When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 13-Promises
A.N: I didn't really like the last chapter, but at least I kept you all intrigued huh? For those of you hoping for a Legolas/Astalder showdown, you may be in luck, sooner than you think! Also, some of you are closer than you realise with your guesses, but I'll never tell who, Mwaha! This chap will probably be a little longer than usual to make up for chapter 12, hope you all enjoy!
*
Haldir emerged from the well crafted haven that was Elronds house, and ran into Legolas, coming from the gardens at an astonishing speed, eyes downcast and face pale.
"What news Legolas, did you find Arwen?" Haldir called as he sped past, but Legolas didn't acknowledge this and continued, disappearing into the shadows of Elrond's halls.
"Im carú henio den. (I don't understand him.)" Haldir sighed, shaking his head.
Legolas ran to his bedchambers and shut the door, leaning his back against it for a moment, eyes closed.
"Sen naa ú thenid. (This is not real.)" He murmured, resting his head back against the firm wood, and exhaling shakily.
I am sure there is a logical explanation, perhaps Arwen was… no, there is no reason, apart from that they were kissing… I thought perhaps…
"Amin amada! (I'm a fool!)" He cried bitterly.
"I actually thought she would want me? I will always be a friend to her, nothing more. Nothing!" He cried, burying his head in his hands.
*
Elladan and Elrohir met with Haldir on the path to and from the site of the contest.
"Haldir. Did you find Arwen?" Elrohir asked, looking behind Haldir, as if Arwen could be hiding in the bushes.
"Somehow I do not think she is concealing herself in the bushes brother." Elladan smirked at his brothers foolishness.
"One can never tell with our family." Elrohir said, trying not to look sheepish.
"No, I did not find her, but I found Legolas running back to the house, looking as if he has seen a spectre of some kind by his expression." Haldir frowned, trying to picture what Legolas had been doing.
"Or something worse than a spectre." Elladan said, eyes widening.
"Surely not?" Elrohir gawped, catching his brothers train of thought. Haldir glanced between them in confusion.
"Come, we must find Arwen, then we will surely find the reason for Legolas' behaviour." Elladan ran with great speed into the gardens of Elrond, but the trio did not have to venture far to find Arwen on a carven wood bench in the sunlight overlooking the pond, a hand on her belly and her eyes gazing to a far distance in the sky.
"Arwen?" Elladan asked cautiously.
As if waking from a dream Arwen shook her head to dispel her daze and looked down at them, a smile of contentment on her fair features.
"Are you well sister?" Elrohir moved towards the bench, kneeling in front of it to look into Arwen's face.
"Of course, how could I not be? My lord's precious babe grows ever stronger inside me, the day is fine and I am surrounded by those I love, who could be miserable on a day like this?"
The three elven males exchanged confused glances and Elladan spoke slowly.
"Arwen, have you been smoking some dwarves pipeweed lately?"
Arwen glared. "Of course not! Is it unheard of for me to be joyous and thankful for the Valar's blessings?"
"Well, lately, yes? But it is wonderful that you are happy Arwen." Elrohir nodded.
"Have you perchance seen Legolas?" Haldir asked, casually.
"No, not since the contest, why?"
"Have you seen Astalder?" Elladan butted in, ignoring her question.
Arwen smiled, a little dreamily. "Yes."
Elladan looked a little repulsed, and shot a suspicious glance around the pond and the trees surrounding.
"Where is he now?"
"He went to gather me some flowers, he said he would construct a circlet of them to adorn my head at the feast tonight."
"How…splendid. We shall…leave you to it then." Elladan nodded, and grabbing Haldir and Elrohir he all but ran from the pond.
"Are you sure she hasn't been near any pipes?" Haldir frowned.
"If you want my opinion, she is acting the way one acts when they are in the first throes of new love." Elrohir commented.
"So soon? Lord Elessar has been gone but a few weeks!" Haldir exclaimed.
"I am suspicious, she didn't seem to like him at all when she first met him." Elladan frowned.
"Perhaps he grew on her?" Haldir suggested.
"That is what I am concerned about. Perhaps we should ask Legolas?"
Haldir shook his head ruefully. "I would leave him be for a while, he did not seem to be in a companionable mood when last I saw him."
*
Legolas heard a knock at the door and roused himself from his stupor, he stood slowly and composed himself before opening the door. A most unwelcome sight awaited him.
"You." Legolas said icily.
"Indeed." Astalder stepped into the room without an invitation and it was all Legolas could do not to slam the door in anger
"Nice room, rather more pleasant than most of the other visitors, but as you are such a 'dear family friend' I suppose 'tis to be expected." Astalder commented airily, walking slowly round the chamber.
"Is there a particular reason for your being here?" Legolas said, trying to keep his voice even.
"You were in the gardens earlier, if I did not know better, I would have said you were 'spying'?"
"Nay, just taking a pleasant stroll through the remarkable gardens of Elrond, it is the perfect time of year to admire the flowers."
"Of course. Because elves do not do well meddling in other people's business, do we? It is a most unsavoury past time, sticking one's nose into things that don't concern them." Astalder came to a stop in the middle of the room, and stood facing Legolas.
