The IRE of Winter

[ 11.2 ]

'You were so drunk last night, you almost fell. Lucky you, I had pity left and I decided to escort you myself,' he shook his head in disappointment.

'Legolas...'

'Do not call me my name in front of the King,' he stood straight and cast a thin smile. 'This way. The King is very impatient.'

I followed him quietly, my mind floated. I couldn't find a word to say. The strange feeling made my heart flutter again. So, it was nothing but a product of wine mixed with my fondness of him. I was so foolish. How could I be this stupid?!

'He will spend an hour everyday with you at the library. Be more obedient this time.'

'I will.'

We headed back to the palace and into the halls. 'The East wing is the King's place, his chamber and library. Armien will escort you to his library everyday,' he explained.

I didn't speak. My mind was still floating in fantasy of last night's events. How could he act like nothing happened? Perhaps nothing did. Or I am just holding on a terrible assumption? Little hope remained, I am hoping that at least some of it were real, the fluttering in my chest never ceased. Legolas paused at the middle of the hallway upon noticing my lack of focus.

'Are you listening?' He searched my eyes for answers.

'I-I am, my Lord.'

'Something disturbs you. Are you all right?'

'Why wouldn't I be?' I nodded.

He looked around as if he's about to tell me a little secret, and when noone was around, he inched himself closer. The feeling was familiar. 'What bothers you Safirah? Does your heart stops creating memories when your head cannot?'

I closed my eyes to try recall everything. Deep in my heart, I wanted to believe such fantasy, but it was clearly untrue. No. If it was untrue, then why does my heart throbs like this? The wine could have drowned my heart and mind --- and made me believe our kiss was real, how he gently held me in his arms and how he spoke sweet words of love, and I couldn't tell which was true. 'A heart never forgets,' I murmured.

'Good,' he grinned. 'Then surely you must have remembered how you displayed dignity so poorly last night. After emptying your stomach, you laid helpless on the floor and begged me to carry you to your bed. I hope this will clear all matters and you would stop recalling your lousy conduct.' And he turned his back and went on.

I stood for a moment while my heart was breaking into pieces, I've never been this embarrassed all my life. And I know now, the truth, that Legolas' heart is too hard to catch. The way he looked at me was different, so much coldness, the same gray eyes stared at me with nothing in it but pity and little compassion. Nevertheless, my fondness of him didn't change a little, and I hated myself for being so blind.

'Make haste, before the King loses his patience,' he cried.

We went up to the East wing and into the hallway. There are plenty of rooms in the East wing compared to the opposite side of the palace. Two Elven guards stood outside the tall door, Legolas spoke in his language and one of them opened the door. He gently pushed me inside with his hand at my back, forcing me to enter.

'What if the King doesn't want to teach me, will you send me back home? Or should I wait for Gandalf,' I whispered.

'Do not be afraid. This is troubled times and it is not a good idea to play around, but by my troth, I will ensure your safety. And besides, he would not waste his time seeing you if he won't.' His words flattered me, thoughtful and sincere. It simply made me like him even more.