Of roses and frost

by Nuredhel

Thranduil tries With the help of Elrond to find a suitable wife for his son, the one elleth they chose seems to be Perfect but Legolas cannot know of their small plan, neither can she. She is as stubborn as a mule, as temperamental as a she-dragon and has a Secret of which nobody should ever know, not even herself. If she remembers she'll die, if she doesnt everything will be lost.

10. The fall of evil

Chapter 10: The fall of evil

The old fortress lay there, bathed in a rather pale moonlight and it did look deserted indeed. Glorfindel knew that this once had been a palace, the first erected by Thranduil's father and that its original name had been Amon Lanc. Now it was a mere ruin and he felt a shiver running down his spine when he looked at the decay and the half dead forest that surrounded the ruin. Aiwendil was glowing, he was walking forward with a spring in his step that hadn't been there before and his staff was held high. Glorfindel had unsheathed his blade and felt ready to fight, his adrenaline was pumping and he was looking out for enemies all the time. The strange beasts created by the very forest itself rushed forth and the black unicorn ran ahead of them, its light was so sharp it hurt the eyes.

Aiwendil shouted something Glorfindel didn't understand, it sounded like the language of power used by the valar and the effect was stunning. The entire ruin seemed to shiver, as if it was covered with a veil the words tried to pull away. He realized that the whole place was being masked, that what they saw wasn't real. Aiwendil shouted yet again, and this time he struck at the ground with his staff and light rushed out from him into every crevice, filled the ruin and Glorfindel could hear a sort of distant mumble, a counterspell?

The black unicorn stopped and whinnied, a terrible piercing sound, then it lowered its head and the horn seemed to penetrate the very stone itself and even more light rushed forth, faster than the eye could follow. There was a dull thud and the magic dissolved, Glorfindel gasped. The ruin was utterly changed, there were obvious signs of it being inhabited by orcs and the stench of death and rot was heavy in the air. Aiwendil sent him a grin,, it was wide and there was something akin to madness in his eyes. " Of all the istari sent to Ennor I have been deemed the weakest one, the one with hardly any powers. But I was chosen for a reason and they have failed to understand that. I am as tenacious as an old badger!"

He shouted once more and now they heard the sound of running feet, many running feet. The vines and brambles growing along the half crumbled walls suddenly came to life, like living barbed wire and the first orcs that came scurrying were simply grabbed and thrown through the air like ragdolls. Glorfindel shouted an old warcry and got busy, there were orcs everywhere. They were shooting out of every opening like rats from a sinking ship and he soon had to fight for real. He was swirling around, spinning in a terrifying and beautiful dance of death. He had always been among the very best fighters of his race and now he proved it. His blade cut through armor and flesh and he left a trail of dead and dying orcs.

The strange beasts ripped into the orcs, blades did not harm them at all and they seemed to shape shift all the time, like they were adapting to the enemy's attacks. Aiwendil stood there with his staff high and he was still shouting. The unicorn ran around and the orcs dropped dead if they came within twenty feet of the creature, like it was sucking the very life out of them. Glorfindel understood why this place had become such a nuisance and problem, there were literally hundreds of orcs there. Some were huge and strong and only the chaos prevented them from forming a very good defense. Glorfindel had just beheaded a very ugly orc with a huge scar across its forehead when there was a rumbling sound and a dark cloud seemed to form in front of the open place they were in. Tendrils of darkness seemed to stretch out towards Aiwendil who started to call out again, something new this time. He held his staff up high and it sort of exploded into light. The darkness seemed to grown, to swell and the wizard could barely hold it back.

Glorfindel started to fear that the wizard had bitten over more than he could chew when the black unicorn came sprinting, it held a speed that was nothing short of being amazing and it jumped. It seemed to be able to fly for a few moments and the bright horn slid into the dark cloud and there was a loud crash and a terrible scream and the dark mist was torn apart by glowing sparks of light, like a million tiny blue fireflies. Aiwendil gasped and looked tired and the unicorn landed elegantly and started killing orcs again together with the forest creatures. The vines and plants were still creating havoc and Glorfindel found new strength and kept fighting. Now the orcs tried to flee but there was nowhere to go. The forest cut them off and after a short while that felt like a lifetime there weren't any orc's left.

