Chapter Twelve
Later in the evening, Legolas visited Fin in her chambers. He was glad to see her feeling better. She was sitting in a large, cushy chair by the fire, wrapped in a warm blanket. She had once again taken out her book and was trying to read a passage in the common language of men. Her brow was creased in concentration, and Legolas noted a bit of frustration in her movements.
"Good evening, Fin. I see you are engaging in a most enjoyable pastime. I am glad to see the happiness on your face, my friend!"
Fin could not help but laugh with her friend as he eased the tension. She shut the book, now sure she had had enough of it. She was glad for the distraction, and more glad that it was Legolas providing it.
"I do not think I will ever be good at this book reading. I may be too old to learn."
"Nay, not too old, my friend. One is never too old to learn something new. Maybe you are trying too hard, or maybe you should try reading something less complicated." He picked up the book and looked at the spine. It was a book about the plant life that surrounded Rivendell. It was one written by Elrond himself, describing the healing attributes and many uses of the various plants that grew throughout the region.
"I suppose the Lord Elrond himself recommended this volume to you?"
"Nay," she said as she laughed, "I chose it, but now I am wishing I chose instead a child's tale!"
They both laughed as Legolas set the book down and sat beside her on the edge of the bed. The fire had been stoked recently and the warmth from it filled the room.
"Estel, the twins, Tan, and myself will be scouting the lake area tomorrow to ensure the orcs are not still in the area. We need to make sure the area is safe."
"I wish I could come. I hope they have left, for I wish no harm to come to any of you. The lake is so beautiful; the presence of orcs is very disturbing. Oh, and please tell Estel to stay away from the water!"
Legolas laughed. "We shall have to give him swimming lessons come summer, I am afraid. He is a totally hopeless human."
"Aye, he needs much protection. He is lucky to have an elf such as yourself, a renowned river swimmer, as a friend." Fin was referring to the incident of months past in which she and Legolas had fallen into the swift Forest River after the bank on which they were standing crumbled and collapsed. Both had almost lost their lives to the river.
Legolas' eyes opened wide at the jest, and he tipped his head down and laughed quietly.''
"Very funny, elfling."
Fin smiled at him, and reached out a hand to grasp his arm.
"Thank you for trying with your father. I want to ask you not to do so again. If your father is to ever change his mind, it must be due to his own thinking, not because of a request. It is the only way he will truly not begrudge me. Can you do this for me?"
Legolas thought for several seconds before nodding in agreement. He knew she was right. His father would never accept her unless it was by his own idea, not by the suggestion of another. To draw attention to her actions in order to change his mind would make him feel manipulated, and he ultimately might resent Fin.
"Elrond has requested that I help you to your bed. He believes that you should be resting now."
She nodded, and Legolas helped her stand. He allowed her to lean on him for support as they covered the few feet to her bed. She still felt incredibly weak, and her knees were wobbly. She knew she would need several more days before she would be able to get about on her own. She was grateful for his help and enjoyed the close warmth of his body.
Legolas eased her down onto the bed and helped her to lie on her right side. He checked her wound to make sure the bandage was secure, and then he covered her with several blankets. He turned down the lamp at the bedside and stoked the fire so it would last through the night. At last, he lightly kissed her on the forehead, but she had already been drawn into the world of elven dreams.
Later in the evening, Legolas visited Fin in her chambers. He was glad to see her feeling better. She was sitting in a large, cushy chair by the fire, wrapped in a warm blanket. She had once again taken out her book and was trying to read a passage in the common language of men. Her brow was creased in concentration, and Legolas noted a bit of frustration in her movements.
"Good evening, Fin. I see you are engaging in a most enjoyable pastime. I am glad to see the happiness on your face, my friend!"
Fin could not help but laugh with her friend as he eased the tension. She shut the book, now sure she had had enough of it. She was glad for the distraction, and more glad that it was Legolas providing it.
"I do not think I will ever be good at this book reading. I may be too old to learn."
"Nay, not too old, my friend. One is never too old to learn something new. Maybe you are trying too hard, or maybe you should try reading something less complicated." He picked up the book and looked at the spine. It was a book about the plant life that surrounded Rivendell. It was one written by Elrond himself, describing the healing attributes and many uses of the various plants that grew throughout the region.
"I suppose the Lord Elrond himself recommended this volume to you?"
"Nay," she said as she laughed, "I chose it, but now I am wishing I chose instead a child's tale!"
They both laughed as Legolas set the book down and sat beside her on the edge of the bed. The fire had been stoked recently and the warmth from it filled the room.
"Estel, the twins, Tan, and myself will be scouting the lake area tomorrow to ensure the orcs are not still in the area. We need to make sure the area is safe."
"I wish I could come. I hope they have left, for I wish no harm to come to any of you. The lake is so beautiful; the presence of orcs is very disturbing. Oh, and please tell Estel to stay away from the water!"
Legolas laughed. "We shall have to give him swimming lessons come summer, I am afraid. He is a totally hopeless human."
"Aye, he needs much protection. He is lucky to have an elf such as yourself, a renowned river swimmer, as a friend." Fin was referring to the incident of months past in which she and Legolas had fallen into the swift Forest River after the bank on which they were standing crumbled and collapsed. Both had almost lost their lives to the river.
Legolas' eyes opened wide at the jest, and he tipped his head down and laughed quietly.''
"Very funny, elfling."
Fin smiled at him, and reached out a hand to grasp his arm.
"Thank you for trying with your father. I want to ask you not to do so again. If your father is to ever change his mind, it must be due to his own thinking, not because of a request. It is the only way he will truly not begrudge me. Can you do this for me?"
Legolas thought for several seconds before nodding in agreement. He knew she was right. His father would never accept her unless it was by his own idea, not by the suggestion of another. To draw attention to her actions in order to change his mind would make him feel manipulated, and he ultimately might resent Fin.
"Elrond has requested that I help you to your bed. He believes that you should be resting now."
She nodded, and Legolas helped her stand. He allowed her to lean on him for support as they covered the few feet to her bed. She still felt incredibly weak, and her knees were wobbly. She knew she would need several more days before she would be able to get about on her own. She was grateful for his help and enjoyed the close warmth of his body.
Legolas eased her down onto the bed and helped her to lie on her right side. He checked her wound to make sure the bandage was secure, and then he covered her with several blankets. He turned down the lamp at the bedside and stoked the fire so it would last through the night. At last, he lightly kissed her on the forehead, but she had already been drawn into the world of elven dreams.
