To kittynip9: After Legolas leaves Lothlorien, I'll be at the most 2/3 of the way through the story. Maybe only 1/2. Part One of ELLIE'S CHOICE ends with Legolas' departure. Part Two includes scenes in Lothlorien, Rohan, Mordor, Minas Tirith, and Ithilien.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: DISASTER LOOMS
Nevladiel is going to be a problem.
Legolas knew this now, with certainty, and was overcome by fury and revulsion, as he made his way deeper into the forest. Despite his warning, he did not think Nevladiel was going to back down. And why should she? he acknowledged, savagely snapping a low-hanging branch that blocked his path. When my own body betrayed me so willingly? Legolas shook his head in disbelief, and spat out a string of expletives in Elvish.
It did not matter to him that he had still been half-aroused from the feel of Ellie's body melting in his arms earlier, or that it had been a day fraught with emotions so intense and so unfamiliar that they had left him feeling slightly off-balance, and out of control. The bitter truth remained that his body had betrayed his mind, his heart. And, worse, betrayed Ellie. Legolas was appalled and sickened to his stomach to know that lust for someone other than Ellie could overtake him so quickly, so mercilessly. At a mere kiss. He had not thought it possible. After all, he was nearly three thousand years old, a Prince and a seasoned warrior. One would expect he had learned some self-restraint in all that time.
As his embattled mind reflected on what had happened, Legolas realized he had mishandled Nevladiel, misjudged the effect seeing him again would have on her susceptible, female senses. In truth, she had caught him unawares. One thousand years was certainly long enough for someone like her to have gotten over him. She was a charming, worldly Elf--interesting enough for the likes of those who concerned themselves with pomp and circumstance--and remarkably beautiful, even by the standards of their people. Surely, Nev had not lacked for lovers in the years since she left Mirkwood? The thought was ludicrous. She had been no shy, innocent maiden when he had first bedded her. No, indeed. Unlike Ellie, Nevladiel had been well versed in the ways of the flesh. Legolas found it hard to believe that she would have yearned for him for this long. And yet, she obviously had, to have thrown herself at him the way she did.
But why would Haldir encourage Legolas' relationship with Ellie if he thought his sister was still in love with him? He would not, Legolas' reason replied. Whatever Nev was feeling, whatever her intentions, she had kept them hidden from her family.
And why the hostility, why the mad desperation? He had not imagined those emotions in Nev's eyes when he refused to answer her questions about Ellie. Later, they had emanated from her in waves while they embraced, and he had sensed them even though he was caught in the grips of that mindless lust.
What game do you play, Nev? Legolas wondered, scowling as he walked briskly toward the hunting talan. And more importantly, What will it mean for Ellie and me?
His mind and his heart were deeply troubled by too many unanswered questions.
One thousand years was a long time to pine away in secret. Long enough for unrequited love to become a sick obsession. Long enough for anger and hurt and bitterness to fester and become despair…perhaps even hatred.
All of the sudden, Legolas stopped in his tracks as the outlandish thought occurred to him that Nevladiel might be out for revenge. It was hard to believe, knowing Nev and her gentle nature, but then again, did he truly know her at all? She had always seemed affable enough, but shallow, concerning her self with trivial, superficial matters. And yet, he had sensed…undercurrents. Deeper, darker emotions brewing beneath her serene facade. He had guessed at them a thousand years ago; he had felt them this evening. If Nev was out to cause him mischief, then she was going to be a bigger problem than he had first thought. She did not even know about Ellie yet.
Nevladiel could ruin everything.
"Gods and damnation!" he growled through gritted teeth. " What a fine mess I have gotten myself into!"
Legolas quickened his pace through the forest, until he was running, swifter than any mortal man could run. As if the very demons of Morgoth were nipping at his heels. It was imperative that he reached Ellie as soon as possible. He needed to talk to her privately, confess what had happened between Haldir's sister and him, one thousand years ago…and tonight. And somehow convince her that it would never happen again.
Before Nevladiel got to her. Before Haldir found out.
Legolas loved and respected Ellie too much to have her learn of his indiscretion from Nev. And he was grateful to Haldir for having entrusted him with the heart of his daughter.
Legolas was determined to do right by the both of them.
