The Undecided of Earendil

By- Larien

Chapter 3

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Tears escaped Caniel's eyes as she made her way through Imladris. The trees extended their branches towards her in sympathy, while the birds fell silent in her wake. Her eyes kept to the ground and passing elves glanced curiously before continuing on their way, oblivious to the decisions weighing on the lone human girl. She continued walking, unaware of their stares and seeking the first place of solitude she could come across. That's what she most desperately desired; a place to be alone. The thought of returning to her room had crossed her mind, but getting there meant retracing her steps through the busy hallways and her mood did not lend itself to dealing with the other elves right now.

Off in the distance, through the thicket, she recalled a clearing she often spent days reading in. It bordered a small pond where a creek settled to let its fish jump around, and large boulders surrounded it providing for convenient reading lounges. Caniel quickened her pace, wiping the tears from her eyes and swerving around the large tree trunks until she neared the brush. It was tall enough that she could just barely see over the top. Beyond it, though, she could feel the warmth of the sun penetrating the canopy of trees like nature's own spotlight, and fields of green stretched far ahead. Just as she was about to clear the tall grass, she heard a whoosh and then a dull thump, followed by a consecutive number of other "whooshs" and "thumps." Curious to this vaguely familiar sound, she parted the reeds in front of her and peered into the field where her eyes fell upon the silver clad back of an elf.

His hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and its golden strands lay over his quiver full of gold-feathered arrows. Ahead of him, quite a distance away, was a small target. Caniel was amazed, for she could barely make out the colors on the target and yet his arrows all lay within the very center. As he skillfully strung his bow time after time, never missing a beat or a bullseye, Caniel slowly stepped out of her hiding spot to observe more clearly. When his quiver lay empty on his back, he undid the strap and let it slide to the ground, stretching his back and swinging his arms back and forth across his torso. Then, sensing the presence of another behind him, he looked over his shoulder and beheld the maiden he had gazed at earlier.

Caniel blushed at her unanounced appearance, but quickly regained her composure as she sauntered a few steps towards him. "Gen suilon" (I greet you.)

Legolas smiled slyly. "Athelich?" (You again?)

Caniel froze. "Excuse me?"

Legolas noticed her pause, and he laughed heartedly. "I saw you earlier. Overlooking Rivendell from Lord Elrond's balcony I think it was?"

"So you did," Caniel smiled, relieved that his earlier statement had been nothing more then a jest. "Caniel enneth nîn." (My name is Caniel.)

"Legolas enneth nîn," Legolas put his hand to his heart, bowing his head slightly as he introduced himself. (My name is Legolas.)

"I have heard much about you. From Aragorn."

"I'm surprised you got him to talk," Legolas laughed, shifting his quiver with his foot and looking to the ground.

Caniel smiled. "Am man theled gen sí?" (Why are you here?)

Legolas looked back up to her. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

"I often come by here to read," Caniel replied. "Or to collect my thoughts in silence. You're the first elf I've seen here in a while."

"Just brushing up on some archery."

"I noticed!" The two shared an awkward laugh, and then Caniel nodded towards the target. "That's quite a distance to be shooting..."

Legolas noticed her squinting, unable to see what he saw so clearly. Was she perhaps not an elf? But what would a human be doing in Rivendell? He let his eyes run over her slim figure, starting at her feet and working up to her eyes. He didn't fail to notice the way her maroon jacket, embroidered in gold, was tightened around a small waist and with a revealing low neck. Her arms were slender and her legs stood sturdy, yet graceful in her maroon leggings and knee high elven boots. Yes, she was built as an elf would be, but there was one thing missing; the pointed ears. He stared at her rounded ears for a minute, utterly baffled.

Caniel noticed his stare and shifted awkwardly under his scrutiny, wondering whether to look at him or not. Part of her wanted to warn him off from looking at her in such a way, but then he looked her in the eyes, she felt the familiar sensation from the balcony; the feeling of floating on air...of flying and free-falling all at once...She closed her eyes and no sooner had she done so that Legolas stopped probing.

"Caniel, are you human or elf?" He asked quietly.

