Chapter 17 ~ Discussions
That evening there was a feast in the hall, though in truth the merriment did not really stop from the end of the contest and the feast was a mere continuation of it.
Afterwards everyone gathered on the large talan, as they had the previous night, but in far higher spirits. Haldir and Naril's rivalry was forgotten for the time being since this time both had been beaten, but Naril could not help himself when he laughingly said, "We will see what happens next time we meet, Lord Haldir."
The groans from those around him were enough to tell him to hold his tongue and sit down.
Legolas presented them both, as runners up, with their prizes. To Haldir a beautiful quiver, finely crafted with gold inlay on the leather and filigree silver round the edge. To Naril a handsome cloak clasp in silver and intricately fashioned.
As the songs and stories started once more and Legolas, after recharging his cup, came to sit beside Lady Fuineth she said, "And what of you, my lord? Does the winner not get a prize?"
He laughed, "As host I can hardly give something to myself."
"No, but someone else might."
"Why?" he was laughing softly and looking at her more closely now having seen that mischievous gleam in her eye once more, "What would you suggest my prize should be?" But they were interrupted by Haldir coming to sit with them and he did not hear what her answer would have been.
After a short while there were calls for music and dancing and soon couples were moving in time in the centre of the large talan. It had begun to rain lightly, but the awning stretched out from tree branch to tree branch above them meant it did not concern the revellers. Legolas and Fuineth were seated together with some others when a figure came to stand next to them.
"Lady Fuineth? Might I have the honour of a dance?"
Fuineth looked up, a little surprised, to see Anardor smiling down at her. It would have been very rude of her to refuse.
"Of course, Lord Anardor." She stood and whispered to Legolas "Just one dance and I shall return" but he did not look best pleased.
As she danced she could see Legolas watching her. He was not joining in the conversation around him but had his gaze fixed upon her and his lips were tight as was his jaw.
As the music came to an end Anardor bowed slightly and smiled, "I thank you, my lady. You are a beautiful dancer."
Even as she thanked him, a figure appeared next to him, "She is indeed, Lord Anardor. Lady Fuineth, might I have the honour?"
She smiled, more warmly now, "I would be delighted, Lord Legolas."
Legolas watched Anardor move away before he turned to her, his eyes dark, though his face was not angry, "Why did you do that?" S
he was surprised, "My lord, I could not have refused him. It would have seemed rude. Besides, you had no objection to my dancing with him at the dance the other night, nor with anyone else for that matter." The music was beginning and they were moving hand in hand in a circle now.
Legolas returned, a little sharper than he had intended, "That was before I noticed him watching you at every opportunity."
They danced in silence a little more, then as they came face to face she whispered, almost close to tears, "My lord are you angry with me?"
His face changed in an instant as he realised he had upset her. He said gently, "No, my lady. No, no, not at all. You are right, it would have been rude to have refused. Forgive me. It's just..." He sighed, shook his head and could not finish what he would say.
As the dance finished she could see Anardor was hovering, hoping to ask her to dance once more. Legolas had clearly noticed also because he deliberately moved her away from the throng and in the opposite direction to Anardor.
They reached the edge of the talan some distance from the rest of the company. They could hear the sound of the rain on the awning and in the leaves and a coolness from the wet night air hit their faces as they stood there, arm in arm, looking out into the dark. It was Legolas who spoke first.
"I apologise, Lady Fuineth. I should not have spoken to you so. You were right in what you did. It is simply that it is difficult for me to watch you dance with someone I know sees you the way I do. Can you understand that?"
She was looking at him now, and could feel her breath quickening at his words. "Avo 'osto, hir nín. If I could have refused him, I would, if only for your sake."
He turned to her. As he did so he reached out a hand and stroked her cheek, brushing away a strand of her hair. "I can well believe it. You are ever considerate of my feelings. That is what first drew me to you, in truth."
She was gazing up at him now, delighted at what she was hearing, but he could see tears forming in her eyes as she thought how all this would soon end and how, no matter what he said to her, it would never be fulfilled.
