"For three days you have not slept, you have not eaten and you have not drank a single drop. Surely by now you must be waning?" Thranduil questioned me as I stood before his throne, unamused at being summoned back and forth like a mutt. He had not gone but four hours before he had summoned me back to his side that day I had given wine to the dwarves. Constantly he sent me away then had me returned, even if it was merely to walk by his side. I did not know the game that he played but I was beginning to quickly tire of it. "If you hope to persuade me by causing yourself suffering, you are gravely mistaken. I will force the food down your throat if I must."
"There is nothing that you have that I want." I murmured, admittedly tired from three days without food, sleep or water. "Nothing except your love, but I do not believe you have any left in your heart to give. It is cold and empty, like a cavern long since abandoned." My answer made his head jerk slightly, stunned into silence and seeing that there was nothing more to discuss, I permitted him a bow of politeness before I walked away from him. This time he did not call after me as I left, going towards where Legolas waited in silence and when I reached his side he turned to escort me back to my room where I had remained under lock and key.
His gentle hand rested upon my back as we walked close to one another and I did not have the energy or will to push him away, fading slightly into a waxing tone as my movements slowed further. "Come with me." Legolas suddenly murmured and took my hand with warm fingers and drew me off the path that would take me back to my room and instead began to quicken his pace to lead me downwards, keeping me close at his side as we abandoned our path and descended towards the gardens of the city where small streams ran and the grass grew in luscious eaves underfoot. I knew the place well for very little had altered in my absence, and I recalled the numerous times that I had chased and been chased through these very same pastures with Legolas always beside me.
"Legolas, where are you taking me?" I asked him however he sent back a warm smile, keeping my hand gripped in his as he then pulled aside the drifting boughs of a willow tree and drew me underneath its shrouded embrace, concealing us away from sight whereby he then led me towards where a small spread had been set out, including some of my favourite foods from my childhood. He had remembered. Remembered that I liked sweet things most of all and selected my favourite fruits which were gathered in a bowl with fresh water and an option for wine also. "Legolas I cannot, I do not want…"
"I shall not tell father, Eleni." He murmured softly, fingers still entwined with mine as he stood at my side, brushing aside my hair as he gazed at me with unbound affection. "But you must eat and rest. You will be of no use to your companions if you are too weak to even stand." He reasoned and I knew that he was right, though I gave him a stern look, arching an eyebrow slightly in suspicious question to his actions.
"You promise not to tell?" He gave me his solemn vow before he then had me sit down with my back against the large roots of the willow tree, leaning back as he poured me a drink and encouraged me to eat so I lifted up the fruit at the top of the pile and tentatively ate it, thinking to have no more but then my hunger overcame me and I ate ravenously whilst Legolas merely watched me. It took me some time to realise that his eyes had never once left me so I gave him a look of confusion. "Why do you look at me this way?"
"Your mannerisms have not changed at all. You still eat the same way I remember when you were small." He answered me simply, lips curling upwards slightly and as I observed him, I saw a glimmer of his old self in his eyes and it brought me comfort. "Tell me of your time in Lothlorien and Rivendell, I wish to hear everything from you directly."
"But I told you everything that there was to know in my letters until I stopped sending them." I reasoned but his smile never wavered.
"Father ordered I cease all contact and I could not disobey him. I read them all, however, and it brought me comfort to know that you were safe and well." For a while I studied him, not having known that it had been Thranduil who had ordered Legolas to stop replying to my letters. More confusing thoughts entered the fray of my mind concerning the Elven King, not knowing what to think of him anymore. I was adamant that I would continue to love him as my father, no amount of unkind words or mistreatment could change that much about me. I believed in the love I had for both Thranduil and his son and I would let it give me strength in the days to come. "So tell me everything that you have seen, little starling, tell me all that you have learned." I could not help but smile a little, the endearment sounding much as it had used to.
Legolas and I spoke for hours that day, alone in one another's company with no other to disturb us as we recounted for lost time and with each passing moment I felt my feelings solidify further. My visions had not lied to me, I truly did love him as my equal and it had been set in stone since the first moment I had laid eyes upon his angelic visage. His soul was kind though buried underneath years of hardship and I was determined to save him. I was determined to save them both. Eventually weariness overcame me and with my belly now satisfied Legolas moved to my side and I rested my head upon his shoulder, our fingers winding themselves together as I slept peacefully for the first time since my return and a tiny portion of happiness swelled within me as I remained in Legolas's company until I next awoke. He had not moved, not even an inch and our hands remained entangled with his head resting against mine also though the moment I moved he straightened, turning his head towards me as I blinked myself awake. I was incredibly comfortable and I almost wanted to drift back into sleep however I saw that the sky was dark and I had received a vision in my sleep which I needed to act upon. "Eleni?" Legolas murmured quietly, hand rising to my chin to see that I was awake.
"I should return, Thranduil will not be pleased to know that you did not return me to my room immediately."
"If there is a consequence, I shall accept responsibility." Legolas assured me as together rose to our feet. "But you are right, though I do not like locking you inside. Shall I walk you back?"
"May I walk alone, please? I have many things that I need to think about and if you are seen returning me at this late of an hour, you will most certainly be in trouble." With a smile I rose up and brushed a kiss to his cheek, making him stop all motion as I then drew back and let go of his hand. "I missed you with all my heart, Legolas. I am glad that I am able to see you again." Turning away I walked from him, not looking back over my shoulder as I brushed through the sweeping leaves of the willow tree then quickly hurried away.
Knowing exactly where to go I went up towards the higher levels of the city before then turning down a hallway where all was silent. "Bilbo? I know that you are here." I murmured aloud, continuing to walk as I heard a soft breath suddenly catch itself. "I do not have much time, but you must listen to me carefully. Tomorrow night my people will be celebrating the Feast of Starlight. The wine will flow strong and there will be a significant distraction for you to retrieve the keys and release our friends."
"How…how did you know that I was here?" He asked and I exhaled with relief as he revealed himself from the shadows, allowing me to turn around to see him standing in view. Facing him fully I indicated towards my milky eyes and he paused before nodding his head. "Right."
"The feast will last well into the night, so I suggest that you wait until the early hours of the morning before you begin to move. Do not try to come and find me or free me, my dear Bilbo, it is not worth the risk. You must get Thorin and the others away from here without fail." When he asked how on earth he was supposed to smuggle thirteen dwarves out of the city without anyone noticing, a mischievous smile blossomed upon my face. "Go to the cellars. With the wine flowing strong, barrels will empty quickly. You will know what to do when you see it, dear Bilbo. Just ensure that you wait until my kin are drunk and overcome with sleep before making your move."
"Are you certain?" Bilbo questioned, fidgeting slightly as he looked up at me. "It just feels wrong to leave you behind. Won't Thranduil be angry with you? He will definitely know that you helped us to escape." Even if there would be no proof, Bilbo was right in saying that my father would know that I had a hand in this but I could not worry for that right now.
"He will not hurt me, if that is your concern my dear friend. Go now, quiet like a mouse and with great stealth. Ensure that you eat well and do not become exposed." I said to him, lowering myself down before I then kissed the hobbit's brow, smoothing away his curling locks to then give him my friendliest of smiles. "I shall follow after you when I am able, do not worry for me." Taking his hands in mine I kissed them gently for a final time before I rose up to my feet once more and retreated backwards, hearing a stirring below as they began to realise that I was not in my room. "I shall see you again, my dear Bilbo." With that I turned around and fled, disappearing into the complex labyrinth of my home, avoiding being caught before I then returned to my room again to the bewilderment of my guards who were posted outside as I requested that they unlock the door for me and allow me inside.