The SONGS of SPRING

BEREN'S DILEMMA

Chapter 7

'This is the farthest I could take you,' Raen said to the Hobbits. 'Remember your vows.'

'Not a word,' Merrygund halted at the middle of the carven stairs and looked back. All the Hobbits did the same. He clipped one hand to his waist as the other reached out for hers. 'Thank you.  For saving our lives and for delivering us this far, Lady. We couldn't have made it without you and your swain.'

'Companion,' Raen corrected thrusting her bo to the concrete floor.

'Right! Your companion. The Great Road proved to be perilous indeed and full of evil folks, save you two of course. Poor us, we should have been more careful. Please say my thanks to Mr. Barren, he sh---

'Beren. His name is Beren.' Raen said rather peevish. She couldn't suffer the Hobbits any longer - they ask too many questions, twists as much facts she had told and never runs out of petty complaints - if only Beren did the hobbit-sitting himself, she thought, she would have been less miserable.

'Mr. Beren, right! Merrygund whispered. 'We will never forget and shall never utter his name again. Farewell, fair Lady.' Merrygund and Goldilocks bowed low.

'Farewell,' Raen returned a nod instead. She pulled her hood up to cover her face then turned her back to trace her steps. The Hobbits quickly went as muffled as they could until they disappeared from sight. Beren must be just outside the gates, she thought making haste back to the walk way.

The citadel was a great wonder, in her eyes it was the greatest and the grandest place she had been. Walled in massive white stones, each pillars wrought, if not carven, to the likeness of Nimloth, white bark and flowers of gold. The lampposts were slim and drooping, the houses were fair and tall and the streets were paved in dull red and brown rectangular stones. The labours of the Dwarves were here and there and gardens were filled by the love of Elves. Merry are the days that followed the return of the King but to a few the bountiful years were rarely felt and peace is just another thing yet to achieve.

Raen sped up thinking of Beren, holding her bo she trotted to where they have gone, and there she saw the Elflord walking under the yellow lights of the street, watchful of her. She jumped to a corner and into the shadow of the building in great speed. Hiding like a thief she stood unmoving at length, holding her breath as long as she could endure. Legolas drew near, skidded to a halt, looking about to where he last saw her.

'I know you're there. Come out of the shadows,' Legolas halted five paces away in front of her. He could see her faint shape, at last, and though her face was well hidden under the hood, there was a glimmer in her eyes bright enough for him to recognize. 'I'm not a threat, Lady. Come out where I could see you.'

But Raen held tight her bo thinking if it was wise to run, or even try putting a dagger to his throat -- for whatever reasons her heart was pounding and her hands were moist. Legolas stepped closer, reaching for her. 'Come, and may you let me steal a glance at your face again.'

She trembled to her knees, her heart was stirred like a boat lost in the tempest. There was starlight in his intensed eyes, pleading for her hand to reach back to him, as it was already moving by itself to touch his. Raen caught herself softening but as quickly as she could she withdrew her hand, threw her cloak about and leaped to her side and ran.

'Wait,' Legolas stirred and followed her to the walkway. 'Lady, I did not mean to scare you.' Few guards took notice of the chase but did not bother to drop their eaves.

Yet Raen refuse to let her thoughts be heard, she was dismayed. She reached the stairs to the third ring of the citadel, jumped and slid down through the stone railing then hoisted herself up to the roof by leaping on wooden boxes piled by the wall then scrambling and up the rooftop. Casting a victorious smile she halted to take a look at her pursuer, now gazing up amazed of how she had gotten herself up the two storey house without breaking a bone. But then when Legolas drew near, quickly as a glance she swung her dark cloak and went off and disappeared from the starlit skies. Legolas head to her way but to no avail, for she was fast as lighting but muffled as a cat. He couldn't have guessed which way she went, save that it was obviously down.