A.N Thank you to everyone that reviewed. So here is the next chapter I hope everyone will enjoy it. I do not own any other the "Lords" characters, you know who they are, I own my own; you'll see who they are.
Chapter 5
Who Is She?
When Legolas returned to his table, he could not get those exquisite blue eyes out of his thoughts; he still felt her soft velvety skin on his lips. He should have stayed and pursued her a bit more, but something inside had stopped him. Something in his heart had told him that this was not to be rushed but rather, something to be savored. His first deed, however, was to find out who this soul was. He slowly scanned the crowd to see if he could see her, but that proved to be not as easy as he hoped it would be. He looked at the happily dancing couples on the dance floor, and was pleased not to find her dancing with someone else. There were people everywhere, he might as well had been searching for a needle in a haystack. Why did he at not least ask her for her name?
Noticing his friend's bewildered look, Haldir stood up and studied his friend for a moment and patted him on the back. "Is something wrong my friend? You look troubled." Haldir looked out into the crowd, trying to see if he could see what was bothering the elf. "You did not have another run in with Aragorn, did you?"
"No… I did not have any dealings with that man," he said shaking his head, but never taking his eyes off the crowd. He could not stop searching for her; he should not have walked away from her.
"Then what is it?" Haldir asked as he turned to study Legolas again.
He did not want to make a big occasion of it, and he knew if he told his friend that he was searching for a girl, Haldir would make a big fuss about it. He remember well the last girlfriend that he had had, and how Haldir made sure that everyone in Rivendell knew every little detail about his affair. He was not going to let that happen again. "Ah but it is nothing, my dear friend," he said softly. He turned and nodded to the elf and then he again continued to browse the party guests. After a few more minutes and not finding her, he resided back into his chair. He ripped his mask off and threw it on the table and then he cursed himself for not asking her her name. What was so different about this girl from the others that he had been with? Why did this feel so different? He didn't even know her name, or what she looked like and already he could not purge her from his mind. Throughout the years he had had a few affairs, but none of them had felt nothing like this. His heart felt like it had been pierced with an arrow, it ached to see her again. 'And this is not even a thriving romance! It was just a chance encounter. What is it about this girl?' he wondered madly.
'It is true, your feet do not touch the earth in dreams,' she thought as she finally felt the hard ground beneath her feet again. It was just a few minutes after her run in with the stranger. She kept running everything through her mind like a dream she never wanted to forget. "Those eyes… there was magic in them," she said in the softest whisper, "Those silken lips on my skin." Her breath hitched as the mere thought sent shivers down her spine. She was sure that it was all a dream, because a chance meeting like that and the feelings it left her with just did not happen everyday, or did they?
Eowyn came over to Gwenneth and began staring in the same direction as she was. Then she turned to her friend: "So who was that handsome stranger?" she asked as she smoothed out her friend's skirt that was all rumpled from the collision.
Her blue eyes sparkled as she dreamily stared at her girlfriend. "I do not know, I did not ask his name. I was too lost in his eyes to even notice anything else."
"Well he spoke to you, what did he say?" she inquired, tying to dig for all the information that she could.
At that moment she remembered his silky voice. She closed her eyes as it rang in her ears like a soft lullaby that her mother used to sing to her when she was a child. How she wanted to hear his voice again! She felt like she almost needed to hear it again. Without opening her eyes she spoke in a breathy voice as she again relived the encounter in her mind: "He was just showing concern, he wanted to know if I was alright. Ah… but Eowyn, his eyes they were… they were magical. I have never seen eyes so blue! I could not look away!" She finally opened her eyes and looked at the other girl. "I must find out who he is, for I can not leave here not knowing."
Eowyn laughed at her as she brushed her blonde hair away from her unmasked face. "Ah my friend, it looks like love has found you."