The unicorn reared, it let out a sound that reminded Glorfindel of a war trumpet and there was a faint green light spreading over the land, it was there just for a few seconds but Aiwendil grinned, a very knowing smile. "Now comes the pleasant part of this job."

Aiwendil lifted his staff again and whispered something softly and as the stunned Balrog slayer watched the very rock itself seemed to dissolve. The ruin slowly disappeared, and the hill soon looked as if there never had been any settlements upon it at all. The unicorn stomped at the ground with its front hooves and a spring appeared, water started flowing from it in a tiny stream. It pushed its horn into the soil and they could only watch as the sickness that had plagued the forest seemed to be erased in waves that sprung outwards from the hill. The trees turned green and fresh once more and the last remaining spiders fled for their lives but they didn't get far. Aiwendil was singing now, it sounded like a blessing and grass sprung from the ground, and flowers too. Soon the hill was covered with a dense blanket of bright white and blue star shaped flowers and trees too started to grow as if in high speed. Soon the hill was surrounded by a circle of tall and beautiful oaks and beeches and Aiwendil smiled and stopped chanting. The spring would bring its blessed water into the entire forest and darkness would never be able to take a hold of it again.

Glorfindel had put his blade away and he was staring at the impossible sight with huge eyes. Aiwendil was humming merrily. "This is no longer the hill of sorcery but the hill of flowers. And it will be sacred for all time."

He started walking and Glorfindel followed, completely stunned. The unicorn stopped in front of them and neighed and Aiwendil bowed his head. "I know, go now, and one day you will return"

The animal spun around like a leaf in the wind and was gone and Glorfindel felt that his mouth was dry. "What is the meaning of all this?"

Aiwendil just smiled, a very pleased smile. "The forest have gotten its guardian, and the unicorn will be his steed. It will wait for the hour when they will be needed."

Glorfindel just shook his head, this went way beyond his comprehension and he felt his head spin. "So, what are we to do now then?"

Aiwendil grinned. "We are going to visit Thranduil, I bet he will be a bit stunned by all this."

Glorfindel had to grin. "No doubt, so am I!"

They found the horse and now there was no danger there, no more orcs or spiders so they could ride without fear.

The palace had been quiet at first, then they had heard distant sounds coming from afar and Thranduil had walked up to his viewing point from where he could see much of the land. What he saw shocked him immensely, he had to sit down and he felt his heart beating so hard in his chest he feared for his life. The forest was moving, everywhere the trees were whipping their branches around as if in a hurricane and he saw some spiders scurrying by, they were snagged by some roots and impaled upon branches and the elven king just blinked. The forest was cleansing itself, but how? And what had triggered it? It was wonderful for sure but what about his son? He just sat there, staring at the woodland for a long time, not quite daring to believe that it was true.

Legolas and Mariliel had fallen asleep, both exhausted by it all and now they slept in a tight embrace. They didn't notice the faint green light that for a moment filled the small cave and its surroundings. When Legolas finally woke up he had no idea of for how long they had slept, he felt amazing and Mariliel was lying on top of him, breathing sweetly into his hair. He sighed and felt his heart swell with love, he couldn't believe that the valar had blessed him thus. He kissed her forehead and she stirred and yawned, stretched with the sensual elegance of a cat and he had to swallow. He wanted her again, but now was not the time for more of that. He tried to sit up and had to blink, there was a hole in the tree that had previously held them prisoner and it was big enough for them to exit.

Mariliel gasped and sat up and he kissed her again. "We can go home, I bet everybody is beside themselves by now."

Mariliel nodded. " Yes, and we have to tell them of Alaron."

Legolas yawned too. "Get dressed, I am hungry and I bet you are too."

She nodded and got up onto her knees. Found her clothes but they were still damp. It was unpleasant to put them on to say the least but she had to endure. Hopefully it would only be for a short while. Legolas got dressed too and they grasped the few things Legolas had brought with him and crawled out of the hole. Legolas gasped, the air, it felt completely different and the light was so much brighter and purer. The trees were no longer covered with black slime and moss, now they looked as they had in his youth and he had to stare in awe at the beautiful flowers that suddenly had started covering the ground completely. Mariliel was clinging to his arm. "What has happened?!"

Legolas shook his head. "I have no idea meleth, but it is wonderful!"

