RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily (emi_kins@yahoo.com)



14.

Elenath regarded Legolas for a long moment before she finally forced herself to speak words that she did not wish to say. "You are betrothed to my cousin. I cannot be here with you." Turning to leave again, she was stopped short by the sincere tone of his voice.

"You would not say such a thing if you did not share my feelings at least a little. And can you tell me truthfully that Merethiel desires to be my wife?"

She did not turn to face him for fear that she would lose her resolve. "Give her time, Legolas. Please."

He sighed. "How much time, Lirimaer Lovely One? She is deserving of a husband who adores her, not one who feels nothing when he looks at her."

Finally, unable to take it anymore, she turned to face him and placed a hand comfortingly on his shoulder as their eyes met once again. "Give yourself time, Prince Legolas. At least until the laurel blooms."

"A month." His voice was quiet; respectful.

"Yes, if the weather is fair."

"And what of your feelings, Elenath? Has my heart any hope at all?"

His brow was furrowed, and his eyes full of longing such that Elenath could hardly contain herself from confessing how she felt about him. Yet, it was so absurd. She hardly knew this Elf, and she already had such strong feelings for him. "There is always hope, Your Highness." She touched his chest, just above his heart for a brief moment before pulling it away. "But I shall say nothing more until the laurel blooms."

"You will meet me here at that time?"

"I will."

The prince nodded slowly. "Then it shall be as you wish, my lady."

When she left the cave and disappeared silently into the night, Legolas slipped down onto the cold stone floor and did not move for many hours. The emptiness in his heart that her absence caused threatened to engulf him, and it was only the beauty of the first light of morning that strengthened him enough to rise and return to the house of Elrond.

Elenath did not fare much better, wondering aimlessly through the Wood deep in thought until her father found her only an hour before daybreak. He could tell by the far away gaze in her eyes that something was the matter; indeed that something was wonderfully the matter.

"Surely it is not Dimnarion," Airedolas said aloud, linking arms with his daughter and guiding her gently back toward Elrond's palace.

"No, Father," she replied with a giggle.

"Well, you have met someone. I can tell. Who is it?" His tone was gentle, joyful even. He had waited almost a thousand years for his daughter to take interest in someone.

"How do you know so much?"

"I'm your father," he said simply. "I know everything."

She laughed again and then squeezed his hand as the merriment faded rapidly from her face. "It is as you say, father. I have met someone. But I am so confused… and Grandfather would never approve."

"Do not be so sure of that. The old Elf is getting desperate, you know. I cannot believe he let Dimnarion escort you to the banquet."

"He would not approve," she repeated. "Not at all." Her voice was not so strong now, as if she were either about to laugh or to cry. "Sometimes I hate being who I am."

"Surely it is not so bad, daughter," said Airedolas, stopping in the path and turning to face her. "Tell me, then. Who is it?"

Elenath hardly dared to look into her father's eyes. She knew that she could trust him, but was reluctant to say it out loud for that would mean that she had accepted it herself. "I think I am falling in love," she whispered, "with the Prince of Mirkwood." With her confession came two crystalline tears that fell slowly down her face until her father wiped them away gently.

"Oh, my daughter. I wish for your sake that it wasn't true, for he is promised to your cousin-"

"Who does not love him; nor does he love her," she sobbed quietly. "Ada Dad, it just isn't fair. How much stronger would the union between Rivendell and Mirkwood be if I became Legolas' wife? Yet Grandfather can think of nothing but keeping me caged here like some wild animal. Why?"

"He is afraid to lose you, Elenath. Sweetheart, you hardly know this prince. It is not like you to become so emotional."

"I told you," she sniffed. "I told you that I am confused, Ada. I don't understand it, but when I am with him, I feel… complete."

"I felt the same with your mother," he murmured. "I will speak to Elrond about this. Worry not, Elenath, if you and Legolas have found happiness, then I will find a way to make it work. I promise."

"He may still marry Merethiel," she said quietly.

Airedolas gazed steadily into his daughter's eyes for a long moment. "I doubt that very much, for the look in your eyes is familiar to me. Your heart has found its home."