Lim Aear

Disclaimer: See Prologue.


italics: thoughts

[translations]


Chapter 8


Legolas was still sitting in his study, gazing at the fire in front of him. Burning. That’s what he felt like. Burning in his stomach, his heart, his mind, his soul… He covered his face with his hands. Why did he have to suffer so? She was just a human girl, nothing special for an elf Prince like him. Why did his heart beat faster at the thought of her? Why did his whole being feel as if on fire at the mere image of her? He needed to see her again, be close to her, hold her… He would never let her go again, even if that meant keeping her in Lim Aear by force.

He shook his head and got up. What am I thinking… He could never keep her there without her will. Elves did not do that. Though, he wasn’t sure anymore. Elves had to alter their beliefs and virtues in order to ensure their existence. He had killed mortals who had broken into Lim Aear. He suddenly felt a deep disgust for himself. Had he become a murderer? He knew he was no innocent. He was a warrior who had killed hundreds of Orcs and wild men. After all, he had been a member of the Fellowship. But now it was different. He smiled sadly at the memory of his dear friends Aragorn and Gimli. He missed them terribly. How would he love to hear their counsel now…

A knock on the door prevented him from questioning actions he had not given attention to before.

“Minno”, he said having his back towards the door. [Enter]

“My lord, you have visitors.” Adanoth’s voice was heard from behind. His speaking in the common tongue confused Legolas.

“I said I don’t want any vis…-”

He could not continue his sentence when he turned around and saw who was standing at the door with Adanoth. For a second he thought that his mind was playing a cruel game on him. But then again, an illusion would never be as beautiful as the woman before him.

Adanoth gently pushed Elaine forward sensing her discomfort and shyness and, bowing low, he left the room closing the door behind him, smiling satisfied. His work there was done.

Elaine could not move. The light from the fire burning in the fireplace created a halo around his golden hair and made his skin glow. Yes, that must be what an angel looks like. And what in the world was a mere girl like her doing in the same room with that gorgeous otherworldly being?

“Maybe I should go…” she said in a low voice and turned around to leave. Suddenly a strong hand caught her own and made her turn around.

“Please stay.”

She found herself inches away from him and looking in his eyes. His request was made so softly, that she could not bring herself to refuse. Truth be told, she did not want to leave. But the little voice in her mind kept reminding her that she did not belong with him.

Legolas could not believe that she was standing so close to him at last. He was still holding her hand, enjoying her warm touch. He noticed her cheeks were flushed, making her even sweeter in his eyes. His eyes were drawn to her lips. They were slightly parted, inviting him to taste them…

Elaine felt his other hand travel up her arm and draw her closer to him. The alarm in her mind set off and she looked away from him, taking a step back in order to distance herself. Legolas suddenly came out of his daze and looked away.

“My apologies. I did not mean to offend you, my lady,” he said lowering his gaze.

“It’s Elaine. And no offense was taken,” she replied smiling and Legolas sighed in relief.

She was suddenly feeling her confidence coming back. She realized the Prince was feeling as uncomfortable as she was, which she found encouraging, knowing he was immortal and must have been experienced with women. He led her in front of the fireplace and two velvet couches. She sat down carefully as if not to stain the couch and looked around. The room was more than beautiful. Earthy colors covered the furniture, which had elegant carvings, just like the ones she had seen on the rocky entrance. One of the walls was covered by books and the other had a very big portrait of someone who looked very much like the Prince. Elaine couldn’t say whether it was his father or his brother… or maybe his son, since the young-looking face could not betray its true age.

She noticed a shadow above her and looked up to see the Prince holding a glass of wine for her.

“Thank you.” She said and took the glass gently avoiding coming in contact with his hand, knowing it could cause another wave of dizziness to her senses. She could not fall in love with him. It’s just a game. A game, she kept reminding herself.

Legolas smiled and sat down at the other couch across her, keeping his distance to make up for his previous hastiness. That was why he decided he would not ask her yet. Although he was dying to find out why, he would not ask. Instead, he focused his attention somewhere else.

“It’s my father.” He said nodding towards the portrait on the wall, having noticed her looking at it. “King Thranduil of Mirkwood, or Eryn Lasgalen, as it was renamed.”

“Oh.”

She had no idea what he was talking about, but she loved the way he talked.

