Dear Readers,
This is a rather short chapter. Went out on a limb here and had some fun changing things a little.
Enjoy!
Warmest regards,
~Anariel RR =)
Dearest Book,
We left yesterday morning when it was still dark in the heavens. The stars glistened so brightly as Legolas and I donned our cloaks, sneaking from tree to tree as if we were careful little squirrels eager to escape big predators. However, for the most part, all was peaceful and tranquil. We spent most of our travels swinging skillfully by tree rather than walking amongst the canopy of the Forest. For some reason, I felt rather giddy being alone with him. Does that make any sense to write such words? I thought to myself how majestic the feeling was, just the two of us basking in the glory of the very early morning, the many stars in the heavens our only companions. The two of us were rather stressed considering our present circumstances but we seemed to glory in being alone.
"I am glad that we are not accompanied by Brethil and Laerorn. Not to forget that Ninimmien was driving me mad." I laughed quietly, grasping the branch tightly with my hand before catapulting myself into an adjacent tree.
"Yes…" He guffawed a little, shaking his head. "They are all a maddening lot. Laerorn and his jokes are enough to drive anyone mad. Not to mention he thinks he is the best at everything." I shot him a sarcastic glance then tilted my head and remarked, "And you? The most modest of Elves?" He gave me a wry smile, taking hold of that same branch and maneuvering himself onto the same branch upon which I stood.
"Tauriel Dûthalioniel…do you think me arrogant?" He shot a glance in my direction, feigning grave seriousness before a smile took form upon his lips.
"Oh yes…you have the ability to be quite so." I laughed once more, stopping for a moment as I leaned back against the tree. "And I cannot fathom why you would call me by such a name? I am no great lady. Simply as 'common as clay' as your father is so very fond of saying." He leaned against the tree beside me, gazing up at the sky as he smiled amusedly for a moment, "No…my father can be quite arrogant at times. He thinks himself so above everyone else. Such is his nature as it has ever been. I bear the hope that one day he will accept that there is more to unite us than to divide us."
"At least you have your father, Legolas." I blurted out the words and quickly lamented having ever said that, looking away for a moment. However, for some reason, I could not cease with my words, "Yet not a day passes when I do not mourn his loss. He was the commonest of men but possessing of such a golden heart. I hope that I give his memory honor." His eyes, so sharp, so watchful drifted away from the stars that shimmered in the heavens like great diamonds amongst black velvety cloth.
"Do not sorrow, Tauriel. You do adar lín such great honor. Lasto nin…you only dishonor yourself when you speak so. Do not be so cruel to yourself." He breathed, uttering those words softly.
"That is only because I am not bubbling with puffed-up confidence like you do." I joked then gave him a brief cynical look. "It is not as if I have the world at my feet. Do you not have everything handed to you upon a platter by simply being a Prince?" He grinned at this, seeming to think that my words were funny then shot a look in my direction, "That is not fair. I cannot be judged by my rank. I am more than what I am. The confidence that I have is one of my most attractive qualities."
"At least you are modest." I returned sardonically, giving a roll of my eyes.
"And you would not prefer me any other way, I think." He shot back sounding all too pompous for my liking.
"You think many things, ernil nín." I replied neutrally, gazing into the sky. The dark navy hue of the early morning sky had shifted all of a sudden to give way to the brightening of baby blue, soft rosy pink, and a majestic purple. It was a lovely combination.
"Legolas." He laughed. Off on the horizon we could glimpse the beginnings of the sunrise, a light shade of red gold that had begun to form around the rising orb. Before long, the young sun was nestled by the tops of the trees, foliage of many colors now reflecting the sheer golden brilliance of the new orb. Together the two of us gazed in wonder. Off to the right rested the remainder of the stars, two in number and shimmering just as brightly as before. Eventually, as the sky grew in the soft forget-me-not blue, the stars faded away, perhaps into another world.
"Oh how I wish that the night would last forever. The light of the sun is warm, yes. But oh those resplendent stars that reign in the heavens…how I love them." I sighed those words, feeling rather foolish after having uttered them. He turned his head to regard me for a moment, smiling as he whispered the words, "Had we just the light of the stars then we would have no dawn. We would have no splendid golden red color in the sky…nothing to resemble the stunning color of your hair." I stared at him incredulously, not entirely sure what to make of his remark. A large part of me was delighted whereas the other part of me (the scared girl) wanted to go run off to somewhere safe.
"Well…I still prefer the light of the stars. The sun is nothing to it. Nothing to the purity and the perfection." I responded after an awkward pause, eager to "brush it all under the rug" (as I have heard humans put it). For a moment he had worn an expression of disappointment but made no remark. As for the rest of the day, very little conversation has passed between us since. We made a couple jokes and spoke of having an "Orc-Killing Contest." We try to ignore the severity of our situation. Eventually I have excused myself but now here I am, scribbling away in the secret book of mine. As inquisitive as he is, he keeps inquiring as to what I am doing. I had better put the book away.
I shall write soon and I pray that there will be an end to this conflict.
Tauriel
Sindarin Translation:
Adar lín – Your father
Dûthalioniel – Daughter of Dûthalion
Lasto nín – Listen to me
No – Yes