Chapter Seven

In the meantime, Legolas had found that Arwen had recovered her strength and was now enjoying a ride on her horse, Asfaloth, by the waterfalls of Rivendell. Legolas went to the stables, replaiting his hair as he went. He saddled Nieninque, and then rode out to find her. He was glad Gandalf had offered to stay with Haehithien when he found Arwen after an hour's hard ride. He didn't want Haehithien to be scared when she woke and he wasn't there. Legolas raised his hand and waved to Arwen when he found her. "My Lady Arwen, might I have a word with you?" he called from afar.

"It sounds urgent, Legolas," Arwen said as she rode up next to him on Asfaloth. "You don't usually address me as 'My Lady'," she said with a smile, which faded quickly when she saw the serious expression on her friend's face. They dismounted and led the horses by the ford of Bruinen. "Is it that important?" Arwen asked, and was about to laugh until she saw him not curtly.

"It is, Arwen. I was sent to speak to you on a matter concerning mortals and Elves," he said and Arwen paled. "Don't worry; whatever secret you share with Gandalf, it has remained so. I speak of myself and the woman you call Elena."

Arwen's colour returned slowly and she sighed with relief. "I'm glad Gandalf kept my secret. My father would become very angry if it were to slip and it reached his ears," she paused and glanced out at the river in thought, but said nothing more on the matter. "What can I do for you, Legolas? What's this matter between you and Elena that you speak of?"

"Love," Legolas said quietly. "We love each other, Arwen. However, I see no hope for us," he said sighing sadly. "She's mortal and I'm not. I'll be leaving these shores soon, as will you. She cannot go with me. Even if she could, I am bound by a promise I didn't make. I'm betrothed to the Lady Eletharanna, though I don't love her."

Arwen nodded silently as she thought over what her friend had said. When she spoke; it was with profound wisdom. Wisdom Legolas had no idea she possessed. "Legolas, love is a powerful thing. Sometimes when we feel it shine its light upon us, we see no way to ensnare it. Yet, the way is always there," she said. "We now know that Elena was sent by Ilúvatar to help in the quest to destroy the Ring. Did you ever stop to think that she maybe here for another purpose as well?" Arwen asked, raising her eyebrow in a questioning look.

Legolas shook his head in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked and Arwen laughed.

Smiling at her old friend, Arwen said, "Legolas, sometime you are really clueless." Legolas turned and gawked at her. "What I mean is did you ever think that maybe Ilúvatar sent her here for you, too?"

"F – For me?" Legolas asked incredulously, a look of awe on his face.

Arwen nodded. "Maybe Ilúvatar doesn't intend for you and Eletharanna to be together…promise or no promise," she said, and for the first time, Legolas dared to hope.

"So, what do I do?" he asked, hope blossoming in his heart.

"You must do what I do," she answered quietly, and Legolas looked at her curiously. "We must pray that Ilúvatar protects those we love so that they may return to us."

Legolas looked at her curiously, but obviously was not going to hear anymore on the subject. Return to us, he thought to himself. Haehithien isn't leaving me; she's travelling with me. "Thank you, my friend. You've shown me what I needed to see. I must go now," he said, and mounting Nieninque, he rode back to The Last Homely House and Haehithien.

Gandalf was sitting with Haehithien when Legolas returned, and thankfully, she had not woken while he was gone. "How are you, my friend? Did Arwen's advice help?" Gandalf asked quietly.

Legolas nodded. "She's a good friend. Thank you for staying here with Haehithien," Legolas said as he gazed down at her as she slept.

Gandalf nodded and smiled. "You're welcome, it was no problem. Oh, that reminds me, Boromir was here earlier," Gandalf said matter-of-factly.

"What?!" Legolas nearly yelled, and he started for the door to go find him when the wizard stopped him.

"Legolas, relax. Don't worry," the wizard said calmly. "I've asked Lord Elrond if we can move her to a different room, as quietly as possible. He's agreed and Frodo's volunteered his."

Legolas sighed in relief and let his hand fall from the doorknob. "Please tell Frodo that won't be necessary. She can stay in my room," Legolas said and Gandalf nodded.

