Elleth of Light

Chapter Fifty

Legolas' POV

"I demand you to stand aside!" I ordered the nearest guard who was yet again, acting as if I did not exist. My father's personal guards were loyal to him to a fault. It did not seem to matter that I had partial rule here within the kingdom as well, they answered to him and him alone. I was nearing the end of my patience. I had to see him, but more importantly, I had to see what he had done with Merenwen. What was happening in there? Was she alright?

I began pacing before the heavily guarded doors before I finally felt my own emotions becoming to great for me to control. Within seconds my fist drove hard into the wall nearest the guard and I shot him a glare he could not possibly ignore.

"YOU WILL STAND ASIDE!" I roared but the guard remained still. His eyes fixed straight ahead.

"If you-" I started until I felt a set of hands upon my shoulders and pulled me back.

"Calm down there prince. Getting yourself thrown behind bars isn't going to get you any closer to Merenwen." I turned to Anion and I could feel my anger beginning to overwhelm me. I could lunge towards the ellon, the only thing that kept me in my place was noticing the tremble in his hands he quickly tucked them from sight as he folded his arms across his chest. This was not easy. Not for either of us and I suppose his words were true.

"Being level headed does not suit you. I half expected you to be attacking these guards to gain entry." I muttered.

"Do not think the thought had not crossed my mind but I suppose that would not help Merenwen." Had we switched personalities? I scoffed at his response before finding my place against the chill of the wall. I rested my head upon the surface and searched within for a sense of calm that could not be further from my grasp.

Father…how could you do this to me? How could you do this to Merenwen? I defended you from the beginning only to see you conduct yourself in the very way Merenwen had been fearful to face upon her arrival. Curse you father. Curse you for what you are doing to me…to her…to everything you should stand for in my life. Damn your role as king…in this moment you should be presenting yourself as my father above all else.

I shot my eyes open, every moment I closed my eyes I was haunted by the thoughts of my father striking down the elleth I loved with every ounce of my being. Her injuries…became my own and it was my own fault. As if I were in fact the one holding the blade that struck her. This was entirely my fault. I had thought too much of my father when I should have in fact paid more attention to the fear and doubt she expressed to me in the days before.

And now…she was beyond my reach. Beyond my protection. Did my father sense that I would step in? There was no denying the fact I was preparing myself to stand against my father myself. I cared not what it would do to his reputation or my own. Merenwen had fought for me long enough, it was my turn and now I may never have the chance.

Show her mercy father, I beg of you. If anything happened to her I would never forgive you.

"Legolas…" Anion brought me back from my thoughts as I saw the guards parting from the door as I witnessed the cape of my father trailing away.

"FATHER!" I roared but his steps continued to bring further distance between us. I wished to follow him, to speak my mind, to learn what had happened but it would have to wait, my presence was needed elsewhere. Merenwen.

I shoved the guards trailing behind my father and burst through the slightly opened doors until I saw a sight that brought a sense of relief to which I have never experienced before. I knew my father would not take her life but I also know when his ego is threatened, he can become…unpredictable and even unstable.

In a single moment I watched as Merenwen lifted her gaze to me and I watched in her expression, every worry, every shadow of doubt flee from sight. A smile graced her beautiful face and that ever-present glow within her seemed to shine all the clearer.

There were no words to the sight of her smiling, the warmth in her presence seemed to welcome me and I wasted no time to place myself before her. With a tug I freed her slight frame from the chest armor and tossed it aside, replacing it with my arms.

I wanted to ask, I was dying to learn of what had happened but in the moment I found myself silent. I drew in a breath, reveling in the fact she was here in my arms again, safe and her smile was reason enough for me to believe that the outcome was what we both had been hoping for. I did not know how, I did not know what was said but I knew my elleth had done the impossible. She somehow broke down the will of my father.

I squeezed her even tighter, so much had happened…so many obstacles had stood in our way but we stood together in this moment without a single person in our way. We were in the sight of the stars above alone.

I lowered my gaze to her and my lips found their way to hers and I allowed my fingers to intertwine with her locks. The taste of her lips would never leave me again.

"You are a wonder to behold. How is it that I was lucky enough to know your heart?" I whispered, my hands grasping the edges of her tunic wanting so badly to feel the warmth of her skin underneath.

"I'd like to think it was more than just luck my prince." She smirked. I felt her fingers interlock around my neck as she smiled at up at me.

"I could stay here with you in this moment for an eternity." She breathed, her eyes glistening with the starlight above. She was not alone in her thought; I too could linger here for the rest of my days. Seeing her beaming with her light anew, watching her eyes dance about my features as if she wanted to engrain every detail within her mind, feeling her touch against my skin…this was what dreams were made of in the stories of old. And yet this dream was my reality.

"Well there is nothing stopping us. If in this moment you desire to remain, then it is in this moment where we will be." I replied.

"Anion is probably waiting outside for me." She chuckled.

"He can wait a little longer."

"You're father probably wishes to speak with you of the arrangements to be made for my stay here." She grinned. Teasing me with her words placed a grin on my face as well.

"Trying to part ways with me already? Am I making you uncomfortable?" I whispered against the gentle tip of her ear. I felt her tremble slightly only to bring her arms around me even tighter.

"Quite the contrary. You are making me far too comfortable…I could see myself conducting a rather…inappropriate act in your presence here if you continue." She giggled. I couldn't help but join her laughter.

"I see nothing wrong with…inappropriate acts." I purred. It was true my desire for her was building. The longing sensation was becoming harder to push aside for the sake of reputation. Reputation be damned. Nothing but her love and her touch was on my mind this moment.

"What happened to your patience prince?" She said coyly while forcing slight distance between us. I released a sigh but smiled at her strength in a matter I was clearly faltering.

