"Do you have any nails left at all?"
Irulan moaned and shifted on her seat. "I don't like flying!"
"I can see that," he said with a grin. She glared at him in an evil manner and he grasped her hand, entwining his fingers with hers before lifting it up for a deep kiss. "Only an hour left."
"An hour?!" squeaked Irulan with frustration.
"All right...then perhaps I can tell you a little of my home?" he said gently, in an attempt to divert her thoughts.
"Though I'm sure it's interesting, the history of your castle is, at this point, not my main concern," was the dry reply.
He grinned slyly. "No, Irulan. My HOME," he said softly. She held a blank look for a moment, then blinked and turned slightly towards him.
"You mean...which one do you mean?"
"The one and only," was his lofty response. "The mighty forest of ages past."
Her eyes widened with excitement and the elf had to bite on his tongue to keep from laughing out loud. "Will you really?"
"With pleasure," he growled and kissed her cheek.
"All right then," she said, almost jumping like a little child. She shifted to sit more comfortable, never letting go of his hand, and looked up in expectance. "Can I ask questions?"
"Of course. Ask away," laughed Legolas, very amused by her curiosity in the matter.
"Were there really giant spiders in Mirkwood?"
He just looked at her with open surprise, then began to laugh softly. She observed his glee for several moments, feeling the concentration of others focusing on them with the sound echoing in the plane. "What is so funny?" she said, grinning despite herself.
"Out of all questions, THAT is your first one?" he chuckled, kissing her heartily on the cheek again.
"Well," she said, blushing a little, and scratching her head while his soft laughter continued. "Well...I mean...it just seems...oh whatever! Will you answer or not?"
"I sure will," he said, shaking his head. "There were quite many."
Another effort to suppress a grin was exercised when Irulan wiggled in her seat with evident excitement for a moment or two. "All right. Question two: How big were they?"
Legolas frowned, pretending to think as she watched him with suppressed impatience and excitement. "They ranged from...well I would say the size of an ox to the size of an elephant."
"Oh my God!" She clasped her hand over her mouth and hastily glanced around as the elf bit his cheeks in an attempt to overcome his desire for laughter. The fact that Irulan could switch from wise and mature woman to gleeful and naive child, and not feel uncomfortable or silly during the process, was simply incredible to him. "All right, all right!" she hissed – probably to herself, since there was no one else to scold here so. "Elephant?!" she said then, locking eyes with him. He nodded gravely. "Did they come out at day or night?"
"Is this conversation going to be about Mirkwood or the giant spiders?" he asked with mock scolding.
But she would have none of it. "Both! But...one after the other, Legolas! Don't rush ahead like that!" He pursed his lips, but the smile bloomed on his visage anyway. "Let us clear up this spider issue first!" Irulan whispered with excitement and shifted further to sit comfortably. That was it! He simply could not help laughing again, the joy of his heart getting stronger with every hour he spent in her presence.
The rest of the flight she asked hundreds of relevant and irrelevant, silly and serious, eccentric and expected questions and the elf answered all with patience and understanding. Time flew by so fast that Irulan groaned in disappointment when the landing was announced. He smiled as Irulan braced herself, digging her fingers into his hand for the landing. Legolas glanced out of the window, into a dull autumn day in England, adorned with a slight drizzle. That dark feeling threatened to brush against his mind once more, so he chose to turn away from the view, focusing on her and pushing everything else away.
But the feeling refused to drown. No matter how many times he tossed it into the ocean of disinterest, it continued to wash onto his shore, ugly and dark on his perfectly pale beach. It was there when they found the driver and the car waiting for them (Legolas –nowhere near eager to return to the castle- had decided to call for a car instead of his private chopper that would have taken them to their destination in less than half an hour). It was there when he glided in after Irulan, resuming his hold on her hand. And it would not leave even after they rolled into motion and began the journey home.
They rode for a long time in silence. He kept his caress of her hand, looking out of the window that was marked with the rain now. 'England,' she thought, as the green pastures replaced the city streets. 'How different is it from the first time I have arrived here, only days ago!' Unconsciously she took a deep breath, her thoughts lingering on how strange the human mind was – here she was, with nothing but experience and time in between, and yet for her, the whole world had changed.
"Irulan," he said suddenly, breaking the thick silence. She turned to him with surprise and found his blue eyes. If she did not know better, she would think that Legolas looked anxious. Or even worried. "Your pledge is no more." Irulan, for a moment completely clueless, just stared back in confusion. "You have paid your debt graciously."
To be honest, she had forgotten completely about the pledge! The last couple of days between them had passed without the slightest indication or mention of it. Slowly she shifted on her seat, turning to him. "But it has been merely days," she said.
Legolas smiled. "Time means nothing to me. You have fulfilled your part in this with utmost success. And I release you from it this minute."
He brought up her hand and closed his eyes to place a deep and long kiss on her palm. Again...the worry. And the strange sadness. It was very, very subtle, but Irulan felt it anyway. "Is something wrong, Legolas?"
He did not answer right away. The distant, irritating prodding on his mind would not let go and Legolas was too experienced an elf to ignore it. He tried to convince himself that it was the disappointment of the return. Of the end of their time together. Or even of the fact that instead of another city in Europe with Irulan, a most unnerving council meeting was awaiting him. But the itch responded to neither and refused to weaken. He sighed and glanced out the window once more. "Whatever happens," he said then, almost inaudibly and then suddenly turned to lock eyes with a surprised Irulan, "NEVER forget that I love you."
"O-of course," she stammered, intimidated and very confused by his intensity and his secrecy. "But...what might happen?" was the nervous question.
"Who knows?" he whispered and reached out to gently comb away the stray hairs from her face.
She bit her lip and waited for a moment. "Are you concerned about the meeting?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Nay. We shall convince them." With that he placed another kiss on her hand. Irulan stared at him with surprise. 'We?' she thought, baffled.
