~Atta [2]~
Leaving behind all that is known
Traveling far beyond where most have gone
In search of what only one knows
Soon will come the bright-lit dawn
The day to meet the deadly foes
Will some conflicts
Be resolved?
"These are the ones I have chosen to accompany you," the king said, pointing to the two figures standing next to him. Legolas was one of them.
"King of Mirkwood, no matter what you insist I will not bring Legolas with me. Please reconsider and choose another," Dulcirwen said.
"I will choose no other, and no other will go if I command it. Legolas will be joining you on this trip, regardless of your feelings."
"Then I will go with only one companion."
"You may leave with one companion, but Legolas is free to go wherever he likes. He will go along, I assure you."
Dulcirwen looked ready to kill, but she controlled her temper.
"Very well then. I do not treasure his presence but he can stay with us. I must go now. Is everyone else ready?" she asked, voice on the edge of a tremble.
"They might need another hour to pack food, clothes, and other things that might be required."
"I leave in five minutes. I do not absolutely need their company so I will leave regardless of whether they are ready or not." With that, she walked away, silk scarf and headwear billowing in the wind. Legolas looked at her with agony, wanting her to be in his arms once again.
*~*~*
*
After those five minutes Dulcirwen was already right at the border of the elven city and was waiting there, now riding a black horse. She was told that this was one of the foals of the great-grandson of the horse that she owned but also abandoned when she left Mirkwood; whether that rumor was true or not, he did look the quite like her beloved mare from before. Named Moore, or darkness, it really gave the elves the impression of night and gloom.
Her two companions soon appeared and now, on closer inspection, she recognized the other that she had chosen to ignore was one of her old, long-time friends. He grinned at seeing her surprised, but happy expression. They were leading horses also; after reaching her they mounted and waited for her instruction. She nodded, and then spurred her horse forward. They followed her as she rode directly south, fording through the Forest River quickly, and then continuing.
At reaching the Elf Path, they stopped to rest. A silence had befallen the forest, an eerie sort of silence.
"Almost as if it is foreshadowing sorrow and grief, and a tragic ending," Dulcirwen thought as she stood beside Moore a dreamlike stance coming over her.
"Will I ever know the reason of your abandon?" Legolas asked, ambling up to her.
"You will not like the reason," Dulcirwen replied; her voice possessed a hint of playfulness and mock.
"We know near to nothing about this quest of yours, yet you expect us to follow you like a dog trails its master. Why do you cover your face and why do you speak in such a raspy tone?"
"No one asked you to follow! Dina Be silent, Legolas, or you shall feel the pain that your father's guard-dogs felt." Dulcirwen replied quietly. The soft, raspy voice, though, was enough to send Legolas away and thoroughly shaken.
With that, Dulcirwen stroked Moore's mane, feeling the silkiness, the dark hairs basked in sunlight yet still dark as death; a perfect replica of her old, faithful mare. After a few moments she turned to her two companions, motioning to them that it was time to continue. They made no response except mounting their horses and spurring them forward. Dulcirwen vaulted onto Moore's back, and the stallion sprang forward in a sudden motion, the sound of hooves absorbed by the soft dirt.
*~*~*
*
The ride took days: very uneventful, boring days. Soon they had ridden past Lothlórien and further south than even Mordor. Legolas and Poldare, her other companion, had begun questioning how much farther it would take. Her answer was always the same: she would tell them when they were near. Now it was the end of another unexciting day.
They were camped in a relatively secluded stop, within only a few leagues to the border of Rohan. The night was quiet when Legolas went to Dulcirwen with the same unanswered question.
"I have never seen you take off that cover on your face, nor have I heard your exquisite voice since the day you departed from home. Why is it," Legolas asked. He had expected the same response as before: a telling-off from the maiden with a few well-chosen insults. The reply that came this time, though, was different.
"Legolas, why do you question me about this? It should be of no concern to you. If you really have to know, you will gain the knowledge in due time. If Fate meant for you to possess the knowledge, then you will know. Until then you will not know. I assure you, though, that you will know," Dulcirwen stated.
"How could you know for sure? Only a seer will be able to decipher the future. Unless of those powers you hold one is the capability to See the events yet to come, I will not believe your words."
"Saira understand, Legolas, amin harya li nullar I possess many secrets. Maybe I can see the future, and maybe I cannot. It will be up to you to make this decision." Dulcirwen returned to her resting spot after that last statement.
Legolas also returned to the site of his personal pack. He lay down and drew a blanket around himself, quickly drifting to a light sleep.
*Dulcirwen gazed at him from under the trees of Mirkwood. Her fair face and violet eyes were all he could stare at. He felt his breath quicken as she kissed him gently, and all he could feel was the love radiating from both their hearts, combining into a powerful circle, a shield that could not be broken.
"Vesta amin ten'oio Promise me forever," he said. He had wanted to say that for so long; it was a relief to finally get it out.
"Uma yes, Legolas. Amin vesta I promise," she had replied.
He had been overcome with joy, his happiness too strong to be contained…*
Legolas woke up suddenly from the dream, a recollection of a past memory. He remembered that day clearly. When she had left without a note or a sign, his heart had been broken. A part of him had been lost. When she came back he thought he would heal, but his wound was just getting deeper.
"She betrayed me," he thought, eyes starting to water, "then why do I still love her so?"
"Mani naa ta what is it?" Poldare asked, seeing his friend's tearful expression.
"Why can't I forget about her?" Legolas asked.
"She left a great imprint on your heart. Perhaps what you feel is not love for her anymore, but the longing for the great times you had. There is a great chance that even if you find that she still loves you, none of the anguish will disappear."
"I've been wondering about that."
"Sleep well, my friend. There may be more answers tomorrow. There is no need to ponder them heedlessly for hours. You must face the present and future now, no matter what the past has held."
Legolas didn't reply. For another hour he continued to watch the stars until his exhaustion was too great, and rest finally came over him.
*PLEASE REVIEW! :-D Poldare is my own character.