The Undecided of Earnedil
By: Larien
Chapter 15
Elvnchic9- Ooh, you noticed the "mellon" instead of "melleth!" I wondered if anyone would catch that, for it was deliberate. It will be brought up in this chapter as well. I'm not sure when someone will fess up, but I promise it to get interesting these next few chapters. And oh yes will Thranduil complicat things. That's why he's there after all, lol. Anyway, thanks for the review. And the invisible cookies!
Legolaslover77- Thank you. I'm glad it's enjoyable.
hungry hobbit- I'm glad it's getting better and not worse! That's my worst nightmare. Anywho, Caniel and Legolas are madly in love! Where have I been! Lol. I hope they realize it soon too. Things will start looking up a little...soon. Thanks for the review!
A/N- Thank you to those who read, especially to those who have been reviewing (Special shout out to Legolaslover77 and Elvnchic9 who have been there since the beginning.) And to the rest of you, you make this story worth writing. Anyway, Chapter 15! We are on our way. These next few chapters may move rather quickly, and I apologize in advance, but I need to get going. Much will happen soon, so hold on! Reviews are encouraged very much for this chapter for within this is where some "romance" will occur. This one not as much as the next few, but I need to know: to keep it, or should it go? And who should be with who as well. I just am really writing the romance part of this story based on opinion, so let me know where you'd like to see it go. Le hannon, and enjoy!
The sky was a dreary gray with wisps of sunlight breaking through every few minutes. The air was hot and heavy as the inhabitants of Rivendell went about their usual routines. Birds hummed sorrowful tunes as children sat in shades of drooping trees, determined to catch what little breeze there was. The air hung damp and thick, a sure sign of approaching rain. As for now, though, it remained dry and humid. Clouds billowed as far as the eye could see, and the skin of all elves felt sticky and the ground warm. It was a dreary day, but very much alive, nonetheless.
The elves were particular in conversing with their neighbors, even though it was only noon. They pressed for details on the battle that had taken place the day before and when one ran out of information, they ran to the next house where cool drinks were served as gossip was swapped. The men in particular could be found in great numbers, drinking to their health, each boasting about kills and near escapes. Elrond and Thranduil were already deep in conversation in Gandalf's dwelling, where he too added small opinions. The Lord and Lady of the North could be found relaxing in the elaborate dwelling they had been giving; Rodwen complaining of the heat, Aradhel fanning himself with a piece of parchment as he poured over the books on the mantle.
In the dwelling of Caniel, a much different atmosphere was present as she opened her eyes from where she lay on her bed. Her first reaction was of panic, remembering the battle and worrying that she had been taken captive or had died. But her mind calmed at the feel of her silk sheets tucked around her and down pillows rested easily under her head. The house smelled of breakfast; someone had been cooking. When she went to remove a loose strand of hair from her eyes, she sucked in a painful gasp as her left arm seared with pain. Looking down, she saw a bulge in the silk gown she wore, where her arm had been carefully wrapped.
Doing a double take, she looked at what she was wearing; a pearl silk nightgown that she often wore. It was snug with loose sleeves and a v-neck cut. Wondering how she had come to be in her room and wearing her nightgown, she almost thought the whole ordeal to be a dream. But then how had she sustained the wound on her arm? Propping herself up she scanned her room- her sheer curtains around her bed had been tied back to reveal a table piled with bandages and creams sitting next to the bed. And across the room, sitting on a plush gold chair with his head propped up by his hand and his body limp in a crooked position, slept Legolas. His right arm showed where he had ripped part of his shirt to tie Caniel's arm, and the rest of him was smeared with little spots of blood, though he looked unharmed and remarkably clean. He had pulled his hair back, and Caniel caught herself staring at him after a few minutes and hastily averted her eyes. No sooner had she done so, his eyes shown awake and he sat up warily, wincing in discomfort.
"Caniel," He smiled warmly. "You're awake."
She smiled back. "As are you."
