Dear friends, we hereby disclaim everything in the most simpliest way. All I can say is 'keep reading', I think lilith has something very angsty on her mind for Legolas and Rin... samfior

Chapter 6: On silent wings

It was a cold night in the elvish kingdom and the air was thick. 'Anytime now' thought Rin, 'The rain will start any time now'. The weather resembled her emotions. She was trying so hard to convince Dregonas that she was content with her decision but inside it was turmoil. She felt like she couldn't breathe. The weight of the situation she was in slowly setting down on her and every second that passed by, she felt more and more trapped. Her 'dear' father had cast her away like a piece of jewelry, in to the mercy of the woodelves. 'Oh, and the lies, the lies I hate the most' she thought. 'If this is a dream, it is of the worst kind. How they must despise me now, how they shall see me?' As she looked ahead she saw a small group of elves looking at her with interest. 'Like I am a rare animal' she thought.

How could her father assume that the elves would welcome her as their princess? She was sure that his father had planned this. Knowing that the Prince would never accept her as his bride, her father would have the upper hand by using their guilt because of this rejection. And who knows what he will want from the elves besides the treaty in order to pay the depth of shaming her daughter. He pushed her into his scheme without thinking of her. She was all alone and this dinner would be a torture. She could see how the king would kindly explain why this proposal is inappropriate and how his son can never be married in such a way, and more importantly to a human. And the worst would be Legolas himself telling her so. With that thought her cheeks paled and felt as if the very ground was shaking. 'Oh, he will see me as a fool!' And after all of this, she would have to go back to her father and endure his temper.

She felt her eyes water and breathed deeply trying to calm herself. She was a Princess, a descendant of the royal line of Rhuin. She would not cry in front of anyone, elf or human; king or peasant. But alas, she was feeling so alone, like a little girl in a strange land. Right at that moment, she felt the hand of Lord Dregonas on her arm. When she turned to the elf walking beside her, she saw him smiling kindly at her. It was like he read her thoughts and wanted to show her that she was not alone. The gesture deeply affected her, and without being able to control it, a tear fall from her eyes.

She accepted when he offered her his arm and said: "I shall be fine, My Lord. Don't let my weakness delay us any longer."

Dregonas gave her a fake angry stare: "I shall be very surprised anyone calling you weak. And I would be very angry; even if it is you. So, let's not talk of such nonsense anymore. You do have friends who care for you in this realm, Princess. Everything will sort itself out, one way or another. This is far from being the end, it is just the beginning"

Without understanding the whole meaning behind his words, the kind gesture, the strong voice and the undoubtful look on his eyes made Rin feel a little bit easier; just enough to collect herself. He slowly guided her to the magnificient hall which was most strikingly decorated with lanterns and white silk drapes dancing with the wind. Inside the elves were waiting for them, who saluted the unlikely couple elegantly. Dregonas bowed lightly in return. He did not let Rin pull her arm from his by holding it with his other hand, until they reached the dining hall.

That was how they arrived. The ones who saw them that night thought how proud and elegant the young Princess from the distant land looked and how attentive the King's brother seemed towards her.

Except for Legolas, who saw them enter and immediately noticed how his uncle tried to comfort the lady and how much paler the Princess was, comparing to this very afternoon. Her beautiful face was dim with unshed tears and her eyes, which he just could not get out of his mind, were darkened with heavy thoughts. She looked cold, closed. The dark red gown she was wearing was dancing around her as she took small steps into the dining hall. She smiled and bowed whenever she should, but it was plain to anyone with a keen eye that she only was using her well trained routine as a royalty. And he felt confused for the first time since decades. Wasn't she happy to be here? Wasn't his city or this dinner to her liking? After such thoughts it stroke him suddenly; this sorrow must have been because of the letter, Dregonas must have talked to her. 'Was she really unaware of this before? Would her father send her here to marry without her consent?' What ever the case was, she was most certainly shaken. Recalling the sweet, angry girl in the afternoon this cold and pale statue was a complete contrast. 'She did not know before and this news hit deep' he thought. The short encounter with her convinced him that she was not the kind of person who could be forced into marrying, no matter what was at stake. But her cold demeanor, her silent moves showed something more. She was most disturbed, unhappy. Not only because of the wrongly way she was treated by her father; she must also have been terrified about marrying him.

Pride could never be seen as a virtue, but it was known through out the Middle Earth, elves some times may get lost in it. As Legolas did at that moment. He couldn't help but think 'I am the Prince of Mirkwood.' How dared she be this distraught in the prospect of marrying him? He straightened his back and lifted his chin as he watched her come near.

Dregonas lead Rin to Legolas and she sat next to him. He took the sit on her other side.Rin still felt too shaken to do more than she should. So, she looked at Legolas shortly and bowed before taking her place. She gave short answers to his and his father's questions.

