One last chapter talking about romance and the aspect of Legolas and
Haemerethwen and their inner emotions being denied. I do not have much
homework this week, so I hope to be able to get to the point I desire to be
at by the end of the week. I hope the love story between the two Elves is
still realistic (well, that's assuming it was from the beginning). I want
to make it clear that neither have fallen in love; Haemerethwen understands
that she is beginning to like him while Legolas is merely denying it. Love
doesn't occur through three days. Please continue to send all suggestions,
comments and questions to me! And please comment on if this love story is
realistic or not, I do not want it to sound too fantastical (although this
is a fiction, so it has to be somewhat). Thank you again for all the
wonderful reviews, I am glad that so many appreciate my work!
****
Haemerethwen awoke late in the morning with a sense of calmness, but after not understanding where she was located, she immediately opened her eyes wide and became cautious of her every move. She breathed quietly and utilized her acute peripheral vision to try and estimate how long she had been lying and how she had arrived.
"There is no need to be cautious," stated a familiar voice. She hid her surprise in hearing Legolas' voice, slightly confused about how she did not notice him until then. He was lying on the ground behind her, his arms folded over his chest as he stared into the pale blue sky. He was waiting for her to come back into consciousness.
"Why am I here?" she returned, trying to turn her head and body so she could get him into her sight. Suddenly a pain shot into the right side of her upper body and she slightly grimaced in response, but deftly hid it before Legolas noticed. Or so she thought.
"It pains you to move," he quickly whispered, sitting up and gently pushing her back to the ground, "So I suggest you do not try to do so." She stared up into the Elf's eyes, trying to understand how it was she arrived here and where Legolas came into play. He was now standing and walking towards his horse to return with more medicine for her shoulder, which she now remembered she harmed and was still throbbing from the recent infliction she caused.
She watched him gracefully, but sturdily, walk towards the animal. He had taken off his outer clothing and was only wearing a tight gray tunic that was tucked into his pants. Enveloped in his beauty, she stared at his slim body; admiring his outlined muscles and wide shoulders, a feature of masculinity that immediately caught her eyes. 'To be wrapped in his arms,' she dreamily thought, 'And to understand that these feelings were returned.' She watched his hands search within the medicine bag until he found what he was looking for. He slowly turned, catching her lustful eyes for a moment before she closed them. 'But no,' she remembered, 'He could never be interested in a female such as myself.'
She felt his presence come closer as he returned and with every step her heart beat faster, reminding her of the desire that encircled her heart and tightened with every sight of him. Finally, he was kneeling beside her and she struggled to keep from moving when she felt his slender hands gently rubbing the medicine in the stitched wound. Not from pain did she move, but from the inner desire to signal for more. 'Curse this!' she decidedly thought, 'I am caught within the contortions of my confused mind and my ignorant heart! Oh, curse me! I am falling for one I cannot attain, for one that will ever deny me.' She stopped a few moments to try and rid her mind of such thoughts, but decided that talking would aid her more.
"I do not remember what happened to the trolls," she stated, opening her eyes to look up at him again.
"They were not trolls," he returned, his eyes piercing into hers.
"But, what were they?"
"Olog-hai," he stated with aversion. Haemerethwen racked her memory for some remembrance of that name, but could remember none.
"I do not know those creatures."
"Sauron bred them from trolls, but they are skilled beyond those foul creatures," he stated, concentrating his eyes upon her wound, "They are more quick, fierce, cunning and intelligent. Equipped with a hammer, shield, claws and teeth, they are deadlier than others. Their thick scales are impenetrable to many weapons, but luckily Elven tools can slice through their layers." He stopped applying the medicine and looked deeply upon her Elven eyes. "I heard your whistle, but I arrived too late to stop their attack on the tree where you hid. The two creatures were easily exterminated, but the damage was already accomplished." Haemerethwen looked away in shame from his powerful gaze.
"Their power was beyond my grasp," she whispered, trying to justify her apparent failure of protecting herself. Legolas merely smiled at her and gently grabbed onto her left arm.
