Chapter 13 "Where Niari learns to Listen to the Wind"
"We must take our leave now. Thank you Tarar." Tarar nodded and Legolas stood up taking my arm once again.
"Namaarie Prince Legolas (Farewell)" the children called after us.
"Tenna' telwan little ones (Until later)." He called back to them. We followed him outside.
"What was that you said to them?" I asked him as soon as we were out the door.
"The faster you learn my language, the quicker you will know." He teased me.
"Well, will you at least tell me where we are going next?"
"Of course I will." I smiled at him. Finally some information.
"We are headed outside." My smile fell off.
"Typical, just typical." He chuckled beside me and I elbowed him in the ribs.
"A! (Ah!)" he exclaimed holding his side.
"Oh, you big baby, that did not even hurt."
"You are not the one feeling the pain."
"Men are such babies."
"I am not a man, I am an Elf." He was grinning now.
"Well," I grinned back. "Elves are such babies then."
"No, we are not."
"You are too." I started
"We are not."
"Are too."
"Are not."
"Are not." I switched on him.
"Are too." He replied (foolish Elf)
"Legolas, I totally agree with you." My smile couldn't have gotten any bigger.
"Yes." He looked pleased. "Wait, what?" Now he looked confused. Then he realized.
"You tricked me."
"Nah, you just weren't paying close enough attention."
"You are a very unique individual Niari."
"Why thank you, Prince Legolas son of King Thranduilion of the wooded realm Eryn Lasgalen." He laughed outright at that.
"And humorous as well. What will you show me next?"
"Well I don't know. Get to know me and find out."
He looked at me, and our eyes met. Deep black stared into sparkling blue and I found myself unable to look away.
"I will then." He said it softly, all hints of playfulness gone from his voice.
And then just as suddenly as it had come upon us the spell broke and he looked away. I released the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "This Elf is dangerous." I thought. Don't let your guard down again Niari. (And stop flirting with him!)
Finally we stepped outside and I breathed in deeply. I could hear Legolas doing the same beside me. The air was so fresh and clean. Looking around I couldn't help but wonder at nature. The fall season was so beautiful. The trees surrounded the Elves underground palace, and rich colors of red, yellow, green, orange, and more seemed to swirl around us. It was like a safe capsule of evergreen protection.
"Tula (Come)." Legolas took my hand and started running. I turned to see Rínon pulling Shy along after him as well.
"Oi, Legolas, where are we going?"
"Always so many questions. Just come." He looked back at me elation shining in his fair features.
"Can you feel it Niari? Feel the air moving with you, let it guide and cushion your footsteps. Listen to the trees whispering to us. Hear the song on the wind. Here, close your eyes and let me guide you."
I closed my eyes. I was afraid at first. I mean who runs through the trees with their eyes closed. But I trusted him so I did. The wind carried my braids and they blew behind me caught in its flow. The wind caressed my face and I swear I could almost hear something saying.
Let go. Be free. Let go.
It was wonderful. I never even tired. I felt so alive and part of everything. I no longer felt just myself but the grass bowing beneath by feet, the branches swaying above my head, and especially the lithe figure holding my hand that was showing it all to me. Too soon it was over and Legolas slowed down and finally stopped. I opened my eyes. We were at the edge of a meadow of short grass. Rínon and Shy came up behind us, Shy breathing hard and mumbling about crazy Elves forgetting about a poor human.
There were more children about the meadow but these were older. They were all lined up standing in what looked like some form of meditative stance. Adult Elves weaved among them silently observing.
"They are learning to do as you just did."
Legolas came to stand behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him.
"Now you must not concentrate on thoughts, feel for the moment. Listen to your surroundings and become part of everything once again." Oh, I was feeling all right. His warm soft body pressed against mine and his breath against my ear when he whispered. Ok Ni-ni concentrate. (No, not on the Elf!)
For the second time that day I closed my eyes and lost myself to everything around me. Legolas heart was beating slowly against my back and I could feel each breath he took. I was attracted to him sure but that's wasn't why I noticed. I felt part of it. I began to sense each person in the meadow. Their spirits seemed suddenly opened to me. I began hearing things I didn't usually notice. Breathing, I was hearing them breathe. Not just my friends but also each Elf in that meadow. I heard birds high above us, insect sounds, the rustling of individual blades of grass. Everything. So involved was I in my meditation I didn't even feel Legolas step back from me. But the deeper in I got the more I could detect and I knew without knowing that he was creeping around to my front. He didn't make a sound but when his arm reached out to wave in front of my face I caught it and opened my eyes.