"Does that mean..."
"I will vote in favor, of course," he said with a killer smile.
The woman remained still for several moments with surprise, then took a deep, slow breath. It was a very unexpected thing to hear at the moment. And the meaning of that was even more unexpected. But Legolas had a way of diving into these grave matters so bluntly. The relief and elation that came with that statement washed away the worry she was feeling about his strange behavior. "But...are you certain, Legolas?" she said then, and clasped her other hand on his.
"Very much so," he whispered.
Irulan bit her lower lip and hesitated before she continued: "Is it because...I don't want you to do it because…of what we spoke before the trip. You don't need to feel like…"
"No," he intervened gently and Irulan looked up at his gentle gaze. His fingers caressed the back of her hand as he remained silent for a while. Finally he sighed. "Yes, you have convinced me. But not so much about the things we spoke of on the terrace that night, concerning your and my kind." He leaned in closer, a fantastic smile on his face, "You convinced me that true love justifies everything." A moment of silence passed. "I voted against it at all times in the past. I know now that the reason was…because I never understood it fully. Even though I am an elf. Even though I have felt much and observed more." Legolas sighed with bitter amusement and kissed her hand. "It was a mistake to count the vote of a man who has never been in love before. I will tell of this to the Council."
"I don't think Michael will like that," she said a long while later, mainly to say something to dilute the dense atmosphere. "I doubt that he is even CAPABLE of love!"
He grinned at that, and kissed her hand again. "Then we should re-evaluate his contribution to the case," he said deviously. "Take your place in the Circle, and together we shall bring a new order," he whispered, his eyes boring into her.
"Tell will resent us," she said, breaking into a grin.
"Ah...I would not want it any other way," was the sly response.
He caressed her cheek before he leaned in and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss, tender like a sweet touch at first, but soon became more passionate and before long, gained an edge of desperation and need that once again placed worry into her heart. Legolas pulled her to himself and kissed her as if he would never kiss her again. She embraced him and kissed him back with equal fervor, losing herself in the sensation.
"Legolas," she whispered when he began to place urgent, warm kisses on her cheeks and her throat, "tell me what is bothering you. You seem worried."
He sighed and backed away a little, cupping her face and kissing her again. "I fear that they will hurt you," was his quiet and alarmed reply.
Irulan gave him an amazed look. "Why would they do that?" she whispered in awe.
He cast his gaze down and held her hand again, continuing the caress absent-mindedly. "The ways of man do not always have valid reasons," was his murmur. Many moments passed before he found the strength to meet her gaze. "They fear you," he said cautiously. "They fear what you will become."
Irulan looked out from the window, lost in thought for a minute or two. True...except for very few, the human members of the Circle had never been too fond of her. And God knows Michael and Elizabeth disliked her! But...fear her? She could not imagine why that would be. She was not a mighty person. Not cunning, smart or powerful. As a matter of fact, she was lacking serious skills of intrigue and unless something was told right to her face, Irulan could hardly read obvious messages, let alone underlying ones. Why would they fear someone like her?
"Should we keep us a secret?" she said, finding his eyes once more.
Legolas exhaled in frustration. A moment passed while he remained in deep thought. "I will speak to them," he said finally, "and tell only what they need to know." She nodded with somewhat unease. He pulled her closer and kissed her again. The castle appeared on its hill in the distance as he childishly hoped to drown the dark foreboding in him with the taste of her lips.
***
"Ah...once again the line of Kings has stirred the world!"
Irulan snorted with mock anger, but could not help laughing right afterwards.
"Lately I have been called that too many times, Analoth!"
"Not enough yet, my friend," he said gently and turned to her. His short, black hair stood in soft waves, framing his strong and handsome features and his slightly slanted eyes. The glow of his elven skin seemed stronger today. Or perhaps it was just her imagination. Analoth's beauty and overall air always used to startle her and put her in awe. However, after having seen so many of his kind in these past few days, he was not the phenomenal sight he used to be, anymore. The admiration for his kind was gone, and replaced with the admiration for a friend.
Cate, who stood pale as a porcelain doll with long, light brown hair and big, beautiful grass green eyes that immediately caught attention, smiled as well. Slender and graceful as always, she had aged and matured into a lovely woman. A few more years, and no doubt she would begin to look older than him. "Irulan!" she said, and smiled brighter, releasing her arm from his to give the approaching woman a warm embrace, "So wonderful to see a friendly face here! I cannot tell you what this means to us." She gave her an overall look, then smiled once more, her eyes full with sparks. "We have heard of your 'trip'. You must tell us all!"
The other just grinned back, the joy in her heart folding on itself and doubling by the hour. Everything was perfect! She had Legolas. She was surrounded by her friends. She was at the dawn of a new and wonderful life. What more could any person ask for? "I will tell it all," she chuckled, shifting slightly and giving the castle a glance over the shoulder, "But we have a meeting to conquer first!"
Cate smiled at her with perfect love in her eyes. "We do not know how to thank you," was her quiet statement, slow and tender. "We know how you prefer abstinence to all...this." Her eyes momentarily rose to the castle as if she meant to include everything in there, from elves to humans, from duty to responsibilities. "...and yet you have come. For us."
Irulan waved her hand dismissively and rolled her eyes. A pinkish hue hit her cheeks, despite her best efforts. "Please!" she moaned, embarrassed and self-conscious. "You would have done the same for me."
A smile crept on the faces of both women and the man in perfect unison and though not spoken out loud, the words that flew through their minds found their way into hers. 'Perhaps we will, some day, my friend,' those words echoed and Irulan grew even more anxious, biting her lower lip and looking down to her boots. Neither Cate, nor Analoth were members of the Circle and therefore they would never get to vote in such a matter, of course. But that did not change the fact that her mysterious trip was receiving interesting evaluation by all.
