Hey everyone! Sorry this has taken so long to post, but here it is! Sadly I
don't think that it's very good. So plleeeeassse leave feedback. Anyways,
enjoy!
Declaimer- I own nothing!
PS-read author's note at end
Chapter 10
Musings Under Starlight
Three days had passed and the Kingdom had finally quieted down. Narelle found it strange that no one in the Kingdom had questioned Lord Thranduil about the scouts. She supposed that all of Greenwood trusted their King so much that they believed that if there was something to tell, the King would have told them. Narelle did her best to bite her tongue when around the King, but she found that sometimes the questions she had were going to escape at some point.
Narelle stood outside of the palace near a large tree watching the moon and listening to the soft songs that floated around her. Elves could be seen everywhere. The moon and stars making them look to be glowing spirits in the dark. Nearly the entire kingdom was singing into the night. Narelle would occasionally join in on their glorious song, but she found it more enjoyable to simply sit and listen.
Narelle glanced to her side when she heard movement. She noticed Legolas as he appeared by her side. He glanced back at her, and smiled softly, before continuing off into the forest. Narelle watched him disappear into the dense wood and felt her heart wanting to follow him. Keeping her eyes focused on where he disappeared she began to walk, as if in a trance, towards the forest. She soon found herself walking along a small trail, bushes and other vines occasionally growing along her path. As she walked the singing of the elves faded. What once was the sound of singing turned into the sound of running water. Narelle wondered for a moment if she should stray from her path and follow the sound of the water or continued along the path. She soon chose the first.
She pushed small branches out of her way, trying to reach the water quickly. Narelle suddenly stopped walking and looked at two huge branches that stood in front of her. As she pushed them aside what appeared before her eyes was the most beautiful site.
A huge waterfall fell into a crystal clear pool. The pool was completely surrounded by dense trees, with the exception of a small bank, creating what looked to be a small room. The reflection of the moon could be seen in the center of the pool, lazily stretching across the rippling waters, while three huge boulders poked out of the top of the water. Narelle timidly glanced around before stepping onto the first boulder. She soon stepped upon the other two and made her way to the bank opposite where she had entered. Looking around she spotted a small path that lead behind the waterfall. Narelle followed the path and found herself in a gigantic cave. Narelle nearly screamed as a hand covered her mouth and a body pushed against her own. The owner of the body quickly pulled her back against the cave wall and whispered for her to be quite.
Narelle suppressed another scream when two large figures came out from the back of the cave. She watched in amazement as two dragons flew out of the cave and into the night sky, neither even noticing them. Moments later the hand fell from Narelle's mouth but didn't move away. Narelle stood with her back to her savior trying to calm her breathing. She relaxed slightly and took a step back, feeling the warmth of another's body she quickly whipped around and took many steps back; she had completely forgotten about the other's presence. Narelle relaxed once again after seeing Legolas' eyes shining back at her.
"I should have known it was you, always sneaking around while the moon is high," she said breathlessly. Legolas smiled at her comment and approached her.
"You seem to sneak around as much, or even more! Not to mention listening to other's conversations and following elves into the forest." Legolas said with a smirk.
"Forgive me my Lord, I meant no harm. I shall return to the palace and leave you be." Narelle quickly turned and fled from the cave. She went to jump upon the first boulder when Legolas grabbed her wrist and stopped her. "Stay with me," he pleaded. "I do come here to relieve myself of others but tonight your presence comforts me," he whispered. Narelle looked deeply into his eyes, before nodding and allowing him to hold her hand in his.
"I wish to show you something," said Legolas quietly.
"I hope it is not another one of your secret places my Lord, I feel you are letting me in upon many of your secrets when I have showed you not one of mine." Narelle said back, nearly as quietly. Legolas simply smiled softly and began to lead Narelle deeper into the woods.
Legolas would hold the branches back from the path allowing Narelle through, he even helped her over many rocks that she could have easily handled herself. Narelle let herself be led and helped, actually enjoying the kind treatment that she usually resented. Legolas came to an abrupt stop under a huge tree that shot nearly two hundred feet into the sky. The tree was rather dense and had branches nearly the size of it shooting out from nearly every available spot.
