Chapter 2
Elenwen awoke in good time and quietly slipped from her room to go to a near by stream to wash her face in its cool calming waters. The chillness of the wet element helped wake her up and she dried her face with her handkerchief before standing beside the waters edge. With a small sigh Elenwen turned around and was suddenly faced with someone's chest.
"Good morning fair one." Legolas whispered. Elenwen looked up to see his handsome face and kind eyes.
"Good morning." She smiled slightly in return. Legolas drew back and let her walk over to the breakfast table in the guests clearing. Maids rushed around caring plates and trays while Elenwen supervised carefully, making sure each place and a plate, utensils and cups. Fresh baked bread, and the scent of crisp bacon and pastries make Elenwen hungry as she watched the food being carried past her. With a nod the maids withdrew and only Elenwen was present.
She reached for a slice of bread and took a small bite. It was so delicious that as she finished it she was no longer hungry.
"You promised you would watch the sunrise with me." Legolas said smoothly and took Elenwen's hand.
She blushed as his warm hand brushed her own causing a delight to tingle up her arm.
Legolas led her along the cobble path to a beautiful white Elven bridge over the calm river Anduin. They stood at the center of the bridge and leaned on the railing as they looked towards the rising sun. It cast magnificent rays across the sky in a dazzling arrangement of reds, oranges and yellows.
"It is a wonderful sight." Elenwen sighed in the calm morning air, and rested her hand on the railing gently.
"But it is not the loveliest sight by far." Legolas said as he brushed his fingers on Elenwen's wrist.
Elenwen blushed. "A dangerous road lies ahead and behind yet you seem to be able to keep an open mind." Elenwen said looking at the Prince.
"It is a difficult thing to do as all my mind is focused on you." Legolas said and looked at her with a calm and meaningful face.
Elenwen blushed. 'How can he like me? I am not pretty in the least.'
Legolas began to lean forward slowly and Elenwen's lips jumped with anticipation.
"MERRY! That was the last tomato! I only got five!" Pippin yelled from the camp.
Elenwen's head flipped in the camps direction making her hair whisk across Legolas's face gently.
"He said Merry ate all the tomatoes." Legolas told her from where he still stood.
'I think I was about to get my first kiss and a hobbit is yelling about tomatoes?' Elenwen thought peeved. "I must return, I have a duty to attend to." Elenwen curtsied and rushed back to camp.
Legolas sighed. The hobbits had ruined the perfect moment. Biting his lip Legolas silently hoped he could get one kiss before he headed off with the fellowship. With an impatient frown Legolas headed back to camp.
Aragorn smiled as he saw the whole company with Elenwen and Callnen chatting politely while polishing off the rest of the breakfast.
"Legolas, Gimli, Boromir. The elves have told us that yonder in a clearing we may practice our fighting skills. I suggest we take this opportunity." Aragorn told. Elenwen looked to Callnen and he handed her a sword and sheath.
"We have practiced every morning since we were young, do not think that I would let you off so easily." Callnen grinned. Elenwen hugged him and ran to her room to change from her dress into a tunic and leggings. The hobbits decided against improving their skills so the elves, humans and dwarf set off alone. Aragorn and Callnen led the way as Legolas and Elenwen followed behind Boromir and Gimli.
"Is that elf wench fighting? BAH! I could kill her with one stroke of my axe." Gimli chuckled.
Legolas frowned. "You would have one heck of an army on your tail if you did so Gimli." He told. "Including me." He whispered to himself.
Gimli simply snorted in reply.
The clearing was well equipped with a small stream to collect water and a few practice swords. Aragorn split everyone into groups of two.
"Legolas and Gimli practice on one another and I believe I will test my fellow Gondorian brethren." Aragorn told.
Callnen and Elenwen squared up and bowed their heads in a respective salute. Drawing their swords and taking a step back the duel began. The air rang with controlled speed as brother and sister fought with ease. Callnen feigned to the right as Elenwen jumped forward to attack. Both were equally matched, as the two had long known each other's strengths and weaknesses. Elenwen parried an attack to her chest and jumped to twist in the air bringing her sword behind her brother's neck just as he did the same to her. Siblings stood breathing heavily when they heard clapping. The company had been watching and Elenwen noted the look of admiration and approval on Legolas's face.
"Perhaps I should have placed you two with different partners? Callnen may I duel you after Boromir, and then you Elenwen?" Aragorn asked.
Elenwen nodded and whipped at her dampened brow.
"I ain't afraid of no elf boy!" Gimli growled and stood in front of Callnen.
"May I have this dance?" Legolas smiled to Elenwen.
She stood ready and nodded before lashing out with her sword. Legolas parried the blow and tried to strike Elenwen's stomach. She leapt back and kicked one of Legolas's ebony knives from his grasp. Legolas aimed to bring his remaining knife to Elenwen's head but she ducked at just the right second. Then she brought her sword to Legolas's knees and he leaped over her back. The two circled each other looking for an opening, a second where one became distracted.
