Disclaimer-Refer to Chapter One
Thank you everyone who has reviewed. You are the best!
A/N- WARNING. I don't really think this is needed; as I would rate this chapter PG-13, but just so I don't get in trouble I will say that this chapter borders on R for the third scene due to the suggestive content. If you are too young, please do not read.
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To Not Tell the Truth
Ryland and Narawen rose when the Lord and Lady were escorted into the room.
'Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian. It is an honor to have you in our home,' Ryland greeted, mirroring his wife's low obeisance with a formal bow. Elrond and Celebrian gave a slight inclination of their heads in acknowledgement before coming father into the room.
'Please be seated.' Narawen gestured to the abundance of spaces for her dignified guests to relax in and the couple chose a delicate looking love seat to sit in, carved of a light wood and upholstered with cream cloth.
'How is Gléwiel?' Celebrian asked when Ryland and Narwen resumed their former seats.
'Large,' Narawen laughed. 'But happy.'
'I can only imagine,' Celebrian smiled, joining in Narawen's amusement with a soft chuckle. A wistful looked crossed her features, much like the wispy clouds on a lovely summer day. 'When I was pregnant I can remember the aches I would get in my lower back. It seemed like I had to solicit the help of Elrond every ten minutes so he could message the aches away.'
'Actually, I think Tandir is worse than Gléwiel. Yesterday he had her sit down so much that she begged us to distract him so she could escape into the garden for a little while.'
'It is their first. If they have any others I am sure he will not be as protective.' Elrond shifted in his seat, tugging on the bottom of his tunic. Celebrian and he had shed their formal attire for simple clothes that allowed more freedom of movement. They did that every time they went to visit Lord Ryland and his family, happy to be rid of the confining fabric of their offices.
'I hope your duties have not been keeping you terribly busy. It has been several weeks since your last visit,' Narawen said.
Elrond smirked before tossing his head back and forth with amusement. 'Sometimes I dream that I was never given a realm to govern. When I first came to the Valinor I had visions of quiet years in a relaxing home with Celebrian at my side. But alas, such things do not appear to be my destiny!'
'It is not as bad as he makes it sound,' said Celebrian. She took her husband's hand and twined her fingers through his, raising an eyebrow imperiously. 'If my memory serves me correctly, a certain elf lord I am familiar with was able to escape the duties of his office not many weeks back for a frolic on the waves with his family and guests.'
'True, but that was only because Prince Legolas expressed a large interest in sailing.'
'How is the prince?' Ryland asked, springing on the subject with swiftness only an elf could have. Everyone smiled in relief now that the real topic they all wished to discuss had been introduced.
Fiwen passed by the sitting room and saw the four elves huddled together mischievously, tiny grins covering each of their faces. With a sigh, she walked past the room, uttering something unintelligible about the leaders of elven kingdoms being nothing more than tiny elflings in the bodies of grown elves.
'He is doing quite well. Would you not agree Elrond?' Celebrian looked at her husband with a sly smile.
'Indeed meleth-nin. I think he is especially enjoying the company he has been keeping in the library as of late.'
'The library?' Ryland asked in feigned innocence. 'Perchance he has had the chance to talk with my daughter on occasion then?'
'He cannot totally avoid her with all the time he spends there. What you say is probably true,' Elrond nodded, pretending to contemplate the idea as if it were utterly new to him. Narawen and Celebrian glanced at each other and laughed, sharing in the delight of their husbands' ridiculous behavior.
The dusting cloth Fiwen was using fluttered to the ground as a sudden burst of elven laughter wafted down the hall, reminding her of gay parties and happy gatherings. She leaned down to pick up the fallen cloth, rolling her eyes at the childish behavior of the lords and ladies.
'Enough of that, both of you,' Celebrian declared. She waited for their faces to return to some semblance of their usual dignified manner before continuing. 'Since the subject I am sure we all wish to discuss has been brought up, I suggest we drop this pretense of ignorance.'
'Agreed,' Ryland said, settling back into his chair. 'What do you make of their relationship? For my part, I am inclined to think that Legolas is far too wise to spend the amount of time he has on Valia if he did not feel more for her than just friendship.'
'Yes,' Celebrian nodded her head, sending her silver hair cascading over her shoulders. 'Though I do not think he knows what it is he truly feels. It is obvious to everyone except Legolas and Valia.'
