TALE OF LEGOLAS AND RAENASLEE (LOTR STORY)

THE DEPARTURE

CHAPTER 12

THE DEPARTURE

“She didn't need to understand the meaning of life; it was enough to find someone who did, and then fall asleep in his arms and sleep as a child sleeps, knowing that someone stronger than you is protecting you from all evil and all danger” 
― Paulo Coelho, Brida

 

The next morning, the fellowship awoke early and found Legolas sleeping on Raenaslee’s chest. Seeing the scene, they started to chuckle softly causing the Elflove to wake up.

“Good morning, Raenaslee, my dear.” Aragorn said grinning.

“I hope you have nice dreams.” Frodo said sarcastically.

“Nice elf you got there by the way.” Gimli said looking at Legolas.

Raenaslee looked down and saw Legolas sleeping peacefully on her breast. She tried to wake him up but all the latter said was, “I want to sleep on here. I like this pillow.” And with this the fellowship began to laugh harder that Legolas jumped off fully awake.

“What are you doing?” he asked the others as Aragorn replied, “Nothing, we’re just going to wake you up. But we found you both still asleep. I guess you both have a wonderful time last night.”

“Oh just stop it!” the two elves complained.

Before the departure of the fellowship, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel gave each of them cloaks, fastened around them with green, silver-veined leaf-brooches.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn stated. They also gave them each some gifts and lembas bread.

"Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Legolas told the hobbits as he nibbled it upon seeing their confused look. He then walked up onto shore, leaving the Hobbits by themselves.

The light of early morning set the leaves of the trees along the shore on fire with a blazing yellow. The sunlight streamed through the trees, but beneath their great trunks the land was yet dark, cast in blue. The swan-ship of Galadriel sailed by. They rowed through the river, past the Elves onshore. The sun was reaching its rosy fingers over the hills, Caras Galadhon rose far away, in the mists. Voices sung with the rising dawn:

Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrien,
Yéni úntimë ve rámar aldaron!
yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni…
(Alas! Like gold fall the leaves in the wind,
long years numberless as the wings of the trees!
The long years have passed like swift draughts
of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
beneath the vaults of Varda wherein the stars
tremble in the song of her voice…)

The fellowship remembered what had happened before they loaded the boats.


"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Galadriel said handing him a beautiful bow. Legolas stretched the bow, testing it in awe. Galadriel smiled, turning to Merry and Pippin.

"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." She then told the two hobbits, whom smiled happily.