Disclaimer: I own zilch of these people, artefacts, places and so on and so forth. (Except the cook.) J.R.R. Tolkien does, but I wouldn't mind at all if I could take ownership ;) Nah, just kidding, I respect the Man a lot.
When Elrond speaks to Aragorn, there is quite a bit of stuff from the book, but I did not copy it straight, for I have tried to remember what he told him and rephrased it though I did refer quite a number of times *sheepish* Still, the content of that part belongs to Tolkien, as well as some phrases. I have disclaimed.
Author's note: I must thank my beta-reader (I would rather call her my editor but she doesn't seem to want that) for helping me read through :) and - what else - edit.
*beams* I'm so happy! Reviews! Reviews! I love reviews. Review some more!
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Chapter 2: Saddened Hearts
"... And stop stealing the food before dinner begins! The Prince of Mirkwood at that!" The cook scolded the fleeing elf good-naturedly, all the while waving her dripping ladle at the retreating figure.
"I can't help it! Your food's delicious!" Legolas turned and yelled back cheekily, stuffing another piece of bread into his mouth. The cook shook her head and returned to the kitchen, her eyes twinkling with humour.
Legolas slowed down to a walk, and as he strolled along the corridor, he sighted Arwen pacing in the garden. She was deep in thought, a contented smile now and then gracing her fair face. Her cheeks were rosy in the sunlight, but they were emphasised by the occasional blush at her reverie.
He too, smiled. It had only been a week since the first meeting between Aragorn and Arwen, yet both of them were already enamoured by the other. Legolas feigned ignorance about the matter, and Aragorn on his part would sit by him and talk for hours on end about how graceful Arwen's movements were, or likened her raven hair and the gem upon her brow to the dark night and its brightest star.
Arwen would come exactly half an hour after Aragorn left (how Arwen could perfect this timing Legolas could not guess), sit at the very same spot, and gush about how wise and handsome Aragorn was. Legolas would sit with her, wearing the same innocent expression as before, but in his heart he would grin with joy of the knowledge that his two closest friends may some day become husband and wife.
Legolas thought better than to disturb Arwen at the moment, since she would likely be punctual in her appointment later in the day. 'Ah, the sweet joy of young love,' Legolas pondered awhile. 'But it's not for me. It is too strange for I to comprehend, seeing how deeply in love the two of them are, yet both refuse to let me tell the other.'
He shrugged and continued walking. But as he passed by the study room, he heard familiar voices, yet the solemnity in them was alien. Frowning, Legolas hid in a corner and concentrated on listening.
"... The time has come for you to prove yourself, to either rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness where Isildur once failed. Years of trial still lie before you, and you shall take no wife, nor bind any woman to you in troth, before your time comes and you are found worthy of it."
There was a stunned silence, and Legolas strained forward to hear, stealthily making his way to the open window. Then Aragorn whispered, "How could you have known...? I only told..."
"Your own eyes have betrayed you, my son," said Elrond, "But I do not speak of my daughter alone, for you shall be betrothed to no man's child yet." But suddenly in Elrond's voice there seemed to be a foreign harshness, as he continued, "But as for Arwen Undómiel, Lady of Imladris and Lórien, the Evenstar of her people... Her blood is of greater lineage than yours, and she has lived already so long that you are but a yearling shoot beside a young birch of many summers. She is too far above you."
Then there was great distress in Legolas' elvish face, for in that instant he knew that his blessing had become a curse to both of his friends. His hands subconsciously curled into quivering fists, unknowingly mirroring Aragorn, whose whitened knuckles tightened on an ebony chair.
"And so, I think, it may well seem to her. But even if her heart were turned towards you, I should still be grieved because of the doom awaits us."
"What is that doom?" Those who knew Estel well heard the pain in his voice, and Legolas was grieved by it.
"As long as I abide in Middle-Earth, she shall live with the youth of the Eldar, and when I depart, she shall follow," Elrond answered, and his tone softened, "if she so chooses."
