Chapter One, Chapter Two Chapter Three, Chapter Four

Chapter 4

Legolas watched the sun rise through the stable window. He had already saddled up Nildur, a beautiful grey stallion with hints of silver in his mane and tail. Legolas had chosen Nildur to be his steed when he was young. Nildur was the son of Legolas’ mother’s horse; Brithiel. Nildur had been loyal to Legolas since their first meeting.

Legolas sprang lightly onto Nildur’s back and was just about to make his way outside when someone standing in the doorway caught his eye and he stopped. They seemed not to notice him as they walked over to a stable and disappeared inside. Legolas directed Nildur over. Todia was softly humming to herself as she tacked up the blue roan mare. “That’s a stunning horse Todia. What is she called?”

“Legolas!” Todia turned suddenly “I had not realised that you were there. This is Tánia, my horse”

“What are you doing up this early?” Legolas asked

“I couldn’t sleep. I can normally find peace around the horses. I was just about to take Tánia out for a ride”

“Would you like to join myself and Nildur?” Legolas invited, hopefully

“Yes please” Todia said gratefully as she swung herself up into Tánia’s saddle. They both then rode out of the stables at a walk.

Why couldn’t you sleep?” Legolas questioned after a few moments.

“I don’t know” Todia replied truthfully “But don’t worry Legolas, I’m sure it hasn’t got anything to do with this wonderful city” She looked around at the palace to her left. “I’ve never been in a place so enchanting and yet so mysterious”

“And what do you think of the people?”

“Very welcoming!” Todia replied, laughing

“I’m glad to hear it” Legolas chuckled. The two of them continued to wind their way through the forest. They both urged their horses into a steady canter as they came into more open land. Silence fell on them for several minutes as they crossed the clearing, before the horses were once more brought back to a walk.

“Do you think the company will be arriving today?” Todia asked as she turned to face Legolas.

“I expect so. I am hoping to be able to represent the elves”

“But you could face some of the same kinds of dangers that were around when the ring was present” Todia said, shocked that Legolas would want to put himself forward for this task.

“Then it shall be nothing new to me” Todia didn’t understand what Legolas was saying. Finally, she voiced her uncertainty

“What do you mean “nothing new”?”

“Well, when I was part of the fellowship, I had to face countless orcs, I have also fought at the battle of Helms Deep and in the war of the Ring” Legolas gave her a look as though to say “I thought Galadriel would have told you?”

“I didn’t realise you were the elf in the fellowship. I suppose you have many stories?”

“I do. Would you like to hear one?” Legolas asked. He was a great story teller and enjoyed describing the things that he had seen.

“Yes please. Oh dear, I must sound like a young child asking an older brother to tell them a bedtime story.”

“Not at all melonamin . My father is always asking about my travels, he has not yet heard the tale that I am about to tell you. It is the story of Helms Deep, is that okay with you” Todia nodded “Very well, I shall begin” For the next half an hour, Legolas explained what happened at the Battle of Helms Deep. Todia listened intently and laughed when he told her of his and Gimli’s competition.

It was now midday and the sun was at its highest. Legolas and Todia had both dismounted from their horses and were now sitting with their backs against two huge oak trees for shade. Nildur and Tánia were grazing peacefully nearby. “I had not realised that the fellowship had passed through Lorien. Of course I knew that there was a council held with Lord Elrond in Rivendell, for I was staying there during the war of the ring. I only returned to Lothlorien when it was over.”

“It was defiantly an interesting experience. But I did make 6 new friends. Oh what I wouldn’t give to see those 4 hobbits again! They were so completely unaware of the world around them…” Legolas sighed deeply.

* * * * * * *

The two riders had arrived back at the palace in the early afternoon. They had both parted each others company for a few hours before yet another feast began.

Once more Lady Galadriel brought Todia a beautiful dress, green this time. But instead of Legolas coming to take her down to dinner, as he had done the previous night, a friendly female elf called Tiniwiel came. Todia was slightly disappointed, but once she entered the dinning hall, she saw Legolas sitting at the table, with a spare seat next to him. She walked over and sat down beside him. “This seat isn’t taken is it?” she asked, turning to face Legolas

“No. I was saving it especially for you.”

