Disclaimer: Not involved with any of the Hobbit or Lord of the rings series…
I have manipulated the timing of the renaming of Mirkwood slightly, to fit into my story. I do not intend to offend.
Upon a slight suggestion, I have changed this chapter after it was already posted. I decided to postpone some of the "action".
Chapter: 7
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Legolas sat quietly by the soothing waterfall and pictured the events of the past six months, starting with the council of Elrond and ending with yesterday's wedding. He thought long and hard on the fighting that had taken place in Lorien and the destruction of many trees in his home realm of Mirkwood. Fire had laid waste on much of the beauty; but in the end evil was sited.
Legolas' father, King Thranduil, and Celeborn had counciled in the midst of the forest and given it a new name, Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. King Thranduil then took all of the Northern regions for his realm. Celeborn took all the southernwoods and named it East Lorien. Legolas had been witness to numerous changes in the world, over his two thousand years of life.
It was planned that in just a few days, an escort would travel from Gondor and carry the fallen King Theoden back to Rohan. He had been resting among the dead Kings of Gondor, but the time had come to lay him with his line at Edoras. Legolas would be with the escort, out of great respect. His time to break from the Fellowship was not yet at hand.
He was absorbed in his thoughts and feelings when he heard a slight rustling of leaves. He looked to his left and saw a splendorous dream. She was from a mist of dreams and walked with gentle grace. He inwardly pleaded with his mind, begging her to join him. She stood transfixed at the edge of the water and her eyes never left his face. It seemed a miracle that she would find him here and in dire need of closeness.
Legolas rose to his feet in hopes to draw her near. His fists clenched and then he released them in nervousness. Even in all the experience of his long life, he could not find the right words to express how she made him feel.
He held his breath as Melayren approached him. She humbly smiled and stopped a few feet from him. "Good evening, Legolas. May I sit with you for a while?"
Legolas' heartbeat picked up speed and his prayers were answered, "I'd like that very much." He moved closer to the rock falls so that she would be comfortable on the softer grass.
Melayren sat and tucked her flowing robes around her folded knees. She placed her hands in her lap and focused on her surroundings. She could smell many different fragrances of wild flowers and the sweet smell of moss growing at the water's edge. She chanced a look at Legolas and found him watching her.
"You looked very downhearted a moment ago. What were you thinking?" Melayren asked in a caring voice. She watched as he looked out across the water and collected his words.
"I was thinking of everything of late.
I have become friends with many men and I have seen many good souls
die. My thoughts are also on Aragorn
and that he is also mortal." His voice carried a hint of sorrow of what would
eventually come. He turned to look at
Melayren and saw that her face had taken on a shadow.
"Aye. I have watched Arwen for many years and I knew her heart. Did you know that she and Aragorn's love burned deep for thirty-nine years? It is a very short time for us, but a long time for a mortal." She paused to collect her emotions. "I love Arwen like I would love my own sister. Aragorn will someday die. Arwen will give in to her grief and she will die as well." Tears filled her eyes as she looked into the dark water in front of them. "It will be a very difficult day for me, when it happens."
Legolas placed a hand on her arm and softly said, "Then I will come to you on that day and we shall comfort each other, for I too will be filled with sorrow."
Melayren reached out and took his hand in her own. "I am fortunate indeed. We are now friends." She wiped away her tears and smiled at him, "I am afraid that I will have to apologize to you about tomorrow."
Legolas' brows dipped in perplexity. Melayren smiled and gave him a challenging glance, "For when I win tomorrow's bow tournament."
Legolas' heart instantly became light and she laughed with merriment. "We shall see."
The two sat for a long while, discussing the past, the present, and what their hopes were for the future. Melayren spoke of her life and what it was like to sail on a merchant ship with her father. They shared a snack of berries that Legolas had gathered while searching for this secluded place. They were growing comfortable with each other and spoke freely.
"He was a dark elf. Others say that I walk in his likeness. He was very well thought of and my mother loved him very much. He was slain about seven months ago. An Orc party raided our ship and set it on fire. It was destroyed and I became without a home." Melayren shifted positions slightly so that she could see Legolas in a better light. She studied his profile and saw that he was more relaxed and very interested in her story.
