Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geeze, I feel so guilty. I HAVE been busy,
but I admit that I still have time to go online, only to write my three
original stories in www.fictionpress.com. =b
Oh sorry, I cannot help myself, I have to promote these. If you are interested in any original story ideas of mine, please check out my stories at fictionpress. My author name remains unchanged. The 3 stories are basically: 1, Ripples on the Lake: My everyday reflections, written as poetry or songs. 2. Soulful Tune: A girl who has low esteem and a lousy life with a broken family and almost non-existent social life. Then she loses her hearing ability in a hit and run, finds that she can hear herself more clearly, and finds love, true friendship, acceptance. 3. To Step Under the Sun: This fantasy stuff packed with beautiful manga like characters, has a modern teenage witch, a prophecy, a whole town of vampires etc etc. A lot of heroism and romance and friendship involved.
Takes a deep breath. * Ok, no more crapping. Please enjoy this chapter. P.S; You know what? FORGET DARK ELVES, they are not IMPORTANT ANYMORE. I have finally made the cruel decision to eliminate the whole point of the war. Thank you.
Chapter 7
King Legolas looked around the hall impatiently. The fragrance of Star Blossoms, a white flower found only in Mirkwood, mixed with the sharp scents of fresh pine. Water lilies leaned elegantly in clear crystal vases. The Grand Hall looks tonight as if it is challenging its own name... Never have such effort put into the decoration of the hall.
Around Legolas, some elves danced together, their feet moving lightly their long gowns flowing elegantly. A band was playing the sweetest music Legolas had ever heard. One elf strummed the golden strings of a harp craved out of ivory and adorned with silver patterns. Another played a lulling tune with a long flute. Other elves sang, their voices resounding through the hall and out into the corridors like the purest notes of honey.
Yet the atmosphere was a mixed one. It had a quarter sadness, a quarter happiness and half of excitement and longing.
The sadness was because they were all leaving Middle Earth.
The happiness because the war had been easily won.
The excitement and longing because King Legolas must choose his bride tonight by midnight.
He and his queen shall leave tomorrow, on their white steeds, accompanied by all the elves of Mirkwood to the Sea. Where, technically, they are supposed to live together happily forever.
Legolas glanced down at the shell he clutched in his hand. He lovingly caressed the curls of the spiral in the middle of the white pearly shell. Once again, the echoes and calls of the sea gulls and the swishing sound of sea waves pounding the shore rang strong and true in his heart.
He knew that place deep in his heart. Yet he had never seen it. He longed to walk on that oasis, a utopia... his paradise. He longed to see, smell and breath that place so much that his heart ached at staying in Mirkwood.
But where was Ethelia?
She had tried to join the army secretly anyway. Unfortunately for her, her wound became obvious. Legolas did not find it hard to notice that one soldier, looking too much of feminine form, had awkwardly held his bow with his right arm.
He grinned despite the tiresome evening. Somehow, he had guessed that Ethelia was going to disobey him, which made him alert to her presence before the army even set off.
But where WAS Ethelia?
Legolas frowned and started to walk out of the hall, intent on finding Ethelia before the dawn. When the sun rays come again, he shall be gone. He wanted to say goodbye.
A pale hand slipped itself around his arm. He turned, trying to hide his annoyance. Lady Liana had been following him around ever since he had come back.
" My King, would you care to dance?" Lady Liana smiled at him, her dark lashes fluttered ever so naturally.
Legolas bowed humbly. ( Or tried to bow. Lady Liana's hand had somehow slipped down to his thigh.)
Legolas blushed at the offending touch. But like his upbringing, not a hint of his annoyance showed on his features.
" Pardon my Lady Liana. I have other matters to turn to. I am seeking my friend, Ethelia, for I wish to bid her goodbye." Legolas replied.
" But you promised me a dance. King Tranduil has...... recommended that we be..... more than just friends......" Lady Liana allowed her voice to trail off. Slowly, she inclined her upper body towards him and pouted her full lips.
Legolas eyes went slightly wide as Lady Liana's reddish lips loomed closer and closer to his face.
With a smooth twist of a heel, Legolas did a quick turn on his heel, causing Lady Liana to almost fall on her nose as her lips met, not his mouth, but the empty space beside one shoulder.
Legolas was afterall a prince. He stretched out one arm, caught Lady Liana around the waist smoothly and helped her upright.
" My apologies my lady. I am in a hurry." He murmured.
Then with a last polite nod, Prince Legolas hurried out of the hall. Lady Liana watched him go, a scowl set on her pretty face. Almost immediately, she was sought after by a misty eyed Elf Lord for a dance, whom she waved away impatiently.
