Title: First Sight
Chapter: 9: Whole At Last
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Legolas to the rescue . . . with a little help.
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: Usual disclaimers apply. *Text* indicates thought. Sorry it's taken so long to get this up-real life got in the way.
Alkalphiel: Thank you for your kind attention thus far. Hopefully my Scribe will be available on a more regular basis.
~*~
"Well?"
Lessien's expectant voice greeted me as I opened my eyes. "The prince is arranging our rescue. However, he fears that Quellepaural will attempt to silence us . . . permanently. We must be alert."
"Prince Legolas is arranging our rescue? That's funny, so am I!" Lessien grinned at me.
Confused, I turned my head. Nápoldë smiled cheerfully from her place by the door and raised triumphantly unbound wrists. Then she returned to picking at the knots on Maranwë's bonds. "Oh, so Quellepaural became less careful as things progressed, hmm?"
Inwë nodded. "Yes. Alkalphiel, can you really mind speak with Prince Legolas?"
"Strangely, yes. It seems that the prince is my true life bond. And that I somehow completely missed the detail about life bonds leading to mind speaking. Discovering our telepathy was quite a surprise!"
"I can imagine. When I found Caranthir, I couldn't believe that it was true. Especially after that awful experience with Quellepaural - I was convinced that I'd gone insane," Maranwë added.
"You found your life bond too?" I asked her. Remembering my manners, I quickly added, "Congratulations."
Maranwë unleashed a smile like sunrise. "I don't know what I'd do without Caranthir. He's been off with a hunting party these past few days, although he's certainly riding hard for the palace now. Tell me, Alkalphiel, is Prince Legolas as panicked as Caranthir? Or does he contain himself better?"
I was puzzled. "Panicked? Contain?"
"Well, I can feel Caranthir's concern for me, the overriding need to be here, and a sort of panic driving him. It washes over me in waves when I forget to block the worst of it out."
"I suppose that Legolas must be doing that for me, since I've no idea how to block and yet I'm not being overwhelmed by any particular emotion. Except my own."
"Hmm. That may change as the bond strengthens, but I'd wager that your prince is quite well trained in all this. When all this is over, Alkalphiel - or should I say Princess? - I'll share with you what I know. Hah! I'm free!" Maranwë pulled her hands around in front of her and rubbed her wrists.
Nápoldë shuffled her way over to Lúthien and began work on her ropes, while Maranwë leapfrogged past her to Inwë. Lessien and I smiled at each other, knowing that we'd be next. But in the back of my mind, a growing doubt about Quellepaural's extended absence worried me.
Lúthien was soon free, Nápoldë's growing experience and Quellepaural's carelessness working together beautifully. By the time we heard the voices in the hall outside, Nápoldë had Lessien's ropes almost off and Lúthien had mine loosened. Maranwë pulled the bonds away from Inwë's wrists, gasped and shoved her roughly. We'd all pivoted to face the door, helpfully concealing our lack of bindings from obvious view.
To our collective surprise, the door opened slowly, creaking as it went, and revealed a face cautiously peering around the side. It was Legolas, and I surprised myself with the joy and relief that his face brought to me. His quick intake of breath mirrored my own, and he wasted no time in slipping through the door and running to me. I couldn't return his embrace with my hands still bound, but I pressed my forehead against his shoulder and told myself that the tears stinging my eyes came from the sudden rush of blood back into my hands. Lúthien backed away discreetly, the ropes still twisted in her fingers.
The portion of my mind that still functioned rationally noticed that all six of us had free hands now, although our ankles were still tied. Then I noticed the guardsmen moving quietly about, cutting the ankle ropes with their sharp knives. I was grateful when I noticed my own hobbles being removed, but the overwhelming presence of Legolas - my soul mate, truly - dimmed all else.
Maranwë's words were starting to make more sense to me. My mind was filled with a concern that I knew wasn't my own, underlaid with fear and anger. I pulled back from Legolas, looking him in the eyes. *I can feel that,* I told him. *You are . . . frightened for me?*
*Alkalphiel, I cannot have found you only to lose you so soon. The thought that perhaps you would disappear from my life - well, I hope you understand why that unsettled me.* He smiled down at me.
*Yes,* I thought back dryly. *I suppose I can guess why that would upset you.*
I saw the uniform of a guard appear behind Legolas and shortly thereafter, the guard himself bent down and said, "My lord, my lady, may I suggest that we leave this place?"
Legolas nodded. "An excellent suggestion, Findaráto. The usual safe room?"
Findaráto nodded. "Yes, my liege. The others are already on their way."
~*~
I never found out what happened to Quellepaural. When I asked Legolas, he only pressed his lips together and assured me that I need not worry. Everything that happened while we were in the safe room was kept from the six of us women, and I think we were not displeased about it. Some things one does not truly wish to know.
That afternoon I finally contacted my parents, assuaging their concerns and confirming the hope they'd felt that I might find my other half at the celebration. If the notion of royal in-laws was daunting to them, they hid it well.
I began spending time with the other five women who'd shared the ordeal with me, and we all grew to be friends. As for Mellaithwen, Telepechorien and Gorothfanaion, they were, of course, delighted for me. Mellaithwen immediately became almost unbearably smug.
And Legolas? He and I fell more deeply in love with every passing day. What more happened in our lives is a story for another day. For now, dear reader, content yourself with the knowledge that I was whole at last.
