*~* "There are waves of forgiveness and waves of regret, and the first
waves of true love I'll never forget. In the meadow that morning as I
wandered alone, there were green waves of yearning for life still unknown."
Secret Garden ~ "Greenwaves"*~*
THE FAERIE GOBLET
Chapter 27 ~ "Promises"
The night after the land of Faerie vomited Legolas and Gimli out onto the grass of Rivendell, there was a simple feast.
Alede remarked during that dinner to Gimli, as he sat on one side of her and Legolas the other, that she could not understand how a people who ate as little as Elves commonly did, could always be counted upon to throw a feast for even the smallest of events, of which this was not.
Legolas only chuckled but Gimli agreed with her and that was the beginning of a solid friendship between them. It was initially based upon the opinions of two practical people adrift amongst the whims of an impractical people like the Elves, but it soon branched out to include other topics and eventually Gimli completely forgot that he had ever disliked Alede.
The real celebration however was not held for another two weeks giving all the Elves time to heal emotionally from their captivity.
Alede watched the preparations from her balcony on the day of the celebration. Large trestle tables were being set out onto the lawn and delicious smells wafted up from the kitchens. Her gown was finished and lying ready upon the bed and her wrist was fully knit thanks to Lomomir's excellent doctoring and some rather unscrupulous healing spells on Alede's part.
Below her, she heard Legolas' laughter ring out. He'd informed her earlier that he and Gimli were going to 'test' the wine and ale to make sure it was of adequate quality for the night's celebration. Alede had not been fooled one bit by the mock serious look on his face and had sent him off with laughter of her own.
The three of them had spent nearly every waking moment together since Legolas and Gimli's terrifying return from Faerie. At first they spoke of the horrors they'd faced in the underworld, but later as those memories had healed they had talked of each other, of their past and of their future, of Gimli's immortality and the day that they would all take a ship to Valinor together.
Of the Faerie Queen there had been no sign. Alede had not felt or heard any whisper of her, though she was at a loss to explain what had actually happened down in the faerie caverns. From Legolas' description, she could only conclude that the Faerie Goblet had sucked all of faerie inside of itself. But since it was designed to pull in what ever drank from it and send it to the land of Faerie, Alede could only guess that it had imploded in upon itself, spiraling inward and inward continuously without end. She could see no escape for the Faerie Queen from whatever realm she now found herself. Doubtlessly it was a dimension which none of them could understand.
And while that thought reassured Alede, it was also a source of unhappiness for her. She could not forget the Faerie Queen's last conversation with her, 'I carry Legolas' child and you will assist me with its birthing.'
No matter how badly she wanted to push those words away, they haunted her. It was bad enough what the Queen had done to both Legolas and Elrohir, but for the Queen to flaunt it to Alede . . .
*I should be thinking only of Legolas' suffering, but instead I am consumed by my own hurt, my own envy.*
Alede paced back and forth in her room, careful to shield both herself and her thoughts from Legolas down below. She knew that she ought to tell Legolas what the Queen had said. She loved him, she wanted to be honest with him and hiding something from him would be deceitful.
But it would also be hurtful to tell him. Elves loved their families with an intensity that humans could only dimly understand. If Legolas thought that he'd sent his own child, no matter what its conception had been, into a nether realm . . .
Alede could only imagine the emotional pain and damage it would cause him.
*And myself as well!*
And then quite suddenly, Alede realized that this had been the very trap that the Faerie Queen had laid for them. A trap of hurt and jealousy.
Pacing still, Alede looked at the situation logically. If a village maiden had told her the same story, Alede would doubt it. While it was difficult to say how many 'days' Legolas and Elrohir had actually been in Faerie or how many times they had . . . Alede winced. She really did not want to think about that.
*In any case, it is far too early for the Queen to know that she was with child.*
The more Alede thought about it, the more implausible it became. The Queen's kingdom was failing, her people dwindling, very likely it was the demise of all Faeries. Like the Elves, many creatures of magic were passing out of Middle Earth or becoming rare. It seemed highly unlikely that the Queen of such a doomed race could conceive so quickly and so easily. Why else had they been so desperate to steal a royal infant?
Alede snorted with satisfaction. The Queen's words had in all probability been a lie with which to wound Alede. And, on the off chance that Alede was rescued, those words would be a barb to wound Legolas as well.
*But the Queen knew nothing of love.*
For those reasons Alede decided she would shield Legolas from that awful tale. She would never tell him that there was even the slightest chance that he had sent his own child into a realm of darkness. He would never hear the Queen's hurtful words from Alede's lips.
*If one of us must carry the burden of sin and guilt, then let it be me. I will not see him hurt by something that was probably just a lie.*
And with that last thought, Alede buried the memory as deeply as she could. Turning back to the balcony, she looked out onto the green grass at Legolas sitting at ease far below. He was talking freely with Gimli and a group of Elves and looked perfectly happy.
He must have sensed her watching him, for he turned and looked up at her, waving as he did so. Alede grinned and waved back, then went inside to change into her gown and get ready for the celebration.
~ ~ ~
The celebration was the most magnificent that Rivendell had seen in many years. Bright torches were lit once the sun went down and the dark sky formed a ceiling of stars above them. After the feasting was done, musicians filled the glade with bright music and Legolas whirled Alede out into the middle of it. They danced every dance, until Alede was breathless. And when she missed a step or faltered, she did not blush or become embarrassed. Instead she laughed, for the sharing of song went both ways and she had acquired some of Legolas' confidence and therefore enjoyed the celebration all that much more.
Later in the evening once she could tear herself away from Legolas, she convinced the musicians to play a Dwarvish reel and coaxed Gimli out into the meadow with her. By that time the Dwarf had consumed enough ale that he was not the least bit shy, though he was a trifle unsteady. Alede had to catch at his shoulder a few times when he stumbled. She worried that the ale he had consumed would not mix well with the Elvish wine he'd sampled earlier and decided she'd best make him a tonic before morning came.
Little did Alede know that Legolas was able to read many of her thoughts and that her worry for his friend both amused and pleased him.
~ ~ ~
It was shortly after that that Legolas coaxed Alede out into the forest with him, away from the music and the lights. The moon was barely a sliver, but the stars illuminated the woodland paths well enough for him to see where they were going.
"I want to show you something," he said softly as he held Alede's hand and she walked beside him.
He led her to an enormous oak tree, hoary with age, but still majestic. Legolas stepped lightly onto the trunk and reached back to help Alede. She hesitated for only a moment, contemplating the rough bark and her delicate gown, but then she pulled the skirt up as far as she decently could and draped it over one arm, allowing Legolas to pull her up.
He settled them high up in the tree on a branch the width of two horses. He had his back against the massive trunk and pulled Alede against him, so that her back lay against his chest.
"Many years ago," he said wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled against him, "I sat in this tree when I came to Rivendell with a message from my father."
Alede turned a little so that she could look up at him. "Was this before you started on the quest for the One Ring?"
He nodded. "It was the night after the council and I had heard many things that day that troubled me. I had not traveled widely at that time. My father had kept me close to home and I had not traveled often beyond the borders of Mirkwood. I was excited to be chosen as one of the fellowship, but I was frightened of the responsibility as well. As the only Elf in the company, I felt that the others' safety lay with me. I knew that I must take care of them and it seemed a heavy burden for one as young as myself."
He paused and smiled fondly at the memories. "I cannot tell you how surprised I was when I realized what fearsome warriors the others were. Of course I knew of Aragorn's abilities, but Boromir and Gimli astonished me. Even the little hobbits! Gentle folk they seemed to me, yet containing hearts as brave as mountain lions. I had thought that I would feel alone on that journey, out of place amongst such strange company. But instead I felt myself a part of something vital, something larger and more important than myself."
He paused again and pushed Alede's hair to the side so that he could kiss the side of her neck lightly. Alede wiggled around until she was sideways and could lean her cheek against his chest and placed one arm behind his back.
