AN: Happy New Year to all of you readers!

Thank you for the review from AmayaLuthien. I am happy to see there are already people following this story! I hope you'll like the next part, I decided to give some more insight in Galarel's and Thranduil's past, before jumping towards to the events of the Hobbit -movies.

Everything expect Galarel belongs to J.R.R Tolkien, I am simply an admirer of his work and the Hobbit -movies. This story is purely a fiction made to entertain other fans of Middle-Earth world.

A reminisce while riding through forests

"What good would it do to give hope where there is none? It would be a fool's errand, the one ending in a broken heart."

/

Galarel was on her way to Rivendell, her former home. The autumn seemed to wait its turn just around the corner, still the weather was fortunate on these last days of summer.

While she appreciated the solitude this journeying alone offered, it also tended to give her too much time with her thoughts which were quite hard to ignore at times.

Still she enjoyed traveling a lot, loved to see the world and how everything seemed to change a bit and yet stay the same way it had always been.
Sometimes change was ugly and sad; usually after orcs and goblins had visited a village or a settlement. She had a deep hatred in her heart for those creatures.

Galarel traveled alone because it was the safest way to go. She could take care of herself especially on this road, for she had traveled from Mirkwood to Rivendell so many times in her life that she had lost count. She knew this route like the pockets in her jacket.

For example, she knew that at this very moment, in one of her pockets she had a little leather pouch filled with gold. It was the other reason for her trip, she was going to get a present for Legolas; one unique and very well crafted elven bow from the smiths of Rivendell.

She had taught Legolas to use the bow and make one for himself from a suitable piece of wood. She had felt that he was now becoming old enough to have his first real bow, fitted for a prince and fitted for a battle against orcs.

She wanted to have the privilege to give him that.

Elves didn't celebrate their birthdays as humans tended to by having a birthday party each year, mostly because Elves were immortal. But they had certain times in life, milestones you could say, which were celebrated.

The upcoming Legolas's milestone was about him being fully grown elf and becoming a warrior who enters battles other than protecting Mirkwood. You could say that he will earn his place and position in leadership, to be able to command an army when needed to. Also to be a part in defending the kingdom and any act of war in the future, also the responsibility of making hard decisions. That was a big thing and a big change in young elves life.

/

Galarel smiled softly at the thought, her mind wandering back in time into the moment where they had last held a party for Legolas. It had been a time when he had completed every part of teachings, learning about Elven history and things like that. Skills in archery too was important.
In a world of humans that would have meant that their child was educated in schools and had passed through their teenage, reaching adulthood soon. This was kind of the same thing.
The horse strode peacefully along the road and wind gently caressed Galarel's cheek and hair. She breathed in the fresh air around her and let her mind drift back to that day of celebration...
/

It was the morning of a big day including one large party, for it was Legolas' s first day to be celebrated. He had finished his lessons and teachings that needed to be known by every elfling, had trained so much that they were capable of joining a battle outside of Mirkwood and were reaching adulthood.

The sun had already risen high to the sky, its rays making their way to the Legolas's chambers. He stood in front of a mirror and Galarel was standing behind him.
Legolas has asked for Galarel to give him a hand to pick out the best outfit and also to help with braiding his hair. It was a really important day to him.

Galarel had been very pleased when Legolas had asked for her help. She hummed some old tune to herself while braiding the young elves hair. She noticed that Legolas had grown much taller than her, although she was tall for a female.

Elves tended to be much taller than men, so it was no big surprise. Although Galarel was a halfelf, she was actually glad that she didn't get any taller than she already was. She managed to intimidate some men with her height alone. She smirked to herself; it was useful feature on a commander but otherwise it didn't have that much of benefit.

Galarel finished braiding his hair, it was symmetrically braided from both sides, two thin braids and one thicker on the back of the head. He looked very handsome.

She smiled softly, admiring the young elf reflecting from the mirror. Legolas seemed a bit embarrassed and raised his eyebrows;"What are you smiling at, do I look funny or something?"

Galarel laughed a bit and shook her head;"Oh.. apologies. No, you do not look funny at all. You have just grown out to be so handsome young elf. You have your mothers eyes and your father's hair, jaw.. his charm."

"Oh?"Legolas asked with a wondering expression covering his face, he touched his chin with his fingers.

Galarel sighted softly;"I am pretty certain that you'll break many hearts if you aren't careful. Remember that. You sometimes seem to have this expression just like your father has, the one that seems to melt the knees.."

"Oh"Legolas commented and almost immediately after that he smirked with triumph;"Has father made your knees melt?"

Galarel blushed a little, acknowledging she may have said a little too much, and answered with a sarcastic tone accompanied by a wink of an eye;"Well. I do have eyes, you know. I was merely complimenting you, young one."

"Here, now you can see for yourself."Galarel told him as she picked up a hand mirror and hold it behind him, so that he could see how the hair was looking from behind.

Legolas nodded in agreement and approval, admiring himself from the mirror. A moment of silence lingered in the room before he spoke again;"Lady Galarel. I really like you.. I am sure my Father likes you-"

Galarel almost dropped the hand mirror at hearing this and swallowed hastily;"Legolas, that is not-"

Suddenly she felt his heart skip a beat when her eyes fixed to the reflection on the mirror and hearing a familiar voice from the doorway behind her;"Am I interrupting?"

