Part 5
Legolas understood, for the first time in the ages since his awakening, what it is that drives Men and Elves into the bosom of maidens. When finally he released her from the kiss, his eyes searched hers to read what was in her mind. The green orbs were hazy and unfocused. He took her moment of befuddlement to rest his forehead on hers and breathe, "Elo!" he exclaimed. "What problems you spring on me."
Chloe closed her eyes to gather her thoughts. Whatever it was that he said, they sounded wonderful to her ears. She smiled and relished the remaining connection that they had. How she wished those guys in Smallville could see her now. Actually, she wished all the girls could also see her, especially the ones who secretly scorned at her for being a geek. She had no doubt all those girls would drool at the sight of this guy. And here she was kissing him.
Finally, Chloe pulled away. She grinned at Legolas uncertainly. Sure, he had been temporarily swept away by the sight of her bare bruised shoulder. She was not sure though how he would react now. Trekkie or not, he was still male.
The moment she straightened, she cried out. Having been in heaven and all, Chloe had forgotten about the fall. Now, the pain in her ankle came screaming back at her. Chloe tried to balance herself and her eyes watered at the pain.
He was by her side in an instant. The pain fled for the few seconds it took for her to blush and shiver at the feeling of his strong arm wrapping around her waist.
"You are in pain," he said, concerned. Legolas pushed the hair away from her face.
Chloe looked up at his serious expression. "So are you."
"We must leave this place. Rhudaur is crawling with the Nazgul tonight." Chloe watched the play of emotions on his face. He was so transparent in that regard. Even if his words were gibberish to her, his face told her everything. "There is no choice. To flee quickly, we ride."
Chloe just smiled. Legolas took this as assent. He half-carried her to lean against the tree and left. Chloe's eyes fell on his backside. She shook her head. "Why was Smallville not blessed with tush like that?"
He turned around and raised his eyebrows. Chloe bit her bottom lip. And then she remembered that Legolas may have heard her, but there was no way he understood. So Chloe just waved him away.
A few minutes later, Legolas returned on his white mare. Chloe looked up at him towering over her. She shook her head. "You're determined to kill me," she said, deadpan.
Legolas smoothly slid off the horse, and the movement took her breath away. She would ride in rodeo if she got to see that every time. Her heart caught in her throat when he took her hand and raised it to his heart, then began spouting off in his language.
He hoped she felt his heart as he told her, "I vow to all the Valar that I will keep you safe, Chloe. You will not be hurt while you are with me."
She sighed and touched his lips. "Me too," she answered. Chloe figured it was safe enough. If he was professing his love—after all he was holding her hand to his heart—then she was merely reciprocating. If for some insane reason that befitted this relationship, he was cursing her, then again, she was reciprocating.
Chloe figured it was the former when he swept her up in his arms and magically managed to get them on the mare. He settled her in front of him and kicked the horse. At first, she was stiff and scared. It was not long until he eased her enough that she merely lay back against him and enjoyed her first harmless horseback riding.
She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of being cradled by someone, and of horse and man moving against her body in perfect rhythm. Chloe supposed that it was impolite to sleep when you're riding with someone, much like in her real world if you're the passenger. However, since she could not really strike up a conversation, Chloe figured it would be better to rest now than burden him with a sleepy kissing partner when they finally had the time.
She'd better have good dreams of kissing.
Chloe never noticed when the temperature dropped during the night, or when they stopped in front of a raging river. Legolas looked at the Ford of Bruinen and held tightly to Chloe. Then, he murmured calming words to his mare.
"'Tis our final obstacle before the plains to Rivendell," he told his horse. "Do me proud, old friend. Carry us safely across."
His arms tightened around Chloe's sleeping form as the white mare traversed Loudwater. They were halfway across, in the deepest part of the river, when Chloe woke to the unfamiliar coldness teasing her legs. She moaned deeply and burrowed her face into Legolas' chest. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him.
Chloe saw the intense focused look that Legolas wore. She frowned and straightened, but Legolas caught her waist and pulled her back against him. "Be still," he said. Even if Chloe did not comprehend the words, she understood the urgency and remained where he held her.
