"Its good to know you're making friends." Ephraem spoke through the wall
connecting our rooms.
"Oh don't get like that. You know nothing can come from what happened last night!" I answered, knowing exactly what he was getting at. I slipped on a light blue dress and my cloak and rapped on the door adjoining the rooms.
"You're free to come in, I've been up for awhile. Now explain to me why nothing can come of all that? Hmmm?" He raised his eyebrow to me and gave me one of his crooked grins. I couldn't help but smile.
"I can't like someone out of my own species!" I answered a little more bluntly than I had intended.
"And why should that matter. I didn't think you one to judge on someones outer appearance…" His face fell slightly at this comment.
"I didn't mean it like that, I have nothing against the way he looks. In fact, I think he's rather handsome. But he's an elf, he's immortal, and he's a prince." I argued. I really was starting to like Legolas, but I knew it was folly to think he would like someone who was so much unlike his kind.
"You never know what will happen. He seems to have taken to you. Don't shut yourself out of anything before it ever starts young one." Smiling, he left towards the hall for breakfast. Maybe he's right. Perhaps I'm destroying something that hasn't even been born yet.
"Well, I'll suppose I'll see what happens today." I headed down the corridors and wandered into the large hall once again and went straight to the food table. The same array of food seemed to be fanned out among the table, although there was no meat this time and a little of something that looked like cheese, but nothing I had seen before. I didn't seem that hungry so I decided to wander back outside. After wandering down a small hill that overlooked the river, I lay my cloak down and looked out over the sight.
"Good morning m'lady," a familiar voice said behind me. I jumped a little, startled by the presence, "I hope you managed to sleep well?" Legolas crooked his head to the side and looked with that same deep gaze he had had the night before.
"Just fine, thank you." I stammered. "I hope your night went as well?"
"Of course." He glanced around, looking back towards the hall. "Are you not going to eat anything?"
"Maybe later I will, but I'm fine now." I nervously peered over to see him looking at me with a smile on his face. He obviously took this as a sign that I might want company down here. I smiled, thinking that I had come here to get away from everyone for a moment and think, but I was grateful to see him at the same time. What am I thinking? I am going to get yourself into something, I fear. It was at this point I stopped listening to myself for awhile, and for that I'm quite content. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I had only spent one and a half years in Rivendell, but really I was more welcome here than I had really felt anywhere else. I rarely ever thought of my other world, I supposed it was so far off, it was more a memory than anything at all. I knew most everyone who lived here now, although people were constantly going and coming, although I had to say, Legolas had become one of my very best friends. The only problem I had with that was that he had begun to like me as much more than friends and even though I found him quite handsome, I always had an idea in the back on my mind telling me that nothing could come of it. He was immortal and I would die within a hundred years not even to mention that he was the heir to Mirkwood. But there were times when it was almost impossible not to warm to his charm. I believe he knew this as well, and took care to show me whenever he felt need of it.
"Are you coming today to practice?" He asked, standing at the door of my room before walking to a chair and sitting down.
"Yes, I just need to get my bow. You know, I tried to make some arrows but they seem to be firing off to one side." I looked down the shaft of one arrow. "They are bent out of shape already." Frowning, I handed him the homemade arrow.
"The wood isn't of the best quality, it's warped." He eyed it carefully before adding, "If you want, we can meet and I'll show you how to make one." A grin shone on his face.
"Hmmm, perhaps." I smiled, before throwing my cloak on and walking out the door with Legolas in pursuit. I knew not showing any affection for him caused him some pain, but I continued to tell myself that it was for the best. Unfortunately, in another month it was my 19th birthday and Ephraem was set and determined that I be betrothed as soon as possible. He had reminded me of it constantly, although there wasn't much I could do about it. It was common for the elder of any house to choose whom the daughters would marry. I hadn't mentioned this to Legolas, knowing all too well how he would react to it. My worst fear at the time was him finding out. Although I had no idea who Ephraem might choose, I doubted it would be my best friend. I glanced at him and he moved his head slightly to one side, as if listening to something. Sometimes I could almost tell what was on his mind. His eyes came across and locked with mine.
"Is there something wrong? You look thought-full." We sat down on a broken log where he faced me.
