Disclaimer: See prologue.
Chapter 26
Gerich Estellio Nin - You have my Trust
Arodwen awoke with a gentle nudge on her shoulder. Merry was kneeling next to her, a grin on his cherubic face.
"Good mornin' m'lady." he said happily. "Or at least, I think it's morning. Master Legolas asked me to wake you. How are you feeling?"
Arodwen slowly sat up, feeling only a dull ache in her ribs. "Compared to yester eve, wonderful."
Merry smiled wider, and gave her a hug. "They'll be really happy to see you better."
Arodwen laughed lightly, rumpling Merry's hair, and getting up with his help. "Is that so? Well then, I feel even better."
Merry grabbed her hand and led her around a boulder to where everyone was sitting, eating breakfast. Gandalf looked over, taking his pipe from between his teeth and chuckling appreciatively. "Well well! The healing of elves never ceases to amaze me, dear Arodwen. I am glad to see you are fairing better."
Arodwen bowed her head to the wizard respectfully, smiling. "I feel immensely better, Mithrandir, thank you."
Pippin had now taken hold of her other hand after hugging her around the middle. She winced at the pain that was still there, but tried not to let it show. "Sam's made bacon and tomatoes! Come eat Arodwen!"
"I am well, Pippin. My stomach is content without seven meals a day, unlike some mischievous hobbits I know."
Aragorn shook his head at her, nodding at the empty space beside him. "Oh no, Arodwen. Elven potion or no, you need to eat."
"But I'm not-"
"Eat!" Merry, Pippin, Sam, and Strider said at the same time.
She could not begin to fathom how such small creatures could build a place so enormous.
The mines seemed to stretch and wind on forever in the darkness. Gandalf, however, seemed to know where they were going. The path he led them on bore them no enemies; though some in the fellowship felt they were constantly being watched.
The mithril was beautiful. Sparkling veins of the gem could be found in almost every rock wall. But not even the extravagant jewels could tear her mind away from the reminders of the future that gnawed at her heart. Soon they would come upon Balin's tomb... the troll... and, the Bridge of Khaza-Dûm.
She knew she could not interfere... Not letting Gandalf fall would mean so many things. It could possibly decide who won the war! For if the Gandalf did not become the White Wizard, he would not have the powers and gifts needed to win battles. The Witch-King, for one.
"Arodwen?"
She was startled out of her thoughts by Legolas, who she found standing right in front of her.
They had reached the three doorways, and Mithrandir was meditating on which they would travel forth on...
"Arodwen, answer me."
She jumped slightly. "Im hiraetha, Legolas. I was lost in thought." (I'm sorry) she apologized, hearing him sit down beside her.
"You have been very quiet as of late, and I worry. Is something amiss?" he asked, letting his soft hand enclose her own. She had not stopped him from doing small endearments like this. He knew that his touch comforted her, and soothed her troubled mind. But what troubled her now?
"Tis nothing, Legolas. I always find small things to worry about."
"Something tells me that what you worry for is not of small consequence..."
She turned her head sharply to him, a frown creasing her pale lips. No answer came.
Legolas sighed when she turned her head away from him, and let go of his hand. "No, Arodwen..." he whispered, reaching out and turning her face back toward him. "Do not do this. I will not let you shut me out."
"Legolas, saes henio... there are, certain things that I cannot tell you. I must keep them to myself." (please understand) she pleaded, her eyes reflecting her desperation.
He gazed back at her with a small frown. "Le ú-car estelio nin?" (You do not trust me?)
"N'uma Legolas! N'uma! Im estelio le," (No! I trust you) Arodwen said, almost frantic. "Gerich hûn estelio nin." (You have all my trust)
"Then why do you not-"
"Because I am forbidden by Ilúvatar to reveal such things to anyone Legolas!" she hissed. "Dare you ask me to defy him?"
Legolas looked stricken. "Gohenon nin, Arodwen." he said softly. "Goheno nin an dartha sened..."(Forgive me. Forgive me for losing sight...)
She did not answer him. Nor even look at him when he spoke. Her heart was aching, asking her why he'd doubted her trust.
"Im ú-car faeg naegra le. Saes ista nin... Saes." (I did not mean to hurt you. Please believe me... Please) Legolas told her, continuing in elvish because he saw that Merry and Pippin had suddenly become interested in their whispered conversation. He grasped her hands in his again, caressing the smooth skin with tenderness; willing her to see his regret.
"Im ista le." (I believe you) she said cooly, seeming to ignore that her hands were being held by a desperate elf prince.
"Le ú-car. You answer me with ice in your voice." (You do not) He continued to massage her pale hands deftly, while his eyes never left her face, wanting to meet her eyes. "We cannot defeat our enemies, if we cannot even get along with each other. So, I'll plead to you again... Goheno nin. Ista nin, Im ú-car faeg naegra le."
"Ú-moe edaved, ernil nin. My temper was short from being trapped in this mine for so long..." (There is nothing to forgive, my prince) she said quietly, bringing her gaze up to meet his.
And he saw that this time she meant it. Though her eyes still held worry and a deep desperation, they glowed with the warmth he had instilled in her. To his utter delight, her lips turned up in a smile, and she leaned forward, bestowing a gentle kiss upon his cheek while her hand was laid upon the other.
Legolas rarely blushed, but for some odd reason, a light pink dust seemed to have spread across his otherwise pale cheeks.
After she pulled away, her hand still resting upon his cheek, she whispered, "The evil in this place is swelling, and will not be contained any longer. Legolas, whatever the future brings, know that it is out of all our hands. My own included. But Ilúvatar has his plans, and his reasons."
"Arodwen, what are you-"
She shushed him, shaking her head. "Speak not of it." Arodwen removed her hand from his cheek, though her movement was rather reluctant. Gandalf quietly called to them to rise, and that they were setting out again.
Legolas rose as well, but his mind was trying to comprehend the reason why she spoke such things...
