Interview With The Elf
Part 5 By, Navatariel
It felt as if someone had turned on a light bulb in my head. Kat! Katerina!! How could I have not seen it before? "She was very upset and I sent her-," Legolas was continuing on with the story, until I interrupted. "Legolas!" I jumped to my feet; with such urgency it was as if I was afraid the thought would escape. "Kat- I mean- Katerina, she's still alive isn't she?" The elf's weariness returned and he looked to the side, "I'd like to think so, child." "C'mon!" I said eagerly, tugging on his arm roughly, trying to get him to follow me. "Gentle, little one, gentle! Though we live forever our bones can still break!" Legolas paused and laughed a little. "Although, I doubt you (or any other human for that matter) would be capable." The elf laughed harder at the face I pulled. The urgency to reunite brother and sister was replaced by my fiery temper. "Well," I said, putting my hands on my hips and looking away, stubbornly. "If we're so inferior why don't you just push us off your trees, one by one?" I quickly looked around me for any ledges (just in case). "Is that a common death among humans? Is this why human mothers tell their children graphic tales of death such as the cruel fate of poor master 'Humpty Dumpty'?" The elf asked, chuckling. I broke out into laughter, and Legolas joined in. It felt good, sharing the same joke. It seemed, just for that moment, all of Legolas' hidden burdens had been lightened. But when I looked closely, past his smile and bright eyes.I could still see it. An icy river cutting into the warm blue pool.something I don't think I ever fully saw before. Legolas must have seen my face change because he put a warm hand on my cheek and said, "Enjoy your life, little one. Have happiness. Do not let yourself be brought down by my burdens. They are mine. I hope your eyes will never see as much sorrow as these well aged ones have." There was an awkward silence as we stood- I had no words or notion of how to console such an ancient being. I put aside the sudden urge to hold his hand in mine and attempt; after all, what could I say to someone's whose knowledge of life and its disappointments so far surpassed mine. I suddenly felt very small and insignificant in the face of time and the centuries past; his centuries. Reaching out absently, lost in these thoughts, I took his hand anyway, perhaps more for my own comfort than for his. We shared a kind of knowing silence but all too soon, he pulled his hand away with a small rather sad smile on his face. There was so much he could teach me, so much he had to tell, so much that was lost, it was impossible to impart more than a sense of what he had seen and experienced. At any rate, the moment was gone; he was on to other subjects and he asked,
"Now what did you wish to tell me?" I began to feel foolish, having assumed that I could solve this mystery as
a matter of sheer coincidence, when he had probably been searching for
decades. But I forged ahead anyway:
"I met this girl, and I think.."
* A part of Legolas' personality that he had never revealed to me before had surfaced. "Oh, please! Just get in! It's too far to walk!" I begged as I tried to pull that stubborn elf into my car. The prince grounded his feet and puffed out his chest. "I will not," he said firmly. "Why? Because it wasn't built by elves?" I asked rolling my eyes. "That's what you believe?" Legolas asked, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Are you willing to tell me otherwise?" I asked, getting ready to grab my tape recorder. The elf didn't answer; he just set his mouth in a stubborn line.
"Look," I said, sighing with frustration. "I'll turn on the engine, okay? Then you'll see it's safe." I got into my car, shoved the key in, and turned it. I felt the engine begin to rumble gently. "See?" I said, looking up only to see a busy sidewalk lacking one elf. I stomped my foot in frustration, "Legolas! Oh, come on!" I called, sticking my head out of the window, which resulted in many curious glances from passersby. I sat back and folded my arms, disgruntled. 'Well,' I thought to myself with a snort of disapproval. 'Elves aren't so perfect after all.' Running off when I was trying to help reunite him with his sister, I mean really!
* During the long drive home I cooled down and actually started to get pretty worried. If I made Legolas angry he might disappear completely. And then what would happen to my interview? Publishers don't pay for half finished pieces. I swallowed hard. It's not that I'm greedy; Sean and I just really need the money. I knew what I would have to do. I'd have to go and humble myself to that stiff-necked elf.. 'But he needs to apologize too! I was just trying to help him,' I thought, putting my chin slightly in the air, an obvious gesture of my well-known pride. That's right. It looked like the "Prince of Mirkwood" was going to have to humble himself to a fiery tempered human. You might as well ask a mountain to humble itself to an anthill; 'unlikely..' I thought, rolling my eyes. Hey, a story is a story. So I decided to swallow my pride and search the trees.first thing in the morning.
