** Disclaimer: I only own Zana *********** ****************
Two years ago, also on Christmas, this song was very popular in Spain, it brings me very good memories.. *sigh* And I remembered it today, it's the perfect one for this chapter! : ) More confusion : ) Thanks for reviewing!
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I still believe in your eyes
I just don't care what
You have done in your life
Baby I'll always be here by your side
Don't leave me waiting too long
Please come by
I still believe in your eyes;
There is no choice,
I belong to your life
Because I will live
To love you someday;
You'll be my baby
And we'll fly away
And I'll fly with you,
I'll fly with you - Gigi D'Agostino
"My son doesn't need a new wife.." Priam looked at his old friend, who turned around to meet his gaze. "I thought we had decided to abolish this law.. why did you insist so much?" The guest removed his cloak, showing his face and intelligent blue eyes.
"I know you since you were young, Priam. and I always gave you good advises, right?" The King nodded with a smile. "So trust me now.. this girl can help us.. but not in the way you think"
"You're acting mysteriously, and you know I don't like enigmas.. so please, tell me .. why this girl?"
"There's a mystery on each way we choose.. for some reasons she arrived here, like she did many other times.."
"What do you mean?" His confused gaze checked the old man.
"Trust me, Priam. She must be here.. she was destined to be chosen by Paris. I don't know why, but it has to be like this. My instinct works and it made me act like this. She will bring the peace to Troy"
" I have my doubts.." The both men went on walking in the halls, in silence.
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Legolas had a bad feeling when he was walking in the streets, carrying the boxes with fruits. It was already dark, the moon shinning in the sky. With the new clothes nobody paid attention to him, so he was free to approach the palace without being noticed. A soldier stopped him, and remembering the words in Trojan, he spoke.
"I bring fruit for the ceremony" He wished his accent couldn't be noticed. The soldier checked him for a while, and then nodded, opening the gate to the palace. Legolas walked towards the main building, where the lights were already shining and the voices if hundreds of people could be heard. His blue eyes shone with a special bright in the darkness, almost like a cat. A shape from a window noticed it, and moved his hands, like making signs. He went on walking, ignoring the person who was spying him. The tower was too high and he couldn't distinguish him clearly.. but for a while, he thought it was a woman. Checking again, he noticed she had long curly hair and a typical Trojan dress. That couldn't be Zana.
The kitchen's door opened and a crowd of servants came to talk to him, talking in their own language. Legolas just smiled, and left quickly, walking to the gardens. He crossed a path that led to a big fountain, where two persons were having a conversation in low voice. He didn't want to interrupt, turning around , and walking back to the building. Once there, he saw a group of people leaving a room. The ceremony had ended.. the Prince had already chosen wife.. but.. who was him and where was he? He had arrived too late. With a sigh, went back to the gardens, thinking of possible solutions.
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One hour before..
"You must come with me.." She begged, taking his hand and leading him to the gardens. "Please.."
"Helen.. I can't go on with this.. we've just met! It's crazy!"
"I'm only asking you to help me.. I don't agree with the decision of a second wife.. I won't share anybody with another woman.."
"And I do understand you, Helen.. but this is not the best solution.." He murmured, while she came closer.
"Why not? I know you like me.."
"But I don't love you" Her face became angry. She always got what she wanted from men, but that one was too stubborn. She wanted to get a revenge on Paris, but it wouldn't be so easy. Haldir was different from all men she had known before. "And my heart belongs to another person, you won't get anything from me.." He was sad when he realised that he wasn't too convinced about that.. Helen had really caught him. He knew that this would happen. She really had a power, something irresistible.
"I won't go to the ceremony. It would be too hard for me.." She sat on a bank, n front of a big fountain, and started to cry. Haldir sat with her, without knowing what to do.
"Helen.. I don't know anything about your traditions, but.. I'm sure that sleeping with me wouldn't solve anything.. tomorrow you would feel even worse.. and I just can't do it if my head is wondering where this girl I love can be now.." She looked at him, sadly.
"So.. how is she?" Haldir smiled a bit, remembering Zana's face. But soon his expression changed. He looked at Helen, so beautiful under the moonlight.
"The truth is that I can't remember her well.. what's happening to me?" He frowned, trying to make his mind clear. He was an elf, and he was falling under the tricks of an intelligent human .. But she was too beautiful to be evil..
"You can't remember her because you're starting to love me.." She stood up. "Come with me, Haldir.. lets go to the beach.." Haldir shook his head, trying to resist.. but when he felt her hand over his shoulder, and those blue eyes smiling, he knew that destiny couldn't be stopped. He knew that the predictions would come true.. he had to think of something before doing anything..
They both left, when someone arrived in the fountain. He looked around, angry. Paris knew that Helen had been there, he heard her voice.. and the voice of a man.. watching in the distance, two blonde heads were leaving towards the port. "The new guest.. Haldir.. he's leaving with Helen.." His whisper was full of anger. He wasn't guilty of his father's decision about a new wife.. he couldn't fight that, the Law was the Law.. but Helen was too clever.. he knew she would make him have a bad time for that.. he had hurt her, and now she was going to hurt him.. In that moment, all what he wished was that the old friend of his father died.. his advises had spoiled his life.. like the arrival of the mysterious guests. When the music sounded inside palace, he knew that the ceremony had just began. He would respond to that action.. Helen wanted to betray him, probably because that strange man had forced her.. he was too angry to think clearly. After all what he had done for her.. travelling to Greece, risking two empires.. causing a war.. and now this.. things wouldn't stay like that.