Yet he was concerned. His relationship with Ellie was fragile at best and he did not know how she would react. True, she had a generous and forgiving nature. If she had readily forgiven him for what he did to her in the Mines, then it was likely she would forgive him this too. Would she not? After all, he might have faltered, but he did not fall. He had not lain with Nevladiel again. In the end, his love for Ellie proved too strong and reason had prevailed. But what if Ellie did not see it that way? What if she decided that the male heart was too fickle--that he was too fickle--and not worthy of her giving up her Ilissan beliefs? She certainly knew that he had taken lovers in the past--he had made no secret of it--but to actually confront one of them and to have that lover turn out to be her aunt…Well, that might be too much for the girl to bear. Legolas could only trust in Ellie's heart, as Haldir had suggested. And hope…
He arrived at the talan just as the sun started to show its face in the far horizon. But beneath the thick canopy of leaves, it was night still and the rest of the Fellowship slumbered on. Haldir was no longer in sight. Legolas quickly climbed the winding stairs and then silently stepped over the sleeping hobbits to reach the small platform where Ellie and Jamie lay.
He had left her on his bedroll, but sometime in the night, she had rolled over and was now lying on her back on the hard wooden floor without even so much as a pillow to cushion her head. Her blanket lay in a tangled heap around her knees and her dress had twisted to one side, baring one shoulder and a slender thigh. He could barely see her face, for she had thrown one arm over her eyes, and a thick riot of curls veiled the lower half. Indeed, some of the hair was actually inside her mouth, and he suspected that that was the reason why she was gurgling. It was a soft, endearing sound, such as an infant or a young child would make, and it made Legolas smile. She looked adorable--ruffled and tousled in her sleep, and gurgling.
Ellie could not have been any more different from Nevladiel, and he loved her all the more for it.
As he knelt down beside her, the Elf noticed a white petticoat neatly folded at the foot of the middle bedroll. Haldir had not forgotten, and Legolas nodded in satisfaction. Then he watched Ellie sleep for a minute longer, his heart all but bursting with tender feelings for the girl. A sense of great peace descended upon the Elf, and despite all the troubles that lay ahead of them--her Ilissan heritage, his perilous quest with the Fellowship, and now Nev--Legolas knew that he belonged with Ellie, as surely as she belonged with him. It was destined to be. The Valar had willed it so.
His soul had recognized its mate.
In the next instant, Ellie stirred and flung her other arm wide , hitting him across the knees. She did not awaken, but Legolas belatedly realized just how uncomfortable she must be in that position. He had meant to rouse her the moment he arrived, but now he was loath to do so, despite the urgency of his situation with Nev. Ellie had had such a harrowing day--frightening, emotional, confusing. The last thing she needed was to hear more troubling news. And it deeply perturbed him that he was the one who would be adding to her troubles. Legolas' face tightened as a fresh wave of guilt washed over him. A few minutes longer will not matter, he finally decided, a few minutes longer of rest and peace. The Elf gently hooked his arms beneath Ellie's prone body and eased her onto her bedroll. Her wayward arm dropped from her eyes and she quieted. Then he softly swept the hair off her face, carefully removing the wet curls from her mouth. As his fingers brushed her lips, Ellie kissed them in her sleep and sighed contentedly. The feel of that airy kiss on his hand was sublime. Legolas briefly closed his eyes and savored the feeling.
With utmost care, the Elf next untangled the blanket from her knees and pulled her skirt down, slowly, allowing his hand to caress the smooth skin of her thigh and leg as it covered them with the filmy fabric. He could not resist touching her even in her sleep, and as he spread and tucked the blanket around her, Legolas petted her breasts and belly and hips lovingly. At last he bent over and delicately kissed her lips, his mouth lingering over hers. When he straightened, it was to discover Ellie's dark eyes wide open and watching him with amusement.
He blinked in surprise and gave her a small, sheepish smile. "How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough," she answered smugly. "That was…delicious."
Legolas stroked her cheek. "You are delicious." And he chuckled softly to see her blush as she recalled his last intimate act before she had fallen asleep. He felt so much more than simple desire for her, however, and he wanted to remind her of his feelings before they had their talk. Before he hurt her again. "Amin mela lle," he whispered now.