" Finding Ethelia are you? Well... I am sure I can assist you." Lady Liana whispered to herself. Her dark eyes gleamed.
In the high table, Meren conversed with King Tranduil with gusto.
" Your majesty, you agree with me then, that the young King do need a queen? Do you still remember my, er, our discussion the past few days about the importance of the guidance a queen can bring to the king?" Meren asked, gesturing with emphasis.
King Tranduil nodded, rather inclined to snap back that he had Meren at this for hundreds of times already.
" But my son wishes to leave tomorrow. It is his will to do so." He added.
" Ah! That is so! But think of the love Lady Liana has for King Legolas! I speak of her virtues not because she is my daughter, but because she has proved herself to be justly so. The rumors in the court are not all rubbish your majesty. Me daughter has given her heart, her SOUL, her every being, to your son! When he leaves, there would still be elves and duties for us in Mirkwood. How then are we to find a ruler? It is wise, my king, to appoint a queen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, one to stay behind and carry the burden after your majesty and King Legolas leave tomorrow morn!" Meren said, showing no signs of backing down.
King Tranduil nodded again but his mind was somewhere else besides Meren's ravings. He knew that Meren was after honor for his daughter. But as a father himself, he saw little fault in a little too much obsessive parental desire to see one's own flesh and blood on a high position. Meren had followed him throughout both his father's and his ruling and had showed himself capable, loyal and if, only a little, headstrong in his stands on issues.
Then there was Lady Liana. A most beautiful lady admired and envied by the females and worshipped as a goddess for the males. She was graceful, intelligent, beautiful and has already showed without a qualm that she desired Legolas even before the prince became king.
Besides these two facts that convince him that what Meren says is worth a listen, there is still the sense of protection Thranduil has over his son. Legolas has done him proud. He has grown into such a fine king, with skill and bravery and great deeds and wisdom. Thranduil could not bear the idea of his son without a heir of his own, or a constant companion. Elves died of grief more than death and he only knew too keenly that to be king, at the highest and loneliest position above all others, is painfully lonely without a mate.
Before midnight, Legolas shall marry.
That is, if he wishes.
***** ****
Lady Liana walked out of the hall, smiling to herself.
"I am trying to catch a little rat. And lucky for me, the foolish rat has the vial still. That vial is like a lighthouse, it brings me right to her anytime and anywhere I want, whether it is physically before her or mentally within her." Thinking this, Lady Liana's smile turned predatory.
She walked with sure footsteps to the servant quarters, where she knew the foolish girl had curled up to weep in her grimy little corner.
Her father's plan was such a bother really. Legolas was desirable of course, but she preferred someone handsome and rich AND sexually active. He is in one word: BORING.
Besides, what were the chances of marriage now? It is only evening now. Ha! By mid night the time will be due and Thranduil will surely spoil his little prince into making his choice.
Judging by that reaction she got at the hall, Liana already knew Legolas's answer to marrying her.
Liana reached the door of the servant quarters. Rearranging her features into an expression of sisterly concern and understanding, she stepped into the room.
Ethelia buried her head in her arms, oblivious to her dusty face and runny nose.
Just let it go. Just cry it out. Stay strong. Ethelia thought desperately to herself. She hated crying. It was for the weak.
The reason for such despair she was not entirely sure. All she knew was she had been bracing herself for this day. The departure of people she had loved all her life.
Maladiel, whom she loved like a mother, was leaving too. All the royal cooks, who were like her siblings, annoying but fun companions, are already at the feast, ready to pack later on.
And Legolas, whom she had loved most of all, will be gone by dawn. She knew she will never look forward to another dawn again.
Sadness and anger sprang in her heart. Yes, she belonged to Men. She was weak, prone to hate and greed, short sighted and less wise than the elves.
Yes, her life has been short. She had only played an insignificant fraction of the eternal lives of these elves.
To them, she was...... cute. They had all left to celebrate with their kind. None had held her or cried for her as far as she could remember.
Yet, for her, they were everything.
The door creaked and she detected the soft shuffles of silk slippers on the floor. She turned her back on the intruder, trying to discreetly dry her face.
" I know your sadness, young one."
Ethelia froze. That voice had become all too familiar. She turned to see Lady Liana smiling indulgingly at her.
Lady Liana stretched out a fair hand. " Come, my girl, I shall not tolerate you to be over looked. Let me dress and groom you to such perfection that those arrogant and forgetful elves will think of nothing but you tonight."
She grinned at Ethelia playfully like a little girl, tiny perfect teeth showing in that rare smile.
Ethelia smiled back tentatively. Feeling ashamed, she hesitantly placed her own brownish hand in Liana's fair ones.
