The Mystery of Love
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A/N: I thought I would do a separate chapter for each character instead of dozens of POV changes.
Chapter Thirty-One
Mirkwood Makes a Move
~~~POV-ELLESAR TELCONTAR~~~
I received a hasty reply from Eomer. 'Glad to hear from you again Brother. Troops will be ready, hope to see you soon. Good day! Eomer' Knowing Eomer, he was probably panicking. I laughed to myself and turned behind me. Two thousand and ninety men stood behind me. "For Gondor!" The men cheered and I rode forward. The first twenty-five men also rode horses, they were my generals. Each of these was prepared to take up my place if I were to fall. Each of the lower ranks was ready to fight without command. Everything was prepared, we would win this one. Marching forward, I thought of Arwen and how good it would be to see her again.
~~~POV CHANGE-LEGOLAS GREENLEAF~~~
I woke in the early morning. I was lying on Reyna's bed and she was up peeling fruit with a knife. "A nice servant brought them this morning. Come eat melamin."
I blinked several times and her words washed over me again. ~'Legolas, I know now how I feel about you. I am sure that I will feel for you in turn. I think I may even feel for you right now but I will not say so until this war is over. If I survive I will speak those words but I will not bond with you while there is still a chance that I will die.' I had wrapped her in my arms and kissed her forehead gently. 'I will defend you Reyna, you will be safe. I will wait for you after the battle.'~
I shook my head, "Fruit sounds delightful Vanhiril {fair lady}." I walked up to her and ran my fingers along her sun-kissed shoulders. I glanced at her shiny silken locks and longed to run my slender fingers through their soft strands of coppery beauty. Cathelle always kept her hair up in a tight ponytail that prevented me from doing so. A smile crossed my face, "How did you sleep?"
She took in a deep, happy breath; "Amin kaime ikotane quel, diola lle. Ar lle?" {I slept very well, thank you. And you?}
Her elvish was smooth and flowing. I was used to hearing it but her voice drew me in like a hound eyeing a steak. I began to grow angry with myself. I did not lust for her a fortnight ago! I do not know why I lust for her body now . . .I was content loving her spirit. That is how I will remain. I smiled, "Yassen lle? Ikotane quel." {With you? Very well.}
Pink hues painted her cheeks, "You don't think that others will assume we are lovers, do you?"
The air was exhaling caught in my throat and my eyes widened. "Are you assuming people with suggest that we have slept together?"
~~~POV CHANGE-ARWEN EVENSTAR~~~
I smiled at my father. "We received word today that Legolas and Reyna are safely in Lorien and that Legolas will return to Mirkwood shortly. Reyna will stay behind but she will attend the council."
Ada nodded, "Quel. Diola lle tinuamin." {Good. Thank you my daughter.}
I sat down on a bench in the Gardens of Elrond. Smiling, I turned to my twin brothers. "It will be a grand battle. We will lose fighters but so much will be accomplished. Most, if not all, of the Uruk-hai will be slaughtered and the bond between the three races will be strengthened."
Elrohir smiled at me, "You are wise beyond your years Arwen."
Silky laughter fluttered from my lips, "No, brother, I am not. I am merely observant." I sighed. "I do hope Aragorn is well. It has been too long since last we beheld one another. Cormamin nalla." {My heart weeps.} Elladan rested a hand on my shoulder.
"Keep your mind off of him. We must prepare for the council." Elrohir stood. I nodded and sighed as we departed to arrange the guest rooms.
~~~POV CHANGE-HALDIR OF LORIEN~~~
I sat inside my flet and sorted through some battle plans that my brothers and I had prepared. Dozens of things ran through my head as I tried to concentrate. I shook my head as I gave up in frustration. I looked up and noticed that rain had begun to fall. I walked outside slowly to enjoy the moist rainfall. Silently, I walked down the path to the Nimrodel.
On my way there I saw something that truly sparked a fire within me. Long auburn locks plastered against honey colored flesh. Pointed ears delicately protruding through the thick mass of curls. A rain-soaked camisole colored a sunlit yellow and a baby blue skirt twirling in the breeze. Brown-grey eyes lit with passion. A smile that reached from one ear to the next painted on her face. Laughter of the richest tones fluttered through the air. "Reyna."
