Chapter 2
Neenuvar, the Torment
The last twenty years were the worst of Legolas's life. The baby was called Neenuvar, which meant water lily. The guards who had found the girl had named her and visited her every week. She grew quickly and was soon extremely wise beyond her years. The city of Mirkwood adores her throughout the first ten years of her life and Legolas was neglected. He could accidentally run into somebody and they would ignore him or curse at him for his clumsiness.
It wasn't long before Neenuvar was a beautiful young maiden. Her eyes were large and shone bluer then the sky. Her hair grew long and silvery. Her face was a clean carving of majesty and splendor. Legolas couldn't deny that she was beautiful, but the event that occurred in the room fourteen years ago wasn't the last time he would hear that voice.
When she was fourteen a storm struck the city. She took the fastest steed and rode out to the riverside. Legolas followed as close as he could, but she rode faster then the wind and stronger then the mountains. When he arrived at the river she had pulled a young boy from the flooding waters. The mother praised her and bowed to her. She accepted it modestly and looked at the late hero.
'Where were you on that one, Legolas?' She was constantly teasing him, insulting him, or threatening him in their secret communication which gave him a good reason to strongly dislike her. Thranduil pampered her and was constantly caring for her. He would gaze at her during meals and watch her dance in the courtyard. Legolas was the only one who could resist her trance and hear her telepathic messages.
Thranduil shunned Legolas, which was essentially the happier part of the situation. When he wasn't ignoring him, the commented on how horrible he acts towards this woman or how he should be more like her. She was better at everything he knew how to do and so much more. She would pierce her arrow through his and arrived at the end of a race long before he was halfway done. It burned his heart to see her accomplishing everything better then he with the support of his father.
When she turned twenty, Legolas was pushed over the edge. A feast was held in her honor. The men stared in a trance and the woman tilted their heads in admiration. Legolas was asked to sit next to her. At the end of the festive meal she had given him a bought of teasing and taunting. Legolas managed to ignore all the comments and bury his anger in his heart. Thranduil stood and lifted his glass.
'I have an announcement to make!' he cried. The elves all around raised their glasses. 'Neenuvar has grown up to be the daughter I never had! She has shown me and this kingdom loyalty, trustworthiness, and a heart gentler than any I have ever seen!' Legolas felt the rage inside him begin to spill over its containment. 'I am pleased to say that she is now the second heir to the throne of Mirkwood!' Neenuvar gasped and smiled, bringing her hands to her throat in surprise. Legolas felt the fury boil up in him as she fanned herself. 'To Neenuvar!' The elves all around repeated the phrase and drank to her. Neenuvar turned to Legolas.
'Are you happy for me?' she asked in that false, melodious tone. Legolas didn't answer. 'I'll be able to sit with you and your father on the throne! This is the happiest day of my life!' With that, Legolas stood from the table and stomped out of the room. The eyes of the elves followed him, including the shocked orbs of Neenuvar. She faked a disappointed look and stared at her meal for the rest of the evening.
Thranduil tried to comfort her but she simply stood and left to her chamber, hand to her mouth to hid the bogus trembling.
When she arrived in her room, she began to laugh maniacally.
*
Legolas sat out in the courtyard that morning, staring at the flowers growing in the dirt. He leaned against a tree, deep in angry thought.
'Legolas?' asked Thranduil as he approached. The elf prince looked away from his father. 'Could you perhaps tell me why you left the table like that last night?' Legolas continued to look away, not saying a word. 'Is there something you want to talk to me about?' Legolas sighed, considering how that conversation would go:
'She torments me, father. She threatens me?'
'What? She doesn't do anything of the sort!'
'But she does! All the time! You can't hear here because she sends me a message in my mind!'
'You're just jealous! Don't be so childish Legolas, you a prince for Valar's sake!'
'She does though! She's an awful woman!'
'One more word about her like that and I'll have your tongue cut from your mouth!'
Even the simple explanations seemed to lead to the worst outcome.
'No.' he replied to the king. 'Leave me be.' Thranduil sighed and left the courtyard.
Not much later, Neenuvar appeared.
'Are you angry with me, Legolas?' she asked. Legolas glared at her.
'There's no need to act. There's nobody around.' The elf maiden made a phony face of innocent worry.
'There's no need to risk my secrets being revealed, is there?' she asked without moving her lips. Legolas turned back to the flowers but didn't look at them. 'I'd watch your back, Legolas.' she said threateningly. 'There is so much I can do to make this situation worse then it will already be.' Legolas stared up at her, his face a expression of deep concern.
