Of Futures Past (Legolas)

17

As Alana approached the Fellowship, who had gathered around a fire in comfortable silence, she hesitated, drinking in her relief at seeing them all safe and well. 

After some moments, she stepped into the light, smiling weakly at her companions.

"Alana!" Pippin exclaimed, grinning. "Have you come to join us then?"

Alana nodded, her smile growing genuine at the hobbit's excitement. She truly had grown fond of the charming, mischievous halfling, almost considering him to be a younger brother.

"Didn't think we'd see ya today, lass!" Gimli said, his smile visible despite his beard.

Legolas stood to meet her, offering his arm for support as he noticed her weight on only one leg. "Did you walk here by yourself? Why did you not get a maid to assist you?"

Alana linked her arm through his, grateful for the support. "It is healing well, do not worry. Thank you, though."

Legolas was unconvinced, but nodded regardless. 

"You came from the opposite direction today." Aragorn noted, eyeing the two elves with some amusement.

"I met with my grandparents, though I woke up past midday so we did not spend so much time together as we would have wished." The happy crinkly around Alana's eyes softened melancholily as she spoke, Legolas's eyes noticing her faraway gaze and slight puffiness of her eyes, almost invisible in the darkness, with a pang of worry.

Alana then moved to sit down next to Boromir, Legolas taking his place on her other side.

"I am very glad to be home, regardless." Alana added, her shoulders relaxing as she breathed in the fresh smell of the mallorn forest.

"Lothlorien is indeed beautiful." Boromir said, smiling at her. She returned the smile happily, her eyes crinkling once more.

"You like it then?"

"I do not see who could not." Aragorn sighed out, his hand, for the first time since Alana had known him, not resting on his sword handle. Alana's smile widened at the realization that all the members of her Fellowship seemed to be more relaxed than she had ever seen them, with the exception of Legolas, whose eyes remained just as focused as always, which made her unsettled, though she tampered it down. 

"I would be glad to show you around my home if any of you wish it." Alana said, a small spark of excitement in her eyes. Legolas's lips quirked and the hardness of his eyes melted at the sight, something which Aragorn chuckled at.

"Well, that stern-looking elf already showed us around a bit when we first got here so you don't have to." Pippin piped in, shrugging his shoulders.

Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli all stared at him disapprovingly while the little spark that had been in Alana's eyes faded a little. Merry elbowed his friend in the ribs, whispering to him harshly.

"Pippin, you idiot!" Merry hissed.

Alana chuckled a little. "You do not need to humour me. No need to scold him."

"I'm sure we would still enjoy seeing more of the Golden Wood. I certainly would." Legolas said gently, his eyes soft as Alana smiled, turning her head downwards to hide the flush in her cheeks that was hidden in the firelight.

After that, there was little conversation, though Legolas's soft gaze and Alana's shy, somewhat flustered smile remained as she snuck glances at the elf, easily noticed by the two men who exchanged amused glances and Gimli who rolled his eyes, not yet entirely approving of Legolas as Alana's suitor. 

The hobbits were the first to turn in, yawning loudly then settling themselves for the night. Alana was the next to grow tired, leaning gradually more into Legolas's side.

"Alana." Legolas said in a quiet voice. "You should rest. I will accompany you to the healers."

Alana opened her mouth to protest, but the warm firmness in his eyes quieted her. The two men and Gimli all said their goodnights as Legolas helped her up, offering his arm once again.

Once they were out of hearing range of the others, Alana looked to Legolas, remembering his lack of relaxation earlier.

"Does something bother you, Legolas? You seemed tense earlier." Alana commented, looking at him worriedly.

"What is it that you discussed with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn?" Legolas asked, suddenly making full eye contact with her.

Alana's heart dropped. "Why do you ask?" Her voice wavered.

Legolas sighed. "You were crying earlier. The others couldn't tell in the darkness, but I saw your tear stains and puffy eyes."

Alana tightened her arm around Legolas's, her eyes turning towards the ground. "It was not a happy reunion. The future is no bright subject these days."

"What is it that you cry for in the future?" Legolas asked, his free hand turning her face towards him.

"The Fellowship. The world. You... Myself." Alana looked down. "Should the Fellowship fail, I will not have the luxury of death."

Legolas's brows crinkled, his hand guiding her to face him again. "What do you mean by that?"

Alana smiled shakily, only pain present in her eyes. "Sauron means to keep me as a slave. I will watch you all die then spend eternity chained in Barad-dur being used for both my gifts and my body." Legolas's expression fell to horror. "Do not worry, I have faith in the Fellowship. I have seen many visions of a beautiful future as well. The darker ones are just hard to ignore."

Legolas's hand caressed her cheek gently and she leaned into his touch, marvelling at the depths of the emotions his eyes held for her. "I will not let that happen, Alana. They will not touch you, I promise."

Though she knew he could promise no such thing, Alana found herself believing him and the set conviction in his face. Alana let her good arm unwrap from his and slid her hand to meet his own, linking their fingers together. As Legolas's eyes widened, Alan felt her cheeks burn, wondering how even in such a somber conversation she was flustered, but the warmth of his hand was nice, and his own cheeks were pink as her thumb stroked the back of his hand gently. "Thank you, Legolas." 

"I mean it, Alana."

After having seen the determination in his face, Alana felt nothing would be able to deter him from his promise. "I know."

For a long moment, they did not move, the eye contact bringing more heat to Alana's cheeks until she turned away embarrassedly. "The healers will be wondering where I am."

"Of course."

As they walked, Alana kept her hand interlocked with Legolas's instead of holding his arm, though it meant she had to lean on him more to take the pressure off her bad leg. Neither of them minded at all.

When they reached Alana's temporary room at the healing wing of Caras Galadhon, they begrudgingly unlinked their hands.

Alana smiled widely at Legolas, her fear dissipated in the moment. "Goodnight, Legolas. Thank you."

Legolas returned the smile adoringly, tucking a piece of hair behind Alana's ear. "Goodnight, meleth nin." Barely catching Alana's shocked expression, he turned and left as the healers rushed over and ushered her into bed.

"Are you alright, Princess?" One of the healers asked, checking her forehead worriedly.

Alana tried—and failed—to shake away her dazed expression. "I..." Alana shook her head abruptly again, managing to focus herself enough to say. "I'm alright. Just tired."

Meleth nin... He called me his love.