I am truly this took so long. I hope everyone hasn't forgotten about me, and this little story. I am determined to finish it on way or another so please continue to hang with me for a little while longer. So without further delay here is the next chapter. I hope everyone will enjoy it.
Chapter 14
A Storm Grows
Gwenneth was still in a state of shock as she walked through the crowd towards the setting area. Her head was so in the clouds that she did not notice the hand that forcefully grasped her arm and pulled her off her intended path and behind a big tent that was used to house the barrels of ale. Which, by the way, was jammed packed will dwarves and hobbits that were already drinking more than what they should have been this early in the afternoon.
"Wha....!Let....me....g!!! She gasped loudly. Her hands balled into fists as she started to pound on her would be assailant, and then suddenly stopped, when she heard the silken laughter coming from the unknown enforcer behind her. She looked up to meet his eyes and started to laugh as well. "Legolas! What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?"
"Out of my mind in love," he answered quickly and then started to place tiny kisses on her neck and throat.
"I have never known elves to be crazy, but you have shown me you are as bad as these drunken hobbits and dwarves," she said with laughter in her voice.
"Ah...but my intoxication comes from you, not the ale!" he quickly added.
"You are incorrigible!" she laughed as she tried to push him away, to no avail. "Someone will see us"
Legolas finally stopped and looked up into eyes that mirrored his. "Let them! I want the whole world to know that we are together!" he said with a wide gesture of his hand. "What can they possible do to me?"
"Eomer would have your head and then mine just for spite," she warned. "Then I would die a happy elf and we can be together in death," countered the elf.
"But I want to be with you in life first. A very long life," Gwenneth protested. "I want you to show me all the things that you promised to show me and to live a very long life by your side."
A brilliantly bright smiled graced the majestic elf's face. "Yes you are right. I, too, want the same things that you want. It will all be better once we reach Mirkwood. We will start anew, away from all the forces against us."
"It will be our first adventure together! I am most excited about the whole trip, but yet I am scared, too. I will be leaving everything," she bowed her head in silence.
"Gwenneth?" he breathed as he cupped her face in his hands and raised it to look at him. Suddenly she looked so sad and lost. At that moment he could not have been more in love with her. She was like a fragile flower and he would do anything to protect her. "There is no need for worry, I will take care of you," he softly said and brushed away a piece of hair that fell lightly over her face. "In time I am sure that we will be able to return to your home. Surely your family will understand and welcome your decision."
"Oh Legolas...I can only hope that they do. I do not wish to lose them forever. They are my family," she stated, on the verge of tears.
"Do you wish to stay?" he asked with a cautious tone. He only wanted to make sure that she was ready. He would never have her do anything that she was not comfortable about.
Gwenneth looked down and then back up into his eyes. There she saw her love, her safety, and her future. She felt a peace wash over her and she was sure of her actions. "No...I want to go with you. It is the only way."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to be with you," she assured him.
Legolas' long fingers grazed across her check to nestle in her soft black hair. "You show the courage of a hundred men. You inspire me more and more every time we are together. Today I will win this tournament and it will all be for you, but the victory will be nothing compared to the love I feel for you. Without you this win would be empty but because of your love it will be the sweetest of victories and it is yours,'' he said as he dropped to one knee in front of her.
Gwenneth closed her eyes and laughed softly to herself. Just when she thought that nothing else could shock her this day, he proved her wrong. Here she stood with an elf kneeling in front of her. What would her brother think if he saw this? What would anyone think? But none of that mattered. Legolas was her life now. She laid her hands on his head ever so softly and pulled it closer to her body. She then bent down to place a light kiss on the top of his hair before she guided him to his feet. "I am honored to know that you will win for me," she stated when he was again on his two feet, facing her.
Legolas brought his lips to hers and kissed her. At first it was a soft, delicate kiss, but then the tide turned and the kiss changed into a hot, searing one. Finally the elf pulled away and left out a soft groan. "We best part before I am again unable to control myself." He kissed her once more. "Till we meet again my love." The Prince bowed slightly to her, turned and headed back out into the crowd, and finally disappeared.
