(Author's Note: May I present, my lovely readers, my favorite chapter. This one was so much fun to write. It's a little longer, and we have some elvish words in here, so enjoy!

Also, a brief note: I know I have previously addressed Legolas' mother and wrote a whole paragraph about how Thranduil never loved her, but after seeing the FREAKIN AWESOME third movie, I realized that that was completely stupid. So I have removed that part and changed it up to match the movie. So you might want to go back to Chapter 5: Dwarves and Hobbits if your memory doesn't serve, but just a head's up.

Oh, and who else cried when Thranduil cried in the movie? I did. So much that all my eyeliner was gone at the end. ;)

Miridian sat on a tree branch high above the ground in Mirkwood. She fidgeted with Bilbo's magic ring, the gold shining in the soft sunlight. The hobbit had forgotten it when he left for Erebor with the dwarves, so it was left in Miridian's possession. She worried for Bilbo, because there was no doubt he would need it if a dragon was to be present in the mountain.

The ring was truly a marvel to look at. It was so ordinary; one would not expect it to hold such power. It was a simple golden band. And Miridian began to wonder; how was this ring forged? Who had made it and what was its purpose?

Suddenly, Miridian heard the rustling of an approaching someone and quickly hid the ring in her cloak pocket. She saw Tauriel walking under the tree.

"Good afternoon, Tauriel!" greeted Miridian. Tauriel looked up and smiled.

"Miridian, lovely to see you!" Tauriel called, swiftly climbing the tree. She seated herself next to Miridian. "I caught word of the dwarves' escape."

"Oh you did?" Miridian inquired.

"Yes, and I must congratulate you for it. I feared the King would keep them there forever."

"I am glad they are free, but I cannot help but feel bad as well. I feel like I have betrayed Thranduil."

"I would not worry," Tauriel said with a comforting tone. "I believe you did the right thing."

"Thank you," Miridian answered. "I am sorry you will not be able to see Kili anymore."

"Oh, well I believe I'll see him again," Tauriel replied with a smile.

A silence passed between the two as they listened to the sounds of nature. It was fairly quiet; the only noises being that of birds and creatures far in the distance.

"The King…" began Tauriel. "Do you think him cold?" Miridian paused for a moment as she registered the question.

"I know others do, and I suppose he is to them, but he has always been very kind to me. I fear though, that…" Miridian trailed off, catching herself from saying too much.

"That what?" asked Tauriel. Miridian thought. Tauriel was her dearest friend, she could tell her, couldn't she?

"Tauriel, if I tell you something secret, will you promise never to tell a living soul?"

"Of course," Tauriel replied.

"Very well then. I fear that Thranduil will dismiss me when he finds out that my father is a dwarf."

"Is this true? Your father is a dwarf?" asked Tauriel in quiet shock.

"Yes," Miridian said. "My mother was an elf, so that is why I look much like one, but truly I am half dwarf. That is why I wanted to help Thorin and his company escape. Erebor is my land as well." Tauriel smiled.

"That is amazing," she said. "So it is possible for an elf and a dwarf to be together."

"Yes," Miridian replied with a smile.

"I promise I will not tell a soul."

…

When Legolas awoke, he felt much better. The scratch on his face still hurt, but his strength had returned and all other problems were resolved. He stood up from his bed and in seeing the light outside, concluded that it was now evening. The Harvest would now be over.

Legolas put his fingers up to his face to feel his scratch, and flinched when he did. Although the pain remained, what the silven elf Miridian had done had helped greatly. It surprised Legolas that she was so quick to come to his aid; she seemed so reserved. In that way she was like his father.

Legolas was unsure of how he felt about Miridian. Did his father have eyes for her? Yes, she could not be only a friend; Thranduil had no friends.

But to Legolas, it was uncertain how Thranduil felt about anything. He assumed his father had loved his mother because he never spoke of her, or let Legolas speak of her. But did he love this she-elf Miridian? Did he love his son? Did he love anything? Legolas did not know. Thranduil had never shown any sort of emotion around him. Sometimes Legolas wondered what he felt, if he felt anything.

The way you feel about Tauriel…twice those emotions and you will know my feelings for Miridian, Thranduil had said. The statement had angered Legolas. What did his father know about his feelings for Tauriel? He had never told anyone. And as far as Legolas knew, his father had no emotions. Why would Thranduil show his affections for a lowly village elf instead of his own son? Well perhaps it was fine then. Legolas had others to give his affections. Tauriel, for instance.

Legolas loved Tauriel, but he could never tell her. She knew of course, because many times Legolas had gone out of his way to protect her or pull her away from other men. But she did not love him in return, and that hurt more than anything.

That was the only good thing about the dwarves' escape: Tauriel's dwarf was gone. Legolas would have liked to kill him. How could she love a dwarf? They were so small and dirty, not to mention thieves.

Legolas shook his thoughts out of his head as he made his way down the halls of the palace to find his father. He needed to know what he planned to do about the dwarves. Legolas knew that Thranduil feared for Mirkwood should the dragon be set free. Certainly the dwarves could not slay him.

As he passed by the King's chambers, something caught Legolas' eye. He looked and saw Miridian sitting in his father's oak chair.

