In the morning, the two left for Lothlorien. It took them nearly 12 days to cover the 500 miles between Mirkwood and Lothlorien. They followed the Celduin south and then went west on the Old Forest Road and crossed the Old Ford, then heading south, following the Anduin. They crossed a shallow part of Sir Ninglor and went straight into the Golden wood.
Emalia watched her surroundings, knowing they were there and waiting for them to come out of their hiding places. She got off of Anoki, who was stepping lightly. Legolas watched also, his face emotionless. Emalia's head whipped to her left. They were there, the Guard of the Golden Wood. She turned, facing them. She smirked, slightly noticeable. One of the men stepped forward; Legolas knew his face, for he had met him before. His brow arched and a slight smile on his face. He walked to her slowly and cautiously. Her smiled broadened as she bowed her head. He lifted his hand to her face, she quickly grabbed it, twisted it, flipping him on to the ground. She pulled her blade and set it at his throat. She was amused.
"Haldir of Lorien." She held her hand out, he took it and stood up, but twisted her into a headlock.
"Emalia of the Grey Mountains." He murmured with a grin. She easily escaped his grasp only to jump back into his arms, for an embrace.
"I missed you Haldir." She said, hugging him.
"And I have missed you, little one." They both grinned. Legolas, seemingly confused, just watched. Haldir looked up at him.
"Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood. In our presence again." He arched an eyebrow looking at Emalia. She was now walking toward the rest of the guard, who greeted her warmly. She looked back at Haldir eyeing Legolas, laughing to her self.
"He is only escorting me, Haldir" She walked back over to her horse, grabbing the reins. He nodded, but watched Legolas over his shoulder. They walked to the Elven city, talking about the past hundred years. They joked and played, while Legolas was lost during the whole conversation. She smiled as they came upon the wonderful trees of Caras Galadhon.
"Long years I have waited to see the City of the Galadhrim again." She sighed and they walked further to the gates of the city.
The night came slowly as they stayed in the protection of the Trees of Lorien. The horses were safely kept on the ground. Haldir lead them both to the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood.
"Emalia, child of the Ered Mithrin." Galadriel walked down the short stairway. Light illuminated her more than any other elf maiden Emalia had ever seen. She bowed her head to the Great Lady. A small smile formed on the White Lady's face as she lifted Emalia's face with her hand. "Nae saian luume'" They smiled at each other.
They were showed to their rooms, right next to each other. Haldir was weary of the fact that the Lady had chosen these rooms for them. Their balconies were connected, so they could easily get into each other's rooms. He was more worried about Legolas, than Emalia. She had never had the best luck with men, but he would wait to see what she would do with this Mirkwood realm elf. He lingered in Emalia's room.
"I am curious as to how you came upon the prince of Mirkwood, Emalia?" He stood at the edge of the balcony, looking down on the other elven people walking around settling in for the night. He was waiting for her to finish changing into her evening dress. She grumbled and slipped it on. She looked up at the curious man she had grown to love so dearly and laughed.
"Haldir, are you worried about me. How many times must I tell you, I can take care of myself." She walked out beside him. He looked back up to her, and then looked her over. The white, beaded, cloth clung to her shoulders and draped down in slight trains. He grinned to himself.
"Still as beautiful as the day you came here the first, little one." She pouted.
"I'm not little anymore," she grimaced "but I feel more vulnerable than usual, like a child." He hugged her.
"You are safe with me, no harm will be done to you here." He smiled. His eyes reassured her that everything was going to run smoothly while she was here, as they always were. Haldir left after that, telling her he would wake her in the morning. She sat outside on a carved chair, over looking the ground. She sighed to herself.
"Emalia?" Legolas walked out. She smiled.
"Legolas." She hinted for him to sit down, pointing to another chair. He smiled and took a seat.
"You have known Haldir for a long time?" He stared at his feet. She nodded.
"Yes, he taught me everything I know with a bow and my knives. He is more of a father figure to me." She smiled at the fond memories they shared.
"He is causious of me." He looked up at her. She smiled.