"I see," said Aragorn wearily, walking towards the window, "that I have turned my eyes to a treasure no less that Beren once desired. Such is my fate." Then suddenly he turned around with a start, "But lo! Master Elrond, the years of your abiding has run short at last, and the choice must soon be laid on your children to part with… you, or with this realm."
"Truly," said Elrond, "but many mortal years must still go by, before Arwen, my dearest daughter, chooses her path. It lies upon you, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, to bring one of us, you or me, to a bitter parting beyond the world's end. You do not know yet what you desire of me." Then Elrond sighed, and sadly said, "But the years will bring what they will. We will speak no more of this till many more have passed, for the days are darkening, and evil is arising."
As he heard Aragorn's footsteps fade away, Legolas bent his head in sorrow, and his nails bit deeper into his palms' flesh. He could stand it no longer. How could Elrond treat his foster son as such?
"How could you?" Legolas demanded as he stood at the doorway of the study room, glaring accusingly at Elrond.
Elrond did not move from his seat, but turned a calm gaze on him, and Legolas suddenly felt like a child in front of the Master of Rivendell. But Legolas held his ground, and locked an icy stare with him.
"You hardly make a good eavesdropper, Legolas." Elrond's attempt at humour fell flat, as Legolas strode toward him, fury ablaze.
"And you, are a pathetic liar!" Legolas spat out, "For one who can read people's hearts, you should very well know that Arwen loves Aragorn, and would never think of him as an inferior, mere mortal. If someone is as wise as people make him out to be, perhaps he would grant those whom he claim dear to him some happiness!"
Elrond stood up and grabbed the younger elf's collar. "Do you think it does not hurt me to separate them?"
Undaunted, Legolas growled and mocked, "Ah, he has feelings, does he not?"
Elrond released his grip, and sighed wearily. "You do not understand. Aragorn is still a child, and he has much to learn before he becomes king. No, Legolas, I do not think of Estel as a mere mortal either. Though he is strong and wise beyond his years, he is still soft, and needs the experience. There is evil afoot, and Aragorn will undoubtedly have a part to play in the destiny of Middle-Earth.
"You would think me selfish, to keep Arwen in the sanctuary of Rivendell, especially when she is a great warrior herself. But I have no intention of keeping her here, for she too, will have to fight her own battles in times to come. That is as far as I can foresee, Legolas, but I cannot predict all. Estel and Undómiel are both dear to my heart, but if one should fall into darkness, the other must find strength to fight on.
"Then, let me be the one to cruelly tear them apart, before their love deepens. This shall be my only intervention," Elrond said bitterly, "my soul is already filling with guilt and remorse." Then, a sad smile touched the corners of his lips, and he said, "Should Fate bring them together once more, I give them my blessings."
Legolas softened then, his anger easing, finally understanding what Elrond had done, as he placed a comforting hand on the elder's shoulder.
But Elrond shook his head, and spoke again. "I fear Arwen must endure one more parting."
Legolas lifted his brows in question, but in his heart he already knew the answer.
"You, too, must leave."
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OK! There, such a long chapter. *peer above* I hope you have all enjoyed it :) Please review!
Rogue Runaway - Ahh, your words of encouragement are very heartening :)! Well, it is true that Arwen was advertised extensively though her role was small, but I assure you that in the book she's pretty cool! *beam* But of course, there's no other character I like better than Legolas (don't most of us ;))
TinyTiger - :) I'm glad you liked the first chapter! I hope you like this chapter as much *hopeful grin* Please continue to review!
littlefish - There, my chapter's finally out :). I'm really happy you reviewed, and you gave me such a nice review at that! *happy sigh* Thanks for all your compliments and I hope you like this chapter too!
Jocelyn - *gulp* sorry! I took so long to get this chapter out, partly because I had tests coming up and partly cos' inspiration didn't come very quickly. Glad you find my story intriguing though, please continue to review! :)
Jevvica - Thanks for continuing the reading! *grin* I absolutely love the friendship between Legolas and Gimli too… That's my fave bit! How's this chapter?