"Amman nallach, hîril nín?" he asked her gently, the concern clear in his voice.
She shook her head, bringing her hand up to his as it rested on her cheek still.
He asked quietly, "Do I upset you to speak thus? Forgive me if I have said something I shouldn't."
She shook her head again, "No, it is not that. Or rather it is, in some ways.... oh, Lord Legolas, how can I explain?"
He understood. "Ai. I should not have spoken so freely just now, I see that. But it is hard for me not to say what is in my heart."
She nodded, a tear rolling down one cheek.
"Shh. My lady, do not cry. Please. Imagine I had never said anything. It was thoughtless of me."
She looked up at him then, hurt and defiance in her face, "No, my lord. I will not imagine any such thing. Rather I shall treasure your words and these precious moments we have for all my..."
She gasped and stopped, realising what she would have said.
For a moment they stood absolutely still: he hardly daring to breathe and she now looking at the floor praying that somehow he had not heard her.
At last he said, very quietly, "You will treasure them for all your what, my lady?"
She shook her head, not lifting her gaze to his. "Nothing my lord. Please. Do not ask me."
His tone was still gentle, tender, but now insistent, "Tell me." He lifted her face to look at him and said once more, "Tell me, my lady, I beg you."
A tear wet her cheek once more as, gazing into those grey-green eyes, she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I shall treasure these moments for all my life."
He nodded and smiled, gazing at her with a look of deep understanding and affection. Then he pulled her close to him, wrapped his arms around her and held her.
They stood like that for some time: neither moving nor speaking, but both staring out into the rain, her head on his chest and shoulder and his arms about her back. At last he pulled back a little, holding her by her arms, so that he might look at her.
"Shall we return, my lady? Would you like another dance?"
She returned his smile, "Thank you Lord Legolas, I would like that very much."
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The Galadhrim left the next day. They came to say their farewells and were most gracious and charming as ever. Fuineth had enjoyed their company and was sorry to see them leave. It reminded her once more that the time was coming when she would have to leave also and she was noticeably quiet for a little while after they had gone.
Lord Legolas was busy that morning so there was no ride that day. When she was on her way from the stables and seeing Dunnwair she noticed a figure coming towards her.
He was tall and dark, though not as tall as an elf, and she immediately recognised him as Lord Anardor. After last night she did not relish the prospect of talking to him, not that he was unpleasant at all, but she wasn't sure how to put him off without seeming rude.
"Good morning to you, Lady Fuineth."
"Good morrow, Lord Anardor. Have you just seen the Galadhrim off?"
"Yes indeed. I have enjoyed their company much the little while I have spent with them. May I escort you back to the halls, perhaps, if you are headed that way?"
"Of course, my lord. I needs must return to the Queen, I feel sure she may have need of me."
She had no idea if Arwen needed her, and thought it highly unlikely, but it would give her an excuse. As it was Arwen was walking in the clearing near the halls and Fuineth was able to rid herself of Lord Anardor sooner than she had hoped.
She came up to Arwen shaking her head. Arwen was laughing.
"He is somewhat persistent, is he not?"
"I am really not sure what to do, your highness. He has not approached me directly so it difficult to know what to say to him. He is pleasant enough and most courteous. I have to be polite but I am certainly not encouraging him."
Arwen smiled, "Do you wish Lord Faramir to have a word with him?"
"And say what, my Queen?"
Arwen looked a little surprised, "Well, that you are courted by Lord Legolas, of course."
There was a silence and then Fuineth said quietly, "But I am not, your highness."
Arwen raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She motioned to a bench and they sat. "Fuineth," she began, "You go riding or walking with him every day. You danced with each other almost the entire night of the banquet and again last night. I have seen the way you look at each other. Of course he is courting you."
Fuineth shook her head, "No indeed. Lord Legolas and I have spoken of this and agreed. It cannot be. It will end when I leave Ithilien."
Arwen sat in silence looking at this young woman seated next to her. She could hear the tremor in Fuineth's voice and knew she was close to tears as she said this. She sighed and stroked Fuineth's hair.
