Disclaimer: All names, characters and places that occur in the Lord of the
Rings books are property of J.R.R Tolkien and if I was as good a writer as
he then I wouldn't need to write fiction about his books would I? Only
Celebfaer is mine.
Chapter 20: Matters of the Heart
The next day Legolas came to tell Celebfaer that they were leaving and she just smiled, a sad yet content smile, then she stroked his cheek tenderly.
"So you shall leave, and I shall stay. It is not the end, Legolas, merely the beginning." She said softly and then she laughed to try and lighten the mood. "Come let us go for a walk." She said and then she led him off into the woods.
The two days leading up to the day that the Fellowship were due to leave Lothlorien, appeared to be too short for Celebfaer. She and Legolas spent almost every waking hour together walking around the woods or just sitting by Celebfaer's favourite pond talking of things that did not mention the ring or anything of its journey. Sometimes Gimli or Aragorn would sit with them for an hour or two, but neither would stay for long, wanting to let Legolas and Celebfaer spend as much time alone as they could.
It was just before noon on the day before the Fellowship were due to leave, when Aragorn came up to the pond where the two were sitting, his heart was sad, but his face showed nothing of what he was thinking. He had been watching Legolas and Celebfaer for almost an hour, debating whether or not to tell Legolas that Galadriel had called a meeting for the members of the Fellowship at noon. But Aragorn had not the heart the to separate the two because he knew that it was possible that these were the last few hours that they would ever have together. The fate of any that traveled with the ring could not be foretold and it was quite likely that all the members of the Fellowship would share the same fate as Gandalf.
"Legolas." Aragorn said when he reached where the two were sitting and both Legolas and Celebfaer turned to look at him, amusement in their eyes and smiles on their faces.
"Aragorn, what causes you to watch us for almost an hour before you decide to approach? There is something that weighs heavy on your mind." Legolas said and Aragorn was glad to see that the Elf's senses were still as sharp as they used to be.
However, Aragorn suddenly wished that he had not volunteered to tell Legolas of the meeting that the Lady had called. The two looked so happy together, which reminded him painfully of Arwen, and he did not want to disturb the happiness that they shared, even if it were for a few hours.
"The Lady of the Wood has requested your presence in the meeting of the members of the Fellowship, concerning the quest." Aragorn said and Legolas nodded, the smile dropping from his face as his face returned to the normal serious look that rarely left his face before he met Celebfaer.
"When is the council due to be held?" Legolas asked, he knew the time had come to be serious once more.
"At noon on this day."
"But it is near noon now! Alas that we should be late!" Legolas cried, standing up and then he turned to look at Celebfaer as she stood up too. Her face had the same serious expression as Legolas' face. "My Lady, it appears that I am needed elsewhere for our quest is of great importance though I shall return as soon as the Valar wills it." He told her, but before he could say anything else, she took his right hand in both of hers to get his attention. When he looked at her it was as though his crystal blue eyes were staring straight into her soul.
"I shall not be here when you return Legolas." She said softly. "I wish to take a walk through the woods for a while. You can search for me there if you wish."
Legolas paused before he answered, his eyes still looking at her, their gaze cutting into her heart. "I shall." He said and she nodded, releasing his hand as he turned to Aragorn. "Come Aragorn. Lead the way, for the Lady of the Wood is not one to be kept waiting and I do not wish to be taught punctuality by the strokes of Gimli's axe." Legolas said and Aragorn smiled at his joke then turned and walked in the direction of the Lady's rooms, hoping Legolas was following him.
When both had turned their backs, Celebfaer tore her eyes away, then she turned in the opposite direction and quickly disappeared into the woods.
********************************
Some hours later, Legolas was seen heading through the woods, a passive look on his face. The Lady's last words still ringing in his ears.
'She loves you and no other, nor will she ever love another for you have captured her heart, even though she is yet to know this for the truth. But she has captured your heart also and you shall never get it back.'
There had been more - the Lady had spoken to all members of the Fellowship, in private - but it was these words that worried Legolas the most. He knew that he cared deeply for Celebfaer, because she had made him feel things that no other had ever made him feel. Before he had left Mirkwood, his father had tried to make him find a she-elf that he thought he could settle down with, but he had discarded them all, wanting only to live for his bow and the next quest that was appointed to him. And none of them had been able to hold his full concentration for more than a minute.
