Lend Trî Eryn Lasgalen - A Journey Through Eryn Lasgalen
Calina was woken the next morning by a sharp knock on her door. She crawled out of bed and wrapped a robe around her and yawning, she opened the door. Her head throbbed at the noise of the persistent knocking. She had had far too much of that wine. She groaned as she reached the door and opened it. Legolas stood there fully dressed and bright eyed,
"Calina, you are not dressed," Legolas chided, "We are supposed to be going riding. Get a move on." Calina groaned again and the sound of Legolas' laugh made her head spin even more, "I told you not to drink so much of that wine, it is stronger than the usual type."
"Stop it," Calina had finally managed to speak something coherent, "My head is spinning." Calina lost her balance, still under the influence. Legolas caught her and helped her into a chair. He made her drink some water and speak to him. Gradually the furniture remained in fixed positions and Calina felt better. Legolas turned his back as she changed into her riding gear and tidied up her hair. A ride was the last thing she felt like doing, but she had given her word to Legolas to accompany him that morning.
She went to the stables and climbed onto her horse. It was immediately alert and neighed a greeting to Legolas' horse, which he was leading from its stall. Calina put her hands to her head and groaned. She sent a silent plea to Maleneth, her horse, to be quiet. She seemed to understand and simply began walking impatiently round the stable yard, anxious to be off. Legolas led his horse from the yard and Maleneth followed, Calina had not seen Legolas leaving. Immediately Legolas urged his horse to a gallop through the trees darting this way and that. It was still dark almost but Maleneth had no trouble following. The cool air caught in Calina's lungs, refreshing her hot, tired skin. A combination of this and the gentle shaking of the horse woke her up and she was able to concentrate on where Legolas was going and keep her eyes open for branches.
They rode like this for almost half an hour, and the sky had just begun to turn a rich golden colour as they came to a halt on a ledge overlooking the forest and the plain of Erebor. Calina had not realised that they had been climbing steadily since leaving the Halls. They were now on the slopes of the mountains of Eryn Lasgalen.
Calina saw the Sun rising over the horizon, first just reflecting its light turning the clouds pink and then slowly it became a rich, golden orb, rising until its rays stretched everywhere and no place was left without being bathed in its light. Calina and Legolas were silent. The only noises came from birds beginning to sing in the streets and the flicks of the horses' tails. Calina was standing, but she moved to sit down on a flat rock on the side of the path. This was the first time she had looked out on the plains since she had moved deep into the forest away from the vast barren distances that reminded her of her time in the wilderness. Calina had tried to break from her time at the palace and all that had come before it and here she was watching the dawn with the Prince.
Calina sighed aloud, attracting Legolas' attention. He caught her eye and frowned, wondering how such a sad sound could come when the world was at peace and full of beauty. Calina shook her head at him, trying to close the matter. She was not even sure what it was that had had her unbalanced since arriving at the Halls. It was a wariness, a sense that she was in danger, but from what or whom. The Sun had now fully risen above the horizon and there was smoke coming from the chimneys of the houses on the plain belonging to the Men who lived outside Dale tending animals or growing crops.
One of the horses snorted and Calina was brought back to the world instead of wandering in the land of the hypothetical. She turned her head and saw Legolas had moved to sit beside her. She had not heard him sit down. He smiled gently at her,
"You were lost in thought. I did not want to disturb you. There are a few more things I want to show you." Legolas had been sitting beside her for quite some time. He had been drawn to her as the Sun reflected the gold in her hair, making it seem like she wore a golden halo, as if she was an angel sent from the Valar. Her hair blew about in the gentle breeze and it was all he could do to not take the strands from around her face and tuck them behind her ears so he could see her eyes sparkle and look into their depths. The wind changed direction and blew the hair off her face. Her eyes were full of a panic, the same he saw when she thought she did not belong, but the corners of her lips turned up into a smile and she said,
"Let us go then, Legolas." They both stood and got back on their horses. Instead of galloping down the mountain, they went at a steady walk so the horses had a sure foothold. Calina began to sing to herself, she did not know why the song came back to her at that particular moment but it escaped her mouth before she was even aware of it,
"On and on I go, On the path that is my life, I have gone from being a child of the trees, To become my truelove's wife.
