For Disclaimers Please view chapter one.
Chapter 37: Well Met, Melethril
Days, and Months passed by, and no word of Aurel's whereabouts or well-being were sent out to Legolas, or Aragorn for that matter. Aragorn worried less than Legolas, knowing that his sister was alive was enough for him, he knew that wherever she was she was being taken care of. On the other hand, Legolas was impatient everyday, and as if being able to feel her every move, her every desire, he was relentless. He almost never slept, barely ate, he resembled little the elf he once was. Battle had made him thinner than he normally would have been, and not being close to Aurel, the presence he once had was dimmer, he needed her, that much was known. Aragorn worried for his friend, but knew there was nothing he could do about it. Legolas isolated himself, even from Gimli, and most days would stand in the tower looking out into the distance, almost waiting.
Aragorn sighed as he looked upon the back of Legolas. "Still here?"
"Does that surprise you?" responded Legolas, not looking back at Aragorn.
"It does when you do not move from this place for two days. Others are beginning to wonder if you have gone mad."
"I have been wondering that myself."
Aragorn wanted to laugh, but was not sure if Legolas was jesting. "You must eat, a little at least. Come now." His tone was urging.
"Why has no word been sent? Do they not understand how important it is for me to know that she is somewhere safe, that she is being taken care of?"
"But you know that she is." Replied Aragorn.
"Not for certain."
"Legolas."
"I know." He answered quickly. Legolas knew he was sounding desperate, but they would not let him leave the white city, and every day had become more taxing than the next. Something had to be done.
Aragorn walked up next to him. "I know your agony, though in a lesser way that I could ever feel, it is the longing, I understand. The coronation is soon, she will be there if she is well enough. Something tells me that she will be, and that is why you stand here now for two days looking towards Imladris, you know she is coming."
Legolas looked at Aragorn. "Do not make lesser of your emotions. I have come to respect your race, you are more noble than I ever thought possible." He gave a tiny smile, one that Aragorn had not seen in a long time. "In a way you are correct, her presence is moving. But I am here also for another reason, being confined to these walls is suffocating. You wonder why I look pale, and weak…there is no fresh air for me, there are none of my kind here…it is not a suitable place to live freely, not for me."
"If you were well, we would let you leave." Said Aragorn quickly, trying to explain himself.
"I am not well because you will not let me leave. I cannot recover here Aragorn."
Aragorn meant to say something, but only looked away. "I was trying to help."
"I know. But the way that a human heals and an elf heal are completely different."
"That I understand. But you were not fit to ride, and there is nothing that would have convinced me to let you go, even by human standards Legolas. Perhaps I was overly protective, because you are my friend. By all means, if you must go, then go. I only wish your well-being."
Legolas let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you. For everything."
"Legolas?"
Legolas turned to face Aragorn.
"Where will you go?"
"Home."
And with that he was gone, Aragorn did not know if he would come back or not, he hoped that he would, for everyone's sake.
"You are anxious at your return to the White City?" asked Elrond, as he watched his youngest daughter pack fervently.
She smiled. "A little. I am anxious to see Legolas. To see Estel."
"Yet you refused to write any letters to him."
She stopped her packing. "To whom?"
"Aragorn."
"He is king now, he is busy."
"He is not the king yet."
"Will you never stop Ada? He is, and you know this. What business is it of yours whether or not I wrote to him?"
Elrond raised his eyebrows. "Mind your words Aurel. I am still your father."
Aurel did not say anything and continued her packing.
"You could have written to your beloved, to let him know of your whereabouts."
"Gandalf was right, he is still weak, I feel it, it would only compromise us both if he knew where I was."
"Is that your excuse?"
"Ada. You are testing my patience with these insinuations."
"Am I?"
She stopped her packing once more, this time showing her frustrations by walking towards her balcony, nearly stomping her feet. "Yes, because you always stand there and tell me what it is I should have done, or should be doing…. you just stand there!" She turned back around and moved the long curtains away so that she could look at her father. "You never just leave me be"
"I am your father." Elrond responded calmly. "I am not meant to leave you be. Who else will ask you these questions?"
"The rest of your children? Your beloved daughter Arwen…Elrohir and Elladan…this constant persistence at asking about every single private thought that I might have. They are worse than yourself."
Elrond smiled. "Good. I have done well."