"I have not seen the sea. I would like, very much, to explore that part of the world." He looked up at the sky and smiled.
Melayren half smiled and said, "It is decided then. We shall build a ship and we will sail together. I will be the best Captain and we will have a great partnership."
Legolas raised his eyebrows and tried to hide his smile, "You shall be Captain?"
Melayren smoothed her robe and stated simply, "Well, we could duel for the title if you'd like. Sort of like swordplay?" She flashed him a brilliant smile and he burst out in laughter. Melayren saw his eyes shine carefree in the moment. Her heart faltered and her smile faded. She reached forward and touched the braid that fell behind his left ear.
Legolas looked down at her hand and was amazed when she touched a loose strand of the braid. Melayren drew her hand back and quickly looked away. She had wanted to validate for herself if the texture of his hair felt as silky as it looked in the moonlight. Melayren's next aspiration was to run her hands through each strand on his head.
She thought it would be safer to continue in conversation. Smiling, she glanced back at Legolas and asked, "Have you ever come across a Kender?" When he shook his head in the negative she continued, "My father and I were trading precious metals and machinery with some Dwarfs just beyond Middle-Earth. The place was called Parlihelm and we had docked there for a couple of days…"
Legolas listened to Melayren's soothing voice and allowed her words to flow between. He found himself watching the steady movement of her lips and wondered how the vibrations of her words would feel against his lips if he were to kiss her. Lavender caressed his senses and lulled him into a serene state of mind.
Melayren laughed, "So, we looked in the bulk head and there was this little fellow, scrunched down in a dark corner. Father pulled him up by the topknot on his head. He was hollering and pleading that he'd do anything if my father wouldn't turn him over to the authorities." She paused and looked sadly at the waterfall. "He became one of the best crew members that we'd ever had. His name was Bobblenook Litefoot. He kept us all laughing and we constantly had to watch out that our personal possessions didn't end up in his horde. Kender just seem to attract items that belong to others."
Legolas asked, although he was sure he knew the answer, "Was he also killed in the Orc raid that killed your father?" He could see Melayren swallow and compress her lips firmly before answering.
"Yes, almost half the crew was lost." She looked into his eyes and sighed, "We knew the dangers and yet, everyone was where he truly wanted to be." Melayren searched the sky and said, "I miss the water."
Legolas suddenly smiled and spoke before he'd given time to think, "It's not exactly the same, but here is some water at our reach." He looked into Melayren's eyes and his meaning became very clear.
"You're suggesting that we go for a swim?" She asked in astonishment. She watched as he stood and began removing his white tunic. "What if someone happens upon us? It would be quite scandalous and my good name would be ruined," Melayren teased playfully.
Legolas paused in consideration, "I believe we can handle gossip. Besides, we're not children." He left his leggings on and walked to the edge of the pond. After a backwards glance at Melayren, he plunged head first into the water and disappeared.
Melayren was left standing in her spot. She was taken completely off guard and that thrilled her. Legolas had shown a different side of himself; his spontaneity was invigorating. She stood on a small rock and was peering into the water when his head broke the surface at the center of the pond.
Legolas shook water from his long hair and floated naturally while watching Melayren. "Are you afraid?" he challenged her. He caught a quick spark in her eyes and inwardly smiled as he saw her take a deep breath and raises her hands to her collar.
Melayren frowned and quickly unbuttoned two of her robes and allowed them to fall around her ankles. She kicked off her soft shoes and tossed the garments onto the grass. Her remaining sleeveless evening robe gleamed brightly in the moon's rays. She stepped into the water and cautiously waded deeper until the water reached her waist. The bottom of her robe floated to the surface of the water and gathered at her waist.
Legolas chuckled and disappeared under water once more. Melayren turned around and back again; trying to see which direction he was swimming. Before she knew it, hands grabbed both of her ankles and she was pulled under the surface. Instinctively she bent forward and caught Legolas' wrists, which were still holding the bottom of her legs. She pulled him toward her and they kicked to the surface.
