The Lord of the Rings
The Revival of the ring
Chapter 5: Another member, Moria, and Lothlorien
***
"Lady Lu'thien!!" Called an elf child as the sun rose high over the mountains. The small child followed after her as she walked alongside Aragorn in the small elf village. She waved kindly to the child and went back to her conversation.
"The safest path is through the mines," She said as she looked for a reply. When none came she continued. "We must make it to Lothlorien and the quickest and safest way is to take the mines of Moria."
"I will not lead my allies through Moria again. We almost lost Gandalf to the Bellrog there and I will not chance it again."
"We have long since rid any evils from those mines my lord. As soon as Prince Legolas returned and made us aware, we banded together with the dwarves and took back Moria. We formed an alliance with the dwarves and I will hold to my word that those mines are once again safe to travel through. I was told that we had a group of elves go through there just two days before we arrived. They travelled to Lothlorien and returned today. They made better time than before and now there is a quick route out of Moria in case of emergency."
"I appreciate your help Lu'thien, but I do not think that I would take the chance of losing one of my men, or you to the mines."
"I can care for myself and if you will not go through the mines we could be too late!"
"I will discuss it with the rest of the fellowship, but I do not see that we will be going through the mines again."
Lu'thien stood dazed as Aragorn walked on. She turned and headed away from the village but someone calling her name soon stopped her again. It was a more grown up voice and she seemed to know it because she stopped and turned. As her face lit up a male elf ran to her and hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back.
"Oh Lu'thien, it is good to see you again." Said the elf as he let her go.
"My dear Oropher. It has been much too long since you left on your on journey. You must tell me of your travels and of the many nights that you spent away from our small village. What cities have you seen? Where have you stayed? I want to know everything!"
So late into the night Lu'thien listened to her long parted friend Oropher Tîwele, who had five years ago left Mirkwood and set off on a journey to the far reaches of middle earth. He told of mountains that reached to the heavens and oceans that flowed deep into the centre of the earth, where the water got warmer the deeper you went, not colder. He told of animals, foods, and people until the moon rose high in the sky when Aragorn came to call Lu'thien to a meeting.
"Lu'thien." Said Aragorn quickly. "We are meeting now. Let's go."
"Where are you going Lu'thien?" Asked Oropher quickly. "May I come?"
"No Oropher, this isn't a game that we played as children, this is against the workings of darkness. Though I know your powers would be very useful indeed, I must go alone now. I will speak with you in the morning." She said she followed Aragorn into a tent.
***
"I still do not trust the mines." Argued Aragorn who was now fighting Gimili as well as Lu'thien.
"The mines are safe. Elves travel through the mines everyday. Why would it not be safe for us as well?" Replied Lu'thien determined to get her point across.
"She's right Aragorn." Said Gimili, "I have received word that Dwarves now live in the mines again." He looked serious.
"Perhaps." Said a long quiet voice, "We should take the mines. We made it through once, and we can again, it is the quickest way to Lothlorien and if the elves and dwarves have indeed rid Moria of the evils that had lived there, we should be fine. It would be quickest." Boromir looked up to see all watching him. "It makes sense does it not?"
"Boromir is right Aragorn." Said Gandalf quickly "The power of the elves will protect us. Galadriel is one to protect allies."
"If the majority is going to agree then it shall be done." Said Aragorn as he looked at the hobbits. "If you would see us take the quickest path, than it shall be so."
"I should very much like to see the mines in their splendour Aragorn, if it is not too selfish. We all have, us four." Said Merry quickly.
"Aye, we don't have the ring to bear us down so we can move freely. We don't even know if the ring is recreated." Said Pippin quickly. "I should very much hate to miss out on something like Moria if we do have to go to battle."
"He has a point Aragorn." Said Sam with a smile. "If it truly is safe, then we should be fine."
"Aragorn, it is also a choice of yourself." Said Frodo, "After all, you are the King of Gondor."
Aragorn smiled, "Yes, let us go through Moria. We have, after all, faced those Orcs at the Black Gates of Mordor, Why shouldn't we be able to face mines?"
***
The ten began to make ready for Moria the next morning. They had packed up their food and weapons. They would have everything they would need for the journey to Gondor and back. Before they left Lu'thien armed them all with a quiver of arrows.
