The IRE of Winter

[ 15.2 ]

Miraak needs me as much as I need it. After a while, I found the old tree where I left my stuff. I slipped into my rider clothes and put on the dragon helm. It didn't take long and Miraak found me again. We flew westward this time, down the lush valleys and just over the tree-tops and isolated marshes near the foot of the Misty Mountains. We drifted up the clouds and then let the wind carry us South, through a highway up the sky, where the wind was hurling louder and stronger. And just before dusk, Miraak sent me back.

My body was tired after the mad run, Armien told me Legolas came looking for me earlier, and she told him I was still outside. After supper, I spent most of the night enduring the pain on my lower back, Armien gave me something to ease the pain after hearing my grunts. The medicine was effective indeed, the pain vanished first thing in the morning. My lifted spirit was so eager for another run, I jogged towards the West gate right after Armien left to fetch the other girls.

Outside, the air was cold, the mist was knee high and the river ran in raging current. I scooped a deep breath then begun with a trottle, then I gambolled down the same path. It felt much easier the second time around.

I decided to go back when I felt the heat of the sun on my skin, Armien must be wondering now. Inside, I head down to the kitchen and found all the girls busy preparing food and filling up bottles of wine. Suddenly, the king's steward came to tell the King has summoned me.

After washing myself, I went to the King's library, but found Legolas waiting instead.

'Mela en'coiamin, you've been out practicing a lot since yesterday. Are you all right!' Legolas motioned towards me, he was wearing his ranger garb, armed with his bow and long knives. 'Armien told me you were in pain last night, I came to see you this morning but you were gone.'

Silence fell for a moment as we stared at each other. His eyes gleamed in the beam of sunlight slanting through the ceiling.

'You're leaving?' I dared to ask. My eyes suddenly felt heavy, I am worried of him. 'Please, tell me you're not leaving for battle.' He narrowed his eyes as if he was annoyed, then he gave me playful smirk.

'Indeed, Safirah, I will be gone for another mission. The King is sending a small troop to aid the Dale but I will be heading North. Orcs are growing in numbers these past few months and I need to see it myself. I will be away for a week the least, I think you will miss me terribly.'

'No...I - I just don't know what to say...,' I stammered. 'Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why do you have go? I mean there must be someone else who could scout better than you, why do you ha----' Legolas inched himself closer, smiling. My cheeks were burning, it was obvious that I was overreacting. 'My Lord,' I whispered, 'please be safe.' And I dropped my eyes feeling ashamed.

'Study more while I'm gone, I expect you'd be speaking elf-tongue by then; and do not linger far too long outside of the gates. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'.'

I stared at him, wondering what he just told me. His gray eyes were not as cold as before, his friendly side is much warmer.

'I shall,' I forced a thin smile, 'then I wouldn't have this feeling of being insulted whenever you talk to me in elvish.' I searched for answers in his eyes but he didn't speak. He stood inches away from me, staring into my very soul. His stare was so bizarre that the time stood still and quiet, and my heart pounded in distress.

I wanted his embrace, expecting sweet words of reassurance from his lips and a warm touch from his hands.

There came none, except for a timid smile. He leaned over me, his eyes was filled with joy. I don't understand, he seemed so calm and happy to leave me behind. Perhaps he noticed my anxiousness. He inched closer and closer until his face was just a few inches away from mine...until..

'Legolas, there you are,' the King stepped inside. 'I was beginning to think you left without telling your father goodbye. What is the girl doing in my library?.'

Legolas straigthened up, we were both startled. He cleared his throat and snapped back to his usual hard-eyed look. 'I was waiting for you, Adar.'

They spoke in elf-tongue and I felt that it was time to leave and so I motioned towards the door. The King glanced at me then turned to his son to speak some more. I waited outside the library, thinking what I should tell Legolas when he passes by.

It didn't take long and the prince walked out the door and told me the King was waiting for me inside.

My heart sank in grief as I watched him walk down the stairs and out the door.  I wanted to chase him , tell him how he made me feel miserable and worried, but I just can't. I am nothing but a friend to him, and a friend I shall be.

As usual, I told the king about my sightings in Lake-town and he never doubted for once. He thought I was really vaurging into a raven, he had no idea. The king dismissed me after an hour and I head back to the servant's chamber where I spent the rest of the day lying in bed in gloom.

For some reason, I felt weak, I was lazy enough to move a muscle. That night, I sneaked out of the servant's chamber to meet Miraak at our usual meeting spot, and we flew North to spy on Dale and Lake-town.

Nothing seemed unusual since the last time I came. I went back before midnight and I sauntered down the hallways and into my room. The time seemed so slow without seeing Legolas, I suddenly missed his arrogant smile, his cold stare and his unintentional rudeness, although I hated him for insulting me at times.

My growing fondness of him has turned into a torment, deep and agonizing. The following day was no different, only worse. I spent the whole day helping Armien in the cellar, I didn't struggle to keep myself busy, work was never ending to a servant.

Continue to part 3...

Trivia

William, Bert and Tom, the three trolls who almost cooked Bilbo and his friends near Trollshaws. Vaurgs are vulnerable when vaurging (pronounced as "varg"), when Safirah enters another being, she loses control of her own body and eventually become very weak when she returns; that is why Gandalf asked Legolas to look after Safirah, she needed protection. But with the dragon, Safirah was not controlling Miraak; the dragon was blind and he was using Safirah to gain sight. Well, I won't tell it all. There's a chapter that will reveal it all. 🙂

If you have pressing questions, now is the time to ask. And don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter. -Haz