The Secret Chapter 14: The Tale of the Heart, a lord of the rings fanfic

~*~A/N: Oh dear me! I haven't written in a while! But ff.n wasn't working for a long time, so it wasn't my fault entirely… Ahh!!! Well then, what am I waiting for? Here's the chapter!~*~

Legolas gazed deeply into Lina's emerald eyes. They were slightly misty, as though filled with tears that would not spill. She dropped the apple that had been in her hand and let it roll off to the side of the grass.

"Legolas, first accept my apology. My apology for not talking to you earlier and my apology for my behaviour towards you. I was rude and I…" Legolas cut her off.

"Lina," he said soothingly. "Calm down; you have no need to apologise."

"No! Please, first just accept my apology and I will explain something to you."

"If it is the only way you will actually speak to me, then yes, I accept your apology."

"Thank you. You have eased at least a part of my mind so I can speak of the rest to you."

And the two fair Elves sat on the edge of the fountain.

"Legolas, I have a past of misery in love. I have failed to keep anyone I love and it hurts me to think of it. But you – you deserve to know." Tears filled her eyes and they lost that misty look and gained one of liquid displeasure. Despite her sadness, Legolas thought her beauty was unimaginable.

"About five years ago," she continued with a slight sigh, "I met a Man named Farin. He was a Man of Gondor. He was the noblest of Men, not unlike Aragorn, and I… I grew to love him. No one knew of our love except Arwen. I was afraid to tell Elrond because I knew he would punish me. He only let Arwen love Aragorn because he raised him from childhood and knows his high nobility. Farin was a mere mortal in Elrond's eyes, no one special. But he was special for he was noble at heart and was kind and…" she broke of with a slight sob.

"He loved me. I couldn't bear to live without him. We were planning on speaking to Elrond, when we saw the time was fit. I was even prepared to run away with him no matter how it would kill me to separate me from the only family I have ever known, to be with him. He would keep me happy and I cared not for his social standing."

Lina looked up at Legolas with her liquid-green eyes. "But a year ago, this land was dangerous as you know as well." She glanced up at the morning sun which glinted on her raven hair. She gazed once more into the cerulean blue eyes of the blonde Elf next to her. "My grandmother, the Lady Galadriél, feared for the safety of Arwen and I in Rivendell. She knew that the Orcs would come to this refuge in search of the One Ring. So one April day, when I was with Farin, Arwen told me we must leave. It was earlier than we have arranged to depart, but my grandmother sent word that it would be safest at that time.

"We went without escorts. Farin was begging to come with me, keep me safe, but I knew that he would be more prone to fall prey to the evil that lurked as he was a Man. I told him to stay, that I would meet him later, when I returned to Rivendell," Lina sobbed.

"You don't need to go on, Lina, if you cannot," Legolas said quietly.

"But I must," Lina said, pushing a stray strand of her black hair out of her face. "You need to know, or I cannot live with the idea that you care for me and I cannot return the affection."

Legolas nodded solemnly.

"Arwen and I then set out for Lothlórien on our horses. It was then, in the forest, that I sensed I was being followed. I turned, I saw no one. Then, after hearing a noise, I saw it, a Ringwraith. Our horses panicked, Arwen's taking her off into the forest. My horse bolted as well, but threw me off it. I lay on the ground and the Ringwraith advanced on me, its Morgul blade drawn. I drew my sword as well, and fought, tired as I was. Soon, however, my strength failed me. It stabbed me in my arm and was about to kill me with one more strike, but something stopped it.

"Farin. He had come after me. He fought the Ringwraith for a few minutes before he too wavered in strength and the creature plunged its blade into my love's stomach. I screamed in agony, but stood once more. I… I told the Wraith to kill me as well, and that it tried. The sound of horses chased it away before it could plunge the sword into me fully, to kill me, but I was wounded severely.

"I do not remember more of that day for I had fainted. When I awoke… I found… that Farin was dead.

"You see, Legolas, this is why I cannot love. I have lost the one love I ever had, and do not wish to lose another. I am finished with love. I have only hurt those I have loved, first my parents, then Farin. I am capable of hurting Arwen and Elrond with any mistake I may make, and I do not want to hurt anyone else. You understand, don't you?" Lina looked deep into Legolas's eyes.

Legolas returned the gaze, searching her lovely face with his eyes. "Yes," he said softly. "I understand. Though I do not see how you could hurt me any more than you have by telling me this. But I love you and I do not want you to live in pain, in the precious memory of your lost one. I know that it is hard for you and I am sorry. So I am telling you, forget me. I can live on, knowing that you have forgotten me but knowing that you understand my feelings for you but are not able to return them will kill me." Saying this, Legolas stood, bowed, and left the courtyard.

Elenya stared after him, her eyes welling up once more, but this time the tears spilled. They coursed down her fair face, marring the beauty. Curse the day I was born into this world! she thought. I should have been named Níniel, the Tear-Maiden, for I bring tears and sadness to everyone who has ever loved me. Lina rose slowly and fled into the open field.

She crept up the side of the hill and into the little cove by which a waterfall flowed gently. She sat down on a bench, alone. I have brought it upon myself, she thought. Silent tears raced down her face. Oh, Farin, what should I do?

Lina did not know what else she could do, so she slept. Sleep was coming to her easily now, as it was her escape.

~*~Well, that was the end of that chapter… I know it was short, and there wasn't much action, but it'll come…… Please drop me a review! Thanks to all of you!! :)~*~