Dawn broke over a peaceful Mirkwood. The inhabitants of the town moved
with respectful silence, knowing that up in the castle slept a group of
travelers who would soon set out on a noble cause indeed. The quest to
resurrect Arwen had somehow slipped out and struck a chord in the heart of
every elf, even those who had never even known her.
Up in the castle only Eldarion stirred, and even he made no noise, perhaps knowing the importance that the fellowship rested as much as possible. Maybe one hobbit kicked in his sleep, his stomach still full of the splendours of the night before.
In the tower Legolas slowly returned to consciousness, his elven sleep coming to an end. As did most elves, he rested with his eyes open, allowing his mind to drift onto a new plain of thought, replenishing his body. He blinked and cleared his eyes. Next to him Anánia lay, his arms were still wrapped around her. He looked at her lovingly, and was surprised to see that she slept like a mortal, with her eyes closed. He watched her breathing lightly, her porcelain skin blending with the white sheets, her blonde hair cascading over the pillow. Legolas glanced around him, and realised with mild horror that some of the servants had evidently been in to clear up. Their clothes that had been strewn carelessly over the floor had been removed, and on the two chairs at the other end of the room were two sets of clothes, laundered and folded neatly for them.
Legolas felt Anánia stir in his arms and held his breath, not wanting to wake her. But her eyes were opening and a smile played across her face when she saw where she was. Legolas tightened his embrace around her and whispered in elven in her ear.
"Good morning my rose."
She smiled and accepted the kiss he offered her.
"You are a bad influence on me!" He joked. "I am normally up long before this hour of the morning. The sun tells me it is nigh on eight o'clock."
"Did I sleep that late?" She asked.
"We both did." He replied. "And you intrigue me further still. Why do you sleep as mortals do, and not in the way of an elf?"
She sat up slowly, wrapping the soft sheet around her. "My great grandfather was a mortal man." She replied. "From him did I get my gift of mortal sleep. It is a truly wonderful thing, the ability to dream. I am lucky, my mother inherited the sight of mortal men, and did not have the farseeing eyes of the elves."
Legolas held her close and whispered into her ear. "It makes me love you more."
She smiled and climbed out of the bed, the sheet still wrapped around her. She crossed to the chairs and picked up one pile.
"Your clothes then, Prince of Mirkwood." She joked, returning to speaking the common tongue. "Let me not hold you up any more." She threw the pile at him and then picked up her own. Legolas averted his eyes respectfully as she dressed, even though she had nothing more to hide from him.
"Can you find your way down to the breakfast hall?" He asked her. She walked over to the bed, now dressed in an elven dress fit for day wear.
"I shall manage." She smiled.
"You could wait for me and we can go together." He suggested, but she shook her head.
"I have to take care of Eldarion. Besides, you can live without me for an hour or so."
"I don't know about that." He joked, pulling her down next to him and kissing her once more. "I don't think I ever want to leave your side."
"You lived for hundreds of years without me." She replied.
"And already I see how empty those years were." He said.
She giggled. "That kind of talk will get you nowhere fast my Prince." She said. "Now I really must go, and you must get dressed and eat." With that she pulled away from him and left the room before he could object. She almost floated down the spiraling staircase, such was her state of euphoria. Back in the room, Legolas dressed in a daze.
Meanwhile Astor and Gimli were breakfasting together.
"How do you control those wings?" Gimli asked.
"It takes little thought." Astor replied. "I fly with as much thinking as it takes you to walk or swing your axe."
"But they are so large." Gimli continued. "If I were to wear them I feel sure I should topple under the weight or knock people over wherever I turn."
"It is something that I am used to." Astor replied. "But tell me, being so small how do you see danger coming, and do people not tread on you or miss seeing you completely?"
"They would come by much harm if they did step on him!" Aragorn joked, coming into the hall with Eldarion in his arms. "Gimli would cut them down to his own size first."
They laughed together. Aragorn sat and an elf brought him a bottle of a strange, pink looking liquid.
"The food of the elves." He explained. "As Eldarion is half elf he can drink it and feel its strength flow through him. He will grow up to be strong and powerful."
"He would do that without that potion Aragorn." Frodo said, joining him at the table. The other hobbits nodded.
"Yes Mister Strider." Sam agreed. "He comes from a fine line of Kings."
"And from a fine line of elves too." Aragorn agreed. "I wish that Arwen could see him now."
"We all wish it friend." Gandalf said, having silently entered the room from another door. "And she shall, soon enough."
"When do we leave Gandalf?" Aragorn asked. "I like Mirkwood immensely...and wish I had more time to experience the hospitalities of our hosts," he added, as Legolas and Thranduil entered the room. "But I can not allow my mind to be swayed. There is a purpose to my journey, and I can not rest until it is fulfilled."
