Chapter Twenty-Six-I Kissed A Girl

Thranduil took up a large portion of his court and some of his subjects to an open ground. The land had been somehow enriched in the aftermath of the Shadow, with blossoms leaping up in the warm humid air and the grass was thick and plenty. Legolas had changed his attire to match his father. His tunic was emerald green, bright and crisp, while his leggings were a deeper green. And the entire company was barefooted. Though it was not the norm for her, she cast away her slippers and reunited with nature in the way of Silvan folk.

In the clearing was a great show of the wealth of Thranduil, with great chairs made of marble with silver encrusted in them and blankets of rich silk strewn on the grass. There was a fire pit, with a perfect roast going, golden-brown and juicy. And within record time, there were jugs of wine going around and Elves becoming loud and merry. And in this, Barawen was very happy.

'The atmosphere here is pure…joy. I have experienced beauty in Lothlórien and even Gondolin…but this is something refreshing. I shall enjoy this land!'

And she grabbed Legolas by the waist and pulled him into an energetic dance, a dance in which she led him. The two of them met eyes, with her giving him a triumphant look and he returned one of both surprise and determination.

'So, she thinks that she will have dominion over me in this matter. I have never been led and I will not begin now!'

Smiling at her and lowering her defenses, he yanked softly a small portion of her hair, startling her and allowing him to take up his rightful lead.

"Wha-"

"That was for earlier," he spoke over her. "You will not try to lead me again."

His tone was playfully authoritative but still it sparked a challenge. To this, she felt a fire stirred in her. Like sparks in a smithy, their spirits were hot and demanded another epic showdown.

And this began an awkward dance, with one trying to lead the other and actually not going anywhere outside of a rigid circle. She smiled as did he, exchanging tiny pulls on each other's follicles to pull the other of course momentarily. It was during all of this that Legolas' hands began to warm to an almost uncomfortable temperature. Barawen's eyebrows raised in shock.

"What do you think you are doing, Thranduilion?! Have you any idea what damage you may do to me as of now?" she whispered in his ear.

And the prince responded, "I do have an idea. And if you do not stop trying to lead me, I will tickle you with my strength until…well, something bad will happen."

From across the clearing, Thranduil spied on his son and his companion, friend of Estë. The sight before him was unusual, causing him to cock his head to the side. They were doing the dance of an Elf with three feet and tugging each other's hair in-between less than graceful moves. Either they were both mad, or they were in love. The latter was unforeseeable, seeing as Legolas had never shown another elleth the time of day. Extremely intrigued, Thranduil walked up to them deftly and placed his arm out in front of them.

They both curtsied in respect, before Thranduil made his intentions known.

"It is a shame that after all these years my son still does not know how to dance. Come with me and enjoy a real dance."

Smiling, she let go of her grip on a few strands of Legolas' hair and gave herself over to the Woodland King for a dance. His movement was swift, sweeping her up and making her fall into him slightly. The King was odd but he was also kind. He turned out to be a truly good dancer and his love of the art showed in his pace. He was fervent and expected her to be as well. So she danced until she was tired.

In this time, Legolas communed with some of his scout friends and kept an open ear for his father, to make sure they were getting along.

"Well, I have to ask…" Thranduil began. "How is it that you came to be so well acquainted with my son? It has been a long time since he has let down his guard so far."

She was blushing when she looked at her host.

"I would not know. But if it is true, then I account myself lucky. You have a wonderful son."

Thranduil spun her around before pulling her back to him. It was hard not to feel like his attention was totally on her. His personal magnetism was infectious. No wonder he was so beloved by his subjects. He was a strange sort of ellon, indeed.

"Is that so? So, have you two decided on a date for betrothal?"

Barawen nearly choked on her own spit, stopping firmly in her tracks.

"Wait…what? We have just decided to court. That is all," she said defensively.

But Thranduil, though younger, was in fact the wiser.

"That will not do," he said in a tone hinting at whimsy, as he resumed his dance with her. "I have been trying to get him to settle with an elleth for nearly a millennia. But this is the closest he has come. You two are very close to one another, I can tell. You really ought to take advantage of peace. I should not fail to mention that there are others as well. This matter has become a race and I should only wish that you make my son happy."

"Why I? I had thought that you would not be satisfied to have your son bonded with one of the Noldor. ..I may have misjudged you," she admitted in a hushed voice.

