Legolas did not tell Nenimë his feelings before he left. That needed
clarifying. On with the chappie!
How Legolas Got His Braids Chapter 7 Lying There
September 22, 605
Her tears mingled with the water of the trickling fountain. The sky was grey with the coming dawn, but she had not been able to sleep that night nor any other night in the last months. She was pale and purple bags had formed under her eyes. She refused to eat and seldom did anything but cry and despair.
Aldeon was worried about her. He asked her what could possibly be wrong when their relationship was so perfect and their love so deep and true? This only made Nenimë cry harder.
Being held by Aldeon while she wept only reminded her of the many times that Legolas had done the same thing in earlier years.
Legolas had been gone for more than eighty years now. He had disappeared without a trace and hadn't come home after that one summer. One summer had turned into eighty long summers. The leaves had fallen and been replaced eighty times. Nenimë found herself wondering where he was every single day. She could not tell Aldeon that she cried for Legolas, it would make him wonder.
She was still with Aldeon but it was an odd relationship. Her feelings for him had grown since that afternoon in the stream but she still knew he was not the one that she would spend her life with. For years now she had been building up her courage to tell him, but she just could not bring herself to break his heart like that.
Suddenly she heard a soft voice in the trees. "Love?" Nenimë turned and panicked. Aldeon had yet to find this fountain, she wanted to keep it secret, her own. She silenced herself and ran noisily away from the fountain in the direction of the voice. For a few moments she ran and then stumbled. Two strong familiar arms caught her and she felt herself drawn into Aldeon's warm embrace. She leaned into him, crying softly.
"It hurts me to see you like this so often, mela!"
"Saes, kwara amin." (Please just hold me)
But Aldeon pushed back to arms length and held Nenimë's gaze. "What is wrong with you?" His eyes shown bright with concern and pleading.
Nenimë could not stand him. She violently shook away from his grasp and ran away again, this time without knowing where she was going.
She ran on and on until she was sure Aldeon was not following her and she stopped, looking up and taking a deep breath of fresh air. It smelled like fall and as Nenimë looked up, a single golden leaf fell down and she reached out and caught it. The first leaf had fallen from the trees, for the eightieth time.
The hair on Nenimë's back prickled and she looked around but no one was visible. Who was watching her? She looked at the leaf in her hand and turned it over. On the back a word was written in wet black ink. "River" She whispered. She looked up again but no one was there and she ran again, this time towards the river.
There were many rivers throughout Greenwood, but somehow she knew which one to go to. The feeling that someone was watching her grew as she ran, but she didn't care. Whoever was watching would have done something to her already, he had his chance.
She reached the river and looked around, then walked to the edge and looked into the water.
"Look at the moon." A whisper came to her from the trees. Nenimë was puzzled for a moment but she looked from the cold water to the early morning moon. As usual her skin, eyes, and necklace glowed and her hair seemed to shine pure silver. She heard a sigh from the trees, then suddenly felt something hit her hard. The wind was knocked out of her as she flew back with a sharp cry.
She felt herself hit the water and the weight lifted off of her. She jumped up and gasped for breath, choking and sputtering. She had her eyes closed and still didn't see her attacker. He hadn't touched her again. Suddenly she heard a voice that made her freeze completely and her heart skipped a beat.
"You always did look beautiful and vulnerable when you looked at the moon, yet you disappoint me, you must have grown soft since last I saw you." The voice was smooth and deep yet not as deep as Aldeon's. She opened her eyes and slowly stood up straight, hardly daring to believe her eyes.
"Legolas? Is this a dream?" She whispered. Legolas was standing in front of her, fully clothed and soaking wet, his long silky blonde hair cascading down his back and over his shoulders. He began to laugh at the look on her face and a smile slowly made it's way across her lips.
She launched herself at Legolas, throwing her arms and legs around him as they fell under the water. She closed her eyes tightly and held on as they slowly sank to the bottom of the river. She opened her eyes and smiled up at Legolas through the clear water and he placed his arms around her back. He kicked up and they resurfaced, each taking a deep breath.
