Eternal Life, Eternal Pain
XVII. Vows of the Dragon
I open my eyes I see your face
I cannot hide I can't erase
The way you make me feel inside
You complete me girl, that's why
Something about you makes me feel
Baby my heart wants to reveal
I'm down on my knees, I'm asking you
So these three words I wanna hear from you
Yes I will, take your hand and walk with you
Yes I will, so these three words I promise to
Yes I will, give you everything you need
And someday start a family with you
Yes I will, take your hand and walk with you
Yes I will, baby I promise to
Yes I will, give you everything you need
And someday start a family with you
Oh yes I will
~*~*~
"Lixie!" Anya smiled as she saw her friend.
"Anya," Lixie, a young elf about Anya's age with dark brown hair and blue eyes, replied, taking Anya's hands into her own. "It has been long since we last met. We were worried when you disappeared like that."
Anya said nothing, but her lips curled into a tight smile. "I suppose it might worry some."
Lixie laughed. "Yes," she said nodding. "And this is..." Her gaze moved from Anya over to where Legolas was standing by her side.
"Legolas Greenleaf, my lady," Legolas said, bowing.
"Oh, yes, you," Lixie said, laughing. "I heard you had come. But I had not heard that you had come with Anya..." She smiled. "Welcome to Lanmuir, although I am sure it is nothing compared to Mirkwood. Lanmuir has," she continued, pausing a bit, "fallen onto some hard times, I suppose. Every day is getting more difficult."
"I find Lanmuir beautiful," Legolas lied.
Lixie chuckled a bit. "Right," Lixie said, her voice full of sarcasm. "You are too kind, Prince."
"It's Legolas," he replied. "That is my name."
The girl raised an eyebrow. "You and Anya are so alike! How do you two manage?"
Anya tried to stifle a giggle. "We manage," she replied, taking Legolas's arm. "How have you been?" she asked softly. "I've missed you."
Lixie's features seemed to tire. "It has been lonely without you running amok," she said, trying to laugh a bit. "No, seriously now..." Lixie looked into Anya's eyes. "I don't know if your father told you, but matters have begun to worsen here. Every day the threats continue to grow, and he has become much more ambitious now, seeking other things as well."
"Other things?" Anya asked. "Like what?"
"Let us not speak of these things," Bryon said, speaking up for the first time. His face was drawn in a frown. "Dance - we're supposed to be having fun. Come on, Anya. Let's dance."
Anya tried to smile. "All right," she replied.
"Tonight," King Zeroun was saying, "we honor our guests from Gondor, Rivendell, and Mirkwood. King Elessar and his wife, Arwen, Gimli, son of Gloin, and Prince Legolas of Mirkwood. Also, we celebrate the return of my daughter Karlianya Sundust..."
"Blah blah blah..." Anya muttered.
"Anya!" Legolas tried to scold her. "That's your father!"
"Yeah, but he's boring me," Anya sighed.
Legolas tried to control his laughter. How would it look if the prince of Mirkwood started laughing in the middle of the king of Lanmuir's speech like he was threatening to? But Anya's little quirks weren't really helping. Soon, he'd burst out in front of all of the subjects of Lanmuir... And especially with the announcement he knew was coming, this wasn't a good time.
"Shush, Anya, your father has something important to say," Legolas said.
Anya rolled her eyes. "Right," she whispered back. "Like he ever does."
"As you all know, my daughter was promised to..."
"Blah blah blah," Anya said again.
"Listen," Legolas said a bit persistently now.
"But with the current circumstances being as they are, I have decided to cancel that engagement," King Zeroun said, dramatically stopping.
This was hardly what the crowd was expecting. Even Anya was caught off guard. While the people murmured amongst themselves, Anya said, "What did my father just say?"
"If you were listening instead of mocking him, maybe you'd have heard," Legolas replied.
"Yes," Anya said, "but what did he say?"
Legolas half rolled his eyes, turning his attention once again to Zeroun, taking Anya's hand into his.
"Now, my daughter has been engaged to another..."