'There's nothing you can do.' he said to her.
'I wouldn't be so sure.' she laughed inside his mind. 'I've already got a great plan for you.' without another word she turned and left.
*
Not a week later, another severe storm hit the city. Windows were boarded up and lightening struck the trees. Neenuvar left on horseback again and Legolas followed. She seemed faster then before as she made towards the river. The water drowned out most of Legolas's eyesight and the only sounds he heard was the thundering of the storm. Lightening was the only source of light that let him know if he was heading the right way or not.
Legolas felt the horse stumble once or twice in the darkness and he nearly fell off himself. Somehow he made it to the quickly rising riverside.
'You're quick.' said that voice in his head. 'But I'm quicker.' Lightening flashed over the treetops, lighting up the scene. The river water was raging and Neenuvar stood by its side. With perfect form, she dove underneath the surface. Legolas had to squint to see through the rain. He could see her shadow cutting through the water going upriver. His elvish ears picked up a wild screaming coming from upstream. He ran along the band until he nearly passed a small shadow in the water, clinging for dear life on a tree.
'Hold on!' Legolas cried out to the child. Another wail pierced the air. Without removing his robes, he dove into the water with as much grace as he could muster.
Using all the strength he could possibly handle he swam towards the rock where a young girl clung on for dear life. He wails pierced the air like a sword pierced flesh. Legolas felt his heart go out to her, forgetting all about Neenuvar and the throne. Instinct took over and he grasped the rock next to the girl.
'Are you all right?' he cried over the rumble of the rain hitting the waters. The girl whimpered and nodded. 'Can you hang onto my back?' The little girl nodded again and crawled onto the prince's back, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck.
'You're such a hero wannabe.' laughed Neenuvar in his head. 'See if you can save her through this!'
The rumble suddenly grew to a deafening roar and the water level rose drastically. Legolas kicked with all his might to stay above the water, but couldn't last. Suddenly, the weight of the girl was lifted from his back and he broke the surface.
'Hang on, little one!' he heard Neenuvar cry. Legolas sputtered as he felt her hand grasp the collar of his robes. He knocked it away and yelled.
'Take her! You'll get there faster!'
'Not a bad idea.' responded Neenuvar quietly. Legolas noticed that it was almost like she was walking on the river floor. The little girl clung to her like a baby and wouldn't let go for anything. Legolas found himself struggling to stay above the surface as the water grew more fast and furious. Waves began to push him away from the banks towards the center of the river. Something solid struck his back and threw an intense wave of pain through him. He cried out as he continued to bob in and out of the water. The current sucked him down until he was rolling on the rocky bottom. He felt his robes catch on something and rip, creating a bloody cut on his back.
He broke the surface once more and gasped for air. His limbs filled with shallow strength as the oxygen strengthened his tired body. He could see a silver form running along the riverbank and into the water. He was sucked under one last time before confirming that it was Neenuvar.
He rolled along the bottom again, knowing that it would be over soon. Whether or not Neenuvar would actually save him or he would drown, everything would be peaceful soon. He felt his body begin to surrender to the cold and grow weaker. A dead branch was suddenly lodged in his leg, but he had not strength to cry out. His chest burned with pain as water filled his lungs. He was barely conscious and breathing in the water. He knew that it would all be over soon.
He was barely aware of Neenuvar pulling him up out of the water and onto the grassy bank. He didn't breath and didn't even try to cough. He closed his eyes and waited for the pain to stop. Sudden jolts collided with his chest.
'You're not going to die yet, Legolas.' said a faint, beautiful voice. 'I have better ideas.' Legolas suddenly coughed up water that spilt down his face and onto his bloody chest. He felt lips against his and more pounding on his lungs. Suddenly, he found strength to breathe in and he coughed up much more water before he had a steady rhythm going. Legolas choked several times before somebody finally lifted him into a sitting position. It took much strength to breathe and he could hardly hold his head up. Water trickled from his mouth and nose. He felt a chill rock his body and a blanket wrap around him.
'Legolas? Legolas, talk to me!' Legolas opened his eyes to see Thranduil standing over him. He forced some words form his throat that burned his whole body.
'Is... the girl...' he went into another coughing fit and Thranduil nodded.
'Yes, everyone's fine.' the king held his son's head to his chest. 'Oh, Valar, thank Valar!' Legolas could feel the warm tears from his father slide onto his ears. 'Thank you, Neenuvar, thank you!' Legolas could see a soaked maiden beside him, her silver hair matted to her head and her dress sopping.
The pressure of Thranduil's chin on his head told him that he was staring at Neenuvar.
