(Meldiriel POV)

“Will you be mine forever?” Legolas asked me one day as we walked together in the forest. He looked into my eyes as he waited for my answer.

“Do you really need an answer?” I questioned. I had thought he was joking.

“Yes.” He pulled out an Elvish love ring. On it was inscribed, “One ring to show our love, one ring to bind us, One ring to seal our love, and to forever entwine us.”

“Yes.” I whispered. Then, the ring was on my finger.

”You are the love of my life.” He whispered as he stepped closer.

“I know.” I replied hesitantly, as I stepped back.

“I love you.” As he once again stepped forward, the words escaped his lips.

“My Lord, I know. I love you” I finally gave up and stood where I was and bowed.

“That is not my name.” He looked at me bowing and said, “You need not to bow, stand up. Look me in the eye.” And with that, he lifted my chin.

“Why do you run? Why do you hide?” He looked into my eyes with worry. “Do you not love me?” I could see sadness in his eyes.

“My Lord, I do love you.” How else could I say it? I turned away. Hoping he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes.

“I told you, that is not my name anymore.” He walked around me to look into my eyes only to have me turn my head. “Look at me. Meldiriel. Look at me!” He saw the tear run down my cheek. “My beloved, what is wrong?”

“My Lord,-“ For this I got an unapproving look. “If I can’t call you My Lord, what is your name to me?”

“Lovely one, my name is Husband, or, My Love, or, Love of my Life, or, Lovely One, or just Legolas. Just plain Legolas.”

“Price Legolas-“ Again I was cut off by an unapproving glance.

“Just Legolas. Please Meldiriel.”

“Legolas, I love you. But your Father-“

“I care not what my Father thinks.”

“But Legolas-“ I was silenced. He leaned in and I began to panic. His lips found mine and I became scared. I couldn’t help but push him away.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. Forgive me.” He looked down shamefully.

“Legolas, there is nothing to forgive.” I said it as sincerely as I could.

“How much time do you spend with Aragorn?” He half asked, half laughed.

“Not much, although, I do suppose he told you that once? I should like to hear that story.” I was trying to gather my thoughts on what to say to him, so why not let him talk? I really did want to hear the story.

“Before the battle of Helm’s Deep, we had a small argument.” As he launched into the story I relaxed. I sat down and beckoned him to do likewise. He continued, “Most of the men were too old or too young to fight. It was three hundred against one-thousand. I yelled at him in Elvish. He said that they had more chance of protecting themselves there than at Edoras. I told him they would all die. To that, he valiantly replied, as any good King would, ‘Then I shall die as one of them!’ He promptly walked off. Later, I came to him. I brought him his sword. ‘Forgive me.’ I said. ‘I was wrong to despair.’ Quietly, Aragorn said, ‘Ú-moe edhored, Legolas.’ There is nothing to forgive, Legolas. I never forgot that. Aragorn is a great King. He was even when he did not want to be King, when he was a Ranger by the name of Strider. He was the first not to scold me after I disrespected royalty. I shall never forget that.”

I looked into his eyes and saw that he missed his friend. He missed all of the fellowship. I saw him mourning. Mourning for Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gimli, Aragorn, Gandalf, and most of all Boromir, who had died in regret for what he almost did to Frodo. “You really miss them, don’t you?”

“They were, I mean are, the best men I have ever known.” I could see his eyes misting over.

“Legolas, I wish I could say that I wasn’t scared for you, or worried. But I am. Why don’t you ever go to see them anymore?”

“I have not the time.” He lied cunningly.

“Truth. Tell me the truth.” I begged. I pleaded. Finally, he surrendered.

“Because I am scared I wouldn’t come back. I am worried that they have had the same nights as I have had. Awake. Re-living battles. Waking up screaming and thrashing. At least they are not alone when they wake.” Immediately he became angry. “Aragorn has Arwen, Sam has Rosie, Gimli has women fawning over him, Merry has Estella, Pippin has Diamond, Gandalf has his magic to erase the memories, and Frodo has….” He had to think for a minute, “Well, I don’t know who he has, but one day Sam will follow him. Until now I have had no one. And I have half a mind to think you don’t really love me. I don’t want to see my friends in pain.” He half yelled, half choked between held back sobs.

“I don’t want to see you in pain, my love! Of course I love you. It’s just, your Father-“

“I told you, I care not what he says!” He yelled in frustration, I could’ve sworn he was going to cry. “What could he say, anyway?”

“Legolas, I love you, and I know you love me, but you are Prince of Mirkwood. I am but a stable hand. A commoner. Your gardener. I have been caring for your horses and gardens my whole life! I am not a full elf, either! My mother was a Mortal! I do not know if I am immortal! If I am mortal, I won’t have you give up your mortality for me like Arwen did for Aragorn!”

