Title: Double Take
Chapter: 3: Drowning in You
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Legolas' version of "First Sight"
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: The Lord of the Rings and all its accompanying parts, characters and mythologies are not mine. This fanfiction is intended as a work of respect for and tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien's creations.
Alkalphiel: Many thanks to all my reviewers. You are the reason these stories exist!
~*~
Once, when I was very young, I'd gone swimming in a great pool at the base of a waterfall. As the young are wont to do, I'd horrified my guardian by getting it into my head that I would explore the waterfall itself. I swam determinedly towards it, eventually clambering up the small ledge to the side of the pounding water. The guardsman assigned to watch me was convinced that I'd been sucked under and was in the process of drowning before his very eyes. I, meanwhile, edged my way behind the waterfall and into the shallow cave.
It was overwhelming. Everything within my field of vision was falling water; everything I could hear was the crashing of the water around me. I'd never encountered anything that so completely blocked out the rest of the world. I'd never before been so mesmerized.
To say that the waterfall experience described what Alkalphiel's presence did to me would be an understatement. The waterfall had encased me in wonder, awe, and a delicious thrill of fear. Alkalphiel, on the other hand, seemed to be the embodiment of security and warmth. Gazing at her evoked in me the same feeling as cresting the hill overlooking Mirkwood, returning from any of my many adventures abroad. The world holds many wonders, but only one place is home.
Alkalphiel's eyes widened as she looked at me. I was sure she felt as I did and equally sure that she lacked the education I'd received. Royalty must be fully schooled in the life bond; others may discover it as they go. The only thing for it, then, was to try and set her at ease until I could explain what was happening.
"Are you all right, fair maiden? Pardon me, for I did not catch your name." Perhaps courtliness would be less intimidating.
"My name is Alkalphiel, your Highness. I am the daughter of Himquárëion. And I am well, thank you."
"I am glad to hear that you are well, Alkalphiel. I am Legolas, son of Thranduil. Come, let us get you a clean gown." I smiled at her and was rewarded with a smile of her own. She was exquisite indeed, a jewel among Elves.
A reluctant jewel. To my surprise, she began attempting to leave. "Thank you, my lord. But that is not necessary. I was just leaving . . . ."
"Nonsense. I insist." This couldn't be right. Life bonds didn't run away from each other. I grasped her firmly by the arm and set off down a side hall, pausing to ask a passing servant to locate a clean gown for the lady. I requested that her replacement be of the same forest green cloth that I wore. Really, few things are as striking as well-matched Elves.
Finally, I led Alkalphiel off into a guest room. Relieved to be alone with her at last, I waited for the recognition of our bond. After all, it was quite easy to believe that she'd exercised restraint in public. Surely now, with only the two of us, her joy would rise to the fore.
Imagine my surprise when her face reflected only gratitude and dismissal. "Thank you again, Prince Legolas, for all -"
I held up a hand. "Please. Just Legolas." Worried that she was still intimidated by my rank, I gave her the half-smile that was usually so charming.
"Legolas then. Thank you for your aid. I'm sure you must be returning to the celebrations -"
Perplexed, I raised my hand to stop her again. "Lady Alkalphiel, I -"
She grinned broadly at me. I didn't get the joke until she raised her hand and, when I paused, said, "Please. Just Alkalphiel."
Here was the sparkle I'd hoped for. I grinned back at her. "Alkalphiel. It would be my pleasure to wait with you until the servant arrives with a new gown for you. I will, of course, have this one cleaned and delivered to your home. For now, I would see you dressed finely as a elf maiden deserves. And then, I believe I owe you a dance." Through our nebulous new life bond, I felt a small wave of affection. This woman was clearly untrained, a fact that I appreciated as it would allow me to eavesdrop on her reactions to me. As quickly as it had come, the affection stopped. The emotion stopped flowing so quickly that I wondered: perhaps she was not so untrained?
"Legolas, no. There is no need. You have already treated me far better than I deserve."
"Alkalphiel, yes, I do owe you a dance. Also, I must speak to you about an urgent matter, and since you seem so eager to be rid of me we must speak now." Clearly she didn't understand what was happening between us.
Alkalphiel turned away from me. I heard her gentle sigh. Hoping to clear up the situation as quickly as possible, I started right in. "I am puzzled, I must admit. How is it that you do not feel this as well? Alkalphiel, I believe you are my soul mate and my heart sings to have found you. Alkalphiel?"
