Farewell, My Love
Fiondra dreamily brushed through her thick hair, her thoughts drifting back to that Midsummer night. Thranduil had lovingly embraced her, and then told Legolas how proud that his mother would be. The old king had then announced the betrothal to his subjects, who had roared with approval.
Arien had wept with joy, and Aglarsîr had given Legolas his heartiest congratulations on a "fine decision". And Gimli had been pleased as well, but for more than one reason.
Fiondra sighed as she set down her hairbrush. Gimli was happy because since Legolas was now engaged, they could now go off to explore Middle Earth. While they enjoy more adventures, I'll be stuck here waiting and worrying.
Knocking began at the door, and Fiondra pushed her bulk of hair onto her back. She opened the door to find Legolas smiling at her.
"Morning love," he said to Fiondra and gave her a long kiss.
Fiondra returned his kiss, but pulled back after a moment. She laughed, "What put you in such a cheerful mood this morning?"
Excitedly, Legolas informed her, "Gimli and I will be able to leave for our trip tomorrow!"
At this news, Fiondra sobered and turned away. Her only response was a quiet "Oh."
Puzzled, Legolas asked, "What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy for me."
Fiondra spun around, tears forming in her eyes. "Happy? Why should I be happy when you're leaving me for Eru knows how long! Why should be content with sitting here at home, worrying about you?"
The elleth started sobbing and Legolas pulled her close to him. He pressed a kiss to her head and soothed, "I'll be fine. It's only for a few months, a year at most."
Fiondra looked up at him, her eyes wide. "A year!" she asked incredulously. At his nod, she promptly burst into tear again.
Legolas silently cursed, but tried to calm her once more. "Fiondra, I love you. That's never going to change. One year won't matter too much. We have eternity together."
Fiondra whispered, "I know. I'll miss you so much though."
Legolas grinned. "You think that I wouldn't miss you? Eru, you'll be my every thought. My only worry is that you'll forget me."
"Never," Fiondra gasped. "That's impossible. But in case I do forget," she teased him, "I'll have this to remind me of you." Gently, she touched the emerald pendant around her neck.
"That would be kind of hard to ignore, wouldn't it?" Legolas smiled and met her lips for another kiss. "Shall we enjoy our last day together?"
Fiondra was already out the door. "Let's."
X X X X X
That evening, the two elves sat together in a tall, fir tree, gazing at the stars. Fiondra moved her head to rest on Legolas' shoulder. "I'm sorry for earlier," she murmured. "I'll be fine here. I'll just concentrate on making our wedding plans."
"Which reminds me," Legolas said slowly. "Ada wants to see us married before he leaves for the Undying Lands."
"When will that be?" Fiondra asked.
"Before Midsummer of next year," Legolas replied.
Fiondra thought for a moment and then decided, "It would probably be best to have the wedding of late spring before he leaves then. How does May 26th sound to you?"
Legolas gave her a wicked grin. "You want to be wed in 'the lusty month of May'? Fine by me."
Fiondra blushed. "You scoundrel. Is that all you ever think about?"
The ellon nodded innocently and replied, "Most of the time."
Fiondra slapped at him playfully, and laughing, Legolas pulled her close to him for a kiss. They sat on the wide tree branch in silence for a while, until a sliver of moon started to rise. Then Legolas started to softly sing in his rich voice.
Fiondra listened to the words, full of love and emotion.Her throat closed painfully on her, as she realized that soon Legolas would be gone, and she'd be by herself once again.
Legolaslet the last notes die away and then looked to Fiondra.
"That was wonderful, Legolas. Thank you," she said cuddling into him.
"It was true," Legolas murmured into her ear. "Every word of it. Now come; we had both better get some rest before I have to leave in the morning." He gave a quick kiss to Fiondra and nimbly climbed down the tree. Reaching the ground, Legolas held out his arms to catch his betrothed as she too dropped from the bottom branches of the pine.
As the blissful couple left, the pine tree, and the trees surrounding it, sighed with pleasure. Fiondra felt the emotions radiating from the forest and told Legolas, "I do believe the trees liked your song as well."
Legolas looked around and smiled. "They are happy for us." He put his arms around Fiondra's waist and they continued back towards the village and palace.
X X X X X
Legolas tightened the bedrolls on the back of Arod's saddle. That done, he absentmindedly rubbed the stallion's flank as he looked about the clearing. A few elves had gathered to see him and Gimli off, including his father, Fiondra, Aglarsîr, and Arien.
Gimli was saying his good-byes to Thranduil and Fiondra, so Legolas went to Arien and Aglarsîr. He bowed to the dark-haired elleth and said, "Please Lady Arien, make sure that Fiondra does not dwell on my absence. I do not wish to cause her pain by my leaving for a while."
Arien dropped a curtsy. "Please sire, call me Arien. And don't worry. She'll be so occupied with her wedding plans that she'll scarcely think of you!"
Legolas started. "Don't keep her that busy!" he exclaimed and Arien laughed.
Legolas, now satisfied that Fiondra would have some time to think of him, turned to Aglarsîr. "Will you watch after her for me, mellon nin?" he asked.
Aglarsîr smiled. "I'll make sure that she doesn't run off with anyone else or get caught in a spider's web, if that's what you mean."
Wryly, Legolas said, "Thanks. Now I really feel good about leaving her here." He clasped Aglarsîr's shoulder and moved to Thranduil.
"Namarie Ada," Legolas said seriously.
"Namarie son," Thranduil replied. "Don't be gone too long. My time in these woods is almost done. And I want to see you happily wed before it is." The king gave his son a hug, despite the fact that Legolas was rolling his eyes in exasperation. (Having heard the same speech about his single status at least a dozen times.)
Then Legolas turned to say goodbye to Fiondra. Eru, forgive me, I don't want to leave her. Fiondra stood calmly, the only outward appearance of her despair being her glistening eyes. Legolas swallowed and huskily told her, "I'll return. Im meleth le." He desperately took possession of the elleth's mouth.
Reluctantly each stopped the kiss. "Namarie, meleth nin," Fiondra said softly. She quickly caressed his face, tracing her fingers over his high cheekbones and thin lips.
Legolas' heart screamed at him, but nonetheless, he turned to leave. "Wait!" Fiondra cried, and she grabbed his arm. She pressed something cool into his callused hand and closed his fingers over it. Legolas started to look, but Fiondra whispered, "Not until you're out of sight." She gave him one last kiss before he mounted Arod. "Im meleth le, Legolas. Namarie meleth nin." Fiondra waved as Arod started to journey out of the clearing.
"Don't look back lad," Gimli advised gruffly from where he sat on the horse. "It'll be easier that way."
And so Legolas sat, staring ahead until he and the dwarf had left the trees of Mirkwood behind them. Then he opened his hand to look at the objects in it.
One was a scrap of paper, which he pushed aside. The other was a silver ring, carved in the shape of a vine, with sapphire flowers in it. Legolas slipped it onto a finger of his left hand and unfolded the note.
It read, Forget-me-not meaning True Love Fiondra.
X X X X X
The songthat I originally used here was "Happy Heart", by Andy Williams. Again, by FanFiction's new policy, I was forced to take it off.
Namarie – farewell
Mellon nin – my friend
Im meleth le – I love you
Meleth nin – my love
Namarie, meleth nin – Farewell, my love
Please review! I honestly want to hear your valuable opinions. They are like mithril to me. Please have patience for the next chapter, mellon nin.