Author's Note: I'm so excited to see so many reviews, follows and favorites! Thanks everyone! Keep it up and I look forward to hearing your reviews/comments as the story continues to unfold!
ChibiFelicia: Your review was AWESOME and I'm super motivated from your words thank you! I'm hoping more readers will find their way to the story and take some time to review like you have; I hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Ms. Authorless: You really took the time for a thought-out review and I could be more grateful, it's in those in depth critiques and reviews that a writer learns and grows in their work so again thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review. I wanted to delve into your only negative aspect of the story; Haldir and Celeborn's character development; I can understand where you are coming from. I was not able to find much on their characters (granted I didn't have a great length of time to re-read the novels and such to learn more) but I felt in the vagueness of their characters that I sensed, I simply decided to take my own approach and develop their characters more in the way I see them within my own mind. Not the greatest way to go about it I'm sure, but I wanted Haldir to have more of a complexity in his character, a stiff, devoted to his duty and role as march warden but also someone who feels, cares and has a softer side which obviously brings him much internal conflict. His actions in the next to last chapter was very out of character for him, to venture out from Lothlorien to visit Merenwen but I also found it added more to the escalated tension within their relationship. Now Celeborn, I did take a more, um less than nice way, to present him. Mainly because of what I learned about him being so different than Galadriel in his desire to rule with a stronger, more disciplined manner. He would not have liked the idea of Galadriel giving a dwarf (Gimli) three locks of hair I would imagine, but she did and whether that's accurate to his character or not is left to everyone to decide but I think the two polar opposite ruling types in Lothlorien help to create a more balanced, unified rule and that is why I made the decision to present him in the way I did. As for your other comments, you are far too kind and I appreciate your words. I am trying to not allow modern language to creep into the story, it does take time but I understand what you mean how that almost takes away from the overall story. Well, thank you again I look forward to hearing more from you!
MoonlightShadow: Thank you so much; what an amazing review thanks! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Angel9507: Thanks for hanging around for the update; let me know what you think!
Elleth of Light
Chapter Eleven
Merenwen's POV
The ride to Helm's Deep was uncomfortably silent and I found it increasingly difficult to keep my thoughts together while holding onto the prince as we rode. Neither of us dare break the silence; what could be said in such a moment? I was still in shock at the sequence of events that was unraveling before me. Never once did I remotely predict the young prince of Mirkwood having feelings for me and I especially did not predict he would do such in the manner in which he did.
I was partly offended by the action, he knew my feelings for Haldir and yet he boldly kissed me without warning. Did I have feelings for Legolas? I certainly felt my very soul giving way to his intent and I would be dishonest if I claim I never felt my cheeks flush around him at times…and I did find my thoughts circling around his face at moments unexpected. How could I not when the ellon from my life at home was far beyond my reach in every aspect? It was not meant to be, Haldir and I, we were but a distant dream that I am still forcing myself to let go of.
And here, with me this very moment was a strong, handsome elf that could quite possibly give me everything I have been wanting in another. It was a far reach but was it really?
I threw my head back in sheer aggravation. How naïve was I to allow myself to have feelings for two individuals? Such a thing was not the pride of a march warden that was certain; my duty should be to this quest but I was still young and desperate to know the warm embrace of love.
"There it is." Legolas whispered as he allowed the horse to come to a slower pace. There, nearing the horizon was the great stone fortress of man I had heard so much about in the mumblings and hushed tones of the people of Rohan. It was impenetrable some said, our greatest hope others said. As it grew clearer in my gaze I saw the grand structure of stone and suddenly I felt a strange sensation overtaking me. I could not explain it nor could I find thoughts to even attempt to do so. It was…strange to me though I dare not utter my state to the Prince now looking back at me with a questioning expression.
"I must I am weary from travel." I hoped that was the reason behind such feelings.
"I apologize for adding to the stress of the journey." He sounded so defeated. It tugged at my heart hearing such a tone. I watched my hand lift to his upper back before sliding gingerly down his lean back before retracting my hand at lightning speed.
"You didn't. I mean…it didn't…" I stumbled for words.
"Let's just…settle into the keep for the night." I quickly added trying to regain my composure which seemed to amuse the prince as his laughter reached my ears. I smiled from the sound; his laugh was much appreciated to help overtake the strange feelings within me as we entered the stone fortress.
Time crept by within the stone surrounding walls as if it was refusing to pass at all. Preparations for battle had begun; the faces now gathering steel blades were aged and weary or simply too young to understand the feeling. King Theoden was a point of strength for these men to cling to but even he stood upon seemingly unstable ground. He was unsure and I could see it within his gaze.
Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf were hidden from me at the moment, readying themselves for battle in their own ways I assumed. I remained in the warmth of the setting sun upon outside of the large gates of Helms Deep. I could find no sense of rest or peace of mind inside so I had elected to remain outside, using my keen eyes to scan the horizon. A lookout so to speak; a task I gladly accepted if it meant keeping me from being enclosed within the unsteady sensations of the fortress.
"They are demanding that I hide within the caves! To cower in fear as if I had no amount of strength to speak of! You must say something! Talk to my uncle, he may yet listen to you, a woman who fights alongside men!" Eowyn screamed as she pushed through the gates to find my presence.
I cringed at the request; her king…more importantly her uncle was not going to stand idly by and allow his only niece to be put into harms way by the request of a stranger.
