Yes, me again. Well, don't look so shocked, I do happen to update every
millennium or so....
Tinkoo: Parlez-vous français? I don't, sadly, I just take it in that death trap they call school.
Thanks for the reviews!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gasping for breath, I reached the door to my chamber. I quickly entered and slammed the door behind me, bolting it. Placing a hand over my rapidly beating heart, I slowly walked to my bed and sat down on its edge. My hands shook violently, and blood pounded in my ears. I breathed deeply for a few moments and ran my hands through my hair, trying to clear my head. My actions were in vain, for my thoughts were still erratic.
Did he really know? What would happen to me? Would he tell the king? Perhaps he was simply trying to frighten me. Perhaps he spoke of something else, like the untimely deaths of my kin. It was just a coincidence. He couldn't know!
I dropped my head in my hands and tried to think rationally, but failed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next few days passed in an agonizingly slow fashion. I dreamt, slept, and on several occasions physically forced Hénduil out of my room, pacifying him with the excuse I was fine, simply busy. I knew he was worried; I simply had too much on my mind. My chambers became my sanctuary and my prison; I analyzed Galáril's words over and over in my head. Eventually I came to a conclusion: Surely if Galáril really knew anything, he would make it known. If he knew reason for my demise, would he not take it to the king straight away? I did not doubt this; his loathing for me was barely concealed. This thought comforted me greatly while I hid away in my room, terrified of what could happen to me.
On the fourth day of hiding, I dared to leave the safety of my home. I squared my shoulders and firmly closed my door behind me. What drove me out was that I desperately craved sunlight, not the glow of candles or the stale air of tightly closed quarters. I was an Elf, after all, and missed contact with nature. I had made up my mind; I would not stay caged in any longer. After what seemed to be an eternity of marble corridors, twists, and turns, I reached the outside world. The forest that had once been called Mirkwood was now sunny and bright; the evil had left it, and the Hill of Black Magic, Dol Guldor, had been destroyed. For the first time in a long while, Elves walked freely throughout the forest, though not without weapons, just in case. It brought joy to the hearts of all to see Eryn Lasgalen restored to its original beauty and magnificence.
Nearby Elven warriors sparred with each other, while maidens trying not to look interested watched. A laughing Elf patiently patted an unruly colt, and whispered to it softly, taming it. I spotted Hénduil, my dear cousin, but did not approach him. He shyly held a lovely maiden's hand in his own, and she in return gazed at him with adoration on her sweet face. Smiling, I walked into the trees, not having the heart to disturb them. In the bright daylight surrounded by such beauty, it was hard to imagine the horrors of death and the past, and a great weight lifted from my heart.
"A thousand greetings, Lady Elráwien!" I heard a voice above me call. Looking up I saw Legolas sitting on a large bough of the tree I was walking under.
"Hail, Legolas, and well met!" I laughed, surprised. "Why do you sit alone?"
"I sit here to wait for someone to sit with, so I will no longer be alone by sitting with the one I was sitting here for," Legolas stated, smiling.
"You speak in riddles!" I said, shaking my head. I placed my hand on the trunk of the mighty tree Legolas occupied, and smiled up at him. "May I ask who it is you are waiting for?"
"Ah! You seek the answer to the riddle! The only answer I give you is this: come and sit with me, my lady, and the riddle shall be solved." Legolas said, patting the space next to him.
I smiled and jumped up to a branch above my head, pulling myself up with my hands. Carefully climbing, I reached Legolas and sat on the branch, swinging my legs over the side. Legolas adjusted his position so his back leaned against the tree and his legs were crossed.
"There," he said, folding his arms contentedly across his chest and smiling playfully, "Now I am not only sitting, I am no longer alone and waiting."
I laughed, and replied, "I am grateful to be of service." I studied him a moment, and said, "You are a mystery to me."
At this Legolas seemed surprised. "A mystery? Nay, my lady, it is you who is the mystery. You know who I am, yet I know little of you."
