A/N: Forgive me for the delay and the shortness of this chapter. Hope it
doesn't suck..This song from Evanescence is Imaginary..
~*~
Chapter V.
Legolas quietly strode to the admirable stallion Arod, who awaited him patiently. The afternoon had grown late and the sun's deep, golden light filled the sky as it slowly turned to the orange of dusk. He was just inside the courtyard gates, about to head off for Minas Tirith on his own. After but two more days kept in the healing ward, he had decided he could wait no longer, despite the fact he still lacked strength. Gondor's imperial city called unto him and made him restless in Ithilien. Legolas swung one leg up and over Arod's back, pulling himself up to sit bestride his beloved horse. He did so with the grace of his kin, in one swift, flowing motion whilst his cloak of silver glimmered in the light. It was the same one he had all those years ago at the Council of Elrond, where he joined the Fellowship. It brought back many dear memories, memories that were bittersweet and pained him.
~*~
His dapple-gray mare rode into the grounds of the Last Homely House with rhythmic footfalls, barely heard. As soon as she had come to a stop, he had dismounted charmingly, looking around himself observantly at the haven of Imladris. His other Elven companions came from behind him, whilst his horse was led away by an Elf of Imladris would had appeared promptly.
" Legolas ", came a melodious, jubilant voice. His heart soared the Lady Arwen Evenstar approached him with eager haste in her step beneath the skirts of her gown. A dazzling smile lit up her face, making her all the more exquisite to behold. He returned it, and the two finally came together. She embraced him, stretching up slightly since he was a bit taller.
" My heart sings to see thee, mellonin ", she remarked.
" Aye, and mine as well. It has been long, Undomiel ", he replied. She gave him a nod with the joy still kept in her face.
" I trust you on errand for your father? " she said with regained reservation in her tone.
" Indeed ", he confirmed as the two began to walk slowly. " I come as a messenger and representative of Mirkwood."
" Legolas the mercenary? " she asked with a light laugh. He grinned and nodded. " What secret does the prince carry? " she questioned deviously, revealing a side of herself that most never saw, the playfulness of Arwen that Legolas adored. Yet his eyes darkened.
" That, I'm afraid, is ill news. I cannot say, however ", he told her. She nodded in understanding with slight concern in her eyes.
~*~
He walked in the light of dusk, in the falling leaves of Imladris and the glitter of golden sunbeams. Soundless were his steps and his body moved with almost unnatural poise. His soul was so at peace and yet also claimed with bliss only an Elf could feel, whilst his heart burst with the flowing rivers of joy. It was this, nature's beauty that he so loved and cherished. He relished his solitude among the trees.
What he did not know, however was that a certain group of Hobbits watched him vigilantly and with awe from above on one of the terraces of Elrond's house. The few Elves they had seen thus far had been dark-haired and dark- eyed, yet the one they watched was the total opposite.
" Who's that? " Pippin queried in a hoarse whisper.
" The crown prince of Mirkwood."
Strider's voice gave the answer. The Hobbits turned to face him as the tall Man approached them and stood behind, watching the Elf as well. Something passed in his gray eyes that the Hobbits had not seen before. They were softened with love, subtly sad, and there also was a trace of wistful longing. It was strange to the Halflings, to see such things in the ranger they had thought to be so fierce.
" He's beautiful ", Frodo said as he watched the Elf with his own daunting, cobalt eyes.
" Indeed ", Strider replied, as they all looked upon the Elf. " One of the fairest beings in all the world, Immortal Greenleaf of his people." The prince was reflected in the glass of Strider's eyes, striding with unmatched elegance as his silken tresses of silver-gold floated about his shoulders and his cloak of silver velour shimmered in the light.
" He is here for the Council ", the man added. The Hobbits did not yet know of the council and did not ask. Frodo's face twisted as he remembered something.