* For understandable reasons, I decided not to tell Sean about the whole trying-to-get-Legolas-in-the-car incident. But my brother was still going to ask why I was home early. It turned out that I didn't have to worry in the first place, for when I returned to our flat, it seemed he wasn't home.
I was about to call his name, but a sound met my ears. Some sort of beeping was coming from the kitchen. My old fear of getting mugged or robbed had returned. 'It had to be Sean.right?' I reassured myself, but I was still on guard.
Since the kitchen was opened to the living room, I didn't have much to peek around. So I poked my head in and whom did I find but Legolas, apparently finishing his examination of the microwave and moving on to the fridge. I was about to confront him, concerning his unlawful entry (after all, an apartment is private property unlike a tree) when I heard Sean's voice, "Sorry Addy isn't here right now, Legolas. Do you want something to eat or anything?" "No, I'm fine, thank you, but I believe Adrienne has arrived." Legolas replied, opening and closing the fridge door, watching in quiet amazement the little light inside turn on and off. "Addy!" Sean called out cheerfully, popping his head out of his room, attired in an ancient "Authentic Medieval Knight's Helmet" (it was plastic, and he had owned as long as I could remember). "Hi," I said putting my bag down in a chair. I walked up to Legolas, who was now focusing his attention on the oven, and said slightly agitated, "How'd you get here so fast?" He turned swiftly and smiled tauntingly. "Walking," The elf said. "Oh really?" "But of course." Oh, did that send my temper soaring. "Legolas said you needed to show him something," Sean asked, pushing the visor of his helmet up so he could bite the apple he was holding. "Oh." I said, my anger calming down as I remembered. I looked out the window at the pouring rain.what the heck, we can walk. "Would you like to accompany us?" Legolas asked, turning to Sean. "Um.no thanks," My brother declined, scratching the back of his neck. "I have something I have to do." I stared at him, confused. "You don't want to come?" I asked, still staring. Sean shook his head. "You okay?" "Yeah," he smiled reassuringly. "Alright." I said, getting an umbrella out of the closet. "Do you.er.need a coat or something?" I asked turning to Legolas. "No, I'll be fine, thank you," The elf replied waiting patiently by the door.
So we left, and Sean stayed.or so I thought.
* "My sister?" Legolas asked quietly. "Well, I'm not sure," I said. "I met her at a book store down here and her name is Katerina; and she's.. and she's.. well.you know.uh.like you." (I almost said, "weird" but my brain saved me.) "What did she look like?" The elf asked. I thought for a minute, trying to dig up the memory. "Hmm, curly black hair and pretty blue eyes like yours," I said, and then blushed when I realized what had come out of my mouth. "It sounds like her," Legolas said, longingly looking up to the raining sky. He didn't have a coat or umbrella; even though I had offered to share mine he declined. The elf was soaking wet (the water was really coming down) but somehow every blonde hair on his head was still in place. "Aren't you cold?" I asked, shivering myself although I had a big coat on. "No, little one. I do not experience changings in temperature the way you do. The same with the rest of my people. It is a sensation I have long been curious about. Although, it seems quite bothersome; given the wardrobe requirements," Legolas replied. "Well it's like.." I bit my lip trying to think of a word. How can you describe hot and cold to someone who's never felt it before? "It's.." Legolas smiled slightly, watching the wet sidewalk pass under our feet, "Aragorn couldn't explain it to me either.. He tried as did Gimli." He chuckled to himself, seeming to reflect on passed times. I thought for a moment, and then I said, "I guess cold would be.like losing someone you love, or saying good-bye to someone you know you won't see again." I paused for a moment to consider this, and heard Legolas make a small sound of recognition. "And warm." I continued. "Would be the way it feels when you're with all your friends and family, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Hot, hot is a little harder.it's uncomfortable.I guess like being in a battle, surrounded by your enemies-you just want to get out of it." I was gratified to hear quiet admiration in his voice, as he said, "That is the best explanation I have yet heard." Encouraged, I went on: "But the best thing is when you come in from the cold, to a warm room, maybe even with a fire." "Like finding someone that you thought you'd lost." "Yeah, like coming home.." Legolas had stopped in front of me, and was looking down at me, under my silly little umbrella, with a rare expression of appreciation on his face: "You are indeed wise for one so young. I think I should like to feel this 'warmth' you speak of. It has been a long time since I felt at home."
