Many thanks to Melian for her sheer awesomeness of beta'ing. It's great to bounce ideas off you.
Also, much thanks to the grammar gamma, al, and her lovely assistant, Legolas. Thanks for your insights, catching my typos, and stealing my commas. (Can I have them back for next chapter?)
(A) Star is binding me
Chapter III – Longing
Starlight illuminated her face, and she bathed in its unending glory, comforted by its familiar warmth. She smiled, remembering…almost.
A sudden low growl shook her from her thoughts. She was left with only the fleeting memory.
She shivered. It was cold, as it was every night.
She heard the growl again and clutched her belly. She was hungry. She would have to find something to sustain her body.
She looked up toward the sky. Her eyes reflected the radiance of the stars. Longing filled her heart, her soul.
She lay down in the soft grass, stretching her body fully, seeking to gather what warmth the starlight offered.
She shivered again. They were too far away.
She curled her body tightly. It was cold. She closed her eyes. She could still see them, though she knew she would never be with them again.
Lilting melodies ornamented by gentle harmonies were sung throughout the entire village. The elves raised their fair voices in joyful song, celebrating the full arrival of spring. Now was the time for festivities, as planting of the new crops would begin in the morning. There would be little time for song and dance and play in the weeks to come.
The melodies weaved together seamlessly. As one theme came to a close another would rise, echoing the previous theme, eventually adding its own flourishes and embellishments, and ultimately evolving into a new, yet familiar, tune. The music colored the air, and all the elves took turns painting the song with their voices.
All save one. Far from the heart of the village, the prince sat high in his tree, his back leaning against the thick trunk, his legs stretching out before him, observing the merriment. He longed to add his own tenor voice to the chorus, but he knew the song that would sound forth, and he did not wish to hear it. The melodies sung tonight by the elves of Edhilbar manifested the song of life. His song would only expose the longing of his soul. He would not suffer it to be intoned.
Seeking reprieve from his melancholy, Legolas looked toward the stars, and their melody stirred deep within his soul. It was nearly drowned by the deafening melody that dominated his song, a melody whose notes rolled in and out much like waves crashing on the seashore. He clung more tightly to the soothing melody of the stars. It would be his lifeline this night. He took comfort in the knowledge that their light would continue to shine upon Arda until the end of the Great Song of Iluvatar. If only my light would do the same.
The elf rose and jumped down from the branch onto his balcony. It would not do for him to stay here tonight. The festive music would serve only to tear his heart in two. No one would mind his absence tonight, for they knew the affliction their prince endured.
Legolas grabbed his bow and quiver and his cloak from his private chambers. As he left the room, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and his hand strayed up to touch his face. Teldo had removed the stitches only yesterday, and though the flesh was still slightly tender, the gash was barely noticeable. Legolas sighed as he considered the ultimate outcome of his retaliation. If it had not been for the woman, all would have gone as planned. She had given him a gash much deeper than he had given to Talathion. The warder's wound had completely healed days ago while Legolas' wound had remained stitched for three days. He scowled as he recalled how the elves had whispered for several days about the mortal woman who had held their prince hostage and marred his handsome face. They were supposed to have been composing and singing songs about his cunning victory over Talathion. Celebhil had tried valiantly to shift the topic of the hushed conversations back to the contest, but the elves persisted, questioning the prince's friend about what had transpired in the Healing House. Legolas shrugged his shoulders at the memory, attributing the final result not to lack of effort or planning on his part, but to the cruel humor of fate.