“Oh, Meldiriel, I don’t care what you are. I wouldn’t care if you were the dish washer. I love you. I can change that you are a servant. You can be my Princess! You can still garden and care for your own horse, but you will be royal. You will be Princess of Mirkwood. Princess Meldiriel. As for if you are immortal or not, give me your hand. I shall settle this, once and for all.” Legolas pleaded with me. He begged. Finally, reluctantly, I gave him my hand. He looked at the way the lines were on the palm of my hand. Then he looked up.

“Pull your hair away from your face.” I pulled my long brown hair back. He looked at my ears. He looked into my eyes. He looked at my lips. He pulled back, for he was very close. “Meldiriel, my love, you are immortal.”

“How did you do that? How do you know? Are you sure?”

“I know this as well as I know that Merry loves beer.” Instantly, he smiled.

“I have not seen you smile for a while, Legolas. You look even more handsome when you smile.” I turned away, blushing deep red.

“And what of you? What do you look like when you smile?” He gently turned my head. I couldn’t help it. I smiled. He leaned back, and then leaned in and whispered, “You look beautiful.” He leaned in. I put my hand out on his chest and pushed him back, with a look of grief in my eye. “What’s so wrong with this?”

“With what?” I tried to look innocent. But apparently it didn’t work.

“Why, whenever I come near, do you push me away?” I tried to prove him wrong. I grabbed his hand. “That isn’t what I meant and you know it. Meldiriel, please. You can tell me.” I let go of his hand and pulled away. All the tears I had been holding back began to stream down my face, and, being me, I tried to turn away and bow my head in disgrace.

“Don’t even try it.” I managed to choke out between sobs.

“Try what?” Legolas seemed utterly confused.

“Turning my head. You have done it every other time I turned away. Don’t try it now!” I screamed at him. I was mad. I was wild. I stood up, unsure of why. And then I started crying harder. He noticed. I banged my fists against the trees until they bled. They knew me. They did not care. They told me to do so whenever I needed to. I banged harder. My fists bled harder. I threw myself against it. I kicked it. I screamed. Soon, my whole body was covered in blood.

“Meldiriel…” He embraced me. He held me tightly. He tried to stop my thrashing. I broke free from his grasp. I whipped around to face him.

“NO! I CAN’T! I’M SORRY, LEGOLAS, BUT I CAN’T!” I screamed at him as loud as I could. “LEAVE ME ALONE!” After I said that, I just felt guilty. I started to twist the ring off. I held it out for him. “Take it.” He hesitated. “TAKE IT!” I looked at him, and through my blurred vision, I saw that he was hurt, shocked, and was getting up to walk away. “I’m sorry, Legolas. Please stay.”

“Are you sure?” He didn’t want to be here.

“If you want to stay. I really need you, Legolas.”

“Of course I want to, amin ai lote*” At those words he uttered, I started crying a little more.

“Are you sure? I won’t force you into being here if you don’t want to.”

“Of course, I want to be here with you. I would follow you to death and beyond! I think I can handle some sobbing.”

“Come here.” I choked on the words. I wanted him, that I knew, but what was I going to do? Would I regret it? When he came over, I became weak. I collapsed into his arms. He held me. Once he had me gripped in his strong arms tightly against his chest, he sat down. Legolas, although he is a warrior, was treating me with the uttermost sweetness anyone had ever showed me. He whispered elvish sayings of love in my ear as he rocked me gently. He sang sweet Elvish songs in his beautiful clear voice as he tried to calm me. I think he became agitated.

“Meldiriel, what can I do to make you stop crying?”

“Don’t object to this.” I buried my face in his green silk shirt and felt the hardness of his chest. I continued to cry freely as he sang and rocked me. At last, I was calmed. I finally came out of the shirt.

“Now, won’t you tell me what that was all about?” He looked at me with his clear, loving blue eyes. “Please?”

“I’m sorry, it’s just, you know how my mother died when I was very young?” Tears threatened to reappear.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” He said, understanding. His mother also died when he was very young.

“No, you need to hear this. When my mother died, she said ‘Meldiriel Anira, don’t you make the same mistake as I did. Elves are tricky creatures. Don’t get too involved with them. If you do, your heart will be yours to mend, for he will no longer be there to hold it together. You remember that, do you hear? Don’t get involved with an Elf like that!’ ‘Yes Mother. I understand. I won’t get involved with an elf like that, I promise.’ She relaxed.” Legolas, I guess I should tell you at that moment, all I knew about my father was that he was an elf. So I asked her, “Mother, who is my father?’ ‘When the time comes, you will know. My good friend, Erunna, will find you and reveal the truth about your father.’ ‘Yes, Mother.’” I was slightly shaking.

“Shh… It’s okay… If you don’t mind telling me, those were your mother’s last words to you?”

“No, her last words were, ‘I love you, amin tiri elen*’” I hugged Legolas, and let a few more tears escape. “Erunna found me the other day. She told me about my father. His name was, is, Aearael, and he fought with you in the Battle at Helm’s Deep. He sat at the base of the fort, but he could not use a weapon. He…” At this I choked. “He tried to fist fight when the Orcs attacked. He knew he would die. And he did. He died fighting.” I let a few more tears slide down my cheek. I buried my face in his shirt again.

