The cool breeze off the water made me feel much more like we were at home. Lakil, I called him Astald now, was making camp. He was beautiful, the light blonde hair in his face, and his blue eyes always watchful. I suppose living in Mirkwood would make someone like that.
"I'm going out to find us some game", he said, picking up his bow and quiver.
"I'll get some water for boiling", I said.
He laughed, "You always did that!"
I
smiled. "It's the only thing you let me in your assistance", I said jokingly.
"That's not true. You also taste
foods me", he said.
"I don't cook anything", I said, and went over and kissed his cheek, "Now, go and be safe", I said softly.
"I'll come back as soon as I'm done", he said and hurried off into the woods.
I was shocked myself, I don't know why I kissed him on the cheek, just probably out of friendship, and hope for him to return. Did I love Astald? Did he love me? He had watched out for me on zillions of separate occasions, and he always knew what I was thinking, or feeling.
I got the water for boiling and made sure it wouldn't tip over.
Astald returned with a few quails. He came back, and sat down and began plucking them.
"That's woman's work, Astald. I'll do it", I said.
"I do this all the time. I know how to do it faster than some women", he said and took two handfuls of quail feathers at once.
Shortly after he was cooking it in a pot.
"I feel so helpless. You're doing all the work", I said.
"Helinwen, you're supposed to be having fun, just calm down", I said.
I smiled at him and sat down next to the water's edge.
He came around to my side.
"Can I ask you what the kiss was for?" he asked me.
"I don't know myself, so don't ask", I said to him.
He kissed me on the lips.
"I've only kissed one girl in my entire life, can you believe that?" he asked me softly.
"Yes. You're too loyal to just kiss a bunch of girls", I said softer than him.
"Now, the question, is how many boys have you kissed?" he asked me.
"Two, you and my first kiss", I said.
"Do you love me?" he asked me.
I got up. "Do you love me?"
"More than anything", he said.
I sat back down, "Do you mean it?"
He kissed me on the lips, except this time it was longer and varied in strength.
I was breathless when he broke off.
"Do you think I mean it?"
I wanted to run, but I was still in shock by his amazing kiss.
"Yes. I think you mean it more than you can say", I said breathlessly.
He smiled. "Promise me before we take the ship to the Valinor, you will marry me", he said.
"I promise", I said my eyes still closed.
"Melisse, you can open your eyes", he said.
"Is this is a dream, or is it real?" I asked him after I had opened my eyes.
"It is real. Just as real as the love that I love you", he said.
"Amin mela lle", I said.
"Amin mela lle", he said.
When I had left, I had left with one of my best friends I had ever had. He had made me feel like a woman was supposed to feel, loved, honored, respected. When I went to sleep that night, he and I were in love. We had not made love yet, he had promised me a virginity oath until our wedding night.
~*
~*
~*
I awoke the next morning, the sun shining and the sounds of the river and the woods combined were very soothing.
"Helinwen?" Astald asked me.
"Yes?" I said, sitting up, and running my hands through my hair.
"Oh. I thought you were waking. I wanted to tell you that we should be on our way to the realm of Lorien. I have a sister who lives there", he said.
Obviously not mentioning family history was no big deal.
"Does she know you are coming?" I asked him as I rolled up my sleeping bag and attached it to my horse's saddle.
He shook his head no.
I smiled at him, "Only you. It will be alright", I said.
We heard the sound of horses in the background and only hoped it wasn't the guard after us. It was the elf prince, and a few of the council members.
"Vedui' heuramin", Astald said.
"Vedui' mellonamin. Manke naa lye autien (Where are you going)?" he asked him.
"I'Valinor", Astald responded despondently.
"Oh. Quel marth, mellonaminie (Oh. Good luck friends) ", he said.
"Diola lle. Manke naa lye autien?" Astald asked him.
"Imladris. There is talk of a powerful ring", he said.
"Amin naa Astald", Astald said, and bowed.
"Amin naa Legolas. Of course, you know that. I suppose I should be bowing to you. You said your name was Astald?" he said.
"Yes. My name is Astald", he said, going to his horse.
"I don't suppose you fought the battle against Sauron. My father has a mighty reward for the man who fought in that battle", he said dismounting.
"What sort of reward?" Astald asked him.
"Second in line for the throne", he said.
"Legolas, go to your father, tell him that the mighty Astald has returned to Mirkwood", he said.
"I must go to Imladris", he said.
"I am the Astald you speak of", he said deeply.
Legolas nodded, and turned his horse and went at full gallop into the woods of Mirkwood.
"You promised you take me everywhere!" I cried.
"If I take up my spot in the Mirkwood line, we can stay anywhere. And we can marry in Mirkwood", he said.
I could do nothing but nod.
Astald mounted his horse and rode after Legolas, in full gallop.
"Not to worry, miss. A man of those words, will keep his promises", a councilman said.
I wish I could have agreed.
