Building Ithilien [Legolas] LOTR

In the Arms of the Enemy

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." -Gandalf (from "Shadow of the Past," Fellowship of the Ring)

"Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains...Ye have spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously...And those that endure in Middle-earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the younger race that cometh after. The Valar have spoken." (from The Silmarillion, "The Curse of Mandos")

Legolas had left the Houses of Healing some time ago and had gone directly to Celeril's room to find what was keeping Miredhel. When he found the room untouched with the sketchbook still lying on the ottoman, the prince supposed she had lost her way and had wandered off somewhere. With a chuckle, he decided to look for her by the seventh gate, guessing Miredhel had simply missed a turn. He strolled back down the long hall of the king's palace, pausing briefly to allow a bevy of ladies to pass through the door before him. They giggled as they swept past him and then admiringly glanced back at the elf lord. Legolas' keen ears could not help hearing a few of their titters, 'so handsome, even if he is wounded,' and 'I wonder if he needs someone to kiss it and make it better!'

Physically, Legolas knew he was in the worst shape he had been in ages, as many of the muscles in his back were still tender from the orcs' abuse. He had confided in Aragorn during their journey, worried that he continued to feel so appallingly weak. His friend had only commented that it was little wonder he had not died, and recovery from wounds such as his were going to require patience. Impressing a few maidens in the hall was the least of his concerns.

Thinking of the young women in the hall, there was only one maiden whose kisses Legolas desired.

Legolas permitted himself a small smile as he stepped outside. The sun had already begun to set, brightly, furiously, bathing the Tower of Ecthelion in a stream of gold, and the fresh breeze blowing off Pelennor fields was a balm to the elf's spirit. It had been too long, he reflected, since he had felt such calm. The threat of the dragon was gone, and Aragorn's city and people were once again secure. Legolas remembered having stood in almost the same spot in the Citadel, looking over the fields and lower levels after Aragorn's coronation, feeling much the same contentment. Only this time, Legolas realized he felt much more complete. His sister was with him and safe, he had a loyal group of elves willing to work with him to restore beauty to a ravaged land, and he had Miredhel. The light of her spirit, her bond with him, filled the gaping loneliness and empty void that he had suffered so long. She loved him freely, without pretension or restraint. He briefly closed his eyes, reveling in the warmth of the sun's lingering light on his face.