"I feel that way now," Legolas continued softly. "As if I am a part of something so much bigger than myself. I am connected to you and to Gimli. The two of you have become my family. Somehow the three of us have become a unit, a small fellowship of our own. Does this make sense to you?"
Alede nodded. "I have always felt connected to you. Since that night in my tower house when I watched you turn cold and could do nothing about it. I knew that if you died, some part of me would die as well."
"Yet . . ." he paused as if listening for some far away sound. "There is something that you keep from me. Something that troubles you." He cupped a hand under her chin and tipped it up so that she would look at him. "What is it, my Sweet? For I cannot bear to have you troubled."
Alede looked down guiltily. "There are three 'somethings' actually. But I . . . I cannot . . . I do not wish to speak of them."
"Please tell me," he said softly. He could not stand for her to be unhappy, not after all that they had endured. "I felt your sorrow this afternoon when Gimli and I were sampling the wine. What were you thinking of?"
But Alede only shook her head and looked away.
Trying to lighten the somber mood that he felt from her, Legolas said in a teasing voice, "Tell me or I will throw you on Aransûl and take you to Mirkwood where my Father will torture it out of you!"
Alede could not help but laugh a little. "If your father saw you holding me he would torture me and throw me in his dungeon anyway."
"And swallow the key, no doubt," Legolas teased.
Alede laughed softly, but then the smile faded from her lips. Legolas' heart felt as if it might break seeing her sadness.
"Alede, please do not keep this from me. Let me help you!"
Looking up, she could not bear the agony she saw on his face and placed a gentle hand on his cheek.
"How can you say that?" she asked wonderingly. "It is I who would help you! You are the one who has suffered so much!"
"As we both did," he reminded her. "You and I have gone through much for each other."
"But you bore the worst of it. Legolas," and she looked up at him with worried eyes, "I know not much in the way of healing minds. But what the queen did to you may have caused great damage. I want to help, but I feel inadequate to the task. I . . ."
"I do not think there is anyway that you can help, Melui. Nor do I think it is necessary. Gimli healed the worst of the damage and his song is still with me. Elrohir and Elladan and I have also talked much. I am well. You need not fear for me. And I will get better as time goes on."
"But . . ." Alede stumbled for words. "I do not wish to sound petulant, but I know of no other way to put it. In the past two weeks, since our return . . . I mean . . . well, before you drank from the goblet, the night that Gimli was attacked by the hag . . . well, we almost . . ."
Legolas grinned, finally understanding what Alede was trying to say. Apparently she had gained confidence only in certain areas and this was not one of them.
"We almost made love that night," he finished for her. "And since our return, I have made no venture into your bed. Is that what is troubling you?"
"Well, yes, but I am not complaining," she added hastily. "I only worry that it is indicative of a greater problem and I wish to help. I am not suggesting that we . . ."
Legolas grinned. "I understand. I admit that there are memories that I wish to have fade before I make love to you. I need some time, time to forget and to feel at peace with myself again."
"I did not intend to sound as if I am pressuring you," Alede said worriedly.
Legolas looked down at her and his eyes twinkled with mischief. "It is alright. I realize that you can barely keep your hands off of me. Little did I know what a wanton wild cat lay beneath that calm surface . . ."
"Legolas!"
He grinned and hugged her to silence her protest.
"But there is more to it than that," he said. "Now that I have the time to think sensibly about our relationship and am not distracted by your lovely shape," here he wiggled his eyebrows at her, winning a pleased but embarrassed smile, "I realize that we have put the cart before the horse, as Gandalf used to say."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Alede, I am in love with you and though I have not asked, I have hoped that you will become my betrothed. Will you?"
Alede was certain that she was going to fall out of the tree so faint hearted did she feel. Her head spun and her pulse pounded. Long, long years had she hoped to hear those words from him.
"Yes," she said breathlessly and then realizing just how pathetically desperate she must sound, she amended her words. "But only if you promise not to go meddling with magic anymore. I'll have to give you up if you keep getting yourself into trouble . . ."
She was forced to stop when Legolas hugged her so tightly that she could not breath.
"I had best get a promise from you now," he said laughing, "for I am certain that adventure will continue to find me. After all it was adventure that brought us together in the first place."
"That was an adventure that I would rather not repeat."
"Nor I, but I do not regret it," Legolas said softly, leaning down to kiss her.
Alede forgot everything else but that Legolas had asked her to become his betrothed. And then she forgot even that and could only feel the warmth of his mouth upon hers and his strong hands gliding over her back.
Legolas broke the kiss after awhile and held Alede close, reveling in how right it felt to have her there against him. Every doubt that he'd ever had about the future was gone. He kissed the top of her head and she lifted her face to his, smiling up at him.
He cleared his throat, there had been something important that he wanted to tell her . . .
"What was it you were saying about horses pushing carts?" Alede asked once she could think again. "You distracted me, but it sounded important."
*Ah yes.*
"I am concerned that we lay the right foundation for our relationship. We have rushed headlong into becoming lovers and skipped many important steps in between."
Alede looked at him in surprise and Legolas continued. "I know more of marriage than you do, Alede . . ."
"Really?" she exclaimed in mock astonishment. "Do you have a wife or two on the side that I know nothing about?"
"Nay," he laughed, "but my mother lived longer than yours did, so I saw what can cause trouble in a marriage and what can sustain it. It is like my friendship with Gimli. We first had to learn to respect each other, which you and I have done. Then we learned to have a grudging admiration for each other, which you and I also have. But only after that could Gimli and I move on to becoming friends."
"And now you are like brothers," Alede finished, nodding her head in agreement. "You are right. Despite the years since we met, there is still much that we have to learn about each other. We have virtually skipped over the part about being friends."
Legolas nodded, "And I would not skip over such an important step, for that is one part that will sustain us over all of eternity."
"Does this mean . . ." Alede asked hesitantly, for this was touching on the second of her worries, "that you regret what has occurred between us? You just spoke of betrothal . . ."
Legolas shook his head and picked up her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Nay, Melui. I regret nothing and I was perfectly serious about our betrothal. What I am trying to say though, is that we need to take the time to learn about each other, to become friends, before we become lovers. I do not wish to hurry our relationship. We will have all of eternity to make love to each other, I do not wish to strew pebbles in our path because we were too impatient in the beginning."
"Oh," Alede breathed a sigh of relief. "I understand and I agree. And this was the second of my worries. I was afraid that you might change your mind about me. We have had so many misunderstandings in the past, I feared that another might arise before I could come to Ithilien."
"Nay! I have learned my lesson about undelivered letters!" he said. "I will not put either of us through that again. Nor will we make any major decisions without talking about them face to face."
"Thank you," she said sincerely, but then an impish smile lit her face. "I must admit that I had not expected an Elf to be so practical where love is concerned. Has Gimli's dwarvin logic rubbed off on you?"
"Humph! That dwarf knows nothing of logic!" he said mock seriously. Then both of them laughed and Legolas drew her tightly against him in a hug.
"Have I allayed the first two of your fears?" Legolas asked running his fingers over her bright hair.
"Yes."
"Then tell me of the third."
Alede took a deep breath and Legolas felt a wave of pain seep out of her, but it was quickly quenched and he knew she held something tightly in check.
"I . . . it was something that the Faerie Queen said," Alede replied quietly, avoiding his gaze. "I did not wish for you to know about it, but I was not careful enough with my song apparently and you have sensed that which I tried to shield you from. I will not repeat her words, for she said it to wound. That is what troubled me this afternoon. But I have decided that I will not let her words hurt you as well, so I will not speak them. I hope you will trust me on this and not ask any more. This is my burden, please let me bear it." She looked up at him beseechingly.
Legolas leaned his head back against the rough bark and stared at the sky thoughtfully.
"I can guess what she might have said to you, Alede," he said, disgust coloring his tone. "She bedded me before you did. Is that what she flung in your face?"
Alede remained silent, wishing that her song had not betrayed her. She did not want to turn this into a guessing game.
"Not that?" Legolas asked and Alede realized that she was giving away far more than she intended.