"He is of all men around me, even his brothers. But," she looked to her feet, "He does seem to trust you more than any other. I guess that is a good thing on your part." She looked back at him, a small smile played across his face. She stood. "I must be off, Haldir will be waking me in the morning." She started to walk into her room but he soon caught up to her.
"Do you not wish to talk, Lady?" he stopped her. His eyes drifted across her body, noticing how the dress showed her lower back, and the way it fit her perfectly. Her light grey eyes met his blue eyes.
"Legolas, Do not start this again." She nearly whispered. Her eyes were almost hurt. He put his hand under her chin, looking into her eyes as deep as he could manage.
"I can not help it, Emalia. Your mystery is drawing me into you. I need to know your touch, your taste, your heart." He ran his fingers along her arm. A faint shudder climbed up her back, her body wanted to feel more, but she would not allow her self to give into him. She pulled away from him gently.
"I am sorry, but I cannot." She turned away from him walking into her room. His heart clenched, he could feel his body burning for her, to be completely enclosed by her mysterious eyes.
"As you wish, Lady Emalia." Were the last words to her as he disappeared into his room. Emalia sat on her bed, hands cupping her face. She was deep in though, knowing she was not going to be able to sleep even in the midst of the Lady of light. She stood up and walked slowly to Legolas' room, lingering at his door. He stood up from his chair and turned to her. She held on to the archway of the room, feeling its intricate designs and carvings.
"Legolas." He walked over to her. She looked at her feet. "I have had a bad past, and I would only bring you to ruin. I want you to understand that. I do have the love for you in my heart, but I can not bring myself to destroy you or your people." She looked up at him, searching his eyes for some answer to a question that hadn't been asked. He brought her closer to him, cupping his hands around her face.
"Emalia, if love is going to be my downfall, so be it." She tried to shake her head but his hands restricted her.
"No Legolas, no you cannot do this." The tears began to swell in her eyes.
"Shhhh, do not fear what is in your heart. You said it yourself, the love is there, and you just need to find how to bring it out. I want to help you, Emalia." He ran his hands down her arms to her hands, bringing them to his lips. "Rest, Lady, I will see you tomorrow." He kissed her hands and let them fall. She watched him, her tears still lingering in her eyes. She nodded and turned away. He watched her walk back into her room, thinking to himself. He left the archway and wearily laid down on his bed slipping into unconsciousness.
*~*~*
Haldir walked into Emalia's room early the next morning, shaking his head to see her still asleep. He sat down on the bed and shook her lightly.
"Emalia, time to rise into another day." Her eyes opened, she drew in a deep breath rolling over. She sat up and stretched.
"What is the schedule for the day Haldir?"
"I have guard duty today, just around the city. If you would like to join me, there will not be much occurrence. There never really is." He grinned; she shook her head at him.
"You are just waiting for an assault on the city so you can eradicate something." She said standing up and walking to a wardrobe and picking out a knee length, light, sylvan green skirt and a white, long sleeved, low cut, blouse. She tossed them on the bed and sat down in front of a mirror, fixing her hair into four braids, two that hung over her shoulders and two that draped over her back, she tied each one with a black ribbon. She turned and looked at Haldir who stood and walked out to the balcony so she could dress.
"Maybe, there is not much peril anywhere in these parts." He sighed looking up to the canopy of tree branches and the many houses and rail-less balconies of the people of Lorien. She slipped them on easily, them walked over to where her weapons were. She tied a small knife to her thigh and a smaller one to her boot. She put on a belt that held her other knives and then put on her quiver. She grabbed her bow and made sure she had everything. She rubbed her eyes. Haldir walked back in, shaking her a little.
"Are you all right, Emalia?" She nodded, turning to the door.
"Just distracted." She walked out, not caring if Haldir was following her or not. She felt unfocused the whole day, when she sat on guard duty with Haldir, when she had tried to read a book in her room. She couldn't get him out of her head. Why was he so persistent, and why her? He was a noble prince, she had given up her royal back round, she was a princess, but disguised herself as a warrior. She hid her real feelings under a mask of impassive hatred. She was getting weary of this performance.
