Eowyn wasn't the kind of woman you'd expect to get flustered. She was usually so calm, so aware of herself: It was probably a soldier mentality that had her evaluating her environment, the situation, where she stood and what she had to do.
Maybe this wasn't the kind of situation you could bring a soldier mentality to.
She sat there, flustered beyond belief, flanked by several maids and various servant women that now worked for Lord Faramir in his house, attacked from all sides as she was bathed, groomed, shaved, and tormented. I wasn't left alone- as the woman to walk up beside her, I was pretty much given equal treatment, if a little less intense.
We at least had a moment of amusement shared between us as they started to guide and instruct her on the secrets and duties of a wife with her husband in bed- apparently the lack of a mother made them think she needed it. Eowyn didn't let on that it had already happened, nor did I, we just sat quietly and accepted it.
I didn't need quite so much fussing, which suited me fine, and I wandered around as she was made to sit in the bath an extra time. It gave me time to stand outside on the balcony and get some appreciation for what was happening.
A wedding so soon after the battle... it had everyone worked up big time. I supposed that wasn't that surprising- any happiness was happiness people could share, take hope from, something that went beyond just Eowyn and Faramir. People may not have had much in the way of fancy clothing, food, or anything else... but they had made do. Scraps of brightly coloured fabric were tied to long thin ropes, criss-crossed across the roads. The smell of flowers and food alike drifted in the gentle gusts of wind. Last night all the flowers in the city had miraculously exploded to life, thousands upon thousands of plants that had looked as if they'd take at least a year to recover from the war and fighting that had shaken them.
I suspected the Elves.
I could almost picture them. Sneaking about. Whispering magical elf stuff to the flowers.
It was a nice gesture.
We were right at the bottom. Eowyn would ride up to meet Faramir at the top- probably not so much a Gondor tradition as it was a Rohirrim tradition- and already the crowds of people gathered in the best spots to see her. No covering of her face, no binding and covering of her hair, she was going to do it as she felt she should. Hair loose, face free, every bit the shield-maiden. God help anyone who decided to tell her otherwise. They probably figured she deserved it: hadn't she done something incredible on those fields? Destroyed a creature that no 'man' could handle?
What a relief I'd gotten her there on time. I'd almost screwed it up.
A noise behind me made me turn and I watched amused as Eowyn was made to sit down, still dripping, a drying sheet around her shoulders even as they started to comb out her hair again. It'd been washed last night apparently so it'd be dry today... long hair probably didn't dry as quickly as mine did.
"You do not need to comb it again." Eowyn was only half-hearted in her complaints as one of the women was giving her what looked like an incredible shoulder massage. Her eyes half shut as the woman's fingers pressed into a particularly sensitive part of her shoulders. Tension faded from her face.
Something hit the side of the wall, very sudden, smacking into the wooden door with a crack. It scared me a moment, I immediately reached for a sword or something, my instincts telling me that was an arrow long before my mind caught up.
Oh.
"Leggy." I grinned straight off, amused, and yanking it out of the door. "What did that door do to you?"
I could sense he was there. I could feel the Elf's eyes boring into me, probably telling me to turn around, but I took my time as I inspected the damage and muttered, "There'll be a draft now."
Then I took my time admiring the arrow- partly to frustrate him but mostly because it wasn't just an arrow. As artistically lovely as the arrow was it came with something extra, wrapped around the shaft, attached with string.
The silver thing- a piece of jewellery- was also clearly elvish. Now I did turn, smiling, and caught sight of golden hair flashing in the early morning sunlight up high on the wall that separated this level of Minas Tirith from the higher level.
I didn't need to see Legolas clearly to know he was smiling. I reached for the arrow, extracted it, and slowly unwound the piece of jewellery. It looked like some kind of tree, silver wire wound around itself to form the trunk and roots, with green gems entwined in the 'leaves'. Very delicate and pretty. Also showed his skill- that kind of object attached to an arrow made it much harder to shoot it safely. Particularly when it had come within a foot of me.
My eyes went back up to where he crowded now, too far for me to see his face, but I could picture it well enough. He waited for me too. I had this feeling neither of us wanted to move from the other ones sight.
"Go get ready." I said, very softly, but I was full of warmth now. He didn't move. So I carefully slid it around my neck and was sure that was what he'd been waiting for.
"M'lady." I was called to as one of the women approached with another of the intricate wooden combs. Distracted a moment I looked to her and when I looked back for Legolas... he'd gone.
Right. Back to work. We could stare at each other later.
