Chapter 2: At First Glance
"Good morning, father," Liate kissed him on the cheek.
"And a good morning to you, dear daughter," her father smiled warmly. Lord Liamen was a tall elf with grey hair and green eyes that held centuries of wisdom and knowledge. Though he could be strict and stern at times, he had a kind soul who helped his kindred in need. "You seem to be radiating this morning, young one."
"Father, what ever do you mean?" Liate wondered.
Her father smiled again, "It's nothing. I only presumed you would be more excited to see our friends from Eryn Lasgalen, particularly the prince. That's all."
"Very funny, father," she answered sarcastically. "I simply find him intriguing due to the many tales I have heard. Surely there is no harm in being curious about an elf that may possibly be written in manuscripts like the Great Ones in the beginning of our time."
Liamen put his hands up in mock defense, "No, no, of course not! All I meant to say was, as your father I have the right to believe that in some small way, even if insignificantly small, I know of who keeps my daughter's interest. If there is such an elf worthy enough of her, mind you," then he smirked, "And Nania was kind enough to inform me about your thoughts regarding Legolas."
"Oh, Nania!" Liate exasperatedly whined, and as if on cue, Nania appeared.
"What is the matter?" the servant gave her a puzzling look. She only heard bits and pieces of the conversation as she walked out to the courtyard with refreshments. Seeing the look on Liate's face, she knew that it had to do something with their visitor's arrival. "I said no such thing! I merely told your father that he seemed like an interesting young prince. Nothing more."
Liate stood there with her mouth agape with her face slightly turning red. I cannot believe my own father deceived me! Liamen chuckled once more, "Do not be embarrassed, child. I, too, have heard of the idle talk the Lady's servants have whispered about the prince. Word tends to travel quickly when it comes to foreigner kin in our land," he caressed her cheek.
"I suppose," Liate sighed, then playfully pinched his cheeks for his trickery and excused herself just before taking a cup of elven juice from Nania's tray. Nania let out a quiet laughter as she left.
"I dislike it when she does that," he rubbed his reddened cheeks. Although Liate was considered a woman at the age of 4,295 for an elf-maiden, she still had her childlike qualities about her that her father loved. Sometimes in the city square she would sit with the younger children and play games or sing songs with them. She reminded him so much of his wife, the way she cared for other people, her love of nature and her talent for singing.
While the servants inside the Great Hall were still busy with getting things in order for the night's festivities, Liamen went down the spiraling staircases to see how the welcoming decorations were going at the front gates of their Elven domain. He wanted his friends to feel at home in Lórien. Since the attack from the Third Age, it took a lot of hard work in making the Golden Wood look peaceful and timeless once again. Since there wasn't much for Liate to do, either, she quietly snuck out and went to the open forest. The tall mellyrn in Lórien were still standing strong giving protection from the outside world. Since the dominion of Men was at hand by the end of the Third Age, the Elves who remained in Middle-earth became a secret people.
I I I
The sun crept through the vast foliage creating shadows all around with a light breeze flowing through the air making the leaves sway back and forth towards the ground. The trees in Lórien had grey and silver bark and golden blossoms, and their trunks that divided near the top into a crown were where the Elves built their Elven homes. The Lórien leaves also turned to gold in the autumn and did not fall until the beginning of the spring. Liate watched them float by her while the nightingales sang from their hidden branches. She looked up and closed her eyes. With her arms out to her sides, she started dancing around in circles singing along with the birds, kicking the fallen leaves every which way like a little elf-child.
Little did she know that in a different part of the forest another elf was also listening to the birds. Never had he heard any sound so wonderful. He slowed his horse to a light trot so he could enjoy the scenery and the joyful melody he was hearing. With his keen ears he followed the song of the singing creatures. As he got closer to them, he distinguished a different kind of song that was just as beautiful to listen to.
For some strange reason it sounded somewhat familiar and he became more drawn to it than the song of the birds. The singing became clearer as he neared a tiny covered patch of forest just east of where he started. The elf climbed off his horse and let him rest by a nearby tree. "I will not be long, Arvothen," he whispered. With his graceful step he quietly made his way in the direction of the voice.
Soon, in Liate's secret spot, more lomelindi appeared. "It is nice of you to join us," she playfully bowed to them with a smile. They greeted her back with a flutter and an unusual song, a tune she had not heard before. She was puzzled at the way they were acting and since she had no explanation for their indifferent behavior, she finally ignored it and continued her singing.
As Legolas watched her from his position, he became more mesmerized by her voice and her beauty. He had to find out who this female was. He carefully stepped out from where he concealed himself and spoke, "Forgive me for intruding milady, but I must say you have a very beautiful voice." Liate almost tripped over her own two feet from the startle he gave her and blushed from the embarrassment. She was so busy performing for the birds that she didn't notice his presence.
And you call yourself an elf, how graceful was that? She placed her hands on her chest to slow down her racing heart. "You frightened me half to death!" Liate exclaimed. "What are you doing here? How did you find this place? And who are you?" she also shot him a mouthful of questions.
