Chapter 50: The Depth of Love
Kaitlyn felt anxiety start to build as she and Legolas sat side by side in the wagon and journeyed toward Calmálos.
She wondered if their friends would know by merely looking at them that they were married. Would it cause problems when some Elves discovered their marriage or would she finally be more accepted?
She looked down at her left hand to where Legolas had used some of the hair from the braid he had given her long ago and tied a band of it around her ring finger.
"This is temporary," he had told her. Until he was able to procure silver metal rings for each of them. He wore strands of her dark hair around his finger as well.
A large part of her regretted that there had been no wedding ceremony with friends in attendance as she would have had back home. Her father did not walk her down the aisle to her groom. She had not picked out a fancy wedding dress with her mother. There had been no cake or reception. This was not New York and it never would be. That world had been lost to her forever.
After their talk on the beach, she and Legolas had gone back to their house. As they prepared a meal together in their kitchen, Kaitlyn told him about what a wedding ceremony and reception was like where she was from. He assured her they would have a celebration with their friends. It was normal for elves to marry first and celebrate later. While it would not be the same as what she was used to, they would celebrate their eternal binding. She had not been home in almost thirteen years yet, many things were still ingrained in her. How weddings took place was one of them. The idea of a celebration after a completely private marriage was foreign to her.
Kaitlyn asked about his life on Middle Earth after the war. Legolas told her of how he and Gimli traveled together to Fangorn Forest and to the Glittering Caves. He told her how he had gathered elves with his Father's blessing to help rebuild the Kingdom of Gondor. He told her that Aragorn and Arwen married and how Aragorn had been a just and good ruler and that his son would no doubt be the same. Legolas had done his best to keep any sorrow out of his voice. For while there were many good moments there were many more where he had mourned Kaitlyn deeply.
The sun set and Kaitlyn lit several candles and lanterns. The soft light and the sound of the waves crashing outside brought them peace. Legolas walked around the library, marveling at his wife's artwork. He had been pleased she continued to draw. She told him that she did not draw for many years as her heart was not into it. It was only over the last few years that she took it up again.
Their earlier conversation of distrust amongst their kinds was temporarily pushed away.
They found themselves by the window in their bedroom, watching the waves illuminated by the moon, Ithil. Soon Legolas' hands were in her hair, then they were in each other's arms, kissing. Finally they were unable to resist the temptation of joining so they did not deny themselves. They needed the release that came with love making to settle themselves after the conversation they had on the beach. For the first time in as long as he could remember, Legolas had fallen asleep.
Kaitlyn could still picture him as she awakened in the early morning hours. He lay on his side, his arm draped over her, keeping her body firmly against his own. His eyes were closed, his breathing soft as his chest rose and fell with each breath. His blond hair cascaded over his shoulder and arm.
"I cannot believe you insisted we fill these barrels with fish. I believe the entire errand to get fish was a farce." Legolas said, breaking her thoughts and bringing her back to the present.
She turned to look at him.
Her husband held the leather reins between his slender fingers to the bay stallion as the horse trotted along the road. The sound of the animal's hooves hitting the dirt as well as the sound of the hooves of the two mares tied to the back of the wagon were loud in the quiet forest where only birdsong could be heard. He glanced at her with a raised brow and she grinned.
"You know Gandalf. If we arrived with empty barrels, you wouldn't have heard the end of it. I'm certain there is a feast planned." she laughed.
"You are probably correct. Mithrandir always loved a party." His expression changed, as the light faded from his blue eyes and he openly frowned. "I find myself unable to accept and understand that he lied to us all about you."
"But you know his reasoning for it now," she told him, referring to their conversation before their marriage." It was certainly out of his hands. There was a greater will at work than his own. How do you think he must have felt to not be able to tell you the entire truth? " She remembered how the white wizard had often suggested she spend time with Legolas to ease her fears and worries in Rohan. He had realized their affection and attraction for each other before they had. Kaitlyn would bet her life that Gandalf did not enjoy being the one to deliver the news to Legolas.
The blond elf nodded and became quietly lost in his thoughts for a few moments.
"You knew not that Gimli and I were sailing to Valinor?" he asked after a short silence.
"There were always rumors of Elves that were coming." She bit her lip and paused for a moment. "It was said you were building a ship. But I'd heard those rumors before, even in my early days here." She lowered her gaze and began to toy with some of the loose strands of her hair as she re-lived old memories.
"I'd spend days at the beach watching for ships; only to be disappointed and depressed when you didn't arrive and someone else did. So I stopped waiting and just went on….living."