Legolas laughed quietly, and stood to stretch his back. Making his way to her bed, she moved over so he made himself comfortable sitting next to her. She couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"How do you feel?" He asked, looking briefly at her arm.
"It's just a flesh wound." She shrugged, covering the pain with the lie. "I'm fine."
He nodded. "A deep flesh wound. You lost a lot of blood. Enough to worry the nurse, anyway."
Caniel's unhurt hand went immediately to the bandages, as if to stop it from bleeding. "I was caught by an orc's spear. But no matter. It was that same spear that I killed him with in the end."
They shared a laugh before Legolas said, "You were very brave, Caniel. And very skilled out there. I, as well as most others, were surprised and most impressed."
Caniel felt her cheeks flush. "I was just doing my job."
"You scared me. When I saw that warg attack you, I thought I had lost you." He said very seriously.
She looked in his eyes, which had suddenly gotten very intense and her insides started to squirm.
"I scared myself." She said quietly. "If it hadn't been for you in the end, I-"
Legolas waved his hand dismissively. "I did nothing."
"But you did!" She insisted, taking his hand without realizing the gesture. "If you hadn't grabbed me, those orcs would've gotten the better of me. And I would've lost a lot more blood if you hadn't helped wrap it."
Legolas didn't respond at fist, seemingly stunned that she had his hand in her own. After a moment, he said, "Like you said. It was just part of the job."
Caniel felt her insides drop, as if a heavy weight had just weighed down every inch of her body. For some reason, she found that once again she had been expecting a different answer. Something sweet and enduring. And once again, she had been disappointed.
She made to take away her hand from his, suddenly feeling foolish, but surprisingly, he didn't let her pull away. Pretending to be studying her hand, he gazed at it's fine crafting, where little cuts were now scabbing over from the previous day. Then he looked up at a confused Caniel, who was searching him for some answer as to his weird behavior. He let his thumb trail over her cuts.
"We didn't lose any elves." He said briefly. "Many were injured, but not seriously."
"Oh. Good." Caniel stammered. "I'm glad."
Legolas nodded and then yawned; realizing sleep was a very inviting idea. He had spent most of the night watching Caniel, changing the wraps around her arm, and stroking her cheek gently, hoping that she would come to. When morning had come around and Arwen had arrived, he refused to leave the room, insisting he'd sleep on the chair. But the chair had proven very uncomfortable and the aches and pains in his back made it hard to sit comfortably now.
The ideal situation, he thought gazing at her sitting comfortably in her silk and down comforted bed, would be to lay next to her and fall asleep in her arms forever. It was beyond possible, he knew, but the thought was nice nonetheless. His fantisies were broken suddenly when she spoke again.
"I'm sorry, you must be tired. I didn't mean to wake you." Caniel apologized, trying to break the silence.
"It's not your fault. You can't control it." Legolas smiled.
"You still sense me?" She asked with an amused smile.
"Indeed." He replied.
"Why?"
This took him by surprise, for he had not ever thought he would have to disclose his reasons with anyone. Trying to make it sound professional he said slowly,
"I wanted to make sure if you woke up and were in pain, I would be there to help you."
"But you've sensed me before." Caniel replied, blowing at a strand of hair in her eyes. Her braid was messy and had let loose much hair around her face.
"When you stayed the night of the storm, I wanted to make sure you didn't just wake up and become frightened." He lied, brushing the hair out of her eyes and allowing his fingers to brush her skin lightly as he did so. "Which, in he end, you did. So good thing."
Caniel shivered at his touch, closing her eyes momentarily to take in the feel of it. When she opened them, he blushed and busied himself in studying a painting on the wall. His grip had loosened on her hand, but she did not move it from where it sat on the bed.
"How did I get here?" Caniel asked again. "It was you on the horse, wasn't it?"
"Yes it was." He answered, nodding to the ripped arm of his shirt.
