A/N: Hello, my lovely readers. I come to you with another tale. I've always wanted to write a LegolasOC and I finally came up with an idea that I didn't hate. lol Well, I hope you all like it...
The Elf-Maiden of Rohan
The sun slowly began to rise over the kingdom of Rohan. Morning light bathed the land in a pale glow. Summer was coming to an end, and the air was now crisp and cool in the early hours of the day. Mist covered the ground like a faint blanket. Everything was peaceful and quiet; the birds just beginning to sing. Only one lone figure walked the otherwise deserted plains of Rohan. A young woman made her way through the tall grasses, a basket filled with the wildflowers of the Riddermark. She hummed a cheery tune to herself quietly, a wistful smile gracing her pretty face. A slight breeze blew over the plain, causing the maiden to draw her fur-lined cloak closer to her small form.
The walls of Edoras loomed before her in the distance. Though the great city had always been her home, she found its walls to be too confining at times and often went beyond its borders for a breath of freedom. Something in her heart adored the wilderness, the open skies. She loved to feel the wind on her face, the smell of grass and dirt. Her morning walk was just another way of being outside of the castle. Idly, she toyed with the idea of taking her horse out for a run later in the day. She crouched down to the ground, picking more flowers and herbs before placing them in her basket. She would miss their brilliant colors when summer finally did flee the land. But for now, she was free to enjoy nature's beauty. Her fingers caressed tenderly the silken petals of a wild rose, admiring their pale blush of color.
In the recesses of her mind, she noted that she could feel the flower breathing onto her fingertips. Her eyes watched as the petals strained upwards toward the sun, taking in life-giving energy. When she concentrated hard enough, she could see all the other flowers surrounding her doing the same. This was not the first time she had seen such peculiar sights. For the entirety of her short life she knew she was different, foreign from anyone else…
She was taken from her thoughts when she heard the steady drumming of hoof beats. Her eyes rose from the flower and saw a horse and rider quickly approaching her from the city. A smile graced her lips when she recognized the two. Swiftly she was on her feet and racing towards the rider. When they met, the great horse shadowed her. She shielded her eyes against the sun as she gazed up at the rider.
"Out so early, Lady Auraelya?" The rider asked, his tone teasing. "And alone? Do you find such peace in your solitude?"
Lady Auraelya smiled brightly, and the rider noted how her eyes sparkled like emeralds in the light. Her dark hair whipped about her wildly in the wind.
"The early morning brings a quiet sereneness to my heart, yes." She replied. "But your company does not disrupt that peace, my lord."
"I am glad to hear it, my lady." The rider answered, a smile of his own finding its way onto his handsome face.
"So on what business sends the king's son from the castle at this hour?"
"The business of discovering the whereabouts of his betrothed." He told her, slyly.
"Well, it appears as if you have found her." Auraelya stated, the makings of a smirk taking over her smile.
"And so I have."
The rider leaned down and caressed Auraelya's pale cheek with a gloved hand. Her eyes fluttered as she reached up and cradled his hand to her face.
"Theodred…" She murmured, softly.
Her loving voice sent a warm shiver through-out his being. Theodred smiled tenderly, unable to believe that a creature so fair could be his.
"My beautiful Auraelya," He spoke in a hushed tone.
His fingertips brushed along the side of her face, trailing along her jaw line and up to her ears. Auraelya shivered and stifled a groan as Theodred teased the most sensitive part of her body. He ran his fingers around the shell and then over the top. But instead of having the normal arc, the top of her ear ended in a blunt point. Her eyes stared intently into his as he touched this abnormal feature.
They will write stories of her someday, Theodred thought, wistfully, when we are the monarchs of Rohan. She shall be the Lady Auraelya, first Elven Queen of the Golden Hall. They will sing songs of her unmatched beauty, and I will be there beside her…until death take me.
When he awoke from his thoughts, Theodred offered Auraelya his hand and asked, "Will my lady do me the honor of accompanying me back to the Hall?"
Auraelya smiled as she nodded and said, "I shall, my lord."
She handed him her basket first taking his hand and mounted the horse. Cradling the basket in her lap, Auraelya wrapped her arms around his middle. Theodred clicked to the horse and gave it a nudge to spur it on. The stallion raced back towards the city, bearing its cargo with ease. The jubilant smile never left Theodred's face. He would forever wish to ride with Auraelya and feel her embrace, the warmth of her body pressed against his. They rode through the gate, and the crowd of peasants broke before them. Some bowed, others dipped their heads respectfully. Before long, they had made their way to the royal stables. Auraelya dismounted and looked up at the prince.
"What duties must you attend to today, my lord?" She asked.
"I have to meet with the scouts. Orcs have been seen in our northern lands." Theodred told her before dismounting his horse. "But afterward, would you accompany me on a picnic?"
"Of course." She answered, her smile brightening.
Theodred took her hand in his and kissed it lightly.
"I'll meet you by the gate when the sun is highest in the sky." He said, joyfully, turning to take his horse into the stable.
"I'll count the hours…" She murmured before turning to the castle.
