Chapter 12: Leaving Upon the River
The Fellowship were sitting around the fire, eating their final meal together in Lothlórien. Satine could feel Legolas' eyes burning holes into her skin; she knew her reaction after the kiss had not been the most graceful. Satine nibbled on the apple that she held trying her best not to look into his silvery eyes. She had to admit that pushing in the river and running had not been kind but what did he expect….? Minutes passed as the stares did not end, finally having had enough she stood up swiftly leaving the puzzled Fellowship behind. There was only one place she knew she could go.
Satine ran up the staircase to the citadel trying to find her grandparents, most importantly Lady Galadriel. Before she reached the landing she saw her grandmother descending towards her, arms wide. She ran into the offered embrace feeling her troubled mind settle. She was gently herded towards her grandmother's parlor. Both ladies sat down on the nearest chaise, Satine taking strength from the older elleth's presence.
"Satine you must stop running from all those that desire your heart. He is not a man," Lady Galadriel's voice was firm.
"I know…but…In don't understand him. How can he be attracted to me? I am not even near being the proper elleth. He's a prince for goodness sakes shouldn't he be interested in someone who can stand behind him?" asked Satine.
"The heart works in strange ways, Satine. You know that for your heart also feels drawn to him which I know scares you for you have never felt this way. You must not fear your heart it will show you the right way."
Satine groaned audibly, "Arwen is the one who follows her heart. I have always been more of the logical sister, following my head more then my heart. I'm a warrior Lady Galadriel."
"You are also a woman."
Satine froze blinking up into her grandmother's eyes. It was so simple, how had she not noticed that she had begun to push the woman within aside to replace it solely with the warrior? How had she not noticed that she had begun to ignore her heart more then usual? She needed to put an end to this.
"Satine you are the most amazing young woman that I have ever met. But you fail in the areas of the heart. You need to know that elven men are not like the men that you are used to. In your world love, honor and propriety is no longer placed into such high esteem as here. Satine, Legolas has not been with any woman or elleth in his lifetime, for when elves mate it is binding." Lady Galadirel's voice left her mind, leaving her to think over the information given.
"Atar never mentioned anything of binding, like a contract?" Satine was truly puzzled.
Lady Galadriel let out a small laugh, "Not like a contract. It is a marriage of souls where the souls of the couple connect to one another making them soul mates and partner for the rest of their lives. Satine, Legolas is a good elf, an honorable elf. Do not hurt him with your past for in the end it will hurt your future."
Satine fingered the material of her gown feeling the smooth silk beneath her fingertips. Could she let him in? Could she try to have a relationship with him?
"Isn't this an inappropriate time for me to try to have a relationship?" wondered Satine.
Solemnly Lady Galadriel said, "For both of you neither can make the promise of surviving the Fellowship but it is best to have loved and lost-"
Satine finished, "Then to have never loved at all." She stood from the chaise a look of determination on her face. "Grandmother, thank you. Goodnight."
Lady Galadriel smiled as she watched her strange grand daughter ran down the staircase. It would seem that women from earth were not as trusting in love as females here were. She wished the elf prince much patience.
When she arrived back in the encampment most of the Fellowship were settling down in their respectful beds. She scanned the area trying to spot the elf prince. As her search seemed to be going on in vain a hand touched her shoulder making her tense.
"Im gelir ceni ad lín (I am happy to see you again)" said the owner of the hand. Satine smiled as she recognized the voice, the soft sound belonging to none other than the person she had been looking for. She took a hold of Legolas' hand pulling him away from the encampment.
Legolas was unsure on how to take this turn of events. Before she had been ignoring him after the kiss and seemed almost angry. What happened? She led them further into the forest until finally they reached a glen. Pulling him further into the glen she settled them on the grass, all the while scanning the area for any one. Once satisfied she returned her attention to him.
"Goheno nin (Forgive me) Legolas. What I did was inexcusable but can you find it your heart to pardon my actions? I was acting like a child." Satine's eyes were downcast as she spoke to him, seeming afraid to look him in the eye. Using his hand to lift her chin so their eyes could meet he was astounded to see her lovely moss green eyes filled with regret.
His voice was reassuring as he spoke, "There is nothing to forgive, though please if possible a warning would be desirable before you push within a river again."
Satine laughed at the statement while nodding agreeing to his request. Her laughed died down, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she looked into his. He touched her pale skin of her cheek, stroking the skin gently with his thumb. His silver eyes never leaving hers.
"I want to warn you Legolas that I am not the easiest woman to love but I will do my best to give this relationship a try. Im weere (I promise)."
