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Chapter 15
Feelings Forfeited
Legolas fumed after his father left; throwing his clothes on the ground changing into his patrol garb. Dark grey leggings, a light blue silk tunic under a deep green jerkin. He tied a leather vambrace on each arm with difficulty. His brown belt with the Mirkwood seal was then tightened around his already thin waist. He situated the straps that would hold his quiver and long knives, finally snapping the clasp shut. Throwing his night garments into the wardrobe carelessly, pulling out his calf-high grey suede boots, he cursed his father as he pulled them on. "He's being a stubborn ass... She is fine here... No sense moving her place to place... She's upset already..."
Standing up, he searched of his bow, taking the dagger from his bedside table carelessly and sheathing it. He spotted it, atop the wardrobe and concealed by clean sheets. Apparently his father wanted him to spend more time with elleths than on patrols. He wouldn't have noticed it if it hadn't been for the tiny bit of the end of the bow peeking out from beneath a rather hastily folded sheet.
Without disturbing the sheets whatsoever, he slid the bow out from beneath them, at the same time there was a timid knock from the adjoining door.
"Come." he called, setting the bow upon his bed, and picking up his long knives to sheathe them.
The door opened, revealing a rather upset looking Arodwen standing hesitantly in the doorway.
Legolas looked up, and immediately set the knives down. "Mani marte?" (what is wrong) he asked.
She didn't move from the door, as though she hadn't heard his words.
Legolas's concern grew, and he held out his hands. "Tolo si, veluiaer. Lin nîf gar baul; mani marte?" (come here, sweet one. Your face bears torment; what is wrong?)
She stepped forward, and slowly let her hands be grasped by his. With a smile, he pulled her farther into the room.
"N'uma marte..." (nothing is wrong) she murmured, her pronunciation of the elvish words slightly off, but flowing nonetheless. She kept her gaze away from his.
"I see Mariel has been teaching you our language!" Legolas said with pride for her.
"Uma..." (yes) the timid elleth answered.
Legolas sat down on the sofa in front of the fire, pulling her to sit beside him.
"Tell me why my Noble Lady is sad." Legolas prodded, his hands moving to play with one of her braids.
She was silent, trying to ignore the hands that caressed up her neck to her hair, fixing the tiny yellow flowers.
"Mariel said I had to speak with you..." she said at last, not telling the whole truth.
"Mmm. And, why did she say that?" Legolas asked, his arm slipping around her waist, and pulling her closer to him. She resisted.
"Because... Because I heard, you and your father..."
Legolas stiffened immediately. "Y-You heard?"
She nodded, her eyes glazed with pain.
"Do not let what he says upset you, Arodwen."
"But Legolas, he is right..." she said louder, knowing that nothing Legolas said to her would change the truth. "I am putting your people in danger. That is the truth!"
"I told you already! That will not keep me from you!"
"But it would keep you from your people Legolas! I told you once that I will not see you abandon them for me! I will not let it happen!" she shot at him, pulling away and getting up.
He stood up as well, staring at her as she made for the door.
"Arodwen!" he called, but she did not stop. "Daro! Now!" (stop!) He shouted the harsh command her.
She froze, her hand upon the door. She did not turn to look at him, but said, "You have no authority over me, prince. Do not presume that you can order me around like the lowest servant."
"If that is what it takes to get you to listen to me then so be it!" he retorted with frustration.
She glanced at him over her shoulder, the pain that was still in her eyes cut his heart like a blade.
"If that is your philosophy, ernil, then whatever feelings I have for you are forfeit." (prince) she opened the door fiercely, and let it slam shut behind her.
Leaving a stunned and anger driven prince behind.
After many minutes of searching, Arodwen found Mariel, who led her to the seamstresses. The three pretty elleths looked her over, measuring here and there, and holding colored fabrics up to her eyes, skin, and hair.
Mariel watched her with a strange look in her eye, making her feel like the maid knew everything going on in her mind, which wasn't good.
She promptly ignored her surroundings, her thoughts dwelling on the argument with Legolas... How could he speak like that to me... she thought fiercely, He knows that he has his people to care for and look after, yet he acts like they do not exist! I cannot let him give up all these lives just for me! He is being an idiot! I will not apologize to him. No matter what, I was justified in what I said and did...
After hours of standing and being pricked, prodded, and poked, Arodwen was given leave to go. Mariel went forward and took her by the arm, gently yet firmly steering her out of the room, leading her through a series of corridors until she found herself descending the steps that led to her chambers.
Arodwen firmly kept her gaze away from Legolas's door, setting it upon her own.
Mariel pretended not to notice as she opened Arodwen's door, leading her inside.
Arodwen found that there was food and wine set upon the table, still fresh and steaming.
"I took the liberty of having your meal brought here, seeing as how we were delayed with the seamstresses." the maid said, lighting a few candles here and there as Arodwen thanked her graciously and sat down to eat.
"I do not think I could bear company this eve any who..." Arodwen murmured, sipping the dark wine that left her head dizzy.
"What has happened between the two of you?" Mariel asked, laying out her nightdress, and pulling back the comforter of the bed, readying it for her.
Arodwen hiccuped, jumping slightly in her chair at Mariel's words. "N-Nothing." she stammered, bringing a strawberry to her lips.
Mariel laughed lightly, moving some pillows around on the bed. "Oh my dear, there is no point in lying to me. I can see it in your eyes. You are upset with him. Why?"
Arodwen sighed dejectedly, getting up, and sitting again in front of the vanity. Her hands went up to her hair to untwine the braids, taking great care not to damage the pretty flowers, which she laid aside to put in a vase. Mariel came up behind her, taking over the process, saying, "Come now, out with it. What happened?"
Arodwen twirled a yellow flower between her fingers. "We... argued."
"Tell me the entire thing. From the beginning." Mariel insisted, brushing the maiden's hair to a healthy shine.
"I told him I'd heard what his father said, and he told me not to worry. But I said that his father spoke the truth; that I was endangering Mirkwood. He said it wouldn't keep me from him. And I had told him once already that I will not see him put me before the safety of his people. I went to the door, but he told me to 'stop'. I told him he had no authority over me, that he couldn't order me around like a lowly servant. A-And he yelled that, if that's what it took to get me to listen, then he would do it..." Arodwen said, watching a tear splatter onto the petals of the flower like rain. "S-So... I said that, if that was his philosophy, then whatever f-feeling I had for him were forfeit."
Mariel looked stricken. She set down the brush, having Arodwen stand so she could help her to change. As the nightgown slid on, Arodwen whispered, "I will not apologize to him, Mariel... I can't... I won't let him forsake all under his father's rule to love a 'doomed maiden'..."
"You do not have to apologize to him... But you must speak with him. His heart is filled with love for you, Arodwen. I know your heart. You love him too." Mariel said softly, blowing out the candles as she got into bed.
"I do not wish to see him, Mariel..."
"Ah, but I am certain he will wish to see you." Mariel answered, tucking the covers around her as though she was putting her own child to bed.
"I... I just need some time, and space to think... Please Mariel? Will you allow me that?" she pleaded, her eyes looking lost and unsure.
Mariel nodded, and placed a soft kiss upon the maiden's brow. "Worry not, little one. All will be well in time. Just do not take too long..."
