Legolas took in deep breaths as he approached where she was standing. He
was only ten paces away from her, but she didn't notice him at all. He was
far too quiet. He wondered what she sounded like, what is would be like to
talk to her. "Should I say anything? Why am I so taken with her?" Many of
those thoughts were floating about in Legolas's head. He didn't know
exactly what he was feeling.
When she started to walk away from the tilila tree, he almost felt distraught. He felt the need to know where she was going. He had started walking down the right side of the path, and then he saw her off in the distance. He followed her back to the riverside, and there she stood. She was by the water, looking into it and watching the fish. She was softly humming. Legolas thought that it was soothing to hear both the water and her voice at the same time. He pondered what he should say to her. He was drawing a blank. This had never happened to him before.
She bent down to the water and cupped her hands to take a drink. Right as she stood up, Legolas built up enough courage to greet her.
"Tis a beautiful day, is it not?" he said.
She jumped and shrieked as the unfamiliar voice shocked her and she was so caught off guard that she fell forward into the water. Legolas jumped from the sound of her scream, and immediately he was crouched over the side of the river, wide-eyed and bewildered at what had just happened. "Oh NO," he thought, "what have I done?! I have frightened her!"
The young elf was up to her waist in water once she was able to stand. She tried her best to compose herself, but she was appalled. She thought that someone had done this on purpose, but when she looked up to the flustered and baffled face of the elf before her, she calmed down.
"Oh, oh-malady, are you alright?" he stuttered.
"I think so, but pray tell me - what spurred you to startle me in such a way?" she said.
Legolas thought that he would melt just by looking into her eyes. Now he felt guilt come upon him and he felt horrible for making her fall.
"Oh fairest creature, by no means were the results of my actions intentional. Are you in any way damaged?"
The young elf heard the sweetness and sincerity in his voice and smiled. "No, but a little embarrassed and soaked. I look as if someone attempted to drown me." She paused and pulled some small braids from her vision. She squeezed the water out of the braids as much as she could. "And my sister is going to surely give me a piece of her mind. I have ruined her favorite gown." She looked down at the wet mass of cloth that she wore.
"Malady, I apologize. To ease your suffering I offer this." Legolas stood straight up, and began to set aside his bow and arrow that he carried on his back. Then as he started to take off his belt, the young elf said in a loud voice, "Excuse me, sir, but may I ask what you are doing?"
Legolas laughed and answered, "I am just putting my sword down. I do not want it to rust." And with that Legolas leaped and dove into the river. The young elf was confused, but she had a smile on her face. She saw his head rise from the water, and he swam towards her.
"If you are to walk around drenched, then so will I," Legolas said.
She was shocked and pleased at the same time. She gave him a huge grin. "Why sir, that is heartfelt. I thank you."
Legolas paused and thought of what to say next. He stammered, but finally got his sentences out. "If it will make you feel any better, I say that your fall was the most graceful I have ever seen. You were a swan." Legolas realized how stupid he thought he sounded in that moment and his face reddened. 'A swan?' he thought to himself. He thought he had blown it. He let his head hang low in defeat. But then he heard giggling. He looked up to see her smiling. That was surely comforting.
"Oh, and to answer your question – yes," she said.
Legolas's mind went blank again. He thought about it, but then he had to ask.
"What question is that malady?"
The young elf couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"You said, 'Tis a beautiful day, is it not?'" she said.
It all came back to him then. Legolas felt his face flush again, and he wondered if he could look anymore foolish in front of her. He took in a deep breath, and then slowly released it. He noticed that the young elf was watching him closely now.
"Sir, is everything alright? You seem tense as if something is bothering you."
Legolas looked at her, and tried to memorize every curve of her face. He wanted to remember her. He thought she was exquisite.
"Yes, malady, everything is perfect. It's just…" his voiced trailed off.
"Go on, what is it?" she said.
Legolas became incredibly nervous, and he tried to calm himself by taking in one more breath. "To be truly honest, when I look upon you, I feel as I can say nothing save for the meekest of phrases."