Chapter: 9: Whole At Last
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Legolas to the rescue . . . with a little help.
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: Usual disclaimers apply. *Text* indicates thought. Sorry it's taken so long to get this up-real life got in the way.
Alkalphiel: Thank you for your kind attention thus far. Hopefully my Scribe will be available on a more regular basis.
~*~
"Well?"
Lessien's expectant voice greeted me as I opened my eyes. "The prince is arranging our rescue. However, he fears that Quellepaural will attempt to silence us . . . permanently. We must be alert."
"Prince Legolas is arranging our rescue? That's funny, so am I!" Lessien grinned at me.
Confused, I turned my head. Nápoldë smiled cheerfully from her place by the door and raised triumphantly unbound wrists. Then she returned to picking at the knots on Maranwë's bonds. "Oh, so Quellepaural became less careful as things progressed, hmm?"
Inwë nodded. "Yes. Alkalphiel, can you really mind speak with Prince Legolas?"
"Strangely, yes. It seems that the prince is my true life bond. And that I somehow completely missed the detail about life bonds leading to mind speaking. Discovering our telepathy was quite a surprise!"
"I can imagine. When I found Caranthir, I couldn't believe that it was true. Especially after that awful experience with Quellepaural - I was convinced that I'd gone insane," Maranwë added.
"You found your life bond too?" I asked her. Remembering my manners, I quickly added, "Congratulations."
Maranwë unleashed a smile like sunrise. "I don't know what I'd do without Caranthir. He's been off with a hunting party these past few days, although he's certainly riding hard for the palace now. Tell me, Alkalphiel, is Prince Legolas as panicked as Caranthir? Or does he contain himself better?"
I was puzzled. "Panicked? Contain?"
"Well, I can feel Caranthir's concern for me, the overriding need to be here, and a sort of panic driving him. It washes over me in waves when I forget to block the worst of it out."
"I suppose that Legolas must be doing that for me, since I've no idea how to block and yet I'm not being overwhelmed by any particular emotion. Except my own."
"Hmm. That may change as the bond strengthens, but I'd wager that your prince is quite well trained in all this. When all this is over, Alkalphiel - or should I say Princess? - I'll share with you what I know. Hah! I'm free!" Maranwë pulled her hands around in front of her and rubbed her wrists.
Nápoldë shuffled her way over to Lúthien and began work on her ropes, while Maranwë leapfrogged past her to Inwë. Lessien and I smiled at each other, knowing that we'd be next. But in the back of my mind, a growing doubt about Quellepaural's extended absence worried me.
Lúthien was soon free, Nápoldë's growing experience and Quellepaural's carelessness working together beautifully. By the time we heard the voices in the hall outside, Nápoldë had Lessien's ropes almost off and Lúthien had mine loosened. Maranwë pulled the bonds away from Inwë's wrists, gasped and shoved her roughly. We'd all pivoted to face the door, helpfully concealing our lack of bindings from obvious view.
To our collective surprise, the door opened slowly, creaking as it went, and revealed a face cautiously peering around the side. It was Legolas, and I surprised myself with the joy and relief that his face brought to me. His quick intake of breath mirrored my own, and he wasted no time in slipping through the door and running to me. I couldn't return his embrace with my hands still bound, but I pressed my forehead against his shoulder and told myself that the tears stinging my eyes came from the sudden rush of blood back into my hands. Lúthien backed away discreetly, the ropes still twisted in her fingers.
The portion of my mind that still functioned rationally noticed that all six of us had free hands now, although our ankles were still tied. Then I noticed the guardsmen moving quietly about, cutting the ankle ropes with their sharp knives. I was grateful when I noticed my own hobbles being removed, but the overwhelming presence of Legolas - my soul mate, truly - dimmed all else.
Maranwë's words were starting to make more sense to me. My mind was filled with a concern that I knew wasn't my own, underlaid with fear and anger. I pulled back from Legolas, looking him in the eyes. *I can feel that,* I told him. *You are . . . frightened for me?*
*Alkalphiel, I cannot have found you only to lose you so soon. The thought that perhaps you would disappear from my life - well, I hope you understand why that unsettled me.* He smiled down at me.
*Yes,* I thought back dryly. *I suppose I can guess why that would upset you.*
I saw the uniform of a guard appear behind Legolas and shortly thereafter, the guard himself bent down and said, "My lord, my lady, may I suggest that we leave this place?"
Legolas nodded. "An excellent suggestion, Findaráto. The usual safe room?"
Findaráto nodded. "Yes, my liege. The others are already on their way."
~*~
I never found out what happened to Quellepaural. When I asked Legolas, he only pressed his lips together and assured me that I need not worry. Everything that happened while we were in the safe room was kept from the six of us women, and I think we were not displeased about it. Some things one does not truly wish to know.
That afternoon I finally contacted my parents, assuaging their concerns and confirming the hope they'd felt that I might find my other half at the celebration. If the notion of royal in-laws was daunting to them, they hid it well.
I began spending time with the other five women who'd shared the ordeal with me, and we all grew to be friends. As for Mellaithwen, Telepechorien and Gorothfanaion, they were, of course, delighted for me. Mellaithwen immediately became almost unbearably smug.
And Legolas? He and I fell more deeply in love with every passing day. What more happened in our lives is a story for another day. For now, dear reader, content yourself with the knowledge that I was whole at last.