-Memories-
"I really cant believe you are here" Liz said, "I thought it would be a long time before I ever saw you again"
"For the entire summer I couldn't get your beautiful face out of my mind. I've been trying to find a way to come see you since school ended."
"I wrote letters but I just never send them. I don't know why" Liz said
"I actually came because I have something to tell you but I wanted to tell you in person"
"You mean, you didn't come here just to see me?" Liz said playfully
"Well yes but I wanted to tell you I have switched to Hogwarts for my last year"
"What? Seriously?" Liz was stunned
"Yes, my father was against it but in the end he said it was my choice"
"That's wonderful" Liz threw her arms around him
"Did you read the letter?" Voron asked
"Yes. It was beautiful. So what are you going to do after you finish school?"
"Not sure. I will have to take up some of my father's old duties and will probably get a job in the Muggle government once my father wishes to retire."
"Sounds good. So how's your summer been?"
"Boring. There is nothing to do at my father's castle so--"
"Castle?" Liz interrupted, "You live in a castle?"
Voron laughed
"Yes, my father is a Lord in the Muggle World. My mother is a Lady according to British status but in Italy, she is a princess. She loves staying at castles in her home country so my father bought her one" Voron explained
'And there's nothing to do at a castle?" Liz asked
"Well, not when all this is going on. You-know-who is back and everyone is going into a panic. My father wants me in his sight at all times and wants help on matters to which I know nothing of"
"I'm surprised he let you come"
"He doesn't really know I'm here" Voron said avoiding Liz's gaze now
"Voron, did you tell him anything?" Liz was afraid that because of this decision his father would not allow him to go to Hogwarts.
"I left a note for him and I sent a letter when I arrived. I don't know if it's gotten to him yet"
Liz was worried but didn't want to ruin a perfectly good evening. She leaned against him and lied there until she fell asleep.
Saira was walking barefoot in what looked like her room but things were slightly different and it didn't seem like she stayed in this room very often. Her wardrobe was filled with different clothes and her desk did not have any of her schoolwork on it. The bed was made and had different sheets and there were pictures on the wall of people she recognized but not from her current life.
Saira walked to the mirror but her reflection was not she. It was older and features slightly changed but her eyes were clearly the same color. She now understood. This was a memory of Serenity.
Behind her she heard footsteps but she wasn't really in control of what she was doing. She didn't turn around but continued to look in the mirror at what she wore, which was the light purple dress Legolas had given her. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her resting his head on her shoulder. He brushed her hair off her neck and shoulders.
He kissed her and warmth spread through her body. She turned around and cradled his face and she kissed him again. He leaned her over so that she had to kiss him harder to stay up.
"I love you" he whispered
Saira smiled as Serenity and returned the statement with another kiss before actually saying she loved him too. Then a slightly younger Lord Thranduil appeared in the doorway.
"Someone always has to interrupt" Saira whispered so Thranduil wouldn't hear.
Legolas stifled a laugh and looked at his father
"Your horses are ready"
"Ready for what?" Saira asked curiously
"It's a surprise" Legolas kissed her cheek as he slipped his hand down and took hers, "Come"
He led her downstairs where Elledan was holding the horses. She felt a surge of anger but she didn't control this memory and thought no more of it as Legolas helped her on a horse. As they rode, Saira grew confused.
"Where are we going?"
"Be patient Serenity"
However when he said this, it felt natural to Saira. Legolas then stopped both their horses.
"I'm confused"
"Come here" He pulled her horse side his and attempted to blindfold her but she pulled away.
"A blindfold?" Saira asked
"Do you trust me?" he asked in return
"You know I do"
He tied the blindfold around her eyes and guided her horse another quarter hour but she didn't know he was just leading them back to the river area near Mirkwood. When the horses stopped, she listened intently hoping to get a clue to their whereabouts. She heard Legolas dismount and walk over. He grabbed her hand and helped her down. She followed him tripping here and there until she heard was sounded like rustling vines.
"Almost there" he said
Saira heard her shoes hit stone and Legolas stopped. He stepped behind her and positioned her to the right, then removed the blindfold.
He had taken her to beautiful natural pool with a waterfall on two sides. The water was so clear she could see all the way to the bottom. The whole area was surrounded in large weeping willow trees but not a single leaf landed in the pool. A sense of magic filled the air and Saira was at a loss for words even though this was only a memory.
"It's beautiful" she breathed
He wrapped his arms around her. "So are you" he whispered in her ear
Saira snapped and both she and Legolas had a change of clothes. She then turned around holding his hands.
"No" he said as she stepped closer to the edge
"What?"
"No!" but she pulled him into the water with her as she jumped in. Saira opened her eyes and saw Legolas propel himself through the mass of bubbles. She followed and met him at the surface.
"Loosen up" Saira said putting her arms around him and kissing the water off his face. He smiled and she rested her head on his shoulder floating there.
Saira woke from her dream feeling someone kiss her cheek. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw Legolas' smiling face. She was still lying beside him in her room. The sun shone down on them through the window.