"Well...Anne is waiting for me. I'd better not be late," she laughed nervously, throwing her hair over her shoulder.
The couple said nothing and nodded, still smiling. Thinking that Cate was oddly half-elven already, she walked away, digging her hands into the pockets of her jeans. Again it had rained and again the lawn was muddy. Therefore she kept on the little path plastered with chisel as her thoughts drifted once again to the future. Involuntarily her gaze crept up the castle. It was strange to think of it as 'home'. Irulan tried to imagine herself waking up in this place, having breakfast, strolling in the nearby forest, falling asleep on an armchair facing the fire. She sighed, taking in the cool and crisp air. No busy honking dwindling up from the streets. No small, cozy, crowded apartment. No Starbucks. No rush through the avenues that carried people of all ages and all races.
Was that a good thing?
She cast her gaze down and tried to push the negativity that came with that question out of her head. It was a big step, yes. It was drastic. And she would never have taken it with any other. There had been times in her life when she was asked for such sacrifices and always she had declined. For the mere reason that she had never trusted anyone as much as she trusted Legolas. True, she had never loved anyone as much either. But the real reason had been trust....such a fragile, tender, delicate thing it was. A luxury reserved only to so few in the world. There were times when she believed it to be more important than love itself. Yes, love was grand. It was mind-blowing and blinding. It was the earthquake that shook continents and drowned some, only to rise others into the sunlight. However...after all that tremble had passed and the sizzling fire had died, it was trust and sacrifice that built another city, another empire.
'I trust Legolas,' she thought, finding strength in that thought. It was more important than the fact that she loved him. Even more important than the fact that he loved her. Love was a dangerous blade with double edges. It did not mean that one would act right and sane. On the contrary, often it clouded the perception and was the cause for dear mistakes. Love was essential, but not enough. She trusted this man. Legolas would never deceive her. Never lie to her. Never mislead her. Any other man who loved her with the same fervor could do any of these - solely to keep her or to be with her. But not Legolas. 'Yes...it is a wise choice to be with him,' she thought again and sighed. Her eyes traveled up and met the figure of an excited Anne who was running to meet her. Irulan smiled with amusement. Though they had met and embraced about two hundred times this morning, by the looks of it, another mighty embrace was on its way towards her.
***
"You will stay in ENGLAND?!"
She sighed and squinted her eyes to look into the distance, letting the silence settle in for a minute. "I will still come and visit," she mumbled, "and you can come here, too!" She did not meet her friend's eyes but she really did not have to. The disappointment pulsing out of her was evident anyway.
A long silence set in. "This is...very unlike you," Anne managed to say finally.
Irulan pursed her lips and nodded, inspecting the mug in her hand. "I know," was her quiet reply. "But...Legolas won't have it any other way." She halted at her own words, and met the surprised gaze of the other woman, an equal astonishment on her own features. "That's not what I meant!" she said hastily. "It's not like he is forcing me or anything!"
Anne crossed her arms on her chest and leaned back on her chair. Irulan almost laughed out - she was doing that unnerving thing again! "Maybe that's not what you meant, but it's what you said, Irulan."
"I used the wrong words," moaned Irulan, taking a sip from her coffee. "I can work if I want to. I can stay in New York. He said he will come and join me there."
"Don't you think that's better for the beginning? I mean...this is so drastic. You will leave everything behind. EVERYTHING."
Irulan chuckled, giving her a narrow look. "Is it me or did we change roles? You always used to urge me towards boldness and I was always the cautious one."
The blonde woman huffed and sat back, crossing her legs. "I'm not saying that you shouldn't be with him! It's just...I mean it's been only a few DAYS! This is TOO bold." Again she remained silent. Finally Anne shifted and leaned in, placing her elbows on her knees and moving closer. "Irulan...I love elves. God knows they are incredible creatures! And I can not imagine anyone superior to Legolas."
Irulan turned her head and met her green gaze. "But?"
"But," sighed Anne, her expression solemn, "Well, let me put it this way...often we forget them to be elves and begin to think of them as humans." Her eyes remained fixed on Irulan who raised her eyebrows to urge her to continue. "I mean...they are powerful creatures. Their strength comes with a certain...I don't know...danger."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
Anne moaned and scratched her head, looking away for a moment. "I will be very direct. Lord Legolas has manipulated all humanity for centuries. What makes you think that he will not manipulate you?"
Irulan just stared back at her, completely speechless as the blonde woman returned the look. A long silence issued between them as their eyes locked in the fashion they had locked dozens of times before. Anne and Irulan had an incredible friendship - many things had rattled it, but none had broken it. Instead, it had grown stronger with those slight stirrings. "Why would he manipulate me?" she managed to say finally. The warmth of the coffee dwindled up to her face, but Irulan was not aware of it.
"Because that's what they do, Irulan."
"Anne...I mean..." Irulan took a deep breath and sat up, herself. She could not help but feel a slight anger. And well...was that fear that fluttered in her heart? She stuffed the idea away and fixed her eyes on her friend once more. "I don't understand you! You act like them, I swear! One moment all you want me to do is to be with him, the next you give me these...horror stories! What DO you want?!"
"I want you to be with him," Anne said slowly, unaffected by the burst of anger, "but as yourself, Irulan. Without losing your head. Without forgetting what he is." She pursed her lips in lack of reply, the words sinking into her mind. "You said he loves you. I know that he would never lie about that. And I know that the love of an elf is a mighty thing. But Irulan..." with that she glanced around, almost as if afraid to be overheard by sensitive ears, "...all I'm saying is, a man – no, an ELF- who loves with such force will do many things in the name of that love. Thinking that it's for your own good. Or maybe convincing HIMSELF that it is so, when maybe it's only for his own good."
