The Last Light of the Star

27 - Midnight Excursions w/o Trousers & A Much Worse Experience

Legolas pealed his eyelids open when he heard frantic banging on his door. As his blue orbs slowly adjusted to the darkness of the room, he glanced out his window and frowned. It must have been two in the morning. What was so urgent that it couldn't wait til sunrise?

Nonetheless, the blond elf got up to answer the door, not bothering to put on a tunic. Tiredness had edged its way into his body after the long training hours; so, he felt heavy and weary for exhaustion was riddled into his bones. Therefore, being woken up unexpectedly at this hour was most definitely not pleasantly accepted.

The door swung open under his touch and the moonlight from the windows instantly created soft shadows upon his face. However, the light is not what surprised him. It was Arryin. Legolas was shocked to see the Ranger staring up at him, emerald eyes full of tears.

Cautiously, the Prince tilted his head and knit his brows together while he examined her state. Arryin's cheeks were streaked with salty moisture and her dark hair hung loose around her face—slightly unkempt, like usual. Her pink lips seemed slightly swelled as they quivered lightly, like a bird about to take flight. Furthermore, she was wearing only undergarments and a loose white tunic, which was very thin and partially translucent. It seemed like she didn't bother covering up either. Arryin appeared to be despairing and distressed—so small, so broken.

"Dilthen Er (little one)....." he began.

But without warning, she ran into his bare chest and buried her face in it. The blond elf gently wrapped his arms around her fragile form and squeezed her tight. The silk fabric of her clothing slipped between his fingers lightly as he gently rubbed small circles upon her back. He could hear quiet sobs leaving her lips and feel the tears she shed on his skin, but he did not mind. He cared only to console her, for the young woman clung to him desperately in search of comfort, which he freely gave.

"Ev—every time I close my eyes I see th—them in my–my dreams. I can't—I can't take it anymore..."

Legolas felt his heart ache. She was always strong and fierce; it was strange seeing her so broken and traumatized once again. He had thought that the sadness was fading from her soul, but he could see now that it still haunted her dreams. She was a master at hiding her emotions for she had been doing it all her life; therefore, it was no surprise that she still was broken inside. Of course, the Prince knew her pain would not disappear instantly for she had endured much. It was a long path to recovery, and she had just begun.

Legolas gently stroked her hair. "Shhh shhh, it's alright."

He softly planted a kiss on the top of her head before hoisting her upwards. As he did so, one of his arms curled around her back and the other supported her bottom. Arryin instinctually wrapped her legs around his waist while moving her face from being buried in his chest to concealing it in his neck.

Legolas then stepped back in his room and kicked the door closed quietly, hiding Arryin's vulnerability from the rest of the castle. The Prince carried her to his bed and sat down upon the soft mattress, keeping her safe in his lap. Still, the Ranger did not release her tight hold on him; instead, she clung on for dear life. Legolas could feel her fingers grasping onto his blond locks—tugging them slightly—but he didn't mind. The Prince continued to smooth her dark hair and stroke her back as he let her weep in his arms. He held her tight while her body shook with misery and grief consumed her thoughts. Legolas was sure to whisper soothing words in her ear in attempt to console her. "I've got you, Dilthen Er (little on). Let it out."

And she did. She cried and cried until she was too tired to do anything but succumb to sleep. Legolas presumed that this was the first time in a long while that she fully released her sadness—when she was sober that is—for the grief oozing from her soul was substantial. He knew for sure it was the only time she had someone to hold and comfort her. It dismayed him to think that, but there was no way it was false. She never had someone to love her before—to care for her, to help her, to guide. He was glad that he could now provide that for the broken elleth.