I was, as the birds are, Free to glide and soar and fly, But alone was I upon my ledge Waiting for my one love to fly me by.
And then one day he came, Guided by the warm south breeze, And together we left out mountain home For a leafy nest in the forest trees.
From then till now An infinite time of countless joys We have flown together as a family A father, mother and girls and boys.
But Elbereth! One fateful day From the hunt my love did not return, I know now that he is gone, But our love he has not spurned.
For that is the lot Of the merry such as I For though we have such time for love One may be sprung upon and die.
There is a hope For beyond the enchanted isles There, in the Halls of Mandos A place where no one smiles,
He is there waiting for me Till the last of all the days. And I shall sing the song of our love To pass the time away."
The last night died away and there was heavy quiet in the forest as if every bird had listened to Calina's song. The air was sad and seemed almost moist with tears, but with a flutter of wings and the soaring of the birds, the mood was lifted and the hearts of all that heard returned to their carefree existence. Legolas had been watching Calina closely as she had sung and the horses had also stopped,
"Why do you sing such a sad song Calina?" he asked her, as a single tear left her eye, but was quickly brushed away,
"I do not know. I looked out onto the plains and thought of when I had wandered them. The song just came out before I had realised it was even in my head." Calina felt the need to redirect the conversation, "Where are we going?"
"It is a surprise. It is just through these trees here. I brought us come breakfast, we can eat it there."
They rode through a line of thickly gown trees and bushes on a narrow path that only allowed one person to go through at a time, and they came to a secluded waterfall. The rush of the water drowned out any other noise, but Calina found she could still hear Legolas say,
"This is the Greenleaf waterfall. No one comes here except my family and our friends. It is wonderful this time of the year." He climbed up a tree that seemed to have small steps growing out from it in a spiral that led around the trunk and up into a small talan near the top. From there, they had a commanding view of the mountains and the steam could be traced back to its source near the summit of the closest to them. Legolas had carried up a small pack that he had worn whist riding, and he left it on one side as he tried to kindle a fire. Calina picked it up and started to rifle through it. She produced a pan and some wrapped up parcels of food. Legolas took the pan for her and said, "It was meant to be a surprise. I was going to cook." Calina laughed at the disappointed look on his face,
"A prince cooking, now there is a sight I would like to see. Shall I just sit back and enjoy?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at him,
"Calina, I would do anything to please you." She laughed at him for this but Legolas meant it and felt hurt by her ridicule. He would do anything for her. She looked at the view while he cooked, listening to the fall of the water and watching the ripples on the surface, "It is ready," Legolas said almost shyly, putting a hand on her shoulder and giving her a plate of food, "I forgot to bring knives and forks though so you will have to eat it with your fingers." Calina smiled and thanked him. She sat cross-legged on the floor and took a tentative bite, but it was not at all bad, in fact it was surprisingly good,
"Where did you learn to cook like this Legolas?"
"When nine males set out who do you think cooks? I am no specialist, the hobbits and Aragorn cook much better than I do. He seems able to cook a good meal out of nothing except what is at hand."
"Well I am definitely impressed. You are welcome to cook for me anytime." Calina laughed again and tucked in. Legolas watched her wistfully for a moment and then ate his too. Her laughter was music to his ears. In all the time he was away, not knowing he was in love with her, every time something came from home he had hoped it would contain news of her or even be from her. Mineta had known him well enough to send all the information that she could gather, but Legolas longed to hear her voice and feel her small hand fitting inside his. It was the only thing that had truly brought him comfort with his grief in all his life.