"If you stay true to this quest," She explained, "Then this quiver shall always be full, but fail to remember your quest and soon the quiver shall become weak and fall from your back, taking your strength with it."
As they were almost ready to set off, a familiar voice called from behind. Oropher was calling Lu'thien again.
"Lu'thien! You can't leave!!" He said as he ran up to the group.
"Why not Oropher? I mean, we must go, to protect Middle Earth."
"Your mother is still very ill and."
"My mother is being well taken care of by Prince Legolas's doctors. She and the village are also well guarded from all manner of danger."
"Well, um, you can't leave because, uh."
"This is the first time I have ever seen an elf speechless my Lord Oropher." Said Lu'thien as she dismounted from her horse. She looked into the face of her dear old friend Oropher and smiled. His long blonde hair shone in the morning sun and his blue eyes sparkled as diamonds would in the light of the sun. Oropher stood about an inch and a half taller than her and yet he was just as kind. She had never been this close to him before, except when they had played as children. But then, she did not realize that his face held the beauty of a king's.
"Perhaps, you just haven't found the right words to ask me yet." She said with a sigh as she turned away. "You want to protect me as I am to protect my Prince Legolas. You would go with me into the fires of Mordor to protect me and yet, though you are a man you haven't the courage nor the heart to ask me to come along. Am I correct in my thinking this Oropher?"
"Yes Lu'thien." Oropher replied freely, "I want to go with you, I want to protect you, and I want to part of your fellowship."
"Aragorn?" Lu'thien said as she looked up at the King.
"If he is trustworthy and he is indeed dependable, then see to it that he is ready to leave in an hour's time, that is all we can spare."
And so leaving was put off an hour longer for the shy Oropher to make ready to leave as well. Aragorn handed him a pin that signified the quest. It was one of the flower pins. Oropher took it with much gratitude as he saddled a horse. He packed the necessary and they left for Moria.
***
"Moria? They think they can make it through the mines? Didn't they learn from the last time?" Laughed Saruman as he watched the fellowship travel. "What makes them so sure they will succeed?"
"Begging my Lord's pardon." Said an Orc with much hesitation, "If you will recall, the dwarves and elves banded together and formed an alliance, the dwarves are back in Moria because they cleared all evil out of there my Lord."
"Is this true?" Demanded Saruman, his jovial expression instantly changed to furious as he turned to see the orc cowering.
"Yes my Lord." He squeaked. "After Gandalf destroyed the Bellrog, all of the evil sort of weakened and they were easy to pick off."
"Ahh!" Shouted Saruman as the orc flew across the room and hit the hall. Three other Orcs in the room cowered in fear. "Send an army of Uruk Hai to Moria. NOW!" He bellowed as the orcs ran from the room.
***
"So, you've been travelling Middle Earth for how long?" Asked Frodo with amazement as he rode beside Oropher to Moria.
"Five years, and not once have I returned home until now." Smiled Oropher. "I really missed everyone by then but when I got back I found out that Lu'thien had headed off to the council of Elrond in Rivendell. I couldn't exactly burst in so I waited until she returned home."
"So, I take you and her go back a long way then?" Said Sam from the other side.
"Of course they do Sam!" Smiled Pippin as he rode past them with Merry. "Right Merry?"
"It's only natural." Smiled Merry as he followed.
"Actually, Lu'thien and I have been together since we were born. We were always side by side, that is, until I went off on my own journey and she signed on to protect the Prince." Oropher said with a smile as he looked ahead.
The Gates of Moria stood although unnoticeable in the bright light if the sun. Of course, Gandalf, being both wise and crafty, spoke something quick and the doors appeared. They spoke the password and the doors opened quietly. They stepped inside and were surrounded by the before unknown beauty of Moria.
Torches lit the halls and there were roadways open and filled with travelling dwarves and elves. In other places off the roads, dwarves were mining for riches. Legolas, Lu'thien, Oropher, and Gimili all took off in separate directions to speak with friends.
"Perhaps, it is time for a break?" Said Gandalf to Aragorn as they dismounted.
"I suppose, we have been travelling all day." Replied Aragorn as he went off after Legolas.
They were all led to a place where they could sit and eat lunch without being rushed and bustled by the quick moving dwarves and elves.
"Frodoooooooo." Whispered a voice in his mind, "Frodo, a group of Uruk Hai are tracking you, they can no longer get into Moria but they will wait for you at the exit of Moria where you will be attacked."
