NEW LEAF (Legolas FF) | ✔️

Chapter 19.2: Winter Chill

ELROHIR

I wanted her to stop. I wanted to just taker her out of here. Instead, I watch and listen, like the rest of them. My heart growing heavier with every word that is uttered from her lips.

I notice her fidget, her eyes glistening with tears. I hated it. I hated it so much and yet I cannot speak out.

"I was 17 when I had met my first ever friend. He was the son of one of my father's friends. I had met him when I was asked to feed the horses. He was there and well, I guess not being able to talk to anyone other than Bleon took a toll on me," she continued. I notice how she twists her fingers around her wrist. "And when he asked me for my name. I answered. Then everything was okay again. Until I turned 18 and...and..." She paused, unable to continue. I notice her expression darken before a dry chuckle escaped her lips and she shut her eyes tight. I shift uncomfortably and glance at everyone around me, wanting to know if they felt as uncomfortable as me.

"I was foolish," she shook her head a grim smile on her face. "I was ignorant. I was... Too trusting." Her voice broke and I took a step forward only to be held back by an arm. I glance and saw Raela beside me. She had managed to get in without notice.

Laralen closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "No one could hear me. And 'no' seemed to be 'go' for him." My hands turn to fists at my side as she began to cry quietly, the fear evident in her eyes. Her lips quivered as the movement of her fingers around her wrists seemed to turn aggressive and faster. She then turned to us, her eyes pleading. "I never meant to cause any trouble," she sobbed. "I just wanted to run away. Hoping that I would die in the forest," she laughed bitterly as she wiped the tears away from her eyes. I do not understand why no one was speaking, were they still trying to understand?

"I never meant for Bleon to follow me," she admitted quietly. "But he did and he was the reason why I had not died, because I had to save him. He had to live."

There was a long silence before her soft voice broke through again. "I do not wish for you to understand. I do not wish for anything but for you to allow me to leave and ask no further questions. I know, what I had done may seem improper but if Bleon wishes to go back to them I shall let him. I, for one, do not wish to go back for I will become nothing but property to a man who had... Used me." She turns to face my father, her eyes almost pleading. He gives a soft nod and I open my mouth to object and found myself unable to speak, again. I watch as Laralen leaves the room, her head down, her fingers still knotted around her wrist. Lyraesel stared after her for a moment before following her quietly.

"You will just let her go?" Raela asks beside me, her eyes burning. My father lets out a sigh before replacing Laralen of her position by the window.

"It was not the past I had expected to hear," he spoke after some length. "I had thought..." He stopped, a troubled look on his face before he shook his head slightly and waves his hand, dismissing us from the room. I leave first, glancing at Elladan's and Andriél's worried looks before heading out to the direction of the study. I noticed Erestor had stayed behind. I hear Raela follow me before I stop and turn to her.

"I do not wish for company," I tell her and she looked at me like I had struck her before bowing and storming off to another direction. I let out a tired sigh as I continued my walk. I entered my study and moved directly to my chair, sinking into it and hanging my neck backwards with my eyes closed. I hear the door creak open and I pry one eye open to see Elladan standing there with Andriél.

"Whatever you both have to say, I am not interested in listening to it. Not now-"

"Did you know about it?" Elladan proceeded to ask. By 'it' I knew he meant Laralen's past. I wish I did. I shook my head lightly, smiling bitterly at the thought.