I knew this would happen…you read one to many Legolas fanfics and before you can say "I love Legolas,' you're writing your own. Sheesh! What is the world coming to these days!

Anyway – Enjoy! ^^

When I was younger, I lived a fairytale life. I grew up just outside of Mirkwood in a small town named Woodcraft, where my ancestors had settled many, many centuries before. At night, when I was no older than a fifty, my brother Virel and I use to lie back on the grass outside our home and stare up into the dark night skies. Making up fabulous tales of this star and that, pretending that it was us up there, on the greatest adventure yet. Mama would always shake her head and sigh, telling us that we were dreamers, forever destined to live in make-believe lands.

Our house was small but cozy and it would always smell of Mama's cooking. I remember Papa use to tell me that I would forever be the princess of his castle.

I would laugh and shake my head. "Our house wasn't big enough to be a castle!"

Papa would tell would always be his princess.

"But what if a Prince comes to take me away? Will I still be your princess then, Papa?"

"Always."

My life was filled with nothing but pleasantries. It was as if there was a force field of sort protecting me from shedding tears and feeling wicked, evil things.

But all good things come to an end.



My race, the Elves, was multiplying and villages were becoming towns, towns were turning into cities, and soon our once quiet, humble home was surrounded by many others. Tall towers raced to the sky, long dusty roads twisted and turned around us, and people seemed to be everywhere. Our quiet farm was turning into its own town. My Grandma was outraged and was quick to claim the land surrounding our household – I think overall we ended up with the most land.

It was sad seeing all the wildlife that I had come so accustomed to seeing go. I cried the day when I realized I could no longer climb the trees that marked so many of my childhood memories. Now, they were homes to other elves. When I awoke in the morning I no longer heard the sound of the wildlife, but instead the sound of many others.

Late one night after I had gone to bed, I heard Mamma, Poppa, Grandma and Grandpa talking about it. They came to the agreement that we would move into my great Grandfathers home. He lived faraway and I had never been there before but Grandma used to tell me stories about when she was a little girl growing up there. I didn't understand the reasoning behind it at all because Great Grandpa lived in Mirkwood! That would have been worse that where we were now!

That didn't matter.


Our family gathered and packed all we could and loaded it all into the hovercraft. I don't think I'll ever forget that day, It was a day of sorrow and misery for us all. The stars never quite looked the same from Great Grandpa's house and needless to say, I never felt like a princess again.



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"Momma!" I cried, running to clutch her skirt in my wee hands stopping her from entering the carriage that waited. "Where do we leave to?"

She took my hand in hers and led forth, helping me inside the coach. "We leave to visit a palace," she whispered. Her voice enchanting my curious mind. I leaned ford to listen more closely.

"A palace?"

She nodded. "A palace."

Confusion set in, "But why Mama? What business of ours lies there?"

She smiled a knowing smile and patted my knee softy. I felt the carriage lurch forward as the horses started to move. "Hush Melody. Rest a little. A long journey awaits us. "

I leant away from Mama, resting in my seat, my feat dangling high above the floor, my mind going over all the possible reasons. My eyes grew tired as we passed many glorious sights and spectacular scenes, and it was little time before I was resting in my mother's arms.

I awoke at the sound of voices and drew away from Mama to look out the window of the carriage. Dusk was just setting in and I saw other elves hurrying around outside. My gaze moved east and let a gasp out. In front of my eyes was the biggest building I had ever seen. I turned back to get Mama to look but my stare only found emptiness. With fear that my Mama had left me, I scurried out of the carriage and searched for Mama.

I found her not far off and ran to her side.

"Melody!" She scolded when I reached her. "I told you to say back."

I felt my face heat up with embarrassment and I knew the tips of my pointed ears had gone scarlet. "Forgive me Mama, I did not hear you."

The tall elf she was speaking with let out a chuckle. "Do not apologize young madam, for no harm was done." I smiled brightly up at him and he gave a smile back. "Come now Aria," he spoke to my Mama. "Let us seek the warmth of the palace." He started away and Mama followed, I gave a yelp and ran to grab hold of Mama's hand again.

We walked in peace before the elf turned to me once more. "Have you ever been in a palace, young Madam?"

When I shook my head 'no' he said, "Well then, you're in for a treat I can assure you. I palace is a wonderful place. See there?" he pointed up at the large building that I had seen earlier. "That's the palace, where you will be staying for the night."

I let my free hand fly to my mouth in astonishment. I was to stay there the night? I gazed up at Mama and she laughed.

We were led down magnificent hallways and I gazed at the fine attention to detail shown to the architecture. We were finally stopped outside two white doors each with finely done decorations and a large brass door handle.

"This shall be your room for the night." He lifted Mama's hand in a polite manner and kissed it softly. "Good night Lady Aria, and you too, young Madam." Without another word he left.

"Come," said Mama, as she opened the door and guided me into the lavish room. For the second time that day I let out a barely audible gasp. Mama didn't give me time to look around. Instead she made me bathe and hurried me of to bed. As she tucked the blankets tightly around me I came to realize that I still did not know why we were staying at the palace. I voiced my thoughts to Mama but she merely placed a feathery kiss to my forehead and whispered good night.




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"Melody," a soft voice whispered. "Melody, wake up! It tis morning and you have a big day planned for you."

I rubbed my eyes with my fists as I sat up yawning. "But Mama," I asked. "What is it about today that makes it big?"

Mama stood and walked over to our trunks, which we had brought with us and pulled out my milky white dress. The one Mama never let me wear unless for something special. I looked at her with confusion written in my eyes. "Why that dress Mama?" I asked when she brought the dress over to me.

"Because sweet Melody," she started, willing me out of bed and onto my feet. "A special day is ahead of us. Today we come before the King."

I started to undress. "The King, Mama?"

"Yes Melody, the King."

We had only been living in Mirkwood a few seasons, and although I had never met the king, nor seen him, I knew that it was an honor, an honor I never imagined to have.

"But Mama, why?"

I saw her grimace and I briefly wondered why. She crouched down and took me by my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. "Because sweet Melody, there will come a time in your life when myself and your father will no longer be able to look after you." She paused a moment, gathering her words. "What I'm doing is for your own good. You may not realize what is happening now but I beg of you to accept it. It will secure your future, Melody."

All I could do was nod. Mama smiled slightly, and rose once again to her full height. "My good girl."

She walked away and I finished getting dressed. As she sat behind me and started to brush my hair I finally asked the question that had been sitting on my mind for the last few moments. "Mama, what is it you require of me?"

I heard her sigh deeply. "I ask of you, my sweet Melody, to allow me to be betroth you to another. it is for you that I do this, you must understand" Her voice was just above a whisper but my keen sense of hearing picked it up. It also picked up the desperation

"Of course Mama." I replied, not knowing what I had bestowed on myself. All I knew was that I wanted Mama to be happy again.

A smile graced her face. "Thank-you," she murmured quietly, "It is a great honor for this to happen to you, sweet Melody."

As most youths, I my promise to my Mama was pushed to the back of my mind, never to be thought of after that day. I had never told Virel of my promise but I suspected my father had told him. The subject never came up, and it was never talked about again.

Nor did I care to remember it.




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So, you like? You hate? Let me know!

Till next time,

Bee