Author's note: Back from spring break - unfortunately didn't get this finished during that time as I had hoped. But here's another piece, and now it's just the final chapter that needs to get done. As always, Telëariel is mine, everyone else is not. Again, thanks reviewers!
There was a King in Gondor, and his coronation had been a grand event. Telëariel had attended, surprised at the sudden majesty of Elessar, though she had known his fate. To Arwen Evenstar she whispered her congratulations, and the daughter of Elrond was amazed, for she had never known Telëariel the Broken-hearted to spare a kind word for anyone. But when she saw the looks of Legolas Greenleaf, she understood.
Éowyn had refused to attend the coronation, and when Telëariel returned to say goodbye to her, she found the Lady much changed. Éowyn sat in the garden, smiling up at Faramir, and Telëariel paused, not knowing if she should make her presence known.
Faramir noticed her though, and came to her. "Telëariel, welcome! Éowyn and I are glad to see you." His eyes shone brilliantly, and Telëariel could guess the reason why. "I will leave you with her," he said, although he seemed reluctant.
Telëariel smiled and gently touched his arm. "Do not worry," she said quietly. "I will not keep you long from your lady."
He placed a kiss on her cheek. "Be well," he whispered. "I thank you for your friendship, and I hope your days be filled with happiness."
Éowyn looked long after him when he had gone before turning her smile on Telëariel. "You see that things have changed."
"And I could not be happier for you, for I have long encouraged Faramir."
"And you?" Éowyn asked. "Have you spoken to Legolas?"
"No," answered Telëariel, slightly ashamed. "I still fear, for I would not want to lose the friendship we have now. But when we speak, my heart threatens to speak on its own, and I cannot say how much longer I can be silent."
"You should let your heart be known, for I would have you be as happy as I." And Éowyn's eyes sparkled, and her lips would do nothing but smile.
"So would I," said Telëariel, "but I do not know if I can. I have faced blood and terror and death, but this scares me above all else. But I did not come to speak of that. A company rides today, and my Lord and Lady with them. I will attend Galadriel again and return to Lothlórien. I have come to say goodbye."
"Then I wish you well, and I hope your journey is safe. And I would have you visit us any time you can, for you will always be welcome in our home."
"I would be glad for your welcome, for you have become close to my heart. I love you greatly, Éowyn, and I am glad I leave you happy."
But that was done, and Telëariel rode with the company, once again attending on the Lady Galadriel.
They rested, and Legolas came to her. "You have travelled far with us, Telëariel the Broken-Hearted. I hope you have found what you were searching for."
"What I came for has long since gone, and my heart has gone through many changes. I know not if I have achieved anything."
"You return to Lothlórien then?" he asked.
"I do. Galadriel bids me return, and I wish to see my home again before I leave it behind."
"You mean to go into the West?"
She lowered her eyes from his. "I do not know what I mean to do. My heart is stretched in many directions. The Sea calls me, and the Golden Wood will welcome me. I wish to keep company with my friends Éowyn and Faramir. And my heart also tells me that it wishes to dwell only where another does." She raised her eyes, noticing the confusion in his own. "You were right, my friend. My heart is more alive than it ever was. I thank you for waking it up."
"I?"
Telëariel smiled and grasped his hands. "Yes. For you have shown me kindness when I deserved none, and you have been a friend though I thought I needed no one. You have proven yourself to know better what I need than I do, and I am glad to know you."
He studied her for a moment before speaking. "You say your heart longs to be with another? Then you love again? Who has stolen your heart now, and is he worthy?"
"The worthiest," she said with a laugh. "Even you would agree."
"And do you know him?"
"Not as well as I should like, but I hope there is time for that. But I know at least that he cares for me, though I know not if it is in the same way as I care for him."
"Then you have not spoken to him?" He held onto her hands tightly. "Will you now stay in silence, you who seemed to have such bravery, following Men you did not know?"
"You thought I was brave?"
"Indeed, for though you were very foolish, you had no fear."
Smiling wryly, Telëariel gently pulled her hands from his. "But there is the difference, my dear Legolas. I know that I was foolish before, but this is different. This is real, and it makes my heart fear."
"Why should you fear? Though I did not always think so, I now know that any Man should be glad for your love."
Telëariel smiled, and a musical laugh poured from her lips. "None of the race of Men are destined for my love. Now my heart belongs to one closer to myself."
Legolas was silent, but his eyes were hopeful. "Then," he finally said, "can it be that - "
The Lady Galadriel appeared, quickly taking in the scene before her. "Telëariel. I have need for your help." She acknowledged Legolas. "If I may steal her away from you?"
Legolas nodded, and Telëariel followed Galadriel, wondering what he had been about to say and hoping that it had been what she wanted to hear.
But they did not speak again until it was time to say goodbye. Legolas and Gimli were leaving the company.
"You could come with us," Gimli told Telëariel. "I will speak for Legolas as well, for I know he enjoys your company."
"I will see you again," Telëariel told him, "but for now I feel I must return home. But soon, my friend, I would be with you."
Gimli left her alone with Legolas.
"So it is time for goodbyes," she whispered.
"No, for we will meet again. Under the golden leaves of Lórien, or in my home of Mirkwood."
"I would like nothing more."
Legolas drew closer to her, a strange light in his eyes. "Would you? For I would like nothing more than to be with you again, for as long as you will stay with me."
Telëariel moved to speak, but Legolas laid a finger on her lips. She stood still, waiting for him to continue.
"Please, just let me speak, for this is difficult for me." He paused. "I do not like admitting that things are difficult. But this is, for I cannot know if your feelings are what I hope they are. We have become close, and you have spoken of loving again. I cannot help but wonder if your heart has come to return the love that mine feels for you. Perhaps I have been wrong, and I have misunderstood the things you have told me. But I would not let you go without speaking of my own feelings. I love you, Telëariel, and would have you for my own."
"No," said Telëariel, and Legolas backed away, his eyes suddenly cold. "I would not have you say that I am your own. I would rather say that I would have you for my own, for my love for you runs deep."
Legolas smiled, looking decidedly relieved. "Perhaps we should say that we belong to each other?"
"Perhaps." Telëariel laughed, her heart free. "I am glad that you spoke, for I would not have, though I much desired this. My heart and my tongue and my mind could not agree on what to say, and I thought it best to stay silent, for I thought my cause hopeless."
"You will still go to the Golden Wood?"
"I will, for I have made a promise to my Lady. But my heart will soon call for yours, and together we will spend our days, here and in the West."
And before they parted, Legolas kissed her lips, and this time it was stronger than a butterfly's touch and sweeter than honey. Telëariel's eyes shone as she rode away. She raised her voice in song, and all who heard it smiled.
Continued...
