Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own characters. (Laura, Teleren, her parents, Saana, …)

Summary: Laura wants to become a knight. She finds love, heartbreak, and a training master who dislikes all females. So many changes happen in her life she doesn't know how to cope with her troubles. She has a very hard outside yet a very soft inside. She is more stubborn than a mule. It takes a very long time for someone to reach her at the heart. Doesn't make many friends, friends she does make are ones that will last forever.

Story starts when she's 13, going to turn 14 in a month. In Elf years I don't know how much that is... This is after Bilbo and Company. The dates/ages might not fall correctlyin my sceme oftrying to unite it with "The Lord of the Rings".


Chapter 1: Birthday Ball

There she was again. Lying on her bed reading her favourite book The Silmarillion. She was a born reader. Ever since she learned how to read Laura wouldn't stop devouring one book after another. She always felt like an odd one out. There are many examples, like, she hates the market. According, to her she says that she can sleep on her feet when she goes with her family.

She has very plain clothing. Just whatever loose tunic she has and some breeches then off the school. All her other friends would wear fancy shirts and dresses with frills and bows and laces. She wears black silver glasses (odd for an elf but she tries no to wear them, only when she needs them) and dark brown hair reaching two thirds down her back. She has been growing her hair for the last 3 years. Nearly no one had ever seen her with her hair down except for special occasions, like the last day of the last year of school coming up very, very soon. About a week and a half away. She has 2 younger brothers. One with about 2-3 more years of school and the other just about 4 months old. She wanted to be a knight, and her dreams were going to come true very soon.

A knock came to her door and it slowly opened. Her mother's maid entered and curtsied. Laura sighed and put down her book. "My lady, your mother calls you to the feast to celebrate Prince Legolas' birthday…" said the maid. Laura sighed again and answered, "I'll be there…and stop calling me 'Lady'. You have been serving my family for quite some time. Laura will suffice, unless of course you would prefer to use my Elven name Laurelin. Nearly no one can pronounce Laura…" The maid sighed and nodded, "Alright Laurelin, do you mind choosing one of your dresses to wear this evening?"

Laura slowly got up, without bothering to argue about wearing a tunic and breeches and opened her wardrobe. She looked through them and slowly pulled one out. It was a silvery blue with a neckline that went a bit lower than her collar bone. The sleeves were like any other tunic except they were longer and flared out a bit so all you could see were the tips of her fingers. There were elvish patterns on her waist moving slowly downwards forming a 'v'. It was long, just how she liked it, it nearly touched the floor.

Laura handed it to the maid (Aarien) and sighed deeply. Aarien grinned behind her back and started to get her bath ready so she would smell like a flower. Laura may look annoyed but inside she was eager and anxious. She had a crush on Legolas for about 2 years straight. She was very happy. As soon as her bath finished Aarien started to dress her. She took the top half of Laura's hair and braided it up to the very bottom. She tied it with a small pale blue flower, she added the matching earrings and then she added the thin silver necklace with a small blue flower. She looked at Laura with satisfaction, as she was about to pick the lipstick Laura said, "No! Please no lipstick, as if I'm not suffering enough." Aarien chuckled and got the chapstick instead. Laura rolled her eyes and Aarien said, "At least make your lips shine…." Laura got a bit frustrated and used the chap herself.

As she headed for the door she heard breathing on the other side. She curiously opened the door and her eyes widened to see Legolas there facing the door. He said, "I was about to knock but I see you have already opened the door. My father instructed me to take you to the celebration." Laura couldn't believe it. Legolas offered her his arm and she nervously took it. As they started to walk Aarien peered through the door and smiled at the pair.

Laura wanted to break the uneasy silence between them and asked, "Why must I get escorted. I think I pretty have a good idea where the ball room is." Legolas chuckled and answered, "My father said that since I entered my second year of adolescence I should escort a lady to the ball. My father chose you, why, don't ask me. I probably think our parents made an agreement or something." Laura nodded her head taking in every word.