"I don't remember much from when you pulled me on the horse." She mused, thinking back. "I remember you handing me the cloth and mumbling something like, 'hold on…'"
"Hold on, we're almost there." Legolas concluded for her.
Her face twisted into a look of confusion and concentration and she stared down at the bed. "Mellon nín…" She whispered to herself.
"I'm sorry?" Legolas asked. His heart skipped at what he had thought he had heard her say. Purposely he had left those words out of his recount, for he had not meant it when he had said it on the horse.
"Nothing." Caniel said quickly, looking back up to him. "So you brought me here?"
Legolas nodded, glad she had moved on from the earlier subject. "I found your brother immediately and he sent for a nurse who, along with himself and Arwen, tended to you in here. Once they were done cleaning the wound, I was allowed to sit and watch over you for the night."
Caniel nodded silently, trying to recount more of the battle, but the images were hazy and her mind was once again becoming drowsy with sleep.
"You need not stay any longer, Legolas." She yawned. It passed to him and they laughed as he finished yawning. "You are tired and I must confess towanting more sleep myself."
"I will not leave." Legolas said firmly, but in a soft voice. He looked her in the eye. "Not until I know you will be okay."
"But I am okay!" Caniel said. "It's only an arm wound."
"Nonetheless. I stay." Legolas concluded and she figured there was no arguing with him.
Smiling warmly she tightened her grip around his hand. "Le hannon, Legolas." (Thank you Legolas.)
He smiled in return. A smile so warm and perfect, she felt herself flush again and her back prickle with shivers. She could feel his heat emitting through the sheets where he sat and as he leaned closer to her, she had no objections. For reasons unknown, she wanted this. His hand held hers as he closed the gap between them, barley conscious of what he was doing.
So close they were; Legolas released her hand and moved his left arm around her waist pulling himself closer to her frail body, careful to avoid her left arm. She ran her right hand around his neck, wanting the kiss more then ever now that they were so close. And then it happened, she felt the soft press of his lips against hers and there were no shivers, no explosions, or even urges. It was just peaceful.
She felt herself relax into him as his lips maneuvered gently around hers. His breath was warm on her face and his hand around her waist firm as he held her against him. But then the warning went off in the both of them. Caniel froze and Legolas pulled away suddenly. He didn't move away from her, only sat upright, moving his hand from her waist and staring at the ground. Caniel could do nothing but stare at him feeling utterly confused and guilty.
"I'm sorry." He said faintly.
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…I mean, I just let it…I mean…" She couldn't bring herself to complete her thoughts, which were a jumble.
"No, really. I shouldn't have done it."
"It's not you!" She insisted. "I shouldn't have let it happen."
"I don't know what came over me." Legolas buried his face in his hands.
"It's okay." She said, trying to remain cool, though it was going horribly awry. "We just…it was just the moment."
"Right." He mumbled. "We're just friends."
These words cut her like a cold knife and her voice shook when she said, "Just friends, right. Just friends."
The silence that should've followed was delayed by the appearance of a familiar elf that had just walked in.
"Caniel, you're awake!" Arwen exclaimed rushing to her side. Legolas immediately stood, looking business like and serious again. Arwen didn't seem to notice the way the both of them looked.
"I am." Caniel forced a smile.
"How do you feel? Are you up for something to eat?" Arwen asked, checking her over as if looking for leaking blood.
"I'm fine and breakfast would be wonderful." Caniel said and Arwen rushed out of the room to return a second later with a tray of assorted food which Caniel indulged in gratefully. As she ate, Legolas murmured something about going to change while Arwen had pulled up a chair to the bed and started conversing with Caniel who watched sadly as Legolas left.
"You look much better. You're not as pale and you're wound isn't bleeding through anymore." Arwen observed and then turned to make sure Legolas was gone. "He didn't leave your side for minute." She said quietly.
Caniel nodded, careful to keep her gaze on her food. The passing events were still overwhelming her thoughts.
"He really does care for you." Arwen continued. "Has he admitted anything yet?"
Caniel looked up in feigned surprise. "Admitted what?"
