Chapter II: Secretive Suitor
As soon as our small party had made its return to North Wales, I hurried inside and into my bed chamber. There, I began to throw some of my things into a saddlebag. I would not stay here and allow my father to barter me off like cattle. The last thing I threw in the bag was the silver necklace. Whoever he was that was returning for me, he would have to wait. I was not ready to abandon my life of freedom for an eternity of spinning and sewing.
"Rosalind!", I heard Flavilla call. They could not have caught me already. She trod into my room just as I hid the saddlebags from view. "I wanted to bid you good night daughter, I didn't see you after the horses were stabled." "I wanted to rest for tomorrow.", I answered. She nodded knowingly. "I know you must be nervous. All new brides are. I just thought you should know that you will not have to abandon your…", she paused, as if trying to find the right word, "…adventurous life. Where he comes from, the women ride, read, write, and even battle on occasion. Your father would not have handpicked him for you if he knew that you would be unhappy in this marriage." Had she known of my plans to run away?
"Thank you for telling me this.", I answered thoughtfully. So this man must not be from Briton then, perhaps all of Europe itself. What kind of man would let his wife be educated and roam free as my mother had described? Was my mother lying to persuade me from doing anything too desperate? I did not believe so. I decided then not to flee from my house just yet. I would meet this suitor and I would pass my judgement. I decided to leave my saddlebags ready in case I did not like this man.
The night passed slowly. I was haunted by dreams of a foreign landscape, full of trees and light. I saw no people, only unfarmed lands, rolling hills, and elderly trees. This place was familiar to me. Was I looking into the faerie country to the west of Avalon? No human had ever been there and returned to my knowledge. Except for Viviane, the High Priestess of Avalon and Lady of the Lake. Perhaps she had seen the faerie country? I would ask her at the next feast day.
When the morning light finally broke through my window, I anxiously looked about to see if my mother had summoned me. Only my servant, Gwennis, was in the room and she slept noisily in the corner. Nervously, I stepped out of my bed and onto the stone floor. Where were my slippers? Even in the summer, this floor was deathly cold! I hurriedly found slippers and slid my feet into them.
Was he here yet? Father said he would be here early. "Gwennis!", I said loudly. She awoke with a start. "Go down to the Hall to find out if he has arrived yet.", I ordered. "Yes m'lady.", she mumbled, hurrying downstairs. While she was gone, I found a red holiday dress and pulled it down over my body. I began to tie as much of it in place as I could manage. When Gwennis returned, she answered, "Yes." I swallowed the lump in my throat and asked her to finish tying my dress in place.
She obeyed quickly, pulling the threads tighter than I would have liked. I gasped for air, inhaling quickly. As soon as she had finished, I washed my face and hands in the wash basin and brushed my hair. I heard my name being called from downstairs. Uriens was yelling for me. My stomach rolled as I began down the stairs. Why hadn't I run last night?
I saw him when I stepped into the hall. Long blonde hair than fell neatly past his shoulders to his elbows and strange green travelling robes. I bowed to this strange noble and stepped next to my father. "I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood.", he said, bowing to me, but keeping his cerulean eyes trained on my face. "Where is Mirkwood?", I asked, feeling stupid. And Greenleaf was a very strange name. But the initials- they did match! This prince was LG, whoever that was.
"It is an Elven realm of Middle Earth.", Legolas explained slowly. The slight movements in his face suggested that he was frustrated. "I don't understand.", I whispered. My father looked at the floor uncomfortably. "We should sit somewhere and talk.", he suggested. I nodded in agreement and entered the Dining Hall. My father pulled three chairs into a crescent shape and sat down at one end. Legolas took the other end, leaving me to sit between the both of them.
"I should begin, first, by telling you a truth Rosalind. I am not your father and Flavilla is not your mother. Your real mother lived in Middle Earth with your real father until she died.", Uriens said. I looked away sharply, but contained my emotions. "Your father, Elrond, still lives, but has left our lands.", Legolas explained. "Your name is not Rosalind, either. In your homeland, you are known as…", Uriens trailed off, not remembering. "Tári of the House of Finwë.", Legolas murmured.
"I am sorry, but I am not Tári, I am Rosalind. I do not understand what or who you are looking for Sir Legolas.", I responded, rising from my seat. Uriens pulled me back down harshly and said, "There's more. You were betrothed to Legolas in his world of Middle Earth. I understand that you loved each other very much. There was a war and he went to fight, but sent you here to be safe. You were hidden in the body of a human and your memories were taken from you by a strong spell." "The body of a human? What mean you by that, father? We are all humans!", I laughed. "Hush, I am your father no longer.", Uriens said quickly.
"I am not human, and neither are you, Tári. We are elves.", Legolas explained, pulling back some of his blonde hair to show off a pointed ear. I moved back in my chair. A demon! One of the foul monsters that the priest babbles about. "No.", I said quietly. This cannot be. "You will regain your memories as well as your true form on your eighteenth birthday.", Legolas said gently, "I journeyed here to bring you back to my world so you can make your transformation there, on our wedding night."
"I don't believe you!", I shouted, springing from my chair. "Father if this a some sort of jest, end it now.", I exclaimed. "Rosalind, Tári, this is no jest. He is your betrothed and you are an elf.", Uriens answered calmly, trying to placate me. It would not work. I ran from the Dining Hall and up to my chamber. I grasped hold of my saddlebags and ran for the stables. The only thought on my mind was to leave North Wales. I could journey to Avalon. I was old, but they would surely teach me the ways of the priestesses. I could live there.