Ryland had never thought of that before. 'A strange observation; Valia and Legolas have always been known for their intelligence. It surprises me that they do not understand their own feelings.'
'Love is confusing,' Elrond defended them. 'I think it is especially mystifying too those two. They have both been through circumstances I would not wish on any other and it has made them wary of love. I think they view it as something that would weaken them, not strengthen.'
'But what of his gift to her?' Ryland asked. 'Is that not an obvious display of affection?'
'Yes, the pin? We have seen it,' answered Elrond pensively, 'but only briefly.'
'She says he gave it to her to show his thanks for her help in his research and as a kind of parting gift to remember him by when he leaves.' Narawen stood, restlessness sweeping through her at their talk of Valia's relationship. She wandered to the window so that she could think better, letting the familiar view of trees still the disquiet of her motherly heart.
Celebrian followed her movements with her eyes, knowing what it was the lady thought, for she was thinking the same thing as well. 'The pin was an expensive thank you gift for mere friends.'
'What are you implying?' Ryland asked, his eyes narrowing at her insinuations. He did not like the idea of another elf taking a fancy to his beloved daughter. No one would ever be worthy enough for her; no one would ever be able to care for her the way she deserved. Especially with a past like hers. She needed an elf of unbounded patience who would understand her situation and come along beside her with complete understanding. Was the Prince really capable of such tenderness?
'I think we all know what she is implying,' said Elrond, bringing his wife's hand to his lips. 'It is obvious the prince is in love with her. It will only be a matter of time before he realizes his own feelings and makes some kind of declaration to her.'
'What of her feelings?' Narawen questioned. She walked over to stand behind her husband and nervously played with the ends of his long hair, feeling the tense muscles in his back. Brushing his beautiful hair over his shoulder, she deftly began to message his neck, trying to calm the emotions she knew were raging inside of him. 'I do not think that she loves him the same way he loves her,' she observed quietly.
'You could be right, Narawen. Legolas told me that when they agreed to become friends she made him promise not to fall in love with her,' Elrond said.
'She did what?' asked Ryland incredulously. An amused light leapt into Narawen's eyes as her husband suddenly leaned forward in shock.
Celebrian laughed softly. The tone was not a mocking one, but filled with understanding, and Ryland felt his muscles relax a little at the sound. 'It is only something Valia would think to do, though she has her reasons.' Celebrian's words sobered the company into complete silence. Everyone in the room knew what she was referring to without having to think twice. In her worry, Narawen began to trace a delicate pattern onto Ryland's neck with her thin fingers.
'Legolas loves Valia.' Elrond said it with such a decided air of finality that everyone else in the room felt that they could do nothing but agree.
'What should we do than? Does his love grant him the right to know Valia's past?'
'For my part, I do not think Valia would appreciate our meddling in her affairs, no matter how well meant.' Celebrian looked each of her companions in the eye and then rested them on her husband's hand wrapped around her own. 'We have no right to acquaint Legolas with what happened to her. If Valia wants him to know, she should be the one to initiate the telling.'
'Wise words, melamin,' agreed Elrond.
'So we say nothing to him?' Ryland asked.
'It is for the best herven.' Narawen reached down and took his hands into hers, pressing a kiss against the back of each. 'She is her own being. We may be her parents, but we no longer have the right to dictate her life to her or interfere in her affairs.'
Ryland sighed and gently began to message the soft flesh at his temples. The idea of keeping such a vital part of Valia's past from an elf, an elven prince at that, who was falling in love with his daughter did not bode well with him. But they were right; it was not his decision to make for Valia. If she wanted Legolas to know about her past, she would have to be the one to tell him. 'So be it. We shall not tell the Prince the truth.'
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Down the hall, Valia sat in her room, unaware of the conversation going on about her. She sighed and looked at herself critically in the mirror. Reaching out, she traced the outline of her face on the cool glass with her fingertips, narrowing her eyes as she inspected herself. She saw nothing special there; skin that was too white from staying in the library to be considered pretty looking, straight hair that could only be described to be "dirty" blond in color, and a nose that was too long for her face. She was too skinny in some areas; not skinny enough in others. Her hair frizzed despite the straightness. The tips of her ears were too rounded. The list went on, growing longer with every new body part Valia's eyes fell on.
