~*Chapter 9*~
The next morning Leuthil awoke. She had barely gotten any rest at all. 'At least I finished my tasks. I hope Voronwer is in a better mood.' She thought, as she got dressed. She was hoping she could skip taking breakfast to the fellowship. She felt somewhat uncomfortable about seeing Legolas after she had seen him with that elf, Tirifea.
She walked down to the small tent. Voronwer was there with a big smile on her face. Leuthil was truly glad. "Good day Leuthil." She said.
"Good day Voronwer. You are in a good mood this morning." Leuthil told her.
"Yes, I do not know why but I awoke today feeling much better than usual."
"That is good to hear." Leuthil looked around at the trays, which were waiting to be taken. "Voronwer, must I take the breakfast trays to the guests today?" she told Voronwer trying to sound as nice as possible.
"No, I suppose not. Whoever took them yesterday can take them today again, I am sure." Voronwer said with a smile.
"Thank you so much Voronwer. What will I be doing today?"
~*~*~*~*
Legolas awoke and went down to breakfast with the fellowship. He had not seen Leuthil in two days now. The members of the fellowship greeted each other as usual. They then sat at the small table.
Once again Legolas noticed Leuthil did not bring breakfast. He was beginning to wonder what had happened to her. He dismissed it thinking she probably had more important matters to attend to.
He finished breakfast and decided to go for a walk. He could tell that the fellowship was feeling rested and he was sure they would be off in a few, very short weeks. He would miss the wood of Lothlorien.
~*~*~*~* 3 days later
Leuthil and Legolas still had not spoken. Legolas was beginning to feel she was avoiding him. He and Gimli were walking among the Galadhrim one day. They had become good friends in the short time they had been in Lothlorien.
They were walking about now, talking and laughing. "Yes, master elf, but I have never heard of an elf wielding an ax."
"And I have not heard of a dwarf wielding a bow or a sword."
"Well, yes, but an ax is more powerful. One has to be strong to control such a weapon." They would talk for many long hours of such things. Legolas was telling Gimli about the archery contests of his homeland when all of a sudden he stopped talking.
"What is it elf?" Gimli told him.
"It is Leuthil. Come, let us talk to her." Gimli searched but did not see the elf-maiden. He followed Legolas though and she finally came into view. She was picking flowers and putting them in her hair. She saw Legolas and smiled at him.
"Hello Leuthil." Legolas said as he bowed, "I have not seen you in much time."
"Hello Legolas, Gimli. I am sorry but I have been extremely busy. As a matter of fact I have a-a-a. v-very important.. thing to take care of. Please excuse me and good day." She then quickly turned and left them.
"She is not a very good liar." Gimli said as he grunted.
"Yes, I know." Legolas said as he looked at Leuthil who was now far off.
Leuthil walked away. Feeling horrible about what she had just done. 'Why am I doing this? What he does in his free time in none of my business. I am acting like a child', she was about to turn and go apologize but thought twice about it. She would leave it as it was. She already had enough on her mind, thinking about Galadriel's mirror and what she had seen.
~*~*~*~* 2 WEEKS LATER*~*~*~*~
Legolas and Leuthil still had not spoken. Any chance of Legolas getting Orophin and Leuthil together was completely gone now. They would be leaving in 1 short day. He was thinking about all of this as he changed and got ready to go down to breakfast with the fellowship. He had to go today. He had skipped many breakfast's already.
About a week ago he had realized he could not find Leuthil's book of poems. He was completely infuriated with himself. He had spent much of the past days searching for the small book. Trying to retrace his steps. Gimli had also helped him very much to search for the small book.
He had a glum expression on his face, as this time tomorrow he would be leaving the beautiful elvin city of Lothlorien, and he had would be leaving without having the closeness he had wanted with the strange she-elf Leuthil.
Leuthil new today would be the fellowships last day in Lothlorien. She was contemplating going to bid farewell to Legolas. She truly was acting childish.
She began the work she had to do for that day. It was very little and she was grateful.
Legolas arrived at the pavilion and not only did Gimli notice his glum expression but the whole fellowship did. When breakfast was over Gimli told Legolas to take a walk with him. Gimli wanted to help his friend and find out what was bothering him so.