She was speechless. No one had ever complimented her in such ways. She felt loved for some reason, by someone she barely knew. She started to reply, but then something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Someone was coming. She suddenly felt panicked as she saw who it was, and she started pushing Legolas towards small plants and bushes that grew by the riverside. "Hurry!" she whispered, "Over there, behind the brush! Hide!!!"
Legolas was certainly puzzled, but he did what she told him to do. He pushed himself to the other side and bent down lower in the water. Now it was halfway up to his chest. The young elf was in such an alarm that she suddenly clung to him. Legolas was surprised, but he dare not push her away. He casually wrapped his arms around her shoulders. It felt good to be so close to someone because the water was in fact chilling. He could feel her body heat, and that comforted the coldness that was creeping about him. And then he saw the figure of another female elf. She had long brown hair, just as the one that was right near him. There was an amazing resemblance between them. She stopped and looked to the river, as if she were in deep thought.
In the tiniest whisper that he could manage, Legolas said, "What is wrong? Who is that?" The young elf motioned to be quiet, and put her hand over his mouth. Legolas started to become worried by her seriousness. He softly took her hand from his mouth, and set it back to her side. Then she moved even closer to him, for now they were both freezing from staying in the water too long. He was worried, but he decided to just wait it out. All he did was take in breath after deep breath. By doing so he couldn't help but notice her smell. 'Roses…she smells of roses,' he thought. He placed his chin on her head, and proceeded to wait until she said it was finally alright to move.
The young elf thought that they would never be able to get out of the water. She was so cold by then, and she desperately tried to get closer to him, so they could share body heat. She placed her head against his chest and shivered. Suddenly she thought, 'Ohhh he smells good.' She tried to snap her mind back into reality. She glanced back to where the person was standing, and she noticed that she was gone. She sighed in relief.
"Is it ok now? Who was that?" questioned Legolas. She let go of him, and then started to swim towards the side.
"That was Arwen. She is my sister."
Legolas started to swim forward also, and he didn't see the reasoning for hiding from her sister.
"Wait," he said, "Have you done something wrong? Why should you hide from your own blood?"
The young elf stopped and looked at him. "Have you forgotten about this dress, sir? She would kill me if she knew that I was in the river with it on!"
Legolas burst out laughing. "Oh my…" he started as he climbed out of the river, but he was interrupted by her.
"Please do not finish that," she laughed. She pulled herself out of the water and stood before him. It was obvious that she was cold, because she was trembling. Legolas tried to position himself to where the wind would not hit her. Enormous gusts had just rolled along, as if they were to spite the waterlogged elves.
"Maybe it would be best if you seek shelter. The wind is giving no mercy this day." He gently moved a tiny lock of hair that hung across her eyes to behind her ear.
"Yes that is a great idea. I need to go to my house anyway. I need to change. There is to be a grand celebration tonight."
"Really? What kind of celebration?" he wondered.
She giggled and threw her hands up in uncertainty. "To tell the truth, I do not know. The master of the city has declared there be celebration tonight. So we are to celebrate! He has told me nothing else." She started to walk away from where they were currently standing.
"Oh…but why would he tell you, I mean, in particular?"
She stopped and turned to him. 'He does not know,' she thought to herself.
"Well I am his daughter, good sir."
Legolas was embarrassed by his mistake. He began to apologize, but she stopped him. "It is alright. You were being honest in your conversation." She could not help but smile at him. He seemed so uncomfortable around her for some odd reason, and she thought it was adorable.
As another gust of wind hit them, she noticed that he slightly shuddered. "Would you like some dry clothes? I am certain that I could find some to fit you," she asked.
A look of panic shot into Legolas's eyes, and he quickly declined. "No, no. Tis not necessary. These clothes will dry sooner or later. I think that I will just look around a bit more. There is really nothing else for me to do for the night." He crossed his arms across his chest to try and keep some warmth.
