Author's Note** Hope you like it so far!! Tell me what you think!!
Chapter 3 - Departure
"What do you mean you're leaving again? The Laer festival is but a few weeks away!" Vella couldn't help but wail. She was perched high in the trees, deep in the woods Mirkwood. In another nearby tree, Prince Legolas also sat lightly on a limb, balancing perfectly on the slender branches. To humans, dwarves, and other species not of wood-elf descent, they would have been but objects in the background, merging perfectly into their surrounding. Only with her trained eyes and elven sense, could Vella make out Legolas amongst the backdrop of lush greenery.
"There is a band of orcs to the south, they push Mirkwood's borders." Legolas answered, though his voice was heavy with disappointment as well. The month-long Laer Festival, which celebrated the joy of summer and life, was the one times he could shed his Princely duties and once more take up the joys of being young and carefree, running through the woods with wild abandonment as he once had.
"And you have to go?" Vella demanded.
Legolas climbed higher in the tree, his gaze on the upper most branch that seemed, even to the Silvan elf, a far reach. Vella followed him, not too much farther behind, dressed in a boy's tunic and trousers, with her long hair bound out of her face. No one knew of her skills as a ranger, as a skilled hunter and tracker. Skills such as those were considered inappropriate for an elven lady to learn. They climbed quickly, jumping agilely from one branch to another until they were almost level to each other. Legolas glanced at Vella, surprised that she'd been able to keep up. He was the one who'd first taught her skills in tracking and hunting, first teaching her the use of a bow and of a dagger.
"You're getting better." He commented, as he eyed the next branch higher. Vella smiled haughtily and didn't bother to mention that she'd spent nearly every afternoon, during his absences, climbing amongst the trees as a means of escaping the kitchen work her father had begun piling on her as punishments.
"So are you." She replied tactfully. The comment made Legolas pause, turning to glance at Vella. He grinned, then clambered higher.
Above and beyond, the trees of Mirkwood forest rose like towers in the sky; a beautiful reminder of the elves and their ancient proud lore. Legolas reached the highest branch that would support his weight, then closed his eyes and breathed in the deep wild scent of nature around him. In part, he dreaded the journey that would take him deep into the heart of Sauron's darkness; but another part of him looked forward to the adventure. Life in the kingdom was interesting, at best, boring and dull, at worst. There was adventure out there, his elven senses could smell it.
A hand suddenly clapped his back. Startled, Legolas turned and found Vella next to him; only a trained wood elf would've been able to sneak up to him with such stealth and grace. Unbidden pride rose in him at the skill that Vella now possessed; the pride of a teacher to his student.
"As I was saying," She said, sitting down next to him, "must you, Prince, be the one to take up this endeavor? After all," She smiled slyly, "I'm sure there are ladies here in Mirkwood that would miss your presence during Laer."
Legolas raised an eye, wondering where she was going.
"Any lady in particular?"
"Perhaps one or two." Vella smiled, studying the green forest that stretched as far she could see and the shimmering band of river sparkling in the distance.
"Only one or two?" Legolas frowned dubiously.
"One or two. Well, maybe three. Three, at most."
"Only three. Hmm... Maybe it's not worth staying then."
"Well, perhaps there's four." Vella amended, studying the elven prince beside her. Legolas glanced up towards the top branch, barely strong enough to support its own weight, and judged whether or not he'd make it.
"I might stay for four." He said, standing up and surveying the surrounding area. "But I'm thinking about a certain lady. One worth all four."
"A particular lady, huh?" Vella swung her legs, her senses attune to the nature calling out around her, absorbing her into the green depths; a reverential journey through her senses.
"Ungh." Legolas leapt from the branch he was on, to another on a nearby tree. He smiled, catching his balance, then turned to face Vella. "Do you think
she'd miss my presence?"
Vella, now with extra room on the branch, turned and placed her legs up in front of her, reclining easily against the tree. The prince was darting through the greenery now, jumping aimlessly from one branch to another, oblivious to the earth so far away below. Even her skilled elven eyes couldn't keep up, and soon, she stopped trying.
"Tell me of this lady." She murmured.
