I have quickly written this new chapter, which is mostly dialogue. I will
be gone this whole weekend and will not return until Tuesday (ah, college
stuff). So, hopefully this will hold my readers.
I really must thank everyone for their reviews, it really helped me when I was writing to read the reviews. I hope that you all don't hate Haemerethwen now, although I can understand why you would! I guess I like conflict rather than romance, but I promise that the romantic atmosphere will return.
So please continue to review! I really appreciate the comments and I love to hear from anyone. So please continue to review because it is such a help to me! Thanks!
****
Lainauriel almost walked straight into Legolas as she quickly walked down the hall to bring the she-Elf her breakfast. She frantically sidestepped to the left as the Elf ran hurriedly down the hall; he was completely unaware of her. He was completely unaware of anything except for what Haemerethwen had told him. Keeping her back to the stonewall, she watched wide-eyed as he continued to run down the hall; his behavior was so unlike him.
"Legolas!" she called out to him, but it elicited no response from him. She anxiously glanced down the hall where he had run from, wondering what had caused the usually calm Elf to run so quickly through the halls. The door to the she-Elf's room was slightly ajar, allowing Lainauriel to believe that she had done something to him. Deeply frowning from this realization, she continued down the hall to the room.
She tapped on the door lightly and waited patiently for an answer within the room. When no response came, she pushed the door open slowly and glanced around the room.
"Is anyone in here?" she called out into the room. She heard a sound from the right side of the room and directed her head in that area. Narrowing her eyes, she could make out a shape in the darkened corner of the room; it was the she-Elf, her body strewn upon the cold, stone floor.
"I have brought your breakfast," she stated as she pushed the door completely open and placed the tray on a table beside the bed. She knotted her brows when the she-Elf made no effort to move from the floor. "Are you alright?" she softly asked Haemerethwen.
"Just let me be," the she-Elf mumbled back to her. Lainauriel straightened as the she-Elf stated that to her, her frown coming back as she remembered Legolas running down the halls.
"I would like to ask you a question before I go," she stated to the crumpled she-Elf upon the floor. Haemerethwen slowly turned her body around so that she could see the she-Elf still talking to her.
"Do I know you?" she quietly asked the standing she-Elf. Lainauriel repressed a shudder as she watched the she-Elf slowly sit up; her overcast eyes and thin body gave her the appearance of death. Was that really a she- Elf she was glancing at?
"No," Lainauriel answered, sympathy rising in her heart as she felt the utter sadness emanating from the she-Elf's body. Haemerethwen nodded.
"What is your question. . ." Haemerethwen began to ask, but then stopped and considered something, "I'm sorry, but I do not know your name."
"Lainauriel," she stated, "I am a good friend of Elrond's sons." Haemerethwen shrugged her shoulders slightly, allowing Lainauriel to know that she had never heard of her. "What has happened to Legolas?" Lainauriel asked. Haemerethwen's eyes opened wide in fear.
"Something has happened to him?" she whispered hoarsely.
"No, that is not what I meant," the she-Elf hastily replied, realizing her mistake and carefully watching Haemerethwen's response, "When I was coming to your room, he almost ran into me. I noticed your door was ajar so I assumed something occurred between you." Haemerethwen dropped her eyes.
"I am not the one to ask," she quietly replied. Lainauriel knotted her brows and suppressed the frustration that was suddenly growing within her.
"I desire to know," she asked, "He is a friend." Haemerethwen slowly looked upwards at the she-Elf standing with her hands on her hips.
"He is my friend as well."
"I do not believe it," answered Lainauriel, sharply glancing at the pained she-Elf, "Not by the way he was running down the halls. What did you do?" Haemerethwen covered her face in her hands and shook her head.
"I did what needed to be done," she sadly answered.
"Which was what?" Lainauriel quickly asked. Haemerethwen suddenly dropped her hands and quickly glanced up at the she-Elf, her grey eyes narrowed and filled with anger.
"It is not in your business to know!" she hissed at Lainauriel, "If he is your friend, ask him, not me! Now let me be, I do not desire to answer your petty questions." Lainauriel's face darkened as she listened to Haemerethwen's outburst.
"You are wrong to hurt Legolas," Lainauriel bitterly replied. Haemerethwen clenched her jaw and began to try and stand up, but her legs would not allow it.
