LevelTwentySeven: well, now you know. hehe. thanks for reading.
xSilverShadowsx: it's okie. I'm glad you like it enough to review. thanks. yeppers, sequel is FOTR through ROTK and a little further. thanks!
spotnmushlover246: hehehe, thanks.
GreenEyedElfGoddess: yep. she totally deserved it too. thanks! manly and elfy? hmm, interesting combination. I love a masculine leggy!
sammy: I cannot be held responsible for what you do to you cousin (tell him that!) but go for it! thanks!
Myri78: glad you liked it. hmmm, dinner…French fries perhaps? I dunno! thanks!
aurora-myst: umm, don't know if it works or not. you could try and let me know… thanks!
Screwed By Life: hint taken. happy? thanks much!
Megara: oooh, I like birthdays! can we have cake? hehe thanks!
star bright 25: wow. thanks so much. I'm glad you like it. :blushes:
longivity101: hehehe, I know. thanks!
Leah's Lovely: I totally agreed with lynching, but I don't want any character killing (unless it's orcs and stuff) cuz I love my characters too much! (even though Alaninwen is a pain in the butt!) and yes, it does make sense. I feel that I should respond to reviews because if people take the time to tell me how I'm doing I should say thanks! so, thanks!
beautystar: well, I dunno. aurora-myst is gonna try it on her cousin, so if it works, I'll let ya know! thanks!
Sebstar: of course, you're welcome! and she definitely did deserve it. thanks for the review!
disclaimer: if you know it, it's not mine. wish it was, but sorry. no luck. please don't sue me! I love my readers!
Chapter 25
She sat atop her mount, Patrosh, as she studied her surroundings. The trees were thicker in this part of the forest than they were closer to the palace, and it felt slightly darker and gloomier than she remembered. But having Legolas and Nilfalath on either side of her set her more at ease in the more dangerous parts of the forest. A fourth dappled grey horse trailed behind them, carrying all their traveling gear and belongings. The three Elves followed an old worn path known as the Old Forest Road, which led to the feet of the Misty Mountains. After about five days in Mirkwood, they would spend a week crossing the mountains, and then two more days to reach Rivendell. Finally, she was going home, and it certainly felt good.
Legolas rode beside her, though his steed was slightly ahead, matching pace with Nilfalath's. The two were carrying on an animated discussion, apparently about battle strategy and orcs. Elenayave shook her head with a small smile. It sounded as if they were two little Elflings arguing over what to do in their leisure. Deciding to stay out of it, she instead observed two of the most important people in her life.
Nilfalath had recovered remarkably well, though Malia was still a little leery about letting him travel such a distance. He sat tall upon Nirith, his gentle mare of four years. He looked slightly more drawn than usual, but was in high spirits nonetheless. The arrow had done no permanent damage, and he would be completely healed within the week. His strawberry blond locks were tied back into an elaborate braid that hung loosely down his back, and his aquamarine eyes sparkled with excitement and vitality.
Legolas looked much the same, seated regally on Isilad. He was dressed in his normal traveling gear, wishing not to be distinguished as royalty if need for secrecy should arise. His tresses were unbound, save for two small braids over each of his pointed ears. Naturally, he carried his knives and bow with him, ready for any situation where he might possibly need them.
The wood was filled with the ellyn's musical laughter and taunts as they quarreled over weapon usage and style. Elenayave shook her head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Legolas and Nilfalath had been going at it for almost two hours now. But she just loved to listen to them talk. Legolas's voice was smooth and soft, almost velvety in its resonance. Only very seldom had she ever heard him raise his voice in true anger, and it had never been directed toward her. And Nilfalath, he spoke with a low tenor voice and a soft western drawl that came from his years in Rivendell.
"What do you think, Elena?"
Nilfalath's question shook her from her thoughts and her head turned to glance at him.
"I'm sorry, Nilfalath. What did you say?"
"Legolas and I were wondering which stance you would prefer if you were just learning to shoot. I said, of course, the traditional manner, in the way we're taught. Simple, easy, and effective. Legolas, on the other hand, as we all know, is far from orthodox when it comes to using a bow."
