Chapter 7: It Chooses For You
"One of the greatest weaknesses in most of us is our lack of faith in ourselves." Any outsider that would have observed the farewell between Legolas and Rhiannon would think their relationship was nothing more than that of mere acquaintance. She seemed to show more emotion towards the Man of Gondor than to the elven prince. For Rhiannon the goodbye was not emotional because she now had the knowledge she would see him again, even if it would not be in the best of times. For Legolas, it was the farewell they had shared earlier in the day, not necessarily intimate, more of a reassurance. She had once again put his mind at ease as she had done weeks earlier in the gardens. It was in no way a bitter parting among anyone. Rhiannon watched the Fellowship leave until even her keen eyes could no longer pick them up. Rhiannon knew this quest would result in many changes for all, neither good nor bad. And as much as the elves hated it, change was coming, and fast. And while she knew Lord Elrond had many things to ponder at the moment, she had many unanswered questions. And as has been mentioned before, this little part elven had no patience.
Rhiannon walked swiftly to the study of Lord Elrond. She did not even bother to knock, knowing that he had already felt her presence, evidence to why no guards or servants were about. She saw him sitting at his desk, staring out into the open night.
"Care to explain to me what passed between Legolas and I?"
Lord Elrond did not even turn to look at her when he replied, "I have no need to. You already know."
Yes, she did. She just did not want to believe, "Please, just tell me."
Lord Elrond turned his gaze to the young being in front of him. Such a pleading look in her bright eyes. So much wisdom in one so young. She had already known the toughest battles of all to fight, the battles within yourself. She could recognize what the outcomes might be for others, but never realized that greatness that was destined to come out of her. While he was in the Undying Lands for the rest of time, her people, and her descendants, would be changing the world quietly and slowly. Learning to do what they had not learned on Middle Earth. That sometimes all must rule and all must be submissive. And she still needed to be treated as a child. To have someone older and wiser to promise her that those shadows in the dark were not real. She feared this, what could happen, what she was, what she could be, what Legolas could make her. Ah, the fears of the young.
" Your souls, I believe that is the closest term, called out to each other. There is much about Legolas you do not know. And there is much that if you did know, you would turn away from him. That is why your heart or your soul has chosen for you and not given you a choice in the matter. You will not be able to survive with out each other now."
Elrond could have laughed at the distressed look on Rhiannon's face. He held up a hand so she would not interrupt.
"Rhiannon, patience, please. As long as one is alive, the other will live. It does not mean to be within close proximity of each other. The two of you have both been stubborn, childish, mischievous, independent beings. Now you have no choice but to depend on each other, to share pain and joy. You are intermingled, entwined, bound within each other."
Rhiannon could not stop the smirk from coming to her face, "Isn't that usually some long, drawn-out, over-done, elvish ceremony? I remember many courting rituals last time before Elladan bedded me."
"Please tell me you have not already."
"Lords, Elrond, no! I have known him a few months and have just kissed him! What, exactly, do you take me for?"
"Well, I, just.I."
Rhiannon bit her lip to stop the laughter. The Lord of Rivendell looked like a fish. "Could it be? Is Lord Elrond flustered and speechless!?!"
Elrond rubbed his forehead, his own patience starting to wane a little, "May the Valar be with Legolas! I grieve for the poor prince. It would take a stronger elf than I to be bound with you for all eternity."
Rhiannon bristled, Lord or no Lord, that was not kind, "You are avoiding my question about the ceremony, and you are starting to piss me off!"
"Such a mouth. Yes, there is usually a ceremony, but you two have never been...predictable. There would have been little time anyway. Your own journey has not even begun, I believe the ceremony will follow it. When will you leave for Gondor?"
"That quick to be rid of me?"
"I wish for you to follow close behind them. I also need another message delivered to Lorien. You can reach Gondor through the Golden Wood."
"Very few pass through the Golden Wood."
"You will have her permission. Galadriel will know you are coming. You have quite a presence my young friend."
"So I've been told. I will leave in two days. I wish for at least one guide, a horse, and supplies, since I do not have any of my own. I hope it will not be too much trouble."
"Of course not. I would never have you leave unprepared. I will send for guides as soon as I am able."
"Thank you." Rhiannon turned to leave, but as she neared the door she stopped. "It is not fair, you know."
"What is that?"
"To have no choice in who you love."
"Who spoke of love? I speak of the other half of your soul. It chooses it's own. You will never choose for it."