"No indeed Aragorn." Thranduil said. "There is a time for relaxation for you, but it is not now. You must all continue with your journey as soon as possible. This good weather shall not last; in the mountains when summer comes the air is thin and hot. You must not delay too long, or you shall find the remainder of your journey hard going indeed."
"I agree my friend." Gandalf said. "The question is when can we leave?"
"I shall ensure that your horses and provisions are made ready to start at sunrise tomorrow." Thranduil said. "For now rest. It is better to start later on fresh and rested horses than to continue now on tired and footsore ones. Besides, who knows when my son will return to me after he leaves with you?" He asked. Anánia entered through the door and Thranduil saw her. "After all, who knows what prize he will chase throughout Middle- earth now?"
Anánia blushed slightly and sat beside Aragorn, tickling Eldarion under the chin.
"Then we shall leave at first light tomorrow." Aragorn said. "Until then I would love to have a tour of this country, it is a place I do not know well and would like to know better."
"Of course, anyone wanting to see more of my country may go sightseeing in an hours time. Some horses will be provided and you may ride through my country, being guided by my son." Thranduil said. "If he can bear to tear himself away from other things of interest." He said, casting a sly glance at Legolas.
"Of course I shall guide the guests father." Legolas said, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"I can take care of Eldarion whilst you ride Aragorn." Anánia said. "I do not wish to go out riding if it is not necessary, I have had my fill of horses to last a lifetime from this quest."
"I would agree." Gandalf said. "And I could not ride any horse other than Shadowfax now."
So it was agreed that only Anánia, Gandalf and Eldarion would not go on the trip around Mirkwood. But everyone at the table that morning noticed the glances that were often exchanged between Legolas and Anánia, and everyone could guess what had happened the previous night. And they would not let the activities of two elves pass without a few words.
"Quite a prize you have won there." Aragorn said quietly to Legolas. "But do you think you can keep her?"
Legolas looked at his friend with a strange expression in his eyes. "I would die rather than let her go." He said sternly. Aragorn saw in the face of his friend the same feelings he had felt for Arwen for so long. Pacified he placed a hand on the shoulder of his friend.
"Then look after her friend." He said. "You deserve her."
Gandalf also had words with Anánia.
"There is nothing more powerful in this world than love." He whispered as they sat in the courtyard watching birds fly around them. "Be happy that you have found love, but remember that the first thing that Legolas had in this world was duty. Love should never stand in the way of duty, but rather support it. You may have his heart, but his heart must always return to his homeland, the place which he must rule over one day. Remember this." Then he said no more, and Anánia knew that the topic of conversation had moved on, and Gandalf would not return to it.
AN – OK, I didn't have the energy to write their continuation on the quest in this chapter, so I just tied up some loose ends with Legolas and Anánia so I can make a clean move back to the main story. Who will be the 200th reviewer? I think we will smash the 200 mark this time.
Response to Reviewers
Terreis – I'm glad you like Anánia. I always think that a good sub plot is almost as important as a good main storyline, and it provides two levels of interest for the audience.
Deana – I love writing romance and angst, they go hand in hand. Let me know when you put up a romance/angst story, I would be interested to read it.
Alasse – shouldn't you be working in school instead of reading silly stories? Lol, I used to read at school, until they blocked fanfiction.net, we hates them precious indeed!
Lilwhitelighter – the fellowship are on the final leg of their journey now, so it will only be a matter of time before they find Arwen.
Ciel-Undomiel – I'm moving back to the main plot now. Have a converted you to actually liking Legolas? Gasp!
The True Evenstar – don't cry, please don't cry again. I'll feel guilty!
Curlycurlz – after your suggestion I am so putting an argument between Legolas and Aragorn in. That would be a great idea! Thank you!
Cerridwen – do you really think Aragorn would be jealous of Legolas and Anánia. I guess maybe he would be, I'm not sure!
Julia – I love romance sub plots, but when they take over the story they can get a bit too much to take.
Lindahoyland – I'm really glad you like it!
Nolwelen – thanks for leaving a review this time. I'm happy you are enjoying the story and like the romance between Legolas and Anánia.
Ringmarciel – yeah, when there is a stop in the action my chapters do get slow. Hopefully the pace will pick up again now that the story is back on track.
Queen Arwen – is this update speed OK? Lol. Yep, back to the main storyline now, I've established the Legolas/Anánia thing so now I can get back to Aragorn and Arwen, yay!
Luthea – I would NEVER make Aragorn fall for anyone other than Arwen, its just wrong, especially with Legolas (shudders) or worse, Gandalf! (shudder shudder) Anyway, if Legolas and Aragorn fell for Anánia it would be too Mary-Sue-ish for words!