"Morning" she said softly
"Morning" he kissed her forehead. "Shall we go down for breakfast?"
"Do we have to?"
"No" he answered "Have a good dream?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You had a very pleased look on your face"
"I was a different person in a different time, but the place was beautiful. A pool surrounded by willow trees. I wish it were real"
Legolas went silent and got a peculiar look on his face.
"What is it?" Saira asked
"Come" he lifted her up
"Alright, now I'm confused"
"Change and meet me at the main entrance in 10 minutes" Then he ran downstairs and Saira went back to her room to change. All the places in the trees in Mirkwood were connected so it was easy to get there quick.
When she saw Liz and Voron asleep she tiptoed to her room and changed before creeping downstairs so she wouldn't wake them. She met Legolas at the main entrance into Mirkwood, or one of them, and the first thing he did was blindfold her. As they rode, Saira began thinking there was a connection.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with my dream would it?"
"You'll see"
Being blindfolded made it seem like hours were passing until he finally stopped. As if repeating her dream, she heard him dismount, then came over and helped her down.
"Something seems familiar about this" Saira said as he guided her on foot.
She felt stone beneath her feet and knew she was at the same pool she'd been to in her dream. She pictured it in her mind and when Legolas removed the blindfold, it looked identical save for some overgrown plants.
"It's just as I remember" she whispered
"I'd all but forgotten this place until you forced it back to my memory. I found it long ago when returning from my long adventure and thought it would make a perfect surprise for Serenity as almost an apology for my long absence." He explained, "As you do, she loved to swim. I never really have but the look on her face as she did was just lifting"
"Why don't you like to swim?"
"I'm not used to having the luxury of relaxation. I've spent years fighting in wars and battles and sometimes its hard to go back."
Saira turned to him and using magic changed their clothes into something more appropriate for swimming. She smiled coyly at him.
"Care to reenact?" she asked playfully inching toward the edge
"Reenact?"
"I lived out a scene similar to this in my dream. Do you remember the day you first came here with her?"
"I rarely if ever swim voluntarily." He said trying to free his arms as Saira moved ever closer.
"Then I'll do it involuntarily" she said pulling hard
"Saira was leaning back over the water. Legolas had kept his stance and held Saira inches above the water.
"Noble effort" Saira said before tripping him by swinging her foot around. She took one quick breath before plummeting into the water with Legolas on top.
She opened her eyes and pulled him into ab underwater kiss before pushing herself upward. A few seconds later, a soaked Legolas came up beside.
"In neither time I cannot win" he said bobbing up and down
She cupped his face, "But its fun to see you try" and she kissed him.
Liz had awoken during the night because of an owl. Quietly she stood up so she wouldn't wake Voron. She looked out the window and not a light shone in the city. Across a ways she could see through peoples' windows.
Tarowyn was hanging off his bed because he kept moving and Lord Thranduil paced back and forth in the darkness of his room. A tree away from that Saira was sleeping beside Legolas with a look of content on her face.
Voron sighted and moved slightly. Liz ran her hands through her hair a few times in front of the mirror. She wondered if all souls entered others when they died and if so whether everything fell into place repeating history. She forgot these when weariness overtook her and she drifted off.
From the looks of it, morning had arrived in her dream. She wasn't in Mirkwood, but with a camp of elves. And from the looks of the tents, she was in a royal camp. She was slightly confused but yet still felt like she knew what was going on. She didn't really recognize anyone but everything felt right. The camp was packed up and she went on her way with them. Far in the distance, she spotted Mirkwood and confusion swept her again. She reached in her bag and found a mirror.
She didn't think she looked much different besides the fact she looked much older, as if she'd aged many years. Someone behind her yelled out.
"Enelya!" She turned around knowing it was her
"Mani?" -what? -
"Riders have been sent ahead to inform Lady Serenity of your arrival"
"Thank you Khristos"
It wasn't long before they rode into Mirkwood. Everything was strangely familiar to Liz as if she'd lived this already. Waiting for them was a younger Lord Thranduil although he didn't look much different, and also what looked like an older version of Saira with Legolas standing next to her. She was beginning to understand. This must have been a vision into the past over 50 years. She realized who everyone was now. She dismounted her horse and ran to Serenity.
"Lily!"
"Serenity"
They ran up and hugged one another and even kissed each other on the cheek.
"Oh Lily, its so good to see you" Serenity said
"You too and its good to be back, my friend. Three months in Rivendell then I get one letter stating a few things that made me have to come." Then she looked at Legolas and bowed her head. "Hello. Good to see you again too"
He bowed back.
"Enelya, where shall we take your things?" The elf Khristos, asked
"Upstairs that way" Serenity answered pointing to the stair that normally led to Saira's room. "Legolas, we will see you at dinner"
He nodded but demanded a kiss before giving her up to Liz for the time being. The two elf-maidens headed to their favorite courtyard to talk
"Your letter was quite vague" Somehow Liz knew everything she was talking about. "So tell me everything."