"Oh, melethril." (beloved) Legolas' voice was full of sorrow. They had both gone through so much pain and heartbreak.
"I knew you would come eventually." She said softly. "One of the few times I didn't listen to the rumors and this time they were true." She looked over at him. "You're here now and that's all that matters."
Blue eyes met green. His hand reached for hers and he gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I can't wait to see Gimli." Kaitlyn said several minutes later.
Legolas' mouth twitched into a grin. "He will be astonished to see you. After all, he thinks you have been dead this last century." He paused for a moment and he looked at her thoughtfully. "He is much older than you will have remembered."
"I know," she nodded. "It was a shock when Sam arrived and he looked so much older than Frodo. I hadn't known about the time difference between here and Middle Earth until he arrived. Lady Galadriel told me there is an enchantment on this land so the passage of time is not felt as it is on Middle Earth."
"Similar enchantments were in Rivendell and Lothlorien until the one ring was destroyed. When they were gone, it made the days feel very long to an Elf." Legolas told her. Her not being in his life, had made them feel even longer.
She watched the her husband for a moment and he turned to face her. His eyes widened when he felt pain radiating from her.
"Man na neitha?" (What is wrong?)
"It hurts me that you had to wait over a hundred years to see me again," she explained, her tone quiet and broken. "I thought twelve was torture."
Legolas put the reins into one hand, leaned over to cup her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes.
"I would wait those years all over again, if I knew that this would be the result, bereth nin." (my wife) He lowered his hand to hers and gently brushed his thumb over the 'ring' he had put on her finger. She slid closer to him on the bench of the wagon, wound her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder.
The ride to the outskirts of Tirion did not take more than two hours. Legolas drove the horse down the same long laneway he had driven out on just yesterday morning. They rode beneath ancient trees to a settlement an hour outside the white city.
Calmálos, Kaitlyn had called it. Forest of Light in the elvish dialect of Quenya. It was well named. This settlement reminded him of Lothlorien. Full of light with the sun streaming down through the leaves. Lanterns hung every few feet throughout. Homes and many structures were made of white stone that sparkled in the light. They ascended high above the ground built around the ancient trees. Some structures were also built at ground level with sweeping wooden staircases and walkways to the structures above.
Gandalf waited in a small clearing by one of the structures. A stone fountain gurgled quietly to his right. His blue eyes shone with delight and merriment. He laughed softly as the wagon came closer.
Gimli stood next to him, leaning on a wooden cane just as he used to do with his battle axe. He loathed using it, but sometimes his balance was not as good as it once was.
"Took him long enough." The dwarf grunted at the approaching wagon, though there was sarcasm in his tone. "You would think he fished the entire sea himself with how long he has been gone!"
Gandalf chuckled. His pale eyes shone with brightness.
As the wagon grew closer, Gimli realized that his Elven friend was not alone.
He watched as Legolas helped a figure down out of the wagon. It was a female in a long elegant lavender gown and a dark green traveling cloak. She was most likely an Elf Legolas was reacquainted with from their time in Ithilien or perhaps one he knew from Mirkwood. Her long dark hair covered her face so that Gimli could not see her features but there was something familiar about her.
The stranger brushed her hair back behind her shoulders revealing her face.
Gimli gasped. She was no Elf! He rubbed his eyes with the backs of his hands and blinked. Then he rubbed them again. He was going blind in his old age.
"My eyes…my eyes deceive me," he murmured, squinting at the figure beside Legolas.
Legolas laughed softly and clapped him gently on the shoulder. "There is nothing wrong with your eyes my old friend. I promise you, she is real. Kaitlyn is alive and well."
"Hello Gimli." She greeted him. "It's been far too long. I've missed you." Happy tears blurred her vision as she looked over her old friend. It was a shock to see an older and frailer version of the stout Dwarf warrior she once knew. She had missed him and his gruff comments that sometimes were laced with humor. She owed him a great deal for keeping his promise to look after Legolas.
The Dwarf's bushy grey eyebrows rose in surprise and then they lowered over his brown eyes. Before him stood the human woman that had been found in the depths of Moria. The very one that traveled with them to Dunharrow before they were parted during the War of the Ring. She looked very well and hardly aged for someone who was dead and gone for over a century.
"I do not understand." He shook his head, his thick long gray hair settled about his shoulders like a great cape.
"How can this be?! We were told you were dead! I was there when Legolas was given the news of your passing!" He spun to face Gandalf rather quickly for an aged dwarf.
