Chapter 16: The Secret
Lailomé woke up early the next morning. Legolas had carried her to her bed last night and never in her entire life, felt so secure. She woke up without the thought of Isendor, for she and Legolas are going to live their lives the best they could in 10 days, without any facing the serious problems that they are facing the best they could. It was a promise that each of them had to fulfill, for Lailomé, she personally thought of the ten days as her last ten days of her life. She got out of bed and slipped into a fragrant hot bath, after that, she put on a simple light grayish purple velvet dress, brushed her hair and tied it in a half, leaving the rest of her lush dark brown hair loose. Contented with the way she looks, she smiled in front of the mirror before going out of her room. No one's going to break her down anymore. She thought. If I encountered anything that I wish I shouldn't encounter, I'll treat it as if it was nothing. This is my happy days; nobody's going to take it from me. She said to herself as she looked into the mirror.
She waltzed into the hall, singing songs with her bright voice. Elrond who happened to walk the same hallways passed into the happy Lailomé. Surprised with her sudden change of air.
"Quel 'amrun! Uncle Elrond!" Lailomé chimed. Elrond really surprised with his pretended-niece decided to go with her flow.
"Bregol presta uin hün Lailomé?" Elrond cocking an eyebrow. Thinking that he just destroyed her beautiful day, but he was wrong.
"Nay I do naught, dear Uncle Elrond." She said, her eyes glinting as she continued to do her gaily walk and by singing songs at the same time. Elrond, seeing no bigotry in her eyes, smiled. "I hope she pulls through it all. Well done Lailomé!" He said to himself.
On the other side of the palace, Legolas too was acting the same way as Lailomé does. Aragorn, who thought that Legolas was still in a bad mood, decided to evade him when he saw him walking the hallway towards the dining hall when Legolas waved at him, "Quel 'amrun! Future King of Gondor!" This stopped Aragorn, who at that confusing moment did not understand his best elf friend. "Quel 'amrun! Master Elf!" He said as Legolas approached him sporting an ear-to-ear smile. This made Aragorn very curious indeed, he even forgot the insult in which Legolas sticked after his greeting. "May I ask why the Prince is as happy as a hobbit who just have a fruitful harvest?" To add to Aragorn's surprise, Legolas laughed. Not a fake one, as Aragorn can sense, it was a lively one. Patting Aragorn on the shoulder, Legolas replied, "I just stole another's fiancé!" He said laughing wholeheartedly. These replies however have some impact on Aragorn as Legolas left him gaping at him, his jaw dropped.
Everybody was on the dining hall when the servant opened the doors and told them that breakfast is served. Legolas sat in front of Lailomé, Aragorn in front of Arwen and Elrond and Thranduil, then the rest of the fellowship, Briarvale beside Gandalf and so on. Elrond was sitting between Legolas and Lailomé. "Where is Lord Isendor?" Arwen asked innocently. Legolas looked at Lailomé, he smiled and then nodded. Lailomé got the message and grinned. "I'm afraid that my fiancé is not here to join us in our breakfast." She said grinning at Legolas. Everyone at the dining hall look stunned. Isendor announced their wedding already, and it was evident that Lailomé disliked Isendor, both Elrond and Thranduil stared at each other and then to Gandalf, as if both Elrond and Thranduil is asking Gandalf if he ever put a spell on young Lailomé's mind. Arwen also was stunned, how is she taking this matter so lightheartedly? She asked herself while staring at her almost sister. Aragorn, in some way was his heart now cleared, now he knew who Legolas was talking about, for the other night, Legolas confided to him his loved for his former sister. Legolas looked at Lailomé, happy at what he just heard. They are going to take matters not so seriously. This is their ten days, their lives in their hands; ho one's going to take their happiness away from them, not until the ten days is over... at least for the time being. Elrond noticed this exchange of looks and quiet laughter between the two elves and did not say anything for he got their message, he is going to allow it after all... well for the time being. Everyone were at their own thoughts just when Isendor came in. "Oh there, I thought you won't be joining us for breakfast love!" Lailomé chimed as soon as she saw Isendor; she then excused herself and led Isendor to his chair beside Gandalf. Isendor was dumbfounded, yesterday, she almost killed him with her temper but now she was so... kind. Legolas then glared at Isendor in which