Dies Ire
500 more years passed over Middle Earth.
Legolas, having reached his full height and build, had more attention than he could handle with the great flock fawning maidens that followed him everywhere. He learned how to direct his concentration for his weapons training.
Arelén, quickly assuming the role of the obedient servant as needed, was just as tall as her brother. Her thoughts of Haldir are easily dismissed as she convinced herself that he is fated for another. ((One of his own kind))
Only in her sanctuary would she allow herself to remember what The Lady taught her, the lake Haldir shared with her, or to gaze upon that fallen leaf. Not even her dear brother knew of what she kept in her heart.
*****
On the afternoon of a grand tournament, held in the honor of Thranduil's newest consort, Arelén stood from her sewing table. Tucking in the silver pendant, she started pulling out herbs and bandages from the shelves.
Legolas stumbled into the room, beaten and bloody.
"What matter of honor was it this time?"
"Eohid and Jadriel did not take well to being outscored in the tournament." Legolas replied as he fell onto her small bed.
"You are the best shot in Mirkwood" Arelén placed a herbed cloth on his face. "Lie down for a bit. You'll feel better when you wake up. I'll get our good suits together for tonight's party."
Legolas grumbled, "I'm not going."
"Yes you are. If I have to be there so do you. Besides, you do not turn 2,000 every day"
Blue eyes smiled. "You remembered."
"I will never forget. Back soon. Rest a while."
Back in their room, Arelén assembled their best garments.
For Legolas a newly made gold silk shirt ((happy birthday brother)) embroidered finer than any the king had, dark green tunic decorated with finely worked silver threads and brown leggings. His favorite boots and belt took the quickly done polish well.
*****
Arelén heard footsteps down the hall. "Come in Valandi." even before the guard placed one knock on the door.
"By order of King Thranduil, your usual duties are forgiven. For tonight only you are to be seated at His table." The guard reported.
"Thank you Valandi. Please inform the king that his youngest son's companion hopes her actions this evening will bring him joy on this great night."
The guard turned to go.
"Wait!" Arelén took a well-worn bag and carefully selected a few small items. "Please, take this to the stables. It will be needed later."
Confusion crossed his face. He has heard many stories of how odd this dark haired one acts. "As you wish."
As she selected her dress of matching dark green with silver instead of gold work, her eyes started to burn. ((Not now))
A voice low and clear spoke. "Next time Thranduil raises his hand to either one of you will be his last"
Arelén shook her head. The voice continued. "Have no fear - we will guide you. You will know what to do."
*****
The great hall was highly decorated in honor of Thranduil's newest consort.
Happy conversation, music and laughter echoed through the stone hall.
After Thranduil and his new consort were seated at the head of the table, Arelén was seated at the furthest end of the U shaped configuration as possible.
Legolas, seated at the head table, smiled his approval of his present.
During the evening's entertainment, the new consort's favorite singer, Recited the ballads of heroic adventures and great love. Replacing the names of the heroes and lovers with Thranduil and his new consort's.
Happily remembering that long ago time in Lorien, and those gray eyes, that kiss, Arelén took out her necklace and started playing with the pendant. She could feel the warmth cross her face and the searing in her hand.
Legolas caught a small glint of silver from her direction. She was thinking of him again. ((Maybe he isn't so bad for her)) Her eyes looked far away and there was this special shine to her.
"Arelén!" The King's voice carried well in these stone rooms. "What are you wearing?"
"Nothing of your concern, Thranduil."
The musician stopped mid-line.
"What is that? Give it to me."
Arelén replied half awake. "Haldir of Lóthlorien gave it to me."
Silenced filled the great hall as his tall, carved chair was shoved behind him - long strides made quick work of the space separating their places. "It IS my concern. Let me have it."
"No."
"No?" Thranduil's eyes began to burn. "No child of mine will ever have doings with those Lorien kind"
Arelén turned her head.
[Keep your focus]
Staring beyond Thranduil a low clear voice replied "I am not your child."
Thranduil left a perfect handprint on Arelén's pale face. Gray stared into dark blue.
"Give it to me you ungrateful brat."
"No."
Thranduil raised his hand. Legolas stood up "Stop!"
Thranduil glared at him "Sit down or you will be given worse, boy" Two of the Royal guard held Legolas in his chair.
Another perfect handprint was placed on the other side of Arelén's face.
[Keep your focus]
"Give it to me. He doesn't love you."
"What know you of love?"
This blow fell Arelén out of her chair onto the floor. The burning returned as gray turned to black and kept starting at dark blue.
[Keep your focus]
Arelén's body defiantly stood up.
"Give it to me you freak."
"No."
Backside of sword hand caused a small trickle of blood from the corner of her lips.
Black eyes still locked with blue.
"You have tried my patience too far. Give it to me!" The King's demand echoed in hall.
"No."
The other side of Arelén's mouth matched the other.
[Keep your focus]
Thranduil's voice growled, "Those accursed Lorien have you bewitched. There is only one cure."
Two strong hands pick up Arelén by her throat and slams her body into the closest wall. Sound of cracking bones bounce around the hall.
