Five people wanted it, so here it is: The next chapter! (Round of approving noises from the imaginary crowd in the goofy author's mind—I swear, getting through midterms in one piece does something funny to my mind when I can finally let it all go. Ask anyone who knows me, if this author's note isn't enough to make that obvious.) Enjoy! Or not. Up to you. (Told you.)
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Are you sure about this? Leherim asked softly.
No. But I think we should have done something like this before.
Perhaps, Leherim agreed with a frown. But what if she doesn't like it?
Then you will find her in the other room, won't you?
Very funny. She sighed and lifted a hand to her head.
Legolas smiled and lightly touched her shoulder. "I think it will be fine. She'll have something to do, after all, and it's more like what she would have had if she was here under different circumstances."
"Which I wish she could have had."
He nodded in sympathy. "Yes."
Together they went to the room Mirimir was in. She looked up from the bed, lowering her chin slightly when she saw Legolas behind Leherim, though she remained where she was. Leherim took a deep breath. "Come with me, Mirimir," she called softly, motioning Legolas out of the way. He moved slowly towards the bathing room, giving Mirimir enough space to inch out of the room without feeling his presence was a threat.
She followed Leherim at a crouching walk, instead of on all fours like usual. She would drop down every few steps to see how closely Legolas was following, and would hurry to catch up with Leherim, using her hands when she needed more speed. Leherim walked straight to the room she and Legolas had been preparing for the last few weeks and walked in without pausing.
"This is your new room," she explained softly when Mirimir paused expectantly just inside the door.
Mirimir sat on her heels and looked around, confusion plain in her light grey eyes.
"The bathroom is through that door," Leherim continued, "and through here," she murmured, opening the other door, "you can get to the library. You may lock this door whenever you wish, of course. The key is hanging on the knob. The library is generally unused at night, with most visitors coming between lunch and dinner. You may go whenever you wish, and you may keep books for a time, but eventually you should return them so others may use them."
She stopped as Mirimir began looking around, slowly walking, once again on all fours, to the plant on a short pedestal. She touched the leaves lightly, drew her fingers along the velvety length of the few that were uncurled. It was a small, young plant, chosen so she could watch it grow. Mirimir touched the dirt around it, then, after checking that Legolas was remaining next to the door, went to the bathroom and came back with a handful of water, which she sprinkled onto the dirt.
After two trips she was paused as Legolas moved to intercept her. She sat on her heels and looked warily up at him.
"This would be faster, and easier," he murmured, holding out a pitcher, choosing to ignore the subtle change in her position that would allow her to escape him quite quickly if he should become threatening.
She tentatively took it, waiting until he backed off to move to the bathroom once more.
The siblings heard a splash, and then a small thump, but before they could move Mirimir came out with the water pitcher in her hands, her gait made awkward now without the use of her hands. Water spilled over her fingers with every move, and by the time she was to the plant there was little more there than in a handful of water.
Mirimir frowned at the glass, and then at the plant as she upended the glass over the pot, shaking it to get the last drops out. Finally she scowled at Legolas, who couldn't help but smile at her annoyance. "If you would walk upright, it would work," he amended.
She frowned and pursed her lips, but went to the bathroom again. Leherim moved so she could see how Mirimir was doing, and bit her lip at what she saw. The glass pitcher had already been filled, and Mirimir slowly inched herself taller, pain apparent in her features as she slowly rose taller than Leherim had ever seen her do. Still, she didn't stand completely upright. Her new stance was less stable than her old, and she wavered with every step, placing one foot tentatively in front of the other, but the water didn't spill from the pitcher as badly, though some sloshed over the rim and onto her fingers. Upon reaching the plant Mirimir crouched again, and used what of the water she felt the plant could use before setting the pitcher on the floor.
She then moved around the room, touched the few books Leherim had brought from her old room and placed on the shelf, feeling the draping material that covered the smooth stone walls, bringing more warmth and color to the room. She traced patterns in the rug, then sprang across the room to study a tapestry that hung on the wall near the door. Her hands shook slightly as they traveled up the designs carved into the wood, over those created of the stone, and a faint smile escaped her as she traveled to the bed, feeling the warm velvet sheets. She moved to a chair that was near the shelves, crawled onto the seat and curled up there, rubbing her chin against the soft material that covered the arm.
"I guess you like it," Legolas murmured with a smile.
Leherim smiled as well. "Then we shall leave you be. The library has been emptied today only, if you wish to explore it." As they closed the door behind them, she laughed softly and threw her hands in the air, spinning in a few quick circles before Legolas caught her, laughing with her as she wrapped her arms around him. "She liked it! She really liked it!"
"I saw," Legolas teased, a crooked grin appearing. "And she appeared to like the plant, as well."
