Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with LotR, TTT, or RotK. I am not stealing the characters, etc. I also do not own any part of the song that is in this chapter. It is by the group Evanescence and called, "Give Unto Me".
Chapter: 5
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The evening's festivities were slowing and everyone was relaxing after another large banquet. Merry, Pipin, and young elven children had gathered around listening to Gandalf giving a wonderfully funny account of his encounter with a Griffin. Every person in the dining hall recalled the day's successful events and had his own perspectives.
Arwen left Aragorn sitting at the head of a feasting table. She slowly moved from one guest to another and spoke soft words of thanks and well wishing. She reached her cousin's side and placed her hand upon Melayren's shoulder. "Would you like to walk with me?" asked Arwen with a smile.
Mel placed her wine goblet down and pushed back from the other guests. She smiled and excused herself and then linked her right arm with Arwen's left elbow.
They slowly made their way through the dinning hall, picking up bits and pieces of laughter and conversation as they went. Melayren heard the boastrous laugh of the entertaining dwarf, Gimli. She looked his way and warmly smiled. She rather enjoyed the stout dwarf and his proud ways. Sitting next to him was Legolas, regally sitting and listening to all the surrounding banter.
For a moment, Legolas was lost in the laughter and fun. He looked up and a large grin was frozen on his face for a brief moment. His face softened and a more intimate smile settled in place. His eyes remained fixed on Melayren.
Mel smiled and gave a small nod of her head. She then turned her attention back to Arwen. They passed through the entrance and walked in silence until they reached the glow from the starlit sky. Numerous torches, in the courtyard, added brightness to the surroundings. Many paths through the floral and herb gardens were visible as the cousins walked arm in arm. They chose to sit at the fountain and cool their hands in the crystal clear water.
"Do you remember when we were younger and would wade to our knees in the waters of 'Magic Spring Forth'?" Arwen asked, with twinkling eyes and a happy smile.
Melayren laughed and thought for a moment. "We were young and full of romantic notions then. We chose that silly name and believed that it had healing powers. I remember. We talked of dreams and how we would always live among those trees and waters." Mel sadly sighed and looked into the fountain as if comparing it to the childhood place. "This fountain is a bit smaller than that water hole."
Arwen chuckled and shook her head. "It was a happy time for us. You and I were very close and we shared everything." Arwen's face held the look of one with much on her mind.
Melayren looked into Arwen's eyes, "We are still close and I will always love you as my sister. Now you finally have Aragorn. I have never seen you happier, dear cousin. Why are you being so reflective?"
Arwen smiled and gazed up at the stars, "I have never felt more filled than right now. That is why I feel that I must do the same for you. You also must be filled with an overwhelming joy." When she saw the puzzled look on Melayren's brow, she continued, " I'm not speaking of all the adventures you have been granted in the past. All the traveling and sailing over the seas still have not filled that small part of your heart that is reserved for your true match."
Staring into the forest, Melayren remained silent and Arwen continued, "The night's activities will be ending in an hour's time. I will tell you a secret." Arwen smiled and moved closer to Melayren while pointing to the West, "Follow that trail but over the hill and you will find a place that rivals our childhood 'Magic Spring Forth'. There is a side of rock that flows cool water. You will have much privacy."
Melayren's face became aglow with excitement at the thought of seeing such a place. She looked around as she heard voices coming from the feast hall. Everyone was moving to his or her resting places and indeed the night was becoming still and quiet.
Arwen rose and took Melayren's hands in her own, "Go and spend time with the healing waters. There are no sea demons or creatures there and it is free to swim." Arwen softly kissed Melayren's cheek and went to Aragorn as he emerged from the party. They proceeded to their own rooms for the rest of the night.
Melayren climbed the stone steps to her room in the great keep. She was deep in thought and did not notice a pair of clear blue eyes had been watching her every move. She reached her door and walked through the threshold.
Legolas watched from the empty courtyard and wanted to say her name and draw her full attention. He sighed and decided that morning would give him an easier start at friendship.
Engrossed in his thoughts and disappointment, Legolas' senses failed him. He was unaware that a pair of old, wise eyes was focused directly on him.
"You seem troubled, Legolas," came a soft and gentle voice.
Legolas turned to see Gandlaf standing behind him. "Gandalf!" Legolas said with astonishment.
A chuckle emitted from the wizard, "It is a superior day, indeed. I have finally surprised an elf! I understand. Melayren is breathtaking."
Not wanting to give away any of his feelings, Legolas remained silent until it was evident that Gandalf wasn't going to say more. "Are you remaining awake for some time yet? I would enjoy some talk."
Gandalf leaned on his staff and sighed, "Oh I wish I could dear Legolas. It seems time has caught me this evening. I must take my rest."
Legolas nodded in understanding and affectionately bid Gandalf retirement, "Rest well, Gandalf, tomorrow is another day."
