NOTE: I could not find a suitable title for this chapter, and even the name I gave it I detest. If any of you has a suggestion, please share it! It is amazing that I was logged into yahoo messenger and I get email notifications that you, sofia, and you, Miriellar, had reviewed, at the same time, too! Yes, I was shocked myself when I had Síriel cut out Bargon's tongue, but, then again, I felt he deserved it. Oh, and Miriellar, you surprised me when you said that chapter was short becasue I seem to be the only writer here that writes really long chapters and here you go saying it's short! Hope this chapter pleases you!
Chapter Eight: Celebrindal Tends Síriel
Legolas returned to the palace as quickly as he could. He went immediately to the kitchens. Celebrindal met him.
"I have not seen—" she began.
"Síriel needs a healer." he told her quickly.
Celebrindal paled.
"What is the matter with her?" she asked.
Legolas told her briefly what had happened.
"I am quite skilled in healing. I will go." she said.
Legolas caught her hand.
"Please, take good care of her. For me." he pleaded.
Celebrindal smiled.
"I will. She is my dearest friend. I would sooner give up my life for her than see her die. I hope you will punish your friends." she said.
"They are my friends no longer. They will receive a very severe punishment. Rest assured. I wish Síriel to heal quickly." Legolas said.
Celebrindal bowed, then left him promptly.
"How was the hunting trip?" Thranduil asked Legolas.
The Prince had wandered through the palace for some time looking for his sire. He finally found him in his chambers.
Legolas did not reply.
"Are you alright? Legolas?" Thranduil said.
"I am not alright. Those five sons of your advisors whom you forced me to befriend almost violated Síriel. Bargon called her a half-breed, at which she cut out his tongue. In all truth, I am quite happy this has occurred. I have wanted to sever my ties with them for some time because they are unrespectable. They have no dignity, no honor, nothing. They must receive the highest punishment!" Legolas said.
Thranduil looked at his son. He was amazed at the passion and fury with which he spoke. There was only one answer to this.
"You are in love with her." he said calmly.
Legolas turned around to face his sire.
"And if I am is that a crime? Just because she is half-elven does not mean she is not entitled to the rights we have!" he said furiously.
He pounded the table with his fists.
"Calm down, Legolas! I have been against everything negative that has been said against her. She has much admiration and love for me. Many times she has come and poured out her heart to me." Thranduil said. "Those five will be punished very severely. Worry not."
Legolas took a few deep breaths and exhaled slowly. He had gotten himself too excited. He smiled at his sire. They would be punished.
Celebrindal was trying to keep herself from not weeping. She had almost lost her dearest friend for a mere bouquet of wildflowers.
"How many times have I told you not to go off by yourself?" Gil-celeb said. "You never know when you meet up with bad company."
Síriel was too tired to argue.
"Even if she were to stay at home, who knows what could happen. Wherever a person may be, something can happen." Celebrindal said.
Síriel smiled at her.
"True, Celebrindal." Gil-celeb acknowledged. "If it were not for ernil Legolas, she would not be here. And imagine him with a group like that! I always thought him to be more sensible and dignified."
"He is dignified, adar." Síriel suddenly said, to the wonder of all, even to herself. "He put them down, saying that they are animals. 'Yet I have even disgraced animals, for they would never do such a thing' he told them. You give him no credit."
Gil-celeb looked at his daughter. Then he rose.
"I must attend to the unpacking of the rafts." he said.
Once he was gone, Celebrindal turned to Síriel.
"And what did I tell you once? That not everyone who is high is corrupt. Yet you refused to believe me. It must be a spell on my ears that caused me to hear you defending the Prince." she said.
Síriel blushed.
"It was no spell, which you well know." she whispered.
"Has he captured your heart?" Celebrindal pressed.
Síriel did not answer immediately. When she had looked into the Prince's eyes, she had read something in them beyond his desire to help her. It was sympathy, yet beyond that. She could not deny she felt something, but it was not love. Or was it the very beginning of love?
"Perhaps he has captured your heart." she said evasively. "I have learned my lesson, Celebrindal, if it pleases you. Even people who are high can be dignified. Are you satisfied now?"
Celebrindal smiled. She knew Síriel well enough to read between her words. She wanted to inform her what the Prince had told her in the kitchens, but she kept it to herself. Perhaps later she would tell her.
She rose to leave.
"Your wound is taken care of, Síriel. So long as you remain lying down until tomorrow morning, you will be fine. If anything unexpected happens, send word with your sire, even if it is late." she told her.
Síriel nodded.
"I owe you." she replied.
Back in the kitchens, Legolas was waiting patiently for Celebrindal to return. Already it was evening. The sun had gone down, and the first stars were starting to light up the dark velvety sky. He was about to go and see Síriel for himself when Celebrindal arrived. She seemed not the least bit surprised to find him waiting for her.
"Ernil, man le carel s?" she asked.
"How is she?" Legolas asked quickly.
"She is fine. I tended to her wound. I informed her to rest until tomorrow morning. Only then she can move."
Legolas sighed in relief.
"I appreciate this very much, Celebrindal." he said.
Celebrindal smiled.
"Just doing my duty as well as being a true friend to her." she said.
Legolas returned shortly afterwards to his chambers. He removed his tunic and slipped under his bedcovers, a wide smile on his fair face. He had finally met Síriel, though the circumstances were not what he would have preferred. He now knew he could not deny the feeling he had for her. He loved her. Yet, would she accept his love?
'Give her a reason to love you, Legolas. Give her something everyone has taken from and denied her.' he thought.
"Elei velui, Síriel." he whispered quietly to the night.
Sindarin Translations:
Man le carel sí: what are you doing here
Elei velui: sweet dreams