"O Fuineth. There is nothing I can say to you. It is your decision, of course, you and Lord Legolas's, but do you realise how much harder it will be now you have become so close?"
Fuineth nodded. Then quietly she said the words Lord Legolas had said to her, "The parting will be more painful but the memory will be the sweeter."
Then she broke, her head in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs. Arwen put her arms around her and held her as she wept and her eyes were wet too. She knew all too well what Fuineth was going through.
At last the muffled sobs stopped and Fuineth's breathing became calmer once more. She pulled back from the Queen's embrace, "Forgive me, your highness. I should not have let myself be so overcome."
"Nonsense. It is perfectly understandable."
She watched as Fuineth tried to dry her eyes a little and compose herself. "Tell me, Fuineth. What do you really feel? In truth, deep in your heart? Do you want it to end?"
Fuineth looked at her, astonished that she should ask and touched that she should care enough to do so. "I.. I do not know," she stammered.
Arwen, looking in her eyes, shook her head, "I think you do. But I will not press you."
Fuineth could feel her eyes wet once more, "But your highness.. it is not the same decision for me as it is for him. I make this decision for his sake more than my own."
Arwen nodded, she understood. The prospect of the pain of living after the other was gone was something that she had had to confront herself. Fuineth was right. The decision for the mortal and the immortal were not the same. One would die, with or without that love. The other would have to endure having lost that love.
Fuineth could see Arwen was now upset. "Forgive me, my Queen. I should not have spoken of this with you. I can see I have distressed you."
Arwen shook her head, "No, Fuineth. I can understand you better than most. I have made my decision. And I have no regrets." She smiled as she spoke and it cheered Fuineth's heart a little to hear her. Arwen stood, "Come, let us go in. I wish to see some of this embroidery you have been working on. Have you managed to achieve that elvish leaf design you were working on to your satisfaction?"
"I think so, my Queen, but I will let you be the judge."
As they walked arm in arm back to the halls Fuineth murmured, "Thank you, your highness."
"Not at all, my child. Not at all."
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Lord Faramir was staying for a few days more and there was a general company of guests still to keep Lord Legolas busy, which meant that he and Fuineth had little opportunity to be together privately other than an hour or so stolen together, most usually for a ride. Dunnwair was fully healed the day after the archery contest, but even so they did not push her hard for a day or two. Being in each others' company was enough.
Three days after the archery contest, the assembled company were variously occupied and conversing in the clearings, under awnings and on the talans near the halls before the evening meal. Aragorn, Elladan and Legolas were sat side by side on a bench under an awning enjoying some wine when Elrohir called his brother and the other two were left alone.
Aragorn looked at Legolas, "Lord Faramir leaves tomorrow, does he not?" Legolas nodded and Aragorn smiled, "You will be glad to see Anardor leave I do not wonder?"
Legolas looked at him, "What makes you say that?"
Aragorn laughed softly, "Legolas! It is clear to everyone he has taken a shine to Lady Fuineth. Even you seemed upset when she had to dance with him the other night. Your face was black as thunder. She has been doing her best to avoid him, you know, so Arwen tells me." Legolas smiled at that piece of news.
There was a pause till Aragorn said, "You need not worry. Lord Faramir spoke to him this morning."
Legolas looked up at his friend sharply, "Spoke to him?"
"Discretely, you need not fear. Explained the situation. The poor man was worried he had offended you both."
Legolas's jaw was tightening, "Explained the situation?"
Aragorn looked at him closely, "That you are courting. What else?"
Legolas did not reply but looked away and moved to the opening of the awning and stared out into the clearing.
Aragorn's brow was furrowed. "Legolas? What is it?"
Legolas turned back to him, his face calm though his eyes betrayed far more, "We are not courting."
Aragorn's brow creased even further, "Oh no? Then what would you call it?"
"It cannot be, Aragorn. It ends when she leaves. We are enjoying what moments we have, but that is all."
Aragorn shook his head, "Ai Legolas. And what happens when she leaves? You say you are not courting. Is Anardor free to court her then? Because he wishes to, and you know that."
Legolas's face grew dark.
