The power of love

AN/ Hi everyone! Thanks for all the reviews!

Chapter 4: Something new

Legolas had his arm protectively around Araviniel lest she should fall. They were close to the palace and she had gone in and out of consciousness many times. He was concerned about her. What other injuries had she sustained that he didn't know about? 'Was that the first time the leader of the men had tried to use her' he thought.

He had just arrived in the forest a day ago and was about to head back to the palace when Calenmir had asked for help on the patrol. He was aggravated since he just come home from Lothlorien and was eager to be in his own room again but he would not let his friend down. The timing was something he did not grasp. If he had sent someone else he would not be on his horse galloping with an elf maiden in is arms.

The horse was galloping, full speed toward their destination, when out of the trees the giant gate of Mirkwood was unveiled. "Open the gates!" he cried out to the guards. After a few moments shouting was heard, "It's the prince! Open the gates!" They opened just in time so that his horse hardly had to slow and they raced inside just as the gates began to close behind them.

He slid off his horse, careful not to let the unconscious girl fall, and then lifted her off as well. He ran up the stairs with her in his arms letting the stable boys take care of his horse. "ALPHRIL!" He called at the top of his lunges, barely causing a stir from the slumped girl in his arms

A beautiful blond blue eyed she-elf rushed down the hall, rather irritated at her brothers rudeness and said, "What may I help you with now, my-"she trailed off as she spotted the bruised and unconscious girl in her brother's arms.

Legolas had hoped his sister could help. She was the best healer in all of Mirkwood and he was sure she would know what to do.

It took her only a minute to analyze the girl and from 5 feet away she knew exactly what was needed. She started barking orders and changed into her boss healer mode. "Legolas put her on my bed! Be careful not to move her to much, she has a broken arm and a serious head injury."

Legolas was shocked. How could she know all that? She hadn't even looked at her up close yet. He hurried up the steps to his sister's room and pushed the door open. He set her on the bed and stood back as his sister barged into the room with a tall servant behind her. "Himil!" she turned around only to find the elf of her question behind her. He nodded and she told him hurriedly, "Get some hot water and clean bandages; I will also need a small towel." He nodded and ran out of the room.

Legolas knew that his sister and Himil had liked each other for some time now. She was afraid to tell her father because he was a servant.

Legolas watched on as his sister sat next to the girl and examined her. Himil rushed back into the room with bandages, a white bowel of water, and a small clean towel. He knelt down next to Alphril and gave her the supplies. Their eyes met for an instant before she turned away and tended to the girl.

Himil stood up and Alphril said with out looking at him, "Go and get my bag. Get Gaerwen and tell her to come up here at once, Hurry!" He nodded and once again ran out of the room.

The wound on her head must have been worse then he thought because his sister was wasting no time at all. His sister dipped the bandage in the water and cleaned off the area on the girl's head.

When she was done she turned toward Legolas and said with a bit of a smile, "Can you for once in your life come home like normal people? Always have to be the hero huh?" He smiled at her. Her smile faded and she said in a grave tone, "She has a concussion. Who ever did this spared no strength in the process."

He nodded and said, "We found her in the company of five men. One of them had kicked her in the head and I believe her head hit a rock. She was very lucky we found her."

Alphril looked shocked and shook her head. Of all the evil done she could never have guessed it being done in her own home land. Then she heard a small whimper from her charge and looked down at the girl

Araviniel looked around the room. The ceiling was white and the walls were a light purple. She was lying on a giant bed and the comforter was purple to match. There was a large balcony to her right and a dresser, nightstand, and vanity to her left. She turned her head to find a beautiful she-elf sitting next to her, talking to a male standing by the wall. He and the girl looked very much alike.

She suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her head and let out a small whimper. The girl quickly looked back to her and said in a voce as sweet and soft as a bird's, "Huh now, you're going to be alright." she smiled and continued, "You are in the Mirkwood palace and my name is Alphril. This here," she pointed to the male against the wall, "is Legolas. He found you and brought you here for healing."

Araviniel gave her as much of a nod as she could while keeping her head free of pain. 'Rion must have kicked me harder then I thought.' "My name is Araviniel." The girl smiled and said, "Daughter of the new dawn! Tis a name worth saying mellon!" Araviniel gave her a small smile before a tall ellon walked into the room with a dark haired chocolate eyed elleth behind him. He was carrying a white leather bag underneath his arm.

Alphril nodded toward them and said, "Thank you Himil. Gaerwen, would you please help me?" the girl nodded. Alphril took the bag from the ellon and brought out a small pouch. She took a glass from the night stand and emptied some of the powder into it. The she took the glass pitcher from the stand and poured some water into the glass. She handed it to Araviniel.

Araviniel took the glass as Alphril said, "Here, drink this. It will ease the pain and give you rest." Araviniel downed the tasteless liquid. Then she handed it back to Araviniel and rested her on the side of the pillow. Sleep would find her at last.

The next day

Araviniel woke to find Legolas sitting in a chair next to her. He was looking out onto the balcony. There was a book on his lap and she could tell he had stayed the whole night. She turned her head only a little but the pain was immense. She cried out and lifted her hands to her head. Legolas quickly pulled her hands down and said, "Its ok. Don't move, you'll make it worse."