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After the ceremony, two soldiers led me to a new room, inside a high tower. When I came in, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.. the most luxurious place I had ever seen before.. carpets, pillows, a bit marble bath, and open windows where the fresh night breeze was coming in. A bunch of candles in a corner gave a magical light to that place. I wondered if that was my room.. it looked too expensive for a guest.
I walked towards the door, and when I tried to open it, I realised it was locked. I was a prisoner! My heart was beating so fast, and I ran to the windows, looking for a way to escapee. But the tower was to high. The moon was shining, and the yard could be seen.. and a blonde head.. carrying boxes.. but.. that way of walking.. those movements.. he was an elf! I wanted to shout, but it would be too dangerous.. so I moved my hands, my arms.. I almost fell from the window.. and I captured his attention.. but.. he left! He left me there! I felt tears in my eyes.. there was nothing I could do.. things were too complicated for all of us.. Gandalf didn't help me.. and I was alone.
I heard steps , and turned around, scared. Paris came in, and locked the door behind him. For a while, he stood there, watching at me. I tried to calm down.. after all, he was Legolas reincarnation.. his voice, his similar face.. he couldn't be a bad person.. he was just spoiled, because of the century where he was born ,the place where he had grown up.. but deep inside, he had to be good.. he was.. "Legolas".. if I closed my eyes while he spoke, I could see Legolas talking to me..
"Why did you all come here?" He said, walking slowly towards me. He leaned against the column, just a few steps from me. His dark eyes looked angry, sad. I took a deep breath.
"It's a long story.." I whispered, noticing that I wasn't able to speak loud. I was scared.
"I have the whole night to listen to you" I didn't like the soft tone on his voice.. it was menacing.. and at the same time, I couldn't help thinking about how nice he looked in that moment.. I got angry with myself for thinking it.. after all, I was in a complicated situation. We looked at each other for a while.
"But you won't believe me.. you'll think I'm lying and then.." I was almost crying, shaking. "Then you'll order to kill me, and.." I stopped talking when I saw a funny expression in his eyes.
"Kill you? What kind of people do you think we are?" He was smiling, yes.. but I was still shaking. He came closer. "Why don't you start from the beginning?" He asked, and showed me the pillows on the ground, where I sat down. He sat with me too. I couldn't help noticing how close he was.. if he wanted to make me nervous, he had got it. The room was dark, the candles and the moon were the only light there..
"Well.. you will think I'm crazy, but.." Before I started talking, I thought for a moment.. maybe it wouldn't be safe to tell the truth.. sure, he wouldn't believe my story, and I would risk too much. So I decided to use my imagination, and created my own tale.
"Just talk, and then I'll decide if you're crazy or not" He smiled again, that smile.. concentrate, I told to myself.
"I can't explain how did we arrive here.. like my friends, all what I remember is a ship coming to rescue us.. and then, I appeared alone in the beach, where I saw you.." He nodded, and I wished that my imagination was faster.. I had to think of something easy to believe and, at the same time, I couldn't run any risk. "And then, I was brought here.." I was amazed, I just couldn't invent anything.. he seemed to be lost in his thoughts, and then looked in my eyes.
"And this is the whole complicated story?" I blushed under his gaze, and nodded. He took a deep breath and I waited, nervous. "You're making things complicated.. Zana." He remembered my name. He remembered our first meeting.
"I'm sorry, I just can't.." But he asked me to shut up with a movement of his hand. My heart was beating so fast again.
"I'll tell you my theory about all of you.. you came with Achilles from Greece.. probably you were visitors there , who wanted to know new places.. and he brought you here but under a condition.. that you would be his own spies..".. I shook my head.
"What are you saying?" I murmured, and he smiled.
"So once here, Haldir seduced Helen.." I was shocked. Haldir? Helen? When did Paris meet Haldir? Again, tears came to my eyes. "I see that you're affected by this.. maybe Haldir was your husband?" I shook my head, unable to speak. Haldir and Helen.. when did that happen? Now I understood why I was chosen.. he wanted to get a revenge on Haldir, because he stole his bride.. but.. how could Haldir do that?
"Haldir is not my husband.." I murmured, my voice shaking. I felt a tear on my face, and , to my big surprise, Paris lifted his hand and dried it.
"Now you know how I feel" He whispered, with sadness in his eyes.
"I'm not in any kind of relationship with Haldir" I said, firmly. "If I'm crying is because I see everything lost.. nobody will believe us.. we're not spies.." Paris didn't stop looking at me.
"I'm sure you feel something about this man.. and now he's with my bride.. "
"And you chose me because you wanted to pay him with the same coin? But why? You don't know me, you don't love me.. it wouldn't be the same.. so I don't know why are you doing this to me. I don't know why don't you let me go.. I need to see my friends.. they're all what I have in this moment.." He moved on his seat, in order to look at my face better. Then , I saw a kind of smile in his eyes.
"I know this sounds stupid, but.. I have the feeling that we've already met before.." His dark eyes were so close to mines. He noticed the surprise in my face. "What? You also feel the same?" He asked this quickly. Great, how would I explain him that he was the reincarnation of one of the persons I loved?
"Maybe." I whispered. Then, he leaned on the pillows.
"Once I had a dream.. I lived in a forest.. my hair was long and blonde, and my eyes were blue.. I was walking, looking for a kind of.. animal, or enemy.. I don't know.. and I saw a girl standing there.. she was lost, and confused.." He moved again, and sat down. "She was very similar to you.." I almost couldn't breath. He had dreamt of my first meeting with Legolas.. with himself, in another time. "What's wrong?" he asked, frowning. I felt dizzy.
