Okay everyone. As most of you have found out, my story was deleted.No, it wasn't me. It was the administration, because according to them, I 'violated the guidelines' and 'used lyrics not my own'. I know, I didn't use any music lyrics in my story. But the fact remained that my story was gone from the site. (And my account was locked so I couldn't repost the story until today)
I can only guess an angry reviewer filed a 'possible abuse' thingy, even though I've done nothing wrong. I hope that you all aren't too angry about this. I know I was, but I got over it.
This story will continue. You all like it, and I'm not going to keep it from you. But in the case of which it is deleted again, and you want to keep reading, send me your e-mails in a review (make sure that you put a space between the name, and AOL/hotmail/etc. Otherwise I can't see it.
Thank you, and enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 13
Accepted Fate
The birds singing seemed so loud... She could hear a maid sweeping the outer corridor... The rustle of her bedcovers as they rose and fell with her breathing... People were speaking loudly nearby, their voices stern and harsh as they argued...
"Sweet Lord, does not anyone know how to be quiet in the early morning?" Katherine groaned, groping for a pillow, and covering her ears to muffle the sounds.
The one now called Arodwen sat up, giving up her futile attempts to drown out the sound. She didn't know what time it was, but her body felt like it was maybe after six...
Arodwen tossed back the covers of the bed-spread, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her slender feet registered no cold as they fell onto the stone floor. She realized that she still wore the gown from last night, having fallen asleep after Legolas left. It was wrinkled badly. My hair must look no better... she thought, standing up and going to the wardrobe, picking up the unused nightgown along the way.
She decided upon the pale yellow gown with the embellishes of tiny flowers, pulling it over her head, and going to the vanity to try and tame her hair.
As she thought, the dark blonde tresses were tousled, the braids having come undone as she slept. With a resigned sigh, she picked up the silver brush, and began untangling the hair until it began to shine like gold. As she pulled two strands from either side, meaning to tie them back, she gave a yelp as her fingers brushed against her ears... Her, pointed ears.
"Oh no..." she murmured, pulling back her hair to look more closely. Indeed, the once rounded earlobe had a delicately pointed tip like all of the elven race. "No..." she groaned. "Oh God... Why? I was content the way I was!"
Before she could continue her rant to her reflection, a loud knock came from the door that led to Legolas's room.
"Arodwen?" Legolas called, using her new name. "May I intrude?"
Brushing her hair down so that it covered her 'new ears', she answered. "Y-Yes!"
The door opened, revealing a Legolas still clad in night-clothes. A white robe hung loosely off his shoulders, reaching only to his knees. The only other garment he wore was a pair of loose dark grey silk pants.
"Good morning." he said, closing the door behind him as he made his way slowly to where she sat, still as stone.
Oh yes, it did affect her to see him in such attire. Especially since his robe was not fully closed, revealing a good deal of his perfect milk-white toned chest and abs.
"Did you sleep well?" the prince asked.
She contented her self with gazing at the intricately designed bottles of perfume, instead of looking at him. "I slept fine..." she answered quietly. "You can speak softer you know, I can hear you fine."
He gave her a strange look. "This is the tone I always use with you..." he said, blue eyes drifting over her.
"Oh..." she muttered, cursing herself for asking him to talk softly... Now he'll start asking questions...
"You said you slept fine. Not well then? Did, something wake you?" he asked casually, starting to form his own ideas as he stood behind her, his hands resting on the back of the chair.
That's it... I'm doomed... "No..." she lied smoothly. "I suppose I should have chosen my words more carefully. I slept very well."
"I see..." he said with a grin, moving his agile hands to rest upon her shoulders. She shivered involuntarily at his touch. "Calm down, I'm not trying anything..." he laughed as he slowly began to gently massage a tense spot he'd found in her shoulders. "Your shoulders are sore... Did you rest at an odd angle?" he asked, pushing a little harder than necessary, causing her to wince.
"Not that I know of..."
"You hair looks nice..." he complimented, playing with the ends resting on her back. "Pity that the braids have come undone. I'll re-do them for you..."
"No!" she protested vehemently.
He gave her a puzzled look, staring at her expression in the mirror. "Why not? You look beautiful with braids."
"I... wanted to leave it down today..." she lied again, fiddling with a perfume with a crystal star top.
"But if you do that, it will hide the beauty of the gown." Legolas said, one hand caressed up her arm against the magnificently designed sleeve.
"Legolas..." she muttered, annoyance in her tone.
"Aye?" he asked.
"Just forget it, please..." Arodwen pleaded, her eyes tight shut, waiting for his answer.
"Very well then..." Legolas agreed, stepping away from her with the brush in hand. A few feet away from her, he let the silver handled brush drop, causing it to clatter loudly against the stone.
"Ah!" she yelped, her hands immediately flying to her ears to shield them against the sound.
Legolas watched as she glared at him, while he himself was smiling slyly at his work. Arms folded easily across his chest, he asked, "What's wrong? Too... loud?"
"You're despicable..." she cursed at him, hands still over her ears.
"Me? Never!" Legolas claimed, the smile still in place as he feigned innocence.
With sedate ease, he walked slowly over to her, circling around her. "And, you were going to tell me this when?" he asked, meaning her ears.
"I was going to keep it to myself, you arrogant brat..." she spat, lowering her hands. The pointed tips of her ears peeked out from beneath her hair.
"For how long?"
"As long as possible."
