Chapter 10
As they neared Lothlorien, Legolas became increasingly nervous. Aragorn joked with him to keep up his spirits.
"Legolas," he called, "do you remember the plan?"
Legolas turned in his saddle to look at him. "Of course I remember the plan. Give the tunic, wear the bead." He stopped, realizing what he had just said, and gave the Ranger a sheepish grin.
Aragorn shook his head at him. "You really are a mess. Try to keep in mind that this is a happy occasion, not a funeral. You are going to save your princess from her melancholy, remember." Legolas blushed as Aragorn laughed.
"I think I will have a word with Lord Elrond about Arwen's reading material as a child." the prince told him. "It seems to have had a remarkable effect of the both of you. I had thought you were both old enough to have outgrown fairy tales."
"Never!" Aragorn said, riding up beside him.
Legolas was grateful for his friend's presence. Being of a private nature, and not having siblings, he had never been easy about discussing his personal troubles with anyone. Having Aragorn know about his problems with Athelas came as a relief to him. He had shared his hopes with Aragorn, and as they traveled, he had come to realize that Aragorn was becoming his closest friend. The lengths Aragorn had gone to, to help both of them, raised the Ranger high in Legolas' esteem.
When they reached the borders of Lorien, they got only a short way into the wood before being stopped by the guards. On learning who they were, the patrol welcomed them heartily, and escorted them through the forest.
"You come in good time, my lords," the guard captain told them.
"How so?" Aragorn asked him, politely.
"Tonight we celebrate a marriage."
Athelas sat beside Haldir as the dancing began. She longed to dance, but feared her lameness would not allow it. Haldir stayed beside her, pouring her wine, and teasing her.
"It's only a lack of proper footwear that keeps you from dancing, I'm sure." he told her, his bright eyes sparkling. "After all, you only brought one trunk full of shoes."
She choked on her wine at that, spilling some. He wiped it up, laughing at her. She saluted him, and took a deep drink, then giggled.
"You are unusually merry tonight, my dear Athelas." he told her, refilling her goblet. "I am glad to see it."
"So merry, in fact, that I may be mistaken for being publicly drunk?" she asked, giving him a mischievous smile.
"And are you?" he asked her, grinning broadly.
"I hope not," she giggled. "Although the wine is very strong. I am happy, Haldir. I am, I believe, almost to the end of a serious crisis in my young life. A crisis of my own making, I might add." she said, with mock pride.
"I think you are drunk." he snorted, checking her wine. "You couldn't create a crisis if you tried. What have you been up to in Imladris? I always said you'd have done better to stay with us in Lorien." He winked at her. "We're not as stuffy."
"It was always my choice, dearest Haldir. I wanted to stay with Arwen." She looked at him with loving eyes. "Forgive me if I don't give you all the pertinent details, it is all still very...fresh."
"Not at all!" he told her, raising his glass. "To you and your secret fresh crisis." he said, clinking her cup.
She giggled again, and drained her cup. "The music is so lively, I wish I could dance." she said plaintively. Haldir was right, she was tipsy. But she was also happy. She had determined to try to explain things to the prince. The decision had made her feel as if a great weight had been lifted from her. Her spirits were higher than they had been in a long time. Tonight, the wine was good, the music better, and she was determined to enjoy herself. The dance tune was light and sprightly, and she hummed along and tapped her foot.
"Here, my love." Haldir told her. "Drink up, and when you have forgotten you have a foot, we shall dance!"
Aragorn found Legolas desperately trying to rebraid his hair. His fingers shook so badly he was ready to give it up in disgust.
"Oh, here, let me." Aragorn said, taking the comb and quickly undoing the tangle the young elf had made.
"You can do this?" Legolas asked, surprised.
"Do you really think that anyone raised in Elrond's house cannot?" Aragorn told him. Finishing the braids, he turned Legolas around and looked at him. He tugged the collar of the tunic straight, and flicked imaginary dust specks from his shoulder. "You'll do," he said. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Legolas gave him an exasperated sigh. "Do not start that again! Of course I'm ready. I know exactly what I'm going to do. First I find her. She sees that I am wearing this," he touched the sleeve of his tunic, "so she knows that I know the truth. I give her the message from Arwen." He held up his hand to show the small white sphere. "She knows Arwen sent me. Then I ask her to walk with me, so that we can talk." His eyes sparkled.
The hope on his face caused Aragorn to pray that nothing occurred to upset the plan. His friend was so excited at this moment that he might not be able to keep himself under control. Aragorn gripped his shoulder and shook it gently. "Let's begin then. She shouldn't be too hard to find. If she is even half as dejected as she was, they will have had a hard time convincing her to come to the celebration at all."
The merriment was at it's height as they made their way to the clearing. Tables had been set sporadically through the trees for those who chose to rest or eat, and they exchanged greetings with the elves seated there. The music was boisterous and the guests animated. Suddenly, a small commotion among the dancers caught their attention.
"Well, that's torn it!" a female voice called out gaily. "Haldir, be a pet and carry me back to my seat. I seem to have lost a slipper as well as my footing." There was a giggle. "You'll have to go back for it."
"I don't see why, when you've got shoes all over the house!" he bantered back. "Did I tell you I tripped on one just yesterday?"
They saw him carry her from the dancers. The filigree and flowers set in her dusky hair were askew, her cheeks were flushed and one delicate bare foot peeped out from beneath the torn hem of her red gown. Her arms were clasped trustingly around the neck of the tall handsome elf who carried her, and she smiled up at him delightedly. He smiled back with tender affection.