"How he feels for you?"
"Arwen, we are friends. Nothing more." Caniel smiled quietly. She almost hoped this would convince herself, but it was proving in vain.
"But the way he acted…"
"On the ride back," Caniel interrupted in a louder and harsher voice then she had intended. "He called me 'mellon nín.' Not melleth. See? We're just friends and nothing more." (mellon nín- my friend, melleth nín- my love)
Arwen looked slightly taken aback; if not from this news, then from her harsh tone of voice. But after a minute she started conversing on the following evening in which there was to be a dinner with Thranduil and the Lord and Lady of the North that they were all invited to.
"I volunteered to help cook, along with Aragorn and Legolas. If you are up to it, I would greatly appreciate the help of a woman who knows how to cook." Arwen laughed.
Caniel agreed and finished her breakfast with warming chat. When she had finished, Arwen left her to sleep. Lying back down and wrapping the sheets around her Caniel looked to the chair where Legolas had been sleeping and was saddened to find it empty. Whether he would come back or not, she did not know. Though she secretly hoped he would.
Her wish was shortly thereafter granted, for waking her from her doze, she heard the hushed conversation between Arwen and Legolas outside her room, and soon enough he had made his way back in, thinking she was asleep. Careful to keep her eyes almost closed she watched him in a simple silver outfit, his hair brushed down and shining with a silver band wrapped around his forehead, make his way to the edge of the bed where he looked at her quietly for many moments then returned to his chair where he settled uncomfortably to sleep again. Relaxing, Caniel let her mind drift and was soon engulfed in another deep sleep.
Legolas tossed the empty coin bag back to Aragorn after fetching a great amount of food from the local baker, and set to unloading the breads, salads, and meats onto the table in front of them. Arwen had tied a brown apron around her yellow dress and had secured her hair back into a bun before scolding the two men into washing their hands. With little more ado, they soon had started preparing the meal, which, from what they had heard tell of, was going to be quite large as they were not the only ones bringing something to eat. No sooner had they started than Lady Rodwen had arrived, with another bag of food, which she happily set to work with. Looking to Arwen for an explanation she whispered hastily to Aragorn and Legolas,
"I'm sorry. But she overheard and volunteered to help. I couldn't turn her away!"
Aragorn rolled his eyes, after having heard what a disastrous meeting had been held with the royalties of the North, but continued to smile as Rodwen helped feverishly around the kitchen.
Legolas had started slicing some meat, him and Aragorn sharing laugh at a sarcastic remark the ranger had issued to Arwen about cutting bread, when Legolas' attention was diverted to the doorway where his stomach lurched at the sight of Caniel. She had somehow managed to throw on a casual light blue dress and tied up a brown jumper over it, even though her left arm was nearly immobile.
"Caniel!" Arwen smiled rushing to her. "I'm so glad you're awake. You've come to help?"
Caniel nodded, carefully avoiding Legolas' eyes, and was ushered next to Arwen who was ripping salad. This put more distance between the elf and Rodwen, who Arwen had been patiently listening to every since she'd arrived. Relieved at last that Caniel was there to talk to, she felt no remorse in forcing Rodwen further down the counter to make room for Caniel.
Picking up a head of lettuce, Caniel started to tear, tossing in the fresh leaves amidst Arwen's half-full bowl.
"How's your arm?" Aragorn called over his shoulder.
"Fine, fine." Caniel replied.
"Good." Aragorn had turned back to the bread in front of him. "Arwen, would you be so kind as to hand me a knife? This one is rather dull."
"Don't you carry an assortment of knifes on you, Aragorn?" Caniel chuckled.
"Come get it yourself." Arwen replied. "After all, it takes a 'tough man' to deal with cutting the bread properly so I suppose it takes a tough man to get a knife, doesn't it?"