"Gandalf?" Said Frodo as he pulled him aside and told him about the voice.
"It sounds as if Galadriel is speaking to you Frodo, She is telling you what to expect, we must tell the rest of the fellowship."
"Aragorn?" Called Frodo.
"Yes?"
"I must speak with everyone."
"Right, Everyone from the fellowship, please listen to Frodo."
"We are being hunted by a group of Uruk Hai, they wait for us outside of Lothlorien, we must leave now but always expect attack, they cannot enter Moria but once we leave, we are vulnerable."
"Oropher, Do you think they will have found any elves out there?" Asked a pleading Lu'thien.
"It is well possible, we should leave now, in case they have, they will need our help." Replied Oropher as he stood up.
"I agree, we may have stayed too long, we must get to Lothlorien." Said Aragorn as they stood and mounted their horses.
They rode fast to exit Moria and reached in time to see a group of Uruk Hai fighting a small group of elves. They rode fast and fought until all the Uruk Hai were dead. They then searched and made sure none were wounded. Lu'thien ran off in the distance and saw something that made her run faster.
"Lu'thien!" Called Legolas and Oropher at once as they followed.
Lu'thien stopped and knelt down beside a small body. The elven girl was badly hurt and barely breathing when a small whisper escaped Lu'thien's lips. "Idril!"
The fellowship waited for hours as Lu'thien cared for her friend. Soon she picked the girl up and rested her on her horse's back.
"We must move, and move quickly if we want to save her. She will come back to Lothlorien with us and the rest of her group will stay in Moria until I send word that she is all right. My powers are only to help those that are not elves and I am not skilled in the arts of medicine, let's go."
The fellowship rode fast to Lothlorien and went to seek Galadriel who then took the girl into her care and proceeded to heal her. Lu'thien only sulked sadly by a pool of water.
"Oropher, what attachment has Lu'thien to the girl that she is afraid to lose her?" Asked Legolas as the two watched her.
"She has told me many times that young elf was a good friend to her as a female when she could not speak with me or if we were angry with each other. Idril is not very old, but she is very important to Lu'thien. They once said that they were almost like sisters."
"I see." Said Legolas as he returned to watching Lu'thien. "How much do you care for her Oropher?"
"Pardon?"
"How much do you care for Lu'thien?"
"I care for Lu'thien with every bone in my body, although, I am much too shy to speak this to her. She and I have been friends forever, I fear it would change things between us."
"You shouldn't be afraid."
"That's easy for you to say My Lord, you are a prince, and not only that but you fought against the armies of Mordor at the Black Gates themselves. I am a weak elf, Lu'thien has always been stronger, braver, and smarter than I."
"Hmm, Perhaps it is not time for you to speak to her about that then, but I still believe that you should." Replied Legolas staring at Lu'thien's back.
"If it's not too bold, My Lord, How much do you care for Lu'thien?"
"I suppose that is too bold Oropher, but I shall answer you anyway. The first time I saw Lu'thien walk into the palace asking to go on as my protector, I knew that I loved her. I told my father, 'I love that girl Lu'thien. I would marry her if you would see it fit.' But he laughed at me and said 'if you want to marry a poor girl and bring yourself down go ahead, but you will not do it as my son. I need an heir to my throne and I will not see that you marry a poor girl.' As you can see I had no choice but to hide my feelings from her.
"I will not deny that even though I protested to her coming with us on this journey, my heart inside fluttered when I learned that I may finally have the chance to tell her how I felt. But now that you have told me that you also love her, I don't believe it is right, especially when my father has forbidden it."
Oropher sat quietly for a long time and then stood up. He turned away from Legolas and said with a sad tone in his voice. "You should tell her how you feel, You are a prince and I am not, I am her best friend and as much as I may love her, I know it cannot be between us for that would change everything and that is a chance I am not willing to take. Tell her how you feel, I will not hold anything against you."
"Perhaps, You should have both kept your bloody mouths shut, I am an elf after all, my hearing is well and I can hear something that is a few feet away. Now you have both told me your secrets unconsciously and I will have more on my mind than I need. I hope you two are proud, you have driven me closer to the darkness." Came Lu'thien's voice from behind Oropher. Suddenly there was a swish of cool air and they saw Lu'thien walk away from them with her shoulders hunched over as she stumbled a few times and disappeared.