For no apparent reason an uneasiness crept into her mind and when she locked eyes with Anne again, the fury in them was gone. "Like what?" she whispered, unconsciously reverting to the mood of mystery, herself.
"I don't know!" exclaimed Anne and made her jump with the sudden raised voice. Surprised herself, she hastily lowered it, "God knows he is capable of doing anything and everything he wants."
"But...Legolas would never hurt me!"
"Of course not!" groaned Anne, giving her an impatient look. "Not intentionally anyway. But...he will never completely understand you, Irulan. You are human. You are young. You are a woman. He is the complete opposite of all those. He will do everything for you. Everything that HE thinks is good for you. But will it really be good for you?!"
Irulan sighed and placed her mug on the table. "All right. You are confusing me more and more. Just tell me what the hell you expect me to do!"
Anne glanced at her as if she was an imbecile. Then did her usual thing - leaned back, crossed her arms on her chest and raised an eyebrow. "I expect you to be with him. But with caution. And always in charge of your own life, Irulan! YOU know what is good for you, better than anyone else does and YOU should make the decisions, no matter what the relationship between you two. At least you should have a say in it...an opinion." She sighed and grew a little softer, "I will kill you if you leave him. But I will kill you twice if you leave yourself! Don't let him manipulate you - even if it's with the best intentions in mind."
"You are saying that I should not come to England," Irulan said slowly, the logic of her friend making more and more sense by the word.
"I'm saying that you should only do so when YOU want to. Not when he wants you to." Irulan looked into the distance once more, thinking about that idea. "Let HIM adapt. Let HIM adjust to you. He has nothing to lose, Irulan." Irulan nodded slowly. "You said he is ready to do so."
She nodded again. Legolas would not like that idea. But he would oblige. If she insisted and remained decisive enough. Anne had a point - he was very dominant and enforcing. This was no surprise - for someone who was millennia old and had made the grandest decisions in the name of humanity, having the last word in everything was a rather normal expectation. No doubt that he was not used to bending to the will of others. Legolas had had relationships before, she knew that. But she was certain that in those, too, he had always been the decision-maker and overpowering. It was his nature and his habit. And most probably better for the other party, as well. But then...even if it would end in disaster, Irulan would rather be her own master than live in safety and be under the say of another. Just like it was in his character to be the master, it was AGAINST her character to be the servant.
She sighed. From the beginning of this trip she had drifted wherever he had pulled her. And sometimes those pulls had been rather rude and discomforting. Yes, in the end she had achieved something beautiful...something that excused all his former actions. But a small trip was nothing compared to a serious affair. Irulan could not let this become a habit for him.
"You are right," she exhaled and met Anne's eyes again.
The blonde woman merely nodded. "Let him come to New York. Live with him for a while. See how it works out. You can always make the decision to leave. But you cannot unmake it, Irulan."
"I guess I will have to continue enduring my boss, after all," she moaned, rolling her eyes. Anne laughed, rolling her eyes as well. "Oh man," groaned Irulan, "it will be hard to adapt to that after seeing all that I have seen."
"Speaking of which..." mused her friend, leaning in once more.
Irulan chuckled, crossing her legs. "Ah....where to start? Paris? Rome? Vienna?" Irulan inspected the sky with mock indecisiveness. "Skip it all. I should start with Baeron."
"Who?"
Irulan grinned to the open curiosity on Anne's visage. "The wolf who lurks in Versailles."
***
Legolas walked into the room and immediately felt the curiosity and the tenseness floating up to meet him. He wore a blank face, as did all the other present elves. Haldir, of course, had not told anyone and therefore the overpowering sentiment on the faces of the humans was amusement. Legolas realized that they were pleased, because they believed that she had lost. That she had fallen for his pretense. A sharp anger rose in him with that realization and simultaneously, a very grave shame. Anger because Irulan's failure gave them great satisfaction. Shame because HE himself had started this madness in the first place.
He slowly walked to his usual seat at the table as everyone jumped to their feet in recognition of his presence. Here, he was high member of the Council and a warrior that had fought for humanity for thousands of years. Here he was a god and his word meant everything. He slightly nodded in return and all members slowly took their places. Today, all were present - including those that had been absent on their first unofficial meeting.
Legolas allowed them a short time to take their seats as he remained standing and glanced each member in the eye before he spoke. "Honored members of the Circle...I welcome you all to my home. Thank you for answering my request and for being here today." All nodded gently. He sank into his chair then, his face a mask of nothing. "Our actual task will be tomorrow. But I trust that everyone here has been informed as to the reason for this particular meeting?"
"We have heard of your 'test', my Lord," said an elf with short, dark brown hair. He wore a black suit with a black tie and was a new addition to the group - due to some problems in his businesses in Japan he had not made it earlier than the day before. "But I must admit...some of us are worried of what has pushed you to such caution. Has the line of the King failed us before?"
"No," was the matter-of-fact reply.
The other hesitated only for a moment before he pressed on. "You are not a man of haste, Legolas. What has forced you to such a deed?"
Legolas waited for a moment as all attention was fixed on him. The silence in the room was incredible. "Perhaps I am not a man of haste. But lately I was too much a man of despair, Ednon," he said finally. If such a thing were possible, the silence in the room grew even deeper at that statement.
The human members squirmed in their seats with curiosity about the test. But elves, of course, had a far different view of things. Often, what humans found trivial, they found incredibly important. Therefore, more than the result of the test, their concern was about the REASON for it. "Please continue," Ednon said softly, his brown eyes unreadable.
Legolas gave himself another moment. A moment to shut off everyone else and open the chamber of his mind and his heart. When he spoke, his voice had expression - it was tired, bitter and sincere all at the same time: "They say we do not age," he began, his eyes fixed on the dark, glossy surface of the table. "What statement could be further from the truth?" He exhaled gently before he went on, "I have aged. More than any human ever could. The bitterness, loss of hope, tolerance and finally, the lack of reason for the continuance of my task in this world, knows no equal amongst mortals."