Caniel laughed quietly and Aragorn mumbled something to Legolas who also laughed. Turning around once more from his table, Aragorn pleaded puppy eyes with Arwen. She only smiled, but did not budge. Legolas, heaving an exasperated sigh, moved forward between Arwen and Caniel and tried retrieving the knife himself.
"If you need something done, you may as well do it your- Hey!" He yelped as Arwen accidentally bumped him rather hard.
"I'm sorry! I tripped!" She stammered, looking wide eyed at him, but Caniel knew better.
Tossing some salad into the bowl proved much more difficult with Legolas standing there and within a few seconds, she had managed to get much of it tossed in his hair.
"Oh my goodness!" She gasped as Legolas spun on her after reprimanding Arwen. "Clumsy me, did I do that?"
Legolas pulled a piece of lettuce out and threw it at her, smiling sarcastically. "My guess is as good as yours." He replied, shaking his head violently sending the lettuce flying in everyone's face.
Sharing a laugh, Legolas finally retrieved the knife and Caniel finished her head of lettuce. Volunteering to collect some vegetables from her garden, she grabbed a bowel and made her way outside where the muggy air immediately clung to her. After a few minutes of struggling with pulling tomatoes off the vines, she switched to uprooting carrots. This proved equally as difficult and soon sweat had formed on her brow and she leaned back on her heels, exasperated.
"That will never do." A voice behind her said softly and before she could turn to see who had said it, a figure had bent down next to her and pulled out the carrot with little trouble.
"There." Legolas tossed the carrot into the bowl and smiled at Caniel who smiled back.
"Thank you." She said, as she started with another one. "It's a tad bit more difficult with only one good arm."
"I'd imagine." Legolas pulled out two more, and then stopped to watch Caniel struggling with hers. Then he leaned over her and clasped her hand in his, pulling the carrot out with their combined strength.
Caniel felt her face reddened and turned to distract herself with the beans, which were much easier for her to pick. Legolas said nothing for a while, but contented himself with the carrots. After much working in silence, Legolas spoke.
"I wonder…how would I look with a mustache?"
Caniel laughed out loud and turned to find Legolas holding a carrot up to his lip, furrowing his eyebrows and winking seductively at her. She laughed harder, wiping her forehead with the back of her sleeve.
"An orange mustache?" She asked.
Legolas smiled and shrugged before taking a bite of the carrot and leaning back in the grass.
"I think you would look right ridiculous." Caniel said, turning back to her beans, which she had gathered in her bunched up jumper.
"Well that's not very nice." Legolas threw a clump of dirt at her, hitting her in the back.
She turned on him in an instant, throwing a bean and hitting him square in the forehead.
He grimaced rubbing the spot on his forehead. "You have good aim."
She smiled and turned back to her gathering only to be hit once again with another dirt clump. Turning around, she watched Legolas munch on his carrot, looking very cool and relaxed where he lay, and eyeing her with that mischievous, sly smile. Sighing and walking towards him until she toward over him; he watched her quietly and let out a yelp of surprise as she dropped her jumper, allowing the many beans to spill around his head and into his tunic. Standing up to shake out his clothes and grumbling with a smile, Legolas darted after Caniel who had raced off around the garden with it's large hedges and vines, some which towered over the both of them. He laughed as she swung herself around a marble column in the back of the garden, throwing a stray bean over her shoulder.
He followed closely, calling threats and jumping hedges as she maneuvered carefully around the plants. At one point, he reached another column and instead of following, darted back around a tall vine fence, meeting her head on. She squealed in surprise as he grabbed her around the waist and backed her into a column. None of it was done roughly, and he avoided her arm, for she was still laughing giddily as he held her against he column, smiling sardonically down at her.
"Think you're pretty clever, do you?" He asked quietly.
Caniel only continued to laugh uncontrollably, nodding at his feigned anger.
"What's so funny?" He continued, his smile widening. "Thought you could outrun me?"
