A/N:
I guess I still have to do this now and then...
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own anything in LOTR books or movies. I have ownership only over the tribe Athélèrn, their culture and the changes I've done to the original plot.
My editing wasn't going all that well. As while listening the Finnish band Apulanta at the same time, it was hard to focus on anything else than nostalgic singing! LOL :P
But here's the next one.
Thank you guys for reading! You rock!
Phrases written with italics; Elvish or Athélèrn
Phrases written with bold; thoughts
Shakiiya took in a couple of slow, deep breaths as she eyed at Éomer, who was patiently looking back at her. Holding his staff. It had been his suggestion to use fighting staffs, as it turned out he had also grown a spear in hand more than a sword. The main hall was quiet of all sounds, as they stared at each other. Measured each other's movements and tried to foresee them, as Éowyn, king Théoden and a couple of other men sat in the hall. Following the fight in interest. Everyone was curious to see Shakiiya's fighting from close range, especially against the commander of rohirrim.
Shakiiya now let out another deep breath as Éomer then smiled, straightening a bit. "I see your strength queen Shakiiya, but has this battle turned into a fight over minds?" he asked sarcastically. "You have stared at me for a long moment not even flinching."
Shakiiya smiled. And then before he could react, she let out a yell and attacked with a very quick spin, upperhanding Éomer. Her voice still echoed in the hall, as Shakiiya tilted her head.
"On the contrary", she answered. "I was just waiting the proper moment to strike. And you just offered it to me."
Éomer now countered Shakiiya's attack skillfully, but she fell backwards. Making a soft somersault, then blocking Éomer's next hit by throwing her staff back up with another yell. She took in a breath and shoved him back, then immediately giving a series of fast strikes, forcing him to retreat and next she jumped. Grabbing Éomer's staff and swung around him, making him turn, as then she first hit him on his upper back. Then landing two hits more on his side and finally on the bend of his knees, making him kneel. And lastly, in a blink of an eye the tip of Shakiiya's staff was pointing his jaw. The blade coming out as a sign of her victory.
Éomer huffed slightly and looked up to Shakiiya a bit surprised, Shakiiya then smiling and swinging the staff away. Making the blades retreat back inside the weapon. She offered the man her hand and lifted him up. Éowyn started to clap, and she directed rather teasing look at her brother, Théoden standing from his chair.
"I have never seen my nephew to be defeated so quickly", the king admitted smiling admirably, taking a couple of steps toward Shakiiya who met his gaze. Théoden nodded. "You truly are the daughter of your mother. Though I do not know her, the legend tells of an excellent, flawless skill. And that was it. I truly would not fancy to meet a woman like you on a battlefield."
Shakiiya smiled, bowing her head. "Thank you for your praise, my king."
"If I am honest, Lady Shakiiya", Éomer now said shaking his head. "I wouldn't have thought of losing to you. And so soon even. Forgive me, but I am quite overwhelmed by being defeated by a woman..."
Shakiiya got amused by the look Éowyn sent to her brother, Éomer then gasping slightly for realization. Shakiiya lifted a brow.
"That is alright", she stated. "You wouldn't be the first man to think so highly of himself..."
Théoden laughed, Éomer nodding, as then footsteps echoed in the hall and Legolas arrived with Gimli. Them returning from one of their walks.
"So? How did it go?" Gimli inquired, gazing at Shakiiya who only looked indifferent.
"My brother lost", Éowyn answered, smiling widely for amusement as well. "And to a woman even, after only fifteen blows!"
"What did I tell you? Shakiiya is no average woman!" Gimli exclaimed winking at Éomer, then looking at Shakiiya briefly who shook her head. "Well what do you think? Is she a match to the strongest men of your country?"
"She is", Éomer agreed, then nodding toward Shakiiya again. "Fighting her was like crossing blades with a bird, which stroke like a snake and had the powers of a bear... And there is my shame. In my arrogance. Forgive my doubts, Shakiiya. I hope this victorious duel on your accord has cleared our differences."
Shakiiya answered Éomer's smile after letting out a bored sigh. "You were already forgiven before I lifted by hand against you", she replied, now smirking. Éomer actually looked a little confused, but Éowyn laughed at the background.
"See brother? She just wanted to humiliate you a little!" she said taking her brother's arm, giving Shakiiya a playful look. "It is a rare chance that us women can show you men our true might after all."
