Chapter Sixteen: Battle Weary Life

*Serein managed to swallow her anger with Legolas enough to allow him to escort her down to the main hall, though she did not speak to him. It was odd for her. She knew she had the right to be angry with him, she knew he had gone too far in his wish to 'teach' her humility, but she also knew she couldn't resist him.

On the way down to the main hall, he had been quiet and drawn in as she had. She felt horrible for taking such a wonderful elf and hurting him as she had done. Her heart ached to stop him in the corridor, to tell him she loved him, to hug him and have his arms hold her. But her pride and knowledge of her duty kept her from doing so. She could not relent to him.

It was not that he was not good enough for her, Valor no! If anything he was too good for her. But it would never work as he dreamed it might. He would one day have to rule over the whole of Mirkwood, and she would need to stay and take care of her own home, Haze. And he was so much younger than herself! True, he had had just as much experience as her due to the fact that she had had her life postponed while she had been in the dungeons for the years, but ultimately, it made no difference. He would eventually become agitated and restless with staying in one place with one person for so long. Then he would leave her and she would be nowhere but with a broken heart.

And even if, for some miracle reason they did manage to find a way to work all of the other finite problems out, there was always the possibility that either of them would not live the orc invasion. She had considered sending him away so that he would not be caught in the fight, but quickly realized it would be a foolish ideal. He would object to leave her, and even if she did get him to leave, there was no guarantee it was safer out there than with her. And what if she died while in battle? Then what would he do?

She foresaw all of these problems and more for them, so her pride kept her from turning to him. Though it hurt them both now, in the end it was so much less painful than beginning a strong relationship and having it end due to problems.

As soon as they entered the main hall, they were greeted with relieved and worried comments from nearly everyone.

"Lady Serein, we are glad you are still here. When you did not show this morning, we feared for your health and safety." One man spoke for the entire crowd.

"Yes, I am terribly sorry I worried you as such. Please understand I was simply late, and that nothing ails me." She tried to smile.

"You do not look well this morning. You are so pale, as if you've seen a ghost." Minder spoke to her softly. Yet elves have wonderful hearing. Nearly the whole of the room heard the remark.

"Let me assure you, I am quite fine."

"So I've noticed." Legolas muttered under his breath. No one save Serein, Minder, and her nephews heard him. Lakner smirked, and Minder gave a short laugh. Serein simply growled, but all could see the deep blush that had crossed her ashen complexion.

"Prince Legolas, I will deal with you later. Come, we waste time speaking over my health. I am fine. Now for today's training. The Prince of Mirkwood and I have decided to pair you all off and watch you fight. Throughout the day you will switch partners and we will walk around correcting your mistakes and giving you tips on how to improve your skill. Please pair off by yourselves now."

"Will we be breaking for mid-day?" Someone in the crowd asked.

"I have not yet decided. It shall depend upon how much hard work you put into your training and the improvement you make." As the people began pairing off, they all spoke quietly of how their queen's mood had so drastically changed from the days before. They reasoned she must have had a poor night's rest, or that the stress of her job was finally catching up to her.

"I do not remember deciding to pair them off together with you. In fact, we never spoke on the matter. And what happened to 'Legolas'? Suddenly you cannot even refer to me by my name? You've reverted to a title?" Legolas remarked dryly to her. Serein tried to ignore him, but she could not deny that she had heard rejection and pain in his voice as he spoke. Though he had masked it well, it had not been enough to hide his feelings from one who loved him. She really needed to forget that small detail… life would be so much simpler if she could forget she had ever loved him…

"If you please, Prince of Mirkwood, we haven't time to argue with each other over trivial matters. I have decided on my own that we need to give the trainees a chance to try their skills in true fights. As for your title, I have decided it is better for us both this way. The more formalities between us, the less likely we are to become carried away with our personal issues here in front of the trainees. Now, if you do not object, I believe we should begin to watch the trainees?"

"Of course, Lady Serein. Whatever pleases you." Legolas gave a mock bow and turned away quickly. Serein was giving him the cold shoulder. He knew why, but he refused to act as if it did not pain him. His heart nearly burst with hurt when she called him 'Prince'. She had not done that in months. Not since she had begun to think of him as a friend. But now, they were not even that. They were lovers, to be sure, but they were not friends. He had lost that status when she had begun to allow her pride to over run her mind in matters of the heart. But he would allow her to have her sulking period. Then he hoped to be able to speak with her and perhaps even reason with her.

"Legolas?" Lathner nudged him. "Are you in the right health? We've been trying to gain your attention for the last few minutes, yet you seem to have been asleep."

"I'm sorry, I have just been caught up in my thoughts. Did you need something?"