A few minutes later, we entered the bookstore. Since it was near closing time, it looked like Legolas and I were the only ones in the shop. I walked down the aisles looking for Kat, and sure enough I spotted her talking to a guy with brown hair. "So maybe, tonight, we could go out to a movie or-," I overheard him saying as I approached when suddenly I recognized him. "Sean! What are you doing here?" I cried, all the while picturing him in that silly armor, and wondering secretly what she would think if she could see him the way I did. To my great surprise, something in me was very protective of my little brother, and I felt myself scrutinizing Kat, with a big sister's eye. Sean stopped and turned around. His hair was combed neatly back and it smelled like he was wearing cologne. This small gesture on his part, tugged at my heart, and I knew, in that everyday kind of way, just how much I really loved him. "A-Addy, Legolas! What are you doing here?" He asked, also surprised and cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. "Legolas? Is-is your name Legolas?" Kat asked, stuttering a little, looking over Sean's shoulder. The elf's eyes were wide for a minute as he bowed slightly and said, "Yes." "Wow, you're really into the books, huh?" She said, looking curiously at Legolas' outfit and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Where did you get your clothes? Were you an extra on the movie set or something?"
And then I saw it. Her ears. Kat's ears were round. "I, um, gotta' go," Sean mumbled, and, cheeks still red, he hurried out of the store. Torn between relief and frustration, I watched my brother leave, knowing that he probably still had a chance with Kat, but sad at the obvious; I would not be reuniting Legolas with his sister. How could I have been so stupid? Kat is no elf. (What am I saying? He's no elf either! Where did my objectivity go? I'm seeing elves everywhere!) "Calm down, Adrienne," I whispered to myself. "You're not Middle Earth's 'Oprah Winfrey'."
Legolas took a deep steady breath and looking at the floor he said quietly, "No. Pardon me, I must be departing." The elf left too, and Katerina watched after him. "Oh, he's cute!" She said after he left. "Weird outfit, though. A little too into Lord Of The Rings. Is he your boyfriend?" "No, just a subject for an interview." I replied, distracted. "I.I got to go," I rushed out of the store, guilt rising in my stomach. "Legolas?" I called looking around outside, but my voice was drowned out by the sound of the pounding rain. It was awful, getting his hopes up like that. I needed to find him. I shivered (already being drenched) and opened my umbrella as I tried to think. Where would a ten thousand year old elf go? I had one wild guess.
* Hyde Park was very beautiful with the red sun setting and the occasional dark crystal raindrops shattering into a million shards as they hit the ground. The downpour had now turned into a light drizzle. I wasted no time, and headed into a grove of trees, looking up into the branches and calling Legolas' name. "I should have known better," came a quiet elven voice. "I always hoped the impossible." "Legolas?" I called again, hurrying to an especially tall tree in the middle of the grove. High in the branches I found the elven prince, sitting, one leg hanging, seemingly precarious, but of no apparent concern to him. Even in my apprehension, I couldn't help wondering how he did it; he looked as if he were reclining on the most comfortable couch. In silhouette, he seemed to be staring up at the appearing stars that were quickly spreading across the sky. I felt my throat tighten with guilt, but some how I managed to speak and push away my awkwardness. "Legolas," I began. "I-I'm sorry.I thought-." "Do not be sorry, little one," Legolas said, taking a deep breath, his eyes still looking up at the darkening sky. "It is no folly to be young and full of hope." He paused, and then spoke, so quietly, I had to strain to make it out, "The fault lies in me; as love, and the longing for it, dies hard in my kind." "It is not easy for any of us!" I heard myself saying a little too loudly, angry at the tears that suddenly rose in my eyes, as for no logical reason, I pictured Sean, cheeks afire, so vulnerable in that bookstore. All at once, I realized, how much I would miss him, should anything happen to him.
'This is silly!' I thought to myself. 'I'm getting way too emotionally involved in this project. After all, it's not my brother who is lost.' So, I stood there, under a tree, in the dusky mist, thinking about the nature of love and loss, and listening to the pleasant, if melancholy sound, of Legolas' voice softly singing a haunting melody, in a language which, while beautiful, was beyond my comprehension. In the back of my mind, I registered the sharp click of my tape recorder. I did not bother to put in another.
***
Continued In Part 6 Author's Note: Hooray! 50 pages written! Thanks so much, everyone! Please review. (I reply to every one!) It's been a little hard writing, because my family and I are moving, but I promise I will finish the story! I could never abandon it! ( Thanks again and Keep reading! ~Navatariel P.S. I especially want to thank "Names For The Magical Races" for helping me out with some of the Elven names!
