The Passing
Shameful
Does it make you sad to find yourself alone,
Does it make you mad to find I have grown . . .
-Maroon 5/ songs about jane/ not coming home
A YEAR AND ½ LATER
Amroth made his way toward the east gardens to sit and enjoy the afternoon. With the growing threat of Sauron, the arrival of Gollum into Mirkwood's land, and numerous attacks from the southern border, the younger prince had been asked to attend the council meetings.
The problem is- nothing ever seemed to get accomplished! Amroth, or Legolas, or some random lord would suggest something, but immediately get refuted by the King's advisor. Amroth worried for his Father, for the elder elf had become rasher with his actions as of late.
Where was his loving Ada?
The King was known by his people as a compassionate and approachable leader. He spent many past summers strolling the countryside, fresh air in the lungs, and a tender smile to all those who pasted him by.
Now his father locked himself in his chambers most days, and when he did make appearances in court, or in public it was with an expression of stone. And he swore sometimes he saw paranoia in his father's gaze.
It was a warm day in the hot month of July. Linen maids scurried by with freshly sun dried sheets and table clothes to distribute, all the while wearing as little clothing a proper elven maid could get away with.
Oh, how Amroth loved the summer.
Young maidens running around in sheer frocks, lazy picnics by a stream in the valley, and the grand Summer's Eve Celebration only a few weeks away. The young elf sat himself by one of the many constructed waterfalls in the east garden and contemplated who he would ask to the occasion.
Usually it was Legolas that had trouble with asking the maids, for his habit with shyness (at least toward the opposite sex). However, as of late that had not been such a bother.
The Prince was very tied up in Mirkwood's affairs, but every spare evening or afternoon was spent with Kohana. The two would spend lazy days riding through the countryside, talking in the garden, or getting into mischief.
Yes- mischief.
Amroth remembered one eventful morning in particular.
It all started when Kohana decided to push the Prince into a freshly formed pool of mud- catching him off guard . . .
(Three months prior)
The Prince of Mirkwood, and the 'Lady of Rohan' walked along the muddy path after a short morning ride on horseback.
Legolas looked at the human girl with a simple adoration. He had grown to care for her very much in the past year. She had a calming affect on him, encouraging him when he needed it, and making him laugh constantly. He felt as if he was about to act out the childhood he never had- and it was a blessed escape from a harsh reality of responsibility.
Legolas walked, hands clasped behind his back as always, looking down as Kohana admired the landscape before them. Suddenly, she stepped into a giant glob of mud and sighed at not avoiding it.
Legolas, of course knew she was heading straight for it, but the Prince can be quite the prankster himself.
"Oh, Prince how kind of you to warn me." She muttered under her breath.
Legolas laughed.
"How is it that YOU are never dirty, ELF?" She crossed her arms as they continued walking.
"That is because, My Lady, Elves have superior senses." Legolas teased.
Kohana huffed. She could not stand his perfection sometimes.
'We'll see about that Greenleaf . . .' she schemed. 'Sense this.'
A few minutes later a very muddy Elf and girl found themselves running through the streets of the marketplace.
Legolas had not expected Kohana to push him into the filth.
Kohana had not expected to be dragged down with him.
They were both acting like 3 year olds.
Legolas and Kohana ran through the hall covered in mud and dripping clumps along the narrow corridors.
The Palace maids scoffed, the elven maidens sighed, Amroth laughed hysterically; basically much calamity ensued.
But that is not the end, my friends.
As Legolas rounded the corridor he stopped abruptly, hearing his father coming from the other direction. Kohana slammed into him with a big 'Hey! What is-
Legolas grabbed her and brought her back to his chest while covering her mouth with his palm.
Kohana sometimes forgot the 'elven warrior' part of Legolas, choosing to see him as a prince charming more often. She physically shivered, being reminded that she had teased a warrior prince- who could ultimately send her to the dungeon.
"My Father is coming!" He whispered. Suddenly he was tossing her on his shoulders, and out of shock Kohana begun to squirm.
"Let me pick you up!"
"Huh?"
But soon enough- he was shoving her into the skylight above them. Kohana was able to squeeze in well enough, but before she knew it, Legolas had hopped in himself and was slowly crushing her.
"Can't breathe!" she hissed.
'Quiet!' he commanded. Kohana froze.
She hated when Legolas did that, because it scared the Bee-Jesus out of her.
Legolas stretched his arms into a push up position- taking the pressure off of the girl underneath him.
King Thanduril passed under them, along with his royal counsel, and after they had traveled faraway enough, the two muddy culprits physically sighed.
Legolas looked down at Kohana.
'Do you think he heard us?" She whispered.
"Definitely.'
'What?'
"They are elves, Ana. If I could hear them, they most definitely could hear us."
Kohana's heart raced at his words. He had never called her Ana before. She shrugged off her little girl fantasies and peered up at his turned face.
"Then why did we go through all that trouble?"
He turned toward her- his blue eyes taking up her vision.
"They will claim ignorance. I receive that luxury as a Prince."
"Must be ni . ."
Suddenly a giant glob of mud fell from Legolas's chin, and landed on Kohana's face and covered her eyes. She begun to distort her face and squirm in frustration because her arms were trapped and she couldn't do anything.
"Havo!" Legolas teased.
She stopped reluctantly, realizing she would just make it worse.
Laying himself down softly on her body to free his hands, Legolas began to wipe the mud from her eyes, her nose, and around her mouth.
For the first time in his life- Legolas suddenly became aware of Kohana's beating heart under his- the soft curves of her face- the way his body became awakened by the breathe she exhaled onto his fingers as they brushed her lips.
