I want to thank those of you that are reading this and especially those of you who have been kind enough to leave your comments and suggestions. They are read, and any suggestions or comments on how to improve are taken seriously and at least attempted. You guys have been so sweet and those of you that have stuck with me this whole time (you know who you are ;-) ) are the best. Anyway, I know you've been waiting a long time for this, but guess what…..it's finally here…no, not the end, silly. Ievandi: as to your questions:
Did N + K know he is a prince? No, he never mentioned his status. Only that he was from Mirkwood. By that time (of their meeting), Mirkwood was Eryn Lasgalen, which he fails to mention to them. (and no, sweety, you didn't really miss it, I kind of made it subtle.)
What is the connection between Elrond en Calanagariel? Or was it your intend to leave it a bit revealed (?) I'll go into this in further detail a bit later, the original history has it
that at one time, Calanagariel was deeply in love with Elrond. He was, of course, betrothed to Celebrian and could not return her love. Niphredia (one of the Eldars of Taureliloomis) was in love with Thranduil, but was jilted. Out of her bitterness she runs (and out of pity and her own sorrow, Calanagariel joins her) and they founded the city of Taureliloomis, a city of women.
I hope you'll let her find her true self (Kiarra), maybe after she has found Legolas. Kiara was her mother, and you'll have to keep reading to find out if she finds her true self, and/ or Legolas. ;-) I know he was quick to reveal his soul to Calanagariel, but he feels a sort of easiness with her and normally he wouldn't be so quick to spill the beans to a stranger, but there is a part of him that knows her (or feels that he does) and he feels he can tell her what he perhaps, cannot tell anyone else. She's made it known that she already knows, and that to lie would be useless. I didn't really want to rush it, either, but as this is fan fiction and not a real novel, I have to skip things to get to others in a timely manner. I hope you guys understand.
By the way, thanks for your review…and how cool that it came all the way from Holland. Ana and Steph: You guys know I love ya! Everyone else I didn't mention by name: I love ya, too!
"I'm afraid I still do not understand, Legolas."
Gathering his nerve, he reached for her hands. He could feel the callouses on them, and smiled as he thought of his own calloused hands. How alike the two of them were, yet still, completely different. Deep down inside, she was only a woman, and he, simply a man. He knew the effects of mere words on a womans heart, he'd witnessed it many times before. The right phrases and tone could cause a woman to swoon, if done properly, but he wanted his words to break through the barrier she'd built around her heart rather than have her swoon.
"I have heard a voice from within my heart. It was only when we arrived in Rivendell that it spoke in words I could understand. It said that I was complete, and it assured me that I would no longer wander the Earth alone."
"You are never alone, you have Gimli."
Legolas began to grow impatient, and before he could stop himself, he had at last blurted his words of love.
"Lady, 'tis no easy task to tell a woman you love her, when she will not even listen to your words."
He smiled and kneeled down in front of her, his hand still clasping hers. Kalen's eyes widened, and her mouth opened as if to speak. When no words came, Legolas laughed heartily and touched her cheek with his hand.
"I have confessed my love, and NOW you say nothing?"
"I'm sure that I do not know what to say, Legolas."
"Say what is in your heart."
She shook her head and her eyes searched everywhere but into his face. Her heart was beating wildly and it became harder for her to breathe. The feeling inside was growing, and before she knew what was happening, the voice in her heart began to make it's own sense. It was rejoicing, and for a moment, everything made sense. But it would be a short lived moment of rejoice, and the voice of reason drowned out all other voices. This revelation had come so suddenly. He had never shown any sign that would lead her to believe that these feelings were in him, but she wanted to tell him everything that she felt, everything that she had been struggling with. In the end, her brain won the battle over her heart, and she sighed in defeat. She would leave Rivendell with Calanagariel when the time came to do so. Resisting the urge to cup his face with her hands and tell him that she loved him as well, she stood and walked away from him. Her needs would have to be forgotten, and in doing so, she would have to resort to drastic measures to justify her decision. Legolas would be wounded, but it would be for the best. Forcing a laugh, she kept her back to him.
"Legolas, surely you jest. These feelings you speak of can only be false, although, it would matter not."
His smile had faded and he rose to his feet, a new expression replacing his radiant smile.
"I do not wish to speak so rudely, but surely you could not have thought I would return your love. You are a man, and as such, have no place in my life or heart. I owe you for saving my life, nothing more."
Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes, she braced herself for the backlash she thought he would serve to her, but there was none. Turning towards him, she could see the grief written plainly on his beautiful face. It killed her to know that she had hurt him, but for everyone's sake, there could have been no other way.
He turned his back to her, and stood silently with his arms folded behind his back before speaking again.
"Forgive me, then." He said, then turned to face her. "But, for whatever it is worth, you shall remain the one that I carry within my heart, even though you do not feel the same."
And with that, he turned and entered the doors of the palace. She had been successful, so why did she now feel as though she was dying inside? Not only had she broken his heart, she had managed to crush her own beyond repair.
*A/N: Yes, sap at it's finest,lol.
