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.

A/N: Chapter 4 is done! Yaaaay! I’ll admit, the last 1/4 of it needed some reconstruction, a few times…but I’m happy and it will lead into Chapter 5 better.
Thank you to Larien Arnatuile and Miriel Celebel for your support! I hope you have some fingertips left! And thank you also to nólemë for your infinite guidance!
🙂 Thank you for sticking with me thus far! There’s plenty more story to come, and Chapter 5 does need some tidying up. My aim is to not make you wait so long this time…

Chapter 4 – Travels and Partings

When Elloriel woke the next morning, she found that Legolas wasn’t with her. Elloriel felt relaxed and took a few minutes to stretch her muscles. Leaving the bed, Elloriel stepped over to the ledge and looked out. Looking down at the small waterfall, she saw Legolas dive into the pool. Elloriel walked down the steps and joined Legolas under the falls. Once they had returned to the room and dressed, they walked to the meals table they shared with Rúmil and Orophin, and found the two elves were already there.

“Good morning,” said Legolas.

Orophin looked at him and deliberately studied him. “Experience has taught me that you cheery and with a smile means I know what you did last night!”

Legolas sent Orophin a withering look. “No,” answered Elloriel.

“No?” asked Rúmil, astonished, “This morning?”

Elloriel and Legolas sat down at the table, opposite Orophin and Rúmil. The silence endured for several moments before Orophin and Rúmil gave up, realising that they weren’t going to get an explanation.

“So, while we are stuck with soldier duties, what are you two going to be doing?” Rúmil asked, smirk in place.

Legolas shook his head exasperatedly at Rúmil, “I am going to show Elloriel around Lothlórien.”

Orophin turned to his brother, “I don’t understand it, Rúmil. Legolas has this delightful she-elf in his company, and he plans to walk around the woods.”

Legolas’ shoulders slumped, and he glanced at Elloriel to find her listening with an amused smile.

Rúmil placed a solemn hand on Orophin’s shoulder, “I do believe, my brother, that our dear, adventurous Mirkwood prince has been tamed.”

Elloriel couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled out of her as Legolas put his head on the table in frustration. The piece of bread that she was eating had an un-crushed seed on the crust. Elloriel picked it off and held it between her fingers, before she let it fall into the palm of her hand. Immediately, her hand began to tingle. Hiding her hand, Elloriel quickly excused herself and disappeared behind a tree and out of sight. She opened her hand and looked at the seed within; it had grown roots and sprouted a leaf. Smiling to herself, she dug a small hole in the ground and planted the seedling. She wandered back to the table to hear Orophin remark that he too would like to be tamed by her, only to receive a bread roll to the forehead.

Orophin looked at Rúmil, who had caught the bread roll after it ricocheted off, “I take that as a ‘no’, then.”

“Brave of you to ask,” Rúmil laughed.

Legolas nodded at them and turned to look up at Elloriel, “Ell, are you alright?”

Elloriel smiled at him, “Yes, I am fine. I thought something caught my eye, but I was mistaken.” She kissed him on the cheek as she sat down again.

Rúmil’s laughing at his brother caused him to look up towards the path and saw Galadriel standing before them. He stood up immediately. “Lady Galadriel! What brings you here, my Lady?” The others stood and greeted Galadriel.

“I am here to speak with Elloriel,” she turned to Elloriel.

Everyone turned to look at Elloriel, now nervous, her eyes darting around her, wringing her hands together.

“Ell?” asked Legolas, putting a hand on her shoulder.

The soft sounds of movement distracted the elves as the seedling Elloriel had planted quickly grew into a creeper vine, making its way up the tree trunk. Legolas, Orophin and Rúmil just stared in shock. Finally, the vine stopped growing, Elloriel fidgeting with her hands to stop the tingling, her breathing elevated.

Lady Galadriel answered the unvoiced question. “Elloriel has the gift of the elements, Legolas. What you are seeing now is the element of earth.”

Legolas stared down at Elloriel’s hands as she squeezed them together, and then looking back up at the vivid green vine. “The gift of the elements?” he commented in disbelief, not having heard of it before. “What is this gift, Elloriel?” he asked Elloriel.

Elloriel shook her head, “I don’t know much about it…it started before my one thousandth year.”

“When were you planning to tell me?” Legolas asked.

Elloriel looked away, “I don’t know, Legolas. No one knows…knew. It’s only recently that it has been so persistent.”

Lady Galadriel spoke to Elloriel, “That is why now is a good time for you to accept this gift of yours, Elloriel; you need to learn to control it before it risks your life as it did your naneth’s. Come with me please, alone.”

Elloriel sharply looked up at Legolas, wanting him to come with her, but Galadriel had left no room for argument and she turned to follow her. Elloriel followed Galadriel through Lothlórien, coming to some steps and an archway. Galadriel walked over to a fountain and filled a pitcher of water. “Would you look into the Mirror?”

“To see what?” remarked Elloriel, tersely. She was still reeling after Galadriel had pulled the knowledge of her mother from her mind. When Galadriel remained silent, Elloriel sighed and stepped up to it. Clouds parted to reveal images of Dordhaer and Mirkwood, Legolas running through gardens, laughing and chasing two young children. The last image terrified her and she jumped away. “Why are they in Dordhaer?”

They stood in silence for a few minutes while Elloriel tried to comprehend what she had just seen. She glanced up at Galadriel, “What must I do to control this?”