"Come Legolas, lets take a walk." They got up and disappeared into the thick wood. "What is the matter elf?" Gimli asked his friend sympathetically.
"It is nothing Gimli. I am simply saddened that we will be leaving this beautiful wood so soon."
"Yes, we all are but you seem to be taking it very difficultly."
"Well, I shall be leaving my people. Would you not be sad if you were in my position?"
"Yes, I would be Legolas. But more is bothering you than that, I can tell. Come now, tell me, are we not good friends?" Gimli told him.
"Very well, I shall tell you but only if you do not intend on mocking me."
"Very well, very well."
"It is the elf Leuthil. I have not seen her or had a chance to speak with her in these past two weeks. I do not like to leave things undone."
"So then you do have feelings for her? Have you found her book?"
"Of course I do not have feelings for her! She is merely a friend. I do not wish to lose a friendship, which is barely beginning." Legolas said. "and no I have not found the book." he said the last part somberly.
"Well, you know what they say Legolas, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I think you do have feelings for her."
"We have but a day left and I am not sure of what to do."
Legolas knew the dwarf was right. Why did he care so much about being friends with her if he didn't care for her? He did have feelings for her, and how stupid he had been not to realize it earlier. He spent the next hours contemplating this. Yes, he was sure he did. The only question now was did she have feelings for him also?
He decided he would go talk to her, but he would not tell her he loved her until he was sure she felt the same. It seemed strange to him. How could he have realized this in only a very short hour?? This was not right. He was barely realizing it now, but why? She had been there in front of him for many days. He decided he would go on his instincts and follow what he felt not what he thought.
He decided to talk it over with Gimli and see what the dwarf had to say. Of course Gimli told him to go after Leuthil. He also said that he had seen it since the first time they had met while she led him through the forest. "Its about time you realized it! I thought you would never see it!" the dwarf said merrily.
Leuthil finished her duties very quickly and had the rest of the day to herself. She went up to her flet and sat down on one of the large chairs. She simply thought things over. Galadriel had said things would change quickly but everything seemed the same to her. She was certain that she would not be leaving Lothlorien any time soon.
It was now later in the day. The sun was high in the sky and was slowly sinking. Leuthil did not move from the same spot on the large chair. She was in such a relaxed position she felt as if she could stay this way forever.
To her surprise there was a knock on her door. 'Who could it be?' she thought. "Come in!" she shouted gently.
To her amazement it was Legolas. She thought she had made it quite clear she was keeping away from him.
"Hello Legolas." She said to him.
"Hello Leuthil. I have come to speak with you."
"About what?" she asked him.
"Why have you been avoiding me? Why do you not wish to speak with me?" she could see the hurt look in his eyes.
"It is nothing Legolas.. I have simply been busy." She said as she looked down at her hands.
"I know you have not been busy Leuthil. What have I done to make you shun me away?"
"You have done nothing Legolas." She stood from where she was sitting and walked to the small room where she kept water, wine, fruits, and such.
"I must have done something." He said compellingly.
" You have done nothing! Why do you insist on meddling in my feelings and mind? Have I not made it clear I do not wish to be near you." she said now forcefully. Her heart was coming apart inside, but why? What was so important about, him? How could she be so mean to someone she cared about, or did she care about him?
"I am sorry Leuthil. But I think you need someone to do so. You tell no one anything. You build a shell around yourself! Why do you not want others to be in your life? You know that is a terrible way to live, alone." he told her as he looked into her clear eyes.
"Yes, I know I am alone. That is what I wish. You cannot just come here and try to change me. This is the way I am, I have my reasons!" she looked away from him and walked to where she had many fruits on a small table.
Legolas was now determined for her to admit that she was terribly lonely and wanted someone there. He would take it out of her no matter how long it took or how heart wrenching it was for her.
"What are your reasons then? Tell me, then I might understand you and why you wish to be alone."
"I will not tell you! Who do you think you are?"
"Tell me then I will stop bothering you and I will not ask why you have been avoiding me either."
"Legolas please, just leave me be. I do not want anyone, and I do not need anyone. Do you think I have always been alone? I was once very much in love but he broke my heart. There are you happy?!" she looked extremely sad. On the verge of tears almost which was a lot as elves do not cry.