"We were to watch the trainees, help them and correct them." Minder reminded him.

"Of course. Come, let us begin now then." And they strode off.

Mid-day came and left, with a short hour's break, the trainees were tired and glad that the long day was finally coming to an end. Now they were nearing the last hour of the day's training, and every one of them could see how testy both their Queen and Prince Legolas had become. They were frowning constantly at both the trainees and each other, they never complimented, only criticized, and were very distracted by each other. In short, every single elf in the room knew the two had had a personal fight with each other the night before, and that neither of them was ready to apologize or give in to admit that the other was right.

"That is not how you jab your blade!" Legolas muttered to an unsuspecting elf who had been trying for the last hour to get the jab right. "You need to lift, jab, push, not jab, push, lift!"

"No!" Serein cried from her side of the room. "When jabbing, you jab, lift, push! Not lift, jab, push!"

"I beg to differ my Lady. It is you who have it wrong." Legolas sneered.

"I? I, who wields the blade constantly, as opposed to you who prefers the bow?" She mocked.

"Yes, as opposed to a selfish and arrogant woman who knows not of which she speaks!" The room grew deathly silent as Legolas' harsh remarks rang throughout the ears of the elves. Who had dared insult their Queen? But none was able to speak before Serein herself answered.

"Very well, Prince of Mirkwood. A duel to settle things?"

"As you Highness so wishes." He mock bowed, darkly smirking towards her.

"Then draw your weapon, boy. We will take care of this now." Each drew their swords and the elves in the room formed a circle around them. Quickly, each struck fiercely at each other in an intense battle of not only physical exertions, but mental and emotional as well. Each lashed out their own frustrations at each other as they duked it out.

"I believe you have forgotten. I am not a boy." Legolas spoke as he lashed out at her.

"Compared to me, you have barely begun to live. You are a boy. No true man would ever…"

"Ever what? Ever give in to a spiteful old hag as I did? Well then, I suppose I am not a true man."

"You are right. You are a monster for saying such things!" He could see the hot tears as they dripped from her eyes and rolled down her flushed cheeks. He almost stopped, but then remembered his purpose. Serein needed to have a jolt of reality hocked back into her system, and if insulting her and fighting her was the only way to do so, then it was his obligation to complete the task, no matter how much it hurt either of them.

For a while Legolas appeared to be winning, but soon Serein stopped her defense and began attacking. Her offense drove Legolas back, and she quickly gained the upper hand. But Legolas was quick himself, and before long they matched each other parry for parry. The heavy swords clanged and the elves remained silent, in awe at the skill and passion with which the two displayed.

But, as everything in life, the duel had to end eventually. Both were already weary after a long day of being miserable with and at each other; not to mention their work with the other elves. Each of them struck at the same time, and the hilts of their swords locked together. As they tried to pull away, they managed to suspend time for a moment and stare at each other through enraged glares. But their eyes softened for a short second, and each could see the other's anguish. Then, with one final heave from the both of them, their swords, still stuck together, flew from their grasps and they each dropped to their knees, breathing heavily. Staring at each other only seconds longer, they finally stood.

"Today's training session is over." Minder said for them. Serein nodded, but the elves were too awestruck to move. Never had they witnessed such talent, skill, and raw passion. All in the room had seen the tension between the two, and all of them knew now why they had been so enraged at each other. To be in love was one thing, but to be in a forbidden love was quite another.

But Serein and Legolas, unaware that their secret was out, went on, ignorant of the others. Finally breaking the long stare, each rushed to pick up their respective weapons, then hurried up the stairs from whence they had come earlier that morning. It seemed they needed to think more than fight at the moment. Minder, Lakner, and Lathner watched them go, shaking their heads all the while.

After bathing herself to remove the sweat and grit the day had brought upon her, Serein lay on her bed and pulled her cloak over her. She was cold. Correction, she had the shivers. It must have been because her nightwear was made of such a thin material, almost transparent as a matter of fact. Who was she kidding?

It was all Legolas' fault she had the shivers. Damn that elf! Why did he have to be so insufferablely perfect? Where was the fairness, the justice in it? He had already captured her heart, and now he dared to keep it. It was killing her, this separation. Sitting up, Serein fought to hold back tears. If it was killing her, imagine how much it must be hurting Legolas! But even still. She knew it would only hurt worse… but did that honestly matter?

