I speed typed and got the last chapter up as well! Might as well. So that's this story done and dusted. New one coming soon!
Faerlain
Chapter 20: Demons of Love.
King Thranduil,
As I am sure you know, my wife left for the Grey Havens this morning. The partings were bitter, but I know she is going to a better place, where she can heal properly.
Also, Elrohir and Dolenmíl are pledged to be married. The ceremony will take place here in Rivendell, and you are all invited. It is scheduled for late September. I hope you can all come.
Rivendell seems empty without Celebrían. No one sings, no one laughs. There is no music playing, the dancers have stopped dancing, even the children have stopped playing. I feel the main source of light and laughter has left our home.
I do not know why I am writing this. I think I just felt I needed to talk to someone. It has been a long time since we last met, Thranduil. Maybe we should see each other again soon. Come to the wedding. And even if you only stay for a few days, stay. The more the merrier. And we certainly need the happiness back in Rivendell.
Give my regards to your family, and I hope you can most definitely come to the wedding celebrations. I think we all need a bit of cheering up after the past year.
Elrond.
Celeblaith was worried. Surely this whole wedding thing was not a good idea!
"Will there be wine?"
"Yes Flugo, there will be wine."
"And food?"
"Of course Asar! It's a wedding you idiots. Of course there'll be food and wine!"
"Alright Heledir, stop being so smarmy!"
Legolas grinned at his friend's gentle bickering as they rode towards Rivendell. He glanced over at his sister, who was riding beside their father. He rolled his eyes at her. She grinned back, and then led her horse over to ride beside him instead.
"Looking forward to it?"
"Actually, I am. I've always liked weddings."
"Good. Not…worried about anything?"
"Cel…"
"What? Legolas, I'm just a bit confused, that's all. You used to love Dolenmíl to bits. Now she's getting married to your best friend, you don't seem to care!"
"It was a passing thing. Nothing ever came of it, did it?"
"No, but…"
"No buts. I did love her, but we were not meant to be. Whereas her and Elrohir are."
Celeblaith smiled. "Good. What are you wearing?"
"You'll see when we get there. You?"
"You'll see when we get there," she mimicked.
He swatted her round the head, but she just laughed and went back to ride beside Thranduil again.
Eilianu had remained in Mirkwood to rule in Thranduil's' absence. The King had replied to Elrond's latter, saying that he would indeed be attending the wedding, and that it had been too long since the two rulers had met.
Their journey was thankfully uneventful. They reached Rivendell with no problems whatsoever. Unless you count the rain. But even that couldn't dampen the spirits of Elves on their way to a wedding.
The ceremony itself was amazing. Mithrandir arrived just in time to conduct it, and everything went perfectly smoothly. Dolenmíl looked absolutely fantastic in her white wedding dress, which trailed behind her in a lovely long train.
Legolas wore a soft blue tunic with silver leggings. Celeblaith had a long, flowing, lilac dress, and together, they looked wonderful. Thranduil was indeed, proud of his children.
At the dance afterwards, there was plenty of wine on offer. This pleased Legolas' friends immensely. He had to sit with his father and sister for a short while, then was finally allowed to go off with the others.
Dolenmíl found herself the centre of attention, and she was loving it. Whilst Elrohir was off talking to some old friends who had come from Lothlórien, she went in search of Legolas. She hadn't had chance to talk with the Mirkwood Prince since he had arrived, and really wanted to.
She found him in a far corner, chatting away to Rédethuil. His back was towards her, and so he didn't see her approach. Rédethuil did however, and he looked uncertainly over the Prince's shoulder. Legolas turned to follow his gaze, and smiled faintly at Dolenmíl. He bowed his head respectfully to her. "My Lady," he said as a way of greeting. Rédethuil followed suit.
"Oh, come off it you two. I am not here to be bowed to." She walked right up them and flung her arms round Legolas' neck. He scowled at the grinning Rédethuil, who then found himself having the same treatment.
"I have missed you all so much," she told them. "It's horrible here without Celebrían."
"Celeblaith got your letter," Legolas told her. "She's in here…somewhere."
"Good, I shall find her later. For now, I just wish to talk to you Legolas. Rédethuil, if you wouldn't mind…?"
"I shall see you later my Lady, my Lord." He bowed to them, and walked off, grinning from ear to ear.
Legolas turned back to Dolenmíl. "Just me?" he asked.
She nodded. "Can we go outside?"
They walked out of the hall together, and made their way down a small path. "I meant it you know," she said. "I really have missed you all something dreadful."
"And everyone is missing you in Mirkwood. You must come to visit."