" You were singing of him ", the Hobbit said to Strider, whilst still looking at the Elf. " That night in the marshes after the Lay of Luthien and another song of a nameless She-Elf called Evenstar, you sang of him sadly, though I recall not the words. "
Strider only nodded in confirmation of Frodo's words. " Why were you sad? Each of those songs were so sad, but I see not why he would grieve you ", the Hobbit said, indicating the blonde prince that sauntered below.
" He has given his heart to me ", Strider said softly and sadly at the same time. The Hobbits looked at him in surprise. " Long have I known the prince of Mirkwood and always has he been my brother in heart. My fears are confirmed. For his love of mortals and this world, the Greenleaf will fade. He has given away his life's grace."
There was bitter regret, pain, and turmoil laced in the man's voice. The Halflings listened in slight awe of the sad tale and looked upon the Elf with fresh pity in their eyes, borne of their naturally compassionate hearts. The prince did seem a sorrowful being, yet the beauty of the Elves in partially wrought of their sadness.
// " Legolas "//, he uttered, almost a whisper, so that the Hobbits did not hear.
~*~
// " Havo dad, Legolas. " //
Aragorn bid him to be seated. The Elf resigned to the man's wish, yet the fire in his eyes had not been subdued. Part of him did not understand. He had only felt stirred to stand in his best friend's defense. His intentions had not been ill. His impression of this other man from Gondor was not a good one. It was strange to him, how different Boromir was from Aragorn, although they were both of the same country and race. So often, he had to remind himself that the ranger was indeed a mortal and not an Elf, yet he seemed so much like one.
~*~
//" Mae govennen, Aragorn "//, he said respectably with a short bow.
The ranger was taken aback by the Elf's formal gesture. He hardly ever called him by his birth name when they were alone. Aragorn stepped forward and embraced his best friend gently, wrapping his strong arms around the slender form of the Elf and holding him tightly. The Elf released a sigh as he was taken into the ranger's hug, the first time they had embraced in a while, something he had missed painfully.
" Estel ", he whispered and slid his lithe arms around Aragorn. The ranger smiled. After a long moment, they broke away and stepped back to have a look at one another.
" That cloak suits you, mellonin ", Aragorn remarked with a cheerful voice. The Elf smiled brightly
~*~
Legolas gave Faramir and Eowyn, who stood together at the doors of their home, a parting look and a wordless farewell with the raising of his hand. They offered faint smiles before he turned away from them and sped off through the gates to Minas Tirith with nothing but the clothes he wore, riding Arod bareback. The Lord and Lady of Ithilien watched as their Elf friend grew smaller and smaller in the distance, wordlessly hoping that he would not be lost not them.
Later that day, when night had fallen and a light, pleasant rain fell, Legolas sought shelter under a particular tree of his choosing. He was subtly blissful to be out in the rain, under the stars, and in the wood. The Elf settled himself on his bedroll that was lain out on the ground and closed his blue eyes for a little while, smiling as Arod nudged his face with a velvety nuzzle and low whinny. He felt calmly at peace for the first time in a long while, remembering the past and all the pretty things.
//In my field of paper flowers And candy clouds of lullaby I lie inside myself for hours And watch my purple sky fly over me//
~*~
He lingered in the blurred realm of his dreams, haunted again by shadow and memory. He bid farewell unto Undomiel before taking his leave with the Fellowship. That seemed so long ago, yet he could still see her face clearly, filled with unspoken sorrow that only placed her beauty in a new light. Her hand lifted with the lightness of a feather to lay upon his cheek, and he touched her own silken one with his slender hand, bidding farewell in the Elven way.
//" Navaer "//, he murmured.
//" Navaer, Legolas "//, she answered sadly, her dark blue eyes falling away from his own pale, azure pools.
" There is still hope ", he whispered, cupping his hand under her chin and lifting her lovely head to look at him.
" I have given my hope to Men ", she said quietly, searching his face, for they both shared the same fate and knew of it full well. " I have kept no hope for myself."
Some sort of pain flickered in his eyes, swiftly replaced with pity and sympathy. His hand fell away from her face, and her own left his. He knew she spoke true.
