Thank you! All of you! Never have I thought that I would get such good reviews – most of which are far more graceful than my own work. It would be an understatement to say that they motivate me. Especially since this story is so different and rather freestyle. Therefore, for others to enjoy and praise it is even more important to me. I am glad that there are so many of us, willing to try new and unusual things.
The chapter before was not the last chapter, as you might have guessed. Of course not! For at this rate, this fic might actually become a novel. And let this be a warning for those who are not fond of long stories – this work is none for them. I will try to update as soon as possible and yes, the threats and urges and shoving DOES indeed work. Though we still have to work and live.
I hope to write my most wonderful reviewers personal replies and will do that as soon as possible. Until then, this chapter is dedicated to Missy, who forced me to write the story in the first place and was unusually kind in her support.
As are all of you.
When she returned to the castle and a servant strode out to park the car in the guest quarter of the parking place, she asked if Mr. Greenleaf had returned and to her demise, he had. Reminding herself that she was at an advantage now and that she would probably never have to go through another private session with him again, she nodded stiffly and gave him the keys, walking up the steps to the entrance. She walked in, her boots echoing in the hall, walked through several rooms, all empty. It was the earlier hours of the day and no doubt that everyone was having their private time or had already come together for a late lunch or afternoon tea. Thinking where possibly Anne or Haldir could be, she walked in another room and almost jumped when she heard Legolas speak behind her.
"You are late," he said and Irulan halted instantly, in realization of her own stiffness but caught too off-guard to fix that at the moment. "I was worried that something had befallen you."
First off, he was not supposed to be here. Secondly, he was not supposed to talk to her at all - he was supposed to avoid her, damn it! And third, was that actually amusement in his voice? She turned around slowly and saw him leaning on one of the many bookshelves in the room in a leisure fashion, his arms crossed on his chest, the black turtleneck sweater revealing a well built but lithe body. As much as it scared her to do so, she locked eyes with him and yes, Legolas was indeed smiling, his blue gaze fixed on her.
She decided not to answer. She would turn around and leave to her room. Why, host or not, she still owed this man nothing. And certainly he had no right to push her limits like this! But before she could move, Legolas gracefully bounced away from the wall, and began a slow walk towards her. "You did not eat your salad," he said absent-mindedly and Irulan stepped back a little to keep a certain distance between them. He stopped and clasped his hands behind his back, his smile never faltering. "You must be hungry."
"I am not, thank you," she said curtly. He took a step towards her and feeling silly, and yet afraid by his mere presence (not to mention, his boldness), she took one back. "What do you want?" she croaked finally.
Legolas looked at her for a long moment. "You," he said simply and Irulan could have sworn that her knees went weak. Why, she had no idea. She hated this man. More with every moment. And yet, he had an incredible effect on her. No wonder, actually, since he probably had that effect on every woman.
Her eyes widened on their own accord. "W-what?! Is this some sort of game?!"
He smiled and began to encircle her. Which was an odd thing to do and immediately Irulan felt herself trapped. And it was amazing to her that a mere man (alright, so he was an elf. But still!) could make her feel so intimidated just by his attitude and his boldness. She had been perfectly able to deal with rude, dangerous and crazy people. She lived in New York, for Heaven's sake! And yet, that mattered very little at the moment as this.....this.....creature made her feel like a little mouse encircled by a tiger. "Isn't everything?" he said then suddenly as she had to use all her willpower not to turn with him, for that would only show her fear further. Though at this point she was absolutely sure that he could probably SMELL it.
"Then it is one you can not win," she said, amazed that she had managed to say anything at all with her heart thumping like that.
"Valiant words," he said and then right below her ear a whisper "for someone so afraid."
She turned to look at him, startled by the closeness of that whisper, but already he had resumed his perimeter, walking back to her vision. "There is a difference between fear and irritation that you yet have to learn, Master Greenleaf," Irulan said levelly, locking eyes with him again.
"Are you willing to teach me?" he said playfully.
"I have better things to do with my time," she snapped. Then a moment later: "Stop walking, you make me dizzy!" He did stop indeed and turned to face her, his expression not showing any discouragement at all.
They looked at each other for a moment. Then she drew in a shaky breath. "Now," she said and threw back a strand of hair that had fallen on her face, "for the very last time.......I am not interested. In anything that you have, can and will offer. Anything!" She gazed at him to see if her words sank in, but could not read his expression. "I will......forget this incident between us. For your sake, since I'm sure that it is not a nice image for someone like you." That only gained her a raised eyebrow and Irulan ignored it. "Whatever you are so desperately in need of, I'm sure that there are many women who can offer it to you. So.....I don't know about you, Master Greenleaf, but I am too old to play games."
