Widow's Garden

Melannen had been thinking a lot about the past lately, a lot more than she would have liked to admit. It was just the look in his eyes when he had told her that things had changed, and would never be the same, that kept her awake until the first hours of the morning. Margaret had been more than slightly surprised at Legolas' unexpected arrival, now nearly four days ago. It did not take long, though, before they were fast friends. He often limped out to her small garden and helped the elderly woman pull weeds, allowing her rheumatic hands to rest some. Each time she would bicker with him that it was all doing more harm than good. He gave her a companion and someone to talk to when Melannen was away, something that had become increasingly more often now that Legolas had arrived.

For the most part, the Prince was doing as well as could be expected. Already, his minor cuts and scrapes were nearly healed, and the bruises were not nearly as noticeable. His fractured arm and ribs were still the source of most of his pain, but it was hard to tell that he was suffering, mainly due to his unfailing sense of humor.

Maggie and Legolas sat on the porch, looking out at the backyard. His crutches were propped up against his chair. The widow's garden was in full bloom, flowers of ever color shone in the late afternoon. A warm, summer breeze blew steadily from the east and was refreshing to both.

"How long have you known Rachael?" Maggie asked, breaking the peaceful silence.

Legolas started, after a short pause he spoke. "Forever."

Maggie smiled, "Son, I'm old, forever isn't really that long."

If only she knew. He thought to himself. "Mag, believe me, it's been a long, long time."

The old lady sighed, "Nick, you have been keeping me in the dark about something, and so has Rachael. I'd like to know what."

Legolas looked at her. "Alright." Then he told her everything, not omitting a single detail. He watched as her expression changed from surprise, to horror, and to grief. The concept of Elves was something she had quite a bit of trouble grasping. Immortal? Impossible, right? At least, that was what she had thought her entire life. Until now. Every now and then, she would stop him and ask a question or confirm a detail. As he spoke, Margaret could see no lie in his eyes, then again, she was not quite sure what she saw in those deep, reflective pools. It took nearly an hour for him to tell the entire story.

Maggie slapped her knees, "Well, you are either quite inventive or something that even a child's dreams could not bring to life."

"Which do you believe?"

"I don't think you're lying, whatever the case."

Legolas smiled, "That's comforting."

There was one question, though, that she still had not gotten answered. "What happened to your son?"

The Elf bit his lip, "He was killed in a car accident about a year ago."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." he grabbed his crutches and went inside.

Melannen returned later that evening. Her clothes reeked of smoke and her breath of alcohol. Legolas and Maggie were watching TV when she arrived. They looked up when she staggered in, and the look of disapproval on Legolas' face made Maggie want to hide. He stood up and limped over to her. He grabbed her arm, none too gently, and pulled her into the back bedroom before slamming the door behind them.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he nearly shouted, releasing her arm from his powerful grasp.

"Why should you care? You've never cared about me before."

Her words were like daggers to his heart. "Melannen– how can you not see what is right in front of you?"

"I see you, isn't that good enough?" she said, "Or should I see that you left me every time I needed you most? Or that you let our son die?"

He took a step backward, "You actually believe that I could have prevented that, had I even known it was going to happen?"

"You have no reason to care about me or Elros!" She said, her voice laden with emotion.

"I love you, isn't that good enough?"

"You don't know what love is!"

"If love isn't what I think it is, then what is it?"

"It's what I thought we had, but I was wrong." Melannen got up and left the room, leaving Legolas to ponder what she had said.

Author's note: I had to reload my computer and put all of my documents on a disc, but the stupid thing is all screwed up now (more than before) so I'll do my best to keep the chapters coming, but I don't have access to the internet on my computer now :( but I can use others. Like I'm doing right now. Please, please, please review! All the reviews make me HAPPY! And compel me to write! I'm glad all of you like the last chappie!