𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝CHAPTER TWENTY❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐖𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐖 him, she went running. She scurried through the castle, looking everywhere for her sister. When Arwen finally found Ellaria, she was in the midst of talking to one of the maids, a soft smile on her face. Ellaria glanced in her direction, dismissing the maid and turning to her sister. Arwen ran up to her, a wide smile blooming on her face as she grasped her sisters arms. Ellaria frowned. "Arwen, what is the matter? Why are you running so swiftly?"

     "He is here." Arwen breathed, excitement dancing in her eyes.

     Ellaria rose a brow. "Who?"

      "Come. You must see for yourself." She took Ellaria's hand and began dragging her through the halls.

     "Arwen!" Ellaria tried to stop her, but her sister was persistent. "If this is about your love, I already know of his arrival."

     Arwen's smile grew mischievous. "Not mine." She finally slowed to a stop, pulling her sister to her side. "Fate has given you a second chance, sister. Should you not take it while you can?" Ellaria stared at her and Arwen nodded her head to the side.

     Ellaria followed her sisters gaze and her breath got caught in her throat. There he was, standing there in all his glory, her best friend, her true desire. The elf whom she's loved for centuries. "Legolas." She whispered his name, letting it carry along the gentle breeze and into his ears. He turned his head away from his companion, his striking blue eyes meeting her soft brown ones. Arwen gently nudged her forwards and Ellaria shook her head. "Arwen, I am not ready."

     "But you are." Arwen assured. She turned to her sister, grabbing her hand, making Ellaria break eye contact with Legolas. "Why do you not have it in you to find your happiness? What are you so afraid of?"

     The question echoed in her head. What was she afraid of? Ellaria swallowed, glancing at Legolas one more time before softly whispering, "Everything." She pulled away from her sisters grasp, turning and walking back into the castle.

     Arwen frowned, quickly following after her. "Ellaria." She quickened her pace to catch up with her sisters long strides. "Do not turn away from this."

     Ellaria shook her head and kept walking. "I do not understand how many times I must say this to you for you to understand. Legolas and I are simply friends, it has never been and ever will be anything more."

     Arwen scoffed. "As if! Do you ignore the way he looks at you? The way his gaze turned to immediately find yours? Did you not see the smile on his lips when he spotted you standing there? By the Starlight, if you two are just friends, what are Aragorn and I?"

     "Fools." Ellaria hissed. "You are fools."

     Arwen stopped but her sister continued forwards. "Love is not foolish." Ellaria slowed, coming to a standstill. "It is wonderful. It's like taking a breath of fresh air and truly seeing the world for the first time. You've always believed this. What has made your heart turn so cold?"