"No, really, I'm fine. I just have a few things on my mind. Nothing to worry about." I anticipated him to comment on this, but he stayed silent. I could sense that he knew that I was hiding something but made no question of it. We spent that afternoon practicing against logs and trees, Legolas never missing his target. I never quite knew how he always managed to do that. I smiled to myself as I watched him pull the bow taunt and released the arrow. Rapidly it reached its target and plunged into the bark. Sighing, I pulled my cloak around my shoulders. I could tell my heart was beating fast, and I looked down to my chest, as if thinking I could slow it in that way. I frowned, knowing why it beat so fiercely. I realized I truly had feelings for my true friend. I had known for quite some time, but wouldn't allow the thought to completely break through. It was better numbed in my heart. I'll have to tell him soon, at least to tell him of me becoming betrothed to someone. Perhaps tonight after the meal, when we usually went off to walk around and talk to each other. That was when we usually opened up to one another more. He would speak of his fears of someday having to take his father's place and watch over Mirkwood and also of his wishes for adventures he wished he could travel. Sometimes I thought he loved adventure more than anything else. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I began to get dressed for the evening, hoping to look my best. I looked throughout the closet for a dress that would show off some of my better features; my eyes mostly. I was digging through when one of my trunks, when I noticed an elven women standing in the doorway. She appeared to be quite old, much older than Elrond even.
"Can I help you with anything," She asked, smiling at me.
"No, I'm just looking for something to wear tonight." I ravaged through my trunk to see what would suffice.
"Ahh, excited about the news I take it." She strode over to me and pulled out a deep green gown that was pushed to one side of my wooden chest. "This one would look good."
"What news do you speak of," I questioned, taking the dress from her and folding it open.
"Don't you know child? Your Grandfather must have told you, did he not?" Her eyes shone bright and concerned.
"Tell me what?" At this I stood up and looked her straight on.
"That he's arranged your marriage today!" She spoke excitedly, but the last few words were spoken at almost a whisper.
"What do you mean? When, and to whom?!" I knew my voice was raised, but at the moment, I didn't care.
"I'm not sure, rumors have been all around today. I was heard it was to royalty from far away. Shouldn't you be happy?" Her face was soft and meaningful, but I was too shocked to respond, even to someone who seemed as nice as she. "Well, I will let you be child, so that you may get ready." With that, she turned and walked from the room. I stood there, no moving a muscle. I knew Ephraem would betroth me to someone, but not so soon! I wanted to run away, to hide, to do anything but stay here. It was this that reminded me that life wasn't perfect in my world. I slowly paced around my bed, before dawning the dress and pulling my brown hair into a twisted knot on my head. I turned to the corridor and started down to the hall. As I entered, I scanned the room for Legolas, not sure exactly what I would say to him. He wasn't where he normally sat, and after a short moment, I noticed he wasn't anywhere.
"I hope he doesn't already know," I whispered…
"Oh don't get like that. You know nothing can come from what happened last night!" I answered, knowing exactly what he was getting at. I slipped on a light blue dress and my cloak and rapped on the door adjoining the rooms.
"You're free to come in, I've been up for awhile. Now explain to me why nothing can come of all that? Hmmm?" He raised his eyebrow to me and gave me one of his crooked grins. I couldn't help but smile.
"I can't like someone out of my own species!" I answered a little more bluntly than I had intended.
"And why should that matter. I didn't think you one to judge on someones outer appearance…" His face fell slightly at this comment.
"I didn't mean it like that, I have nothing against the way he looks. In fact, I think he's rather handsome. But he's an elf, he's immortal, and he's a prince." I argued. I really was starting to like Legolas, but I knew it was folly to think he would like someone who was so much unlike his kind.
"You never know what will happen. He seems to have taken to you. Don't shut yourself out of anything before it ever starts young one." Smiling, he left towards the hall for breakfast. Maybe he's right. Perhaps I'm destroying something that hasn't even been born yet.
"Well, I'll suppose I'll see what happens today." I headed down the corridors and wandered into the large hall once again and went straight to the food table. The same array of food seemed to be fanned out among the table, although there was no meat this time and a little of something that looked like cheese, but nothing I had seen before. I didn't seem that hungry so I decided to wander back outside. After wandering down a small hill that overlooked the river, I lay my cloak down and looked out over the sight.
"Good morning m'lady," a familiar voice said behind me. I jumped a little, startled by the presence, "I hope you managed to sleep well?" Legolas crooked his head to the side and looked with that same deep gaze he had had the night before.
"Just fine, thank you." I stammered. "I hope your night went as well?"
"Of course." He glanced around, looking back towards the hall. "Are you not going to eat anything?"
"Maybe later I will, but I'm fine now." I nervously peered over to see him looking at me with a smile on his face. He obviously took this as a sign that I might want company down here. I smiled, thinking that I had come here to get away from everyone for a moment and think, but I was grateful to see him at the same time. What am I thinking? I am going to get yourself into something, I fear. It was at this point I stopped listening to myself for awhile, and for that I'm quite content. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I had only spent one and a half years in Rivendell, but really I was more welcome here than I had really felt anywhere else. I rarely ever thought of my other world, I supposed it was so far off, it was more a memory than anything at all. I knew most everyone who lived here now, although people were constantly going and coming, although I had to say, Legolas had become one of my very best friends. The only problem I had with that was that he had begun to like me as much more than friends and even though I found him quite handsome, I always had an idea in the back on my mind telling me that nothing could come of it. He was immortal and I would die within a hundred years not even to mention that he was the heir to Mirkwood. But there were times when it was almost impossible not to warm to his charm. I believe he knew this as well, and took care to show me whenever he felt need of it.
