Chapter 41
Legolas's POV
Whether or not Christmas was celebrated I do not know. However, in this story it is.
"This is beautiful work Legolas." Arwen smiled as she touched the fabric that was soon taking shape and becoming more than just a lump of material. She ran her fingers across its velvet-like surface. I smiled.
"Thank you Arwen. I am still learning."
"Adette will love it, and you are going to love what she has for you." She then closed her mouth and refused to give anything away.
"What have you gotten Aragorn?" I asked curiously, picking up my stitching again. I was working on a sleeve, connecting the two pieces of material together. Arwen held the silver thread in one hand, studying my fingers as they moved quickly.
"Actually, I need your help. I want to make him a new cloak but I need to have it fitted."
"I can help you with that." I nodded and continued to stitch while Arwen described to me what the cloak she was working on for Aragorn looked like while instructing me when I got lost or when my stitching was incorrect.
"December is slowly coming to an end and March seems so close. I cannot believe that I will be getting married." She whispered softly, her curls blowing in the wind. I looked up from my sewing.
"Turo le dartho tó and?"
(Can you wait that long?)
"I have waited years for this. Im turo dartho an Gwaeron."
(I can wait for March.)
I smiled and continued sewing once more. I felt very happy for Aragorn and Adette, nearly bursting with excitement for the two of them. I could see it in their faces that they were going insane from waiting. Why they decided to wait so long I did not know.
"I remember," I said without taking my eyes from the needle, "Adette and I's wedding."
"August. It was a beautiful wedding, one of the most beautiful I had ever seen." Arwen nodded as she too remembered. She then cocked her head to the side and waited for me to continue.
"Aduial. Mirkwood was bathed in the light of the moon and by the soft glow of the lanterns that hung from the trees. The sky was a soft blue color, pale pink spreading out over the horizon. There was a soft breeze here and there but besides that, the night was quiet although a harp was being played gently in the distance.
(Evening twilight.)
I was very nervous and yet so happy at the same time. My stomach was in knots and for the first time in my life I felt a pain deep within my chest. I knew not what it was and simply tried to shrug it off as I watched the different faces walk down the aisle.
And then she appeared. She wore a pure, white dress made of satin. The neckline revealed most of her collar bone and dipped just below the base of her neck. The sleeves ended a few inches above her elbows. The chiffon skirt of the dress came down to her feet. Such a simple dress and yet she made it look so beautiful. Her dark hair was intertwined with tiny yellow and light purple flowers while a ringlet of white flowers circled around her forehead. Her eyelids were painted with glitter and her lips a soft shade of lilac. Her skin shimmered and glistened in the candlelight.
I remember thinking, 'My God how is this creature meant for me?' I kept waiting to wake from a dream. But as she slowly came down the aisle towards me, and took my hand I knew that it was real. That she was real." I turned towards Arwen, touching her cheek. "Your wedding and marriage will be just as real."
We did not speak until after I had attached the first sleeve. Once I had accomplished that, I told Arwen that I would help her. She guided me to her and Aragorn's room after I hid my work from Adette.
Adette's POV
I carefully began to embroider around the open collar of the shirt with silver thread. The shirt was baggy, reaching just below the hips, and made of a navy blue colored material. I was to embroider silver around the open collar which stretched halfway down the chest and also around the bottom. The pants were to be silver to match the embroidering.
"Do you need any help sister?" Aragorn asked, his head appearing in the doorway. I was currently working on Legolas's present in one of the spare bedrooms so that he would not come upon me.
"Sure." I patted the place next to me and Aragorn sat beside me. He took the thread from my hands and held it in his lap while I continued to sew. "What have you gotten Arwen?"
"I will show you once you've finished." He promised.
"I'm sure it's perfect."
"I hope so." He sighed and I frowned, pausing momentarily to glance sideways at him. He noticed and caught my glance.
"What is it?"
"What if Arwen changes her mind about this? What if she blames me for ruining her life later down the road?"
"Aragorn hush. I remember exactly what happened on my wedding day…night.
I was feeling uncomfortable already because I was very dressed up but I was also having second thoughts. I kept wondering about what could happen. I kept asking myself 'What if? What if? What if?'
You came to my side and offered me your elbow, ready to escort me down the aisle to give me away. Do you remember what I said?"
He nodded and looked away.
"You said, 'Aragorn, im turoal ceri hé.'" He quoted me quietly.
(Aragorn, I cannot do this.)
"And you said, 'Why not?' And I said, 'What if-'
Then you stopped me from continuing and you asked me a question. You asked me, 'Do you know that Legolas loves you?' And I answered, 'Yes I know he loves me.'
You then asked me if I loved Legolas and I told you that I did. You then told me that if I knew Legolas and I loved each other than I did not have to wonder what if. I already knew the answer."
"I remember." He smiled.
"Oh it was so wonderful. Mirkwood had never looked so beautiful before, especially when we began to walk down the aisle and I could see Legolas.
He was wearing a tunic of white, clear of any wrinkles or smudges or stains. It fit him snugly and seemed to settle in with his skin perfectly. The sparkling white brought out his breathtaking, blue eyes. They danced in the moonlight, staring so intently at me I thought I would faint. Of course his hair was pulled back the way it always was, but even so, it seemed so new and different.
I remember thinking, 'Why does he love me?'"
"I only hope that Arwen and I will be as happy as you and Legolas." Aragorn moved his hand over mine and smiled at me. I returned his smile and set aside my work, getting to my feet.
"I know you will be. Now show me Arwen's gift." I demanded. He laughed and waited for me to hide Legolas's gift before going to Aragorn's hiding place. He led me to one of the other spare bedrooms and searched beneath the pillow.