I sat, and let the comb do what it had to do. Like Eowyn it wasn't really necessary but it wasn't unpleasant either. The wide toothed comb tugged gently at my scalp and sent wonderful sensations down my neck. I wasn't sure if this was a 'pregnant woman' thing or not but I swore that my skin had become ultra sensitive all over my body all of a sudden. I had already been dressed, already in a heavy cream with green stitch work gown, simple and beautiful... probably so they could focus on Eowyn.
They were dressing Eowyn as my hair was dealt with, gently sliding the delicate white under-dress and then the dress, heavy with intricate stitch work, bead work and high quality fabric, over it. No white dresses for the Lady of Rohan, no 'virginal' traditions like from back home, it was like Eowyn had come alive in colour. A garment of golden yellow was the sign of joy. She looked incredible in that golden yellow dress. And it wouldn't just be her wedding dress. It would be the dress she wore to Aragorn's coronation and to other special occasions.
I kind of liked that idea. A wedding dress that would be worn for the rest of her life to any event that was important to her. It wasn't going to be wasted. It was going to be treasured, loved, and maybe passed along.
"Are you certain you wish to ride? We could find a cart..."
"Riding to ones own wedding is tradition for the men." It wasn't Eowyn who said this. It was Eomer, who had tears in his eyes already, this soft loving smile on his face as he came into the chambers. He held out his hands and grasped for Eowyn's hands, the ladies moving out of their way, barely able to contain the love he had for his sister. "And Eowyn will ride if she wishes. There is no role I would deny her."
She nodded, gazing up at him with the same warmth, the two of them making me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
"Is it time?" Eowyn asked softly. When he nodded, she seemed to straight, her shoulders stiffening, drawing in strength. It was surprising to see how nervous she actually was.
"We can wait a few moments yet. Do not forget to have something to eat and drink first." Eomer turned to me. I had to admit. I kind of felt anxious. But all he did was nod to me with this kind of respect. Okay then. "Should you find yourself in Rohan again, my Lady, you need not ever worry. You will ever be welcome in our Hall."
"Thank...you." I wasn't sure how to respond. That seemed enough though.
He smiled back at his sister, grasping her hands tightly, as he told her, "I will wait outside."
"We won't be long now." Eowyn reassured him.
When he was gone we both accepted goblets of wine. We both rejected it as well- I didn't want to drink alcohol anyway and Eowyn was more interested in being sober than tipsy. Apparently. Wise choice. So we smiled at each other as we were offered fresh goblets of water, lightly fragrant with large floating flowers, which seemed totally useless as far as drinking went.. but it was pretty enough.
"Are you hungry?" I asked. She hesitated and shook her head. Somehow I was with Eomer though. "You probably won't feel like eating at the feast either, right?" I offered. "Maybe just some fruit..."
"Time to leave."
Nope. No fruit then.
I was surprised by how nervous Eowyn was getting. She followed after Eomer, her shoulders squaring, and outside there were several horses waiting patiently being held by other Rohirrims. They were covered in long horse ...jackets?... that reminded me of a medieval scene from some painting.
Eomer held the bridle of a horse as she hoisted herself onto the back with incredible grace for someone in such a heavy dress. When he glanced towards me, nodding towards another horse, I had a lot less grace getting onto that beast. It may have been the calmest horse in the herd... but I was so aware right now of the heaviness in my belly.
"Here." Eomer appeared beside me, and to my embarrassment, the man actually lifted me up onto the back without so much of a blink of the eye, even though I knew I had to be heavier than most women he'd 'lifted'.
"We'll ride slow." Eomer patted the side of the horse I was on, glancing up at me, and then he turned and returned his attention to his sister. With a faint smile at her he was up on his own horse and we were being led up the road by Faramir's men.
People were hungry for this- for a wedding!- and from the customs I'd become slightly accustomed to since coming here I got the impression from what I saw that there were other couples using today as an opportunity to wed as well. As the horses walked up the sloping roads and under the decorative strings of bright fabric and lights, led and followed by Faramir's men, we did see five or six small and large parties of families standing there gathered around a couple.
Food was also clearly a big thing- there was food everywhere. Food on sticks, food in bowls, food in bread, food in grubby children's fingers, even the guards themselves had let go of some of their poker faces and had removed helmets to eat or sneak sips of the wines that were being passed around. Dancers pranced and sprung around musicians, some terrible dancers, some amazing dancers, but no one seemed in the mood to create a comparison between the two.
