Disclaimer: All The Simarillion and The Hobbit characters belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. All other OCs belongs to me. Plot extensions not related to the existing plot of J.R.R. Tolkien also belong to me.

They are all speaking in Sindarin but as you know I am no experts in the language and not everyone likes to read a story where they don't understand what half of it was said. Even translated next to it or at the end, it gets annoying after a while. However, you will see some Sindarin words and phrases mixed in the dialogues and sentences. I assured you most of you understand what it meant. But for those who don't, you can refer at the bottom of each chapter, I will translate them accordingly. Enjoy reading!

Character Portrayal:

Edarís
- Portrayed by Teresa Palmer

Eilianel
- Portrayed by Dakota Fanning

Tinnuon
- Portrayed by Ryan Gosling

Míwil
- Portrayed by Zooey Deschanel

Italics are thoughts.

1. Love

First Age, Year 587

"Please… take her with you…" she begged with her last few breaths. "My lady, you should come with us!" urged the male elf. "No… my ti-time has come. I must… join him in… Aman," she struggled with her words. "Name her then, my lady."

~ *** . *** . *** . *** . *** . *** . *** . *** ~

"Isn't she beautiful, arion?" she asked as they watched Eilianel practice her elven folk dance with other ellith. You're more beautiful, bereth. Thranduil said to himself in his mind.

He first saw Edarís when she was an infant. Her adar and naneth were among the elves that refused the summons to go back to Valinor. Tinnuon is a Vanyar elf with light blond hair and Míwil is a Ñoldor elf with hair as dark as the night sky. But he remembered just as clearly as yesterday that she was the fairest elf he had ever seen with golden blond hair. She was glowing like a pure-blooded Vanyar elf.

Even now, she is still the fairest elf and he is glad that she is mostly confined in her chamber if she's not practicing wielding a sword and bow with him. Her parents made her wear a cloak whenever she went out for she glowed and outshined other elves. They do not want harm to come onto her. He whole-heartedly agreed with her parents in his mind. She must have inherited her adar's blood very strongly to glow like a pure-blooded Vanyar elf, even more than her own adar.

After seeing her as an infant for the first time, he did not see her until another century when he caught her hiding behind a bush watching him practice his sword. She does not behave like any other elleth for her age. In fact, she's the only elleth in his adar's kingdom who preferred sword over tapestry. Since then, he secretly taught her what he knew when he's unoccupied and no one was watching. They were very good and close friends. He had no doubt cherished their time together.

Unfortunately, it changed five centuries later when her naneth gave birth to another daughter, Ellianel. While she still spent time with him, her time was divided between him and her sister. She loved and adored her sister. There was no reason for him to stop her from spending time with her own sibling. She would catch the moon for Eilianel if she ever asked.

Nevertheless, he was quite upset with the new arrangement. At the time, he did not understand the reasons he had felt that way. As time passed and the more time they spent together, he started to realize his feelings for her were not of just a friend. He had wanted all her attention because he is in love with her. No doubt she is the fairest elf and her beauty is astounding. But it was not what that is shown on the outside that allure him. Her beauty lies in her brave and compassionate heart.

Eilianel is beautiful with her light blond hair like her adar. She has a good heart but it is unfortunate that his eyes only see Edarís. As sisters, Edarís and Eilianel contrasted each other like day and night. Eilianel is like other ellith, preferring the arts of healing and nurturing plants. She's gentle in her speeches and polite in her manners. Edarís held herself above other ellith, seemingly brave in protecting her loved ones. She preferred the arts of war and politics. That does not indicate that she acts like an ellon. She is polite in her manners but her speeches held powerful words for she has a sharp mind and tongue. Sometimes, she's humorous as well. Her adar and naneth were hopeless in changing her ways. Therefore, they let her be even though it was disheartened by the custom of their kin.

Edarís is well into her adolescent years while Thranduil had passed those years for eight centuries. It isn't long before his adar may pressure him to choose a bride. His adar had encouraged his interaction with Eilianel more for she has the etiquette of a princess which Oropher finds Edarís lacked. The truth is Oropher has only seen Edarís a handful of times since her parents were shielding her from uninvited attention. Thranduil, in his opinion, think she will serve as a good queen in future when the throne is passed down to him. And so, he set himself against his adar's preference and have devised plans to court Edarís without the knowledge of his adar.