Tree - Definitely not! Legolas' bagel must NOT be stolen. But then, his bagels hadn't arrived by Bagel Express yet so he didn't think of that possibility. :)
When Elrond speaks to Aragorn, there is quite a bit of stuff from the book, but I did not copy it straight, for I have tried to remember what he told him and rephrased it though I did refer quite a number of times *sheepish* Still, the content of that part belongs to Tolkien, as well as some phrases. I have disclaimed.
Author's note: I must thank my beta-reader (I would rather call her my editor but she doesn't seem to want that) for helping me read through :) and - what else - edit.
*beams* I'm so happy! Reviews! Reviews! I love reviews. Review some more!
________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2: Saddened Hearts
"... And stop stealing the food before dinner begins! The Prince of Mirkwood at that!" The cook scolded the fleeing elf good-naturedly, all the while waving her dripping ladle at the retreating figure.
"I can't help it! Your food's delicious!" Legolas turned and yelled back cheekily, stuffing another piece of bread into his mouth. The cook shook her head and returned to the kitchen, her eyes twinkling with humour.
Legolas slowed down to a walk, and as he strolled along the corridor, he sighted Arwen pacing in the garden. She was deep in thought, a contented smile now and then gracing her fair face. Her cheeks were rosy in the sunlight, but they were emphasised by the occasional blush at her reverie.
He too, smiled. It had only been a week since the first meeting between Aragorn and Arwen, yet both of them were already enamoured by the other. Legolas feigned ignorance about the matter, and Aragorn on his part would sit by him and talk for hours on end about how graceful Arwen's movements were, or likened her raven hair and the gem upon her brow to the dark night and its brightest star.
Arwen would come exactly half an hour after Aragorn left (how Arwen could perfect this timing Legolas could not guess), sit at the very same spot, and gush about how wise and handsome Aragorn was. Legolas would sit with her, wearing the same innocent expression as before, but in his heart he would grin with joy of the knowledge that his two closest friends may some day become husband and wife.
Legolas thought better than to disturb Arwen at the moment, since she would likely be punctual in her appointment later in the day. 'Ah, the sweet joy of young love,' Legolas pondered awhile. 'But it's not for me. It is too strange for I to comprehend, seeing how deeply in love the two of them are, yet both refuse to let me tell the other.'
He shrugged and continued walking. But as he passed by the study room, he heard familiar voices, yet the solemnity in them was alien. Frowning, Legolas hid in a corner and concentrated on listening.
"... The time has come for you to prove yourself, to either rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness where Isildur once failed. Years of trial still lie before you, and you shall take no wife, nor bind any woman to you in troth, before your time comes and you are found worthy of it."
There was a stunned silence, and Legolas strained forward to hear, stealthily making his way to the open window. Then Aragorn whispered, "How could you have known...? I only told..."
"Your own eyes have betrayed you, my son," said Elrond, "But I do not speak of my daughter alone, for you shall be betrothed to no man's child yet." But suddenly in Elrond's voice there seemed to be a foreign harshness, as he continued, "But as for Arwen Undómiel, Lady of Imladris and Lórien, the Evenstar of her people... Her blood is of greater lineage than yours, and she has lived already so long that you are but a yearling shoot beside a young birch of many summers. She is too far above you."
Then there was great distress in Legolas' elvish face, for in that instant he knew that his blessing had become a curse to both of his friends. His hands subconsciously curled into quivering fists, unknowingly mirroring Aragorn, whose whitened knuckles tightened on an ebony chair.
"And so, I think, it may well seem to her. But even if her heart were turned towards you, I should still be grieved because of the doom awaits us."
"What is that doom?" Those who knew Estel well heard the pain in his voice, and Legolas was grieved by it.
"As long as I abide in Middle-Earth, she shall live with the youth of the Eldar, and when I depart, she shall follow," Elrond answered, and his tone softened, "if she so chooses."
"I see," said Aragorn wearily, walking towards the window, "that I have turned my eyes to a treasure no less that Beren once desired. Such is my fate." Then suddenly he turned around with a start, "But lo! Master Elrond, the years of your abiding has run short at last, and the choice must soon be laid on your children to part with… you, or with this realm."
