So Be It

He sheathed his blades and stabbed one in the chest and brought the weapon back around his head to get another. One came charging at him but was quickly stopped by an arrow through the neck. Legolas turned to look at the archer who may have potentially saved his life and gestured a thank you with his head.

Keldir smiled and yelled, "You owe me!" From where he was positioned then ran to help another one of his comrades. Legolas tucked his elven-blades away and switches back to using his bow and arrows to kill the Orcs in the distance that were still persistent in their on-charge. Knowing the Orcs were almost defeated, the creatures retreat, grunting and yelling that they would be back.

"Good riddance," said an elf by the name of Berhlen. He and Legolas stood side by side, watching the Orcs head back over the hills.

Keldir walked over to where they stood. "Mangy beasts. They should know better than to enter our northern regions. Are they not satisfied enough overtaking Amon Lanc?"

"Do not worry yourself, captain. If they come back, we will be ready and waiting. This is one part of the Forest that Sauron's minions will not take from us."

"Aye. But to be safe, I am going to assign extra elves on patrol for a few days until their foul smell is lifted from the kingdom."

The elves burn whatever remains they founds, the black smoke filling the forest air. They headed back to their fortress borders with caution, keeping an eye out in case there were any stray Orcs lurking around. Legolas dismissed himself to report back to the king.

I I I

"Prince Legolas, what news of the battle?"

"The Orcs have left our region back over the hills, your Majesty."

"Good." Thranduil walked over to him and braced his shoulders. "Still, I feel I should have been out there with you."

"There was no need, father. Captain Keldir and I, with the rest of our warriors, were able to handle them. They were of no real threat."

"And, besides, my king, your people need you here to assure them that our walls will remain standing. Your son is well capable of defending the kingdom," queen added from where she sat in the corner.

"That he is," the elven-king patted his son's cheek. "One of these days when it is your time to sit in my place, you may be a better king than I with a great queen of your own at your side."

Legolas kept silent and merely nodded in response. He would rather not get into another argument about finding a bride with his father, the subject where his speech seemed to be heading. If he didn't try and escape now, who knew how long he would remain under his father's boring lecture.

"Yes, father. Thank you. Now, if you will excuse me, I will see how umm... the rest of our people are doing."

The prince quickly exted, leaving the king dumbfounded about on actions.

I I I

"Why do you not marry as your parents wish? If you have not noticed, there are more than a handful of maidens who would be more than happy to fill the position of becoming the next Princess of Mirkwood. Some of which are actual decent enough for the role."

"Speak for yourself, old friend. Why do you not marry?"

"Ah, but I was married. But it seems you have forgotten. It was good while it lasted, but even good things must come to an end at some point in our endless lives," replied Keldir. Legolas found him in the stables and stayed around to talk.

Once, long ago Keldir took a bride but more often than not, his duty as Captain of the Guard left him no time to be a real husband to her. When the calling of the Sea became strong, his wife then could not resist in answering. Knowing it was for the best, he let her sail to the Undying Lands where he knew she would be happiest. He never forgot about her and over time learned to move on with his life in the Outer Lands until the Sea calls for him as it did her.

"Why not marry Lady Varien, again? Refresh my memory."

Throwing strands of hay in a pile, the elf-prince shook his head with a grin. "Lady Varien Redbrich. I know she does not listen to a word I say. She only appears to listen to be in good favors with me. I tried to take her horseback riding once and she complained the entire time on how bumpy the journey was. Another time I tried to each her archery. She broke some of my favorite arrows. As a maiden to spend time with in the dark, I do enjoy her company, but as far as becoming anything remotely related to my family, it will not be of my own doing."

"But do you not find her a good candidate for a model bride? She is beautiful maiden from a noble house with an influential father, and many friends, and...umm..." Keldir paused to think, "Confident, manipulative, rude, wicked, believes she is higher in stature than all the maidens combined and...did I say beautiful already?"

The prince lightly scoffed, "Yes, you did. And, beautiful is all she is! Varien is the type of maiden who craves to be the center of attention and what better way to have everyone's undying 'respect' than to be a princess. She would be perfect to show off to our other Elven Realms as a blushing bride, but as far as actually being liked by the kingdom, well…that is an entirely different story."

"Ah yes, that would create a bit of a problem..." Keldir nodded in thought. "With all the other maidens and the like who would want to be in her position, or just not in that position, she would almost certainly have the guards protecting her from dusk till dawn from potential enemies leaving our borders unprotected, thus leaving it open for the Orcs to attack, leaving us homeless, dead or their slaves. You are right. She is a terrible princess candidate."

