Hello everyone! Thanks for taking a peek at my first story, I hope that there are not too many mistakes in it. The story takes place after the events of the books/movies. I understand that after Legolas has finished travelling with Gimli, they leave for the Undying Lands, but I have written my story based around Legolas returning to Mirkwood once the town has been re-established and re-named Eryn Lasgalen, or the Wood of Greenleaves.

Please check back often, as I will most likely be unable to update on a routine basis, since I am currently studying at University. I will try my best to update frequently, but I will promise you all right now that this story has my utmost dedication and will not be left to die.

Note: I get my elvish from Grelvish and Arwen-Undomiel and I realize that not all of this is correct, however I feel that it helps the dialogue in the story.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

It was a warm and sunny afternoon in Mirkwood. Alassë hummed to herself quietly as she went about her daily routine at the stables. It was late summer, but Alassë could smell autumn in the air, and every so often a cool breeze would drift through the barn, carrying stray pieces of hay with it. Reaching the final stall in the barn, she tossed an armful of hay over the wall and brushed herself off, before turning to head back to her office to grab her bag. On her way out, she whistled softly. A big grey stallion and a little grey filly lifted their heads and peered over their wall, the filly trying her hardest to stretch her neck high enough to see. Alassë laughed and lowered her face down to the filly's outstretched nose.

"My little Sirdal, you will soon grow tall like your sire! Don't you worry, little filly," She laughed as the foal nuzzled her, gently kissing her ear with curious lips.

Straightening up, she gave Sirdal a pat on the forehead before wandering over to the bigger horse, who stood looking at her patiently waiting his turn. Alassë reached up and pulled a piece of hay from the stallion's long white forelock.

"Novaer, Tálagor." (Be good, Tálagor) She said, smiling. "I will see you after I have my mid-day meal!"

With that, she shouldered her bag and walked out of the stables and into the afternoon sunshine. She continued to hum as she walked through the streets, paying little attention to the activities around her. She did however hear her name amid the bustle of the town.

"Alassë! Alassë!"

Turning, Alassë saw her cousin coming swiftly towards her, her long brown hair glowing in the sun.

"Mae govannen, (Greetings) Anira! What is so important that you come running through the streets to tell me?" She smiled at her cousin.

"The Prince, mellon, (The Prince, friend) he will be arriving shortly at the stables!"

Alassë looked at her cousin, slightly puzzled. "Would you perhaps tell me the reason for his visit?"

She was trying to think of a reason why the elf prince would want to visit the stables. She knew that his horse was of good health, and the high-elves always had servants come to the stables to ready their horses. Suddenly, Alassë was worried.

"It is not because I have done something wrong, is it?"

Anira laughed lightly, "Not at all, mellon! The Prince is in need of a new horse, he says that his horse has seen enough trouble and that he needs to enjoy the rest of his time in peace. He will choose a new horse, Alassë!"

She should have been relieved, but Alassë could only think about a new fear, her little Sirdal possibly being taken away from her. She tried to brush it off, since she did not want to dwell on it too much for the time being.

"Well, when will the Prince arrive? Today?" She said, turning to her cousin.

"Soon! I overheard it on my way through the Halls," Anira replied, brushing a lock of her hair from her face.

"Well then I must go quickly, the stables are most definitely not fit for the Prince in their current state!"

"I will go with you, I was just on my way home but you sound as though you could use the extra help," Anira smiled.

The two turned and made their way quickly back to the stables, where they found the other two stable hands sitting on bales of hay eating their mid-day meals. They were soon up and helping to get the stables in top shape upon hearing the news of prince Legolas' coming. The team made quick progress, and no sooner were the aisles swept tidy and the horses groomed did the Prince himself step through the stable doors.

Alassë made her way over and greeted him, moving her right hand up to her chest. "Mae l'ovannen, ernil nin Legolas" (You are well met, my prince Legolas)

"Le fael, (Thank you) Stable master. May I know your name?" He asked after returning the gesture.

"Alassë, ernil nin," she smiled warmly, hiding how she truly felt about the visit. She had forgotten to fix herself, and was sure she looked a mess, but she was too worried about Sirdal to care much for her appearance.

"Would you like for me to show you around the stables?" She asked him politely.

"That would be much appreciated, Alassë," Legolas replied with a genuine smile.

