*A/N*: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the names or characters
used in Tolkien's wonderful stories, but Calathi and all other characters
are copyright 2002 Meghan.
Thanks for your reviews!
Chapter Twelve
As the Prince laid Calathi on her bed, he noticed that she was now conscious again and sat down next to her. She had begun shaking again, visibly shaking, though she had momentarily stopped as she lay in his hold, and her skin was still as white as it had been when she first collapsed. He longed to steady her fears, whatever they may be, and take her into his arms and comfort her. However, he did not want to risk making her more uncomfortable instead, so he remained where he was.
"Calathi, what is wrong? You look as one who faces death."
The lady gulped and looked at the concerned elf next to her. Could she tell him? Could she trust him? Deep down she knew that she could, but when she opened her mouth to speak, no words came. Tears welled up inside her, but she would not let them come. To weep in front of the Prince she knew would cause her more embarrassment than when she had seen Harem.
"It - it is nothing, my Lord. I believe it was only the shock of meeting so famous a warrior," she lied.
The prince could see it in her face. She wasn't telling him something, and what she had just said was only to cover up the true reason for her fear. "My lady, you did not act that way when you first met my father and me. Surely I match the Captain in fame?"
*He must see right through me, * Calathi thought. She attempted a smile as a last measure, and failed. She could keep it in no longer. Now was the time to reveal her secret.
She took a deep breath. Still looking right into the Prince's eyes, she said, "Legolas, there is something more. I have never told anyone what I am about to tell you, for it is too horrible a burden to share. Can you keep my secret?"
The elf nodded gravely as he took Calathi's hand in his own. "I will not tell a soul, I swear it," he promised.
So Calathi told the Prince her entire story. "I was in the woods near my home in Ilinar. I was still just a foolish child, not even five hundred years old yet. Well, Harem-" here she paused. Speaking that name brought chills down her spine, but she forced herself to continue. "Harem was already a warrior then, well known around there. I had no idea he even knew who I was, but he did.
"He sought me out in the forest, where I was reading a letter under a tree. He gave me flowers, and asked me to go for a walk. I said yes, and I went with him. We walked together for a little while, and then stopped. That's when he asked me to court him."
"Court him?" interrupted Legolas. "But you were too young to do that!"
"I know, and I told him so. He told me we could simply not tell my father, but that's wrong."
Legolas was becoming angrier at every word. *She was hardly five hundred years! * he thought. *He is supposed to be honorable! And then he wanted to deceive her father?* It was unbelievable. "My lady, I apologize now for the Captain's behavior. It was unacceptable. But trust me, you shall also receive an apology from him. I will tell my father at once!" He stood up.
"Wait, Legolas!" Should she even finish? He believed her now. She could let the story end there, and then she wouldn't have to retell the worst part. Her eyes traveled to the Prince's eyes, as he stood fuming, and she decided quickly. If she didn't tell him now, she may never have another chance.
"Legolas, I, I'm not finished." He only looked at her, as the truth began to dawn on him.
*She's not finished?* Slowly he sat down, even as he realized what was coming.
Now her tears threatened to spill over again. "Harem." she faltered. She could keep it in no longer. She began to sob. She saw Legolas watching her with sadness and pity. It was too much for her, and she stood up and walked to the other side of the room, facing the wall. Despite her efforts, he had seen her cry.
Legolas was indeed filled with sadness and pity for the fragile elf before her. But he was also filled with rage. How dare any elf cause such grief for another? Who would do so terrible a thing? Harem. Harem would do such a thing, and he did. And worse, he was the Captain of the royal guard. He influenced others. The younger and less experienced warriors looked up to him. How did he not see how terrible a creature Harem was before? He would have to deal with that later though, because now Calathi needed him. He watched her weeping bitterly and all thought of the Captain passed from him then. His heart reached out to this poor elven lady, fair and proud even in times of her deepest despair.
Legolas went immediately to Calathi's side and hugged her to him, whispering comforting words to her. She let her pride go and put her own arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. She tried to finish her story, but the Prince put a hand over her mouth. "You need not finish," he said. "I can guess what happened after that."
Calathi shook her head. "I was able to escape when I hit him with a branch, and I ran away before he could do anything more than kiss me. I was so scared, Legolas. It was the worst experience of my life. And now I'm scared again. I can't stay here Legolas, I can't bear to be near him."
"You won't have to, Calathi. I promise Harem will never hurt you again. How could my father ever have appointed such a despicable creature to the position of Captain, or to any position on the royal guard, for that matter? He will hear of this at once, Calathi. Harem won't be Captain much longer."
"No!" she cried pushing herself away from him. "Legolas, please! Don't tell anyone! Keep your promise to me, I beg of you!"
"But, Calathi, he must be brought to justice!" Legolas was utterly surprised at Calathi's reaction. Would not she be happy if she was assured that Harem would never do that to another, or again to her?
Calathi had gone pale once again. She walked shakily to her bed and sat down, where she put her head in her hands. "I shouldn't have told you Legolas. I shouldn't have brought this upon you."