The vial flared with light for an instant.
Oh sorry, I cannot help myself, I have to promote these. If you are interested in any original story ideas of mine, please check out my stories at fictionpress. My author name remains unchanged. The 3 stories are basically: 1, Ripples on the Lake: My everyday reflections, written as poetry or songs. 2. Soulful Tune: A girl who has low esteem and a lousy life with a broken family and almost non-existent social life. Then she loses her hearing ability in a hit and run, finds that she can hear herself more clearly, and finds love, true friendship, acceptance. 3. To Step Under the Sun: This fantasy stuff packed with beautiful manga like characters, has a modern teenage witch, a prophecy, a whole town of vampires etc etc. A lot of heroism and romance and friendship involved.
Takes a deep breath. * Ok, no more crapping. Please enjoy this chapter. P.S; You know what? FORGET DARK ELVES, they are not IMPORTANT ANYMORE. I have finally made the cruel decision to eliminate the whole point of the war. Thank you.
Chapter 7
King Legolas looked around the hall impatiently. The fragrance of Star Blossoms, a white flower found only in Mirkwood, mixed with the sharp scents of fresh pine. Water lilies leaned elegantly in clear crystal vases. The Grand Hall looks tonight as if it is challenging its own name... Never have such effort put into the decoration of the hall.
Around Legolas, some elves danced together, their feet moving lightly their long gowns flowing elegantly. A band was playing the sweetest music Legolas had ever heard. One elf strummed the golden strings of a harp craved out of ivory and adorned with silver patterns. Another played a lulling tune with a long flute. Other elves sang, their voices resounding through the hall and out into the corridors like the purest notes of honey.
Yet the atmosphere was a mixed one. It had a quarter sadness, a quarter happiness and half of excitement and longing.
The sadness was because they were all leaving Middle Earth.
The happiness because the war had been easily won.
The excitement and longing because King Legolas must choose his bride tonight by midnight.
He and his queen shall leave tomorrow, on their white steeds, accompanied by all the elves of Mirkwood to the Sea. Where, technically, they are supposed to live together happily forever.
Legolas glanced down at the shell he clutched in his hand. He lovingly caressed the curls of the spiral in the middle of the white pearly shell. Once again, the echoes and calls of the sea gulls and the swishing sound of sea waves pounding the shore rang strong and true in his heart.
He knew that place deep in his heart. Yet he had never seen it. He longed to walk on that oasis, a utopia... his paradise. He longed to see, smell and breath that place so much that his heart ached at staying in Mirkwood.
But where was Ethelia?
She had tried to join the army secretly anyway. Unfortunately for her, her wound became obvious. Legolas did not find it hard to notice that one soldier, looking too much of feminine form, had awkwardly held his bow with his right arm.
He grinned despite the tiresome evening. Somehow, he had guessed that Ethelia was going to disobey him, which made him alert to her presence before the army even set off.
But where WAS Ethelia?
Legolas frowned and started to walk out of the hall, intent on finding Ethelia before the dawn. When the sun rays come again, he shall be gone. He wanted to say goodbye.
A pale hand slipped itself around his arm. He turned, trying to hide his annoyance. Lady Liana had been following him around ever since he had come back.
" My King, would you care to dance?" Lady Liana smiled at him, her dark lashes fluttered ever so naturally.
Legolas bowed humbly. ( Or tried to bow. Lady Liana's hand had somehow slipped down to his thigh.)
Legolas blushed at the offending touch. But like his upbringing, not a hint of his annoyance showed on his features.
" Pardon my Lady Liana. I have other matters to turn to. I am seeking my friend, Ethelia, for I wish to bid her goodbye." Legolas replied.
" But you promised me a dance. King Tranduil has...... recommended that we be..... more than just friends......" Lady Liana allowed her voice to trail off. Slowly, she inclined her upper body towards him and pouted her full lips.
Legolas eyes went slightly wide as Lady Liana's reddish lips loomed closer and closer to his face.
With a smooth twist of a heel, Legolas did a quick turn on his heel, causing Lady Liana to almost fall on her nose as her lips met, not his mouth, but the empty space beside one shoulder.
Legolas was afterall a prince. He stretched out one arm, caught Lady Liana around the waist smoothly and helped her upright.
" My apologies my lady. I am in a hurry." He murmured.
Then with a last polite nod, Prince Legolas hurried out of the hall. Lady Liana watched him go, a scowl set on her pretty face. Almost immediately, she was sought after by a misty eyed Elf Lord for a dance, whom she waved away impatiently.
" Finding Ethelia are you? Well... I am sure I can assist you." Lady Liana whispered to herself. Her dark eyes gleamed.
In the high table, Meren conversed with King Tranduil with gusto.
" Your majesty, you agree with me then, that the young King do need a queen? Do you still remember my, er, our discussion the past few days about the importance of the guidance a queen can bring to the king?" Meren asked, gesturing with emphasis.
King Tranduil nodded, rather inclined to snap back that he had Meren at this for hundreds of times already.
" But my son wishes to leave tomorrow. It is his will to do so." He added.
" Ah! That is so! But think of the love Lady Liana has for King Legolas! I speak of her virtues not because she is my daughter, but because she has proved herself to be justly so. The rumors in the court are not all rubbish your majesty. Me daughter has given her heart, her SOUL, her every being, to your son! When he leaves, there would still be elves and duties for us in Mirkwood. How then are we to find a ruler? It is wise, my king, to appoint a queen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, one to stay behind and carry the burden after your majesty and King Legolas leave tomorrow morn!" Meren said, showing no signs of backing down.
King Tranduil nodded again but his mind was somewhere else besides Meren's ravings. He knew that Meren was after honor for his daughter. But as a father himself, he saw little fault in a little too much obsessive parental desire to see one's own flesh and blood on a high position. Meren had followed him throughout both his father's and his ruling and had showed himself capable, loyal and if, only a little, headstrong in his stands on issues.
Then there was Lady Liana. A most beautiful lady admired and envied by the females and worshipped as a goddess for the males. She was graceful, intelligent, beautiful and has already showed without a qualm that she desired Legolas even before the prince became king.
Besides these two facts that convince him that what Meren says is worth a listen, there is still the sense of protection Thranduil has over his son. Legolas has done him proud. He has grown into such a fine king, with skill and bravery and great deeds and wisdom. Thranduil could not bear the idea of his son without a heir of his own, or a constant companion. Elves died of grief more than death and he only knew too keenly that to be king, at the highest and loneliest position above all others, is painfully lonely without a mate.
Before midnight, Legolas shall marry.
That is, if he wishes.
***** ****
Lady Liana walked out of the hall, smiling to herself.
"I am trying to catch a little rat. And lucky for me, the foolish rat has the vial still. That vial is like a lighthouse, it brings me right to her anytime and anywhere I want, whether it is physically before her or mentally within her." Thinking this, Lady Liana's smile turned predatory.
She walked with sure footsteps to the servant quarters, where she knew the foolish girl had curled up to weep in her grimy little corner.
Her father's plan was such a bother really. Legolas was desirable of course, but she preferred someone handsome and rich AND sexually active. He is in one word: BORING.
Besides, what were the chances of marriage now? It is only evening now. Ha! By mid night the time will be due and Thranduil will surely spoil his little prince into making his choice.
Judging by that reaction she got at the hall, Liana already knew Legolas's answer to marrying her.
Liana reached the door of the servant quarters. Rearranging her features into an expression of sisterly concern and understanding, she stepped into the room.
Ethelia buried her head in her arms, oblivious to her dusty face and runny nose.
Just let it go. Just cry it out. Stay strong. Ethelia thought desperately to herself. She hated crying. It was for the weak.
The reason for such despair she was not entirely sure. All she knew was she had been bracing herself for this day. The departure of people she had loved all her life.
Maladiel, whom she loved like a mother, was leaving too. All the royal cooks, who were like her siblings, annoying but fun companions, are already at the feast, ready to pack later on.
And Legolas, whom she had loved most of all, will be gone by dawn. She knew she will never look forward to another dawn again.
Sadness and anger sprang in her heart. Yes, she belonged to Men. She was weak, prone to hate and greed, short sighted and less wise than the elves.
Yes, her life has been short. She had only played an insignificant fraction of the eternal lives of these elves.
To them, she was...... cute. They had all left to celebrate with their kind. None had held her or cried for her as far as she could remember.
Yet, for her, they were everything.
The door creaked and she detected the soft shuffles of silk slippers on the floor. She turned her back on the intruder, trying to discreetly dry her face.
" I know your sadness, young one."
Ethelia froze. That voice had become all too familiar. She turned to see Lady Liana smiling indulgingly at her.
Lady Liana stretched out a fair hand. " Come, my girl, I shall not tolerate you to be over looked. Let me dress and groom you to such perfection that those arrogant and forgetful elves will think of nothing but you tonight."
She grinned at Ethelia playfully like a little girl, tiny perfect teeth showing in that rare smile.
Ethelia smiled back tentatively. Feeling ashamed, she hesitantly placed her own brownish hand in Liana's fair ones.
The vial flared with light for an instant.
