Chapter 12
As they walked to the Great Hall where a buffet had been prepared for everyone in the Sanctuary. Tally fixed herself a salad with dressing and sat down. Legolas sat opposite her. Tally played with her food, deep in thought. Empathic, she thought. Oh well I may as well try it out. She concentrated her mind on Legolas. His emotions passed into her. He was confused and hurting. She had caused some of that she realised. Tally decided to apologise. She waited till Legolas had taken a big mouthful of food so he could not interrupt before saying,
"Legolas, I hurt you last night. For that I am sorry. I guess I am being watched much more closely that I have ever even been aware of. I am not used to people being so caring towards me without expecting anything in return. I don't know what to do when that happens and I realise I care back. Everyone I have loved has died. I couldn't live if that happened to you." By this time Legolas had finished his mouthful and was staring at her,
"Apology accepted my lady." He is hiding something, she thought and he's bottling up all his hurt,
"Legolas, after everything that has happened and everything we're learnt, if there's something you want to talk about, then I am here for you."
"Thank you Tally. That is good of you."
A message then arrived from Elrond. There was to be no further discussion that day. Instead, he suggested Tally use the time to start riding lessons and Legolas might have some archery practise to do. Tally thanked the messenger. She changed and set off for the stables straight after lunch and met Ghilad. He had been instructed to teach Tally, being the best rider Elrond knew.
Tally's horse was pure white and called Mahril. He was strong and one of the best elf horses in many years. Tally was honoured to ride it. Mahril had a saddle put on him, it was not the custom of elves to use saddles, but for Tally they made an exception because she was not able to jump onto its back. Tally put her left foot in the stirrup and swung her right leg over. The dress she now wore was split up the middle to allow her to ride. It was of thicker material to keep her warm and she wore a cloak too. She tied her long hair back into a bun which sat on the back of her head with wispy bits sticking out here and there. Ghilad showed her how to use her feet to change the horse's pace and how to move her body when the horse was moving faster so she wouldn't bump about too much. Tally enjoyed it very much. Mahril seemed to understand her thoughts too so she did not have to do much. When Ghilad had shown her the basics they went for a ride. The rode through all the grounds protected by the spells and enchantments on the Sanctuary. It had extensive grounds. Plenty of places to wander about and get lost in. Mahril snorted and Tally laughed, slowing him to a walk. Ghilad stopped too, "What is wrong Tally?" he had finally consented to call her Tally,
"Nothing, I am just admiring the beauty of this place. I have been in the city too long. It makes me feel so alive."
"Prince Legolas loves you." Tally was shocked. This was a bit out of the blue
"Why do you say that? You have known both of us three days now."
"I grew up in Mirkwood and I was very small when he left with the Fellowship. The way he looks at you is the same way he used to look at his family, the love shines from his eyes. It is noticed by many. He has given you the symbol of the Royal Leaf. It is only given to those loved by members of the Royal Family. And also you do have a gossip for a maid. She has been telling everyone how he spent the night holding your hand while you slept and fixes you jewellery and tells her off for letting the room get slightly cold. My father was a Royal bodyguard. After he was killed, I swore to protect any member of the family still surviving. That is now only Prince Legolas. It is my responsibility to stop him getting hurt." He looked pointedly at Tally,
"Your loyalty is great Ghilad. That should be commended. I understand your concern for Prince Legolas, but I will never do anything to hurt him, of that you can be assured. Come it is getting late, let's ride back."
They rode back slowly, talking and laughing. They rode near the archery targets and they could see Legolas firing arrows off one after the other at the target. He was upset, Tally could tell from where she was. She motioned to Ghilad that they move on quietly and not disturb him. When they were far enough away, she told him, "He has heard many saddening things since he has been here. Let him work his anger out." Ghilad nodded. They took the horses back to the stable. Tally thanked Mahril for such a good ride and then brushed him down according to the stable hand's instructions. She didn't have to do it herself, but she wanted to. She kissed Mahril goodbye on the nose patting him. The horse snorted and bent down to eat the hay. Laughing Tally went back to her room.