But what was it about Celebfaer that had caught him? He did not know, because she certainly wasn't as stunning in appearance as the she-elves that his father had presented to him. He supposed that what first caught his attention was her strange attire at the Council. Later it would have been his discovery that she was from the woods of Lothlorien as he had assumed that all the Elves from the Golden Wood were mysterious. Being in Lothlorien now he knew that they were just like the other Elves, but at the time he had not known that.
Celebfaer made him feel as though it was his duty to protect her above all things. He had first felt the need to protect her on the day in Rivendell when he had seen her sitting almost lifelessly on her horse. Then when he had seen the damage that the Orcs had done to her wings, that feeling had been renewed only this time he had not wanted to see her hurt or helpless ever again.
The Lady told him that this was love, but Legolas was still a little uncertain. He had called her his love once, but it had been a slip of the tongue and he wished that he could take it back because he did not know for sure what he felt. She made his thoughts run wild and he wanted to find her and tell her something of what he felt for her so that maybe he could understand it himself.
So, he headed out into the woods, hoping that he could find her because he feared that this would be his last chance to talk to her alone. He did not know if he would survive the quest to destroy the ring, but he knew that if he did he would pass through Lothlorien to see her on his way back to Mirkwood forest.
But first he had to find her in the woods.
*********************************
Celebfaer had gone into the woods, searching for something she had hidden there. She had hidden it with the intent of leaving it there and never letting it see the light of day again but she knew now that it had to be destroyed. It was a piece of paper and she realised now that she should not have written anything of that nature down on paper, let alone leave it where any elf could find it. She had hidden it very well, because she dreaded to think of what would have happened if some one found it.
Celebfaer found the tree easily and once there, she looked around cautiously before kneeling down to remove a piece of bark from the bottom of the tree. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the small piece of folded paper still there where she had left it. Looking around guiltily once more, she removed the piece of paper, then put it in one of her cloak pockets before replacing the piece of bark and walking away from the tree.
She walked for about half an hour before she finally stopped, looking around to see if anyone, even the guards had noticed her. Content that she was safe, she looked around the area that she was in. With a smile she found a small boulder lodged in the ground, so she sat on it making herself comfortable, before she pulled the piece of paper out of her pocket and looked at it, not wanting to open it.
Sitting there looking at the piece of paper, she got a little scared. She had written some of her deepest thoughts down on that piece of paper and they scared her. Her feelings for Legolas were terrifying, because she had never felt so many emotions for one person. Something she had felt today had completely confused her though.
When Aragorn had announced that Legolas was needed for a meeting of the Fellowship, the realisation that she would not be continuing with them had sunk in and she had felt angry at both Aragorn and Legolas. The anger came from her heart and it was this weird anger that she felt towards not only Legolas and Aragorn, but the rest of the Fellowship as well that confused her.
Deep down she knew that she wanted Legolas to announce that he would not continue on with the rest of the Fellowship so that he could stay with her, but she knew also that it was his duty to go and his sense of duty was very strong. Legolas, like all in the Fellowship had sworn to protect the ring- bearer until the end of the quest and he would not go back on his word. Celebfaer herself had sworn to protect Frodo, but her promise had been merely until she made it to Lothlorien, and now she was in Lothlorien she was free of her promise. But that did not explain her anger at Legolas.
The way he had merely told Aragorn that he would come had baffled her. She had thought that Legolas would have at least waited until Aragorn had left to discuss it with her before following after him. But Legolas' honour was too great.
Celebfaer bit her lip, uncertain and fought tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. She knew she had been foolish to think that Legolas, an Elven Prince, could possibly share deep feelings for her. She was not an elf, and Legolas' honour and duty was a lot more important to him than a 'mythical being' that he happened to like talking to. When one is on a mission, surely love can never blossom or survive, had he not said that to her once, whilst walking through the woods?
Sighing, Celebfaer called to the fire spirit, setting the piece of paper alight. She let it burn for a few seconds before she placed it on the ground and watched it burn to ashes. When the fire had gone out and only ashes were left, she called the wind spirit and a small gust of wind scattered the ashes throughout the wood, so that none would ever learn of its contents.
She sat for some time after that, thinking her own quiet thoughts and suddenly she realised that the shadows of the trees were getting longer than they should that marked late afternoon. So, not wanting the sun to go down before she made it back to the City, she started on her way back.
When she came to the hill Cerin Amroth - where Aragorn and Arwen had pledged to each other 38 years before - the sun was just starting to go down and she paused for a moment, debating whether or not to go back into the City.
