A/N: Finally my break has come! I deeply apologize for the delay but I
assure you that it was not intentional! Here is the long awaited chapter 26-
thank you all for your patience and wonderful reviews. No, this is NOT the
last chapter but we are almost at the end.
Luv and kisses!!- TyLLiRiA
*****************
Morning broke through the window and upon Legolas' face, making him wince a little. Sometimes, he really wished that Elves could sleep with their eyes closed rather than open. Though tired both physically and mentally, he awoke with a smile on his face and contentment in his heart. Sitting upright in the bed, he turned around to look at his Dileriyen. She still had her eyes closed, quite unnatural for an Elf, but her breathing was coming regularly and Legolas could sense no discomfort coming from her. For once, it looked like it was going to be a good day.
The only source of displeasure for him at present was looking at Dileriyen's arm. It was no simple wound but rather a symbol that signified all they had been through, apart yet together. The wound would never heal completely, even though it had pierced Elf flesh. The Galadhrim take great pride in fashioning their weapons and their arrows are among the deadliest.
*Curse me for a fool...* Legolas thought with disgust as he sat there still, gazing ahead at nothing in particular. *She will bear that scar for as long as I will bear its guilt. At least I did not aim closer to her heart...* The thought alone made him shudder.
It was at that moment that the sun really began to bother Dileriyen. Her arm was throbbing as well as her head. She needed sleep desperately but the bothersome sunlight refused to exit the room. Indeed, she could barely remember where she was and why she was in such a foul mood but one thing was certain: sleep was an absolute necessity!
Not daring to open up her eyes to the light and under the impression that she was alone, she began mumbling to herself. Legolas' head snapped around at the sound off her voice and all he could do was watch her speak, too amazed to do so himself.
"Irritating sunlight...go away and bother someone else for once! I knew it... I simply knew it. I said to myself "Dileriyen, my girl, it will be one of -those- days again," and so it is...For the love of Eru, won't someone put out that Sun?"
"For you I would extinguish the Sun with my own bare hands and forever live in blessed darkness...You need only ask it of me..."
The sound of someone else's voice coming from right next to her startled Dileriyen. Nevertheless, it was a welcome one. That voice she knew. What a feeling it was to realize that she had not been dreaming and this was indeed reality. He had come back. Back to where he belonged. She opened her eyes but did not turn to look at him as a playful grin found its way to her face.
"But what if I were to ask of you something simple...perhaps a question that needs answering...would the Prince see it fit to answer?"
Legolas caught on to the hint of humor in her voice and could sense the look on her face.
"The Prince is at the service of his Lady, surely she knows that by now."
"Ah but you forget, Milord, that the Lady knows nothing more than what her Lord had written to her in his first letter. Yet that in itself was a great many months ago..."
"And to which specific part of the letter does the Lady refer to?"
"Well let me think now... There was a mention of a certain three words that needed to be spoken. Does the Prince agree that now is the time for the Lady to hear them?"
Legolas now lay completely on his side and brought his hand around to Dileriyen's other cheek. He stroked it gently. She turned her head now to face him and there they lay, face to face, closer both physically and emotionally than they had ever been. In that moment, lost to time, all that had passed seemed forgotten as two Elves that had always been as one, looked upon each other again. What they saw were the visions of what they once were, not what they had become. Tears threatened them but, this time, it was not through sadness or grief that the liquid began to fall. It was through the finding of something that was almost lost, an impossible situation that, in its own way, found a solution, two broken hearts that mended one another.
With a gaze unbroken and a hand that lay on her cheek, Legolas, ever so softly said:
"I love you..."
Dileriyen in turn whispered sadly:
"And what if I do not deserve your love Legolas?"
"Then I love you still, Dileriyen, for there is no other whom I would ever give it to. Perhaps it is I who is undeserving of your love, if you are willing to give it to me..."
A peaceful smile on her face and a surprised look in her eyes, she said:
"Legolas, you had my love from the day you were born..."