"Answer me, Legolas," Aragorn's tone was insistent. He knew he was pushing things, but he felt it needed to be said and his voice was growing stern as he spoke, "Your face tells far more than you would like. It is clear you do not wish for such a thing. You do not want to take her for yourself, yet you do not want another to have her? Is that it?"
Legolas's eyes flashed now, the fury clear in his face, but he held his tongue knowing in his heart the truth of what Aragorn was saying.
"Which is it Legolas? If you do not want her then once she leaves she will be free to marry. Do you wish for another man to take her? Is that what you want? Could you bear the idea of her giving her heart to another?"
"NO!" Legolas roared and he flung his cup across the floor.
Several elves, walking in the distance, turned to look towards them on hearing his cry.
Aragorn spoke more quietly now. "Forgive me, my friend, but I do not believe you are being honest to yourself nor fair to Lady Fuineth. You must resolve this, one way or the other, and you must accept the full consequences of your choice no matter which it may be."
Legolas nodded, his cheeks flushed in his anger and emotion. He came to sit on the other end of the bench with a sigh and held his head in his hands. He did not see Elladan arrive, having heard his shout. Elladan looked concerned but Aragorn shook his head at him and, on seeing his expression, Elladan left them alone once more.
Legolas spoke quietly, "Forgive me, Aragorn. I should not have lost my temper. You were right in what you said though it was hard for me to hear it. It is not fair I should hold her to me like this."
Aragorn's tone was gentle, "But can you let her go to the arms of another, Legolas? Search your heart and answer truthfully. If you let her go, then you will have to accept that she will be free for another to marry, to love, to cherish. Can you do that?"
Legolas remained silent for many minutes and then slowly raised his head and looked Aragorn in the face. His voice was very quiet and his eyes were filled with tears.
"No. No, Aragorn, I do not think I can. My heart trembles at the very thought."
Aragorn put his arm across his friend's shoulder and looked at him with compassion, "Then I think you have your answer, do you not, my friend?"
---------------------------------------------------------- Avo osto = I understand
Amman nallach? = why do you weep?
That evening there was a feast in the hall, though in truth the merriment did not really stop from the end of the contest and the feast was a mere continuation of it.
Afterwards everyone gathered on the large talan, as they had the previous night, but in far higher spirits. Haldir and Naril's rivalry was forgotten for the time being since this time both had been beaten, but Naril could not help himself when he laughingly said, "We will see what happens next time we meet, Lord Haldir."
The groans from those around him were enough to tell him to hold his tongue and sit down.
Legolas presented them both, as runners up, with their prizes. To Haldir a beautiful quiver, finely crafted with gold inlay on the leather and filigree silver round the edge. To Naril a handsome cloak clasp in silver and intricately fashioned.
As the songs and stories started once more and Legolas, after recharging his cup, came to sit beside Lady Fuineth she said, "And what of you, my lord? Does the winner not get a prize?"
He laughed, "As host I can hardly give something to myself."
"No, but someone else might."
"Why?" he was laughing softly and looking at her more closely now having seen that mischievous gleam in her eye once more, "What would you suggest my prize should be?" But they were interrupted by Haldir coming to sit with them and he did not hear what her answer would have been.
After a short while there were calls for music and dancing and soon couples were moving in time in the centre of the large talan. It had begun to rain lightly, but the awning stretched out from tree branch to tree branch above them meant it did not concern the revellers. Legolas and Fuineth were seated together with some others when a figure came to stand next to them.
"Lady Fuineth? Might I have the honour of a dance?"
Fuineth looked up, a little surprised, to see Anardor smiling down at her. It would have been very rude of her to refuse.
"Of course, Lord Anardor." She stood and whispered to Legolas "Just one dance and I shall return" but he did not look best pleased.
As she danced she could see Legolas watching her. He was not joining in the conversation around him but had his gaze fixed upon her and his lips were tight as was his jaw.
As the music came to an end Anardor bowed slightly and smiled, "I thank you, my lady. You are a beautiful dancer."
Even as she thanked him, a figure appeared next to him, "She is indeed, Lord Anardor. Lady Fuineth, might I have the honour?"