Deep in the shadows of the forest she veiled herself at her favorite spot just west of the city where she could be alone, a place where she often went to think or to sing with the birds. An old garden used to house a working well until it dried up ages ago. Long forgotten, it now became enveloped by trees, vines and exotic flowers. The only way to get in was to go through the surrounding shrubbery that dangled off a few branches that covered it like a sheer curtain. Besides her, only the nightingales knew of the secret place and now this stranger.
"Well? Are you going to answer me, Master Elf, or simply let the changing seasons pass you by?" Liate said with an angry expression on her face. If the elf tried anything suspicious, she was sure to cut him with her dagger she was secretly hiding underneath her dress. Her father taught her to always be prepared for anything could happen when you are alone in the woods.
He tried responding but no words managed to escape his lips. His mouth went dry and his heart began to beat like drums in his chest. Her appearance had stunned him. Why does this scene seem so familiar? She glared at him, waiting for an answer. He stared at her for what seemed like an eternity until he was able to bring himself back from his frozen state to finally speak. "My apologies fair maiden, where are my manners," he bowed. "I am here with the company from the Woodland Realm that has been invited by Lord Liamen. I did not mean to trespass nor disturb your solitude in anyway. I was on my way to the city when I heard the lomelindi and you singing and thus, ended up here where I am now," the elf explained. "I meant no offense."
Liate took in his words and wanted to be sore at him for finding her but he seemed so genuinely sorry for his actions that, she couldn't help but forgive him for his intrusion. "Very well then, you are forgiven, Master Elf. I only ask that you do not tell anyone of this place. It is very dear to me and would rather not share it with the whole populace of Lórien."
"As you wish, milady," he smiled. Even though he could see her as clear as day from where he stood behind the tree, she was more tantalizing up close. She was a few inches shorter than he was, with long silver hair—which he found odd for a Lórien Elf—green eyes, and soft fair skin. The dress she wore was simple but still noticeably made for someone of noble stature.
"Thank you. And now, Master Elf, may I have a proper name?"
"Once again, forgive me for my rudeness," he lightly chuckled. "My name is Legolas Greenleaf son of King Thranduil. And if you may be so kind, milady, I would also like to learn of your name for a voice and beauty such as yours cannot be without one," the prince formally bowed.
Liate remained silent, her eyes wide with surprise at Legolas's identity. The elf in front of her had a slender, yet strapping physique, golden-blonde hair styled in Elven fashion, and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. From the forest colors of his attire and the quiver on his back she thought he was just a mere archer, not the actual prince himself! Legolas saw the look on her face and smiled to himself. Now it was her turn to be speechless.
He is the Prince of Mirkwood? To my knowledge he is a skilled archer, but never had I imagined he was this handsome. From my lack of manners he must think I was raised by wild boars...stupid elf!
"Milady, are you alright?" he asked, his blue eyes looking at her with concern.
"Pardon? Oh yes! Very well, my prince," Liate blushed. "What you are doing wandering the woods by yourself, your Highness? And, why you are not with your company either?"
Legolas smiled again. "So many of your questions I have already answered and yet you fail to answer my only one. You will hear nothing more from me until my question is answered."
Liate blushed again at her hasty curiosity. "Forgive me, your Highness. I presume it is now my turn to apologize to you. My name is Liate, daughter of Lord Liamen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince of Mirkwood," she curtseyed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Liate, but please call me Legolas. Being called anything else is much too formal for my liking. It makes me sound old like my father," he shook his head with a grin. "Not even our servants at home call me anything but Legolas, really. I prefer it that way. I'm only referred to my title when being addressed around my father or the other delegates."
"As you wish...Legolas," Liate nodded her head. "If you and your company have already arrived, then the feast must soon be starting."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I did leave my father and the others a while ago. They are probably in the city by now…and to answer your last question, I rode ahead to reacquaint myself with the Golden Wood, which is why I am with no one save my horse. I believe we both should head back before our fathers send the guards out to search for us."
With Liate in agreement, they headed back to his horse and rode as fast as Arvothen's hooves could carry them. Legolas allowed her sit in front of him so that she might be more comfortable. Liate held on to the horse's mane (since Elves ride without saddle or bridle), letting the wind flow freely through her hair.
It felt a bit unnerving to have the prince who she barely knew so close to her, but yet, she was comfortable with his presence. His chest occasionally pressed against her back with the galloping of the horse and his strong arms around her made her skin tingle. What am I thinking?! She scolded herself. Liate brushed the inappropriate thoughts from her mind and tried placing her focus back on the ride home.
The elf-prince, on the other hand, was smiling broadly to himself as he held Liate in his arms. Her intoxicating scent filled his nostrils as her hair blew over his shoulders. A strange feeling was sweeping all around him, a feeling he'd never felt before. Her song made him feel so alive and blissful and he didn't know why. Could it be the magic that Lórien held or something else?