Shakiiya broke into another amused grin, swinging the staff once in her hands. Legolas smiled to himself as well while examined the people in the room, his eyes stopping after all on Shakiiya. She now dropped her staff, catching it with her foot and placed it on the ground calmly, until removed the leather string holding her hair up. Éowyn then looked curious.
"But where have you learned to fight in such a unique way?" she queried, surprising Shakiiya. She tilted her head.
"This was part of by upbringing", she replied simply. "It might sound quite extreme, but the first thing the girls of our village are given when they reach few centuries of age, is a fighting staff to practice with. And after dozens of years of mastering a simple staff, they are given swords, and their life is built around disciplined practices of different fighting styles with different weapons. They are taught to bear grave pain and strain. To be fearless, dangerous. That is why our women are so strong."
"I can see that", Théoden noted, looking thoughtful. "And how many years have you trained yourself, Lady Shakiiya?"
Legolas now smirked as saw Shakiiya's expression. She let out amused breath and gazed up, outside from the window. She looked mysterious as then flickered her eyes back down at them. "Let us say I have grown alongside numerous forests from sprouts to old age. They have grown and reached their full length, before I was first given a blade in my hand..."
The eyes of the listeners widened, but Legolas and Gimli didn't seem surprised. They already knew Shakiiya was old. But there was next realization on Éowyn's face.
"Yes, you have Elven blood in your veins, am I correct?" she asked, Shakiiya nodding, her then nodding again toward her companions.
"It could be said that I am very ancient relative to both of them", she said, giving the Elf and the Dwarf remarkable glance. Éowyn looked thoughtful.
"No wonder then. Are not Elves very skilled in combat too?" she questioned, looking at Legolas in turn. Legolas nodded, smiling politely.
"Yes. Shakiiya is as skilled as many warriors of my kin", he answered, meeting Shakiiya's eyes. She gave him a look, which told him that she greatly doubted that claim.
"If that is true, then I would very much like to see you two challenge your skills against each other", Éomer then cut in, looking thoughtful until smiled. "Two people as equal and skillful in arms such as you would make a great pair in a fight."
Shakiiya and Legolas looked at each other surprised. Actually that had never even crossed their minds before, and Éowyn got now excited.
"Oh yes, you must!" she encouraged. "I admit I am curious myself as well."
"Go on lad", Gimli then urged and elbowed Legolas, who looked down at him. "Would you not want to win over her? It would look good in your record, I reckon."
Shakiiya now lifted a brow, then looking at Legolas quite challenging. As Legolas then looked thoughtful instead and met Shakiiya's gaze, he saw her smirk smugly and she turned. Walking to the other side of the hall and removed her jacket, throwing it on the ground, and then drew out her sword. Soon walking back toward him. Legolas now smirked as well, as Shakiiya swung the blade lightly in her hand invitingly, then taking a stance.
"You did regret for not getting a chance to dance with me during the feast", Shakiiya remarked sarcastically. "I give you now the change to sweep me off my feet."
Legolas felt slight embarrassment due her tease, but he hid it behind another smirk. Also quite smug expression forming on his face, as he then took out his twin blades, which he luckily had taken with him. He took a stance as well, but then immediately attacked Shakiiya. Trying to surprise her.
But she only let out a laugh, making a spin as his attack reached her, and she put her hand on his back. Throwing him back with another spin and was on him, giving three swift and careful hits, then stopping her sword hold out. Legolas also had stopped, but now everyone looked in amazement as his other knife landed on the floor a couple of meters away. Shakiiya smiled, relaxing.
"You'd better do better while dancing with the other young Elleths back at home", Shakiiya teased more, Legolas then tilting his head amused and attacked again, Shakiiya receiving him. Now Merry arrived with Aragorn.
"What is going on?" Merry inquired, Gimli pointing at their two companions with his pipe.
"Legolas is just finally being honest with himself", he answered, but there was a hinting amusement in his voice. "His attacks are so soft that he is revealing his heart's desires as easily as confessing them straight."
"In that you are right", Aragorn agreed, grinning as truly watched Legolas being mostly led by Shakiiya's attacks and deflects. Legolas was obviously holding himself back not to harm Shakiiya. But it definitely could not be proven he would even be able to harm her. Merry looked now confused.