Isendor did not left unnoticed, he smiled sardonically at Legolas as if triumphant that he would legally own his beloved but Legolas did not stir, instead he grinned at him. This made Isendor madder. Isendor then looked at Lailomé only to see that she too was looking at Legolas, smiling without a care in the world. Their exchange of looks made Elrond really uncomfortable that he decided to start a conversation. Although he already asked this question a million times already he cleared his throat and said, "So, how did the fellowship fared after your departure from here in Rivendell?" The whole of the fellowship exchange looks when Gandalf decided to answer his friend's question and thus starting a conversation. Legolas butting in whenever he have a chance, Lailomé, saying her sweet remarks whenever Legolas finished... their sweet reunion was not left unnoticed at the ever so annoyed Isendor as he could not take being ignored so he decided to walk out. "I think he needs some air." Lailomé interjected as everyone who heard it burst into amusement,
"Did you see the look on their faces?" Lailomé laughed as she and Legolas walked hand and hand towards their refuge. "I swear my dear, never have I seen a face as red as Isendor's awhile ago. Not even all the redness in Mordor can rival his face!" Legolas laughed. They went on rambling at the incident when they finally reached their refuge. "Here at last!" Legolas exclaimed as he fell back into a pile of leaves under the shade of an old pine tree. "Hmph! Slob!" Lailomé called out to him when she saw him slacking under the shade of a pine tree. "My dear, I know you are jealous, but you can, you know, sit in my lap as there is no shade anymore left, all you need is to ask." He said, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Pervert!" Lailomé exclaimed. "As you wish my love." Lailomé gave up, she just stood there in the clearing watching the sky and at last she sang:
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos le linnathon
nef aear, sí nef aearon
Legolas watched her as she sang, her voice like the tinkling of the bells warming a cold day. "Your song..." He said as he looked at her, "Reminds me of the ocean..." And as if remembering a dream from the past... "Lailomé, do you remember our promise, when we were little?" Lailomé looked at him, smiling sweetly. "Yes, I do mellamin, I do remember our promise... about the ocean, am I not mistaken?"
"We will go to Valinor hand in hand, is that still a promise?" She asked him softly, a hint of regret and sadness can be traced in the manner of her speaking.
"No it is not a promise." He said, he regretted saying that after he saw fear form on her exquisite face.
"Not a promise, but an oath." He said at last. Lailomé nodded and she sat on his lap, he shifted his position so that she could sit as comfortably as she could. Lailomé rested her head at the crook of his neck, breathing his scent.
"I wish we could live like this forever, stay like this, living in our fantasies." She said dreamily.
Legolas felt her warm breath on his neck. "The decision depends on you dear, you know that already." He replied, hoping that he would hear her say the words that he longed for her to say but Lailomé did not answer.
The sun was already setting in the scarlet sky when the two decided to go back to Elrond's when Legolas' keen sense sensed something aloft. Lailomé also sensed this but she was quicker, she swiftly grabbed Legolas' bow and shot three arrows in the air. One by one the orcs fell off a nearby bush. Legolas stared at her with disbelief. "Where did you learn that?" Lailomé smiled, she was taught how to defend herself when she was in her own kingdom and she was as good as an archer and a fighter as Legolas did. "Let's just say that I had a few practice when those foul creatures tried to cross the borders." She said, grinning with pride at what she shot. "And to tell you elf, I thought you were the best." She teased. "I was going to shoot when you snatched my bow." Legolas replied sternly. No way is he going to be outdone by a woman! He thought. "Just wait till we get home you imp!" He teased as he started to tickle her on her waist, something he had never forgotten. Lailomé screamed with delight as she tried to run but Legolas was too swift for her, she tried to step backwards but her skirt was caught on some tangled branch and she fell with Legolas landing on top of her, his hand shielding the back of her head. "Can't wait home I see?" He said, his eyes seeing right through her. "I guess I just can't." She grinned as she accepted Legolas' lips on hers when suddenly Aragorn, Arwen, Gandalf and Pippin went out from the thick bushes startling the two elves on their dusk rendezvous.