He looked up and the fire in his blue gaze was foreign to most who sat there that day. Only a handful had seen that part of Legolas and all that had, were elves - because only a handful remembered the Prince from the Old Days. The rest remained surprised and alarmed at his seemingly over-expressive state. "I had aged into someone else. A man who saw no future for humanity. For the world...and for himself," he concluded, almost with a whisper.
"Dear friend," echoed Maneth's beautiful voice, utterly gentle and kind, "why have you not shared your torment with us?"
Legolas offered him a small, almost amused smile. "What would you have done, Maneth?" His smile grew broader. "Would you have taken me on a trip?" The other elf's dark eyebrows rose slowly in surprise while the blonde man continued, "Perhaps you would have come and resided with me for a while, to offer me your company as a solution? What could you have given me, that I had not?" Maneth crossed his arms and, with an equally amused expression, leaned back in his chair, bowing his head to the Prince. His manner said 'You win, dear Legolas!' The Prince shook his head, grinning broader. It was unusual of him to grin like that and it caused another wave of uneasiness amongst the human members, who always failed to read the elven sentiments and expressions. "None of you, dear Maneth, has the cure for my disease. But Irulan does."
If not for his absolute control over his actions, he would certainly have laughed out loud at the open shock and confusion on the faces of Elizabeth and Irene. Michael, though, was almost as expressionless as an elf. Almost. "Please go on, my Lord," said Saelban then.
Legolas sighed and did not release his amusement altogether, though his expression also regained a graver edge. "I will only say that I had lost the world and the world had lost me. It does not take much effort to understand such a state. Only a handful of us have been blessed with its absence in a lifetime."
All elven members nodded once in understanding and a moment later the human members mimicked them - not so much in understanding but rather the willingness to pretend that they understood. "I know this now. I did not know my state as I stood before you the last time in this room." Legolas slightly leaned back then, giving the circle of men and women a long, apprehensive look. His right hand remained on the table as his pose spoke of both control and yet a relaxed state. "I am a lucky man, for Fate brought Irulan to me."
"Lord Legolas," Elizabeth broke in, intimidated at speaking up so, and yet too curious to hold back, "please tell us of your test."
Legolas offered her a small smile. "I have lost, of course," was the unnaturally smooth and matter-of-fact statement.
The commotion that followed was a true amusement to the elf. He crossed his arms and exchanged glances with an equally pleased Haldir, who was observing the mortals at the table with silent curiosity. "But...what does that mean?" mumbled Elizabeth, her confusion very evident on her face now.
Her voice was drowned out by Michael's: "Shall we assume that Irulan has showed resistance to your seduction?" His lips curled into a sly smile. "I find that hard to believe, my Lord."
The elf's expression changed from amused to dangerous so fast, the smile on Michael's face froze and all other members ceased their swift talking as well. "And I find it hard to believe that you are questioning MY honesty, Michael," Legolas said coldly, his eyes two pieces of ice.
"O-of course not," stammered the man, baffled by the change of the mood in the room. Everyone else remained dead silent, and Legolas continued to rip him apart with his gaze alone, so he continued, "I simply fail to imagine...ANY woman...to resist-"
"Try harder," cut in Legolas and Michael swallowed softly at the tone of his voice.
Everyone was too fixed on the Prince to see Haldir's small but fabulous smile at that. "Please explain a little further," the former Lothlorien ward intervened, to show mercy to a speechless Michael.
"She is worthy of her line," said Legolas, giving Michael one last glare, then gazing around the Circle, once again making eye contact with each and all. "Estel's blood is strong in her. I have immense respect for her wisdom and I shall show it by voting in favor, tomorrow."
The explosion of words, gasps and whispers after that was completely new to the Circle that was one of the most conservative groups one could imagine. Some froze to immobility, others exchanged heated whispers, still others blinked in confusion while a few grinned in victory. "Forgive me...Legolas," said Maneth finally, and most of the voices stilled when he spoke up, "but did I hear you right? You will vote in favor of Cate and Analoth's request?"
"I will indeed," was the very pleased and lazy reply.
"This is very unusual of you," was Saelban's comment, mild expression of wonder on his face.
"True," sighed the Prince, leaning on the table, "it will be my first vote in favor. But...certainly not my last."
Another turmoil broke out at that and this time Haldir could not help but chuckle, giving Legolas an almost mischievous look, to which the other replied with a sly smile. Several minutes later, when it became calmer in the room once more, another human member, Omar took the word, "Lord Legolas...it pleases me to see this change in you. I was hoping that some day you would come to understand our point of view."
Legolas nodded, giving the African native a long look. "Your hope has found fruit. I am a changed man."
The elves remained politely silent. None prodded for further details, knowing that the Prince had no obligation to tell them. He had engaged in a test and he had informed them about the outcome. Any other detail was none of the Council's business and they would never ask. Humans, on the other hand, had no such manners. "Your change is because of Irulan?" blurted Elizabeth. It was very much like her to say something like that and her rudeness was kindly overlooked by all Firstborns present.
"Indeed," said Legolas and waited a moment before he nudged the last mine on the field. "She is my heart's true match. I will take her as partner for life."
The room looked like any parliament in the world after that - not like the famous, cool, calm Circle. Everyone froze first to immobility, then exploded into words.
Legolas waited patiently, a fabulous smile on his lips. He glanced at Haldir, who sat back in his black armchair, a similar smile on his lips, his eyes gliding around the room. They waited on and on, watching with amusement the so-called composed Circle members expressing all aspects of surprise - some seemed dazed, their mouths agape, staring at him. Some seemed disturbed - almost protesting. Some looked oddly relieved and showed an almost childish surprise and grin on their visage. Several minutes passed before the chamber calmed down once more. Finally all became aware of their state and deeming it highly unbefitting, shut their mouths and forced their expressions into blankness.