Ellie sat up and wrinkled her nose at him. "What did you say?"
"Amin mela lle. It means 'I love you'. You need to learn those words, Ellie, as I have every intention of repeating them often." He smiled at her again, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes that puzzled her. Then Legolas sighed and said, "We need to talk."
"I know, Legolas, but please be patient. I have so much to think about, so much to absorb. I am just not ready to talk about it, or to make any decisions yet," she said in a rush of words. "I love you--I have told you as much--but I owe it to my mother and to my faith to…"
The Elf silenced her lips with his hand. "I am aware of all that, Ellie. It is not about our future that we need to talk about. It is about my past."
"Your past?" She was truly mystified. "What about your past?"
"You know that I have had lovers before." It was not a question, and Ellie did not take it as such. She simply waited for him to continue, trying very hard not to frown, for in truth, she preferred not to think about Legolas' previous liaisons. "About a thousand years ago…" he began, but paused when Jamie stirred beside them.
Ellie watched in bewilderment as Legolas absentmindedly tugged on his long shirt and rubbed the back of his elegant neck. It was unlike the Elf to fidget so. It was unlike him to look so decidedly…uncomfortable. "We cannot talk here. Come downstairs with me," he said abruptly. Legolas stood and held a hand out to Ellie.
"All right." But as she started to rise, Jamie awoke, and Ellie sat back down. "Just a moment, Legolas, please." The Elf watched patiently as she mothered the small boy, smoothing down his hair and rubbing her cheek against his. Jamie wrapped his thin arms around her neck and yawned. Then she pulled him up into a sitting position.
"Mornin' 'egolas," Jamie mumbled in the middle of another yawn and settled on Ellie's lap.
The Elf sighed. "Good morning, Jamie." This was going to take longer than a 'just a moment.'
Then the boy noticed Ellie was wearing her new dress, and he became instantly alert. "You look so pretty, Ellie!" Jamie said excitedly, and much too loudly. Legolas could see the hobbits begin to stir a short distance away.
Jamie jumped to his feet to get a better look and the girl rose as well. "Your dress is see-through!" he now exclaimed, his mouth agog. Merry and Pippin sat up and stared. Ellie looked down at herself in dismay, and Legolas stifled a groan. "What is your father going to think when he sees you like that? What is Boromir going to think?" the boy asked.
"My father gave me this dress, Jamie," Ellie told him, but she was quite obviously flustered.
Boromir? Legolas scowled. The boy clearly saw too much. The Elf quickly bent over to pick up the petticoat. "Here put this on. Haldir left this while you slept. Ellie, about our talk…"
But their talk would have to wait. Before Ellie had a chance to put the petticoat on, Frodo approached them. She knew he meant to ask her about Gandalf; she could see the worry and sadness in his eyes. Ellie felt ashamed that she had hardly spared the old wizard a thought since arriving in Lothlorien. She could still feel Gandalf's heart beating strong and steady inside of her. If anything, his heart felt invigorated, and she wanted to reassure Frodo. "We'll talk later, Legolas." With an apologetic look at the Elf, Ellie stepped over the bedroll and walked up to the small hobbit. She held the petticoat in front of her to preserve her modesty, but her backside was plainly visible beneath her sheer dress.
Jamie opened his mouth to tell her, but Legolas clamped his hand over it and shook his head. "Ellie, I really think you should put your petticoat on," he said. From the corner of his eye, the Elf saw Aragorn and Boromir moving around at their end of the talan. "Now."
Legolas stepped forward and, after a quick nod to Frodo, used his body to shield Ellie from view, as the girl hastily donned the undergarment. He then arranged some of her curls to fall over her breasts, for Haldir had not provided a chemise.
"Ellie, our talk cannot wait," Legolas insisted. The Elf's face, and his voice, were grave, and she felt her first frisson of alarm. What do you have to tell me that has you so concerned? She was anxious to know and at the same time reluctant, for he had mentioned past lovers.
Yet she would not leave before speaking to Frodo. "Just a moment," she repeated. And it was, but by the time Legolas and Ellie reached the stairs, Aragorn and Boromir had joined the hobbits on the main platform; only Gimli continued to sleep. The two men had never seen her dressed in something other than her tattered clothes. To their eyes, Ellie was a vision of loveliness in her beautiful new gown with her hair unbound. And they were not about to let her go without first telling her.
