Part One
Chapter 1
Adette's POV
If there is a translation, it means that they are speaking Elvish. If there is no translation, it means that they are speaking English.
I rarely ever slept, for my childhood had been plagued with horrifying things. They woke me from my sleep in the early morning hours and even those during the night. Sometimes I would awake in tears, screaming. Other times I would awake in a cold sweat, panting as if I had been running many miles. Although Legolas was always there to comfort me, my nightmares pounded themselves into my head.
That morning I had woken in a sweat, my chest heaving. The sun was just coming up over the beautiful mountains, its light shining through the large, domed window. The translucent curtains blew gently with the soft breeze that drifted inside. The air smelled of flowers and of sweet Mother Nature. I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing it all in.
I then turned to my side to see a bare back. Blonde hair was spilled out over the beige sheets and pillowcase as my husband slept soundly, still tired from the journey. We had been forced to share a horse and although we found pleasure in riding together, it was tiring for Legolas to ride all through the night. He had refused to let me steer, fearing that there could be orcs about.
Without waking him, I slowly rose from the bed. My naked skin tingled from the breeze, and I shuddered. Arwen had been kind in providing me beautiful clothes, although she knew I did not wear feminine clothes. I decided to humor her, and slipped into a crimson colored robe. It flowed down to the floor, nearly causing me to trip on several occasions. There was no tie and so I held the robe together myself as I walked beneath the dome to the balcony.
Rivendell had always been one of my favorite places. It was a breath of fresh air from Mirkwood, a very self contained kingdom in which Legolas and I were guarded heavily at all times.
The reddish-orange colored mountains with their jagged peaks and mighty structures, stretching above the lush, green fields below. The calm river that sliced through the middle of it all, falling in cataracts. The evergreen trees stretched on like a blanket. Rivendell was indeed a sight for sore eyes.
"Dúlin, lle anta kaim." A soft, singsong voice whispered from inside.
(Nightingale, you need to sleep.)
"Quel re Legolas. Sutu ume lle kaim?" I questioned without turning around.
(Good day Legolas. How did you sleep?)
Legolas and I mostly spoke Elvish with each other. It just seemed to come naturally to the both of us although I wasn't Elvish. Legolas had once told me that I would not be a good Elf for my 'language was that of a man's' and I 'dressed differently'. But he told me that was why he loved me and so I didn't care.
I heard his soft footsteps on the stone behind me, coming closer. I slowly turned to see him as he came closer. When I had turned he stopped in his tracks, just looking at me. His eyes appraised what he saw before him and I realized all too late that my robe was open.
"Lle naa vanima." He murmured, searching my body with his piercing, blue eyes.
(You are beautiful.)
I took the time to stare at him as well. He was wearing only white colored under britches, which he must have slipped on before coming out onto the balcony. His long, blonde hair fell down his well sculpted chest, hiding it from my eyes. He seemed to notice my frustration as I tried to see beneath his locks, and chuckled.
"Tampa tanya!" I snapped.
(Stop that!)
He only chuckled more, soon they turned into full on laughter. His whole body shook with it as he continued to stand, still staring. To shut him up, I closed my robe. My hands clutched the soft fabric against me. I wanted him to suffer.
He stopped laughing at once, his face becoming pained. His eyes searched mine for forgiveness, but he was met only with disappointment. I scowled at him.
"Tula sinome." He looked past my scowl and my hard eyes. He knew that it was only an act and that I melted just by hearing that voice of his. However, this game was fun.
(Come here.)
I shook my head, my scowl softening. I instead resorted to biting my lip and leaning against the balcony. I loved seeing him suffer like this, for our games made me believe for a moment that the world was a safe and peaceful place. Although I knew better, I liked moments like those.
When I still refused to go to him, Legolas charged at me like a hungry animal. His hands flew to my waist, his thumbs prying my robe open. He was at least a head taller than I was and so he had to bend down to kiss me. When he did, I yanked on one of his pointed ears. He straightened up, yelping a bit as he held the tip of his ear.
"Tanya awra!" He cried, somewhat of a low growl working its way up from deep within his chest.
(That hurt!)
"Ta nae seasamin." I smiled.
(It was my pleasure.)
At this, he took his hand from his ear. His hands still at my waist, his thumbs still holding open my robe, he bent down again. His eyes left mine for he knew I wouldn't stop him this time. He touched his lips softly to the crook of my neck and continued his way down.
"Legolas." I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck. Although my actions were quick, he didn't tense when I touched him. I tilted my head back, my hair falling over my shoulders and hanging down my back.
He continued kissing my bare skin until he reached my heart. When he did, his arms went all the way around my waist and he stood. His eyes burned into mine with worry and such love. I couldn't look away from those electrifying, blue orbs. They could see right into my soul and deep into my heart.
"Amin mela lle, nîn herves." He spoke it against my ear, his breath tickling my skin. It was as if it were a secret between the two of us. Too bad for Legolas that we wore wedding bands. Those would be hard to miss.
