AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, it has been a while since I've updated, but as the fic
is windindg down -- ok, perhaps not 'winding down', but coming to a close,
lol, it is taking more time because I want it to be perfect. So here it is,
perhaps not perfect, but I hope you enjoy it!
Surprise!:
I reread the letter in my hands for the third time, fighting my body's urge to tremble only because of the spectator who was taking great pleasure in my pain. I handed Marilla back her letter and, without saying a word, turned and left.
"I suppose we know who he truly prefers now!" the smug Marilla called after me. I heard nothing but a vague echo of her words, though; I was too busy trying to calm my emotions down so that the wall that I had managed to successfully keep up between Legolas and myself would not crumble. I managed to make it to my room, where I collapsed on my bed, my fists clenching and unclenching in the bedsheets.
"You may not feel as if you could ever fall in love with me, whom you have never thought of that way, but if you should, my own heart is ready to catch you." So he had said several months ago.
I thought that when he said that, he meant he would wait. Evidently he was not prepared to wait as long as it had taken me to make up my mind. The letter that was practically a proposal of marriage sent from Lothlorien to Marilla was proof enough of that.
"It seems that I have long taken your presence in my life for granted," the letter read, "But now that I have been away so long, I know that when I return I will never make such a mistake again, for I now wish nothing more than to be with you."
How could he do this to me? But had he really done anything wrong? It had been over half a year ago when he had told me of his love, and yet I had done nothing. Why was I even so upset about it? Had I not decided that I could not return his feelings? Why then did I feel such despair after reading his letter to Marilla?
It was not despair, I decided, it was shock. And rightfully so! She is the last person I would expect him to write such a letter to. I could also admit to myself that I was a bit jealous. Not of what was said in the letter, I reasoned, but of the fact that he found time to send a messenger with a letter to her but not me. It was right that Thranduil should receive one, but Marilla? It just struck me as a bit odd.
I went through the next few days trying my best not to glare at Marilla as she pranced through the halls, telling everyone that she would soon be Princess of Mirkwood, and that they should go ahead and begin treating her as such. I of course did no such thing and tried to ignore her when I could. That was a bit difficult to do, however, when every night at dinner Thranduil would talk about how glad he was that Legolas was finally settling down with a nice elleth. One night when he started talking about the possibility of grandchildren, I could take no more.
"Excuse me," I said tersely, standing up and walking out before Thranduil or Aldeon could object. Instead of going to my room, where I could easily be found, I went to Legolas's room, curling up on his bed as I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm my mind. As I laid on the bed alone with my thoughts, I was suddenly the most tempted I had been since the decision to block our connection to try to reach Legolas. I fought an inner battle with myself, one that was abruptly interrupted as I heard the door creaking open.
"Mara?" I heard Aldeon say softly. I did not turn around to face him, but I felt his weight settle on the bed. "You were not in your room, so I assumed. . ."
"I would rather be alone now, please," I said quietly.
"Mara, please," he said in a pained voice, placing a gentle hand on my back. "Please talk to me." I could not refuse him when I heard the worry in his voice. I sat up to face him. It seemed that neither of us wished to speak first, but he finally gave in. "He told you. . . his secret." He stated it as a fact, not the question that I was expecting. I nodded.
"How long ago did he tell you?" I finally asked.
"A long time ago," he answered, "Before you even reached your majority." There was another pause as my eyes grew wide at the realization that he had felt the way he did for that long. I finally regained my wits.
"And you did not approve. . .?" I prodded.
"It was not that I did not approve, it was just. . . you are my baby sister," he finally said. "And he is my best friend, and yours. It did not seem right. When he first told me, you were so young. . . I came to hate the idea, and it stuck with me, even though I knew his intentions towards you were nothing if not honorable. After we left for Rivendell, I knew he had told you. It seemed he was more at peace, and yet something still worried him. Then when I returned, you were also different. . . more distant." He paused, as if deciding how far to go. "What did you tell him?"
"I did not tell him anything," I said. "I did not know what to say, I was in shock. I never even suspected. . ."
