Disclaimer: Not mine. In this chapter I used both lines from the movie and
books...see if you can find them!
A/N: Um, thanks to anyone who has given me feedback/reviews, I truly appreciate it. If you don't like how/what I'm writing, let me know! Reviews always welcome.
Dedicated to Jessie-Greenleaf for the constant support to keep me going when I get too lazy or discouraged.
------ A Kiss in the Wind ------
Legolas stood alone on a balcony in Minas Tirth. The wind picked up his golden hair and whimsically played with it, a contrast to his own brooding form. He gazed out onto the darkening horizon, seeing the line of fair folk approach the white city. Master Elrond, mighty among Elves and Men, rode and beside him upon a grey palfrey rode Arwen his daughter, Evenstar of her people.
Arwen.
His heart dreaded what he knew was inevitable.
She had come to marry Aragorn. ------
Gimli found the elf staring towards the oncoming entourage approaching the city.
"You seem quiet, even for you," Gimli's voice pierced the silence.
"Do not think anything of it Elf Friend. I am just weary and longing to be at home," Legolas replied but stood unmoving.
"It is the truth lying in all our hearts. But how can one be ill and longing on such a fine day?"
To this Legolas did not respond.
"Have you ever been in love, Gimli?"
"Love," he snorted at the word. "Who can claim to have experienced such a feeling? Nay, I have never been so privileged, although I can attest with my whole being that I have never been moved to feel such a feeling any more than when I was graced with the presence of Lady Galadriel."
Legolas smiled at this. Indeed it was a wonder that an dwarf should be so smitten by an elf. Then again, his own relationship with the dwarf was unexpected.
"And what of you Master Elf? Surely with the many centuries to your name you have been entranced by some fair maiden."
Legolas looked towards the sky for a moment, then at Arwen as she reached the entrance of the city. He was exhaled slowly and was silent.
Gimli knew not what was going on in his mind, and the lighthearted jesting had suddenly turned serious under Legolas' intense gaze. A gaze which was now focused on him as Legolas turned to face the dwarf.
"No." Came the short and simple reply. ------
Gimli and Legolas went to the gates to greet the arriving party. Arwen was first embraced by Aragorn and the meeting pulled at Legolas' heart strings. She then went around to each of the fellowship and embraced them warmly, whispering words of gratitude, joy and praise that brought new light to their eyes and comfort to their souls.
She finally stood before him.
He greeted her in the old ways of their people. And she noticed he barely looked her in the eye. In truth, her heart was so overjoyed at the mere sight of him that she wanted to cry out of sheer gladness, but she kept her composure. And when she embraced him, she felt his muscles tense beneath her touch. She only hugged him tighter and buried her head in his shoulder, refusing to accept such a cold and sterile welcome from her friend.
Realizing that he couldn't win, Legolas slowly lifted his arms and encircled her back. He heard her exhale against his chest and he entangled his hand in the strands of her hair. They said nothing for they both felt more in that single embrace than any words could have described.
There were but few who witnessed that which had started out as awkward meeting come to bloom, for though it felt like eternity for the two elves, it lasted mere seconds. And the two that counted amongst those who watched were Aragorn and Lord Elrond.
------
He found her sitting alone in the room that had been prepared for her.
In the time since the Sheelala Celebration, Legolas had retreated to his home in Mirkwood, not returning to Rivendell until the Council of Elrond. He had been utterly thrown by his feelings for Arwen, and needed to explore his emotions and thoughts fully before facing her again. And his final conclusion was simple. So simple he did not know why he had never seen it before.
He loved Arwen in more ways than he could imagine.
And she was in love with someone else.
And today was her wedding day.
Arwen could feel the tension in the room when Legolas entered. She could feel the tension in their relationship. The tension that had begun the day of the Sheelala Celebration. Their relationship had changed somehow, if it is possible for change to occur without action, for she had not seen nor heard from him until he departed with the nine for the quest of the ring. Even then, it was a short and bittersweet reunion. He was so cold to her, not in actions nor words, but she just felt so...isolated from him. He receded to a place that she could not enter, because he would not let her. And while she was always ecstatic to see him, his indifferent attitude towards her pained her heart.
And oh, how she missed him.