"Legolas, please . . . I did not realize that I could no longer shield myself from you. I do not wish to speak of this!"
"It is not your fault, Melui," Legolas said softly. "Ever since that day, the day that Gimli and I came back from Faerie, the day that all three of us shared song, I have been able to read your thoughts almost as clearly as if you spoke them."
"Really?"
He nodded. "No one in my family has the gift that I know of. But I have met someone who had it. I wonder if she passed it on to me . . ."
Alede looked at him. "Who?"
"Lady Galadriel. She . . ." he paused searching for the right words. "She walked with me once during our stay in Lorien and spoke many riddles about my future. I did not understand what she meant then, but now . . . perhaps I do a little now." He raised his head and seemed to shake the past from his mind. "In any case, I can read a little of your thoughts when I focus on you, which," he looked down at her tenderly, "has been quite a lot as of late."
Alede smiled up at him.
"I can also read some of Gimli's which is going to vex him terribly once he finds out."
Alede's smile broke into a grin.
"I think I will not tell him," Legolas winked at her. "But as to what is troubling you . . . Ahh, once again it is my failure to instruct you in the way of Elves that is the problem."
Alede shook her head in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"
"The Queen told you that she carried my child."
Alede felt as if her heart would choke her. She was furious with herself for letting that thought slip out and turned her head away.
"But my Sweet," he lifted her chin, gazing at her fondly, "that cannot be so. Elves choose the time of conception, it is not happenstance as it is with humans. My seed is fertile only when I choose it to be."
Alede blinked and suddenly felt like a fool. "Of course! Elrond and I discussed that long ago, when I first began to study with him. I had forgotten. I cannot believe I have agonized over this for nothing!" she said shaking her head.
Legolas grinned at her. "I can. Worrying is one of your exceptional skills."
Alede smiled and chuckled softly at his teasing. "Yes, I suppose you are right. But still, surely the Faerie Queen must have known. Faeries have captured Elves before, so surely she must understand that about your people?"
"From the tales we tell in Mirkwood, many captives choose to remain in Faerie even if they have the chance to leave. Indeed, when I went back the second time, the Queen's knights seemed to expect me. If a captive is content with his captivity, then . . ." he let the sentence trail off.
Alede shook her head. "I was so afraid of how you might feel if you thought that you had unwittingly sent your unborn child into the nether realm! I cannot tell you how relieved I am."
"I do regret that her entire world was sent into that vortex," Legolas said softly. "I never intended that. But I did not realize how intertwined the faeries were with their Queen."
"I think they were only extensions of her," Alede said. "And think what they would have done if left to kidnap more people. They might have captured those more helpless than you."
"They might have captured someone who did not have the aid of two of the most stubborn people in all of Middle Earth," Legolas said giving her a fierce hug. "Does this relieve all of your worries?'
"All but one," she said pertly. "If we are not to become lovers yet, does that mean that I may not kiss you again?" She looked up at him through her eyelashes in a very coquettish manner and Legolas broke into a grin.
"Nay, that is not what it means," and he suited action to words and it was long time later that they climbed down from the tree.
~ ~ ~
The following day Legolas and Alede had a private conversation with Gimli. The dwarf pocketed a handful of the coins Alede had received in Mirkwood, which he declared to be of much better quality than the handful of Gondor silver that Legolas had offered him.
"After all, Thranduil's silver came from the Lonely Mountain," he said with a huff.
Gimli then retreated to the sooty depths of Rivendell's forge and was holed up there for two days. When he emerged, he still had a few coins in his pocket, but the rest had been melted down into something else.
A very important something else that he had placed in a secret little box and delivered to Legolas under the curious and prying eye of Radagast.
But the Elf had merely thanked his friend and smiled a satisfied little smile at Radagast and disappeared into Rivendell's many balconies and gardens with the suspicious wizard none the wiser about what was happening between his daughter and the prince of Mirkwood.
It was a very frustrating time for Radagast.
~ ~ ~
Elrohir went looking for Legolas that afternoon. He found Radagast instead, leaning over one of the balconies at such a precarious angle that the Elvin Lord feared the old wizard might topple over.
He approached cautiously, so that he might not frighten Radagast. Fortunately his presence was heard and the wizard looked up hastily.
"Come quick," Radagast whispered urgently, beckoning the prince over.
Elrohir hurried to his side and the wizard pointed to the garden below.
"I cannot hear what they are saying. Can you?" he asked softly.
Elrohir leaned over and beheld Legolas and Alede seated on a small bench. A profusion of red roses climbed the arbor above them and a fountain tinkled nearby. Legolas had his forehead pressed gently to Alede's and from the look of rapture on the girl's face, Elrohir knew that they shared song. But Legolas was speaking too, soft melodious words that vibrated with the intensity of their power and beauty.
Elrohir smiled and straightened up.
"Well?" Radagast demanded. "What are they saying?"
The Prince of Imladris took the wizard's arm and gently pulled him away from the rail. "Their words are not meant for our ears, my friend."
~ ~ ~
Alede slid the silver betrothal ring over Legolas' finger. Gimli had done a beautiful job of engraving it with tiny mountain peaks, representing the Misty Mountains where they had first met. Her own ring sparkled on her finger. It was wrapped all around with the oak leaves that were Legolas' royal symbol and words that still made tears of joy burn in her eyes.
Looking up into his twilight gaze, she slowly repeated the phrases that Legolas had just spoken to her. Quenya was a beautiful language, though in the past she'd found it difficult. But this time the golden tones slid easily off her tongue and she trembled as she once again felt the ecstasy of their songs joining in a melody of love.
How long they sat with the perfume of the garden all around them, she did not know. It might have been hours. But finally Legolas withdrew slightly and she opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
Legolas could not help the smile that tugged at his lips as well. He felt so complete. Alede was healed, their plans were set, the sea's hold on him was broken and his heart was so full of joy he thought it might burst. The future now held the promise of love and laughter and companionship. When Alede had spoken the betrothal Promise Words to him, he'd felt them vibrate with a power all of their own and knew with a certainty that their love and their future had been bound with magic, though neither of them had intended it.
Letting go of Alede's hands, he wrapped his arms around her squeezing her so tightly she burst into giggles.
"Careful, my Lord. I still must draw breath."
"Nay, breathing is not necessary," he said with a grin and kissed her until she was truly breathless.
Laughing, he let go of her and stood up.
"I will go speak with your father now."
Alede smiled, "It is not necessary that you do. I am certainly old enough to no longer need my Father's permission, but I know he will be flattered by the gesture."
"Then I intend to please him."
"Legolas," she said as he started to turn away.
"Yes?"
Alede wore an impish grin. "I am glad that it is YOU who must undertake this task. I have no desire to speak with your father about such matters."
Legolas threw back his head and laughed. "And neither do I! Yet somehow I will summon the courage and do so! Farewell, my sweet. I will see you later."
~ ~ ~
Radagast paced the library muttering irritably to himself. "Blasted children! What could possibly be taking them so long?"
"May I speak with you Sir?"
Radagast nearly jumped out of his skin as the velvety voice startled him. Whirling around he beheld the young prince of Mirkwood.
"Of course, of course, come in. Would you like some wine?"
Legolas declined politely though there was an amused curl to his lips and Radagast suspected that he'd been overheard as he'd talked to himself.
"What can I do for you?" Radagast said, trying to hide his anxiety.
Legolas bowed to him and the wizard fidgeted nervously waiting for the prince to dispense with the niceties and speak.
"Lord Radagast, I formally ask permission to court your daughter. I have already asked her to become my betrothed, but I would wish for your approval if you would give it."
Radagast tried to hide the joy that was bubbling inside of him. He rather clumsily returned Legolas' bow.
"Your Highness, I gladly grant you permission. I uh . . . uh . . ." Radagast stumbled over his words and finally gave up. "Oh balderdash!"
Stepping forward, he tossed aside dignity and the formality of the situation and grabbed the young prince, hugging him tightly.