"Lu'thien!" Called Oropher but she did not stop. She just kept walking. "We must follow her."
"No, Leave her be, she needs time to think." mumbled a distraught Legolas from behind him.
"You say you love her but you don't even care if she dies?!?" Yelled Oropher with anger rising.
"Hold your tongue!" Said Legolas suddenly standing up. "You may love her as well, but you will not pass judgement on my actions. I do not want to see her hurt at all, the reason she left is so that she could be alone to think! Don't you dare impugn me!"
Oropher stood silent and then he sat back down quietly. "So what do we do now?" He mumbled quietly.
"I don't know Oropher. I don't know at all."
***
Lu'thien sat curled into a tiny ball at the foot of a large tree. The root encircled her and her face was wet from crying. She shivered as a cool wind blew through the trees. Her eyes suddenly opened as a soft hand touched her cheek. Tears sprang to her eyes again.
"Please don't cry." Came Legolas's calm voice as he pulled her towards him and he sat against the tree. "I am here, but please, hear me out."
"I am so confused." Whispered Lu'thien in the dark.
"I am too, but perhaps this will take a heavy burden from me although, I do not want to place it on you. Lu'thien, as you heard today, I am in love with you. I can no longer bear waiting to tell you and I hope that you can forgive me after I say my piece.
"I know that you are talented, strong, kind, brave, and smart, and I cannot help but want to have you as my own. I know you may not want this as I do but please, give me a chance to tell you my feelings. I want to have you to hold everyday. I want to wake up smiling at you. I feel complete when I'm around you. I truly love you. Lu'thien?"
"If you truly love me Legolas, then you will not deny my confession as well. I am in love with you. Though I am now confused. I always thought that Oropher was just my good friend, but after hearing what he said, I am bound with a great pain. I do not know which path to take. I only hope that the path I take will be the right one."
"I know you will make the right decision Lu'thien, I will accept it either way."
"Then I now know that this is the right choice." replied Lu'thien in a whisper as she slowly lifted her lips to meet Legolas's cool yet warm lips.
***
A/N: Well, there you have it!! My best chapter of Part 1 yet. Remember, I will let you know when Part 2 comes around, it won't be for a while though!!
***
"Lady Lu'thien!!" Called an elf child as the sun rose high over the mountains. The small child followed after her as she walked alongside Aragorn in the small elf village. She waved kindly to the child and went back to her conversation.
"The safest path is through the mines," She said as she looked for a reply. When none came she continued. "We must make it to Lothlorien and the quickest and safest way is to take the mines of Moria."
"I will not lead my allies through Moria again. We almost lost Gandalf to the Bellrog there and I will not chance it again."
"We have long since rid any evils from those mines my lord. As soon as Prince Legolas returned and made us aware, we banded together with the dwarves and took back Moria. We formed an alliance with the dwarves and I will hold to my word that those mines are once again safe to travel through. I was told that we had a group of elves go through there just two days before we arrived. They travelled to Lothlorien and returned today. They made better time than before and now there is a quick route out of Moria in case of emergency."
"I appreciate your help Lu'thien, but I do not think that I would take the chance of losing one of my men, or you to the mines."
"I can care for myself and if you will not go through the mines we could be too late!"
"I will discuss it with the rest of the fellowship, but I do not see that we will be going through the mines again."
Lu'thien stood dazed as Aragorn walked on. She turned and headed away from the village but someone calling her name soon stopped her again. It was a more grown up voice and she seemed to know it because she stopped and turned. As her face lit up a male elf ran to her and hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back.
"Oh Lu'thien, it is good to see you again." Said the elf as he let her go.
"My dear Oropher. It has been much too long since you left on your on journey. You must tell me of your travels and of the many nights that you spent away from our small village. What cities have you seen? Where have you stayed? I want to know everything!"
So late into the night Lu'thien listened to her long parted friend Oropher Tîwele, who had five years ago left Mirkwood and set off on a journey to the far reaches of middle earth. He told of mountains that reached to the heavens and oceans that flowed deep into the centre of the earth, where the water got warmer the deeper you went, not colder. He told of animals, foods, and people until the moon rose high in the sky when Aragorn came to call Lu'thien to a meeting.
"Lu'thien." Said Aragorn quickly. "We are meeting now. Let's go."
