Of Life and Love
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings, however much I wish I did…
Chapter One
The sun had set and darkness reigned, but in a glade in northwest Mirkwood it was as light as day. Even though the seasons were approaching winter, a fire was burning merrily and on the grass beside it sat an entourage of elves. The tinkling of their laughter wove itself through the surrounding trees, but if any being other than an elf dared to step within the circle of firelight they would find themselves instantly in a deep sleep, such was the power of the mysterious magic of the elves. Perhaps that was why these elves were so relaxed, even though their mission was to investigate sightings of orcs on Mirkwood's border. Perhaps part of their ease was due to the two elves seated in the centre of the group, nearest the fire. One was Legolas Thranduilion, Crown Prince of Mirkwood. Next to him sat a female elf in a languid pose, wearing breeches. This was Kimberlien, Legolas' dearest friend and constant companion since they had met in childhood.
A perimeter patrol had been despatched to check that the area was secure and while they were awaiting the patrol's return, Legolas was trying to speak through his laughter to Kimberlien; an elf maiden of no great beauty but truly talented in the arts of war.
"And – stop laughing so hard Legolas! Do you remember when we were, ooo – I'd say about 350 years old and we visited Imladris after a particularly heavy rainfall, with your father? And then you had the bright idea to go into the forest? Does your perfect memory remember that?" Kimberlien asked teasingly, grinning from ear to pointed ear. Legolas however had stopped laughing abruptly. He definitely remembered the story that she was referring to and although it was incredibly humorous now, it hadn't been at the time. In fact, it had been very embarrassing. So many years later he was only just beginning to see the lighter side of it, and yet he knew that there was no way he could stop her from telling this tale… He scowled as his entourage leaned closer to Kim to hear better, their merry faces shining with anticipation.
Kimberlien raised her voice a little and grinning, began to recount their adventures with great animation, her audience darting amused looks at the Prince who feigned sullenness beside them, failing utterly as his dancing blue eyes shone with mirth.
"King Thranduil and Lord Elrond were having one of their 'boring' conferences and you suggested that you, Elladan, Elrohir and I all go and seek entertainment in the forest. We had hardly wandered far when we came upon a gigantic pool of mud and you, being a mindless idiot, had to go and fall into it. Then you decided to take your revenge on our justified mirth by pulling us in to join you! And I was only trying to help you out."
Legolas' face contorted with indignation.
"Frankly that is not true Kimberlien, and you know it. As I recall you were the one who first saw the pool and while I was having a discussion with Elladan regarding the differences between Greenwood and Imladris– ."
" – It was a debate and you were claiming that you could eat more cherry pies than him in a minute– ."
" – And," He continued, ignoring her. "You thought it would be great fun to push me in. Also, you were not 'trying to help me out' and retain my dignity, but rather you were sitting on me so that I was held in the mud and you were clean."
"I would never do such a thing!"
"Then why did you call 'Dan and 'Ro over to help shove mud into my mouth?" The surrounding elves could only laugh harder as Kimberlien's own mouth opened with mock outrage. Legolas caught her eye, grinning as her sapphire eyes twinkled with amusement at the situation and the telling. Often the two – if not the four – had gotten into scrapes like this over the years and she liked to recall them often, if only to experience the indignation of Legolas and to laugh along with any audience she could muster as he attempted to put her slightly exaggerated tale right. She delighted at the mirth that shone in his light blue eyes, assured that he knew perfectly well what she was doing and desperately enjoyed the banter. It was all the better when the twins were present – which they often were.
"Hold on…" She crunched her face in mock concentration. "You know what Legolas? I think you might be right…" She managed to convey amazement in her tone.
"Of course I'm right – I'm a prince." The listening elves gaped at this uncharacteristic show of pomposity on behalf of their Prince, but Kimberlien had a ready reply.
"Sure, the prince of the land where snooty elves live – wait – sorry. There is no such land because you are the only elf with enough snootiness to gain admittance." Some of the younger elves where severely taken aback at this show of disrespect to one of royal blood, but the older elves among them just continued to watch the banter like a ping-pong ball, smiles spread across their ageless faces.
"Oh ha ha, very funny Kim."
"At least I wasn't the one who chucked the sticky gunk into the face of our host..."
"Oh no…" Kim had resumed her tale.