However for all the distractions on offer nothing, absolutely nothing, could replace Eowyn in her wedding gown. Food froze partway to mouth, drinks lowered, dancers slowed, celebrating wedding parties or large family groups turned around, and children ran with open delight after the slow wagon calling out Eowyn's name, throwing flowers at the horses, and laughing as some of the flowers pelted her in the head rather than landing gently on the ground itself.
To my surprise Eowyn's hand appeared to grab for mine across the gap between our horses and as I met her eyes, she smiled faintly, clearly put off by the attention. It wasn't just that she was Faramir's bride. She was also the woman who had done something everyone believed impossible... killed the Witch-King. As little as I knew about that monster... apparently everyone here in Minas Tirith knew, or at least had been told enough to feel respect to Eowyn separate to the marriage today.
Eomer moved a little faster suddenly and I focused, hanging on, eyes going forward once more over the head of my horse. We were going up steeper streets, houses slightly closed in, the wind picking up from the sheer height of the city now. I gazed sideways to the edge, to the long fields of destroyed grassland and beyond, the great valleys edged with the mountains and where there had once been an 'evil'... which I might not have believed in until I'd come here.
"The Elf!" A child's screech got my attention.
I gazed up to see the groom's wedding party coming to meet us, eyes finding Legolas' eyes automatically, and the children gathering close by in shy awe of him. He flanked Aragorn, who was beside Faramir, Gimli close by on the other side, and we exchanged smiles now that we could see one another before I somehow managed to get down off the horse without looking like a fool.
"My Lady Eowyn." Faramir bowed, low, and held out his arm to her.
She had dismounted as gracefully as she had mounted and she took his arm. They moved ahead, arm in arm as they crossed the flower strewn square towards the Hall, and Aragorn took my arm to escort me behind them.
I took a seat, there was no 'bridesmaid' standing beside them, and with some relief to be on a soft cushion I relaxed beside Aragorn and Gimli, Legolas on Gimli's side, and returned to being an observer.
It was simple, beautiful, just an exchange to protect and stand beside one another as husband and wife, and yet I suspected it wasn't completely to custom- there was a minor stir when Eowyn swore to be Faramir's ' protector, guard and friend.'- which shouldn't really have been all that surprising. She was getting married... and I couldn't see her lowering a sword just because she was a wife if he was threatened.
A hand grasped mine, very sudden, just as Gimli let out a grunt. I turned to see Legolas grasping my hand behind Gimli's back, the dwarf looking flustered all of a sudden, and tried to not laugh. Oh god.
He only let go when it was time to eat and this time, although I suspected Aragorn was suppose to be beside me, Legolas appeared. We didn't talk, we only ate, but it was wonderful to just sit side by side.
After several meals, several drinks, I was relaxed.
"I have to ask something." I turned to Legolas. He was already twisted towards me, a faint warm smile in his eyes and curving his lips, and I tried to not get distracted by it. Tried hard to ignore the urge to reach out and touch those lips with a finger, or brush his hair off his face, or drag him away. After all the guilt for Boromir still dogged at me and here in Boromir's home city I felt like it'd be disrespectful towards anyone who liked Boromir- basically the entire city of Minas Tirith- for me to make out with Legolas. Even if half the wedding party were already well on their way to being drunk and half of them were getting a little smooch.
"What?"
"Oh." Woops. Gotten distracted by his ...allure. "Uh. You know those blue clothes you have? The shiny ones? Where did you pack them? It's been bothering me all this time."
It kind of had too. A niggling little thought in the back of my head. We'd tramped through mud, muck, blood, rain, and then he'd whip out his pretty outfit and look like an ethical Elf who repelled all dirt like oil repelled water. Or was it water repelling oil? Who knew.
"They were made for me." Legolas explained as he took a sip from the goblet without so much as a blink of his eyes.
"When?"
"When I was a guest they would be made for me."
I could feel my brain starting to get into a 'wait, what?' spiral again. "So Lothlorien made them and Rohan..."
"In such situations it is customary to offer a guest new clothing." Legolas didn't seem to see it as a big deal like I did. He just sipped his wine once again, eyes lighting up as Aragorn and Eowyn appeared in the middle for a dance, his attention grabbed as he watched the two of them laugh.
Okay then. I was living in a land where they clothed guests in new clothes and pretended they had 'sewing machine' speed when they clearly didn't. I opened my mouth to comment and then decided against it.
The day passed quickly, the wedding celebrating, and more than once I was dragged up for a dance. As the alcohol passed through the hall the 'dances' were a little rougher, some of the men a little less delicate, and Aragorn was quick to appear and hoist me away from their boisterous joy. Legolas didn't move from his spot, not once, he just sat there and watched me.