“You know, I think I remember this Aearael. He was a valiant man. He fought well. He died a warrior, a courageous warrior.” He smiled. “His daughter is courageous also, to have kept all of this inside.” He looked into my eyes. “So? Do you want this ring back?” I didn’t know what to say.

“Oh, Legolas. You know I want this more than anything. But, what about the promise to my mother?” I looked at him with trusting eyes.

“You said you wouldn’t get involved with an Elf like that. Am I like that?” He waited for an answer. How could I tell him?

“Legolas, I don’t know. I don’t know how to know. I don’t want to betray my moth-“ I was cut off. Cut off by the most perfect thing I had ever felt. Very gently, he managed to show me passion that I did not know of. One kiss. That’s all it took. I knew I loved him more deeply than I ever could comprehend. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he released my head from his hand and grabbed my waist. I felt as light as air. And as Legolas broke away from the kiss, I opened my eyes and stared into his, stared in unbelief as the final syllable of my previous statement spilled out of my mouth. “-er.”

“Now, do I seem like the kind of guy who would leave you to mend your heart without me to hold it together?” He whispered with a boyish grin that made me giggle.

“No. I suppose not. But if you ever do-“

“You don’t even need to finish that sentence.” He leaned in closer.

“Just, if you do, tell me. And then I’ll kill you for making me disobey my mother’s last request.” From this, I got a small chuckle. I leaned into him, but instead of holding my face, he traced my jaw with one finger and came even closer.
In my ear, he whispered, “So, will you be mine forever?”

“Of course, amin lisse’ linnod*” With that, the ring was back on my finger.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Not at all.” Legolas looked at me like he had an idea. “What is it?”

“Shall we go see my Father?” He saw that I was scared. “Don’t worry,” he said as he put his arm protectively around me. “I’ll protect you.”

“What are we waiting for?”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Ah, Meldiriel. Always nice to see you. You are doing very well with the gardens. The horses seem happier than ever. It’s like they know something I don’t. Why have you come to see me?” King Thranduil addressed her quite like an old friend. She knew Legolas hadn’t told him anything, and he never knew they were seeing each other.

“My Lord, Legolas’ horse seems to be having some issues. When he gets the chance, will you send him out to the stable?” I failed. Goodness I am stupid. I was supposed to talk to My Lord about marrying Legolas. Maybe then I could actually wear my ring.

“Of course. Anything else?”

“No My Lord. Thank you.” I did a low curtsey and turned to leave.

“Meldiriel?”

“Yes My Lord?”

“You have worked very hard lately. Take a break. Don’t work tomorrow.”

“As you wish, My Lord.” I turned and promptly walked out of the hall. In a few minutes, Legolas joined me at the stables. “Shall we ride, My Lord?”

“You couldn’t do it, could you, Meldiriel?” He laughed. His eyes lit up in the most beautiful way.

“No. I’m scared. It’s hard, My Lord. King Thranduil is royalty.” I couldn’t help it, I turned away.

“I told you, it matters not!” He looked me in the eye.

“He gave me the day off tomorrow. Will you go with me to see him then? And you can do all of the talking? I can stand wrapped in your protective arm in case I try to run?” I got him to laugh again.

“Tomorrow it shall be. Until then, let us ride.” Legolas seemed to anticipate the ride alone with me.

“Yes, My Lord.” Legolas sighed.

“I don’t care who knows and who doesn’t. Don’t ever call me My Lord! I am yours now, and you are mine. Titles are no longer needed.” I sighed. It wasn’t that easy, he didn’t understand. I suppose it will be easier once the King knew, and hopefully approved of our engagement.

“I will try, Legolas. I will try. I forgot to weed today. Forgive me, Legolas. I must go. Meet me tomorrow in the garden after breakfast. I will probably want to turn back. Don’t let me. Please.”

“I won’t, my beloved. Go if you must. I love you.”

“I love you. More than you could ever imagine.” And with that I turned my horse around and fled for the safety of the garden.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Meldiriel POV)

The next morning I met Legolas. “Are you sure?”

“Positive, my love. Just stand with me. You won’t even have to talk unless my Father asks you to. I’ll be right there with you the whole time. Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Immediately I started to shake.

“It’s okay, my love. Come here.” We embraced for a few seconds and then he pulled away. “It’s time.”

As Legolas asked to speak to his Father, I stood behind him. When we were let in to see the King, I curtseyed deeply. Legolas stood, never bowed. I did not look up, as was the custom. Legolas raised me up, gently. “Do you not remember what I have told you? You need not bow.” He whispered, too quietly for his Father to hear.

“Yes, My Lord.” I blushed in shame.

“Do not call me that.”

“But your Father-“

“No. It matters not.”

“Yes, My Lord.” Legolas sighed.

King Thranduil decided to speak. “I see you two are arguing. Legolas, what can I do for you?”