All Serenity did was lift her hand up showing a beautiful diamond Elvish ring with amethyst stones beside the largest diamond. That beautiful ring sat upon the very finger Liz hoped it was. Liz could fill herself overcome with happiness.
"Bout damn time! How long for now?'
"I lost count after the first few hundred, but many unavoidable things came up aiding to his procrastination."
"I know that all too well. Now being a friend of over 2,000 years, I'm entitled to know everything. Before during and after."
They laughed and Serenity went off telling about a romantic proposal.
"And the aftermath really shouldn't concern you. That's private" Serenity said
"The hour grows late and your prince approaches" Lily answered but suddenly there was a blinding flash and Liz found herself at the mercy of a semi army of orcs. Her hands were bound and she couldn't reach for the sword on her belt.
A battle broke out as Serenity and Legolas led a band of elves to her rescue. Serenity was the first to reach her. She cut Liz's ropes and threw her a sword. It was not long before they out skilled the orcs and claimed victory.
"I knew you'd come" Liz said smiling. But that quickly disappeared and was replaced with pain. "Serenity?" she said with blood rapidly spreading through the cloth of her shirt.
Behind Liz, and orc had taken a saber and stabbed right below the heart.
"No!" Serenity screamed, "Lily!" she caught her fallen friend. "Lily" she said softly
"It was a valiant effort" Liz said
"No, you'll be find" She said as the tried to heal her
"Don't lie to yourself. It will only make it harder. The heart is cut"
Serenity felt tears stream down her face. "Lily."
"Listen. I wont be gone. For a short while I will be with my love before I join you in another life. I'll always be your friend, no matter which life." Then Lily closed her eyes while Liz's opened to the morning light and Saria awoke with a start after dozing off by the pool.
Liz stood up quickly
"Liz, what is it?" Voron asked
"Well hmm that was weird, just really weird. That will keep me from sleeping for a while. Yeah, I need to find Saira." She walked out and down the stairs without a coherent word to Voron who chased after her
"Liz?" he asked
"I died. I'm not supposed to be able to know that. Saira has the visions and funky dreams, not me. Not me. I'm 'feeling girl' not 'vision girl'" Liz rambled on
"Calm down' Voron said putting his hand over her mouth and looking straight at her. "Now.what happened?"
"I had a vision-dream about the past and I died"
"Well you're not dead now"
"Yeah, yeah, ok this is a time where you're supposed to give me a kiss and tell me I shouldn't interrupt my friend because of a dream." Liz said quickly
"Right" he kissed her deeply and was about to say the second part but Liz kissed him again.
"Forget about it" she said completely forgetting the dream.
"Saira, what's wrong?" Legolas asked
Saira tried to remember her dream. She was greeting someone named Lily in the city. She was Serenity's best friend. They were talking about her getting married to Legolas. Then it switched to a battle where Lily died.
"Nothing.nothing" Saira answered
"You're all flushed. Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Do you have the time?"
"It's about 11:00. Still early"
"Alright, at dinner, remind me to remember something"
Legolas stared confused. "Come again"
"Forget about it" Saira said. "And help me forget"
"Saira, you're not making sense"
"Just do something that will make me forget," she said anxiously.
"Okay" he leaned over and kissed her. "Did that work?"
"Almost. I might need you to do it one more time"
"Not a problem"
Later that evening, everyone returned for dinner. Both Liz and Saira's minds were back on their dream and desperately wanted dinner to end so they could talk. After it ended, they immediately met up with each other out front of the hall.
"Liz" Saira said
'Saira" Liz said
"We need to talk"
"I agree"
"Alright you first" Saira said
"I had a dream" Liz started. "I was an elf named Lily and best friend to Serenity."
"And you went to Mirkwood because she sent you a letter?'
"How'd you--?"
"Never mind. How'd the rest of it go?"
"You were getting married and then I died"
"Okay, this is creepy because that's the same dream I had" Saira said
"Hmm. Well to me it looked like a memory. Maybe we should ask Legolas" Liz suggested
"Good idea. He's talking to Tarowyn and Lenwe"
They went back inside where Legolas was still talking. They seized him by the arms and dragged him away from the conversation.
"Saira? Liz? What're you doing?"
They stopped when they were back outside.
"We both had a dream. The same dream" Saira began
"At the same time. I don't dream past stuff. That's not what I do"
'Exactly."
"Calm down. Now first tell me about the dream and I'll try to make sense of what you're telling me."
Immediately they set off explaining, switching when the other needed a breath or forgot something.
"You had a dream about.Lily? In all truth, I never thought I'd hear that name again" Legolas said
"All we know is that apparently they were good friends" Liz said
" 'Good friends' is an understatement. Think about how close the two of you are, and times that by a thousand"
Liz and Saria exchanged looks.
