Sorry I took so long, I had writer's block. I'm thinking of doing a
Celeborn and Galadriel fic after I'm done with the Romances of Four
Hobbits, this, and my original story "The Right Time" on FictionPress.com.
"IloveHobbits": Me too! Thanks for the review! I'm so glad!!! *blush* *blush* And I'm glad you don't think so!
Genevieve: I'm sorry I made you cry, but it's nice to know that my story can do that, that means I've done a pretty bang up job writing. Thanks for the review! P.S. Work on your spelling, dude!
"Cherryfaerie": I got your e-mail, glad you were able to reach the Sindarin website, isn't it great!
*~*~*~*~*
Farewell for Now
Twilight found Elwen walking among the tents that the Rohirrim set outside Helm's Deep. Suddenly a little figure clad in garb of the Rohirrim ran around her and then ran into her.
"Oh, pardon me, Miss Elwen. Lady Éowyn! Lady Éowyn!" He cried excitedly
It was Merry donned in the uniform of the Riders of Rohan. The called after Lady emerged from a tent nearby.
"Did you call, my lord Merry?" She said with a smile, then, took in the look of him in his armor. "Why, Merry you look splendid!"
"Thank-you, my lady."
Their voices faded off as Elwen continued to walk.
Suddenly, she heard her name whispered from inside a tent she was just about to pass. Elwen stopped and peered at the slit between the closed flaps. All of a sudden, two strong hands grabbed her and pulled her inside. Before she could cry out, she was kissed fiercely. She almost kneed the man when she finally recognized the feel of the lips.
"Legolas!" she laughed, "by Elbereth, what gotten into you?" She looked up to and expected to see a mischievous gleam in his eyes, and was startled to find that they were dark with sorrow.
"Man?" (What?)
"Aragorn is going to travel the Paths of the Dead at dawn tomorrow—"
"The Paths of the Dead!"
"—And I am going with him."
"I will go and get prepared—"
"No!"
"Wherefore ought I not, Legolas? You surely do not mean for me to stay here as you depart and risk your immortal life? Do you think me so unskilled in the art of fighting?"
"Well . . ." Legolas said, finally cracking a smile. Elwen slapped him playfully on the shoulder. He laughed, but then let his expression become sober again and took her hand.
"You will have a chance to practice, I fear. There's nowhere for you to go but with the men of Rohan or Edoras, and you are likely to meet foes on the way to both places. Which road shall you take?
"I shall go with the men of Rohan."
"You will be lead into a battle!"
Elwen's countenance was resolute. "I know."
Legolas gave a small sigh filled with dread. He bowed his head in resignation. "I will meet you Minas Tirith."
Love and compassion filled Elwen. She put a bent finger under Legolas' chin and lifted his clear blue eyes to her's. "We are all in the hands of Eru, Legolas, do not worry."
"But—"
"I am scared too, but I want to help, and hiding in Edoras is not my idea of aiding those against the Dark Lord."
Legolas looked away from the shadows of sparrows flying low past the tents and back to Elwen. He gave another resigned sigh. "But, if I should lose you . . ."
"Estelio enni, Legolas, trust in Eru. Even If that should come to pass, we will see each other again in the Hall of Mandos." (trust in me)
"Yes, after I fade away from grief." Unshed tears shone in the Prince of Mirkwood's eyes.
"Ae, Legolas!" Elwen wrapped her arms around him and he kissed her thoroughly. Elwen's fingers tangled themselves in the Prince's golden hair.
Once they parted, they both felt an almost divine calm wash over them.
"All will be right," they said in unison. Legolas took a deep breath then took her hand saying, "Come, help me prepare for tomorrow?"
"I would love to."
*~*~*~*~*~*
As Legolas packed the supplies, Elwen prepared Arod.
"You are a fine animal," she murmured, the horse made a pleased whinny. Legolas strode up to Arod, packs full of leftover Lemas in his hands. "Ah, Arod, mellon nín, are you trying to steal my lady?"
Arod nodded his head and gently nudged Elwen's cheek.
"Ah, ah, ah! Now, we'll have none of that," Legolas chided, wagging a finger in front of the white and gray speckled horse.
Suddenly, Aragorn's voice was heard from a distance off, coupled with Lady Éowyn's.
"'Nay, lady, I am not astray; for I walked in this land ere you were born to grace it. There is a road out of the valley, and that road I shall take. Tomorrow I shall ride by the Paths of the Dead.'"
There was a long pause before Éowyn's voice came.
"'But, Aragorn, is it then your errand to seek death? For that is all that you will find on that road. They do not suffer the living to pass.'"
"'They may suffer me to pass. But at the least I will adventure it. No other road will serve.'"
