AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is a bit delayed, but I cannot really be blamed for that. I had two exams this week and another two next week (that I have yet to study for!), so it's miraculous enough that I was able to get this out before the end of the week. Oh well . . . I just didn't want to keep you guys waiting.
There were quite a lot of violent reactions against Elladan in last chapter's reviews. Aw, give him a break guys! Try to look at it from his point of view (his wife and mother were killed by orcs (ergo, he is overprotective of his daughter), all of Rivendell knew about the marriage before he did, etc.) and you really can't blame him for freaking out. Maybe after reading this chapter and "The Royal Jewel" (after I've finished writing it that is! Hehehe. . .) you'd understand him better and feel differently.
And did you notice that Elrond had a little bit of a temper in the movies? Well, I just decided to have Elladan inherit that in my stories.
Anyway, on with the drama! I hope you like it! ;p
HAPPY READING!
* * *
A LOVE THAT BINDS
Chapter Six - DAUGHTER
It was a beautiful sunny day outside in the lush gardens of the House of Lord Elrond. But from where she sat alone in the gazebo overlooking the main courtyards, Armir was unable to enjoy the beauty all around her, for she was in deep and anxious thought. The book that she had been trying to read for the past hour lay open and neglected in her hands as she stared out into space, a troubled look lingering upon her face.
Something was wrong, she could feel it. Quite some time had already passed since she met with her father and shared a tearful reunion with him. It was also then that she had gathered up every ounce of courage in her and told him the big news. He seemed to have taken it better than she had expected. Certainly, he was very shocked at first, and had demanded that she tell him all the details, but he had also managed to keep his calm about the entire thing relatively well.
After Armir had finished explaining everything, he had simply smiled, kissed her, and given her his best wishes. If he had any misgivings in his heart that he did not wish for her to know of, he had indeed been very good in concealing them. He then changed the subject at once and asked her to take breakfast with him. Armir, being overwhelmed with relief at the seeming ease with which her father accepted and approved of her marriage, was only too glad to accept.
It was only after the meal had ended, when Elladan asked to be excused for a while, that the young maiden began to realize that it was perhaps not going as perfectly as she had thought. Her father said he still needed going to have a word with his new son-in-law, and wanted to do so alone. She had begged to be allowed to come with him, for she did not want Legolas to face her father alone, but Elladan was very insistent on privacy. The young elf then had no choice but just to wait for the meeting to come to an end, and she went out to the gardens in hopes of finding some means of distracting herself.
"Armir!"
Armir raised her head at once at the sound of this call, her heart leaping in her chest as she recognized the voice. Sure enough, as she stood and walked out of the gazebo, she immediately caught sight of her father swiftly making his way across the gardens towards her. She rushed forward to meet him with a hopeful smile on her face, but this very quickly faded when she noticed his expression, which was clearly of anger.
"Father, what is it?" she asked at once, dread rapidly sweeping every inch of her. She reached out with a hand to touch his shoulder as he drew near. "Has something gone wrong?"
Elladan gave her a glare that made her freeze with fright. "You are not to have any dealings with Legolas Thranduilion from now on." he ordered her, his voice heavy with controlled fury. "Henceforth, I forbid you speak with him or even come near him, is that understood?"
"What?!" Armir cried out, in great shock but also confusion. "Ada, what are you saying?"
"You will stay away from that he-elf or I will have him cast out of this realm forever. Must I make myself any clearer than that?" Elladan growled, his eyes narrowing at her with impatience.
Armir felt her body weaken all of a sudden, the fear of this nightmare beginning to strip off her strength. "Ada, how can you ask such a thing from me?" she asked, her voice quivering as terribly as her knees. "Legolas is my husband!"
"He is NOT!" Elladan shouted, his face going livid. "I say so! Your marriage is not legitimate because it was done without your full awareness and consent! He seduced you into accepting him, Armir! You would have known better and refused had you only a clearer mind on things."
"That is not true! He did no such thing!" Armir protested, feeling a burst of defiance in her at this ridiculous accusation. "He does care for me, Ada. And I truly love him. There is no mistake about that. I love him, I know this with all my mind and heart."
The anger seemed to melt from Elladan's face as he listened to his daughter make this declaration so boldly and confidently. It was replaced with what strangely looked like fear.
"You know not what you say." he said desperately, almost pleadingly. "You are young and full of dreams, and have not entirely understood how things in life really are. You are just a child, Armir!"
"I am no child!' Armir exclaimed, staring at him disbelievingly. She could not understand what could possibly be causing her father to act this way and say such absurdities. "I have grown up. I have earned the right to make my own choices and accept whatever consequences they may bring. I am not a little girl anymore, Ada!"
"You agreed to give Legolas your hand as soon as he asked for it, without even waiting for my counsel or consent! What kind of maturity is found in that disrespect and impetuousness?!" Elladan countered heatedly. "You have known him for no more than a year, and yet you bind yourself to him with nary a forethought!"
"A day could be all that is needed when it is the right love." Armir said softly. Tears were now filling her eyes, revealing the insufferable ache that was beginning to crush her heart. What could she possibly do to make him see? He was so upset, too angry to even really hear her.
Elladan threw her a look that seemed exasperated. He shook his head before turning away, muttering angrily to himself. Armir's heart sank in desperation, and she grabbed his hand, squeezing it in both of hers.
"Ada, please!' she begged, the tears beginning to stream down her face. "I thought you approved. I thought you understood. I would have given anything to have told you, to have had you with us. But it was not only our will that was fulfilled. The Valar's hand was in our fate, and there happened things that we simply had no control over."
She held his hand to her face, wetting it with her tears as she kissed it. "Please do not be angry with us, and do not believe that we meant you any disrespect." she sobbed. "Your blessing means a great deal to Legolas and I, and I do badly wish for you to approve of him."
Armir felt his free hand take her chin and lift it up gently. She found herself looking into his eyes, which looked very much aggrieved but still indomitable.
"I am sorry, Armir. But I am not willing to risk losing you again." he whispered, cupping her face between his large hands. "I will not allow you to be taken away from me a second time."
"That will not happen." Armir replied, feeling somewhat confused by this strange comment. "I will not stop being your daughter just because I have already become another elf's wife."
"No." Elladan repeated stubbornly. His hands took hers and held onto them tightly. "I will not entrust you to Legolas. I refuse to yield you to an elf who could not even properly take care of you."
Armir stared at him in shock. "You cannot possibly accuse Legolas of not caring for me!" she began. "He loves me, he . . . "
"It is because of him that you died!" Elladan shouted suddenly. His face seemed to tremble with emotion and rage at the very memory of it. "Do you not remember? If I had not followed you and gotten to you in time, who knows what other horrors you might have suffered in the hands of the orcs? You would not have come to such harm had he only been more vigilant in protecting you!"
Armir gasped, realization dawning on her at this outburst. "Ada, that is not fair!" she exclaimed, pulling her hands away from him in horror. "What happened to me was not Legolas' fault! You cannot blame him for my death!"
"He swore to look after you, and yet you were lost. It is as simple as that." Elladan said coldly. "Seeing that he could not manage to save you then, how am I now supposed to believe he would not let it happen a second time?"
"Legolas would have gladly given up his life to save mine, and he always will! You know that!" Armir cried, all her restraint now hopelessly lost. "He may not have had the power to stop Fate from taking me, but that does not change the fact that he tried, and that is all that matters! Can you not see, Ada? It is just like what happened to you and Ammë (Mama)!"
This last sentence escaped her before she could prevent it. Elladan, clearly taken aback by this unexpected outburst, could only stare at her in stunned silence. That was the first time she ever spoke of her mother to him, and the sudden mention of his beloved wife's death struck him like a slap to his face.
But Armir was not in her right sense anymore to offer him any apologies. Her heart bleeding with sorrow at the argument that had just occurred as well as her failure to move her father's mind, she turned and ran swiftly from the garden, sobbing uncontrollably.
* * *
Throwing himself down on one of the stone benches situated at the gardens bordering the forests, Legolas let out a moan of gloom and buried his face in his hands. There he sat for a long while, his head lowered and his heavy mind spinning with depressed thoughts.
