I can hear a lot of people saying "Legolas would not act like that!"
but....well my Legolas does. His love for Irulan is painfully strong at
times and elf or no, no man should be forced to control and hold back his
passion on such a short leash. Or better said, there might be moments of
weakness if he is, and who can argue with that? Tolkien more than often
said that elves were not perfect and I really do not imagine them to be the
ever peaceful and wise creatures at all. They were in a lot of mischief and
battle themselves. And there is a LOT of pressure on Legolas. He is in love
with a mortal -like Irulan!- I mean..give him a break......the poor man is
cursed! And honestly, I think Gimli is right - this sort of treatment is
exactly what Irulan needs sometimes. She should be grabbed and shaken out
of her wits every now and then. It works. Anyway, those are my two cents on
the matter.
I'm glad a lot of you liked Eowyn. I like her a lot. Though her more cunning streak is going to show up soon enough - and frankly, I like her even more for it. Mickie, you are right - there are differences between her and Irulan of course. An important one being that I imagine Eowyn much more feminine - I mean mentally. She is surely up to some mischief and she does not forget that she is a woman. I think Irulan often does.
Zingara, Mickie, Mae Noelle, just2spooky, flipped, angel of the stars, kirjava, kiki, Tara, shakiya, syrenwytch, spunky, ginger, Fae, spiffy, mokona, Nienna, passion lover, elleth, evenstar, Dove, kaimelar, Chibi, Mystic Elf, saige, Brynn and tasakapeotkauu - and the zillions others, I am truly grateful. No matter how many times I say this, I mean it each and every time. I mean to write you guys separately, but forgive me if it comes slow.
A lot of people ask me how I update so often - alright, I admit, I have sleeping problems and nothing better to do in life! There. For those of you who keep begging.ha ha.Irulan's not dying at least for some more chapters, so relax and enjoy the show.
I like this chapter. It is one of my favorite. There are a lot of feelings at display here and I always like the battle of feelings. I like weaknesses and then gaining of strength. I also like the development and change of characters - the way they respond to outer stimuli and are not always super strong or super stubborn. Well anyway...let's see if you agree.....
Aragorn and Legolas came in crashing moments later. One had his sword drawn and the other was ready to shoot a deadly arrow. They ran into the room, looking around. Irulan threw an accusing look at Eowyn, who looked baffled but soon began to grin. The men slowly lowered their weapons, still quite anxious. "Lady Eowyn, what happened?!" Aragorn said finally, not looking at her, but scanning the room.
"Nothing happened, Aragorn. Eowyn has a nasty habit of shrieking, that's all," Irulan said and waved her hand.
Eowyn's eyes widened and she threw Irulan a warning look. "I......I am sorry......Master Aragorn," she stammered, swallowing softly. "I have alarmed you for no reason," and failing to come up with an explanation, she left it at that.
The men looked at each other with looks that clearly said 'we will never understand women!', and then Aragorn sheathed his sword. "Do not worry yourself, Lady Eowyn. And......please call me Aragorn," he said, with a slight bow.
Eowyn jumped to her feet and took a step towards him. She had a very peculiar ghost of a smile on her beautiful lips and Irulan suddenly remembered how she had stared at Aragorn before Irulan had fainted. Her eyes widened with realization as Eowyn looked up at the man and said "Only if you call me Eowyn," with the most beautiful voice. Irulan glanced at Legolas and he looked back at her, with a blank expression.
Aragorn smiled back and bowed slightly again, then throwing Irulan a look that clearly said that he believed HER to be responsible of the shrieking incident a moment ago, turned on his heels and left the room. Legolas looked from one woman to the other, obviously failing to read the intricate human expressions changing with lightning speed in the room. Then he said softly "Will you be needing anything, my lady?" probably to look less absurd.
Eowyn looked like she just came back to the present at his voice. She looked at him and stammered "Oh......I think.....actually I had prepared a herbal tea for Irulan......it should be in the kitchen," and then hastily added, "but I'll get it myself. No need for you to do that sort of thing. Forgive me, you are a guest."
Legolas held up his hand. "Please.......I shall bring it. You are busy," and closed the door behind him before Eowyn could say anything else.
Eowyn turned around to find a very sour Irulan looking up at her. "Eowyn?" she said between clenched teeth.
The other sat by the bed and smoothed her dress, then immersed the cloth into the bowl again. "Yes, Irulan?" she said with an innocent expression.
"Do you have something to tell me Eowyn?" Irulan said, trying to establish eye contact, but Eowyn was too busy with the bowl.
"Like what?"
"Cut it out Eowyn! Stay away from him!" Irulan hissed.
Eowyn's eyes widened with innocence. "What? From who? What are you talking about?"
Irulan rolled her eyes. "Eowyn, I'm serious." Eowyn pursed her lips and continued wiping Irulan's face. "And stop wiping my face already!"
"Who is he?" Eowyn said with a voice that spoke of disinterest. And that's exactly why Irulan felt really threatened now and slightly sat up, leaning back on the bed board.
"Eowyn, no! I am serious about this."
"I only asked who he is. He has.......a commanding......air to him." The bad thing was, Eowyn had a very good taste in men and no doubt, Aragorn was an immensely attractive man. He had a good deal of charisma and he was both gentle and royal, and at the same time wild and fierce. A perfect combination, really.
Irulan rolled her eyes. She considered lying for a moment but that was ridiculous of course. One, Eowyn was her best friend and two, she would most certainly find out from someone else soon enough. "Son of Arathorn," he said finally, her eyes fixed on the other woman, "heir of Isildur."
Eowyn's head snapped up at that. "He is Isildur's heir?!" She looked back at the door again. "A king," she whispered.
Irulan resisted the strong urge of grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. Instead she added: "And......he is involved with someone."
"Oh......." said Eowyn and it was obvious from her voice that her heart sank. She remained silent for while. "With whom?" she said finally.
"With Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond of Rivendell," said Irulan and hoped that she would ask no further.
But of course it was not to be. Eowyn frowned. "Rivendell?" she said in confusion a moment later, and Irulan really wished she could spare herself this part. "Is that not......."
"Yes, Arwen is an elf, Eowyn. AND she happens to be a good friend of mine," said Irulan still looking very lethal.
"An elf?" Eowyn looked baffled. A moment later she said "Must be the new thing," with a bitter tone, throwing a dark look at Irulan, and the other crossed her arms and just stared back with raised eyebrows.