*********************************
Legolas had headed in the direction of Cerin Amroth because he had felt that Celebfaer would be found in the woods somewhere near there. He came there just as the sun was due to go down too.
He was a little shocked to find that Celebfaer was standing in the clearing of Cerin Amroth, a look of deep thought on her face, so smiling he headed over in her direction.
"Celebfaer, glad I am to see your face." He said and she looked up at the sound of his voice, a sadness in her eyes had he not seen before. Instantly he became concerned and he scanned the area, wondering what had caused her such sadness. "What is the matter?" He asked her, finding nothing.
"Nothing of your concern Legolas." She said, the sadness disappearing from her eyes and she looked at him, her face serious and curious at the same time. "You shall leave with the Fellowship tomorrow?" She asked him then changing the subject and he nodded.
"Though my heart wishes me to stay where it belongs, I shall travel with the Fellowship tomorrow." He said sadly and this time she looked up at him, slightly confused.
"Where does your heart wish to stay Legolas? In the great Mirkwood forest of perhaps in Rivendell......?" She started, he shook his head, confused at why she was saying these things and then he spoke, cutting her off so that she could not finish.
"My heart desires to stay in Lothlorien with you Celebfaer."
"Why? I am a Fairy, deemed to be stuck in Middle Earth with the rest of the Mortals while the Elves travel to Valinor......."
"Because I love you." He said quickly before he could think about the words and stop them from coming out of his mouth.
"Pardon?" She asked, not believing what she had just heard.
"I love you Celebfaer." He said and this time he meant to say it. "And when this quest is over and the ring is destroyed, I shall come back to Lothlorien for you. This is all I can promise you for I have no gift to assure you that I shall return. Though I do wish for you to know that I am yet to break a promise and this I promise you, so it shall be done to the best of my ability." He added and she looked at him, too shocked to talk, which caused him to smile. "My love is speechless? Surely she has something to say?"
There was a small silence before she spoke, so softly that he only just heard her.
"Keep your promise Legolas, for I will not wait forever." She said softly and he smiled, then he ran the back of his fingers up the side of her arm, then up to her chin, gently pushing her chin upwards before he leaned down and kissed her ever so softly.
"I will not let you wait that long." He added before kissing her once more.
And so the sun went down as Legolas and Celebfaer kissed at the same spot where Arwen had told Aragorn that she would bind herself to him 38 years ago.
Chapter 20: Matters of the Heart
The next day Legolas came to tell Celebfaer that they were leaving and she just smiled, a sad yet content smile, then she stroked his cheek tenderly.
"So you shall leave, and I shall stay. It is not the end, Legolas, merely the beginning." She said softly and then she laughed to try and lighten the mood. "Come let us go for a walk." She said and then she led him off into the woods.
The two days leading up to the day that the Fellowship were due to leave Lothlorien, appeared to be too short for Celebfaer. She and Legolas spent almost every waking hour together walking around the woods or just sitting by Celebfaer's favourite pond talking of things that did not mention the ring or anything of its journey. Sometimes Gimli or Aragorn would sit with them for an hour or two, but neither would stay for long, wanting to let Legolas and Celebfaer spend as much time alone as they could.
It was just before noon on the day before the Fellowship were due to leave, when Aragorn came up to the pond where the two were sitting, his heart was sad, but his face showed nothing of what he was thinking. He had been watching Legolas and Celebfaer for almost an hour, debating whether or not to tell Legolas that Galadriel had called a meeting for the members of the Fellowship at noon. But Aragorn had not the heart the to separate the two because he knew that it was possible that these were the last few hours that they would ever have together. The fate of any that traveled with the ring could not be foretold and it was quite likely that all the members of the Fellowship would share the same fate as Gandalf.
"Legolas." Aragorn said when he reached where the two were sitting and both Legolas and Celebfaer turned to look at him, amusement in their eyes and smiles on their faces.
"Aragorn, what causes you to watch us for almost an hour before you decide to approach? There is something that weighs heavy on your mind." Legolas said and Aragorn was glad to see that the Elf's senses were still as sharp as they used to be.
However, Aragorn suddenly wished that he had not volunteered to tell Legolas of the meeting that the Lady had called. The two looked so happy together, which reminded him painfully of Arwen, and he did not want to disturb the happiness that they shared, even if it were for a few hours.
"The Lady of the Wood has requested your presence in the meeting of the members of the Fellowship, concerning the quest." Aragorn said and Legolas nodded, the smile dropping from his face as his face returned to the normal serious look that rarely left his face before he met Celebfaer.