~*~
~*~
Chapter V.
Legolas quietly strode to the admirable stallion Arod, who awaited him patiently. The afternoon had grown late and the sun's deep, golden light filled the sky as it slowly turned to the orange of dusk. He was just inside the courtyard gates, about to head off for Minas Tirith on his own. After but two more days kept in the healing ward, he had decided he could wait no longer, despite the fact he still lacked strength. Gondor's imperial city called unto him and made him restless in Ithilien. Legolas swung one leg up and over Arod's back, pulling himself up to sit bestride his beloved horse. He did so with the grace of his kin, in one swift, flowing motion whilst his cloak of silver glimmered in the light. It was the same one he had all those years ago at the Council of Elrond, where he joined the Fellowship. It brought back many dear memories, memories that were bittersweet and pained him.
~*~
His dapple-gray mare rode into the grounds of the Last Homely House with rhythmic footfalls, barely heard. As soon as she had come to a stop, he had dismounted charmingly, looking around himself observantly at the haven of Imladris. His other Elven companions came from behind him, whilst his horse was led away by an Elf of Imladris would had appeared promptly.
" Legolas ", came a melodious, jubilant voice. His heart soared the Lady Arwen Evenstar approached him with eager haste in her step beneath the skirts of her gown. A dazzling smile lit up her face, making her all the more exquisite to behold. He returned it, and the two finally came together. She embraced him, stretching up slightly since he was a bit taller.
" My heart sings to see thee, mellonin ", she remarked.
" Aye, and mine as well. It has been long, Undomiel ", he replied. She gave him a nod with the joy still kept in her face.
" I trust you on errand for your father? " she said with regained reservation in her tone.
" Indeed ", he confirmed as the two began to walk slowly. " I come as a messenger and representative of Mirkwood."
" Legolas the mercenary? " she asked with a light laugh. He grinned and nodded. " What secret does the prince carry? " she questioned deviously, revealing a side of herself that most never saw, the playfulness of Arwen that Legolas adored. Yet his eyes darkened.
" That, I'm afraid, is ill news. I cannot say, however ", he told her. She nodded in understanding with slight concern in her eyes.
~*~
He walked in the light of dusk, in the falling leaves of Imladris and the glitter of golden sunbeams. Soundless were his steps and his body moved with almost unnatural poise. His soul was so at peace and yet also claimed with bliss only an Elf could feel, whilst his heart burst with the flowing rivers of joy. It was this, nature's beauty that he so loved and cherished. He relished his solitude among the trees.
What he did not know, however was that a certain group of Hobbits watched him vigilantly and with awe from above on one of the terraces of Elrond's house. The few Elves they had seen thus far had been dark-haired and dark- eyed, yet the one they watched was the total opposite.
" Who's that? " Pippin queried in a hoarse whisper.
" The crown prince of Mirkwood."
Strider's voice gave the answer. The Hobbits turned to face him as the tall Man approached them and stood behind, watching the Elf as well. Something passed in his gray eyes that the Hobbits had not seen before. They were softened with love, subtly sad, and there also was a trace of wistful longing. It was strange to the Halflings, to see such things in the ranger they had thought to be so fierce.
" He's beautiful ", Frodo said as he watched the Elf with his own daunting, cobalt eyes.
" Indeed ", Strider replied, as they all looked upon the Elf. " One of the fairest beings in all the world, Immortal Greenleaf of his people." The prince was reflected in the glass of Strider's eyes, striding with unmatched elegance as his silken tresses of silver-gold floated about his shoulders and his cloak of silver velour shimmered in the light.
" He is here for the Council ", the man added. The Hobbits did not yet know of the council and did not ask. Frodo's face twisted as he remembered something.
