Of Life and Love

Disclaimer: I own very few things. The rights to 'Lord of the Rings' is not included. Pity, that.

Chapter Two

The next day dawned bright, even as a chill wind ruffled the leaves of the many trees in Mirkwood forest. In a grassy glade a small number of elves made ready to leave, covering all traces of their presence. A sense of peace permeated the space.

Today the elves were to continue their march to the border of Mirkwood, where they would begin looking for signs of the passage of Yrch; the creatures of the dark.

The entourage was small, their strength in stealth rather than numbers. Their mission was to remain undetected by any orcs and then report back to the palace and the King with what information they could gather about this new threat.

At some invisible signal they all begin to file away into the forest, some alert guards walking ahead and behind as they main body of elves picked their way through the foliage. In the very centre of the group walked Legolas, conversing quietly with Kimberlien. Her movements were slow and purposeful; she did not like what she was hearing but Legolas seemed oblivious despite his usual sensitivity. He was indifferent to the matter, more resigned to his fate than anything else. Kimberlien nodded again as she walked, her mouth dry.

"Adar is bent on finding a suitable candidate. Even as we left he was expecting a messenger from Lothlorien. He was certain that this would be the one. I believe he has already arranged the marriage, and all that is left is for me to meet her and to perform the ceremony." Kimberlien gently pushed aside a branch that was barring their path, letting it fall into place again behind them.

"It is said that she is of great beauty…" Legolas continued dreamily; he was picturing his bride-to-be. Kimberlien was staring fixedly ahead.

Grothdur – as Head Guard and one of Prince Legolas' personal guards – walked a step behind the two and could not help but listen to their conversation. He knew of what Legolas spoke. King Thranduil was desperate to find a suitable maiden for his son and heir, and Legolas was content to leave him to it. And now a suitable bride had been found and Legolas was engaged. These young ones grew so fast…

"Do you even know her name?" Kimberlien said harshly. Legolas looked at her, startled, but she refused to meet his eyes. The pace of the party quickened as Kimberlien lengthened her stride and Legolas kept up.

"Gwenneth, I believe."

"That's nice." Kimberlien's tone softened. "I hope that you and Gwenneth are happy together and enjoy many prosperous years in union. May the Valar look upon you both with favour."

"Thank you." Said Legolas softly. It heartened him greatly that Kimberlien approved and wished them well, even if her words were standard. Her thoughts bore much importance with him. And yet… there was an undercurrent to her words. Did he detect a hint of sadness? Of despair? No, Kimberlien would tell him if she were not content. She would not give her blessing if she did not approve. That was what had dissolved many previous attempts of elf maidens for his hand in marriage. Kimberlien had disliked them for one reason or another and had proven to him each time that they were unworthy. He would always rely on her judgement. He would never have guessed that Miraen could have been so evil… Thanks the Valar that Kimberlien had had her wits about her.

Behind them, Garthon shook his head sadly. He had been an aspiring young warrior when the Prince was born, and had been allocated into the services of the Prince. Soon after, the Prince had met Kimberlien and had remained at her side ever since. He knew them both as well as if they were his own children. It was clear to anyone who looked that they adored each other, but so far it seemed that Garthon was the only one who could see any bond deeper than friendship. To him, Kimberlien's love of Legolas was as bright as Earendil, yet Legolas had no idea. He merely thought of her as his soul mate. To her he was her life. And yet he did not know! Kimberlien was only beginning to see the truth herself. Grothdur had spoken to them both, of course, but was unwilling to further intervene should Legolas not reciprocate Kimberlien's feelings. As a mentor and almost father-like figure to them both, Garthon was aware that any words he should utter would carry a lot of weight on the hearts of these two elves.

The two before him were now walking in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Legolas' dreamy, Kimberlien's bitter-sweet. She could interfere no more. The most important thing to her on this earth was the happiness of her friend, and he was content with what arrangements had been made. She must leave everything be. And yet deep in her heart, the dark voices that speak truths we do not wish to hear whispered to each other. She would not survive if she saw Legolas fall into another's arms, they said. Her heart would break, and she would fade.

But as yet Kimberlien was impervious to these sub-conscious mutterings and brought herself back to the forest they were walking through.

"So mellon-ninn, you are finally to marry." Legolas nodded, a smile playing across his lips. Kimberlien noticed his contentment and suppressed her sadness. Her voice was soft as she asked him what he knew of his bride-to-be and he related the stories of her beauty. Ah… beauty. What would that be like to have? She smiled weakly and joked with Legolas as they walked, side by side. At least she would have this last week with him, before he was to meet his bride and her beauty, and be lost to Kimberlien forever.

Suddenly and simultaneously she and Legolas halted, the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. About to unsling their bows from their shoulders, they relaxed as they heard a faint birdcall come from the shade of the trees. It was the signal of the mission, meaning that the approaching being was an elf sentry. Sure enough, young Nhie appeared and hurried towards Grothdur.

"Yrch tracks have been found sir. Iaenfadar believes that at least thirty yrch have passed, perhaps more."

Legolas and Kimberlien exchanged hasty glances as Grothdur swallowed. So many! And so close! They would have to warn the King as soon as possible.

