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Chapter Six: Lothlorien
January, TA 3019
Legolas
I was blindfolded walking through the woods I have always desired to see. The anger I felt toward the situation was only matched by the grief I felt for the loss of Mithrandir. It was in that moment that the grief was so strong I felt the faintest brush of warmth upon my cheek. It was soon fallowed by that of coolness. I knew right away it was my daughters.
I had wrote to them much over the years and promised to see them. It was to my dismay that the ever expanding darkness from the east kept me away from them. I had not seen them since they were all but three summers old. How they recognized me among the crowed flattered me and lightened my heart. It was probably the bond we shared, the one that told me of their presence.
I expanded my hearing to see if I could locate exactly where they were. It was then I heard Haldir speaking quietly to people. Ah yes it was my daughters and they had angered the marchwarden. I knew it could only be them for who else dared to laugh at him, and to his face nonetheless. I smiled to myself as joy washed over me to see them grown.
It was then I thought of Elena. Surely if she was still alive she would be with them here in the Golden Wood. That was if she was alive. I forced myself to believe she was, the last letter I received from my daughters told me she was doing quiet well. Though I had not spoken to Elena since the children where young I still held that odd fondness for her in my heart. I then resolved that if she was still alive I would tell her so.
Our blind folds where soon pulled from us and we were able to behold Caras Galadhon, the city of the Lady of Light. It was then Aragorn approached me, "Legolas, I mean to ask you some time ago I felt the oddest thing upon my cheek, was it what I think it was?" I had to smile at him.
"Aye, I believe it was Naurwen and Nenwen greeting us my friend." I told him. It was then that Haldir looked at the both of us and shook his head. "Tell me Haldir how do those ladies fair, well I hope?" I could not help goading him just a little.
"I dare say you shall see for yourself shortly, they will no doubt be present with the Lord and Lady." he replied a bit gruffly only to receive a small chuckle from Aragorn. It was then that Boromir approached.
"Of whom do you so fondly speak?" Boromir asked.
"My daughters." I replied shortly to him. I glanced at Aragorn and he got the meaning of my words.
"Yes, I dare say you will know who they are when you see them, my friend. I warn you to be leery of them. They seem to invoke the worst in people and fear no punishment." Aragorn said while slapping Boromir on the back chuckling softly to himself at the look on Haldir's face.
It was later in the evening while listening to the lament for Gandalf that I saw the arrival of my daughters to meet the fellowship. I watched as they approached and with them was Elena. She had not changed at all. I looked to Aragorn questioningly. He was about to speak when Boromir interrupted, "Who is the lovely lady walking with your daughters Legolas, for surely she is not their mother."
Aragorn looked to Boromir, "That is the lady Elena and I assure you that she is their mother. Legolas you did not know?" He then asked me. I shook my head and moved to meet them. Aragorn continued speaking with Boromir.
"Legolas it has been a long time my friend." Elena said as I approached. I took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
"You look lovely Elena. And my daughters you are even more beautiful than I had imagined." I said and embraced each of them. "Come I shall introduce you all to my companions." I led them to the company and introduced each of them.
They all gave Aragorn a large embrace and sat with us in conversation for some time. My daughters each excused themselves sometime later for they had training early in the morning. Elena stayed for some time after talking with everyone. She had not changed at all since the last I had seen her. She was as beautiful as ever and I as drawn to her as ever.
She spoke much with Boromir and Aragorn and I did not miss the looks that Boromir was giving in her direction. It concerned me more than a little for the man had not been himself for some time. Finally Elena decided to retire and I escorted her.
"I am sorry about Mithrandir Legolas, I know how hard it is for me and can not imagine how it is for you." Elena said. The tears were starting to form in her eyes and all I could manage was a small sad smile.
"Elena why did you never tell me you where gifted with immortality?" I asked her because it had been plaguing my mind all night.
"I thought you knew, Legolas, I am sorry." Elena said.
"No apology is needed it was just a bit of a surprise but a pleasant one." I told her and gave her a sincere smile.
"I will have to leave middle earth though with the last of the elves and the thought saddens me, for I will have to leave behind my girls." Elena said and I noted the sadness, I felt it to for no doubt one day I would have to leave these shore as well. Yet there was the small happiness that I would always have Elena.
"Yes but it is there path. It is bittersweet, but at least you will have ones who care about you on the shores of Valinor." including me, I wanted to say but it was lost on the air.
"Yes but not them, it is bittersweet, and I will only see those that survive this war." Elena said.
It was then my heart leapt from my chest and I dared to speak it, "Elena I will survive this war, and I will always be there for you. Remember that." I told her outside her chambers.
"Thank you Legolas, it comforts me greatly to here you say that, and hope your words will prove true." Elena said and a tear slipped from her eyes. I quickly wiped it away. I brushed a kiss above her brow.
"Rest well Elena, I shall see you on the marrow." I spoke and she nodded. I stepped away and made my return to my company.
Elena
The fellowship had been in Lothlorien for two weeks and would probably be leaving soon. Legolas had spent most of his time with his daughters. He would take Gimli with him on occasion. The girls deeply enjoyed the company. Together they would play pranks on Haldir, poor elf. Legolas explained to Gimli not to speak openly of the girls talents for he should not have seen them. But we all trusted Gimli. However I feared what would happen when Haldir caught hold of them. Legolas spent some time with me. He was even more gentlemanly than I had remembered. I cared for him, but would not allow anymore than a friendship to evolve. Though I wanted to, I knew that it could only lead to disaster. So I ignored his attentions most of the time.