Why could she not be like Earuviel? Her sister was the model of perfection. Sometimes Valia would joke when people asked her if it bothered her that her sister was such a beauty. She would say that her sister had inherited all of her father and mother's beauty while she was stuck with their intelligence. They would laugh at her comment and she obliged them by joining in, but no one knew that she had taken their observations to heart. She knew what they were really asking when they said such things: Does it bother you that your sister is ten times as pretty as you are; that every maiden is prettier than you are? Do you care that all you will ever be known as is Valia, the studious maiden who elves never waste a second glance on?
And Valia had slowly begun to believe what they said until she did not question their veiled insinuations anymore, merely accepted them as truth, a truth that she could not change no matter how hard she tried. Even Silia was gorgeous compared to her.
Valia suddenly snapped her eyes closed and shook her head vigorously, sending her ponytail into a trembling dance along her back. A harsh laugh escaped her lips, twisted into an ironical smile as a tear escaped from underneath her eyelids. She hastily brushed it away and looked down at the top of her vanity. Why was she letting such things bother her now? Had she not resigned herself to her fate long ago? Her hand dropped to the box resting on her vanity and she played with the lid, flinging it aside on a whim as her morose mood infected her with carelessness.
Delicate rays of light burst from the box when the morning sunbeams were allowed admittance into its dark recesses to play with the jeweled hairpin that lay inside. The pin had not left its box since the night Legolas had given it to Valia over a month ago. She remembered examining the pin the day after Silia had announced her engagement to Isondil and suddenly realizing what was so familiar about the glint of the green jewel. The ornate emerald reminded her of Legolas' eyes, gems of hard brilliance that could quickly melt into sparkling pools of water.
From that moment on she decided that she would never wear the hairpin again. The thought of putting on something that would remind her of Legolas every time she looked at it made her feel unsettled. She did not want him invading her thoughts, did not want him to have any control over her whatsoever. So she had asked Earuviel for an old jewelry box and sealed the hairpin away from view, securing the lid over the disconcerting gift without further thought.
Until Legolas asked about it that is. He wanted to know why she never wore it and she had made up an excuse about it not being suitable for her to wear such a wonderful and expensive hairpin all the time. The hurt that he quickly hid behind a mask of indifference had caused Valia to feel a guilty pang in her heart but she shoved the emotion down and told herself she needed to be strong. She would not let him influence her so easily.
Valia let her fingers run over the cold jewels, caressing their hard surface before she plucked the pin out of the box. Resting her elbow on the table, she held the pin up for scrutiny and imprudently twirled it between her fingers. She almost dropped it when bells signaling the hour rang through the air, their silver vibrancy making the air around her hum with a life of its own.
It was time for her to go to work. Impulsively, she slipped the pin into her hair and rose, not stopping to look at her reflection in the mirror. It would only disgust her and she wanted to rid herself of the gloomy thoughts that shrouded her in a suffocating darkness before she reached the sanctuary of Elrond's library.
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Legolas' eyes came into focus and he groaned as he threw the covers over his head to escape from the white beams of sunlight that pierced his eyes like arrows. The thin sheets did nothing to keep out the radiance though, and it did not occur to him to wonder why the sun was so bright that morn. Rolling over, he tried to flee the obnoxious rays by putting them to his back, but his progress was hindered by an unexpected lump in his escape path. Surprise coursed through his body and he momentarily tensed as his warrior instinct overcame him. He tentatively reached out a hand, coming into contact with warm fabric covering skin. The soft material felt comforting under his touch and without consideration, he began to blaze a trail along the unknown body.
Legolas decided that it was definitely an arm he was feeling and when his hand came to the bottom of the sleeve and made contact with soft skin, his fingertips began to tingle in a sensation that was pleasant and his breathing started to grow fast as if it had a will of its own. The laughter of a lady broke the profound silence, startling Legolas' heart into a furious beating that was not altogether due to the astonishment of the noise. He knew the owner of that voice.
Becoming intensely aware of his lack of proper clothing, Legolas debated between pulling down the covers or remaining huddled beneath the protective sheets. His curiosity got the better of him when the lady's hand slipped into his own, enveloping his entire being with calming warmth. He could feel the bright sun heating the bare skin of his back as the sheets fell to his waist. 'Valia?' he asked hesitantly. He looked like a bewildered elfling and Valia laughed again, throwing her blonde head back in amusement.
'Quel amrun Legolas.' She leaned over and placed a kiss on his brow. Her silky lips combined with the sweet smell of her skin, as intoxicating as the scent of a field in spring, made an uncontrollable shiver course through Legolas.