He could not believe what had just happened. Though Lord Elrond himself had been good enough to warn him of Elladan's temper and certain oppositions he would likely raise against his and Armir's union, Legolas never expected his new father-in-law to react towards him in such a negative manner. He simply could not understand what he could have done to arouse so much anger from an elf he had always considered as a constant, long-time friend.
Perhaps it had been rather insolent of him to have wooed Armir without telling her father. He had forgone the traditional customs of courtship, which most certainly should have included the involvement of the maiden's parents. But it was not as though he had intended for any of these things to happen. They just did, and now there was nothing that could be done against a bond so sacred and lasting as matrimony. No matter what, Elladan did not have the right to order him to stay away from his wife, the one thing in this world he knew he would never be able to live without.
He may as well have told him to drop dead.
But what was he to do now? He had no fear of Elladan's threats, that was for certain. He knew he would never distance himself from Armir for any reason, even if the Valar themselves ordered him to. He was ready to face any punishment or ordeal to fight for his claim and need to be with her. The only problem that weighed on his mind now was what Armir herself would think of this conflict, and how it would end up affecting her happiness. It was only now that Legolas finally understood what the princess had been worrying about all along. She had somehow foreseen that this might happen. She felt and knew that she may eventually be forced to choose between him and her father, and that hour has indeed come upon them at last.
Legolas did not doubt his wife's faithfulness and love for him. He was certain she would sooner choose to elope with him than allow her father to separate them. However, in doing this, she would likewise be forcing herself to turn her back on somebody she still loved very much, in spite of his shortcomings and failures to perform his duties towards her.
Missing out on the chance to re-establish her relationship with her Ada would curtail Armir's happiness for sure. That was not what she deserved, and was not what the way Legolas wanted to start out their life together. He did not want to come between Armir and Elladan. He longed to give her the most wonderful marriage possible, and such would include getting the blessings of her stubborn father-- somehow.
For a long while then the Mirkwood prince sat in solitude, pondering desperately on how he could be able to create what seemed like a miracle. It took him quite some time before he realized that, there was actually somebody else that had come to the garden with him, and had for a few minutes been observing him silently from a distance. This newcomer finally caught the distraught elf's attention by speaking up first.
"His word changes nothing, you know that."
Legolas lifted his head up, slightly startled by the emergence of this new voice. As his eyes crossed the distance to rest on a handsome he- elf with long raven hair and a piecing blue stare aimed straight at him, his arms crossed over his chest. For a moment Legolas' heart froze at the fleeting thought of his father-in-law coming back to start yet another dispute with him, but he relaxed just as quickly when he realized that it was not Armir's father after all, but her uncle.
Elrohir smiled weakly, amused by the initial shock and anxiety he had caught on Legolas' face. He then began to walk slowly towards the bench where the elf-prince remained seated.
"It is only his word that counts for anything now." Legolas mumbled miserably as the older elf approached him.
Upon hearing this downhearted comment, Elrohir tilted his head and gazed at him inquisitively. "You think not that your love for Armir has any power against Elladan's will?" he asked.
Legolas shook his head. "It is because of my love for her that I wish to make her happy." he said softly. "I know that I cannot do that for as long as her father disapproves of her being with me. Elladan loathes me now."
"He does not." Elrohir countered gently, looking visibly sorry for the Mirkwood elf. "He has always seen and respected you as a friend, and that has not changed."
Legolas stared back at him through eyes filled with bitterness. "It did not seem that way when he threatened me with banishment if I ever approached his daughter again."
Elrohir sighed and finally sat down beside the troubled elf. "Please forgive my brother and just try to understand him." he implored. "He has been through such misfortune and grief that his nature has been much altered over the years. At times it seems he no longer has proper control over what he says and does."
"Tell me then what it is exactly that I have done to displease him so." Legolas said earnestly. "I am willing do whatever it takes to amend my mistakes and regain his favor."
Elrohir shrugged. "Tis not so much you who are the problem." he explained. "It is he. All this misunderstanding and all this aggression is actually the result of Elladan and his personal fears, ones that have haunted him continuously ever since Nurréien's passing. He has to learn to deal with these demons first, before he is able to accept the news of your marriage to Armir."
He then paused and looked at Legolas with uncertainty. "You do know the story of Elladan and Nurréien, do you not?"
"Aye, Lord Elrond told me all about it." Legolas affirmed.
Elrohir nodded. "It should then not be so difficult for you understand how much Armir matters to my brother, and how deeply afraid he is to lose her." he pointed out.
Legolas could not constrain the small scowl that spread across his lips. "Forgive me, but it did not seem that way when he just left Armir as a child and then neglected her for so many years."
Elrohir sighed and shook his head gravely. "No one could ever blame him for that, not ever our father." he murmured, eyes growing reflective as his thoughts drifted to recollections of the past. "Even as a child, Armir already had much of Nurréien in her. The memory of his wife's death was then still fresh in Elladan's mind, and seeing her in Armir's face, her smile, in her laugh- it was simply too much for him to bear. He certainly did not like the idea of leaving his daughter behind, but he had to. It is quite possible that he may have died of grief had he stayed."
As he listened to this, Legolas was for the first time struck with deep and sincere sympathy for his father-in-law. He knew that what Elrohir said must be the truth. No one could possibly know how Elladan felt as well as his twin.
Perhaps he was being the selfish one. Armir was his wife, yes, but she was also still a part of Elladan's life, and an important one at that. She was all he had left, really. Elladan had as much of a right to her as he did.
"Legolas." Elrohir said softly, touching the prince's arm and calling his attention back. "In spite of his temper, Elladan is not without reason. Just give him time to sort out his feelings, and he will soon come to his senses. And once he does, you can be sure he will be looking at these matters much differently, and will be able to make more prudent decisions."
"Think you then that he will eventually give his blessings to Armir and I?" Legolas inquired hopefully.
Elrohir smiled at him kindly. "Why would he not?" he said. "Personally, I think there is no elf in this world who would make her a more suitable husband than you, Legolas. That has already been proven by the fact that it is your love that has resurrected her. Moreover, it clear through mere observations that you truly care for her, and would do all that you can to give her everything."
"Thank you." Legolas said softly, feeling a strong rush of gratitude and relief at these sincere words. "I only hope your brother does come to realize that as well."
"In time, he will." Elrohir assured him, a mysterious twinkle in his eyes. "I can assure you as much."
"How can you be so certain?" Legolas asked, curious as to what this gleam in his gaze meant.
"Because as I see you now, and the way you speak of Armir with so much love and devotion, I see my brother." Elrohir told Legolas seriously. "I witness once again the way he used to speak of his beloved, and it is without a doubt he himself has also recognized this similarity during your meeting with him. It is perhaps another reason why he is growing so anxious about surrendering his daughter to you."
"Elladan sees himself in you, Legolas, just as much as he sees Nurréien in Armir."
* * *
The usual silence that pervaded a certain hall in the less visited parts of the Last Homely House was faintly broken by the sound of light footsteps against the marble floor. It was the Master of Imladris himself that passed through this hall swiftly, his feet carrying him straight to a particular spot along the corridor where he knew he would find what he sought.
Lord Elrond's eldest child was completely motionless as he stood in front of the large painting hanging on the wall. Even as he came up behind him, the young elf-lord did not shift his gaze from the sight of the beautiful maiden who stared down at him from the framed canvas. Understanding the need for this obstinate silence perfectly well, Elrond simply stood there, waiting patiently for his son until he was ready to face him. It would be better if he be the one to make the first move and have the first word.
"Have you come to lecture me again, Father?"
Elrond sighed heavily and shook his head. "Must you always think that way about me, Elladan?" he asked quietly. "I do not think I have done anything to deserve such negative treatment."
Though he still refused to turn away from the portrait of his beloved wife, Elrond could see sincere remorse cross his face. "I am sorry, Father." he elf-prince mumbled, lowing his head in shame. "I did not mean to say that. It just has not been a very good day."
