Chapter 4

A Journey Begins

Melannen awoke the next day. She was lying in her bed. For once, she slept peacefully; no bad dreams or nightmares of her past. Was yesterday a dream, too? She sat up, somewhat confused. She stood up and went to her trunk to change her clothes. As Melannen lifted the lid of the trunk and pulled out a skirt and blouse, she noticed something shining in the morning sunlight. Her hand passed over the handle of the sword. She smiled reading the note. Melannen picked it up and stowed it safely in the bottom of the trunk.

Legolas returned to his study to reminisce over what had just happened. He paced back and forth trying to sort through his thoughts. "What is wrong with me? I need to speak to someone about this." He grabbed his cloak on the desk and ran out to the stables. Legolas knew of someone in Minas Tirith who would be able to make something of this matter.

Today was a day off, thankfully. It would give her time to think over yesterday's events. She walked down to the stables. Melannen loved animals, especially horses. They were, by far, her most favorate. There was a figure in the stables. Melannen couldn't see him from the distance she was at. But to her luck, he hadn't parted when she reached the stables. "So, my lord, where are you running off to?" said Melannen, after standing there for a while.

"I am visiting an old friend. But why does it matter to you where I go?" Legolas replied, placing a blanket over Arod's backside before mounting him. He didn't look up at her. She stood there for a while, saying nothing. Legolas finally broke the awkward silence. "Melannen, " he paused, standing up and walking over to her, " about yesterday. I shouldn't have fol-" Melannen placed her finger over his lips. She kissed him softly.

"I love you, too, Legolas." she replied, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear. "I truly do, my lord." Melannen's eyes teared up at this thought. But before they fell on her cheeks, Legolas wiped her eyes dry with his sleeve. "Thanks." She said, starting to laugh. "Look at me, I probably look like a mess right now."

"Come with me."

"What?"

"Come with me to Minas Tirith. I am going to see one of my old fri-"

"Of course I will come" Melannen wrapped her arms around him. Legolas hugged her in return. After a long embrace, he walked over to another horse.

"I have been thinking about something. You like horses, yes?" but before she could respond, he continued without noticing, "This is Galomir. He is strong, swift, and very friendly." He said, rubbing the black horse's long snout. Melannen walked over to where Legolas was standing.

"He's beautiful."

"Of course, for someone very beautiful."

"Lord Legolas, I don't think that was entirely appropriate!" She joked. "but Galomir is a beautiful steed. " She ran her fingers through his mane.

"He's yours. You can either ride with me on Arod, or you can ride Galomir along my side.

Melannen and Legolas rode along side each other. The sun was very high in the sky and they had been riding for many hours, almost the entire day. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course" Legolas replied as they rode south. "Anything, speak your mind, love"

"I think I remember this friend of yours."

"Oh?"

"Yes," She smiled at him. Galomir and Arod slowed to a halt. Legolas and Melannen climbed down and prepared to make camp. "Is this the man who came to visit you, just after the great war?"

"You remember that? But you were just a little girl then." He said, starting the makings of a fire.

"I remember many things of my past," Melannen said while she laid a blanket down by the fire site.

"Is that why you don't sleep well?" Legolas asked.

"What makes you say that?"

"I can see it in your eyes. There have been many occasions where I have seen the dark circles under your eyes," he looked up at her. The fire finally sparked beneath him. "Stay with the horses here at camp. I am going to find us something for dinner."

"No, don't woory about it. I can survive on lembas bread."

"Are you sure?"

"Legolas, I'll be fine," Melannen emphasized. "How much further is it to Minas Tirith?" she asked changing the subject.

"Well," he sat down beside her on the blanket, "We've traveled many leagues, but we have many more ahead of us, at least one more full day's journey to go." He laid on his back, staring at the now starry night sky. Melannen gazed into the golden embers before lying back herself beside him.

"Legolas?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"Do you realize that I am human, that if we stay together, that I will grow old and eventually pass, and you will be alone?"

"Mel-" Legolas sat up and leaned over her, "Melannen, listen. You think the fact of you being a human and I an elf will get in the way, don't you?" He turned his gaze to the fire, then back to her. "Listen, my friend that I am visiting."

"Yes?" she laid back, listening closely.

"Well, he is a human. His wife is Lady Arwen, an elf of Rivendell. It is possible for an elf and a human to be together. Do not let your doubts interfere with your feelings," He kissed Melannen's forehead. "Get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us." Legolas rolled over and fell asleep.

..."Momma!" she cried. Little Melannen crawled out from her hiding place beneath the kitchen floor. Tears were streaming down her face as she placed the trapdoor back down. Melannen glanced into the front room. She only saw blood and did not dare to venture and further. Dropping her doll, Melannen ran outside to the barn. Melannen climbed up the ladder to the loft, and there, she waited...