Ednon was the first to speak: "Congratulations, my friend." The same comment was added by Maneth, Saelban, Haldir and all remaining elves at the table. Omar and Irene followed, as did other human members like Kezum, Sophia and Xue-Lien. Legolas met the eyes of each and bowed his head in reply. His expression was solemn and even a little daring.
He locked eyes with Michael then - the only man in the room who had not said a word. A moment passed between them. At last Michael smiled a broad smile that stank of insincerity. "Forgive me, my Lord. This news has come as a surprise to me," he said gently. "Congratulations, of course."
Legolas did not smile. He fixed the man with his steely gaze, and only much later nodded his approval. He tore his gaze away then and took another look around before he spoke again. "I will make this clear and short: I have not told Irulan of this test. Such a revelation would be unnecessary." He waited a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was downright threatening. "And I want to keep it that way." His eyes did one final round before they focused on Michael once more. "Any disagreements?"
Everyone spoke their agreement. So did Michael, smiling his irritating smile. Legolas nodded and rose from his seat. "I will see you all tonight at dinner as my guests. And tomorrow at the meeting, as my colleagues. After that, we shall part as friends."
All rose as he bowed slightly and proceeded to leave the room. After he left, another explosion came about and Haldir glided back into his seat, settling to watch the happenings with amusement and curiosity.
***
There was a knock on her door and Irulan walked up and opened it, expecting a servant. "Legolas," she smiled, stepping back to let him in and before she could complete the task of closing the door, she was pressed against it and being kissed senseless. It took her a moment to overcome the shock and kiss him back, embracing his shoulders. The fire of need that was emanating from him reflected her own and Irulan was amazed how much she had missed this. For minutes they remained in that state - victims to a hunger that refused to be satiated. He pulled her against himself with such force that the breath deserted her and Irulan was forced to turn away to regain it. The elf released her immediately in alarm. "Have I hurt you?"
Irulan swallowed and shook her head. "No," she managed to whisper finally and to her own surprise, embraced his neck, pulling him down for another kiss. Legolas obliged happily, but this time refrained from a strong embrace. Instead he gently grasped her waist, pressing her against him while his lips continued their task softer and with more care, but none less passionate.
"This was torture," he whispered finally, leaning his forehead on hers. Irulan chuckled despite herself and closed her eyes. She refrained from saying that it had been only a few hours - for she too felt like it had been far longer. Too long. "I told them."
She leaned a little back to give him a good look. "Was that wise?" she said slowly.
"It was either that or certain death," he groaned, planting another passionate kiss on her lips. "I had no intention of hiding it anyway," he sighed a moment later, cupping her face. "I had to…take care of some details first."
They did not speak for a while as he combed her hair off her face and she ran her fingers over his face. "How did Michael react?" she said slowly.
Legolas gave her a long look. "You must understand that your line has always been the reason for much envy and discomfort amongst the human members in the Council. It is only natural," he said finally.
Irulan took a deep breath, finding his hand and entwining her fingers with his. "My entire life has changed in such a short time. I am a little...dazed."
"Yes, I understand. I am, too," was his gentle reply.
She bit her lower lip and looked over his shoulder for a moment. "Legolas? Do you think…I mean..." She locked eyes with him and he gave her an encouraging smile. "Maybe I should return to New York." When his face gained a surprised expression, she hastily added, "Only for a short while! I mean...it's hard to cut myself off from my entire life just like that!"
He shifted slightly to place a hand over her shoulder and on the door behind her. Leaning on it, he looked down at her. "You mean to part from me, Irulan?" he said, his voice carrying both disbelief and the slightest tinge of alarm.
"No! We can go together."
His blue eyes remained fixed on her as she pursed her lips and stared back, anxious of his reply. And why exactly was that? She was not a woman to heed the opinion of others. Before Legolas, all her affairs had been the comic representation of a woman striding on her own path and the man trying to run along, eventually giving up on the struggle to do so. The woman, though, had never really cared too much about that. Now all of a sudden it was important what a man had to say. Something in her stirred with annoyance to that. Perhaps Anne was right after all...maybe she WAS becoming weak!
"Why the change of heart?" he said finally and his tone gave nothing away. She shrugged, a little edgy with her new discovery and looked over his shoulder. Legolas found her chin and turned her face to him. "Has something happened?"
"No," she said, almost defensively, "What could happen? It's only…I cannot find it in myself to change so fast. It'll help if it happens gradually."
He gave her a slow, thoughtful nod. "I understand."
"Good," she exhaled with relief. Never mind Anne! That woman was paranoid!
"But I do not agree," he added then and her mind went blank with surprise. "I thought you were not happy with your life?" he said a moment later, trying to understand her reasoning.
"Yes…but..." she stammered, caught off-guard by his irritating insistence. "Legolas, how on earth can I give up on EVERYTHING all at once?! My work…"
"…which you complained about," he cut in dryly.
Irulan continued, pretending not to hear his intervention: "…the people I know..."
"Whom you can visit any time you'd like."
"...my…my apartment!"
"In exchange for dozens of other homes," Legolas inserted smoothly, his gaze not wavering.
"New York!"
"For the entire world," was his amused reply.
"And Anne!"
"Ah..." he said then, a twinkle settling in his eyes, "...NOW I see."
"She is a reason too, of course," Irulan said matter-of-factly, annoyed at his discovery.
"Of course," was the response, his tone mimicking hers.
"Legolas, stop it! The point is, I want to remain in New York. Period!"
Irulan pushed up her chin and tried to look as determined as she could. She WAS determined. Only...a little uneasy. Especially since he was smiling down at her in that very unnerving fashion. "How interesting," he mused a moment later, "*I* thought you meant to roam the world."
