A Rose By Any Other Name

A.N.: Yes, there is once again a song in this chapter. It’s yet another one by Mariah Carey… but I couldn’t find a better song to express what she was feeling and I think this one does so perfectly. And now, time once again for the thanks! Forgive me also if I happen to skip you if you reviewed for the last chapter… I lost track of who reviewed for what, but the thanks are extended to everyone nonetheless! ^^

Idril: lol. I’ve had that happen to me a few times. I’ll loose track of a site or fic, then when I find it again, BOOM! There’s a shit-load more chapters! I’m glad you enjoyed it so much! As for the question about the “welcome home” from Galadriel… don’t you just love foreshadowing? If I told you what it meant now, it would ruin a plot twist! So you’ll just have to wait and see!

AzureDragoness: Thank you for trying to attack my carpel tunnel. Unfortunately, I think it just stuck its tongue out at you. Lol. Anyway, thank you again for reviewing. I hope to be quicker with the next chapter, but there are no guarantees. Much luvs and keep reading!

Crystalnia: LOL! I love your humor! It made me laugh. Thank you also for the c&c. Yeah, I know I mix words like that. It’s hard to catch it when the spell and grammar check don’t. Also thank you so much for the compliments! I’ve never read and of Jane Austin’s works that I know of, but I’ve heard of her at least. What more can I say also besides, WOW! And making it your homepage too! If that isn’t flattery… I don’t know what is! Thank you very much! I’m so happy that I could make a difference in your life as well. Also… I happen to love pickles… in fact… I have one stuck in my mouth right now while typing this. I don’t know what else to say really. You have left me quite speechless. Thank you again for reviewing and for all the wonderful things you’ve said as well. I’ll take them to heart the next time I feel down.

squeaks: Thank you. You’ve given me something else to think on with that poem. I also know what it’s like having to say goodbye to friends when you move, or they move as is mostly the case with me. That and when they die, which is a case that I am unfortunately not a stranger to either. I also will never stop being creative like this as long as I have to calling to do so. Thank you very much.

loveroflegolas: There ya go babe! Nice and updated!

jw: Ascadholiel??? Pregnant??? Where would you get that idea? *looks away innocently* I have no idea what you’re talking about…. *ahem* *giggles* Anyway… Haldir… yeah… he’s an ass alright. I think I’m going to have him be one for just a bit longer. As for my comment that you’re one of the one’s who this story is still going for, thanks aren’t needed for a comment that speaks of truth. Thank you again.