"Eowyn I-" I started until the woman brought herself directly before me. Bound by anger she stood, glaring at me with intensity that had been longing to emerge.
"Do not tell me the caves are where I belong here in this battle!" Her locks wiped about her stern expression wildly.
"I would do no such thing Eowyn. I know the desire to fight…I've felt that desire as long as I can remember. But I am no Queen here; it is not my place to question. I am merely a stranger here but I hope to become more but until then my friend I must insist that you follow your uncle, follow you king and trust that your time will come."
My words only fueled her anger; tears of unrequited resentment glistened in the fading light of the sun before she spun around and disappeared from my sight. I started after her, but I knew nothing at this moment could ease her thoughts.
Exhaling loudly I returned my eyes to the horizon and it was not long before I saw a blur of darkness marching across the land. My lips parted in sheer awe as the growing numbers of the hoards of the white wizard became clear.
I stammered back before losing my footing on the stone step. I fell hard onto the sharp surface but scrambled to my feet and ran back into the fortress and towards the king in the inner most hall. Bypassing confused faces and dodging the small groups of talking men I felt myself growing anxious; my eyes lifted to the sky to see clouds gathering overhead.
"The armies of Isengard are approaching!" I exclaimed as I burst through the doors of the hall. There, the congregation of my companions and the king looked up at me as if they were not surprised by my words.
"Did you not hear me?" I asked while approaching them in confusion. It did not take long before Elessar approached me, swiftly escorting me further from the others.
"We know…the king is about to ready his people. We will be ready." He whispered to me.
"Great, let us ready ourselves as well! We cannot linger here discussing the matter…we must fight!" I said until Elessar's expression shifted. He bowed his head low from my gaze.
"What?" I asked in a harsh tone.
"You will not be fighting here tonight Merenwen." I chuckled at the remark, even in times of darkness Elessar would find a way to jest. Except, this time his face did not reveal a smile.
"You're joking…Elessar tell me you are joking." I said while searching for his eyes.
"I'm sorry Merenwen." He mumbled. I felt myself becoming hot; the very blood within me was boiling at the sound of such words and the manner in which he decided to present them. I extended my hand until I drove it hard across the ranger's face. The slap echoed through the now silent hall.
"How dare you not look at me in the eyes! You have no rule over me Elessar! You are not king yet and I am on this journey to fight same as you! You will not refuse me the luxury to do my duty to this world! To Frodo!" I screamed. Knowing in that moment the same emotions Eowyn was feeling, what she was still feeling.
Elessar looked up at me, hurt in his eyes from my action but I stood unwavering. I was firmly planted in my stance and I was not leaving my ground on this.
"If you would just open your mind to see that this is the best option for you. I am trying to protect y-"
"Stop trying to protect me!"
"I will when you stop being so damn stubborn! Look around! I've listened to what you saw in that mirror, I've woke to you screaming out in the night from the nightmares that plague you…what if it is here. What if it is tonight?" He roared. His intent grew clearer, calming my enraged senses but was this really the place? I certainly felt a strange feeling since I laid eyes upon this place but I had examined my surroundings closely; searching for the crumbled ruins that I was lying upon and I could not find it. The rubble mounds and flowing river in the near distance I saw within the mirror was nowhere to be seen here. Just an unpleasant smelling fortress that has not seen the hint of color in many decades…but surely I would feel something more if this truly was the place I was meant to die…right?
Theoden had left us to our privacy adorned in his finest armor. I then heard him addressing his people, his echoes of spirit and uplifting words of victory could be heard even behind the closed doors. Gandalf had joined him; I guess the wizard grew tired of my disruption. My eyes studied the room; Gimli was propped upon his axe but refused to lift his gaze to me.
I then rested my eyes upon the prince, searching for support for my presence in this battle but he too found it more worthwhile to look upon the dusty floor than to look at me. I had never felt so betrayed…my companions, my friends were against me. Did they truly believe this was a means of protection? Or was the notion of women belonging in the caves becoming the popular mindset of men here?
I returned to Elessar, looking upon him with such desperation I felt as if I was upon my knees begging him to alter his decision but to no avail.
"Do not send me from your side Elessar." I whispered, fighting tears with all amounts of strength possible. My nervous hands fiddled with the fabric of my garment as I waited for his response. He remained silent; a steady downpour was the only thing that reached my ears. Rain crashed upon the world outside but it did not hide the next sound that came to pass.
A horn, a very familiar horn sounded in the near distance. My eyes widened before I turned towards the door with excitement.
"Haldir." I breathed, I quickly ran towards the door only to feel a strong hand pulling me back. I turned in aggravation to find Legolas before me, firmly holding my wrist.
"Please…let me protect you." He said in a tone so soft only I could hear. I wanted to laugh at his words; everyone was so convinced that they knew my demise. Had they so quickly forgotten that it was me that looked into that mirror? It was not Elessar nor was it Legolas. There was no need to be so bent on protecting me when there was nothing to protect me from. I could fight, I was no amateur in battle and I was no stranger to defending myself.
I smiled with reassurance to the young elf refusing to release me from his grip. His actions were endearing but my people stood not but a few feet from me, I could fight alongside them and I would. It was not even about running to Haldir, although the thought wasn't so strange to indulge in; but I wanted to show him, show them all that I was here. I was strong and I could take part in this victory, despite it all.