Frustrated at not getting her way, Aurel just gave up and sat down on her bed. "Despite everything, you are right. I did not write to Estel, because he is mine no longer, he is neither my son nor my brother, he is now a king of men, and for some strange reason, this pains me. I was afraid of letting Legolas know where I was, at first I was not, and that is when I had not thought of my actions. There is no war now, there is nothing to hide behind, there is no reason to not speak of things we desperately need to speak about, and although I love him, this love scares me, because I have no control over it. I cannot wield it, it wields me instead."
"You have not lost Estel. He is still your charge in every way, more so now. He was also running from his past, you see, you two are very alike, and so it should be, you raised him. He cannot escape it now, he must embrace it, and he will, and so must you." Elrond went to Aurel and sat next to her. "And why must you always be in control? Love is not meant to be taken by the reins my dear daughter. You will find that in love, you must always be open and honest with your partner, there will always be something you will wish not to discuss, do not hide…be thankful for the gift of love, it is something others only dream of."
Aurel leaned into her father's shoulder. "Oh Ada, what would I ever do without you?"
Elrond smirked and quietly responded. "Stomp your feet I suppose." He thought back on the many times Aurel has stomped her feet as a little elfling trying to get her way. He thought about what kind of wife she would be, what kind of mother she would be, and if Legolas would be patient enough for her, if he would love her always, if he would treasure her always. He was suddenly reminded of something he had not thought upon for many years. He thought back on particular time that Aurel had been upset, when she was not yet 25 years of age, and knowing nothing of the world. It was a time when Elrond and Thranduil gathered often, as the darkening of the forest in the Greenwood was painful for Thranduil to bear. Thranduil was more willing to ask for help back then, before the loss of his wife and child. Thranduil had brought with him his son, Legolas, to Imladris. Legolas was well mature by then, near 630 years of age. He looked more like his father every time that Elrond laid eyes upon him. He was more reserved, but lighter in heart. He never spoke much, but he was an excellent archer, and Elrond gave him free rein of the lands to practice wherever and whenever he wanted.
"Legolas resembles you more and more every time I see him Thranduil, where have the years gone?"
"Ah Yes." He looked at the retreating figure of his son as he walked towards the archer's field. "I had wished he would look more like his mother, but the Valar must know what they are doing…" He jested for a little bit.
Elrond smiled.
"And your children?" asked Thranduil
"One remains, the rest have gone. Elladan and Elrohir are never here and Arwen is in the Golden wood. Thankfully I still have my youngest, she is not 25 yet, I hoped she would never grow, that she remain young forever, but it cannot be so, she too will leave me when she is old enough."
"It is the destiny of them all…well." He cleared his throat. "Except for my own, they seem not to want to leave. Look at Legolas, nearly seven hundred! And still no wife! Lasneth as well, though he is quite younger."
"Not all of us get married at a young age, you know as well as I do that it takes time to find a mate."
Thranduil nodded at Elrond's remark. "Yet sometimes I worry greatly. For Legolas seems lost in his own mind. He never speaks much."
"I would not ponder on the matter too much."
"No, I suppose I should not."
For many hours the pair spoke of many things, their families, their homes, and the impending threat that was growing nearer and nearer every day. Towards the end of Thranduil's visit, Legolas suddenly appeared looking very frustrated. Behind him, walking with her head down was Aurel. She was half in height to Legolas at the time.
"She says she is your daughter." Said Legolas towards Elrond.
Elrond looked at Aurel. "She is." Elrond stood and with his hand called his daughter to him. She was covered in mud; she wore clothes that Elrond did not remember giving to her to wear. Legolas looked towards his father who seemed to be amused with the situation. "Aurel? What is the meaning of your attire, and your appearance here?"
When she would not speak, Legolas did.
"I normally have patience with children…"
Aurel interrupted him. "I am nearly an adult! How dare you call me a child…"
"So now you speak?" asked Legolas. "As I was saying Lord Elrond, I normally have patience with children, but this one seemed to want to see how far my patience would reach. I was given no peace at the archer's field."
"Aurel? What have you to say to this?"
She smirked. "I heard him bragging about his skills, I was merely testing his word."
Elrond shook his head in embarrassment. He took her by the shoulders and turned her to face Legolas, who was taking little pleasure in seeing her being reprimanded. "Look at him Aurel, and apologize. You have been rude to interrupt our guest's practice in the archer's field."
Aurel turned her head away.