His smile was worth more than words could ever hope to describe as they leaned in closer to each other for a kiss that had long been delayed. How they felt is not for me to say...one can only imagine...
"Ehem..." The Dwarf cleared his throat with his gruff voice. "It is nice to see you restored to your...natural state Milady," he said with an embarrassed smile, "and if you two are quite ready, I suggest you join our company so that we may clear things up and be on our way."
Legolas and Dileriyen looked at each other with flushed faces. Legolas lowered himself off the bed and held a hand out to her.
"Come my Lady," he said with a smile, "we do have much to discuss."
"Aye, lead the way Milord..." she returned with a hesitant smile.
******************
Renil and Galadya did not even attempt to mask their joy at seeing Dileriyen up and about. Of course, Galadya insisted that she needed more rest but, as usual, Dileriyen counter-insisted that she was fine and ready to have matters settled. It was way past time for the truth.
The company sat together in silence for a few moments yet, once again, Gimli decided to take the initiative and spark up the conversation. Sitting around all these Elves was enough to unnerve even him, goodness knows how he would get used to living in the palace.
"Well then, who would like to begin? Lady Dileriyen, perhaps you would like to tell us of your adventures first, if you are feeling up to it."
Dileriyen, feeling the infinite comfort of holing Legolas' hand knew that now was the time for clarification of all things. How to begin such a tale? Taking a deep breath that did not go unnoticed, she said:
"Certainly but first of all, may I request the name of the Dwarf that heroically came to my aid?"
This made Gimli blush and mumble a bit. This was not at all how Elves were said to act where he came from.
"This is Gimli," Legolas said "son of Gloin of Thorin's Company."
"By the Valar...It has been more than sixty years since that event, has it not? Well well...It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you Master Gimli. I am in your debt."
"Just Gimli will do Lady and think nothing of it. I am at your service."
"Well in that case, just Dileriyen will do, my friend. But now, to speak of matters that I would rather forget...I begin my tale a short while after your departure from home and I will have you know Legolas Greenleaf that that was very cruel of you," she said to him pointedly, remembering that awful day.
"My love, surely you remember, as do I, that we were far from speaking to one another. I recall thinking that, had I seen you before my departure, it would have been impossible for me to leave. I hope you understand my reasoning and forgive me."
"That I do. All that matters is that you are here now," she said and kissed his cheek. It made Galadya and Renil, not to mention Gimli, very happy to see them like this. Happy and somewhat willing to leave the two alone for a while. But now was not the time.
"A dreadful day and a foolish argument that was but, to continue with my story, I was prepared to leave and come after you. Unfortunately and to no surprise of mine, Father would not allow it. You had also written in your letter that you wished for me to stay home and, for once, I should have listened. I tried escaping the palace but Father knows me all too well. He caught me in my tracks and made me return. That night, we argued my actions for a considerable amount of time but, in the end, I won the debate and it was settled that I was to leave the next morning and head for Imladris, where I believed you to be. When I arrived there, I was greeted warmly by my Uncle and cousins, only to learn the sad truth of the Fellowship's departure. I was a step behind. I wanted to come after you but my Uncle forbid it and this time, I had no choice but to obey. My days passed well in Imladris- "
"No my love, I do not believe so..." Legolas cast her a knowing look. He wanted a full explanation and, this time, he had better get it.
Dileriyen understood by his tone that he knew more than was probably necessary. He wanted answers and there was no doubt that he deserved them.
She sighed. "So I have learned that Elrohir had a hand in meddling with our then-fragile relationship. I believe he may have sent you a letter that was supposedly by my hand for all I know is that when I read your response, my heart shattered to a million pieces..." she trailed off, trying to forget those awful words.
"And so it was with yours...My letter stated that you wished to be with me no longer and when I asked the messenger if you had someone new in you life, he spoke Elrohir's name. It was an unforgettable day for me as well..." he said, looking down.
