One Summer in Rivendell
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. The theme is based on Much ado About Nothing which was written by Shakespeare not me!
Summery- Legolas and the King return from war with the intentions of having a peaceful summer, things do not go to plan. Chaos, romance, trickery and misunderstanding ensue.
Cerridwen: Thank you very much for reviewing
Jashi: Yay a fellow Shakespeare fan! I swear I could write these crossover fics forever! About the Grammar *blushes in shame* I re-read my chappies and it was disgraceful! *Slaps own hand* I will keep a closer eye on it from now on. Thank you for reviewing :)
Gionareth: Thank you for still finding this interesting, this chap covers the Ball as requested!
Goth girl: You try and hide from me with all these different names but I know who you are!
Kit Cloudkicker: Oh Deary, they are going to get a lot worse! I read Sworn brothers by the way, it's fab! Update soon? Please?
Chapter 3
Twilight had settled over the beautiful gardens of Rivendell. Small 0rbs containing light adorned the many trees, giving the garden a warm glow as night descended.
Hero glanced at the masked being by her side. "Do I not know you?" She asked.
The man shook his head. "Not well enough it would seem." He replied.
"Indeed. I would know that voice anywhere....Aragorn...." She said slowly. "Why are you here speaking to me when we all know the Lady you wish to speak to is now lurking by the exit and waiting for the first opportunity to escape?"
"Excuse me, I have no idea of what you are speaking of." Aragorn denied. "I am here to woo but I do not wish to tempt the party pooper you so speak of." He cleared his throat. "Neither am I the King." He added hastily.
"You are Aragorn!" Hero cried. "Do not lie to me, I know you of old. What is my dear friend up to?" She said lifting the side of his mask up. "Not Aragorn indeed! Well I must say you bear a good resemblance!" She laughed. Aragorn removed his mask and sighed. Hero kissed his cheek before saying. "I cannot believe you attempted to deceive me!"
The King shrugged, he was unable to keep his eyes from the Evenstar. Hero giggled. "Speak to her." She said.
"What would I say?" He said listlessly. "The Lady would not hear a word of it." Hero rested her head on his arm. It was a comforting gesture, but one that could easily be misread.
"She is so cold. She would sooner bite her arm off than speak to me in a friendly manner."
Hero sat up again. "It does seem that she is the ice queen of Middle Earth." She confirmed, Aragorn nodded sadly. "But." Hero continued. "She has so much love in her heart." Aragorn looked at Hero, wishing he could see this love she so spoke of. "She does!" Hero exclaimed. "You just have to break through the many layers of ice that hide it."
Aragorn laughed bitterly. "I have seen war, I have fought some of the most evil creatures on this Earth and the person I fear most is her." He said solemnly. "It is true I wish her to be the Queen of Gondor.... but.... Oh Hero! Why couldn't she just be you?" He said kissing her cheek. "Why couldn't she be sweet and kind.... and perceptive..." He said giving her a knowing glance. "Would you not love to be the Queen f Gondor?" He asked, and just for that moment he really meant it, Hero was gentle and kind, all the things he would love in a wife. It was the sound of said elf's sweet laugh that drew him forth from his reverie.
"Do not be a fool. I do not love you anymore than as a dear friend and as a brother." She said, taking his hand. " And you love another." She reminded him. Aragorn smiled.
"Shall we dance?" Hero said. Aragorn was about to accept when he remembered his true purpose for speaking to Hero in the first place.
"Hero." He began. "What is your opinion of Prince Legolas? He asked.
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Arwen stood in the entrance way to the great hall, glancing at the extra-ordinary celebrations taking place in front of her. Her father was not in sight. Hero was to busy talking to who she could only presume to be Legolas and her brothers were no doubt off creating some kind of mischief. It was the perfect time to escape. She had not wanted to attend this wretched ball in any case. A ball to honour the king? With her opinions of said human, she had no right to be there at all. It was hypocrisy, she was not celebrating his return at all. She loathed him.
She turned and made to leave when the sound of a throat being cleared alerted her to the fact that she had company. "Pray tell me where do you think you are going? The party has yet but started." She turned, trying to hide her distaste at being caught. In front of her stood a masked elf, or man she was not sure.
"What does it matter to you if I leave or not?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips. "There are plenty of other fair maidens here that may take your fancy."