Narelle gazed up at it in wonder; only the trees in Lothlorien grew to this size. Narelle tore her gaze away from the tree when she felt Legolas drop her hand. She watched as Legolas hoisted himself onto the first branch and dropped his hand down for Narelle to grab. She carefully slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her up. Soon they were making their way up the gigantic tree, Legolas helping whenever he was needed. When they were nearly to the top Legolas walked out on one of the trees largest branches and sat down. He motioned for Narelle to follow and moved over when she went to sit next to him.
Narelle's breath caught in her throat when she looked out beyond the branches at the view before her. She could see nearly the entire Kingdom of Greenwood. Small glowing dots could barely be made out off in the distance where many of the elves were still singing to the night, their soft song flouting on the breeze. They were so high up the moon seemed to be just out of arms reach and the stars only meters away.
"Legolas, it's beautiful," Narelle whispered, still taking in her surroundings. Legolas smiled softly, he was content to simply watch Narelle. Narelle turned her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with wonder. Legolas looked away from Narelle and out into the night sky.
"I used to come here often when I was much younger. I would leave the palace in the middle of the night and come here to simply watch and be away from everyone," he said, still staring off into the distance.
"Why did you stop coming so often?" asked Narelle. Legolas sat silently pondering her question for many moments. "I'm not sure," he said finally. "I suppose it is because my father sends me scouting nearly every night now, so I have no time to come here." The mention of the scouting made Narelle's questions of the party's disappearance for weeks rise once again in her head. Tentatively she let her questions fall from her lips. "Why was your scouting party so late to return?"
Legolas' eyes fell from the sky and came to rest upon his hands. "Now is not the time to tell you, furthermore it is of no great concern." He said, still not looking at her.
"I do not believe you," Narelle said sternly. "Many of your scouts were wounded, along with you. It is quite obvious that something is not right." She continued.
"The rest of the Kingdom trusts my father to tell them what needs to be told, you should do the same." Legolas said quietly, finally casting a glance at Narelle. Narelle fought her wanting to pry harder by simply nodding and looking back out at the moon. She laughed a little when one small green leaf fluttered across her view of the sky. Legolas looked over at her as soon as he heard her laugh.
"What do you find amusing?" he asked innocently curious. Narelle picked up another down cast leaf and twiddled it in her fingers before replying. "I find it amusing that out of all the gallant and strong names in Arda your parents decided to simply call you "green leaf". Legolas looked at her with a blank face. Finally, is if what she had said struck him suddenly, he glared at her. "That was simply uncalled for," he quickly turned away and crossed his arms. Narelle tried her hardest to suppress another laugh. Finding it far to good to pass up she continued to poke fun at his name.
"Norno, "oak", a very strong, noble tree. And you, the heir to this realm where named as if you were simply a leaf from him," added Narelle. Legolas looked at her, his glare even deeper then before.
"And what of your name? Fire? You act as if it is something splendid! Did your parents choose that name for you after you nearly lit Imladris on fire with your clumsiness?" Legolas spat back.
"Nay, my parents did not name me at all. It was Mithrandir whom chose it," she answered, still trying to not laugh.
Legolas gaped at her. "Mithrandir chose your name?" He asked with his mouth nearly hanging open.
"Yes, he said that my spirit reminded him of fire and the way it burnt all in its path," she stated simply. "I haven't seen you burn anything as of yet," Legolas replied dismissively, causing Narelle to laugh softly. "Hopefully you never will," she answered.
Legolas took this moment to lie down upon the tree branch and stare up at the sky. Narelle still sat with her back to the tree with Legolas' head beside her, nearly resting on her leg. "I would love to meet Mithrandir, I imagine that his presence is nearly unnerving." Narelle looked down upon Legolas' wondering face and smiled.
"You shall meet him, even journey with him one day," she said still looking at him. Legolas shifted his gaze towards her, now with a slightly amazed tinge on it. "I hope that you are correct, what an adventure that would be."
"I fear that it shall be an adventure, but not one that you shall thoroughly enjoy." Legolas looked at her, confusion written across him face. "How so?"
"I don't know; I simply have a feeling." Legolas didn't pry any further, believing that she truly didn't know. The two elves sat quietly looking out over the kingdom until the sun came up, both simply enjoying the others company.