Gwenneth stood for a moment, trying to collect her wits. So much had happened today! Already she highly doubted if she could handle any more surprises this day. The young girl chuckled at herself, and turned to find Eowyn who was most likely going out of her mind with worry wondering where she was. She made her way through the crowd with ease as she searched for her friend. Then upon seeing her, she waved her hand in the air. "Eowyn!"
The young blonde noticed Gwenneth coming towards her and shook her head in disgust. "Where have you been? I was getting ready to send a search party out for you," she said as she started to walk towards her companion. "The games are about to begin."
"Oh, I am sorry, I was unexpectedly delayed," Gwenneth explained when she finally met up with Eowyn.
Eowyn gave her friend a strange look. She knew her friend better then Gwenneth knew herself. It took just one look and Eowyn knew exactly what had detained the young girl. With the realization came a hearty laugh. "Is that what they call it these days?" she asked coyly.
"What?! Eowyn, I have no idea what you are talking about," Gwenneth stated boldly, trying to play the sly fox.
"Hmmm...maybe you do not, but I am sure a certain elf might know all too well."
The look of shock washed over the princess' face. She would certainly miss this kind of banter that she and Eowyn shared ever since they were children. "I swear I am surrounded by servants of Sauron today," she said in retaliation.
"Hah! Sauron's servants, I am sure, would be much kinder," was the blonde's response. Then she took Gwenneth by the hand and started to pull her away. "Come, the games are about to start and I have found a nice tree so we can sit under and watch."
Gwenneth suddenly stopped and caused Eowyn to be pulled back sharply. Eowyn turned to face the girl once more. "What is wrong?"
"It's...it's just....I am going to miss this. I am going to be lost without you. I..."
"No, not today," Eowyn interrupted. "No sadness today. Today is our day. I want our last day together to be full of joy. So stop this nonsense right this moment! I will not have it, you hear?!"
Gwenneth nodded in agreement. "Good!" Ewoyn said sharply, "Now let's go sit." She took her friends hand and began to lead her away again.
The air was perfectly still. Not a sound could be heard. Even the birds nesting in the nearby trees seemed to sense the importance of this moment and stilled their songs. Legolas' held his breath as he eyed his target. It all came down to this one last shot. If his arrow pierced the center of the target he would be the winner of the event and have two wins for the day. This meant he would meet the winner of the other two events. The two would then battle with blades to decide the winner of the entire tournament. And that opponent would be none other then Legolas' new rival...Eomer. So to say that this shot meant the world was an understatement.
The elf's fingers gently glided over the shaft of the arrow as he slowly fitted it to the bowstring. He drew in a deep breath as he pulled back the string. Instinct told him that he had just the right amount of tension on the bow. The arrow would go were he wanted it to. Now all he had to do was let it go. He took one last deep breath and then slowly let it out. His last thought was of her as his fingers let go of the string and the arrow launched into the air. A soft whiz could be heard as it sliced through the still air towards the target.
In Legolas' eyes a thousand years seemed to pass in that single moment as he watched the arrow's flight to the target. A soft thud could be heard as the projectile hit the mark. Then in a split second the wait was over and the crowd cheered heartily as the arrow landed dead center of the target and made him the victor of the competition.
The elf slowly relaxed and breathed a small sigh of relieve as he just stood there, still looking down the range towards the ending results. Then suddenly all of his friends gathered around him to convey their congratulations. Legolas smiled back in appreciation, but somehow his friend's words meant little. The only praise he wanted was from Gwenneth, and for that he would have to wait. Still he wished that she could be with him at that very moment.
Finally the crowd around him dispersed and again he was alone. Legolas looked down at the bow that was still in his hands. He studied the fine detail in the wood that his ancestors had done many years before him. 'One day this will belong to my sons...mine and Gwenneth's', he thought to himself.
He raised his eyes to look into the crowd, to see if he could at least catch a glimpse of her. He looked up and down and finally he spotted her and his heart began to race just a little faster. She was with a crowd of people, laughing at someone's comment. Her eyes glistened in the bright sunlight. She took his breath away. But then the man beside her, which Legolas saw was Eomer, turned and took her by the arm, pulled her close and placed a kiss on her check. Gwenneth hesitated and finally smiled up at him.