Gandalf shuffled his feet and slowly set off for the night. He paused and turned to look at Legolas, "Legolas, I came upon a spot you should see. It is abundant with ancient trees and quite secluded," pointing is staff in the direction he continued. "There in the west is a path that will lead you to peace and tranquility. Goodnight."
Legolas turned to the West and with his sharp elf eyes, saw the path instantly. He was drawn to the thought of listening to old trees that talked to each other and sitting under the stars.
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Melayren sat at her window, listening to the night insects while watching the courtyard fountain spray water upon the stones. A small, warm breeze caressed her cheeks like a tender lover.
Thoughts and inages of the day drifted through her mind. Some made her smile, while others troubled her. Her troubling seemed to center around Legolas. She thought of Arwen and the words she had spoken. Was there someone who could make her as happy as Aragorn has made Arwen?
Melayren had traveled the seas and the lands for a thousand years. There had been interesting men along the way, but none that set her heart to race. None until her eyes lay upon the Prince of the Woodland Relm. It had been a long time since she'd seen anyone this close to being perfect. He had no visible flaws and he was kind, regal and proud.
She sighed and shook her head. She was nothing like Legolas. She was nothing like her cousin or the other elf maidens in the neighboring relms. She looked down at her sun darkened skin and the heritage that showed through her eyes. An elf from the fairer kin would look elsewhere for a mate.
A movement just beyond the edge of her window broke her train of thought. Melayren sat forward and concentrated on the shadows. For a brief moment, Legolas stepped into the moonlight. He then began to walk into the woods.
Before Melayren realized what she was doing, she bolted out of her room and glided down the steps that lead into the courtyard. She turned sharply and into the shadows. Positive that she had not been seen, she moved into the brush where Legolas had disappeared. She paused to listen for any sound that would indicate which direction to follow. A faint call of an owl could be heard and she chose to follow it.
Soon, finding a well-hidden path rewarded her. "This must be the path Arwen spoke of," she thought as she stepped lightly on the dirt. Intrigue took control and she was excited to see the water pool.
Melayren slowed her pace and took in all the surrounding night sounds and scents. Insects of the night fluttered and danced in the light filtering through the tree boroughs. Her ears picked up the sound of flowing water and her heart immediately felt light and she followed her instincts.
As she neared a clearing in some trees, she could see a small body of water, sparkling like black jewels. She stepped onto the edge of the clearing and held her breath. In front of her was a pond that stretched sixty feet in width and close to a hundred feet in length. There was foliage and rich green grass that surrounded the water. At one end of the pond, two large rock formations supported a natural spring. Water gently flowed from the top of the rocks and spilled into the pond.
Melayren was about to rush to the water when she suddenly realized that she was not alone in the secluded paradise. She ducked behind a nearby tree and cautiously peered around the other side. She chastised herself for feeling like an innocent, young child.
Sitting upon the grassy bank, close to the waterfall, was Legolas. He sat quietly and stared up into the black sky. The moon and stars reflected from his bright hair and blue eyes. He truly looked like a Prince.
Melayren couldn't seem to turn away. Legolas had a look of forlorn on his exquisite face and as if a heavy burden was on his shoulders. It was a look like the weight had been there for a long while.
I've been watching you from a distance
But distance sees through your disguise
All I want from you is your hurting
I want to heal you
I want to save you from the dark
A long life suffered by an elf comes with treacherous roads and sorrow. Something within Melayren ached to wrap him in her arms and ease his troubled mind. She continued to study him from afar.
Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burdens
I'll drink your deadly poison
Melayren wanted to see his eyes shine with mischief and laughter. He was too beautiful to be heavy at heart. A smile was all Melayren wished for. "Why does he affect me in this way? I've never cared like this before." Deep inside, she knew the answer. She had waited close to 2,000 years for her heart to come alive. All of the mixed feelings that she had felt slowly began to become recognized.
Why should I care if they hurt you?
Somehow it matters more to me
Than if I were hurting myself
Save you, I'll save you
She knew of the perils that he had faced over the past six months and all the fighting to help free Middle-Earth of the ring. He saw many of his friends, and her friends, fall in battle. She couldn't erase the past, but she wanted to try to make a happier future for him. Melayren took a cleansing breath and slowly emerged from her hiding place, among the bushes.
Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burdens
I'll drink your deadly poison
Every fiber of her being wanted to touch him and love him. Deep inside she knew that she didn't want to live without him. She had to find out how he truly felt about her and if there could be a future for them.
Once she was in the clearing, she walked to the waters edge and turned to face him. Legolas saw her and he immediately stood, waiting for her to approach him.
Fear not the flame of my love's candle
Let it be the sun in your world of darkness
Give unto me all that frightens you
I'll have your nightmares for you if you'll sleep soundly
Melayren clenched her trembling hands within the folds of her robes and smiled, trying to show the same confidence she had in the tournament's arena. Stopping at arms length, she looked into his eyes and a tranquility washed over her. His gentle eyes instantly calmed her.
"Good evening, Legolas. May I sit with you for a while?"