The night was colder than usual. However, considering that they were in perilous times, the evening sky was unfairly marvelous. Legolas looked upon the vast blackness of the sky, and of Rohan's plains. His hand came up to his left shoulder, massaging the sore muscle he found lightly. The company had returned from the battle at Helm's Deep to Edoras, where they spent days recovering.
It had been a long time since Legolas had time to think of anything else but the war. They had always been on the move—strategizing, running endless miles, slaying Orcs and Urukai left and right. After their rest, Gondor would be their next destination. The great battle of their time was finally here…fate would be decided at the great city of Minas Tirith. If this is where Legolas would be, he would enjoy this rare moment of peace greatly.
His thoughts were everywhere, although he knew where they ought to be. He was so distracted he barely noticed Aragorn join him at the edge of the balcony, which was very unlike him. The mention of her name brought both pain and love.
"Irdes has sent word to Edoras. She has been attempting to contact us since we left Rivendell."
Legolas knew this. He had been avoiding her attempts to contact him all through their journey. He knew he could not deceive his friend, but he tried anyway to remain unreadable.
"What business does she have with Theoden?"
"Her business is with you, mellon."
The last he had seen Irdes, they had fought heatedly and he had left for the journey with them on poor terms. He regretted it immediately, yet his pride prevented him from making proper amends. Legolas let out a quiet sigh. He continued to look out into the vast emptiness.
"There is nothing for her here."
"I somehow do not believe that."
Aragorn gave his friend a knowing stare, for he too knew the worries that Legolas carried with him concerning the love of his life. He too sent Arwen to the Undying Lands, where she had a chance of an eternal, peaceful existence. He too, deep down did not want her to depart. But, he too, knew that it is what's best for them both…to be free of middle-earth and the unstable future it currently held.
To love was to sacrifice. And Legolas knew that he must for her. He just wished it didn't have to be so painful.
His thoughts turned to happier times…
Rivendell, Third Age
"Legolas, I am glad you have arrived safely."
Legolas greeted Lord Elrond with a respectful bow of his head. His eyes scanned briefly across the scenery of Imladris and its beauty. It was known that Elrond favored his youngest daughter the most of his children and no celebration of hers was ever anything less than extravagant. This night, they celebrated her birthday and many were invited, including himself and his father Thranduil. The king of Mirkwood greeted Elrond alike his son before they were led to the banquet hall, where many have already began feasting.
Legolas sought out Aragorn and found him seated next to Arwen. They locked eyes and exchanged hearty grins before Aragorn's attention was stolen once more by Arwen's conversation. Many spoke of their relationship with mixed opinions, but Legolas knew that regardless, they would love each other all the same. He slightly envied the love his friend had found.
"I hear Thedis has brought his daughter to the celebration."
Legolas overheard two elf nobles across from his seat speak and his interest mildly sparked at the recognition of the name Thedis, one of the captains of Lothlorien's army. The two nobles spoke in hushed tones, but it was useless, for they were in a room full of elves and their sensitive hearing.
"She is unlike any I've ever seen. Absolutely stunning."
"Do you think she's married off? She couldn't be, she's at least a thousand years younger than us."
"I doubt it. I'd like to bed an elleth like her. None of the ones here in Imladris look anything like her."
Their slightly crude conversation was cut off as the source of it floated gracefully into the room, her father following right behind her. Thedis looked the same as Legolas last remembered. Elves always kept their youthful appearance, but like all elder elves, their eyes carried a sense of wisdom that younger ones did not possess. His long brown hair was pulled back into a circlet and his hand guided the lower back of his daughter in protectiveness.
Her reputation did not disappoint, for she was as the nobles said: stunning.
Elves usually sported fair colored hair and skin but this elleth had long waves of jet black hair that passed the small of her back. Half of it was pulled back and fastened, little strands left to curl gracefully against her face. Instead of creamy skin, it was golden with bright gold eyes to contrast deeply with dark pink lips. Despite her physical beauty being quite a distraction, it was her eyes that fascinated Legolas the most. They carried a sense of allure and mystery…as if she held a secret that no one else knew. They were almost feline-like and Legolas soon picked up on the all-around attraction with the male elves in attendance.
Almost every elf maiden in all of middle-earth was physically beautiful. For this reason, Legolas did find it quite redundant. He had his fair share of short lived romances and one-night passions and all with the same kind of elleth. Beautiful and fair. This elleth that took the honor of sitting right next to him was like a breath of fresh air for all. Legolas began to wonder if this was the real reason her father refused to bring her along with him in his journeys.
