Author's Note: Thanks to all who reviewed so far, your comments have been enlightening. And so, on we go…
Chapter Seven – Gifts
Legolas remained silent as Arlannis seated herself beside him. They sat together in peace for a moment. 'I owe you my thanks, Legolas,' she said eventually. 'It was nothing,' he replied instinctively. She nodded and then looked him in the eye. He could not recall a time when she had held his gaze for longer than a fraction of a moment. His heart slowed as her eyes seemed to swallow him without effort. There was pain visible within their depths but there was also peace.
'Legolas,' she said, breaking the moment, 'this has been in many ways the most difficult night of my life. I miss Gandalf sorely, I do not think I will forget this fresh grief swiftly. And yet, this night I have felt the sting of an old grief most keenly. Twenty years ago, I was banished from this land for blasphemy. The reason was thwarted love. Haldir asked for my hand in marriage and I accepted.' Arlannis paused and her eyes closed briefly in remembered pain.
'When he learned that I was but half elven, he broke the betrothal and in my despair I tried to end my life. The consequences of this act were not lightly borne. Elves in both Lorien and Imladris knew of my doom and looked upon me as one who had lost her reason.' Here, Arlannis broke off again, recalling those first miserable few days after she found herself bandaged and spiritless in Lorien. Legolas said nothing, silently willing her to continue.
'I have spent the last twenty years trying to atone,' she said, 'I could not remain amongst my father's people so I joined Aragorn and the Dunedain. I sought to bury my pain and my shame. But I could not outdistance myself.'
'Yourself?' asked Legolas.
Arlannis smiled somewhat grimly and bared her arms to him again. The white scars glowed faintly against her pale skin. 'A constant reminder,' she said, 'and never more so than tonight. Haldir sought me out and claimed to still love me.'
Legolas drew breath swiftly, 'To what response?'
'A bitter one, I fear,' answered Arlannis ruefully, 'he was left in no doubt as to what I thought of his avowal of love. But his words filled me with despair, as though all my sufferings were in vain and …. I am glad someone heard me.'
Legolas smiled at her, 'Elven hearing is quite acute… and I would know your voice anywhere.' His hand reached up to her face and traced her cheekbone lightly. 'I trust Aragorn was able to comfort you.'
Arlannis wondered at herself. Scarce an hour had passed since Haldir had tried to touch her in a similar fashion and her body had recoiled from him as though he were tainted. And now she remained contentedly motionless as Legolas caressed her.
'My brother knew how to answer my doubts,' she said slowly, 'but I would ask you, Legolas, if you have any?'
'Concerning you?' he asked. His hand never ceased its slow soothing motion on her face.
'And what is in my past.'
'You past is just that, Arlannis, past. The lady before me is a being of courage and grace,' answered Legolas smiling at her bemused expression.
'Grace?' she asked finally with a quizzical expression on her face.
'You are quite the artist with that blade of yours,' he said in answer.
Arlannis smiled, 'Yes, the blade is all my own, I had to have a new one forged after I…well, no matter, it suits me well.' But the blade of my mother would have suited me better, was her unspoken thought.
Legolas smiled back at her, 'My thanks to you,' he said, 'for telling me of this.'
'My thanks to you for listening,' said Arlannis.
They stayed a moment further in companionable silence until Arlannis roused herself to stand. 'It is past time for rest, my friend,' she stated, 'our refuge here will be short enough, I fear.' Legolas rose too and nodded in agreement. 'Rest well, my lady,' his eyes shone as he bade her good night.
She left him then and sought her place of repose close to her brother and the hobbits.
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Arlannis slept as deeply as the first night she had experienced the beauty and peace of Lorien. The Lady's tranquillity permeated the very air and for the first time in years she came to an acceptance of herself. No longer did she feel burdened by her deeds. Gandalf had been right when he told her that in facing her past she would realise her future. A swift pang stabbed her heart as she recalled the wise old mage's words to her. Oh Gandalf, she thought sadly, will we ever look upon your like again?