She swallowed hard and felt a tear of sheer emotion running down her cheek. " It is beautiful"

He nodded and grasped her, spun her around" Not as beautiful as you"

She giggled and blushed and he kissed her with passion. "Let us go home, I think I know the direction now."

She nodded but there was a small glimpse of worry in her eyes. He saw it immediately. "What is it Mariliel?"

She took a deep breath. "How are we going to tell your father?"

Legolas cringed. "Well, ah, I will think of a way"

Mariliel looked as if she had seen something rather scary. " I am afraid he will become very angry, after all, he doesn't like us Noldor at all and it will be a shock to him."

Legolas nodded. " Alright, I will break it to him slowly. We doesn't have to tell him right away, I will find the perfect moment I am sure."

Mariliel nodded. "That is fine, you know him, perhaps you should wait until he is really drunk or something."

Legolas grasped her hand and started walking. " My ada? Drunk? That will be the day orcs starts wearing pink tutu's and taking ballet classes."

She looked confused. "But he does drink a lot doesn't he?"

Legolas nodded. " He does, but he is used to it. And he stops before he can become really inebriated."

She mumbled. "So much for that little idea!"

Legolas had to grin. " He has been drunk though, he told me once that he and his friends broke into his father's wine cellar when they were just in their forties, and drank several bottles of dwarfish mead."

Mariliel had to laugh. "Dwarfish mead? Oh I bet he felt silly the day after. That stuff is lethal!"

Legolas smiled too, widely. " Indeed it is, he swore that it had felt as if someone had tried to cleave his head with an axe."

Mariliel giggled, she had an image in her head of Thranduil laying with his head wrapped in cold wet towels and it made him seem less threatening right away.

Legolas picked up his speed and Mariliel had no problems keeping up although she had to admit that she did feel a bit sore in certain places. But it was something she welcomed and she was feeling proud of herself. She had dared to do something she previously had feared and that was more than she had expected from herself. Legolas pointed towards the sun. "A few hours in that direction and I am sure we will meet some of the guards."

Mariliel looked down at her shoes, they were wet through and through and her clothes felt as if they had shrunk somehow, several hours? Wonderful!

Elrond had kept his word, the moment the strange storm stopped he left the valley accompanied by his sons and some warriors and they rode hard, the shortest path towards the palace of Thranduil. Still it would take them days to get there and he got an increasing feeling of dread. He just knew that he had to get there, and for a reason that wasn't yet revealed to him. He just sensed that his skills as a healer would be needed, and he prayed that the healers of the woodland realm had all the herbs and medicine he was used to using. He felt an urge to push the horse he rode hard but it wouldn't be fair to the animal, it was doing its best. Elladan and Elrohir were nervous too, they were fond of Mariliel and didn't want to lose her, and what their father had told them had made them very upset. Elrond also thought about the things he had learned about Mariliel,, that she was in fact a descendant of Fëanor. He wondered how Thranduil would react to that piece of information. He could only hope that he would get there in time, his instincts had never betrayed him before.

Legolas and Mariliel did walk for a couple of hours and Legolas did barely recognize the woods at all. It was yet again filled with sunshine and color and it made him so happy he could weep. Finally they were found by a troop of warriors who had been dispatched to look for them and Legolas placed Mariliel in front of him in the saddle. It felt safe sitting there but she was getting more and more nervous as they approached the palace. The elves they met were in complete shock, and overjoyed by the weird things that had happened, they were cheering and singing and Mariliel did feel that the king too would be overwhelmed by it all. Still she feared how he would react to the news of his son being wed to a noldorin elleth, Legolas understood her concern and he held her tights. "Worry not, he cannot do anything about it, not anymore."

She sighed. " I know, but I do not want to cause problems between you"

He kissed her cheek. "You won't, we will tell him as soon as the shock of this strange events have let go of him."

Mariliel knew that it was possible for other elves to see whether or not someone was married, it showed in their eyes and he sighed and held her hand. "I will let you go straight to the baths, so you won't have to meet him right away. I will inform him of Alaron, and tell him that you are tired."

She managed to smile. " A small white lie?"