"This is the first memory I have about my life.. about my life in this world." I was sure that he wouldn't understand my words.. his dark eyes checked mines.
"What do you mean?"
"The first thing I can remember.. was the day I appeared in a forest, and met a blonde man there.. before that moment, everything is dark.." I lied. It would be too complicated to tell him that I was coming from the future.
"So you really lost your memory.. but before coming here.. then, tell me how did you decide to arrive in Troy, and don't lie to me any more.." Now his voice was kinder than before.
"Everything began in England.. well, a land in the North.. full of forests.. there I met my friends.. we've been together for many time.. one day we took a ship, and we got lost.. after many days sailing, half dead.. Achilles found us.." I wished he believed me.. and it seemed so.
"This makes more sense.." He murmured, not too convinced yet. And I was really falling for him, I couldn't help that. It was too much for me. Having him so close.. all what I wanted in that moment was to tell him the whole truth. "Why are you looking at me like this?" He asked, softly, and I blushed.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking.." My thoughts were on Haldir.. I felt pain. "How do you know that.. well, that Helen is with Haldir?" Paris face changed.
"I saw them.. I heard them talking.. they left together, to the beach" I noticed the pain on his face.
"You do love her, right?" I asked, and he looked at me.
"I caused a war between two empires when I brought her here.. what do you think?" He smiled sadly. "And after all what I did for her.. she left with the first man she met.. people warned me about this.. she's not a reliable person.. she had done this before.. but I was too blind, she has a kind of magic to attract men.. she's so beautiful.. so pretty.." He looked in the distance. And I felt ugly, horrible.. All kind of sad thoughts came to my head.. after being with such a perfect woman, Haldir would never see me like before again.. I was a common girl. Too plain.
"I wish I had someone who loved me like this.. who loved me so much that he wouldn't mind stealing me away from my world causing a chaos .." I murmured, and Paris looked at me.
"I'm sure you have someone, but you don't know him yet.." We looked at each other.
"Thank you, but.." I whispered.
"But.. what?" He smiled.
" I was thinking that I will never be like Helen.. as pretty as her.. I don't have this magic power or whatever it is.. I'm just a common girl who wouldn't make a thousand ships sail.." I used the famous words from the legend.. a face that made one thousand ships part..
"Each person is special on their own way.. Helen has the beauty of all goddesses.. but her inside, her personality.. she's evil.. she's cruel, she plays with people.. she's so pretty that we don't care about all her defects.." I smiled, but somehow I wished I was like her. Haldir fell for her at once.. and I was sure that Legolas would also do it.. after all, Paris was his reincarnation. And he had fallen too.
"Once I had feelings towards Haldir.. and he left me. and went with her.. " Paris was staring at me, with curiosity. "And if I loved another man, he would also leave me for Helen.. they all would prefer her over me.." Anger was making me talk too much.. I couldn't help thinking of Haldir, being with her.. my eyes were full of tears again.
"Don't cry, Zana.. Helen is not worth and the proof is that she doesn't have a heart.. she's empty.. like Haldir is.." He took my hand, and I froze." Haldir is like her, if he left you so easily.." I knew the reasons why Haldir had left me, he wasn't guilty of it.. but I didn't want Paris to know this.. somehow I needed to be comforted. Suddenly, he stopped talking for a while, just staring at me. Some seconds passed. "I wish I had more time to meet you.." We looked at each other.
"What do you mean?" I whispered.
"That I can't love you now, Zana.. " I blushed, and he looked at me sadly.
"I didn't say I wanted it.." He smiled again, and touched my face.
"Don't lie to me" Standing up, he walked towards the door. "Sleep well, I'll do it in another room. Good night"
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Haldir and Helen arrived in the beach. She looked for a boat, and ran towards it.
"Come here, we'll leave now" She took the ropes that tied it to the harbour.
"What are you saying? " Haldir frowned. "I wish I had never followed you.. I don't know what did you do to me, Helen.. but I'm not like this.. we're missing the ceremony where I have to help Zana.. all because of you.." She walked towards him, with angry face.
"Zana? Do you know where is she, by now?" Her blue eyes shone with en evil bright. "She's in our room, with Paris. In my room!" Haldir became paler than he was.
"Don't say so.." He murmured, angry. She laughed.
"I know that this horrible old man who is friend of the King spend a whole month talking about her arrival.. and that Paris should choose her, because she would save Troy.. " She laughed again, shaking her head. "A crazy old man.. what does he know?" She returned to the place where the boat was, and Haldir stood there, thinking.
"An old man.." He murmured, and turned around. "Helen.. does this old man have blue eyes and white long hair?" Helen stopped untying the rope.
"How do you know this?" She froze when she saw Haldir's smile. "No, Haldir, wait! You can't leave me here!" She shouted at him, when he started to run back to the palace. "Haldir!" She ran after him.
Haldir stopped in front of the fountain. Helen arrived a bit later, without breath in her chest. The elf was checking the walls of the palace.
"What are you doing? " Helen asked, and she got a sharp look in reply. "Don't look for her.. she's probably sleeping with my future husband"
"I told you that she's not like this" His eyes were cold, but when she smiled, he had to make a big effort to resist.
"Well.. you almost were like this.." Her voice was seductive, she was playing with him again. Touching his face, she came closer and kissed him. For a moment, he couldn't move.
"Haldir!" They heard a voice. Legolas was standing there, his eyes widened, and a strange look on his face. "Haldir, what does this mean?" He walked towards them. The woman was really amazing, and she walked in a provocative way.