"As I am too old to lose them," he cut in, then and Irulan's very well-made speech proved to have no effect at all on this stubborn goat of an elf. She stood staring back, agape, as he inspected her features with a lazy glance.
"Your fear is needless," he said, for the first time looking away, at the books on the shelves, "no harm will come to you. In any fashion." He looked back at her then, another smile on his face. "You will be more than glad that you agreed. I promise," he said suggestively and took another step towards her. Shocked as she was, she took one back.
"What part of 'no' don't you understand?!" she said then and it came out a trifle too loud.
"Oh I understand your answer very well. It is you who does not understand my offer."
She blinked, her heart rate refusing to slow down and making her literally dizzy. "Which is exactly what?" she said, confusion and disbelief heavy in her tone.
Another long moment of staring. "Anything," whispered Legolas then and just the way he said it, made the hair on her neck stand up. "Everything," he added, without blinking.
Irulan, who had been afraid to look away till then, decided that his eyes were too confusing and cast down her gaze in an attempt to pull her wits together. A long moment passed. "What exactly is it that you want from me?" she said, now feeling more angry than nervous. Which was good.
Legolas smiled inwardly. So there was a limit to her strength, after all. And what a pity that it had taken him only this long to find it. At his victory he felt both pride and yet disappointment. It would have proved more fun to keep the pursuit. But.....even to have come this far had been refreshing to say the least. He put a frown on his face and shrugged deftly. "All that you can offer."
"And what does that mean?" Irulan seethed, looking up to him.
The fury in her eyes was downright beautiful and she was so angry by the looks of it, she did not even step back when he approached her and stood nose to nose with her. "That you will give yourself to me in any fashion I desire," he said boldly. Never had he acted to a woman like this. And it was exciting to play such a role. The trap had worked. His prey was caged. Hail, Legolas the victorious!
Irulan just stared back in shock. She did not know what was worse - the fact that she had been asked of such a lowly thing? The fact that it was THE Legolas asking for it? The fact that she could try but would never be fast enough to slap him? Or rather the fact that a part of her felt more excited than furious about it? He did not look away and neither did she, thinking that even New York was no match for the company of such a man and that she had walked in here completely unprepared for a thing like this.
He smiled a victorious smile, raising his right hand and slowly gliding it through her hair as he never looked away, and she simply could not. "I take your silence as a yes," he whispered as his fingers played with the ends of her hair. "Now.......where would you like to have dinner?" he said gently. Irulan tried to remain focused, but at the moment, in her stupefied state, his words meant nothing. "Cairo?" he whispered, his fingers finding her shoulder and beginning a lazy stroll down her arm. "I know a fabulous place in Madrid. Or perhaps Athens? The sunset looks amazing there."
It was then that she finally woke up. To realize that this was no nightmare. No....this was actually happening. This elf before her -nothing like the Legolas she had imagined would be- was actually trying to seduce her! 'And succeeding, too,' a part of her said but Irulan mightily slammed shut the door of the chamber that led to that part of her mind.
She stepped away so abruptly, Legolas, who had been certain of his victory just moments ago, merely blinked at that unexpected reaction. And when he locked eyes with her then, he knew with certainty that she was of Aragorn's blood. Even if he had not known before, he would have discovered it beyond doubts, at that very moment. Such fire and such flame was a rare thing amongst mortals.
The second surprise of the day landed on his face then and alas, it felt like nothing had felt before. All he could do was to stand and watch in amazement how a mortal woman, so small in figure and so fragile in nature, seemed to swell up before his eyes to become something that filled the entire room with her essence and how her presence fanned out like a giant tidal wave, covering whole continents with silence and darkness. Once, ages upon ages ago, he had felt a similar awe in the presence of Galadriel, the Lady of Light. Only that had been understandable - for she had been an elf of terrible power and beauty. Irulan was nothing like her, and yet there was something so alike in the sensations that surged through him now, his mind could not keep itself from silly comparisons.
"Twice you touched me today without my consent," she said, her voice low and trembling, her eyes almost black. "You will regret the third time, Greenleaf!" she finished with a hiss.
And once again he watched in fascination how she gave him a long, daring look that taunted him to even TRY to say something and how he felt a ridiculous fear, a part of him simply stepping back at that challenge. Then she walked towards him, and a moment later, by him and away.
Legolas stood frozen, listening to the retreat to her footsteps, the world that he knew dying a slow, anguished death as another and unknown one was being born.
****
"Pardon me?"
"I said," seethed Irulan, trembling with rage, "he made a move on me. TWICE!"
