Disclaimer: Refer to chapter one.
Story: The Heart's True Home
Author: Silmarien
Rating: PG
-~~*~~-
Hardships
-~~*~~-
The stars had never been more of a comfort to Valia than they were that night, as she sat atop her horse riding to the royal city that Legolas called home, the glittering jewel of Laiquarille nestled in the heart of King Thranduil's realm.
Unbidden memories came back to Valia, making a wave of trepidation shiver through her cold frame. She tugged at her cloak, pulling it closer to her as if it could shield her from everything unpleasant that she was going to have to endure over the weeks to come. Their horse's shoed feet clopped against the hard path, echoing around Glorfindel and her, creating an earthy music.
Valia could just make out the forms of the houses nestled within the trees, and remembered her surprise upon her first trip to Laiquarille when she had found that the former elves of Mirkwood now lived on the ground. She had expected them to live in talans. The untamed beauty of the city still managed to overwhelm her, despite her past visit. Everything remained natural in that country; houses were built around the trees and the natural vegetation that flourished so much better than in Earsilme, which lay near the sea. Elrond, with his vast amount of knowledge, had been able to make Earsilme greener than it normally would have been, but it could not rival the innate beauty of Laiquarille.
There was, at least, one good thing about her current trip. She could admire the beauty around her, even if she would not like the company she could find herself in. There was, of course, always Silia and Isondil to go visit. Their presence would be more than welcome to Valia. A lopsided smile formed on her lips as she thought of the letter she had received from her friend just before she started her journey.
'What are you smiling about?' Glorfindel asked, interrupting her reverie with his low voice. She looked over at him. Dressed in Earsilme's colors of blue and cream, he looked resplendent in his robe.
'I was thinking of Silia and Isondil. I shall very much enjoy seeing them after so long a separation. They have only come to Earsilme a few times over the years to visit her family and me. We have much to catch up on.'
'Such as her current state of health?' Glorfindel lifted a brow in amusement, watching as Valia's smile grew, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe as she looked at him with her happiness shinning in her eyes.
'She should be showing by now,' Valia commented, turning her gaze towards their path as she thought of Silia's pregnancy. 'I am very happy for her, for both of them. Silia has always wanted to be married and to have children.'
Glorfindel observed the lady next to him with care as the smile slowly faded from her face, replaced by a wistful downturn of her mouth. He noticed the momentary pain that flashed through her eyes, concealing her happiness for her friend, before their silver-blue depths turned composed. There was a slight tightening of her hold on her reins, a rigidity that suddenly leapt into the curve of her shoulders, a small clenching of her jaw. He had been in her company far too long to be deceived by the smile that quickly covered her lips and the way her eyes glazed with a veneer of cheerfulness, expressions that would appear genuine to any others who looked upon her.
'They shall be very happy,' she murmured, though loud enough for Glorfindel to hear. The catch in her words alerted him to her struggle to gain control over the tears that no doubt threatened to rain salty drops of water down her cheeks like the storm clouds overhead had done a little while ago.
Turning his attention ahead, he attempted to distract her. 'It looks as if Laiquarille has come out to greet us, eleninya.'
He noted from the corner of his eye the way her eyes came into focus as she looked around her curiously, only to turn wide as she saw the elves lining the pathway to the palace, watching them as if they were royalty.
'Why do they stare at us so?' she asked in hushed tones.
Glorfindel heard a quieted chuckle behind him, and turned to see one of the attendants Elrond had sent with them to Laiquarille put a hand over his mouth to stifle his amusement at Valia's sudden unease.
Moving his gaze back to Valia, Glorfindel bestowed a generous smile on her that had melted many other maidens in the past, though never her. 'Can you blame them, Valia? You look stunning. They probably mistake you for an unheard of princess atop your snowy white horse, riding with your shimmering cloak and attendants at heel.'
That produced a scowl, and Glorfindel laughed as she pulled her cloak closer around her body than it already was. 'It is not I they stop to gape at. It is you.'
Glorfindel's mirth suddenly faded as he noticed the undeniable amount of maidens in the growing crowd. It was Valia's turn to be merry at his expense now, and her soft laughter floated through the air of their tiny party, making everyone smile.
'You will have to watch your back at the banquet Glorfindel, or they will be sure to trap you between the lot of them,' Valia admonished, a teasing twinkle lighting her eyes, genuinely dispelling all former traces of her melancholy.
'I would be worried about your own back if I were you, Lady Valia,' he retorted with a mock glare. 'I see just as many admiring male elves in the crowd as I do ladies.'
Valia squirmed in her saddle, and Glorfindel watched in delight as she maneuvered her horse closer to his in her discomfort. 'They are already married, no doubt, and I will have no occasion for worry.' Her tone had come out just a little too hopeful to make even Glorfindel think she believed her own words.
'I would not count on it Valia,' he whispered. 'I wager that you will have more trouble than I will when the dancing begins.'
A sharp stinging sensation burned in Glorfindel's arm as Valia's fist connected with his upper arm, but he merely smiled down at her brightly, as she glowered at him, before turning away in a huff.
'I am in no more danger of being overwhelmed with dance partners than you are of lacking them,' she almost growled.
'Whatever you say, my lady,' he replied, knowing it was time to leave well enough alone before he sparked the vicious flame of revenge in her, which she would not hesitate to act upon.
It took more than half an hour for their horses to make their way up the winding pathways that slowly ascended to the top of a rolling hill where the palace had been built. Despite her reticent, Valia was more than pleased to see the bejeweled palace come into view, a testament of the great wealth that lay at the foothills of the Pelóri in Laiquarille. The gates glistened in the moonlight, reflecting pale light back at Valia and Glorfindel who looked upon the impressive sight with appreciation. High gates, fashioned with pearls like Alqualondë in ages past, opened as their horses drew near, admitting them into the home of King Thranduil, and thereby, his son.