As they walked to the Great Hall where a buffet had been prepared for everyone in the Sanctuary. Tally fixed herself a salad with dressing and sat down. Legolas sat opposite her. Tally played with her food, deep in thought. Empathic, she thought. Oh well I may as well try it out. She concentrated her mind on Legolas. His emotions passed into her. He was confused and hurting. She had caused some of that she realised. Tally decided to apologise. She waited till Legolas had taken a big mouthful of food so he could not interrupt before saying,
"Legolas, I hurt you last night. For that I am sorry. I guess I am being watched much more closely that I have ever even been aware of. I am not used to people being so caring towards me without expecting anything in return. I don't know what to do when that happens and I realise I care back. Everyone I have loved has died. I couldn't live if that happened to you." By this time Legolas had finished his mouthful and was staring at her,
"Apology accepted my lady." He is hiding something, she thought and he's bottling up all his hurt,
"Legolas, after everything that has happened and everything we're learnt, if there's something you want to talk about, then I am here for you."
"Thank you Tally. That is good of you."
A message then arrived from Elrond. There was to be no further discussion that day. Instead, he suggested Tally use the time to start riding lessons and Legolas might have some archery practise to do. Tally thanked the messenger. She changed and set off for the stables straight after lunch and met Ghilad. He had been instructed to teach Tally, being the best rider Elrond knew.
Tally's horse was pure white and called Mahril. He was strong and one of the best elf horses in many years. Tally was honoured to ride it. Mahril had a saddle put on him, it was not the custom of elves to use saddles, but for Tally they made an exception because she was not able to jump onto its back. Tally put her left foot in the stirrup and swung her right leg over. The dress she now wore was split up the middle to allow her to ride. It was of thicker material to keep her warm and she wore a cloak too. She tied her long hair back into a bun which sat on the back of her head with wispy bits sticking out here and there. Ghilad showed her how to use her feet to change the horse's pace and how to move her body when the horse was moving faster so she wouldn't bump about too much. Tally enjoyed it very much. Mahril seemed to understand her thoughts too so she did not have to do much. When Ghilad had shown her the basics they went for a ride. The rode through all the grounds protected by the spells and enchantments on the Sanctuary. It had extensive grounds. Plenty of places to wander about and get lost in. Mahril snorted and Tally laughed, slowing him to a walk. Ghilad stopped too, "What is wrong Tally?" he had finally consented to call her Tally,
"Nothing, I am just admiring the beauty of this place. I have been in the city too long. It makes me feel so alive."
"Prince Legolas loves you." Tally was shocked. This was a bit out of the blue
"Why do you say that? You have known both of us three days now."
"I grew up in Mirkwood and I was very small when he left with the Fellowship. The way he looks at you is the same way he used to look at his family, the love shines from his eyes. It is noticed by many. He has given you the symbol of the Royal Leaf. It is only given to those loved by members of the Royal Family. And also you do have a gossip for a maid. She has been telling everyone how he spent the night holding your hand while you slept and fixes you jewellery and tells her off for letting the room get slightly cold. My father was a Royal bodyguard. After he was killed, I swore to protect any member of the family still surviving. That is now only Prince Legolas. It is my responsibility to stop him getting hurt." He looked pointedly at Tally,
"Your loyalty is great Ghilad. That should be commended. I understand your concern for Prince Legolas, but I will never do anything to hurt him, of that you can be assured. Come it is getting late, let's ride back."
They rode back slowly, talking and laughing. They rode near the archery targets and they could see Legolas firing arrows off one after the other at the target. He was upset, Tally could tell from where she was. She motioned to Ghilad that they move on quietly and not disturb him. When they were far enough away, she told him, "He has heard many saddening things since he has been here. Let him work his anger out." Ghilad nodded. They took the horses back to the stable. Tally thanked Mahril for such a good ride and then brushed him down according to the stable hand's instructions. She didn't have to do it herself, but she wanted to. She kissed Mahril goodbye on the nose patting him. The horse snorted and bent down to eat the hay. Laughing Tally went back to her room.