“I can help you to control your ability, but you must learn how to use the elements yourself. There is none other on this earth that shares your talents,” Galadriel told her.

Elloriel thought about this for a long moment. Coming to a decision, yet there was only one she could truly make, she looked at Galadriel, “When do we begin?”

“When you are ready, Elloriel.”

Elloriel nodded, before she turned and went back to the rooms. She opened the door and stepped in, carefully closing it behind her. She looked over to where Legolas was leaning against the ledge railing, and walked over to him.

“What did Lady Galadriel say?” Legolas didn’t turn to look at her.

Elloriel quietly answered, “She is going to train me to control it, but that I have to learn how to use the elements myself.”

Legolas turned to face her, his expression a little apprehensive. “It is clearly a significant part of your life, Elloriel, why did you keep this hidden?”

Elloriel looked down at the ground, fighting with controlling her emotions. “I’m sorry, Legolas, but you must understand that I am frightened of what everyone will think of my having this. I am entirely scared of Adar finding out!” Elloriel had started pacing.

Legolas placed his hands on Elloriel’s shoulders to stop her anxious pacing. “Why would you be scared of people finding out?” he asked gently.

Elloriel stopped and turned to face Legolas, “Because my Nana was the same…she couldn’t control it, and she became incredibly agitated one day. That’s what drove her out of the palace the day she was killed.” Elloriel had tears forming in her eyes. “I don’t know what Adar would do if he ever found out that I shared the same thing that led to my Nana’s death.”

Legolas’ irritation diminished when he heard this. He pulled Elloriel into his arms and held her close. “I am sorry, my love. I should not have angered like that.”

Elloriel wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, and shook her head. “No, Legolas, you’re right…I shouldn’t have kept it such a secret. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be so out of control now if I hadn’t…”

Legolas stood back so that he could at Elloriel. “It’s alright, Ell, and I will help you through this. I know we are still learning each other, but I would like for there to be nothing hidden like this in our relationship.”

Elloriel nodded, sitting down on the bed. “I looked into Galadriel’s Mirror,” she said.

Legolas sat next to her. “What did you see?”

“I saw our homes. And then you, and you were playing with our children,” Elloriel smiled at Legolas and he hugged her to him, holding her lovingly. It was an encouraging thought to know that children would be in their future. “But then, it changed. I saw the dwarves, they were in Dordhaer…and they were so…evil!” Elloriel’s fear swelled again and she stood up.

“They were in Dordhaer? Why?” Legolas asked.

“I don’t know! I don’t understand! They have their mithril mine now, they have no need to gain control of our lands! What if there is something more behind it all? But, I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is!” Elloriel was becoming hysterical. “Legolas, it was horrible; my home was black and burning…”

Legolas stood again to take Elloriel in his arms. “Calm yourself, Elloriel. The Mirror shows what may come to pass, not always what will come to pass. There’s always the likelihood that such events won’t occur.” As Legolas said this, he harboured his own feelings of apprehension; after all, the Mirror wasn’t always entirely incorrect. His desire to leave Middle Earth increased exponentially. “I’m here with you, and I always will be. That you can believe will happen.”

Elloriel left a lingering kiss on Legolas’ lips and hugged him tightly, “Thank you, Legolas.”

With the turn of events, Legolas forewent showing Elloriel around Lothlórien for spending the day in their chambers, while Elloriel explained what she could of her abilities and shared her knowledge of her family history.

Throughout much of the week, Elloriel took leave of company to mentally prepare herself for what was ahead, spending what time she could spare with Legolas and his friends. She knew she couldn’t continue as she had been, now that her problem was no longer a secret. Elloriel still feared her father finding out, and she knew she would until he did; there was no point in dwelling on that when there was a greater risk to her life. Elloriel remembered little about her mother, but remembered enough to recognise the battle she had with her gift. Unexplained things would happen; unprovoked sparks, flares, splashes, ripples, plants and trees long thought dead or dying would revive overnight. Elloriel’s clearest memories were of how frustrated her mother would become, and the fitful and unexpected outbursts. The thought that the same fate waited for Elloriel terrified her.

The day before her training with Galadriel was to begin, Elloriel sat in a chair by the window, enjoying the distraction of a book of Lórien elfling stories. The tales intrigued and enchanted her, and Elloriel intended to pass the tales on to the tutors back in Dordhaer. A tragic tale brought Elloriel to tears, and kept her there as thoughts surfaced about leaving Legolas and their future family the same way her mother did. When Legolas returned to their chambers that afternoon, Elloriel was still struggling with her despair, wanting little more than Legolas’ comfort while she calmed down.

The evening came and went, and in the morning, Elloriel prepared herself for her training. Elloriel stood in the middle of the room while she collected her nervous thoughts, and Legolas gently hugged her to him. They stood in their embrace for several minutes until Elloriel looked up at Legolas, “Come with me to my training?”

Legolas smiled, “Of course I will.”

They left the rooms and went to seek out Lady Galadriel. They found only Lord Celeborn standing in front of some young cadets, clearly annoyed. “I will not hear of such nonsense again! If I ever have either of you sent before my presence again, the penalty will be the expulsion of all three of you from the lessons! Is that clear?”

Shaking with fear, all three nodded their heads.

“Now get out of my sight!” Celeborn ordered, and the cadets ran from the chamber. Their uproarious laughter could be heard as they made it halfway down the stairs. Shaking his head in disbelief, Celeborn sat down in his chair.