( I love you, my wife.)
"Amin mela lle, nîn herven."
(I love you, my husband.)
I knew what this meant. Legolas wasn't telling me he loved me because he did. He was telling me he loved me because he was scared. The meeting of the Ring was taking place in Rivendell at midday and our fate would be decided. He knew not what would happen and neither did I.
For what seemed like an eternity, we didn't speak. We simply held each other on the balcony as the sun continued to peak. His breath was even against my neck and ear, his arms creating a vice grip around my waist. Finally he pulled away.
"Come to bed." It sounded like a demand.
I shook my head and his arms left from around my waist. I moved to pull my robe closed but then Legolas did something that he did a lot and I hated it. He suddenly swept me up into his arms with my arms still around his neck. Every time he did that the breath was knocked out of my lungs.
"The nightmares Legolas. I don't want to sleep."
He cocked his head to the side to look at me sideways. A grin was plastered onto his perfect features. I remember that as a child, Legolas had never smiled. Aragorn and I would try to get him to but he would always refuse.
When we fell in love Aragorn told me that I had made him smile. Legolas had even admitted that he smiled now because of me. Now, he hardly ever frowned. I was so happy to see him happy, to see him enjoying his life.
"We don't have to sleep, dúlin."
He gently laid me down in the middle of the bed. My head fell between the two pillows, my hair strewn out over them. He kneeled over me, gently moving his hands up my legs and to where my hips rested. He then separated the robe so that he could see me once again. He seemed frustrated with the clothes.
I sat up, slowly pulling off the robe. Legolas did away with it by throwing it over his shoulder to land where it pleased.
"I blame Arwen." I said in all seriousness.
Legolas pulled me against him as we kneeled. Our chests were pushed against each other and I could feel his heart. I knew he could feel mine. I wrapped my arms around the small of his back and tilted my face up so that he could lean down to kiss me. His tongue parted my lips and I allowed him in, our kiss very passionate. He had his arms around me just beneath my chest.
"Legolas," I broke the kiss much to his dismay, "you still have your britches on."
He looked down, realizing his mistake. He was about to untangle himself from me when I put a hand on his bare chest. He stopped moving immediately and I leaned backwards towards the nightstand. I took the dagger from it and leaned back up.
"Adette, lle lakwenien?"
(Adette, are you joking?)
I didn't answer him but instead grabbed the top of his britches with one hand, and began cutting with the other. He held me steady as I leaned down to continue the cut until I reached the end of the front. I then wrapped my arms around his waist, confusing him a moment, until the side of my face pressed against the side of him. I began cutting down the back of the britches, carefully so that I didn't hurt him. Once I had reached the end of the back I pulled away from him so that I could rip the britches in two.
"Yallume!" I sighed with relief, throwing aside the two pieces of cloth.
(At last!)
He laughed. I looked up in time to have his lips capture mine once more. My hand caressed the side of his neck while my other held the dagger out, away from us. I felt his hand take mine and pull the dagger away. I then heard it crash to the floor.
"Adette." He murmured against my lips.
I ran my free hand down his chest, his hand startling me. He pinned my hand gently to his chest without breaking our kiss.
"En." He breathed
(Look.)
I took my eyes from his chest to look up into his eyes. He stared back into mine. His free hand came to rest against my cheek, stroking it with his thumb. I could feel his calluses and the rough skin. It didn't bother me – I rather liked it.
"We are in this together." He said softly, his voice like a beautiful song.
"Lle vesta?" The smile disappeared from my face when I said this. Legolas was the typical overprotective husband. He didn't like me going with him on dangerous journeys, although I always went along.
(Do you promise?)
As if he had read my mind, his hand left my cheek and instead touched the scar. He stared intently at it for a moment before returning his eyes to mine.
"I promise."
Suddenly, before our lips could meet again, a knock came at the door. In an instant, Legolas had pulled the sheet up around our waists, and guarded me with his broad shoulder. He turned to look at the door.
"Come in." He said loud enough for them to hear.
The door opened and a very embarrassed Arwen stepped inside. Her usually pale cheeks were bright pink when she realized that we were naked.
"I'm sorry to disturb you but I heard voices-"
"Think nothing of it Arwen. What is it?" I moved to the side a little so that I could see her better, with Legolas's hand steadying me so that I didn't fall over.
She closed the door behind her, eyeing something on the floor. She was dressed in a long, blue gown that reached the floor. The sleeves stretched out over her small hands, the color just a shade darker than the rest of the dress. Her dark hair was curled and hung down to her middle. I had always envied her, for she was always stunning.
"Is that your robe? On the floor?" She smiled as she rushed forward and grabbed it.
"'Twas Legolas, not me."
He met my eyes and chuckled again. Arwen joined in with him as well, and soon we were just laughing. How I missed times like these, when we were all allowed to be carefree.