I was tired by the end of the day though and gladly snuck off. Legolas was not far behind either, his feet silent and presence unknown to anyone who'd have seen me on the streets, but for me his presence was overpowering. Every step I took home that night, every drunken rabble I passed, I could sense him drawing closer from where he walked along rooftop or dark street, and at no point did I feel afraid.
Within seconds of entering my room Legolas appeared, leaping down onto the balcony without a sound, and he slid inside. I opened my arms... and was swept literally off my feet as he grasped me and hoisted me up.
"I did not dance with you." Legolas said, face in my neck, his eyes shut. "You smell of others."
"Oh shut up." I muttered. "You could have danced with me."
"I knew you would think only of Boromir."
True. "Sorry."
"There are many who love him here. But when you come home-" Legolas started towards the bed, shifting my weight so that he could carry me in one arm and undress me with the other, "-I will dance with you."
"All right." I smiled, nervous all of a sudden, aware of how strange it'd be to be around his kin. "As long as they don't mind a clumsy dancer..."
"You should not take them to heart. Just hold me in there and pretend they are apart of the trees and stone." Legolas seemed distracted all of a sudden, bending down as he lowered me down, and with surprisingly gentle hands he tugged the dress off me, hands brushing along my skin, his forehead pressing against my stomach as he shut his eyes.
I breathed in slowly, as his hand found the space between my legs, shutting my eyes as he teased me with one hand, the other caressing and stroking me. His affection washed over me- burning overpowering love, that made me feel suffocated and alive all at once, and even as he let me go to undress, that emotion continued to caress and love me through the bond. I swore I felt sadness though. I didn't understand it.
"You all right?"
"Soon you must go for three months. I will miss you."
"I'll come back."
"I would spend thousands of years with you if I could, Wenduin, and all the ages of the world also..." Legolas knelt on the bed, my eyes opening as he slid a leg around his waist, and he bent down to press a tender kiss to my throat, his body heavy over mine. "You, our son, seeing time as an Elf would, years turning into seasons..."
We made love, slow, tender, Legolas pouring all his feelings into every moment, barely aware of the night passing, and I almost felt it- the slow turn of the world, as Legolas felt it, the years passing by so fast that they were mere seasons... and the sadness he felt at having to spend months without me. Months that, to him, would suddenly seem like years. I may have slept... I wasn't sure... but that morning, when the early morning sunlight appeared, I felt more rested and loved than I had for a very long time.
"I wasted many years fighting my own heart." Legolas said softly against my ear, early the next morning, his arms embracing me tightly. He breathed out slowly- he almost sounded sleepy himself now. Unusual for him. "I was young."
"You did?"
He didn't answer at first. I felt his breath tickle my ear as he breathed softly, "From this day I swear to be your loyal husband, your protector, your guard and friend."
"I swear to be your loyal wife, your protector, your guard and your friend also..."
There was something in the words, something final and binding, and I felt tension leave Legolas' body beside me. He relaxed, head against my arm, the bond between us complete... and the vulnerability in him in that moment, the connection made, and the sense that I really WAS guarding him as much as he guarded me... it was a humbling moment.
"Let the sun, the stars, and the Valer themselves witness us then." Legolas smiled, the glow of sunlight against his nude body, his eyes shutting. "Let no one deny it now."
"Good luck to them if they try."
As much of the city as possible crowded around the great plaza at the very top of Minas Tirith, in the 'Court of the Kings', young, old, poor and rich alike. There was celebrating throughout the city today, as there had been for Faramir and his bride, but today was different.
Today was the day that Minas Tirith regained a King.
Escorted by the guards I went with Legolas, Gimli with us, and the three of us stood beside the Elves, lined up along the edge of the gap, dressed up in the best clothing we could find. Inside that Hall at this moment Aragorn was taking the oath, before Gandalf and before those of highest birth in the city itself, a moment that was reserved and almost 'sacred'. He'd insisted we ALL witness the crowning... all of Minas Tirith.
Eowyn and Faramir weren't far away this morning: Eowyn with her hair bound up in the hair of a married Gondor woman and her hands close to Faramir's hand at all times, seemed far too distracted to even notice us passing them by. It amused me so much... except that I kind of felt the same way. Legolas and I stood close as well, our arms brushing, and only the other Elves seemed to notice us.
Arwen's face, flushed also, her eyes determined, only gave us a gentle smile before she remained where she was. Concealed behind her banner. Lord Elrond nodded to us.