"That's not..." Aragorn began.
"Athelas." Legolas finished, in a grim voice. He began to turn around and walk back through the trees. Aragorn grabbed him by the arm and pulled him behind a large trunk, out of sight.
"Let me go!" Legolas whispered harshly.
"Oh no you don't." Aragorn said quietly, his voice rough. "I'm not going to spend the rest of my life having Arwen send me hither and yon to repair your relationships. You go over there and talk to her!"
"Look at that!" Legolas argued, gesturing to the now seated couple. "You told me pining! I know pining, and that's not it!"
"She does seem to have made a remarkable recovery." Aragorn said, as he saw all Arwen's grand plans go up in smoke before his eyes. "But you don't know all the details yet. Don't go without finding out."
"I don't think I can talk to her." Legolas said, fighting the anger in him. To have come all this way for nothing!
"Oh yes you can!" Aragorn hissed. "Take a deep breath. Now, just walk over and say hello. Be polite. You can do this."
"Come with me." Legolas asked, with brilliant eyes.
"Of course." Aragorn told his friend. He vowed that never again would he interfere in the private life of another. No matter what Arwen's thoughts were.
"My Lady Athelas." Aragorn said warmly. He felt, rather than heard Legolas' ragged breathing behind him.
"Aragorn? Is that really you? Forgive me, I've had too much wine tonight! Is Arwen with you?" She tried to see who was to the back of him. "Is that..." her voice trailed off.
"Lady Athelas." Legolas said, in a voice to freeze fire. Her head spun, not only from the wine. He was here! Why was he here? She couldn't see him well, he seemed to be hiding behind Aragorn. She shook her head gently and tried to rise. Haldir laid a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to remain seated.
"Please pardon my lady, she cannot stand. She has just aggravated a recently healed injury while dancing. My fault, I am afraid, as I encouraged her. Will you join us?" Haldir asked genially.
"We cannot stay, my lord." Legolas said, his voice cold, his face set. Aragorn wished he cold poke him.
"Where are my manners?" Athelas asked, her mind racing. Why had he come if he was angry with her? "This is Haldir, March Warden of Lothlorien. Haldir, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, and Ellessar, called Aragorn by Men. Aragorn is my Lord Elrond's foster son."
"Of course." Haldir said affably. "Please, sit, have some wine. It is strong, as the Lady can attest to." She swatted him playfully before she realized what she had done. Legolas stepped into the full light of the torch, and she saw him clearly. Recognized, as Arwen had meant her to do, the tunic. Joy filled her.
"Where did you..." she began, but he cut her off. Aragorn was puzzled by the look on her face, he could not read it.
"My Lady Athelas," Legolas began, his voice shaking, but his face determined. "I am afraid our time is short and we cannot join you. I am charged with messages for you from the Lady Arwen and my father, King Thranduil. I am afraid my Lady is as prone to secrets as ever and her message is somewhat cryptic." He pressed something into her hand, closed her fingers over it. She felt herself burn at his touch. She recognized the missing worry bead by feel, and looked up at him. What was he trying to say? Why had she had so much wine?
"I have," he continued, "unfortunately left King Thranduil's message with my belongings. May I have the honor of meeting with you tomorrow before our departure to deliver it? Perhaps in the early afternoon? You may be fatigued by the night's activities, and I have no wish to take you from your rest."
Her heart sang. Tomorrow! She wanted to throw herself in his arms, but knew this was not the time. He was angry about something. She would discover it all tomorrow, knowing that he would not discuss it before others.
"I thank you, my Lord Legolas." she told him in a soft voice. "That is most considerate. I look forward to our meeting."
"Until tomorrow then. My Lady, March Warden." Legolas bowed low and whispered for Athelas alone, "I wish you great joy." Straightening, he took Aragorn and led him quickly from the scene.
Haldir filled her wine glass. "Begging your pardon, Athelas, but I still say the Northern Elves are a stuffy bunch." She looked up from the bead in her hand and gazed at him with luminous eyes. "Oh ho!" he said gently, "you didn't say your crisis traveled as a prince!"
"Haldir, my most excellent friend," she said, holding her bead tightly, as realization finally hit her. "I think I need to speak with Galadriel. Will you take me to her?"
"You did very well, Legolas." Aragorn said. The meeting had not gone exactly as planned, but they would speak tomorrow. There was still hope. He began to remove his finery and prepare for sleep.
"For a mutton headed fool, you mean." Legolas said sharply.
"No, I'm serious. You were civility itself. A little restrained, perhaps, but that's only to be expected. I am so grateful this will be cleared up tomorrow."
"It was hard to be civil, but once I saw her eyes, well, I knew. After that I just felt numb. Do you think Arwen will be pleased at the match?"
Aragorn stared at him in astonishment. "Of course she'll be pleased! Why do you think she set me to find you? This is what she planned all along."
It was Legolas' turn to be astonished. Then he gave a bitter laugh. "Of course. You know our customs so well, Aragorn, sometimes I forget you are not an elf. It's in the eyes. Athelas has pledged herself to someone. I suppose it was that Haldir, given the degree of familiarity between them." His voice broke on the last word. He cleared his throat, a savage sound. Aragorn stared at him, absolutely dumbfounded. "Now, if you don't mind, I don't think I want to discuss this right now." Legolas turned away from him and began to remove his tunic. The moonlight glittered on the silent tears that ran down his pale cheek.