"Do not be ashamed," he smoothly stated, "Surviving against an unknown predator proves your skill as an adept warrior." She gently laughed.
"My survival derives from their defeat from your prowess." Legolas shook his head, but said nothing to deny her statement. It was true; they both understood that. They were silent for a while as they stared at either the surrounding area or the flowing clouds in the sky, questioning the previous night and their actions. Legolas suddenly gazed upon her and frowned.
"I thought your death was imminent when I took sight of your wound," he bluntly stated. She questioningly peered at him, trying to understand what he was aiming at by discussing the topic. He looked away to the ground. "And I grew afraid." Haemerethwen arched her eyebrows, surprised that the Prince would admit such a feeling. It was unlike any Elf to describe such a tender emotion; it was even more unlikely for the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen to openly discuss it to his simple friend. He swallowed hard, trying to convince himself to formulate the words.
"Through so few days I feel our friendship has developed strongly," he continued, "I was worried that this relationship would dissipate too quickly to my liking. And I fear such a loss." She peered at the distracted Elf, wondering about his thoughts on their relationship.
"I do not understand," she slowly stated. Legolas looked up at her, his eyes cast over.
"Neither do I," he whispered, and then returned his eyes to the ground.
****
Haemerethwen spent the rest of the day through either deep sleep or watching Legolas in his many activities: retrieving the other horse and possessions, disposing of the Olog-hai bodies, attending to her wounds, practicing archery or climbing into the sole surviving tree. He seemed to be dedicating most of his time pondering, but she did not know what about. She merely cautiously took notice of his different facial expressions as he considered first one view then another.
Confusion was predominant in the she-Elf's mind; she did not understand the meaning of the discussion that Legolas had previously brought up and then suddenly ended. However, she could not pry him to release his thoughts and end her worries. Haemerethwen interpreted his words to be an indirectly stated opinion of his true emotions, but what his true emotions were she could not tell. It could be a hint that he was equally feeling the attraction that she felt, but that was insensible. 'It would be helpful to be more knowledgeable," she thought as she watched him take aim at an unseen target, "But what could aid me in my confusion?"
It was dusk when Legolas finally came and sat next to Haemerethwen and questioned her of her health. Haemerethwen meekly smiled at him, trying to sober him up from his previous introspective mood.
"I am feeling much more lively tonight," she answered, her grey eyes sparkling along with the flames of the nearby growing fire, "Impatience is stirring within me from watching you move and I not being able to accompany you." Legolas smiled back at her, glad to see that her personality was more on the playful side.
"Aye, but I rather you sleep than injure yourself more," he stated, stretching out his legs and leaning back on his elbows.
"How long until this heals? I have never had a fracture before," she questioned.
"Possibly tomorrow you will be able to stand up, but I doubt your fighting abilities will heal until about five days." She frowned at his comment, upset that she would become more a burden than a blessing to him.
"I shall never climb a tree again," she sarcastically joked, watching his face crack into a deeper smile in response.
"Never?"
"Aye, never."
"And why is that?" he jokingly asked, sitting up to make sure he heard her explanation.
"Trees are ineffective; the only service they provide is to help in the construction of ships," she stated smiling, "Or perhaps for the temporary containment of an Elf. Still, that Elf should be well aware that trees fail in protection, constantly."
"Well, what should an Elf depend on then?" asked Legolas, whose blue eyes were shining with hers.
"Another Elf," she declared, "For there is no certainty with trees nor with oneself."
"You are mistaken, Haemerethwen!" laughed Legolas, "For I know many trees that have provided such valiant service that I sit here today to argue with you. I doubt other Elves and their true intentions, but I can always rely on Oaks and Birches."
"Let me rephrase my opinion then, Prince of the Wood-Elves," she stated, placing emphasis on "wood," "Trees may be of service when they are located within one's own realm. How many trees do you trust outside of Eryn Lasgalen?"
"Unfortunately for your reasoning, I trust many trees outside my faithful realm."
"You lie!" she shouted, laughing up at him.
"A Prince does not lie," he smilingly retaliated.
"I shall prove you wrong once again," she stated.