Another silence set in. "Involved as in how?" said Eowyn finally with an expressionless voice again.
Irulan sighed audibly. "Involved as in involved."
"I saw no wedding ring or anything of that sort."
"He is involved nevertheless, Eowyn."
The other woman said nothing for a long time and Irulan felt very uncomfortable of the silence. 'Who knows what she is thinking?' she thought nervously. "Whatever happened to humans?" said Eowyn suddenly and she sounded angry. Irulan was so taken aback, she found nothing to answer to that. Her eyes widened at Eowyn's obvious protest concerning both Aragorn and herself. A long and tense moment stretched between them. "I heard you ran into Eomer," Eowyn said suddenly, pushing her chin up. There was a spark in her eyes that looked downright dangerous.
Irulan, too, pushed her chin up. "Yes we did. So?"
"Did he.......say anything?"
Irulan twisted her face, mocking her voice, "Like what?"
"Well......." said Eowyn, but she did not finish and they stared at each other as two very dangerous princesses when suddenly there was a slight knock on the door and Legolas came in with a tray. A single cup was standing on it. He remained standing at the door looking from one to the other woman, but it took the girls several moments to break the contest and turn to look at who arrived. He threw a look at Irulan but when she would not answer, walked softly in and offered the tray to Eowyn.
Eowyn smiled at him with a cold smile and slowly took the cup from the tray. "Thank you Master Legolas," she said softly and suddenly Irulan saw her pausing, then an odd expression settled on her features. But she had no time to think about what is going on, for Eowyn quickly pushed the cup into her hand. It smelled horrible. 'I bet she did it on purpose!' Irulan thought bitterly and took a sip. She moaned despite herself. It tasted even worse than it smelled!
Legolas moved towards the door to leave, but suddenly Eowyn spoke up: "No need for you to leave, Master Legolas. Please remain." Irulan looked up in surprise and confusion and she saw Eowyn turn around to meet her stare with a wide grin spreading over her beautiful face. 'Now wait a minute, what is going........' she managed to think before Eowyn spoke up with a very neutral tone: "So did he say anything?" and she looked up at a very startled and shocked Irulan with pure innocence plastered on her face.
Irulan looked at Legolas, who had closed the door, but other than that, being the gentleman that he was, had remained on his spot. She looked back at Eowyn again, swallowed softly and murmured a very inaudible "No," before she resumed her drinking. Suddenly the tea did not taste that awful anymore.
"Really?" said Eowyn and it came out so soft and long, Irulan almost shuddered. She swallowed her mouthful down and looked at Eowyn with pure threat. The other woman, though, pretended not to see at all. "I would assume Eomer to be EXTREMELY happy to see you, Irulan."
Irulan closed her eyes. 'Eowyn, I swear I will kill you. I swear. I don't care about the ethics!' she repeated to herself. She dared not look at Legolas, and she dared not think where this was going. "I think I will sleep some more now," she said idly.
"Nonsense; you have to drink all of it," said Eowyn and a small smile crept up at her face, now that she knew she was indeed on the right path.
"Did you know," she began idly, and brushed Irulan's dress with her hands slightly as she continued, "that he leaves Edoras every year the day you 'died' to ride through plains and fields until sunset?" Irulan was baffled. Eomer was actually........then she suddenly remembered their present situation and swallowed two more gulps from that disgusting warm liquid.
"Is that your brother Eomer you are talking about, my lady?" came Legolas' voice from her right. Irulan put the cup down on her lap and dared a sidelong glance at him. He was standing exactly in the same way, but she could only feel the sharpness emanating from him.
"Yes, Master Legolas," said Eowyn with pure delight. "I believe you have met him."
"We met at the Riddermark," Legolas said and he sounded as cold as the coldest winter day. Irulan hastily took another gulp from the cup, "it was our first meeting, but I believe Irulan and him have an older acquaintance." Irulan decided that she should act normal and idle at this point, lest it might give away her nervousness and that would really just seal her doom. She looked up at Legolas and he glanced back at her with such intensity, she wished she had not looked in the first place.
Eowyn of course, missed none of this. She looked from one to the other and continued with a normal tone: "True. We three have been friends since we were very little." Irulan sighed with relief. She took another sip from her cup. "But the truth is, Eomer truly adores Irulan," Eowyn added and try as she might, Irulan could not help from exploding with a coughing fit. Both Eowyn and Legolas looked at her with a cool expression and she waved her hand, to say that she was alright.
"Is that so?" Legolas said, now obviously feeling like he was invited to participate in the conversation. "I very much suspected when he called her.......his 'little thorn'." Those last words came out definitely colder, if such a thing was possible at all.
Eowyn's eyebrows shot up and she turned to Irulan, beaming. "So he DID say something!"
"Ah please," said Irulan, with a trifle too angry than normal, still trying to recover from the coughing, "he always calls me that, you know it!"
"And may I ask why that is?" said Legolas. She turned to him but he was looking at Eowyn. Eowyn smiled a beautiful smile and explained the poem and the childish crush of Eomer. Irulan could not decide whether she should run out of the room or just remain and hide under the covers. She quickly drank the remaining tea and offered Eowyn the cup, cutting her off "Eowyn, Legolas, I really need to sleep some more."
But they looked at her irritated, and continued as if she was not there at all. "Eomer always admired Irulan. Master Legolas, I only mean to..warn you so to say...I'm sure my brother will want to pursue that admiration now that he knows Irulan is still amongst us," Eowyn said, looking up at Legolas, and she said it in a tone as if she regretted that happening, but that it was just the way things were and that he should be on the watch (yes, Eowyn was so clever in this art of hinting, she actually managed to say a lot more just by saying things in a very specific way). He even managed to look away and sigh softly, shaking her head, and Irulan jumped up despite herself.
"Stop lying, Eowyn! You know we were always friends!"
Eowyn just looked at her with the disapproving look of a princess and continued in a cool voice: "I know that. But I also know Eomer, and I happen to know things that YOU don't know." Irulan's mouth dropped open, but Eowyn only pushed her chin up and looked back with defiance. A long silence stretched. Finally Eowyn stood up with the cup in her hands. "I should leave, I have others to see to," and taking the tray from Legolas, she cast a smile to Irulan and closed the door behind her.
