Hmm, well, not a good turn out so not much to say. I hope you like this chapter.
By the way, some information. 'Muruién' is pronounced 'Mur-oo-e-an' and the singular form of it is 'Muru'. That might come in handy this chapter…Oh well. Enjoy.
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Chapter 30- Unintended Confessions
The painted horse nickered softly and snorted as she came to a halt. The sun was beginning to peek over the mountains in the distance, coloring the sky in pinks and oranges and the creatures of the land were poking their heads out of the nests and burrows.
Legolas and Jaimea slid off Runyariel's back quickly and gazed around. Flowers of white and yellow were strewn about all around the porch of a large wooden cabin and tall trees shaded the area from the sun. The faint trickling of a stream rushing over stones reached their sensitive ears and they smiled.
"Do you think this is Lady Iaurtondariel's home?" The prince asked.
"It might be." The elleth replied, "Runyariel seems to be perfectly at home." The two elves glanced over to the said horse who was busy pawing and chomping at the grass contentedly. The ellon nodded.
"Let us go in then, shall we?" He asked with a small smile. She chuckled.
"Let's." Legolas offered her his arm and she took it with a small curtsy. He laughed, eyes twinkling, and they went up the porch and entered the house.
Old maps and paintings were scattered haphazardly on the walls and old parchments littered every table. The hallway continued into a corner and opened into a spacious room with a long couch and a crackling fire place. A single large map was spread out on the center table, displaying the whole vastness of Middle Earth and a portrait of what appeared to be Iaurtondariel and another woman was hung over the fireplace.
The elves continued through the hall and came to yet another room that looked to be a kitchen. A black pot was hung over the remains of a flame in another fireplace and a small cellar was hidden in the furthest corner. While Jaimea gazed around at all of the glass vases and figures lining the shelves, Legolas found his attention dwindling and he continued the exploration of the house.
The halls continued on and on like a labyrinth, some passages leading to dead ends and others leading to empty closets and rooms. The prince was amazed at how much could fit in the tiny cabin without it being cramped. Yet another door came into his view and he couldn't help his curiosity.
The ellon opened the door only to be tackled by a large, gray creature. He cried out as his back hit the floor sharply with the beast still on top of him. Its body was covered in thick, gray hair, almost black, and had a long muzzle and tail. Its triangle shaped ears were laid flat against its slender head and its teeth were bared.
Legolas gulped when he felt a blob of saliva drip from its mouth onto his tunic and he felt its sharp claws flex on his chest. He stared wide eyed at the creature and it returned the stare unwaveringly. The prince held his breath when he heard the elleth's soft footsteps come around the corner. The beast snarled as she revealed a strip of jerky from behind her back.
Jaimea quickly tossed it in a corner and the animal leapt from the elf, then began to hungrily gnaw on the meat. Legolas scrambled to his feet and the elves dashed out of the house, hearts pounding in their chests. They could hear the clattering and scraping of its claws on the floor and its vicious barks as it pursued them. Once outside, they quickly slammed the door only to hear a crash from within. After a moment, they took their weight off the door and slumped to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Well, now what?" Jaimea questioned.
"I do not know." The prince replied, "But why was there a blasted wolf in Lady Iaurtondariel's home!" Runyariel looked up from her grazing and nickered in laughter at the two elves' plights. Espenshade was perched upon the roof with her feathers puffed up in mirth. The ellon glared at the two creatures but jumped in surprise when he heard another crash from inside. The two exchanged glances before they ran to the window.
The wolf was standing on the couch, ripping apart the pillows and cushions. The table had been knocked over and the large map was nearly shredded. Legolas groaned while Jaimea just glared at him.
"What exactly were you doing?" She demanded accusingly.
"I was just having a look around." He replied, shuffling his feet nervously. Since when do I feel intimidated by a she-elf, he thought with an inaudible snort.
"Well, I hope you are happy." She replied bitterly and the ellon winced.
"I am sorry, Jaimea." He said quietly. When he received no response, he sighed in defeat, "Let's try to get some sleep. We have not gotten any all night long." After a moment's hesitation, she nodded and plopped down onto her bottom.
"Alright." She said and lay down completely, facing away from the ellon. Legolas sighed once again and took off his cloak. Very gently, he placed it over top of her and she glanced up at him sharply. He offered her a soft smile, then lay down, facing away.
