Disclaimer- Refer to Chapter One

Title: Shadow of the Past

Author: Silmarien

Rating: PG-13

A/N- After much nail biting, tears, and even good humored threats, here is the chapter that reveals Valia's past. Enjoy everyone and be patient if it takes me a while to reply to your reviews. I am having a problem with my internet so it may take as long as a week to get all of you a thank you.

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Davan. Thanks for all your support, dear, and for calming me down enough not to quit this story :)

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Shadow of the Past: Part Two

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Narawen was not surprised to open the door and find Legolas standing on the front porch. Between Valia bursting into the house earlier that day, fleeing down the hall to lock herself in her room, and the muffled sobs and mutterings that had come from behind her closed door, Narawen had comprehended enough to realize that Legolas had finally spoken to Valia of his obvious love for her. Narawen had been rather surprised that her eldest daughter, known for being the most intelligent of her children, had been utterly ignorant to the Prince's interest in her as more than a friend.

Perhaps it had been for the best though; Valia's blindness to Legolas' love. Narawen was certain that if her daughter had known that he loved her, it would have ruined any chance he would have had in growing close to Valia. She would have pulled away from the heat of his love before she had any chance to be burned. It was glaringly apparent by Valia's behavior and the haggard appearance of Legolas that she had refused his love. Narawen knew she would, had even been waiting for the day when it would happen, but it still weighed heavy on her heart as if she had never seen the twist in their relationship.

Despite the noticeable protectiveness Ryland harbored for his daughter, he was soon to admit that Legolas would be a wonderful match for Valia. Narawen and he had discussed the blossoming relationship taking place between their daughter and the Prince one night, agreeing that Legolas was ever the gentle elf with Valia, escorting her to and from the library each night if it was dark outside, always patient with her stubbornness, and mindful of propriety, which Narawen secretly believed was what won him the good will of her husband in the end. That and the fact that Legolas had come to them before he had told Valia of his love. The Prince had asked them for their approval before asking for her hand. Ryland had told Legolas he would be delighted to have Legolas for a son if Valia agreed, though he and his wife knew that in all likelihood, Legolas had about as much chance of marrying Valia as a fish did of flying among the clouds with the birds. But there was always hope.

Deciding that it would be best to skip formalities in light of what must have happened that afternoon, Narawen stepped aside to let Legolas pass into her home. 'You have told her,' she began, stating the obvious before closing the door behind her when Legolas came through.

The Prince gave a mournful nod of his head, sending the ends of his golden hair into a bobbing dance.

'She told you no.' Another desolate shake of the head confirmed Narawen's suspicions. 'I am sorry,' she offered, knowing it would do little by way of comforting the rejected elf.

'I would like to speak to her if she is here,' he asked hesitantly, darting his gaze down the long hallway.

'I am afraid she has not come out of her room since arriving back here this afternoon. She will not talk to any of us about what happened.' Narawen watched Legolas closely to ascertain that he understood her. 'I do not know if she will grant you an audience or not, Legolas. You have been in her company long enough to know she is stubborn beyond reason at times.'

'But what you do not know, Lady Narawen, is that I can be just as stubborn, if not more so. If you would let me, I would like to at least try and speak with your daughter.'

From all appearances, Narawen realized that Valia had met her match and would have more than the average difficulty in getting rid of Legolas. Smiling softly, Narawen motioned for Legolas to follow her down the hall. 'I hope you succeed,' she told him sincerely when they stood before Valia's door. 'I have never seen an elf better suited to my daughter than you. There have been others before who have asked for her hand, but there is something different about you. I think you are the one Iluvatar made for her.'

'Thank you.' Both turned their head to the door when the sound of Valia loudly blowing her nose came distinctly through the thick wood, followed by a heavy sigh.

Narawen looked at Legolas with an apologetic expression, her creamy forehead wrinkling at the sound of another unladylike blow of the nose that emanated from within her daughters chambers. 'Perhaps I should go in first,' she suggested, knocking lightly on the door when Legolas gave a graceful nod of his head and wandered discreetly down the hall a few paces.

