Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR, or any of its characters. Legolas: Horny little monkey, huh? I told you I'd be the one to end up in bed with Emmess. Me: Shut it, Lego...I need a cigarette after writing that chapter.
Chapter 16It's A Wonderful Life
Gimli sat at a table in the Great Hall, shoveling food into his mouth. He looked up as King Thranduil approached, half rose out of his chair, and gave the king a quick bow, all the while continuing to spoon stew into his beard.
"Yer Majesty..." he slurred through a mouthful of food, "Have ye seen yer son yet today? I've been looking for him since dawn."
"No, Gimli...he has yet to return to his own chambers."
"Oi! Ye mean they've not come up fer air yet? It's been two days!"
"Gimli, the boy is working through a couple of thousand years of frustration...they may not come out of that room for a month!" Thranduil laughed.
Adranial approached Thranduil, curtsying deeply. "My Lord, Lady Emmess has still not sent for me...they'll starve to death if they don't get some food soon."
Thranduil made no mention of their liaison - he was nothing if not discreet about his affairs. "Perhaps we should send up a platter," he mused, drumming his fingers on the table. "Legolas can survive without food for a long while with no ill effect, but Emmess cannot, and I doubt that my son is thinking with his head right now. Yes, you'd best bring up a platter for them."
I had just opened my eyes, whena knock sounded at the door of my bedroom. Legolas was snoring lightly by my side. Evidently, even he was worn out. I smiled, and softly brushed the hair from his face.
Rising, I slipped into a dressing gown and went to the door. Adranial stood there, bearing a tray of fruit and a pitcher of juice. She smiled at me, blushing a bit, remembering that I had seen her in the King's bed.
"Don't be embarrassed, Adranial," I whispered. "After all, guess who's been sleeping in my bed!" We exchanged smiles, and I took the platter and pitcher from her.
Placing them on the dressing table, I ate ravenously. After all, I hadn't eaten in nearly two days. I checked to make sure that Legolas was still sleeping. "He needs some sleep, and I need a break," I thought to myself. "For a while there, I thought he might actually kill me...though I can't think of a better way to go!"
I quickly washed and dressed, thinking a walk about the grounds might do me some good. I left the room, and walked down the stairs to the Great Hall. I noticed some very amused smiles on the faces of Elves that I passed. "Well, I guess the secret's out," I thought, smiling inwardly.
"Lassie!" I heard Gimli call me from near the entrance. I smiled to see him, giving him a warm hug.
"Is Legolas coming? I've been meaning to discuss something with him..."
"Sorry, Gimli, he's asleep yet," I answered, glancing up toward my door.
"Hmmm. I'm surprised ye can still walk, Lassie," Gimli said, looking me up and down with a slight frown on his face.
"Gimli! That's a terrible thing to say!" I laughed, blushing bright red at the Dwarf's indiscretion.
"Bah! The boy nearly killed me running all over Rohan...I can only imagine what he's been putting ye through!" he laughed, taking my elbow and leading me to a table. "Come put yer feet up and talk to me fer a while."
We sat, and Gimli caught the eye of a servant. He ordered two mugs of tea, and we sat sipping in a comfortable silence for a while. A breeze blew through the opening of the cavern, causing a tiny string of bells tied to a nearby tree to tinkle softly.
"Every time a bell rings, an Elf hears the sea sing," Gimli said softly, looking at the bells. "Lassie...there's something that's been troubling me. I know it's none of me business, but I care about the both of ye...so I can't hold me tongue."
"What is it, Gimli? Whatever it is, you can tell me...is something wrong?" I suddenly felt apprehensive, placing my mug down on the table.
"Has Legolas told ye about the 'call of the sea?'" he asked, not quite willing to meet my eyes.
"No, what does that mean?" I asked. A knot developed in the pit of my stomach, because I could tell from the expression on Gimli's face that it couldn't be a good thing.
"Ah, Lassie...best to let him tell ye. I shouldn't have opened me big mouth. 'Tis none of my affair...I just didn't want him to...er, forget to tell ye about it, what with him being so...involved right now, so to speak." Gimli rose, and gallantly kissed my hand - something he'd never done before. "I'll tell ye this, lass, he does love you. Please, lass, for his sake, be patient...be understanding."