Again she nodded tears welling in her eyes at the laughter that shook her. Legolas watched with amusement and suddenly couldn't hold it together any more, and started laughing at her pathetic appearance. Her face was red and she shook violently under his grasp, and he moved one hand from pinning her to wipe a smudge of dirt off her cheek. Caniel tried controlling her laughter, which ended up in her coughing and Legolas laughed even more. He had never found her so attractive; even though she was dirty and messy, she still looked perfect.
At last her laughter and coughing came under control and she was able to look up at him, still pinned against the wall.
"If my arm wasn't hurt," She started, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "I could get out of this."
"I know." Legolas smirked. "That's why it's so perfect."
Caniel gazed at him for a moment, before asking. "So are you going to let me go?"
Legolas realized suddenly how much he had been enjoying the feel of pinning her against the column, but instead of allowing the sudden panic that had taken hold of his insides to show, he only cocked an eyebrow.
"Let you go without a fight?" He shook his head sadly. "That doesn't seem fair."
Caniel laughed apprehensively. "Oh? So am I stuck forever pinned against this column?"
As long as I'm the one pinning you there, yes, Legolas thought.
"I suppose. Unless, of course, you can think of some way to make up for that dropping of beans on my head."
Caniel sighed. "All right, what do you want me to do?"
Kiss me.
"Oh, I don't know." Legolas looked upward as if thinking.
"Well that's no good to either of us." She said.
Stay with me forever. Never leave my sight again.
"It has to be something good." He continued, trying to ignore the thoughts racing through his mind.
"Indeed." Caniel watched him carefully.
Marry me, that's all I ask. So I can be yours forever. So I can say I love you. Marry me. Just marry me.
"Marry-" Legolas let the word slip before he could stop himself.
"What?" Caniel asked, looking slightly taken back.
Legolas had to think quickly. "May I borrow that book in your room? The one on the history of elves in Rivendell."
Caniel studied him for a moment, searching for any truth to this random question. But he kept his face unusually calm so that she shrugged. "I guess."
"Good." He smiled. "While taking care of you I saw it and –"
"Legolas! Caniel!" Rodwen called, rounding a corner to find them standing there; Legolas holding Caniel by the waste, pressing her firmly against the column. "I'm sorry!" She exclaimed. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything!"
"No, Rodwen, it's okay!" Caniel said hurriedly as Legolas immediately released her and tried to look nonchalant. "What is it?"
Rodwen's face was flushed with what Caniel couldn't decide was anger or embarrassment. "We wondered where you had gone to. The meat's being cooked and Arwen needed the potatoes."
"All right, let me go get them…" Caniel hurried around Rodwen who lingered a moment to gaze at Legolas. Her eyes bore on him like the sun, causing his insides to swell at the penetrating glare.
"Is she your wife?" She asked smoothly, her eyes showing complete blackness.
"No." Legolas said simply, though his heart desired it more then ever.
"I didn't think so." She sighed, taking a few casual steps towards Legolas. "Do you have a wife?"
"No."
"I see." Rodwen glanced over her shoulder, as if expecting someone to come up behind her. There was no one. "I have no husband either. Though I am to be engaged to the Prince of Annúminas. His name is Pilimor. Very handsome…and rich."
"I'm sure you two will be very happy." Legolas smiled quietly, attempting to move on elsewhere.
"Happy?" She barked a laugh, causing some birds in the vine next to Legolas to take flight. "Besides for his riches and looks, the man's a waste of space. I'm only supposed to marry him because it's tradition of the North. I'd much rather find a man of my own choosing, but tradition has a way of coming back around and kicking it's predecessors in the rear."
"I'm sorry to hear it." Legolas said, and he was sorry. He thought how awful it would be if tradition would have him married by now. Not that his father didn't try; he often went on rants about his old age and well being, and with Legolas being the next in line to lord over Mirkwood, he had tried many attempts to marry Legolas off. Unfortunately, it always came crashing down around the poor King who still had wifeless son with no intention of marrying. That is, no intention of marrying any of the women his father would like him to.