A twinge of pity wrenched Elrond's heart as he observed the look of misery on his son's face. It pained him to see Elladan looking so downhearted, though he was not in the right when it came to this conflict he was now facing. After a long moment of silent hesitation, Elrond then stepped closer to Elladan and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Armir loves you very much, Elladan." he told him gently. "Do not ever doubt it."
Elladan frowned, and refused to lift his gaze from the floor. "I do not see why she should." he muttered, sounding almost angry. "Not after I have been such a terrible father to her."
"Do not put yourself through that ordeal again." Elrond told him firmly. "That is not true."
But his son merely sighed and turned his gaze back up at the painting that hung before them. Unmistakable longing filled his blue eyes as he stared up at the lovely face of Nurréien.
"What do you think she would have done?" he whispered, seeming as though he was directing the question to himself. "What would she have wanted me to do?"
"She would have wanted her daughter to be happy." Elrond responded. "To be free to make her own choices, just like she was able to do."
Elladan's face hardened somewhat upon hearing these words. "I do not think it was good for Nurréien to have been given that freedom." he said darkly, a scowl suddenly marring his fair face. "Look at where her choices ended up leading her."
Elrond stared at him in surprise, much disconcerted by the tone of his voice. "Surely you do not still blame yourself for the fate that befell her!"
"Yes I do. Every day." Elladan said bitterly. "It was all my fault, Father, and no matter what anyone says, that cannot be denied. I was stupid. I should never have let her leave the safe life she had to go into the wild with me! I should have known better and just had never allowed her to stay at my side!"
For a while Elrond could not say anything. He never knew that Elladan still felt this much resentment about his wife's death. He had indeed been completely devastated for a long time after her passing, but it had been many years since then. Apparently the wounds have not healed, but only festered.
"I do not believe she regretted her choice." the elf-lord said at last. "Nurréien loved you, Elladan. Being with you made her happy, and she would not have had it any other way."
"If we had not met, she would never have come to such harm." Elladan snapped, shaking his head as tears began to fill his eyes. "I took her with me even if I knew it could be dangerous for her, because I was a selfish fool. If I had just not permitted myself to fall in love with her, maybe she would still be alive."
"If you had not held onto her, neither of you would have experienced the joy that can only come from true love." Elrond said wisely. "You would never have been whole had you not found each other, and your daughter would certainly would not be here with us today. Armir is the fruit of your love for Nurréien, and is what makes your time together, no matter how brief and in spite of all the pains, full of meaning and invaluable worth."
"I do not wish for the past to repeat itself!" Elladan burst out suddenly, finally releasing the dominant thought that has been agonizing him most of all. "I do not want Armir to come to the same end as her mother did."
Elrond frowned. "You cannot ascertain that such a thing will happen." he pointed out. "Is that what this is all about? You fear she will come to harm if she stays with Legolas?"
"It almost happened, did it not?" Elladan retorted sharply. "It matters not that he tried to save her. He failed to protect her, just like I failed my wife, and she was lost. It is only through a rare miracle that the Valar brought Armir back to us, something we can be thankful for but can never hope to happen again."
The Ranger then paused and shook his head. "They are not so very much unlike Nurréien and myself, Ada." he murmured. "And that is what scares me most."
"But there is one thing you have forgotten, Elladan, one thing that makes all the difference." Elrond told him gently. "It was also Legolas' love that saved Armir and brought her back. The Valar would never have granted the miracle of her return had it not have been for his devotion to her."
"You should not have to worry about Armir's safety while she is in Legolas' care." he went on, giving his son's shoulder a firm squeeze.. "They have been brought together by the grace of Eru, and will continue to be kept by him. I do not think the Valar will allow them to come to any harm."
"It just does not feel like it is enough." Elladan said miserably. "I know I am being blasphemous and stubborn, but I cannot help what I feel. I want to be the one to protect her."
He sighed and hung his head. "I realize it is ironic for me to be this possessive after all those years of absence, but that does not matter now." he said softly. "I have changed. Her death made me see how terrified I am of losing her, and now I want to do all that I can to keep that from ever happening."
"Armir is not a little girl anymore, Elladan." Elrond reminded him quietly. "She has taken a new he-elf into her life now, so you have to let her go. I understand that it hurts, but there simply comes a time when the role of a father ends, to let the role of a husband begin."
"If I surrender her to Legolas, he will take her away!" Elladan exclaimed, sounding pained by the very thought of it. "She shall have to move to the Woodland Realm and become their princess, no longer ours. Do you give your full consent to that?"
"Yes, I do. Because I see that there is nothing left for her here." Elrond admitted. "Rivendell is coming to its end, as all our people are departing this world. Thranduil and his kin, on the other hand, have no intentions of leaving their kingdom, which will likely become the only Elven realm to remain in Middle Earth. If Armir is to be left behind, as she is clearly meant to be, she must move on to a new home in Mirkwood. There she will find a new life, new purpose, and there she will be happy. That is what I truly want for her."
Elladan was silent for a moment before he spoke again, with clearly a hurt look crossing his face. "You do not think that I can be the one to make her happy?"
"No. I am sorry." Elrond responded truthfully, looking rueful. "Even if we wish we could, neither of us can. She needs Legolas. He is her soulmate, and her love and joy is in his possession now. We shall just have to trust that Thranduil's son will take care of those precious gifts, and I have no doubt that he will strive to do so with all of his heart."
"What you can do now to make your daughter happy is to give your blessings to her and Legolas." he continued. "Like I had said, she loves you greatly, and would never wish to do anything that may displease you. Only through your consent will she be free to enjoy her happiness with the one she loves."
There was yet another long pause as Elrond watched Elladan fall back into a troubled stupor. He was finally getting through to him, and was beginning to make him see what was unquestionably the right thing to do.
When his son still refused to say anything, he went on to give his final word. "Either way, whether you give your consent or not, you will never be able to separate them." he told him sternly. "No authority can ever overrule the holy bond of marriage, and you know that well."
"Yes, Father. I do." Elladan admitted at last, suddenly looking very much ashamed. "My temper overwhelmed me for a while, but I am aware now that it is not in my right nor power to keep them apart. I . . . I was just so . . . angry."
He sighed deeply but at last nodded his head in agreement . "Legolas has long been a good friend to us. He is an honorable elf, and I know this." he whispered. "He will make Armir a good husband."
"I suppose was just envious to suddenly find that somebody has already come to take my place in her life." he then added, speaking so sadly and dejectedly that his father felt pity stab at him. "It came so quickly and so unexpectedly. I am not ready to give her up yet. I just wish I could have spent some more time with her."
"Talk to Legolas." Elrond suggested. "Tell him how you feel. He is a kind and considerate lad, and I am sure he will understand. You might be able to work out a compromise that will please everyone."
Elladan nodded resignedly. "All right." he murmured. "I will speak with him. After all, I do believe that I now owe him an apology."
A smile grew on Elrond's face as he felt pride for his firstborn swell in his heart. He stepped close and enveloped him in a fatherly embrace. "I love you, my son." he said softly. "And I know you would have made Nurréien very happy."
When they parted, Elladan at last gave him a smile, a wonderful sight he had not seen on him for almost a century. "Thank you, Ada." he whispered. "For everything."
* * *
The warm, summer evening that fell upon Rivendell just after sunset was beautiful, and never would have given any clue as to all the tears that have been shed or the grief that had been suffered earlier during the day. Bright moonlight reflected itself upon the golden hair of an elf-prince as he walked through the forest-gardens of Lord Elrond's house, at the same time lighting his way as he proceeded swiftly down the grassy path.
He had been looking for Armir for quite some time now, and had been unsuccessful in his attempts until one of the servants reported that he had seen the young princess enter the forest earlier in the afternoon. She had not been seen for hours since, so it was likely she still had not moved from the place where she had gone.
It did not take long before he finally came upon the secret spot where his wife had sought refuge. In the heart of the forest, in a small glade that was apparently not much frequented by visitors, he caught sight of a slender figure kneeling on the soft grass before what appeared to be a white marble statue of a woman. Her back faced him, and she was motionless and completely silent, but Legolas knew for sure that this solitary maiden can be no other than the one he was searching for.
