Twilight and Greenleaves
Disclaimer: Don't own any of Tolkien's stuff.
A/N: Hello everyone! I'm back! Anyway, to you who are my old readers, I recommend you go back and read my newly revised chapters, or you might end up confused. Thank you all and please review!
Chapter Six
Adúriel stared at Legolas uncertainly, her heart racing oddly. "A request?" she repeated, urging him to continue. "What request might that be?"
He seemed absorbed in the task of undoing the cinches on Arrna's saddle, lifting it off of the coal black stallion before responding. "I don't know if you have heard about the recent killings of Elves around Mirkwood, aranelle,-"
"Atara told me about them," she interjected quickly, wanting him to get to the point quickly.
Legolas nodded in response as he began to rub down Arrna. "Ada has sent me an urgent letter requesting me to return home. You spoke of wanting to travel, and also I recall you saying you wished to see Mirkwood. Perhaps, if you wish, you could accompany me there."
Her breath caught in her throat, unable to respond for a moment. The hint that it was not completely safe seemed not to register in her mind as she gazed at him. "Truly?" Adúriel whispered in delight, her sapphire eyes aglow.
The Elf couldn't help the smile that flickered across his face at the sweet naivety in her tone. She might be the daughter of the wisest Elven woman in Middle Earth, but she was still as innocent as a human maid. "Truly," he told her seriously.
"I would be delighted," she replied breathlessly, a dazzling smile flickering across her face.
&&&&
Arwen sang softly in the Elven language as she brushed Adúriel's raven colored hair, as she did every night for each of her daughters. It was a special tradition that had started with Adúriel, and had eventually expanded to her younger sisters as well. Being the oldest, she was always the last, allowing for mother and daughter to spend quality time together.
Closing her eyes, the young Princess listened to her mother's song, sighing softly at the words.
Nai elen undome (May it be an evening star)
sila nu deno' tye (Shines down upon you)
Nai iire mori lanta (May it be when darkness falls)
lle hoon enna anwa (Your heart will be true)
lle vanta ereb malle' (You walk a lonely road)
Aiya haesut llenal tuulo' eska (Oh how far you are from home)
Mornie utúlië (Darkness has come)
Duro ar' enhir lle pata (Believe and you will find your way)
Mornie alantië (Darkness has fallen)
Vesta cuia yassene lle si (A promise lives within you now)
Nai dea yelo (May it be the shadow's call)
En rip oar (Will fly away)
Nai lle lemano' (May it be you journey on)
Me' re (To light the day)
Iire dome na tulvanwa (When the night is overcome)
lle aa' duno hir anar (You may rise to find the sun)
Mornie utúlië (Darkness has come)
Duro ar' enhir lle pata (Believe and you will find your way)
Mornie alantië (Darkness has fallen)
Vesta cuia yassene lle si (A promise lives within you now)
Vesta cuia yassene lle si (A promise lives within you now)
"You are awfully quiet tonight dear," Arwen suddenly remarked, startling Adùriel. "And you were gone so long." Her tone suddenly had an edge to it, leaning over the girl's shoulder to peer into Adùriel's eyes. "Were you with Lord Rhone?" Though the words were not accusing, there was a bit of displeasure as if she did not approve of the man.
"Oh, goodness no Atara!" she exclaimed, her cheeks burning crimson. "I simply wanted to ride, to get some fresh air."
"Alone?" Arwen raised one of her delicately arched eyebrows, looking stern. "I do not mean to lecture you, dear, but your Father has asked you to refrain from doing such things or he will assign you a bodyguard."
"No, I wasn't alone," Adúriel admitted, blushing even deeper. "Legolas kept me company."
For a moment, Arwen looked surprised, but then her beautiful features relaxed into a gentle smile. "You're blushing," she teased softly, going back to brushing her daughter's dark hair.
Adúriel only flushed a deeper scarlet, hearing her mother's soft laughter in her ears.
"Oh darling, there's no reason to be embarrassed," Arwen said, sounding amused. "It was kind of him to go with you. It's good for him to spend time with people who aren't as weighed down by responsibility."
"Atara, did you hear that Legolas is going to be returning to Mirkwood?" she asked suddenly, turning her head to look up at Arwen.
"I did," the Queen answered serenely, setting her brush down. "But what does this have to do with anything?"
"He-he asked if I would like to come with him," she admitted, her cheeks warming again.
Arwen merely raised one of her delicate eyebrows. "And what did you say?"
" I said I would love to." Suddenly worried that her mother wouldn't approve she began to speak quickly. "Is there something wrong with that? Do you not wish me to go? Ada won't want me to, will he?"
"Calm down Adúriel!" Arwen exclaimed softly, her gray eyes filled with gentle laughter. "On the contrary, I think it will be good for you."
"Do you mean that Atara?" she inquired happily. Then her expression flickered. "But Ada. . ."
"Don't worry about your Father," Arwen cut in smoothly. "He will agree with me, though he will be reluctant." She placed a gentle kiss on her daughter's brow with one of her radiant smiles. "You shall have a wonderful time."
&&&&&
The sunlit courtyard caused the Elven Prince to blink momentarily as he stepped out of the shadowy palace. He paused momentarily on the steps, ignoring the guards who were eyeing him curiously out of the corner of their eyes. Legolas unfolded the parchment letter that he had stored in his tunic pocket, smoothing out the creases as he began to read it once more.
