Disclaimer: Rated *UP* for fluff and some steaminess. Enjoy! ;)
Chapter 41 - Ithilien and the New Guests
A light breeze shuffled the tree tops, causing the sunlight that escaped from above to dance with the shadows on the grasses below. There they lay on their backs, staring up at the ancient branches that were speckled with new spring leaves, while their hands and fingers were interlaced at their side. Legolas had to spend some time in the healing room convincing Vezely first to Elrond's suggestion for him to skip the afternoon council meeting, and second, for them to leave the city that afternoon and return to Ithilien. While he was even hesitant at first, knowing his father would disapprove most of all, he also knew he would not get this chance again. Tomorrow was the last day of council before the coronation day, and Vezely would be leaving the morning after. He desired to take her again to Ithilien; to find with her there the joy they had shared two times past and to dream again about the future when they could share all the time Arda provided them, together, and in a paradise most suited for their race.
They followed the same trails to the waterfall they discovered last time, and while Vezely desired to swim in its perfect crystal depths, she would have to forgo such revelry for her wound should be kept dry a little longer. But being near its beauty and hearing the sound of the water flowing down from the high cliff face provided a peace she could not place. They did not speak about the prior incident in the courtyard or of Vezely's morning, as the blood of Yaban was barely washed from her hands. Legolas had heard her conversation with Elrond and understood the best he could of the culture she operated in. And while he wished such harshness did not exist in the world and that as a leader of men, she would not be faced with decisions that put her life in danger or her morality at risk, all of this was out of his control.
A pair of nightingales swooped onto a branch nearby as they lay there content to listen to the falls; the little birds' music stirring them to resume their conversation but not where they left it. Legolas took their song as a sign of good fortune for their love, and prompted him to retrieve the rings from his pocket as they were yet waiting in their box. They both watched as the nightingales flew past merrily, causing them afterwards to turn their faces to each other and smile in contentment. Legolas turned onto his side, propping his head up onto his elbow, causing her to curiously look upon him; she could tell he was thinking through his words before speaking.
"I have not yet told you of a certain custom of Elvish betrothal," he started, smiling at her endearingly.
Vezely smirked while saying in jest, "Does it also involve flowers?"
He laughed slightly, "No," he shook his head at her aptitude for misplaced amusement, then adding with some composure, "Something a little more enduring."
Vez now grew curious, "Alright, what is it?" her smile encouraging him.
He sat up and the small box appeared in an outstretched hand, which Vez narrowed her eyes on, her interest causing her to also sit up. "My father brought these with him," he smiled down upon it and slowly opened the lid as he explained to her, "These rings were forged in the kingdom of Doriath, when the girdle of Melian yet protected its borders from the growing evils of Angband. They were worn by my grandparents for the year of their betrothal, and later by my parents during theirs. They are of silver, though it is a silver that never tarnishes," he took them out of the box and balanced them on the palm of one hand, while his other brought her right hand in his, "They are for us now," he affirmed, "To be replaced with gold ones on our marriage day."
Vez's eyes wavered on his, her mouth slightly parted as he spoke; these rings were precious family heirlooms, passed down each generation, and now given to him by his father to bless their union. She had never felt more unworthy of a gift.
"Will you permit me?" he asked softly, as one of the rings was perched between his index finger and thumb.
She nodded yet speechless, and he slid the simple band onto her finger; a smile lighting up her face as he did. She would then take the ring he yet held, and taking his right hand, she asked similarly, "And will you permit me?" And after she slid the ring onto his finger, her hand did not release his.
They clasped both hands in front of them, "With these rings we are officially betrothed," he confirmed proudly, causing them to grin at each other. Finally there was some formality to their unusual partnership; and after so long hiding it from others, they now wore a token that hailed visible their bond.
"I promise to treasure this when I am away," she told him sincerely, "I shall never remove it from my hand."
"Nor shall I," he promised equally, cupping the side of her face and leaning in to kiss her. She moved forward to meet his lips, and they expressed their devotion tenderly, parting only to look at each other with longing.
