Chapter 17
Legolas and Narinya followed Thranduil back into Riniel's house. Calanon had already taken his opportunity to exit the uncomfortable situation, heading back to his cottage on the shore. He had decided that his discussion with the king was enough; he'd avoid a similar one with the prince if possible.
Thranduil gestured for them to sit. Riniel stood in the threshold of the kitchen, quietly observing.
"Narinya, at the last meal we shared, and at many prior, my remarks toward you were harsh. For that, I offer an apology." It was a rare thing to hear the king admit any wrongdoing. "Aside from one glaring exception, you have done well in your role as princess."
"Thank you, my lord."
"I have considered what the next steps regarding this matter should be, and ultimately," Thranduil shifted his gaze between Legolas and Narinya, "I will give you both the choice that you did not have initially. You can decide whether to continue this union or not."
Narinya glanced over at Legolas, trying to read his reaction, but she was unable to. She wondered if he had already discussed this with the king, or if this was as much news to him as it was to her.
"If either of you wants to dissolve the arrangement, I'll see to it that the marriage is formally annulled."
She thought of what was being offered to her, though she knew the choice was not only her own to make. She loved Lake-town; she had never intended to leave. But part of her had come to love Greenwood now, the forest of her mother and her new home. But her love of Greenwood would not sustain her if Legolas held her at such a distance. And in the end, she knew he deserved happiness, even if it was not with her.
Thranduil continued, "The two of you will need to discuss. The decision needs to be final; I will not tolerate more of this upheaval in my house." Silence fell over the space and Thranduil looked expectant, as if they should begin their discussion there, in front of him.
Riniel suddenly interjected from behind them, "The hour has grown quite late, too late for making such consequential decisions, I should think." She attempted to buy them time and privacy for a proper conversation.
"I'm afraid we do not have space for all of you to stay here, but there is surely plenty of vacancy at the inn in town," she added.
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The innkeeper had been flustered at the unexpected arrival of guests of such status. King Thranduil was brought to the most lavish room available, while Legolas and Narinya were given a more modest accommodation. Before Thranduil took his leave for the night, he gave Legolas a meaningful look, "I'll expect your answer in the morn."
The room was small, with two chairs and a small table between them against a window that overlooked the town and the lake below and beyond it. There was no hearth in the wooden structure, but candles provided them with light.
As Legolas closed the door behind them, finally having reassured the innkeeper that such a room would be just fine for them, Narinya felt her stomach tighten with anxiety at the discussion that now needed to be had. They had not shared a private word since leaving her sister's house.
She sat in one of the chairs and he joined her in the other by the window, lighting another candle there.
"I'm sorry that I left without a proper conversation."
"My father's words were particularly ill mannered that night. I only wish I'd returned to our chambers sooner to discuss things with you, instead of involving myself in an argument with him." He paused, the quiet of the late hour settling between them again.
"You have a chance now to start over. I would not fault you for taking it. I would only hope that you know how much of an honor it was serving Greenwood, and how sorry I am to leave it."
"You've made an excellent princess, Narinya. You've been quick-learning and dedicated, interested in the realm and our people's wellbeing. Greenwood would be sorry to lose you. I regret that my father has made things so needlessly difficult these past months."
Narinya smiled slightly, grateful for his praise and approval but knowing now was the time to speak everything on her mind. It might be her last opportunity, so she continued on, her heart racing in her chest. "It was not only your father's words, Legolas."
She watched the candlelight flicker across his features.
"Tell me."
She gathered her courage before speaking, "You have the opportunity to be with an elleth of your own choosing, one that you want to be married to. Though you've been more than kind to me, and perhaps more forgiving than I deserve, you've kept me at a distance ever since that night. I do not blame you for that, but it reveals much. It has weighed heavily on me."
Legolas was silent, listening intently. She noted that he did not look at all confused or surprised.
"I thought perhaps some of the affection between us that was lost might return in time, but then, the day at the spring showed me that was not to be, and that things are beyond repair." She looked down.
"I am sorry that I caused you this hurt, it was not my intent." Legolas reached across the small table, taking her hand in his before continuing, "I should have been plain about my feelings toward you, Narinya. I've been falling in love with you since the day we were wed."
Her breath caught. His words were entirely unexpected, unraveling all of the conclusions she had already made. Her heart, which had calmed somewhat after she had finally spoken her piece, raced again, in a new way. He watched as several emotions swept over her face. "What?"
"I did not know or recognize it at first - it developed slowly over those first months we were wed, as we came to know one another. But, the night of the festival, I was going to tell you of my feelings. I did not know that you had something of your own to tell me first."
Narinya felt her heart sink. She had sensed that they had been on the cusp of something important that night and now his words confirmed it.
"I wanted to make you my wife in full that night."
Her face flushed at the confidence in his statement.
"It would have been your choice, of course, just as it is your choice now to remain my wife or not. But for my part, I hope so." He leaned back in the chair. He had decided it was best to leave nothing unsaid at this pivotal moment, remembering that things left unspoken between them had caused all of their problems thus far.
She sat silently for a moment, processing, her heart and mind reeling from all he had said.