Legolas climbed higher up the branches of the magnificent oak. The prince's dwelling had been built in the ancient tree. Its song had called to him from the moment he and a small scouting party had decided that this part of the forest would be the best location in which to establish their elven village. The trees were tall and well rooted, and many sturdy branches protruded from their trunks, providing strong foundations upon which the dwellings of the elves could be built. Those trees that were not well suited to support structures had graciously given their wood to the elves to use in construction of Edhilbar. Many of the houses had been built within the trees on the east side of the river; the Healing House was there as well as the Common Hall where the prince hosted feasts and formal celebrations. Only a small number of houses had been built on the west side. The prince's oak stood tall as a tower in the north, and his guesthouses surrounded it. His warder's dwelling was located there as well, much too close to Legolas' liking and much too far in Talathion's opinion. Encircling the prince's mighty oak were a few other dwellings in which the attendants and close friends and cousins of the prince resided. In truth, the prince, who favored solitude as of late, had desired that only his dwelling be located on the west banks of the river, but Talathion had strongly counseled against it. The elf respected tradition to the highest degree, and tradition held that royalty's place was in the center of a community as it was integral to the life of such. Furthermore, it was not wise tactically for royalty to reside on the outskirts, as they would be vulnerable should an attack occur. After much heated discussion, the prince and his warder had eventually compromised.
Legolas bounded from branch to branch mindlessly, knowing that the trees would stretch their limbs to catch him. Moving swiftly and silently among their boughs, the prince smiled as he felt the rush of air on his face, his long golden hair streaming out behind him. The musical voices of the elves steadily faded from his hearing, though the trees carried their melodies. The joyous sound of the song in the air fueled Legolas' desire to draw farther away from the village, and he picked up his pace.
Eventually he came to his destination, the glade in the north nearly two leagues from the village. He jumped lightly down from the trees and landed in the soft, cool grass. Closing his eyes, Legolas stretched out his elven senses and listened to the sounds around him. He could hear the soft babbling of cascading water from the far end of the glade. He traced the path of the water in his mind. Here, it was a stream that flowed gently through the glade. The stream would become the river that ran its course through the heart of Edhilbar as tributaries fed into it further south. The river would meet with the Anduin, and the Anduin.... Alas, the Anduin leads to the Sea.
Legolas shook his head, furious within himself. I came here to get away from such thoughts! Refocusing his efforts and his mind, Legolas listened closely for the melody he knew he would find here. The sound of water faded, and finally his elven senses discovered the ethereal tune. Legolas opened his eyes and looked around the glade. The dark green grass and shrubbery emitted a subtle glow, and reflections of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of tiny points of light shimmered in the flowing water of the stream. Legolas walked toward the lone willow in the center of the glade and climbed into its top-most branches. The long, darkened tresses that hung from its twisted branches immediately enveloped him. Finding a small opening in the thick green blanket through which he could stargaze, Legolas leaned back and rested his head against the soft bark of the young tree. He sighed. He was content. He soon found himself walking the paths of elven dreams.
Celebhil gathered his clothes from where they were strewn about the west bank
of the river and ran in a mad dash toward his dwelling. He was late, and he was
sure Talathion would be furious with him for it. Legolas is right. That elf does
take things much too seriously. Today was not a good day to be late,
but even if he did incur the wrath of the prince's warder, it had been worth
it. Bounding up the branches and landing on his balcony, he looked back
and gazed at the naked figure of the elf who still slept peacefully
underneath a cottonwood. He smiled, remembering the bliss he had experienced
the night before, and took comfort in the fact that he would not be the last
elf to make his appearance that morning. Pulling on fresh trousers and a tunic,
and checking that his silver blond hair was somewhat presentable, he left his
dwelling and crossed over the bridge to join those elves already assembled to
begin the spring plantings.
"Finally, one of the missing has decided to grace us with his presence. A
little too much merry-making last night, Celebhil?"
Celebhil smiled sheepishly at the warder's question. It was clear from
Talathion's tone that he was highly annoyed with the young elf, but he was not
yet angry, or at least did not show it if he was. "There is much to accomplish
today, my lord. Should we not set out? I volunteer to lead a group into the
south fields," Celebhil said in his most honorable voice, hoping his offer
would be accepted and that he would succeed in avoiding the warder's ire for
the day.
"Nay, I require your expertise in the fields west," the warder's voice
spoke, crushing the hopes of the elf. "Where is Legolas?" He questioned
abruptly, looking around the group of elves who stood patiently waiting for the
day's tasks to begin.