"Truly," said Elrond, "but many mortal years must still go by, before Arwen, my dearest daughter, chooses her path. It lies upon you, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, to bring one of us, you or me, to a bitter parting beyond the world's end. You do not know yet what you desire of me." Then Elrond sighed, and sadly said, "But the years will bring what they will. We will speak no more of this till many more have passed, for the days are darkening, and evil is arising."
As he heard Aragorn's footsteps fade away, Legolas bent his head in sorrow, and his nails bit deeper into his palms' flesh. He could stand it no longer. How could Elrond treat his foster son as such?
"How could you?" Legolas demanded as he stood at the doorway of the study room, glaring accusingly at Elrond.
Elrond did not move from his seat, but turned a calm gaze on him, and Legolas suddenly felt like a child in front of the Master of Rivendell. But Legolas held his ground, and locked an icy stare with him.
"You hardly make a good eavesdropper, Legolas." Elrond's attempt at humour fell flat, as Legolas strode toward him, fury ablaze.
"And you, are a pathetic liar!" Legolas spat out, "For one who can read people's hearts, you should very well know that Arwen loves Aragorn, and would never think of him as an inferior, mere mortal. If someone is as wise as people make him out to be, perhaps he would grant those whom he claim dear to him some happiness!"
Elrond stood up and grabbed the younger elf's collar. "Do you think it does not hurt me to separate them?"
Undaunted, Legolas growled and mocked, "Ah, he has feelings, does he not?"
Elrond released his grip, and sighed wearily. "You do not understand. Aragorn is still a child, and he has much to learn before he becomes king. No, Legolas, I do not think of Estel as a mere mortal either. Though he is strong and wise beyond his years, he is still soft, and needs the experience. There is evil afoot, and Aragorn will undoubtedly have a part to play in the destiny of Middle-Earth.
"You would think me selfish, to keep Arwen in the sanctuary of Rivendell, especially when she is a great warrior herself. But I have no intention of keeping her here, for she too, will have to fight her own battles in times to come. That is as far as I can foresee, Legolas, but I cannot predict all. Estel and Undómiel are both dear to my heart, but if one should fall into darkness, the other must find strength to fight on.
"Then, let me be the one to cruelly tear them apart, before their love deepens. This shall be my only intervention," Elrond said bitterly, "my soul is already filling with guilt and remorse." Then, a sad smile touched the corners of his lips, and he said, "Should Fate bring them together once more, I give them my blessings."
Legolas softened then, his anger easing, finally understanding what Elrond had done, as he placed a comforting hand on the elder's shoulder.
But Elrond shook his head, and spoke again. "I fear Arwen must endure one more parting."
Legolas lifted his brows in question, but in his heart he already knew the answer.
"You, too, must leave."
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OK! There, such a long chapter. *peer above* I hope you have all enjoyed it :) Please review!
Rogue Runaway - Ahh, your words of encouragement are very heartening :)! Well, it is true that Arwen was advertised extensively though her role was small, but I assure you that in the book she's pretty cool! *beam* But of course, there's no other character I like better than Legolas (don't most of us ;))
TinyTiger - :) I'm glad you liked the first chapter! I hope you like this chapter as much *hopeful grin* Please continue to review!
littlefish - There, my chapter's finally out :). I'm really happy you reviewed, and you gave me such a nice review at that! *happy sigh* Thanks for all your compliments and I hope you like this chapter too!
Jocelyn - *gulp* sorry! I took so long to get this chapter out, partly because I had tests coming up and partly cos' inspiration didn't come very quickly. Glad you find my story intriguing though, please continue to review! :)
Jevvica - Thanks for continuing the reading! *grin* I absolutely love the friendship between Legolas and Gimli too… That's my fave bit! How's this chapter?
Tree - Definitely not! Legolas' bagel must NOT be stolen. But then, his bagels hadn't arrived by Bagel Express yet so he didn't think of that possibility. :)