Born to Love Again, Again, and Again
Part 9
"Legolas, how do you know that I can still bear children?" I asked, for my body had reached a stage when I believed I could no longer bear children.
"Because I sense it. We elves have exceptional senses, you know," he said with a smile, "just like a stallion knows when a mare is in season."
"What!" I cried. "You are comparing me to a mare!" I sobbed even more, feeling old and unattractive.
Legolas got on one knee and took my hand in his hot hands. "Beautiful Catriona, I did not mean to offend you. I merely tried to explain my skills that humans find extraordinary," he explained. "No, I am not comparing you to a horse. Please forgive my choice of words."
I looked at this beautiful young man on one knee begging my forgiveness, and I had to smile and had to ask him to also forgive me for being so weepy and quick to judge his words. "Legolas," I said, "I must feel something for a man before I can give myself to him to have children. That is why I did not marry and have a family on the Green Isle. There was no one!"
He stood, and I continued, "You remind me of my Seamus. Your hair is different, but your height and build are the same." At that I blushed and stopped talking. Here was this handsome elf who appeared to be about 25, and I was twice his age.... Sure I had feelings for him and could easily love him, but No, No, No, I could not ask him to father children for me. It was ridiculous to even entertain such a thought. I wondered if he could read my mind.
I believe he did because the next thing out of his mouth was, "Lady Catriona, do you know how old I am?" Before I could say "25" he continued, "I am over 3,000 years old. My mother gave birth to me when she was 3859. My father King Thandruil was only 2000."
I stood there stunned. My grandmother did not tell me of such things. When the shock wore off, I said, "So you are over 3000 and I am 50. That makes me a mere babe to you, doesn't it?" Then I started laughing and almost lost my breath, as it was almost too much to take in. "Why did you not tell me this before? We have been sailing with you for almost a year, and you and Gimli said nothing."
"You see, age does not mean anything to an elf. Unless we die in battle or some other violent means, or of a broken heart, we are immortal. I have seen humans die as well as elves. Even in death we elves believe that life is continuous. We keep on living in the Undying Land. The reason we did not tell you is because we thought you would not believe it, or you would think of me as a strange creature unworthy of your trust. When some humans know I am immortal, they will try to kill me for sport. It has happened far too many times, so now I do not share that secret. An elf who is supposed to be immortal is quite a trophy for a human. We are no longer in the age of elves, we are in the age of men. Men are far too quick to judge. That is why I do not talk about it to anyone. We will speak more of this later after you have had time to think about all that I have told you. Right now I must help Gimli repair a sail."
I pondered all the things Legolas had said to me. Was he offering to father a child for me? Did he find me attractive? I look like I could be his mother!
As I prepared to lie down, Legolas appeared without warning. I was startled. He laughed and said, "An elf's steps are seldom heard, I apologize if I startled you."
Tears flooded my green eyes. Legolas reached out and drew my head to his shoulder. "Why are you crying?"
"Oh, Legolas, my whole world has been turned upside down. I love being here on the ship, but what will become of me when you decide it is time for me to go off on my own. Or, suppose you decide to stop traveling and, and......"
"My dear Catriona, did you not understand what I was getting at earlier today? For 3000 years I have been without a mate. I have been a healer, a warrior, a traveler, but never a father. I want children too. I think my father King Thandruil would be pleased to know he had more grandchildren. I tired to let you know how I felt about you, but you seemed to be resistant because of my looks."
"Catriona, ever since that day when you almost died, I have felt a strong connection to you. Have I not shown those feelings?"
"Yes, Legolas, you have been most kind to me. You not only saved my life, you have provided me with food and shelter. You are my savior and protector. Truthfully, I have wondered why you and Gimli have been so kind to Ainslee and me. I did not realize that your feelings when beyond friendship and protection," I answered.
"Cat, Melamin, let me stay just for tonight. I will lie here and watch you sleep, or I will come over there and you may use my shoulder as a pillow for tonight. I expect nothing. Your nearness is soothing to me. You may not know it, but you have healing powers yourself," he said
"Legolas, a year ago tonight you warmed by body and brought me back from death. I am in your debt. We got off to a strange start, you and I..... Come here." This time he did not cuddle against my back, but instead he folded his hands behind his head, and I placed the back of my head against the crook of his elbow. My heart raced, but we were silent for a while, staring up at the dark low ceiling over us. Then he spoke. =========================================================================
"Legolas, how do you know that I can still bear children?" I asked, for my body had reached a stage when I believed I could no longer bear children.