Legolas nodded. "Exactly! I bet the palace will be in an uproar by now"

As they rode down towards the bridge they could see that they were right. There were elves running everywhere and very few did pay any notice to the approaching riders. They entered and Legolas sent Mariliel a swift smile. " Don't worry, it will be okay."

He turned to the officer in charge of the search party. " Go inform my father of my return"

The ellon just bowed and left and Mariliel was about to say something when she heard a shriek and saw that Aeniel came running. The elleth threw herself around Mariliel's neck and appeared to be close to tears. " Oh Eru, I have been so worried, and I have received some frightful news, and are you alright?"

Legolas managed to put on his princely mask. "Aeniel, please take her to the baths, she is tired and cold and wet, and give her some good food too, she deserves it"

Aeniel nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes of course. Oh Mariliel, you look like a drowned cat!"

Mariliel had to grin. "I guess I do, but a warm bath will fix that"

Aeniel grasped her hand and almost dragged her along and Mariliel only had time to throw one last glance at Legolas, he winked at her and then she had to watch her step.

Legolas didn't have to wait for long, suddenly he heard running feet and Thranduil came rushing into the reception hall. He was pale and his hair was unkempt and his robes wrinkled but he was smiling. In fact he seemed to be almost aglow with joy and relief and before the prince had time to even think he was captured in a bear hug that almost choked him. Thranduil was close to tears and Legolas realized that his father had been terribly worried. "Ada, I am fine, really!"

Thranduil did let go of his son, rather reluctantly and stared at him as if he couldn't believe that he really was there. " Ion nin, what happened?"

Legolas had to be careful now, so his father didn't see that tell tale light in his eyes that revealed that his son had found his one and was bonded. "Alaron is dead Ada, he got bitten by a snake and Mariliel couldn't do anything to save him. And she tried to get back but there were orcs and she fell of her horse and sought shelter in a tree. I joined her there, we didn't dare to leave. The forest was…alive"

Thranduil let out a gasp and embraced him once more. " I am so glad to see you again, the forest, it is free of the darkness, It is a miracle!"

Legolas nodded. " Indeed it is. If you will excuse me, I need a bath and a change of clothes and some rest. It was a very cold…night"

Thranduil kissed his son's brow. " Of course Ion nin, we will celebrate soon. This is a joyous day"

Legolas managed to smile. " It is indeed, now, Mariliel…"

Thranduil just gestured. " I am glad you found her Legolas, Elrond would be terribly upset if we lost one of his scholars now wouldn't he? I hope she wasn't too unpleasant a company?"

Legolas sighed. "No, not at all"

Thranduil beamed and patted his back. " Go now, get changed. I have a celebration to arrange."

Legolas bowed swiftly and he almost ran off. He felt so guilty for leaving his father like that but he just couldn't make himself tell his father of his decision, not yet.

Thranduil stared at the young prince as he walked out of the hall with swift steps. There had been something odd about his behavior, the way he never let his eyes meet those of his father and the way his voice had trembled when he mentioned Mariliel. Had they gotten into a fight? Or were things going in the right direction? It was hard to tell, but he was sure he would find out soon enough.

Mariliel was almost shocked by the intensity of Aeniel's concern, the wet clothes were torn off her and she was almost pushed into the warm pool and Aeniel joined her too. Mariliel swallowed hard, she knew that her body probably had signs of what she had done, bruises and a couple of hickeys too. Aeniel seemed to upset to notice though. "You said you had received news?"

Aeniel flinched and swallowed hard. " I have, oh Eru, this is…I got a message from Elrond. He had discovered what it was that happened to you when you were young, and who your family descend from"

Mariliel felt a surge of anger rush through her. "Did you tell him to dig in my past?!"

Aeniel was wringing her hands. " Please, do not get mad at me, I was worried for you! You are acting so oddly and I just wanted to make sure that you were okay"

Mariliel took a deep breath. " Alright, so who does my family descend from then?"

Aeniel bit her lower lip. " One of Fëanor's sons, one of the twins!"

Mariliel gasped and blinked. " What? Oh Eru, that is…wow, unbelievable!"

Aeniel nodded. " But it is true, and what more, you were attacked as an elfling"

Mariliel swallowed hard. " Aeniel, I know"

The healer looked very puzzled. " You do? But, how?!"