"You mean he hasn't told her yet?" he stated, making Legolas then gasp for surprise as he heard, giving Shakiiya an opportunity to strike. She let out a yell and deflected Legolas' knife to the left, then sneaking under his left arm and landed a hit on his back from behind, Legolas' staggering forward a little. Quickly he turned, seeing Shakiiya smiling at him as stood still, examining him. Her smile widened.
"You fight well", she complimented, Legolas then again dashing forth. But she dropped down on her other knee, directing a light kick on his back again, Legolas this time swinging his knife quickly down toward her. But she lifted her other foot, stopping it in the air and pushed the knife away, soon following after it herself. Making half turn and directed a hit at Legolas, which he deflected.
"You go lass! Show that pointy-eared princeling some true fighting!" Gimli suddenly cheered, Shakiiya smirking and she laughed, then pushing Legolas off herself. Letting him attack her.
But suddenly she then leapt to the side, jumping on the fireplace with a volt. Legolas gave her quick measuring look but she only tilted her head, inviting him to join her with a wave of her sword.
"Don't you Elves have perfect balance?" she questioned, quoting Legolas' once said words, until yet another smirk spread on her lips due the Elf's expression.
Legolas did jump on the thin boom over the fireplace with her, them then exchanging many breathtakingly fast and careful hits with each other. Both in that said perfect balance, until Shakiiya made another volt backwards on the beam. Ready to receive Legolas. But Éomer then called out the Elf and threw his other knife back to him, Legolas smirking in turn and nodding his thanks. Shakiiya straightened, making a teasing face.
"You will never learn this dance, if you take help from others", she remarked. "At least well enough to beat me."
Legolas attacked her, Shakiiya now jumping down from the beam smiling, Legolas following. They made another exchange of countless, sharp hits and slashes. Until then all of a sudden Legolas sneaked between Shakiiya's legs and was behind her, Shakiiya gasping as he then crossed his twin blades over her neck. Everyone let out a breath, thinking it was finally over.
"And I was under a belief that a man should lead while dancing", Legolas then said, Shakiiya letting out amused breath as turned her head toward him.
"You are right", she agreed smiling. But then she flipped her blade behind Legolas' back, it sticking on Shakiiya's bracer and locking the Elf between Shakiiya's arms. And before he could do anything she fell forward, taking Legolas with her, flipping him around as she jumped immediately up. Placing the tip of her sword now on his neck, while he was sitting up. But Legolas only smirked.
"You are already dead", he noted. But Shakiiya smirked back, tilting her head.
"So are you", she announced, then nodding toward Legolas' robes. Legolas had slight confusion on his face but he then stood up, the belt falling down broken in two. And as he turned to look at his clothes, he and the others saw there was a long rip in them, continuing from his right to his left side. Legolas had not felt a thing.
He froze as Shakiiya only let out a laugh, clearly satisfied with herself. Gimli laughed as well, clapping his hands, Aragorn smirking as he saw Legolas' expression.
"That was a duel!" Éomer commented. "That kind of fighting I haven't ever seen. We could hardly make out the different techniques used..."
"You are right, Éomer. If only rohirrim would fight like that, we would be invincible", king Théoden agreed amused.
"I am sorry, I got too drawn into the spar. I repair your clothes for you later", Shakiiya said now to Legolas apologetically smiling, lifting up the sliced belt. Legolas looked at her blinking a couple of times, until then also smiled down at her sighing. Tilting his head as sheathed his blades with a swift move.
"It is alright. I provoked you", he responded. Shakiiya made agreeing face.
"That you did."
Legolas then wrinkled his brows in wonder as gazed at Shakiiya's neck. "Where is your necklace?" he asked, Shakiiya placing a confused hand on her chest, and indeed. The Lórien pendant was gone!
Shakiiya whipped around and searched the floor, but Legolas was quicker to spot the glimmer on the stones, and he walked to the pendant. Now lifting it on his hand. He examined the flowers hanging from the chain like once before smiling, noticing his knife to have cut the string by accident, then walking back to Shakiiya. She smiled thankfully as he slipped it back around her neck. Tying the ends together, them locking gazes, Shakiiya now stepping back as slipped the jewel under her collar.
"That is beautiful pendant", Éowyn stated. "I have seen as beautiful jewel only with Lord Aragorn before. Is that as well Elven made?"
Shakiiya nodded, but it was Gimli who answered.
