Author's Note: I've been listening to music nonstop, and it's been a large driving force for what's been making me write like crazy. I hope ya'll are all enjoying this story as much as I am writing it. Please leave feedback!
-EuropeanCupcake
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Chapter 3: Introductions
Mala had been traveling with the elves on horseback for many days now. She had watched as Legolas utilized a stray raven on their way back to Mirkwood, in order to alarm his father of their arrival.
Mala had never felt quite so important in her entire eighteen years of life. She had never experienced anyone going out of their way to receive her in any shape.
He reassured her that it would be best to return to Mirkwood, especially since they did not know why Mala had been taken by Orcs.
He wanted to give his father enough time to anticipate their arrival, and possibly gather a council to discuss what to do now. Legolas claimed that her travel to Mordor only increased his suspicions.
Legolas spoke of a rising fear, and he was afraid that the Kingdom of Mordor would rise fully once again. He spoke of a time when a large War broke out over most of Middle Earth.
A dark ruler in Mordor had forged a ring in order to rule all of Middle Earth, within the depths of Mount Doom.
As Legolas spoke of his people's past history, a cold feeling spread throughout Mala's body. Even though these horrible tragedies had occurred many years ago, she felt as if she had been part of them.
Even now the Woodland Realm had been pushed back, as the shadow of the Necromancer advanced forward. He spoke of the increase in Orc numbers, and was sure it wasn't pure coincidence.
Even in times of peace, there really was none.
Once Mala had her fair share of sad stories, she had beckoned Legolas to tell her about better days.
Mala listened intently as he described the large trees of the Realm, and beautiful lights adorning the caves at night. He described how they shone like a thousand stars against a dark night sky.
Legolas also revealed that he had traveled slightly further than his father had permitted. His father had ordered him to survey the outskirts of Mordor, to make sure nothing unusual was occurring.
Instead however, Legolas had taken his group of Elves further than allowed.
Legolas was very friendly, and Mala began slowly feeling more comfortable around him. He spoke of the traditions of his people, and how his childhood was. Mala also spoke of her childhood in Harad, which seemed much more enjoyable than Legolas'.
His childhood had been filled with learning his place amongst Mirkwood, and spent with endless hours of learning.
With the strict upbringing that Legolas described, Mala was surprised that he seemed so friendly. It was easy to talk to him, and she found her words flowing out like the river.
The energy between Legolas and her was platonically friendly. She felt no threat from the Elven Prince any longer, and instead the beginnings of a friendship.
Learning about his future responsibilities not only as Prince, but also as King of Mirkwood. Legolas also described how his people were a bit more wild than the more regal Elves of Rivendell.
He explained that these Elves lived on the ground, unlike the Elves of Mirkwood. Their home made them more susceptible to possible attack, especially now that the darkness was growing.
October:Mala wasn't sure how many days had passed. They had stopped on several occasions to gather water to drink, and more supplies.
After what seemed like a lifetime they finally arrived at the edge of the woods. The trees of the enormous forest swayed with the strong breeze that came from the north. Their fluid movements looked almost like a welcoming wave, and Mala couldn't help but to smile.
She had always been particularly interested in nature and wildlife, and it was almost easy for her to get lost in the soft tempo of the swaying trees.
She remembered when she was younger how she had always taken all kind of animals back to her hut. Her mother eventually became angry with her, and forbade any animals within their home.
They made their way trough the large trees, and Mala could practically feel her companies anticipation.
They probably had been anticipating their arrival for many days now. She wondered how many of the Elves had family's awaiting them, and she found herself wishing them all the best.
They all look youthful of course, but Legolas had explained that Elves did not age the way that humans did. Even after hundreds of years of life, they barely showed any signs of age. Mala had picked up on many of the differences between her and the Elves on the way to Mirkwood.
They towered above her form easily, and she wondered how tall they were. Especially Legolas. He was easily over six feet tall, with her head barely reaching his shoulder blades.
Mala's hazel eyes looked around the forest curiously, taking in her surroundings. They crossed a bridge over a small waterfall, and made their way to a large wooden gate, where two brown haired Elves stood.
They seemingly welcomed Legolas with a bow, and their eyes immediately went to her. Legolas exchanged words with the two Elves, their eyes still on her.
Mala stood out like a sore thumb. She was surrounded by fair skinned, seemingly unflawed creatures. Here she was, on the back of Legolas' horse. Her dark curls had escaped her long braid, and were framing her caramel colored face.
She was bruised, scratched, and sweaty. Despite their long journey her company of Elves seemed barely effected by the time, and looked perfectly beautiful.
They didn't even seem to have a drop of sweat on their bodies, and Mala felt a bit ashamed. The differences between her human body and theirs were beyond apparent.
The Elves began to dismount the horses, and Mala jumped a bit when Legolas moved from behind her. He landed on his feet as graceful as a cat, and extended a hand to her.
Mala took his hand and gasped as he pulled her off the horse easily. There was a hidden strength behind his lean frame, and Mala landed in his arms. Mala blushed at their proximity and was glad when the Elf put her down after a few seconds.
"Thank you," she muttered, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear. Mala felt a lot better since her abduction from her homeland, mostly due to the fact that she had been well fed over the last few weeks. Legolas discussed a few soft words with the guards, who opened the door.