She makes not a sound.
Arelén's black eyes are still locked onto Thranduil's. "You will never hurt us again."
Thranduil slams Arelén's body into the wall yet again. More cracking sounds are heard around the hall.
Still, she makes not a sound.
Thranduil tears off her necklace and squeezes harder around Arelén's throat. "This sign of your betrayal will be the last thing you ever see."
Arelén struggles. Her eyes never left his face.
One more crash of Arelén's body against the stone wall echoes in the hall.
She stops moving.
His hands grip tighter.
Small popping noises are heard.
"H - Hal..." She stops breathing.
Thranduil no longer feels her pulse in her neck.
Her black eyes, while still open, stared vacantly at the pendant.
With a great heave, Thranduil threw Arelén's body. Landing with a resounding whack, her body crumpled into the corner.
Thranduil walked over to Legolas. Leaning in close he sneered, "One breath out of place from you and this is your fate. Remember your place, Prince of Mirkwood."
Legolas' eyes filled with tears as Thranduil continued. "Your mother was right in dying after she brought you accursed two into my realm. 'You have a son, My King. The daughter is for me.'"
Returning to his chair, "I will not be defied in my own house. Musician - continue."
Shaken, the musician finished his song. He gave the explanation of his next selection and started.
[Arelén, wake up]
The assembled returned to their conversations, laughter and merriment.
Only Legolas' blue eyes caught quick glimpses of the broken body in the corner.
[Arelén, wake up]
Arelén's eyes blink.
A loud gasp of breath interrupts the musician's next selection.
Gawkily pulling herself off the floor, Arelén pointed at Thranduil.
[Do it now!]
"Try as you will, by the Valar you will never hurt me or my brother again." Her loud and clear voice echoed in the hall.
"I thought I killed you!" The King stormed over, circled, and raised his hand to hit - unable to move his hand any closer than a few inches.
"See Thranduil, you can not touch us."
[It is done]
"Arelén, you are banished from Mirkwood as long as I am king. From here on, anyone caught speaking your name will share your fate." Thranduil ponders for a moment - "All your belongings are to be burned tonight." Glares to Legolas "Don't even think you can do something about it"
"Take this freak away." As she is escorted out of the hall, Arelén looked one last time at Legolas,
((you are safe now)) looking so small, frail and vulnerable. Mouthed the word "sanctuary"
The guards lead Arelén to the stables.
"Lady, I am loyal to your brother. Please take my horse and provisions."
"I thank you, Valandi. Keep my brother safe."
Arelén mounted the horse, "Ride hard to Lóthlorien"
500 more years passed over Middle Earth.
Legolas, having reached his full height and build, had more attention than he could handle with the great flock fawning maidens that followed him everywhere. He learned how to direct his concentration for his weapons training.
Arelén, quickly assuming the role of the obedient servant as needed, was just as tall as her brother. Her thoughts of Haldir are easily dismissed as she convinced herself that he is fated for another. ((One of his own kind))
Only in her sanctuary would she allow herself to remember what The Lady taught her, the lake Haldir shared with her, or to gaze upon that fallen leaf. Not even her dear brother knew of what she kept in her heart.
*****
On the afternoon of a grand tournament, held in the honor of Thranduil's newest consort, Arelén stood from her sewing table. Tucking in the silver pendant, she started pulling out herbs and bandages from the shelves.
Legolas stumbled into the room, beaten and bloody.
"What matter of honor was it this time?"
"Eohid and Jadriel did not take well to being outscored in the tournament." Legolas replied as he fell onto her small bed.
"You are the best shot in Mirkwood" Arelén placed a herbed cloth on his face. "Lie down for a bit. You'll feel better when you wake up. I'll get our good suits together for tonight's party."
Legolas grumbled, "I'm not going."
"Yes you are. If I have to be there so do you. Besides, you do not turn 2,000 every day"
Blue eyes smiled. "You remembered."
"I will never forget. Back soon. Rest a while."
Back in their room, Arelén assembled their best garments.
For Legolas a newly made gold silk shirt ((happy birthday brother)) embroidered finer than any the king had, dark green tunic decorated with finely worked silver threads and brown leggings. His favorite boots and belt took the quickly done polish well.
*****
Arelén heard footsteps down the hall. "Come in Valandi." even before the guard placed one knock on the door.
"By order of King Thranduil, your usual duties are forgiven. For tonight only you are to be seated at His table." The guard reported.
"Thank you Valandi. Please inform the king that his youngest son's companion hopes her actions this evening will bring him joy on this great night."
The guard turned to go.
"Wait!" Arelén took a well-worn bag and carefully selected a few small items. "Please, take this to the stables. It will be needed later."
Confusion crossed his face. He has heard many stories of how odd this dark haired one acts. "As you wish."
As she selected her dress of matching dark green with silver instead of gold work, her eyes started to burn. ((Not now))
A voice low and clear spoke. "Next time Thranduil raises his hand to either one of you will be his last"
Arelén shook her head. The voice continued. "Have no fear - we will guide you. You will know what to do."
*****
The great hall was highly decorated in honor of Thranduil's newest consort.
