A/N: This is an OC story set in the world of LOTR. It will be an Legolas/OC shipping! Please don't forget to read and review!

Prolouge

The most obscure occurrences in the world would have to be "Goodbyes." They can be good goodbyes or sad goodbyes. There can be awkward goodbyes and perfect ones. There can be long-dreaded goodbyes and long-awaited goodbyes. But I knew this one was none of those. This certain goodbye would be completely of it's own stature. And as I stared forward into his eyes, I knew this was going to be the hardest, and, without a doubt, the saddest goodbye I'd ever made. We wished nothing more than to be together. But fate was not kind. It was time. I looked down. Then up with confidence. And I opened my mouth to say…

Chapter 1

"AMALYNN! It's time to wake up. The sun has long ago rose and yet you not with it."

I opened one eye, wincing at the harsh light coming through my window. My mother was standing in my doorway. I grimaced, knowing that we'd be spending too much time getting myself ready.

I sighed, "Yes, mother."

"Amalynn, I shall be sending Saerwen up to help you dress. You'll need to cooperate today."

She glared at me and turned on her heel to leave. I sighed, and got up put on my robe. I glanced over at the window I've looked at more times than there are stars in the sky. I long to be away from this life of primping, yet, here I stand.

A knock came at the door, and I turned away from the window slightly.

"Come in."

Saerwen swept into the room, and her mouth dropped at the sight of me. I knew I'd enjoyed myself yesterday in the woods, but was I that bad? Her shocked look quickly subsided and she recovered.

"Into the bath, with you. Although I don't know why I bother. Missus says she wants ya to look presentable at all times, yet you run out into …"

I stopped listening, knowing I could probably recite her angry rant from memory. Saewen had been my lady-in-waiting since I was a young girl. She had scrubbed at the dirt on my face and the mud beneath my fingernails for many years. Although she was rough around the edges she cared a lot for me and my family and I considered her as such.

She yanked on my wrist and pulled me from my room as well as my kind thoughts toward her. I didn't protest as I normally would have as she dragged me through the great hall. Though a thought did creep into the very corner of my mind. "But I want to go back into the woods." Saerwen turned to glare at me, I must have said it loudly.

I grinned at her sheepishly. "Saerwen, might I go outside for a moment? It's such a lovely day and I-"

I was cut off by the sudden appearance of my father. He smiled at me, "Good morning, Amalynn," he said as he looked from my dirty slippers to my mud-covered face, "have fun in the woods yesterday?" My father was the only one who actually understood my need for a break in my monotony. My mother, however, thought a princess of my stature should "not conduct herself in such a way."

"I had the most wonderful time Papa, I found 3-"

Saerwen tapped her foot, clearly annoyed by our back and forth.

"My lovely Saerwen… do you think you can make her look presentable for tonight's gathering? I know it is going to be a feat."

"Your majesty, should you not be getting ready yourself? 'Tis nearly midday."

He laughed, clearly amused by her ignoring his question. There were many things I loved about my papa, but the most was his kindness. He could see the light in any dark situation.

He turned back to me. "You must get washed up, the court of Mirkwood will be here tonight. And you are quite right, Saerwen. I suppose I must go, my sweet Lynn." I grimaced, partly at the use of my nickname, also at the impending arrival of the elves of Mirkwood.

"They are to come, again? This is the fifth time this month, father." He kissed my forehead complacently, "Darling, I know, but soon I fear there may be war, and our small kingdom has to find it's place in it."

Other than my eyes growing wide, I kept my face free of worry.

"Father….you'll be alright, won't you?" "Yes, my flower, I shall." I smiled at him, as he was always so talented at reassuring me.

He kissed me on the forehead, then, with another nod at Saerwen, walked off. She stood there for another moment, staring after him.

"Saerwen?" She shook her head as if coming back to reality.

"Right, this way Amalynn."

Saerwen had never referred to me as "your highness", which I preferred. She lead me into the empty room and sat me in the bath, then began to scrub my long hair.

"You must start treating your hair better, Amalynn. Or soon it will all fall out!" She grunted as she tried to scrub a particularly grimy piece of hair. I gasped as she pulled very hard on my head.

"Saerwen!" "Well, if you'd take better care of yourself…" After she was satisfied with my hair she started to scrub me.

Several hours later we finally made our way back up to my room. She sat me down in front of the mirror and combed out my, now dry, hair. As it wisped and curled down my back, I considered the fact that if there was one thing my mother actually approved of, it would have to be my hair. She said that queens were jealous of it. I only laughed at this. My hair wasn't very important to me, it was just there, I didn't care if I always looked presentable or not. As Saerwen cooed at my locks for a moment, I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Well, you look like a lady. Finally."

She went over to the bed and opened a box sitting on it. I glanced over curiously. She held up a large amount of fabric, that was slowly shifting around to reveal a dress.

"I'll have to put that on, won't I?"

"Aye."

I grimaced, "But-"

"Arms up."

I sighed, but did as she said. She pulled the whispering fabric over my head, and fastened it, then turned me toward the mirror.

"There now, look at yourself. You're beautiful Amalynn, you just need to….take better care of yourself."

I smiled at her, "Thank you, Saerwen."

I looked like a completely different person. My hair fell gracefully around my face. My eyes, normally a dull blue, were bright. The gown I was wearing made me appear taller.

She pulled my foot up and stuck a silk slipper on to it.

"Alright, love," she said as she slid the other on, "time to go."

I smiled again, "Thank you Saerwen, -"

We were interrupted by a loud horn sounding. Mirkwood court was here.

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