Elrond slipped into the steaming water with a sigh. What a long day it had been. Night had finally fallen, however, bringing a temporary respite from the duties that seemed ever more constraining of late. He had the pool, and the next few hours, to himself, and he intended to enjoy every minute of peace and privacy.
“How’s the water, my lord?”
The question, although asked in a soft, musical voice, grated on Elrond’s nerves. His face, however, revealed none of his irritation when he replied. “It’s perfect, Legolas. As always.”
“And you wish I had not disturbed your solitude.” The blond elf smiled. The glimmer of regret was faint, but Elrond saw it, and heard its echo, as well, in Legolas’ next words. “I’ll leave you to enjoy the quiet, then, my lord. Good evening.”
“Elrond,” the elder elf spoke, the words out of his mouth almost before he knew they were coming. At Legolas’ quizzical glance, he explained, “You’re welcome to stay, Greenleaf, but this is too small a pool to leave room for formality between us. If you would stay, you must call me Elrond.”
“You are certain it would not be an intrusion, my lo... Elrond?”
“Legolas, it’s fine,” Elrond responded politely. “Please, stay.”
“Meaning it is an intrusion, but you feel duty requires you to sacrifice your personal preferences to accommodate someone else,” Legolas laughed. “If there is truly to be no formality between us, my lo... Elrond, then you must speak the whole truth to me.”
“Truth is not always easy to hear.”
“It can pierce the heart as deeply as a dagger’s point,” the younger elf acknowledged, “but the wound is rarely a fatal one. A lie, even just part of the truth instead of the whole, can cause far greater damage.”
Elrond’s shrewd gaze measured the elf across the pool from him. “You would have truth from me?”
“Always,” Legolas answered.
“Then I will give it to you,” Elrond promised with a wry smile. “Here is your truth, Legolas. I came to this place to be alone. The waters here are very good for soothing my mind even as they soothe any small ache from my body. I am not unhappy that you came, but I still want to pass this night alone.” A long sigh escaped the weary elf. “I need to be alone, Legolas.”
“Then I will take my leave,” Legolas replied with a soft smile. “May you find the peace you seek, Elrond.” He bowed slightly and turned, but Elrond’s words stopped him.
“Tomorrow, Legolas.”
The blond head came back around. “Tomorrow?”
“I would be glad of your company tomorrow, if you have no other plans. As you can see, not many people come here at this hour, so the pool should be free.”
“I have heard the pool has great restorative properties,” Legolas said, as though his informant in the matter was not sitting across from him. “I should greatly enjoy the chance to experience its effects for myself.”
“Then I will expect you tomorrow,” Elrond answered, the humor in his eyes giving lie to his otherwise solemn expression.
“Tomorrow,” Legolas grinned. He turned and left the cavern, leaving only the echo of his laugh behind him.
After a moment Elrond’s own chuckle resonated in the chamber. Tonight he had the pool all to himself, as he had planned, but tomorrow... tomorrow promised to be very interesting.