Chapter 4: There's Something My Heart Seeks.
That same day, Legolas sat in a clearing deep within the forests of Mirkwood. The clearing was small and surrounded by aging trees, many older than Legolas himslef. The grass grew thick and green here, and was fed by a small brook that trickled along right through the middle of the clearing, and disappeared into the shadows of the trees. The water was clear and you could see every rock, pebble, and grain of sand at its bottom. Rays of the morning sun shone through the leaves, casting shafts of light around the clearing.
Legolas leaned his head back and rested it on a tree. He looked up through the branches; there was a patch through the tangle of leaves where you could see the sky. It was a brilliant bright blue, and the big pure white fluffy clouds stood out against it. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes, the sounds of the woods filled his ears, and for a moment he felt peace, but the memories always caught up with him and he could not escape them.
(Memory of Legolas's)
Legolas laughed as he ran through the forest, zigzagging in and out of the trees, a flash of golden hair told him we was gaining on her. He moved silently but swiftly. The wind of his own speed whipped his blond hair back from his face. He glanced up briefly, and then lept into the air, catching his hands on a low hanging branch. He swung himself up and into the thick jungle of branches. He paused for a moment, his keen eyes searching the forest floor. There! He had spotted her, immediately he lept from branch to branch; as agile as a cat. Aireromen stood, she listened silently.
"Where has he gone?" she said to herself.
She was dressed in attire much the same as Legolas, only more feminine. She wore soft boots the color of mud brown and grey pants that fit around her form perfectly. She wore a cream colored long sleeved silk shirt, that puffed out a bit at the wrists. Her long blond hair was tied back in a single ponytail, but her long bangs fell to her shoulders, as they were not tied up.
She scanned the trees and shadows where little light escaped through the branches from the sun. All that could be heard was the chirping of birds and the rustling of the leaves as the wind blew through the trees. The light from the sun danced around the forest floor. Aireromen's eyes glittered in the ray of light that shone down upon her. This very light impaired her vision, so she did not see the figure crouching low in the tree behind her.
Legolas stared at the back of her head, a smirk formed across his face, he stood for a moment, very still, watching the elf girl infront of him as she squinted and searched. Legolas had to bite his lower lip to keep from laughing; he steadied himself on the branch, careful not to make a sound. Elvish ears were keen, and Aireromen's ears were no exception. He readied himself now, and with a single leap he grabbed the startled elf and tackled her to the ground. Aireromen kicked and swung her arms; she squirmed and writhed her arms trying to break free from Legolas's grip.
"Let go of me stupid troll!" cried Aireromen.
Legolas laughed and let go of Aireromen, who scrambled to her feet. Legolas still lay on the ground looking up at Aireromen and laughing.
"A troll am I?" He smiled and laughed again. " And you're as slow as a hobbit!" Legolas jumped to his feet and smiled triumphantly at Aireromen. "You never even heard me coming! You're getting slow Aire, losing your touch are you?" He chuckled.
Aireromen glared at Legolas. "It won't happen again I promise you that!" She turned and the two elves began walking back through the forest, with Legolas still boasting.
"You should use your ears more than your eyes Aire." Said Legolas,
He laughed and looked over to Aireromen, he was shocked to find she was not there, he searched the woods with his eyes.
"Aire!" He called. "Aire! Where are you? Answer me! AIRE!"
At that moment Legolas was shoved to the ground by Aireromen, who came out of the shadows, he fell to the ground with a thud and looked up in a daze at Aireromen standing over him laughing.
" You should use your ears more than your mouth, Legolas!" Aireromen said mockingly. She laughed and extended a hand to help Legolas back up.
Legolas glared up at Aireromen and reluctantly took her hand and she pulled him up. He knew he had been beaten. There was no use fighting it, that was what he got for having such a big mouth.
"Awe don't take it so hard Legolas." Said Aireromen. " You knew it was too good to be true, I told you it wouldn't happen again." She playfully kissed him on the cheek and Legolas smiled.
"Come on!" shouted Aireromen. "I'll race you back to the palace!" as she ran off into the trees with Legolas following close behind.