“Good morning, Lord Celeborn, or am I too bold as to say so,” said Legolas.

Celeborn sighed, frustrated, “Aye, you are, though it was a good morning until I was greeted by those elflings, again. They do cause adolescent trouble. This time they raided their captain’s quarters, stole his clothing, painted crude images and messages on them and strung them up in the trees for all to see! They get more adventurous every month!” Celeborn complained.

Elloriel couldn’t hide her amusement. “I’ve had my fair-share of antics in my days as a trainer. It’s all good fun though, and I can only laugh as I used to do the same thing.”

Lord Celeborn raised an eyebrow at her. “And how many times did you get caught and sent before your superiors?”

“Many,” Elloriel answered light-heartedly. “I was always well-behaved until I started my soldier training, and then I was always joining in with the trouble. I apparently still hold the highest number of visits to disciplinary officers.”

“And you were not barred?” Celeborn said in disbelief.

Elloriel looked up at him and grinned, “Being my Adar’s daughter has its benefits. If you meet him, you’ll understand.”

Legolas laughed and shook his head, “My Lord, where can we find Lady Galadriel?”

“Ah, yes. This is for your training, Elloriel?” Celeborn asked and Elloriel nodded. “She awaits you in the eastern clearing. Legolas can show you the way.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Legolas turned to Elloriel, “This way.”

“Thank you, Lord Celeborn,” Elloriel followed Legolas down a different flight of stairs. “How often have you come here? You certainly know your way around,” she asked him.

Legolas turned to face her slightly as they made their way down the steps, “Adar often travelled here in years passed, and would bring me along. I would go off and explore with Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin while he would display something new. Adar was terrible for boasting his wealth, but he has calmed down quite considerably since.”

Elloriel just looked at him, “Exploring, huh? Considering Haldir’s reputation, I highly doubt that was the case.”

Legolas thought about this for a moment. “Alright, fair enough. But, we had to go exploring to find all those maidens.”

Elloriel decided she didn’t want to know. “Perhaps this isn’t the time for this conversation.”

Legolas smiled and put his arm around her, kissing her cheek. They walked to the eastern clearing, and along the way, Legolas would point out some of the favoured places where he and the others would go when they weren’t seeking company. When they arrived, Lady Galadriel stood to meet them.

Elloriel took a deep breath, “Good morning, my Lady. Legolas will be present during my training, my Lady.”

Galadriel smiled and nodded, having expected so. “Elloriel, tell me, what do you experience when you start showing signs of your abilities?”

Elloriel thought about the question for a moment. “I feel what the element does; I feel warmth, cold, and life,” Elloriel answered.

“What are you usually doing when they start showing, what are you thinking?” asked Galadriel.

“Most of the time it just starts; I have tried to monitor them in the past, but they were too infrequent and erratic, and now, it happens more often than I care to admit,” Elloriel answered.

Galadriel nodded slowly. “Have you ever been able to call upon an element?” Galadriel enquired.

Elloriel nodded, “In a way…sometimes it can get painfully cold and freeze my hands, and I can warm them again,” explained Elloriel. “It is far easier when the element is nearby, like a flame, or a pond.”

With a kind smile, Galadriel said, “We will start at the beginning, Elloriel. Now, what I want you to do is clear your mind of all thought,” Galadriel instructed, lowering herself to the ground, Elloriel mimicking her.

Legolas stood watching by the edge of the clearing. Everything was calm and quiet for a few minutes until Elloriel started gasping, gritting her teeth in pain. Elloriel heard Galadriel speaking to her, “You must concentrate Elloriel, gather your energy and gain control of the cold. Do not use the fire to warm it. You must learn to control the water and ice.”

Taking a few steps towards Elloriel, Legolas heard Galadriel speaking in his mind, “Do not touch her.” Legolas looked between Lady Galadriel and Elloriel. The pain on Elloriel’s face was unendurable, and he struggled to keep his distance from her.

Elloriel concentrated hard on the cold that surged through her hands. The pain was becoming unbearable, and she could feel it starting to spread. It was becoming difficult to breathe and she screamed in pain, “It hurts!” The jug of water placed on a large stone nearby shattered, and Elloriel drew her hands into her body, falling to her side and began writhing on the floor in pain.

Legolas rushed over to her and took her rigid and convulsing form in his arms. “You are freezing!”

Legolas heard Elloriel whisper a strangled, “Just don’t…touch my hands…it will hurt you…”

Legolas looked at her hands and they had gone white, tinged with blue at her fingertips and knuckles. Elloriel leaned into Legolas and let his body heat warm her. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal. Elloriel took a deep breath and went to stand, Legolas helping her up, careful not to touch her hands. Elloriel walked over to the fountain at the furthest edge of the clearing and washed her face in the water.

Galadriel watched Elloriel carefully, “Let us move on.”

—

The few weeks that Legolas and Elloriel had planned to spend in Lothlórien had passed, and Elloriel had made small progress, however gaining control over the water element still eluded her. After again failing to control the burning cold raging through her hands, she walked back to where Legolas was standing, Elloriel hugging into him. “I will end up losing my sanity before this is over,” she muttered. A concerned frown appeared on Legolas’ face.

Galadriel’s voice interrupted her, “You must have patience, Elloriel.”

After a moment had passed, Elloriel broke away from Legolas’ comforting arms and made her way back to the middle of the clearing. Almost immediately the cold returned, close to overwhelming her again. Taking a deep and staggered breath, Elloriel willed herself to calm it down.