"Very well," Gandalf said as he stood up. "Let me just say, Boromir hadn't the time to do anything. I do believe I caught him off guard as I entered after you left. He ran off before I could catch him though. I don't think there'll be any problems before we depart if we move her tonight. Today was the first time I've seen Boromir anywhere near here. I've known that he's been looking for her since you arrived, and I've kept an eye on him." He turned and left Legolas and Haehithien alone.

Legolas turned toward the bed and smiled down at Haehithien as she slept. "How can I not worry?" he whispered as he unplaited his hair and removed his boots once more, then carefully eased onto the bed with her again. Leaning over, he kissed her lightly on the cheek. She sighed softly in her sleep and snuggled to him. She threw her leg over his and moved so that she lay tightly to his side. She sighed, laid her head back on his chest, and wrapping her arms around him, and twined her fingers in his hair once more. Legolas sighed happily as he wrapped her in his arms and closed his eyes as a gentle breeze swept over them.

When she awoke a few hours later, she yawned and stretched, then sat up and smiled down at him. Her movements woke him and he couldn't believe he'd fallen asleep. He sighed as he opened his eyes and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Are you hungry?" he asked as he sat up next to her.

"Yes," she said with a smile. "I feel like I'm starving. I'd like to go get something to eat." She rose to her feet and went over to the table where the clothes Arwen lent to her lay in a pile. Legolas still couldn't believe what Arwen had given her to sleep in…The more he thought about it, the more he liked it, but there was no way he'd want her wearing it when Boromir was hanging around. She picked out blue dress with a dark blue bodice made of a velvet-like material that was sewn with silver thread, and once again disappeared from his sight to change.

"About that," Legolas said, as he got dressed as well. "I don't think it's such a good idea for us to eat with everyone. We can have something brought here."

"Why's that?" Haehithien asked as she came back into view. "Wouldn't it be rude to not make an appearance now that I'm well?" Legolas sighed heavily and Haehithien looked at him curiously as she came and sat on the bed next to him. "What is it?" she asked.

"I asked Gandalf to stay with you while I went to talk to Arwen this morning," he said. "He told me when I returned that he'd seen Boromir here." Haehithien looked around fearfully. "It's alright," Legolas said and wrapped his arms around her. "Gandalf was here and didn't let him hurt you. We've decided that it's too risky to have you spend tonight here since he's discovered where you've been. You'll be staying in my room tonight, ok?" She nodded and melted into his embrace as her fear ebbed.

Fifteen minutes later, they had pulled the table and some chairs out onto the veranda. Not wanting to be cooped up anymore, though they couldn't really go to dine with the others, they had decided to eat out there. One of the servants of Elrond's house came, and with him, he brought an array of meat, cheese, fruit and bread as well as some Clarry wine.

Later that night, after Elrond and Gandalf had helped move Haehithien to Legolas' room, Legolas kissed Haehithien lightly and squeezed her hand then, turned and to gather his bow and quiver of arrows. "Thank you for staying with her," he said and turning shook Gandalf's hand as the wizard nodded. "I'll be back soon," he whispered to Haehithien as he caressed her face and kissed her once more. He had the feeling that Boromir would return to night.

Silently, he entered the now empty dark room and readied his bow. He didn't have to wait long before he found out he had been right. Soon, Boromir had slunk up to the veranda wall, and still Legolas waited in the shadows, his bow ready. Boromir had climbed over the wall and was about to enter when he heard the bowstring drawn taut, and froze. Legolas couldn't resist this game of cat and mouse and he grinned widely.

He spoke in segments as he moved about the room, always keeping to the darkness, to throw Boromir off guard. "It's nice to see you, Boromir," Legolas said with a chuckle, knowing Boromir's sight was no where near as good as his own. "Now, I wouldn't move any closer if I were you. You heard the Lady at the council meeting; 'One of the travellers will meet his death before reaching the Black Gates.' I'd hate her prophecy to come true so soon. Did you honestly think no one saw you staring at her during the council meeting? Thank goodness for Gandalf's sharp eyes, since the Elves were busy with matters that are more important. What do you mean by trying to sneak in her room?" Legolas demanded.

"I – I was just concerned for her. I came to see how she was doing," Boromir said warily, his voice trembling though he tried to sound calm. Curse the Elves and their sight; he thought to himself, though he stayed where he was.