I was feeling the strangest twitchings through the fledgling bond. Her reactions to me, feelings of strong infatuation and affection, were just as they should be - yet she was squashing them. I could not for the life of me understand why . . . until she spoke.
"My lord, you have been deceived. Not willingly, true, but deceived nevertheless. There is something . . . wrong about me. Something that tricks others - aye, and myself - into believing that the life bond has at last been forged and found. But it is wrong. Your Highness, this has happened before and although I would not relive it, I shall if that is what is necessary. You must believe me when I tell you that my heart lies to yours. These feelings will pass, and the sooner you leave me, the sooner it will be over."
I looked at her in horror. "How is this possible? A false version of our most sacred bond? Is this something that you will?" The possibilities for mayhem and destruction were nearly endless.
"No, my lord." Alkalphiel would not meet my eyes. "I do not will it. This has brought me nothing but pain and grief. I am capable of being truly happy on my own, and I believe that is my fate. I think I have no soul mate. Please, your Highness, it was never my wish to do this to you. Forgive me." I thought I saw a single tear run down her cheek, although I might have been mistaken.
"I am sorry, my lady, but I must know of this. Please, will you tell me of your past experiences?"
Alkalphiel visibly steeled herself. She told me that she'd met a guardsman by the name of Quellepaural and believed herself to be life bonded to him. They'd spent a day together and then - nothing. A sudden end, for which she'd evidently blamed herself. Alkalphiel did her best to present her tale as an old pain of long ago, but the pangs reverberating down the partial bond gave her away.
I prepared myself to hurt her if I must. "This was recent?"
She nodded.
"Quellepaural. He is one of the guardsman, is he not?"
Again, she nodded.
"Hmm. . . . I must leave you now. You will be seen to, and we will speak before this night is out." It pained me to leave her so abruptly and obviously hurting, but I felt the need to bring this to a quick end. I had my own conclusions to draw. Alkalphiel's story sounded suspiciously like several others I had been entrusted with.
Turning to leave, I moved swiftly for the door. Through the bond came one final cry, Alkalphiel's heart reaching out for my own. She silenced it again, so viciously that I wanted to wince. Instead, I paused in the door and turned back and to look at Alkalphiel one last time.
Chapter: 3: Drowning in You
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Legolas' version of "First Sight"
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: The Lord of the Rings and all its accompanying parts, characters and mythologies are not mine. This fanfiction is intended as a work of respect for and tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien's creations.
Alkalphiel: Many thanks to all my reviewers. You are the reason these stories exist!
~*~
Once, when I was very young, I'd gone swimming in a great pool at the base of a waterfall. As the young are wont to do, I'd horrified my guardian by getting it into my head that I would explore the waterfall itself. I swam determinedly towards it, eventually clambering up the small ledge to the side of the pounding water. The guardsman assigned to watch me was convinced that I'd been sucked under and was in the process of drowning before his very eyes. I, meanwhile, edged my way behind the waterfall and into the shallow cave.
It was overwhelming. Everything within my field of vision was falling water; everything I could hear was the crashing of the water around me. I'd never encountered anything that so completely blocked out the rest of the world. I'd never before been so mesmerized.
To say that the waterfall experience described what Alkalphiel's presence did to me would be an understatement. The waterfall had encased me in wonder, awe, and a delicious thrill of fear. Alkalphiel, on the other hand, seemed to be the embodiment of security and warmth. Gazing at her evoked in me the same feeling as cresting the hill overlooking Mirkwood, returning from any of my many adventures abroad. The world holds many wonders, but only one place is home.
Alkalphiel's eyes widened as she looked at me. I was sure she felt as I did and equally sure that she lacked the education I'd received. Royalty must be fully schooled in the life bond; others may discover it as they go. The only thing for it, then, was to try and set her at ease until I could explain what was happening.
"Are you all right, fair maiden? Pardon me, for I did not catch your name." Perhaps courtliness would be less intimidating.
"My name is Alkalphiel, your Highness. I am the daughter of Himquárëion. And I am well, thank you."
"I am glad to hear that you are well, Alkalphiel. I am Legolas, son of Thranduil. Come, let us get you a clean gown." I smiled at her and was rewarded with a smile of her own. She was exquisite indeed, a jewel among Elves.
A reluctant jewel. To my surprise, she began attempting to leave. "Thank you, my lord. But that is not necessary. I was just leaving . . . ."
