Moonbreeze (Legolas x OC)

Part 12

The company finds themselves in cleaned clothes soon after meeting with the Lady and Lord. They have been given a place to rest between the sturdy roots of the Mallorn trees. Before them lies a fountain to provide them with cold water, that trickles gently, soothing them. Gimli is quick to nod off, curled up with some blankets.

They are silent, mostly too tired to strike up conversation, or not able to find the words. Only once the elves up above start the sing a haunting song, does Legolas comment, "A lament for Gandalf..." He turns his blue eyes to the branches above, taking in the words.

His curiosity piqued, Merry asks, "What do they say about him?"

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near." is his reply.

Ithilae sighs lightly, glancing towards Frodo who is staring ahead blankly. He hasn't spoken a word as of yet. She cannot help but worry for him.

"I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them." Sam speaks up, making Pippin nod in agreement.

Sam gets to his feet, the words pouring from his mouth, "The finest rockets ever seen. They burst in stars of blue and green. Or after thunder, silver showers. Come falling like a rain of flowers." he finishes with a sigh. "Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road." he says disappointingly.

"I've never seen them, but it sounds wonderful." Ithilae muses, watching Aragorn move away towards Boromir who has secluded himself. Odd, normally she is the one to do so, but here she is in the middle of company, seeking and passing on comfort.

Sam can't help but give a small smile of appreciation before returning to his task of sorting his things out.

They fall back into silence, comfortable to everyone except Ithilae. Something has started to bother her. Excusing herself, she makes her way to a clearing on the edge of the citadel, where she knows few ever come. The only sound present is the rustling of leaves in the nightly breeze and the light trickle of water in the distance.

"Grandfather, you have been rather absent lately." she says to the quiet air around her.

It takes a moment before he finally appears before her. He looks back at her solemnly. "I thought you would enjoy the respite." he says rather bitingly, making her raise a brow. She has seldom seen him act as such.

"You should not take Lord Celeborn's words to heart. Although your friend is very wise, he has never been quite the optimist." Ithilae tells him, making him chuckle.

"Nay, he has not been indeed." he agrees before eying his daughter's only child. "I never imagined to hear words of comfort to come from your mouth." he states.

She raises a brow in jest. "Never say never; I may yet surprise you."

"Indeed." he muses. "Nevertheless, without Gandalf's aid, the chances of successfully destroying the Ring have diminished greatly. What is it you plan to do if you are yet hopeful?" he questions.

Ithilae reverts her gaze towards the canopy above. "Ú-iston (I don't know)." she admits. "This was never supposed to be easy. I wonder if it has use to even try and fight an uphill battle. Perhaps it is better to sometimes let the stream of fate carry you along until you reach new footing. I don't know; it is just a feeling I have..." she explains.

Celebrimbor gazes at her for a moment, deep in thought. He then speaks, "You remind me of your grandmother when you speak as such. You have grown much as of late. Perhaps, despite the hardships, this journey has done you good."

"It has been that wizard rubbing off on me, I'm certain." she states offhandedly before heaving a sigh.

"What is on your mind?" Celebrimbor questions the elleth as she sits down to rest against the roots of a tree.

She hums before answering, "I'd like to feel glad for being home, and I do feel lighter, but I cannot help but let it be stained with pity for those who are so far from theirs." she tells him.

"There is no need for pity. We all know what we set out for." a voice interrupts, making her whip her head to find Legolas standing at the edge of the clearing.

He steps closer. "I believed you to have gone and find your kin, though here you are speaking to yourself again." he states, a light smile on his lips, though his eyes full of guarded curiosity. "Am I to be worried?" he asks.

"What is it you seek so far from the company, Legolas Greenleaf?" she counters with a question of her own, wondering what he is doing there of all places.

Instead of being taken aback, his smile widens. "I am merely enjoying my time here. Your home is indeed one of unparalleled beauty." he answers casually. "Now what are you doing here by yourself when you could enjoy the company of your kin? Are you not lonely?" he questions, his smile faltering.

She assesses him for a moment before answering, "I am never alone, even if I so wish it." she states dryly. His eyes widen slightly as he takes this as her dismissing him instead of speaking the blatant truth.

"I see. I beg your pardon for intruding my lady." he apologizes, the merriment in his eyes gone. Before she can say anything, he has left her.

Ithilae can't help but sigh in frustration. "That elf..."

"You cannot blame him when your wording was very unfortunate. He only tries to seek a way to approach you. You have been traveling together for some time now, with him being the closest kinship you have with you aside from myself. Yet you insist on excluding yourself." Celebrimbor tells her.

"You should make an effort on your part. With Gandalf gone, they will have to learn to rely on you more if you continue to set out for Mordor. You know the way to the Black gates." he reminds her, making her frown. She does know indeed. She has seen them with her own eyes.

"You too need to learn to rely on them more if you are to make it there alive. The path has surely grown more perilous. It is time you open up more to those having your back. The Prince would be a good person to start with." he urges as she remains silent.

Finally she scoffs, but her adversity to the idea seems to waver. "Hobbits are much easier creatures." she says before rising to her feet, setting off to find the offended Prince. Celebrimbor smiles before disappearing again, now satisfied. He doesn't believe he's had such a proper conversation with her for many a year.

I'm so glad I'm off for a long weekend. This week at work was tough. Some things, I'm just not equipped to deal with.

Anyway, the weather is nice, my allergies are playing up and I'm being terrorized by mosquitoes... I'm going to make the most of my days off.