“That’s very kind of you. Have I done something special to deserve being saved a seat by the Prince of Greenwood?”

“No. You have just kept me company these last few days, and it has been very pleasant to talk to a High Elf.”

“I am glad to have been some service to you, and not just a nuisance!”

“You could never be a nuisance” Legolas said, smiling

The food that evening was less grand than that of the previous night. But it was still magnificent. As Todia was eating, she could feel Legolas’ gaze upon her, yet she did not feel uncomfortable about it. She did not turn around to meet his stare however, but continued with her meal.

As he watched Todia, Legolas realised that he could not keep his feelings towards her a secret for much longer. His heart ached at the thought of her not knowing, and yet he was nervous beyond belief about telling her.

Once the meal was over, everyone began to leave, for there was no music or dancing this night. “Todia, Will you walk with me?” Legolas asked, taking her hand.

“If you wish.” Legolas lead her outside and away through the forest to his secret place. He must tell her, tonight. Todia walked over to one of the seats and sat carefully down upon it.

“My favourite place, that is what it has become.” Todia said, looking out across the valley. Todia then screwed up her shoulders, as though in pain and muttered “I wish it would stop”

“Todia, what’s wrong, are you hurt?”

“No, well, not exactly. I seem to have a constant pain in my shoulders and it’s really bothering me.”

“Here, let me try and help” Legolas said with concern. He gently sat next to her and rubbed her shoulders slowly and delicately with his hands. After a few minutes, he felt the muscles relaxed beneath his fingers. “Any better?” he asked

“A lot, thank you Legolas” He smiled. As he moved his hands a fraction, something on Todia’s skin caught his eye. A long, red mark starching the length of her shoulder. Legolas removed his hands completely and stared, puzzled at the mark. When he traced the line with his finger, he felt Todia wince. Questions immediately raced through his mind. Who could have done this? Why would anyone want to harm her? When? How? Legolas needed an answer to them.

“Todia” he said slowly “Who did this to you?”

“What?”

“Those marks, who made them?”

“Oh” she said, then after much hesitation she whispered “my father” Legolas was lost for words. How could any man harm his own daughter?

“But….Why?” Legolas was still momentarily stunned by Todia’s words.

“He... he didn’t like me. He wanted a son, but he got me instead.”

“I can’t believe it” Legolas didn’t understand.

“Would you like to know the truth?” Todia asked. Legolas nodded. Steadily, Todia began to explain. “My father always wanted a son, to pass on his qualities. But, my mother only wanted on child, me. My father was extremely angry with her right after I was born. He kept saying that it was her fault that the family name wasn’t going to be kept alive. They argued all the time and I didn’t understand what was happening. I cried a lot because I wanted it to stop; I wanted us to all to be happy. Anyway, one night, my father finally did the worst thing that could ever be done, something that I will never forgive him for. Nobody ever knew the truth, except me. My father” Todia swallowed “Is a murderer” she said quietly, and then as though letter the whole world know, she said loudly and clearly “My father was a murderer! He killed her! I never knew how and I don’t want to.” a single, pearly white tear ran silently down Todia’s cheek. Legolas brushed it away delicately with his thumb. “I think he thought it would make everything better” Todia continued “That it would bring him happiness. But it didn’t. I had to whiteness the guilt and fear eat away at his soul. All he ever wanted was a perfect life for him, for others to respect him and realise what a great person he was. He didn’t care who he hurt in the process. But you can’t have perfection can you? Everything comes with a price” Legolas nodded “it gradually killed him, just as he had killed my mother. I was left an orphan. No parents. Nothing. Only the secret of murder that I couldn’t share with anyone. I was alone.” The tears began to fall freely from her eyes, all the built up memories came pouring out of her heart. Legolas soothingly gathered her into his arms and held her to him until all he tears had subsided. He know felt that he understood her. The secrets she had, the pain, the loss had been holding her prisoner all her life. He hoped, prayed that he had helped to break the barrier and she could now lead a better life.