Elenayave nodded, well knowing her husband's penchant for a more predatory form of shooting. It wasn't unusual at all for Legolas to fire more than one arrow at a time, or take completely different stances when discharging arrows. The bow was an extension of himself, he had once explained to her, and form came naturally, no matter how he stood or where he was. Not to mention, it seemed to work, as she could not recall him ever missing a shot, even when fooling around. Legolas had taught her much of what he knew, though she could never quite master some of the ways he fired.
"I'm not sure, Nil. I would want to learn the standard postures first," she paused, smiling at his triumphant look. "But sometimes a normal stance just won't do," she added, nodding at Legolas.
Legolas grinned and winked, quite pleased with her answer.
"Very diplomatic, Elena," Nilfalath laughed. "Whoever taught you that?"
"Ada, no doubt," Legolas broke in, shaking his head. "You must learn to live with the people, my daughter, or the people will not want to live with you," he quoted, almost a perfect imitation of his father.
Elenayave giggled and nodded. "He's doing quite a good job on his own. Ruling a kingdom is a big responsibility."
"Don't I know it," he responded. "He won't ever let me forget it. I don't know if I should tell him that I truly don't want the responsibility of being king."
"And why not?" Nilfalath asked. "You'd certainly do well, I'm sure."
Legolas shook his head and sighed. "It's too much sometimes. I've seen him fall asleep at his desk, trying to work on petitions and paperwork and inventories. It's hard enough some years just keeping the realm fed and provisioned in the winter. I don't want that type of liability. I truthfully do not think I could handle it on my own."
"You're not on you own," Elenayave said softly, easing Patrosh closer to his mount. "I think you'd make a wonderful king."
"I agree," Nilfalath concurred. "Your people love and respect you. That's all you need, really."
Legolas sat quietly atop Isilad for a moment, and then smiled. "I'm sure you would love to sit there and read petitions, Lena. It would suit you quite well."
Elenayave grinned and replied sarcastically, "Oh, of course. I know your father enjoys them." She caught his wistful gaze and her features softened. "You know I'd do it if it would help you, Legolas."
"I know, Lena," he stated. "I know. But I would wish not to place all my duties on you. After all," he said with a cheeky grin, "you'll be taking care of the little ones."
Elenayave threw a small saddle bag in his direction, but he skillfully caught it before it hit him. "You don't give up, do you?"
"What little ones?" Nilfalath asked, genuinely curious and somewhat confused. "Are you with child, Elena?"
"NO!" she and Legolas said in unison.
"Face it, mela. It will happen sooner or later," Legolas intoned cheerily.
"Preferably later," she mumbled, shooting him a glare.
"Hmm. I don't know," Nilfalath said, joining in on the conversation. "I remember Thranduil saying he wished to have grandchildren by his 7090 birthday."
"That's in three years," Elenayave uttered. "That is far too soon."
"Soon? Lena, we've been married for a century! Don't you think it's about time? Everyone is waiting…"
"Well, they'll have to wait a little while longer, Legolas. I'm not ready for dealing with children right now and that's that."
"Will you ever be?" Legolas questioned huffily, a frown spreading across his fair features.
Nilfalath quickly dislodged himself from the discussion, realizing that it was a sore spot in their relationship. He didn't want to get involved and wind up mediating between the two, or worse, taking sides. But if he was to have his say, he certainly agreed with Legolas. Most Elven couples would be more than willing to start a family after a century of marriage.
Elenayave turned her head the other way and stared moodily out into the forest. Feeling slightly confused and thoroughly upset, she tried counting to ten…ten times. She had a good hunch that this had been one of the major issues in their relationship before her accident, and she honestly didn't know how to fix it. Legolas had always wanted children, right from the very beginning. He'd been completely up front with her even before they'd gotten married. And ever since they'd wed, he hadn't stopped insisting that they get started. But she was convinced that it wasn't the right time. It was too dangerous to bring a child into the world now, especially with the shadow that had begun to creep over the Greenwood. Elena turned back to the path before her and urged Patrosh into a longer gait, pushing further ahead. She didn't have time to think about this now. She needed to get home.