The trees of Mirkwood had begun their descent into autumn, their leaves turning shades of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. The air was crisp, not yet uncomfortably cold, as it breathes the threat of winter. Many animals made their preparations for hibernation, trailing across the branches or through the trees.
The soft touch of Legolas's fingers threaded through yours is accompanied by the slight crunching of leaves beneath your feet. You tuck your hair behind your ear, which is braided thanks to the elf prince.
Legolas had been the one to rescue you from your burning village that dwelt near the forest of Mirkwood when it caught fire last winter. No one else had survived, and you had been living with the elves in Thranduil's halls ever since. Legolas had deemed himself responsible to look out for you, since he was the one to save you, but it had been only recently that your relationship had taken the romantic turn.
"Where are you taking me, Hiril vuin?" Legolas had been kept in the dark from your plans for today, and you planned to keep it that way. He was not used to human customs, or what one did for fun, so you wished to keep today's adventure a surprise.
"I told you, it's a surprise." You could hear the softest of sighs escape his lips, but other than that, he kept quiet. This caused a chuckle to escape from your lips, a slight shake of your head as you continued forward. Legolas was patient, like most elves, but sometimes it managed to fail him, especially when it came to you.
Finally the two of you come upon a clearing, which is empty save for the ground, which is coated in leaves. "Watch," you instruct, releasing your hold on him as you strut forward, dragging leaves together as you begin putting together a pile. The sun filters through the treeline, causing the leaves to look like they are on fire, and several times your breath catches as you admire their beauty. Autumn truly is your favorite season.
Once your pile is pretty substantial, you turn around, flashing Legolas a devious grin, before you jump into the pile, your laughter echoing off the trees. The world disappears as your head sinks below the leaf pile, and as your head pokes back up, hair littered with leaves, Legolas's face swims in your vision, his lips quickly meeting your forehead in a sign of affection.
"Come here, Hiril vuin. I wish to show you something." Curious, you stand. Legolas stands nearly a foot away, both hands hidden behind his back.
"What are you—" You gasp as Legolas steps forward, dumping the pile of leaves he holds in his hands on top of your head. This time it's his laughter that cuts through the air, his smile dazzling upon his face.
Your grin becomes a determined line, and you bolt forward, grabbing Legolas, turning him around, and pushing him so that you both fall back into the pile of leaves. The force of your fall is dampened by the leaves, but you still feel the catch of breath before you crash your lips against his.
He responds to the kiss, pressing his lips to yours before pulling back to plant a kiss on your nose, and then your forehead. "Le melin," he murmurs quietly, forehead resting against yours.
Your heart squeezes as the butterflies take off in your stomach, and you brush a stray leaf from Legolas's face before scooting down to rest your head against his chest. As you listen to his heart beat, you respond. "I love you too."