Chapter VI: The History of Middle Earth Volume XXIV
I fell into a deep sleep that night, not waking once. Not once did I dream through that night. I woke feeling peaceful. Out the window, the sun had risen and Mirkwood was shining brightly in the fresh morning's light. I hurried out of bed, washed and dressed for the day. Just as I was done brushing out my hair, I heard a knock at my door. I threw open the door to meet Thranduil. I looked to his side but did not see Legolas. "Good morning Tári. Will you walk with me before breakfast?", he asked. "Of course.", I obliged, moving to stand beside him.
"I trust that you are enjoying your stay?", he asked. "Yes, of course. You have a beautiful palace.", I answered. "Thank you, Tári. One question- Legolas tells me that your memories are coming back, so what exactly do you remember?", he asked. Why is everyone suddenly so interested in my memories? "I only remember a few words, and the flowers in your garden.", I explained. Thranduil's demeanour visibly softened. "Very good. We should hasten to breakfast. The others will be waiting.", he said. I agreed and followed him to the Dining Hall.
Legolas and Dúlin were seated and waiting for us there. Fruits and breads were spread around the table. Once again, Legolas served me and the meal began. There was very little discussion as we ate and as soon as the meal had ended, we all dispersed. Legolas led me through the corridors and into his father's library. "Here", he began, "you may content yourself here. You should be able to find books in the Common Tongue on the left wall." Why does he keep leaving me places and ignoring me? "Why must I stay here? Where are you going?", I demanded. "I am working on wedding plans and fulfilling my duties. You will have duties of your own, but for now you cannot fulfill them.", he explained. So I am useless then.
I nodded in agreement. Legolas gave me a quick kiss before hurrying off. I was left alone among the vast stacks of books. Common Tongue on the left wall… I found the books Legolas had directed me to without much trouble at all. There were enormous volumes here, some that looked older than anything I had ever seen in Briton. I picked one off the shelf- 'The History of Middle Earth Volume I'. It must have exceeded a thousand pages. I looked along the shelf, only to find dozens of similar books. I want to know about the War of the Ring. I set aside the first book and went searching for the last volume of the series.
Book XXIV looked new, as if it had been bound only a few weeks ago. I eagerly parted its cover and looked through the pages. There were several chapters devoted to the Ring. I glanced through them, searching for any mention of what Legolas had told me. He had not disappointed me, although the story he had told was much abbreviated. I pored through pages detailing the Council of Elrond, the forming of the Fellowship, the breaking of the Fellowship, battles at Helm's Deep and Pelenor Fields, and finally the Ring's destruction.
Just as I was reading about the crowning of King Elessar of Gondor, I turned the page to see my own face staring up at me. The title read 'The Tale of Princess Tári.' There are books about me? I looked over the page before catching a paragraph that held my interest:
Princess Tári, daughter of Lord Elrond, was kept safe in the world of Briton. Her betrothed, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, was to be the sole keeper of the key that would go between the worlds. When the key was stolen by the creature Gollum, its fate was tied with the Ring. Ironically, if Legolas had allowed Tári to fight in the battles, she would not have been put into further danger.
I was about to read further when Legolas entered the library. "Tári! The maids have been searching for you. They want to fit you into your dress.", he called. "Dress? I already have a dress.", I answered, setting down the book. "For after the ceremony.", he explained, sounding annoyed with me. Why is he always so angry? I frowned and rose to walk out the door. I walked past Legolas and through the corridors to the front entrance.
To Legolas' bewilderment, I kept walking, not bothering to stop at his call. I found the stables easily enough and saddled Fey. Legolas ran into the stables and put his hand over mine, stopping me. "What do you want of me now, Prince?", I spat, thoroughly annoyed. "Tári, I am sorry. Please do not be angry with me.", he begged. "Then do not be angry with me.", I answered, my voice still edged with annoyance. He sighed, looking genuinely sorry for his actions. "Tári, I love you. Please pardon me.", he said softly.
For a brief moment I looked into his eyes to see his sincerity. I sighed and gave his hand a small squeeze. "I am sorry meleth nin.", I said slowly. He smiled at me a little and kissed both my cheeks. "There is no need, melamin. The fault is mine. Come, let's escape the palace for the rest of the morning.", he suggested. I raised my eyebrow in interest. "Escape?", I laughed. "It is a tiresome place.", he said, pushing me on top of Fey and mounting behind me.
"Where are we going?", I asked. "Anywhere.", he answered, kicking Fey to a canter. We only rode for a quarter of an hour, but already the fresh air was beginning to relieve my temperament. Legolas halted Fey on the outskirts of a lake. I tied Fey to a tree and sat on a rock, looking into the water. Legolas stood beside me, not saying anything.
"Thank you.", I whispered, breaking the silence. "Anything for you.", he answered. "Do you enjoy your duties?", I asked to make conversation. "Not really. But I love my people and so I fulfill my duties happily.", he explained. "But still, I am looking forward to the time after the bonding ceremony. We will have a year to ourselves on the border of Mirkwood in a smaller palace.", he said. "A year, that is so long!", I exclaimed. "Hardly. I wish it were longer. A year is a heartbeat compared to the stretch of immortality.", he replied, sitting down next to me.
"How old are you?", I asked suddenly. "2 949 years old. You yourself are 2 432, so do not be surprised.", he answered. I tried to hold back my astonishment, but failed. I was older than Briton itself! "Immortality… you can never die?", I asked Legolas. "Not in the human sense of death. Disease and old age never touch us. We simply grow to maturity and eventually sail to the Undying Lands.", he explained. "The Undying Lands… my parents are there?", I asked. "Yes. Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian are there. We will join them centuries from now.", he explained.
I stretched on the rock and rested my head on his shoulder. "Thank you for bringing me here.", I said quietly. "It was a pleasure, meleth nin.", he replied softly, bringing his arms to rest around my stomach. I sighed softly, enjoying the tranquil moment. The quiet was broken only by the gentle lapping of the water against the shore.
"I suppose that your father will send someone to fetch us.", I whispered sadly. As if on cue, a sentry walked through the pathway that we had just come from. "Prince Legolas!", he hailed. "Now is not the time.", Legolas said dismissively. "But your father requires your presence. A visitor has just arrived from Gondor who wishes to speak to you.", the servant interrupted. "Gondor?", Legolas muttered, his interest piquing.
He turned to me and said, "We must go greet this visitor. Perchance it is King Elessar and Queen Arwen Undomiel." I did not know who Legolas was referring to and could only follow him blindly as he rushed to sit up and mount Fey.