"'But this is madness,' she said. 'For here are men of reknown and prowess, whom you should not take into the shadows, but should lead to war, where men are needed. I beg you to remain and ride with my brother; for then all our hearts will be gladdened, and our hope brighter.'"
"'It is not madness, lady,' he answered; 'for I go on a path appointed. But those who follow me do so of their free will; and if they wish now to remain and ride with the Rohirrim, they may do so. But I shall take the Paths of the Dead, alone, if need be.'"
Then it seemed to them that the two had gone back to eating, finished with the subject.
*~*~*~*~*
Legolas escorted Elwen back to her tent. The elf-maiden let Legolas in the tent after her to say their goonights in private, for who knew how long it would be until they could bid each other fair dreams again.
Legolas drew her into a thorough kiss.
When they parted Elwen looked into Legolas' eyes and saw a fire that she had seen a few times before, but her heart beat faster when she noticed that it was now burning ten times as hot.
"If I could," Legolas said, his voice sounding as if he had run the whole length of Caradharas, "I would make love to you right here and now . . ."
Elwen felt her whole body tingle with anticipation at the thought. But, Legolas knew the rules of honor, as did she. "Guren min gaim lín." (My heart is in your hands)
"As is mine, meleth nín," Elwen replied lovingly nipping his lips, and only nipping him because she sensed his self-control was hanging by a thread.
"May I sleep by your side at least?"
"Legolas, I don't know if . . ."
"Iesten. . ." (Please)
The endearing tone in his voice caused Elwen's resolve to cave completely.
"Yes, you may."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elwen awoke to the view of Legolas' chest, of course his tunic was on. It felt so right to be laying there, with his arms about her, and she snuggled comfortably up against him. She suddenly felt Legolas run his thumb over the tip of her ear. She shivered with delight.
"Good morning," he said, she could hear that he was smiling.
"Legolas . . ." she warned as he continued to stroke the point of her ear.
"You did it to me, it's only fair."
"Legolas, don't," but her resolve was weakening, as was her voice. Suddenly, her self control dissolved and she rolled so she was on top of him.
"Ha!" she cried, "the tables have turned!"
"Oh, really?" Legolas suddenly arched his back, and she felt a certain something that made her gasp.
"Oh, dear . . ." she murmured shakily.
Just then Gimli strode in, "Lady Elwen, I'm sorry to disturb you but, Elrohir said I would find Legolas in here for some reason, so I—" Gimli took one glance at the situation and turned a hilarious shade of crimson. "Oh! Excuse me I—"
"No, Gimli, it's not what you think," Legolas cried. Elwen leapt off and the Prince of Mirkwood got immediately to his feet.
Gimli's blush faded and it turned into a teasing grin, "of course not, lad, of course not."
*~*~*~*~*~*
"When the light of day was come into the sky but the sun had not yet risen above the high ridges in the East, Aragorn made ready to depart. His company was all mounted . . ." Elwen stood by Legolas' his horse. "May the Valar protect you," she said, gazing up at him through tear-filled eyes. Legolas felt like weeping himself, seeing her thus. "And you. Unad nuithatha i nîr e-guren nalú aderthad vín. Melin le." (Nothing will stop the weeping of my heart until our reunion. I love you).
Elwen sobbed back her returned and Legolas leaned down and gave her a hard and possessive kiss. Gimli finally gave an "ahem" and reminded Legolas that they had a job to do.
". . . He [Aragorn] was about to leap into the saddle, when the Lady of Rohan came and bid them farewell. She was clad as a Rider and girt with a sword. In her hand she bore a cup, and she set it to her lips and drank a little, wishing them good speed; and then she gave the cut to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said: 'Farewell Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your House, and of you, and of all your people. Say to your brother: beyond the shadows we may meet again!'
Then it seemed to Gimli and Legolas" and Elwen, "who were standing nearby that she wept, and in one so stern and proud that seemed the more grievous. But she said: 'Aragorn, wilt thou go?'
'I will,' he said.
'Then wilt thou not let me ride with this company, as I have asked?'
'I will not, lady,' he said. 'For that I could not grant without leave of the king and of your brother; and they will not return until tomorrow. But I count now every hour, indeed every minute. Farewell!'
Then she fell on her knees, saying: 'I beg thee!'
'Nay, lady,' he said,, and taking her by the hand he raised her. Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle, and rode away, and did not look back; and only those who knew him well and were near him saw the pain that he bore.
But Éowyn stood still as a figure carven in stone, her hands clenched at her sides, and she watched them until they passed into the shadows under the black Dwimorburg, the Haunted Mountain, in which was the Door of the Dead. When they were lost to view, she turned, stumbling as one that is blind, and went back to her lodging." But Elwen stayed standing there, looking after them for a while longer until finally she wiped the tears from her eyes and also retreated to her tent.
