Disclaimers: I own Kaitlyn, Derrick and a few other people from our world. I also own the song that Legolas sings in this chapter. It was written and composed by me. Tolkien owns everything else!
Thanks to Magenta for reading over this chapter and special thanks to Lossefalme for betaing this for me!
Chapter 32: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Legolas knew no passage of time within the tunnel. There were no windows and only Aragorn's arrival marked that it was dawn.
But something was wrong and Legolas could feel it. The air around the Ranger was tense.
"How is she?" Aragorn asked softly.
"Neither better nor worse," Legolas answered truthfully. Despite the healing performed by both Aragorn and Elaryn, Kaitlyn's fever still raged. The Elf watched as Aragorn stood in the doorway.
"Her fever will burn itself out with time," the Ranger commented.
Legolas nodded. "One can only hope. She needs nourishment and while she sleeps with fever she receives none."
Aragorn remained silent for a few moments, watching as Legolas stroked Kaitlyn's hairline. The Elf touched her hair and skin over and over again as if memorizing the feel of it. Aragorn cleared his throat, the noise sounding like a shout in the silence. "We leave for Isengard in a short time. All of us."
Legolas' eyes widened. "We cannot abandon her," he told Aragorn fiercely. The Elf's eyes flashed with blue fire at the thought of leaving Kaitlyn behind.
Aragorn shook his head, his dirty, wavy hair swishing around his face. "We are not abandoning her. The women and children will be returning to Edoras. Kaitlyn will travel with them. And we shall ride to Edoras also as soon as we have finished our business at Isengard."
"She is too ill to travel. She could…." Legolas could not bring himself to say the word. He swallowed hard.
"It is a risk we must take, Legolas," Aragorn said firmly. "She will receive better care in Edoras then she will in this dirty, bloodied fortress."
Legolas lowered his head. He forced the wild emotions that swirled within him to settle down. Aragorn was correct. Kaitlyn would receive better care in Edoras. And while the Elf loved Kaitlyn and did not desire to leave her, he could not abandon his duty to the Quest. The Quest was more important than either of them. Once again, his feelings and desires would have to wait. "When do we leave?" he asked softly.
Aragorn noticed the flat tone of the Elf's voice. "Lady Eowyn is on her way down with two soldiers and they will carry Kaitlyn to a wagon. Eowyn has agreed to watch over Kaitlyn as often as she can. She promised that Kaitlyn would be well cared for. Once they arrive we shall leave. The others are already waiting for us. Gimli, Gandalf, Eomer of the Mark, and King Theoden."
Legolas nodded stiffly.
While time seemed to crawl during the night, it now passed too quickly. All too soon, the Shield Maiden of Rohan arrived with two soldiers and Legolas was forced to watch them lift Kaitlyn and carry her away.
The Mirkwood Prince was accustomed to feeling loss. He had lost his mother when he was an Elfling and it had devastated him. The loss he felt when Kaitlyn left his sight was different, though just as overwhelming. It was difficult to breathe and the constant pain in his heart would not surrender.
The Elf felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Aragorn. As Legolas looked into the man's eyes, the Elf knew he was not alone. Legolas now understood how Aragorn had felt when the Ranger was forced to leave the Evenstar behind in Imladris.
Legolas straightened his stature and brushed the hay from his tunic and leggings.
"Let us go, mellon nin, to deal with our foe," he told Aragorn in a clear voice.
Legolas stood alone as the others talked around the fire. They camped outside Isengard where the floodwaters did not reach. The Elf was still dressed in the little armor he had worn during the battle of Helm's Deep. He had not bathed and stunk of Orc blood as well as his own blood, which stained his clothing and armor. His normally flawless hair was tangled and dirty.
Saruman, the White Wizard, was dead, and so was the magnificent forest that had once surrounded Orthanc.
Legolas had marveled at Fangorn Forest as he and his companions made their way to Isengard. The trees had not returned to where they traveled from. While they had destroyed the orcs that had entered beneath their leaves, they had let Gandalf and his companions pass unharmed.