"Are you coming today to practice?" He asked, standing at the door of my room before walking to a chair and sitting down.
"Yes, I just need to get my bow. You know, I tried to make some arrows but they seem to be firing off to one side." I looked down the shaft of one arrow. "They are bent out of shape already." Frowning, I handed him the homemade arrow.
"The wood isn't of the best quality, it's warped." He eyed it carefully before adding, "If you want, we can meet and I'll show you how to make one." A grin shone on his face.
"Hmmm, perhaps." I smiled, before throwing my cloak on and walking out the door with Legolas in pursuit. I knew not showing any affection for him caused him some pain, but I continued to tell myself that it was for the best. Unfortunately, in another month it was my 19th birthday and Ephraem was set and determined that I be betrothed as soon as possible. He had reminded me of it constantly, although there wasn't much I could do about it. It was common for the elder of any house to choose whom the daughters would marry. I hadn't mentioned this to Legolas, knowing all too well how he would react to it. My worst fear at the time was him finding out. Although I had no idea who Ephraem might choose, I doubted it would be my best friend. I glanced at him and he moved his head slightly to one side, as if listening to something. Sometimes I could almost tell what was on his mind. His eyes came across and locked with mine.
"Is there something wrong? You look thought-full." We sat down on a broken log where he faced me.
"No, really, I'm fine. I just have a few things on my mind. Nothing to worry about." I anticipated him to comment on this, but he stayed silent. I could sense that he knew that I was hiding something but made no question of it. We spent that afternoon practicing against logs and trees, Legolas never missing his target. I never quite knew how he always managed to do that. I smiled to myself as I watched him pull the bow taunt and released the arrow. Rapidly it reached its target and plunged into the bark. Sighing, I pulled my cloak around my shoulders. I could tell my heart was beating fast, and I looked down to my chest, as if thinking I could slow it in that way. I frowned, knowing why it beat so fiercely. I realized I truly had feelings for my true friend. I had known for quite some time, but wouldn't allow the thought to completely break through. It was better numbed in my heart. I'll have to tell him soon, at least to tell him of me becoming betrothed to someone. Perhaps tonight after the meal, when we usually went off to walk around and talk to each other. That was when we usually opened up to one another more. He would speak of his fears of someday having to take his father's place and watch over Mirkwood and also of his wishes for adventures he wished he could travel. Sometimes I thought he loved adventure more than anything else. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I began to get dressed for the evening, hoping to look my best. I looked throughout the closet for a dress that would show off some of my better features; my eyes mostly. I was digging through when one of my trunks, when I noticed an elven women standing in the doorway. She appeared to be quite old, much older than Elrond even.
"Can I help you with anything," She asked, smiling at me.
"No, I'm just looking for something to wear tonight." I ravaged through my trunk to see what would suffice.
"Ahh, excited about the news I take it." She strode over to me and pulled out a deep green gown that was pushed to one side of my wooden chest. "This one would look good."
"What news do you speak of," I questioned, taking the dress from her and folding it open.
"Don't you know child? Your Grandfather must have told you, did he not?" Her eyes shone bright and concerned.
"Tell me what?" At this I stood up and looked her straight on.
"That he's arranged your marriage today!" She spoke excitedly, but the last few words were spoken at almost a whisper.
"What do you mean? When, and to whom?!" I knew my voice was raised, but at the moment, I didn't care.
"I'm not sure, rumors have been all around today. I was heard it was to royalty from far away. Shouldn't you be happy?" Her face was soft and meaningful, but I was too shocked to respond, even to someone who seemed as nice as she. "Well, I will let you be child, so that you may get ready." With that, she turned and walked from the room. I stood there, no moving a muscle. I knew Ephraem would betroth me to someone, but not so soon! I wanted to run away, to hide, to do anything but stay here. It was this that reminded me that life wasn't perfect in my world. I slowly paced around my bed, before dawning the dress and pulling my brown hair into a twisted knot on my head. I turned to the corridor and started down to the hall. As I entered, I scanned the room for Legolas, not sure exactly what I would say to him. He wasn't where he normally sat, and after a short moment, I noticed he wasn't anywhere.
"I hope he doesn't already know," I whispered…