"Lily and Serenity were inseparable if they were in the same vicinity. You would never see one without the other. The only time they were really apart was when Lily would set out to other Elven cities on political ventures" Legolas explained
"Alright but that still doesn't explain why I had the dream" Liz said
"Sometimes Lily would have dreams that coincided with Serenity's as a message. Something both of them were meant to see"
"So we were supposed to see our past friendship?" Saira asked
"Do you remember your first vision about us? And how at the Yule Ball I said it was to remind you?" Legolas asked in return
"Ok, we were supposed to be reminded of our friendship.as if to strengthen ours?" Liz asked
"Exactly"
"Not to be rude or offensive, but when did Lily die?"
"About 5 or so years before Serenity. Serenity was so grieved everything was postponed. Then she had a dream foretelling the return of everyone.. but one. When we finally did do anything, the prophecy decided to take effect, and well you know. A day later."
"Don't have any more dreams about me dying okay?" Liz said to relieve the awkward silence that followed
"Why don't you stay out of my dreams."
"Oh, before I forget, Lenwe was sent to get your school things" Legolas said
"When did our letters come?" Liz asked
"As you grieved. I thought it best not to remind you one of your group would not be returning"
"Okay"
Voron walked up to them. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all." Saira said and Voron walked away with Liz
Saira looked at her watch. "I cant believe it's only 8:30"
"C'mon, play me a game of Kholiast" Legolas suggested
"No, you always beat me. Do you know any Hylian games?"
"No"
"Let me teach you"
They went to Legolas' room and Saira taught him many card games she knew. A few of which were Muggle games too. After an hour or so and when he got the gist of it, he began asking her questions about living in Hyrule.
"So what was it like living in a tree house?"
"Oddly relaxing. I used to never sleep inside. Link would always get onto me for sleeping in a hammock out on the balcony, but that was the best. I'd read, do magic, or sleep swaying in the breeze. And even when the area was taken over, I wouldn't let that stop me."
"Sounds nice"
"Did you never go to Hyrule? I mean, that is where Serenity was from"
"I knew her for many years. For the first few hundreds though, we were nothing more than friends. We even thought we loved different people, but fate always brought us back together. But then I left for a long time, and by the time I returned, she had no reason to go back and the wars were too much for her. She hated seeing her home but she helped how she could."
"I know how she feels"
"Really?"
"Yes. I'd hate to go back."
"Why?"
"I'm scared of it. I can barely think sometimes because I know what is there and I know what's happening, and worst of all, I know who's trying to stop it. As much as I love it, I hate it just as much and I do not wish to go back"
Legolas couldn't think of what to say
"Do you ever regret it?" Saira asked
"Regret what?"
"The story of the fellowship is written down. It said you went to the Undying Lands"
"They say that when an Elf sees the sea, they will never find peace under the tall trees of our forests"
"What happened?"
"I almost went. I was so close, but I knew I would never find peace in the Undying Lands nor under any tree. The only peace I knew was with Serenity. The knowing that she would come back has kept me here"
"Has she really?"
Looking straight into her eyes he said, "Without a doubt"
"You know what's fun?"
"Hmm?"
"Hammocks? Where did that come from?"
"I don't know" Saira stood behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "I just like them. Even better with more than one person."
"You know sometimes I don't get you"
"I'm a mystery to all" she said starting to rub his shoulders.
"That is true" He stopped her and pulled her around in front. "Promise me something?"
"Anything"
"You'll never forget who you are"
"Course" she sat down. "Why?"
"If anything ever happens, I want you to remember who you are"
She smiled
"As long as you are here, I never will" She laid her head down on his chest as she sat with him. "School starts in about two weeks. I don't want to go back yet" she said
"You've only got 3 more years" he said
"Only" she said sarcastically, "I want to stay here with you and my friends"
"We'll be there you know"
"Yes, but there I cant do this"
She sat up and kissed him. "Well its late and I should go" she said stopping mid-kiss and got up teasingly
"No, don't go" she turned around and kissed him again lingering longer this time. She tried to leave again but Legolas ran ahead and stood in the doorway.
"I need to go to bed" Saira said matter-of-factly
"Who says?" Legolas said still blocking her
"The curfew your father issued at dinner"
"He issued a curfew? Really? Well, technically you're indoors at curfew. I highly doubt he'll mind if you're here" With that he picked her up and carried her back in and sat her down on the bed
"I'm not tired so you're going to have to keep me entertained"
He kissed her passionately lying down at the same time. His hands ran up her back as they kissed making her stop almost immediately so she could bite her lip. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "This is completely unfair"
"What is?"
"You're stronger than me and know the one spot that easily puts me at your mercy and yet I don't know yours so I have no defense"
"I'm not going to tell you. It's not my fault Hylians are sensitive on their backs" Just then Saira ran her hand down his side and when she reached the area just above his hip, he recoiled instantly.
"Now we're getting somewhere" Saira laughed
"Never thought you'd find it that quick"
"You've still go the strength factor so don't be discouraged" She kissed him once more.
"That is true" he grabbed her hands knowing she'd try again.
