Chapter Two
Whispers of the Trees
When Legolas woke up before the sun was up, he was surprised to discover that Juliana was no longer wrapped in his blankets. Usually he would wake up earlier than her, him needing less rest because of his race. It surprised him therefore that Juliana was starting to follow the Elven pattern of sleeping. It made him wonder also if he would ever have another opportunity to watch her sleep again, one of his favorite past times.
It consoled him however to find that Gimli was still asleep, though it was a little consolation, since Gimli could practically sleep through anything. Legolas could distinctly remember Gimli sleeping through the time Pippin had stolen the palantir from Gandalf and his sleep and had a glimpse of Sauron's plan.
He stretched out now, trying to see if last night had been real or if it was just his wishful thinking. After all, he could tell Juliana was dreading their arrival at Mirkwood despite her best efforts to appear as cheerful as he was about going home. As he straightened up on his bedroll, however, he was pleased to smell a bit of her scent on his blankets.
So where was she? Legolas sat up now, finally noticing the fire was already lit and a pot was over it. He also noticed that Juliana's own bedroll was already rolled and packed up on his horse. Elendris, her own mare, had been left in the care of Hadrod, her brother, whom the newly crowned King Eomer took to be his squire. Legolas offered a place for Hadrod at Mirkwood, but the young man declined. He told the two of them that he did not like going back close to where he almost lost everything, his father and the home the three of them once had, and that he was never comfortable around too many Elves.
"Besides," he had added with a grin that was alike Juliana's. "You would never get a moment's peace together. I could be overbearingly protective you know."
His sister had been sad despite this, and despite the fact that it seemed Hadrod was now capable of taking care of himself. That was the reason why she gave Elendris in his care, to have something that bound them together as brother and sister. Legolas often caught her twinges of sadness as they traveled towards their destination. Twinges that neither his comfort, nor Gimli's levity could assuage.
Speaking of Juliana, he finally spotted her walking towards the camp, fully awake and dressed. He stood up quickly, seeing the tensed look in her eyes. He was silent however, as he fixed up his own sleeping things. Gimli was still snoring his head off. Juliana merely gave a half-smile in his direction when she saw him awake and it concerned the Elf-prince more than he would like.
As he passed her fussing over breakfast, he noticed something different about her. It was only when he strapped his things to Arod's saddle did he realize what it was.
"Nithiel, you took a bath." He tried to keep the surprise out of his voice, but it was difficult for him to do so. Juliana stood up from her pose, a bowl of porridge in her hand and a small scowl on her face.
'It's not that hard to believe you know.'
Legolas accepted the bowl of porridge but still regarded her skeptically. She had a fresh long tunic on, her boots and armguards were scrubbed clean. However it was not her clothes which struck him the most.
It was only now did he realize how agonizingly beautiful she had become since her transformation. Her once very pale skin was now a shade of cream and looked repellent to dirt. Her emerald green eyes stood out more because of it, and her rosebud mouth appealed more to him especially with her raven-black locks pulled partly from her face, almost like his preferred hairstyle.
Legolas himself was not one who based opinions on looks alone but he was not so ignorant to not recognize true beauty when he saw one. And there was no denying that his fiancé was indeed a stunning beauty.
He felt a smile creep up on his face as Juliana placed her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows at him.
'What exactly do you find so amusing?' she demanded, her voice clipped with annoyance. Legolas merely shook his head and avoided looking at her again. 'You are making a real effort in presenting yourself to Father, Nithiel.' He remarked waggishly.
Juliana's anger quickly turned to seriousness. Her fists clenched and her eyes burned a solid green. Legolas turned to look at her and was alarmed at her reaction.
'I…I did not mean it that way, Juliana.' He whispered walking over to embrace her, already sensing the turmoil of emotions inside her. 'You know that nothing Father will say will dissolve my love for you. You don not have to be someone you are not if you are trying to convince Father we are meant to be because…" e embraced her and gently forced her to meet his eyes. 'I know we are meant to be. Nothing will change that, all right?'
Juliana met his eyes, tears now on her green orbs.
