NOTE: AngryTolkienPurist, I get my Elvish from www.councilofelrond.com. If you have issues with that, I suggest you contact them.

Chapter Nineteen: Gimli's Letter

It was past midnight when Legolas escorted Síriel back to her cottage. She expected her sire to be waiting for her in fury, but he seemed rather surprised to see her back.

"I thought you would spend more time together." he told her.

"Legolas wanted me to, but I refused. I was worried about you. I have never left you this long before alone." she replied, embracing him.

"Nonsense, I was not lonely."

It was not the truth, but he would have rather submitted himself to the sword point of an Orc than admit to her that he had been indeed quite lonely in her absence. He had grown so used to her being with him wherever he went that he did not know it until now. It startled him.

Síriel smiled at him knowingly. She knew her sire better than that. She had seen the look of utter joy on his face when she had arrived back home. She even had a suspicion that her sire was jealous of the Prince because he was receiving her attention, and not him. It caused her to chuckle. She bade her sire a fond goodnight and went to her room. However, she found him standing behind her a few moments later.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked her.

She nodded.

"I did. We talked about many things together. He told me all about the Quest, and I told him what happened here—that Dol Guldur had assailed us once, and the aftermath. He seemed surprised. We spent some time lying together by the river." she said with a smile. "Do you know what else he told me? He said that he cannot live without me, that I am unlike the other maidens here, which is why he loves me."

Gil-celeb smiled to see her eyes shining. He had never seen her this happy before in many centuries. It gladdened his heart.

"I hope he is sincere." he told her.

"He is. I know he is. I can see it in his eyes." she replied.

"Very well, Síriel. Losto mae (sleep well)."

"Elei velui, adar."

Meanwhile, in Thranduil's palace, Legolas was in his chambers, reminiscing on the evening he had spent with Síriel. His thoughts strayed instantly to their kiss by the riverside. He had felt the warmness of her body between his arms, and it had awakened his desire for her. He had meant everything he had said to her, every single word. It was his hope that she believed him. He did indeed love her, and if she were taken away from him, then he would die of a broken heart. He could never love another. He understood her. He needed her as much as she needed him.

There was a knock on his bedchamber door.

"Legolas?"

Thranduil stepped inside the chamber. He saw Legolas staring out of his windows with a blissful, faraway look in his eyes, his chest bare. He was dressed only in his white leggings, ready to rest for the night.

"How was your evening?" Thranduil said.

Legolas turned at the sound of his sire's voice with a slight start.

"Oh, adar, forgive me. I did not hear you." he said.

'Apparently he had an enjoyable evening.' the King thought.

"Was your evening enjoyable?" Thranduil asked his son.

Legolas nodded.

"It was. The more time I spend with her, the more I feel my love growing for her. She has captured my heart." he said.

"Have you invited her to the feast yet?" Thranduil inquired.

"Not yet. She has just come back from a long trip. I did not wish to provide too much excitement for her."

"Then an evening with her is not excitement?" Thranduil teased.

Legolas flushed.

"I mean to tell her soon enough." he answered.

Then he told his sire what he had learned from Síriel about his home and Lothlórien being assailed by Dol Guldur. Thranduil confirmed everything and told his son much more than the maiden knew.

"It is quite late. I will leave you to rest." Thranduil said at last.

"Hodo mae (rest well), adar." Legolas told him.

It was towards the evening of the following day that Legolas remembered the letter Síriel had given him from Gimli. He went to his chambers to retrieve something when he saw it on a table by his bedside. Picking it up quickly, he opened it and began to read:

"Legolas,

I hope that this letter reaches to find you in the best of health, as you undoubtedly are. Elves are not known to bear illnesses.

I have met Síriel in Lake-town, as you most definitely know, and must admit she is quite fair. I could see the wounded look in her eyes, and I pitied her. One thing I tell you my friend: take care of her well. She deserves love and compassion. I am not sure if she has shown you the gift that I gave her or not. I mean it for the feast.

Do you recall the promises we gave to Aragorn about coming and helping him to rebuild Gondor? I am already making my way there, which explains the reason I was in Lake-town. I am wondering when you are coming.

I hope to see you soon.

Gimli"

Legolas folded the letter carefully and placed it on the table. He did recall his promise. It was always on his mind. When would he leave? He was actually glad to be home and did not have the intention of leaving it soon. Yet Gimli was there. The feisty Dwarf had beaten him at something again! First the Orc slaying game at Helm's Deep, and now this!

"Eru knows how much I love you, Gimli." he said with a laugh.

He thought of going to see Síriel and ask her to show him the gift Gimli had given her for the feast, when an idea came to him.

He found his sire in the corridors, on the way to his chambers.

"May I speak with you?" Legolas asked him.

Once they were in Thranduil's private sitting chamber, Legolas immediately spoke to his sire of the idea in his mind.

"You know of my intention to wed Síriel after the Choosing. I meant to take her someplace special afterwards, either Lórien or Imladris. After reading the letter Gimli gave her to give me, I have thought of something. I made a promise to Aragorn that I would bring some of our people and dwell in Ithilien and make it green and fair. It is now my intention to wed Síriel and take her to Ithilien, where we shall live." he said.

Thranduil smiled.

"It is your life, Legolas, not mine. Do as you please. You have my permission to take some of our people with you to Ithilien." he told him.