Infinity Ring (Legolas Love Story)

9. The Silent Vow

I couldn't help but wonder how the mortal woman managed to laugh and even cheer the people around her while carrying such a burden on her shoulders. Her kind, comforting words never failed to flow graciously from her tongue at the best moments. It was soothing.

Sometimes I looked back to think about the first time we met and I couldn't help but cringe at the thought of ever considering putting an arrow on her head.

Leane had been a good friend to me and everyone around her. I longed to return the favor and be a good friend myself to her, to comfort her, but she always hid her troubles away from me. She would divert my focus to something else with her playful remarks, something I found charming though confusing at times. She never openly admitted if she was upset and always hid behind a cold facade every time something was eating away at her from the inside.

I sighed at the thought of Leane. I had yet to earn her trust.

Lord Elrond held the last dinner feast tonight in honor of the Fellowship. Despite everyone's effort to try to act normally, behind the easy conversations and easy demeanors, I sensed fear lurking behind their minds.

Fear of the unknown.

It was not the case for Leane. I could tell that it was not fear of the unknown that foreshadowed her mind. But tonight, it was sorrow and fear for her friends' safety.

I noted the worry and concern look she sent to the hobbits, especially the silent Frodo. At Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli and even me. She would look away every time I caught her staring at me. She would pretend to look at someone else, but I knew better.

I was about to give her a smile when she looked away and resumed poking at her plate. I sighed.

Unable to bear the suspense any longer, I walked over to her and smiled at her.

"Mellon nin,"  I called to her and she looked up to me, her deep dark eyes bore into my blue ones.

"Hey, blondie," she quipped playfully.

Blondie. That is a new one.

"Mortal," I looked at her with narrowed eyes, doing my best impression of my adar's disapproving look. "How dare you call me blondie? If you were in Mirkwood right now and my people heard that kind of remarks aimed towards me, you would surely be thrown into the dungeons by now," I said flatly.

Estel chuckled, apparently listening to our banter. Leane choked on her drink. For a split second my gut flipped upside down in panic, afraid that she hurt herself because of what I just said, but then she glared at me– which was always a good sign. I relaxed and smiled in content, arching my brow.

"Goheno nin, I didn't mean to startle you, mellon," I apologized with a smirk.

"No, Legolas, that is to be expected. You startled me a lot often, I think I get used to it by now," she said nonchalantly, clearing her throat, "Thanks for the heads up though; I will not call you blondie if I ever found myself in Mirkwood. Dungeons sound cold. However... I can't really guarantee the same here," she said smiling innocently, looking somewhat proud of herself. I simply smiled, unable to hide my amusement. She motioned for me to sit next to her.

As I took the seat next to her, a gentle, clean scent of rose entered my nostrils. It was very pleasant, and I gathered it was most likely from her soap or hair products that female would usually used. I registered that information in my mind as a future reference in case I ever need to tease her.

I exchanged pleasantries with the people on the table. Once the dinner was over, people were scattered to various places, leaving small number of people in the dining hall. I looked at Leane next to me who seemed to be deep in thought, poking the peas on her plate with her fork. I nudged her softly.