Chapter Eighteen: Here's to the Night

After she had transformed back, (into her leggings and tunic, much to Filior's relief) Elorelei had done something very strange. She had laughed then rushed into Legolas's arms and hugged him. Legolas felt like a great weight he didn't know he had been carrying had lifted from him. Her brother and Eli both knew they were just friends but it was plain they didn't like it.

The necklace was still on her neck, and she made no move to take it off. Eli explained why she had changed, and though they tried it on Filior, nothing had happened. She was careful in putting it back on, but she didn't change again. They had only a week to figure out why Elorelei transformed, then she would leave the castle, Legolas with her. But not for long.

*~*~*~*

"Has he found out anything?" Elorelei walked up behind Legolas, leaning over his shoulder to see what he reading.

He barely acknowledged her for a moment. "Nmm." He muttered by means of a 'no.' Then he realized she was in his room. His room with his MALE friends. His male friends but two things on their minds every minute of every day. Food and flirting. Coincidentally, Elorelei fit into the category of those things. "ELORELEI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!"

She backed up, smiling. "Oh, you can burst into my dorm room any given day but I can't come up for a casual visit?" Legolas wondered faintly if she realized how the other elves in the room stared at her. Then again, she probably wouldn't care if she did know.

Still, he chose be a prick and remind her. "You are not totally immune to the male sex, you know." He said, taking chances by forcibly steering her out of the room.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She was trying to be angry and failing miserably at it. She yanked her arm back as soon as they had reached the common area.

She knew he would never explain what it meant. "Stop trying to make me uncomfortable." He mumbled, trying to hide his face.

"You already are, I can see you blushing."

"Oh, both of you stop it."

Elorelei turned to look into Jayik's familiar face. He'd apologized for hitting her, but she was a little glad that he had. Outwardly, it hadn't done much for her sharp tongue, but she know had a lot more deal of respect for those she thought deserved it. She batted her lashes innocently at the older elf.

"Stop what?" She purred in mock sweetness.

He shook his head at her. "Come on, it's time."

Legolas looked startled. "Time? Time for what?"

Jayik looked at them strangely. "Why, the graduation ceremony is tomorrow! Don't you want help packing?" Elorelei's jaw dropped. Legolas's throat worked in agitation and disbelief. How could they have forgotten? It had been bothering them both for days.

He looked over at Elorelei and hoped she would say something. She did, but she was barely heard.

"No," Her voice had suddenly gone dry. "No, we're fine." Before Jayik could ask her something, she disappeared from the room.

Jayik knew a lot of things. No one knew how, but he just always managed to find things out. He went looking for Elorelei and Legolas laughed, knowing he would not find her. Somehow, her being part-eagle had slipped him. She'd be in the air before he could even guess she wasn't on the roof. Legolas jogged off, knowing exactly where to find her.

*~*~*~*

The same old clearing. The clearing they'd spent half a millenium telling secrets and talking and listening to each other. The only place where Jayik couldn't hunt them down. "Elorelei? Elorelei, come on out." He didn't bother yelling. She could hear him just as well when he thought.

Some trees rustled off to the right. "I don't wanna." Her thought voice. She swooped down and landed at Legolas's feet, an emotionless bird on the outside. He frowned, wishing he could disappear into a shell when he didn't want anyone to see he was miserable. He was surprised to see her feathers were ebony black in the dark. "Why didn't you tell Eli your feathers changed?"

She huffed in response and hawk-walked, her back to him. "You're avoiding the subject."

He smiled. She saw through him too easily. "Too true, Lori." He sighed. "I wish I could be like you. Just fly away, like you can." He murmured idly, sitting against a tree and watching the beautiful moon. Elorelei returned to her regular form and bit her bottom lip. She knew what could give him wings, even it was only for a little while.

She wasn't surprised when Legolas's eyes shot open. He'd felt her lips on his cheek and didn't know how to react. The next thing he heard was Elorelei saying, "It'll only hurt at the end, I promise." And he started shrinking. He knew what it must look like and he winced from the imagery. The only pain came from the stinging when the feathers grew through his skin, then he stood up (as well as any bird can without looking terribly silly) and shook himself. Elorelei was back in her black-feathered form and looking mightly pleased with herself. Legolas looked dumbstruck. She waited for his fisrt reaction. It was not what she expected.

"You kissed me."

She visibly slumped. A slumping bird is very odd-looking. "I had to. I wanted to show you this." She hopped over to the waterside and pointed her wing at the water. "Look at yourself."

He did. His feathers were very different than Elorelei's. They were an icy color. Not pure white, but just off. The tip of his wings and tail were a metallic gold. He didn't hear the tree songs, like Elorelei did, but he felt the hum and glow of life in things. He would've been blown away, but his mind was occupied.