"I'm sorry Arwen, what did you want to tell us?" I asked when the laughter had died down.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her smile grew wider. I knew at once what she was going to say, but contained myself so that she could tell me.
"Aragorn has arrived."
I smiled so wide that I thought my cheeks would fall off. I had not seen my brother in five years, for he had gone to roam Middle Earth. We had always been very close and I had missed him dearly while he was away. Legolas and I had held our wedding the day before he left so that he could walk me down the aisle.
"Is he well?"
She nodded as she folded up the robe and laid it out neatly on the edge of the bed.
"He is. He arrived with three Hobbits two hours ago while I brought the other here myself. He had been stabbed by a Morgul blade."
My eyes widened and I felt Legolas stiffen.
"Is he living?" He asked, turning his head from me to look at Arwen.
"He is. He just awakened minutes ago." She bowed her head suddenly. "He carries the Ring."
"The Ring?" I gasped. How could a mere Hobbit carry the Ring? Was it not dangerous?
"Yes. Now please, don't let me bother you any further. Aragorn is resting in my-" She blushed again, looking towards the door. She wanted to escape.
"Tell Aragorn when he awakens to meet me before the meeting in the garden." I didn't want to make Arwen anymore uncomfortable than she was.
"I will." She bowed her head once more before taking her leave.
"The Ring is being carried by a Hobbit?" Legolas questioned, looking over my head at the wall behind me. He seemed to be deep in thought.
"He was traveling with Aragorn. As long as they are with him, they are safe." I spoke softly, as if to myself. But the Hobbit was stabbed with a Morgul blade…but there must have been a good reason for why Aragorn didn't prevent it.
"Adette," he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, "no one is safe in these dark times."
I knew that he was right, although I wished it were not true. That meant that even with Legolas I was not safe. It meant that anything could happen.
Suddenly my eyes grew wide as I felt the familiar lightness take over me. I stared ahead, straight through him, to see the vision that played before me. I felt Legolas, who had grown accustomed to this, lay me on my back. My head hit the pillow, and I looked up to see the gray smoke settling in.
Through the curls of smoke I could see what had happened. My brother, looking fierce in battle, leaped through an archway with his sword and a torch. A Hobbit lay on the ground, screaming and crying out in pain.
Another Hobbit with red hair saw the injured one crying out.
"Frodo!" The red haired Hobbit shouted. I could only assume that Frodo was the one who had been injured. The one who carried the Ring.
My brother continued to fight the Nazgûl as the Hobbits all collected around Frodo. They chattered nervously amongst themselves, trying to ease his excruciating pain. I could feel it in my own shoulder, and gritted my teeth to keep from crying out myself.
"Adette." Legolas's sweet voice rang out, and the lightness departed. The smoke disappeared in a flash of light, and so did the flashback. The pain in my shoulder eventually faded into a dull pain, but I could still feel it.
I blinked and saw Legolas's face inches from my own. His eyes were boring into mine, his face filled with concern. He didn't like it when I had visions, for he couldn't do anything for me. All he could do was wait until it was over.
When he saw that I was fully awake, he helped me to sit up.
"Lle tyava quel?" He asked, his arm still around my waist.
(Do you feel well?)
"Tua amin." I whispered, looking up to meet his eyes.
(Help me.)
He pulled me into an embrace, rubbing circles into my back. He whispered comforting phrases, the same ones he always whispered when I was really rattled by a nightmare or when I was ill.
"Vanimle sila tiri, dúlin. Oio naa elealla alasse'. Amin mela lle, nîn herves."
(Your beauty shines bright, nightingale. Ever is thy sight a joy. I love you, my wife.)
His words and the soft Elvish calmed my mind and eased the pain in my heart. That poor Hobbit, Frodo, how he had suffered. I felt such sorrow for him, for he had to carry the Ring and he was injured. Why did such a small person have to carry on such a big task?
"Thank you Legolas. I love you." I kissed the side of his neck before pulling back.
"Are you alright now?" He held my shoulders.
"I am."
He gently pushed me down again, and laid down next to me. He held me around the waist, his head resting against mine. He nuzzled my cheek with his own.
"Will you sing to me dúlin?" He asked softly.
"Yes." I breathed, closing my eyes to think of what to sing.
"Lay down,
your sweet and weary head.
Night is falling.
You have come to journey's end.
Sleep now, and dream
of the ones who came before.
They are calling,
from across the distant shore.
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see.
All of your fears will pass away.
Safe in my arms,
you're only sleeping.
What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.
And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
All souls pass.
Hope fades,
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.
Don't say,
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling.
You and I will meet again.
And you'll be here in my arms,
Just sleeping.
What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.
And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
Grey ships pass
Into the West."
I often sang that song to Legolas when he was weary from battle. He would lay his head in my lap, and I would stroke his hair back, singing in whispers so that he could sleep.
"Nîn dúlin." He whispered when I had finished, and kissed my cheek.
(My nightingale.)