The Enigmas of the Heart
By- Evenstar of Hogwarts-
Summary- Elrond and his family visit Mirkwood. Arwen and Legolas meet for the first time and slowly fall in love. But, another seeks to win Legolas' heart. Will Legolas choose the enigmatic elleth he just met, or will Arwen hear a no?
AN- Yes, like a bad penny I keep turning up. This is my first try at romance. First of all, I must say this: I got quite sick of seeing Arwen portrayed as this perfect elleth. So I went ahead and gave her a few flaws. And of course, she will be a tomboy. So, if you do not like reading a flawed Arwen, don't flame me about her. This is Arwen/Legolas, with a hint of Legolas/OC. So go ahead and enjoy!
Chapter 1-
It was an early morning in summer when the consort of Lord Elrond of Imladris arrived at Mirkwood. Though it was dawn, many inhabitants of Mirkwood flocked to the windows of the palace to see the arrival of one of the most wise and celebrated Lords of Middle Earth.
King Thranduil and his Queen, Lady Allasiel were standing on the porch to greet the Imladris party. The Crown Prince, Legolas was also present so were his younger siblings- Lostariel, Aglariel and little Riniel. Amongst his siblings, Legolas was the oldest and the only son.
They did not have to wait long; for at that moment, around fifteen riders appeared. Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian rode at the head of the consort. Behind them came their esteemed sons and daughter. Behind them came Lord Glorfindel and Lord Erestor, followed by some of Imladris' efficient guard.
"Elrond," said Thranduil bowing his head in reverence. "And Lady Celebrian."
Elrond gracefully dismounted his horse and lent a hand to Celebrian. "It's my pleasure, Thranduil," he said, grasping the King's forearm in a warrior's greeting. "Tis been too long since we met,"
"Elladan! Elrohir!" Legolas cried joyfully. "It's great to see you two again!"
"Aye, it is Legolas!" said Elladan. The twins slid down their horses and enveloped Legolas in a hug. "Allow us to introduce our little sister, Arwen."
Legolas looked at the figure on the other horse. Bowing, he held out a hand to her. Ignoring the proffered arm, the maiden lithely swung down.
"My Lord Legolas," she greeted, in a peculiarly clear and sweet voice. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"My Lady Arwen," replied Legolas, bringing the white, slender hand to his lips. "It is good to meet you too. Elladan and Elrohir have often regaled me with your tales."
Arwen blushed softly.
"Please do come inside," urged the Lady Allasiel.
The palace at Mirkwood was extremely huge and cosy for a cave system. The great cave had many passages and wide halls and was very wholesome for such a place. The entrance was of heavy stone doors, secured by an ancient enchantment. It was entirely carved out of living rock.
"Here are your rooms," said Thranduil, leading them into the family wing. "If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. Hot water is ready for your baths. We will have breakfast in an hour, and I hope you'll grace us with your presence."
"Certainly Thranduil," responded Elrond amiably.
The dining room at Mirkwood was enormous. Portraits and tapestries covered the rich, brown walls. The table was a large, mahogany one. It was covered with a white tablecloth, with delicate, floral embroidery. Plush, red cushions were placed on the wooden chairs to make them easier and more comfortable.
The cooks had truly outdone themselves. The table was laden with delicacies. There was lemon pie, cherry pie, biscuits, chicken sandwiches, salads, cakes and a teapot full of sweet, milky tea. The scrumptious scents wafted through the room, nourishing the guests' appetites. The table was furthermore decorated in an array of ferns and wild roses. The person responsible for this design had a beautifully artistic taste.
Legolas took this moment to observe Arwen as she laughed and chatted with the others. She was certainly very beautiful. Her hair was long, thick and wavy, cascading in an ebony waterfall down her shoulders. Her skin was ivory pale. Her chin was pointed and pronounced. Her mouth was large and sweet-lipped. The bright blue eyes were opulent; very expressive and full of spirit and vivacity. Her hands were long and slender; the nimble and slim fingers unadorned save for a ring. A fragile pendant of mithril hung at her queenly throat. Her voice, as he had noticed before was melodious and clear. She was very open and talkative; he observed.
Legolas was brought out of his reverie by Thranduil. "Legolas, Lady Celebrian was inquiring as to how your studies were going?"
"Oh," said Legolas, tearing his gaze away from Arwen. "They are progressing quite smoothly, thank you my lady."
Celebrian nodded. The rest of the meal passed in silence.
The door to the twins' rooms banged open and Arwen strolled inside.
"Oh, hello, Legolas," she greeted, surprised. She hadn't expected to run into the Prince.
"Yes, seler nin?" asked Elrohir.
"I want to explore the forest," Arwen told them directly. "I know you will tell me to stay in my room for some more time, but I just can't. It has always been one of my dreams to live in a forest. And I just know Mirkwood is magical. I knew it the moment I arrived here. I can feel it in my heart. And, oh, Dan Ro! It is summer and the forest must be blooming! I have never seen a blooming forest. I'm sure they must be beautiful. There is so much scope for imagination when one is surrounded by nature isn't there?" she sighed, her big sapphire eyes starry and dreamy.