“Father, I wish to tell you about something important.” I was glad Legolas was talking, for I was shaking.

“Meldiriel looks frightened. Meldiriel, what is wrong?” He looked at me with the eyes of a father.

“I am frightened.” My shaking increased.

“Did my son hurt you?” He questioned worriedly. I could see he was jumping to the wrong conclusion. He eyed my stomach worriedly.

“No, not in any way. I’m frightened of you, my Lord.” Did I just say that?

“Of me, why, my dear?” My dear? He knows something.

Legolas decided to save me. “She wishes not to talk. It is hard enough for her.”

“Legolas, my son, tell me what you wish to tell me.” King Thranduil was anxious now. He was definitely jumping to the wrong conclusion. He glared at Legolas.

“Father, I am engaged.” The King looked astounded as Legolas put his arm around me protectively. “Do you have anything to say?”

“I am happy for you, my son. And you, my daughter.”

“If you do not approve, please just say so. Please. I will understand. I am but a commoner.” I couldn’t help it. I said it.

“My love, I told you that it matters not. Don’t talk like that. Do you not remember when we discussed this?”
King Thranduil stood. I curtseyed. “Legolas is right, my daughter. You need not call him ‘My Lord’ if you are engaged. You need not bow to me if I am to be your father. Stand, Meldiriel. It does not matter if you are royalty or the best gardener, or the best with horses, I’ve ever had. I already think of you as a daughter. Why would I disapprove?”

“I am but a commoner. I may not even be immortal. I won’t have your son give up his immortality for me, either.”

“Come here, my daughter.” Thranduil requested.

“Yes, my Lord.” Legolas shot me a look.

“You may call me ‘father’ if you wish. I knew your father. Brave man he was. You have his touch with horses. You have your mother’s touch with plants. You look just like your mother, fair in every way, but you have your father’s eyes, ears, and hair. Your father prided himself on this. He loved to think that his daughter resembled him. Step forward.”

“Yes, Father.” He went through the same ritual that Legolas went through. He also determined that I was immortal. “Father, do you give your permission for me to marry your son?”

“Of course. I would be delighted for you to marry my son. I would be delighted to have you as my daughter. Now, that wasn’t too scary, was it? I hope I didn’t give you a reason to be frightened.”

“No. It was just that you are royal and I was going to marry your son, and I panicked. Oh Father, please forgive me!” I began to cry.

“It is okay to cry. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You have every right to cry. I have heard of your rough life. You may cry as much as you want, and do anything to stop. And I think I might just know what will work. Legolas?”

“Yes?” He replied in a worried tone over seeing me bent over on the steps before his father’s throne.

“Show me how you stopped her from crying in the woods.” He asked sincerely, all to help me. He truly was my Father.
Legolas and I looked up at the same time. “You knew?” We said in unison.

“Of course. Legolas. Help your soon-to-be wife.”

“Yes, of course.” He picked me up off of the steps and cradled me against his chest once more. I buried my face in his shirt. He sat down and held me in his lap. He rocked me slowly while singing his Elvish lullabies and whispered things of love and sleep and dreams. Soon I fell asleep in his lap.


(Legolas POV)

“Bring her to the room next to yours and lay her in bed. She needs to sleep. Come back when you’ve laid her down.” The King whispered.

“Of course.” I replied as I carried my Princess to the room and laid her down. I lingered a minute longer and then returned to my father.

“Did you wish to speak to me?”

“Yes. My son, when do you wish to marry your Princess?” The King asked.

“Whenever she is able. Father, I worry about her. Why does she cry so much?” I asked. “What can I do to help her?”

“She cries so much because she has known much loss and lies. She doesn’t know how to be in love, yet. When she is with you, it is undeniable that she loves you. You are the only person she has ever loved besides her mother and father. I try to treat her like my daughter, but you must help her. Give her whatever you think could help. She will be a queen someday. She is welcome to anything.”

“Father, may I ask two more questions?”

“Of course, my son.”

“How long have you known about us?” I was curious.

“Since you first met in the garden. Elrond can see the future, you know. He alerted me of this some time ago and told me it would turn out for the best. And your other question?”

“May I go to my Princess and stay with her so I can see her when she wakes?”

“Of course, she is your Princess.”

“Thank you, father.” And with that, I walked to the room next to mine and pulled up a chair. While I sat next to the bed, I was thinking of how I could make her well again. I didn’t realize how much time had passed and suddenly her eyelids fluttered open. “Amin ai lote has awoken.” I said softly and kissed her gently. Meldiriel sat up.

“Where am I? Whose bed is this? Legolas..?” She seemed frightened.

“It’s okay my love. You are in the castle. This is your bed now. It isn’t mine, I promise. We talked to Father, remember? You started crying and I sang you and rocked you to sleep? You can wear your ring now. It’s okay, amin ai lote. It’s okay. My father loves you. He really does. He wants you as a daughter. He wants to be your father.”

