The History of Legolas - The Last Green Leaf

The History Of Legolas – Part III
The Last Green Leaf
By Vendie

Author’s Note: The Lord of the Rings and all associated characters belong to Tolkien and his estate. I am not making any profit off of this story, save the enjoyment I had making it.

Just FYI – the title of this chapter means “Desire”. And, HOLY BUCKETS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!! TWO MORE CHAPTERS!

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The Last Green Leaf
Chapter Eighteen – Aníron


It was now June in Mirkwood, and despite the fact that June was generally a happy time in the Elvenking’s realm, the shadow had descended so quickly upon the forest that it was difficult to remember that it was spring, much less that there was a time before this that had been happy.

Legolas was no deviation from this mindset. On this particular afternoon he once again found himself at odds with his father. He and Arthion were in their father’s study discussing the military plans for Mirkwood in case of an attack from Dol Guldur when Thranduil had rather nonchalantly announced Arthion’s redeployment.

“Adar, what are you doing!?” Legolas spat out at his father’s announcement, disregarding any protocol that would have usually been in place.

“I am redeploying my captain. Do you have any other course of action?” Thranduil asked, leaning back in his chair behind his desk and folding his hands. Legolas’ look was incredulous, as was Arthion’s as he watched his brother’s outburst.

“Send me!” Legolas said. “I have no wife or children to care for! What should Arthion’s family do if he is slain?”

Arthion’s stare then turned into a look of mild amusement, as elves were not accustomed to speaking about each other’s deaths. “Legolas,” he said quietly, trying to calm his brother down. Legolas would not have it.

“Adar, for years you have kept me chained here for whatever fear you see fit to excuse yourself with. It is no longer fair to me or my brothers that you should keep me here when I am just as qualified as my brothers, and I have less reason to stay in your halls!”

“Qualified in skill with the bow, maybe, ion-nin (1), but you have not the experience of the forest that your brothers have - ”

“Because you keep me here! Give me a week with Arthion’s brigade and I will be just as learned as he!” Legolas interjected.

“But can the brigade afford your ignorance?” Thranduil asked. Arthion looked dismayed at his father’s comment.

Legolas seethed with anger as he snapped back at his father, “When will you stop punishing me for the death of Naneth?”

Arthion seemingly didn’t know which to be more astounded by, his father, or his brother. In the moments of silence that followed, he waited in trepidation for Thranduil’s response. The Elvenking gave a steely glare to his youngest, who was himself, determined not to blink.

“Legolas, you undermine the sacrifice she made,” Thranduil said sighing and putting his head in his hand.

“I beg to differ!” Legolas shouted.

“You do, then? You honor your mother’s death by marching off to die yourself, where is the honor in that? Tell me, my son, for I do not see it!” Thranduil replied, growing angrier by the minute.

“Where is the honor in keeping me caged like an animal? Is that what Naneth wanted?” His son returned.

“Your mother died that you might live! And I will see it done!” Thranduil finally shouted, standing up so quickly that he knocked his chair backwards.

Legolas glared at his father with a face that spoke of a bad taste in his mouth. More moments of silence passed between them before any one of them spoke again.

“Naneth died that I might live well.” Legolas said before turning on his heel and leaving his father’s study and slamming the door behind him.

Arthion looked at his father, who slumped back down in his chair with a heaving sigh. “I cannot keep him much longer, Arthion. He is like the river walled; soon he will spill over the dam and will be gone.” Thranduil said.

“Then you must learn to let him go.” Arthion said quietly. Father and son looked at each other with gazes that spoke more understanding than words ever could.

~

After spending the rest of the afternoon hours hidden away from his father and brother, Legolas came to the conclusion that he was very good at brooding. In spite of himself, he smiled as he took a bite of lembas.

The Prince had hidden himself away atop the lookout where he usually went when he was upset. He had not spent all day there, in truth he had spent much of it at the shooting range relieving some stress upon some unsuspecting targets, and even more still in the library, memorizing things to occupy his mind. However, there came a time when Legolas realized that his mind needed quiet, so he snuck into the kitchens in his home and stole away with lembas bread before making his way to his usual perch to watch the sunset.

At present, he sat balanced precariously cross-legged on the railing, letting the last warmth of the sun soak into his face. The sky was turning a very deep shade of pink when Legolas heard the door behind him open and he felt his shoulders slump, for he knew he was discovered.

“Alright, Arthion, I will - ”

But when Legolas turned to see who was there, it was not Arthion at all. Anariel stood there. She wore the white dress that healers wore when they were on duty, and her hair was half-pulled back with a few curly strands askew about her face. She looked uncharacteristically shy as she stood there.

“Anariel?” Legolas almost whispered. When he spoke, the elleth seemed to regain some of her poise and cleared her throat.

“The Lord Arthion came to me late this afternoon and told me that he could not find you. He asked if I would help him, and since I have no qualms with your brother I said I would aide in the search for you. But now, as you are found and my message relayed, I take my leave. Goodbye, Prince Le - ”

Before Anariel could get the last syllables of Legolas’ name out, he interrupted her.

“You may stay, if you wish. Long have we needed to speak to one another. But if you feel as though I am unworthy of your time, I wish not to waste it.” Legolas said, sounding ashamed of himself. Anariel tipped her head at him and her brow raised.

“Do you wish for me to stay?” She asked with skepticism.

Legolas knew his answer right away, but he held it in, for fear of sounding overeager. However, his cover was terrible as when he delivered his answer, it was with a great sigh.

“Yes.”

