Author's Note:

Disclaimer: Do not own.

This is different from my other stories. I am not really focusing on action here. It will be short. I do not intend to write this story too long like the other projects I have going.

Based on my one-shot The Silent Guardian. I suggest reading that, because it makes a good read.

All of my stories are interconnected, but you do not need to read one to understanding the other, except if I mention them.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Ithilien Forest,

Gondor,

"Uncle," The young woman exclaimed. She lowered herself into a graceful curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you once again after a month of separation. I apologise to appear without a word in advance. I simply could not stay away." She lifted herself from her curtsy.

Legolas looked up from his desk and at the young woman before her. She was dressed in breeches, turning her perfectly executed curtsy into something more comical. Her black hair was tamed into a low bun, the strands straying from it. Judging from her appearance (and from how well he knew her), he knew she travelled and came alone. Legolas frowned. His mouth turned down in confusion and Taesel also supposed in displeasure. For a moment she worried if she had truly come too unannounced but then Legolas only shook his head, his expression disappearing from his face.

"It is of no consequence," Legolas said, rising from his desk. "You look well, little one."

He reached her in a few strides and pressed a kiss on her forehead. When he stepped back, a corner of his lips twitched up.

"Don't curtsy to me when you are wearing breeches. It looks hilarious."

"I know,' Taesel said, following the quiet Elf back to his desk. "But the governess insists."

"You still have a governess?" Legolas asked with a raised brow.

"She stayed for two months, thank you. I think I am better in my ways."

Legolas gave a snort unlike an Elf.

"No you haven't. You haven't tried to get rid of her, because you know your father will disapprove." Legolas shifted his done paperwork to another table. "And anyway, you are too old to have a governess now. She should be leaving."

"I keep saying that but no one seems to listen. Maybe you could-"

"No." Legolas said. "Your family matters are entirely your own."

Taesel pulled off her riding gloves and tucked them into her belt. The light brown breeches and the ornate but practical red and black shirt suited her. The symbol of the white tree and stars were embroidered in silver at the back. She went through his things without bothering to ask. Legolas did not mind.

"You are overworking again!"

"I am doing well." Legolas defended himself. Taesel placed her hands on her hips.

"Really? When was the last time you ate?" She demanded. Legolas opened his mouth. And then he closed it.

"See?" Taesel said.

"There is no need to look so smug about it." Legolas murmured. Before Taesel could gloat further, he immediately changed the topic. "And what are you doing here?"

"Father sent me here."

"Really?" Legolas asked. He clearly did not believe it. "He spoke nothing of this plan last time I went to Minas Tirith."

Taesel wordlessly produced her father's letter he had given to her. Legolas opened it and read it. He kept staring at the short letter for a long time before Legolas' lips twitched as if in amusement. Taesel wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad one.

"My dear, you would have to do better than that to commit your father's handwriting in forgery." There was open laughter in the old Elf's voice now. "He certainly does not add an extra curl to his first letters of every word and he also adds a certain dot in every sentence as a secret of letting me know it is truly his letter." Legolas pulled out a letter lying beneath the heap of his papers and Taesel gingerly looked over the real letter his father has written to Legolas and noticed the subtle differences. "Although I have to admit, to a lesser eye, you could have succeeded."

But that doesn't make any difference, Taesel thought glumly.

"Do I have to go back?" She asked him.

Taesel dreaded as Legolas slowly curled the forged scroll in his fingers. But then he laughed merrily.

"Oh I wouldn't mind a Princess walking about in my domain."

"You wouldn't tell me to go back?" Taesel asked, unsure if she heard right.

"No." Legolas said. "The way the court is, I am surprised that not everyone leaves it for good."

Taesel sometimes thought Legolas detested the Gondorian court, with its constant politics, schemes and gossip. He certainly looked happier in his own domain or in Rohan, whenever he accompanied them to visit Edoras.

"So tell me," Legolas said, drawing her out of her thoughts. "What was it that brought you to this forest?"