'What are you doing here?' he whispered, his luminous eyes widened at Valia's unexpected presence in his bed.
'Is this not what you want, what you have desired?' Valia pushed Legolas onto his back with tender care and laid a hand over his pounding heart. 'I see the longing in your eyes Legolas.'
'I do not know what you speak of,' Legolas gasped out. His entire body was revolting against him, throwing him into a storm of emotions, violent as the strongest hurricane. He did not know what was happening to him. Valia had never had this effect on him before.
She leaned down, teasing Legolas with her nearness. 'Perhaps I should leave then?' she breathed into his ear, her words searing his sensitive ear. Perched over him for a few moments, she waited until Legolas inhaled shakily and began to move away with a bright smile in her beautiful blue eyes.
'No,' Legolas said with a sharp cry, the loss of Valia's warmth stirring him into action. He enfolded his arms around her shoulders, maneuvering her onto the bed so he was the one who was now on top. She felt incredibly delicate in his arms and Legolas had a momentary fear that he would crush her if he did not handle her carefully. She was like an exquisite flower, gracefully strong, yet marvelously fragile. He felt her hand in his hair, running through his golden locks, caressing his hairline, playing with the shimmering ends that swayed with the movement of his head.
Looking down, Legolas let his eyes wander from Valia's face to the rest of her body. He noticed her clothes for the first time. There was nothing extraordinary about her dress; it was one of the many she wore to work every day; simple and undecorated, but the style seemed to become her extraordinarily well just than, revealing to Legolas the distinct curves of her gender.
'I do not understand,' he said. He was not sure why she had come; why he was reacting to her presence so strongly.
'You love me.' The simple statement was said with no affectation, only a simple smile of certainty as she cocked her gorgeous head to one side and raised up to place a fervent kiss on his throat.
'I love you?' Legolas could not help the way the phrase came out as a question; he was too perplexed to worry about offending.
'Come Legolas,' Valia beckoned in a supple voice. Hands twined around the Prince's neck, pulling him down to her. Legolas did not object; merely let her pull him close till his forehead rested comfortably against her own.
'But I thought I was not allowed to fall in love with you.'
'Yet you have.' Her simple response baffled Legolas further, watching with wonder as she brushed her nose against his and cradled his face between her hands.
'And it does not anger you?' He dared to brush a stray tendril of hair away from her cheek, his fingers lingering on her mellifluous skin.
'I have no control over your emotions Legolas.' She looked up at him a serene expression he had never seen on her face before and her whole being lighted with the peace in her soul. 'I only ask that you are gentle with me ernil.'
Legolas stopped breathing when he heard her words and ran his tongue over his dry lips. The hot air coming from Valia's mouth tickled his skin, torturing him with the incredible sensation. His self control broke, proving to be too weak to withstand her plea and he lowered his lips over hers, hovering just above making contact as her hands drifted down to his exposed chest.
The loud ring of a bell reverberated through the air, sending a wave of annoyance through Legolas as Valia shifted away from him. 'I must go.' Another bell burst through the air, driving a distance between the two elves as if the sound possessed a physical presence.
'What?' Legolas asked incredulously. 'Where are you going?'
'I must go. Remember, you must be gentle Legolas.' Valia pressed a hand to his cheek, grazing her lips over his jaw line. 'Do not forget.'
Legolas' eyes grew large as Valia began to fade before his sight. He could see through her body, the white sheets underneath her visible to his emerald eyes. She was getting out of the bed a second later, Legolas had no recollection of how she had moved so fast, and he grasped at her fading image only to grab air. 'Valia!' he pleaded, lunging at her once more.
A dull ache shot through Legolas' side and his eyes came into focus. The rich wood of his floor met him and he messaged his sore ribs from the fall out of his bed. He tried to stand up but found his sheets were wrapped around his legs. Kicking the hindering material aside, he rose up on his knees and placed a hand over his heart. It was still racing but the muted sunlight that filtered through his window curtains soothed the speed to a measured pounding, similar to the waves crashing against the shores of the Valinor.
Legolas sighed, shaking his fair head to clear the fog that muddled his thinking. He reached a shaky hand to caress the spot Valia had lain to find a mocking coldness instead of the warmth he wished was there. 'A dream.'
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*meleth-nin- my love
*melamin- my love/beloved
*herven- husband
*Quel amrun- Good morning
*ernil- prince
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Thank you everyone who has reviewed. You are the best!