"Why did you tell us she was dead?" He demanded of the white wizard. " Why is she here? I am happy she is here, but I do not understand!"
"A tale we can talk about at a later time. We have much to prepare for the feast on the morrow." Gandalf told him as he stepped up to the wagon to inspect the barrels behind the seat. He was pleased to see they were brimming with fresh fish.
"Why did you lie to us?" The dwarf's voice held a bite of anger to it. He thought of the unnecessary pain his best friend had gone through for over a century believing his love was dead and gone. They all had felt pain at her passing. Aragorn, Merry, Pippin, Ammora and Ramma as well.
"I did not lie to you, Gimli." Gandalf told the dwarf, looking him full in the eyes. "I simply withheld the entire truth. Kaitlyn did pass from Middle Earth, though not in death but by a ship out of the Grey Havens. She had been severely injured by an orc attack. Believe me when I tell you there was no joy in not being completely truthful to you, Legolas or the others. I did what needed to be done for the good of all ."
"For the good of all–" Gimli growled.
Legolas put a reassuring hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "All will be explained in due time, mellon nin."(my friend)
Gimli grunted in frustration. "I do not understand, but I will trust that the truth will be given. I will let it lie, only because I see how happy her being here has made you, Legolas." The dwarf looked from the Elf to the mortal woman, who held his other hand. His Elven friend appeared reborn; full of life and light. "You are positively glowing with joy."
The Elf smiled at his friend. "I have been given the greatest gift one could receive." His eyes fell upon Kailtyn and he gave her a warm smile.
Then he turned to the white wizard
"I forgive you, Mithrandir." Legolas told him; and he meant it. Instead of only a few decades with this mortal woman, he would have centuries by her side.
The wizard nodded his head with a knowing smile.
The sound of voices could be heard and the small group by the wagon looked to see that Frodo and Sam made their way to the clearing now. Sam walked slowly these days as Gimli often did. The hobbits smiled warmly and nodded at Kaitlyn and Legolas.
"I see you have been reunited with another member of our fellowship." Frodo said to Legolas.
"Indeed." Legolas answered and he squeezed Kaitlyn's hand within his.
"Let us prepare for our feast! We all will be needed to pitch in if we are to be ready for tomorrow." Gandalf called out. "I dare say we have two important reasons to celebrate. The arrival of Legolas and Gimli to Valinor and the marriage of Legolas and Kaitlyn."
"A wedding?" Frodo asked, his blue eyes widened as he looked first at Kaitlyn and then to the Mirkwood Elf in complete surprise. He glanced down seeing that they held hands and were standing close together. There was a level of familiarity that was not present at Amon Hen when he and Sam last saw them together. "Well, this is an event I cannot say I saw coming."
"Indeed." Sam nodded from where he stood. "The last time we saw you both together Kaitlyn was still a bit…apprehensive around elves."
Legolas was not surprised by their reaction. Frodo and Sam had not been present for the months that he and Kaitlyn had grown close in friendship and then love.
"Things changed in Rohan." Kaitlyn told them simply and Legolas' mouth curled into a knowing smile.
Frodo raised his brows at Sam. The young woman had never said a word in the last decade about being in love with Legolas. Though now that he thought of it, she had seemed distraught when she arrived on Valinor. As if she had left something very great behind on Middle Earth.
"Ahahaha!" Gimli laughed deeply. He pulled Legolas into a hug and leaned over and included Kaitlyn. He embraced them both tightly before releasing them.
"This is one of the best times of my life. I have spent time in the presence of the fairest Lady the world ever beheld, two of our young Hobbits are here, our young woman found in Moria is not dead. My best friend has not only been reunited with his love, but they are to be married!"
Kaitlyn looked at Legolas and he grinned at her. It seemed that the Hobbits and Gimli did not understand that they were already married.
"It is a joyous time, indeed." Gandalf said. His blue eyes twinkled as he looked at the Elf and mortal woman. Kaitlyn knew by the look in his eyes that the wizard knew they were already bonded.
Elves soon started to appear. An Elf named Narwain that Kaitlyn knew came to take the wagon. He told Legolas and Kaitlyn that the fish would be brought to those who would prepare and cook them for tomorrow and that Kaitlyn's horses would be brought to the stables to be fed and watered.
"Hannon le, Narwain." Kaitlyn bid him and the Elf nodded to her.
"Le nathlam hí a Calmálos, Legolas Greenleaf." (We welcome you here to Calmálos) Narwain greeted.
"Hannon le, Narwain."
