The Mystery of Love

Chapter Thirteen

Tides Turn

~~~POV- LEGOLAS GREENLEAF~~~

A soft humming woke me from my slumber. I rose and stretched sleepily. The sun shone through my windows. I walked over to the ebon dresser and tied up my blond tresses again. I brushed through the rest of my hair gently and listened to the rich voice humming happily. I pulled on a fresh pair of gray leggings and pulled on my brown leather boots. I pulled on a slightly tight white t-shirt and walked out to find breakfast. I knocked on Reyna's door, "Cathelle?" {Kitten?}

She appeared in a navy blue camisole that clung to her body and grayish silver leggings. I swiftly averted my eyes from her body as she smiled. "Umma?" {Yes?} She was holding a brush in her hair. She had her hair down somewhat like mine. Two pieces of her hair, from her ear up to her temple, were pulled back. They were braided and then tied together. The rest of her hair cascaded past her shoulders.

I smiled, "Amin merna vasa." {I want food.} She giggled.

She walked into her room, set her brush down, slipped on her gray leather boots and walked back out. She smiled, "Umma, amin vithel." {Yes, me also.} I walked slowly down the hall with her at my side. It took a significant amount of mental strength to resist taking her hand in mine. She led us down the halls to a massive dining hall. There were about ten tables in the room, all made of the finest cedar. She smiled, "We do not eat the same things you do." She sat a plate in front of me, "That is rice." She motioned towards a heap of white grains. "That is corn." Small yellow pods covered another third of my plate. She lastly pointed to the oddest thing I had every seen. On my plate was a white and pinkish-orange thing that was curled up like a snail shell. She giggled as I eyed it awkwardly. "That is shrimp, trust me it is good."

I laughed, "Trust is all I have to go on." I picked up one of the cold things; they were damp and somewhat foamy. I put it into my mouth and chewed. It was oddly textured, not chewy but not crunchy. It tasted somewhat sweeter than most meat and I did like it. I smiled, "Not bad." I finished my plate in her company. The corn was succulent and the rice was very filling. Reyna ate only the rice but a larger portion.

After I had finished she smiled, "Well, Legolas. Tell me what it is you admire most in nature."

I pondered for a moment, thinking of every possible choice. Finally I smiled, "Waterfalls." A sly grin crossed her face. "Why Cathelle?"

She stood and took our plates. I stood when she did, as was polite, and tried to take the plates from her. She glared, "You do not know where to put them."

I followed her into the kitchen, much to the cook's dismay. As she placed them in a sink, I smiled; "Now I do know where they go."

She rolled her eyes, "White might not be the best choice of tops Legolas, unless you want your chest to be essentially exposed. My cheeks flushed and I directed her back towards our chambers.

She smiled, "We never had dinner last night, but oh well. I shall go fetch Arwen and Aragorn as you change. Meet me by the gates." I nodded and smiled.

"Tenna' san' Cathellle." {Until then kitten.} She stuck her tongue out at me rudely. I mimicked her in reply.

She laughed, her silky merriment floating through the halls. "So I have finally brought the Prince off his pedestal of court conduct." I flushed and closed my door. I heard her walk away laughing to herself. I changed quickly into a pale green tunic and ran out towards the gates.

~~~POV CHANGE-REYNA LINDELE~~~

I knocked on the door and Arwen opened it. Her eyes went wide, "You weren't at dinner! I need to talk with you right now!" Aragorn laughed from inside the room. I pulled Arwen out of the room.

I smiled, "We talk tonight. For now, I want to show you and Aragorn something. Legolas is joining us. Make sure you do not wear white Arwen." She looked down at her white gown and then headed back into the room. Aragorn came out in his typical black pants and black shirt.

He smiled, "Quel Arin." {Good morning.}

I nodded, "Ar lle." {And you.} Arwen finally exited in a navy blue gown with silver designs cutting through it. She looked exquisite as usual. I smiled, "Tula." {Come.} They followed, anxiously wondering what awaited them.

The gates opened as we approached. Legolas was standing nearby with a perplexed look upon his face. He met up with us, "Cathelle, where are we going?"

Arwen nudged me, "Cathelle?" She raised her eyebrow with a grin.

I scowled, "It is a surprise. Legolas told me waterfalls were what he admired most in nature so I thought I would take him on a little tour." Legolas's ears perked up curiously. I ran my hand gently along the roused ear that he had stuck up into the air somewhat. Arwen gasped and pulled my hand away. I looked over innocently. I whispered, "What's wrong?" Legolas walked closer to Aragorn with a mortified look on his face.