Irulan felt suddenly much more sick than she had been when she woke up. She massaged her face and glided down under the covers. A silence stretched. Finally she could not take it any longer and turned to Legolas. He was standing by the door, looking on the floor again with the cold fire in his eyes, grinding his teeth. Irulan rolled her eyes and moaned. 'This is so ANNOYING! I did not even do anything! What can I do if people are interested in me!' she thought with frustration. 'Eomer, interested in me?' she thought then, a little baffled. She tried to recall their meeting in Riddermark. True, he had been glad to see her....but that was normal, or not? And yet....'Irulan, stop it you stupid girl! He is your FRIEND!' She looked up at the elf who was still rooted to his spot. "Legolas!" she said finally, "Are you going to stay there all day?" He looked up at her and she almost winced with the intensity of his look. Then he looked away, not moving.
'Eowyn, this is not funny! I swear I will kill you!' she thought. She knew exactly why Eowyn did what she did. She wanted Irulan to stay off her back and be busy with her own affairs while she would chase Aragorn around. That cunning fox of a woman! "Legolas," tried Irulan again, and against all odds, stood up to walk to him, "please, say something." The elf looked back at her but did not move aside from that. Irulan walked up to him and stood before him. The gown was very long and softly swished with each step and her bare feet felt cold on the floor. She even felt a little dizzy from standing upright, but managed to keep calm on the outside and not sway.
"What is the matter with you?" she said softly, holding his hand. He did not respond to the touch, though. She waited a few moments, and deciding that he would not speak up, said "Are you angry with me?"
He looked truly surprised by that. "Angry with you? No, of course not," he said with confusion and looked down at their hands. Irulan waited patiently.
Finally Legolas sighed and said "I am.......I am only angry with myself."
"With yourself?" said Irulan, truly baffled. "Why?" she added a moment later.
Legolas only sighed again and looked down. Irulan moved closer to him, trying to catch his eyes. "Why?" she said again.
"Because I am no mortal man!" said Legolas and it came out with such a furious tone of voice, she actually flinched. That cold fire was back again and Irulan could not think straight while she was looking into it. She hastily looked away and tried to gather her thoughts.
"Because........wh-what do you mean?" she said finally.
Legolas only took a deep breath and shook his head. "I am elfkind, Irulan," he said finally and he sounded very tired. "I am not your match. I love you with a fire many will perhaps never taste, and yet......you......you........might find....." he did not finish. Finally it dawned on Irulan. Legolas thought she did not love him. But he also thought she would finally walk off with a mortal, because she was a mortal herself. As much as he was not expecting her to love him in return, he also felt impaired by his race and for some reason had come to the silly conclusion that Irulan preferred mortals. It was so ridiculous, she almost laughed out loud. And yet, probably from an elf's point of view, it was a terrible thing. Irulan finally understood something really odd: Legolas' envy and jealousy was not directly to her - he envied humans, simply because they were a match for her. Legolas, envying a mortal man, when he was above and beyond any mortal man in Irulan's eyes!
Yet.....she failed the courage to tell him that she loved him. Not that it would mean too much probably.....since he had told her earlier that mortals were deceitful and fickle in their relationships. He might think she loves him now but would love another when he showed up, who knows?! 'These things are so damn confusing!' Irulan thought suddenly. War is much easier! You run, you strike and kill or get killed yourself. It is much more preferable, indeed! She looked back at Legolas. Such a powerful man, breaking apart because of such stupid details!
"And who are you to know my heart?" she said finally with as much anger as she could muster. Legolas looked up at her, surprised. He remained silent, though.
"Who are you to think that you can be different but I am ordinary?"
Legolas looked truly baffled. Then he looked a little ashamed and looked away, not sure what do. Irulan saw the perfect opportunity and took her hand back from him, crossing her arms on her chest. She took two steps back, careful not to step on the gown and fall on her face at a moment like this.
"I assume that I showed true interest in the mortal men around me up to this point, haven't I?" she said with a voice like ice.
"No....." said Legolas and swallowed softly. "That's not what I......" Irulan cut him short though:
"I think I have been kissing mortals for the last few days! I must have been holding THEIR hands and returning THEIR embraces! I truly must have been letting mortals braid my hair, is that not so, Legolas?"
Legolas looked absolutely stunned. A short silence followed. "Forgive me Irulan....I was foolish," he said finally.
She turned around and walked away. A cruel part in her was indeed enjoying this. Why, Legolas had been bashing her defenses for weeks. Payback time!
"I don't know Legolas. You act like this, you really break my heart," she said, her back turned to him, lest he might read her expression.
"Irulan!" said Legolas and he sounded horrified, "You know that would never be my intention. You must forgive my imprudence."
Irulan sighed and crossed her arms again, not turning around. "I think I will retire now," she said in a regal tone. Alright, maybe she was pushing it.........but Legolas had snatched her off and carried her to the river against all her protests, had he not? That was a very dirty thing to do, too.
A moment later Legolas was before her, then against her and suddenly he was kissing her, and it was so unexpected, she literally lost her footing and would most certainly have ended lying on the floor if Legolas had not been pulling her to himself with his arms around her waist. Irulan instinctively tried to push herself off, but Legolas was incredibly strong and she was not much of a fighter anyway, since the kiss was truly stealing the last remnants of her coherent thoughts along with her breath.
Irulan certainly had been kissed before, and some of those stood out in her memory, true. But never, even in the most intimate moments had she been kissed with such intensity and such passion. Neither could she have imagined Legolas kissing her like this before; and this side of him was both incredibly attractive and at the same time intimidating. She felt all sense and reason leaving her as Legolas pulled her even closer by the waist while his other arm softly moved up and entwined in the waves of her loose hair, holding her head. Irulan felt that fire in her bursting again, flowing out from her in waves, threatening to consume her with its heat.
When he finally broke the kiss she was glad that he was holding her so tight, since she would most certainly glide to the floor as a useless heap if he did not. She looked up into his eyes and saw another and darker fire there. It made her shudder to say the least. Irulan had barely talked herself into a touch and an embrace - this kiss truly blew her away. She felt completely naked and defenseless. Legolas kept his arm around her waist, but moved his other hand to her face, softly touching her lips. "If you do not forgive me," he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers, "I must yet convince you to do so." Irulan felt truly stupefied. The Legolas she knew had touched her lips with his for a moment under a tree one summer day and had stammered for the rest of the day with embarrassment and confusion. Who was this elf holding her now?
