A/N: Fiction will not follow the canon. Some dates will be accurate, some will not be. Inconsistent. Oh...and does anyone want to be my beta reader? plus: do you want to see how i picture the characters of my stories? their pictures can be found in the link i posted in my author's page. :)
Evil Duckie, Ilmatar, Iwishchan, Orlando's Hot Chick, GreenEyedElfGoddess, Simply Elena, Stacey, Elrohir, OrliGolas-4eva: Thanks for the reviews! The reviews help me write faster! Get some more people to read Aielenamin! ;P
remixer: think about it this way, it's been a millennia and you've grown up...from my experience, time really does heal old wounds (ie. Legolas's words) BUT it doesn't mean that there won't be any more twists because i can assure you that there will be a lot in the coming chapters. :P and about haldir...i really owe you for bringing that hot elf into my imagination cause he's going to be part of this story soon. ;P
Taraa29: Go easy on Kethaera, she's a nice girl...hehehe.
dae: i don't think a finger-shoving disgusting elf can do much harm to the elven race except to gross them out. lol
IceAmethyst: i don't know if you know already by I'm also prodigalwriter...as in the one who wrote Choices in Love (which is being reposted...). i just remembered your name from long ago...2002, when you still reviewed CIL. :) glad you found Aielenamin good too. :)
Aielenamin
Chapter 6 - A Little Star No More
The entire afternoon was spent by the two elves reminiscing about the old days. Most of them were about Arienne's apparent ignorance that Legolas knew that she was somewhere near wherever he was. This meant for the prince that aside from doing his archery practice, patrolling the woods, attending councils with his father as well as just being alone in the library to read, he had to keep an eye on the child as well. More importantly than that, he had to make sure that she didn't know that he knew that she was spying on him. It wasn't his intention to embarrass the child so he let her be without telling her that he knew. He used to see her hiding under the chairs, rustling in the trees, or behind bushes frequently.
But even now as they laughed about it, she was acutely embarrassed about her past actions, blushing very frequently after every story. Legolas found that over the millennia, the elleth had acquired a sense of shyness about her that she most definitely didn't have when she was a child. He wouldn't know that she was the same Arienne if she didn't inject some quips that usually insulted him in the middle of their conversation.
Hundreds of sparrows flew overhead the two elves as the sun started to set. It had been a lovely rekindling of memories for the two old friends though both tried to hide snippets of an emotion which was already simmering in them.
"We better get going, this isn't exactly the safest place around the kingdom," he said. Alertness was evident in his stance as she stood up from the makeshift mat of Arienne's cape.
"What's the problem with it not being safe? You're one of Mirkwood's favorite heroes, am I not correct?" she asked teasingly, as he helped her up. She laughed at the scowl that formed on his face. She watched as he gathered the cape from the ground, with his eyes still watching the farthest section of the banks with his eyes.
His blue eyes were intense, his blond hair cascading down his shoulders as he bent down, and the elleth couldn't help herself as the prince bent down, appreciating the view he was giving her. A smirk formed on her mouth, she may be older and less brazen but it doesn't mean she would enjoy herself less. And yet, even with the few hours that they spent just talking, she couldn't make herself ask why he never visited her while she was in Rivendell.
As they dismounted from their horses in front of the castle, Legolas couldn't hold it in himself so he asked why she had been so painfully quiet on their way back from the lily field. Upon mounting their horses a quarter hour ago, she had ceased her chatty and engaging conversations with the prince. When asked by him if she was alright, she would just give him a smile and a nod. But he knew something was bothering her that she didn't want to tell him. "Something displeases you Arienne?" he asked concernedly, holding her arm to stop her as she started to climb up the numerous steps leading to the entrance of the castle.
Arienne was surprised at the sudden contact of the prince that she took a step back, slightly flinching. He dropped his hand from her arm and frowned. "You used to tell me what ails you aielenamin, what hinders you from doing that now," he asked again, using her old pet name once again for her unknowingly.
She sighed and clutched her cape tighter to her body. "You never ever asked me why I left Eryn Lagaslen for Rivendell," she said softly, obviously not wanting to bring up the topic.