Morning broke as beautifully as it had at the dawn of all life on Middle Earth and Arlannis was there to greet it with hope in her heart for the first time in twenty years.
Her companions looked as refreshed as she felt, with the exception of Frodo. He appeared as troubled as ever by his unique burden. Boromir did not look as though he had passed a peaceful night either. He started at the slightest noise and looked uneasy. Arlannis noticed her brother observing the same and wondered at its cause.
Legolas was nowhere to be seen and this made Arlannis both nervous and grateful. She did not quite know how to deal with Legolas. Life as a Ranger did not lend itself to comprehending the motives of people's hearts, be they elves or men. Most of her time was spent either alone, in the company of other Rangers or fighting Orcs. As a result, Arlannis could not discern if Legolas' attentions to her were those born of a natural elvish delight over a soul saved or … something else. From long habit born of necessity, she put the matter out of her mind. There were more important things to consider for now.
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It was time to bid farewell to Lorien. The Fellowship stood on the banks of the Anduin as the Lady and her court came to see them safely off. But it was not just to be a simple leave taking. The Lady had gifts to bestow and Arlannis smiled as Merry and Pippin stared at their elvish blades in excited wonder. Sam's disappointment at his elvish rope was also comical. The bow presented to Legolas was truly a gift worthy of his skill and Arlannis watched as he tested its draw and smiled in appreciation at Galadriel. Gimli was tongue tied at first but swiftly found an eloquence that Arlannis had not suspected of him. Even the Lady was charmed by his simple request and granted it and more without hesitation.
When it came to her turn, Arlannis found it easier to face the Lady than she had thought. 'What gift would befit the daughter of Elrond?' asked Galadriel looking into Arlannis' eyes.
'You have already given me more than I could have hoped for and all unasked,' answered Arlannis quietly, meeting the Lady's stare without flinching.
'Then perhaps I can bestow a gift upon the daughter of Gilraen,' said the Lady smiling, 'if it can be truly called such, for it is something that belonged to you once.' And with these words, Galadriel brought forth the blade of Gilraen.
Arlannis could not conceal her emotions. For before her was the blade she had last seen twenty years ago, when it was stained with her own blood. Tears sprang to her eyes. 'I thought it had been destroyed,' she said when she trusted her voice to speak.
'I kept it,' said Galadriel, in her slow timeless voice, 'against the day when you would return. Wield it well, daughter of Gilraen, wield it with honour.'
Tears flowed from Arlannis' eyes as she took her beloved mother's sword by the hilt. 'I will, Lady,' she whispered and submitted as the elves of Lorien fastened a scabbard of well-worked leather to her back. She sheathed her gift and let the tears flow freely for truly she felt as though a part of her had been restored from darkness to light.
The Lady smiled in benediction and went apart from the company to speak with Aragorn privately. The rest of the Fellowship stored their gifts which included Lorien cloaks and lembas, the elven bread of travellers on the light Lorien boats. All that remained was the final moment of parting.
Arlannis was sitting between Merry and Pippin trying to keep them from accidentally stabbing themselves in their enthusiasm for their new knives when she felt a presence behind her. She straightened slowly and turned to see Haldir standing on the riverbank.
He was staring openly at her with mute longing in his eyes. Arlannis stepped away from the hobbits and approached him.
'I bid you farewell, Haldir,' she said simply, offering her arm to him. It was the traditional warrior's gesture of friendship. His face distorted briefly but he matched his forearm against hers and grasped it firmly. 'Farewell, then Arlannis,' he answered, but there was no acceptance in his eyes. 'May we meet again.'
Arlannis swallowed and turned to go, but Haldir still held fast to her arm, 'My heart goes with you,' he said quietly.
'As does mine,' she replied and saw the hope fade in his eyes.
The Fellowship said their last farewells to Lorien and under Aragorn's leadership they pulled away from the shore to continue their quest upon the waters of the Great River.
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