He leaned over and placed a much softer, but nevertheless intense kiss on her lips. "Am I forgiven?" he whispered. Irulan nodded numbly, still unable to move or say anything. Legolas smiled and with one last look into her eyes, he slowly picked her up, then carried her to the bed and gently laying her beneath the covers, tucked her in. He sat by her side again and held her hand. An incredibly tense silence settled in and a long moment passed during which he seemed to battle an inner conflict and, by the looks of it, losing painfully.
The fire in Legolas from a moment ago was seeping from him and was slowly replaced by regret. The feeling that he had betrayed Irulan's trust took a hold of his heart suddenly. She had opened herself to him and he had taken advantage of that! No matter how intense his fear had been of losing her affection and interest, he should have never acted like that. Legolas closed his eyes and swallowed softly. His feelings were truly taking a hold of him, and alas, that had NEVER happened before. And today he had done something even worse than the day in the valley when he had hurt her hand - he had truly broken the bridge of trust that he had established between them with such pain and effort. This whole fragile relationship was based on his own control and decency and the fact that he was not like mortals, but a moment ago he had acted exactly like a mortal -and a very indecent one, at that- and thrown all his words into the fire. He wanted to tell Irulan how potent his feelings were and how impossible it became to control them from time to time, but she would probably not believe a single word he said, anymore. And who could blame her now? He was a disgrace to his upbringing and to his entire race. He was becoming more reckless and dangerous by the day.
Finally Legolas sighed again and looking up at her, said "I would never want you to think that I am forcing myself on you, Irulan," and Irulan realized that the odd fire in his eyes had once more receded. "At the thought of losing your affection a moment ago.......I......" he looked up at her and smiled sadly, "I lost control once again." He looked away for a moment. "The more I try to prevent it, the more I seem to fall prey to it." He remained like that for a long moment. Irulan did not know what to think. To be honest, she was still lost in that kiss. She could see Legolas' discomfort and nervousness, for losing control like that was probably a great sin for an elf, but she had no idea what she could do about it. However, for the first time in their relationship she felt a new fear blooming in her: She did not want to lose Legolas and she did not want him to feel like she resented him in any way. Legolas had patiently and persistently fought with her temper and her own loss of control for so long - she owed him forgiveness at least this once.
'Not to mention that you don't feel like there is actually much to forgive anyway, am I not right, Irulan?" said the voice in her head with amusement. 'Go on, deny that it felt wonderful.' Irulan remained silent and looked away herself. 'Is love like this?' she thought suddenly. 'How can a feeling be so strong and drive one to do such unreasonable things?' Then she suddenly remembered Chemarit and his beloved horrible romance novels. In her mind he was sitting in that armchair, the fire playing with his features, and he was saying "You will realize that you have been decent, mature, reasonable and careful...and therefore, wasted your entire life, Irulan."
Legolas moved as if to get up and leave, and suddenly not wishing to be mature, careful and reasonable at least this one time, she found her voice again. "I....." she said and Legolas halted, looking down at her with something like fear, "I......was hoping that you would stay," she managed finally. The man looked back at her so silently and so still, she hastily added, "That is, if you wish to," and swallowed softly.
He looked at her for so long, she began to think she made a mistake. Then slowly he raised his hand and touched her cheek. "Irulan," he whispered, "ask me anything, ANYTHING, I shall run out and do it for you."
She sighed. 'What will I do with this elf?' she thought again. "Then I ask you to stay," she said and played with the linen bedcover for a minute. 'Actually that was a good offer he made me. Maybe I should have used it more wisely,' she thought suddenly. Next thing she knew, Legolas was lying next to her on the covers, gently holding her hand and looking at her. She turned sideways as well and they just lay there, holding hands and smiling at each other for a long time.
'Irulan,' thought Legolas, and that was all he could think. 'Irulan, Irulan, Irulan,' he thought. That name seemed to include everything worth saying. All languages in the world were useless and pointless - her name was all there was to say. It meant forgiveness, it meant healing, it meant compassion. It meant everything ever felt, bundled up and reduced to a name. It meant the unthinkable things no one had ever thought of yet, compressed into a word. It meant a creation of such fine nature, that it surpassed everything in the entire universe. Legolas was blessed - he knew it with fierce certainty. He was blessed with the light of Valar, because he was lying here now, holding her hand when this goddess could have chosen anyone else to share this moment with her. All his years on this world were just a preparation for this moment alone. All his feelings, all experiences, all his sadness and joy had just been a simple training so that he could appreciate a creature like Irulan. She was no human. She was no elf. She was beyond any of those things.
The world was breathing silently around him, pulsing with the life of countless creatures that had never set eyes on her and countless more who never would. And he pitied each and single one, for they would remain blind and never know it. For they would remain inanimate and dull without her touch, and never grow aware of it. He felt like dashing out of the room and running through all Middle Earth, spreading the word of her might and her beauty. He also felt like staying here, hiding her from every eye for all eternity, to keep her only himself. He felt like....Legolas sighed. 'A power so terrible, and yet so gentle,' he thought. 'We are all but faded and wasted images of her. If nothing else, my life shall be devoted to live in her shadow, to breathe her existence.'
Love is such an incredible thing. For Irulan was none of those things. She was a young, confused and slightly lost mortal woman. She had no idea that at the moment she was being admired and loved so fiercely, that no other mortal and probably no other elf could have stood to face a feeling of such intense fire. In her ignorance and the natural blindness and unawareness her race was blessed with, Irulan had no way of understanding what Legolas was feeling for her. Her knowing about his love meant nothing - for her vision was inhibited by her own limitations. Irulan was standing below a single tree that she believed to be Legolas' love for her and admiring it, while a mighty forest with countless trees stretched around her. Irulan was standing by a stream, dipping her hand in the water, believing to understand his love for her, when she was but only crouching on an island in the vastness of a blue ocean. She was holding a single seed in her palm, adoring it and thinking that Legolas' love for her was truly mysterious and mighty, while countless of those seeds had sprouted around her into a dense and marvelous work of nature.
A long but comfortable silence passed as the two lay there, looking at each other while whirling in such different universes.
Finally Irulan said "Legolas, I have to ask for one more thing."
Legolas blinked in surprise. "Just name it," he said slowly.
"You have to help me with a delicate matter." He looked back with open curiosity, but remained silent. "It concerns.....it concerns Aragorn and Eowyn," she managed finally.
Legolas looked baffled. "Aragorn and Eowyn?" he repeated in open confusion.
"Yes! We must do something Legolas!" she said with sudden enthusiasm and clasped his hand with both hands.
