When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 17- Proposal
A.N: I'm not even gonna bother, there is no excuse for how long this took apart from my severe writers block and the crapness of my laptop which resulted into a little trip to the laptop doctors which took my outta action for a month! Still, I'm back now, I can't apologise enough so what's the point trying, I've tried to make this chap as long as possible to make up for it! Sorry again *cries*
*
Arwen's mouth dropped open in a rather unladylike fashion and she gawped at the other elf like a fish out of water for a moment. Recovering herself she took a deep breath and knitted her brows together in concentration.
"Im meleth lle Astalder, (I love you Astalder,) but do you not think… 'tis very sudden? We have known each other but mere days."
Astalder took her hand, "Thiaha sui uir an enni (It seems like eternity to me) nin meleth thenid (my love [is] true)" He looked into her eyes and it was like something had hit her with enlightenment.
"Aye, I know." Arwen nodded with a small smile and kissed him.
"Then you agree?"
"Of course I do." Arwen replied and Astalder rose in joy, taking her up with him, he then spun her round and kissed her again.
"You have made my life complete Arwen." The Eryn Vorn elf grinned. "Here, this was fashioned by the greatest smiths in Eryn Vorn, it has been in my family for generations." He presented her with a finely crafted gold ring with miniscule gold leaves detailing it and entwining themselves around a magnificent green gem in the centre.
"It's beautiful," Arwen breathed, holding her hand out then pulling it away in hesitation, "But first!" She held up a finger, "Astalder, you know how much my family means to me, if you cannot love them you cannot love me."
"Of course Arwen, I know you are very close with them." Astalder nodded.
"Very good, then before I will agree to wed you, you must agree to attain blessings from my father and Elladan and Elrohir, I could never marry someone they disagree with."
"My dearest Arwen, consider it done." Astalder smiled.
"-And, permission from Legolas. He is my oldest and truest friend, and I will not hurt him, if they all give us their blessings, we shall be wed before the week is out."
Astalder's eyes darkened at the mention of Legolas' name, but Arwen seemed not to catch his displeasure. The blonde elf nodded, smiling a smile that did not reach into his eyes.
"Nothing will stand in the way of our love dear Arwen, I'm sure your brethren will see your happiness and be unable to refuse me."
The elven maid nodded.
"As you have agreed, I would be honoured to wear your family's ring." Arwen held up her hand and Astalder slipped it on and kissed her knuckles, before reaching up to kiss her lips, gently at first, but soon igniting into flames of passion.
Astalder then stood, bowed and blew a kiss to his new fiancée.
"I shall go then, sweet Arwen, and gather these blessings you require."
"Hurry back, my love, we have much to prepare." Arwen said with a gentle smile.
He smirked and turned away from her, his eyes alive with fire.
Now nothing shall stand in my way.
*
Legolas lay relaxing in the baths at the Homely House, his muscles ached and bruises were starting to blossom on his fair skin.
Servants ran back and forth adding more warm water and flower petals to the large pool, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. Legolas had already tried dismissing them several times but they seemed determined to carry out their tasks, perhaps one of his meddling friends had insisted on these luxuries to be lavished upon him after his victory. In the end he had given up trying to dissuade them and tried to enjoy the warm water on his tired body.
He submerged himself fully the water and closed his eyes, wishing beyond all things that it was he that fair Arwen had left with, not his adversary. Opening his cerulean eyes he saw through the rippling water that a figure was standing by the side of the bath waiting for him to emerge.
Rising up gracefully like a phoenix from the ashes he popped his head and shoulders up out of the water, his long hair clinging to him in straight golden tendrils, the tips of which were still floating in the fragranced water.
"My Lord." Hodoer stood gazing down at him with wise grey eyes. "You sent for me?"
Legolas' brow creased slightly at the title but he knew Hodoer was far too advanced in years to ever change his ways, so he let it pass.
"Aye, Hodoer, you are wise beyond even beyond your years, and knowledgeable about all in Middle Earth, more so especially than I, and something here feels amiss. I cannot put my finger on quite what yet, but something to do with the elves of Eryn Vorn is wrong. I wish for you to gather as much information about them as possible. There must be reasons that elvenkind has heard nothing of them for many years now, indeed I was unaware that Eryn Vorn was home to our kind until now. I trust you to do what is right and find the truth Hodoer, you have my leave to depart this place to gather news, and to send word when you can on your progress."
"Of course Prince Legolas, though I worry about leaving you in Beleger's debatably capable hands I will ride forth at once, fear not, your instincts have nary failed before. I shall uncover what there is hidden." He bowed and turned to leave.
"Be careful brûn mellon (old friend)" Legolas cautioned.
"When am I not, my lord?" The elder elf smiled and left as silently as he had arrived, like a breeze of wind through the halls.
With Hodoer seeking the truth I am confident it will not remain hidden, Astalder seems too good to be true, but on the inside I sense an evil heart, disguised by fair elven form. Legolas frowned, lowering himself further into the water once more.