"It was a gift from the Lady of Galadhrim herself!" he breathed, immediately looking longing. Shakiiya and Legolas exchanged amused looks as heard the Dwarf now let out a sigh. But then after a moment Shakiiya then turned around, bowing to Théoden and his nephew and niece.
"Well, now please excuse me. I shall go enjoy the last rays of the sun", she told them, smiling, then starting to walk toward the doors after picking her jacket and staff from the floor.
"I accompany you", Legolas said, Gimli rolling his eyes.
"Of course you will, lad", he stated, both Shakiiya and Legolas now stopping, but Legolas froze. Looking back at the Dwarf clear warning in his irises.
Shakiiya only gave Gimli one wondering look, until Legolas then walked past her. And soon his voice called out to her and Shakiiya followed, dropping her eyes on his belt, and she traced the Elven buckle with the tips of her fingers. She turned pondering. Why where everyone making such peculiar comments all of a sudden?
Shakiiya now directed a measuring look at Legolas as they stopped on the ledge, Shakiiya seeing him sigh satisfied as gazed against the sun, which colored the lands and the sky around it red. Also giving his blond locks some shades of pink among all that shimmer of gold. The warm light of the sinking sun turned his eyes abnormally purple, and she noticed to fancy that tint of color quite much. Legolas then turned to look at her, still smiling.
"Beautiful", he stated, staring at Shakiiya for a moment longer, until she smiled too nodding. Looking to the distance as well.
"It is."
Shakiiya was sitting at the same spot she and Legolas had watched the sunset after their spar. If Shakiiya was honest, she had actually enjoyed the swordfight for a change. It hadn't felt the same even with Haldir back at Lórien, who was very much like Legolas when it came to fighting, as both were Elves, and so closest to match with Shakiiya's skills. She had had fun, and last evening reminded Shakiiya of the faraway years of her early training. Thinking those years made her smile. She had remarkably improved from those times though...
Shakiiya bettered her position and crossed her legs, placing Legolas' belt on her knees as worked with it. It was nearly finished. As it came to his clothes, Shakiiya now directed a satisfied glance at them. Before she had moved to repair the belt she had broken, she had carefully sowed Legolas' tunic and coatee, and next folded them on the ledge. Only now waiting the belt to be ready, to be returned together.
Finally after an hour Shakiiya finished, lifting the belt higher to examine it. But of course she was satisfied with it as well. Leather was very familiar material to her after all, and repairing the cuts of this belt had been easy. It looked like new. Shakiiya smiled once more, now gazing at the buckle, soon tracing its surface and form with her fingers again. The metal was cool and perfectly forged into shape. Shakiiya then sighed, tying the folded clothes into a neat package with the belt. And after gathering the repairing supplies together, she then stood up. Heading back in.
Legolas examined the clothes he was borrowing while his own were repaired by Shakiiya. They were very different from his own Elven robes, usual clothing which men in Rohan used, and he examined the fabric his brows in a thoughtful frown. Earning looks from the other men enjoying their breakfast. Aragorn and Gimli as well gave him questionable glances. Legolas now looked odd.
"I feel strange wearing these clothes", he stated, again lifting his hand as gazed at the shirt. "It is very different from mine."
"Legolas, that is regular clothing of Rohan", Aragorn said, taking a sip of ale. "You look as normal as any average man."
"Yes", Legolas agreed, but still directed one more wrinkle of brows at the clothes. "I just feel peculiar wearing such clothing. It is not much me..."
"Legolas is only worried, if Shakiiya sees him in those clothes!" Gimli then cut in joking, letting out a low burb. Legolas looked indignant for a brief moment, but said nothing. Gimli waved toward the Elf. "After all our princeling does not look much like a prince in the clothes of Men, missing the Elven grace!"
Aragorn didn't answer either but only shook his head, leaning back, taking another sip from his pint. But then indeed Shakiiya walked in and Gimli let out a yell, causing her to stop.
"Shakiiya, just in time! Come, take a seat with us and have something to eat!" Gimli prompted, lifting his mug to her, but Shakiiya only smiled at him.
"Thank you, but no. You go ahead. I am not hungry, as I had something to eat early in the morning", she replied. Legolas stopped scrutinizing his clothes, and wrinkled his forehead questionable.
"Have you stayed up all night?" he inquired, Shakiiya looking mysterious.
"I had something to do", she revealed then, starting to walk again. "You go and eat. I shall go for a walk soon and be back later."
