Rejected
Chapter 4
"Ah, Legolas. There you are." Thranduil stood behind a heavy oak table, a fire blazing in the grate behind him, as Legolas stepped through the doorway. He had just been to see his sister Darlena, who was now recovering well in her room after being attacked by the boar. She was pale but cheerful, and longed to be out in the warmth of the sun once more. And Legolas longed for her as well.
"Yes, Father?" The elf approached Thranduil, who was now pacing back and forth across the rich blue carpet, a letter in his hand.
"I have here a letter from Lord Tarumil." Legolas's heart skipped a beat. "He has written to invite us to a wedding. Eliana's wedding."
Legolas felt as though a cold hand had suddenly squeezed his heart, and a feeling of despair swept over him.
"T - to whom?"
"To Falidol, a member of our court. They met during Tarumil's visit here." Thranduil walked briskly over to Legolas. "I have here also a letter to you, from Eliana. Apparently Falidol found it, not yet sealed, on her desk, and assumed it to be of some interest to both Lord Tarumil and myself. Eliana says that she hopes you will not be too distressed at the news of her wedding." The king scanned the letter carefully. "She wishes you to know that she bears you no ill will over your feelings for her, and she wishes you happiness and good fortune with her sister Dulorime ." Thranduil threw the letter onto the desk and faced Legolas. "Do you wish to say anything?"
Legolas turned away shaking, his eyes filled with tears. She was marrying someone else. She was gone forever. out of his life-
"Do you have anything to say??" Thranduil's fist came hurtling towards him. Legolas was thrown to the floor, his cheek throbbing, and blood trickling from his nose. "I wasted all that time, then. I waste six months arranging a marriage that would gain a powerful alliance, and my ungrateful son throws himself at another woman. Is this all the thanks I get?"
Legolas rose from the floor, his hand pressed against the swelling bruise on his face. He forced himself to look at his father, whose face was twisted in an expression of pure loathing for his son. Thranduil could think of nothing but the alliance he would have gained, and would gain still if he had his way. Love meant nothing to him. When maintaining power was all that mattered, love was pushed out and forgotten. The king raised his hand once more, but instead turned and marched out of the room.
Legolas turned and raced after him.
"Father-" But he was gone. The elf wiped the blood from his skin, staining the silver linen of his sleeve. As he looked back around the study behind him, his eyes fell upon the letter written by Eliana. The black ink, once clear and bold upon the parchment, now smudged under the salty tears falling rapidly from Legolas's eyes. He turned and ran. He ran away from the room. He ran away from the palace. He ran away from all the memories, the emotions, and the pain. Especially the pain. The pain of knowing that he had lost the woman he loved. The woman he would always love.
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Night was rapidly falling across the forest. The grey clouds cleared, revealing a velvet sky illuminated with bright stars and constellations. They shone down upon the trees, and on the river as it washed through the woods. The moon emitted its ghostly light, highlighting the rocks and creatures that littered the ground. Eventually it came across a lone figure slumped against a tree, lost in a weary sleep.
Legolas awoke from his slumber as the piercing screech of an owl shot through his head like an arrow. With a jump he leapt to his feet, not realising at first where he was. The elf stretched, and realised he'd been in the forest since that morning. That morning when his father had told him-
Legolas sank to the ground as the memories came flooding back. He could feel the dried blood upon his face, his lips. Trembling, his hand pulled the crumpled letter from his pocket, and he re-read it, fresh tears falling at every word. As he ended, he looked up and stared at the pale moon, remembering how Eliana had looked in the moonlight, her porcelain face glowing with beauty. Still remembering, he lay down and cried himself to sleep.
As Legolas approached the palace, the sun rising high overhead, he stayed out of the way of the court, slipping past them quietly towards the stairs. As he passed his father's study door, it opened and Thranduil stepped out. Legolas consciously put his hand to his face, still stained with his blood. Thranduil kept his head turned away and walked on, not stopping to acknowledge his son's presence.
The elf continued to ascend the stairs, making his way to his room. The curtains were drawn back, the pale sun flooding in, and the bedcovers were neatly folded, unused. Legolas tipped a jug of cold water into the washbasin and splashed his face, washing away the blood from his worn, pale face. Hearing a noise from outside, he passed over to the window and gazed out to the gardens. His brother Doriel was sat upon the lawn surrounded by a picnic and a group of young elf maidens. They were laughing together as one girl got up and danced. She twirled and twisted across the grass, so light that her feet barely touched the ground. As she finished, she knelt before Doriel, who grinned and kissed her. Legolas turned away from the scene. At least he doesn't love her, he thought. He wouldn't face the disappointment of having to let her go. He had plenty of other women.