She rested her head upon his shoulder enjoying the comfort that it brought her. Legolas ran his fingers through the silky strands of her hair enjoying the new found lack of barriers between them. It would take some work but he planned on winning her over. They settled into a peaceful silence watching the night pass by. Legolas stopped stroking her wine colored hair as he heard approaching foot steps. Out of the trees came Aragorn moving towards them. "We are leaving early tomorrow morning you had better settle in." The edge of warning in the Ranger's voice make a blush come to the prince's cheek, surely Aragorn did not think that he would do anything to ruin her reputation. Though sitting alone in a glen curled into another was not exactly the best for neither of their reputations. Satine rolled her eyes and stood. "Aragorn seriously don't play the father and the leader. I will surely start a revolution, I am of French origins…" she trailed off as she remembered that they had no idea of she spoke of. "Aragorn I need to tell you something and you Legolas. Lady Galadriel told me that Saruman was able to capture the other three Elementals. He has them in Isengard. I need to free them." Aragorn was not surprised about the conviction in her voice but by the news that their enemies had such power on their side. They were becoming more and more outnumbered and out forced.
Legolas was surprised also, "Why haven't we heard of them, yet? Why isn't Saruman using them?"
"I could guess on this but when I came here I had no idea what to do with my powers and since there are no Elementals left I needed to train myself in how to be an Elemental. Luckily I was able to do such with good speed. What I am suspecting is that these three Elementals have no idea how to use their powers and Saruman cannot tech them how. Further more I believe that they are not allowed to go into nature to submerge themselves in their Element which is truly the only way to learn how to use your powers." A satisfied smile came to her lips, "Saruman bit off more then he could chew with this plan."
Aragorn was pleased that they had a slight advantage with the Elementals but for how long? "What are the other Elements? Are there going to be more?"
answered before she could, "From what I was told as a child about the Elementals was that there could only be one for each Element in existence. The first and only Elementals were only five. They were Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Metal."
"Since now I am an Elemental for two Elements it makes this time around a little different. There will only be four Elementals but due to my extra Element, Lady Galadriel believes that I should become their leader, their teacher. Aragorn, Saruman does not know that I am in Middle Earth. Nin Atar made sure that none but our most trustworthy friends knew of my existence. If Saruman finds out about me, I don't need to tell you how dangerous it could become do I?"
Aragorn nodded his face filled with worry. Things were getting more and more complicated. Legolas looked from Satine to Aragorn surprised how incredible his companions were. An Elemental and the Future King were by no means unimportant in the future of Middle Earth.
Morning came swiftly. Satine finished placing the last of her things in her backpack. Looking around the small but comfortable tent she felt a twinge of longing. She missed the comforts that home brought but this was no time to be shallow. The rustle of cloth sounded behind her, she smiled at her grandfather who seemed to have come to bid her farewell.
Lord Celeborn took in his grand daughter's appearance from the clean boots to the leggings light blue tunic and a strange belt that seemed to be truly uncomfortable. His heart clenched that this could be the first and final time that he would see his amazing grand daughter. She would be leaving today to go with the strangest companions he had ever seen and with an elf that seemed to be touching her heart. As a grandfather he had the right to worry for her safety as well as that of Arwen's who loved the Ranger that now traveled with Satine.
"I want you to promise me that you will do everything in your power to remain safe." Lord Celeborn's voice was harsh but Satine understood.
"I cannot promise that I will survive but I will do my best to come back to those that I love." Satine hugged her grandfather while shouldering her bag. She picked up her quiver tying the belt around her waist happy to feel the weight of the large Mithril resting against her hips. She grasped her bow then followed her grandfather towards the river. The Fellowship were already at the river's edge. She separated herself from her grandfather whom went towards Aragorn. Depositing her bow and backpack in the nearest boat she noticed Pippin and Merry talking to Legolas about Lembas bread.
Legolas walked towards her, smiling. She raised her eyebrow at his cheerfulness that he possessed in the morning of their departure away from the only place since their departure from Rivendell had they found solace. "Now milord you need to explain how you are in such good spirits…especially so early in the morning?"
Legolas smiled by the look of annoyance that fell across her face, it seemed that the lady did not enjoy mornings. "Milady I try not to let anything bring down my spirits no matter how grim the circumstances. Are you not of suck ilk milady?" said Legolas his voice filled with mirth.
Shaking her head she could not stop a small smile from gracing the curves of her lips. Silence fell upon the elves around them as Lady Galadriel's swan shaped boat moved towards the shore. So it seemed that the Fellowship would depart soon.
Satine sat in the boat with Frodo and Aragorn leaning against the front of the boat as Aragorn paddled them forward along the river. Her eyes gazed at the clear blue sky that lay up above enjoying watching the clouds pass by without disruptions. Frodo's small laugh broke her concentration in her game of guess the clouds shape. Satine looked at the handsome Hobbit that was smiling at her. His voice filled with mirth as he said, "Are you comfortable milady?"
Playing along she said, "Well Frodo if you could ever be so kind as to poor me a nice glass of wine, I would forever be grateful."