I smiled and looked up at the sky through the leaves, replying, "I fear my past is filled with the same most are: love and pain. I would not know where to begin if you asked me to explain."
Suddenly, Legolas reached out and touched the left side of my neck, which faced him. His fingers brushed a fading scar that was there at its base; it extended from a point below my left ear to just above my pulse point, and a bit to the right.
"Never before have I noticed this," Legolas said softly, a hint of surprise in his voice. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and averted my eyes. "This was made by a blade, was it not?"
Startled, I looked up at him, a question forming on my lips.
"I can simply tell, my lady, as I have seen others like it," he stated simply.
Of course, I thought. He had seen many battles and their effects; he probably carries scars of his own.
"Perhaps your story will begin there," Legolas said, softly.
Normally I would have protested, but I felt I could trust him. Perhaps speaking about my past would help me handle it. Sighing, I nodded and began to speak.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When I had almost fully matured into a grown Elf, the second and last child my mother carried in her womb was born. The child was a girl, my sister, Anáwiel, one of the last few born before the Evenstar. I will never forget the moment I first looked upon her; she was kicking and screaming, making herself quite red in the face. Despite that, I immediately loved her. She grew into a beautiful child, with hair like the sun and eyes blue as the skies," I said, tugging on a strand of my own brown hair and smiling sadly.
Legolas nodded, and said, "If my memory serves me correctly, Anáwiel was quite spirited. It was not often I walked away from her without a bruised shin or two."
I nodded in agreement and continued, "Indeed, that was Anáwiel. I loved her more than I could express in words; I cared for her when my mother and father were occupied.
As Anáwiel grew, rumors of evil spread throughout land, and Elves here grew uneasy. It was then decided by your father that a company of Elven soldiers and his subjects would travel to Imladris, seeking the protection and guidance of those in the Valley Cleft. Being unsure as to what Lord Elrond's response would be, and for speed and secrecy, only a fairly small group traveled. Not unlike the company you yourself traveled in, not long ago. About one hundred and thirty traveled, I believe, including warriors. My father, Téril, of course was chosen to go as well. He was to give Elrond documents containing Mirkwood's plans of attack on an Orc band roaming our lands. My mother, Elralindë, Anáwiel, and I were also chosen to go, as we were his family. On the second day of our journey, we encountered Orcs." Here I had to pause for a moment, for my voice was thick with tears.
Legolas took my hand in his own and said, "I do not force you to continue, Elráwien. I know that this tale does not end well. If it pains you so to tell it, you may stop." His eyes were full of concern and understanding, which comforted me.
"No, I need to confide in someone," I said quickly, brushing my hand across my eyes. And so I continued, trying to steady my voice:
"The Elves were scattered by the enemy, who were many more than we were. Anáwiel fled in terror when Orcs attacked, so I followed her. She was only a child, by Elven reckoning, and she was so frightened...
An Orc saw Anáwiel trying to flee, and followed her. By the time I reached her...it was just to late." With this remark, I cast my eyes down to the forest floor, avoiding Legolas' gaze. Finally I broke down, unable to be brave any longer.
"I was her sister, Legolas! It was my duty to protect her! She was only a child, just a child..." I said between sobs.
"I remember she was just laying there, and her eyes were open, like she was asleep. But there was such pain in them! I only had a dagger to protect myself, but I didn't care. I threw myself at the Orc who was her murderer, enraged, and killed it. Then I kneeled next to Anáwiel, and I tried to wake her up. She wouldn't."
My voice cracked and my shoulders shook. Images of blond hair soaked in fatal crimson and my own bloodstained hands were burned into my memory. I sobbed for what seemed to be hours, and Legolas rubbed my back soothingly and whispered comfort. Finally I composed myself enough to tell the rest.
