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 (language)

Disclaimer: All original Lord of the Rings characters belong to 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: So I know that I said a week-two-weeks…but I haven’t been in a good place with this chapter. Some more fine-tuning and changes have come about and I feel better with it now 🙂 and true to form, halfway through writing this note, I’ve gone through it again haha!
Thank you to Saerwen Calenmiriel for your review! It really means a lot!

Chapter 2 – Mirkwood

The following morning, a refreshed Legolas rose and readied himself. Standing up straight and checking himself in the mirror, he walked out. Legolas paused at Elloriel’s door, and took a deep breath. He knocked, but received no answer. ‘Perhaps she is still asleep,’ he thought, so he knocked again, a bit louder. Again, there was no answer.

“Lady Elloriel?” Legolas knocked again, entering as he did so, “It’s Legolas, I have come to…Lady Elloriel?” Legolas looked around the room and found that it was empty.

“Looking for me?” Elloriel had come into the room behind him.

Legolas visibly jumped and turned around, startled, “By Valar! I didn’t hear you come up behind me.”

“My apologies,” Elloriel smiled lightly at him, “It’s a skill that I have developed over the years,” she remarked casually, walking into the room and placing the water canister she held on the vanity.

“May I ask where you have been, Lady Elloriel?” Legolas asked.

Elloriel interrupted the conversation, “Please, call me Elloriel; I don’t care much for the use of titles among friends; the times I have to remind Thalion of that,” she told him, shaking her head and rolling her eyes fondly, “We have known each other since we were children.”

Legolas looked at Elloriel thoughtfully, wondering what it was that he couldn’t place about her.

“In answer to your question, I have been out running. I regularly run when I’m at home in Dordhaer.” Elloriel picked up the spare uniform she had left on the bed and went into the bathroom to change. She spoke from the bathroom, “Running is refreshing for me, and it also stimulates my training.” Elloriel emerged from the bathroom in her clean clothes.

Legolas discretely looked her over, before catching himself and taking the chair in the corner of the room. She was wearing a similar pair of leggings to the ones she was wearing the day before and a similar purple tunic with different embroidery.

Elloriel turned to Legolas and laughed, “Come in and make yourself at home in my room, I hope that you are comfortable.”

Legolas looked up at her innocently, “What are you talking about? I am home.”

“Oh, very funny! So, what can I do for you this morning?” Elloriel asked as she began to re-do her hair.

Legolas came to stand behind her. “I have come to guide you to breakfast, Elloriel. After all, you have not been shown to the dining hall.” Legolas picked up the hairbrush and put her hair up for her. He looked at her through the mirror and smiled at her. Elloriel watched his hands as he put half her hair up, twisting sections. He left the rest to fall freely.

“Thank you, Legolas.” Elloriel raised an eyebrow at him. “Tell me, where did an elf-prince learn such skills?”

Legolas hesitated before answering, “Some of my past companions would practise with their hair,” he quietly added, “and mine.”

Elloriel laughed, “I could only imagine.”

Legolas shook his head softly, “No, you couldn’t. It’s one of the many reasons that neither of them remained by my side. Some of the styles that I recall really didn’t suit their features, but I would take a guess that they would look very good on you.”

Elloriel smiled at him and blushed lightly, “Thank you, Legolas.”

They made their way out of the room and Legolas offered his arm to her, “Elloriel?” Elloriel took his arm and he led the way to the dining hall. “I see that a spare uniform was all you brought with you to Mirkwood,” mentioned Legolas.

“Evidently. Have you ever met Lord Obvious? I think you would get along so well,” Elloriel grinned in jest.

“Hilarious,” Legolas said sarcastically. “I could arrange for a tailor for you, if you would like,” he added.

Elloriel smiled softly, “I don’t think that will be necessary at this time, although I will take up your offer should the need arise.”

Legolas looked deeply into her eyes, “Forgive me, but I have only just noticed your eye colour. Isn’t it rare to have purple coloured eyes?”

After holding Legolas’ gaze for a moment, Elloriel quickly broke away, “Yes it is, although, that seems to be a common trait of my family to have rare coloured eyes. I share my eye colour with my adar’s naneth, my adar’s eyes are silver and my sister has green eyes, which I believe our naneth had.”

Legolas turned to Elloriel, “Had? Does she not now?”

Elloriel glanced away sadly, “She now resides in the Halls of Mandos; she was murdered by dwarves after my ninth year. My memory of her has faded considerably.”