He returned his attention to his work. He wouldn't tell her father about the forgery; one of the Elves under his command taught her how to do that.

"I just wanted to leave the city for a while. Breathe the fresh air." Taesel went to the nearby table, pushed against a wall. A map was hanging on a rectangular wood above the table. Different coloured inks marked various areas of the Kingdom. Bored, she picked on each of them. Red dots meant hostiles from orcs, cults, potential spies. Red crosses meant robbers that robbed the travellers. Blue dots meant contacts that could range from nobles to beggars. Black lines meant areas of interest.

"You will have to try better than that." Legolas said behind her. He hadn't moved from his seat. He hadn't even looked up. "You don't forge letters so that you can go into the wilderness; you forge letters when you are worried about something." Taesel did not answer. "Turn around, young lady and tell me what is on your mind."

"Sometimes you see me too well," Taesel said, sighing and turning around. Finding the distance between them intimidating, she walked up to him and leaned against his desk. Legolas narrowed his eyes at her. His eyes were bright and sharp, the blue in them making it hard to hold his gaze any longer. She looked down and one finger absent-mindedly worried the corner of a parchment sticking out of the stack Legolas had on his table.

"Father was speaking to me how some of the young Lords were growing to be very influential." Taesel said. "I know what he meant. Mother kept showing them to me and telling me what each of them liked or didn't like… how many of them you might approve them."

Legolas understood. When Aragorn's daughters were growing, they became more beautiful like their mother as each day passed. Their Elven ancestry had come out strong in them. Aragorn was worried. Their positions as princesses were coupled with their beauty, making them the icon of power and desire. It didn't take long for the girls to understand. Legolas, as an Elf who remained aloof and governed the Gondorian court through his lack of words and his silent presence, he became a forbidding uncle.

Legolas gave her a long calculating look.

"Your parents have a good reason," he said at last. "Taesel, a good man will mean a good family and household-"

"I don't want that for myself."

Legolas sighed wearily.

"You are acting like a petulant child."

Taesel didn't say anything. She studied the ornate design etched into the sides of Legolas' desk. These were woodland flowers, with holes punched into the desk to accentuate the design. The edges went blurry as angry tears filled her eyes. She heard another sigh and a shift of the chair. Then a hand rested against the side of her head and she felt herself drawn in an embrace against Legolas' chest.

"Hush," he said quietly. There was no rebuke in his words. Taesel snuggled deeper against him. She could smell the light scent of musk preferred by the men of Haradrim. It was a comforting scent. Legolas smelled that way as long as she could remember. "I didn't mean to upset you. Taesel, you are only looking on the day that comes tomorrow or the day after that. We are looking at your future. A time will come when your parents will no longer be there and they need to ensure you are well-taken care of."

"You will be there!"

Legolas rubbed his eyes wearily with one hand, the other still holding Taesel's head against his chest. The young woman had her arms around him tightly.

"I will not always be there, little one." Legolas corrected. "The Sea calls and it is only through will that I am not answering it."

"I can take care of myself," Taesel's voice sounded small even for it to be muffled.

"A man not only looks after you but provides you companionship." Legolas said, pulling Taesel back. If he noticed the dampness on his shirt, then he didn't mention it. He knew how much Taesel hated it when anyone noticed she was crying. "You have home to call your own."

Taesel said nothing. Legolas looked at her before shaking his head.

"Come, enough tears. You came here to escape your parents and what they offered, so enjoy yourself. I will speak to your parents and see if we can reach an agreement." Legolas said.

"I don't want to get married." Taesel's voice was still soft but it was firm. Legolas did not bother to reply to her declaration, and knew for her, it was a relief to blurt out something she probably kept inside for a long time. And Legolas liked the status of being a confidant. By now Legolas was used to such visits from any of Aragorn's girls when they wanted a friendly ear to hear them.

"Is there anyone in particular that your father and mother were suggesting?"

"A lord in Dol Amroth; Lord Bornivon."