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The west wing was deserted as Legolas walked along the corridor. As he pushed open the small, wooden door at the end, an elven woman came out carrying a casket of herbs and elixirs. She curtsied and passed by him. Legolas closed the door behind him and knelt down by the four-poster bed where Darlena was asleep. He smiled at her fair elvish face and stroked her golden hair. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
"Legolas? Have you come to visit? Nothing better to do, I suppose."
Legolas smiled back.
"Has father come to visit yet?"
"Unfortunately." She sighed and sat up, leaning tiredly against the cushions. "He ranted for quite some time."
"About?"
"About you, the marriage, something about an ungrateful, spoilt brat. Ring any bells?" Darlena looked up expectantly at him.
Legolas got up and turned away.
"Legolas? What is it?"
"I- I have to go." He made his way towards the door, trying desperately not to think about it. About her. But he couldn't let her go.
Legolas fled to the gardens, to the forest. He was trembling, the tears spilling out. He didn't hold back any more. All the pent up anger, hurt, pain came flooding out as he ran. Pushing aside branches, tearing at the leaves and bushes, he stumbled and kicked his way to the stream and followed it down to the pool. As he came to the banks of the clear waters he fell to the ground, pushing against the earth with his hands. With each tear fell a memory, a memory of Eliana. Her laughter, her smiles, her warmth. They fell, one by one, into the water before him. He had to let go.
A noise interrupted him. Someone was approaching the pool, their footsteps treading lightly against the ground. He cupped his hands and splashed water upon his face, washing away the dirt and sweat. Sighing, he got to his feet and turned around.
He almost collapsed back to the ground. Standing before him, dressed in a pale pink gown and embroidered cloak, was Eliana.
Legolas gasped, the tears re-filling his eyes. But this time they were tears of joy. He ran over to her and flung his arms around her, holding her tightly. Eliana smiled awkwardly and hugged back. At last Legolas let go of her reluctantly and stepped back.
"Eliana, I-" He was overwhelmed.
Eliana stepped towards him, her face emotionless.
"Legolas, I've come to settle things between us. I hope you received my letter."
Legolas nodded, and Eliana noticed the fading bruise on his face. She looked down, not wanting to say anything.
"What happened between us must be forgotten. I am soon to be a married woman."
He turned away from her, trying not to dwell on the thought.
"I'm sorry, Legolas. I'm sorry I've hurt you. I'm sorry if I ever gave you the idea that-" she sighed. "I- I have to go."
She walked over to where Legolas was stood rooted to the spot.
"Legolas?"
"I hope you'll be happy." He smiled at her, trying to mask his true feelings. He wanted to hold onto her and never let her go. He wanted to stay with her forever. He wanted this moment to never end.
"I have to go. I'm not staying in Mirkwood." She tightened the cords of her cloak, wrapping the layers of soft fabric about her shoulders.
The sound of horses echoed from among the trees. Eliana turned and waved to her escort, gesturing for them to prepare to leave.
"Goodbye, Legolas."
She kissed him on the cheek and walked away from the pool. He watched her go, unwavering. Eventually, he left the clearing and made his way back to the palace, still numb.
His room was still cold, untouched. The new night sky was shut out as Legolas pulled the heavy, velvet curtains across the windows. Instead of allowing the moonlight to shine in, he lit a candle, the glowing flame casting shadows into every corner. They danced about him like spirits, calling to him. They spoke her name- Eliana, Eliana. They mocked him, he thought. But not for long. The candle was blown out in one single breath. The spirits stilled.
He calmly laid Eliana's letter upon a small table, then sat down on his bed, leaning back against the soft cushions. His eyes never leaving the parchment, Legolas dreamt of the woman he loved. He longed for her, now more than ever. But she would never come.
He could see her face in his mind - her smile, her hair, her soft blue eyes. Her warmth radiated all around him. His breathing slowed, fading away like the light in his eyes. Legolas smiled. He was finally letting go, letting the memory of her go.
He could only see her face. Only her, as he sighed. As he gave his last breath.