(Memory fades)
Legolas opened his eyes, he smiled at the memory, and he looked around the clearing. He touched the ground, this was were she had stood when he jumped on her, where she stood wrapped in a blanket of sunlight, her hair shining like gold, melting over her shoulders. As soft as silk to the touch, he loved to run his fingers through that golden hair. This was their spot, a place they could go to get away from it all. Legolas often came here after the death of Aireromen; this was where he felt the closest to her. Softly he sang the words of a song that Aireromen often sang when they were alone here:
A clouded dream on an earthly night
Hangs upon the crescent moon
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn
Birds in flight are calling there
Where the heart moves the stones
It's there that my heart is longing
All for the love of you
A painting hangs on an ivy wall
Nestled in the emerald moss
The eyes declare a truce of trust
Then it draws me far away
Where deep in the desert twilight
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn Sand melts in pools of the sky
Darkness lays her crimson cloak
Your lamps will call me home
And so it's there my homage's due
Clutched by the still of the night
Now I feel you move
And every breath is full
So it's there my homage's due
Clutched by the still of the night
Even the distance feels so near
All for the love of you
A clouded dream on an earthly night
Hangs upon the crescent moon
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn
Birds in flight are calling there
Where the heart moves the stones
It's there that my heart is longing
All for the love of you.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Came a voice from behind the tree Legolas was leaning on.
Legolas moved away with a start and stood now facing the tree, he looked at the shadowy figure as he stepped from behind the tree.
"You startled me." Said Legolas
The voice laughed. "STARTLED! You're an Elf! You're supposed to be able to hear me coming for miles and miles!" Aragorn stepped out of the shadows.
Legolas looked to the ground. "I was distracted." He replied.
Aragorn looked at Legolas with great concern.
"Distracted? You have not been yourself lately Legolas, and today proves to exception."
"Yes," replied Legolas, his eyes seeming to look at something that was not there. "I have not been myself, I am sorry Aragorn." He looked at Aragorn now.
"There is no need for apologies Legolas" said Aragorn, holding up his hand.
He sat down next to the brook, and Legolas sat down with him. For a long moment neither one spoke. Aragorn looked at Legolas, who stared off into the water.
"There is something that troubled you Legolas, I can see it in your eyes." Said Aragorn.
Legolas glanced as Aragorn, then back at the water. He then turned fully to him. "Aireromen has been found."
Aragorn's eyes widened, for a moment he said nothing, and then he smiled at Legolas. "Well this is joyous news! She has been found and will return, and you two shall be married and happy, oh dear Elf, if she is found then why do you act so glum?"
"There is more." Legolas said slowly.
He stood up and walked to a large tree, he placed his hand on it and leaned. Aragorn stood up and walked to the elf, he looked confused. Legolas looked at him and then at the ground, for it was painful to say the words.
"Gandalf has spoken to her, she is human, she knows now about us. Gandalf told her about the battle at helms deep, she knows everything. That she is an elf, the whole thing. Though she does not know if she wants to return. Gandalf left her to decide. And they expect me to just sit here and wait! I promised I'd find her! I promised I'd bring her back! And sitting here waiting, knowing that she is out there is killing me! I can't even go to see her Aragorn!" yelled Legolas. His eyes welled up with tears; he let out a sigh of frustration and bowed his head.
Aragorn who was standing silent now spoke.
"Legolas, I know this is difficult for you, I know how it must feel-" He was cut of by Legolas.
"No Aragorn, you don't know, you didn't lose the one you loved. You didn't hold her in your arms while she lay dying in front of you! You didn't watch her take her last breath, or feel her warm blood on your hands! No Aragorn, you do not understand!" Legolas buried his head into his arm as he leaned further into the tree, his shoulders shook rapidly and Aragorn could see he was crying. He placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder.
"I am sorry Aragorn," said Legolas, he stood upright again, and wiped his eyes roughly on his sleeve.
Aragorn shook his head, "No Legolas, do not apologize, I know how it must hurt. And you have every right to be upset, if I were in your position I would do the same thing."
Legolas smiled. "No, I think you would have picked up your sword and gone on a rampage." He laughed.
Aragorn smiled, "Yes, that would be more to my liking." He chuckled a little and looked around the clearing a bit. "Well Legolas, what to you say to some Archery hmm? It will take your mind off of this for a little while."
Legolas looked at Aragorn gratefully. "That sounds like a good plan." He and Aragorn walked out of the clearing and back towards the palace.
