Author: Luinëturiel (aka Zoe)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Lord of the Rings. They belong to the wonderful J.R.R. Tolkien. Any other characters in this story, however, are mine.
Finally! A
new chapter.
As promised, here's what Legolas thinks about Thalwyn's little exploration of
the chamber. Besides, some questions concerning Thalwyn and her family are
answered in this chapter. And...well, you'll have to read the rest yourself.
Enjoy! ;o)
Oh, by the way, did I mention that I hate writing dialogue? lol
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A Spark in the Dark
7 Legolas: Little SurprisesMy feelings are mixed when I leave the Hall of Fire to return to the room Thalwyn has been accommodated in. On the one hand, as was to be expected, Lord Elrond agreed on trying to find out what exactly happened to Thalwyn's sister. Caranhil, along with some Elves from Rivendell, are going to set out at dawn to follow back the tracks of Thalwyn's horse. This is news that am sure Thalwyn will be pleased to hear. On the other hand, I am still worried about the young woman. Although she seemed to be all right when I left for my talk with the Master of the house, I wonder what will become of her should the search party find the worst of her fears confirmed...
The sheer thought of it makes my heart ache. As far as I can tell, Aldarida was – or hopefully still is – the most important person in Thalwyn's life. Thalwyn has not told me any details about her family, but I got the impression that the blind woman would feel quite lost without her sister.
Blind.
To someone like me – an Elf with keen eyes – being bereft of the ability to see is one of the worst nightmares imaginable. Not being able to watch the Moon and stars glittering like silver in the night sky... Not being able to enjoy the sight of gold and copper leaves as they are dancing in an autumn breeze, spiralling down toward the ground...
Colours.
Does Thalwyn even know what colours are? If she was born blind, she will
certainly not.
I know not whether she was born blind, or if Thalwyn lost her sight due to an accident or maybe an illness. However, the young woman needs help, and as long as my obligations allow it, I am going to offer her any assistance that I can. I was sent to Rivendell in order to act as representative of my father's kingdom at the council, but as Lord Elrond let me know, it might take another one or two days until the council can be held. One or two more days, I will have time to keep Thalwyn company without neglecting my duties.
I notice that my feet have already carried me up to the door of Thalwyn's room. I stand in front of it, hesitant. I do not know what is going to await me on the other side of the door, but I hope that the memories of the attack and her worries about her sister have not wrapped Thalwyn's heart in darkness again.
I'd better not keep her waiting for my return any longer.
Slowly, I let the wooden door swing open. "Thalwyn, I..." I break off in mid-sentence at what I see before me. It is Thalwyn, standing by the table, one of her hands touching the backrest of a chair. Her head turns in my direction at the sound of my voice, and I can see that she is smiling.
Well, at least this time I did not startle her.
"What are you doing, Thalwyn?"
Of all things, I did definitely not expect to see her walking about.
"What I am doing? Just having a look around the room." The expression on her face clearly speaks of amusement.
She makes it sound as if it were the most natural thing for a blind woman to be walking around all on her own in a place that is unfamiliar to her.
It takes me a second to gather my thoughts and speak again, and I decide to change to a more important subject. "I bring good news, Thalwyn. I spoke with Lord Elrond. He gladly offered to send out a search party at dawn – just as I had assured you he would."
"Thank you, Legolas. Thank you so much." With another smile, Thalwyn turns towards the chair and takes a seat. Her movements are careful, yet all but hesitant. It is obvious that the young woman knows exactly where the table is standing.
Astonishing.
My eyes keep resting on Thalwyn as I walk past her and pull out the chair across from her to sit down as well. Just when I state that she must be hungry, Thalwyn's stomach growls. The young woman lets out a laugh, "Yes, indeed."
I cannot help but laugh myself. "Well, then let us see what there is for dinner." I take the two plates off the tray and set them out before us.
I doubt that Thalwyn had enough time to find out what kind of food there is in all the bowls on the tray.
So I start telling her, only to be interrupted by her after a while, "You know what, Legolas? I think I will simply try a little bit of everything."
"As the lady wishes."
I am occupied with loading food onto both of our plates when Thalwyn suddenly asks, "But tell me, Legolas, why are there three goblets on the tray? Do you expect anyone to keep us company?"
Once more, I am surprised.
She must have examined the table in detail while I was away...
"Nay, Thalwyn," I start explaining. "There are two goblets of wine, and another one is filled with water. I was not sure whether you would like to try some elven wine, so I had both be brought for you."
"Ah, I see. And which one would be the water?" With a smile, she reaches out in the direction of the goblets.
Although Thalwyn's hand is moving across the table with astonishing precision, I decide to help her a little. "Wait, let me..." I lift the goblet that is filled with water and place it within Thalwyn's reach. As soon as her fingers come to touch it, she thanks me and lifts the goblet to her lips, emptying it with a few deep swigs.
