Of Forest Realms and Elven Love

Summary: The two worlds of the Woodland Realm have been apart for thousands of years and negotiations are underway for unity once more. When Legolas and Elloriel meet, what will happen? Will they be the key to it all? AU

Rating: R

Disclaimer: All original Lord of the Rings characters and locations are the property of the legend J.R.R. Tolkien. I own Dordhaer and all characters from Dordhaer including Elloriel, Luinwen, and Taurgiliath. I also own Laslelin and Thalion, and Sadorian. I will be introducing more characters as the story progresses.

New Chapter! Yay!
Thank you, Larien Arnatuile, for your support!
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Chapter 3 – Rose Thorns

Slowly, Elloriel came into focus of her surroundings, and realised that it was not her room, that she had someone’s arms wrapped around her, and that neither she, nor the other person, had any clothes on. Elloriel was now wide-awake, a horrified gasp escaping her lips. She squirmed out of the gentle hold and off the bed. Elloriel looked at her company. “Legolas?”

Legolas was shaken awake by her movements. He groaned as he sat up and grasped his head. Legolas looked at Elloriel, who had quickly dressed. “Elloriel? Uh…good morning? What happened last night?”

Elloriel was looking around for her shoes and her scarf. “I think that is obvious!” she growled at him.

Legolas looked around himself, his memories slowly gaining focus. “We did.” It was more of a statement than a question.

Elloriel timidly sat down on the bed, gathering her emotions while her head ached painfully. Elloriel was breathing heavily and biting her lip.

Legolas slid up to her on the bed. “Elloriel, don’t think poorly of what we shared, although I am sorry it happened under these circumstances…I don’t think that either of us was completely aware of what we were doing, however…” Legolas put his hand on Elloriel’s shoulder, but she stood up out of his reach.

“I have to go,” Elloriel muttered, and she hurried out of the room without looking at him.

Legolas sat there for a moment. “Great,” he finally hissed sarcastically, throwing one of the pillows onto the floor. When Legolas looked down at the bed where the pillow had been, he found Elloriel’s silver hairpin.

Elloriel slipped back into her room and closed the door behind her. All jitters, Elloriel quickly dressed in her uniform, picked up her weaponry and left the room. On her way through the corridors, she passed the dining hall, stopping as she glanced in. Sure enough, there they were. Thranduil and Taurgiliath had fallen asleep sometime during the night, or perhaps it wasn’t until morning. They were definitely an amusing sight. Still sitting in their respective chairs, Taurgiliath was leaning his head on Thranduil’s shoulder, Thranduil resting his head on Taurgiliath’s, both snoring loudly. Littered around them were numerous empty wine bottles. Elloriel just shook her head, and turned to a servant who had just come into the room and seen the mess. The look on her face was priceless.

“Excuse me, could you tell me the directions to the training grounds?” Elloriel asked her. Before she had stopped in the hall, she had been intending to find them on her own.

“Certainly, my Lady. Follow this corridor down to the main entrance, turn to your left and go to the back of the halls and up the hill. They were situated close to the halls under Lord Legolas’ directions, Your Highness.”

Elloriel said a quiet thank you, and quickly walked down to the training grounds. There was no one else around, so she went to the archery field. Elloriel walked by the weaponry stores and grabbed a couple more quivers full of arrows. She started with one close-range target.

Once Legolas had taken time to settle his head, he slowly walked into the bathroom and refreshed himself. Putting some clothes on, he went out in search of Elloriel, starting with her chambers and then heading to the library. No one was there. Legolas then went passed the dining hall and found his and Elloriel’s fathers still had not woken, despite the cleaning that was going on around them. Legolas cocked his head to the side at the sight of the two kings and just shook his head. Legolas turned around to one of the servants. “Have you seen Lady Elloriel this morning?”

She stopped picking up the bottles. “Lady Elloriel went to the training grounds, my Lord. I think one of her captains was looking for her earlier also.”

“Do you know whom?” Legolas asked, concerned that it was Laslelin.

“I believe his name is Thalion, my Lord.”

“Thank you.” Legolas sighed in relief, and started to walk out of the room when the servant stopped him.

“My Lord, is this the scarf Lady Elloriel wore last night?”

Legolas took the scarf. “Yes, it is, thank you.”

—

Not a single miss. Elloriel sighed to herself, “This really isn’t helping.”

“What’s troubling you, Ell?” Thalion had come onto the archery field.

Elloriel looked at Thalion calmly. “Hm? Oh, good morning, Thalion. Nothing really, I’m just releasing a little tension.”

Thalion merely raised his eyebrow at her; it was radiating off her that she was highly irritated by something. “Would you like some company?”

“I would love that.” Elloriel smiled at Thalion, glad he did not ask any further questions. If it were Laslelin, he wouldn’t let the matter drop until he had his answers, or Elloriel ordered him away from her side.

“Alright, Ell, I will go see what the elves of Mirkwood have in their weapon store. Just try not to actually kill me, because you do look tense.” Thalion smiled at her as he turned to the storeroom.

A minute or so later, Thalion returned with a case of thirty daggers of varying shapes and sizes. Elloriel moved to a distance of about thirty metres and waited, ready for the daggers. Thalion took out the daggers one by one, and flung them at Elloriel, each one aimed at a different place. She dodged them, kicked and hit them out of the way. The last two she caught and flung them at the ground by the case, both landing buried to the hilt.

Legolas was watching from a considerable distance, leaning against a tree. He had managed to make it to the edge of the training grounds, but could not yet approach her while she had company. Legolas watched her skill as she blocked and darted around the flying daggers. In his hands were the hairpin that she had left behind and her scarf, as he turned away and walked back to the halls.

A flash of blond hair caught Thalion’s eye as he and Elloriel had started hand-to-hand combat, throwing punches, kicks, dodging, ducking, tackling, and trying to throw each other to the ground. Thalion had managed to throw Elloriel and pin her to the ground. She got out of it by twisting her legs and bringing them up between them, and kicking him off.

“You’ve been practising, Thalion! I never expected that,” Elloriel said to Thalion as he sat up.

Thalion got up and walked over to her. “Laslelin has been teaching me some moves.”

Thalion held his hand out to Elloriel to help her up. Elloriel took his hand, but instead of getting up, she pulled him down and used her feet to pick him up and flip him over her, and she pinned him down in turn. “But he didn’t teach you that!”

Thalion coughed and spluttered air back into his lungs, “Indeed he did not.”

A messenger came up to them. “Lady Elloriel, Lords Thranduil and Taurgiliath require your presence in Lord Thranduil’s study.”

“So he’s awake! It’s a miracle,” Elloriel exclaimed. She nodded her thanks to the messenger, and they bowed and left the area.

Thalion and Elloriel quickly collected the arrows and daggers, returning them to the stores. As they walked back, Thalion placed his hand on Elloriel’s shoulder. “Ell?”