"Leave me!" she screamed at Lainauriel with a desperate anger on the tip of her tongue. Lainauriel frowned and turned around, not wanting to watch the she-Elf desperately try to stand up.
"Stop thinking of yourself," Lainauriel bitingly stated as she shut the door, leaving Haemerethwen to herself in the dark room.
"I do not only think of myself," whispered Haemerethwen as she brought her hands to her face, repressing a silent sob of anguish. She remained so for about a minute, until she suddenly slammed her fists into the stone floor and clenched her jaw in anger. She tried to stand up again, but as before her legs would not cooperate.
'Why must it be so?' she angrily asked herself as she fell backwards onto the floor, her eyes clenching shut as she tried to force the anger away. Drawing in a deep breath, she controlled her breathing and began to calm down. However, soon her heart began to desperately ache in her solitude and her mind became overpowered with thoughts of loneliness. Her eyes began to water as she began to hug herself in the silent room; she had pushed everyone away, even the one she so desperately needed.
****
"Legolas!" cried Elladan as he grabbed onto the Elf's arm as he ran by, "Legolas, what is wrong?" he asked when he looked at the Elf's face: distraught and pained.
"You were wrong, Elladan," stated Legolas as he took in a shuddering breath, his blue eyes dim as he looked at his friend, "Love cannot save her." Elladan knotted his eyebrows in confusion and forced the upset Legolas to walk down the hall.
"What do you mean?" Elladan asked. Legolas shook his head in amazement as he remembered what she said, not wanting to believe it.
"She lied to me, Elladan!" he cried out, "She has no feelings for me. No, nor ever had them." Legolas stumbled slightly, forcing Elladan to grab tighter upon the Elf's arm. "Are you sure of this?" he softly queried, watching Legolas swallow hard. 'Something is wrong,' thought Elladan, 'This was not suppose to happen.' Legolas vigorously nodded his head and then turned his eyes upon Elladan.
"My heart was finally beginning to rejoice in my acceptance of my emotions for her," he whispered, "I thought I had finally found someone." He clenched his jaw, his sadness slowly transgressing to anger. "But, no, she deceived me, thus allowing me to deceive myself."
Elladan turned his eyes away from Legolas and looked down the hall. He was confused; Haemerethwen smiled in happiness when she first awoke from unconsciousness after being rescued from the Orcs' grasps. He witnessed, as well as Legolas, that she found happiness in being near Legolas. Yet, the following days when she had slowly transformed to being less happy she had grown fearful of Legolas. 'This must have something to do with that Elf, Erlaithion,' thought Elladan, 'She confuses Legolas for him.' He turned his gaze back to Legolas, who was pale and incredibly upset.
"Did you admit your feelings to her, Legolas?" asked Elladan. Legolas dropped his head slightly and closed his eyes.
"Aye, but she cared not." Elladan nodded in response. They continued to walk in silence until they reached the archway that led them outside. Legolas looked upwards at the stars and sighed, his sadness of being rejected clearly showing. Elladan brought him over to a bench beneath the branch of a willow.
"Sit here for a while, Legolas," he softly stated as he sympathetically glanced into his friend's solemn blue eyes, "Let your emotions calm and then try and get some rest." Legolas slowly nodded and when Elladan turned to return inside, he placed his head in his hands.
****
Elrohir quickly turned around when he heard his name called out; narrowing his eyes, he glanced down the hall and smiled when he caught sight of Lainauriel.
"Can I help you with something, Lainauriel?" he lightly stated out to her as she neared. His smile slowly disappeared when he noticed the tremendous frown upon her face; 'What has happened now?' frustratingly thought Elrohir.
"You may help, Elrohir, but it will not involve me," she declared as she angrily stopped in front of the twin. Without turning her body, she threw her arm backwards, pointing down the hall where she had come from. "Help that pitiful she-Elf," she spat at him. Elrohir sighed.
"What has happened?" he softly stated to her, grabbing onto her hand and pulling her into his bedroom.
"When I was delivering her breakfast, I was almost run over by Legolas, who was sprinting down the hall from her room. I queried the she- Elf for the reason behind this, but she only replied that she had done what needed to be done," she sarcastically concluded. Elrohir slowly sat down into a chair and wondered what actually had happened between Haemerethwen and Legolas.
"Elrohir?" The Elf quickly looked towards the door; Elladan stood in the doorway, his hands upon his hips. "Lainauriel," Elladan stated and nodded his head when he entered the room.