He rested his head on one arm and sighed heavily, trying to clear his mind. Memories came flooding back to him as he recalled the feeling of plummeting to their expected death. He was not sure if he should be pleased or not about the elleth not remembering his words or actions to her. They were done without a thought, only fearing what he thought was inevitable. To feel her lips brushing against his own and the sensation of having his arms wrapped around her thin body overwhelmed him and any reasonable thoughts.
Perhaps it was because the last time he had uttered those words was when his Naneth was still with him. He feared to be too close to anyone after having her taken from him so early. Perhaps that before he left Middle Earth to Mandos's Halls, he wanted to utter those words one last time; no matter who was there to receive them. Legolas sighed.
'Yes, that is it.' He thought quickly.
"Legolas?" The elleth called suddenly, shaking the prince from his thoughts. He looked over his shoulder at her with a questioning gaze. He instantly thought of the worst things that could happen; her being able to read his mind, though that seemed highly unlikely, he thought. Perhaps he displayed his emotions on his face too clearly or maybe she had indeed remembered those words.
"Yes, Jaimea?" He asked, swallowing hard.
"You may lay with me, if you choose."
Legolas's face instantly brightened and all dreary thoughts left his mind. He shifted over to his quietly and snaked an arm around her waist gently. She turned to face him with a shy smile and pulled the cloak so that it covered them both. He held her close, tucking her head under his chin with a small smile creeping up on his lips. He heard the elleth give a contented sigh and snuggle into his chest.
'Perhaps I spoke the truth then.' He thought, 'Maybe- No. I cannot think that way about her. I barely know her, for Eru's sake! I have been too bold with her and perhaps have even given her the wrong impression.' He sighed, unconsciously bringing his arms tighter around her, 'No, it was said in a moment's desperation for love…nothing more.'
"Legolas?" Jaimea asked quietly, sensing the turmoil in his heart. He managed a small smile and kissed the top of her head.
"Sleep, Jaimea." He said softly and his smile grew when he felt more then saw her smile. Slowly, his eyes glazed over and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
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At around midday, the group trotted up towards a large, wooden house. Colorful flowers and trees littered the area and, in front of the porch, lay two figures. Iaurtondariel furrowed her brow when she saw them and approached the two slowly. Her mare, Runyariel, was busy trotting about and chewing on the grass while a Peregrine falcon was perched upon the roof with her head tucked in his wings.
'Why didn't they go inside?' The woman thought once she realized that the people were Jaimea and Legolas. She bent down and brushed a stray hair out of the ellon's face, then smiled and stood up.
"I present to you your Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and his lady, Princess Jaimea!" She announced, throwing her arms up in the air with a grin. The twins cackled quietly together while Norui just frowned.
"She is no princess." He muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well, it seems to me that she will be eventually. Just look at them, my lord!" The elleth retorted, motioning towards the elves on the ground. The Crown Prince snorted and came forward.
"Legolas, wake up!" He shouted, nudging his brother with his foot. The golden haired elf jerked slightly and looked up tiredly at the ellon. After a few moments, he registered what was in front of him and he leapt to his feet.
"Norui, let me explain! We were chased by a pack of wolves off the edge of a cliff and we were swept down the river and then we were found by a lady who sent us here only to be attacked by yet another wolf inside!" He rambled, never stopping for breath. The Crown Prince looked at him in amusement, not noticing the elleth behind him who had also clambered to her feet.
"You said a wolf in the house?" Iaurtondariel questioned, stepping forward. Legolas nodded and the elleth laughed, "That is only Maladiel!" She said, already walking up the porch. Jaimea and the prince exchanged worried glances before following the elleth.
"That is not a good idea, my lady." The ellon called but she didn't answer. She opened the door and laughed again when the same creature came charging out of the house and stopped at the frightened elleth and ellon, snarling.
Legolas quickly took Jaimea and moved her behind himself protectively, glaring dangerously at the beast. Iaurtondariel's laughter didn't even reach his ears.
"Maladiel!" She called and the beast turned to her, "They are friends. Now, come back inside." The wolf barked and trotted quickly back inside. The elleth watched her with a smile and then turned to the others, "You may come in." She said and went inside. The group exchanged uneasy glances, fearing what else they might find inside, but finally followed her. Legolas barely caught his brother shooting him a disapproving look but he paid no heed to it.
There was a sudden gasp from another room and they all rushed to see what was wrong. Laughter threatened to burst from the companions when they took in the state of the room.
Feathers were strewn all around the room and items had been knocked off their shelves. The couch was shredded in some places and the stuffing was bursting out like snow. Pictures had some how fallen from the wall and ash footprints were tracked all over the destroyed furniture. Iaurtondariel did not even noticed Maladiel sit beside her with her tongue drooping out. The elleth spun around to face the wolf who only quirked its head at her.