'I know that." She cried passionately. 'I just need this to work that's all. I'm an elf now, Legolas. You've been doing it for the longest time. I don't know if I can be like you. Everywhere I go and everything I do, I find myself doing it wrong. I show too much emotion, I am too transparent, too impulsive, too spontaneous…'
Legolas hushed her quickly. 'Nithiel, do you not understand?' he demanded softly. 'The reason I love you is not because you are an elf, we both know that, but because of all you have described yourself. I love that you show emotion, love that you are transparent, love that you are impulsive and rejoice that you are spontaneous. I love you just the way you are.'
Juliana allowed Legolas to embrace her but tears were still streaming down her cheeks.
'But will they love me? Will Thranduil love me Legolas? Will he like me for you? Will he?' Juliana asked him desperately, searching for the assurance she needed, to kill the fears she for so long kept inside.
Legolas in his turn, hugged her fiercely, his hand running up and down her back, trying to soothe her. 'Do not give it any more thought Nithiel. Do not, please.'
Juliana pushed herself away from his embrace, breakfast and Gimli forgotten. 'Are you saying that he might not like me after all? That you doubt that King Thranduil would accept me as the woman who tricked his Crown Prince into marrying her?' her voice was hysterical.
'Nithiel,' Legolas tried again in his most patient tone. Somehow, the morning was turning into one of her mood swings. He did not want to be end up being the culprit in this argument. 'What is the matter with you?' he spoke softly. 'You were all right last night. Was it the nightmare? Did it frighten you more than you would like to admit? What's wrong?' he reached out towards her again, as if coaxing a small child. 'Let me help you. I cannot do so if you will not tell me what is wrong.'
Juliana burst into more tears at these words. Legolas tried not to feel impatient now, bet he found it a little hard to hide.
'I'm sorry. I am a fool. I don't know what came over me!' Juliana was saying now. 'Let's just forget this moment ever happened and return to normal all right? I'm sorry, curu-edhel.'
Legolas merely sighed in relief. 'Let's just eat breakfast. Gimli will wake soon and I think it's best that we don't entertain questions. Is that all right?'
Juliana nodded, sniffling. He reached out to wipe her tears. 'Hush now, my love. 'Do not let your tears wash away your beauty.' He smiled at her, as if their argument already forgotten. Juliana tried not to burst into more tears at his comforting tone.
The two them settled down for breakfast. Juliana tried to return to her normal state, but a few bites of her porridge she bolted up again, much to Legolas' surprise.
'What-?' he started to ask but Juliana had already bolted towards the bushes that concealed a nearby spring. When she came back a few minutes later, Gimli was already awake and Legolas had been starting to wonder where she disappeared to, a worried look in her eyes.
'Are you all right, lass?' it was Gimli however who asked her when she sat back down.
Juliana merely shrugged and reasoned 'call of nature' at her disappearance. Legolas did not say anything now; he merely stifled a sigh and returned to his breakfast, the worried look still in his face. Juliana on the other hand, wanted to assure him that she was really all right and need not worry, but the opportunity never arose. It was too soon when Arod decided to nudge Legolas, eager to get going, and Gimli voiced out his own desire to return to his Mountain home. He was only going to spend a few nights in Mirkwood only because Legolas asked for him to visit.
They were soon on the road once more. This time however, Legolas adopted a guarded expression, his face full of concentration and hardly joined in any of their conversation. Gimli and Juliana noticed this, and decided that they had reached the point in their journey which was the most dangerous. Legolas had warned them that despite Sauron's downfall, Mirkwood was not yet cleansed enough to travel with low guards.
When there was indeed conversation between the three of them, it was often about the happenings in Mirkwood. Despite Juliana's fear of being rejected by the population, she was still fascinated by the Elven world and she was definitely sure that Mirkwood was the epitome of Elven culture.
Legolas shared about the feasting season, which started in this month, and that he predicted this year's season to be a lot more festive and cheerful than other previous seasons since this year marked as the end of Sauron as they knew it.
'It also doesn't help that their Prince shall return to their presence once more,' Legolas added in a half smile. 'That alone is cause enough to celebrate.'
Juliana rolled her eyes at that and Gimli snorted none too elegantly.
'He is right you know.' A voice above made Juliana and Gimli look up. Looking at Legolas, they saw that he did not look up as well, which probably meant that the entity above posed no threat to them. It was only a little later, did the two know that Legolas had supplied conversation after his hours of silence because they already entered the safety of Mirkwood borders.