Very slowly and cautiously, Chloe looked down. She gasped when she realized that now, even on top of the horse, they were submerged hip-deep into the water. The mare was barely keeping her head above the water.
"You will be safe," he murmured against her temple.
Chloe clutched at his hands on her stomach. She sat tensely as the horse trudged forward. Finally, the water fell and they rose onto the bank. Legolas released the breath he had been holding.
"Good, very good," he said to the horse.
He touched Chloe's hair until she looked up. Legolas pointed to the white peak towers of Rivendell in a distance. "Imladris. Rivendell," he said to her. "We will seek Lord Elrond's counsel, and have Arwen heal your foot."
Chloe looked towards the direction that Legolas pointed. "It's beautiful!" she gasped. For the first time since falling into the stream, Chloe was no longer surrounded by trees. For the first time, this adventure seemed exciting. Rivendell looked like a grand place. She had once pictured herself as a princess. It was not just Lana, really. All girls did that at least once. This would be the perfect setting. Maybe, this would be a true fantasy and this archer was actually a prince. Chloe scoffed at her own train of thoughts. A prince... She shook her head.
Legolas urged the mare forward. Soon, Chloe was grasping the mare's hair as they breezed through the remaining distance towards Rivendell.
It was not long before the gates of Rivendell opened and they rode through. Chloe sat up straight as she looked at her surroundings, taking in the wondrous spectacle of the place. Legolas led the horse towards the main palace.
Two figures stood on the top step of the stairs, their hands clasped in front of them. Chloe's lips parted at the radiance that seemed to exude from them. They had the same radiance that Legolas did. Whoever they were, they were the same creatures that Legolas was. The woman was beyond beautiful. She was ethereal. Chloe knew she herself shrank in comparison.
Legolas stopped the horse at the bottom step. He bowed his head quickly and jumped off the horse. He raised his arms to help Chloe down. Without removing his supporting arm from around her waist, he nodded to the two.
"Mae athollen, Legolas," the woman greeted breathily.
"Meneg hennaed, Arwen," he thanked her. Chloe blinked at the three wondrous creatures. "Lord Elrond, we have come for shelter."
"Glassen an achened le," Elrond replied, "no matter the circumstances. Please step inside."
"My companion needs healing. An accident occurred as she was hiding from the Nazgul."
Arwen nodded and extended her hand towards Chloe. Legolas turned to Chloe and smiled in encouragement. "I will leave you to the ministrations of Arwen."
He helped her up the steps. With each one, Chloe grimaced. After four steps, Legolas lifted her into his arms. Arwen smiled and gave him directions towards the healing hall. Elrond watched expressionlessly and followed behind them.
Chloe swallowed deeply as Legolas took her inside the room that the beautiful woman had directed them to. She was especially uncomfortable when Legolas crossed the threshold with her in his arms. If only he knew what that meant for her. She felt a moment of loss when he settled her at the center of the bed. Legolas took Arwen's hand and kissed her knuckled, then left them.
When Legolas turned around and found Elrond watching him through hooded eyes, he knew that a long conversation would necessarily follow.
"I came across her in the forests of Rhudaur, being attacked by a band of Uruk-hai," he narrated. "She speaks no language understood in Middle-earth. I fear for her."
Elrond nodded and walked, making Legolas fall into step beside him. "She is not an Elf."
Legolas shook his head. "She is human," he said. "However, she is not from any of the kingdoms. Her manner tells me she is not from the East."
"Definitely not," Elrond agreed. "I find no malice in her. She is not an enemy."
"Soon I must go back to Mirkwood," Legolas told Elrond. "The journey must be swift. I can think of no safer place for Chloe than here in Rivendell."
"You will leave her with us?"
Legolas nodded. "I must speak with my father. Surely you are aware of Thranduil's mind."
"He would not condone a human, least of all a human like her. There is not a drop of the grand Elven blood in her."
"And this is why I must speak with my father. Yet," Legolas paused, "Sauron's eye is fixed on this place I wonder if this is the best recourse."
The reluctance was obvious, and caused Elrond's concern. The older Elf placed his hand on the archer's shoulder. "To fear for one you have saved is natural to a warrior. However I trust that you will think twice about this attraction you feel for the human, for I can read you like an open scroll." Legolas met his eyes. "I see your desire, Legolas. Take care. She will not fit into your world."
