Chapter One:

Eryneth hurried through the brush of woods to follow the deer she was tracking with haste. Her elf eyes saw nothing but a bushy white tail growing smaller and smaller as the deer got farther away. Eryneth struggled to keep her long dark brown hair out of her face as she made her way through the forest with light feet. Her skirts were flapping effortlessly in the wind but she cared not as the only ones who saw were the animals in the forest whom she trusted completely. When suddenly, the deer fell.

As Eryneth approached it, she could see clearly that its leg had been pierced by an arrow. She slowly coaxed the deer into relaxing and began to stroke its body gently.

"There now, I shall not hurt you." she whispered, examining the wound closely. It did not go deep, and she was sure she could take it out with ease once the terrified animal relaxed. Suddenly, she heard a crunching of leaves and leapt up, making sure it would not be her pierced by an arrow also. She saw a flash of striking light hair and swiftly notched an arrow to her bow and aimed in one quick motion. When the prince of the Mirkwood realm stepped out, she was blatantly surprised.

"Lord Legolas, I apologize for my haste." Eryneth said, gritting her teeth and attempting to fix her skirts as she curtsied.

"Lady Eryneth. May I be so bold as to ask what you are doing out here?" Legolas asked, looking her up and down. She was a striking elf, with creamy light skin and dark brown eyes that bore into you, the same color as her hair that was perfectly tousled down to her lower back. He saw those eyes fix their stare on him.

"May I be so bold as to ask if you are responsible for this?" she asked, gesturing towards the wounded deer. Legolas admired that Eryneth was brave enough to have an attitude with him. So many were mindlessly polite when they spoke to him, seeing him only as the son of Thranduil.

"I am not, my lady. However, I am responsible for the child who did, which I guess makes me a sort of responsible for it." Legolas said, suddenly feeling guilty. He knelt down next to the deer, examining its wound. "Will she be okay?"

Eryneth stared at him warily, unsure if she could trust him. She might have spoken a word with him before, but only because her father served under the king, though they did not always have a life at court. "She will be fine. I just need her to calm before I remove the arrow. Where is this child?" she asked.

"Most likely run off once he heard you. I should lend my help, after all, it is partially my fault." Legolas said, helping Eryneth to steady the deer. He ignored the mud that clung to his leggings and tunic due to him kneeling in the cold forest floor. Eryneth gave him a look. "I am teaching a friend's son the way of the bow. I'm afraid he has used it wrongly." he explained.

"Your friend is unable to teach their own son these skills?" Eryneth inquired.

"My friend is a widow. Her husband was lost at battle." Legolas said, looking down and remembering the friend he missed so dearly.

Eryneth suddenly regretted her harsh tone and quick-witted words. "I am sorry to hear that..." she said, barely above a whisper yet she knew he could hear.

"Your father says you are a skilled with a sword, correct?" Legolas asked, changing the subject.

"Indeed." Eryneth replied. She fondly remembered being a wee child when her father began to teach her how to hold a sword correctly and swing it idly.

"Not many elleth possess that skill, you should be honored." he said with a small smile. Eryneth felt her cheeks burn, she loathed being complimented, but as it was the prince she had no choice but to thank him politely and accept it. Most would be flattered by such a statement, but all she felt was self-conscious.

"T-thank you." she muttered through clenched teeth. He noticed almost instantly.

"You don't agree?" Legolas ath out there." Eryneth said, elleth who have changed the world she thought, continuing to stroke the deer. She quickly found a way to get the topic off her. "I can dislodge the arrow now."sked with a smirk. She froze.

"I think there are better elle

"Ready when you are." Legolas said with a firm nod. She counted to three in Elvish and slowly drew the arrow out of the deer while Legolas kept it calm and steady. The arrow was dripping with fresh blood but the wound was not bleeding badly. The beautiful animal slowly stood and wobbled a few steps before turning to stare at Eryneth and Legolas before wobbling off.

"Thank you." Eryneth stuttered out before quickly getting up and brushing the leaves off of her dress to leave. The young prince looked taken aback as he stared at her.

"Shall I not walk you home?" he asked. She paused.

"If you wish it." she said slowly.

The two elves walk for some time in silence simply walking along quietly. Eryneth felt her whole body burning up in the presence of Legolas, suddenly extremely aware of his proximity. Why did it feel like home was miles away now? She wanted this encounter with the prince to end and never be thought of again. Eryneth was independent, she didn't need an ellon to take pity on her.

"You never did tell me why you were following the deer." Legolas said suddenly. Eryneth tensed her whole body.

"I like to spend time with the animals." she said simply. She looked up at the sky and saw it was getting dusty yet they still had a ways to go. "Shall I call for horses?" she asked him.

"How would one do that?" Legolas asked, confused. She let out a low, soft whistle in a certain melody, and within a minute he could hear the thundering of hooves. A beautiful dark mare galloped straight up to Eryneth and snorted heavily. She gently stroked its face before whistling a different melody. Sure enough, another horse came running out. This one was grey with dapples and built heavier.

"I suppose you have no problem without a saddle?" Eryneth asked with a smirk while hoisting herself up on her horse. "This is Duvain. She was a gift from my father. That one is Hasufel. He belonged to my mother. They follow me no matter what."

Legolas swiftly mounted the horse and followed Eryneth as she galloped off. Her hair was dancing in the wind beautifully, and it seemed that Duvain and her were one. At last, they reached the gates of Mirkwood, and dismounted. They walked the rest of the way to the stables where Eryneth kept the horses. She noticed many staring at her and Legolas, and suddenly felt self-conscious. Once the horses were settled she turned to him.

"Thank you, your majesty." she said with a curtsy.

"Please," Legolas began. "Call me Legolas. None of these formalities Eryneth." he said with a smile. Eryneth tried to remind herself she'd probably never talk to him again in her existence but she felt flattered still. "I shall see you soon." he said before gently taking her hand and kissing it. That made her feel as if she would melt, even though it was just proper tradition, and the rest of the way home she simply floated.