He looked pleased and not as surprised as I expected. "Excellent. You did well mellonamin."
"What did you just call me?"
"Mellonamin it means my friend." It is a simple endearment but it is what you are to me.
I didn't think I deserved it but I appreciated the sentiment. More than I cared to let on.
"You are learning to sense things around you. You are learning the ways of the Elves."
He looked so beautiful standing there smiling gently at me. The wind blowing strands of blonde hair into his face despite the neat braids that held it back. The clouds hid the sun and the atmosphere made his high cheekbones and dark eyebrows stand out. His thin lips were so inviting, I wanted to. Wait what? I didn't want to do anything. Come on Niari come back to the real world. Please, please don't fall for him. You're acting like some lost kitten starved for attention. Don't fall into the trap girl.
"I know what you're trying to do Legolas. It won't work. I just wanna go home." His face fell.
"I'm only trying to teach you about your people."
"They are not my people!" I yelled. Everyone in the meadow turned to stare at us. Great just what I need an audience. Well they should mind their business. I had let this go too far I wasn't shutting up. "How many times do I have to tell you? I am human Legolas, human got it!"
"No Niari, you are an Elf. It is time you came to terms with that."
"No! I don't have to come to terms with anything. You need to leave me alone."
"I will not leave you alone Niari. I look into your eyes and I see the light of my people. If you won't believe that then recognize, your ears give you away."
"Damn you Legolas, I told you. They're just some mutation from birth, that's all. So what if your people have them too. It's just a coincidence."
"No!" He grabbed my arms but not hard enough to hurt. "It is no coincidence. Niari I tire of this attitude of yours. Why are you so afraid to admit your true heritage? I know you feel it. Something was missing in your life of that I am sure. It is a gap only your people can fill. Embrace the light of the Elves. Let me show you what humans cannot. They will never understand you Niari. Not like we can. Let go of your past."
I could feel Shy and Rínon staring at us worriedly.
What could I do? A million thoughts were racing around in my head. So maybe he was right. After all my mom had told me that I was an Elf. But I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready to admit it to myself and here he was trying to force me.
In my coldest voice I demanded. "Let me go." He hesitated. "I said let me go Legolas!" I pushed out of his hold.
"I would only have you experience this part of your life Niari."
"How can I? I don't know anything about Elves."
"That is why you and Lady Shy will join Tarar's class starting tomorrow."
"WHAT?!!!" Shy's voice joined mine in protest.
"What do you mean join his class?" She asked.
Rínon spoke up. "Legolas and I both think it best that the two of you begin to learn about our culture. You would have to start in the Elfling's class. It's only natural."
"Believe me sweetie, there is nothing natural about two grown women in a class for kids. You're kidding right?" He shook his head. "Rínon I can't believe you." Shy seemed too pissed off to say anything else. She stood there glaring daggers at Rínon.
I decided to speak up. "Well you both thought wrong. Neither of us has any intention of joining some kiddies class. What is wrong with the two of you? What, are we already signed up or something? Did you even think to ask us if we wanted to?"
"We shouldn't have to ask. It is an honor to learn of the First-Born."
"An honor for who? You Elves may be the most happening thing in Middle- Earth but I'm not from around here. I don't see the big deal. And for your information, I'm already in school. Back home I'm in college. It's a school for higher learning and Shy and I are both there training for our careers. You want me to go to school with a bunch of Elflings? Yes they were darling to watch but that's where it ends. I have no intention of calling them peers. Sorry Prince it ain't gonna happen." I turned and began walking back towards the caves with Shy in tow. I stopped and turned back to him.
"You know the bad thing is, the idea wouldn't have been so bad if you'd just asked us what we thought first. I mean we might not have agreed to it sure: but it would have made us feel like we had a choice. If you want to be a good Prince then you need to learn not to assume that everyone is going to bend to your every wish. Get to know them and their personality then make a suggestion that they can deal with. Maybe if you'd done that, I would still have some respect for you mellonamin." And with that I turned away. I tried not to think about the hurt look on his face after I threw his endearment scornfully back at him.
"Well, that friendship didn't take but a day to ruin." I couldn't help but think. What I hadn't expected was that I'd be so upset when it did.