Even though Legolas knew it was all for show, just seeing him kiss her made his soul ache. It took all of his will to keep him from storming over to where the two were and taking her away right there and then. But this battle would be settled soon enough - either on the field or in the morning when Eomer realized that Gwenneth had ran off with an elf.
With much disgust Legolas returned his attention back to the weapon in his hand. He sighed deeply and then turned to retrieve his arrows, but not before turning once more to get one last glimpse of her. Finally being satisfied, he continued his task.
The elf reached the targets and started to inspect the arrows for any defaults, then returned them to his quiver. When he finally reached the last one, which was the winning shot, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Thinking that it was another one of his comrades coming to congratulate him, he turned with a greeting smile. But that smile quickly faded away when he saw Aragorn standing in front of him, and instinctively, in the blink of an eye, he drew his dagger from his boot and held it inches away from his enemy.
Neither of them moved, both waiting for the other to begin the verbal insults. In the past the harsh and searing words were followed by physical assault, which mostly neither ended up winning. This time it was different. No words came from either side. The tension that was usually between them was not as pronounced as it had been in the past.
Even though clearly things had changed, Legolas still saw the woman that stood between them every time he looked Aragorn in the eye. He could not blame Aragorn for feeling the way he did - in fact he felt the same pain. And he knew if circumstances were reversed, he would have the same hateful feelings towards him. Still he was an elf and he could not and would not back down from a fight, even though he knew it was pointless. It was simply a matter of pride. He also believed that was the same reason Aragorn tormented him. Pride.
Now standing here in front of the man, the pain felt almost faded. He no longer wanted to fight Aragorn. Pride was not a factor anymore.
Aragorn quickly raised his hands showing that he was unarmed. "Legolas! I have not come to fight," Aragorn pleaded. "We need to put our past behind us."
The Prince had spent many days walking in the meadows and forest around Mirkwood, and had become quite accustomed to the ways of the animals that were ever present. He would sit for hours, watching their behavior. Many hours he would study a hawk floating effortlessly in the clear blue sky. Seeing how it circled and swooped down many times to get closer looks, but never actually stroke. How it was patient and waited until its prey felt comfortable and at ease. At that very instant the bird would strike - and strike hard. Now standing here with Aragorn, this came to his mind. Was he the prey and Aragron the hawk?
"What are you talking about?" asked the cautious elf, still not willing to let his blades down.
"Look... Legolas... I can imagine this would make you leery, but I want us to put the past behind us and move on," Aragorn tried to explain, hoping that the uneasy elf would lower his weapons.
"How do I know that this is not a trick of some kind?"
"Gwenneth," was all that needed to be uttered before Legolas finally lowered his weapons. The young Prince's heart raced at the sound of her name.
"What did you say?" he asked after a long moment of silence, so he could control his emotions.
Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief when the elf's hand fell. He was beginning to think that Legolas was going to have his head right there at that moment. "Look...I know about you and Gwenneth..." he started.
"You? You know? How!?" Legolas interrupted.
"I saw you together this morning."
The elf took a few paces back and again brought his blades up, certain that the fight was coming next. He knew that there was no way Aragorn would let it continue, but he was willing to fight. He would fight to his death for her if necessary.
Just as quick as Legolas wielded his blades, Aragorn's arms flew up in defense. "No...Legolas I am not here to fight. You must believe me. I come in peace."
"You are not here to stop me from being with your sister?" asked the blonde, not willing to back down just yet.
That last question made Aragorn's stomach wrench inside. He realized at that moment what a fool he had been all those years. Just the thought of how narrow- minded he had been made him terribly sick and sad at the same time. How could he have lowered himself to such a level as to make him feel like a disgusting orc? Now he knew that he so desperately wanted...no... needed to change it all.