Aragorn joined their laughter, the atmosphere lightening a little. It was dull on the river for there was not much to do but it was the safest way of traveling to where was needed. Later as the boats were near one another Merry called to her, "Tell us a story Satine I'm simply dying of boredom."
She laughed at the carefree Hobbit. "I'm not sure I know a good story. What would you like?"
Sam called to her from where he sat with Gimli and Leoglas, "A story with love!"
Pippin called out right after beside Merry and Boromir, "No something with an amazing adventure!"
Gimli's gruff voice came next, "An exciting battle would not go amiss!"
She exchanged a knowing look with Legolas whom was smiling in her direction. She bit her lip trying to find a decent story. Finding one she began her telling, "There was once a poor miller whom as all in old age was dying. This miller had three sons to whom he left his three meager possessions which were, a mill which was given to the eldest, a mule which went to the middle son and to the youngest a cat. As you could tell the youngest of the miller's sons was not pleased with what was left to him…"
Satine continued to tell the story of Puss in Boots as best she could. Their day passed in enjoyment for they all began to tell stories to pass the time.
On the third of their travels by river they came before two immense stone statues of Kings. Eye wide Satine looked on in awe at the craftsmanship of said statues. Only an hour later did they reach the waterfall and made camp. Satine stood before the shore of the water with Legolas holding a smile from the satire that Gimli was sprouting because of their chosen course. She inhaled the scent of the elf next to her taking solace in the smell of pine, mint and sandalwood that made up his scent. She was worried about the darkness that seemed to be creeping in the forest around her. Something was close, too close.
Merry's voice made her pause, "Where's Frodo?"
Tensing she looked around but finding no sign of the Ring Bearer. Without thought she took hold of her bow as she raced into the woods Legolas on her heels as well as the rest of The Fellowship. After a few moments of running she looked around but could see no sign of their two companions. It did not sit well with her that Boromir was alone with Frodo. Gimli stands with scanning the forest around them as they move forward. They stop as they see black figure at the top of the hill, clashing of swords drawing their full attention. Satine pulls out an arrow notching it in her bow as she runs to the top of the hill, finding Aragorn battling Uruk-hai.
She shoots down as many as she can until she enters the fray slicing her opponents with the blade that lays at the curve of her bow. She knew that they were after Frodo for they bore the white hand of Saruman. She saw half a dozen Uruk-hai running passed her. Oh no you don't! A small tornado surrounded the band of Uruk-Hai lifting them into the air, ten feet, twenty feet, thirty feet, sixty feet then the tornado dissipated. The bodies of the Uruk-hai plummeted to their death. She ran down the hill killing as many as she could or leaving them severely wounded. She was alone now separated from her companions battling three Uruk-hais.
An unexpected pain comes to the back of her head; she tuned around to see the leader coming towards her a look of pleasure in his eyes. Anger fills her making the wind around whip mercilessly around her. She called upon the essence of the wind to inflict as much damage that it could against her opponents but before it could do so a strange stone was thrown at her passing through her barrier hitting her in her stomach. A strange feeling filled her soul. She felt as if she was being drained, what is happening? Her body hit the ground hard as she felt her conscious leave her.
Legolas watched as the life left their companion Boromir's eyes. He felt worried for he could not see Satine anywhere. Both Gimli and he looked in the surrounding forest but could not find a trace of her. But then a flash of silver brought his attention, his eyes were wide as he saw her bow lying on the ground with her quiver filled with her arrows. His heart clenched in pain, they had her. He touched the cool metal of her bow which was heavily stained with blood; she was such an amazing fighter how had she been captured? He picked up her weapons surprised by how light they were. He glanced around but oat found nothing left of hers. Gimli was with Aragorn at the river's shore watching as the boat floated towards the waterfall. Legolas tightened his hold upon Satine's bow trying to calm his racing heart. His mind was filled with dark images of torture and rape. He feared the fate that Satine would suffer in the hands of the Uruk-hai. She might be a warrior strong and brave but at this time all he could see was a woman in the hands of monsters whom would have no trouble in mutilating and violating her.
Aragorn turned to look at him noticing the weapons that he held, anger clouding his eyes. Gimli noticed the weapons that Legolas was holding. Aragorn speaks, "Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands."
Gimli's voice was pained as he said, "Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed."
Aragorn straightens himself clutching his friends' shoulders. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry, Pippin and Satine to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some Orc!"
Legolas grinned with Gimli as the dwarf exclaimed his happiness in a loud cry. Legolas took hold of Satine's backpack not wanting to leave any of her things behind. Aragorn offered to carry Satine's quiver wrapping it awkwardly on his back, pleased by its light weight. With a last look at the Eastern shore he followed his friends in the search for their captured companions.
"No varna (Be safe)" whispered Legolas to the wind.