I made my way to Caras Galadhon, the whole time I kept thinking about my conversation with Legolas. A part of me loathed him, he had to be the dutiful son and heir and marry me. I couldn't understand why he was so willing to go along with this farce of a wedding. There was no love between us. He'd pushed me away long ago and I'd long since given up hope that there could ever be something more between us.
Maybe I could convince Aragorn to find out why he was so set on this marriage. Men occasionally talked about such matters between themselves, at least I'd overheard Elrohir and Elladan talk of such things.
I entered Caras Galadhon with a scowl on my face. "Who has you thinking such thoughts?" My Grandmother said as I walked to where she was sitting and took a seat myself.
"The elf you want me to marry," I said tersely.
"What has he said to you?"
"He demanded that he accompany the marchwardens tomorrow when we go scouting for more orcs. I told him I would ask Lord Celeborn. I informed him that having the heir to Mirkwood fighting for Lórien might be dangerous."
"He rebutted your claim did he not?"
"Of course he did," I said with an unladylike snort. "He claimed that as Mirkwood's neighbor he has a right to see what happens along our borders in order to protect his own. I cannot disagree with that logic."
"What logic are you trying to disprove?" Lord Celeborn asked as he joined our table.
"Legolas would like to join the marchwardens tomorrow," I said as I looked up into his stoic face. "I informed him that I would ask you. I stated that it could be dangerous having the heir to Mirkwood fighting in Lórien's battles. If any harm came to his person, could it not start a war between our two Elfdoms? " Lord Celeborn remained silent as he looked at my Grandmother. They were speaking between themselves and would only enlighten me if they felt it necessary. I bit my tongue to keep myself from stating a rather snarky comment.
"He may join the company you lead with Haldir, but no other," Celeborn said as he picked up a goblet of wine and sipped it. I nodded my head in acknowledgement. If Celeborn was allowing it then it was out of my hands.
"What else did he say to you?" Galadriel asked as she put her own glass of wine onto the table.
"I will take a guess you already know," I said as I raised an eyebrow at her. I was in no mood to fiddle around with her games. Yes she was my elder, but sometimes having her know the future was an unnecessary annoyance. I was beginning to remember why I liked living away from Lórien. Lady Galadriel frowned at me and Celeborn just stared. It wasn't often that I lost my temper in front of two of the oldest living beings in Middle Earth.
"Then you may inform him he has been granted an audience with us." She said as she stared at me, it was obvious that she was not going to tolerate my outburst. I glared and stood up from the table, this was only making my miserable mood worse, and to think they'd requested my presence.
"Why did you request I come speak with you?" I asked as I looked down at the both of them. When neither of them responded right away I walked over to one of the large open faced windows and looked out over the Lórien.
"We wanted to see if you had changed your mind about Legolas at all," my Grandmother said as I had my back to her.
"I will not marry him," I angrily said as I began to walk around the circular room. "There is no love between us, and it will kill me."
"The love you share with Haldir is known to us," Celeborn said as he watched my angered movements. At that I stopped, I should have known they'd have been watching me.
"Then may I have your blessing and marry Haldir?" I asked. There was no reason to avoid the topic or deny that Haldir and I did have a relationship.
"It would be most unwise," Galadriel said as she appeared so serene and unfazed by my behavior.
"Why?" I asked as my heart fell and I stopped my frantic pacing. "Why is it so wrong that I love Haldir and not Legolas?"
"I cannot tell you," Galadriel said as she stood and walked towards me. "I have foreseen the paths that lay before you, and you alone must choose your path unknowing of the possible outcomes."
I closed my eyes and turned away from them as tears slipped past my lashes.
"Would you like to look into the mirror before the Fellowship departs?"
"I would," I said, my voice sounded strong. I was glad that it didn't show any of the emotions I was feeling.
"I will summon you at the appropriate time."
I bowed low in respect then took my leave.
Haldir, where are you? I thought as I walked back towards where the Fellowship was resting. I'd told Merry and Pippin that I would stay with them, but before I laid down to rest I wanted to see Haldir again.
What has you so troubled my love? The sound of his familiar voice inside my head was like a physical caress.
I need to speak with you. Will you meet me by Cerin Amroth?
I will see you there.
It was risky for me to meet Haldir at Cerin Amroth, but at least the dark shadows of night could aid me in slipping past them. I had to walk right by where the Fellowship was resting. I would need to be as silent as I possibly could. I didn't want to wake Legolas and have him see me with Haldir. Then again, if he did see us together maybe he would drop his foolish notions on marriage.
I heard soft snores coming from the Fellowship as I snuck past. On a quick cursory glance I confirmed that everyone was at least resting with their eyes closed. Legolas was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he'd already been summoned to meet with my Grandparents. The thought only made me angrier.