"Because I sense it. We elves have exceptional senses, you know," he said with a smile, "just like a stallion knows when a mare is in season."
"What!" I cried. "You are comparing me to a mare!" I sobbed even more, feeling old and unattractive.
Legolas got on one knee and took my hand in his hot hands. "Beautiful Catriona, I did not mean to offend you. I merely tried to explain my skills that humans find extraordinary," he explained. "No, I am not comparing you to a horse. Please forgive my choice of words."
I looked at this beautiful young man on one knee begging my forgiveness, and I had to smile and had to ask him to also forgive me for being so weepy and quick to judge his words. "Legolas," I said, "I must feel something for a man before I can give myself to him to have children. That is why I did not marry and have a family on the Green Isle. There was no one!"
He stood, and I continued, "You remind me of my Seamus. Your hair is different, but your height and build are the same." At that I blushed and stopped talking. Here was this handsome elf who appeared to be about 25, and I was twice his age.... Sure I had feelings for him and could easily love him, but No, No, No, I could not ask him to father children for me. It was ridiculous to even entertain such a thought. I wondered if he could read my mind.
I believe he did because the next thing out of his mouth was, "Lady Catriona, do you know how old I am?" Before I could say "25" he continued, "I am over 3,000 years old. My mother gave birth to me when she was 3859. My father King Thandruil was only 2000."
I stood there stunned. My grandmother did not tell me of such things. When the shock wore off, I said, "So you are over 3000 and I am 50. That makes me a mere babe to you, doesn't it?" Then I started laughing and almost lost my breath, as it was almost too much to take in. "Why did you not tell me this before? We have been sailing with you for almost a year, and you and Gimli said nothing."
"You see, age does not mean anything to an elf. Unless we die in battle or some other violent means, or of a broken heart, we are immortal. I have seen humans die as well as elves. Even in death we elves believe that life is continuous. We keep on living in the Undying Land. The reason we did not tell you is because we thought you would not believe it, or you would think of me as a strange creature unworthy of your trust. When some humans know I am immortal, they will try to kill me for sport. It has happened far too many times, so now I do not share that secret. An elf who is supposed to be immortal is quite a trophy for a human. We are no longer in the age of elves, we are in the age of men. Men are far too quick to judge. That is why I do not talk about it to anyone. We will speak more of this later after you have had time to think about all that I have told you. Right now I must help Gimli repair a sail."
I pondered all the things Legolas had said to me. Was he offering to father a child for me? Did he find me attractive? I look like I could be his mother!
As I prepared to lie down, Legolas appeared without warning. I was startled. He laughed and said, "An elf's steps are seldom heard, I apologize if I startled you."
Tears flooded my green eyes. Legolas reached out and drew my head to his shoulder. "Why are you crying?"
"Oh, Legolas, my whole world has been turned upside down. I love being here on the ship, but what will become of me when you decide it is time for me to go off on my own. Or, suppose you decide to stop traveling and, and......"
"My dear Catriona, did you not understand what I was getting at earlier today? For 3000 years I have been without a mate. I have been a healer, a warrior, a traveler, but never a father. I want children too. I think my father King Thandruil would be pleased to know he had more grandchildren. I tired to let you know how I felt about you, but you seemed to be resistant because of my looks."
"Catriona, ever since that day when you almost died, I have felt a strong connection to you. Have I not shown those feelings?"
"Yes, Legolas, you have been most kind to me. You not only saved my life, you have provided me with food and shelter. You are my savior and protector. Truthfully, I have wondered why you and Gimli have been so kind to Ainslee and me. I did not realize that your feelings when beyond friendship and protection," I answered.
"Cat, Melamin, let me stay just for tonight. I will lie here and watch you sleep, or I will come over there and you may use my shoulder as a pillow for tonight. I expect nothing. Your nearness is soothing to me. You may not know it, but you have healing powers yourself," he said
"Legolas, a year ago tonight you warmed by body and brought me back from death. I am in your debt. We got off to a strange start, you and I..... Come here." This time he did not cuddle against my back, but instead he folded his hands behind his head, and I placed the back of my head against the crook of his elbow. My heart raced, but we were silent for a while, staring up at the dark low ceiling over us. Then he spoke. =========================================================================
