard Aragorn say, and it was only now that I realized he had been staring at me. "We should all return to the Council."
"Well, I…" I drifted off, my gaze flickering to Elwyn. "As I really don't have much business regarding your affairs, I was thinking I could show Elwyn to her room."
Aragorn seemed rather surprised at this. Rarely had I chosen to withdraw from anything regarding the welfare of the people of his country, despite the fact that they were not my own. Even my presence at the Gates upon the young woman's arrival had been a favor to him, as another guard had informed him of a strange party approaching. "Very well," he finally said. He smiled briefly at his daughter and began to lead Eowyn back into the council chamber.
I turned to Elwyn who was already watching me expectantly and discovered I was studying her delicate features again, her dark hair, her mother's blue eyes. When had she grown so beautiful?
"You're staring again," she said, her tone teasing.
I shook my head in an effort to clear my thoughts and forced a smile. "This way." I gestured down the long hall and started walking.
"Everything's different," she stated, glancing out the windows we passed at the lovely scenery. Though not as lovely as Rivendell or Lothlórien I immediately corrected myself, which was probably the thought in her head.
"Yes, I suppose Gondor is a change from Elvish country," I agreed, staring straight ahead, mostly to keep my eyes averted from hers. Not that there's much of it left, I thought bitterly to myself.
"No, I mean everything in Gondor is different than I remember it." She let out a sigh, and I thought it sounded almost wistful, lamenting a childhood she would never get back. "Perhaps I've been away too long." She glanced over at me as we walked. "I suppose you know how it is," she said. "All your traveling, you must miss your home, and t'is a beautiful place; I wouldn't blame you."
"Sometimes," I conceded in the same melancholy tone as hers.
"Do you ever consider going back?" she continued to question.
I shook my head, resolutely. "My place is in the south for now." I came to a stop outside a large oak door. "Here we are."
"Diola lle, nin cundu," (*1) she said, then smiled at something she must have seen in my face, no doubt surprise.
"You have been taught well," I said, and well she had. Her command of my language, and Quenya no less was seamless, as though she were as comfortable with it as her own. And even if I hated being called 'my prince', her skills were still something to be appreciated.
She nodded at this and disappeared inside the room, shutting the door behind her.
It was several moments before I brought myself to leave.
* * * * *
*1 : "Thank you, my prince."
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