"Mmm," she agreed. "And she nearly walked upright to take care of it."
"Yes," he agreed with a nod. "She looked as if she had never done so before."
"Or at least not in many long years," Leherim agreed. Suddenly disheartened, she was a bit irritated when a messenger came, obviously wishing Legolas. "I'll see you later."
"Are you sure you would not rather accompany me?" he asked, frowning slightly at her. Are you going to be fine?
I shall be, I am sure, she murmured back. "Dinner?"
He shook his head. "We are required, you know that." Their father had requested their attendance for reasons unknown.
"Oh… yes. I shall have to warn her."
"Good idea. But you may do so over lunch."
"Yes."
The messenger was upon them, and did indeed wish Legolas to follow him. He followed with an uncertain backwards glance.
I'm fine, she insisted.
If you say so, he agreed half-heartedly, picking up the pace as he went to answer their father's summons.
Leherim wandered to one of the gardens that had been created within the palace, and found a small bench there, set into the rock in such a way she would be overlooked by any elves just wandering by.
Or so she thought.
"My lady? Are you well?"
She glanced up to see a dark-haired elf there. He wasn't as tall as Legolas, but was built about the same, a leaner build created by using his body in some sort of strenuous activity on a regular basis. His eyes were stormy grey with a hint of blue, very different from the brilliant to dark blue she shared with her brother. "What?"
He smiled faintly. "I asked if you are well. You seem upset by something." The smiled faded as he tilted his head, observing her.
She studied him a moment longer, and felt nothing but compassion from him. Slowly she nodded. "A fair assessment."
"What troubles you then, fair lady?" he asked, sitting beside her without an invitation.
She considered for a moment, but slowly shook her head. "Talk will not change it. Only time may."
"Are you certain?"
"I am indeed," she agreed softly.
Leherim, Father wishes you here as well.
She blinked. "I'm sorry, but my Father calls."
"I've heard nothing," the elf murmured with a frown.
"Of course not," she agreed softly. "My brother asks," she explained, getting to her feet.
"What has that to do with anything?" he frowned. "I still heard nothing."
She frowned at him, and noticed his clothing for the first time. "You are from Rivendell, then?"
"Yes. I've come to see a few old friends, whom I haven't seen in many long years. What has that to do with anything?" he repeated.
"Everyone around here generally knows my brother and I are close."
"There is nothing wrong with that, but—" He broke off as her eyes glazed.
Are you planning on coming, or shall I come for you? Anger flooded the words.
I'm coming. I'm just trying to get free of some elf in the garden.
Need some brotherly assistance?
I can handle him, I'm sure. She turned to the elf, who was blinking at her in surprise. "Good luck finding your friends," she murmured in place of a good bye, before turning and swiftly walking away, leaving one perplexed elf in the gardens, as an angry one began to hunt for her. I'm coming, I'm coming! Legolas was stalking towards her, anger radiating from him, narrowing his eyes. But the dark spokes hadn't spiked into his eyes—something that always happened when he was angry or upset. "Legolas? What's going on?"
He grabbed her arm without a word, his grip firm but not bruising, pulling her along the halls until he dragged her into their father's study. The anger from him disappeared quite suddenly, amusement blasting forth in its place as she figured it out.
"Orc," she muttered fondly.
He chuckled and nudged her into the chair she usually used, before folding his tall frame into his. "It took you so long to come I was about to lose it."
She laughed softly. "You didn't change your eyes," she murmured, looking into those eyes, which were dancing with good humor.
He half-frowned, the other brow quirking up. "My eyes?"
"The dark rims sort of spoke to each other when you're angry or upset, making them much darker."
"Hmm. Yours tend to do the same," he informed her, his eyes laughing.
"As did your mother's," their father murmured.
They blinked and looked at him, his eyes as bright as theirs when joyful. His never darkened as much as theirs, and they alone could tell the difference. Legolas smiled faintly, his voice quiet. "I remember."
Leherim frowned and looked at her hands, wishing she could. A large hand covered hers, and darkening eyes caught hers before the room faded away. The grey mist solidified as the room became instead the area before the gate. Their mother was laughing, until her eyes fell upon those watching her mistily.
"Legolas?" she asked, coming forward. "What happened?"
A soft sniffle preceded a shake of the head, the picture shaking with it.
"Legolas," she prompted, tilting his head up with gentle fingers. Her eyes darkened as she shook her head. "Come on, child. Let's get you cleaned up before dinner. It's not fitting for a prince to come in so bedraggled to a feast." She smiled and kissed his crown, picking him up. "You're getting big, little love." The picture blacked out as his eyes closed, but the sound and feelings were still there. "You'll be big enough to take care of your sister soon."
He looked up at her solemnly. "I'll take care of her, Mother, I promise."
