Disclaimer: As we all know, Tolkien owns all things Middle Earth. I am
merely borrowing from the estate, and they are welcome to borrow from mine
(though they'll find it amounts to a copy of Plato's Republic and bad
poetry).
Chapter 6 - The Final Ball
Legolas stood in the same place he had the last two nights, speaking quietly with Maluil and Flordin. He discovered from Flordin Talariel's fears and assured Flordin of his honorable intentions towards her. Flordin was relieved to know he was correct in his assumptions regarding Legolas's feelings for Talariel. The three elves wondered aloud to each other when or if Talariel would come that night. Flordin felt certain that she would hold to her word, but could not answer as to when she would arrive.
Thranduil watch his son and his two friends stare at the entrances of the ballroom. The three seemed pensive and distracted, and his son spent no time enjoying himself this evening as he had the previous two balls. The king smiled and shook his head. It seemed they had forgotten that a watched pot never boiled, and Thranduil enjoyed watching them squirm a bit as they waited for Talariel. He hoped she would keep them waiting much longer, as he thought they deserved it. Noting that she was taking much longer to join the ball this evening, Thranduil took the opportunity to go to her rooms and escort her himself. He had a feeling that things were coming to a head and that she may need a little more than her friends' moral support.
Talariel had been ready for quite a while, but every time she opened her door she was overcome with nerves and was unable to walk out of her room. She was berating herself for her fear, constantly reminding herself that she had faced armies of orcs and goblins and wargs without a second thought. Pacing her room, she talked to herself out loud, attempting to encourage herself. So involved with her own debate that she jumped a little when there was a knock at her door. She was surprised to see Thranduil there.
"Sire, is something amiss? Why are you not at the party?" she asked.
"The hour had grown late and you had not arrived. I was concerned that you were alright" Thranduil replied.
"Oh. Well, I am quite alright, thank you. I. I was just making myself ready to head to the ball."
Offering her his arm, Thranduil said "You seem to be ready. I would be honored to escort you Talariel."
Biting back a sigh, Talariel saw no way to refuse the king's offer without being rude. Taking a deep breath she donned her mask and took Thranduil's arm.
Thranduil knew she was nervous, but was loathe to mention that he saw it or that he understood her fear. She was a proud she-elf and a warrior too. He did not want to injure her pride, but he wanted to put her at ease somewhat. So the king set a leisurely pace returning to the ball and spoke lightly of inconsequential things to her. Seeing that she was more relaxed as they arrived at the ballroom, he asked her for her first dance before she had time to look around for his son or her friends.
Talariel was a bit surprised when the king had asked for a dance, and as he led her around the floor constantly talking to her, she finally grasped what he was doing and smiled at him widely. It was obvious where Legolas had learned his manners and charm. "Truly, Legolas is his father's son, highness. Thank you" she said to Thranduil with a knowing smile.
Thranduil returned her smile and said "You are most welcome. I hope your nerves have calmed somewhat, lady, as my son approaches and I am fairly certain he will insist on cutting in."
In truth, Legolas, Flordin and Maluil were astonished when they spotted Talariel being escorted by the king. Legolas had to laugh that his father was obviously as interested to know the final outcome between them as Flordin and Maluil. Still, it was a great honor and boon to Talariel to be escorted in such a manner, and to further have her first dance that evening with the king was a sure sign she was held in the highest regard. Legolas appreciated and understood his father's gesture. It was as much for him as it was for Talariel, and Legolas knew that this was his father's way of approving the match publicly. He allowed his father to dance with her only as long as was necessary and then approached them.
As Legolas reached them, Thranduil did not even wait to be asked and relinquished his hold on Talariel just in time for Legolas to step in. As the king walked away Legolas said quietly to him "Thank you father. For everything." Thranduil smiled and left the couple alone on the floor.
Again in Legolas's arms, Talariel lost herself for a little while as they danced. He said nothing to her as they moved, instead holding her gaze and refusing to allow her to look away. Both forgot the time and that they were surrounded by others.
Legolas realized that the unmasking was drawing near by the sounds of mounting excitement of the other elves in the room. Wanting some privacy, he stopped their dance a few moments before the moon reached its zenith, took Talariel's hand and led her outside.
Talariel allowed him to lead her away and was relieved that they would be in private when she revealed herself to him. A public humiliation, though she felt was deserved, was not something she looked forward to. As they reached a secluded gazebo near the river, Talariel could hear the revelers as they unmasked and participated in a, now, much more lively party.