After several long moments, Elloriel could feel the cold beginning to melt away, but there was no heat. Elloriel opened her eyes and looked around. She looked down at her hands and stood up. “…I stopped it…”

Galadriel praised her, glad to finally see some progress. Galadriel turned to a small plant in a pot. “This element will still take some time, Elloriel, and for your training today, I want you to focus elsewhere. I want you to burn this plant and then restore it.”

Elloriel stepped up to the boulder the pot was placed on, and put her hands over the plant. Using the flame of the candle next to the pot, she reduced the plant to a black stalk. Elloriel took a deep breath and placed her hands on the dirt in the pot.

Legolas looked on in amazement as the black stalk slowly turned green again and began sprouting new branches. Leaves unfolded from the tiny branches, followed by clusters of tiny, pink flowers. Elloriel frowned deeply, before she collapsed to her knees. Legolas was at her side in an instant.

Galadriel stood by Legolas and Elloriel. “You have used too much energy, Elloriel, perhaps we should stop for the day,” she suggested.

“I think that is a good idea,” Legolas agreed, and helped Elloriel to stand and held her tightly as they left the clearing.

—

Twice the seasons had changed, and Elloriel was starting to see the benefits of her training, but had a long way to go still. After enduring injuries that reflect her abilities, she began to understand the elements better, strengthening her training and practice. Celeborn would sometimes attend or hold Elloriel’s training sessions, varying his training techniques between academic knowledge and combat scenarios. As each week passed, the level of difficulty would increase, sometimes gradually, and more often quite substantially. The most gruelling was learning to draw the element from within her, as opposed to targeting what was already in front of her. Her training would drain her, frustrate her, and hurt her, and Elloriel would sometimes need more than a day to recover before returning to Galadriel.

Legolas was always there with her to encourage and support her. He would laugh at some of her more careless mistakes, like when she ended up saturating herself, which merely spurred Elloriel into ignoring him and training harder. She would later gain her revenge in a tickling match. Legolas was starting to realise that he would never win against Elloriel so long as she knew his weakness.

During one of the training sessions where both Elders were present, Legolas asked, “Lady Galadriel, how is it that the elves came to control the elements like this?”

Galadriel smiled at him, “The story of Torthiel was a song of legend when I was an elfling. She was the first to have this gift, yet Torthiel’s existence was never proven. It was said Torthiel was the love-child of Tilion and Arien,” Galadriel answered.

Legolas looked surprised, “They were the Maiar chosen by the Valar to guide the moon and the sun. The folklores say that in his love for Arien, Tilion sought her out, and when he came too close to the immense heat of the Sun, the Moon was scarred.”

“Fleeting are the moments when the sun and the moon seldom come together,” Celeborn said.

Legolas looked at Elloriel, “Could your ancestry come from Torthiel?”

Elloriel looked at him for a moment, thinking about the question. “I don’t know; the knowledge of my naneth’s lineage died with her. As far as I know, she never recorded it…or, at least, I have never seen any record of it,” said Elloriel. “Adar would know a lot more than me.”

—

Elloriel continued to train with Galadriel and Celeborn until the seasons came full cycle, before Galadriel believed she had taught all she could. Legolas and Elloriel had decided it was time to return home, and met with Galadriel and Celeborn on the day they were to leave. Galadriel turned to Elloriel, “You have learned as much as I can teach you, Elloriel. More can only be learned from yourself.”

Elloriel looked up at Lady Galadriel, gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you, my Lady. If it weren’t for you…who knows where I would have been then. I will cherish your instruction for as long as I live, and will continue to train under the guidance you have both given me. Although, I believe that the strength in my abilities will come from not using them.”

Celeborn turned to his desk and picked up some sealed envelopes, handing one each to Legolas and Elloriel, each one addressed to their fathers. “Please deliver these letters to Kings Thranduil and Taurgiliath; we will be following the amalgamation of the Woodland Realm with great interest.”

Legolas nodded with a smile, “Thank you, my Lord.”

Celeborn then handed Elloriel another sealed letter, “We would also like to trace your origins, Elloriel, and when you feel the time is right, please give this letter to King Taurgiliath.”

Elloriel held her breath as she took the letter, nodding silently. A moment passed before Elloriel responded, “I cannot say how much time I will need with my Adar before I can give him this. No magic at all is needed to know that he will react strongly to my own news; a reaction that will surely take a long time to return from.”

Galadriel smiled kindly, “We understand, Elloriel Taurgiliathiel, and we will wait with patience.”

Celeborn nodded, “Your visit to us has been warmly welcomed, Legolas and Elloriel, and we hope you are able to visit us again. Go now, and be safe on your travels home.”

They said their final farewells to Galadriel and Celeborn, and left for the eastern stables. Orophin and Rúmil were waiting for them along the path.

“Don’t stay away too long,” said Rúmil as he hugged Elloriel goodbye.

“Indeed! Who are we going to embarrass now?” Orophin complained.

Elloriel hugged him, “I am sure you can find all sorts of ways to embarrass yourself without us.”

Legolas put his hand on Orophin’s shoulder, Orophin doing the same to him. “Orophin, you two do have three new soldiers under your care, and perhaps you should be thinking of ways to integrate them into the routine of warden-hood.”

Orophin looked at Rúmil and grinned, “I like the way you think, Legolas. Are you sure you don’t want to be here to see it?”

