Disclaimer: This will be probably the last chapter so soon after the other for a while. I've got to write a lot of stuff while they're in Gondor and such, and then send them home, and as I've been writing so slow lately, it will be a while. Anyway, I still don't own the characters you may recognize, but if someone wants to GIVE them to me, I'll be fine with it. I've always wanted to adopt an elf!
Chapter 19 – A heart torn in two
Laura rolled over and grumbled. Someone was knocking on the door. "Just one second Aragorn." She jumped out of bed, and pulled on her pajamas, grabbed her sack, shouldered it, and opened the door to not Aragorn, but Thranduil, father of the very elf she was running from, and King of Mirkwood. "Uh, your highness." Laura bowed to the king. He waved his hand indicating that was not necessary. "It saddens me to see you leaving our wood so soon lady Mell. I do hope our talk after your incident is not the reason." Laura looked shocked a moment, then smiled.
"Thank you, your highness, as it does me. No, our talk has nothing to do with my decision to leave, I just have no friends here, no family, I'm not even among my own kind here. I would feel more comfortable among men I think." She lied. The king nodded his understanding. "I'm sure my son will be sad to see you leave." Laura lowered her gaze, and suddenly found the floor very interesting. The king studied her intently before taking her chin in his hand, and making her face him. "It is Legolas you run from then? You love my son do you not?"
Laura feigned shocked, and shook her head no. "I'm sorry, your highness, I believe Aragorn awaits my presence outside." The king nodded. "Yes, I have offered to escort you outside, while he finds you a suitable mount." The king offered her his arm. "Shall we Milady?" She nodded and took the offered arm, and they made their way outside.
Laura was greeted with the cool morning air, and the sounds of morning birds singing. She loved this about middle earth, it was so beautiful, so natural, so unlike home. She breathed in the air, and she and the king made their way through the swarms of Gondor guards, to Aragorn who sat atop a horse, with his wife next to him, atop her own. Arwen smiled, and nodded to Laura, and Aragorn jumped down from his horse to greet her. "Lady, good morning." Laura smiled. "Good morning Aragorn, Arwen." "I trust you slept well?" Arwen asked. Laura shook her head. "Not at all I'm afraid. Travel jitters I guess."
"Or worries about a certain elf we all know?" Aragorn chimed in, and was greeted with a smack on the head with a glove from the lovely Arwen atop her horse. Laura laughed, and Aragorn winked. "I am sorry." Shaking her head Laura giggled. "It's quite alright Aragorn. Where is Buckley? I'm quite anxious to be leaving." Suddenly everyone's face turned to a worried expression, and Aragorn tried to lead Laura to her horse. She turned before he could drag her away, and noticed Legolas walking towards the group. Her face drained of all color, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. Allowing Aragorn to lead her away, she held back tears that threatened to fall. 'Why did he have to show up now? I felt fine, prepared, I was ready go leave.' She thought to herself.
Aragorn lifted her up and placed her on the most gorgeous mare she had ever seen. It was snow white, with a small tan colored spot around it's left eye. Laura looked at Aragorn in confusion. "This is Maeloa Milady. She will be your horse for the trip to Gondor. I did not find Buckley a suitable travel horse." Laura nodded, still completely shocked at the sudden appearance of the elf prince. Aragorn led her horse over to where Arwen was discussing something with Legolas, and handed the reins off to Arwen. He walked around the horse, and took Legolas by the arm, roughly leading him away from the girls.
"Aragorn?" Legolas questioned curious about the sudden intrusion on he and Arwens conversation. "Just go Legolas, you shouldn't be here. It's hurting her." The elf stared back at the man. "You think it does not hurt me?" Aragorn shook his head. "Then why do you allow this to continue? Why have you treated her in such a manner? If there is a problem you should discuss it with her, not hide. Just go back to your business in the woods friend, she leaves for Gondor now." Legolas nodded his head in understanding. "I shall say goodbye to Arwen, and apologize for your rude interruption first." "Legolas!" But the elf had already begun walking towards the two conversing ladies.