Nenimë let her legs drop from around Legolas but still kept her arms around him, leaning into his chest.
"Cormamin lindua ele lle!" (My heart sings to see you!) She whispered. Legolas smiled at her familiarly melodic voice and tightened his grip on her.
"Uma, nae saian luume'" (Yes, it has been too long).
"Manke lle ume kele? Mankoi lle ume lemba amin sinomë?" (Where did you go? Why did you leave me here?")
"Amin ante nowe" (I needed to think) He said.
Nenimë backed out of Legolas' embrace.
"Is that your excuse for disappearing for eighty years? EIGHTY YEARS, Legolas! You needed to think for that long? What in the Valar's name did you need to think about for that long? You surely could not have been thinking about me and how I felt."
At first Legolas wondered what had triggered this sudden emotion change but then he looked into her eyes. They were burning with fire, anger, worry, pain. He wished right then that he could tell her why he did not come back and that he had been thinking about her every single minute of every single day. He wished he could hold her and tell her that he loved her and that he was here now and he would never leave her again.
"Amin ikotanë ereb." (I was so lonely) She whispered. She turned her back on Legolas and looked out. The sky was pale grey with the coming of sunrise. She sighed to herself and slowly sank to her knees in the cool water so that it came to her neck. She dipped her head back so that her hair would fall out of her face.
Suddenly she felt two arms wrap around her waist from behind her as Legolas lowered himself onto his knees and held her.
"Amin sinomë, lle n'uum ante nae ereb." (I am here, you need not be lonely.) He whispered into her pointed ear. Nenimë vaguely wondered why Legolas was acting this way with her. She felt that what he was doing was more than just a friendly gesture of comfort. It felt like something more. But the silence was eating away at her.
She struggled out if his arms and turned around, splashing him once and then disappearing under the water while he recovered.
She swam around his legs, never touching them, but staying low enough in the water so that he couldn't see her. She swam out of the way as he walked forward slowly, his hands reaching beneath the surface of the water, groping for an arm or a leg to grab. She smiled and reached out, brushing his leg with her hand and snatching it back.
Legolas wasn't slow though. He dove out to where the hand had come from and landed on top of Nenimë. He heard her strangled call under the water and quickly jumped off of her, grabbing her upper arms and pulling her up to eye level. She smiled and then spit water in his face. He dropped her back into the water and proceeded to splash her many times before she gave up and began to make a run for the shore.
Legolas ran after her, chasing her out of the water and through the woods. She was still as fast as he remembered her to be. He began to laugh as he ran, following the silver white figure who was weaving skillfully and swiftly through the trees. He was slowly gaining on her and as they burst into a small clearing, he jumped forward and tackled her onto the ground.
They fell together and when they landed, both of them laughed for a long period of time before settling down in the grass, lying side by side facing the sky.
Lying here in the grass with you Looking up at the clouds On this warm summer morning. I can feel what's between us We can't deny it for much longer We have to give in to the obvious.
Legolas turned his attention from the sky over to Nenimë and smiled at her. She watched the sky with the wonder and happiness of a small child. It amazed him that they were still only friends. It amazed him that it had taken him so long to figure out what he felt for her.
I look over at you, Your silver hair shimmers in the sun Your smile glows in the light. I remember all the moments we have shared Together. As friends.
He smiled at the memories of the small elf girl he had met so long ago at the fountain. He remembered the fire that always burned in her glowing eyes. He remembered her high pitched laugh and the freckles that had made her so young yet seemed to fade over the years as she matured.
You were such a beautiful young child Full of fire and energy You could see into my soul in a different way Than the way I could see yours. We know everything there is to know about each other. Why can't we just admit it?
He slowly moved his hand to grab Nenimë's and laced his fingers through hers. She looked over at him, puzzled, as he moved closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him. He decided it was time to tell her. He decided he could no longer wait.
There was a part of my soul that I hid from you There was a part you never saw, Or even knew existed. So now I grab your hand And pull you close to me, Close to my heart.
He buried his face in her silky hair and breathed in her scent. Nenimë unconsciously leaned her head back into his neck and sighed.