Mariliel took a deep breath to steady herself. " It is a long story alright? But I know the truth, and I have overcome it. I am safe now Aeniel, no risk of me fading or anything"

Aeniel just gaped. " That is incredible. How?"

Mariliel blushed. "Legolas, he is my one, and he saved me when I started to remember. I am his wife Aeniel"

The healer just stared until Mariliel had to shake her out of the shock. "Aeniel, snap out of it. I married the prince last night!"

The healer blinked, then she took some huge breaths of air. " Eru's mercy, Thranduil will blow a fuse, no, all!"

Mariliel made a grimace. "That is what we are afraid of, so Legolas will tell him gently, when the time is right. So please don't tell anyone?"

Aeniel was panting. "That is quite some news elleth, the forest has rid itself of the orcs and spiders, and we have a new princess. I never thought I would see such a day!"

Mariliel just blushed and Aeniel got a peculiar wrinkle on her forehead. " Wait a minute, married?! That means that you…Oh dear, you did….that!"

Mariliel giggled. " Most absolutely so yes, and it was wonderful!"

Aeniel looked like a balloon someone has let the air escape from, she sort of collapsed. " Oh I am so happy for you, it is so romantic."

Mariliel nodded, but her eyes turned sad again. " Alaron is dead Aeniel,, he got bitten by a snake and died. I am so sorry"

The healer gasped and her eyes were dark. " That is awful, poor Alaron, he was such a sweet young ellon"

Mariliel nodded. "He was, he will be sorely missed by many I am sure"

Aeniel was clapping her hands. " But he will be remembered fondly, and the woodland is healed, there is much to celebrate."

Mariliel smiled. "There is. I cannot really believe that it is all true"

Aeniel pinched her arm lightly. "But it is, you are awake and you are the wife of our beloved prince. Oh I cannot wait for that announcement to be made."

Mariliel giggled. " He has to tell Thranduil first, and I bet that task is one that makes even him nervous."

Aeniel giggled. " Oh, the king is so relieved by now that he would probably accept anything, even Legolas marrying an orc."

Mariliel had to grin widely. " I doubt that! But for a few days at least we have to keep this as a secret alright? I can trust you?"

Aeniel nodded. "With your life! I am so glad for you, you deserve happiness"

Mariliel blushed and grasped onto some soap. " Well, now I do deserve a good bath at least, and I am starving!"

Aeniel immediately went to work washing Mariliel's long hair. "Worry not, I will make sure you get as much food as you could possibly want."

Legolas too had a hot bath and a change of clothes and he sort of wanted to go to his dad and confess but the king was busy. He was running around shouting orders and had an almost childlike joy in organizing the celebration and so Legolas didn't interrupt. Mariliel stayed in her old room and he had to go to his chamber that felt empty and cold without her there and he ached to be with her. Then Galion suddenly came and gave Legolas too shores to do and the prince didn't have time to even see his wife for two whole days. Mariliel stayed in the room and in the library and she ached too. Being separated from him was terrible. Some had retrieved Alarons body and it was burned in a very nice but sad ceremony. His father would travel west soon, he couldn't bare the grief and it did put a dampener on the mood.

The celebration was well on the way, the scouts returned with descriptions of a forest restored to its old glory and the most amazing thing was that there weren't even one orc left anywhere.

The morning before the celebration Mariliel woke up suddenly and she immediately knew that it was her husband who had entered her room. He sat down next to her on the bed and leaned down, kissed her with both love and hunger. " I couldn't stand it anymore, I had to see you again!"

She embraced him and he snuggled against her neck. " I have tried to tell ada but he is so darn busy and…."

Marilliel nodded. " I know, the whole place is a madhouse. But you have to tell him, we cannot keep this hidden"

He nodded. "I know, I will try tonight!"

She frowned. " Is that really wise?"

He shrugged, got in underneath her blankets and she yelped, he was naked! "He cannot throw an tantrum in public now can he?"

Mariliel blushed and giggled, his hands had already started to remove her nightgown. "Is it alright Mariliel? I…I have dreamt of you, yearned for you"

She lifted herself so he could slip the gown off her. " It is alright meleth, I want you too!"

He almost growled and pulled her close and before long they were too engaged in this newfound joy to bother with the world around them.