*
At the celebratory feast, a magnificent event in itself, Legolas took pride of place at the head of the table as Sheelala champion, seated beside Elrond at one side and unfortunately Astalder on the other. This was not the ideal arrangement, but as the feast was in his honour the Mirkwood elf remained courteous and apparently joyous throughout the entire evening, though it was a stretch on his behalf.
He sat up tall and dignified though it pained his bruised back to do so, and to see Arwen and Astalder talking so animatedly throughout the proceedings pained his bruised heart also.
He was also rather undesirably separated from Haldir and the twins, and seeing as how they were also talking so energetically a few seats down, the Prince of Mirkwood felt rather alienated from everyone even though it was his celebration.
He kept shooting pleading looks at Elladan who waved him off with a frown of discontent and went deep back into discussion with Elrohir. The elder brother seemed to be berating his younger twin for something, and by Haldir's expression he seemed to agree with Elladan.
Eventually the evening came to a close and after lengthy talks with adoring elves who wished to congratulate him on his victory, Legolas finally had the chance to go to the side of Elrond's sons.
Elladan sighed a pained sigh as he reached them and grabbed hold of Legolas' arm. He shot one last despairing look at his younger brother as he attempted to follow them, and then led Legolas outside onto the balcony, closing the doors quietly after them.
"What is going on Elladan, I do not appreciate being dismissed as if my feelings have no import, whatever has happened I wish to know, I know you wish not to tell me from the look in your eyes but-"
"Sîdh mellonin. (Peace my friend.)" Elladan said soothingly but wearily,
"Though I wish not to tell you these words, I will, though it pains my heart to say it. Earlier, when you had won and Astalder retired with Arwen in tow, they did not talk about mere trivial things, their discussion strayed to that of wedlock."
"Marriage!? But-" Legolas started again but Elladan raised a hand.
"Aye, marriage, he proposed to her," he shot Legolas a sharp look to quiet him as the elf opened his mouth to protest once more, "What's done is done, Arwen accepted, but all is not lost!" He added quickly seeing the despair in his comrade's eyes.
So that was what that handsome ring on her finger was. Legolas realised, wishing he had managed to discuss this with Arwen before rather than find out too late.
"She had terms of agreement," Elladan explained, "he must obtain blessings from ada, myself, Elrohir, and you." He smiled thinly.
"I know not how or why, but he has received blessing from Elrohir, he cornered him earlier, and it ended in agreement." Elladan's eyes darkened at this.
"But he has yet to seek it from father, you and I, and we rest safe in the knowledge that he will never get it from us, so therefore they cannot wed."
"What does it matter Elladan, she agreed to marry him, she obviously loves him enough for that! She cares naught for me if she would wed that snake." Legolas said, turning away to look out at the sky, his heart sorrowful.
"But it matters not! She cares enough for you that he must gain your permission, she must feel something mellon, or she would not have bothered, and if we refuse and they cannot wed then he cannot have her, he does not need to be near her! But if you agree then you allow him to win, you allow him to have her, and who knows what that will mean. Think of the babe Legolas, think of Estel, would you allow his child, his legacy to be defiled by that snake, come to reason Legolas I pray you!"
Legolas leant on the cool stone of the balcony and stared out into the sky.
"By the Valar, what would you have me do?" He murmured, half to himself and half to Elladan.
"I know not how he swayed Elrohir, but sway my will he shall not, you must not give up Legolas I beg you. I saw Hodoer, I know you think that something is amiss, think this over before you act rashly and loose Arwen for good."
"But if she is happy, should I not be happy for her, is it not selfish of me to put my feelings ahead of her own? What if she truly loves him, and he truly loves her?"
"Only you know the answer to that mellon, it lies within your own heart. Do not make the same mistake, if you let him win you loose her forever." Elladan sighed and retreated, knowing in his heart that Legolas had to make the right decision, for Arwens sake, he couldn't give up on her.
*
Iiiick, hate it, *bangs computer* I'm sorry you guys, the dreaded writers block ganged up on me so bad, and you are gonna KILL me, for making you wait this long and giving you that, I know y'all think I must be evil for letting Arwen say yes, but there IS a reason people, I know what I'm doing and where this is going even if ye do not! So don't kill me just yet, if you did read down this far and didn't smash your comp up and that beginning or just my balls for hoping you'd actually give me the time of day!
Thank you for reading this, very, very much, I don't deserve your forgiveness, I weally don't but I will be continuing on now, you'll have to be patient with me, it took a lot to actually get this far but hopefully with the proposal out of the way I can get back into the flow of it all. I really need your reviews even if you're peed with me to tell me how crap this was, especially as I've been out of it for so long I need to see how my standards are and what your reactions are!
Sorry once again!
Next chap there will be Elrohir's explanation, Astalder will have a lil chat with Elrond and Elladan, and Arwen runs into a…complication. Thanks again, I hope to see you all next chapter, (and on the reviews page, hint, hint!)
xXx