'I can see them?' Juliana whispered, to Legolas who had approached the two now with a mischievous smile on his face, as if he was aware of a joke that the other two were not.
'It takes some time getting used to,' Legolas whispered back, in answer to the question that Juliana could see the shadows of what looked like moving leaves in the trees.
'It's not only that,' Juliana continued to whisper, her eyes roving around the trees. 'I can hear them whisper. The wind brings their words to me.' She added in a voice and words that she was unsure was hers.
Legolas only smiled to her confession. 'Welcome to my world, Nithiel.'
Gimli, who noticed this whisper of exchange was about to retort to tell him what was going on, but laughter from above their heads as well as rustling of leaves made it impossible to interrupt.
To Juliana and Gimli, the rustling gave way to several falling of leaves, before they straightened up and they saw that they were Elves! They had mistaken them for leaves because of their attire.
All of the Elves that surrounded them had more or less the same-colored tunic and hairstyle that Legolas himself supported. All the Elves bowed to Legolas now, one of their hands over hearts and bowing from the waist.
'Please Alendil.' Legolas spoke in Elven and Juliana was surprised to detect traces of embarrassment in his tone. 'There is no need for formalities.'
Juliana looked at the Elves and recognized the leader of the group one of her childhood friends, as Alendil, with his dark blond hair and dark-green tunic. The Elf looked up and they saw that his hazel eyes were sparkling.
'You cannot blame us, my prince.' Alendil said his thin mouth curling into a mischievous grin. 'Tales of your great deeds have reached Mirkwood's ears and all have been rejoicing the fall of Sauron and your participation in it.'
Juliana, who stood a little behind Legolas, felt her prince blush now, and she herself turned her head to hide a smile.
'I am glad only to have come home.' Legolas replied rather smoothly, without traces of embarrassment, or his playful banter in his voice but pure sincerity.
Alendil bowed again. 'More so are we, my Prince. King Thranduil and Queen Raie have been most anxious of your coming.'
There was a trace of exasperation in his blue eyes when Alendil said this but merely smiled.
'Alendil, I have to insist that you your formalities with me. Otherwise I would start calling you 'Captain' and I am sure how uncomfortable that is for you.'
Alendil laughed now, along with the other Elves and Juliana had not heard a better sound in her life, like soft flutes and wind chimes creating a soft melody.
'That is fair enough.' The Captain said and his tone changed considerably. He turned to look at the Prince's companions. He exclaimed a cry of surprise at seeing Gimli. He greeted the dwarf warmly and expressed his enthusiasm about meeting Dwarves since the Battle of Five Armies long ago. He himself had not seen any since then and was glad that Legolas chose to invite a Dwarf that accompanied him to the death of Sauron. To them, that made Gimli as much as a hero as Legolas. Gimli himself had puffed up his chest rather proudly at this expression and expressed his desire to have a good draft of ale if they have any. Alendil quickly promised this when the reach the city and Gimli's attitude towards the Elves changed considerably.
'I had thought if I greet you informally, your companions would this wrong of me.' Alendil said now, looking at Legolas once more. 'They would probably take it as a sign that I do not respect you, which I do, greatly.'' Alendil further added , though the rest could clearly see he was jesting.
Gimli snorted at this, while Legolas folded his arms but a twinkle of merriment danced in his eyes.
'There is no need for you to make so much effort on my part either, Alendil.' Juliana now spoke. 'I do know how much you respect "your prince".' Juliana could not help saying.
If Alendil and the other Elves were surprised, they did not show it, instead they laughed delightedly.
'We are familiar with that voice despite the unfamiliarity of the mien and the time that has passed since last we heard it.' He searched Juliana's face for a sign of familiarity, before Juliana smiled brightly and Alendil laughed again.
'It is!' he cried happily. 'Little Lia!" he looked about to the other Elves who were also smiling. 'Do you remember us, Little Lia?' Alendil asked the Ranger. 'The last time the wood has heard and felt your presence was when your height had barely reached our waists.' Alendil's eyes sparkled as he ran a fond smile to her.
Juliana shook her head, amused. 'As you can see, Alendil, I am no longer as "little" as long ago, though I could never be as tall as any of you.'
'Yes, Alendil.' Legolas interrupted. 'Nowadays, she is known as Lady Juliana Eareliath.'