"No!" he said, vehemently shaking his head. "I have no intention of stopping you. I want her to be happy and if happiness is what she finds with you, then so be it. On the other hand, I cannot speak for Eomer, who I am sure you know will have your head if he finds out."
Legolas let out a deep sigh and once more lowered his arms. He sheathed his weapons and placed his hands on his hips, his gaze locked to the ground. So this was it - Aragorn was not here for himself, but for Eomer. "I see. And I imagine you have already told him and you are here to give your condolences," was his condescending response.
"You are a stubborn elf!" Aragorn spat, trying to control his temper. "You cannot see that I want to make amends for out bitter battles? I have come unarmed. Surely you can see this!" He held open his coat to reveal that he carried no weapons.
Legolas smiled broadly and shock his head. He could definitely see that he was unarmed. This was still very queer to the elf. "We have been mortal enemies for so long, it is quite strange for me to accept that you want to be...shall I say it...'friends'?"
"I can see why you would have those feelings, but the truth is, I realize now that it was not you I should have been fighting" Aragorn explained. "It was her. The anger I felt should have been to her." A weight lifted off his soul as he spoke the words. "Arwen told me your story. Now I know that the evil temptress betrayed you, as she did me."
Legolas could see that he was telling the truth and all at once he felt sorry for the man. They had both suffered needlessly. He realized they had more in common then he ever imagined. "I believe now she was an agent of Sauron," he added, trying to lighten up the mood.
Aragorn gave a crooked smile. "I believe you are right," he replied. "I do not blame you anymore. I have no reason to harbor any ill feelings toward you."
"And you expect me to forget everything just like that?"
"I know it will be hard, but yes, I am asking you to forget."
Legolas remembered Gwenneth's pained look on her face when she talked about her family and how she would miss them. This would be a way the he could ease some her fears. For her sake he hoped that her brother was now telling the truth. "You must know that I am only doing this for Gwenneth, not to heal your guilty conscience. Therefore if you are willing to give me your word that our feud is no more...then I will accept."
The future King bowed deeply to the elf and then rose to meet Legolas' eyes. He was unwavering as he spoke. "I give you my word." Aragorn then extended his hand to the Prince.
Legolas took Aragorn's hand in a firm shake, sealing their new peace. Everything has a beginning and an end, and finally their battle that neither thought would ever cease, was now over. No longer would the war between the races rage on. The two warriors were now at peace, as would be all of Middle Earth, if only for a little while.
Aragorn then nodded and walked silently away while Legolas finished collecting his arrows. The elf turned to look at the crowd that was still milling about, and behold, there was his love, standing in the distance. She had been watching the whole confrontation from afar and now stood with a brilliant smile one her beautiful face. They held each other's stare for a brief moment, until Eomer came to stand beside her. Legolas could see him whispering something into her ear before he turned and looked at Legolas. The man's eyes burned with fire as he gently took the princess by the arm and guided her away 'Yes,' the elf thought to himself, 'Haldir has been right. Many good things did happen this week.'
Like a lion pacing back and forth in a den, Eomer paced in his tent, his anger growing with each step he took. That elf! That damn elf! Eomer had paid particular attention to the way Gwenneth had watched him in every event that afternoon, and now it was all coming together in his mind. He could see by the way she observed that disgusting being that she was in love with him. Aragorn had warned him earlier that her heart belonged to another, but never in a million years did he ever expect it to be an elf! With every revelation his anger was burning hotter and more intense - like a blacksmith's fire.
The whole ordeal with Aragorn earlier that morning was also fueling the fire. This future king was not the man he thought he was. He had always thought that Aragorn was a man of truth and honor and would sacrifice all for a friend, but the man had proven him wrong. An honorable friend would never go back on his word like this, and on something as important as a marriage! And now he highly doubted that his friend would stand behind him when he stood up to the elf and lay claim on what was rightfully his - Gwenneth. A gigantic strain was now present on their so-called friendship. Eomer was not going to back down, no matter what, and he today in the battle arena when he faced his nemesis he would prove that he, Eomer, was that thorn in the mighty lion's paw. Unlike the tales, in which the mouse removes the thorn from the lions paw, no mouse would remove this one. No...this lion would take care of the splinter himself. The lion was hungry and needed to feed.