"That's very kind of you, Boromir, but my lady is no longer here. I'll pass along your get-well wishes if you like, though I doubt she'll need them," Legolas said, and chuckled at Boromir's befuddled expression. "She's very resilient, and is quite healthy once more. I thank you for your concern," Legolas replied sarcastically. He watched as Boromir tried to peer into the shadows to find him. "If that is all, Boromir," Legolas said in aggravation. "I grow weary of this. I would be on my way if I were you, before my fingers get tired of holding back this bowstring. As you know, Elves have excellent senses and are always a sure shot," he said threateningly, and slowly, Boromir turned and left. Legolas waited a few moments to be sure Boromir wasn't going to come back. Only when he was satisfied that Boromir had heeded his warning did he relax his bow, disarm, and return to his room.

"Good night, my friend," the wizard said, as he stood up and stretched his weary, knotted muscles when Legolas entered and went to set his bow and quiver on the trunk. "We have a long, tiring journey ahead of us. You may not need your sleep, but I do," Gandalf said as he turned and left Legolas alone with Haehithien.

The bed was not big enough for both of them, so he left it for Haehithien. "Good night, my jewel," he whispered, and kissed her softly. He went to the trunk, removed his bow and quiver of arrows from the lid, and opened it. From inside, he pulled out spare blankets and a pillow. After closing the lid again, he unfolded one of the blankets and spread it out on the floor with the pillow. He removed his boots, then lay down on the floor and pulled the other blanket over him.

He knew he needed rest, too. The last week in this usually peaceful place, had wracked him this trip. First, with finding and caring for Haehithien, then falling in love with her and watching helplessly as Elrond hurt her, hurting her himself as he tried to fight his emotions, and finally, finding out about Boromir finding her and having to scare him off when he found that Boromir lusted after her and had spent the whole week looking for her. Gandalf was right; he needed sleep. Soon, however, Haehithien came and lay down with him. He was too exhausted to argue, so instead, he wrapped her in his arms as she cuddled close to him, and they fell asleep.

The next morning, all the chosen travellers were up with the sun, packing for their journey. Legolas borrowed a few sets of clothes from Arwen for Haehithien, and packed all but one on Bill, Sam's pony. He returned to his room with the set he had kept, to wake Haehithien. After she dressed, he gathered all the clothes Arwen had lent to her and returned them to Arwen, and then they went and had breakfast with Elrond's house before departing.

On their journey South, Legolas kept his word, and never left Haehithien's side. In fact, she rode in front of him on Nieninque, who, like his master, was sure-footed, stealthy, and could not be tracked. As Gandalf led them on, Legolas watched Boromir constantly. One day, they stopped to rest and eat lunch for a short time, when Legolas noticed Haehithien was becoming agitated. Figuring that it was probably a memory trying to surface, he asked, "What's wrong my lady? What is it?"

"I don't know for sure," she said uneasily. "Something doesn't feel right though. I don't think the Gap of Rohan is our road," she said as she gazed out toward the pass.
Legolas followed her gaze, and moved toward the edge of a nearby cliff for a better look. He saw a black mass in the sky, but remained quiet for a moment. Sam, who was the first to notice that Legolas had strayed away from the group, looked out toward the pass, and he, too, saw the black mass. "What is that?" he asked curiously, gaining everyone's attention, and they followed Sam's gaze.

"Nothing," Gimli said matter-of-factly, as he puffed his pipe. "It's just a wisp of cloud."

"It's moving fast," Boromir said his voice shallow as his breath came short. He had been sparing with Merry and Pippin, and for such little men, they were quite strong as a pair. Boromir studied the cloud a moment, and then, worry filled his voice as he said, "Against the wind."

Legolas could suddenly distinguish one black spot from the other. It was a flock of birds. "Crebain! From Dunland," he yelled urgently.

"Hide!" Aragorn yelled, and helped Haehithien dismount, then he, Haehithien, and Legolas grabbed Nieninque and they joined the others, running for cover. A few moments later, the flock of crow-like birds flew overhead; they circled, and then flew off the way they'd come.

When they were gone, Gandalf climbed from his hiding place, and gazed off after them. "Spies of Saruman," he said angrily. "The passage south is being watched." It was just as Haehithien had said, Legolas thought. "We must take the pass of Caradhras," Gandalf said, and he turned to gaze up at the snow-covered mountain behind them.