Chapter 18
It was dark inside Lord Carunden's study, well... more dim than dark, but it seemed to be at this moment in time. The sun had set four hours ago and the shadows just did not what to leave residence yet. Legolas was standing just inside the fair Lord's (temporary) study, having just entered and shut the door. Looking around, the single ring of candles surrounding the busy figure the only substance of light, you could see a large desk, faintly visible with piles of books and papers, aside wall stacked with books and scrolls with a fire opposite, the hearth decorated with furniture. He appeared engrossed in some sort of document, but Legolas was not altogether sure. He stepped forward slightly towards the desk, a moment later and the dark blond head moved up and two tired brown eyes looked up.
"Ah," he stood up moving away from his desk, "Welcome...sorry for my preoccupation, agricultural matters, though incredibly boring, are a serious matter and should not be put off as long as I have done them. Do come in your highness, I meant no discourtesy in your wait." He gestured for him to follow him to the fire. "Now you wished to speak to me," it was both a question and a statement.
Sitting down in an armchair a safe distance from the fire, yet still close enough to get the gentle caress of its warmth, he graciously accepted a goblet of miruvor before settling down, breathing a deep breath and studying the fire. A few moments later he finally found courage enough to speak. "My Lord...I come to talk to you about a matter which concerns myself and, if allowed so, your family...," looking at the Lord, seeing no hesitation he continued. "I hope not to sound so abrupt but...I wish to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage..."
A moment passed. The half-elven lord smiled knowingly at the fire, seeming to confirm a certain undecided thought. It was soon chased off by a lingering sadness that reflected some of Emeriel's inner turmoil, which Legolas soon wish to ease. Turning back, he looked at the prince then spoke after what seemed like an eternity. "You know...when I proposed to Mirie it was after a similar circumstance as to yours and Emeriel's. There had been a raid on our household, my father's, and I had to flee with the rest of my siblings. We got separated and somehow, I arrived at Mirie's village. It was there that we first met. I was wounded and she took me in. I spent about a week resting, taking residence in her house before I had healed properly and was able enough to ride home." He stood up and walked to the mantle looking into the flames. "I asked her to marry me a month later, bringing her to court and confronting her father, like you have just done me. I must admit, I made quite a blunder of the whole affair, being much younger and with a head full of dreams and ambitions, but the ageing man was sympathetic and allowed it...it was the best moment of my life...excluding Emeriel's birth of course." He trailed off and having turned back around, Legolas was able to see his face mixed with a strange mixture of sadness and sweet joy. He hoped he had bot caused too much pain.
Legolas, having heard this story felt millions better, not only because it seemed likely that he would be accepted willingly into the family, but because he felt he could trust the Lord. He reminded him of his father when telling him one of his stories; he was beginning to relax. Legolas waited for the Lord to come back to the present, not wishing to disturb the assault of memories flooding him. He obviously had things to work out as well as Emeriel, Legolas only wished he could help.
Looking up, "You are probably waiting for your reply, and sorry to keep you waiting, it must be torture, so here it is. I would be honoured to give you my daughter's hand in marriage, and accept you as a son. You have proven that you can protect her, and you can certainly give her what she wants. What's more, she appears to be mightily taken with you, and I have no doubt to presume that you favour her just the same. The only matters now to be confronted before total confirmation are your father if you have not already seen it and, of course, Emeriel."
Legolas' heart jumped for joy! He would be allowed to marry the girl of his dreams with perfect acceptance and blessings from her father! All that needed to happen now was for his father to reply to the message he sent earlier today, and ask Emeriel, that was all...
Standing up he smiled gratefully at the Lord, and he was embraced roughly, a pat to the back. "Thank you my Lord, I wish not to keep you from your important agricultural matters, and it is late and getting later. I hope I can keep up to the standards that you require, and hope to keep Emeriel happy and give her anything her heart desires."
"I am sure you will meet those standards, I trust your judgement. Good evening, namarie." Legolas left the Lord standing there standing beside the fire, heart racing and head so full with joy he was sure that it would burst. Before he could do anything a wide smile spread across his face.