"Never? Not when he kissed you at that dance? Or all those times he would send glares towards any elf that seemed interested in you? All of Mirkwood seemed to know, yet you were oblivious." He paused and placed his hand over mine on the bed. "I do not know what to tell you about the business with Marilla. Something about it does not seem right. Mara," he said, looking at me earnestly. "I may not have liked the idea, but I do know that Legolas truly loves you. He has kept his hope alive for so long; he would not give up so easily."
"I should not be upset," I said after yet another pause. "I have thought about it, have lain awake for many long nights since the day he told me. I have thought of him as a friend, a brother for so long, I cannot imagine. . ." she trailed off, shaking her head.
"Still," Aldeon said firmly. "Whether you return his feelings or not, I do not think his will change. Something about the sudden softening towards Marilla strikes me as odd, and I, for one, will not rest easy until it is straightened out." He scooted closer on the bed and pulled me into a comforting hug. "I do not know what I can do to help, I feel like I should somehow be able to protect you, to keep you from having to go through all this." I smiled and hugged him back tightly.
"I am fine. I promise," I added when he looked down at me skeptically. I squeezed him once more, tightly. "I am lucky to have such a caring brother."
"Remember that next time you feel inclined to throw something at me," he laughed.
He saw me back to my room, tucking me into bed as if I were an elfling again. I have to admit, it felt good to be pampered. After that night, he always made a point to change the subject if Marilla came up in conversation while I was there. I would always smile my appreciation to him, but inwardly I was trying to resign myself to what I thought of as what must be truth. It was hard not to let down the barrier, ask him myself, but I forced myself to resist the temptation.
The days ever so slowly turned to weeks, and then months. It was the longest seven months of my life, though I tried my best not to show how melancholy I truly was. Then one day, a guard interrupted out dinner.
"Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but a. . . traveler has just arrived, he requests shelter and an audience with you." Thranduil raised an eyebrow.
"Well, show him to a guest room, get him some food, and I will see him after dinner." As he finished speaking, we heard someone clicking their tongue from the doorway.
"Putting your stomach over your subjects, Ada? I would have expected more of you!" at the sound of his voice Thranduil had immediately stood, as had I, and by the time he had finished both of us had enveloped him in a hug that he returned just as enthusiastically. Aldeon hung back a bit, eyeing Legolas with a look that I could not quite decipher.
"Why did you have him announce you as a traveler?" Thranduil laughed as he guided Legolas to the table.
"I wanted to surprise you," he replied with a grin.
"Well that you did! Here, eat something. . ."
Thranduil and Legolas stayed up late into the night talking, while Aldeon excused himself soon after Legolas's arrival. When it began growing late I found myself sleepy and excused myself as well. The next morning I was greeted by sunlight streaming in through a window -- which I was certain I had drawn the drapes closed across on the night before -- and a certain blond elf sitting on my bed.
"Morning Legolas," I said, my voice muffled by the pillow I had buried my head in to shield my eyes from the sun.
"Good morning," he replied, chuckling as I attempted to look up at him but only succeeded in squinting at the sun.
"I thought that your travels would have made you weary enough that you would wish to sleep in. . ." I said teasingly, shaking my head.
"Ah, you never considered that perhaps I got even more used to getting up early during my travels," he laughed. He paused and his face became serious. "Mara, I know I have been gone a long time and we have not had a chance to talk, but. . . I was wondering if you had thought about. . . or decided. . ." he trailed off and just looked at me, knowing that I knew what he was speaking of.
"I spent much time thinking about it," I said. "I did not think of much else while you were gone," I said with a half-hearted laugh. "But then you changed your mind, which made it much easier-"
"What do you mean I changed my mind?" Legolas interrupted. "I still love you, I will always love you. . . my heart is yours, whether you give me yours in return or not." I stared at him in shock.
"But Marilla. . . the letter. . . you said. . ." I shook my head as he looked at me, obviously as confused as I was.
"What letter?" he asked softly.
"The letter you wrote Marilla, telling her that. . . how you felt about her, that you could not wait to be with her again. . ." Why was it so hard to say?
"I wrote no such letter!" he exclaimed. I looked up at him as his face suddenly clouded in anger. "Rhach! How dare she. . ." he continued mumbling to himself as he got up ans stormed out of the room.
"Legolas, where are you going?" I called out the door.