"Armir?"
At the sound of his voice, his beloved raised her head with a startled gasp. Pain automatically cut through Legolas at the sight of her tear-streaked face and aggrieved eyes. Upon recognizing her husband, the young maiden rose to her feet at once, but then stood in place hesitantly, as though she were afraid to come near him.
"What is wrong, Melamin?" Legolas asked gently, reaching out to her with an inviting hand.
At this, Armir suddenly ran forward into the comfort of his waiting arms, bursting into tears the moment they enfolded her. Legolas held her close, arms tightening protectively as he felt her tremble as she wept against him. He rocked her gently in his embrace and placed a soothing kiss on the top of her head, waiting patiently until she was able to calm down a little.
"I have wanted to look for you all day, but I feared my father's threats!" she sobbed. "I am so sorry, Legolas! I did not know he would be so angry. I never would have let you face him alone had I known!"
"Shh . . . " Legolas whispered, rubbing her back as he tried to ease her irrepressible shaking. "Tis all right. You have nothing to blame yourself for."
After a few moments, her cries seemed to subside slightly as he continued to cradle her. "Tell me." he said gently. "What was it that your father threatened you with?"
"He said he would have you banished from Rivendell if I ever tried to see you again!" Armir cried. "I cannot bear to see that happen, but neither can I endure not being with you."
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Tears were streaming copiously from her eyes, but there was strength in them as she stared into his.
"He may banish you if that is his will, but he will then have to cast me out as well." she said, suddenly sounding determined. "Because I will never leave you, Legolas. Wherever you must go, so will I. Not even my father can change my resolve on that."
Legolas smiled, deeply touched by this declaration of her devotion to him. He held her face tenderly in his hands and planted soft kisses on her cheeks, drying them of tears.
"You would give up your right to your own homeland, and sacrifice the love of your father just to stay with me?" he murmured, shaking his head. "I cannot allow you to do that. You will be miserable, and I will never forgive myself for being the cause of it."
"I choose it over the greater misery, and that is being forced apart from you!" Armir exclaimed. Her eyes widened, suddenly looking fearful at Legolas' objection. "Surely you do not intend to bend to my father's will and just leave me?"
Legolas felt his stomach clench at the mere thought of this. "Never." he told her firmly.
"Then what are we going to do?" Armir whispered fretfully. She closed her eyes, causing her tears to start flowing again. She wearily laid her head back against Legolas' chest. "Oh Eru . . ."
"You will not be forced to compromise anything, my love." Legolas told her softly. "Your father spoke to me a second time today, no more than an hour ago, and his heart has been swayed."
He took her chin and gently tilted her head up to look at him. "He has given us his blessing."
Armir's entire face lit up suddenly with a burst of happiness but at the same time disbelief. "Truly?!"
Legolas nodded with a soft chuckle. "Yes, dearest." he assured her. "He has expressed his consent in giving your hand to me, and he wishes us well."
"Oh Legolas!" was all Armir could say as an incredible smile sweeping across her face. She flung her arms around her neck, laughing and weeping for joy at the same time.
"I had asked to be the one to tell you the good news, but he wishes to speak to you afterward." Legolas explained, after the rejoicing had subsided. He smiled and kissed her hand, then lovingly stroked the side of her now elated face. "And there is something else. In exchange for his approval, Elladan asked from me two conditions, which I have agreed to give."
A trace of worry caused his wife's smile to flicker. "What are these?"
"Your father says we have been married before the eyes of the Valar, but not the eyes of our kin. Therefore, he has asked that we wed a second time." Legolas explained. "He wants us to go through another ceremony, one where he, as well as all of our friends and loved ones, may be present."
Armir's eyes shone with delight at this suggestion. "He is right. I think it is an excellent idea!" she said enthusiastically. "But what is the second condition?"
Legolas took a deep breath. "That I leave you in Rivendell with him for one month, and go home to Mirkwood in the meantime."
"What?!" Armir exclaimed, looking immediately alarmed. "I . . . I do not understand! He still wants to part us from each other?"
"No, no!" Legolas said quickly, taking her hands and squeezing them reassuringly. "It is just that Elladan wants to be able to spend some more time with you before I take you away with me, to your new home in my father's kingdom. He longs to experience having you as his daughter, even if just for a short while. After all, you have not been able to enjoy each other's company for the longest time, and have yet much to learn about each other. He simply wants to claim a share of your time before he hands over you to my charge, and I think it is a fair request."
Armir frowned. "But why must he demand that you leave and go home?"
Legolas chuckled and ran his hand through her hair affectionately. "Because he knows that while I am around, I will be sure competition." he pointed out. "I will only distract you, and your attention will be divided between me and him. That would not be fair to your father."
"Besides," he went on. "I think my leaving would also be a wise idea, since it would give me the chance to break the news to my own father. He does not even know of your return, much less our union! He will not disapprove of it of course, but I am sure he would nonetheless like to get Mirkwood prepared before your arrival. Our new princess deserves no less than a proper welcome."
Seeing the downcast look on Armir's face, he leaned over to kiss her briefly. "Do not be sad, Mela." he murmured tenderly. "The month will pass by swiftly. Once my father and I have prepared a place for you in our kingdom, and you and Elladan have gotten the chance to renew your relationship with each other, I will return for you. Then we shall be together forever, and I swear nothing will ever part us again."
Armir sighed after a silent moment of consideration. "Yes." she said softly. "You are right. It is only proper and reasonable that we settle our own affairs first before we truly can start our new life."
She slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him with an irresistible little pout. "It is just that I will miss you so much, for sure."
"And what makes you think I will not?" Legolas responded lightheartedly, giving her nose a teasing pinch and causing her to laugh. "But do not worry about it. I do not plan to go anywhere yet, at least for a few more days. Let us just try to enjoy what time we have together for now."
He pulled her closer to him and they kissed tenderly for a while, before Armir pulled away. She placed a hand on Legolas mouth to still his fervent lips, and giggled when he groaned in complaint and nipped playfully at her fingers.
"Come." she said, taking his hand. "I have yet to introduce you to someone."
She pulled him along and led him to the stature in front of which she had been kneeling only minutes ago. It was only when he came close that Legolas realized the sculpture of the beautiful woman was no mere statue. Upon the soft grass at the foot of the statue's base was a headstone on which was carved Elvish writing. He did not even have to read it to know what it said.
"Ammë (mama), I would like you to meet Legolas." Armir said softly, speaking to the grave with fond devotion in her eyes. She smiled and squeezed her husband's hand meaningfully. "He is the one I told you about. The elf who I have fallen in love with, just like you did with Ada."
Legolas smiled, his heart warming with immeasurable affection for Armir as together they knelt on the grass. He leaned back on his heels and wrapped his arms around his beloved, holding her close as he pulled her onto his lap.
"You have a beautiful daughter, my Lady." the elf-prince whispered, looking and speaking to the memorial just as Armir had. "Eternally am I grateful to you for bringing her into this world, for I do not know what I would have done if she had not become a part of my life. She is special and wonderful in every way, and I love her with all my heart."
Upon hearing this, Armir turned her head around to look at him, tears shining in her eyes. Legolas shifted his gaze to look at the face of the one he cradled in his arms, and cupped her delicate chin in his hand.
"I treasure her more than anything or anyone, and I promise you, I will take care of her." he whispered, stroking her cheek with a gentle thumb. "Forever."
In front of Nurréien's memorial they shared a chaste kiss, both knowing in their hearts that they had her blessing, just as they now had her husband's. It was at that moment they found true peace with their marriage, thinking that at last they no longer needed to worry about anyone's will coming between them again.
* * *
COMING UP . . . CHAPTER 7 - VISIONS
Not to make you guys feel guilty or anything, but I did give up a Saturday party and some precious hours of study time just to get this chapter out by today. Please review so my sacrifices will not be in vain! Hehehe . . . .;p I think I deserve even a little compensation for my efforts!
Anyhow, thanks for reading! Hopefully I'll be back soon!