Arwen whispered back, "A male elf's ears are very . . . sensitive." She looked at me intently to see if I understood.

I laughed loudly, "You are kidding me?" Aragorn and Legolas looked at me, one with the reproving glance of a big brother and the other with the flushing glance of an insecure man. I giggled, "That isn't the same for girls is it?"

Arwen blushed, "I cannot say for sure. I know that it is the same for me." Arwen's pale cheeks flowered.

I laughed harder, "You elves are the funniest things!" I paused, "Well, I am half but that has no relevance." Aragorn gave me a rather dry glance and turned to Legolas again.

Arwen giggled, "So what about this Cathelle nickname of yours?"

My cheeks grew warm, "It is just his annoying little name. He called me lady and I growled at him. I told him I wasn't a lady so he called me a kitten. It stuck with him, unfortunately." I pulled off my most pathetic look of dismay and Arwen laughed. We started off the road, following an unseen path into the overgrowth and finally, into the forest.

Light shone clearly here but it still seemed odd. Something seemed almost 'tainted'. I gripped my bow comfortingly. Arwen saw me do so and reached for her sword. Legolas noticed the awkwardness of the forest and silenced his conversation. Aragorn drew his sword and I walked further ahead, whistling as if I suspected nothing.

That is when they came at me, about three-dozen Uruk-hai ran from the underbrush. I shot three with my arrows before unsheathing my sword. I glared, "Qualma!" {Die!} I ran at them angrily and slaughtered one after another. Arwen, Aragorn and Legolas all fought behind me, I could hear them. Suddenly, out of nowhere a scimitar came down right next to my head, landing in a tree trunk. I howled with wrath, "How dare you defile my lands!"

In one swift bellow I had summoned the Mother and a tidal wave rushed at the Uruk-hai. I yelled to my comrades, "Jump into a tree, anything to keep yourself out of the tide!" As the water came in contact with the Uruk-hai it steamed, like my temper it was boiling. I leaped up into a tree as the water flowed by, not actually touching the ground. Legolas stared at me in awe as the water sank into the earth and the dead Uruk-hai lay a few yards away.

He walked over to me, "That was amazing."

I blushed, "I didn't mean to do it, but in the Mother's lands it is much easier to call her unintentionally. Especially when such power flows through these lands. I apologize for putting you all at potential risk."

Arwen laughed, "You also saved us from a dangerous battle with the Uruk-hai."

I frowned, "They have never ventured to far before. Once they were spotted, and slain, outside of the Fire Landing but never so close to the Peak."

Legolas sighed, "You wish to head back?"

I shook my head, "No, we shall move onward." We walked for another twenty minutes or so in silence before the foliage broke to reveal three waterfalls. Three magnificent cascades stood before us, each one leading to the next and ending in a cool pool of water.

Arwen gasped, "Oh wow! It is just amazing!"

Legolas stood there with his jaw open as Aragorn tore off his tunic and leaped in. Arwen waded in up to her calves and I sat down on a nearby rock. Legolas stood there in awe, "Such beauty I have only ever found in one other thing."

I looked up, "Umma, mani?" {Yes, what?}

He looked at me, "Lle, cathelle." {You, kitten.}

Arwen and Aragorn turned to watch my response. I blushed, "Diola lle, Haryon." {Thank you, Prince.}

Legolas smiled, "'Ten' mani?" {For what?} I smiled and reddened furiously.

Arwen smiled, "I knew it." I gave her a steel tipped glare and she fell silent. I stared at the water for another moment before diving in. Arwen gasped, "Reyna! Your clothing is soaking!"

I laughed, "So? It is just a tank top and leggings." My boots lay on the stone I had leaped from, along with my weaponry. Arwen shook her head admonishingly. Aragorn laughed as he too swam in the silky water.

Legolas contained a laugh and removed his belt, his arm guards, his daggers, and set his bow down. He dove in elegantly and barely made a splash. I swam over to him and giggled as the air from his breath brushed my stomach, tickling me. He shook his long golden locks a few times and then sighed contently. I climbed out and joined Arwen on the edge of the pond. Arwen smiled, "I see you two have made up. Tell me what has happened since you reached Rivendell."

My eyes went dark, "Legolas and I enjoyed one evening of dancing during the festival. The next night I had left already. The morning of that same day, I saw him quite preoccupied in the arms of a she-elf though so I am sure he did not mind at all."