I know now, In this moment it is more clear than ever. I open myself up My soul is unlocked But now you aren't looking.
Legolas hands trembled because of what he was about to do. He slowly moved one hand to wrap around her waist. The other came up and gently pulled Nenimë's hair behind her ear.
I wrap my arm around your thin waist Trembling hands. This is the moment I have waited for For hundreds of years. I tenderly brush your silver hair Behind your pointed ear And whisper Gently.
"Nenimë I have to tell you something." Nenimë didn't move, she listened to the silky voice speaking in her ear. "When I left eighty years ago I had no intention of staying away from you for more than that summer. My father kept me at the castle for a few decades and taught me things that I never knew since I lived here. I learned about my family's past, I learned about the outside world, I learned how to use knives and how to use a bow. I learned how to be the prince I am.
"But then when I left there. I decided to stay a few more years away from here. I decided to spend them alone and think about what to do about my life. What I should do about you. I missed you terribly, but I needed to find out where I stand. Where we stand. I thought about you every day and wandered the vast forest of Greenwood. I couldn't come back until I decided what I was doing and where I was going and how I felt. I kept this going until the days and months and years melted together.
"So then I decided to come back here and I saw you. I watched you sometimes. I watched you sleep and I watched you when you went to the fountain every night and cried for some unknown reason. I didn't come to help you. I just watched. I finally sent you the leaf, a kind of romantic touch. I finally built up my courage to come see you. I always told myself I would wait to say this, Nennie. I always thought you would say this first. I can't wait any longer though. I can't put on the act of just your best friend anymore." He trailed off.
Nenimë turned around in his arms to face him. He looked into her eyes. They were filled with tears that Legolas couldn't see. He took a deep shuddering breath.
"I love you, Nenimë." He whispered.
Nenime played dumb, hoping, praying. "I love you too, you know that."
"You know what I mean, Nennie."
His hand came up to cup her face in his hand and she began to cry.
Legolas was startled. He didn't know why she was crying because these certainly weren't tears of joy.
"Nenimë? What is wrong?"
"Y- You. You can not love me, Legolas." She sobbed.
Now Legolas was very confused. "What do you mean I can not love you? I have waited hundreds of years to tell you this, Nenimë. I hoped-"
"That I would love you back. I know but I. I am in love with someone else!"
Legolas backed away from Nenimë as if he was burnt, shaking his head furiously. He stood up with his fists clenched so tight his palms were bleeding. When he spoke his voice was choked.
"Who? How? When?. Why?"
"Aldeon from Lorien. Right after you left. I was sitting by a small stream and he just kind of. appeared and told me that our destiny was to be together and we have been together since." Tears were streaming down her face. Legolas stared into her eyes.
"Tell me it isn't true."
"Look for yourself."
Legolas looked into her eyes again. He then looked deeper, into her heart, mind, and soul. He saw a series of scenes of her with a big eyed, blonde haired elf. He saw her kissing him, laughing with him, talking to him, laying in his arms underneath a starry sky. He jerked his eyes away from hers and looked at the ground.
There was a long silence where Legolas stood thinking and Nenimë slowly stood from her kneeling position on the ground. The tension was growing so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Finally Legolas looked back up at Nenimë and broke the heavy silence.
"Why do you cry at night Nenimë?" He asked her. Her eyes widened and it was her turn now to look at the ground. "Why do you return to that one fountain where we met every night? Why do you circle it a few times, sit down on the ledge, and cry for hours on end? Was it because you missed me? No. It is because you know you don't love him. You know who you love Nenimë. Why don't you just admit it? Is it really that hard to love your best friend?
"I love you, Nenimë. I always will. If it takes you longer to figure out who you love. Then I can wait. I will wait for you Nenimë. After all, I have all the time in the world." He had slowly been walking forward and now he stood chest to chest with Nenimë. He bent down slightly and kissed her forehead, then turned and before Nenimë could even think, he had disappeared into the woods.
Nenimë was left in the middle of an empty clearing, confused and once again, crying. ***** Cerasi, Next chapter will take awhile.