“I’m sorry to hear.” Legolas was shocked, “By dwarves? I didn’t think that dwarves were capable of such a thing.” Legolas could not help but think of his friend Gimli.

Elloriel looked back to Legolas with a weary gaze, “Dwarves from Forodwaith are a foul breed. We constantly have to drive them out of Dordhaer. Dordhaer is rich in mithril and other metals and they are persistently trying to mine our lands. There is no one alive in Dordhaer who could give an accurate account of why the dwarves have become such fierce foes. I understand that they weren’t always so, but greed is an ugly friend once it has imbedded itself in a heart. They are horrid creatures, ruthless and cruel and they will become even fouler now.”

“Why is that?” Legolas asked.

“Our scouts have observed them mining in Lundabad,” Elloriel answered. Legolas turned his again shocked expression to her. Elloriel continued, “Who knows what evil will invade their hearts by mining in the Mountains of Angmar.”

“I wonder if my friend Gimli knows of them. He too is a dwarf, but he dwells in the Lonely Mountain. He accompanied us on the Fellowship,” Legolas said, partially to himself and partially to Elloriel. They had reached the dining hall. Noting her sad look, Legolas placed his hand onto Elloriel’s to comfort her.

King Thranduil was eyeing the two, “Good morning Legolas, Lady Elloriel.”

“Good morning, Adar,” Legolas replied.

Elloriel gave a short bow, “Lord Thranduil.”

They sat down and began eating some of the fruits laid out on the table.

“Did you two rest well?” amusement was dripping in Thranduil’s tone.

Without meeting the king’s eyes, Elloriel said, “Yes, thank you Sir.”

Legolas just stared at his father, “Soundly, thank you Adar.”

Thranduil smirked, “Now what are the two of you going to do today? Of course you both know that the celebration is tonight.”

“Yes Adar,” said Legolas.

Elloriel had not yet thought of the day’s events, “I would like to see the wounded today, if possible, especially Laslelin. I do hope that he is well.”

“Laslelin?” asked Legolas.

Elloriel nodded and explained, “Yes, Laslelin captains a regiment of my forces, and he was struck in the shoulder by an orc arrow during the battle yesterday. Sadorian and I took off after the uruk responsible. It was the same one that you killed, Legolas.”

“I see. Is he a friend of yours?” Legolas had to put effort into sounding casual.

Elloriel smiled fondly when speaking of her longest friend, “Laslelin is my finest soldier and also my closest friend. We grew up together and he is like a brother to me. I was thrilled when I was able to promote him to captain. He is very loyal to me and to Dordhaer and I don’t know what I would do without him at my side.”

“Legolas, perhaps you could show Elloriel to the infirmary, and then if she likes, you could explore the halls and Mirkwood; show her all of those hidden places that were not taken over by the darkness. What do you think, son?” said Thranduil.

Legolas knew what his father was up to. “Certainly, Adar. That is, if you would like that, Elloriel?”

Elloriel looked brightly at Legolas, “I would like that very much, thank you Legolas.”

Elloriel finished her breakfast in record-breaking time, but realised that she had to wait for Legolas.

Legolas looked over to Elloriel, smirking, “Anxious?”

Elloriel nodded vigorously, “I hear Mirkwood is very beautiful and I have long wished to see it.”

Legolas laughed at her and gulped down is fruit juice, much to his father’s dismay, “Legolas! Manners!”

“My apologies, Adar,” he winked at Thranduil.

They stood and left the room, Legolas trailing a bubbly Elloriel. Thranduil laughed as he watched them leave, liking what he saw.

Elloriel turned to Legolas, “First though, we have to see how Laslelin is fairing,” she said.

Legolas nodded, “Of course, this way,” he said, leading her to the infirmary.

Once at the infirmary, Elloriel rushed to Laslelin’s side. Thalion was also there. “Laslelin! How are you fairing, my dear friend?” Elloriel asked as she checked him over.

Laslelin smiled up at Elloriel from the bed, “Good morning, Elloriel,” he squirmed lightly as Elloriel looked over his injury, “Please, Elloriel, I am fine! The healers have done an exceptional job. I will be released later today and will be back to health in a few days, if not sooner.”

“That is excellent to hear,” Elloriel took his hand, “The one that shot you is dead. Prince Legolas here slaughtered him before Sadorian and I could catch him.”