Arwen's fair skin paled more so, "Legolas would never do such a thing! He hasn't even kissed a girl before!" Arwen's hissing whisper drew the attention of the men so we walked towards the forest in silence for a moment.

I laughed, "So you are suggesting that another elf with the same length blond hair and the same tunic, leggings, bow, quiver, and boots was there? I think it would be a little hard to imitate his figure so perfectly."

Arwen shrugged her shoulders stiffly, as if it was foreign. She shook her head, "I just don't think it was him." We continued walking into the forest, I was barefoot and without weapons, as was Arwen.

I glanced up and noticed that the sun was not penetrating the canopy above us. I wearily turned around, "We are not armed, and it would be best if we headed back to the pools." Arwen nodded and we briskly walked back to the clearing. Legolas lay on a sun-bathed rock, soaking up the rays. Aragorn was drying off his hair and had put his tunic back on. Arwen walked over and kissed him gently. I looked away awkwardly. Legolas walked over to me, snuck up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I jumped, "Ah!" A muffled laugh came from his mouth and I turned, "Legolas!"

He grinned, baring his immaculate teeth. He laughed, "A little mistrustful I see."

The statement stung, I knew what he was referring to. I rolled my eyes, "With obvious reasons, there are many dangers out there."

He winced lightly, "There are also many misconceptions and illusions." I snarled and walked over to Arwen. She walked wearily, leaning back somewhat to balance the undeniable bulge of her child.

She sighed, "I am exhausted, perhaps I should head back."

I smiled, "I will call Kemi, and I will join you." I whistled softly and my ebon horse came galloping in. She whinnied and walked over to me. I petted her lightly, "Kemi, I need you to help Híril Arwen."

Arwen mounted Kemi with the help of Aragorn and I. Legolas and Aragorn followed the two of us out of the clearing. I held my bow and Arwen's weapons. My sheath was back around my waist and Arwen's sword was strapped to it. Legolas carried his bow, twin daggers, and Aragorn's bow. We made our way through the trees, Aragorn leading Kemi behind me, and Legolas taking up the rear. We exited with no further conflicts. The gates opened and we walked back to the bastion. I placed Arwen's arm over mine and let her lift most of her weight onto me. I escorted her to her bedroom. I shook my head; "A lady so far into her final term is foolish to exert herself so often."

Arwen nodded reluctantly, "I will do no more than go to the dining hall between now and the delivery."

I smiled, "One week left."

She looked up, "Until what?"

I smirked, "Your son is born."

She gasped, "A boy! Oh, Aragorn will be so happy!"

I turned, "Keep it a secret or the fates might scold you." She gave me a questioning look but promised not to tell. I bid her farewell, "Namarie." She waved and I exited, letting Aragorn in as I left.

Legolas was with Aragorn but did not enter Arwen's room. He stood in front of me, "We need to talk."

I nodded, "Outside, I love the breeze." He nodded and we walked down the hall, leaped off the balcony and sat down on a bench in the courtyard. He began to speak hesitantly. I watched a bunny rabbit A/N: Here you go IR!!! nibbling the grass nearby, knowing what he was going to talk about and not wanting to hear it.

He took a deep breath, "Cathelle, you must believe me. That was not I; I wouldn't do anything like that. I am not sure who you saw but it was not me."

I stared coldly at him; my eyes were like daggers piercing his heart. I scoffed, "I have no reason to trust you. You have done nothing to convince me that you are trustworthy."

He sighed, "I have done nothing to make you believe otherwise either!" I looked over at him; his deep blue eyes were glowing with hope. I turned away, but I couldn't get that glimmering hope out of my mind. I rolled my eyes.

I turned back, "I cannot believe you so easily. Your word against mine is no competition for me Legolas."

His voice wavered as he spoke, "If you will not believe me than I believe my trip here was in vain." I watched as crystalline tears slipped down his face. A part of my walls broke; I was regretful of my words. I scooted closer to him.

"Amin utunea lle demad sina." {I ask you to forget this.} He looked up at me for a moment, pondering. He wiped a tear from his eye and nodded.

He shook his head, "I cannot believe I am crying. I am weak."

I held his chin up, causing him to look me in the eye. I shook my head strongly, "N'uma. Lle naa belegohtar. Cormlle naa tanya telraa." {No, you are a brave warrior. Your heart is that of a lion.}
~~END~~~

There was a bunny in that one!!! Hahahaha! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it, I am putting more elvish in there after slacking off a bit. Enjoy everyone! R&R!!!