"Im firen. For now, anyway." She smiled slightly. (I am human.)

"Avo chenion," Legolas' brow furrowed. "What do you mean by 'for now?'" (I don't understand.)

"I'm a half-blood," She explained reluctantly, a hint of red tinting her high cheeks. "My mother was an elf, my father was human. I have yet to choose which life I'm to lead."

"Ai!" Legolas stepped towards her with a smile and clasped her shoulder. Caniel glanced down at his hand curiously. "You're mother; who is she?" (Ah!)

"Her name is Elwing."

Legolas' eyes widened. "Your father is Earendil?"

"He is."

"Then you are sister to Elrond!"

Caniel laughed awkwardly and nodded. "Yes. And Elros; rest his soul."

"Na i 'aer a in elin! This is a meeting indeed!" Legolas exclaimed. (By the sea and the stars!)

Caniel smiled, slightly baffled by his exclamation, but she remained quiet. She felt awkward just standing there, disturbing his practice, yet she couldn't bring herself to leave. His smile was contagious, and he seemed eager enough to continue asking her questions. As long as he continued the conversation, Caniel figured it was okay that she stay.

"So you are human and you speak fluent elvish?"

Caniel nodded. "Pedin í lam edhellen." (I speak Elvish.)

"Manen?" (How?)

"Sen maren." (This is my home.)

"This is such an honor and a pleasant surprise at that!" Legolas laughed, slipping a toe under his quiver and tossing it up to his hands. "The fates are tricky that I should behold the only daughter of Earendil on a day like today."

Caniel shook her head, wondering why he was making such a big deal out of her. Frankly, she was more excited to meet him; the Prince of Mirkwood and much sought after elven warrior. As he trotted over to the target to retrieve his arrows, Caniel sat where she was, extending her legs in front of her and leaning back on her hands, letting the sun warm her face. It wasn't quite the solitude she had hoped to find, but something about the elven prince intrigued her and with such high recommendations from Aragorn, she figured his company might prove to cheer her up. When Legolas came back, she opened her eyes and studied him.

"Ce anu vaen cû," She nodded at the skillful craftwork embedded on his bow, which he held firmly at his side. (You are a skillful bowmen.)

"Le hannon!" He smiled back "It is a favorite past time of mine." (Thank you!)

"Han isto. I've never seen such precision!" (I don't doubt it.)

"Are you an archer, then?"

"Hardly. I much prefer one-on-one with my blades," Caniel admitted as she shifted in her position to get the sun out of her eyes.

"Ai! Blades are my second choice, but my heart sings at the feel of a well-strung bow," Legolas replied. Then he crouched down to better look at her, a mischievous smile on his lips. "Garon nau. What say I teach you a little archery? Should you ever find yourself in battle the skill would come in most handy." (I have an idea!)

Caniel laughed aloud. "My dear Legolas! The chances of me seeing battle are slim, and I don't intend to increase that chance by knowing more skills then is healthy!"

Legolas shared in her laughter and picked at the grass below him, absently plucking it and throwing it back to the ground. After a moment he tried again. "No harm would come of it..."

Caniel picked up her own handful of grass and threw it at grinning elf. "Han isto." (I don't think so.)

"Am man theled ú-guro?" (Why not?)

"Because!" She sighed dramatically, unsure of what to say next but not wanting to hurt his feelings either. He lowered his gaze and gave her the best puppy-dog-eyes she had ever seen. It was hard to hide her smile after looking into those baby blues and she giggled despite herself. "Legolas…"

"Avo 'osto nad. Gao estel ned nin." Legolas' grin spread and he quietly extended his hand to her. (Don't be afraid. Have trust in me.)

She raised an eyebrow at him apprehensively, but took his hand and let him help her to her feet. She dusted herself off and took the bow from him, still regretting the idea but unable to turn him down. He stepped lightly around her and immediately began demonstrating how to stand while at the same time correcting her fingers. Once he had adjusted her into an adequate stance, with the arrow gripped delicately between the bow and balanced on her finger, he ran to the target and moved it a few paces closer. Caniel shook her head at him, but he ignored her embarassed pleas and stepped to the side.