"That is what I came to talk to you about." They sat down on a stone bench. "I want to go home."
"But…you've only just got married."
"I know. I was waiting until after the wedding. Elrohir knows, and he understands. When you go back there…I want to come with you."
"Dolenmíl, are you sure…?"
"Yes! I am completely sure. I have been away for over 500 years. And I don't know why I didn't return sooner."
"Will Elrohir be coming as well?"
She shook her head. "No. He says I should go back alone the first time. As long as I am not gone for too long, he says he does not mind my going."
Legolas smiled. "Then you are most welcome to join us," he answered.
She smiled back and kissed his cheek. "Hannon lle," she whispered. She linked her arm through his, and they sat there in silence.
The Sun rose high, sending Her rays shining brightly over the treetops. The entire valley was bathed in the glorious sunlight. People started waking up, and going about their daily routines.
Legolas made his way down to the stables. He had decided to go for an early morning ride to wake himself up properly. He had a feeling he had had slightly too much to drink last night.
He led Galu out of the stables, mounted her, and then galloped off down the nearest path. Soft birdsong echoing through the valley lightened both the day and his heart.
A lot had been said last night. A lot of things had been found out; wrongs put right, old disagreements settled. With the dawn of this new day, came the fresh dawning of Legolas' own mind.
He was free. Free of his burdens and worries. Dolenmíl was a married woman. There was no way his heart could be hurt by her again. Elrohir was happy, so Elladan was as well. Arwen was pleased for both her brother and Dolenmíl. Elrond was quieter than usual, but he was glad that his children were happy.
Thranduil had been in a good mood all night, during to the large amounts of wine he seemed to have managed to consume in a short space of time. And Celeblaith was happy, because everyone else was, and everything seemed to be going well for her.
So naturally, Legolas felt happy. So much happiness! Perhaps this world wasn't such a bad place after all.
He came to the Bridge in the centre of Rivendell, and saw a lone maiden standing on it, gazing down into the water. He nudged Galu's flanks with his heels, and they made their way onto the Bridge.
Thrálindë heard horse's hooves approaching. She looked up, and saw the Prince of Mirkwood coming towards her. She recognised him from the previous night. She smiled at him as he stopped beside her. "Good morning my Lord."
"A fine morning it is my Lady." He dismounted, and stood next to her. "Yet you spend it alone?"
"Aye, as do you I see."
He looked over at Galu, who was watching him with curious eyes. "I have my horse for company," he pointed out.
She laughed. "I don't think a horse really counts."
"She is my friend. Of course she counts."
"What is her name?"
"Galu."
"Good fortune?"
"Yes. You know Sindarin?"
"I lived for a while in Lothlórien. I picked small bits up here and there."
"I see. What is your name, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Thrálindë."
"A lovely name."
She blushed a little. "Thank you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why does it ring a bell in my head though?"
"I was with Prince Elrohir, many, many years ago. Then I came back, last year."
"Ah, yes, I remember. You almost faded away."
She nodded. Why did people always bring this subject up?
"Oh well, we won't talk about that. I can tell you don't want to."
She looked at him. He was staring down the River, to where it cascaded over rocks in small waterfalls. He sensed her looking, and turned to face her. He smiled. "You have not asked for my name."
"Is there really any need for me to?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
"You're Prince Legolas. Everyone knows you."
He cringed. "I know, and it isn't nice." He sighed. "Well, I must be going." He whistled for Galu. "I shall see you around Lady Thrálindë."
"Maybe my Lord." She smiled at him as he cantered off.
So that was Legolas Greenleaf, famous slayer of the Dagnir-o Lóre, eldest child of King Thranduil of Mirkwood, the greatest archer in all of Middle-Earth…
"He was nice," she muttered to herself. Laughing at her own comment, she started heading back to the House.
Dolenmíl was glad to be back. She had missed Mirkwood terribly, and when she first set foot under the great boughs again, she felt more at peace and relaxed than she had done for a long while. She urged her horse into a faster trot, and caught up with Legolas at the head of the group.
"It's good to be home," she told him, grinning.
"It always is."
"Where will I be staying?"
"In the palace of course, where else?"
She shrugged. "I don't know." She looked around her. "It hasn't changed much. Still dark, gloomy, cold…but its home."
He laughed. "And it always will be?"
"Most definitely."
Home is where the heart is after all. Even if demons do invade that heart, they do not stay.
Including the Demons of Love.
MERRY XMAS!!!!!! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
I'm in a festive mood.
Thank you to everybody who read this story and reviewed. I love you all very much! Hug.
Faerlain