"I suppose you have heard of some incident as well," bitterly stated Lainauriel as Elladan sank down into the bed. Elrohir gave a stern glance to Lainauriel, warning her to stop talking with such an attitude. She stared at him impassively, but nodded in agreeing to silence herself.
"Have you talked to Legolas, Elladan?" asked Elrohir. Elladan nodded and then shook his head in disbelief.
"You will not believe what he states she has admitted," he slowly stated, looking at Elrohir. Elrohir raised one eyebrow, not quite sure he wanted to know what Elladan was about to release. "Apparently," sighed Elladan, "She does not love him nor ever had." Lainauriel silently bit her lip, visibly upset.
"Oh, she lies," answered Elrohir as he relaxed. Elladan sat up straighter.
"How can you be so sure?" asked Elladan.
"Consciously she denies him, but it is quite obvious that subconsciously she still needs him," Elrohir simply stated, "Everyone notices that while unconscious she creeps closer to him-save the past few days-and that while conscious she pushes him away." Lainauriel knotted her eyebrows.
"Why would she deny him?" she asked. Elladan stood up, his eyes slightly brighter.
"That is what we do not understand," he said. Elrohir nodded.
"She has drastically changed emotionally in the past days," Elrohir noted, "And there is only clue as to why that had occurred." He looked to his brother.
"Erlaithion!" Elladan excitedly whispered.
"Who?" Lainauriel asked in confusion.
"We do not know who he is," answered Elrohir, "But he has some connection to Haemerethwen." Lainauriel shifted uncomfortably, still not understanding.
"How do we force her to recognize her emotions then?" she asked, glancing between both twins. Elrohir looked to Elladan, who had stopped pacing and was now considering the idea.
"I am not quite sure," he finally answered.
"Well, what do we until we figure it out?" she asked, "What about Legolas?"
"He is too grieved, I believe, to talk to her for a while. Perhaps we should take advantage of that time to talk to the she-Elf, and also convince Legolas that she does truly love him."
"That will be hard to accomplish, convincing Legolas," answered Elladan, "He is utterly crushed." Elrohir nodded and stood up.
"But what else can we try?" he asked.
****
Legolas dimly stared at the stones embedded into the ground that created the beautiful outside walkway. His mind, however, focused upon the words that kept circulating through his thoughts: "I hold no emotions towards you." His head rested upon the palms of his hands, trying to understand just how it was that Haemerethwen had changed so suddenly.
Blinking slowly, he remembered the beautiful smile she had expressed when she had awoken from the dangerous unconsciousness, her flowing voice whispering his name. Although she was physically altered from the experience with the Orcs, he still could not suppress the emotions that ran rampant within him. His heart would pang in fear every time she would grimace or any time she would suffer from demoralizing dreams. Above all, he desired to free her from the inner turmoil and return her to stability.
Yet, he was unsure as to what would occur now that she denied any emotion towards him. He clenched his eyes shut as the words flowed back into his thoughts: "Your heart is mistaken, Legolas." Gritting his teeth, he shook his head and opposed the words. 'It is she that is mistaken, not I,' he thought. His loneliness returned, however, as he remembered how she had pushed away from him, not allowing him to be close.
'She now has my heart,' he pondered, 'I gave it to her freely, but she denied it. Denied it! After all that time when she desired it, she now rejects the offer.' He opened his eyes and sighed. Confusion dominated his mind, followed closely by both fear and frustration.
"Stand up, Legolas!" stated Elrohir as he approached the sitting Elf. Legolas turned his head to peer at his friend, wondering what Elrohir wanted him to do now. In all honesty, Legolas had no desire to move; he merely wanted to sit upon the bench in solitude.
"No," he returned, "I wish to remain sitting." Elrohir chuckled as he came closer to Legolas, causing the Elf to raise his eyebrows in response. "And what is so amusing about that statement?"
"Ah, nothing in particular," jested Elrohir, "Yet, your face has that notable feature that appears especially entertaining to me." Legolas glared at him. "Oh, you switched! But this one is even more amusing, Legolas!"
"What was amusing about the first?"
"You had that face that cried: Alas! My heart is broken, but I merely sit here on this bench and pity myself, rather than stand up and oppose it!" cried out Elrohir as he placed his hands over his heart and distorted his face into a sad frown. "Alas, alas! Poor Legolas!"