A slow smile crept to his lips suddenly. "Why do I feel like something inappropriate is about to be asked of me?" he said with narrowed eyes.
Irulan smiled innocently. "You have to learn to think in human standards, Legolas. A LOT is appropriate in human standards."
'Alas,' thought Legolas, smiling with adoration, 'your words are but the very laws of the universe. Who am I to challenge them?'
I'm glad a lot of you liked Eowyn. I like her a lot. Though her more cunning streak is going to show up soon enough - and frankly, I like her even more for it. Mickie, you are right - there are differences between her and Irulan of course. An important one being that I imagine Eowyn much more feminine - I mean mentally. She is surely up to some mischief and she does not forget that she is a woman. I think Irulan often does.
Zingara, Mickie, Mae Noelle, just2spooky, flipped, angel of the stars, kirjava, kiki, Tara, shakiya, syrenwytch, spunky, ginger, Fae, spiffy, mokona, Nienna, passion lover, elleth, evenstar, Dove, kaimelar, Chibi, Mystic Elf, saige, Brynn and tasakapeotkauu - and the zillions others, I am truly grateful. No matter how many times I say this, I mean it each and every time. I mean to write you guys separately, but forgive me if it comes slow.
A lot of people ask me how I update so often - alright, I admit, I have sleeping problems and nothing better to do in life! There. For those of you who keep begging.ha ha.Irulan's not dying at least for some more chapters, so relax and enjoy the show.
I like this chapter. It is one of my favorite. There are a lot of feelings at display here and I always like the battle of feelings. I like weaknesses and then gaining of strength. I also like the development and change of characters - the way they respond to outer stimuli and are not always super strong or super stubborn. Well anyway...let's see if you agree.....
Aragorn and Legolas came in crashing moments later. One had his sword drawn and the other was ready to shoot a deadly arrow. They ran into the room, looking around. Irulan threw an accusing look at Eowyn, who looked baffled but soon began to grin. The men slowly lowered their weapons, still quite anxious. "Lady Eowyn, what happened?!" Aragorn said finally, not looking at her, but scanning the room.
"Nothing happened, Aragorn. Eowyn has a nasty habit of shrieking, that's all," Irulan said and waved her hand.
Eowyn's eyes widened and she threw Irulan a warning look. "I......I am sorry......Master Aragorn," she stammered, swallowing softly. "I have alarmed you for no reason," and failing to come up with an explanation, she left it at that.
The men looked at each other with looks that clearly said 'we will never understand women!', and then Aragorn sheathed his sword. "Do not worry yourself, Lady Eowyn. And......please call me Aragorn," he said, with a slight bow.
Eowyn jumped to her feet and took a step towards him. She had a very peculiar ghost of a smile on her beautiful lips and Irulan suddenly remembered how she had stared at Aragorn before Irulan had fainted. Her eyes widened with realization as Eowyn looked up at the man and said "Only if you call me Eowyn," with the most beautiful voice. Irulan glanced at Legolas and he looked back at her, with a blank expression.
Aragorn smiled back and bowed slightly again, then throwing Irulan a look that clearly said that he believed HER to be responsible of the shrieking incident a moment ago, turned on his heels and left the room. Legolas looked from one woman to the other, obviously failing to read the intricate human expressions changing with lightning speed in the room. Then he said softly "Will you be needing anything, my lady?" probably to look less absurd.
Eowyn looked like she just came back to the present at his voice. She looked at him and stammered "Oh......I think.....actually I had prepared a herbal tea for Irulan......it should be in the kitchen," and then hastily added, "but I'll get it myself. No need for you to do that sort of thing. Forgive me, you are a guest."
Legolas held up his hand. "Please.......I shall bring it. You are busy," and closed the door behind him before Eowyn could say anything else.
Eowyn turned around to find a very sour Irulan looking up at her. "Eowyn?" she said between clenched teeth.
The other sat by the bed and smoothed her dress, then immersed the cloth into the bowl again. "Yes, Irulan?" she said with an innocent expression.
"Do you have something to tell me Eowyn?" Irulan said, trying to establish eye contact, but Eowyn was too busy with the bowl.
"Like what?"
"Cut it out Eowyn! Stay away from him!" Irulan hissed.
Eowyn's eyes widened with innocence. "What? From who? What are you talking about?"
Irulan rolled her eyes. "Eowyn, I'm serious." Eowyn pursed her lips and continued wiping Irulan's face. "And stop wiping my face already!"
"Who is he?" Eowyn said with a voice that spoke of disinterest. And that's exactly why Irulan felt really threatened now and slightly sat up, leaning back on the bed board.
"Eowyn, no! I am serious about this."
"I only asked who he is. He has.......a commanding......air to him." The bad thing was, Eowyn had a very good taste in men and no doubt, Aragorn was an immensely attractive man. He had a good deal of charisma and he was both gentle and royal, and at the same time wild and fierce. A perfect combination, really.
Irulan rolled her eyes. She considered lying for a moment but that was ridiculous of course. One, Eowyn was her best friend and two, she would most certainly find out from someone else soon enough. "Son of Arathorn," he said finally, her eyes fixed on the other woman, "heir of Isildur."
Eowyn's head snapped up at that. "He is Isildur's heir?!" She looked back at the door again. "A king," she whispered.
Irulan resisted the strong urge of grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. Instead she added: "And......he is involved with someone."
"Oh......." said Eowyn and it was obvious from her voice that her heart sank. She remained silent for while. "With whom?" she said finally.
"With Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond of Rivendell," said Irulan and hoped that she would ask no further.
But of course it was not to be. Eowyn frowned. "Rivendell?" she said in confusion a moment later, and Irulan really wished she could spare herself this part. "Is that not......."
"Yes, Arwen is an elf, Eowyn. AND she happens to be a good friend of mine," said Irulan still looking very lethal.
"An elf?" Eowyn looked baffled. A moment later she said "Must be the new thing," with a bitter tone, throwing a dark look at Irulan, and the other crossed her arms and just stared back with raised eyebrows.
Another silence set in. "Involved as in how?" said Eowyn finally with an expressionless voice again.
Irulan sighed audibly. "Involved as in involved."
"I saw no wedding ring or anything of that sort."
"He is involved nevertheless, Eowyn."