“What is it, Thalion?”

“You know that we will always be there for you, no matter what,” Thalion paused, gathering his courage, “and I’ve figured out what’s upsetting you…and I’m sure this isn’t the case here, but neither of us want to rescue you again.”

Elloriel whirled around to Thalion, alarmed. “Thal-”

Thalion cut her off by pulling her into a tight hug, “I know, Ell. I don’t like thinking of it either.” Thalion pulled Elloriel back slightly to kiss her forehead. “We love you Ell, just be careful.”

After a moment, Elloriel calmed herself down. “Thalion…you won’t…don’t have to rescue me again.”

“Okay,” Thalion smiled kindly, though his worries did not fade, and cupped Elloriel’s face to kiss her cheek softly.

Legolas was disturbed in his chambers by the same messenger. Legolas strode into the study and found that Taurgiliath, Luinwen, Sadorian and Laslelin were already there. He took the empty seat next to his father. At that moment, Elloriel and Thalion walked in, both picking leaves out of their hair.

“You two look terrible!” Taurgiliath looked at the two. “What in Valar have you been doing?”

Elloriel just stared down at her father. “We, Adar, have been doing something productive, like training, while you have been awake for a total of how many minutes?”

Taurgiliath looked down at the floor, “Ninety.”

“More like eighty-seven,” Thranduil interjected, shrugging his shoulder nonchalantly.

Elloriel had to hide her smirk as she took the seat next to her father, which was directly opposite Legolas. Still uncomfortable, she took it upon her to avoid his gaze. Elloriel got lost in her own thoughts and she was dragged out of them by Thranduil. “What do you think Elloriel? After all, you do have the greatest opinion on this subject.”

Elloriel looked at him guiltily. “I’m sorry Lord Thranduil, but I haven’t been listening at all. I don’t believe I am up to this meeting right now. I must beg your forgiveness and take my leave.” She stood up and hurried towards the door.

Taurgiliath called her just before she left the room, “Elloriel?”

Elloriel shook her head as she kept walking. “No, Adar, I’m fine, really,” she said, and hurried out of the room.

Luinwen recognised Elloriel’s behaviour. She looked discretely at Legolas, who was clutching the hairpin tightly in his hand as he looked down at it. She caught Thalion’s gaze, sharing his understanding at his affirmative nod.

“We will organise another meeting a bit later,” said Thranduil. “Perhaps we were premature about organising this meeting now, Taurgiliath. We should have waited until the celebration had worn off a bit more.”

Legolas stood and walked out of the study and went back to his room. He flopped onto the bed and buried his face in the pillow that Elloriel had slept on; her sweet fragrance still lingered.

There was a gentle knock at the door. Legolas sighed, “What?” Legolas heard the door open quietly and close again.

“Legolas?”

Legolas turned and sat up to find Luinwen standing by the door. “Hello Luinwen, what can I do for you?”

Luinwen walked across the room and sat on the bed next to him. “Perhaps you can start by telling me what happened last night between you and Elloriel,” she said softly.

Legolas looked at her cautiously first, but gave in and proceeded to tell the tale. “Elloriel has been avoiding me all morning. I only remember small fragments; a lot of the evening is still a little fuzzy. She left her hairpin on the bed.” Legolas showed her the pin.

Luinwen looked thoughtfully at him for several moments, assessing whether her instincts about this elf were right and she could trust him with her sister. Luinwen decided to take the risk of trying to mend their circumstances and encourage their relationship. “Legolas, I’m going to tell you something that is not common knowledge and cannot be repeated.”

Legolas nodded and waited for Luinwen to continue.

“In a dark time of her life, Elloriel was hurt by someone she was growing to love and trust. Time has passed and Elloriel’s confidence has returned, but when she gets close to someone, she recoils after sharing what she did with you last night. Don’t get me wrong, Ell has had a seasonal romance…or two…” Luinwen trailed off.

Legolas looked at Luinwen, amused.

Luinwen looked up at him, guiltily. “Sorry, don’t tell her I said that, she will kill me.” Luinwen continued from where she left off, “Elloriel has come a long way and has long been healed, but I haven’t seen her fall this fast for another as she has with you. You two haven’t known each other very long at all, and although she denies it, she wants to be close to you, but I fear that what happened will continue to haunt her.”

Legolas took Luinwen’s hands in his, almost as a promise, “Luinwen, I too have strong feelings developing for Elloriel. I wish that last night hadn’t occurred between us the way it had. Thank you, Luinwen, you have been a great help.” Legolas got up from his bed and headed towards the doors. “I think I know where Elloriel may have gone, I have to talk to her,” and he left the room, leaving Luinwen to close up his room for him.

—

Elloriel lay on the ground on her stomach, her head resting on one arm while she twirled a daisy in her free hand. Her walk had turned into a run, and Elloriel found herself near the spot Legolas had turned off the trail and taken her to his retreat. Elloriel was struggling with herself for getting into such a vulnerable state that night, and yet another part of her didn’t regret the act itself, but not remembering it. It was confusing and frustrating that she had lost control of her emotions. Elloriel withdrew into herself, reflecting on her involvement with the Mirkwood prince who was so close to completely sweeping her off her feet. A short time later, she heard approaching footsteps, but didn’t turn around, already knowing who they belonged to. Legolas sat down on the grassy ledge next to her. “Elloriel, are you okay?”

“I am fine,” she said shortly, not meeting Legolas’ eyes.

Undeterred by her response, Legolas gently placed his hand on her upper back. Elloriel tensed under his hand, but quickly relaxed, and Legolas felt optimistic enough to continue. “Elloriel, I know that we shouldn’t have acted on our impulses last night. It was something that I would’ve liked to remember much more clearly…and also something that would’ve been very special to us if it were meant to happen,” Legolas said, his words laced with honesty.

Elloriel’s frustration dissipated, knowing he was right, and turned to face him, “I’m sorry for behaving the way I have; it has been out of line.”

Legolas shook his head, “Don’t be.”

Elloriel continued, “And I will make a formal apology to Lord Thranduil, as well.”

Legolas smiled softly, “I cannot tell you not to do so, but I don’t think it will be necessary. I’m certain Ada has already forgiven you.” Legolas reached down to stroke Elloriel’s hair out of her face. “Do not trouble yourself, Elloriel, our actions were between us and we will keep it so.” Legolas smiled, “At least allow me to cheer you up. I can’t tell you the last time I had indulged in that much drink.” Pausing for a moment, Legolas remembered Edoras, “Actually, I can.”

Legolas told Elloriel the story of Gimli’s drinking challenge after Helm’s Deep. Elloriel sat up, sitting next to Legolas, smiling and laughing at the tale. Clearly having earned Elloriel’s forgiveness, Legolas leaned in and kissed her forehead. Looking down, he opened up his hand in front of her. “You left this in my room this morning.” Legolas reached behind her and put the pin in her hair.

