NOTE: There are lines from Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.
Chapter Twelve: An Unexpected Arrival
Amorith and Giliath arrived moments later to find Míriel embracing a tall figure cloaked and hooded in gray. Annarámainen came silently through the air and perched next to the figure.
"Aerandir, why are you silent? Why do you not greet me?" Míriel said to the figure, which held her at arm's length. "Do you not recognize me? Speak!"
"Goheno nin, oh fair hiril nín. You took me by surprise with your astounding beauty."
Míriel realized with sudden horror that it was not Aerandir she embraced. Anger coursed through her as she wrenched herself from the stranger's grasp.
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner! I am Princess Míriel of southern Eryn Lasgalen! None speak to me so!" she shouted, face livid.
"Princess Míriel of southern Eryn Lasgalen? I thought this was King Gil-celeb's realm. Yet things may have changed here as well, with the departure of the Shadow. It has been awhile since I came here last, on my way to Imladris." the stranger calmly replied. "In the days that passed, I pined to return home."
Míriel was taken aback by the stranger's calm reply. He spoke with a strange air woven about him, and of knowledge of Eryn Lasgalen.
"Indeed, it is King Gil-celeb's realm. You speak to his daughter. How do you know my sire? Man eneth lín?" she asked, her temper gone.
There was a soft laugh from the stranger.
"Yet I recognized you immediately, though you know me not. Not yet, anyhow. Last we met was before my mother's death, when I was still not of age. Eneth nín Legolas, ernil o forn Mirkwood,. Le suilannon, Míriel." he said, throwing back his hood.
Míriel gave a startled gasp. Legolas indeed was but a young Elf when she saw him last, and he had now grown to full elven-manhood. His silky blond hair was shoulder length and intricately plaited. His blue eyes were like sapphires, glowing brightly. The Prince was very fair and handsome. He smiled at Míriel politely.
"I apologize." she stammered. "In my haste I mistook you for someone very dear to me."
"All is forgiven, Princess." Legolas told her.
"And I did not mean to shout at you either."
Legolas waved his hand in dismissal.
"Henion, hiril nín."
Amorith and Giliath, unnoticed, lowered their bows and stepped from the shadows of the trees. They inclined their heads to Legolas.
"You were my mother's handmaiden." he said to Amorith.
Amorith smiled.
"This is Giliath, my other handmaiden. Both are very loyal, and I am very grateful to them." Míriel said.
Annarámainen fluttered down onto Legolas' hand.
"And
here is the aew that is the reason for
our meeting!" the Prince said, examining the bird. "Strange."
"What is strange?" Míriel asked.
"This bird is from Lothlórien. I saw it the day I arrived."
"Yet I found Annarámainen here, in my garden."
"Tiro! The bird I saw had green streaks, streaks exactly like these."
"There are many birds that could have green streaks, ernil. How can you be certain this is the same bird you saw in Lothlórien?"
"Hiril nín, if I may say a word." Amorith said. "In all my years, I have never seen any one among us edhil with sharper eyes than ernil Legolas. I believe him without proof."
"It is not that I claim he lies, but what is he chance of an aew from Lothlórien appearing here?" Míriel said.
"I know what you mean, hiril nín. I thought so myself. Yet this is the same bird. I can feel it." he said slowly.
"Well, it is quite late." Míriel said, looking at the sky.
She swayed suddenly on the spot.
"Hiril nín!" Giliath and Amorith cried in alarm.
"I am fine." the Princess replied weakly.
"You are pale and wan!" Amorith said anxiously.
"We must carry her!" Giliath told her.
Míriel shook her head stubbornly.
"I can walk." she said.
Hardly had she finished speaking than what strength was left in her vanished, and she fell. Legolas caught her before she hit the ground, much to the relief of her handmaidens.
"I will carry her on Arod, my horse. Amorith, lead the way to the palace." Legolas ordered gently.
They sent Giliath ahead of them to open the gates. Legolas turned his attention to Míriel, who lay warm in his arms. Her silver hair was splayed across her face, and he had a sudden urge to brush it away. His heartbeats quickened as he seated himself behind her astride Arod, and drew his arms around her waist. Never before had he been so close to her. Annarámainen flew behind them, trilling softly.
Amorith led Legolas down the path until they reached a swiftly-flowing stream. Then they crossed the cleverly concealed stone bridge, before reaching the opposite bank and passing through the gates. Giliath was waiting for them, and beside her stood Aerandir and Gil-celeb.
"Míriel!" Gil-celeb cried worriedly.
Aerandir was paler than his wife.
"She is only weak from her pregnancy!" Amorith said.
"Man pennich?" Aerandir said breathlessly.