"Calathi, why do you not want Harem punished? Do you think he could have changed? That maybe he feels guilty about what he did? Someone who could have done that could not change."
"I know, Legolas. I just - I can't see him again. I don't know if I could survive telling that story again, especially in a public council. My heart would be torn to pieces. Please, promise you will tell no one!" She began crying again.
"Calathi-"
"Promise me!"
Legolas saw such pleading in her eyes that he finally agreed. "Alright. But please, Calathi, do not leave. Harem will not harm you as long as I dwell in this palace."
She could not even answer as she sat on the bed, hardly able to breathe because of the sobs that wracked her. What could she do? Go home to her parents? She couldn't, not unless she told them what happened. Even if she did go home, she would have to leave Legolas. That, she knew, she couldn't do, not willingly. But how could she live so near to Harem? Then she knew. She did trust Legolas to protect her. She need not fear Harem in the palace.
The Prince sat next to Calathi and held her again, stroking her hair and trying his best to calm her. Slowly Calathi's tears slowed, as her fears and indecision grew less and less next to Legolas. Finally they stopped altogether, and she released the Prince.
"Forgive me," she said, smiling a little as she wiped her face. "It's just, well, I feel like I can tell you anything." Legolas smiled back at her.
"There's nothing to forgive, limraer lovely one. My heart is glad that you find comfort in me."
"Legolas, I have to tell you something else. You need to know." She looked straight into his eyes. "Amin mela lle. I love you."
Legolas was surprised for a moment. She loved him? Then his heart leapt for joy, and she took her hands in his. "Calathi, you don't know how glad I am to hear you say that. But you need to know this. Amin mela lle. I love you too.
Calathi laughed and jumped into the arms of Legolas. Then their lips met, and a passion unknown to either of them encompassed them. Calathi's entire body tingled, and as their tongues intertwined, she felt giddy and happy and safe and scared, all at the same time. She feared ever losing him or what they had together. But her other feelings by far surpassed this one, and it was soon forgotten.
When Legolas pulled away at last, Calathi was breathless. "No." she whispered as she pulled him to her again. Now Legolas passed his lips lightly over hers, gently, carefully this time. Calathi just let him hold her, and she didn't think she could have sat up by herself if she wanted to. Finally he stopped again, and smiled down at her as she did at him. He was the most handsome being she had ever met. Who was she to have earned his feelings? But that didn't matter anymore. She knew how he felt, and she felt the same way. She could live happily the rest of her days just laying in his arms.
Thanks for your reviews!
Chapter Twelve
As the Prince laid Calathi on her bed, he noticed that she was now conscious again and sat down next to her. She had begun shaking again, visibly shaking, though she had momentarily stopped as she lay in his hold, and her skin was still as white as it had been when she first collapsed. He longed to steady her fears, whatever they may be, and take her into his arms and comfort her. However, he did not want to risk making her more uncomfortable instead, so he remained where he was.
"Calathi, what is wrong? You look as one who faces death."
The lady gulped and looked at the concerned elf next to her. Could she tell him? Could she trust him? Deep down she knew that she could, but when she opened her mouth to speak, no words came. Tears welled up inside her, but she would not let them come. To weep in front of the Prince she knew would cause her more embarrassment than when she had seen Harem.
"It - it is nothing, my Lord. I believe it was only the shock of meeting so famous a warrior," she lied.
The prince could see it in her face. She wasn't telling him something, and what she had just said was only to cover up the true reason for her fear. "My lady, you did not act that way when you first met my father and me. Surely I match the Captain in fame?"
*He must see right through me, * Calathi thought. She attempted a smile as a last measure, and failed. She could keep it in no longer. Now was the time to reveal her secret.
She took a deep breath. Still looking right into the Prince's eyes, she said, "Legolas, there is something more. I have never told anyone what I am about to tell you, for it is too horrible a burden to share. Can you keep my secret?"
The elf nodded gravely as he took Calathi's hand in his own. "I will not tell a soul, I swear it," he promised.
So Calathi told the Prince her entire story. "I was in the woods near my home in Ilinar. I was still just a foolish child, not even five hundred years old yet. Well, Harem-" here she paused. Speaking that name brought chills down her spine, but she forced herself to continue. "Harem was already a warrior then, well known around there. I had no idea he even knew who I was, but he did.
"He sought me out in the forest, where I was reading a letter under a tree. He gave me flowers, and asked me to go for a walk. I said yes, and I went with him. We walked together for a little while, and then stopped. That's when he asked me to court him."
"Court him?" interrupted Legolas. "But you were too young to do that!"
"I know, and I told him so. He told me we could simply not tell my father, but that's wrong."
Legolas was becoming angrier at every word. *She was hardly five hundred years! * he thought. *He is supposed to be honorable! And then he wanted to deceive her father?* It was unbelievable. "My lady, I apologize now for the Captain's behavior. It was unacceptable. But trust me, you shall also receive an apology from him. I will tell my father at once!" He stood up.
