A/N: Hey hey everyone! So sorry it took me such a long time. Exams were rotten and I had to go to Chicago for a few weeks. Again sorry for the delay! In this chapter, Legolas shows a softer side of himself as Tinioniel gets a closer look at the world of elves. Hope you enjoy!
"Tinioniel." Eowyn called out. "May I see you over here for a little bit?"
"Of course." Tinioniel trudged to the place that Eowyn wearily stood. "Is there something wrong?"
"Oh no. Nothing of the sort. Legolas simply wanted your attention. He is somewhere, not too far off. You know the elven type; beautiful, mischievous, and damn hard to find. He should be closer to the tree line, not too deep though. Do not wonder far, it would not be wise. I bid you a good night, albeit a short one."
"Oh please, Eowyn. Do not be so formal with me! Just say good night… or do not say anything at all! I need a friend now, not an adult." Eowyn smiled as she turned around.
"Well then, good night."
"Good night." Tinioniel replied as Eowyn walked away from the shady spot. Tinioniel went off in search of Legolas, not knowing even where to begin. Eowyn was right. Elves were hard to find, even though it seemed there were not that many spaces to hide comfortably. "Legolas?" Tinioniel called out.
"Whadda ya think ya are doin'? We are tryin' to sleep! Go yell at someone else!"
"Oh my! I am so sorry." Tinioniel backed nervously away from the people she disturbed. She embedded herself in between two trees whose branches reached high to the heavens with many leaves burdening its limbs. Tinioniel sighed heavily and her shoulders slumped as she was overcome with tiredness.
"No matter where your feet take you, you always seem to disturb the splendid harmony that is sought after."
"Did you want to speak with me or put me through such agony that only an elf can provide?" Tinioniel asked looking around with questioning eyes. She was not sure where he was, but his voice sounded very close.
"Originally, simply to talk, but when the occasion presents itself so openly, then one would be a fool not to benefit." Tinioniel sighed.
"Where are you? It is too dark and I can not see you." Tinioniel saw a modest moonlight glow come from a nearby tree.
"In the arms of a tree is where I lie." Tinioniel ran up to the trunk of the tree and gazed into its dense branches.
"Will you not fall? It is dangerous to be so far up in a tree!" The light diminished, leaving her once again bemused as to where Legolas was. "Legolas? I am tired and in no mood for your games. Please just tell me what you need to say so that I might rest!" There came no answer from the tree as Tinioniel waited patiently for several minutes. "AH!" Tinioniel grunted in frustration. "Stupid elf!" She took a step forward when she felt two arms that found their way to her waist, surprising her so that Legolas had to cover her mouth quickly to prevent a shrill scream.
"Deaf girl. Could you not hear me coming?" Tinioniel fought the hand that covered her mouth and succeeded.
"No!" Legolas laughed and lifted Tinioniel into the tree. "Legolas! Put me down! Don't take me up into the tree! I will fall!" Legolas ignored her desperate pleas and continued to take her higher into the life giving tree. "Legolas! I don't like heights!"
"You do not like heights? How could you not? You can see so much further into the world from the tops of trees!" Legolas continued his ascent with rapidity, tightening his grip around Tinioniel waist as she struggled.
"I can see fine on the ground!"
"I would stop protesting. Do you really want me to let you go at this height?" Tinioniel glanced down towards the ground, instantaneously closing them at seeing the distance. She grabbed on to Legolas' arms around her, and prayed that he would not allow her to fall. "Sit here." Legolas commanded in a soft tone of voice. Even though she was slightly irritated at him for dragging her up a tree, Tinioniel was constantly in awe each time he spoke. Words poured from him in lyrics, where even the simplest command was blissful to listen to. Such a power was captured in his words, they were like venom. Legolas could use that venom to intoxicate the senses, and achieve anything he desired. Yet his heart was pure and sweet like honey that spilled from a comb in bountiful amounts. His words could never be venom, no matter how hateful he could be at any time. Tinioniel sat where his hand directed, clutching on to the tree's bark with all her fingers might. She glimpsed over the limb to see the distance from the tree to the ground.
"Why have you brought me here?" Tinioniel asked him while gripping the tree ever harder.
"Listen. Close your eyes." Tinioniel looked at him questioningly as she took small glances here and there. Legolas' eyes were fully closed while his mouth curved upwards into a delighted smile. "Can you hear them? The elves singing. They are going to the White City. I can hear them, for they are my family; my woodland kin. I will not see them again until my own passing."
"You mean when you die?" Legolas' eyes opened and his gaze turned upon her.
"They will go to a place called the Grey Havens. It is a palace of beauty that had smuggled its way from time's course, for the years have no place there. Trees go on living, and never see the chilling autumn or the deathly winter. There is so much to say of the Grey Havens, and yet no words in my tongue or in any other would give it the righteousness it justly deserves. I should anticipate my time, when I shall hear the sea and know that I must sail to this place of beauty, and yet…." Legolas' voice trailed off. "…my heart belongs here; in the woods of my home." He sighed. "Close your eyes and listen. Your ears, mage, might be able to hear its splendor." Tinioniel closed her eyes and imagined this place of which Legolas spoke. It felt as if her body was left behind, and only her spirit could travel amongst the high clouds. This great elevation, which normally would have frightened her, brought her great comfort. The wind brought scents to her nose, perfumes so strong she could taste its sweetness. In the distance is where the mournful song was sung. Its beauty was pale to Tinioniel's ears, and was a mixture of feelings being emitted by the passing travelers. Cheerfulness blended with wretchedness, and smiles fused, turning into blank slates of emotionless woe. Their song was filled with anguish and magnificence. Their song brought a smile to her face and mangled her heart. "Do you hear it?" Tinioniel heard Legolas as if he were miles away, screaming in whispers.
"Yes." Tinioniel replied softly, the slight smile still upon her face. A tear was released from her eyes and trailed down her cheeks as she continued to listen to its painful brilliance. She did not wish to speak more. Her voice was at dissonance with the harmony that the elves provided from so far away. Legolas looked over at Tinioniel, who was in a deep trance. The tear lingered on her face as if frozen in time. Legolas reached over his slender hand, calloused fairly from many years of fighting and training. He picked up Tinioniel's own hand and felt her calluses. Hands could tell a stranger much about a person, but he was no stranger to Tinioniel. She had calluses on the very tips of her fingers, but nothing more then that. In many ways, Tinioniel was like an elf. He remembered when she danced in the rain with elegant grace and confidence in each step; her refined figure, so many characteristics of elves this girl possessed, but alas, for she was still a human. He reached his hand up and touched her face, the tear still poised on her cheek. He wiped away her tear which was now cold, like a misplaced snow flake in the middle of a flowering grove. He brought his attention to Tinioniel and was aware that despite the extent of time that had passed, her mind was imprisoned by melody. He did not wish to bring her back to the vociferous stillness through out the meager forest. Legolas gently picked up her limp body, and carried her with graceful steps to the forest floor, where at the trunk of the mighty tree, he set her to sleep and laid his cloak of Lorien atop of her enchanted body. Legolas climbed the tree once more, his mind still tense, but he guarded over the lady sleeping below. Legolas' eyes slid out of focus as he fell into the welcoming arms of sleep. Tinioniel, unaware of her change in surroundings, listened still to the enthralling music as the gentle melody lulled her to sleep under the boughs of the great tree.