"Arwen, lady, I am truly sorry for the interruption. Travel safe, and may the blessings of the valar be with you." Arwen smiled, and allowed him to take her hand which he kissed. "Thank you Legolas, I'm sad to be leaving, do come again to Gondor please?" Legolas smiled back, and nodded his head, then slowly walked away. "I can't believe he didn't even try to say goodbye to you Laura." Arwen whispered sadly.
Their travel started out through the thick dark woods of Mirkwood. The forest didn't bother Laura right away, the shock and anger at what had transpired before with Legolas had not yet worn off. She sat atop her mare, silently thinking, she felt horrible. She still didn't know what had happened with Legolas, he hadn't explained anything, then he just as much told her to leave, he didn't care if she stayed. But why wouldn't he at least explain why he was angry with her? She knew he was, he wouldn't have been so hostile towards her. She wondered why a short interaction with his friend Haldir would cause such a problem, when she so clearly held only distain for the elf.
She had only gone to check up on him, see what was wrong. He had no reason to act the way he had unless he had seen what had occurred between Haldir and herself. Any other would have appreciated her concern, and considered her a true friend, not only a lover, and would have trusted her enough to tell her what was on his mind. Laura sighed, and hung her head, slumping her shoulders, and tried to rest her torn, tormented mind. She would consult Arwen first chance she got, maybe when they stopped to rest.
Legolas had been trailing the party bound for Gondor all morning, and into the late afternoon. He was tired, but he couldn't yet let the girl out of his sight. He felt drawn to where she was still, it wouldn't go away, and he was just as confused as ever. He couldn't stop her, tell her exactly why he had told her he didn't care if she left, or what he had seen, nor explain what Arwen had let slip. He could not explain his reasoning for allowing her to go, for thinking that their relationship was perhaps not for the best afterall. Afterall, his father could accept a mortal woman in time, but a woman from another world? Another time? Nay, he had done the right thing in letting her go.
He couldn't bring himself to discuss such things with her, even though she was a human and things of that nature would be expected of one. He was an elf, and did not feel comfortable discussing that. He didn't actually think she would leave, she is human, in Middle Earth, and she only knew Mirkwood. He had assumed she would live out the rest of her days there, with him. Had assumed he would have time to apologize, discuss things, sort through his thoughts, and beg her forgivness, and even with the consequences he would love her till the day she died. But now he didn't have that chance, things had changed, and she was slowly, but surely walking out of his life forever. Aragorn had told him to leave her be, said he had hurt her, well, he couldn't.
Just after dark, the party stopped to set up camp, and rest. He watched Laura and Arwen sit off to a corner, while the men and other women set up camp, and built a fire. He edged his way closer to the two, hoping to catch of a bit of their conversation. "I told him that I had only come to check on him, but he seemed very angry with me, not even willing to listen to anything I had to say. Not that I had anything to say, I had absolutely no idea what was going on." She lied.
"Things seemed to be going fine with us, maybe even better then fine, I was really starting to love him Arwen. Then suddenly everything changed, at your farewell dinner, like something had happened, I had angered him or something."
"He said nothing? Nothing at all? What had happened at dinner between you two?"
"Nothing! That's the point, nothing happened. I came to the dining hall on my own, and he came in later and took a seat next to me. He was behaving strangely from the start."
"I'm sorry Laura, I don't know either, that seems very strange, especially for Legolas."
"Have you known him long?"
"Yes, I have, a little over a thousand years now I guess." Laura laughed.
"What? What do you laugh at?"
"Nothing, I almost forgot elves are immortal. What's it like? To know you could have lived forever, but gave that all up for love?"
Arwen sighed. "Wonderful."
Legolas's heart was now more confused than ever, in far more turmoil than he could have thought possible, he silently walked away from camp to rest himself. What Arwen had said to her question about giving up immortality for love, that was resounding in his head, and his heart. Could he do that? Would he do that?
He was an elven prince, he couldn't forsake his people for love could he? When she died, he would, and be useless to the people of Mirkwood. Who would rule then? His father would leave for the undying lands eventually. Everything was so simple before he had witnessed the scene with Haldir, and what Arwen had said. He knew he loved her, and was willing to do anything to be with her, and now he was questioning everything again, questioning his own heart.