How Legolas Got His Braids Chapter 7 Lying There
September 22, 605
Her tears mingled with the water of the trickling fountain. The sky was grey with the coming dawn, but she had not been able to sleep that night nor any other night in the last months. She was pale and purple bags had formed under her eyes. She refused to eat and seldom did anything but cry and despair.
Aldeon was worried about her. He asked her what could possibly be wrong when their relationship was so perfect and their love so deep and true? This only made Nenimë cry harder.
Being held by Aldeon while she wept only reminded her of the many times that Legolas had done the same thing in earlier years.
Legolas had been gone for more than eighty years now. He had disappeared without a trace and hadn't come home after that one summer. One summer had turned into eighty long summers. The leaves had fallen and been replaced eighty times. Nenimë found herself wondering where he was every single day. She could not tell Aldeon that she cried for Legolas, it would make him wonder.
She was still with Aldeon but it was an odd relationship. Her feelings for him had grown since that afternoon in the stream but she still knew he was not the one that she would spend her life with. For years now she had been building up her courage to tell him, but she just could not bring herself to break his heart like that.
Suddenly she heard a soft voice in the trees. "Love?" Nenimë turned and panicked. Aldeon had yet to find this fountain, she wanted to keep it secret, her own. She silenced herself and ran noisily away from the fountain in the direction of the voice. For a few moments she ran and then stumbled. Two strong familiar arms caught her and she felt herself drawn into Aldeon's warm embrace. She leaned into him, crying softly.
"It hurts me to see you like this so often, mela!"
"Saes, kwara amin." (Please just hold me)
But Aldeon pushed back to arms length and held Nenimë's gaze. "What is wrong with you?" His eyes shown bright with concern and pleading.
Nenimë could not stand him. She violently shook away from his grasp and ran away again, this time without knowing where she was going.
She ran on and on until she was sure Aldeon was not following her and she stopped, looking up and taking a deep breath of fresh air. It smelled like fall and as Nenimë looked up, a single golden leaf fell down and she reached out and caught it. The first leaf had fallen from the trees, for the eightieth time.
The hair on Nenimë's back prickled and she looked around but no one was visible. Who was watching her? She looked at the leaf in her hand and turned it over. On the back a word was written in wet black ink. "River" She whispered. She looked up again but no one was there and she ran again, this time towards the river.
There were many rivers throughout Greenwood, but somehow she knew which one to go to. The feeling that someone was watching her grew as she ran, but she didn't care. Whoever was watching would have done something to her already, he had his chance.
She reached the river and looked around, then walked to the edge and looked into the water.
"Look at the moon." A whisper came to her from the trees. Nenimë was puzzled for a moment but she looked from the cold water to the early morning moon. As usual her skin, eyes, and necklace glowed and her hair seemed to shine pure silver. She heard a sigh from the trees, then suddenly felt something hit her hard. The wind was knocked out of her as she flew back with a sharp cry.
She felt herself hit the water and the weight lifted off of her. She jumped up and gasped for breath, choking and sputtering. She had her eyes closed and still didn't see her attacker. He hadn't touched her again. Suddenly she heard a voice that made her freeze completely and her heart skipped a beat.
"You always did look beautiful and vulnerable when you looked at the moon, yet you disappoint me, you must have grown soft since last I saw you." The voice was smooth and deep yet not as deep as Aldeon's. She opened her eyes and slowly stood up straight, hardly daring to believe her eyes.
"Legolas? Is this a dream?" She whispered. Legolas was standing in front of her, fully clothed and soaking wet, his long silky blonde hair cascading down his back and over his shoulders. He began to laugh at the look on her face and a smile slowly made it's way across her lips.
She launched herself at Legolas, throwing her arms and legs around him as they fell under the water. She closed her eyes tightly and held on as they slowly sank to the bottom of the river. She opened her eyes and smiled up at Legolas through the clear water and he placed his arms around her back. He kicked up and they resurfaced, each taking a deep breath.
Nenimë let her legs drop from around Legolas but still kept her arms around him, leaning into his chest.