"Love? No, it cannot be. I don't even know his name or what he looks like under the mask. He could be an elf for all I know! And we know my brother would not allow that to happen," Gwenneth said as she looked around for her brother. "Please Eowyn, you must promise me that you will not tell any one about this. Let us just keep it between us. I do not want Aragorn to overreact at something so trivial as a little brush," she pleaded.
The other girl put her hands on her hips and sighed deeply. "Very well, I will not tell anyone, it is our little secret. You are probably right - Aragorn would overreact, and so would Eomer," she said trying to remind Gwenneth of her brother who was waiting for her.
Gwenneth clasped her hand over her mouth. "Oh my… the food! Come let us get some quick and get back." She again grabbed Eowyn's hand and dragged her violently to the food tables. Grabbing a plate and shoving it into Eowyn's chest she quickly started to fill it up with some fresh fruits and sweet pastries. When it was finally full she for, the third time, grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her behind her toward their table.
When they arrived back at their table, the men were sitting around drinking, being merry and smoking some of the very best pipe weed. They didn't even notice that the girls returned until the plate of food was put in front of them. They all stopped what they were doing and stared at the savory food present to then. All of a sudden in one quick motion they all dove into the food and grabbed what they could. When the feeding frenzy was done, there was not a single crumb left on the tray. The girls just looked at each other in shock. "Typical Men," they both said in unison. The whole table erupted in laughter, upon hearing their comment.
Eomer stood and approached Gwenneth. His warm smiled would have only an hour ago melted her heart but now all she could think about was the stranger and his eyes. Eomer gently took her hand a lead her to they dance floor. They danced and laughed into the night, but her laughter was a facade that, like the mask that hid her face, hid her true thoughts. As she danced in Eomer's arms, she imagined that she was in the magical arms of the other man.
Aragorn stumbled from the effects from the fine Hobbit ale, as he got out of his chair. He then cautiously walked in between the other dancing couples, over to his sister and Eomer. He nodded to the other man and turned to smile lovingly at her. "I would like to have at least one dance with the enchanting Gwenneth," he said as he stretched out his hand to her. "If I may?" he asked with a wink of an eye and a nod of the head.
She smiled warmly to her brother and at that moment all their differences were gone and he was the caring brother that she loved with all her heart. "How can I resist the handsome Prince Aragorn," she agreed as she put her tiny hand in his. He put his loving arm around her tiny waist and started to glide her around the dance floor She had never remembered him like this, and she liked it. As he twirled her on the dance floor she notice that there was something definitely different about him and it was killing her not to know what it was, but they were having such a glorious time that she decided now was not the time to push him on the subject.
All of a sudden Legolas stood up, spilling some drinks as he almost knocked over the table. One of those drinks fell into Arwen's lap and she jumped up and stared evilly at the crazed elf. "What is your problem, Greenleaf? What madness has possessed you?" she spat sharply as she brushed the drink off of her deep purple skirt.
"Ah forgive me Arwen, but I must find Gandalf, for surely he can help me," he said shyly as he realized he said too much.
"Help you… with what?"
He looked at the she elf with a blank stare, and then smiled, "It is nothing for you to worry about. Please forgive me for spilling drink on your lovely gown. I hope it is not ruined." He turned and suddenly spotted Gandalf standing near the stage as he feverishly set up his fireworks. "Now if you would please excuse me Lady Arwen, I must speak to Gandalf." He bowed and walked away quickly.
He sliced through the crowd with ease as he made his way to Gandalf. 'Surely he will know who she is,' he said to himself in his thoughts. He hoped that he would be able to find her and point her out to the wizard. As he neared he noticed all the laughing children around the old gray man, as they eagerly awaited the festive display of colors, lights and flashes. 'To be a child again - so without a care in the world!' he thought with a bright smile on his face. "Gandalf, I need your help with something," he tried to yell over the loud music as he neared the wizard with the gray cloak.
Startled by hearing his name, Gandalf turned around and smiled to the young elf in front of him. "Ah Legolas! What is it my friend?" he stared inquisitively at the blonde elf, "Something is troubling you. Is everything alright?"