Neenuvar, the Torment
The last twenty years were the worst of Legolas's life. The baby was called Neenuvar, which meant water lily. The guards who had found the girl had named her and visited her every week. She grew quickly and was soon extremely wise beyond her years. The city of Mirkwood adores her throughout the first ten years of her life and Legolas was neglected. He could accidentally run into somebody and they would ignore him or curse at him for his clumsiness.
It wasn't long before Neenuvar was a beautiful young maiden. Her eyes were large and shone bluer then the sky. Her hair grew long and silvery. Her face was a clean carving of majesty and splendor. Legolas couldn't deny that she was beautiful, but the event that occurred in the room fourteen years ago wasn't the last time he would hear that voice.
When she was fourteen a storm struck the city. She took the fastest steed and rode out to the riverside. Legolas followed as close as he could, but she rode faster then the wind and stronger then the mountains. When he arrived at the river she had pulled a young boy from the flooding waters. The mother praised her and bowed to her. She accepted it modestly and looked at the late hero.
'Where were you on that one, Legolas?' She was constantly teasing him, insulting him, or threatening him in their secret communication which gave him a good reason to strongly dislike her. Thranduil pampered her and was constantly caring for her. He would gaze at her during meals and watch her dance in the courtyard. Legolas was the only one who could resist her trance and hear her telepathic messages.
Thranduil shunned Legolas, which was essentially the happier part of the situation. When he wasn't ignoring him, the commented on how horrible he acts towards this woman or how he should be more like her. She was better at everything he knew how to do and so much more. She would pierce her arrow through his and arrived at the end of a race long before he was halfway done. It burned his heart to see her accomplishing everything better then he with the support of his father.
When she turned twenty, Legolas was pushed over the edge. A feast was held in her honor. The men stared in a trance and the woman tilted their heads in admiration. Legolas was asked to sit next to her. At the end of the festive meal she had given him a bought of teasing and taunting. Legolas managed to ignore all the comments and bury his anger in his heart. Thranduil stood and lifted his glass.
'I have an announcement to make!' he cried. The elves all around raised their glasses. 'Neenuvar has grown up to be the daughter I never had! She has shown me and this kingdom loyalty, trustworthiness, and a heart gentler than any I have ever seen!' Legolas felt the rage inside him begin to spill over its containment. 'I am pleased to say that she is now the second heir to the throne of Mirkwood!' Neenuvar gasped and smiled, bringing her hands to her throat in surprise. Legolas felt the fury boil up in him as she fanned herself. 'To Neenuvar!' The elves all around repeated the phrase and drank to her. Neenuvar turned to Legolas.
'Are you happy for me?' she asked in that false, melodious tone. Legolas didn't answer. 'I'll be able to sit with you and your father on the throne! This is the happiest day of my life!' With that, Legolas stood from the table and stomped out of the room. The eyes of the elves followed him, including the shocked orbs of Neenuvar. She faked a disappointed look and stared at her meal for the rest of the evening.
Thranduil tried to comfort her but she simply stood and left to her chamber, hand to her mouth to hid the bogus trembling.
When she arrived in her room, she began to laugh maniacally.
*
Legolas sat out in the courtyard that morning, staring at the flowers growing in the dirt. He leaned against a tree, deep in angry thought.
'Legolas?' asked Thranduil as he approached. The elf prince looked away from his father. 'Could you perhaps tell me why you left the table like that last night?' Legolas continued to look away, not saying a word. 'Is there something you want to talk to me about?' Legolas sighed, considering how that conversation would go:
'She torments me, father. She threatens me?'
'What? She doesn't do anything of the sort!'
'But she does! All the time! You can't hear here because she sends me a message in my mind!'
'You're just jealous! Don't be so childish Legolas, you a prince for Valar's sake!'
'She does though! She's an awful woman!'
'One more word about her like that and I'll have your tongue cut from your mouth!'
Even the simple explanations seemed to lead to the worst outcome.
'No.' he replied to the king. 'Leave me be.' Thranduil sighed and left the courtyard.
Not much later, Neenuvar appeared.
'Are you angry with me, Legolas?' she asked. Legolas glared at her.
'There's no need to act. There's nobody around.' The elf maiden made a phony face of innocent worry.
'There's no need to risk my secrets being revealed, is there?' she asked without moving her lips. Legolas turned back to the flowers but didn't look at them. 'I'd watch your back, Legolas.' she said threateningly. 'There is so much I can do to make this situation worse then it will already be.' Legolas stared up at her, his face a expression of deep concern.
'There's nothing you can do.' he said to her.