"I really cant believe you are here" Liz said, "I thought it would be a long time before I ever saw you again"
"For the entire summer I couldn't get your beautiful face out of my mind. I've been trying to find a way to come see you since school ended."
"I wrote letters but I just never send them. I don't know why" Liz said
"I actually came because I have something to tell you but I wanted to tell you in person"
"You mean, you didn't come here just to see me?" Liz said playfully
"Well yes but I wanted to tell you I have switched to Hogwarts for my last year"
"What? Seriously?" Liz was stunned
"Yes, my father was against it but in the end he said it was my choice"
"That's wonderful" Liz threw her arms around him
"Did you read the letter?" Voron asked
"Yes. It was beautiful. So what are you going to do after you finish school?"
"Not sure. I will have to take up some of my father's old duties and will probably get a job in the Muggle government once my father wishes to retire."
"Sounds good. So how's your summer been?"
"Boring. There is nothing to do at my father's castle so--"
"Castle?" Liz interrupted, "You live in a castle?"
Voron laughed
"Yes, my father is a Lord in the Muggle World. My mother is a Lady according to British status but in Italy, she is a princess. She loves staying at castles in her home country so my father bought her one" Voron explained
'And there's nothing to do at a castle?" Liz asked
"Well, not when all this is going on. You-know-who is back and everyone is going into a panic. My father wants me in his sight at all times and wants help on matters to which I know nothing of"
"I'm surprised he let you come"
"He doesn't really know I'm here" Voron said avoiding Liz's gaze now
"Voron, did you tell him anything?" Liz was afraid that because of this decision his father would not allow him to go to Hogwarts.
"I left a note for him and I sent a letter when I arrived. I don't know if it's gotten to him yet"
Liz was worried but didn't want to ruin a perfectly good evening. She leaned against him and lied there until she fell asleep.
Saira was walking barefoot in what looked like her room but things were slightly different and it didn't seem like she stayed in this room very often. Her wardrobe was filled with different clothes and her desk did not have any of her schoolwork on it. The bed was made and had different sheets and there were pictures on the wall of people she recognized but not from her current life.
Saira walked to the mirror but her reflection was not she. It was older and features slightly changed but her eyes were clearly the same color. She now understood. This was a memory of Serenity.
Behind her she heard footsteps but she wasn't really in control of what she was doing. She didn't turn around but continued to look in the mirror at what she wore, which was the light purple dress Legolas had given her. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her resting his head on her shoulder. He brushed her hair off her neck and shoulders.
He kissed her and warmth spread through her body. She turned around and cradled his face and she kissed him again. He leaned her over so that she had to kiss him harder to stay up.
"I love you" he whispered
Saira smiled as Serenity and returned the statement with another kiss before actually saying she loved him too. Then a slightly younger Lord Thranduil appeared in the doorway.
"Someone always has to interrupt" Saira whispered so Thranduil wouldn't hear.
Legolas stifled a laugh and looked at his father
"Your horses are ready"
"Ready for what?" Saira asked curiously
"It's a surprise" Legolas kissed her cheek as he slipped his hand down and took hers, "Come"
He led her downstairs where Elledan was holding the horses. She felt a surge of anger but she didn't control this memory and thought no more of it as Legolas helped her on a horse. As they rode, Saira grew confused.
"Where are we going?"
"Be patient Serenity"
However when he said this, it felt natural to Saira. Legolas then stopped both their horses.
"I'm confused"
"Come here" He pulled her horse side his and attempted to blindfold her but she pulled away.
"A blindfold?" Saira asked
"Do you trust me?" he asked in return
"You know I do"
He tied the blindfold around her eyes and guided her horse another quarter hour but she didn't know he was just leading them back to the river area near Mirkwood. When the horses stopped, she listened intently hoping to get a clue to their whereabouts. She heard Legolas dismount and walk over. He grabbed her hand and helped her down. She followed him tripping here and there until she heard was sounded like rustling vines.
"Almost there" he said
Saira heard her shoes hit stone and Legolas stopped. He stepped behind her and positioned her to the right, then removed the blindfold.
He had taken her to beautiful natural pool with a waterfall on two sides. The water was so clear she could see all the way to the bottom. The whole area was surrounded in large weeping willow trees but not a single leaf landed in the pool. A sense of magic filled the air and Saira was at a loss for words even though this was only a memory.
"It's beautiful" she breathed
He wrapped his arms around her. "So are you" he whispered in her ear
Saira snapped and both she and Legolas had a change of clothes. She then turned around holding his hands.
"No" he said as she stepped closer to the edge
"What?"
"No!" but she pulled him into the water with her as she jumped in. Saira opened her eyes and saw Legolas propel himself through the mass of bubbles. She followed and met him at the surface.
"Loosen up" Saira said putting her arms around him and kissing the water off his face. He smiled and she rested her head on his shoulder floating there.
Saira woke from her dream feeling someone kiss her cheek. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw Legolas' smiling face. She was still lying beside him in her room. The sun shone down on them through the window.