“Thank you,” Elloriel said softly, taking Legolas’ hand in hers and kissing it. Elloriel’s small smile turned into a frown. “I’m not normally so whimsical with my intimacy, Legolas, and it does not sit well with me.”

Legolas cupped Elloriel’s cheek with his free hand. “Then I am all the more fortunate for being able to share it with you.” Legolas leaned in and left a lingering kiss on Elloriel’s lips. “It is said that the greatest relationships begin in the most unexpected way.”

Elloriel raised her eyebrow, and smirked at him, “You charmer.”

Legolas smiled impishly as he laughed, bringing his forehead to rest against Elloriel’s, “Did it work?”

Elloriel grinned and said, “It sure did.” She brought her lips to Legolas’, the tender kiss deepening as they opened their love for each other.

As they parted, Legolas pulled away from Elloriel, sitting up on his knees to face her. He took both her hands into his. “Elloriel, whenever I’m around you, I’m overwhelmed…I’m enchanted by you, and I want to hold you and never let go.”

Elloriel lifted herself up on her knees, coming to face Legolas. She ran her hands along his face, feeling the softness of his skin. “So am I.” Elloriel leaned in and kissed him chastely on the lips, and again, and again.

Elloriel put her arms around Legolas and drew his body closer, deepening the kiss as Legolas wrapped his arms around her. Elloriel slowly slid her hands down his back and up under his tunic. She slid Legolas’ tunic over his shoulders and removed it completely. Elloriel kissed her way up Legolas’ neck and along his chin to his mouth and kissed him again.

Time had left their senses until they clung to each other, their souls bursting from them in a white light, dancing together and encasing their bodies below in a white-hot glow, before settling within them again. “I’m glad we will remember this,” Legolas said as he smiled happily at her and they shared another passionate kiss.

They laid together in silence, sharing chaste kisses until they felt they had recovered enough to dress. They sat down together against the rock wall behind them, Elloriel leaning her back on Legolas’ chest with his arms around her. The life of the forest continued around them as they relaxed, enjoying each other’s company, until Legolas was ready to break the quiet. “Ell, Luinwen told me that someone hurt you a long time ago. She didn’t tell me what, but I was wondering if you would be comfortable enough to tell me.”

Elloriel’s eyes widened and she looked around her, contemplating what to say, the alarm and uncertainty as to why her sister would open that tale to him ringing loudly in her ears. After several moments passed, she nodded her consent and then shifted so her back was against the wall and she could turn her face to Legolas. “It’s not a nice tale, and while I have moved beyond it, it’s difficult having to recount it.”

Legolas nodded, “I will not ask again if you don’t wish to tell me.” Legolas looked at her and waited patiently.

Elloriel gave him a small smile, appreciating his honour, and began. “For the first eight hundred years of my life, I was raised after my naneth, to be kind, gentle, I studied arts and literature, history and law and was in training for maternal duties…a proper elf-princess as it were. My path was altered three months into one of my courtships. He took me unwillingly, hidden in the gardens of my home.”

Legolas was horrified, and he couldn’t hide the shock from his face. Having just shared soul-shaking intimacy with Elloriel, he was devastated that someone had hurt her. He took Elloriel around the shoulders and hugged her tight.

“Thank you,” Elloriel said, and she looked at him softly, continuing, “I have since recovered. That’s not to say I wasn’t a mess at the time. He was far stronger than me, and I had been bound and gagged. I hadn’t returned to the palace for near a day after I had been expected to return, which was unusual for my behaviour at the time. The rumour that he had ran from the city also caught Adar’s ears. Immediately, Ada sent out search parties. Laslelin and Thalion found me; they know me very well and knew how to look where others wouldn’t see. They released me and wrapped me in their clothes and took me to the healers. To this day, I still remember the pain. Ada came bursting through the doors, which is perhaps the one thing from that time that draws a smile from me. The healer took him aside and told him how severely I had been assaulted.” Elloriel paused for a moment, with a small smile on her lips. “That was interesting; I saw Adar go from sick with worry, to denial, to shock, to sadness and then become a volcano, all within a matter of seconds. He practically swooped out of the room and spent a week hunting him down, and he killed him.”

“I would have done the same thing,” said Legolas. He was still clutching her protectively.

“A rumour had spread around the kingdom that his head had disappeared.” Elloriel paused again, before adding, “Most likely Adar used it as target practice for a while. As gruesome as it sounds, I wouldn’t put it beyond my Adar.” Elloriel continued her tale, “Luinwen helped me through it, mostly. I had decided on retreating to the Halls of Mandos, but Luin wouldn’t let me. She said that she didn’t want another family member leaving just yet.”

“It sickens me,” Legolas began, “that someone would do that to you, Elloriel. It is an unforgivable act!”

“It was a long time ago, and I have grown from such a dark time.” Elloriel softly kissed Legolas on the cheek for his compassion. “I will never learn his reasoning, or what he thought he would accomplish by committing such a crime. After I had healed from my injuries and recovered spiritually, I started training. I refused to be so vulnerable again, and I dedicated myself to becoming a soldier.” Elloriel leaned into Legolas’ touch.

Legolas was both infuriated and saddened by Elloriel’s tragic event, but admired her strength to remain and rebuild her life. Darkness in the hearts of elves was not unheard of, but rare, and those that were, lost the life of the Eldar, and if they were permitted to live that long, departed the world as a mortal.

In the late afternoon, they walked back with an arm around the back of the other’s waist. As Elloriel and Legolas walked through the halls to get some food from the kitchens, Luinwen zipped through and stole Elloriel from Legolas’ side.

“Hey!” Legolas yelled after them.

Once the sisters were out of Legolas’ earshot, Luinwen turned to Elloriel and said, “I am very happy for you.” Elloriel smiled at her sister, not needing to say anything else. Luinwen hugged Elloriel gently, “I should get you back to Legolas before he starts thinking that I’m taking you away and locking you in a cupboard somewhere. Where were you two headed?” asked Luinwen.

“To the kitchens, we are rather hungry,” said Elloriel.

Luinwen nodded knowingly, “That is a common symptom of pure and sweet lovemaking.” Elloriel shot a shocked look at her sister, before a blush fell over her cheeks. Luinwen kissed her sister’s flushed and embarrassed cheek. “I will not tell our Adar,” she whispered, and escorted Elloriel back towards the kitchens.

They made it to the kitchens to find Legolas enjoying his second peach. “There you are. I was wondering when you were going to be returned to my side.” He glared in jest at Luinwen as Elloriel perched on his knee, picking up an apple for herself.

Luinwen returned the glare with a smirk. “Yes, well, let’s just hope that Adar is so accommodating with you, after what happened last time.” Luinwen swindled out of the kitchens, leaving the two alone.