"To go have a talk with that raug balch!" he exlcaimed. I grunted in frustration and ran back into my room to change into some leggings and a somewhat oversized tunic before running after him. I followed his shouts easily enough.
"Marilla! Marilla, were are you? Get out here!" He yelled angrily, charging down the hall. Aldeon stuck his head out of his door.
"What is he doing?" he asked. I shrugged and gestured for him to follow, which he did as he pulled a tunic over his head. We followed Legolas as he burst through the doors into the dining hall.
"Marilla-" He was cut off by a high pitched squeal.
"Legolas!" Marilla practically screeched as she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting her lips firmly on his. I gaped as Legolas somewhat roughly shoved her off.
"What are you DOING?!" he raged. "How dare you fake a letter in my name? Do you know what the consequences of that may be?" Marilla's eyes began growing wide.
"Legolas, I am sure I do not know what you are speaking of. I received that beautiful letter you wrote me from Lothlorien and have been anxiously awaiting your return-"
"You wrote that letter," he said, stepping forward menacingly, "And you forged my signature on it. I do not love you," he said loudly, so that everyone in the dining hall could hear. "I never have and never will. Your attempts to be princess have gone too far this time. You are to pack your things and find another home within two days. You are to no longer live in the palace." Marilla gasped and tears began to fill her eyes as she watched Legolas turn and stalk away angrily. He walked past Aldeon and I and quickly left the room. Thranduil, who had been sitting at the head of the table the entire time stood.
"Marilla, did you do what you have been accused of?" he asked evenly. Marilla gulped audibly and nodded. "Why?"
"I thought that if all of Mirkwood thought we were betrothed. . . perhaps he would be too embarrassed when he returned to do anything. . . and. . ." Thranduil clenched his jaw angrily.
"My son is right. You have gone too far and I hold you to the sentence he has imposed."
Marilla stared with wide tear-filled eyes at the king. "But my lord-"
"That is my final word on the matter. Go."
A/N: I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed this fic at any point. I write because I enjoy it, but when I receive reviews and know that there are people out there who actually care if I post another chapter or not, it makes all the difference in the world. huge hugs and elf cookies to all my wonderful reviewers and silent readers!
Surprise!:
I reread the letter in my hands for the third time, fighting my body's urge to tremble only because of the spectator who was taking great pleasure in my pain. I handed Marilla back her letter and, without saying a word, turned and left.
"I suppose we know who he truly prefers now!" the smug Marilla called after me. I heard nothing but a vague echo of her words, though; I was too busy trying to calm my emotions down so that the wall that I had managed to successfully keep up between Legolas and myself would not crumble. I managed to make it to my room, where I collapsed on my bed, my fists clenching and unclenching in the bedsheets.
"You may not feel as if you could ever fall in love with me, whom you have never thought of that way, but if you should, my own heart is ready to catch you." So he had said several months ago.
I thought that when he said that, he meant he would wait. Evidently he was not prepared to wait as long as it had taken me to make up my mind. The letter that was practically a proposal of marriage sent from Lothlorien to Marilla was proof enough of that.
"It seems that I have long taken your presence in my life for granted," the letter read, "But now that I have been away so long, I know that when I return I will never make such a mistake again, for I now wish nothing more than to be with you."
How could he do this to me? But had he really done anything wrong? It had been over half a year ago when he had told me of his love, and yet I had done nothing. Why was I even so upset about it? Had I not decided that I could not return his feelings? Why then did I feel such despair after reading his letter to Marilla?
It was not despair, I decided, it was shock. And rightfully so! She is the last person I would expect him to write such a letter to. I could also admit to myself that I was a bit jealous. Not of what was said in the letter, I reasoned, but of the fact that he found time to send a messenger with a letter to her but not me. It was right that Thranduil should receive one, but Marilla? It just struck me as a bit odd.
I went through the next few days trying my best not to glare at Marilla as she pranced through the halls, telling everyone that she would soon be Princess of Mirkwood, and that they should go ahead and begin treating her as such. I of course did no such thing and tried to ignore her when I could. That was a bit difficult to do, however, when every night at dinner Thranduil would talk about how glad he was that Legolas was finally settling down with a nice elleth. One night when he started talking about the possibility of grandchildren, I could take no more.
