Translations:
Diolla lle, ada = thank you, father
Nissëamin = my sweet
Ionn = son
Mirë qúen = precious one
Aiya n'uma = oh no
Nissëamin = my sweet
Chapter 53
*~ 2 years later ~*
"Silva, are you well?" Thranduil asked. "You look a little pale."
"I'm fine, ada, I just feel a little queasy, that's all," she replied. She poked at her breakfast with her fork half-heartedly. "I think I just need some fresh air."
"We'll go for a walk if you would like," Legolas suggested. "I myself am finding the indoors a little stuffy this morning."
"Go now," said Thranduil. "I don't want either of you suffering. Don't worry about breakfast. You may eat again when you return, if you wish."
"Diolla lle, ada," the couple said and left the dining room.
Once outside, Legolas pulled Silva into an embrace, startling her.
"What's wrong, nissëamin?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been very subdued these last few days, not your usual, lively self." She relaxed into his arms.
"I don't know what it is. But I haven't felt at ease for quite a while. To begin with, I felt like I was being watched, constantly, wherever I went, even when I was alone. And now. Now I feel like I should be……… waiting. On guard for something, but I know not what."
"Well, if you figure it out, you can tell me, you know. You can tell me anything. But don't feel you have to,"
"You don't have to tell me that." She looked him in the eyes. "I know you love me as I love you. I wouldn't have married you otherwise. If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have bound myself to you." He smiled.
"I'm glad." He kissed her gently as if to prove a point. "Your trust and love mean more to me than anything……… I worry about you."
"Don't be silly. I am fine. I have probably just got too much on my plate at the moment. I'm not sleeping very well, it's probably just all catching up on me."
"No matter what you say, I'm going to worry. It's what I do best."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that." He chuckled.
"You haven't completely lost your sparkle then?"
"As if I ever could."
"Too true."
However, after saying that, Silva seemed to worsen. Her temper was foul. Whenever she wasn't snapping or yelling at someone, she was silent or locked in the bathroom trying to make herself sick, as she longed to do, hoping it would make her feel better. She had migraines and stomach cramps. He panicked over minor things. She never wanted to be alone. She slept only a few hours a day. She ended up eating one small meal a day, because anything more she couldn't keep down. Things weren't looking up for her.
"I don't care what you say or what you throw at me, Silvawen, I want you to stay in bed today," Legolas said sternly. "I don't know how or why, but your health is deteriorating. This can't continue and you can't pretend nothing is happening. Have you looked in the mirror of late? You are regressing to how you were just after Kemen was born." Silva looked up at him helplessly.
"I don't know what's happening to me, Legolas," she whispered, "and I'm scared." He embraced her tightly.
"Do not feel weak because of that, meleth-nin. It is understandable."
"It feels like……… no, it's been so long. It can't be……… why now?……… after all this time……… it can't be………" Legolas looked momentarily confused.
"It can't be what?"
"………Gorothiel."
"Oh."
"It's been so long. It can't be her……… can it?"
"Have you felt the need of Rath's presence?"
"No, but I wish to be protected. O feel the need of protection. But this is so different from the other times she's been near. I haven't felt the shadow. I'm not normally physically sick because of it and it's usually when she's very near." 'But she never had her ring before,' she thought.
"I think it's unlikely since it is so different this time, but we can't rule anything out. I'll double the sentinel watches to be on the safe side."
"But, if I'm wrong it will be a waste of their good time." He sat next to her and took both her hands in his.
"Silva, you are my life. And I would die a thousand deaths before anyone harmed you again." She hugged him.
"You don't know how much that means to me. Thank you."
"Think nothing of it. Now then, there is a maid waiting outside this room, I'll send her in now, for I must see ada. Along the way, I shall send Kemen to you so that you are not alone."
"Thank you. I'll see you later." He kissed her lightly, then left the room.
**
"How is she today?" Thranduil asked on his son's arrival.
"No better, but no worse either, I think," Legolas replied.
"Have we established a cause yet?" Legolas paused briefly.
"No. Neither of us can work it out. Berae neither. But I have reason to believe that unwanted company may be nearing. I request your permission to double the sentinel watches at every post."
"Why is this?"
"I have my reasons, ada."
"Very well, ionn. You have my permission, I do however wish for answers at some point."
"We shall see."
"At several points during the day, Legolas returned to his chamber to visit his wife to ensure that she wasn't worsening still. No such luck. On his third visit, she was locked in the bathroom, he could hear her being violently sick.
"She's been in there for half an hour and it hasn't stopped once," said Kemen, worriedly. "She says her legs have given way. She can't feel them."
"Have you sent for Berae?!" Legolas asked urgently.
"He's not here. He's out, he's returned to his home village to see his family. I trust not to the temporary healer's judgement. He is young and I am unaware of his experience."