"And how will you accomplish that?"
"Answer me one question truthfully and I shall forever trust you," she stated, her eyes brightening as she realized what question she greatly desired to ask.
"I shall prove myself to you," he declared. Haemerethwen beckoned him closer to her with her finger, deciding to whisper the one question directly to his ear so none other would hear. He shook his head and smiled as he leaned in closer, unaware of the question she was to ask.
"Riddle me this," she questioned, her hot breath teasing his ear, "Why do your eyes reveal what your acute mouth speak not of?" Legolas' smile slowly disappeared as he realized what she asked for and he gently pulled away from her, staring down at her perceptive grey eyes. Her smile had also disappeared and it was replaced with seriousness. Legolas looked away from her and tried to originate words that would prove his trust, but not release all truth.
"You evade," she gently whispered as she watched the proud Elf stumble.
"No," he answered a few moments later, turning his eyes back to her, "I merely am trying to realize the reason myself."
"You lie," she retorted, smiling up at him, "For you know the reason, but you just deny it." She waited for his reply, but when he offered her none, she stated: "I am afraid I do not trust you, Legolas." He sternly looked at her.
"My mind is construed of confusion," he somewhat angrily replied, "Do you expect me to understand what I have not been able to for the past days?"
"No, I do not," she whispered, "I expected this answer."
"Then why question me?"
"I had hoped for an answer that would dull the constant ache that I suffer from ever since I met you." Legolas arched his eyebrows in surprise.
"That is a bold statement," he answered, questioning her with his piercing eyes, "Why do you declare such things?" Haemerethwen blushed.
"I am not sure," she answered, blushing more as she realized what a mistake she committed in actually stating her emotions. Legolas merely looked at her in confusion, trying to understand why his heart was beating faster in her declaration. He cursed in his mind and looked away from the ashamed Elf; how could this messenger be falling for him? Worse, how could he be slightly excited in comprehending this realization? He sighed and rubbed his eyes with his knuckles.
"It is too soon for you to be feeling emotion towards me," he answered, dropping his hand and looking at her again. She shyly smiled up at him.
"I did not state the degree of my emotion," she stated, "I admitted that I am in the primary stage and realize what my heart cries out for. Therefore, my mind can easily stifle my heart."
"No," he answered, "You are caught in this uncontrollable sequence; it has merely begun." He stood and watched as her smile faded, then walked away into the surrounding darkness.
****
Haemerethwen awoke late in the morning with a sense of calmness, but after not understanding where she was located, she immediately opened her eyes wide and became cautious of her every move. She breathed quietly and utilized her acute peripheral vision to try and estimate how long she had been lying and how she had arrived.
"There is no need to be cautious," stated a familiar voice. She hid her surprise in hearing Legolas' voice, slightly confused about how she did not notice him until then. He was lying on the ground behind her, his arms folded over his chest as he stared into the pale blue sky. He was waiting for her to come back into consciousness.
"Why am I here?" she returned, trying to turn her head and body so she could get him into her sight. Suddenly a pain shot into the right side of her upper body and she slightly grimaced in response, but deftly hid it before Legolas noticed. Or so she thought.
"It pains you to move," he quickly whispered, sitting up and gently pushing her back to the ground, "So I suggest you do not try to do so." She stared up into the Elf's eyes, trying to understand how it was she arrived here and where Legolas came into play. He was now standing and walking towards his horse to return with more medicine for her shoulder, which she now remembered she harmed and was still throbbing from the recent infliction she caused.
She watched him gracefully, but sturdily, walk towards the animal. He had taken off his outer clothing and was only wearing a tight gray tunic that was tucked into his pants. Enveloped in his beauty, she stared at his slim body; admiring his outlined muscles and wide shoulders, a feature of masculinity that immediately caught her eyes. 'To be wrapped in his arms,' she dreamily thought, 'And to understand that these feelings were returned.' She watched his hands search within the medicine bag until he found what he was looking for. He slowly turned, catching her lustful eyes for a moment before she closed them. 'But no,' she remembered, 'He could never be interested in a female such as myself.'