Thoughts of a hot bath far outweighed any disturbance she felt at being in the same palace that Legolas called home. It would not have mattered if he showed up before her at the palace entrance with that adoring smile she had come to know so well. She was getting a bath before anything else.
As they were admitted onto the palace grounds, Valia could not stop the swirl of memories from playing through her head, spinning both past and present together as they road up to the front entrance of the castle.
A flash of something golden caught her eye, and glancing up, her heart was instantly sent into a flutter of activity when she saw a blond elf, tall and regal looking, standing on the stairs to the palace with a lady by his side. Her eyes trailed over his figure, taking in the familiar slope of his shoulders and the stance he took, as straight as the arrows he shot so well. She sucked in a lungful of cold air, hoping it would shock her body out of the reaction it was having, but it did no good. Elrond had promised he would not be here. It must all be some sick nightmare and she would wake up to find that they were still a day's journey from the royal city and that Legolas was no where near Laiquarille.
But Valia knew, despite how much she longed for it to not be so, that she was not dreaming. This was real, and she watched with pain as the lady leaned her head on his shoulder and he bent his head down to place a kiss in her dark hair. She had long hair, the lady on his arm, as dark as the rich earth. It cascaded gently down her back in soft curls, reaching her waist. A strong ache twisted Valia's heart at the memory of how much Legolas had loved unbinding her hair. He had never seemed to tire of running long fingers through her honey colored locks. She was not close enough to see the distinct features of either of their faces, for which she was grateful. The look of love that would be on their faces as they gazed at each other would have been more than she could have borne.
A warm pressure was applied to her hand, and Valia looked down, blinking several times as she tried to make sense of the strong hand that was squeezing hers tenderly, offering her reassurance. Valia wrapped her slender fingers around his long ones, and her eyes slowly traveled to meet the sympathetic ones of Glorfindel, gleaming with pity.
That was the last thing she wanted just then, however. Sympathy. Pity. She would not be weak.
'It is not him, Valia,' Glorfindel's low tenor soothed her, reaching across the small gap that separated them to blanket her in understanding. He watched as her brow rose, and her eyes flitted over to the couple on the stairs before coming back to rest on him, filled with such an intense mixture of horror and pain. 'It is not him, Valia,' he reassured, clasping her hand tightly in his own.
'Who?' Her voice was unsteady, no pretense of calm control in the question.
'It is his father.' His hand slipped away as his horse that suddenly shifted away from hers, prancing with unease as it felt the tension in the air.
Valia looked back to the steps again, and instead of seeing a prince, she found a king, resplendent in his crown of winter leaves and berries that rested comfortably on his head. So much of the father was mirrored in the son. She had heard that they looked much alike. Legolas himself had told her that there had been times when a new attendant entered into the service of the palace and would confuse his father and him. She had not thought that they were so similar, even in mannerisms, having not seen his father when she came to Laiquarille for Silia's wedding.
They were close enough now that she could tell the difference. While she, nor anyone else, could ever call Legolas naïve, there was an air of experience tempered by wisdom that had blossomed after many millennium of living that rested in the face of King Thranduil that was not in his son's. And his eyes were a deep blue, an immediate distinguishing mark that would clearly define father from son if an elf could not tell the intangible differences in their demeanor apart.
The pang that shot through her heart would not be stopped, however. They looked so similar, and it was obvious that Legolas had inherited many of his characteristics from his father, including his regal stance.
Her horse stood before the royal couple, and all time seemed to stand still for a moment as she found her gaze caught by the Queen, who was looking at her in unabashedly in interest. Emerald green clashed with Valia's ocean blue, and she felt her breath catch as the gaze of Legolas' mother seemed to search her soul. Legolas had inherited his eyes from his mother, she realized. They were the same startling color, and the only difference between them was the feminine curve of the Queen's eyelids, lined with long eyelashes that created dark shadows on her creamy skin.
Valia was aware that Glorfindel was touching her elbow. It was with great effort that she pulled her gaze from the Queen's and took Glorfindel's offered hand with her own, as she noticed that hers was shaking. He tightened his grip on her fingers in reassurance as he helped her to dismount her horse, before they turned to the royal couple. Glorfindel gave a small inclination of the head while waiting for Valia to curtsey.
"Lady Valia and I are honored to be here to represent Earilme and wish you many joys on the happy occasion of the Prince's engagement,' Glorfindel told the King and Queen.
'Come, Glorfindel. We have known you too long to suffer all these formalities. I refuse to be addressed as King Thranduil by either of you,' he told them, shooting Valia a glance to inform her that she was included in the command as well. 'We are happy to have you here,' Thranduil welcomed. He clasped Glrofindel's forearm in greeting, moving closer to whisper words in his ear that Valia could not hear. She was only too delighted to discover that she would not be haunted by Legolas' voice during her stay at the palace, as well as his figure. The King had a deeper voice than his sons, mellowed into rich tones by the years that had melted away before his eyes.
King Thranduil, who she had heard from others was rumored to be somewhat standoffish, shocked Valia by turning to her suddenly, and then taking her hand in his own, he bent over it and placed a kiss on her skin. He winked at her before he straightened, leaving Valia utterly bewildered. 'It is a deep pleasure to have you stay in our home, Lady Valia. I have long wanted to meet you.'
Not knowing what else to do, and far too confused to do anything but barely manage to keep herself from gawking at the King, Valia nodded in response, in acknowledgment of the kind words. However, his greeting produced many questions inside Valia's mind, flying as quickly through her head as the ocean breezes of Earsilme whirled sand into the air. Why had he winked at her, and even more important than that, how had he heard of her before?
Valia lowered her eyes, and consequently, ignored the chatter Glorfindel was making with the King. She knew she was not required to converse anymore, for which she was thankful. She did not know if her dry throat would be able to accomplish the task of speaking under any circumstances just then.
