Caras Galadhon

Aurë's rest was fitful and full of fear. She was reminded over and over again of her fall all those years ago, stars streaking across the sky in blurs of light, darkness, and pain. The pain of being trapped in a body for the first time and the pain of hateful ice pulsing in her shoulder. It was a vision that returned to her time and time again but this time it was different. When she awoke her shoulder was frozen to the touch and did not thaw until the light of dawn warmed it. Dread took a grip of her heart at what that meant-the Enemy was growing stronger. Aurë sought out the song of dawn, longing for comfort, for answers, for home, but received nothing. Although beautiful, the morning was silent and Aurë was left alone. She gripped her shoulder, trying to hold onto the warmth but she could feel the ice begin to creep in once more.

"You do not sing this morning, my Lady. I mourn the loss of your voice," the voice of Legolas called, disrupting Aurë from her dark thoughts. She gasped and turned to him, her hand falling from her shoulder and the ice melted away. His smile was patient and kind as if he knew where her thoughts had been. He moved to stand next to her along the railing of her talon and Aurë blushed as was becoming habit around him. "There is something else on your mind."

Aurë looked to the sky once more. "I fear for the Fellowship. For all of us."

Legolas said nothing for there were no reassurances he could make. "There is more to it, I think. You clutch your shoulder."

"I dreamt of my fall," she hesitated, not wanting to burden him with her dark thoughts. "I often do, but this time felt different. I fear of what is to come."

Legolas turned to face her and she mirrored his actions, looking up into his clear, blue eyes. His face was one of empathy. "I am sorry these thoughts plague you so. I wish I could bear the burden of your pain so you would not have to."

"No," Aurë shook her head vehemently, "I would not ask that of you. You have burden enough without claiming mine!"

Legolas gave her a fond smile, reaching a hand up to brush a lock of her hair behind her pointed ear. Aurë's protest fell silent and her flush returned. "You do not need to worry about me."

"Of course I do! You leave the safety of Lothlórien today!"

Legolas's smile fell as if he had forgotten. "I must."

"I know this, Legolas. I just-" Aurë fell silent as words could not find her. "Be careful."

"I am loathed to deny you anything, my Lady."

Legolas smiled, his eyes searching her, intent and longing, and Aurë felt her heart flutter. He continued to hold her gaze captive and Aurë felt the world shift to him so that everything ceased to exist but him for a moment. Even though they did not speak, the air between them felt heavy with unspoken words. Aurë felt herself tremble under his intensity as she saw thoughts begin to make themselves known, pushing towards his lips. Eventually, he sought out her hand, bringing it to his chest where she felt his heart leap to greet it. "I wish we had more time together," he confessed with a sigh, smiling at the flush that spread across her cheeks. "I long for more time to converse, more time to get to know one another, for our fëa to meet," he paused. "And for more time together so I might court you properly."
Aurë blushed, feeling the heat of it rise to the tips of her ears. Legolas grinned boyishly at her stunned expression. "I wish I had more time to describe how prettily you blush-like the sun yielding her time to the night. Or tell you how your smile can lighten the darkest of days-and your laugh can calm any storm." His voice lowered to a whisper and Aurë found herself leaning closer to hear him. "If I had more time I would tell you how even your cheeks are marked with stars. How your hair is starlight and your eyes a violet dawn."

"Legolas…" Aurë murmured bashfully, finally able to move her gaze from his. This was too much-she did not know how to react. She did not understand the feelings she was having or her body's response–the fluttering of her heart. This was entirely new and it scared her. She looked to the sky for answers but it held none.

"My apologies, my Lady, for being so bold–" Legolas reached out to grasp her other hand in his and brought it to his chest as well. "Maybe it is an impossible dream to try and catch a falling star but I would like to try. Please say I can."

Aurë gaped at him as she tried to make sense of what was happening. He was asking so much of her-to contemplate the inconceivable. Not in her wildest dreams did she ever think something like this would happen. When she was among the stars she had passing fantasies of forming a bond like Tilion and Arien, but they always remained that-fantasies. She even had a fleeting fondness for Eönwë. In girlish daydreams she pictured him saving her from Melkor's grasp and whisking her back to the stars in his arms as he swore to her so long ago. When she had met Glorfindel, her fantasies shifted to him. But she outgrew those dreams quickly. Aurë simply believed love was not fated for her, nor did she seek it out. But here was Legolas looking at her with such passion and giving his heart to her. It made her question everything she thought she knew.