'Valia, please let me in dear,' Narawen called softly, having little hope of gaining a response. However, the quiet rustling of a dress was not lost on Narawen, even through the thick door, as Valia rose from her bed and opened her door for the first time since coming home over six hours ago. The telltale signs of a long cry were stained across Valia's face, turning her cheeks into a sticky mess and rendering her nose a dazzling shade of red.

'I do not wish to talk right now mother,' Valia confessed through the small opening, ajar just enough to peek out of to see her mother but nothing more.

Legolas' heart made a strange leap when he heard Valia's distinct voice from where he stood down the hall. Such a glorious voice should never have been given to one of the Eldar. Even after all her tears, which he supposed had been many by her noisy blowing a few moments ago, her voice was still the sweetest sound he had yet to hear in all his journeys over Arda. He was sure it would charm the very waters and trees into obeying her commands if she asked something of them. It had certainly lured him into her net, one that she did not even know she had cast.

            Hushed whispers followed, words spoken fervently back and forth that Legolas could not understand no matter how hard he tried. He continued to stare at the tapestry hung on the wall, depicting Imladris, nestled securely within a green valley of trees and sunlight, but it was impossible for him to not send furtive glances in Narawen's direction, hoping that one of the times he would find that a beautiful maiden with honey colored hair and deep blue eyes had materialized in the hallway as well.

            His wish was far from being fulfilled, and with another glance, he found that not only had Valia not appeared, but Narawen had disappeared. The metallic click of Valia's door being locked was the single sound that echoed down the hall, leaving Legolas completely alone with his morose thoughts and the tapestry for company.

            How easy it would have been to simply allow his warrior side to take control, break into Valia's room and carry her away to Laiquarille despite all her protests. The thought of him riding up to the gates of his father's palace with a thoroughly disgruntled Valia sitting in front of him had its appeals, Legolas had to admit. And once they were there, Legolas would unscrupulously kiss Valia into agreeing to marry him. How simple it would be. Yes, the plan most definitely had its merits.

            Although there was always the problem of her stubborn nature that could often rival his own. It was one of the things he had first been drawn to in her, but was also one of the things that kept her from him now. What irony! To be separated from her because of something I find so attractive in her.

            Did she really think she could hold him at arm's length forever? He would not allow it. He loved her too much to be held back till the end of the ages, knew for a fact that he would never be able to do such a thing even if she asked it of him. She was his life, though he knew that he would not die of grief if she refused him. He was too willful for such an end as that, instead he would live just so he could continue on; walking the same ground Valia did, breathing the same air she did, listening and feeling the same things she did. He would defy death just to be with her.

            The sound of moving skirts brought Legolas' attention back to Valia's door to find the maiden his thoughts had been focused on now stood before him. She said nothing, only made a small gesture and Legolas knew that he was to follow her. He tread behind her with light steps, not making a sound as she led him out of the house to a secluded garden, not too far from her house. The soothing influences of nature surrounded them in a cocoon of peace, doing much to relieve both of their anxieties.

            Another subtle gesture from Valia towards a stone bench sent Legolas in motion, propelling him towards the seat resting beneath the copious branches of a willowy tree. He sat down, looking up to watch Valia walk towards him with deliberated steps, pausing beside him before lowering herself to the bench. The signs of her long cry had been washed away, leaving nothing for Legolas to see but a somewhat haggard expression around the curve of her mouth.

            She sat as far from Legolas as possible, perching herself so precariously over the edge that it would have made Legolas laugh under different circumstances. Having maidens shy away from his interest in them was not something that he was used to, and certainly not something he wished from the one he loved, though it appeared he would have to deal with the new phenomenon anyway.

            'I will not hurt you Valia,' Legolas assured her. He reached out to brush a loose hair from her cheek, but she shrank from his touch, quickly standing up to retreat out of arms distance. It saddened Legolas that she avoided contact with him, pained him that she did not long for his touch as much as he did for hers. If only she would see that all he wanted from her was her love, any love that she could offer him he would gladly take and honor as a prized treasure.

