A/N: Not Mine. Dedicated to my girls at fanforum.
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Common Ground
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Legolas was sitting alone in the quiet study of Lord Elrond in Imladris. The library was full of histories of Middle-Earth; tales full of great sorrow and of great joy, and of great evil and great honour.
Legolas had selected from the many books a few that sparked his interest, and a couple about his home of Mirkwood, once called Greenwood the Great. Being in Imladris was bittersweet for the elven prince. The shadow that lay south of his home posed ever a threat to his people, and he felt the need to return to the land of his father.
But his reason for being in Imladris was also of great importance. The success of the quest would surpass any deed ever performed by any who now walked the earth. It would ensure the life of all the free peoples and those yet to come. In a sense, his being a part of the Fellowship, Legolas was still protecting his people-from a darker shadow and an uncertain future.
"Good Afternoon Legolas," a voice called from behind him. Arwen Undomiel stood clothed in green, and seeking the company of the prince.
"My lady, Undomiel," Legolas greeted her as she took a seat next to him.
"You were missed at the morning meal," Arwen told him.
"In truth, I had no intention of being missed," Legolas replied. "But your father's library is full and complete and kept my interest all morning."
Arwen watched him flip a page of the book on his lap and stare intensely at its content. Glancing at the book itself, she saw an illustration of a forest and knew he was reading about Mirkwood as it once was.
"Legolas," she said while touching his arm, "tell me about your home."
"What is there to tell that cannot be found in these texts?" he said softly. Legolas shut the book. He looked at Arwen for a moment as she waited for him to continue.
"Once, it was beautiful. Trees would grow there and live for many long years. They would hold in the light of day so that one would wonder if there was night or shadows. There was a comforting silence of the wood, the sound of life running its natural and pleasant course. And there was laughter and song from my people. There was innocence and safety. Once, it was worthy of to be called Greenwood the Great. But that is no longer the case, and those fond days of old are but a distant memory."
Arwen said nothing but thought about the necklace Legolas had given her. She had placed it in silken cloth and tucked it away, to be treasured and loved in memory. Guilt hit Arwen then, so great a gift should be showcased and admired, and yet the thought of wearing it so openly brought shadows of another type of guilt.
"It grieves you to be here," she said at last.
"I am grieved that these days have come to pass and that we should bear witness to them."
"And it may still be that we should bear witness to a great things," Arwen said as she reached for his hand and held it between her own. "We cannot change what has become, but there is still hope for the future."
"Yes, there is hope. But not for me or you. Not even for our people. There is hope only for men."
------
Arwen Undomiel spent the rest of the day in the company of Legolas of Mirkwood. Time lost all meaning as they talked, not always of evil and sad times, but of the joy they but lived to experience in their lifetimes.
Legolas found Arwen's presence not only alluring, but intoxicating. He had never experienced anything quite like it in all his long years. Wisdom sat on her brow and she shared her insights and knowledge willingly but did not pass judgment. Her patience and grace radiated from her and affected everything around her, coloring the world just a little bit brighter. He enjoyed watching her reactions to his comments and listening to her laughter when she found something amusing. Legolas was quick to think of her as a friend, for her company was unlike any others.
At first, Arwen found Legolas a bit reserved and hesitant to so openly share his thoughts and feelings. He said little and spoke in few words, but when he did she was astounded by the things that came from his mouth. Things would tumble out from his mouth that she had never considered before. Legolas had worn a serious expression, but as time wore on his features softened and there was a humorous tone in his voice. Arwen could see a passion behind his eyes. She could see a great love for his people, for his home, for his father and for Middle-earth. He was intense, yet very gentle in voicing his opinions and considerations.
Legolas was also very gentle when he would touch her arm or squeeze her hand. It made Arwen wonder if perhaps he had a great love for some elf- maiden in Mirkwood.
------
After the evening meal, Legolas again found Arwen in the hall of fire and escorted her to the garden of Elrond. There they gazed up at the stars and took in the night as it descended upon them.
"I am glad you are here, Legolas," Arwen said as they sat next to each other.