Instead, she busied herself with examining the embroidery on the dress of Queen Elowen, who was standing before her. She had, of course, heard of the Queen before. Brief mentions had been made of her in the history texts Valia had read in Elrond's library, but she had received most of her information regarding the Queen of Laiquarille from Legolas himself. He had talked often about his mother when they had spent time together in Earsilme. Valia had then felt a growing desire to meet the lady, which she expected to have a sweet and gentle disposition from all the accounts she had received about her.
Queen Elowen struck Valia as a beautiful woman. Her waterfall of brown hair complimented her stunning eyes and smooth skin, reminding Valia of summer days whiled away under the covering of leaf clad trees. The lady's face was set in delicate lines that blended together with her small frame to produce an air of calm about her. If looks said anything, Valia realized that she wished to become better acquainted with Queen Elowen.
Valia was jolted from her thoughts when a hand was placed on her arm. The delicate fingers rested lightly over Valia's arm, and she glanced up hesitantly to meet the gaze of King Thranduil's wife.
'I thought I might take this opportunity to introduce myself to you while my husband and Glorfindel are busy talking.' Valia's gaze slid to the animated discussion that was currently going on between the two males, before she looked at the Queen again, who wore an amused expression on her face, tempered by the obvious patience and love she held for Thranduil. Not sure what she was expected to say, Valia gave a nod of assent, though the eyes that were fixed on her were not making things easy for Valia. There was too much of her son reflected in the Queen's gaze and it unnerved Valia.
Seeing her discomfort, the regal lady offered Valia a warm smile, instantly endearing her to Valia. 'I hope I do not presume too much when I say that you must already know that I am Queen Elowen.'
'Indeed you do not, my lady,' Valia replied, delighted to find that the Queen's voice had a soothing quality to it that reminded her of her own mother.
'I should like for you to simply call me Elowen, my dear,' the Queen surprised Valia by requesting as she looped their arms together. Today, it seemed, was the day for the unexpected to happen.
'My lady?' Valia asked curiously. While she had not been expecting the father and mother of Legolas to be aloof, she had not expected them to be so informal with her either, especially after just meeting.
'Shall I take you to your room?' Elowen questioned.
Valia cast another glance in Glorfindel's direction. Realizing that his conversation would be not be ending any time soon, Valia felt free to answer. 'I would like that very much, my lady.'
'Elowen,' the Queen corrected with a light laugh, which was a calm reflection of her voice. 'I know you must think it strange for me to request you address me so informally but I feel as if it would be wrong for formalities to get in our way of being at ease in each other's company.'
Valia found herself entirely mystified. She had never met the Queen or King before and had no idea why Elowen wished to break with formal tradition. 'I am afraid I do not know what you mean,' she admitted openly.
While still devoting her attention to the beautiful lady at her side, Vaila let her eyes travel over the front hall of the palace as they entered through the front doors, surprised that it was not as opulent as she had guessed it would be. The furniture and colors were tastefully decorated in the room, giving off the impression of wealth, without being gaudy. She was beginning to like this place already, as her discomfort began to melt away like the morning dew on the ground when the sun begins to rise.
A few quick words were exchanged between the Queen and a nearby attendant, before Elowen turned her attention back to Valia. 'Forgive me, Valia, but I feel as if we have already known each other for many years.' She continued to guide the bewildered lady to her room while a gentle smile graced her lips. 'My son has told me a great deal about you,' she clarified for her.
Numbing dread filled Valia as she looked into the emerald eyes of the Queen, trying to search for a hidden meaning behind her words. Did Elowen know that her son had once offered marriage to Valia? Trying to school her features into a semblance of calm, Valia searched her mind with frantic desperation for an appropriate answer to her comment.
How could she have been so foolish to think that Legolas would have made no mention of her to his family? Valia had been under the assumption that he would not.
You are stupid, Valia! Incredibly stupid!
Of course he would have mentioned her to his father and mother. No doubt he had written letters to Laiquarille during his stay in Earsilme, and for all his impulsive tendencies at times, Valia knew that Legolas would not enter into a commitment as serious as betrothal and marriage without at least telling his father and mother of his intentions. At least she thought he would not. The Prince was still a mystery to Valia in so many ways. He could have simply mentioned Valia in passing to his mother as the lady who helped him with his research and a close friend of Silia's.
'Has he? I am flattered. I work in the library of Earsilme for Lord Elrond and helped Prince Legolas with his research while he stayed in our land.' Valia was pleased with her response. It conveyed neither pleasant nor bitter sentiments. It was merely neutral; the most she could hope for under such a situation without giving anything away that Elowen might not know. The more that was kept a secret about her and Legolas' past relationship, the better. Especially under the present circumstances.
'I believe you were much more to him then simply a research assistant.'
So she knew.
Valia dared a glance Elowen's direction. The royal lady appeared as calm as ever, though if she hid her true emotions half as well as Legolas, she could have been feeling anything right then without conveying it. 'Forgive me, my lady,' Valia apologized, placing a hand over Elowen's. 'I did not think he would say anything to you of our past relationship. It was ignorant of me to believe such a thing.' Elowen slowed her steps, stopping once they reached the end of the hallway they had been walking down. Dropping her eyes, Valia let her hand slip away from Elowen's as she stepped away from her. 'I know this must not look well for me. Let me assure you that I did not come to cause trouble. I only came to wish your kingdom well on behalf of Earsilme. Nothing more.'
The apology was cut short when Elowen took one of Valia's hands again and gave it a tender squeeze. 'There is no need to ask for forgiveness, my dear. Thranduil and I are more than happy to have you here and Elrond sent a letter to us several days ago explaining the nature of the situation that forces you to come.'
'Still,' Valia continued, 'I would have you know that I have not come out of bitterness or revenge upon hearing of the Prince's engagement.'
'You speak of my son so formally, Valia.' There was a faint stir of surprise in Elowen's voice and Valia looked the Queen full in the face.
