Unseen Love

Chapter 3 - Betrayal

As the day drew on and began to approach night, Legolas and Gimli walked together through the wonderful wood. As they walked Gimli said "You know, these woods can really grow on you."

Legolas looked around and said to Gimli "Yeah, I love it here."

Gimli looked at him and pointed to his beard "No I mean it can really grow on you, there's a sapling growing out out of my beard. Guess I should clean it sometime." When he said this Legolas began to laugh and Gimli told him "This is the first time you have laughed since you suspected Nileryn of not being true to you." This thought made Legolas go quiet for a while.

When he spoke again, his words were of the thought he had been contemplating. "I only hope that my suspitions are not true."

"So do I, my friend. However, I do believe that they are true. Why do you stay with her?" Gimli finally asked after thinking about it for sometime. Gimli knew his friend well enough to know that he would not tolerate what he had allowed for so long. For years now, Nileryn had been acting suspicious, not being home, disappearing. Gimli just needed to know why his friend would allow this.

Legolas pondered this question for a while, trying to find the right words to say and finally answered "I love her, Gimli, I just do."

When they arrived at Legolas' home, some hours later, Nileryn was not there. Gimli departed to return to his own home as Legolas went into the kitchen to ask Seronocuil where Nileryn may have gone. She did not know, but had seen Haldir there earlier, and believed she could have left with him. Seronocuil and Legolas had been friends for years before Legolas became lord of Ithilien, and she came from Mirkwood to live near him. When she saw an opprotunity to be nearer to him, by being his maid, she couldn't resist. Those years have built trust between them, and Legolas knows she would never lie to him.

Even as they talked, Nileryn sat on a bench in the garden, watching the sun set beyond the edge of Middle-Earth. This sunset made streaks of red and orange dazzle about the Western sky, creating a wonderous display for a romantic evening with Haldir. He was sitting beside her with his stronge arm wrapped around her shoulders. She snuggled close to him, listening to his beating heart, and watching the display of dancing lights.

Once most of the lights had diminished, and the sky began to grow dark, with only the light of far away stars, Haldir and Nileryn began to walk together through the elegant Ithilien gardens. They have known each other for years, she once recided in Lothlorien with him, and now lives in the lord's house. As they walked along, hand in hand, Haldir said to her "Remind me why you won't leave him yet."

They stopped, illuminated by the stars, and she looked into his eyes "I told you, I am only staying with him until I get what I want."

Haldir thought about her responce as he looked deep into her eyes, into her soul. "Is that what you entend to do with me?" he finally asked and turned away from her.

She brought his face back to her and told him quickly "No, of course not. I love you Haldir." They gazed at each other for another few moments and walked on. After a while, when the stars were the only light, Nileryn decided it was time for her to return to Legolas' house, Haldir agreed. They left the gardens for a narrow path which led toward the house. They walked hand in hand just happy to be in the company of the other. Finally they arrived at the walkway that led to the front door. When they left the company of the other, a kiss showed their love to the night.

Nileryn turned from him and walked up the walkway to the house she calls home. She entered it's large door to Legolas sitting on the couch. "What are you doing home so early?" she asked as she shut the door behind her.

He rose from his seat as he said "We got finished early, is that a problem?"

In a quick defense Nileryn answered "No, of course not, you just surprised me."

"Have you seen Haldir tonight?" he asked her.

"He came by earlier looking for you, but I haven't seen him since, why?"

"I was just curious," he told her, knowing her lie. Nileryn told him "I'm going to go to bed now," and went to the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Legolas sat back upon the couch and put his hands over his face. Seronocuil saw him and coming into the living room asked "Are you alright, Legolas?"

"She lied to me again," he said in a soft voice, too soft for her to hear.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you," she told him as she walked closer.

"She lied to me," he said in a louder voice as he rose from the couch "I saw her at the end of the walkway, with Haldir, they..." he tried but couldn't bring himself to admit it. Legolas slammed his fist against the table in front of him in anger, which made Seronocuil jump in surprise, and he sank back onto the couch. Legolas sat in thought for a while, Seronocuil retreated to the kitchen. She peered out the kitchen door but could not stand to see her friend in pain and shut the door quietly.