Building Ithilien [Legolas] LOTR

In the Garden

Author's note: Legolas goes to one of Galadriel's gardens to meet Miredhel. This garden, however, does not contain Galadriel's mirror. That particular garden was on the southern side of the hill.

A quiet ring of mallorn trees held the promise of Galadriel's garden. For countless generations of men, this garden had kept faith with the Golden Wood while the saplings grew solid and reached towards the firmament. An arch of latticework woven of many vines chased the edges of the trees, promising solitude. Many a skilled hand had labored there, nurturing the green and living. Many a love's promise had been murmured on the marvelous benches of carved white stone gleamed among beds of ivy and fragrant blossoms. The garden bathed in light streaming through the branches of the trees during the day, and in the evening the stars hung as jeweled beacons, burning above the sweeping forest.

Legolas thought the garden beautiful. He had been there before with Gimli. Dwarves care little for petals and leaves, preferring cold stone and metal, and Legolas had little time to explore the garden's subtleties. Once again, Legolas found that he could not enjoy the garden at his leisure. He must make amends with this unhappy maiden.

The garden was so quiet to his elf ears—for elves have a most uncanny sense of hearing— that he mistakenly thought the garden empty. The Lady Miredhel in her long white gown was caught between the fading dim and the sun's rays tossed to the garden by sweeping mallorn branches caught up in the forest breeze. She reclined on one of the benches, and her breath caught in her throat as the Prince entered the garden.

His sudden appearance vexed her. Legolas paused in the archway, tall and reserved, though his eyes spoke of concern as they inventoried the garden. She reminded herself that eyes could lie, and he had given her little reason to trust him.

Finally she broke the calm. "My lord, what brings you here?"

Her eyes pained him. As dark as the leaves of Mirkwood they were. He met her gaze for a moment, silently apologetic until she looked away.

"Did my brother send you here?"

"No, I came on my own errand," Legolas said as he approached her. She straightened her posture and rested her slender hands in her lap, occasionally twisting a ring on her right hand.

"Do you come to tease me some more?" She asked evenly, her face expressionless. She twisted the ring again.

Legolas now stood directly beside the bench. "May I?" He gestured toward the seat. She nodded and slid down to the opposite end.

She stared into the garden, wishing he would leave, and told him, "I came here seeking solitude, my lord. I desire to be alone with my own thoughts."

Legolas nodded. He did understand and told her so at once, adding, "I do not wish to intrude." But rather than leaving, he placed his hands behind his head, letting his eyes scan the treetops. "I have something of great importance of which I must speak to you," he said, "so I will just wait, if my lady does not mind, of course." He stood up and moved to a different bench.