She stood there, stunned, looking at him with wide eyes and saw that, for the first time since she had known him, he looked nervous. She opened and closed her mouth, trying to seek out words but not knowing what to say-nor what she intended to say. All she truly knew was that when she looked upon him, her heart ached.

Decisively, instead of speaking, she pulled her hands from his and she saw sadness cloud his eyes. Aurë gave him a reassuring smile as she reached to let loose one of her braids so that she could unwind one of her lilac ribbons. With her ribbon in hand, she nervously grasped Legolas's and placed it in his palm, curling his fingers around it. She bashfully met his gaze, hoping he would understand her meaning and was met with his wide, happy grin. "It matches your eyes," he said, his eyes shining like the sky on a sunny day.

"It does," she agreed, a large smile slowly curling her lips. It was now his time to remain speechless and Aurë let out a giggle at his starstruck expression.

"Sweet Lady, you have granted me the greatest gift," he proclaimed, "I shall treasure your favour and let it brighten my darkest days with memories of you."

Aurë was sure her blush would become permanent with his passionate words, "I do want that ribbon returned, Prince Legolas, it is a favourite of mine. See that you return it to me when your journey is done," she teased but let her message linger; come back to me.

"But of course, Lady Tindómiel, I can deny you nothing."

Aurë's smile was as bright as his own, "I wish we had more time too."

Legolas hesitated and then brought her into his embrace. Aurë lay her head on his chest and rejoiced in the sound that was his heartbeat, comforted by the brush of his fëa. He ran a hand over her hair and she trembled under his touch. "I shall do everything in my power to return to you so we may have that time, Anorien."
Aurë smiled to herself at the epessë; daughter of the sun, and as he held her there in the soft light of dawn, there was no pain in her shoulder.

Aurë stood near Galadriel as the Company readied their boats. She was finding it difficult to maintain composure as she was blushing whenever her eye's met Legolas who seemed to be doing his best to make eye contact. Their game did manage to lift her spirits, however, for she could not fight the smile off of her lips. It seemed to amuse the Company as well, as the Hobbits kept glancing between Legolas and herself at an unnecessary rate. Even Aragorn and Gimli could not hide their smirks. The only one who remained unchanged was Boromir, who seemed to have a heavy weight on his shoulders as he looked distantly into the woods. Aurë regretted not spending as much time with him, for there seemed to be a shadow over her heart that she had failed to see until now, so focussed on Frodo as she was.

Galadriel nodded her head and gifts of parting were handed out. To Aragorn, a sheath to hold his sword and the Elfstone of House Elendil. To Boromir, a belt of gold and a belt of silver to Merry and Pippin. The Lady approached Gilmi and asked what he would have of her and Aurë let out a giggle of astonishment when he boldly asked for a strand of her golden hair. More astonishingly, Galadriel gifted him with three strands. Sam received earth from the orchard of Galadriel, a mallorn seed, and Elven rope. Sam flushed red to the tips of his ears, stuttering out a thank you, as he ducked away, clutching the box to his chest.

Aurë then took the bow and quiver, approaching Legolas. She bravely looked up at him and held out the bow, which he took, meeting her gaze with a broad smile. "And to you, Legolas, a bow fashioned in the style of Galadhrim, strung with a string of elf hair," Aurë paused then, looking at the ground. "My hair," she said softly.

She felt his hand grasp her own gently as he brought it to his lips, she met his gaze as he did so, letting out a feminine gasp at the intensity of the fire in his eyes. "Then my arrows shall always soar true." He released her and brought the quiver before his eyes admiring it for a moment before weaving her ribbon into the braiding. Aurë smiled brightly.

Aurë reluctantly stepped away from Legolas, turning to Frodo and kneeling before him. "And to you, Frodo Baggins," Aurë said as she pulled out a small, crystal phial that glittered with rays of white light. "In this phial is caught the light of Eärendil's star, from the water of Galadriel's fountain." Frodo grasped it in his palm, tilting it back and forth, watching as the light shone from it. "As I am a star no longer, let this light shine for me. "May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out."

Frodo looked to her with large eyes before he bowed to her, his hand to his heart.