For the first time since they had left Helm's Deep, Legolas' thoughts had turned from Kaitlyn. The trees spoke to him in ways that the trees of Mirkwood could not. It amazed the Wood Elf. The trees soothed him, purging their anger and concentrating on the Elf as he passed beneath their mighty boughs.
When he and his companions left the forest, Legolas felt a terrible loss. He had wanted to stay and forget his troubles and learn from the wise trees, but Gandalf had not allowed it. So, Gimli and Legolas had struck a bargain. If Gimli traveled with Legolas to Fangorn one day, the Elf would join the Dwarf in exploring the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep.
And then the discovery of Merry and Pippin early that afternoon had caused Legolas to smile, but now that the world was quiet and heroic deeds were done for the day, Legolas did nothing but think of Kaitlyn.
The firelight danced against his body as he stood several yards from the others. The Elf was lost in his thoughts and knew not what the others spoke about. Was Kaitlyn awake and feeling better? Or was she still burning with fever and on the edge of death? The very thought of her dying caused the Elf to shudder visibly as if he were chilled. While Legolas had seen death among both men and Elves, Kaitlyn's death would be much different and much more painful.
Legolas almost did not hear Gandalf approach him. The Wizard smiled gently as he stepped beside the Elf and then folded his arms over his chest.
Gandalf gazed up at the moon and stars, which Legolas refused to glance at. Every time he saw Ithil and Elaneth he was reminded of Kaitlyn.
"It is a fine evening," the wizard began.
"Aye," Legolas agreed softly. " Isengard has been taken over by the Ents, Saruman is no more and the hobbits are safe."
"Indeed." Gandalf paused and studied the Mirkwood Prince. The pain that surrounded the Elf was thick like a heavy fog. Gandalf pursed his lips before he spoke. "I was certain the return of our young hobbits would have lightened your spirits."
Legolas looked to the wizard with much sadness and concern in his blue eyes. "They have lightened my spirits, Mirthrandir, but not my heart." The Elf glanced away; focusing his attention on the dew covered grass.
"Ah, yes. Your heart is full of many emotions. Fear, guilt, hope…and love." The Wizard grinned.
Legolas looked at Gandalf and blinked.
Gandalf chuckled softly. "I am not blind, my young friend. You have been wearing your heart on your sleeve since we left Helm's Deep. The others may not have noticed, but I certainly have. The mortal woman has captured your heart quite intensely, has she not?"
Legolas stilled at the words, wondering why he could not seem to conceal his feelings. Then he nodded very slowly. "How did this happen, Mirthrandir?"
"How did you come to love her as you do?" Gandalf questioned.
The Elf Prince nodded. "It is so overpowering. It is not as hunger that plagues my stomach or a wound that hurts an arm or leg. This fills my entire being and no matter how hard I try I cannot shake it. It happened so rapidly."
"Nay, love is not sudden, Legolas, and those who claim it is do not feel love," Gandalf began. "They feel lust. Love requires time to take shape and grow into something cherished and wonderful. While the realization of your feelings may seem sudden, your affections were not. Long have they been in the making. You did not notice them before now, is all."
Legolas looked into Gandalf's wise eyes. "How did I miss the signs, Gandalf? They appear so obvious to me now."
"Love can be blind. We have been on a great quest, traveling from place to place. Your mind has not been on romance or even the possibility of it, I would assume."
Legolas nodded.
"You developed a friendship with Kaitlyn and with time that friendship blossomed into more within you. But because of the Quest, the constant change of scenery, you did not notice it until now. Not until Kaitlyn was injured and possibly dying did you realize what she meant to you."
Legolas closed his eyes. He could still see her lying in the Glittering Caves with the two women and their young sons kneeling beside her. The bloody bandages, the sweat dripping down her skin and her harsh, heavy breathing. He shook his head, trying to block that image, and another image entered his mind of someone he had not thought of for long weeks. Uncertainty filled him.