As the two started off through the stables, Alassë turned to her two stable hands and offered to let them return home for the evening. They had worked hard and Alassë was grateful for their dedication. They nodded graciously and headed out, wishing the prince well in his search.

Alassë led Legolas through the stables, showing him every young colt and filly and telling him about their breeding and nature. The Prince was very attentive, often stopping to pat and talk to the young horses. Alassë was so far pleased with her efforts to avoid showing him Sirdal, although she knew that if she was discovered she would be in deep trouble. Despite the fact that Tálagor is Sirdal's sire, the filly was born to a Mirkwood mare, and therefore did not belong to Alassë. She was confident though that Legolas would find a suitable companion in one of the other foals that she had shown him. After much time was spent playing with the foals, Alassë and Legolas made their way back towards the front of the stables.

As they walked, Alassë let herself hum softly, pleased with herself. Unfortunately, her song caught the unwanted attention of a certain pair of tiny grey ears. The tiny grey muzzle poked up over the stall wall and nickered softly. Both Alassë and Legolas stopped and turned to see little Sirdal peeking out from her stall.

"This one is certainly lovely, isn't she?" Legolas said admiringly as he made his way over to her stall. He reached out and gently placed a hand on the filly's nose, talking quietly to her. Alassë felt like crawling into a hole and hiding, but she forced herself to respond.

"Yes, she certainly is," she replied quietly, trying to keep her disappointment from showing.

After several painful minutes, Legolas gave Sirdal one final pat and turned to face Alassë.

"I am afraid that I must return to the Halls now, for my sire will be anxious to hear the news of my visit," he said warmly.

"I take it that you are pleased with what I have shown you then, ernil nin?" She asked hesitantly, not quite sure how to feel about the elf prince's obvious joy.

"Of course, I have seen many wonderful young horses today. And please, you may call me Legolas, Alassë."

Alassë nodded, smiling back at him, not quite sure what to say or how to feel.

"I will return tomorrow in the afternoon to tell you my decision, if that is all right with you," he continued.

"Of course, ern-, Legolas," Alassë corrected herself, smiling as best she could.

Legolas smiled and gestured with his right hand, "Abarad, (Until tomorrow) Alassë."

Alassë returned the gesture and watched as he walked out of the stable and into the cooling evening air, her heart sinking as she turned her thoughts to the little filly beside her. She was so caught up in her emotions that she did not hear the footsteps from behind her.

"Mellon! I do think that the elf Prince fancies you!"

Alassë jumped and turned around to see her cousin coming from the feed room. She walked over to her and stood in front of Alassë, a grin on her pretty face.

"Oh stop teasing, Anira," She laughed, pretending to find her cousin's joke amusing. "What cause would he have to fancy an elf such as myself? You have surely had too much wine this evening…"

"Oh you are right, of course. It most certainly sounds absurd, the elf prince falling for the stable master," Anira replied, not catching on that Alassë did not appreciate her joke. "Especially when she is in such a state…"

Alassë gasped and took a minute to look over herself. She had stains on her leggings and shirt, and hay in her hair. Not to mention that she probably smelled strongly of horse and the un-pleasantries that they leave behind for her to pick up. She was momentarily mortified that she had spent the afternoon with a high-elf whilst looking like such a mess.

Anira could tell that her cousin seemed distressed and laughed, attempting to comfort her, "Do not worry, mellon. You are beautiful and I am sure that every elf would desire you no matter what state you are in!" Anira placed a hand on her cousin's shoulder gently, laughing softly. Alassë brushed her hand off and huffed.

"Goheno nin, (forgive me) Anira, I am not in the mood for jokes right now. I must be off, it was a long and tiring day."

With that, she turned and left the stables.

Well, there's the first chapter! Hopefully you can all put up with the equine content, I promise that the story will have plenty of Legolas in it, as well as romance! I will also try to include a description of Alassë in the next chapter so that you can all get a visual of her!

On my profile you will find links to what Tálagor and Sirdal look like.

Here are the pronunciations for names so far:

Alassë "Ah-LAH-say"

Anira "Ah-NEER-ah"

Tálagor "tâl+lagor"

Sirdal - "Sir-dall"

I will reply to all comments, so if you have any suggestions or see anything that needs correcting, please let me know! Hateful comments will be hidden and disregarded, but criticism is welcome!

Thanks for reading!