"I am sorry Leuthil, but you must move on."
"I cannot Legolas you have no idea." she began to tell him.
"You must find someone else Leuthil."
"No, I will not. For what, for more pain and suffering, I think not." She said rage coming back into her.
"Why do you act this way? Why have you been avoiding me?"
"You said you would not ask me anymore questions."
"But I must. Leuthil please tell me, I need to know!" he said now becoming restless.
"I have not been avoiding you for the last time!" she said almost shouting.
"Yes, you have Leuthil." He came up behind her and forcefully turned her around so she was facing him. "Tell me Leuthil."
"There is nothing to tell!!!" she was enraged.
"Tell me what I have done!!! Leuthil! What is the problem? I know you would not just stop talking to me."
"I did not mean to stop talking to you Legolas!" she shouted at him.
"Then why did you Leuthil?!!" Legolas was also shouting at her. Now infuriated that she would not tell him. He desperately needed her to tell him. His heart felt as if it would explode with anticipation of her answer. He could see in her eyes the fury he had awoken with his shouting.
"I do not know Legolas!!! It was ever since that night I saw you with that she elf by the lake, I suppose. I did not mean to stop talking to you!! It was your own fault!" she had said this before she had even realized the words that were coming out of her mouth. It was as if someone had told her to say those words, not only for Legolas to hear but for her to hear also.
Then instantly Legolas remembered, the book, he had dropped it by the lake.
Before he thought about it too long he spoke, "Why did you not tell me?"
"Because I myself did not know Legolas! What do you expect? You yourself said I put a shell around myself. I do not even know my own emotions when they are screaming at me. Now you have only caused me more pain!!! Just leave and please return my poems. GO! GO! Just get out." Legolas realized that she did not know she loved him. As a matter of fact he realized she was still denying it.
He was heart broken. He knew he would not get this stubborn elf to realize her true feelings. He silently left her flet without looking back. He loved her even more so now after hearing what she had said. He had just walked out on the only elf-maiden he had ever loved. He did not even try to make her realize her own feelings. He contemplated going back but thought it would be better not to. As she had said, he only seemed to cause her more pain. Did she know he loved her?
The next morning Leuthil awoke. She had barely gotten any rest at all. 'At least I finished my tasks. I hope Voronwer is in a better mood.' She thought, as she got dressed. She was hoping she could skip taking breakfast to the fellowship. She felt somewhat uncomfortable about seeing Legolas after she had seen him with that elf, Tirifea.
She walked down to the small tent. Voronwer was there with a big smile on her face. Leuthil was truly glad. "Good day Leuthil." She said.
"Good day Voronwer. You are in a good mood this morning." Leuthil told her.
"Yes, I do not know why but I awoke today feeling much better than usual."
"That is good to hear." Leuthil looked around at the trays, which were waiting to be taken. "Voronwer, must I take the breakfast trays to the guests today?" she told Voronwer trying to sound as nice as possible.
"No, I suppose not. Whoever took them yesterday can take them today again, I am sure." Voronwer said with a smile.
"Thank you so much Voronwer. What will I be doing today?"
~*~*~*~*
Legolas awoke and went down to breakfast with the fellowship. He had not seen Leuthil in two days now. The members of the fellowship greeted each other as usual. They then sat at the small table.
Once again Legolas noticed Leuthil did not bring breakfast. He was beginning to wonder what had happened to her. He dismissed it thinking she probably had more important matters to attend to.
He finished breakfast and decided to go for a walk. He could tell that the fellowship was feeling rested and he was sure they would be off in a few, very short weeks. He would miss the wood of Lothlorien.
~*~*~*~* 3 days later
Leuthil and Legolas still had not spoken. Legolas was beginning to feel she was avoiding him. He and Gimli were walking among the Galadhrim one day. They had become good friends in the short time they had been in Lothlorien.
They were walking about now, talking and laughing. "Yes, master elf, but I have never heard of an elf wielding an ax."
"And I have not heard of a dwarf wielding a bow or a sword."
"Well, yes, but an ax is more powerful. One has to be strong to control such a weapon." They would talk for many long hours of such things. Legolas was telling Gimli about the archery contests of his homeland when all of a sudden he stopped talking.
"What is it elf?" Gimli told him.
