Creature Comforts

Chapter 8

“In two I tell ya, in two. Like it’d been sliced by a beam
of sun light.” I chuckle quietly to myself as Pippin recounts the contests
events despite everyone having seen it for themselves. Legolas’ arrow had the
aim of precision only gifted to a small few. It quite literally spilt the
others arrows in half, like they were nothing more than kindling. Dinner has
been a celebration for the contest, and it’s participants. Legolas has taken
the praise of his talents all quietly, bearing the well wishes with thankful
smiles and countless handshakes. I can tell however that he is not comfortable
with the attention, just like he was never comfortable with any of us calling
him Prince Legolas Greenleaf. Music, laughter and dancing fills the halls and
the warm evening outside as Lorien celebrate with joyous enthusiasm. Still my
mind travels to the darker things of our continued journey at the fall of two
days time. Seeking air I move outa sma small-unoccupied balcony off the main
banquet hall and lean against the stone banister to stare out over the
twinkling lights of Lorien. It is a perfect night and it is hard to comprehend
that beyond the safety of the wood lies in our path only evil and death.


A presence behind me startles me somewhat from my thoughts and I turn expecting
to see one of the hobbits or Boromir, only I am surprised as Legolas comes to
stand next to me on the balcony. Hiding my curiosity at the elf’s willingness
to be alone with me I turn back and continue to look down upon Lorien. I find
myself glancing across at him at every possible moment; his features are
beautiful, from the delicately pointed ears to the high sculptured cheekbones
and thick luscious lips. Like times before I am drawn to his glowing aura and I
have to physically stop myself from reaching out to tuck a stray braid of
golden hair back behind his ear from where it has fallen into his face.

 

“It is beautiful isn’t it?” My breath catches most
unnaturally in my throat at his whispered words and I stop myself from replying
with ‘yes you are’ in favour of nodding silently instead. “If I close my eyes I
can almost imagine myself at home in Mirkwood.” I feel the meal I have just
consumed turn nauseously in my stomach as my insides flutter at seeing Legolas
close hies aes and inhale deeply. I can not believe I am having such a reaction
to him but I’m begining to think that I should listen to what my body is
telling me rather than what discourse requires of me. After a moment Legolas
sighs heavily and turns to face me and for the first time since telling me not
to speak to him, he lowers his head and deliberately avoids eye contact with
me. For the brief moment I stared into his blue eyes I saw a depth of fear that
has been absent even from the council meeting in Rivendell. It is hard to
comprehend the contradiction he portrays, such youthful bounty of beauty and
inexperience against his 1600-year existence and knowledge of things I could
never see or know about. Before I can say anything I realise I have been
staring at him for a long time and he moves uncomfortably away from me. “Frodo
is asking for you, he has retired to his chambers in some distress. Sam is with
him but seems little help, and asks for your immediate assistance.” With that
Legolas turns and hastily disappears back inside to the festivities. Pushing
all thoughts of Legolas from my mind I replace them with concerns for Frodo and
I turn hastily from the balcony and make my way towards the hobbits chambers on
the woodland floor below. Keeping the
fellowship in tact and the ring bearer safe is the up most important. I will
not fail Gandalf’s wish because of my internal personal questioning and
thoughts.

 

Wandering away from Frodo’s chambers I light my pipe in frustration. Frodo’s resilience
to the ring of evil is wearing thin and I only pray that he will make it to
Mordor before it claims his soul. The wood is now silent most elves asleep like
the hobbits I have just left. A short walk to the left I see a lantern lit path
running down the side of a babbling stream. It seems a likely place to find
solace and comfort with the sound of the water. Unconscious of where it might
lead I easily follow the path at a leisurely pace, taking in the nightly sounds
and sights as I work over past events in my mind. As I travel further along the
path elvish voices being to get louder amongst the woodland sounds around me.
Curiosity pushes me onward, and the closer I get the more the sounds become
decipherable as the drunken laur ofr of several elves. Drawing closer to the
source of the laughter I move a little off the track as not to be seen as the
path widens into a large, lantern lit, open lawn. There in a circlet sit twenty
odd elves, on intricately carved stone chairs. To my astonishment among the
dark haired elves sits welcomed a familiar fair-haired one. It looks to be a
regal affair, all of them wearing robes of reflective silver blue and each
drinking from silver chalices of a dark ruby red liquid. Legolas looks to be
thoroughly enjoying himself as they chatter together in the elder elvish
Legolas has used so frequently while we have been here in Lorien.

 

I go to move closer to see if I
can hear more of their conversation but am stopped mid step as I feel a
presence behind me. I curse myself for my nosiness, which has gotten me into so
much trouble before now. Biting my lip I stand in defeat from my crouched
position and turn to face my embarrassment and apologise. However the figure I
see before me is quite unexpected. Galadrial raises an eyebrow cautiously in my
direction before a small warming smile washes onto her face.

 

“You should not be here Estel, High Elves are particularly
severe in punishing those who dare to intrude on their privacy. Come, let me
walk with you to some place less intrusive.” I am speechless as the Lady
Galadrial links her arm gently with mine and leads me back down the path.

 

“I apologise I had no idea what lay down this path, I only
sought solitude with the sound of the stream.” I bow low looking for
forgiveness as we enter a small dell that is surrounded by fig trees. She nods
acceptingly and sits easily down upon a small stone bench at the side of the
stream and gestures for me to sit on the one opposite her. Unwilling to upset
her I do so immediately and avoid eye contact for fear she will read my
thoughts again. It is too late however as she picks out the source of my
distress which underlies my priority of the fellowship.

 

“The Prince of Mirkwood has learned a great many things
during his visits as a child to our realm, with his father. Haldir has taught
him those traditions forgotten by the new generation. He is at home here as he
is at Rivendell and is welcomed often to the gatherings of the elders.” I sigh
heavily and glance away from the lady to stare down at the silver bubbling of
the water. For a moment there is a silence before she begins to speak softly in
elvish to me. “Do not deny the possibilities of the heart Aragorn. The Valar
have but a determined path for us all and for us to be happy we must explore
all options that present themselves until we find the one that was meant for
us.” Nodding I tap out the remains of my pipe and slip it into my pocket before
rising from the stone bench having heard the ladies words. I bow and move to
leave but she catches my hand lightly in her own and draws my attention back to
her. “I have seen a great many things. Legolas has a future far beyond what he
sees for himself, as have you Elessar Telcontar.” I am baffled by the unfamiliar name that the lady addresses me with
but do not have time to question her as she bids me a good night and disappears
from view down the path. Sighing to myself I turn and head quietly back towards
my own chamber amongst the trees, weary and very much confused.

 

TBC……………………..