But before Shakiiya did leave, she stopped momentarily to examine Legolas in his loaned outfit. And he noticed her let out small amused breath, before she eventually vanished. Aragorn and Gimli saw their friend's face being filled with sudden bewilderment.
"Do I seem strange in these clothes?" Legolas did then question, his voice a bit tense as he stared after Shakiiya. Aragorn made amused grin, but did then sigh. He shook his head.
"No, Legolas, you are fine for now", he reassured, Legolas looking a bit doubting but he then sat down as well, starting to eat. Gimli gave the Elf a hinting smirk.
"Stayed up all night", he stated, then lifting his brows. "That lass. And I only wonder what she was doing so persistently..."
Legolas ignored Gimli, but Aragorn noticed the small hint of smile covering Legolas' lips. He shook his head once more. And after an hour Legolas stood up, saying brief goodbyes to his comrades, and then walked out of the dining hall toward the quarters he slept in.
He entered the room, but was surprised by the sight he saw on his bedside. He saw his own clothes rest on the makeshift bed, his now again intact belt holding them together in neat folds. Smile crept on his lips as he swiftly walked over to his bed, opening the belt.
Legolas examined it. It was completely intact indeed, not having any trace of the slice Shakiiya had made on it. He then placed the belt down, now lifting his clothes to examine them next. This time getting surprised, as he either saw no trace of those quite bad rips Shakiiya's sharp sword had made in his robes. But instead was looking as well intact, new looking repaired fabric. As if there had never been any damage to it.
Legolas let out a breath, smiling again in realization. Shakiiya was very skillful not only with weapons...
Shakiiya walked along the road which led through the city of Edoras, gathering of course gazes as she passed the houses and the working men and women. Some of them even nodded to her in respect, those who remembered her from the battle of Helm's Deep. Shakiiya answered the nods with small smiles, but mostly let her eyes wander around. Sometimes gazing to the sky in her own world, faraway from there. It was yet another gorgeous day.
She walked around for hours, sometimes stopping on small hills to gaze to the faraway distance. To scout over the lands spreading around the city. She sighed and placed her staff on the ground, breathing in deeply while did so. But not long after she was climbing back up the hill toward the Golden Hall, until then she saw a familiar child run down toward her. She recognized that hay colored hair and those bright eyes.
The little girl she had saved from the Warg about a week earlier now reached her, grabbing her thigh and hugged it tight. Directing a dazzling smile up to Shakiiya. She stiffened slightly and lifted her brow, first getting a bit uncomfortable, but then let out a defeated sigh as saw the child's sincere happiness. And so she smiled as well. Then glancing around, before crouched to pet the girl's locks.
"You ran away again?" she inquired, the girl laughing. But she did not speak a word.
Shakiiya frowned a little for her quietness but let it go, then standing up and started to walk forward, the girl following. Shakiiya threw her staff quickly higher from the ground, but then gasped as felt the girl's hands grasp around it. Shakiiya gave her a surprised look, but then smiled playfully, turning the staff as looked at the girl remarkably.
"You ready? Hold on tight!" she urged, lifting the staff on her shoulders, so that the small girl now hung from it. Starting to laugh hysterically as Shakiiya swung her back and forth while walked, sometimes making a spin. Shakiiya's smile widened tardily due the sound of the girl's laughter, many women as well smiling at them while saw them advance to the higher ground.
"Lady Shakiiya seems very gentle with children", one woman whispered, Shakiiya hearing it and she gasped, her gaze dropping.
"Isn't that the same girl she saved, and then cared for at Helm's Deep? I heard from her mother that after Lady Shakiiya came to Edoras, her daughter talked the first time for years!"
Shakiiya eyes glanced back toward the spoken woman, surprised by this last remark. But still, regardless of her awkwardness with children, she next felt that sting of longing in her like every time she thought the concept of motherhood. Something she most likely would never experience...
She then heard other remarks as well from the mouths of other women.
"How fair she is! Is she an Elf?" one commented.
"Look at her ears, Guríel", one mother said to her daughter. "She is a daughter of noble blood. And she saved our king."
"Is she like that beautiful blonde haired man, momma?" her daughter asked looking up. Shakiiya noticed the woman to smile, but she shook her head.
"No. She has same blood in her, but her heritage is something much older and greater I hear..."