She stood, walking to a long mirror. She looked at her self. Her strong, keen muscled posture, her light grey eyes reflecting the green she was wearing. Her long black hair, braided and draping her back and shoulders. She touched her face, the smooth pale skin cold and emotionless. Her eyes, smaller and more almond shaped than the other elves, her face more pointy, her ears longer and more sensitive. She knew she was unlike any other elf, because she was the only one of her kind, Half-Sindar and half Seyain Feary. She looked closer at herself; she could see the royalty in her face, her body language, and her actions. She shook her head.
"No, I can't do this." She sat back down on the silky white sheets of her bed. She looked up, coming to a revelation. She took a deep breath and walked over to the room beside hers. He sat there, sharpening his blades thoughtfully. He looked up at her with a meek smile.
"Emalia." He set his blade down. She walked over and kneeled beside his chair. She looked at her hands, long and slender, but callused from the weapons she used. He watched her curiously. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
"I want you to help me." She clenched her fists, "I want you to help me undo what I have done to myself."
"You have only made yourself a stronger person, you want to become weak?" She shook her head.
"No, I want to become the lady that I have blocked from my being. I wish not to remove the will or the strength I have placed in side myself. It does not matter what my Father thinks, or what anyone else thinks of me. I wish to become the person I am meant to become. And you were meant to help me."
"As you wish, fair lady, I will do so, and teach you a few lessons of my own." A small smile formed on his lips. A hot blush crept across her face, she looked away from him. He placed his fingers under her chin and moved her face toward him. "Lesson One, do not fear love, it will teach you more than any other emotion." With this he lowered his face to hers, kissing her softly. She felt like she was melting, she had never felt like this before, a true kiss, not tentative or overpowering like the others she has gotten. She broke away from him gently. He smiled at her.
"I must go now." She stood up slowly, fixing her skirt. He nodded.
"Lesson Two begins tomorrow." He said back in his chair and picked his blade up again. She grinned and walked back over to her room. She changed into an evening dress and sat on her bed. She touched her lips, she could still taste him, she smiled to her self. The night promised pleasant dreams as she slipped into oblivion.
Emalia watched her surroundings, knowing they were there and waiting for them to come out of their hiding places. She got off of Anoki, who was stepping lightly. Legolas watched also, his face emotionless. Emalia's head whipped to her left. They were there, the Guard of the Golden Wood. She turned, facing them. She smirked, slightly noticeable. One of the men stepped forward; Legolas knew his face, for he had met him before. His brow arched and a slight smile on his face. He walked to her slowly and cautiously. Her smiled broadened as she bowed her head. He lifted his hand to her face, she quickly grabbed it, twisted it, flipping him on to the ground. She pulled her blade and set it at his throat. She was amused.
"Haldir of Lorien." She held her hand out, he took it and stood up, but twisted her into a headlock.
"Emalia of the Grey Mountains." He murmured with a grin. She easily escaped his grasp only to jump back into his arms, for an embrace.
"I missed you Haldir." She said, hugging him.
"And I have missed you, little one." They both grinned. Legolas, seemingly confused, just watched. Haldir looked up at him.
"Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood. In our presence again." He arched an eyebrow looking at Emalia. She was now walking toward the rest of the guard, who greeted her warmly. She looked back at Haldir eyeing Legolas, laughing to her self.
"He is only escorting me, Haldir" She walked back over to her horse, grabbing the reins. He nodded, but watched Legolas over his shoulder. They walked to the Elven city, talking about the past hundred years. They joked and played, while Legolas was lost during the whole conversation. She smiled as they came upon the wonderful trees of Caras Galadhon.
"Long years I have waited to see the City of the Galadhrim again." She sighed and they walked further to the gates of the city.
The night came slowly as they stayed in the protection of the Trees of Lorien. The horses were safely kept on the ground. Haldir lead them both to the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood.