"I know you will," she smiled and kissed his forehead as she ran her hands through his tangled hair. "We'll just have enough time to get all dressed up. Do you think Leherim should join us tonight?"
"Can she?"
She laughed softly. "I suppose we should wait until she sits up on her own, shouldn't we?"
The image went dark, the warmth and sounds fading into the mist before she was looking again into darkened eyes. Leherim closed her eyes with a soft sigh, smiling slightly. She was wonderful.
Yes.
You have taken good care of me, she murmured.
It was never because of the promise, dear one.
I know, she agreed, smiling up at him. She touched his cheek lightly, and then laughed. "That was the best one you could come up with?" she teased.
He smiled slightly and leaned back in his chair. "I didn't often see her angry or upset, dear one." His eyes darkened for a moment, before he shook his head. "We got a bit off the subject, didn't we?" He got up and kissed her temple on his way to get something from the shelf. "Happy birthday, little sister." He pulled a book out and drew a small box from behind it. Father has something for you, first.
She looked at their father. He smiled and got up, handing her a box. "It was your mother's," he murmured softly, lifting out a delicate necklace with a dark blue stone drop. "She was planning on giving it to you now."
Leherim reached for it, gingerly taking the chain. "Legolas?" she asked softly.
With a slight smile he touched her shoulder, showing her a brief flash of their mother laughing, her fingers toying with the dark drop.
"Thank you," she murmured, glancing up at the two elves. She ran her fingers lightly over the drop before lifting it for one of them to take. Legolas took it after a moment's hesitation, fastening it around her neck after she lifted her hair out of the way.
Legolas studied the pendant for a moment, remembering it on his mother's throat before she was gone. He could see the memories in their father's eyes as well, and drew Leherim to her feet without a word, aloud or otherwise. She came along willingly, understanding as she touched the drop which settled down against her throat.
After wandering silently through the halls for a while, he remembered the box still in his hand. He passed it over without a word as she turned to the garden. He shrugged slightly as she looked at him in question, so with a smile she kissed his cheek and headed into the garden.
He let the link slide apart, knowing she would speak with him about his gift when she opened it. Without thinking he wandered into the library, glad to find it seemingly unoccupied. He settled himself into a niche that was carved into the wall. For a while he tried to just sit, but finally couldn't hold it in so, drawing his knees to his chest, closing his eyes. He leaned his head against the cool stone, remembering when his mother had been with them.
"I miss you, Mother," he whispered, squeezing his eyes closed. He swallowed carefully and then sighed, trying to let go of the longing. "You'd think after a few thousand years it wouldn't hurt," he muttered, shaking his head.
Annoyance, followed quickly by shock and heart-stopping fear suddenly blasted through him. His head snapped up, his eyes nearly blind as he leapt to his feet. "Hold on, Leherim," he muttered, vaguely seeing something crouched near the floor as he sped past.
Skidding slightly as he turned a corner too sharply, he nearly collided with a few of the nobles, barely righting himself as he sped past, making a mental note to apologize later. Right now he just wanted to know what was scaring his sister.
He blinked and ran faster as the connection suddenly cut off. He sent out feelers and found her in the garden. Turning another sharp corner he saw red as he saw an elf leaning over her limp body. The next thing he saw was the elf flying backward as he pulled out his dagger, dropping to his sister's side, mostly unaware of the impact pain in his shoulder. Keeping part of his attention aware of the elf, he touched her forehead, checked her breathing. She'd passed out. But why?
"Little one," he whispered, Leherim, can you hear me?
"What's the idea?" the elf muttered getting up.
Legolas glanced up briefly and scowled. "What are you doing here, elf?" he snapped, turning his attention back to his sister.
"Legolas?"
"Got it in one," he growled, flipping his dagger around to remind the elf it was there even as he checked Leherim again. Time to wake up, little one.
"Legolas, don't you re—"
"Get away from us," Legolas growled, looking up at the interloper. He frowned at the features watching him. "Elrohir?"
The elf smiled faintly. "About time. Yeah, it's me." He began to relax.
Legolas lifted his dagger again. "What are you doing here?" he asked quietly, his eyes narrowing as he got up, half crouched over Leherim. "And what were you doing to her?"
"Apparently making a mistake about who she is. I saw your mother's necklace, and—"
Legolas held up his hand. "I'll ask her, if you don't mind." Actually, asking wasn't quite what he had in mind. He put his free hand on her forehead and glared up at Elrohir. "If you move from that spot, you will find yourself in the dungeons before dinner."
Elrohir shifted uncomfortably and nodded.
Legolas lowered his dagger, letting it drop to the ground as he sent his consciousness into Leherim. He tried to find her most recent memories, but was daunted by the unfamiliar task. Instead he looked for her, found her where her consciousness was resting, unwilling to face whatever had happened.
