Chapter Thirty: In the Gardens
Lord Celeborn led Legolas out of the room and into the dining hall. The evening meal was being served. The Prince saw his sire sitting with a large goblet of wine in front of him. Thranduil was heart-stricken, and decided to drown his woe in alcohol. Celeborn shook his head.
"He knew it was no use, yet still he persisted." he said quietly.
"I hope he is not upset with me." Legolas said.
Lord Celeborn smiled.
"He is not upset. Perhaps jealous." he said. "You are lucky, though, Legolas. Countless men have tried to win Míriel's heart, yet only Aerandir has succeeded. Míriel chooses wisely. You will make a good husband."
Legolas flushed.
"I hope so, hîr nín. After what she has gone through, I pray she will find some peace and happiness with me." he said.
"She will. I can feel it." Lord Celeborn affirmed.
Legolas had no appetite for food or drink. He could not believe that Míriel admitted her love for him. He felt nothing but complete ecstasy.
A short time later, Lady Galadriel and Míriel entered the hall. They chose seats at the far end of the table. The Princess kept her head down. She did not feel hungry or thirsty. She had just returned from feeding Celoneth, and informed Amorith and Giliath what happened. They responded by congratulating and embracing her.
"I had a feeling, hiril nín, when you were having a fright that night when we called ernil Legolas and you asked him to stay." Amorith said.
After the meal was served, Elf-minstrels played soft music. Servants hurried in and rearranged the hall in the fashion of a ball. Tables, laden with wine and sweets, were laid all along the sides of the hall. Couples were dancing slowly to the music. The Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood joined the dancers. Thranduil was still drinking. Legolas was watching Míriel. Then he rose and went to her.
"Princess…" he said.
Míriel gave a start. Then she blushed.
"May I have the honor of dancing with you?" he asked.
The Princess turned her face.
"You—you—may have the honor, ernil." she whispered.
The Elves spoke excitedly amongst themselves in whispers. Here was their Princess accepting a dance with Legolas, and she was blushing! Just the other day they sensed there was love between the pair, and now they were sure of it. They knew too well the look she had in her eyes now.
Legolas raised her slowly to her feet. Taking hold of her hand, he led her to the middle of the area cleared for dancing and encircled her waist with his other arm. She smiled slightly. They danced slowly to the music, unaware of all the attention that was being focused on them.
Even Thranduil had stopped his drinking to watch them dance. His gray eyes were sad. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn smiled knowingly at each other, glad that Míriel had at last found her healer of the past, and a new love. There was no worrying about her now. She was safe.
When at last the dance ended, a thunderous applause filled the hall. Princess Míriel and Prince Legolas bowed politely to their crowd, then to each other, as is the elven way. Then Míriel went and sat by herself, her head in her hands. There was a blissful look in her face. Legolas was swept up into a small gathering of Aerandir's friends. They were congratulating him on winning their Princess' heart when she rose silently and left the hall. Only Legolas saw her, and followed her silently.
Through the corridors she led him, completely unaware of being followed. She went outside of the palace and into the gardens. Legolas stopped and watched as she sat down on a bench. They were hidden from all eyes by a tall hedge. The music from the dining hall drifted towards them from the balcony where they shared their first kiss.
"What a beautiful night." Legolas said, going to her.
Míriel started.
"Legolas! What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I followed you." he replied.
She smiled, then immediately lowered her gaze.
"Do you care to sit?" she asked quietly, making room beside her.
Legolas smiled and seated himself beside her.
"I was not certain until today of your love for me." Legolas said.
Míriel raised her head.
"Are you certain now, meleth nín?" she whispered.
Legolas placed his hand under her chin and looked into her eyes.
"What did you call me?" he said quietly.
"Meleth nín…" Míriel repeated.
Legolas hesitated slightly before he kissed her furiously and passionately. The Princess moaned and placed her arms around his neck. Her senses were sharpened. His tongue was delving in the sweet recesses of her mouth. She was aware of his heart beating rapidly in his chest, and she knew hers was doing likewise. His scent delighted her, reminding her of beech glades. It was different than Aerandir's scent, which reminded her strongly of beaches and the spray of the sea.
At last they broke apart. Míriel was aware of her sudden desire for lovemaking. She managed to control it, though with much effort.
"I am afraid I hurt your sire's feelings." she said.
Legolas laughed.
"I was afraid of that myself." he told her.
"It is just that I feel guilty. He asked me the last time he was here the same question, and I told him quite clearly I could not love and wed him. We were never meant for each other." Míriel said.
She looked at Legolas.
"There is something I wish to tell you. I am not a young maiden, anymore, Legolas. I am also a widow. I cannot think now only of my own happiness and self. I am bound to another—Celoenth." she said.
Legolas took her hands in his.
"To me, you are a young maiden. I would rather share my life with you than marry a young maiden. As for you being bound to Celoneth, I will care for her as if she was my own child. I will care for her lovingly in memory of my dear friend and mentor, and her sire, Aerandir." he said.
"I feel terrible, though. You are still young, and I have burdened you with a child already." Míriel told him.
Legolas placed his hand on her lips.
"Be silent, my sweetheart. Though I appear quite young, I am much older. The War has made a man out of me. As for burdening me with a child, it is no burden. I take it upon myself quite willingly. It will be a perfect experience for me when he have our own children." he said.
Míriel gasped.
"Our own children?" she repeated silently.
"Indeed, our own children." Legolas whispered to her.
The Princess was overcome with too much emotion. She rose hastily from her seat and rushed towards the palace, weeping softly. Legolas remained seated, unsure of whether to follow her or not. He did not even know why she was weeping. He did not mean to anger her.
There was the sound of heavy footsteps, and Thranduil came into view. When he saw his son he looked at him quite angrily.
"I did not mean to offend you, adar. I knew not that you were in love with Míriel. Will you forgive me?" Legolas said hastily.
Thranduil laughed heartily as he sat next to his only child.
"I am not upset with you, Legolas, at least, not any longer. I was before, when Míriel confessed her love for you. But it was quite foolish of me to hope that she would love me when I knew she would not, and to be upset at you. There is naught but happiness in my heart for you, though I am surprised. Tell me why Míriel was weeping as I passed her." he said.
"What have you done or said to upset her already?"
"I did not upset her, at least I think not." Legolas protested.
Then he proceeded to tell his sire exactly what he had told Míriel.
"You are correct. But I think I know why she wept. She was too happy, Legolas. Women have a habit of doing that." Thranduil said. "It is a strange habit, and one I truly do not like at all."
"I love everything about Míriel." Legolas said passionately.
"I can see that quite well, ion nín." Thranduil chuckled. "I came looking for you because, well, I thought you ought to know how proud I am of you. You have grown into a fine man, Legolas. Courage, bravery, honesty—you have it all. I am confident that you will succeed at anything you do. If your naneth were here, she would be so proud of you as well. You are truly her son, Legolas, in resemblance and character."
Legolas smiled at his sire, his eyes shining with tears.
"Adar, gerich veleth nín!" Legolas said, embracing him warmly.