Kohana couldn't believe this was happening. His body was on hers, his fingers smoothing themselves on her skin.
His face hovered over her own, and right when she felt his breath on her cheek-
He faltered.
The warmth was there- and suddenly he was gone.
"Come- young one" She heard him say.
She opened her eyes to a Prince who would no longer look her in the eye. Kohana searched his face, and touched her hand to his cheek.
He would not look at her- although the beating of his heart at her touch seemed to burn him.
He still lay over her and as more mud seeped around them, he felt her shaking.
A tear slid down her face, and she whispered in his ear.
"I know this may never happen, but give me this one request."
She guided him back to her, and there lips found each other. Hesitant at first, and sweetly innocent- she brushed his mud caked back with her hands as his cradled her head.
They stayed in their embrace for many moments afterward- searching each other's eyes.
'She will never know what she has done.' Legolas thought. 'She has my heart in her hands.'
The two did not leave the skylight holding hands, or cuddling and cooing.
Rather- they parted the same way in which they came- as if nothing happened.
However- Kohana lay in her bed that night with thoughts racing.
Sure- she had ALWAYS been attracted to Legolas. Even when she hated him, feared him, she still gasped at the sight of his face. Legolas was considered one of the most attractive elves in Middle Earth- and you didn't have to tell her twice.
But she never thought anything would happen. It would be folly.
Elves took romance VERY seriously. No pre-marital bed hopping- and when it comes to mortals- elves take those relationships even more seriously.
Forever was forever.
Amroth did not know what to make of his brother's relationship with Kohana. He himself, though of Kohana as a close friend, and found there times together most pleasant. However, Amroth could tell there was something odd when she and Legolas were in the same room.
Like all elves- they can perceive when one is in love.
Amroth just hoped his brother new the consequences.
Legolas looked a Kohana as she played with the small elflings along the valley.
Today was a picnic day- Blue skies, warm breeze, and cool streams to rest your feet in. After the stressful council meetings, Legolas whisked Kohana to the countryside for a relaxing afternoon with the villagers.
His Father used to do this- with their mother.
He could image Kohana with his arm around her- making her laugh for all the years of her life.
Her life . . .so short- practically a glimmer to his own.
But what is a glimmer with her by his side, to than an eternity of unsatisfied thirst?
The two had a silence agreement not to act upon their emotions. He could look, but could never touch- and she would be the only one he yearned for.
He had satisfied her request, and now his heart was no longer his.
'She will never know what she has done.'
The Palace continued it's activities, and the villagers continued preparing for the Summer's Eve Celebration.
Kohana walked through the corridors, making her way to the grand hall for that night's supper.
Her hair had grown longer, pulled back with braids in elven fashion, and her attire consisted of long freeing dresses that flowed about her. She had coped with the thought of never seeing her beloved sisters again, nor the San Fransico bay which she loved.
Now it seemed that the simple air she breathed seemed sweeter with Legolas in the room.
She lived for him now.
He would never marry her; his lips would never touch hers again, but she was fine as long as his smile graced her direction every now and again.
He did not love her, sadly.
She had kissed him, right?
It had been months ago, and that kiss still teased her in the wee hours of the night.
Kohana arrived for dinner, and was escorted to her place next to Amroth.
"How do you fair, My Lady?"
She smiled at the younger prince.
"Ahh- alas I am starving!" she grinned.
"I have never seen a lady eat as much as you, Kohana."
'Well, I AM growing girl, Amroth." She teased. "Would you deny me my nourishment?"
"I would deny you nothing, Lady!" He teased back.
Legolas arrived with his father shortly after Amroth and Kohana finished their banter.
Kohana's eyes widened.
He had a maid on his arm.
Everyone stood to acknowledge their King, a blessing was said and immediately food was served. Kohana found herself gasping once again at the piercing gaze Legolas gave her. Kohana found her appetite gone for all the butterflies that had taken over her belly.
Amroth glared at the two. It was plan obvious to everyone else that 'something' was going on between them.
Kohana felt sick. She bolted from her seat with her hands over her mouth, and shortly found herself on the main balcony adjacent the hall.
Legolas looked on, hesitant at what to do at her dramatic exit. Amroth gave the Prince a subtle wave (as if to say- I'll see whats wrong) and left his seat to followed the girl outside.
But Legolas knew what was wrong.
Meanwhile the King looked at his retreating son and sighed.
"What is going on!" He muttered in annoyance.
Outside Kohana let a tear slide down her cheek. Suddenly a hand was on her shoulder.
"I thought you were hungry?" He Amroth whispered in Kohana's ear. "Or has a certain Prince distracted you?"
Kohana turned to Amroth with her eyes wide.
"Excuse me?"
"You know of what I speak of, Kohana."
"Amroth, you know NOT of what you speak of."
The prince sighed.
"Confide in me, Lady." He spoke sincerely.
"You are his brother, Amroth. I can not."
"You must talk to someone, Ana. You forget that I can see through your weak attempt to mask your pain. For months I have seen the smile on your fair face, but the sorrow your eyes betray."
"Amroth . . ."
The young prince cupped her hands in his own.
"Tell me, child."
Kohana wiped her wet cheek and folded her hands.
"I don't know where to begin." (pause) "We kissed, Amroth."
If he was shocked, the young prince did not show it. Instead he cupped Kohana's shoulders and gave her an intense stare.
"My brother is not a fool. If the two of you kissed, it was not against his will. He loves you, Kohana. I see it in his eyes, as I see it in yours."
She couldn't hold it back anymore. The girl begun to weep into Amroths chest.
"But he can't! Don't you see! It will ruin everything!" She cried.
Amroth didn't understand what she meant, but he continued to hold her as she cried.