Happy conversation, music and laughter echoed through the stone hall.
After Thranduil and his new consort were seated at the head of the table, Arelén was seated at the furthest end of the U shaped configuration as possible.
Legolas, seated at the head table, smiled his approval of his present.
During the evening's entertainment, the new consort's favorite singer, Recited the ballads of heroic adventures and great love. Replacing the names of the heroes and lovers with Thranduil and his new consort's.
Happily remembering that long ago time in Lorien, and those gray eyes, that kiss, Arelén took out her necklace and started playing with the pendant. She could feel the warmth cross her face and the searing in her hand.
Legolas caught a small glint of silver from her direction. She was thinking of him again. ((Maybe he isn't so bad for her)) Her eyes looked far away and there was this special shine to her.
"Arelén!" The King's voice carried well in these stone rooms. "What are you wearing?"
"Nothing of your concern, Thranduil."
The musician stopped mid-line.
"What is that? Give it to me."
Arelén replied half awake. "Haldir of Lóthlorien gave it to me."
Silenced filled the great hall as his tall, carved chair was shoved behind him - long strides made quick work of the space separating their places. "It IS my concern. Let me have it."
"No."
"No?" Thranduil's eyes began to burn. "No child of mine will ever have doings with those Lorien kind"
Arelén turned her head.
[Keep your focus]
Staring beyond Thranduil a low clear voice replied "I am not your child."
Thranduil left a perfect handprint on Arelén's pale face. Gray stared into dark blue.
"Give it to me you ungrateful brat."
"No."
Thranduil raised his hand. Legolas stood up "Stop!"
Thranduil glared at him "Sit down or you will be given worse, boy" Two of the Royal guard held Legolas in his chair.
Another perfect handprint was placed on the other side of Arelén's face.
[Keep your focus]
"Give it to me. He doesn't love you."
"What know you of love?"
This blow fell Arelén out of her chair onto the floor. The burning returned as gray turned to black and kept starting at dark blue.
[Keep your focus]
Arelén's body defiantly stood up.
"Give it to me you freak."
"No."
Backside of sword hand caused a small trickle of blood from the corner of her lips.
Black eyes still locked with blue.
"You have tried my patience too far. Give it to me!" The King's demand echoed in hall.
"No."
The other side of Arelén's mouth matched the other.
[Keep your focus]
Thranduil's voice growled, "Those accursed Lorien have you bewitched. There is only one cure."
Two strong hands pick up Arelén by her throat and slams her body into the closest wall. Sound of cracking bones bounce around the hall.
She makes not a sound.
Arelén's black eyes are still locked onto Thranduil's. "You will never hurt us again."
Thranduil slams Arelén's body into the wall yet again. More cracking sounds are heard around the hall.
Still, she makes not a sound.
Thranduil tears off her necklace and squeezes harder around Arelén's throat. "This sign of your betrayal will be the last thing you ever see."
Arelén struggles. Her eyes never left his face.
One more crash of Arelén's body against the stone wall echoes in the hall.
She stops moving.
His hands grip tighter.
Small popping noises are heard.
"H - Hal..." She stops breathing.
Thranduil no longer feels her pulse in her neck.
Her black eyes, while still open, stared vacantly at the pendant.
With a great heave, Thranduil threw Arelén's body. Landing with a resounding whack, her body crumpled into the corner.
Thranduil walked over to Legolas. Leaning in close he sneered, "One breath out of place from you and this is your fate. Remember your place, Prince of Mirkwood."
Legolas' eyes filled with tears as Thranduil continued. "Your mother was right in dying after she brought you accursed two into my realm. 'You have a son, My King. The daughter is for me.'"
Returning to his chair, "I will not be defied in my own house. Musician - continue."
Shaken, the musician finished his song. He gave the explanation of his next selection and started.
[Arelén, wake up]
The assembled returned to their conversations, laughter and merriment.
Only Legolas' blue eyes caught quick glimpses of the broken body in the corner.
[Arelén, wake up]
Arelén's eyes blink.
A loud gasp of breath interrupts the musician's next selection.
Gawkily pulling herself off the floor, Arelén pointed at Thranduil.
[Do it now!]
"Try as you will, by the Valar you will never hurt me or my brother again." Her loud and clear voice echoed in the hall.
"I thought I killed you!" The King stormed over, circled, and raised his hand to hit - unable to move his hand any closer than a few inches.
"See Thranduil, you can not touch us."
[It is done]
"Arelén, you are banished from Mirkwood as long as I am king. From here on, anyone caught speaking your name will share your fate." Thranduil ponders for a moment - "All your belongings are to be burned tonight." Glares to Legolas "Don't even think you can do something about it"
"Take this freak away." As she is escorted out of the hall, Arelén looked one last time at Legolas,
((you are safe now)) looking so small, frail and vulnerable. Mouthed the word "sanctuary"
The guards lead Arelén to the stables.
"Lady, I am loyal to your brother. Please take my horse and provisions."
"I thank you, Valandi. Keep my brother safe."
Arelén mounted the horse, "Ride hard to Lóthlorien"