The Traveler: Chapter Seven
Ariana stood in the same spot, watching the sun slowly setting off in the distance. She realized the whole day had passed her by without her even knowing it. A rumble went through her stomach and she realized she hadn't eaten all day.
She turned and walked down the path and through the door she'd used earlier. She had no idea what she was looking for but she figured she'd wonder about until she found something.
She ran into Legolas a few minutes later. He was sitting on the ledge of a window, watching the sun setting. She smiled when she found him. He didn't notice her, which she thought was weird. She thought Elves were supposed to have these great senses. She was standing right behind him before he noticed. He finally turned around and looked at her.
She was concerned when she saw his eyes. They showed a bit of sadness and worry; she saw it as soon as he turned to her. She stood still, looking into his eyes.
Legolas had been thinking about what his father had told him after they left Ariana and Gandalf. He, Gandalf and Ariana were to travel to Rivendell in a few days. When Legolas had asked his father why, he hadn't answered him. He knew it had something to do with Ariana.
When he turned and saw it was Ariana behind her, he didn't know what to say. He was conflicted. She filled him with happiness whenever she was near, but now she was causing secrets in Mirkwood. She looked confused and almost hurt when he didn't greet her. He decided she knew nothing of his father's silence. He finally gave her a smile and stood up. He gently lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.
He asked how she was feeling and she told him that she hadn't eaten all day. He told her to wait for him and he left the room. She turned to the window he'd been sitting at and looked out at the sun set.
The orange in the sky cascaded over the land. It was beautiful, everything seem to be multiplied here. Everything that was beautiful back home was ten times as beautiful here. Everything that was evil was ten times as evil here, she thought as she remembered the Orcs by the lake. Then she thought of what Gandalf had told her. She let out a sigh and leaned on her elbows on the windowsill.
Suddenly, a song she hadn't heard in years popped into her head. She had no idea what brought it on, she couldn't think of anything that would have a connection to Mirkwood. She shrugged her shoulder to herself and began to hum the song.
Ariana's mind began to wonder after a few minutes. It wondered back to Gandalf. She knew the old wizard was trying to help her as much as he could. Though, Ariana was even more confused now then before. She didn't know what to do. She thought about the choice Gandalf had presented and quickly forgot it. Killing herself seemed like a choice to be left at the bottom of the barrel for now. She'd think about it later if this 'Council of Elrond' didn't pan out.
She was startled when Legolas' arm appeared with a big red apple in hand. She stopped her humming in mid-note and smiled at him. "My hero," she said as she took the apple from him.
Ariana lifted the apple to her lips and took a bite. She had to hold in a groan; it was the best tasting apple she'd ever had. She didn't know if it was because she hadn't eaten all day or if there was something about Elvish apples.
As she took another bite from the apple as Legolas pulled himself back up onto the ledge of the window. He perched on the edge, watching her. The pose reminded her of a bird; sitting and watching, nothing else. Ariana leaned against the window's edge, to Legolas' right. She'd already eaten half the apple, and was about to take another bite when Legolas asked, "What song were you singing?"
She stopped and looked over to him. "Oh, nothing really. It's just an old song I used to sing when I was little. I don't even remember the title anymore." She bit the inside of her mouth. "Something about a lighthouse I think."
"Would you sing it for me?"
Ariana laughed. "You don't want me to sing. I have a horrible voice."
"Your voice is beautiful," he replied.
Ariana blushed and looked down at the ground. She thought for a few seconds, then began to quietly sing.
I am a Lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.
I'll tell you a story, paint you a picture from my past.
I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.
I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea.
We had grown closer, 'til his joy meant everything to me.
And he was to marry a girl who shown with beauty and light.
And they loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into nights.
And the waves crashing around me,
The sand slips out to sea,
And the winds that blow remind me of what has been,
And what can never be.
She'd had to leave us;
My keeper, he prayed for a safe return,
But when the night came,
The weather to raging storm had turned.
He watched her ship fight,
But in vain against the wild and terrible win,
And me so helpless, as dashed against the rocks she met her end.
Then on the next day,
My keeper found her washed up on the shore.
He kissed her cold face,
And that they'd be together soon he swore.
I saw him crying,
Watched as he buried her in the sand,
Then he climbed my tower, and off the edge of me he ran.
I am a lighthouse,
Worn by the weather and the waves,
And though I'm empty,
I still warn the sailors on their way.