As the two approached, Legolas placed a possessive arm around Ellie's waist and drew her close. It was a childish, human thing to do, but the Elf could not help himself. The men shared an amused smile and Legolas gritted his teeth in annoyance…and frustration. He regretted not waking Ellie up immediately. By now, the sun had risen sufficiently to bathe the talan in pale yellow light, dappled with shadows from the leaves of the giant mallorn. Soon breakfast would arrive and the Fellowship would depart for Caras Galadhon.
While the two men gallantly fussed over Ellie, Legolas grew more impatient. "…and if I had known you would clean up so nicely…" Boromir was saying, gently teasing the girl, when the exasperated Elf cleared his throat and interrupted.
"We need to go now, Ellie, or there will be no time," he reminded her. His tone brooked no argument.
"What? And miss breakfast?"
The soft, reproachful voice came from the stairs behind them. Legolas and Ellie whipped their heads around. The others in the talan leaned sideways to see who had spoken. And everyone was immediately stunned. Rendered speechless. Struck by awe.
Except for Legolas.
She stood at the head of the stairs, tall and proud, the early morning sun enhancing her glorious pale beauty and majestic grace. She looked like a goddess, or at the very least, an Elven queen.
Ellie and the hobbits mistook her for the Lady of Light. But she was not Galadriel.
Turning to face the lady, Ellie started to curtsy in reverence, but Legolas' sudden, firm grip on her arm stayed her. The girl looked at him with a puzzled frown, taking in his taut face and narrowed eyes. He seemed to be made of stone as he stared coldly at the beautiful Elf. Ellie knew that expression well. Legolas was angry; in fact, he was furious. Whoever this person was--and by his reaction she knew it could not be the Lady Galadriel--he did not like her.
Why? she wondered, as she shifted her gaze back to the mysterious Elf. The other members of the Fellowship gathered around them, but the Elf maiden did not pay them any heed. To Ellie's surprise, after a brief, defiant glance at Legolas, the maiden riveted her attention solely on her.
Her startling pale eyes stared at Ellie for a long moment, unblinking, giving nothing of her thoughts or feelings away. Then they traveled slowly--and impassively--down to the girl's toes and up again, seeming to assess her. Like one would do with a horse, or some other farm beast, before purchase. So thorough was her scrutiny that Ellie could almost feel the Elf's hands running over her body. The girl was disconcerted. Who is this person? Why does she study me so? As if sensing her discomfort, Legolas once again wrapped his arm protectively around her small waist. Ellie welcomed his embrace and tucked herself beneath his chin. She could feel the tension in his body; he was wound up tighter than the string on his bow…
This is my rival? Nevladiel nearly laughed out loud when she first beheld the girl standing next to Legolas--or rather, pressed to his side. She was a tiny, slender thing, and pretty enough, but no more than a mere sparrow compared to her swan. As she looked her up and down, the beautiful Elf realized that Maika had not exaggerated--the child was the mirror image of Naia. Or perhaps, a somewhat younger Naia, for that woman had been middle-aged by human standards when Haldir met her, and this girl looked to be no older than an adolescent. Still, the resemblance was eerie, and Nevladiel could well imagine what was going through her brother's mind right now. He would want the girl, would not be able to resist her--of that she had no doubt. And as she angrily took in Legolas' tender, protective attitude toward the child--no, he had said woman--Nevladiel was bound and determined to aid her brother in his conquest. Haldir would have his Ellie-Naia. Nev would have Legolas.
"Breakfast is on its way," she finally said in a lovely, melodic voice. Her expression remained cool and placid, but for one brief moment after Legolas embraced the girl, Nevladiel had clenched her long, elegant fingers into tight fists. Legolas, as well as the two men, noticed.
"Who are you?" demanded Boromir. Like Gimli, he was not overly impressed by Elves. At the lady's cool appraisal of Ellie, the man's protective instincts had come to the fore and he recovered quickly enough from the wonder of her beauty.
