When The Trees Sang: Part II
by Nicole
-----
The midnight wind rustled through the trees of Garania's oversized
flet and gently blew her skirts around her feet. She placed her
hands on the railing and leaned far out, looking over the treetops
towards the snowcapped mountain peaks in the far off distance. In
all the time that she and Legolas had been married, he had never
been away from her for more than a few weeks, much less months.
However, though she loved him, she was strong, and quite able to
manage without him. But still, she missed him enough to make her
heart ache with pain. The moon glistened in the sky above her, and
she closed her eyes, trying desperatley to make some sort of contact
with the one she loved. After a few moments of unsuccessful trying,
she gave up, and turned back to the large bed attached to the trunk
of the tree. Far below her, several miles away, the remainder of the
Fellowship laid, resting and dreaming of their long awaited return
to Rivendell.
---
Legolas stretched himself out against the trunk of the tree,
enjoying the feel of being in the forest once again. It had been so
long since he had been anywhere outside of caves and dark mountains
that he had nearly forgetten what it felt like to be among nature
again. It was something he had missed greatly on this long journey
that was coming to an end. He drifted off, still staring lazily at
the sky, his eyes open as is the habit with the Elves. Aragorn
glanced over at him, aware that he was sleeping. He let out a deep
sigh and made himself a small "bed" beside the tree, and then
allowed sleep to take him over, and drifted gently into dreams of
Arwen.
---
Morning came soon enough, and the group awoke, rested, and eager to
finally bring their journey to an end. Legolas was the first to
awake, rousing the others with his singing. Gimli raised himself
from the cold ground, angry and slightly bleary eyed. He muttered
grumbles under his breath towards Legolas, and made his way over to
his belongings to find his breakfast for the morning. The rest woke
in much the same fashion, and soon, after they had eaten their
breakfast of lembas and berries, they gathered up their things and
started back on the path that led to Rivendell.
Several miles away, Garania gazed up at the leaves rustling above
her, and smiled, knowing that today was the day that she would see
Legolas once again. But amidst all of her happy thoughts, another
thought, one much different, brought fear and apprehension that
plagued her mind. Tonight was the night that Garania would be forced
to tell Legolas the secrets that had been following her for much of
her life. So much had she left unsaid between them. So much would be
revealed this day. She had no desire to yet make him aware of these
things. But she shook her head, as if to clear these thoughts from
her mind, and climbed slowly out of the bed to begin readying
herself for the day.
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As the sun rose higher over the mountains, the group neared closer
and closer their destination. Legolas could hardly wipe the smile
from his face as the gates of Rivendell came into view. Towering
over them, he could see the palace, tall and stately in its
grandeur. As they approached the gates, they came slowly open, as if
welcoming them home from their tireous journey. They began to walk
faster, until finally, their feet touched the soil of Rivendell, and
they knew that the journey was finally over. Lord Elrond watched
from his library, high above them, as they approached. He smiled to
himself and went down to greet them. Garania saw them coming from
far away and waited eagerly in her flet, not wanting to lose her
composure when she went to greet them. When she saw them walk
through the gates, her feet barely touched the ground as she flew
down the stairs towards the palace steps. The group came closer, as
Lord Elrond emerged from the great cavernous hall that was
surrounded by forest and trees. The smile on his face grew as they
neared him, arms outstretched, welcoming them back from their
journey. He called to them as he walked.
"My friends! So happy to see you I am right now! Come, come, into
the palace. Others await to welcome you back from your quest."
They smiled, climbing the large steps to the large, open hall.
Inside were Arwen, the rest of those who had been a part of the
Council, members of the royal court, and several representing Elves
from other kingdoms. Legolas searched the group, but saw no sign of
Garania. His heart dropped in disappointment, and hurt from her not
being there. Elrond noticed this, and spoke quickly to settle any
doubts in his mind.
"Legolas, your wife is here. She is being summoned as we speak, as
her advisors wished to have dealings with her as she made her way
here to greet you on your return. She should be arriving any moment
now."
As he spoke, a hush fell over the group standing in the hall. Down
the large staircase that winded its way down the trunk of the
enormous tree the castle was built upon, walked Garania, noble and
beautiful as the day he had last seen her. She was followed by her
advisors, two male Elves, and several she-elves, whom he assumed
were her maids during her stay at Rivendell. She walked proudly,
never for a moment forgetting who she was, or losing her composure
to run to him and throw herself in his arms. With her head held
high, she descended the remainder of the staircase, walking slowly
over to where they stood. She walked in front of Legolas and looked
deeply into his eyes, speaking volumes, but never saying a word. Her
voice echoed sweetly and quietly in his mind.
"Legolas, my love, it has been far too long since last my eyes had
the privilege of holding you in their vision. I have missed you
much, melamin. Though I may not allow it to appear on the outside,
do not doubt for a moment the love that I have for you, and the
greatness of which my pain was for longing for you."
She smiled gently at him, and tore her gaze away, taking her place
beside Elrond. He spoke to them, welcoming them.
"My friends....my allies....our heroes. With pride and honor we
welcome you back here to Rivendell, as well as with open arms. For
taking on a mission such as this, all that is pure and good in
Middle Earth owes you more than we could ever offer. You have taken
upon you a journey of great danger and difficulty, and surpassed it
with all of the courage and strength that one could hold. We thank
you from the deepest of our hearts, and hope that you will accept it
from us as well as our great admiration for what you have achieved."
The Fellowship looked at him, then slowly, one by one, bowed to one
knee before him, and lowered their heads in gratefulness. Then,
slowly rose, and were greeted by the many who surrounded them on
both sides. Garania watched as Legolas was showered with praise and
thanks, as she stood watching by Elrond's side. She leaned over to
whisper to him.
"I fear that Legolas will not take my revelations well tonight. I
wish for you to be there as well. I would also like to tell the rest
of the Fellowship, as I feel they have a right to know too. But I
want to tell Legolas first, I owe him that much."
Elrond nodded, taking her hand gently into his.
"My lady, whatever you wish, you shall have. I will gladly stay
there with you tonight, if you wish it so. Although I believe that
your fears are unneeded. Legolas loves you, more than anyone could
ever know. For this I believe that he will not be angry, or stray
from you for that matter. Have faith, my child, for you would be
suprised even yourself to learn the strength which resides in the
heart of an Elf."
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