"Who are you?" Her voice sounded sharp and sweet at the same time. But to her surprise, it didn't have any effect on Legolas. "Wait.. your voice.. it's so familiar to me.."
"I'm Legolas and I came to look for my friends. But I see they don't need me at all.." he gave a freezing look to Haldir.. but at the same time , a kind of hope came to his heart. If Zana knew about this, he would be the chosen one.
"Legolas, I didn't want this to happen.." Haldir said, firmly.
"But you did it anyway.. well, I don't care." He ignored Helen, and she felt offended. "Where are Gimli and Zana?"
"Zana, Zana.. she's with my future husband!!" The shout of the woman made Legolas jump.
"What are you saying? Are you crazy?" Legolas looked at Haldir, who nodded. "Zana was in the ceremony? And she was chosen?"
"How can you know about this ceremony?" Haldir asked.
"It's a very long story, I'll tell you it another day.. come on, we have to find her"
"Hey, I'm here! You won't go anywhere.. Haldir is coming with me" Helen shouted, furious. Legolas stopped and looked at the elf.
"Is this true, Haldir? Are you leaving with her?" He was shocked when he saw the doubt in Haldir's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Legolas.. I don't know what's happening to me.. but I knew about this before we arrived here.. look, I don't have too many time to tell you about my secrets.. but I'll only warn you about something.. there's someone inside this castle who you can't meet.. because he's your reincarnation.."
"Mine? But.. I already met Zana's reincarnation. So we all have a double here? And we can't see him?" Haldir nodded.
"Legolas.. I need your help.. please.." Legolas looked at him, confused. When Haldir pointed at Helen, he understood.
"OK.. Helen.. I'll take this man with me, even if you don't want.. he can't decide by himself because obviously you did something to him.. so I think it's better that you join us and help us to find our friends.. if not, I promise I'll cause you a lot of troubles.."
"You're threatening me? " She asked, mad at him.
"I'm just giving you good advises"
"I'm leaving with Haldir" Her voice was so hard that even Legolas needed all his forces to ignore her. Then ,he looked at his friend. He was different.
"We're a group of friends, Haldir.. if one of us is alone, we must find him.. Zana needs us.. we all have to be with her, and you already know why.. you know the phrase.. if she flies, we'll fly with her.." Legolas was trying to be convincing, but he felt too sad, too disappointed with Haldir. He didn't show any kind of emotions. He was confused.
"Once I lost my feelings towards Zana.. and I'm afraid I've found new feelings here.. now I understand why I didn't have a reincarnation in this century, in this world.. because I was destined to live here.." His face shone, and he smiled. "Yes, it's because of this!"
"I can't believe you're saying this!" Legolas shouts reached the palace. A troop of soldiers came.
"Haldir, leave with me!" Helen begged, hiding behind a bush. The elf looked at her, and then at Legolas.
"I'm sorry, Legolas"
"What?" Legolas stood there, shocked, watching at Haldir leaving. All his hope for the future was gone. Haldir was destined for the mission.. and he was leaving. The soldiers arrived and caught Legolas.
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I heard voices in the yard. This time he was Legolas. It was difficult to distinguish Paris voice from his. He had finally come, and I recuperated all forces and optimism. I smiled, looking through the window. But there were three persons there.. they all blonde.. the night was silent, so I could hear all the conversation.. and Haldir was there.. with Helen. I froze. And I felt anger. I understood Paris.. and, at the same time, I was watching at Legolas.. and my old feelings were returning.why all the things had to be so confusing?
I went on listening.. I almost fell on the ground when I heard Haldir saying that he was going to escape with Helen. So this was the prediction.. the thing that would make me so sad.. and Helen.. how I hated her. I remembered Paris words during the ceremony.. they spoiled his life.. but I was surprised when I noticed my feelings changing.. I was so angry, so depressed.. that I even wanted Haldir to disappear with her.. I didn't care.. Helen would be out of my sight.. and in that moment I didn't care about my mission any more. I wanted to stay in Troy. But Legolas.. he was trying to find me.. he was fighting for me.. Paris knew there would be someone who would do this for me.. his double from another life. Maybe I wasn't destined to be with Haldir. When I saw them leaving, I noticed that Haldir looked at me in the distance ..but went on walking.
It was too late to warn Legolas, when the soldiers caught him. I shouted, and the group looked at me.
"Zana!!" Legolas shouted, smiling. "Are you OK?" I nodded, unable to speak.
"Legolas, please, don't leave me too.. please!" Tears were falling from my eyes when the soldiers took him away, and I fell on the ground, crying. I was alone. The door opened and saw Paris. He came running towards me, worried.
"Did you hear them? They're' leaving.. but I won't stop her.." His eyes were angry, and he kneeled in front of me. "Zana.. he's not worth. I'm sure your soul mate will appear sooner or later.." He tried to smile. And suddenly he felt ill. "My head, it will explode.. what's happening to me?" He closed his eyes, and fainted. I looked at the door. Legolas was standing there, smiling at me.
"What kind of sexy clothes are you wearing and who are you talking to?" I ran towards him, we hugged for minutes. I knew he couldn't see Paris, as Paris couldn't see him. "They're looking for me, I managed to escape.." He locked the door behind him, and then looked at me again "You look so different, what did they do to you? You were the girl from the tower and I didn't recognise you!" He was smiling, touching my head, my face.. But Paris was still inside. That was too strange to be real. He looked at me, and touched my face. "Don't loose your hope, please.. I promise I won't ever leave you" And I started to cry again, while he hugged me.
