Chapter 25

Elena had come out to the archery fields early that morning to find the elf already here. It seemed she was not the only one who had felt

cooped up the last few days. Elena had been so busy the last few weeks she hardly had time to breath let alone think about how much

she missed Faramir and Eowyn. This new task the king had set her was an important one and she was determined to do it properly. The

first step had been to take a census of every family that had lost a father or husband. This took many days, as there were so many

soldiers in the house of healing, and yet unaccounted for. An announcement had been throughout the city that all those who had a loved

one dead or missing, would be granted an audience with the Lady Elena. Sitting with these women, listening to them grieve over their

husbands, their worries over how they were going to feed their families, it had left Elena physically and emotionally exhausted. Pippin and

Merry were trying to help as much as they could. A real committee would have to be formed. Romilla, Beregond's wife had already

offered her services. She'd woken up that morning to find the skies clear. It had been so long since she'd practiced her archery, so she'd

grabbed her bow and dressed in and old tunic and trousers.

She frowned as the arrow hit the very edge of the target. Lord, she was out of practice.

"How long has it been since you fired a bow?" Legolas asked stepping behind her.

"A long time," she said. She managed not to tremble as the elf put his hand on her waist to adjust her stance.

"Relax your fingers," he said. "Sight along the arrow. Line up the target and release." The arrow flew. Elena grinned as the arrow hit the center of the target.

"How goes the census?" Legolas asked her as she notched her bow and took aim.

"Slowly," Elena said letting her arrow fly. "It is going to take some time to get an exact count."

"It is important to get this done right. As Aragorn said, quality over speed." Elena smiled and paused to watch the elf shoot.

"How long have you known the king?" she asked him.

"I've known him for many years," Legolas said. "He was a mere lad when I first met him." Elena laughed.

"I forget that as an elf you must have lived many thousands of years."

"I am indeed nearing my 3,000 year." Elena could not help but gasp.

"I could not imagine being immortal. Staying exactly the same as those around you age and die."

"It is difficult at times, but I suppose that is why most elves choose not to associate themselves with other races whose life spans are so decidedly finite."

"Yet you chose to stand by the king even though you knew it could lead to your death."

"Aragorn has been my friend for many years. We've fought many battles together, saved each other's lives many time."

"I see that you do not share the view that elves should not associate with races whose life spans are so decidedly finite."

"No, I do not," Legolas said.

"So I take it you'll not be joining the elves who sail to the Undying Lands?" Legolas smiled.

"My time to leave Middle Earth will come, but for now I am in the service of the King." Elena smiled and restrung her bow.

"All of Gondor is so happy that the king has returned. Even the widows and orphans I have spoken with over the last few weeks, they have hope again. It's as though this dark cloud that we have lived under while Denethor was in power has drifted away."

"You refer to your father with such coldness," Legolas said. Elena felt her face grow hot. She had forgotten how much more perceptive elves were than men.

"He was a hateful man," Elena said dismissively, "There is much talk amongst the people about when the king will marry and produce and heir." Legolas did not answer. Elena was uncertain but she thought she saw a sadness behind the elf's eyes.

"I am not certain the King is eager to rush into matrimony."

"Oh?" Elena said curiously." Legolas looked at her seriously as though waging an internal battle within himself.

"The king was in love once. With an elf. Arwen Undomiel."

"The Evenstar?" Elena asked in surprise. Elena was quite surprised by this piece of her King's history.

"Yes," Legolas said. "But for obvious reasons they were unable to be together."

"Obvious reasons?"

"To be with Aragorn the Evenstar would have to give up the immortal life of her people. Though it pained the King to do so he broke off their relationship. She sailed to the Undying lands with all that was left of her kin." Elena sighed.

"It is so sad," she said thoughtfully notching an arrow. "Like Beren and Luthien."

"You know elvish folklore?"

"When I was younger I wanted to learn everything about elves. Their language, their songs, their history. Faramir taught me a little but there is so much more I want to know."

"You have a great mind my lady. Too many ladies of the race of men do not take the time to expand their knowledge of the world around them. I'm glad to see that not all women are the same." Elena smiled at the compliment.

"Good day to you both," Aragorn's voice was heard. Elena bowed her head shyly as the king came around the corner. He was dressed simply in a tunic and breeches, looking much more the ranger than the king.

"Good day Aragorn," Legolas said. "The lady Elena was just demonstrating her skills with the bow."

"Or rather lack of skill," Elena said. "I should go. I have much to do. Good day Legolas. Good day my lord."

Legolas followed Aragorn's gaze as Elena departed the archery fields. He had only seen him gaze at one other being the way he looked at the Lady of Gondor.

"You look at her the way a halfling looked at a plateful of mushrooms," he observed casually notching another arrow. Aragorn looked at him, startled.

"I do not know what you are talking about," Aragorn said stringing his bow.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Legolas said letting an arrow fly. "She's a beautiful woman. A lady of Gondor, the late steward's

daughter. The people know her and love her. She is also strong and smart and compassionate. She knows this city and wants the best for
it. She will make a great queen."

"I know how fond you were of Arwen, Legolas," Aragorn said.

"Arwen is gone Aragorn," Legolas said. "I know how difficult it was to let her go, but the fact is that she is gone and you are still here.

You must move on with your life. She would want you to." Aragorn sighed.

"She is beautiful," Aragorn said. "But so much more than that."

"Then what do you wait for?" Legolas said.

"I do not know her feelings. I do not wish the woman whom I will share my bed and my kingdom with to marry me out of duty to her

people. I want to know that my feelings for her are reciprocated."

"Then the best thing you could do," Legolas said. "would be to find out."