However, Thalwyn politely denies my offer to go and get some more water for her. Instead, she picks up her fork to start eating. I follow her example, and soon we both enjoy our meal more or less in silence. Only Thalwyn points out repeatedly between bites how delicious the food is.
After a while, I put down my fork and reach for one of the goblets of wine to take a sip of the sweet liquid, all the while watching the young woman sitting across from me. I am well aware that it is an impolite thing to do, but I cannot help it. There are still some things that I would like to ask her, but I have decided to wait until after dinner before bothering her with any more questions.
It is Thalwyn who finally breaks the silence, putting aside her fork as well. "I just hope that Aldarida is all right." She pauses. "My father needs her. I need her."
I raise an eyebrow, slightly puzzled by her words. "Why do you say 'my father'? I believe you told me that Aldarida was your sister?"
Thalwyn gives me a nod. "She is, in a way. Although we are not related. But that is a long story."
"Which I would very much like to hear," I encourage her to go on, sensing a chance to get some of my unuttered questions answered without having to ask directly.
Thalwyn sighs, smiling. "Well, like I said, Aldarida and I are not related. My father took her in when I was young. She happened to come by our farm in search for work and a place to stay. And since we could very well need a hand in the house, my father offered her accommodation. So Aldarida got to live with us. And although she is some years older than I am, we got along very well from the beginning. We would do everything together; she would tell me stories, take me out on a walk or a ride into the woods... She has soon become more than just a friend. To me, she is my older sister."
Yet there is something missing in this story...
"And what about your mother, Thalwyn? You have been speaking of your father, but not a word of your mother."
At this, the expression on Thalwyn's face darkens notably.
I fear that my question has stirred up unpleasant memories.
However, Thalwyn's voice is calm when she answers. "My mother... She had left us about a year before Aldarida happened to come by. I was too young then to understand why she had gone, but years later, my father explained to me that she could not stand the pressure of both caring about the house and looking after a blind child." Much to my surprise, there is not even the slightest hint of reproach in her voice.
"So...you were born blind?" The question comes across my lips without my really willing it.
"To be honest, I do not know. I have been told that my eyes started getting dull soon after I was born. No one ever managed to find out what was wrong with them, but they suspected that I could still see in the beginning. I cannot say for sure, though." Thalwyn shrugs her shoulders. "As long as I remember, the world around me has been dark." This time, her voice is clearly coloured with bitterness.
So she has never been able to marvel at the beauties of the world...
My heart clenches like a fist. "I...I am sorry, Thalwyn."
She shakes her head in the negative. "There is nothing to be sorry about, Legolas. I have learned to cope with my blindness, and I get along very well. I grew up with it. I guess it would be much harder had I lost my sight due to an accident. Maybe then I would wish there was a way for me to regain the ability to see. But I have been blind as long as I can remember. I do not miss the ability to see. Why should I miss something that I never really got to know?" The wry smile she gives me is not very convincing.
But before I get a chance to comment on it, Thalwyn speaks again, "Besides, there is more than one way to 'see' the things around you." She pauses, cocking her head to the side. "Legolas, may I ask you a favour?"
A slight blush has crept onto her cheeks, and I wonder what it is that she would like to ask of me. "Aye. What can I do for you?"
Thalwyn slowly pushes back her chair and stands, her hands fidgeting with the fabric of the nightgown she is wearing. "Would...would you sit on the bed with me for a minute?"
What is she up to?
I rise from my chair as well and walk over to Thalwyn. When I gently lay a hand on her shoulder to guide her across the room, she answers with a smile. I lead her over to the bed, and when we have reached it, we sit down on it next to each other.
Thalwyn clears her throat, sitting up straight. Her unfocussed gaze turns vaguely in my direction as she finally speaks. "Legolas, I told you about Aldarida, about my family; yet I still know little more about you than your name and that you are an Elf. I would like to ask you to tell me some more about yourself, and..." The reddish colour of Thalwyn's cheek deepens, and she seems to have difficulties finding the right words.
And?
"You must know that Aldarida has told me many things about Elves." Now Thalwyn turns fully toward me, one of her eyebrows arched questioningly. "Tell me, Legolas, are you Elves really as beautiful as people say?"
I am not entirely sure how to answer that question. "Well..."
But Thalwyn already waves her hands, letting out a gentle laugh. "No, do not tell me. I mean, what I really wanted to ask you is..." Again, she hesitates, and her hands come to rest in her lap. "May...may I see for myself?" Once more, Thalwyn tilts her head to the side.
See for herself? But how?
"Like I said, there is more than one way to see the things around you..." Thalwyn raises her hands in front of her, palms upwards, and I understand.
Her
fingers. She sees with her fingers.
Of course!
"Legolas, I could well understand if you did not want me to..."
"No, no, it is all right, Thalwyn," I assure her. "It is all right." Then I carefully take her hands in mine and guide them up to my face. I let go of them once Thalwyn's fingertips come to touch my cheeks.
"Thank you, Legolas. This really means a lot to me." Thalwyn gives me a warm smile, then she closes her eyes, and her fingers start moving.