Celebhil's eyes grew wide with surprise. This is a first! The warder
always seemed to know the whereabouts of his prince. At those times when
Legolas did succeed in escaping out from underneath his warder's ever watchful
eyes, Talathion had a fairly good idea where the prince had gone, and it
usually did not take him long to find him if he felt it necessary to do so. Now
Talathion was admitting to not only Celebhil, but also to almost all those who
resided in Edhilbar that he had failed in his duty. Perhaps not failed,
but certainly not up to his usual par.
"I know not where the prince is, Talathion. Is not that your responsibility
to know?" The warder's dark grey eyes flashed angrily at Celebhil's response.
Celebhil smirked. Legolas will be sorely disappointed he missed this.
"It is the prince's responsibility to conduct himself in a manner that
is fitting of his title. He is well aware of the importance of this day. It is
his duty to be present here as we begin the spring plantings." Talathion's
brusque tone warned Celebhil that he was not in the mood to be mocked, and
Celebhil was wise enough to take this warning seriously.
"Truthfully, I know not where Legolas is, Talathion. I have not seen him since
he left the feast last night."
The warder grunted at Celebhil's words, but nodded his head to indicate that he
believed the elf and did not hold him responsible for the prince's absence.
Talathion stepped away from the group of elves and gestured to Celebhil that he
should follow.
"Last night was difficult for him," Talathion spoke in a hushed tone.
"As it is every year. This is nothing new," Celebhil observed.
Talathion bowed his head and closed his eyes for a long moment. "There are
plenty of others to accomplish today's tasks. We will go search for him," the
warder declared, bringing his gaze up to meet the younger elf's.
"I do not think that is wise. Legolas should not be disturbed," Celebhil
counseled.
"It is my duty to decide what is in the prince's best interest," Talathion said
harshly. "Legolas can not be left alone. I will not lose him," the warder
finished, conviction in his voice, a distant look in his eyes.
"And what will you say when you find him? You can not hold him here. The sea is
calling him, and he cannot resist it for long. Nothing you say or do will
change that."
"I can try."
"You have tried."
Several uncomfortable minutes passed for Celebhil as Talathion seemed to judge
the truth of his words, and the warder's dark grey eyes locked onto Celebhil's
green.
Finally, Talathion released him from the contest of stares. "He should not
suffer this alone. You, at least, should go and find him. He will need your
friendship," the warder said softly, concern coloring his voice.
Celebhil shook his head sadly. "Legolas chooses to endure his burden without
assistance. My company would only cause him to draw away from us more. Neither
of us wishes for this." It grieved the prince's friend greatly that he could
not offer Legolas whatever it was he needed to ease the longing in his soul.
Celebhil understood, however, that during times when the longing was at
its worst, his presence only served to remind Legolas of happier days when he
had not heard the constant calling of the sea. He believed the prince envied
him, as he did not yet hear its call, and so he knew it was best to leave
Legolas to himself at such times. "He will return when he has some control over
the song again."
"You are a true friend to him, Celebhil. You speak wisdom," Talathion consoled,
leading the way back to the elves who were now assembled in four groups. "You
may lead the south team, if you still wish."
"With your permission, I would lead the north team. I do have an idea where
Legolas has gone. If he has sought solace there, then I can ensure that he is
not disturbed."
"Very well, Celebhil," Talathion said, as he gathered his team to move into the
woods west of the village. "I entrust to you the prince's well-being."
Legolas was trapped in the willow tree. He had intended to rise an hour before dawn and arrive at the village in time to organize and lead the spring planting. He was annoyed that he had allowed himself to be caught unawares and in this situation in the first place. His primary oversight had been his lack of attention to his surroundings. I should have sensed this presence. Secondly, he had erred in choosing the willow tree in which to stargaze, as it was far from any other trees to which he could leap and thus make his way back to Edhilbar unseen. His third mistake had been allowing himself to drift into elven dreams. Grappling with the call of the sea always exhausted him, and his mind had been too consumed to alert him to the time of day.