Her fair ears caught the sound of my voice. She was still not facing me. "Lord Haldir." She turned and I saw small dewdrops clinging her to eyelashes and I noticed the rain that was plastered onto her caramel skin. I approached her and smiled. Now I had my own wet blond locks clinging to my neck.
"Vanimlle sila tiri." {Your beauty shines bright.} Soft pink hues captured her cheeks as she smiled. She twirled around again, droplets from her hair hitting me in the face.
A smile took her lips into their custody. "Diola lle...Haldir."
I nodded. "Lle naa saicreoso, melamin." {You are very welcome, my love.} I took her slender hands in mine and spun her around. "Salkienlle naa vanima." {Your dancing is beautiful.} I embraced her tightly. I kissed her lips and smiled at her.
She opened her eyes and looked up at me, "Legolas." I stepped back. Her eyes went wide with concern, "Amin hiraetha." {I am sorry.}
I shook my head, "N'uma, Diola lle. {No, thank you.} I must return to Lirawen. You have helped me do that."
Her concerned expression lightened and she kissed my cheek, "Quel du toror'." {Good night brother.}
A smiled crossed my face, "Lisse' kaima seler'." {Sweet sleep sister.} I slowly departed, thinking of Lirawen and walking towards our flet. "Amin naa autien sil lle, lissamin." {I am going to see you, my sweet.} I hummed an elvish love song under my breath as I approached our home contently.
~~~POV CHANGE-LEGOLAS GREENLEAF~~~
I watched Reyna remain totally still. She had spoken my name when Haldir had kissed her. I could feel the blood pulsing through my body. Her hand wiped against her lips and sighed, "What has come over me lately? Asking Prince Legolas to kiss me?" She shook her head. "Love is not for you Reyna, you will only hurt yourself. Legolas may be a sweet elf but looks can always be deceiving. Do not push your luck foolish girl."
I walked out from the foliage. "Reyna, lle maa vanima (you look beautiful)."
She turned to me and gasped. "Legolas! How long have you been here?"
A smile crossed my face as I embraced her. "Just long enough to hear someone's insecurities."
A blush captured her cheeks, "Are you serious?"
I brought my hands up to cup her cheeks tenderly. "There is nothing more to me than what you have already seen. The only thing that you have yet to see is the extent of all my emotions."
She smiled, "Oh really? What emotions are you talking about?"
I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. "Well, the emotions that make my heart race whenever I see you, the feelings that make me feel like flying when you laugh, and the powerful yearning I have when you are away from me. The pain that over takes me when I look at you and see some small resemblances of my mother is what I am talking about. I am referring to the lightheadedness I get when I hold you in my arms like this." She blushed brightly.
"Well, I am going to have to tell you about the fear that overcomes me every time I look into your loving blue eyes and see all that passion in them. I am so terrified, because that same passion burns within me and, I am terrified to let it out." I stared deep into her emotion filled brown eyes. They swallowed me, surrounding me in her love.
Slowly, I started to walk with her in the rain. We walked up and down the narrow paths of the Golden Wood. The leaves were shining brightly, and almost appeared silver in the moonlight. Sweet laughter rang out from her as told her of how I barged into Loraine's room and was surprised that her husband, Ariane, was there. We started talking about what we had been doing for the week she was captive.
Her face was less carefree about this subject. "He has Uruk-hai all over his boundaries. His fortress is in a forest somewhere. I was only awake for two days before I escaped but I know he is a blonde elf with arctic blue eyes. When we get to him he will also have several scars on his cheeks that looks like big cat scratches." She glanced at her nails daintily and smiled. I shivered lightly as I thought of what tortures may have caused her to resort to clawing at him. Putting a protective arm around her, I walked her back towards her flet.
"I want you to rest before we depart."
Her brow furrowed, "We? I thought I was going to lead the Army of Lothlorien whilst you went back to Mirkwood. It would be for the best, Hiramin {my lord}."
I felt like I had been stung. "I see. Of course." I wanted to kiss her, as I stood right outside her felt with her. "Do you love me, Cathelle?"
She looked up at me, "Legolas..." Her voice trailed off into silence. "I really like you a lot but I think it is more of a friendly feeling."
I frowned. "Maybe I could kiss you and then you could see what you think..."