She felt his presence come closer as he returned and with every step her heart beat faster, reminding her of the desire that encircled her heart and tightened with every sight of him. Finally, he was kneeling beside her and she struggled to keep from moving when she felt his slender hands gently rubbing the medicine in the stitched wound. Not from pain did she move, but from the inner desire to signal for more. 'Curse this!' she decidedly thought, 'I am caught within the contortions of my confused mind and my ignorant heart! Oh, curse me! I am falling for one I cannot attain, for one that will ever deny me.' She stopped a few moments to try and rid her mind of such thoughts, but decided that talking would aid her more.
"I do not remember what happened to the trolls," she stated, opening her eyes to look up at him again.
"They were not trolls," he returned, his eyes piercing into hers.
"But, what were they?"
"Olog-hai," he stated with aversion. Haemerethwen racked her memory for some remembrance of that name, but could remember none.
"I do not know those creatures."
"Sauron bred them from trolls, but they are skilled beyond those foul creatures," he stated, concentrating his eyes upon her wound, "They are more quick, fierce, cunning and intelligent. Equipped with a hammer, shield, claws and teeth, they are deadlier than others. Their thick scales are impenetrable to many weapons, but luckily Elven tools can slice through their layers." He stopped applying the medicine and looked deeply upon her Elven eyes. "I heard your whistle, but I arrived too late to stop their attack on the tree where you hid. The two creatures were easily exterminated, but the damage was already accomplished." Haemerethwen looked away in shame from his powerful gaze.
"Their power was beyond my grasp," she whispered, trying to justify her apparent failure of protecting herself. Legolas merely smiled at her and gently grabbed onto her left arm.
"Do not be ashamed," he smoothly stated, "Surviving against an unknown predator proves your skill as an adept warrior." She gently laughed.
"My survival derives from their defeat from your prowess." Legolas shook his head, but said nothing to deny her statement. It was true; they both understood that. They were silent for a while as they stared at either the surrounding area or the flowing clouds in the sky, questioning the previous night and their actions. Legolas suddenly gazed upon her and frowned.
"I thought your death was imminent when I took sight of your wound," he bluntly stated. She questioningly peered at him, trying to understand what he was aiming at by discussing the topic. He looked away to the ground. "And I grew afraid." Haemerethwen arched her eyebrows, surprised that the Prince would admit such a feeling. It was unlike any Elf to describe such a tender emotion; it was even more unlikely for the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen to openly discuss it to his simple friend. He swallowed hard, trying to convince himself to formulate the words.
"Through so few days I feel our friendship has developed strongly," he continued, "I was worried that this relationship would dissipate too quickly to my liking. And I fear such a loss." She peered at the distracted Elf, wondering about his thoughts on their relationship.
"I do not understand," she slowly stated. Legolas looked up at her, his eyes cast over.
"Neither do I," he whispered, and then returned his eyes to the ground.
****
Haemerethwen spent the rest of the day through either deep sleep or watching Legolas in his many activities: retrieving the other horse and possessions, disposing of the Olog-hai bodies, attending to her wounds, practicing archery or climbing into the sole surviving tree. He seemed to be dedicating most of his time pondering, but she did not know what about. She merely cautiously took notice of his different facial expressions as he considered first one view then another.
Confusion was predominant in the she-Elf's mind; she did not understand the meaning of the discussion that Legolas had previously brought up and then suddenly ended. However, she could not pry him to release his thoughts and end her worries. Haemerethwen interpreted his words to be an indirectly stated opinion of his true emotions, but what his true emotions were she could not tell. It could be a hint that he was equally feeling the attraction that she felt, but that was insensible. 'It would be helpful to be more knowledgeable," she thought as she watched him take aim at an unseen target, "But what could aid me in my confusion?"
It was dusk when Legolas finally came and sat next to Haemerethwen and questioned her of her health. Haemerethwen meekly smiled at him, trying to sober him up from his previous introspective mood.
"I am feeling much more lively tonight," she answered, her grey eyes sparkling along with the flames of the nearby growing fire, "Impatience is stirring within me from watching you move and I not being able to accompany you." Legolas smiled back at her, glad to see that her personality was more on the playful side.