The guards opened the doors for her, nodding at her appearance. The great hall was empty. King Théoden was not yet seated upon his throne. Someone had already started the fire, and it crackled as it consumed the wood. Auraelya made her way through the castle, knowing each corridor and room by heart. She entered her room and threw off her cloak, setting her basket on a chest of drawers. Then, she began to sort the flowers and herbs, which would be used for cooking and medicines or merely just decoration. As she was setting the healing plants back in the basket to be taken to the storage cell, a presence came to stand in her doorway.
"Out early again, my friend?" A voice called.
Auraelya turned to see a young woman standing before her. Her hair resembled the pale light of the sun. She was pale and fair with vibrant eyes of cornflower blue. The maiden smiled, bringing light to her cool features. Auraelya smiled in return and said, "Yes, to get the freshest pick for our supplies."
"I honestly think you are the only one in all of Edoras that wakes with the sun." The maiden teased.
"We all cannot sleep the day away like you, Éowyn." Auraelya retorted with a smirk.
Éowyn laughed as she entered the room.
"I see you have seen Theodred already this morning."
Auraelya gave her an odd look, but her smile did not fade.
"How could you tell?"
"You have that look about you…like you have found the key to get into Heaven." Éowyn explained, picking up Auraelya's discarded cloak and laying it carefully on her bed. "You always carry that look after you have been with my cousin."
"Well, in a sense have I not?" Auraelya inquired, her expression slightly serious. "I cannot put words to how Theodred makes me feel, Eowyn. It's almost like…finding the other half of your soul."
Éowyn smiled up at her and said, "I hope someday I'll find what you found in Theodred."
"You will, Éowyn." Auraelya assured her, walking over and putting her hands on her shoulders. "And it will happen when you least expect it. It will be in the way he looks at you; your heart will almost sing."
"You make it sound so wonderful. I envy you, Lya." Éowyn stated.
"Oh my, the mighty Shieldmaiden of Rohan is jealous of me!" Auraelya exclaimed teasingly putting a hand to her mouth to feign shock. "I'm frightened!"
"Oh, come now," Éowyn sighed, failing not to laugh, "do not poke fun at me!"
"I'm sorry, Éowyn. You just make it too easy sometimes." Auraelya apologized.
"Well, when you are done mocking me, maybe you could help me mix up some solves and elixirs." Éowyn retorted, retrieving Auraelya's herb basket.
"I would be happy to assist you." Auraelya replied, linking her arm through Éowyn's as they left her room behind.
For the rest of the morning, Auraelya helped restock their healing inventory, mixing potions when needed. She found the clean smell of the medicines calming. Her and Éowyn chatted and exchanged playful banter as they worked. Before long, the sun rose to its highest point in the sky. After Auraelya made sure Éowyn could handled the rest of the restocking by herself, she hurried from the storage cell. The sun warmed her skin as she raced to the gates of the city. In the process, she was nearly run over by Éowyn's older brother Éomer and his horse. He smirked down at her knowingly as he leaned forward slightly and asked, "Why in such a hurry, Auraelya? Off to meet my cousin I suspect."
"Yes, if you must know…I am." She answered with a grin.
"I suspect you must be the reason he was so anxious to get out of our meeting." Éomer chuckled, before guiding his horse around her. "Don't keep him waiting too long or he will be beside himself with impatience."
Auraelya nodded and continued on down towards the gates. And sure enough when they come into her sight, Theodred was already there waiting for her. He was leaning against the great, wooden doorway, arms folded across his broad chest impatiently. When he saw Auraelya approaching, he pushed himself off of the doorway. In a few long strides, Auraelya was in his arms. He kissed her soundly on the mouth, holding her to him firmly. Auraelya smiled into the kiss, draping her long arms about his neck.
Finally, they parted, smiling happily to each other. Theodred took her small hand in his and led her out the gates, stooping briefly to pick up their picnic basket. Hand in hand, they walked out into the plains. The two picked a sunny spot among the softly-rolling mounds that housed the tombs of Theodred's kin. He removed his cloak and spread it out on the ground to serve as a blanket.
Auraelya sat herself down upon it, and Theodred followed suit, his body pressed against hers. She snuggled up to his warmth and laid her head against his shoulder contently. Theodred smiled and began to unpack the basket. They dined on roasted pheasant and a mix of greens with wild berries. Theodred had brought some sweet wine in a flask for them to share. Auraelya savored the wine; it tasted of strawberries, her favorite. They ate in a pleasant silence, basking in the warmth of the sun and their general affection for one another.
Once their meal had been cleaned up, the lovers relaxed under the sun. Theodred lay out on the ground, his head pillowed on Auraelya's lap. She ran her fingers gently through his long, chestnut-colored hair. He smiled contently, his eyes closed in relaxation. Auraelya smiled too, her eyes drifted up to the open sky. Everything was so perfect; she had everything she could ever want right there with her.
"Do you think we could just halt time, put the world on pause so this moment would never end?" Auraelya though aloud, wistfully.
"If there was a way, I would do it in a heart beat." Theodred told her, opening his eyes to stare into hers. "I would do anything to stay with you…forever…like this."
