The power of Love

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Tolkien's works.

Name meanings: Calenmir (Kahl-ehn-meer): Green Jewel. Cúdir (koo-deer): Alphril (Alf-reel): Shining swan. Silaerien (seel-Ä«hr-ee-ehn): Queen of the Shining Sea. Celeblas (kehl-ehb-lahs): Silver leaf

AN/ Araviniel's name is pronounced ay-ra-veen-ee-ehl or spelled like it is said, Araveenel. If you have any other questions feel free to e mail me.

Blondeducky: There, now I've updated. Your turn!!!!!!

Chapter 5: The truth is told

Araviniel was recovering fast. The wound on her head had disappeared and the pain was completely gone. Her arm was almost fully healed and this morning she was to have diner with the royal family. Legolas was in her room every day during her recovery. Something about the girl enchanted him. He couldn't get her off his mind.

Legolas was lying on his bed looking at the ceiling. His ceiling was a light cream color. His walls were tree green and there was a rack with his choice bows on the wall above his bed. There was a door across the room that led into a bathroom and a large balcony with glass doors.

His hands were folded on top of his chest, rising and falling with his breathing. He couldn't get her off his mind. She was so refreshing after all of his patrols and royal duties. She had a fiery personality and never ceased to amaze him. Last night he came into her room to find her sitting on the balcony railing. Her hair was down and flowing in the moon light, casting a silver glow on her white nightgown. Her green eyes shone like a cat's and all he could do was stare.

She sang beautifully and had a similar love for books. Like him she was so stubborn and couldn't stand to be told what to do. There was another side t her though, It worried him. She was afraid of him. When ever he got to close she would shy away and when he looked at her to long she would stare at the floor. This went deeper then the night he found her. It wasn't anything to do with the men. She was showing respect, fearfully, as if she was a servant, forced into being scared due to mistreatment. It wasn't right.

He sighed and slowly rose from his bed. he stretched and walked over to the bathroom. He splashed some cold water on his face and patted it dry with a clean white towel. Then he ambled over to his dresser and took out a fresh new green tunic. He pulled it over his bare chest and then reached into the bottom draw and pulled out a pair of green leggings. He pulled them on and sat on his bed. He combed through his hair and put it up in the usual three braids.

He was almost ready when a small and timid knock was heard on his bedroom door. 'Well that can't be Alphril.' He thought, 'She would have broken down the door if she wanted to get in.' he smiled and walked over to the door and swung it open, expecting a servant. Instead he was shocked to find Araviniel standing in front of him.

She was dressed in a clinging yellow dress with very long sleeves. Her hair was done up in one simple braid with two small butterfly jewel pins in it. She had a small grin on her face and tilted her head, as if seeing if he would do. He smiled and bowed saying, "Lady Araviniel, it is such a pleasure to see you this morning." She smiled and said, "Well it's about time your sister let me out of that pen! And please call me Avin."

Legolas straitened and waved his arm inside his room saying, "Come on in while I finish. Then I'll take you down to the dining hall." She looked unsure for a moment before following him into the room. He went over to his closet and took out his boots and a small knife. Araviniel looked around the room for a few minutes before her eyes finally rested on the bed. He hadn't made it yet and the covers were strewn over the edges. A thought passed in her mind and she blushed.

Araviniel quickly turned away and stared at the three bows above his bed. She smiled slyly and said, "Do you use those?" Legolas looked up from his feet were he was slipping the knife in his boot and answered, "Yes. They were a gift to me from a friend in Lothlorien." She nodded and said, "Would you mind if you could show me to the archery fields today?" He smiled and said, "Of course not. I would be happy to show you the fields and maybe even show you how to use one of those." He winked at her and she covered her mischievous smile and said, "Thank you."

He stood up and walked over to her. Her smile faded and he saw fear flash in her eyes for a brief moment before she covered it up. "I'm not going to hurt you Araviniel, you know that right?" She swallowed and nodded before forcing a smile. He smiled at her reassuringly before taking her arm and leading her out of his room. He shut the door behind him and started to head off to the dining halls.

Araviniel walked with him as her tension faded. Soon she was comfortable and couldn't shake the thought that he was somehow easier to like then Tatharion. She hated herself for thinking it but something inside her said it was a thought from the heart.

"Sing for me will you?" Legolas said suddenly, breaking her from her thoughts. "Now?" He smiled and said, "Yeah, now." She was a bit nervous at first but then a song hit her with a force. The last song her mother had sung to her.

"Lay down Your sweet & weary head. Night is falling, You have come to journey's end

Sleep now, Dream-of the ones who came before. They are calling, From across a distant shore.

Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see All of your fears will pass away.

Safe in my arms You're only sleeping.

What can you see, On the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea, A pale moon rises. The ships have come To carry you home,

And all will turn to silver glass. A light on the water, All souls pass.

Hope fades, Into the world of night. Through shadows falling, Out of memory and time.

Don't say, We have come now to the end. White shores are calling. You and I will meet again.

And you'll be here in my arms, Just sleeping.

What can you see, On the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea, A pale moon rises. The ships have come To carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass. A light on the water, Grey ships pass. Into the West."

Araviniel fought back tears as she finished. She hoped Legolas didn't notice. "That was beautiful Araviniel!" She smiled sadly and to her great relief Giant oak doors appeared in her view. It leads into the dining hall she was sure. Suddenly she felt nervous.

Legolas nodded to the two guards standing on each side of the doors and they slowly pulled them open. Araviniel was greeted by a gigantic white marble room with a huge wooden table in the middle. There were three people at the table. There was a very strong built Male elf at the head that looked like an older replica of Legolas, She guessed him to be King Thranduil. On his right was a well built Ellon who looked slightly like Legolas. On the king's left sat Alphril with her back to Araviniel.

Legolas strolled into the room with Araviniel's arm in his. Thranduil turned in his chair and smiled. "Hello Legolas. And you must be Araviniel, no?" She nodded and followed Legolas to a chair. He sat her down next to Alphril before going to the other side of the table. Alphril leaned over and gave her a hug saying, "It's so good to see you up and around!" Araviniel smiled nervously and gave her a timid hug.

"Legolas, I went to town today and met this lovely She-Elf! Her name is Haliel. She would be a perfect match for you I think." He winked at Legolas. Alphril broke into the conversation, "Well I know this wonderful young Elleth named Nínaerwen. If I do say so myself, she would fit you perfectly." Legolas threw up his hands and looked at his father pleadingly. Thranduil looked at Legolas and chuckled.

He turned to Araviniel who was looking down at the table and said cheerfully, "Well young lady, my name is Thranduil and this is my other son Calenmir. I believe you already met my other children." Araviniel shook her head and said, "Yes I have. It's a pleasure your majesty." He shook his head and then called, "Palanel!"

A servant came out of a door on the right side of the room that Araviniel didn't see before. He came over to the king and bowed saying, "The food is on its way milord. How can I serve you?" The king smiled and said, "That's all I wanted to know." The servant bowed before leaving the room again.

Legolas kept glancing At Araviniel and that did nothing to help her nervousness. Finally Calenmir broke the uncomfortable silence be asking, "So Araviniel I hear you are from Lothlorien. Who is your father?" Inwardly Araviniel flinched, her hands clenched under the table but besides that she remained calm. "Cúdir Bowman."

Calenmir nodded his head, thought moment and then said with a growing grin, "Yes! You must be his foster daughter." Araviniel was shocked to say the least. 'How on earth did he know that?' she thought. She managed a small nod before he asked another question. "I didn't know you were royalty. Who was your mother?" 'Royalty!?" She thought.

Araviniel smiled and said, "I'm not royalty. You must be mistaken." Calenmir looked at her oddly and said more firmly, "I am not mistaken. I knew your father. He was the son of Lady Galadriel. I knew he got married but then after his wife died and he sailed to the west. I thought he had left you in the care of you mother's brother. This would be Cúdir."

Araviniel was speechless. 'Could that be true? Did Cúdir purposely not tell me of my heritage? I can't be!' she inwardly laughed at the thought of herself being a princess. 'No, it just can't be true.' "I'm sorry but now I really think you're mistaken." Calenmir looked at her and said, "I'm not. Celeblas was my dearest friend and he was also your father. There is no doubt to the matter. If it is true that Cúdir did not tell you then he is guilty on the paying of life in a dungeon."

Araviniel's eyes widened. 'He is guilty of more then just lying to me.' Her heart beat ten times faster as she realized that all the pieces fit to make this true. "My mother's name was Silaerien. I was too young to know I guess." Calenmir nodded and when Araviniel looked over to Legolas she could see he was just as shocked as she was.

