Unforgiven

I Love You

Anodien had begun to sleep again. Usually, Elves and Fae only slept during their childhood years. However, for some reason, Anodien could not stay awake a full week. She kept the schedule of sleeping several nights a week, and despite the fact that he did not have to stay during that time-- or any time-- Legolas still remained in her presence. With her, his thoughts of war had vanished. He knew well his feelings, and knew that Anodien was aware as well. He had never said it, however.

Not while she was awake, that is.

"You know, I'd do anything for you," the Elf told the sleeping Faeling, sitting on the edge of her bed. Her eyes were closed, and her chest rose and fell evenly. "Yes, you know." He admired the soft curves of her face, the gentle smile that graced her lips. During her waking hours, no matter what, there was still tension in her expression. While she slept, she was as a child, innocent and sweet. That was when her face was clear of her burden.

"You had to, Precious." Legolas reached out, suddenly unable to prevent himself from touching her. "I'm proud of you. For all of it." He paused. "I love you, Ani. I love you." He had no chance to speak any more or to leave. Anodien's arm snaked out and pulled him in. He gave a slight oomph, but smiled all the same. He watched her carefully, but deemed that she still slept.

It had been a sudden movement, an automatic one. He now laid beside her, barely inches away. He closed his eyes and set his head on the pillow, ready to stand when she was. Until then, he would content himself with thoughts of her.

Anodien smiled.

...

Anodien broke down again. It wasn't uncommon for her, unfortunately, even after three hundred years. The strong woman he'd once known had been cruelly broken by Death, but he would do whatever he could to restore the fire within her shattered soul.

They were out in the forest again, sitting near a stream. Anodien sobbed on Legolas' lap, shuddering as the memories attacked her. He'd learned not to speak, not to do anything but wait it out and rub her back slowly. That she took comfort in him was a relief in itself. There had been a time once when she'd have been alone. The thought of her being alone was a thought he hated.

Slowly, her tears slowed, and her shivers began to smooth out. She looked up, her silver-green eyes rimmed with red. "Thank you." Anodien did not smile, but reached up to touch his cheek. Acting on impulse, Legolas leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. The Faeling stiffened, but the tension leaked out of her as she allowed herself to savor the moment.

The Elf repeated his kind words. "Thank you." Anodien moved in to rest her head on his shoulder, staring at the slow-moving waters of the stream. Legolas' warmth was able to slowly bring her from the oblivion in her mind. He slowly rubbed his thumbs over her skin.

The princess looked down at her hands, pale and unblemished. She reached up and touched at her ear, but still did not speak. Her face was pensive. "No matter what you are, it doesn't change who you are." Anodien twisted her head, eyes wide. "I know, Anodien. You're ashamed." She looked at the ground. "Aren't you? Ashamed." She slowly drew the glyph for 'father' in the mud, and Legolas let out a sigh. "But I'm still here. I promise.

"I won't leave, Anodien. Your father may have been Fae, but you are not him. You're not just a Fae. You are one of us too, Precious." Anodien kept her gaze to the ground. "Anodien..." Legolas began to run his fingers through her hair slowly. "No matter what you are, it doesn't change who you are." He swallowed his trepidation and turned her chin slowly to face him. Anodien found herself startled by the depth of feeling within his eyes. "And I love you for who you are."

Legolas pressed his lips to her forehead once more, but did not ask for a reply. He instead allowed her to take it in, and if she wished, to leave. She was her own person, after all. Affection scared her, and who was to say that this wouldn't frighten her? Still, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. She needed to know that no matter what, he would love her and care for her.