It felt as if someone had turned on a light bulb in my head. Kat! Katerina!! How could I have not seen it before? "She was very upset and I sent her-," Legolas was continuing on with the story, until I interrupted. "Legolas!" I jumped to my feet; with such urgency it was as if I was afraid the thought would escape. "Kat- I mean- Katerina, she's still alive isn't she?" The elf's weariness returned and he looked to the side, "I'd like to think so, child." "C'mon!" I said eagerly, tugging on his arm roughly, trying to get him to follow me. "Gentle, little one, gentle! Though we live forever our bones can still break!" Legolas paused and laughed a little. "Although, I doubt you (or any other human for that matter) would be capable." The elf laughed harder at the face I pulled. The urgency to reunite brother and sister was replaced by my fiery temper. "Well," I said, putting my hands on my hips and looking away, stubbornly. "If we're so inferior why don't you just push us off your trees, one by one?" I quickly looked around me for any ledges (just in case). "Is that a common death among humans? Is this why human mothers tell their children graphic tales of death such as the cruel fate of poor master 'Humpty Dumpty'?" The elf asked, chuckling. I broke out into laughter, and Legolas joined in. It felt good, sharing the same joke. It seemed, just for that moment, all of Legolas' hidden burdens had been lightened. But when I looked closely, past his smile and bright eyes.I could still see it. An icy river cutting into the warm blue pool.something I don't think I ever fully saw before. Legolas must have seen my face change because he put a warm hand on my cheek and said, "Enjoy your life, little one. Have happiness. Do not let yourself be brought down by my burdens. They are mine. I hope your eyes will never see as much sorrow as these well aged ones have." There was an awkward silence as we stood- I had no words or notion of how to console such an ancient being. I put aside the sudden urge to hold his hand in mine and attempt; after all, what could I say to someone's whose knowledge of life and its disappointments so far surpassed mine. I suddenly felt very small and insignificant in the face of time and the centuries past; his centuries. Reaching out absently, lost in these thoughts, I took his hand anyway, perhaps more for my own comfort than for his. We shared a kind of knowing silence but all too soon, he pulled his hand away with a small rather sad smile on his face. There was so much he could teach me, so much he had to tell, so much that was lost, it was impossible to impart more than a sense of what he had seen and experienced. At any rate, the moment was gone; he was on to other subjects and he asked,
"Now what did you wish to tell me?" I began to feel foolish, having assumed that I could solve this mystery as
a matter of sheer coincidence, when he had probably been searching for
decades. But I forged ahead anyway:
"I met this girl, and I think.."
* A part of Legolas' personality that he had never revealed to me before had surfaced. "Oh, please! Just get in! It's too far to walk!" I begged as I tried to pull that stubborn elf into my car. The prince grounded his feet and puffed out his chest. "I will not," he said firmly. "Why? Because it wasn't built by elves?" I asked rolling my eyes. "That's what you believe?" Legolas asked, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Are you willing to tell me otherwise?" I asked, getting ready to grab my tape recorder. The elf didn't answer; he just set his mouth in a stubborn line.
"Look," I said, sighing with frustration. "I'll turn on the engine, okay? Then you'll see it's safe." I got into my car, shoved the key in, and turned it. I felt the engine begin to rumble gently. "See?" I said, looking up only to see a busy sidewalk lacking one elf. I stomped my foot in frustration, "Legolas! Oh, come on!" I called, sticking my head out of the window, which resulted in many curious glances from passersby. I sat back and folded my arms, disgruntled. 'Well,' I thought to myself with a snort of disapproval. 'Elves aren't so perfect after all.' Running off when I was trying to help reunite him with his sister, I mean really!
* During the long drive home I cooled down and actually started to get pretty worried. If I made Legolas angry he might disappear completely. And then what would happen to my interview? Publishers don't pay for half finished pieces. I swallowed hard. It's not that I'm greedy; Sean and I just really need the money. I knew what I would have to do. I'd have to go and humble myself to that stiff-necked elf.. 'But he needs to apologize too! I was just trying to help him,' I thought, putting my chin slightly in the air, an obvious gesture of my well-known pride. That's right. It looked like the "Prince of Mirkwood" was going to have to humble himself to a fiery tempered human. You might as well ask a mountain to humble itself to an anthill; 'unlikely..' I thought, rolling my eyes. Hey, a story is a story. So I decided to swallow my pride and search the trees.first thing in the morning.
