Author's Note: This is the first part of three books. Kind of like the LOTR trilogy. The first part is the history between Legolas and Riniel. The second part of the trilogy is the two's relationship throughout the journey of the fellowship. Then the third part will be their life after the war of the ring.

Disclaimer: I do not own Middle Earth, or the Lord of the Rings and all its characters and places. I do own the character, Riniel, and maybe others. I will let you know of that later.

She opened her eyes to see a small lake surrounded by green lush. There were flowers of every color and water as crystal clear. There was also a waterfall that led to the small lake.

"It's beautiful" Riniel whispered.

"This is the most treasured place in Mirkwood. My mother showed it to me when I was young. She told me the story of this magnificent place and it's magic." Legolas told her. He sat down and she followed sitting down on the green grass next to the lake.

"Shall I tell you the story?" He asked her.

"Yesâ€please tell me." She told him.

"Very well. When my father was a prince he met my mother, who was just an ordinary wood elf of Mirkwood. My father knew when he saw her that he loved her with all his heart, but he did not know if she felt the same. So one day he took her and brought her here. He then looked into her eyes and asked if she felt the same way he did for her. And she did. My father says it's almost as if they fell in love right then and there, even though they loved each other before. My mother said this place is magical. She says it brings out the best in everyone who enters this fine place. She says it shows you what your heart really feels deep down inside."

Riniel smiled, "That's a beautiful story. And did the prince and elf live happily ever after?"

"Yes, yes they did. For thousands of years, before she died." He told her.

"How did she die?" Riniel asked.

Legolas did not answer, but looked onto the lake.

"I'm sorry, Legolas. I shouldn't have asked." Riniel said placing her hand on his arm for small comfort.

Legolas looked at Riniel, now with sadness in his eyes. "She was attacked. On the outer edge of this forest, unguarded and surrounded by many foes."

Now Riniel looked away onto the lake as if it told more of the story, "I'm sorry." She said now with deep sorrow.

There was a silence among the two as if showing respect for the dead queen of Mirkwood.

Then Riniel got up and headed towards the waterfall and a patch of many beautiful flowers.

"What are you doing?" Legolas asked her.

"Well, you said I should see all of Mirkwood. So I'm looking." Riniel said to him smiling.

Legolas got up and headed after her.

"These flowers are beautiful. I remember themâ€they vanished from Kirvena long ago." Riniel informed him.

"They have been in this forest for many years. They are the most beautiful things, I believe, that this forest has to offer. But that all changed when you walked into the forest." Legolas said while Riniel stood there looking at the flowers blushing.

Riniel bent down to examine the flowers more closely. "Flowers are a magnificent part of nature. They are beautiful for the summer days, but then they wither and die, as do many other things in this world."

"Not everything dies." Legolas said. "True love never dies. Neither does the rising sun or setting moon."

"True loveâ€how do we know there is such a thing?" Riniel asked in disbelief.

"It is such a thing, it is a thing that someone feels inside their heart for another. And every time you see that person your heart skips and your head spins."

"And what else happens?" Riniel asked now face to face with Legolas looking into his eyes.

"You dream about them in your sleep and you want to spend every minute of the many years of your life with them. And" Legolas stopped taking a step closer to Riniel.

Now he was inches from her face. "And what?" She asked.

He took her hands in his and continued. "And whenever you touch that other person energy runs through you and you get the feeling of warmth and comfort.

Legolas' face moved closer to Riniel's face inch by inch. Then she suddenly pulled away.

"I am quite tired from the journey yesterday," she said. "Will you please take me back to your palace so I may get some rest?"

Legolas stood there shocked, but then suddenly answered her question. "Of course, my lady." He said bowing.

Riniel nodded and followed Legolas out of the magical place where he brought her.

When she was safe in the bed of the room she was given she laid her head upon her pillow and laid there in silence.

"I couldn't possibly have feelings for Legolas. Could I?" She asked herself.

Then she answered suddenly. "No! You just met him. You don't know him. You don't love him."

"Then why did I almost kiss him?" She asked another question to herself.

But after that all she heard in her head was silence. Her last question was never answered.

Then she whispered the question to herself again, "Then why did I almost kiss him?"

Suddenly she heard a horse and many men screaming. She guessed the horse wasn't being tame and they were trying to tame it.

She ventured out her door to see what was happening.

Outside the palace she saw as many as ten men, including Legolas, trying to manhandle a horse---her horse!

Her horse, Narlia, got spooked while resting one night and ventured off. Riniel figured she left the forest and headed home, but there she was.

"Stop!" Riniel screamed heading towards the crowd of men and horse. "Stop! She's my horse."

When she got closer to the horse she took the rains in her left hand and got her right hand and stroked the head of the horse.

"Narlia" she whispered. "Calm down, Narlia. You're safe now. I'm here."

The horse suddenly calmed down. Then Riniel turned to a man who was standing next to the horse, amazed.

"Please show me to the stables. I will take her." Riniel said and the man nodded and showed her to the stables.

Hours later Legolas ventured into the stables for Riniel was still in there with her horse and it was time for dinner feast.

"Riniel?" He asked, not seeing where she was hiding.

Riniel appeared around a column. "What?" She asked him.

"It is time for dinner feast. Will you not come and join us?"

"Of course I will." Riniel said.

Legolas nodded and motioned his hand towards the palace as a gesture.

"What are we having this lovely night?" Riniel asked Legolas while walking back to the palace.

"I believe salted pork." Legolas answered back.

"With wine?" Riniel asked.

"Of course. It would not be a meal without the finest wine Mirkwood could offer." Legolas answered with a smile appearing on his face.

The two entered the palace to see King Thranduil sitting on his throne while servants of the palace got the food on the tables.

"Ah, my lady, Riniel. I'm so glad you came back from watching your horse to eat with us. There is a strong bond between animals and elves. We understand them better then men. We need to make sure we also gain their respect."

"Yes, king." Riniel answered him.

They all sat down when the tables were ready and food was placed upon them.

"So Legolas showed you around Mirkwood, did he not?" The King asked Riniel.

Riniel shot a quick glance to Legolas who was looking down at his plate of food nervously. "Yes, king. You have a beautiful kingdom."

"Yes, yes. Mirkwood is a beautiful forest. Although, many people do not find forests beautiful, but we wood elves find it the only place that soothes our hearts."

"Yes, I could not imaging living somewhere that wasn't surround by trees." Riniel said and they all shared a good laugh.

"Legolas, my lad, are you going to shore her more of Mirkwood tomorrow?" The King asked his son.

"Yes, father. If Riniel wishes I will show her more of your kingdom." Legolas told his father.

"I would very much like to see the rest of Mirkwood." Riniel said.

"Wonderful!" The king said and motioned for a toast.

The three raised their wineglasses up and the king toasted. "To new beginnings." The kings said and the others echoed while clanking wineglasses among each other.

"If you will excuse me." Riniel said once her meal was finished. "I shall retire."

The king and prince stood up while Riniel exited the room. When they seated again the king spoke to Legolas.

"Legolas. You look at Riniel as if she is a star from the night sky. What is going on in your heart?" He asked his son.

Ending Note: Please review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will try to update as soon as I can, but it's hard because of school. So please bare with me. Thanks!