Yay!!!! The last flashback chapter!!! I'm sorry, but I couldn't get my
fingers to stop and they and my brain just churned out this step by step
description of Legolas and Lóriel's past.
* * * * *
Over the next two months, they spent as much time in each other's company as they could, but soon Legolas had to leave for Southern Mirkwood. Their parting was painful, both uncomforted by the thought of their future meetings. Legolas' new life in the South of Mirkwood was successful, orcs and other dark creatures learned to fear the area. In his heart however, Legolas pined for his birthplace, and Lóriel. His visits north were as frequent as he could make them, but not enough for him. Every moment spent with the elf maid was treasured. Thranduil noticed how devoted the pair were to each other, and knew they were falling in love, something his son did not fully realise yet himself. But he was concerned for the young elves. He wanted Legolas to make a name for himself, and for hundred of years, Legolas remained at the fortress in Mirkwood. Thranduil saw in his youngest son responsibility, and sent him as his representative to gatherings of the White Council. He taught him diplomacy and words of courtesy. In all this Legolas excelled, but his heart was in the fastness of Northern Mirkwood with Lóriel.
For her part, Lóriel remained faithful to Legolas' instructions to practise her archery, slipping out every morning to train. But her life as a young elf maiden was far from the adventure that she dreamed of. Other male Elves were beginning to take an interest in her, but she refused to commit to any of them. None of them seemed to live up to Legolas' standard. Her dearest wish was to be fighting along side him, in the region of southern Mirkwood.
And now a fresh worry came into her life. Evil was rumoured to be stirring once more in Mordor. The guard on the borders of Mirkwood was doubled. Lóriel worried incessantly about Legolas' life, but her fears proved to be unfounded.
Legolas made another of his increasingly rare visits on a sunny October morning. He appeared in her glade while she was practising her archery. Lóriel was aware of his presence the moment he arrived, but did not speak until she had sent the last of seven arrows slamming into the target.
'Yes, your highness?' she remarked coolly, as she unstrung her bow and dropped it on the ground.
'At your service, my lady,' Legolas retorted, undaunted by her apparent indifference to his arrival. Laughing she spun round and ran over to him. 'Legolas! I truly did not expect you here! It is only a few months since you left. This is a pleasant surprise!'
Legolas linked her arm through his, and after putting her bow and arrows away, they meandered off though the woods. Legolas was unusually quiet and serious. Drawing her to a halt beneath a giant oak, he said. 'I'm afraid this residence in Northern Mirkwood is temporary. I apologise for not having come to see you sooner, Lóriel, but due to matters slightly out of our control, I had to remain with the guard back at home. This is a flying visit, as I'm being sent to Rivendell tomorrow as my father's representative. Lord Elrond has summoned all the elf lords on a matter of great importance.'
'It's to do with the Dark Lord, isn't it?' Lóriel felt a thrill of fear course through her. 'Is he planning to attack Middle-earth once again.'
'Something like that. You know the White Council drove him from Dol Guldur, and he went back to Mordor, and developed it into the fearsome stronghold that it is today?' He barely paused for Lóriel's nod. 'Well the Ring of Power has been found again. Elrond is calling the council to decide what is to happen to the Ring and the fate of Middle-earth.'
'And because you know of the imminence of war, you know that you must go and aid wherever is needed.'
Legolas chuckled. 'You always anticipate what I am going to say. Yes, that is indeed what I was planning to do. I have the honour to be permitted to attend this council, besides which we elves of Mirkwood have our own pieces of information to add to the general picture. I must go Lóriel, not just because my father is sending me, but because I feel the need to go and aid others, people outside Mirkwood.'
'I wish you good luck and may Elbereth bless you.' Lóriel touched his hand, then ran, not wanting him to see the agony on her face. Tears flowing, she ran back to her home, and wept bitterly.
Legolas watched Lóriel go, his heart longing to run after her, to hold her in his arms and whisper all the pain away. But he had to do this. Before leaving the clearing he made a silent vow to return. His heart would not forget.