Chapter 14
A Storm Grows
Gwenneth was still in a state of shock as she walked through the crowd towards the setting area. Her head was so in the clouds that she did not notice the hand that forcefully grasped her arm and pulled her off her intended path and behind a big tent that was used to house the barrels of ale. Which, by the way, was jammed packed will dwarves and hobbits that were already drinking more than what they should have been this early in the afternoon.
"Wha....!Let....me....g!!! She gasped loudly. Her hands balled into fists as she started to pound on her would be assailant, and then suddenly stopped, when she heard the silken laughter coming from the unknown enforcer behind her. She looked up to meet his eyes and started to laugh as well. "Legolas! What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?"
"Out of my mind in love," he answered quickly and then started to place tiny kisses on her neck and throat.
"I have never known elves to be crazy, but you have shown me you are as bad as these drunken hobbits and dwarves," she said with laughter in her voice.
"Ah...but my intoxication comes from you, not the ale!" he quickly added.
"You are incorrigible!" she laughed as she tried to push him away, to no avail. "Someone will see us"
Legolas finally stopped and looked up into eyes that mirrored his. "Let them! I want the whole world to know that we are together!" he said with a wide gesture of his hand. "What can they possible do to me?"
"Eomer would have your head and then mine just for spite," she warned. "Then I would die a happy elf and we can be together in death," countered the elf.
"But I want to be with you in life first. A very long life," Gwenneth protested. "I want you to show me all the things that you promised to show me and to live a very long life by your side."
A brilliantly bright smiled graced the majestic elf's face. "Yes you are right. I, too, want the same things that you want. It will all be better once we reach Mirkwood. We will start anew, away from all the forces against us."
"It will be our first adventure together! I am most excited about the whole trip, but yet I am scared, too. I will be leaving everything," she bowed her head in silence.
"Gwenneth?" he breathed as he cupped her face in his hands and raised it to look at him. Suddenly she looked so sad and lost. At that moment he could not have been more in love with her. She was like a fragile flower and he would do anything to protect her. "There is no need for worry, I will take care of you," he softly said and brushed away a piece of hair that fell lightly over her face. "In time I am sure that we will be able to return to your home. Surely your family will understand and welcome your decision."
"Oh Legolas...I can only hope that they do. I do not wish to lose them forever. They are my family," she stated, on the verge of tears.
"Do you wish to stay?" he asked with a cautious tone. He only wanted to make sure that she was ready. He would never have her do anything that she was not comfortable about.
Gwenneth looked down and then back up into his eyes. There she saw her love, her safety, and her future. She felt a peace wash over her and she was sure of her actions. "No...I want to go with you. It is the only way."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to be with you," she assured him.
Legolas' long fingers grazed across her check to nestle in her soft black hair. "You show the courage of a hundred men. You inspire me more and more every time we are together. Today I will win this tournament and it will all be for you, but the victory will be nothing compared to the love I feel for you. Without you this win would be empty but because of your love it will be the sweetest of victories and it is yours,'' he said as he dropped to one knee in front of her.
Gwenneth closed her eyes and laughed softly to herself. Just when she thought that nothing else could shock her this day, he proved her wrong. Here she stood with an elf kneeling in front of her. What would her brother think if he saw this? What would anyone think? But none of that mattered. Legolas was her life now. She laid her hands on his head ever so softly and pulled it closer to her body. She then bent down to place a light kiss on the top of his hair before she guided him to his feet. "I am honored to know that you will win for me," she stated when he was again on his two feet, facing her.
Legolas brought his lips to hers and kissed her. At first it was a soft, delicate kiss, but then the tide turned and the kiss changed into a hot, searing one. Finally the elf pulled away and left out a soft groan. "We best part before I am again unable to control myself." He kissed her once more. "Till we meet again my love." The Prince bowed slightly to her, turned and headed back out into the crowd, and finally disappeared.
