~AUTHOR'S NOTE~ Another new chapter! I'm happy to say that now this story is completely written down and now it's only a matter of typing it up and formatting and posting. Hope you enjoy!
~DISCLAIMER~ If I'm not mistaken, I've not been given anything resembling rights or ownership of Tolkien's characters…so I guess I don't own them!
I roused from a half sleep and lay with my eyes closed with Legolas close at my side. When I rolled over to face him, I could see more of dawn's light outside and knew I had not slept long.
To my surprise, Legolas had propped his head up on one hand and was watching me. "Do not worry meldanya," he told me gently. "Sleep."
"Won't you sleep?"
He just smiled down at me. "My sweet melisse. I do not require sleep unless I desire it. And now I desire nothing more than to look upon you."
"Oh Legolas," I said, kissing him again. "Will I see you before you leave?"
His eyes turned sad. "The Fellowship must not miss me when they wake. I must leave you before then."
I just nodded. It made sense, but that didn't make it any easier.
"But do not despair. Keeping our love a secret does not mean that you cannot come to see our departure. I will see you tomorrow."
With a loving smile, he laid a caressing hand on my cheek. "Now sleep meldanya. And know that I love you."
"Good night my love." I smiled at him. He kissed my forehead and I laid my head on his chest, falling asleep again to the sound of his beating heart.
**********
I awoke with a start. Rolling over, I was not surprised to see that Legolas as gone. If he had been missing when the Fellowship awoke, something could have been suspected, which would have been bad for us both.
I sat up and searched for an old tunic to wear down to the bathing pool. As I reached over the bed to get a brush for my hair, I felt something strange under the blanket.
When I pulled the blanket back, I gasped and my eyes immediately misted. A beautiful elven arrow lay on the side of the bed where Legolas had been that night.
I picked it up to look at it more closely. The feathers on the end were of a rare bird found only in Mirkwood and the shaft was etched with intricately carved vines. It was the most beautiful thing I could ever imagine owning and I hugged it close to my bare chest as the tears streamed down my face.
I knew it was his gift to me. Something to remember him by after he had left. "Oh Legolas," I whispered to the arrow and the empty room. "You must know that I could never forget you. Or us."
Only for a moment did I stay sitting there, blanket pulled around me and the arrow in my hands. But the sun was rising in the sky and I knew they would leave soon. Getting out of bed and pulling on the gown from the previous night, I laid the arrow in a small hiding place I had in one of the corners of the room and left to bathe for the day.
**********
The air in the bathing house was growing oppressive. I could not tell how long I had been there, nor did I particularly care. My logic was that the longer I spent in the water, the more I could delay having to see Legolas leave.
Although I dreaded the thought of his leaving, the one rational part of my brain told me that I would regret it if I missed his departure. It also reminded me that the Fellowship would leave whether I got out of the bath or not.
After a few more minutes of depression over the idea of going on with the day, I finally got out of the water, dried off, and dressed. I had only the gown from the last night with me, for I planned to change before the parting ceremony, which was to take place at noon.
I knew it would only cause me pain, but as I left the bathing house, I headed in the direction of the Fellowship's camp. My heart grew heavier as I could see them packing for their journey.
They weren't paying much attention to me, even though one of the humans greeted me. Legolas made no motion of seeing me. I was glad to see that the rest of the Fellowship seemed completely unaware of anything that had happened.
I was about to turn back toward my home when I felt a tap on my leg. Looking down, I saw one of the hobbits looking up at me. "Excuse me, Lady, but do you know where I can get something to eat before we leave?"
I had to smile, as he was an adorable young hobbit. "I believe, young sir, that there should be something to eat towards the center of Lórien," I said pointing, "that way."
"Thanks!" He walked a few feet and stopped. "Uh…would you show me where?" he asked.
"Sure." I took his hand, leading him towards the food he was looking for. "You are a hobbit, are you not?" He nodded. "What is your name, young hobbit?"
"Pippin. My real name is Peregrin, but no one ever calls me that!"
"Hello Pippin. My name is Raélowen, but you can call me Rae," I said smiling.
Pippin stopped and looked up into my face. "You have an Elvish name Rae…but you are not an elf, are you?"
"No Pippin. I'm not," I answered with a small sad smile.
"You are human," he told me matter-of-factly.
I was surprised at his observation. "Yes."
He started walking again. "So you're a human who lives with Elves."
"Yes, that is the case."
"That must be nice."
'If you only knew,' I thought. "It is…interesting."
"You don't sound as though you like it. Why not? Strider lived with Elves when he was younger. He seems like he misses it a lot."
"Strider? I am not familiar with him." I was always interested in other humans living with Elves.
"He's a Ranger. His real name's Aragorn. He's a King or something. But Lord Elrond in Rivendell raised him I guess. And he liked it. So why don't you?"
I took a moment before replying. "It is only unpleasant when welcome guests have to leave."
"Like us!" He grinned. "Other than that, it must be fun." I agreed lightly with him, marveling at his innocent perception of my life.
After I got him something to eat, he turned back towards his camp, claiming he could find his way back. But he turned and called, "Good-bye Rae!"
"Good-bye Pippin! Good luck on your journey!"
"I'll miss you, Rae!" He grinned and was gone. I glanced after him, then headed for my home.
I was grateful to have met Pippin, for he had lightened my mood considerably. Trying to ignore that persistent logical part of my brain, I headed for home to change for the departure of the Fellowship.
* meldanya = my beloved (Quenya)
* melisse = female lover (Quenya)