A/N- WARNING. I don't really think this is needed; as I would rate this chapter PG-13, but just so I don't get in trouble I will say that this chapter borders on R for the third scene due to the suggestive content. If you are too young, please do not read.
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To Not Tell the Truth
Ryland and Narawen rose when the Lord and Lady were escorted into the room.
'Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian. It is an honor to have you in our home,' Ryland greeted, mirroring his wife's low obeisance with a formal bow. Elrond and Celebrian gave a slight inclination of their heads in acknowledgement before coming father into the room.
'Please be seated.' Narawen gestured to the abundance of spaces for her dignified guests to relax in and the couple chose a delicate looking love seat to sit in, carved of a light wood and upholstered with cream cloth.
'How is Gléwiel?' Celebrian asked when Ryland and Narwen resumed their former seats.
'Large,' Narawen laughed. 'But happy.'
'I can only imagine,' Celebrian smiled, joining in Narawen's amusement with a soft chuckle. A wistful looked crossed her features, much like the wispy clouds on a lovely summer day. 'When I was pregnant I can remember the aches I would get in my lower back. It seemed like I had to solicit the help of Elrond every ten minutes so he could message the aches away.'
'Actually, I think Tandir is worse than Gléwiel. Yesterday he had her sit down so much that she begged us to distract him so she could escape into the garden for a little while.'
'It is their first. If they have any others I am sure he will not be as protective.' Elrond shifted in his seat, tugging on the bottom of his tunic. Celebrian and he had shed their formal attire for simple clothes that allowed more freedom of movement. They did that every time they went to visit Lord Ryland and his family, happy to be rid of the confining fabric of their offices.
'I hope your duties have not been keeping you terribly busy. It has been several weeks since your last visit,' Narawen said.
Elrond smirked before tossing his head back and forth with amusement. 'Sometimes I dream that I was never given a realm to govern. When I first came to the Valinor I had visions of quiet years in a relaxing home with Celebrian at my side. But alas, such things do not appear to be my destiny!'
'It is not as bad as he makes it sound,' said Celebrian. She took her husband's hand and twined her fingers through his, raising an eyebrow imperiously. 'If my memory serves me correctly, a certain elf lord I am familiar with was able to escape the duties of his office not many weeks back for a frolic on the waves with his family and guests.'
'True, but that was only because Prince Legolas expressed a large interest in sailing.'
'How is the prince?' Ryland asked, springing on the subject with swiftness only an elf could have. Everyone smiled in relief now that the real topic they all wished to discuss had been introduced.
Fiwen passed by the sitting room and saw the four elves huddled together mischievously, tiny grins covering each of their faces. With a sigh, she walked past the room, uttering something unintelligible about the leaders of elven kingdoms being nothing more than tiny elflings in the bodies of grown elves.
'He is doing quite well. Would you not agree Elrond?' Celebrian looked at her husband with a sly smile.
'Indeed meleth-nin. I think he is especially enjoying the company he has been keeping in the library as of late.'
'The library?' Ryland asked in feigned innocence. 'Perchance he has had the chance to talk with my daughter on occasion then?'
'He cannot totally avoid her with all the time he spends there. What you say is probably true,' Elrond nodded, pretending to contemplate the idea as if it were utterly new to him. Narawen and Celebrian glanced at each other and laughed, sharing in the delight of their husbands' ridiculous behavior.
The dusting cloth Fiwen was using fluttered to the ground as a sudden burst of elven laughter wafted down the hall, reminding her of gay parties and happy gatherings. She leaned down to pick up the fallen cloth, rolling her eyes at the childish behavior of the lords and ladies.
'Enough of that, both of you,' Celebrian declared. She waited for their faces to return to some semblance of their usual dignified manner before continuing. 'Since the subject I am sure we all wish to discuss has been brought up, I suggest we drop this pretense of ignorance.'
'Agreed,' Ryland said, settling back into his chair. 'What do you make of their relationship? For my part, I am inclined to think that Legolas is far too wise to spend the amount of time he has on Valia if he did not feel more for her than just friendship.'
'Yes,' Celebrian nodded her head, sending her silver hair cascading over her shoulders. 'Though I do not think he knows what it is he truly feels. It is obvious to everyone except Legolas and Valia.'