She smiled, more warmly now, "I would be delighted, Lord Legolas."
Legolas watched Anardor move away before he turned to her, his eyes dark, though his face was not angry, "Why did you do that?" S
he was surprised, "My lord, I could not have refused him. It would have seemed rude. Besides, you had no objection to my dancing with him at the dance the other night, nor with anyone else for that matter." The music was beginning and they were moving hand in hand in a circle now.
Legolas returned, a little sharper than he had intended, "That was before I noticed him watching you at every opportunity."
They danced in silence a little more, then as they came face to face she whispered, almost close to tears, "My lord are you angry with me?"
His face changed in an instant as he realised he had upset her. He said gently, "No, my lady. No, no, not at all. You are right, it would have been rude to have refused. Forgive me. It's just..." He sighed, shook his head and could not finish what he would say.
As the dance finished she could see Anardor was hovering, hoping to ask her to dance once more. Legolas had clearly noticed also because he deliberately moved her away from the throng and in the opposite direction to Anardor.
They reached the edge of the talan some distance from the rest of the company. They could hear the sound of the rain on the awning and in the leaves and a coolness from the wet night air hit their faces as they stood there, arm in arm, looking out into the dark. It was Legolas who spoke first.
"I apologise, Lady Fuineth. I should not have spoken to you so. You were right in what you did. It is simply that it is difficult for me to watch you dance with someone I know sees you the way I do. Can you understand that?"
She was looking at him now, and could feel her breath quickening at his words. "Avo 'osto, hir nín. If I could have refused him, I would, if only for your sake."
He turned to her. As he did so he reached out a hand and stroked her cheek, brushing away a strand of her hair. "I can well believe it. You are ever considerate of my feelings. That is what first drew me to you, in truth."
She was gazing up at him now, delighted at what she was hearing, but he could see tears forming in her eyes as she thought how all this would soon end and how, no matter what he said to her, it would never be fulfilled.
"Amman nallach, hîril nín?" he asked her gently, the concern clear in his voice.
She shook her head, bringing her hand up to his as it rested on her cheek still.
He asked quietly, "Do I upset you to speak thus? Forgive me if I have said something I shouldn't."
She shook her head again, "No, it is not that. Or rather it is, in some ways.... oh, Lord Legolas, how can I explain?"
He understood. "Ai. I should not have spoken so freely just now, I see that. But it is hard for me not to say what is in my heart."
She nodded, a tear rolling down one cheek.
"Shh. My lady, do not cry. Please. Imagine I had never said anything. It was thoughtless of me."
She looked up at him then, hurt and defiance in her face, "No, my lord. I will not imagine any such thing. Rather I shall treasure your words and these precious moments we have for all my..."
She gasped and stopped, realising what she would have said.
For a moment they stood absolutely still: he hardly daring to breathe and she now looking at the floor praying that somehow he had not heard her.
At last he said, very quietly, "You will treasure them for all your what, my lady?"
She shook her head, not lifting her gaze to his. "Nothing my lord. Please. Do not ask me."
His tone was still gentle, tender, but now insistent, "Tell me." He lifted her face to look at him and said once more, "Tell me, my lady, I beg you."
A tear wet her cheek once more as, gazing into those grey-green eyes, she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I shall treasure these moments for all my life."
He nodded and smiled, gazing at her with a look of deep understanding and affection. Then he pulled her close to him, wrapped his arms around her and held her.
They stood like that for some time: neither moving nor speaking, but both staring out into the rain, her head on his chest and shoulder and his arms about her back. At last he pulled back a little, holding her by her arms, so that he might look at her.
"Shall we return, my lady? Would you like another dance?"
She returned his smile, "Thank you Lord Legolas, I would like that very much."
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The Galadhrim left the next day. They came to say their farewells and were most gracious and charming as ever. Fuineth had enjoyed their company and was sorry to see them leave. It reminded her once more that the time was coming when she would have to leave also and she was noticeably quiet for a little while after they had gone.