A sigh escaped her lips and I lost all control of the emotions I had harnessed. "You will kiss Haldir! Why won't you kiss me? Do you love him? Is that why you push me away? Why is it Reyna?! Why!?"
Her deep brown eyes filled with sorrow. "I am sorry Legolas. It is just that...well...you are a King. You have duties in Mirkwood whilst I have my own duties in Glacia. I just think that our futures look like two very different scenes. I need to marry a guy who will follow me anywhere, who will know when to push me and when to follow, who will know when I need love and when I need privacy. You really seem like that guy Legolas...you really do...but I just worry about hurting you. I am very outspoken and emotional, as are you, and sometimes I think that you deserve so much better. You are a kind elf, who is excellent at everything and there are times when your love causes me to lie awake at night and wonder 'why me?'" She was leaning against me now as if a huge weight had come off her shoulders.
"What do mean 'why you?', you are a gorgeous, kind, caring, funny, sweet girl with enough passion in you to make an Elf wish he were a dwarf if you wanted him to feel such."
She giggled at this and hugged me tightly. "After the war Legolas. When we have won I will be yours."
I shook my head. "I do not want you to be mine. I want you to love me. You make it as if you are giving up your freedom to love me yet that is not how I want it."
A bright smile crossed her face, "Thank you Hiramin {my lord}." She brought her face up closer to mine and whispered into my hypersensitive ears. "Amin mela lle. Saese naya narna." {I love you. Please stay safe.} She kissed my cheek lightly and smiled.
"Uma. N'uaya n'dela." {Yes. Do not worry.} I opened her door and let her into her flet. "No one has shown me where my flet is yet and since I am leaving in the morning, can I just sleep with you?"
Her cheeks became rosy. "Of course Legolas." She pulled the sheets back for me and began to set blankets on the floor.
"I will be sleeping on the floor. I do not mean to intrude." She sighed with exasperation and went to go bathe.
"Fine, but I am putting the mattress on the floor then." I laughed and handed her a towel as she headed out the door.
~~~T B C~~~
R&R. Hope you all enjoyed. I am planning the first kiss soon enough. I will start things moving soon, just be patient. 'Patience is a virtue.' LOL. Vanya Sulie!
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A/N: I thought I would do a separate chapter for each character instead of dozens of POV changes.
Chapter Thirty-One
Mirkwood Makes a Move
~~~POV-ELLESAR TELCONTAR~~~
I received a hasty reply from Eomer. 'Glad to hear from you again Brother. Troops will be ready, hope to see you soon. Good day! Eomer' Knowing Eomer, he was probably panicking. I laughed to myself and turned behind me. Two thousand and ninety men stood behind me. "For Gondor!" The men cheered and I rode forward. The first twenty-five men also rode horses, they were my generals. Each of these was prepared to take up my place if I were to fall. Each of the lower ranks was ready to fight without command. Everything was prepared, we would win this one. Marching forward, I thought of Arwen and how good it would be to see her again.
~~~POV CHANGE-LEGOLAS GREENLEAF~~~
I woke in the early morning. I was lying on Reyna's bed and she was up peeling fruit with a knife. "A nice servant brought them this morning. Come eat melamin."
I blinked several times and her words washed over me again. ~'Legolas, I know now how I feel about you. I am sure that I will feel for you in turn. I think I may even feel for you right now but I will not say so until this war is over. If I survive I will speak those words but I will not bond with you while there is still a chance that I will die.' I had wrapped her in my arms and kissed her forehead gently. 'I will defend you Reyna, you will be safe. I will wait for you after the battle.'~
I shook my head, "Fruit sounds delightful Vanhiril {fair lady}." I walked up to her and ran my fingers along her sun-kissed shoulders. I glanced at her shiny silken locks and longed to run my slender fingers through their soft strands of coppery beauty. Cathelle always kept her hair up in a tight ponytail that prevented me from doing so. A smile crossed my face, "How did you sleep?"
She took in a deep, happy breath; "Amin kaime ikotane quel, diola lle. Ar lle?" {I slept very well, thank you. And you?}
Her elvish was smooth and flowing. I was used to hearing it but her voice drew me in like a hound eyeing a steak. I began to grow angry with myself. I did not lust for her a fortnight ago! I do not know why I lust for her body now . . .I was content loving her spirit. That is how I will remain. I smiled, "Yassen lle? Ikotane quel." {With you? Very well.}
Pink hues painted her cheeks, "You don't think that others will assume we are lovers, do you?"