"Cormamin lindua ele lle!" (My heart sings to see you!) She whispered. Legolas smiled at her familiarly melodic voice and tightened his grip on her.
"Uma, nae saian luume'" (Yes, it has been too long).
"Manke lle ume kele? Mankoi lle ume lemba amin sinomë?" (Where did you go? Why did you leave me here?")
"Amin ante nowe" (I needed to think) He said.
Nenimë backed out of Legolas' embrace.
"Is that your excuse for disappearing for eighty years? EIGHTY YEARS, Legolas! You needed to think for that long? What in the Valar's name did you need to think about for that long? You surely could not have been thinking about me and how I felt."
At first Legolas wondered what had triggered this sudden emotion change but then he looked into her eyes. They were burning with fire, anger, worry, pain. He wished right then that he could tell her why he did not come back and that he had been thinking about her every single minute of every single day. He wished he could hold her and tell her that he loved her and that he was here now and he would never leave her again.
"Amin ikotanë ereb." (I was so lonely) She whispered. She turned her back on Legolas and looked out. The sky was pale grey with the coming of sunrise. She sighed to herself and slowly sank to her knees in the cool water so that it came to her neck. She dipped her head back so that her hair would fall out of her face.
Suddenly she felt two arms wrap around her waist from behind her as Legolas lowered himself onto his knees and held her.
"Amin sinomë, lle n'uum ante nae ereb." (I am here, you need not be lonely.) He whispered into her pointed ear. Nenimë vaguely wondered why Legolas was acting this way with her. She felt that what he was doing was more than just a friendly gesture of comfort. It felt like something more. But the silence was eating away at her.
She struggled out if his arms and turned around, splashing him once and then disappearing under the water while he recovered.
She swam around his legs, never touching them, but staying low enough in the water so that he couldn't see her. She swam out of the way as he walked forward slowly, his hands reaching beneath the surface of the water, groping for an arm or a leg to grab. She smiled and reached out, brushing his leg with her hand and snatching it back.
Legolas wasn't slow though. He dove out to where the hand had come from and landed on top of Nenimë. He heard her strangled call under the water and quickly jumped off of her, grabbing her upper arms and pulling her up to eye level. She smiled and then spit water in his face. He dropped her back into the water and proceeded to splash her many times before she gave up and began to make a run for the shore.
Legolas ran after her, chasing her out of the water and through the woods. She was still as fast as he remembered her to be. He began to laugh as he ran, following the silver white figure who was weaving skillfully and swiftly through the trees. He was slowly gaining on her and as they burst into a small clearing, he jumped forward and tackled her onto the ground.
They fell together and when they landed, both of them laughed for a long period of time before settling down in the grass, lying side by side facing the sky.
Lying here in the grass with you Looking up at the clouds On this warm summer morning. I can feel what's between us We can't deny it for much longer We have to give in to the obvious.
Legolas turned his attention from the sky over to Nenimë and smiled at her. She watched the sky with the wonder and happiness of a small child. It amazed him that they were still only friends. It amazed him that it had taken him so long to figure out what he felt for her.
I look over at you, Your silver hair shimmers in the sun Your smile glows in the light. I remember all the moments we have shared Together. As friends.
He smiled at the memories of the small elf girl he had met so long ago at the fountain. He remembered the fire that always burned in her glowing eyes. He remembered her high pitched laugh and the freckles that had made her so young yet seemed to fade over the years as she matured.
You were such a beautiful young child Full of fire and energy You could see into my soul in a different way Than the way I could see yours. We know everything there is to know about each other. Why can't we just admit it?
He slowly moved his hand to grab Nenimë's and laced his fingers through hers. She looked over at him, puzzled, as he moved closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him. He decided it was time to tell her. He decided he could no longer wait.
There was a part of my soul that I hid from you There was a part you never saw, Or even knew existed. So now I grab your hand And pull you close to me, Close to my heart.
He buried his face in her silky hair and breathed in her scent. Nenimë unconsciously leaned her head back into his neck and sighed.
