A/N: This is the continuation of the flashback as promised. Remember that
Lalaith is still searching for Legolas while he is searching for her. In
actual, the flashback takes only a few minutes but has been lengthened so
as to be more understandable to all readers. Wow, this sound so
formal...Please forgive me if you find that Lalaith running away each time
she sees Legolas annoying. I found it quite amusing wahaha...ha...(laughs
like a maniac) Anyway, let's get on with the story and remember to review
when you're done reading it.
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Lalaith ran straight into her room and locked the door behind her. She took off her cloak and hood. That was a close shave, she thought, sprawled on her bed. She didn't bother to change but lay on her bed thinking about what had just happened. When her panic had worn off, she began to laugh thinking about how rude she was, running away like that. She laughed even harder when she remembered how the prince had looked when she fled away after seeing him.
Lalaith sighed, staring at the skylight at her roof. She loved to look at the dazzling stars through the skylight while she lay on her soft, comfortable bed. Then somebody knocked on her door. Lalaith sat up quickly. "Who is it?" she asked. "It's me Lalaith. I'm Wilwarin," a voice whispered. Lalaith jumped up and opened the door. She shut it as soon as Wilwarin entered her room. "I was worried when I saw you running back to your room. What had happened? Why are you back so early?" Wilwarin asked, anxiously.
"Haven't I told you not to worry about me?" Lalaith replied, laughing. She told Wilwarin about her wonderful time at the Gardens and her encounter with Legolas. Wilwarin almost passed out at that. She is always so worried about Lalaith and her carefree ways. But when Lalaith described how Legolas looked like when she ran away, they both laughed.
It felt nice and Lalaith was glad that Wilwarin came. They talked long and joyfully about many things but nothing of importance, really. They were sitting on Lalaith's bed. Suddenly, Wilwarin stood up and held Lalaith's hands in her own.
"Will you be going Lalaith? Will you be at the archery performance tomorrow?" Wilwarin asked.
"Archery performance?"
"Yes. Prince Legolas is going to show us his talent with the bow and arrow in the plains tomorrow."
"I would certainly be there."
"Do you know what his target would be?"
"No..."
"A white deer!"
"WHAT!?" cried Lalaith in horror.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The night passed and gave way to morning and the performance s going to start at any moment. Legolas was in the middle of attention as everyone observed him while he warmed up. Everyone was standing enthusiastically to watch the show except the royal family and the two guests who were sitting on high chairs under a great birch tree, which acts as a shelter from the slight drizzle. Though, the rain had not dampened anyone's spirit. Those standing made a U formation behind Legolas.
The audience roared and clapped when an arrow flew and hit the wooden target right in the bullseye. Some of the spectators were in a daze for the arrow went with such speed that they knew now what had happened. Legolas placed three arrows on his bow and fired again and still all of them hit its target with unbelievable accuracy. This went on for quite a while with each shooting better than the last. Then it came to the moving targets and at last, the white deer.
A single white deer was released and it ran around the fenced area frantically. Its fur was soft and pure white like that of fresh fallen snow. Its big, gentle eyes were filled with terror. The deer ran with great speed, making it hard for Legolas to aim. He readied his weapon and aimed for the heart of the beast.
Then everything happened so fast it was hard to tell what really occurred. The deadly arrow left the bow and went straight toward the deer. The like a blur, an elf-girl ran and stood in front of it. "Sii'! Rima ten'ta!" she cried and opened the gate of the fence. The deer escaped while the arrow meant for it pierced the right shoulder of the elf-girl. She collapsed onto the ground.
Legolas dropped his bow and ran towards her. Blood was flowing quickly from her wound. She breathed rapidly and swallowed for the pain was too great. Legolas got on his knees beside her and carried her up. She was curiously veiled, cloaked and hooded. He recognized her at once as the girl who sang and danced in the Gardens last night.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lalaith awoke and found Wilwarin sitting beside her bed. She had fallen asleep and Lalaith decided not to wake her up just yet. Her right shoulder was throbbing with pain but it was now bandaged carefully. Her face was still veiled but her cloak and hood had been removed. She looked around and noticed with shock that she was not in her own room.
Lalaith tried to sit up and winced in pain. She looked around at the huge room. All furniture in the room was of great value and craftsmanship. She must be in one of the royal guestrooms! Wilwarin awoke.
"No, my friend. Lie down and rest," she ordered.
"What happened?" Lalaith asked.
"Prince Legolas brought you here. I've made sure that your identity is still a secret."
"Oh, how could I ever thank you enough, Wilwarin. I just hope the deer is fine now."