Legolas shook his head. "She does not even understand my words. How can she understand my heart?"
"Greenwood's fate lies in your hands, Legolas. Do you truly believe that Tranduil will allow a human to ascend to the throne of the greatest Elven forest in Middle-earth?"
"Tis a choice I fear he does not have."
"Once you lay your eyes on your true heart's love, you are married from awakening and beyond passing into the Halls of Mandos." Elrond stepped closer to Legolas and firmly told the Elf to look into his eyes. He shook his head in disbelief. "She is no Elven maid."
Legolas' lips curved. "And yet the proof you see with your own keen sight."
Elrond frowned as he watched the archer's future unfold within.
"She has bewitched me," the archer murmured.
"And so she has."
In the healing halls, Arwen's deft fingers caressed the sore twisted muscle of Chloe's foot. Within mere seconds of the application of a pale blue oil, Chloe felt her muscle mending itself. Arwen looked up at her and smiled.
'Your eyes spoke volumes yet your tongue would not.'
Chloe's eyes widened as she heard the same breathy voice that spoke to Legolas earlier inside her heart. She fully understood Arwen. "How?" she said.
Arwen shook her head and tapped her own temple.
'How?' Chloe thought.
'In our minds, we speak one language, Chloe. It does not matter which side of the Great Sea one is born. All of Eru's children have one voice within.'
Chloe did not know who Eru was, but as she heard him in her mind, she understood that Eru was for them God.
'Your regard for my dear cousin was clear to me. You wish for him to understand you, and for yourself to understand him.'
Chloe nodded. 'But he can't read my mind the way you do. It's hopeless.'
Arwen turned her head when she heard Legolas' and Elrond's faint voices. Her father had just told Legolas that he was different from Chloe, and that this love was foolish to pursue. She turned back to Chloe and smiled, 'If you will learn one thing from me, Chloe, then let it be this: There is always hope.'
The Elven princess leaned forward and kissed Chloe's forehead, and then she whispered a prayer. "Varda, guren min gaim lín. Let it be."
Arwen felt something precious drain from her and through her lips seep into Chloe. Then, she saw a flash of white on her eyelids. She opened her eyes and saw Chloe silhouetted by a brilliant light from behind her. "I see death!" she gasped.
Chloe caught her breath. For the first time, she understood the Elven words uttered to her. Chloe clutched Arwen's hand. "What do you mean?" she demanded, surprised with the foreign words that came out of her.
"I see," Arwen repeated. "One of Legolas' kin will cause your death."
The two women looked up when the room darkened. Legolas stood at the doorway, smiling at them. "How is her foot?"
Arwen patted Chloe's leg. "She is all better. She can run as far away from you as she wants now," she said lightly.
Legolas chuckled. "Then perhaps it was not best to have her healed," he responded.
Chloe stood and walked towards Legolas. She placed her hands on his chest. She glanced at Arwen, whose smile faded at what she heard Chloe decide in her mind. Then, Chloe faced Legolas again and raised her lips to his. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
"Thank you, Arwen, for your help," Legolas said, when they parted to breathe.
"So you will leave her with us while you return to Mirkwood?"
Legolas looked down at Chloe and then shook his head. "I will take her with me. I want her to meet my father and all my kin. Arwen," he said, with a hint of disbelief in his voice, "after two thousand years, I am complete."
The words brought a smile to Chloe's face. He still had no idea that she understood him. Chloe was pretty sure that if he knew, these words would not come out of his mouth. At least, they won't if he truly was like the other men she knew.
'I must tell him my vision.'
Chloe sucked in her breath. 'No! Please.'
'If he is taking you to Greenwood the Great, that is full of his kinsmen, he will need to know.'
'Arwen, please. Let me tell him.'
After long moments of silence, the Elven princess nodded. Chloe disentangled herself from Legolas' embrace and hugged Arwen.
"Hennaid evyr," Chloe whispered.