'I wouldn't be so sure.' she laughed inside his mind. 'I've already got a great plan for you.' without another word she turned and left.
*
Not a week later, another severe storm hit the city. Windows were boarded up and lightening struck the trees. Neenuvar left on horseback again and Legolas followed. She seemed faster then before as she made towards the river. The water drowned out most of Legolas's eyesight and the only sounds he heard was the thundering of the storm. Lightening was the only source of light that let him know if he was heading the right way or not.
Legolas felt the horse stumble once or twice in the darkness and he nearly fell off himself. Somehow he made it to the quickly rising riverside.
'You're quick.' said that voice in his head. 'But I'm quicker.' Lightening flashed over the treetops, lighting up the scene. The river water was raging and Neenuvar stood by its side. With perfect form, she dove underneath the surface. Legolas had to squint to see through the rain. He could see her shadow cutting through the water going upriver. His elvish ears picked up a wild screaming coming from upstream. He ran along the band until he nearly passed a small shadow in the water, clinging for dear life on a tree.
'Hold on!' Legolas cried out to the child. Another wail pierced the air. Without removing his robes, he dove into the water with as much grace as he could muster.
Using all the strength he could possibly handle he swam towards the rock where a young girl clung on for dear life. He wails pierced the air like a sword pierced flesh. Legolas felt his heart go out to her, forgetting all about Neenuvar and the throne. Instinct took over and he grasped the rock next to the girl.
'Are you all right?' he cried over the rumble of the rain hitting the waters. The girl whimpered and nodded. 'Can you hang onto my back?' The little girl nodded again and crawled onto the prince's back, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck.
'You're such a hero wannabe.' laughed Neenuvar in his head. 'See if you can save her through this!'
The rumble suddenly grew to a deafening roar and the water level rose drastically. Legolas kicked with all his might to stay above the water, but couldn't last. Suddenly, the weight of the girl was lifted from his back and he broke the surface.
'Hang on, little one!' he heard Neenuvar cry. Legolas sputtered as he felt her hand grasp the collar of his robes. He knocked it away and yelled.
'Take her! You'll get there faster!'
'Not a bad idea.' responded Neenuvar quietly. Legolas noticed that it was almost like she was walking on the river floor. The little girl clung to her like a baby and wouldn't let go for anything. Legolas found himself struggling to stay above the surface as the water grew more fast and furious. Waves began to push him away from the banks towards the center of the river. Something solid struck his back and threw an intense wave of pain through him. He cried out as he continued to bob in and out of the water. The current sucked him down until he was rolling on the rocky bottom. He felt his robes catch on something and rip, creating a bloody cut on his back.
He broke the surface once more and gasped for air. His limbs filled with shallow strength as the oxygen strengthened his tired body. He could see a silver form running along the riverbank and into the water. He was sucked under one last time before confirming that it was Neenuvar.
He rolled along the bottom again, knowing that it would be over soon. Whether or not Neenuvar would actually save him or he would drown, everything would be peaceful soon. He felt his body begin to surrender to the cold and grow weaker. A dead branch was suddenly lodged in his leg, but he had not strength to cry out. His chest burned with pain as water filled his lungs. He was barely conscious and breathing in the water. He knew that it would all be over soon.
He was barely aware of Neenuvar pulling him up out of the water and onto the grassy bank. He didn't breath and didn't even try to cough. He closed his eyes and waited for the pain to stop. Sudden jolts collided with his chest.
'You're not going to die yet, Legolas.' said a faint, beautiful voice. 'I have better ideas.' Legolas suddenly coughed up water that spilt down his face and onto his bloody chest. He felt lips against his and more pounding on his lungs. Suddenly, he found strength to breathe in and he coughed up much more water before he had a steady rhythm going. Legolas choked several times before somebody finally lifted him into a sitting position. It took much strength to breathe and he could hardly hold his head up. Water trickled from his mouth and nose. He felt a chill rock his body and a blanket wrap around him.
'Legolas? Legolas, talk to me!' Legolas opened his eyes to see Thranduil standing over him. He forced some words form his throat that burned his whole body.
'Is... the girl...' he went into another coughing fit and Thranduil nodded.
'Yes, everyone's fine.' the king held his son's head to his chest. 'Oh, Valar, thank Valar!' Legolas could feel the warm tears from his father slide onto his ears. 'Thank you, Neenuvar, thank you!' Legolas could see a soaked maiden beside him, her silver hair matted to her head and her dress sopping.
The pressure of Thranduil's chin on his head told him that he was staring at Neenuvar.