Anne, other than flinching at the loudness of the last word, did not move at all and kept looking at her with something that would probably be the elven blankness on a human face. She looked for quite a long time and Irulan stared back, her hands rolled into fists, shaking softly.
"What kind of move?" Anne said finally, as soft as possible.
"W-what kind of........WHAT KIND OF MOVE?!"
"Irulan, stop shouting like a mad woman."
The blonde woman watched in fascination as Irulan kicked the bed several times, then, swirled around and sat on the edge of it, her back turned to the present company, her hands clawing the sheet. She rolled her eyes and taking a deep breath, tried to sound as soft and reasonable as she could: "Come on, Irulan, you have to tell me. How can I understand if you don't?" Upon receiving no answer, she glided on the bed to sit beside her friend, who remained stiffly gazing ahead. "Come on," she said again, daring to touch her shoulder, "tell me. What happened?"
Irulan did not answer for several moments, breathing heavily. She had always been a little too responsive, yes, but at the moment, her temper seemed to be more than a mere feeling. The force of it invaded her mind, shaking her wits and squeezing her heart as she cowered at its might. But even more disturbing than the battle raging in her, was the strange question as to why she felt so much anger in the first place. Certainly what happened was not a joyful matter. But, on the other hand, it was also not worthy of such a reaction. Wary of what the answer to that question might be, she darted away from it mentally and taking a deep breath, tried to speak with a firmer voice: "That......that.......creature hit on me, Anne! He dared to!"
Anne, not less confused than she had been a minute ago, tried very hard not to say or do anything that would make her expload. "Alright. So you say. Maybe you are wrong, Irulan?"
Irulan moaned and laid her palm on her face. "I am NOT wrong! He did not hint, Anne," she mumbled between her fingers, still wrestling with her fury, "He made it quite clear."
The blonde woman thought about that for a moment. Most certainly Legolas had been rather obvious in his attempts, because if this woman was incapable of one thing, it was to pick up hints. As amazing as it sounded, Anne knew with certainty that unless her friend was told something right in the face, she never got the message. Hints and clues and suggestions were simply beyond Irulan, whose mind was cultured, but also strangely too naive to make sly and cunning connections or to pick up underlying meanings. "Alright," she said finally, trying to understand this rather unexpected turn of events, "alright. So he made a move at you. Now........pardon my comment but.......it's not the most infuriating thing to happen, Irulan."
When her friend removed her hand to reveal two coals, burning with anger, she hastily continued: "I mean many people......uh.......asked you out, did they not? Some even proposed you! I mean......come on......since when is such an offer so disgusting that it makes you tremble?"
And that was exactly the question she had been avoiding! So Irulan took a ragged breath and tore her gaze away, remaining silent.
"Did he insult you?" Anne said finally, gently embracing her shoulders. She waited patiently as Irulan's brow furrowed slightly and as –by the looks of it- she rolled that question in her mind over and over again.
"Well......" she began finally, not really knowing what to say, "well......not really." For the strangest reason, a discomfort settled on her spirit.
Anne nodded gently. "Alright. So he did not insult you. Did he belittle you.....you know.......look down at you.......in any manner?"
Another silence. Then a shake of the head as Irulan's frown deepened ever so slightly.
Anne sighed softly with relief at the improvement she was making. "Good. Has he used offensive words, perhaps? Did he say something terrible?"
"Terrible?" Irulan said in confusion. "I......don't think so." That discomfort grew immensely and she hastily added: "But the whole offer was terrible! How can he even consider-"
"So he was not offending in any manner," continued Anne smoothly. "What exactly did he want? Sex?"
"What?!" snapped Irulan in horror and turned to look at the raised eyebrows of her friend that spoke of doubt of such a thing. Indeed – elves were maybe bitter and aloof and distant, but none shared such ugly aspects with their human brothers. No matter how different in personality, they still had some things in common – class, dignity and manners amongst them. It was unthinkable for any of them making such a rude move – no matter what the motive. They were not slaves to physical pleasures and though more passionate than humans, would not make an act of physical bonding cheap by words or action. "No," she said slowly, after a long moment. "No." Frustrated at where this was going, she continued: "But he suggested it!"
"Did he now?" said Anne and Irulan almost moaned at her tone that had changed from soft and understanding to dry and cool.
"He did! He said I have to........" she shut her mouth suddenly, finding the words too.......embarrassing to utter.
"You have to what, Irulan?" prodded the other woman, now crossing her arms on her chest.
"I have to........give.....I have to give myself to him in any fashion he desires!" she spat finally, another, but weaker wave of fury boiling up in her at the recollection of that phrase. "What would you call THAT?!" With that, Irulan locked eyes again, pursing her lips.