Arwen nodded. "Glassen, Chloe." And then, she tightened her embrace, because she knew that her vision would still likely pass. She repeated, "You're welcome."
tbc
Legolas understood, for the first time in the ages since his awakening, what it is that drives Men and Elves into the bosom of maidens. When finally he released her from the kiss, his eyes searched hers to read what was in her mind. The green orbs were hazy and unfocused. He took her moment of befuddlement to rest his forehead on hers and breathe, "Elo!" he exclaimed. "What problems you spring on me."
Chloe closed her eyes to gather her thoughts. Whatever it was that he said, they sounded wonderful to her ears. She smiled and relished the remaining connection that they had. How she wished those guys in Smallville could see her now. Actually, she wished all the girls could also see her, especially the ones who secretly scorned at her for being a geek. She had no doubt all those girls would drool at the sight of this guy. And here she was kissing him.
Finally, Chloe pulled away. She grinned at Legolas uncertainly. Sure, he had been temporarily swept away by the sight of her bare bruised shoulder. She was not sure though how he would react now. Trekkie or not, he was still male.
The moment she straightened, she cried out. Having been in heaven and all, Chloe had forgotten about the fall. Now, the pain in her ankle came screaming back at her. Chloe tried to balance herself and her eyes watered at the pain.
He was by her side in an instant. The pain fled for the few seconds it took for her to blush and shiver at the feeling of his strong arm wrapping around her waist.
"You are in pain," he said, concerned. Legolas pushed the hair away from her face.
Chloe looked up at his serious expression. "So are you."
"We must leave this place. Rhudaur is crawling with the Nazgul tonight." Chloe watched the play of emotions on his face. He was so transparent in that regard. Even if his words were gibberish to her, his face told her everything. "There is no choice. To flee quickly, we ride."
Chloe just smiled. Legolas took this as assent. He half-carried her to lean against the tree and left. Chloe's eyes fell on his backside. She shook her head. "Why was Smallville not blessed with tush like that?"
He turned around and raised his eyebrows. Chloe bit her bottom lip. And then she remembered that Legolas may have heard her, but there was no way he understood. So Chloe just waved him away.
A few minutes later, Legolas returned on his white mare. Chloe looked up at him towering over her. She shook her head. "You're determined to kill me," she said, deadpan.
Legolas smoothly slid off the horse, and the movement took her breath away. She would ride in rodeo if she got to see that every time. Her heart caught in her throat when he took her hand and raised it to his heart, then began spouting off in his language.
He hoped she felt his heart as he told her, "I vow to all the Valar that I will keep you safe, Chloe. You will not be hurt while you are with me."
She sighed and touched his lips. "Me too," she answered. Chloe figured it was safe enough. If he was professing his love—after all he was holding her hand to his heart—then she was merely reciprocating. If for some insane reason that befitted this relationship, he was cursing her, then again, she was reciprocating.
Chloe figured it was the former when he swept her up in his arms and magically managed to get them on the mare. He settled her in front of him and kicked the horse. At first, she was stiff and scared. It was not long until he eased her enough that she merely lay back against him and enjoyed her first harmless horseback riding.
She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of being cradled by someone, and of horse and man moving against her body in perfect rhythm. Chloe supposed that it was impolite to sleep when you're riding with someone, much like in her real world if you're the passenger. However, since she could not really strike up a conversation, Chloe figured it would be better to rest now than burden him with a sleepy kissing partner when they finally had the time.
She'd better have good dreams of kissing.
Chloe never noticed when the temperature dropped during the night, or when they stopped in front of a raging river. Legolas looked at the Ford of Bruinen and held tightly to Chloe. Then, he murmured calming words to his mare.
"'Tis our final obstacle before the plains to Rivendell," he told his horse. "Do me proud, old friend. Carry us safely across."
His arms tightened around Chloe's sleeping form as the white mare traversed Loudwater. They were halfway across, in the deepest part of the river, when Chloe woke to the unfamiliar coldness teasing her legs. She moaned deeply and burrowed her face into Legolas' chest. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him.
Chloe saw the intense focused look that Legolas wore. She frowned and straightened, but Legolas caught her waist and pulled her back against him. "Be still," he said. Even if Chloe did not comprehend the words, she understood the urgency and remained where he held her.
