The ray of morning sunlight sneaked through the little space where the two curtains met. It hit Alphelion's eyes for few moments before she could no longer stand it. She turned away from the light to the other side and opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Legolas' face, still in deep slumber. Her lips curved up slowly to form a smile. She stretched her hand and touched his cheek lightly. She traced his jaw line with her slim finger down to his chin. Her hand gliding slowly up and down, while her mind was off in her own world.
If his feelings can change so much in just one day, I wonder what it will be for today. He was so nice and calm yesterday. I wish that it would be like that forever. I cannot believe he said that he's beginning to fall in love with me. I hope it is the truth. But am I ready to fall in love with him? After all he is my husband. Though he wants to revenge his father's death, after what happen yesterday, that kind of thought seems to not be on his mind anymore. If he eventually does love me, it will not be hard at all for me to love him.
She felt the urge to touch his pointy ears but he was a bit to far from her. She pushed herself up and put her weight on her hand, and bent her face down a little. With her other free hand, she touched his pointy ear. She didn't realize that the moment she'd touched his cheek she woke him up because his eyes were still closed but he could feel everything she did to him. When she moved closer he felt his heart beating erratically inside his chest. The moment she touched his ear, he swiftly grabbed her hand and pulled her in for a long sweet morning kiss. Alphelion was about to scream but the kiss sucked away her voice. Legolas pulled away and looked at her blushing face. He smiled at her.
"Good morning, Alphelion. If I get to wake to this blissful greeting everyday, I wish I could do nothing but sleep and wake up again and again." He moved closer but she shyly turned away, and tried to get out from his grasp.
Alphelion grabbed the robe on the chair beside the bed and wrapped it around herself. Legolas looked at her, confused, "Where are you going?" he asked.
She turned to face him, "Getting ready for the day, I am not planning on staying in the bed for the whole day. You should get ready too. Remember your promise?"
Legolas got up slowly and flipped the blankets off his body. He walked toward her, while she was trying to get to the bathroom. He reached out his hand to pull her toward him. He just stared at her, not letting go.
"Good morning, Legolas. I think you should get ready soon before Altus storms in here." She whispered.
He smiled, "That's better. I thought you were not going to greet me at all."
Alphelion passed him a towel and clean clothes, "I'll let you go first."
"Well, thank you my lady." Legolas bowed and walked toward the bathroom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Legolas is killing me! Last time he sent us the same amount of funding when I requested more." Dealach spit out with anger during his council.
"But my lord, if you used the fund for the renovation of our kingdom, it would be more than enough for each month." On of the advisor reasoned.
Dealach glared at the man, "I am the king, I do as I please with the fund! Legolas will pay for his ignorance. This meeting is over."
All of his advisors walked out from the room except for one of his generals, "I need you to send out the best archers we have. I want him to make a hit on Legolas. Give that elf a lesson."
The general hesitated, "Yes, my lord."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For the past few weeks beside his duty as a king, Legolas spent most of his time giving Alphelion archery lessons.
"You have gotten better at this." Legolas moved up behind her, "But your arms are still not strong. It is normal for a female who didn't have lessons when she was younger. You just need more practice." He readjusted her arms and he felt the tenseness in her arms and her body. "Alphelion, loosen up your arms they are too stiff," he whispered as he moved closer.
"Legolas, I can't shoot when you are that close to me. Why don't you back away a little?" Alphelion concentrated on the target.
"As you wish my lady." He backed away from her and sighed softly to himself regretting the move.
Alphelion let go of the arrow and it almost hit the center of the target. She put the bow down and turned to Legolas who was standing right behind her, "What did I do wrong this time?"
He walked up to her, placed both of his hand on her shoulder, and looked right into her eyes, "Alphelion, you are great. When I first started it took me a while to get right into the target. Beside you have me to protect you; you do not need to master the archery. That is my duty."
That compliment did not help ease Alphelion's frustrations, "I have been practicing most of the time but not once has that arrow hit the center. This is so frustrating. If you can do it then I must be able to do it."