Author's Note- It has been brought to my attention (by one of my beta's) that dragons are "bad" and on Sauron's side. I know this, think foreshadowing! And a big thanks to both of my betas. You are wonderful!
Chapter 10
Musings Under Starlight
Three days had passed and the Kingdom had finally quieted down. Narelle found it strange that no one in the Kingdom had questioned Lord Thranduil about the scouts. She supposed that all of Greenwood trusted their King so much that they believed that if there was something to tell, the King would have told them. Narelle did her best to bite her tongue when around the King, but she found that sometimes the questions she had were going to escape at some point.
Narelle stood outside of the palace near a large tree watching the moon and listening to the soft songs that floated around her. Elves could be seen everywhere. The moon and stars making them look to be glowing spirits in the dark. Nearly the entire kingdom was singing into the night. Narelle would occasionally join in on their glorious song, but she found it more enjoyable to simply sit and listen.
Narelle glanced to her side when she heard movement. She noticed Legolas as he appeared by her side. He glanced back at her, and smiled softly, before continuing off into the forest. Narelle watched him disappear into the dense wood and felt her heart wanting to follow him. Keeping her eyes focused on where he disappeared she began to walk, as if in a trance, towards the forest. She soon found herself walking along a small trail, bushes and other vines occasionally growing along her path. As she walked the singing of the elves faded. What once was the sound of singing turned into the sound of running water. Narelle wondered for a moment if she should stray from her path and follow the sound of the water or continued along the path. She soon chose the first.
She pushed small branches out of her way, trying to reach the water quickly. Narelle suddenly stopped walking and looked at two huge branches that stood in front of her. As she pushed them aside what appeared before her eyes was the most beautiful site.
A huge waterfall fell into a crystal clear pool. The pool was completely surrounded by dense trees, with the exception of a small bank, creating what looked to be a small room. The reflection of the moon could be seen in the center of the pool, lazily stretching across the rippling waters, while three huge boulders poked out of the top of the water. Narelle timidly glanced around before stepping onto the first boulder. She soon stepped upon the other two and made her way to the bank opposite where she had entered. Looking around she spotted a small path that lead behind the waterfall. Narelle followed the path and found herself in a gigantic cave. Narelle nearly screamed as a hand covered her mouth and a body pushed against her own. The owner of the body quickly pulled her back against the cave wall and whispered for her to be quite.
Narelle suppressed another scream when two large figures came out from the back of the cave. She watched in amazement as two dragons flew out of the cave and into the night sky, neither even noticing them. Moments later the hand fell from Narelle's mouth but didn't move away. Narelle stood with her back to her savior trying to calm her breathing. She relaxed slightly and took a step back, feeling the warmth of another's body she quickly whipped around and took many steps back; she had completely forgotten about the other's presence. Narelle relaxed once again after seeing Legolas' eyes shining back at her.
"I should have known it was you, always sneaking around while the moon is high," she said breathlessly. Legolas smiled at her comment and approached her.
"You seem to sneak around as much, or even more! Not to mention listening to other's conversations and following elves into the forest." Legolas said with a smirk.
"Forgive me my Lord, I meant no harm. I shall return to the palace and leave you be." Narelle quickly turned and fled from the cave. She went to jump upon the first boulder when Legolas grabbed her wrist and stopped her. "Stay with me," he pleaded. "I do come here to relieve myself of others but tonight your presence comforts me," he whispered. Narelle looked deeply into his eyes, before nodding and allowing him to hold her hand in his.
"I wish to show you something," said Legolas quietly.
"I hope it is not another one of your secret places my Lord, I feel you are letting me in upon many of your secrets when I have showed you not one of mine." Narelle said back, nearly as quietly. Legolas simply smiled softly and began to lead Narelle deeper into the woods.
Legolas would hold the branches back from the path allowing Narelle through, he even helped her over many rocks that she could have easily handled herself. Narelle let herself be led and helped, actually enjoying the kind treatment that she usually resented. Legolas came to an abrupt stop under a huge tree that shot nearly two hundred feet into the sky. The tree was rather dense and had branches nearly the size of it shooting out from nearly every available spot.