The blonde woman just looked back blankly for a moment. Then did that irritating thing again – meaning, tilted slightly back, crossed her legs and raised an eyebrow. Irulan almost moaned at what was about to come. "And what," was the cool reply, "does that exactly mean, Irulan?"
"You tell me!" Irulan shot back.
"Oh I will," Anne continued dryly. "Though it probably does include intimacy, *I* at least can also imagine what else 'any fashion' could include." Not surprised that Irulan muttered an inaudible curse and stiffly turned to look away, she went on: "In relationships, people also happen to talk, Irulan. And share. And travel together, have dinner, exchange opinions, encourage each other, be supportive and helpful and….."
"Aw come on!" Irulan moaned finally. But against all odds, her discomfort just kept growing.
"......all of which, by the way, are rather natural, to say the least," she continued, seemingly unaffected by the interruption.
"Would you also grant me your wise opinion why Lord Legolas would want such a relationship with me in the first place, Miss Sherlock?!"
"That, Irulan," was the cheeky reply, "is beyond me. Since you are being so......childish, and rude, and downright judgmental..."
"Now wait a minute!"
"The point is, he may not have put it as romantically as you wish he did, but I see nothing wrong with his attempt."
"Nothing WRONG?!" Irulan shouted in horror and sprang to her feet, walking away from the bed. "How can you say that?"
"Ah grow up!" said Anne dismissively.
"I told him about David, God damn it!"
Anne blinked in confusion as Irulan bit her tongue and a short silence issued between them. "David? Who the heck is David?"
"Someone," the other woman said, waving her arm dismissively, "that is not the point. What matters is-"
"Irulan," cut in Anne smoothly, "who-is-David?"
"My boyfriend," was the defensive reply.
"Really?" said Anne in amusement, the corners of her lips twisting slightly. "How interesting." She inspected her friend who was standing rooted and looking downright annoyed. "Why, I wonder, did you have to make up something like that?"
"What matters is," seethed Irulan, locking eyes with her, "he had the nerve to...... 'ask me out' -as you so nicely put it- even though I told him that I was in love and soon to be betrothed!"
"Soon to be betrothed too!" grinned Anne. "Were you going to tell me the day before the ceremony, Irulan?"
"Anne....." Irulan said with evident threat.
"He obviously thought that you were worthy of a better man," Anne cut in with bemusement.
"Exactly! I mean........no. Yes, but........" Irulan blinked with confusion, "How did you........." Finally she groaned at Anne's obvious delight and muttered "I swear you think EXACTLY like him!" with a tinge of disgust.
The other woman laughed then, shaking her head. "If you ask me," she said in between chuckles, "Legolas was being far from offensive. More like.......amazing!" Her laughter continued, despite the poisonous glare she received in response.
"Oh stop it! He made it sound like some business proposal!" Irulan spat finally, more than annoyed at the turn of the conversation. This was not funny, damn it!
"He did?" beamed Anne. "What did he offer in return?"
"Anything!" sighed Irulan with mock girlishness, throwing up her hands. "Everything!"
It took her a while to realize that Anne's laughter had died. When she turned to look, the blonde woman had a far different expression on her face. And Irulan did not like it. At all. "He really said that?" was the soft and amazed question.
Irulan moaned once again in frustration and walked to the window, turning her back to her company. "It's not like he meant it!" she mumbled, irritated to say the least. "I'm sure that he was just mocking me."
"Since when do elves mock, Irulan?"
"Since about half an hour ago!"
Her friend did not reply right away. When she did, her voice was soft again. "You know that they do not. Especially someone like Legolas." Another gap. "Why would he do that? Why would he feel the need for something like that?"
"I don't know," whined Irulan finally, shifting with discomfort. "I don't know. But.......it simply does not make sense!"
"Even if, Irulan........this does not explain your reaction to it. Why on earth did you take it so.......hectic?"
A long silence emerged once again as Irulan darted away, ducked, dodged, but found herself backed into a corner she could not step away from. "I don't know," she whispered once again, her discomfort growing into a gigantic beast in her head. A beast with claws and teeth and penetrating eyes and a horrible, horrible whisper that spoke of sick amusement.
****
'I have failed,' he thought, and the thought brought nothing but bafflement with it. 'I have failed. For the first time in a string of millennia, I have failed'. The elf shifted slightly in his armchair, the soft velvet no comfort for him today. 'How can that be?'
Over and over again, his mind went over the facts. Facts that were all to his advantage. Facts that had aided his relationship with humans uncountable times in the past. And yet....he had failed.