"It is Leuthil. Come, let us talk to her." Gimli searched but did not see the elf-maiden. He followed Legolas though and she finally came into view. She was picking flowers and putting them in her hair. She saw Legolas and smiled at him.
"Hello Leuthil." Legolas said as he bowed, "I have not seen you in much time."
"Hello Legolas, Gimli. I am sorry but I have been extremely busy. As a matter of fact I have a-a-a. v-very important.. thing to take care of. Please excuse me and good day." She then quickly turned and left them.
"She is not a very good liar." Gimli said as he grunted.
"Yes, I know." Legolas said as he looked at Leuthil who was now far off.
Leuthil walked away. Feeling horrible about what she had just done. 'Why am I doing this? What he does in his free time in none of my business. I am acting like a child', she was about to turn and go apologize but thought twice about it. She would leave it as it was. She already had enough on her mind, thinking about Galadriel's mirror and what she had seen.
~*~*~*~* 2 WEEKS LATER*~*~*~*~
Legolas and Leuthil still had not spoken. Any chance of Legolas getting Orophin and Leuthil together was completely gone now. They would be leaving in 1 short day. He was thinking about all of this as he changed and got ready to go down to breakfast with the fellowship. He had to go today. He had skipped many breakfast's already.
About a week ago he had realized he could not find Leuthil's book of poems. He was completely infuriated with himself. He had spent much of the past days searching for the small book. Trying to retrace his steps. Gimli had also helped him very much to search for the small book.
He had a glum expression on his face, as this time tomorrow he would be leaving the beautiful elvin city of Lothlorien, and he had would be leaving without having the closeness he had wanted with the strange she-elf Leuthil.
Leuthil new today would be the fellowships last day in Lothlorien. She was contemplating going to bid farewell to Legolas. She truly was acting childish.
She began the work she had to do for that day. It was very little and she was grateful.
Legolas arrived at the pavilion and not only did Gimli notice his glum expression but the whole fellowship did. When breakfast was over Gimli told Legolas to take a walk with him. Gimli wanted to help his friend and find out what was bothering him so.
"Come Legolas, lets take a walk." They got up and disappeared into the thick wood. "What is the matter elf?" Gimli asked his friend sympathetically.
"It is nothing Gimli. I am simply saddened that we will be leaving this beautiful wood so soon."
"Yes, we all are but you seem to be taking it very difficultly."
"Well, I shall be leaving my people. Would you not be sad if you were in my position?"
"Yes, I would be Legolas. But more is bothering you than that, I can tell. Come now, tell me, are we not good friends?" Gimli told him.
"Very well, I shall tell you but only if you do not intend on mocking me."
"Very well, very well."
"It is the elf Leuthil. I have not seen her or had a chance to speak with her in these past two weeks. I do not like to leave things undone."
"So then you do have feelings for her? Have you found her book?"
"Of course I do not have feelings for her! She is merely a friend. I do not wish to lose a friendship, which is barely beginning." Legolas said. "and no I have not found the book." he said the last part somberly.
"Well, you know what they say Legolas, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I think you do have feelings for her."
"We have but a day left and I am not sure of what to do."
Legolas knew the dwarf was right. Why did he care so much about being friends with her if he didn't care for her? He did have feelings for her, and how stupid he had been not to realize it earlier. He spent the next hours contemplating this. Yes, he was sure he did. The only question now was did she have feelings for him also?
He decided he would go talk to her, but he would not tell her he loved her until he was sure she felt the same. It seemed strange to him. How could he have realized this in only a very short hour?? This was not right. He was barely realizing it now, but why? She had been there in front of him for many days. He decided he would go on his instincts and follow what he felt not what he thought.
He decided to talk it over with Gimli and see what the dwarf had to say. Of course Gimli told him to go after Leuthil. He also said that he had seen it since the first time they had met while she led him through the forest. "Its about time you realized it! I thought you would never see it!" the dwarf said merrily.
Leuthil finished her duties very quickly and had the rest of the day to herself. She went up to her flet and sat down on one of the large chairs. She simply thought things over. Galadriel had said things would change quickly but everything seemed the same to her. She was certain that she would not be leaving Lothlorien any time soon.
