Chapter 12: Council

Legolas returned to Limiel's house early in the morning before sun rose, and found Limiel was engaged in serious conversation with Aeglos as they sat under a beech tree few paces away from the house. Their expressions mirrored their worry and fear. Aeglos beckoned him to come and he complied.

"Where is Lady Galadriel?" he asked.

"She went to the wood and asked to be left alone," Limiel answered with cold tone as she threw a sour look at him.

"I am sorry, Limiel." Legolas looked away.

"Running away. Is that the only way you can think of?" She raised her voice whilst keeping her eyes fixed on him.

"Let's not quarrel over that matter now. We have more important things to discuss," Aeglos' voice was gentle as he spoke and he circled his arms around her, trying to soothe her anger. Warmhearted and kind she was, but she could also be stubborn and irritable.

Limiel nodded and leaned at Aeglos shoulder as fatigue started to creep in her mind and body. She had not had a minute of rest since yesterday and her weariness had not ceased at Galadriel's confession. Indeed, the lady's words had even augmented it. "What should we do now, my love?" she softly asked.

"Would someone explain to me what is all about? What should we do about what?" Legolas was clearly confused. He was reluctant to ask, for Limiel already showed her resentment towards him. But he had to know or else he wouldn't able to understand their worry, which might be his as well.

"Did you not pay attention to the Lady's words? Did you listen only to her guilt and not her trouble? She had a premonition that Langolin wanted her death for Elbereth's sake! And you don't have the slightest concern about that?" Limiel's impatience could be suppressed no more.

"I … I … don't remember." Legolas was truly embarrassed at his unconcern over Galadriel's fate. 'And this is what you call love,' he sighed at his own awareness. He said nothing more and sat on the grass beside his brother. Limiel looked calmer and placed her head back to Aeglos' shoulder.

"I don't think we can interfere their business, Limiel. Lady Galadriel must decide on her own about what to do," Aeglos softly spoke.

"But she had made her vow to stay and she could not break it." Legolas remembered the incident when Langolin demanded her oath. "Our teacher surely knew the best way to keep her from running away."

"My uncle is no fool. That I am sure. Maybe we should talk to him instead of the Lady, for he is the one who has the key to this matter."

"Will he listen?" Aeglos voiced his doubt. He had known his teacher since he was born, and stubbornness was Langolin's most prominent trait.

"Maybe we should wait for the Lady for further discussion, Aeglos, " Legolas spoke again.

"I think we had better do that." Aeglos sighed, pondering the heavy responsibility over his shoulder. Now that he aware of the consequences of their deed, he became frightened at the worst possibility he could think of.

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This chapter was beta read by Oboe wan. thank you. (If I were Celebrimbor, I would wrought a lot of glimmering Rings and Gems for you, but if you want silmaril.. err... maybe not. lol).

And a lot of thanks for Treehugger, Deborah, and all my other my faithful reviewers.