"Emalia, child of the Ered Mithrin." Galadriel walked down the short stairway. Light illuminated her more than any other elf maiden Emalia had ever seen. She bowed her head to the Great Lady. A small smile formed on the White Lady's face as she lifted Emalia's face with her hand. "Nae saian luume'" They smiled at each other.
They were showed to their rooms, right next to each other. Haldir was weary of the fact that the Lady had chosen these rooms for them. Their balconies were connected, so they could easily get into each other's rooms. He was more worried about Legolas, than Emalia. She had never had the best luck with men, but he would wait to see what she would do with this Mirkwood realm elf. He lingered in Emalia's room.
"I am curious as to how you came upon the prince of Mirkwood, Emalia?" He stood at the edge of the balcony, looking down on the other elven people walking around settling in for the night. He was waiting for her to finish changing into her evening dress. She grumbled and slipped it on. She looked up at the curious man she had grown to love so dearly and laughed.
"Haldir, are you worried about me. How many times must I tell you, I can take care of myself." She walked out beside him. He looked back up to her, and then looked her over. The white, beaded, cloth clung to her shoulders and draped down in slight trains. He grinned to himself.
"Still as beautiful as the day you came here the first, little one." She pouted.
"I'm not little anymore," she grimaced "but I feel more vulnerable than usual, like a child." He hugged her.
"You are safe with me, no harm will be done to you here." He smiled. His eyes reassured her that everything was going to run smoothly while she was here, as they always were. Haldir left after that, telling her he would wake her in the morning. She sat outside on a carved chair, over looking the ground. She sighed to herself.
"Emalia?" Legolas walked out. She smiled.
"Legolas." She hinted for him to sit down, pointing to another chair. He smiled and took a seat.
"You have known Haldir for a long time?" He stared at his feet. She nodded.
"Yes, he taught me everything I know with a bow and my knives. He is more of a father figure to me." She smiled at the fond memories they shared.
"He is causious of me." He looked up at her. She smiled.
"He is of all men around me, even his brothers. But," she looked to her feet, "He does seem to trust you more than any other. I guess that is a good thing on your part." She looked back at him, a small smile played across his face. She stood. "I must be off, Haldir will be waking me in the morning." She started to walk into her room but he soon caught up to her.
"Do you not wish to talk, Lady?" he stopped her. His eyes drifted across her body, noticing how the dress showed her lower back, and the way it fit her perfectly. Her light grey eyes met his blue eyes.
"Legolas, Do not start this again." She nearly whispered. Her eyes were almost hurt. He put his hand under her chin, looking into her eyes as deep as he could manage.
"I can not help it, Emalia. Your mystery is drawing me into you. I need to know your touch, your taste, your heart." He ran his fingers along her arm. A faint shudder climbed up her back, her body wanted to feel more, but she would not allow her self to give into him. She pulled away from him gently.
"I am sorry, but I cannot." She turned away from him walking into her room. His heart clenched, he could feel his body burning for her, to be completely enclosed by her mysterious eyes.
"As you wish, Lady Emalia." Were the last words to her as he disappeared into his room. Emalia sat on her bed, hands cupping her face. She was deep in though, knowing she was not going to be able to sleep even in the midst of the Lady of light. She stood up and walked slowly to Legolas' room, lingering at his door. He stood up from his chair and turned to her. She held on to the archway of the room, feeling its intricate designs and carvings.
"Legolas." He walked over to her. She looked at her feet. "I have had a bad past, and I would only bring you to ruin. I want you to understand that. I do have the love for you in my heart, but I can not bring myself to destroy you or your people." She looked up at him, searching his eyes for some answer to a question that hadn't been asked. He brought her closer to him, cupping his hands around her face.
"Emalia, if love is going to be my downfall, so be it." She tried to shake her head but his hands restricted her.
"No Legolas, no you cannot do this." The tears began to swell in her eyes.
"Shhhh, do not fear what is in your heart. You said it yourself, the love is there, and you just need to find how to bring it out. I want to help you, Emalia." He ran his hands down her arms to her hands, bringing them to his lips. "Rest, Lady, I will see you tomorrow." He kissed her hands and let them fall. She watched him, her tears still lingering in her eyes. She nodded and turned away. He watched her walk back into her room, thinking to himself. He left the archway and wearily laid down on his bed slipping into unconsciousness.
