A/N: Not mine. All stories in the series are independent of each other.
Legolas/Arwen appear to be 10 years old.
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And so it begins
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Arwen was her name. Inwardly, the very young Prince of Mirkwood rolled his eyes. Elves from Rivendell were coming and he'd have to entertain her. A girl. Somehow, he just never got a break. Luckily, he also heard that the Princess had brothers...older brothers. Maybe they'd let him keep them company instead of watching some girl.
He tugged on the collar of his tunic, he hated dressing up almost as much as he hated girls. He got off the low stool he was sitting on and went to stand at his window. Oh, how he wanted to be out there rather than attending another extremely boring social gathering of elves in unbelievably uncomfortable clothing. He scratched at his neck... the tunic was irritating his delicate skin.
"Legolas, stop scratching," came a harmonious voice floating in the air. The elven prince turned to find his beloved mother standing in his doorway. She was beautiful with her golden locks and deep blue eyes and the source of everything kind and gentle in Legolas' life. She smiled at him and lifted her hand to him which he eagerly accepted.
"Mother, must I attend the party?" he asked her with his best whining voice.
"It is your duty as you are the sole heir to the kingdom," she replied and Legolas pouted and scratched at his neck.
"Do not worry yet, little prince, perhaps you will make a friend of the Imladris elves."
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Legolas tried to stifle his yawn but it was of no use. His mother laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently, as if to bring to him new energy. Lord Elrond with the other elves were just now approaching where his father and mother stood very tall and regal, and where he just tried to remain standing.
Lord Elrond and the Lady Celebrian were at the head of the entourage and Legolas desperately tried to find signs of the twin stars. It was to no avail, there were too many of them blocking everyone else. Almost immediately, his spirits hit the ground as his parents greeted the guests.
"...And these are the Twin Stars of Imladris, Elladan and Elrohir," Legolas head shot up from where it had hung on his chest and he stared at the older elves in complete wonder.
"This is Legolas, my son and Prince of Mirkwood," Thranduil announced and Legolas couldn't help but swell with pride at his introduction.
"Mae Govannen," the twins said in unison with beaming smiles as they laid hands on each of his shoulders. Legolas was already running a list of things he would show Elladan and Elrohir and was about to say something when Elrond interrupted his thoughts.
"And, of course, here is Arwen, the Evenstar..." oh no. Legolas had forgotten all about her. He could see elves make way for her and he dreaded the moment she would show her face. Finally, after what seemed like ages of excruciating torture of wanting to meet her to get it over with, yet not wanting to meet her because she was another dumb elven princess, Legolas spied a head of dark flowing hair making its way to the front.
She was pretty. Very pretty. So pretty that air just left his lungs and he just stood there like a fool. So pretty that he felt little butterflies of nervousness in his stomach. So pretty that he didn't know enough words to describe how pretty she was. That's the kind of pretty that was Arwen Undomiel.
And yet she was a girl and by that standard alone made her repulsive.
"Vedui' Legolas" she smiled warmly up at him.
For the first time in his life, Legolas was rendered speechless by a girl. His mother had to tap him on the shoulder in order for a meek, "Mae Govannen," to escape his lips.
After that, the congregation broke apart as everyone was ushered into a hall for the festivities. Legolas looked to Elladan and Elrohir but they were busy with one another and seemed content that he should spend the evening with their little sister.
Legolas closed his eyes and braced himself for a night of talk of stupid things and frilly things and braiding hair...oh the horror of it all. He exhaled slowly and spun on his heel to face Arwen.
What he saw next was something he did not expect. His sudden movement had startled the Evenstar from her thoughts. He had caught the expression on her face...it seemed almost, sad. But now she smiled at him, though not as big or as bright as it had once been, and uncertainty was written clearly on her face.
Something somewhat resembling regret stirred in his chest. He didn't mean to make her feel bad. But she didn't understand...she was a GIRL. And he didn't mix well with girls.
"So what do you want to do?" he blurted in an attempt to kill the awkward silence, but it ended up like he was yelling at her. Inwardly, he cringed, this was not going well.
Arwen just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. Legolas gave an exasperated sigh and turned on his heel, "Come on," he said over his shoulder and started walking in the opposite direction of where all the adults had gone.
After moments of hesitation, he heard her soft footsteps trailing behind him. He scratched at his neck. Dumb girls.
------
He led her down a long narrow hall with many doors. There was complete silence with the exception of the shuffle of little feet.
"Legolas, where are we going?" Arwen asked, he thought he sensed fear in her voice.
"To get a hairbrush," he replied under his breath.
"What ever for?" she asked, the fear replaced with curiosity.