"Why?" he asked, still circling stealthily.
"Because I didn't want this..." she growled.
"Why not!" he exclaimed, stopping in front of her, and staring at her in shock. "Why wouldn't you want this? To be an elf? Immortal?"
"I was content to live and die, Legolas. Living for years knowing that as my fate, I had come to accept it."
"How can you accept that!" he argued angrily, hands grasping her shoulders tightly, lowering his face to her level. "If you were mortal, then you would die! We could never be together!"
She furrowed her brow, "W-What do you mean?"
"I would have to watch you die before my eyes, while I never changed! How would I be able to bear that?" he asked in a formidable whisper.
"Why am I so important to you? I'm sure that you have other mortal friends. Why would my death affect you so much more than theirs?" Arodwen demanded, her hazel eyes darkening.
"Listen to me..." he pleaded, pushing her gently to sit down up the chair as he crouched next to her. She looked at him intently, awaiting an explanation. He unconsciously grasped one of her hands, staring up at her until he forced himself to speak. "I am a prince... And thus, my father has pushed me to look at every elleth in the kingdom. A handful have become dear friends, but never more than that. They did not seek more than a great friendship with me, and I mirrored that desire. I could make time to seek an elleth with whom I could court, but I never did. When I had two weeks with you, a fortnight in which I learned so much about you and the world in which you had so long lived in, I became enamored."
"Legolas," she interjected, her eyes wild with the realization of what he was telling her.
But he pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh, let me finish." he appealed. With half a mind not to, she nodded, and he drew his hand away, taking up her hands in his again. "As I was saying, I became enamored. Whether it was because I had so much time in your company, or simply fate, it happened. The protectiveness I held for you increased when I saw the memory." She looked away at his words, obviously ashamed still that he had seen it, and he reached up, turning her face gently back to his gaze. "And it only doubled when I saved you from that man..." He could see the conflict in her eyes, and the confused worry. The inadequacy... "You, are a daughter of two powerful Valar..." he said in reverence, "Never feel or think low of yourself. You are blessed with such gifts beyond any I know." She gave him a small, watery smile. "You are far greater than any of the Eldar. Than my father, Elrond, Celeborn... Your blood, binds all the races of elves. You unite us, and make us one. And I will protect you with my life, Arodwen, daughter of the Valier Yavanna, and Valar Aüle. I say this not out of duty, but out of growing love." Legolas finished, with his lips turned up in a hesitant smile.
Arodwen, lost in his passionate cerulean eyes, saw all the things he wanted for her. She saw the purity of his words, and the determination to hold true to them.
She felthis hands caressing her own. She took them both, pressing a lingering kiss upon them.She heldthem against her smooth cheeks, her eyes closed as she relished the feeling of utter peacefulness it brought her.
Legolas felt her lips upon his soft hands, watched her eyes flutter closed as she smiled against his touch.
"For so long I wished for this moment..." she whispered, standing up with him. His hands left her face to trail down her arms, coming to rest gently on her waist. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her head against his chest.
He heard her whimper, and felt a tear slide down his skin. "Why do you cry?" he asked worriedly, taking her face in his hands.
"Because I can never be yours..." she whispered, her voice constricted with tears.
He didn't understand until she held up her hand, indicating the burned mark.
"No, Arodwen..." he said firmly, taking her hand in both of his and bestowing a kiss upon it. "You will never be his. You are mine."
She cried, clinging to him like a babe as she let her tears fall. "I don't want you hurt..." she said. "And your father... I can't see him mad at you... He'll never accept me; he won't let me be with you. If it isn't the belief that I'm kin to his wife's murderer, then it's the mark upon my hand that dooms me as Sauron's slave."
"It doesn't matter to me - it will not matter to him!" Legolas tried to reassure. "He will not keep us apart."
She didn't say anything else, just wanting to stay in his embrace.
But fate was not too keen on their peace, for a sharp familiar knock announced that Mariel was at the door.
"Milady?" she called.
Rubbing her eyes hastily to dry her tears, she stepped away from Legolas. "Go!" she hissed as quietly as she could. On silent feet, Legolas was back in his own room within five seconds.
"Come in!" Arodwen answered, smoothing the folds of the gown.
Mariel entered looking cheerful. "Elbereth! I didn't know that you would be up at this hour! And already dressed!" she said, a pleased sparkle in her eyes. "Now then, sit down at the vanity while I do your hair."
She complied, and as she expected, the maternal elf gave a small gasp of surprise upon uncovering her ears.
"Do not ask, for I know not the answer as to how it happened." Arodwen said, smiling at her maid's reflection.
"Ai! Mithrandir will undoubtedly know. Doesn't miss a thing, that wizard." Mariel said, braiding in some small yellow blossoms. "Mostof usdon't like it when he's around. I find him amusing at times; it's a nice change to have some mischief around here again."
"Speaking of mischief, I would be delighted to hear some tales about an impish elfling." Arodwen suggested.
Mariel laughed appreciatively. "And goodness knows I have more than a few." she said, jumping right into one about Legolas, Elrohir, and Elladan nicking a few bottles of Miruvor from Thranduil's wine cellar, getting completely drunk in the forest, and unable to remember the way back.
Meanwhile, while Arodwen's visitor had been pleasant, when Legolas entered his chambers, he found someone waiting for him who did not look very pleased at all...
Dum Dum Dum... lol. PLEASE REVIEW!