            Valia kept her back to Legolas, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked restlessly into the deepening night. She could not let him caress her that way anymore, knowing that she would surrender to him like she had that afternoon. What had she been thinking? Biting the inside of her cheek at the thought of their kiss, Valia tried to steady her nerves. 'There is something I must tell you Legolas, something about my past that you must know to understand why I do what I do.'

            'I know Valia.'

            'You know?' she spun around to face him, shock clear on her pale features. 'I do not…' No, that would not do. 'How did you…?' Wrong again. 'I thought…' Every complete sentence she was capable of making fled from her as she looked to Legolas for understanding.

            'Your mother told me that you would have something to tell me,' offered Legolas.

            Valia released the air she was holding in her lungs in a relieved rush. 'Then you do not know yet?' She was not sure if she preferred telling him herself or if she would have rather had him know already.

            The revelation, whatever it was, was evidently distressing for Valia to reveal and Legolas felt responsible for the misery he was bringing upon her. He had hoped to never bring anything but love and joy to her life, to the one who meant so much more to him than all the beauties of the ages to come. 'You do not have to tell me this if you do not wish to Valia.'

            'No, you must hear what I have to say.' Bringing her index finger up to her lips, Valia began biting her nail, a habit she generally never exhibited, which only furthered Legolas' ill foreboding.

            She did not know he was standing behind her until his hand rested gently on her shoulder, but she quickly shrugged the contact away, only to have him capture her hand with a firm grip that could not be broken. 'Valia, do not take me for some star struck youth, who having just come of age, has realized their first affection for another. Do you not understand that I love you Valia? Are you truly unaware of the depth of my love for you? Do not think me a fool. I am an elven prince, sired by a king of elves. The terror and destruction that I have seen, the horror I have witnessed, would not allow you the reprieve of sleep or let you catch a moments rest, had you been there to witness all my eyes have looked upon. And yet my love for you diminishes all those shadows, the darkness in my life, with its steady brilliance. There is not a part of me that does not hold love for you. You have touched me Valia, my very being is changed because of you, and I cannot deny that, no matter how hard I try.'

            Groaning, Valia found that she could not look away from the intensity of his burning gaze. It seared her soul, marking some inner part in her as his own. 'You are not making this easy for me Legolas,' she whispered, the words coming from her mouth like the sigh of the wind.

            'Say that you love me and nothing else will matter Valia. I care not about anything but your love.'

            'Then I shall have to care for the both of us,' she replied, saddened that circumstances had been so cruel to them, but she would not waste her time or energy traversing the paths of things that would never be. 'You must hear what I have to say to you Legolas. I must tell you of a journey I made to Lothlorien when I was barely come of age. I was so young then, young and naïve.'

            'Whatever it is that happened in your past will not changed my love for you Valia.'

            'Perhaps not.' Valia extricated herself from Legolas' hold and began to wander aimlessly over the grass. 'But it will most certainly change your offer of marriage.'

            'The offer goes with my love Valia.' Taking a step towards her, Legolas observed her pacing feet that ambled lightly over the ground. 

            'Then your love will leave me with the passing of your offer.'

            'That is impossible my lady. The sun would cease to shine before my love for you dies.'

            'Legolas, please stop. This is hard enough without your protests.'

            'I cannot help but protest Valia. There is nothing that you have ever done that would make me revoke my offer to you.'

            'Yes there is.' Valia was beginning to grow frustrated and her hands instinctively clenched.

            'Nothing, a'maelamin, will abate my unending love for you.'

            'Legolas!' snapped Valia. 'Stop.'

            'I love you Valia,' he pushed on, unheeding.

            'Do not do this.'

            'Be my bride Valia. I would have you for my best friend, my lover, my wife, the mother of my children.'