As I was saddling Arrow, I felt a cool hand on mine. I turned around to meet the eyes of Legolas. "What do you wish of me?", I asked, coldly. "I wish to apologize. It was unfair of me to return to you and expect you to remember everything. Gandalf warned me that you wouldn't.", he mumbled. "Who is Gandalf?", I asked, curiously. "A wizard. I believe you know him. He goes by Taliesin the Merlin in this world.", he explained. "Yes. I have heard of him. He is like a father to Morgaine.", I answered, relaxing my grip on Arrow. "Morgaine is a friend of yours?", he asked. "Yes.", I answered, avoiding his eyes. Why was I no longer angry?
"I will not go with you.", I said, breaking the conversation. "And why not?", he asked, looking hurt. "I do not know you. I do not trust you. I do not even know what 'elf' is!", I explained. "Then perhaps you should let me explain everything to you.", he suggested gently. I could not think of a good reason to deny him, so I kept silent.
"You like to ride?", he asked. "Yes.", I answered quietly, feeling subdued. "Take off the saddle bags and ride with me.", he suggested. A small smile crept across my face and I agreed to his suggestion. "I will ride, but where is your horse?", I asked. "I believe she is already here. Arod!", he called. A brown mare came trotting over. "That's my horse.", I laughed. "Actually, I gave him to you when I brought you here. He was my favourite horse.", Legolas argued. I raised an eyebrow at him and swung my leg over Arrow's back.
We rode for half an hour before I signalled for us to stop. We were in a clearing, near the edge of the forest. Legolas dismounted and looked around happily. "It reminds me of home.", he said, inhaling deeply. "Tell me about your home.", I asked shyly. "Mirkwood is a forest kingdom. The palace lies in the center and the city is built around it. All the other elves live in talans, little houses in the trees. The forest used to be called Greenwood, but then the shadow of evil fell over most of it an it became Mirkwood. Now that the war is over, the shadow has retreated and the forest will be green once again.", he described.
"It sounds lovely.", I admitted. "It is inhabited only by elves?", I asked, curiously. "Yes. The mortals do not go there.", he answered, sitting on the ground, next to a tree. "The mortals? We are all mortal. Except perhaps for the Merlin.", I laughed. Legolas sighed and said, "I forget how little you know, Tári. We elves are immortal, we never die. Time has no effect on us. We grow to adulthood, but we never grow ...old as the humans do. An elf can only die of three things: grief, a broken heart, or a fatal wound delivered by an enemy."
I turned away then, unsure of what to think. Never die? My father was dead as Uriens told me. Had he been killed in this war Legolas spoke of? You stay silent for a moment, looking absently at a crow as it picks away at the ground. "Please speak, Tári.", Legolas begs. So I must leave my home to journey to another world with this stranger, this elf. I do not understand him, and yet I must wed him. "How much longer do I have here, in Briton?", I asked with a touch of anger. "Your eighteenth birthday as a mortal is in seven days. That is the day my father planned to have us bound. I wanted to leave as soon as possible. Tomorrow even. But if you wish to wait longer…", he trailed off.
I picked at my dress and thought over his words. I will have to go, no matter what I decide. It seems a better idea to go with him as soon as I can, so that I may become familiar with his world before I begin my life there. Yet I do not want to be quick with my decision. If and when I journey with him, I want to better know him first. "We will leave in three days.", I compromised. Legolas gave me a small smile and grasped my hand firmly. "I am glad to have your consent once again Tári.", he said. I gave a small nod and pushed myself up from the ground. Legolas let go of my hand and stood as well.
He surprised me by pulling my body into a firm embrace. Tears fell down his face as he squeezed me tighter and kissed both my cheeks. I felt frozen beneath his grip, but relaxed as the embrace wore on. "I missed you, Tári.", he repeated several times. How I wished I could remember him! I moved my arms and pulled away from his grip. "We should ride home.", I whispered kindly. "Yes, you are right as always meleth nin.", he answered. "What does that mean? Are you speaking in your own language?", I asked. "Yes, I speak Sindarin, the language of the Woodland Elves. You will remember it when you wake from the spell. Meleth nin simply means 'my love'. One of the many names I had for you.", he answered. I felt my cheeks grow hot from embarrassment.
We rode quickly back to Uriens' castle and into the stables. When Uries saw us, he heaved a sigh. "He found you.", he said joyfully. "Yes, he did.", I answered quietly. "When are you two leaving for Mirkwood?", Uriens asked. I looked to Legolas nervously before answering, "In three days." "Excellent. That gives me time to send word to Camelot and to prepare a parting feast. Aha! I will tell Arthur that Legolas is a French prince- he will believe it, surely.", he babbled, leaving the stables and rubbing his hands together excitedly.
Once Uriens had left us, Legolas turned to me and cupped my cheek in his hand. "I apologize for my outburst earlier. I was simply happy to have you again, and to be able to re-introduce you to the elves of Mirkwood… as my wife.", he said. "I think I understand.", I answered, "But I have a question for you." "Yes?", Legolas acknowledged as I rummaged through my saddlebags, pulling out the necklace.
"This, did you give it to me?", I asked, dropping the necklace into his outstretched hands. Legolas' eyes wavered momentarily as he fingered the delicate chain. "Yes. I had it made for you many years ago. Before I sent you here.", he replied softly. "I wanted to make sure.", I said quietly, before pulling Legolas into a chaste embrace.