Disclaimer: I don't have any ownership of the Tolkien characters.
Chapter: 13Speckles of bright light filtered through the branches of the giant Oak tree. Leaves swayed gently as a soft breeze stroked the land. The earthy scented air drifted along the fern tops and flowed over the two sleeping elves.
A squirrel perched apprehensively on a branch that extended outward, from the thick trunk, and stretched twelve feet above the strange intruders. Its black beady eyes stared as the squirrel chirped warnings and flagged its fluffy tail in agitation.
Legolas inhaled deeply as his eyes became focused on the fuzzy creature that was scolding him for leaning against its home. Smiling, Legolas spoke soothing words in the Elvish tongue. The squirrel tilted its head slightly and listened with glassy eyes. The four legged animal chirped, turned and moved a little closer down the tree trunk for a closer look at Legolas.
As Legolas crooned softly to the interested squirrel, a sensuous yet sleepy voice asked, "Making a new friend?" The squirrel startled at the intrusive voice and back up the tree and out of sight.
Legolas looked away from the direction the squirrel had taken and found Melayren's clear green eyes shining with amusement. He smiled as he reached for her right hand. He bent slightly and kissed her forehead. "She's jealous of you, I should think."
Melayren chuckled, still keeping eye contact with him. His smile wavered slightly when he witnessed Melayren's tongue dampen her bottom lip. He believed that she was completely aware of the effects she had on him. During the night, they had slipped into their clothing yet remained side by side, in continuous contact with one another.
Legolas sat with his back to the Oak's trunk and Melayren lay on her left side, with her head on his thigh. She reached up and tenderly caressed his cheek. Legolas covered her hand with his and laced his fingers with hers. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed each of her knuckles and carefully grazed his polished, white teeth over the sensitive pad of her index finger.
A fire, left over from the smoldering embers of the previous night's passion, instantly ignited throughout her body. She wanted to remain with him in the forest for the rest of the morning, but she knew that it was time to return to the citadel. Legolas was the greatest temptation that she had ever had to continuously fight against. It was far too easy to become lost in him and forget duties and responsibilities.
Melayren withdrew her hand from his and slowly sat in an upright position. She moved to where she could also lean against the tree trunk, "The hour is progressing. We should return and find some food. Everyone will believe that I am holding you captive."
Legolas smiled, "Though not against my will." He looked up into the trees, suddenly deep in serious thought. "The time for celebration will end soon. Will you be departing with your kin?" He looked into Melayren's eyes and searched for an answer to where her heart lay.
Melayren was uncertain of the answer he sought. She traced her finger along the long arch of his brow and felt the answer was not one that he longed to hear. She placed her head on his shoulder and answered softly, "I will be able to travel with you, as far as Osgiliath. My ship and crew will be waiting there for me there."
Legolas placed his left hand on her silky hair and thoughtfully combed through the tresses, with his fingers. "How long will you be away?"
Melayren instantly felt the constriction of her heart and wished that he hadn't asked the question. She sighed and raised her line of sight so that she could see his bright eyes looking into the tree leaves above them. "The journey will progress for about three months; departure to final return."
"Your final destination," Legolas looked lower to view her eyes, "shall be Ithilian in the later part of October?"
Melayren could only nod her head, feeling the emotion of their provisional separation coming upon them. She had listened to stories of other elves and how quickly they found and fell deeply in love with their soul mate. It astounded her that she was now one that knew her other half. She was unsure how it would feel to be parted from him for the next few months and it weighted her heart immensely.
Legolas gave Melayren a half smile and kissed her softly on the cheek. He rose to his feet and knelt beside the water. Melayren longed to follow, yet she believed that Legolas may have needed to sort through his own feelings, on his own terms. It was sometimes the way with an elf, separate from an attraction to feel strong enough to do one's duty.
Melayren stood patiently near the base of the Oak tree and watched a butterfly flutter among the brilliantly fragrant flowers. She had once been a butterfly that was never satisfied with one thing. She needed to keep moving; finding more treasures and places to keep her heart fulfilled. For the first time in her life, she wanted to remain on land and keep only the company of Legolas.
Legolas silently approached Melayren and held his hand outstretched. He smiled when she laced her fingers with his and stepped closed. The two elves leisurely walked along the forest floor and spoke very few words. They reveled in the surrounding sounds and smells of nature waking to a new day. From time to time they would stop and listen to a whispering breeze or a particular bird's song. Melayren's eyes were drawn to Legolas of their own will. She watched and memorized every expressive movement from him with amazed wonder. He was in complete comfort and serenity, which spilled over to her. He eased her restlessness for the sea and the feel of her ship beneath her feet. Spending the rest of her life walking the forests with Legolas at her side was believable.