Legolas rested for sometime, when his elven hearing detected something walking near the camp. He sat up, and slowly made his way towards the sound. Arwen and Aragorn were walking together in the woods, holding hands. He sighed, longing for the same closeness again for himself. Walking towards camp he noted that Laura was alone, and had settled herself farther away from the fire than the rest of the party. Silently creeping towards camp, he put a hand to her mouth to stifle screams if they came, and pulled her away from the camp.
"Shhh, shhh it is I." He assured her. "I mean no harm, I wish to talk now." He removed his hand from her mouth when she had stopped struggling against him, and he sat down against a tree near where they stood. "Now? You want to talk now Legolas? In case you haven't noticed, I was sleeping, and I am on my way to Gondor." Legolas sighed. "No Melamin I have noticed. I could not allow you to leave this way." Laura looked at Legolas slightly confused, but moved to sit next to him on the hard cold ground. "Laura?" "Yes Legolas?" Legolas turned and smiled at her, their eyes met, and for a moment Laura almost forgot what had happened between them. Legolas leaned forward, and placed his lips on Laura's in a soft sweet kiss which lasted but a moment, but left Laura dazed. Finally finding herself again she commanded. "Explain Legolas."
Legolas stood again, and he paced the land in front of Laura, as she sat and watched. After several minutes she coughed, then made to stand up. "No! Do not go." Laura looked up a bit confused, Legolas looked distraught, and fearful she would leave. "I wasn't, I'm only uncomfortable on this cold ground." Legolas held his hand out to her. "Come, we will go into camp to talk. Arwen, and Aragorn are out walking, and the rest sleep." Laura took his hand willingly, and he pulled her up. She dusted her pajama bottoms off, and fell into step with Legolas, as they made their way back to camp.
Laura sat down on her bedroll, and offered the place next to her on it to Legolas. He declined, preferring to pace the ground again. "Legolas? Please, say whatever you need to say, your pacing is making me nervous." Legolas took a deep breath, and sat down on the bedroll beside her. "Laura, what do you know of elf kind?" She looked at him, thought on the question a moment, and then asked "What? What do you mean?" Legolas sighed. "What do you know of my kind, our history, our ways, our lives, anything."
Laura thought again, and replied. "Well, I know you're clean beings, you're beautiful most, quite ethereal looking. You have cute pointy ears." She touched the tip of Legolas' ear, and he shuddered. "You're very strong, much more so than humans, you walk quietly, your footsteps not even making a sound, and you're immortal. I'm sure there's more, but my brain is mush tonight."
Legolas gave a sigh of relief. "Then you know of our immortality. You know of Arwen and Aragorn's situation as well?" Laura nodded. "Yes, I know of that. Why?" "Arwen loves Aragorn, he loves her, he shall die one day, and the loss of him, will kill her. That is what elves risk falling in love. If our love dies, we slowly die of heartbreak." Laura nodded again. "And? Are you going somewhere with this?" Legolas took a deep breath, and took Laura's hand in his. "I love you."
Laura smiled, and took his hand in hers, squeezing it lightly. "I know Legolas, and I love you as well, but I still don't understand what the fight was about." Suddenly Legolas heard a twig break behind him. Turning he saw Aragorn, and Arwen strolling back into camp, hand in hand. "Legolas, what are you doing here?" Aragorn asked sternly. Arwen shh'd him by gently squeezing his arm. "I have come in to speak with Laura, Aragorn. I hope you do not mind." Aragorn shook his head and mumbled. "Yeah, I think you were following us all day elf."
Legolas smiled and nodded to the king of Gondor. "Aye, I have been, I'd been considering coming in and talking to Laura all day, and only just found the courage." Aragorn shook his head, and he and Arwen went to their bedroll on the other end of the camp, and lay down. Legolas turned to Laura once more, and took a seat on the bedroll next to her.
"Several days ago I witnessed a moment between you and the marchwarden of Lothlorien Laura. Then at our picnic, I got information from a nameless source about your origins, where you come from. That is what it was about, and I could not bring myself to tell you what I had seen, nor ask an explanation." Laura smiled, and nodded. "Oh, that. Nothing Legolas, Haldir annoys me at best. There is nothing between us, he joys in baiting me, and teasing me." Legolas smiled, and took her hand. "Malamin, let us rest."