The other woman said nothing for a long time and Irulan felt very uncomfortable of the silence. 'Who knows what she is thinking?' she thought nervously. "Whatever happened to humans?" said Eowyn suddenly and she sounded angry. Irulan was so taken aback, she found nothing to answer to that. Her eyes widened at Eowyn's obvious protest concerning both Aragorn and herself. A long and tense moment stretched between them. "I heard you ran into Eomer," Eowyn said suddenly, pushing her chin up. There was a spark in her eyes that looked downright dangerous.
Irulan, too, pushed her chin up. "Yes we did. So?"
"Did he.......say anything?"
Irulan twisted her face, mocking her voice, "Like what?"
"Well......." said Eowyn, but she did not finish and they stared at each other as two very dangerous princesses when suddenly there was a slight knock on the door and Legolas came in with a tray. A single cup was standing on it. He remained standing at the door looking from one to the other woman, but it took the girls several moments to break the contest and turn to look at who arrived. He threw a look at Irulan but when she would not answer, walked softly in and offered the tray to Eowyn.
Eowyn smiled at him with a cold smile and slowly took the cup from the tray. "Thank you Master Legolas," she said softly and suddenly Irulan saw her pausing, then an odd expression settled on her features. But she had no time to think about what is going on, for Eowyn quickly pushed the cup into her hand. It smelled horrible. 'I bet she did it on purpose!' Irulan thought bitterly and took a sip. She moaned despite herself. It tasted even worse than it smelled!
Legolas moved towards the door to leave, but suddenly Eowyn spoke up: "No need for you to leave, Master Legolas. Please remain." Irulan looked up in surprise and confusion and she saw Eowyn turn around to meet her stare with a wide grin spreading over her beautiful face. 'Now wait a minute, what is going........' she managed to think before Eowyn spoke up with a very neutral tone: "So did he say anything?" and she looked up at a very startled and shocked Irulan with pure innocence plastered on her face.
Irulan looked at Legolas, who had closed the door, but other than that, being the gentleman that he was, had remained on his spot. She looked back at Eowyn again, swallowed softly and murmured a very inaudible "No," before she resumed her drinking. Suddenly the tea did not taste that awful anymore.
"Really?" said Eowyn and it came out so soft and long, Irulan almost shuddered. She swallowed her mouthful down and looked at Eowyn with pure threat. The other woman, though, pretended not to see at all. "I would assume Eomer to be EXTREMELY happy to see you, Irulan."
Irulan closed her eyes. 'Eowyn, I swear I will kill you. I swear. I don't care about the ethics!' she repeated to herself. She dared not look at Legolas, and she dared not think where this was going. "I think I will sleep some more now," she said idly.
"Nonsense; you have to drink all of it," said Eowyn and a small smile crept up at her face, now that she knew she was indeed on the right path.
"Did you know," she began idly, and brushed Irulan's dress with her hands slightly as she continued, "that he leaves Edoras every year the day you 'died' to ride through plains and fields until sunset?" Irulan was baffled. Eomer was actually........then she suddenly remembered their present situation and swallowed two more gulps from that disgusting warm liquid.
"Is that your brother Eomer you are talking about, my lady?" came Legolas' voice from her right. Irulan put the cup down on her lap and dared a sidelong glance at him. He was standing exactly in the same way, but she could only feel the sharpness emanating from him.
"Yes, Master Legolas," said Eowyn with pure delight. "I believe you have met him."
"We met at the Riddermark," Legolas said and he sounded as cold as the coldest winter day. Irulan hastily took another gulp from the cup, "it was our first meeting, but I believe Irulan and him have an older acquaintance." Irulan decided that she should act normal and idle at this point, lest it might give away her nervousness and that would really just seal her doom. She looked up at Legolas and he glanced back at her with such intensity, she wished she had not looked in the first place.
Eowyn of course, missed none of this. She looked from one to the other and continued with a normal tone: "True. We three have been friends since we were very little." Irulan sighed with relief. She took another sip from her cup. "But the truth is, Eomer truly adores Irulan," Eowyn added and try as she might, Irulan could not help from exploding with a coughing fit. Both Eowyn and Legolas looked at her with a cool expression and she waved her hand, to say that she was alright.
"Is that so?" Legolas said, now obviously feeling like he was invited to participate in the conversation. "I very much suspected when he called her.......his 'little thorn'." Those last words came out definitely colder, if such a thing was possible at all.
Eowyn's eyebrows shot up and she turned to Irulan, beaming. "So he DID say something!"
"Ah please," said Irulan, with a trifle too angry than normal, still trying to recover from the coughing, "he always calls me that, you know it!"
"And may I ask why that is?" said Legolas. She turned to him but he was looking at Eowyn. Eowyn smiled a beautiful smile and explained the poem and the childish crush of Eomer. Irulan could not decide whether she should run out of the room or just remain and hide under the covers. She quickly drank the remaining tea and offered Eowyn the cup, cutting her off "Eowyn, Legolas, I really need to sleep some more."
But they looked at her irritated, and continued as if she was not there at all. "Eomer always admired Irulan. Master Legolas, I only mean to..warn you so to say...I'm sure my brother will want to pursue that admiration now that he knows Irulan is still amongst us," Eowyn said, looking up at Legolas, and she said it in a tone as if she regretted that happening, but that it was just the way things were and that he should be on the watch (yes, Eowyn was so clever in this art of hinting, she actually managed to say a lot more just by saying things in a very specific way). He even managed to look away and sigh softly, shaking her head, and Irulan jumped up despite herself.
"Stop lying, Eowyn! You know we were always friends!"
Eowyn just looked at her with the disapproving look of a princess and continued in a cool voice: "I know that. But I also know Eomer, and I happen to know things that YOU don't know." Irulan's mouth dropped open, but Eowyn only pushed her chin up and looked back with defiance. A long silence stretched. Finally Eowyn stood up with the cup in her hands. "I should leave, I have others to see to," and taking the tray from Legolas, she cast a smile to Irulan and closed the door behind her.
Irulan felt suddenly much more sick than she had been when she woke up. She massaged her face and glided down under the covers. A silence stretched. Finally she could not take it any longer and turned to Legolas. He was standing by the door, looking on the floor again with the cold fire in his eyes, grinding his teeth. Irulan rolled her eyes and moaned. 'This is so ANNOYING! I did not even do anything! What can I do if people are interested in me!' she thought with frustration. 'Eomer, interested in me?' she thought then, a little baffled. She tried to recall their meeting in Riddermark. True, he had been glad to see her....but that was normal, or not? And yet....'Irulan, stop it you stupid girl! He is your FRIEND!' She looked up at the elf who was still rooted to his spot. "Legolas!" she said finally, "Are you going to stay there all day?" He looked up at her and she almost winced with the intensity of his look. Then he looked away, not moving.
