Building Ithilien [Legolas] LOTR

The Black Dragon

Author's note: This chapter contains some descriptions of violence and alludes to rape. Use discretion accordingly.

She could feel the warmth of the sun on her back, the cool wet strands of grass clinging to her legs. She could hear the distant chatter of meadow larks, but all of these sensations became secondary as she watched Legolas ride away, across the rippling green horizon with Sulindal at his side. His gait was a little more unsteady than usual, ever so slightly stiff, and she wondered which bothered her prince more—his wounded shoulder or his frustration at the past events.

How strange his eyes had seemed to her! His eyes seemed so distant as if regret haunted his every thought. Of course, all of these musings in her mind were sheer conjecture. She did not know anything for certain, and there had been precious little time for talking in the past hours, or days for that matter. The most upfront Legolas had been with her was when he had apologized to her at the end of the canyon's secret pass. He had apologized to her, as if he supposed she blamed him for the horrifying turn of events—the ambush, the slain archers, Farothin's disappearance. Farothin.

She sighed as she thought of him. Surely Legolas did not believe that she blamed him for whatever had happened to Farothin. Miredhel bit her lip and looked away from the diminishing forms of the riders. She had not given Legolas that impression, had she? From the appearance of things, she had. Miredhel decided that when Legolas returned she would set his mind at ease and clear the matter with him. He had enough troubles without her adding to them.

All that was left to her was to wait. Miredhel very much wanted to improve her acquaintance with Celeril whom she had only spoken with briefly in their ride to Rauros. She walked over to where the princess stood, apparently good-humouredly enduring a conversation with Adrendil. Before Miredhel could even contrive a greeting, Adrendil spoke.

"Lady Miredhel," he said. "How kind of you to come speak with me!" He looked benignly at Celeril. "Will you give us a moment, princess?"

Celeril shared a look of confusion with Miredhel and then quietly stepped aside as Adrendil had requested.

"Captain Adrendil," Miredhel began. "I am not sure—"

"I think you know that I hold you in the highest regard, my lady," he interrupted smoothly.

"Well, I—" she said, a little uncomfortable in not knowing what he could possibly say next.

"And I know you share a special relationship with the prince," he said coyly.

She blinked. She certainly had not expected him to say that. "He and I are friends, Captain," she testily replied.

He smiled and leaned toward her. "Very good friends," he said softly.

Her face grew warm under his curious gaze. "I'll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself," she said smartly.

"It's quite obvious to everyone, my dear," he told her. "Prince Legolas, if not already, is precariously near falling in love with you." Adrendil stopped to gauge her reaction to his words.