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Celebas Silver leaf: Sorry for the delay in updating. But I hope you like this chapter
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Chapter 4 (of love,loneliness and old paths)
A pair of clear blue eyes looked into my deep blue ones. Indeed, Haldir had found me once again.
"Tell me Haldir, what is it that troubles you? Something in you seems different, you are changed." I commented
Haldir came out of the shadows and sat next to me on the edge of the tower wall.
"This is hard to say, Ithilwen. It has been in my mind for so long. It is still easiest to tell you, my friend." He sighed, "I am in love"
I laughed. Haldir, March warden of Lothlorien was in love! "So, who is the lucky elleth, Haldir? You must tell me!"
Surprisingly enough the mighty Haldir smiled and went all dreamy, like an ellon would when he was in love. "Vanya."
"Vanya! Vanya Alcarin! I should've known. You two are just meant for each other! Oh! I am just so happy for you, Haldir" I was just a little short of jumping for joy.
"Ithilwen! No! You mustn't tell her. She is not very comfortable around me; anyways, I do not want to frighten her. Do you understand?" Haldir asked as he tried to make me calm down a bit. Needless to say, I do get overexcited sometimes. I nodded. So my good friend, Haldir was in love with my Handmaiden turned advisor. That seemed like and interesting picture to paint.
"What about you, Ithilwen? Have not found ANY ellon that you fancy?" Haldir asked
I laughed even more. Falling in love…me? Never! "No, Haldir. Nobody has caught my eye. You know me better than to ask that question"
"Trust me, hiril nin, you will find somebody to love. Someday you will find your other half." Haldir said as he got up and offered me a hand
I took his hand "Since when does the arrogant Haldir know so much about love?" I asked teasingly
"Arrogant? That is only for those who do not know me well enough. I do know a whole lot that you do not, princess." He said, "Do not doubt my knowledge. Alas! I must leave tonight! I have much to do. Until tomorrow, Ithilwen" And with that he was gone. He left me there as I laughed to myself. Haldir had secretly fancied Vanya all along. I just needed to ask Vanya what she thought of Haldir, but carefully. It was too tempting to resist asking Vanya.
Was Haldir right, about love? This is what my heart said:
Love…What is it, truly?
Is it happiness?
Is it joy?
Some say it is a merely a fancy
Others say it is a feeling
But I imagine that
Love…
It is immortal as immaculate truth
For the world will perish
And none may live
But love will always be a ray of hope
Love,
Love will bring you through your sorrow
Your memory of love will always bring you though
Love,
Anyone can fall in love
It comes unexpectedly
And unknowingly sweeps you off your feet
Love…
As simple as it seems is still complicated
Once you are in love
There is no going back
Love…
It is immortal as immaculate truth
For the world will perish
And none may live
But love will always be a ray of hope
In the end
I only wish to find my true love
And then to be safe in his arms forever
…Till the end of days
"You sing beautifully, princess," said a voice from behind me. I spun around to see the most unexpected person, my new 'friend' Prince Legolas. He just had to catch me singing that song, didn't he? Couldn't I just be alone? In spite of my thoughts I smiled
"Prince Legolas, what are you doing here?" I asked sweetly
"I could not sleep so, I went for a walk. I just happened to see you and my friend, Haldir. So I climbed up. I was hoping that he would still be here." He explained
"Oh" Now, wait just a moment. Haldir and Prince Legolas were friends! So perhaps this prince was not as much of a stuck up, spoilt elf as I thought he was. Haldir wouldn't be friends with this prince if he were like that.
"What about you, Princess Ithilwen? You do not seem to be like an ordinary elleth?"
"Well, I couldn't sleep either and I usually come here when sleep does not find me." I answered. What else could I say?
"I hope that I did not disturb your peace, Princess," he said calmly. Well, he was being nice. I decided to do the same.
"Oh no! Not at all, Prince Legolas!" I said sweetly
He sighed, "Look, I am sorry I was being such a stuck up show off when we first met. I truly am sorry. I did not mean it. Can we just be friends?" he asked. I was really shocked. First, he started being nice and complimented me, and THEN he apologized and he wanted to be my friend! Someone really must have instructed him!
"Apology accepted and yes, perhaps we can be friends." I replied. Maybe and just maybe this prince wasn't a spoilt young elf as I first thought. Still, friendship was far; I barely knew him.
"The Golden wood is a pleasant change from my home of Mirkwood." Prince Legolas commented
"'Tis pleasant to live here though I would love to see Mirkwood someday. The winter has passed and spring is here. You are fortunate to see the Golden wood at this time of the year. You will be staying for the spring festival, won't you?" I asked
"Ah! Yes, adar did mention the festival while I talked to him yesterday. Our stay here in Lothlorien has been extended for another two months."
" I see."
"I do hope we get to know each other, Princess Ithilwen. I have only heard of your love for art. Will you not show me your work sometime?"
"We shall see what is planned for us tomorrow. If we have time, perhaps I can take you to my much loved places here in Caras Gladhon."
