Title & Chapter Number: Elencálë (The Light of the Elves) 3/?
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth/Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Rating: NC-17 Romance/Adventure
Disclaimer:
Warnings:
Betas:
Cast: Legolas/Shu Lien
Timeline: AU - Post RotK
Spoilers: None
Summary: This story takes place about 100 years after the quest of the One Ring. Even after the fall of Sauron, the foul breath of evil can still be felt on the winds of Middle Earth. Some say it is just the nature of the world, the shadow of the light. Some say it is rising and has once again become sentient. King Elessar rules with a just and even hand, but Men throughout the land are falling into darkness, succumbing to greed, hatred and violence among themselves and against the world. The Light of the Elves departs as the Eldar continue to withdraw to the West, leaving darkness in their wake.
Notes: Elves do not close their eyes during Reverie. While I have updated the sexual culture of the Eldar to reflect more modern values (and indeed the fact that I feel that such sensual and advanced beings would revel in such a pass time and consider it natural and pure), the concept that Elves can tell if other Elves have had sex actually is Tolkien's.
Chapter 3
Legolas rode all night, aided by the full moon and Elvish vision. He arrived in Minas Tirith early the next morning and runners from the gate went before him so that when he arrived at the castle, Elessar, Arwen and Elrohir were waiting for him, concerned.
"I found her a day's journey from here. She is of the Mandärin from the Romanórë bearing a package to Lord Elrond." Legolas spoke quickly as Elrohir pulled the unconscious Shu Lien off the horse and into his arms. Both Elrohir and Arwen exchanged curious glances. "She has lost her kinsmen and has been chased by Uruk-Hai through Mordor. She has collapsed from exhaustion, I believe." Arwen nodded to this as she followed Elrohir into the castle. Legolas let out a long breath and slumped slightly.
"Are you alright, Legolas?" Elessar asked as he patted the horse's nose.
Legolas looked up wearily. "Yes, I am just very tired. I rode all night, but I should not feel so..." He dismounted and his knees buckled under him. He steadied himself on the horse's saddle. Elessar came closer putting his hand on Legolas arm with concern. "I am fine, I must rest."
Elessar handed the horse over to a stable boy who had just gotten the word of the guests' arrival and was jogging over to his duty. He walked Legolas slowly to his rooms.
~*~*~*~
Shu Lien woke to the feel of a cool, delicate hand brushing her forehead. The gentle light of morning greeted her eyes and she blinked, trying to orient herself.
"I am sorry I woke you." A lilting voice as crisp as a bell spoke to her in Sindarin. Shu Lien blinked again and looked into the face of a strikingly beautiful dark-haired Elf. "I am Arwen Undomiel, daughter to Elrond, wife to King Elessar. You are in Minas Tirith, the human city of Gondor."
Shu Lien closed her eyes, bringing her hands together. "I am Shu Lien of the Mandärin of the Romanórë ." She looked around, sitting up. She felt much better than she had expected, and rested. Arwen stepped back, watching Shu Lien carefully, as she swung her feet to the ground and stepped down gingerly. When she easily supported her own weight, she stretched slightly and smiled softly at Arwen. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Two days. We are amazed at your recovery. You have almost completely healed in that time. Do all your people mend so?" Arwen picked up a pitcher of water and poured Shu Lien a glass.
Shu Lien bowed slightly and brought it to her lips taking a sip, "No. I have never been blessed by such a gift. I am grateful." She said simply, looking around her room, taking note of her weapon and the small pouch bearing her charge on the table beside her bed. The room was large, the ceiling high. The stone walls were polished to smoothness. Setting the glass on the table she walked to the open, floor length window that let to the balcony while Arwen packed up some of her healing supplies. It overlooked a large garden courtyard which was planted in the Elvish style. Shu Lien took in the details of the gardens and surrounds in the thoughtful way of her people and then turned back into the room to find Arwen watching her with interest. Shu Lien was a most unusual human. She had none of the hurried self-consciousness that Gondorians had. Her movements, even after being laid up in bed, were fluid and aware. Arwen couldn't help but notice the gentle sadness that moved around her like an aura. She would be brief and leave the woman to her thoughts.
"I have brought you some clothes to choose from. These are the garb worn by the women of our city." She said indicating a long gown, similar to the one she was wearing. "And these are some of my brother Elladan's son's clothes. They are similar to the style you were wearing and are the only Elvish clothes we have here. They look like they would fit you." She held out the archer's garb to Shu Lien at her smile and indication.
"You are very thoughtful." She bowed.
Collecting herself Arwen prepared to leave. "I shall have food and a warm bath brought to you. Please let us know if you need anything. Elessar had requested that you join us for dinner, if you feel well enough."
"I would be honored." Shu Lien walked with her to the door.
"Good. Until then, please make yourself at home. Rest and enjoy the gardens and any other pleasure our city can offer. You may come and go as you will." Arwen smiled kindly.
Shu Lien bowed low as Arwen left the room.
Food was brought to her shortly and she ate of the fruits, breads and cheeses hungrily and thoughtfully, taking the time to process all that her mind would allow her. She had seen so much vicious, violent death. She had lost several comrades in the past, but not like this. Her friends and shield mates had been cut down brutally one by one as the months stretched on. At first they had tried to use the Eastern tactics to subdue the Orcs and Uruk-Hai, but the creatures had no honor. They rose again and again until they were slaughtered. Their naiveté had cost them lives of their own party. Shu Lien took to killing them as quickly and mercifully as possible, but it had bruised her heart and soul to take so much life from the world, even it being as evil and putrid as these were. She realized how different Middle Earth was from her homeland. She would never get used to it.
