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Chapter Four: Of Angels and Letters
Legolas quickly walked out of the room not noticing that Eonas was standing there watching him carefully. Eonas brushed his red bangs back, but they fell forward almost immediately. Legolas raced across the grounds catching up with Frodo, Sam, Gimli, and Aragorn. Aragorn cast disdainful looks up at the window where Eonas sat watching them.
"That window reminds me of an all seeing eye, knowing everything we do. Let's move out of its presence so the evil that sought to hear us is hidden!" Legolas nodded and they quickly went into a nearby forest. Eonas smiled and got out of the chair then exited the room.
"I wish to consult with Gandalf too, but he's nowhere…" Legolas began, but a snapping of a twig interrupted him.
"Who says I, Gandalf, is not here?" The old wizard asked, stepping away from the shadows.
"It is good timing that you've come now! For I have something I want to talk about!"
"Whatever could be so important? Is it Elrond's message or is it Arlene's? Or possibly could it do with the two sneaky guards?" Gandalf asked, smiling at the last part of the sentence.
"So you've noticed, Gandalf? You've noticed that those two seem to be hiding something?" Frodo asked urgently for he felt something approaching them.
"Yes, and I think Eonas is more than just an ordinary 'brother' to Riana. I believe that Riana is not really who she is, but her past is a mystery. I have not been able to uncover anything," Gandalf replied calmly.
"Exactly what I was thinking! But Eonas seems to be egging me on, forcing me to figure out what is really going on. I don't even know why Arlene gave us the mission, she's not to keen on doing it herself and barely explained it to us!" Legolas commented.
"Riana gives me the chills! She's so cold-hearted and seems to be full of hatred. I've even tried to question her, but she ignores me like I'm not even there. Always tagging along with Eonas if not, she's hanging around that tree!" Sam shouted.
"Quiet Sam, or someone will hear us!" Aragorn whispered.
"By somebody you must mean me." Riana jumped out of the tree and eyed them all coldly. "Gandalf I thought you were better than to meddle in other's business. I suppose you're not better than these imprudent…children." Her eyes flashed treacherously then she brought up one of her many daggers. She threw it between everyone making it hit the center of a tree trunk. "You see my aim is very exact and if you anger me I may unintentionally hit the 'wrong' target." With that she laughed and left them standing there.
Legolas was stunned; when she said 'You see my aim is very exact…' it had reminded him of what Aein always used to say when she was mad. She would throw a dagger, the same way as Riana. "We best leave and do as she say or we won't live through tonight!" Sam squeaked hastening out of the forest with Frodo. Soon everyone began to follow them, only Gandalf remained with Legolas.
"Legolas, you think that she is Lady Aein do you not? Her 'brother' Eonas is indeed strange, but I wouldn't pry any further not until much later." With that Gandalf too exited the small woodland and left Legolas standing there, thinking over what had happened.
It wasn't until later did Legolas enter his room finding an envelope on his desk. There was a red rose on top of it. It felt like arrows had shot into his heart when he looked at the rose, for it was his and Aein's symbol, of significance. With trembling fingers he opened it and took out the letter. As he read it he fell on top of his bed. Shocked.
"A-Aein where are you? Do you still live among us?" With that he placed the letter back inside the sachet and went down to have dinner.
While Legolas was reading the letter Eonas was with Riana in his room. "Riana it would be judicious to do it when he's not in his room that way you have a clear view of everything."
She nodded, but said, "Eonas, I know that it isn't wise to talk about this, but what if he figures it all out before I am able to succeed?"
"He won't, not with me around he can never do that. I'll have a long talk with him tomorrow, around noon. That'll be our chance." With that he left the room and Riana gazed out into the night sky.
It was at dinner that Legolas saw Eonas who was silent. But Legolas needed to ask questions, he wanted his answers. "Eonas! I'm glad to see you at dinner here. How do you fare?"
"Quite well and you?"
"Positively fine! I must say that I've been thinking a lot lately and I wanted some of your astute council. Do you think you can answer my questions?"
Eonas sat there thinking hard then finally answered, "Maybe, it'll depend."
"I want to know about Riana's past. I want to know where she came from!" Legolas answered.
"Why! Riana was brought to us; by this Lady you call Lady Aein. For I truly don't know who it is…"
"No, I don't want your silly stories or riddles, I want to know exactly what happened!" Legolas ordered.
"Why… why don't we discuss this tomorrow around noon, I'll look you up then, but until then I would not answer a single question about Riana." With that Legolas was feeling slightly happier, for now he'd finally get some answers. Answers he could understand not the riddles he's been receiving.
It was late that night when Riana woke up from her bed. She was sweating again, it was that dream… She quickly got dressed and went over to her table. There was a white envelope on her table with a red rose on top of it. Picking it up she muttered to herself, "Aein, bring me hope and courage to do this." Slowly she opened the window and attached a rope to one of her arrows. She aimed it at Legolas' room's window, knocking it open and then she shot another one, this time she tied the envelope and the rose to it, aiming it for the open window. She shot through the small crack and she heard the familiar thud. Where an arrow hit the wall.