Gwenneth stood for a moment, trying to collect her wits. So much had happened today! Already she highly doubted if she could handle any more surprises this day. The young girl chuckled at herself, and turned to find Eowyn who was most likely going out of her mind with worry wondering where she was. She made her way through the crowd with ease as she searched for her friend. Then upon seeing her, she waved her hand in the air. "Eowyn!"
The young blonde noticed Gwenneth coming towards her and shook her head in disgust. "Where have you been? I was getting ready to send a search party out for you," she said as she started to walk towards her companion. "The games are about to begin."
"Oh, I am sorry, I was unexpectedly delayed," Gwenneth explained when she finally met up with Eowyn.
Eowyn gave her friend a strange look. She knew her friend better then Gwenneth knew herself. It took just one look and Eowyn knew exactly what had detained the young girl. With the realization came a hearty laugh. "Is that what they call it these days?" she asked coyly.
"What?! Eowyn, I have no idea what you are talking about," Gwenneth stated boldly, trying to play the sly fox.
"Hmmm...maybe you do not, but I am sure a certain elf might know all too well."
The look of shock washed over the princess' face. She would certainly miss this kind of banter that she and Eowyn shared ever since they were children. "I swear I am surrounded by servants of Sauron today," she said in retaliation.
"Hah! Sauron's servants, I am sure, would be much kinder," was the blonde's response. Then she took Gwenneth by the hand and started to pull her away. "Come, the games are about to start and I have found a nice tree so we can sit under and watch."
Gwenneth suddenly stopped and caused Eowyn to be pulled back sharply. Eowyn turned to face the girl once more. "What is wrong?"
"It's...it's just....I am going to miss this. I am going to be lost without you. I..."
"No, not today," Eowyn interrupted. "No sadness today. Today is our day. I want our last day together to be full of joy. So stop this nonsense right this moment! I will not have it, you hear?!"
Gwenneth nodded in agreement. "Good!" Ewoyn said sharply, "Now let's go sit." She took her friends hand and began to lead her away again.
The air was perfectly still. Not a sound could be heard. Even the birds nesting in the nearby trees seemed to sense the importance of this moment and stilled their songs. Legolas' held his breath as he eyed his target. It all came down to this one last shot. If his arrow pierced the center of the target he would be the winner of the event and have two wins for the day. This meant he would meet the winner of the other two events. The two would then battle with blades to decide the winner of the entire tournament. And that opponent would be none other then Legolas' new rival...Eomer. So to say that this shot meant the world was an understatement.
The elf's fingers gently glided over the shaft of the arrow as he slowly fitted it to the bowstring. He drew in a deep breath as he pulled back the string. Instinct told him that he had just the right amount of tension on the bow. The arrow would go were he wanted it to. Now all he had to do was let it go. He took one last deep breath and then slowly let it out. His last thought was of her as his fingers let go of the string and the arrow launched into the air. A soft whiz could be heard as it sliced through the still air towards the target.
In Legolas' eyes a thousand years seemed to pass in that single moment as he watched the arrow's flight to the target. A soft thud could be heard as the projectile hit the mark. Then in a split second the wait was over and the crowd cheered heartily as the arrow landed dead center of the target and made him the victor of the competition.
The elf slowly relaxed and breathed a small sigh of relieve as he just stood there, still looking down the range towards the ending results. Then suddenly all of his friends gathered around him to convey their congratulations. Legolas smiled back in appreciation, but somehow his friend's words meant little. The only praise he wanted was from Gwenneth, and for that he would have to wait. Still he wished that she could be with him at that very moment.
Finally the crowd around him dispersed and again he was alone. Legolas looked down at the bow that was still in his hands. He studied the fine detail in the wood that his ancestors had done many years before him. 'One day this will belong to my sons...mine and Gwenneth's', he thought to himself.
He raised his eyes to look into the crowd, to see if he could at least catch a glimpse of her. He looked up and down and finally he spotted her and his heart began to race just a little faster. She was with a crowd of people, laughing at someone's comment. Her eyes glistened in the bright sunlight. She took his breath away. But then the man beside her, which Legolas saw was Eomer, turned and took her by the arm, pulled her close and placed a kiss on her check. Gwenneth hesitated and finally smiled up at him.