I know now, In this moment it is more clear than ever. I open myself up My soul is unlocked But now you aren't looking.
Legolas hands trembled because of what he was about to do. He slowly moved one hand to wrap around her waist. The other came up and gently pulled Nenimë's hair behind her ear.
I wrap my arm around your thin waist Trembling hands. This is the moment I have waited for For hundreds of years. I tenderly brush your silver hair Behind your pointed ear And whisper Gently.
"Nenimë I have to tell you something." Nenimë didn't move, she listened to the silky voice speaking in her ear. "When I left eighty years ago I had no intention of staying away from you for more than that summer. My father kept me at the castle for a few decades and taught me things that I never knew since I lived here. I learned about my family's past, I learned about the outside world, I learned how to use knives and how to use a bow. I learned how to be the prince I am.
"But then when I left there. I decided to stay a few more years away from here. I decided to spend them alone and think about what to do about my life. What I should do about you. I missed you terribly, but I needed to find out where I stand. Where we stand. I thought about you every day and wandered the vast forest of Greenwood. I couldn't come back until I decided what I was doing and where I was going and how I felt. I kept this going until the days and months and years melted together.
"So then I decided to come back here and I saw you. I watched you sometimes. I watched you sleep and I watched you when you went to the fountain every night and cried for some unknown reason. I didn't come to help you. I just watched. I finally sent you the leaf, a kind of romantic touch. I finally built up my courage to come see you. I always told myself I would wait to say this, Nennie. I always thought you would say this first. I can't wait any longer though. I can't put on the act of just your best friend anymore." He trailed off.
Nenimë turned around in his arms to face him. He looked into her eyes. They were filled with tears that Legolas couldn't see. He took a deep shuddering breath.
"I love you, Nenimë." He whispered.
Nenime played dumb, hoping, praying. "I love you too, you know that."
"You know what I mean, Nennie."
His hand came up to cup her face in his hand and she began to cry.
Legolas was startled. He didn't know why she was crying because these certainly weren't tears of joy.
"Nenimë? What is wrong?"
"Y- You. You can not love me, Legolas." She sobbed.
Now Legolas was very confused. "What do you mean I can not love you? I have waited hundreds of years to tell you this, Nenimë. I hoped-"
"That I would love you back. I know but I. I am in love with someone else!"
Legolas backed away from Nenimë as if he was burnt, shaking his head furiously. He stood up with his fists clenched so tight his palms were bleeding. When he spoke his voice was choked.
"Who? How? When?. Why?"
"Aldeon from Lorien. Right after you left. I was sitting by a small stream and he just kind of. appeared and told me that our destiny was to be together and we have been together since." Tears were streaming down her face. Legolas stared into her eyes.
"Tell me it isn't true."
"Look for yourself."
Legolas looked into her eyes again. He then looked deeper, into her heart, mind, and soul. He saw a series of scenes of her with a big eyed, blonde haired elf. He saw her kissing him, laughing with him, talking to him, laying in his arms underneath a starry sky. He jerked his eyes away from hers and looked at the ground.
There was a long silence where Legolas stood thinking and Nenimë slowly stood from her kneeling position on the ground. The tension was growing so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Finally Legolas looked back up at Nenimë and broke the heavy silence.
"Why do you cry at night Nenimë?" He asked her. Her eyes widened and it was her turn now to look at the ground. "Why do you return to that one fountain where we met every night? Why do you circle it a few times, sit down on the ledge, and cry for hours on end? Was it because you missed me? No. It is because you know you don't love him. You know who you love Nenimë. Why don't you just admit it? Is it really that hard to love your best friend?
"I love you, Nenimë. I always will. If it takes you longer to figure out who you love. Then I can wait. I will wait for you Nenimë. After all, I have all the time in the world." He had slowly been walking forward and now he stood chest to chest with Nenimë. He bent down slightly and kissed her forehead, then turned and before Nenimë could even think, he had disappeared into the woods.
Nenimë was left in the middle of an empty clearing, confused and once again, crying. ***** Cerasi, Next chapter will take awhile.