Authors Notes: Sorry for such the long wait for the update, I've been extremely busy with college that I haven't had much time to write anything. I was thinking of leaving the story but, after re-reading the positive reviews, I'm going to try and continue the story in my free time.
CHAPTER NINE.
Days had passed and everyone, especially Legolas and Celeborn, had noticed the difference in Corlia; a fire burned in her eyes and they shone in life as she scattered around Lothlórien, telling tales to Haldir who she now saw as a brother and speaking riddles to Celeborn who scowled at her when he couldn't figure them out. If the truth was to be told Legolas was almost afraid to approach Corlia now that he knew that her heart belonged to Gil-galad but wise words spoken from Celeborn days before forced him to approach her after five days of avoiding her.
"Good morning Legolas" she greeted with a lopsided cheeky grin making Legolas automatically smile back in greeting, standing close to her side as she fired a throwing axe towards a target; she grinned in victory as it nearly hit the centre.
"Good day Corlia" Legolas softly said to her as he sat on a fallen log, watching her take her next shot with such grace that Legolas was almost jealous, almost…
"Tell me, why have you been avoiding me?" Corlia bluntly asked and Legolas gazed at her wide-eyed for he was taken totally by surprise, not expecting this question from her so suddenly. He parted his lips to speak, but found no words to voice.
"Ha, if only I could paint a picture of your face!" Corlia laughed as she looked upon Legolas with a grin that slowly fell into a smile.
"I know why you have avoided me for you have learnt the truth of my friend from my tale" she told him and, once again, Legolas was taken by surprise.
"Worry not, Legolas, for my heart has been lifted and a new light burns within, I am glad for the few days alone for I have thought things over and recovered" Corlia openly told him making Legolas raise an eyebrow; recovered from what? Legolas never found an answer to that for Corlia sighed, taking a seat next to him on the fallen log, gazing at the targets that stood far away.
"Aragorn has told me that the fellowship is to leave tomorrow morning. Are you to follow them?" Corlia carefully asked and Legolas looked at her, analysing her carefully.
"Aye I am. What of you?" he replied and questioned for, in one way, he prayed that she did follow so they could spend time together and, hopefully, Legolas could tell her his feelings for her. Corlia kept extremely still and quiet, battling with herself – should she follow Legolas in hope that he is the one Gil-galad spoke of or should she remain here and follow Gandalf's request.
"Nay…" she quietly said, "…I will not follow, not yet, there is something I must do that is very important and then, once completed, I shall come back" she told him making Legolas's heart wrench in pain with her answer.
He stiffly nodded, standing to walk away. Before he could even move an inch Corlia grasped onto his hand, making him turn to look deep into her soft bright blue eyes that made his heart leap.
"Legolas… I…" Corlia breathed but her tongue was twisted into a knot, unwilling to say the words she wanted to. Instead she awkwardly pulled him into an embrace, clinging onto him in such a way that it made Legolas lose his breath and a strained smile to appear on his face as he returned the embrace.
"Keep safe until I return" Corlia whispered into his ear and Legolas noticed the plea in it. Was she worried about him?
"And you, little one, for I will be awaiting you to return to my side" he softly told her and Corlia, hearing similar words to what Gil-galad had spoken to her many years before, sighed in content, giving him one last squeeze before separating herself from his slender body. They looked at one another in the eye, lost in the moment, but it was broken by Haldir as he cleared his throat, eyeing the couple. Unknown to both of them he was given a rather rude warning from Gimli about getting too close to Corlia; he didn't understand why at first but now, seeing them like this, he understood but Haldir felt strongly towards the mysterious war hero and decided he wouldn't let her go without a fight for she was like a sister to him.
"Greetings. Corlia would you walk with me for I wish to discuss a private matter to you…" Haldir politely asked and Legolas narrowed his eyes towards Haldir before squaring his shoulders, giving Corlia a soft farewell before leaving the two, glancing over his shoulder longing as he went.
"Walk with me as we talk" Haldir instructed and Corlia did without a second thought for they usually did this. They both kept silent at first as they walked but Corlia knew there was something that Haldir wanted to speak of.
"Tell me, my friend, what troubles you?" Corlia asked making Haldir pause in his step, looking at her with an unreadable expression.
"I see the way you look at Legolas" he stated and Corlia raised an eyebrow at him. Was she not allowed to look at him?
"What are you trying to say Haldir?" Corlia asked him as she began to walk again, Haldir easily catching up to her in her long strides.
"I do not want you to get hurt, little one, for it would pain me greatly. Would you stay by my side instead?" Haldir awkwardly said and Corlia looked over towards him, amusement in her eyes.
"Haldir you know that Legolas would never come to harm me for he is loyal and kind. You know that I must return to the fellowship once my duties with the Lord are complete so I cannot stay by your side" she told him and Haldir shook his head, grabbing her hand as he halted her.
"I know that you feel for him, Corlia I see it in your eyes and your soul, even if you do not. You are like my sister little one and I know Legolas is a great elf but the path he treads is neither kind nor safe" Haldir wisely told her and Corlia kept silent and still before removing her hand from his.
"I know not of the feelings you speak of, brother, for he is a companion and a friend. His path is not one I can change though I do not wish it to be his; he does not go alone and I have faith in them all that they will all stay safe until I return" Corlia spoke.
"I must leave for I am to reclaim my axes and visit Celeborn" she continued before turning away from Haldir, walking in the direction she once came from.