This moment of visual appreciation was quickly ended and replaced with physical appreciation, as their lips met again but with greater passion stirred by the prior moment's significance. Soon overtaken with desire, Vezely crashed into him, her arms clasping his neck as he graciously pulled her onto his lap, and he parted his mouth to receive a kiss unlike he had before, relishing in how her tongue roamed over his lips and against his, afterwards realizing quite literally he was at her mercy and knew not how he had collapsed on the grass behind him. Taking her on top of him, his hands roamed her back as they kissed with this newfound passion. Vezely trailed her kisses against his jaw line, wandering them down his neck, causing him to tilt his head back in pleasure before her lips again found his.
With her legs straddling his hips, he boldly decided to change positions to be on top, turning her carefully onto her back, but Vez unintentionally winced as she touched the ground, causing Legolas to stop and look upon her with concern.
Undeterred, however, she replied smoothly, "Pleasure can be mixed with pain;" a seductive smirk forming on her lips afterwards, causing him to pause as he considered what she was referring to.
He bit his bottom lip as his thoughts wandered, but he tried not to be sidetracked from making sure she was unharmed, "We should make sure we did not disturb your stitches."
"Alright," Vez spoke mischievously, brazenly unbuttoning her blouse for him to take the look he desired, causing him to blush as she opened it all the way, revealing only her thin, close-fitting sheath underneath, "See," there was no blood coming through her dressing linens, "It's fine."
Relieved, he then smiled down upon her, and his fingertips began slowly tracing her now bare decollage, causing her to close her eyes to fully enjoy the sensation. He would find himself satisfyingly partaking in what he desired to do the night before, to kiss her in these new places. As he trailed kisses up her neck, she nibbled on his ear, overwhelming him, and knowing this she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer to her. And as his hands roamed quite liberally over her body, he stalled a moment and looked upon her, for he needed reassurance of his forward actions. She knew he was concerned, for suddenly they had gone quite farther than they had before.
"I know we are waiting for our marriage day," she whispered to him, lovingly placing a strand of his hair behind his ear. Vezely desired as he did to uphold the sanctity of their union and wait until the ceremony to consummate their marriage. For now they were betrothed and betrothed they would remain until they met again and could fulfill that vow. And thus with this promise in place, they were not again deterred from enjoying this newfound intimacy.
As night fell, they decided to stay in Ithilien instead of returning; believing their absence in Minas Tirith could be stretched until the following morning.
"...I hope it does not rain," Vez considered while taking a deep breath and feeling the air's crispness fill her lungs; she was carrying back some collected dried branches while Legolas set to work kindling a small fire.
"And if it does, it is nothing two Woodelves cannot handle," he mused mirthfully, causing her to grin at being called a Woodelf, for she had never been titled so before.
She would join his side in front of the fire, and they cuddled together, enjoying their body's warmth and closeness, the sound of the fire and the woods surrounding them. At one point, Legolas began softly singing, surprising her with his voice and the beauty of what he sung about.
"I did not know you could sing," she spoke when he had finished, her eyes enchanted on his.
"All Elves can sing," he replied, tracing her jaw line with his finger, finding the starlight reflected in her eyes delightful, "I do so when I am moved."
His response made her blush slightly, for he implied she had moved him. Then remarking on his former statement, she countered, "Not all Elves can sing."
Knowing she meant herself, he quickly refuted her assertion, "But I have heard you sing, on the fields before the White City."
"That was different. That was not a song of beauty that is sung for appreciation of its sound," she denied his understanding.
"Then sing such a song for me," he requested, looking at her with a hopeful smile.
She shook her head, "I remember the tune of only one Elvish song, and I'm afraid it will only create sadness in my heart to sing it," and he knew she spoke of the Forest River song which her mother sang to her as a child.
"Then sing a song that is not of Elvish tongue. A song of beauty from Rhun," he yet urged her.
Vezely knew not many songs of love or devotion, not because they did not exist but because she had never sung them. But there was one song of the Balchoth that at that moment found its way back to her memory, and while uncertain her voice could carry its tune well, she proceeded with some effort. Legolas closed his eyes as she sang, enjoying the unique contours of her voice in this language he knew not. And when finished he asked her of its meaning.
"It is a love song," was all Vezely would tell him, for as she sang it she realized the words which spoke of separation and unworthiness were indeed too personal and painful to share its exact translation; and brushing off the sorrow this realization suddenly caused her, she added in slight embarrassment having performed for him, "Like I said, I am no skilled songstress."
"I disagree," Legolas corrected her softly, kissing the back of her hand, "We shall sing more for each other. And sing together, for I will teach you many songs from our woods, if you desire to learn them..."