"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf boomed at Pippin since "fool of a took" was his favorite expression while shielding Pippin's eyes with his long white sleeves, so as not to see the offensive sight. It just so happened that Pippin was taking a stroll around the area of their refuge when he caught sight of the tree orcs heading to where Legolas and Lailomé are dwelling (that he did not know) he then ran to the back to Elrond's when he passed by Aragorn, Arwen and Gandalf. Lailomé instinctively pushed Legolas off her. "Oh Guys!" Legolas exclaimed. "Erm... we were just...---"He looked at Lailomé for help but she can't say a word for her face was already red as the setting sun. "He was just erm... helping me for I.. Um... I just... erm... my dress... yes my dress caught in a branch and he fell on top of me... and then you came in--- she stammered. Aragorn gave Legolas a sly smile... "In that case, sorry to disturb you, but I suggest that you two continue doing your ahem, thing in somewhere more private." Legolas glared at Aragorn while Lailomé looked at Arwen and Gandalf for help. "Oh Aragorn, don't you think we should all go back to Father's, dinner might be served already!" She said between giggles.
"I guess we should all go together." Gandalf interceded. "And as for you Peregrin Took, no dessert!"
"What! No dessert! But Gandalf---!" Pippin wailed.
As compensation, Legolas secretly offered his dessert to Pippin that dinnertime.
The next morning...
The first day of their ten days went fine. Gandalf summoned Legolas for a talk in the Gardens the following day.
"Legolas, I will come straight to the point my friend, Lailomé is engaged." Gandalf said as-a-matter-of-factly.
"I know." Legolas replied ironically.
"You know? Then why are you two...-"
"Gandalf, Legolas said sensitively. Lailomé will die when she marries Isendor, she said it herself... the fact is that I will too, I cannot lose a person that I love again, but for the time being, we are living our lives like we think we should, and what we think is fair for the both of us..."
"But don't you naught know my friend? That your "secret" affairs will cause everyone the better that you think for them?"
Legolas was staggered. True enough. Their 'secret' affair is already out, Elrond, their father, Thranduil, the fellowship; Arwen, Briarvale and even Isendor already know their affair through their actions but the peculiar thing is that they did not say a word about it.
"Lailomé is your sister, Legolas." Gandalf said, a final desire of changing his friend's mind.
"She is not my sister." The words flew out from him easily.
Gandalf, having no hope of ever changing his mind gave up. There was a growing silence between them.
"Then I guess if you have any help about anything, you know I'm here my friend." Gandalf retorted as if he is just putting himself into trouble.
Legolas, hearing this was over the moon. At last, somebody accepted them and is willing to help them, this gave Legolas an idea.
"Thank you." He answered. "Anyway, Gandalf, since you offered your help, will you find something about who this Isendor is?"
Gandalf raised his eyebrow, "So hasty eh? So what does thee mean by something? Gandalf inquired.
Legolas, with his bright idea brewing in his mind is not to slip to anyone, not even to Lailomé but for now he needs help from his wizard friend.
"Lailomé told me that she is afraid of him. She also told me that he laid a hand on her, no noble elf would do that, and why is so hasty with the wedding? ... I can feel that Isendor is hiding something, and Lailomé, she was never wrong with her feelings... she had this something similar with the Lady Galadriel but that for now, is all I can speak of."
"Ah, so you want to know who and what Isendor is? Am I right my friend?" Gandalf replied as he stroked his beard and clutched his white staff. "Very well, I will send word with the Lady Galadriel for help."
Legolas nodded in agreement. "Indeed my friend, and will you do me a favor?"
"What is it?" Asked the wizard.
"Keep our little agreement a secret."
Quel 'amrun – Good Morning.
Bregol presta uin hun Lailomé? – Sudden change of heart Lailomé?
A Elbereth Gilthoniel silivren penna mírielo menel aglar elenath! Na-chaered palan-díriel o galadhremmin ennorath, Fanuilos le linnathon nef aear, sí nef aearon - O Elbereth Starkindler, white-glittering, sparkling like jewels, the glory of the starry host slants down. Having gazed far away from the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth, to thee, Everwhite, I will sing, on this side of the Sea, here on this side of the Ocean.
Mellamin – My Love.
Glaur – Light of the golden tree Laurelin.