Chapter Two
Legolas stepped into the hallway. Celemirë was looking quite shaken and upset, and there was fear in her eyes. When she saw Legolas, she almost screamed, though out of terror or something else, or both, Legolas did not know.
"I heard what Moddyn said," he began.
Celemirë froze.
"U-`osto, fear not. He will not harm me." Legolas said warmly.
"He desires me very much, and is jealous if I speak of any other man in his presence. I only mentioned to him today as we rode that you were here and I was hoping to learn Elvish from you. I am sorry that you will come to harm because of me!" she cried.
"That shall not come to pass, Celemirë," Legolas assured her.
Celemirë looked at him briefly before saying shyly:
"Do you want to see the stars with me?"
Legolas smiled in reply.
Celemirë excused herself. When she returned, she had a cloak over her clothes. She held out another to Legolas.
"It can get somewhat chilly at night. I brought one for you as well. It is Eldarion's, but he will not mind." she said.
Then she led Legolas out of the Citadel. When they emerged into the City, Celemirë drew her hood over her face. She made her way swiftly through the streets. Beside her, Legolas was looking around him.
"I am taking you to the Gardens of the Houses of Healing, Prince Legolas." Celemirë told him. "Mother told me you have been here before."
The pale moon cast a silver light over the Gardens. A sweet fountain stood in the middle. Celemirë and Legolas sat on the edge of the wall, facing each other.
"I always come here every night with my brother or mother. Lately, however, I have been coming alone. Mother is occupied with my sisters, for they are going to be wedded soon, and Eldarion is busy courting Prince Imrahil's daughter." Celemirë said with a sigh. "All my family is busy, and I am alone. Yet, I am happy for my siblings."
She looked out towards the West. In the moonlight, Legolas inspected her soft features. She glowed with an elvish beauty.
"You would think that someone who is a princess and has everything she desires to be happy. Yet it is not so with me." Celemirë said suddenly.
"What do you mean, my lady?" Legolas asked.
"It is because I desire to be an Elf. Since mother gave up her immortality, my siblings and I must suffer her choice as well. I do not hate my mother, for I know she loves my sire very much, and that is the reason she gave up her immortality. It is just that-" she answered.
Legolas was quiet. He did not know how to respond. Never before in his entire life had he dealt with an issue this complex. His parents being full-blooded Elves, he did not have this problem.
"I know not what to say, Celemirë," was all he managed to tell her.
"It is alright. I did not expect you to anyway. Your parents are both full-blooded Elves, so you do not have my problem." she said.
They were silent after that for awhile. None knew what to tell the other for fear of making them upset.
"There is a song my grandmother Celebrían sang before she went to Valinor. I always think of it when I come here. Do you care to hear it?" Celemirë said.
"I do, my lady." Legolas told her.
Celemirë smiled. She then closed her eyes and sang:
"Lay down
your sweet and weary head
Night is falling,
you have come to journey's end.
Sleep now,
and dream of the ones who came before.
They are calling
from across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
all of your fears will pass away,
safe in my arms
you are only sleeping.
What can you see
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
a pale moon rises-
The ships have come to carry you home.
Dawn will turn
to silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass.
Hope fades
into the world of night
through shadows falling
out of memory and time.
Do not say,
"We have come now to the end."
White shores are calling
you and I will meet again.
And you will be here in my arms
Just sleeping.
What can you see
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
a pale moon rises-
The ships have come to carry you home.
And all will turn
to silver glass
A light on the water
Gray ships pass
Into the west."
Celemirë's voice was soft, and it entranced Legolas. He saw in his mind everything the Princess had sang about in the song. He found himself blinking back tears when she finished.
"Is it not powerful, yet sweet and sad at the same time?" Celemirë asked him, as she opened her eyes.
"It is." Legolas said. "Your voice is very beautiful and entrancing to listen to."
Celemirë thanked him.
"Mother used to sing it often. Then one day when we went to Dol Amroth, and the white gulls were calling as she looked towards the West, she ceased the song in the middle of it. When I asked her for the reason she stopped, she did not answer. Her eyes-the light went out of them.
"Only when we returned home did I know the answer. Father explained to me how mother gave up her immortality to be his wife. It was then that my desire to know more about the Elves was awakened, and I desired to be one, since I myself am part Elf. It has grown stronger through the passing years, and can not be quieted."
Legolas listened intently as Celemirë spoke.
"I wish I knew what to say," he said.
Celemirë looked up at him.
"Your company is pleasing, hîr nín." she replied.
Legolas smiled.
They sat together in silence for some time. Princess Celemirë was deep in thought. She had never told anyone what she had told Legolas.
"If you do not mind, I would greatly appreciate it if you do not tell anyone what I have told you. I do not know even how I did so, but I feel that you are someone I can tell my secret thought to without fear of them being shared. I hope I am right," she said.
Legolas took hold of her hands and said:
"Princess Celemirë, any time you desire to lift something that is troubling you, come and speak with me. Your secrets are safe with me."
He then kissed her hands. Celemirë blushed.
They sat together watching the fountain. The water's melodic trickling lulled Celemirë to sleep. Legolas her back to the Citadel. He met Eldarion in the entrance hall.
"She is not hurt, only asleep." Legolas said.
Eldarion nodded as he led Legolas to her room. The Elf Prince laid Celemirë gently into her bed after he removed her cloak.
"Here is your cloak, Eldarion." Legolas said.
"Thank you." Eldarion replied.
The two went silently to the door. At the threshold, Legolas paused and looked back at Celemirë.
"How beautiful she is." he whispered.
"Yes, she is very beautiful. That she inherited from our mother. Not many know how lonely she is. She desires to be an Elf so much. You do not know how excited she was when father informed us you were coming. We have been neglecting her ever since my other sisters and I became occupied with other matters. Perhaps you can keep her company, Legolas." Eldarion said.
He locked the door from the inside before he closed it. Then he bade Legolas a fond goodnight. The Elf Prince looked at the door to Celemirë's room momentarily before retiring to his own chamber.