"Iuitho i philin!" He said, leaning back on a boulder and smiling to himself. (Shoot!)

Caniel released the arrow, keeping her eyes steady on the target ahead like he had told her. She watched in surprise as the arrow hit the target close to center bullseye; an achievement she had not expected to gain after only one shot. With an incredulous look on her face, Caniel dropped the bow to her side and looked over at Legolas, who looked equally impressed. He barked out a laugh and clapped his hands together, coming to her side.

"Mae coren!" He grinned. "Try it again!" (Well done!)

Caniel nodded then proceeded to get herself into the same stance he had shown her only moments ago. If she was careful, she just might be able to repeat that incredible shot and impress him further! With incredible focus she balanced her weight on both feet, aligned her arrow to feel the feathers slide between her fingers, and pulled on the bow.

"Tired vaer," Legolas noted, watching her carefully replace the stance. (Looking good.)

Caniel swallowed hard and tried to ignore the fact that he was watching her so closely. Her attention needed to be on the target at hand...balance, align, pull...

With a snap of her wrist she let the arrow fly, landing its mark right above the other arrow. It took all her self-control not to jump with excitement, but she couldn't help but beam. At least she had hit the target and avoided making a fool out of herself. Legolas shook his head, still astounded at her success, and clapped her on the back.

"Mae coren, Caniel! I'm surprised how quickly you caught on!" He said and she grinned up at him. "Soon, you'll be in demand for the front archery line of every army in Middle Earth!" (Well done, Caniel!)

"Sûl tôl o nîf gîn!" Caniel hit his arm lightly with an embarassed roll of her eyes. "But thank you, just the same. It is a wonderful craft, is not?" (Much wind pours from your mouth!)

"It is." Legolas agreed, rubbing his arm in feigned pain. "But there's one last thing that will help you. Take your stance."

Caniel once again took up the bow and realigned her feet, when she suddenly became aware of him standing directly behind her. She inhaled sharply and held it as he wrapped his arms around hers, clutching the bow and her hands in his own. His mouth rested just below her ear so that every breath he took warmed her cheek and sent shivers racing down her spine. Legolas felt her tense under him, and smiled quietly to himself. She was undoubtedly enjoying this as much as he…

Sliding her fingers farther back on the string and bringing the bow closer to her cheek, he guided her with soft murmurs and gentle encouragement. Then backing away slowly, he looked at her stance once more before giving his approval.

"Good."

Caniel blinked and released, so caught up in the moment that she almost forgot what she was supposed to be doing. It wasn't until the arrow had penetrated the bullseye that Caniel snapped back to reality and shot a knowing grin at Legolas. With a new saunter to her step she handed him the bow and continued past, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she did so.

"You did it," He smiled slyly at her fliratous gesture, eyeing her as her hips swayed confidently and her grin broadened.

"Thanks to you," Caniel glanced over her shoulder and noticed his smile. Suddenly she felt sure that his little lesson was more of an excuse to get close to her, rather than teach her anything. Not that she was going to call him out on it; she had rather enjoyed his close proximity anyway.

"It was not entirerly me, but your talent that helped you," He replied, dropping the arrows back in the quiver and slinging it over his shoulder. He took a few quick strides to catch up to Caniel but she had already paused to wait for him. As he approached he noticed that the sky darkened with the setting of the sun, and the lights from the buildings were slowly illuminating. Dinner would have already been served. "It is late." He observed quietly, hesitant to release Caniel from his pressence.

"It is," Caniel agreed, looking to the sky. "I must retire for the night. Le hannon, Legolas." (Thank you, Legolas.)

"Sa gell nîn. Garo elei vaer Caniel." Legolas sang in a low voice, his eyes glimmering and his hand reaching for hers. He kissed her knuckles sweetly, never breaking eye contact, and she was grateful that the dark hid her blush. (It was my pleasure. Sweet dreams.)

With a final smile, Caniel carefully began picking her way back through the brush. "Caun nîn, Legolas." (Sweet dreams)