The group of Elves and Mala entered the large doors, and the Woodland Realm. Mala's hazel eyes took in the large cave halls in awe, amazed at the beautiful lights that were scattered across the stone walls.
The halls seemed to go on forever, as large openings adorned many halls within the stronghold.
"We are going to meet my father in his halls now. He is the King of Mirkwood, and needs to be addressed as such. I do not want you to throw yourself on the ground in cower in his presence, quite the opposite. I want you to show no fear when you are faced with him, no matter how cold he may be towards you Mala. Since my mother's passing however," Legolas paused, "he has been very cautious."
"My father makes no light gamble with the life's of his people, and at first he may see you as a slight threat. I have however warned him of your arrival, so he had more than enough time to prepare himself, and the council for it. I'm sure they've discussed the change your coming to Mirkwood may bring, but I do not believe that they will make a rash decision. You are no monster, and should not be treated as such."
Mala immediately felt a pang of understanding and sadness for Legolas, and nodded softly. She listened to each one of his words intently, and would try her absolute best to follow them.
They arrived at a large open room decorated with detailed etchings into the stone. Mala wondered how long Elven hands had spent to create such beautiful architecture, as her hazel eyes took in the room.
She gasped as she followed a set of wooden stairs up to a large wooden throne. The throne seemed to be shaped in the horns of a deer, but it wasn't the throne that caught Mala's attention...it was the beautiful man sitting in it.
He had the same long golden strands that adorned Legolas' head, except longer. His hair reminded Mala of a waterfall as it flowed down his shoulders, and came to stop slightly above the Elf's crossed legs. The King's eyes were a shade of light blue, and Mala practically shivered at his cold stare.
His face was unemotional as he glanced at Mala's form, and she felt extremely inferior. The man stood up with grace, his long golden hair falling over his broad shoulders. His form was tall and regal, and he made his way down the steps.
As he moved closer Mala could get a better look at his face, and she almost gasped in utter bliss. His eyebrows were full and sharp at the ends, giving him an even more elvish look than Mala thought possible. His nose was long and slender, perfectly placed in the middle of his flawless face.
The Woodland Kings lips were slightly full and a light shade of pink. Mala could feel the heat rising throughout her form, and pure astonishment.
Before her now stood the most beautiful thing that she had ever encountered. Despite the cold disposition that he was sending her, she was in utter awe.
He was even taller than Legolas, and towered above her at around seven feel. Mala looked up at him, her hazel eyes meeting his. "Father this is Mala, daughter of Daldikir Khazis. She comes from the south, all the way from Harad. The Orcs assaulted her village, and took her with them."
Mala bowed forward, "It's lovely to meet you, your Majesty. Thank you for allowing me to enter your Realm."
The woman's voice flowed out of her full lips like honey, and the sincerity of her words caught Thranduil off guard. "The pleasure is all mine Mala," Thranduil responded, bowing slightly in front of the young woman.
Thranduil paused for a moment, his light blue eyes studying the small woman in front of him. Her hair was mused from the long travels, several of her dark curls unfastened from the long braid that fell to the middle of her back. Her clothes were wrinkled from the long travel, and several slight scratches were on her right cheek.
Yet, here she stood. The kind emotion that radiated off of her form, was almost too much for him to take. Thranduil could not remember a time when his halls had been filled with so much emotion, and her arrival had only just taken place.
Her hazel colored eyes stared up at him behind impossibly long eyelashes, and her full lips were slightly parted, as if in awe.
He wondered if it was of him.
Thranduil was well aware he was attractive, even to elvish standards. His royal bloodline allotted him a lot of his height, and his golden hair. Yet as this human woman looked upon him with amazement in those strangely colored eyes, Thranduil couldn't help but feel a small amount of pride.
His blue eyes broke from her form for a second, for his own good.
"I am going to seek council from Gandalf on this matter. I do not believe that you are even human, Mala daughter of Daldikir Khazis." He caught the gasp that the small woman released, and he immediately felt slightly bad for her.
Her journey had already been hard all the way from Harad, he could only imagine what confusion this statement would bring her.
"Gandalf the Grey will be able to analyze what exactly you are. He's been alive for hundreds of years, and his magic abilities are advanced even for us. He will be able to identify who you are, and then we will move on from there."
Thranduil turned to Legolas, meeting his sons blue eyes. He would discuss his disobedient actions later, for now he had business to take care of. "Take Mala to one of the chambers and make sure she cleans herself up. I'm sure she desires a bath and food after her travels."
Thranduil met Mala's hazel eyes once again. "We will discuss the implications of your arrival, and my expectations after you have settled yourself in. I bid you a goodnight." Mala nodded softly, her black curls bouncing slightly with the movement. With that Legolas led the young woman out of the throne room.
Thranduil let out a relieved sigh as the same cold energy once again returned into his throne room, but there was still that nagging feeling at the back of his mind.
Thranduil felt as if the course of his life was about to take a turn, and he had a hunch it had something to do with that woman.
Even as she stood in front of him so frail, and frozen...Thranduil could feel something inside of her. Something beside that radiation of positivity that came from her small body.
"Send a raven to Gandalf the Grey. Tell him it is urgent, and that I may have found someone to help us fight against the growing darkness," he commanded to a servant near his throne.
The servant nodded and left the throne room, and Thranduil continued to ponder on what exactly he was going to do with the young woman.