The young elf did feel bad, because she was about to just leave him there. 'But it was his choice,' she thought as she gazed at him. He wore the softest look, and his eyes…his eyes were the most soulful she had ever seen. They stared at each other for a moment. She felt a certain emotion tugging at her from inside. She knew that she wanted to say something, but she was wondering whether or not it would be right. Finally, she decided to go with her gut feelings. "Would you like to accompany me to the party?"
Legolas was stunned, but extremely delighted by her request. "Of course. It would be an honor."
She gave him a broad smile and said, "Wonderful. Meet me back here at sunset."
Legolas took her hand and kissed it softly. "Until then, malady." He watched intently as the young elf walked away from the riverbank. He stared until he could see her no more, and then he realized that he was still soaking and dripping with water. He began to shiver, but he was feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Mithfalmawen set foot into the front entrance, she saw her father coming down the stairs, arm and arm with another elf. They were talking too quietly for Mithfalmawen to hear. But she didn't care. She was too excited. She hadn't seen that particular elf in a while.
"Dear Linteanna!" she cried as she skipped forth, "Where have you been
these past years?"
Linteanna laughed. "Oh goodness. It is a long story my friend. But I am
afraid I cannot tell it now. I will surely catch up with you at a later time though. I must be on my way now."
Mithfalmawen watched Linteanna's face as she spoke. The curvature of her jaw, her forehead, and her nose - they seemed all too familiar than before. 'She has amazing resemblance to the elf I just met. Strange,' she thought.
"Yes, yes of course. It was nice seeing you." Mithfalmawen hugged her,
and then Linteanna departed from the western door.
Mithfalmawen walked up to where her father had stopped which was midway
down the stairs. She wrapped her arms around his chest and kissed him on
the forehead.
"How are you today dear Father?"
"I am quite fine. But tell me," he said as he patted and felt the clothing on her arm, "Why are you damp? And you smell of..." he sniffed in the air, "...roses soaked in river water."
Mithfalmawen giggled as she thought of the situation she was just in.
"It is nothing Father. I had an accident down by the river, quite silly actually."
Elrond smiled back at her. He thought there was no need to be in such a dark mood as he was with Arwen. He didn't want to upset his youngest daughter. "Has Arwen spoken with you?" he asked.
"No sir, but I did see her by the river - but with the situation I was in, I chose to hide from her."
Elrond paused and looked at his daughter. "I am not going to ask about
that. Long story I take?"
She nodded. "Of course," he sighed, "Well as you noticed, Linteanna has come to Rivendell. She has also brought her brother, of whom I have not met. She says that he wanted to walk about a little. Have you seen him? I am sure he would look like his sister..."
Mithfalmawen's mind wandered to the young elf down by the riverside. 'He
could not be...he did not act it. But Linteanna does not act it either, but she is different. She is no normal royalty. But it makes sense - they look alike. Oh if only I knew his name. I did not even ask him his name,' she thought. She decided to keep her thoughts quiet until she surely knew who he was.
"I do not believe so..." she said. Elrond nodded and said, "Hmm. Well if you do see him, please be humble. And his name is Legolas."
"Legolas..." she repeated. Her mind floated away from her as she thought
about the young elf. She suddenly daydreamed about him, wondering where he was at that moment. But then she heard her father's voice.
"You are to attend the celebration tonight, are you not? Tancal will have it no other way."
"Why yes, of course. I am bringing someone also," and when she said that, she realized her mistake, and quickly changed the subject. "Father, may I ask the meaning of the festivities tonight?"
Elrond's mouth slightly dropped from surprise, because he hadn't expected that his youngest daughter would want to know about that. In fact he hadn't really thought of a clear answer. "Well first of all, we are to celebrate Tancal's new appointment, and I think that it would be best for everyone to be merry for the night," he said and then
he slightly paused, pondering whether or not he should mention the oncoming events. "I feel that there will be many problems for our people in the days to come. We need a bit of rejoicing..."