"You will do as I say, or you will be locked in your room, and there will be no festivities for you to celebrate this year."
Aurel's eyes widened in surprise, and she stomped her feet "You would not do that to me."
"Well then both of us are doing things today we normally are not accustomed to doing. Apologize, or you will be learning every detail of your room very soon, for you will be confined to it for a very long time. Being rude to our guest is unacceptable."
She did not say anything; she only crossed her arms and looked away.
Elrond sighed, and Legolas looked at Aurel in surprise, she was defiant for one so young.
"Then you have decided. Confinement it is." Said Elrond, "Go to your room, I will speak to your mother about your not participating in the spring festivities."
She looked at her father with tears streaming down her face, and then she looked at Legolas. Her eyes were no longer proud, it seemed she was being denied the very air she breathed.
Legolas's heart broke, he never wanted to see her cry, and his annoyance with her was only temporary, he wished now that he had not said anything. "Elrond perhaps you are being too harsh on her…"
"No, no…this was her choice, do not let her tears make you feel guilty." He focused on Aurel, "Go." He pointed away, and she quickly left them. Elrond faced Thranduil. "Daughters can be…troublesome, more so than my sons ever were…you are lucky to not have to go through that."
Legolas smiled and patted his father on the back. "Well, actually that is not true. Has Ada not told you the good news?"
Thranduil blushed.
Elrond looked at Thranduil, almost instantly knowing. "Another child Thranduil, and a girl at that! You are blessed!" Elrond said in congratulations.
"We expect our daughter's arrival in the spring…" Thranduil looked back to where Aurel had gone. "Are they all like that?"
"Oh yes! And much more…" said Elrond laughing.
Elrond began laughing to himself.
"Ada?" asked Aurel, concerned that her father had begun laughing for no reason.
He looked at her. "I was recounting the day that Legolas first made your acquaintance."
Aurel thought back to the day in Mirkwood. "But you were not there Ada."
"Oh, I was there." Said Elrond standing up. "You must finish packing. We leave tomorrow morn." He kissed her on the forehead and walked away, leaving Aurel feeling very confused.
At approaching the gates of the city, Aurel stopped her horse. She looked up at the towers and almost trembled in fear. Arwen, who had been riding next to her, stopped as well, noting her sister's discomfort.
"What is it?" Arwen looked at her, and then at the white city.
"This city did not look like this the last time I was here, it is not as I remembered." She put her hands to her temples trying to ease her own discomfort.
Elladan and Elrohir rode up to meet their sisters. "Why have you both stopped? There are those behind you that wish to keep moving." Said Elrohir.
"Aurel is not feeling well." Replied Arwen.
Elladan looked at Aurel, who was still trying to calm herself. He looked at Arwen. "The last time we were here, there were dead bodies everywhere, the walls were dark with gloom and sadness…. and even now, with the city repaired, I see it too. There are ghosts here that will never leave, including ghosts of our former selves."
"Stop your nonsense!" said Elrohir, rolling his eyes at his brother's words. "We must move past this…"
"That is always your solution to everything…. try and be more caring and understanding." Replied Arwen in a harsh tone.
"I am tired. I wish not to tarry here any longer than need me, so please keep moving." Said Elrohir, ignoring Arwen's last remark, and heading forward.
Aurel finally opened her eyes again and shot Elrohir a deathly gaze.
Elrond passed all four of them by. "I wonder when you will stop behaving like children…" was all he said and he also moved ahead of them.
When the gates finally opened, Aurel was surprised at how welcoming it felt on the inside. There were crowds of people throwing petals of flowers on them, and greeting all the elves who entered. They were also welcoming their soon to be queen to her new home. Aurel was proud that Arwen was taking this all with such grace, she smiled and nodded and reached out to touch the people who praised her, and even those who did not seem to be so happy at their coming. Arwen had always had that gift of grace and beauty. As soon as they dismounted their horses the crowds of people enveloped them, and Aurel was not so comfortable with that, she moved away, looking for a place of solace to reflect her return. She found it strange that she did not sense Legolas anywhere near.
"So we meet again." Said a voice from behind her.
She turned to face the voice and she smiled out of genuine happiness. "Eowyn." She bowed her head.
Eowyn instantly went to her and wrapped her arms around her and Aurel gave her the gift of returning this human gesture.
"You look very well." Said Aurel.