"I am honoured to be here. Though, I wish we could have met and become friends under different circumstances."
"As do I, though I suspect you were quite the handful as an elf-ling," Arwen mused. There was a moment's pause before she asked, "Do you really remember our meeting all those years ago?"
"Yes, I am not trying to fool you," Legolas replied. "I remember your brothers and your mother. I remember thinking that was she beautiful and her voice was soothing to hear. I remember you being just the tiniest elf- ling, just as striking as your mother, though in a different sense."
"My mother was a great lady," Arwen said softly as she stared at the ground, unseeing.
"Where is she now?" Legolas tentatively asked.
"Valinor," Arwen sighed as she stood up from her seat, "she was attacked by orcs. Ada healed her, but some things are just too deep. She couldn't stay here any longer so she passed over the sea. Imladris has never been the same since that day. Ada misses her dearly and I wonder at why he was not joined her. My heart greatly wishes to see her again, to be reunited, though doubts linger in my mind. It could be that I shall never see her again."
Legolas saw pools of tears gathering upon Arwen's lashes. She was biting her lip to keep her chin from quivering and was grasping her hands so tight that her knuckles were white. Legolas stood, went to her and took her hands in his and Arwen looked at him, as if remembering that he was there.
"Arwen, do not give in to such thoughts! They have no place with you, where so strong a hope remains," Legolas said kindly as he reached to brush fallen tears from her cheeks and then rested his forehead against hers.
"I do not think you should fear or worry about seeing your Nana again. It is not for you to be so separated from those you love, and whom love you."
------
Long they stood close together, two as one against the darkness of night. Silently they took comfort in each other's company, until it was Legolas that thought it was time to retire. Together they walked, hand in hand, as he escorted Arwen back to her room.
"I find in you kindred spirit, Legolas," Arwen said as she gazed into blue orbs. She had a moment of bravery and she reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, mellonamin. Tenna' tul're."
"Quel kaima, Undomiel."
------
Mellonamin- My friend. Tenna' tul're- Until Tomorrow. Quel kaima- Sleep Well.
------
Common Ground
------
Legolas was sitting alone in the quiet study of Lord Elrond in Imladris. The library was full of histories of Middle-Earth; tales full of great sorrow and of great joy, and of great evil and great honour.
Legolas had selected from the many books a few that sparked his interest, and a couple about his home of Mirkwood, once called Greenwood the Great. Being in Imladris was bittersweet for the elven prince. The shadow that lay south of his home posed ever a threat to his people, and he felt the need to return to the land of his father.
But his reason for being in Imladris was also of great importance. The success of the quest would surpass any deed ever performed by any who now walked the earth. It would ensure the life of all the free peoples and those yet to come. In a sense, his being a part of the Fellowship, Legolas was still protecting his people-from a darker shadow and an uncertain future.
"Good Afternoon Legolas," a voice called from behind him. Arwen Undomiel stood clothed in green, and seeking the company of the prince.
"My lady, Undomiel," Legolas greeted her as she took a seat next to him.
"You were missed at the morning meal," Arwen told him.
"In truth, I had no intention of being missed," Legolas replied. "But your father's library is full and complete and kept my interest all morning."
Arwen watched him flip a page of the book on his lap and stare intensely at its content. Glancing at the book itself, she saw an illustration of a forest and knew he was reading about Mirkwood as it once was.
"Legolas," she said while touching his arm, "tell me about your home."
"What is there to tell that cannot be found in these texts?" he said softly. Legolas shut the book. He looked at Arwen for a moment as she waited for him to continue.
"Once, it was beautiful. Trees would grow there and live for many long years. They would hold in the light of day so that one would wonder if there was night or shadows. There was a comforting silence of the wood, the sound of life running its natural and pleasant course. And there was laughter and song from my people. There was innocence and safety. Once, it was worthy of to be called Greenwood the Great. But that is no longer the case, and those fond days of old are but a distant memory."