* For understandable reasons, I decided not to tell Sean about the whole trying-to-get-Legolas-in-the-car incident. But my brother was still going to ask why I was home early. It turned out that I didn't have to worry in the first place, for when I returned to our flat, it seemed he wasn't home.
I was about to call his name, but a sound met my ears. Some sort of beeping was coming from the kitchen. My old fear of getting mugged or robbed had returned. 'It had to be Sean.right?' I reassured myself, but I was still on guard.
Since the kitchen was opened to the living room, I didn't have much to peek around. So I poked my head in and whom did I find but Legolas, apparently finishing his examination of the microwave and moving on to the fridge. I was about to confront him, concerning his unlawful entry (after all, an apartment is private property unlike a tree) when I heard Sean's voice, "Sorry Addy isn't here right now, Legolas. Do you want something to eat or anything?" "No, I'm fine, thank you, but I believe Adrienne has arrived." Legolas replied, opening and closing the fridge door, watching in quiet amazement the little light inside turn on and off. "Addy!" Sean called out cheerfully, popping his head out of his room, attired in an ancient "Authentic Medieval Knight's Helmet" (it was plastic, and he had owned as long as I could remember). "Hi," I said putting my bag down in a chair. I walked up to Legolas, who was now focusing his attention on the oven, and said slightly agitated, "How'd you get here so fast?" He turned swiftly and smiled tauntingly. "Walking," The elf said. "Oh really?" "But of course." Oh, did that send my temper soaring. "Legolas said you needed to show him something," Sean asked, pushing the visor of his helmet up so he could bite the apple he was holding. "Oh." I said, my anger calming down as I remembered. I looked out the window at the pouring rain.what the heck, we can walk. "Would you like to accompany us?" Legolas asked, turning to Sean. "Um.no thanks," My brother declined, scratching the back of his neck. "I have something I have to do." I stared at him, confused. "You don't want to come?" I asked, still staring. Sean shook his head. "You okay?" "Yeah," he smiled reassuringly. "Alright." I said, getting an umbrella out of the closet. "Do you.er.need a coat or something?" I asked turning to Legolas. "No, I'll be fine, thank you," The elf replied waiting patiently by the door.
So we left, and Sean stayed.or so I thought.
* "My sister?" Legolas asked quietly. "Well, I'm not sure," I said. "I met her at a book store down here and her name is Katerina; and she's.. and she's.. well.you know.uh.like you." (I almost said, "weird" but my brain saved me.) "What did she look like?" The elf asked. I thought for a minute, trying to dig up the memory. "Hmm, curly black hair and pretty blue eyes like yours," I said, and then blushed when I realized what had come out of my mouth. "It sounds like her," Legolas said, longingly looking up to the raining sky. He didn't have a coat or umbrella; even though I had offered to share mine he declined. The elf was soaking wet (the water was really coming down) but somehow every blonde hair on his head was still in place. "Aren't you cold?" I asked, shivering myself although I had a big coat on. "No, little one. I do not experience changings in temperature the way you do. The same with the rest of my people. It is a sensation I have long been curious about. Although, it seems quite bothersome; given the wardrobe requirements," Legolas replied. "Well it's like.." I bit my lip trying to think of a word. How can you describe hot and cold to someone who's never felt it before? "It's.." Legolas smiled slightly, watching the wet sidewalk pass under our feet, "Aragorn couldn't explain it to me either.. He tried as did Gimli." He chuckled to himself, seeming to reflect on passed times. I thought for a moment, and then I said, "I guess cold would be.like losing someone you love, or saying good-bye to someone you know you won't see again." I paused for a moment to consider this, and heard Legolas make a small sound of recognition. "And warm." I continued. "Would be the way it feels when you're with all your friends and family, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Hot, hot is a little harder.it's uncomfortable.I guess like being in a battle, surrounded by your enemies-you just want to get out of it." I was gratified to hear quiet admiration in his voice, as he said, "That is the best explanation I have yet heard." Encouraged, I went on: "But the best thing is when you come in from the cold, to a warm room, maybe even with a fire." "Like finding someone that you thought you'd lost." "Yeah, like coming home.." Legolas had stopped in front of me, and was looking down at me, under my silly little umbrella, with a rare expression of appreciation on his face: "You are indeed wise for one so young. I think I should like to feel this 'warmth' you speak of. It has been a long time since I felt at home."
