Hey, guys. I'm sorry this took so long, but I had next to no time for anything beyond school, work and sleep these last two weeks. I just finished my last final and thought I'd get this up so you didn't lynch me for leaving it until after break. I've got a ride waiting, though, so I've got to be brief. Thanks to all who reviewed but aren't getting a direct answer/acknowledgement because I haven't the time.
The Hobbit Ivy: Are you sure it's a word?
Iluvenis: Yes, he did. ALmost. And not quite yet.
LJP: Sort of, and I'm glad someone else thought it was his right to be angry.
Azla: Those who go to the undying lands are not made immortal: I thought so until I read the Sil, but it's just not so, and they've been there for over a thousand years--our beloved hobbits and dworf simply wuold no longer be alive. And, you're right about the last bit.
Nienna Silmarwen: She will not realize the truth--the ENTIRE truth-- until the story's climax. I think there will be one or two little chapters after it, but that will more or less be the end. This story is focusing on Lunian, though I've tried to give hints as to Legolas's feelings, but while keeping it less blatant so she's not totally oblivious to miss it.
Eyes of the Sky: That little quote was from her thinking about Tanthien, not Legolas. Bear with me about the rest, though. And you're right (having just got up to the current review.) And the worry stone is a big undertaking--lots of time in front of a computer!
CrimsonEnchantress: Ask, and ye shall recieve... actually, this was already written, I just didn't have any time to get it online.
Animir: Right on both... though the first is about to change. Yes, they're both jealous, and Tanthien is a little... well, the lights are on but nobodies home in a way.
Sharon: The younger elves know him as a warrior, a prince, and a lord. They tend to think of him in that way only, which doesn't explain Tanthien at all, though he's a bit older than Lunian and her friends--he fought in Middle-Earth, though probably barely, making him close to two thousand years himself. Tanthien... has a few screws loose.
Okay, that's all for now!
Chapter 22
Lunian woke with a smile, cuddling up closer to the warmth beside her. In response the hand at her waist tightened slightly, pulling her yet closer. She turned her head slightly, kissing his shoulder before stirring a bit. The heart beneath her hand began quickening, indicating waking, even as she moved so she was nearly sitting. The hand over hers began stroking her gently, running over her fingers, her wrist, his thumb arching in her palm… until she pulled it free, reaching up to lightly trail a finger down his nose and over his lips.
His eyes opened, brighter than they had been since the visit during which she learned she had existed before. He blinked, as if to clear a dream, and then started to lift his hand to her cheek, but the pain clearly stopped him.
Lunian jumped back, staring at him aghast. "I'm sorry! Are you alright?"
Legolas's eyes closed tightly, even as he slowly eased himself upright. "I will be."
"Should you be sitting up?"
"Lunian, elves heal faster than humans."
"You lost a lot of blood," she muttered, eyes narrowed on him.
"So I did." His agreement was weary, a hand lifting to rub over his eyes. "Go on, little one. You can get something to eat, celebrate your accomplishments today…"
"You think I could celebrate something as pointless as a win in a trial match while you are stuck moping in your room?"
"I'm not moping," he insisted, lifting stormy eyes to hers. Even with his barriers up, she could tell he was angry. She just didn't know why.
Even without a reason for it, his anger and desire for her to leave hurt, as it shouldn't have. Her concern for him had faded enough she recalled their waking positions, and frowned at herself. She hadn't even been comfortable removing his shirt, but had no problem snuggling up to and kissing his chest?
She had been acting rather familiarly with him. Mortification flooded her ears and cheeks a bright color, while she began wishing she could just vanish. "Just… don't… hurt yourself farther for your stubbornness," she finally managed, before fleeing the room.
Once in her own she lifted her hands to her cheeks, feeling the heat there as she slowly sunk to the bed. She hadn't been thinking about what she was doing… and even now, she couldn't find it in her to regret her actions… except what it might mean to her relationship with Legolas.
Thinking back to the fight, she could tell her concern was more than it should have been for a friend. As understanding dawned she sunk to the floor, drawing her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly. She loved him. She loved Legolas. Legolas.
A groan escaped her. She loved an elf who saw her as a daughter, as a friend. Who had told her he knew the lover from her past life well. No doubt he wouldn't take kindly to her transference of emotions.
Long before she wished to speak with anyone, a knock on her door drew her from her melancholy musings. She glanced out the window, seeing it was now early morning—which explained her hunger—and got to her feet, moving slowly to the door.
