Disclaimer: See Prologue. All Rights Reserved.

THANK YOU goes to Frodo01228 for giving me the ideas and inspiration to keep going! And anotherBIG THANK YOUto everyone else who reviewed and encouraged me! It really does mean a-lot!

I would have updated sooner, but my computer was being MEAN!

REVIEW PLEASE!

Chapter 41

The Healing and Dreams

She felt strange... Like she was meant to be somewhere else. As if, she should know something; but the knowledge evaded her mind's grasp. Where was she? What had happened?

"Arodwen, time to rise pen neth," an endearing voice called (young one).

Arodwen didn't recognize the voice, and so continued to feign sleep, hoping whoever it was that called would not linger.

"Lle n'wethrine amin, mel," the lady continued, a smile in her voice as she spoke to the sleeping elleth. (You don't fool me, dear) "I know you have woken."

Arodwen, conceding defeat, opened her eyes at last.

A beautiful lady was sitting next to her with a small smile upon her lips. "That's better," she said, rising from Arodwen's side and fetching a silver goblet filled with what seemed to be ordinary spring water.

"Who are you?" Arodwen asked rather hastily as the lady sat beside her once more.

"I am Estë, Arodwen," she replied, pressing the cup into Arodwen's hand, and urging her to drink. And the elleth soon discovered that there was no way in Mordor that it was plain old spring water. She felt like she had just awakened from the most refreshing sleep in her life.

"Do you know where you are?" Estë asked seriously, replacing the goblet to the bedside table, and gazing at Arodwen with scrutiny.

Arodwen finally took a moment to view her surreal surroundings, hazel eyes widening to that of tea saucers. All she could manage to say as she breathed in the heavenly fragrant air was, "Somewhere beautiful?"

Estë smiled sweetly and laughed at her oblivious innocence, pulling the gold comforter up farther to better comfort her charge. "That is true enough. Tell me mel, what do you remember before you woke?"

The Valier watched carefully with concern, as Arodwen dropped her gaze from hers, and her brow furrowed in concentration that soon turned to worry, and then fear. Arodwen found that her breath came short in her chest as she tried to remember where she had been... "S-Someplace dark... and evil... There was someone - he betrayed me - he hurt me..."

"Who do you speak of? Was this person a wizard, Arodwen? Do you remember it?" Estë asked, worried that she was pressing Arodwen for too much, too soon.

Arodwen shook her head frantically, her eyes glazed with unshed tears. She still did not meet Estོ's piercing gaze. "No - I cannot remember wizards... But he - - he promised he would help me! That he loved me, and would never let any harm come to me! And he lied! He gave me to the darkness, and did not look back!"

"Arodwen, you are confused and weary," Estë said softly, taking the distressed elleth's hand in her own and squeezing it to get her attention. "The dark shadows of your nightmares try to overpower you and embitter you with doubts and lies. Do not heed them, I tell you."

Estë watched the she-elf return slowly to calm, whilst her eyes remained fearful and swimming with grief. "Avo osto, pen-neth. Nothing can harm you here, I assure you. Whatever you think this person did to you, it is false. For twas a wizard who caused such harm and darkness upon you. Lasto, I promise you that such things will never occur again as long as you remain here in Valinor." (Do not worry, little one)(Listen/Hear me)

Arodwen's eyes widened, and snapped up to Estë in shock. "Valinor! How did I come to be here? Tell me all, my lady, please!"

Arodwen stared at the gold comforter, her fingers idly tracing the patterns in gleaming thread. On and on the circled and wove in an intricate and confusing design; just like her thoughts. Estë said that Legolas loved her with all his immortal being... But the Legolas she remembered was cruel and adverse and anything but loving. How could Estë be right?

"Milady?"

Arodwen started, her eyes jerking up to rest upon golden-haired ellon in silver and blue robes. His face was kind and handsome, with dusky blue eyes that reminded her of a warm mid-summer's night. He bore a familiar silver goblet in one hand.

"Uma? Mani naa ta?" Arodwen asked softly, her eyes following the smiling elf as he stepped closer. (Yes. What is it?)

The elf set the goblet upon her bedside table saying, "The Lady Estë bid me bring you more fountain water, to help you recover further."

"Oh, I see. Thank you for doing so, er..." she wavered, not knowing who the elf was.

"Faerlain, milady. The Lady Estë also wishes for me to accompany you on a short walk around the garden if you are able. She wants you to experience the healing effects of Lòrien."

"The Lady's concern is well met, but I have no desire for a walk presently. I wish only to rest... and think..."

Faerlain looked slightly taken aback for a moment at her reply, but then smiled kindly and said, "Iiest lin, Aranel nin Arodwen." (As you wish, my princess Arodwen)

Arodwen's eyes widened at the title, and she quickly replied, "Amin naa n'uma Aranel!" (I'm not a princess)

To her surprise, Faerlain laughed. It was sweet, and light like spring rain. "My Lady, you are as a princess. For what other title would befit the beautiful daughter of Aüle and Yavanna?"

Her mouth was slightly agape at hearing this, and she could find now words to answer the elf. He held her gaze nevertheless, smiling endearingly at her while his eyes danced with amusement.

She found herself staring at him, not knowing why, or for what purpose, only that she liked him, and that his aura comforted her much in her time of confusion and hopelessness. (Me: Uh-oh... unwanted attraction... crap!)