Legolas chuckled as he was soundly pounded on the back and when he stepped away, he saw tears of happiness running down the old wizard's face.
"Welcome to the family, Son," Radagast said shakily. "Welcome!"
~ ~ ~
"Will you journey through Mirkwood on your way to Ithilien?" Legolas asked as they stood upon the rim of Rivendell's valley. He and Gimli were packed for their trip home and Aransûl stood impatiently waiting for them to mount.
"Yes," Alede replied. She alone had ridden this far to see them off. "When Cyrus, Father and I leave here, your uncle will be coming with us. So we will stop in Mirkwood before we turn south."
Legolas nodded as he took Alede's hand and held it, thinking about how long it would be before he could hold it again. "That is well. My father will have a betrothal gift for you . . ."
"A nice cell in the dungeon," Gimli snorted.
Legolas shot the dwarf an irritated glance and Alede gave Gimli a tremulous smile. "Your jest may not be too far off, I fear," she said.
"It is our customs for the parent of the groom to give his betrothed a gift," Legolas continued seriously.
"Yes, I know," Alede replied. "And my father is also aware of the custom." Radagast would be presenting a gift to Legolas as well when they arrived in Ithilien.
The elf shook his head smiling. "He has already given me the greatest gift I could ever ask for."
Gimli rolled his eyes and grunted, earning a look from his friend.
"Send me a message when you leave Mirkwood . . ."
"So that he will know if you are in the dungeon or not," Gimli interrupted again.
Legolas scowled at him. "So that I may have my people watching for you as you enter Gondor," he said firmly.
"Yes, I'll . . ." Alede began.
"And of course you will be my guest at the Glittering Caves on your journey through Gondor," Gimli said.
Alede turned to the dwarf. "I would be delighted to stay in your home and to see the Caves that have made Legolas speechless." She turned once again to her betrothed, tightening the hold on his hand.
"My father guesses that we have five more years worth of work here before we may leave. That is such a long time," Alede said, her voice shaking slightly. This parting was going to be even more painful than she imagined. She had grown so accustomed to having Legolas with her each day.
"Aye, it will," Legolas said softly. "Each day will feel as a year. But . . ." he brightened a little, "five years will give me enough time to make some changes in my dwelling, so that you may live there as well."
"Changes?" Alede asked. "What do you mean?"
"Legolas currently lives in a bark hut with grass mats on the floor," Gimli interrupted again with a grin of amusement.
Alede turned to him startled and with a swift movement, Legolas clapped his hand over the Dwarf's mouth and held it there.
"I do not live in a bark hut," he said stressing each word and glaring at the struggling, but silent dwarf. "My people wished to build a royal palace for me, but I persuaded them against it. My home is modest . . ."
Gimli snorted despite the hand over his mouth and Alede smiled. She could only imagine what Legolas' home must look like. What Elves called modest, most humans would call 'grand, sumptuous and breathtaking'.
"But now I wish to add rooms for you," Legolas continued, "perhaps more balconies and another library for your healing books . . ."
Gimli was struggling like mad and with a laugh Legolas let him go.
"Do not get him started!" Gimli admonished Alede. "He can ramble on about architecture for hours!"
"Peace, my friend," Legolas said smiling, "and allow me to bid farewell to my betrothed." Ignoring Gimli's sputtering, he stepped forward and kissed Alede. She leaned into his embrace, carefully memorizing the feel of his mouth upon hers, of his strong arms about her and the hardness of his chest. They embraced for a long time while Gimli fidgeted, paced and tried to look everywhere else but at the shining couple.
There were tears in Alede's eyes as they parted, but Legolas was smiling. He touched a finger to the locket resting upon her throat.
"I cannot believe that you kept this, even through your imprisonment. I would have thought it might have been lost."
Alede's hand pressed over his. "It would have broken me if it had been lost, but fortunately the Queen never noticed it."
He nodded thoughtfully. "May I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course," Alede said sincerely. "Anything."
Legolas' hand strayed to her hair, pulled back in its customary braid. He separated an unruly strand that was working its way loose. Alede understood immediately and reaching around, pulled the tie from the braid. Legolas combed his long fingers through the golden waves and then carefully cut three strands with his knife. He coiled them and slipped them into the small pouch at his belt.
"Fear not," he said as Alede fought the tears that threatened to spill down her face. "Every night before you close your eyes, I will come to you in your thoughts," he said quietly. "We will be parted in body only."
Alede nodded, for she too had learned to hear the whispers of his mind and knew that they were now joined in a way that went even beyond the sharing of song.
"Then every night I will listen for you in my mind, until the day that I may listen for you in person." She wiped a treacherous tear from her cheek and deliberately stepped back. She had stalled them long enough and knew they were anxious to begin their long road. "I bid you farewell and a safe journey."
"I will see you in five years, my Sweet," Legolas said embracing her again. She clung to him. "Hurry your work if you can," he said more softly. "For I admit that I am as impatient as any human."
Alede gave him a tremulous smile and nodded, unable to speak. Reluctantly, she let go of him.
Before Gimli clambered up on Aransûl's back Alede kissed his cheek. "Thank you my friend."
Gimli muttered something incoherent before mounting and after one last look of longing, Legolas sprang upon his stallion and they turned toward the Misty Mountains.
Alede stood watching them, twisting the silver ring about her finger until the bright gleam of Legolas' hair was lost in the distance. As she slowly descended into the valley once again, she heard quite clearly in her mind, "Namárië Melui."
~ ~ ~
"And now, my friend, I have a gift as precious as yours," Legolas said, patting the small pouch at his belt.
"Humph! I would not go so far as to say that," Gimli disagreed as he shifted his grip on Legolas' waist as Aransûl began the long ascent up the mountain pass.
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked sharply.
"Alede is sweet and fair, I grant you. But you must concede that Galadriel is fairer still."
"Perhaps," Legolas nodded. "But she is also unreachable. Alede is warm and approachable. I would not even dare to touch the hem of Galadriel's gown, so unreachable is she. I would certainly never dare to embrace her!"
"Ha! But I have not your carnal inclinations. I worship Lady Galadriel from afar. I would not soil her beauty with my touch!"
"Yet touch can be a form of worship," Legolas argued. "And once Alede and I are united, I intend to become intensely devout."
That remark caught Gimli by surprise and he let out a roar of laughter. He cuffed Legolas lightly along side the head and the Elf gave a cry of mock pain.
"It is good to see that you have stopped moping about," Gimli said.
"I have not felt this well in many long years my friend," Legolas answered him happily. "Except for this pain in the side of my head . . ." and he turned to give Gimli a mischievous look.
Laughing, they continued on their journey home.
The End.
~ ~ ~
A/N: I've posted chapter 28, the "Epilogue" today as well. It is very short and sweet.
Thank you, thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it! As always, your reviews kept me going. I love you guys! You're wonderful. And give a great big hand to Thecla, my beta reader! This story would not have happened without her wonderful mixture of support, enthusiasm, and logic.
I have a fourth story planned in the Legolas/Alede/Gimli adventures. Here is a little teaser for it:
***Legolas and Gimli pursue rumors of a powerful creature that has taken up residence in the ruins of Mordor. There they face the greatest test of their skills to save Middle Earth. But is it the creature that is responsible for the strange weather and the bands of Orcs spilling out of Mordor, or is it driven by a dark mind full of dark purpose?
Meanwhile, Alede travels south to be with her betrothed, but King Thranduil unexpectedly joins her. Arguments and hostilities ensue and Alede begins to wonder if she'll ever make it to Ithilien in one piece.
And in the Silmarillion, Tolkien tells us that five Maiar were sent to Middle Earth, yet he only accounts for three. Who were the other two?
You've met Cyrus the Blue in "The Faerie Goblet". Now meet Maladok the Red, a wizard of great power, but with a terrible weakness that could destroy all of Middle Earth.