'I think it is best that way,' she replied candidly. 'I do not want to rouse ill rumors about my abrupt arrival in Laiquarille so suddenly after the betrothal of Prince Legolas.'
'You are an intelligent lady, Valia. I can see why my son fell in love with you.' Elowen released Valia's hand and opened an unobtrusive door on her right. 'These will be your quarters while you stay at the palace. Glorfindel is staying in the rooms across the hall from you if you need to find him.'
'Thank you,' Valia murmured before following Elowen into her room, stopping in her tracks when she discovered it was only a sitting room and that she had been given an apartment instead of the single room she had expected.
The room was done in cool shades of blue and green, with comfortable chairs and sofas placed about the room to foster intimate talks. Elowen observed her closely, and smiled when she saw a bright light flicker in Valia's eyes when she noticed the tall bookcase in a corner of the room.
'I took it upon myself to make sure you were given this room, Valia. I thought you would enjoy the small collection of books here far more than some of our other guests that will be arriving.'
All the protests to receive simpler accommodations that she had been harboring fled from Valia at the revelation. 'That is very kind of you,' she told Elowen, a true smile spreading over her lips.
'I am only too glad to see you happy, my dear,' Elowen returned. 'An attendant will be sent to your room later this evening when dinner is ready if Glorfindel does not escort you to the dinning hall. If you do not have any further questions, I am afraid I must go to meet the other guests that will be arriving and rescue Glorfindel from my husband.'
Valia laughed softly. 'I am certain that it is the other way around when Glorfindel is involved.' She shook her head in amusement as Elowen walked towards the door.
'Are you sure there is nothing else you require?' she asked once she was at the doorway.
Letting her hands rest behind her back, Valia looked up at the Queen. 'Perhaps you could answer a question for me before you leave. Elrond and Glorfindel have refused to tell me who Prince Legolas' betrothed is and I find that I am very curious to know who she is.'
'That is strange considering she comes from Earsilme. I would think the news would be common knowledge there.' Elowen's brow furrowed as she gave Valia a curious look.
'She is from Earsilme?' A strange fluttering was beginning to grow in Valia's stomach.
'Yes, her name is Lady Hadrielia. Mayhap you have met her before or at least have heard her name?'
The fluttering in her stomach grew to a furious crescendo of activity at the name Hadrielia. There must certainly be some mistake. He could not be betrothed to Hadrielia. He despised her! To Valia, it felt as if the last chord had been cut that was holding her to sanity. 'I am sorry,' she apologized, placing a hand on a nearby table to steady her knees that suddenly felt shaky. 'Could you repeat that name? I am not quite sure that I caught it.'
'Her name is Hadrielia. She is the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Earsilme. Are you alright Valia?' Elowen asked, taking a step back into the room. 'You look as pale as Ithil, dear. Do you need a glass of water?'
'No,' Valia cried hastily, placing her fingers at her throbbing temple. 'No,' she repeated again, this time softer. 'I have a sudden headache. That is all. It is probably from the long ride today. I will be fine once I rest.'
'Are you sure? Would you like to see one of the healers?'
'No thank you.' Valia squeezed her eyes shut and tried to stop the buzzing that had begun to ring in her ears. 'I will truly be fine,' she tried to reassure Elowen. 'I thank you for your kindness and your generosity in giving me this apartment. I am sure my headache will go away once I lie down for a while.'
'If you are sure,' Elowen prompted, a worried look on her face.
'I shall be fine,' Valia told her. She watched as Elowen continued to look at her with concern, but simply nodded her head and shut the door behind her on the way out.
Valia lost all control once she heard the door shut. Sinking to the ground, she grasped one of the stout legs of the table, leaning her head against the cool wood for support. How could Elrond and Glorfindel have deceived her in such a way? She realized that she knew why they had done it, but did they not think of the consequences of covering up such information?
Hadrielia! That silly, spoiled maiden. Valia had not even noticed her absence from Earsilme since they did not share the same circle of friends. It was incomprehensible that Legolas should be betrothed to her. It made absolutely no sense. Had he not scorned her attentions when he was in Earsilme? He had repeatedly told Valia that he did not care for maidens who threw themselves at his feet. And now he was betrothed to one of them? Of all the most ridiculous absurdities!
The soft moan that fell from Valia's parted lips was lost in her rustling of skirts as she shifted her weight and reached up to begin messaging the sensitive skin of her ears that always began to throb painfully when she became overly stressed. This was all too much. She should have been told who it was he was betrothed to. She should have had time to adjust to the idea before she arrived!
Blinded by her pain, Valia somehow managed to find her way to the bedroom, where she shut the door behind her before sinking onto the bed in a miserable heap. This was far worse than what she had dared imagine. She had thought Elrond simply refused to tell her because Legolas was betrothed to a lady that she was acquainted with and the news would upset her. But Hadrielia? Never had the thought crossed her mind that Legolas would consider her a suitable marriage partner. The little vixen was as different from Valia as night was from day. And therein, Valia assumed was the answer to the mystery. He had agreed to marry Hadrielia because she was everything Valia was not. It sounded a bit arrogant on her part to think that, perhaps, but it did make sense.
With a groan, Vaila crawled further onto the bed till she reached the pillows, plump with feathers. Struggling out of her cloak and top layer of clothing, the only one that really mattered whether it became wrinkled or not, Vaila placed them on a chair by her bed and sank back down into the comfortable embrace of the pillows and blankets.
The only way things could get any worse was if Legolas himself showed up. Valia comforted herself with the knowledge that he was far away from the palace and would not be showing up any time soon, long after she had left, at least. Wiggling the sheets out from underneath her, she threw them over her head as she nestled under the covers and fell into blissful oblivion. She would need it, particularly if she was going to be forced into the company of Hadrielia at dinner.
Insistent knocking awoke Valia later. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to adjust to her surroundings.