Just then Gimli fell back into Elenwen, and her sword fell to the side as she toppled forward with the weight of the dwarf. Legolas quickly threw down his knife as Elenwen fell into him knocking both elves to the leafy ground.
Elenwen slowly opened her eyes. She felt warm and her hand lay upon the sturdy rising chest of the Elven Prince. Gimli stood up and looked at them.
"Fighting! Not cuddling master elf!" Gimli pointed out. Callnen and Aragorn sheathed their swords and ran to help the fallen pare.
"Urg! I am going to have a dwarf sized bruise for sure!" Elenwen groaned and then laughed.
Legolas laughed as well and released the arm her had about Elenwen. Callnen reached out a hand to Elenwen as she took it as he helped her up to her feet. Aragorn helped Legolas up and clapped him on the back. Elenwen began to clutch her side tenderly.
"I think I have had enough for today." She frowned.
"I can escort Elenwen back and check on the hobbits." Legolas offered. "Make sure Pippin has not eaten himself silly." He grumbled and went to pick up his knives. Elenwen took a step forward to pick up her sword and winced as pain lurched from her ankle up her leg.
Callnen drew her closer. "What is it sister?"
"My ankle." She winced again. Aragorn walked over and carefully removed Elenwen's boot.
"Sprained most likely. Just lean on Legolas and keep your weight off it." He instructed.
Legolas went to Elenwen's left side and she put an arm about his shoulder and leaned on him.
"We will be done soon." Aragorn told.
Legolas put and arm around Elenwen's waist and slowly they walked back to camp.
"You are a worthy opponent." Legolas told Elenwen calmly.
Elenwen smiled. "Gimli was not bad either." Elenwen stumbled and Legolas's grip tightened about her waist. His hand was comforting and strong and Elenwen felt safe within his grasp and reassuring strength of his body.
Legolas walked slowly and braced himself in case Elenwen should fall. It had felt so right when she had lain beside him on the forest floor. For the first time in a while Legolas felt at ease and he felt that as long as he held Elenwen that there was no danger, no war of the ring, no Sauron haunting shadow and mind.
They reached the camp and Legolas sat Elenwen down on the ground and placed a pillow behind her back so she could lean on a log. The hobbits were eating; again or still Legolas could not tell. A maid came down the stairs and walked calmly over to Elenwen, blushing when she saw Legolas glance her way.
"Galadriel awaits you in the maid house." She said.
Elenwen frowned. " Can you send someone to help me there? I sprained my ankle."
"No need. I will take you." Legolas offered.
Elenwen blushed. " But you have done so much to help me already. I could not possibly bother you any more."
"Too late." Legolas smiled and picked her up in his arms.
Elenwen yelped silently in surprise. "I can walk!" she laughed.
The maid blushed and led Legolas who still carried Elenwen to the maid chamber.
Lady Galadriel awaited them outside the door.
"Welcome Legolas. Thank you for taking such good care of my niece."
Legolas bowed and set Elenwen on her feet. "I do what u can my lady." Legolas smiled. " I am sorry I must return to my company. May the leaves of your life never fall. Farewell." He bowed again and left quickly.
"He is loyal Elenwen, and full of spirit would you not agree?" Galadriel smiled.
"As much as I know of him I agree." Elenwen bowed. Galadriel led Elenwen into the room where nine Elven looms were set out with threads.
"The fellowship leaves tomorrow. I would like you to weave a cloak for Legolas." Galadriel told simply.
"Elven cloaks are a high honor. I will weave one with great spirit on my part." Elenwen smiled. She sat down and began to weave. Into the threads she weaved warmth and her thoughts of Legolas melted into it from her fingers. She made no mistakes and did not put a single thread out of place. Finishing late evening she went to bed and rested.
After supper Legolas glanced at Elenwen's empty seat.
"How fares out friend?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas looked behind him. "How long have you been standing there?" Legolas asked. Aragorn was leaned against a tree comfortably and he smiled at his friend.
"Long enough to know that you have become fond of Elenwen." Aragorn hinted speaking in elvish and went to sit beside his friend.
Legolas made a serious face. "We have become friends I guess, yes." Legolas told.
Aragorn chuckled. "I am no stranger to love, my friend. It is as clear as day to me that you love her. If only just a little bit."
"I love you too. I hold respect for you as I hold respect for Elenwen, yet you tell me this is not the same love?" Legolas joked.
Aragorn laughed. "You love her the way a male loved a female, which is more than a hobbit loves food."
"I would not be so sure on that last one." Legolas chuckled as all four hobbits still sat at the dinner table eating.
Aragorn chuckled. "I guess they will not be happy to hear that we leave tomorrow with two elf escorts, and where we are heading will not have such pleasure of food."
"Or such beautiful woman." Legolas sighed under his breath.