"Morning" she said softly
"Morning" he kissed her forehead. "Shall we go down for breakfast?"
"Do we have to?"
"No" he answered "Have a good dream?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You had a very pleased look on your face"
"I was a different person in a different time, but the place was beautiful. A pool surrounded by willow trees. I wish it were real"
Legolas went silent and got a peculiar look on his face.
"What is it?" Saira asked
"Come" he lifted her up
"Alright, now I'm confused"
"Change and meet me at the main entrance in 10 minutes" Then he ran downstairs and Saira went back to her room to change. All the places in the trees in Mirkwood were connected so it was easy to get there quick.
When she saw Liz and Voron asleep she tiptoed to her room and changed before creeping downstairs so she wouldn't wake them. She met Legolas at the main entrance into Mirkwood, or one of them, and the first thing he did was blindfold her. As they rode, Saira began thinking there was a connection.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with my dream would it?"
"You'll see"
Being blindfolded made it seem like hours were passing until he finally stopped. As if repeating her dream, she heard him dismount, then came over and helped her down.
"Something seems familiar about this" Saira said as he guided her on foot.
She felt stone beneath her feet and knew she was at the same pool she'd been to in her dream. She pictured it in her mind and when Legolas removed the blindfold, it looked identical save for some overgrown plants.
"It's just as I remember" she whispered
"I'd all but forgotten this place until you forced it back to my memory. I found it long ago when returning from my long adventure and thought it would make a perfect surprise for Serenity as almost an apology for my long absence." He explained, "As you do, she loved to swim. I never really have but the look on her face as she did was just lifting"
"Why don't you like to swim?"
"I'm not used to having the luxury of relaxation. I've spent years fighting in wars and battles and sometimes its hard to go back."
Saira turned to him and using magic changed their clothes into something more appropriate for swimming. She smiled coyly at him.
"Care to reenact?" she asked playfully inching toward the edge
"Reenact?"
"I lived out a scene similar to this in my dream. Do you remember the day you first came here with her?"
"I rarely if ever swim voluntarily." He said trying to free his arms as Saira moved ever closer.
"Then I'll do it involuntarily" she said pulling hard
"Saira was leaning back over the water. Legolas had kept his stance and held Saira inches above the water.
"Noble effort" Saira said before tripping him by swinging her foot around. She took one quick breath before plummeting into the water with Legolas on top.
She opened her eyes and pulled him into ab underwater kiss before pushing herself upward. A few seconds later, a soaked Legolas came up beside.
"In neither time I cannot win" he said bobbing up and down
She cupped his face, "But its fun to see you try" and she kissed him.
Liz had awoken during the night because of an owl. Quietly she stood up so she wouldn't wake Voron. She looked out the window and not a light shone in the city. Across a ways she could see through peoples' windows.
Tarowyn was hanging off his bed because he kept moving and Lord Thranduil paced back and forth in the darkness of his room. A tree away from that Saira was sleeping beside Legolas with a look of content on her face.
Voron sighted and moved slightly. Liz ran her hands through her hair a few times in front of the mirror. She wondered if all souls entered others when they died and if so whether everything fell into place repeating history. She forgot these when weariness overtook her and she drifted off.
From the looks of it, morning had arrived in her dream. She wasn't in Mirkwood, but with a camp of elves. And from the looks of the tents, she was in a royal camp. She was slightly confused but yet still felt like she knew what was going on. She didn't really recognize anyone but everything felt right. The camp was packed up and she went on her way with them. Far in the distance, she spotted Mirkwood and confusion swept her again. She reached in her bag and found a mirror.
She didn't think she looked much different besides the fact she looked much older, as if she'd aged many years. Someone behind her yelled out.
"Enelya!" She turned around knowing it was her
"Mani?" -what? -
"Riders have been sent ahead to inform Lady Serenity of your arrival"
"Thank you Khristos"
It wasn't long before they rode into Mirkwood. Everything was strangely familiar to Liz as if she'd lived this already. Waiting for them was a younger Lord Thranduil although he didn't look much different, and also what looked like an older version of Saira with Legolas standing next to her. She was beginning to understand. This must have been a vision into the past over 50 years. She realized who everyone was now. She dismounted her horse and ran to Serenity.
"Lily!"
"Serenity"
They ran up and hugged one another and even kissed each other on the cheek.
"Oh Lily, its so good to see you" Serenity said
"You too and its good to be back, my friend. Three months in Rivendell then I get one letter stating a few things that made me have to come." Then she looked at Legolas and bowed her head. "Hello. Good to see you again too"
He bowed back.
"Enelya, where shall we take your things?" The elf Khristos, asked
"Upstairs that way" Serenity answered pointing to the stair that normally led to Saira's room. "Legolas, we will see you at dinner"
He nodded but demanded a kiss before giving her up to Liz for the time being. The two elf-maidens headed to their favorite courtyard to talk
"Your letter was quite vague" Somehow Liz knew everything she was talking about. "So tell me everything."