This is a bit delayed, but I cannot really be blamed for that. I had two exams this week and another two next week (that I have yet to study for!), so it's miraculous enough that I was able to get this out before the end of the week. Oh well . . . I just didn't want to keep you guys waiting.
There were quite a lot of violent reactions against Elladan in last chapter's reviews. Aw, give him a break guys! Try to look at it from his point of view (his wife and mother were killed by orcs (ergo, he is overprotective of his daughter), all of Rivendell knew about the marriage before he did, etc.) and you really can't blame him for freaking out. Maybe after reading this chapter and "The Royal Jewel" (after I've finished writing it that is! Hehehe. . .) you'd understand him better and feel differently.
And did you notice that Elrond had a little bit of a temper in the movies? Well, I just decided to have Elladan inherit that in my stories.
Anyway, on with the drama! I hope you like it! ;p
HAPPY READING!
* * *
A LOVE THAT BINDS
Chapter Six - DAUGHTER
It was a beautiful sunny day outside in the lush gardens of the House of Lord Elrond. But from where she sat alone in the gazebo overlooking the main courtyards, Armir was unable to enjoy the beauty all around her, for she was in deep and anxious thought. The book that she had been trying to read for the past hour lay open and neglected in her hands as she stared out into space, a troubled look lingering upon her face.
Something was wrong, she could feel it. Quite some time had already passed since she met with her father and shared a tearful reunion with him. It was also then that she had gathered up every ounce of courage in her and told him the big news. He seemed to have taken it better than she had expected. Certainly, he was very shocked at first, and had demanded that she tell him all the details, but he had also managed to keep his calm about the entire thing relatively well.
After Armir had finished explaining everything, he had simply smiled, kissed her, and given her his best wishes. If he had any misgivings in his heart that he did not wish for her to know of, he had indeed been very good in concealing them. He then changed the subject at once and asked her to take breakfast with him. Armir, being overwhelmed with relief at the seeming ease with which her father accepted and approved of her marriage, was only too glad to accept.
It was only after the meal had ended, when Elladan asked to be excused for a while, that the young maiden began to realize that it was perhaps not going as perfectly as she had thought. Her father said he still needed going to have a word with his new son-in-law, and wanted to do so alone. She had begged to be allowed to come with him, for she did not want Legolas to face her father alone, but Elladan was very insistent on privacy. The young elf then had no choice but just to wait for the meeting to come to an end, and she went out to the gardens in hopes of finding some means of distracting herself.
"Armir!"
Armir raised her head at once at the sound of this call, her heart leaping in her chest as she recognized the voice. Sure enough, as she stood and walked out of the gazebo, she immediately caught sight of her father swiftly making his way across the gardens towards her. She rushed forward to meet him with a hopeful smile on her face, but this very quickly faded when she noticed his expression, which was clearly of anger.
"Father, what is it?" she asked at once, dread rapidly sweeping every inch of her. She reached out with a hand to touch his shoulder as he drew near. "Has something gone wrong?"
Elladan gave her a glare that made her freeze with fright. "You are not to have any dealings with Legolas Thranduilion from now on." he ordered her, his voice heavy with controlled fury. "Henceforth, I forbid you speak with him or even come near him, is that understood?"
"What?!" Armir cried out, in great shock but also confusion. "Ada, what are you saying?"
"You will stay away from that he-elf or I will have him cast out of this realm forever. Must I make myself any clearer than that?" Elladan growled, his eyes narrowing at her with impatience.
Armir felt her body weaken all of a sudden, the fear of this nightmare beginning to strip off her strength. "Ada, how can you ask such a thing from me?" she asked, her voice quivering as terribly as her knees. "Legolas is my husband!"
"He is NOT!" Elladan shouted, his face going livid. "I say so! Your marriage is not legitimate because it was done without your full awareness and consent! He seduced you into accepting him, Armir! You would have known better and refused had you only a clearer mind on things."
"That is not true! He did no such thing!" Armir protested, feeling a burst of defiance in her at this ridiculous accusation. "He does care for me, Ada. And I truly love him. There is no mistake about that. I love him, I know this with all my mind and heart."
The anger seemed to melt from Elladan's face as he listened to his daughter make this declaration so boldly and confidently. It was replaced with what strangely looked like fear.
"You know not what you say." he said desperately, almost pleadingly. "You are young and full of dreams, and have not entirely understood how things in life really are. You are just a child, Armir!"
"I am no child!' Armir exclaimed, staring at him disbelievingly. She could not understand what could possibly be causing her father to act this way and say such absurdities. "I have grown up. I have earned the right to make my own choices and accept whatever consequences they may bring. I am not a little girl anymore, Ada!"
"You agreed to give Legolas your hand as soon as he asked for it, without even waiting for my counsel or consent! What kind of maturity is found in that disrespect and impetuousness?!" Elladan countered heatedly. "You have known him for no more than a year, and yet you bind yourself to him with nary a forethought!"
"A day could be all that is needed when it is the right love." Armir said softly. Tears were now filling her eyes, revealing the insufferable ache that was beginning to crush her heart. What could she possibly do to make him see? He was so upset, too angry to even really hear her.
Elladan threw her a look that seemed exasperated. He shook his head before turning away, muttering angrily to himself. Armir's heart sank in desperation, and she grabbed his hand, squeezing it in both of hers.
"Ada, please!' she begged, the tears beginning to stream down her face. "I thought you approved. I thought you understood. I would have given anything to have told you, to have had you with us. But it was not only our will that was fulfilled. The Valar's hand was in our fate, and there happened things that we simply had no control over."
She held his hand to her face, wetting it with her tears as she kissed it. "Please do not be angry with us, and do not believe that we meant you any disrespect." she sobbed. "Your blessing means a great deal to Legolas and I, and I do badly wish for you to approve of him."
Armir felt his free hand take her chin and lift it up gently. She found herself looking into his eyes, which looked very much aggrieved but still indomitable.
"I am sorry, Armir. But I am not willing to risk losing you again." he whispered, cupping her face between his large hands. "I will not allow you to be taken away from me a second time."
"That will not happen." Armir replied, feeling somewhat confused by this strange comment. "I will not stop being your daughter just because I have already become another elf's wife."
"No." Elladan repeated stubbornly. His hands took hers and held onto them tightly. "I will not entrust you to Legolas. I refuse to yield you to an elf who could not even properly take care of you."
Armir stared at him in shock. "You cannot possibly accuse Legolas of not caring for me!" she began. "He loves me, he . . . "
"It is because of him that you died!" Elladan shouted suddenly. His face seemed to tremble with emotion and rage at the very memory of it. "Do you not remember? If I had not followed you and gotten to you in time, who knows what other horrors you might have suffered in the hands of the orcs? You would not have come to such harm had he only been more vigilant in protecting you!"
Armir gasped, realization dawning on her at this outburst. "Ada, that is not fair!" she exclaimed, pulling her hands away from him in horror. "What happened to me was not Legolas' fault! You cannot blame him for my death!"
"He swore to look after you, and yet you were lost. It is as simple as that." Elladan said coldly. "Seeing that he could not manage to save you then, how am I now supposed to believe he would not let it happen a second time?"
"Legolas would have gladly given up his life to save mine, and he always will! You know that!" Armir cried, all her restraint now hopelessly lost. "He may not have had the power to stop Fate from taking me, but that does not change the fact that he tried, and that is all that matters! Can you not see, Ada? It is just like what happened to you and Ammë (Mama)!"
This last sentence escaped her before she could prevent it. Elladan, clearly taken aback by this unexpected outburst, could only stare at her in stunned silence. That was the first time she ever spoke of her mother to him, and the sudden mention of his beloved wife's death struck him like a slap to his face.
But Armir was not in her right sense anymore to offer him any apologies. Her heart bleeding with sorrow at the argument that had just occurred as well as her failure to move her father's mind, she turned and ran swiftly from the garden, sobbing uncontrollably.
* * *
Throwing himself down on one of the stone benches situated at the gardens bordering the forests, Legolas let out a moan of gloom and buried his face in his hands. There he sat for a long while, his head lowered and his heavy mind spinning with depressed thoughts.