Arwen said nothing but thought about the necklace Legolas had given her. She had placed it in silken cloth and tucked it away, to be treasured and loved in memory. Guilt hit Arwen then, so great a gift should be showcased and admired, and yet the thought of wearing it so openly brought shadows of another type of guilt.
"It grieves you to be here," she said at last.
"I am grieved that these days have come to pass and that we should bear witness to them."
"And it may still be that we should bear witness to a great things," Arwen said as she reached for his hand and held it between her own. "We cannot change what has become, but there is still hope for the future."
"Yes, there is hope. But not for me or you. Not even for our people. There is hope only for men."
------
Arwen Undomiel spent the rest of the day in the company of Legolas of Mirkwood. Time lost all meaning as they talked, not always of evil and sad times, but of the joy they but lived to experience in their lifetimes.
Legolas found Arwen's presence not only alluring, but intoxicating. He had never experienced anything quite like it in all his long years. Wisdom sat on her brow and she shared her insights and knowledge willingly but did not pass judgment. Her patience and grace radiated from her and affected everything around her, coloring the world just a little bit brighter. He enjoyed watching her reactions to his comments and listening to her laughter when she found something amusing. Legolas was quick to think of her as a friend, for her company was unlike any others.
At first, Arwen found Legolas a bit reserved and hesitant to so openly share his thoughts and feelings. He said little and spoke in few words, but when he did she was astounded by the things that came from his mouth. Things would tumble out from his mouth that she had never considered before. Legolas had worn a serious expression, but as time wore on his features softened and there was a humorous tone in his voice. Arwen could see a passion behind his eyes. She could see a great love for his people, for his home, for his father and for Middle-earth. He was intense, yet very gentle in voicing his opinions and considerations.
Legolas was also very gentle when he would touch her arm or squeeze her hand. It made Arwen wonder if perhaps he had a great love for some elf- maiden in Mirkwood.
------
After the evening meal, Legolas again found Arwen in the hall of fire and escorted her to the garden of Elrond. There they gazed up at the stars and took in the night as it descended upon them.
"I am glad you are here, Legolas," Arwen said as they sat next to each other.
"I am honoured to be here. Though, I wish we could have met and become friends under different circumstances."
"As do I, though I suspect you were quite the handful as an elf-ling," Arwen mused. There was a moment's pause before she asked, "Do you really remember our meeting all those years ago?"
"Yes, I am not trying to fool you," Legolas replied. "I remember your brothers and your mother. I remember thinking that was she beautiful and her voice was soothing to hear. I remember you being just the tiniest elf- ling, just as striking as your mother, though in a different sense."
"My mother was a great lady," Arwen said softly as she stared at the ground, unseeing.
"Where is she now?" Legolas tentatively asked.
"Valinor," Arwen sighed as she stood up from her seat, "she was attacked by orcs. Ada healed her, but some things are just too deep. She couldn't stay here any longer so she passed over the sea. Imladris has never been the same since that day. Ada misses her dearly and I wonder at why he was not joined her. My heart greatly wishes to see her again, to be reunited, though doubts linger in my mind. It could be that I shall never see her again."
Legolas saw pools of tears gathering upon Arwen's lashes. She was biting her lip to keep her chin from quivering and was grasping her hands so tight that her knuckles were white. Legolas stood, went to her and took her hands in his and Arwen looked at him, as if remembering that he was there.
"Arwen, do not give in to such thoughts! They have no place with you, where so strong a hope remains," Legolas said kindly as he reached to brush fallen tears from her cheeks and then rested his forehead against hers.
"I do not think you should fear or worry about seeing your Nana again. It is not for you to be so separated from those you love, and whom love you."
------
Long they stood close together, two as one against the darkness of night. Silently they took comfort in each other's company, until it was Legolas that thought it was time to retire. Together they walked, hand in hand, as he escorted Arwen back to her room.
"I find in you kindred spirit, Legolas," Arwen said as she gazed into blue orbs. She had a moment of bravery and she reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, mellonamin. Tenna' tul're."
"Quel kaima, Undomiel."
------
Mellonamin- My friend. Tenna' tul're- Until Tomorrow. Quel kaima- Sleep Well.