"Aye, everything will be fine once you help me," he said as he gently pulled the old man up to the second step of the stage to get a better view. He then peered out into the crowd and as if by some magical force his eyes rested on her, as she danced with another. "There! That girl!" He pointed his long finger at her. "The one in the angelic white dress and the silver mask with the red flowers. Who is she?" he asked in an almost inaudible voice.
Gandalf chuckled slyly when he figured out whom the elf was asking about. He was quite shocked and yet very pleased that this elf showed interest in that girl. "Well let me begin by telling you that the man she is dancing with is Aragorn, which I know you know very well," he said as he turned to the elf to watch his reaction. "But you do not know him well enough to know that the girl he is dancing with is his sister…Princess Gwenneth of Gondor."
Legolas' heart sunk, and his face went blank. Of all the people she had to be "his" sister! He sighed deeply as he kept watching her. How could fate be so cruel as to make this angel, Aragorn's sister? She threw her head back and her hair waved gently with the movement. In his heart he wished that it were he that she was dancing with and that he could run his fingers through her shimmering hair. She was so enchanting, he felt as if he was under a spell and he could not take his eyes from her. Just then brightly colored fireworks lit up the black sky and everyone turned and looked up to the watch the magnificent display. But Legolas dared not look away, for he was too afraid she would slip away and he would not see her again. The girl then removed her mask. His breathing faltered as he laid eyes on the amazing sight before him. His feelings were indescribable, for the moment he saw her smile, he care not whose sister she was. Nothing was going to stop him from his destiny, because at that instant he knew that she was it. But all of that was his heart talking. His mind was telling him to run and never look back. He could not possibly fall for a human girl, much less the sister of his greatest enemy! Still his heart was winning this battle at the moment, because no matter how hard he tried, he just could not turn away from the vision in front of him.
Sparkling colorful lights lit up the night sky as Gwenneth stopped beside her brother and watched the sky in awe. She clapped and cheered for more as she watched with eager excitement while the next one exploded into the shape of a flower, and then slowly melted into the black background. This was truly the perfect ending to the perfect day.
She suddenly felt something familiar inside, and then something pulled her gaze away from the sky as her sight drifted down to the corner of the stage. There he stood, tall and mystical. She took in his beauty, etching him into her mind so she would never forget the sight of him. His golden long blonde hair was flowing loosely over his broad shoulder, his face was something out of a dream, his lips were so perfect in everyway that she could still feel warmth of them kissing her gently on the hand. She froze and couldn't breathe when her eyes finally once again met the strangers. She felt like it was only the two of them standing there as all of the other party goers drifted from her sight, for she only saw him. She was not aware of the time as she felt herself being pulled to him; some unseen force was tugging at her heart. Suddenly she was flung around and she lost sight of him as Eowyn pulled her out of her trance. "Gwenneth come on, it is time to go. Everyone is leaving," she heard her friend's voice faintly. "Eowyn… there he is standing on the stage. Look and tell me if you know who he is," she commanded when she finally realized that it was Eowyn now standing in front of her.
Ewoyn stood on the tip of her toes and stretched her neck to look over Gwenneth's shoulder. Her eyes widened at the sight of the elegant elf standing on the stage. "Oh no!" she whispered to herself. "The blonde ELF, standing on the stage?"
"Yes…yes him. Wait… did you just say…an elf?" she stuttered as she looked back at the stranger when she heard those words, and again their eyes locked and she was captured by his trance.
A devilish grin grew on Eowyn's face as she realized that he was the one. "And not only is he an elf… he is Legolas Greenleaf, your brother's worst nightmare," she whispered into the other girl's ear. "Come now, we must hurry! Your brother and Eomer are waiting for you." It was now her turn to pull the other girl through the dispersing crowd.
