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Journey Of A Butterfly	By : Mel99Moe Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > Het - Male/Female Views: 5714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places of Lord of the Rings/Tolkien. No money is being made. This is for personal enjoyment only.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Chapter 11 - Flowers for Sale

Lindiel fixed up Rosloch’s room for Terrwyn. He rarely stayed there as his guard duty kept him away a lot and he would stay in the barracks instead. This gave the girls a chance to get to know each other better. For the first week, they talked a lot. Terrwyn told her about her real family and the trials and tribulations of her youth, but she was careful not to mention any of her legal troubles. Only Rosloch knew and still he did not know everything. She only told him that she committed a crime. He did not know the true depth of the crime. Yet, somehow Terrwyn did not think Rosloch believed her and that the crime was only a mild one. Maybe it was better this way.

As the girls were talking over a cup of tea, they reminisced about their lived in Gondor and Rohan. Terrwyn spoke of her friendship with Taldred after leaving the Westfold and going to Edoras. She couldn’t help but notice Lindiel’s uneasiness at the mention of his name.

“I guess you know him though, since you lived in Edoras for a while and he and Rosloch befriended one another, at least that is what Rosloch told me,” Terrwyn said trying to pry information from her.

Lindiel looked deep into her teacup, picking it up and swirling it around as if to find the words in the bottom of the cup. “Yes, I know Taldred. I remember him very well from our stay in your city.”

Terrwyn noticed a tinge of pink wash over Lindiel’s cheeks. She reached out and gently touched her new friends arm. “Is there something you want to say?”

“I find it very hard to speak to you about it,” Lindiel said shyly.

“Did something happen between you two?” Terrwyn went on.

“Well . . . that’s just it. It’s because of you that nothing ever happened.” Now Lindiel had turned a deep shade of red. “Oh never mind. It is not worth mulling over. I know it could never be anyways.”

“Lindiel, I am you friend above all else. If I have done something to you, with or without my knowledge, I would want to know.”

Lindiel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I . . . when we . . . I was in love with Taldred. I came to know him during our time in Rohan.”

Terrwyn smiled and was glad to know this was all it was. “Taldred is a very handsome man and a good man too. Did he know of your feelings for him?”

“That’s just it. It would not have mattered what I told him for his heart belonged to another,” Lindiel finally confessed. “I knew he was in love with you. There were many times that I cursed your good name, and for that I am sorry, but I could think of no one but Taldred. My heart ached for him to notice me. During our stay, we became friends and I was thrilled. Then, we moved away and I didn’t see him for a long time. My brother decided to visit Edoras eventually and I begged him to take me with him. I was so excited I could hardly contain my joy. When finally we met again, Taldred seemed distant. He looked upon me as if I was a sister. I thought I had just been away for too long, but then I heard him speaking of you with friends one evening. He was deeply in love with you. Later, I saw you and I knew I would never have a chance with him.” Lindiel pushed back from the table and got up, going to the window. Terrwyn remained at the table, watching Lindiel. It was obvious that her feelings for Taldred still existed. After a brief silence, Lindiel spoke again. “I’m sorry, I do not mean to carry on. This is very awkward for me. I mean, for years I thought . . . and here you are, and . . .”

Terrwyn got up from the table and joined Lindiel at the window, sitting on one of the benches. A warm refreshing breeze blew in, scented with the fresh flowers from the shop below. “If it will help you, nothing ever transpired between Taldred and I. I cannot deny the fact that he is extremely handsome and so kind of heart. I knew he loved me and I tried to find the same feelings within myself, but they did not exist. Taldred was ever a good friend to me and when I needed him most, he was there for me.” Terrwyn paused, thinking of Taldred risking his life to help her escape the city. “He deserves someone better than me. Who am I but an uneducated girl from the plains of Rohan?”

Lindiel turned to her friend, giving her a look of amazement. “Terrwyn, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I mean, look at you, your flawless skin, long soft hair, green eyes. Why, any man would be crazy not to fall madly in love with you upon first sight.”

“It is far from love, my dear friend. Men look at me and see something they wish to add as a trophy,” Terrwyn said in a whisper. She looked up at Lindiel who was still standing next to her. “Do you still love him?”