Nevladiel's silver gaze settled on the young man from Gondor, and she lifted an elegant brow in surprise at his impudent tone. She had little experience with men, having only seen them from a distance; she had not met Aragorn during his visit to Lothlorien years earlier. But, males were males, whether human or Elf, and Nevladiel's beauty had never failed to captivate. Even Legolas had succumbed to it. So why is this coarse man speaking so indolently? she wondered, truly baffled, before replying, "I am the March Warden's sister." She tested him with a brilliant smile--an incredibly alluring smile--that failed to disarm him. Nevladiel's eyes narrowed ever so slightly in displeasure, and she quickly dismissed him from her mind. It was best to ignore such a creature.
Legolas then gave to the others what she had not yet given--her name. "She is Haldir's sister. Nevladiel," the Elf said in a flat voice. Immediately, he felt Ellie stiffen in shock, felt the tremor that shook her body from head to toe. His strong arms tightened around her in reassurance, but his heart was heavy, and full of foreboding. I am sorry, little one. I am so sorry I did not warn you about Nev and me.
Ellie pulled free of Legolas' arms and stared at him in disbelief. If you know her, why did you not say so? Why did you not greet her? she seemed to ask him. Then she turned to face the beautiful Elf once more.
"You are Nev?" Ellie asked in a tremulous voice, as she stepped forward. Suddenly, the girl's heart filled with hope and relief and renewed awe. Her body trembled in anticipation. She had been waiting for a moment such as this ever since her mother died. This is my aunt! No wonder she was looking at me so strangely! she reasoned. I look nothing like an Elf! The girl never realized that Nevladiel had no clue Ellie was her niece. And as she held out a hand to touch the beautiful Elf's arm, her lovely face lit up with a bright, joyful smile. A smile that spoke of a long-cherished dream finally coming true. This is my aunt! In her excitement to meet her father's sister, Ellie--for the time being--shoved aside her discomfiture and forgot all about Legolas' hostility. "I am so happy to meet you!" she gushed.
Ellie had not yet told the rest of the Fellowship about her relationship to Haldir, but Jamie had during dinner the previous evening. Now the hobbits grinned at one another. But the two men exchanged uneasy glances. Like Boromir, Aragorn had not failed to notice Legolas' stiff manner toward Ellie's aunt, nor Nevladiel's strange perusal of the girl.
Nevladiel herself was completely taken aback by Ellie's effusive welcome. She instinctively recoiled at the girl's warm touch on her arm, taking a step down to break the unwanted contact. What is this? Has she gone mad? And how does she know my pet name?
In the next instant everything became clear to her. "My father told me about you last night," Ellie went on to say, now reaching for one of Nevladiel's cold hands. The Elf was so shocked by the words that were streaming out of the girl's mouth that she did not even think to protest. "You cannot imagine how much I have longed for an aunt! How much I have longed for you!" Nevladiel's hand hung limp and lifeless in Ellie's warm grasp.
Aunt?…Aunt?…AUNT?! The word reverberated inside Nevladiel's breast, keeping rhythm with her thumping heart. Incredible as it sounded, it suddenly made perfect sense to her.
Ellie was Naia's daughter. Haldir's daughter. Legolas was besotted with her niece.
For the second time that morning, Nevladiel wanted to laugh. And she wanted to cry. Loudly. Hysterically. My rival is my niece! She was reeling from the shock of it. From the implausibility of it. Her incredulous eyes met Legolas' flinty gaze. You snake! You did not tell me last night! she silently reproached him, shaking her head. Her eyes shifted to Ellie, and quickly back to Legolas again. Look at her! they beseeched him, still incredulous. How can you possibly prefer her to me? Then she turned to Ellie once more. This girl is my niece! Haldir's daughter! And she forced a smile on her face. Somehow, the child believed Nevladiel had already known she was her aunt. Let her think it! Let her think I came here for her! Nevladiel was not about to snub her niece and risk provoking Haldir's anger. Distasteful as it was, she squeezed the girl's hand and threaded her fingers through the thick, black curls.
"Such lovely hair! And such a winsome face!" Nev cooed sweetly. "When I met with Legolas last night, he did not tell me that my niece would be so charming!"
Legolas felt as if he had just been kicked in the stomach.
"Last night?" Ellie's voice echoed. "You met with Legolas last night?" Oh gods, it cannot be…
He could feel disaster loom.