He turned and left me sitting at the table, looking up at the door to my room. "Okay...how bad can it be? Pretty damn bad, probably. Why is it that every time I think we've cleared the air, and that he's told me everything, I find out that there's always one more secret?" I sighed. "Well, you'd think I'd be used to it by now."
I turned around and climbed the stairs back to my room. Opening the door, I slipped inside, trying not to make any noise. If he was still sleeping, I didn't want to wake him.
I needn't have been so cautious, because Legolas was wide-awake, sitting up in bed, and grinning at me. He held the core of an apple in his hand, which he promptly tossed to the floor when he saw me enter the room. Patting the bed, he asked, "Where have you been? I've missed you. Come right back here where you belong."
"Legolas, if I get back in that bed with you, it will be another few days before you'll let me get back out. Right now, we need to talk."
He saw my serious expression, and the worry that was etched on my face. "Emmess, what's wrong? Come sit and tell me...I promise I'll just listen."
I perched myself on the edge of the mattress, not daring to actually climb back in bed with him.
"I just had an interesting conversation with Gimli...Legolas, what is the 'call of the sea?'" I asked softly, searching his face for clues.
His face darkened, and I knew I had been right...what ever it was, it wasn't a good thing, and I was not going to like it.
Sighing, he took my hands and pulled me closer. "I was going to tell you, Emmess, truly...the time just never seemed right before, and then we were, um...busy." A very slight smile tugged the corner of his mouth, and I saw that light glow in his eyes for a moment, before he became serious again.
"Elves are immortal...we've been over that. But they do not usually spend eternity here in Arda. When our time comes, we hear the sea call to us. In the Elven White Ships, we sail the Straight Road across the sea to the Blessed Realm of Aman, to live the rest of existence with the Valar. Emmess...I do not know when the sea will call me...but I do know that I will not leave you."
"Can't I go with you? I would gladly follow you anywhere."
"Mortals cannot sail the Straight Road, Emmess," he said softly, sadness filling his eyes.
"Legolas...you said Elves do not usually spend eternity here...what does that mean?"
"Arwen chose the mortal life...she will walk this earth forever, long after Aragorn has turned to dust, until the world ends, or the weariness of walking it ends her. I would make the same choice for you, Emmess, but that choice is not mine to make. Arwen was born Half-Elven, like her father. I am a full blooded Elf...when the sea calls, eventually I must answer."
"Poor Arwen...she must love Aragorn so much to make such a choice!" I gazed into Legolas' eyes, seeing a pain fleet through them. "There is more, isn't there? Something you don't want to tell me."
Legolas sighed, pulling me into his arms. "When the sea calls, it is nearly impossible to ignore it. It will be difficult for me, that's all. But I will not leave you."
"So...I grow old, and wrinkled, and droopy, and you'll be struggling against this call. Do I have it right?" I asked, looking up at him. "Sounds like fun," I added sarcastically.
"Age will not change how I see you, my love. My struggle against the call - if it should even come that soon - will not matter. What matters is only that I wish to be with you."
"I can't just sit by and know that you suffer, Legolas! That would be too painful to bear. When this call comes, I want you to go."
"NO!" he shouted his eyes wide. "I will not leave you!"
"Legolas...I know that you love me, and you know that I love you beyond all measure. How happy do you think I will be if I know that you suffer?" I asked gently, placing my palm on his cheek, tears filling my eyes.
He took my hand from my cheek and kissed my palm. "I believe that this is one argument that you will not win, Melamin. You are stuck with me for the rest of your life. Ele nehel naa aralasseamin."
"I can see where I'm going to have to learn Elvish, Legolas! What does that mean...it sounds so beautiful," I said resting my head on his shoulder, unable to find the strength or the will to argue with him any longer.
"It means, 'to behold you is my greatest joy," he whispered, softly kissing my forehead, "I can never suffer as long as I am with you." I sighed, closed my eyes and fell asleep in his arms.