Truth

It went without saying that Legolas and Seveawen were to dine with the King and Queen. As they entered the banquet hall later that morning, they caught Aragorn and Arwen sharing a brief embrace.

Not wishing to disturb them, they grinned at each other. It seemed so odd to watch Gondor's rulers nuzzling so intimately, but still so normal for such a deep love. Seveawen and Legolas could understand perfectly, for they shared the same caring desire between them. Before either of them realized it, he pressed his mouth tenderly against hers and squeezed her neck with his gentle fingers. Seveawen felt herself reach up and touch his hair as he backed away slowly, leaving her breathless.

Aragorn's rusty chuckle brought their attention back to their hosts. He and Arwen were not the only couple alight with the spirit of love. Sometimes care and fondness ran so deeply that there was an urgent need for affectionate expression. Understanding instantly, Legolas laughed in return while Arwen and Seveawen smiled shyly at one another.

After they had eaten, the Queen of Gondor touched the young woman's hand. "It is a wonderful thing, such love," she said again, just as she had told the young couple as they spoke upon their arrival in Minas Tirith. "I know it is so, and surely you have also discovered this."

Seveawen blushed and felt the corners of her mouth curl, only to watch Arwen return the knowing smile. That morning's heartfelt moment between them was still fresh in her mind, as was Seveawen's relief at having shown Legolas her feelings. Her heart was no longer brimming with tears; she had felt it blossom like the lovely white elanor flowers in Ithilien, bursting with total joy. Something deep inside of her made her want to dance and sing until she collapsed, but she knew not how.

"I am happy," she said. "I have always been happy beside him. But this is different. I feel free. For the longest time, I could never tell him how I felt, even after he confessed his love for me. I would always start crying whenever I tried to tell him that I love him back. But this morning, everything I have longed to say came out so easily. The words and the tears, and the joy—"

Lady Undómiel touched Seveawen's hand again. "Yes," she said. "I have seen it. You are not feeling just any love, Morvána. A blessing is with you that is rarely seen upon any mortal. The mighty Valar and Ilúvatar the Creator have something special in mind for you."

Aragorn studied his friend intently. Legolas's blue eyes were softer and clearer now, his brow and jaw firm enough to make any maiden squeal and swoon. Meeting Seveawen had definitely changed him in a way that could not easily be undone.

"Something has happened between you two," Elessar pointed out gently.

Legolas smiled. "Seveawen has freed her heart to me." How would he explain this to Aragorn? He and Arwen had been able to declare their love almost immediately, and yet Legolas and Seveawen especially had both for a time suffered with an excruciating lack of proper words to express their feelings.

"I have seen her feelings for many long days," he explained. "Seveawen's eyes may be dark, but they are luminous like starlight on water. I knew that she loved me even before I could show her how I felt. But that was never enough for her.

"Whether her childhood and her past has caused this to be I do not know. But Seveawen's heart is very tender. Simply knowing of my love has made her weep, and willingly so. All she could do was weep. If she tried to speak…" Legolas smiled. "The tears would come and drown her voice. Only this morning did she find a way to show her feelings. Even then, Seveawen had to rely on a gesture instead of words. It was the loveliest kiss yet that we have shared."

"Words are often not enough," Aragorn commented. There were times when he and Arwen were well aware of this truth.

Legolas's voice was very quiet as he remembered how she had reached out and touched him with her love. "Our tears mixed along with our hearts," he whispered. "I am happy for her, that she could relieve herself of such a burden. But she need not have suffered. I was aware of her feelings all along."