His hand sought hers, entwining his fingers with hers. He kissed her knuckles tenderly before holding their hands to his heart. Even though he tried hard to hide it, Auraelya could read the sadness etched into his expression. This was an old subject, one Auraelya tried to avoid. It was no secret what she was. She was elf-kind, an immortal. Her ancestors were not of the land of Middle-Earth. They came from across the sea, from a place known as Valinor, the Undying Lands. Auraelya knew of what troubled Theodred's heart. She would live forever, unchanged by time, whereas Theodred would grow old before she even had a chance to realize it. The change had already begun. They had grown up together as children, matured through the troubling years of adolescence. Now, it was starting to become evident: Auraelya's features hadn't changed since she was eighteen, and she was now into her twenty-third year. Theodred, who was close to his twenty-fifth year, had begun to receive faint lines of worry that came with the times in which they lived. Though his hair was still thick and rich in color, Auraelya knew in a few more years she'd be able to see the gray. Auraelya loved Theodred with all her heart and wanted to be with him always, but she knew whether by sword or the slow onslaught of time, Theodred would die. Wanting to forget such dismal thoughts, she changed the subject, "Has your father agreed on the day of our wedding?"
Theodred sighed heavily and sat up, running a hand through his hair. Auraelya recognized this as a habit of his when he got frustrated.
"He delayed it another month." He told her solemnly. "Father claims it would be best to wait until the feasting season."
"Why so long? Your father was so happy when you told him of our engagement." Auraelya asked in confusion. "Why does he delay?"
"I do not know." He replied, wearily. "My father has changed so much this past season. He becomes more distant everyday, closing himself up in council with Grima for long periods of the day. And there are times when I speak to him that it appears as if he does not hear me. Almost like he does not know I am there."
Auraelya's heart ached at the sight of her love's troubled face. His eyes were glazed over with thought and it felt as if he were miles else where. She moved closer to him, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"I am sure all fairs well with your father. It is just the worry of the northern lands that troubles him." Auraelya assured him softly. "I am sorry that I brought it up. It's just…the day could not come sooner for me."
"And do you not think that waiting has not been torture for me as well?" Theodred asked, turning to her and smiling weakly. "I have wanted you to be mine for so long."
"I am yours." She told him with a warm smile.
"And it is that fact alone that makes me the envy of every man in Rohan."
Auraelya blushed silently. Theodred took her hands in his, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. His eyes stared down into hers, and Auraelya nearly drowned in the love that poured from their brown depths.
"I love you." He told her, quietly. "I always have."
"And I you." Auraelya murmured.
Theodred then, picked one of the many small, white flowers that littered the ground. He presented it to her and said, "For you, my lady,"
Auraelya took it with a smile, sniffing it lightly. Its clean, sweet scent filled her senses.
"I never understood why simbelmynë is the sign of death." Auraelya stated, admiring the blossom. "It is so beautiful. It should be a flower of joy…not sorrow."
"You would look radiant with simbelmynë in your hair." Theodred told her, taking the flower and tucking it behind her ear.
Auraelya smiled and picked another.
"I have always loved these flowers." She said, softly. "The blossom reminds me of the gem on my mother's necklace. I wonder if they had simbelmynë where she was from."
Theodred touched the pendant that hung from her neck on a silver chain with his fingertips. The flower was made from white crystals that sparkled like a million rainbows in the sun. The pendant wasn't very large, maybe only as big as a small coin.
"Well…wherever it was that she was from, I am glad that she came here. If she hadn't, I would never have gotten the honor of knowing you." Theodred said with a smile.
Auraelya returned it before she snuggled up to him again, resting her head on his chest. Theodred set his chin on her head and sighed contently.
"Soon…you will be my wife." Theodred whispered, stroking her hair. "I promise you that."
"I have no doubt." She assured him. "I wear your promise on my finger."
Theodred smiled and help up her left hand so he could examine it. A large, gold ring was set about her ring finger with inlays of silver engraved in the band. The engravings made patterns of flowers and if you looked close enough, horse heads. Tiny diamonds and emeralds glinted among the gold. Theodred had it specially made for Auraelya as a symbol of his undying love and devotion to her.
"It is a beautiful promise if I do say so myself." He stated, wryly.
Auraelya smile as she leaned up and gave him a kiss.
"Yes, I dare say it is." She murmured, her green eyes staring deeply into his.
"I will honor that promise, Auraelya." He told her, ardently. "And we will be forever bound to each other."
"I would love nothing more." She replied, cupping his face tenderly.
He placed his hands over her lips sweetly with his. And so, the lovers kissed passionately beneath the warm autumn sun, and in that moment, the world stood still.
A/N: I hope it is good so far. I felt bad for Theodred in the movie. All you saw of him was when he was dying. So I decided to give him a bit of a role in this story. I know some of you are like WTF is there an Elf in Rohan. Don't worry it will make sense later on. If you read this and absolutely hated it, please just keep your opinion to yourself. I appreciate constructive criticism, but I hate bashing. So please be courteous...thank you. Give me lovely reviews and I'll try to update soon. Love and cookies for all!