As the night progressed, they held each other close; the morning's events only a memory, their worries ahead still shrouded from thought. Vezely would whisper in the silence, "Legolas, I love you," realizing she had never said it before.
"I love you too, Vezely," Legolas replied, afterwards holding her a little closer than before.
"I assure you, my intention was not to encourage your son to neglect his duties, only to provide him some joy before the sorrow of her departure," Elrond rationalized his position with Thranduil as they walked away from the gathering of ambassadors to discuss the matter further. Legolas's father was not pleased when hearing his son's absence at the afternoon's council meeting was assisted by the Elf lord. "Besides," Elrond reasoned further, "After this morning's courtyard spectacle, is it not better for him to be spared the afternoon evading stares and questions? And when he returns, perhaps the rumor now circulating can be turned into common knowledge on his behalf?"
"However misunderstood it may be," Thranduil stated bluntly. He knew Elrond had his son's heart in mind, thus he settled his initial desire to rebuke him for encouraging such irresponsibility. But he was yet uncomfortable by Vezely's prior display of brute behavior and what it meant for announcing their betrothal.
"Legolas's honor is beyond question," Elrond added reassuringly, "I do not believe knowledge of this can undermine that."
Perhaps Thanduil knew this, for Legolas had truly gained respect, not only in the eyes of their kin, but in the eyes of men and dwarves. Then confiding, as if seeking advice, "Perhaps I find myself less concerned about his honor and more of his heart."
"Of this sentiment I know too well," Elrond placed a hand on Thranduil's shoulder, for he held an equal concern of his own daughter, Arwen, whose hand he would soon be giving away in marriage to Aragorn.
"Forgive me," Thranduil apologized, his eyes displaying concern, knowing the decision Arwen had made, and that Elrond was essentially losing a daughter.
"We only want what is right for our children," Elrond replied appreciating recognition of his sorrow. "Knowing that Aragorn brings her happiness eases my suffering over Arwen's decision," then he added considering, "There may be little assurance of Vezely return and redemption, but take heart in knowing she is less reckless than she appears, and that she understands her culture and acts with honorable consideration of others within it. There is hope she will accomplish what the Valar intend for her, and her love for your son will stay her on that path and lead them back together. She will not abandon him..."
Walking down the corridor, Vez chuckled quietly to herself, mischievously thinking of an alternative use for the small bouquet of white flowers she held in her hand. Just minutes before she ran into Shelbi, the young house maid she assisted after the scuffle in the Dim Quarters. The youth had heard from other house workers of Vezely's injury, since rumors about blood needing to be cleaned up in the central courtyard spread quickly. Legolas and Vezely arrived back at Minas Tirith just after dawn and since Legolas had to prepare for the morning's council meeting, Vez made her way to the kitchen hall to meet the hobbits for their first breakfast. There Shelbi found her and handed her this bouquet, picked from her mother's garden, as a farewell gift if she should not see her again before her departure. It was a gesture Vez was uncertain how to respond to, and it did set inside her a strange realization that she should not see the young woman again. Farewells were awkward trials of emotions, and she loathed thinking of conducting several in a few days to come.
Before rounding the corner to the next corridor, she overheard Elvish tongue being spoken, halting her in her tracks. Odd, she thought, considering all Elves would be attending that morning's council meeting. She swiftly swooped up her scarf over her head as a hood before cautiously peering around the corner, finding a bevy of Elves, several also cloaked and hooded. She held her breath as she suddenly believed they could hear her breathing. She had not heard that any other Elves should be in attendance and wondered where they hailed from and why they came.
"Vez?" A voice from the other end of the corridor startled her, "Is there something wrong?" Eowyn asked walking towards her, wondering why she was stalled there.
Vez placed her index fingers over her lips, telling Eowyn to keep her voice down, as she waved her over to her side. "There are more Elves here," she whispered to her concerned, motioning that they were in the next courtyard.
"More?" Eowyn mouthed, gesturing that she had no more information than her about the new arrivals. Yet the shield maiden's demeanor displayed her wonder as to why Vez preferred to keep herself hidden from view and appeared to be eavesdropping on her own kin.
Vez however was too distracted to notice Eowyn's reaction to her peculiarity, listening instead as they walked off, and not turning back to Eowyn until she believed they had moved to the next corridor.
