Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. Nope, that belongs to
Tolkien.
All right, second try here. Just keep in mind I'm still new at this . . . and besides some good-natured teasing by my wonderful friend Daleila (I'll never live this one down, huh?) I think it went well for my first time. Anyhoo! Onto the chapter . . . sorry, no Glorfindel yet . . . he's coming!!
Chapter 2: Journey
Iliana sat with her head bowed in silent meditation. If one had not known any better they would have assumed she had fallen asleep. Her soft green eyes were wide open with a vacant appearance about them. Her breathing was deep and even as if she were at one with her surroundings. So serene were her features that it would have been impossible to believe that she was aware of the outside world. It was not until Legolas stepped into the clearing that was so often their place of sanctuary that Iliana showed any sign of awareness.
He approached her quietly, not fooled by her seemingly innocent appearance and lowered himself to the ground directly in front of her. Noticing the hint of a smile that would be impossible for mortal eyes to perceive, Legolas held back his own smile. They sat in silence, waiting for the other to make the first movement. If any had happened to stumble upon this encounter they would have perceived it as some sort of elvish staring contest. A contest of wills. Growing weary of the waiting game Legolas, himself, almost fell prey to his own sleep-like state until Iliana's voice shook him from his trance.
"I suppose I shall be the one to break this silly game."
"I would not have played the game had you not been so reluctant to acknowledge my presence." He shot back, recovering form his daze.
"I believe I was taught not to speak unless spoken to." She smiled.
"That rule applies only to ones who are wizened with age."
"Or blessed with royal blood." She countered.
"Well met, my lady." He bowed his head. "Well met.
Looking up at the star-filled sky, Legolas sighed involuntarily. As he was brought up he was taught to revere all of nature (as is only natural with his kind) and Legolas took comfort in the sky and the stars that graced it. This night he turned to them more than he ever had and for the first time in his long life, their presence did not fully comfort him. Sensing his distress, Iliana's face softened, as she feared what the cause must be.
"What news from the council?" She asked, her face betraying the fears that welled up inside her.
"I must journey into the unknown." His voice barely above a whisper. Looking down at Iliana's troubled face, he continued. "There is to be a council held in Imaldris. I have been chosen to represent our land."
Upon hearing Imaldris, Iliana paused, searching Legolas's face to see if he spoke true. After she studied his face carefully she found that he indeed spoke true. A shiver ran through her as she recalled the place of her birth. It was true that, though her home would always be in the forests of Mirkwood, she could not forget that half of her belonged to Imaldris, the home of her father.
"You are much troubled by this, I see." His soft voice broke through her thoughts.
"Oh. I am sorry for my reaction. It has been a long time since I have turned my thoughts to that of my heritage."
"Or to that of your father?" He pressed lightly, knowing that she needed to confront her past.
"Aye. You know me too well." She smiled lightly at his attempt.
"Do you remember him?" He pressed gently.
"So long ago was his death that I can only remember fragments. No matter how hard I try I cannot manage to piece them together." She Iliana sighed. "He was so often away fighting this or that."
"He was a brave and valiant warrior. Most revered by my father."
"Though that does not comfort me." She replied quickly, an edge creeping into her voice. "I rather him be a coward and alive then valiant and dead."
"My apologies. I meant no offense." He bowed his head curtly.
"No, do not apologize. I did not mean to snap." She softened. "Memories of old never fail to bring about new pain."
Iliana wearily bowed her head, as if the sorrow that weighed upon her had found it's way into a physical form. Pained by his friend's distress (which, in part, was elicited by himself), Legolas placed a reassuring hand upon her knee and waited in silence. He felt her relax with his touch and was comforted by this. For as long as he had known Iliana he knew of the grief she carried within her. A grief that was deep and never-ending. Such grief was most unbearable, especially to those of their race, who valued life as a most precious commodity.
"When must you leave?" Iliana's voice broke the silence.
"As soon as I gather a suitable company." He replied. "We shall be able to set out as soon as the first light breaks."
"It is settled then." She said lifting her head to gaze into his eyes with a look of mischief dancing in her eyes.
Before Legolas could even begin to think of a response, Iliana dashed from the clearing. Following her movements through the trees, he watched her begin to vanish from even his keen sight. He finally stood, still deciding whether or not to go after her. Or rather, fearing what she was planning in that clever mind of hers.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard movement coming towards him. Falling into a defensive stance instinctively, he prepared for the stranger approaching. Relaxing a bit when his senses told him that the light steps and almost imperceptible movement of the figure approaching indicated one of elven race. When the elf finally stepped into the clearing, Legolas welcomed him with a smile.
"My lord." The messenger greeted, bowing slightly in respect.
"Nuelen, my friend." Legolas reached out to clasp hands with Nuelen. "What news?"
"The company has been assembled and are awaiting your command." Nuelen informed.
"That is good news indeed. Inform them that we shall set out in the morning." Legolas replied. "Tell me, friend, are you to accompany me on this journey as well?"
"If it is your will." Came the response.
"Please, Nuelen. You need not address me so formally. If we are to make this journey together then we shall be as equals." Legolas insisted. "Now, is there other news?"
"Indeed. Your father sends word that there is to be a feast tonight in honor of the journey as well as those who are to take part in it." Nuelen relayed.
"I would have expected as much." Legolas said, his face not showing any clear emotions. "Come, my friend, let us go now to inform the others. I know there is one who I am anxious to speak with, as I am sure she will be just as anxious."
(A/N: Ok, that chapter took me a bit..I kinda wrote out of order..oh well, what did you think? Remember, it's not particularly technically correct. Just wanted to reinforce that. (Oh, and for those of you who were wondering, yes I did read the books) Anyway, just let me know what you guys think and I'll try to get more up if you like it and want me to continue. Until then!)
