Hi everyone...
I apologize for the long wait, I've been a bit busy with school and everything.
I had so much fun writing this chapter, I finally got to do some fluff (Yes!)
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Enjoy my fluffy chapter!
Happy reading!
Chapter 12
Though her heart was burdened and her steps heavy, Manwathiel could not help but feel a bit better once they entered the golden woods of LothLorien. The forest had been her home her entire life, and it had always been a place of rest and comfort.
Apparently not all of them felt this way. Gimli was grumbling about an "elf witch," and warning the hobbits to keep a watchful eye about them.
"This is one dwarf she won't so easily ensnare!" he said, "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox- Oh!"
He was stopped short by an elven arrow held inches from his face. A handsome blond elf emerged from the guard of warriors, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"So loud we could have shot him in the dark." He drawled.
Manwathiel flipped up the hood of her cloak. She did not want to be recognized by her friend until she could explain everything to him.
"Haldir, we come here for help. We need your protection." Aragorn came forward.
"Come. The lady of the wood is waiting." Haldir turned and led them deeper into the forest.
…oOo…
The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn glided down stars of shining white. Manwathiel almost laughed at the looks of her companions, all sheer wonder and awe.
"Nine there were that set out from Rivendell, yet Gandalf is missing and nine remain. Who is among you that we did not see when you first set out on your journey?"
"It is, my Lord." Manwathiel lowered her hood and bowed. The only elves that didn't seem confused by her appearance in the Fellowship were Galadriel and Legolas.
"Why did they not know she was with us the whole time?" Pippin tugged on Aragorn's sleeve.
"Pippin, not now."
"The Halfling brings up an excellent question, and one I would like answered." Celeborn stared at Manwathiel. "We will talk later."
Manwathiel nodded and stepped back.
"There is still the matter of your missing member. Where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him."
"He has fallen into shadow." Galadriel gazed into the distance, her brow furrowed.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame." Legolas told her remorsefully, "a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the depths of Moria."
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fall…yet hope remains, while company is true."
"Welcome back Manwathiel. I have missed your presence greatly." Galadriel whispered into her mind.
"Why didn't you tell Celeborn?" Manwathiel thought back, "I thought we wanted to avoid unnecessary questions."
"That is exactly why I did not tell him before now. We will speak later, but now you must rest."
"Go now, and rest, for your hearts are weary with much toil." The Lady smiled.
Manwathiel walked to the place where they would spend the night with the rest of the Fellowship, trying to avoid her companion's questioning looks.
…oOo…
"You wanted to see me?" Manwathiel came to the courtyard where she knew Galadriel would be waiting. She had bathed for the first time in months, and was relishing the feeling of being clean.
Galadriel smiled angelically, "Yes, my dear, I did."
Manwathiel wrapped her sister in a hug. "I missed you. I have no one to talk to now except for this horde of men I travel with." She grinned. "I'm still confused though…why didn't you tell Celeborn or anyone else for that matter that I would be going on the quest?"
Galadriel sighed, "He would not have understood. You mean so much to him, to all those who know you, they would not want you going on such a dangerous journey. I did not want you to be swayed from this path that you must walk on."
"Nobody realizes that I can take care of myself better than anyone else could." Manwathiel said softly.
Galadriel nodded and squeezed her hand. "I know how hard it must have been for you to let Mithrandir go."
"I almost went after him…" she shook her head, "I wanted to help him so badly…but he wouldn't let me. If anytime was the right time, wouldn't it have been then? I can't see why I shouldn't have helped him. I've been trying, but I simply cannot." Manwathiel put her head in her hands.
"All will be revealed in time." Galadriel said consolingly. "I know you are probably quite weary of me saying that, but trust me Manwathiel. You will know."
"If you are certain." Manwathiel looked down, intently studying a blade of grass. "It was Legolas." She said suddenly, "It was Legolas who stopped me. He saved my life. Twice. I shouldn't be here right now; he went back for me even when I was almost dead."
"Why do you push him away?" Galadriel sat down beside her.
"To love is to be susceptible to weakness. I cannot allow myself to be distracted from the task at hand."
Galadriel shook her head sadly. "That is where you are wrong. Love is not weakness, but strength. Strength to do things that would otherwise seem impossible. Do not be afraid to love, Manwathiel. It may be the only thing that carries you through the days to come."
…oOo…
"They are lamenting Gandalf." Legolas said of the harmonious elvish singing that was weaving through the trees.
"What do they say about him?" Pippin asked.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near."
He felt a slender hand slide into his. "Walk with me."
Legolas turned to see Manwathiel, pulling him towards the edge of the clearing. Her hair was down, hanging to her waist, and noticeably cleaner than before. Her white dress flowed like water down her slender form, and a crown of ivory flowers encircled her head. She looked at him with pleading brown doe eyes, and her skin glowed slightly in the moonlight.
Legolas felt his breath catch as he took her in. She was too beautiful for words, like one of the Valar descended from heaven.
"Please. I want to talk to you." She misunderstood his hesitancy altogether.
"Of course." He walked with her through the many hidden gardens and paths of Lorien, never once letting go of her hand.
She led him to a secluded clearing, full of strange flowers that Legolas had never seen before. They were dark blues and purples, and at their center was something that looked like a glowing star. Manwathiel sat down on the soft grass, twirling the stem of a flower between her fingers.
Legolas sat down beside her, waiting. He knew that there was no point in questioning her. She would speak when she was ready.
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. Truly, deeply sorry," she began, "You saved me from myself, and I have done nothing but treat you cruelly."
"Manwathiel, there is no need-"
She held up a hand to stop him. "Let me finish. You need to know why."
She took a deep breath and continued, "I think…I think that I pushed you away because I was afraid."
Legolas was bewildered. "Afraid of what?" He couldn't imagine anything that this fair lady would be frightened of, especially after watching her fight in Moria.
"I was afraid of how I feel about you. I was afraid that if I…if I let myself love you then I would be letting everyone down, that it would distract me from what I have to do. If you don't feel the same it's alright, I just-"
That was all Legolas needed to hear. He leaned forward and silenced her with a kiss, letting her know exactly how he felt.
Manwathiel looked at him, a little shocked, until a slow smile spread across her face.
Legolas cupped her cheek with his hand. "Manwathiel, you are the most beautiful, wonderful woman I've ever met. I have never felt so strongly about anyone in all of life."
"Thank you." Manwathiel whispered, a mixture of sad and happy tears running down her face.
Legolas pulled her into his arms and held her, understanding her pain at losing Gandalf. He couldn't help but feel joy, so much joy, as he finally embraced her though.
"No, Manwathiel. It is I who should thank you."
"For what?"
He smiled, "For loving me."
A/N: Heh heh...that was fun. Review if I made you go "awwww..." ;)