Well, here’s the next chapter! Oh, and if you thought the angst in the last one was bad, grab your tissues loves. Legolas is leaving in this one. Much luvs and keep reviewing ne!? Enjoy!

~~~A Rose By Any Other Name~~~
Chapter Nineteen

Ascadholiel’s return to consciousness was slow. The first thing she was really aware of was a light thumping in her right ear. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw sun-kissed blonde hair laying over her hand, which was curled up by her face on the flat, smooth planes of a certain elf’s chest. She smiled again and sighed, happy just to take a few minuets feeling and watching her bonded’s even breathing. Her fingers played with some of the blonde strands. She smiled again as his hand came up and laid over hers.

Ascadholiel knew then that he had indeed been awake before her, not realizing that he had not gone back into reverie the night before after her song. She lilted her head back and met his loving blue eyes as he looked at her.

Legolas’ one arm was still curled around her, his other hand, which had come up before to cover hers, now came up further, brushing her bangs out of her face. His voice was soft and steady. “Good morning melamin.”

Ascadholiel smiled back. “Good morning my darling. Did you sleep well?”

Legolas smiled a little. “I am well rested, hervess nin.”

Ascadholiel pushed herself up and stretched out over him. “Good.” She whispered and lowered her head, kissing him smoothly as early dawn light crept sluggishly over the floor.

The two made blissful passionate love again, then finally rose around midmorning. They decided to head down and have a late breakfast with the hobbits. Once again, Legolas asked the dwarf to accompany afterwards.

This time though, Ascadholiel, dressed in a gown of pale burgundy silk, her hair done up as before, this time by Legolas, went with them, basking in their growing friendship and the wonders of the woods around them. Then later on that night, Legolas and Ascadholiel would climb one of the many trees and simply sit next to one another, eyes closed, listening deeply to the sounds of the living woods around them.

This became a pattern over many of the days. Most of the days though, it would just be the two lovers, sharing their time together, laughing and playing, and making passionate love. Though they would still go out and commune with nature.

Eventually, Ascadholiel’s wounds healed. Legolas took her to the healer’s talan and sat beside her, holding her hand as if she needed the support as the sutures were removed. Needed was it not, though appreciated. She simply talked animatedly with the healer, not flinching at all. This was yet another testament to what she had had to suffer through in her life, as sutures usually stung just a little as they were removed.

Later that same night, after they retired and after they had yet again made mind-blowing love, Legolas was again watching his wife sleep. The sheet was up to her waist and the moonlight bathed her partially nude form in its silver glory. The scars from the wounds she had received in Moria seemed all the more clear to the beautiful elf who had taken this mortal for his wife.

Legolas sighed and slipped out of the bed, not waking her in the slightest, his form moving more gracefully than a cat and glowing not just a little faintly in the ethereal light. He donned a pair of silken sleeping pants and a light tunic. He walked silently back to his bonded’s side and gently pulled the sheets up to her shoulders to ward off the chill. He smiled and ran a light finger over the upturned palm of her right hand, which was curled up next to her head on the pillow, and smiled a little wider when it twitched slightly. He leaned down, his unbound hair falling about his face and placed a loving kiss to her brow.

With that, the elven prince turned again and silently slipped out of the talan and onto the walkway outside shutting the door behind him with little more than a click. He stepped forward a few steps to ornately carved railing and leaned on it, resting his weight on his elbows.

Legolas watched the activity of his kin around him with the keen eyes of an elf. Yet even as his vibrant blue eyes looked they seemed only to fill with more troubled sorrow. A breeze blew through the mellorn and tossed the silken strands of his blonde hair across his fair face. Still he did not seem to notice. So deep in his own trouble thoughts was he that it took him a few minutes to even realize that some was leaning on the railing next to him.

Legolas started for a moment, then caught himself and turned his head to face the man beside him. “Aragorn.” He turned his eyes back out to the forest then. “*I was not aware that you were there.*”

Aragorn nodded and smiled a smile that did not reach his steel-grey eyes. “*So I noticed.*” He said, speaking in elvish as well.

They were silent for a moment and when Legolas did not respond further and seemed to sink easily back into his thoughts, Aragorn spoke again. “*What troubles your elven heart so, that you would steal away from your beloved’s side in the night to think upon it?*”

Legolas sighed but did not turn his gaze to Aragorn again, his melodic voice as troubled and sorrowful as his face. “*Tis the very thought of being from my beloved’s side that take me from it now.*”

Now the elf did look at the ranger and his eyes glistened suspiciously as he went on. “*She has suffered so much. I vowed that I would never hurt her. A song which she sang from her heart but a few nights ago, showed me, that were I to leave with the fellowship from this place, as planned, I might not just hurt her, I might well crush her very soul, and with it, my own. She says she wants me to finish the quest. Aragorn, I have not the heart to leave her, nor the will to bring her.*”