'Who is it?' she yelled from underneath the covers.
'It is me, Valia,' Glorfindel's voice came, distorted by the doorway and blankets that lay between her and him, but still recognizable enough for her to know who it was.
'Go away, Glorfindel!' She was in no mood to talk to him, of all elves, right now.
'You need to get up, Valia. Your attendant came to my room to tell me that you had shut yourself up in your bedroom. I need to speak with you before dinner starts, so come out.'
'You have nothing to say that could be of any interest to me,' Valia shot back, but threw the covers off her head in disgust. She would have to go to dinner no matter what. It would appear incredibly rude if she did not go. Besides, she would not let Hadrielia think she was intimidated by her.
'Please just come out, Valia.' His voice sounded weary, and when Glorfindel became weary, Vaila knew not to push her good fortune any further lest he exploded on her. An angry Glorfindel was not something she wished to deal with just then, not while everything else that was weighing on her. She did not need to turn her life from miserable to torturous by her own doings.
'I am coming,' she sighed, slipping a leg out from under her covers to dangle over the edge of the bed. Well, it was a start, at least.
She came out of her bedroom a few minutes later, after throwing her dress back over her head, to find Glorfindel seated by the window, as still as Elrond himself when deep in thought, a strange thing for the usually energetic Glorfindel. She knew he had heard her entrance, so she simply leaned a shoulder against the wall, crossing her arms as she looked at him. Forgiveness would not be given easily to this particular elven lord, not while Valia had anything to say about it.
'Is there something you wish to tell me, Glorfindel? Perhaps about a certain lady Prince Legolas is betrothed to that we both know?' Her eyes narrowed when she saw him flinch at her cold tone.
'Amin hiraetha, Valia,' he told her softly, neither stirring nor turning to look at her.
'You are sorry?' Valia snorted. 'Yes, well, I am sorry as well. Sorry that I had to hear such painful news from a stranger instead of those I counted among my friends, sorry that you did not have enough faith in me to tell me, sorry you did not trust my judgments. O yes, I am sorry as well.' She was not being fair to him, she knew. He had only been following Elrond's orders, yet she could not forgive him.
'It was not like that, Valia.' He glanced back at her before turning around to resume looking out the window. 'Can you honestly admit that you would have come if you had known who she was?'
Her silence was enough of an answer, he needed no other.
'Elrond needed you here, Valia, but do not be mad at him for not telling you. I was the one who suggested that you be kept in the dark. If you wish to lay the blame on anyone, place it on me.'
'Hadriela, Glorfindel!' Valia burst out, as if the name explained everything. 'Hadrielia,' she muttered, shaking her head and walking over to the chair across from Glorfindel before sinking into the plush recesses of the curved seat. 'I cannot believe you would hide something like this from me Glorfindel.' Valia brought a hand up to her face, shading her eyes from the world around her.
'Amin hiraetha,' he repeated, his voice deep with emotion, lacking the musical quality it usually did.
Valia peaked at him from under the shade of her hand, watching his handsome features contort to a look of pain. All it took was one tortured look from him to send a guilty twinge aching Valia's heart. She wanted to stay mad at him but could not. Shifting deeper into the chair, Valia let her hand drop into her lap, where she watched it with fascination as it lay limp against the deep blue fabric of her dress.
'I know,' was all she said as she watched him take her hand between his own, running his fingers softly over the lines and curves that had developed over the last five and a half millennium. She closed her fingers over his, patting his hand gently as she tried to convince him that it was not he that she was mad at. Anger for a particular elven prince, however, was beginning to grow in strength within her as she thought of the betrothal.
'How can he marry her, Glorfindel? How could he willingly betroth himself to her?' She sounded scared, like a lost elfling searching for protection in the arms of their mother from a nightmare, and she hated herself for it.
'I do not know, eleninya.' He reached up, tucking a loose piece of blond hair behind her ear, running his fingers along her jaw to turn her face his way. He was kneeling before her, an apologetic expression on his features. Valia caressed his cheek, a half hearted smile finding its way to her lips before she dropped her hand with a delicate sigh.
'It hurts, Glorfindel,' she admitted. 'I did not think he would marry so soon, and certainly not her.' Looking out the window, she watched as a tiny bird fly into view, which boasted colors of rich green and red. Her eyes followed the flight of the bird as it flitted through the trees before disappearing from view.
'If he ever truly loved you, he still does. An elf does not give his heart lightly to a maiden, Valia. Understand that Hadrielia has not replaced the spot you hold in his heart, nor has he given her the love he offered you. He will always love you, Valia.'
'I do not want his love. I do not want his affection.' She tried to control the tremble in her lip.
'You have it anyway.'
'I do not wish to talk about this, Glorfindel. The Prince of Laiquarille is foolish if he continues to hold onto a broken dream.' She pulled her hand out of Glorfindel's, before aimlessly trailing a finger over one of the carved designs on her chair as she studiously avoided his eyes.
'You do not know of what you speak,' Glorfindel retorted, a surprising amount of force in his tone. 'Do not be so unwise that you call hope foolish. Hope has conquered many dark times for our people. If it were not for hope, we would not be here today Valia. Legolas is far from foolish to hold onto love.'
Standing, Valia clenched her jaw, a bright fire leaping into her eyes as she watched Glorfindel rise up to tower above her. 'It is folly to desire what you cannot have, especially in matters of the heart. Our race bears a heavy price for the great love we feel, and I will not pay the consequences by rashly holding onto only an illusion of what might be.'
'It is only an illusion because you will not allow him to love you, Valia. You refuse to allow anyone to grow close to you because you are too afraid to take a leap of faith and have enough hope that all will be well in the end, and for that, I truly pity you.'
