This is the new chapter (added 4-17-08) , in case you were wondering.
This is also due to Calenlass Greenleaf1's suggestion, so many thanks to her!
Chapter 3: The Sun Is Shining
Legolas was no where to be found.
The Homely Houses had been turned inside out in an effort to find him, Elorhir and Elladan had seen to that personally. They would have merely assumed that he had gone for an afternoon ride with Astaldo but the black stallion was resting contentedly in the stables. The Prince's rooms were immaculate and the libraries were vacant.
That left the pair of rambunctious twins in a conundrum.
They had hoped to depart that day for their hunting venture or at the very least to discuss it in more detail than agreeing that one should occur.
Bolstering themselves with the fact that whenever Legolas had gone missing he was either in dire trouble or brooding over something, they armed themselves with a pile of bandages and apricot tarts and announced that they would be scouring the gardens and nearby forest.
Arwen watched in slight amusement as they tramped out the doors, both placing wagers on who would find the wayward Wood-elf first. She waited until their voices had died down before quietly slipping down to the stables.
Of all her family, she knew Legolas' moods best. The two had nurtured a close, intimate friendship since they were young, hiding from the twins together in a game of hide and seek or reading a tome together in the library or racing through the forests at a breakneck speed.
And when the time came, they wept together, comforted each other, and found a quiet sense of peace in the other's company.
Entering the sun-filled shelter, she made her way calmly to the third stall down. In it a powerful black stallion stood.
"Mae Govannen, Astaldo." She whispered and watched as the horse's warm muzzle pressed against her waist in a gentle reply.
Other than the soothing whisper of the morning breeze, the stables were silent. But Arwen knew better.
"Legolas…you come out now. Elladan and Elrohir have gone to raid the forest in search of you. They shouldn't be back 'till the evening meal."
She didn't turn from Astaldo's smooth coat and smiled as a soft thump followed by a forlorn sigh sounded from behind her.
"How is it that your brothers could search until their hair turns gray while you can find me with a bat of an eyelash?" Legolas entered her sight and strode around to Astaldo's other side. He was pouting yet there was a spark to his eyes. "Are you sure they are related to you?"
"Where was your great lair this time, oh mastermind of secrecy? The feed trough? The hay bales?"
"The rafters, actually."
"Ah, difficult to reach I imagine."
"Nay, not with a little help from Astaldo." Legolas ran a hand tenderly down his faithful stead's forehead.
Arwen's smile faded as she watched the quiet communication between horse and master. Legolas' motions and calming flow of Elvish was ever the same save for a slight pinching at the corners of his eyes and the tightness of his lips.
"Legolas," she paused, forming the words, "your heart is heavy. I can see it and it pains me."
He was silent for a long stretch of time, still stroking Astaldo in that same methodical way. "I dreamt last night of Mirkwood."
Arwen watched as he brushed away a tiny speck of dirt from his stead's broad back. His eyes were purposefully diverted from her own and that could only mean that he was deeply upset.
"She was covered by a shadow filled with anger, betrayal, hate." He faltered for a moment. "I saw my father in pain. I saw my mother weeping. I saw my brother in bonds. And somehow…I knew that it was my fault. All of it."
His eyes finally met hers and she felt the raw pain radiating from him. The pale blue orbs were filled with anguish and Arwen felt her heart constrict at the sight of it.
"The forests fell to flame and darkness and all the while I watched, unable to do anything."
"Legolas…" Arwen's voice was barely a murmur.
"I would have borne it…but I cannot. This dream has plagued me for days and I cannot rid myself of it."
Astaldo seemed to sense his master's sorrow and shifted towards him, nickering softly. The action brought a melancholy smile to Legolas' mouth.
"Legolas, you are loyal and brave. You have withstood much and will weather much more before your time is through."
He looked questioningly at her.
"I have seen only glimpses of your future. And I know that a great trial is brewing for Mirkwood. But you will stand strong in face of that danger and you will prove that the house of Thranduil is not without valor.
"Do not be troubled by this dream and do not let it cloud your judgment. Trust in what you know to be true and do not give up hope before the battle has even begun." Arwen's hand crossed Astaldo's well-built back and came to rest over Legolas'. "I Anor hílol. Avo 'osto. / the sun is shining. Fear not./"
He turned her hand so that it was nestled neatly in his larger palm and let it linger there. "Hannon le. /Thank you./"
"Glassen. /My pleasure/"
They stood like that, hands clasped and gazes locked, until Astaldo stamped one of his hooves as if to protest his exclusion from a silent conversation dancing between the two elves' eyes.
The pair immediately snapped back, retrieving their hands and smiling, almost bashfully, at each other.
"I should go or your hideout will be discovered when I am missed." Arwen noted the hint of sadness that darted through those crystalline eyes. "Though…perhaps later you could join me in the library. I found the tale of Turin since last you came and we never had the chance to read it together."
"I would like that very much." The light sprang back into his face and she knew instantly that he would be there.
"Then in one hour?"
"Aye."
And with that Arwen took her leave, a cheerful spring in her step and the promise of an afternoon with Legolas glowing in her heart.
TBC...