She swallowed softly and looked away. "Well…I want that, too."
He nodded with mock thought, trying to hide his smile. "At the same time, too, Irulan?"
Irulan exhaled in frustration and tried to push him to move away. Legolas only rose his eyebrows and placed his other hand on the other side of her head, imprisoning her completely. "Look at me," he said when she insisted on staring at his shoulder. His face held determination when she locked eyes with him, but soon melted into a tired sympathy. His hand began the caress of her cheeks once more before Legolas continued, softer in tone, "Do you trust me, Irulan?"
"I do," she whispered. It was true.
Legolas nodded once in approval, his eyes never leaving hers. "Do you want to be with me?"
"Of course," was the soft exhale.
"Good," he said gently, placing a surprising kiss on her temple. "I cannot choose for you. Neither would I want to. I can only present you with options. You stand at your own crossroads alone."
"Legolas...why can't you come with me?" she said, suddenly afraid that she would lose him altogether.
"I will come anywhere you go," he said slowly, wiping her hair from her face in lazy strokes. "But I cannot change who I am."
"I don't want you to!" she said hastily, clasping his hand.
"Yes you do," was the tender response, accompanied by a smile. She stared back, determined to convince him of his mistake, but he continued, "I am not a man, Irulan. I never was. Never will be. Forever, I am Legolas the elf."
"But that's what I want!" she insisted.
"Is it really?" he said, cocking his head to give her a better look. A moment passed between them. "I am too old to be 'modern', Irulan. Too different to be a Man. I am nothing like you have encountered before. You say you want me, and yet you know nothing about me."
"But Legolas..." She did not know how to continue, therefore cast her gaze down, feeling suddenly a little stupid and ashamed. Anne had made sense. And so did Legolas! Maybe she should just place those two in a room and let THEM battle over her!
His hand remained in her grasp, gently squeezing hers as he continued, "Everything has a price. If I am to face all that comes with being with you, you too must agree to face all that makes me who I am." Another kiss landed on her temple as she sighed with frustration, finally leaning in to place her cheek on his shoulder. Legolas folded her in a gentle embrace. "You can not change, and yet remain the same."
Irulan said nothing. She realized that in her heart, she wanted to stay. And yet, she wanted to go. She loved Legolas. And yet, she loved her independence, too. She wondered if everyone felt like this before commitments of this nature, or if most people knew exactly what they wanted and how to get it. Why did everything have to be this black and white?! Whatever happened to the grey hues? She groaned in frustration at her own stupid indecisiveness and hid her face in his shirt. Her fury at her own state seemed to swell by the moment. She had been such a strong woman! In charge of her own life! Uncaring of other people's opinions! Confident in what and who she was! Knowing what she wanted! The Irulan who was standing in Legolas' arms now was far from that! This Irulan was weak and foolish. She was afraid to lose a man and afraid to gain him as well! She wanted everything and yet, none of it at the same time! A dark thought crawled up to her, then: Perhaps she had always been this fragile, shallow woman that she seemed to be now? Perhaps she had fooled herself all this time and she was NOTHING that an heir of Aragorn should be like! Maybe the real Irulan just waited to step out of that alluring shell at the right chance to do so!
"I hate being in love!" she groaned against his chest as he laughed, rubbing her back.
"Let us find a middle road," Legolas said then, gently.
"What is that?" she whispered, looking up at him.
"I'll come to New York and you'll do anything I want," he grinned. Irulan smirked at him with mock disbelief. "Or…you stay and I'll do anything you want."
She groaned and dug her face into his chest again. "Why do those options sound the same and to YOUR advantage, Legolas?" she mumbled.
"Fine. We'll go somewhere else and do anything we want."
She laughed and pushed him away with frustration. Only Legolas was better and pulled her along and she ended beneath him on the couch. Her protests were drowned out in an unrelenting kiss as he trapped her effectively and she softened under his playful insistence. Only after several minutes he decided to have mercy on her and pulled back a little. Irulan tried to breathe and remember what they were doing before that scorching kiss and it was a difficult task indeed. "What was the final decision?" she panted, looking up at his beautiful smile.
"We decided that you will obey me in every fashion," he said solemnly. She smacked his shoulder and he laughed, kissing her cheeks. Momentarily his gaze went to the door, then back to her. "You don't mind Anne seeing us like this, do you, my love?" he whispered playfully in her ear. Irulan stilled in panic at that, then broke into a hasty attempt to free herself. The elf just chuckled with delight and kept her trapped underneath him.
"Legolas!" she hissed, not knowing why the hell she was being so alarmed. After all, Anne knew about this affair. But then…she had never seen Irulan trapped underneath one of her lovers and was sure to talk about it FOREVER if she spotted it. "I mind! Get off me!" she whispered in urgency.
He gazed at the door again, very unaffected by her struggles. "Will you stay with me tonight?" he said after their eyes locked once more.
"What?"
"Come to me tonight and I shall get off before she comes in."
Irulan gave him an agape look, then threw a hasty glance at the door. "Get off, I say!" she hissed again.
"Promise and I will."
"I promise! I promise!"
He slowly got up, an excellent grin on his face as he held out his hand. Irulan grasped it swiftly, pulling herself up and feeling overly foolish as she hastily threw back her hair and smoothed her garments with her hands. She gave his calm and amused expression a furious glance, then cleared her throat and looked at the door. A moment passed. Then another. Wondering what had happened, she looked back at him with confusion and he just grinned broader. "What happened?" she whispered in urgency.
He shrugged with all innocence as he clasped his hands behind his back. Irulan bit her lower lip, giving the door another long look and to her surprise, the elf began a leisure walk towards it. He opened it then, utterly calm and Irulan tensed, expecting a curious Anne to look over his shoulder.
Only there was nobody there. Their eyes met again when he turned to give her a fabulous smile. "I will see you at dinner. And later tonight of course."