Even though Legolas knew it was all for show, just seeing him kiss her made his soul ache. It took all of his will to keep him from storming over to where the two were and taking her away right there and then. But this battle would be settled soon enough - either on the field or in the morning when Eomer realized that Gwenneth had ran off with an elf.
With much disgust Legolas returned his attention back to the weapon in his hand. He sighed deeply and then turned to retrieve his arrows, but not before turning once more to get one last glimpse of her. Finally being satisfied, he continued his task.
The elf reached the targets and started to inspect the arrows for any defaults, then returned them to his quiver. When he finally reached the last one, which was the winning shot, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Thinking that it was another one of his comrades coming to congratulate him, he turned with a greeting smile. But that smile quickly faded away when he saw Aragorn standing in front of him, and instinctively, in the blink of an eye, he drew his dagger from his boot and held it inches away from his enemy.
Neither of them moved, both waiting for the other to begin the verbal insults. In the past the harsh and searing words were followed by physical assault, which mostly neither ended up winning. This time it was different. No words came from either side. The tension that was usually between them was not as pronounced as it had been in the past.
Even though clearly things had changed, Legolas still saw the woman that stood between them every time he looked Aragorn in the eye. He could not blame Aragorn for feeling the way he did - in fact he felt the same pain. And he knew if circumstances were reversed, he would have the same hateful feelings towards him. Still he was an elf and he could not and would not back down from a fight, even though he knew it was pointless. It was simply a matter of pride. He also believed that was the same reason Aragorn tormented him. Pride.
Now standing here in front of the man, the pain felt almost faded. He no longer wanted to fight Aragorn. Pride was not a factor anymore.
Aragorn quickly raised his hands showing that he was unarmed. "Legolas! I have not come to fight," Aragorn pleaded. "We need to put our past behind us."
The Prince had spent many days walking in the meadows and forest around Mirkwood, and had become quite accustomed to the ways of the animals that were ever present. He would sit for hours, watching their behavior. Many hours he would study a hawk floating effortlessly in the clear blue sky. Seeing how it circled and swooped down many times to get closer looks, but never actually stroke. How it was patient and waited until its prey felt comfortable and at ease. At that very instant the bird would strike - and strike hard. Now standing here with Aragorn, this came to his mind. Was he the prey and Aragron the hawk?
"What are you talking about?" asked the cautious elf, still not willing to let his blades down.
"Look... Legolas... I can imagine this would make you leery, but I want us to put the past behind us and move on," Aragorn tried to explain, hoping that the uneasy elf would lower his weapons.
"How do I know that this is not a trick of some kind?"
"Gwenneth," was all that needed to be uttered before Legolas finally lowered his weapons. The young Prince's heart raced at the sound of her name.
"What did you say?" he asked after a long moment of silence, so he could control his emotions.
Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief when the elf's hand fell. He was beginning to think that Legolas was going to have his head right there at that moment. "Look...I know about you and Gwenneth..." he started.
"You? You know? How!?" Legolas interrupted.
"I saw you together this morning."
The elf took a few paces back and again brought his blades up, certain that the fight was coming next. He knew that there was no way Aragorn would let it continue, but he was willing to fight. He would fight to his death for her if necessary.
Just as quick as Legolas wielded his blades, Aragorn's arms flew up in defense. "No...Legolas I am not here to fight. You must believe me. I come in peace."
"You are not here to stop me from being with your sister?" asked the blonde, not willing to back down just yet.
That last question made Aragorn's stomach wrench inside. He realized at that moment what a fool he had been all those years. Just the thought of how narrow- minded he had been made him terribly sick and sad at the same time. How could he have lowered himself to such a level as to make him feel like a disgusting orc? Now he knew that he so desperately wanted...no... needed to change it all.
"No!" he said, vehemently shaking his head. "I have no intention of stopping you. I want her to be happy and if happiness is what she finds with you, then so be it. On the other hand, I cannot speak for Eomer, who I am sure you know will have your head if he finds out."