"Well perhaps there are certain things that do concern me, and that are my business within these walls." Legolas replied, matching Astalders cold stare.
"Hmm." Astalder made a non committal contemplative noise and glanced over Legolas once more.
"You know, I am not quite sure you live up to the remarkable reputation that has somehow surrounded you. You are rather a disappointment in truth." Astalder sneered.
"You may be Prince of Mirkwood Legolas Thranduillion, but I am truly Prince of Arwen's heart, and that is something that you will never be, especially if I have anything to do with it, Goth amin. (my foe.)"
"I will never let you win Arwen, lhûg (snake), I would die before I would let you have her." Legolas growled, hatred raging like a fire in his eyes.
"That can be arranged." Astalder replied.
"Im innas ndenginach (I will kill you)." Legolas said, not as a threat, more a vow.
"Lle vesta? (Do you promise?)" Astalder grinned, cockily.
"Uma. (yes.)" Legolas said simply and Astalder glared.
"We shall see. Before this competition is out, Arwen will be mine, and you will have no power to stop me."
"I will stop you, believe that as you believe I am here before you. Whatever happens, Arwen will never be yours, even if my life must be forfeit to keep that vow. Now, get out."
"What if I refuse?" Astalder smirked.
"Then I will remove you hence with my own two hands, or the tip of my arrow."
Astalder paused at this, regarding Legolas' firm expression. "Fare thee well then Legolas, I do not envy you, especially now that my seat at the banquet is at Arwen's right hand, and you may sit with your pitiful guards at the foot of the table, we shall see who she favours now, soon you will watch as all you hold dear falls to ruin, and know you could not stop it. She loves me, the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can move on. Don't forget it." And Astalder swept from the room like an ill wind. Legolas shuddered as he disappeared down the corridor and crossed to the door, slamming it in frustration. The force jarred the walls of the room and Legolas sank to the floor once more, contemplating all that Astalder did, and all that he promised.
*
Luncheon came and went, and still Legolas was absent. Elladan was ever watchful of Astalder and Arwen, suspicion burning in his eyes.
However Elrohir didn't seem to notice this and was talking animatedly to Arwen, with the odd comment to the Eryn Vorn elf. After Lunch the group dissipated and Elladan alone climbed the large wooden stairway to Legolas' quarters.
Knocking on the door he received no answer so tried to push against it but there was something blocking it on the other side.
"Legolas, open this door or I will be forced to break it down. And I'm sure you don't want to pay to have it repaired, no matter how many glittering gems your father has tucked away in Mirkwood's halls." He said through the door.
His keen elven hearing heard a sigh and the weight on the door was moved so Elladan could get in.
It had been Legolas leaning against the door but he was now against the wall, his face looking towards the ceiling.
"Quel andune to you too mellon. (Good afternoon…friend)" Elladan said sarcastically when he received no acknowledgement from the Mirkwood elf.
"Apologies Elladan, my mind is elsewhere." Legolas said, finally looking down at the raven haired elf.
"On a certain Eryn Vorn elf perhaps?" Elladan suggested. "Come, what did you see that made you act so? Haldir said you looked as if you had seen a spectre of some kind."
"Worse mellon, far worse."
"Enough of the guessing game Legolas, reveal what you saw lest I smack that fair head of yours 'til the words tumble from your mouth." Elladan frowned joining Legolas on the floor.
"Arwen was embroiled in a kiss when I found her at last, and I am sure it is not beyond you to work out with whom."
"Nâr. Im innas dagho anim. (Rat. I will slay him myself)" Elladan growled.
"Sîdh (Peace). He wishes us to act rashly, he is playing games." Legolas said, quietly, his eyes full of pain.
"He plays a game with my sister, and that is what I will not tolerate. Whether it is to spite you or to do something to her I care not, I will not stand for it." Elladan snarled, getting back up and starting to pace the room.
"I fear it is part of both. I know not why he dislikes me, or what he wants with Arwen, but he seems content to taunt me with her favour of him."
"'Twas not the last you saw of him was it, in the glade? You have seen him since." Elladan realised.
"Yes, he briefly came to visit me, we had a slight altercation, a battle of words it is safe to say. Nothing more."
"I see."
"Do not trouble yourself just yet, when the tournament is over we must hope and pray to the Valar that he leaves and all traces of his thrall on Arwen go with him." Legolas said reasonably, but his heart was troubled.
"How can you say such things? You will let him continue to kiss her and be with her and do nothing?!" Elladan was horrified. "Do you care nothing for her? After all that has been said and done you will stand by and let him win?"
"He already has." Legolas snapped. "Arwen has chosen him, she has taken her path, it doesn't include me, it never has. I was a fool for ever thinking it could."
Elladan shook his head. "If you let him win so easily, you are more of a fool than I thought." And he turned and left the room, shaking his head in disbelief.
Legolas sighed and leant his head back on the wall, closing his eyes and trying to think of a plan.
*
Not a very good chap was it, but next chapter will be a lot more interesting so keep with me and review please! Don't be too harsh!
xXx