"They know." Legolas said quietly, his arm again finding mine, and he smiled down at me. "My kin can sense it."
The 'marriage'. Whatever we'd said to each other … it had made it 'energetically confirmed' or something. No one here seemed all that bothered by it though. Lord Elrond approved and so they all did.
The crowd hushed around us and we turned to gaze up to the Hall itself where now, suddenly, Gandalf and Aragorn were.
Aragorn knelt, cloak sweeping around him, the glint of a silvery object in the sunlight as Gandalf held it up.
Although I couldn't hear all the words I remembered them and, as Gandalf lowered the crown, I heard the voice in my mind from my own memory.
"Now come the days of the King. May they be blessed."
As Aragorn turned, the crowd exploded in joy and relief, tears in the eyes of the older men and women, hands clapping, voices raised in cheer and praise and blessings for the man that saved Gondor's past present and future alike. I laughed, clapping as well, caught up in the moment, stunned that I was here at all.
"This day-" Aragorn's voice rose, echoing clear and loud across the crowd as they went quiet, "Does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace."
The cheers returned, just a moment, before we heard the song... and as he sung, no matter how loud the crowd was, the words seemed to rise above it. The King of Gondor made his way slowly down the crowd, crown glinting, red cloak bright against the white of the city, and close to me, I could see Arwen start to tremble, tears in her eyes, her breathing quickening as he drew closer to her.
She met my eyes, smiling, close to crying, the most emotional I'd seen any Elf become... but then, I realised, Arwen had released that side of herself. She was mortal too. I smiled at her, trying to give her some strength, and turned back to see Eomer move forward to bow.
Legolas brushed my arm, gentle, reminding me of this next moment- something I would not join in- and then he moved forward as trumpets sounded around us. Aragorn- KING Aragorn, moved to us as Legolas led the procession of Elves, his hand on his heart, the two of them grasping one another in brotherhood.
Aragorn smiled at me, briefly, and I bowed... but I didn't blame him when Legolas glanced towards where Arwen waited, the Elves parting to reveal her and Aragorn received that which he'd always wanted.
Some of his strength seemed to fade as he and Arwen made eye contact, Aragorn's vulnerability appearing, and I swore I saw tears in his eyes as he found her again. Shyness crossed her face, as if she wasn't sure, but Aragorn was, and he kissed her with incredible passion.
Laughter rung out in the crowd, delighted laughter, for only a few of us expected this. The Queen of Gondor? Aragorn grasped Arwen's arm, the two of them moving together, and Lord Elrond moved backwards with the Elves, his own face teary with love and emotion.
Legolas came back to me, to my side, leaning openly against me as his hand found mine, and we watched our friend move away with his love, both our hands trembling. Even if no one noticed- from today onwards we would also keep it open. It wasn't something to be ashamed of.
Aragorn moved slowly towards the hobbits, who stood there at the end in their simple cleaned garments, tiny men who seemed nervous and as they were approached, grew restless. Just as they were about to bow, Aragorn cut them off, his voice just as clear as it had always been.
"My friends- you bow to no one."
They bowed, as did everyone, all of us dropping to our knees to thank them. Everyone from around Middle Earth, acknowledging and loving the Hobbits for everything they had done, and I felt no different... I'd seen it all.
They really had saved the entire world.
Bowing low, I shut my eyes, feeling unspoken gratitude for everyone in the fellowship- we'd all survived. All of us.
It was a miracle and I would spend the rest of my life loving them all for it.
Five Years Later.
"ELVES."
I was sick of them. Sick sick sick. This was my Earth home. Earth. Home. Not Middle Earth. So why did I live my life around Elves?
"Oh, don't cut that tree down, because it had dreams of growing old." I mimicked, groaning, as I tried to scrub a burnt pot from Cele's 'curry' attempt. Four years old and the Elves had let him try and cook. Bad idea. Very bad idea. "He can cook. He's a Half-Elf. Yeah. As if that means ANYTHING when he is FOUR YEARS OLD."
The pot was black inside and out. I wasn't even sure why I was saving it. Maybe I should hang it from the eucalyptus tree outside the window- the BUSHFIRE HAZARD tree. I would have cut it down anyway except I'd already broken their hearts a few weeks ago when I'd cut down a Willow. I'd had a very good reason- the Willow had been sticking roots in the house water pipes. The Elves hadn't seen it that way. Nor had Legolas- he'd been pretty upset and now that willow was being turned into a small cottage or something.
