October 22, 3018
A bright beam of sunlight burst through the curtains encasing the windows of Bellethiel's chambers. Rather than turning over and falling back asleep, as she would have liked to, Bellethiel rose up from her luxurious, silk-covered bed with a groan.
She had gotten very little sleep the night before. After Legolas' farewell she had floated back into her chambers, where she found it very difficult to shut her eyes and rest. Eventually she was able to fall asleep, however her dreams were plagued by the words that had echoed through her head the last two days.
"What is the meaning of all this," she queried to herself once more.
As she bathed and dressed for the day she allowed herself to contemplate the events of the last few days. First there was her dream, which clearly told of something foreboding and large. Then, there was the arrival of poor Frodo. The reason for his journey to Imaldris foreshadowed the return of a darkness that Middle Earth had not seen for many, many years. And finally, there was the matter of Legolas. He was unlike any ellon she had met in her long life and she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. The longer she sat and considered these things, the more she could not help but to think that they were all somehow related. But she was unsure as to how they could possibly fit together.
Bellethiel made her way out of her chambers to the house of healing. As she careened down hallways that she had passed through countless times, she allowed her thoughts to wander to Legolas once more. They had spent hours recounting the stories of their lives in the garden. It was something that was very unusual, for Bellethiel was very guarded with her past. She had never been so open with any of the suitors that had come to her door. Yet she had spilled her whole life's story to a man she had just met. Unusual as they were, she could not bring herself to regret her actions. It had all felt so right, like it was meant to be.
"Great, now I'm beginning to sound like Pan," she muttered lowly.
She took a final turn and walked over to the door of the healing house. A quick glance inside revealed an empty room. Elrond must have checked on the hobbit early in the morning and ordered that he was ready to be moved to a private chamber in the guest wing.
Turning on her heel, she shut the door and headed towards the guest wing. She would go to check on Frodo, even though Elrond had deemed him fit to leave the healing houses. He was her patient, and she would see her work through to the very end. After suffering such a grievous wound Frodo deserved at least that much.
On her way to the guest wing she found Gandalf, who seemed to making his way to the same destination.
"Good morning Bellethiel," the wizard offered in greeting.
"Good morning Gandalf," she returned. "May I assume that you are on your way to see our hobbit friend?"
"Indeed. I was with Frodo when Elrond decided to move him to a more comfortable situation. After he was moved I sat with him for a while more before going down to have breakfast. I am only now returning."
"Then he is very fortunate to have a companion such as you," she said as he ushered her into Frodo's chambers.
Rather than respond, he looked upon Frodo's sleeping form with eyes that held concern and sadness. Bellethiel barely caught the brief expression before Gandalf's eyes flicked to the small figure sitting in a chair by the bedside.
"I see that you have not left his side yet," Gandalf queried of the hobbit.
"No sir," he received in reply.
"At least Merry and Pippin are still down at breakfast. The last thing we need is them to disturb Frodo's rest."
Bellethiel made her way to Frodo to check on his progress.
"Oh! Good morning Lady Bellethiel," Sam said quickly jumping up from his seat.
"Just Belle will do," she said with a laugh. "And good morning to you Sam. I hope that you slept well?"
"Oh yes. I slept better than I have in weeks! It is such a relief to sleep in a real bed. I was growing mighty tired of dirt and grass and rocks."
"I am glad. And it seems that your friend here is finally getting the rest that he needs. I hope that he will awaken soon, but with a wound such as his it may take a while longer than normal."
"Lord Elrond said something like that too," Sam said sitting down once more.
"Well it looks as though my work is done here for the time being," Bellehtiel said to Gandalf with a smile.
Looking to Sam once more, she told him that she would return to check on Frodo that evening.
She turned out of the room and towards the dining hall. Seconds later she heard Gandalf called out for her to wait. Stopping, she allowed the wizard to catch up with her.
"Much has happened in these months. Much more will come to pass in the coming days. There are matters that I would to discuss with you, but now is not the time. Await a summons from Elrond, for I feel that he may very well wish to do the same."
With that cryptic message he left Bellethiel. Again, she found herself puzzled by what it could possibly mean. These thoughts did not plague her for long though. The dining hall was still filled with many people as they enjoyed their meals.
She was pleased to notice that Legolas was among those present, seated once more beside Aragorn. He smiled at her as she proceeded towards her seat next to Arwen. With that one smile he knocked the breath from her lungs. It took what seemed too long before she was able to return his smile.
Once in her seat, Bellethiel happened to glance at her mother and sister, the latter of which was sending her a pointed glare. Sighing, she wondered what it was that she had done to anger Pan this time. Knowing her sister's temperamental behavior, it could be anything. However the dreamy expression that overtook Pan's face seconds later quickly revealed the reason behind her vexation with Bellethiel.