"I don't believe you, my friend. You worry more of the deer than yourself!"
"How could I not? When its kind had kept my family safe when we were a- roaming before we set foot in Everglades."
"Yes, that is true perhaps. But now, do not trouble yourself over it anymore. I am sure it has gone a great distance from here by this hour."
Lalaith lay down on the bed again and felt her shoulder complain. She was not used to Wilwarin calling her 'my friend' but was glad that no one knew who she is. There came a knock on the door and Lalaith watched in horror as Legolas stepped into the room, carrying a tray with a bowl and a single spoon on it. An unpleasant odor wafted from the contents of the steaming bowl.
"I have come to seek for your forgiveness, my lady. It would not matter if you would not grant it for my deed is too terrible to be pardoned, " he said guiltily, putting the tray on a table nearby. "Never had I in my lifetime shoot at another elf."
Lalaith remained silent for she could find no words to reply.
"I would be outside if you need me," said Wilwarin, arising to leave the two alone.
"Wilwarin!" cried Lalaith but Wilwarin was already out of the room.
There was an unbearable silence in that room for a long time where neither elf spoke. Legolas eyed the bowl worriedly for it was beginning to cool down. He took it up and dipped the silver spoon in it.
"Please allow me to at least feed you before we are declared enemies forever," he said nervously.
Lalaith laughed, "We would not be enemies, I assure you, for I hold no grudge against Your Highness."
"Then allow me to feed you," he said sitting down beside her bed.
"It is not that I refuse your offer. However, I am but a mere elf and you are a prince. It is not right for you to do such things."
"It is also not right for me to harm you, my lady. And for that I am willing to do whatever you wish for me to."
"Then I do not wish for you to do this."
"But my lady, take off you veil and drink this. It would help you wounds heal and that would bring ease to my guilty heart."
"No. This veil I would not take off. I wish to remain anonymous."
Legolas sighed and returned the bowl onto the tray. She is definitely a stubborn elf. Lalaith looked at him and noticed that he was really upset because he thought that she had refused to forgive him.
"Your Highness, pardon me for my rash words. It is I who needs your forgiveness and it is certainly not your fault that I am hurt. You were aiming at the deer, not me. I ran between your arrow and it."
"Yes, you ran between my arrow and the deer and that has puzzled me greatly. Why did you risk your life to save the animal?"
"It is a long tale but the white deer has always been closer than a friend to me and my family. This is because one of its kinds had forsaken its own life to save my family when they are a-roaming and so it is a sworn oath that we are to protect them no matter the cost."
And so the bowl of medicine was forgotten while the two spoke to each other like old friends. Legolas told of his home in Mirkwood among many other things that they talked about but all the while, Lalaith never revealed her identity although Legolas inquired her for it many many times. In the end, Legolas gave up asking and Lalaith sighed in relief.
Legolas was glad to find someone he could talk to. He doesn't seem to be able to have such conversations with the royal family or anyone at all in Everglades for they treated him with great respect and formality, almost too great. Therefore, in his loneliness, he had gladly accepted this unusual friendship.
Fate brought them together and it was also Fate that separated them. That night, Lalaith slipped away with Wilwarin back to her home because she could not stay in the castle with her veil on forever and she was afraid of what might happen if they found out who she is and what she had been doing. And so, they fled much to the disheartenment of Legolas who found the guestroom empty the next day.
A week passed and soon came the day when the northern elves were to depart for home. Lalaith's wound had healed considerably so she went with countless other elves to bid them farewell. Lalaith missed Legolas terribly but she would not take the risk of meeting him. She was dressed yet again in veil, cloak and hood.
Instead of going to the Gate where all others were to watch his parting, she climbed and stood with a heavy heart on the cliff overlooking the Gate. Legolas was clad in his traveling clothes of brown and green. He looked desperately around, hoping to find the mysterious elf he had come to be friends with. He wished to see her one last time before he sets off for home.
His eyes traveled over dozens of elves. How is he going to recognize her? He looked for dark, black hair and found only four with such tresses. But their eyes were not those lovely, chestnut eyes of hers. Just then, a gentle breeze blew and the soft singing of larks was heard. Legolas looked up and saw her. There she stood, full of mysteries and a sight of concealed beauty. She was like the stars, so distant with a thousand secrets left untold. And like the stars for which the first Elves came to love though they knew not what these dazzling lights in the dark, gloomy sky were. All things faded into nothingness till there was left only her alone, an emblem of mystery.