She looked at him and nodded as much as possible before taking a deep breath and calming herself. Her eyes wandered to him and she took his image in. He was wearing a silver tunic and his hair was done in two small braids with the rest hanging down. He had sharp features and his blue eyes remained emotionless. She could sense he had gone through many pains in his life and she could tell that at some point he had lost some one very dear.

She knew because the look in his eyes was one she saw every time she looked into the mirror. He sat back down into chair and stared at her for a few moments. Araviniel was becoming very uncomfortable under his cold blue eyes and so she looked around the room. Just as she had seen last night, it was a light purple. The room itself had a lavender scent to it. It helped her to relax.

Her gaze wandered around the room before finally resting back at Legolas. He was staring at her to the point where she said softly, "Is there something written on my head or were you born this rude?" He blinked at the comment at thought inwardly, 'She probably has no idea who I am. I bet if she knew she wouldn't have said such a thing.'

He nodded his head and said, "Sorry. What is your name?" She stopped and thought a minute, 'My name? Um....it's...Araviniel? Yes! Araviniel.' "Araviniel is my name. May I have the pleasure of yours?" He looked at her oddly and then remembered his sister saying something about a concussion. 'She doesn't remember.' "My name is Legolas Greenleaf. I am prince of this realm.

He looked at her as if expecting a shock and apology. She had no such idea. "Nice to meet you." She mumbled. Her head was throbbing at the moment and this "prince" was becoming a bothersome annoyance.

He looked shocked at her reaction and said, "Why were you with those men? Where are you from and how long were you with them?" His barrage of questions sent her head spinning.

She was past all politeness now, "I'm lying in bed with a concussion, my head is bleeding, and right now I feel as if I just leaped off a cliff and you have the nerve to ask me questions! I am in no mood to humor a spoiled rotten, rude, uncouth, and presumptuous prince at the moment. Come back when I feel like babysitting, then I might be able to help you."

Legolas was more then shocked, he was down right mad. Who was this she-elf who dared insult him?! He, in truth, had never been spoken to like that unless it was from his sister. "Excuse me but I believe I was the one who saved you! I deserve a little respect, Not only that but I am the prince here and people in this realm have enough manners to watch their tongues!"

Araviniel was exhausted and sharp needle like pains were creeping around her head. She had enough of "Legolas Greenleaf Prince of Mirkwood" "SHUT UP!" she yelled. It took all of her strength to do that and the pain in her head was punishing her for it but it was worth every bit.

Legolas sat there, fuming. If it weren't for his sister coming in the room he probably would have started screaming back at this insolent she-elf. Alphril walked in the room in a yellow gown and a furious look on her face. She looked at the both of them and then glared at him. 'This won't end well' he thought.

Alphril had heard the commotion upstairs and went to check on her patient. When she got to the hall she could hear the exchange going on in the room. To think her brother had the nerve to do something to some one like that made her blood boil. She had almost laughed when the girl, Araviniel, had insulted him but what her brother was doing had gotten to her.

Alphril walked over to the bed and checked on Araviniel, "How are you?" Araviniel looked up at Alphril and said, "I was doing ok until this big Ogre started talking!" Alphril suppressed a giggle and said, "I'm very sorry. Try not to move you head too much. When you are well enough you can tell us what we need to know." She smiled and rose from the bed, motioning for Legolas to follow her as she walked out of the room

Legolas got up from his chair and placed the book on it. He followed his sister out of the room and shut the door behind him. Araviniel looked down at the book a minute before reaching over and lifting it off the chair.

She opened it up to the first page and began to read softly, "'this story takes place before the ages of men and all that came with them. It is a story of things long past and loves long lost, before the world was tainted and laughter was stolen away. This is a story of a generation lost to memory and in some ideas, does not exist. In a world where something is everything and nothing does exist, where the sun rises and falls and the birds sing with the voices of the trees." That was where she put down the book.

"Doesn't anyone have anything light to read!?" She exclaimed softly. She decided to try and stand up. "If there isn't anything else to do I mind as well try to get up." She mumbled to herself. She lifted her head slowly and sat up in the bed. She waited for the room to stop swirling and then swung her legs to the side of the bed. She braced her arm on the mattress and slowly stood up.

She just stood there for a minute until she could see strait. Then she began to gingerly walk over to the double glass doors that looked out over a balcony. After a few minutes her head began to clear. Unknown to the others she had a strong healing gift from her mother's blood and could heal herself quickly.

She walked a little bit more confidently and reached the doors. She swung them open and was hit with yellow sun beams that flooded into the room. She glanced back and smiled before going to the railing and looking over the trees. Mirkwood was beautiful and full of green. She smiled again and put her elbows on the rail. She rested her chin in her hands and stared off into the Wood.

Her thoughts roamed off into Rivendell. She wished she could see her stepmother. They were very close. She didn't blame her for going to Rivendell. Anyone would want to get away from her father. Oh, and Tatharion! She missed him so much. She wondered if he knew she was gone by now. How many days had it been? She couldn't remember.