"Then I shall get father. He is somewhat a skilled healer. He may able to help."
"Be quick!"
Legolas ran as quickly as he could back to the Throne Room. Whatever this was, he prayed to the gods it finished soon. It was agonising for him to watch her go through this. He wished he knew what was wrong and how to cure her.
"Ada!" he cried as he ran into the large room. But Thranduil was talking to someone.
"Legolas, I am busy."
"It's about Silva!" The person turned to look at him. It was a female elf, her hood was raised and it shadowed her eyes though they were still visible. She held in her hand an envelope. He tried to make the shudder discreet as he saw her undressing him with her eyes.
"That would be Lady Silvawen?" she said with a smooth, honey-like voice.
"Indeed it is."
"I was just telling your father, I am from the Grey havens. We were sent this letter by one of Manwë's eagles and told to bring it here, to Lady Silvawen, though that is not the name on the front of the envelope."
"What does it say?" The woman looked at the front of the envelope as though to remind herself.
"Laroleia."
"It is indeed for my lady. Give it to me and I shall see that she gets it."
"I would rather give it to her personally, to ensure it has safely reached her."
"There is no doubt that Legolas will get the letter to her," said Thranduil.
"Very well, sire." She handed it to the Prince, who stared at the emerald green handwriting, somewhat in awe. "Then I shall bid you both farewell." She curtseyed to both Elves and swept somewhat majestically out of the room, as she did locking her gaze onto Legolas'. She smiled knowingly, sending a shiver down his spine. He could have sworn those eye were black……… like endless tunnels.
"What was it you wanted, Legolas?" Thranduil asked. "Is Silva ok?" Legolas snapped out of his trance like state.
"No, ada. She is very sick. Berae is on leave and I trust her to the hands of no one else. Come to her, please. You are a skilled healer. You can help her!"
"Of course! Lead the way, my son!"
When they arrived in the chamber again, Silva had left the bathroom. She was deathly pale, crying and shaking. Kemen had wrapped a blanket round her and sat with his arms round her shoulders. Silva looked u fearfully as they entered.
"Legolas!" she cried. She leapt up and threw her arms round him, crying hard.
"Silva, what's wrong?!" he asked worriedly. She looked up sharply.
"Don't leave me, Legolas. Stay with me! Never leave! Promise!"
"What? Of course I'll never leave. Silva, please tell me what's wrong?" He held her tightly, as she got more and more panic-stricken.
"She's near! She's going to take you away from me!"
"Who is?"
"Stay with me, Legolas!!" Legolas looked over at Kemen.
"She's been calling for Rath," he said. Legolas grimaced.
"……Gorothiel," he murmured.
"She wants to take you away, Legolas! She's going to try and hurt you and take you away!"
"I'm not going anywhere, mirë qúen."
"Promise me!"
"I promise you! She's not getting anywhere near you again. But…… she has been in the castle." She pulled back from him.
"What?! How?! How do you know?!"
"I have seen her unknowingly, I think. Tell me, what colour are her eyes?"
"Black. Black as the night, black like her heart. Evil they are, as she is." Her fear seemed to be subsiding. Now there was just bitterness.
"Then it was indeed she. She was disguised as an Elven messenger."
"Nay, she looks as an Elf anyway. I know not why."
"She brought you this letter." He held it out to her. She eyed it warily. "She said she was from the Grey Havens." He lowered his voice. "It is from Manwë." Her eyes widened as she took it.
"Aiya n'uma……"
"Silva?" said Thranduil. She forced a smile to her lips.
"I'm sorry, ada. Legolas has brought you here needlessly. I was sick, but now I am well again. Thank you for coming to my aid regardless, however. I appreciate your concern greatly.
"Are you absolutely sure? You were not yourself when we arrived and Legolas said you were very ill before."
"I was, but I'm fine now. It's nothing a little bed rest won't sort out. I'm fine, honestly."
"If you're sure……"
"Very."
"All right then. Shall I see you at dinner this evening?"
"You shall."
"Very well. Good day, Silva." He kissed her cheek and left.
"Kemen, would it be at all possible, do you think, for you to leave us for a while?" Legolas asked.
"Of course," he replied. "Send for me if you need me. I'm glad you're a little better now, Silva. I was so worried."
"Don't be daft. I'm fine."
"You weren't……"
"But I am now. I shall see you later." Kemen left also. Silva looked at the letter in her hand, then up at her husband.
"What if they now?" she said suddenly. "We'll be in so much trouble!"
"I'm sure it's nothing."
"How do you know that?!"
"I don't, but you don't know that it's bad news either. But there's only one way of finding out. Are you going to open it?"
"I…… I…… I can't do it!" She was beginning to tremble again. "It's too scared!"
"Do you want me to do it for you?"
"I don't know…… maybe…… I don't know." Legolas' brow creased.
