Chapter 17:

Morié smiled as she watched Legolas ride next to her as they gained ground. He had refused to talk about his father, simply saying that he could not go back. So, she left him be and simply rode along next to the Prince without a word. Every so often, she would smile and look at him, the twins nudging each other and making gruesome noises behind their hands. Coming towards a tree branch that was across her path, she held it back until the twins crossed underneath and let it fly back, hitting the twins and making them fall of their horses and onto their backs. As they landed with a thump, she let out a laugh and crossed her eyes at them with a mischievous smile on her lips. As the carriage pulled up, however, she was all dignified and composed.

Sensing something, Galadriel simply watched as the twins shot snow at them and one got on the head of Legolas. With a squeal, Morié threw some back at the twins, who ducked and launched another at their cousin. She responded by pushing a tree and a large clump landed on the twins, cutting their protests in a yell of frustration. Then, she grabbed Legolas's horse and hid as the twins shook the snow loose and looked around for the culprits. As Aragorn laughed and pointed, the twins saw the hooves of Eriador and silently climbed the trees until they hung by their legs over where the two were hidden. Then, they let out a roar and threw as much snow as they could, blanketing them in powder.

Shaking their heads, they raced out from the trees and hid behind the carriage as the twins began to pelt them again. But, they soon stopped when they threw a snowball and it hit their grand-mother square in the face. As the Lady stood menacingly, the twins hid their hands behind their backs and begged for forgiveness. Nodding to her husband, she signalled and they looked up from the ground only to be met with faces full of snow as Galadriel pelted them each back. Laughing, the twins got back on their horses and cantered along as the company resumed their trek to Lothlorien.

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Reaching the borders of Lothlorien by nightfall, they entered to see the city of the Tree-Elves. The place was just as Morié remembered it, the lights shining among the trees and the elves all dressed in white and silver. Greeting the Lord and Lady, the Marchwarden Haldir stood in welcome but bared his bow when he saw Aragorn enter. Stepping up, Morié put her hand against the arrow so Haldir had to lower it. Grumbling, he obeyed and she whispered into his ear as he kissed her hand and then smiled at the group, though Legolas was not happy at the whispering and gallantry. He bowed to Legolas, welcoming him to the city and taking his leave to watch the borders for Wolves.

Taking him aside, she took Legolas on a tour of Lothlorien, stopping at the Jewellery Association to admire the work of the designers and craftsman. Whispering something to the head designer, she bowed to Legolas as the head of the Association presented him with a ring woven beautifully with gold and emeralds. Then, she linked her arm with his as they purchased some lembas bread and walked to the Mirror of Galadriel.

Seating herself near the water, she looked into Legolas's eyes and asked him a question, "Legolas, do you love me?"

Shifting nervously, Legolas replied, "you are beautiful, graceful, witty, brave and fearless, accomplished-"

Putting her finger against his lips, she leant over and whispered "but that is not what I asked you, Legolas. I asked if you loved me."

"Melin le, melithon le anuir." Legolas answered with a smile.

"No you don't, Legolas," answered Morié as she stood and gazed at him sadly, the light dimmed in her eyes. "You love what you see as beautiful and hunger only for what you cannot have. You see me as a rose but my beauty blinds you to your true self. You will never love me for what I am, mellon. You love the ideal of me, like a sunset that is beautiful but never lasts. You are far too young to understand love, Legolas and you never will. You are kind and caring and valiant but we could never be anything, you and me. I have seen too many summers for love to ever truly last. You would not give or cleave yourself to me wholly so why should we pretend? No Legolas, mellon, you do not love me and never have. "

As she said that, her heart felt like it would burst and she ran, tears dropping into the mirror as she ran from him like he was bewitched. Staring, Legolas made as if to go after her but Aragorn had been listening and grabbed his hand. "Leave her be, Legolas" Aragorn whispered as Morié ran up the stairs and stood on the highest platform and wept hopelessly, her tears shattering on the ground as they impacted...

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Melin le, melithon le anuir - I love you, I will love you forever