"Excuse me," I said tersely, standing up and walking out before Thranduil or Aldeon could object. Instead of going to my room, where I could easily be found, I went to Legolas's room, curling up on his bed as I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm my mind. As I laid on the bed alone with my thoughts, I was suddenly the most tempted I had been since the decision to block our connection to try to reach Legolas. I fought an inner battle with myself, one that was abruptly interrupted as I heard the door creaking open.
"Mara?" I heard Aldeon say softly. I did not turn around to face him, but I felt his weight settle on the bed. "You were not in your room, so I assumed. . ."
"I would rather be alone now, please," I said quietly.
"Mara, please," he said in a pained voice, placing a gentle hand on my back. "Please talk to me." I could not refuse him when I heard the worry in his voice. I sat up to face him. It seemed that neither of us wished to speak first, but he finally gave in. "He told you. . . his secret." He stated it as a fact, not the question that I was expecting. I nodded.
"How long ago did he tell you?" I finally asked.
"A long time ago," he answered, "Before you even reached your majority." There was another pause as my eyes grew wide at the realization that he had felt the way he did for that long. I finally regained my wits.
"And you did not approve. . .?" I prodded.
"It was not that I did not approve, it was just. . . you are my baby sister," he finally said. "And he is my best friend, and yours. It did not seem right. When he first told me, you were so young. . . I came to hate the idea, and it stuck with me, even though I knew his intentions towards you were nothing if not honorable. After we left for Rivendell, I knew he had told you. It seemed he was more at peace, and yet something still worried him. Then when I returned, you were also different. . . more distant." He paused, as if deciding how far to go. "What did you tell him?"
"I did not tell him anything," I said. "I did not know what to say, I was in shock. I never even suspected. . ."
"Never? Not when he kissed you at that dance? Or all those times he would send glares towards any elf that seemed interested in you? All of Mirkwood seemed to know, yet you were oblivious." He paused and placed his hand over mine on the bed. "I do not know what to tell you about the business with Marilla. Something about it does not seem right. Mara," he said, looking at me earnestly. "I may not have liked the idea, but I do know that Legolas truly loves you. He has kept his hope alive for so long; he would not give up so easily."
"I should not be upset," I said after yet another pause. "I have thought about it, have lain awake for many long nights since the day he told me. I have thought of him as a friend, a brother for so long, I cannot imagine. . ." she trailed off, shaking her head.
"Still," Aldeon said firmly. "Whether you return his feelings or not, I do not think his will change. Something about the sudden softening towards Marilla strikes me as odd, and I, for one, will not rest easy until it is straightened out." He scooted closer on the bed and pulled me into a comforting hug. "I do not know what I can do to help, I feel like I should somehow be able to protect you, to keep you from having to go through all this." I smiled and hugged him back tightly.
"I am fine. I promise," I added when he looked down at me skeptically. I squeezed him once more, tightly. "I am lucky to have such a caring brother."
"Remember that next time you feel inclined to throw something at me," he laughed.
He saw me back to my room, tucking me into bed as if I were an elfling again. I have to admit, it felt good to be pampered. After that night, he always made a point to change the subject if Marilla came up in conversation while I was there. I would always smile my appreciation to him, but inwardly I was trying to resign myself to what I thought of as what must be truth. It was hard not to let down the barrier, ask him myself, but I forced myself to resist the temptation.
The days ever so slowly turned to weeks, and then months. It was the longest seven months of my life, though I tried my best not to show how melancholy I truly was. Then one day, a guard interrupted out dinner.
"Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but a. . . traveler has just arrived, he requests shelter and an audience with you." Thranduil raised an eyebrow.
"Well, show him to a guest room, get him some food, and I will see him after dinner." As he finished speaking, we heard someone clicking their tongue from the doorway.
"Putting your stomach over your subjects, Ada? I would have expected more of you!" at the sound of his voice Thranduil had immediately stood, as had I, and by the time he had finished both of us had enveloped him in a hug that he returned just as enthusiastically. Aldeon hung back a bit, eyeing Legolas with a look that I could not quite decipher.