"Well...she is tall. With dark hair, like nightfall." Legolas smiled, studying Vella who smiled up into the sunlight with her eyes closed, listening to the lilting quality of his voice. "With eyes so green as to be cruel; they say it is a sign of the witchery in her."
"So it is a beautiful lady."
Legolas grinned, "Terribly ugly, I'm afraid."
Vella's eyes snapped open and she glared, starting back down the tree. Legolas laughed, jumping to a closer branch and quickly corrected himself.
"She is a little beautiful."
Vella sniffed, sitting up.
Legolas grinned, swinging back to her branch and taking a seat next to Vella. He caught a tendril of her floating hair and twirled it around his slender finger. "She has long dark hair; it gets caught on everything and becomes a bother."
Vella shook out her hair, pulling away from the prince.
"I'm sure she has perfect hair."
"Perhaps." Legolas smiled, leaning against her shoulder. He rested his head lightly on her shoulder, his senses absorbing the stillness of the great forest around them. They sat like that for a while, the silent peace of the forest around them a soothing balm to the hectic flurries of everyday life. Suddenly, Vella sat up straight, causing Legolas to glance at her. She narrowed her eyes, scanning the deep woods around, then turned to the prince.
"There's someone down there." She whispered, her eyes wide. They were deep in the forest; there were few from the Palace that would venture out this far for no purpose. Legolas smiled, calmly swinging onto another branch.
"'They've been trailing us for several hours now. The trees have them caught." He said easily, in a tone that he knew would infuriate her.
"Who?" Vella whispered furiously. "If it's Ava.." She said angrily, partly worried that her little sister should be wandering the woods alone.
"It's not Avie." Legolas shook his head, cocking his head to one side. Vella did the same, then frowned.
"It's a human." Her eyes widened. "A man. What is a man doing in the forests of Mirkwood?" She demanded, for the glint in the Prince's eye told her all.
"A man; a Ranger." Legolas paused, listening hard. "He's but a few paces away, he knows that there are two up here and that makes him wary."
Furious, Vella smacked Legolas, hard, in the shoulder.
"Ouch!" He said, grabbing his arm. He realized, once again, how freakishly strong Vella was, for an elven woman. "What?!"
"You knew about him?!" Her voice rose dangerously; a warning in her tone that the nobles of Thranduil's court had learned to recognize and fear. Legolas shrugged, then disappeared. To her sharp ears, she could hear him racing down the tree to greet the human. "Stupid prince." She muttered, concealing herself into the trees so that even Legolas would have trouble spotting her.
Legolas alighted onto solid ground, the familiar pang of regret at leaving his spot among the trees in his heart, and hid quietly behind a narrow tree. He watched Aragorn Ellesar, son of Arathorn and future king of Gondor, tense and ready his sword. Legolas watched his friend and companion with a slight smile on his face, happy to see him. Aragorn had proven himself to be a loyal comrade and a good friend on more than one occasion, a good sword to accent his bow. This was not the first trip they would make into the depths of Mirkwood hunting the unknown creatures that lurked within. Above him, Legolas could feel, if not see, Vella watching and waiting, furious yet inquisitive. Sometimes, he regretted having taught her all he knew from his journeys.
Aragorn whirled around, just as Legolas stepped out from behind the try to make himself seen. Aragorn flushed, feeling the slight annoyance he always felt each time the elf appeared, as if from thin air. It was unnatural; and yet he knew that for the wood-elves, it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Legolas," Aragorn tried to keep a stern expression. "I could've impaled you upon my sword."
The prince laughed, his grey eyes twinkling with merriment.
"Just as quickly as I could've been above your head." He retorted, gesturing above to the trees that loomed over them both. They grasped hands, and smiled; old friends reunited.
"What's this I hear about orcs in the south? And what of hearing this news from an inn-keeper, near the foothills of the Misty Mountains!" Aragorn asked, his eyes reproachful. Legolas nodded,
"Yes, you came just in time for some orc-hunting. As usual my friend. I did not feel it my right to bother you with more orcs." Legolas said, somewhat apologetically.