"Allow me to find my place within the kingdom. I must secure my name and standing among your people…" Hearing those words brought my soaring thoughts down to earth but there was something else. She truly wanted to belong here, to be accepted and she has made every effort to make her standing impossible to deny in the eyes of my people. I felt my cheeks flush at the sentiment; she stood before me as a woman. She had not changed, but her mind and heart were as one. She was acting just as a princess would.

"My princess…" I breathed. I then lowered my stance until one knee was firmly planted upon the floor and her small hand was within my grasp.

"Your place within this kingdom has been by my side the moment I met you and it shall remain by my side for eternity…and even longer. My people…are your people and they will see in you the very light that has captured the hearts of all who know you. Simply be yourself…and the rest will fall into place." Her smile widened the longer I spoke. A glisten of tears was swelling within her eyes and as always she tried mercilessly not to allow them to fall. I placed a single kiss upon the top of her hand and she then brought her hand to my face. Her fingertips traced my lips before resting upon my shoulder.

"Being myself may be the worse thing I should be."

"I do not believe that. You are everything this kingdom has strived to become. Strong yet gentle, resourceful, beautiful and fair, thriving…against all odds; only a fool would not see you as the symbol for the heart of this city." I felt myself saying to her everything I knew I should have said to her the moment she stepped foot in this city. I felt such guilt for allowing her to enter this city feeling like a stranger, with no belief in herself or that she could find a home here. But that was a mistake I shall continue to make up for, she needed to know my words were true. She was the very heart of this city personified.

"I know this place is new…and perhaps even strange to your eyes but I believe you will find its beauty and though it seems dark in comparison to the light that you have called home for so many years, you will soon find that there is a light here that shines all the same. It simply takes longer to see it, but once you do…you will be dazzled by its radiance…just as I am dazzled by the radiance before my eyes this very moment."

"I hate to interrupt this moment…but where can I find some food around here?" Anion's voice quickly brought the situation to a dramatic and rather unwelcomed shift. I lowered my head in defeat as I stood to my feet. But Merenwen lifted my chin to meet her eyes once more.

"Thank you."

"Must you always act as if you were my overprotective older brother?" She then shot a glare towards Anion. A glare we both were now sharing.

"What? I'm hungry; I haven't eaten since we have arrived. Hey prince, how about some hospitality? You know that sort of welcoming gesture you are supposed to show to your guests?" Anion barked while folding his arms. The ellon would sure teach me the meaning of patience that much was certain.

"Actually, I caught word that your father wishes to speak to you Legolas. I figured I would be the one to interrupt your moment here rather than one of the guards." I released a sigh before looking back at Merenwen, my hands encircling her waist before breathing in the calmness that we both were sharing. There was nothing more to fear. Not in Mordor in the great hall of my father.

"I shall see you tonight." She whispered.

"Until then."

Author's Note: Well the story is in it's final chapters BUT that does not mean this is where the story ends. Remember I'll be posting a few added bonus chapters of alternate pairings of our favorites characters just for some fun! AND don't forget that I will be starting a new fic that will be a PREQUEL to this story. It will focus on Haldir and Merenwen's relationship and her life before the war of the ring. Hope my Haldir fans out there will find the story and follow along too! Well, keep those reviews coming my friends! Next chapter will include some FLUFF, just a heads up, less action the closer the wedding gets. But never fear, the chapters will be tastefully done and will not be a waste to read!

Animexchick: My first review from my last update and always my favorite, thank you for your support and constant motivation in this story! I don't know where I'd be without you my friend! I am so glad you liked how I concluded the battle, yes poor Legolas would have been the one to suffer the most he's torn between the love of Merenwen and the obedience to his father but all ended as it should I'd like to think! I think Thranduil will come around and it may take time but I think the people of Mirkwood will come around too, I mean what's not to like about our favorite elleth right? Well I do have a treat for you my friend; next chapter will be nothing but fluff. I'll keep it tasteful but those two need some closeness and time to reflect I do believe! I hope you enjoyed this update and next chapter is for you my friend and the wedding is around the corner woooo! Thanks again my friend!

DaughterofThranduil1701: Thanks for reviewing again; I look forward to reading what you think of my updates. So glad you enjoyed how the battle ended and Merenwen channeling the lady of light herself! Thranduil certainly found his sensible side as you said, hope you enjoy the story as it comes to a close! Thanks again for reviewing!

Rubberduckybugati: Hello my friend, so glad you approved how I concluded the battle. Yes, I thought a truce was the only way to keep poor Legolas from enduring more pain and having to literally feel completely torn between the two most important people in his lives. That was torture for him enough. And you are so right, Galadriel and Thranduil may not be besties but they know each other and they know of the power within they have…and not just physical power. They must have a great deal of respect for one another, how could they not? They are two of the strongest most influential elves in the land. And yes Thranduil should be known for what he has endured and continued to do even after the pain of the loss he had suffered. He raised Legolas to the best of his ability and led his people to a prosperity that says so much of his resilience and his mental and emotional strength. Something Galadriel knew and I think Merenwen was good to be reminded of. I somewhat hate that the action is over in this story but I am hoping to really show the maturity of the characters after the end of it all. Hope you enjoy the story as it comes to an end my friend!

Moonlight Starlove: Thanks for your awesome review my friend! Hope you enjoyed this update too!

Guest Reviewer: Thanks for reviewing my friend; yes I have always seen Galadriel as an angel of sorts. She's very angelic, almost a religious symbol to her people and always close to their hearts especially in the moments of hardship. Love her! Thanks for liking my portrayal of her! And I did not consciously imply that Thranduil and Galadriel are two parts of Merenwen but I can totally see that representation! This is why I love hearing reviews so much, I get to hear how others view my work and I get to learn new perspectives. Thank you so much for your review!