"Why did you have him announce you as a traveler?" Thranduil laughed as he guided Legolas to the table.
"I wanted to surprise you," he replied with a grin.
"Well that you did! Here, eat something. . ."
Thranduil and Legolas stayed up late into the night talking, while Aldeon excused himself soon after Legolas's arrival. When it began growing late I found myself sleepy and excused myself as well. The next morning I was greeted by sunlight streaming in through a window -- which I was certain I had drawn the drapes closed across on the night before -- and a certain blond elf sitting on my bed.
"Morning Legolas," I said, my voice muffled by the pillow I had buried my head in to shield my eyes from the sun.
"Good morning," he replied, chuckling as I attempted to look up at him but only succeeded in squinting at the sun.
"I thought that your travels would have made you weary enough that you would wish to sleep in. . ." I said teasingly, shaking my head.
"Ah, you never considered that perhaps I got even more used to getting up early during my travels," he laughed. He paused and his face became serious. "Mara, I know I have been gone a long time and we have not had a chance to talk, but. . . I was wondering if you had thought about. . . or decided. . ." he trailed off and just looked at me, knowing that I knew what he was speaking of.
"I spent much time thinking about it," I said. "I did not think of much else while you were gone," I said with a half-hearted laugh. "But then you changed your mind, which made it much easier-"
"What do you mean I changed my mind?" Legolas interrupted. "I still love you, I will always love you. . . my heart is yours, whether you give me yours in return or not." I stared at him in shock.
"But Marilla. . . the letter. . . you said. . ." I shook my head as he looked at me, obviously as confused as I was.
"What letter?" he asked softly.
"The letter you wrote Marilla, telling her that. . . how you felt about her, that you could not wait to be with her again. . ." Why was it so hard to say?
"I wrote no such letter!" he exclaimed. I looked up at him as his face suddenly clouded in anger. "Rhach! How dare she. . ." he continued mumbling to himself as he got up ans stormed out of the room.
"Legolas, where are you going?" I called out the door.
"To go have a talk with that raug balch!" he exlcaimed. I grunted in frustration and ran back into my room to change into some leggings and a somewhat oversized tunic before running after him. I followed his shouts easily enough.
"Marilla! Marilla, were are you? Get out here!" He yelled angrily, charging down the hall. Aldeon stuck his head out of his door.
"What is he doing?" he asked. I shrugged and gestured for him to follow, which he did as he pulled a tunic over his head. We followed Legolas as he burst through the doors into the dining hall.
"Marilla-" He was cut off by a high pitched squeal.
"Legolas!" Marilla practically screeched as she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting her lips firmly on his. I gaped as Legolas somewhat roughly shoved her off.
"What are you DOING?!" he raged. "How dare you fake a letter in my name? Do you know what the consequences of that may be?" Marilla's eyes began growing wide.
"Legolas, I am sure I do not know what you are speaking of. I received that beautiful letter you wrote me from Lothlorien and have been anxiously awaiting your return-"
"You wrote that letter," he said, stepping forward menacingly, "And you forged my signature on it. I do not love you," he said loudly, so that everyone in the dining hall could hear. "I never have and never will. Your attempts to be princess have gone too far this time. You are to pack your things and find another home within two days. You are to no longer live in the palace." Marilla gasped and tears began to fill her eyes as she watched Legolas turn and stalk away angrily. He walked past Aldeon and I and quickly left the room. Thranduil, who had been sitting at the head of the table the entire time stood.
"Marilla, did you do what you have been accused of?" he asked evenly. Marilla gulped audibly and nodded. "Why?"
"I thought that if all of Mirkwood thought we were betrothed. . . perhaps he would be too embarrassed when he returned to do anything. . . and. . ." Thranduil clenched his jaw angrily.
"My son is right. You have gone too far and I hold you to the sentence he has imposed."
Marilla stared with wide tear-filled eyes at the king. "But my lord-"
"That is my final word on the matter. Go."
A/N: I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed this fic at any point. I write because I enjoy it, but when I receive reviews and know that there are people out there who actually care if I post another chapter or not, it makes all the difference in the world. huge hugs and elf cookies to all my wonderful reviewers and silent readers!