He cleared his plate and Calina had finished hers so they went down the water and washed their plates and the pan. The water was warm, but still cooling to the skin. The small pool the waterfall flowed into was the same blue as the sky above and you Calina could see right down the bottom where small fish were darting about. She stood up, "Can we go for a swim Legolas? The water looks so inviting." Legolas hesitated,
"I do not see why not," was his reply though. The reason for his hesitation became clear as Calina shed her clothes and waiting for Legolas to do the same. It was natural for elves to bathe together in this way but Legolas still felt as if he was intruding somehow, seeing Calina this way. He pulled himself together though and undressed, "There are small steps carved into the other side of that rock." He said pointing across the pool as he tied their horses to a tree to stop them wading into the pool as well. He turned and saw Calina submerge herself in the water and then stand up, brushing the hair from her face and unknotting her braids from around her face. Her breasts were half submerged by the water as she stood, but Legolas was more than aware of their gentle curves that carried on below the water line and hurried to get in the water.
He turned his back as he went down the small, carved ladder into the water and when he turned round again Calina was not there. He called her name and she emerged on the other side of the pool,
"Come on Legolas, the water is lovely and you can see all the fish darting among the rocks if you go under." He smiled and dived under to catch her, but as he surface, Calina was not where she had been. He put his feet on the bottom and suddenly they were pulled from under him. His hair flew about under the water and he could not see, but as his feet felt the bottom, he kicked himself upwards and came to the surface. His hair blocked his ears and covered his eyes, but he could hear the laughter of Calina. He pushed his hair back and looked at her. Her eyes were defiant, issuing him the challenge, so he splashed water at her, first gently then as she fought back, the water fight got more and more violent and physical. Their arms trashed together, and their legs became entwined as they kicked out too. In the end, when they were both above the surface and holding onto the other's forearms, Calina said, "Truce?" Legolas looked at her, the wet hair slicked to the sides of her face, a dark honey colour, the pink colour of her cheeks and the rapid rise and fall of her breasts beneath the water,
"What are your terms, my lady?"
"A complete end to this aquatic onslaught on both sides and the return of both assailants to the Halls of King Thranduil in time for lunch."
"Would it please the opposition if were to go by some more of the beauty spots of the forest on the way?"
"I think that would be agreeable. We had better shake on it though." Calina held out her hand to Legolas. He took it gently in his. A jolt if electricity flew up his arms causing him to look at her face, to see if she had felt it too. Legolas could not be sure. The colour may have risen in her cheeks slightly and her eyes may have widened but he could not have been sure. He voice was definitely not steady though as she said, "Did you remember towels as well Legolas or will we have to dry in the Sun?" Legolas looked abashed, he had forgotten them.
Legolas and Calina got out of the water in silence. The first was trying to send his mind elsewhere from the small glade in which the woman he loved was lying naked on the grass. The latter, however, was in deep thought. She had felt the jolt of electricity when their hands had touched, and tried to conceal it as best she could. It concerned her as to why it had happened though. As if her mind was not already full of emotions staying at the Halls again, she now had another to contend with.
Neither of them said a word as they became dry and dressed. Legolas untied the horses as Calina was re-braiding her hair. Legolas watched her fingers move deftly, weaving her hair into and intricate mesh of strands that sat in a tail down from her neck. Her hair was not dry, it was still the colour of dark honey but it would dry as she rode and return to its golden hue. Calina jumped onto Maleneth and followed Legolas from the waterfall's edge back to the forest path. As soon as she could she rode next to him, again feeling the need to lighten the mood,
"So where are you leading me oh wise guide of Eryn Lasgalen?"
"You will see my lady," was his reply and then he urged his horse forward. Maleneth automatically followed behind. Without warning Legolas turned his horse from the path and began to dart through the trees. Calina almost missed him, but her horse was smaller and swifter through the trees and she soon found herself following the tail of his horse. Legolas slowed to a walk and Calina moved in beside him,
"Where are we Legolas?" But he said nothing. He dismounted and left his horse to walk in the direction of a clump of tall bushes. Calina followed as softly as she could. It seemed to her that Legolas was no longer in the world of the present, but sometime in the past, reliving a happy memory. He walked around the bushes to the far side of it and stopped. Calina then saw the reason for his silence. There was a white marble statue of a beautiful she-elf. She had the same features as Legolas. It was his mother. "Legolas she is beautiful," Calina whispered softly.