"I have been an archer for my whole life; that's why I am a great archer. You began your lesson few weeks ago. Your skill is great. You just need more time." Legolas tried to cheer her up again.
"I know why you do not want me to be good at archery. You want to keep me vulnerable. You want me to depend on you. So that I cannot fight for myself against you. Why don't you just cut off my arms and my legs? That would satisfy your vengeance!" Alphelion ran out of his arms.
"Alphelion! Don't go that way!" Legolas ran after her.
Alphelion kept on running and not focusing on ground in front of her. She wiped her tears as she ran toward the steep valley. She didn't notice the change in the level of the ground and she fell, her scream screeching though Legolas' ears. He ran to her as fast as he could but by the time he got to the valley Alphelion was already rolling down the hill and she lay at the bottom unconscious.
"Alphelion! Alphelion!" Legolas kept on yelling her name as he trying to get down to the bottom of the hill as fast and as careful as he could.
When he got to her he saw her head was bleeding from the hit with the rock and her ankle was sprained from the twist when she was rolling down the hill. He got down on his kneed and cradled her head in his hands, "Alphelion, tolo dan nan galad! This is not funny Alphelion! Tolo dan nan galad!" He lifted her up and carried her. He had to run to the other way because he could not run up the steep and slippery hill while carrying Alphelion. He ran as fast as he could to the palace with her in his arms.
He called for the healer right away when he got to the palace, "Someone get me the healer, now!"
Altus and Biendis ran toward them, "What happened?" They both asked Legolas in union.
"She ran toward the valley and she fell." Legolas told them as he gently put Alphelion down on their bed.
"Why did she run to the valley?" Biendis asked and moved closer to the Alphelion.
"She was angry at her archery skills and she accused me of being the cause of her insecurity." Legolas told them.
The female elf healer entered the room and ushered everyone else out from the room, "I will do the best I can." She then shut the door.
Legolas, Altus, and Biendis were standing in front the room, "How bad is her condition?" Biendis asked Legolas.
"Her head hit the rock when she was rolling down the hill and I think her ankle might be injured." Legolas looked at Altus and Biendis who were looking at him accusingly.
"What did you do for her to run that way?" Altus asked him.
"Altus, we haven't fought since the day we went to my father's tomb. I was trying to calm her down and cheer her up. The frustration must have ignited her anger and she just ran away. I didn't do anything." Legolas tried to defend himself.
"I understand. We should ask her when she wakes up." Biendis ensured.
They were waiting. When the healer came out, they all ran up to her. "How is she?" Legolas was the first to ask.
"My lord, the lady is stable. She has minor cuts and bruises but those will go away in few days. Her right angle is sprained and it will be swollen for a week. But her head hit the rock really hard. Get me when she wakes up. She should be fine." The healer explained Alphelion's condition.
"Can I see her now?" Legolas asked.
"Of course my lord. I will leave a potion of herbs for her cuts and bruises. There is also one for her ankle." The healer bowed and walked back towards her storeroom.
"Do not put more stress on her." Altus warned.
"Call for me when she wakes up." Biendis insisted.
Altus and Biendis walked back to the thing they were doing before. Legolas walked into the room. Alphelion was lying on the bed sleeping peacefully. Legolas pulled the chair and sat right next to her. He grabbed her hand and held on to it.
"I am so sorry for everything. I shouldn't have brought you here. I didn't want to hurt you. Wake up Alphelion. Come back to me." Legolas caressed her hand and kissed it.
Alphelion hand started to move in his. She moved her body a little and opened her eyes. She turned to see him looking at her.
"Never seen you look so happy to see me." Alphelion joked.
"Well, I'm glad that you are alright. How are you? Are you hurt? Do you need anything?" Legolas got up and walking around looking for something though he didn't know what. He was so happy to see her awake.
Alphelion laughed at his reaction, "Legolas, stop walking. You are making me dizzy."