The air was exhaling caught in my throat and my eyes widened. "Are you assuming people with suggest that we have slept together?"
~~~POV CHANGE-ARWEN EVENSTAR~~~
I smiled at my father. "We received word today that Legolas and Reyna are safely in Lorien and that Legolas will return to Mirkwood shortly. Reyna will stay behind but she will attend the council."
Ada nodded, "Quel. Diola lle tinuamin." {Good. Thank you my daughter.}
I sat down on a bench in the Gardens of Elrond. Smiling, I turned to my twin brothers. "It will be a grand battle. We will lose fighters but so much will be accomplished. Most, if not all, of the Uruk-hai will be slaughtered and the bond between the three races will be strengthened."
Elrohir smiled at me, "You are wise beyond your years Arwen."
Silky laughter fluttered from my lips, "No, brother, I am not. I am merely observant." I sighed. "I do hope Aragorn is well. It has been too long since last we beheld one another. Cormamin nalla." {My heart weeps.} Elladan rested a hand on my shoulder.
"Keep your mind off of him. We must prepare for the council." Elrohir stood. I nodded and sighed as we departed to arrange the guest rooms.
~~~POV CHANGE-HALDIR OF LORIEN~~~
I sat inside my flet and sorted through some battle plans that my brothers and I had prepared. Dozens of things ran through my head as I tried to concentrate. I shook my head as I gave up in frustration. I looked up and noticed that rain had begun to fall. I walked outside slowly to enjoy the moist rainfall. Silently, I walked down the path to the Nimrodel.
On my way there I saw something that truly sparked a fire within me. Long auburn locks plastered against honey colored flesh. Pointed ears delicately protruding through the thick mass of curls. A rain-soaked camisole colored a sunlit yellow and a baby blue skirt twirling in the breeze. Brown-grey eyes lit with passion. A smile that reached from one ear to the next painted on her face. Laughter of the richest tones fluttered through the air. "Reyna."
Her fair ears caught the sound of my voice. She was still not facing me. "Lord Haldir." She turned and I saw small dewdrops clinging her to eyelashes and I noticed the rain that was plastered onto her caramel skin. I approached her and smiled. Now I had my own wet blond locks clinging to my neck.
"Vanimlle sila tiri." {Your beauty shines bright.} Soft pink hues captured her cheeks as she smiled. She twirled around again, droplets from her hair hitting me in the face.
A smile took her lips into their custody. "Diola lle...Haldir."
I nodded. "Lle naa saicreoso, melamin." {You are very welcome, my love.} I took her slender hands in mine and spun her around. "Salkienlle naa vanima." {Your dancing is beautiful.} I embraced her tightly. I kissed her lips and smiled at her.
She opened her eyes and looked up at me, "Legolas." I stepped back. Her eyes went wide with concern, "Amin hiraetha." {I am sorry.}
I shook my head, "N'uma, Diola lle. {No, thank you.} I must return to Lirawen. You have helped me do that."
Her concerned expression lightened and she kissed my cheek, "Quel du toror'." {Good night brother.}
A smiled crossed my face, "Lisse' kaima seler'." {Sweet sleep sister.} I slowly departed, thinking of Lirawen and walking towards our flet. "Amin naa autien sil lle, lissamin." {I am going to see you, my sweet.} I hummed an elvish love song under my breath as I approached our home contently.
~~~POV CHANGE-LEGOLAS GREENLEAF~~~
I watched Reyna remain totally still. She had spoken my name when Haldir had kissed her. I could feel the blood pulsing through my body. Her hand wiped against her lips and sighed, "What has come over me lately? Asking Prince Legolas to kiss me?" She shook her head. "Love is not for you Reyna, you will only hurt yourself. Legolas may be a sweet elf but looks can always be deceiving. Do not push your luck foolish girl."
I walked out from the foliage. "Reyna, lle maa vanima (you look beautiful)."
She turned to me and gasped. "Legolas! How long have you been here?"
A smile crossed my face as I embraced her. "Just long enough to hear someone's insecurities."
A blush captured her cheeks, "Are you serious?"