"Yes well, so is the way with royalty." Rodwen sighed dramatically, swatting at a fly buzzing around her perfectly curled hair that lay gently around her shoulders. "What of you're people? Are you to be married as well?"
"Not by law of tradition, no. Though my father would greatly desire me to be wed by now." Legolas admitted.
"Does he want you to marry other royalty?"
Legolas nodded. "Preferably."
"I see." Rodwen studied him. "It's amazing to me that you aren't wed. After all, you seem decent enough, and you have the looks."
Legolas blushed, but attempted to hide it by scratching a nonexistent itch on his forehead.
Rodwen didn't seem to notice. "And in being a prince, you think you'd have women lining up at the door volunteering to wed you!"
"They've tried." Legolas mumbled.
Rodwen smiled sweetly. "We're a lot alike, you and me. I think we go through a lot of the same routines, being royalty and all. If ever you need someone to talk to, who understands, I'm here to listen."
Legolas smiled politely and just then, Caniel appeared around the corner, her jumper bundled with more beans and potatoes and her hands dirty and scratched.
"Oh!" She stopped abruptly seeing the two of them. "You're still here?"
Legolas meant to say something so she wouldn't get suspicious, but Rodwen beat him to it.
"We were just discussing the life of a royalty." She waved her hand dismissively, walking daintily past a confused Caniel. "Not that it would concern you really. I mean, you have it relatively easy just being the sister of Elrond. Yes, Legolas and I share many troubles that outsiders can't easily understand."
The last sentence was said in an almost wistful voice, and Caniel's face showed more confusion. She looked to Legolas who only shrugged, clueless.
Caniel obviously decided to dismiss it for soon she had started talking again.
"I was hoping to find you two, for I really could use some more help. I've gathered enough beans, I think. But there are not enough potatoes and I haven't even started on the tomatoes yet…"
"Oh silly me, I think I forgot the soup on the fire!" Rodwen picked up her heavy red velvet dress as to avoid dirt and hurried towards the house. "I would love to help darling, but I don't want the soup to be overdone!"
And with that she disappeared inside. Caniel only wiped her forehead once more and looked to the garden apprehensively. "Oh well." She sighed.
Legolas watched her, feeling a guilty pit in his stomach as she emptied the beans into the bowel and began twisting tomatoes off the vines with her unhurt hand. She seemed so beat and worn, and by the winces she issued when she thought no one was looking, Legolas could tell she was in pain still. Yet she continued to help, pushing away her pain and confusion, and tolerating stupid antics brought on by the likes of him. Marching forward, eager to ease the guilt in his stomach, he knelt next to her once more and helped remove some tomatoes.
"Rodwen and I were justtalking earlier. You know that?" He asked quietly, so as not to be overheard in the kitchen.
"I do." Was her quiet reply.
Legolas felt worse that she remained so timid about the whole thing, not allowing her emotions to show, just her kindness and nobleness. Wanting more then ever now to feel better about the way he had been acting, he tried again.
"Look Caniel, maybe you should go inside and rest," His words seemed to plead. "You're in pain and I-"
"I'm fine."
"Yes I know you say that, but I-"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." She snapped. "I thought you knew that. Or do you do it differently?"
This caught Legolas by surprise. "I'm sorry?"
"Nothing." She grumbled, wanting more then ever to hit herself for the random outburst.
"Caniel, listen to me. No," He grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her back down when she had started to stand. "listen. Just know that I…I mean to say that I…I think you should know that I-" His words ran dry whenever he tried to say it.
"You what?" Caniel sighed, not even daring to get her hopes up this time.
"I-"
"Caniel!" Arwen called from the kitchen. "Do you have those vegetables yet?"
"Yes!" Caniel jumped up at the opportunity to escape Legolas and hurried towards the kitchen. Legolas watched in dismay, hitting himself on the forehead, feeling foolish and guilty all over again. Then, after picking many more vegetables in hopes of making up for his earlier stupidity, he made his way reluctantly into the room of laughing and chattering people.