A/N: No one reviewed the last chapter, but since no one complained, I'll assume you're enjoying it. There is one more chapter after this one. Enjoy!
Chapter 20
Legolas and Sérina became friends during the next few weeks, often spending time together. One day, Olórin caught up with Legolas in the garden, where Legolas was waiting for Sérina. "Legolas!"
"Olórin. How are you?"
"I'm well. I'd like to have a word with you if you have a moment."
"Of course."
"You've become friends with my daughter, and I would like to know your intentions." Olórin didn't care if he was blunt.
"Intentions?"
"I've seen the way you look at her. If you're interested, say so. I won't be offended." Olórin hoped that Sérina and Legolas wouldn't need as much convincing as he and Elewen had needed, but he didn't want to push them, either.
"I ... She's…May I have your permission to court her?"
Olórin cocked his head and stared at the Elf for a long moment. He didn't mind making Legolas squirm. After a long time, he finally nodded. "Yes, you may." Without another word, he turned and left the Elf standing there.
A moment later, Sérina came out from a different door. "I saw you talking to my father. May I be so bold to ask what you were talking about?" Legolas glanced away. "Or would you rather I not ask?" She'd become very comfortable with him, but she sensed that she might have asked too much.
Legolas smiled down at her. "Ask me some other time." Thankfully, Sérina let the matter drop. For her part, Sérina was grateful that he wasn't offended at her rash question. The two of them spent several hours wandering through the gardens and wherever else their feet might take them, chatting from time to time, but spending most of it in companionable silence.
The next few days fell into a pattern. Legolas spent a lot of time with Gimli, but he also spent an increasing amount of time with Sérina. A few days later, they were walking in the gardens again. Legolas was a little moody, but Sérina couldn't figure out why. Eventually, they stopped at a bench overlooking a small creek, just out of view of the house.
"What's bothering you, Legolas?" Sérina asked. "Something's been on your mind all day."
"You are entirely too perceptive," Legolas said, smiling to assure her that he was joking. Sérina didn't respond. She just watched him, waiting for an answer. Legolas hesitated. He'd been thinking about the conversation he'd had with Olórin a few days earlier, and he didn't know how best to bring up the subject with Sérina. After a minute, Legolas asked, "Has there ever been any one who has caught your eye? Anyone you feel that you might someday marry?"
Whatever Sérina had expected him to say, this was not it. She hesitated, startled. She knew she was in a unique position—part Elf, part Maia—but she had never really dwelled on it. Perhaps that was the reason none of the Elves had ever approached her—either that or simple fear of her father. Finally, she found her voice. "I haven't really thought about it. I really haven't ever thought…" Serina paused, then made up her mind. "Well, perhaps there is one…" She looked up and met Legolas' eyes. He hesitated, not certain what she meant.
The two stared at each other for a moment, neither daring to act. Finally, Sérina scooted closer to him on the bench. It was the confirmation Legolas needed, and he leaned closer to her and kissed her lightly. Sérina smiled up at him, confident now that she knew that their feelings were mutual. She leaned against him for a moment, taking his hand. She didn't feel as if she needed to say anything. There would be plenty of time for conversation, but now she just enjoyed his presence.
After a moment, Legolas slipped his hand out of hers and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer against him. Sérina rested her head on his shoulder, and they sat together and watched the creek for a few minutes, then got up and walked back to the house. They dropped their hands as they approached the house, but Sérina still received a knowing glance from her mother when they passed in the hall. Legolas slipped away with a promise to return the next day.
Legolas and Sérina spent a lot of time together during the next few days. Their habits didn't change much—they still spent time wandering the gardens, practicing archery, and whatever else they found to do, but there was a new dimension to the time they spent together. The relationship was new for both, but somehow seemed natural. Sérina knew that Legolas had courted her mother, and she had never looked at him as a potential suitor.
In Valinor, time passed without notice, and the young couple spent much of their time together. They would often spend the entire day riding or just walking aimlessly. Legolas relished the time with no pressing duties, no danger, and no war. Sérina would ask him about Middle Earth from time to time, but she didn't press him to talk about the war. Indeed, her parents had told her many of their experiences, and she was more curious about the rest of Middle Earth—the people, places, and pleasant experiences. Elewen had told Sérina about Christa and Elena, who had been like daughters to Elewen, and Legolas was able to tell Sérina about the rest of their lives after her parents had left Middle Earth. She often spent time, not only with Legolas, but also with Gimli who told her about their adventures and experiences. Gimli never tired of telling about the Glittering Caves, the rebuilding of Minas Tirith, or even the first time he'd met Galadriel.
One day Elewen managed to corner Legolas alone. "Might I have a few minutes of your time, Legolas?" she asked.
"Of course," he told her, a little surprised.
"I'm glad to see that your and Sérina have become friends, and even more. Still, it is a little strange to think that you're seeing my daughter."
"Yes, it is. I've tried not to dwell on it."
"I don't blame you for that. Still, you have been avoiding me these last few days. Yes, it is a little strange, but I do approve."
"I'm sorry. I haven't meant to avoid you. I wasn't certain how you would respond."
"Olórin mentioned it to me before he ever spoke to you. As I said, it is strange, but I do approve. You don't need to avoid me because of it. Actually, I'm glad. I trust you more than a lot of the Elves here. Though I must warn you, she is a trickster at times," Elewen said with a grin. "After all, she learned from the best."
"Why do I doubt that you mean her father?"
Elewen gave him a hurt look. "Are you implying that I would teach my daughter to play jokes on others?" she said in an offended voice.
"Yes," Legolas said flatly, meeting Elewen's eyes.
"I'm not certain you have any room to talk. I've talked to some of the Greenwood Elves here, and I've heard a few tales that even amazed me."
"Galadriel has told me some of your stories, too, and somehow I doubt I ever beat you. It sounds like it is a good thing that you had Galadriel to stand up for you—and to take the blame, especially when Haldir walked into a trap meant for your cousin."
Elewen stared at him for a moment, not able to come up with a suitable reply. "Wait until you have children of your own, Legolas. Then we'll see which way the jokes turn." With that, she turned at left him standing there, head spinning, trying to figure out exactly what she'd meant.