"Are you alright?" Eowyn then asked her concerned, for she had hoped to find Vez that morning and discuss with her something else.
Vez straightened her posture, realizing she probably appeared ridiculous spying like that. "I'm fine," she stated unconcerned.
"I mean, are you alright? From yesterday? Eowyn asked again, her tone hinting she was referring to the incident with Faramir, for it was a worry on her mind since she heard, "I do not know what to say..."
Vez shook her head, not allowing her friend to feel anymore awkwardness, "You do not need to say anything, nor would I speak ill to you of one you hold dear. The Steward and I do not stand on common ground, and yesterday, we both did what we deemed to be right. And I will heal and take no more heed of it. Do not feel you need to intervene in this."
"But you are my friend and he is my..." she paused, affirming her position, "Vez, it is hard for me not to feel obligated to intervene."
Vez smiled and placed a hand on her sidearm, "And doing so would only tire you. There is no mediation that can be wrought to mend our differences, and that is alright. You will still remain my friend and I hope to remain yours."
Eowyn did not entirely want to give up trying to bring civility between two she held close, but gauged now from Vez, and earlier from her talk with Faramir, that neither of them sought reconciliation. Perhaps it was just something that needed to be left as is.
After returning that morning, the officially betrothed couple quietly snuck back into their wing of the guest villa, and Legolas ran off for a bath before that morning's council meeting. On the way to the council hall, he would be approached by Thalion, who pulled him aside.
"I admit to being without words, my friend," he began hesitantly.
"Then words you do not need," he remarked bluntly, knowing exactly what Thalion referred to, but also knowing despite saying this, his friend was not one to hold his tongue.
"But the rumors cannot be true about you and this Elleth. Surely you are not..." He paused, not being able to say it.
Legolas held up his hand displaying the silver ring, a universal symbol of betrothal, replying, "Surely I am not betrothed to this Elleth?"
"But how did this happen?" Thalion stated in disbelief, for betrothed went beyond what even he initially suspected.
"You ask how ones heart falls in love?" Legolas rebuked mildly, realizing he'd be fielding these types of questions all day.
Thalion looked at him dejected, but defended himself carefully, "My friend, even you know it is unexpected, for you would not have hidden it for so long if you did not."
Legolas knew he was being unkind and lightened his manner, "Forgive me, Thalion. I desire only acceptance for both Vezely and our relationship."
Not relaying his own position on it, Thalion asked instead, "And your father?"
"I would not be wearing this ring if I did not gain his blessing," he stated what Thalion did not expect, but hoping to explain further, "I know she is responsible for your brother's death, and has rightfully gained a reputation to appear incapable of love or to be loved in return, but as I spent more time with her," he paused while thinking back to the start of their relationship, he cupped his friend's shoulder, "She fills my heart my friend, I cannot explain it, but no other has moved me as she does. We talked of this in our youth, that despite the Elf maidens we met, none could be deemed more than friends, and we wondered what it was like to meet someone that caused us to think differently..." Noting his friend's unconvinced demeanor, he added, "Please do not think my feelings are ill-considered, for nothing in my life have I considered more than this."
Thalion measured his friend's words, conceding, "I am a bad friend, questioning your betrothal instead of congratulating you on the obvious happiness you have found. And here I suspected your concern for her was simply kindness or pity," he smiled slightly at his miscomprehension, "If she is the one who fills your heart, then obviously she is not who she appears to be."
"May I have a word, son," Thanduil cupped Legolas's shoulder; having not seen his son since the morning before and desiring to talk to him before the council.
Before giving father and son their space, Thalion stated politely to Thranduil, "Congratulations my lord, on your son's betrothal," and he tilted his head down, giving a warm smile to Legolas before taking off.
Thranduil watched him leave before his eyes glanced down at his son's crossed arms, finding the silver ring adorning his finger. Thranduil now realized he was in for a day of dubious congratulations and the possibility of fielding awkward questions. "I am not pleased by your absence yesterday, or your partner's noontime theatrics," he spoke quietly but firm, "I hope for your sake she is quite done making scenes." Instead of allowing his son to respond, Thranduil moved on, saying as soon as Legolas opened his mouth, "I will say and hear no more of it," and he turned his attention to matters pertaining to what he missed in council yesterday.