He frowned at what she said. His father told him that Arienne simply wanted to start her schooling in Rivendell instead of in Eryn Lagaslen and her father indulged on her request. Although from what he gathered from his maidservants, the young elleth had been in a state of anguish for three whole days before deciding to leave. It coincided on the day he left to go to Lothlorien. With that, he knew he had to have a hand on making her decide to leave Mirkwood. As to what the real reason was, he didn't know. No one really knew.
"I simply assumed that you really wanted to study in Rivendell," he answered, tucking a stray dark hair off her face, her eyes looking at the ground. "But I know that is not the real reason." He watched as she shook her head slowly to confirm his statement.
She lifted her eyes to him and he was taken aback to see that her eyes had was glistening with tears and yet she had a smile on her lips. "Do you remember the day you left for Lothlorien? And you didn't wake me up to say goodbye? You asked Erulien to escort me back to my room so Nyeath wouldn't know that I was not in bed. But I escaped from Erulien, I climbed the trees to follow you. And I heard you say the words to Sirefel that completely broke my heart at that time," she said, chuckling softly at the memory.
Legolas, not really that gifted with remembering memories, recalled the words and rubbed his temples. "I said that you were a nuisance, a pest that was constantly bothering me," he whispered slowly upon remembering the memory. His heart ached at what the child must had felt back then, with her adoring eyes that was solely meant for him. The picture of his little ward crying continuously for three days for the pain she felt was heartbreaking for the prince. He didn't mean for his words to be heard by her ears. Oh Elbereth, definitely not her ears. "I am sorry aielenamin. I didn't mean to say those words," he said, his eyes still closed at the pain it was still bringing him to know that he was the main reason, the only reason she left Eryn Lagaslen.
But when the prince finally opened his eyes, he was met by Arienne suppressing a smile towards him. "You know what? I should make you feel guilty more often, you looked like you were in real pain," she said, poking his chest. Her eyes carried a tinge of laughter at his bewildered face. "Believe me, while it did feel terribly painful for my young heart to take, I did realize what a big pest I really was before," she said musingly.
"But I truly am sorry, you weren't supposed to hear those words. I shouldn't have said those words," he said gravely before letting out a sigh. The guilt was sitting heavily on his shoulders at the moment.
'What I really want to know is why you never visited me in Rivendell," she asked trying to keep the anger she felt in check since it wasn't his obligation to see her at all. "Not once did you visit me. Not once did you ask if I was doing alright with my lessons or if I missed my family. That was the biggest niggling question in my mind. Why didn't the prince have time to spare for someone who held him so dear in her heart," she added with a shrug. (AN: Think Joey of Dawson's Creek when she shrugs and does the mouth lifting)
Before Legolas could tell her otherwise of her claims that he didn't visit her, Elledan called for her as he bounded down the stairs. "There you are Arienne! Father's and Lord Corellon have been looking for you the entire afternoon! Where have you been? Melithel was gone from her pen as well! You didn't tell anyone where you were going," he said exasperatedly, seemingly not noticing the prince.
"She was with me. I showed her the lily fields," Legolas answered quietly, still looking at Arienne who was avoiding his gaze.
"I should have known she was with you," Elledan said, rolling his eyes at the prince. "Kethaera has been looking for you as well. You better find her, she's been wanting to ask you about the food that will be served on your wedding," he added as he tugged Arienne's arm to follow him. He grabbed her cape and started to walk up the stairs.
Legolas watched as the pair trekked up the stairs, leaving him with a scowl on his face. He didn't want Arienne to believe that he had avoided her all those years while she was in Rivendell. Maybe it's time I should give her back her lost trinket, he thought to himself.
But the prince didn't have time to tell her. Not that he didn't sought her out that evening but because she simply disappeared. At supper, she was conveniently missing from the table though Lord Corellon had asked them to excuse his daughter for the evening. It had been a good day albeit some wrinkles that he wished he could iron out with his relationship with Arienne. They had had such a good start after all!