"WHAT?" Anya shouted out loud. "Father, what have you done with me now?"
Anya was so outraged, she hardly noticed Legolas doubled over laughing silently.
King Zeroun smiled slighly and continued as if he didn't hear her. "The Prince of Mirkwood has come to me, asking my daughter's hand in marriage, and I have consented. They shall be wed as soon as the two see fit. Mirkwood and Lanmuir shall be joined in an alliance..."
Anya blushed, shrinking back to where Legolas stood, now only a bit bent over. She turned to him, her face brilliantly red, and said dangerously under her breath, "Oh, you just love seeing me humiliated, don't you."
Legolas returned her with a cheeky grin. "Yes," he said. Before she could say anything, he swept her into a kiss. "So, do you agree? Will you consent to marry me?" he asked, smiling at her surprised expression.
"I hate you," Anya replied.
"You'll have to change that attitude," Legolas teased. "Seeing as how you shall be stuck with me for the rest of your life."
"Stuck is right," Anya retorted.
Legolas, not catching her sarcasm, felt a bit hurt. "Are you serious?"
"No," Anya laughed. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you," she said softly, giggling at the same time. "But you can be such a... a... brat," Anya finished.
"Brat?" Legolas asked. "Is that some sort of a rodent?"
Anya laughed. "No, it means a spoiled, immature, childish..."
Legolas's eyebrows arched. "Oh," he said, thinking for a bit. "Then you're one too," he added with flourish.
"Am not!" Anya said, putting her hands on her hips.
It no longer mattered if they spoke quietly or not; Anya's father had ended his little speech, and music was playing in the background once again. Several musicians sat on the left side of the long, tall marble hallway. A few chandeliers lit by candles hung from the ceilings. The light glowing through the prisms sent little rainbows bouncing around the halls. Gold columns lined the hallways, spiraling up to the ceiling which imitated a blue sky with feathery clouds stretching across it. Wall-length windows with white curtains and gold ropes sat behind each archway formed by the golden columns.
"Shall we dance, my lady?" Legolas took Anya's hand.
"I'm not done being mad at you." Anya tried to glare at him.
"Is that something you would say to your husband?" Legolas teased.
Anya stopped, appearing to ponder what he just said. "Well, no," she finally said. "But, as of this point, you really aren't my husband," she added.
Legolas shook his head. "Never can get a straight answer out of you."
"Get used to it," she said, leading him to the dance floor.
After dancing a few, Anya led Legolas to a balcony overlooking the forest, just outside the dance hall. The half-moon hung suspended in the air, the stars twinkling along with it in the sky. It was mid-summer now so the flowers were in full bloom. Radiant red roses, dazzling daylilies, and astonishing amaryllises decorated the white balcony, marble as well. Anya leaned against the railing, looking over the tiny creek running through the tall oak trees. The air was still with perfect peace and harmony.
Legolas put one arm around Anya's shoulder, joining her by the balcony's railing. He too looked down where she was.
"Bare as it is, it is still beautiful," Anya said.
Legolas nodded.
"I'll always find nature lovely," Anya said. "As long as it is green, I suppose." She leaned into Legolas's embrace. "Such a wonderful night. I have missed my parents and friends."
"Yes," Legolas said softly.
Anya sighed. "I love you," she said after a short silence.
Legolas smiled as he stroked Anya's long brown hair, decked with the occasional braid. She was so beautiful.
"Do you remember when we first met, and we hated each other?" Anya asked, laughing.
"Naturally," Legolas said. "It was but weeks ago."
"It's been over a month, has it not?" Anya asked.
"So long already?" Legolas was a bit shocked. "It's seemed so short."
Anya giggled. "No," she said. "Not really."
Legolas did not say anything for a while.