All right, second try here. Just keep in mind I'm still new at this . . . and besides some good-natured teasing by my wonderful friend Daleila (I'll never live this one down, huh?) I think it went well for my first time. Anyhoo! Onto the chapter . . . sorry, no Glorfindel yet . . . he's coming!!
Chapter 2: Journey
Iliana sat with her head bowed in silent meditation. If one had not known any better they would have assumed she had fallen asleep. Her soft green eyes were wide open with a vacant appearance about them. Her breathing was deep and even as if she were at one with her surroundings. So serene were her features that it would have been impossible to believe that she was aware of the outside world. It was not until Legolas stepped into the clearing that was so often their place of sanctuary that Iliana showed any sign of awareness.
He approached her quietly, not fooled by her seemingly innocent appearance and lowered himself to the ground directly in front of her. Noticing the hint of a smile that would be impossible for mortal eyes to perceive, Legolas held back his own smile. They sat in silence, waiting for the other to make the first movement. If any had happened to stumble upon this encounter they would have perceived it as some sort of elvish staring contest. A contest of wills. Growing weary of the waiting game Legolas, himself, almost fell prey to his own sleep-like state until Iliana's voice shook him from his trance.
"I suppose I shall be the one to break this silly game."
"I would not have played the game had you not been so reluctant to acknowledge my presence." He shot back, recovering form his daze.
"I believe I was taught not to speak unless spoken to." She smiled.
"That rule applies only to ones who are wizened with age."
"Or blessed with royal blood." She countered.
"Well met, my lady." He bowed his head. "Well met.
Looking up at the star-filled sky, Legolas sighed involuntarily. As he was brought up he was taught to revere all of nature (as is only natural with his kind) and Legolas took comfort in the sky and the stars that graced it. This night he turned to them more than he ever had and for the first time in his long life, their presence did not fully comfort him. Sensing his distress, Iliana's face softened, as she feared what the cause must be.
"What news from the council?" She asked, her face betraying the fears that welled up inside her.
"I must journey into the unknown." His voice barely above a whisper. Looking down at Iliana's troubled face, he continued. "There is to be a council held in Imaldris. I have been chosen to represent our land."
Upon hearing Imaldris, Iliana paused, searching Legolas's face to see if he spoke true. After she studied his face carefully she found that he indeed spoke true. A shiver ran through her as she recalled the place of her birth. It was true that, though her home would always be in the forests of Mirkwood, she could not forget that half of her belonged to Imaldris, the home of her father.
"You are much troubled by this, I see." His soft voice broke through her thoughts.
"Oh. I am sorry for my reaction. It has been a long time since I have turned my thoughts to that of my heritage."
"Or to that of your father?" He pressed lightly, knowing that she needed to confront her past.
"Aye. You know me too well." She smiled lightly at his attempt.
"Do you remember him?" He pressed gently.
"So long ago was his death that I can only remember fragments. No matter how hard I try I cannot manage to piece them together." She Iliana sighed. "He was so often away fighting this or that."
"He was a brave and valiant warrior. Most revered by my father."
"Though that does not comfort me." She replied quickly, an edge creeping into her voice. "I rather him be a coward and alive then valiant and dead."
"My apologies. I meant no offense." He bowed his head curtly.
"No, do not apologize. I did not mean to snap." She softened. "Memories of old never fail to bring about new pain."
Iliana wearily bowed her head, as if the sorrow that weighed upon her had found it's way into a physical form. Pained by his friend's distress (which, in part, was elicited by himself), Legolas placed a reassuring hand upon her knee and waited in silence. He felt her relax with his touch and was comforted by this. For as long as he had known Iliana he knew of the grief she carried within her. A grief that was deep and never-ending. Such grief was most unbearable, especially to those of their race, who valued life as a most precious commodity.
"When must you leave?" Iliana's voice broke the silence.
"As soon as I gather a suitable company." He replied. "We shall be able to set out as soon as the first light breaks."
"It is settled then." She said lifting her head to gaze into his eyes with a look of mischief dancing in her eyes.
Before Legolas could even begin to think of a response, Iliana dashed from the clearing. Following her movements through the trees, he watched her begin to vanish from even his keen sight. He finally stood, still deciding whether or not to go after her. Or rather, fearing what she was planning in that clever mind of hers.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard movement coming towards him. Falling into a defensive stance instinctively, he prepared for the stranger approaching. Relaxing a bit when his senses told him that the light steps and almost imperceptible movement of the figure approaching indicated one of elven race. When the elf finally stepped into the clearing, Legolas welcomed him with a smile.
"My lord." The messenger greeted, bowing slightly in respect.
"Nuelen, my friend." Legolas reached out to clasp hands with Nuelen. "What news?"
"The company has been assembled and are awaiting your command." Nuelen informed.
"That is good news indeed. Inform them that we shall set out in the morning." Legolas replied. "Tell me, friend, are you to accompany me on this journey as well?"
"If it is your will." Came the response.
"Please, Nuelen. You need not address me so formally. If we are to make this journey together then we shall be as equals." Legolas insisted. "Now, is there other news?"
"Indeed. Your father sends word that there is to be a feast tonight in honor of the journey as well as those who are to take part in it." Nuelen relayed.
"I would have expected as much." Legolas said, his face not showing any clear emotions. "Come, my friend, let us go now to inform the others. I know there is one who I am anxious to speak with, as I am sure she will be just as anxious."
(A/N: Ok, that chapter took me a bit..I kinda wrote out of order..oh well, what did you think? Remember, it's not particularly technically correct. Just wanted to reinforce that. (Oh, and for those of you who were wondering, yes I did read the books) Anyway, just let me know what you guys think and I'll try to get more up if you like it and want me to continue. Until then!)