They would enter the hall together and Legolas noted the scornful eyes of Lady Adele watching him as he took a seat. He met her stare only briefly, but he gauged as she turned her eyes away that she was displeased with him. Legolas knew at that moment, lunch break would be interesting.
The afternoon spent with Eowyn further cheered Vezely, for she was grateful the shield maiden's life appeared to be moving towards one of happiness and good fortune, regardless of her choice in a husband. Knowing that the soon begotten Fourth Age would be one of peace and prosperity for many of those she left behind, would comfort her on the darker days ahead.
She was again hooded by her scarf, not desiring to be recognized by the unknown Elvish guests, and she yet carried the bouquet of white flowers in her hand as she made her way to her guest room. She was not yet willing to dispose of them, despite several losing their petals and their stems being bent slightly by her rough handling. She supposed they should be placed in water, or at least that is what she knew people did to preserve their beauty after being cut from their source. Perhaps that cup she never returned to the kitchen hall could serve a secondary purpose, instead of simply being added clutter to her untidy desk. That was her plan that afternoon; to organize her room and finalize her maps for the journey, knowing the coronation day would leave little time for it.
Yet as she rounded into the corridor that led to her wing, she found at the far end two Elven guards standing tall; their position and stance made it seem like they were cordoning off the entrance. Since the guards already spotted her and she was yet determined to return to her room, she held her head high and kept walking.
The guards stepped forward, and held their hand out, "Halt...my lady," the one said in Westron; hesitating because by the looks of her garments he was unsure of her gender at first, "This wing if off-limits for the afternoon."
"By whose orders?" Vez asked sternly, her hand clenching the flowers in her grip slightly tighter as she placed her fists on her hips.
"We are not at liberty to say, my lady," he replied politely, "But all guests not of the Elvish descent are to be diverted from entrance to this wing for the afternoon. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Vez raised an eyebrow skeptically, amused how easily she could pass as a race not her own before saying determined, "Apology not accepted. I'm going to my room," she boldly stepped forward, but the guard placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
"It is but for the afternoon, my lady," the guard maintained politeness.
It was then that Vez swooped down her hood and declared in Elvish tongue, "And I am of Elvish descent so your refusal is invalid," and she provided a brief grin before he released his hand from her and stepped back.
"Forgive us, my lady. We could not tell from your raiment," he replied in their shared language, tilting his head down slightly. Then feeling he owed her an explanation, he said, "We stand guard by order of the Lady Galadriel, who arrived from the north with Lord Glorfindel and the children of Lord Elrond this morning. The presence of the Lady Arwen is not to be made known to Lord Aragorn until the coronation, so we are not permitted to let guests through who may not understand and accidentally reveal this arrangement."
Vez tilted her head slightly to the side while soaking in this information, finding herself amused at the liberalness with which he provided it to her, "And you trust unknown members of your kin enough with this information?" she smirked slightly, thinking proper guards shouldn't do that.
"You are Lady Vezely, daughter of Lord Eluréd of the House of Dior. You are known to us and we were told to expect you," the guard replied undeterred but still courteous, "Again, please forgive our initial failure to recognize you."
Vez blinked upon hearing her name and lineage spelled out for her, and to be told she was expected. Replying slightly beside herself, "Don't worry about it;" and she nodded to each of them politely before turning to go in the direction she originally desired to go, but now with great hesitancy.
She realized that Elrond's daughter was indeed going to marry Aragorn, which was a cheerful tiding indeed and she should not be troubled by them quietly using this wing for privacy before the coronation. But what unsettled her greatly was hearing that Minas Tirith gained in residence two extremely powerful Elves, perhaps the mightiest in Middle Earth; ones whose legends she had recently learnt. They held powers which went beyond any Eldar she had met; for they were of the High Elves and had seen the light of the Two Trees of Valinor when once they stood. Why this should make her so uncomfortable she knew not, but as she continued her strides she felt that the echo of her steps grew louder, and that her un-Elflike bearing and the hood now swooped again over her ears, would not be enough to hide behind anymore.
A/N: Should Vez be worried about meeting epic Galadriel and mighty Glorfindel? Did I deliver enough fluff and steam to satisfy you guys? *wink wink*
[Plus there's some side media on the Tumblr: Vezely/Bellethiel drawn as an adorable child by lovely artist lika-143, and the *concept* song and translated lyrics of what she sang to Legolas in Ithilien...because I like to write in 3D.]