"Where are you going Lu'thien?" Asked Oropher quickly. "May I come?"
"No Oropher, this isn't a game that we played as children, this is against the workings of darkness. Though I know your powers would be very useful indeed, I must go alone now. I will speak with you in the morning." She said she followed Aragorn into a tent.
***
"I still do not trust the mines." Argued Aragorn who was now fighting Gimili as well as Lu'thien.
"The mines are safe. Elves travel through the mines everyday. Why would it not be safe for us as well?" Replied Lu'thien determined to get her point across.
"She's right Aragorn." Said Gimili, "I have received word that Dwarves now live in the mines again." He looked serious.
"Perhaps." Said a long quiet voice, "We should take the mines. We made it through once, and we can again, it is the quickest way to Lothlorien and if the elves and dwarves have indeed rid Moria of the evils that had lived there, we should be fine. It would be quickest." Boromir looked up to see all watching him. "It makes sense does it not?"
"Boromir is right Aragorn." Said Gandalf quickly "The power of the elves will protect us. Galadriel is one to protect allies."
"If the majority is going to agree then it shall be done." Said Aragorn as he looked at the hobbits. "If you would see us take the quickest path, than it shall be so."
"I should very much like to see the mines in their splendour Aragorn, if it is not too selfish. We all have, us four." Said Merry quickly.
"Aye, we don't have the ring to bear us down so we can move freely. We don't even know if the ring is recreated." Said Pippin quickly. "I should very much hate to miss out on something like Moria if we do have to go to battle."
"He has a point Aragorn." Said Sam with a smile. "If it truly is safe, then we should be fine."
"Aragorn, it is also a choice of yourself." Said Frodo, "After all, you are the King of Gondor."
Aragorn smiled, "Yes, let us go through Moria. We have, after all, faced those Orcs at the Black Gates of Mordor, Why shouldn't we be able to face mines?"
***
The ten began to make ready for Moria the next morning. They had packed up their food and weapons. They would have everything they would need for the journey to Gondor and back. Before they left Lu'thien armed them all with a quiver of arrows.
"If you stay true to this quest," She explained, "Then this quiver shall always be full, but fail to remember your quest and soon the quiver shall become weak and fall from your back, taking your strength with it."
As they were almost ready to set off, a familiar voice called from behind. Oropher was calling Lu'thien again.
"Lu'thien! You can't leave!!" He said as he ran up to the group.
"Why not Oropher? I mean, we must go, to protect Middle Earth."
"Your mother is still very ill and."
"My mother is being well taken care of by Prince Legolas's doctors. She and the village are also well guarded from all manner of danger."
"Well, um, you can't leave because, uh."
"This is the first time I have ever seen an elf speechless my Lord Oropher." Said Lu'thien as she dismounted from her horse. She looked into the face of her dear old friend Oropher and smiled. His long blonde hair shone in the morning sun and his blue eyes sparkled as diamonds would in the light of the sun. Oropher stood about an inch and a half taller than her and yet he was just as kind. She had never been this close to him before, except when they had played as children. But then, she did not realize that his face held the beauty of a king's.
"Perhaps, you just haven't found the right words to ask me yet." She said with a sigh as she turned away. "You want to protect me as I am to protect my Prince Legolas. You would go with me into the fires of Mordor to protect me and yet, though you are a man you haven't the courage nor the heart to ask me to come along. Am I correct in my thinking this Oropher?"
"Yes Lu'thien." Oropher replied freely, "I want to go with you, I want to protect you, and I want to part of your fellowship."
"Aragorn?" Lu'thien said as she looked up at the King.
"If he is trustworthy and he is indeed dependable, then see to it that he is ready to leave in an hour's time, that is all we can spare."
And so leaving was put off an hour longer for the shy Oropher to make ready to leave as well. Aragorn handed him a pin that signified the quest. It was one of the flower pins. Oropher took it with much gratitude as he saddled a horse. He packed the necessary and they left for Moria.
***
"Moria? They think they can make it through the mines? Didn't they learn from the last time?" Laughed Saruman as he watched the fellowship travel. "What makes them so sure they will succeed?"
"Begging my Lord's pardon." Said an Orc with much hesitation, "If you will recall, the dwarves and elves banded together and formed an alliance, the dwarves are back in Moria because they cleared all evil out of there my Lord."