"So you can braid my hair," he answered. As if she didn't know...
Suddenly, Arwen stopped walking. He let out another exasperated sigh and turned around. She was really starting to annoy him with all her questions and his stupid collar was driving him insane.
She was looking at him like he was crazy. "Why would I do that?"
Yet another question...Legolas couldn't help but roll his eyes as he scratched some more, "Because that's what you do. All you princesses come here and force me to braid your hair and let you braid mine..."
Arwen stood shocked before him. Then she burst out laughing. She braced herself against the wall and doubled over in laughter. Legolas felt a blush creep up his neck and face although he knew not why. Didn't she want to braid hair and dress up and dance and all that sissy stuff? He watched her laugh and laugh, and amidst her laughing, Arwen snorted! This erupted in more laughter from her and this time, Legolas joined in.
When they were through, they were both slid down the walls, too spent to keep standing. They faced each other in the narrow hallways, gasping for breath. Now and then giggles escaped them as they both tried to keep their composure.
Legolas noted that her laughter was the most beautiful thing his ears had ever heard. And a thought began to sink into his brain, perhaps he wasn't like all the other princesses after all. Maybe, she could be his friend.
Finally, she spoke, "So, you were going to just let me have my way with your hair?"
He grinned and looked into her vibrant violet eyes, "I suppose so," he shrugged and started to stand up.
He offered his hand to her and she paused a moment before accepting it. He thought he felt sparks when their fingers touched and he lifted her to her feet.
"That would have been very sweet of you, but I don't care for such things like hair, or dancing and all that other girly stuff." Arwen reached up and undid his collar, smoothing out the edges. "There, that is much better."
Legolas lost his heart to her in that very moment. She had to be an illusion, she was too good to be true.
"So what do you care for?" he asked her.
She gave him a secret smile, "You mustn't tell my father, but I am learning archery."
"I am learning archery also! I'm going to be the greatest archer in all of Middle-Earth!" he swelled with pride at his ambitious goal.
"I have no doubt that you will be a great archer, though you will always be second best as I will be the greatest archer in all of Middle-Earth's history!" Arwen teased as they began to walk down the hallway and back to the party...
And so began the friendship between a little blond elf prince from Mirkwood and a bundle of laughter-ready-to-explode princess from Rivendell.
------
Fin
------
Vedui'- Greetings
Mae Govannen- Well met
------
And so it begins
------
Arwen was her name. Inwardly, the very young Prince of Mirkwood rolled his eyes. Elves from Rivendell were coming and he'd have to entertain her. A girl. Somehow, he just never got a break. Luckily, he also heard that the Princess had brothers...older brothers. Maybe they'd let him keep them company instead of watching some girl.
He tugged on the collar of his tunic, he hated dressing up almost as much as he hated girls. He got off the low stool he was sitting on and went to stand at his window. Oh, how he wanted to be out there rather than attending another extremely boring social gathering of elves in unbelievably uncomfortable clothing. He scratched at his neck... the tunic was irritating his delicate skin.
"Legolas, stop scratching," came a harmonious voice floating in the air. The elven prince turned to find his beloved mother standing in his doorway. She was beautiful with her golden locks and deep blue eyes and the source of everything kind and gentle in Legolas' life. She smiled at him and lifted her hand to him which he eagerly accepted.
"Mother, must I attend the party?" he asked her with his best whining voice.
"It is your duty as you are the sole heir to the kingdom," she replied and Legolas pouted and scratched at his neck.
"Do not worry yet, little prince, perhaps you will make a friend of the Imladris elves."
------
Legolas tried to stifle his yawn but it was of no use. His mother laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently, as if to bring to him new energy. Lord Elrond with the other elves were just now approaching where his father and mother stood very tall and regal, and where he just tried to remain standing.
Lord Elrond and the Lady Celebrian were at the head of the entourage and Legolas desperately tried to find signs of the twin stars. It was to no avail, there were too many of them blocking everyone else. Almost immediately, his spirits hit the ground as his parents greeted the guests.
"...And these are the Twin Stars of Imladris, Elladan and Elrohir," Legolas head shot up from where it had hung on his chest and he stared at the older elves in complete wonder.
"This is Legolas, my son and Prince of Mirkwood," Thranduil announced and Legolas couldn't help but swell with pride at his introduction.
"Mae Govannen," the twins said in unison with beaming smiles as they laid hands on each of his shoulders. Legolas was already running a list of things he would show Elladan and Elrohir and was about to say something when Elrond interrupted his thoughts.