At last we'd had to agree 'this area is Wendy's area' and 'the rest is untouchable'. They even built me a nice fence to remind me where I wasn't allowed to cut things down. The eucalyptus tree was outside my 'area'.
Even now those Elves were there, the 'modern' Elves peering over the fence to double check I hadn't cut the tree down, genuinely grieved expressions as they looked to where the tree stump from the willow still sat.
Cele liked the tree stump. He had started to create Helm's Deep on it.
The temptation to go prune the roses today, or maybe a tree, wandering around the garden with shears in one hand and a long pruning pole in the other rose up just to mess with them. Sometimes I suspected the moment I left the property to go to work they'd be in there, rubbing the trunks, singing to the trees, or doing some Elven ritual to 'soothe' the poor dears. I grinned as I pictured cutting another branch off. In the middle of summer. Just to mess with their heads.
"The poor tree." I mimicked, softly, teasing the Elven community hiding as I scrubbed the pot hard. "It's still awake! Still awake!"
"Yes- they are." Legolas spoke up from behind.
I felt arms slide around my waist, a cheek rubbing against mine as he rested his head on my shoulder, but the cheek had a smile tensing it and I knew that he could at least see the funny side of it all. He'd forgiven me for the Willow after he'd had to put in new water pipes.
"My arm is dead." I muttered. So much burn. So much curry stuck to pot. It hadn't helped when my four year old had heard the Elves start an eighteen part song about their journey around Australia- the night when I'd been out at the cinema- and had set the kitchen on fire when he'd forgotten to tell them when it started bubbling. I grumbled, shoving my spoon into the pot, and threw my hands up. "I give up. Leggy- Can't we go kill some orcs? I can do that."
To my surprise that made Legolas' smile fade and his body tense. He gently took the metal scrubber from my hand and tried, one arm still hard around my belly, clinging to me almost.
Over the past five years I did do that sometimes while in Middle Earth. Not often- Faramir didn't need me to- but sometimes they did need an extra archer when they had issues with the orcs coming from inside Morder. Legolas would join me when he could- but sometimes though he didn't visit when I went to Minas Tirith with Cele. It gave me something to do... and I was protecting my boy and his home.
"Relax." I said gently. "Faramir knows to keep me safe."
"I do not worry over your skill with that bow. We have trained many times."
Very true. Very bloody true. Legolas almost made it a daily ritual – even when we had a newborn baby or a toddler to watch. He still seemed tense though, upset, leaning against me, and I twisted around so that I was facing Legolas.
"You're tired? Our boy give you a difficult time?"
"No. We trained with his bow. Let me see this washing."
I did my best to not worry. Sort of. I breathed in, sliding sideways as Legolas moved forward to take over the pot, and leaned on the kitchen cabinet. "The real one?"
"Yes."
"Okay..." I didn't like it. Real bow.
Legolas glanced at me, sudden, his blue eyes meeting mine as he added, "I don't allow him to harm himself. The arrows are blunt."
"Oh." I sighed and dried my hands on a towel. He'd told me this before. I tried to let go of all the tension and resentment, sort of built up after spending all morning cleaning curry, and nodded. "Sorry."
"I should have assisted you with this."
"You kidding? Getting Cele out of the house was exactly what I needed." I couldn't see myself actually having done any cleaning at all with a crazy energetic half-Elf bouncing off the walls. I smiled and moved forward, gently pulling Legolas hair out of his way, gently twisting it so that it hung down his back in a loose braid. "Thanks for that. Speaking of that- Where's our little bird now?"
"Flown off for lessons with the Elves. He leaves for Minas Tirith in mere days and he would like to bring a present for Aragorn and Eldarion."
In other words- they'd be teaching him songs, dancing, and ...bringing modern Elf-made wine for Aragorn who, five years on, loved it. Eldarion, Aragorn's toddler, did seem to love any presents Cele brought him as well... it had made Cele create all kinds of bright pictures and things for the toddler.
I didn't really mind Cele doing all these things with his half-Kin.
It kept him busy and it meant I could put him into school next year without them feeling they'd neglected him with lessons first. "Okay. Let me wash now, it's okay."
"No. You've done enough." Legolas shook his head. "They will bring him back for dinner and-" Legolas added, with a flash of something that might have been frightening determination, "-have promised to cook food there and bring it here to share. They will also clean this pot, repair where the fire marked the wall, and remove the eucalyptus tree for a bushfire is a greater threat than an unhappy tree. Tomorrow you need not clean." It was amusing how protective he was, all of a sudden, and he stood up and let the water out of the sink and put the still dirty pot to one side. Right beside the big black mark on the wall where they'd almost set the house on fire.
