Chapter V: Taliesin the Merlin
Thank you all for the reviews. A quick note on my spelling- I am using the spellings used in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon. LancelotLancelet, GuinivereGwenhwyfar, BritainBriton, LondonLondiminium, etc. Hope that clears things up!
The next morning, I roused early to find that the sun had barely raised its golden head from the mountaintops. I had Gwennis help me with the last of my packing. As I was tying my hair into a braid for riding, Legolas knocked on my chamber door. Gwennis pulled the door open at my nod. "Good morning, meleth nin. I see that you are nearly ready to depart.", he greeted. "Just a few last things. And of course, I must exchange goodbyes with my family.", I replied. "Of course.", he answered, nodding his head.
I folded one last dress into the saddlebag before pulling the drawstring shut. Legolas stepped beside me and touched his hand to my shoulder, turning me to face him. When our eyes connected, a small smile found its way to my face. His eyes glimmered with hope and happiness. I gingerly placed my lips on his, pulling away as quickly as I had closed the space between us. He breathed deeply and closed his free hand over mine. I sighed and pressed my forehead to his in contentment.
We departed from my chambers, saddlebags weighing down our arms. Uriens met us in the corridor, his own arms also laden with things. The three of us struggled to the stables, pulling the bags with us. I helped saddle Arod and Fey and tied the bags to their saddles. "I believe that this is goodbye then.", I said to Uriens. Just as I said this, Accolon and Avalloch rushed in, panting. Flavilla and Gwennis soon followed. I embraced them all, holding Uriens tightest. He shall never give me away at my wedding. I shall walk down the aisle alone.
Feeling a wave of sadness, I let go of Uriens. "We have a wedding present for you.", Flavilla said, holding out a small bag. I frowned slightly in curiosity and took the bag willingly, passing it to Legolas. "We will open this on our wedding day.", he decided. "I also have your dress, Tári.", Flavilla added, holding out a larger bag. I took it gratefully and tied it onto Fey. "Thank you all so much.", I said, gratitude clinging to the words. Legolas thanked them as well and mounted Arod in a swift leap. I climbed onto Fey's back.
With one last wave to my family, I rode out of the stables confidently. Legolas quickly matched my pace and rode beside me. "If it isn't too unkind to ask, what happened last night between you and Sir Lancelet?", he asked politely. I sighed deeply and began the story. Moments later, I was explaining how Lancelet had tried to kiss me. I could tell that Legolas was becoming angry. After I told him how I had slapped Lancelet, Legolas seemed to be satiated. A smug smile crossed his face. "You weren't jealous?", I teased. "Never.", he said playfully.
I removed my hand from Fey's reins and reached over to touch my fingers with Legolas'. He squeezed my hand. Suddenly, we both heard a scuffle in the bushes. Legolas halted Arod and stepped down, pulling twin blades from his belt. I watched anxiously, waiting to see who was there. Legolas stepped forward, moving into a battle stance.
Without warning, Lancelet stumbled out from between the trees. Faster than I could imagine, Legolas swung his blades so that they crossed over his neck. Legolas forced him to sit down on the ground. Defenceless, Lancelet was forced to obey. "Rosalind, this man is a fiend!", Lancelet protested. I smirked, but said nothing. "I came to bid you goodbye.", Lancelet went on. "You already 'bid me goodbye' last night, Impatient Lord.", I said quickly.
Lancelet looked down, saddened. "I beg for your pardon, Lady. Please take pity on me and allow me to take my leave.", he begged. I sighed unhappily and motioned for Legolas to set him free. Slowly, Legolas lifted his daggers and kicked Lancelet back towards the trees. I frowned at his display of spite, but otherwise showed no emotion.
Once Lancelet was out of sight and hearing, Legolas re-mounted Arod. "Tári?", he asked, trying to understand how I was feeling at the moment. Thank you. "Yes, meleth nin?", I asked in return. "You are… alright?", he asked. "Yes. I am fine. Just anxious to see my new home.", I answered honestly. He beamed and replied, "We are nearing the Merlin's hut. Once we arrive, he will create the portal to send us back home." Home. I nodded gratefully and tightened my grip on Fey's reins.
After two more hours of riding, Legolas slowed his pace and motioned for me to do the same. We were nearing a clearing. "We are here.", he whispered. "Well of course you are.", said a stooped elderly man from behind us. "Gandalf!", Legolas greeted happily. "Yes, yes. On time as usual. I assume I am invited to the wedding?", the Merlin laughed. "Of course, Taliesin, most venerable one.", I whispered quietly. "Ahhh, Tári. You will know me better as Gandalf the White in times to come. I am the Merlin to you no more.", he insisted. "Very well.", I agreed, not wishing to insult him.
"Well come inside! It's been so long since I've had good company.", Gandalf suggested. I looked quickly at Legolas, who nodded. We were both ushered inside the Merlin's hut. Gandalf set down goblets of water for us to drink. Next to the goblets, he set down a loaf of strange bread wrapped in dark green leaves. "Lembas.", Legolas whispered to me. "Do I eat it?", I asked timidly. "Of course!", grunted Gandalf, "It's no use to you just sitting there in its package is it?" I shook my head no and reached to break a piece off the loaf.