That same day, Legolas sat in a clearing deep within the forests of Mirkwood. The clearing was small and surrounded by aging trees, many older than Legolas himslef. The grass grew thick and green here, and was fed by a small brook that trickled along right through the middle of the clearing, and disappeared into the shadows of the trees. The water was clear and you could see every rock, pebble, and grain of sand at its bottom. Rays of the morning sun shone through the leaves, casting shafts of light around the clearing.
Legolas leaned his head back and rested it on a tree. He looked up through the branches; there was a patch through the tangle of leaves where you could see the sky. It was a brilliant bright blue, and the big pure white fluffy clouds stood out against it. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes, the sounds of the woods filled his ears, and for a moment he felt peace, but the memories always caught up with him and he could not escape them.
(Memory of Legolas's)
Legolas laughed as he ran through the forest, zigzagging in and out of the trees, a flash of golden hair told him we was gaining on her. He moved silently but swiftly. The wind of his own speed whipped his blond hair back from his face. He glanced up briefly, and then lept into the air, catching his hands on a low hanging branch. He swung himself up and into the thick jungle of branches. He paused for a moment, his keen eyes searching the forest floor. There! He had spotted her, immediately he lept from branch to branch; as agile as a cat. Aireromen stood, she listened silently.
"Where has he gone?" she said to herself.
She was dressed in attire much the same as Legolas, only more feminine. She wore soft boots the color of mud brown and grey pants that fit around her form perfectly. She wore a cream colored long sleeved silk shirt, that puffed out a bit at the wrists. Her long blond hair was tied back in a single ponytail, but her long bangs fell to her shoulders, as they were not tied up.
She scanned the trees and shadows where little light escaped through the branches from the sun. All that could be heard was the chirping of birds and the rustling of the leaves as the wind blew through the trees. The light from the sun danced around the forest floor. Aireromen's eyes glittered in the ray of light that shone down upon her. This very light impaired her vision, so she did not see the figure crouching low in the tree behind her.
Legolas stared at the back of her head, a smirk formed across his face, he stood for a moment, very still, watching the elf girl infront of him as she squinted and searched. Legolas had to bite his lower lip to keep from laughing; he steadied himself on the branch, careful not to make a sound. Elvish ears were keen, and Aireromen's ears were no exception. He readied himself now, and with a single leap he grabbed the startled elf and tackled her to the ground. Aireromen kicked and swung her arms; she squirmed and writhed her arms trying to break free from Legolas's grip.
"Let go of me stupid troll!" cried Aireromen.
Legolas laughed and let go of Aireromen, who scrambled to her feet. Legolas still lay on the ground looking up at Aireromen and laughing.
"A troll am I?" He smiled and laughed again. " And you're as slow as a hobbit!" Legolas jumped to his feet and smiled triumphantly at Aireromen. "You never even heard me coming! You're getting slow Aire, losing your touch are you?" He chuckled.
Aireromen glared at Legolas. "It won't happen again I promise you that!" She turned and the two elves began walking back through the forest, with Legolas still boasting.
"You should use your ears more than your eyes Aire." Said Legolas,
He laughed and looked over to Aireromen, he was shocked to find she was not there, he searched the woods with his eyes.
"Aire!" He called. "Aire! Where are you? Answer me! AIRE!"
At that moment Legolas was shoved to the ground by Aireromen, who came out of the shadows, he fell to the ground with a thud and looked up in a daze at Aireromen standing over him laughing.
" You should use your ears more than your mouth, Legolas!" Aireromen said mockingly. She laughed and extended a hand to help Legolas back up.
Legolas glared up at Aireromen and reluctantly took her hand and she pulled him up. He knew he had been beaten. There was no use fighting it, that was what he got for having such a big mouth.
"Awe don't take it so hard Legolas." Said Aireromen. " You knew it was too good to be true, I told you it wouldn't happen again." She playfully kissed him on the cheek and Legolas smiled.
"Come on!" shouted Aireromen. "I'll race you back to the palace!" as she ran off into the trees with Legolas following close behind.