Laslelin nodded his thanks to the prince and noticed just how close he stood to Elloriel, “What are your plans today Elloriel? Anything interesting?” asked Laslelin as he eyed Legolas.

Elloriel did not seem to notice the looks that they were giving each other. “After this visit, Legolas is going to show me around Mirkwood. I am certainly looking forward to it.”

“It would be entirely out of character if you didn’t, Elloriel,” Thalion said, smiling, “whether you had the opportunity to do so or not,” he added, his smile becoming a smirk.

Elloriel grinned, “You know me too well, Thalion!”

Legolas put a hand on her shoulder, “When you are ready to leave, Elloriel.”

Elloriel nodded to him, “Not yet, though. Thalion, how are the other soldiers?”

Thalion turned to Elloriel, “There are no serious injuries, my Lady. It’s all just similar to that of Laslelin’s; mainly lacerations, bruising, there were some broken bones as well and poisoning from their weapons, but none of the wounded have yet perished.”

Elloriel was overjoyed, “That is good news. Thalion, Laslelin, I must be off. Legolas, I would like to see some of the other injured soldiers before we continue.”

“Of course, Elloriel,” said Legolas, stepping away from the bed.

“It’s good to see that you are well, Laslelin; you had me quite worried. If time favours me, I shall come and see you later,” Elloriel bent over and kissed his forehead.

“This way, Elloriel,” said Legolas as she stood.

Elloriel smiled brightly at Legolas, “Please, my friends shorten my name to Ell.”

Legolas smiled and directed her down the infirmary as she spoke to all of the patients and to the healers. On their way out, Laslelin glared at Legolas.

“I don’t like him,” Laslelin said defiantly to Thalion.

“You don’t even know him. Ell seems to like him, so leave them be,” Thalion chided him.

Laslelin continued to glare heatedly. “Prince or not, he would find it wise not to attempt anything. Injured shoulder or no, I would still kill him!”

Thalion just rolled his eyes, thinking along the lines of all bark and no bite.

Laslelin’s glare hardened, “If you recall, Ell ‘seemed to like’ ‘him’ as well.”

“You know better than to bring that up!” Thalion snapped. “Ell has moved on from that!” He matched Laslelin’s glare, before gritting his teeth in a no-nonsense manner, “We will be there to support Elloriel, and ‘if’ she needs it, we will protect her; that is what we do as her closest friends.”

—

Legolas took Elloriel through the elven halls, spending time with several craft smiths, including the tailor that Legolas had offered to her the day before. Looking through the works of one jewellery maker, Legolas saw Elloriel eyeing a woven, silver hairpin shaped in a leaf with tiny amethysts adorning the edge. While her back was turned as she bought a small wooden carving of a horse and her faun from the jewellery maker’s son, he quietly purchased it for her. Legolas then lead her to the house of a talented food connoisseur he knew, lastly taking her to one of the elven wineries hidden north of the halls before returning for the evening.

Legolas met Elloriel in the library at mid-morning, having spent the early morning with Sadorian discussing what he had missed during his time away. Legolas walked up behind her while she closed her book, and he gently placed his gift in her hair. Elloriel stood and hugged him, kissing him on the cheek, “Thank you, Legolas, it’s beautiful.”

Legolas showed Elloriel to some of the more scenic places of the Mirkwood Forest that surrounded the elven halls. He turned to Elloriel as they walked along a tree-lined trail, “Tell me, Elloriel, where did you run to yesterday morning?”

“I ran along the Forest River to where it branches off to what I have heard to be the Enchanted River,” Elloriel answered.

“That far? And you went unarmed?” Legolas enquired, the knowledge of the battle also fresh in his mind.

“Yes,” Elloriel turned to look at him, “Why?”

“Mirkwood is renowned for the large spiders that inhabit parts of the forest. We seldom, if ever, go into the forest without weaponry,” said Legolas, showing Elloriel the small knife he had attached to his belt.

Elloriel stopped walking and stepped closer to Legolas, eyes darting around the ground and trees, “Spiders?” Elloriel looked at Legolas alarmed, “I don’t like spiders!”

Legolas smiled and put his hand across her shoulders, “Try not to worry, they don’t come this close to the elven halls. But if you go out into the forest as far as you did again, do take a weapon with you.”

Elloriel was not comforted, “This rumour has not reached my ears, I will be sure to…Legolas, please define ‘large’,” said Elloriel, wondering how a weapon would be needed against a spider.