The words hurt more than if Glorfindel would have slapped her across the face, and Valia blinked back the tears that clouded her eyes. 'I do not want your pity,' she spat out. She was exhausted by all this talk of love and hope. It made her heart weary to think that the one elf she had ever let herself love was now betrothed to another, and she would not tread down that dangerous ground. Far better to feel nothing than fall into grief.
'Then what do you want from me, Valia?' Glorfindel grasped her forearms, rubbing his thumbs over her arms gently.
'I do not know,' she whispered, letting him pull her into a hug. She nestled her head against his chest, taking comfort in the steady pounding of his heart and his rhythmic breathing. Glorfindel, her comforter. What did she want from him? She was too confused to think clearly and dared not offer an answer when she could not reason through the weight of her response.
'You know I would gladly do almost anything for you Valia,' he told her, combing his fingers through the hair that had come loose while she slept. She felt him place a kiss in her hair, before leaning his cheek against the top of her head.
'I know,' she mumbled against his tunic before she made herself pull away. 'I think I should get ready for dinner now.'
'Very well.' He dropped his head down to place a kiss on her cheek. 'I will come escort you to dinner.'
'Alright.' She watched him leave, his light footsteps making no sound as he walked across her floor and out the door.
She was still watching the door several minutes later when a soft knock startled her out of her thoughts. Moving to her door, she opened it to discover an attendant standing in the hallway, eyes averted to the ground, hands clasped before her as she made a small curtsey. 'I have been sent to help you prepare for dinner, my lady.'
'To attend me? Who has sent you?'
'Queen Elowen, my lady. She said that I was to be your personal attendant for the remainder of your stay here.'
'And what is your name?' Valia moved aside so the lady could enter her room, noticing that she was several inches shorter than herself. She had brown hair that fell in rich waves around her shoulders, much like Elowen's hair, but instead of green eyes, the lady had brown instead.
'Cithien, my lady,' she replied, marching towards a corner of the room where Valia noticed for the first time that her trunk had been placed. She had a feeling she was going to like Cithien. From her walk, Valia could easily tell that she had spirit.
'It is a pleasure to meet you Cithien. How long have you been in the service of King Thranduil?' Valia knelt beside Cithien and helped her open the lid to her trunk.
'I have worked at the palace for almost eight centuries now. I was born in the Valinor soon after the elves of Mirkwood sailed over the sea, my lady,' Cithien informed her as she began pulling dresses out of her trunk.
'It is Valia.'
'Excuse me, my lady?' Cithien continued taking pieces of clothing out, not stopping to wait for a response as she separated the garments into piles.
'My name is Valia. I would like you to call me by my name. I am not used to being addressed with titles by attendants.' She sent Cithien a smile before reaching down and scooping a pile of dresses up and moving into her bedroom to begin hanging the clothes.
Cithien followed a few moments later with her own pile firmly clasped in her arms. 'If I might be so bold as to ask, why are you unused to titles?'
'Because I am only the daughter of one of Lord Elrond's advisors. I am no great lady.' She hung a dress in her wardrobe and went to the bed where she had set the rest of her dresses to pick up another.
'Thank you, Valia,' Cithien replied gratefully, flashing her a smile.
It took longer than Valia had expected to unpack her trunk and hang all the outfits Elrond had sent with her. By the time the last article of clothing had been retrieved from the bottom of her trunk, Valia was harboring ill thoughts toward the Lord of Earsilme for coercing her into bringing all this ridiculous clothing. She must have had a different outfit to last her three weeks before she needed to wear something over again. Valia was suddenly extremely glad she was not born into a ruling family of elves. Not that she did not enjoy wearing dresses, it was just all the frills she objected to. They were simply too restrictive. She would take a plain dress any day and be perfectly happy. .
If she thought the unpacking took long, the dressing took even longer. Cithien insisted that she take a bath, complete with an assortment of herbs to moisten her skin and make it soft, which Valia would normally have never touched, seeing no point to wasting money on the stuff. But she simply bore it with a fake smile plastered on her face, under threat from Lord Elrond that if he heard of any of her complaining to activities that normal she-elves participated in everyday, then he would make sure she was stuck wearing the clothing of his choice to work in the library until the end of Arda.
A very potent threat.
By the time she had undergone the entire dressing ritual, Valia was ready to pull her hair out. How could other maidens spend so much time on such a pointless activity as primping themselves before their mirror? If they were not confident enough to appear in public after only a half an hour of preparation, they should not go out at all. That was Valia's philosophy anyway, which apparently was not the generally accepted mantra of other ladies.
She was rescued from her brooding when Glorfindel came to take her to dinner, whisking her away from her room just in time to save her, and her attendant, from going crazy.
'You look lovely, Valia. I shall have to recommend to Elrond that he make you wear dresses like that everyday.' The comment was offered right before they entered the dinning room, a large grin accompanying it, giving Valia no time to do anything other than throw him a dark look before they entered the hall.
She was grateful to find that they were not the last ones to arrive, and despite all the resolutions she had made with herself, she could not help the quickening of her breath as her eyes sought out Legolas' betrothed. However, Hadrielia was not in the hall yet. Letting Glorfindel lead her to their chairs, Valia sat down, relieved for a moment to be sitting until she saw that they had been placed close to the head of the table.
'Glorfindel,' she whispered, sending him a meaningful look as she grabbed his arm.
He offered her a helpless shrug. 'I did not arrange the seating, Valia. I heard Elowen say that she wished you to be seated near her. She apparently wants to become better acquainted with you.' Glorfindel watched as a mask descended over Valia's face, hiding all of her emotions. He almost groaned as her eyes flickered for a moment before turning dim and emotionless. She had not been like this for so long that Gorfindel had begun to hope that the old Valia had finally returned permanently.
'Then I suppose there is nothing we can do,' Valia replied calmly, turning in her chair to stare ahead of her as she placed her hands in her lap.
'Valia?' Glorfindel asked hesitantly, but she did not respond. He barely held in his sigh as he turned to the elf who had sat down on his left and was trying to get his attention.
