SHADOW IN THE TREES
By : mirkwood-elf-2931 & Thala
CHAPTER 23
She saw Thalawen coming down the walk toward where the three of them were
sleeping each night.
Waiting for her, Landailyn was alone, quietly threw small rocks in the river
and watched them skip all the way to the other side, where they would land on
the bank.
She scooted over on the bench so that Thalawen could sit down next to her.
Thalawen sat, slowly lowering her chin toward her chest and closing her eyes.
She knew Landailyn would want to talk. And sure enough, her thoughts proved
true.
To Landailyn the Elf looked more tired and upset than ever and if she continued
on this path, it would surely end her. She knew Thalawen was strong, she had
proven this on a few occasions, but no Elf was strong enough to deal with so
much pain and despair, on top of shame and embarrassment, especially on their
own.
"Legolas told me what happened." She said quietly.
Thalawen remained silent, letting her finish. She didn't really want to talk
about what had happened, but if she had to, she would not turn Landailyn away
as well.
"Do you want to talk about it? Would you let me help you, Thalawen?"
The Half-Elf only nodded, lids still shut. "Please."
Landailyn moved closer to her from her own seat, looking out over the water. "I
think you did the right thing, Thala. You're smart and you know what and who
you do and do not need. I respect you immensely for that. But what you're
feeling right now cannot last. You know how Elves deal with sadness and you
know what happens to those who cannot." She paused for the moment, letting
these words sink in and hoping they would have some affect. "I just got you
back, Thala. I will not lose you again." She said this more strongly
than intended, but her ordering abilities when captain seemed to be needed in
this particular conversation.
At last, Thalawen opened her eyes and turned a look on her friend. And in
Landailyn's, she saw something she never had before within their blue, as
Landailyn stared right back into hers.
Fear, mixed with some unreleased anger.
Though she knew the anger was probably not toward her, but because she would
not get rid of these feelings. And what might happen to her in result of them,
caused Landailyn to become truly fearful.
But for the small length of time that she'd gotten to know her, fear was not
really something she figured Landailyn would ever show unless it
couldn't be helped or it was in front an old friend or family member where she
was not ashamed to let it.
She remembered clearly that not even when Landailyn was about to die by her
hand, did she see any fear in these eyes. And realized this proved that she was
a real friend to Landailyn, no matter what.
Apparently, Thalawen wasn't going to say anything to the last statement, so the
awkward silence was broken by Landailyn's hushed voice. "So you know."
Referring to she and Legolas' 'slightly changed' relationship.
Thalawen looked away and back to the ground below. "Yes. I didn't mean to,
but...I overheard it all." Hoping this would not make her angrier. She watched
Landailyn's head rise and fall in a small nod from her peripheral vision, but
she said nothing, nor appeared to be upset about it. No, she was re-thinking
something she had said before.
"Thalawen, I know I told you before that I understood about knowing what and
who you do and do not need, but...Legolas, he...I think it deeply hurt him,
more than we know, that you turned him away from your friendship. Especially
without explantion. And I am not trying to tell you what to do, but just...give
it some time, maybe...maybe you'll grow to accept him as a friend once
more."
No matter how much she tried to hide it, Landailyn's voice had contained
sadness. She didn't want any of this ordeal to come between the prince and her
new friend, for now she knew about the time they had spent in Rivendell,
Legolas had explained it all to her.
Thalawen stayed silent still. Could she accept Legolas as a friend? It wouldn't
be for a very long time for she still loved him and when she looked him in the
eye she could feel that love swell inside her heart, making it so great she
felt it could break in two.
Yes, she finally concluded. She didn't want to lose Legolas over this, but it
would be a long time before she could truly befriend him without falling in
love with him all over again.
"Tomorrow they are leaving. We will not see them again for a long while." And
though she didn't express it verbally, she hated to even think about it, but
some of them it was possible they may never see again.
She let these last choice of words weigh on the Noldor Elf's mind, perhaps she
would also see the importance in it that remained unspoken.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Landailyn smiled to herself, at
seeing her friends up and their belongings and equipment almost packed. For two
days it had been since the Fellowship had rested in the Elven city, but now it
was time for them to leave.
She made little noise walking passed them and to the bank, but of course
Legolas heard her.
He turned to her and smiled faintly.
She returned it, noticing he wore a beautiful new bow and quiver and that so
far all of the Fellowship members she'd seen, let long grayish cloaks clasped
with green and silver leaf brooches hang on their squared shoulders.
"So today you are leaving once more." She stated, rather than asking. For it
was the truth, there was no choice. He had pledged his life in this quest and it
must be finished.
He picked up a few more bundles of arrows and handed some to Boromir, who was
trying not to eavesdrop on their conversation. "I am." He replied in a toneless
voice.
"Are you going to say goodbye this time?"
Legolas whipped back around to face her. "Diheno enni," [Forgive me,] He
looked down at the grassy green shore of the Silverlode. "I had to leave right
away and you had already left the palace when Silinde and I decided to go and
we left early the next morning before you started duty."
With a hand, she waved his apology off. "It is fine, I do not blame you."
"But I wanted to...if that makes you feel better."
She smiled and rolled her eyes.
He laughed at the reaction he got out of her, but in a matter of seconds he had
turned serious again. "And I do not want to leave now, but at least this time I
will say goodbye."
She nodded and spoke Elvish in return. "And I pray to Eru it will not be
forever."
Barely, the corners of his mouth curved upward in small sadden smile. "Me too."
Aragorn, Gimli and the Hobbits soon showed themselves, carrying their own
things and exchanging 'good mornings' with everyone.