When I reached Cerin Amroth I wasn't surprised to find Haldir waiting for me. The flet he lived in was not that far away. When he spotted me he opened his arms and I walked right into them as the tears began to silently flow down my cheeks. He didn't ask what was wrong, just wrapped his arms around me and held me while I cried.
"Legolas has requested an audience with my Grandparents to discuss the betrothal ceremony." I said softly into his shoulder. I tried to tuck my face into the crook of his neck, but he tipped my chin up with the tips of his fingers and made me look into his eyes.
"You have known this day was coming," he whispered back and kissed me between the eyes.
"I told him I refused to marry him, but that is not why I am upset," I looked into his gray eyes and felt so much love that I couldn't speak.
"Tell me," he said as he ran his hands down my spine. It was soothing, and I felt some of the anxiety I was holding in fade.
"My Grandparents know of our relationship. I asked them for their blessing to marry you instead, but my Grandmother cryptically said that it is not wise." I wanted to pull out of his arms and storm around the clearing in rage, but Haldir's arms around me prevented that. "Let me go wake Aragorn, he will gladly be a witness to us exchanging rings." I said desperately.
"I will not marry you without the blessing of your Grandparents, it is wrong to do so."
"Why must you be so noble?" I said as I forcefully pulled out of his arms. "The Fellowship will only remain in Lórien for another day or two. We are running out of time."
Haldir sighed and leaned his back up against the bottom of Cerin Amroth and crossed his arms over his chest. "Legolin you cannot wed Legolas between now and the time you leave, the most you can do is exchange rings. If you must, go through with the betrothal ceremony, it will at least buy us more time. You do not know what is to happen in the days to come. If both of us survive whatever is coming, then we can forsake the oath you take with Legolas and pledge ourselves to each other."
His calm demeanor soothed my frayed nerves, he spoke the truth. I bowed my head and walked back over to him. He wrapped me once more in his arms and rested his chin on the top of my head.
"I am not noble," he said. "I would spirit you away if I thought it was right, but I respect your Grandparents too much to deceive them." He ran his hand along my spine again. The warmth from his hand seeped through my thin gown and sent goose bumps along my skin.
"I will do as you suggest," I said as I inhaled his familiar scent.
We stayed that way for a little longer. I didn't want to leave the warmth of his arms. Eventually it was he who broke our embrace.
"You must get back. Did you not promise the Fellowship that you would stay with them?"
"I did," I said and looked up at him. "Celeborn granted Legolas the opportunity to join our marchwardens tomorrow as we scout for more bands." Haldir didn't respond. "Unfortunately he has given good reason as to why he should come with us."
"And what would that be?"
"His argument is that Lórien and Mirkwood are neighbors," I said sounding haughty. "Because of that fact, he wants to see what is plaguing our borders so that he can keep his own country safe."
"Does he not trust Celeborn and his own father to take care of such matters?"
"His reply to that would be he is the heir to Mirkwood and in instances such as this he would act in his father's stead."
"It seems he thought of everything," Haldir said sounding just a tad sarcastic. I smirked, he rarely lost his temper. "As a ruler it is an admirable quality…"
"But in this instance it could be dangerous, at least concerning our relationship. He has no idea that we are a couple," I said finishing Haldir's sentence. "Your squadron knows that we are a couple, we have never tried to hide it among them. Especially your brothers, they will wonder why we are not ourselves. Many do not know of the betrothal between Legolas and me. Our families never announced it hoping we would fall in love."
"We will deal with that when it comes, there may be an opportunity to split the squadron and send him with one of my brothers."
"I am not so sure, Celeborn informed me that he was to only travel with you and I," I said as I grimaced. "We will just have to be careful," I said and kissed him lightly on the mouth. "Sleep well my love."
~~~After Legolas had spoken to Legolin he'd walked back to the Fellowship wondering if she would indeed speak to her Grandparents about his requests. He'd begun to think that the spoiled girl had ignored him, until he'd finally received a summons from the Lord and Lady. He'd made his way to Caras Galadhon and was shown to the smaller council room where private matters were discussed. He greeted the two high Elves who were sitting on a small dais.
"I have given permission for you to join the marchwardens tomorrow morning," Lord Celeborn said as he sat in a chair carved in the likeness of a tree. It was then that Legolas realized the chairs were shaped like the Two Trees of Valinor. Galadriel sat on the silver tree known as Laurelin, while Lord Celeborn sat on the tree known as Telperion, or the tree of gold. "They will meet at Cerin Amroth at dawn."