* * * * *
Over the next two months, they spent as much time in each other's company as they could, but soon Legolas had to leave for Southern Mirkwood. Their parting was painful, both uncomforted by the thought of their future meetings. Legolas' new life in the South of Mirkwood was successful, orcs and other dark creatures learned to fear the area. In his heart however, Legolas pined for his birthplace, and Lóriel. His visits north were as frequent as he could make them, but not enough for him. Every moment spent with the elf maid was treasured. Thranduil noticed how devoted the pair were to each other, and knew they were falling in love, something his son did not fully realise yet himself. But he was concerned for the young elves. He wanted Legolas to make a name for himself, and for hundred of years, Legolas remained at the fortress in Mirkwood. Thranduil saw in his youngest son responsibility, and sent him as his representative to gatherings of the White Council. He taught him diplomacy and words of courtesy. In all this Legolas excelled, but his heart was in the fastness of Northern Mirkwood with Lóriel.
For her part, Lóriel remained faithful to Legolas' instructions to practise her archery, slipping out every morning to train. But her life as a young elf maiden was far from the adventure that she dreamed of. Other male Elves were beginning to take an interest in her, but she refused to commit to any of them. None of them seemed to live up to Legolas' standard. Her dearest wish was to be fighting along side him, in the region of southern Mirkwood.
And now a fresh worry came into her life. Evil was rumoured to be stirring once more in Mordor. The guard on the borders of Mirkwood was doubled. Lóriel worried incessantly about Legolas' life, but her fears proved to be unfounded.
Legolas made another of his increasingly rare visits on a sunny October morning. He appeared in her glade while she was practising her archery. Lóriel was aware of his presence the moment he arrived, but did not speak until she had sent the last of seven arrows slamming into the target.
'Yes, your highness?' she remarked coolly, as she unstrung her bow and dropped it on the ground.
'At your service, my lady,' Legolas retorted, undaunted by her apparent indifference to his arrival. Laughing she spun round and ran over to him. 'Legolas! I truly did not expect you here! It is only a few months since you left. This is a pleasant surprise!'
Legolas linked her arm through his, and after putting her bow and arrows away, they meandered off though the woods. Legolas was unusually quiet and serious. Drawing her to a halt beneath a giant oak, he said. 'I'm afraid this residence in Northern Mirkwood is temporary. I apologise for not having come to see you sooner, Lóriel, but due to matters slightly out of our control, I had to remain with the guard back at home. This is a flying visit, as I'm being sent to Rivendell tomorrow as my father's representative. Lord Elrond has summoned all the elf lords on a matter of great importance.'
'It's to do with the Dark Lord, isn't it?' Lóriel felt a thrill of fear course through her. 'Is he planning to attack Middle-earth once again.'
'Something like that. You know the White Council drove him from Dol Guldur, and he went back to Mordor, and developed it into the fearsome stronghold that it is today?' He barely paused for Lóriel's nod. 'Well the Ring of Power has been found again. Elrond is calling the council to decide what is to happen to the Ring and the fate of Middle-earth.'
'And because you know of the imminence of war, you know that you must go and aid wherever is needed.'
Legolas chuckled. 'You always anticipate what I am going to say. Yes, that is indeed what I was planning to do. I have the honour to be permitted to attend this council, besides which we elves of Mirkwood have our own pieces of information to add to the general picture. I must go Lóriel, not just because my father is sending me, but because I feel the need to go and aid others, people outside Mirkwood.'
'I wish you good luck and may Elbereth bless you.' Lóriel touched his hand, then ran, not wanting him to see the agony on her face. Tears flowing, she ran back to her home, and wept bitterly.
Legolas watched Lóriel go, his heart longing to run after her, to hold her in his arms and whisper all the pain away. But he had to do this. Before leaving the clearing he made a silent vow to return. His heart would not forget.