"This is when I received my scar," I said, smiling bitterly. "Unbeknownst to me, another Orc approached. I suppose it had heard our screams. I did not hear it until it was too late. It came behind me tried to slit my throat. It nearly succeeded, but was pierced with arrows before it could make the cut deep enough to be fatal. It was, however, deep enough to wound me greatly." With a shudder I recalled a hand entwined in my hair, forcing my head back and exposing my neck. Then pain, greater then any physical pain I had ever felt, had seared across my throat like fire. I remembered clutching my hands to my neck, growing dizzy and nauseated from the coppery taste and smell of blood. I had felt my very life pouring out of me.
"The other injured and I were hastily taken back to Eryn Lasgalen, which was closer than Imladris. When I woke in the healing houses, I found that I had not only lost Anáwiel, but my mother as well. Later my father would fade from sorrow, but I was to young and to afraid to die. I survived, but now I am alone."
I fell silent, and looked out into the distance, not really seeing. I became aware that Legolas was stroking my hair, and unconsciously I leaned into him. I rested my head against his chest, in let out a shaky sigh. Suddenly I realized what I had done, and feeling ashamed, I tried to move away.
In response, Legolas wrapped his arms around me and softly said, "Stay."
And so I stayed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas carefully held Elráwien and rocked her softly. He pondered all he had heard, and stroked her hair comfortingly. Suddenly, Elráwien's hand grasped his, and he looked down, wondering if she wished him to stop. Hesitantly, Elráwien pressed Legolas' hand to her lips, and then looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and hope. Legolas smiled, and pulled her closer to him. Gently, his lips brushed against Elráwien's in the softest of kisses. When their lips parted, Legolas held the Elf in his arms tighter than before, and he knew he loved her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What did you guys think? This is not Elráwien's ENTIRE secret; there is still something that will be revealed later. *All readers smack their heads against their keyboards, groaning.* I know, you guys have had it up to here with me, but... Was this too obvious and/or mushy? Or, I don't know...something? I felt I needed to get the ball rolling with the romance. Anyway, I liked it, and I hope you do too. Thanks for reading!
Tinkoo: Parlez-vous français? I don't, sadly, I just take it in that death trap they call school.
Thanks for the reviews!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gasping for breath, I reached the door to my chamber. I quickly entered and slammed the door behind me, bolting it. Placing a hand over my rapidly beating heart, I slowly walked to my bed and sat down on its edge. My hands shook violently, and blood pounded in my ears. I breathed deeply for a few moments and ran my hands through my hair, trying to clear my head. My actions were in vain, for my thoughts were still erratic.
Did he really know? What would happen to me? Would he tell the king? Perhaps he was simply trying to frighten me. Perhaps he spoke of something else, like the untimely deaths of my kin. It was just a coincidence. He couldn't know!
I dropped my head in my hands and tried to think rationally, but failed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next few days passed in an agonizingly slow fashion. I dreamt, slept, and on several occasions physically forced Hénduil out of my room, pacifying him with the excuse I was fine, simply busy. I knew he was worried; I simply had too much on my mind. My chambers became my sanctuary and my prison; I analyzed Galáril's words over and over in my head. Eventually I came to a conclusion: Surely if Galáril really knew anything, he would make it known. If he knew reason for my demise, would he not take it to the king straight away? I did not doubt this; his loathing for me was barely concealed. This thought comforted me greatly while I hid away in my room, terrified of what could happen to me.
On the fourth day of hiding, I dared to leave the safety of my home. I squared my shoulders and firmly closed my door behind me. What drove me out was that I desperately craved sunlight, not the glow of candles or the stale air of tightly closed quarters. I was an Elf, after all, and missed contact with nature. I had made up my mind; I would not stay caged in any longer. After what seemed to be an eternity of marble corridors, twists, and turns, I reached the outside world. The forest that had once been called Mirkwood was now sunny and bright; the evil had left it, and the Hill of Black Magic, Dol Guldor, had been destroyed. For the first time in a long while, Elves walked freely throughout the forest, though not without weapons, just in case. It brought joy to the hearts of all to see Eryn Lasgalen restored to its original beauty and magnificence.