"Were it that you had slain my kin, then I may have turned you away. But I can hear quite a distance. The whole of Northern Mirkwood is mine. The minute you crossed my river, I heard you and I pray to the Valar that I never become so hot in temperament to punish an Elf for the actions of her father. Loyalty is what I seek from you; No more and no less."

She smiled and fully gave herself to him in a free, wild dance, which pleased him very much.

/ / / / /

Nenlas had joined her 'brother' by now and given the task of musician to another. In her hands was a chalice of wine and she was talking to him.

"How are you, Legolas? Was it fun to be away from home for so long? I wager that you saw all sorts of thing-"

But Legolas was not amused. He calmly sent away the scouts whom he had associated with and then gave his full, undivided attention to her.

"How dare you show your face to me for what you have done to Barawen? I do not know why I bother protecting you any longer."

To this, her shoulders dropped, as well as her face.

"What is that? You protect me from what? I only wish the best for you. I apologize if I was not sensitive enough. It is only her fault; she should know better, as a Noldo, than to encroach on the lands of the Silvan people."

"Keep your apologies. They are meaningless, hollow things."

And Legolas could not keep a solid lid on his emotions any longer. He had entirely forgotten about her dreaded presence in his father's lands. Ever since he and his father had been given the task of raising the orphaned Elf, she had leaned on him. But in her was also terror. She was without emotions, seeking dominion over her companions. And at first, Legolas had pity for her but now…her cruelty was too great. And he would no longer stand for it. Turning from her to walk away, he spoke.

"If you do anything to separate us, you will be the true Kin-slayer."

/ / / / /

Barawen finished dancing with Thranduil and ran to Legolas. Her spirit was as free as it had been in the city of Tirion, in her youth. And she grasped his taut form and kissed his cheek.

"What is this face, whilst amongst such festivity? Would you like a drink? Or, perhaps to eat some roast?"

Sighing, he kissed her back. But his heart had been taken by some dark, lingering thing. Ignoring this, she smiled.

"No. I require only your presence. Come and meet some of my friends."

This task filled her with an emotion that trumped the shadow in his heart and turned his mood towards hers. Grasping her hand, he walked over to his scouting friends.

"Barawen, this is Hirvegil and Galadon," Legolas said grinning.

And she lowered her head to them, in respect, the Silvan Elves doing the same. Hirvegil was obviously the elder Elf of the two, his body slightly more erect. His eyes were bright, blazing blue, and his hair a rich, warm brown. His countenance was laden with strength as was Galadon's. Galadon was slightly shorter, and smaller but no less fierce in demeanor. His hair was a thick sheet of gold and he had eyes of copper. Both were clothed in white and grey and were about half the way too drunk.

"It is about time," Hirvegil said in a laughing voice. "You have been…lonely…no, Legolas?"

Legolas shot his friend a look that made him look away. And so Hirvegil turned his attention to Galadon.

"My, our friend has become angry. You had better keep watch your tongue…Galad-on."

Barawen giggled, covering her mouth with her hands.

'They are definitely too drunk for their own well-being. They will be sorry come dawn,' she thought.

"Oh, yes…have you heard the good news?" Galadon said to Legolas. "King Thranduil come to an agreement with Celeborn of Lórien. The forests of Lórien and Mirkwood have become as one, under the rulership of two Lords. Aren't you from Lórien, Barawen?" he asked.

She nodded, face full of excitement.

"Yes. I must make my way there again. There are some things there that I may find familiar. This age will be great indeed if you have joined the Lord Celeborn."

"Yes. Well…shall we play a game?" Galadon asked of his three friends.

"What game did you have in mind?" Legolas asked, voice teeming with curiosity.

"Well…"

/ / / / /

Barawen, Legolas, Galadon and Hirvegil were laid out on a blanket in the field, in a circle around a jug of wine. They were all as drunk as an Orc and sprawled out, incapacitated. Her prior drinking game had absolutely nothing on this one. Wine that had been fermenting for centuries was running its course through their veins, albeit quicker in Legolas and Barawen's bodies. She was one of the Eldar, as was he, so they were faring better than their Silvan company, who were absolutely beyond the acceptable point of drunkenness. Thranduil looked from beyond the field at the people his son chose to associate with. He had to sigh.

'He will be forever youthful. For that I am both thankful and frightened.'

Authoress Note: Yay! I made friends for the Prince. That being said, review, because Galadon and Hirvegil will love you forever. Well…maybe not Hirvegil. That is all I will say. REVIEW!!!