Two years ago, also on Christmas, this song was very popular in Spain, it brings me very good memories.. *sigh* And I remembered it today, it's the perfect one for this chapter! : ) More confusion : ) Thanks for reviewing!
************ ***************+ ************* ****************
I still believe in your eyes
I just don't care what
You have done in your life
Baby I'll always be here by your side
Don't leave me waiting too long
Please come by
I still believe in your eyes;
There is no choice,
I belong to your life
Because I will live
To love you someday;
You'll be my baby
And we'll fly away
And I'll fly with you,
I'll fly with you - Gigi D'Agostino
"My son doesn't need a new wife.." Priam looked at his old friend, who turned around to meet his gaze. "I thought we had decided to abolish this law.. why did you insist so much?" The guest removed his cloak, showing his face and intelligent blue eyes.
"I know you since you were young, Priam. and I always gave you good advises, right?" The King nodded with a smile. "So trust me now.. this girl can help us.. but not in the way you think"
"You're acting mysteriously, and you know I don't like enigmas.. so please, tell me .. why this girl?"
"There's a mystery on each way we choose.. for some reasons she arrived here, like she did many other times.."
"What do you mean?" His confused gaze checked the old man.
"Trust me, Priam. She must be here.. she was destined to be chosen by Paris. I don't know why, but it has to be like this. My instinct works and it made me act like this. She will bring the peace to Troy"
" I have my doubts.." The both men went on walking in the halls, in silence.
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Legolas had a bad feeling when he was walking in the streets, carrying the boxes with fruits. It was already dark, the moon shinning in the sky. With the new clothes nobody paid attention to him, so he was free to approach the palace without being noticed. A soldier stopped him, and remembering the words in Trojan, he spoke.
"I bring fruit for the ceremony" He wished his accent couldn't be noticed. The soldier checked him for a while, and then nodded, opening the gate to the palace. Legolas walked towards the main building, where the lights were already shining and the voices if hundreds of people could be heard. His blue eyes shone with a special bright in the darkness, almost like a cat. A shape from a window noticed it, and moved his hands, like making signs. He went on walking, ignoring the person who was spying him. The tower was too high and he couldn't distinguish him clearly.. but for a while, he thought it was a woman. Checking again, he noticed she had long curly hair and a typical Trojan dress. That couldn't be Zana.
The kitchen's door opened and a crowd of servants came to talk to him, talking in their own language. Legolas just smiled, and left quickly, walking to the gardens. He crossed a path that led to a big fountain, where two persons were having a conversation in low voice. He didn't want to interrupt, turning around , and walking back to the building. Once there, he saw a group of people leaving a room. The ceremony had ended.. the Prince had already chosen wife.. but.. who was him and where was he? He had arrived too late. With a sigh, went back to the gardens, thinking of possible solutions.
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One hour before..
"You must come with me.." She begged, taking his hand and leading him to the gardens. "Please.."
"Helen.. I can't go on with this.. we've just met! It's crazy!"
"I'm only asking you to help me.. I don't agree with the decision of a second wife.. I won't share anybody with another woman.."
"And I do understand you, Helen.. but this is not the best solution.." He murmured, while she came closer.
"Why not? I know you like me.."
"But I don't love you" Her face became angry. She always got what she wanted from men, but that one was too stubborn. She wanted to get a revenge on Paris, but it wouldn't be so easy. Haldir was different from all men she had known before. "And my heart belongs to another person, you won't get anything from me.." He was sad when he realised that he wasn't too convinced about that.. Helen had really caught him. He knew that this would happen. She really had a power, something irresistible.
"I won't go to the ceremony. It would be too hard for me.." She sat on a bank, n front of a big fountain, and started to cry. Haldir sat with her, without knowing what to do.
"Helen.. I don't know anything about your traditions, but.. I'm sure that sleeping with me wouldn't solve anything.. tomorrow you would feel even worse.. and I just can't do it if my head is wondering where this girl I love can be now.." She looked at him, sadly.
"So.. how is she?" Haldir smiled a bit, remembering Zana's face. But soon his expression changed. He looked at Helen, so beautiful under the moonlight.
"The truth is that I can't remember her well.. what's happening to me?" He frowned, trying to make his mind clear. He was an elf, and he was falling under the tricks of an intelligent human .. But she was too beautiful to be evil..
"You can't remember her because you're starting to love me.." She stood up. "Come with me, Haldir.. lets go to the beach.." Haldir shook his head, trying to resist.. but when he felt her hand over his shoulder, and those blue eyes smiling, he knew that destiny couldn't be stopped. He knew that the predictions would come true.. he had to think of something before doing anything..
They both left, when someone arrived in the fountain. He looked around, angry. Paris knew that Helen had been there, he heard her voice.. and the voice of a man.. watching in the distance, two blonde heads were leaving towards the port. "The new guest.. Haldir.. he's leaving with Helen.." His whisper was full of anger. He wasn't guilty of his father's decision about a new wife.. he couldn't fight that, the Law was the Law.. but Helen was too clever.. he knew she would make him have a bad time for that.. he had hurt her, and now she was going to hurt him.. In that moment, all what he wished was that the old friend of his father died.. his advises had spoiled his life.. like the arrival of the mysterious guests. When the music sounded inside palace, he knew that the ceremony had just began. He would respond to that action.. Helen wanted to betray him, probably because that strange man had forced her.. he was too angry to think clearly. After all what he had done for her.. travelling to Greece, risking two empires.. causing a war.. and now this.. things wouldn't stay like that.