"Aye, but I rather you sleep than injure yourself more," he stated, stretching out his legs and leaning back on his elbows.
"How long until this heals? I have never had a fracture before," she questioned.
"Possibly tomorrow you will be able to stand up, but I doubt your fighting abilities will heal until about five days." She frowned at his comment, upset that she would become more a burden than a blessing to him.
"I shall never climb a tree again," she sarcastically joked, watching his face crack into a deeper smile in response.
"Never?"
"Aye, never."
"And why is that?" he jokingly asked, sitting up to make sure he heard her explanation.
"Trees are ineffective; the only service they provide is to help in the construction of ships," she stated smiling, "Or perhaps for the temporary containment of an Elf. Still, that Elf should be well aware that trees fail in protection, constantly."
"Well, what should an Elf depend on then?" asked Legolas, whose blue eyes were shining with hers.
"Another Elf," she declared, "For there is no certainty with trees nor with oneself."
"You are mistaken, Haemerethwen!" laughed Legolas, "For I know many trees that have provided such valiant service that I sit here today to argue with you. I doubt other Elves and their true intentions, but I can always rely on Oaks and Birches."
"Let me rephrase my opinion then, Prince of the Wood-Elves," she stated, placing emphasis on "wood," "Trees may be of service when they are located within one's own realm. How many trees do you trust outside of Eryn Lasgalen?"
"Unfortunately for your reasoning, I trust many trees outside my faithful realm."
"You lie!" she shouted, laughing up at him.
"A Prince does not lie," he smilingly retaliated.
"I shall prove you wrong once again," she stated.
"And how will you accomplish that?"
"Answer me one question truthfully and I shall forever trust you," she stated, her eyes brightening as she realized what question she greatly desired to ask.
"I shall prove myself to you," he declared. Haemerethwen beckoned him closer to her with her finger, deciding to whisper the one question directly to his ear so none other would hear. He shook his head and smiled as he leaned in closer, unaware of the question she was to ask.
"Riddle me this," she questioned, her hot breath teasing his ear, "Why do your eyes reveal what your acute mouth speak not of?" Legolas' smile slowly disappeared as he realized what she asked for and he gently pulled away from her, staring down at her perceptive grey eyes. Her smile had also disappeared and it was replaced with seriousness. Legolas looked away from her and tried to originate words that would prove his trust, but not release all truth.
"You evade," she gently whispered as she watched the proud Elf stumble.
"No," he answered a few moments later, turning his eyes back to her, "I merely am trying to realize the reason myself."
"You lie," she retorted, smiling up at him, "For you know the reason, but you just deny it." She waited for his reply, but when he offered her none, she stated: "I am afraid I do not trust you, Legolas." He sternly looked at her.
"My mind is construed of confusion," he somewhat angrily replied, "Do you expect me to understand what I have not been able to for the past days?"
"No, I do not," she whispered, "I expected this answer."
"Then why question me?"
"I had hoped for an answer that would dull the constant ache that I suffer from ever since I met you." Legolas arched his eyebrows in surprise.
"That is a bold statement," he answered, questioning her with his piercing eyes, "Why do you declare such things?" Haemerethwen blushed.
"I am not sure," she answered, blushing more as she realized what a mistake she committed in actually stating her emotions. Legolas merely looked at her in confusion, trying to understand why his heart was beating faster in her declaration. He cursed in his mind and looked away from the ashamed Elf; how could this messenger be falling for him? Worse, how could he be slightly excited in comprehending this realization? He sighed and rubbed his eyes with his knuckles.
"It is too soon for you to be feeling emotion towards me," he answered, dropping his hand and looking at her again. She shyly smiled up at him.
"I did not state the degree of my emotion," she stated, "I admitted that I am in the primary stage and realize what my heart cries out for. Therefore, my mind can easily stifle my heart."
"No," he answered, "You are caught in this uncontrollable sequence; it has merely begun." He stood and watched as her smile faded, then walked away into the surrounding darkness.