Shakiiya mentally let out a laugh. What kind of talks there were about her already! Good grief, she wondered had it after all been very good idea to ever leave from her home village. Well... it had. Because only one reason... Shakiiya now smiled to herself partly unnoticeably as thought of it, but suddenly the girl hanging from her staff spoke. And her words made Shakiiya freeze on her spot.
"Do you love that man?" the girl inquired with faint voice, her eyes round. "That pretty man who has same kind of ears as you? Will he be your husband and you his wife?"
Shakiiya let out amused breath, maybe even a little nervous one only Eru knew why. And then she lifted the girl up to sit on her arm. "Where have you heard such things?" she asked, smiling gently. The girl returned the smile as sweetly.
"All the kids are certain you love him!" she answered without a hesitation. "And that he loves you!"
Shakiiya blinked her eyes in much greater confusion, than she would've expected such hearsays create in her, until wrinkled her brows. Legolas loved her? No... She then laughed a little, pinching the girl's nose.
"What makes you think such?" she queried. Truly curious unconsciously.
"Because he looks at you a lot!" the girl answered, shakiiya's smile cracking. "And you smile every time you look at him. And you both are beautiful! You should be together and have as pretty children!"
"Don't you talk quite mature for such a young age!" Shakiiya only stated then, and put the girl back down. But the girl now grabbed her hand a demanding look suddenly on her face, shocking Shakiiya somewhat.
"You fit together with that man!" she insisted, completely serious. "You have to be with him! You have to!"
Shakiiya paused her walk then again, examining the girl. But next she just sighed closing her eyes briefly, patting the child's head smiling. "Let us see... What is your name, small one?"
"Hóka", the girl responded, smiling now satisfied. Shakiiya answered the smile.
"That's right. Hóka. Now I remember."
Legolas walked to the ledge next to Aragorn, who was smoking his pipe. He gave the Elf a look, and noted him to have changed back into his own clothes. He lifted his brows.
"Shakiiya did a good job", Aragorn admired. "One can hardly see the rip."
Legolas nodded, now examining once more the repaired robes smiling satisfied. "She did. And now I feel much more comfortable."
Aragorn smiled too, letting out some smoke from his mouth. They now stood in silence for a while, until then they heard child's laughter and looked down. Seeing Shakiiya walk up the road through the town, swinging that same little girl the men had seen with Shakiiya earlier with her staff, which rested on her shoulders. The girl hanging from it with her hands. Legolas examined them for a moment, until noticed himself start to smile wider, when the girl's laugh filled the air. Shakiiya suddenly making a spin, lifting the girl even higher on straight arms. Aragorn looked thoughtful.
"It is rather a waste", he then stated, nodding toward Shakiiya. "Even being born to a village where men are not allowed, she seems so natural with children. She would make a great mother no doubt, if only she would become one..."
Aragorn then patted Legolas on his shoulder and left down the stairs. Legolas sent a look after him, until his thoughtful gaze returned to Shakiiya. Following as the little girl now let go of her staff, Shakiiya smiling at her and smoothing her head, before a woman stepped forth from the side. Taking the small girl into her arms. Shakiiya nodded to her, leaving the child now with her real mother.
Legolas couldn't stop himself feeling a brief sting of pity. Aragorn was right. Deep down she was so gentle and caring, but still she would not most probably be able to care and love a child of her own. And remembering the words Haldir had once told him, Legolas was quite certain that possibility was viable. In fact knowing Shakiiya and her principles, it was very probable...
Wrinkling his brows he then looked down at his belt, then sighing and started to strap it back on his eyes closed. Shakiiya arrived to the stairs, seeing him now put on the repaired belt over his clothes and she smiled. But said nothing as continued walking up, that regretful expression vanishing from her face, as Legolas noticed her. He looked thankful.
"Thank you", he did say, when she stopped next to him. "You are good with your hands. I hardly see any difference from before."
"I am only pleased for you find them as good as before", Shakiiya answered, smiling. "As it seems only thing I do is destroy your possessions, the least I can do is to fix them into perfection."
They then exchanged a short stare, nevertheless Shakiiya soon looking down, though she was still smiling. And she now walked past Legolas, entering the hall.
Legolas had unreadable expression on his face, as he gazed after her for a moment. Finally letting out a deep sigh. No, it would never happen. And as she had started to smile to him more these days, in this impossible situation they were in, those smiles were only quite torturing to Legolas.