Edarís is very much ignorant of the matter of hearts because she was more interested in wielding a sword against Thranduil and protecting her fragile sister. Unbeknown to her, she is about to experience the courtship of a prince under her nose, under everyone's nose.

"Are you available tomorrow this time, Eda?" asked Thranduil as his mind wanders to his first step of this little plan he has for his courtship.

"I am. What do you have in mind?" asked Edarís in return, curious at her friend's intention.

"Let us explore the northern stream of Amon Lanc before we have to move to Lórinand. The darkness seems to be gaining on us in the forest. I am afraid we will not get to see them after we move," he replied smoothly for that is only half the truth.

The other half of his plan was to surprise her with something he had been working on.

"It is a good thought. For I believe what you said is true. I will see you tomorrow this time at the north gate," she replied with a smile before covering her head with the hood of her cloak and heading towards her chamber in another part of the fortress. Thranduil watched her until she disappeared into a corner.

The next day, Thranduil waited for Edarís at the north gate of Amon Lanc. It didn't take long before she arrived at the time promised.

"Shall we?" he asked with an outstretched hand. She took it without a thought.

"Of course. Lead us, arion," she replied with a bright smile under her hood.

While he was called a prince by many others, it never sounded as divine as when Edarís said it. It was her nickname for him and he loves the fact that she had one for him. In fact, he has one for her but it would not bode well for him to say it again. He still recalled what happened the first time he ever utter it. She had brutally beaten him in a sword duel which caused his whole body to ache the following days. Since then, he kept the nickname to himself and called her 'Eda' instead. Thankfully, she accepted the short version of her name without any fuss.

When she placed her hand in his, he felt the warmth of it and secretly smile as he turned his head away to lead them into the stream seven miles from the gate. They have been to the stream several times across the decades. It was one of their favorite places to be when the weather was too warm in the summer. Their steps were light and synchronized as they travel through the path familiar to them. They could even navigate to the stream with their eyes closed relying fully on their ears and senses. It wasn't long before they heard the sound of water before they saw the stream.

"I am glad I am able to see this place before it is being tainted," she whispered softly. Their hands are still intertwined. It didn't bother her as they used to hold their hands together plenty of times. But to Thranduil, he was savoring the intimacy between them. He knows she does not realize his feelings but he will soon make it clear to her of his intentions. She is smart and intelligent for that she will recognize his intentions especially when she is familiar with the affair of politics. A courtship is very much the same but less brutal. If enough hints were dropped, she would have pick up the signs. He suspects she may feel the same for him but is not fully aware of the depths.

"I have something for you," he said slowly, watching her turn to look at him with surprise. He smiled at her reaction because it is exactly what he had envisioned.

"Now, close your eyes," he instructs softly. She stared at him curiously for a moment but trust that he will not make fun of her so she closed her eyes. She heard the sound of his sword being unsheathe and wonders what he is actually planning. Suddenly, she felt him moving her hands forward and turned them around with palms open. Then something heavy was upon her hands.

"Open your eyes now," he said. She did and was shock to see his sword lying horizontal on her palms. But wait, it is not his sword for his sword is still strapped next to his left hip. She looked closely at the sword again and realized it is a replica of his sword except the design near the white hilt bear the symbol of Vanyar elves.

"Thranduil?" that was all she could utter as she looked at him with wide eyes.

"With the guide of our blacksmith, I personally crafted this sword for you, a gift for your upcoming maturity ceremony," he said with a smile on his face.

And it is the first time she actually sees him. She had seen him smile, or rather smirked plenty of times throughout the years being his friend. But this smile that he had on his face is a genuine smile out from his heart and not a smirk that he usually carries. She knows he can be very charming with the ellith but have never felt it herself. This is the first time she felt the charming effect of the Prince of Greenwood.

"I-I… Thank you!" She let out in a breath, holds the sword down on her left hip and pulls Thranduil into an embrace with her right arm. Thranduil's arms automatically circle around her waist.