*~*~*~* Review!
"IloveHobbits": Me too! Thanks for the review! I'm so glad!!! *blush* *blush* And I'm glad you don't think so!
Genevieve: I'm sorry I made you cry, but it's nice to know that my story can do that, that means I've done a pretty bang up job writing. Thanks for the review! P.S. Work on your spelling, dude!
"Cherryfaerie": I got your e-mail, glad you were able to reach the Sindarin website, isn't it great!
*~*~*~*~*
Farewell for Now
Twilight found Elwen walking among the tents that the Rohirrim set outside Helm's Deep. Suddenly a little figure clad in garb of the Rohirrim ran around her and then ran into her.
"Oh, pardon me, Miss Elwen. Lady Éowyn! Lady Éowyn!" He cried excitedly
It was Merry donned in the uniform of the Riders of Rohan. The called after Lady emerged from a tent nearby.
"Did you call, my lord Merry?" She said with a smile, then, took in the look of him in his armor. "Why, Merry you look splendid!"
"Thank-you, my lady."
Their voices faded off as Elwen continued to walk.
Suddenly, she heard her name whispered from inside a tent she was just about to pass. Elwen stopped and peered at the slit between the closed flaps. All of a sudden, two strong hands grabbed her and pulled her inside. Before she could cry out, she was kissed fiercely. She almost kneed the man when she finally recognized the feel of the lips.
"Legolas!" she laughed, "by Elbereth, what gotten into you?" She looked up to and expected to see a mischievous gleam in his eyes, and was startled to find that they were dark with sorrow.
"Man?" (What?)
"Aragorn is going to travel the Paths of the Dead at dawn tomorrow—"
"The Paths of the Dead!"
"—And I am going with him."
"I will go and get prepared—"
"No!"
"Wherefore ought I not, Legolas? You surely do not mean for me to stay here as you depart and risk your immortal life? Do you think me so unskilled in the art of fighting?"
"Well . . ." Legolas said, finally cracking a smile. Elwen slapped him playfully on the shoulder. He laughed, but then let his expression become sober again and took her hand.
"You will have a chance to practice, I fear. There's nowhere for you to go but with the men of Rohan or Edoras, and you are likely to meet foes on the way to both places. Which road shall you take?
"I shall go with the men of Rohan."
"You will be lead into a battle!"
Elwen's countenance was resolute. "I know."
Legolas gave a small sigh filled with dread. He bowed his head in resignation. "I will meet you Minas Tirith."
Love and compassion filled Elwen. She put a bent finger under Legolas' chin and lifted his clear blue eyes to her's. "We are all in the hands of Eru, Legolas, do not worry."
"But—"
"I am scared too, but I want to help, and hiding in Edoras is not my idea of aiding those against the Dark Lord."
Legolas looked away from the shadows of sparrows flying low past the tents and back to Elwen. He gave another resigned sigh. "But, if I should lose you . . ."
"Estelio enni, Legolas, trust in Eru. Even If that should come to pass, we will see each other again in the Hall of Mandos." (trust in me)
"Yes, after I fade away from grief." Unshed tears shone in the Prince of Mirkwood's eyes.
"Ae, Legolas!" Elwen wrapped her arms around him and he kissed her thoroughly. Elwen's fingers tangled themselves in the Prince's golden hair.
Once they parted, they both felt an almost divine calm wash over them.
"All will be right," they said in unison. Legolas took a deep breath then took her hand saying, "Come, help me prepare for tomorrow?"
"I would love to."
*~*~*~*~*~*
As Legolas packed the supplies, Elwen prepared Arod.
"You are a fine animal," she murmured, the horse made a pleased whinny. Legolas strode up to Arod, packs full of leftover Lemas in his hands. "Ah, Arod, mellon nín, are you trying to steal my lady?"
Arod nodded his head and gently nudged Elwen's cheek.
"Ah, ah, ah! Now, we'll have none of that," Legolas chided, wagging a finger in front of the white and gray speckled horse.
Suddenly, Aragorn's voice was heard from a distance off, coupled with Lady Éowyn's.
"'Nay, lady, I am not astray; for I walked in this land ere you were born to grace it. There is a road out of the valley, and that road I shall take. Tomorrow I shall ride by the Paths of the Dead.'"
There was a long pause before Éowyn's voice came.
"'But, Aragorn, is it then your errand to seek death? For that is all that you will find on that road. They do not suffer the living to pass.'"
"'They may suffer me to pass. But at the least I will adventure it. No other road will serve.'"
"'But this is madness,' she said. 'For here are men of reknown and prowess, whom you should not take into the shadows, but should lead to war, where men are needed. I beg you to remain and ride with my brother; for then all our hearts will be gladdened, and our hope brighter.'"