Anariel offered him a small, yet hopeful smile and then walked over and sat on the railing with him. “I suppose I can afford you a small amount of my very precious time.” She said, teasing him. Legolas wanted to sing. When was the last time she teased him, or smiled at him? He could not remember, but how he treasured actions.

Legolas had, in fact, thought much of what Arthion had suggested to him almost a month ago, that he might love Anariel. Much to his own dismay and frustration, he realized that his older brother was correct in his assumptions. Still, yet, he did not know her feelings for him, and he wished to not to push her away again, so he would offer her repair to things past, if he could. But as she sat next to him looking at him, it was nearly more than the prince could bear to sit still.

As the two gazed at each other, Legolas rejoiced in the happiness he could see shining in Anariel’s eyes. He had not seen such joy since the days before the Battle of Five Armies.

“You are staring, my lord.” Anariel said. Almost too quickly, Legolas looked away.

“Apologies,” He said.

“I need no apologies,” The elleth giggled at him. “You said you wished to speak to me. What about, my prince?” Legolas turned once again to look at her with sadness on his face, and Anariel’s smile instantly disappeared and it was replaced with a look of worry.

“I wish to say that I am sorry for my actions these past years and months. I have betrayed your friendship with my selfishness. There are many things I should have confided to you, and many times when I should have made time to be with you, but I did not for reasons I feel I may never be able to explain. I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I must ask for it all the same. Anariel, I feel lost without you.” Legolas said earnestly.

Anariel studied him for a moment, but suddenly took his hand in hers. The prince felt his heart flutter and his stomach turn over as she moved closer to him. Her touch was torture.

“You are my dearest and truest friend, Legolas. How can I not forgive you?” She asked, looking up into his blue eyes with her own.

How he wanted to kiss her. The desire was nearly unquenchable, but she had used that word, “friend”, so he would honor that. Legolas reached forward and embraced her tightly. He felt Anariel’s muscles stiffen momentarily, but soon her arms reached up and looped around his neck. The youngest son of Thranduil felt as though he could shed tears as he breathed her in. Wildflowers. How is it that she always smelt of wildflowers?

It was at that moment when the prince realized that his heart no longer was his own. He had given it away unwittingly to Anariel. And by the laws and customs of the Eldar, he knew he would never love again like this. Legolas tensed himself against her, trying to hold in a pyre of emotions that seemed to have lit on fire. This did not go unnoticed. Anariel pulled away, but did not move a significant distance away from him.

“Legolas, what troubles you?” She asked quietly.

The prince looked at her with distress in his eyes. How in the world was he going to avoid this?

“I, I can’t…” He stuttered. Since when did elves stutter, Legolas wondered, as he grasped at straws. How could he lie to her?

“Legolas?” She asked again, this time taking his hand.

“My lady, you cause me quite a conundrum.” Legolas said in a scattered tone of voice as he looked at their joined hands. Anariel stared at him with a confused look on her face.

“What is it about contact with me that afflicts you so?” She asked perceptively.

Legolas, not sure what to do with himself, stood up and laughed as he began to pace towards the door, and back again, staring at his shoes.

“I must admit to you, Anariel, I am quite at a loss.” He began as he continued to pace. “If I tell you the truth, I fear loosing you forever, but if I lie I will never be able to live with myself.” He explained “Truly, these years I have experienced agony because I could not let myself be near you, and now that I am, I only experience more!”

Anariel slid off the railing and reached out and put her hands on Legolas’ shoulders. “Do you not think, Legolas, that I have experienced the same agony in your absence?” she asked quietly, her blue eyes piercing his.

“I know not.” He admitted.

Suddenly, Legolas could not understand what was happening as Anariel’s hands shifted to the base of his neck, pulling his head down to meet hers. Slowly and softly, their foreheads met and their eyes were so close that Legolas felt as though he was staring into a deep ocean when he looked in Anariel’s.

“Legolas, I need you,” Anariel said just above a whisper.

Was this an invitation? Legolas wasn’t sure what to do, but it did not seem to matter that he did not know what to do, for his limbs moved without his permission anyway. Before he could stop himself, he realized that he had reached up with his arm and touched his hand to her face, rubbing his thumb over her cheekbone. Anariel breathed in and closed her eyes. With his other arm, Legolas reached behind her waist and pulled her closer to him. Anariel opened her eyes and tipped her head back, looking into his eyes again. The prince found himself leaning closer to her, as if to kiss her.

Suddenly and most unwelcome, a loud horn blew in the distance. Shouts could be heard. The two pulled away from each other slightly, though still in each other’s arms, and peered into the distance. It was at this moment that Legolas realized that the sun had set completely and that night had fallen. He felt as though he were coming out of a dream as the gears in his mind turned slowly, trying to guess the commotion out in the forest. Then, abruptly, Legolas had a terrifying thought.

“Gollum,” He said. Anariel looked up at him curiously.

“Gollum?” She asked.

“He would not come down from his tree last night, and we set a watch at the base of the tree, they were to retrieve him tonight…” He started to say. The horn sounded again. It was a distress call.

“They are in trouble, I must away,” Legolas said painfully and urgently. He moved towards the door, but Anariel held him firmly there with her hands.

“Legolas,” she said, gazing up at him with fear in her eyes.

“I will return, I promise.” He said. Desperately, He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek before tearing himself away from her.

Legolas flung the door to the stairs open and flew down them, fearing that if he were to linger any longer near Anariel he might never leave. His chest was on fire and his head swam as he ran for the stables, desperately trying to clear his head of the fog that settled there. As he reflected upon his feelings, Legolas was nearly certain that he’d never felt this woozy before, and nor had he ever loved the feeling as much.