"A mere elf, she said? Nay, she is more than just a mere elf," Legolas whispered and ran towards her. This time she ran not away from him but waited, neither advancing nor fleeing. She stood still with crystal tears, silently falling and wetting her veil. "I missed you, melamin," she said and they embraced. There were those who believed not in love at first sight but this indeed is such an occurrence though the two were soon to be separated.
Legolas held her chin up till they were looking eye to eye. He smiled and said, "We would meet yet again one day, I believe. But please, if ever we meet when you had not your veil on and I did not recognize you, tell me."
Lalaith laughed, despite her tears of sorrow, "Yes, I would and then we would get to know each other better, yes?"
"Surely," Legolas said. "Here, I have this for you." He said, fastening a silver necklace with a beautiful green gem, embedded in silver, shaped like that of a leaf around Lalaith's neck. "Mithril, the purest of silver." "No, refuse not this gift for it would be the only thing with which I could recognize you by." He said, when Lalaith opened her mouth to say something.
"But I have not anything to give you." Lalaith said.
"I do not wish for anything else. To see you again would be the greatest endowment I had ever received"
Then, Lalaith kissed him on his cheek and he looked at her, surprised. "It is all I could give to you, my prince."
That very day, the northern elves went home and Lalaith longed each day to see him again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And now Lalaith missed Legolas more than ever. She walked and walked without even looking at where she is going. There was no wind and the air was hot as the afternoon sun blazed on. Finally, Lalaith sat down in despair. Where would she go now? The dead trees provided her with no shade from the burning sun.
A butterfly fluttered in front of her, its beautiful wings bringing color to the dead and lifeless woods. "Wilwarin," Lalaith called, her hand out-stretched for the insect to land. "How I wish you are here with me now."
Wilwarin had passed long ago to the waiting halls of Mandos. She had been cruelly slain during the goblin's raid and Lalaith was there, unable to do anything at all to help her beloved friend. "Dear Wilwarin..." Lalaith felt again for the millionth time the desire to forsake her immortality. She wished she could die but she had tried countless ways to do so and yet she lived on. She lived with a bleeding heart. A heart that is so torn it knew not what joy felt any longer.
Thud! Lalaith stood up, startled by the sudden noise. It sounded like something heavy had landed on the ground. Thud! Thud! There it goes again. Then came the noise of many footfalls, glad that they would not have to remain silent any longer. Terror filled Lalaith. The goblins had come.
A/N: Yay, another long chapter (well the longest I can write so far). Hope you've enjoyed reading it and remember to review and advise me on my writing. ("Sii'! Rima ten'ta!" means "Now! Run for it!" and melamin means "my love")
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lalaith ran straight into her room and locked the door behind her. She took off her cloak and hood. That was a close shave, she thought, sprawled on her bed. She didn't bother to change but lay on her bed thinking about what had just happened. When her panic had worn off, she began to laugh thinking about how rude she was, running away like that. She laughed even harder when she remembered how the prince had looked when she fled away after seeing him.
Lalaith sighed, staring at the skylight at her roof. She loved to look at the dazzling stars through the skylight while she lay on her soft, comfortable bed. Then somebody knocked on her door. Lalaith sat up quickly. "Who is it?" she asked. "It's me Lalaith. I'm Wilwarin," a voice whispered. Lalaith jumped up and opened the door. She shut it as soon as Wilwarin entered her room. "I was worried when I saw you running back to your room. What had happened? Why are you back so early?" Wilwarin asked, anxiously.
"Haven't I told you not to worry about me?" Lalaith replied, laughing. She told Wilwarin about her wonderful time at the Gardens and her encounter with Legolas. Wilwarin almost passed out at that. She is always so worried about Lalaith and her carefree ways. But when Lalaith described how Legolas looked like when she ran away, they both laughed.
It felt nice and Lalaith was glad that Wilwarin came. They talked long and joyfully about many things but nothing of importance, really. They were sitting on Lalaith's bed. Suddenly, Wilwarin stood up and held Lalaith's hands in her own.
"Will you be going Lalaith? Will you be at the archery performance tomorrow?" Wilwarin asked.
"Archery performance?"
"Yes. Prince Legolas is going to show us his talent with the bow and arrow in the plains tomorrow."
"I would certainly be there."
"Do you know what his target would be?"
"No..."
"A white deer!"
"WHAT!?" cried Lalaith in horror.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The night passed and gave way to morning and the performance s going to start at any moment. Legolas was in the middle of attention as everyone observed him while he warmed up. Everyone was standing enthusiastically to watch the show except the royal family and the two guests who were sitting on high chairs under a great birch tree, which acts as a shelter from the slight drizzle. Though, the rain had not dampened anyone's spirit. Those standing made a U formation behind Legolas.