Upon my first bite, my stomach filled instantly and the small bites of hunger I had felt were immediately driven away. I grimaced in surprise, much to Legolas and Gandalf's amusement. "One bite fills a grown man.", Gandalf guffawed. I looked down in embarrassment. Legolas touched a hand to my shoulder and said softly, "You will remember", then added, "but Gandalf should not tease." I laughed lightly and raised my head to meet my eyes with theirs.
"I would like to return to my homeland.", I suggested. "Yes, we should not be wasting time here in this pitiful shack.", Gandalf agreed. The wizard picked up his staff and crashed it to the ground. Muttering words in a language I was only beginning to know, he drew a loose circle in the air. The circled air flickered and glowed a deep green. The circle grew to expand around the hut and into the outdoors. I heard the horses whinny in distaste as the circle began to encompass them too. Gandalf cracked his staff once again to the earth and the circle closed in on itself, pulling us with it. I felt my body pull through time and space until I was standing, dizzy, in a place I had never seen before.
"Tári, we are home.", Legolas said, his voice betraying his excitement. "Yes, home.", I muttered. I looked around eagerly for a sign that this place was different from Briton. The landscape was very much the same, only I had been deposited into the middle of a forest that was denser than any I had seen in Briton.
Immediately, our small party was surrounded by a group of elvish archers. Upon seeing Legolas, they lowered their bows in respect. "The Prince has returned.", a whisper went out. Legolas stepped forward and addressed the archers, "I have returned to Mirkwood with my fiancée, Tári. We request safe passage to the palace." The archers nodded in agreement and three of them were selected to escort us to the palace.
Gandalf would not go with us. "I will be there on your wedding day, to give you away on behalf of Elrond.", he explained. I lowered my head in a respectful goodbye. Legolas rested his hand on my forearm and pulled me forward. He whistled and Arod and Fey came galloping towards us. At least I will have my own horses here. Legolas and the archers led me through the trees and into a fenced clearing.
"Home.", Legolas whispered for my benefit. I gazed about the place in wonder. I had seen this place before. The dreams I had the night before Legolas' arrival! I ran ahead of the group and into the front garden of the palace. The flowers! I knew them all. "Legolas, I remember this place!", I shouted happily. An annoyed look possessed his face for a moment, before he smiled widely at me. "I am happy for you, Tári, but we need to visit with my parents.", he said slowly.
I agreed with trepidation. Would they like me? Did they like me before? Being so unsure was slowly slaying my insides. I took a deep breath and held back for a minute. "Legolas- promise me that this won't go badly.", I whispered. "It will not. How could it? They adore you. You surprise me, Tári.", he answered, urging us on. Does he wish this to be dealt quickly with as much as I do?
We entered the throne room not to find the King and Queen seated, but engaged with servants. "Yes, that one! No not in that colour, Reneadin.", I heard Legolas' mother say. Legolas' father, however, noticed us and turned immediately to face us. "Legolas, my son! And Tári, my future daughter. Welcome, we have been expecting you.", he greeted warmly. I smiled shyly at him and waited for Legolas to speak first, "Ada, Naneth, we have missed you.", he answered. "Tári, did you enjoy your visit with our friends in Briton?", Legolas' father asked. "Very much so, Sir…", I trailed off. "Lord Thranduil, forgive me. And my wife's name is Dúlin. We would offer a more fitting welcome, but wedding preparations shall keep us busy for the next three days.", he finished. Three days! I did my best not to look panicked, but I couldn't avoid tensing my hands when the date was announced.
Legolas talked with his parents for the next hour about the goings-on of the realm and of the upcoming wedding. I nodded often, but added very little words of my own. I hope that I did not give a meagre impression to the Lord and Lady! When the sun began to set, Thranduil announced that supper would commence. The servants began to assemble various foreign dishes of food on a large table in the Dining Hall. I watched as Legolas served me a plate full of strange green foods. Not anywhere did I see any meat.
The meal took nearly an hour. Not once did Legolas' family cease talking! I felt uncomfortable watching these strangers converse so freely about subjects I should have understood. I believe that Legolas sensed my frustration as he asked for us to be excused. "We need to unpack our things and show Tári her temporary chambers.", he explained. "Very well.", Thranduil accepted, waving us towards the door with a small smile on his face.
Legolas led me up a wide corridor and into a small room. "You will stay here until the wedding.", he said stiffly. Is he angry? He ordered a servant to bring Fey's saddlebags into the room and turned to leave. "Please, Legolas- have I done something to displease you?", I begged. He turned around, looking surprised. "No meleth nin, why would you ask that?", he asked. "You seemed more… distant than what I am used to. That is all.", I answered, lowering my eyes to the floor in respect. He cupped my chin in his hand and pulled my face up to meet his. "Never look down again. I enjoy seeing your smiling face.", he said quietly.
My heart leaped in my chest. He wasn't angry after all! I gave him a genuine smile and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you.", I whispered gratefully. "It was no real trouble.", he answered, sounding confused. "I must be going down to speak with my parents. Stay here and rest. I will come for you after sunrise.", he said.
I nodded in agreement and said a slow goodbye. He gave me a sweet kiss before leaving me to put away my things from Briton.