He handed me the gift and I looked down at it in awe. It was a beautiful replica of Arwen's Evenstar, which had been broken. The chain was silver and long, cut thin. The Evenstar looked just as it had although I noticed that engraved into it were the words: Im míl le an uir.
(I love you for eternity.)
I looked up at Aragorn as he studied me.
"Well? What do you think sister?" He asked, eager to hear my reaction. I smiled.
"It's beautiful." I answered softly, handing the necklace back to Aragorn. He smiled too and then pulled something from his pocket.
"Well I'm glad because this," he handed something else to me, "is for you."
I gasped as I saw what he had placed in my palm. The necklace that Aragorn had handed me had the same long, silver chain that was cut thin. Instead of the Evenstar, however, on the chain hung a charm made to look like a boy and girl holding hands. I looked up at Aragorn with tears in my eyes.
"Aragorn-"
"Turn it over." He instructed quietly. I did as he told me and saw that there was a message engraved for me on the back. It said: Na Adette – Im míl le nin gwathel.
(To Adette – I love you my sister.)
"I love you too Aragorn." I threw my arms around him, a few tears escaping and staining his shirt. He returned the hug, resting his head against mine. When we pulled apart he took the necklace and helped me to put it on.
"I could not wait until tomorrow." He said apologetically.
"Well then I guess I will just have to give you your present." I sighed as if it were a big deal, and returned to Legolas and I's bedroom to retrieve it. Aragorn was still waiting when I returned. "I hope it fits."
He took the bundle of clothes from me and I watched as he looked at them. I had made him the same outfit I was making Legolas but the color scheme was different. The shirt was a maroon color with gold embroidery and the pants were a deep brown.
"They are perfect. Thank you Adette." He smiled.
"You're welcome."
Legolas's POV
I worked late into midday in the stables, hiding from Adette. I had finished making her first gift and had moved on to the second.
I had rolled my sleeves up so that they did not get in my way as I carved. I worked at a slow pace so as not to ruin anything. I wanted this gift to be absolutely perfect for the both of them.
My ears picked up on footsteps just outside. I quickly threw a blanket over my work and turned just in time to see Adette coming inside. She was carrying a tray with her and an oil lamp as well.
"I know that you're working so I won't stay long." As she walked towards me I went forward and took the lamp from her.
"Here, let me help."
"Thank you." She then carried the tray over to an empty work bench and set it down. "Like I said I won't stay long but I didn't know how long you would be out here so I brought you tea and dinner. The lamp is for in case you needed extra light."
She moved a hand onto the small of her back while the other rubbed her belly.
"Why don't you sit down for a minute?" I had already pulled over a sturdy looking box and helped her sit down. I then sat down, pulling the tray into my lap.
"Look at what Aragorn gave me." She breathed, pulling the necklace out of her dress. Aragorn had shown me it and had asked me what I had thought of it. I knew she would love it.
"I know, it is beautiful isn't it?" She nodded in agreement and sighed. I watched her as I sipped the tea she had brought for me. After a few moments she slowly stood.
"Well I'll leave you to work." She kissed my cheek as I stood to see her out.
"Be careful going up the stairs." I warned as she opened the door.
"Ha-ha Legolas." She stuck up her middle finger at me and I put a shocked look on my face, earning a laugh before she disappeared.
I chuckled to myself and replaced the tea to the tray so that I could go back to work.
When I had finally finished my work it was well into the night. I was proud of myself for the work I had done, and looked over the product of the past few hours sweat and labor. I had to admit that it was carved with great care. I just couldn't wait until morning.
I lifted the gift, along with my other gift for Adette, and made my way out into the snow. I trudged through it, walking slowly so as not to slip on any hidden ice. I then went up the steps and into the castle.
Inside everything was dark and quiet. Everyone was probably sleeping and so I was extra careful as I walked up the stairs.
When I quietly entered Adette and I's room, I was surprised to see her sleeping in a chair. She had something folded over her belly. After setting down my gifts and lighting the lamps I gently shook her awake.
"Legolas?" She asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes. They widened suddenly and she hid whatever had been in her lap behind her back. "Legolas!"
"I swear I did not peek." I promised. Her face softened and she sat up.
"I can't wait anymore. Here is your present Legolas." She handed me the bundle that had been in her lap and watched as I looked at what she had made for me. I smiled at the clothes and leaned forward to kiss her.
"They are wonderful. Now you will have mine." I set my new clothes on the bed and handed her her first gift. It was the tunic I had worked on for the past few days. The material wassilver in colorwith a black belt. The tunic allowed enough room for Adette's belly so she could wear it instead of the dresses. "After you give birth, Arwen can tailor it."
"Oh Legolas." She touched the spot where I had sewn a nightingale into the fabric. She looked up at me and smiled. "Dúlinn."
"There is one more thing Adette." I took the tunic and laid it beside my new clothes. I then took hold of her hands and helped her to her feet. "Now close your eyes."
"They're closed." She looked eager even with her eyes closed. I then pulled out her second gift and held it up in my arms for her to see. When I had teased her enough, I told her to open her eyes.
Once her eyes opened they widened. She gasped before her lips curled into a beautiful smile. Slowly she came towards me, running her fingers along the wood. I watched as tears spilled down her cheeks as she studied every nook and cranny. Finally her eyes flickered up to mine.
"A cradle." She whispered.
"An Eruanna. Do you like it?"
(For Eruanna.)
"No, I love it."
I bent down and set the cradle on the ground so that I could wrap my arms around Adette. She leaned up so that our lips could meet once more. She then buried her face into my chest as I looked out the window and saw the snow falling outside.