Lillianna stared thoughtfully out the window that gave a fair view of the layout of Minas Tirith. Such a day would make any one feel glorious, but Lillianna did not feel so. Her eyes were clouded, which indeed was a small glimpse into how her world had been since the death of Legolas. She told of him to no one, but many suspected she had a lover once, and was mourning the loss of him through her dark apparel. Daeron, the scribe of Minas Tirith, took pity on her and often offered to help her. She accepted this, but knew that she could not become open, for then her disguise would be uncovered. She would often ask him to show her the layout of the city so as to secure it to her memory when she would return for her father’s book – if even such a thing could be hoped for. Today she decided to extend his offer of help a little further, and risk his curiosity. At any rate, she wanted to get away from her room; she felt as if though she were being watched.
“I wish to speak with Daeron” She told her servant “Tell him to come to my chamber as soon as he can.” Daeron came with due hastiness and she proceeded to ask him the question that was on her mind.
“You may think my inquiries odd at first, and no doubt you should. But this city would be an important place to control in times of war, and since I have explored all the other aspects of your culture here, I should like to know how Minas Tirith defended itself in times of war.” Daeron was indeed surprised to find a female interested in such matters, but he found it his pleasure to boast about Gondor’s accomplishments. He gave her tours of the city’s outside defences and talked about the history in their making. Lillianna decided to risk one more question,
“I have often heard of many cities using underground tombs as means of hiding in severe cases. Would any such strongholds exist here?” Daeron stopped and examined her carefully, as if trying to find her meaning. Lillianna however was a master at deception, and he saw no hidden meaning in her request.
“Coincidentally,” he began slowly, “Minas Tirith has extensive underground catacombs that were built long ago for the sole purpose of burying the dead in times of war. They were at one time used for hiding, but such an atmosphere you can imagine is highly undesirable, so only in the gravest of situations are such measures taken.” Lillianna took this in and tried to find out more,
“So now they are of no more use?” she asked carefully, trying not to sound too interested. Daeron grunted however in reply and said,
“Not really, miss….no, not really at all.” He looked uncomfortable and then pointed his hand towards the left,
“That’s where they are in case you are still interested. No one really pays much attention to them.”
Lillianna memorized its location – just outside the furthest city wall – so as to return later to investigate it.
Legolas pulled back the cloak to cover his face and leaned up against the tree he was perched in. He saw his Lillianna walk down with the man, and something from the shadows proceeded to follow them. At first he dismissed it, for he could not see properly, but on a second glance he perceived it to be a tall figure who was without a doubt following her. This gave him a cause for concern, and he too decided to follow this stranger. Elves are masters at such things, yet in this city he must take extra caution, for he did not who could have been watching. As silent as the night, Legolas followed the intruder, taking in every move he made. The man turned into a dark passage, and Legolas saw that it lead to a door of a small old house. The stench was grotesque, but Legolas slipped into a crevice along the stone wall, for he heard other voices greet the man. He became alarmed at what he heard.
“Did you discover anything new?” a raspy, unnerving voice spoke, barely rising above the slow breeze of the day.
“I believe so. I think we shall have good news for our master.” the man who had followed Lillianna said “She is asking about the defenses, and they have headed in the direction of the catacombs. I am sure she is Lillianna now, and no doubt she will return there for her own purposes.”
“These must be sought out, Gwin” another raspy voice continued “You being intimate with the royal family will give you a greater chance than the rest of us. You must not disappoint us. Our time grows short. You have taken far too long”
At this, Legolas grew anxious and afraid, for Gwin was one of the chief advisors for the Steward, and would know almost everything of Lillianna’s affairs.
“I must not tarry any longer; more than just one life is at stake I fear.” he said to himself and left before they discovered he was there.
“Be careful Gwin” the first raspy voice continued in a low, threatening voice as Legolas slipped away. “I have sensed there are other non-human folk about. The master would be displeased if his treasure was lost again.”
“I assure you I will not fail. She knows nothing of my façade.” Gwin replied silkily. Then he bowed and turned back towards the brightness of the day.
Legolas went back to the tree he had concealed himself in and called in a clear ringing. A golden white horse appeared and Legolas mounted it quickly.
“Naro lim, Lorlos. For very lives are at stake now. Ride!!” Lorlos turned and fled, her mane and tail glistening in the sun.