He could not believe what had just happened. Though Lord Elrond himself had been good enough to warn him of Elladan's temper and certain oppositions he would likely raise against his and Armir's union, Legolas never expected his new father-in-law to react towards him in such a negative manner. He simply could not understand what he could have done to arouse so much anger from an elf he had always considered as a constant, long-time friend.
Perhaps it had been rather insolent of him to have wooed Armir without telling her father. He had forgone the traditional customs of courtship, which most certainly should have included the involvement of the maiden's parents. But it was not as though he had intended for any of these things to happen. They just did, and now there was nothing that could be done against a bond so sacred and lasting as matrimony. No matter what, Elladan did not have the right to order him to stay away from his wife, the one thing in this world he knew he would never be able to live without.
He may as well have told him to drop dead.
But what was he to do now? He had no fear of Elladan's threats, that was for certain. He knew he would never distance himself from Armir for any reason, even if the Valar themselves ordered him to. He was ready to face any punishment or ordeal to fight for his claim and need to be with her. The only problem that weighed on his mind now was what Armir herself would think of this conflict, and how it would end up affecting her happiness. It was only now that Legolas finally understood what the princess had been worrying about all along. She had somehow foreseen that this might happen. She felt and knew that she may eventually be forced to choose between him and her father, and that hour has indeed come upon them at last.
Legolas did not doubt his wife's faithfulness and love for him. He was certain she would sooner choose to elope with him than allow her father to separate them. However, in doing this, she would likewise be forcing herself to turn her back on somebody she still loved very much, in spite of his shortcomings and failures to perform his duties towards her.
Missing out on the chance to re-establish her relationship with her Ada would curtail Armir's happiness for sure. That was not what she deserved, and was not what the way Legolas wanted to start out their life together. He did not want to come between Armir and Elladan. He longed to give her the most wonderful marriage possible, and such would include getting the blessings of her stubborn father-- somehow.
For a long while then the Mirkwood prince sat in solitude, pondering desperately on how he could be able to create what seemed like a miracle. It took him quite some time before he realized that, there was actually somebody else that had come to the garden with him, and had for a few minutes been observing him silently from a distance. This newcomer finally caught the distraught elf's attention by speaking up first.
"His word changes nothing, you know that."
Legolas lifted his head up, slightly startled by the emergence of this new voice. As his eyes crossed the distance to rest on a handsome he- elf with long raven hair and a piecing blue stare aimed straight at him, his arms crossed over his chest. For a moment Legolas' heart froze at the fleeting thought of his father-in-law coming back to start yet another dispute with him, but he relaxed just as quickly when he realized that it was not Armir's father after all, but her uncle.
Elrohir smiled weakly, amused by the initial shock and anxiety he had caught on Legolas' face. He then began to walk slowly towards the bench where the elf-prince remained seated.
"It is only his word that counts for anything now." Legolas mumbled miserably as the older elf approached him.
Upon hearing this downhearted comment, Elrohir tilted his head and gazed at him inquisitively. "You think not that your love for Armir has any power against Elladan's will?" he asked.
Legolas shook his head. "It is because of my love for her that I wish to make her happy." he said softly. "I know that I cannot do that for as long as her father disapproves of her being with me. Elladan loathes me now."
"He does not." Elrohir countered gently, looking visibly sorry for the Mirkwood elf. "He has always seen and respected you as a friend, and that has not changed."
Legolas stared back at him through eyes filled with bitterness. "It did not seem that way when he threatened me with banishment if I ever approached his daughter again."
Elrohir sighed and finally sat down beside the troubled elf. "Please forgive my brother and just try to understand him." he implored. "He has been through such misfortune and grief that his nature has been much altered over the years. At times it seems he no longer has proper control over what he says and does."
"Tell me then what it is exactly that I have done to displease him so." Legolas said earnestly. "I am willing do whatever it takes to amend my mistakes and regain his favor."
Elrohir shrugged. "Tis not so much you who are the problem." he explained. "It is he. All this misunderstanding and all this aggression is actually the result of Elladan and his personal fears, ones that have haunted him continuously ever since Nurréien's passing. He has to learn to deal with these demons first, before he is able to accept the news of your marriage to Armir."
He then paused and looked at Legolas with uncertainty. "You do know the story of Elladan and Nurréien, do you not?"
"Aye, Lord Elrond told me all about it." Legolas affirmed.
Elrohir nodded. "It should then not be so difficult for you understand how much Armir matters to my brother, and how deeply afraid he is to lose her." he pointed out.
Legolas could not constrain the small scowl that spread across his lips. "Forgive me, but it did not seem that way when he just left Armir as a child and then neglected her for so many years."
Elrohir sighed and shook his head gravely. "No one could ever blame him for that, not ever our father." he murmured, eyes growing reflective as his thoughts drifted to recollections of the past. "Even as a child, Armir already had much of Nurréien in her. The memory of his wife's death was then still fresh in Elladan's mind, and seeing her in Armir's face, her smile, in her laugh- it was simply too much for him to bear. He certainly did not like the idea of leaving his daughter behind, but he had to. It is quite possible that he may have died of grief had he stayed."
As he listened to this, Legolas was for the first time struck with deep and sincere sympathy for his father-in-law. He knew that what Elrohir said must be the truth. No one could possibly know how Elladan felt as well as his twin.
Perhaps he was being the selfish one. Armir was his wife, yes, but she was also still a part of Elladan's life, and an important one at that. She was all he had left, really. Elladan had as much of a right to her as he did.
"Legolas." Elrohir said softly, touching the prince's arm and calling his attention back. "In spite of his temper, Elladan is not without reason. Just give him time to sort out his feelings, and he will soon come to his senses. And once he does, you can be sure he will be looking at these matters much differently, and will be able to make more prudent decisions."
"Think you then that he will eventually give his blessings to Armir and I?" Legolas inquired hopefully.
Elrohir smiled at him kindly. "Why would he not?" he said. "Personally, I think there is no elf in this world who would make her a more suitable husband than you, Legolas. That has already been proven by the fact that it is your love that has resurrected her. Moreover, it clear through mere observations that you truly care for her, and would do all that you can to give her everything."
"Thank you." Legolas said softly, feeling a strong rush of gratitude and relief at these sincere words. "I only hope your brother does come to realize that as well."
"In time, he will." Elrohir assured him, a mysterious twinkle in his eyes. "I can assure you as much."
"How can you be so certain?" Legolas asked, curious as to what this gleam in his gaze meant.
"Because as I see you now, and the way you speak of Armir with so much love and devotion, I see my brother." Elrohir told Legolas seriously. "I witness once again the way he used to speak of his beloved, and it is without a doubt he himself has also recognized this similarity during your meeting with him. It is perhaps another reason why he is growing so anxious about surrendering his daughter to you."
"Elladan sees himself in you, Legolas, just as much as he sees Nurréien in Armir."
* * *
The usual silence that pervaded a certain hall in the less visited parts of the Last Homely House was faintly broken by the sound of light footsteps against the marble floor. It was the Master of Imladris himself that passed through this hall swiftly, his feet carrying him straight to a particular spot along the corridor where he knew he would find what he sought.
Lord Elrond's eldest child was completely motionless as he stood in front of the large painting hanging on the wall. Even as he came up behind him, the young elf-lord did not shift his gaze from the sight of the beautiful maiden who stared down at him from the framed canvas. Understanding the need for this obstinate silence perfectly well, Elrond simply stood there, waiting patiently for his son until he was ready to face him. It would be better if he be the one to make the first move and have the first word.
"Have you come to lecture me again, Father?"
Elrond sighed heavily and shook his head. "Must you always think that way about me, Elladan?" he asked quietly. "I do not think I have done anything to deserve such negative treatment."
Though he still refused to turn away from the portrait of his beloved wife, Elrond could see sincere remorse cross his face. "I am sorry, Father." he elf-prince mumbled, lowing his head in shame. "I did not mean to say that. It just has not been a very good day."