Galadriel and Celeborn walked closer and Aurë rose to her feet, dread gripping her as she realized now was the time of parting. Aurë must have made a sound of anguish because Legolas was then at her side, bringing her hands to his chest.

Aurë paid him no mind as she pushed herself past him to kneel beside the hobbits, bringing them into her embrace. She could hear the teasing laughter of Gimli, Aragorn, and Boromir at the expense of Legolas who had let out a disgruntled sigh, but she cared not. Aurë knew he was a practiced warrior and more than capable of taking care of himself. It was the hobbits she feared for. The Hobbits all returned her embrace but none as eagerly as Pippin and Merry. "Promise me you will be safe!" Aurë pleaded, silver tears welling up in her eyes. "Do not do anything foolish! I expect to see you all back here when all is said and done!"

"Why do you look at me when you say that?" Pippin jested. "I am quite tough, my Lady. I could probably take on an entire orc army just by myself."

"I have no doubt of it, my dear Pippin," Aurë laughed as her starlit tears began to streak down her cheeks. "But please do not test that theory out."

"As my Lady commands," Pippin said with a teasing grin, stepping out of her embrace to bow before her.

"Besides, I have every intention of returning to you, my Lady," Merry said. "For I need to court you properly."

Aurë let out a surprised, watery laugh, wondering how he knew about her and Legolas's previous conversation. "Court me? Let us jump directly into a betrothal, Merry, the love of my life." It was silent for a moment before the Company all began to laugh heartily. She could even hear a light chuckle from Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn.

"It seems you have competition, Legolas." She heard Aragorn say.

Legolas laughed. "Here I was worried of other Ellon when the real threat was just below my nose-or rather, my knee."

"You always have your head stuck in the stars, Mellon, that you forgot to look underfoot." Aragorn teased, grasping the shoulder of Legolas in mock sympathy.

"I am afraid that if you were to compare yourself to my sweet Merry, Legolas, you will always come up lacklustre. For I have been to Mirkwood many times yet I have never had the pleasure of being to the Shire." Aurë teased, smiling at the Hobbits as they snickered. It was easier to joke and tease with Legolas than to have his intense affections focused on her. "Merry offers me parties with dancing on tables and stolen fireworks. He offers me a place where the biggest problem is if the post comes late. Of gossip over trivial things. Merry offers me mischief-making and adventures in antagonizing the local farmers."

"I assure you, my Lady, you can also find all of that and more in the Woodland Realm. There is plenty of mischief to be found and petty thievery if that is what your heart desires."

Aurë stood and turned to him, tilting her head in thought. "Your people would gladly look the other way if I were to attempt to steal anything. Either because you are the Prince of Mirkwood or because I am Lady Tindómiel. In the Shire, it would not matter who I am. I would be Aurë and I would be chased with a pitchfork for stealing carrots from Farmer Maggot's fields." Aurë teased, although the thought was rather appealing now that she had said it aloud. The others laughed as she put on a contemplative face. "On second thought, may I have my ribbon back? I wish to give it to Merry."

"I am afraid, my Lady, that is the one request I shall have to deny you." Legolas laughed heartily. "It would seem, Lord Hobbit, that we shall have to duel for the Lady's affections."

"If it comes to that," Merry laughed. "I must warn you, I fight dirty."

"As do I."

"We must not fight amongst ourselves." Aragorn laughed, standing between the two. "We have a bigger enemy at the moment. Winning over the Lady shall have to wait."

Although his words were light-hearted, they reminded them of all that it was indeed time to part. Without words, they moved to their boats that rested in the hythe. Legolas lingered a moment, meeting her eyes, looking anguished. He stepped closer to her and pressed his lips to her brow. "We will meet again, Anorien."

"I do not doubt it," Aurë closed her eyes, relishing at the feel of his touch for a moment. "Go now. And then return."

Legolas nodded intently before joining the Company. They stood before their boats, now clad in the cloaks of Lothlórien, voicing their farewells before they took to their boats. The Elves of Lórien pushed them out into the river with long, grey poles, and Aurë watched with a heavy heart as the waters took them away. Galadriel stood by her side, taking her hand in hers. Together, they lifted their voices in song, the song Namárië, the song of farewell.

Legolas watched for as long as he could before distance took him away and he was gone.