"Him? Do you know who told your father about him?"

"No, but probably the advisors," Taesel said. Her eyes were dry now, and one heel was kicking against the leg of Legolas' desk. "They want to take part in arranging everyone's marriages these days."

Legolas frowned. He had met him, and he was more of a coward and a boy than a lord. He was petulant, had a fondness for anything he could buy and a disturbing affection for young maids. Legolas did not know who advised Aragorn on this arrangement but Legolas would make sure Taesel would not marry him.

But who would marry Taesel?

She was a lady, born and bred. Legolas had seen her when she wanted to be most eloquent and it was remarkable when she put her thought to it. But it was very rare. She didn't want the life of the court. Taesel only smiled at court but her laugh was truest when she was racing over the plains on her horse or camping with the other Elves in the outer regions of Legolas' domains. Not even her sisters truly understood her love for the Wild. She was like Aragorn in a way. She loved the prospect of danger, of a life under the stars just like Aragorn did. Houses of stone seemed foreign to her even though she was born and bred there.

"Why don't you go and get settled?" Legolas asked. "You might even be tired or hungry. Go."

"I will. Thank you." She leaned over and pressed a kiss on his cheek before sliding off his table.

"Don't overwork," she said sternly, wagging her finger at him as she went to the door. Legolas chuckled.

"I won't." He said solemnly. Taesel grinned and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. He found Legolas' friend, Dorián, waiting for her outside.

"Did he say you could stay?" The Elf asked.

"He said I could stay." Taesel affirmed.

Dorián burst out laughing.

"Ha! I knew he had a soft heart. Come, before he hears us." Dorián pulled her out the corridor. "Berethil has your room ready for you. Now, are you certain you will be fine? I won't be here for a few days; I have to leave for a patrol."

"I'll be fine." She assured him quickly.

"If you need anything, my wife-"

"I will speak to Arodis if I need anything." She said.

"Good." Dorián said and tweaked her nose.

.*.*.*.*

Berethil placed her hands on her hips as she studied the clothes Taesel had hastily packed for herself.

"You did not bring much with you." The Elleth observed.

"I just wanted to leave as early as possible." Taesel answered. She frowned at herself on the polished silver and battled with her hair. Berethil glanced at her.

"Start with the ends first."

"It would be easier just to chop it all off," the woman muttered under her breath. Berethil heard but did not say anything.

"I thought your governess planned you to learn how to ride side saddle and wear riding skirts."

"She did," Taesel said. "Mother didn't approve. Mother won."

Berethil laughed.

"Our Lady Evenstar is very headstrong." Berethil said. "She and King Elessar are perfect for each other."

"They still agree on my marriage though." Taesel said, sitting on the bed and pulled her knee close to her chest.

"Oh child," Berethil said. She sat down beside Taesel and smoothed her skirts. "You are dreading your life if you ever shared it with a man. What is so wrong with marriage?"

"Because it won't be my life anymore," Taesel said. "I will change, just like everyone else."

"Everyone changes with the experiences they gain in life," Berethil said briskly. She laid out a dress for Taesel. The sound of running water told Taesel a bath was near ready. "Marriage does mean to make sacrifice for the sake of another but you get a friend, a companion and a mate for your life." Berethil said. "Maybe you would enjoy such a life."

"But I never truly enjoyed the life I want to live." Taesel said. "Father tells us his stories when he spent his time in the Wild. I want to see places. I want to see what it's like out there, but not with an entire escort of guards, nobles, pack horses and entertainers. Just I and some bare few. Just to see what it is like."

"It is not a glamorous life," Berethil cautioned. "You will sleep on hard ground, be soaked to the skin in the rain. Your supplies may spoil or you may be robbed or killed."

"Father spoke of it like he loved it."

"Sometimes events are dearer when they are old enough to be just memories. Many of the people who journeyed the Wild find it better to dream of it rather than truly experience it." Berethil said, "Even your uncle. Legolas was very different than he is now."