"What followed may anger you a bit but it must be said," she stated calmly, looking at Legolas as she tried to word her sentences carefully. "I was made to believe that you hated me and my heart was broken. No one could offer me satisfactory comfort or, rather, no one other than Elrohir tried to. I thought his intentions pure at the time; helping me get through my troubles. Alas, it was not so. We grew closer as the months passed but the more I turned to him for friendship and comfort, the more he turned to me for the love that I would not give him. I spoke of you very little for it pained me to dwell on the events that had passed between us. Sadly, Elrohir misunderstood this. I suppose he thought that I was ready to move on and, indeed, he must have been very confident for he proposed... I declined, naturally, and decided that the time to leave had come. I wanted to go back home."
She took a breath and snuck a glance at Legolas' face. He remained calm but she could feel his tension. He was far from pleased and it was obvious to everyone, especially Gimli (who had become accostumed to the Prince's subtle reactions). There was more to tell.
"I had stayed in Imladris for far too long and your Quest seemed to have no end. I decided, rather abruptly, to leave but the conversation I had with Lord Elrond is one that I can now remember. Never before had I been aware of all the false rumor that had spread of me and Elrohir yet even more was revealed to me of his conspiring. After all that had passed, I did not find it in my heart to think ill of him so I let it be. I bid Elladan farewell and Arwen and my Uncle saw me to the gate. My Uncle insisted that I take someone with me for the trip but, once again, I disagreed, stating that it was a short distance in which assistance would be unnecessary..."
"Stubborn girl! Will you never learn to heed words of wisdom?..." Legolas sighed, very frustrated with her. Dileriyen could not believe what she had just heard. This was not the Legolas she remembered or the boy that she had left behind. He was scolding her, of all things! How the tables will turn over time.
She carried on, upset with herself to no end. "I am sorry...I suppose I won't...Unfortunately for me, I won the argument and I was on my way home. These last few pieces of memory have only recently come back to me. I was in the forest when I felt myself being watched. I slowed Asona down and turned to look back but there was nothing there. We continued at a very slow pace but it was no mistake, we were being followed. I turned around to look one last time and no sooner had I done that that something rather gruesome fell on top of me. We crashed to the ground and I struggled to stand, frightened out of my wits. I tried to soothe Asona with calm words but the more she screamed the more those beastly spiders came to encircle me. I commanded her to run, which she did but there I stood in the midst of that ambush. I prepared to fight but the last thing I remember was something sharp behind my neck. All the world turned black after that..."
A moment's silence...
"When I came to, I was bound in a web, hanging somewhere in a dark and dank cave. I had been poisoned and its effects had not entirely dissipated but I was alone. That was the only good thing. I found a small dagger I had in my possession and managed to cut the web-barrier that held me up. Yet when I crashed to the ground, a new problem I faced: my legs would not move. The poison was still strong in my body. It was a time later that I noticed light from afar and, as my only means of escape, I crawled towards it. I had almost reached my exit when, ever my ill luck should befall me, -they- had come back. I heard their cries in the distance and could feel them coming after me. It was then that an idea struck me. I ran my blade across my thighs, hoping to restore life to my inanimate legs and, for once, my idea worked. Yes, the idea worked but the pain was not such that I could handle and my cry came as one that the corrupt cave could not withstand. The ceiling began to crash down. A mere foot away from the mouth of my stone prison, I was unable to dodge a heavy stone that found its way to me. All I remember seeing before closing my eyes was the face of someone who was locked away in my memory henceforth."
She looked at Legolas who looked down. He knew that it was he whom she had seen before closing her eyes and it pained his heart to its very center. It seems that he was not the only one who had been within death's grasp.