This was strange and perhaps a bit disturbing. But what was even more strange and disturbing, was his sentiments about the matter. For instead of anger, he felt.........intrigue. Instead of loss, he felt a sharp pull. Instead of dislike he felt........attraction? He sighed and sat up, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I am too old for this," he thought, though the words did nothing to change what was in his heart.
A long moment passed. "Alright," he said to himself finally, sounding as calm as ever, "so I feel attracted. It is only natural. Many times before have I felt so for many women." The mind of an elf began to work, then – a capable, intellectual and factual mind. 'It is only an intrigue,' that mind said. 'a pull to the new and the unknown. This, and nothing more. She seems unusual. Yes......for now. But once you delve deeper, certainly she will reveal that she is like every other mortal. Dive deeper, Legolas – where you see sophistication, you will find simplicity. Where you see uniqueness you will find the common. Dive deeper, for not too much further depth is there to go.'
Unconsciously he exhaled in relief. Indeed! Though something in him had sprouted to life at the hope of it, a stronger part of him still stood firmly with both feet planted on the ground. That Legolas was not interested in delusions of an oasis in this desert called life. His mind was ruled by facts and facts told him that the chances for such a thing was grim to none. He had no intentions of placing hope in it. No intentions of taking chances. Not to mention......losing a bet and looking ridiculous.
With the idea of the Council a wave of frustration hit him and he massaged his face. 'Why, Legolas, did you engage in such a bet in the first place?' taunted the voice in his head. He refused to answer. It was plain and simple – he believed in his statement. For ages now he had been watching humans grow simpler and simpler. For ages he had been observing their flaws and their weaknesses overshadow their merits; their strength give in to their temptations; their virtues slowly burn in the flames of their greed. And he took no pleasure from the thought that Estel's line, too, was no exception to the rule.
'Good,' it spoke up again then. 'Because I was under the impression that you were trying to shove her away from yourself.' The elf, amazed that such a thing was happening to him and that his unbreakable control was breached like this, froze and remained still, not sure what to think. Certainly that was not true!
'And why, dear Prince, might that be?' was the amused addition, upon which Legolas actually and literally groaned for the first time in 213 years.
****
Anne talked so persistently and so long that Irulan moaned, yelled, moaned again, objected, refused to listen, tried to kick her and finally moaned once more. She tried locking herself in the bathroom, then used the pillow to diminish the voice. But nothing worked. It was the way with Anne. Once she put her mind on something, probably not even elves would be able to change it. Irulan had often thought that Anne was actually more suitable for the Circle than herself. But of course the blonde woman never was and never would be a member. She would remain Irulan's best friend, entrusted to this sort of information years ago.
Finally though, a tiny, yet rather rational part of her admitted that indeed, perhaps she had overreacted a little. That, of course did not mean that Legolas was innocent. Not at all! But Irulan cared nothing for his mistakes. She only would answer for her own. "A simple 'no' would have done. All the anger was……a bit……alright so it had been unnecessary!" she mumbled stiffly.
Anne, though supposedly not listening, said immediately "Maybe this is the best he can do!" Irulan just rolled her eyes and pretended not to hear. To her demise, Anne only took that as an encouragement. "All these years in this terrible world, Irulan! Not to mention….with who knows how foolish women! I mean…give the man a break!"
She gave Anne a glare, pursing her lips in anger. The other one just shrugged in innocence. "Maybe he does not know better."
"An ELF of his age and –hard to say, but- wisdom does not know better?"
"Hey," Anne said with a grin, "he is still a man!" She laughed and added a "Love you," then left the room, whistling as she walked down the corridor.
****
Finally, under the guidance of his staff, Anne arrived at his room. She gave a soft knock, and a moment later heard his soft "Come in". Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and entered the study, already dim with the setting twilight. Not that an elf needed light to see!
At her sight, he rose from his armchair and stood facing her while Anne smiled at his manners that forced him to stand when a woman entered or left. And this is why, no matter what, she would always adore elves. "Please, have a seat, Lady Anne," he said softly, motioning the armchair across his.
"No 'lady' for me, Lord Legolas," she said with a wide smile and proceeded towards the furniture. It stood aligned and slightly facing the other one. Curiously, both were directed towards the large window instead of the room.
"And no 'lord' for me," was his amused reply.
Once she seated herself, he did the same, and remained looking at her with kind expectation. Anne bit her lower lip. Often she had dreamed of a conversation with Legolas. About the ways of the humans. The ways of the elves. The world in general. Not to mention, Middle Earth. And damn Fate, for it had to be about her foolish friend! "I came because of Irulan," she said finally.
His eyebrows rose to that and even Anne could see the surprise on his face. It lasted only a few seconds, but it had been there! "She told you about our…..encounter?" he said carefully. Surely there was a better word for it, but Legolas seemed unable to think of it at the moment.