Ryland had never thought of that before. 'A strange observation; Valia and Legolas have always been known for their intelligence. It surprises me that they do not understand their own feelings.'
'Love is confusing,' Elrond defended them. 'I think it is especially mystifying too those two. They have both been through circumstances I would not wish on any other and it has made them wary of love. I think they view it as something that would weaken them, not strengthen.'
'But what of his gift to her?' Ryland asked. 'Is that not an obvious display of affection?'
'Yes, the pin? We have seen it,' answered Elrond pensively, 'but only briefly.'
'She says he gave it to her to show his thanks for her help in his research and as a kind of parting gift to remember him by when he leaves.' Narawen stood, restlessness sweeping through her at their talk of Valia's relationship. She wandered to the window so that she could think better, letting the familiar view of trees still the disquiet of her motherly heart.
Celebrian followed her movements with her eyes, knowing what it was the lady thought, for she was thinking the same thing as well. 'The pin was an expensive thank you gift for mere friends.'
'What are you implying?' Ryland asked, his eyes narrowing at her insinuations. He did not like the idea of another elf taking a fancy to his beloved daughter. No one would ever be worthy enough for her; no one would ever be able to care for her the way she deserved. Especially with a past like hers. She needed an elf of unbounded patience who would understand her situation and come along beside her with complete understanding. Was the Prince really capable of such tenderness?
'I think we all know what she is implying,' said Elrond, bringing his wife's hand to his lips. 'It is obvious the prince is in love with her. It will only be a matter of time before he realizes his own feelings and makes some kind of declaration to her.'
'What of her feelings?' Narawen questioned. She walked over to stand behind her husband and nervously played with the ends of his long hair, feeling the tense muscles in his back. Brushing his beautiful hair over his shoulder, she deftly began to message his neck, trying to calm the emotions she knew were raging inside of him. 'I do not think that she loves him the same way he loves her,' she observed quietly.
'You could be right, Narawen. Legolas told me that when they agreed to become friends she made him promise not to fall in love with her,' Elrond said.
'She did what?' asked Ryland incredulously. An amused light leapt into Narawen's eyes as her husband suddenly leaned forward in shock.
Celebrian laughed softly. The tone was not a mocking one, but filled with understanding, and Ryland felt his muscles relax a little at the sound. 'It is only something Valia would think to do, though she has her reasons.' Celebrian's words sobered the company into complete silence. Everyone in the room knew what she was referring to without having to think twice. In her worry, Narawen began to trace a delicate pattern onto Ryland's neck with her thin fingers.
'Legolas loves Valia.' Elrond said it with such a decided air of finality that everyone else in the room felt that they could do nothing but agree.
'What should we do than? Does his love grant him the right to know Valia's past?'
'For my part, I do not think Valia would appreciate our meddling in her affairs, no matter how well meant.' Celebrian looked each of her companions in the eye and then rested them on her husband's hand wrapped around her own. 'We have no right to acquaint Legolas with what happened to her. If Valia wants him to know, she should be the one to initiate the telling.'
'Wise words, melamin,' agreed Elrond.
'So we say nothing to him?' Ryland asked.
'It is for the best herven.' Narawen reached down and took his hands into hers, pressing a kiss against the back of each. 'She is her own being. We may be her parents, but we no longer have the right to dictate her life to her or interfere in her affairs.'
Ryland sighed and gently began to message the soft flesh at his temples. The idea of keeping such a vital part of Valia's past from an elf, an elven prince at that, who was falling in love with his daughter did not bode well with him. But they were right; it was not his decision to make for Valia. If she wanted Legolas to know about her past, she would have to be the one to tell him. 'So be it. We shall not tell the Prince the truth.'
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Down the hall, Valia sat in her room, unaware of the conversation going on about her. She sighed and looked at herself critically in the mirror. Reaching out, she traced the outline of her face on the cool glass with her fingertips, narrowing her eyes as she inspected herself. She saw nothing special there; skin that was too white from staying in the library to be considered pretty looking, straight hair that could only be described to be "dirty" blond in color, and a nose that was too long for her face. She was too skinny in some areas; not skinny enough in others. Her hair frizzed despite the straightness. The tips of her ears were too rounded. The list went on, growing longer with every new body part Valia's eyes fell on.