Narwain looked between the Mirkwood Elf and mortal woman for a moment, gave them a lopsided smile and then led the horses and wagon away.
Legolas and Gimli were reunited with several elves they had worked alongside in Gondor.
Kaitlyn could see by the way they greeted and spoke that these elves respected Gimli and Legolas. She released a sigh and some of the anxiety she had not realized she had been holding onto. There was none of the awkwardness she feared.
Many of these Elves had not lived on Valinor long or they lived here in Calmálos and not the city. They were untainted by prejudice. A few of them she was already acquainted with since she traveled here to trade and spend time with friends. She bowed her head and bid them, Mae govannen.
Legolas introduced her to several of the Elves, whom she did not know. They were glad to see their leader from Ithilien had finally sailed to Valinor. Many were astounded to learn that Legolas had been pledged for over a century to the very mortal woman they traded with and saw often in Calmálos. Never once had Legolas spoken about being pledged or in love with anyone when he was in Ilithien. Kaitlyn had also kept quiet about Legolas. Calmálos was abuzz with the news that the Mirkwood Prince and the mortal woman were married.
Only one Elf seemed rather aloof and not as pleasant and warm. He had dark hair, and piercing blue eyes. He was dressed as a Mirkwood Elf in the same color clothes of greens and browns. He watched Legolas and Kaitlyn carefully but said nothing other than to greet Legolas as Ernil nin and welcome him to Valinor. (My Prince). Legolas introduced him as Amdir and told Kaitlyn that he had been his father's advisor and friend for many years. Legolas was surprised to see that Amdir had sailed, but many Elves were leaving or had already left Middle Earth.
Amdir gave them both a slight bow, his eyes lingered on Kaitlyn though there was no emotion in his gaze.
He was soon forgotten as they stepped away and two familiar faces walked into the clearing.
"Thunin! Elslyn!" Kaitlyn cried out with joy as she started toward them.
"Tolo govad-hain !" She pulled Legolas along with her. (Come, meet them!)
Both blonde Lothlorien elves met them halfway. Elslyn hugged Kaitlyn and Thunin, usually very stoic, grinned. "We heard he arrived."
Elslyn took Kaitlyn's hands into her own.
"Na vedui! " She said merrily and she drew the mortal woman into her arms again. (At last!) The female elf was pleased to see that Kaitlyn wore the dress she and her husband had gifted her for the spring feast.
As Elslyn released Kaitlyn from her embrace she looked at Legolas and raised a brow at him. "Ennas u-darthach a sin tâd. "Hyn heria-gwaedh." (There was no waiting for these two. They have already bonded.)
Kaitlyn flushed several shades of red.
"Wen darthas anann far." (We waited long enough.) Legolas answered with a sly smile.
"Indeed. Congratulations to you both on your marriage." Thunin offered.
Kaitlyn felt the warmth on her cheeks and lowered her head. "Is it that obvious?"
"Only to those who know what to look for. Though the flushing of your skin was a large clue." Elslyn teased her and then she became serious. "If there is to be a feast to celebrate, it means the bonding has already taken place. That is the elvish way."
Kaitlyn's eyes widened as she realized all of the elves they had been speaking to knew that she and Legolas had already bound themselves with their love making.
"There seemed no point in waiting any longer." Legolas told them. "There was no permission to seek from our families and we have been pledged for over a century, at least in Middle Earth time. Far longer than the customary year."
Thunin nodded. His mouth lifted in a small smile. He was pleased for his mortal friend.
"I am pleased to meet you both." Legolas lowered his head and extended his arm in Elvish greeting. Thunin and Elslyn did the same.
"Kaitlyn has spoken very highly of you," Legolas continued. "I owe you my deepest gratitude for making sure her life in Valinor has been easier."
"I could nor would do any less." Thunin told the Woodland Elf. His eyes fell upon Kaitlyn. "She gave me great comfort just before death took me from Middle Earth. The atrocious experience was made easier because of her comforting Sindarin words. It was not something I ever expected, surrounded by mortals in Rohan. I only wish my wife could have had them when she was killed in Dol Guldor many years ago."
Thunin's eyes were filled with warmth as he gazed at Kaitlyn. "We have enjoyed learning about Kaitlyn and her world these last twelve years."
Legolas' eyes widened as he looked at Elslyn. 'You were at Dol Guldor?" he asked in disbelief.
"Aye. I was there when Sauron was believed to be returning to power in 2941 and was killed when I attempted to save another Elf's life."