"Everything I was taught, centuries worth of knowledge prepared me not for this." The Elf's brows drew together. "By loving her I break the unwritten rule of loving beyond your own kind." Legolas looked to the ground before he peered at Gandalf again and continued. "You know my King, Mithrandir. He will likely disown me."
Gandalf sighed. "Your father will undoubtedly be upset with where your heart lies. But no matter what he says or what he believes, he cannot change how you feel."
Gandalf tilted his head and watched the troubled Elf. He smiled gently. "You have always been drawn to mortals, Legolas. Ever since you were an Elfling and a wrong turn brought you and your friends close to a camp of men from Laketown. Since that day have mortals intrigued you. You share a great friendship with Aragorn and your friendship developed quickly with Kaitlyn. So, your feelings are of no surprise to me. Nor should they be to your father. Thranduil will learn to deal with whatever choices you make or he will risk losing his only son."
Legolas lowered his head. There were so many complications! His mind was whirling, already thinking of the future…and Kaitlyn knew not how he felt!
Gandalf put a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "But you need not worry about such things now, neth ernil. There is much to be done in the world before you return home. Think pleasant thoughts this night. The world is a safer place with Saruman and his filth gone. It is a safer place for Kaitlyn." ( Young Prince )
Legolas nodded slowly.
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," Gandalf said as he stepped away.
Gandalf's words did not soothe the Elf's pained and confused heart. No matter what Gandalf had told him, he continued to miss Kaitlyn and worry about her with fervor.
Merry and Pippin sang songs around the fire while they ate and smoked their treasures. Pippin seemed preoccupied but still he sang drinking songs around the fire. Legolas watched them for a time, remembering how often he loved to sing. It had been too long since he had last burst into song.
The Elf looked away as his own thoughts consumed him. No one had told the hobbits about what had happened to Kaitlyn, and it seemed best not to until it was learned how she faired.
Legolas slipped away from the others. Aragorn watched him go, and started to move after him, but Gandalf shook his head at the Ranger and Aragorn settled back to the ground.
It was not much later that a soft voice filled the air. None save Aragorn and Gandalf could understand the strange words spoken. The men and hobbits listened and soon they were lulled to sleep.
He finnel sui mor sui i dhaw menel.
He hin sui calen sui i lass ned echuir.
He bain an a adaneth.
Ú-pen istanne as he dorthanne.
Na-erui mellon den, he ned ren gur.
He dan a revia faer an pen.
He melethanne na a beleg Aran an Gondor
Canad beren periannth trannail
Adan, cuurni, naugol, a min ned Eldar.
He lend i neder ned i nur ab Moria
Torthanne magol a peng ned Lothlorien
Anann he mabanne edhellon gur.
It felt as if days had passed before dawn arrived. Legolas was anxious and Arod noticed it the minute the Elf sat upon the great steed. The gray stallion pranced in place and tossed his head, rattling the bit between his teeth and tongue.
"I have never seen him like this before! I will not ride if he does not calm down!" Gimli exclaimed as he watched the stallion.
"He is anxious to run, Gimli. He senses that my need to return to Edoras is dire," the Elf explained.
"Well, I wish he would cease his sensing. He is making me nervous!" The Dwarf frowned.
Legolas put his hand on Arod's great neck to calm the stallion. The stallion snorted and tossed his head twice before settling.
To the Elf's disappointment, the great trees of Fangorn had moved off during the night. He had suspected they had gone by the sounds he had heard, but some part of him had held onto the hope he would set his eyes upon them at dawn's first light.
Legolas was forced to rein Arod in once the group began its journey toward Edoras. The stallion would have galloped off full speed if Legolas gave the horse his head. But the Elf held Arod back in line with the other horses.
"Tell him to stop! Tell him to stop!" Gimli cried from behind Legolas. The Dwarf clutched the Elf tightly and closed his eyes. Arod's gallop had become choppy due to the stallion raising his front legs higher into the air than normal in his excitement. "He is doing it again! He is sensing! Tell him to stop sensing!" the Dwarf commanded.