'Ranger,' Juliana and Gimli quickly interrupted that the others started.
Legolas inclined his head in apology, a small grin of his face. It did not go unnoticed to Alendil.
'Let me do it once more.' Legolas spoke. He turned to look at Alendil and the others. 'May I introduce my traveling companions, Gimli son of Gloin and Ranger Juliana Eareliath.' Gimli nodded deeply from where he stood and Juliana complied with a Ranger bow.
The Elves now looked at Juliana with newfound interest rather than the teasing welcome they first gave her.
'A Ranger?' One of the Elves could not help asking, surprised. Though Juliana sensed they were more surprised at the mention of her as Legolas' traveling companion.
Legolas merely nodded, in response to their statements, and Juliana was sure he detected the Elves' surprise as much as she did. Juliana on the other hand, grinned to ease their surprise.
'It is not so surprising, Alendil.' She stated amusement in her voice. 'Though I must admit, you are behaving far better to the news than when Legolas learned of it.'
That drew Alendil's smiles. 'I should have known you would be different from other mortal maidens, Little Lia.'
Before Legolas could correct Alendil's statement, Gimli himself voiced his desire to press on, in order to arrive to their destination before unwanted company should come in their midst. In their joy to see their prince again, the Elves had forgotten.
Alendil quickly returned to the disposition of an Elven Captain. After assigning to scouts to go ahead to the city to alert of the coming of their prince, Alendil volunteered himself as well as two more Elves to accompany them. The rest would be left at the borders in order not to lose sight of their duty.
The group was soon traveling towards deeper Mirkwood. And just like Legolas prior to meeting with Alendil's party, the Elves were soon quiet, listening and staying alert. Alendil once reported to Legolas about the news and the happenings in Mirkwood since the fall of Sauron a few months ago.
'King Thranduil wishes the people not to drop their guard.' He explained to Legolas and his companions.
Legolas was silent and did not reply to this statement. Juliana, who had been having a silent conversation with Gimli stole a glance towards him, and she was surprised to find his eyes were unusually cold and distant. She had thought that the chill that had been so frequent in his manner when they had met in the war had totally vanished with the newfound happiness he had given her. But before she could say anything on the matter, Legolas had provided Alendil with a sufficient reply and proceeded to be his new-enthusiastic self once again.
Alendi elbowed Legolas good naturedly. "Only a few hours back home and the prince has returned to duty. It is a good thing that the First-Born are immortal; you would have aged beyond recognition.'
Legolas narrowed his eyes despite the suppressed laughter and Gimli's dignified snorts around him. The prince, however, was surprised to hear Juliana's laughter amidst the Elves. He turned to see.
Juliana's facec was lit up in delightm her eyes and smile aglow. A bemused look came over Legolas' face as this look washed away most of Juliana's obvious anxiety that he himself could feel pulsing in her heart.
'I am glad that you have found delight at my expense,' he merely replied his eyes twinkling nevertheless.
The Elves, including Alendil could not find what was more surprising at Legolas' remark: his teasing tone, or the light that danced in his eyes. It seemed that the Prince's journey made a change in him and he was a lot warmer than the withdrawn Prince that had left Mirkwood over a year ago.
What was even more surprising for them to find out that his companins were in such a position with the prince that they could answer in kind.
'Don't flatter yourself Elf,' Gimli had said gruffly, frowning behind his beard and Juliana agreed with him.
'You give yourself too much credit.' Her lips curved into a small smile however. 'You will find I delight easily.'
A look passed between the two that did not go unnoticed between the other Elves present.
'Come then,' Alendil said after a while. 'We shall make haste to reach the main city. Much has not returned to peace despite Sauron's demise. It would be the death of us if we would be responsible for the harm that may come upon the Crown Prince just as his steps echo his woodland home.'
Legolas' reply to Alendil's remark was a deep exasperated sigh and a rolling of his eyes. He noticed however, that Juliana was laughing again, and that eased his irritation somewhat.
XOXOXOX
The group heard the noise too late. Despite their heightened senses and careful movements, they did not hear the enemies until they were too close for the group t o escape.
Alendil and the other two Elves who were escorting Legolas and his group had already raised and cocked their arrows on their bows as they turned around swiftly to meet the ambush.