Mithfalmawen's face was as innocent as a child. She didn't understand
what her father meant, but she didn't think it was right to question him. "Alright, I trust your judgment, Father. We will have a great time tonight," she said as she smiled.
When she started to walk away from the tilila tree, he almost felt distraught. He felt the need to know where she was going. He had started walking down the right side of the path, and then he saw her off in the distance. He followed her back to the riverside, and there she stood. She was by the water, looking into it and watching the fish. She was softly humming. Legolas thought that it was soothing to hear both the water and her voice at the same time. He pondered what he should say to her. He was drawing a blank. This had never happened to him before.
She bent down to the water and cupped her hands to take a drink. Right as she stood up, Legolas built up enough courage to greet her.
"Tis a beautiful day, is it not?" he said.
She jumped and shrieked as the unfamiliar voice shocked her and she was so caught off guard that she fell forward into the water. Legolas jumped from the sound of her scream, and immediately he was crouched over the side of the river, wide-eyed and bewildered at what had just happened. "Oh NO," he thought, "what have I done?! I have frightened her!"
The young elf was up to her waist in water once she was able to stand. She tried her best to compose herself, but she was appalled. She thought that someone had done this on purpose, but when she looked up to the flustered and baffled face of the elf before her, she calmed down.
"Oh, oh-malady, are you alright?" he stuttered.
"I think so, but pray tell me - what spurred you to startle me in such a way?" she said.
Legolas thought that he would melt just by looking into her eyes. Now he felt guilt come upon him and he felt horrible for making her fall.
"Oh fairest creature, by no means were the results of my actions intentional. Are you in any way damaged?"
The young elf heard the sweetness and sincerity in his voice and smiled. "No, but a little embarrassed and soaked. I look as if someone attempted to drown me." She paused and pulled some small braids from her vision. She squeezed the water out of the braids as much as she could. "And my sister is going to surely give me a piece of her mind. I have ruined her favorite gown." She looked down at the wet mass of cloth that she wore.
"Malady, I apologize. To ease your suffering I offer this." Legolas stood straight up, and began to set aside his bow and arrow that he carried on his back. Then as he started to take off his belt, the young elf said in a loud voice, "Excuse me, sir, but may I ask what you are doing?"
Legolas laughed and answered, "I am just putting my sword down. I do not want it to rust." And with that Legolas leaped and dove into the river. The young elf was confused, but she had a smile on her face. She saw his head rise from the water, and he swam towards her.
"If you are to walk around drenched, then so will I," Legolas said.
She was shocked and pleased at the same time. She gave him a huge grin. "Why sir, that is heartfelt. I thank you."
Legolas paused and thought of what to say next. He stammered, but finally got his sentences out. "If it will make you feel any better, I say that your fall was the most graceful I have ever seen. You were a swan." Legolas realized how stupid he thought he sounded in that moment and his face reddened. 'A swan?' he thought to himself. He thought he had blown it. He let his head hang low in defeat. But then he heard giggling. He looked up to see her smiling. That was surely comforting.
"Oh, and to answer your question – yes," she said.
Legolas's mind went blank again. He thought about it, but then he had to ask.
"What question is that malady?"
The young elf couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"You said, 'Tis a beautiful day, is it not?'" she said.
It all came back to him then. Legolas felt his face flush again, and he wondered if he could look anymore foolish in front of her. He took in a deep breath, and then slowly released it. He noticed that the young elf was watching him closely now.
"Sir, is everything alright? You seem tense as if something is bothering you."
Legolas looked at her, and tried to memorize every curve of her face. He wanted to remember her. He thought she was exquisite.
"Yes, malady, everything is perfect. It's just…" his voiced trailed off.
"Go on, what is it?" she said.
Legolas became incredibly nervous, and he tried to calm himself by taking in one more breath. "To be truly honest, when I look upon you, I feel as I can say nothing save for the meekest of phrases."