            Valia swallowed the sob that lodged in her throat, pushing back the pain that came from Legolas' words. 'I would be all things to you if I could Legolas, but I cannot. I cannot be the mother of your children.'

            'You can and you will Valia, just as soon as you agree to give me your hand.'

            'You do not understand. I cannot be the mother of your children.'

            'Of course you can. It is really quite simple,' Legolas replied with a tender smile, brushing his fingers along Valia's arm when she passed by him. 'You will come with me to Laiquarille to wed and then you will share my bed with me Valia.'

            'Legolas,' Valia whirled to face him, standing still to let her hair and dress fall into place. The steadying breath she took was not interrupted by further speech from Legolas, to her great relief. She raised her eyes to meet his, the strength of both their wills fighting against each other to gain the advantage. 'I am barren.'

            It took Legolas a moment to process what she said, and even then, he was not sure if he had heard her right. 'You are what?' he asked, his heart thudding loudly in his ears as a feeling of sheer disbelief began to drown him.

            'I cannot have children Legolas.' Her tone was completely mournful as she dropped her head down, heaving a large sigh as she examined the grass. 'Elrond sent me to Lothlorien not many years after I had come of age,' she began softly. 'I was so eager to leave Imladris, the only place I had ever known since my birth, and readily agreed to carry a manuscript to Lothlorien that Lord Celeborn requested from Elrond's library. So I went.' Valia shrugged and shook her head. 'I did not go alone. An escort was sent with me to ensure that my arrival to Caras Galadhon was a safe one.'

            Legolas hung on Valia's every word as it appeared that she was finally going to tell him of her past. Edging backwards, he slowly sank onto the bench and watched her with rapt attention.

            'Apparently Saruman had already begun to sway the hearts of men to his twisted cause, even at the beginning of the third age, but we knew nothing of the extent of his corruption in Imladris. There were rumors of course; quiet whisperings that would pass through the hall whenever he visited Elrond, but no words were spoken openly against the powerful Maiar.'

            'I do not understand what this has to do with your…' Legolas could not think of a delicate way to say the word and settled for what he thought was the best thing. 'Condition,' he finished.

            'Hear my tale out and you will understand.' After receiving a nod from Legolas, Valia crossed her arms over her chest, trying to gain comfort from the embrace of her arms, and continued. 'Saruman had already begun sending his men into the west; not in large groups lest their number should arouse suspicion from elves journeying to and from Imladris, but in small bands, ten, perhaps as large as twenty at a time.'

            'My traveling entourage only consisted of myself and two other elves. They were both inexperienced in war, had only needed to use weapons against offending vines and tree branches that grew over their patrol paths. They were not prepared to meet the band of men that were encamped at the foothills of the Misty Mountains.'

            Legolas knew that the eerie feeling growing inside of him somehow understood what Valia was going to tell him, in truth, had known many months back that something like this had happened to his beloved, but he refused to listen to the voice, stubbornly pushing it aside in blatant refusal.

            'There were too many, far too many for two unseasoned warriors and a defenseless she-elf to fend off when they descended upon our tiny party. For some reason my companions were allowed to escape on their horses, flying back over the land towards Imladris, but not before they had received enough rough handling to be filled with terror.' Valia's words made the air between Legolas and her vibrate with intensity. Legolas could feel it, almost taste it as he watched her vision grow clouded, revisiting memories no one should have had to live with from day to day as ages passed by with no power to dull the aching of the recollection. Legolas had spoken to her only a little while ago of the horrors he had witnessed, now realizing that she had not had the luxury of being merely a witness to the terrors of war. She had been one of its victims. The gorgeous maiden before him, filled with so many joys, hopes, and expectations, had felt the cruel hand of war mar her own life with its merciless touch.

