Chapter 2: Close Call
A bird chirped happily in the distance. Another bird, somewhere else, answered. Leaves rustled in the light, cool breeze. It was a beautiful morning. The sunlight shone down brightly from the cloudless sky. Leea's eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked in the bright sunlight. She shielded her eyes with her hand. Her eyes opened wide in horror. She shot up into a sitting position. What happened? Where was she? She looked around her. She was lying on the softest, greenest grass she had ever seen, in a small clearing. Fourteen trees with wide trunks surrounded her. The trees around her seemed to glow a pale gold, and the leaves were a beautiful rich green. She couldn't remember how she got there. All she could remember was falling. She knew her name was Leea, but everything else from her life was a blur. She couldn't remember names, couldn't recall faces…great. She was lost with amnesia. She stood and stretched. " I'd better walk around a bit and try to maybe find out where the hell I am." She thought aloud. She walked past the trees and into the forest. Green and gold leaves fell around her like snow. The grass below her feet was so soft she caught herself looking down occasionally to make sure she was walking on something. She was still wearing her white gown and blue sweater. She was also wearing her silver sandals. She couldn't remember why she was dressed like that. She walked on staring in awe at her surroundings. The forest she was in was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. Had she not been so dead-set on finding out where she was, she would have easily forgotten the purpose of her walk and just lost herself in the beauty of her surroundings. She walked for what seemed like an hour before she came to a small stream winding through the forest. She bent down beside it and looked at her reflection. Her long, golden waist-length hair hung around her shoulders. It was down except for two pieces in the front that were pulled back behind her head. She reminded herself of someone, but she couldn't remember who. Shaking the thought from her mind, she cupped her hands and began to slowly drink the water. It was so soothing and cool she could feel it running down her throat to her stomach. Then she stood and walked along the stream. The sunlight was warm, so she slowly pulled off her sweater and slung it over her arm. She began humming the tune to a song she couldn't remember the name of, or even recall the words. She found a tree that had fallen across the stream and used it as a bridge to cross. Then she walked on into the forest, taking in the beauty of it. She suddenly felt as though there was something nearby. Something she should be cautious of. She turned and began to walk backwards so as to watch if something was coming up behind her. Her footsteps were silent on the soft grass. What did she sense?
* * *
Legolas leaned back against a tree and breathed in the fresh air. The warm sunlight made him smile. He then sighed happily, stood, and continued his morning walk. He loved the forest. He loved all things nature. But most of all he loved this forest. The forest of Mirkwood. He walked until he came to a stream. He wasn't thirsty so he continued to walk. He then turned from the stream and headed back into the forest. He walked along, the sunlight shining off of his shoulder length golden hair. His baby blue eyes watched the leaves falling around him. He then stopped. Something had alerted his senses and he stood for a moment listening. He thought maybe something was coming up behind him, so he turned and began walking backwards, his footsteps silent on the grass. He walked back and back until he thought he could sense it getting closer. He silently pulled his bow from his back and readied it with a golden arrow. He continued his slow pace backwards. He was sure it was getting closer. He could feel it. He was curious, so he quickened his pace. Still going backwards, he walked faster along until he could have sworn whatever it was stood right next to him. Then, he suddenly bumped into something. Hard. He spun around pointing his bow at its target.
* * *
Leea quickened her pace backwards hoping this feeling of dread would leave her. She could feel whatever it was getting closer. She walked quickly backwards, somehow knowing when to step over tree roots and rocks. Then she suddenly bumped into something hard from behind. She spun around and stared at a golden arrow pointed at her throat. Her eyes were wide with fear and she swallowed hard, trying not to panic.' Not to panic?' she thought. ' Ha! I'm about to die! What's to panic about?' Okay, maybe this wasn't the best time for sarcasm, but she wasn't expecting this. Her gaze seemed to soften when she saw what was trying to kill her. Before her stood a tall young man. He looked about eighteen, she guessed. He had shoulder length blond hair that looked gold in the sunlight, kind of like hers. His eyes were a beautiful baby blue, but they looked cold and alert. He was holding a golden bow with a golden arrow strung on it, inconveniently pointing at her throat. Leea's breathing was heavy and she looked absolutely horrified. The young man seemed to look her over, and when he realized she was a young girl, he lowered his bow and placed it back in its case on his back and he put the arrow back in his quiver. His eyes appeared softer and his breathing calmed to a normal rate. " I am sorry my lady, I didn't mean to frighten you." He looked at her dress. It looked of elven make. She herself looked like an elf, and she very well could be, because he had not heard her come up behind him. She was thin and tall like an elf, her clothes looked elvish, and her golden hair hung down to her waist in soft waves. She reached up with her hand and pulled some of her hair behind her ear. Legolas seemed a little confused and disappointed to find that her ears weren't pointed. Leea, however, now noticed that Legolas' ears were pointed. She wondered why they were like that and decided to put on the innocent act and ask him why.
