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After their embrace Legolas pulled away and spoke, "I have so much to tell you."
Sitting down once more on the roof, Aphylia patted a space next to her, "Do tell."
Placing himself next to her he told of his adventures with the fellowship then of the sea. She was mesmerized by his stories. But, her rapturous face dropped when he finished.
"You didn't.. meet anyone did you?"Aphylia asked quietly.
"What do you mean?"
"Well another elf or human."
"Uh no, no not at all," Legolas was baffled. Why would she want to know?
Standing up and stretching Legolas motioned to where the party was still going on. "Would you care to join me at the celebration Aphylia? I made a promise to Hendel that I would come back."
"Uh its okay, I don't really wish to socialize all of a sudden. Anyways I need time alone for a little tonight, to think."
Suddenly Legolas blurted out hurriedly, "Would you like to join me in the forest for a horse ride, together?"
Taken aback Aphylia replied blushing, "I'd love to."
Turning around, Aphylia swung up onto an overhanging branch. Crouching up there her lantern like blue eyes blinked back at him.
"Until tomorrow Legolas."
"Yes, tomorrow."
He stood staring up at her as she climbed to the highest part of the tree. Leaping down off the roof, Legolas returned to the party.
After the party Legolas lay in his old room in the palace. Gimli snored nearby in the guest room next door. Propping his head up on his elbow, Legolas looked out of the window at the moon.
What was this odd feeling he felt? Was it love? He had heard of Aragorn speaking of how amazing love was. This did feel amazing. He felt like he was practically flying. Sighing he turned over and stared at the wall. Aphylia, his mind wandered to the memoryof her face, her eyes. He stopped. Sitting up he placed his hand on his forhead. I'm not ready for this, love thing, thought Legolas.
Then feeling his chest where his heart was he cocked his head, "Then again maybe I am."
Pulling the silken sheets over him Legolas slipped into a deep and content sleep.
When the suns golden rays had touched Legolas's face, he was up in a flash. Scrambling around the room he tried to pick out his nicest clothes. Gimli wandered in wondering what all this noise and commotion was about.
"Whats going on Legolas, a battle? Your getting dressed at 4:00 in the morning! I can barely sleep with you crashing about in here."
"Sorry Gimli, I'm meeting a friend of mine today and I want to look my best."
"Oh, but for elves sake at least do it quietly. I thought elven folk were quiet all the time, now I have changed my mind, on that idea, from watching and listening to you!"
"Calm down I said I was sorry. You can always go back to sleep when I leave." With that Legolas shot out of the room towards the stables.
Down at the stable Legolas greeted the head groom and asked if he might borrow a horse. The groom looked questioningly at him as if to say, what the heck do you want a horse at this time in the morning?
A silver horse was brought out to Legolas. It eyed him tiredly and snorted. Legolas hopped on.
The head groom looked up with doubt and asked, "You haven't riddin in a while, you sure you don't want to use some sort of means of stearing on that horse.
Legolas looked impatiently down and stated, "I'll learn as I go." He wanted to see Aphylia so bad.
Nudging the horse in the sides he rode over to Aphylia's home. Legolas was practically twitching with impatience. He wanted to talk with Aphylia so bad.
Dismounting he spoke in elvish to the horse telling it to stay. Then running nimbly up the stairs he knocked on her door. Nobody answered. Legolas tried to peer in through the window. Suppose she forgot, or didn't want to come, thought Legolas nervously.
A shout from below relieved him from his worries. Looking over the railing below he spotted Aphylia astride a golden mare. She waved at him to come down.
Practically flying down the stairs Legolas went to greet her.
Gasping for breathes Legolas tried to ask, "Where .. Gasp .. have .. Wheeze .. you .. been?"
"Oh silly," She giggled, "I've been at the stables tacking up my horse, Stella. I was about to ask you the same."
"Oh, sorry."
"Come on lets hurry and ride until they send out a search party for you to come to breakfast." Nudging her horse she cantered away in the direction of the woods.
Scrambling up onto his own horse he squeezed it into a gallop trying to catch up with her.
The whole morning was full of chasing each other. Finally Aphylia reigned her horse to a halt. Legolas stopped as well beside her.
"Aphylia, I know this sounds weird but, I spent all night waiting to see you again. Your amazing."
Blushing slightly Aphylia turned to look into his eyes, "Me too."
Leaning over Legolas pulled Aphylia's horse closer to his. Tilting his head he inched towards her face. Aphylia closed her eyes.
Suddenly a shout echoed throughout the woods. The horses pulled apart startled. Legolas and Aphylia almost lost their seats. Turning his head Legolas looked over to see Hendel racing towards him.
"Legolas, Aphylia I'm so gald I found you two. We need to go back to the city hurry."
"Whats wrong, you came at the worst time possible," raged Legolas.
Looking at the two of them, Hendel mouthed an oh. Aphylia looked at Hendel a bit embarrassed.
"Hendel, whats wrong?"
"You'll find out once we get there. There is no time to explain." Then shooting off in the direction he came, Hendel left the two elves.
After Hendel left Aphylia looked at Legolas with a confused look. He looked serious.
"Whatever the reason was for Hendel to come searching for us, I don't think it was for breakfast," stated Legolas. With a shout he kicked his horse and galloped back to the city.
Aphylia cried out after him then stopped short. The air was thicker. Something was wrong, thought Aphylia. A rumble echoed in the distance. But, it wasn't thunder, it was the beating of war drums. Fear tore at Aphylia's heart. Whispering in elvish to her horse she shot off after Legolas.
Meanwhile, in the city of Mirkwood Legolas dismounted. Elves were dashing back and forth with their belongings. Legolas searched the crowds until he spotted his father Thranduil. Legolas strode over and tapped his shoulder.
"What is going on?!?"shouted Legolas above the chaos.
Legolas's father looked sadly at him, "I wish you had come home earlierr. We must leave. NOW!"
"Why?!?"
"Listen Legolas. That is the beat of man's drums. They are ridding Middle earth of all creatures other then humans. Its pure madness I know. Gandalf has left with the few hobbits he could persuade to come with him. Most of the other elves are gone. The ents have long gone to join their entmaids. And the dwarves are readying for battle. It is our turn to leave. Gandalf warned me just minutes ago. Hurry and pack!"
"Wait I'm confused. Why, why would they do this? I thought mortal men were our allies and friends. Why should we run and not fight? Where is Gimli?"
In and exasperated tone his father continued, "Aragorn and his heirs to the throne are either dead or were killed. The line of pure kings is lost! Men with cruel intentions have taken control. Times have changed. They want to purify Middle Earth, rid it of creatures like us. They say we are all witch craft and gobbledy gook. They don't trust us anymore, Legolas! Gimli has run to join the dwarves in battle. He wants to fight with his kin valiantly then to flee with us. He wished you good luck and had hopes of seeing you after they had won. But, that will never happen. Elrond has seen the future we are to go into hiding, of some sort. All there is for us to do is run, hide, then watch the world evolve. We can do nothing, the way of Middle Earth is far from our control now. Now go and pack before it is too late and you are slaughtered for your curiosity!" with that he shoved Legolas towards the palace and rushed away.
Legolas stared dumbly after him. This was too much to take. Walking slowly to the palace he pondered over what had just been said.
By then Aphylia had reached the city she looked around in the chaos, where was Legolas?
Aphylia part 3... |