Coming soon in "The Griffon's Tears". ***
~ ~ ~
I'll be posting "The Griffon's Tears" in February. If you'd like, I can send you an e-mail once I begin posting it. Just let me know in your review. :D And as always, thanks for your support! :D :D :D ~ Nebride
THE FAERIE GOBLET
Chapter 27 ~ "Promises"
The night after the land of Faerie vomited Legolas and Gimli out onto the grass of Rivendell, there was a simple feast.
Alede remarked during that dinner to Gimli, as he sat on one side of her and Legolas the other, that she could not understand how a people who ate as little as Elves commonly did, could always be counted upon to throw a feast for even the smallest of events, of which this was not.
Legolas only chuckled but Gimli agreed with her and that was the beginning of a solid friendship between them. It was initially based upon the opinions of two practical people adrift amongst the whims of an impractical people like the Elves, but it soon branched out to include other topics and eventually Gimli completely forgot that he had ever disliked Alede.
The real celebration however was not held for another two weeks giving all the Elves time to heal emotionally from their captivity.
Alede watched the preparations from her balcony on the day of the celebration. Large trestle tables were being set out onto the lawn and delicious smells wafted up from the kitchens. Her gown was finished and lying ready upon the bed and her wrist was fully knit thanks to Lomomir's excellent doctoring and some rather unscrupulous healing spells on Alede's part.
Below her, she heard Legolas' laughter ring out. He'd informed her earlier that he and Gimli were going to 'test' the wine and ale to make sure it was of adequate quality for the night's celebration. Alede had not been fooled one bit by the mock serious look on his face and had sent him off with laughter of her own.
The three of them had spent nearly every waking moment together since Legolas and Gimli's terrifying return from Faerie. At first they spoke of the horrors they'd faced in the underworld, but later as those memories had healed they had talked of each other, of their past and of their future, of Gimli's immortality and the day that they would all take a ship to Valinor together.
Of the Faerie Queen there had been no sign. Alede had not felt or heard any whisper of her, though she was at a loss to explain what had actually happened down in the faerie caverns. From Legolas' description, she could only conclude that the Faerie Goblet had sucked all of faerie inside of itself. But since it was designed to pull in what ever drank from it and send it to the land of Faerie, Alede could only guess that it had imploded in upon itself, spiraling inward and inward continuously without end. She could see no escape for the Faerie Queen from whatever realm she now found herself. Doubtlessly it was a dimension which none of them could understand.
And while that thought reassured Alede, it was also a source of unhappiness for her. She could not forget the Faerie Queen's last conversation with her, 'I carry Legolas' child and you will assist me with its birthing.'
No matter how badly she wanted to push those words away, they haunted her. It was bad enough what the Queen had done to both Legolas and Elrohir, but for the Queen to flaunt it to Alede . . .
*I should be thinking only of Legolas' suffering, but instead I am consumed by my own hurt, my own envy.*
Alede paced back and forth in her room, careful to shield both herself and her thoughts from Legolas down below. She knew that she ought to tell Legolas what the Queen had said. She loved him, she wanted to be honest with him and hiding something from him would be deceitful.
But it would also be hurtful to tell him. Elves loved their families with an intensity that humans could only dimly understand. If Legolas thought that he'd sent his own child, no matter what its conception had been, into a nether realm . . .
Alede could only imagine the emotional pain and damage it would cause him.
*And myself as well!*
And then quite suddenly, Alede realized that this had been the very trap that the Faerie Queen had laid for them. A trap of hurt and jealousy.
Pacing still, Alede looked at the situation logically. If a village maiden had told her the same story, Alede would doubt it. While it was difficult to say how many 'days' Legolas and Elrohir had actually been in Faerie or how many times they had . . . Alede winced. She really did not want to think about that.
*In any case, it is far too early for the Queen to know that she was with child.*
The more Alede thought about it, the more implausible it became. The Queen's kingdom was failing, her people dwindling, very likely it was the demise of all Faeries. Like the Elves, many creatures of magic were passing out of Middle Earth or becoming rare. It seemed highly unlikely that the Queen of such a doomed race could conceive so quickly and so easily. Why else had they been so desperate to steal a royal infant?
Alede snorted with satisfaction. The Queen's words had in all probability been a lie with which to wound Alede. And, on the off chance that Alede was rescued, those words would be a barb to wound Legolas as well.
*But the Queen knew nothing of love.*
For those reasons Alede decided she would shield Legolas from that awful tale. She would never tell him that there was even the slightest chance that he had sent his own child into a realm of darkness. He would never hear the Queen's hurtful words from Alede's lips.
*If one of us must carry the burden of sin and guilt, then let it be me. I will not see him hurt by something that was probably just a lie.*
And with that last thought, Alede buried the memory as deeply as she could. Turning back to the balcony, she looked out onto the green grass at Legolas sitting at ease far below. He was talking freely with Gimli and a group of Elves and looked perfectly happy.
He must have sensed her watching him, for he turned and looked up at her, waving as he did so. Alede grinned and waved back, then went inside to change into her gown and get ready for the celebration.
~ ~ ~
The celebration was the most magnificent that Rivendell had seen in many years. Bright torches were lit once the sun went down and the dark sky formed a ceiling of stars above them. After the feasting was done, musicians filled the glade with bright music and Legolas whirled Alede out into the middle of it. They danced every dance, until Alede was breathless. And when she missed a step or faltered, she did not blush or become embarrassed. Instead she laughed, for the sharing of song went both ways and she had acquired some of Legolas' confidence and therefore enjoyed the celebration all that much more.
Later in the evening once she could tear herself away from Legolas, she convinced the musicians to play a Dwarvish reel and coaxed Gimli out into the meadow with her. By that time the Dwarf had consumed enough ale that he was not the least bit shy, though he was a trifle unsteady. Alede had to catch at his shoulder a few times when he stumbled. She worried that the ale he had consumed would not mix well with the Elvish wine he'd sampled earlier and decided she'd best make him a tonic before morning came.
Little did Alede know that Legolas was able to read many of her thoughts and that her worry for his friend both amused and pleased him.
~ ~ ~
It was shortly after that that Legolas coaxed Alede out into the forest with him, away from the music and the lights. The moon was barely a sliver, but the stars illuminated the woodland paths well enough for him to see where they were going.
"I want to show you something," he said softly as he held Alede's hand and she walked beside him.
He led her to an enormous oak tree, hoary with age, but still majestic. Legolas stepped lightly onto the trunk and reached back to help Alede. She hesitated for only a moment, contemplating the rough bark and her delicate gown, but then she pulled the skirt up as far as she decently could and draped it over one arm, allowing Legolas to pull her up.
He settled them high up in the tree on a branch the width of two horses. He had his back against the massive trunk and pulled Alede against him, so that her back lay against his chest.
"Many years ago," he said wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled against him, "I sat in this tree when I came to Rivendell with a message from my father."
Alede turned a little so that she could look up at him. "Was this before you started on the quest for the One Ring?"
He nodded. "It was the night after the council and I had heard many things that day that troubled me. I had not traveled widely at that time. My father had kept me close to home and I had not traveled often beyond the borders of Mirkwood. I was excited to be chosen as one of the fellowship, but I was frightened of the responsibility as well. As the only Elf in the company, I felt that the others' safety lay with me. I knew that I must take care of them and it seemed a heavy burden for one as young as myself."
He paused and smiled fondly at the memories. "I cannot tell you how surprised I was when I realized what fearsome warriors the others were. Of course I knew of Aragorn's abilities, but Boromir and Gimli astonished me. Even the little hobbits! Gentle folk they seemed to me, yet containing hearts as brave as mountain lions. I had thought that I would feel alone on that journey, out of place amongst such strange company. But instead I felt myself a part of something vital, something larger and more important than myself."
He paused again and pushed Alede's hair to the side so that he could kiss the side of her neck lightly. Alede wiggled around until she was sideways and could lean her cheek against his chest and placed one arm behind his back.
"I feel that way now," Legolas continued softly. "As if I am a part of something so much bigger than myself. I am connected to you and to Gimli. The two of you have become my family. Somehow the three of us have become a unit, a small fellowship of our own. Does this make sense to you?"