Legolas looked back out over the forest again, the torture clear in ever bit of him. “*I wish with all my strength to stay with her. What’s more, is I know I would receive no blame ore betrayal from doing so… save that which I would see coloring her eyes. I do not know what I should do. In my long life I have never been so torn and unsure. I am at a loss.*”

Aragorn sighed and nodded. “*I know your pain my friend. What advise I could give you, you already know. Follow your heart and what it knows to be right and it will not lead you astray.*”

Legolas nodded and was silent. They stood for a time again in silent company, simply watching life in Lothlorien, and enjoying each other’s presence. Legolas finally spoke, this time a true, if not tiny, smile gracing his lips. “*You are right Aragorn. I will go on with the fellowship when it is time. Ascadholiel is my heart, and she wishes me to fulfill my vow to Frodo and the fellowship. This is what I shall do. Then when the ring is destroyed, I shall return to her. Yes, you are right. She will not lead me astray.*”

Aragorn clapped his long-time friend on the shoulder lightly. “*Glad I am to hear it friend. Go back now to your wife.*”

Legolas smiled now and nodded, heading back into the talan he shared with his bonded. As soon as the door shut with a quiet click, Aragorn whispered, so not even an elf could hear. “Worry not Lady Asca. I will make sure he comes back to you. I pledge my life to it.”

*****

More days went by with much singing and company of elves and much lovemaking, good company of the friends in the fellowship and many tender moments for the couple. Finally though, the time that Ascadholiel had been dreading arrived.

The night before the fellowship was to leave, Ascadholiel and Legolas spent by a starlit pond on the borders of Caras Galadhon, just the two of them. It had become a special place for them. No one else ever seemed to go there and it was well hidden and not well known. Ascadholiel tried not to let it show how upset she was, but being married to an elf, it was impossible to hide such an emotion.

The two of them spent the whole night up, until the sun started to rise when she finally drifted to sleep for a few hours. Once she woke, once again in their talan where Legolas had carried her after she fell asleep, they rose and bathed.

Ascadholiel took this time to wash her husband’s body, memorizing every little line and curve. After that she helped him dress in his normal traveling clothes, which she had not seen him in since they had arrived in the woods after fleeing from Moria. As Ascadholiel sat in front of the mirror, watching Legolas braid her hair with deft fingers, her resolve broke and she started sobbing softly, not able to meet his eyes in the mirror.

Legolas finished his task swiftly and turned her around, kneeling in front of her chair and touching her, whispering words of comfort and promises to come back.

Everything was so clear to her right then and she knew it would be emblazoned in her minds eye for. Th. The sight of her most beloved on his knees; the different shades of green in the clothing which clad his slim, toned, elven body; the fall of his golden hair and the tiny braids which marked him as a warrior trailing behind his delicately pointed ears; the deep lightning blue of his eyes under the arched brows and smooth forehead; the curve of his lips; the touch of his strong archer’s hands; the gentle melody of his steady voice; all of it was etched forever in her mind.

Finally, they were ready, and Legolas escorted his lady one last time down the paths and stairs, to where the rest of the fellowship waited. Ascadholiel was clothed in a draping gown of pale and deep reds and purples and could barely dredge up smiles as the rest of the company greeted her.

Ascadholiel stood back, and now could not help but smile fondly at the look on Legolas’ face when he was gifted with a bow of the Galadhrim. “You look like a child on his birthday receiving the toy he’s always wanted, but never thought he would get.”

Legolas smiled and leaned over, kissing her soundly. “It is expertly crafted and shall serve me well.”

Ascadholiel smiled and nodded, running a hand lightly along the bow stave. It was indeed beautiful. Legolas even showed her how to string and draw it. He let her try, instructing her as she did so. She couldn’t even come close to bending it, let alone bend it enough to slip the loop of the string over the end. This showed again just how strong and how much of an archer Legolas was, and she marveled again at her husband.

The human princess of the elven realm of Mirkwood stood and watched as boats were loaded for the fellowship. Her eyes hardly ever left Legolas, but she talked some with Merry and Pippin and laughed as they discovered some sort of traveling bread, knowing that hobbits were forever hungry. She watched as Legolas started piling some pack of more of the bread into the boats. He pulled out a small wafer and looked at the three of them with something akin to wonder or joy in his eyes.

Ascadholiel fought not to laugh a little since it sounded like he was doing a commercial for the stuff. “Lembas. Elvish way-bread.” He took a small nibble on the corner. “One bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.” The three of them smiled and nodded their heads like this was the first they had seen of the stuff.

After Legolas walked away again to do more, Ascadholiel looked back over at her small friends as Merry scooted a little closer to Pippin.

Merry asked quietly, “How many did you eat?”

Pippin answered quietly and matter-of-factly, “Four.” Then he let out a little gas and looked utterly relived and pleased with himself.

Ascadholiel and Merry, who was picking his teeth, turned their heads to look at him as he was oblivious to their scrutiny, and then burst out laughing. Yes, this was something else Ascadholiel was going to miss.