There is no reason for concern Legolas, but it is important that you return home immediately. I need your assistance here in Mirkwood. Once the miserable orcs are taken care of, you are more than welcome to return to Gondor.
Father
He sighed, replacing it in his pocket. It sounded very much like his Father: short, snappish, and directly to the point. Though Tharanduil claimed there was no reason for concern, Legolas knew his Father better than that. There was no reason for him to have summoned his son unless things were becoming very serious.
Legolas had just come from speaking with Aragorn. The King of Gondor was also concerned, and was considering bringing an army to the aid of the Wood Elves. The Elf had agreed that it might be a good idea, but first he wished to see for himself how dire the trouble was. He had also received Aragorn's permission to take Adúriel with him, and now was seeking her out to tell her the good news.
"Did the Princess Adúriel pass by here?" Legolas inquired of one of the door wardens.
The one on the right nodded, his dark brown eyes sparkling with a mischievous nature that was quite the opposite of his serious posture. "Her Highness went to the training fields to practice. She should still be there."
After thanking the guard, he set off down the path. He had heard the rumors that Adúriel was quite the accomplished swordswoman, and was eager to see if the tale were true.
Drawing nearer, Legolas took note of the unusual number of soldiers who were lingering about, and knew that the Princess must be the reason. They glanced sideways at him as he passed, sidling away quickly. Knowing that the Elf was a personal friend of the King, they did not wish rumors of them watching the Princess to reach his ears.
Legolas' quick eyes scanned the training people, but did not see the young dark haired girl among the black clad soldiers who were practicing all forms of war craft. Then his attention was drawn to the far end of the area, catching sight of the slight figure there. A smile flickered over his lips, walking quietly nearer.
Adúriel's stance was perfect as she stood with her back to him, a long sword similar to Anduril held in her hands. She was going through practice drills, swinging the blade in skilled controlled maneuvers. The Elf's eyebrows came up slightly.
She did say that she had some skill, he recalled, his practiced eyes attentive to every detail of her movement. Adúriel was graceful and quick, her steps quick and even, keeping perfect time with her drills. With a pang, he realized that her style was very close to that of her Father, the most talented swordsman of this age.
She stepped around as if to attack an enemy behind her, and was deeply shocked when a long white knife stopped her sword. Her sapphire eyes were wide as she stared back at Legolas who stood before her.
"You were being modest before," he told her gravely.
"About what?" she inquired blankly, their blades still locked together.
"About your talent with a sword," the Elf responded, his eyes dancing. "You are remarkably skilled."
Adúriel whipped her sword away from his knife, holding it at the ready before her. "Ada has taught me since I was six," she told him with a brilliant grin.
Legolas smiled, sheathing his knife once more. "It shows aranelle. I'm glad to see that your arm had healed."
The grin widened as she slid the sword into a sheath buckled around her slim waist. "Atara took the bandages off this morning," she told him, brushing back loose locks of her dark hair that had fallen into her eyes. "I wanted to make certain that I hadn't lost my strength."
"You seem to be doing exceptionally well," he told her, his eyes flickering to a bow and quiver of arrows that rested by a tree stump nearby. The Elf suddenly smiled, gesturing to them. "Perhaps this is a good time for me to instruct you?"
Adúriel smiled, her eyes sparkling as she went to fetch her equipment. She slid the quiver across her back, holding the bow in her right hand. "Well Master Elf, how should we begin?"
He gave her a brief smile at her teasing tone. "I would like to see you shoot first, to gain an idea of your skill level, Adúriel."
"Of course," she returned, turning her sights on a target that had been placed at the far end of the field.
She straightened, lifting the bow and placing an arrow to her string, aware of Legolas' eyes on her the entire time. Adúriel squinted at the target, drawing back the strong as she prepared to fire.
He noted her stance, watching as the young girl released the arrow. It flew true through the air, but it hit the edge of the target, nowhere near the center. Adúriel gave a frustrated sigh, glancing at him. Legolas smiled at her, stepping nearer.
"There's no need to look so upset," he replied. "You have the right idea. Let me help you."
The Elf stepped up behind her, gently correcting her stance. He then placed his hands over hers. Adúriel fought back a gasp, startled by this, but fighting to hide it. It was unnerving to have him so close to her.
"This is the proper stance," he murmured, quietly. "This is how you should stand when shooting."
She nodded slightly, finding it slightly hard to breath. "I'll remember."
"Good," Legolas praised softly. "Now, let me guide your hands. Yet you shall have to do the aiming."
Again she bobbed her head in response, feeling him shift her grip on the bow. She allowed him to do so, trying to imprint all of this information into her memory. Legolas then guided her hand on the string, both of them drawing it back. Adúriel forced herself to concentrate on the center of the target, slightly adjusting her arrow to face in that direction. Then they released it, and both heard the satisfying soft thunk as the arrow lodged itself in the center of the target.
"Wow," she managed to say, her eyes wide. "I did it."
"Well done," Legolas praised, smiling down on her as he gently released his hold on her and taking a step back. "Now you can keep practicing and grow better."
Adúriel beamed back. "Thank you," she returned sincerely.
He inclined his head slightly. "It was my pleasure," he returned. "Princess, I came to tell you that I plan on leaving for Mirkwood tomorrow morning. Aragorn has given you permission to come with me, if you still wish to."
"Of course," she answered quickly.
"Then I shall see you tomorrow." Legolas gave her a slight bow before turning and leaving the training field.