Ellie turned to look at him. Why did you not tell me? What are you hiding? her eyes accused him.
And Legolas' heart gave a painful lurch. Ellie was no longer smiling. The exuberant joy of a moment earlier was instantly wiped from her face. She begins to suspect…something, the Elf thought, with a sinking heart.
"But, of course, we did. Legolas and I go back a long time."
Damn you, Nev! He wanted to throttle her. "Ellie, there is nothing…" he started to say.
But the girl ignored him and turned back to Nevladiel. "How long?" she asked in a wooden voice.
Legolas knew that disaster was upon him. Ellie was naïve, but she was no fool.
"About one thousand years," Nev replied, watching the girl closely. She knows! Somehow she knows about Legolas and me! And she fought hard to keep the triumph from her face.
Although it came as no surprise, Nevladiel's reply hit Ellie like a physical blow, and she actually stumbled back from the force of it. Legolas steadied her with his hand, but she was not even aware of it, such was her shock and dismay. One thousand years. The implications of those three words were bone chilling… heartrending…and galling. Before her aunt's arrival, Legolas was going to tell her about a past lover. Someone he had known one thousand years ago. Nevladiel. Her aunt. It had to be.
And last night she had been with Legolas. Was it after I fell asleep? Did he go to her after he was done with me? Gods, he was so aroused! Anything could have happened.
With the heartache came outrage. Ellie was suddenly fuming mad. To think, she had trusted him with her heart! That she had been on the verge of giving everything up for him! Fool! she called herself, as her heated gaze sought his again and accused him some more. Why were you so angry when you saw her this morning, Legolas? Was it because she arrived too soon? Did something happen last night that you felt the need to confess?
So attuned was Legolas to her feelings and thoughts that he heard each and every one of her unspoken questions. Ignoring the others gathered around them, he raised a hand to caress her cheek, donned his most earnest, loving expression, and whispered, "Ellie, I will explain later." But he could not entirely hide the guilt in his eyes. Ellie saw it, and felt betrayed.
"Ah!…Here comes breakfast!" Nevladiel announced with a gracious smile and a clap of her hands. Her words and the accompanying clap cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife, bringing sighs of relief to the other members of the Fellowship.
"Well, 'tis about time!" growled Gimli, who had only just gotten up.
Nevladiel stepped onto the platform between Ellie and Legolas, purposely separating them, and linked arms with the girl. "I want to hear all about you!" she told her niece. And then maybe I will find the key to his heart. As she turned Ellie away from Legolas, Nevladiel sneaked a glance behind the girl's back. Legolas was scowling at her. You are angry now, but you will be mine again! she vowed and smiled at him. It was an innocuous smile--it held no threat, no challenge, no triumph, only a renewed confidence that she would win his affection in the end.
When the company of Elves arrived laden with trays of food and drink, Ellie meekly allowed Nevladiel to lead her to a far corner of the platform. Nev is not the one at fault here, the girl told herself. After all, she is my aunt. As an Ilissan, Ellie was born into a proud, noble family of women staunchly devoted to and supportive of one another. Women who inherently trusted one another. To Ellie, it was inconceivable that Nevladiel would deliberately try to hurt her. And if something had happened between her aunt and Legolas last night, then Nev was surely not to blame. She had known Legolas far longer than Ellie. She had prior claim to him. But, oh gods! Does it hurt! the girl silently cried.
While she ate her breakfast and half-listened to her aunt's happy chatter, Ellie's fury subsided until there was nothing left but a few smoldering embers. In its wake came a cold, empty ache and a bittersweet longing for what might have been. Try as she might--and in truth she did not try very hard--she could not keep her wistful eyes from meeting Legolas' guarded gaze.
Seated at the opposite end of the platform, Legolas quietly seethed, and flagellated himself for failing Ellie. He wanted to shout in outrage. He wanted to slap Nevladiel's simpering face. Most of all, he wanted to pry Ellie from his former lover's clutches and haul her away to some deserted spot where he could talk some sense into her. For now, he would be patient and let Ellie eat, for she had missed supper last night and he knew she must be hungry. But once she finished with breakfast, he would demand to speak with her privately before Haldir arrived. And he would not take no for an answer…