Elloriel raised an eyebrow at her sister, and yelled after her, “And who was to blame for that!”

“What is she talking about?” Legolas asked, thinking that they were referring to the same one that hurt Elloriel.

“A recent suitor,” Elloriel answered. “We had been spending time together for near on a year, and Adar was considering having the two of us married. However, I noticed a visible change in him. See, Luinwen can hide it well, she has had the practice…don’t tell her I said that. In the following days, we worked through the incident and approached Adar to tell him that our courtship would no longer continue. Adar was there at his desk, rattling away at some paperwork, and when he looked up at us, he worked it out. He stood up and went through a door in his study. He keeps a stockpile of weaponry in there, a poorly hidden secret, and before he had come back out, the elf had run for the nearest palace exit. Not that it mattered, because Adar came out with his crossbow and he’s not one to miss. After all, you’ve seen my Ada; you know what he looks like.”

“Indeed. He certainly has huge, muscled shoulders,” said Legolas, wearily. “He has a crossbow?” he asked incredulously, unsure what to think of an elf with such a vulgar weapon.

Elloriel nodded and gently smiled down at him, “He uses it, too. Well, looking over the balcony, you could see the elf running to the palace gates and Adar just stomping after him. Luinwen was severely reprimanded for her actions, despite the fact that I had forgiven her. It is a strange phenomenon how your path leads you…” Elloriel trailed off.

Legolas followed Elloriel’s train of thought and put an arm around her. “Then I too am thankful of his infidelity. We should tell our Adars that we have begun a relationship.”

Elloriel nodded, “It would be better sooner rather than later, and it would also be better coming from us, not down a chain of rumours…my Adar doesn’t handle rumours very well.”

“So I have heard.” Legolas took her hand in his and turned to lead her out of the kitchen.

—

Taurgiliath was pacing in the library, worrying about Elloriel.

Thranduil was on his lounge reading. He looked up at Taurgiliath. “Would you sit down! Or at least stop pacing, one of the two. You will wear a hole in the carpet, and that’s a vintage material which you will replace the value of.”

Taurgiliath sat down heavily on the armchair opposite Thranduil. “I’m sorry, Thranduil, but Elloriel is my dear daughter and whenever she has acted like this, something bad has happened…”

“Talking about me again, Adar?”

Elloriel and Legolas had walked in.

“Elloriel! Are you alright? What’s wrong? Why were you so upset yesterday morning?” Taurgiliath barrelled a string of questions at her.

Elloriel raised her hand at Taurgiliath to stop him. “Nothing was wrong; I just had a lot on my mind, and needed some time to collect my thoughts.”

“Are you sure?” Taurgiliath said worriedly.

“Yes, Adar,” Elloriel answered with a smile. “As such,” she began, turning to Thranduil, “I must apologise for my behaviour yesterday-”

Thranduil cut her off, “I do not require an apology, Elloriel, and now, onto more important matters.” Thranduil had walked behind Legolas and Elloriel and was holding up their clasped hands. “What have we here?” He looked between them as Elloriel blushed and Legolas smiled.

Legolas pulled Elloriel in and held her close. “Yes Adar, Elloriel and I are beginning a relationship.”

“What wonderful news!” Thranduil clapped his hands happily, clearly overjoyed. Legolas just looked at his father in disbelief.

Thranduil stopped when he looked at Taurgiliath, who was in the middle of a staring/glaring contest with Elloriel. A million charging orcs couldn’t have severed the tension. Elloriel won in the end, her father relenting. He hugged his daughter and greeted Legolas, placing a hand on Legolas’ shoulder, and Legolas reciprocated the gesture.

Thranduil, however, hugged them both tightly. “Well, at least he has found a wonderful maiden this time. I honestly don’t know what he was thinking with those other companions…”

“Adar!” Legolas looked at Thranduil incredulously.

“What? I didn’t like any of them. I thought that none were appropriate for my son.” Thranduil stuck his nose in the air defiantly. “But I tell you, if you had chosen to marry either of them, I may have killed you myself.”

“So charming, Ada.” Legolas buried his embarrassed face in Elloriel’s shoulder, which was shaking heavily with suppressed laughter

Thranduil smiled, “Only the finest for my son, and you Elloriel, are the finest there is. You have chosen very well, my son.” Said princess blushed deeply at the flattery. Thranduil continued, “I hope you two have a long future together.”

Elloriel kissed Thranduil on the cheek, “Thank you, my Lord.”

“Elloriel, my dear, please address me as Thranduil,” he said fondly, before adding, “I wouldn’t want the naneth of my hundreds of grandchildren calling me ‘Lord’.”

Legolas and Elloriel choked on air. The look that Taurgiliath was giving Legolas was murderous.

“Now off you two love birds go. Go and be together somewhere,” said Thranduil shooing them out of the room.

They were still a little shocked by the previous comment, and Elloriel turned to leave with Legolas.

Taurgiliath stopped them, “Just before you two go, we need to arrange a meeting to continue with the talks for uniting the kingdoms.”

“Yes, we do. Thank you, Taurgiliath,” said Thranduil. “When do you think would suit?”

Elloriel spoke up, “I think that these talks are extremely important to the two realms, so I think that we should get to them as soon as possible. Now suits me just fine, but for the others…” Elloriel trailed off and looked at Legolas.

“Now is good for me.”

Elloriel nodded, “I wouldn’t want to interrupt the plans the others already have in place for today. Perhaps tomorrow would be better.”

Thranduil had disappeared into his own thoughts about something for a minute.

“Careful, Adar,” said Legolas cautiously.

Thranduil scowled, before he childishly poked his tongue out at him, “I can send messengers to go and find them all…”

“That’s a good idea, but I think that I will go and find Luinwen,” interrupted Elloriel, winking at Legolas, and she left the room. Not having enough courage to remain in the same room as Elloriel’s imposing father without her, Legolas followed.

Once around the corner, Legolas piped up regarding his father’s remarks, “We have been together for, what, a matter of hours, and already Ada is talking about marriage and children.”

Elloriel laughed, “I think that it’s rather sweet. Although, children aren’t in my plans for a good, long while.”

Legolas nodded in agreement.

The following afternoon found everyone seated in the library, Elloriel sitting next to Legolas this time. Laslelin noticed the looks that they were giving each other.

Thranduil started the meeting, “Now, we all know what this meeting is about, and just to clarify for the fun of it, it’s about merging our two kingdoms, namely Dordhaer and Mirkwood.”

Elloriel giggled at Thranduil, and spoke next, still smiling in mirth, “We all know the history surrounding the two realms.” Elloriel went on, “The Woodland Realm was once a great kingdom and should be so again. None of us in this room were present then; it is history – unfortunate history – and we should be able to leave it in the past and concentrate on the future.”