Elloriel smiled, “I’m sorry, but it’s time we were going back. Adar has probably torn out all of his hair by now. Next time you get a few days off, come up and see us.”

Legolas said goodbye to Rúmil and put his arm around Elloriel.

Rúmil and Orophin shared a long glance, nodding to each other. “We are going with you to the Celebrant. I care not if we are late for duty,” said Rúmil, and he and Orophin joined Legolas and Elloriel on their trek to the stables.

“Lord Celeborn will disapprove,” said Elloriel.

“Probably,” said Orophin as he walked along.

“The sooner we get to the Celebrant, the sooner you can get back and avoid an annoyed Celeborn,” Legolas said as he picked up their pace.

After leaving Haldir’s brothers and they had crossed the river, they turned down the path that leads to the stables. Greeting their horses, they mounted and cantered out into the forest. They rode to the eastern edge of Lórien and turned north towards the Anduin River. The horses welcomed the cross-country running as they had only been taken out for short rides while in the woods of Lothlórien.

The two elves came to Southern Mirkwood before dusk the following evening, where they stopped to make camp and rest the horses. Legolas turned to Elloriel, “Are you sure you want to go right through the Mirkwood Forest, Ell? I am quite content to go the same way we came to avoid another confrontation with a spider.”

Elloriel shuddered at the thought. “Yes, I am sure. I still resent and fear them to no end, but I have an added advantage now, I should be fine.”

Legolas and Elloriel took the opportunity to explore some of the surrounding areas before they set off again the next afternoon. Sure enough, they came across Elloriel’s worst nightmare, and despite her confident words, she was still paralysed in fear by the mere sight of it. Legolas made quick work of the creature and continued to lead them through the forest. Late afternoon saw them within elvan sight of the Mountains of Mirkwood.

Elloriel turned to Legolas, “Do you want to keep going? We could be there in a few hours.”

Wishing to be closer to the elvan halls and at less risk of encountering another spider, Legolas nodded, “I think we should.” Legolas turned to the horses and urged them to continue.

It was nightfall when they passed over the Mountains of Mirkwood. They slowed the horses down to a walk to eat some fruit, before they cantered the rest of the way to the halls. It was after midnight when they arrived at the horse fields. Elloriel stopped and looked around, noticing the absence of the Dordhaer horses.

“What is it, Ell?” asked Legolas as he placed an arm around her.

“As I expected, Adar must have given up waiting for me. He has gone back to Dordhaer.” Elloriel leaned into Legolas as they walked to their room.

“Well, we have been gone for longer than we anticipated, Ell,” Legolas offered.

Elloriel nodded in agreement, “Almost a year longer. I know we sent letters extending our visit, but I do not look forward to explaining to my Adar why we stayed in Lothlórien so long.”

Legolas tightened his arm around Elloriel to comfort her as they walked to his chambers. Legolas and Elloriel did not wake when one of the servants walked into the room the next morning, and then left immediately. The servant went to a sitting room where Thranduil was reading some documents over his breakfast.

“My Lord,” she said.

“Yes,” answered Thranduil, not looking up.

“Lord Legolas and Lady Elloriel have returned,” she answered.

Thranduil looked up quickly, “Really?”

She nodded, “Yes, my Lord, they are asleep in Lord Legolas’ chambers. I would say that they returned in the middle of the night, Sire.”

Thranduil rose from his seat and left the room. “Thank you,” he said as he walked passed the bowing servant.

Thranduil entered Legolas’ room and found them still asleep, the gentle sight that greeted him bringing a content smile to his face. Legolas had his arms wrapped around Elloriel, their legs tangled together and Elloriel’s head resting on Legolas’ shoulder. He was proud of his son’s accomplishments, but more so of him finding his soul mate. Thranduil missed his wife and queen dearly, but knowing that she was waiting for him across the seas made the parting somewhat more bearable.

Thinking of how he could wake them, Thranduil contemplated slamming the door, but thought against it, as startling Legolas when deep in sleep could have an arrow through him quicker than lightening. Jumping on the bed is just too cruel and throwing water over Legolas would earn him his grave. So he stuck to boring old yelling. “What a fine and sunny day it is outside, but those of you who are still in bed would have no knowledge of such a thing…” he was cut off by Legolas throwing a pillow and hitting him square in the face.

Legolas had sat up and was sending his father an unimpressed expression. “Good morning, Adar. We would have come and seen you last night, but it was after midnight. We didn’t think that you would have wanted the mid-slumber visit.”

“Well, you received one,” Thranduil laughed. “I will see you two when you come out for breakfast; you must tell me about your travels,” he all but ordered, before he walked out of the room.

Elloriel sat up in the bed and hugged Legolas. “Your Adar is very amusing.”

Legolas turned to Elloriel, “Don’t tell him you said that…he would hand you over the throne in a heartbeat.”

Elloriel laughed and put her fingertips on Legolas’ chin and guided him into a soft kiss. They got out of bed, readied themselves, and followed an attendant to the sitting room where Thranduil was waiting.

“It’s about time! I was wondering when I was going to be graced with your presence,” Thranduil teased when they walked through the doors and sat down. “So, tell me all. How are Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel? Anything new?”

“Lord Celeborn has been keeping busy disciplining some young cadets. They were constantly in mischief, especially against their captain. Sometimes you would hear him yelling at them in the morning, or in the afternoon,” said Elloriel.