The audience roared and clapped when an arrow flew and hit the wooden target right in the bullseye. Some of the spectators were in a daze for the arrow went with such speed that they knew now what had happened. Legolas placed three arrows on his bow and fired again and still all of them hit its target with unbelievable accuracy. This went on for quite a while with each shooting better than the last. Then it came to the moving targets and at last, the white deer.
A single white deer was released and it ran around the fenced area frantically. Its fur was soft and pure white like that of fresh fallen snow. Its big, gentle eyes were filled with terror. The deer ran with great speed, making it hard for Legolas to aim. He readied his weapon and aimed for the heart of the beast.
Then everything happened so fast it was hard to tell what really occurred. The deadly arrow left the bow and went straight toward the deer. The like a blur, an elf-girl ran and stood in front of it. "Sii'! Rima ten'ta!" she cried and opened the gate of the fence. The deer escaped while the arrow meant for it pierced the right shoulder of the elf-girl. She collapsed onto the ground.
Legolas dropped his bow and ran towards her. Blood was flowing quickly from her wound. She breathed rapidly and swallowed for the pain was too great. Legolas got on his knees beside her and carried her up. She was curiously veiled, cloaked and hooded. He recognized her at once as the girl who sang and danced in the Gardens last night.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lalaith awoke and found Wilwarin sitting beside her bed. She had fallen asleep and Lalaith decided not to wake her up just yet. Her right shoulder was throbbing with pain but it was now bandaged carefully. Her face was still veiled but her cloak and hood had been removed. She looked around and noticed with shock that she was not in her own room.
Lalaith tried to sit up and winced in pain. She looked around at the huge room. All furniture in the room was of great value and craftsmanship. She must be in one of the royal guestrooms! Wilwarin awoke.
"No, my friend. Lie down and rest," she ordered.
"What happened?" Lalaith asked.
"Prince Legolas brought you here. I've made sure that your identity is still a secret."
"Oh, how could I ever thank you enough, Wilwarin. I just hope the deer is fine now."
"I don't believe you, my friend. You worry more of the deer than yourself!"
"How could I not? When its kind had kept my family safe when we were a- roaming before we set foot in Everglades."
"Yes, that is true perhaps. But now, do not trouble yourself over it anymore. I am sure it has gone a great distance from here by this hour."
Lalaith lay down on the bed again and felt her shoulder complain. She was not used to Wilwarin calling her 'my friend' but was glad that no one knew who she is. There came a knock on the door and Lalaith watched in horror as Legolas stepped into the room, carrying a tray with a bowl and a single spoon on it. An unpleasant odor wafted from the contents of the steaming bowl.
"I have come to seek for your forgiveness, my lady. It would not matter if you would not grant it for my deed is too terrible to be pardoned, " he said guiltily, putting the tray on a table nearby. "Never had I in my lifetime shoot at another elf."
Lalaith remained silent for she could find no words to reply.
"I would be outside if you need me," said Wilwarin, arising to leave the two alone.
"Wilwarin!" cried Lalaith but Wilwarin was already out of the room.
There was an unbearable silence in that room for a long time where neither elf spoke. Legolas eyed the bowl worriedly for it was beginning to cool down. He took it up and dipped the silver spoon in it.
"Please allow me to at least feed you before we are declared enemies forever," he said nervously.
Lalaith laughed, "We would not be enemies, I assure you, for I hold no grudge against Your Highness."
"Then allow me to feed you," he said sitting down beside her bed.
"It is not that I refuse your offer. However, I am but a mere elf and you are a prince. It is not right for you to do such things."
"It is also not right for me to harm you, my lady. And for that I am willing to do whatever you wish for me to."
"Then I do not wish for you to do this."
"But my lady, take off you veil and drink this. It would help you wounds heal and that would bring ease to my guilty heart."
"No. This veil I would not take off. I wish to remain anonymous."
Legolas sighed and returned the bowl onto the tray. She is definitely a stubborn elf. Lalaith looked at him and noticed that he was really upset because he thought that she had refused to forgive him.
"Your Highness, pardon me for my rash words. It is I who needs your forgiveness and it is certainly not your fault that I am hurt. You were aiming at the deer, not me. I ran between your arrow and it."
"Yes, you ran between my arrow and the deer and that has puzzled me greatly. Why did you risk your life to save the animal?"
"It is a long tale but the white deer has always been closer than a friend to me and my family. This is because one of its kinds had forsaken its own life to save my family when they are a-roaming and so it is a sworn oath that we are to protect them no matter the cost."