Nearby Elven warriors sparred with each other, while maidens trying not to look interested watched. A laughing Elf patiently patted an unruly colt, and whispered to it softly, taming it. I spotted Hénduil, my dear cousin, but did not approach him. He shyly held a lovely maiden's hand in his own, and she in return gazed at him with adoration on her sweet face. Smiling, I walked into the trees, not having the heart to disturb them. In the bright daylight surrounded by such beauty, it was hard to imagine the horrors of death and the past, and a great weight lifted from my heart.
"A thousand greetings, Lady Elráwien!" I heard a voice above me call. Looking up I saw Legolas sitting on a large bough of the tree I was walking under.
"Hail, Legolas, and well met!" I laughed, surprised. "Why do you sit alone?"
"I sit here to wait for someone to sit with, so I will no longer be alone by sitting with the one I was sitting here for," Legolas stated, smiling.
"You speak in riddles!" I said, shaking my head. I placed my hand on the trunk of the mighty tree Legolas occupied, and smiled up at him. "May I ask who it is you are waiting for?"
"Ah! You seek the answer to the riddle! The only answer I give you is this: come and sit with me, my lady, and the riddle shall be solved." Legolas said, patting the space next to him.
I smiled and jumped up to a branch above my head, pulling myself up with my hands. Carefully climbing, I reached Legolas and sat on the branch, swinging my legs over the side. Legolas adjusted his position so his back leaned against the tree and his legs were crossed.
"There," he said, folding his arms contentedly across his chest and smiling playfully, "Now I am not only sitting, I am no longer alone and waiting."
I laughed, and replied, "I am grateful to be of service." I studied him a moment, and said, "You are a mystery to me."
At this Legolas seemed surprised. "A mystery? Nay, my lady, it is you who is the mystery. You know who I am, yet I know little of you."
I smiled and looked up at the sky through the leaves, replying, "I fear my past is filled with the same most are: love and pain. I would not know where to begin if you asked me to explain."
Suddenly, Legolas reached out and touched the left side of my neck, which faced him. His fingers brushed a fading scar that was there at its base; it extended from a point below my left ear to just above my pulse point, and a bit to the right.
"Never before have I noticed this," Legolas said softly, a hint of surprise in his voice. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and averted my eyes. "This was made by a blade, was it not?"
Startled, I looked up at him, a question forming on my lips.
"I can simply tell, my lady, as I have seen others like it," he stated simply.
Of course, I thought. He had seen many battles and their effects; he probably carries scars of his own.
"Perhaps your story will begin there," Legolas said, softly.
Normally I would have protested, but I felt I could trust him. Perhaps speaking about my past would help me handle it. Sighing, I nodded and began to speak.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When I had almost fully matured into a grown Elf, the second and last child my mother carried in her womb was born. The child was a girl, my sister, Anáwiel, one of the last few born before the Evenstar. I will never forget the moment I first looked upon her; she was kicking and screaming, making herself quite red in the face. Despite that, I immediately loved her. She grew into a beautiful child, with hair like the sun and eyes blue as the skies," I said, tugging on a strand of my own brown hair and smiling sadly.
Legolas nodded, and said, "If my memory serves me correctly, Anáwiel was quite spirited. It was not often I walked away from her without a bruised shin or two."
I nodded in agreement and continued, "Indeed, that was Anáwiel. I loved her more than I could express in words; I cared for her when my mother and father were occupied.