Legolas swallowed his mouthful of bread. “That midnight outburst was rather amusing.”

“Oh yes,” exclaimed Elloriel, “Those cadets were lucky. I am certain their captain was going to put his sword through them if you and Orophin didn’t have a hold of him!” The two of them started laughing at their shared memories.

“Speaking of captains, Elloriel, that captain of yours, Laslelin; he has got quite the mouth on him,” said Thranduil, the light tale waking the memory of Laslelin’s insults.

Elloriel stopped laughing and looked at Thranduil, confused. “What do you mean, Thranduil?”

Thranduil returned to his messages as he spoke, “The day you two left for Lothlórien, Laslelin came to us and informed Taurgiliath and me about your departure. He had the nerve to insult Legolas in the process.”

Legolas looked up from his fruit juice, his eyebrows raised.

“He what?” asked Elloriel.

Thranduil continued, “Laslelin said that he ‘didn’t know what Legolas’ intent was’, going with you, Elloriel, adding in the rumour that you two spent the night of the celebration together. I was absolutely furious! How dare he misjudge you like that, Legolas.”

Legolas had snorted into his glass, turning to Elloriel, alarmed that her father knew of their eventful first night.

Elloriel put her hand on Legolas’. “Don’t worry about my Adar, Legolas, I can handle him,” she said reassuringly, before she turned back to Thranduil, “I will assume that Laslelin returned to Dordhaer with Adar?”

Thranduil nodded, “Yes, he did.”

Elloriel turned her mind inwards, unhappy with Laslelin for his actions and formulating how she was going to confront him.

“I do have some other news for you, son, that dwarf friend of yours has visited,” continued Thranduil.

Elloriel looked up, sharply dragged from her thoughts, “A dwarf?”

Legolas had turned to his father with surprise on his face, “Gimli is here?” he asked.

Thranduil answered, “Yes, he presented his Mallorn brooch as proof of his identity. He arrived four weeks ago, and I explained in great lengths that I did not know when you would next return to these halls. I would find it very awkward for him here, yet he insisted on awaiting your return for as long as he could spare; you know the stubbornness of dwarf folk. I have accommodated him in a western guest chamber until you came home.”

Legolas stood immediately, “Thank you, Ada.” He quickly left the sitting room, glad of Gimli’s visit and a little bewildered at his father’s change of heart towards the dwarves. Legolas was already halfway down the corridor when Elloriel caught up with him. They walked quickly to the western chambers. Legolas knocked quickly and entered the small room without receiving a reply, and sure enough, there was Gimli lying on the bed. “Gimli!”

Gimli sat up and looked at Legolas. “Well, it’s about time you got back, Elf! I have only two more weeks before I need to continue on to Hobbiton.”

Legolas was delighted. “I also have been on travels, and I apologise for my absence. Are you to visit the hobbits?”

Gimli nodded and stood. “Yes, I am delivering the marriage rings of Sam…is there a reason you are looking at me with death in your eyes, she-elf?” Gimli turned to see Elloriel looking murderous at him.

In his excitement of seeing his friend, Legolas had not considered Elloriel’s reaction to a dwarf of Middle Earth and stepped in front of her to cut her view of Gimli. “Elloriel, this is my friend Gimli, whom I have told you tales about from the Fellowship.” Legolas turned so that he was side on to the both of them. “Gimli, Elloriel is an elf of Dordhaer, up in the north over the Grey Mountains. If she is hostile to you, it is because of her encounters with dwarves from Forodwaith.”

Gimli looked up at Legolas, “Forodwaith? Travels indeed, elf.” Gimli then straightened himself and drew a level gaze at Elloriel. “The knowledge of these dwarves has not escaped our notice. Take heed, lady-elf, that we dwarves are very far removed from this vulgar race and it is a great insult to suggest otherwise.”

Elloriel studied the dwarf before her, Legolas’ tales and encouragement from beside her helping relieve her hostility, and after a moment, Elloriel relented and visibly relaxed. “I am sorry for my ill-judgement, master dwarf, but you must understand; I have only known dwarves from the north and none have been pleasant. They had slain my naneth when I was a young elfling, the queen of Dordhaer, and that is only the start.”

Gimli looked at her apologetically. “Ah, that is ill news, Princess. I grieve that we share the same race as them.”

Elloriel gave Gimli a small smile. “Please, address me as Elloriel. You are a great friend of Legolas’, and while it will take me some time, I hope to call you a friend of mine.”

Legolas smiled and put his arm around her, kissing her on the cheek. “Thank you, Elloriel.”

Gimli looked at them, “So how long have you been courting? The elf never spoke of leaving a loved one as he set out for Rivendell.”

“Not quite a year,” Legolas answered.

Gimli smiled at them, “Very nice. Where have you been, anyway?”

Legolas looked down at Gimli, “I took Elloriel to Lothlórien where Elloriel trained with Lady Galadriel.”

Elloriel smiled and nodded. Gimli looked up at the fair elf, although none still could sway his mind from the loveliness of Galadriel.

Legolas led them down a few corridors to the royal wing. “Please use this room as you need, Gimli. Elloriel and I share the room two doors north,” Legolas explained. Legolas then lead them to the kitchens and instructed the kitchen staff to prepare for Gimli whatever he wished.

“Gimli, did you meet Taurgiliath at any time?” asked Elloriel, watching with amazement at the amount of food the dwarf could consume.