"Is this true?" Demanded Saruman, his jovial expression instantly changed to furious as he turned to see the orc cowering.
"Yes my Lord." He squeaked. "After Gandalf destroyed the Bellrog, all of the evil sort of weakened and they were easy to pick off."
"Ahh!" Shouted Saruman as the orc flew across the room and hit the hall. Three other Orcs in the room cowered in fear. "Send an army of Uruk Hai to Moria. NOW!" He bellowed as the orcs ran from the room.
***
"So, you've been travelling Middle Earth for how long?" Asked Frodo with amazement as he rode beside Oropher to Moria.
"Five years, and not once have I returned home until now." Smiled Oropher. "I really missed everyone by then but when I got back I found out that Lu'thien had headed off to the council of Elrond in Rivendell. I couldn't exactly burst in so I waited until she returned home."
"So, I take you and her go back a long way then?" Said Sam from the other side.
"Of course they do Sam!" Smiled Pippin as he rode past them with Merry. "Right Merry?"
"It's only natural." Smiled Merry as he followed.
"Actually, Lu'thien and I have been together since we were born. We were always side by side, that is, until I went off on my own journey and she signed on to protect the Prince." Oropher said with a smile as he looked ahead.
The Gates of Moria stood although unnoticeable in the bright light if the sun. Of course, Gandalf, being both wise and crafty, spoke something quick and the doors appeared. They spoke the password and the doors opened quietly. They stepped inside and were surrounded by the before unknown beauty of Moria.
Torches lit the halls and there were roadways open and filled with travelling dwarves and elves. In other places off the roads, dwarves were mining for riches. Legolas, Lu'thien, Oropher, and Gimili all took off in separate directions to speak with friends.
"Perhaps, it is time for a break?" Said Gandalf to Aragorn as they dismounted.
"I suppose, we have been travelling all day." Replied Aragorn as he went off after Legolas.
They were all led to a place where they could sit and eat lunch without being rushed and bustled by the quick moving dwarves and elves.
"Frodoooooooo." Whispered a voice in his mind, "Frodo, a group of Uruk Hai are tracking you, they can no longer get into Moria but they will wait for you at the exit of Moria where you will be attacked."
"Gandalf?" Said Frodo as he pulled him aside and told him about the voice.
"It sounds as if Galadriel is speaking to you Frodo, She is telling you what to expect, we must tell the rest of the fellowship."
"Aragorn?" Called Frodo.
"Yes?"
"I must speak with everyone."
"Right, Everyone from the fellowship, please listen to Frodo."
"We are being hunted by a group of Uruk Hai, they wait for us outside of Lothlorien, we must leave now but always expect attack, they cannot enter Moria but once we leave, we are vulnerable."
"Oropher, Do you think they will have found any elves out there?" Asked a pleading Lu'thien.
"It is well possible, we should leave now, in case they have, they will need our help." Replied Oropher as he stood up.
"I agree, we may have stayed too long, we must get to Lothlorien." Said Aragorn as they stood and mounted their horses.
They rode fast to exit Moria and reached in time to see a group of Uruk Hai fighting a small group of elves. They rode fast and fought until all the Uruk Hai were dead. They then searched and made sure none were wounded. Lu'thien ran off in the distance and saw something that made her run faster.
"Lu'thien!" Called Legolas and Oropher at once as they followed.
Lu'thien stopped and knelt down beside a small body. The elven girl was badly hurt and barely breathing when a small whisper escaped Lu'thien's lips. "Idril!"
The fellowship waited for hours as Lu'thien cared for her friend. Soon she picked the girl up and rested her on her horse's back.
"We must move, and move quickly if we want to save her. She will come back to Lothlorien with us and the rest of her group will stay in Moria until I send word that she is all right. My powers are only to help those that are not elves and I am not skilled in the arts of medicine, let's go."
The fellowship rode fast to Lothlorien and went to seek Galadriel who then took the girl into her care and proceeded to heal her. Lu'thien only sulked sadly by a pool of water.
"Oropher, what attachment has Lu'thien to the girl that she is afraid to lose her?" Asked Legolas as the two watched her.
"She has told me many times that young elf was a good friend to her as a female when she could not speak with me or if we were angry with each other. Idril is not very old, but she is very important to Lu'thien. They once said that they were almost like sisters."
"I see." Said Legolas as he returned to watching Lu'thien. "How much do you care for her Oropher?"