She was speechless. No one had ever complimented her in such ways. She felt loved for some reason, by someone she barely knew. She started to reply, but then something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Someone was coming. She suddenly felt panicked as she saw who it was, and she started pushing Legolas towards small plants and bushes that grew by the riverside. "Hurry!" she whispered, "Over there, behind the brush! Hide!!!"
Legolas was certainly puzzled, but he did what she told him to do. He pushed himself to the other side and bent down lower in the water. Now it was halfway up to his chest. The young elf was in such an alarm that she suddenly clung to him. Legolas was surprised, but he dare not push her away. He casually wrapped his arms around her shoulders. It felt good to be so close to someone because the water was in fact chilling. He could feel her body heat, and that comforted the coldness that was creeping about him. And then he saw the figure of another female elf. She had long brown hair, just as the one that was right near him. There was an amazing resemblance between them. She stopped and looked to the river, as if she were in deep thought.
In the tiniest whisper that he could manage, Legolas said, "What is wrong? Who is that?" The young elf motioned to be quiet, and put her hand over his mouth. Legolas started to become worried by her seriousness. He softly took her hand from his mouth, and set it back to her side. Then she moved even closer to him, for now they were both freezing from staying in the water too long. He was worried, but he decided to just wait it out. All he did was take in breath after deep breath. By doing so he couldn't help but notice her smell. 'Roses…she smells of roses,' he thought. He placed his chin on her head, and proceeded to wait until she said it was finally alright to move.
The young elf thought that they would never be able to get out of the water. She was so cold by then, and she desperately tried to get closer to him, so they could share body heat. She placed her head against his chest and shivered. Suddenly she thought, 'Ohhh he smells good.' She tried to snap her mind back into reality. She glanced back to where the person was standing, and she noticed that she was gone. She sighed in relief.
"Is it ok now? Who was that?" questioned Legolas. She let go of him, and then started to swim towards the side.
"That was Arwen. She is my sister."
Legolas started to swim forward also, and he didn't see the reasoning for hiding from her sister.
"Wait," he said, "Have you done something wrong? Why should you hide from your own blood?"
The young elf stopped and looked at him. "Have you forgotten about this dress, sir? She would kill me if she knew that I was in the river with it on!"
Legolas burst out laughing. "Oh my…" he started as he climbed out of the river, but he was interrupted by her.
"Please do not finish that," she laughed. She pulled herself out of the water and stood before him. It was obvious that she was cold, because she was trembling. Legolas tried to position himself to where the wind would not hit her. Enormous gusts had just rolled along, as if they were to spite the waterlogged elves.
"Maybe it would be best if you seek shelter. The wind is giving no mercy this day." He gently moved a tiny lock of hair that hung across her eyes to behind her ear.
"Yes that is a great idea. I need to go to my house anyway. I need to change. There is to be a grand celebration tonight."
"Really? What kind of celebration?" he wondered.
She giggled and threw her hands up in uncertainty. "To tell the truth, I do not know. The master of the city has declared there be celebration tonight. So we are to celebrate! He has told me nothing else." She started to walk away from where they were currently standing.
"Oh…but why would he tell you, I mean, in particular?"
She stopped and turned to him. 'He does not know,' she thought to herself.
"Well I am his daughter, good sir."
Legolas was embarrassed by his mistake. He began to apologize, but she stopped him. "It is alright. You were being honest in your conversation." She could not help but smile at him. He seemed so uncomfortable around her for some odd reason, and she thought it was adorable.
As another gust of wind hit them, she noticed that he slightly shuddered. "Would you like some dry clothes? I am certain that I could find some to fit you," she asked.
A look of panic shot into Legolas's eyes, and he quickly declined. "No, no. Tis not necessary. These clothes will dry sooner or later. I think that I will just look around a bit more. There is really nothing else for me to do for the night." He crossed his arms across his chest to try and keep some warmth.