"By the way," Landailyn turned to Aragorn. "Your father wishes that the next
time he sees you, or you," She glanced at Legolas. "You are not to be in the
shape you both always seem to return from anywhere in."
Aragorn began laughing, while the prince only smirked and Arwen arrived just in
time to ask. "What is so amusing?"
Aragorn pulled her close, still chuckling. "Father." He sighed.
She breathed a quiet laugh as well, for that single word was enough for her to
understand.
Soon, a few of the Lorien Elves came forth with more supplies for their boats
to hold.
"Grandmother wishes to see you all, before you leave." The princess of
Rivendell announced to the eight of them. All nodded and left right away toward
the House of Celeborn, not wishing to keep the Lady of the Wood waiting.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
On their way to see Galadriel,
Legolas paused and the rest of the group left him behind. He sensed someone
following him. Turning slowly, he caught sight of a startlingly white gown. It
covered the person's feet and the sleeves draped over the hands. His gaze
traveled upwards and he saw the face of Thalawen staring back.
He closed his eyes and shook his head, as if to clear his eyes and make sure he
wasn't seeing things, but when he opened them she was still there. Sadness was
etched in her face.
"I did not want you to leave without me saying goodbye on the off chance that I
might never see you again." She came closer to him and raised a hand to touch
his face. He leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. "If I saw you never
more, then I would live without happiness, for a friend once so dear to me
would be lost and never returned."
"We are friends again?" There was eagerness in his voice. He'd clasped her hand
between both of his and squeezed tightly with hope.
"We are, but there are things we need to speak of. Important things. When you
return I shall share with you everything and more," she promised. "In the
meantime, please stay safe. I do not want to lose you, my friend."
Legolas nodded his acceptance. "Until then," he said, bowing and kissing her
hand. "My lady," he said in farewell, then turned and walked back to the
Fellowship, turning once to wave, and then no more.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Galadriel and Celeborn stood in
front of the Company once more, only this time it was not in greeting.
"I see you all have found the cloaks left for you." The Lady looked over them.
"Ah, and I see you have found your new bow and quiver." Galadriel smiled at her
northern kin.
"I have, my lady." Legolas smiled. "And I thank you much for such wonderful
gifts."
"You are welcome, Son of Thranduil. For you two," She moved down the line to
stand in front of Merry and Pippin. "Daggers of the Noldorin."
They unsheathed them and their eyes grew in delight at the small shining
blades.
"For you, Samwise, I give Elven rope."
Sam smiled and took the thick silvery strands. "Thank you, my lady." Then it
faded and he looked hopefully over at his Hobbit companions. "Have you run out
of those nice shiny daggers?"
She returned his smile from before, mirth filling its every crease and instead
moved along. "And Aragorn, Son of Arathorn, you receive this." She held out a
long leather sheath with both hands, placing it in his, he took the smooth
white bone hilt and pulled it out. A silver, curved knife glinted brightly in
the morning sunrise. He stared at it in awe and didn't quite know what to say.
"Hannad lle," [Thank you,] He whispered.
She nodded. Next came Gimli. "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?"
At first, Gimli didn't reply. "Nothing, nothing..." He then muttered. "Except
maybe to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more
fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."
Galadriel laughed at his confession.
The Dwarf's skin turned a dark shade of red and he began to walk away, only to
stop a few seconds later. "Actually, uh, there is one thing..." He was hesitant,
but braved it anyway. "I wish a single hair from your golden head."
This she could easily grant him and with three little tugs, he had more than
he'd asked her for.
Finally, it was Frodo's turn. He stepped up to her for a last time. "And you,
Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." She
handed him a large glimmering phial, then bent down to kiss the top of his head
of dark curly locks.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
They headed back to the shores, saying more 'goodbyes' and 'thank you's' to the
others standing witness to their leave and who had brought items for travel. As
the rest climbed into their new structures of transportation, Thalawen watched
as her Human brother gave Arwen a quick kiss, smiling briefly.
But then her view turned toward the two most familiar Silvan Elves there.
Landailyn stood with Legolas by the boat he was to share with Gimli.
Since what was left of the Mirkwood army was in earshot, Landailyn tried to be
proper in seeing the Son of Thranduil off on the rest of his journey. "Prince
Legolas, I shall inform your father for you that you are well. And I shall see
you whenever it is you may return home." But she couldn't stop a grin from
forming. "Just...make sure you return home. I would wish not to even be near
your father, if any ill word was to come about you."
Legolas tried to control his laughter all the same, glancing over at their
troop and understanding her behavior. "Worry not, my friend, I will. Farewell,
for now."
"Namarie." She held out a hand and they clasped one another's forearm.
Aragorn and Legolas were the last to seat themselves, taking up an ore and
swiveling their wooden boats in the needed direction. The Ranger was behind
Frodo and Sam, the prince behind Gimli and in the last sat Borormir, Merry and
Pippin.
Within minutes, the three narrow boats had rowed out of sight around a section
of jutting land where the tall trees hid them. Everyone dispersed, seeing they
were gone. But the three she-Elves continued to stand on the bank, as if they
half expected them to round back from their course and were coming at any
moment.
And as if to be the first to accept that they weren't, Arwen stepped away to
speak with her grandparents. Leaving Landailyn and Thalawen together alone
again. Neither said anything for a few moments, keeping to themselves.
"Did you speak with Legolas?"
"Yes. I believe we are friends once more."
Landailyn's grin was wide with this news. "Good, I'm glad for that. Thank
you...for giving him a chance."
Thalawen still did not look at her, but actually smiled, a true full smile.
TBC ...