Leherim?
Legolas? She looked up from the book she'd been reading. What is it?
He read the cover with a crooked brow. Interesting choice. You need to wake up now.
Wake up?
You're unconscious. You need to wake up.
If I'm unconscious, then why do I have a nagging brother?
Then I'll leave, he murmured. With a flare for the dramatic, he snapped his fingers as he pulled himself out of her mind and returned to his own.
"—all right? Legolas?"
He blinked. "Well?" he asked, looking down at his sister.
She murmured softly and shook her head slightly, blinking her eyes rapidly. "Legolas?"
"Yep," he agreed, kissing her forehead as she sat up. "Welcome back."
"What—" she stopped when she saw Elrohir standing there. "You." She spat the word, getting to her feet.
Legolas stepped in front of her, unsure what exactly was going on. Hold on. What happened?
He accused me of being a thief, because of Mother's necklace!
Legolas's eyes widened and he fought a smile. "Really?" he asked, turning to Elrohir.
Elrohir looked between them in confusion. "Want to explain, Leaf?"
Leherim's mouth dropped open, and Legolas instinctively ducked away, but she still managed to hit him. "You know him?"
"So do you!" he defended, catching her hands before she could decide if she wanted to hit him again or not.
"No I don't," she frowned.
"Yes you do," he insisted, grinning despite himself.
"I don't—"
Elrohir, sister dear. One of Elrond's sons. You do know him.
She blinked and stopped fighting. With a frown she looked at the elf again. "It is!" she exclaimed. Reassured, she pulled her hands from Legolas's, walking up to the elf. "Elrohir!" Before Legolas could move or get a warning off of his tongue she snapped her arm back and slugged Elrohir, sending him back several paces—which made him stumble over a tree root and fall rather unceremoniously to the ground—before she whirled and stalked out of the garden.
"Sorry. Afraid she gets that from me." He hauled Elrohir onto his feet.
"So I do know her? I thought she looked vaguely—what is so funny, Legolas?"
"You only spent three years living in the same valley as she did," he grinned.
Elrohir blinked and put a few things together. "That is Leherim?" He turned and looked where she had headed. "She has grown up."
"Well, you haven't seen her since she was a mere child."
"Yes, when your father gave up trying to keep you two apart. I guess I just saw it in action, didn't I?"
"Indeed."
Elrohir winced. "Would you tell her I'm sorry, then? I saw your mother's necklace, and didn't even think about it having been given to your sister… of course, I didn't know she was your sister." He frowned at the ground, considering. "I suppose I should have. You both have the same eyes."
Legolas lifted a brow at the absent comment. "Just never forget I know you better than she does now."
Elrohir accepted the warning with a sigh. "And no doubt she'll have big brother ready with his dagger whenever she needs him."
"No doubt," he agreed with a faint smile. He shook his head slightly. "You scared her, you realize."
"And I shall apologize in person, as well."
"Maybe you should anyway. I wasn't linked to her then."
"And you won't just tell her?"
"I'm sure she knows, anyway." Legolas smiled slightly and retrieved his dagger, slipping it back into its sheath.
Legolas?
What?
Why is he here?
"Good question," he murmured, before repeating it mentally. "Why are you here?"
"I came to see you two," Elrohir admitted sheepishly. "Father's getting all involved with his brother's descendants again, so we all wanted out of the way for a while. Elladan and Arwen went to Grandmother's, but I thought Mirkwood would be more interesting." He ruefully looked around, rubbing his jaw. "Glad to see I was right."
Legolas chuckled softly and shook his head. "I'm surprised you made it this far without being brought to our attention."
"Your father knows, but I asked to find you in my own time. Never, ever again."
"Well, now that she knows what you look like, it shouldn't be such an issue."
"Very funny."
Well?
He came to see us.
"What'd she want?"
"An answer to her question. She's in our rooms." He turned to his friend. "Do you wish me to lead you there?"
"You aren't headed there?"
"I have a few other things I wish to do," he murmured. "And being out of range would be nice when she begins throwing things," he added.
"Let me guess. You taught her to throw, as well?"
"You expected me to leave my sister here, defenseless?" He smiled faintly. "Besides, she was the only one around my age."
"She's stronger than she looks."
"Yes she is," he agreed. "But she is also delicate," he frowned slightly. "Whether or not she wishes to show it."
Aren't we all, dear tough brother?
Get out of my head, sister dear. You weren't invited, and you have nothing to say.
Orc. She pulled out of his mind with the equivalent of a mental smack just as Legolas and Elrohir reached a place in the halls where Legolas could easily direct Elrohir to their rooms, with the strict warning not to go beyond sitting rooms.
Elrohir sent him a dry look and shook his head, leaving Legolas to do as he wished, silently entering the room.
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