"I'm always up for some orc." Aragorn grinned, then frowned again, his eyes rising to the trees above. He shook his head, then turned back to the prince, "I look forward to traveling with you again, Legolas. It has been many months since we last parted."
"It has been long for you, Aragorn, but mere moments for me." Legolas leaned against a tree, feelings it's trembling roots in his blood. "It shall be good to get out once more.." He trailed off as a shower of leaves and twigs came raining down, a reminder from Vella that she cared not to be forgotten.
Aragorn jumped back, his sword drawn.
Legolas rolled his eyes, then peered into the treetops, catching glimpses of Vella between he trees.
"Come down from there, for godsake, Vell!" He said, following her path with his eyes. Aragorn's mouth opened in amazement, for it was rare that he visited Legolas and saw him with an elven companion.
"I thought I there were two, but I was interrupted-"
Aragorn himself was interrupted by another shower of leaves and twigs.
"Who is that?" He inquired, trying hard to catch a glimpse of the elf that had so skillfully escaped his detection. It was obviously a wood-elf, for no other creature would've been able to escape the senses of the keen Ranger.
"She is being difficult." Legolas explained, knowing that bringing her to anger was the best way to flush out a wood-elf, especially one name Vellesta.
"She?" Aragorn gaped, looking pointedly at Legolas. "I did not know you up and found a mate. You should've told me so, I would not have come traipsing through ruining the marital bliss."
The elf blushed livid, lost for words.
"We are not mated." Vella said, indignantly, alighting on a branch just above their heads to shoot another angry glare in the prince's direction. "In fact, I do not even recall knowing him." Her eyes sparked with anger at how Legolas was treating her.
Aragorn caught his breath, and for a moment, he could've sworn that it was his beloved Arwen Evenstar of Rivendell that perched on the tree above him. It was the same brilliant sparkling eyes, filled with courage and spirit that stared down at him; the same raven dark hair shimmered like nightfall. Not only did she resemble his beloved, but there was also a spirit in her that he loved in Arwen.
"Lady." He paused, breathless, when her eyes alighted on him. In their great green depths was a great spirit and an even greater courage. "May I have your name?"
"No you may not have my name." Vella snapped, still absorbed in her anger at the prince. Legolas turned to Aragorn and murmured,
"Vellesta. Lady Vellesta Rivermoon. She is Lord Delanthor's eldest."
"Ahh." Aragorn said, several pieces of the puzzle piecing themselves together. "Ohhhh." He breathed, suddenly realizing who the elf that perched above him was. He'd heard rumors, as far as Rivendell, about her wildness. "Hell-bringer", they called her, and so far, Aragorn didn't doubt it.
"Did you know, lady, that you are quite famous?" He called up to her. Vella leaned against the beech, feeling its pulse, and glanced down, seeing the Ranger for the first time. She studied him; he had the bold dark features common to humans, with lank dark shoulder length hair and piercing blue eyes. Vella felt the Ranger's power, the strength and force he wielded. For a moment, she was seized with an unknown jealousy. Legolas spoke often of this Ranger when he told her of his adventures far from the Palace; and now to see the prince so obviously eager to set out on yet another Journey with the human, it made Vella long to lash out against him, against anyone.
"Famous. How?" She asked, her interested piqued.
"The lady Vellesta, 'hell-bringer'." He'd heard the name uttered from a certain Lady Eleandor, who, supposedly, had a cousin who knew a lady who'd had her poor head of hair chopped off by a monster by the name of Vellesta Rivermoon. Aragorn found it rather amusing to see the lady herself, perched over his head, in tunic and trousers. He found her reaction even more amusing.
As soon as she heard her 'nickname', Vella burst out laughing. She had the tinkling, lyrical laughter of elves; the sound of running water and gurgling brooks.
"And from whom did you hear that?" She inquired, casting another dark look at Legolas, who shrugged innocently.
"A lady whose cousin knew of the traumatic experiences of a certain Lady Halis. I'm sure you know of what I speak."
"Hmph." She turned away, nose in the air, then grinned. "You should have seen her face, Ranger, the morning after! It was worth ever minute spent in the kitchen."
"And I suppose you would not care if the deed was turned on its master?"