Laslelin sat forward in his chair. “I agree with you Ell, but what do our realms have to offer each other. I mean, all of us here are now becoming,” he sent a discrete glare at Legolas, “friends, and that is a good thing, but we cannot just unite the kingdoms on the basis of friendships alone. Aside from that, the elves are leaving these shores.”

“I see your point, Laslelin,” started Thranduil, “Taurgiliath and I have entered trade and produce talks.”

“Another issue is the Grey Mountains. Neither of our borders meet along the range anymore,” said Legolas.

Two hours later, they wrapped up the talks for the time being. Legolas and Elloriel were the last to walk out of the library. The two kings stood there watching them.

Thranduil turned to Taurgiliath, “You know, Taurgiliath, things may be closer than we think.”

Taurgiliath slowly nodded, “Perhaps, Thranduil, perhaps.”

As the days passed, Legolas resumed his tour of Mirkwood, showing Elloriel through more of the halls and the horse fields. When evening fell, they retired to their separate rooms, leaving Legolas with restless nights. He struggled with resisting the urge to slip into Elloriel’s chambers and hold her while they rested. Duties would keep them apart during the mornings, and they made arrangements to meet again in the afternoons.

On the fifth day, Legolas wrapped his arms around Elloriel almost immediately, not caring about the glances they received for their open behaviour. “Would you like to move your belongings into my chambers? Call me infatuated, but I want to spend as many moments as possible with you and I do not enjoy returning to my empty chambers at night.”

“Bold is the elf of Mirkwood! Although, I completely understand,” Elloriel kissed him on the cheek. They walked to Elloriel’s room and moved her trunk and other belongings to Legolas’ chambers. Lastly, she bundled her weapons and placed them in the corner next to Legolas’ bow and quiver. Legolas looked at her supply of weapons that surpassed that of his own. “You certainly carry a lot of armaments.”

Elloriel hugged Legolas from behind, and standing on her toes, rested her chin on his shoulder. “Well, experience has taught me that you can’t be caught unprepared.”

“Wiser words are rarely spoken,” Legolas agreed, earning a laugh from Elloriel. Legolas turned around in her arms and kissed her. Legolas stood holding Elloriel for several moments, before breaking the warm atmosphere. “What would you like to do for the rest of the day?” Legolas asked her.

“How about some horse riding?” Elloriel offered, “I’m sure my horse has had enough of being kept in a paddock without a ride for so long.”

Legolas looked at her, “Where to?”

Elloriel smiled, “Wherever we end up. That’s what I do at home; go exploring, even away from Dordhaer. So many places in Forodwaith are so peaceful and inviting. Then there are those that aren’t, and I was lucky to escape with my life and often had to evade capture. Adar would be furious at me and he would confine me to my chambers. I would just climb out of the window and head off again. It’s a lot of fun.”

Legolas considered this for a moment. “How long shall we go for?”

“Where do you have in mind?” Elloriel had noticed his distant expression.

Legolas smiled at her, “Have you ever been to Lórien?”

Elloriel shook her head. “No, I have not travelled this far south before. They are heavily guarded so long as the Lady remains in Middle Earth. Do you know the way?”

Legolas shook his head slightly, “Not to Lothlórien through the northern borders; we always take a longer eastern route when Adar and I visit, but the marchwardens do know me. We should be safe.” Legolas put an arm around her to reassure her.

“If the marchwardens know you, why don’t you know the way to Lothlórien from the north?” asked Elloriel.

Legolas did not meet her gaze. He mumbled something, and the only word she caught was ‘blindfolded’.

“You were blindfolded?” Elloriel looked incredulously at him, “Why?”

“Gimli. Haldir would not let him pass into Lothlórien unless he was blindfolded. Needless to say that dwarves are stubborn folk and the only way he would do so was if I was also blindfolded. So, Aragorn decided that the entire Fellowship go blindfolded through Lórien,” Legolas explained.

Elloriel was laughing so hard that she was clutching her sides. “Now that would have been a sight!”

Legolas just leaned on the wall as he waited for Elloriel’s laughter to subside. Elloriel stood next to him, wiping away tears. “I apologise, but I can just picture it! I would like to see Lórien; I have heard of its beauty at this time of the year.”

Legolas smiled at her, “Come then, let’s pack some things to travel with. We have to tell Ada…”

Elloriel stopped him. “No! We will just leave a note. Trust me, if we told my Ada, he would forbid it and keep me chained to his side at all times.”

“I have just gotten home…Adar is going to murder me,” Legolas smiled.

Legolas and Elloriel quickly packed clothes, their weapons and some fruit for the journey. “This also means that the talks will be put on hold until we return,” stated Legolas.

“I am sure progress will continue in our absence.” Elloriel scribbled a note on some paper and left it on the bed to be found. They silently and quickly left the halls and went out to the horse fields. They had introduced each other to their favoured horses on their first visit to the fields, and Legolas called his horse to him. He greeted her and stroked her mane. Elloriel gave a soft whistle, and a chestnut mare approached her.

They saddled and mounted the horses, and galloped out of the grounds, heading towards the south. A number of working servants saw them leave, as did Laslelin. Having heard the rumours about the blossoming love affair between Legolas and Elloriel, he was more watchful of the two, not missing their subtle affections when around a multitude of people. He resented Legolas, especially the way that he so easily captured Elloriel’s heart, something that he has been attempting to do for a long time. Laslelin went directly to Taurgiliath. Entering the library, he bowed to Thranduil and then to Taurgiliath. “Lord Taurgiliath, I do believe that Elloriel has gone on one of her little adventures.”

Taurgiliath was slowly turning red, “She has taken off, again? Now?”

Laslelin continued, “Elloriel is also with Legolas, Sire. I don’t know his intent, Sire, but I have heard that they shared a room the night of the celebration.”

Thranduil stepped in, “Now wait just a minute! You would find it very wise not to speak ill of my son, young captain! How dare you judge my son’s intent!” he yelled.

“I only worry for Elloriel, she is more fragile than she appears and I will not see him hurt her!” Laslelin spoke forcefully to Thranduil.

“If you ever take that tone with me, elfling, I shall have you in chains! Now, get out!” Nobody had heard Thranduil yell like that in a long time, but he hadn’t lost his touch. Laslelin scowled and left the room. Thranduil turned to Taurgiliath, who was now seething. Thranduil sat next to him on the lounge, “I understand your concern for your daughter, but I can assure you, Elloriel is quite safe with Legolas. I can see it in his eyes, he holds strong feelings for Elloriel. They will have a long future.”

“You do not understand, Thranduil!” Taurgiliath stood and went to the window. “Elloriel has been truly hurt before. I killed him for his treachery.”