Suddenly a voice interrupted her thoughts, "What are you doing!?" Araviniel turned around sharply to see who it was but the action sent pain to her head and she collapsed to the ground. In a moment she was picked up and set down on the bed. "Didn't you hear anything my sister told you?" 'Oh great, him again!'

She tried to make some kind of comment but she couldn't. She could feel him lift up the covers and put her under them. He sighed and said softly, "Stay in bed or you won't heal right. Are you alright?" She nodded and looked up at him. She could see again and she noticed a genuine look of concern in his on his face.

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you." He nodded and went over to the nightstand. He poured a glass of water and gave it to her. She took it from him and drank it slowly. The cool liquid slid down her throat. She knew he must have put something in it because she was feeling very tired by the time she was done.

He took the glass from her and said, "Forgive me for before. I didn't mean to harm you in any way." She nodded and slowly fell asleep. He smiled and sat down next to the bed again, picked up his book and started to read.

The sun was setting when Araviniel began to toss and turn in her sleep. Legolas was worried she might make her injury worse. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and held her down while trying to wake her up, "Araviniel? Wake up!"

Dream

Araviniel was sitting next to Tatharion. His blood formed a pool around them both. It slowly seeped up the cloth on her dress. His blood was mingled with her tears as she sat there holding his head.

Suddenly hands grabbed at her and tried to pull her away. She screamed and tried to pull the hands off her shoulders. She looked behind her and saw her father. He was looking at her with fire in his eyes.

Cúdir grabbed at her and tried to pull her away, "Get off him you worthless temptress! You're nothing! I'm going to show you all the love you deserve!" He slapped her so hard she thought he had broken her jaw. He screamed at her and kept hitting her.

End Dream

"NO! Cúdir, please! You're hurting me Adar!" She opened her eyes that were clenched shut when she heard a clear voice break into her wails, "Araviniel! It's ok. It's just me, Legolas."

She sat up, ignoring the pain in her head, and started to sob uncontrollably. Legolas leaned off his chair and switched to the bed. He pulled her closer to him and let her cry on his shoulder.

'Something's not right' he thought. 'Why would she yell that her father was hurting her?' He looked down to the small she-elf curled up in his arms and something deep down inside him stirred, "Hush now, it's going to be fine. I've got you."

Araviniel flinched and slowly pulled away from his arms, still sobbing to herself. 'He's got me? No, that's not right.' She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She placed her head in her arms and cried like she thought she could never cry before.

Legolas wasn't sure what to do. He decided to comfort her the best way he could. He crawled behind her and started to rub her back. She tensed under his touch but after a few minutes she had calmed herself down.

When she stopped crying she realized that her head wasn't hurting. She lifted her hand to where the wound was to find it no longer there. She had been completely healed. 'How can that be?' she asked herself. Just then she realized Legolas was massaging her back. 'Did he do that? No! That's impossible!'

Araviniel was getting scared. It wasn't anything personal but this elf behind her was making her very afraid. He had a soothing affect on her. She didn't want to let her guard down. She turned around slowly and stared at him.

The candle light from the dresser cast an unearthly glow on his face. He looked at her in such a deep and meaningful way. He seemed concerned and upset. Something inside her wanted so bad to have him hold her again. She silently berated herself for that thought and looked down at the bed.

Her thoughts drifted to what she had seen in her dreams. Fresh tears immerged in her eyes. Cúdir had done nothing but abuse her after her mother died. In some ways she would not even bear to remember. This elf beside her looked so caring that all she wanted to do was have him show her how things were supposed to be.

Legolas watched the girl in bed besides him. Sweat still shimmered on her forehead from her dream. Her hair was disheveled and the silver night gown, that his sister had changed her into while she was sleeping, was twisted. One of the sleeves was hanging off her shoulder.

He watched her as she studied his face. Then she dropped her gaze to the bed. He could sense she was crying again. He shook his head and lifted her chin with his finger, "What is it? What did you see?" Araviniel's eyes widened when she remembered Tatharion saying that same thing to her.

She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and said slowly, "Death." He looked at her and smiled reassuringly but that was all she said. He knew she had seen something much more horrible but he would not push her again. There was something about this girl that made him want her to like him.

He caressed her cheek and said comfortingly, "Dreams pass. Just like the night. There is always day right around the corner." Araviniel nodded and managed a smile. Legolas knew it was forced but he just smiled back at her.

Legolas looked toward the balcony and saw the sun peaking above the trees. He smiled and said, "Look! There it is." Araviniel looked out onto the balcony. She noticed that the doors had not been shut and right above the trees the sun was showing its rays.

She looked back at Legolas who was watching the sun. The rays hit his face as they came swiftly over the mountain. A thought passed into her head and it was to true to deny, 'True love lasts. If Tatharion is the one then this elf will not mean anything' Deep inside her heart smiled.

A voice rang in her head as Legolas looked back at her, sun reflecting in his eyes, '"Sometimes, my dear daughter, you might find that your mind desires one thing and your heart yearns for another. You must decide whether to follow your heart or follow your mind"' She looked back into the sunlight that was gleaming on his face.