Over and over she saw the faces of her friends, all excellent warriors in their own right, as they fell, crying out in heart-wrenching anguish as their bodies were further mutilated, devoured. Shu Lien felt that she should have been able to preserve their lives. Here lay yet more loss of life on her shoulders. It was by sheer luck, keen skill and icy determination to complete her quest that she had survived this far. Were it not for her promise to the Amaurëa, she might have laid down to be slain out of despair. This world was so ugly. Pushing these thoughts out of her mind, she realized she needed to find her center once again. She had been running for months and had had little time to meditate and train.
After a bath, Shu Lien dressed -strapping the small pouch once again safely at her waist under her tunic- and brushed and rebraided her hair. Picking up her weapon, she lightly descended the stairs that ran from her balcony down to the gardens. Finding a spot in the grass under a huge maple, Shu Lien sat with her weapon at her side. Folding her legs under her, and nesting her palms in each other in her lap, she brought her eyes to rest and went within, examining, letting go, breathing.
~*~*~*~
Legolas stood on the balcony watching Shu Lien sitting in the garden. A tangible peace wafted on the breeze up to where he stood. Unconsciously his breathing slowed and deepened. At some point her eyes raised and she brought her palms together, leaning forward in a bow. Standing and grabbing her weapon in one fluid motion, she moved to the center of the grassy lawn with slow even steps.
She stood still, weapon raised and touching her forehead, for a moment. Then it was like a spring had suddenly been released and within a heartbeat the sheath was lying on the ground and joined blades were poised above her head, other hand out in readiness. After another breath she began. Swinging the weapon in circles to each side; she switched hands so seamlessly it was as if their were no duality. Over and over she brought the weapon to play on each side of her body, feet and legs moving beneath her in a complimentary dance that preserved perfect balance and strength. She jumped higher in the air than should have been possible for a mortal and separated the sword into twin blades. Each hand moved with lightening speed and accuracy to the steps of the formal Kata <stylized set of martial arts moves>. The strength and precision of her movements was such that the blades found their mark with not so much as a vibration to the tips, as if she were striking into wood, not air. As her hands were playing with lightening speed, her body jumped, twisted and kicked as a separate weapon, always in circles, always centered and balanced. She moved with the seemingly impossible mix of solid strength and a lithe fluidity.
Legolas watched, fascinated. It was quite a remarkable thing to behold, and he realized just how tired she had been in the woods. Her movements had lost all of the brutal economy he had witnessed in that battle and exuded an organic and breathtaking grace.
When finally her breath could be heard panting over the soft swishes of blades and clothes, Shu Lien stilled her movements and, bringing her blades back together, she touched her sword once again to her forehead. Taking a deep breath, she lowered her blade and leisurely let her eyes return to focus on the world. Immediately she saw Legolas standing before her, leaning against the old maple tree, arms folded, face unreadable. Shu Lien smiled slightly and bent to retrieve the scabbard of her weapon.
"You do not let yourself rest." he said quietly.
Shu Lien looked down at her weapon as she sheathed it slowly and took a sniffing breath before returning to his gaze. "There is no time for rest, I have been given little time in this world." She said with wry smile. "Also, I feel surprisingly well, a testament to the excellent care I received."
"We have all been pleased and surprised by your recovery." Legolas smiled and took a step forward. "You are one of the best swordsman I have seen." He said softly appreciative.
Shu Lien dropped her eyes, embarrassed. "You honor me with such kind words. Any skill that I possess is won through many hours of sweat, labor, and excellent teaching." After a pause she raised her eyes once again to his. "I owe you my life, thank you." She said solemnly.
"You owe me nothing." He dismissed, stepping forward until he was standing before her. "Except maybe an afternoon in your company... I came to ask you if you wanted a tour of the city. You should let your heart recover as your body already has. I have come to offer myself as a distraction." A slow and mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and eyes. "Let's play."
Shu Lien couldn't help but catch the smile on her own lips. Perhaps to forget all of this for a moment was exactly what she needed. She loved the Elves' ability to frolic in even the most dire of situations, it put the present in the perspective of eternity. Life goes on. She never ceased to learn whenever she was in the presence of the Eldar. Without a word, she ascended the steps to her room, leaving her weapon, and lightly bounded back down to his side, smiling her ready.
Legolas tugged her with him through the halls of the castle and out into the city. They walked through the gardens of the city, through the markets, back up onto the garden plateaus of the castle which overlooked the valley. Shu Lien remarked on how different this city was from what she was used to but talked little of her people, feeling the lump of sorrow rise to her throat at any reminiscence. Legolas sensed this as well and steered her from the fray of the city and talk of humans, recounting some of the raucous stories of his old friend Gimli, telling the tale of Arwen and Elessar, speaking of some of his youthful escapades with Elrohir. Shu Lien enjoyed his skilled storytelling and boyish delight at explaining all that they were seeing around them. When finally they watched the sun set on the top of the castle, the soft wind playing with the loose hairs around her face, she stood beside Legolas and marveled at the momentary peace and tranquility that could be found in the midst of a tumultuous adversity.
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