Thunin remembered the day well as he too had been at Dol Guldor, fighting against orcs and other foul creatures with many Elves from both Lothlorien and Mirkwood. Haldir had to drag him from the battlefield so that he too would not perish along with his wife.
"Kaitlyn!"
Silence fell over the group at the sound of Mithrandir's voice. The three elves and mortal woman halted their wizard motioned for Kaitlyn to join him.
"I hope that I have not interrupted any conversations of great importance," Gandalf said as he stepped toward them. "I am in need of Kaitlyn's assistance with several arrangements for tomorrow's feast."
Kaitlyn's eyes immediately sought her husband's.
"Go on." Legolas bid her. "I will be right here."
Reluctantly, Kaitlyn released her husband's hand. She smiled at Thunin and Elslyn. She started to move away but returned to place a kiss on Legolas' cheek. He recaptured her hand as she moved to pull away and he drew her back to him and kissed her quickly on the mouth.
Elves normally did not show much affection in public, but Legolas could not help himself.
Flushing bright red, his wife stepped away with Gandalf.
Legolas felt the loss of her keenly, even though she was not far from him. It felt similar to when the warmth of the sun faded when it was hidden behind clouds.
Elslyn could sense his feelings of loss, just as she could feel the immense love he held in his heart. "We are glad that you are here, Legolas. While Kaitlyn has kept herself occupied with gardening, fishing and tending to her land, her faer has needed tending." (spirit)
Legolas frowned.
"Thunin, myself, Lossen and Haldir have kept her company. Mithrandir visits her often as well. She also has visits with the Hobbits and Lady Galadriel. However she has needed the type of companionship that none of us can give her. The change in her since your arrival is significant. I can feel her soul is healing."
Elslyn watched Kaitlyn as she spoke to Mithrandir. The mortal woman smiled broadly and her mannerisms were full of life. Every so often, she stole a glance at Legolas.
"My wife is a healer." Thunin explained.
Legolas nodded and it made sense why Elslyn had been at Dol Guldor. She had most likely gone to help heal injured Elves.
"My physical skills have been needed very little in a land with no war. I took it upon myself to help her heal internally as much as I could. It has pained me watching her suffer in silence. When she first arrived, she was inconsolable." Elslyn looked at Kaitlyn, her blue eyes watching her human friend intently.
"This was another new land for her to learn and adapt to. In this land she did not have the one her heart longed for to help her navigate, nor the friends that had become family. Her heartbreak was devastating for me to feel and watch. Mortals are not so very different from us. Her longing for you enveloped her entire being."
Thunin shifted his weight and his wife clasped his hand within hers. She knew he was thinking of his own pain when she herself had been killed by orcs and he had gone on without her for many years. Love could be a wonderful and terrible thing.
Anguish filled Legolas. He did not enjoy knowing Kaitlyn suffered while she had waited for him. He could also feel Thunin's pain due to his separation from his wife.
"At the same time there is a strength in her," Elslyn continued. "Though she suffered; within mere weeks from her arrival she worked on building her home, learned how she could trade and learned new skills. She is a remarkable woman whom I am glad to call my friend. I am grateful the true healing for her has begun."
"I can never repay you both for what you have done for her." Legolas realized shaking his blond hair which spilled over his shoulder as he bowed his head.
"You misunderstand, Prince of Mirkwood." Thunin told him. He put a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "No repayment is required or expected. What Kaitlyn did for me before death can never be repaid. It was born out of kindness and compassion for a being she knew not at all. I am eternally grateful to her. Friends need not repay debts. "
Legolas nodded. "I wish to thank you for protecting her when she ventures into Tirion."
"She has told you of the Elves that find disdain with mortals in their sacred city?" Thunin asked, surprised.
Legolas nodded and pushed back the pain and anger he felt about it. "Reluctantly, but she did."
"Dêl nin." (It disgusts me.) Elslyn admitted. "Hen u-athranna! They despise her simply because she is mortal. There has always been a divide between the elves in the city versus the woods but when the ring bearers, then Kaitlyn and Sam arrived and we took them in, that divide grew." (she has done no wrong! )
"We do our best to look after her, though we wish she lived closer to us." Thunin admitted. "I have always felt she was vulnerable living on her own. We have worried for her. Though I also understand why she prefers solitude. It must be difficult for her to live among people who are not her own. We are glad you are here so she will no longer be alone. Ger-bedi hen beria a mel." (She will have protection and love.)
Legolas looked between Thunin and Elslyn. He was amazed at the depth of love these two elves had for his mortal wife.
to be continued...