Arodwen started at the sound of his voice as he began to speak to her again, "If my lady requires nothing else of me, I shall take my leave, and return at evening when you are feeling better suited to join me for a stroll."

And before she could answer, he had swept down the steps of the pavilion, and vanished among the trees and flowers.


Arodwen awoke with a gasp from her nightly visions, sitting bolt upright and panting. Her brow was beaded with perspiration, and she raised a shaking hand to push back some damp strands of hair.

She hadn't had a nightmare... Oh no, quite the opposite. It had been a lovely dream... The thing that scared her was that it had been with an elf she knew was evil and heartless. In the dream, he had seemed so perfect; beautiful in every way, a smile that warmed her from the inside out, and eyes of such alluring blue that gazed upon her with overwhelming love and devotion.

That scared her.

She pushed back the covers of her comforter and walked to the railing that surrounded the pavilion. Leaning on it, she looked out upon the fair gardens that were bathed in silvery moonlight. A cool breeze stirred the air, making her involuntarily shiver. She half expected a pair of arms to wrap around from behind her, and fold her into a warm embrace...

Valar! Why did she keep thinking about him like that! He had betrayed her to evil; seduced and lied to her. He never loved her. He would never do the things that she dreamed of him.

"Get a hold of yourself Arodwen," she growled to herself, her hands gripping the balustrade so tightly that her knuckle began to whiten. "Even when you're here he still has this power over you... Do not let him win..."

The light blue silk nightgown she wore billowed around her feet as another breeze soothed her, engulfing her senses with fragrances of the sweetest blossoms. She looked to her bedside table, where an elaborately arranged bouquet of beautiful flowers sat delicately in a silver elven vase.

Gazing at it, her thoughts turned suddenly to the one who had given her that gift; Faerlain. It was obvious that the ellon had affections for her, and it surprised her that she found herself feeling guilty at the thought of courting him. Why? She was not attached to anyone, right? So why this hollow, inculpative spirit that immersed her heart? Why could she not bring herself to love Faerlain at all?

Once again, the only obvious answer that constantly came to mind was...

Legolas


At that same moment, the elven prince that plagued her thoughts was staring up at the same moon, resting lightly against the side of the grey ship he himself had built.

The waves lapping against the hull of the vessel lulled the distressed thoughts of his mind to rest as he smiled to himself, gazing up at the blanket of stars Elbereth wove in the sky above his head. They winked down at him in pity.

A figure clad in silver and green silk robes approached the prince from behind, sighing in an almost weary manner as they came to stand beside him.

"You will see her again soon, son, uuma dela," he said, pausing to look upon the young prince's countenance. It seemed as though he had aged much in such a short amount of time. His spirit seemed older, and sadder. The elven light that had been filled with his joyous and ever happy spirit had dimmed. His dull blue eyes were veiled with weariness and grief. "Lle anta kaim." (Do not worry) (You need to sleep.)

Legolas lowered his gaze to his hands, shaking his head dejectedly, "No amount of rest will heal my wounds, ada. I shall find no rest until I can hold her in my arms again... Know she is safe... That she still loves me..."

At this, Thranduil's brows knitted together in concern and confusion. "Why would you dwell on such a thought? What has given you cause to believe otherwise?"

Thranduil saw Legolas's hands grip the railing of the ship tightly, and his lips pull taught in a thin grimace; almost as though he was in pain. "I felt her anger... Her hatred... of me... I can feel her confusion... She doesn't love me anymore ada."

"I don't believe that Legolas, and nor should you."

"I cannot ignore the pain of what my heart tells me; what I know to be true," Legolas whispered, his eyes glazed with newly formed tears, and pain.

The waves continued to crash against the side of the ship, the bright silver orb in the sky reflected in its dark sapphire waters. Legolas gazed down at the moon's brilliant image, watching as the constant motion of the waves distorted and changed it. He waited, as if h might see some sign of reassurance in the water that would give him hope... though none came.

He looked up sharply at the sudden grip he felt on his arm, to see his father standing there with a stern gaze in his eyes.

"Do not give up hope, when you know not a true reason to do so..." his father warned, the concern of a father glimmering brightly in his eyes now.

He began to steer Legolas away from the railing, towards the stairs that led below to the prince's untouched cabin. Legolas obeyed without a fuss, merely knowing enough to put one foot in front of the other.

Soon, he found himself staring up at the ceiling of his cabin, feeling the gentle rocking of this ship beneath his tired body.

Her face swam before his eyes; her warm eyes gazing at him, her full pastel lips smiling with love. Ai! How he longed to hold her once more; to feel her warm and pliant body curled up next to his own in slumber, her arms wrapped around him to pull him closer... so she would feel safe in his embrace.

A pearl of grief and sorrow rolled down his smooth cheek, but he felt it not. He was trying to capture the image of his love; trying to find some comfort in his memories that would help him to sleep...

Suddenly, he could not keep even keep his eyes open to sleep as an elf. His heavy lids closed, and he fought for sleep no more.

Not far away, in Valinor where the ship was near to docking, Irmo watched as the elven prince fell into dreams under his influence. Smiling, the Valar lord sent him the best comfort he could.

Legolas had never had such wonderful dreams in all his life...

No, I haven't died, but my muse has disappeared, and he's one hard elf to track down.:o) I am trying my hardest, it's just that I don't have the same will or creativity to write. But THANK YOU Frodo01228 for getting me back on track! Ideas are both welcome and needed! :o( REVIEW PLEASE!