As Legolas bowed in respect he thanked Lord Celeborn, and vowed that Mirkwood would know of his gracious actions. "May I send word to King Thranduil on the morrow?"
"He and I have already spoken of these matters, does this comfort you?" Celeborn asked as his head tilted slightly to the side in fascination. Thranduil had raised his son well, and he was impressed.
"It does my Lord," Legolas said as he looked upon one of the oldest Elves in Middle Earth. "If I may speak boldly, even though you and King Thranduil have spoken, I feel it is still important that I accompany the marchwardens."
"Then you may. I have informed Legolin that you will be able to join her company."
"Did you wish to speak to us about other matters?" Galadriel said as she gazed upon the young heir.
Legolas bowed again in respect to Lady Galadriel as she spoke to him. "I feel it is time Legolin and I pledged in the customary betrothal ceremony."
"Does she love you?" Lord Celeborn said as he studied Legolas. Deep in his heart he feared that this marriage contract would be the undoing of his spirited granddaughter. But he trusted Galadriel with his life, and his heart. If she felt that love would arise between these two very similar individuals then it would happen.
"We are not in love," Legolas said as he looked directly at Lord Celeborn. "We have not spent time with each other in many years. The betrothal ceremony requires we be engaged for a year, this will allow us the time to get to know one another. We could come to love each other." It was hard for him to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
"A fitting speech," Galadriel said as she stood and made her way towards Legolas. "If it were not my granddaughter this plan of yours could possibly work. Unfortunately the road ahead of her is dark, there is a chance she may not survive the coming trials that lay ahead of her."
"A betrothal ceremony would start the binding process," Lord Celeborn said as he watched his mate circle the young Elf. "When Elves wed we share our souls with one another, a permanent and lasting bond. The betrothal ceremony begins this process. As the year progresses the bond you could possibly share will strengthen."
"The changes will be gradual," Galadriel said as she walked behind her guest. "At first you will be more aware of each other, then you will be able to feel each other's emotions, eventually your minds will be connected. It is a telepathic connection that is very intimate, and not like regular Ósanwë. Ósanwë is the simple interchange of thought. The bond will create something much stronger, as your minds will become one. Such a connection will be dangerous in the paths that lie before the both of you."
"If she dies and you have come to love her, the ritual will affect you. Not as strongly as if you had consummated the bonding, but you could lose your mind," Celeborn said as he picked up on his mate's train of thought. "In the end you would both die. If instead you forsake the betrothal ceremony and she dies in battle, you would then be free to live the life you choose. Another year in the life of an Elf is nothing. Why do you request the ceremony be held now?"
"Legolin herself mentioned that we have never pledged ourselves and that our betrothal is a farce. As the heir to Mirkwood it is my duty to see the will of my King done, he has urged me to move forward with our engagement."
"Is that what she is, a duty?" Galadriel said as her eyes hardened.
"No," Legolas said as he realized he'd made a mistake in his word choice.
"There is so much you do not yet understand about her, she is more than she appears. She will learn who she is and be put through many tests, but if you choose her, you alone could save her," Galadriel said as she stood in front of the young heir. "If you came to love her and she you, any obstacle could be overcome. But it is a choice you will have to decide. Never has a marriage been forced upon two of our kind. If the choice is made freely by both of you, then we have every reason to believe this marriage will be successful."
Legolas stood silently absorbing all he had just learned. "My Lady may I ask you a question?"
"You may," she said as she walked back to her seat upon the dais.
"Why was this betrothal created?"
"I once saw Legolin's future," Galadriel said solemnly. "It is filled with pain and death, but within you I saw her equal. You were shown to bring balance and love into her life, something she will forget and need to remember."
He stood and pondered these words. He'd loved another in his time, but it had been an unrequited love. Perhaps with Legolin he truly would find his soul's mate. He'd never given her much of a chance.
"Then I will request our betrothal be announced before the Fellowship departs," he said surprising himself. A part of him wanted to get the ceremony over with quickly, and the other part, the part of himself that truly wanted to give her a chance, felt that he was running out of time. The date was set for the following evening, and a messenger was sent to inform King Thranduil. After he saw the man off to deliver the message to his father he was dismissed.
He made his way back to the Fellowship slightly confused. They had answered many of his questions, but they had also created new ones. He sat in the shadows pondering over such a dilemma when Legolin walked into the resting area. She seemed different, more relaxed and at peace than she'd been earlier in the day. As soon as she spotted him her body tensed and she moved to a small bed that had been created for her.
He vowed that tomorrow he would get her alone before the betrothal ceremony and they could begin to mend the broken relationship they had. He'd begun to grow fond of Edhel, maybe there was a small chance that Lady Galadriel was right about their possible future.