Disclaimer: See Prologue/chapter 1
Chapter 12
New Name
As Legolas involuntarily made his way back to Katherine's room, his mind buzzed with names that he could give her...
Niriel? No, too sad. She wouldn't like to be called Tear Maiden for the rest of her life...
Duvainwen? Nay, far too dark. She is Beautiful, but not of Darkness.
Perhaps, Dineniel... Of course not, she is not silent. Not all the time at least...
He passed his father's room, and study...
Eglanwen? Wait, the name doesn't sound all too feminine. And I suppose she isn't really Forsaken.
The few paintings on the wall seemed to stare at the frustrated prince as he walked.
Caniel? Bold Maiden? Well, I suppose it does suit her... But perhaps Arodwen would be better. For she is the Valar's daughter, thus a Noble Lady. Yes, that will do. (A/N: I would like to use Caniel, but ElfPrincessLarien is already using it for her character, and I'd feel like I was stealing it. Read her story The Undecided of Earendil. It's awesome.)
He found himself staring at her door, hesitating. Finally, after berating himself for a good long minute, he knocked.
"Who is it?" a soft voice called from beyond the door.
"Legolas..." he answered just as softly, but loud enough for her to hear.
He heard her get off the bed, and slowly walk to the door. As she opened it, she asked, "What do you want, my lord...?"
"No formalities, you know that." Legolas chided with a smile.
"Legolas, please... I'm really not feeling well right now. Is there something you need?" she asked, wiping away a few stray tears, and closing her eyes as she leant her head against the doorframe.
"I need to speak with you." he said calmly, reaching out and tucking a stray strand of hair behind an ear. She seemed not to notice, for she kept her eyes shut.
"Now really isn't the best time..."
"I realize that." Legolas whispered, laying the back of his hand against her forhead, and feeling how hot it was. "How do you not feel well?"
"Legolas..." she said in a soft moan of annoyance.
"I am trying to help you, little one." he said, taking one of her hands in his. He pushed the door open all the way, walking inside. "Lay down while I get you a cool cloth. You do have a strong fever." He commanded gently, letting go of her hand and going to the bathing room to acquire a cloth soaked in cool water.
Realizing that she wouldn't be able to get him to leave now that he knew she was ill, she staggered slightly to the bed, where she fell onto it, and rolled onto her side.
She closed her eyes as she listened to Legolas moving around in the other room... She jumped when she felt something cold lay across her forhead.
"Shh... calm down, it's only me." Legolas whispered, gently pushing her back down onto the bed.
"W-What did you want to talk to me about..." she asked, feeling immensely better with the cold rag cooling her warm forhead.
"Gandalf says you need an elvish name..." Legolas said quietly, getting up from the bed to retrieve her a night-gown from the wardrobe.
"Mmm..." she groaned, as though in agreement, raising her hand to keep the cloth in place.
"I was thinking Arodwen." Legolas suggested, selecting a thin navy night-dress with straps hardly the width of a finger.
"Which means...?" she inquired, knowing that Legolas would dearly love to have her think she had a beautiful name, when it only meant something foul.
"Noble Lady..."
"I like it..." she said, "Better than 'orc lover' or 'prancing human idiot'..."
Legolas laughed despite himself, setting the bed-clothes on the chair in front of the vanity. "Very well then, Arodwen shall be your name from now on... Are you alright...?" he asked, leaning against the bed post.
"Yes. It's just a small fever..." she answred feebly.
"That is not what I meant." Legolas said, a stern edge in his voice.
"Well then, how do you think I feel, Legolas?" The Noble Lady asked waspishly. "What do you expect me to say or do when told such things? To know that my mother and father are such powerful beings, that neither are dead, and I can never see them again. How would you feel Legolas?" She snapped in unbridled fury and grief, sitting up straight, and holding the damp cloth in her hand so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
With great care, Legolas sat on the bed next to her. "I would feel the same as you. Forsaken, alone, angry, grief-stricken. I would expect no less from someone who would be made to suffer that."
She stared at him, her lips pursed, as silence blanketed the room once more.
"What do I do now...?" she asked in a whisper, more to herself. "Where do I go?"
Legolas felt hurt at the second question. "You will stay here."
She scoffed. "Yes. Stay here. I will be thought of as the prince's plaything for the rest of my life. I'm sure the maidens will love to talk about that. And what about your father? Was I right?"
Legolas took the cloth from her, standing up to replace it in the washroom. "He... is not overly pleased."
"Which is just another way of saying he wishes me dead." she interjected with venom.
"Don't say that... Please. He doesn't want you dead, but he is suspicious as always."
She sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Legolas, how long do you think this will last?"
He gazed at her, confused.
"I mean, I will not be welcome here as soon as the kingdom discovers the truth. I cannot live in a place contentedly if I know everyone around me despises me. And you Legolas... You are the only person, save maybe Mariel, who does not look upon me with scorn. And it will not last, this happy peace we have. You will no doubt take a wife soon, and have so many responsibilities that I shall pass from your mind."
"You won't!" Legolas retorted angrily. "What will it take to prove to you that I will not abandon you! For any reason!"
"You are fooling yourself Legolas! If you were forced to choose between taking care of me, and protecting your people, you would choose them! I would not let you choose otherwise! You cannot abandon them for the sake of one pitiful maiden!" she shot at him.
And she was very right. He couldn't abandon his people... his father... But how could he leave her?
"I am doomed anyhow Legolas." she muttered quietly, turning away from him and lying upon the pillows.
It felt like he had just been stabbed. "What do you mean...?"
"You think I haven't figured it out by now? The mark?" she said, turning to look at him over her shoulder. "No, I know what it means... As Mithrandir said, Sauron's thirst for vengeance is as strong as Morgoth's. If Morgoth wanted me dead, then so does Sauron... Save for Sauron's perverseness will not allow him to just simply torture and kill me. He wants me for more than that and you know it..."
Legolas couldn't help but flinch. "He won't find you... Not here. You are safe."
"No I'm not Legolas! That is a fool's hope! If he could find me in another world, what's to stop him from waltzing in here right now?"
"I won't let him! He'll have to kill me to get to you!" Legolas shouted. She was the daughter of those who created everything. Should he not protect her? How could he not?
"Then you will die a fool's death with a fool's hope..." she whispered, turning away from him and lying down. "Go to bed, Legolas..."
He hesitated, not really wanting to leave her while she was obviously so emotionally unstable.
"Go..." she said sternly, her voice choked with tears.
Silently, he stood up, his face a mask of hurt and worry. "I am here for you. I will protect you..." he vowed. And then he surprised her by leaning down, and brushing his lips against her warm cheek in a soft kiss. It was not like the other chaste ones he had given to her on her forehead. This one was filled with something deeper... A lingering feeling that made her skin burn more than the fever did...
He pulled slowly away, and walked to the door that adjoined her room with his.
"Sleep well, Arodwen..." he said. "Tomorrow is a new day..."