Legolas knew not why he was there. Perhaps he just wanted to see her one last time, as he knew her. Not as the Lady of Rivendell, daughter of Elrond, the Evenstar of her people, soon to be Queen of Men and Elves...no these were names others knew her as. No, he wanted to see his Arwen.
His Arwen. The little girl he met centuries ago, who he first despised then befriended. Who would sneak out of her room at all hours of the night and go on grand adventures with him. Who would kissed his knees after he'd fallen during their races. Who let him hold her hand when they were alone in dark places. When they got too old for the games of their youth, the one who walked with him in the comfort of nature. Who could sing and dance away all his worries and fears. Finally, the Arwen that he loved with his entire being.
He wanted to remember her as she was to him. His Arwen who would stay the same in his heart even his time betrayed them both.
Arwen saw the remorseful look in his eyes.
"What troubles you friend?" she spoke tentatively.
"Forgive me, for I would not have it that you and I should be upset with each other, though I fear the thoughts in my mind would bring forth such action. Believe that I would not bring suffering and misery to you here if not for my heart telling me that I must speak."
She held his hands and urged, "I would not have it that you should be troubled so. Please, tell me what is stirring in your mind."
"Things are changing. Things will change between us." He spoke softly, "I do not want you to marry Aragorn."
Arwen was dumbstruck. She dropped his hands and looked at him in utter disbelief.
"I do not think it is up to you to decide whom I am to marry."
"Arwen...he is mortal..." He tried again, but was cut off by Arwen who was growing upset.
"This I know and understand. What I do not understand is why you are saying this. How could you say such a thing? You are his friend, his and mine."
"I am..."
"Then why is it that my greatest friend cannot be happy for me on my wedding day? How is it possible that you cannot share in my joy?"
"Arwen, I am indeed selfish. I cannot embrace your happiness because I can not get over my own sorrow. I cannot bear the thought that I am losing you."
The light in her eyes changed and her expression grew soft.
"But you shall not lose me..."
"Nay, time will betray us both. Today is not only the day that you and Aragorn wed, but it is the day you forsake your immortality and your people. Lost to the world of men...and to share in their doom." His voice was sad as he spoke the words.
"Oh but Legolas, if you only felt what I feel for him...if you only knew what it feels like...you would know why I choose this fate. Please, try to understand... I love him."
"I do not understand how you could give it all up so easily."
Tears sprang to her eyes and she did nothing to try and control them.
"Do not make it seem like I give no regard for my people...it is the hardest choice I have ever had to make, indeed, will ever make. I know fully the sacrifice I am laying down and it pains me more than can be described. I would like nothing more to have the best of both worlds, but my fate is not written so."
"And you are ready and prepared to make such a sacrifice? To leave all your people... your father."
Tears ran freely as she paused, rethinking her decision. "For my love...yes."
"And me?"
She did not respond but looked up at him with sad eyes as large tears ran down her face.
"You will age and die, leaving me here alone. There will be no comfort for me. No comfort to ease the pain of your passing. Through all my travels I shall be shadowed by my loss. I will linger on in darkness and in doubt. As nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Here I will dwell, bound to my grief, under the fading trees, until all the world has changed and the long years of my life are utterly spent. And even in death you will be kept from me, never to be reunited again. This shall be my fate. And though you are ready to accept yours, I fear mine."
He turned from her then, the truth of his words chilling his very soul and brought tears to his own eyes. Arwen understood then the magnitude of his grief. The weight of it hit her with full force and the sorrow she felt for him in that moment went unparalleled. She moved to hug his back and spoke to him through her sobs.
"I can only hope that one day you shall find a love that will shine through the darkness in your heart. That you may too experience love to melt away your grief and chase away your shadows. A love that will bring comfort to your heart and to your soul. Then you will know that no matter what may happen, I shall never be parted from you...for there is a place in my very soul that no one can touch or take away...and there you and I will live on until the end of days."
------
And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undomiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfillment.
Legolas stood silently amongst the others gathered and watched the love of his life slip through his fingers like grains of sand.
And as Men, Elves, Dwarfs, Hobbits and Wizards embraced and cheered for their new Queen, a golden haired Elf blew a kiss, an ode to the past and hope for the future, into the wind.