Why could she not be like Earuviel? Her sister was the model of perfection. Sometimes Valia would joke when people asked her if it bothered her that her sister was such a beauty. She would say that her sister had inherited all of her father and mother's beauty while she was stuck with their intelligence. They would laugh at her comment and she obliged them by joining in, but no one knew that she had taken their observations to heart. She knew what they were really asking when they said such things: Does it bother you that your sister is ten times as pretty as you are; that every maiden is prettier than you are? Do you care that all you will ever be known as is Valia, the studious maiden who elves never waste a second glance on?
And Valia had slowly begun to believe what they said until she did not question their veiled insinuations anymore, merely accepted them as truth, a truth that she could not change no matter how hard she tried. Even Silia was gorgeous compared to her.
Valia suddenly snapped her eyes closed and shook her head vigorously, sending her ponytail into a trembling dance along her back. A harsh laugh escaped her lips, twisted into an ironical smile as a tear escaped from underneath her eyelids. She hastily brushed it away and looked down at the top of her vanity. Why was she letting such things bother her now? Had she not resigned herself to her fate long ago? Her hand dropped to the box resting on her vanity and she played with the lid, flinging it aside on a whim as her morose mood infected her with carelessness.
Delicate rays of light burst from the box when the morning sunbeams were allowed admittance into its dark recesses to play with the jeweled hairpin that lay inside. The pin had not left its box since the night Legolas had given it to Valia over a month ago. She remembered examining the pin the day after Silia had announced her engagement to Isondil and suddenly realizing what was so familiar about the glint of the green jewel. The ornate emerald reminded her of Legolas' eyes, gems of hard brilliance that could quickly melt into sparkling pools of water.
From that moment on she decided that she would never wear the hairpin again. The thought of putting on something that would remind her of Legolas every time she looked at it made her feel unsettled. She did not want him invading her thoughts, did not want him to have any control over her whatsoever. So she had asked Earuviel for an old jewelry box and sealed the hairpin away from view, securing the lid over the disconcerting gift without further thought.
Until Legolas asked about it that is. He wanted to know why she never wore it and she had made up an excuse about it not being suitable for her to wear such a wonderful and expensive hairpin all the time. The hurt that he quickly hid behind a mask of indifference had caused Valia to feel a guilty pang in her heart but she shoved the emotion down and told herself she needed to be strong. She would not let him influence her so easily.
Valia let her fingers run over the cold jewels, caressing their hard surface before she plucked the pin out of the box. Resting her elbow on the table, she held the pin up for scrutiny and imprudently twirled it between her fingers. She almost dropped it when bells signaling the hour rang through the air, their silver vibrancy making the air around her hum with a life of its own.
It was time for her to go to work. Impulsively, she slipped the pin into her hair and rose, not stopping to look at her reflection in the mirror. It would only disgust her and she wanted to rid herself of the gloomy thoughts that shrouded her in a suffocating darkness before she reached the sanctuary of Elrond's library.
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Legolas' eyes came into focus and he groaned as he threw the covers over his head to escape from the white beams of sunlight that pierced his eyes like arrows. The thin sheets did nothing to keep out the radiance though, and it did not occur to him to wonder why the sun was so bright that morn. Rolling over, he tried to flee the obnoxious rays by putting them to his back, but his progress was hindered by an unexpected lump in his escape path. Surprise coursed through his body and he momentarily tensed as his warrior instinct overcame him. He tentatively reached out a hand, coming into contact with warm fabric covering skin. The soft material felt comforting under his touch and without consideration, he began to blaze a trail along the unknown body.
Legolas decided that it was definitely an arm he was feeling and when his hand came to the bottom of the sleeve and made contact with soft skin, his fingertips began to tingle in a sensation that was pleasant and his breathing started to grow fast as if it had a will of its own. The laughter of a lady broke the profound silence, startling Legolas' heart into a furious beating that was not altogether due to the astonishment of the noise. He knew the owner of that voice.
Becoming intensely aware of his lack of proper clothing, Legolas debated between pulling down the covers or remaining huddled beneath the protective sheets. His curiosity got the better of him when the lady's hand slipped into his own, enveloping his entire being with calming warmth. He could feel the bright sun heating the bare skin of his back as the sheets fell to his waist. 'Valia?' he asked hesitantly. He looked like a bewildered elfling and Valia laughed again, throwing her blonde head back in amusement.
'Quel amrun Legolas.' She leaned over and placed a kiss on his brow. Her silky lips combined with the sweet smell of her skin, as intoxicating as the scent of a field in spring, made an uncontrollable shiver course through Legolas.