"And, of course, here is Arwen, the Evenstar..." oh no. Legolas had forgotten all about her. He could see elves make way for her and he dreaded the moment she would show her face. Finally, after what seemed like ages of excruciating torture of wanting to meet her to get it over with, yet not wanting to meet her because she was another dumb elven princess, Legolas spied a head of dark flowing hair making its way to the front.
She was pretty. Very pretty. So pretty that air just left his lungs and he just stood there like a fool. So pretty that he felt little butterflies of nervousness in his stomach. So pretty that he didn't know enough words to describe how pretty she was. That's the kind of pretty that was Arwen Undomiel.
And yet she was a girl and by that standard alone made her repulsive.
"Vedui' Legolas" she smiled warmly up at him.
For the first time in his life, Legolas was rendered speechless by a girl. His mother had to tap him on the shoulder in order for a meek, "Mae Govannen," to escape his lips.
After that, the congregation broke apart as everyone was ushered into a hall for the festivities. Legolas looked to Elladan and Elrohir but they were busy with one another and seemed content that he should spend the evening with their little sister.
Legolas closed his eyes and braced himself for a night of talk of stupid things and frilly things and braiding hair...oh the horror of it all. He exhaled slowly and spun on his heel to face Arwen.
What he saw next was something he did not expect. His sudden movement had startled the Evenstar from her thoughts. He had caught the expression on her face...it seemed almost, sad. But now she smiled at him, though not as big or as bright as it had once been, and uncertainty was written clearly on her face.
Something somewhat resembling regret stirred in his chest. He didn't mean to make her feel bad. But she didn't understand...she was a GIRL. And he didn't mix well with girls.
"So what do you want to do?" he blurted in an attempt to kill the awkward silence, but it ended up like he was yelling at her. Inwardly, he cringed, this was not going well.
Arwen just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. Legolas gave an exasperated sigh and turned on his heel, "Come on," he said over his shoulder and started walking in the opposite direction of where all the adults had gone.
After moments of hesitation, he heard her soft footsteps trailing behind him. He scratched at his neck. Dumb girls.
------
He led her down a long narrow hall with many doors. There was complete silence with the exception of the shuffle of little feet.
"Legolas, where are we going?" Arwen asked, he thought he sensed fear in her voice.
"To get a hairbrush," he replied under his breath.
"What ever for?" she asked, the fear replaced with curiosity.
"So you can braid my hair," he answered. As if she didn't know...
Suddenly, Arwen stopped walking. He let out another exasperated sigh and turned around. She was really starting to annoy him with all her questions and his stupid collar was driving him insane.
She was looking at him like he was crazy. "Why would I do that?"
Yet another question...Legolas couldn't help but roll his eyes as he scratched some more, "Because that's what you do. All you princesses come here and force me to braid your hair and let you braid mine..."
Arwen stood shocked before him. Then she burst out laughing. She braced herself against the wall and doubled over in laughter. Legolas felt a blush creep up his neck and face although he knew not why. Didn't she want to braid hair and dress up and dance and all that sissy stuff? He watched her laugh and laugh, and amidst her laughing, Arwen snorted! This erupted in more laughter from her and this time, Legolas joined in.
When they were through, they were both slid down the walls, too spent to keep standing. They faced each other in the narrow hallways, gasping for breath. Now and then giggles escaped them as they both tried to keep their composure.
Legolas noted that her laughter was the most beautiful thing his ears had ever heard. And a thought began to sink into his brain, perhaps he wasn't like all the other princesses after all. Maybe, she could be his friend.
Finally, she spoke, "So, you were going to just let me have my way with your hair?"
He grinned and looked into her vibrant violet eyes, "I suppose so," he shrugged and started to stand up.
He offered his hand to her and she paused a moment before accepting it. He thought he felt sparks when their fingers touched and he lifted her to her feet.
"That would have been very sweet of you, but I don't care for such things like hair, or dancing and all that other girly stuff." Arwen reached up and undid his collar, smoothing out the edges. "There, that is much better."
Legolas lost his heart to her in that very moment. She had to be an illusion, she was too good to be true.
"So what do you care for?" he asked her.
She gave him a secret smile, "You mustn't tell my father, but I am learning archery."
"I am learning archery also! I'm going to be the greatest archer in all of Middle-Earth!" he swelled with pride at his ambitious goal.
"I have no doubt that you will be a great archer, though you will always be second best as I will be the greatest archer in all of Middle-Earth's history!" Arwen teased as they began to walk down the hallway and back to the party...
And so began the friendship between a little blond elf prince from Mirkwood and a bundle of laughter-ready-to-explode princess from Rivendell.
------
Fin
------
Vedui'- Greetings
Mae Govannen- Well met