"She did indeed. Irulan tells me everything. And I tell her, of course."
The elf nodded in silence, watching her. He expected scolding. He expected criticism. Some harsh words perhaps. Or who knows – threats? Human could be very eccentric. All that or something similar. But not what Anne said afterwards: "She can be so dense!" he blinked in surprise, then decided that an answer was not needed of him, and that it would be wiser to wait it out. "Do you like her, Legolas?"
Legolas, careful not to say anything untrue, thought about that for a moment. "I do not know that, yet. She has not granted me the chance to discover."
Anne nodded seriously. "And would you like to discover?" The elf, shifted slightly in his chair then, cocking his head to give her a better look. Again, he chose not to reply. "Because I think you should."
"And why is that, Anne?" he said, breaking into a fabulous smile.
"I know she does not look like it…..but she is worthy," said Anne, locking eyes with him. "And she deserves a good man. Not the useless, senseless guys she had."
A moment of silence passed. "What about David?" he said then, and it was more a surprise for him than for her, because he had no idea where that question had come from. He could not know of course that Anne's expression was not due to surprise, but rather discomfort. However, it vanished soon enough when she decided that once again her loyalty lay with Irulan.
"I would not call him a real relationship," she said dismissively. It was not a lie. Not directly, anyway.
"I do not see a woman in love in Irulan," he said carefully, testing the water.
"Neither do I," grinned Anne. The man broke into a smile again and neither spoke for several moments, the meaning of that hanging in the air between them. Finally she spoke up again: "She is my best friend. Always was. Always will be. I want more for her." He felt a stab of guilt and it landed right at his heart, then. Not wishing to show his emotions, he downcast his gaze and remained so, listening to her. "And though I know the Eldar do not think so, I think –at least for a man and a woman who accept the truth and the rules of it- mortality is not a real barrier for a good relationship. After all…..nothing lasts anyway, is that not true?"
A moment passed. "Such is my observation," was his soft reply to that, though he turned at the window and not at her.
"Do you mean to give up?"
Startled, he glanced at her shortly. "No." It was fast, short and honest.
"Good," Anne said then with the ghost of a grin, "because I think she is about to."
He smiled at her once again, taking in her rather pretty features. Perhaps Anne did not know it herself, but women like this were priceless. Especially as friends. A friend who would kill Legolas –or rather, try to- if she knew his real purpose. Another stab of guilt followed that thought and he felt surprised to feel so much guilt about so natural a matter. After all, it only made sense to test the judgment of someone granted a high place in the Circle.
Or did it not?
****
That same night when Irulan walked in for dinner, her improved state was not to be mistaken. She was, after all, a woman of the age and refused to crumble and fall apart with ever little (!) incident. She wore a casual and yet feminine dress that, with its baby blue color, served to bring out the olive tint of her skin and the dark tone of her hair which she had -to his demise- put up loosely. No matter how well heated, a castle was always on the chilly side and though she had lacked the preparations for a wet climate, her dress of soft wool with long sleeves and her long, suede boots indicated that she was yet well prepared for the cool weather.
She looked far more beautiful and feminine, yes. And yet, Irulan was no beautiful woman. But that mattered little. For beauty was a matter of opinion and the Eldar were not too fascinated by physical beauty - having seen it in incomparable amounts in their own kind already. Legolas looked up in time to see her walk in and was instantly surprised by the punch of excitement that landed on his stomach at her sight. Perhaps it would be more understandable for him to feel annoyed. But he only felt delighted. Irritation would come far later, when he would discover that it was not a simple and mere pull that he was feeling towards Irulan. For now, a childish joy came with the realization that many years later, a new game was set and was waiting to be played.
Nothing in his expression changed and soon enough his eyes darted away from her, not to look back for a while again. But inwardly he smiled, suddenly the pressing boredom of the whole meeting and the Circle and all the rest becoming the stage of an interesting play for him. He was eager to watch on and see what would become of this.
For even though he had failed twice this day, it had not dampened his spirits at all. If anything, it had made him more determined. And he had learned that she was not the kind to bend under force or fear. Though small in number, he had met and encountered humans of this nature before, ('Such as Estel,' whispered a bemused voice in his mind, but he swiftly shut if off) and had observed that while they were as rigid and inflexible in the face of hard prodding, they were rather soft and bending when treated gently and with care. So his new strategy waited to be tried out as soon as possible.