Laura shook her head, and pulled her hand back. "Wait, don't you want to know about where I come from?" Legolas only smiled and nodded. "I do, but now is not the time. I trust you will tell me when you are ready, and for you I am willing to await that time." Laura felt as though her heart would melt then and there. She flung herself into his arms, and hugged him tighter than she'd ever hugged anyone in her life.
Laura and Legolas sat together long into the night, both resting on her bedroll. Legolas sat with his back against a nearby tree, and Laura between his legs, leaned into him, head resting on his shoulder. Neither slept, both were utterly content just being in one another's company, a silent understanding and love passed between them. As the light of day slowly crept back into the dank forest, the resting party began to stir. Starting with Aragorn, they all rose to meet the day. Laura and Legolas, sat in silent contentment, staring on as the party bustled about the camp, putting away bedrolls, and putting out the remains of the fire.
Legolas tightened his embrace, pulling Laura in closer to him to warm her. Aragorn finished wrapping and packing he and Arwens bedrolls, and then silently made his way over to Legolas and Laura. Stooping down in front of Laura, he took her hand. "Will you still be joining us then today Milady?" Laura opened her mouth to answer, but Legolas spoke. "Aragorn, my friend. She does not like to be called Milady, and no. She will not be continuing on with your party today, she returns to Mirkwood with me. I shall not again let her stray from my sight."
Laura turned and looked at Legolas, studying his face, then slowly breaking from Legolas' arms, she stood next to Aragorn. "Legolas.." She began. He stood, shaking his head. "NO! Laura, you cannot leave now, do not go to Gondor, do not leave me." Laura looked into Legolas' eyes, finding panic, and fear in them, she took his hand. Shaking her head she spoke. "Legolas, shh, no. I only wish to go to Gondor, to see Gondor. I no longer wish to remain there. If ever I did at all. My heart is here in Mirkwood, but I long to see the white city." Legolas looked around at the Gondor party, then returned his gaze to Laura.
"Then I shall come with you, you shall not leave my sight again Melamin. My heart could not withstand the separation." Aragorn put a hand to Legolas' shoulder. "You know you are always welcome in my kingdom, Mellonamin. You as well Laura." He smiled at Laura, and walked away. "Legolas?" The elf's gaze left the back of his retreating friends, and found Laura's. "Yes Melamin?"
"How will you get to Gondor? You have no horse, will you share mine?" Legolas shook his head. "You are right, no, I do not think your mare could bare the both of us the entire journey."
"What will you do then?" Legolas thought a moment, then sighed. "I will be forced to return to Mirkwood" Before Legolas could finish his thought, Laura interrupted. "I do not wish to leave the group, nor do I wish to return to Mirkwood now, and the party would not wait for you to return."
Legolas shook his head. "No Laura, I will go alone. I would not wish to bring you back through the entire of Mirkwood forest again. You will continue on with the group, and I will catch up with you when I have retrieved my horse, I will bring Buckley as well, do not think I did not notice you left him behind"
Laura started laughing, and Legolas stared in confusion, he found nothing funny in what he had said. "Why do you laugh?" He inquired. "Oh, I was just thinking, 'so much for not letting me out of your sight again.'" Legolas laughed as well, and winked before saying. "Do you forget elves can see for great distances?" Laura grinned and launched herself into Legolas' arms. "Go now, and please Legolas, do not be gone long."
Legolas quickly left the camp, even forgetting to say goodbye to Aragorn. Laura stared in the direction he had gone for some time before Aragorn quietly took a seat next to her on the ground. "Where has Legolas gone? He did not say goodbye." Laura turned to face the man and smiled. "He will return Aragorn, he has only gone for his horse. He will catch up to us." Aragorn smiled, and placing a hand on her back for comfort, he stood. "We depart within the hour Laura. Eat, and pack your belongings with you horse." Laura nodded her understanding, and stood. She picked up her bedroll, and made her way over to where the horses were being kept.