'Eowyn, this is not funny! I swear I will kill you!' she thought. She knew exactly why Eowyn did what she did. She wanted Irulan to stay off her back and be busy with her own affairs while she would chase Aragorn around. That cunning fox of a woman! "Legolas," tried Irulan again, and against all odds, stood up to walk to him, "please, say something." The elf looked back at her but did not move aside from that. Irulan walked up to him and stood before him. The gown was very long and softly swished with each step and her bare feet felt cold on the floor. She even felt a little dizzy from standing upright, but managed to keep calm on the outside and not sway.
"What is the matter with you?" she said softly, holding his hand. He did not respond to the touch, though. She waited a few moments, and deciding that he would not speak up, said "Are you angry with me?"
He looked truly surprised by that. "Angry with you? No, of course not," he said with confusion and looked down at their hands. Irulan waited patiently.
Finally Legolas sighed and said "I am.......I am only angry with myself."
"With yourself?" said Irulan, truly baffled. "Why?" she added a moment later.
Legolas only sighed again and looked down. Irulan moved closer to him, trying to catch his eyes. "Why?" she said again.
"Because I am no mortal man!" said Legolas and it came out with such a furious tone of voice, she actually flinched. That cold fire was back again and Irulan could not think straight while she was looking into it. She hastily looked away and tried to gather her thoughts.
"Because........wh-what do you mean?" she said finally.
Legolas only took a deep breath and shook his head. "I am elfkind, Irulan," he said finally and he sounded very tired. "I am not your match. I love you with a fire many will perhaps never taste, and yet......you......you........might find....." he did not finish. Finally it dawned on Irulan. Legolas thought she did not love him. But he also thought she would finally walk off with a mortal, because she was a mortal herself. As much as he was not expecting her to love him in return, he also felt impaired by his race and for some reason had come to the silly conclusion that Irulan preferred mortals. It was so ridiculous, she almost laughed out loud. And yet, probably from an elf's point of view, it was a terrible thing. Irulan finally understood something really odd: Legolas' envy and jealousy was not directly to her - he envied humans, simply because they were a match for her. Legolas, envying a mortal man, when he was above and beyond any mortal man in Irulan's eyes!
Yet.....she failed the courage to tell him that she loved him. Not that it would mean too much probably.....since he had told her earlier that mortals were deceitful and fickle in their relationships. He might think she loves him now but would love another when he showed up, who knows?! 'These things are so damn confusing!' Irulan thought suddenly. War is much easier! You run, you strike and kill or get killed yourself. It is much more preferable, indeed! She looked back at Legolas. Such a powerful man, breaking apart because of such stupid details!
"And who are you to know my heart?" she said finally with as much anger as she could muster. Legolas looked up at her, surprised. He remained silent, though.
"Who are you to think that you can be different but I am ordinary?"
Legolas looked truly baffled. Then he looked a little ashamed and looked away, not sure what do. Irulan saw the perfect opportunity and took her hand back from him, crossing her arms on her chest. She took two steps back, careful not to step on the gown and fall on her face at a moment like this.
"I assume that I showed true interest in the mortal men around me up to this point, haven't I?" she said with a voice like ice.
"No....." said Legolas and swallowed softly. "That's not what I......" Irulan cut him short though:
"I think I have been kissing mortals for the last few days! I must have been holding THEIR hands and returning THEIR embraces! I truly must have been letting mortals braid my hair, is that not so, Legolas?"
Legolas looked absolutely stunned. A short silence followed. "Forgive me Irulan....I was foolish," he said finally.
She turned around and walked away. A cruel part in her was indeed enjoying this. Why, Legolas had been bashing her defenses for weeks. Payback time!
"I don't know Legolas. You act like this, you really break my heart," she said, her back turned to him, lest he might read her expression.
"Irulan!" said Legolas and he sounded horrified, "You know that would never be my intention. You must forgive my imprudence."
Irulan sighed and crossed her arms again, not turning around. "I think I will retire now," she said in a regal tone. Alright, maybe she was pushing it.........but Legolas had snatched her off and carried her to the river against all her protests, had he not? That was a very dirty thing to do, too.
A moment later Legolas was before her, then against her and suddenly he was kissing her, and it was so unexpected, she literally lost her footing and would most certainly have ended lying on the floor if Legolas had not been pulling her to himself with his arms around her waist. Irulan instinctively tried to push herself off, but Legolas was incredibly strong and she was not much of a fighter anyway, since the kiss was truly stealing the last remnants of her coherent thoughts along with her breath.
Irulan certainly had been kissed before, and some of those stood out in her memory, true. But never, even in the most intimate moments had she been kissed with such intensity and such passion. Neither could she have imagined Legolas kissing her like this before; and this side of him was both incredibly attractive and at the same time intimidating. She felt all sense and reason leaving her as Legolas pulled her even closer by the waist while his other arm softly moved up and entwined in the waves of her loose hair, holding her head. Irulan felt that fire in her bursting again, flowing out from her in waves, threatening to consume her with its heat.
When he finally broke the kiss she was glad that he was holding her so tight, since she would most certainly glide to the floor as a useless heap if he did not. She looked up into his eyes and saw another and darker fire there. It made her shudder to say the least. Irulan had barely talked herself into a touch and an embrace - this kiss truly blew her away. She felt completely naked and defenseless. Legolas kept his arm around her waist, but moved his other hand to her face, softly touching her lips. "If you do not forgive me," he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers, "I must yet convince you to do so." Irulan felt truly stupefied. The Legolas she knew had touched her lips with his for a moment under a tree one summer day and had stammered for the rest of the day with embarrassment and confusion. Who was this elf holding her now?
He leaned over and placed a much softer, but nevertheless intense kiss on her lips. "Am I forgiven?" he whispered. Irulan nodded numbly, still unable to move or say anything. Legolas smiled and with one last look into her eyes, he slowly picked her up, then carried her to the bed and gently laying her beneath the covers, tucked her in. He sat by her side again and held her hand. An incredibly tense silence settled in and a long moment passed during which he seemed to battle an inner conflict and, by the looks of it, losing painfully.