"Silva, sit down, or you might pass out." She sat and he knelt in front of her. "Now then, you have to calm down. Everything is ok. Shall I open the letter for you?" She nodded and handed it back to him. He got out the folded parchment and paused. "Do you want me to read it or not?" She was silent for several seconds.
"No, I'll read it." She slowly took it and unfolded it. 'Breathe, Silva,' she ordered herself. 'It's probably nothing. Just breathe.'
It was the same elegant, emerald green writing. Manwë had written this letter himself. 'I don't know if that's a good thing or not.' She read the letter.
Dear Laroleia
I apologise for not giving you a longer period of time for preparation, but your presence is required in the Valinor, immediately. It is regarding recent achievements on your part. I hope none of your plans are disturbed by this request, but it really is most urgent. May I suggest that you leave you place of dwelling without delay. There is no need to reply.
Yours sincerely
Manwë Súlimo
Lord of the realm of Arda
But this was not the entire contents of the envelope. On another piece of parchment was another's handwriting, in blue ink. The following message was written:
Dear Laro,
The situation is serious, I cannot say what is wrong, but you're needed here as soon as you can possibly make it. We are truly sorry for the intrusion on your life. I hope, most heartily, to see you again soon.
With all my love, your best friend,
Yavanna Kementarí
Queen of the Earth
Ps. Sorry about having to write my title, but you know what Manwë is like with letters etc. He insists everything is done properly. He's even started writing memos on headed paper and signing them (yes, this is an after note he has not seen). Hope to see you soon. xxx
She looked at Legolas. She still wasn't sure if it was god news or bad news. Manwë's letter had filled her with hope, but Yavanna's had made her uncertain again.
"Well?" he asked. "What's the verdict? Do they know?"
"I don't know," she eventually replied. She handed him the letters and he quickly read them. He smiled.
"I didn't know gods bent rules too. Perhaps I know where you got it from now." She shot him a disapproving look.
"Legolas, this is not the time for jest. This is serious. I have to go back to the Valinor. On my own. I don't know how long I'm going to be there for. It means leaving you and Kemen behind."
"But we'll still be here when you get back, so you don't have to worry." He hugged her tightly. "We'll both be waiting for you. Though Kemen will be most upset. Even after this long, he still misses his mom. He's always been a mommy's boy."
"I hope that's not a dig at our son."
"Not in the slightest, I was only saying." He sought to change the subject. "How long do you think it will take? And don't bite my head off, I'm aware you don't know why you're going."
"I have no idea. It depends on the situation. If I just knew what was wrong, it would still my fears and I could probably work out approximately how long I'll be gone."
"Are you going to go?"
"I have to. I have no choice. Manwë said 'there's no need to reply'. That 'get your arse back home now' just laced with fancy words. But I'm not going yet. Kemen leaves for Lórien next week. I shall travel with him to the Misty Mountains, but there we shall go our separate ways, I to the Grey Havens, he to the Golden Wood. Will you come with me?"
"Like you'll be able to stop me! I will not let you travel there alone and throw away the opportunity of these few months remaining with you. I would not have you board that ship without me there on the dock as the last thing you see in Middle Earth for however long you are to remain in the Valinor." She hugged him again.
"You are too good to be true. I'm so privileged and lucky to have you, the perfect husband."
"For the perfect wife." He grinned and she chuckled.
"We're getting sickly now."
"Yes, we are, aren't we? Well, we might as well add our perfect son to our perfect family."
"The perfect husband."
"The perfect wife."
"The perfect son."
"The perfect life."
"Even perfect sisters, to some strange, mind-bending extent."
"You know you love them really."
"Did I say otherwise? I simply said it was mind-bending, not untrue."
"You're so finicky."
"It's why you love me."
"No, actually, I only married you because you look good on my arm. You create a good impression for me. I have standards to maintain, you know, being Crown Prince." She gasped playfully.
"That's just rude, Legolas Greenleaf!"
"Well, that would be the result of so many years with you." She laughed.
"You used to be such a nice boy. Why can't you be like our 'perfect' son?"
"Ah, but I thought I was already perfect." She pondered for a moment.
"What is perfection?"
"I could be really corny now and say 'you'." She laughed some more.
"That's just taking it to the extreme."
"Well, at least I've cheered you up."
"Thank you."
"Think nothing of it, nissëamin. If I cannot make you happy, then I serve no purpose at all."
"Thank Eru I've got you, else I do not think I would farewell in this cruel world. Many would have given up on me were it not for you."
"You'll have me forever."
"After this journey, I am making no trip without you. We shall never be parted."
"We are never parted anyway, Silva. We are soulmates. We have an unbreakable bond. Nothing and no one can come between that for it runs deeper than any power or skill that even the almighty Ilúvatar has."
"I would like to see someone try it."