"Nothing could I remember when I awoke to a sun that scorched my wounds and laughed at my wraith-like countenance. I did not know where I was, how I had got there or, most importantly, who I was. I stumbled forth with my throbbing legs, wandering aimlessly, in desperate need of medical assistance. It was dear Renil who found me and brought me into his home and Galadya, Valar bless her, who brought me back to health. I do not know how long it was that I slept but I awoke once again to a blinded memory. There is now a gap in my understanding for surely I was not -that- unrecognizable, even in such a battered state. Why did you not tell me who I was?" she turned to plead of the couple.
Renil and Galadya slowly explained their reasoning, disappointed and ashamed at their misguided judgments. Dileriyen could see the tears forming in Galadya's eyes and it moved her greatly. She was not upset with them and they certainly did not deserve to feel as they did, after all that they had done for her.
"My friends, please do not be so hard on yourselves. We all make mistakes..." she said, looking aside as she mumbled with dissatisfaction at herself: "some of us more so than most..."
Legolas could not help but grin. She was extremely displeased with herself and it amused him for he knew that his turn for personal discontentment would come. It was an ironically funny picture.
Dileriyen's words seemed to comfort the couple but they did not speak. Listening to this story had rendered them speechless. There was still more to say.
"Then I am believed to be dead. What a nightmare this has become! And what of Father? Valar knows what he must think... He too was under the impression that I had got engaged to Elrohir and demanded an explanation, another reason for my abrupt departure from Imladris. I could feel his anger from the letter he had sent me..." she said, remembering Thranduil's words. She would have *a lot* of explaining to do when she got home.
The time had come to conclude her tale for the sooner the whole story had been heard, the sooner they could leave and set things right, once and for all.
"The night you found me, I had had a memory of my necklace and ring," she said sadly for she believed these two items to be lost, "and I went outside to sit under the stars and think, in the hopes that I could remember more but, alas, nothing would come to me and my ring remains lost." Her eyes teared but Legolas kissed the top of the hand he held.
"Rings will come and go, my love, even the ones deemed indestructible..."
Gimli let out a small laugh at that.
"But I thank Eru that it is your ring that remains lost and not you."
She held onto his hand ever more tightly and continued with the last phase of her story. "I felt something watching me and I was frightened. It was too dark for my eyes to clearly see my surroundings so I decided to leave, very slowly. The moon, it seems, had other plans for it broke through the clouds and before I knew it, you were screaming and fired an arrow at me! Honestly..." she said playfully. But it was no laughing matter for Legolas so she wiped that smile off her face.
"I did not know whom my attacker was at the time but when Gimli said the word "Greenleaf" and I saw your face, everything came flooding back to me as if it were the very falls of Rauros themselves! So it is that you have come back to me... my Greenleaf."
Legolas smiled and the pace of his heart quickened but it was now his turn.
"That is the end of my tale and, hard to believe as it may be, it is a happy one."
"Then I suppose my turn has come. I will not bore you with the details now for a grand story mine is and Gimli must partake in the telling. We have been over mountain and plain, through snow and fire, made to face with life, death and whatever lies in between. Through battles and wars we have fought our way back and I have seen much that I would rather forget. Albeit, it is an adventure I do not regret for Sauron has been destroyed and his accursed Ring unmade. Happy days are ahead of us... and happy beginnings," he smiled at her as they touched their lips ever so lightly.
"And it is well earned!" Galadya said as she looked upon the two, sitting hand in hand.
Another silent spell hit the group. Each was lost in his/her own pleasant thoughts.
"Well, if there is nothing more to say than I do believe that it is time we gave Father the shock of his immortal life!" Legolas said. His eyes did not do justice to show the excitement he held within.
After all that he had heard, he was still very confused but one thing was certain: there was going to be complete anarchy when they got to the palace. Gimli had no idea how he would ever handle any more. "You Elves are going to be the death of me! Strange creatures," he laughed.
Dileriyen returned his laughter as her face lit up. It was time to go home, see her father and be alone with Legolas. Finally. "That we are my dear Gimli and I fear that you will never find a stranger pair than Legolas and I."
"Hahaha," he stole a look and smile at Legolas, who returned it, while Dileriyen was not looking. "Somehow, that does not surprise me."