Chapter 4
"Ah, Legolas. There you are." Thranduil stood behind a heavy oak table, a fire blazing in the grate behind him, as Legolas stepped through the doorway. He had just been to see his sister Darlena, who was now recovering well in her room after being attacked by the boar. She was pale but cheerful, and longed to be out in the warmth of the sun once more. And Legolas longed for her as well.
"Yes, Father?" The elf approached Thranduil, who was now pacing back and forth across the rich blue carpet, a letter in his hand.
"I have here a letter from Lord Tarumil." Legolas's heart skipped a beat. "He has written to invite us to a wedding. Eliana's wedding."
Legolas felt as though a cold hand had suddenly squeezed his heart, and a feeling of despair swept over him.
"T - to whom?"
"To Falidol, a member of our court. They met during Tarumil's visit here." Thranduil walked briskly over to Legolas. "I have here also a letter to you, from Eliana. Apparently Falidol found it, not yet sealed, on her desk, and assumed it to be of some interest to both Lord Tarumil and myself. Eliana says that she hopes you will not be too distressed at the news of her wedding." The king scanned the letter carefully. "She wishes you to know that she bears you no ill will over your feelings for her, and she wishes you happiness and good fortune with her sister Dulorime ." Thranduil threw the letter onto the desk and faced Legolas. "Do you wish to say anything?"
Legolas turned away shaking, his eyes filled with tears. She was marrying someone else. She was gone forever. out of his life-
"Do you have anything to say??" Thranduil's fist came hurtling towards him. Legolas was thrown to the floor, his cheek throbbing, and blood trickling from his nose. "I wasted all that time, then. I waste six months arranging a marriage that would gain a powerful alliance, and my ungrateful son throws himself at another woman. Is this all the thanks I get?"
Legolas rose from the floor, his hand pressed against the swelling bruise on his face. He forced himself to look at his father, whose face was twisted in an expression of pure loathing for his son. Thranduil could think of nothing but the alliance he would have gained, and would gain still if he had his way. Love meant nothing to him. When maintaining power was all that mattered, love was pushed out and forgotten. The king raised his hand once more, but instead turned and marched out of the room.
Legolas turned and raced after him.
"Father-" But he was gone. The elf wiped the blood from his skin, staining the silver linen of his sleeve. As he looked back around the study behind him, his eyes fell upon the letter written by Eliana. The black ink, once clear and bold upon the parchment, now smudged under the salty tears falling rapidly from Legolas's eyes. He turned and ran. He ran away from the room. He ran away from the palace. He ran away from all the memories, the emotions, and the pain. Especially the pain. The pain of knowing that he had lost the woman he loved. The woman he would always love.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Night was rapidly falling across the forest. The grey clouds cleared, revealing a velvet sky illuminated with bright stars and constellations. They shone down upon the trees, and on the river as it washed through the woods. The moon emitted its ghostly light, highlighting the rocks and creatures that littered the ground. Eventually it came across a lone figure slumped against a tree, lost in a weary sleep.
Legolas awoke from his slumber as the piercing screech of an owl shot through his head like an arrow. With a jump he leapt to his feet, not realising at first where he was. The elf stretched, and realised he'd been in the forest since that morning. That morning when his father had told him-
Legolas sank to the ground as the memories came flooding back. He could feel the dried blood upon his face, his lips. Trembling, his hand pulled the crumpled letter from his pocket, and he re-read it, fresh tears falling at every word. As he ended, he looked up and stared at the pale moon, remembering how Eliana had looked in the moonlight, her porcelain face glowing with beauty. Still remembering, he lay down and cried himself to sleep.
As Legolas approached the palace, the sun rising high overhead, he stayed out of the way of the court, slipping past them quietly towards the stairs. As he passed his father's study door, it opened and Thranduil stepped out. Legolas consciously put his hand to his face, still stained with his blood. Thranduil kept his head turned away and walked on, not stopping to acknowledge his son's presence.
The elf continued to ascend the stairs, making his way to his room. The curtains were drawn back, the pale sun flooding in, and the bedcovers were neatly folded, unused. Legolas tipped a jug of cold water into the washbasin and splashed his face, washing away the blood from his worn, pale face. Hearing a noise from outside, he passed over to the window and gazed out to the gardens. His brother Doriel was sat upon the lawn surrounded by a picnic and a group of young elf maidens. They were laughing together as one girl got up and danced. She twirled and twisted across the grass, so light that her feet barely touched the ground. As she finished, she knelt before Doriel, who grinned and kissed her. Legolas turned away from the scene. At least he doesn't love her, he thought. He wouldn't face the disappointment of having to let her go. He had plenty of other women.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The west wing was deserted as Legolas walked along the corridor. As he pushed open the small, wooden door at the end, an elven woman came out carrying a casket of herbs and elixirs. She curtsied and passed by him. Legolas closed the door behind him and knelt down by the four-poster bed where Darlena was asleep. He smiled at her fair elvish face and stroked her golden hair. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
"Legolas? Have you come to visit? Nothing better to do, I suppose."
Legolas smiled back.
"Has father come to visit yet?"
"Unfortunately." She sighed and sat up, leaning tiredly against the cushions. "He ranted for quite some time."
"About?"
"About you, the marriage, something about an ungrateful, spoilt brat. Ring any bells?" Darlena looked up expectantly at him.
Legolas got up and turned away.
"Legolas? What is it?"
"I- I have to go." He made his way towards the door, trying desperately not to think about it. About her. But he couldn't let her go.
Legolas fled to the gardens, to the forest. He was trembling, the tears spilling out. He didn't hold back any more. All the pent up anger, hurt, pain came flooding out as he ran. Pushing aside branches, tearing at the leaves and bushes, he stumbled and kicked his way to the stream and followed it down to the pool. As he came to the banks of the clear waters he fell to the ground, pushing against the earth with his hands. With each tear fell a memory, a memory of Eliana. Her laughter, her smiles, her warmth. They fell, one by one, into the water before him. He had to let go.
A noise interrupted him. Someone was approaching the pool, their footsteps treading lightly against the ground. He cupped his hands and splashed water upon his face, washing away the dirt and sweat. Sighing, he got to his feet and turned around.
He almost collapsed back to the ground. Standing before him, dressed in a pale pink gown and embroidered cloak, was Eliana.
Legolas gasped, the tears re-filling his eyes. But this time they were tears of joy. He ran over to her and flung his arms around her, holding her tightly. Eliana smiled awkwardly and hugged back. At last Legolas let go of her reluctantly and stepped back.
"Eliana, I-" He was overwhelmed.
Eliana stepped towards him, her face emotionless.
"Legolas, I've come to settle things between us. I hope you received my letter."
Legolas nodded, and Eliana noticed the fading bruise on his face. She looked down, not wanting to say anything.
"What happened between us must be forgotten. I am soon to be a married woman."
He turned away from her, trying not to dwell on the thought.
"I'm sorry, Legolas. I'm sorry I've hurt you. I'm sorry if I ever gave you the idea that-" she sighed. "I- I have to go."
She walked over to where Legolas was stood rooted to the spot.
"Legolas?"
"I hope you'll be happy." He smiled at her, trying to mask his true feelings. He wanted to hold onto her and never let her go. He wanted to stay with her forever. He wanted this moment to never end.
"I have to go. I'm not staying in Mirkwood." She tightened the cords of her cloak, wrapping the layers of soft fabric about her shoulders.
The sound of horses echoed from among the trees. Eliana turned and waved to her escort, gesturing for them to prepare to leave.
"Goodbye, Legolas."
She kissed him on the cheek and walked away from the pool. He watched her go, unwavering. Eventually, he left the clearing and made his way back to the palace, still numb.
His room was still cold, untouched. The new night sky was shut out as Legolas pulled the heavy, velvet curtains across the windows. Instead of allowing the moonlight to shine in, he lit a candle, the glowing flame casting shadows into every corner. They danced about him like spirits, calling to him. They spoke her name- Eliana, Eliana. They mocked him, he thought. But not for long. The candle was blown out in one single breath. The spirits stilled.
He calmly laid Eliana's letter upon a small table, then sat down on his bed, leaning back against the soft cushions. His eyes never leaving the parchment, Legolas dreamt of the woman he loved. He longed for her, now more than ever. But she would never come.
He could see her face in his mind - her smile, her hair, her soft blue eyes. Her warmth radiated all around him. His breathing slowed, fading away like the light in his eyes. Legolas smiled. He was finally letting go, letting the memory of her go.
He could only see her face. Only her, as he sighed. As he gave his last breath.