Gimli looked at Elloriel, confused, “Who? I know Thranduil, but not this Taurgiliath that you speak of.”

Legolas noticed the tone that was in Elloriel’s voice and looked up at her quickly, his face becoming swiftly saddened. “You have to return to Dordhaer so soon?”

Elloriel nodded. “I do. Nevertheless, the sooner I get there, the sooner I can return. And I have to have a little chat with Laslelin.” She was not happy with her friend, or his actions. “I think that I should leave in a few days.”

Elloriel tried to use the days before she left to get to know Gimli a little better, although it showed openly that a couple of days were not long enough for a lifetime of troubles with the Forodwaith dwarves. Twice Gimli had come into Elloriel’s peripheral vision without announcing himself first, and twice Elloriel had almost ended his life out of honed instinct, if not for Legolas intervening and holding her back. Instead of being insulted, Gimli felt pity for the elves of Dordhaer in that their livelihoods were so threatened by his own race, however far removed they were, and he forgave Elloriel’s actions and agreed to announce himself first. Elloriel was devastated by her behaviour, and removed herself from anyone’s company for two days in order to reconcile and forgive herself. When Elloriel returned from her isolation, she apologised to Gimli and made a conscious effort to be more aware of his presence. This helped them to begin building a friendship.

Using his son’s influence, Thranduil had offered to reconcile matters with Gimli regarding the time he had held a certain party of dwarves captive, and offered the return of their remaining confiscated items. Although, he couldn’t explain how the weapons had disappeared, missing the knowing glances Legolas and Gimli gave each other, both of them having heard Bilbo’s recount of the escape.

Four days had passed since Elloriel had made the decision to return to Dordhaer, and now that she was in a better place with Gimli, she felt she would be able to leave. It took some convincing for Legolas to stay in Mirkwood, and they enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in private before Elloriel saddled her horse and left for home.

It was two days before Legolas made an appearance, but only with the intent to get some food to finally quiet his growling stomach. Legolas sat on his bed eating when he heard a knock on his door. “I am unavailable,” he hissed.

The person at the door did the exact opposite, and Legolas was not impressed. “Didn’t I say…oh, hello, Adar.”

Thranduil sat on the bed. “I know that you miss Elloriel, but sitting around moping isn’t going to do you any good. Elloriel would kill you if she knew that you were like this, and I would help her.”

Legolas scowled, “I’m not moping, Adar.”

Thranduil wasn’t convinced, “Well what do you call it then?”

“Adjusting,” Legolas answered curtly. Thranduil waited for Legolas to elaborate. After a moment of silence, Legolas sighed, “In these last eleven months I have not spent one day without Elloriel.”

Thranduil nodded, understanding a young love’s infatuation.

Legolas looked up to him. “I know that two days is nothing compared to near a millennia…Adar, how do you stand Nana’s absence?”

Thranduil turned his surprised expression on his son, not expecting the question. “I certainly miss her every day, and I find that distraction is my guide.”

Instantly, Legolas had a whole new understanding of his father’s seeming obsession with collecting riches and treasures.

Thranduil studied Legolas carefully. “The night of the celebration wasn’t only a rumour, was it?” he asked gently.

Legolas looked back at him and shook his head with a small, happy smile.

Thranduil was thrilled for his son’s happiness. “Now come along. Gimli is still here and I’m sure he is bored with my ramblings. Elloriel will return when she can get away from Dordhaer.”

“I don’t doubt that, Adar, but can’t I finish eating first?” Legolas asked, holding his half eaten apple.

“No! Take it with you. Now out,” ordered Thranduil.

“Alright, alright! I’m going, I’m going,” said Legolas as Thranduil literally chased him out of the room.

They walked to the library and found Gimli looking at some of the cased weapons on the walls. “Well! Look who’s still alive,” he said as Legolas came into view.

“I’m sorry to have left you alone Gimli…I haven’t been in the right frame of mind to talk to anyone,” Legolas explained.

“Are you ever?” asked Gimli, sarcastically.

Legolas just glared at him, “Shut up, dwarf!”

“Here’s an idea,” interrupted Thranduil. “Show Gimli around, Legolas! Get away from the halls.”

Gimli looked up, “Indeed a good idea. Let’s go, Elf!”

Before Legolas had the chance to protest, his father was shoving him out of the door.

Legolas and Gimli were walking down the path to the Forest River, reminiscing about their journeys on the Fellowship and discussing Gimli’s travels to Hobbiton.

“So, you and that elf princess, huh?” said Gimli, suddenly changing the topic.

“Yes.” Smiling widely, Legolas sat down under a tree near the banks of the river. “I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her.”

Gimli sat near him. “Does Elloriel return your love?” He received a smile and a nod from Legolas. “Ain’t that just grand! Aye, I’m happy for you, Elf.”

Legolas’ smile widened, “Thank you, Gimli. We had yet to be parted since then, and I am not yet adjusted to Elloriel not being physically by my side.” After a pause, Legolas added, “Thank you also, Gimli, for being so patient with Elloriel. You can’t know how much it means to me that you two are able to build a friendship.”

Gimli nodded slowly, “Elloriel has not made it easy, and for that, no one can blame her. We have heard stories of the foulness of these dwarves that have made even our most stout-hearted warriors cringe.”

Legolas looked stricken, “That does not ease my mind from Elloriel’s tales, Gimli. Elloriel tells me that they are a constant threat. Will you tell me what you know of them?”