T he supper started when all guests arrived. After a while the king rose from his sit to give a speech and Rin freezed. So, the time had come for her humiliation. She feared that at this point no matter how nice Lord Dregonas or Legolas were towards her, the fact was, that her situation was inappropriate and unforgivable under these circumstances.

All blood was drained from her face. She couldn't even make out king's words. It was like she was listening to him in a crowd or in the middle of a tempest. His voice came and went. Trying to compose herself she tried to look straight forward and seem calm. After a while she felt Dregonas' hand on hers, squeezing it lightly. Rin looked at him confused and discovered he was looking somewhere else over her shoulder. As she turned around, the first thing she saw was Legolas afoot. She lifted her dazzled gaze to meet his, and realized he was holding his hand to her. Not understanding what was going on Rin took his hand as he helped her up. All guests around the table were looking at them. She got up and looked in to his eyes to understand. Something, anything, a clue. Rin felt like drowning… That was when she recognized anger. He was angry. 'With her? Of course, of course he is angry' she thought, Legolas should have naturally assumed that she knew this plan of his father beforehand and came here to trap him in this scheme. And why shouldn't he? Who would believe that she didn't know her king's intentions? 'So, does that mean…' She tried to compose herself one last time and to hear Thranduil's words.

"…That is why we think this sacred union will serve both lands. We are happy to welcome such a lady to our family."

Then the world stopped making sense. "What?" she let out unintentionally. How could elves submit to this? To an arranged marriage! Legolas's grasp tightened around her hand and he must have heard her exclaim.Rin could not help but notice that they were still standing hand in hand in front of all these people without saying any word or looking each other. Stealing a quick glance at Dregonas, she saw worry in his eyes, and hoped he couldn't read panic in hers.

Thranduil's speech found its closure. "Let this night be the beginning of a new era."

Should she say something? Legolas' hand tightened in hers again, forcing her to look at him. His frosty eyes met hers. Legolas bowed his head and took their united hands to his torso. She followed his lead, bowed softly. Shortly after they sat down music started out of nowhere startling Rin. Her legs were still shaken and the scream in her head continued. "How? They were supposed to refuse. They should have. Why?" The music was increasing in intensity. Rin felt as if the walls of her cage were crumbling down on her. 'I have to get out of here' she thought. She noticed some of the elven maids were dancing and that no one was paying attention to her. Quickly she rose from her seat. In her hurry she did not notice that Legolas rose immediately after her. Maybe it was unseemly how she was behaving, leaving a reception held in her honour, 'No, a wedding reception' said a small voice in her head and she quickened her pace. Rin felt like she had no choice but to get out of there. She needed to get out, to think.

-----------------o-o-o-o-o--o-o-------------------

The exit of the dining hall was leading to a large garden. The lanterns which hang from the lower branches were swaying in the wind. Even their soft bluish glow was too much for Rin, for she did not want to be seen by others. She saw a small dark archway on the corner. The wind was blowing her hair in all directions, and a light rain started. She did not care. After a long while when her legs started to ache, she stopped. Moonlight was the only thing that enlightened the night. Rain increased in intensity and Rin hoped for a salvation. The rain mixing with her tears was running down her face. She sat on a tree trunk which lay under a tree and offered a little bit protection from the storm. She wiped her face hastily with her hands as she leaned on the large tree and closed her eyes.

Legolas was just across the lady, wet and angry. The way she had acted during the announcement disturbed him to no end. Not because of her cold composition or her startled moves, but because she had the most sorrowful look on her face as she looked at him. First he felt pity stirring in his heart but that feeling had past away when she abandoned him at the table. Decided to make her understand the wrong in her behaviour he had followed her here. It surprised him deeply as she took each and every turn without hesitating as if she knew this place from birth, all the way to this garden; to his own special place. As she sat under 'his' tree, wiping tears or rain drops from her face he could not decide if he should be angry with her or comfort her. The storm was strengthening and it seemed to him if she would stay here any longer she would get ill. He heard small sobs coming from her. Moonlight came through a clearing between the clouds and so he saw her more clearly. Her eyes were closed, her chest rose and fell with short breaths, her dress wet because of the heavy rain, sticking to her body as a second skin, her dark long hair was sprayed. All his long years he could not recall seeing a more beautiful, a more sorrowful sight. Unable to resist he came closer without making any sound. Crouching down, his hand reached and touched her cheek even so lightly that she thought it was the wind and did not open her eyes. But suddenly the thought came to him, 'What am I doing, this is wrong!' and Legolas rose so fast, his foot crashed a branch.

That little sound woke Rin up.

She saw Legolas standing not more than a foot away from her and looking down on her so angry, that it scared her. His hands were in fists and his handsome face had a cruel expression. His lips pressed and the look on his eyes was indescribable. Rin tried to get up but he did not back away. So she stood face to face with him for a short while, trying to figure out something to say to him. But she did not now what to say, not even that she was sorry. Understanding that it was hopeless she tried to avoid him passing him by. A strong hand on her arm stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going, my Lady?"