Smiling to herself she closed her window and hid her bow under her bed, going back to siesta.
It was early morning when Legolas woke up. He sat up and the first thing he saw was the arrow. Tied to it were a fresh rose and an epistle. Pulling the arrow out of the wall he pulled the letter out of it, opening it, but there was no letter just something heavy was in it. He opened it and saw that it was a silver adornment shaped in a heart. Opening it a small scrap of paper fell out. It read:
"Time kills everything, but my love for you is undying. "
He took the rose and breathed in its beautiful fragrance. Placing the rose inside the glass vase he placed the locket in his pockets. Leaving his room he met Eonas in the corridor who kept shaking his head and muttering something under his breath. When he looked up he smiled and walked over to Legolas motioning for him to go back into his room. "Legolas, we'll have that talk now for I can wait no longer!" Eonas looked enraged when he said this, but calmed down without delay
"I wanted to know about Riana-"
"I know! You want to know about her? Meet me at the tree tonight at exactly midnight and I'll answer everything! I have no time right now!" He stormed out. Legolas was confused for he had requested their conversation then, but postponed it until tonight. Shaking his head Legolas got up and left his room heading for breakfast. There, Riana sat looking pale and worried. She just poked at her food.
"Riana what happened?" Thranduil asked gently.
"Eonas is mad, he's mad at me for making such a asinine mistake." That was the simple reply she gave. Her eyes were depressing and her head drooped.
'We all make mistakes; your brother is being too callous!" King Thranduil said aloud.
"No, he's right I was being dim-witted and inane at the same time. I understand what he saw now, if it was by chance…" She drifted off and buried her face in her hands sobbing uncontrollably. She was shaking and shivering as she cried, but ran out of the room at once. No one was given a chance to placate her for she had left the room early.
"I'll have a talk with that brother! What was so offensive that could never be forgiven? Wise he is yet he has an abhorrence problem!" King Thranduil roared and slammed the table, before remembering where he was. "That girl, Riana reminds me of another certain girl, but she was cheerful and happy. Very pretty indeed, did you know her Legolas?"
"Yes, father, Lady Aein."
"Such a fine girl she was, whatever happened to her?"
"I don't know."
With that everybody separated knowing where the tête-à-tête would end up. Giving pathetic excuses to be away from that room.
"Why did she depart? Did she wed?" The King asked.
"No, you émigré her for helping out with the Revolution."
"I did no such thing! Where did you get that initiative son?" The king queried, but his eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Rumors, I picked them up here and there. It's not important anyway. She was just an elf, there's plenty in the world!" Legolas almost chocked at the last part of it.
"Oh, I see well let bygones by bygones!" With that the king left the table, now only Legolas at there staring somberly at his plate.
It was later in the day and night was approaching, as midnight came Legolas looked at the door hopefully. Waiting for it to open, but instead a voice came from somewhere inside the forest. He rushed into look; the voice was beautiful, almost unearthly. It was like those of a nightingale. Finally he entered a small clearing where a girl wearing misty white dress and a shawl draped over her hands. She sat by the small stream singing, a song familiar to his ears.
Let the moon Rise,
Let the stars sing.
For nothing can compare,
To the love and joy you bring.
For when times were hard,
When all hope had gone.
You were there,
You were by my side all along.
You were always there,
Guiding me through,
Showing me love,
Is as real as me an you…
She sang out in that beautiful voice. Her sleek black hair was loose and flowing in the breeze, the hazel brown eyes glistened with tears. She turned her mournful face towards Legolas and cracked a small smile. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
He walked up and began to sing with her:
Let the moon rise,
Let the stars sing.
For nothing can compare,
To the love and joy you bring!
With that chorus the woman stood up and walked over to Legolas, her long elegant hand reached out and grabbed Legolas' hands in her. A single tear dropped, down but she said any words and no sound came out.
When lost in darkness,
Unable to see anything, but fears,
You show up,
And helped to dry my tears.
He sang and with one hand wiped the tears off her face. When he was around her it felt peaceful and it was like time would never end, it was frozen so he could spend time with this woman.
I have so much to be thankful for,
Knowing your love for me was clear and true.
You've captured my heart,
And all I can say is, "I love you too."
Let the moon ruse,
Let the stars sing.
For nothing can compare,
To the love and joy you bring.
Let the moon rise,
Let the stars sing.
For nothing can compare,
To the love and joy you bring…
She finished the song with him and they each grasped each other's hand looking admiringly into one another's eye. The sun was about to rise when Legolas said softly, "Aein, I love you so much and missed you over these past years." He embraced her, but the sun was up in the sky. Aein stepped back looking mournfully at him. Slowly she started to disappear, first her feet then it went up.
Until she was almost all faded she looked up and said in that same sweet voice, "No matter what I'll still love you till the end…" She didn't finish the sentence because she had disappeared. Legolas made on desperate move to try and hold her, but she was gone and he knelt there silently crying to himself.