Ascadholiel climbed back out of the boat where the three of them had been sitting to stay out of the way and went to stand and talk with Boromir a little as he too helped pack and load things. She saw Aragorn and Celeborn walk away, speaking seriously. She spoke with him of light things mostly, pleased just to put off the thought of them leaving for just a little longer. It helped as well, but finally, it was time to go.

Legolas and Ascadholiel stood by the boats, their foreheads touching. Tears now streamed once again down the woman’s face. Legolas spoke softly but seriously, his voice nearly choked with all the love he put into it. “Ascadholiel, I love you. I will come back to you. Wait for me. I’ll make you proud.”

Ascadholiel tiled her face up and kissed him passiely ely and full of desperate need and love. “You already do make me proud my love, in everything you do and are, and you always will no matter what. I will wait for you forever. Be safe my love. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au', nin bellas. Aa’ menealle pilind ville anwa ar menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle hervenn nin, nin melda cundu.” (My heart shall weep until it sees thee again, my strength. My your arrows fly true and thy paths be green and the breeze on thy back my husband, my beloved prince.)

Legolas looked near tears as well, if that is quite possible for an elf, and kissed his wife again before pulling back a little. As everyone watched, the elf prince braided a small lock of his hair, hidden underneath the loose part, and bound both ends. He then took one of his long white daggers from the sheath on his back behind his quiver, and sheered the small braid from his head. He pressed the plait into Ascadholiel’s small hand and closed her fingers around it, kissing her knuckles then. “So I will always be near, and you will always have a part of me to touch, though you will always have my heart as well.”

Ascadholiel let out a little sob as she looked at the silken blonde locks in the hand that was wrapped in his, and reached back for a lock of her own hair, tears still pouring down her flushed cheeks.

Legolas gently, but swiftly grabbed her hand and stopped her. His voice was quiet still and full of love, with not just a hint of sorrow threading through it. “No. I have this melme.” He held up his hand with her ring on it, the only piece of jewelry he wore. “This is enough for me. This and the knowledge that you are safe and well, and that we share a love that will outlast all the ages of this earth.”

Ascadholiel nodded and then threw herself into his arms, sobbing outright.

Legolas held her tightly, his face buried in her hair as he caressed her back and comforted her, his own pain obvious in his face. She had finally settled down a little when Legolas kissed her passionately, a kiss to be remembered, then he pulled away and climbed gracefully into the boat behind Gimli, who was now well on his way to being a good friend.

Galadriel, dressed in her customary white, a shining white cloak on, the hood partially covering her golden hair, came and stood next to Ascadholiel as the boats slowly pulled away from the shore.

Ascadholiel watched and raised her voice once again in a song that touched the hearts of all who heard it. Not because her voice was perfect or anything special to hear, but because of the truth and feeling that was overflowing from the meaning. It filled all of their hearts with a bit of sadness, but also hope and love, and effected none more than Legolas himself.

”When you love someone so deeply
They become your life
It's easy to succumb to overwhelming fears
inside
Blindly I imagined I could
Keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands
And watch you rise

”Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly

”I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies
You have given me the courage
To be all that I can
And I truly feel your heart will
Lead you back to me when you're
Ready to land

’Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly”

Her voice crescendoed and even cracked a little with the tears that were coming close to choking her. She sang every word from her heart and soul and meant it to the fullest extent.

”I can't pretend these tears
Aren't over flowing steadily
I can't prevent this hurt from
Almost overtaking me
But I will stand and say goodbye
For you'll never be mine
Until you know the way
it feels to fly

”Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun
If you should return to me
We truly were meant to be
So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly

The strength in her voice seemed to fail her then, though all could still hear her, including Legolas in the boats.

”So flutter through the sky
Butterfly
Spread your wings and fly
Butterfly”

The song dropped off and they watched until the boats were well out of site. With that, Ascadholiel would have collapsed if it were not for Galadriel taking her into her arms to give her comfort.

The Lady of the Golden Woods hushed her sobbing gently. “Calm yourself now child. All will be well. Take heart. You know Legolas is a skilled warrior.”

Ascadholiel nodded and sniffled a little, finally straitening up.

Galadriel’s soft hand gently dried the tears from the human’s cheek as the lady smiled down at her. “There now. Tonight Princess, I think you will dine with Lord Celeborn and I. For now though, I think you should rest some. This has been a trying ordeal for you and some sleep would do you well.” Then she took the young human’s hand and led her away, back towards the city.

**********

A.N.: Yatta! Yet another chapter out now! And finally too ne? That you all for being so patient. I know it’s slow going now between chapters, but I hope it’s worth the wait. As far as the feedback is going, it appears so. Thank you again so much! I’m truly grateful for it. Next chapter hopefully will be out soon, so keep reading ne?! Namarie!

~Celesta Hellewise Harman