"I wanted you to see her."
"Oh Legolas," she reached out to him as he stretched up kissing his first and second fingers and then placing them on his mother's mouth. Calina had her hand on his shoulder and then as he lowered his arm she slid her hand down to take his hand, "You look very much like her. I can see where you get your good looks from." Legolas smiled still looking at the statue,
"Your song, it reminded me. I have not been here for many years. Father had it built because this was the place he first saw my mother in a festival when he was still a young elf and his father ruled the Greenwood. He came here a lot, after, after, it happened. When I was young I thought I would forget her, not remember how she looked, her smile, and I came here a lot, just to look at her, but it has never faded. I can still see her smiling at me, telling me that she loves me." Legolas stopped and Calina felt him shaking next to her. She pulled him into a embrace and he buried his head in her shoulder as she rubbed his back and tried to comfort him. Legolas stood up stiffly and smiled weakly at Calina, "Will you give me a moment?" he asked her. Calina nodded and left him to go and check on the horses.
Legolas checked she was out of sight and then spoke to his mother, "That is the woman I love mother. I wish you could be here to help me. I do not know what to do. I have to make her love me too. Anytime without her and I go mad with wanting. What do I do?" He looked pleadingly at her, but his mother kept the same fixed smile and spoke no words of comfort. Legolas turned but as he did so he heard a voice speak from deep himself,
"One half is only as good as the other. True love comes between those alike. Speak to one as you would speak to the other." Legolas turned, but there was no one there. He looked one last time at the statue and the walked back to the horses contemplating what he thought he had heard.
They rode back to the Halls in silence. Legolas showed Calina to her door. He smiled and then left her without saying a word. Legolas walked through the corridors in search of his father. He found Thranduil in his study. Legolas knocked and opened the door,
"Father, can I talk to you? I need some advice." Thranduil beckoned him in and Legolas closed the door behind him. He sat for a moment collecting his thought and then said,
"Father, it is about Calina. I love her."
Calina was woken the next morning by a sharp knock on her door. She crawled out of bed and wrapped a robe around her and yawning, she opened the door. Her head throbbed at the noise of the persistent knocking. She had had far too much of that wine. She groaned as she reached the door and opened it. Legolas stood there fully dressed and bright eyed,
"Calina, you are not dressed," Legolas chided, "We are supposed to be going riding. Get a move on." Calina groaned again and the sound of Legolas' laugh made her head spin even more, "I told you not to drink so much of that wine, it is stronger than the usual type."
"Stop it," Calina had finally managed to speak something coherent, "My head is spinning." Calina lost her balance, still under the influence. Legolas caught her and helped her into a chair. He made her drink some water and speak to him. Gradually the furniture remained in fixed positions and Calina felt better. Legolas turned his back as she changed into her riding gear and tidied up her hair. A ride was the last thing she felt like doing, but she had given her word to Legolas to accompany him that morning.
She went to the stables and climbed onto her horse. It was immediately alert and neighed a greeting to Legolas' horse, which he was leading from its stall. Calina put her hands to her head and groaned. She sent a silent plea to Maleneth, her horse, to be quiet. She seemed to understand and simply began walking impatiently round the stable yard, anxious to be off. Legolas led his horse from the yard and Maleneth followed, Calina had not seen Legolas leaving. Immediately Legolas urged his horse to a gallop through the trees darting this way and that. It was still dark almost but Maleneth had no trouble following. The cool air caught in Calina's lungs, refreshing her hot, tired skin. A combination of this and the gentle shaking of the horse woke her up and she was able to concentrate on where Legolas was going and keep her eyes open for branches.
They rode like this for almost half an hour, and the sky had just begun to turn a rich golden colour as they came to a halt on a ledge overlooking the forest and the plain of Erebor. Calina had not realised that they had been climbing steadily since leaving the Halls. They were now on the slopes of the mountains of Eryn Lasgalen.