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After the ceremony, two soldiers led me to a new room, inside a high tower. When I came in, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.. the most luxurious place I had ever seen before.. carpets, pillows, a bit marble bath, and open windows where the fresh night breeze was coming in. A bunch of candles in a corner gave a magical light to that place. I wondered if that was my room.. it looked too expensive for a guest.
I walked towards the door, and when I tried to open it, I realised it was locked. I was a prisoner! My heart was beating so fast, and I ran to the windows, looking for a way to escapee. But the tower was to high. The moon was shining, and the yard could be seen.. and a blonde head.. carrying boxes.. but.. that way of walking.. those movements.. he was an elf! I wanted to shout, but it would be too dangerous.. so I moved my hands, my arms.. I almost fell from the window.. and I captured his attention.. but.. he left! He left me there! I felt tears in my eyes.. there was nothing I could do.. things were too complicated for all of us.. Gandalf didn't help me.. and I was alone.
I heard steps , and turned around, scared. Paris came in, and locked the door behind him. For a while, he stood there, watching at me. I tried to calm down.. after all, he was Legolas reincarnation.. his voice, his similar face.. he couldn't be a bad person.. he was just spoiled, because of the century where he was born ,the place where he had grown up.. but deep inside, he had to be good.. he was.. "Legolas".. if I closed my eyes while he spoke, I could see Legolas talking to me..
"Why did you all come here?" He said, walking slowly towards me. He leaned against the column, just a few steps from me. His dark eyes looked angry, sad. I took a deep breath.
"It's a long story.." I whispered, noticing that I wasn't able to speak loud. I was scared.
"I have the whole night to listen to you" I didn't like the soft tone on his voice.. it was menacing.. and at the same time, I couldn't help thinking about how nice he looked in that moment.. I got angry with myself for thinking it.. after all, I was in a complicated situation. We looked at each other for a while.
"But you won't believe me.. you'll think I'm lying and then.." I was almost crying, shaking. "Then you'll order to kill me, and.." I stopped talking when I saw a funny expression in his eyes.
"Kill you? What kind of people do you think we are?" He was smiling, yes.. but I was still shaking. He came closer. "Why don't you start from the beginning?" He asked, and showed me the pillows on the ground, where I sat down. He sat with me too. I couldn't help noticing how close he was.. if he wanted to make me nervous, he had got it. The room was dark, the candles and the moon were the only light there..
"Well.. you will think I'm crazy, but.." Before I started talking, I thought for a moment.. maybe it wouldn't be safe to tell the truth.. sure, he wouldn't believe my story, and I would risk too much. So I decided to use my imagination, and created my own tale.
"Just talk, and then I'll decide if you're crazy or not" He smiled again, that smile.. concentrate, I told to myself.
"I can't explain how did we arrive here.. like my friends, all what I remember is a ship coming to rescue us.. and then, I appeared alone in the beach, where I saw you.." He nodded, and I wished that my imagination was faster.. I had to think of something easy to believe and, at the same time, I couldn't run any risk. "And then, I was brought here.." I was amazed, I just couldn't invent anything.. he seemed to be lost in his thoughts, and then looked in my eyes.
"And this is the whole complicated story?" I blushed under his gaze, and nodded. He took a deep breath and I waited, nervous. "You're making things complicated.. Zana." He remembered my name. He remembered our first meeting.
"I'm sorry, I just can't.." But he asked me to shut up with a movement of his hand. My heart was beating so fast again.
"I'll tell you my theory about all of you.. you came with Achilles from Greece.. probably you were visitors there , who wanted to know new places.. and he brought you here but under a condition.. that you would be his own spies..".. I shook my head.
"What are you saying?" I murmured, and he smiled.
"So once here, Haldir seduced Helen.." I was shocked. Haldir? Helen? When did Paris meet Haldir? Again, tears came to my eyes. "I see that you're affected by this.. maybe Haldir was your husband?" I shook my head, unable to speak. Haldir and Helen.. when did that happen? Now I understood why I was chosen.. he wanted to get a revenge on Haldir, because he stole his bride.. but.. how could Haldir do that?
"Haldir is not my husband.." I murmured, my voice shaking. I felt a tear on my face, and , to my big surprise, Paris lifted his hand and dried it.
"Now you know how I feel" He whispered, with sadness in his eyes.
"I'm not in any kind of relationship with Haldir" I said, firmly. "If I'm crying is because I see everything lost.. nobody will believe us.. we're not spies.." Paris didn't stop looking at me.
"I'm sure you feel something about this man.. and now he's with my bride.. "
"And you chose me because you wanted to pay him with the same coin? But why? You don't know me, you don't love me.. it wouldn't be the same.. so I don't know why are you doing this to me. I don't know why don't you let me go.. I need to see my friends.. they're all what I have in this moment.." He moved on his seat, in order to look at my face better. Then , I saw a kind of smile in his eyes.
"I know this sounds stupid, but.. I have the feeling that we've already met before.." His dark eyes were so close to mines. He noticed the surprise in my face. "What? You also feel the same?" He asked this quickly. Great, how would I explain him that he was the reincarnation of one of the persons I loved?
"Maybe." I whispered. Then, he leaned on the pillows.
"Once I had a dream.. I lived in a forest.. my hair was long and blonde, and my eyes were blue.. I was walking, looking for a kind of.. animal, or enemy.. I don't know.. and I saw a girl standing there.. she was lost, and confused.." He moved again, and sat down. "She was very similar to you.." I almost couldn't breath. He had dreamt of my first meeting with Legolas.. with himself, in another time. "What's wrong?" he asked, frowning. I felt dizzy.