"Thank you for telling me this, Legolas. I had been so afraid to lose your new affection that night, and though I was not surprised that I did, I have deeply missed it."
"I had unfairly concluded that your affection belonged to Calanon. I should have asked the questions that had weighed on my mind far sooner."
"Calanon has never had my heart, Legolas. Only you have."
At her admission, Legolas stood, crossing the short distance between them and pulling her up into his arms, his lips against her hair, "Does this mean you want to remain my wife?"
"There is nothing I want more."
His lips met hers in a lingering and gentle kiss, his hand on the small of her back, holding her closely against him.
He broke the kiss to look in her eyes again. They were warm, receptive to him, though tired with the onslaught of emotions of that day and night.
"My heart is glad, Narinya. I have found in you, and this marriage, much more than I expected."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "It is the same for me." She felt him smile against her hair in response.
He released her from the embrace when she yawned. There were not many hours remaining before sunrise. She walked over to the bed across the small room and he followed her there.
They stood beside it, both removing their outermost layer before laying down next to one another. She settled with the back of her body against him. She had physically been this close to him several times before, but she found a new comfort and security there after their discussion.
After some time, Legolas spoke, "I am sorry about the spring. I did not intend to confuse you with my actions or my words. The truth of it is that I very much enjoyed it."
Her face and heart warmed.
"But, I am glad that we stopped when we did."
She turned to face him, waiting for him to continue.
"That is not how I would have wanted it to be for us, the first time. Impulsive and rushed."
She nodded her understanding.
The horizon had started to glow with the distant approach of the morning light. They lay quiet and still then, each enjoying the closeness of their bodies and newly, their hearts. Narinya soon fell asleep, content and relieved but truly exhausted from the prior days.
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Only a few hours later, Legolas woke her. "We should go to meet my father." The sun was shining brightly outside the window, ripples of light dancing on the ceiling after reflecting off of the surface of the lake.
Narinya felt surprisingly at ease as she pulled her dress on over the slip she had slept in and rebraided her hair. Just before they left the room, Legolas stepped close and drew her against him, his lips meeting hers. He kissed her more deeply than he had the night prior, but also more briefly, out of necessity given the task before them.
She did not know which outcome Thranduil would prefer at this juncture, but she felt confident that she had the support and affection of Legolas, and it gave her strength to face the king.
As expected, Thranduil was already waiting for them in the seating area near the front entrance of the inn. "Have you made a decision?"
Legolas responded with no hesitation, "Narinya will return to Greenwood."
Thranduil looked from Legolas to Narinya, "You are certain this is what you want?"
"It is, my lord."
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After returning to collect her things from Riniel's and sharing a meal there with her, Narinya joined Thranduil and Legolas for the journey back to the Woodland Realm. None of them planned to ride with as much haste as they had on the way to Lake-town.
The ride was mostly quiet, until Narinya addressed the king directly. "My lord, thank you for giving me this opportunity. I do not take it lightly and I will not disappoint you again."
Thranduil looked meaningfully at her, "You have grown, I have seen it." She thought she almost saw a fleeting glimmer of fatherly affection in his eyes, but she was not sure. He added, "And, this spares me having to explain why you abandoned your post and my son so readily." He spoke in an even and aloof voice, but she noticed one of the corners of his mouth was upturned into a smile.
"I will share with you what I have shared with Legolas already. I do not know if your own father told you, but there was much thought and counsel put into the arrangement. We wanted a good outcome for our children, a marriage that had potential for happiness and fulfillment. That is of course what is best for you both, and for the realm, ultimately."
She looked over toward Legolas, who smiled at her.
They continued on. Legolas and Thranduil were soon engaged in conversation, while Narinya's mind wandered.
She thought about what would happen when they returned to the elvenking's halls. Who she might need to explain to. Melda, certainly, would be one. She made a mental note to be sure to express her gratitude and pondered what gift she might give her handmaiden, after all she had done for her. Lindethiel, too, who had been kind to her and eased the tension as best she could. She wondered how much Legolas had shared or would share with his close friends.
Her thoughts having returned to him, her heart warmed. She was so grateful for the outcome and for his returned affections, despite how off-guard his admission had caught her. She had felt certain that he had only been politely tolerating her of late and that her leaving would come as a relief. She was quite happy to be wrong.
She considered what might change now that they had both agreed that they wanted this marriage and each other. She felt some amount of nervousness, though also curiosity and even excitement, at the thought of joining with him physically. She remembered his deep kiss and the sensation of his body above her at the spring and the feelings it had stirred in her. She wasn't entirely certain if she would enjoy it more than she had the one time with Calanon, but regardless, she thought, she would be happy just to please him, and to be physically closer with him. She wondered about the prospect of a bond forming between them, something she had not thought she ever cared much about having.
She had not noticed that Legolas and Thranduil's conversation had lulled. Legolas saw that she was lost in thought, "What are you thinking about?"
She looked over at him, brought out of her reverie, and smiled. "I am thinking about how happy I am to return to Greenwood with you."
Thank you for reading - coming toward the end of this story now, reviews are very appreciated!