Maybe Legolas had been right. Maybe their future was to wake up, blissful in each other's arms every morning as the sun peeked over the horizon line at them. Maybe they were mean to be in love, star-crossed and completely enamored with each other. Maybe. To hell with all of the maybes! She did make her own destiny, did she not? And Legolas made his, did he not? Why must she constantly live up to other's expectations? All her life she had been ruled by her sense of duty, but now… now that same sense of duty was slowly killing her via a broken heart. Sighing anxiously, she finally let her tears fall. Sobbing good and hard was not going to improve the situation, she knew, but at least it helped her feel better.

Legolas too, was not having as easy time. After he had bathed and eaten a small meal, he had sat down to think. He knew she was as mad and frustrated as he. He knew it. But now he was so angered by her attitude earlier in the day that he knew not what to do. He knew he would die of a broken heart if he left her as they were now. But he did not want to leave her! No, he wanted to be by her side, always. He loved her. And he thought that, if they truly cared for each other, they would be able to work things out. But Serein held such pessimistic views on their relationship that he knew nothing would help to change her mind. Yet.

But he would not give up, not just yet. Legolas stood and began pacing about his room. What could he do? What was there left to do? His life was falling apart at the seems, and he felt helpless to stop it. But he had to, he knew. For their sanity. All he knew was that he wished to awaken every morning as they had that morning, entangled within each other's arms, warm and comforted. He wished more than anything for that perfect morning… but he feared it would never come if he did not act soon. But what to do?

"Orcs! Orcs! The orc are here!" A panicked elfin voice rang out down the hall. Serein and Legolas flung their doors open at the same time to hear the news. "My Lady, My Prince, orcs have been spotted on the boarders of the forest, heading this way quickly!" The messenger informed them, out of breath.

"Did someone already alert the women and children to begin their evacuation plans?" Serein asked. Legolas took note she had goose bumps running up and down her arms. She must be cold…

"Yes, the woman and children are currently on their way here as we speak."

"And the elves who have been in the training camp? Are then in position?" Legolas asked, joining Serein at her door. She could smell the soap he had used. He smelled so fresh and clean, yet so intoxicating at the same time…

"Yes, they are getting into position as well. We are almost ready for the orcs."

"Very well then." Serein nodded. "Get to your post."

"Yes my Lady." The elf bowed and ran off. She turned and walked back into her room to change. Legolas followed her and shut the door behind them.

"Serein." She paused to look at Legolas. "Promise me you'll live through this battle." He pleaded with her.

"Even if I do promise you that, there are no guarantees…"

"Serein. You have made this promise before, and you know you always keep your word. If you promise me you will not die, then you are bound to your word."

"Perhaps I want to die." She replied, in a dazed thought. Legolas' eyes widened and his expression contorted into a horrible thought.

"Serein, you do not mean that!" He grabbed her shoulders and shook them, bringing her back to reality. "Come now Serein, promise me you will live."

"Legolas." She stated softly. Bringing her hand up, she ran it down the side of his face. He reached up and held her hand close to his face, leaning into her soft touch. Serein took a deep breath. "I… I…care… for you." A tear escaped her crystalline eyes, and the golden flecks within them flickered with sorrow. She still couldn't admit to her heart, her own arrogance made her feel sick. Then she closed her eyes, willed the ill feelings to pass, and continued. " But I cannot promise you that I will live." With that she withdrew her hand from his cheek and ran down the hall towards the stairs that led to the main hall.

Legolas stood still for a moment. She cared for him. But she was not going to promise to live… Valor, she was thinking of doing something rash. But she loved him… he had to smile. Though she had not said it, he knew. He had finally gotten to her, he had stolen her heart and broken her pride, just as she had done to him. He gripped his bow tighter and raced down the hall, following the footsteps of his lover to the hall that would soon hold death. He would protect her at all costs.

When Legolas reached the main hall, he found Serein was giving orders. She had set it up so Lakner, Lathner, and Minder were all posted as guards inside the dungeon cells with the women and children. That way, if any orcs got through the defenses, the women and children would have some one to fight for them. Originally the three had refused, but Serein had pointed out that if she or Legolas was to perish in battle, someone who had a good level head and strong sense of pride in their home would need to stay alive to carry on. Someone she trusted, someone who had good judgment. She had chosen all three of her friends because she knew they would be capable of the task, should she fall to an arrow or sword. They eventually gave in, and now they were stationed below on the dungeons, watching out for the women and children.

"Serein! Where do I go?"

"Get over against the wall and prepare to draw your bow!" She called. They were ready. Soon they could hear the squealing and grunting of the orcs as the fowl creatures made their way towards them.

"Draw your bows and ready for battle!" Legolas called. The elves drew their bows and positioned them in the slits between the boards they had put up.

"Ready!" Serein called out.

"Aim!" Legolas answered in response.

"Fire at will!" She yelled out again. The first volley of arrows was sent directly into the orc forces. *

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