Alede nodded. "I have always felt connected to you. Since that night in my tower house when I watched you turn cold and could do nothing about it. I knew that if you died, some part of me would die as well."
"Yet . . ." he paused as if listening for some far away sound. "There is something that you keep from me. Something that troubles you." He cupped a hand under her chin and tipped it up so that she would look at him. "What is it, my Sweet? For I cannot bear to have you troubled."
Alede looked down guiltily. "There are three 'somethings' actually. But I . . . I cannot . . . I do not wish to speak of them."
"Please tell me," he said softly. He could not stand for her to be unhappy, not after all that they had endured. "I felt your sorrow this afternoon when Gimli and I were sampling the wine. What were you thinking of?"
But Alede only shook her head and looked away.
Trying to lighten the somber mood that he felt from her, Legolas said in a teasing voice, "Tell me or I will throw you on Aransûl and take you to Mirkwood where my Father will torture it out of you!"
Alede could not help but laugh a little. "If your father saw you holding me he would torture me and throw me in his dungeon anyway."
"And swallow the key, no doubt," Legolas teased.
Alede laughed softly, but then the smile faded from her lips. Legolas' heart felt as if it might break seeing her sadness.
"Alede, please do not keep this from me. Let me help you!"
Looking up, she could not bear the agony she saw on his face and placed a gentle hand on his cheek.
"How can you say that?" she asked wonderingly. "It is I who would help you! You are the one who has suffered so much!"
"As we both did," he reminded her. "You and I have gone through much for each other."
"But you bore the worst of it. Legolas," and she looked up at him with worried eyes, "I know not much in the way of healing minds. But what the queen did to you may have caused great damage. I want to help, but I feel inadequate to the task. I . . ."
"I do not think there is anyway that you can help, Melui. Nor do I think it is necessary. Gimli healed the worst of the damage and his song is still with me. Elrohir and Elladan and I have also talked much. I am well. You need not fear for me. And I will get better as time goes on."
"But . . ." Alede stumbled for words. "I do not wish to sound petulant, but I know of no other way to put it. In the past two weeks, since our return . . . I mean . . . well, before you drank from the goblet, the night that Gimli was attacked by the hag . . . well, we almost . . ."
Legolas grinned, finally understanding what Alede was trying to say. Apparently she had gained confidence only in certain areas and this was not one of them.
"We almost made love that night," he finished for her. "And since our return, I have made no venture into your bed. Is that what is troubling you?"
"Well, yes, but I am not complaining," she added hastily. "I only worry that it is indicative of a greater problem and I wish to help. I am not suggesting that we . . ."
Legolas grinned. "I understand. I admit that there are memories that I wish to have fade before I make love to you. I need some time, time to forget and to feel at peace with myself again."
"I did not intend to sound as if I am pressuring you," Alede said worriedly.
Legolas looked down at her and his eyes twinkled with mischief. "It is alright. I realize that you can barely keep your hands off of me. Little did I know what a wanton wild cat lay beneath that calm surface . . ."
"Legolas!"
He grinned and hugged her to silence her protest.
"But there is more to it than that," he said. "Now that I have the time to think sensibly about our relationship and am not distracted by your lovely shape," here he wiggled his eyebrows at her, winning a pleased but embarrassed smile, "I realize that we have put the cart before the horse, as Gandalf used to say."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Alede, I am in love with you and though I have not asked, I have hoped that you will become my betrothed. Will you?"
Alede was certain that she was going to fall out of the tree so faint hearted did she feel. Her head spun and her pulse pounded. Long, long years had she hoped to hear those words from him.
"Yes," she said breathlessly and then realizing just how pathetically desperate she must sound, she amended her words. "But only if you promise not to go meddling with magic anymore. I'll have to give you up if you keep getting yourself into trouble . . ."
She was forced to stop when Legolas hugged her so tightly that she could not breath.
"I had best get a promise from you now," he said laughing, "for I am certain that adventure will continue to find me. After all it was adventure that brought us together in the first place."
"That was an adventure that I would rather not repeat."
"Nor I, but I do not regret it," Legolas said softly, leaning down to kiss her.
Alede forgot everything else but that Legolas had asked her to become his betrothed. And then she forgot even that and could only feel the warmth of his mouth upon hers and his strong hands gliding over her back.
Legolas broke the kiss after awhile and held Alede close, reveling in how right it felt to have her there against him. Every doubt that he'd ever had about the future was gone. He kissed the top of her head and she lifted her face to his, smiling up at him.
He cleared his throat, there had been something important that he wanted to tell her . . .
"What was it you were saying about horses pushing carts?" Alede asked once she could think again. "You distracted me, but it sounded important."
*Ah yes.*
"I am concerned that we lay the right foundation for our relationship. We have rushed headlong into becoming lovers and skipped many important steps in between."
Alede looked at him in surprise and Legolas continued. "I know more of marriage than you do, Alede . . ."
"Really?" she exclaimed in mock astonishment. "Do you have a wife or two on the side that I know nothing about?"
"Nay," he laughed, "but my mother lived longer than yours did, so I saw what can cause trouble in a marriage and what can sustain it. It is like my friendship with Gimli. We first had to learn to respect each other, which you and I have done. Then we learned to have a grudging admiration for each other, which you and I also have. But only after that could Gimli and I move on to becoming friends."
"And now you are like brothers," Alede finished, nodding her head in agreement. "You are right. Despite the years since we met, there is still much that we have to learn about each other. We have virtually skipped over the part about being friends."
Legolas nodded, "And I would not skip over such an important step, for that is one part that will sustain us over all of eternity."
"Does this mean . . ." Alede asked hesitantly, for this was touching on the second of her worries, "that you regret what has occurred between us? You just spoke of betrothal . . ."
Legolas shook his head and picked up her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Nay, Melui. I regret nothing and I was perfectly serious about our betrothal. What I am trying to say though, is that we need to take the time to learn about each other, to become friends, before we become lovers. I do not wish to hurry our relationship. We will have all of eternity to make love to each other, I do not wish to strew pebbles in our path because we were too impatient in the beginning."
"Oh," Alede breathed a sigh of relief. "I understand and I agree. And this was the second of my worries. I was afraid that you might change your mind about me. We have had so many misunderstandings in the past, I feared that another might arise before I could come to Ithilien."
"Nay! I have learned my lesson about undelivered letters!" he said. "I will not put either of us through that again. Nor will we make any major decisions without talking about them face to face."
"Thank you," she said sincerely, but then an impish smile lit her face. "I must admit that I had not expected an Elf to be so practical where love is concerned. Has Gimli's dwarvin logic rubbed off on you?"
"Humph! That dwarf knows nothing of logic!" he said mock seriously. Then both of them laughed and Legolas drew her tightly against him in a hug.
"Have I allayed the first two of your fears?" Legolas asked running his fingers over her bright hair.
"Yes."
"Then tell me of the third."
Alede took a deep breath and Legolas felt a wave of pain seep out of her, but it was quickly quenched and he knew she held something tightly in check.
"I . . . it was something that the Faerie Queen said," Alede replied quietly, avoiding his gaze. "I did not wish for you to know about it, but I was not careful enough with my song apparently and you have sensed that which I tried to shield you from. I will not repeat her words, for she said it to wound. That is what troubled me this afternoon. But I have decided that I will not let her words hurt you as well, so I will not speak them. I hope you will trust me on this and not ask any more. This is my burden, please let me bear it." She looked up at him beseechingly.
Legolas leaned his head back against the rough bark and stared at the sky thoughtfully.
"I can guess what she might have said to you, Alede," he said, disgust coloring his tone. "She bedded me before you did. Is that what she flung in your face?"
Alede remained silent, wishing that her song had not betrayed her. She did not want to turn this into a guessing game.
"Not that?" Legolas asked and Alede realized that she was giving away far more than she intended.
"Legolas, please . . . I did not realize that I could no longer shield myself from you. I do not wish to speak of this!"