"When is the council due to be held?" Legolas asked, he knew the time had come to be serious once more.
"At noon on this day."
"But it is near noon now! Alas that we should be late!" Legolas cried, standing up and then he turned to look at Celebfaer as she stood up too. Her face had the same serious expression as Legolas' face. "My Lady, it appears that I am needed elsewhere for our quest is of great importance though I shall return as soon as the Valar wills it." He told her, but before he could say anything else, she took his right hand in both of hers to get his attention. When he looked at her it was as though his crystal blue eyes were staring straight into her soul.
"I shall not be here when you return Legolas." She said softly. "I wish to take a walk through the woods for a while. You can search for me there if you wish."
Legolas paused before he answered, his eyes still looking at her, their gaze cutting into her heart. "I shall." He said and she nodded, releasing his hand as he turned to Aragorn. "Come Aragorn. Lead the way, for the Lady of the Wood is not one to be kept waiting and I do not wish to be taught punctuality by the strokes of Gimli's axe." Legolas said and Aragorn smiled at his joke then turned and walked in the direction of the Lady's rooms, hoping Legolas was following him.
When both had turned their backs, Celebfaer tore her eyes away, then she turned in the opposite direction and quickly disappeared into the woods.
********************************
Some hours later, Legolas was seen heading through the woods, a passive look on his face. The Lady's last words still ringing in his ears.
'She loves you and no other, nor will she ever love another for you have captured her heart, even though she is yet to know this for the truth. But she has captured your heart also and you shall never get it back.'
There had been more - the Lady had spoken to all members of the Fellowship, in private - but it was these words that worried Legolas the most. He knew that he cared deeply for Celebfaer, because she had made him feel things that no other had ever made him feel. Before he had left Mirkwood, his father had tried to make him find a she-elf that he thought he could settle down with, but he had discarded them all, wanting only to live for his bow and the next quest that was appointed to him. And none of them had been able to hold his full concentration for more than a minute.
But what was it about Celebfaer that had caught him? He did not know, because she certainly wasn't as stunning in appearance as the she-elves that his father had presented to him. He supposed that what first caught his attention was her strange attire at the Council. Later it would have been his discovery that she was from the woods of Lothlorien as he had assumed that all the Elves from the Golden Wood were mysterious. Being in Lothlorien now he knew that they were just like the other Elves, but at the time he had not known that.
Celebfaer made him feel as though it was his duty to protect her above all things. He had first felt the need to protect her on the day in Rivendell when he had seen her sitting almost lifelessly on her horse. Then when he had seen the damage that the Orcs had done to her wings, that feeling had been renewed only this time he had not wanted to see her hurt or helpless ever again.
The Lady told him that this was love, but Legolas was still a little uncertain. He had called her his love once, but it had been a slip of the tongue and he wished that he could take it back because he did not know for sure what he felt. She made his thoughts run wild and he wanted to find her and tell her something of what he felt for her so that maybe he could understand it himself.
So, he headed out into the woods, hoping that he could find her because he feared that this would be his last chance to talk to her alone. He did not know if he would survive the quest to destroy the ring, but he knew that if he did he would pass through Lothlorien to see her on his way back to Mirkwood forest.
But first he had to find her in the woods.
*********************************
Celebfaer had gone into the woods, searching for something she had hidden there. She had hidden it with the intent of leaving it there and never letting it see the light of day again but she knew now that it had to be destroyed. It was a piece of paper and she realised now that she should not have written anything of that nature down on paper, let alone leave it where any elf could find it. She had hidden it very well, because she dreaded to think of what would have happened if some one found it.
Celebfaer found the tree easily and once there, she looked around cautiously before kneeling down to remove a piece of bark from the bottom of the tree. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the small piece of folded paper still there where she had left it. Looking around guiltily once more, she removed the piece of paper, then put it in one of her cloak pockets before replacing the piece of bark and walking away from the tree.
She walked for about half an hour before she finally stopped, looking around to see if anyone, even the guards had noticed her. Content that she was safe, she looked around the area that she was in. With a smile she found a small boulder lodged in the ground, so she sat on it making herself comfortable, before she pulled the piece of paper out of her pocket and looked at it, not wanting to open it.
Sitting there looking at the piece of paper, she got a little scared. She had written some of her deepest thoughts down on that piece of paper and they scared her. Her feelings for Legolas were terrifying, because she had never felt so many emotions for one person. Something she had felt today had completely confused her though.