"What have you done?" She gasped, not believing the sight before her eyes.
Suddenly, a bright light escaped the wolf's being, surrounding her and hiding her from view. The group watched her curiously and worriedly, wondering what was going on. When the light dissipated, the wolf was replaced with a tall, slender woman. Her ears were pointed but more sharply then an elf's would be. Straight, golden hair reached to her mid-back and her eyes were a deep, almost eerie, black. She glanced around at the group with curious eyes and then turned back to Iaurtondariel.
"What I was doing was intimidating those two elves who broke into the house." She explained, her voice almost identical to the elleth's.
"By destroying it! You have only proved that you are mad!" She retorted. The woman only glared and then turned to the company. Her eyes suddenly lit up when they landed upon the old wizard. Her lips turned up into a grin and she threw herself upon him, laughing. Mithrandir's laughter rang out as he patted the woman on the back.
"It is wonderful to see you, too!" He chuckled and she let him go.
"What brings you here?" She asked, still grinning.
"That, my dear, can be answered later." The Istar said, "Right now, you might want to speak with your sister." He added with a small grin. The woman groaned, then turned back to Iaurtondariel.
"Why must I even listen to you?" She complained, "I am older then you."
"What does that matter, Maladiel? You completely destroyed the living quarters, for Valar's sake!" She shouted, throwing her arms up in the air in exasperation, "You should know better!"
Mithrandir shook his head with a sigh and muttered under his breath. He motioned with his staff for the others to come as he continued down the hallway. They all shot confused glances between the two ladies, then reluctantly walked after the old wizard.
The company found him leaning his gnarled staff in the corner and placing his pointed hat on the table. He sat upon one of the chairs by the table with a tired sigh and looked towards them with a small smile. Norui immediately broke from the group and stormed to the wizard, arms crossed.
"Who are these people?" He asked hotly, "Why are we here?" Mithrandir instantly frowned.
"We are here because those two women can help us, Noruion." He replied with a commanding tone, "As for whom they are, the young elleth is Iaurtondariel and her sister's name is Maladiel. You need not worry; I would trust them with my life."
"How did that one change forms?"
"She will answer that later."
"No, Mithrandir!" The ellon yelled, slamming his fists on the table, "I want to know now!" The Istar fixed him with a stern glare and said nothing. Norui's breathing quickened and he opened his mouth to speak again but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He spun around, eyes wide with fury, but soon softened when he saw the one behind him.
"Norui, calm down." Lothron said gently, "Mithrandir had a good reason for bringing us here, I am sure. Just relax." The Crown Prince stared at his sister for a few moments before finally sighing and defeat and nodded.
"Fine." He replied and lifted his gaze only to be met with those of the two ladies.
"Is everything alright?" Iaurtondariel asked with a frown.
"Can we do anything to help?" Maladiel questioned. The old wizard smiled and stood.
"Perhaps some tea would do and then any questions that need answering will be." Both sisters nodded with small smiles before setting to work. Estel and Arwen took off to a different room to discuss some 'important matters', as they put it while the others went off to rearrange the destroyed living quarters.
Whilst cleaning, Lothron noticed her older brother acting strangely. He seemed agitated and uneasy in the house and it made her wonder. Every time Iaurtondariel would come near him his foul mood increased and he would snap at her. When the elleth seemed near to screaming at him, the princess quickly grabbed his arm and tugged.
"We need to talk." She said quietly. The Crown Prince gave her a questioning stare before finally following.
Once out of earshot of the others, Lothron spun around to face the ellon. Norui still wore the questioning stare and she sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. The two elves continued like this for a few moments as if waiting for the other to say something. When the elleth never did, the Crown Prince quirked his eyebrow and began to turn away but she stopped him once more.
"Why have you been acting so foully?" She asked bluntly.
"I know not of which you speak." He replied defensively. Lothron scoffed.
"What do you mean?" She hissed, "You have been very angry lately; something that I do not often see."
"I have been through much, sister." He replied shortly.
"Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only affected, Gwador." She replied, "Look at Legolas and Jaimea! They were nearly killed in the river yet they do not sit and pout as you do! You behave as if you were still an elfling! Tell me what is truly bothering you so greatly, excluding the shadow that looms over us all." (Brother)
Norui sighed as he leaned against the wall, running his hand over his face. Lothron took a step towards him and placed a hand gently on his cheek. He looked up at her with glistening eyes, finally allowing his pain to show through.