Eowyn let go of the embrace to look at Aurel carefully. "And you look…different than I am accustomed seeing you dressed." She pointed at Aurel's dress.
Aurel looked down at herself and smiled. "Yes. It is a formal occasion and it warrants a formal dress."
At that moment Arwen passed them both by, speaking with others, Arwen did not notice Aurel and Eowyn standing to the side. Aurel looked over to Eowyn who looked captivated. She smiled sadly before she spoke. "You have not fully let Aragorn go from your heart."
Still looking towards Arwen, Eowyn responded. "You were right to say we had nothing in comparison, she is a million times more beautiful than I."
"I was wrong to have spoken to you in that way."
Eowyn looked towards Aurel now. "But it was the truth, no one else was capable of giving it to me." She smiled brightly.
Aurel began to feel guilty.
"Sometimes those things we wished we had never said or done are the best things we have done in our lives."
Aurel nodded. "How is your brother?"
"Ah, he is doing very well. Busy but content. The passing of our Uncle was difficult to bear but everyone here has suffered, and so we must endure, for the sake of our land, and of our people."
"Eowyn?" asked Faramir from not that far away.
Eowyn turned her head to see where he was and raised her hand to indicate to him where she was, he noticed her and began to walk towards her. She smiled tenderly. Before Aurel could say anything, Faramir walked to them both, bowing his head politely to Aurel and placing one of his hands on the small of Eowyn's back. Aurel was surprised to say the least, but said nothing.
"Faramir, this is Lady Aurel." Said Eowyn introducing him to Aurel.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady, Eowyn has spoken much about you." He extended his hand to Aurel to formally greet her as a lady, but Aurel had never liked that custom and kept her hands to herself. He looked a bit worried for a moment before retracting his hand.
Aurel bowed her head, "We have met before." She felt nervous around him, as if feeling Boromir's presence near.
"We have? Where? For I am sure I would have remembered a face such as yours."
"You would not remember me, you were not awake to greet me."
Faramir remained in a state of confusion.
Eowyn realizing what she was talking about spoke. "Lady Aurel spent much time in the houses of healing."
"Oh, I see." Said Faramir looking at Aurel. "You will have to excuse me if I seem rude, but have I put you at ill ease? You seem very apprehensive of me."
"I am sorry." She smiled little before speaking, "I knew your brother, Boromir. You look very much like him, and it brings back many memories for me."
Faramir dropped his hand from Eowyn and stepped closer to Aurel, looking her in the eyes, and placing both hands on her shoulders. He then kissed both sides of her cheek very slowly. "I should have known. Forgive me for not realizing this. It does me great honour to be in your presence. I have spoken nearly to all who fought by his side, except for you. The others spoke of your kindness to him, even when he was at his weakest."
Aurel, still frozen from the kisses she had received, only stood there confused. She did not remember being of great comfort when Boromir had seemed to lose his mind. She nodded her head. "He was a brave warrior."
Faramir stepped back, exhilarated at being able to meet Aurel, "Yes, he was."
"I have heard that you are as well. I am sorry for the loss of your father."
Faramir gracefully accepted her condolences. "Your skill with the sword is legendary around here."
"Strange." Replied Aurel. "It is not better than any other elf's."
"No no, even Master Legolas agreed to this. And Lord Aragorn…he spoke of how you beheaded a giant troll in one move. That is no small feat, and could not have been done by any ordinary fighter."
"Yes." said Eowyn who agreed with Faramir. "Do not be so modest. Your gift with the sword is rare."
Aurel frowned. "My gift? What you call a gift, brings death who those who cross it. It is no gift to cause injury or death."
"I was merely trying to compliment you Aurel." Replied Eowyn. "I meant no disrespect."
"Nor did I." Said Aurel seriously. "Skill with the sword is no gift…love, healing, understanding, compassion, wisdom, these are gifts."
"She did not mean to offend you." Said Faramir in Eowyn's defence.
Aurel looked at Faramir, noticing her harshness she shook her head. "You will have to excuse me…" She walked away from them and once more put her hands to her temples.
"Poor thing, I think being here again, so soon after what has happened, is too much." Said Eowyn looking back at her.
"Perhaps." Said Faramir.