“I’m frightened. Legolas. Amin lisse’ linnod.” She was in panic mode.

“What can I do to stop you from crying? Stop you from being frightened? Please. Tell me. I will do anything.”

“Hold me again.” She looked like she was going to explode.

“Of course, my love.” I rocked her until she asked me to sing. I sung her the Song to Tinúviel. She drifted back to sleep. I decided to just hold her until she woke. When she did, she was calmer. She asked to see Father, I carried her to him. She asked me not to put her down, so I didn’t.

“I’m sorry for behaving so.” She said, blushing red.

“Don’t be. Now, if it isn’t too soon, when will you be ready for the wedding?” She looked confused and then excited.

“When is the soonest it can be?” Her eyes lit up.

“One week from now.” Father replied instantly.

“Perfect. I don’t mean to be rude, but may I go back to my room and rest? I have a private request for Legolas. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. I will make preparations. Until next time, my daughter.”

“Private request, eh?” I asked when we got back to her room. “What would that be?”

“I would like you to be happy as well. Why don’t Sam, Frodo, Aragorn, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Gimli and their wives come to the wedding?”

“If you think it won’t hurt me, I’d love to have them.” I was a bit worried.

“It won’t hurt. They want to come. I invited them last night. They’ll be waiting for a date. Why don’t you send word for them.”

“Will you be okay by yourself?” I couldn’t help but worry.

“I’ll be fine. If I need help, I have Father. I can always flee to the forest or gardens. He will know how to find me. I can always flee to Elrond. He can help heal me if the need arises. Go. I’ll still be here when you return. Don’t worry. Go see your friends. I will talk to Father about the wedding. Go.” She looked me in the eye and I knew she meant it.

“You have to do two things. First, put on your ring. Second, kiss me.” My two conditions to leaving.

“As you wish.” She kissed me gently and twisted on her ring. “Be on your way, Legolas. Return quickly.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Legolas POV)

When I got back I found that my Princess was happier than ever. She was excited to see me and she babbled on and on about the wedding. Finally, the day had come. The day we were to be married. As we stood in front of everyone and recited our vows, I could not help but see how happy Meldiriel was. She cried a little when she was called “Meldiriel Anira, Daughter of Aearael”. As the line where I was given permission to kiss her drew near, I worried. Would she push me away? The time came. I expected tears and being pushed away. She gave me the opposite. Meldiriel wouldn’t let go. I finally had to pull away. She was confused. She had a look in her eyes that said, “Isn’t this what you wanted?” I responded by grabbing her hand. As we walked out, I was stormed by the Fellowship, who had all come except Gandalf, who I had heard was very sick. They all congratulated me and teased me about how only one girl could play with my hair now. So, of course, I playfully punched each one of them.

“While everyone is around, I have something important to tell you all.” Aragorn was smiling like a new father… New father?

“Have you an heir, Aragorn?” Gimli was the first to speak.

“No. This is better. I have kept this a long time from you, Legolas.” Merry perked up. He always did like secrets.

“What is it, Aragorn?”

“At the Battle of Helm’s Deep, I tossed Gimli across a ditch. He asked me to toss him. Immediately after, he said, ‘Don’t tell the elf.’ ‘Not a word.’ I replied.”

“Oh-ho. So Aragorn can toss you, but I can’t?” I asked Gimli with a smile. Gimli tried to make an excuse, but he knew there was no hope. We all had a good laugh at his expense. It wasn’t until then that I realized Meldiriel was gone. I looked around, but could not see her.

“She’s just fine. Rosie, Diamond, Arwen, and Estella took her so she wouldn’t have to stand through our teasing.” Sam said when he noticed I was looking for her.

“Oh, Sam, why must you know all?” I mock bowed. “How about some lembas?”

Frodo was the first to speak up. “No, I had my fill of that on the way to Morodor.” He was backed up by a chorus of everyone saying, ‘no’ in unison.

“Of lembas? I thought you had roast chicken!” I couldn’t help it; Sam was incredibly fun to tease.

“Where is your lovely bride?” Sam asked, changing the subject and blushing deeply.

“Shall I fetch her?” I was given a response of resounding head nods. I found her with Rosie, Diamond, Arwen and Estella, just as Sam had promised. “The Fellowship wishes to meet you, my love.”

“Of course. It was very nice meeting you, Rosie, Diamond, Arwen and Estella.” As we turned to walk away, she asked, “Have you had any pain from seeing your old friends?”

“No. I was worried for nothing. Thank you for telling me to invite them.”

“Anything for the Prince.” I shot her a disapproving look which she met with a kiss on the cheek. “Now, where is the Fellowship?”

“Ah, there she is!” My friends shouted. “Come over here, lass!” Of course, Gimli had to tease me. “So, the pointy-eared elvish princeling found a wife, eh? You’re a lucky one you. Strong warrior he is.”

My wife said, although still very shy, “Thank you. I’ve heard much about you, Lord Gimli. Forty-three is indeed a pretty number to sit on.”