As the two were busy making love Glorfindel and Aiwendil were getting close to the palace, they had ridden slowly since the balrog slayer didn't want to risk his horse and Aiwendil smiled but there was a stern glimpse within his eyes, " Now, as we approach the palace you must let me do the talking. I sense danger still, and I do not think that it is wise to reveal what we do know of Mariliel. The healer knows yes, but let us keep it between us for now."

Glorfindel frowned. "Then what are we to tell them?"

Aiwendil smiled again. " That I have been curious about the changes in the woods and that you have been sent by your master to verify them"

The golden haired ellon scoffed. "It has been just a couple of days damn it!"

The wizard made a vague gesture. "Let me do the talking you hear? I sensed something before it even started and went to investigate and brought you along as protection, how does that sound?"

Glorfindel sighed, "Better, but not perfect by any means. But alright, say what you want and I will try to back you up."

Aiwendil beamed. "Excellent"

They were greeted by the guards by the gates and allowed entry and Glorfindel was stunned by the activity. There was obviously going to be a feast and Thranduil met them in the throne room. Aiwendil explained that they had travelled to witness the miracle and the king just nodded, he was still too overwhelmed to really understand. Aiwendil told him that Dol Guldur had vanished and that made the usually so controlled elf look dumbstruck for a few seconds. Glorfindel hadn't believed that it was even possible. They were escorted to some nice guest chambers and Glorfindel had to admit that he was looking forward to a woodland celebration, he had heard that those parties could become rather wild at times.

Mariliel and Legolas lay there as one, both panting and sweaty after their third round of rather wild and steamy sex and Mariliel was giggling constantly, she couldn't help it. It was so amazing and she hid a small grin. There was something she had to tell him, she hadn't been sure but she had asked Aeniel and there was no doubt about it. Legolas had closed his eyes and was panting still, it felt as though his desire for her never could be quite quenched and he longed for the day when they could move into better chambers together. He removed a strand of wet hair from her forehead and kissed her slowly. "You are going to be the death of me Mariliel, I will keep doing this until I am completely exhausted"

She put her arms around him. " I don't think anything will be able to exhaust you my love."

Legolas pouted. " Oh I bet the scolding I will receive when I break the news to ada will be pretty darn tough, I can almost hear him already."

Mariliel snuggled up against him, holding him hard. " Do you think telling him that he is to be a grandfather will ease his temper?"

Legolas jerked, stared down at her. " Uh? What?! Are you…"

He reached down and placed his hand over her stomach, let his fëa reach out to her and lo and behold. He could clearly feel the bright light and energy of a newly created soul. He just stared at her, eyes like dinner plates and his mouth wide open.

She giggled. "Close your mouth meleth, you risk swallowing a bird the way you are gaping."

He gasped again and blinked desperately. " Did…did this happen after our first time?!"

She nodded, a bit proud of that fact. "Yes, so you have to tell him, before I start showing"

Legolas was shivering with emotions. " Eru, I…I didn't think it would happen this fast, oh Mariliel, I am…"

He grasped her, held her hard. " I am happier than anyone has ever been before"

There were tears on his face and she kissed them away, gently. " So am I meleth, we are to become a family"

Legolas kissed her again, rocking her in his arms. " I will get up, take a bath and dress and then I will go see my ada. I care not if he explodes"

Mariliel smiled. "That is the spirit, I will bathe and get dressed too."

Legolas sat up and caressed her cheek. " I will send some servants with a gown for you, one fitting a princess. And jewelry. Ask Aeniel to do your hair, tonight everybody will know that you are my wife, and that we already have been blessed by the valar."

Mariliel kissed his hand and he got up and put his dressing robe back on, he did sneak out of the door and returned to his chambers where he took a long very hot bath just to calm down. Then he dressed with great care and made sure that he did look impeccable. The celebration was to begin early that day so there was no time to lose. When he was ready he gathered his courage and marched off towards his father's office, this was harder than facing an army of orcs in close combat.

Thranduil had been a bit frustrated the last days, he had been terribly busy with the preparations and had little time for anything else but he hadn't managed to find out if there was a change in the relationship between his son and Mariliel. Or of there was a relationship at all! He knew that she was a rather unique elleth and maybe Legolas did have a taste for more ordinary females after all? Then he would continue looking for a suitable daughter in law until the breaking of arda for sure, for he knew that his son needed someone with spirit and spark to stay in balance. Now he was sitting by his desk, signing documents and trying to come up with a method he could use to question his son without him noticing it.