"Tomorrow I will clean something else." I reminded him. "And daydream of sleep."
"Tomorrow... yes." Legolas moved close, leaning also against the kitchen cabinet, and he took the towel to dry his hands as he glanced at the calendar. Eyebrows created that little worry crease. "Tomorrow."
Did I miss our anniversary or something? Or was it a special Elf holiday? There were so many of those.
"Did you have something else in mind?"
"Cele will spend the night with them tonight and tomorrow."
"Okay." Not that I minded- I liked the idea of sleeping in- but why? I watched Legolas with the same intensity he had towards that calendar and tried to gather what was on his mind.
It was fairly obvious a few seconds later when Legolas grasped my wrist, twisting me around into his front, lips crashing down on mine and noses bumping in his haste. I laughed, making him relax, and wrapped my arms around his neck as our bodies pressed hard against one another all of a sudden.
"He's not coming back-"
"-for hours." Legolas finished for me, pressing his forehead against mine, and he slid his hand into mine. "Come."
Grinning I followed him upstairs, hands clutched tight, the two of us tugging clothing off as we went.
All day I did come.
Multiple times.
So did he, to my amusement, which wasn't something Legolas usually did at his grand old age. We lay there late afternoon, hot summer sun bursting through the windows onto sweaty skin, bodies still half twisted around one another with one of my legs draped over his legs, a fly lazily circling around the outside of the mosquito net.
Legolas batted at it, a hicky fairly obvious on his inner arm from ...well, me... and he turned towards me slowly to smile across the sheets at me. It was a sad smile. A lonely smile.
I didn't like it.
"What's going on with you?"
"You will soon go."
"Oh come on." I muttered. "I..." It was true. Soon I would be going back to Minas Tirith for Cele's Middle Earth life, the last one before he started school, and I might or might not see Legolas there depending... but ... but it was easier to go there not considering the possibility that I might not see him.
Plus- for me it still felt a bit odd to 'swap' them.
Legolas slid off the bed and tugged pants on, eyes on me as if he was afraid to look away, and when I stood wrapped up in sheets, he was quick to hop over the bed- literally three step over the bed instead of five around- and stated, "I will dress you."
"Okay then." No argument there. I watched as he tugged clothing out, comfortable standing all enrobed in sheets in the sweltering summer heat, and tried to figure out what was on his mind.
Legolas was taking his time.
It was a little strange actually. I was puzzled, watching him go through the undies drawer, seeking out specific undergarments... not even 'sexy' ones... and then toss them on the bedside table beside me. Not sexy at all. Really plain. Kind of 'big' too.
"Why those?"
"They are comfortable."
I supposed they were.
Legolas vanished into the closet and returned with a plain brown dress, made with Elven skill, and he knelt in front of me as he slid his hands up my legs slowly.
"What?" I asked, softer, but it felt too nice to argue against. "Massage too?"
"Yes."
Legolas started to dress me, very slow, lifting each foot, his fingers teasing the muscles of my ankles and calves. From there he took his time as he dressed me, palms sliding up thighs, up belly, across breasts, particularly interested in the finer details- the stretch marks from Cele, a few varicose veins that had appeared, where I had a little too much fat again, but all these things fascinated him
"Stop playing with my wobbly bits." I muttered, shoving his hand as he ran his hand across my 'love handles', and tried to tug the dress up. "Come on."
"I am not 'playing'." Legolas responded. He wrapped his arms around my hips, eyes shut, breathing in slowly as he leaned against my stomach.
"I'm not pregnant again am I?" I didn't think so. But he was making me suspicious.
"No."
"Then-"
"Shh."
Okay. Half flattered and half embarrassed, I stood there, arms cupping my still loose breasts as Legolas leaned against my belly, and I slid my fingers through his hair slowly, finding the tips of his ears and teasing them, revelling in the pleasure this brought to his face. "I love you, Leggy."
Leggy opened his eyes and met my eyes once again. He slowly stood, bending down to kiss me, his hands unwrapping my arms from my chest and grasped my hands tightly as he pulled me against him. We stood like that a long moment before he resumed dressing me.
It was only when he had finished, when the last button had been done up on my back, and he'd helped me into pants- I hated wearing dresses without pants- that Legolas finally said whatever it was that was on his mind.
"Are you ready for what's to come?"