"This is the first memory I have about my life.. about my life in this world." I was sure that he wouldn't understand my words.. his dark eyes checked mines.
"What do you mean?"
"The first thing I can remember.. was the day I appeared in a forest, and met a blonde man there.. before that moment, everything is dark.." I lied. It would be too complicated to tell him that I was coming from the future.
"So you really lost your memory.. but before coming here.. then, tell me how did you decide to arrive in Troy, and don't lie to me any more.." Now his voice was kinder than before.
"Everything began in England.. well, a land in the North.. full of forests.. there I met my friends.. we've been together for many time.. one day we took a ship, and we got lost.. after many days sailing, half dead.. Achilles found us.." I wished he believed me.. and it seemed so.
"This makes more sense.." He murmured, not too convinced yet. And I was really falling for him, I couldn't help that. It was too much for me. Having him so close.. all what I wanted in that moment was to tell him the whole truth. "Why are you looking at me like this?" He asked, softly, and I blushed.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking.." My thoughts were on Haldir.. I felt pain. "How do you know that.. well, that Helen is with Haldir?" Paris face changed.
"I saw them.. I heard them talking.. they left together, to the beach" I noticed the pain on his face.
"You do love her, right?" I asked, and he looked at me.
"I caused a war between two empires when I brought her here.. what do you think?" He smiled sadly. "And after all what I did for her.. she left with the first man she met.. people warned me about this.. she's not a reliable person.. she had done this before.. but I was too blind, she has a kind of magic to attract men.. she's so beautiful.. so pretty.." He looked in the distance. And I felt ugly, horrible.. All kind of sad thoughts came to my head.. after being with such a perfect woman, Haldir would never see me like before again.. I was a common girl. Too plain.
"I wish I had someone who loved me like this.. who loved me so much that he wouldn't mind stealing me away from my world causing a chaos .." I murmured, and Paris looked at me.
"I'm sure you have someone, but you don't know him yet.." We looked at each other.
"Thank you, but.." I whispered.
"But.. what?" He smiled.
" I was thinking that I will never be like Helen.. as pretty as her.. I don't have this magic power or whatever it is.. I'm just a common girl who wouldn't make a thousand ships sail.." I used the famous words from the legend.. a face that made one thousand ships part..
"Each person is special on their own way.. Helen has the beauty of all goddesses.. but her inside, her personality.. she's evil.. she's cruel, she plays with people.. she's so pretty that we don't care about all her defects.." I smiled, but somehow I wished I was like her. Haldir fell for her at once.. and I was sure that Legolas would also do it.. after all, Paris was his reincarnation. And he had fallen too.
"Once I had feelings towards Haldir.. and he left me. and went with her.. " Paris was staring at me, with curiosity. "And if I loved another man, he would also leave me for Helen.. they all would prefer her over me.." Anger was making me talk too much.. I couldn't help thinking of Haldir, being with her.. my eyes were full of tears again.
"Don't cry, Zana.. Helen is not worth and the proof is that she doesn't have a heart.. she's empty.. like Haldir is.." He took my hand, and I froze." Haldir is like her, if he left you so easily.." I knew the reasons why Haldir had left me, he wasn't guilty of it.. but I didn't want Paris to know this.. somehow I needed to be comforted. Suddenly, he stopped talking for a while, just staring at me. Some seconds passed. "I wish I had more time to meet you.." We looked at each other.
"What do you mean?" I whispered.
"That I can't love you now, Zana.. " I blushed, and he looked at me sadly.
"I didn't say I wanted it.." He smiled again, and touched my face.
"Don't lie to me" Standing up, he walked towards the door. "Sleep well, I'll do it in another room. Good night"
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Haldir and Helen arrived in the beach. She looked for a boat, and ran towards it.
"Come here, we'll leave now" She took the ropes that tied it to the harbour.
"What are you saying? " Haldir frowned. "I wish I had never followed you.. I don't know what did you do to me, Helen.. but I'm not like this.. we're missing the ceremony where I have to help Zana.. all because of you.." She walked towards him, with angry face.
"Zana? Do you know where is she, by now?" Her blue eyes shone with en evil bright. "She's in our room, with Paris. In my room!" Haldir became paler than he was.
"Don't say so.." He murmured, angry. She laughed.
"I know that this horrible old man who is friend of the King spend a whole month talking about her arrival.. and that Paris should choose her, because she would save Troy.. " She laughed again, shaking her head. "A crazy old man.. what does he know?" She returned to the place where the boat was, and Haldir stood there, thinking.
"An old man.." He murmured, and turned around. "Helen.. does this old man have blue eyes and white long hair?" Helen stopped untying the rope.
"How do you know this?" She froze when she saw Haldir's smile. "No, Haldir, wait! You can't leave me here!" She shouted at him, when he started to run back to the palace. "Haldir!" She ran after him.
Haldir stopped in front of the fountain. Helen arrived a bit later, without breath in her chest. The elf was checking the walls of the palace.
"What are you doing? " Helen asked, and she got a sharp look in reply. "Don't look for her.. she's probably sleeping with my future husband"
"I told you that she's not like this" His eyes were cold, but when she smiled, he had to make a big effort to resist.
"Well.. you almost were like this.." Her voice was seductive, she was playing with him again. Touching his face, she came closer and kissed him. For a moment, he couldn't move.
"Haldir!" They heard a voice. Legolas was standing there, his eyes widened, and a strange look on his face. "Haldir, what does this mean?" He walked towards them. The woman was really amazing, and she walked in a provocative way.