Gwenneth did not hear her friend's last comment for she was drifting away in a dream with Legolas. She felt herself being wrenched away while she was still not able to pull her eyes away from him. People everywhere started to block her sight and suddenly he was gone. She spun around and unwillingly started to follow her friend through the crowd. Her mind raced at the thought of "Legolas" - his name and face occupied her brain. "I must see him again for sure. This can not be our last meeting!" she said softy to herself.
"Ah girls, there you are! For a moment we thought we lost you," Faramir stated, walking up to Eowyn to escort her back to their camp.
Eowyn intertwined her arms with Faramir's and turned back to give a sheepish glance to Gwenneth. "Oh you know Gwenneth, she's always lagging behind." She winked at her friend and turned to smile at her escort.
"Yeah I just did not want to leave. I mean it was such a wonderful night, I did not want it to end," Gwenneth said following Eowyn's lead. She proceeded over to Eomer and put her arm through his and gave him a warm smile. "Thank you for a wonderful evening Eomer, it is one night that will not soon be forgotten." She was not lying, for she would not remember Eomer, but rather Legolas.
The crowd had enveloped the angel from his sight, but he was not going to lose her this time - no matter whose sister she was. He would not make the same mistake twice. He wanted to know more about her. He quickly moved through the crowd and spotted her being dragged by another beautiful girl. He saw Aragorn and his friends waiting for them, as he stood behind some empty ale barrels. He felt like a stalker, but he just couldn't go up to her with Aragorn being there. So he would wait in the shadows till his chance came. He followed the group from a distance, darting in between anything that would disguise him. He heard her sweet laughter as she looked up into Eomer's eyes. Seeing her with him was driving him mad with fury. "Oh Valar, please do not let her be in love with him," he prayed to himself. Legolas decided not to follow any further out of fear of finding that she did indeed love the other man, so he headed back to his own camp to try to figure out what to do next.
It was very late and everyone was asleep, but sleep did not come to Gwenneth. Every time she closed her eyes all she could see was Legolas and his piercing gaze. "Legolas," she said over and over slowly to herself, savoring his name as it rolled off her tongue. Groaning with frustration of not being able to sleep, she rolled out of her bed and pulled on her white cotton robe to cover her sheer blue nightgown. She pulled back the curtain door and left her tent in search of some fresh air and solitude. She walked along a deserted path until she came upon a small pond. The water was so clear, that the stars in the sky reflected brilliantly in it. "Yes… that is what I need. A nice swim to help relax my thoughts. She slowly walked over to the pond. She looked around cautiously to make sure that no one would see her. Satisfied that she was alone, she gently removed her clothes and place them on a near by rock. She bent down over the waters edge and slowly immersed her hand into the water. Upon feeling its warmth, she closed her eyes and leisurely stepped into the crystal clear lake. She sighed as she leaned back and let the water enveloped her naked body. As she glided on her back, she stared up at the star filled night sky. Every star in the sky brought back the image of Legolas's eyes piercing hers. She felt like he had seen right through her with his haunting stare. She wished that she knew what all these feeling she was having, meant. Was she falling in love with him or was it just an infatuation? She had been intensely sheltered for such a large part of her life, that she never knew these feelings before, and now that she was having them, they were a little frightening and overwhelming. The fact that he was an elf and that Aragorn would rather see him dead than alive, just added more fear to it. Willing herself to stop thinking about him before it drove her made, she dove into the water. When she resurfaced she again scanned the area around the little pond. For some reason she felt as though she was being watched. Quickly dismissing the peculiar feeling, she again closed her eyes and drifted on her back.
Feeling restless, Legolas decided to take a walk to the pond that was just a little further down from their campsite. He wanted the solitude and calmness that the water offered. It was an incredibly warm night and he thought that maybe taking a quiet swim would relieve some of the frustrations he was feeling about Gwenneth. His thoughts kept reminding his heart that she was not the one he was searching for. Aragorn would definitely kill him if he came within two feet of her. As he the pond came into sight, he saw that someone else had had the same idea.