It was a song that had eventually awakened the elf that morning. He was still walking in dreams when he first became aware of it. Initially he thought he was hearing it in his mind, for it was the same melody that he had heard during the night when he drifted into sleep. He soon realized, however, that the song was coming from somewhere outside him, and Legolas extended his elven senses to the surrounding world. It was then that he became aware of the bright sunlight warming his face and realized that he had overslept. He pulled himself out of his dream, blinking several times to bring focus to his eyes. Legolas was filled with bewilderment as he could still hear the song. It was nearly two hours after dawn, and the stars had long ago been hidden by the brightness of the Sun.
Legolas listened closely to the one singing and he quickly became entranced by the melody. The singer sang the song with great empathy, the music pouring forth from the innermost reaches of the heart. There were no words to the song, for it needed none to impart its message. Legolas could feel it in his bones as the singer's voice gently caressed the notes of the fluid melody, expressing great trepidation, lasting ache, and deep desire. The clear, delicate timbre rang throughout the glade, and the soft inflection intoned in the song stirred deep emotions of compassion and peace within Legolas.
Creeping out to the end of the branch, Legolas peered through the thick curtain of leaves. He discovered the source of the voice to be the same woman who had fled from Edhilbar four days ago. He was not surprised to learn that it was her singing as she sat on the far bank of the stream. He was shocked, however, that she was still somewhat hale. As it was yet early spring, there was little food to be found in the forest. The trees and bushes that grew along the edge of the glade had yet to bear fruit and berries. Indeed, it looked as if she had not eaten for days. Her face was sunken in, her cheek bones much too defined to be natural. She still wore the white shift that Teldo had clothed her in, and even though the garment was designed to be loose fitting, Legolas could tell her body suffered from lack of sustenance. Still, it did not appear that she lacked for energy.
Legolas knew that if he left the cover of the tree and made for the wood, the woman would easily spot him. He did not fear her, for she was merely a woman, but he feared what his response would be. He was still perplexed as to why he had been unable to move, to defend himself, when she had held him at his knife's edge. She had cast no spell or enchantment that he could detect. Legolas decided it would be best to wait, concealed in the tree, until the woman either left the glade or fell asleep, whichever came first. Besides which, he could learn much about this mysterious woman by observing her for the day.
The woman eventually ceased her singing and moved from the stream to the bushes behind her. She bent down and picked a red flower from a shrub which had already begun to blossom. She smelled the flower and then proceeded to place the tender bud in her mouth. Her face contorted in disgust, but she continued to chew, swallowing carefully. She must indeed be hungry. The blossoms of lingonberry were not poisonous, but they tasted tart, almost as much as the berry that the bush would produce in the summer. Legolas watched as the woman stood beside the bush for a long moment. She seemed to consider if the unpleasant taste of the blossom outweighed the nutrients it could provide her with. She decided on the latter rather than the former as she bent down to pick more of the blossoms. After gathering several of the blossoms, she sat beside the stream once again and slowly ate the flowers.
The rest of the morning and much of the afternoon were quite tiresome for both Legolas and the woman. After her small meal, the woman had crossed the stream and walked around the rest of the glade, searching for other, more tasteful vegetation. She had found several other bushes that were also blossoming early. Though the blossoms provided her with much-needed nutrients, Legolas could tell they did not satisfy her hunger. After her foraging, the woman had simply sat beside the stream, watching the flow of water, occasionally dangling her feet in it.
The late afternoon had provided Legolas with entertainment of sorts. The woman gathered some fallen limbs and sat underneath the willow tree. She arranged the limbs in a pile, and then proceeded to try and start a fire, or so Legolas presumed. She was failing miserably. Her technique is as bad as Pippin's. Her attempts with the twigs unsuccessful, she eventually tried to spark a flame using two rocks, two wet rocks. By nightfall, she had finally given up.
It was now late in the night, and Legolas was anxious to return to Edhilbar. The woman was still awake, sitting halfway between the stream and the willow, her legs pulled up to her chest and her head upturned. An owl's screech from the forest startled the woman. She got up and quickly went to the bank of the stream. She moved and lifted some rocks and finally found what she had been looking for—a long, white knife. My knife.