"It is not your fault, Melui," Legolas said softly. "Ever since that day, the day that Gimli and I came back from Faerie, the day that all three of us shared song, I have been able to read your thoughts almost as clearly as if you spoke them."
"Really?"
He nodded. "No one in my family has the gift that I know of. But I have met someone who had it. I wonder if she passed it on to me . . ."
Alede looked at him. "Who?"
"Lady Galadriel. She . . ." he paused searching for the right words. "She walked with me once during our stay in Lorien and spoke many riddles about my future. I did not understand what she meant then, but now . . . perhaps I do a little now." He raised his head and seemed to shake the past from his mind. "In any case, I can read a little of your thoughts when I focus on you, which," he looked down at her tenderly, "has been quite a lot as of late."
Alede smiled up at him.
"I can also read some of Gimli's which is going to vex him terribly once he finds out."
Alede's smile broke into a grin.
"I think I will not tell him," Legolas winked at her. "But as to what is troubling you . . . Ahh, once again it is my failure to instruct you in the way of Elves that is the problem."
Alede shook her head in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"
"The Queen told you that she carried my child."
Alede felt as if her heart would choke her. She was furious with herself for letting that thought slip out and turned her head away.
"But my Sweet," he lifted her chin, gazing at her fondly, "that cannot be so. Elves choose the time of conception, it is not happenstance as it is with humans. My seed is fertile only when I choose it to be."
Alede blinked and suddenly felt like a fool. "Of course! Elrond and I discussed that long ago, when I first began to study with him. I had forgotten. I cannot believe I have agonized over this for nothing!" she said shaking her head.
Legolas grinned at her. "I can. Worrying is one of your exceptional skills."
Alede smiled and chuckled softly at his teasing. "Yes, I suppose you are right. But still, surely the Faerie Queen must have known. Faeries have captured Elves before, so surely she must understand that about your people?"
"From the tales we tell in Mirkwood, many captives choose to remain in Faerie even if they have the chance to leave. Indeed, when I went back the second time, the Queen's knights seemed to expect me. If a captive is content with his captivity, then . . ." he let the sentence trail off.
Alede shook her head. "I was so afraid of how you might feel if you thought that you had unwittingly sent your unborn child into the nether realm! I cannot tell you how relieved I am."
"I do regret that her entire world was sent into that vortex," Legolas said softly. "I never intended that. But I did not realize how intertwined the faeries were with their Queen."
"I think they were only extensions of her," Alede said. "And think what they would have done if left to kidnap more people. They might have captured those more helpless than you."
"They might have captured someone who did not have the aid of two of the most stubborn people in all of Middle Earth," Legolas said giving her a fierce hug. "Does this relieve all of your worries?'
"All but one," she said pertly. "If we are not to become lovers yet, does that mean that I may not kiss you again?" She looked up at him through her eyelashes in a very coquettish manner and Legolas broke into a grin.
"Nay, that is not what it means," and he suited action to words and it was long time later that they climbed down from the tree.
~ ~ ~
The following day Legolas and Alede had a private conversation with Gimli. The dwarf pocketed a handful of the coins Alede had received in Mirkwood, which he declared to be of much better quality than the handful of Gondor silver that Legolas had offered him.
"After all, Thranduil's silver came from the Lonely Mountain," he said with a huff.
Gimli then retreated to the sooty depths of Rivendell's forge and was holed up there for two days. When he emerged, he still had a few coins in his pocket, but the rest had been melted down into something else.
A very important something else that he had placed in a secret little box and delivered to Legolas under the curious and prying eye of Radagast.
But the Elf had merely thanked his friend and smiled a satisfied little smile at Radagast and disappeared into Rivendell's many balconies and gardens with the suspicious wizard none the wiser about what was happening between his daughter and the prince of Mirkwood.
It was a very frustrating time for Radagast.
~ ~ ~
Elrohir went looking for Legolas that afternoon. He found Radagast instead, leaning over one of the balconies at such a precarious angle that the Elvin Lord feared the old wizard might topple over.
He approached cautiously, so that he might not frighten Radagast. Fortunately his presence was heard and the wizard looked up hastily.
"Come quick," Radagast whispered urgently, beckoning the prince over.
Elrohir hurried to his side and the wizard pointed to the garden below.
"I cannot hear what they are saying. Can you?" he asked softly.
Elrohir leaned over and beheld Legolas and Alede seated on a small bench. A profusion of red roses climbed the arbor above them and a fountain tinkled nearby. Legolas had his forehead pressed gently to Alede's and from the look of rapture on the girl's face, Elrohir knew that they shared song. But Legolas was speaking too, soft melodious words that vibrated with the intensity of their power and beauty.
Elrohir smiled and straightened up.
"Well?" Radagast demanded. "What are they saying?"
The Prince of Imladris took the wizard's arm and gently pulled him away from the rail. "Their words are not meant for our ears, my friend."
~ ~ ~
Alede slid the silver betrothal ring over Legolas' finger. Gimli had done a beautiful job of engraving it with tiny mountain peaks, representing the Misty Mountains where they had first met. Her own ring sparkled on her finger. It was wrapped all around with the oak leaves that were Legolas' royal symbol and words that still made tears of joy burn in her eyes.
Looking up into his twilight gaze, she slowly repeated the phrases that Legolas had just spoken to her. Quenya was a beautiful language, though in the past she'd found it difficult. But this time the golden tones slid easily off her tongue and she trembled as she once again felt the ecstasy of their songs joining in a melody of love.
How long they sat with the perfume of the garden all around them, she did not know. It might have been hours. But finally Legolas withdrew slightly and she opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
Legolas could not help the smile that tugged at his lips as well. He felt so complete. Alede was healed, their plans were set, the sea's hold on him was broken and his heart was so full of joy he thought it might burst. The future now held the promise of love and laughter and companionship. When Alede had spoken the betrothal Promise Words to him, he'd felt them vibrate with a power all of their own and knew with a certainty that their love and their future had been bound with magic, though neither of them had intended it.
Letting go of Alede's hands, he wrapped his arms around her squeezing her so tightly she burst into giggles.
"Careful, my Lord. I still must draw breath."
"Nay, breathing is not necessary," he said with a grin and kissed her until she was truly breathless.
Laughing, he let go of her and stood up.
"I will go speak with your father now."
Alede smiled, "It is not necessary that you do. I am certainly old enough to no longer need my Father's permission, but I know he will be flattered by the gesture."
"Then I intend to please him."
"Legolas," she said as he started to turn away.
"Yes?"
Alede wore an impish grin. "I am glad that it is YOU who must undertake this task. I have no desire to speak with your father about such matters."
Legolas threw back his head and laughed. "And neither do I! Yet somehow I will summon the courage and do so! Farewell, my sweet. I will see you later."
~ ~ ~
Radagast paced the library muttering irritably to himself. "Blasted children! What could possibly be taking them so long?"
"May I speak with you Sir?"
Radagast nearly jumped out of his skin as the velvety voice startled him. Whirling around he beheld the young prince of Mirkwood.
"Of course, of course, come in. Would you like some wine?"
Legolas declined politely though there was an amused curl to his lips and Radagast suspected that he'd been overheard as he'd talked to himself.
"What can I do for you?" Radagast said, trying to hide his anxiety.
Legolas bowed to him and the wizard fidgeted nervously waiting for the prince to dispense with the niceties and speak.
"Lord Radagast, I formally ask permission to court your daughter. I have already asked her to become my betrothed, but I would wish for your approval if you would give it."
Radagast tried to hide the joy that was bubbling inside of him. He rather clumsily returned Legolas' bow.
"Your Highness, I gladly grant you permission. I uh . . . uh . . ." Radagast stumbled over his words and finally gave up. "Oh balderdash!"
Stepping forward, he tossed aside dignity and the formality of the situation and grabbed the young prince, hugging him tightly.
Legolas chuckled as he was soundly pounded on the back and when he stepped away, he saw tears of happiness running down the old wizard's face.