"You should not jest at others' misfortunes," stated Legolas.
"Actually, I have found that jesting allows the individual to realize how it is truly not a misfortune," replied Elrohir as he offered a hand, "Their heart forces them to believe that damage was somehow inflicted, although in truth the only damage is done by accepting their heart's lie." Legolas took up Elrohir's hand.
"My heart cries for salvation," stated Legolas as he stood up, "And that is a lie?"
"Aye, 'tis a lie!" said Elrohir as he smiled, "Your heart only needs to listen closer to your mind."
"My mind only repeats previous hurtful words."
"That is not your mind, Legolas," stated Elrohir as he poked his finger into Legolas' chest, pointing to his heart. "Do you not second- guess her words? She has ensnared your heart, forcing it to believe such disreputable words. 'Tis all a lie!" Legolas shook his head.
"I do not second-guess her words; she would not lie," he stated.
"In truth, she would not," answered Elrohir as he forced Legolas to walk away from the bench, "But her mind and heart are not functioning together." He turned and grinned at Legolas, "It appears she is much like you!"
"I do not follow," Legolas stated as he watched Elrohir shrug his shoulders in response.
"I do not either," he answered, "I am sure that no one truly does." Legolas knotted his eyebrows in confusion: what caused Elrohir to be in such a jesting mood?
"What is the purpose of this conversation, Elrohir?"
"Why, to force you to realize to take action!" cried out Elrohir as he jumped into a fighting stance; Legolas stopped in his tracks and peered at him curiously. "Take action, Legolas!" shouted Elrohir as he took a swing at him. Legolas dodged out of the way and glared at the Elf.
"Take action against what?" asked Legolas. Elrohir dropped his fists and grinned again.
"Do not pretend to be so dense," he returned. Legolas peered at him. "Against your heart, Legolas! Do not succumb to its lies!"
"And what will happen when I take action?"
"Well, you shall find out the truth. As well as allowing her to realize the truth as well," answered Elrohir blatantly. Legolas shook his head in disagreement.
"I already know the truth," he whispered. Elrohir let out a sarcastic sigh of frustration.
"Legolas!" he stated as he grabbed onto the Elf's shoulders, "Do not act this way! You ignore the truth; indeed, you already knew all that I had just said. Yet, you do not accept this. Utilize your knowledge and reform this life! You know what you must do; do not mope and sit on the bench." Elrohir stared seriously into his friend's blue eyes. "Do not give up so easily, Legolas; follow your mind's advice, but then convert that to subvert your heart's lie, her lie." Clapping Legolas' shoulders, Elrohir gave a nod for one last point of emphasis and then walked away, leaving the Elf to his thoughts.
****
Galadriel Lorien: Well, I can understand why you are confused about what she is feeling. Haemerethwen is stating that she does not have feelings for him anymore and she never did have those feelings. I am sure she does feel guilt, but she only implicitly states that she does not feel any "loving" emotions towards him.
Urylia: Oh, an outburst! Lol. It's hard to say if she's protecting him, or if she's protecting herself. We'll find out soon enough, though. What I meant about Elladan is this: Elladan is correct because Haemerethwen will fade ("Her happiness will not persist"), but is also wrong because he stated that Legolas could prevent this fading by loving her. So, if Haemerethwen denies his love, then she will ultimately fade.
Simbelmyn: I'm glad you liked the chapter and, yes, Haemerethwen is being quite the self-centered, evil she-Elf.
Janie: Another new reviewer! Awesome! Thanks for your review!
CylentWind: You're not being hurtful at all; don't feel that you need to only say nice things about this story! You've sparked my interest, though: what exactly didn't you like about those two chapters? I value your reviews and I know that you'll be honest, so just go on ahead and state all. I can only improve if you let me know what I'm doing wrong!
Sokochan: I just keep picking on Haemerethwen, but now I'm really dragging Legolas into it. I am only discouraged about reviews because they really help me out; I love your reviews because they put me on perspective and help me realize what people like and don't like. It's always nice to hear other's opinions! I am getting away this weekend to visit two colleges (yay! I miss three days of school!), but I really do need a holiday! And I'm glad you made an account!
Storybook Elf: Thank you for your review, I need the encouragement! Lol, I'm glad that my not-thinking-at-all chapter was good, I was thinking that everyone would destroy it. Especially the part about the twins somewhat knowing CPR. :) Ah, well. Thanks again!