Laura's POV

I can't believe it! Beloved Leggy is taking me to his ball! I have never been so close to him before. His voice seems so caring and sweet, I can already imagine him…I shouldn't think about these things, it might make me blush and who knows how he might react. I should cherish every moment. At school all the girls crowd around trying to get his attention. I never get to talk to him. I can't believe he is the one escorting me to his birthday ball. Normally it would be my father or Teleren, one of my 2 best friends. But, Legolas? That is a bit surprising.

The doors are getting nearer and nearer. I can see them. I'm glad I decided to wear my contacts because if he saw me with my glasses he would be gawking at me like many others who do. I was stuck with that "human" gene of poor eyesight but I'm glad it is only mild. Some old great, great, great grandmother married some human guy. My parents were talking about going to Lord Elrond to fix my sight. I don't really know if he can help me or not…

Look here we are at the doors!

Author's POV

They soon reached the doors in silence. Legolas could feel Laura shake a bit. "Don't worry, relax." murmured Legolas. Laura gave him a weak smile as the doors were opened by the guards. Laura could see a long table with the King at the head of the table. Her parents were on his left side, and there were 2 empty chairs on his right. Laura guessed those chairs were reserved for them. She guessed right because they were headed right towards it.

People started to stare at them, especially the girls and Saana were eyeing me. Saana was the most popular girl in the school, everybody expected her to be escorted by Legolas. Seeing Laura angered her, her friends cooled her down with the explanation that her father is close to the King etcetera…… Laura slowly sat down in her seat.

Laura's POV

This feels so odd… I'm used to sitting beside my parents…since only 2 people can fit on one side I end up sitting around the corner. I can see everyone! There's Teleren! He's smiling at me, and yikes he winked. That doesn't mean anything good… Everyone in my year has been invited. Look there's Saa – she looks pissed and that is not good. Everyone was saying Legolas was going to escort Saana, but instead…he escorted me.

Author's POV

Laura was snapped out of her thoughts when Legolas nudged her. She looked up and realized King Thranduil was going to make a toast. She quickly got up and picked up her goblet. "Thank you all for attending my son's birthday ball. I hope you enjoy your time! I propose this toast to my son Prince Legolas who shall soon enter the school for knights!" said the King. All cheered and drank from their goblets. They all sat down in unison except for King Thranduil who announced, "May the feast begin!"

Soon you could see servants pouring out of the kitchen doors with large food platters and wine bottles. Laura's eyes widened at the sight of all the food. Soon her plate started to fill up. She tried to eat with modesty and with a good posture but soon she was eating fast. She would get plate after plate. Legolas looked in her direction and found her consuming some pork. He was a bit shaken up noticing how much she could eat and still stay slim.

After a while she finished her last plate and sat back on her chair. King Thranduil whispered something into Legolas' ear. Legolas nodded and got up. He went on Laura's left and asked her for a dance. Soon they were swirling around the dance floor and others started to join them. Laura wasn't as graceful as the others Elves since she never danced in her life. She tried to follow her prince but sometimes she would step a bit out of place or on his foot. Legolas was trying to teach her a bit, but soon he gave up and he lead her to the balcony.

He let go of her and placed his hands on the railing. Laura sighed deeply and said, "Alright I know I don't dance well but that is because I've never danced in my whole life and by the way –" She was cut off by Legolas holding out one of his fingers. He pointed downwards and saw a group of girls walking in a garden below. She curiously walked closer and looked down. She was able to hear what they were saying.

"Why would Prince Legolas take that tomelf (lol tomboy-tomelf) to the ball, have her sit beside him, dance with her and then lead to her outside. Why would he choose her when he can choose me?" Laura instantly recognized that it was Saana and her friends. "I think I'll have to teach that Laurelin a lesson. The Prince is mine!" All of her friends nodded in agreement. "She may have the name of the Young Tree of Valinor but she doesn't live up to her name." teased Saana. Laura was burning with fury. Who was she to insult her? She had done nothing wrong. Prince Legolas' father and her parents made an agreement. Or so said Legolas.

She looked away for a moment so she could calm down. When she turned back around she saw Legolas gone. She looked around frantically until she saw that he had jumped down from the balcony and into some bushes. When the girls were about to pass his hiding spot he jumped out of the bushes, he ran for Saana and clasped a firm hand on her mouth. She wriggled and squirmed unable to escape her captor. All of her friends were backing a few feet away.