“Legolas told you of our competition, eh? I won, didn’t I, lass?”

“That is not for me to judge.” She was blushing beet red and we could all tell she didn’t want to get into a fight.

“Sweet girl. Be good to that pointy-eared elvish princeling, you hear?” He looked at her sternly. I shot him a glance. I hadn’t told them how easily she cried.

“Of course, Lord Gimli.” She whispered. I could tell she was having a bad memory.

“My love, shall we leave for a few minutes?” I was scared. She looked like she was going to cry.

“Can we?” She looked at me with teary eyes.

“Of course. Aragorn, I will be back soon. Do not leave yet.” We walked outside and I asked her what was wrong. She told me she wished her mother was here, or her father, anyone. I let her cry for a few minutes, then I led her back in. Gimli saw that she had been crying.

Meldiriel whispered, “It isn’t your fault, Lord Gimli. Do not feel as if it is.”

“Oh, dear lassie, be calm. Quiet yourself. You should be happy. Dry those tears.” With that he brushed the tears away. I shot him a ‘back off’ glance. Under his breath, he muttered, “Do I frighten the pointy-ear? Do I threaten to steal his girl? Is he threatened by a Dwarf?” I chuckled very quietly.

I called Aragorn over. “Aragorn, have you met Meldiriel?”

“I have seen her, but never met her. You are beautiful, Meldiriel.” He said, trying to cheer her up.

“Thank you, Lord Aragorn.” With that she curtseyed. I looked at Aragorn for help.

“Meldiriel, you need not bow before me. Look up.” I gently raised her as Aragorn explained. “We are like family, now. Legolas is my one of my greatest friends. He is like a brother to me. You are like a sister to me already. My name is Aragorn, please call me that.”

“Thank you.” She seemed relieved of some internal grief. “I am not used to not bowing. I was raised to do so.”

“I understand. You have met my wife, Arwen, I presume?” With that, Arwen stepped out from behind him.

“Yes. She is lovely. You found a good wife, Aragorn.” She said, with a look of truth in her eyes.

“I know. Legolas, it is getting late. We really must be going. The hobbits have a long way to travel as does Gimli. My people wanted to see me before the night was over. Until we meet again.”

“Yes, of course my brother. May you travel well.”
After we said our goodbyes to everyone, we walked outside to sit in the garden and talk.

As soon as we sat down I began pulling weeds. Legolas whispered to me that I didn’t need to do that. He just wanted to talk.

(Meldiriel POV)

“About what, my husband?” I had a feeling this might not end well.

“What would make you happy?” He was very worried. I could see it in his eyes.

“Keep treating me like you do. Hold me when I need it. Sing to me. Love me.” This time, I leaned in for the kiss. I expected it to be long, but before I knew what was happening, he picked me up.

“Of course, my love.” He started running. Into the castle and into the room he called “mine.” He laid me down softly and told me to go to sleep. He started to walk out of the door when I called out to him.

“Stay, Legolas. I cannot survive the night alone. You may not need sleep, but I do. Please, watch over me through the night. Don’t leave me here alone.” I was desperate.

“I was hoping you would say that.” He came and sat on the edge of my bed. He traced my jaw line and stroked my hair until I asked him to do something else.

“Would you sing? It always makes me happy.”

“Of course.” And he began the same song he had sung me a week ago, the Song to Tinúviel. Only he changed it to Song to Meldiriel.

Meldiriel elvanui, elleth alfirin edhelhael. O hon ring finnil fuinui. A renc gelebrin thilio…” He continued to stroke my hair. I began to drift off to sleep.

“Don’t go, even after I am asleep. Please, stay with me.” He nodded and continued to sing. Finally, I drifted off to sleep.

(Legolas POV)

She looks so calm. Why can’t she be like this when she is awake? Meldiriel, what am I going to do with you? Suddenly, she started screaming and thrashing.

“Legolas! Mother! Father! No! Please no!” She screamed. Instinctively, I picked her up and held her. What is going on? What do I do? She told me not to leave. I won’t. Call for help? And then, her eyes opened.

(Meldiriel POV)

I woke up screaming. Someone was holding me like a baby and trying to calm me. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

“Meldiriel, it’s me, Legolas. You are in your bed. You had a nightmare. You told me not to leave.”

“Legolas? I’m sorry. I must’ve screamed myself awake. I’m sorry.” My face burned in shame. “Don’t put me down. Don’t stop holding me.”

“Never, my love. Never. What did you dream about?” He sounded concerned. I did not want to tell him. “Please. Tell me.”

“My father, and my mother were captured. I was forced to watch them die in the most painful way. You tried to come and save me and my parents, but they captured you too. They made you kill me. You came at me with a knife. I tried to stop you. I tried to remind you that you love me but you said ‘No. I will never love you.’ You slit my throat, Legolas. You enjoyed it. Legolas, I’m scared.” I started crying harder.