Setting her jaw, Valia stared at a tapestry on the wall in front of her, preparing herself for what was about to take place. Valia had never been labeled a coward before, but she felt more than her share of weakness at the prospects of spending the evening in the company of Hadrielia. She could have handled it under any other circumstances. Hadrielia was really no match for her in a battle of words, but Valia was a representative of Earsilme now, which meant that she would have to avoid giving offense. Though, she certainly did not want to smile pleasantly at the barbed comments Hadrielia threw her way either.
She did not have long to prepare. The dinning room quickly began to fill. There was a moment of happiness when Valia saw Isondil and Silia walk in. They saw each other, but only managed to wave at each other from across the room before they had to find their seats. It was enough for Valia to be able to see that Silia stomach was beginning to show the tiny elfling that grew within her. Valia decided that she would visit her friend as soon as Anar rose in the morning sky.
Then the room fell silent and Valia stood with everyone else at the entrance of King Thranduil, his wife on one arm and Hadrielia on the other.
And all Valia could think of for a moment was how breathtakingly beautiful Hadrielia was, and how inadequate she felt. Hadrielia was a vision, with her blond hair pulled up into an intricate weave of braids and curls that cascaded down her back, softening the delicate angles of her face. The dress she wore was fit for the future Princess of Laiquarille. It seemed that no expense had been spared in the gossamer fabric that floated around her like the elegant wings of a butterfly. O yes, Hadrielia was almost ethereal in her beauty.
An uneasy feeling began to grow in Valia's heart that perhaps Legolas did love Hadrielia after all. She could see the appreciative looks male elves were sending Hadrielia's way. Could Legolas have changed his mind about Hadrielia? Four hundred years was enough time to change many things, even those things an elf thought would remain forever untouched. Valia was no longer hungry as the King made his way towards the head of the table, and Valia prayed that the empty seat next to her was not reserved for Hadrielia.
Valia nearly gave a sigh of relief when Elowen came to stand beside her, waiting as King Thranduil pulled out her chair to sit down, before he followed suit with Hadrielia, who Valia did not dare to look at. Once he was done, Thranduil motioned for everyone else to sit, and Valia sank gratefully into her seat as she looked up at the King, who once again painfully reminded her of Legolas and the reason she was there in the first place.
'I welcome you all to my home,' Thranduil addressed the crowd, his voice resonantly deep without being overpowering. 'It is a great joy to me that my son has finally chosen a bride. I thank each of you for your kindness in coming to celebrate this joyous occasion with my family and I. Please make yourselves comfortable for the time you and here and enjoy the company and festivities.'
Polite applause rippled through the elves like the undulation of the waves on the ocean. Valia stared hard at her plate, trying to lose herself in the swirls of green that were painted along the edge of dish, her own thoughts matching the spinning confusion. What had she ever done to deserve such torture as this? To sit at a betrothal celebration of her heart's love, across from the lady he was promised to, a lady she detested, and unable to do anything but watch, remaining silent in the shadows as the intricate dance of life played out before her eyes, with all its surprising twists and turns?
Soft chatter broke out in contained groups as clusters of elves leaned towards each other while attendants came in, bearing a wealth of food that astounded Valia in its magnitude. She had attended her share of official banquets, being so closely connected to the House of Elrond, but never had she seen such a vast array of food. Dishes she had never heard of were set upon the table, as well as many familiar ones. Food passed by her, and occasionally she would take a spoonful of the dish when Glorfindel nudged her elbow, piling it on her plate next to food she had already put there, but had not touched.
She began to nudge the food around her plate when Glorfindel became wrapped up in a conversation to his left about a new system that had been developed to improve the water supply to cities. She would not complain however, not when she had escaped talking to Hadrielia, who seemed to be ignoring her lowly existence across from her and was chatting with an elven lord Valia had seen a few times before. She had even managed to avoid eye contact with the she-elf, though it was hard with the sparkle of light that would reflect off the jewels that Hadrielia wore, twinkling on the edge of Valia's vision.
Towards the end of the meal, when dessert had already been served and Valia had worked herself into a considerable state of misery of her own doing, she felt a gentle touch on her elbow. Turning, she met the emerald eyes of Elowen, flashing with concern as they watched her with the same unnerving intensity as Legolas had.
'Are you sure you are feeling well, my dear?' Elowen asked.
'Yes, I am fine.' Valia gave her food another stir before setting her fork down, making a soft clatter. 'I am simply not used to such formal affairs as this, and I am afraid I feel a bit out of place.' It was not a complete lie, at least. She truly did feel out of place among all the finery around her.
Elowen gave her a gentle smile, reminding Valia of her own mother yet again. 'Do not let them intimidate you, Valia. They are all just trying to outdo each other with their silks and jewels.' When Valia turned surprised eyes on Elowen, the Queen laughed softly, patting the younger she-elf's hand. 'Did Legolas ever tell you of my past?'
'No, though I remember reading somewhere that you were not born of a prominent family.'
'A polite way of saying I was a nobody,' Elowen laughed, placing a hand on Valia's arm when she saw her duck her head. 'Do not worry yourself about it. I was as common as they came. My family lived a day's walk from the palace before King Oropher built the caves of Mirkwood for everyone to live in. I was barley come of age when Thranduil returned from the Battle of Dagorlad and became King of Mirkwood. I will always remember my first encounter with him.' Elowen laughed freely, the clear sound of her mirth ringing through the air. Valia found herself leaning towards her with a smile, eager to hear the tale of Thranduil and Elowen.
'What has you so amused, my lady?' Thranduil asked his wife, a small grin pulling his lips upwards. 'Was I deceived when I heard my name pass from your lips?'
'Nay, my lord, you were not. I was telling Valia of our first meeting.'
Valia watched as a silent message passed between the two, before Thranduil's brows lowered in a scowl. 'Can we not talk of something more pleasant?' he inquired, though the twinkle in his eyes told Valia his severity was all a show.