I brought my hands up to cup her cheeks tenderly. "There is nothing more to me than what you have already seen. The only thing that you have yet to see is the extent of all my emotions."
She smiled, "Oh really? What emotions are you talking about?"
I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. "Well, the emotions that make my heart race whenever I see you, the feelings that make me feel like flying when you laugh, and the powerful yearning I have when you are away from me. The pain that over takes me when I look at you and see some small resemblances of my mother is what I am talking about. I am referring to the lightheadedness I get when I hold you in my arms like this." She blushed brightly.
"Well, I am going to have to tell you about the fear that overcomes me every time I look into your loving blue eyes and see all that passion in them. I am so terrified, because that same passion burns within me and, I am terrified to let it out." I stared deep into her emotion filled brown eyes. They swallowed me, surrounding me in her love.
Slowly, I started to walk with her in the rain. We walked up and down the narrow paths of the Golden Wood. The leaves were shining brightly, and almost appeared silver in the moonlight. Sweet laughter rang out from her as told her of how I barged into Loraine's room and was surprised that her husband, Ariane, was there. We started talking about what we had been doing for the week she was captive.
Her face was less carefree about this subject. "He has Uruk-hai all over his boundaries. His fortress is in a forest somewhere. I was only awake for two days before I escaped but I know he is a blonde elf with arctic blue eyes. When we get to him he will also have several scars on his cheeks that looks like big cat scratches." She glanced at her nails daintily and smiled. I shivered lightly as I thought of what tortures may have caused her to resort to clawing at him. Putting a protective arm around her, I walked her back towards her flet.
"I want you to rest before we depart."
Her brow furrowed, "We? I thought I was going to lead the Army of Lothlorien whilst you went back to Mirkwood. It would be for the best, Hiramin {my lord}."
I felt like I had been stung. "I see. Of course." I wanted to kiss her, as I stood right outside her felt with her. "Do you love me, Cathelle?"
She looked up at me, "Legolas..." Her voice trailed off into silence. "I really like you a lot but I think it is more of a friendly feeling."
I frowned. "Maybe I could kiss you and then you could see what you think..."
A sigh escaped her lips and I lost all control of the emotions I had harnessed. "You will kiss Haldir! Why won't you kiss me? Do you love him? Is that why you push me away? Why is it Reyna?! Why!?"
Her deep brown eyes filled with sorrow. "I am sorry Legolas. It is just that...well...you are a King. You have duties in Mirkwood whilst I have my own duties in Glacia. I just think that our futures look like two very different scenes. I need to marry a guy who will follow me anywhere, who will know when to push me and when to follow, who will know when I need love and when I need privacy. You really seem like that guy Legolas...you really do...but I just worry about hurting you. I am very outspoken and emotional, as are you, and sometimes I think that you deserve so much better. You are a kind elf, who is excellent at everything and there are times when your love causes me to lie awake at night and wonder 'why me?'" She was leaning against me now as if a huge weight had come off her shoulders.
"What do mean 'why you?', you are a gorgeous, kind, caring, funny, sweet girl with enough passion in you to make an Elf wish he were a dwarf if you wanted him to feel such."
She giggled at this and hugged me tightly. "After the war Legolas. When we have won I will be yours."
I shook my head. "I do not want you to be mine. I want you to love me. You make it as if you are giving up your freedom to love me yet that is not how I want it."
A bright smile crossed her face, "Thank you Hiramin {my lord}." She brought her face up closer to mine and whispered into my hypersensitive ears. "Amin mela lle. Saese naya narna." {I love you. Please stay safe.} She kissed my cheek lightly and smiled.
"Uma. N'uaya n'dela." {Yes. Do not worry.} I opened her door and let her into her flet. "No one has shown me where my flet is yet and since I am leaving in the morning, can I just sleep with you?"
Her cheeks became rosy. "Of course Legolas." She pulled the sheets back for me and began to set blankets on the floor.
"I will be sleeping on the floor. I do not mean to intrude." She sighed with exasperation and went to go bathe.
"Fine, but I am putting the mattress on the floor then." I laughed and handed her a towel as she headed out the door.
~~~T B C~~~
R&R. Hope you all enjoyed. I am planning the first kiss soon enough. I will start things moving soon, just be patient. 'Patience is a virtue.' LOL. Vanya Sulie!