Irulan pursed her lips in discomfort – damn the man! Now Anne had, no doubt, heard that! "Where is Anne?" she whispered, trying to see beyond him.
"I don't know," he said, giving her a confused look.
Irulan stared back at him. "You said she was coming!" was her final, stupid statement.
"I said no such thing," was his blank response.
Her mouth dropped open as she took an unconscious step towards him. A flicker of the amusement he was trying to hide so dearly passed over his features, but disappeared swiftly. "Yes you did!" she protested, rather audible this time.
"I did not, Irulan," he replied gently, as if talking to a little child. "I merely asked if you would mind her spotting us." He added another shrug, watching her features quickly resolve into shock.
"Legolas...but you..."
Try as he might, he simply could not help to grin with victory at her baffled, dazed, shocked state. "I kept my word and got off you before she came in, did I not?" was his lofty comment. "Then you must keep yours and come to me tonight!"
"You...you...Greenleaf! You immature, impossible..."
He smiled a majestic smile, then shut the door behind him, leaving a stomping Irulan and her string of adjectives behind.
***
"I must admit...I never saw THAT coming!" she said, approaching his back. Michael did not answer. His eyes were fixed on the group of elves and women standing on the dark terrace, speaking and laughing in soft voices. His eyes found Irulan immediately - she stood slightly with her back turned to him, her long hair loose and hanging over her black shirt. Her arms were crossed on her chest and she was leaning on Legolas, whose right arm was caressing her back in slow, wide circles. They both seemed to be talking to Maneth.
He sighed as his fingers continued their tapping on the coffee mug in his hand. "Neither did I," he murmured at last, still not turning away from the view. He glanced at the other end of the group where Irene stood. 'Stupid woman!' flew through his head before he could help it. "And that was a grave mistake on our behalf, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth looked up to him, deep confusion on her face. "Mistake?"
Michael took a slow sip from his coffee and watched the scene for some more time before he answered: "Don't tell me that you don't see what this means!" he drawled.
The woman turned to glance at the view outside, then back at him. "It means that Lord Legolas has no taste in women," she said dryly. When Michael gave her one of those extremely frosty looks she sighed and continued, "All right. It also means that we have underestimated Irulan. I admit it!"
"Elizabeth...sometimes I question the validity of our tests. How on earth did you end up in the Circle?"
She slowly turned around and looked him up and down with narrowed eyes that spoke of obvious threat. To her surprise, Michael only grinned a feral grin and nodded as if saying 'Finally! That's the spirit!' Another sip from the coffee before he continued. "This," he said, motioning to the gathering outside, "is very, very dangerous for us."
"Why?" was the timid question.
A moment passed as they heard another wave of laughter reach them. Haldir's voice stood out and chimed through the warm autumn night. "She will take her place in the Circle."
Elizabeth stilled for a moment in surprise as the expected reaction of discomfort washed over her. She forced it down. Almost all human members of the Council felt discomfort any time an heir of Aragorn was mentioned. She was no exception. "It's what we wanted," she said then, shrugging with disinterest. "It is her duty anyway."
His green eyes bored into her then and she felt very uneasy at his attitude that spoke of barely suppressed fury. "Take a look at that scene," he hissed, "and tell me what you see!"
"I....well I see..."
"I see a woman who dominates the strongest member of the Circle!" he continued, disregarding her lack of speech. "A man who dominates all others!"
At last it dawned on her and her beautiful eyes widened with understanding. Elizabeth even grew a shade paler. She turned around and gave Irulan a long look, who was now smiling at something that Haldir was saying. Elizabeth's eyes drifted off to Legolas, whose profile showed deep contentment and peace as his arm continued his caress of her back. "She does not dominate Legolas," she whispered unconsciously, heavy disbelief in her voice. But it was obvious that she did not believe her own statement, so Michael didn't bother to argue about it.
"Who do you think Irulan will try to eliminate first, my dear Elizabeth?" he replied instead, deep amusement in his tone.
Elizabeth gulped audibly and did not tear her eyes away. "We are members of this Council! We have been through hell to gain this place! She CANNOT eliminate us at her whim," she seethed finally, locking eyes with him again.
Michael, though, looked very unaffected. He leisurely took another mouthful of coffee and lingered a little before he spoke in a lofty voice, "Don't you ever read history? Perhaps SHE can't. But the elven members always have a say over us and they will follow Legolas in every decision. And Legolas, my dear, will follow her."
A very long moment passed in silence, as woman and man stood contemplating the meaning of it all, deep fear and fury pulsing from them. "What will we do?" whispered Elizabeth finally, turning away from the terrace scene in annoyance.
Michael sighed deeply. "The bond between them is dangerous for us. We must break it."
The woman gave him along, apprehensive look. "How can we break a bond like that?" she said with irritation.
"Well...Lord Legolas has not told her about the wager – so he said. And… he was very direct in his demands about nobody revealing it…" He looked down at her and Elizabeth nodded in a manner that said 'of course' and waited on. "And...I think Irulan would act rather…interesting if she ever found out. What is your opinion?"
Her mouth fell open. It took her several moments to reply. "We can't reveal that!" she hissed with urgency and alarm. "Lord Legolas will finish us off!"
"Weren't you listening?! He will finish us off anyway!" he said then and for the first time his anger and alarm was betrayed in his voice. Even Elizabeth swallowed hard coming face to face with it and remained glued to his eyes, waiting. "If I am to be thrown off a cliff, at least I will take her with me!" was the whisper of a reply.
He sharply turned away then, looking back outside and the woman trembled slightly, joining his observation. Irulan was speaking to Legolas now and the elf stood, his head slightly inclined towards her, his looks fixed on the floor and a fabulous smile on his lips. Yes...they looked dangerous. Very much so.
***
