SHADOW IN THE TREES
By : mirkwood-elf-2931 & Thala


CHAPTER 6


Her dress was a topaz color mixed with soft shades of red and brown. The stand-up collar ended at a V in the center. Nothing held her hair back, no braids were entwined.

At that moment she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her dark green eyes were looking down, avoiding his.

He went to her. "You're sad again, my fair maiden. Do not be so. We will see each other again, I promise," he said, lifting Thalawen's chin with a finger. When her eyes raised he was taken aback by their wetness.

She was crying for him.

He was much numbed by it. Legolas lifted a hand to her face, traced her brow down to her cheekbone, and ran his fingers down the side of her face.

Thalawen closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "I will miss you, Legolas, and yet I can't fathom as to why, yet," she said softly.

"Do not ponder it too long, for it does not matter." His hand dropped back back to his side. "But I will miss you too. I don't know what I'll do without someone to beat me at everything." He grinned and so did she.

"Ah, but you were just playing. You weren't even trying."

They were standing on her balcony once again. Legolas looked out over Rivendell sadly. "This place had become very special to me. I am much pleased to have found another friend here."

"What will you do when this journey ends?"

"I don't know. Go back to Mirkwood, I suppose. As that is my home."

"You know you are always welcome in Rivendell. And in my home."

He looked back to her. "You should visit Mirkwood sometime. I know you'd like it very much and I think you'd get along superbly with Landailyn."

"With who?"

"My guard captain, Landailyn. Remember? I said you were both much alike. I am sure she would be pleased to have another skilled woman around."

"Oh," Was all she could say. She paused for a bit and mentally slapped herself when the next sentence flew from her lips. "Do you fancy this woman?"

He looked at her bewildered. "No more than I fancy you," He said quietly. "she is my friend, and yet," He looked off in the distance, "at times it seems different between us..." he trailed off.

Legolas shook his head as if to forget it.

Thalawen looked down, embarrassed. How could she have said that? She was in the middle of mentally slapping herself again, when he grabbed her shoulder.

"I must go, Thalawen." He slowly brought her toward him, in a hug. Legolas whispered in her ear. "Please don't forget me..." He held on a minute longer, getting the smell of her hair the softness of her arms around him. Then he let go and turned to walk out. He hesitated at the doorway, but then continued.

From where she was on her balcony, she could see the Fellowship getting ready to set out through the gates and the line of Elves to see them off. Legolas was the last to arrive and they turned around and started off.

"No!" She yelled.

She ran out of her room, down the path to the gates as fast as she could. Thalawen could see he was almost to the gate. She skidded to a halt next to Arwen, breathing heavily, more tears in her eyes.

Legolas hesitated at the door, as if he knew she were there to see him off. He looked over his left shoulder, saw her standing there.

She could see his eyes were glossy as well. He smiled a sad smile and then he disappeared behind the wall.

Thalawen let out a breath, just as Arwen did.

"Are you alright, Thala?" she asked concerned.

"I wish not to speak of it," she said stiffly. She walked away to her rock bench and stayed there, well into the dawn of the next morning.

And for the first time in her life she cried.


* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *


The whole next week and a half turned out dull. Normal days, guarding the palace from enemies that never appeared.

Landailyn strolled the grounds, alone as usual, while singing in a soft tone to herself. A few more days, she thought, and Legolas would probably be home. Then things would be more interesting, they could go riding and hunting, like they used to.

At the moment, she wished for one of his and Aragorn's 'adventures'. Even the couple she had gotten herself caught up in with them, both ending almost perilous for the three of course, but anything besides just staying at home doing absolutely nothing.

Mentally, she went over what was to be done for the day, which seemed to be nothing important and checked up on anything her men might be accomplishing. Today, was one where they didn't do much either.

A few were out hunting, some practiced and trained, others just stood guard here and there.

She sighed and left them to their work, wondering what she herself could be doing. She needed to be useful, feel useful.

Drifting aimlessly to the stables, she found work to occupy her there.


TBC …