All Serenity did was lift her hand up showing a beautiful diamond Elvish ring with amethyst stones beside the largest diamond. That beautiful ring sat upon the very finger Liz hoped it was. Liz could fill herself overcome with happiness.
"Bout damn time! How long for now?'
"I lost count after the first few hundred, but many unavoidable things came up aiding to his procrastination."
"I know that all too well. Now being a friend of over 2,000 years, I'm entitled to know everything. Before during and after."
They laughed and Serenity went off telling about a romantic proposal.
"And the aftermath really shouldn't concern you. That's private" Serenity said
"The hour grows late and your prince approaches" Lily answered but suddenly there was a blinding flash and Liz found herself at the mercy of a semi army of orcs. Her hands were bound and she couldn't reach for the sword on her belt.
A battle broke out as Serenity and Legolas led a band of elves to her rescue. Serenity was the first to reach her. She cut Liz's ropes and threw her a sword. It was not long before they out skilled the orcs and claimed victory.
"I knew you'd come" Liz said smiling. But that quickly disappeared and was replaced with pain. "Serenity?" she said with blood rapidly spreading through the cloth of her shirt.
Behind Liz, and orc had taken a saber and stabbed right below the heart.
"No!" Serenity screamed, "Lily!" she caught her fallen friend. "Lily" she said softly
"It was a valiant effort" Liz said
"No, you'll be find" She said as the tried to heal her
"Don't lie to yourself. It will only make it harder. The heart is cut"
Serenity felt tears stream down her face. "Lily."
"Listen. I wont be gone. For a short while I will be with my love before I join you in another life. I'll always be your friend, no matter which life." Then Lily closed her eyes while Liz's opened to the morning light and Saria awoke with a start after dozing off by the pool.
Liz stood up quickly
"Liz, what is it?" Voron asked
"Well hmm that was weird, just really weird. That will keep me from sleeping for a while. Yeah, I need to find Saira." She walked out and down the stairs without a coherent word to Voron who chased after her
"Liz?" he asked
"I died. I'm not supposed to be able to know that. Saira has the visions and funky dreams, not me. Not me. I'm 'feeling girl' not 'vision girl'" Liz rambled on
"Calm down' Voron said putting his hand over her mouth and looking straight at her. "Now.what happened?"
"I had a vision-dream about the past and I died"
"Well you're not dead now"
"Yeah, yeah, ok this is a time where you're supposed to give me a kiss and tell me I shouldn't interrupt my friend because of a dream." Liz said quickly
"Right" he kissed her deeply and was about to say the second part but Liz kissed him again.
"Forget about it" she said completely forgetting the dream.
"Saira, what's wrong?" Legolas asked
Saira tried to remember her dream. She was greeting someone named Lily in the city. She was Serenity's best friend. They were talking about her getting married to Legolas. Then it switched to a battle where Lily died.
"Nothing.nothing" Saira answered
"You're all flushed. Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Do you have the time?"
"It's about 11:00. Still early"
"Alright, at dinner, remind me to remember something"
Legolas stared confused. "Come again"
"Forget about it" Saira said. "And help me forget"
"Saira, you're not making sense"
"Just do something that will make me forget," she said anxiously.
"Okay" he leaned over and kissed her. "Did that work?"
"Almost. I might need you to do it one more time"
"Not a problem"
Later that evening, everyone returned for dinner. Both Liz and Saira's minds were back on their dream and desperately wanted dinner to end so they could talk. After it ended, they immediately met up with each other out front of the hall.
"Liz" Saira said
'Saira" Liz said
"We need to talk"
"I agree"
"Alright you first" Saira said
"I had a dream" Liz started. "I was an elf named Lily and best friend to Serenity."
"And you went to Mirkwood because she sent you a letter?'
"How'd you--?"
"Never mind. How'd the rest of it go?"
"You were getting married and then I died"
"Okay, this is creepy because that's the same dream I had" Saira said
"Hmm. Well to me it looked like a memory. Maybe we should ask Legolas" Liz suggested
"Good idea. He's talking to Tarowyn and Lenwe"
They went back inside where Legolas was still talking. They seized him by the arms and dragged him away from the conversation.
"Saira? Liz? What're you doing?"
They stopped when they were back outside.
"We both had a dream. The same dream" Saira began
"At the same time. I don't dream past stuff. That's not what I do"
'Exactly."
"Calm down. Now first tell me about the dream and I'll try to make sense of what you're telling me."
Immediately they set off explaining, switching when the other needed a breath or forgot something.
"You had a dream about.Lily? In all truth, I never thought I'd hear that name again" Legolas said
"All we know is that apparently they were good friends" Liz said
" 'Good friends' is an understatement. Think about how close the two of you are, and times that by a thousand"
Liz and Saria exchanged looks.