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A/N: Hope you liked this chapter. Stay tuned for the next one...;)
Luv and kisses!!- TyLLiRiA
*****************
Morning broke through the window and upon Legolas' face, making him wince a little. Sometimes, he really wished that Elves could sleep with their eyes closed rather than open. Though tired both physically and mentally, he awoke with a smile on his face and contentment in his heart. Sitting upright in the bed, he turned around to look at his Dileriyen. She still had her eyes closed, quite unnatural for an Elf, but her breathing was coming regularly and Legolas could sense no discomfort coming from her. For once, it looked like it was going to be a good day.
The only source of displeasure for him at present was looking at Dileriyen's arm. It was no simple wound but rather a symbol that signified all they had been through, apart yet together. The wound would never heal completely, even though it had pierced Elf flesh. The Galadhrim take great pride in fashioning their weapons and their arrows are among the deadliest.
*Curse me for a fool...* Legolas thought with disgust as he sat there still, gazing ahead at nothing in particular. *She will bear that scar for as long as I will bear its guilt. At least I did not aim closer to her heart...* The thought alone made him shudder.
It was at that moment that the sun really began to bother Dileriyen. Her arm was throbbing as well as her head. She needed sleep desperately but the bothersome sunlight refused to exit the room. Indeed, she could barely remember where she was and why she was in such a foul mood but one thing was certain: sleep was an absolute necessity!
Not daring to open up her eyes to the light and under the impression that she was alone, she began mumbling to herself. Legolas' head snapped around at the sound off her voice and all he could do was watch her speak, too amazed to do so himself.
"Irritating sunlight...go away and bother someone else for once! I knew it... I simply knew it. I said to myself "Dileriyen, my girl, it will be one of -those- days again," and so it is...For the love of Eru, won't someone put out that Sun?"
"For you I would extinguish the Sun with my own bare hands and forever live in blessed darkness...You need only ask it of me..."
The sound of someone else's voice coming from right next to her startled Dileriyen. Nevertheless, it was a welcome one. That voice she knew. What a feeling it was to realize that she had not been dreaming and this was indeed reality. He had come back. Back to where he belonged. She opened her eyes but did not turn to look at him as a playful grin found its way to her face.
"But what if I were to ask of you something simple...perhaps a question that needs answering...would the Prince see it fit to answer?"
Legolas caught on to the hint of humor in her voice and could sense the look on her face.
"The Prince is at the service of his Lady, surely she knows that by now."
"Ah but you forget, Milord, that the Lady knows nothing more than what her Lord had written to her in his first letter. Yet that in itself was a great many months ago..."
"And to which specific part of the letter does the Lady refer to?"
"Well let me think now... There was a mention of a certain three words that needed to be spoken. Does the Prince agree that now is the time for the Lady to hear them?"
Legolas now lay completely on his side and brought his hand around to Dileriyen's other cheek. He stroked it gently. She turned her head now to face him and there they lay, face to face, closer both physically and emotionally than they had ever been. In that moment, lost to time, all that had passed seemed forgotten as two Elves that had always been as one, looked upon each other again. What they saw were the visions of what they once were, not what they had become. Tears threatened them but, this time, it was not through sadness or grief that the liquid began to fall. It was through the finding of something that was almost lost, an impossible situation that, in its own way, found a solution, two broken hearts that mended one another.
With a gaze unbroken and a hand that lay on her cheek, Legolas, ever so softly said:
"I love you..."
Dileriyen in turn whispered sadly:
"And what if I do not deserve your love Legolas?"
"Then I love you still, Dileriyen, for there is no other whom I would ever give it to. Perhaps it is I who is undeserving of your love, if you are willing to give it to me..."
A peaceful smile on her face and a surprised look in her eyes, she said:
"Legolas, you had my love from the day you were born..."
His smile was worth more than words could ever hope to describe as they leaned in closer to each other for a kiss that had long been delayed. How they felt is not for me to say...one can only imagine...