I really must thank everyone for their reviews, it really helped me when I was writing to read the reviews. I hope that you all don't hate Haemerethwen now, although I can understand why you would! I guess I like conflict rather than romance, but I promise that the romantic atmosphere will return.
So please continue to review! I really appreciate the comments and I love to hear from anyone. So please continue to review because it is such a help to me! Thanks!
****
Lainauriel almost walked straight into Legolas as she quickly walked down the hall to bring the she-Elf her breakfast. She frantically sidestepped to the left as the Elf ran hurriedly down the hall; he was completely unaware of her. He was completely unaware of anything except for what Haemerethwen had told him. Keeping her back to the stonewall, she watched wide-eyed as he continued to run down the hall; his behavior was so unlike him.
"Legolas!" she called out to him, but it elicited no response from him. She anxiously glanced down the hall where he had run from, wondering what had caused the usually calm Elf to run so quickly through the halls. The door to the she-Elf's room was slightly ajar, allowing Lainauriel to believe that she had done something to him. Deeply frowning from this realization, she continued down the hall to the room.
She tapped on the door lightly and waited patiently for an answer within the room. When no response came, she pushed the door open slowly and glanced around the room.
"Is anyone in here?" she called out into the room. She heard a sound from the right side of the room and directed her head in that area. Narrowing her eyes, she could make out a shape in the darkened corner of the room; it was the she-Elf, her body strewn upon the cold, stone floor.
"I have brought your breakfast," she stated as she pushed the door completely open and placed the tray on a table beside the bed. She knotted her brows when the she-Elf made no effort to move from the floor. "Are you alright?" she softly asked Haemerethwen.
"Just let me be," the she-Elf mumbled back to her. Lainauriel straightened as the she-Elf stated that to her, her frown coming back as she remembered Legolas running down the halls.
"I would like to ask you a question before I go," she stated to the crumpled she-Elf upon the floor. Haemerethwen slowly turned her body around so that she could see the she-Elf still talking to her.
"Do I know you?" she quietly asked the standing she-Elf. Lainauriel repressed a shudder as she watched the she-Elf slowly sit up; her overcast eyes and thin body gave her the appearance of death. Was that really a she- Elf she was glancing at?
"No," Lainauriel answered, sympathy rising in her heart as she felt the utter sadness emanating from the she-Elf's body. Haemerethwen nodded.
"What is your question. . ." Haemerethwen began to ask, but then stopped and considered something, "I'm sorry, but I do not know your name."
"Lainauriel," she stated, "I am a good friend of Elrond's sons." Haemerethwen shrugged her shoulders slightly, allowing Lainauriel to know that she had never heard of her. "What has happened to Legolas?" Lainauriel asked. Haemerethwen's eyes opened wide in fear.
"Something has happened to him?" she whispered hoarsely.
"No, that is not what I meant," the she-Elf hastily replied, realizing her mistake and carefully watching Haemerethwen's response, "When I was coming to your room, he almost ran into me. I noticed your door was ajar so I assumed something occurred between you." Haemerethwen dropped her eyes.
"I am not the one to ask," she quietly replied. Lainauriel knotted her brows and suppressed the frustration that was suddenly growing within her.
"I desire to know," she asked, "He is a friend." Haemerethwen slowly looked upwards at the she-Elf standing with her hands on her hips.
"He is my friend as well."
"I do not believe it," answered Lainauriel, sharply glancing at the pained she-Elf, "Not by the way he was running down the halls. What did you do?" Haemerethwen covered her face in her hands and shook her head.
"I did what needed to be done," she sadly answered.
"Which was what?" Lainauriel quickly asked. Haemerethwen suddenly dropped her hands and quickly glanced up at the she-Elf, her grey eyes narrowed and filled with anger.
"It is not in your business to know!" she hissed at Lainauriel, "If he is your friend, ask him, not me! Now let me be, I do not desire to answer your petty questions." Lainauriel's face darkened as she listened to Haemerethwen's outburst.
"You are wrong to hurt Legolas," Lainauriel bitterly replied. Haemerethwen clenched her jaw and began to try and stand up, but her legs would not allow it.
"Leave me!" she screamed at Lainauriel with a desperate anger on the tip of her tongue. Lainauriel frowned and turned around, not wanting to watch the she-Elf desperately try to stand up.