"You're most welcome, bereth," he whispered into her ear. Her eyes widened at his audacity but she kept her cool for he has given her a valuable gift. She shall forgive him for this one time.

"I forgive you," she said and continued with a mischievous smile, "But say it again next time, this sword might find its use."

He tightened her arms around her and laughed. She blushed and was glad he couldn't see it. In Thranduil's mind, he didn't need to for he knows her well enough and knows she is touched by his action today.

Thranduil dreaded Edarís' maturity ceremony for she will be revealed to all elves, all potential ellyn to be exact. If he could hide her forever under her cloak, he would. But he was also anticipating in seeing her wear a dress. For all the years they have spent time together, she have never once worn a dress. She was always in a sky blue tunic that matches the color of her eyes with a brown legging. The color of her tunics ranges from different shades of blue. It would seem blue is her favorite color. There was once she wore a white tunic and his breath was stolen from him. Her golden hair contrasted the white and she had looked very much elegant in it. He had secretly request a seamstress to tailor a white dress with intricate silver tree branches. Topaz droplets like the color of her golden hair are spread across those branches. He would be delighted to see her in it. As much as he now has to take down some competitions, it would be worth it to see her in the dress he tailored for her.

~ *** . *** . *** . *** . *** . *** . *** . *** ~

"Muinthel, are you nervous?" asked Eilianel as she yawned with a hand to close her mouth. She was already dressed and sitting on her sister's bed. Their naneth is currently helping Edarís to dress up for her maturity ceremony. It was barely dawn when their naneth woke both of them up. Edarís has been ushered to the bathing chamber immediately. She was next after her sister was done.

She hasn't seen her sister's dress as she would not show it the night before. They have received an anonymous package the day before and her sister might have probably known who the sender was. By Edarís' reaction when she opened the package and closed it back immediately, she knew the dress must have been very beautiful.

As today is her sister's maturity ceremony, she has decided not to overdress herself since the attention should be on her sister. She wore her favorite light cream long sleeved glitter dress that stops at the bottom of her feet. The dress has its collar up to her neck but a V-shape front that stops an inch above her breasts for modesty. She was very curious what her sister's dress looks like and was quite impatient to see her sister walk out from the vanity divider.

"Yes, I am. I would have been less nervous facing an orc," replied Edarís suddenly, startling Eilianel out from her thoughts. She heard their naneth gasped before seeing Edarís walked out from the divider. Her voice was caught in her throat, for it was not her sister that is standing in front of her, but a majestically elegant and beautiful elf. Her sister has always glowed brighter than any other elves. Now, she looked splendidly breathtaking and brighter than a star.

"Muinthel..." she trailed off.

"Yes? Is it not presentable?" Her sister asked and frowned.

"Don't be silly, iell nín," replied their naneth on behalf of her.

Her sister's white long sleve dress followed her curves until it flowed to the floor and trailed behind her. It is laced with intricate silver branches that glitter with topaz droplets. Her sister looked so beautiful that for the first time in her life she felt a little envious for she's afraid Thranduil would turn his head, stare at her sister and fall in love. She knows Thranduil and her sister are friends but she was never worried that Thranduil would look at her sister for Edarís has always dress so callously like an ellon. Not to mention, her sister was always cloaked that leaves nothing for imagination. Perhaps she was very wrong. For now, her sister stands as a strong competition for Thranduil's affection. Of course, unless her sister already has a suitor. That could be true. The anonymous ellon who gifted her sister this magnificent dress! Oh if only she could find out who it was.

"Let us hurry for we will be late if we do not," said their naneth.

Thranduil stood next to his adar's throne in anticipation. Oropher looked regal and serious in his throne holding his staff. When the sound of the ceremonial horn flowed into the hall, everyone turned their attention to the entrance. Tinnuon and Míwil appeared arm in arm at the entrance before they walked in. When they were halfway to the steps below the throne, Eilianel appeared and followed her parents' footsteps. Once they reached the steps below the throne, they walked aside to stand on the left.