"Ehem..." The Dwarf cleared his throat with his gruff voice. "It is nice to see you restored to your...natural state Milady," he said with an embarrassed smile, "and if you two are quite ready, I suggest you join our company so that we may clear things up and be on our way."
Legolas and Dileriyen looked at each other with flushed faces. Legolas lowered himself off the bed and held a hand out to her.
"Come my Lady," he said with a smile, "we do have much to discuss."
"Aye, lead the way Milord..." she returned with a hesitant smile.
******************
Renil and Galadya did not even attempt to mask their joy at seeing Dileriyen up and about. Of course, Galadya insisted that she needed more rest but, as usual, Dileriyen counter-insisted that she was fine and ready to have matters settled. It was way past time for the truth.
The company sat together in silence for a few moments yet, once again, Gimli decided to take the initiative and spark up the conversation. Sitting around all these Elves was enough to unnerve even him, goodness knows how he would get used to living in the palace.
"Well then, who would like to begin? Lady Dileriyen, perhaps you would like to tell us of your adventures first, if you are feeling up to it."
Dileriyen, feeling the infinite comfort of holing Legolas' hand knew that now was the time for clarification of all things. How to begin such a tale? Taking a deep breath that did not go unnoticed, she said:
"Certainly but first of all, may I request the name of the Dwarf that heroically came to my aid?"
This made Gimli blush and mumble a bit. This was not at all how Elves were said to act where he came from.
"This is Gimli," Legolas said "son of Gloin of Thorin's Company."
"By the Valar...It has been more than sixty years since that event, has it not? Well well...It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you Master Gimli. I am in your debt."
"Just Gimli will do Lady and think nothing of it. I am at your service."
"Well in that case, just Dileriyen will do, my friend. But now, to speak of matters that I would rather forget...I begin my tale a short while after your departure from home and I will have you know Legolas Greenleaf that that was very cruel of you," she said to him pointedly, remembering that awful day.
"My love, surely you remember, as do I, that we were far from speaking to one another. I recall thinking that, had I seen you before my departure, it would have been impossible for me to leave. I hope you understand my reasoning and forgive me."
"That I do. All that matters is that you are here now," she said and kissed his cheek. It made Galadya and Renil, not to mention Gimli, very happy to see them like this. Happy and somewhat willing to leave the two alone for a while. But now was not the time.
"A dreadful day and a foolish argument that was but, to continue with my story, I was prepared to leave and come after you. Unfortunately and to no surprise of mine, Father would not allow it. You had also written in your letter that you wished for me to stay home and, for once, I should have listened. I tried escaping the palace but Father knows me all too well. He caught me in my tracks and made me return. That night, we argued my actions for a considerable amount of time but, in the end, I won the debate and it was settled that I was to leave the next morning and head for Imladris, where I believed you to be. When I arrived there, I was greeted warmly by my Uncle and cousins, only to learn the sad truth of the Fellowship's departure. I was a step behind. I wanted to come after you but my Uncle forbid it and this time, I had no choice but to obey. My days passed well in Imladris- "
"No my love, I do not believe so..." Legolas cast her a knowing look. He wanted a full explanation and, this time, he had better get it.
Dileriyen understood by his tone that he knew more than was probably necessary. He wanted answers and there was no doubt that he deserved them.
She sighed. "So I have learned that Elrohir had a hand in meddling with our then-fragile relationship. I believe he may have sent you a letter that was supposedly by my hand for all I know is that when I read your response, my heart shattered to a million pieces..." she trailed off, trying to forget those awful words.
"And so it was with yours...My letter stated that you wished to be with me no longer and when I asked the messenger if you had someone new in you life, he spoke Elrohir's name. It was an unforgettable day for me as well..." he said, looking down.