"We must take our leave now. Thank you Tarar." Tarar nodded and Legolas stood up taking my arm once again.
"Namaarie Prince Legolas (Farewell)" the children called after us.
"Tenna' telwan little ones (Until later)." He called back to them. We followed him outside.
"What was that you said to them?" I asked him as soon as we were out the door.
"The faster you learn my language, the quicker you will know." He teased me.
"Well, will you at least tell me where we are going next?"
"Of course I will." I smiled at him. Finally some information.
"We are headed outside." My smile fell off.
"Typical, just typical." He chuckled beside me and I elbowed him in the ribs.
"A! (Ah!)" he exclaimed holding his side.
"Oh, you big baby, that did not even hurt."
"You are not the one feeling the pain."
"Men are such babies."
"I am not a man, I am an Elf." He was grinning now.
"Well," I grinned back. "Elves are such babies then."
"No, we are not."
"You are too." I started
"We are not."
"Are too."
"Are not."
"Are not." I switched on him.
"Are too." He replied (foolish Elf)
"Legolas, I totally agree with you." My smile couldn't have gotten any bigger.
"Yes." He looked pleased. "Wait, what?" Now he looked confused. Then he realized.
"You tricked me."
"Nah, you just weren't paying close enough attention."
"You are a very unique individual Niari."
"Why thank you, Prince Legolas son of King Thranduilion of the wooded realm Eryn Lasgalen." He laughed outright at that.
"And humorous as well. What will you show me next?"
"Well I don't know. Get to know me and find out."
He looked at me, and our eyes met. Deep black stared into sparkling blue and I found myself unable to look away.
"I will then." He said it softly, all hints of playfulness gone from his voice.
And then just as suddenly as it had come upon us the spell broke and he looked away. I released the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "This Elf is dangerous." I thought. Don't let your guard down again Niari. (And stop flirting with him!)
Finally we stepped outside and I breathed in deeply. I could hear Legolas doing the same beside me. The air was so fresh and clean. Looking around I couldn't help but wonder at nature. The fall season was so beautiful. The trees surrounded the Elves underground palace, and rich colors of red, yellow, green, orange, and more seemed to swirl around us. It was like a safe capsule of evergreen protection.
"Tula (Come)." Legolas took my hand and started running. I turned to see Rínon pulling Shy along after him as well.
"Oi, Legolas, where are we going?"
"Always so many questions. Just come." He looked back at me elation shining in his fair features.
"Can you feel it Niari? Feel the air moving with you, let it guide and cushion your footsteps. Listen to the trees whispering to us. Hear the song on the wind. Here, close your eyes and let me guide you."
I closed my eyes. I was afraid at first. I mean who runs through the trees with their eyes closed. But I trusted him so I did. The wind carried my braids and they blew behind me caught in its flow. The wind caressed my face and I swear I could almost hear something saying.
Let go. Be free. Let go.
It was wonderful. I never even tired. I felt so alive and part of everything. I no longer felt just myself but the grass bowing beneath by feet, the branches swaying above my head, and especially the lithe figure holding my hand that was showing it all to me. Too soon it was over and Legolas slowed down and finally stopped. I opened my eyes. We were at the edge of a meadow of short grass. Rínon and Shy came up behind us, Shy breathing hard and mumbling about crazy Elves forgetting about a poor human.
There were more children about the meadow but these were older. They were all lined up standing in what looked like some form of meditative stance. Adult Elves weaved among them silently observing.
"They are learning to do as you just did."
Legolas came to stand behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him.
"Now you must not concentrate on thoughts, feel for the moment. Listen to your surroundings and become part of everything once again." Oh, I was feeling all right. His warm soft body pressed against mine and his breath against my ear when he whispered. Ok Ni-ni concentrate. (No, not on the Elf!)
For the second time that day I closed my eyes and lost myself to everything around me. Legolas heart was beating slowly against my back and I could feel each breath he took. I was attracted to him sure but that's wasn't why I noticed. I felt part of it. I began to sense each person in the meadow. Their spirits seemed suddenly opened to me. I began hearing things I didn't usually notice. Breathing, I was hearing them breathe. Not just my friends but also each Elf in that meadow. I heard birds high above us, insect sounds, the rustling of individual blades of grass. Everything. So involved was I in my meditation I didn't even feel Legolas step back from me. But the deeper in I got the more I could detect and I knew without knowing that he was creeping around to my front. He didn't make a sound but when his arm reached out to wave in front of my face I caught it and opened my eyes.