"Yes, there is," agreed Elladan, humouring his sister. "And if you want to explore Mirkwood, we will accompany you. When have you known us to not surrender to your whims?"
"Come on then," Arwen replied, her cherry red lips twisted into a teasing smile.
"Let's go," agreed Elrohir and the three ellyn followed Arwen out of the room.
Legolas guided them around the halls of the Woodland Realm. Arwen noted he was a really good guide. Elladan and Elrohir had been in the palace before and knew it inside-out. But this was the first time for Arwen. Legolas soon introduced her to many of the esteemed Lords and Ladies of Mirkwood. Right now, they were at a river.
The river was a glorious place; especially on sunny mornings. The riverbed was smooth and shingly; and the water was perfect for a nice, long swim. Crayfish and tiny minnows inhabited the cool waters and it was many a time they were captured in an eager elfling's hand. Larger rocks also provided seating stones. Emerald green reeds and rushes also grew along the banks. It was here that Legolas had discovered his friends.
"Hello!"
"Oi, Las!" came a scream, accompanied by furious waving.
Legolas quickly ran down the bank with Elladan and Elrohir at his heels. Arwen followed, stumbling as the twins breaked and banged right into Elladan's back.
"There we go," Elladan groaned. "I was wondering when your first fall would occur. You were pretty quiet today."
Arwen turned red. "Shut up!" she said hotly.
"Arwen," interrupted Legolas. "Meet my friends, Emerion, Alcarion, Kanolinde, Calaran, Nieninque and Itarille. Mellyn, this is Lady Arwen of Rivendell."
Emerion was a tall ellon with roguish hazel eyes and light blonde hair. Alcarion had the blonde hair common to all Mirkwood Elves and grey eyes. Kanolinde had dirty blonde hair with laughing blue eyes. Calaran too had light golden hair and brown eyes. Nieninque was tall, with light strawberry blond hair, blue eyes and a dusting of freckles on her nose.
But most striking of all was Itarillia. Despite not being related, she bore a striking resemblance to the Lady Idril Celebrindal of Gondolin herself, which was the reason why she had been christened Itarillia. Her hair was a radiant golden and her eyes were bright blue and she stood tall and proud. She was the daughter of the Commander of Mirkwood. When she had been born, many had remarked that so fair a star was not born ever, save for Luthien Tinuviel herself. Now, Itarillia looked sourly upon the mirror image of Luthien as the elleth held out her hand.
"Hello," said Arwen politely.
"Hello," chorused the others, Itarillia's voice as bitter as her expression. Noticing his friend's hostile tone and expression, Legolas raised an eyebrow but said nothing else.
"Shall we swim?" proposed Calaran.
"No!" exclaimed Itarillia quickly. "The water is to cold!"
"It is not," contradicted Arwen, experimentally dipping her toe into the water. "I for one would love to make a splash."
"Great!" responded Legolas enthusiastically. "We shall go and get our towels and spare tunics then."
In fifteen minutes, the ellyn and ellith had raced back to the river, tunics and towels in hand; with the exception of Itarillia who preferred to read a book on the bank.
"Here we go!" screamed Arwen in delight, plummeting down into the water. The resulting splash was gigantic, soaking everyone on the bank to the skin. Including Itarillia.
"Hey!" she squawked in dismay. "You just drenched me!"
Nieninque stifled a snort and Itarillia turned to glare at her with as much dignity as she had left.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" called Arwen sincerely from the water. "Is your dress ruined? I'm really sorry."
"Tis fine," replied Itarillia moodily.
"Come on!" snapped Legolas impatiently, jumping in. The others followed him without glancing at Itarillia, who was left open mouthed. Only Nieninque stopped to suggest that she change.
Glowering, Itarillia stalked back to do as Nieninque suggested.
"This is so luxurious," murmured Arwen floating on her back. "I can imagine very easily here. I am a pirate. I have long, red hair and bright, brown eyes, like a deer. I am the captain of a ship called Celebloth. I have a beautiful curved sword at my hip and even daggers. I am a cold, hard lady and I have no mercy." Here her voice grew as hard as her role suggested. "I am leading my men to reclaim a lost treasure. Another ship is also planning to reclaim it. I am in a fierce battle with the captain of the other ship."
She fell silent, out on a sea of vivid daydreams. The others watched her open mouthed.
"Leave her be," said Elrohir dismissively. "She is dreamy like that. She has an enormous imagination and when she puts it to work, she can forget the very existence of Arda itself. She is Aranel of Green Gables in real life, that's what!"
He laughed comfortably at his own joke.
Elladan swam silently over to Arwen and dunked her. "Oi!" she spluttered coming up. She was met with three direct splashes.
"That's it Elladan! You are dead!" she exclaimed, splashing him seven times in succession.
"Hey, what did I do?" protested Legolas as Arwen turned and splashed him on the face. She just grinned mischievously and splashed him more.
"Oh it is on!" smirked Legolas, splashing her. Soon a water fight was going on. It were bedraggled Elves that returned to change.
And meanwhile, a certain, childish, golden haired elleth plotted her revenge against Arwen.
So how was this chapter guys? Please do review!