The young elf did feel bad, because she was about to just leave him there. 'But it was his choice,' she thought as she gazed at him. He wore the softest look, and his eyes…his eyes were the most soulful she had ever seen. They stared at each other for a moment. She felt a certain emotion tugging at her from inside. She knew that she wanted to say something, but she was wondering whether or not it would be right. Finally, she decided to go with her gut feelings. "Would you like to accompany me to the party?"
Legolas was stunned, but extremely delighted by her request. "Of course. It would be an honor."
She gave him a broad smile and said, "Wonderful. Meet me back here at sunset."
Legolas took her hand and kissed it softly. "Until then, malady." He watched intently as the young elf walked away from the riverbank. He stared until he could see her no more, and then he realized that he was still soaking and dripping with water. He began to shiver, but he was feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Mithfalmawen set foot into the front entrance, she saw her father coming down the stairs, arm and arm with another elf. They were talking too quietly for Mithfalmawen to hear. But she didn't care. She was too excited. She hadn't seen that particular elf in a while.
"Dear Linteanna!" she cried as she skipped forth, "Where have you been
these past years?"
Linteanna laughed. "Oh goodness. It is a long story my friend. But I am
afraid I cannot tell it now. I will surely catch up with you at a later time though. I must be on my way now."
Mithfalmawen watched Linteanna's face as she spoke. The curvature of her jaw, her forehead, and her nose - they seemed all too familiar than before. 'She has amazing resemblance to the elf I just met. Strange,' she thought.
"Yes, yes of course. It was nice seeing you." Mithfalmawen hugged her,
and then Linteanna departed from the western door.
Mithfalmawen walked up to where her father had stopped which was midway
down the stairs. She wrapped her arms around his chest and kissed him on
the forehead.
"How are you today dear Father?"
"I am quite fine. But tell me," he said as he patted and felt the clothing on her arm, "Why are you damp? And you smell of..." he sniffed in the air, "...roses soaked in river water."
Mithfalmawen giggled as she thought of the situation she was just in.
"It is nothing Father. I had an accident down by the river, quite silly actually."
Elrond smiled back at her. He thought there was no need to be in such a dark mood as he was with Arwen. He didn't want to upset his youngest daughter. "Has Arwen spoken with you?" he asked.
"No sir, but I did see her by the river - but with the situation I was in, I chose to hide from her."
Elrond paused and looked at his daughter. "I am not going to ask about
that. Long story I take?"
She nodded. "Of course," he sighed, "Well as you noticed, Linteanna has come to Rivendell. She has also brought her brother, of whom I have not met. She says that he wanted to walk about a little. Have you seen him? I am sure he would look like his sister..."
Mithfalmawen's mind wandered to the young elf down by the riverside. 'He
could not be...he did not act it. But Linteanna does not act it either, but she is different. She is no normal royalty. But it makes sense - they look alike. Oh if only I knew his name. I did not even ask him his name,' she thought. She decided to keep her thoughts quiet until she surely knew who he was.
"I do not believe so..." she said. Elrond nodded and said, "Hmm. Well if you do see him, please be humble. And his name is Legolas."
"Legolas..." she repeated. Her mind floated away from her as she thought
about the young elf. She suddenly daydreamed about him, wondering where he was at that moment. But then she heard her father's voice.
"You are to attend the celebration tonight, are you not? Tancal will have it no other way."
"Why yes, of course. I am bringing someone also," and when she said that, she realized her mistake, and quickly changed the subject. "Father, may I ask the meaning of the festivities tonight?"
Elrond's mouth slightly dropped from surprise, because he hadn't expected that his youngest daughter would want to know about that. In fact he hadn't really thought of a clear answer. "Well first of all, we are to celebrate Tancal's new appointment, and I think that it would be best for everyone to be merry for the night," he said and then
he slightly paused, pondering whether or not he should mention the oncoming events. "I feel that there will be many problems for our people in the days to come. We need a bit of rejoicing..."
Mithfalmawen's face was as innocent as a child. She didn't understand
what her father meant, but she didn't think it was right to question him. "Alright, I trust your judgment, Father. We will have a great time tonight," she said as she smiled.