Title: Double Take
Chapter: 4: Free Flight
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!
~*~
I stepped out of Alkalphiel's chamber and was pleased to see a servant passing me with the requested dark green gown in his arms. Reaching out a hand, I stopped him for a moment. "Thank you, Finrod. Your prompt service is, as always, appreciated."
"It is a pleasure, my lord. A question, if I may?"
"Certainly."
"The lady . . . might she be the one?"
"I don't know yet," I was forced to answer. "But I would ask a favor of you. Do not leave her unwatched. I fear for her safety."
Finrod nodded. "Aye, my lord. I'll pass the word." With that, he was gone.
Part of me, probably the vain part, was still preoccupied with the forest green gown. "Well, it's true that few things are as striking as well- matched Elves," I muttered to myself. Shaking my head at myself, I set off to find my father.
~*~
He was in a small reception room to the side of the ballroom. My face must have told him that I was not fit to be courtly, for he gestured and cleared the room. For all that his urging that I find my mate and all his hints that I assume the throne, King Thranduil is also a deeply compassionate father. He simply sat down and patted the bench beside him.
"Ada, I cannot be still!"
My father's face reflected his surprise at my use of the childish address - I had not called him "Daddy" for many years - but his voice held none of it. "By all means, Legolas, tell me what has you in such a state."
I was bewildered and finally able to show it. "I've found her, my soul mate . . . or, at least, I think I've found her. Just when I'm beginning to feel certain, she cuts off the bond, or tries to get away from me. I was expecting reluctance, not the fight I'm getting!
"The day we talked about having this ball, I had a - premonition is not right, but something of that nature. Something spoke to me as I watched the sun set. It told me, '~She will not come willingly. You must win her over.~' " My voice faded to a whisper. "I asked it how? Why? And what I got back was '~The wound that does not kill may still scar. It is enough. You will overcome.~' But what if I can't? What if I'm not strong enough? And what if I simply don't know how?"
Atar smiled at me. "I know you do not feel this now, Legolas, but I assure you that all will be well. When the time comes, you will know. This is a truly unsatisfying answer, but it is what I have to give you. Or perhaps . . ." Thranduil trailed off. Apparently changing subjects, he began, "Do you remember that hawk we found, when you were small?"
"The injured one? Yes." Unsure where this was leading, I counseled myself to trust my father.
"Do you remember the hawk's fear of you? How you eventually won it over, just as it was healed? Do you remember setting it free?"
I nodded to every question.
"And what happened then, Legolas? What happened when you let the wild thing make its own choices?"
"It flew so high that I feared it would never come down. And then it circled back, and landed on my outstretched arm." Comprehension dawned in my eyes. "Thank you, Ada. There is one thing more - she also bears the mark of Quellepaural. Do you think that this time, perhaps, we may finally catch him and act?"
The King of Mirkwood inclined his head regally. Whenever he did that, I had the urge to bow to him. "As I have advised you repeatedly, my son, when the time for action comes, one simply knows. And I know, that now is the time to move."
I smiled to him. "Then let us move. I shall have Alkalphiel and Quellepaural brought to us, and we shall finish this at last."
Chapter: 4: Free Flight
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!
~*~
I stepped out of Alkalphiel's chamber and was pleased to see a servant passing me with the requested dark green gown in his arms. Reaching out a hand, I stopped him for a moment. "Thank you, Finrod. Your prompt service is, as always, appreciated."
"It is a pleasure, my lord. A question, if I may?"
"Certainly."
"The lady . . . might she be the one?"
"I don't know yet," I was forced to answer. "But I would ask a favor of you. Do not leave her unwatched. I fear for her safety."
Finrod nodded. "Aye, my lord. I'll pass the word." With that, he was gone.
Part of me, probably the vain part, was still preoccupied with the forest green gown. "Well, it's true that few things are as striking as well- matched Elves," I muttered to myself. Shaking my head at myself, I set off to find my father.
~*~
He was in a small reception room to the side of the ballroom. My face must have told him that I was not fit to be courtly, for he gestured and cleared the room. For all that his urging that I find my mate and all his hints that I assume the throne, King Thranduil is also a deeply compassionate father. He simply sat down and patted the bench beside him.
"Ada, I cannot be still!"
My father's face reflected his surprise at my use of the childish address - I had not called him "Daddy" for many years - but his voice held none of it. "By all means, Legolas, tell me what has you in such a state."
I was bewildered and finally able to show it. "I've found her, my soul mate . . . or, at least, I think I've found her. Just when I'm beginning to feel certain, she cuts off the bond, or tries to get away from me. I was expecting reluctance, not the fight I'm getting!
"The day we talked about having this ball, I had a - premonition is not right, but something of that nature. Something spoke to me as I watched the sun set. It told me, '~She will not come willingly. You must win her over.~' " My voice faded to a whisper. "I asked it how? Why? And what I got back was '~The wound that does not kill may still scar. It is enough. You will overcome.~' But what if I can't? What if I'm not strong enough? And what if I simply don't know how?"
Atar smiled at me. "I know you do not feel this now, Legolas, but I assure you that all will be well. When the time comes, you will know. This is a truly unsatisfying answer, but it is what I have to give you. Or perhaps . . ." Thranduil trailed off. Apparently changing subjects, he began, "Do you remember that hawk we found, when you were small?"
"The injured one? Yes." Unsure where this was leading, I counseled myself to trust my father.
"Do you remember the hawk's fear of you? How you eventually won it over, just as it was healed? Do you remember setting it free?"
I nodded to every question.
"And what happened then, Legolas? What happened when you let the wild thing make its own choices?"
"It flew so high that I feared it would never come down. And then it circled back, and landed on my outstretched arm." Comprehension dawned in my eyes. "Thank you, Ada. There is one thing more - she also bears the mark of Quellepaural. Do you think that this time, perhaps, we may finally catch him and act?"
The King of Mirkwood inclined his head regally. Whenever he did that, I had the urge to bow to him. "As I have advised you repeatedly, my son, when the time for action comes, one simply knows. And I know, that now is the time to move."
I smiled to him. "Then let us move. I shall have Alkalphiel and Quellepaural brought to us, and we shall finish this at last."