"'It is not madness, lady,' he answered; 'for I go on a path appointed. But those who follow me do so of their free will; and if they wish now to remain and ride with the Rohirrim, they may do so. But I shall take the Paths of the Dead, alone, if need be.'"
Then it seemed to them that the two had gone back to eating, finished with the subject.
*~*~*~*~*
Legolas escorted Elwen back to her tent. The elf-maiden let Legolas in the tent after her to say their goonights in private, for who knew how long it would be until they could bid each other fair dreams again.
Legolas drew her into a thorough kiss.
When they parted Elwen looked into Legolas' eyes and saw a fire that she had seen a few times before, but her heart beat faster when she noticed that it was now burning ten times as hot.
"If I could," Legolas said, his voice sounding as if he had run the whole length of Caradharas, "I would make love to you right here and now . . ."
Elwen felt her whole body tingle with anticipation at the thought. But, Legolas knew the rules of honor, as did she. "Guren min gaim lín." (My heart is in your hands)
"As is mine, meleth nín," Elwen replied lovingly nipping his lips, and only nipping him because she sensed his self-control was hanging by a thread.
"May I sleep by your side at least?"
"Legolas, I don't know if . . ."
"Iesten. . ." (Please)
The endearing tone in his voice caused Elwen's resolve to cave completely.
"Yes, you may."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elwen awoke to the view of Legolas' chest, of course his tunic was on. It felt so right to be laying there, with his arms about her, and she snuggled comfortably up against him. She suddenly felt Legolas run his thumb over the tip of her ear. She shivered with delight.
"Good morning," he said, she could hear that he was smiling.
"Legolas . . ." she warned as he continued to stroke the point of her ear.
"You did it to me, it's only fair."
"Legolas, don't," but her resolve was weakening, as was her voice. Suddenly, her self control dissolved and she rolled so she was on top of him.
"Ha!" she cried, "the tables have turned!"
"Oh, really?" Legolas suddenly arched his back, and she felt a certain something that made her gasp.
"Oh, dear . . ." she murmured shakily.
Just then Gimli strode in, "Lady Elwen, I'm sorry to disturb you but, Elrohir said I would find Legolas in here for some reason, so I—" Gimli took one glance at the situation and turned a hilarious shade of crimson. "Oh! Excuse me I—"
"No, Gimli, it's not what you think," Legolas cried. Elwen leapt off and the Prince of Mirkwood got immediately to his feet.
Gimli's blush faded and it turned into a teasing grin, "of course not, lad, of course not."
*~*~*~*~*~*
"When the light of day was come into the sky but the sun had not yet risen above the high ridges in the East, Aragorn made ready to depart. His company was all mounted . . ." Elwen stood by Legolas' his horse. "May the Valar protect you," she said, gazing up at him through tear-filled eyes. Legolas felt like weeping himself, seeing her thus. "And you. Unad nuithatha i nîr e-guren nalú aderthad vín. Melin le." (Nothing will stop the weeping of my heart until our reunion. I love you).
Elwen sobbed back her returned and Legolas leaned down and gave her a hard and possessive kiss. Gimli finally gave an "ahem" and reminded Legolas that they had a job to do.
". . . He [Aragorn] was about to leap into the saddle, when the Lady of Rohan came and bid them farewell. She was clad as a Rider and girt with a sword. In her hand she bore a cup, and she set it to her lips and drank a little, wishing them good speed; and then she gave the cut to Aragorn, and he drank, and he said: 'Farewell Lady of Rohan! I drink to the fortunes of your House, and of you, and of all your people. Say to your brother: beyond the shadows we may meet again!'
Then it seemed to Gimli and Legolas" and Elwen, "who were standing nearby that she wept, and in one so stern and proud that seemed the more grievous. But she said: 'Aragorn, wilt thou go?'
'I will,' he said.
'Then wilt thou not let me ride with this company, as I have asked?'
'I will not, lady,' he said. 'For that I could not grant without leave of the king and of your brother; and they will not return until tomorrow. But I count now every hour, indeed every minute. Farewell!'
Then she fell on her knees, saying: 'I beg thee!'
'Nay, lady,' he said,, and taking her by the hand he raised her. Then he kissed her hand, and sprang into the saddle, and rode away, and did not look back; and only those who knew him well and were near him saw the pain that he bore.
But Éowyn stood still as a figure carven in stone, her hands clenched at her sides, and she watched them until they passed into the shadows under the black Dwimorburg, the Haunted Mountain, in which was the Door of the Dead. When they were lost to view, she turned, stumbling as one that is blind, and went back to her lodging." But Elwen stayed standing there, looking after them for a while longer until finally she wiped the tears from her eyes and also retreated to her tent.
*~*~*~* Review!