"Thank you, Ithilwen. Until tomorrow, then."
"Namarie" I said and he was gone. Just a few more hours to sunrise and a fresh, new day
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I sneaked back into my room early the next morning. I was about to put up the same act as usual, pretending that I had been asleep there all night. Vanya usually did fall for it. I was just about to change into my nightgown when I heard Vanya's familiar footsteps; I quickly jumped into bed and pulled the blanket over myself. I was still wearing my tunic and breeches.
"Awake, Princess Ithilwen."
I smiled sleepily "Good morning, Vanya."
"Good morning, my lady." She said pleasantly "Say, why is your nightgown of such a dark color?" She asked and took off the blanket only to find me wearing a green tunic and brown breeches
"Have you been at the watchtower again?" She asked. I nodded
"Someday, I will have to have guards on your door so that you will just stay here for once. Well, let's get you dressed for the day. Breakfast is in an hour"
I sighed and got out of bed…I had very long day ahead of me. I hastily bathed and dressed in a light blue tunic with darker breeches.
"Good morning, Adar and Naneth." I said as I entered the breakfast hall, only my parents were there.
"Good Morning, Iel nin. I trust you slept well." Said Naneth with a hint of amusement in her voice
"Yes, Naneth."
"Ithilwen, I hope then you are aware that you will be taking the Prince around Caras Galadhon today. We expect no childish behavior from you, Ithilwen. It is time for you to stop behaving like a child and acting like a Princess of Lothlorien." Said Adar. Needless to say, I didn't need that lecture first thing in the morning. But Adar only wished it for my best, that's what I didn't understand at that moment. Anger filled me easily as I did not see his reason for saying what he did.
"I have not acted like a child, Adar! I cannot help it if my outlook is such. Do understand that I cannot be everything that you want me to be. I will only be what I want to be. I will not do something simply because it is expected off me!"
Naneth smiled calmly "There is no need to be irritated, Ithilwen. We were merely looking out for your own good." Naneth's calm irritated me.
"Good Morning, my lord, my lady" said King Thranduil who entered the hall followed by Prince Legolas.
"Ah! Good Morning Lord Thranduil. Please meet my daughter, Ithilwen." Adar gestured towards me.
"Pleasure to meet you, my lord." I said with a curtsey
"Finally, I have met the fair Princess Ithilwen. The tales of your beauty have reached even my realm. Now I know that those tales were true," said the king with a twinkle in his pale blue eyes, which his son inherited. Was I really that well known?
"Thank you, my lord. Good morning, Prince Legolas." I said.
"Good Morning Princess Ithilwen." He said and sat down next to me.
The meal was a quiet one and soon, I excused myself to go and practice archery. Naneth granted me the permission to go. She knew that I loved to practice.
I was alone on the practice fields that morning
I quickly set up a target, set up the target, and then assumed position. I notched an arrow, aimed, and released.
Center.
How could Adar say that I was acting like a child? My behavior was NOT childlike. I only did not wish to have company at that time, I wished for some peace! Were my wishes not respected? Princess of Lothlorien? I was no real princess. I was not one of royal blood! I was adopted. I did not feel like a princess even though the people loved me as one. Tears stung my eyes
Bang! Center.
"Good shot" Said an elven prince that I did not wish to see at that time.
"Thank you." Oh no! I had to take him around Caras Galadhon! But I did not want to make it like the official tour that I was supposed to give him. I wanted to do it my way.
"Perhaps we should compete sometime." He suggested. I did not mind. Competing would be interesting
"We should but nay, this is not the time. I must take you on a grand tour of Caras Galadhon first." I said
"After you, Ithilwen."
"Come then Legolas, follow if you can," I said I leaped up onto a branch of a tree and climbed higher. Not very surprisingly, he followed close behind.
"Where are we going?" he asked
"You shall see." I leapt on to the next tree and then started going north, still on the trees. We went in silence for a while
"This is a tour?" he asked
"Not a tour that you would expect from the princess, Legolas. This is more of what you would expect from a common elf. Aye, this is something of the past. I am not taking you on the very same path that another and I would go along in my younger days." I replied
"Another? Who?" The question made me stop on the branch that I was on. Celebrian…she seemed to there with me, at that very moment. Her voice was in the air
"You will know, all in good time."
Soon, we came to a clearing and there were not many trees to leap to. I stopped. Legolas soon reached my tree and sat down on the branch next to mine.
"This place is beautiful," he said
"It was one of my much loved places when I was about your age." It was the same secret garden that Celebrian had taken me to, many years ago. The place had not changed much except for a plaque of stone that said, 'The garden of Celebrian and Ithilwen, may they always be happy.' Tears filled my eyes, just looking at the sign. Memories of those days all came back like it was yesterday…
A/N:
The Song is MINE! Otherwise...I duuno. REVIEW! I'll update even if you don't coz' I don't give a damn. I only write to free my mind off all the thoughts.
Eleniel of the stars aka Aeariel of the Sea