Legolas raised his eyebrow, “Do you know of Shelob?” he asked.

Elloriel’s eyes widened and showed great fear, “Yes.”

Legolas continued, “These spiders are said to be her offspring.”

“Oh, that is not comforting,” said Elloriel, raised voice slightly and higher pitched, “I cannot cope with them if they are larger than…than two centimetres!” she exclaimed, imitating two centimetres with her fingers.

Legolas laughed and continued to lead Elloriel along a narrow path, though his hand still lingered on her shoulder. Legolas led Elloriel off the track and through a thicket of small trees and bushes to a rock platform where a light stream flowed passed.

“This is my favourite place in the forest,” Legolas said.

The area was very secluded. The trees were tall and green, and willows trailed their branches in the gently flowing stream, gliding over moss-covered rocks. Birds were singing merrily as they fluttered about and small forest creatures were running about in the shrubs. The sun was shining through the trees, highlighting the wild flowers and casting a warm and gentle glow over the area.

Elloriel looked around in awe, “This is beautiful Legolas, even more so than I could have imagined.”

Legolas moved to sit on the edge, legs hanging over the platform, “Few have ever found this place. That’s one of the attributes; you can come here and not risk disturbance.”

Elloriel turned to look at him, “Did you bring all of your companions here?”

Legolas smiled softly, “Not many.”

Elloriel followed suit and perched herself on the edge, sharing a small smile with Legolas. For several minutes, they sat in silence and absorbed the surroundings, before Elloriel lay back on the soft grass. Legolas was about to speak when a loud horn was heard coming from the north.

Elloriel sat up and grinned, “Come, Legolas! He is here!” Elloriel stood and mused to herself, “Although, he’s here sooner than I expected…he couldn’t have heard news of the battle already…” Elloriel smiled, drawing her own conclusions as to why her father was here in Mirkwood already, and quickly took off for the elven halls.

Legolas jumped up and followed her back to the halls. There were elegant horses gathered at the main entrance to the halls. They found that the corridor to the throne room was lined with royal guards and handmaidens from Dordhaer. Legolas watched as each one nodded or bowed as Elloriel rushed past them.

“Elloriel, who is here?” asked Legolas.

Taurgiliath turned to face his daughter as she came into the throne room, “Elloriel, there you are. I have been wondering where you had gotten to.”

“Ah, come in Legolas,” said Thranduil, “Taurgiliath, this is my son and heir, Legolas. He has just returned from the quest to destroy the One Ring. Legolas, this is Taurgiliath, King of Dordhaer.”

Legolas bowed respectfully, “It is an honour to meet you, Your Majesty…Forgive me for asking but, did you say your name was Taurgiliath?” he asked.

Taurgiliath looked at Legolas, “Yes, that is correct,” he said slowly.

Legolas looked at him thoughtfully, “That would be the stem of Taurgiliathiel?”

“Yes, it is,” Taurgiliath answered with a small smirk on his face, as he figured out that Elloriel had not told them all about herself.

Legolas looked directly over Taurgiliath’s shoulder at the now hidden Elloriel.

Taurgiliath continued, introducing Luinwen first, “Allow me to introduce my eldest daughter, Luinwen.”

Luinwen stepped forward and greeted Thranduil.

“And you already know my youngest, and heir to my throne, Elloriel,” said Taurgiliath, smiling proudly.

Elloriel slowly stepped out from behind her father.

Thranduil looked at Elloriel, his matchmaking plans rising even higher, “Well, this is a surprise!” Thranduil paused for a moment and turned back to Taurgiliath, “Though I don’t question your customs, I must know why it is that your second-born is your heir, and not Luinwen, your first?”

Luinwen answered for Taurgiliath, “It was a mutual agreement between myself, Adar and our Naneth that Elloriel would become the heir of Dordhaer. The responsibility that the title holds was not the path I wished to take. We definitely made the correct choice; Elloriel has taken to it like a fish to water.”

Everyone looked over at Elloriel, who was standing sheepishly in front of Legolas.

“Princess, and heir, no less,” Legolas stood in front of Elloriel with his arms folded across his chest. Although there was only an inch or two between them in height, Legolas was definitely much taller at that moment.

Elloriel looked at him as innocently as she could, “Did I not tell you? I thought that I did…”

“You most certainly did not. I knew that you were playing on my words about jealousness the other night,” Legolas squinted his eyes at her.

