Nothing is Forever

Chapter 18

Legolas paced outside the palace for hours before he decided it was safe; Elladan would not disturb her. He fled into the forest to seek the solitude of the trees and nature. His heart was gone. He felt so dead. He only wanted to love her, to be loved by her, but something happened that he had not known about. She was in love with another.

But how could it be? He was nothing, no good for her. He was arrogant and rude, he was not one who let his feelings guide him. He was an elf of logic, not emotion. Merewen was meant for someone who could share the emotions she felt so much more strongly than everyone else. She was made for another. Legolas was certain!

But alas, Legolas was not the one to decide her future. It was up to her whether she wished to live a life of diplomacy, like a royal. If she wished to be with one who would never give up their position for love or games or fun, he wished her all the best. He hoped she would come to realize that this was not the life for her.

Legolas tried to regain control of his heart and spent a great deal more time in the forest, beneath the trees.

*****

I opened one eye and then the other, slowly adjusting to the light. This situation seemed familiar, there was even a silhouette blocking the light… My heart sped, remembering the last time I’d awakened like this, only to find the love of my life.

Then everything rushed back to me. Elladan. He had returned to me. He had come to save me from the life my family set out for me. He had come to claim me as his own. But what he found was not what he expected.

I felt tears fill my eyes and I moved a little on the bed, only for a voice to startle me.

“Ah! You’re awake, milady, the princes will be pleased. But we shall keep your consciousness a secret from them until we find out what ails you.”

I shook my head at the healer. “Nothing, my friend. I have regained my memory and it was… too much. I was overwhelmed, that is all.”

The healer nodded but was unconvinced. “I sensed much apprehension and tension in you, young lady, I must examine you, it won’t take but a moment.”

I lay back on the bed allowing the healer to poke and prod at me a moment or two. Suddenly, the door burst open.

“Merewen!” My eyes flew to the door. Elladan.

“Elladan!” I exclaimed. I knew he was here in my heart, but my mind wanted to think it was a nightmare, that everything that had happened in the past while was a dream.

“Merewen, I feared you were seriously injured. Are you well? How do you feel? Healer, is she going to be okay?”

“Elladan!” I interrupted him. “I am fine.” He touched my face and a flood of emotions rushed into me. He was so angry. Was he angry with me? He was hurt, I caused that hurt, that I knew. Some of the rage he withheld was so strong I even grasped pictures from the depths of his mind surrounded in red. Legolas.

I knew I wept, but I could not stop it. He would not let me go, and with every sob he shook me and worry overwhelmed me, with more fear. I could not control it. I needed him to let go.

“Elladan! Don’t touch her! Let her go!” A voice called from behind him. I could not focus for a moment, I was so full of the rage and fear and hate that filled Elladan with the sound of that voice.

With Legolas, Inwe stood looking guilty and sad. She knew what was to come. She knew what had happened and she knew she could have prevented it all if she had only told Legolas about Elladan. But it was not her fault. She had her own problems to worry about, the detail simply slipped her mind. It was not like she had planned for things to go so awry.