Quietly Anya sang softly:
"Let me be your wings
Let me be your only love
Let me take you far beyond the stars
Let me be your wings
Let me lift you high above
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours
Anything that you desire
Anything at all
Everyday I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall"
Legolas smiled and replied:
"You will be my wings
You will be my only love
You will take me far beyond the stars
You will be my wings
You will lift me high above
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours"
Anya turned so she looked into Legolas's eyes. Taking the little flower pendant that hung around his neck, she continued:
"Let me be your wings
Leave behind the world you know
For another world of wondrous things
We'll see the universe
And dance on Saturn's rings
Fly with me and I will be your wings"
Legolas then joined her in finishing:
"We'll see the universe
And dance on Saturn's rings
Heaven isn't too far
Heaven is where you are
Stay with me and
Let me be your (You will be my) wings"
Anya had a famed voice, but Legolas's too was far above average. Their two voices singing in a duet silenced everyone in the halls. For a short moment, all turned to look at the couple standing on the balcony. Legolas and Anya was oblivious to this; the two stood, looking into each other's eyes, speaking nothing for their eyes said it all.
As the crowd started up their dance once again, Legolas whispered, "Eternity, together."
"Forever, as one," Anya said. He leaned down to kiss her. Anya sighed happily.
Suddenly, loud screams echoed through the halls.
Legolas pulled back. "What was that?"
This is no ordinary love
And I can never have enough
Of all the things you've given to me
My heart , my soul , my everything
Every night I thank you Lord (I thank you Lord)
For giving me the strength to love her more
And more each day I promise her
As long as I hear those three words
Yes I will, take your hand and walk with you
Yes I will, so these three words I promise to
Yes I will, give you everything you need
And someday start a family with you
Yes I will, take your hand and walk with you
Yes I will, baby I promise to
Yes I will, give you everything you need
And someday start a family with you
~*~*~
Panic ensued as everyone tried to leave the halls through the double doors. Everyone was trying to push and shove their way out to no avail. Havoc reigned as Anya's father desperately tried to regain order. Aragorn had pulled out his sword, gritting his teeth tightly with Arwen standing behind him, worry written clearly across her face. A few paces away from them, Gimli had taken out his ax as well, prepared for some sort of an attack.
Anya looked around nervously. "What's going on?" she asked Legolas.
"That's what I'd like to know," he said a bit grimly. "Damn!"
"What's wrong?" Anya asked, a bit taken aback at his sudden swearing.
"My bow!" he said angrily, following it with a few more swear words. "I left it in my room!"
"Orcs..." Anya whispered. "Oh, no. Go get it."
Legolas gritted his teeth. "I can't. I can't leave."
"Go get it, Legolas. You're much better with your bow than your blade," she said, pointing to his knife. "Aragorn has his sword, and if you give me yours, we can hold them off for a bit."
Still, the valiant elf hesitated, unwillingly to leave anyone in danger.
"Fly!" Anya cried out. "I know it's him - coming for me! Get your bow! You'd be useless without it. You don't want to be useless do you?"
Finally, Legolas relented, handing Anya his blade and running off to get his bow.
Wherever you go, whatever you do
Baby I'll be there (oh baby I will be there)
As God as my witness
I will carry this through
Till death do us part, I promise to you
Yes I will, take your hand and walk with you
Yes I will, Baby baby yes I promise to
Yes I will, give you everything you need
And start a family with you, baby
Yes I will
Yes I will
Yes I will, I promise you
Everything's gonna be all right
It's gonna be all right
I will
~*~*~
"They say if you want a job done properly, you do it yourself," an evil voice amongst the orcs hisses. "Here I am, doing what I should have done ages ago! Now she is promised to that wretch - no worries," the voice says to his shaking servant, "I shall dispose of him, as I have planned to anyway. I shall take both Lanmuir and Mirkwood! Then I shall continue to take the rest of Middle Earth!
"ATTACK!"
A/N: Yes, a rather *lame* chapter, I know, but like I said, I 've a bit of a stupid block and have been busy as bloody hell trying to get ready for school. This chapter was nothing but fluffy fluff to sustain you until I can write up a nice long chapter... hahaha. Yes. Sounds good doesn't it? Anyway with school starting *blah* and other assorted things taking over my life, I fear I shall have little time for this story, so please be... patient? Yeah, that sounds about right.
**Credits to Thumbelina/BSB**