Legolas let out a deep sigh and once more lowered his arms. He sheathed his weapons and placed his hands on his hips, his gaze locked to the ground. So this was it - Aragorn was not here for himself, but for Eomer. "I see. And I imagine you have already told him and you are here to give your condolences," was his condescending response.
"You are a stubborn elf!" Aragorn spat, trying to control his temper. "You cannot see that I want to make amends for out bitter battles? I have come unarmed. Surely you can see this!" He held open his coat to reveal that he carried no weapons.
Legolas smiled broadly and shock his head. He could definitely see that he was unarmed. This was still very queer to the elf. "We have been mortal enemies for so long, it is quite strange for me to accept that you want to be...shall I say it...'friends'?"
"I can see why you would have those feelings, but the truth is, I realize now that it was not you I should have been fighting" Aragorn explained. "It was her. The anger I felt should have been to her." A weight lifted off his soul as he spoke the words. "Arwen told me your story. Now I know that the evil temptress betrayed you, as she did me."
Legolas could see that he was telling the truth and all at once he felt sorry for the man. They had both suffered needlessly. He realized they had more in common then he ever imagined. "I believe now she was an agent of Sauron," he added, trying to lighten up the mood.
Aragorn gave a crooked smile. "I believe you are right," he replied. "I do not blame you anymore. I have no reason to harbor any ill feelings toward you."
"And you expect me to forget everything just like that?"
"I know it will be hard, but yes, I am asking you to forget."
Legolas remembered Gwenneth's pained look on her face when she talked about her family and how she would miss them. This would be a way the he could ease some her fears. For her sake he hoped that her brother was now telling the truth. "You must know that I am only doing this for Gwenneth, not to heal your guilty conscience. Therefore if you are willing to give me your word that our feud is no more...then I will accept."
The future King bowed deeply to the elf and then rose to meet Legolas' eyes. He was unwavering as he spoke. "I give you my word." Aragorn then extended his hand to the Prince.
Legolas took Aragorn's hand in a firm shake, sealing their new peace. Everything has a beginning and an end, and finally their battle that neither thought would ever cease, was now over. No longer would the war between the races rage on. The two warriors were now at peace, as would be all of Middle Earth, if only for a little while.
Aragorn then nodded and walked silently away while Legolas finished collecting his arrows. The elf turned to look at the crowd that was still milling about, and behold, there was his love, standing in the distance. She had been watching the whole confrontation from afar and now stood with a brilliant smile one her beautiful face. They held each other's stare for a brief moment, until Eomer came to stand beside her. Legolas could see him whispering something into her ear before he turned and looked at Legolas. The man's eyes burned with fire as he gently took the princess by the arm and guided her away 'Yes,' the elf thought to himself, 'Haldir has been right. Many good things did happen this week.'
Like a lion pacing back and forth in a den, Eomer paced in his tent, his anger growing with each step he took. That elf! That damn elf! Eomer had paid particular attention to the way Gwenneth had watched him in every event that afternoon, and now it was all coming together in his mind. He could see by the way she observed that disgusting being that she was in love with him. Aragorn had warned him earlier that her heart belonged to another, but never in a million years did he ever expect it to be an elf! With every revelation his anger was burning hotter and more intense - like a blacksmith's fire.
The whole ordeal with Aragorn earlier that morning was also fueling the fire. This future king was not the man he thought he was. He had always thought that Aragorn was a man of truth and honor and would sacrifice all for a friend, but the man had proven him wrong. An honorable friend would never go back on his word like this, and on something as important as a marriage! And now he highly doubted that his friend would stand behind him when he stood up to the elf and lay claim on what was rightfully his - Gwenneth. A gigantic strain was now present on their so-called friendship. Eomer was not going to back down, no matter what, and he today in the battle arena when he faced his nemesis he would prove that he, Eomer, was that thorn in the mighty lion's paw. Unlike the tales, in which the mouse removes the thorn from the lions paw, no mouse would remove this one. No...this lion would take care of the splinter himself. The lion was hungry and needed to feed.