“Everything is alright, my love. I’m here. I love you. Go back to sleep.” He murmured. “I will be here when you wake. Go to sleep.” And with that, he set me down and I fell asleep. A dreamless sleep. A sleep that comes from exhaustion. When I again awoke, I found myself to be trapped. Something was holding me tightly. There was something pressed against my mouth. I opened my eyes to find Legolas’ fair elvish face to be very close to mine. He did not know that I was awake. He was holding me. I decided to surprise him. I kissed him back. He was surely startled, for when I did that, he gasped and jumped back, dropping me on the bed.

“My Lord? Did I do something wrong?”

“Meldiriel! Do not taunt me so!” He raved on and on about how we were married now and My Lord should never again be uttered from my mouth. Just to taunt him further, I replied the answer he wished not to hear.

“Yes, My Lord.” He picked me up. He held me tight. So tight I could not breathe. We fell onto the bed. “Legolas. I can’t breathe.” I managed to squeak out.

“Oh, I know. Maybe this way you will stop calling me your Lord.” With that, he loosened his grip, seeing that he was hurting me. To make up for it, he kissed me again. It was long and full of passion. When we broke apart, he whispered, “To answer your question, you did nothing wrong. You did everything right. Won’t you show me how you did that once more?” So, I showed him. He revealed a few tricks of his own, too.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It had been two years since Legolas and I first tried for a child. Every time we were disappointed. I had just finished crying over another loss.

(Legolas POV)

“Amin mela lote, it is okay. We will have a child. The time is not yet.” I wished I could believe what I was saying, but I could not. I tried holding her, rocking her, singing to her, but she would not tell me how she felt. “Let us walk together in the woods where I kissed you that first night. Where you made the decision that would change your life. Let us walk.”

“As you wish.” As we began to walk, she gravitated towards the path that led us to the spot where I asked her to marry me. I decided that would be a good path. Finally, we came to the clearing. After two years, there was still blood on the tree and the ground. Her blood. It hurt me to think of that night. She ran to the tree, she fell to her knees. She whispered something to the tree. The tree replied positively. “He has forgiven me for beating him. He gives me permission to do so if the need arises.” With that, she began to cry on the tree. Afraid that she would make herself bleed once more, I embraced her. She then switched from crying on the tree to crying into me. I kissed her forehead. Suddenly, we heard a scream. I thought it was Meldiriel.

“My love, what is wrong?”

“That was not me who screamed.”

(Meldiriel POV)

I began searching to find the source of the scream. Soon, I found it. A young elvish woman sat in the bushes, on the brink of death, with a child in her arms.

“Take her, My Lady. Raise her as your own. For that is who she is now. Yours.” With that, the woman handed me the child and died.

“My daughter. I have a daughter.” Meldiriel looked at me with joy. “Our firstborn.”

“What are we to name her?” Legolas inquired. “She is beautiful, like a flower.”

“Edlothiaiell.” I whispered. It translated to flower girl.

“Edlothiaiell it is.” With that, we started our long trek back to the castle.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Legolas POV)

“Father! Father!” I cried as soon as I was inside my home.

“Legolas! What tidings do you bring?”

“I have a daughter! I have a daughter!” I yelled happily.

“How? When? I don’t understand.” My father was lost.

“In the forest, a young mother gave us her child. She died shortly after. She is an elf. We have named her Edlothiaiell.”

“May I see her?” At that request, I beckoned for Meldiriel to come. “Give the child to me.” When my father had her, he smiled. “She is happy. She is healthy. She is immortal.” I took the opportunity to kiss my wife. I picked her up and spun her around.

“Our daughter. Our daughter.” We could not stop murmuring it.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Meldiriel POV)

Our baby girl was turning five the next day. “Great timing, Meldiriel. Great timing.” I was suddenly hit by a blast of pain. I had handled it well. I was silent, until now. “LEGOLAS! LEGOLAS! HELP ME! LEGOLAS!” I don’t know where he was, but he ran in my door.

“Meldiriel? Meldiriel? What is wrong?” He didn’t know what to do.

“Baby….” That’s all I could say before screaming in pain again.

“FATHER!” Legolas screamed. Legolas knew that he had to stay. When my father-in-law walked in, he was frozen. “Send for Elrond! Get Edlothiaiell. Keep her away. Now!” Instantly, my father-in-law was gone. “What can I do to help?”

“Get over here!” I screamed. He stroked my hair and whispered softly to me. Encouraging me. I grabbed his hand. When Elrond came in, I asked him to help this pain go away.

“I cannot do that. Just keep going like you are. It will be done in no time. I promise. Legolas, keep her calm. Stay by her side. Don’t leave her.”

(Legolas POV)

“I wouldn’t dream of leaving her.” I whispered. I was hoping for a son. This was our firstborn. The first of our flesh. I wished it to be a son. I loved Edlohiaiell. Loved her as much as any other child I would have.
Suddenly, I heard Elrond say, “Legolas, did you want a daughter or a son?”