"Lunian? You weren't waiting this morning."
She blinked. "Tanthien?" she asked, confused.
"Who else?" he smirked, moving closer.
She held her ground, keeping the door partially covering her. "What are you doing here?"
"You didn't come to ride."
She stared at him. "Why would I?"
"Because it's our tradition."
She blinked again, sure one of them was seriously lacking certain reasoning capabilities. Considering how sluggishly her mind seemed to be working… "You attacked Legolas."
"So? We were fighting."
"The fight was over. He won."
The bright eyes narrowed and frosted slightly. "He didn't win—hasn't won."
"He beat you in the trials."
"Who cares about the trials?" he scoffed. "Means to an end, my dear, means to an end."
He was beginning to scare her again. "To what end?"
"You. He wants you. I won't let him have you."
Her heart picked up drastically. "You attacked him… because of me?"
"You needn't sound so surprised."
"But I am!" she insisted, even as she felt a nagging sensation at the back of her mind. Something wasn't right here. She had done this… or something similar… before… and she really didn't like the feeling. "Tanthien, can this wait for another day? I have yet to rest."
She knew that was the wrong thing to say instantly, his eyes frosting again and narrowing even farther. His anger and spite reached out to embrace her even as he moved forward once more. "Why haven't you rested?" he hissed. "Tending to the old warrior? He's over four times your age, Lunian, my dear."
Lunian, my love, a voice whispered in her head. The eyes above were frosty when angry, those remembered dark. He had also never called her 'my dear', which she was thankful for. It was incredibly condescending, in her opinion. As if she were a child. She shook her head, knowing it had been foolish to think for any amount of time that height and eyes could tell her who her lover was. "Tanthien, you hurt Legolas. He is dear to me. Dearer to me than I am to him. Please leave me alone." She shut the door a bit too quickly, but that way managed to avoid him stopping her. She turned the lock just as he tried the handle.
"Lunian, what has gotten into you? Why are you being like this?"
Valar! There was something wrong with him. "Tanthien, you were wild in your attacks on my uncle. Wild and enraged when attacking Legolas—through the match, not to mention beyond. When you attacked him, his back was to you, and he had been declared the winner. There is nothing honorable or noble in that."
"So you choose him, do you?" he hissed angrily.
"There are very few I would choose above him…" Actually, she hadn't found one yet. She just didn't understand how she could have been so in love with one elf, only to find herself in love with another. "Good day, Tanthien." She waited, hands fisted, until the soft sound of elven boots moved away from her door. She closed her eyes with a relieved sigh, before opening them with a snap. "Calmacil," she murmured, frowning.
Her first thought was to go to Legolas, to ask if he knew about the dagger Arwen had gifted her with, but her second was to remain in her room rather than see him. As a compromise, she sought her father, slipping into her grandfather's study mostly unnoticed.
"Good morning, Lunian." At least, she was unmarked until her grandfather greeted her.
"Good morning, grandfather," she murmured, bowing her head slightly.
"What brings you here?"
She hesitated for a moment. "I… A memory."
"Of what?"
"Arwen… and Calmacil."
She watched every male there have a certain grimness settle over their features, even Glorfindel, who hadn't been with them. He'd seen her on her return home, though, and had tried to lighten her mood by teasing her about how colorful she was. Now he was frowning. "What about… them."
"I was wondering if anyone knew about the dagger she gave me."
"She gave you a dagger?" Elladan asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes. One crafted by the same smith as that which killed him. I just… wondered."
"When we came west, you traveled to Mirkwood. Legolas would be the one to ask."
She looked at her father for a long moment, then slowly nodded. "Perhaps… perhaps I'll ask him, then." Their concern embraced her, making her smile slightly. "He gets grouchy when wounded," she explained, trying to shrug it off. Rather unsuccessfully, unfortunately.
"Really? The years must have changed him. I recall him going very silent when in pain… though on occasion he would lash out at those close to him…"
"Why?" she asked, tilting her head.
Elrond looked up, and seemed somewhat surprised he had been speaking aloud. "Oh… he doesn't like being thought of as weak. No warrior or lord does, and he's stuck being both. He tends to try and push those he cares about away, rather than have their opinion of him falter." He frowned severely. "Which isn't always a good idea, as he then feels terrible for having hurt them, if his actions did so."
Lunian let out a soft breath and inclined her head slightly to them. Then she left without a word, her confused thoughts keeping her occupied.