"Stop thinking of yourself," Lainauriel bitingly stated as she shut the door, leaving Haemerethwen to herself in the dark room.
"I do not only think of myself," whispered Haemerethwen as she brought her hands to her face, repressing a silent sob of anguish. She remained so for about a minute, until she suddenly slammed her fists into the stone floor and clenched her jaw in anger. She tried to stand up again, but as before her legs would not cooperate.
'Why must it be so?' she angrily asked herself as she fell backwards onto the floor, her eyes clenching shut as she tried to force the anger away. Drawing in a deep breath, she controlled her breathing and began to calm down. However, soon her heart began to desperately ache in her solitude and her mind became overpowered with thoughts of loneliness. Her eyes began to water as she began to hug herself in the silent room; she had pushed everyone away, even the one she so desperately needed.
****
"Legolas!" cried Elladan as he grabbed onto the Elf's arm as he ran by, "Legolas, what is wrong?" he asked when he looked at the Elf's face: distraught and pained.
"You were wrong, Elladan," stated Legolas as he took in a shuddering breath, his blue eyes dim as he looked at his friend, "Love cannot save her." Elladan knotted his eyebrows in confusion and forced the upset Legolas to walk down the hall.
"What do you mean?" Elladan asked. Legolas shook his head in amazement as he remembered what she said, not wanting to believe it.
"She lied to me, Elladan!" he cried out, "She has no feelings for me. No, nor ever had them." Legolas stumbled slightly, forcing Elladan to grab tighter upon the Elf's arm. "Are you sure of this?" he softly queried, watching Legolas swallow hard. 'Something is wrong,' thought Elladan, 'This was not suppose to happen.' Legolas vigorously nodded his head and then turned his eyes upon Elladan.
"My heart was finally beginning to rejoice in my acceptance of my emotions for her," he whispered, "I thought I had finally found someone." He clenched his jaw, his sadness slowly transgressing to anger. "But, no, she deceived me, thus allowing me to deceive myself."
Elladan turned his eyes away from Legolas and looked down the hall. He was confused; Haemerethwen smiled in happiness when she first awoke from unconsciousness after being rescued from the Orcs' grasps. He witnessed, as well as Legolas, that she found happiness in being near Legolas. Yet, the following days when she had slowly transformed to being less happy she had grown fearful of Legolas. 'This must have something to do with that Elf, Erlaithion,' thought Elladan, 'She confuses Legolas for him.' He turned his gaze back to Legolas, who was pale and incredibly upset.
"Did you admit your feelings to her, Legolas?" asked Elladan. Legolas dropped his head slightly and closed his eyes.
"Aye, but she cared not." Elladan nodded in response. They continued to walk in silence until they reached the archway that led them outside. Legolas looked upwards at the stars and sighed, his sadness of being rejected clearly showing. Elladan brought him over to a bench beneath the branch of a willow.
"Sit here for a while, Legolas," he softly stated as he sympathetically glanced into his friend's solemn blue eyes, "Let your emotions calm and then try and get some rest." Legolas slowly nodded and when Elladan turned to return inside, he placed his head in his hands.
****
Elrohir quickly turned around when he heard his name called out; narrowing his eyes, he glanced down the hall and smiled when he caught sight of Lainauriel.
"Can I help you with something, Lainauriel?" he lightly stated out to her as she neared. His smile slowly disappeared when he noticed the tremendous frown upon her face; 'What has happened now?' frustratingly thought Elrohir.
"You may help, Elrohir, but it will not involve me," she declared as she angrily stopped in front of the twin. Without turning her body, she threw her arm backwards, pointing down the hall where she had come from. "Help that pitiful she-Elf," she spat at him. Elrohir sighed.
"What has happened?" he softly stated to her, grabbing onto her hand and pulling her into his bedroom.
"When I was delivering her breakfast, I was almost run over by Legolas, who was sprinting down the hall from her room. I queried the she- Elf for the reason behind this, but she only replied that she had done what needed to be done," she sarcastically concluded. Elrohir slowly sat down into a chair and wondered what actually had happened between Haemerethwen and Legolas.
"Elrohir?" The Elf quickly looked towards the door; Elladan stood in the doorway, his hands upon his hips. "Lainauriel," Elladan stated and nodded his head when he entered the room.