Suddenly the door burst open and 3 servants walked into the room with plates of every elvish breakfast imaginable. Araviniel paused for a moment a pictured herself having breakfast this way everyday, as a princess. The more she thought about it the more she realized she enjoyed her free life and wouldn't change it for the world. 'Then again it isn't so free with Cúdir around now is it?' she thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a servant placed a bowel of delicious looking hot elvish cereal in front of her. "Legolas will take you back to Lothlorien. I can't have you going alone. You are welcome to stay as long as you like, however, until you want to go home." said King Thranduil. Araviniel thought for a minute before realizing she was in no rush to get home. Tatharion was probably looking all over middle earth for her but he could wait. For once in her life she felt as if she could do as she pleased. "I'm in no rush to return"

After a long breakfast Calenmir stood up and said, "I have work to do." He walked over to Alphril and gave her a kiss. "Take care Calenmir." She said. He smiled and said, "Don't I always? Goodbye Legolas, see you tonight. Good bye Adar!" Thranduil nodded and Calenmir headed out the door.

Legolas stood from his chair and said, "Araviniel would you like head off to the archery felids now?" She smiled and said, "Yes I would." He came around and took her arm. Together they walked from the room.

Alphril shook her head and said to her father, "That is so sad." Thranduil nodded, "Yes it is. Cúdir should be under arrest." Alphril smiled and waved her fork at her father saying, "No Adar, it isn't sad that she didn't know she was royalty, it is sad because she doesn't have any real parents." "Oh." Thranduil said. She smiled and leaned back in her chair, "Well I guess it's just you and me Adar! I think Araviniel would be a nice match for the loner of a brother I have!"

Legolas led Araviniel out doors and into the court yard. He had stopped by his room and took his favorite bow with him. The sly grin on Araviniel's face unnerved him. As they headed out into the sun he took a deep breath. It was good to be back outside.

The court yard was beautiful. There was a stone wall surrounding the place and ivy grew thickly on it. The trees cast shadows around the place and altogether it was a like a gigantic retreat. There was a large stone building that he knew as the Archery. He led her toward the building and told her to stay outside while he got her a bow.

Araviniel waited patiently as Legolas fished around inside. The sun was shining brightly and she wished she could go for a ride. Legolas appeared a few moments later with a beginners bow. Araviniel was planning a big surprise for him. Not only could she USE a bow but she MADE them. Her skill well exceeded Haldir's. At one time she was asked if she would be interested in joining the patrol. Cúdir wouldn't let her. He wouldn't let her even go near a bow. "This is not work for young and inexperienced she- elves." He would say. 'He was probably afraid I would run an arrow through his gut!' she thought to herself. Anyway, she had snuck out to Tatharion's where she would practice all day long. 'Oh if I only had a bow with my when Rion came!'

Legolas walked toward her and handed her the bow. "Here, use this one for now." She took the bow and looked it over. It was small enough for her to use it but still large enough for a challenge. The pull she noticed, however, was about half of what she normally used. 'This will be like picking flowers' she thought.

Legolas led her off to the targets and stood her in front of him. "Now put your two fingers here with the arrow. No, like this." He adjusted her fingers that she had put in the wrong place and then fixed her feet. "A little farther apart, that's it. Ok Now aim a little father to the right of where you want to shoot, good." He Stepped away from her and drew his own bow. He took an arrow and placed it next to the string. He pulled it back to his ear and shot the arrow. It landed right in the center of the target.

Inwardly Araviniel smiled. She fixed her feet to her own shooting stance, held her bow a bit higher and tilted it somewhat to the right. She pulled back the bow string easily and shot her arrow. It also landed in the center of the target, splitting Legolas's in two. Before he could let out a shocked word she fired three more directly in the center of the other two.

Araviniel lowered her bow and tilted her head to the side. She admired her work before saying to Legolas, "Would you mind getting me a better bow?" Legolas just stared and her before breaking into a smile. "That was...Amazing. But I guess I can't say it was beginner's luck now can I?" She smiled and said, "No, I rival The March warden. And I have for 50 years. You haven't shot a bow till you've shot one of mine," He smiled and asked, "You make them?" She nodded.

Legolas smiled and headed back to the archery. Araviniel looked out to the trees and thought of Tatharion. "Where could you be now, my love?" 'Funny, he's probably asking the same question.' She thought.

After a few hours they had shot all the arrows they could. Araviniel was enjoying every part of it. It felt wonderful to be herself and not worry about Cúdir finding her and dragging her off to his bed. She quickly thought of something else so as not to bring back old and buried memories.

Legolas swung his bow over his shoulder and glanced at the setting sun before saying to Araviniel, "There is a ball tonight. Do you think you would like to come?" Araviniel paused for a minute then smiled and said, "I guess I could stop by and sample some wine." Legolas smiled and was going to lead her back to her room when she quickly added, "But I can't stay long." His smiled shortened a bit and he nodded.

He left her at her door and then headed off to his room to change. The ball was in 1 hour, Right after twilight. He hoped she would come. They had agreed that he would take her. It was going to be an eventful evening.