Narelle gazed up at it in wonder; only the trees in Lothlorien grew to this size. Narelle tore her gaze away from the tree when she felt Legolas drop her hand. She watched as Legolas hoisted himself onto the first branch and dropped his hand down for Narelle to grab. She carefully slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her up. Soon they were making their way up the gigantic tree, Legolas helping whenever he was needed. When they were nearly to the top Legolas walked out on one of the trees largest branches and sat down. He motioned for Narelle to follow and moved over when she went to sit next to him.
Narelle's breath caught in her throat when she looked out beyond the branches at the view before her. She could see nearly the entire Kingdom of Greenwood. Small glowing dots could barely be made out off in the distance where many of the elves were still singing to the night, their soft song flouting on the breeze. They were so high up the moon seemed to be just out of arms reach and the stars only meters away.
"Legolas, it's beautiful," Narelle whispered, still taking in her surroundings. Legolas smiled softly, he was content to simply watch Narelle. Narelle turned her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with wonder. Legolas looked away from Narelle and out into the night sky.
"I used to come here often when I was much younger. I would leave the palace in the middle of the night and come here to simply watch and be away from everyone," he said, still staring off into the distance.
"Why did you stop coming so often?" asked Narelle. Legolas sat silently pondering her question for many moments. "I'm not sure," he said finally. "I suppose it is because my father sends me scouting nearly every night now, so I have no time to come here." The mention of the scouting made Narelle's questions of the party's disappearance for weeks rise once again in her head. Tentatively she let her questions fall from her lips. "Why was your scouting party so late to return?"
Legolas' eyes fell from the sky and came to rest upon his hands. "Now is not the time to tell you, furthermore it is of no great concern." He said, still not looking at her.
"I do not believe you," Narelle said sternly. "Many of your scouts were wounded, along with you. It is quite obvious that something is not right." She continued.
"The rest of the Kingdom trusts my father to tell them what needs to be told, you should do the same." Legolas said quietly, finally casting a glance at Narelle. Narelle fought her wanting to pry harder by simply nodding and looking back out at the moon. She laughed a little when one small green leaf fluttered across her view of the sky. Legolas looked over at her as soon as he heard her laugh.
"What do you find amusing?" he asked innocently curious. Narelle picked up another down cast leaf and twiddled it in her fingers before replying. "I find it amusing that out of all the gallant and strong names in Arda your parents decided to simply call you "green leaf". Legolas looked at her with a blank face. Finally, is if what she had said struck him suddenly, he glared at her. "That was simply uncalled for," he quickly turned away and crossed his arms. Narelle tried her hardest to suppress another laugh. Finding it far to good to pass up she continued to poke fun at his name.
"Norno, "oak", a very strong, noble tree. And you, the heir to this realm where named as if you were simply a leaf from him," added Narelle. Legolas looked at her, his glare even deeper then before.
"And what of your name? Fire? You act as if it is something splendid! Did your parents choose that name for you after you nearly lit Imladris on fire with your clumsiness?" Legolas spat back.
"Nay, my parents did not name me at all. It was Mithrandir whom chose it," she answered, still trying to not laugh.
Legolas gaped at her. "Mithrandir chose your name?" He asked with his mouth nearly hanging open.
"Yes, he said that my spirit reminded him of fire and the way it burnt all in its path," she stated simply. "I haven't seen you burn anything as of yet," Legolas replied dismissively, causing Narelle to laugh softly. "Hopefully you never will," she answered.
Legolas took this moment to lie down upon the tree branch and stare up at the sky. Narelle still sat with her back to the tree with Legolas' head beside her, nearly resting on her leg. "I would love to meet Mithrandir, I imagine that his presence is nearly unnerving." Narelle looked down upon Legolas' wondering face and smiled.
"You shall meet him, even journey with him one day," she said still looking at him. Legolas shifted his gaze towards her, now with a slightly amazed tinge on it. "I hope that you are correct, what an adventure that would be."
"I fear that it shall be an adventure, but not one that you shall thoroughly enjoy." Legolas looked at her, confusion written across him face. "How so?"
"I don't know; I simply have a feeling." Legolas didn't pry any further, believing that she truly didn't know. The two elves sat quietly looking out over the kingdom until the sun came up, both simply enjoying the others company.
Author's Note- It has been brought to my attention (by one of my beta's) that dragons are "bad" and on Sauron's side. I know this, think foreshadowing! And a big thanks to both of my betas. You are wonderful!