The second ceremonial horn sounded and Edarís appeared at the entrance. The reaction of the crowd was astounding. But nothing beats Thranduil's reaction as his eyes widened at the elleth ten feet in front of him. She was not his friend. No, she is the elleth who had captured his heart and soul. He believed in that very moment his heart had chosen. She is Edarís the Queen in his mind. He swore he would make her his queen in time to come. The dress he tailored for her turned out above his expectation, for he looked exactly like a queen. Even Oropher was captivated to see Edarís in such a magnificent dress. She walked in with her head held high. When she reached the steps below the throne, Oropher stood up with his staff in tow. A female elf brought a head garland made of autumn leaves in a tray and stood next to Oropher as he began his speech.

"From this day henceforth, you are no longer a young elf. You shall be responsible for your actions and adhere to the rules of our kin. I, therefore, pronounced you a mature elf of Greenwood. You are free to choose the profession of your choice. Your heart is free to choose your lifetime partner as well. Let the ceremony begin!" Oropher crowns the autumn leaves garland on her head.

The ceremony begins with a dance where she is allowed to choose her first partner. Thranduil is delighted that she had chosen him. But he already knew she would as she knows no other ellyn. After the first dance, other ellyn are free to ask her for dances. Thranduil had to bite his cheeks and watched other ellyn touch his queen. He was glad when the feast started for he is seated next to her. That would mean her sister is next to them as well. It didn't matter if there were no private conversations tonight because before the night ends, he shall kiss his queen good night.

"How are you feeling?" he asked while strolling beside her at the private royal garden.

"I am surprised I managed to sneak out from those dance invitations. It would have been easier having a sword duel than entertaining those ellyn," said Edarís tiredly.

Thranduil laughed. "But our dance was of no trouble, l assume?" he asked.

She smiled softly at his insecurity and replied, "The most tolerable, arion."

He pretended to be hurt and gasped, "Only tolerable?"

She laughed at his dramatic expression. She stopped when he was staring at her with that heated look. She was getting used to them since he gifted her the sword. She knows the dress is undoubtedly from him as well. She is not dumb and oblivious to his intentions. If she was to ask herself, she is also very much interested in him. She isn't sure if her heart has chosen. But she does care for him significantly and her heart may not know yet but her body is definitely attracted to him. She returned to her senses when she felt his hands on hers.

"Where have you been, bereth?" he asked.

She sighed and said, "I'll have to forgive you again for tonight is not a good time to make you feel sorry."

He chuckled and pulled her closer to him.

"I will never feel sorry for calling you queen. Look at you. You are the resemblance of a queen and know that one day I shall make you my queen," he declared.

She smiled at his declaration. He had never been so bold in his words.

"My, my, being very bold with your words now, arion?" she teased.

"Let us not pretend, Eda. You know my intentions. But even so, I must ask this of your permission," he said. She was confused.

"My permission for?" she asked.

He tilted her chin towards him, closing the gap between their faces.

"Will you allow me to kiss you, bereth nín?" he asked.

Her eyes widened for a second at his endearment before she closed her eyes and nodded softly, not trusting her voice to work. When their lips met, Thranduil swore nothing tasted better than her lips. She returned his kiss carefully not used to the motion. Not long before, the kiss turned passionate and he plunged his tongue into her mouth. She was ravishing from head to toe and the dress did not help matters as it hugged the curves of her body. He was definitely aroused but they could do no more until the right time comes. He released her lips and they were swollen. He's proud of his work as he brushed his thumb over them.

"Gi melin."

TBC

Arion – Prince

Bereth/bereth nín – Queen/my queen

Elleth – Female Elf (singular)

Ellith – Female Elves (plural)

Ellon – Male elf (singular)

Ellyn – Male elves (plural)

Gi melin – I love you

Iell nín – My daughter

Muinthel – Sister

Ñoldor – The Ñoldor were the second clan of the Elves. It was originally known as the Tatyar and founded by Tata, the second elf to awake at Cuiviénen. They were the Second Clan of the elves in both order and size, the other clans being the Vanyar and Teleri. They have dark hair except for those who had Vanyar in blood.

Referenced from lotr wikia

Vanyar – The Vanyar, also known as Fair Elves, Light-elves, 'Spear-elves' were the first and smallest of the Kindred of the Eldar. They are the fairest of all the elves. Their hair color is golden.

Referenced from lotr wikia