XV. One Obstacle after the Next

Nikita did not have to put a wedge between Legolas and I, the kiss had done that for her. Even days after the situation, I still could not process it. It came out of nowhere, the kiss. It almost took me an entire day to get over the shock of it. Days after overcoming the initial shock, my mind was back to working properly.

After I settled down and thought it through, there was only one logical explanation for it, but it did not make sense to me. Why would Legolas do that if he was engaged to Nikita? Surely he could not be having second thoughts, not when the wedding was nearing. I knew I could always ask about it, but that meant having to confront him. I was not too sure how well I would hold myself in front of the Elf who was with his beloved and kissed another without her knowing.

As I kept telling myself my conclusion, it made me discover something about myself. I had let that happen, I had let Legolas get away with that. I had never felt close to someone in such a short amount of time. In a way, Thalias’ strange behavior that night in the woods was his way of telling me that I was oblivious to the obvious. Even he knew of the air surrounding us. I could not deny that Thalias was a very gifted stallion who had an incredible sixth sense.

They say that love takes a while, and others may disagree and protest that love can happen almost instantly. That was not our case, the latter. Somehow, I had managed to make the Prince of Greenwood fall in love with me. It was the last thing I had anticipated or wanted to happen. Legolas had a stable love life as it was; all I did was unexpectedly complicate things for him.

Why did Arwen have us meet in Gondor after I recovered? Why did I have to agree? Why did I open up and let Legolas in, not knowing what consequences would come of it? It felt like I was only creating more trouble. It seemed that no matter where I settled, I caused friction somehow.

I had not told Nikita about what had happened. Why would I? It would only confirm her envious suspicion that I was trying to destroy her soon-to-be-marriage. I technically was not intending to steal her beloved from her; this situation had decided to come out of nowhere. This was my problem, and I had to fix it before Nikita somehow found out. If she did, everything would be shattered.

After I had come back from my morning bath, Halian met with me and insisted that she did my hair and outfit. I had laughed at her but did comply. I could not find it in me to disappoint her by telling her no. That was what we were doing now, in my room. I was fully dressed and on the bed while Halian sat behind me, on her knees, combing through my hair, humming an unfamiliar tune under her breath.

I clenched and unclenched my hands on my knees. The usual thoughts were coming around: I needed to confront Legolas and tell him that no matter what he thought, he was to marry Nikita. Whatever I had led him to believe would never happen. It was not right of him to go behind Nikita’s back.

“You seem tense,” Halian noticed. “What is wrong? Did you have a bad dream?”

“No. I have just had a lot on my mind recently.” I wrung my hands together.

“I do not see why, unless it is about the wedding. Is Nikita driving you mad with her stress?”

“No, I have not seen her since we got here. She has been busy with preparations; I have explored and enjoyed the serenity.”

“You and Nikita seem to be friends, unless I am wrong?”

“We are more like acquaintances, we tolerate each other.”

“Is it because of the prince?”

“What do you mean?” I tried to turn my head but Halian pushed it forward.

“Do not do that. What I mean is, have you fallen for the prince? Nikita did not like us very much when you arrived in Greenwood. She gave us the worst looks.”

“I-I think it has more to do with the fact that I was an extra, unintended traveler,” I answered Halian’s first question regarding Legolas. It was not necessarily a lie. “I was not to come along; I was unexpectedly brought along at the very last second.” I inhaled. “I think she has gotten over it by now, though.”

“I still do not understand how the king is letting this go.” I could picture Halian shaking her head. “Everyone here in Greenwood knows he would sooner have the prince remain alone forever than marry someone who is not of royal blood. Unless she is secretly royal, I cannot understand how he agreed to the ceremony.”

“It is a secret only Nikita will know, I am sure.”

“Truthfully, I do not like her. And it is not because of the look she gave me. There is something…I do not know…off about her. The prince would be better off with anyone else but her.”

“Halian.”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind teaching me Elvish?”

She laughed. “Are you afraid to ask the prince for lessons?”

“He is too busy.” Again, not technically a lie. “I am sure if he could he would.”

“I do not doubt it either. Still, I wondered if you were ever going to ask me. I will teach you since I am sure no one else will take the request. Did you want to start today? How about right now?”

“How about you let me decide?” I retorted lightly. “Are you almost done with my hair?”

“Yes. There. If I did not know any better, I would say you were born here in Greenwood.”

“I am sorry to disappoint you, Halian, but I was not. I am from Lothlórien.”

“Oh! I have always wanted to venture outside of here.” She sighed dreamily. “The only thing holding me back is fear.”

I scoffed. “You, afraid, with your energy?”

“Just because I am energetic does not make me brave.” She sniffed.

“I do not plan to stay here for the rest of my days; I plan to head back to my home. You are more than welcome to accompany me; it would be nice to have someone other than Thalias with me on the journey home.”

“Thalias?”

“That is my horse.”

“Did you want anything to eat while I am out?”

“How about I come with you?”

“Let us go, then!”

*      *      *

After Halian abandoned me, I was left on my own. It gave me some time to explore and peek into the other rooms. I wondered which Nikita’s was and if she was sharing it with Legolas. The image sort of angered me, but I knew better than to be mad. Legolas was not my husband-to-be, nor would he ever be. He was already claimed, I could not claim someone who was already taken.

I was so focused on the halls that I did not realize I had run into someone until I bounced off of them.

“I am so sorry!” I squeaked. My eyes bulged as I realized I had run into Nikita.

“Oh, Nimalia,” she greeted me warmly. I kept my confusion hidden. “It has been a while since I have seen you. How are you?”

“Very well,” I said. “I was told the wedding is to be in a few months.”

Nikita nodded. “Yes.”

“You do not have to act nice towards me, no one is watching.”

“This is not an act. I actually wanted to seek you out. It is about my behavior towards you a while ago. I should not have come at you like I did. You and Legolas are friends, you told me that from the beginning, and I did not believe you.” She shook her head. “I have been worried a lot lately. I was worried about his father not accepting me or about having the wedding here. I am still worried with everything being prepared so fast, but I do not want to delay the ceremony further. Whatever has come between us, I want it to be gone.”

            “Of course.” Make me feel even guiltier now that Legolas and I shared a moment in the forest a while ago, I thought bitterly.

            “If you want to, you are always more than welcome to join us for dinner.”

“Nikita, as much as I would love that, I do not think it is wise for me to join you. If it is with the king and Legolas, I will be out of place. You are going to be the king’s daughter-in-law.”

“Even if the king does not like the idea, it will not matter. It is the least I can do for acting so horrible towards you lately. Please, consider it?”

             I sighed, rolling my eyes playfully at her. “All right, I will.”

            Nikita opened her arms for me, beckoning me to her. Humoring her, I crossed the gap so she and I could embrace each other.

            When one problem was fixed, another arose. This conflict with Legolas needed to be sorted out immediately before someone found out something they did not need to. 

**Finally, Nimalia realizes what she's going through! And what about Halian, isn't she just too adorable to not love? And how about Nikita wanting to put the threat behind them both?**