"Welcome to the family, Son," Radagast said shakily. "Welcome!"
~ ~ ~
"Will you journey through Mirkwood on your way to Ithilien?" Legolas asked as they stood upon the rim of Rivendell's valley. He and Gimli were packed for their trip home and Aransûl stood impatiently waiting for them to mount.
"Yes," Alede replied. She alone had ridden this far to see them off. "When Cyrus, Father and I leave here, your uncle will be coming with us. So we will stop in Mirkwood before we turn south."
Legolas nodded as he took Alede's hand and held it, thinking about how long it would be before he could hold it again. "That is well. My father will have a betrothal gift for you . . ."
"A nice cell in the dungeon," Gimli snorted.
Legolas shot the dwarf an irritated glance and Alede gave Gimli a tremulous smile. "Your jest may not be too far off, I fear," she said.
"It is our customs for the parent of the groom to give his betrothed a gift," Legolas continued seriously.
"Yes, I know," Alede replied. "And my father is also aware of the custom." Radagast would be presenting a gift to Legolas as well when they arrived in Ithilien.
The elf shook his head smiling. "He has already given me the greatest gift I could ever ask for."
Gimli rolled his eyes and grunted, earning a look from his friend.
"Send me a message when you leave Mirkwood . . ."
"So that he will know if you are in the dungeon or not," Gimli interrupted again.
Legolas scowled at him. "So that I may have my people watching for you as you enter Gondor," he said firmly.
"Yes, I'll . . ." Alede began.
"And of course you will be my guest at the Glittering Caves on your journey through Gondor," Gimli said.
Alede turned to the dwarf. "I would be delighted to stay in your home and to see the Caves that have made Legolas speechless." She turned once again to her betrothed, tightening the hold on his hand.
"My father guesses that we have five more years worth of work here before we may leave. That is such a long time," Alede said, her voice shaking slightly. This parting was going to be even more painful than she imagined. She had grown so accustomed to having Legolas with her each day.
"Aye, it will," Legolas said softly. "Each day will feel as a year. But . . ." he brightened a little, "five years will give me enough time to make some changes in my dwelling, so that you may live there as well."
"Changes?" Alede asked. "What do you mean?"
"Legolas currently lives in a bark hut with grass mats on the floor," Gimli interrupted again with a grin of amusement.
Alede turned to him startled and with a swift movement, Legolas clapped his hand over the Dwarf's mouth and held it there.
"I do not live in a bark hut," he said stressing each word and glaring at the struggling, but silent dwarf. "My people wished to build a royal palace for me, but I persuaded them against it. My home is modest . . ."
Gimli snorted despite the hand over his mouth and Alede smiled. She could only imagine what Legolas' home must look like. What Elves called modest, most humans would call 'grand, sumptuous and breathtaking'.
"But now I wish to add rooms for you," Legolas continued, "perhaps more balconies and another library for your healing books . . ."
Gimli was struggling like mad and with a laugh Legolas let him go.
"Do not get him started!" Gimli admonished Alede. "He can ramble on about architecture for hours!"
"Peace, my friend," Legolas said smiling, "and allow me to bid farewell to my betrothed." Ignoring Gimli's sputtering, he stepped forward and kissed Alede. She leaned into his embrace, carefully memorizing the feel of his mouth upon hers, of his strong arms about her and the hardness of his chest. They embraced for a long time while Gimli fidgeted, paced and tried to look everywhere else but at the shining couple.
There were tears in Alede's eyes as they parted, but Legolas was smiling. He touched a finger to the locket resting upon her throat.
"I cannot believe that you kept this, even through your imprisonment. I would have thought it might have been lost."
Alede's hand pressed over his. "It would have broken me if it had been lost, but fortunately the Queen never noticed it."
He nodded thoughtfully. "May I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course," Alede said sincerely. "Anything."
Legolas' hand strayed to her hair, pulled back in its customary braid. He separated an unruly strand that was working its way loose. Alede understood immediately and reaching around, pulled the tie from the braid. Legolas combed his long fingers through the golden waves and then carefully cut three strands with his knife. He coiled them and slipped them into the small pouch at his belt.
"Fear not," he said as Alede fought the tears that threatened to spill down her face. "Every night before you close your eyes, I will come to you in your thoughts," he said quietly. "We will be parted in body only."
Alede nodded, for she too had learned to hear the whispers of his mind and knew that they were now joined in a way that went even beyond the sharing of song.
"Then every night I will listen for you in my mind, until the day that I may listen for you in person." She wiped a treacherous tear from her cheek and deliberately stepped back. She had stalled them long enough and knew they were anxious to begin their long road. "I bid you farewell and a safe journey."
"I will see you in five years, my Sweet," Legolas said embracing her again. She clung to him. "Hurry your work if you can," he said more softly. "For I admit that I am as impatient as any human."
Alede gave him a tremulous smile and nodded, unable to speak. Reluctantly, she let go of him.
Before Gimli clambered up on Aransûl's back Alede kissed his cheek. "Thank you my friend."
Gimli muttered something incoherent before mounting and after one last look of longing, Legolas sprang upon his stallion and they turned toward the Misty Mountains.
Alede stood watching them, twisting the silver ring about her finger until the bright gleam of Legolas' hair was lost in the distance. As she slowly descended into the valley once again, she heard quite clearly in her mind, "Namárië Melui."
~ ~ ~
"And now, my friend, I have a gift as precious as yours," Legolas said, patting the small pouch at his belt.
"Humph! I would not go so far as to say that," Gimli disagreed as he shifted his grip on Legolas' waist as Aransûl began the long ascent up the mountain pass.
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked sharply.
"Alede is sweet and fair, I grant you. But you must concede that Galadriel is fairer still."
"Perhaps," Legolas nodded. "But she is also unreachable. Alede is warm and approachable. I would not even dare to touch the hem of Galadriel's gown, so unreachable is she. I would certainly never dare to embrace her!"
"Ha! But I have not your carnal inclinations. I worship Lady Galadriel from afar. I would not soil her beauty with my touch!"
"Yet touch can be a form of worship," Legolas argued. "And once Alede and I are united, I intend to become intensely devout."
That remark caught Gimli by surprise and he let out a roar of laughter. He cuffed Legolas lightly along side the head and the Elf gave a cry of mock pain.
"It is good to see that you have stopped moping about," Gimli said.
"I have not felt this well in many long years my friend," Legolas answered him happily. "Except for this pain in the side of my head . . ." and he turned to give Gimli a mischievous look.
Laughing, they continued on their journey home.
The End.
~ ~ ~
A/N: I've posted chapter 28, the "Epilogue" today as well. It is very short and sweet.
Thank you, thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it! As always, your reviews kept me going. I love you guys! You're wonderful. And give a great big hand to Thecla, my beta reader! This story would not have happened without her wonderful mixture of support, enthusiasm, and logic.
I have a fourth story planned in the Legolas/Alede/Gimli adventures. Here is a little teaser for it:
***Legolas and Gimli pursue rumors of a powerful creature that has taken up residence in the ruins of Mordor. There they face the greatest test of their skills to save Middle Earth. But is it the creature that is responsible for the strange weather and the bands of Orcs spilling out of Mordor, or is it driven by a dark mind full of dark purpose?
Meanwhile, Alede travels south to be with her betrothed, but King Thranduil unexpectedly joins her. Arguments and hostilities ensue and Alede begins to wonder if she'll ever make it to Ithilien in one piece.
And in the Silmarillion, Tolkien tells us that five Maiar were sent to Middle Earth, yet he only accounts for three. Who were the other two?
You've met Cyrus the Blue in "The Faerie Goblet". Now meet Maladok the Red, a wizard of great power, but with a terrible weakness that could destroy all of Middle Earth.
Coming soon in "The Griffon's Tears". ***
~ ~ ~
I'll be posting "The Griffon's Tears" in February. If you'd like, I can send you an e-mail once I begin posting it. Just let me know in your review. :D And as always, thanks for your support! :D :D :D ~ Nebride