"Pardon?"
"How much do you care for Lu'thien?"
"I care for Lu'thien with every bone in my body, although, I am much too shy to speak this to her. She and I have been friends forever, I fear it would change things between us."
"You shouldn't be afraid."
"That's easy for you to say My Lord, you are a prince, and not only that but you fought against the armies of Mordor at the Black Gates themselves. I am a weak elf, Lu'thien has always been stronger, braver, and smarter than I."
"Hmm, Perhaps it is not time for you to speak to her about that then, but I still believe that you should." Replied Legolas staring at Lu'thien's back.
"If it's not too bold, My Lord, How much do you care for Lu'thien?"
"I suppose that is too bold Oropher, but I shall answer you anyway. The first time I saw Lu'thien walk into the palace asking to go on as my protector, I knew that I loved her. I told my father, 'I love that girl Lu'thien. I would marry her if you would see it fit.' But he laughed at me and said 'if you want to marry a poor girl and bring yourself down go ahead, but you will not do it as my son. I need an heir to my throne and I will not see that you marry a poor girl.' As you can see I had no choice but to hide my feelings from her.
"I will not deny that even though I protested to her coming with us on this journey, my heart inside fluttered when I learned that I may finally have the chance to tell her how I felt. But now that you have told me that you also love her, I don't believe it is right, especially when my father has forbidden it."
Oropher sat quietly for a long time and then stood up. He turned away from Legolas and said with a sad tone in his voice. "You should tell her how you feel, You are a prince and I am not, I am her best friend and as much as I may love her, I know it cannot be between us for that would change everything and that is a chance I am not willing to take. Tell her how you feel, I will not hold anything against you."
"Perhaps, You should have both kept your bloody mouths shut, I am an elf after all, my hearing is well and I can hear something that is a few feet away. Now you have both told me your secrets unconsciously and I will have more on my mind than I need. I hope you two are proud, you have driven me closer to the darkness." Came Lu'thien's voice from behind Oropher. Suddenly there was a swish of cool air and they saw Lu'thien walk away from them with her shoulders hunched over as she stumbled a few times and disappeared.
"Lu'thien!" Called Oropher but she did not stop. She just kept walking. "We must follow her."
"No, Leave her be, she needs time to think." mumbled a distraught Legolas from behind him.
"You say you love her but you don't even care if she dies?!?" Yelled Oropher with anger rising.
"Hold your tongue!" Said Legolas suddenly standing up. "You may love her as well, but you will not pass judgement on my actions. I do not want to see her hurt at all, the reason she left is so that she could be alone to think! Don't you dare impugn me!"
Oropher stood silent and then he sat back down quietly. "So what do we do now?" He mumbled quietly.
"I don't know Oropher. I don't know at all."
***
Lu'thien sat curled into a tiny ball at the foot of a large tree. The root encircled her and her face was wet from crying. She shivered as a cool wind blew through the trees. Her eyes suddenly opened as a soft hand touched her cheek. Tears sprang to her eyes again.
"Please don't cry." Came Legolas's calm voice as he pulled her towards him and he sat against the tree. "I am here, but please, hear me out."
"I am so confused." Whispered Lu'thien in the dark.
"I am too, but perhaps this will take a heavy burden from me although, I do not want to place it on you. Lu'thien, as you heard today, I am in love with you. I can no longer bear waiting to tell you and I hope that you can forgive me after I say my piece.
"I know that you are talented, strong, kind, brave, and smart, and I cannot help but want to have you as my own. I know you may not want this as I do but please, give me a chance to tell you my feelings. I want to have you to hold everyday. I want to wake up smiling at you. I feel complete when I'm around you. I truly love you. Lu'thien?"
"If you truly love me Legolas, then you will not deny my confession as well. I am in love with you. Though I am now confused. I always thought that Oropher was just my good friend, but after hearing what he said, I am bound with a great pain. I do not know which path to take. I only hope that the path I take will be the right one."
"I know you will make the right decision Lu'thien, I will accept it either way."
"Then I now know that this is the right choice." replied Lu'thien in a whisper as she slowly lifted her lips to meet Legolas's cool yet warm lips.
***
A/N: Well, there you have it!! My best chapter of Part 1 yet. Remember, I will let you know when Part 2 comes around, it won't be for a while though!!