Calina saw the Sun rising over the horizon, first just reflecting its light turning the clouds pink and then slowly it became a rich, golden orb, rising until its rays stretched everywhere and no place was left without being bathed in its light. Calina and Legolas were silent. The only noises came from birds beginning to sing in the streets and the flicks of the horses' tails. Calina was standing, but she moved to sit down on a flat rock on the side of the path. This was the first time she had looked out on the plains since she had moved deep into the forest away from the vast barren distances that reminded her of her time in the wilderness. Calina had tried to break from her time at the palace and all that had come before it and here she was watching the dawn with the Prince.
Calina sighed aloud, attracting Legolas' attention. He caught her eye and frowned, wondering how such a sad sound could come when the world was at peace and full of beauty. Calina shook her head at him, trying to close the matter. She was not even sure what it was that had had her unbalanced since arriving at the Halls. It was a wariness, a sense that she was in danger, but from what or whom. The Sun had now fully risen above the horizon and there was smoke coming from the chimneys of the houses on the plain belonging to the Men who lived outside Dale tending animals or growing crops.
One of the horses snorted and Calina was brought back to the world instead of wandering in the land of the hypothetical. She turned her head and saw Legolas had moved to sit beside her. She had not heard him sit down. He smiled gently at her,
"You were lost in thought. I did not want to disturb you. There are a few more things I want to show you." Legolas had been sitting beside her for quite some time. He had been drawn to her as the Sun reflected the gold in her hair, making it seem like she wore a golden halo, as if she was an angel sent from the Valar. Her hair blew about in the gentle breeze and it was all he could do to not take the strands from around her face and tuck them behind her ears so he could see her eyes sparkle and look into their depths. The wind changed direction and blew the hair off her face. Her eyes were full of a panic, the same he saw when she thought she did not belong, but the corners of her lips turned up into a smile and she said,
"Let us go then, Legolas." They both stood and got back on their horses. Instead of galloping down the mountain, they went at a steady walk so the horses had a sure foothold. Calina began to sing to herself, she did not know why the song came back to her at that particular moment but it escaped her mouth before she was even aware of it,
"On and on I go, On the path that is my life, I have gone from being a child of the trees, To become my truelove's wife.
I was, as the birds are, Free to glide and soar and fly, But alone was I upon my ledge Waiting for my one love to fly me by.
And then one day he came, Guided by the warm south breeze, And together we left out mountain home For a leafy nest in the forest trees.
From then till now An infinite time of countless joys We have flown together as a family A father, mother and girls and boys.
But Elbereth! One fateful day From the hunt my love did not return, I know now that he is gone, But our love he has not spurned.
For that is the lot Of the merry such as I For though we have such time for love One may be sprung upon and die.
There is a hope For beyond the enchanted isles There, in the Halls of Mandos A place where no one smiles,
He is there waiting for me Till the last of all the days. And I shall sing the song of our love To pass the time away."
The last night died away and there was heavy quiet in the forest as if every bird had listened to Calina's song. The air was sad and seemed almost moist with tears, but with a flutter of wings and the soaring of the birds, the mood was lifted and the hearts of all that heard returned to their carefree existence. Legolas had been watching Calina closely as she had sung and the horses had also stopped,
"Why do you sing such a sad song Calina?" he asked her, as a single tear left her eye, but was quickly brushed away,
"I do not know. I looked out onto the plains and thought of when I had wandered them. The song just came out before I had realised it was even in my head." Calina felt the need to redirect the conversation, "Where are we going?"
"It is a surprise. It is just through these trees here. I brought us come breakfast, we can eat it there."
