Chapter 4

I

wake up, wondering what happened last night. I hear a muffled pounding, and am confused. What is making that noise? I clap a hand to my mouth as realize that the hobbits and the dwarf are still locked in the side room. I jump up and run to the room. I unlock and open the door, and a pile of short arms and legs collapses on me.

I look up, and see two taller figures standing in the room. It takes me but half a second to realize that it is Boromir and Aragorn. Then an awful stench reaches my nose, and I gag. The hobbits had drunk a little too much, so now there is regurgitated lembas and ale all over the floor.

"Legolas! Please wake up!" It was too early to deal with this on my own. He rises groggily, his clothing and hair rumpled. "Yeah? Is the lembas delivery here?"

"Legolas, the hobbits puked ale all over the floor." The smell suddenly reached his nose, and he gagged, suddenly wide awake. "What the…? Where are they, the little…things!" Legolas came over holding his nose.

Hobbits and dwarves sprawled all over the floor, moaning and clutching their heads. They apparently had massive hangovers. Serves them right.

We eventually got everything under control. Aragorn and Boromir came in late last night, and randomly fell asleep in our room... Aragorn says he was trying to catch Legolas and me at it. I slapped him in the face and pulled a knife on him. I felt much better.

We all went down to breakfast. The hobbits ate absolutely enormous amount of food. They must have eaten twice as much as Legolas, Boromir, and I combined. Each. Those poor Elven cooks.

Legolas and I spent the day wandering through the woods. We sat on a small patio and talked. There was a comfortable daybed, and we lay down. I snuggled into his arms. I was extremely happy. Legolas whispered in my ear,

"What are you thinking about? You have an unreadable expression."

"I'm thinking of you," I whispered.

"I'm thinking of my memories of you before we were separated. I'm thinking about how the sun reflects off your hair, and about how your eyes are the exact color of the sky. I'm thinking about how I could die right this very second and be totally content. In short, I'm thinking about how much I love you."

He smiled, and my breath caught in my chest. He was too beautiful for me to comprehend. How did I, a relatively normal elf, end up with this wonderful person as my soul mate forever? My confused mind was stopped by his words spoken softly in my ear.

"I was thinking the same thing. I get light-headed at the thought of staying with you…forever. Because when the sea calls my name, and begs me to its shores, I will take you with me to Valinor, to dwell forever in our love." I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

"Truly?" I stared into his beautiful eyes.

"Truly? You will take me with you wherever you go?" He smiled.

"Yes." He paused.

"With some exceptions, of course." I became nervous.

"I will do everything in my power to stop you from getting hurt. Which includes forbidding you to fight in battles."

My face fell. I loved being a warrior. That did not mean I loved to kill, but battle could be exciting. I gazed into his eyes, finding only love in their azure depths.

"But why?" I ask, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"Why not let me continue my existence as it has been for the past 1,068 years since I last saw you. Why not let me fight for my people, and my country, and my love? This is the way I live. Why?" He looks at me, but I can't read his eyes.

"Miluiel, I…"He looks away, and when he meets my gaze, his eyes are filled with sadness, pain, and tears. He continues in a broken whisper.

"Miluiel, when I…..lost you, it …destroyed me. I couldn't be around anyone. I spent my days wandering the forests, singing laments for my lost love. You had permanently changed the way I think about life. You are the only thing that matters to me now. I have to protect you. Although, really, I am just too selfish to have you take risks. I can't lose you again." His expression is dark, as if he hates himself for being weak.

I put my hand over his. "Don't. Don't berate yourself for what you cannot control. If you do not wish me to go into battle, I will not go. But we have no need to worry about it now, for there is no impending battle. Sauron is gone, and Middle-Earth lives in peace and prosperity once again." He seems about to speak but I place my fingers over his lips. He smiles and pulls my hand away. He brings his head closer to mine and brushes his lips against my cheek. He finally reaches my mouth. He wrapped his muscled arms around my waist, drawing my body against his.

The softest brush of lips awoke a passion that coursed through our bodies, a love to last for eternity. The line of our two bodies met, chests heaving in harmony. When Legolas' lips moved away from mine, his voice was a rough whisper.

"Le melon. Le melon with all my heart and my entire mind." His hands were gentle on my face, my neck, my waist. I felt like I was melting into him. It was truly heaven on earth.

A rock flew from the woods to clatter against the stones beneath us. It was followed by a familiar voice saying, "Get a room already, by Eru!"

Legolas groaned, and yelled, "Aragorn! Leave us alone!" Then he completely forgot the future King of Gondor, instead pulling my face to his. I was utterly the happiest person in Middle-Earth. If I died in this moment, I would be completely content.

Besides the slight interruption of Aragorn, the day was peaceful. Legolas and I wandered some more, talking beneath the sunlit mallorn trees. I couldn't get over how handsome he was. The dappled sunlight fell on his shining hair, and his silvery tunic. I felt like I was floating, being swept away on the breeze.

Haldir appeared, his face visibly red with embarrassment.

"Lady Miluiel, Prince Legolas," He bowed and paused slightly.

"The Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel require your presence." He bowed again and ran off.

We made our way to the great hall, where my parents were waiting. They seemed pleased that Legolas and I were so happy. But the celebration was short-lived.

My father had news for us. "A scout came back this morning. He has spotted an army of at least 10,000 Orcs ten days march from here, at Helm's Deep. The people there have asked us to help them, and we have accepted. All our warriors will be leaving shortly." He looked at Legolas. I nearly screamed out loud.

Legolas, my only love, was leaving to fight in another great battle. He had survived the first battle, but would luck favor him again? I whirled around and ran out the hall, tears flowing down my face. Legolas looked after me, saying, "Wait! Miluiel!" He sighed, and ran after me.

I ran back to the clearing we were at the day before. I collapsed onto the daybed, sobbing. Legolas arrived a few minutes later. He sat down next to me, and put an arm around my shoulder. "Shhhhh, Miluiel. Tell me what is bothering you. I can't stand to see you in pain." I looked up at him. His blue eyes clearly showed his hurt, as if he had done something to hurt me.

"It's just that…" I didn't know how to express my fears. I took a breath. "Le melon." I looked into his eyes. "Le melon with all my heart. You have already survived one great battle at Helm's Deep, but will fate and luck be with you a second time? I have already promised you to stay here. How would I stand the suspense of not knowing if you were alive or not? And what if you did die? How would I live? I would spend the endless years of eternity wandering through my memories of you. Please, please don't go."

His arms wrapped around me. "I would give the world to be able to stop your suffering. But I owe a duty to the people of Helm's Deep. I must go with your father and his warriors. I pray that I may return to you, but if I do not, I will always be near." I lay my head into his shoulder and my tears flowed freely.