Thranduil glared darkly at Taurgiliath. “My son would never commit such atrocities. It is not in his nature! Do I make myself clear, Taurgiliath?” Thranduil paused for a moment, before calmly saying, “We should be there to support them, not to try to keep them apart.”

Taurgiliath sighed, “I apologise for my judgment, Thranduil. I meant no disrespect.”

Thranduil nodded to him. “Now, what is this about them going on a ‘little adventure’?”

Taurgiliath began his explanations, “Elloriel has a habit of disappearing on what we have come to call ‘her little adventures’. She just takes off. No word, just a note left on her bed. There is no telling when she will come home. The longest Elloriel has been away from home is one hundred and seven years, although we did receive the occasional letter telling us that she was still alive. This time she has a travelling companion; who knows where they have gone or when they will return. My sanity balances on a knife edge when she leaves like this!”

Thranduil thought about this information for a moment. “Perhaps they told us in the note.”

The two kings walked to the chambers and to Elloriel’s room, only to find that it was completely emptied of her belongings.

“What’s going on?” asked Taurgiliath, flabbergasted, while his mind started coming up with all kinds of scenarios.

“I think I know.” Thranduil led them to Legolas’ room and sure enough, there were Elloriel’s belongings.

“They are sharing chambers,” commented Taurgiliath slowly and quietly. “I am not yet comfortable with this.”

“I think that there is more to their relationship than meets the eye.” Thranduil looked around the room and saw the note that Elloriel had left on the bed. He picked it up and read it aloud. “ ‘Dearest Adars, we have gone exploring. Legolas wants me to tell you that we are travelling to Lórien. We do not intend to stay long, so we shall see you when we get back in a few weeks or so.’ Well then, at least we know that they are going somewhere safe.” He folded the letter and put it in his pocket.

Taurgiliath sighed, “I must find Luinwen. If you will excuse me, Thranduil.” Taurgiliath left the room in search of Luinwen.

Thranduil looked around the room. “Yes indeed,” he said, and then closed the room.

As Legolas and Elloriel came to the Enchanted River and slowed the horses down to a walk, Taurgiliath came across a sight that he did not wish to see. He just stopped mid-step, shocked to say the least.

Pinned against a wall in one of the corridors was Sadorian, his daughter Luinwen ravishing his mouth and neck. They pulled each other in for another hungry kiss, Sadorian’s hands tangled in Luinwen’s golden hair, Luinwen tangling her own hands in his dark brown locks. Luinwen found a sensitive spot on Sadorian’s neck, and nibbled on the area, causing Sadorian to groan loudly and throw his head back against the wall, thus enabling him to see Taurgiliath standing there.

“Ahhh!” Sadorian screamed and immediately stopped touching Luinwen, pinning his entire body to the wall as flat as he could, roaming hands and all.

Luinwen looked up at him, confused, and followed his fearful gaze. She saw her father standing there with his arms crossed over his chest and he was heaving with anger.

Luinwen let go of Sadorian, “Oh! Hello…Ada.”

“ . . .” Taurgiliath could not comment.

“Luinwen…I will see…you later,” and with that Sadorian was nothing but a blur heading in the other direction to some place somewhere else.

Luinwen looked down at the ground.

Taurgiliath stopped and started as he tried to comprehend his level of anger. “What the…? How many times…? Here in front of…unbelievable…I am…You…!” He sighed loudly, “Luinwen, Elloriel has gone off on one of her adventures. She has gone with Legolas to Lórien.”

“Has she? Well, at least this time we know where she is going.” Luinwen remarked.

“Now, I am too mad to speak to you any further right now. I am going back to the library and I don’t want to catch you in a situation like that ever again! Is that clear?” he growled at Luinwen.

“Yes Adar.” Luinwen watched as he stormed off in the direction of the library, and she turned the other way to find Sadorian.

—

After coming upon, in Legolas’ opinion, a half-sized spider not far from the Old Forest Road, Legolas was left to slaughter it, though he did so without much effort. Normally strong and brave, Elloriel had disappeared, and Legolas found her hiding up a tree not far from where they encountered her worst nightmare come to life. Legolas coaxed her down from the tree and she rode with Legolas’ arms wrapped around her, her horse walking next to them. Legolas took them along the Old Forest Road instead of continuing through the Mirkwood forest. Coming to the western side of Mirkwood, Legolas turned the horses south and they continued along the edge of the forest.

Legolas and Elloriel returned to the cover of the Mirkwood forest and found a small clearing to camp for the approaching night. They led the horses to the nearby stream for water. Elloriel sent Legolas to check the immediate perimeter for any more spiders. Legolas returned with his answer ‘No’ and they rested under a tree. Elloriel lay in Legolas’ arms for a while, before she got up and climbed one of the taller trees.

Elloriel sat in the top branches looking out towards the south. Her elven eyes could see the Anduin River and the beginnings of Lórien over the distant hills. As the wind blew through her hair, Elloriel felt that familiar sensation that her hands were on fire. Elloriel sighed, “Not again!”

Elloriel clenched her hands and closed her eyes, trying to calm the burning down. Once her hands had stopped burning, she rubbed her fingertips along her temples in frustration, willing the redness to subside.

Legolas called up to her, “Elloriel, do you want something to eat?”

Elloriel looked down at him and smiled, “Yes, thank you.” Elloriel climbed down from the tree and joined Legolas near the stream, sitting cross-legged, and helped herself to the fruit and bread from their packs.

Legolas was first to speak. “What were you doing up there?”

Elloriel turned her gaze to him. “You can see the Anduin River and parts of Lórien from up in that tree. I think that we will be there in a couple of days, depending on when we set out of course.” She failed to mention her fiery hands.

They finished eating and Elloriel went over to the stream to wash her hands and face. Legolas came beside her and did the same. Elloriel took no notice as Legolas dipped his hands deeper into the water and scooped his hands before splashing it all over her. Elloriel gasped as the water soaked her face, hair and part of her tunic. She looked at Legolas and he was grinning like a triumphant child.

“You are going to regret that!” Elloriel’s eyes turned revengeful and before Legolas had the chance to jump out of her reach, Elloriel caught the front of his tunic and dunked his head in the water. Laughing, Elloriel jumped up and ran.

Legolas came up gasping for air. He stood and wrung his hair out and looked for Elloriel. She had completely disappeared. He looked for any sign of her, also listening hard. Legolas had forgotten that Elloriel had an uncanny knack for sneaking up on people. He found out where she was when she poured the cold contents of one of the water canisters down his back. Legolas sharply sucked in air as the cold water dripped down his back. Legolas whirled around and grabbed Elloriel’s wrists. “That was cruel!” He dragged her in close.

“I told you that you were going to regret it,” Elloriel teased, and stuck her tongue out at him.

Legolas raised his eyebrow at her and shook his head, “Naughty, naughty!”