"What followed may anger you a bit but it must be said," she stated calmly, looking at Legolas as she tried to word her sentences carefully. "I was made to believe that you hated me and my heart was broken. No one could offer me satisfactory comfort or, rather, no one other than Elrohir tried to. I thought his intentions pure at the time; helping me get through my troubles. Alas, it was not so. We grew closer as the months passed but the more I turned to him for friendship and comfort, the more he turned to me for the love that I would not give him. I spoke of you very little for it pained me to dwell on the events that had passed between us. Sadly, Elrohir misunderstood this. I suppose he thought that I was ready to move on and, indeed, he must have been very confident for he proposed... I declined, naturally, and decided that the time to leave had come. I wanted to go back home."
She took a breath and snuck a glance at Legolas' face. He remained calm but she could feel his tension. He was far from pleased and it was obvious to everyone, especially Gimli (who had become accostumed to the Prince's subtle reactions). There was more to tell.
"I had stayed in Imladris for far too long and your Quest seemed to have no end. I decided, rather abruptly, to leave but the conversation I had with Lord Elrond is one that I can now remember. Never before had I been aware of all the false rumor that had spread of me and Elrohir yet even more was revealed to me of his conspiring. After all that had passed, I did not find it in my heart to think ill of him so I let it be. I bid Elladan farewell and Arwen and my Uncle saw me to the gate. My Uncle insisted that I take someone with me for the trip but, once again, I disagreed, stating that it was a short distance in which assistance would be unnecessary..."
"Stubborn girl! Will you never learn to heed words of wisdom?..." Legolas sighed, very frustrated with her. Dileriyen could not believe what she had just heard. This was not the Legolas she remembered or the boy that she had left behind. He was scolding her, of all things! How the tables will turn over time.
She carried on, upset with herself to no end. "I am sorry...I suppose I won't...Unfortunately for me, I won the argument and I was on my way home. These last few pieces of memory have only recently come back to me. I was in the forest when I felt myself being watched. I slowed Asona down and turned to look back but there was nothing there. We continued at a very slow pace but it was no mistake, we were being followed. I turned around to look one last time and no sooner had I done that that something rather gruesome fell on top of me. We crashed to the ground and I struggled to stand, frightened out of my wits. I tried to soothe Asona with calm words but the more she screamed the more those beastly spiders came to encircle me. I commanded her to run, which she did but there I stood in the midst of that ambush. I prepared to fight but the last thing I remember was something sharp behind my neck. All the world turned black after that..."
A moment's silence...
"When I came to, I was bound in a web, hanging somewhere in a dark and dank cave. I had been poisoned and its effects had not entirely dissipated but I was alone. That was the only good thing. I found a small dagger I had in my possession and managed to cut the web-barrier that held me up. Yet when I crashed to the ground, a new problem I faced: my legs would not move. The poison was still strong in my body. It was a time later that I noticed light from afar and, as my only means of escape, I crawled towards it. I had almost reached my exit when, ever my ill luck should befall me, -they- had come back. I heard their cries in the distance and could feel them coming after me. It was then that an idea struck me. I ran my blade across my thighs, hoping to restore life to my inanimate legs and, for once, my idea worked. Yes, the idea worked but the pain was not such that I could handle and my cry came as one that the corrupt cave could not withstand. The ceiling began to crash down. A mere foot away from the mouth of my stone prison, I was unable to dodge a heavy stone that found its way to me. All I remember seeing before closing my eyes was the face of someone who was locked away in my memory henceforth."
She looked at Legolas who looked down. He knew that it was he whom she had seen before closing her eyes and it pained his heart to its very center. It seems that he was not the only one who had been within death's grasp.
"Nothing could I remember when I awoke to a sun that scorched my wounds and laughed at my wraith-like countenance. I did not know where I was, how I had got there or, most importantly, who I was. I stumbled forth with my throbbing legs, wandering aimlessly, in desperate need of medical assistance. It was dear Renil who found me and brought me into his home and Galadya, Valar bless her, who brought me back to health. I do not know how long it was that I slept but I awoke once again to a blinded memory. There is now a gap in my understanding for surely I was not -that- unrecognizable, even in such a battered state. Why did you not tell me who I was?" she turned to plead of the couple.