He looked pleased and not as surprised as I expected. "Excellent. You did well mellonamin."
"What did you just call me?"
"Mellonamin it means my friend." It is a simple endearment but it is what you are to me.
I didn't think I deserved it but I appreciated the sentiment. More than I cared to let on.
"You are learning to sense things around you. You are learning the ways of the Elves."
He looked so beautiful standing there smiling gently at me. The wind blowing strands of blonde hair into his face despite the neat braids that held it back. The clouds hid the sun and the atmosphere made his high cheekbones and dark eyebrows stand out. His thin lips were so inviting, I wanted to. Wait what? I didn't want to do anything. Come on Niari come back to the real world. Please, please don't fall for him. You're acting like some lost kitten starved for attention. Don't fall into the trap girl.
"I know what you're trying to do Legolas. It won't work. I just wanna go home." His face fell.
"I'm only trying to teach you about your people."
"They are not my people!" I yelled. Everyone in the meadow turned to stare at us. Great just what I need an audience. Well they should mind their business. I had let this go too far I wasn't shutting up. "How many times do I have to tell you? I am human Legolas, human got it!"
"No Niari, you are an Elf. It is time you came to terms with that."
"No! I don't have to come to terms with anything. You need to leave me alone."
"I will not leave you alone Niari. I look into your eyes and I see the light of my people. If you won't believe that then recognize, your ears give you away."
"Damn you Legolas, I told you. They're just some mutation from birth, that's all. So what if your people have them too. It's just a coincidence."
"No!" He grabbed my arms but not hard enough to hurt. "It is no coincidence. Niari I tire of this attitude of yours. Why are you so afraid to admit your true heritage? I know you feel it. Something was missing in your life of that I am sure. It is a gap only your people can fill. Embrace the light of the Elves. Let me show you what humans cannot. They will never understand you Niari. Not like we can. Let go of your past."
I could feel Shy and Rínon staring at us worriedly.
What could I do? A million thoughts were racing around in my head. So maybe he was right. After all my mom had told me that I was an Elf. But I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready to admit it to myself and here he was trying to force me.
In my coldest voice I demanded. "Let me go." He hesitated. "I said let me go Legolas!" I pushed out of his hold.
"I would only have you experience this part of your life Niari."
"How can I? I don't know anything about Elves."
"That is why you and Lady Shy will join Tarar's class starting tomorrow."
"WHAT?!!!" Shy's voice joined mine in protest.
"What do you mean join his class?" She asked.
Rínon spoke up. "Legolas and I both think it best that the two of you begin to learn about our culture. You would have to start in the Elfling's class. It's only natural."
"Believe me sweetie, there is nothing natural about two grown women in a class for kids. You're kidding right?" He shook his head. "Rínon I can't believe you." Shy seemed too pissed off to say anything else. She stood there glaring daggers at Rínon.
I decided to speak up. "Well you both thought wrong. Neither of us has any intention of joining some kiddies class. What is wrong with the two of you? What, are we already signed up or something? Did you even think to ask us if we wanted to?"
"We shouldn't have to ask. It is an honor to learn of the First-Born."
"An honor for who? You Elves may be the most happening thing in Middle- Earth but I'm not from around here. I don't see the big deal. And for your information, I'm already in school. Back home I'm in college. It's a school for higher learning and Shy and I are both there training for our careers. You want me to go to school with a bunch of Elflings? Yes they were darling to watch but that's where it ends. I have no intention of calling them peers. Sorry Prince it ain't gonna happen." I turned and began walking back towards the caves with Shy in tow. I stopped and turned back to him.
"You know the bad thing is, the idea wouldn't have been so bad if you'd just asked us what we thought first. I mean we might not have agreed to it sure: but it would have made us feel like we had a choice. If you want to be a good Prince then you need to learn not to assume that everyone is going to bend to your every wish. Get to know them and their personality then make a suggestion that they can deal with. Maybe if you'd done that, I would still have some respect for you mellonamin." And with that I turned away. I tried not to think about the hurt look on his face after I threw his endearment scornfully back at him.
"Well, that friendship didn't take but a day to ruin." I couldn't help but think. What I hadn't expected was that I'd be so upset when it did.