"Oh yes. After we'd got a fair bit of mud into your mouth and you had somehow managed to stuff it up our noses. Do you remember? After the wrestling match you – the genius – decided that we should play a game. The mud pit was the base which you were 'guarding', and we had to get to it before you hit us with a handful of mud. By this time of course we had already missed supper and Lord Elrond (being the kind father that he is) had come looking for us – or stumbled across when walking – I'm not sure which…" She brought her self back with a jerk. "Regardless, Lord Elrond came upon the scene and you thought that he was me while I was sitting in a tree just above your head. So you decided to throw mud at him and for once, it hit. By the look on his face, I don't think he liked the taste as much as you did… Lego." The grins of the elves spread wider at the nickname.
"I'm warning you Kimberlien." Legolas said solemnly as Kimberlien laughed at him. He turned a despairing gaze upon his fellow elves and finding no help, decided to rise to his own defence. "It was not my fault! I thought he was you; you do look like him." Kimberlien stopped laughing.
"I regret that most severely Your Highness." She did not look like the elf Lord! Legolas grinned at her discomfiture.
"You look enough like him that Elladan and Elrohir thought that he was you, and he's their adar! Just after I'd realised my mistake, they came up behind the poor Lord and pushed him into the middle of the pool!" Kimberlien was laughing with renewed volume and Legolas was merrily chuckling, echoed by their audience.
"Well you know, 'Dan and 'Ro do walk around with their heads in the clouds. It was your fault Lego for telling them to sneak up behind me and ganging up."
"It was not my fault."
"Then why were you crying – like a girl?"
Now Legolas really was indignant.
"I did not! I deny that!"
"Come on Legolas, you had nightmares for a week afterwards."
"No I – how did you know?"
"Did you really?"
"No! Of course not."
"You did!" Kimberlien breathed in disbelief. Legolas mumbled something.
"What was that?" She prompted, nudging him.
"I thought we'd be banished." Legolas whispered just loud enough for her to hear. She guffawed and broke into a new wave of cackles while her fellow elves looked merely confused.
"I have an idea." Legolas said brightly. "Lets never do it again. How does that sound?" Legolas held out his hand expectantly but Kimberlien could only shake her head, her shoulders shaking with mirth.
"I'm not so sure. The look on Lord Elrond's face was priceless. Just priceless." And as she broke into a new wave of laughter at the memory, Legolas could not help but join her.
It was a while before either Legolas or Kimberlien could say anything intelligible – each making the other laugh harder. But if one of the grinning elves sitting around them decided to listen more closely, every now and again they'd catch a word on the lines of "mud", "drip" and "shock". Once Kimberlien managed to say as much as: "And the look on 'Dan and 'Ro's faces when the realised what they had done!" which just set the two off on another bout of laughter, clutching their sides in pain even as their jaws ached.
By the time they had calmed down, the patrol had returned and Garthon – the head guard who often accompanied Legolas and Kimberlien on their travels – came to give the report. He began "Your Highness– ", but was interrupted.
"No Garthon, we are friends. Please, call me 'Legolas'."
Garthon's eyes narrowed slightly; they had had this conversation before. Then his eyes widened with surprise at what Legolas said next:
"No, scratch that. Please, call me 'Lego'."
Garthon looked around just in time to see Kimberlien ducking. Legolas had aimed a swat for the side of her head and with a start Garthon realised that Kimberlien had made a perfect imitation of Legolas' voice.
When he had once again regained Legolas' attention, Garthon smilingly delivered the report of all clear before leaving to join the singing of the other elves – rejoicing as the stars appeared in the sky one by one.
Soon after, the fire was extinguished and as the elves settled in their trees to rest, Garthon stared long at the bright star of the elves – Earendil, the star of Hope.
There was thought no need for a watch tonight since they still resided deep within Mirkwood, but Garthon knew that he would remain alert even in sleep should danger come. He was sworn to protect the prince and he would with his life, if it were necessary. Turning to look at his charge he smiled. Subconsciously Kimberlien and Legolas edged closer together in their sleep – perhaps for a feeling of protection, for danger dogged their footsteps and safety had often only been achieved through their unfailing friendship. They had both faced so many hardships, and both were still so young… Gently he shook his head and returned his gaze to the heavens. To Earendil.
In the shadow of the stars Garthon swore to himself that he would let no harm befall his charges while he yet lived.
Little did he know just how quickly that vow was to be broken…
A/N
Right, there's chapter one and here's the usual plea for reviews. I know where this fic is heading and it will be a long one, but to write I need to know if anyone is actually reading it. And to know that I need you to REVIEW. From experience, the number of reviews I get will have a direct affect on when the next update will be. So review! Great things are planned for this fic… I tell you now.