She looked up and saw two bright blue eyes looking at her intently. She realized it was the Prince. She was about to smile when Legolas hissed in her ear; "You have no right to insult Laurelin. She has done nothing wrong, our parents made an agreement for us to go together to the ball, and my father suggested me to dance with her. Do you have a problem with that?" Saana shook her head. As fast as he came he disappeared. All of her friends came back and saw Saana shaking, "Are you alright?"

Saana slowly came back into reality and nodded. A moment later she toppled over and fainted. Laura could see Legolas trying to get back up to the balcony. He struggled for an Elf because the vines weren't as strong as he thought. Laura bent down as far as she could and stretched out her hand after seeing him almost slip and fall. Legolas saw the notion and tried to reach. He sighed as he noticed he was still to far down.

He tried again and managed to touch the tips of her fingers. After a little bit of climbing he finally managed to grasp her free hand. She could feel him tugging on her hand. She tried to stay stable but at the end she fell over the railing. Legolas tried to catch her but it was an impossible task and it only caused him to fall down with her.

Laura landed with a soft thud and a low moan. Legolas nearly landed on top of her. The fall knocked the air out of Laura and she slowly moved to get up. It was challenging because Legolas' leg and left arm were tangled in her dress and his arm in her hair.

Legolas whispered, "Whoa…what a fall…" Laura nodded and answered, "You weigh more than you look…ouch! Can you try to get your hand out of my hair?" He slowly threaded his hand out of her hair. Laura managed to get into a sitting position and started to pry out all of the grass and some leaves out of her hair, which also included knots. Legolas slowly untangled his leg and got up. Laura saw him stretching in the moonlight. She stood up started to smooth out the wrinkles.

Laura commented, "If you can't get up to the balcony then I doubt I can. Is there any other way to enter the palace unnoticed?" Legolas nodded and beckoned her to follow him. He led her into a small garden and whispered in her ear, "See that tree over there? It leads into my chambers." Laura was about to protest about entering his chambers when he grabbed her arm and pulled her to the tree.

He led her to his window sill and opened the window. He went inside and offered his hands to help her up. Laura denied the offer and tried to get up herself. Her arms were just a bit short by not even a finger. She couldn't reach and accepted his offer. Legolas smiled and pulled her up.

Once she was on her feet again she had a look around and saw the beautifully furnished room. It had the colours of the forest, dark green walls with beautiful carved furniture. His bed sheets were a beige colour. He had a mahogany night table with a desk on the other side of the room with many papers. There were twin knives, a curved sword, and a bow and arrow hanging on the wall. She also saw there was a portrait of his mother. She looked much more beautiful than she imagined. She looked at Legolas and saw he looked more like his mother.

Legolas saw her looking around and said,

"Forgive me."

"For what your Highness?"

"For choosing the lower branch. There was a higher branch but in my haste I failed to realize you couldn't reach the window sill."

Laura felt her cheeks starting to get red and responded, "No offence taken my Lord."

"I have 2 rules when I am accompanied with a friend."

"What are they your Highness?"

"Be yourself and leave the titles on the doorstep."

Laura smiled and answered, "Alright Legolas. I can certainly do you second rule but if I obey the first rule I'm going to need to keep myself in check." Legolas frowned and asked, "What is so wrong about your true self?" She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Trust me. I have my faults. Relax princey I'll show only part of my true self so I'm kind of obeying your rule." Legolas smiled realizing she was loosening up. "So back to the ball?" Laura shook her head, "I think I'm going to my room. I think I've had enough for the night. Besides this dress is killing me…I have my beloved tunic and leggings on my bed." Legolas chuckled offered her his arm to escort her to her room. Laura accepted and they walked together to her room.

Legolas thought that she was unlike any other elleth he encountered. Soon they arrived to her door. They bid each other good night, and they each went in their own direction. Laura into her room and Legolas to the comfort of his room.

t b c……

Please R+R! First fic so please be kind .