My mind was still half on Cele and the issue of getting him to go potty inside as well as outside. The other half was on how fast I could undress and drag Legolas back into bed. All that intimate touching...
"Well..." I muttered, thoughtful, "I think... I can ... wing things enough...?"
"No." Legolas turned me towards him, sudden, and his hands grasped my arms gently as we stared at one another. There was a seriousness back in his face now as he examined me, compete with his 'wise old Elf' face that he tended to get when he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to share thoughts or not, and he reached up to brush my hair back out of my face. His mouth opened, shut, and he sighed, glancing off.
"You're acting a bit odd." Moreso than usual.
"I am thinking of things long past." Legolas let me go and moved away for the small workshop. At first I wasn't sure if he wanted me to go... sometimes he didn't. Sometimes he went in there to think or be alone. But today he paused, a slight falter in his step, and glanced backwards at me. Today wasn't going to be one of those days he wanted to go quiet. "There have been many years since the crowing of Aragorn and you have grown soft."
"Oh come on. I-" Well... It was kind of true. I didn't like to 'train' had had gained weight again.
"It's not that bad." I felt uneasy all of a sudden though. I didn't usually get so uneasy about his 'contemplative moods' when they came. Five years had passed and I'd gotten used to it being apart of him. After all Legolas had seen so many things by now- so many people dying, so many towns, cities, entire worlds vanishing, and that was probably more than most Elves intended on seeing. He'd done it with company and he'd done it willingly... but he'd still done it for me. I hesitated in the entrance to his little work room, crossing my arms, and tried to ignore the crash of toys from the play area in the greenhouse. "Leggy? What's wrong?"
"I was once a very different Elf." Legolas said quietly. His fingers were touching his bow, one of the oldest he'd managed to protect, and he breathed out slowly. Emotion was starting to crack through his face "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For many things."
"What? You've done nothing wrong."
"I have." Legolas moved towards the window, gazing out, his hand raising to touch the glass. Tightening his hand on the bow, he shut his eyes a moment, his reflection in the glass surprisingly pained. "I will."
"Okay. Really." I moved to his side now, confused, and gently prodded his side. "Leggy- come on."
Was this about his younger-self in Minas Tirth? We'd just talked about that- I was due to go back to Minas Tirth in just a few days- and wondered if this was about that. "Are you not coming?"
"What?"
"Minas Tirth."
"Oh. No." Legolas' troubled look allowed a faint sad smile. He turned towards me, brushing a hand across my face, and nodded. "Of course. I would already be waiting for you this time. You need not wait an hour for me."
"Then what's wrong?" I didn't mind that. Sometimes it took him weeks to meet me- and for a full year once, while Cele was two, Legolas hadn't been able to come at all. The worst part about this trip then was that it would delay me seeing the second Hobbit film by a few months. "It's fine that you can't come sometimes. Couldn't come." I added. It was his past. My future. Bit confusing.
"Elves and humans." Legolas said softly. His eyes had gone distant again. "Such a thing is rare and when I was young, Wenduin, it was seen as a punishment."
"A what?"
"From those we worship. It was seen as something terrible- a curse even."
First I'd heard about this. What about Elrond's parents?
"For the children are rarely what we want." Legolas continued, softly, and he raised the bow and pressed it into my hand. "There is a reason I could not yet bring you to my Father."
Was this about that?
"I know that's going to be delicate." I reassured him. "I won't be welcome. Is that what you're worried about? Are we going to meet him?" Legolas had mentioned this several times- that we'd visit his home one day. I wondered why we hadn't already... but I didn't push it. Living near Elves in 'modern times' had been hard enough of a learning curve.
"It will be delicate." Legolas agreed. He gently wrapped my fingers around the bow and let go of it. "Do not tell my Father that I made this for you. He will suspect but he should not be told."
"Okay? So you are...?" It was a surprising idea- I'd started to think Legolas had been waiting for Cele to be a little older first.
"You must not tell my earlier self either."
"Why?"
Legolas shrugged, a faint move of his shoulders that he'd picked up from living in my modern world, and he turned away with a soft sigh. Almost at that exact moment, as he bent down to lift something from under the table, I felt the 'tug' towards Middle Earth. Early.
Legolas said softly, "I'm sorry," and shoved a pack in my hand.
Suddenly I found myself far away, in Middle Earth, still clutching the bow and ankle deep in pony poo.
In Bree.
"Uh..." I was dumbfounded. First thing I said, before any logic kicked in, was:"Where's the rain?"
To be continued...
(A/N...
Yep. :D
To be continued!)