Irulan sat several chairs away from him (probably on purpose) and spoke little to anyone. Yet, the intimidation and shame she bore yesterday at the meal and her temper from the earlier hours seemed to have lifted. He caught her smiling several times to Haldir and exchanging hushed words with him and it was easy to see that a major reason for her relaxed state today was him. Legolas bid his time and did speak to neither, mostly keeping to the circle sitting closer to him. Time passed and though he heard either of them chuckle several times, his hearing did not manage to pick up anything over the murmur of conversation and that was most annoying.
Finally, when once again they dispersed for dessert and tea, he observed her leaving to the terrace he had stood on with Haldir a few nights before. It was the perfect opportunity, and the hour being so late, perhaps the last one. So he took it.
Irulan, lost in the view of the night sky that looked overly crowded with stars tonight, did not hear him approach. No human would, actually. But she felt the instant spark of both anger and yet fear when he spoke up behind her. Now the anger was understandable. The fear though…..?
"It seems that I can not apologize enough to you, Lady Irulan," he said softly and observed her tensing at his voice. "Twice it is, already."
She did not turn back immediately and he did not approach, waiting at a comfortable distance. Irulan bit her lower lip and tried to organize her thoughts. She tried to remember everything that Anne had said and that had made sense just a few hours ago and she tried to forget every argument in her that insisted on the opposite. She was Aragorn's heir, and even though she still had no intentions of assuming the responsibility of that status, she would not act like some ignorant, shallow, wild woman. She would not give them the opportunity to reach such conclusions about humans. Especially at the threshold of the decision the Circle would make in a few days.
It took her a few minutes and the elf waited patiently through it. But when she did turn around, her face was far more composed and spoke of the reign of logic. "Once again, Lord Legolas," she said calmly, "I can only do the same."
He smiled then with relief and took a small step towards her, though the distance between them was still rather large. "It seems that we have started off not too well. And I am certain that it is my fault."
Her eyebrows rose at the modesty. Once again, he seemed to have changed entirely from a frosty man to a gentle elf. Not knowing how to counter that, she shrugged as he took another step and then turned to watch the night view for a moment. "However……it does not discourage me. Some of my best friendships started rather awkwardly."
Her eyes widened slightly and before she could help it, she said "Like Gimli?"
He locked eyes with her once more, a wonderful smile on his lips. "Like Gimli, son of Gloin," he said softly with a confirming nod. She looked away and Legolas knew that it was to hide her excitement. Humans loved the Old Days and the Fellowship and any mention of these things stroke the spark of curiosity in them. "So I hope," he added then, "that you and me will find our way through this labyrinth of a dark forest, as well."
She pursed her lips and halted in an attempt to choose her words carefully. "I respect you, Lord Legolas. Nothing has and nothing can change that."
He nodded gently, walking closer yet. "I am honored." A short silence followed as he fixed her eyes again, "But…….I am hoping for more."
Irulan swallowed hard. So this was what the fear was about! That foolish topic was in the horizon again, flying towards her, and she simply lacked the skill to evade it. "There can be no more," was her hoarse whisper and she wished it would have come out with more determination.
"Why do you fear me?" he said suddenly and Irulan's head snapped up at that. She gave him a long, dubious look, but found nothing in his expression to read.
"I don't fear you," she said finally. "But I see no reason to engage in something pointless. I have no feelings for you."
Legolas nodded matter-of-factly. "Yet," he said with a smile. She sighed in frustration and looked away while he continued: "But it matters not if you ever will. Not all bonds are based on such grounds."
"What do you mean?" she said slowly then, "How can we not have feelings for each other and still have an affair?" A moment later her face darkened. "If you think that I will-"
"I did not say that we have no feelings for each other," he cut in smoothly, taking another step towards her. "All I am saying is, what we have, may suffice."
"I don't understand," she said after a silence. If anything, she was even more confused.
The elf took a deep breath and looked away, then. "I am interested in you," he said finally and he sounded suddenly very serious. "Do you know what that means?"
She blinked with surprise at his tone, then only shook her head in silence.
"Have you ever been courted by an elf, Irulan?" he said then, cocking his head to take a long look at her while his hands clasped behind his back.
"I…….no," she finished with a whisper, amazed at the intensity that was emanating from him.
The smile crawled back on his lips, then. He looked at her for a long moment, observing the alarm she was trying to hide so mercilessly. If he meant to persuade her, no better chance than this. "It does not surprise me," he said gently, inching closer yet, but halting again a few steps from her. "For if you had, you would know that we do not court." Irulan stood motionless, a frown and slight unease on her face, as his soft voice seemed to fill the world. "We……admire," he said then, his gaze impossible to hold, if not for the shock that made her do so. "We cherish. We adore. And worship." He stepped up, closing the distance between them as she moved back, but was stopped instantly upon the touch of his fingers on her cheek. Legolas stood right before her, and she felt like he was not an elf or a man…..but a force. Like some electromagnetic energy he stood, buzzing with something dangerous and yet so alluring. "It is in our nature to do so," he said, his tone now only low enough for her to hear. "It gives us immense pleasure. And to the one who is our object of adoration." None of this was a lie. Elves were very eager and gracious courters, who took the act upon themselves with grave commitment.