------
A/N: Um, thanks to anyone who has given me feedback/reviews, I truly appreciate it. If you don't like how/what I'm writing, let me know! Reviews always welcome.
Dedicated to Jessie-Greenleaf for the constant support to keep me going when I get too lazy or discouraged.
------ A Kiss in the Wind ------
Legolas stood alone on a balcony in Minas Tirth. The wind picked up his golden hair and whimsically played with it, a contrast to his own brooding form. He gazed out onto the darkening horizon, seeing the line of fair folk approach the white city. Master Elrond, mighty among Elves and Men, rode and beside him upon a grey palfrey rode Arwen his daughter, Evenstar of her people.
Arwen.
His heart dreaded what he knew was inevitable.
She had come to marry Aragorn. ------
Gimli found the elf staring towards the oncoming entourage approaching the city.
"You seem quiet, even for you," Gimli's voice pierced the silence.
"Do not think anything of it Elf Friend. I am just weary and longing to be at home," Legolas replied but stood unmoving.
"It is the truth lying in all our hearts. But how can one be ill and longing on such a fine day?"
To this Legolas did not respond.
"Have you ever been in love, Gimli?"
"Love," he snorted at the word. "Who can claim to have experienced such a feeling? Nay, I have never been so privileged, although I can attest with my whole being that I have never been moved to feel such a feeling any more than when I was graced with the presence of Lady Galadriel."
Legolas smiled at this. Indeed it was a wonder that an dwarf should be so smitten by an elf. Then again, his own relationship with the dwarf was unexpected.
"And what of you Master Elf? Surely with the many centuries to your name you have been entranced by some fair maiden."
Legolas looked towards the sky for a moment, then at Arwen as she reached the entrance of the city. He was exhaled slowly and was silent.
Gimli knew not what was going on in his mind, and the lighthearted jesting had suddenly turned serious under Legolas' intense gaze. A gaze which was now focused on him as Legolas turned to face the dwarf.
"No." Came the short and simple reply. ------
Gimli and Legolas went to the gates to greet the arriving party. Arwen was first embraced by Aragorn and the meeting pulled at Legolas' heart strings. She then went around to each of the fellowship and embraced them warmly, whispering words of gratitude, joy and praise that brought new light to their eyes and comfort to their souls.
She finally stood before him.
He greeted her in the old ways of their people. And she noticed he barely looked her in the eye. In truth, her heart was so overjoyed at the mere sight of him that she wanted to cry out of sheer gladness, but she kept her composure. And when she embraced him, she felt his muscles tense beneath her touch. She only hugged him tighter and buried her head in his shoulder, refusing to accept such a cold and sterile welcome from her friend.
Realizing that he couldn't win, Legolas slowly lifted his arms and encircled her back. He heard her exhale against his chest and he entangled his hand in the strands of her hair. They said nothing for they both felt more in that single embrace than any words could have described.
There were but few who witnessed that which had started out as awkward meeting come to bloom, for though it felt like eternity for the two elves, it lasted mere seconds. And the two that counted amongst those who watched were Aragorn and Lord Elrond.
------
He found her sitting alone in the room that had been prepared for her.
In the time since the Sheelala Celebration, Legolas had retreated to his home in Mirkwood, not returning to Rivendell until the Council of Elrond. He had been utterly thrown by his feelings for Arwen, and needed to explore his emotions and thoughts fully before facing her again. And his final conclusion was simple. So simple he did not know why he had never seen it before.
He loved Arwen in more ways than he could imagine.
And she was in love with someone else.
And today was her wedding day.
Arwen could feel the tension in the room when Legolas entered. She could feel the tension in their relationship. The tension that had begun the day of the Sheelala Celebration. Their relationship had changed somehow, if it is possible for change to occur without action, for she had not seen nor heard from him until he departed with the nine for the quest of the ring. Even then, it was a short and bittersweet reunion. He was so cold to her, not in actions nor words, but she just felt so...isolated from him. He receded to a place that she could not enter, because he would not let her. And while she was always ecstatic to see him, his indifferent attitude towards her pained her heart.
And oh, how she missed him.