Lord Legolas was busy that morning so there was no ride that day. When she was on her way from the stables and seeing Dunnwair she noticed a figure coming towards her.
He was tall and dark, though not as tall as an elf, and she immediately recognised him as Lord Anardor. After last night she did not relish the prospect of talking to him, not that he was unpleasant at all, but she wasn't sure how to put him off without seeming rude.
"Good morning to you, Lady Fuineth."
"Good morrow, Lord Anardor. Have you just seen the Galadhrim off?"
"Yes indeed. I have enjoyed their company much the little while I have spent with them. May I escort you back to the halls, perhaps, if you are headed that way?"
"Of course, my lord. I needs must return to the Queen, I feel sure she may have need of me."
She had no idea if Arwen needed her, and thought it highly unlikely, but it would give her an excuse. As it was Arwen was walking in the clearing near the halls and Fuineth was able to rid herself of Lord Anardor sooner than she had hoped.
She came up to Arwen shaking her head. Arwen was laughing.
"He is somewhat persistent, is he not?"
"I am really not sure what to do, your highness. He has not approached me directly so it difficult to know what to say to him. He is pleasant enough and most courteous. I have to be polite but I am certainly not encouraging him."
Arwen smiled, "Do you wish Lord Faramir to have a word with him?"
"And say what, my Queen?"
Arwen looked a little surprised, "Well, that you are courted by Lord Legolas, of course."
There was a silence and then Fuineth said quietly, "But I am not, your highness."
Arwen raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She motioned to a bench and they sat. "Fuineth," she began, "You go riding or walking with him every day. You danced with each other almost the entire night of the banquet and again last night. I have seen the way you look at each other. Of course he is courting you."
Fuineth shook her head, "No indeed. Lord Legolas and I have spoken of this and agreed. It cannot be. It will end when I leave Ithilien."
Arwen sat in silence looking at this young woman seated next to her. She could hear the tremor in Fuineth's voice and knew she was close to tears as she said this. She sighed and stroked Fuineth's hair.
"O Fuineth. There is nothing I can say to you. It is your decision, of course, you and Lord Legolas's, but do you realise how much harder it will be now you have become so close?"
Fuineth nodded. Then quietly she said the words Lord Legolas had said to her, "The parting will be more painful but the memory will be the sweeter."
Then she broke, her head in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs. Arwen put her arms around her and held her as she wept and her eyes were wet too. She knew all too well what Fuineth was going through.
At last the muffled sobs stopped and Fuineth's breathing became calmer once more. She pulled back from the Queen's embrace, "Forgive me, your highness. I should not have let myself be so overcome."
"Nonsense. It is perfectly understandable."
She watched as Fuineth tried to dry her eyes a little and compose herself. "Tell me, Fuineth. What do you really feel? In truth, deep in your heart? Do you want it to end?"
Fuineth looked at her, astonished that she should ask and touched that she should care enough to do so. "I.. I do not know," she stammered.
Arwen, looking in her eyes, shook her head, "I think you do. But I will not press you."
Fuineth could feel her eyes wet once more, "But your highness.. it is not the same decision for me as it is for him. I make this decision for his sake more than my own."
Arwen nodded, she understood. The prospect of the pain of living after the other was gone was something that she had had to confront herself. Fuineth was right. The decision for the mortal and the immortal were not the same. One would die, with or without that love. The other would have to endure having lost that love.
Fuineth could see Arwen was now upset. "Forgive me, my Queen. I should not have spoken of this with you. I can see I have distressed you."
Arwen shook her head, "No, Fuineth. I can understand you better than most. I have made my decision. And I have no regrets." She smiled as she spoke and it cheered Fuineth's heart a little to hear her. Arwen stood, "Come, let us go in. I wish to see some of this embroidery you have been working on. Have you managed to achieve that elvish leaf design you were working on to your satisfaction?"
"I think so, my Queen, but I will let you be the judge."
As they walked arm in arm back to the halls Fuineth murmured, "Thank you, your highness."
"Not at all, my child. Not at all."