“A son. But a daughter I would take willingly.”

“You will be pleased then. You have a son. Your heir has come.”

“A son. My very own son.” She murmured. With that, she fainted.

“Meldiriel? Meldiriel! Elrond? Is she okay? Meldiriel!” I was panicking now.

“She is fine, just tired. Wouldn’t you be?”

“I suppose so. Can I see my son?” I was handed a sleeping baby. He was beautiful. Where Edlohiaiell had brown hair and dazzling green eyes, he had blonde hair and, as I was told by Elrond, blue eyes. He resembled me greatly. Except for his lips. He had his mother’s lips. He was thin, as were the both of us. While he had my color of hair, he had his mother’s amount of hair at birth. When I was born, I had little hair. My son had a full head of hair. Elrond left the room. My wife woke.

“What shall we name this child?” She whispered

“Aearael-Thranduil.” It rolled off of my tongue.

“After our fathers?”

“Of course.” After that, she screamed.

“ELROND!” He entered and went to the bedside.

“She is in labor once more.” He looked at me, astonished. Twins are rare in the Elven kind, and yet here I was. A father of twins. This child came much quicker than its brother, but when it was born, it did not breathe.

“Dead?” My wife whispered.

“Cuia, pîn mîn*.” Elrond whispered. And with that, the child took a breath. “A daughter.”

“I have the perfect name for this tiny girl.” Anywhere Aearael-Thranduil looked like his mother, this child looked like her father. Where Aearael-Thranduil looked like his father, this child looked like his mother. They were both thin, but this child had a very thin layer of dark brown hair, like her mother, and beautiful gray eyes, like her mother. She had my lips. She was awake and curiously studying her surroundings.

“What would that be, My Love?” Meldiriel whispered.

“Vanya-Miriel.”

“After our mothers. One problem. My father is first in our son’s name. Your mother should be first in our daughter’s.”

“That seems fair. Miriel-Vanya. Do you remember it? Five years ago tomorrow, we were grieving because we could not have children. Now, you have had two in one day.” She screamed again.

“Three?” Elrond questioned.

“Oh, no.” The third child never lives. “Meldiriel, this one won’t live, you understand that, correct?”

“Of course. There is no third, so how could it live. I may be tired, but I still have a sense of humor.” She laughed. We all chuckled.

“Meldiriel, you get some sleep. Legolas and I are going to take the children so you can rest. You may present them to your father and daughter tomorrow. Sleep.” When she tried to protest, he put his hand on her shoulder and said firmer, “Sleep.” And with that, she drifted off to sleep. “Now Legolas, set the children down. They will be fine. Give me your hand.” Until this moment, I had not noticed how bad it hurt. He examined it thoroughly, and it was quite painful. He looked me straight in the eye. “Being an elf, this should heal by morning. But until then, I’m going to bandage it. Do not use this hand.”

“Why ever not?” What did I do? I don’t even remember hurting it.

“Your wife broke it.” He gave me a smirk and chuckled. I laughed quietly as he gave me a teasing smile. Who would’ve thought my delicate wife could do that?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day Meldiriel and I introduced our new children to my father and Edlohiaiell. Father was surprised at our choice of names. “You could’ve named your children anything, and you named them after your parents? I am proud. All of Elvish blood, I suppose? Three children. I never thought I would see the day.”

“Mother, Father, did they come just for my birthday?” My eldest daughter asked.

“Yes they did, little one.” I whispered. “Yes they did.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Meldiriel POV)

Our children grew to be wonderful rulers. Aearael-Thranduil became the ruler of Mirkwood, along with his wife, Melda, who was a commoner like myself. They had three children, two boys, Malthenniel and Falathiel, and one daughter, Alassiel. The kingdom prospered as it never had before. Edlohiaiell was
re-united with her father. With our permission, Edlohiaiell went to live with him. She was married to a man named Iellwen. They had many children. Three girls, three boys. And as was the case with us, she named them after her mothers and fathers. Meldiriel, Alassiel, her birth-mother’s name, and Eccaia, her husband’s mother’s name. She also had Legolas, Neuriel, her birth father’s name, and Aerlinniel, her husband’s father’s name. Miriel-Vanya married a son of Aragorn, Tirithiel, who was immortal. She had two children, one boy, Remethiel, and one girl, Elvellonwen. Legolas and I sailed to the Undying Lands once our children were grown, and spent the rest of our lives together. Together and happy.

“Amin mela lle, amin lisse’ linnod.” I whisper to him.

“Amin mela lle, amin ai lote.” His beautiful eyes meet mine and I know I didn’t make the wrong decision. I didn’t betray my mother. He will be mine, forever. Just like he promised.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes

*amin ai lote means “my little flower”

*amin tiri elen means “my bright star”

*amin lisse’ linnod means “my sweet song”

*amen mela lle means “I love you”

* Cuia, pîn mîn means “Live little one”

All quotes in italics are from Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies.

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