"Really? Uncle?" Taesel said. Her morose expression fell away to interest.

"Oh yes," Berethil said. "Your uncle had a mischievous streak in him. And Arandur, Dorián, Nimon, Noron. All of them were age-mates, you see. So they were almost inseparable. I used to look after them."

"You?" Taesel asked, grasping her knees with both of her hands.

"Yes. My husband, Hanon, was the Head Commander. And I stayed at the Rangers' Circle where all of us Rangers and apprentices resided. No families were there though. So I was like their mother."

"That must have been exciting."

"Oh, imagine being a mother of many lively and curious boys, all of them the same age, at once. Nimon once put ink in his mentor's tea just to see what would happen."

Taesel laughed.

"What happened?"

"Oh, his mentor was annoyed that he was tricked by a young apprentice. He shook him a little and then started to laugh when he saw the amusing side of things. Legolas didn't like one of the older Rangers very much and used to drop almost anything on his head if he ever passed his talan."

Taesel laughed again. Try as she might, she can't imagine Legolas this way. He always seemed so soft-spoken, so quiet and withdrawn. It was hard to see him as a lively young Elf with fresh ideas to cause some form of mischief.

Berethil looked at her tenderly and brushed her stray hair from her face.

"Don't you worry about a thing, my dear. If Legolas said he would look into the matter, then he will look into the matter." Taesel smiled. "Now, come. The bath is waiting."

.*.*.*.*

Near evening, Legolas finally finished his work. He rubbed his face wearily. At long last, they were all seeing results. Change was coming and people were more receptive than before. But that did not mean lesser work. It was not time for dinner, so he found someone to bring him coffee and he went to the higher balconies facing the practicing grounds.

Last rays of sunlight broke down on the forest floor as it streamed through the leaves. There was still some activity, though not as much as it would have been in the morning. He found a few of the Ellyth playing archery. One of the Rangers, Arandur, was there with Taesel, throwing knives at a target.

Legolas sipped the hot liquid. He studied Taesel. She was more beautiful than Taesel realized. Arwen's entire group of daughters inherited some part of her beauty. With Taesel, she was tall like her father and slim and slender like a straight wooden board. But her long tapering fingers and high cheekbones with a stubborn chin gave her instant character. She had her mother's long, dark hair.

Taesel hit the target perfectly again and Arandur laughed and clapped behind her. Legolas smiled and took another sip.

"She handles the knife well." A feminine voice murmured beside him. He looked to see Berethil standing beside him.

"Some may say too well," Legolas said, turning his attention back to the practice.

"I do not think there is anything wrong with that," Berethil said smoothly. "A girl should know how to protect herself. And a little freedom does not go too far."

"I know, but she isn't one of us. In the end, she has to live here in Gondor, and I feel that maybe we have given her too much freedom."

The Elleth shrugged.

"She is like an Elf in a mortal's body. But it is said the love of Dunedain for the Wild will never fade from their hearts. Mayhap she took more to the longing than the rest of her siblings." She tilted her head towards him. "Is all well? You have been spending a lot of time in your study recently."

"It is nothing." Legolas said. "The war was not easy on us. There are some things I simply needed to look over."

"What will King Elessar say when he finds his daughter is missing?"

"I should say he must have noticed right about now."

"So I should expect some more guests."

"Yes."

Author's Note:

-This is just the first chapter, something like an introduction. It will pick up from the second chapter onwards.

-This is so different from what I usually write.

-This is going roughly six to ten chapters.

-So do tell me what you think. :)

-The War- The war that Legolas is speaking of, is the war that Gondor and Rohan had against the Haradrim. This is canon.

-List of OCs:

Dorián: Mirkwood Elf. Silva. Married to Arodis.

Arandur: Mirkwood Elf. Silva. Married.

Berethil: Mirkwood Elf. Silva. Married to Hanon.

Hanon: Mirkwood Elf. Silva. Former Head Commander. Married to Berethil.

Bornivon: A noble from an influential family with lands just outside Dol Amroth.