A twinge of pity wrenched Elrond's heart as he observed the look of misery on his son's face. It pained him to see Elladan looking so downhearted, though he was not in the right when it came to this conflict he was now facing. After a long moment of silent hesitation, Elrond then stepped closer to Elladan and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Armir loves you very much, Elladan." he told him gently. "Do not ever doubt it."
Elladan frowned, and refused to lift his gaze from the floor. "I do not see why she should." he muttered, sounding almost angry. "Not after I have been such a terrible father to her."
"Do not put yourself through that ordeal again." Elrond told him firmly. "That is not true."
But his son merely sighed and turned his gaze back up at the painting that hung before them. Unmistakable longing filled his blue eyes as he stared up at the lovely face of Nurréien.
"What do you think she would have done?" he whispered, seeming as though he was directing the question to himself. "What would she have wanted me to do?"
"She would have wanted her daughter to be happy." Elrond responded. "To be free to make her own choices, just like she was able to do."
Elladan's face hardened somewhat upon hearing these words. "I do not think it was good for Nurréien to have been given that freedom." he said darkly, a scowl suddenly marring his fair face. "Look at where her choices ended up leading her."
Elrond stared at him in surprise, much disconcerted by the tone of his voice. "Surely you do not still blame yourself for the fate that befell her!"
"Yes I do. Every day." Elladan said bitterly. "It was all my fault, Father, and no matter what anyone says, that cannot be denied. I was stupid. I should never have let her leave the safe life she had to go into the wild with me! I should have known better and just had never allowed her to stay at my side!"
For a while Elrond could not say anything. He never knew that Elladan still felt this much resentment about his wife's death. He had indeed been completely devastated for a long time after her passing, but it had been many years since then. Apparently the wounds have not healed, but only festered.
"I do not believe she regretted her choice." the elf-lord said at last. "Nurréien loved you, Elladan. Being with you made her happy, and she would not have had it any other way."
"If we had not met, she would never have come to such harm." Elladan snapped, shaking his head as tears began to fill his eyes. "I took her with me even if I knew it could be dangerous for her, because I was a selfish fool. If I had just not permitted myself to fall in love with her, maybe she would still be alive."
"If you had not held onto her, neither of you would have experienced the joy that can only come from true love." Elrond said wisely. "You would never have been whole had you not found each other, and your daughter would certainly would not be here with us today. Armir is the fruit of your love for Nurréien, and is what makes your time together, no matter how brief and in spite of all the pains, full of meaning and invaluable worth."
"I do not wish for the past to repeat itself!" Elladan burst out suddenly, finally releasing the dominant thought that has been agonizing him most of all. "I do not want Armir to come to the same end as her mother did."
Elrond frowned. "You cannot ascertain that such a thing will happen." he pointed out. "Is that what this is all about? You fear she will come to harm if she stays with Legolas?"
"It almost happened, did it not?" Elladan retorted sharply. "It matters not that he tried to save her. He failed to protect her, just like I failed my wife, and she was lost. It is only through a rare miracle that the Valar brought Armir back to us, something we can be thankful for but can never hope to happen again."
The Ranger then paused and shook his head. "They are not so very much unlike Nurréien and myself, Ada." he murmured. "And that is what scares me most."
"But there is one thing you have forgotten, Elladan, one thing that makes all the difference." Elrond told him gently. "It was also Legolas' love that saved Armir and brought her back. The Valar would never have granted the miracle of her return had it not have been for his devotion to her."
"You should not have to worry about Armir's safety while she is in Legolas' care." he went on, giving his son's shoulder a firm squeeze.. "They have been brought together by the grace of Eru, and will continue to be kept by him. I do not think the Valar will allow them to come to any harm."
"It just does not feel like it is enough." Elladan said miserably. "I know I am being blasphemous and stubborn, but I cannot help what I feel. I want to be the one to protect her."
He sighed and hung his head. "I realize it is ironic for me to be this possessive after all those years of absence, but that does not matter now." he said softly. "I have changed. Her death made me see how terrified I am of losing her, and now I want to do all that I can to keep that from ever happening."
"Armir is not a little girl anymore, Elladan." Elrond reminded him quietly. "She has taken a new he-elf into her life now, so you have to let her go. I understand that it hurts, but there simply comes a time when the role of a father ends, to let the role of a husband begin."
"If I surrender her to Legolas, he will take her away!" Elladan exclaimed, sounding pained by the very thought of it. "She shall have to move to the Woodland Realm and become their princess, no longer ours. Do you give your full consent to that?"
"Yes, I do. Because I see that there is nothing left for her here." Elrond admitted. "Rivendell is coming to its end, as all our people are departing this world. Thranduil and his kin, on the other hand, have no intentions of leaving their kingdom, which will likely become the only Elven realm to remain in Middle Earth. If Armir is to be left behind, as she is clearly meant to be, she must move on to a new home in Mirkwood. There she will find a new life, new purpose, and there she will be happy. That is what I truly want for her."
Elladan was silent for a moment before he spoke again, with clearly a hurt look crossing his face. "You do not think that I can be the one to make her happy?"
"No. I am sorry." Elrond responded truthfully, looking rueful. "Even if we wish we could, neither of us can. She needs Legolas. He is her soulmate, and her love and joy is in his possession now. We shall just have to trust that Thranduil's son will take care of those precious gifts, and I have no doubt that he will strive to do so with all of his heart."
"What you can do now to make your daughter happy is to give your blessings to her and Legolas." he continued. "Like I had said, she loves you greatly, and would never wish to do anything that may displease you. Only through your consent will she be free to enjoy her happiness with the one she loves."
There was yet another long pause as Elrond watched Elladan fall back into a troubled stupor. He was finally getting through to him, and was beginning to make him see what was unquestionably the right thing to do.
When his son still refused to say anything, he went on to give his final word. "Either way, whether you give your consent or not, you will never be able to separate them." he told him sternly. "No authority can ever overrule the holy bond of marriage, and you know that well."
"Yes, Father. I do." Elladan admitted at last, suddenly looking very much ashamed. "My temper overwhelmed me for a while, but I am aware now that it is not in my right nor power to keep them apart. I . . . I was just so . . . angry."
He sighed deeply but at last nodded his head in agreement . "Legolas has long been a good friend to us. He is an honorable elf, and I know this." he whispered. "He will make Armir a good husband."
"I suppose was just envious to suddenly find that somebody has already come to take my place in her life." he then added, speaking so sadly and dejectedly that his father felt pity stab at him. "It came so quickly and so unexpectedly. I am not ready to give her up yet. I just wish I could have spent some more time with her."
"Talk to Legolas." Elrond suggested. "Tell him how you feel. He is a kind and considerate lad, and I am sure he will understand. You might be able to work out a compromise that will please everyone."
Elladan nodded resignedly. "All right." he murmured. "I will speak with him. After all, I do believe that I now owe him an apology."
A smile grew on Elrond's face as he felt pride for his firstborn swell in his heart. He stepped close and enveloped him in a fatherly embrace. "I love you, my son." he said softly. "And I know you would have made Nurréien very happy."
When they parted, Elladan at last gave him a smile, a wonderful sight he had not seen on him for almost a century. "Thank you, Ada." he whispered. "For everything."
* * *
The warm, summer evening that fell upon Rivendell just after sunset was beautiful, and never would have given any clue as to all the tears that have been shed or the grief that had been suffered earlier during the day. Bright moonlight reflected itself upon the golden hair of an elf-prince as he walked through the forest-gardens of Lord Elrond's house, at the same time lighting his way as he proceeded swiftly down the grassy path.
He had been looking for Armir for quite some time now, and had been unsuccessful in his attempts until one of the servants reported that he had seen the young princess enter the forest earlier in the afternoon. She had not been seen for hours since, so it was likely she still had not moved from the place where she had gone.
It did not take long before he finally came upon the secret spot where his wife had sought refuge. In the heart of the forest, in a small glade that was apparently not much frequented by visitors, he caught sight of a slender figure kneeling on the soft grass before what appeared to be a white marble statue of a woman. Her back faced him, and she was motionless and completely silent, but Legolas knew for sure that this solitary maiden can be no other than the one he was searching for.