It was now later in the day. The sun was high in the sky and was slowly sinking. Leuthil did not move from the same spot on the large chair. She was in such a relaxed position she felt as if she could stay this way forever.
To her surprise there was a knock on her door. 'Who could it be?' she thought. "Come in!" she shouted gently.
To her amazement it was Legolas. She thought she had made it quite clear she was keeping away from him.
"Hello Legolas." She said to him.
"Hello Leuthil. I have come to speak with you."
"About what?" she asked him.
"Why have you been avoiding me? Why do you not wish to speak with me?" she could see the hurt look in his eyes.
"It is nothing Legolas.. I have simply been busy." She said as she looked down at her hands.
"I know you have not been busy Leuthil. What have I done to make you shun me away?"
"You have done nothing Legolas." She stood from where she was sitting and walked to the small room where she kept water, wine, fruits, and such.
"I must have done something." He said compellingly.
" You have done nothing! Why do you insist on meddling in my feelings and mind? Have I not made it clear I do not wish to be near you." she said now forcefully. Her heart was coming apart inside, but why? What was so important about, him? How could she be so mean to someone she cared about, or did she care about him?
"I am sorry Leuthil. But I think you need someone to do so. You tell no one anything. You build a shell around yourself! Why do you not want others to be in your life? You know that is a terrible way to live, alone." he told her as he looked into her clear eyes.
"Yes, I know I am alone. That is what I wish. You cannot just come here and try to change me. This is the way I am, I have my reasons!" she looked away from him and walked to where she had many fruits on a small table.
Legolas was now determined for her to admit that she was terribly lonely and wanted someone there. He would take it out of her no matter how long it took or how heart wrenching it was for her.
"What are your reasons then? Tell me, then I might understand you and why you wish to be alone."
"I will not tell you! Who do you think you are?"
"Tell me then I will stop bothering you and I will not ask why you have been avoiding me either."
"Legolas please, just leave me be. I do not want anyone, and I do not need anyone. Do you think I have always been alone? I was once very much in love but he broke my heart. There are you happy?!" she looked extremely sad. On the verge of tears almost which was a lot as elves do not cry.
"I am sorry Leuthil, but you must move on."
"I cannot Legolas you have no idea." she began to tell him.
"You must find someone else Leuthil."
"No, I will not. For what, for more pain and suffering, I think not." She said rage coming back into her.
"Why do you act this way? Why have you been avoiding me?"
"You said you would not ask me anymore questions."
"But I must. Leuthil please tell me, I need to know!" he said now becoming restless.
"I have not been avoiding you for the last time!" she said almost shouting.
"Yes, you have Leuthil." He came up behind her and forcefully turned her around so she was facing him. "Tell me Leuthil."
"There is nothing to tell!!!" she was enraged.
"Tell me what I have done!!! Leuthil! What is the problem? I know you would not just stop talking to me."
"I did not mean to stop talking to you Legolas!" she shouted at him.
"Then why did you Leuthil?!!" Legolas was also shouting at her. Now infuriated that she would not tell him. He desperately needed her to tell him. His heart felt as if it would explode with anticipation of her answer. He could see in her eyes the fury he had awoken with his shouting.
"I do not know Legolas!!! It was ever since that night I saw you with that she elf by the lake, I suppose. I did not mean to stop talking to you!! It was your own fault!" she had said this before she had even realized the words that were coming out of her mouth. It was as if someone had told her to say those words, not only for Legolas to hear but for her to hear also.
Then instantly Legolas remembered, the book, he had dropped it by the lake.
Before he thought about it too long he spoke, "Why did you not tell me?"
"Because I myself did not know Legolas! What do you expect? You yourself said I put a shell around myself. I do not even know my own emotions when they are screaming at me. Now you have only caused me more pain!!! Just leave and please return my poems. GO! GO! Just get out." Legolas realized that she did not know she loved him. As a matter of fact he realized she was still denying it.
He was heart broken. He knew he would not get this stubborn elf to realize her true feelings. He silently left her flet without looking back. He loved her even more so now after hearing what she had said. He had just walked out on the only elf-maiden he had ever loved. He did not even try to make her realize her own feelings. He contemplated going back but thought it would be better not to. As she had said, he only seemed to cause her more pain. Did she know he loved her?