I noticed a girl staring at me. I lowered my head to look down. At the foot of the tree was a dark-eyed beauty with waist long golden brown hair that was tied back in a braid. I wondered who she was for I had never seen her before. I jumped down with inhuman speed about thirty feet and landed right in front of her, still on my feet.

“May I ask who you are?” I questioned, politely smiling at her.

“My name is Himeno, daughter of Elizabeth,” she responded, her voice sounding like wedding bells.

“My name is Legolas, son of Thranduil.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Himeno replied, dropping into a curtsey. “I come from far away lands but I’m forced to take shelter here for the arms of darkness have spread far into our realm.”

“It will be a pleasure to serve you,” I said, bowing. When I straightened, I noticed that she had a strangely composed face like one that wants to say something but can’t. I was about to say something else when my childhood friend Arwen appeared. She was blessed with long hazel locks that few people, even elves, rivaled.

“Hi Legolas!” Arwen said waving frantically. She ran down the hill, as fleet and light as a deer. “How are you?”

“Good, thank you,” Legolas responded. “We have a new visitor.”

“Really? Who?” Arwen questioned curiously.

“Himeno,” I stated, extending my arm toward her.

“I am pleased to meet you,” Arwen said, curtseying to her.

“It is a pleasure to meet you also,” Himeno replied. “Do either of you have anywhere where I could rest and eat a little something?”

“Himeno! Don’t insult my hospitality! I shall take you to a room where you can freshen up and we can go to dinner afterwards. Please come with me,” I said taking her hand lightly and leading her up the hill. “Bye Arwen!”
Himeno followed me without complaint and we soon arrived at my home. Set up like a tree house there were walk ways mid-air leading off the main and largest house. “You can sleep on the one on the right hand side,” I said pointing up at it. It was mainly used for visitors and was the more girly one of the three.
“Thanks.” With cat-like grace she quickly climbed up. I sighed than climbed up my own tree. I walked in and dropped my quiver and arrows on my bed. I freshened up and put on one of my nicer tunics that was a shade of deep green with vine-like that were a shade darker. After that I put on some hazel colored boots.

“Legolas? Are you ready?” Himeno questioned from outside the house.

“Yeah. You can come in,” I replied, fastening a brown belt on my waist. I attached two short swords on either side of my waist.

“Hi,” Himeno greeted, standing in the doorway. I gasped at the sight of her. Her long hazel hair, that had originally been in a braid, was let down. She smiled shyly at me, her dark brown eyes matching her floor length brown dress. The neck dress was modest in cut and went from one shoulder to the other. Lying at her throat was a pearl necklace with every shade and hue of the rainbow. At the sight of her something awoke within me but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what precisely it was.

“Hi,” I said stupidly. I hit myself internally. I could do better than that conversation wise!

“Do I look presentable?” she asked seriously. She spun around and her hair went out like a fan. I slowly put my quiver and bow over my shoulder. I walked toward her slowly.

“You look great,” I said taking a stray strand of her hair that had fallen in front of her face and tucking it behind her ear. My hand lingered there for a minute and we stood gazing at each other when there was suddenly the sound of trumpets. I jerked to attention, whirling toward the door. “That’s our cue to go to the dinner. Let’s go.”

“Okay,” Himeno said, looking kind of red as she followed me to the bottom of the tree. We walked about ten feet away from the tree when I suddenly whistled. My horse Swiftfoot approached quickly and stopped before me.

“Can you ride bareback?” I questioned, casting a quizzical look at Himeno.

Himeno suddenly started laughing. Her laughter brought a warm feeling into my heart. “My lord, you insult me,” she said grinning as she hopped on my horse side saddle. I grinned also as I swung my leg over my horse. I hung my arms on either side of her and grabbed a chunk of Swift foot’s mane.

“Go!” I cried in a loud voice, kicking my horse’s side lightly. The horse started to gallop and brought me in front of the most beautiful place in the kingdom. “You arrived at the greatest time possible. We are having a feast celebrating the Council’s return.”

“Oh, I was hoping I would arrive in time for a celebration! My mother always used to tell me magnificent tales of all the wonderful celebrations that you would have!” Himeno said. We soon arrived at the place.

“Legolas! Long time no see brother!” Aragorn exclaimed running over to the horse. I smiled at the sight of him and hopped off the horse, embracing him briefly.

“How are you, Aragorn?” I questioned, stepping back a step.

“Good. I’m so happy to see you! I haven’t seen you since the wedding!” Aragorn said eagerly.

“I saw Arwen earlier. Did she tell you that I saw her?” I questioned.

“No,” Aragorn said, pretending to look angry and failing miserably. “Who is this new lady? So you finally decided on a good female?”

I blushed slightly as I waved my hands in front of myself. “Of course not… I just met her… I…”

Himeno hopped down from my horse and straightened out her skirts. “My name is Himeno. It is a delight to meet a person of the old ring tales,” she said politely, curtseying.

“Good taste!” Aragorn said approvingly. “It takes you a while but when you do find a woman they are pretty good!”

I glared at him, my blush slightly fading but not by much. “Where is the rest of the council?”

“Here we are!” they exclaimed happily appearing out of nowhere. “SURPRISE!”

I sighed, but I couldn’t help but be happy. “I’m really happy to see you all again. I haven’t seen you for such a long time.”

“We’re happy to see you too,” Gandalf said approaching from the back of the group. “Let the party – BEGIN!”

For the next two hours we partied and drank like never before. However it suddenly put me to the test as never before. I was talking to Gimli when I suddenly noticed an elf talking to Himeno. She looked nervous, her eyes darting around to a place to go away from him. Suddenly he grabbed her wrists and pushed her against a tree, trying to kiss her. I felt a wrath that I had never felt before. A fire that had never awoken before suddenly burned into a great blaze in me. I whipped out my swords and stomped over to him. “Release the fair damsel!” I commanded, my eyes burning in rage. Himeno glanced at me in relief. That alone fueled. “Now!”

“Make me,” the elf challenged, sneering at me.

“Fine.” Like a flash of lightning I struck. To my great frustration, he blocked my attack with ease. Getting annoyed I used my most complex series of moves that I possessed for a while until I finally succeeded. Towering over him I said, “If I ever catch you acting despicable again I will turn you in to the king and queen.”

“Pardon me master, you have bested me.” He slowly walked away in dishonor. I watched him walk away when I turned to Himeno.

“Are you okay?” I asked. Himeno’s eyes were glowing in admiration. She threw her arms around my neck and passionately kissed me on the lips. I returned the kiss with enthusiasm. Gazing at me in love, Himeno lowered her head against my shoulder as we turned to watch the setting sun in a state of bliss that only true couples can ever experience.