"I cannot, dear Gimli. For I cannot hide my anxiety to return to our companion."
Gimli groaned and clenched his teeth. "Then this shall be the longest ride I have ever had to endure!"
The ride to Edoras was just as long for Legolas as it was for Gimli. The land seemed to stretch out forever beneath Arod's hooves. Barely did the landscape change. Every time Legolas thought he would see Edoras shining in the sun over the next hill, he was rewarded with another length of grassy plains.
The riders finally reached the capital city of Rohan several hours before nightfall.
Legolas held his breath as they rode through the gates. He had not thought of much other than Kaitlyn and he dreaded what state he might find her in. He had only just discovered his feelings and already they held such sway over him.
The Elf tended to Arod's needs before he saw to his own. He cooled the stallion out with a walk through the dusty streets, and when he returned the stallion to a stall it was clean, with fresh bedding, water and food. The saddle, bridle and saddle pad he hung neatly with the others in the stable.
Legolas followed Aragorn out of the stables and toward the Golden Hall. The Elf's eyes roamed every which way for some sign of their female companion, but only unfamiliar faces greeted him.
Upon entering the Hall, Legolas was surprised to see Lady Eowyn in the throne room. Aragorn had told Legolas that Eowyn would tend to Kaitlyn, yet the Shield Maiden was not with Kaitlyn.
The fair-haired maiden greeted the warriors and her King and brother home. Legolas was anxious to ask where Kaitlyn was and how she faired, but Aragorn took Eowyn quietly to the side and asked the question.
"She is staying within the city. There is always so much activity in the Hall. I thought it was best if she remained where it was quiet," Eowyn told the Ranger.
"How may we find her, my Lady?" Aragorn asked.
"She resides in the first building to the left as soon as you exit the Hall."
Legolas wanted to ask how Kaitlyn was, but he held his tongue. He watched Aragorn nod to Eowyn and then the Ranger joined him.
"We shall see how Kaitlyn is doing and then I must return to the Hall."
The Elf nodded and followed Aragorn from the Hall and into the street.
The building they stopped before was similar to all the others in Edoras. Dark wood made up the exterior walls and the roof was thatched, appearing golden in the sun. Horses were carved and painted everywhere. Smoke rose from a stone chimney and a large pile of firewood sat to the left of the wine colored door.
Aragorn knocked on the door and a short, plump woman with blond hair going gray answered. "Are you Legolas?" she asked Aragorn.
Aragorn shook his head. "I am Aragorn." He turned and gestured to the Elf beside him. "This is Legolas."
The woman's eyes widened. She tilted her head and let her eyes roam over the Mirkwood Prince. "You are an Elf?" she asked in amazement.
Legolas nodded.
"Well, I don't believe it…" The woman gasped.
Aragorn smiled warmly at her comment about Legolas and then cleared his throat.
"Ah, yes, the girl," the woman remembered, breaking out of her trance. She stepped aside to let them in, her eyes not leaving Legolas' form.
"Is she awake?" As he walked inside, the words rushed from Legolas' mouth before he could stop them.
The woman shook her head. "She is not at present, but she awakened today on the journey to Edoras. Her fever broke during the night while we camped. She awakened this morning just after dawn. Her head was hurting her and she was a bit confused where she was, but then she took rest again. She has not awakened since."
Legolas nodded and felt disappointment at the news. A small part of him had hoped to see her awake, perhaps even sitting up in bed when they arrived. But he thanked Eru she was alive at all.
"She asked for you several times," the woman said as they moved further into the house.
Legolas felt hope flood him when he realized the woman was speaking to him. "She asked for me?" he inquired.
The woman smiled. "You are Legolas, are you not?"
The Elf nodded.
"She asked for Legolas several times. Lady Eowyn told her you had gone to Isengard, but you would return in a day's time."
"May we see her?" Aragorn asked.
"Aye, of course."