"One of the greatest weaknesses in most of us is our lack of faith in ourselves." Any outsider that would have observed the farewell between Legolas and Rhiannon would think their relationship was nothing more than that of mere acquaintance. She seemed to show more emotion towards the Man of Gondor than to the elven prince. For Rhiannon the goodbye was not emotional because she now had the knowledge she would see him again, even if it would not be in the best of times. For Legolas, it was the farewell they had shared earlier in the day, not necessarily intimate, more of a reassurance. She had once again put his mind at ease as she had done weeks earlier in the gardens. It was in no way a bitter parting among anyone. Rhiannon watched the Fellowship leave until even her keen eyes could no longer pick them up. Rhiannon knew this quest would result in many changes for all, neither good nor bad. And as much as the elves hated it, change was coming, and fast. And while she knew Lord Elrond had many things to ponder at the moment, she had many unanswered questions. And as has been mentioned before, this little part elven had no patience.
Rhiannon walked swiftly to the study of Lord Elrond. She did not even bother to knock, knowing that he had already felt her presence, evidence to why no guards or servants were about. She saw him sitting at his desk, staring out into the open night.
"Care to explain to me what passed between Legolas and I?"
Lord Elrond did not even turn to look at her when he replied, "I have no need to. You already know."
Yes, she did. She just did not want to believe, "Please, just tell me."
Lord Elrond turned his gaze to the young being in front of him. Such a pleading look in her bright eyes. So much wisdom in one so young. She had already known the toughest battles of all to fight, the battles within yourself. She could recognize what the outcomes might be for others, but never realized that greatness that was destined to come out of her. While he was in the Undying Lands for the rest of time, her people, and her descendants, would be changing the world quietly and slowly. Learning to do what they had not learned on Middle Earth. That sometimes all must rule and all must be submissive. And she still needed to be treated as a child. To have someone older and wiser to promise her that those shadows in the dark were not real. She feared this, what could happen, what she was, what she could be, what Legolas could make her. Ah, the fears of the young.
" Your souls, I believe that is the closest term, called out to each other. There is much about Legolas you do not know. And there is much that if you did know, you would turn away from him. That is why your heart or your soul has chosen for you and not given you a choice in the matter. You will not be able to survive with out each other now."
Elrond could have laughed at the distressed look on Rhiannon's face. He held up a hand so she would not interrupt.
"Rhiannon, patience, please. As long as one is alive, the other will live. It does not mean to be within close proximity of each other. The two of you have both been stubborn, childish, mischievous, independent beings. Now you have no choice but to depend on each other, to share pain and joy. You are intermingled, entwined, bound within each other."
Rhiannon could not stop the smirk from coming to her face, "Isn't that usually some long, drawn-out, over-done, elvish ceremony? I remember many courting rituals last time before Elladan bedded me."
"Please tell me you have not already."
"Lords, Elrond, no! I have known him a few months and have just kissed him! What, exactly, do you take me for?"
"Well, I, just.I."
Rhiannon bit her lip to stop the laughter. The Lord of Rivendell looked like a fish. "Could it be? Is Lord Elrond flustered and speechless!?!"
Elrond rubbed his forehead, his own patience starting to wane a little, "May the Valar be with Legolas! I grieve for the poor prince. It would take a stronger elf than I to be bound with you for all eternity."
Rhiannon bristled, Lord or no Lord, that was not kind, "You are avoiding my question about the ceremony, and you are starting to piss me off!"
"Such a mouth. Yes, there is usually a ceremony, but you two have never been...predictable. There would have been little time anyway. Your own journey has not even begun, I believe the ceremony will follow it. When will you leave for Gondor?"
"That quick to be rid of me?"
"I wish for you to follow close behind them. I also need another message delivered to Lorien. You can reach Gondor through the Golden Wood."
"Very few pass through the Golden Wood."
"You will have her permission. Galadriel will know you are coming. You have quite a presence my young friend."
"So I've been told. I will leave in two days. I wish for at least one guide, a horse, and supplies, since I do not have any of my own. I hope it will not be too much trouble."
"Of course not. I would never have you leave unprepared. I will send for guides as soon as I am able."
"Thank you." Rhiannon turned to leave, but as she neared the door she stopped. "It is not fair, you know."
"What is that?"
"To have no choice in who you love."
"Who spoke of love? I speak of the other half of your soul. It chooses it's own. You will never choose for it."