"Keldir, you fool." The prince shoved him in good humor. "You do indeed have a colorful imagination."

"Anything is possible, your Highness," he smirked. "As Captain of the Guards, I need to think ahead of all possible threats to the kingdom."

"With her father one of the king's most influential advisors, I can only imagine Varien pleading with her dear father to give her what she wants as he always does." Legolas dreaded the thought.

"And what is that? Your head on a stick perhaps?"

"Tread lightly, captain." Legolas threw hay at him. "I could have you beheaded, for that sort of insolent talk."

"My sincere apologies, sire. To the hot irons with me!" Keldir made an exaggerated look of torture on his face. Legolas joined in and pretended to brand him on the chest.

"There. Now you are officially the property of Legolas Greenleaf the Prince of Mirkwood!" he smiled laughingly. Because Legolas had known Keldir a long time, they act more like brothers than ruler and commander so the elf-king's son wasn't so easily offended by his comments. It was also normal for others to hear the captain address the elf-prince so informally.

"What is all the commotion over here?"

The two elves fell quiet when they heard the voice. "Our apologies, did we disturb you, Galthan?" asked Legolas.

The stable-master continued with the sour look on his face when he realized who they were. He did more cleaning up after them than he did with the horses and wished they didn't spend so much time there conversing. "Not me, young prince, but some of the horses who are resting."

"Our apologies again, Galthan. I am done grooming my horse so he, too, can rest. If you please?" Keldir gave him the horse to take care of. "Come, Prince Legolas. Let us discuss the battle strategy I mentioned to you earlier."

Legolas gave him a bewildered look until he caught on. There was no need getting Galthan all worked up, and sending a bad report to his father was the last thing he needed. They both smiled politely and left as the stable-master eyed them from behind.

I I I

"Yes, yes, I heard! I must tell Le'ariel." Velhar ran to find her. It was evening by the time the servant ran to the Western Kitchen.

The chambermaid was there, busy helping with the evening meal that she started earlier when she was looking for something to do to calm herself. Secluded for most of the day, it gave her time to relax and concentrate her thoughts away from the previous encounter from a certain maiden. Although Le'ariel was now more at ease, thoughts of Varien lingered in the back of her mind and all the devious things she wanted to do to her.

Le'ariel may not be a maiden like Varien, but a servant is just as powerful when it came to knowing the whispers in the kingdom, secret passageways, and special ingredients if she wanted to harm someone intentionally.

None of the maidens knew of such things because they were used to being served hand and foot without a care in the world. No one would suspect a chambermaid poisoning a maiden's meal, especially Lady Varien. If that ever happened, everyone would be a suspect.

"Le'ariel! There you are," breathed Velhar. "I have been looking all over for you."

"I have been here all day. Surely it was not that difficult to find me."

Velhar gave her an exasperated look. "Not difficult? Try searching three other kitchens with cooks and servants pushing you out of their way! I had to ask your mother where you were to find you."

"Well, she should have been the first elf you went to see. You have found me so what is it you want?" Whatever her friend needed or had to say, she knew it wasn't a matter of life or death so her attention was still on the cauldron.

"I have news of Lady Varien and Legolas—"

"Stop. Stop it right there," she said firmly. Before he could finish his sentence, she cut him off. "I am tired of hearing about Lady Varien and Legolas or Legolas and Lady Varien. I do not care for either one of them. Their affairs have nothing to do with me. So, please…if you have to speak to me about something, I would prefer not hearing either name in what you have to tell me." Le'ariel looked him dead in the eyes then focused her attention back on the cauldron.

Velhar was left frustrated with nothing more to say after her speech. He was so intent on telling her what he overheard, but after hearing the way she felt about the two elves, he was unsure whether to push what wanted to say or to just leave it alone.

The servant was about to open his mouth when Dalorien pushed him out of the way with her hip, carrying a tray of desserts. "Move, Velhar! If you are not here to help do not stand in the way. I have never served a late meal in my entire life and I am not about to start now."

"My apologies, Dalorien…I did not—"

"No need for that. Here, make yourself useful." She threw him an apple. "Chop this into little pieces and place it in that empty tray on the table."

"Yes, Dalorien..." Once she gave an order, she expected it to be done. Velhar, of course, was too afraid to say no so he did what he was told. By the time Dalorien left again to tend to something else, Le'ariel also made her exit. He last saw her leaving the double doors carrying another tray. "What a day." He sighed as he cut the apple into little pieces. "I suppose it can wait another day…"