Chapter 11

I do not own LotR in any way.


Lirilla followed her mother and father into the study, escorted by Haldir.

Celeborn sat down in his chair and Galadriel stood by her father's side. "It was very foolish for you to run away", Celeborn said.

"You should have never pressured me into marriage", Lirilla snapped.

"I will not lose another child", Celeborn said.

"You didn't lose Celebrían!" Lirilla yelled, "She went into the West!"

"Lirilla", Galadriel said.

"Don't start mother", Lirilla snapped.

"You are not a warrior. You do not have to fight in this war", Celeborn said trying to reason with his youngest daughter.

Lirilla got up and slammed her hands down on her father's desk. "I may not be a warrior, but I am not helpless", she growled, "Legolas taught me how to properly fire an arrow when you two shipped me off to Mirkwood. Haldir and the wardens taught me how to use a sword and I carve all me and Legolas' arrows and fletch them too. I have abilities that can help other people and I will not sit here and let them go to waste. Please atar, don't clip my wings".

Celeborn looked at Lirilla and then stood up. "You will stay here and that is final", Celeborn said.

Lirilla's heart broke.

"Haldir, please escort her to her room and keep an eye on her. I will not have her sneaking off again", Celeborn said. Celeborn and Galadriel left the room.

Lirilla remained in her place with her hands on the desk, only her head was hung and she was crying silent tears.

Haldir walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She turned and cried into his tunic.

The ancient elf stroked her hair.

When Lirilla had calmed down, Haldir escorted her to her room.

Before Haldir left her, she turned to him and said, "Would you go tell Legolas that I request him in my room?" Haldir smiled and said, "As you wish, princess".


Meanwhile, the Fellowship was settling into their talan. Legolas returned with a pitcher of water.

"A lament for Gandalf", Legolas said.

"What do they say about him?" Merry asked.

"I have not the heart to tell you", Legolas said with tears gathering in his eyes, "For me, the grief is still too near".

"I bet they don't mention his fireworks", Sam said, "There should be a verse about them. The finest rockets ever seen. They burst in stars of blue and green. Or after thunder, silver showers. Came falling like a rain of flowers. Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road".

Legolas smiled and thought about how if Lirilla was here, she'd smile and laugh at the hobbit.

"Prince Legolas", the voice of Haldir said, "The princess requests you join her in her room".

Legolas looked back at the Fellowship before following Haldir.

Haldir lead Legolas to Lirilla's room, even though Legolas himself had walked the path many times before.

He could find it with his eyes closed. Legolas entered the room. He found Lirilla sitting on her bed wearing an old tunic that hung off both of her shoulders. Legolas recognized it as one of his own. He sat behind her on the bed.

"They won't let me go", she said sadly, "I know they are just worried for my safety, but I can take care of myself. Besides, I have you and Aragorn to look after me".

"We leave tomorrow morning", Legolas said.

Lirilla spun and cupped Legolas' face in her hands.

"No! That is too soon!" she said, "Please. Do not leave me here".

"I will do everything in my power to ensure that you continue your journey with us, but I make no promises", Legolas told her.

Lirilla wrapped her arms around Legolas' neck as she clung to him for dear life.

Legolas shifted them to where they were lying face-to-face on the bed.

Lirilla moved closer to them so their foreheads and noses were touching. She fell asleep twirling one of Legolas' greenleaf braids around her finger.

Legolas stroked the back of her head as he watched her sleep. He prayed to the Valar that he wouldn't have to leave his beautiful songbird in her gilded cage.