Chapter Three
The weather was just as lovely as the previous day. Jaena and Legolas made their way back to Silme-Raana. Jaena was still wondering how her friends would react, when there came the noise of footfalls behind them. The two turned to see one of the palace messengers running behind them. "Excuse me, your highness," said the elf, bowing low. "You have a message awaiting you at the palace. It is of a some-what urgent nature. Your presence is desired at the palace as soon as possible," with that the elf looked Legolas in the eyes, awaiting an answer. "I will be along shortly," replied Legolas. The messenger took his cue and bowed again. He returned whence he had came, leaving Jaena and Legolas alone again. "I'm sorry my dear woman, but it appears that duty calls," he paused at her downcast expression but continued, "I will send word to you shortly. This is not goodbye for eternity," he added with a smile. Jaena's expression softened, then brightened. "All right, then," she replied. "I will await word from you with eagerness," she bowed to him and he reached out to her chin and gently lifted her face to its rightful height. He looked into her eyes and said, "Remember: You and I are the same. You need not treat me as though I were above you." Jaena then curtsied instead, which is polite to anyone, "Until we meet again, farewell Legolas. May the road treat thee well." He took her hand and kissed it, and with that they turned and went their separate ways.
When Jaena arrived to her village it seemed no one had noticed her absence. She was actually quite happy with that because she had not wanted to have to explain where she had been. She walked to her house and entered through her front door. She was feeling hungry, and walked to her kitchen. She looked around for some ingredients and commenced to make a loaf of bread out of boredom more than hunger.
Back at the palace, Legolas was having quite a less boring time. He had a heck of a time finding who had the message for him. When he finally found the keeper of his message, he almost wished that he had not. The news was rather grim indeed, and he had not wished to have this lovely day darkened. He acquired the letter from the elf, and walked to his room. He slowly read over the letter to himself:
My Dearest Legolas,
How are you? I hope and pray that you are faring well. I would normally say that I am well, but that is not the case at the timing as I write you this letter. Aragorn has fallen quite ill. He would have me speak of it to none but the fellowship. I beg of thee to come see him in his last days. His time in this world is drawing nigh, and he shall not be with us much longer. Please come to see him. If I may ask nothing more of you ever, I would only ask of you now: come see him. He loves you as a brother and it would give him some comfort or solace to see you again. Please make haste in your journey. I have written the passwords for the gates so that you may enter the city without much delay. Please hurry. Any companion of yours is welcome, for I know that you would not travel alone. Make haste dear Legolas. Make haste.
Love and all that is True,
Arwen
Legolas refolded the letter and placed it back in the envelope it had come to him in. He lowered his face to his hands and wept. He had never known such sadness as the losing of one that is closer than a brother. It hurt him even deeper to think that Arwen should have to see him leave the earth. Though he knew that she did not suffer alone.
A sudden wave of emotions mixed with energy filled his body. He knew that he must leave immediately, for Arwen had been very clear that he should make haste in his journey. He stood, and began to pack what he would need to travel to Gondor (For that is where Aragorn now resided). He found a good-sized leather pack and into it he put two fresh sets of clothing. He then walked to the palace kitchen. He had long ago gotten the sacred recipe for the elven waybread of Lothlorien, and this bread he now he packed into his bag.
Legolas set out for Silme-Raana. He knew exactly who he would like to share his journey with him.
The weather was just as lovely as the previous day. Jaena and Legolas made their way back to Silme-Raana. Jaena was still wondering how her friends would react, when there came the noise of footfalls behind them. The two turned to see one of the palace messengers running behind them. "Excuse me, your highness," said the elf, bowing low. "You have a message awaiting you at the palace. It is of a some-what urgent nature. Your presence is desired at the palace as soon as possible," with that the elf looked Legolas in the eyes, awaiting an answer. "I will be along shortly," replied Legolas. The messenger took his cue and bowed again. He returned whence he had came, leaving Jaena and Legolas alone again. "I'm sorry my dear woman, but it appears that duty calls," he paused at her downcast expression but continued, "I will send word to you shortly. This is not goodbye for eternity," he added with a smile. Jaena's expression softened, then brightened. "All right, then," she replied. "I will await word from you with eagerness," she bowed to him and he reached out to her chin and gently lifted her face to its rightful height. He looked into her eyes and said, "Remember: You and I are the same. You need not treat me as though I were above you." Jaena then curtsied instead, which is polite to anyone, "Until we meet again, farewell Legolas. May the road treat thee well." He took her hand and kissed it, and with that they turned and went their separate ways.
When Jaena arrived to her village it seemed no one had noticed her absence. She was actually quite happy with that because she had not wanted to have to explain where she had been. She walked to her house and entered through her front door. She was feeling hungry, and walked to her kitchen. She looked around for some ingredients and commenced to make a loaf of bread out of boredom more than hunger.
Back at the palace, Legolas was having quite a less boring time. He had a heck of a time finding who had the message for him. When he finally found the keeper of his message, he almost wished that he had not. The news was rather grim indeed, and he had not wished to have this lovely day darkened. He acquired the letter from the elf, and walked to his room. He slowly read over the letter to himself:
My Dearest Legolas,
How are you? I hope and pray that you are faring well. I would normally say that I am well, but that is not the case at the timing as I write you this letter. Aragorn has fallen quite ill. He would have me speak of it to none but the fellowship. I beg of thee to come see him in his last days. His time in this world is drawing nigh, and he shall not be with us much longer. Please come to see him. If I may ask nothing more of you ever, I would only ask of you now: come see him. He loves you as a brother and it would give him some comfort or solace to see you again. Please make haste in your journey. I have written the passwords for the gates so that you may enter the city without much delay. Please hurry. Any companion of yours is welcome, for I know that you would not travel alone. Make haste dear Legolas. Make haste.
Love and all that is True,
Arwen
Legolas refolded the letter and placed it back in the envelope it had come to him in. He lowered his face to his hands and wept. He had never known such sadness as the losing of one that is closer than a brother. It hurt him even deeper to think that Arwen should have to see him leave the earth. Though he knew that she did not suffer alone.
A sudden wave of emotions mixed with energy filled his body. He knew that he must leave immediately, for Arwen had been very clear that he should make haste in his journey. He stood, and began to pack what he would need to travel to Gondor (For that is where Aragorn now resided). He found a good-sized leather pack and into it he put two fresh sets of clothing. He then walked to the palace kitchen. He had long ago gotten the sacred recipe for the elven waybread of Lothlorien, and this bread he now he packed into his bag.
Legolas set out for Silme-Raana. He knew exactly who he would like to share his journey with him.