In his room, Legolas started to take off his boots and get ready for bed when he noticed something on his table. On top of the intricately carved wooden table that served both as his desk and mini bookshelf for his favorite books, was a large black leather-bound book with a note on top of it weighed down by his ink jar. Opening the note, he saw a neatly written message in flowing script.
Legolas-
Thank you for the afternoon.
I'm sorry for the outburst that I had.
It was uncalled for. I thought you
might want to read about your
adventures through the eyes of Frodo.
- Arienne
Legolas sighed as he flipped through the book, marveling at the accuracy the two hobbits captured their adventures to the miniscule details. He closed the book and sat down on the chair, staring off in space for a moment before pulling out a box from the drawer next to his desk. He had an idea where she could be right that moment. It was a long shot but he'd try nonetheless.
Minutes later, the prince was striding down the east hallway along with the book as well as the box. The box was carved with ivies and flowers, inlaid with tiny pears in the middle. The latch was made of gold which gave the oak box a good touch of value. Opening the double doors of the library, he slipped in quietly. He wasn't surprised to see the furnace in the fireplace was still glowing steadily. Yet, the young elleth was nowhere to be seen. But Legolas knew better, he placed down the box on the side table and sat down on one of the large wing chairs in front of the fireplace and started to read.
It wasn't long when he could sense that someone was in the room although it wasn't moving too much, just someone turning the pages. He was guessing that like him, the other elf was simply minding her own business and reading a book. Long ago, he loved it when they were just in the library because it was the place where he knew that little elf wouldn't get into too much trouble. He was already engrossed on the chapter dedicated to him when he heard muted footsteps coming his way. A smile came to his lips but he continued to read the book.
"Interesting, isn't it," Arienne said, sitting on the edge of the chair opposite to where he was.
Instead of answering, Legolas simply nodded his head.
She smiled and stood up, leaving the prince with his book. Yet he watched her on the corner of his eyes. She was barefooted as she padded her way to the French doors leading to the small balcony of the library, her hair still a bit damp from what may seem as a recent bath wearing only her long cream nightgown with a robe on top of it. With a book being carried by her right hand, she slipped out of the library and into the balcony.
Legolas didn't know what to make of her recent actions. She reeled him in and pushed him away after a while. It was confusing to say the least and it didn't suit him well. Instead of continuing to read his book, his mind wandered off once again to the thought of Arienne. He was sensing a bit of hesitation from her even though she showed that she was quite comfortable being around him after all those years. It was good that she didn't hold a grudge towards him; she truly had grown up even with her actions. It puzzled and intrigued him the way she told him off and then the next minute she was lending him a book. It was as if she was trying to make things seem quite at easebetween thembut the reality was that she was troubled and didn't know how to act like herself except the way she had been taught to how.
He had confided into Kethaetra what her sister had told him that afternoon and she wasn't surprised to know that it had somehow been related to the prince. What he found intriguing was the small smile that played on Kethaera's lips when he told her of the time he spent with Arienne in the lily field that afternoon. He had known Kethaera for a long time and if he read it correctly the way he had deciphered all her enigmatic smiled, it would mean she was quite pleased with how he was trying to relieve the old friendship he had with Arienne.
When he couldn't take it any longer, he stood up and got the box before making his way to the balcony where Arienne was. The cool breeze caressed his face after opening the doors. He found Arienne seated on one of the wooden carved benches, her back to him with her right hand tugging on a lock of hair absently. When she heard the door close, she twisted her body to smile at the newcomer but continued to read her book.
"What are you reading now?" Legolas asked, his back braced by the marble ledge behind him, the box in his tunic pocket.
She glanced his way slightly and answered, "I found this in the main shelf inside. Poetry by Galdwel."
"She who smiles winsomely cries in her heart,
With wounds of the past still piercing like a dart.
She longs for the warm reprieve from the night
Fighting off the engulfing pain with all her might. Poetry derived from all the elves that died from broken hearts," Legolas said, looking straight at her as he looked for the perfect lines in the book to recite to her.