As Anáwiel grew, rumors of evil spread throughout land, and Elves here grew uneasy. It was then decided by your father that a company of Elven soldiers and his subjects would travel to Imladris, seeking the protection and guidance of those in the Valley Cleft. Being unsure as to what Lord Elrond's response would be, and for speed and secrecy, only a fairly small group traveled. Not unlike the company you yourself traveled in, not long ago. About one hundred and thirty traveled, I believe, including warriors. My father, Téril, of course was chosen to go as well. He was to give Elrond documents containing Mirkwood's plans of attack on an Orc band roaming our lands. My mother, Elralindë, Anáwiel, and I were also chosen to go, as we were his family. On the second day of our journey, we encountered Orcs." Here I had to pause for a moment, for my voice was thick with tears.
Legolas took my hand in his own and said, "I do not force you to continue, Elráwien. I know that this tale does not end well. If it pains you so to tell it, you may stop." His eyes were full of concern and understanding, which comforted me.
"No, I need to confide in someone," I said quickly, brushing my hand across my eyes. And so I continued, trying to steady my voice:
"The Elves were scattered by the enemy, who were many more than we were. Anáwiel fled in terror when Orcs attacked, so I followed her. She was only a child, by Elven reckoning, and she was so frightened...
An Orc saw Anáwiel trying to flee, and followed her. By the time I reached her...it was just to late." With this remark, I cast my eyes down to the forest floor, avoiding Legolas' gaze. Finally I broke down, unable to be brave any longer.
"I was her sister, Legolas! It was my duty to protect her! She was only a child, just a child..." I said between sobs.
"I remember she was just laying there, and her eyes were open, like she was asleep. But there was such pain in them! I only had a dagger to protect myself, but I didn't care. I threw myself at the Orc who was her murderer, enraged, and killed it. Then I kneeled next to Anáwiel, and I tried to wake her up. She wouldn't."
My voice cracked and my shoulders shook. Images of blond hair soaked in fatal crimson and my own bloodstained hands were burned into my memory. I sobbed for what seemed to be hours, and Legolas rubbed my back soothingly and whispered comfort. Finally I composed myself enough to tell the rest.
"This is when I received my scar," I said, smiling bitterly. "Unbeknownst to me, another Orc approached. I suppose it had heard our screams. I did not hear it until it was too late. It came behind me tried to slit my throat. It nearly succeeded, but was pierced with arrows before it could make the cut deep enough to be fatal. It was, however, deep enough to wound me greatly." With a shudder I recalled a hand entwined in my hair, forcing my head back and exposing my neck. Then pain, greater then any physical pain I had ever felt, had seared across my throat like fire. I remembered clutching my hands to my neck, growing dizzy and nauseated from the coppery taste and smell of blood. I had felt my very life pouring out of me.
"The other injured and I were hastily taken back to Eryn Lasgalen, which was closer than Imladris. When I woke in the healing houses, I found that I had not only lost Anáwiel, but my mother as well. Later my father would fade from sorrow, but I was to young and to afraid to die. I survived, but now I am alone."
I fell silent, and looked out into the distance, not really seeing. I became aware that Legolas was stroking my hair, and unconsciously I leaned into him. I rested my head against his chest, in let out a shaky sigh. Suddenly I realized what I had done, and feeling ashamed, I tried to move away.
In response, Legolas wrapped his arms around me and softly said, "Stay."
And so I stayed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas carefully held Elráwien and rocked her softly. He pondered all he had heard, and stroked her hair comfortingly. Suddenly, Elráwien's hand grasped his, and he looked down, wondering if she wished him to stop. Hesitantly, Elráwien pressed Legolas' hand to her lips, and then looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and hope. Legolas smiled, and pulled her closer to him. Gently, his lips brushed against Elráwien's in the softest of kisses. When their lips parted, Legolas held the Elf in his arms tighter than before, and he knew he loved her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What did you guys think? This is not Elráwien's ENTIRE secret; there is still something that will be revealed later. *All readers smack their heads against their keyboards, groaning.* I know, you guys have had it up to here with me, but... Was this too obvious and/or mushy? Or, I don't know...something? I felt I needed to get the ball rolling with the romance. Anyway, I liked it, and I hope you do too. Thanks for reading!