Four days after seeing the location of the catacombs, Lillianna now felt confidant in stealing away to examine it more. She did not know how one might break in, or how to navigate when inside. Night had descended on Minas Tirith, and now Lillianna knew her time had come. She resolved not to stay long, for fear of waking suspicious individuals who might hinder her. She secured two small throwing knives in the hold of her boots in preparation for anything out of the ordinary.
“I must keep a careful watch on Gwin, for he has always given me such horrible glances of wicked desire. I do not know if he is with Sauron, or just twisted in his own mind.” She said to herself and again she longed for the soothing comfort of Legolas’ embrace. But she put him out of her mind for a time, and by the concealment of her elven cloak, slipped away while Minas Tirith slept.
Gwin and his group of 5 men watched her leave, and then proceeded to follow her, each of them on different sides.
“Do what you like to the lady, but do not kill her. She is wanted by my master.” Gwin said watching the perfect form of Lillianna admiringly.
Lillianna walked briskly, and she began to sense something was behind her. She turned around and a glimpse of a coat faded into shadow. She quickened her pace slightly, and tried not to become aroused. On the left she felt a disturbance in the air and snapped her head towards it. She caught the figure of a man – a man who was armed and started to approach her. She now broke into a run realizing her danger. Her strides were long and quick, but there was someone waiting for her when she reached the outer gate. A burly man lunged and grasped her by the arms. She screamed and twisted herself from his grasp, pulling out her two knives as she did so. The six men now surrounded her and quick as lightning she stabbed one in the mouth, as well as another in the throat. They at first drew back in surprise, for her eyes were blazing and she fought as one who is mad. The four remaining, however, drew their swords and knocked one of the knives out of her left hand. she blocked another blow with her right hand and stooped to pick up her fallen knife. Another large one grasped her neck from behind and she fought to regain her breath. She jabbed her fingers into his eyes and he let go in pain. Running for a couple more yards, though she was exhausted, she screamed “Elbereth! Elbereth!! Legolas! Legolas!!!” with deafening volume as another man tripped her and pinned her to the ground. His groping hands gave her shivers, yet she still kicked madly at his face in attempts to throw him off. At that moment, when she felt she could fight no more, an arrow flew through the darkness and pierced the neck of her attacker. A few more arrows went by, killing off the rest of the attackers and a horsed rider went in pursuit of one who ran away. Lillianna looked up as she gasped for breath and saw in the moonlight that they were elves. One of them cried out when he saw her and bent down to her level. Her vision blurred and then all was dark.
Legolas only knew cold fury when he had seen the vision of Lillianna nearly raped in front of his very eyes. She was now unconscious, and Legolas thanked heaven he was not too late. The one who had run away was now brought back by Glorfindol and was shoved upon the ground. Legolas’ eyes displayed the fury he felt and Gwin shivered from it.
“Who are you that you should dare try to take what is most sacred of a lady from this innocent, pure creature?” Legolas demanded with no tone of pity in his voice as he pointed at the quiet figure of Lillianna. Gwin strove to redeem himself,
“My good sir, I am not involved in this. I merely wanted to find what was the commotion about, and I was running for help when I saw this fair maiden in distress.”
Legolas was not convinced and he drew out a long, curved dagger.
“I did not know that chief counsels of Minas Tirith often go out for midnight strolls.” He said sarcastically. “You will feel this steel against your marrow if you lie to me once more. Now tell me why you have done this, for the coat of arms on your chest explains your rank.” Legolas drew the blade closer to Gwin and his visage paled at Legolas’ cold voice. Gwin then demanded that a trial be made for him to which the elves agreed, for they knew his verdict would be definite. Glorfindol put Gwin upon his horse and rode back towards the city. Legolas stooped down to Lillianna and gently picked her up in his arms. Meldon came forward to help him, but Legolas refused.
“This is no burden for me. I will willingly carry her.” Legolas said as he softly kissed the bruises upon her arms and took her back to the city.
A trial was held for Gwin and he was pronounced guilty and sentenced to a hanging. Gwin spit on the feet of Legolas and proclaimed that his revenge would be taken on Lillianna. Legolas tried to ignore him, but the thought arose ever in his mind and he was anxious to leave the city as soon as she recovered.
Lillianna awoke from her darkness, and found her wounds were cleaned and wrapped. She undid the wraps and healed the wounds herself before she went out to find who had rescued her. She figured now that the people knew she was an elf, and she hoped that the spies of Sauron had been killed from the elves who came to her. Daeron stood waiting outside her door and was relieved to find her well.