"Legolas. It has been a long time. I present to you my daughter Irdes of Lothlorien. Irdes, this is Legolas, Prince of the Woodland Realm."
"My Lord," a soft soprano murmured softly, her head bowing slightly in respect.
As she looked up, her gaze was quite piercing. Legolas chose deftly to look unaffected by her beauty, unlike so many other elf lords at the party. Instead, he confidently took her hand and grazed his lips lightly onto the back of it.
"Please just call me Legolas. I'm hardly old enough to be a Lord."
His comment earned a tug upright of her lips.
For the rest of the dinner, Legolas paid as little attention to her as he possibly could. An elleth like her was probably used to all sorts of attention, but if he were to lure her in, he would have to be smarter than that. His plans seemed to be working as he noticed her gazing upon him from the corner of his eye, a look of curiosity etched in her features. He smiled internally and continued to finish his supper.
She would be his before the end of this age. He would make sure of it.
Amongst the celebrations, Legolas had somehow found Aragorn. He was seated near the dancing, watching Arwen gracefully move across the floor in the arms of her father. He smiled brightly as his eyes followed her, an empty goblet hanging idly from his hand. Legolas joined him in the seat adjacent to him.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit." Legolas teased him. Aragorn gave him a knowing smile.
"You should enjoy your evening as well. I saw you were seated next to Thedis and his daughter. She's causing quite the stir this evening."
"I did not even know Thedis had a daughter."
"He is very private with her. Her mother passed away long ago. She was mortal." Aragorn rustled around his pocket for his pipe and lit it, puffing out a wisp of smoke into the chilled air.
"And how do you know all this information?" Legolas asked, his eyebrow arched up. Another puff of smoke filled the air, and Aragorn smiled sheepishly.
"Arwen enjoys indulging me in mild gossip."
Legolas chuckled lightly and failed to notice a figure float in front of him. His eyes first caught site of her white dress, which hung gracefully on her lithe figure. As he looked up, Irdes was staring down at him. She wore a mischevious glitter in her eyes that was not present before at the banquet.
"I do not want to come off as childish, but I have been dared to ask your hand in a dance. Would you do the honor of not embarrassing me?"
Slowly, she held out her hand to him, awaiting his acceptance or denial with confidence. Legolas stood from his seat and noticed he was a good head taller than her. She smelled faintly of raspberries and jasmine.
He took hold of her hand.
"I would be honored."
Legolas looked back at his perplexed friend before following Irdes to the dance floor.
It was not usual for an elleth to ask first to dance, but Irdes was already in the realm of unsual where Legolas was concerned. He rather enjoyed her boldness. He felt the curious stares on the two of them from the other guests, most of them elleths who glowered in jealousy or bitterness at Irdes and her audacity to ask the Prince of Mirkwood to dance. Irdes did not seem to pay them any mind. Her attention was fully on Legolas. He swiftly took her into his arms and began to move to the music. Irdes was pleasantly surprised, mostly because she wasn't expecting him to be a marvelous dancer. Irdes had heard many stories from the elleths back home in Lothlorien of the Mirkwood Prince, and rumors of his handsome features was no fallacy. His arms felt strong and protective, fitting of a warrior such as himself as they held her in dance.
"I have known your father for years and I have never met you. Are you in hiding, perhaps?" Her laughter rang beautifully in his ears. He longed to hear it once more.
"My father seldom travels with me because he does not wish to disrupt my studies. I wish to become a healer."
"Truly? Then you must join me when I go to war. You would be most useful."
She laughed again and the animal within him purred in satisfaction.
"I have heard many tales of you, and I must say not all of them are in truth."
"Like what?"
"That you were astonishingly good-looking. I do not quite see it." She was teasing him and he relished it. He twirled her around in place and directed her back into his arms, her form coming onto his with a soft thud. As they continued to dance, more and more onlookers began to notice them, for the two of them were a marvelous site.
"I fear your judgement might be clouded, my lady Irdes."
"Just Irdes. I abhor formalities."
"You and I alike."
Present Day
"The time has come! We ride for Minas Tirith, for the fires of war will not delay!" King Theoden cried as he led the warriors of Rohan that resided in Edoras in haste.
No time had been wasted. At dawn they commenced the ride to the battle of their time, with Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli, Eomer and Gandalf riding right behind the seemingly endless horde of Rohan's army.
As their journey began, her golden eyes were all he could see…and he soon realized it was only by her love he would survive these dark days.
By her love, he drew strength. By her love, he had possessed courage.
He loved her.