"You still kissed me." He added, stretching his wings.

"I know. I'm starting to regret it. Come on, let's fly." She beat her wings, signalling take off.

Legolas stared her, his mind still slightly numb from the different reactions he had to the kiss. "Fly?"

She didn't wait to explain. The eagle mind would take over, and it wasn't long before she saw the just off-white wings soaring next to hers. "Having fun?"

Legolas laughed at the smile in her voice. She was right, this was greater than anything he'd ever known. The wind flowed through his feathers and carried him higher and higher until he dove magnificently. He felt free, he felt alive this night. He would never forget that feeling, as long as he lived. Which would be exceptionally long. Of defying everything of the world below, of letting go of it all and holding onto that freedom. Then turning to see his best friend, feeling everything he was. He would always have- No. No, he wouldn't. That evil poison of a thought seeped into his mind.

"Come on, Legolas. Quit it." He told himself, but he kept thinking of it. Tomorrow we be here FAR too soon. Then she would step out of his life. The thought became unbearable. He landed softly on a branch, and let his wings rest. Elorelei came swooping next to him, concern was coming from her, he felt it. A tear came down his feathered face, then he was elven again.

"Legolas? Are you okay?"

He knew someone was gonna cry that night. He didn't know it would be him. Elorelei looked so taken aback when she saw his tears, she was too stunned to comfort him for several moments. He was finally calmed when she hugged him, burying her face in his shoulder like a puppy. It assuaged him a little, but not much. So many thoughts ran through his mind. So many things he'd be ashamed if she ever knew-

"You're not weak, Legolas. You're the strongest person I know."

He jumped a little. "How did you know I was think-"

"I see it in your eyes."

He looked down, reddening in the face. She knew so much already, what was the point in keeping it from her. "I can't let you go. I can't let this go." With a swift hand movement, he indicated the serene forest, the Castle, the river, their clearing, all of it.

"You have to."

They sat there in silence. Everything was so quiet, Legolas heard his own heart beating. She didn't say anything, but consoled him quietly. It worked, and then Legolas realized she had been singing in a whispered voice. It made tears well in his eyes again, and he tried not to think of it. He'd made a home here, he'd made an irreplacable friend. By the time sun peeked over the horizon, Elorelei had fallen asleep on his arm.

*~*~*~*

Jayik helped them load the last of their things onto the carriage. He couldn't figure out where Legolas and Elorelei had been all night, which was an entirely new experience for him. They wouldn't answer him when he asked, and when Celidia came sweeping down to them (having grown more beautiful and miles more concieted), she held out a soft, well-cared for hand to Legolas. He shook it as if she were a war general, then hopped in next to Elorelei. Jayik said goodbye to them, promising to write when he could. Then the carriage rode off and the only thing left was the imprint of the wheels in the dust. He sighed, and turned back inside.

As beautiful as it was outside, Elorelei slept pretty much the whole way. She leaned against the wall of the inside of the carriage and was fast asleep. Celidia couldn't sit next to Legolas, Elorelei had shifted her legs so they were laying on the seat. She'd never sleep on Legolas's shoulder, not even with his consent, but would wake up at intervals and look at him with twinkling eyes. He'd look back and they'd both laugh. Celidia wondered what happened to the once charming boy she'd met on the way over here. To be fair, her idea of charm was having someone cater to her every whim.

Still, she tried anyway. "Well, Legolas, how was your stay?"

Legolas nodded as if that answered the question. When he saw it didn't, he replied, "Hopefully as lovely as I wish yours to have been." This was too much for the half-asleep Elorelei and she split up into sleepy laughs. He smiled at her, but was worried. She'd been very lethargic, and graduation was not really all that tiring. "Still tired, Lori?"

She nodded faintly, worrying him worse than ever. The carriage gave one more flounce, then they stopped. Legolas frowned.

"What's-"

"FIRST STOP! The Palace of the Royal Family of the East! Whitecloud!"

"We're here? Already?"

Elorelei opened one eye, then the other. "We didn't even stop!" She sat up fully, shaking herself.

Minele appeared in the carriage doorway. "Darling!" She cried upon seeing her daughter. Legolas scoffed. Elorelei was hardly a 'darling.' "We're so glad to see you home!"

The Prince shifted, uncertain of whether or not to acompany her out, until she called to him.

"Legolas, come on! You have to meet my family!" Elorelei looked happy to be home, but was talking like she didn't realize that had to split up.

"Um, I don't think-" But that was the end of that, as she reached in and drew him outside.