“Perhaps,” Elloriel quietly replied as she squirmed under his gaze, although pleasantly amused.

Luinwen had not missed a beat. She came up to Elloriel and whispered in her ear, “The other night?”

Elloriel threw a casual “What?” over her shoulder. Then it dawned on her. She whirled her head around and faced her shorter sister, “Luinwen!” Elloriel reflexively elbowed her sister in the ribs.

“Ow!” yelped Luinwen.

Thranduil and Taurgiliath just stared at them, shocked. Well, Thranduil was actually highly amused.

“Well, you shouldn’t…” Elloriel cut off.

“Shouldn’t what, my dear little sister?” Luinwen came face-to-face with her sister, deliberately giving Legolas an appraising look.

Taurgiliath finally found his voice again, “Compose yourselves this instant!” he warned.

Elloriel stood up straight and faced her father, “Sorry Adar.”

“Right…” Taurgiliath started.

“But Luinwen started it,” Elloriel accused Luinwen.

Luinwen folded her arms, still facing Elloriel, “I did not!”

“Yes you did!”

“Did not!”

“You did too!” Elloriel exclaimed, as she crossed her arms and turned her back on Luinwen in a huff.

Taurgiliath sighed and he clenched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He turned to Thranduil, “Would you like to swap? One would have thought they would have grown out of their sibling adolescence by now.”

Thranduil was in about the same state of hysterics as his son, and managed to gasp out, “No, thank you, my son is more than enough for me.” He wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes; he was thoroughly enjoying such frivolity in his halls.

Luinwen had just noticed the jewelled hairpin in Elloriel’s hair, “Ell, that hairpin is lovely. Where did you get it?”

Elloriel turned back around to her sister, “It was a gift from Legolas while we were visiting a craftsman,” she said and she smiled at Legolas, who returned the smile.

Luinwen immediately realised her defeat, “Elloriel, I also had a trunk brought here with a section of your wardrobe in it.”

“Really?” asked Elloriel excitedly.

Luinwen nodded, “That uniform is not flattering for your status,” Luinwen added.

Elloriel raised an eyebrow at Luinwen, “If you mean my status as a warrior then I believe my uniform is quite appropriate.”

Luinwen chuckled, “When you aren’t training or fighting, you are an elf princess.”

Taurgiliath had his head in one of his hands, “Not two minutes ago they were fighting like elflings and now they are the closest of friends again. They will lead to my insanity, I tell you,” he commented.

An announcer came into the room, “The Lady Brithla has arrived, my Lord. Would you like me to show her in?”

“Ah! Some of the guests are starting to arrive. Your arrival could not have been better timed, Lord Taurgiliath. We are hosting a celebration tomorrow evening. Please show her in,” said Thranduil, turning to the servant.

Legolas’ entire visage changed at the mention of Brithla’s name.

Noticing Legolas’ distress, Elloriel quietly asked him, “You are not fond of her?”

“Absolutely not!” Legolas stated, “She is impulsive, rude, conceited, and…well, forgive my use of the term, but a bitch.”

Elloriel looked up at him knowingly, “She is keen on you, am I correct?”

Legolas uncharacteristically groaned in frustration, “One that I cannot shake.”

Elloriel just laughed, “I will cover your back, but you are going to owe me.”

“Thank you, Elloriel,” Relieved, Legolas kissed her on the cheek just as Brithla walked in. “Lady Brithla! How have you been?” Legolas said loudly as he made his way over to her and began talking to her.

Luinwen walked over to Elloriel, “Is there something you want to explain to me?”

“It’s all an act,” Elloriel whispered to her sister, “She has a one-sided affection for him.”

“It looks pretty believable for an act if you ask me,” Luinwen watched Elloriel glow red as Legolas came up to them.

“Brithla, I would like for you to meet Elloriel. She is heir to the throne of Dordhaer,” Legolas smiled at Elloriel and he placed his arm around her shoulders.

“Nice to meet you,” said Elloriel and she held out her hand to greet her.

“Your Highness,” said Brithla shortly, but she did not greet Elloriel in return, “I have heard much about you these past days.”

Legolas looked down at Elloriel, “Not all the riches in the world could compare to her worth.”

Elloriel blushed as she realised that Legolas was serious. She looked up at him and smiled softly.

