Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any of the characters or locations from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The next morning, they were up early and set off. Legolas anticipated reaching Mirkwood that afternoon, as he did not want to reach the borders at night.
They rode hard and approached the border of the forest about an hour past noon. They slowed down and rode on, into the green forest. Alerae grew more and more anxious as they approached the center of the forest, where the King's halls could be found, even though it took them some time to get there.
"What am I supposed to do when we arrive? What do I say?" Alerae kept her eyes fixed straight ahead as her stomach turned in anticipation.
"Everything will be fine, Alerae. Just be yourself, my father will be kind to you. Just be respectful, that is all, but you always are so you have nothing to fear, I promise."
The rode past many houses and Alerae observed some elves milling about, all were beautiful and the forest itself was as well. It was very different from Lorien but equally intriguing. The elves that they passed gave her strange looks but when they saw their Prince smiled and bowed respectfully.
"They seem like they are fond of you, Legolas."
"I try." He smiled at her and then at his people as the pair approached the stunning Elven hall.
"Alerae, this is my home."
"It is... amazing." Although Alerae had been aware that she had been traveling with a prince for quite some time now, the realization of it hit her all over again.
They rode up the path to the gates of the palace, Alerae keeping Astalder a few steps behind Arod. Everyone they rode past acknowledged their prince happily, even though curiosity about Alerae was written all over their faces.
Thranduil had been made aware of Legolas' entrance into Mirkwood by the elves that guarded the border. They had also reported a maiden that they did not recognize traveling with the prince. He went out to meet his son.
"Son, it is good to have you back."
"Hello ada, it is good to be back home. This is Alerae, my friend." Alerae was amazed at the resemblance between father and son, although Thranduil had an older, more knowing smile. She felt very exposed in front of this great king of elves.
Thranduil turned to Alerae and said, "Mae govannen, Alerae. Welcome to my home."
Alerae bowed and replied, "Thank you, your highness."
"Why don't you two come inside? You have had a long trip, much longer than anticipated." Thranduil gave Legolas a pointed glance.
"Yes, ada, we have." Legolas ignored his father's statement, "We will retire for this evening."
Alerae was amazed at this elven refuge. She followed Legolas closely as they entered the dark elven halls. She hadn't realized how quickly the day had gone by.
Thranduil motioned for a maid, "Elena, please escort Lady Alerae to one of the guest quarters."
The maid came up to her and acknowledged herself, "This way, milady."
Legolas suddenly spoke up, "Elena, please bring her to my room."
Alerae's eyes widened and she blushed while Elena smiled and Thranduil gave Legolas a stern look. There were a few moments of awkward silence until Elena spoke, "Yes, of course, milord."
Alerae looked down embarrassedly and followed Elena, who was carrying her things.
Thranduil waited until the pair was well out of hearing range to address his son, "Legolas..."
"I don't mean to be rude but I do wish to retire."
"Is it because that maiden is waiting for you in your room?"
"Ada, we are not intimate."
"No? I find that difficult to believe, Legolas."
"We are not. Do you wish to know the entire story?"
"Yes, actually. She is human, is she not?"
"First of all, before you go troubling yourself about my personal life, I will tell you how I came to know her."
Legolas related his entire story to him, regarding how he met her and their travels together.
"So she is from a human village?"
"Yes, her parents were killed, as I told you. She has yet to determine why they were killed."
"A half-elf, hmm. I am not trying to pry Legolas, but it is my job as your father. I care about you and I want to see you happy but I also want what is good for my people. They will one day be yours."
"I know, ada."
"Why do you wish for her to stay in your room?"
"I don't know, the thought of sleeping without her is none too enticing."
"So you do sleep with her?"
"I sleep next to her, not with her, in that sense of the word. She is still recovering from years of abuse. I'm sure she would not yet be comfortable in a foreign place in a room alone."
"Alright my son, we will speak more of this matter tomorrow. Come and find me early and we shall talk, for there is much you have missed while away."
"Thank you, ada. I appreciate it. I will see you tomorrow then."
Legolas turned and walked down the hall to his room.
Meanwhile, a maiden was walking in the opposite direction, a daughter of an elven lord. She was beautiful, possessing that elven grace that was sure to attract and she was always trying to woo Legolas, for she wanted the crown more than anything. She had already bedded him once, but he had never forgiven himself for giving in to her and he despised her.
"Oh, Prince Legolas, you're back, thank Eru. I was terribly lonely; it was cold in my bed."
Legolas gave her a cold stare, "I'm sure you found someone to keep your company."
Ignoring his comment, she continued, "Would you care to join me this evening?"
"You need to understand that it will not happen again. Get out of my sight."
She lingered for only a moment before continuing down the hall, probably to one of her lovers' rooms. Legolas shook his head and knocked on his door.
A very timid Alerae opened the door cautiously but when she saw Legolas, opened it wide.
"Hello, meleth."
"Finally, Legolas."
He smiled at her and made his way to his bed.
Alerae had been exploring the room while she waited, the walls were dark green and it was spacious. There was even a fireplace and a large bathtub. She smiled; glad to be able to see Legolas' home and glad he had invited her to stay with him. The room was decidedly masculine and she realized that it was missing a feminine touch.
"So, I see you have made yourself comfortable," he paused and then added, "which is a very good thing."
"Well, yes. Why did you want me to stay in here?"
"I could tell that you did not like the idea of staying alone, and I would very much like to keep you by my side."
"Thank you, Legolas. Your home is amazing."
