Okay as I promised from the last chapter things will be getting better for Legolas and his love.
Chapter 4: Together Again
Azura led Gimli to a room off on the west wing of the palace. Her arm still hurt, but she hid the pain. She opened the door and Gimli almost fainted from the sight he saw.
"My lady this room should be for a king, not a dwarf like me," he said rubbing his eyes.
"This is the room for the prince's guests. He commands that they deserve the best." She went to the window and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight in. Then she went back to the door. "If you need anything just ring this bell and I will come. Good day." She closed the door and walked down the hall and towards her own quarters.
When the sun had set for the night, Azura headed outside to a secluded spot within the palace walls that Legolas and her had called their own. A small spring ran past a large oak tree and the surrounding bushes gave perfect cover.
Gently she removed the cloth from her arm, which was now covered in blood. Dry blood lined her arm and some new blood was slowly flowing from the cut. She stretched out her arm and lowered it into the water. It was icy cold and she jumped back with a gasp. She tried again, but ended up with the same outcome. Tears came to her eyes as she leaned back against the tree and watched the blood.
"Here Azura. Let me help," a calm, familiar voice said to her.
She looked up and saw Legolas standing there in a white tunic. He looked so pale in the moonlight. One of his white knives was strapped to his side. In his hands he carried a small vile with a clear liquid inside. "I didn't hear you coming. You startled me."
"Many apologies my lady. Here give me your arm," he said coming over and kneeling next to her.
She held up her arm and he poured some of the clear liquid onto the cuts. "This might hurt just a bit." Azura winced as her flesh began to burn a bit. Then she watched as Legolas cupped his other hand and scooped up some of the water. Gently he poured it onto her arm and spread it back and forth until all the liquid and blood was gone.
"How'd you do that?" she asked when he finished. The cuts were gone and the pain had subsided.
"A little healing magic. My father taught me."
"I wish I knew magic."
"I can teach you. If you wish to learn, but just know that you can't tell anyone about this understand?"
Azura nodded. She took Legolas' hand and held it tightly. "Oh my love. I've missed you so much. You promised me you would only be gone a week. I began to fear that you would never return."
Legolas touched her cheek. "I'm sorry Azura. It turned out that when I arrived Elrond's council had gathered to decide the fate of the one ring. I ended up joining a hobbit buy the name of Frodo on his quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom."
"How awful. I'm glad you made it out of that alive. I don't know what I'd do if something had happened to you. And since you've returned does that mean…"
"Yes, the ring was destroyed. Middle Earth is now freed of evil. You and I can live peacefully together."
Suddenly Azura pulled away and curled her arms around her knees. "We can't live peacefully together," she whispered.
Legolas was confused. He thought that Azura would be happy to see him, but at this moment she seemed disappointed. He crawled over to her and tried his best to hold her. "Azura please tell me why you feel this way?"
"Legolas we come from different pasts. You are the prince of Mirkwood. I'm your servant girl. Your family will get rid of me if he finds out about us."
"Do you love me?" Legolas asked changing the subject.
"You know I do. If I didn't I wouldn't be here with you." She then began to pull away again. "I should go. Everyone might be looking for me."
"Please stay with me. I've been gone so long I almost lost the image of your beautiful face. Look at me and refresh my memory," Legolas pleaded.
Azura slowly turned and met Legolas' eyes. The moonlight hit them making them sparkle and twinkle. She closed her own eyes, which were becoming wet with tears. She lowered her knees and that was when Legolas embraced her. Right away her mind became clean and her mind full of sweet memories.
"I love you Legolas. Don't ever leave me again."
"I won't. I will end your time as a servant if I have too. You will be my bride if you choose to be."
"I will. Oh Legolas I will," she said hugging him.
After awhile they were just sitting and talking. Legolas told of his journey and Azura caught him up with activity at the palace. Legolas however was still worried about what his father had said about Azura being so tired.
"Azura is there something going on that you're not telling me?"
Azura hesitated. "Someone knows about our secret. I don't know how she knows, but I swear I didn't tell anyone."
"No I trust you. Who is this person you speak of?"
"One of the servants, Pelladil. She threatens to tell if I don't do her chores for her. That was why I was so tired. And she gave me those cuts, not the roses like I had said."
"This isn't fair for someone to take advantage of you like that. We don't have much time. I have to tell my father about us and grant you your freedom."
"But what if he doesn't approve? Then what are we to do?" Azura asked leaning against Legolas' chest.
"Then we'll leave. We'll travel and live by the sea. If they can't accept us then they'll never see us again. Here's what will happen. At the dinner tomorrow I will tell everyone. Have your things packed all ready and keep this all a secret. If any thing goes wrong be ready to run.
"If this goes well we'll be together forever."
They leaned forward and shared a long and passionate kiss. Then Azura lay against Legolas' shoulder and began to fall asleep. Legolas caressed her shoulder tenderly with his fingers and she began to breathe slowly in and out.
To be continued…
Wow this one was long, but hey Legolas gets time with his love. More excitement is on the way.