"Who are you?" Her voice sounded sharp and sweet at the same time. But to her surprise, it didn't have any effect on Legolas. "Wait.. your voice.. it's so familiar to me.."
"I'm Legolas and I came to look for my friends. But I see they don't need me at all.." he gave a freezing look to Haldir.. but at the same time , a kind of hope came to his heart. If Zana knew about this, he would be the chosen one.
"Legolas, I didn't want this to happen.." Haldir said, firmly.
"But you did it anyway.. well, I don't care." He ignored Helen, and she felt offended. "Where are Gimli and Zana?"
"Zana, Zana.. she's with my future husband!!" The shout of the woman made Legolas jump.
"What are you saying? Are you crazy?" Legolas looked at Haldir, who nodded. "Zana was in the ceremony? And she was chosen?"
"How can you know about this ceremony?" Haldir asked.
"It's a very long story, I'll tell you it another day.. come on, we have to find her"
"Hey, I'm here! You won't go anywhere.. Haldir is coming with me" Helen shouted, furious. Legolas stopped and looked at the elf.
"Is this true, Haldir? Are you leaving with her?" He was shocked when he saw the doubt in Haldir's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Legolas.. I don't know what's happening to me.. but I knew about this before we arrived here.. look, I don't have too many time to tell you about my secrets.. but I'll only warn you about something.. there's someone inside this castle who you can't meet.. because he's your reincarnation.."
"Mine? But.. I already met Zana's reincarnation. So we all have a double here? And we can't see him?" Haldir nodded.
"Legolas.. I need your help.. please.." Legolas looked at him, confused. When Haldir pointed at Helen, he understood.
"OK.. Helen.. I'll take this man with me, even if you don't want.. he can't decide by himself because obviously you did something to him.. so I think it's better that you join us and help us to find our friends.. if not, I promise I'll cause you a lot of troubles.."
"You're threatening me? " She asked, mad at him.
"I'm just giving you good advises"
"I'm leaving with Haldir" Her voice was so hard that even Legolas needed all his forces to ignore her. Then ,he looked at his friend. He was different.
"We're a group of friends, Haldir.. if one of us is alone, we must find him.. Zana needs us.. we all have to be with her, and you already know why.. you know the phrase.. if she flies, we'll fly with her.." Legolas was trying to be convincing, but he felt too sad, too disappointed with Haldir. He didn't show any kind of emotions. He was confused.
"Once I lost my feelings towards Zana.. and I'm afraid I've found new feelings here.. now I understand why I didn't have a reincarnation in this century, in this world.. because I was destined to live here.." His face shone, and he smiled. "Yes, it's because of this!"
"I can't believe you're saying this!" Legolas shouts reached the palace. A troop of soldiers came.
"Haldir, leave with me!" Helen begged, hiding behind a bush. The elf looked at her, and then at Legolas.
"I'm sorry, Legolas"
"What?" Legolas stood there, shocked, watching at Haldir leaving. All his hope for the future was gone. Haldir was destined for the mission.. and he was leaving. The soldiers arrived and caught Legolas.
---------------- -------------------------- ---------------------- ------ ------------------ ------------
I heard voices in the yard. This time he was Legolas. It was difficult to distinguish Paris voice from his. He had finally come, and I recuperated all forces and optimism. I smiled, looking through the window. But there were three persons there.. they all blonde.. the night was silent, so I could hear all the conversation.. and Haldir was there.. with Helen. I froze. And I felt anger. I understood Paris.. and, at the same time, I was watching at Legolas.. and my old feelings were returning.why all the things had to be so confusing?
I went on listening.. I almost fell on the ground when I heard Haldir saying that he was going to escape with Helen. So this was the prediction.. the thing that would make me so sad.. and Helen.. how I hated her. I remembered Paris words during the ceremony.. they spoiled his life.. but I was surprised when I noticed my feelings changing.. I was so angry, so depressed.. that I even wanted Haldir to disappear with her.. I didn't care.. Helen would be out of my sight.. and in that moment I didn't care about my mission any more. I wanted to stay in Troy. But Legolas.. he was trying to find me.. he was fighting for me.. Paris knew there would be someone who would do this for me.. his double from another life. Maybe I wasn't destined to be with Haldir. When I saw them leaving, I noticed that Haldir looked at me in the distance ..but went on walking.
It was too late to warn Legolas, when the soldiers caught him. I shouted, and the group looked at me.
"Zana!!" Legolas shouted, smiling. "Are you OK?" I nodded, unable to speak.
"Legolas, please, don't leave me too.. please!" Tears were falling from my eyes when the soldiers took him away, and I fell on the ground, crying. I was alone. The door opened and saw Paris. He came running towards me, worried.
"Did you hear them? They're' leaving.. but I won't stop her.." His eyes were angry, and he kneeled in front of me. "Zana.. he's not worth. I'm sure your soul mate will appear sooner or later.." He tried to smile. And suddenly he felt ill. "My head, it will explode.. what's happening to me?" He closed his eyes, and fainted. I looked at the door. Legolas was standing there, smiling at me.
"What kind of sexy clothes are you wearing and who are you talking to?" I ran towards him, we hugged for minutes. I knew he couldn't see Paris, as Paris couldn't see him. "They're looking for me, I managed to escape.." He locked the door behind him, and then looked at me again "You look so different, what did they do to you? You were the girl from the tower and I didn't recognise you!" He was smiling, touching my head, my face.. But Paris was still inside. That was too strange to be real. He looked at me, and touched my face. "Don't loose your hope, please.. I promise I won't ever leave you" And I started to cry again, while he hugged me.