Legolas stepped closer to her and went to kiss her, but at the last moment, he moved away and licked the edge of her ear with the tip of his tongue, causing Elloriel to cry out. Legolas did it again sending shivers down Elloriel’s body. Legolas continued along the side of her face to her chin and captured her lips with his own. He slackened his grip on her wrists. Not wise, as he was oblivious to the fact that Elloriel had one foot in between both of his. Elloriel seized her opportunity and kicked one of his feet from under him, sending them to the grassy floor.

Elloriel landed on him, straddling his hips. Before Legolas had the chance to focus and retaliate, Elloriel grabbed his hands and pinned them above his head. “You should not have let me go,” Elloriel taunted, looking down at him. Elloriel leaned down and repeated Legolas’ ministrations on his ear. Legolas’ cheeks were tinted pink and he was breathing unevenly, his eyes darkening.

 Elloriel softly smiled and let his hands go. She rested her hands on Legolas’ shoulders and pulled him up to her. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she leaned forward and kissed him sweetly. Elloriel rested her hands just above Legolas’ hips and felt Legolas jump underneath her. Elloriel broke the kiss and looked at him. “You’re not ticklish, are you?”

“No,” Legolas said a little too quickly.

Elloriel grinned devilishly and tickled him again, Legolas squirming under her hands, trying to evade her fingers and gain his own supremacy. The sun had set by the time Legolas and Elloriel had worn themselves out. Elloriel lay next to Legolas and laid her head down on his chest as they rested during the night.

Elloriel woke to a soft hand stroking her face. She smiled as she looked into Legolas’ eyes, “Good morning, love.”

Legolas gently kissed her nose, “Good morning.”

Elloriel smiled at him, “How long have you been awake?”

“Perhaps half an hour,” Legolas answered.

“So long? I would not have minded if you had woken me.” Elloriel propped herself up on her elbows, “I didn’t realise that I had fallen asleep.”

Legolas shook his head, “You looked so peaceful. It’s nice watching you sleep.”

Elloriel kissed him on the lips and got up to go to her pack. Elloriel followed the stream to a pool that was deep enough to swim in. She put down her pack and after removing her clothes, stepped into the water. Legolas came into sight, carrying his own pack. He joined Elloriel in the stream. After spending some time swimming, Elloriel stepped out of the stream and dressed. “I will go back and start packing up the camp.” She picked up her belongings and hurried back to the camp. Legolas nodded before he dipped under the surface again. He didn’t see her clenching her hands.

Elloriel got back to the campsite and dropped the items in her hands, gritting her teeth in pain. She cursed as she looked at her hands; they were so cold and slowly turning blue. Shaking her hands from the pain, she tried to calm her heart rate down enough to concentrate, and slowly, her hands started to warm. The pain from the cold subsided, but her hands were now tinged red from the heat.

Elloriel busied herself packing the camp. She looked at her hands again and thankfully, they had returned to normal colour when Legolas returned. He smiled at her as he called to the horses.

Two days later, they came to the Anduin River, Legolas telling her stories from his journeys with the Fellowship. They found a shallow area to cross and went single file to the other side. Once they had crossed the river, they linked hands again, and continued to the woods of Lothlórien. Legolas told her about the Mines of Moria. “It was quite a shock when Gandalf fell. It was difficult to give them hope.”

Elloriel nodded in understanding. “They would’ve been so happy when they first saw Gandalf the White.”

Legolas nodded in agreement, before adding, “Aragorn, Gimli and I tried to kill him.”

“Pardon?” scoffed Elloriel, disbelievingly. “How did that come about?”

Legolas smiled as he gave his explanation. “We were tracking Merry and Pippin in Fangorn Forest, and I mistook the White Wizard for Saruman. As the men would say, ‘he kicked our arses’. Mine and Gimli’s weapons were useless against him. His magic scalded Aragorn’s hand by overheating his sword, and Aragorn ended up with burns on his hand. I laughed. He punched me.”

Elloriel looked at Legolas exasperatedly, “Aragorn punched you for laughing at him?”

A dark smirk found its way across Legolas’ face, “Actually, it was Gandalf who saw the burns and apologised. I might have said something to the effect of Aragorn missing Arwen. I had Gimli and Gandalf clutching their sides laughing. Aragorn turned to me and said, ‘Oh sorry, Legolas, I didn’t realise I hit you that hard! It was supposed to be just a brotherly punch. Are you alright?’ Ha! My cheek was bruised for a week!”

Elloriel’s laughter rang out across the plain. They rode up the side of a hill and Lórien came into view. “Welcome to Lórien, Elloriel.”

They cantered up to the forest edge and slowed to a walk as they entered and rode through. They slowly looked around at the trees, Elloriel enraptured by the new sight. The branches were covered in yellow flowers and new green leaves. The forest floor was carpeted in a blanket of golden leaves, the canopy matching. The sun shone against the silver bark of the trees.

“This place is so beautiful.” Elloriel looked around in awe. “I certainly haven’t found anything in Forodwaith that matches this beauty.”

Legolas gently placed his hand on Elloriel’s shoulder. “Let us hasten. Lothlórien lies deep within the forest. Memory plagues my mind and therefore I do wish to be in Lothlórien before nightfall.”

They had trotted through the woods for the most part of an hour and a half when Legolas stopped and looked around.

“What is it?” asked Elloriel, looking around for signs of danger.

Legolas smiled, “Don’t worry yourself. This is where we came across Haldir.”

“And thanks to Gimli, you were blindfolded,” finished Elloriel.

Two voices were heard laughing above them. “And indeed it was a sight to be seen! An elf blindfolded in Lórien!” Two elves jumped down in front of them from the trees. “Legolas! How good it is to see you again!”

“Hello Orophin, Rúmil,” said Legolas joyously. He jumped down from his saddle and greeted the two elves before him, turning to Elloriel to introduce her. “Elloriel, this is Orophin and Rúmil, they are Haldir’s brothers.”

Elloriel climbed down from her horse and joined Legolas by his side.

Orophin bowed to Elloriel. “Elloriel? Not Elloriel of Dordhaer, perhaps? I have indeed heard of your fairness, Elloriel, but I can see that such rumours are not fit to do you justice.” He took her hand and kissed it.

Elloriel smiled at him, “Thank you for your kind words, but I am highly spoken for.”

Orophin looked at her, “Oh? By whom, fair Lady? Perhaps I will challenge him for your hand.”

“Legolas, you brainless fool,” said Rúmil. “Didn’t you see them stealing sweet kisses just outside of the forest?” he cooed, earning himself an unimpressed look from Legolas.

Legolas looked down at the shorter elf. “I will accept your challenge, Orophin, though I do expect that I will win.”

Elloriel turned to Orophin, “How did you know where I am from?”

Legolas turned his attention back to the shorter elf, realising that he hadn’t completely introduced Elloriel to Haldir’s brothers.

