A/N: hey! Sorry for the long period of absence… but it's summer now! : ) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: of course LoTR belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.. and always will. Mithdelothwen Silverwood, however, belongs to me.
A Sunset Love
*...* represents one thinking
to oneself
.... means telepathy
italics are just flashbacks.
Chapter 24: Goody bye
As Mithdelothwen watched Legolas being led away, she let out a long, sad and tired sigh. Trying to ease her thoughts, Aragorn asked why they were set free again.
"Saruman believes he has already won this war. He does not see strength in a falling, dying fellowship. He's even going to give you your weapons back, an insult and mockery, I suppose. He will continue on his assault to Rohan, and then eventually to Gondor." At her last sentence, she saw Aragorn and Boromir visibly stiffen.
"Well then. I suppose we'll have to prove him wrong." Aragorn challenged, and Boromir nodded. Mithdelothwen let a small smile creep in her face, remembering Galadriel's last words before parting Lothlorien. "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future"… Lothlorien. It seemed like ages had passed since she has last been in the Golden Wood. What was the date anyway?? She had lost track of time. For all she knew, it could've been months or days.
*oh well..* She thought. * I'll just have to wait * Moments later, heavy footfalls came, and Legolas was led back, and just like Mithdelothwen, one of his forearms had been bound in a bandage. Luckily for both their sakes however, elves healed quickly, healer elf or not. With their short, limited time before sunrise, Legolas and Mithdelothwen held each other, comforting their physical and emotional wounds.
******************************
Meanwhile..
Sam and Frodo had been traveling for quite some time in the mountains. It was misty, cold and the air had a stale stench about it. The rocky terrain was pathless and the rocks were sharp. It seemed like hours they were wandering around with out actually getting anywhere.
"Mordor." Sam simply said, looking in the direction of the fiery mountain, which had an eerie red glow and dark clouds hoving over it.
"The one place we really don't want to get an closer to, is the place where we need to get… is just where we can't get to." He sighed, sitting down. Frodo took one look at the Mountain of Doom, and felt the eye watching him again, and felt all strength leave him, as he puffed for breath and shakily sat on a rock. Sam looked worriedly at his dear friend. The ring certainly was starting to take a toll on the poor innocent hobbit. He wasn't sleeping, and seemed a little thin. His eyes always seemed unfocused, and Sam could sense the weight of the ring upon him.
* He will make it.. he is of good heart. I know Frodo will not let Middle Earth down. * Sam thought encouragingly, as he broke off a piece of Lembas for Frodo and himself.
**************************************
Sunrise came all too soon. Aragorn had told them all to rest, for they were to lead a difficult life for the next little while. Gimli was snoring as usual, Aragorn and Boromir on they sides sleeping as best they could. The two elves however, could find no rest. They drifted in and out of sleep, fitful as they were. Their dreams were nothing but nightmares, and forbade them from really resting.
Legolas held Mithdelothwen in his arms, not truly believing that within moments, he would have to leave this horrid place but without her by his side. It just seemed so... wrong. During the times when she was sleeping, Legolas would study her face, trying to memorize every aspect of it. For once, she slept with her eyes closed, and Legolas remembered every dark lash on her eyelids.
He took in the sight of her lips, the color of a honeyed rose. They were beginning to get slightly chapped from lack of water, but he thought of her beautiful nonetheless. Next, Legolas fondly assessed her cheekbones. They weren't as high as most elves' were, but they were apparent with feminine grace. The normal rosy color of her cheeks were gone, after having been placed in this hell hole, but replaced with a pale and clammy pallor. He wanted nothing more than to just get her out of here and let her enjoy the sun's warmth again. He closed his eyes and let his head rest against hers, inhaling her scent.. the scent of athealas, rasberries and sunshine.
*No,* he told himself *she will be fine. She is a warrior. She will make it.. I know she will.* Legolas' internal battled raged on between his mind and his heart.
What are you thinking about? Mithdelothwen asked with her mind, her eyes remained closed.
you, mostly. I don't want to say goodbye. Legolas said softly. Mithdelothwen opened her eyes and looked at him with the greenest eyes he'd ever seen.
It's not goodbye, my love. It is a challenge. It will make our love stronger. She said with sympathetic eyes. Legolas lowered his gaze to the stone floor.
Either that or kill us. Legolas wasn't just referring to the distance issue. If one of them died, the bond would drag the other one down as well, killing two birds with one stone.
Well, then that gives both you and I some extra incentive to stay alive, no? She gave him a small, half-hearted smile. It was going to be hard saying goodbye and still surviving.. but she had to do it. She brought it upon herself.
footsteps approach. Mithdelothwen said shortly and gently roused the others. 2 minutes later a small handful of goblins came, slimy and disgusting as always. It was the moment she dreaded; saying goodbye. Although, she would have to admit she'd rather have them go than stay here.
"Lord Saruman wishes to see all of you." The goblin hissed, smiling deviously at Mithdelothwen. She managed to keep her face stoic and unaffected. They were lead out, in single file up some narrow stairs to Saruman's 'throne room', where he sat expectantly. Lined up on one side of the room, was all their weapons.
*except mine, of course* Mithdelothwen noticed.
"As you may have heard, I am setting you free. On condition of course." The room went quiet. "Should you dare or attempt to lay a hand on any of my minions, your precious she-elf friend shall pay the consequences." Mithdelothwen hated herself at the moment. She was being used to get the stupid Wizard what he wanted! She looked up at Legolas' eyes, to find anguish, anger and fear.. for her.
I'm so sorry Legolas... I never meant for this to happen. She whispered. His expression softened ever so slightly.
I wouldn't change meeting you for anything in all my 2954 years on this earth. I'll come back for you. Legolas promised.
I couldn't ask you to do that, it-- She was cut off by Legolas.
I know. I'm not being asked. I'm insisting. One look in those stormy eyes of his told her that he would never change his mind.
"And what do you think, Lady Mithdelothwen?" Saruman asked loudly. She quickly faced him, trying to hide her startled expression. Thankfully, she was successful.
"Pardon? I'm afraid I didn't hear what you had said." Mithdelothwen said as respectfully as she could, considering she wanted to shoot him. He raised an eyebrow.
"No doubt. You were too busy looking in your beloved's eyes. 'Tis a blessing you shan't have that distraction around in a few mere moments. I said to the others 'Mithdelothwen shall stay here, and be the Lady of Orthanc'. What do you think?" Mithdelothwen chose her words carefully.
"I think it's absolutely the most blatantly retarded thing I've heard in my life." Gimli nearly burst out laughing, but managed to keep his grin hidden within his large bushy beard. Saruman almost looked amused... almost.
"Is that so? Well, it is yours." With a snap of his fingers, the goblins grasped an arm of each of the male fellowship members, and the slimy man, known as Fialer, would lead them out. Mithdelothwen wanted to follow them, just to say goodbye, but Saruman grasped her arm.
"You can say your goodbyes just fine from here." he said coldly.
Legolas! Amin mela lle! Amin mela lle, amin mela lle, amin mela lle.. Mithdelothwen cried in her mind.
Namárie, melamin, we will meet again. Hopefully, soon.
A/N:... what did you think? Please Review! :) I'm really trying to make this story actually 'go' somewhere, and I think this chapter helped a little. Push the button! *^^* Feathers of the Wind [06.20.03]