Lindiel smiled shyly. “Yes, I guess perhaps I do, though it has been a few years since our last meeting.”

Terrwyn stood and joined Lindiel. She took up her hands and looked Lindiel straight in her brown eyes. “I cannot help but feel responsible in some way. Taldred would make a wonderful match for you. The two of you are so much alike. You must pursue this. You must seek him out. I know there is no one for him in Rohan. He searches for true love, for someone who will give him their heart unconditionally. If you love him as you say, then go to him. Taldred deserves someone like you.”

Lindiel blushed. “Oh, I don’t know Terrwyn. Rohan is so far from here and the roads are not safe.”

“Go with Rosloch the next time he is stationed at Halfirien. Edoras is not far from there,” Terrwyn said rather excitedly. “Promise me you will do this. I just know something will ignite between you and Taldred.”

Feeling suddenly uplifted, Lindiel smiled wide at the possibility. “You know, I think I will take your advice. If anything, it will be nice to see him again, even if nothing comes from it.”

“Oh, but I just know it will work. I can’t explain it, but something deep down tells me you were meant for each other. I only wish it could have happened sooner. Maybe if I had been more straight forward with him, then--.”

Lindiel squeezed Terrwyn’s hands. “It is alright. It just wasn’t time yet. But I think you are right. Now makes perfect sense.” Lindiel pulled Terrwyn in for a hug. “Thank you, my friend.” With that settled, the girls went back to their tea.

The next day, Lindiel took Terrwyn on a tour of the city. She would show her all the wonderful things about living in this place, even the gardens and other highpoints of Minas Tirith. Lindiel did a wonderful job of showing Terrwyn around. The Rohan beauty was overwhelmed by all the sights. Everything was so beautiful and she felt very lucky to be here.

Finally, as they were about to head for home, Lindiel took Terrwyn into the flower shop below their apartment. There she introduced her new friend to the shop owner, a lovely Gondorian woman by the name of Camireth. She was an older lady, but she wore her age well. Her brown eyes sparkled with a life all of their own. Her short brown hair had tinges of grey starting to show. Her skin was fair and smooth, much more so than a woman of Rohan at the same age. Camireth wore a lovely peach colored dress with a white apron. The pockets had cut stems and a pair of silver shears filling them, obviously from where she had just been arranging an order for a customer.

As Lindiel and Terrwyn approached her inside the shop, Camireth smiled wide in a very motherly way. “Lindiel, what a surprise. It is always so nice to see you my dear.” She looked to Terrwyn. “And who do you have with you. My, aren’t you a lovely girl. Are you new to the city, dear?”

Terrwyn bowed slightly, as was custom in Rohan when meeting someone new. “Yes ma’am, I have only recently come from Rohan and Lindiel has very kindly taken me under her wing.”

“So what do you think of Minas Tirith? It must be quite a change from what you are used to.”

“It is more than I could have ever imagined it to be,” Terrwyn answered.

After some pleasant conversation, Lindiel smiled and gasped as an idea popped into her head. “Camireth, could you use some help around the store? Terrwyn is trying to make a new start and she will need employment soon.”

“Why, that’s a wonderful idea. I’ve just recently been given permission to send street venders to the higher levels. It would require you to travel early each morning to the sixth level and rotate around to the different corners to sell flowers. You will have a cart to push. It is not the easiest work, but you will make a commission from the flowers you sell.”

Terrwyn smiled excitedly. “I will take it. I have been wondering how I can be of service here. This will be just perfect.”

“Good. Give me a few days to finalize the best selling locations on that level and you can get started,” Camireth said. She hugged Terrwyn. “You will come home with an empty cart every day, I’m sure. You are as pretty as any flower in this shop.”

Terrwyn giggled quietly at the comment. It had been such a long time since she felt normal. Camireth would make a wonderful employer and Terrwyn would do her best not to disappoint. Now she could contribute to Lindiel’s household.

Eventually, Terrwyn became accustomed to her new job. Life in Minas Tirith was quiet and there were no confrontations. After three months of adjusting, she was just beginning to relax and enjoy her new life and friends when Lindiel approached her.

“Rosloch has been called to duty at Halfirien,” her dark haired friend announced one evening over tea. “He’s leaving in a few days. I’m thinking of asking him to let me go with him.” A shy smile spread across her face as she looked down into her teacup.