"I just finished reading that line a minute ago," she said, looking up at him for a second a smile playing on her lips. She stood up and clasped her robe tighter before settling herself next to him. She looked at the beautiful view the balcony while he had his back to it. She gazed at the talans and flets of the elves in the valley clustered together with lights from their lamps giving off a soft glow per household. "Have you seen anything so marvelous? So beautiful?" she asked with wonder at the sight before her. Through older eyes, she appreciated the beauty unlike before.
For the second time that day, Legolas saw his little elfling, his aielenamin of old, and had to regain his breathing. She was not the conventional beauty, her loveliness sprang from her exuberance for the beauty around her which she made her own. "I have," he answered softly, gazing her as she watched the sight. She turned to him and shook her head, a slight blush on her cheeks at what he said. Silence enveloped the two elves as each was lost in their own thoughts unknown to them that the other was thinking of the other.
"It isn't true that I didn't visit you in Rivendell," he started quietly, looking at her profile which was still gazing lazily at the valley below. And yet she paused, wanting to hear what he was to say but she did not look at him still. "Every century, I came to Rivendell to see how you were but I didn't tell you I was there for I knew that I was somehow the cause why you decided to live there instead of in Mirkwood," he explained. "Only after the war of the ring did I stop coming to see you, because I came to know your sister more in those times."
If not for his superior hearing, Legolas would not have detected the suppressed sharp intake of breath the elleth had after he mentioned her sister.
"Arienne, look at me," he commanded firmly to the elleth who was refusing to look at him once more. She would not heed his command that he faced her, placing his palm on her cheek. He watched in amazement as she briefly pressed her cheek to him, closing her eyes for a moment. His heartbeat quickened when he watched her eyes open, her green eyes piercing his gaze. "I never forgot you aielenamin," he said to her, handing her the box that he carried in his pocket. "I think you dropped this when I left for Lothlorien. Open it." He gathered the elleth with his arm so that she was by his side, as close as he could get her to be next to him without overstepping his boundaries.
He couldn't make her turn into the child that she was before. Back then all he wanted to do was protect her. But now, seeing how much she had grown up, the quiet gentility in her eyes and the beauty she possessed made him want more and yet he cannot. He will not.
Arienne's heart was beating rapidly at the tender contact the prince made with her even if it was for the briefest of moments. Heart, heed me now, she thought, trying to calm her heart as if she had been kissed. Yet it was not a kiss, merely his hand touching her face. Damn him...Damn him, she angrily thought at how he could still be in her heart even after she had exorcised him countless of times even when she was a child.
Carefully, she opened the latch of the box. Inside was a white lily which was starting to wilt. Brown lines were starting to form on the edges, the petals slightly wrinkled as well. "How—But whe—How?" she stuttered, lightly touching the petals of the lily. "Where did you find this? I lost it that same day and never really found it even after I asked Kethaera to look for it," she said, a catch evident in her voice.
"Erulien found it and gave it to me. He saw me give it you and knew it was important to you. I knew someday I would be able to give it back to you," he answered.
She looked up to his eyes that were looking at her intently, depthless azure pools that were turning to deep indigos. The lids on his eyes were heavy and she could feel hers closing as well. He looked at her profile, lingered on her moist mouth and knew that he'd be lost if he continued this madness at that moment.
Kethaera! Arienne's eyes opened wide and gasped loudly, stepping back slightly. No matter how the prince was acting or how much fire was bubbling in her, she would not do it. It simply wasn't right. "Amin autien rath," she murmured to the prince, her eyes wide,who still hadn't come out of his stupor.
"Sii'?" he asked disappointedly but quickly regained his senses, pulling himself back from her face. "En' rant," he followed up. He briefly hugged her and kissed her forehead. "Esta eithel," he said, watching her smile at him before leaving the balcony.
Dear Elbereth, why did you let her grow up? he asked the heavens with a sardonic smile on his face, hearing the doors to the library close.
Amin autien rath - I need to go to bed.
Sii'? - Now?
En' rant - Of course.Esta eithel - Rest Well.