Chapter 12
Arbellason stepped forward towards his captain, noticing the movement Haldir turned. Arbellason whispered something quietly into his commander's ear before stepped back. Haldir took a moment to think, the exchange between the two elves confusing the men around them. With a nod of permission Arbellason walked briskly past the company and up the steps without even a glance. Quickly Arbellason left the presence of his companions and headed through the keep, knowing that he had been heading in the right direction when he came face to face with Bee.
"Arquenniel?" he questioned in slight awe, stepping closer to her and extending his hand to brush across her face to make sure she was truly standing there before him. The she-elf said nothing as he caressed her face, after a moment she grabbed his hand and held it still looking up into his eyes.
"It has been a long time" Arbellason said, breaking the silence between them.
"Too long" she breathed inhaling his familiar scent, he still smelt of the forest of which they had both been born. After another moment he pulled her into a un-Elven bone crushing embrace.
"I thought you dead" he breathed tightening his hold on her as if she were to disappear at any moment; Bee sighed heavily rubbing his back calmingly. She had not meant to cause such worry upon her friend, when leaving she had truly thought it through.
"When news came of your disappearance everyone thought the worst, especially after…Galdor" he explained pulling back to look once more upon her face.
"You need not fear, I am well"
"This is no place for you, if I explain Haldir will give me permission to escort you back to Mirkwood" the feeling of relief suddenly faded and a thick tension fell between the two. Bee took a step back from her childhood friend and shook her head.
"I will not go back!" A look of confusion crossed the elf's face.
"What are you talking about? Your duty is not here on the battle field; your duty is to your people" Bee narrowed her eyes; a dangerous look crossed her face.
"Do not speak of duty to me Arbellason. I've left all those that my duty bound me to behind! I owe them nothing!" she spat, her fists clenched at the thought of her friend sending her back to do her duty. Arbellason was shocked at his friends mood change, he had forgotten how impulsive she could be, and how outspoken she had been.
"Things have changed Arquenniel…"
"Don't call me that! I have not been called that in too long, and I don't plan on retaking that name now"
"We are no longer children Arquenniel, lle caela loa (you must grow up)" Bee's eyes narrowed at his words; unclenching her hand she rested it upon the hilt of her brothers sword.
"You think me a child?" she demanded dangerously.
"You act as one"
Bee was seething "Could a child survive for as long as I have? I lived in the forest without the aid of another elf; you believe a child could have done that?"
"Your survival skills are not been questioned. Your lack of consideration for those you left behind is what is been called into question"
"My consideration for others!" Bee was practically screaming now. "Who are you? What have you become? Those I left behind cared nothing for me! They ruined my life!"
"I was there! I cared for you but you left me behind! You were just selfish and immature and you've got to stop!"
It took everything Bee had not to run him through right there and then. "You were there were you, Arbellason? My brother died and you never said! My brother was killed and you knew and you never said a word! That does not show care! Don't you dare call me selfish when you kept my own brother's death from me! And all for the sake of your stupid job! You didn't give a damn about me then and you still don't! You've turned into one of them, with your meaningless talk of duty! You know nothing about me or my life!"
She was breathing heavily by the time she had finished, Arbellason looked shocked at this outburst. It had been a long time since he had heard her rant, but he had never heard one such as this before.
He took a steady breath to compose himself, "I have finished discussing this with you, and I for one will fulfil the duties entrusted to me. And I find it is now my duty to escort you home, whether you go willingly or not. I will have you bound to the horse's reins if I have to, but you WILL be returned to Mirkwood!"