"Thank you, meleth. Hearing it from your lips means much to me. Maybe we should get some sleep. If you want a bath, the water should be flowing hot from the springs."
She watched him mill about for a few minutes and then walked into the separate part of the room for bathing and took off her clothes. Legolas heard her sigh as she slid into the warm water. He pulled off his tunic and pulled down the bed.
She emerged a little while later looking refreshed and hardly tired, and Legolas was lying in bed staring at the ceiling, trying to keep himself from thinking too much about Alerae being naked in the other room. He sat up when she came and sat on the bed next to him.
"How was it?"
"Mmm, very nice. Was your father surprised by me?"
"He was surprised, but not disappointed. I explained to him how I met you and that I liked you very much, and I told him that we were not intimate. I guessed that you would have wanted me to tell him that."
"Yes, I suppose."
"You are welcome to eat breakfast with us tomorrow morn, although I will be leaving early to go and talk to him. He claims that he wants to speak with me about happenings in Mirkwood, but everything looks fine. I think he really just wants to know what is going on with us."
"And what exactly is going on, Legolas?"
"Well… you know that I love you, and I should say that love is a very big thing to be going on. I have never been in love before, at least not like this."
She smiled and lay down next to him, moving close and pulling the blankets up around them. The December air was still threatening.
"I am in love with you, Alerae."
Instead of replying, she kissed him. It was a deep kiss and made all the more passionate by Legolas' tongue. She moaned slightly as he pulled away. His eyes were longing but he remained where he was, lying next to her, with one arm around her waist. She sighed contentedly and then fell asleep in his arms.
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She awoke the next morning to an empty bed and cold air. She didn't feel well and she was not particularly happy about waking up alone, until she remembered that Legolas had told here where he would be.
Legolas was in his father's study, conversing with him about his trip, what he had missed in Mirkwood, and Alerae. He had told his father that Alerae meant a lot to him and that he would even go so far as to say that he was in love with her. His father brushed it off as a passing infatuation with this new half-elf.
"I really do love her, ada. I do not know why or how, but I do and I hope that you do not make this difficult for us, because I will not abandon her simply because you think that she is unfit."
"Son, I would not do that. My opinion of her is neutral, as I have not even met the girl past a simple greeting. I trust your judgment -- most of the time anyway."
As Legolas and his father were talking, Alerae was getting ready in her room. She found the dress a struggle and sat down on the bed, half naked and feeling defeated. She looked up when she heard a soft knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
"It is Elena, the maid. Milord Legolas asked me to come and wake you for morning meal."
She put her bathing robe on and answered the door.
Elena, the hand maiden, was an older elf, but she hardly looked it. She had served the royal family of Mirkwood for years, and she had seen maidens in and out of Legolas' room but none as unusual as Alerae, and none that Legolas seemed as intrigued or captivated by.
She entered and commented, "I see that you need some help with that dress, let me assist."
She helped Alerae into the constricting dress and then set her down on the chair in front of the mirror in the bathing room, where she started to braid her hair.
There was silence until she asked, "So milady, how long have you been traveling with my lord?"
"A few months."
"He certainly likes you."
Alerae blushed as she watched her hair become more and more intricate.
"I appreciate you doing this for me."
"It is nothing."
She was done in a few minutes more and stood up, gazing at her now beautiful reflection.
"Thank you, I looked a frightful mess before, didn't I?"
"I don't think so, and I doubt that Lord Legolas would either, seeing as he is probably responsible."
Alerae turned a deep shade of red before responding defensively, "He is not at all responsible for my state, it is my own fault… I went to bed with wet hair. Do you care to further discuss what you are implying?"
"No, milady. I am sorry."
Alerae wasn't sure why she was so irritable, but she was sick of this, "We are not having sex. Does anyone else want to know? Why don't I just go scream it out the window, Legolas and I are not having sex! And we haven't ever had sex!" Alerae flopped down on the bed, a little embarrassed at her rant.
"Um, milady, I never… I'm sorry. I suppose that everyone is interested in the Prince's personal life, because well, he is the prince. It must be terribly hard for you."
She sat up, "I am sorry, Elena. I really didn't mean to yell like that. Not that many people have asked actually, I'm just a little irritable today."
"It must be that time of the month… you are forgiven. I will do my best to keep your affairs private."
Alerae had to bite her tongue to keep from replying.
"I will show you to the dining hall."
Alerae followed Elena and soon reached the heavy wooden doors. Elena opened one for her and she walked in, feeling a little better.
"Hello, meleth," Legolas acknowledged Alerae.
Thranduil looked at his son. He had never heard him utter the word "meleth" before. It was strange to hear.
Alerae smiled and sat down next to him in the chair he had pulled out, but not before bowing humbly to the king.
"Good day to you, Lady Alerae," he said.
"Good morning, your highness."
"Well, enjoy. If you don't mind me asking, would you tell me about yourself? I wish to know about the maiden that has captivated my son so."
Alerae shifted uncomfortably and began, starting with her childhood in a tiny, happy home. She left out details about her life at the inn but conveyed the general sense of what was done to her and ended on her rescue by Legolas.
"That is an interesting story, indeed. You traveled with my son for a few months?"
Legolas interrupted, "Ada, I think that is enough, she is already uncomfortable enough."
"No, it is fine your highness. Yes, I have."
"I am very sorry for the horrors you have endured, you are granted stay in Eryn Lasgalen for as long as you need or would like. You may even make your new home here if you wish."
She nodded her thanks and finished eating, "That was very good milord, I thank you for having me."
"You are very welcome, go and seek Elena; she will show you around the halls and give you your own room."
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