Legolas knew not why he was there. Perhaps he just wanted to see her one last time, as he knew her. Not as the Lady of Rivendell, daughter of Elrond, the Evenstar of her people, soon to be Queen of Men and Elves...no these were names others knew her as. No, he wanted to see his Arwen.
His Arwen. The little girl he met centuries ago, who he first despised then befriended. Who would sneak out of her room at all hours of the night and go on grand adventures with him. Who would kissed his knees after he'd fallen during their races. Who let him hold her hand when they were alone in dark places. When they got too old for the games of their youth, the one who walked with him in the comfort of nature. Who could sing and dance away all his worries and fears. Finally, the Arwen that he loved with his entire being.
He wanted to remember her as she was to him. His Arwen who would stay the same in his heart even his time betrayed them both.
Arwen saw the remorseful look in his eyes.
"What troubles you friend?" she spoke tentatively.
"Forgive me, for I would not have it that you and I should be upset with each other, though I fear the thoughts in my mind would bring forth such action. Believe that I would not bring suffering and misery to you here if not for my heart telling me that I must speak."
She held his hands and urged, "I would not have it that you should be troubled so. Please, tell me what is stirring in your mind."
"Things are changing. Things will change between us." He spoke softly, "I do not want you to marry Aragorn."
Arwen was dumbstruck. She dropped his hands and looked at him in utter disbelief.
"I do not think it is up to you to decide whom I am to marry."
"Arwen...he is mortal..." He tried again, but was cut off by Arwen who was growing upset.
"This I know and understand. What I do not understand is why you are saying this. How could you say such a thing? You are his friend, his and mine."
"I am..."
"Then why is it that my greatest friend cannot be happy for me on my wedding day? How is it possible that you cannot share in my joy?"
"Arwen, I am indeed selfish. I cannot embrace your happiness because I can not get over my own sorrow. I cannot bear the thought that I am losing you."
The light in her eyes changed and her expression grew soft.
"But you shall not lose me..."
"Nay, time will betray us both. Today is not only the day that you and Aragorn wed, but it is the day you forsake your immortality and your people. Lost to the world of men...and to share in their doom." His voice was sad as he spoke the words.
"Oh but Legolas, if you only felt what I feel for him...if you only knew what it feels like...you would know why I choose this fate. Please, try to understand... I love him."
"I do not understand how you could give it all up so easily."
Tears sprang to her eyes and she did nothing to try and control them.
"Do not make it seem like I give no regard for my people...it is the hardest choice I have ever had to make, indeed, will ever make. I know fully the sacrifice I am laying down and it pains me more than can be described. I would like nothing more to have the best of both worlds, but my fate is not written so."
"And you are ready and prepared to make such a sacrifice? To leave all your people... your father."
Tears ran freely as she paused, rethinking her decision. "For my love...yes."
"And me?"
She did not respond but looked up at him with sad eyes as large tears ran down her face.
"You will age and die, leaving me here alone. There will be no comfort for me. No comfort to ease the pain of your passing. Through all my travels I shall be shadowed by my loss. I will linger on in darkness and in doubt. As nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Here I will dwell, bound to my grief, under the fading trees, until all the world has changed and the long years of my life are utterly spent. And even in death you will be kept from me, never to be reunited again. This shall be my fate. And though you are ready to accept yours, I fear mine."
He turned from her then, the truth of his words chilling his very soul and brought tears to his own eyes. Arwen understood then the magnitude of his grief. The weight of it hit her with full force and the sorrow she felt for him in that moment went unparalleled. She moved to hug his back and spoke to him through her sobs.
"I can only hope that one day you shall find a love that will shine through the darkness in your heart. That you may too experience love to melt away your grief and chase away your shadows. A love that will bring comfort to your heart and to your soul. Then you will know that no matter what may happen, I shall never be parted from you...for there is a place in my very soul that no one can touch or take away...and there you and I will live on until the end of days."
------
And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undomiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfillment.
Legolas stood silently amongst the others gathered and watched the love of his life slip through his fingers like grains of sand.
And as Men, Elves, Dwarfs, Hobbits and Wizards embraced and cheered for their new Queen, a golden haired Elf blew a kiss, an ode to the past and hope for the future, into the wind.
------