"Lily and Serenity were inseparable if they were in the same vicinity. You would never see one without the other. The only time they were really apart was when Lily would set out to other Elven cities on political ventures" Legolas explained
"Alright but that still doesn't explain why I had the dream" Liz said
"Sometimes Lily would have dreams that coincided with Serenity's as a message. Something both of them were meant to see"
"So we were supposed to see our past friendship?" Saira asked
"Do you remember your first vision about us? And how at the Yule Ball I said it was to remind you?" Legolas asked in return
"Ok, we were supposed to be reminded of our friendship.as if to strengthen ours?" Liz asked
"Exactly"
"Not to be rude or offensive, but when did Lily die?"
"About 5 or so years before Serenity. Serenity was so grieved everything was postponed. Then she had a dream foretelling the return of everyone.. but one. When we finally did do anything, the prophecy decided to take effect, and well you know. A day later."
"Don't have any more dreams about me dying okay?" Liz said to relieve the awkward silence that followed
"Why don't you stay out of my dreams."
"Oh, before I forget, Lenwe was sent to get your school things" Legolas said
"When did our letters come?" Liz asked
"As you grieved. I thought it best not to remind you one of your group would not be returning"
"Okay"
Voron walked up to them. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all." Saira said and Voron walked away with Liz
Saira looked at her watch. "I cant believe it's only 8:30"
"C'mon, play me a game of Kholiast" Legolas suggested
"No, you always beat me. Do you know any Hylian games?"
"No"
"Let me teach you"
They went to Legolas' room and Saira taught him many card games she knew. A few of which were Muggle games too. After an hour or so and when he got the gist of it, he began asking her questions about living in Hyrule.
"So what was it like living in a tree house?"
"Oddly relaxing. I used to never sleep inside. Link would always get onto me for sleeping in a hammock out on the balcony, but that was the best. I'd read, do magic, or sleep swaying in the breeze. And even when the area was taken over, I wouldn't let that stop me."
"Sounds nice"
"Did you never go to Hyrule? I mean, that is where Serenity was from"
"I knew her for many years. For the first few hundreds though, we were nothing more than friends. We even thought we loved different people, but fate always brought us back together. But then I left for a long time, and by the time I returned, she had no reason to go back and the wars were too much for her. She hated seeing her home but she helped how she could."
"I know how she feels"
"Really?"
"Yes. I'd hate to go back."
"Why?"
"I'm scared of it. I can barely think sometimes because I know what is there and I know what's happening, and worst of all, I know who's trying to stop it. As much as I love it, I hate it just as much and I do not wish to go back"
Legolas couldn't think of what to say
"Do you ever regret it?" Saira asked
"Regret what?"
"The story of the fellowship is written down. It said you went to the Undying Lands"
"They say that when an Elf sees the sea, they will never find peace under the tall trees of our forests"
"What happened?"
"I almost went. I was so close, but I knew I would never find peace in the Undying Lands nor under any tree. The only peace I knew was with Serenity. The knowing that she would come back has kept me here"
"Has she really?"
Looking straight into her eyes he said, "Without a doubt"
"You know what's fun?"
"Hmm?"
"Hammocks? Where did that come from?"
"I don't know" Saira stood behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "I just like them. Even better with more than one person."
"You know sometimes I don't get you"
"I'm a mystery to all" she said starting to rub his shoulders.
"That is true" He stopped her and pulled her around in front. "Promise me something?"
"Anything"
"You'll never forget who you are"
"Course" she sat down. "Why?"
"If anything ever happens, I want you to remember who you are"
She smiled
"As long as you are here, I never will" She laid her head down on his chest as she sat with him. "School starts in about two weeks. I don't want to go back yet" she said
"You've only got 3 more years" he said
"Only" she said sarcastically, "I want to stay here with you and my friends"
"We'll be there you know"
"Yes, but there I cant do this"
She sat up and kissed him. "Well its late and I should go" she said stopping mid-kiss and got up teasingly
"No, don't go" she turned around and kissed him again lingering longer this time. She tried to leave again but Legolas ran ahead and stood in the doorway.
"I need to go to bed" Saira said matter-of-factly
"Who says?" Legolas said still blocking her
"The curfew your father issued at dinner"
"He issued a curfew? Really? Well, technically you're indoors at curfew. I highly doubt he'll mind if you're here" With that he picked her up and carried her back in and sat her down on the bed
"I'm not tired so you're going to have to keep me entertained"
He kissed her passionately lying down at the same time. His hands ran up her back as they kissed making her stop almost immediately so she could bite her lip. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "This is completely unfair"
"What is?"
"You're stronger than me and know the one spot that easily puts me at your mercy and yet I don't know yours so I have no defense"
"I'm not going to tell you. It's not my fault Hylians are sensitive on their backs" Just then Saira ran her hand down his side and when she reached the area just above his hip, he recoiled instantly.
"Now we're getting somewhere" Saira laughed
"Never thought you'd find it that quick"
"You've still go the strength factor so don't be discouraged" She kissed him once more.
"That is true" he grabbed her hands knowing she'd try again.