Rúmil smirked, “Rumours have drifted down and reached our ears of the elves beyond the Grey Mountains. Your name and beauty were at the height of those rumours.”

Elloriel’s eyes widened when she figured out the connection between the elf of Lothlórien she had met years ago, and the one Legolas spoke of, being one and the same. Before Legolas, who was still in the dark, could ask any further, Rúmil shifted the conversation, “Lady Galadriel is expecting you; we should head out.”

Orophin pulled out some cloth from his pocket. “Anyone for blindfolds?” he asked, looking directly at Legolas. Orophin grinned darkly as Legolas made a rude gesture at him, barely missing getting his hand swiped by Elloriel for his gesture. “Legolas!”

Sharing the horses, they rode quickly to the banks of the Celebrant. Rúmil dismounted first. “There is only one way to cross this river. We have hidden stables out to the east. As we are expected, our March wardens will attend to the horses.” He then threw a coil of rope across the stream and it was caught by an elf on the other side. Two March wardens crossed back to them, ready to tend to the horses. Rúmil crossed the river, followed by Legolas and Orophin while Elloriel passed the reins to the March warden that had approached her, giving them instructions on the horses’ temperaments.

Continuing on foot, they came into Lothlórien; the two brothers lead them to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Legolas and Elloriel bowed respectfully before them.

“Welcome, Legolas. We are delighted of your return. And welcome to you, Elloriel Taurgiliathiel. Your arrival is an honour to us, as we have been separated from your people for a long count of years,” said Galadriel.

“Thank you, Lady Galadriel,” said Elloriel.

For a few moments, Lady Galadriel held Elloriel under her gaze, then she said, “Go now and rest in comfort tonight, and enjoy the hospitality of Lothlórien.”

Legolas and Elloriel bowed to them once more before they left the chamber. Once they had left the chambers, Celeborn turned to Galadriel, “I sense a deep unrest in Elloriel.”

“Elloriel has the gift of the elements,” explained Galadriel. “Though she has not yet embraced it. She must do so before she leaves these borders, or it will lead to her death.”

Celeborn was deeply surprised, and it showed on his face. “I thought that gift was an old legend. Do we know anybody that can help her?” he asked.

“The gift was spoken of as folk lore, lost a long time ago; there is no other in Middle Earth that shares this. It is regrettable that we have been separated from the elves of Forodwaith for such a long time. I can teach her to harness her abilities, but Elloriel must learn how to use them herself,” said Galadriel. “She has a long road ahead of her.”

Legolas and Elloriel sat with Orophin and Rúmil as they enjoyed a small banquet to welcome them. Legolas winked at Elloriel. “You know, Orophin, Elloriel has a sister that would be suited to you.”

Orophin looked up from his plate. “Really?”

Elloriel quickly shook her head. “Ah, normally I would agree with you in introducing them, but she sleeps with an elf from Mirkwood…at the moment,” said Elloriel.

Legolas looked at her. “Oh? Someone I know?”

“Sadorian,” Elloriel answered.

Legolas’ eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really? I never knew he was such a dark horse.”

Orophin was looking rather dejected.

Elloriel smiled at him. “Don’t worry, Orophin, I’m sure you will find someone to love.”

“Indeed, brother, someone to love you…that isn’t our naneth,” said Rúmil, smirking.

“Hey! Just because my count exceeds yours, Rúmil!” Orophin bit back.

“You lie!” boomed Rúmil.

“Haldir has bedded more than any of us here,” interrupted Legolas. He turned to Elloriel, who sat a little straighter than before. “We would call him King Lover, in jest. He was a funny elf, not to mention very clever.”

“I would say that you and Haldir would have gotten along quite well, Elloriel,” said Orophin, grinning, earning a swift, sharp glare from Elloriel. “Not like that though; I mean he enjoyed promiscuous activities, but he did know his boundaries.”

“Don’t make me laugh,” said Legolas loudly, “He and Arwen if you dare to recall.”

“Twice,” added Orophin, “before she met Elessar. Lord Elrond never learned about that.”

Legolas nodded in reply, then added, “Brithla…that doesn’t really count, does it,” said Legolas.

“Legolas,” scolded Elloriel, “do not be unkind.”

“No, Legolas that doesn’t count…even I’ve had her in mine once,” said Rúmil.

Elloriel snorted, “Now why doesn’t that surprise me.”

Orophin laughed, “I see you two have met. Is she still trying to get you on her arm, Legolas?” he asked, and Legolas nodded in reply.

Rúmil smirked and decided it was time to increase their fun. “I remember Haldir saying something about an elf maiden that he met on his travels in the far north, in the Grey Mountains…”

Elloriel’s eyes grew wide and she glared at Rúmil.

“…he said he had never seen such beauty…”

Elloriel looked away, over into the distance.

“…said she was one of his most memorable encounters.”

Elloriel housed a blush that rivalled a red sun.

Legolas was watching Elloriel’s reactions out of the corner of his eye. Finally, he put two-and-two together and turned to her, “You have got to be kidding me!”

All three of them looked at her, and Elloriel just stared at an invisible spot on the table.

“You and Haldir?” Legolas asked.

Elloriel hesitated, and then slowly nodded, “For a brief moment…”

Rúmil and Orophin grinned at each other, before they jumped up and started a victory dance for Haldir, “Oh dear brother, we worship you! Even in absence, your superiority reins down on us!” They were now on their knees bowing continuously.

Elloriel turned slowly to look at Legolas. She slid closer to Legolas, and wrapped one arm around him, her other hand rested on his upper thigh. She leaned in close to him and whispered, “You are a far greater lover. Truly.”

Smiling, Legolas met her in a soft kiss. Elloriel pulled back, “And you’re much better at that too.”

Legolas laughed, holding her close. “Is there anyone else from Middle Earth you know?”

Elloriel smiled and shook her head, “No.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

Rúmil and Orophin returned to the table.

Elloriel looked at Rúmil, “Where are we staying during our visit?”

Rúmil answered, “The guest chambers, lower level, one right down the end with the waterfalls. Legolas knows where they are. However, my brother and I are going to back to our quarters and now would be wise; we have a patrol in the morning. Come on, Orophin. Good night Legolas, Elloriel. We will see you tomorrow.”

Orophin swallowed his goblet of water quickly, and followed his brother, waving goodnight to Legolas and Elloriel. As Orophin and Rúmil reached the path, they put their arms across each other’s shoulders and started singing and dancing along the pathway, praising Haldir some more.

Elloriel just laughed and shook her head. “Perhaps we should also retire,” said Elloriel as she kissed Legolas on the cheek. They stood and Legolas took her arm and showed her to the chambers. They changed into simple night clothes and hoped into bed. Elloriel cuddled up to Legolas while she told him about her time with Haldir.