Renil and Galadya slowly explained their reasoning, disappointed and ashamed at their misguided judgments. Dileriyen could see the tears forming in Galadya's eyes and it moved her greatly. She was not upset with them and they certainly did not deserve to feel as they did, after all that they had done for her.
"My friends, please do not be so hard on yourselves. We all make mistakes..." she said, looking aside as she mumbled with dissatisfaction at herself: "some of us more so than most..."
Legolas could not help but grin. She was extremely displeased with herself and it amused him for he knew that his turn for personal discontentment would come. It was an ironically funny picture.
Dileriyen's words seemed to comfort the couple but they did not speak. Listening to this story had rendered them speechless. There was still more to say.
"Then I am believed to be dead. What a nightmare this has become! And what of Father? Valar knows what he must think... He too was under the impression that I had got engaged to Elrohir and demanded an explanation, another reason for my abrupt departure from Imladris. I could feel his anger from the letter he had sent me..." she said, remembering Thranduil's words. She would have *a lot* of explaining to do when she got home.
The time had come to conclude her tale for the sooner the whole story had been heard, the sooner they could leave and set things right, once and for all.
"The night you found me, I had had a memory of my necklace and ring," she said sadly for she believed these two items to be lost, "and I went outside to sit under the stars and think, in the hopes that I could remember more but, alas, nothing would come to me and my ring remains lost." Her eyes teared but Legolas kissed the top of the hand he held.
"Rings will come and go, my love, even the ones deemed indestructible..."
Gimli let out a small laugh at that.
"But I thank Eru that it is your ring that remains lost and not you."
She held onto his hand ever more tightly and continued with the last phase of her story. "I felt something watching me and I was frightened. It was too dark for my eyes to clearly see my surroundings so I decided to leave, very slowly. The moon, it seems, had other plans for it broke through the clouds and before I knew it, you were screaming and fired an arrow at me! Honestly..." she said playfully. But it was no laughing matter for Legolas so she wiped that smile off her face.
"I did not know whom my attacker was at the time but when Gimli said the word "Greenleaf" and I saw your face, everything came flooding back to me as if it were the very falls of Rauros themselves! So it is that you have come back to me... my Greenleaf."
Legolas smiled and the pace of his heart quickened but it was now his turn.
"That is the end of my tale and, hard to believe as it may be, it is a happy one."
"Then I suppose my turn has come. I will not bore you with the details now for a grand story mine is and Gimli must partake in the telling. We have been over mountain and plain, through snow and fire, made to face with life, death and whatever lies in between. Through battles and wars we have fought our way back and I have seen much that I would rather forget. Albeit, it is an adventure I do not regret for Sauron has been destroyed and his accursed Ring unmade. Happy days are ahead of us... and happy beginnings," he smiled at her as they touched their lips ever so lightly.
"And it is well earned!" Galadya said as she looked upon the two, sitting hand in hand.
Another silent spell hit the group. Each was lost in his/her own pleasant thoughts.
"Well, if there is nothing more to say than I do believe that it is time we gave Father the shock of his immortal life!" Legolas said. His eyes did not do justice to show the excitement he held within.
After all that he had heard, he was still very confused but one thing was certain: there was going to be complete anarchy when they got to the palace. Gimli had no idea how he would ever handle any more. "You Elves are going to be the death of me! Strange creatures," he laughed.
Dileriyen returned his laughter as her face lit up. It was time to go home, see her father and be alone with Legolas. Finally. "That we are my dear Gimli and I fear that you will never find a stranger pair than Legolas and I."
"Hahaha," he stole a look and smile at Legolas, who returned it, while Dileriyen was not looking. "Somehow, that does not surprise me."
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A/N: Hope you liked this chapter. Stay tuned for the next one...;)