He stopped the walking and sat on the bed. Alphelion tried to sit up but she had to stop because her head was throbbing from the pain. Legolas noticed and helped her sit up. She leaned back on the headboard. He moved closer to her.
"I heard what you said and I truly appreciated your sincerity. You don't have to be sorry about it. You can't go back and change the past. But I am sorry I ran off like that. I was upset at myself. I shouldn't have said the thing that I did to you. I am sorry."
"It is alright. I want you to know that I don't want revenge on you and your people anymore. Seeing you at the bottom of the cliff like that scared me. I will do the best I could the help your kingdom."
"I know my head is not capable of thinking but did you just say…"
Legolas put a finger on her mouth and smiled at her, "Don't make me change my mind. Now get some rest. I will be here when you wake." He helped her get back under the blanket.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Did you see his face?" Altus asked Biendis while they were talking in the library after they left Legolas.
Biendis chuckled and nodded her head, "Yes, I think someone seeing the light."
"Or someone is falling in love." They both laughed, "I have never seen him so worry about someone that much since his father's death. They both need each other but they don't see it yet. Until they know the truth, they'd better find each other before it too late." Altus stated in concern.
"Should we tell them?" Biendis asked.
"I am not certain. They need to trust each other more, especially Alphelion. If she knows this, I don't know how she can take it." Altus was walking around and considering the whole situation.
Legolas walked in during the silent of the conversation, "Biendis, Alphelion just woke up, you can see her."
Biendis excused herself and walked toward the chamber. Legolas shut the door behind her and sat down.
"You are extremely concerned about her. I can see it in your eyes," Altus sat down next to him, "You are falling for her."
Legolas turned to see Altus, "I am confused Altus. I don't know if this is love. Right now all I know is that if anything happens to her while she is with me, I will not forgive myself."
"You care for her. That is the first step to be in love with someone. It is not a shame Legolas. It is beautiful. Take good care of your wife." Altus patted on his shoulder.
"Thank you, you are the only one I can turn to when I need advice."
"Carhloke sent the news from Mirdonost. Dealach is frantic about the fund. He didn't appreciate our disapproval on increasing the fund. He also said that there was something strange about the people. Ever since Alphelion left Mirdonost, the people in the kingdom are spending less time out of their houses. The city is really quiet. Seems like they are afraid of someone or something. There is also a rumor that Dealach has a mistress and she is pregnant." Altus reported.
"If Dealach would only stop spending all the wealth he has on gambling the situation would be better," shaking his head, "That's why I changed my mind about my revenge. Seeing Alphelion everyday with her not knowing the situation in her kingdom makes me feel so suffocated. I don't know how to break the news to her. Especially now."
"I understand. You should go back to your chamber. She might need you. Good night my friend." Altus bid him.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Legolas walked into his room to see his wife laying in the bed, alone, "Are you feeling better?" he asked as he entered the room.
"I feel a lot better but my ankle and my head still hurt a little." She smiled at him.
"I need to change. I will be right back." Legolas walked toward the changing room.
Alphelion rubbed her forehead where it was bandaged and she winced from the pain. Legolas walked out to see her, "Don't touch it." He told her.
He grabbed her hand and put it down. Then he looked at her for a moment and considered, "I want to ask you something. There might be something that I know about but you don't know about yet. I need to tell you soon, but I don't want you to be angry. I want you to know right now that from now on everything I do I have considered and I'm only doing it for you."
"You can tell me anything Legolas. I won't be mad at you." She held his hand.
"Not right now, but sometime soon. You need the rest, we will talk tomorrow." Legolas gently pulled her down and got under the blankets with her. He moved closer to her and put his arms around her waist, hugging her.
Alphelion giggled at his actions, "What are you doing?" She whispered.
"What? I can't hold you while we sleep?" He whispered back.
"Well it is just that you've never done that before. If you want to, then I won't stop you."
"Thank You." He snuggled closer to her. Then they fell to sleep together.
*tolo dan nan galad: Wake up (literally, come back to the light)