𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 river for a day before making landfall. Ellaria instantly made her way into the forest, gathering wood to make them a small fire, one that wouldn't attract the enemy. They would only keep it until they went to sleep. She came back out with her arms full, dropping them on the ground and organizing them before lighting a fire with flint and steel. She stared into the orange flame for a moment before walking away. She sat down, leaning her back against a tree and staring at the river. She turned her head when footsteps approached, a small smile pulling on her lips as Legolas sat down beside her, his bran new bow Galadriel had given him laying in his lap.

"Can I see it?" Ellaria asked, nodding to the weapon. He nodded and she reached forwards and grabbed it, weighing it in her hands. She examined the intricate details carved into the bow, testing the strength of the string. "It is a beautiful bow, one rightfully suited for the best archer in the land." She handed it back to him and he replaced it on his lap. "You never answered my question the other night."

Legolas furrowed his brows. "When?"

"When we were trying to figure out how to enter Moria." Ellaria softly said. "When I asked what had stopped you from visiting." She turned her head, leaning it against the tree and meeting his eyes. "I did miss you, you know. We used to be inseparable, visiting each other as often as possible. And then suddenly. . . suddenly the battle at the mountain happened and we haven't seen each other since. Where did you go?"

Legolas held her eyes, the moonlight making them a bit brighter, showcasing the sadness underneath. "To find myself," he finally answered. "You were right. All those years ago, you were right about me. I knew nothing but my fathers orders. I listened to him blindly. I hurt you. I should've listened to you." He reached out, grabbing her hand. Ellaria glanced down at their hands before meeting his eyes again. "You told me that when I finally opened my eyes and saw the truth to come find you. I found you and my eyes are clearer than they have ever been."

Ellaria swallowed, her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. She squeezed his hand and said, "I'm glad you did." She turned her gaze towards the river, forcing away her feelings that have been brewing since they'd met. "You should get some rest. I'll keep watch." When she felt him hesitate she turned to him and gave him a small smile. Finally, he nodded and stood, leaving his bow with her.

As the sun rose the next morning Ellaria, who had climbed into a tree for a better advantage, jumped down and began waking her companions. They climbed back onto the boats and continued their trek down the river. They were rowing for a long while, coming across two large statues. The Argonath. Two kings of old, holding out their hands as if to stop something from entering. They rowed between the two statues, continuing forwards until they reached a waterfall and pulled onto land once more.