" Why are your ears pointed like that?" Short and to the point. ' She's definitely not an elf.' Thought Legolas. He looked at her curiously. She appeared to be a normal woman, yet she seemed so elf-like to him. But he guessed that she was lost and had never seen an elf before, so he answered her politely.
" I am an elf." He answered.
" An elf," she mumbled. " I think I've heard of elves, but I can't remember where or when." She looked at the ground. " Sorry. My memory is a little funny today." Legolas continued to look at her until he realized he was staring. He smiled at her.
" Do not worry, it happens to everyone. I am Legolas Greenleaf. My father is King Thranduil. What is your name? If you do not mind my asking." He said politely. Leea smiled and looked at him.
" Oh, not at all. I am Leea Maray." Her smile seemed to fade. " Could you tell me where I am?" she seemed anxious and nervous. ' She is lost.' Thought Legolas. He wanted to know what happened to her and maybe he could give her directions home.
" You are in the forest of Mirkwood. Are you lost?" Leea slowly nodded.
" I don't know how I got here. I can't remember."
" Where are you from?" Legolas asked. Leea's eyes looked sad.
" I don't know." Legolas suddenly felt sorry for her. He thought maybe he could help her.
" What happened?" Leea was a little uncomfortable with how many questions Legolas was asking her. Legolas sensed this and tried to back himself up. " You don't have to tell me. I was just curious. If you would rather keep it to yourself that's perfectly fine." He smiled to seal the deal. Leea suddenly felt better and felt as though she could trust him.
" It's okay. There's not much to tell anyway. All I can remember is falling. Falling down and down. Then I woke up in a small clearing here in Mir…" she trailed off trying to remember the name of the forest. Legolas smiled.
" Mirkwood?" Leea smiled.
" Thanks. Anyway, I woke up in a small clearing here in Mirkwood, and I've just been walking around. Then I bumped into you. I can't remember where I'm from, how I got here, who my family are, who my friends are. When I was walking I was humming a tune I remembered, but I can't remember the words, let alone the title. It's scary." She looked deep into Legolas' eyes, and he could see she was scared. He smiled again.
" Maybe you could come with me back to the palace and my father can maybe help think of a way to find out where you're from."
" Oh, I couldn't do that! I would feel terrible just showing up like that and having people I don't know try and help me."
" Do you think you'll have better luck out here on your own? Very well." He turned to leave. He took a few steps and spun around to face her again. " Oh! And if you happen to see a troll, climb a tree as fast as you can. Trolls are very good climbers, but they only climb when they have to. So be very quiet." Then he turned and began walking away. " Good luck!" he called behind him. Leea stood there and watched him walk away. Then she began looking around her. Everything seemed to grow a shade darker when Legolas left. A cold wind blew around her and she wrapped her arms around her body. Trolls? There was no way she could do this alone. She wasn't experienced or anything. She looked and was relieved that she could still see Legolas figure walking through the trees. She was surprised at how far he'd gotten already, but then her thoughts lingered back to the thought of trolls. She felt very alone. She then made up her mind and hurried after Legolas. She ran as fast as she could which also surprised her. She stopped running and fell into step beside him. She was so quiet he jumped when he finally noticed her.
" Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. I've been moving unusually quietly today." Legolas placed a hand on his chest. He was relieved with her explanation, for he thought he had gone mad when he thought she had popped out of nowhere.
" That's alright. I'm glad you decided to come. If a troll had caught you, the guilt would have eaten away at me." A mischievous grin crossed Legolas' lips, but Leea didn't notice. " Well, maybe for the first week or so, but then I'd get over it." He straightened his expression and held it as though he was being serious. ' What a heartless creep.' Thought Leea. She looked up at him. Legolas couldn't help it. He smiled. This time Leea noticed. " I'm just kidding." Leea slapped him on the shoulder and he laughed. " Hey!"
" That was so heartless!" laughed Leea, recalling her thought before. " You're lucky you were kidding." Legolas laughed again and Leea laughed with him. She decided to start a conversation. " So, you're a prince, huh?" Legolas smiled and they walked together back to the palace talking and laughing. Leea could have sworn she had experienced something similar to this not too long ago, but she couldn't remember when.
* * *
The palace was more amazing than Leea had expected. The stone walls towered high above her head and in most places they were covered in beautiful ivy. She would have to describe it as 'amazing', because she couldn't think of any other words to use. Sure, she occasionally thought of the word 'beautiful', but she felt it didn't really fit. No, 'amazing' was the perfect word. She may have used 'beautiful' to describe the creatures around her. The elves were probably- no- definitely the most amazing beings she had ever seen. There was that word again. Amazing. It just fit for everything: the castle, the landscape, the inhabitants, the wildlife, and the mood. Leea felt like she had strayed into a dream. Which she very well could have, she reminded herself. She couldn't remember anything but her name, which usually doesn't happen to people out of the blue. Legolas' slight tug on her wrist caught her attention. " Come, you must meet someone." He flashed her a smile that could have swooned a room full of middle-aged housewives. He broke into a light jog and Leea easily stayed at his side. " Hindal!" called Legolas. Leea saw a young elf, about Legolas' age, look up and smile. His hair was about the same length as Legolas', the same golden color, and pulled back in the same elven manner. He was standing at the bottom of a stone stairway that led up to the palace doors.
" Legolas!" he said happily when Legolas and Leea had reached him. Legolas let go of Leea's wrist and the two friends embraced. Leea was a little relieved to have him let go, because she still kind of felt like an intruder in this amazing world of his, and she felt a little uncomfortable having this stranger she barely knew holding her by the wrist. When the two elves separated, Legolas stepped a little to the side and Hindal looked at Leea. " And who have we here?" he asked. Leea caught the sly smile he shot Legolas, who simply laughed and replied:
" A friend. Her name is Leea." Hindal smiled at her.
" Welcome, Leea. My name is Hindal." Leea smiled politely.
" It's very nice to meet you, Hindal." Leea's voice was like music to Legolas and Hindal's ears.
' How could she not be an elf?' thought Legolas.
' She's definitely an elf.' Thought Hindal. He was then confronted with the same disappointment as Legolas when Leea pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear. Rounded. Hindal sighed. Legolas wanted to ask him about it but thought better of it.
" I'm taking her to meet father. Is he in his study?" said Legolas.
" No, actually, I believe he is in the throne room. Something about a great feast tomorrow evening for some guests traveling the long distance from Rivendell." Hindal playfully elbowed Legolas in the ribs as he said 'Rivendell.' Leea felt like kicking herself.
' Damn it! Where have I heard that? It sounds so familiar! Mirkwood too. What is wrong with me? Why can't I remember anything? I sure hope the King can tell me.' Leea felt a little better with that final thought. From what Legolas had told her on the walk there, the King sounded like a very wise man and she hoped he would be able to help her. She came back down to earth when Legolas tugged on her wrist again.
" My father's in the throne room. We can go find him and maybe he can help you."
" I hope so." She smiled. They waved to Hindal one last time, and then headed into the palace. Again, amazing. The stone walls were lined with torches that shone brightly and lit up the hallways and corridors. Legolas gave Leea a bit of a tour on the way to the throne room. She loved it. The beauty of her surroundings made half of her not want to find out where she was from. But she silently scolded herself thinking, ' I can't be here. I have to find out where I'm from. No, I want to find out where I'm from. I just hope I find out soon…'
" This is it!" Legolas excited voice caught her attention, and she turned her head to look at him. He sighed. " For some reason, ever since I brought you to the palace, you seem always off somewhere else. Is everything alright?" He had a small look of concern on his face. Leea quickly nodded.
" Oh, yes. Everything's fine." 'Amazing' was what she wanted to say. Legolas smiled.
" Very well. It's just through these doors." Leea nodded slowly, not looking away from the double doors beside her. Legolas noticed a hint of nervousness in her posture and actions, so he thought he'd maybe try to calm her. " Leea?" She looked up at him and met his gaze. He flashed her a warm smile. " Everything will be fine. I'm sure my father will be able to help you." He reached for the handle and Leea quickly stopped him. He looked at her, puzzled. She let out a small laugh.
" I'm sorry, Legolas." Her cheeks became a soft pink, and she slowly looked up at him with a slightly embarrassed look. " I can't remember your father's name." She raised her eyebrows pathetically. Legolas laughed.
" It's Thranduil. King Thranduil."
" King Thranduil… King Thranduil… okay… got it." She turned to face the doors and Legolas slowly opened one of them. Leea's breath nearly caught in her throat. 'Amazing'. It was a large stone room full of torches. On the farthest wall there was an enormous wooden throne with a smaller throne on either side. There were carvings of wood attached on either side of the larger throne that looked like the beautiful trees Leea had seen in the forest. It also had some small carvings of ivy. The two smaller thrones only had ivy. Sitting in the larger throne was an elf that resembled Legolas in many ways. He had the same golden hair and the same definition to his face, but what caught Leea's attention about him was that he also had the same baby blue eyes. He was wearing a long silvery green tunic with golden trim. His body was turned and he was talking to another elf that sat in one of the smaller thrones. Legolas leaned over and quickly whispered in Leea's ear:
" That's my brother, Talondar." Leea knew he was talking about the elf that sat in the smaller throne. She guessed that the other one was for Legolas. " Father!" Legolas smiled and began walking towards his father, gesturing for Leea to follow. ' That must be Thranduil.' She thought. She straightened herself and held her head high. The king gave them a warm smile and stepped down from the throne to come and meet them. Talondar followed closely behind.
" Legolas, my son, how was your walk? I know you can't go a day without at least one." Legolas returned the smile.
" My walk was wonderful Father." Leea had been standing behind Legolas, trying to not be too noticeable, but now Legolas stepped to the side so Thranduil and Talondar could see her. She blushed and did a polite curtsy. Thranduil smiled.
" And who is this young maiden, my son? Surely she is of royalty." Leea saw Thranduil looking at her dress. She did, actually, look like a royal elf. She didn't have a clue why (of course), but she simply looked at Legolas, waiting for him to help her out. Legolas caught her pleading look and spoke.
" I do not know if she is of royalty, Father. In fact, neither does she. We bumped into each other in the forest while I was going for my walk. Literally." Thranduil laughed.
" Don't tell me your elven senses are failing you, Legolas. That would be quite a disaster having Mirkwood's finest archer not know what is around him." Leea recalled the wonderful greeting Legolas gave her in the forest by introducing her to his archery skills. Leea giggled at this, and the three elves noticed. " What may I ask is so funny my dear?" asked Thranduil.
" I am sorry your majesty, just a thought is all." Thranduil nodded, and then he turned to Legolas with a frown.
" Did you leave your manners behind with your senses, Legolas? Introduce the young elf." Thranduil turned back to Leea with a smile on his face. He then noticed her pull her hair behind her ear and was disappointed to see that they were rounded, not pointed. " Oh, I apologize. You just seemed so much like an elf." Leea smiled.
" Like father, like son. Do not worry my lord, Legolas made the same mistake, as did another young elf I met on the way here." Thranduil looked at Legolas questioningly.
" Hindal." Thranduil rolled his eyes.
" Hindal… of course." He let out a small snort. " I should have known. But anyways, Legolas, does she have a name?"
" Oh! Yes, of course. Father, this is Leea Maray. Leea, this is my father, King Thranduil of Mirkwood, the woodland realm." He then lifted his hand in Talondar's direction. " And this is my brother Talondar." Talondar smiled. Leea hoped she wasn't blushing. ' Ooh, hot stuff! Wait! No! What am I doing? He's an elf! A royal elf! Ah! This has to stop. Man…' Legolas and Thranduil's voices caught Leea's attention. They weren't speaking English, that was for sure, but the language they were speaking was like music. It was beautiful, and for a second Leea didn't want Legolas to stop talking, but eventually he did and turned to look at her with that amazing smile of his. " I explained to my father what happened to you, and he has agreed to let you stay here in the palace until we can find out anything about you. I can escort you to your room if you like?" Leea smiled.
" That would be wonderful. Thank you so much for this. You shouldn't have to take in some stranger you don't even know. Thank you very much." She then curtsied and the King and Talondar nodded. Legolas took her arm and led her out of the throne room. As they walked down the hall, Leea was beginning to get a strong feeling of guilt with every step she took. ' They shouldn't be doing this.' She thought. ' They don't even know me!' Legolas saw the worried expression on her face.
" What is it, Leea? Is something wrong?" She turned to him with a small half smile.
" No, nothing's wrong, I just feel kind of guilty letting you and your family do all this for me." Legolas smiled.
" Do not feel guilty, we are always happy to help those in need." For some reason his words made Leea fell a lot better. They soon reached the door to the room where Leea would be staying. " You may join us at tonight's feast in the Great Hall if you like. We are having it in honor of an old friend who is coming to visit. I would much like to have you there to meet him. If anyone can help you, he can."
" I would love to meet him, but I wouldn't want to intrude."
" Oh, you wouldn't be at all. If it makes you feel any better about it, I could come by your room tonight to take you to dinner myself."
" Thank you, that may actually make me feel better." Leea smiled. ' His eyes are so blue… I could stare at him for hours… Ah! Not again! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Pull yourself together, girl. Now just breathe… in and out. In and out. Whew…' " Shall I see you later then?"
" Of course, unless you want to see the rest of the palace and gardens." Leea caught the hint and took his arm in hers.
" I would love to."
* * *
Legolas showed Leea the rest of the palace and then led her out to the gardens. They sat and talked for an hour or so, and then continued on walking through the palace grounds, until finally it grew dark and they bid each other farewell to get ready for the feast that evening.
* * *
When Leea entered her room, there was a beautiful satin gown lying on her bed. It was white with sheer sleeves. When Leea put it on she nearly passed out. It fit her perfectly. She was glad to get out of her sandals. They were killing her feet. She still couldn't remember why in the world she had been wearing them. She quickly slipped into a comfy pair of light elvish slippers. They matched her dress perfectly. She stood in front of a full-length mirror and gasped. She didn't want to sound conceited, but she looked incredible. Amazing, if you will. She took the elastic out of her hair and the two strands at the front that were pulled back fell forward on her face and she decided to leave her hair down. She quickly brushed it when she realized the hour, and took one last look at herself in the mirror before smiling giddily and hurrying out her door. When she opened the door, she found Legolas standing there, in a pale green tunic, with his fist raised to knock on the door. He lowered it and stood before her dumb-founded, unable to speak. " What is it Legolas?" she asked worriedly. He shook his head and smiled at her.
" Lle naa vanima."
" Lay naw-what?" asked a very confused Leea.
" Oh! I'm sorry." Legolas quickly apologized. He had forgotten that she wasn't an elf. She certainly did look like an elf in that dress though. " It is elvish for ' You are beautiful.'" Leea was blushing crimson. She knew it. She immediately looked at the floor, embarrassed. She tried desperately not to smile, but it was no use. Legolas noticed the look of embarrassment on her face and lightly touched her arm. " Hasn't anyone ever told you that you look beautiful before?" He almost seemed concerned. Leea laughed.
" No. Not really." She looked up at Legolas. He sighed.
" They should." He realized his hand was still on her arm, and he slowly pulled it away, hoping to not offend her. She didn't seem to notice.
' Man… if this guy's name wasn't Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, it would be Prince Charming of My Heart.' Leea pictured herself sitting in a bedroom- she wasn't sure whose- with pictures of Legolas all over the walls, and a CD playing him singing beautiful elvish music. She smiled, trying not to laugh. She let out a quiet giggle, which soon turned into an amused laugh. Legolas noticed. ' Woops…' she thought.
" What?" He asked. He was smiling now. Her laughter made him smile, and he was very interested in what she found so amusing. She looked up at him.
" Nothing." She smiled. Legolas sighed with disappointment, but didn't say anything. " Shouldn't we get going?" suggested Leea. Legolas smiled his beautiful smile.
" Indeed we should." He slipped his arm through hers after she closed her door, and she freely accepted it.