NOTE: Thanx for the lovely review Miriellar! Now, which do you think is better, this or The Helaer of the Past? As for everyone else, I am flattered. Hope this chapter is good!
Chapter Twenty-seven: The Confrontation
If Síriel only knew, she would have been very pleased, and her love for Legolas would have grown considerably. Yet, because she did not know, and Celebrindal and Thranduil had sworn not to tell, she was left to dwell on her doubt and anger. Perhaps, if Legolas had sent her a message, the confrontation he had with her would have been avoided.
The month he spent in Ithilien passed rather abruptly for him. He had met with Prince Faramir and was given permission to dwell in the woods. With the Elves he had led from the southern region of his sire's kingdom, he began the preparations for an elven establishment. It was decided that the home he wished to share with Síriel would be in the heart of the woods, built after the fashion of Lord Elrond's house in Imladris, while his people (they had agreed wholeheartedly that he should be their leader) would live by the wood's edge in many a talan.
After overseeing the initial preparations, he set off to Eryn Lasgalen.
Even as Celebrindal uttered her silent prayer in the kitchens, he was already halfway homeward. Since he was travelling alone, he was able to ride much faster, and thus arrived a fortnight earlier than he had initially planned. His spirits rose as he found himself once more amongst the beloved beech glades of his home. When he crossed the hidden bridge leading to the palace gates, there was a wide smile on his fair face.
As soon as he had dismounted, and saw that Arod was properly stabled, he went to Síriel's cottage and found it empty. Not crestfallen, he went to the place by the river where she usually worked with her sire, but did not find her there, either. He frowned slightly.
"Good day." he said to an Elf working in the area.
"Good day, ernil. Welcome back." he said.
"Hannon le."
"Glassen."
"I am wondering where I can find Síriel."
The Elf looked somewhat surprised.
"She is gone, hîr nín. She is in Lake-town with her sire." he replied.
"I see. Do you know when she will return?" Legoas asked.
"Perhaps tomorrow."
Legolas thanked him once again and hurried off to the palace.
"Ai, ion nín!" Thranduil exclaimed when he saw him.
"Adar, I have missed you!" the Prince said, embracing his sire.
The two seated themselves comfortably in the Dining Hall.
"How was your trip to Ithilien?" Thranduil inquired with interest.
"Very well. Elessar and Arwen send their regards. I met up with Gimli there, as well." Legolas said, as he filled a plate with food.
"I see." Thranduil said, frowning slightly at the mention of Gimli.
"I took a thousand of our people with me. Prince Faramir was quite gracious and gave us the entire wood of Ithilien."
"Is he not the son of the late Steward of Gondor?"
"He was, but Elessar made him Prince of Ithilien."
"Have you started preparations yet?"
Legolas nodded.
"We have. My people, for they hailed me as their lord, are currently working on my house, which will lie in the heart of the wood. It will be built after the fashion of Lord Elrond's house. As for the people, they will live like the Galadhrim, in many a talan." he told his sire.
Thranduil looked impressed.
"Sounds interesting. No doubt it will be wonderful." he commented.
"I hope it will please Síriel." Legolas said.
Thranduil suddenly looked grave.
"Speaking of Síriel, Celebrindal came to me yesterday. She told me some most disturbing news regarding her." he said carefully.
Legolas looked frightened.
"Is Síriel alright?" he asked anxiously.
"Celebrindal did not tell me she is ill. However, she did tell me something else. Apparently, Síriel has been suspicious of your silence. She told Celebrindal that she no longer loves you. She said that she misjudged you, that you are like the five…" Thranduil said slowly.
Legolas had a grim expression on his face.
"I should have written at least, so as not to have her worry. But why would she denounce her love for me?" he said.
"I know not." Thranduil told him.
The Prince decided to see Celebrindal. She informed him exactly what Síriel had told her, but did not tell him she was pregnant.
"I shall speak to her, and then she will understand." Legolas said.
"I sincerely hope so." Celebrindal told him nervously.
Síriel and Gil-celeb returned during the night. Legolas was waiting for her. As soon as he spotted her, he rushed to her.
"Síriel, meleth nín (my love)!" he cried.
She turned a stony face at him. He was taken aback.
"Suilaid, ernil." she said stiffly, bowing slightly.
Gil-celeb saw Legolas and smiled warmly at him.
"I shall leave you alone." he said, calling the other Elves away.
When they were completely alone, Legolas turned to Síriel.
"Aníron peded (I wish to speak)—" he began.
She turned her emerald eyes upon him. They were cold.
"Mas bennich (where did you go)?" she asked.
"Ithilien." Legolas replied.
"I do not believe you."
She turned her back on him.
"Man agorech (what did you do)?" he heard her ask in a chilled voice.
"May I ask why you are questioning me so?" he asked patiently.
She whirled around, her hair making her appear alight and deadly.
"You may ask! But why cannot I ask? Three months you left me, no message ever reaching me! You could have at least told me where you were going, how long you would be gone! But you did not!" she spat.
"Gerich faer vara (you have a fiery spirit)." he told her softly, lovingly.
She laughed, but it was not the soft, warm, trilling laugh Legolas was accustomed to, it was cold and harsh, like the chill of winter.
"Well, where were you?" she demanded, hands folded on her chest.
"I was in Ithilien. I went there to prepare a surprise for you. After we wed, I will take you there, where we will dwell in the house that is being built for us even as we now speak." he said soothingly.
She tossed her head.
"A likely tale. I was expecting to hear such a thing." she said.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"What do I mean? Do not pretend not to know! I know why you left. You wished to desert me and your unborn child!" she yelled.
Legolas stared.
"My unborn child?" he whispered.
There was something in his tone that made Síriel pause.
"Then…you did not know?" she said quietly.
Legolas shook his head.
"How could I know? Such things are learned later." he told her.
She looked away from him, angry tears brimming in her eyes. But she was no longer angry with him. She was angry with herself.
"Oh, Legolas, forgive my folly!" she cried, rushing into his arms.