"I would not care." Vella said, defiantly. With her dark hair bound back and her deep green eyes sparkling with anger and amusement, Aragorn felt another pang of longing to be near his beautiful Arwen.
The long casting shadows of the trees set aflame by the setting sun reminded all that it was getting dark. The wood afterdark became a strange place, even for a wood-elf; sounds and noises not normally heard through the day echoed through the night.
"Shall we return?" Aragorn turned to Legolas, who nodded swiftly, then turned to glance at Vella only to find her disappeared among the trees once more.
They walked slowly, hearing only the soft crunching of grass and dirt under Aragorn's boots. Legolas moved silently and swiftly, his deft footstep hardly settling in the ground. After a distance, Aragorn slowed and glanced backward.
"Is it safe for the elf-maid to stay out after dark?" He asked the prince. Legolas laughed, imagining a horde of orcs accidentally stumbling upon an unsuspecting Vellesta. He felt sorry for the orcs.
"She can take care of herself."
High in the treetops, Vella, who had been following far enough away to keep the Ranger unawares, beamed at this comment made by the elven Prince. She almost felt ready to forgive Legolas for his earlier deceptions. She paused for a moment, thinking that she really just might miss the ol' boy after all. She hurried ahead seeing that they'd gotten farther.
"...I was her teacher, she learned everything from me." Legolas was saying. "I must say though, she is a little impetuous.. hot-headed I should say. It affects her aim, her balance." Vella frowned, erasing her earlier thoughts; her aim and balance were perfectly fine. Legolas contined, "...and she is a woman, her strength cannot match that of a warrior, like you and I." Vella clenched her fists, glancing around for a twig in which to snap in half on the Prince's arrogant head.
"Easy on the girl, Legolas!" Aragorn laughed, shaking his head.
"You know, Aragorn, that I have only her best interests at heart. I am, after all, her mentor." Vella rolled her eyes. " A little more sugar on that persona wouldn't do ill for her, don't you think?"
Vella clenched her teeth, only the thought that Mirkwood needed it's prince kept her from leaping down on him unawares. She stopped, letting the two ahead of her gain distance, while she clambored higher to vent her anger.
Below, Legolas smirked, knowing that Vella had heard every word he'd uttered.
**
Ethuil
May 15 III 3017
Prince Legolas has left with the Ranger at his side; the situation in the South grows dire as orcs overrun the forests, burning and looting. Straggles of refuges come to the Palace, some are wounded, other are haunted by what they have seen.
For some reason, Vella was furious at Legolas and refused to see him off. She stayed in her rooms, though I could tell, afterward, that she regretted it for she told me that he "was the best shot in all of Mirkwood". I could tell Legolas was surprised and hurt that Vell didn't see him off too, for when I hugged him and bade him good journey, he asked me if Vella was alright. He seemed to expect it though; I have never understood the Prince's moods.
The Ranger....How can I not write about the Ranger? As graceful and beautiful as he is dark and wild; he is unlike any human I have ever imagined. In dreams, he is part elven, a long-lost heir to a lost kingdom. His dark features and piercing gaze are frightening to behold, yet when he smiled at me, I felt his charm and nobility. Legolas says he is a king, a king that has yet to calim his rightful throne. I doubt the verility of these claims, but who am I to know of the world of humans? My first taste of that world was in this Ranger, needless to say, I was not disappointed.
When he left, the Ranger remembered my name and I gave him a hug as I had given to Legolas. I felt compelled to; a part of me felt sorry for the man, alone amongst so many elves, with no one bidding Good Journey to him. I only hope to meet him again in this world.
The days pass slowly without Prince Legolas to lighten the mood. Vella is in a dark mood indeed and won't allow me entrance to her chambers. At least she has not resorted to any new mischief. Father is absorbed in his Councils and that leaves me alone to wander through the trees and delve ever deeper into my books on the world outside of the Palace, outside of Mirkwood.
The Laer Festival, in two weeks, should lighten the dank mood that has settled, it seems, over all of the Forest. Even the trees seem sorrowful, as if awaiting the coming of a darkness so great, even their might can not withstand.
Until then,
Avaranthe
**