" You were singing of him ", the Hobbit said to Strider, whilst still looking at the Elf. " That night in the marshes after the Lay of Luthien and another song of a nameless She-Elf called Evenstar, you sang of him sadly, though I recall not the words. "
Strider only nodded in confirmation of Frodo's words. " Why were you sad? Each of those songs were so sad, but I see not why he would grieve you ", the Hobbit said, indicating the blonde prince that sauntered below.
" He has given his heart to me ", Strider said softly and sadly at the same time. The Hobbits looked at him in surprise. " Long have I known the prince of Mirkwood and always has he been my brother in heart. My fears are confirmed. For his love of mortals and this world, the Greenleaf will fade. He has given away his life's grace."
There was bitter regret, pain, and turmoil laced in the man's voice. The Halflings listened in slight awe of the sad tale and looked upon the Elf with fresh pity in their eyes, borne of their naturally compassionate hearts. The prince did seem a sorrowful being, yet the beauty of the Elves in partially wrought of their sadness.
// " Legolas "//, he uttered, almost a whisper, so that the Hobbits did not hear.
~*~
// " Havo dad, Legolas. " //
Aragorn bid him to be seated. The Elf resigned to the man's wish, yet the fire in his eyes had not been subdued. Part of him did not understand. He had only felt stirred to stand in his best friend's defense. His intentions had not been ill. His impression of this other man from Gondor was not a good one. It was strange to him, how different Boromir was from Aragorn, although they were both of the same country and race. So often, he had to remind himself that the ranger was indeed a mortal and not an Elf, yet he seemed so much like one.
~*~
//" Mae govennen, Aragorn "//, he said respectably with a short bow.
The ranger was taken aback by the Elf's formal gesture. He hardly ever called him by his birth name when they were alone. Aragorn stepped forward and embraced his best friend gently, wrapping his strong arms around the slender form of the Elf and holding him tightly. The Elf released a sigh as he was taken into the ranger's hug, the first time they had embraced in a while, something he had missed painfully.
" Estel ", he whispered and slid his lithe arms around Aragorn. The ranger smiled. After a long moment, they broke away and stepped back to have a look at one another.
" That cloak suits you, mellonin ", Aragorn remarked with a cheerful voice. The Elf smiled brightly
~*~
Legolas gave Faramir and Eowyn, who stood together at the doors of their home, a parting look and a wordless farewell with the raising of his hand. They offered faint smiles before he turned away from them and sped off through the gates to Minas Tirith with nothing but the clothes he wore, riding Arod bareback. The Lord and Lady of Ithilien watched as their Elf friend grew smaller and smaller in the distance, wordlessly hoping that he would not be lost not them.
Later that day, when night had fallen and a light, pleasant rain fell, Legolas sought shelter under a particular tree of his choosing. He was subtly blissful to be out in the rain, under the stars, and in the wood. The Elf settled himself on his bedroll that was lain out on the ground and closed his blue eyes for a little while, smiling as Arod nudged his face with a velvety nuzzle and low whinny. He felt calmly at peace for the first time in a long while, remembering the past and all the pretty things.
//In my field of paper flowers And candy clouds of lullaby I lie inside myself for hours And watch my purple sky fly over me//
~*~
He lingered in the blurred realm of his dreams, haunted again by shadow and memory. He bid farewell unto Undomiel before taking his leave with the Fellowship. That seemed so long ago, yet he could still see her face clearly, filled with unspoken sorrow that only placed her beauty in a new light. Her hand lifted with the lightness of a feather to lay upon his cheek, and he touched her own silken one with his slender hand, bidding farewell in the Elven way.
//" Navaer "//, he murmured.
//" Navaer, Legolas "//, she answered sadly, her dark blue eyes falling away from his own pale, azure pools.
" There is still hope ", he whispered, cupping his hand under her chin and lifting her lovely head to look at him.
" I have given my hope to Men ", she said quietly, searching his face, for they both shared the same fate and knew of it full well. " I have kept no hope for myself."
Some sort of pain flickered in his eyes, swiftly replaced with pity and sympathy. His hand fell away from her face, and her own left his. He knew she spoke true.
~*~