In the gazebo, Legolas faced Talariel and took hold of one of her hands. His other hand gently traced the side of her face as he leaned down and touched his lips to hers in a sweet lingering kiss. Standing straight, he reached up and removed his own mask.
Taking a deep and steadying breath, Talariel reached up to remove her own mask when she felt Legolas's hands stopping her. Surprised she looked up at him with a questioning glance.
As he halted her progress, he said "Stop. Do not remove your mask yet, bain'alphamin. There is much I have to say to you first. I beg your indulgence." Seeing her nod in agreement, he leaned against the gazebo and pulled her into his arms. Her back against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his chin atop her head. They stood together in this way, looking out at the moonlit river, for a short time.
Talariel was completely unprepared for this turn of events. Not sure how to react, she allowed him to take the lead and hoped that what he would say gave her an idea of how to better explain herself when he allowed her to unmask. She shut her eyes and leaned back against him, enjoying his warmth, thinking that it was possibly for the last time. Finally Legolas gave a small sigh, as though he had been thinking about how to start for some time, and spoke.
"For a long time I believed that the longing I felt for the sea was the strongest feeling I would ever know. I could not ignore the lure and pull of it. So much ugliness and fear had surrounded my life for so long that when I first laid eyes on the ocean it was like looking into the purest, most clean thing ever made by the Valar. The need to set sail was like a need to purify my soul. It grew and grew until I could no longer ignore it, nor had any reason to. Aragorn had died, Mirkwood was cleansed and Gimli and I had fulfilled our promises to each other in Middle Earth. The friends and family I had here were secondary to my need to leave. I am not proud that I felt this way, but so many other elves were leaving and I rationalized that those closest to me would understand and would see me again when they headed west. I never expected to return."
Legolas looked down at Talariel, and seeing that she was calmly listening to him, he continued.
"As Gimli and I traveled, not a day went by that I did not think of and speak of home to him. I remember him constantly telling me how strange he thought it was that an elf who had had such a great desire to set sail and leave home could not find a way to stop talking about that which he left behind. I told him a great many stories about home, and one night he commented that he noticed I only truly smiled and laughed during those stories when I spoke of one of my friends in particular. It was that night that it occurred to me that I felt an emptiness in my gut. This emptiness grew and grew until I could no longer ignore it and when I discussed it with Gimli he suggested that I figure out what it was that I felt was missing. He and I traveled a great deal and for a very long time. His death was a great loss to me, and the empty pangs I felt increased painfully with my loneliness. At that point I had every intention of turning west, but it did not feel like the right direction. Not even aware I was doing it, I headed back here. The closer I came, the less empty I felt. And when I was finally back with my father and friends the feeling almost disappeared completely. Almost. In truth, that last bit of emptiness only served to make me that much more aware of how horrible I had been feeling and for how long. That I was home and still felt it, made it that much more agonizing. The night of the first ball, I grew miserable and angry with this emptiness as the night wore on. I was ready to head to my rooms to be alone for a while when I saw you. For the first time in a great many years I felt complete, a whole elf. You filled the emptiness within me."
Legolas felt Talariel stiffen a bit in his arms, and tightened them around her a bit. He bent his head and gently placed small kisses on her neck, nuzzling his face against her to reassure her as best he could until he finished speaking.
"After that first ball, I asked Flordin and Maluil about you and the only information they gave me was that I already knew you and that you were not spoken for. You see, I thought I did not know you. After well over a thousand years of thinking only with one's head, it is difficult to relearn how to listen with one's heart. It took me too long to realize that my heart needed to find peace the way my mind had needed it when I first left. These past few days I have realized that my feelings for you did not develop in such a short amount of time, rather I have felt them for almost half my life. But before I could listen to my heart, my head needed to be clear. Had I not set sail I would still be deaf to my heart's desire. The yearning I felt while I traveled, grew with time as my mind healed. That I did not recognize you immediately is something which I hope you can forgive me for. You see, though my head was blind, my heart was not. It has known you all along and has desired you since long before I left. So strong was this desire that I returned for you. My need to be close to you drove me back here, the way my head had driven me to the sea. You are the reason I came back Talariel."
Legolas gently reached up, pulled off her mask and caressed her whole face, still holding her against him. Nuzzling against her neck again, he whispered "I love you Talariel. I have for a very long time. I just did not know it. Please forgive my blindness and foolishness."
