A/N: Goodness! It has been almost 6 months since I posted the last chapter! I am so sorry! Not only have I had writer's block, but, ahem, I have a new young man friend who's officially been my boyfriend since March. I'm not using that last one as an excuse. I think part of my problem has been I need to read the stacks of books I keep piling up. So maybe my creative juices are coming back. Hopefully I can get this finished up in another couple of chapters or so. I'm not a big fan of first-person present tense. :/
Part 3: Lothlorien 3
Several days go by and I delight in showing off my home to my bride. Her face glows as I reveal my favourite places. I take her on a short boat ride, me rowing to allow her to relax and enjoy the scenery. I smile at her. "Do you like it here?"
She grins and pats my hand. "Yes! It is so lovely. And I love it more because you are here with me, Melethnin."
Smiling, I stop rowing a minute and take her hands, then lean over and kiss her. "What about Feren? Are you missing him yet?"
"Yes, but I know his wife is taking good care of him. He is happy, therefore I am happy for him. Yes, I miss him. But it was time for both of us to move on with life."
I start rowing again. "I am glad you chose to include me in your new chapter."
"As am I."
I enjoy how we are able to relish each other's company in silence and not feel awkward. It is as though we share some transient communication that surpasses that of mere words. A oneness I have never felt with anyone else. I suppose that is what love does to us. And I certainly have no problems with it! In fact, I wish I had discovered it sooner. However, I know I needed the time on my own.
Galadriel pulls an upset Legolas aside from his scrubbing. "Come with me," her voice enters his head, causing him to jump.
He follows her, afraid to do anything else. She leads him down the tiers and on the forest floor, descending stone steps to her pool, the Mirror of Galadriel.
She gets a pitcher and pours more water into it. "Legolas Thranduilion. You have heard of my Mirror, have you not?"
"Yes," he whispers.
"Tell me what it does."
He trembles slightly as he answers. "Things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass."
She smiles. "Exactly. So now it is your turn to see what it reveals."
"Must I look into it?" he shakes.
"Yes. I command it. Now step up there and look in. Remember, do not touch the water, not even with your clothing."
Legolas trembles but obeys, stepping up to gaze into the pool. He at first sees his own reflection, but it morphs into the time when he was but an elfling in Mirkwood Palace. The blonde elf runs around the palace, laughing as his parents play with him. Years go by and he plays with cats, learns to read, write, do arithmetic, and about the history of Middle Earth, especially the elves. A young female elf runs crying to her parents after Legolas dips the ends of her hair in his inkwell, getting the dark liquid all over the back of her dress and on the floor. Her ends have to be cut off because the dark brown ink stains them, an awful contrast to her fair golden locks.
Still gazing into the Mirror, eyes wide, Legolas shakes as he vividly sees and recalls his punishment, how disappointed both his parents were with him. He sees himself pouting in his room, unable to see his friends or go outside and practice with his bow and arrows.
More such incidents occur, every single time going back to the look of despair in his mother's eyes, and a look of shame in his father's. It grows deeper with each incident until the negative reactions seem to overwhelm his parents' faces and bore into his very soul. His hand automatically goes to his bow and he grips it tightly, his other hand ready to draw out an arrow. Then he pales as he sees the grief he caused Haldir. Legolas cannot tear his eyes away from the pool. He finds himself straddling Haldir, pummeling his face as the other elf struggles beneath him, his arms pinned so that there is little he can do. Blood pours from the Lothlorien marshwarden's face, which is contorted in pain. His lips move, but Legolas cannot hear nor make out what Haldir is saying; he can only surmise he is pleading for mercy.
The scene changes and Tywien walks past a stone monument, clothed in black. The young child she carries in her arms also wears black. Both have tears streaming down their cheeks as Tywien fondly brushes the statue's cheek with her cold, bare hand.
Legolas gasps and collapses near the mirror, panting and pale, clutching his aching chest.
Frowning, Galadriel kneels next to him. "You are perfectly aware I know what you saw. My question is what are you going to do about it?"
He shrinks away from her, horrified at himself. "Will this all happen?"
"If you do not straighten yourself out, then yes, it will."
Sighing, the Elvenprince hugs his knees against his chest, thinking. "I...Do you have any suggestions on how to prevent such horrible things from happening?"
"You need to quit being such a spoiled brat. Quit looking after only yourself. Put others' needs before you own."
He does not look happy about that answer but knows she is right.
"It is your choice. I cannot make up your mind for you. I have given you everything that is in my power to give."
Legolas looks down, unable to say anything.
"Go and think about what you have seen. You have the power to change the last thing you saw. But if you continue in your ways, that shall come to pass."
Pale and trembling, he retires to his small chamber.