They rode through a line of thickly gown trees and bushes on a narrow path that only allowed one person to go through at a time, and they came to a secluded waterfall. The rush of the water drowned out any other noise, but Calina found she could still hear Legolas say,
"This is the Greenleaf waterfall. No one comes here except my family and our friends. It is wonderful this time of the year." He climbed up a tree that seemed to have small steps growing out from it in a spiral that led around the trunk and up into a small talan near the top. From there, they had a commanding view of the mountains and the steam could be traced back to its source near the summit of the closest to them. Legolas had carried up a small pack that he had worn whist riding, and he left it on one side as he tried to kindle a fire. Calina picked it up and started to rifle through it. She produced a pan and some wrapped up parcels of food. Legolas took the pan for her and said, "It was meant to be a surprise. I was going to cook." Calina laughed at the disappointed look on his face,
"A prince cooking, now there is a sight I would like to see. Shall I just sit back and enjoy?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at him,
"Calina, I would do anything to please you." She laughed at him for this but Legolas meant it and felt hurt by her ridicule. He would do anything for her. She looked at the view while he cooked, listening to the fall of the water and watching the ripples on the surface, "It is ready," Legolas said almost shyly, putting a hand on her shoulder and giving her a plate of food, "I forgot to bring knives and forks though so you will have to eat it with your fingers." Calina smiled and thanked him. She sat cross-legged on the floor and took a tentative bite, but it was not at all bad, in fact it was surprisingly good,
"Where did you learn to cook like this Legolas?"
"When nine males set out who do you think cooks? I am no specialist, the hobbits and Aragorn cook much better than I do. He seems able to cook a good meal out of nothing except what is at hand."
"Well I am definitely impressed. You are welcome to cook for me anytime." Calina laughed again and tucked in. Legolas watched her wistfully for a moment and then ate his too. Her laughter was music to his ears. In all the time he was away, not knowing he was in love with her, every time something came from home he had hoped it would contain news of her or even be from her. Mineta had known him well enough to send all the information that she could gather, but Legolas longed to hear her voice and feel her small hand fitting inside his. It was the only thing that had truly brought him comfort with his grief in all his life.
He cleared his plate and Calina had finished hers so they went down the water and washed their plates and the pan. The water was warm, but still cooling to the skin. The small pool the waterfall flowed into was the same blue as the sky above and you Calina could see right down the bottom where small fish were darting about. She stood up, "Can we go for a swim Legolas? The water looks so inviting." Legolas hesitated,
"I do not see why not," was his reply though. The reason for his hesitation became clear as Calina shed her clothes and waiting for Legolas to do the same. It was natural for elves to bathe together in this way but Legolas still felt as if he was intruding somehow, seeing Calina this way. He pulled himself together though and undressed, "There are small steps carved into the other side of that rock." He said pointing across the pool as he tied their horses to a tree to stop them wading into the pool as well. He turned and saw Calina submerge herself in the water and then stand up, brushing the hair from her face and unknotting her braids from around her face. Her breasts were half submerged by the water as she stood, but Legolas was more than aware of their gentle curves that carried on below the water line and hurried to get in the water.
He turned his back as he went down the small, carved ladder into the water and when he turned round again Calina was not there. He called her name and she emerged on the other side of the pool,
"Come on Legolas, the water is lovely and you can see all the fish darting among the rocks if you go under." He smiled and dived under to catch her, but as he surface, Calina was not where she had been. He put his feet on the bottom and suddenly they were pulled from under him. His hair flew about under the water and he could not see, but as his feet felt the bottom, he kicked himself upwards and came to the surface. His hair blocked his ears and covered his eyes, but he could hear the laughter of Calina. He pushed his hair back and looked at her. Her eyes were defiant, issuing him the challenge, so he splashed water at her, first gently then as she fought back, the water fight got more and more violent and physical. Their arms trashed together, and their legs became entwined as they kicked out too. In the end, when they were both above the surface and holding onto the other's forearms, Calina said, "Truce?" Legolas looked at her, the wet hair slicked to the sides of her face, a dark honey colour, the pink colour of her cheeks and the rapid rise and fall of her breasts beneath the water,
"What are your terms, my lady?"
"A complete end to this aquatic onslaught on both sides and the return of both assailants to the Halls of King Thranduil in time for lunch."
"Would it please the opposition if were to go by some more of the beauty spots of the forest on the way?"