*****
Review one mo' time, puh-leese!
Chapter 6 - The Final Ball
Legolas stood in the same place he had the last two nights, speaking quietly with Maluil and Flordin. He discovered from Flordin Talariel's fears and assured Flordin of his honorable intentions towards her. Flordin was relieved to know he was correct in his assumptions regarding Legolas's feelings for Talariel. The three elves wondered aloud to each other when or if Talariel would come that night. Flordin felt certain that she would hold to her word, but could not answer as to when she would arrive.
Thranduil watch his son and his two friends stare at the entrances of the ballroom. The three seemed pensive and distracted, and his son spent no time enjoying himself this evening as he had the previous two balls. The king smiled and shook his head. It seemed they had forgotten that a watched pot never boiled, and Thranduil enjoyed watching them squirm a bit as they waited for Talariel. He hoped she would keep them waiting much longer, as he thought they deserved it. Noting that she was taking much longer to join the ball this evening, Thranduil took the opportunity to go to her rooms and escort her himself. He had a feeling that things were coming to a head and that she may need a little more than her friends' moral support.
Talariel had been ready for quite a while, but every time she opened her door she was overcome with nerves and was unable to walk out of her room. She was berating herself for her fear, constantly reminding herself that she had faced armies of orcs and goblins and wargs without a second thought. Pacing her room, she talked to herself out loud, attempting to encourage herself. So involved with her own debate that she jumped a little when there was a knock at her door. She was surprised to see Thranduil there.
"Sire, is something amiss? Why are you not at the party?" she asked.
"The hour had grown late and you had not arrived. I was concerned that you were alright" Thranduil replied.
"Oh. Well, I am quite alright, thank you. I. I was just making myself ready to head to the ball."
Offering her his arm, Thranduil said "You seem to be ready. I would be honored to escort you Talariel."
Biting back a sigh, Talariel saw no way to refuse the king's offer without being rude. Taking a deep breath she donned her mask and took Thranduil's arm.
Thranduil knew she was nervous, but was loathe to mention that he saw it or that he understood her fear. She was a proud she-elf and a warrior too. He did not want to injure her pride, but he wanted to put her at ease somewhat. So the king set a leisurely pace returning to the ball and spoke lightly of inconsequential things to her. Seeing that she was more relaxed as they arrived at the ballroom, he asked her for her first dance before she had time to look around for his son or her friends.
Talariel was a bit surprised when the king had asked for a dance, and as he led her around the floor constantly talking to her, she finally grasped what he was doing and smiled at him widely. It was obvious where Legolas had learned his manners and charm. "Truly, Legolas is his father's son, highness. Thank you" she said to Thranduil with a knowing smile.
Thranduil returned her smile and said "You are most welcome. I hope your nerves have calmed somewhat, lady, as my son approaches and I am fairly certain he will insist on cutting in."
In truth, Legolas, Flordin and Maluil were astonished when they spotted Talariel being escorted by the king. Legolas had to laugh that his father was obviously as interested to know the final outcome between them as Flordin and Maluil. Still, it was a great honor and boon to Talariel to be escorted in such a manner, and to further have her first dance that evening with the king was a sure sign she was held in the highest regard. Legolas appreciated and understood his father's gesture. It was as much for him as it was for Talariel, and Legolas knew that this was his father's way of approving the match publicly. He allowed his father to dance with her only as long as was necessary and then approached them.
As Legolas reached them, Thranduil did not even wait to be asked and relinquished his hold on Talariel just in time for Legolas to step in. As the king walked away Legolas said quietly to him "Thank you father. For everything." Thranduil smiled and left the couple alone on the floor.
Again in Legolas's arms, Talariel lost herself for a little while as they danced. He said nothing to her as they moved, instead holding her gaze and refusing to allow her to look away. Both forgot the time and that they were surrounded by others.
Legolas realized that the unmasking was drawing near by the sounds of mounting excitement of the other elves in the room. Wanting some privacy, he stopped their dance a few moments before the moon reached its zenith, took Talariel's hand and led her outside.
Talariel allowed him to lead her away and was relieved that they would be in private when she revealed herself to him. A public humiliation, though she felt was deserved, was not something she looked forward to. As they reached a secluded gazebo near the river, Talariel could hear the revelers as they unmasked and participated in a, now, much more lively party.