Returning to the willow, the woman lay down with her back against the trunk. Her hand still clutching his knife, the woman curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around her chest and watched the dark shadows of the forest. After some time, her eyes finally fell shut. Legolas watched her closely. When he was sure the woman had fallen asleep, he landed softly on the ground before her, being needlessly careful not to make a noise. He peered down at the sleeping figure and studied the situation cautiously. Her hand had relaxed the grip it held on the handle of his knife. He could most certainly take it without disturbing her. The prince considered the situation once more. Finally, Legolas bent down, placed his cloak gently over the woman, and left.
Many thanks to all of you who are reading this and to those who have reviewed.
You don't know how fulfilling it is to see such great, positive comments from
my favorite authors! And to those who have already added me and/or this story
to your favorites, I'm so honored! I hope I don't disappoint. I'm hurrying as
fast as I can with the next chapter, but please give me time for proper
development.
Nebride: There are indeed stories of Legolas' encounters with mortal
woman. I've come across many on this site. BTW, some of them are really good;
Ista's, for instance--go find it in my favorites. Thanks for begging me to
post--now I'm begging you to get Legolas and Alede together!
Al: Legolas does indeed hold a grudge, I'll be careful with him.
Intriging--Supervised get-togethers? Hmmm, can I request that it be Elladan and
Elrohir? We could have quite the foursome. ;)
Isadore Spindle: Wow, a canon-fanatic finds my story interesting. I'm so
happy! Although I'm sure you'll be disappointed to learn that the woman and
Legolas will eventually be transported back in time to join the Fellowship.
Yup, that mean two Legolases...Legoli(?)...and a woman in the Fellowship. What
fun! Elrond will be furious with me for ruining his numerology. Just
kidding--*chants "You shall count to nine, nine is the number of your counting.
You shall not count to ten, nor to eleven. Nine is the number of the
Fellowship." (copyright Elrond and Miss Cam of OFUM)
AlexisRayette: I can imagine how refreshing and uplifting it is
to scour ff.net in search of good Legomances and then finally find one. I've
spent hours doing it myself. You can find other good Legomances in my
favorites. And GreyLadyBast just started one that looks to be very
promising, but she's very cynical about the whole Legomance genre--go read it
and set her straight. It's called For the Love of the Lady
TreeHugger: It is very dwarvish of the dwarf. I think it's the only way
Legolas would ever manage to get Gimli up in a tree. There should be enough
information to answer your question about who was in the room when she woke up;
go back and reread it, carefully. I'm typing as fast as I can. The bug has
bitten deeply, almost as deeply as I bit Legolas....
Irena: I'm glad you found it. Yes, she is "nekkid, reely nekkid." Settle
in a little longer. It will some time before I even begin to answer your
questions. Mwuahahaha. I can be just as cruel as you, you evil, evil
woman. Put Legolas back together again, PLEASE!
Melian: The spar with Legolas and Talathion was quite unexpected. I
didn't know about it until Legoals--Legolas' evil identical twin and my
muse--told me about it one night. And I think Thranduil would have enjoyed
Legolas' ruse. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree afterall.
YellowSun: You were "asked" to read my story. Um, didn't I have Legoals
sight you with an arrow, which basically forced you to come read this? And not
a "big Lord of the Rings" fan? That's the understatement of the century. Yeah,
you better duck under the desk! But thanks for reading it and promising to come
back, I'll try to make it interesting for you!
Ithilien: There will be much sea-longing in this fic; don't worry there.
As for your MarySue warnings-I know I can trust you to let me know if she
becomes one. I'm trying my hardest to avoid that, but must admit, there are
some MS elements in this story. If you stick with me though, you'll find that
there are very good explanations for them. Even if she does become a MarySue, I
think she'll be tolerable as I promise she won't steal the thunder from any of
Tolkien's characters.
Don't forget to review.