            'I was left behind,' Valia spoke quietly, startling Legolas back into reality. The prickling sensation of menacing tears inundated her eyes as the emotions that still surfaced when she thought of that day began to constrict her throat uncomfortably, making breathing difficult. 'I was so terrified Legolas,' she whispered and he heard the echo of the dread from long ago linger in her words, coming back to her as she thought of the memory. 'I had never wandered farther away from Imladris than the borders before that trip. I can still remember Elrond asking me if I wished to make the journey for him, as he was too busy. The excitement of adventure welled up within me with such a pleasant strength that I could do nothing but eagerly agree, counting the days that passed till I could leave. And then it came and I found myself all alone at the foothills of the Misty Mountains, surrounded by a band of men from the east. I had barely gained a mastery over the tongues of men at that time, tried desperately to piece words together that I knew to beg for mercy but they only laughed and dragged me back to their camp.'

            Valia took a shuddering intake of breath, swallowing to try and stop the tears from spilling from her eyes, but the battle was getting harder to win as she told Legolas more. 'Before the first star appeared in the sky that night I was no longer a maiden.' With her confession, the collecting tears won their fight and began to slip over her lashes to run down her pale cheeks, caressing her face in an attempt to offer comfort, but bringing none to Valia, bringing her only more pain instead.

            Legolas did not know what he felt, indeed, felt nothing for many moments after her declaration. How brutal destiny could be at times, to rob a maiden of her innocence before she even had time to delight in it, to take pride in her maturity. And then the feelings came sweeping over him. Such intense sorrow for her, to have to live out her life with that reality, burst into his soul with an overpowering intensity that tears began to pool in his own eyes, tears that he had never shed since the day his mother had gone into the west, to the Grey Havens.

            'They kept coming to me throughout the night. There must have been at least eight, and when they were done, they left me bleeding and humiliated beyond reasonable thought.' Valia dashed the tears away from her cheeks with a shaky hand before continuing. 'I was abandoned in the morning when they broke camp, left behind with their trash as they mounted their horses and rode away. But the last one to approach his prancing stallion, I assume it was their leader, left me with a gift before mounting his steed, telling me it was repayment for my night services to him and his men. I was in too much pain to care anymore when he plunged the dagger into my shoulder, it really mattered little when I was already bleeding so heavily.'

            'Valia,' murmured Legolas, needing to say her name to try and comfort the trembling lady when he found that his body was not responding to any of his attempts to move towards her. It was all too shocking. He knew something had happened, but her revelation was far beyond the darkest guess he had ever dared to wager.

            'I suppose I was fortunate when Elladan and Elrohir came for me, though I can remember lifting a pray up to Iluvatar that he would spare me the misery and shame of living any longer in Arda, but my time was apparently not over yet. I was unconscious when they found me and took me back to Imladris, only waking over two weeks after they arrived back at the Last Homely House. Elrond himself attended my injuries, proving his skill as a healer in saving my life, but he could not fix all the wounds.'

            'What do you mean?' Legolas asked warily.

            'The scarring was too much for him to heal completely. He told me that I would most likely never be able to have an elfling of my own.'

            It was too much for Legolas, too much for him to believe. 'But we are in the Valinor,' he protested. 'Surely these lands have healed you of any physical damage.'

Valia blew out air through her nostrils in a derisive snort. 'The scars are gone but that does not mean the damage has been undone, or so Elrond tells me.'

            'Perhaps he is wrong, perhaps you are better now, Valia.' Her wistful smile stilled any other objections from leaving his mouth.

            'Better to say perhaps the sun will not raise in the east tomorrow, Legolas. There is no use in wishing for things that will never be.'

            'I still love you Valia. My love for you only grows at knowing the pain you have suffered.'

            'Love me you may Legolas, but marry me you cannot. I cannot produce an heir for you; my body will not let me.'

            'You said Elrond only thought that you would not be able to bear children.'

            'Your father will never allow it Legolas, no matter how liberal minded you claim him to be. Your wife must be able to provide you with an heir to your throne and I cannot do that.'

            'You only think you cannot.'

            'Legolas, stop this. I cannot bear your denial. This is hard enough without fantasizing about what it would be like if I was not barren.' Valia spit the word out with disgust, providing Legolas with the motivation he needed to stand and move to her side.

