Chapter 19 – Advances

As the Sun started to sink and the shadows lengthened, Rhinure watched the last of the Avari company fade into the distance. Only the echoes of thundering hooves were left to remind her that the Avari had been here.

“You seem tired, my Lady. The inspection must have been more thorough than anticipated.” Legolas’ melodious voice filled her ears, blocking out even that echo.

Rhinure opened her eyes, which she did not remember closing, and looked at him. He stood, bright even in the failing light, smiling down at her.

“It was a proud force, impressive in their competence – and in their numbers.”

*~ So you mock me, princeling. ~* It seemed as if Legolas was not fooled by the Avari reticence.

“Indeed it was, my Lord. It filled one’s heart with pride.” Rhinure kept her voice cool and any admiration out of it.

*~ Or with dread. ~* Legolas thought, this time schooling his features into impassivity. Both elves could play this game – if she did not appreciate honesty then he would not either.

*~ You learn not to be obvious, my prince. ~*

“May I take you to dinner soon, my Lady? You must be starving since you missed lunch,” Legolas asked smoothly. It was as if two strangers were inquiring about each other’s health.

“Thank you, my Lord, but I think I will not attend dinner tonight.”

“My Lady, will you not grace us with your presence? We have been bereft of it for so long.”

Legolas winced at the insincerity of the remark. *~ Careful, Legolas or she will escape. ~*

Rhinure looked at Legolas, telling him silently that she was not impressed with his empty flattery. He would have to try much harder to break her. It would be interesting to see how far he would take this game. And it was a game, a dangerous one, since she was exposed at this point. She did not have the strength to fight him today; she had spent it all in the battle. The confrontation she had just orchestrated had not helped at all either.

Legolas must have seen this in her eyes, because suddenly the glass layer coating his eyes shattered completely. The emotions that he had been so successful in suppressing spilled out of him. He looked at her – into her, and realised at some level that she was close to breaking.

*~ Ilúvatar, I cannot fight her when she is so vulnerable. ~* So instead, he stepped closer to her, taking her arm – offering her his support.

It was the one thing he could have done which confused Rhinure more than anything. She would have expected him to attack, pressing her for information – push her until she could not hold out against him. That was what she would have done. It was the only way to win.

But now, this prince offered his arm – and his … sympathy?

She took his arm in a slight daze, trying to understand what had just happened.

Legolas smiled as she touched his arm, she had accepted his help. But why did she look so confused? It would have been dishonourable to attack a weakened opponent. Surely, she understood this. Then why was she looking at him as if he was Melkor free from his prison?

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As Legolas took his leave from Rhinure, he bent over her hand – a courtier showing his admiration for a beautiful maiden. Perfectly normal for Legolas and completely incomprehensible to Rhinure. She did not detect any falsehood in his actions but neither did she feel that the action was appropriate. Her relationship with Legolas hardly merited this warmth.

The concept of genuine flattery was new to her and it would take her time to assimilate.

Legolas straightened, catching a glimpse of confusion on her face; but it was so fleeting that he thought he must have imagined it. Rhinure’s usual cryptic mask was firmly in place. Legolas stifled a sigh, “You should rest, my lady.” He smiled at her and walked away.

He was concerned about her, Rhinure knew that, but she could not understand why. Why had he not pressed his advantage?

Was it a sign of weakness, and ability to finish what he started? Or was it some new ploy? A new step in this dance between them?

Either way, Legolas had missed his opportunity; he would not find her so weak again. For whatever reason, he had retreated and Rhinure would not allow him so near again.

It was foolishness to allow your enemy another chance to strike.

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The next morning Legolas was knocking outside Rhinure’s room – again. This was really getting to be a most annoying habit, he mused. Hopefully, this time she would be in. He had made sure to come early, not even Thranduil started the day earlier than this. Of course, the fact that he had ordered guards to be strategically placed along the corridors had nothing to do with his confidence. They had just confirmed his opinion, when they had told him that Lady Rhinure had not left her chambers.

*~ Of course, she could have climbed out of her window. I really would not put it past her. ~* That horrifying thought made him knock again, just a little more urgently than justified. His reputation would be ruined if he once again returned to his rooms without having seen Rhinure. Even now, he could feel Herenion snicker behind him

*~ Elves should not be able to snicker. It is most undignified. ~*

The door opened before he could knock again, revealing a most disgruntled Ehtewen, “We heard you the first time, my Lord. It is early and Mistress Rhinure has still not finished dressing. If you would like to wait inside?”

Legolas agreed readily, he should have been embarrassed but was not. With Rhinure, that peculiar human proverb seemed to apply very well. What was it again? Ah yes, better safe than sorry.

