RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily Kinsman (emi_kins@yahoo.com)

4.

"What do you mean I am to marry the Prince of Mirkwood?!" Lady Merethiel's outraged shouts could be heard throughout the House of Lord Elrond and indeed, throughout the entire Elven kingdom of Rivendell. It was a good thing that the said prince had not yet arrived or he would have heard as well.

Elenath rested her hand comfortingly on her cousin's shoulder as the she- Elf continued to rant, her fair face growing scarlet with rage. "I have never even met him! And Rivendell is my home. I do not wish to leave here for some dark, moldy forest!"

"I certainly understand your surprise," said Elenath, "but truly, Grandfather thought that you would be pleased."

"Well, I am not!" seethed the Lady, her voice rising hysterically. "I am so sick and tired of being a perfect and proper Lady and doing whatever anyone bids me to do. And I am sick and tired of never losing my temper! Can you blame me for being upset? Betrothed since the day I was born and never told about it until today? Elenath, I am 799 years old!"

"No," said Elenath softly, "I cannot blame you." She could not help but smile at the way they had traded places. Usually, Elenath was the hysterical one while Merethiel calmed her with her softly spoken words.

"Why?" asked Merethiel. "Why me?"

"I know not, my friend, but I know how it feels to be handed a surprise that turns your whole world upside down." Indeed the princess's life had changed quite a lot since the Council of the Sword. She now trained for long hours with Thorondil and the other members of the Guard, and was ever ready to bear Calmakil to the aid of any Elven army in distress. Even now, saddlebags were packed and ready for her in the event that an urgent call would come. Grateful that her world was currently at peace, she squeezed Merethiel's hands. "Please do not be so quick to dismiss Prince Legolas. Put yourself in his shoes for a moment and imagine how he will feel if you snub him outright. At least give him a chance. You are lucky that Grandfather will even allow you to make your home away from Rivendell."

Merethiel sighed and sank down onto her bed. "Fine. But I am telling you now that this is not about the prince. I do not want to marry anyone at this time, and I am not like you. I don't want to leave Rivendell. Did you meet him?"

"What?" asked Elenath.

"The Prince of Mirkwood. He was at the Council. Did you meet him?"

"I did, briefly."

"What is he like?"

The princess turned away to hide a blush and tucked one of her small braids behind her ear. "You will like him. He is handsome and kind with eyes like a lovely blue lake on a calm day…" her voice trailed away and she sighed.

"You! You like him!" Merethiel fell backward onto her bed. Her eyes glazed with shock and then melted into a conspiratorial grin. "You! Why, this is wonderful! You shall marry him instead of me. It's perfect. You want to leave Rivendell and I want to stay."

"But Merethiel-"

The Lady rambled on, seemingly in her own world. "It makes perfect sense! After all, you are a princess and he is a prince. And I have heard he is quite good with a bow while you are good with your sword. How does the saying go? 'My bow shall sing with your sword-?'"

"Merethiel!"

She shook her head and looked up at Elenath. "Oh! What? It makes perfect sense, does it not?"

"First of all," said the princess, "While I do find the prince quite… intriguing… I would hardly say that I could marry him. Second, Grandfather wouldn't agree to such a union, remember? He does not wish for me to make my home anywhere but Rivendell." She sighed. "I am virtually a prisoner here."

"Then what am I, if I marry him? An exile?" The younger Elf looked as if she might cry. "How could Grandfather do this to me? Why has he found reason to punish me?"

Elenath sat next to her and gave her a one-armed hug. "He does not seek to punish you, Cousin. In fact, he believed he was rewarding you."

"Must I marry him tomorrow?"

"No, of course not. I'll see to it that the wedding will not take place until you and Prince Legolas are ready."

Merethiel regarded her with adoring eyes. "Thank you, Elenath. You are a true friend. But what about you? You have never shown interest in any Elf before."

Elenath shrugged. "I shall simply have to let my thoughts wonder on other paths, My Friend. Do not worry."

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