Legolas saw the captain came towards him. He looked up at him quickly, but showed no sign of knowing him at first. Then he paused.
"Elbereth, it cannot be Legolas!" he said. "What brings you here?"
"I returned from the Quest, mellonen." the Prince replied.
"The Quest?" Oh, I recall now! You must forgive me, for the glad tidings of my wife's pregnancy shocked me." Aerandir told him.
The warm smile on Legolas' face disappeared instantly as he heard these words. For from the moment he had seen Míriel the last time they met in his home, while his mother yet lived, Legolas had fallen in love with her. Yet he hid it from everyone because he feared they would laugh at him because he was much younger than Míriel. He would long for her to visit his mother Celebrindal, with whom she was a close friend, just to see her once more. When Celebrindal died, Legolas grieved for her and also because he knew Míriel would not come anymore. Imagine his secret joy when she appeared from the trees and embraced him.
"Your wife?" he said quietly.
With shaking hands he passed Míriel to her waiting husband's arms. Reluctantly, Legolas watched as she stirred while Aerandir whispered softly to her.
"Aerandir, meleth nín! I did not know you came back! Oh, how I missed you!" she cried weakly.
"As did I." Aerandir replied.
Legolas turned his head away, struggling with himself emotionally. Then he thought of Gimli and what the Dwarf do if he saw him now.
"Ernil Legolas, how wonderful to see you!" King Gil-celeb exclaimed, coming over to him.
Legolas composed himself before turning to the King and bowing.
"Hîr nín." he murmured.
As he raised his head, he saw Míriel and Aerandir in the midst of a passionate kiss.
"Manen le?" Gil-celeb asked, completely unaware.
"Im vaer." Legolas replied.
Aerandir and Míriel went inside the palace.
"That is well. Come, let us go inside. There is a feast prepared. We can talk there." Gil-celeb said.
"As you wish." Legolas told him.
Once inside their bedchamber, Aerandir pressed Míriel against him. she still lay in his arms, a content smile on her face. Aerandir brushed the hair back from her eyes, hardly daring to believe he returned. Her fingers were tracing his face intimately.
"I pined for you, Míriel. each day lasted a thousand ages, each night an eternity. I did not sleep at all. Everywhere I looked, you were there." Aerandir said in his warm voice.
"I felt like the earth had closed in around me. I struggled to breathe." Míriel said.
"Míriel…"
Aerandir felt a sudden hunger inside for her. He kissed her face all over passionately, his tongue delving in the sweet recesses of her mouth. Míriel was gasping for breath, but enjoying every moment. She nipped Aerandir's cheeks and ears gently. They did not hear the sharp raps coming from the door until it was too late.
"Mír-"
Gil-celeb stood on the threshold, and behind him was Legolas. They both colored instantly. Míriel and Aerandir grinned sheepishly.
"We were…busy. We did not hear you." Aerandir said quietly.
Legolas turned his gaze away.
"Indeed. The feast is ready." Gil-celeb stated.
"We will come."
Míriel was helped to her feet. Aerandir linked her arm in his. Then the four Elves went out together. Legolas' heart was pounding fiercely in his chest as Míriel walked beside him. He longed to take her in his arms.
"Where is Annarámainen?" Míriel asked suddenly. "My small bird."
"I saw a small bird flying behind us when we came to call you. It went into your chamber as soon as we opened the door."
The moment they reached the dining hall it burst into applause. The Elves were welcoming their Princess back among them. Word had spread of the arrivals of King Gil-celeb, Aerandir, and Prince Legolas. The northern King's subjects, who still had not left, greeted him joyously. After a brief introduction, the Elves began feasting. Legolas' eyes were more often upon Míriel than his plate, which Gil-celeb and Aerandir quickly noticed. Music soon followed the meal, and the Elves of Gil-celeb's realm celebrated his return with merry signing and dancing. Even Míriel and Aerandir danced together, much to everyone's joy.
Legolas, seated upon Gil-celeb's right, was saddened. He saw the deep love for Aerandir which Míriel held in her eyes.
'You will not claim her as your own, ever.' he thought to himself. 'Do not trust to hope.'
Yet, as he watched Míriel smile at Aerandir, a memory from Lórien returned to him. He was standing by Nimrodel, and the Lady of Light, Lady Galadriel, came to him.
'There are hurts that you yet must heal.' she said.
Sindarin Translations:
Man eneth lín: what is your name
Eneth nín: my name is
Ernil o: prince of
Le suilannon: I greet thee
Tiro: look
Ernil: prince
Edhil: elves
Mellonen: my friend
Manen le: how are you
Im vaer: I'm fine/well