Tears began to form in Aurel's eyes, and she could not bear but let them fall. Being back at Minas Tirith so soon, and to see how much it had changed, was all too much for her. Especially, as she still was not fully healed and never would be until she was reunited with Legolas. Trumpets began to call all together for the coronation; a great silence befell the courtyard as they took their positions. A reassuring hand pushed Aurel forward, it was Elrond, he smiled tenderly at her, feeling her apprehension and confusion. And so they all watched as their friend, brother, son, companion was crowned King of Gondor, and when Aragorn began to recite his song of praise for such a day to have come, Aurel's heart beamed, no longer did she feel despair at her being there.
"Come now." Urged Elrond. "We must greet the new king." He pulled her along as they gathered with those from Imladris. Arwen held the banner from their house in front of her, and Aurel, Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir stood side by side behind her, sad all at once but also happy. Those from Eryn Lasgalen also appeared, but none of the royal family was present there. Aurel only pondered on this for a moment as they walked slowly to greet Aragorn, and white petals fell across their faces. At first, Aurel could not see that they had come upon him, for they stopped all at once, when the banner was passed to the side and she saw Arwen and Aragorn kissing one another, it was then she knew that her heart was complete. It was during an embrace between Aragorn and Arwen that Aragorn took notice of those behind her, but his eyes only focused on Aurel. Arwen noticing his posture turned her head to look at what Aragorn was staring at. She smiled and whispered in his ear said, "Go to her. She is your mother-sister, greet her accordingly so."
Aragorn looked at Arwen nervously before taking her advice. He very gently passed by Arwen. Aurel noticing it was improper for a king to come to her began to walk towards him.
"Please…" said Aragorn, begging her not to move.
She stopped, and all at once was taken into a long embrace. He held her tightly. "What a day that has been bestowed upon me." Was all that Aragorn said. His body trembled against hers. "I owe you my life…"
She leaned her forehead against his, and took in his familiar smell. "No, Estel, I owe you mine…now…go back to your queen…" She said to him light-heartedly.
They softly broke their embrace and Aragorn reached his hand out to hold that of Arwen's. He then greeted Elrond and his sons with equal affection before moving on to the rest of the host of elves.
It was a long time before it was all over with and afterwards there was a grand celebration with Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry all being the guests of honour, after all, for ones so small they had given a great contribution to the destruction of the ring. Aurel did not understand why Legolas was not present. She was so sure that he would be there, as she did not feel that he was very far, but he was nowhere to be found, and no one else seemed to know where he was either. She had found Gimli earlier, greeted him and he too was puzzled at the disappearance of his friend. Now she just stood in a sea of faces, all happy ones, all speaking to one another, this was making her uneasy. As she went to go find her brothers a crowd of very chatty women approached her. She thought at first they had made a mistake, for humans generally tended to stay away from Aurel unless they knew her, but these women insisted on speaking to her. Aurel stared at them for a long while before she realized they were speaking to her, she thought them less than graceful…
"We have been meaning to introduce ourselves to you…" said one. And they introduced themselves one by one, but Aurel did not bother to listen, she wished them to go away. While they were speaking, she actually did try to break free, but they swarmed around her. Nervously Aurel pulled her hair behind her ears.
"Oh see! I told you she was one of them…look at her ears!" said a rather plump woman.
Aurel stared at her, almost with her mouth open, and she was going to say something, but another woman began to speak.
"Of course she is one of them! She was with them when they greeted the king…. I heard she is the sister of our new Queen. They have the same long dark hair, but they do not resemble one another, do they?"
"That cannot be I heard she is the King's sister…"
"That cannot be she is an Elf, he is human."
They all turned to face her. "Who are you?" asked one of the women.
Aurel refused to answer them.
"Oh oh, perhaps she does not speak the common tongue…"
"I speak your language." Replied Aurel.
The crowd turned silent.
"But I cannot decide whether to respond or not to the question you ask. I have never met such an unruly group of women, or ones that lacked such basic manners."
Some gasps could be heard. And then one of them apologized. "We are just curious about you, we meant no disrespect my lady."
Aurel smirked. "I am sure you did. Do I come to your homes and point at your funny rounded ears? Do I speak about your small minds as if you were not here in front of me? If that is not disrespect what was that meant as?"
"How dare you speak to us like that? Who do you think you are?" said one of the women
"Who I am is not the matter here. Who are you?"
"We are ladies of this court, you cannot speak to us in that manner."
"You think that just because you are of the Elven race that you are superior to us?" asked one of the women.
Aurel turned to face that particular woman. "No."
"Who are you then to speak to us with such disdain?"
"She is my sister, and you will her honour her so." Replied Aragorn.
The crowd of women all bowed their heads as Aragorn showed himself and walked towards Aurel.
"Never again shall ignorance be tolerated in my halls. There would be no king here before you had she not sacrificed her own life to protect mine. She has fought more for the cause of men than she needed or wanted to, but she did it all the same, and you will respect her."
"Estel please." Asked Aurel in Sindarin.
"You can slay a giant troll, but these women had you completely surrounded with no way out…I am surprised." He responded.
"We apologize my lord." Said one of the women.
"I will make myself very clear right now…anyone in these halls that holds prejudice against another because of race, is banned, and never to come back to this city, and will never be welcomed back."
The women kept their heads bowed as they dispersed and walked away fully embarrassed.
"There was no need for that."
"Oh yes there was. I saw the look in your eyes." Replied Aragorn. He motioned for them to speak in a more private place, and they both walked out onto the balcony ahead of them.
"You look very well."
"I feel better."
Aragorn's eyes teared. "I thought you had died."
Aurel sighed. "I did die, Estel. Just not completely, I could not leave. I could not leave those I loved."
"I have been plagued with guilt for the way I left you, for not staying by your side when you most needed me."
"Hush." Aurel shook her head. "You would have been killed had you stayed with me, what good would that have been? You did what you thought best."
"I will never be able to repay you for what you did for me."
Aurel suddenly burst into laughter, and it surprised Aragorn. "Estel!" She continued to laugh seeing the tears in his eyes. "I have never seen you so solemn! You speak to me as if I were a ghost…I am right before you, did you think I knew I was going to be injured so greatly?"
"Well…no, but I…"
"I saw you were in trouble and I helped you, I did nothing more than that. Everything here is because of you, because you held true to your oath, because you never once stopped believing that Frodo could complete his mission and end this wretched war. I am no hero…stop making the people around here believe that."
Aragorn slowly put his hand to his mouth to cover his growing smile. "But you are."
"Estel!" She stomped her foot. "I am not!"
"I have never seen you in this light before. You have changed."
"For the worse I am sure…" replied Aurel in jest.
"No, for the better."
"Maybe." She stared at the ground and then at Aragorn. "I miss him, and he is not here…and there are so many things I wish to say to him."
"He had to leave, he had to go his home. I tried to keep him for as long as possible, but the truth is that he was not faring any better. Why did you not write?"
"I did not want to waste your time."
"I do not believe that. For Legolas's sake, why did you not write?"
"I was afraid."
Aragorn smiled. "I did not think that possible."
"You are king now, things are changing…you have duties, and responsibilities, and he is prince and the first-born son, he also will have duties and responsibilities."
"That does not mean that there is not time for you."
"There will be times when you and I will not see each other for months, years maybe…and I understand that, as in the past…"
Aragorn shook his head in disagreement. "Now wait Aurel. I am not the lonely ranger I once was. Things are changing, you are correct, but I do not think I could bear not seeing you for months, or worse, years…you must come to see me often…otherwise it will be me that thinks you have no time to spare. I cannot speak for Legolas, but he loves you, he wanted to go to you, but we kept him from doing so. Never once did he mention responsibility or duties, only you, always you."
"Thank you for saying that."
"Then does this mean you will keep an old man company?"
"You have Arwen you silly thing! You do not need me! You had a whole year of me by your side, indeed I thought you would be sick of me."
"I would have thought the same had you asked me at a different time or place…but we are here now, and it is a king's wish that you not disappear for very long. Your sister will need company, I fear it will take her time to get accustomed to the rough ways of the human race."
"Not if she has gotten accustomed to you." Replied Aurel with a sly smile on her face.
"Please?"
"You are my brother-son, I will be here always." She caressed Aragorn's face and traced the lines that now marked them. For a split second, she saw the face of Aragorn as a child and it made her heart cry. "I have to find him Aragorn. I need him."
"I understand that."
"Then you know I have to leave soon."
Aragorn nodded. "I will have your horse prepared for you right away, along with any provisions you may need. I still have your sword."
She bowed her head in thanks.
"That will not be necessary." Said a voice.
"Legolas?" asked Aurel looking in the direction the voice came.
He stepped out into the balcony, dressed in clothing she had never seen him in before and said, "Well met, Melethril."