When Aragorn had announced that Legolas was needed for a meeting of the Fellowship, the realisation that she would not be continuing with them had sunk in and she had felt angry at both Aragorn and Legolas. The anger came from her heart and it was this weird anger that she felt towards not only Legolas and Aragorn, but the rest of the Fellowship as well that confused her.
Deep down she knew that she wanted Legolas to announce that he would not continue on with the rest of the Fellowship so that he could stay with her, but she knew also that it was his duty to go and his sense of duty was very strong. Legolas, like all in the Fellowship had sworn to protect the ring- bearer until the end of the quest and he would not go back on his word. Celebfaer herself had sworn to protect Frodo, but her promise had been merely until she made it to Lothlorien, and now she was in Lothlorien she was free of her promise. But that did not explain her anger at Legolas.
The way he had merely told Aragorn that he would come had baffled her. She had thought that Legolas would have at least waited until Aragorn had left to discuss it with her before following after him. But Legolas' honour was too great.
Celebfaer bit her lip, uncertain and fought tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. She knew she had been foolish to think that Legolas, an Elven Prince, could possibly share deep feelings for her. She was not an elf, and Legolas' honour and duty was a lot more important to him than a 'mythical being' that he happened to like talking to. When one is on a mission, surely love can never blossom or survive, had he not said that to her once, whilst walking through the woods?
Sighing, Celebfaer called to the fire spirit, setting the piece of paper alight. She let it burn for a few seconds before she placed it on the ground and watched it burn to ashes. When the fire had gone out and only ashes were left, she called the wind spirit and a small gust of wind scattered the ashes throughout the wood, so that none would ever learn of its contents.
She sat for some time after that, thinking her own quiet thoughts and suddenly she realised that the shadows of the trees were getting longer than they should that marked late afternoon. So, not wanting the sun to go down before she made it back to the City, she started on her way back.
When she came to the hill Cerin Amroth - where Aragorn and Arwen had pledged to each other 38 years before - the sun was just starting to go down and she paused for a moment, debating whether or not to go back into the City.
*********************************
Legolas had headed in the direction of Cerin Amroth because he had felt that Celebfaer would be found in the woods somewhere near there. He came there just as the sun was due to go down too.
He was a little shocked to find that Celebfaer was standing in the clearing of Cerin Amroth, a look of deep thought on her face, so smiling he headed over in her direction.
"Celebfaer, glad I am to see your face." He said and she looked up at the sound of his voice, a sadness in her eyes had he not seen before. Instantly he became concerned and he scanned the area, wondering what had caused her such sadness. "What is the matter?" He asked her, finding nothing.
"Nothing of your concern Legolas." She said, the sadness disappearing from her eyes and she looked at him, her face serious and curious at the same time. "You shall leave with the Fellowship tomorrow?" She asked him then changing the subject and he nodded.
"Though my heart wishes me to stay where it belongs, I shall travel with the Fellowship tomorrow." He said sadly and this time she looked up at him, slightly confused.
"Where does your heart wish to stay Legolas? In the great Mirkwood forest of perhaps in Rivendell......?" She started, he shook his head, confused at why she was saying these things and then he spoke, cutting her off so that she could not finish.
"My heart desires to stay in Lothlorien with you Celebfaer."
"Why? I am a Fairy, deemed to be stuck in Middle Earth with the rest of the Mortals while the Elves travel to Valinor......."
"Because I love you." He said quickly before he could think about the words and stop them from coming out of his mouth.
"Pardon?" She asked, not believing what she had just heard.
"I love you Celebfaer." He said and this time he meant to say it. "And when this quest is over and the ring is destroyed, I shall come back to Lothlorien for you. This is all I can promise you for I have no gift to assure you that I shall return. Though I do wish for you to know that I am yet to break a promise and this I promise you, so it shall be done to the best of my ability." He added and she looked at him, too shocked to talk, which caused him to smile. "My love is speechless? Surely she has something to say?"
There was a small silence before she spoke, so softly that he only just heard her.
"Keep your promise Legolas, for I will not wait forever." She said softly and he smiled, then he ran the back of his fingers up the side of her arm, then up to her chin, gently pushing her chin upwards before he leaned down and kissed her ever so softly.
"I will not let you wait that long." He added before kissing her once more.
And so the sun went down as Legolas and Celebfaer kissed at the same spot where Arwen had told Aragorn that she would bind herself to him 38 years ago.