The woman led them across a small kitchen with a dirt floor, a clay stove and a wooden table and chairs. Toward the back hung a curtain of deep red with gold trim and a white horse galloping across the center.
"She is inside this room here. If you have need of me, just call. My name is Ammora."
Aragorn smiled. "Thank you, Ammora."
Ammora smiled and bowed before heading across the kitchen to peel vegetables previously forgotten on the table.
Aragorn held back the curtain and let Legolas precede before he entered.
Legolas released the breath he was holding and it came out much louder than he had meant it to.
The room was small and was lit with two windows. The sun filtered through them and onto the green and beige horse rugs that covered a dirt floor. There were two stools made of the same dark colored wood that the house was made of. There was a stone fireplace with books on the granite mantle. One small table with a green cloth thrown over it and an unlit lantern stood a distance from the fireplace. And lined against the eastern wall was a medium sized bed.
Kaitlyn lay on her back upon the bed and green blankets with gold trim covered her midway. Her long hair spread across the pillow and feather mattress. Her skin was not so pale and the small cuts on her face appeared to be healing; most of them had become scabs.
"She looks well," Aragorn commented as he stepped beside the bed.
"Aye. Thanks to you and Elaryn," Legolas breathed with relief.
"I am certain the healing helped, but she is strong."
Legolas nodded. He pulled the small wooden stool from near the wall to Kaitlyn's bed so that he could sit beside her.
"I am curious to how her injury is healing," Aragorn remarked. "Certainly they have tended and bandaged it several times."
Legolas did not answer. His attention was lost on the woman sleeping peacefully before him.
Aragorn watched Legolas for a few moments. It was obvious to the Ranger that the Elf was smitten with Kaitlyn. Aragorn wondered how he could not have seen something developing between the Elf and mortal woman earlier.
Aragorn put a hand on Legolas' shoulder. The Elf startled slightly and turned to the Ranger.
"You stay here with her for a while. I shall return to the Golden Hall," Aragorn told the Mirkwood Prince.
Legolas nodded, watched Aragorn leave, and then returned his eyes to Kaitlyn. She appeared so peaceful. Her breathing was not labored and harsh as it was only a day ago. She did not look so sickly, yet she was not awake.
Time passed slowly and Legolas waited patiently for Kaitlyn to awaken. He watched her; he stroked her hair and let his fingers brush over her skin. The sun set, Ammora entered the room and lit candles and lanterns, and still Kaitlyn did not stir. Legolas began to grow worried.
The tension that grew within him was like a bowstring drawn back to its fullest. It required release or it would snap if held for too long.
Why was she not awakening? Her fever was broken and her outward appearance showed her to be healing. She needed to eat. Had she not received enough rest?
A soft moan caused Legolas to shudder involuntarily. He swallowed and drew in a sharp intake of breath as Kaitlyn moved slightly upon the bed. Her eyelids fluttered open and she glanced to her right. Her brows lowered in confusion as she tried to decipher where she was. Finally, she noticed the Elf sitting to her left.
She squinted in the dim light. "Leg…Legolas?"
To be continued…
This is a close English translation of the song that Legolas sings in this chapter. It was written and composed by me. (Cormak)
Her hair was as dark as the midnight sky.
Her eyes were as green as the leaves in springtime.
She was fair for a maiden of mortal kind.
Not many knew where she hailed from
Except those who kept her dear in their hearts.
She was but a lost soul to some.
She was loved by a mighty King of Gondor,
Four brave hobbits from the Shire,
A man, wizard, dwarf and one of the Eldar.
She joined the nine in the depths of Moria,
Wielded sword and bow in Lothlorien
And all the while she was capturing an Elvish heart….
Thank you to all my wonderful readers for taking the time to comment on the story, especially those long reviews that state what you like and dislike. Those kind of reviews really help me out. Welcome to all the new readers. So pleased that you have decided to join us!
I know I left an awful cliffhanger and I will try to post faster next time. In Fact half of the next chapter is already written. Til next time…