He had thought of asking Feren for another favor but had decided against it. After all, it could seem a bit suspicious. But he was dying to know, had Legolas any interest in Mariliel or had it vanished into thin air? He sipped some wine and finished some papers, staring down at his signature. Sometimes being a king was hard, and he felt as though he had lost some of the good contact he had had with his son when he was younger. That was regrettable but it had been unavoidable. He was thinking about getting Galion and making him bring more wine when there was a knock on the door. He called out and Legolas entered, he looked a bit nervous and Thranduil cocked his head.

"Ion nin, is there something I can do for you?

Legolas swallowed, he was in fact pale. " Uh, well, about tonight, Mariliel…"

Thranduil felt a jolt of nervous energy build up within, what was this? "What about that noldo? Are you afraid to be seated too close to her? Worry not, she may dine with the servants."

Legolas clenched his teeth together. " It isn't that, it is"

Thranduil interrupted again, it was obviously rather important since Legolas was squirming as if there were ants in his pants. "Then what? Don't tell me she has tried to flirt with you? Or have you perhaps tried to bed her? I care not who you take to bed as long as it is just for the pleasure."

Legolas gulped, his eyes were bulging a bit and Thranduil felt triumphant. He did care, he wouldn't have reacted thus if he didn't. Maybe there was hope after all!

Legolas took a deep breath, then he stared straight ahead like a soldier and spoke with a very shivering voice. " No Ada, I…We are married Ada, she is my one and I love her and by the way, she is with child so you are to become a grandfather in a year's time"

Thranduil didn't make a sound, he just stared. He looked like a painting and he didn't even blink and Legolas did get nervous. " Ada, are you alright?!"

The king looked as if he was trying to imitate one of the huge catfish that lived in the river, with a mouth that was opening and closing and a rather unintelligent expression within his eyes. " Ghaaa, what..you said…married? Eru! A child?!"

Legolas nodded, he tried to remain calm although he wished to turn and run for his life. " You heard me ada, Mariliel is my wife. We married in the woods, we have spoken our vows and there is nothing anybody can do about it"

There was a loud crash, the king had broken the wine glass he held and he blinked and stared at it with wide eyes " I am to become a grandfather?"

The words were almost breathless, a mere whisper and Legolas stood there ready to run. "Yes, that is correct"

Thranduil suddenly tipped forward and Legolas let out a startled yelp, had his father passed out? He ran forth and grasped onto his father and to his astonishment Thranduil was crying, tears were flowing down his cheeks and he almost sobbed. " Oh ion nin, I thought I never would hear those words, it is…"

He got up and Legolas was yet again pulled into a fierce hug, it was his turn to gape like a fish on dry land. "It is the best news I have ever received, words cannot describe how happy this has made me!"

Legolas gasped. "But…you cannot stand Mariliel? You have tried to keep us apart?"

Thranduil blinked. " My ada once told me that there is nothing so tempting as forbidden fruit, my tactic's worked!"

Legolas sent his father a rather shocked glare. " You! You set this whole thing up?"

He nodded and grinned and wiped tears. "Elrond did recommend her, and I liked her the moment I saw her. I just knew she would be a perfect fit for you son, but if I just introduced you to each other I knew you would resist."

Legolas growled. " Ada, you are a scoundrel!"

Thranduil was beaming. " A happy scoundrel, one overjoyed. I have nothing against Mariliel at all, she is a very strong elleth and you need that. I do welcome her into our family with open arms"

Legolas let out a huge sigh of relief and Thranduil patted him on his back. " So relax, it will be fine. Tonight there will be a joyous celebration indeed, and a wedding ceremony too. It will be a night to remember!"

Legolas felt like he was about to faint, the last minutes had been very tense indeed. " Yes, I am quite sure of that, oh Eru how relieved I am!"

Thranduil kissed his forehead. " As am I, go to your lovely wife and tell her to get ready. This night will be in her honor, and yours. You have brought the joy back into this ancient heart"

Legolas had to hug his father back. " It was my pleasure"

Thranduil managed to make a wry smirk. " Oh I am sure it was ion nin, I am sure it was!"