I will not ask her. Not yet. Not now. I will not…-

“Why did you come back?”

He couldn’t contain his curiosity anymore. He was so confused… She had run away after all, had she not?

“I… um…” A surprise. Adanoth made it clear. “I just wanted to see you.”

She bit her lip. It wasn’t exactly a lie. No, actually it was far from a lie. She did want to see him.

Legolas was taken aback by surprise. It surely was what he wanted to hear, but not what he had expected. The pain in his heart suddenly faded. So there was still hope.

“I am glad you came. I wished to see you too. We did not have the chance to talk last time.”

Elaine felt a big weight lift from her heart. So she hadn’t misunderstood him. She looked down at her clothes and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. She was not dressed properly to meet a Prince. And judging from the way the female elves she had seen on her way to the palace dressed and the looks she had received, she was probably considered an immoral woman.

“I have to apologize for my improper attire, I did not plan to visit you tonight, your Highness. I was out with my friends and…-“

“Legolas. My name is Legolas. And I have seen women dressed like this before. We are not totally alienated from the upper world, Elaine. I do not think you immoral.”

Her jaw dropped open. Exactly her thought.

“Do you people read minds too??”

Legolas laughed. She could not help but smile at the sound. It was so beautiful and natural.

“By no means, no! Only Lady Galadriel has this ability. I am a common elf!”

“A common elf? You are a Prince, your high…-“

“Legolas, Elaine. Legolas.”

“Legolas.”

She formed carefully the word and smiled. She loved the sound of it. Legolas’ heart stopped at the sound of his name coming from her lips.

“Does it mean anything?”

“All Elven names mean something. My name means ‘Greenleaf’.”

She couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“I am most certain you find it a funny name…” Legolas tried to sound hurt.

“No, no!” She managed to say while trying to suppress wild giggles.

She leaned forward and placed her hand on his arm, her laughter dying away. Legolas froze looking in her eyes.

“I think it’s a beautiful name.” She said and looked away, pulling back her hand, when she realized her action. Legolas stopped her and held her hand in his own.

“I remembered you.” He said, still looking in her eyes, making them settle their gaze back in his silvery-blue ones. “When I saw you at the beach that night.”

Elaine raised an eyebrow confused.

“I had seen you many times when you were a child. I had first noticed you then because you seemed to acknowledge our presence… but mostly because of your eyes. They reminded me of my beloved forest, the one I had to leave behind.” Elaine noticed the sadness in his eyes. “So when I saw you at the beach, I knew who you were. Such a beautiful woman you have become, Elaine.”

She felt the heat rise on her face and kept staring into the two blue oceans that were calling for her.

“I saw you…. your people. Late at night at the beach, when I was younger. But I thought that I was dreaming. That the old man was just crazy.”

It was Legolas’ turn to raise an eyebrow.

“Mithrandir?”

“I don’t know his name. I can barely remember him, it was so long ago…”

She was drowning in a silvery blue sea. He was drowning in a deep, green forest. Elaine realized she was leaning in towards him. He’s an elf, El. An elf. And you are not in love, she reminded herself and leaned back at the couch.

Legolas let her hand down. The moment had ended. He could not risk staying close to her for longer, or he would not be able to control himself. So much for the warrior’s discipline, he mused. Elaine realized she was still staring at him and dropped her gaze to the floor. Despite the uncomfortable moment, she had started feeling more at ease with him.

“Are you really immortal?”

Does forever truly exist? I believed in eternity once. I believed in eternal love. But it proved to be false. An empty promise of something that did not exist. My forever died. Can you please make me believe in it again?

That’s what she wanted to say. That’s what she never said.

Legolas nodded. He knew she would ask sooner or later. All mortals did. And he knew her next question even before she had even thought of it.

“It seems so weird to me…” Elaine shook her head. “Just how old are you?”

“I have seen some thousands of winters…” he sighed.

She looked at him wide-eyed.

“And I thought my childhood was long ago…”

Legolas laughed. “Indeed.”

“Do you remember your childhood?”

Legolas looked thoughtful for a minute, looking somewhere past her, as if searching for something. Suddenly he smiled.

“Yes… yes, of course. It was truly so long ago… even for an elf…”

He sighed as vivid memories of gold and green filled his mind and he began recounting them to Elaine.


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