I spent most of my time with Aragorn, the Hobbits, and Boromir. Frodo was pleased to here that I had got to know Bilbo while I was still in Rivendell and we shared many stories. Aragorn and I spoke of Rivendell and the people I considered family. I noticed he saddened a little speaking of Arwen so I did not push the topic.
I found that Boromir was greatly troubled and took it upon myself to help in any way I could. I was spending quiet a bit of time with him. He carried a weight on his shoulders. I tried to get him to speak of it and he would not. I assumed the ring was having an effect on him. I had heard its lies spoken to me and could ignore it for the most part. When it became hard to ignore I would simply leave. It had a stronger hold on Boromir though.
"Boromir, I know what it is that troubles you, why not speak of it to me and mayhap I can give you comfort." I told him while we sat alone in a glade gazing at the stars. He only looked at me.
"I can not speak of it Elena, I hope that you will understand." he finally said after sometime, "Your presence is all the comfort that I need."
"And when you leave what comfort will you have?" I asked him.
"The comfort that maybe when this is all over that I will see you again." He said and looked away from me. It took me a minute to register what he spoke. It came as a large confession from him and I was not about to take the only comfort he had away from him.
"Then I shall not deny you that small comfort." I told him and he looked back at me.
"My lady would you deny me a small kiss to carry with me?" he then asked. I looked into his eyes and though it was against my better judgment I smiled and nodded. It was a chaste kiss, just the brief touching of lips.
"I hope to give you a tour of the White City when this is all over Elena, will you come?" Boromir asked me.
"I would love to Boromir, now I must seek the lady Galadriel, come let us return." I told him and he reluctantly escorted me back to where the fellowship was. I said my goodnights to them. I walked to where the lady Galadriel bid me and saw she was there awaiting me.
"I apologize my lady if I am late." I said bowing in respect.
"Fear not I know you where detained, now is the time I wish you to look in the mirror." I nodded and became a little anxious. I had never glimpsed in the mirror before and was terrified of what I would see.
At the lady's nod I peered into the mirror. First I saw the pleasant sights I remembered from my childhood. My parents, grandparents, it brought tears to my eyes. Then I saw my walks with Legolas and the times spent with him and my daughters. I then saw my time with Boromir in the glade. Then the images changed, I saw Boromir fall in a battle, I saw the White City burning. I then saw my daughters in a great forest using their powers in a battle. The last image I saw was Legolas looking down upon me with tears in his eyes.
"No more!" I gasped as I stepped back from the mirror, tears where streaming down my face by that time.
"Not all of this will come to pass Elena, a choice is before you now, and what you chose will effect all those that you care for. Remember Elena not all is what is seems and one day you will make the right choice." Galadriel said. I nodded to her pondering her words and took my leave.
I found myself soon walking in my favorite garden trying to gather all of my thoughts. The images still burned into my mind of what I seen in the mirror. I was sitting upon a bench and gave way to my sobs. A hand softly touched my shoulder and I looked up to see Legolas gazing down at me.
"Please Legolas be careful." I mumbled and he pulled me into his embrace.
"Elena, you know that I will, tell me what has you saddened so, for surely it is not only that." Legolas said. I finally managed to pull myself together.
"I looked into the mirror, I saw Boromir's death Legolas." I told him and held to him a little tighter. I noticed his body tensed a little then relaxed, "What is it?" I asked him.
"Worry not Elena, do not think of it for it might not come to pass. Everything that you saw are only possibilities, do not fret over much of it." Legolas told me. Finally he led me from the garden to my chambers and bid me good night. I found myself badly wanting him to stay but knew that it was not proper. I spent the better part of the night pondering Galadriel's riddles and Legolas' kindness before I fell into a fitful sleep.
Aragorn
We were preparing to leave Lothlorien. I had already said my goodbyes to everyone except Naurwen and Nenwen, who where currently saying their farewells to the Legolas. I watched a little amused at the scene. I then noticed that Legolas' attention diverted momentarily to Elena who was saying her farewells to Boromir. I did not miss the look on his face. I thought I should probably ponder that later.
"Farwell Aragorn, may the Valar protect you." Nenwen said to me as she kissed me on the cheek.
"You will watch over our Adar?" Naurwen then said.
"Of course my ladies, and take care of your mother for me and Legolas." I told them. They both looked at me and smiled.
"Aragorn why do our parents not acknowledge the feelings that they have for one another?" Naurwen asked as they watched them say Farwell to each other.
"It is plain for all to see." Nenwen then interjected.
"None can say the ways of the heart, but I imagine it is for the same reasons you yourselves have." I told them knowing full well what they and Elrond's sons shared. They both had the decency to blush.
"Speak not of it to Ada!" Nenwen then said I only smiled at them.
"Your secrets are safe with me my ladies, now I must leave. Farwell." I told them and turned with Legolas to our boats.
"And what, may I ask had my daughters blushing so?" Legolas then asked me. I smiled at him.
"You miss little my friend." I said trying to bide time to think of something. It finally dawned on me what to say when he arched his eyebrow.
"It simply had to do with another set of twins that I know, it is nothing to ponder on, now let us away." I told him and hastily took to my boat.