Legolas gulped beneath his mask and suddenly realised he may have made a mistake. If he could not woo for himself then how would he ever woo for the King? Especially as the object of the King's desire's was being most uncooperative! He had to think fast. "Therearenonehereasbeautifulasyou." He said and cleared his throat hurriedly.
"I beg your pardon?" Arwen asked. For want of somewhere else to look, she glanced at Hero speaking to the assumed Legolas and then at the person in front of her. He was dressed in identical attire. It had to be the King, however, she had never known the King to be so bumbling and nervous.
"Please Lady Arwen, would you take a seat with me?" He asked holding out his hand. She stared at it whilst contemplating what she should do. How would the King behave towards her in his presumed anonymity? She took his hand, which was much softer than she had expected. She rolled her eyes and thought 'Valiant soldier indeed! He has the hands of one who has never done a days hard work in his life!'
They took a seat in front of a beautiful fountain. Every now and then the gentle breeze threw a little spay at them. It was quite refreshing for her as for some reason she found herself blushing profusely. Legolas cleared his throat again. "Tell me Arwen. What do you think of the King?"
Arwen smiled. This was the perfect opportunity to say whatever she wanted, as the King would not be able to retort and blow his cover. "I think him rather ridiculous." She replied matter-of-factly. She saw her masked companion flinch a little before regaining his composure.
"Th-that's a little harsh do you not think?" He said. "The King thinks very highly of you." He added.
"Does he?" Arwen asked. "Well then he wastes his affection, for I cannot stand him." She noted a thin strand of silver hair protruding from beneath her companion's cloak. She was speaking to the Prince? If so, who now spoke to her sister? She smirked. "Indeed I find the Prince of Mirkwood far more alluring." She said, in the most seductive tone she could muster.
Legolas coughed and spluttered. "Really?" He asked. "The King is far more brave...a-a-and handsome than the Prince!"
"No. That is not so! Not at all!"" Arwen replied, trying hard to overcome the giggles that threatened her.
"I - I have to go!" Legolas said standing abruptly. "There is a matter of much import that I seemed to have forgotten. Good Evening." Arwen collapsed into the fits of laughter she had thought so hard to prevent.
"Thinks highly of me indeed!" She said.
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He watched as the Prince ran through the door to the great hall and hit himself on the head. "I am a fool. An unbelievably stupid idiot." He muttered to himself. Elladan was inclined to agree with him but instead of voicing this opinion he said. "I am sure whatever it is it can not be that bad." The Prince started, not expecting to find the dark-haired there.
"Sorry I did not see you there, why are you not at the ball?" He said, throwing his mask on a bench next to him. "You are Elrond's son is that not so?" Legolas said holding out his hand.
Elladan shook it, whilst nodding. "I am Elladan." He informed him. "And such occasions of merriment are not for me. My purpose for being here is as the bearer of bad news." Legolas paled slightly. Had Aragorn found out about his feeble attempt to woo the Evenstar in his place?
"I thought only for the best!" He said defensively, "Is the King terribly mad?"
"I know not of what you speak son of Thranduil," Elladan said in an irritated manner. "Mine is some other purpose." Legolas calmed a little and then thought better of it. What could possibly be worse? He returned his gaze to Elladan.
"I noted earlier that you were a little taken with my youngest sister?" The dark haired elf began.
Legolas nodded. "Indeed who would not be? She is beautiful." He said. "Inside and out." He added, not wanting his (hopefully) future brother in law to think him shallow.
"I am here to tell you that the King has been wooing her for the past hour." Elladan said smugly.
"I know, he does so in my place." Legolas said blushing, although it appeared that Elladan did not want any further explanation as to why.
"It did not sound that way. Forgive me for saying so but the King definitely sounded as if he woos for himself and intends to ask Elrond for Hero's hand in marriage." Elladan explained. Upon seeing Legolas's doubt he added. "If you do not believe me then ask my brother for he saw it too. He told her he loves her and he wishes her to be queen of Gondor. Why would he say that if he intended to woo her for you?"
Legolas sat down on the bed, it felt as if all the air in his lungs had disappeared at once.
"One who he loves as a sister?" He said echoing the King's words upon his meeting with fair Hero. "I was a fool to believe it." He added bitterly. "The King speaks words so sweet to my love?" He asked Elladan.
"It seems to be so." The elf replied.
"Then it seems my presence here is no longer required. I leave for my home immediately." Legolas said numbly. Elladan nodded.