Very slowly and cautiously, Chloe looked down. She gasped when she realized that now, even on top of the horse, they were submerged hip-deep into the water. The mare was barely keeping her head above the water.
"You will be safe," he murmured against her temple.
Chloe clutched at his hands on her stomach. She sat tensely as the horse trudged forward. Finally, the water fell and they rose onto the bank. Legolas released the breath he had been holding.
"Good, very good," he said to the horse.
He touched Chloe's hair until she looked up. Legolas pointed to the white peak towers of Rivendell in a distance. "Imladris. Rivendell," he said to her. "We will seek Lord Elrond's counsel, and have Arwen heal your foot."
Chloe looked towards the direction that Legolas pointed. "It's beautiful!" she gasped. For the first time since falling into the stream, Chloe was no longer surrounded by trees. For the first time, this adventure seemed exciting. Rivendell looked like a grand place. She had once pictured herself as a princess. It was not just Lana, really. All girls did that at least once. This would be the perfect setting. Maybe, this would be a true fantasy and this archer was actually a prince. Chloe scoffed at her own train of thoughts. A prince... She shook her head.
Legolas urged the mare forward. Soon, Chloe was grasping the mare's hair as they breezed through the remaining distance towards Rivendell.
It was not long before the gates of Rivendell opened and they rode through. Chloe sat up straight as she looked at her surroundings, taking in the wondrous spectacle of the place. Legolas led the horse towards the main palace.
Two figures stood on the top step of the stairs, their hands clasped in front of them. Chloe's lips parted at the radiance that seemed to exude from them. They had the same radiance that Legolas did. Whoever they were, they were the same creatures that Legolas was. The woman was beyond beautiful. She was ethereal. Chloe knew she herself shrank in comparison.
Legolas stopped the horse at the bottom step. He bowed his head quickly and jumped off the horse. He raised his arms to help Chloe down. Without removing his supporting arm from around her waist, he nodded to the two.
"Mae athollen, Legolas," the woman greeted breathily.
"Meneg hennaed, Arwen," he thanked her. Chloe blinked at the three wondrous creatures. "Lord Elrond, we have come for shelter."
"Glassen an achened le," Elrond replied, "no matter the circumstances. Please step inside."
"My companion needs healing. An accident occurred as she was hiding from the Nazgul."
Arwen nodded and extended her hand towards Chloe. Legolas turned to Chloe and smiled in encouragement. "I will leave you to the ministrations of Arwen."
He helped her up the steps. With each one, Chloe grimaced. After four steps, Legolas lifted her into his arms. Arwen smiled and gave him directions towards the healing hall. Elrond watched expressionlessly and followed behind them.
Chloe swallowed deeply as Legolas took her inside the room that the beautiful woman had directed them to. She was especially uncomfortable when Legolas crossed the threshold with her in his arms. If only he knew what that meant for her. She felt a moment of loss when he settled her at the center of the bed. Legolas took Arwen's hand and kissed her knuckled, then left them.
When Legolas turned around and found Elrond watching him through hooded eyes, he knew that a long conversation would necessarily follow.
"I came across her in the forests of Rhudaur, being attacked by a band of Uruk-hai," he narrated. "She speaks no language understood in Middle-earth. I fear for her."
Elrond nodded and walked, making Legolas fall into step beside him. "She is not an Elf."
Legolas shook his head. "She is human," he said. "However, she is not from any of the kingdoms. Her manner tells me she is not from the East."
"Definitely not," Elrond agreed. "I find no malice in her. She is not an enemy."
"Soon I must go back to Mirkwood," Legolas told Elrond. "The journey must be swift. I can think of no safer place for Chloe than here in Rivendell."
"You will leave her with us?"
Legolas nodded. "I must speak with my father. Surely you are aware of Thranduil's mind."
"He would not condone a human, least of all a human like her. There is not a drop of the grand Elven blood in her."
"And this is why I must speak with my father. Yet," Legolas paused, "Sauron's eye is fixed on this place I wonder if this is the best recourse."
The reluctance was obvious, and caused Elrond's concern. The older Elf placed his hand on the archer's shoulder. "To fear for one you have saved is natural to a warrior. However I trust that you will think twice about this attraction you feel for the human, for I can read you like an open scroll." Legolas met his eyes. "I see your desire, Legolas. Take care. She will not fit into your world."