Terrwyn reached out, laying her hand over Lindiel’s. “I think this is wonderful news, though I will miss you.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “Taldred will be thrilled to see you.”

A look of worry came over Lindiel. “But what if he is not? What if he does not even remember me?”

“This is what taking a chance is about. You will never know unless you go there and see him. At least you have a place to come back to should it not work out.” This last part Terrwyn said with sadness in her voice. Should things not work out for her in Minas Tirith, Terrwyn had no place to go home to.

She shook off these thoughts and smiled at her friend. Lindiel reached out and touched the side of Terrwyn’s face. “This is your home now. While I am away, I would like it if you stayed here and took care of my home for me.”

“Oh, of course I will. You needn’t worry,” Terrwyn answered.

* * *

Two months had passed since Rosloch and Lindiel left for Rohan. It was quite lonely at first, but the flower shop was keeping her busy. Terrwyn loved her job working for Camireth. Early every morning, before the sun rose, she arrived downstairs and loaded her cart. It was made of wicker and weighed less than wooden carts. This made pushing the flower cart a little easier. Leaving while it was still dark made traveling the three levels better too, avoiding the hot summer sun. When she got to her destination, she went to a fountain and filled her flower buckets, placing the fresh cut flowers into the water. Then she would go to her usual corner and wait for the morning traffic to begin.

Terrwyn had three locations in which she set up, one for morning traffic, one for mid-day and the last for the evening rush. She did well since most of the residents at this level were lords and ladies, very well off and could afford such beautiful bouquets. Some gave her a little extra for the flowers and told her to keep it for herself. She was doing rather well and was able to put aside a few coins. If she kept up at this rate, she would eventually have enough money to afford her own apartment. From there, she would work on a plan to begin searching for her brother, either hiring someone or doing it herself. For now, she just needed to concentrate of selling flowers.

Terrwyn had almost every flower in season for sale. Today was no different. Daisies, carnations, roses of all colors, she had it all. Unfortunately, the weather was not going to hold out much longer. Grey clouds were forming overhead as an afternoon shower was getting ready to burst. She would need to move soon and take cover somewhere.

Terrwyn was just about to move when someone spoke from behind her. “Those are very lovely flowers. Do you have any white roses today?” The voice was smooth and sultry. Just the sound made her heart skip a beat, but she didn’t know why. She turned around to find a very tall, very fair-skinned elf standing there wearing a warm smile on his lips as well as in his eyes. Oh, and what blue eyes they were. His long platinum hair was braided at the sides and tucked behind his pointed ears. He wore dark tan leggings and tunic, and a dark green undershirt. Terrwyn could tell that he was an important elf by the material of his clothes and how well they were made.

It suddenly dawned on her that she had not answered him. She felt her face heat up and was sure she had turned three shades of scarlet. “Oh, I . . . may I . . . my lord, would you,” she stuttered.

The elf chuckled. “If I had known I was going to startle you, I would have made sure you saw me first.”

Terrwyn did her best to regain her composure. “I am sorry, my lord. You are only the second elf I have ever met. I was beginning to think there weren’t any here in Minas Tirith.”

The tall handsome elf held his hand out to her and she accepted it. Then he politely raised it to his lips and kissed her gently on the back on her hand. She noticed right away how calloused his fingers felt. He must be an archer, she thought. Of course he was. The bow was the weapon of choice for many elves.

“My name is Legolas,” he said, lowering her hand and releasing it.

“Terrwyn,” she said shakily. It was all she could manage to say. As her hand slipped from his, she noticed a residual energy left on her skin. It seemed to seep into her pores and spread down into her fingers. This made her breath catch and she stared at her hand as if it was about to change in shape or color. What was this sensation and why would she feel such a thing? She had never experienced anything like it.

“Well, Terrwyn, I would be most interested in buying some white roses from you, if you have any left,” Legolas said, looking over the cart.

Terrwyn smiled and felt her breath hitch again as his brilliant blue eyes met hers. She felt her heart flutter as she gazed upon his beauty. He was gorgeous. “Why yes, I believe I still have half a dozen left.”

“Then I will take them,” he said, reaching for a pouch hanging at his hip.