“Indeed,” answered Brithla shortly.

Legolas introduced Luinwen, “This is her sister, Luinwen. Brithla’s family owns a large estate nearby to the river.”

“Is it nice to live by the river?” asked Luinwen, clearly uninterested.

“Yes, it can be quite lovely, Lady Luinwen. My adar has already been shown to his chambers. If you will excuse me, I need to go speak with him. I will see you all tomorrow evening,” and Brithla hurried out of the room, nose as high as possible.

As soon as Brithla was out of sight, the three of them started sniggering.

“You elflings over there had better be playing nice,” said Thranduil.

“Not to worry Adar, just giving Brithla a taste of her own medicine,” answered Legolas.

Thranduil just shook his head, although he did understand his son’s plight, not being fond of the she-elf that held a blazing torch for Legolas. “Now, Lord Taurgiliath, I think that we should be away to my study to start discussing a treaty. There’s much that needs to be addressed. This way, please,” Thranduil led Taurgiliath to his study.

“So far so good,” said Elloriel and turned back to Legolas, “Well, Legolas, I apologise that our time this afternoon got cut short. Mirkwood is as beautiful as rumoured. Did you have any other places in mind?”

Legolas smiled, “Nothing that cannot wait until another day.”

A handmaiden approached the group and informed Luinwen that guest chambers had been prepared for her next to Elloriel’s. Luinwen thanked her and silently asked Elloriel to come with her.

Elloriel nodded to her sister. “Thank you for the day, Legolas, I have certainly enjoyed it.”

Legolas nodded, “You’re welcome.”

Elloriel started following Luinwen, “If I don’t see you later on, good night.”

Legolas stood watching them leave, thinking about Elloriel and how natural it felt to hold her in his arms. Smiling to himself, he too left the room.

As Elloriel and Luinwen entered Luinwen’s room, Luinwen broke her silence and turned to her sister, “That was no act,” she stated.

Elloriel looked sharply at Luinwen, but then softened her expression. “No, I guess it wasn’t,” she said quietly, “to be honest, it felt so…”

“Comfortable?” offered Luinwen.

Elloriel smiled slightly, “Yeah.”

—

Legolas was barely paying attention to Brithla’s ramblings about who knows what; something about how good he looks, something about the Ring, something about her father, and then something else about herself. He just remembered to respond at the right moments while he feigned his interest.

Unfortunately true to her word, Legolas had not seen Elloriel since they parted in his father’s throne room, and he found himself missing Elloriel’s company. As Elloriel was announced into the hall, Legolas quickly looked up at the entranceway. Elloriel wore a full-length silver gown. The intricately embroidered bodice was tight fitting and the skirt flowed gently from the waist. She had a silk silver scarf loosely wrapped around her neck that flowed over her shoulders and down her back, blending with the long, soft sleaves of the dress. The lights danced softly over her features and reflected against her enchanting jewels and crown, twinkling like stars.

Elloriel approached Legolas. Legolas tried to hide his facial expressions but his eyes failed him, “You look incredible,” he said, still in awe.

Elloriel smiled, “Thank you, Legolas, so do you.”

“Would you like to dance, Elloriel?” Legolas asked, offering his hand. Elloriel nodded as he led her over to the musicians, joining in with the dancing.

Thranduil nudged Taurgiliath with his elbow, “They look quite good together, wouldn’t you agree?”

Taurgiliath merely smiled lightly in response.

Legolas and Elloriel stopped dancing in time with the end of the music, receiving applause from their onlookers, notable exclusions being Brithla and Laslelin, whose excuse was that he had his arm in a sling. Thalion scoffed his laughter in response, giving Laslelin a verbal jab in regards to his intelligence.

Legolas led Elloriel over to the dining table and took their places next to Thranduil. “Where did you learn to dance so well?” Legolas asked her.

“Adar and Luinwen taught me, and Adar and my Nana taught her,” Elloriel answered, “They were exceptional dancers. He misses Nana so much, we all do. It is harder for Adar and Luinwen more so than it is for me, because I didn’t know her as well. My sister has lived 287 years longer than me. I have seen 2957 years, if you were wondering.”

“You were born not long after myself. I have seen 2963 years,” added Legolas.

Elloriel smiled, “I have been told numerous stories about her. My favourite story was about how they met. They met at a dance lesson when my Adar was still in his adolescent years.”