Even when Legolas turned warm and loving eyes to her, she could still see anguish and pain deep in the recesses of his startlingly blue eyes. Melayren tried to imagine the toils and dangers he had faced in the war, but knew that no tale sung by a minstrel would match the devastation and loss. She could only try to lessen the feeling of emptiness when she departs.
Melayren smiled brightly and held her hand, palm up, in front of her. Legolas moved close enough to tenderly hold her hand in his own and kiss the tips before they began walking once more. They neared the edge of the bordering trees by the White City's massive gardens and protective gates. Still hidden by the shrubs and trees, Legolas paused and pulled Melayren gently into his arms and wrapped her in a warm circle at his chest.
Melayren rested her right cheek upon his left pectoral and pressed her thin hands against his shoulder blades. Legolas inhaled her scent as if trying to imprint her essence within his soul, and kissed the velvety lobe of her ear. Melayren looked into his face and they shared a parting kiss that expressed unspoken promises.
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Even in the early hours of morning, the castle's courtyard was filled with activity. Children and animals were playing in the gardens and fields. The feeling of the day seemed to be tranquil and full of joy.
Legolas and Melayren no longer held hands, yet their closeness and attraction for one another was evident in their movements and lowered voices. One pair of eyes saw each gesture that the two elves expressed, once they emerged up the pathway into the yard. Gandalf smiled and lifted an old hand in a warm greeting. He waited in his spot, by the fountain, for Legolas and Melayren to draw close enough to be heard. "Good Morrow, my friends. You must have risen before dawn to stroll." Gandalf's face remained warm and his eyes twinkled with mischief.
Melayren didn't rise to the tease yet she awarded him a bright smile full of admiration. "It is so wonderful to see you this day, Mithrandel. Have you feasted? Would you join us?"
Legolas placed his left hand above his heart and added to the invitation, "Please, you would honor us greatly."
Gandalf smiled and placed his aged hand gently on Legolas' shoulder, "It would please me as well, yet I have broken my fast and the children beg for games and stories." Gandalf pointed to the small gathering of youngsters that were waiting patiently, by a garden gate, for the white wizard.
Legolas nodded his blond head and Melayren smiled, waiving to the children. She turned back and offered, "We shall look for you at the noon feast, Mithrandel."
Gandalf patted her arm and replied, "I shall be there at the first chiming bell's toll." With a wink, he turned and headed for the gate to the west garden.
Melayren turned to advance toward the dining hall when Legolas' gentle hand on her forearm halted her. She turned and looked into his calm yet apologetic face. She was about to question his strange expression when he stepped closer and reached for her golden brown hair. Her breath froze midway on inhale, anticipating the feather touch of his long slender fingers.
Legolas pulled his hand away and held up a small spring of an elm branch between his fingers. There was a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Melayren's eyes widened and her lips parted to release the breath from her lungs. She stared at the branch and then quickly glanced in the direction Gandalf had taken. She looked back at the twig and leaf Legolas continued to hold between them. She realized that Gandalf knew what he saw when he watched the two elves approaching, together, so early in the morning. Gandalf's parting wink made it evident that their union was a good choice.
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Arwen placed her goblet on the wooden table that she shared with her new husband, of five days, her family and friends. Her eyes washed over the assembly of happy people taking part in the morning meal, while she casually listened to the conversations near her. Her curiosity of the absence of her cousin was confirmed as she watched Melayren enter the hall with Legolas following closely behind her. The two found a secluded table at the rear of the room and sat close to one another.
Arwen looked nonchalantly up and down her own table in the hope that no one has noticed the arrival of the overdue pair. The fact that they still wore the previous evening's attire indicated that they spent the night together. To Arwen's surprise, Melayren's mother was in a deep conversation with Lord Elrond and paid no mind to the back room.
Arwen felt a soft and low whisper caress her left ear, "Do you have something to do with the unexplained absences of my friend and you cousin's endless smiles?" Aragorn asked with a tone of intuition. His smile matched Arwen's and absolute love shone deeply in his eyes, "You let out little secret in the forest…"
Arwen looked away briefly, to view the two elves in the far corner, and then back to her beloved husband, "How long do you suppose they will wait for an official ceremony?"
Aragorn chuckled, "You will see to it that they are married within the year, I am certain." He leaned in and lightly kissed her left earlobe and whispered, "I love you."