Current mood:

worried

The Quiet Before the Storm
I tried to stop Vorladien (lorienmaiden) from leaving Haldir (lorien_haldir) and I alone together. The tension between us had already grown to the point uncomfortable silences or cold, subtle bites at eachother's heels. However, there we were, at the top of the watchtower, glaring silently at each other for what felt like an eternity. Finally, I spoke up, my glare unmoved.

"Why must you be so hard with me all of a sudden? What have I done?"

His arms crossed in a confrontational manner, as he stood his ground. "I am only looking out for her well being."

Oh, you jealous, soul-sucking fool, I thought to myself, praying to the Heavens that he would cease his overprotective facade. " Vorladien is almost as old as I am, my friend... She is fully capable of caring for herself..." My eyes grew dark and after a very short time, I felt that my aloof manner was failing me. "Leave the fathering to her father..." I hissed.

His expression quickly changed and he frowned deeply. I could see that he was struggling as much as I not to become irrational. "I am only keeping my word to her father. I see her as my own sister. You have no place to judge my intention."

"And you have no place to judge mine... My intentions for coming back are good, Haldir!" I was growing noticably more irritated with his presence by the minute and wished that my Vorladien would return.

Neither of us moved for a while, but he spoke at last. "Perhaps I don't have that right. But I guard my family with my life. I only trust you as I do because it is what Vorladien wishes."

I had to respect his devotion, as excessive as it was. And for a brief minute, I actually wished to call a truce with him and let it go, but his expression angered and vexed me and my desire for peace was quickly forgotten. "If you did what Vorladien wished, you would leave me be completely and let me tutor her without your distrustful eye piercing our every move. I will believe your promise to her when I see it proven more than how you've claimed to try..."

His eyes narrowed and he took a step towards me. I didn't move. "My ways are my own, Legolas of Mirkwood! I certainly will not bend to meet your expectations..." He arched his brow and looked me in the eye. "I will leave you to tutor her, but I will not cease to keep my guard up. I will only what she wishes, as best as my own opinions allow."

I suppose I couldn't ask for more than that, nor did I. The tension was so thick, so unbearable that as Vorladien returned to the tower it was as if a great burden had been lifted from both Haldir's and my own chest.

As Vorladien and I departed to train (at least that was our story), Haldir gave me his final statement:

I shall be here in the watchtower...ever...watchful...

I do hope he wasn't watching us completely the whole night, for it was laced with passion, playful wrestling, stolen kisses in the wood as we worked. It was very peaceful, for we were so hidden by the thick trees shadowing our whereabouts, that it proved to be rather comforting, knowing that we could be open for a change.

We had decided earlier that morning that we were going to marry, however the issue came up about where it could be done. Nowhere in Mirkwood, Rivendell, or Lorien could we wed without the news eventually reaching her mother or father, or my father. Things are going to be more difficult than we intended with enemies and watchful eyes at every turn.

Yet, somehow, I don't regret it, for as we returned to my bedroom, we consummated our love, sealing it forever within our hearts. The whole time it felt perfect. However, I couldn't help but feel the unease that Haldir was lingering close. Lo and behold, as Vorladien and I lay in bed, a knock came to the door.

"Legolas?" called Haldir, his voice solemn and cold, as usual. "Legolas, may I enter? I'm searching for my cousin!"

A look of horror fell on both of our faces and I hurried Vorladien off into my bath to hide, silently as I had taught her years ago.

"Yes, Haldir, I'm awake, but I was just about to head to sleep..." I lied, pulling the covers over my body and trying not to look as worn out and worked as I was. He calmly entered the room, ignoring the fact that I was seated in my room in my bed and gazed at me.

"She wasn't in her room, so I decided to look for her. You haven't seen her?"

I shook my head slightly and looked calmly at him. "No, not for some time, I'm afraid..."

Inside the bath, candles were lit and under the door, a flicker of shadow and flame shone under the door. "Your candles are still on in your bath, Legolas. You risk setting this room aflame if you fall asleep with them on... I'll just quench them for you..."

I almost leaped out of the bed then and there. "No, don't!!" I exclaimed, perhaps too vehemently for comfort. Haldir looked at me in confusion, his eyebrow raised. "I-I will blow them out shortly, Haldir, thank you."

He shrugged and turned to leave. "Well, if she comes this way, tell her that I wished to see her."

I believed I was rid of him for good that night and began to call Vorladien back to bed, but then Haldir returned suddenly. "Legolas, I just wanted to say that...." He stopped and looked to the side of the bed. On the floor, lay Vorladien's sky blue gown! I had forgotten to hide her clothing. Haldir, noticing it immediately, walked back to my bed and picked up the gown, looking at it intently. "What is Vorladien's gown doing in here?!" he growled, glaring into my eyes, which were wide with horror.

Yes, I made love to her, I made love to her for most of this night and I don't regret it! is what I wanted to say... However....

"She changed in my room, into her....Her hunting gear... yes....She must have just forgotten it here..."

"Yes, she must have..." was , scowled in my face and just turned to leave, dropping the dainty dress at the foot of the bed again, the door closing firmly behind him...

As soon as he left, I felt relieved and frightened at once. Vorladien returned, having heard the whole ordeal and tried to comfort my unease.

Things were going to be harder now for us than ever, I knew and held her in my arms again as I awaited the quiet before the storm ahead of us