His fingers glided down her cheek, his eyes following it and her breath caught in her throat. How ridiculous to feel such an impact at such small a thing! He did not speak for a while, his fingers gliding below her jaw as his thumb continued caressing her cheek. His eyes found hers again and Irulan, who thought herself far from shy and girlish, actually blushed. Blushed, like some stupid, infatuated girl! The elf saw it, of course, and smiled slowly. "Will you not grant me such pleasure?" he said finally.
She pursed her lips and finally managed to tear her gaze away. That broke the spell a bit and Irulan moved back, breaking the contact. "It may be pleasurable," she said finally, finding it incredibly hard to put the words together, "but it is not wise. I will not sacrifice other values for pleasure alone."
Legolas looked at her for another minute, though she avoided eye-contact in fear of what it could do to her. "You once said that we have the same flaws we criticize in mortals," he said finally, his tone having gained determination, but no edge. "That we are as judgmental and prejudiced as they are. I agree now that you were right. And I am trying to change that. Will you not do the same, Irulan?"
Irulan only swallowed softly, still not looking up. She did neither hear, nor see his advance, but a moment later he was right before her once more, this time his fingers seeking out her own and pulling up her hand to fold it between his. "If I prove unworthy of it, you can always step back and I will not stop you."
"Lord Legolas," she stammered, trying to take her hand back, but failing at his gentle, yet strong grasp, "I really don't understand why…"
"For if you will not grant me a chance……you will prove my argument right." She ceased her struggle for a moment, then, and his grasp on her hand grew again. "I will not object any just words from you. Though it would be unfair to ask the same for unjust accusations."
"But I…"
"A chance is all I ask. A chance like you would give any other. Like you gave David." She sighed in frustration to that and stubbornly avoided looking at him. "If nothing will become of it, we can part with no harm inflicted on either of us."
"How simple you make it sound," she snorted finally, tugging at her hand again.
Legolas ignored her tugging and smiled. "If you do not trust me, surely you trust yourself?" he said then. "Or do you fear to fall prey to my attempts, Irulan? I see no woman before me, who would get carried away by the deeds of any man – neither immortal, nor mortal."
Now that was an unfair move. "Look," she said finally and with a mighty pull, snatched her hand back, "you offer me……something……something like….I don't know……..you offer me chocolate! Yes, and tough the taste might be fabulous, I simply do not want to eat!"
"Ah," he said then, chuckling with delight, "but I offer you only a bite. Throw away the rest, if you will."
"It was an allegory," she said, a little edgy, "you know what I mean!"
"I do," sighed Legolas, but gave no indication of defeat. "And once again – refuse me now, and you prove that I was yet right. That mortals ARE prejudiced, stiff and fearful." She glared at him and he smiled back warmly. "But……refuse me later….." he said suggestively, "and know that my vote in the Meeting lies with yours."
Her eyes widened with that remark. "Are you….bribing me?" she said incredulously.
"Not at all," was the cool reply. "It is only understandable that I will support your argument if indeed you prove me wrong in the matter of your kind." He was smart enough to know that if he failed and if she won (which was not to be, of course), this would be the outcome anyway. Placing it as a prize held no risk whatsoever.
"I set no example for my kind," she said stiffly. "You can not hold Cate responsible for my failures."
He gave her a long look. "Yes, I can," he said then slowly and did not blink as she stared at him in shock. "For are you not taking me and the handful of elves you met as a sample for MY kind?" He allowed a small gap, then continued: "It took you one meeting with me and one dinner alone to come to conclusions about us Eldar, Irulan. I think it is only fair."
Irulan knew right then and there that she was defeated. And that –as horrible as it sounded- this elf was right. She, with her big mouth and uncontrollable temper had slashed out needlessly and had managed to put herself in this very position! She had accused them, insulted them and judged them. Why whimper and whine when the same was to be done to her?
Legolas was too experienced in the art of discussion not to see her defeat. And once again, he was too smart to risk his upper hand. So he smiled and found her hand again, bringing it up for a soft kiss, as Irulan seemed to be too dazed to object. "I will see you tomorrow, my lady," he said gently. A moment later he was gone, walking away with silent steps as finally the wind seemed to be blowing his way.
****