And how could it be, that he just had to walk in right at that moment? Galarel always had thought she had this bad luck in these kind of things, and she was glad that Legolas was wise enough to keep his mouth shut after his father had arrived to the room. She wished that he king hadn't heard what Legolas had said. It had been.. inappropriate thing to say. Even though the king and queen hadn't been in good terms toward the end of their relationship, they were still together even after death. Rirosbes still exists and is in the Halls of Waiting.

"N-no, not at all. Actually Legolas is quite ready, my king."Galarel spoke with a smile on her face and Thranduil waved his hand with a hint of annoyance in his voice;"I've told you before, you can call me by my first name, Galarel. Are you sure everything is alright? You seem.. nervous."

"Merely just waiting for the party. I haven't seen Elrond in years, so I'm looking forward to it."Galarel answered avoiding Thranduil's eyes, although she was actually telling the truth. It was going to be delightful to meet Elrond and hear how things were in Rivendell.

She glanced shortly at Legolas and Thranduil, father checking out his son's outfit. He seemed to approve and complimented Galarel of her work. She was happy to hear it.

Her eyes lingered on the king a bit too long as they should have, and she couldn't help but wonder about Legolas's earlier words for a moment before she shook her head.

/It is clear that I am getting influenced with the young elves enthusiasm and hopefulness, as I did even consider about the meaning of his words. Foolish, naïve elflings words.. nothing more./ she decided in her mind and went to the doorway in attempt to go and change into something more.. merrier clothing. And mood; to get her thoughts focused on the party.

/

On her way around the corner she bumped into Tauriel who smiled eagerly;"There you are! I was just looking for you. Could you help me choose over two dresses? I really can't decide which one to wear.."

Galarel rolled her eyes and nodded;"Bring them with you to my chambers, otherwise I have no time to change clothes myself. Hurry up then, we don't have that much time."

Tauriel beamed at her and disappeared to the direction of her own chambers.

Galarel smiled at the excitement of the girl, she remembered how fun it was to pick out dresses and try to get the attention of some handsome elf. Not that she had done that so much with lots of success.

Her smile faltered a little as she felt an empty bang in her stomach; it had been so long since she had actually done anything like that, and nowadays she really wasn't sure why she would do or more precisely, how to. It felt like it a lifetime away since she had been on a date!

She had got used to in being the commander of the scouts and guarding the forest of Mirkwood. Also doing some brief scouting trips once in a while was very familiar to her and staying the night under the stars. Traveling alone to Rivendell and back. She was more comfortable in her battle dress and armor than in a lady's dress. She felt a bit worried.

Real dress reminded her of her past, some failed events in love life and the fact that she was still alone. She had lots of friends and such, but she really didn't have much experience in the battlefield of love.

If there was it had failed for reason or another, usually because the guy turned out to be a real jerk.

She smirked to herself, if love could be seen as a battlefield, maybe she should have a better chance next time, after all being a skilled warrior these days. But she was more afraid of that kind of battle than the real ones. A broken heart hurt more than an arrow.

Another reason to her loneliness was that love, courtship, within the Elvish society was so ..strict, you could say. You can share a kiss with someone who wasn't married but if anything more than that, it meant you would have to get married first with that guy. Elves rarely married twice in their lifetime and only had few children too. It was one life, one love kind of policy. It was written in their laws, a marriage lasted forever. It was a little different among humans.

Galarel was sure it was from her human inheritance why she felt this restless feeling more often nowadays. But she wasn't sure if she wanted to have someone for one night just for the fun of it, she really would prefer to have someone she had real feelings for. And who had those kind of feelings towards her too, of course. Love.

And then it would mean she had to get married. Now there's a mental image which was pretty unreal. Perhaps it was not meant for her, that kind of change in life.

Besides, there had been none that would have tricked her interest so much she would've even considered marrying them and she sometimes worried if it was because of her human inheritance.

If she was meant to fall in love with a human and not an elf? Or just be alone. She was doing good as a soldier, so she thought it wouldn't be that bad.

She hesitated though.
Something from the depths of her mind and heart whispered / ..and what about Thranduil?/

At first she smiled softly and then frowned /What about him? He is of royal blood and he is the Elvenking. Why on earth would he lay eyes and his interest on a halfelf like myself? And even if he did, he has been married and cannot marry again.

Besides, we have known for a few lifetimes already. We have a strong friendship and I do not want to lose that just because I'm trying to fill this loneliness inside of me.

I should be thankful I've achieved my place as a commander in Mirkwood although I wasn't born in here and aren't full-blooded elf./

A silent whisper was echoing in the back of her mind /What good would it do to give hope where there is none? It would be a fool's errand, the one ending in a broken heart./

She finally reached her chambers and stopped when seeing her bed; on top of it laid a beautiful autumn colored scarf and beneath it was a dress. She had never saw it before and she was sure it hadn't been there when she left her room last time.

She stared at it, wondering who did that outfit belong to. It was stunning, like a jewel. While taking a few curious steps closer, her eyes noticed an envelope on top the dress.

The letters on it formed two words; "To Galarel".

/

/

Galarel was waken up from her thoughts as she realized it was almost nightfall already, it meant she should pretty soon reach Rivendell. There was still a way to go, but she would surely reach the place before sunrise.

She put her hand into one of her backpacks tiny pocket and pulled something out; a silver jewelry, a barrette shaped like a leaf. Two white stones shining on it, as the first rays of pale moonlight caught them.

It was the very same piece of jewelry that she had worn that day.

R&R!

AN: Thank you for Bookworm624 for pointing out a few facts about "The Laws and Customs of the Eldar". I have taken this under notice and fixed the story to stand correct for that part.