"I am here for you, Norui." The elleth whispered, "Tell me what ails you so that I may help you." The ellon searched her eyes for the longest time before letting his head fall.
"I think about Glithiel and Ada so much, Lothron, so much that it is unbearable and I cannot think straight."
"This cannot be all."
"'Tis not, let me finish." He said and she nodded, "I dream about my love every night and hearing that she might be dead takes my breath away. I cannot feel and I cannot see and I am lost when I hear those words. I would fade if I ever lost her. She is my life."
Lothron smiled sadly as she lifted his head up to look her in the eye. His eyes glittered with unshed tears and the princess felt her heart break.
"I never knew how deeply you loved her, Norui, and I am sorry." She said, "But I look in your eyes and see that there is more to your pain."
"Indeed."
"Then tell me. I cannot guess what troubles you." She said with a soft chuckle. He managed a weak smile but it soon faded.
"It is Iaurtondariel." He replied so quietly that the elleth had to strain her ears.
"What did she do?"
"She did not do anything." He replied, earning himself a confused look from Lothron, "Except remind me of my beloved."
"You surely do not mean that you fancy her, do you?" The princess demanded, looking shocked.
"No!" Norui spat in disgust, "That is not it at all. She reminds me of Glithiel because they look so much alike, Lothron, so much."
With a furrowed brow, the elleth glanced back out into the kitchen where the one they spoke off was busy tending the fire beneath the kettle. For the first time, she really took in her appearance and was shocked at the similarities she found in the elleth and the one she would surely call 'sister-in-law' one day. Both had dark hair and came to their mid back and both had emerald eyes that sparkled with mischief. They even sounded the same, now that she thought about it, and her heart went to her brother.
"I am sorry." She said, "But you must know that you cannot continue treating her as you do. It is not her fault that she looks like Glithiel and you should not put her at blame for a mere coincidence."
"That is not my intent but I cannot help the grief that I feel." He replied.
There was a call from the living quarters and the two elves looked in. Most of the things had been cleared off of the floor and some of the furniture had been stitched up, thanks to Melyanna, Jaimea and Arwen. The room was at least suitable to sit in. Lothron looked back to the Crown Prince with a smile.
"Do not let such things get to you." She said, "Before you know it, you will be back home in your lover's arms, safe and sound." Norui smiled.
"Thank you, my sister." He said, placing a kiss on her cheek. The elleth chuckled and patted his cheek gently.
"Come, perhaps some tea would calm you." She suggested and led him out of the room.
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Steam wafted up from the porcelain cup as boiling water was poured inside. Soft hands took it gently and raised it to their lips with a sigh. The sweet scent of the tea reached their nose, creating a calming effect.
"It seems as if it has been ages since I have had a steaming cup of tea." Elrohir mused, smiling gratefully at Iaurtondariel. She smiled slightly and hurried back into the kitchen to replace the kettle.
"It has not been ages, my brother, but centuries for sure." Elladan quipped, "Ever since Ada slipped the sleeping herbs in your tea, you have refused to drink it, no matter how much he convinced you he did nothing to it." The younger twin only glared at him and took a sip from the cup.
Once the elleth had returned, the company sat in silence, each enjoying the luxury that they had not had in many weeks. Quiet whispers were exchanged between the lovers in the group but the golden haired prince was only aware of a pair of piercing emerald eyes staring intently at his face.
Ever since he had returned with Lothron, Norui has never let his gaze fall from Legolas and the young ellon felt anxious under his scrutinizing eyes. He risked looking up at his brother and immediately wished he had not.
"Could you take a step outside with me, Gwador-nín?" The Crown Prince asked as he stood up. Legolas swallowed hard and nodded, worried about what was about to take place. He set his cup down on the table and followed his brother out the door. He didn't even notice Espenshade swoop out after him.
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The two ellons walked in uneasy silence around the small garden. Legolas would steal glances out of the corner of his eye at his brother but found that he showed no move to speak. The same stoic expression was on his face and it drove the young prince mad.
"What would you like to speak to me about?" He asked hesitantly. Norui jumped slightly as if he forgot he was there. He looked to his brother and came to a halt.
"I must ask you something." He replied, looking into his eyes and unnerving him.
'That is what Jaimea says when she wants to tell me something.' Legolas thought suddenly, confusing him greatly and he mentally chastised himself, 'Why do I think of her as much as I do!'
"What is it?" He asked, willing his thoughts away.