(The Lighthouse's Tale by Nickel Creek)
Ariana blushed when she finished and turned away from Legolas to the now dark sky. Singing wasn't her greatest talent; the reason why she took art instead of a music class in High School, but when she started singing she remembered why she still knew all the words to it. She'd always loved the idea of tragic love. Her favorite Shakespearean play had been Romeo & Juliet.
But now, it wasn't the love story that was giving her shivers. The thought of the heartbroken man killing himself for the person he loved touched her deeper then anything ever had. She felt a shiver run up her spine and she wrapped her arms around herself.
Legolas had sat there, watching her the whole time. When he saw her shiver, he slipped off the edge of the window and placed his hands on her shoulders. Her song was beautiful. It reminded him of many songs he'd heard in Middle Earth, but coming from Ariana it meant so much more.
He decided that the feelings he felt for this woman were in him for a reason and he wasn't going to hold them back anymore. He needed her to be with him. He did not know what her purpose in Middle Earth was yet, but he knew she already meant so much to him.
Legolas turned Ariana around to face him. Her eyes were filled with tears. She looked into his face. Everytime she saw those blue eyes, she felt her knees shake. Lucky for her Legolas hadn't let go of her shoulders yet.
"What is it?" Legolas asked her. He brushed her bangs out of her eyes and behind her ear. His hand lingered on the side of her neck, and she found it hard to answer his question, the butterflies were going crazy in her stomach.
"I – I don't know if I can tell you," Ariana stammered. She wanted to tell him desperately. She looked down from his face. She felt horrible, her head was throbbing again. She lightly touched her temple. Her arms brushed against his and she dropped her arm to her side. She looked back to his eyes.
He hadn't moved. His gaze was still fixed on hers. "I'm in trouble," she whispered to him. After that, she couldn't hold in her story. She told him everything; she told him about Nahron and Sauron and the necklace. He never moved throughout her whole story. He kept his hands on her shoulders and watched Ariana. Her tears eventually dried up and she calmed down by the time she came to the end of her story.
She hung her head at the end and backed out of his arms. She leaned against the wall behind her and took a deep breath. She half expected him to spit at her. Here she was, the apocalypse for Middle Earth; she didn't deserve his love, she didn't even deserve his friendship.
She felt Legolas' hand on her chin and he lifted her head until her gaze met his. Then he did the last thing she expected, he pulled her to him and he pressed his mouth to hers. Her knees almost gave out. Her arms wrapped around his back and she held him. Legolas moved his hands to the back of her neck.
Finally, she pulled back from his embrace, she was a little out of breath. She rested her hand on his chest and looked up into his eyes. They were full of a kind of passion Ariana had never seen. The thought that it was all for her made her heart swim. She couldn't believe how intense the one kiss had been.
Legolas' hand still cradled her neck. The warmth from his hand filled her body. Oddly, her headache melt down to a dull pain. His other hand was pressed against her lower back. Ariana's whole body willed her to continue the kiss, but in the back of her head she knew there was a very good reason to why she stopped it, she was just having a small problem remembering it as she looked into those eyes.
"Legolas…" She trailed off.
"Ariana, this morning when I came upon those Orcs and I saw them standing over you -- " He stopped and grasped both of her hands in-between them. "I could see no harm come to you. Nothing would cause me more pain then to see you hurt." He brought her hands up to his mouth and he placed a small kiss on the knuckles of her hand. "I vow my bow to you, to protect you."
Ariana opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't think of anything to say. "Legolas..." she began again. She stopped when she saw that look in his eyes again. She let out a small laugh and kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.
He nodded his head and back away, still holding her hands. He led her back to her room and opened the door for her. Ariana didn't know what the Elf had planned, and couldn't tell if she was relieved or disappointed when, after another kiss, he left her alone. She thought it was for the best, though she still couldn't figure out why.
Ariana stood by the bed and pulled off her jeans. She put her arms above her head and stretched out her back, then she pulled the blanket back and crawled into the bed. She was asleep after a few minutes.
* * *
Legolas stepped outside of Ariana's room and leaned his back against the closed door. He felt Ariana's aura just beyond his reach and it was driving him crazy. He knew Ariana wanted nothing more then to be with him, just as he wanted her, but something was holding her back. He would give her the time she needed, which he hoped would not be long. He pushed himself off the door and walked to his room.
****Notes****
Yep. Everytime I hear "The Lighthouse's Tale" by Nickel Creek, I always think of Legolas. It never fails. I have no idea why, it just happens. It felt appropriate to put it in somewhere. And to all of you who've never heard it, I demand you find a copy of it somewhere and listen to it. Beautiful song. [All disclaimers and warnings can be found at the beginning of chapter 1.]