'Something better than our meeting? What tale could I tell that would be better than that? Besides, I think Valia is intrigued now. Are you not, Valia?'
'Very much,' Valia admitted with a large smile as she watched Elowen give her husband a triumphant look.
'You see? I cannot disappoint the representative of Lord Elrond, herven.'
'For some strange reason, I feel I have somehow just been manipulated.' They all laughed before Thranduil took Elowen's hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles, and then gestured for her to continue her tale.
'I was appointed as an attendant to King Thranduil and the soldiers who followed him home from the battle. When they arrived, a large hall was set up to attend to their needs, any wounds that they might have had, and too provide them with food and drink. I remember being incredibly nervous standing in the presence of such a great gathering of elven lords, hoping that I would not cross paths with the new King and make a fool of myself, though all the other elven maidens could stop talking of nothing else but how fair his face was.'
Her story was interrupted when Thranduil chuckled, a deep rolling laugh that made Valia think of stormy clouds and thunder. Elowen silenced him with a look before continuing.
'I was carrying a platter with cups of water of it, going from the kitchen to the food table that had been set up. I had been extremely careful not to bump into anyone and upset the tray. I am proud to say that I had nearly made it to the table when someone whirled around at my side and knocked into me. The tray clattered to the floor and I sank to the floor with it in embarrassment as the room grew silent. I began collecting cups that were strewn over the floor, trying to stop the water with my skirts before it ran everywhere, when someone kneeled beside me and placed a hand over my own. I looked up to find myself face to face with King Thranduil himself, who was apologizing repeatedly for knocking into me. He began helping me pick up cups as the noise returned to the room. When the mess was cleaned, we parted ways and I thought that it would be the end of all my encounters with the new King. That was until I received a letter from him two weeks later, asking if he could escort me to a royal dinner. I accepted. I could hardly turn down the offer of my King. The elven lords and ladies at the dinner terrified me to no end, but I overcame my fear in the end and had a pleasant time.'
'And nearly twenty years later, she finely deigned to become my betrothed.' Thranduil placed another kiss on his wife's hand before releasing it.
'So you see, Valia, do not let these elven lords intimidate you. They are prone to the same faults as the rest of us; although I am sure you must know that being the daughter of a lord yourself.'
Valia nodded, a soft smile on her lips. 'I enjoyed hearing your tale. It is a lovely story.'
'Comical, at the least,' Thranduil remarked with a wink before standing up. The room fell silent as he welcomed everyone to move into another hall where singing and dancing would take place through the night. The quiet shuffling which only elves were capable of making in such a large number began as guests started to drift out of the dinning hall in small groups to participate in other forms of merriment. Elowen dismissed herself to follow her husband and Hadrielia to the hall, leaving Valia waiting for Glorfindel to finish yet another conversation.
He seemed to be quite the popular elf, as Valia had predicted.
The evening had turned out far better than Valia dared hope. She had been able to avoid Hadrielia with surprising ease, and was even able to enjoy herself in the end with Elowen's tale. All in all, it had been a successful evening, leaving Vaila with the hope that the worst was over.
When Glorfindel had finished his discussion and turned to Valia, she told him she was tired and was going to bed early, declining his offer to escort her to her room, and sending him off towards the other elves with a kiss on the cheek and a command to enjoy himself.
She walked back to her apartment slowly, while thinking about all she had been through that day. Valia could almost guarantee that the day would be one she would remember for many years to come. With a sigh of relief, she rounded the corner to the hall that led to her room, only to encounter the unmistakable glitter of jewels.
Hadrielia waited for her at the end of the corridor, looking as beautiful as ever, despite the lines of anger that twisted her face.
'What are you doing here?' she hissed, when Valia reached her door.
'Hello Hadrielia,' Valia replied, barely keeping the irritation out of her voice. All she wanted right then was her soft bed to sink into after stripping herself of all her restrictive clothing. She was not ready to fight a battle to the death with Hadrielia of all elves.
'Do not pretend to be friendly, Valia. I know why you are here, even if you will not tell me.'
'O really? Then do be so good as to inform me.' Valia turned her head, raising one of her eyebrows, unable to keep the sarcasm from her voice or face. Elrond could glower at her all he wanted when she got back to Earsilme, as long as she could have the satisfaction of seeing Hadrielia turn bright red in frustration.
'You will not win him back, Valia. He is mine now. You had your chance, and you threw it away.'
Valia longed to wipe the spoiled look off Hadrielia's face. It would have been an easy task to put the lady in her place. Instead, Valia simply smiled, though it did not go so far as to reach her eyes, and turned back to her door. 'I have not come to win back Prince Legolas, Hadrielia. I will not lower myself to your immature tactics. You are his betrothed, and as far as I am concerned, he loves you and therefore, I wish you both great happiness in your marriage, unless you are trying to tell me that you feel so insecure in his affections for you that you must fend off every she-elf he has ever laid eyes on?'
And then the red appeared, slowly creeping up Hadrielia's face till her ears resembled the color of cherries in the summer.
'No?' Valia asked. Not waiting for a reply, she opened her door and slipped through, locking it firmly behind her.
That should give Hadrielia something to think on for a while, and give Valia the satisfaction so that she could get the sleep she needed at the moment. Smiling to herself at the look of utter astonishment that had appeared on Hadrielia's face when she told her she did not want to win back Legolas, Valia walked to her small bathroom and began to ready herself for sleep.
Perhaps she could have a bit of fun with the little flirt for the remainder of her stay. It would keep things interesting at least.
-~~*~~-
Ithil- The moon
Amin hiraetha- I am sorry
Anar- The sun
eleninya- my star
herven- husband
Remember to leave your email address with your review so I can send you a thank you and reply to comments. If you would like to be added to my mailing list for notification of updates, please let me know.