The fire in Legolas from a moment ago was seeping from him and was slowly replaced by regret. The feeling that he had betrayed Irulan's trust took a hold of his heart suddenly. She had opened herself to him and he had taken advantage of that! No matter how intense his fear had been of losing her affection and interest, he should have never acted like that. Legolas closed his eyes and swallowed softly. His feelings were truly taking a hold of him, and alas, that had NEVER happened before. And today he had done something even worse than the day in the valley when he had hurt her hand - he had truly broken the bridge of trust that he had established between them with such pain and effort. This whole fragile relationship was based on his own control and decency and the fact that he was not like mortals, but a moment ago he had acted exactly like a mortal -and a very indecent one, at that- and thrown all his words into the fire. He wanted to tell Irulan how potent his feelings were and how impossible it became to control them from time to time, but she would probably not believe a single word he said, anymore. And who could blame her now? He was a disgrace to his upbringing and to his entire race. He was becoming more reckless and dangerous by the day.
Finally Legolas sighed again and looking up at her, said "I would never want you to think that I am forcing myself on you, Irulan," and Irulan realized that the odd fire in his eyes had once more receded. "At the thought of losing your affection a moment ago.......I......" he looked up at her and smiled sadly, "I lost control once again." He looked away for a moment. "The more I try to prevent it, the more I seem to fall prey to it." He remained like that for a long moment. Irulan did not know what to think. To be honest, she was still lost in that kiss. She could see Legolas' discomfort and nervousness, for losing control like that was probably a great sin for an elf, but she had no idea what she could do about it. However, for the first time in their relationship she felt a new fear blooming in her: She did not want to lose Legolas and she did not want him to feel like she resented him in any way. Legolas had patiently and persistently fought with her temper and her own loss of control for so long - she owed him forgiveness at least this once.
'Not to mention that you don't feel like there is actually much to forgive anyway, am I not right, Irulan?" said the voice in her head with amusement. 'Go on, deny that it felt wonderful.' Irulan remained silent and looked away herself. 'Is love like this?' she thought suddenly. 'How can a feeling be so strong and drive one to do such unreasonable things?' Then she suddenly remembered Chemarit and his beloved horrible romance novels. In her mind he was sitting in that armchair, the fire playing with his features, and he was saying "You will realize that you have been decent, mature, reasonable and careful...and therefore, wasted your entire life, Irulan."
Legolas moved as if to get up and leave, and suddenly not wishing to be mature, careful and reasonable at least this one time, she found her voice again. "I....." she said and Legolas halted, looking down at her with something like fear, "I......was hoping that you would stay," she managed finally. The man looked back at her so silently and so still, she hastily added, "That is, if you wish to," and swallowed softly.
He looked at her for so long, she began to think she made a mistake. Then slowly he raised his hand and touched her cheek. "Irulan," he whispered, "ask me anything, ANYTHING, I shall run out and do it for you."
She sighed. 'What will I do with this elf?' she thought again. "Then I ask you to stay," she said and played with the linen bedcover for a minute. 'Actually that was a good offer he made me. Maybe I should have used it more wisely,' she thought suddenly. Next thing she knew, Legolas was lying next to her on the covers, gently holding her hand and looking at her. She turned sideways as well and they just lay there, holding hands and smiling at each other for a long time.
'Irulan,' thought Legolas, and that was all he could think. 'Irulan, Irulan, Irulan,' he thought. That name seemed to include everything worth saying. All languages in the world were useless and pointless - her name was all there was to say. It meant forgiveness, it meant healing, it meant compassion. It meant everything ever felt, bundled up and reduced to a name. It meant the unthinkable things no one had ever thought of yet, compressed into a word. It meant a creation of such fine nature, that it surpassed everything in the entire universe. Legolas was blessed - he knew it with fierce certainty. He was blessed with the light of Valar, because he was lying here now, holding her hand when this goddess could have chosen anyone else to share this moment with her. All his years on this world were just a preparation for this moment alone. All his feelings, all experiences, all his sadness and joy had just been a simple training so that he could appreciate a creature like Irulan. She was no human. She was no elf. She was beyond any of those things.
The world was breathing silently around him, pulsing with the life of countless creatures that had never set eyes on her and countless more who never would. And he pitied each and single one, for they would remain blind and never know it. For they would remain inanimate and dull without her touch, and never grow aware of it. He felt like dashing out of the room and running through all Middle Earth, spreading the word of her might and her beauty. He also felt like staying here, hiding her from every eye for all eternity, to keep her only himself. He felt like....Legolas sighed. 'A power so terrible, and yet so gentle,' he thought. 'We are all but faded and wasted images of her. If nothing else, my life shall be devoted to live in her shadow, to breathe her existence.'
Love is such an incredible thing. For Irulan was none of those things. She was a young, confused and slightly lost mortal woman. She had no idea that at the moment she was being admired and loved so fiercely, that no other mortal and probably no other elf could have stood to face a feeling of such intense fire. In her ignorance and the natural blindness and unawareness her race was blessed with, Irulan had no way of understanding what Legolas was feeling for her. Her knowing about his love meant nothing - for her vision was inhibited by her own limitations. Irulan was standing below a single tree that she believed to be Legolas' love for her and admiring it, while a mighty forest with countless trees stretched around her. Irulan was standing by a stream, dipping her hand in the water, believing to understand his love for her, when she was but only crouching on an island in the vastness of a blue ocean. She was holding a single seed in her palm, adoring it and thinking that Legolas' love for her was truly mysterious and mighty, while countless of those seeds had sprouted around her into a dense and marvelous work of nature.
A long but comfortable silence passed as the two lay there, looking at each other while whirling in such different universes.
Finally Irulan said "Legolas, I have to ask for one more thing."
Legolas blinked in surprise. "Just name it," he said slowly.
"You have to help me with a delicate matter." He looked back with open curiosity, but remained silent. "It concerns.....it concerns Aragorn and Eowyn," she managed finally.
Legolas looked baffled. "Aragorn and Eowyn?" he repeated in open confusion.
"Yes! We must do something Legolas!" she said with sudden enthusiasm and clasped his hand with both hands.
A slow smile crept to his lips suddenly. "Why do I feel like something inappropriate is about to be asked of me?" he said with narrowed eyes.
Irulan smiled innocently. "You have to learn to think in human standards, Legolas. A LOT is appropriate in human standards."
'Alas,' thought Legolas, smiling with adoration, 'your words are but the very laws of the universe. Who am I to challenge them?'