"Wait, Legolas!" Should she even finish? He believed her now. She could let the story end there, and then she wouldn't have to retell the worst part. Her eyes traveled to the Prince's eyes, as he stood fuming, and she decided quickly. If she didn't tell him now, she may never have another chance.
"Legolas, I, I'm not finished." He only looked at her, as the truth began to dawn on him.
*She's not finished?* Slowly he sat down, even as he realized what was coming.
Now her tears threatened to spill over again. "Harem." she faltered. She could keep it in no longer. She began to sob. She saw Legolas watching her with sadness and pity. It was too much for her, and she stood up and walked to the other side of the room, facing the wall. Despite her efforts, he had seen her cry.
Legolas was indeed filled with sadness and pity for the fragile elf before her. But he was also filled with rage. How dare any elf cause such grief for another? Who would do so terrible a thing? Harem. Harem would do such a thing, and he did. And worse, he was the Captain of the royal guard. He influenced others. The younger and less experienced warriors looked up to him. How did he not see how terrible a creature Harem was before? He would have to deal with that later though, because now Calathi needed him. He watched her weeping bitterly and all thought of the Captain passed from him then. His heart reached out to this poor elven lady, fair and proud even in times of her deepest despair.
Legolas went immediately to Calathi's side and hugged her to him, whispering comforting words to her. She let her pride go and put her own arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. She tried to finish her story, but the Prince put a hand over her mouth. "You need not finish," he said. "I can guess what happened after that."
Calathi shook her head. "I was able to escape when I hit him with a branch, and I ran away before he could do anything more than kiss me. I was so scared, Legolas. It was the worst experience of my life. And now I'm scared again. I can't stay here Legolas, I can't bear to be near him."
"You won't have to, Calathi. I promise Harem will never hurt you again. How could my father ever have appointed such a despicable creature to the position of Captain, or to any position on the royal guard, for that matter? He will hear of this at once, Calathi. Harem won't be Captain much longer."
"No!" she cried pushing herself away from him. "Legolas, please! Don't tell anyone! Keep your promise to me, I beg of you!"
"But, Calathi, he must be brought to justice!" Legolas was utterly surprised at Calathi's reaction. Would not she be happy if she was assured that Harem would never do that to another, or again to her?
Calathi had gone pale once again. She walked shakily to her bed and sat down, where she put her head in her hands. "I shouldn't have told you Legolas. I shouldn't have brought this upon you."
"Calathi, why do you not want Harem punished? Do you think he could have changed? That maybe he feels guilty about what he did? Someone who could have done that could not change."
"I know, Legolas. I just - I can't see him again. I don't know if I could survive telling that story again, especially in a public council. My heart would be torn to pieces. Please, promise you will tell no one!" She began crying again.
"Calathi-"
"Promise me!"
Legolas saw such pleading in her eyes that he finally agreed. "Alright. But please, Calathi, do not leave. Harem will not harm you as long as I dwell in this palace."
She could not even answer as she sat on the bed, hardly able to breathe because of the sobs that wracked her. What could she do? Go home to her parents? She couldn't, not unless she told them what happened. Even if she did go home, she would have to leave Legolas. That, she knew, she couldn't do, not willingly. But how could she live so near to Harem? Then she knew. She did trust Legolas to protect her. She need not fear Harem in the palace.
The Prince sat next to Calathi and held her again, stroking her hair and trying his best to calm her. Slowly Calathi's tears slowed, as her fears and indecision grew less and less next to Legolas. Finally they stopped altogether, and she released the Prince.
"Forgive me," she said, smiling a little as she wiped her face. "It's just, well, I feel like I can tell you anything." Legolas smiled back at her.
"There's nothing to forgive, limraer lovely one. My heart is glad that you find comfort in me."
"Legolas, I have to tell you something else. You need to know." She looked straight into his eyes. "Amin mela lle. I love you."
Legolas was surprised for a moment. She loved him? Then his heart leapt for joy, and she took her hands in his. "Calathi, you don't know how glad I am to hear you say that. But you need to know this. Amin mela lle. I love you too.
Calathi laughed and jumped into the arms of Legolas. Then their lips met, and a passion unknown to either of them encompassed them. Calathi's entire body tingled, and as their tongues intertwined, she felt giddy and happy and safe and scared, all at the same time. She feared ever losing him or what they had together. But her other feelings by far surpassed this one, and it was soon forgotten.
When Legolas pulled away at last, Calathi was breathless. "No." she whispered as she pulled him to her again. Now Legolas passed his lips lightly over hers, gently, carefully this time. Calathi just let him hold her, and she didn't think she could have sat up by herself if she wanted to. Finally he stopped again, and smiled down at her as she did at him. He was the most handsome being she had ever met. Who was she to have earned his feelings? But that didn't matter anymore. She knew how he felt, and she felt the same way. She could live happily the rest of her days just laying in his arms.