"Legolas! Legolas!" My voice rang out as I ran with long legged limbs, hair streaming behind me as my effortless smile brightened the moment I heard that his patrol had returned from the border. I slipped between the groups of scholars, begging their pardon and they blinked at me before shaking their heads lightly at my youth but I did not care, continuing to race until finally I stood at the top of the staircase that led down to where Legolas was walking over a broad fallen tree as he made his way to his rooms.
Upon hearing my voice, however, Legolas turned his head and instantly smiled when he saw me. Breathless and excited I flew down the stairs like a bounding doe, clearing them in groups before I was running towards Legolas once more who jogged forwards and opened his arms, allowing me to spring into them and wrap my arms around his neck. "Little starling! Your smile brings me great joy, I have missed you." He said to me and this made me beam further, glowing brightly as his arms wrapped around my waist and swung me around until my feet were flying outward and I was laughing gleefully.
"Well, I have missed you more! Come tell me Legolas, what did you see at the borders this time? Any exciting news or adventurous conflicts with spiders to speak of?" I questioned as he let me down but I stood close to him, gripping onto his apparel as he naturally placed a strong kiss upon my brow before I was too far out of reach. My head came just to his ribs, mahogany dark hair now hanging longer and richer than when I was smaller and younger. Several years had passed and I had found myself never wishing to leave this wonderful home of mine, all thoughts of grand escapes and living alone in the wild having long since fallen into abandonment upon finding my place among the people here as they learned to accept me as one of their own. Since Legolas had been doing his duty and safeguarding the borders, I had been terribly worried for him as my visions had plagued me night and day about certain dangers which would leave me pacing back and forth with worry.
"I know that you already know everything that I have to tell, Asta, your perception of the future no doubt protected me each time I received a message from my father warning me of an impending incident. Once again you were right, the spiders are building more nests further within the forest. It will no longer be safe for you to venture out alone." He warned me but I simply smiled at him, bouncing on the balls of my feet as my hands slipped to grasp his, sensing that he was weary from travelling and patrolling for so long.
"But it is much better when you tell it. Come, you must bathe and change before you tell me about your time out among the trees." I insisted, tugging on his hands before I let go of one to lead him at a swift pace, my energy never once diminishing despite his being pushed to his limit. Legolas chuckled as his eyes gazed at me with affection, allowing me to propel him towards his room where I urged him to rest a while and promise to tell me everything once he was feeling more rested to which he cupped my chin with his fingers and kissed my brow, giving me his word before disappearing into his grand chambers.
Giddy from his return I practically skipped away, twirling several times as I began to dance and hum to myself, my frame now greatly attuned to my natural grace and light footedness which I had learned over the years. In comparison to other elven maidens I was greatly lacking in comparison to their skill and demeanour, they said that I was too lively and skittish, that I did not embellish serenity and tranquillity in any shape or form however I did not mind. I enjoyed being a little energetic as it meant I was swifter than most, even though my stature had not yet fully matured.
Just as I was about to go to the lower levels to walk the mossy ground and head towards the natural pools, I sensed the presence of someone watching me not far off, making me stop and lift my head, searching for them. When my gaze met his I instantly brightened again, a fresh smile blooming upon my features as I then flew towards Thranduil. "Ada!" I called to him and a flicker of a smile rose in his expression, though only minutely and it was almost impossible to identify unless you were close in companionship and swift enough to notice. "Legolas is returned, though you knew already, did you not?" I announced happily as I reached him, rosy cheeked from my running.
"Yes child, I knew." He affirmed and I gave a laugh, reaching up to push my hair back from my face, the natural curling ends gracing against my back in soft brushes though Thranduil reached out and rested his hand upon my head, gently running his hand over my soft tresses with an affectionate gaze that remained solely within his eyes as the rest of his expression maintained its stoic countenance. Once I had found him intimidating, but now I found Thranduil to be the most serene and affectionate people I knew, though he hid such sentiments well. Through sheer perseverance and stubbornness I had anchored myself to his side in order to learn everything I could from him, and in our scholarly lessons I had also learned how to read him more clearly until I knew that his feelings for me ran deeper than a host to his guest. Having practically raised me himself, he viewed me as his own child. "You screamed in your sleep again, Eleniel. These visions are becoming worse with each passing day." He informed me and this made my smile waver, looking at him in surprise.