"I understand." He said. "You must be so terribly angry." He put a reassuring hand on Legolas's shoulder before adding. "Would you like me to help you pack?"
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Hero stood and embraced the man she regarded as her brother although he was a King and not elven. "You have brought me much happiness. I never thought it possible he would fall for me when Arwen exceeds me greatly in beauty and all other things that men desire."
"It is not so." Aragorn began. "You are light, whereas she is dark. You are kind whereas she not. She is as cold as the deep sea." He added, but even as he said the words his heart died a little, they were true. How could he love one that hated him so? One that was so cold to him? Hero was about to protest when Aragorn placed his finger on her lips and said. "But let us not speak of her again. Instead, let us find your father and ask him if Legolas may have your hand in marriage."
Hero smiled broadly so caught up in her own happiness she did not note the sadness in the King's voice when he spoke of her sister.
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Aragorn sighed. At least his friend would find happiness and love this summer. He himself had been dealt the most terrible fate. He would never be loved by the one he adored. Many times he had wondered why he thought so highly of her, she had given him little reason to do so. On many occasions he had found it difficult to get a word in before she pounded him with insults! He had learned many years ago that if you could not beat them you should join them. Now he offered as much contempt in the Lady's direction as she gave him and did not take offence when she spoke to him the way she did. Well at least not on the surface. His heart took a fair beating.
He opened the door to his shared quarters and was shocked to see Legolas sitting on the edge of his bed with his head down looking very melancholy indeed. Bags were packed around him "Why Legolas whatever is wrong?" He said. "Why are you leaving?"
"Do you need to ask? I would think it fairly obvious." The Prince retorted, not meeting his gaze.
Aragorn shook his head. "Whatever it is I am sure we can fix it later but I need you to come with me now." He said.
"Where?" Came Legolas's short reply.
"Legolas?"
"Because I have no will to go with you?" Legolas added. "The only place I wish to be is Mirkwood. My father was right to mistrust the race of men!" He spat, standing furiously.
"Are you ill that you speak so wrongly of my kind?" Aragorn asked. It was concern etched in his voice and not anger. Legolas now stood less than a foot away from the King, his face a mask of disgust and hurt.
"Not ill as such. Deceived." He said coldly. "For I believed a friend was doing me a favour but he sought only for his own happiness and gave little regard for mine." He glared expectantly at Aragorn who shifted uncomfortably.
"Legolas you speak in riddles." He said.
"Then let me tell you a tale..." Legolas said with mounting fury in his voice. "In times of war to beings of different race became friends. Between them there grew a great bond of trust. At the end of this Great War one of them offered to woo a beautiful lady for the other." He met Aragorn's eyes with a blue flash of fire. "Woo this friend did, but for himself not his dear friend."
"I assure you that whatever misgivings you have heard are untrue." Aragorn explained, in truth he thought the whole situation ridiculous. Legolas frowned.
"Still you lie?" He cried. "You did not woo Hero as yourself and tell her that you wish her to be the Queen of Gondor?"
"What? No I did not!." Aragorn replied. " Well I did, but I did not mean it that way."
Legolas laughed bitterly. "What other possible way could you mean it?" He cried. "Aragorn, if you loved her then you should have told me. I would not have allowed these feelings I have for her to grow and now, would not feel so entirely wretched."
Aragorn shook his head. "How could you believe I would do such a thing? Legolas, we have survived a war through trusting each other. Do you truly believe I would deceive you in such a way?" The King beseeched. "Well in any case, it does not matter what you have heard." He added forlornly. "The Lady Hero awaits in the Great Hall to speak to you with her father."
Legolas opened his mouth and closed it again. "But Elladan said...." Aragorn sighed, he wondered why the son of Elrond had been lurking around in such an ominous manner.
"He was wrong, he overheard but part of a conversation he should not have been listening
to in the first place." He explained. "Go now and speak to Hero for I believe she has words you desire to hear."
"Aragorn I am sorry." Legolas said earnestly. "I should have believed you over one I have known merely a day."
"It is of no import Legolas." He replied.
"No it is." Legolas disagreed. "I should have believed you. Do you accept my feeble attempt of an apology?"
"Of course I do." Aragorn replied. "It is nothing really."
"Thank you." Legolas replied. "For everything." He added. Aragorn nodded silently and watched his friend exit the room.
