Disclaimer: I think you already know this by now, but oh well... I own the new characters and the plot; the rest belongs to J.R.R Tolkien
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Special thanks to: All of you that read this, particularly to cris.carla and Maresia Eterna.
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Chapter 12- Time for revelations
The day continued normally, until the sun was replaced by a beautiful moon. Inwë had been watching Legolas and Eowáthiel closely, feeling that they were hiding something. The green eyed elleth considered strongly the possibility of asking them what it was, but then decided not to mention it.
Léssien too seemed to be agitated; the little elleth always sensed when something was about to happen, whether it was good or bad. She had asked repeatedly to Eowáthiel if she and Legolas were keeping a secret from her, but the older elleth invariably answered that she would know soon enough.
When all the candles were lighted inside the house and Léssien was finally sleeping, Eowáthiel approached Inwë that was sitting on an armchair near the fireplace. As Inwë saw her coming, she placed the book she was reading on a small four-legged table beside the chair.
The blonde elleth kneeled in front of the armchair, and grabbed Inwë's hands suddenly; the black haired elleth quivered with surprise, but did not remove her hands. "Is there anything you wish to tell me?" she asked in a tired voice.
"Yes, my sister. I was just waiting for Léssi to be asleep, because I don't know how to tell her this. Can you help me?" Eowáthiel replied in a low voice, turning her brown eyes to her sister's face.
"You know I would do anything for you, Eowá. Tell me what is troubling you, and maybe we can try to solve it together", the green eyed elleth answered.
"I wish you could help me, but unfortunately this matter is way beyond your help." Eowáthiel paused, and then continued in a hoarse voice: "The message Merry and Pippin brought, come directly from the king of Gondor. Aragorn wishes to forge allegiances between ever people that inhabit Middle-Earth, and he has asked Legolas to be his ambassador in Mirkwood."
Inwë widened her emerald eyes, and it become comprehensible why her sibling had acted so oddly during the day. If Legolas was to be Aragorn's ambassador in Mirkwood…
"It means he would have to leave soon", Eowáthiel concluded, dropping her gaze to the floor. "I don't know what to do, Inwë! I support Legolas, but my heart is aching… I don't think I can endure another separation", the blonde elleth confessed.
Inwë kneeled in front of her sister, and put a hand on her chin before raising her head. "Look at me, Eowáthiel Leagallow", she commanded in a gentle voice, and the other elleth did as she was told. "You are stronger than you think you are. You made the right thing when you said Legolas you supported him; the Prince of Mirkwood loves you more than anything in this world, and I'm positive this is being as hard to him as it is to you."
The brown eyed elleth nodded and mumbled, "I know", in a faint voice. She was finally letting tears streaming down her face; tears she had been avoiding to shed in front of Legolas. She seemed to struggle with herself before whispering: "It must have been hard for you to leave whom you cared about behind, wasn't it?"
Inwë straightened up abruptly, her expression revealing shock and surprise. Eowáthiel rose as well, and stared profoundly into her sister's eyes. "What? Do you think I didn't know? You may wish to keep your past secret, but your sadness made me believe you had broken your heart along the way…"
The dark haired elleth was still dumbfounded, and Eowáthiel explained: "I heard you scream his name on your sleep… saying things like 'you always knew we could only be friends', and 'I will not stay here because of you'…"
"I- I didn't- how could-?" Inwë muttered confusedly, shaking her head. However, her words didn't make any sense, and the green eyed elleth shut her mouth.
She did not want to talk about that subject, but if Eowáthiel already knew half of the truth, it didn't make sense not to tell her everything. Sighing, she sat again on the armchair, and said in a dark voice: "Alright, Eowá. You will finally know what haunts my steps."
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"Can I speak with you, Milanil?" a blond elf inquired, walking inside Milanil's room and closing the door behind him.
"Well, you are already speaking to me, so I dare to say yes", the brown haired elf answered, shrugging.
Legolas smiled and said, "Indeed". He paused, and walked towards the window to contemplate the dark blue sky, covered with shinning stars. "I will not pretend we are friends, but you are the only one to whom I can ask this. I was sent a message from Aragorn, which requires my presence in Gondor; I do not know when I'm to return, because my mission will lead me to the Dark Forest, where my father lives."
Milanil raised his sharp grey eyes towards the other elf, which back was turned to him, but did not reply at once. He was measuring the blue eyed elf's words, his mind racing furiously so he could understand the implications of that statement. He took a few seconds to realize what Legolas wanted.
"Milanil, will you take care of them? Will you watch for Eowáthiel and not let her despair?" Legolas asked at last, drawing his eyes away from the starry sky and facing the brown haired elf.
"Haven't I always watched?" Milanil retorted harshly. "Haven't I always been here for Eowá, when you left her alone? And the same applies to Inwë and Léssi; I never deserted them."
Legolas remained silent for a while, and then said in a determined voice: "I am sorry if I offended you; that was not my intention at all. You have a good soul, Milanil, and despite your harshness towards me, I trust you. I know you'll take care of them, like you always did."
With these words, the blond elf walked on the direction of the door, and when he hold out a hand to grab the doorknob, Milanil replied: "She will wait for you, no matter what. I just hope you don't keep her waiting for too long; she does not deserve it."
Legolas nodded and exited the room. Milanil gazed at the closed door, and curled his lips into a small smile. 'I really hope you return soon and safe, Prince of Mirkwood, because all I want is to see Eowá happy gain.'
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Merry and Pippin were sitting in the entrance patch, smoking from a pipe. The hobbits were feeling slightly uncomfortable with the fact they had been the carriers of such upsetting news. Legolas had told them not to feel guilty, but the heartbreaking expression of Eowáthiel refused to abandon their minds.
"I feel so sorry for them, Pip", Merry commented in a gloomy voice, breaking a long silence in which both of them had been lost in their own thoughts. "It must be really hard to leave someone you love behind, especially for the second time in such a short period of time."
"I agree with you, Merry. Legolas and Eowáthiel did not deserve this, but Aragorn had no choice. I mean, who better than Legolas himself to convince his father to sign the peace treaty?" Pippin said reasonably.
But whatever Merry's reply was, his speech was interrupted by the sound of a door being opened. The hobbits looked over their shoulders to see Legolas coming out, his face expressionless.
"Mae Govannen, my dear friends", Legolas greeted as he sat beside them.
Merry and Pippin exchanged looks; they could see the blue eyed elf was deeply tormented but he did everything he could to hide his pain from them. "Hum, Legolas… is there anything we can do to help you?"
The blond elf smiled thoughtfully, but when he spoke his voice was just above a whisper: "I'm afraid not, Pippin. But do not worry about me, I will be fine."
"I wish sincerely that you and Eowáthiel can overcome what is to come with strength and determination, Legolas", Merry stated in a honest voice, patting the elf gently on his shoulder.
"Thank you", the blue eyed elf replied unenthusiastically, the prospect of his imminent departure veiling his thoughts.
To be continued…