"Nonsense. I insist." This couldn't be right. Life bonds didn't run away from each other. I grasped her firmly by the arm and set off down a side hall, pausing to ask a passing servant to locate a clean gown for the lady. I requested that her replacement be of the same forest green cloth that I wore. Really, few things are as striking as well-matched Elves.
Finally, I led Alkalphiel off into a guest room. Relieved to be alone with her at last, I waited for the recognition of our bond. After all, it was quite easy to believe that she'd exercised restraint in public. Surely now, with only the two of us, her joy would rise to the fore.
Imagine my surprise when her face reflected only gratitude and dismissal. "Thank you again, Prince Legolas, for all -"
I held up a hand. "Please. Just Legolas." Worried that she was still intimidated by my rank, I gave her the half-smile that was usually so charming.
"Legolas then. Thank you for your aid. I'm sure you must be returning to the celebrations -"
Perplexed, I raised my hand to stop her again. "Lady Alkalphiel, I -"
She grinned broadly at me. I didn't get the joke until she raised her hand and, when I paused, said, "Please. Just Alkalphiel."
Here was the sparkle I'd hoped for. I grinned back at her. "Alkalphiel. It would be my pleasure to wait with you until the servant arrives with a new gown for you. I will, of course, have this one cleaned and delivered to your home. For now, I would see you dressed finely as a elf maiden deserves. And then, I believe I owe you a dance." Through our nebulous new life bond, I felt a small wave of affection. This woman was clearly untrained, a fact that I appreciated as it would allow me to eavesdrop on her reactions to me. As quickly as it had come, the affection stopped. The emotion stopped flowing so quickly that I wondered: perhaps she was not so untrained?
"Legolas, no. There is no need. You have already treated me far better than I deserve."
"Alkalphiel, yes, I do owe you a dance. Also, I must speak to you about an urgent matter, and since you seem so eager to be rid of me we must speak now." Clearly she didn't understand what was happening between us.
Alkalphiel turned away from me. I heard her gentle sigh. Hoping to clear up the situation as quickly as possible, I started right in. "I am puzzled, I must admit. How is it that you do not feel this as well? Alkalphiel, I believe you are my soul mate and my heart sings to have found you. Alkalphiel?"
I was feeling the strangest twitchings through the fledgling bond. Her reactions to me, feelings of strong infatuation and affection, were just as they should be - yet she was squashing them. I could not for the life of me understand why . . . until she spoke.
"My lord, you have been deceived. Not willingly, true, but deceived nevertheless. There is something . . . wrong about me. Something that tricks others - aye, and myself - into believing that the life bond has at last been forged and found. But it is wrong. Your Highness, this has happened before and although I would not relive it, I shall if that is what is necessary. You must believe me when I tell you that my heart lies to yours. These feelings will pass, and the sooner you leave me, the sooner it will be over."
I looked at her in horror. "How is this possible? A false version of our most sacred bond? Is this something that you will?" The possibilities for mayhem and destruction were nearly endless.
"No, my lord." Alkalphiel would not meet my eyes. "I do not will it. This has brought me nothing but pain and grief. I am capable of being truly happy on my own, and I believe that is my fate. I think I have no soul mate. Please, your Highness, it was never my wish to do this to you. Forgive me." I thought I saw a single tear run down her cheek, although I might have been mistaken.
"I am sorry, my lady, but I must know of this. Please, will you tell me of your past experiences?"
Alkalphiel visibly steeled herself. She told me that she'd met a guardsman by the name of Quellepaural and believed herself to be life bonded to him. They'd spent a day together and then - nothing. A sudden end, for which she'd evidently blamed herself. Alkalphiel did her best to present her tale as an old pain of long ago, but the pangs reverberating down the partial bond gave her away.
I prepared myself to hurt her if I must. "This was recent?"
She nodded.
"Quellepaural. He is one of the guardsman, is he not?"
Again, she nodded.
"Hmm. . . . I must leave you now. You will be seen to, and we will speak before this night is out." It pained me to leave her so abruptly and obviously hurting, but I felt the need to bring this to a quick end. I had my own conclusions to draw. Alkalphiel's story sounded suspiciously like several others I had been entrusted with.
Turning to leave, I moved swiftly for the door. Through the bond came one final cry, Alkalphiel's heart reaching out for my own. She silenced it again, so viciously that I wanted to wince. Instead, I paused in the door and turned back and to look at Alkalphiel one last time.