'What are you doing here?' he whispered, his luminous eyes widened at Valia's unexpected presence in his bed.
'Is this not what you want, what you have desired?' Valia pushed Legolas onto his back with tender care and laid a hand over his pounding heart. 'I see the longing in your eyes Legolas.'
'I do not know what you speak of,' Legolas gasped out. His entire body was revolting against him, throwing him into a storm of emotions, violent as the strongest hurricane. He did not know what was happening to him. Valia had never had this effect on him before.
She leaned down, teasing Legolas with her nearness. 'Perhaps I should leave then?' she breathed into his ear, her words searing his sensitive ear. Perched over him for a few moments, she waited until Legolas inhaled shakily and began to move away with a bright smile in her beautiful blue eyes.
'No,' Legolas said with a sharp cry, the loss of Valia's warmth stirring him into action. He enfolded his arms around her shoulders, maneuvering her onto the bed so he was the one who was now on top. She felt incredibly delicate in his arms and Legolas had a momentary fear that he would crush her if he did not handle her carefully. She was like an exquisite flower, gracefully strong, yet marvelously fragile. He felt her hand in his hair, running through his golden locks, caressing his hairline, playing with the shimmering ends that swayed with the movement of his head.
Looking down, Legolas let his eyes wander from Valia's face to the rest of her body. He noticed her clothes for the first time. There was nothing extraordinary about her dress; it was one of the many she wore to work every day; simple and undecorated, but the style seemed to become her extraordinarily well just than, revealing to Legolas the distinct curves of her gender.
'I do not understand,' he said. He was not sure why she had come; why he was reacting to her presence so strongly.
'You love me.' The simple statement was said with no affectation, only a simple smile of certainty as she cocked her gorgeous head to one side and raised up to place a fervent kiss on his throat.
'I love you?' Legolas could not help the way the phrase came out as a question; he was too perplexed to worry about offending.
'Come Legolas,' Valia beckoned in a supple voice. Hands twined around the Prince's neck, pulling him down to her. Legolas did not object; merely let her pull him close till his forehead rested comfortably against her own.
'But I thought I was not allowed to fall in love with you.'
'Yet you have.' Her simple response baffled Legolas further, watching with wonder as she brushed her nose against his and cradled his face between her hands.
'And it does not anger you?' He dared to brush a stray tendril of hair away from her cheek, his fingers lingering on her mellifluous skin.
'I have no control over your emotions Legolas.' She looked up at him a serene expression he had never seen on her face before and her whole being lighted with the peace in her soul. 'I only ask that you are gentle with me ernil.'
Legolas stopped breathing when he heard her words and ran his tongue over his dry lips. The hot air coming from Valia's mouth tickled his skin, torturing him with the incredible sensation. His self control broke, proving to be too weak to withstand her plea and he lowered his lips over hers, hovering just above making contact as her hands drifted down to his exposed chest.
The loud ring of a bell reverberated through the air, sending a wave of annoyance through Legolas as Valia shifted away from him. 'I must go.' Another bell burst through the air, driving a distance between the two elves as if the sound possessed a physical presence.
'What?' Legolas asked incredulously. 'Where are you going?'
'I must go. Remember, you must be gentle Legolas.' Valia pressed a hand to his cheek, grazing her lips over his jaw line. 'Do not forget.'
Legolas' eyes grew large as Valia began to fade before his sight. He could see through her body, the white sheets underneath her visible to his emerald eyes. She was getting out of the bed a second later, Legolas had no recollection of how she had moved so fast, and he grasped at her fading image only to grab air. 'Valia!' he pleaded, lunging at her once more.
A dull ache shot through Legolas' side and his eyes came into focus. The rich wood of his floor met him and he messaged his sore ribs from the fall out of his bed. He tried to stand up but found his sheets were wrapped around his legs. Kicking the hindering material aside, he rose up on his knees and placed a hand over his heart. It was still racing but the muted sunlight that filtered through his window curtains soothed the speed to a measured pounding, similar to the waves crashing against the shores of the Valinor.
Legolas sighed, shaking his fair head to clear the fog that muddled his thinking. He reached a shaky hand to caress the spot Valia had lain to find a mocking coldness instead of the warmth he wished was there. 'A dream.'
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*meleth-nin- my love
*melamin- my love/beloved
*herven- husband
*Quel amrun- Good morning
*ernil- prince
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