"I think that would be agreeable. We had better shake on it though." Calina held out her hand to Legolas. He took it gently in his. A jolt if electricity flew up his arms causing him to look at her face, to see if she had felt it too. Legolas could not be sure. The colour may have risen in her cheeks slightly and her eyes may have widened but he could not have been sure. He voice was definitely not steady though as she said, "Did you remember towels as well Legolas or will we have to dry in the Sun?" Legolas looked abashed, he had forgotten them.
Legolas and Calina got out of the water in silence. The first was trying to send his mind elsewhere from the small glade in which the woman he loved was lying naked on the grass. The latter, however, was in deep thought. She had felt the jolt of electricity when their hands had touched, and tried to conceal it as best she could. It concerned her as to why it had happened though. As if her mind was not already full of emotions staying at the Halls again, she now had another to contend with.
Neither of them said a word as they became dry and dressed. Legolas untied the horses as Calina was re-braiding her hair. Legolas watched her fingers move deftly, weaving her hair into and intricate mesh of strands that sat in a tail down from her neck. Her hair was not dry, it was still the colour of dark honey but it would dry as she rode and return to its golden hue. Calina jumped onto Maleneth and followed Legolas from the waterfall's edge back to the forest path. As soon as she could she rode next to him, again feeling the need to lighten the mood,
"So where are you leading me oh wise guide of Eryn Lasgalen?"
"You will see my lady," was his reply and then he urged his horse forward. Maleneth automatically followed behind. Without warning Legolas turned his horse from the path and began to dart through the trees. Calina almost missed him, but her horse was smaller and swifter through the trees and she soon found herself following the tail of his horse. Legolas slowed to a walk and Calina moved in beside him,
"Where are we Legolas?" But he said nothing. He dismounted and left his horse to walk in the direction of a clump of tall bushes. Calina followed as softly as she could. It seemed to her that Legolas was no longer in the world of the present, but sometime in the past, reliving a happy memory. He walked around the bushes to the far side of it and stopped. Calina then saw the reason for his silence. There was a white marble statue of a beautiful she-elf. She had the same features as Legolas. It was his mother. "Legolas she is beautiful," Calina whispered softly.
"I wanted you to see her."
"Oh Legolas," she reached out to him as he stretched up kissing his first and second fingers and then placing them on his mother's mouth. Calina had her hand on his shoulder and then as he lowered his arm she slid her hand down to take his hand, "You look very much like her. I can see where you get your good looks from." Legolas smiled still looking at the statue,
"Your song, it reminded me. I have not been here for many years. Father had it built because this was the place he first saw my mother in a festival when he was still a young elf and his father ruled the Greenwood. He came here a lot, after, after, it happened. When I was young I thought I would forget her, not remember how she looked, her smile, and I came here a lot, just to look at her, but it has never faded. I can still see her smiling at me, telling me that she loves me." Legolas stopped and Calina felt him shaking next to her. She pulled him into a embrace and he buried his head in her shoulder as she rubbed his back and tried to comfort him. Legolas stood up stiffly and smiled weakly at Calina, "Will you give me a moment?" he asked her. Calina nodded and left him to go and check on the horses.
Legolas checked she was out of sight and then spoke to his mother, "That is the woman I love mother. I wish you could be here to help me. I do not know what to do. I have to make her love me too. Anytime without her and I go mad with wanting. What do I do?" He looked pleadingly at her, but his mother kept the same fixed smile and spoke no words of comfort. Legolas turned but as he did so he heard a voice speak from deep himself,
"One half is only as good as the other. True love comes between those alike. Speak to one as you would speak to the other." Legolas turned, but there was no one there. He looked one last time at the statue and the walked back to the horses contemplating what he thought he had heard.
They rode back to the Halls in silence. Legolas showed Calina to her door. He smiled and then left her without saying a word. Legolas walked through the corridors in search of his father. He found Thranduil in his study. Legolas knocked and opened the door,
"Father, can I talk to you? I need some advice." Thranduil beckoned him in and Legolas closed the door behind him. He sat for a moment collecting his thought and then said,
"Father, it is about Calina. I love her."