"I suppose you have heard of some incident as well," bitterly stated Lainauriel as Elladan sank down into the bed. Elrohir gave a stern glance to Lainauriel, warning her to stop talking with such an attitude. She stared at him impassively, but nodded in agreeing to silence herself.
"Have you talked to Legolas, Elladan?" asked Elrohir. Elladan nodded and then shook his head in disbelief.
"You will not believe what he states she has admitted," he slowly stated, looking at Elrohir. Elrohir raised one eyebrow, not quite sure he wanted to know what Elladan was about to release. "Apparently," sighed Elladan, "She does not love him nor ever had." Lainauriel silently bit her lip, visibly upset.
"Oh, she lies," answered Elrohir as he relaxed. Elladan sat up straighter.
"How can you be so sure?" asked Elladan.
"Consciously she denies him, but it is quite obvious that subconsciously she still needs him," Elrohir simply stated, "Everyone notices that while unconscious she creeps closer to him-save the past few days-and that while conscious she pushes him away." Lainauriel knotted her eyebrows.
"Why would she deny him?" she asked. Elladan stood up, his eyes slightly brighter.
"That is what we do not understand," he said. Elrohir nodded.
"She has drastically changed emotionally in the past days," Elrohir noted, "And there is only clue as to why that had occurred." He looked to his brother.
"Erlaithion!" Elladan excitedly whispered.
"Who?" Lainauriel asked in confusion.
"We do not know who he is," answered Elrohir, "But he has some connection to Haemerethwen." Lainauriel shifted uncomfortably, still not understanding.
"How do we force her to recognize her emotions then?" she asked, glancing between both twins. Elrohir looked to Elladan, who had stopped pacing and was now considering the idea.
"I am not quite sure," he finally answered.
"Well, what do we until we figure it out?" she asked, "What about Legolas?"
"He is too grieved, I believe, to talk to her for a while. Perhaps we should take advantage of that time to talk to the she-Elf, and also convince Legolas that she does truly love him."
"That will be hard to accomplish, convincing Legolas," answered Elladan, "He is utterly crushed." Elrohir nodded and stood up.
"But what else can we try?" he asked.
****
Legolas dimly stared at the stones embedded into the ground that created the beautiful outside walkway. His mind, however, focused upon the words that kept circulating through his thoughts: "I hold no emotions towards you." His head rested upon the palms of his hands, trying to understand just how it was that Haemerethwen had changed so suddenly.
Blinking slowly, he remembered the beautiful smile she had expressed when she had awoken from the dangerous unconsciousness, her flowing voice whispering his name. Although she was physically altered from the experience with the Orcs, he still could not suppress the emotions that ran rampant within him. His heart would pang in fear every time she would grimace or any time she would suffer from demoralizing dreams. Above all, he desired to free her from the inner turmoil and return her to stability.
Yet, he was unsure as to what would occur now that she denied any emotion towards him. He clenched his eyes shut as the words flowed back into his thoughts: "Your heart is mistaken, Legolas." Gritting his teeth, he shook his head and opposed the words. 'It is she that is mistaken, not I,' he thought. His loneliness returned, however, as he remembered how she had pushed away from him, not allowing him to be close.
'She now has my heart,' he pondered, 'I gave it to her freely, but she denied it. Denied it! After all that time when she desired it, she now rejects the offer.' He opened his eyes and sighed. Confusion dominated his mind, followed closely by both fear and frustration.
"Stand up, Legolas!" stated Elrohir as he approached the sitting Elf. Legolas turned his head to peer at his friend, wondering what Elrohir wanted him to do now. In all honesty, Legolas had no desire to move; he merely wanted to sit upon the bench in solitude.
"No," he returned, "I wish to remain sitting." Elrohir chuckled as he came closer to Legolas, causing the Elf to raise his eyebrows in response. "And what is so amusing about that statement?"
"Ah, nothing in particular," jested Elrohir, "Yet, your face has that notable feature that appears especially entertaining to me." Legolas glared at him. "Oh, you switched! But this one is even more amusing, Legolas!"
"What was amusing about the first?"
"You had that face that cried: Alas! My heart is broken, but I merely sit here on this bench and pity myself, rather than stand up and oppose it!" cried out Elrohir as he placed his hands over his heart and distorted his face into a sad frown. "Alas, alas! Poor Legolas!"
"You should not jest at others' misfortunes," stated Legolas.