            'But you do not know if you are not able to bear an elfling for certain Valia. There is just as much chance that you are able to as you are not.'

            'What do you know of my condition? You do not know what you speak of,' hissed Valia.

            'I speak of love Valia. A love that I have for you that hopes for the best for us. Do you not hold any of that love in your own heart?'

            'It matters not what is in my heart when my body denies me the pleasure of ever being with you. You will not be allowed to marry someone who cannot provide you with a successor to your throne.'

'And is that your only objection Valia?' Legolas caught her arms with his hand and prevented her from turning away from him.

'Legolas!' Valia cried in exasperation, only to be silenced with a kiss. It was a more insistent than the one they had shared earlier that day. Legolas poured all his devoted passion and desire for her into the meeting of their lips and Valia was overwhelmed by the volume of feeling. Never had any other elf overflowed with such intense longing for her in all her long years in Arda.

Breaking away from the kiss to allow Valia air, Legolas pulled back slightly and ran his knuckles over her high cheekbone. 'If that is the only thing separating you from accepting me Valia, then be chained no longer by your secret. It matters not to me. My love for you would encompass all the horrors and pain that every creature has ever lived through if you would only let me love you.'

'O Legolas,' sighed Valia, shaking her head with such overwhelming sadness before resting her head against his strong chest. 'It may not matter to you and if you were not a prince or heir to a throne it would not matter to me either, but there is more at stake in our union than simply our wishes and hopes.' Valia drew back to look into his emerald green eyes that reflected the moonlight above. 'You have a duty you must fulfill to your people, as Prince of Laiquarille and it outweighs the love you have for me.'

Slowly sliding his arms around her waist, Legolas drew her close to him, nestling her against his chest. 'I refuse to believe that Valia. I refuse to believe that duty to my throne is more important than the duty I have to honor my heart. It makes a mockery of love when duty and rules are held in higher esteem.'

'I do not think that you understand what I have told you Legolas. Do you think that I would not do almost anything to change what happened to me on that journey? It is a shadow of the past that will always darken my steps and it would cast a shadow over yours as well if I bound myself to you.' Valia's voice began to grow in intensity as all her frustration with the hopeless situation began to boil within her. She broke away from his embrace, instantly missing the warmth but refusing to go back. 'What would you do if I was to become your wife and was not able to bear you an heir? I could not stand to see you share our bed with another because of my failings as a wife. I will not watch you make love to another so that you may have a son to follow in your steps. I will not do that Legolas,' Valia firmly declared through the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

'I do not ask you to do that Valia.'

'But you do. By asking me to marry you, you also ask me to turn unseeing eyes when you must bed someone else to produce an heir.'

'Valia.' Legolas reached out for her and captured her upper arms, rubbing his thumbs over her clothed skin, trying to sway her into agreement with him. He watched as she hung her head, her shoulders slumping downwards as she showed the weight of the burden she carried in her heart. 

'Promise me something Legolas.'

'Anything in my power melamin.'

'Swear to me that your father will not object to you marrying me when I cannot guarantee you an elfling to follow in his father's path and I will be yours Legolas. Promise me that you will never regret binding yourself to me when I may never be able to give you elflings when you want them and I will give you my hand.'

She watched him closely, trying to understand the flickers of emotion passing over his face, changing his features like gleaming candlelight in the dark. But it was impossible for her, impossible to recognize what flashed across the handsome lines of his face.

'I cannot do that Valia.' His voice sounded shocked, even to his own ears.

She caught the inside of her cheek between her teeth at his words, wrinkling her brow in pain. She should have known what his answer would be, in fact did know what it would be, but it did nothing to lessen the blow he had dealt her with his response.

'It is a hopeless cause than.' Valia braved the consequences and lifted a hand to gently stroke Legolas' cheek. 'I do not think we should see each other any more,' she whispered.

            'You cannot keep me away Valia. I cannot keep myself away from you.'