And so the bowl of medicine was forgotten while the two spoke to each other like old friends. Legolas told of his home in Mirkwood among many other things that they talked about but all the while, Lalaith never revealed her identity although Legolas inquired her for it many many times. In the end, Legolas gave up asking and Lalaith sighed in relief.
Legolas was glad to find someone he could talk to. He doesn't seem to be able to have such conversations with the royal family or anyone at all in Everglades for they treated him with great respect and formality, almost too great. Therefore, in his loneliness, he had gladly accepted this unusual friendship.
Fate brought them together and it was also Fate that separated them. That night, Lalaith slipped away with Wilwarin back to her home because she could not stay in the castle with her veil on forever and she was afraid of what might happen if they found out who she is and what she had been doing. And so, they fled much to the disheartenment of Legolas who found the guestroom empty the next day.
A week passed and soon came the day when the northern elves were to depart for home. Lalaith's wound had healed considerably so she went with countless other elves to bid them farewell. Lalaith missed Legolas terribly but she would not take the risk of meeting him. She was dressed yet again in veil, cloak and hood.
Instead of going to the Gate where all others were to watch his parting, she climbed and stood with a heavy heart on the cliff overlooking the Gate. Legolas was clad in his traveling clothes of brown and green. He looked desperately around, hoping to find the mysterious elf he had come to be friends with. He wished to see her one last time before he sets off for home.
His eyes traveled over dozens of elves. How is he going to recognize her? He looked for dark, black hair and found only four with such tresses. But their eyes were not those lovely, chestnut eyes of hers. Just then, a gentle breeze blew and the soft singing of larks was heard. Legolas looked up and saw her. There she stood, full of mysteries and a sight of concealed beauty. She was like the stars, so distant with a thousand secrets left untold. And like the stars for which the first Elves came to love though they knew not what these dazzling lights in the dark, gloomy sky were. All things faded into nothingness till there was left only her alone, an emblem of mystery.
"A mere elf, she said? Nay, she is more than just a mere elf," Legolas whispered and ran towards her. This time she ran not away from him but waited, neither advancing nor fleeing. She stood still with crystal tears, silently falling and wetting her veil. "I missed you, melamin," she said and they embraced. There were those who believed not in love at first sight but this indeed is such an occurrence though the two were soon to be separated.
Legolas held her chin up till they were looking eye to eye. He smiled and said, "We would meet yet again one day, I believe. But please, if ever we meet when you had not your veil on and I did not recognize you, tell me."
Lalaith laughed, despite her tears of sorrow, "Yes, I would and then we would get to know each other better, yes?"
"Surely," Legolas said. "Here, I have this for you." He said, fastening a silver necklace with a beautiful green gem, embedded in silver, shaped like that of a leaf around Lalaith's neck. "Mithril, the purest of silver." "No, refuse not this gift for it would be the only thing with which I could recognize you by." He said, when Lalaith opened her mouth to say something.
"But I have not anything to give you." Lalaith said.
"I do not wish for anything else. To see you again would be the greatest endowment I had ever received"
Then, Lalaith kissed him on his cheek and he looked at her, surprised. "It is all I could give to you, my prince."
That very day, the northern elves went home and Lalaith longed each day to see him again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And now Lalaith missed Legolas more than ever. She walked and walked without even looking at where she is going. There was no wind and the air was hot as the afternoon sun blazed on. Finally, Lalaith sat down in despair. Where would she go now? The dead trees provided her with no shade from the burning sun.
A butterfly fluttered in front of her, its beautiful wings bringing color to the dead and lifeless woods. "Wilwarin," Lalaith called, her hand out-stretched for the insect to land. "How I wish you are here with me now."
Wilwarin had passed long ago to the waiting halls of Mandos. She had been cruelly slain during the goblin's raid and Lalaith was there, unable to do anything at all to help her beloved friend. "Dear Wilwarin..." Lalaith felt again for the millionth time the desire to forsake her immortality. She wished she could die but she had tried countless ways to do so and yet she lived on. She lived with a bleeding heart. A heart that is so torn it knew not what joy felt any longer.
Thud! Lalaith stood up, startled by the sudden noise. It sounded like something heavy had landed on the ground. Thud! Thud! There it goes again. Then came the noise of many footfalls, glad that they would not have to remain silent any longer. Terror filled Lalaith. The goblins had come.
A/N: Yay, another long chapter (well the longest I can write so far). Hope you've enjoyed reading it and remember to review and advise me on my writing. ("Sii'! Rima ten'ta!" means "Now! Run for it!" and melamin means "my love")