*~*~*
Haldir walked into Emalia's room early the next morning, shaking his head to see her still asleep. He sat down on the bed and shook her lightly.
"Emalia, time to rise into another day." Her eyes opened, she drew in a deep breath rolling over. She sat up and stretched.
"What is the schedule for the day Haldir?"
"I have guard duty today, just around the city. If you would like to join me, there will not be much occurrence. There never really is." He grinned; she shook her head at him.
"You are just waiting for an assault on the city so you can eradicate something." She said standing up and walking to a wardrobe and picking out a knee length, light, sylvan green skirt and a white, long sleeved, low cut, blouse. She tossed them on the bed and sat down in front of a mirror, fixing her hair into four braids, two that hung over her shoulders and two that draped over her back, she tied each one with a black ribbon. She turned and looked at Haldir who stood and walked out to the balcony so she could dress.
"Maybe, there is not much peril anywhere in these parts." He sighed looking up to the canopy of tree branches and the many houses and rail-less balconies of the people of Lorien. She slipped them on easily, them walked over to where her weapons were. She tied a small knife to her thigh and a smaller one to her boot. She put on a belt that held her other knives and then put on her quiver. She grabbed her bow and made sure she had everything. She rubbed her eyes. Haldir walked back in, shaking her a little.
"Are you all right, Emalia?" She nodded, turning to the door.
"Just distracted." She walked out, not caring if Haldir was following her or not. She felt unfocused the whole day, when she sat on guard duty with Haldir, when she had tried to read a book in her room. She couldn't get him out of her head. Why was he so persistent, and why her? He was a noble prince, she had given up her royal back round, she was a princess, but disguised herself as a warrior. She hid her real feelings under a mask of impassive hatred. She was getting weary of this performance.
She stood, walking to a long mirror. She looked at her self. Her strong, keen muscled posture, her light grey eyes reflecting the green she was wearing. Her long black hair, braided and draping her back and shoulders. She touched her face, the smooth pale skin cold and emotionless. Her eyes, smaller and more almond shaped than the other elves, her face more pointy, her ears longer and more sensitive. She knew she was unlike any other elf, because she was the only one of her kind, Half-Sindar and half Seyain Feary. She looked closer at herself; she could see the royalty in her face, her body language, and her actions. She shook her head.
"No, I can't do this." She sat back down on the silky white sheets of her bed. She looked up, coming to a revelation. She took a deep breath and walked over to the room beside hers. He sat there, sharpening his blades thoughtfully. He looked up at her with a meek smile.
"Emalia." He set his blade down. She walked over and kneeled beside his chair. She looked at her hands, long and slender, but callused from the weapons she used. He watched her curiously. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
"I want you to help me." She clenched her fists, "I want you to help me undo what I have done to myself."
"You have only made yourself a stronger person, you want to become weak?" She shook her head.
"No, I want to become the lady that I have blocked from my being. I wish not to remove the will or the strength I have placed in side myself. It does not matter what my Father thinks, or what anyone else thinks of me. I wish to become the person I am meant to become. And you were meant to help me."
"As you wish, fair lady, I will do so, and teach you a few lessons of my own." A small smile formed on his lips. A hot blush crept across her face, she looked away from him. He placed his fingers under her chin and moved her face toward him. "Lesson One, do not fear love, it will teach you more than any other emotion." With this he lowered his face to hers, kissing her softly. She felt like she was melting, she had never felt like this before, a true kiss, not tentative or overpowering like the others she has gotten. She broke away from him gently. He smiled at her.
"I must go now." She stood up slowly, fixing her skirt. He nodded.
"Lesson Two begins tomorrow." He said back in his chair and picked his blade up again. She grinned and walked back over to her room. She changed into an evening dress and sat on her bed. She touched her lips, she could still taste him, she smiled to her self. The night promised pleasant dreams as she slipped into oblivion.