Legolas shook his head. "She does not even understand my words. How can she understand my heart?"
"Greenwood's fate lies in your hands, Legolas. Do you truly believe that Tranduil will allow a human to ascend to the throne of the greatest Elven forest in Middle-earth?"
"Tis a choice I fear he does not have."
"Once you lay your eyes on your true heart's love, you are married from awakening and beyond passing into the Halls of Mandos." Elrond stepped closer to Legolas and firmly told the Elf to look into his eyes. He shook his head in disbelief. "She is no Elven maid."
Legolas' lips curved. "And yet the proof you see with your own keen sight."
Elrond frowned as he watched the archer's future unfold within.
"She has bewitched me," the archer murmured.
"And so she has."
In the healing halls, Arwen's deft fingers caressed the sore twisted muscle of Chloe's foot. Within mere seconds of the application of a pale blue oil, Chloe felt her muscle mending itself. Arwen looked up at her and smiled.
'Your eyes spoke volumes yet your tongue would not.'
Chloe's eyes widened as she heard the same breathy voice that spoke to Legolas earlier inside her heart. She fully understood Arwen. "How?" she said.
Arwen shook her head and tapped her own temple.
'How?' Chloe thought.
'In our minds, we speak one language, Chloe. It does not matter which side of the Great Sea one is born. All of Eru's children have one voice within.'
Chloe did not know who Eru was, but as she heard him in her mind, she understood that Eru was for them God.
'Your regard for my dear cousin was clear to me. You wish for him to understand you, and for yourself to understand him.'
Chloe nodded. 'But he can't read my mind the way you do. It's hopeless.'
Arwen turned her head when she heard Legolas' and Elrond's faint voices. Her father had just told Legolas that he was different from Chloe, and that this love was foolish to pursue. She turned back to Chloe and smiled, 'If you will learn one thing from me, Chloe, then let it be this: There is always hope.'
The Elven princess leaned forward and kissed Chloe's forehead, and then she whispered a prayer. "Varda, guren min gaim lín. Let it be."
Arwen felt something precious drain from her and through her lips seep into Chloe. Then, she saw a flash of white on her eyelids. She opened her eyes and saw Chloe silhouetted by a brilliant light from behind her. "I see death!" she gasped.
Chloe caught her breath. For the first time, she understood the Elven words uttered to her. Chloe clutched Arwen's hand. "What do you mean?" she demanded, surprised with the foreign words that came out of her.
"I see," Arwen repeated. "One of Legolas' kin will cause your death."
The two women looked up when the room darkened. Legolas stood at the doorway, smiling at them. "How is her foot?"
Arwen patted Chloe's leg. "She is all better. She can run as far away from you as she wants now," she said lightly.
Legolas chuckled. "Then perhaps it was not best to have her healed," he responded.
Chloe stood and walked towards Legolas. She placed her hands on his chest. She glanced at Arwen, whose smile faded at what she heard Chloe decide in her mind. Then, Chloe faced Legolas again and raised her lips to his. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
"Thank you, Arwen, for your help," Legolas said, when they parted to breathe.
"So you will leave her with us while you return to Mirkwood?"
Legolas looked down at Chloe and then shook his head. "I will take her with me. I want her to meet my father and all my kin. Arwen," he said, with a hint of disbelief in his voice, "after two thousand years, I am complete."
The words brought a smile to Chloe's face. He still had no idea that she understood him. Chloe was pretty sure that if he knew, these words would not come out of his mouth. At least, they won't if he truly was like the other men she knew.
'I must tell him my vision.'
Chloe sucked in her breath. 'No! Please.'
'If he is taking you to Greenwood the Great, that is full of his kinsmen, he will need to know.'
'Arwen, please. Let me tell him.'
After long moments of silence, the Elven princess nodded. Chloe disentangled herself from Legolas' embrace and hugged Arwen.
"Hennaid evyr," Chloe whispered.
Arwen nodded. "Glassen, Chloe." And then, she tightened her embrace, because she knew that her vision would still likely pass. She repeated, "You're welcome."
tbc