"What is going on between you and Jaimea?"
Legolas's eyes widened slightly, the question taking him completely by surprise. Never before had his brother been so forward about things, always dancing around them, and he always respected his privacy.
"I do believe that it is my business alone." He replied tersely.
"Legolas, you must answer this. Please, I need to know." Norui said in a more demanding voice, "Just make things easy." The golden haired elf took another glance at the Crown Prince and looked away, continuing their walk.
"I do not know." Legolas replied as Norui fell in step with him.
"What do you mean? Surely, you must know your own desires." He commented.
"I cannot sort out my feelings for her. I have known her for only a month or two but I feel a great attraction to her." He explained, "I do not know if it is love or if it is just a simple attraction, nothing more." The two walked on for a few more moments in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"I can only offer you one piece of advice, Legolas." Norui said quietly, "And that is to leave her be." The young ellon felt his heart drop at his words and he quickly snapped his head to look at the other elf.
"What do you mean?" He breathed, "How can I do that if there really is love between us?"
"If you courted her now, Legolas, it would only prove as a distraction. Your senses would be blurred so that you could only see her, protect her. You would be blind to any danger that comes your way."
"You do not know this."
"I have had more experience in the matters of the heart, Gwador! I know what I speak of."
"I am distracted by her now, Norui, and accepting my love for her would only make things better! Constantly worrying if she is alright and happy is all I do! I just cannot get my mind off of the elleth and it is driving me mad." Legolas exclaimed, "I have never felt anything like this before, Norui, and now you want me to throw it all away?"
"If you know what is best for her, us, for Ada and for our people, you will not get involved with her!"
"I cannot control my own heart!" The young prince shouted, clenching his fists at his side. The two elves stared each other down for the longest time, neither removing their glares from one another. The crisp breeze blew around them, making their cloaks and hair billow out around them. Not even the sound of birds sang out, too afraid to make noise lest they incur the wrath of the elven princes upon them.
"You do not chastise our siblings from loving." Legolas hissed, "Nor do you chastise yourself."
"Those loves have already taken place, Legolas, and cannot be undone." Norui growled in response.
"But mine can be undone!"
"I thought you said you do not love."
A heat rose up to Legolas's neck as he realized what he had said. He quickly looked away from his brother and soon found that the grass was much more interesting. He stole a quick glance up at the Crown Prince but quickly replaced his gaze on his boots.
"Legolas?"
"Leave me alone, Norui." The golden haired elf said quietly and stormed off. Norui watched him go with steely eyes.
"Remember what I said, Legolas. Do what is right."
This went ignored by the young prince who had already disappeared inside the house, leaving Norui to stand in the wake of the first argument that had occurred between the two brothers ever since they were both born into the world.
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There you go. I am sorry it was so boring but I was running out of things to write. A majority of this chapter was just thought up randomly, hehe. I really need to write more in my book.
Also, I was going over my earlier chapters and I am completely in shock at how badly I would write. I was planning on going back and editing them all to make them better. What do you think about that?
By the way, if anyone wanted to see the pictures I took with Billy Boyd, drop me an email and I will ship them off to you. ;) There is also one other picture that I made of Legolas and Jaimea. BUT I did NOT draw the pictures you would see. I just morphed them together. I do not know who drew them but I thought that they fit. If you want to see any of these pictures, drop me an email.
Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Hehe, I told you I would get an update eventually. ;) When you say that I have a way of writing things, do you mean that in a good way? I hope you like your characters…I think they could go through some more therapy a.k.a character development but you tell me. Hehe, your sister enters now. :p Attachments as in love? No, I think not. Well, um…nah, I won't tell you. All I'll say is that you will have a big part to play when it comes to him. ;) Thanks for reading and reviewing::hugs:
Sabre's Brother- Hehe, thanks, sweetie…and if you are older then thanks, DUDE! Lol! I hope your sister didn't hurt you too badly. If she did, I give you permission to go beat her up:D (Sorry, Sabre, just kidding.)
Sabre's Other Brother- And thank you also. :) You and your other brother can go tag team on your sister, if you want. :grin:
Well, this wasn't the best chapter and last chapter didn't get the best turnout. Thanks to Sabre who motivated me to get this one out. Diola lle, mellon-nín.
Also, Call of the Red Bird is complete with epilogue! Please go read it! There is nothing nasty in it, just rated M because of some violence. I promise! Now…
PLEASE REVIEW! Come on, I just had my birthday on the thirty-first! Manwathiel wants a birthday gift from her readers! ;)
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel