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Lord Faramir was staying for a few days more and there was a general company of guests still to keep Lord Legolas busy, which meant that he and Fuineth had little opportunity to be together privately other than an hour or so stolen together, most usually for a ride. Dunnwair was fully healed the day after the archery contest, but even so they did not push her hard for a day or two. Being in each others' company was enough.
Three days after the archery contest, the assembled company were variously occupied and conversing in the clearings, under awnings and on the talans near the halls before the evening meal. Aragorn, Elladan and Legolas were sat side by side on a bench under an awning enjoying some wine when Elrohir called his brother and the other two were left alone.
Aragorn looked at Legolas, "Lord Faramir leaves tomorrow, does he not?" Legolas nodded and Aragorn smiled, "You will be glad to see Anardor leave I do not wonder?"
Legolas looked at him, "What makes you say that?"
Aragorn laughed softly, "Legolas! It is clear to everyone he has taken a shine to Lady Fuineth. Even you seemed upset when she had to dance with him the other night. Your face was black as thunder. She has been doing her best to avoid him, you know, so Arwen tells me." Legolas smiled at that piece of news.
There was a pause till Aragorn said, "You need not worry. Lord Faramir spoke to him this morning."
Legolas looked up at his friend sharply, "Spoke to him?"
"Discretely, you need not fear. Explained the situation. The poor man was worried he had offended you both."
Legolas's jaw was tightening, "Explained the situation?"
Aragorn looked at him closely, "That you are courting. What else?"
Legolas did not reply but looked away and moved to the opening of the awning and stared out into the clearing.
Aragorn's brow was furrowed. "Legolas? What is it?"
Legolas turned back to him, his face calm though his eyes betrayed far more, "We are not courting."
Aragorn's brow creased even further, "Oh no? Then what would you call it?"
"It cannot be, Aragorn. It ends when she leaves. We are enjoying what moments we have, but that is all."
Aragorn shook his head, "Ai Legolas. And what happens when she leaves? You say you are not courting. Is Anardor free to court her then? Because he wishes to, and you know that."
Legolas's face grew dark.
"Answer me, Legolas," Aragorn's tone was insistent. He knew he was pushing things, but he felt it needed to be said and his voice was growing stern as he spoke, "Your face tells far more than you would like. It is clear you do not wish for such a thing. You do not want to take her for yourself, yet you do not want another to have her? Is that it?"
Legolas's eyes flashed now, the fury clear in his face, but he held his tongue knowing in his heart the truth of what Aragorn was saying.
"Which is it Legolas? If you do not want her then once she leaves she will be free to marry. Do you wish for another man to take her? Is that what you want? Could you bear the idea of her giving her heart to another?"
"NO!" Legolas roared and he flung his cup across the floor.
Several elves, walking in the distance, turned to look towards them on hearing his cry.
Aragorn spoke more quietly now. "Forgive me, my friend, but I do not believe you are being honest to yourself nor fair to Lady Fuineth. You must resolve this, one way or the other, and you must accept the full consequences of your choice no matter which it may be."
Legolas nodded, his cheeks flushed in his anger and emotion. He came to sit on the other end of the bench with a sigh and held his head in his hands. He did not see Elladan arrive, having heard his shout. Elladan looked concerned but Aragorn shook his head at him and, on seeing his expression, Elladan left them alone once more.
Legolas spoke quietly, "Forgive me, Aragorn. I should not have lost my temper. You were right in what you said though it was hard for me to hear it. It is not fair I should hold her to me like this."
Aragorn's tone was gentle, "But can you let her go to the arms of another, Legolas? Search your heart and answer truthfully. If you let her go, then you will have to accept that she will be free for another to marry, to love, to cherish. Can you do that?"
Legolas remained silent for many minutes and then slowly raised his head and looked Aragorn in the face. His voice was very quiet and his eyes were filled with tears.
"No. No, Aragorn, I do not think I can. My heart trembles at the very thought."
Aragorn put his arm across his friend's shoulder and looked at him with compassion, "Then I think you have your answer, do you not, my friend?"
---------------------------------------------------------- Avo osto = I understand
Amman nallach? = why do you weep?