Legolas looked around the room, lacking anything better to do. It looked the same as when Rhinure had been given the rooms, six days earlier. Only six days; Legolas shook his head, it seemed so long ago. She had apparently changed nothing – there were no personal touches in the room, nothing to indicate that Lady Rhinure occupied these chambers. There was no indications that anyone occupied these chambers – so neat were they.

Legolas found the whole situation a bit sad, he hoped that Rhinure would be comfortable enough in the Princess’ chambers to move things around. To really make the rooms her own. If nothing else, to feel at enough ease to carelessly throw a robe on a chair – to let a little dust gather on a forgotten corner.

And, he would have to make sure that her guards got nearby rooms – he did not think he would be able to stand it if they insisted on living with her. Even now, their intense scrutiny was a little unnerving.

It was only then that he noticed that the third guard was someone he had never seen before.

“I do not see Morion. Is he indisposed?”

“He is away, I am acting Second Guard in his place,” Istion said evenly.

“And whom may this be?” Legolas was forced to ask when Istion did not say another word.

“This is Erutunín.”

Legolas dropped the subject – he had come to realise that speaking to the Avari was a most frustrating exercise on the best of days. When they were in a non-communicative mood, like today, he was sure to get more pleasant conversation with an Orc. He could only hope, that Rhinure was in a better mood. “Is Lady Rhinure ready?”

“You can go in and see for yourself.” Ehtewen waved her hand towards the inner chamber.

Legolas hesitated for a second, but after a little thought, it seemed to be a better idea than remaining outside.

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Legolas hesitated in the doorway, “My lady?”

“Come in, my Lord. I am dressed.” Rhinure seemed almost amused by his hesitation. One would not think that they were to be married in another eight days. But then, as Rhinure considered, Legolas would never intrude on her privacy – or what he considered privacy. He would rather face her guards’ inspection than discomfort her while she was changing. That was admirable; no Avari would bother with such circumspection.

Of course, Legolas could be indiscreet in other ways. The way he looked her over – the way his face reflected what he felt, what he thought. It burdened her since she had to watch what she said and did around him. He was so clear in broadcasting everything – the necessary deception that formed part of Avari life was missing in him. She found it bewildering but strangely attractive at the same time. It was as if she looked into a clear stream, being able to see right into the very bottom but also knowing with certainty that the waters were refreshing.   

Rhinure turned back to her mirror, making sure her appearance was presentable. Legolas watched with interest as she clasped her bracelet onto her wrist. Her face was a study of absorption and … devotion? Legolas’ heart twisted as he caught a glimpse of that grave resolution. The rightness of that expression took Legolas by surprise. It seemed strangely fitting on Rhinure’s face – an old companion returned. When was the last time someone had made her smile, he wondered?

“May I ask what that bracelet is, my Lady?” 

“It is my life, my Lord.” Rhinure turned to catch Legolas’ puzzled expression. “It is a reminder of who I am – what I am. Each of the rings stands for a vow I swore to my people, each of the chains is a sign of the bonds that hold me to them.”

She looked at her hand, remembering the day her two rings had been replaced by these three. The day she had become Sacrifice.

*~ The day my life ended and a new one began. ~*

“What do you call it?” Legolas asked gently, wanting to bring her back from whatever melancholy thoughts had gripped her.

“It is a karha.”

Legolas suddenly remembered a fragment of a conversation, “Is this what I will place on your hand during the wedding?”

Rhinure shook her head, “This was given to me from my people, this belongs to them. You will place one that symbolises my vows to you.”

“Would you like it to be made in any special way?” Legolas asked.

Rhinure looked at him, not understanding.

“If this karha is meant to be symbolic of your bonds to me then is it not fitting that I have it made?”

To have Legolas forge the chains he was binding her with – very fitting indeed. Rhinure pushed such thoughts out of her head, he was only being kind.

“A gift?”

“Yes, my Lady. A gift from me to you – since there is not much else I can give you.”

Rhinure nodded, understanding what Legolas said and what he left unsaid.

“So, my Lady, how would you like it to be made?”

“It does not matter, my Lord. It can be made in any manner but it will be binding.”

Legolas should have known she would have been so practical.

“But . . . if it is not too much of a bother, I would prefer it to be made in silver. That metal pleases me more than others.”

Legolas could not help but grin – at least she was making some demands of him. He did not know whether it was male pride or something else – but he wanted to show her that he was able to do what she asked, better than she expected.

Rhinure watched as Legolas’ face lit up because of her request. She had a feeling if she had asked the karha to be made of Mithril, he would have been even happier. *~ Strange elf. ~*

“My Lady, if you are finished, would you like to accompany me to see the rest of the palace grounds?”

Rhinure would have like nothing less, more pointless chatter, but she could not refuse Legolas. He was grinning at her again.

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