A few minutes later, we entered the bookstore. Since it was near closing time, it looked like Legolas and I were the only ones in the shop. I walked down the aisles looking for Kat, and sure enough I spotted her talking to a guy with brown hair. "So maybe, tonight, we could go out to a movie or-," I overheard him saying as I approached when suddenly I recognized him. "Sean! What are you doing here?" I cried, all the while picturing him in that silly armor, and wondering secretly what she would think if she could see him the way I did. To my great surprise, something in me was very protective of my little brother, and I felt myself scrutinizing Kat, with a big sister's eye. Sean stopped and turned around. His hair was combed neatly back and it smelled like he was wearing cologne. This small gesture on his part, tugged at my heart, and I knew, in that everyday kind of way, just how much I really loved him. "A-Addy, Legolas! What are you doing here?" He asked, also surprised and cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. "Legolas? Is-is your name Legolas?" Kat asked, stuttering a little, looking over Sean's shoulder. The elf's eyes were wide for a minute as he bowed slightly and said, "Yes." "Wow, you're really into the books, huh?" She said, looking curiously at Legolas' outfit and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Where did you get your clothes? Were you an extra on the movie set or something?"
And then I saw it. Her ears. Kat's ears were round. "I, um, gotta' go," Sean mumbled, and, cheeks still red, he hurried out of the store. Torn between relief and frustration, I watched my brother leave, knowing that he probably still had a chance with Kat, but sad at the obvious; I would not be reuniting Legolas with his sister. How could I have been so stupid? Kat is no elf. (What am I saying? He's no elf either! Where did my objectivity go? I'm seeing elves everywhere!) "Calm down, Adrienne," I whispered to myself. "You're not Middle Earth's 'Oprah Winfrey'."
Legolas took a deep steady breath and looking at the floor he said quietly, "No. Pardon me, I must be departing." The elf left too, and Katerina watched after him. "Oh, he's cute!" She said after he left. "Weird outfit, though. A little too into Lord Of The Rings. Is he your boyfriend?" "No, just a subject for an interview." I replied, distracted. "I.I got to go," I rushed out of the store, guilt rising in my stomach. "Legolas?" I called looking around outside, but my voice was drowned out by the sound of the pounding rain. It was awful, getting his hopes up like that. I needed to find him. I shivered (already being drenched) and opened my umbrella as I tried to think. Where would a ten thousand year old elf go? I had one wild guess.
* Hyde Park was very beautiful with the red sun setting and the occasional dark crystal raindrops shattering into a million shards as they hit the ground. The downpour had now turned into a light drizzle. I wasted no time, and headed into a grove of trees, looking up into the branches and calling Legolas' name. "I should have known better," came a quiet elven voice. "I always hoped the impossible." "Legolas?" I called again, hurrying to an especially tall tree in the middle of the grove. High in the branches I found the elven prince, sitting, one leg hanging, seemingly precarious, but of no apparent concern to him. Even in my apprehension, I couldn't help wondering how he did it; he looked as if he were reclining on the most comfortable couch. In silhouette, he seemed to be staring up at the appearing stars that were quickly spreading across the sky. I felt my throat tighten with guilt, but some how I managed to speak and push away my awkwardness. "Legolas," I began. "I-I'm sorry.I thought-." "Do not be sorry, little one," Legolas said, taking a deep breath, his eyes still looking up at the darkening sky. "It is no folly to be young and full of hope." He paused, and then spoke, so quietly, I had to strain to make it out, "The fault lies in me; as love, and the longing for it, dies hard in my kind." "It is not easy for any of us!" I heard myself saying a little too loudly, angry at the tears that suddenly rose in my eyes, as for no logical reason, I pictured Sean, cheeks afire, so vulnerable in that bookstore. All at once, I realized, how much I would miss him, should anything happen to him.
'This is silly!' I thought to myself. 'I'm getting way too emotionally involved in this project. After all, it's not my brother who is lost.' So, I stood there, under a tree, in the dusky mist, thinking about the nature of love and loss, and listening to the pleasant, if melancholy sound, of Legolas' voice softly singing a haunting melody, in a language which, while beautiful, was beyond my comprehension. In the back of my mind, I registered the sharp click of my tape recorder. I did not bother to put in another.
***
Continued In Part 6 Author's Note: Hooray! 50 pages written! Thanks so much, everyone! Please review. (I reply to every one!) It's been a little hard writing, because my family and I are moving, but I promise I will finish the story! I could never abandon it! ( Thanks again and Keep reading! ~Navatariel P.S. I especially want to thank "Names For The Magical Races" for helping me out with some of the Elven names!