"Legolas, how did we meet?" He looked out into the forest a moment, a smile playing on his lips
"I was walking through the woods one morning, many years ago; we were quite young then. I was lost in thought, pondering something, when I heard a voice." His eyes sparkled as he spoke, and I longed to remember, "It was clear and beautiful, and I drew closer to the sound…and then my eyes beheld you.
"Did I look the same then?" I had almost managed to wriggle my hand out of his grasp when his fingers twined tighter.
"No," We continued walking.
"So how did I look?"
"You were very beautiful; as you are now…you have changed little."
"You still have not answered my question Legolas."
"I know. You were…shorter." He smirked, and I relaxed my hand in his grip. He looked at me a moment, searching my face, his eyes lingering on my lips for just a moment.
I turned my focus to the forest, allowing my eyes to wander over the greenery. This forest held mystery, and secrets.
I wondered, as I stared into the open, if any of those secrets were mine, and would I ever remember? I hummed absently under my breath, picking a flower from a bush.
"Linwe, that's the song." Legolas' eyes were wide with joy, "That's the song you sand in the woods." He pulled me close suddenly, kissing me with an intensity that stole my breath. The kiss was all fire and desperation. He released me slowly, and I steadied myself against a tree nearby. "I'm sorry…well, no…I don't think I am," He watched my face, as I regained my senses.
"Okay," I said under my breath, "I can do this, breathe Linwe." His laughter rang out clear and resonating.
"Are you alright, I hadn't realized one kiss would have such an effect on you."
"Well…I was um…surprised," I tucked my hair behind my ear, not meeting his eyes.
"Will you sing the song?"
"Uh, now?" I raised my eyebrows at him.
"Yes, if you do not mind," he raised his eyebrows back at me.
"Um, okay."
What is a youth?
Impetious fire.
What is a maid?
ice and desire
the world wags on…
a rose will bloom
it then will fade:
so does a youth, so does the fairest maid
There comes a time when one sweet smile
has its season for a while
Then loves in love with me…
Some they think only to marry,
others to tease and tarry
mine is the very best parry-
cupid he rules us all
Caper the cape, but sing me the song
Death will come soon, to rush us along,
sweeter than honey and bitter as gall
love is a task and it never will pall
Sweeter than honey and bitter as Gall
cupid he rules us all
A rose will bloom
it then will fade…so does a youth
so does the fairest maid
I stopped singing, ending the song. He was silent, his lips pursed in thoughtful contemplation.
"That was exactly the way you sang it when we met."
"Really?"
"Yes." We walked in the quiet silence, and I thought how true the song was. Beauty will fade as will youth; this was one of the only things that were dependable with life. Love, love was fickle, waxing and waning at will like the moon. Since this was so, how was one to know when love was real, and was like the moon. Since this was so, how was on to know when love was real, and what was love even? Was I in love when I get married? If I was, wouldn't I remember? My heart held something for Legolas, I knew it wasn't empty, but was it love? What was love? I sighed heavily, lost in my confusion.
"Linwe, what are you thinking about?"
"Um, things."
"Tell me." He looked at me with earnest.
"I was thinking, how true that song is. Love is fickle."
"Not my love." He looked into my eyes.
"All love is fickle and changeable." I shook my head.
He held me by the shoulders, "not my love Linwe."
"So your love must be special then," I said.
"When an emotion is fickle, it was never real to begin with."
"How do you know?" I challenged.
"I just know…don't you?" He raised his eyebrows. "What has happened to you Linwe, this is not you."
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Poem by Eugene Valter...my favorite poem.