“And how did we meet? Killing an uruk, romantic!” Legolas gave her the thumbs-up gesture he had picked up from his time in Gondor.

Elloriel laughed as she said, “Very romantic. Tell me, did someone tell you what colour I was intending to wear tonight? We do seem to be somewhat matching.”

Legolas was wearing a silver tunic with long light blue sleeves, and a pair of black leggings that hid black boots. “No, not at all,” he leaned in close to her and whispered, “Maybe it’s a sign.”

They continued to laugh and talk with each other until Thranduil stood to address the guests, “Welcome everyone! Tonight we are here to celebrate the return of my son, Legolas, from the successful journeys across Middle Earth.”

Legolas smiled and nodded his acknowledgement to everyone.

“Yes, Legolas, we are all very proud of you…more so me!” Thranduil grinned proudly and began applauding Legolas, the crowded guests joining in too. Thranduil continued, “We are also here to celebrate the victory of Mirkwood over Mordor, which may not have been successful without Dordhaer being led to our aid by Elloriel. Thank you Elloriel, we all owe you our greatest appreciation and gratitude. Now, please enjoy the celebration.”

The music resumed and the guests returned to their own conversations. Elloriel looked around at the food near her, “Cherries? How did you get these, they only come from the north!”

Legolas answered her, “I believe King Taurgiliath had them brought here for part of the trade talks. Are they nice?”

Elloriel’s shoulders slumped slightly as she addressed herself, “I really need to discuss all of that with Ada…” She quickly remembered herself and turned back to Legolas, “Oh Legolas, they are delicious.” She picked up several cherries together by the stalks and popped one in her mouth. She plucked off the stalk, chewing slowly and removing the pip before swallowing it. “Here, try one.” Elloriel picked up another cherry and offered it to Legolas. Elloriel waited while Legolas sampled the new fruit.

Legolas looked at her surprised, “They are very rich in flavour!”

“The best ones are the rich dark, dark red ones, so dark that they almost look black,” Elloriel explained.

“Have you tried these before?” Legolas asked her holding up a peach.

“No, what are they?” Elloriel asked.

Elloriel watched Legolas as he sliced a small piece with a knife and offered it to her on his fork.

Elloriel took the peach slice, taking her time in trying it. “It’s sweet and very juicy. I like it,” and she picked up a peach for herself, imitating the way Legolas sliced the fruit.

They continued to eat the fruits and breads, and drink the wine that was continuously being topped up by the servants while mingling with all of the guests. By the end of the night, of the few that were still present, not many were still clear-headed. Though an elf would not be as affected by alcohol brewed by men or other, elven wines are an entirely different matter. Therefore, after the amount of wine that Legolas and Elloriel had consumed, they were exceptionally intoxicated.

So were both of their fathers. Thranduil and Taurgiliath were sitting in their seats laughing and carrying on like a pack of laughing hyenas, and the fact that they were slurring their laughter, let alone their speech, only made the image worse. They did not see their children leave the room.

Legolas turned to Elloriel, “Do you want to…what is it? Oh, retire now, Ell-Elloriel?” he asked fumblingly.

Elloriel looked up at him sleepily and nodded, “Sure thing.”

They stood up and using the backs of chairs for support, they managed to get to the entranceway. From there back to the rooms, they had to use each other. Stumbling and laughing down the corridor, they went a bit too far and found Legolas’ room first.

Elloriel asked, “Are we at my room yet?”

“Yes! Got to open the door first. Hey look! Isn’t that clever of me,” slurred Legolas while he giggled.

They slowly and steadily walked into the room. Legolas looked around, “Hey,” he exclaimed, “This is my room…I think.”

Elloriel was leaning against Legolas, “I think so too. How long is the walk to my room?”

Legolas shook his head, “I cannot remember.”

“Oh,” said Elloriel, as she took an unsteady step towards the door, stumbling as her foot caught an uneven edge of the flooring. Legolas caught her by the arms, keeping Elloriel from falling to the floor. Elloriel latched onto Legolas as she regained her footing, “Thank you.”

Legolas nodded, “That’s okay, you’re too pretty for injuries,” he smiled lightly.

“That’s nice of you,” Elloriel looked up at him with a blush, biting the inside of her lip, her eyes flickering between Legolas’ eyes and lips.

“Really pretty,” Legolas drew Elloriel closer, “…beautiful,” he muttered as his lips met hers.

—

Thank you for reading!

Starz