"Oh, I had not known. Forgive me for being disruptive, ada." I murmured to him as I quickly bowed my head and dropped down slightly in humility however the man whom I called father took my chin and lifted my head again so that our eyes could meet.
"I am concerned for you. These visions, you truly do not remember what they show you when you awaken from their grasp?" He questioned but I shook my head, a little diminished in brightness now that I attempted to uncover what plagued me so fiercely at night. It had been happening for some months now since Legolas had frequented the patrols and spent less time home. Whenever I rested, which was more often than most other elves due to my being raised among humans and being born of a mortal mother, I would be told in the morning that I had been lashing out and screaming in agonising fear that caused more than a little alarm to those who had heard. The first time, Thranduil had apparently come bursting into my chambers with sword in hand and spent the rest of the night calming me.
They happened even when I was awake, also. Taking hold without warning and my kin were beginning to distinguish between which visions were ordinary and the ones that were causing me to violently react as if I were being torn up from the inside. "I never remember, ada, it is the same as always. I do not understand, my visions never disappear. Is there something the matter with me?" I worried however Thranduil gave me one of his rare smiles as a means to console and reassure me, allowing me to relax as his hand left my chin to brush against my cheek with fatherly affection.
"We shall uncover what it is that ails you, my child, you have my word." He vowed before placing his hand upon my back. "Go now, be at peace and do not be troubled by these visions. I shall bring you word if I discover anything that may assist you." Nodding my head I paused a moment before giving my usual bright smile, a laugh of joy escaping me as I reached forwards and jumped up, pushing against his shoulders so that I might gain the height I required in order to brush my lips against his cheek where his enchantment kept his burned face hidden.
"You have my entire heart, ada." I said to him as he froze in place with a fixed expression, still yet unused to my open expressions of love towards him before skipping away, returning to humming my song though I sang it quietly, knowing that my voice was not on par with others around me. I was told that my voice would mature and grow in strength the older I became, though I still enjoyed singing to myself and whenever I was out of the central city, the birds would often flock to me either in pairs or hoards, whistling their tunes to me and I would sing them back in return before racing through the trees like it were a game.
Finding myself a quiet glade I flung myself to the ground and rolled several times over, surrounding myself in the sweet smell of grass before I stopped upon my back, breathing the fresh air before relaxing in the golden warmth of the sun. It was a glorious day and I thanked the Valar for having returned Legolas safely home. As I closed my eyes I began to think of him, smiling to myself as I pictured his face when he had seen me after so many weeks parted. He was my closest friend and I loved him dearly, the same as I loved Thranduil. I had become his ward not long after my rescue, his diligence in giving me a thorough education bringing us closer together until we would find ourselves huddled together within his robes reading a book beside the hearth in the evenings, enjoying one another's company.
I was not certain how Legolas felt for a while as I started to naturally call Thranduil father but he seemed to be happy that I thought of him that way. In fact he had even said that he had not seen his father look so light in a very long time, as if his worldly cares were lessened with my presence. Even the mere thought brought me pride and after that day I had strived to bring Thranduil a small measure of happiness with all of my strength, not allowing him to fall back into his sombre moods and pensive reflections too often. Now that I reflect upon it, his eyes did seem to hold a certain brightness that had before now been dimmed by pain and grief. I had come to learn of the loss of his beloved wife, Legolas's mother, which had been the cause of the Elf-King's pensive and austere ways, but I seemed a great deal lighter these days and the light that had once faded away was gradually beginning to return. I hoped this was the case, and prayed for many more days just like this one, perfect and full to the brim with happiness with my loved ones.
A soft voice called out to me, rousing me from my thoughts and I swiftly sat up, hair tumbling back from my shoulder as I looked towards Legolas as he approached with quiet footsteps and a now refreshed appearance, my smile immediately returning to my face upon sight of him. Calling back to him I stretched out my hand and he took it upon reaching me, joining me by my side upon the grassy bank whereby he then began to tell me all about his patrol whilst I listened with silent and baited breath, my undivided attention focused solely upon him.