(Memory fades)
Legolas opened his eyes, he smiled at the memory, and he looked around the clearing. He touched the ground, this was were she had stood when he jumped on her, where she stood wrapped in a blanket of sunlight, her hair shining like gold, melting over her shoulders. As soft as silk to the touch, he loved to run his fingers through that golden hair. This was their spot, a place they could go to get away from it all. Legolas often came here after the death of Aireromen; this was where he felt the closest to her. Softly he sang the words of a song that Aireromen often sang when they were alone here:
A clouded dream on an earthly night
Hangs upon the crescent moon
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn
Birds in flight are calling there
Where the heart moves the stones
It's there that my heart is longing
All for the love of you
A painting hangs on an ivy wall
Nestled in the emerald moss
The eyes declare a truce of trust
Then it draws me far away
Where deep in the desert twilight
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn Sand melts in pools of the sky
Darkness lays her crimson cloak
Your lamps will call me home
And so it's there my homage's due
Clutched by the still of the night
Now I feel you move
And every breath is full
So it's there my homage's due
Clutched by the still of the night
Even the distance feels so near
All for the love of you
A clouded dream on an earthly night
Hangs upon the crescent moon
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn
Birds in flight are calling there
Where the heart moves the stones
It's there that my heart is longing
All for the love of you.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Came a voice from behind the tree Legolas was leaning on.
Legolas moved away with a start and stood now facing the tree, he looked at the shadowy figure as he stepped from behind the tree.
"You startled me." Said Legolas
The voice laughed. "STARTLED! You're an Elf! You're supposed to be able to hear me coming for miles and miles!" Aragorn stepped out of the shadows.
Legolas looked to the ground. "I was distracted." He replied.
Aragorn looked at Legolas with great concern.
"Distracted? You have not been yourself lately Legolas, and today proves to exception."
"Yes," replied Legolas, his eyes seeming to look at something that was not there. "I have not been myself, I am sorry Aragorn." He looked at Aragorn now.
"There is no need for apologies Legolas" said Aragorn, holding up his hand.
He sat down next to the brook, and Legolas sat down with him. For a long moment neither one spoke. Aragorn looked at Legolas, who stared off into the water.
"There is something that troubled you Legolas, I can see it in your eyes." Said Aragorn.
Legolas glanced as Aragorn, then back at the water. He then turned fully to him. "Aireromen has been found."
Aragorn's eyes widened, for a moment he said nothing, and then he smiled at Legolas. "Well this is joyous news! She has been found and will return, and you two shall be married and happy, oh dear Elf, if she is found then why do you act so glum?"
"There is more." Legolas said slowly.
He stood up and walked to a large tree, he placed his hand on it and leaned. Aragorn stood up and walked to the elf, he looked confused. Legolas looked at him and then at the ground, for it was painful to say the words.
"Gandalf has spoken to her, she is human, she knows now about us. Gandalf told her about the battle at helms deep, she knows everything. That she is an elf, the whole thing. Though she does not know if she wants to return. Gandalf left her to decide. And they expect me to just sit here and wait! I promised I'd find her! I promised I'd bring her back! And sitting here waiting, knowing that she is out there is killing me! I can't even go to see her Aragorn!" yelled Legolas. His eyes welled up with tears; he let out a sigh of frustration and bowed his head.
Aragorn who was standing silent now spoke.
"Legolas, I know this is difficult for you, I know how it must feel-" He was cut of by Legolas.
"No Aragorn, you don't know, you didn't lose the one you loved. You didn't hold her in your arms while she lay dying in front of you! You didn't watch her take her last breath, or feel her warm blood on your hands! No Aragorn, you do not understand!" Legolas buried his head into his arm as he leaned further into the tree, his shoulders shook rapidly and Aragorn could see he was crying. He placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder.
"I am sorry Aragorn," said Legolas, he stood upright again, and wiped his eyes roughly on his sleeve.
Aragorn shook his head, "No Legolas, do not apologize, I know how it must hurt. And you have every right to be upset, if I were in your position I would do the same thing."
Legolas smiled. "No, I think you would have picked up your sword and gone on a rampage." He laughed.
Aragorn smiled, "Yes, that would be more to my liking." He chuckled a little and looked around the clearing a bit. "Well Legolas, what to you say to some Archery hmm? It will take your mind off of this for a little while."
Legolas looked at Aragorn gratefully. "That sounds like a good plan." He and Aragorn walked out of the clearing and back towards the palace.