"Armir?"
At the sound of his voice, his beloved raised her head with a startled gasp. Pain automatically cut through Legolas at the sight of her tear-streaked face and aggrieved eyes. Upon recognizing her husband, the young maiden rose to her feet at once, but then stood in place hesitantly, as though she were afraid to come near him.
"What is wrong, Melamin?" Legolas asked gently, reaching out to her with an inviting hand.
At this, Armir suddenly ran forward into the comfort of his waiting arms, bursting into tears the moment they enfolded her. Legolas held her close, arms tightening protectively as he felt her tremble as she wept against him. He rocked her gently in his embrace and placed a soothing kiss on the top of her head, waiting patiently until she was able to calm down a little.
"I have wanted to look for you all day, but I feared my father's threats!" she sobbed. "I am so sorry, Legolas! I did not know he would be so angry. I never would have let you face him alone had I known!"
"Shh . . . " Legolas whispered, rubbing her back as he tried to ease her irrepressible shaking. "Tis all right. You have nothing to blame yourself for."
After a few moments, her cries seemed to subside slightly as he continued to cradle her. "Tell me." he said gently. "What was it that your father threatened you with?"
"He said he would have you banished from Rivendell if I ever tried to see you again!" Armir cried. "I cannot bear to see that happen, but neither can I endure not being with you."
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Tears were streaming copiously from her eyes, but there was strength in them as she stared into his.
"He may banish you if that is his will, but he will then have to cast me out as well." she said, suddenly sounding determined. "Because I will never leave you, Legolas. Wherever you must go, so will I. Not even my father can change my resolve on that."
Legolas smiled, deeply touched by this declaration of her devotion to him. He held her face tenderly in his hands and planted soft kisses on her cheeks, drying them of tears.
"You would give up your right to your own homeland, and sacrifice the love of your father just to stay with me?" he murmured, shaking his head. "I cannot allow you to do that. You will be miserable, and I will never forgive myself for being the cause of it."
"I choose it over the greater misery, and that is being forced apart from you!" Armir exclaimed. Her eyes widened, suddenly looking fearful at Legolas' objection. "Surely you do not intend to bend to my father's will and just leave me?"
Legolas felt his stomach clench at the mere thought of this. "Never." he told her firmly.
"Then what are we going to do?" Armir whispered fretfully. She closed her eyes, causing her tears to start flowing again. She wearily laid her head back against Legolas' chest. "Oh Eru . . ."
"You will not be forced to compromise anything, my love." Legolas told her softly. "Your father spoke to me a second time today, no more than an hour ago, and his heart has been swayed."
He took her chin and gently tilted her head up to look at him. "He has given us his blessing."
Armir's entire face lit up suddenly with a burst of happiness but at the same time disbelief. "Truly?!"
Legolas nodded with a soft chuckle. "Yes, dearest." he assured her. "He has expressed his consent in giving your hand to me, and he wishes us well."
"Oh Legolas!" was all Armir could say as an incredible smile sweeping across her face. She flung her arms around her neck, laughing and weeping for joy at the same time.
"I had asked to be the one to tell you the good news, but he wishes to speak to you afterward." Legolas explained, after the rejoicing had subsided. He smiled and kissed her hand, then lovingly stroked the side of her now elated face. "And there is something else. In exchange for his approval, Elladan asked from me two conditions, which I have agreed to give."
A trace of worry caused his wife's smile to flicker. "What are these?"
"Your father says we have been married before the eyes of the Valar, but not the eyes of our kin. Therefore, he has asked that we wed a second time." Legolas explained. "He wants us to go through another ceremony, one where he, as well as all of our friends and loved ones, may be present."
Armir's eyes shone with delight at this suggestion. "He is right. I think it is an excellent idea!" she said enthusiastically. "But what is the second condition?"
Legolas took a deep breath. "That I leave you in Rivendell with him for one month, and go home to Mirkwood in the meantime."
"What?!" Armir exclaimed, looking immediately alarmed. "I . . . I do not understand! He still wants to part us from each other?"
"No, no!" Legolas said quickly, taking her hands and squeezing them reassuringly. "It is just that Elladan wants to be able to spend some more time with you before I take you away with me, to your new home in my father's kingdom. He longs to experience having you as his daughter, even if just for a short while. After all, you have not been able to enjoy each other's company for the longest time, and have yet much to learn about each other. He simply wants to claim a share of your time before he hands over you to my charge, and I think it is a fair request."
Armir frowned. "But why must he demand that you leave and go home?"
Legolas chuckled and ran his hand through her hair affectionately. "Because he knows that while I am around, I will be sure competition." he pointed out. "I will only distract you, and your attention will be divided between me and him. That would not be fair to your father."
"Besides," he went on. "I think my leaving would also be a wise idea, since it would give me the chance to break the news to my own father. He does not even know of your return, much less our union! He will not disapprove of it of course, but I am sure he would nonetheless like to get Mirkwood prepared before your arrival. Our new princess deserves no less than a proper welcome."
Seeing the downcast look on Armir's face, he leaned over to kiss her briefly. "Do not be sad, Mela." he murmured tenderly. "The month will pass by swiftly. Once my father and I have prepared a place for you in our kingdom, and you and Elladan have gotten the chance to renew your relationship with each other, I will return for you. Then we shall be together forever, and I swear nothing will ever part us again."
Armir sighed after a silent moment of consideration. "Yes." she said softly. "You are right. It is only proper and reasonable that we settle our own affairs first before we truly can start our new life."
She slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him with an irresistible little pout. "It is just that I will miss you so much, for sure."
"And what makes you think I will not?" Legolas responded lightheartedly, giving her nose a teasing pinch and causing her to laugh. "But do not worry about it. I do not plan to go anywhere yet, at least for a few more days. Let us just try to enjoy what time we have together for now."
He pulled her closer to him and they kissed tenderly for a while, before Armir pulled away. She placed a hand on Legolas mouth to still his fervent lips, and giggled when he groaned in complaint and nipped playfully at her fingers.
"Come." she said, taking his hand. "I have yet to introduce you to someone."
She pulled him along and led him to the stature in front of which she had been kneeling only minutes ago. It was only when he came close that Legolas realized the sculpture of the beautiful woman was no mere statue. Upon the soft grass at the foot of the statue's base was a headstone on which was carved Elvish writing. He did not even have to read it to know what it said.
"Ammë (mama), I would like you to meet Legolas." Armir said softly, speaking to the grave with fond devotion in her eyes. She smiled and squeezed her husband's hand meaningfully. "He is the one I told you about. The elf who I have fallen in love with, just like you did with Ada."
Legolas smiled, his heart warming with immeasurable affection for Armir as together they knelt on the grass. He leaned back on his heels and wrapped his arms around his beloved, holding her close as he pulled her onto his lap.
"You have a beautiful daughter, my Lady." the elf-prince whispered, looking and speaking to the memorial just as Armir had. "Eternally am I grateful to you for bringing her into this world, for I do not know what I would have done if she had not become a part of my life. She is special and wonderful in every way, and I love her with all my heart."
Upon hearing this, Armir turned her head around to look at him, tears shining in her eyes. Legolas shifted his gaze to look at the face of the one he cradled in his arms, and cupped her delicate chin in his hand.
"I treasure her more than anything or anyone, and I promise you, I will take care of her." he whispered, stroking her cheek with a gentle thumb. "Forever."
In front of Nurréien's memorial they shared a chaste kiss, both knowing in their hearts that they had her blessing, just as they now had her husband's. It was at that moment they found true peace with their marriage, thinking that at last they no longer needed to worry about anyone's will coming between them again.
* * *
COMING UP . . . CHAPTER 7 - VISIONS
Not to make you guys feel guilty or anything, but I did give up a Saturday party and some precious hours of study time just to get this chapter out by today. Please review so my sacrifices will not be in vain! Hehehe . . . .;p I think I deserve even a little compensation for my efforts!
Anyhow, thanks for reading! Hopefully I'll be back soon!