Crazycari – the story is moving on again. Thanks for your review!
Up in the castle only Eldarion stirred, and even he made no noise, perhaps knowing the importance that the fellowship rested as much as possible. Maybe one hobbit kicked in his sleep, his stomach still full of the splendours of the night before.
In the tower Legolas slowly returned to consciousness, his elven sleep coming to an end. As did most elves, he rested with his eyes open, allowing his mind to drift onto a new plain of thought, replenishing his body. He blinked and cleared his eyes. Next to him Anánia lay, his arms were still wrapped around her. He looked at her lovingly, and was surprised to see that she slept like a mortal, with her eyes closed. He watched her breathing lightly, her porcelain skin blending with the white sheets, her blonde hair cascading over the pillow. Legolas glanced around him, and realised with mild horror that some of the servants had evidently been in to clear up. Their clothes that had been strewn carelessly over the floor had been removed, and on the two chairs at the other end of the room were two sets of clothes, laundered and folded neatly for them.
Legolas felt Anánia stir in his arms and held his breath, not wanting to wake her. But her eyes were opening and a smile played across her face when she saw where she was. Legolas tightened his embrace around her and whispered in elven in her ear.
"Good morning my rose."
She smiled and accepted the kiss he offered her.
"You are a bad influence on me!" He joked. "I am normally up long before this hour of the morning. The sun tells me it is nigh on eight o'clock."
"Did I sleep that late?" She asked.
"We both did." He replied. "And you intrigue me further still. Why do you sleep as mortals do, and not in the way of an elf?"
She sat up slowly, wrapping the soft sheet around her. "My great grandfather was a mortal man." She replied. "From him did I get my gift of mortal sleep. It is a truly wonderful thing, the ability to dream. I am lucky, my mother inherited the sight of mortal men, and did not have the farseeing eyes of the elves."
Legolas held her close and whispered into her ear. "It makes me love you more."
She smiled and climbed out of the bed, the sheet still wrapped around her. She crossed to the chairs and picked up one pile.
"Your clothes then, Prince of Mirkwood." She joked, returning to speaking the common tongue. "Let me not hold you up any more." She threw the pile at him and then picked up her own. Legolas averted his eyes respectfully as she dressed, even though she had nothing more to hide from him.
"Can you find your way down to the breakfast hall?" He asked her. She walked over to the bed, now dressed in an elven dress fit for day wear.
"I shall manage." She smiled.
"You could wait for me and we can go together." He suggested, but she shook her head.
"I have to take care of Eldarion. Besides, you can live without me for an hour or so."
"I don't know about that." He joked, pulling her down next to him and kissing her once more. "I don't think I ever want to leave your side."
"You lived for hundreds of years without me." She replied.
"And already I see how empty those years were." He said.
She giggled. "That kind of talk will get you nowhere fast my Prince." She said. "Now I really must go, and you must get dressed and eat." With that she pulled away from him and left the room before he could object. She almost floated down the spiraling staircase, such was her state of euphoria. Back in the room, Legolas dressed in a daze.
Meanwhile Astor and Gimli were breakfasting together.
"How do you control those wings?" Gimli asked.
"It takes little thought." Astor replied. "I fly with as much thinking as it takes you to walk or swing your axe."
"But they are so large." Gimli continued. "If I were to wear them I feel sure I should topple under the weight or knock people over wherever I turn."
"It is something that I am used to." Astor replied. "But tell me, being so small how do you see danger coming, and do people not tread on you or miss seeing you completely?"
"They would come by much harm if they did step on him!" Aragorn joked, coming into the hall with Eldarion in his arms. "Gimli would cut them down to his own size first."
They laughed together. Aragorn sat and an elf brought him a bottle of a strange, pink looking liquid.
"The food of the elves." He explained. "As Eldarion is half elf he can drink it and feel its strength flow through him. He will grow up to be strong and powerful."
"He would do that without that potion Aragorn." Frodo said, joining him at the table. The other hobbits nodded.
"Yes Mister Strider." Sam agreed. "He comes from a fine line of Kings."
"And from a fine line of elves too." Aragorn agreed. "I wish that Arwen could see him now."
"We all wish it friend." Gandalf said, having silently entered the room from another door. "And she shall, soon enough."
"When do we leave Gandalf?" Aragorn asked. "I like Mirkwood immensely...and wish I had more time to experience the hospitalities of our hosts," he added, as Legolas and Thranduil entered the room. "But I can not allow my mind to be swayed. There is a purpose to my journey, and I can not rest until it is fulfilled."