Laughing, Bellethiel turned to her friend seated to her right.
"It seems that I have managed to upset Pan once again."
"What is it that you have done this time?" Arwen said with feigned exasperation.
"Well, it looks as though my recent acquaintance with our visitor is not to her liking," she said as she spared a look at the prince.
"Ah. A grave offence indeed!"
The pair smiled at each other before breaking into quiet laughter. They returned to their meals before Bellethiel broke the amicable silence once more.
"I must admit though, I do not blame her for being infatuated with him," she whispered.
A raised eyebrow was her only response from Arwen.
Her gaze locked with that of Legolas for a brief moment before she turned to her friend once more.
"Shall we make our way to the stables?" Arwen suggested.
Bellethiel smiled and nodded, knowing this was her friend's way of saying that they needed to talk.
The second they had left the dining hall Arwen asked her the question that had been on Bellethiel's mind all morning.
"Tell me friend, what exactly is going on between you and Prince Legolas?"
"I truly do not know," she replied sighing once more.
The pair continued their walk to the stables in silence. Once there, they both began to groom their steeds. After a while, Bellethiel turned to her friend.
"Arwen, what was it like when you first met Aragorn?"
"Do you know why I love that secluded spot in the gardens so?" she said before pausing momentarily. "It is where I first met Aragorn. I had just returned from a lengthy stay with my grandmother. He was only 20 at the time. I was walking through the gardens when I happened upon him, sitting on the bench in a state of deep contemplation. All it took was one look into his eyes and I was completely lost. I knew deep in my heart that I had been waiting all of my life for this man, that I could never love another."
Bellethiel took a moment to contemplate this before she attempted to answer her friend's earlier question again.
"I know not what is happening between the Prince and I. But I do know that felt something that I have never felt before. I was instantly drawn to him the second I saw him; I could barely force myself to stop looking at him during our meal yesterday evening."
She went on to tell Arwen of her interactions with Legolas the night before.
"I cannot believe the things I told him Arwen. I told him things I have only ever told you! I may not have a dark and twisted past, but when have I ever told anyone the story of my life? Never! It is all so strange. But I could not help myself. I just knew somehow that I could trust him. And then when he bid me goodnight he kissed my hand. Never in my life has my heart fluttered so."
Arwen smiled at her confused friend. She knew how Bellethiel felt. She still felt that way every time she saw Aragorn.
"Do you love him?"
"Perhaps. But there is no way to know that he even feels the same," Bellethiel said, returning her attentions to brushing Ancali.
Arwen placed her hand on Bellethiel's shoulder.
"Do not give up so easily my friend. You must allow our dear Prince some time, for things shall work themselves out soon."
"You keep saying that," Bellethiel muttered to herself.
Their conversation was brought to a halt as they heard the approach of riders. Arwen's face broke out into a wide smile as she walked quickly to the doors of the stable. When Bellethiel joined her she saw Elladan and Elrohir trotting towards them.
"It seems we have a greeting party, by brother!" Elladan exclaimed jovially.
"It would appear so," Elrohir responded with a laugh.
They quickly dismounted from their steeds and lead them into the stables. A moment later they reemerged.
"Tain, nae saian luume'!" Arwen greeted them. [Brothers, it has been too long]
"Indeed it has," Elrohir said, placing a hand on Arwen's shoulder.
"Elrohir, Elladan," Bellethiel greeted with a curtsey to each.
"There is no need for such formalities, Belle," Elledan replied, taking her arm.
Bellethiel and Elledan walked behind Arwen and Elrohir as they made their way back to the city.
"How was your time with the Rangers?" Bellethiel questioned her friend.
"Eventful," he replied. "The darkness is spreading across the land. Orcs and other foul creatures are beginning to roam much more freely than they have for many years."
"I believe your father may be able to provide you more insight as to the reason for that."
"Yes, we have returned for just that. We also received news of the council that will be held here in two days time."
"A council?" Bellethiel said with surprise.
She looked to Elledan's face and noticed a hint of regret. Clearly she was not to be informed of this council. However, she had a rather good inclination as to the council's purpose. Surely it had something to do with the Ring. There was nothing else of importance that would warrant such a gathering.
"I assume that father wishes to keep it a rather private matter. However, you will probably learn more about it after tomorrow."
"Why would I only learn of this then? There is something you are not telling me."
"I have already said to much my lady. Now I must go clean up and speak with father. Tenna' telwan." [Until later]
Elledan bowed and joined Elrohir, who had left Arwen and was waiting for his brother.
Her conversation with Elledan proved to confuse her further, and Bellethiel decided that she needed some time to think to herself. She bid Arwen farewell and headed towards her family's wing.