It was dark inside Lord Carunden's study, well... more dim than dark, but it seemed to be at this moment in time. The sun had set four hours ago and the shadows just did not what to leave residence yet. Legolas was standing just inside the fair Lord's (temporary) study, having just entered and shut the door. Looking around, the single ring of candles surrounding the busy figure the only substance of light, you could see a large desk, faintly visible with piles of books and papers, aside wall stacked with books and scrolls with a fire opposite, the hearth decorated with furniture. He appeared engrossed in some sort of document, but Legolas was not altogether sure. He stepped forward slightly towards the desk, a moment later and the dark blond head moved up and two tired brown eyes looked up.
"Ah," he stood up moving away from his desk, "Welcome...sorry for my preoccupation, agricultural matters, though incredibly boring, are a serious matter and should not be put off as long as I have done them. Do come in your highness, I meant no discourtesy in your wait." He gestured for him to follow him to the fire. "Now you wished to speak to me," it was both a question and a statement.
Sitting down in an armchair a safe distance from the fire, yet still close enough to get the gentle caress of its warmth, he graciously accepted a goblet of miruvor before settling down, breathing a deep breath and studying the fire. A few moments later he finally found courage enough to speak. "My Lord...I come to talk to you about a matter which concerns myself and, if allowed so, your family...," looking at the Lord, seeing no hesitation he continued. "I hope not to sound so abrupt but...I wish to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage..."
A moment passed. The half-elven lord smiled knowingly at the fire, seeming to confirm a certain undecided thought. It was soon chased off by a lingering sadness that reflected some of Emeriel's inner turmoil, which Legolas soon wish to ease. Turning back, he looked at the prince then spoke after what seemed like an eternity. "You know...when I proposed to Mirie it was after a similar circumstance as to yours and Emeriel's. There had been a raid on our household, my father's, and I had to flee with the rest of my siblings. We got separated and somehow, I arrived at Mirie's village. It was there that we first met. I was wounded and she took me in. I spent about a week resting, taking residence in her house before I had healed properly and was able enough to ride home." He stood up and walked to the mantle looking into the flames. "I asked her to marry me a month later, bringing her to court and confronting her father, like you have just done me. I must admit, I made quite a blunder of the whole affair, being much younger and with a head full of dreams and ambitions, but the ageing man was sympathetic and allowed it...it was the best moment of my life...excluding Emeriel's birth of course." He trailed off and having turned back around, Legolas was able to see his face mixed with a strange mixture of sadness and sweet joy. He hoped he had bot caused too much pain.
Legolas, having heard this story felt millions better, not only because it seemed likely that he would be accepted willingly into the family, but because he felt he could trust the Lord. He reminded him of his father when telling him one of his stories; he was beginning to relax. Legolas waited for the Lord to come back to the present, not wishing to disturb the assault of memories flooding him. He obviously had things to work out as well as Emeriel, Legolas only wished he could help.
Looking up, "You are probably waiting for your reply, and sorry to keep you waiting, it must be torture, so here it is. I would be honoured to give you my daughter's hand in marriage, and accept you as a son. You have proven that you can protect her, and you can certainly give her what she wants. What's more, she appears to be mightily taken with you, and I have no doubt to presume that you favour her just the same. The only matters now to be confronted before total confirmation are your father if you have not already seen it and, of course, Emeriel."
Legolas' heart jumped for joy! He would be allowed to marry the girl of his dreams with perfect acceptance and blessings from her father! All that needed to happen now was for his father to reply to the message he sent earlier today, and ask Emeriel, that was all...
Standing up he smiled gratefully at the Lord, and he was embraced roughly, a pat to the back. "Thank you my Lord, I wish not to keep you from your important agricultural matters, and it is late and getting later. I hope I can keep up to the standards that you require, and hope to keep Emeriel happy and give her anything her heart desires."
"I am sure you will meet those standards, I trust your judgement. Good evening, namarie." Legolas left the Lord standing there standing beside the fire, heart racing and head so full with joy he was sure that it would burst. Before he could do anything a wide smile spread across his face.