"You have marked the place?"

"Yes, sir. Iaenfadar walks their trail even as we speak."

"Very well. We shall investigate further to better approximate their number, and then head for the palace."

"Yes sir."

Few heard Nhie's acknowledgement, for hoofbeats intruded upon their senses. Whipping around, the host drew their bows and placed arrows upon the taut strings in readiness of the approaching menace.

A beautiful horse rode into view, and noting the rider upon it the entourage relaxed once more. It was Trwy, King Thranduil's fastest messenger.

Amid greetings from the company, Trwy swung gracefully down from his horse and stroked her mane, whispering a couple of elvish words into her ear. Snorting, she pawed the ground as he rapidly left her side and made his way to Legolas, who stepped forward to meet him. Trwy bowed and proffered his message.

"With all due respect Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence with the utmost haste at the palace. He has received news that her Ladyship Gwenneth is on her way from Lothlorien and will be arriving shortly. He kindly requests that you are there to meet with her Ladyship and her family, and so begin the marriage ceremony." All eyes were on Trwy as he finished Legolas' message and turned to Grothdur. No one noticed the blood drain from Kimberlien's face, or how she reflexively clasped her hands before her to hide their trembling.

Trwy continued.

"His Majesty also requests news in regards to the success of this mission so far, and if you deem it important to continue. Else you are asked to return to the palace with His Highness." Trwy finished, turned back to Legolas and bowed once more before straightening and taking a step back, giving both Legolas and Grothdur time to digest this new twist of events. Grothdur answered first.

"I thank His Majesty for this message and his trust, but I must deliver disheartening news. A large company of yrch has just been discovered not far from here and I fear that we are all in danger." He nodded as Trwy's eyes widened and darted to Legolas. "We ask for reinforcements while part of our company continues to track the beasts. I will send with you half of our company for the protection of the Prince."

Legolas turned to him to argue, but Grothdur shook his head and Legolas' mouth closed with a snap.

"It is too dangerous Your Highness. They are too close to the palace." Grothdur turned once more to Trwy.

"Please give us a moment to part ways." Trwy nodded and walked back to his mare.

Grothdur looked about him and his eyes were caught by Kimberlien's pale figure. His face became drawn.

"Nhie, please tell Iaenfadar to halt until we rejoin him, but not to lose the tracks." With a nod, Nhie ran off.

By now the rear-guard had caught up with them. Quickly, Grothdur issued his orders for them to accompany Legolas on his return to the palace. They nodded in understanding, and grouped near Trwy as Grothdur turned to the rest of the company.

Kimberlien felt his eyes sweeping through them, and knew he was making the difficult decision of who would continue on in danger, and who would return to safety.

She could not bear to look at Legolas, who was standing just in front of her watching Grothdur. She could not stand him. He was going to get married. In a mere few days he would be given to someone else and things would never be the same. He was not to be hers… She felt her heart crumble and it was agony. It was the unbearable pain of having her heart break into tiny shards that drove her to her decision. A decision that would change her life.

"Grothdur," she stepped past Legolas to her mentor, knowing instinctively of the questioning glance that Legolas threw at her even if she didn't see it. "I wish to accompany Iaenfadar in tracking the yrch." Grothdur was startled, but looking deep into her eyes he saw pain, and understood her reasoning. Reluctantly he nodded acquiescence.

Legolas started. What was going on? Why was Kimberlien not coming to his wedding? What were she and Grothdur doing? He watched in a daze as Kimberlien resumed her former place and Grothdur divided the company in half, both of them refusing to meet his eye. Why were they doing this to him?

Legolas looked angrily about him. He felt betrayed by his best friend. She had finally approved of a bride for him and was not even going to come to his wedding. Probably all she wanted was the adventure of an yrch hunt, and then she would return and laugh at how he had to come running at his father's bidding and she was as free as a bird, having no father... Well, Legolas thought to himself, two can play at that game.

Grothdur turned to Kimberlien once more before he took his leave with Legolas, and grasped her by her shoulders.

"I am sorry to part with you so, Kimberlien. Dear child." Kimberlien met his eyes in surprise at the unusual endearment. True she considered him almost as a father, but… He leant closer to her and whispered so that only they could hear.

"He cares for you Kimberlien. Deeply, but in his own way. Do not run; do not let it break your heart. Be joyous in the love that you have. Gwenneth will be his wife but you are his lifelong friend. I believe she may even be fearful of you." His lips quirked as he pulled back from her again. He did not know that his words came too late.

"Take care Kimberlien, I wish to see you soon."

But his wish would never come true.


A/N

Aralas - No, this will not be slash. I have nothing against slash and have read some very well written ones, but I don't think that I could write it to save my life.

As for Grothdur, he's Legolas' personal guard and has been since Legolas was ickle, and since Legolas has always been with Kim… he got to know her pretty well too. He cares for them only as a father would.

Does that answer everyone's questions?

A thanks to Elven Hope and Aralas, of course for being wonderful and reviewing. But anyone else reading this story: have you pressed the 'Go' button in the corner? Why not! As always: more reviews for me, more chapters for you.

Ciao!

Greenfly