Chapter 20:

Wishful Thinking

"I did not wake you, did I?" he asked, seeing that she seemed to be turning in for the night. He had walked in and closed the door behind him without waiting for a response.

"No, not at all. I was just in the process of blowing out my candle when you knocked," Liate quietly answered. She didn't dare look him in the eyes for fear that her tears would rise again, but she was prepared for whatever he was about to say. Good or bad.

"I did much thinking after we arrived," Legolas began, avoiding direct eye contact as well. "I apologize for yelling at you, it is just that there are certain things that have been dwelling in my mind for quite some time now. Things that become more complex, it seems, as each day passes. And, well, I did not have the heart to tell a soul of these matters because I did not know how to put them into words that anyone would understand. One could even think that I might have gone mad while trying to explain myself," he laughed sarcastically at the floor.

"Legolas—"

"No, please, let me finish," the prince finally brought his gaze to her. He could see the reflection of his sadness in her eyes as she tried to hold back her tears. "What you said earlier in the old garden, has led me to be believe that you know more about what is plaguing my mind than I do myself," he stepped forward. "I am aware of the power of your lineage, from what my father has told me, and realizing the recent event…I am not surprised that you do."

"Legolas, listen to me," Liate firmly spoke. "Yes, I know you have troubling dreams but as far as what they contain I have no knowledge of that. The reason why I know what you are going through is because I see it almost every night when I am by your side. I know it is difficult for you, Legolas, but you are not the only one suffering. You and I are facing the same turbulent reveries. And, although mine may differ from yours...it hurts just the same," she managed to get out before the lump in her throat had formed.

The two elves were now face to face with each other. Liate could no longer hold back her tears so she let them loose while keeping her stern gaze upon the prince. Legolas stared back at her but remained silent, slowly wiping the tears off her cheeks. "Will you tell me what you know?" he finally asked, just above a whisper.

She turned away and closed her eyes. "I cannot do that, Legolas. Please understand. We should not know each other's visions to save us any further misery of things that neither one of us cannot fully comprehend. I believe it is best we keep them to ourselves."

Legolas slowly nodded his head after listening to her words. "I see," he sighed.

Liate turned back to face him and held his hands tightly into hers. "Do not think that I wish to keep it from you, Legolas. It is not by choice, I must! You already have much to think about and by telling you what I know will only make you more restless than you already are."

The prince sighed again and focused his attention on her caressing fingers. "Yes, you may be right, but I do not like being kept in the dark especially if it involves my future," he replied. "I would rather stay uneasy at the facts given to me rather than living my life blindly not knowing what the next day will bring."

"As do I," she tried giving him a comforting smile. "There are higher forces at play and it is their will to command how our lives should be wielded. The only thing we can do is be strong and take it as it comes," Liate lightly bumped her forehead with his and looked him straight in the eyes. "Will you be strong with me?"

Legolas placed her hands around his neck and gathered her in his arms and gave her a tender kiss. "If I must, I will try to be strong for the both of us."

Liate smiled again and embraced him lovingly. Knowing what he will have to endure in the near future, if one of them was suppose to be strong for the other it would have to be her, not him. But, of course, that was something she could not reveal to him. She finally blew out her dying candle and led him to her bed.

You will rest easy tonight... a voice echoed inside her head. Hearing this information, a great weight was lifted off of her shoulders. Liate knew it would most likely be for this night only, but any peaceful rest they could get, she was grateful to have. She kissed her prince and looked at him one final time before loosing herself in slumber. Legolas held her close to him as he usually did and followed her in her waking dream, unaware that the spoken words were only meant for her, and not for him.