The spiders were large, and surprisingly well coordinated for their kind, a step away from their usual behavior.
'Juliana!" Alendil heard the Prince of Mirkwood call out to the Lady Ranger, who like Gimli, was doing her best to dodge the spits of venom from the large spiders. "Get on Arod and warn the city. There might be a larger infantry of spiders set to attack other nearby villages. You must go!' Legolas turned as he shouted, his bow giving a clear twang as the arrow released from it prevented a spider from cornering their escort.
'No!' came Juliana's reply and the sound of metal sliding off a scabbard was heard. Gimli the Dwarf had long brought out his heavy axes and was doing his share of the spiders. 'I am not leaving you alone!' Juliana cried out.
At the corner of Alendil's eye, he saw the Lady Ranger wield the Human-made sword like that of any Elf carrying an Elven blade and managed to feel impressed by her as she maneuvered skillfully in the battlefield. Juliana was moving in an ever-spinning circle, the shiny metal of the blade cutting through spider-flesh, her midnight black hair following her every move. It took only Alendil's sense of the battle not to stop and watch the Lady Ranger match each of the Elves' skill, including their prince's.
It was hard to believe that this female was once an awkward changeling struggling to keep up with other Elflings long ago.
'Juliana!' Legolas called again, but this time the Ranger ignored him. She was busy chasing a particular spider away from the fray, intent on killing it and forgetting to stay with the group.
'Juliana!" Legolas called again, before a look of fury stole over his features and gave chase. Gimli was quick to follow.
Alendil noticed this and quickly motioned over to the other two Elves to follow the prince. Juliana did not hear any of Legolas' calls. She was busy running after the spider that came close to killing Gimli and herself. It had been so long since she had used her sword that it actually felt exhilarating just wielding the metal in her hands and forgetting everything else.
When she finally took down the spider, she heard something else from the trees in front of her. She turned around, trying to distinguish what the noise was. She could feel Legolas, Gimli and the other Elves coming towards her, but that was not like the noise she heard earlier. She turned once more, until a scent so familiar brought everything into place.
'They brought friends!" Juliana shouted over to Legolas and the others who had appeared just in time as Orcs came charging towards them. She did not wait for Legolas to come over however, as she started doing damage with Delenthelis.
'Prince Legolas!' Alendil's voice cut through the air. 'You need to get to safety!"
Legolas, who had slung his bow and was now using his daggers merely shook his head. 'I will not leave you to stand alone.' He replied smoothly, though his eyes frequented the area where Juliana stood and fought.
Alendil could not help himself glance over to where his lord and prince frequently gazed.
Juliana had abandoned her Ranger cloak somewhere, and though there was Orc blook all over her, she did not stop and wipe it away like any woman would. Alendil could not help wonder where this new character came from.
The battle was over quickly, thanks the overly skillful group that they had. Alendil and his men stared disgustedly at the bodies of the Orcs at their feet, surprised that they would have the courage to fight at broad daylight, but perhaps the death of Sauron was felt strongly by his minions and were now becoming more and more desperate in search of food.
Alendil wiped the blood off his sword while looking at Legolas and Juliana who seemed to be having a silent conversation. Despite their efforts to keep it quiet, the Captain could not help hearing snatches of it.
"What does it matter that I ran away from the group if I killed them bloody Orcs anyway?" Juliana's voice was snappish.
"Do you realize that you jeopardized, not only your life but others' as well? That is not a sacrifice I am willing to pay when it comes to battle, Juliana." Legolas' own voice was calm and collected, but somehow it brought an immediate effect on her.
"If I am forced to relinquish my ways in order to please your Elven customs, then fine, I will consent." She said this coldly and detachedly, but there was something different about the tone she used. Something that made Legolas straighten up and reach for her, but she already moved away.
"They are always like that," a gruff voice beside Alendil said and the Elf turned to see Gimli the Dwarf standing there, looking over to the two Elves as well. The dwarf met his eyes towards Alendil. "You will soon get used to it. "
"I do not understand, Master Dwarf," Alendil replied confused.
Gimli smiled through his beard at that. "You will soon enough."
This enigmatic conversation was interrupted however by Juliana herself who asked if they knew a stream nearby so she could clean some of the blood off her. "I did not expect a battle, so Iwas not prepared." She said.