“You healed fast, my lady. But I suppose that’s because you are an elf.” he said as he looked at her incredulously, for now her full beauty was revealed to him.
“I’m sorry I had to deceive you so, Daeron. But it was for my own protection as well as yours.”
“I know as much – the elves who rescued you told me of your many trials and tribulations. They wish me to show you to them now.” Lillianna followed Daeron curiously, for she had not told anyone but Galadriel and Celeborn where she had gone. How they knew when to come to her aid, she did not know. Across a small pool Lillianna perceived three male elves, whom she recognized to be Meldon, Elladan, and Glorfindol. A fourth elf joined them, and he had a dark stone in his hands. Lillianna nearly collapsed once more as she felt the empty place on her neck. She stood fast as the elf turned around and her eyes now met those of her own beloved Legolas. Her hands went to her mouth, and she shook her head in disbelief. Nothing could have prepared her for that moment and years of pain and unshed tears welled up inside her. She walked forward numbly, and he too at first, but then her steps quickened and she broke into a run. He met her with his arms spread wide and caught her up as tears poured down her rosy cheeks. She grasped him tautly, not being able to say a word through her sobs, and Legolas held her firmly in return. Lillianna then softly spread kisses over his face.
“Have you truly come back to me? Or are my waking dreams now haunting this perfect reunion of my soul?” She asked him nearly exhausted with bliss. Legolas smiled and kissed her many times in return,
“No Lillianna, I am no dream. And I will explain all in due time.” Meldon, Glorfindol, and Elladan watched this tender meeting, and though it filled them with joy, Glorfindol and Elladan could not help but long for the same kind of love.
The five friends sat together under the shade of willow trees and there Lillianna was told of Legolas’ rescue and of his secret watch over her while she was at Minas Tirith. Glorfindol asked if she still thought himself a bitter enemy, and Lillianna felt shame at her harsh words when she knew of Glorfindol’s actions.
“Oh Glorfindol I could never hate you. You must forgive me for my foolishness; I was angry and upset and I took it out upon you. I should have never done so, and your actions in saving Legolas only prove the true friend you are to me. I can never thank you enough. I have found myself again.” And she gave him a gentle kiss on the brow to signify her forgiveness and remorse, and Glorfindol was once again happy, and also much more the wiser.
Legolas sat next to Lillianna and concern filled his face.
“Are you sure that you are well? Do you wish to leave now?”
“Yes I am well Legolas.” Lillianna smiled in return “More so than I have ever been. I did not dare to hope for such joy as this. Yet my disguise is discovered here, though I don’t think the people despise me for it. I feel however that there may be more spies of Sauron who will seek to capture me. I must leave for the time being, but I must return. There is something of extreme importance that I must come back for.”
“What is this thing you seek?” Legolas asked “Surely the Steward will grant you it in return for all your service here.” Lillianna was about to reply when a horn call resounded in the air.
“The Steward has been murdered!” A shrill voice rang “The Steward has been murdered! Sound out the alarm!”
The elves got up hastily and Lillianna was bewildered when Daeron came up to her with a look of distress.
“It’s Gwin’s assistant Fark I fear. He was by right to be the next Steward after Larthamar, and I am sure Fark has murdered him. You must leave, for he is blaming it on all of you, and since you are foreigners, the people will more easily believe him than you. You must make hast and leave.”
“This cannot be!” Lillianna said her voice filling with fear “Fark is surely now to be ill towards us or any elves for that matter. How ill this were to happen when I have not secured my father’s book!!” Legolas looked at her in shock.
“Verdan’s book is hidden here?”
Lillianna nodded and told him that is what she was attempting to disclose to him before they had been interrupted.
“I do not know what book you are speaking of,” Daeron broke in nervously “But I do know that you were curious about the catacombs, so I stole this map of them from Minas Tirith’s library to give to you in return for your kindness. I know it is not much.” He gave a leather bound case to her and she tried to express her gratitude.
“No need my lady, for there is no time. You must leave NOW!” Legolas pulled Lillianna away and together they mounted Lorlos. Meldon, Glorfindol, and Elladan had previously gotten ready, and so before another word was spoken, they left. Lillianna turned around and mourned for Daeron who so bravely saved their lives.
“He will surely be killed for his.” And she bowed her head at the grief Sauron had once again laid upon her.
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