Terrwyn took the roses and bunched them carefully. “Would my lord care to purchase some ribbon to finish off the bouquet?” She pointed to the front end of the cart where there was a bar that held many spools of different colored silk ribbon.

Legolas moved to the front of the cart and looked at them all. His long fingers held a piece of gold ribbon and he smiled. “I believe I will take this one,” he said. “It will look pretty in her hair.”

“My lord has good taste. It is my most expensive one. Are you certain?” Terrwyn questioned, but she knew he could afford anything she had to offer.

“I will take the gold, unless you suggest something different,” he said kindly.

“I think the gold will go quite beautifully with the white roses.” Terrwyn picked up a pair of shears and neatly cut the ribbon. Then she proceeded to wrap it decoratively around the bunch of roses. “She must be very special to receive such a glorious gift.”

Legolas smiled as a dreamy expression washed over his face. “She is very special. She is my wife.”

“Oh, so you reside here in Minas Tirith?” she asked.

“Well, my wife does . . . at the moment anyways. Before we were bound, she took employment here in the city, but my own duties are required in Ithilien. I am merely visiting her. It is a surprise. She does not know I am here,” Legolas said, watching the girl carefully tie a bow with the ribbon.

“Oh, how sad. You must miss her terribly,” Terrwyn replied, handing Legolas the flowers. She told him the cost and he reached into his pouch.

“I am hoping to force her into . . . how do you say . . . early retirement? I think these flowers just might help to set the mood.” Legolas handed her the money, which was much more than what he owed.

Terrwyn started to get his change but the golden elf held his hand up. “The rest is yours, my lady.”

“I couldn’t, my lord. ‘Tis much more than I should accept,” she protested trying to hand him his change.

“No, no, you keep it,” he smiled. Just then, a raindrop fell and hit Legolas on the forehead. “I believe we are in for a drenching.”

“I must go. I am due at my next station and I have to find shelter,” she said looking once more up into his blue eyes. How lucky his wife was, she thought, to have such a caring and handsome husband. She wished she would someday find someone just as loving that she could give her heart to.

“Good day, my lady,” Legolas said before turning.

Terrwyn watched him walk away, her heart and mind all a flutter after meeting this gorgeous elf.

Now, the rain started coming down in huge drops. Without looking back, Terrwyn secured the goods on her cart and started to step into the street to cross it. Her next station was about three blocks down on the other side of the cobblestone street. The sky opened up and without hesitation, the rain poured down. At that moment, there was a flash and a loud clap of thunder. Terrwyn was half way across the street, still in a daze after meeting the elf, when she heard him yell to her.

“My lady, look out!” Legolas heard a horse cry out just after the sound of the thunder. It spooked a very large workhorse pulling a wagon and he took off wildly. There was no one to help control the beast as he was left unmanned. Now Legolas watched as he headed straight towards Terrwyn.

Everything happened so fast, no one had time to think. Terrwyn heard Legolas yell and just as she turned, there was the horse only a few feet from where she stood in the street. She froze, not knowing what to do as the crazed horse closed in on her. All she could think of was her flowers and the expensive cart. It was her livelihood and without it, she would have no job. She took a step forward hoping get out of the horses way, but he turned his direction so that she was still in his path. Terrwyn screamed as the horse was almost on top of her. Then she felt strong hands grab her arm and pull her backwards. But the rain made the cobblestones slippery and she fell along with her rescuer, whom she could not see since he was behind her. She thought it must be the elf, for he was the one that warned her of the danger. As she fell, she just caught a glimpse of the large horse running into her flower cart and smashing it to pieces. Then she felt her body hit the ground. The force made her head whip backwards and hit the stone street with sharp force. Immediately, Terrwyn was dizzy and the pain was terrible, but all she could think of was her ruined cart. Upon hitting the ground, her breath was knocked from her. Along with the sharp pain at the back of her head and not being able to breathe, she started to lose consciousness. The last thing she remembered was a male voice speaking to her.

“My lady, are you alright?” he said.

Terrwyn’s vision was blurry and with the heavy rain, she was blinded and could not see her rescuer. “My head hurts,” she managed to say and everything turned to darkness.
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Journey Of A Butterfly