            Valia dropped her hand back to her side, watching it as it hung limply against her thigh. 'You should have never broken your promise to me Legolas. Do you not realize I did it for your own good? And now we are faced with this impasse. You must stay away from me Legolas.' The words were the hardest thing she had ever had to say. She even surprised herself when they rolled from her tongue, but not without a slight wobble at the end, an annoying catch of her throat that revealed how hard it was for her to say such a thing.

            'What?' asked Legolas in disbelief.

            'Stay away from me Legolas,' Valia declared with more resolution in her tone. She even dared a small glimpse of him, a passing meeting of their eyes, before lowering her lashes again.

            'I cannot believe that you mean what you say Valia.' Legolas was incredulous. Never had he thought she would demand that he leave her alone. He reached out for her, trying to reassure himself of her presence but she stepped away from his groping hand, leaving him to watch as his world crumbled, utterly alone to witness the desolation.

            'Goodbye Legolas,' she called, a touch of regret in her voice as she turned from him, walking away.

            'Valia!' He could not believe she was deserting him.

            'Go back to the palace Legolas. Go back to Laiquarille and forget that you ever met me.'

'Hadrielia was right about you,' Legolas declared, narrowing his eyes as he watched her retreat. Indignation began to flood him at her denial of him. She made it look so easy.

            'Excuse me?' Valia was brought to a halt by his words as effectively as if a stone wall had been placed in her way. Swiveling around on her heel, she raised an imperious brow.

            In his anger, Legolas ignored the warning and dangerous glint that burned in Valia's eyes. 'She was right about you. You are proud and have a hard heart. You are as cold as ice. No doubt you would freeze even the sun if you revealed your heart to its gentle light.'

            Valia did not give into the luxury of tears that his cutting words threatened to bear, though it took all her willpower to not do so. Rather, she lifted her chin higher into the air and squared her shoulders, all her muscles tense at his hurtful tirade.

            The resounding slap that rang through the night air was far from what Legolas expected but he admitted that he had deserved much worse as he gingerly raised a hand to his stinging face. He lifted his eyes to hers, finding her lower lids brimming with unshed tears she stubbornly brushed aside with the back of her hand, refusing to let them spill onto her smooth cheeks. The moonlight that was bright in the night sky reflected in the dark pools of her eyes, illuminating the hurt that would usually have lain hidden behind the deceptively calm surface.

            'I did not mean that Valia. I am sorry.' He tried to take her wrists in his hands, but she jerked away from him, withdrawing till a safe distance stood between them.

            'The night grows late and my mother will be worried for my safety,' Valia replied coolly. 'I bid you good night. May your journey home be a safe one, my lord.' She made a deep curtsey before moving away from him, her poised gate compromised by her taunt muscles as she glided over the grass.

            The formal farewell hurt far more than her slap, leaving Legolas momentarily reeling. 'Valia?' he called after her, not caring that his tone conveyed all the pleading desperation in his soul. He could not part ways from her in such a way, a lasting impression of offense forever in her thoughts if she reflected back on their final time together.

            The carpet of grass beneath her seemed to bring Valia's feet to a stop, for she would not attribute her stilling to the twinge of longing in her heart at the sound of her name on his lips. She kept her back to him, waiting for him to say anything, but he never did. Only the sound of chirping insects and the faint rustling of the light breeze moving through the trees were heard. It was impossible for either to perceive the crumbling of dreams and desires within each of their hearts as the silence persisted, such devastation making no audible sound. If it had, the reverberation of utter ruin would have driven the two into each others arms to cling together in the face of such heart rendering destruction. But no sound ever came other than the serenade of the night insects and the wind.

            Valia allowed a single tear to roll down the curve of her cheek, but there were no more that followed in its path. Taking a steadying breath, she squared her shoulders once more and walked to her home that was glowing bright with candles against the darkness of the evening.

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a'maelamin- my beloved

melamin- my love

Expect the next chapter to be out by next Monday.

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