—

Elloriel arrived home two days after leaving Mirkwood, her passage across the mountains uneventful. She walked through the palace corridors finding Taurgiliath and Luinwen were in Taurgiliath’s study.

“Elloriel, you’re finally back!” Luinwen hugged her sister, “You must tell me all about Lothlórien.”

Elloriel pulled back from her sister’s hug and answered, “Yes, I have not seen such beauty as that which is found in Lothlórien.”

Taurgiliath greeted Elloriel, “I’m glad you’re home and safe.”

“Thank you Adar, although you and I need to have a talk soon about me and Legolas,” said Elloriel, firmly.

Taurgiliath paled.

“But first, where is Laslelin, I must speak with him now,” asked Elloriel.

Laslelin had just come through the door with Thalion, both having heard of Elloriel’s return from palace workers, “Here Ell, welcome home!”

Elloriel walked up to him and began shoving him back out of the room, “You’re coming with me!” Elloriel stopped in the quiet corridor. “It was very embarrassing hearing about you insulting Legolas from his Adar! How could you do that to me?”

Laslelin tried to put on a brave face in front of his infuriated best friend, “Elloriel, it was not my intention to cause trouble, I…I was…just worried for your safety and well being,” stammered Laslelin.

Elloriel was furious, “But questioning Legolas’ intent?”

“Well, I…I was only concerned after hearing a rumour that he took you drunkenly on the night of the celebration,” stuttered Laslelin.

Elloriel’s voice rang out, “Las! The exact word here is ‘rumour’, and while I cannot deny the truth in it, at no time did you seek me out to clarify it. You went behind my back, and spoke harshly of a personal matter, and that has hurt me. Rumour or not, Legolas and I have built a loving relationship from it.”

Laslelin was downcast, “I am sorry, Ell.”

Elloriel sighed, her anger dissipating, “Las, I appreciate how protective you are of me, but you have never insulted my courtships so openly. Why do I not have your support in my relationship with Legolas?”

Laslelin looked up from the ground. “Because I love you,” he said quietly.

Several moments of silence was endured until a shocked Elloriel walked away silently. Having been able to hear their argument from the room, Luinwen left their father, who was twitching on the floor, with Thalion to keep him from going after the Mirkwood prince, and followed her sister. She closed Elloriel’s bedroom door behind them.

Luinwen sat on the bed next to her. “Laslelin has always loved you, he has just always been too afraid to tell you.”

Elloriel sat up. “Afraid? Afraid of what? My rejecting him? It’s a little late for that now! I can’t love him in return, at least not the way that he feels for me. I love him like a brother, this he knows! I have given my heart to Legolas and that is where my heart will stay,” Elloriel finished.

“You need to tell Laslelin that,” stated Luinwen. “So, tell me all about Lothlórien! Are there any elves I would like to meet?” she said, diverting the conversation.

“Do I need to answer that?” asked Elloriel, raising her eyebrow at Luinwen. “I am in the middle of a crisis with my closest friend and you wish to know who you can court?”

“I want to know all about Lothlórien,” Luinwen answered, “and then we can talk about Laslelin. The distraction will help you see better answers.”

Elloriel conceded, “You know that I only have eyes for Legolas,” Elloriel paused, “But I think there are a couple that might…but, what about Sadorian?”

“There is an uncommitted attraction between us, nothing more,” Luinwen said.

Elloriel was a little shocked, but she knew her sister too well to comment, and began her tales of Lothlórien, excluding that of her abilities. Elloriel planned to speak to her father before anyone else.

After a long conversation with Luinwen, a resolved Elloriel walked down the corridor towards her father’s study, ready to tell him her story of Lothlórien, but was interrupted by Laslelin.

“Elloriel?” Elloriel stopped and turned to face him. “Ell, I am sorry for not telling you this earlier, but I have had these feelings for you for a long count of years and…”

Elloriel put her hand up to stop him, and walked up to him and hugged him. “Oh, Laslelin, I hope that this doesn’t sound too harsh, but you have been, and always will be, the brother that I never had, and I’m sorry to say that is the most love that I can give you in return. Legolas carries my heart and he always will. Please do not let this dampen the friendship that we have had for countless years. Our friendship means the world to me.”

Laslelin just nodded, shoulders slumped unhappily, “As it does to me also, Ell,” he paused, “You really have fallen in love with that prince, haven’t you?” he asked.

Elloriel looked at him softly, “Yes.”

Laslelin took a deep breath and smirked sadly, “You know that I will never love you any less, though. You are right, Ell, I am happy for you that you have found love. I just wish it had been with me.”

Elloriel stepped back from her hug, an arm around the back of Laslelin’s waist, “I can’t give you what you want, so we’ll need to find another way to resolve this. Let’s go for a long walk, Las, and talk some more. Adar can wait.”

Laslelin nodded, “I would like that, Ell.”

As evening fell, Thalion tracked Elloriel and Laslelin north of the halls, glad to find them in good spirits. They built themselves a small fire and spent the night in conversation. Deeply relaxed with Thalion and Laslelin, Elloriel lapsed in concentration and used her abilities to strengthen the dwindling fire. A long, silent moment passed with her friends staring at her, until Elloriel gathered the courage to speak with them about her abilities, her training in Lothlórien, and her fear of telling her father. Thalion was always the voice of reason, while Laslelin the stability in their friendship, and they helped her recover her resolve to confront Taurgiliath. They returned in the morning, their friendship stronger than before.