"Where's Caun Legolas?" I asked the fifth guard, dressed in extravagant woodland armor just like all the other palace guards.

And just like the four before him, he didn't know. Of course.

"I know not of his location, hiril Lumornel." A year before, no one here—anywhere—knew my name. Now they all threw a 'lady' in front of it and treat me like they knew me all along.

I smiled nonetheless. "Thank you," I said with a nod of the head. Then silently huffed and tried not to stalk past the guard as I went outside.

The sun's cool warmth soaked into my cloth covered skin, searing my eyes as well. And although the weather was cool—on its way to warming up soon, I hope—I wanted to actually feel the sun's rays on my skin. But with those terrible scars lining my arms, my legs...

Tugging at my sleeves, I left the large pathway leading to the King's Halls. Green trees loomed ahead, protected by the King's connection with the surrounding forest. But my thoughts soon moved to a darker place; the evil closing in. How much longer would the elves of Mirkwood have before their home is overtaken?

I bit my lip, gazing at the trees that may not be green for much longer. But I'd do everything in my power to see this forest restored. To see Middle Earth restored.

Blinking, I gazed around to see that I had traveled deeper into the forest than I realized. Green became a canopy of living color, swaying and singing above. Squirrels chattered and jumped limb from limb, disturbing twittering birds. The very feel of the forest sunk into my bones.

I felt like an elf then. Like I was meant for nature—like nature was meant to be my home.

Yearning to take off my boots, my socks, just to feel the dirt underneath my feet and in between my toes, I almost did. But my feet... I didn't want to have to look at nail-less toes and scarred skin.

Saruman... he's mutilated me in ways more than just flesh.

Sighing, I continued, letting my calloused fingers run along tree bark. Once, a year ago, I would have done this with not-so-calloused flesh. I would've done it without thinking twice. But now it's a privilege, just to walk under the trees. I remembered being locked in a cell, far away from the sunlight or anything green. Then immediately pushed it away.

A rabbit came bounding by, grey as a campfire's ashes. The little creature of Yavanna stopped feet from me, gazing at my being with beady eyes. Its whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air. Then, it's focused was snapped upward, towards the treetops, and it hopped quickly away.

Gingerly, I glanced upward—to find Legolas quirking a brow, one leg swinging in the air.

I gasped, "there you are!"

"I've been looking for you!" I exclaimed as I started to ungracefully climb the tree he was perched in. I felt like a toddler on the tree-climbing skill level compared to Legolas, but I continued nonetheless.

Once perched on a thick limb near him, but slightly below, I said, "you ran off."

He shrugged. "Sometimes one has too," he said softly.

I frowned, it hadn't occurred to me that he might actually want to be alone. "You okay?"

"As okay as I can be. I'm still reeling from learning that my father is alive. Before, it felt like losing my mother all over again. Now, I'm home—with father alive and well and no crown upon my head. Being home again, after all that has happened; it's all so surreal."

I nodded, trying to understand. "Are the trees okay?"

Legolas pressed a hand against the tree, his eyes fluttered. "They are fighting. With the help of my Father, they are still pure."

We were silent for a while, absorbing the senses of nature.

"Your father spoke with me."

Legolas tensed. He didn't glance at me, but kept gazing out at the network of branches, leaves all tangled together in mottled colors filtering warm light.

"We ate breakfast, although he was the only one who ate..." I now felt bad, I hadn't even taken one bite of what was undoubtedly delicious food. "Anyways, we talked—"

I had to stop, to absorb what I had told Thranduil. What I told the King.

And Legolas, beautifully patient, waited for me to continue.

"He asked me to tell him my about my 'trials.' So, I told him—not in detail though. About Saruman and Sauron and the darkness. He helped get rid of one of my worries though."

I smiled, maybe the King wasn't so bad.

Legolas's eyebrows had risen a bit, a silent question.

"He helped me realize the darkness isn't a part of me."

"It never was," he responded simply. Then he shifted, as if sensing the building apprehension. "What else did Father say?"

"He's giving us reinforcements."

His mouth parted slightly, eyes alight with surprise. "What did you do?"

I cracked a smile and laughed. "Nothing! I actually think I was a bit rude."

"How many battalions and healers is he giving us? Did he say anything about food and supplies?" Legolas looked as if he were to jump up and start pacing—too bad we're high up in a tree.

"Uh—erm, no?"

He bit his tongue, thinking most likely about battle plans or the moving of a small army.

Suddenly, he made as if to get down from the tree. "I must speak to my father—"

"He gave us his blessing," I blurted. Not even a blush came forth.

Legolas froze, his face tightening. His hand gripped a dark branch hard. "Lumornel, I—"

"I want us both to be happy, okay? I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was such an idiot and refused to return the feelings I have for you. In these times of darkness... we could both use some light before the truly bad things happen."

My words stopped him. His wide blue eyes took me in, the breath stopping in his elven chest. His mouth opened, closed. He looked away, then back. An internal battle warring inside him.

I breathed deeply, hands already clammy. But I had stared into his blue, blue eyes as I had said the words that have been waiting to be said for a long time. It was such a relief to say it and not be interrupted.

And I helplessly tried catching his gaze, my own heart having stopped, overwhelmed with feelings. I had started this, now I couldn't get the words coming from me to stop. I reached forward and touched his leg, his gaze connected with mine. "You are my stars, Legolas. My hope, my joy. And I'm sorry it's taken this long for me to say it."

I broke our gaze, ashamed of myself. "I've put you through pain. I'm sorry. And if... if you don't want to forgive me, that's okay," I said, voice breaking.

"What are you saying," he breathed, his eyes never leaving mine as he held onto a branch.

"I'm returning the feelings you have for me. I accept your proclamation, and I hope you'll accept mine."

I bit my tongue, hoping that I wasn't too late, that he wouldn't still be angry with me.

"You mean it?"

His eyes were wide, hopeful. Almost puppyish.

I nodded, and for some strange reason, my eyes brimmed with tears and my hands shook.

Legolas breathed deeply, as if trying to control his emotions. Then he looked back to me, his eyes so very light.

"Does this mean I can finally court you?" He asked, hope on his face.

I laughed, glee ballooning inside. "Of course, hir vuin."

And he smiled, as wide and bright as ever. And I swear the forest grew brighter and happier at that grin.

*********

"No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly"

—J.R.R. Tolkien

I know the chapter was short but did the contents of it make up for it?

ArE yOu hApPy NoWwW?!?!

FINALLY, LUMORNEL TOLD HIM HER FEELINGS

AHH

Everything shall be good... for just a little while.

If you already haven't 'commented' your thoughts... go ahead and let me know what you're thinking...

Anything you're hoping to see unravel next?????

Novaer, mellyn
~awatin~