Note: This is yet another story in my Nariel/Athriel series. I have changed the title of all of these stories to group them together. Now they are collectively the 'Daughters of Arda Series'. This for anyone who wants to read them all to make them easier to find.

This story comes from the most recent chapter of Nariel where I introduced my version of Tauriel. Overall I really liked The Hobbit movies; however Tauriel still makes me cringe. This is the story of my Tauriel. Daughter of Thranduil and Dinenwen and sister of Legolas. Obviously there are some big differences between my version and the movies, especially as I started Nariel so long ago and made the decision to include the Queen of Mirkwood. As practically nothing is known about her I created my own OC version, as can be seen in the other stories. In this universe she is alive and well at the time of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I have also made the decision to make Tauriel a member of the royal family so as you may of guessed there will not be any of the Legolas/Tauriel/Kili stuff from the film.

My other OC Mirkwood resident Lastirith will be in this fic as well. He has been quite a surprise so far, starting off as a silly little play on words to amuse Nariel he has grown into a character I really enjoy writing.

Sorry that was a really long note.

PT

Daughter of the Forest

Chapter 1- The Arrival

TA2827

Legolas Thranduilion waited impatiently for his friends to pack up their camp. He was running late, and it was all their fault. When he had left to travel to Imladris with his guard Lastirith by his side he had assured his mother that he would be back home in plenty of time. But now because his friends had insisted on joining him he was going to be late, and they knew it.

"I am sure they are not doing it on purpose your majesty."

Of course Lastirith was ready to leave. His personal guard was a gift from the Valar. He was always efficient and always alert to everything that was going on, even if he could be a little stuffy at times. Over the years they had become great friends.

"I am quite certain that they are Tiri. And usually I wouldn't mind, but we are running late."

As if confirming his suspicions Athriel looked up from her packing and grinned at him. He knew that look; he had seen it hundreds of times before. Without looking Legolas knew that that look would be mirrored on the faces of the twins as well. Whatever she was up to both Elladan and Elrohir were in on it as well. Turning back to Lastirith, Legolas was about to suggest they scout the path a head when suddenly the two Peredhil elves were on horseback and galloping past him.

"Come on Las!"

"We are going to be late!"

The twins yelled as they sped out of sight. Athriel was slightly behind the other two as she led another horse beside her own. As she reached the two wood elves she reached out an arm pulling Lastirith up onto the other horse, which Legolas could now see was the Guards own.

"Come Tiri we will beat the Prince back to his own halls, and then we shall see who is late."

With that the Prince of the woodland realm was left alone to find his horse, who had been tied to a tree on the other side of the clearing, and no chance of beating his friends home.

The King glared out of the window towards the forest, looking for some sign of his son.

"He will be here Thranduil. Do not worry my husband."

As always Dinenwen's voice calmed him of his anger, but his anxiety remained.

"He should be here already. It is nearly time."

Standing the Queen made her way to the window beside her husband.

"There is time yet."

Sighing Thranduil put his arms around her as they stood side by side. If she said that there was time, then there was time. Elleth understood these thigs a lot better than Ellon afterall. But it had been centuries since she had given birth to their son. And he didn't think he could cope with worrying over him as well as his wife and their unborn child.

"There!"

Dinenwen's shout pulled the King out of his thoughts and he looked out towards where she was pointing.

"You see my love, there is the reason for the delay. Our son is returning with his friends."

Thranduil knew that she was right as he watched the three dark haired riders approaching the gates at speed. He smiled.

"Let us go and greet them then my love."

He said taking her hand and leading her down to the gates to meet their visitors.

As they neared the gates Elladan and Elrohir suddenly broke off into the trees so that Lastirirth could pass them. Seeing her two closest friends leaving the path Athriel slowed her steed slightly. She didn't know why they had done what they had done, and at first she was worried that one of them was hurt. But then she realised what they were up to. Urging her horse even faster than before she rushed after the wood elf, she wouldn't be able to beat him to the gate but she could get there in time to prevent the worst of The King's anger being directed at him.

"What is the meaning of this!"

Lastirith, although still full of adrenalin from winning the race, stood up straight at the sound of his King's voice.

"Your Majesty?"

It was only then as he looked around that he realised he was completely alone in front of the gates to the palace.

"Correct me if I am wrong Lastirith. But are you not supposed to be with my son at all times. Where is he? Is he hurt, Is that why you have arrived here alone and in such haste?"

Lastirith gulped. They had done it again. Somehow the Twin Lords of Imladris always managed to find a way to catch him in some joke. Ever since they had first met they had disliked him.

"Your Majesty. The fault does not belong to Lastirith."

The sound of Lady Athriel's voice allowed Lastirith to release the breath he had been holding.

"Oh, please go on Athriel."

The Elleth dismounted gracefully and handed her steed over to the stable hands before replying.

"Prince Legolas is well. We did not mean to cause you alarm by our arrival. He was grumbling this morning at our lack of haste. And so we thought to race him here from the first clearing. I am afraid that I forced Lastirith to join our game."

King Thranduil's gaze was cold as he listened to Athriel's tale and Lastirith didn't know how she could stand it. But then Thranduil was not her king. She was a Lady of Imladris, not Mirkwood. And her brother could be just as formidable as The King, who was said to have flinched under Lord Erestor's gaze himself on one occasion.

"I assume by 'we' you mean yourself and the Gwanun? Who have yet to appear. It is good that I saw your approach from the window. As such I knew my son to be safe, otherwise your companions would not be hiding amongst the trees."

Lady Athriel smiled then and Lastirirth knew that disaster had been avoided.

"Just so, Your Majesty. Again I am sorry for our jest. We wished only to have a little fun with Legolas before he begins his duties as big brother."

The King laughed then and Athriel turned to the Queen.

"Your Majesty, you are looking positively radiant. Congratulations. How long is it now? Surely you should not be standing outdoors for so long?"

The Queen smiled at the younger Elleth with one hand over her pregnant belly, as the three remaining elves rode around the corner.

"It is but a few days. Come, let us go inside and talk. I am sure that my husband will wish to speak to your companions about their ill-timed jest, and I wish to hear the news from Imladris."

As Lastirith watched the two Elleth depart, Legolas came up to stand beside him.

"Well Tiri, we are home at last."