The Captain was about to point out where the nearest stream was, but another Elven scout interrupted
"We had best be moving on. There are fouler things than Orcs and Spiders in the outskirts of Mirkwood and it would not do us well if we are captured."
Alendil nodded grimly at the Elf and bowed apologetically at Juliana. "Our apologies, little Lia, but we must escort Prince Legolas to safety as quickly as possible."
Juliana felt Legolas stiffen behind her and knew that the Elf prince did not like the idea of being so protected when he could perfectly do so himself. That was why Juliana quickly answered Alendil to prevent Legolas to start showing a bit of temper.
" Of course." She said as patiently as her voice could allow. "I can survive a few more hours with this stench about me. I merely wanted to clean up a bit so as not to be a burden to your senses." She smiled at them, and the Elves wondered once more where the carefree little girl had gone to be replaced by this mysterious and temperamental young woman.
Juliana moved further away from Legolas to pick up her cloak and throw it once more about her shoulders. Legolas, meanwhile, was staring straight at Juliana's back, though his face was inscrutable as always, Alendil detected something in those deep blue eyes which surprised him. It was usually longer for any other Elf aside from Legolas himself to discern anything in his face or his eyes. What changes did his prince go through in the outside world, Alendil wondered, for the next moment, Legolas' eyes were indifferent once more and motioned over to Alendil that they should be on their way.
XOXOXOX
"Juliana?" a whispered voice spoke a little way behind her. It was a kind of whisper only for her ears, spoken so softly that no else could have heard it, with or without Elven hearing.
Juliana knew at once that it was Legolas. Already she was regretting the argument they had had about the battle and she wished she could have been more patient and withdrawn like Legolas.
"What?" she whispered back her tone merely curious and absent of the snappish tone she had had. She felt Legolas brighten up slightly at hearing her tone. He was about to reach out and touch her gently by the arm when a familiar whispering above their heads made the party look up.
Alendil nodded to the trees and sure enough, Juliana saw shadows of more Elves. The Captain turned to look at Juliana, Leolas and Gimli.
"We have reached the main city." He smiled at them. "This is where we leave you," Alendil looked at Juliana and Gimli. "I hope I will get to see more of your presence, Little Lia, Master Dwarf. The friends of our Prince are our friends also." Alendil bowed and the rest of the Elves followed.
"No I Melain na le." –May the Valar watch over you—Alendil spoke in Sindarin.
Juliana and Gimli bowed in their own fashion and Juliana hastened to reply "Garo arad vaer" which meant "Have a good day".
Soon after that, Alendil and his group retreated back to the shadows of the trees, to finally return to their post at the borders. Once they had left, Legolas moved forward towards where Juliana stood and placed a hand at the small of her back.
"Are you ready?" he asked, looking at both of them, but Juliana felt the question was more directed at her than at Gimli. The dwarf merely grunted in reply and turned away to give them a few moments alone.
"I do not know," Juliana found herself saying truthfully, looking at Legolas with anxious green eyes. Black blood stained her clothes, her face and her hair but Legolas had never seen her more beautiful, looking as vulnerable as this. "It has been years since I've been here last. I've no idea what's in store for me here." Her eyes bespoke the fear that her words could not.
Legolas reached for his hands and held them in his own. "I will not tell you to not worry, since it is completely normal for you to do so. What I will tell you, however, is that as long as I am here, you can expect that Mirkwood will always have something for you." He smiled warmly at Juliana. Gimli snorted loudly, which told the two that he was not so deaf to their conversation as they thought.
Legolas moved to lead them towards the city, Arod's reins on one hand. "Do not worry Gimli, the same applies to you whenever you shall visit Mirkwood."
Gimli shook his head at this. "I'd rather have your ale than you, any day Elf." He spoke gruffly but a smile was twitching in his beard.
Juliana laughed at this now. "But curu-edhel," she said catching up to Legolas before they walked too far. "I'm so dirty, what will they think of me?"
It was Legolas' turn to laugh, taking her question as a joke and grabbed her hand with his free one and started to walk into the city.
Why is Juliana so moody?? Technically she really is temparamental, but still...sighs...I know the reason, and hopefully I can portray it properly...Hope you Read and Review this afterwards! The Submit Review button is right there below this...go on click it..!! Cheers!