"Actually, I have found that jesting allows the individual to realize how it is truly not a misfortune," replied Elrohir as he offered a hand, "Their heart forces them to believe that damage was somehow inflicted, although in truth the only damage is done by accepting their heart's lie." Legolas took up Elrohir's hand.
"My heart cries for salvation," stated Legolas as he stood up, "And that is a lie?"
"Aye, 'tis a lie!" said Elrohir as he smiled, "Your heart only needs to listen closer to your mind."
"My mind only repeats previous hurtful words."
"That is not your mind, Legolas," stated Elrohir as he poked his finger into Legolas' chest, pointing to his heart. "Do you not second- guess her words? She has ensnared your heart, forcing it to believe such disreputable words. 'Tis all a lie!" Legolas shook his head.
"I do not second-guess her words; she would not lie," he stated.
"In truth, she would not," answered Elrohir as he forced Legolas to walk away from the bench, "But her mind and heart are not functioning together." He turned and grinned at Legolas, "It appears she is much like you!"
"I do not follow," Legolas stated as he watched Elrohir shrug his shoulders in response.
"I do not either," he answered, "I am sure that no one truly does." Legolas knotted his eyebrows in confusion: what caused Elrohir to be in such a jesting mood?
"What is the purpose of this conversation, Elrohir?"
"Why, to force you to realize to take action!" cried out Elrohir as he jumped into a fighting stance; Legolas stopped in his tracks and peered at him curiously. "Take action, Legolas!" shouted Elrohir as he took a swing at him. Legolas dodged out of the way and glared at the Elf.
"Take action against what?" asked Legolas. Elrohir dropped his fists and grinned again.
"Do not pretend to be so dense," he returned. Legolas peered at him. "Against your heart, Legolas! Do not succumb to its lies!"
"And what will happen when I take action?"
"Well, you shall find out the truth. As well as allowing her to realize the truth as well," answered Elrohir blatantly. Legolas shook his head in disagreement.
"I already know the truth," he whispered. Elrohir let out a sarcastic sigh of frustration.
"Legolas!" he stated as he grabbed onto the Elf's shoulders, "Do not act this way! You ignore the truth; indeed, you already knew all that I had just said. Yet, you do not accept this. Utilize your knowledge and reform this life! You know what you must do; do not mope and sit on the bench." Elrohir stared seriously into his friend's blue eyes. "Do not give up so easily, Legolas; follow your mind's advice, but then convert that to subvert your heart's lie, her lie." Clapping Legolas' shoulders, Elrohir gave a nod for one last point of emphasis and then walked away, leaving the Elf to his thoughts.
****
Galadriel Lorien: Well, I can understand why you are confused about what she is feeling. Haemerethwen is stating that she does not have feelings for him anymore and she never did have those feelings. I am sure she does feel guilt, but she only implicitly states that she does not feel any "loving" emotions towards him.
Urylia: Oh, an outburst! Lol. It's hard to say if she's protecting him, or if she's protecting herself. We'll find out soon enough, though. What I meant about Elladan is this: Elladan is correct because Haemerethwen will fade ("Her happiness will not persist"), but is also wrong because he stated that Legolas could prevent this fading by loving her. So, if Haemerethwen denies his love, then she will ultimately fade.
Simbelmyn: I'm glad you liked the chapter and, yes, Haemerethwen is being quite the self-centered, evil she-Elf.
Janie: Another new reviewer! Awesome! Thanks for your review!
CylentWind: You're not being hurtful at all; don't feel that you need to only say nice things about this story! You've sparked my interest, though: what exactly didn't you like about those two chapters? I value your reviews and I know that you'll be honest, so just go on ahead and state all. I can only improve if you let me know what I'm doing wrong!
Sokochan: I just keep picking on Haemerethwen, but now I'm really dragging Legolas into it. I am only discouraged about reviews because they really help me out; I love your reviews because they put me on perspective and help me realize what people like and don't like. It's always nice to hear other's opinions! I am getting away this weekend to visit two colleges (yay! I miss three days of school!), but I really do need a holiday! And I'm glad you made an account!
Storybook Elf: Thank you for your review, I need the encouragement! Lol, I'm glad that my not-thinking-at-all chapter was good, I was thinking that everyone would destroy it. Especially the part about the twins somewhat knowing CPR. :) Ah, well. Thanks again!