Melayren came up laughing and gave Legolas a gentle shove away from her. She wiped water from her eyes and kicked backwards with her legs to float away from him. She slowly swam on her back toward the waterfall and rocks. When she stood up, the water level was just above her breasts and her garment clung to her shapely body. The water increased the transparency of her robe but she wasn't concerned.
Legolas watched her from the center of the pond as his legs tread through the water effortlessly. Her graceful movements mesmerized him as her arms glided under the water's surface. She had been staring at him with a look of fervor and then she smiled and looked up at the dark heavens. Keeping the water level with his chin, he smiled slightly and moved closer to her.
Melayren turned her back to him and put her head under the running waterfall. Smoothing her hair back off her face, she then turned her head to the side and looked over her shoulder. "I know what you're thinking," she said lightly.
Legolas countered her immediately with in a soft voice, "No, you don't."
Melayren turned, a little surprised, and held her breath. The look in Legolas' eyes assured her that he was captivated. She was just as enthralled by him. The warm heat of anticipation began to spread through her stomach and into her chest. She held out her right hand in an invitation for intimate contact.
Legolas took her hand and gently pulled her toward him. They were mere inches from one another, their legs bumped together as they both tried to stay afloat without much movement. Legolas took both her hands and held them straight out to the sides of them. He gently released her fingers and ran his fingers to her elbows, pulling them toward him.
Melayren's elbows bent and she found her arms causally resting on Legolas' shoulders. She slipped them further around his neck and leaned forward. She rested her head against Legolas' right shoulder and struggled to keep her breathing under control. Legolas wrapped his arms around Melayren's torso and his palms lay flat on her shoulder blades.
It had become harder to keep above water as they tried to avoid hitting each other with battling legs. Legolas reached down with his right hand and lifted the back of Melayren's left leg and placed it on his hip. Instinctively Melayren straddled Legolas and held herself closer to him.
Legolas swam over to a small bench shaped rock near the waterfall. He regained his footing. Lifting Melayren slightly, he placed her on the edge of the rock to sit. Melayren kept her legs around Legolas' slim hips and her hands on the tops of his shoulders. She stared into his eyes silently pleading for him to kiss her.
Legolas leaned closer to her. He traced her lips with his thumb and yearned to feel them with his own. He wanted to taste the essence of her softness and feel total commitment from the exotically beautiful elf maiden. Her eyes revealed the same raw need for closeness and love.
With his right hand, he reached for her and laced his long fingers through her wet hair. He traced her jaw with the knuckles of his left hand.
Melayren held her breath and felt as though her heart would burst. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears that welled from the deep recesses of her soul. When the tears finally spilled from her lower lids, she fought to control a sob of overwhelming admiration. Her chest began to rise and fall rapidly, caused by shallow breaths.
Still, Legolas stroked her velvet soft face lovingly with his fingers and stared deep into her green eyes. He looked up into her face and kissed her tenderly.
Melayren reached with both hands and held Legolas' face. She parted her lips and deepened the kiss, offering everything that Legolas was willing to take.
Heat spread through each of their bodies; Elven Magic flowed and charged the air around them. Melayren pulled her lips from his, just enough to say his name on a quiet exhalation of breath, "Legolas." There was a sound of fear and excitement all at once. She felt like there was no ending or beginning. It frightened her to feel out of control of the power Legolas held over her body.
"Legolas," Melayren whispered, "I am attracted to you like a moth to flame…"
Legolas finished her words, "But it's too soon." He smiled at her and released her face from his soft caresses. He placed his hands on Melayren's hips and lifted her off the rock and back into the water. They floated in the water for a short while and talked about their life events over the past fifty years. They shared sad stories as well as funny ones.
The hour grew late and they decided that it was time to return to the Citadel. Walking arm in arm, they followed the path over the hill and into the courtyard. Melayren smiled and touched Legolas' face lovingly. He smiled and turned his head slightly to kiss her palm.
Melayren backed away while still keeping eye contact. Finally, she turned and ascended the stares that led to her sleeping quarters.
Humming to himself, Legolas headed in the direction of his own bed.