"Prince Legolas, I am glad to see you feeling better," she said.

"Yes…thank you. What are you doing in my father's chambers?"

"Thranduil commanded me here," she replied shyly.

Then, suddenly, it became clear to Legolas why Thranduil was courting her. As he saw her sitting in the chair, her golden locks cascading over her shoulders and her large brown eyes full of innocence and compassion, Legolas felt a twinge of nostalgia. He had seen this image before, in his mother.

He remembered little of her; mostly only her voice. She had a soft, lovely voice with which she used to sing to him as a child. But as Legolas looked at Miridian, another memory entered his mind. His mother sat in a chair with a smile on her face and her hands out.

"Come Legolas, it is time for bed!" she had said, and Legolas had run to her. That was all he remembered. But within that memory, he could see the golden hair and green eyes.

Miridian looked exactly like Firdriel.

…

Miridian tried to read the expression on Prince Legolas' face, but she could not. It was the one time she had ever seen him without a staid look of indifference. It was almost a horrified look.

"P-Prince Legolas, are you alright?" she asked quietly. Her words had snapped him out of his reverie, and he gave her a slight nod before leaving.

That was odd, she thought.

Miridian looked around the King's chambers, not daring to move from the chair she was sitting in. The room was so grand and beautiful; she was afraid she would break something. There were white gems hanging from the wall, and the softest elk coats covered the floor. The King's platform was made from carved antlers, and golden silk blankets adorned the canopy and the bed. And in the corner, there was an opening to his private bathing spring.

Miridian wondered why he had bid her here. Her mind fluttered with nerves, hoping she would behave correctly for whatever it was he requested her for.

She turned her head when he entered. He was wearing a black cloak (for the change into winter) and Miridian thought she liked it best, of all his cloaks. It flattered his form.

"My thanks for waiting on me," he said, closing the door behind him. Miridian stood up.

"Oh this room is magnificent," she told him. He approached her and smiled slightly.

"I'm glad you like it," he replied. "I have something to give to you." Miridian watched him as he opened a small jeweled box, and slowly lifted a necklace made of white gems. Miridian gasped.

"Oh, that is beautiful," she said. Thranduil turned to her.

"Long ago I was going to give this to…someone, but they…" Miridian could tell that Thranduil was remembering something. "I never got the chance. Now I want to give it to you."

He was going to give it to his wife, Miridian thought. She knew very little about her, but she knew he must have had one to have fathered Legolas. She must have died, and he couldn't give her the necklace. Such a thought made Miridian sad. It was probably painful for him.

"But Thranduil you have already given me a necklace," she said with a smile. "I am wearing it now."

"I know, and I want to give you this one as well, veleth nin." Thranduil fastened the necklace on Miridian's neck and brought his hands down to her back, holding her close to him.

Despite her dwarven heritage, Miridian knew most Elvish words. Her mother had taught her when she was a child. Thranduil had said Veleth nin…that meant "my love."

Miridian looked up at Thranduil right after he said it, and he looked at her with a sincere expression. She had so many things she wanted to say, but for some reason she could say none of them. Thranduil gently put his hand on the back of Miridian's neck and kissed her softly.

Miridian returned his affections, melting into the warmth of his chest. Her hands ran along Thranduil's neck and shoulders, and he began kissing her more forcefully. He pressed his body against hers and ran his hands along her sides.

He had never kissed her this way before. Usually it was once or twice, slowly and gently. But this time Thranduil kissed her with more intensity and desire. His breathing was quicker and more impassioned. Miridian couldn't help but do the same.

She loved him.

She supposed she knew it right from the start, but there was no denying it now. She loved him and she wanted to be with him forever. She would do whatever it took.

They had moved to where Miridian was positioned against the wall, and she heard Thranduil moan softly. His hands began dancing around the fasten of her dress. Miridian felt a tug in her stomach, a rush of nerves flowing throughout her entire body. Thranduil untied the fasten and Miridian felt her dress fall to the floor. She was so nervous, her head was spinning. She felt the soft touch of Thranduil's hands on the curves of her hips and she knew she couldn't take it anymore.

"Thranduil wait," she said quickly. He opened his eyes and looked at her searchingly. "I…I cannot." Thranduil released her.

"Forgive me," he said.

"No, I am sorry," Miridian replied. "I just…I am afraid." Thranduil gave her a look that told her he had realized something.

"You are untouched," he said, with a hint of surprise. Miridian looked at the floor and said nothing. Thranduil picked up her dress and covered her. "I will not do anything you are not comfortable with," he promised. "You have my word. You do not need to be afraid."

"Len hennon," Miridian said with a small smile. "Perhaps…we can try it another time." Thranduil smiled at her.

"You may stay here with me," he offered. "If you would like. But if you wish to go home, I will take you." Miridian fastened her dress and wrapped her arms around Thranduil.

"I want to stay with you," she said quietly. Thranduil returned her embrace.

"Very well," he whispered.

"…Thranduil," Miridian said.

"Yes."

"I love you. Gi melin." Thranduil sighed and held her closer.

*Oh* the feels. Please leave a review! So thankful for all of you! :D