In the gazebo, Legolas faced Talariel and took hold of one of her hands. His other hand gently traced the side of her face as he leaned down and touched his lips to hers in a sweet lingering kiss. Standing straight, he reached up and removed his own mask.
Taking a deep and steadying breath, Talariel reached up to remove her own mask when she felt Legolas's hands stopping her. Surprised she looked up at him with a questioning glance.
As he halted her progress, he said "Stop. Do not remove your mask yet, bain'alphamin. There is much I have to say to you first. I beg your indulgence." Seeing her nod in agreement, he leaned against the gazebo and pulled her into his arms. Her back against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his chin atop her head. They stood together in this way, looking out at the moonlit river, for a short time.
Talariel was completely unprepared for this turn of events. Not sure how to react, she allowed him to take the lead and hoped that what he would say gave her an idea of how to better explain herself when he allowed her to unmask. She shut her eyes and leaned back against him, enjoying his warmth, thinking that it was possibly for the last time. Finally Legolas gave a small sigh, as though he had been thinking about how to start for some time, and spoke.
"For a long time I believed that the longing I felt for the sea was the strongest feeling I would ever know. I could not ignore the lure and pull of it. So much ugliness and fear had surrounded my life for so long that when I first laid eyes on the ocean it was like looking into the purest, most clean thing ever made by the Valar. The need to set sail was like a need to purify my soul. It grew and grew until I could no longer ignore it, nor had any reason to. Aragorn had died, Mirkwood was cleansed and Gimli and I had fulfilled our promises to each other in Middle Earth. The friends and family I had here were secondary to my need to leave. I am not proud that I felt this way, but so many other elves were leaving and I rationalized that those closest to me would understand and would see me again when they headed west. I never expected to return."
Legolas looked down at Talariel, and seeing that she was calmly listening to him, he continued.
"As Gimli and I traveled, not a day went by that I did not think of and speak of home to him. I remember him constantly telling me how strange he thought it was that an elf who had had such a great desire to set sail and leave home could not find a way to stop talking about that which he left behind. I told him a great many stories about home, and one night he commented that he noticed I only truly smiled and laughed during those stories when I spoke of one of my friends in particular. It was that night that it occurred to me that I felt an emptiness in my gut. This emptiness grew and grew until I could no longer ignore it and when I discussed it with Gimli he suggested that I figure out what it was that I felt was missing. He and I traveled a great deal and for a very long time. His death was a great loss to me, and the empty pangs I felt increased painfully with my loneliness. At that point I had every intention of turning west, but it did not feel like the right direction. Not even aware I was doing it, I headed back here. The closer I came, the less empty I felt. And when I was finally back with my father and friends the feeling almost disappeared completely. Almost. In truth, that last bit of emptiness only served to make me that much more aware of how horrible I had been feeling and for how long. That I was home and still felt it, made it that much more agonizing. The night of the first ball, I grew miserable and angry with this emptiness as the night wore on. I was ready to head to my rooms to be alone for a while when I saw you. For the first time in a great many years I felt complete, a whole elf. You filled the emptiness within me."
Legolas felt Talariel stiffen a bit in his arms, and tightened them around her a bit. He bent his head and gently placed small kisses on her neck, nuzzling his face against her to reassure her as best he could until he finished speaking.
"After that first ball, I asked Flordin and Maluil about you and the only information they gave me was that I already knew you and that you were not spoken for. You see, I thought I did not know you. After well over a thousand years of thinking only with one's head, it is difficult to relearn how to listen with one's heart. It took me too long to realize that my heart needed to find peace the way my mind had needed it when I first left. These past few days I have realized that my feelings for you did not develop in such a short amount of time, rather I have felt them for almost half my life. But before I could listen to my heart, my head needed to be clear. Had I not set sail I would still be deaf to my heart's desire. The yearning I felt while I traveled, grew with time as my mind healed. That I did not recognize you immediately is something which I hope you can forgive me for. You see, though my head was blind, my heart was not. It has known you all along and has desired you since long before I left. So strong was this desire that I returned for you. My need to be close to you drove me back here, the way my head had driven me to the sea. You are the reason I came back Talariel."
Legolas gently reached up, pulled off her mask and caressed her whole face, still holding her against him. Nuzzling against her neck again, he whispered "I love you Talariel. I have for a very long time. I just did not know it. Please forgive my blindness and foolishness."
*****
Review one mo' time, puh-leese!