"No indeed Aragorn." Thranduil said. "There is a time for relaxation for you, but it is not now. You must all continue with your journey as soon as possible. This good weather shall not last; in the mountains when summer comes the air is thin and hot. You must not delay too long, or you shall find the remainder of your journey hard going indeed."
"I agree my friend." Gandalf said. "The question is when can we leave?"
"I shall ensure that your horses and provisions are made ready to start at sunrise tomorrow." Thranduil said. "For now rest. It is better to start later on fresh and rested horses than to continue now on tired and footsore ones. Besides, who knows when my son will return to me after he leaves with you?" He asked. Anánia entered through the door and Thranduil saw her. "After all, who knows what prize he will chase throughout Middle- earth now?"
Anánia blushed slightly and sat beside Aragorn, tickling Eldarion under the chin.
"Then we shall leave at first light tomorrow." Aragorn said. "Until then I would love to have a tour of this country, it is a place I do not know well and would like to know better."
"Of course, anyone wanting to see more of my country may go sightseeing in an hours time. Some horses will be provided and you may ride through my country, being guided by my son." Thranduil said. "If he can bear to tear himself away from other things of interest." He said, casting a sly glance at Legolas.
"Of course I shall guide the guests father." Legolas said, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"I can take care of Eldarion whilst you ride Aragorn." Anánia said. "I do not wish to go out riding if it is not necessary, I have had my fill of horses to last a lifetime from this quest."
"I would agree." Gandalf said. "And I could not ride any horse other than Shadowfax now."
So it was agreed that only Anánia, Gandalf and Eldarion would not go on the trip around Mirkwood. But everyone at the table that morning noticed the glances that were often exchanged between Legolas and Anánia, and everyone could guess what had happened the previous night. And they would not let the activities of two elves pass without a few words.
"Quite a prize you have won there." Aragorn said quietly to Legolas. "But do you think you can keep her?"
Legolas looked at his friend with a strange expression in his eyes. "I would die rather than let her go." He said sternly. Aragorn saw in the face of his friend the same feelings he had felt for Arwen for so long. Pacified he placed a hand on the shoulder of his friend.
"Then look after her friend." He said. "You deserve her."
Gandalf also had words with Anánia.
"There is nothing more powerful in this world than love." He whispered as they sat in the courtyard watching birds fly around them. "Be happy that you have found love, but remember that the first thing that Legolas had in this world was duty. Love should never stand in the way of duty, but rather support it. You may have his heart, but his heart must always return to his homeland, the place which he must rule over one day. Remember this." Then he said no more, and Anánia knew that the topic of conversation had moved on, and Gandalf would not return to it.
AN – OK, I didn't have the energy to write their continuation on the quest in this chapter, so I just tied up some loose ends with Legolas and Anánia so I can make a clean move back to the main story. Who will be the 200th reviewer? I think we will smash the 200 mark this time.
Response to Reviewers
Terreis – I'm glad you like Anánia. I always think that a good sub plot is almost as important as a good main storyline, and it provides two levels of interest for the audience.
Deana – I love writing romance and angst, they go hand in hand. Let me know when you put up a romance/angst story, I would be interested to read it.
Alasse – shouldn't you be working in school instead of reading silly stories? Lol, I used to read at school, until they blocked fanfiction.net, we hates them precious indeed!
Lilwhitelighter – the fellowship are on the final leg of their journey now, so it will only be a matter of time before they find Arwen.
Ciel-Undomiel – I'm moving back to the main plot now. Have a converted you to actually liking Legolas? Gasp!
The True Evenstar – don't cry, please don't cry again. I'll feel guilty!
Curlycurlz – after your suggestion I am so putting an argument between Legolas and Aragorn in. That would be a great idea! Thank you!
Cerridwen – do you really think Aragorn would be jealous of Legolas and Anánia. I guess maybe he would be, I'm not sure!
Julia – I love romance sub plots, but when they take over the story they can get a bit too much to take.
Lindahoyland – I'm really glad you like it!
Nolwelen – thanks for leaving a review this time. I'm happy you are enjoying the story and like the romance between Legolas and Anánia.
Ringmarciel – yeah, when there is a stop in the action my chapters do get slow. Hopefully the pace will pick up again now that the story is back on track.
Queen Arwen – is this update speed OK? Lol. Yep, back to the main storyline now, I've established the Legolas/Anánia thing so now I can get back to Aragorn and Arwen, yay!
Luthea – I would NEVER make Aragorn fall for anyone other than Arwen, its just wrong, especially with Legolas (shudders) or worse, Gandalf! (shudder shudder) Anyway, if Legolas and Aragorn fell for Anánia it would be too Mary-Sue-ish for words!
Crazycari – the story is moving on again. Thanks for your review!