Colours

Well Hello There

It was a few days after we had arrived in Rivendell, Frodo was healed for the most part and visitors had been arriving night and day. Currently, Aragorn was dragging me behind him on his way to introduce me to an old friend of his.

"When did you two meet?" I ask him trying to figure out if I knew who it was.

Slowing down a bit he replies, " About 50 years ago. You were on that errand for Gandalf to tell Cirdan about the coming threat."

"Uh-huh," I say trying to think if he ever mentioned anyone, "Wait! Is this that elf that kept following you until he realized who you were?"

"Yes," he replies before seeing someone outside and pulling me after him. 

Blinking against the sudden assault of light against my eyes, I step behind Aragorn in hope that his shadow will provide some relief.

Letting go of my arm, I see Aragorn step forward to clasp arms with someone I assume must be his elf friend.

Turning to gesture to me, he introduces him to me, "This is the friend I wanted you to meet, Legolas Thranduillon, Prince of Mirkwood."

I bow my head in greeting before shifting behind Aragorn again. Aragorn glares at me to try to get me to introduce myself as I shake my head until he finally gives in.

Aragorn turns to Legolas, "Mellon, this is Karonya, my self-appointed bodyguard and travelling companion. Forgive her, she gets nervous around new people."

Smiling lightly at me Legolas gives a short bow in greeting before asking me a question, "You must be quite the fighter then. Tell me, what is your preferred weapon."

I step out from behind Aragorn to reply, "Usually a sword, I've never really been that good at any of the others. My strengths lie more in healing."

"That is an honourable calling," Legolas speaks, "I would have thought a bow and arrow as it would keep you farther away from battle."

Raising my hand to shield my eyes from the sun I glare at him. I challenge him with my words, "I do not shy from battle. Would you like to see just how competent I am with my blade?"

Placing his hands on my shoulders, Aragorn holds me back. I scoff under my breath and speak only loudly enough for Aragorn to hear, "I thought princes were supposed to be charming."

Legolas looks down as though realizing how I interpreted his words, "Forgive me, my lady, I meant no harm. Tell me Aragorn. Do you think you can finally beat me in an archery battle? You are welcome to join as well Lady Karonya."

Aragorn releases my shoulders, confident that I am no longer likely to charge that princely idiot. He replies to the elf, "We shall see, though I feel my friend that you will always be the more talented of the two of us. As for Karonya, she is injured at the moment and can not join us though I'm sure she would love to watch. She always enjoys seeing people beat me. Let's head to the indoor range."

I reach my hand to my shoulder to feel the bandage covering the wound there. Turning I move to follow the pair, grateful that Aragorn suggested the indoor range where it is usually dark enough for me to see clearly.

"What happened? If I may ask."

Wait, is he talking to me again. What do I say? Okay. Breathe.

"I was helping a friend, it is only minor. Should be healed by the end of the weak. I tend to heal quickly," I finally reply. That made sense right?

"It's alright," I continue, Wait why am I still talking? "I've never really been good at archery anyways, I don't think I could hit a target to save my life."

Great! Now I sound like a helpless damsel. I roll my eyes at myself.

"But when I am healed, I would love to duel with you to see your strength with blades."

There that fixed it, right? Oh no.

"Perhaps I could teach you sometime," Legolas suggests.

Oh good. I guess he doesn't think I'm a complete idiot yet.

Aragorn laughs, "Be my guest. Just make sure you clear the surroundings first. She is quite good at missing the target completely."

Gee thanks, Aragorn. I huff and cross my arms over my chest. "I think I will go see if Elrond wishes to compare treatments and remedies again. At least he appreciates my company."

~~

Later that day, I am wandering through the brightly lit halls trying to find my way to the library. I swear they must have moved it since the last time I was there. Suddenly I bump into something on my right and stumble a bit as I mutter a brief sorry. 

A pair of hands reaches out and stabilizes my shoulders before a familiar voice speaks out, "Did you just apologize to a column?"

"Oh is that what it was? I'm afraid I couldn't quite see it clearly. Thanks for catching me..." I reply, looking towards the familiar stranger.

"Legolas," he reminds me.

Ahh, Aragorns friend. Remembering who he is, I blush and bow my head, "My lord. I apologize for forgetting your name. If it is not apparent I do not have the best vision at the moment."

"Please, no title Lady Karonya. An elf with poor vision? I've never heard of that. Tell me more, if it's not to difficult that is," he asks.

I look up in shock at his words before replying, "No, no lady. I am merely an average elf with poor vision. It's a bit of a complicated story though."

"I would love to hear it. If it's not a trouble tha... Are you crying?" Legolas interrupts himself.

I reach a hand up to brush a tear from the corner of my eye before shaking my head. "No, it's just the lights. They make my eyes water. I am surprised though, not many people wish to hear my stories."

"No?"says Legolas, surprised, "I would think your stories would be many and interesting. It is not often you see a warrior female. Let's go sit outside, it is darker there. Would that be better for your eyes?"

I nod my head before reaching out to grab his offered arm.

~~

We lean on the railing of a balcony as I turn to look at Legolas to begin my story. Blinking my eyes as they become adjusted to the new, darker area, his face finally comes into focus for the first time since I've met him. The way his face is shaped, so smoothly blending from one part to the next and his eyes with the grey swirling with white flecks that resemble stars. It just takes my breath away for the moment.

"Karonya?" he nudges me lightly with his hand, "Are you okay?"

Shaking my head a little to get myself to focus again, I finally respond, "Yeah, sorry. I just.. I just had not seen your face so clearly until now."

"No?" Legolas asks confused.

"You see," I begin my story, "I see in black and white. Always have, since birth. It wasn't uncommon among my community, my family specifically had a trend of it happening. With this lack of colour though also comes this sensitivity to light. When it is bright outside my vision blurs and blends together, but in the dark it sharpens and I can see clearer. Never as clear as a normal elf though, about the same as Aragorn can see in the light. Does that make sense?"

"A bit," Legolas replies, "I may have more questions in the future though. If that's okay?"

"Of course, mellon," I reply before freezing. Ahh, shoot. Did I just call him a friend. What if he doesn't want to be friends with me. Maybe he just spoke with me because of Aragorn. Maybe he..

My thoughts are interrupted though when Legolas smiles at me, "I am grateful, mellon."

And so our conversation continues into the night until we eventually just stand together in a peaceful silence, listening to the sounds around us.