Disclaimer: I do not personally own anything of Middle Earth. That includes Mirkwood, Lothlorien, Rivendell, Legolas, Thranduil, Aragorn, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, Galadriel, or Gandalf. They are all the property of JRR Tolkien. Likewise I do not own Evermeet. I have borrowed that name from Dungeons And Dragons. All other names are my creation.
CHAPTER 1 Legolas and Yesel Meet
About 50 years before the adventures of the one ring, the elves of Mirkwood were having their yearly competition in honor of their king, Thranduil. It was to be an archery contest, and each contestant was secretly hoping that this would be the year that one of them would beat the king's son Legolas who was the best archer in all of Middle Earth.
One by one the elves took their turns, until finally the only elf remaining was Legolas. He was about to take his shot when a female voice called out, "Is this competition only for the elves of Mirkwood, or may a visitor try her luck?" Legolas wheeled around and beheld a female elf dressed in blue traveling clothes. Her eyes were hazel, and her long brown hair was worn in a plait down her back. She had a sword at her side and carried her bow in her hand. On her back was a quiver of arrows. She traveled with a male who was dressed in brown traveling garb. He did not appear to be wearing any weapons; instead there was a pack on his back that was filled with books and scrolls. He was smiling indulgently at the girl.
"What about it Legolas," Thamiel called out. "Should we let her try?" All the other elves smiled. Legolas smiled and bowed to the girl. She smiled back and dropped him a small curtsy. "Would you care to shoot first Lady," he asked her. "After you." He smiled at her again, then turned around and readied his shot. There was a general sigh of disappointment and resignation as Legolas once again out shot the other contestants. With a smile and wave he turned back to the strange elves. "If you'd still like to shoot, please be my guest." She turned towards her companion. "By your leave Father." He nodded. She then turned and bowed to the king. "With your permission King Thranduil." "Of course Lady." She stepped up and readied her shot. There were absolutely no sounds, as everyone watched with anticipation. There was a loud twang followed a second later by a thwap as the arrow found its mark.
The elves all stared in disbelief. She had done it. The stranger had beaten Legolas. All eyes turned to see how he would handle his defeat. He was smiling broadly as he walked towards her. "I have indeed been beaten by a superior archer. Congratulations my Lady. Come; let me present you to my father." As the three of them walked to the room from which the king was watching, the other elves disbanded and went back to their everyday tasks. Legolas said to the man, "You have a very skilled daughter sir, and I must admit I have never been beaten by one so beautiful." "You are most gracious in defeat Prince Legolas," said the girl, blushing. "You have me at a disadvantage. You know my name. Will you not tell me yours?" Just as she was about to speak they arrived to where the king was waiting.
Legolas bowed to his father and said, "Father, I present to you the archer who has bested me, and her father. I have not yet learned their names." The king smiled as he said "There is no need for introductions my son, for I know these two, although the last time I saw the girl she was a babe. This is Largolas and his daughter Yesel." Legolas gave a small start at hearing a name so close to his own. The king noticed and told him, "Part of your name was given in honor of my old friend." To Largolas he said "What brings you so far from Evermeet my friend?" "Research, "said Largolas. "I have recently come into possession of some spells that I have no knowledge of. We stopped first in Rivendell and I conferred with Elrond, and then journeyed here. We would have been here sooner but we were attacked by Orcs soon after we left Rivendell. If Yesel had not been with me, I would not be here before you now." He was interrupted by a chuckle from Yesel. "Now Father, tell it like it is. You let me take out a few of them before you drove them off with blinding light." The other three laughed. Thranduil said, "You picked a good time to arrive. Tonight we're having a celebration feast, and now we have more to celebrate. We have old friends who can tell us new stories, plus we have a new archery champion. You are a skilled archer Yesel." "Thank you King Thranduil," she said. "There will be time for talk later. Legolas please show our guests to rooms where they may relax and refresh themselves. I will see you both at the feast tonight." The three bowed to him as he left.