LEGOLAS FAN FICTION

TITLE: Where Love May Lead

AUTHOR: Emily Kinsman

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)

SUMMARY: Prequel to Elenath. Legolas travels to Rivendell to meet his betrothed, but things do not work out as smoothly as his father and Lord Elrond had wished.



33.

Worry clouded Lord Elrond's eyes as he gazed out into the furious storm that had descended upon his kingdom. In his hand he held a glass of Elven wine, and he watched the oaks and beeches bend crazily in the wind as if dancing with the tall spindly pines and broad maples. He wondered where his granddaughters were.

Praying to the Valar that Elenath and Merethiel had found shelter somewhere out in the Wood, he turned to an attendant and sent for Mithrandir, settling down in a chair to wait quietly.

The ancient Elf's heart was heavy within his breast, for it had been his anger that had driven them away in the first place. And with them had gone Haldir and Legolas. Now all four were missing: two granddaughters and two foreign dignitaries. And the blame for it lay upon him, for all four were under his protection. He sighed and closed his eyes, imagining what King Thranduil would say to him if Legolas, his only son, was lost forever in Rivendell. The damage would be irreparable, not only to the two kingdoms but also to his heart, for he knew that Elenath's fate was most certainly intertwined with the prince's. He set the wine glass gently aside and watched as lightning lit up the blackened sky.

"Father?"

The voice was soft; uncertain; but he heard it clearly. It was Llilwen, his firstborn child and mother to Elenath. "Yes, Daughter?"

She walked around to stand before him, her pale hands trembling, dark hair tumbling in disarray about her fair face, hazel eyes rimmed in red. It was obvious she had been crying. "Have you any news of the young ones?"

Lightning flashed again, this time sending a mighty rumbling above the treetops. Elrond waited until the sound subsided and then spoke just as quietly as she. "No, Llilwen. I am sorry."

The she-Elf nodded silently and began to back away, stopping when her father spoke once more.

"You think that I was too harsh," he said as Airedolas appeared behind his wife.

"Father, I would miss her terribly if she left Rivendell, but she is truly in love and I would not take that from her."

"Airedolas?"

"I agree with Llilwen, my lord. I have watched Elenath with Legolas and the prince is both noble and kind. I believe it is a good match."

Elrond shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I must admit that I have never seen Elenath's heart so light. However, Mirkwood is a dark and dangerous place full of evil creatures. Spiders… Orcs… who knows what else? It is just too dangerous."

Llilwen shook her head. "Forgive me, Father, but why then do you send Merethiel? She knows not how to defend herself and would surely perish in such an environment."

Elrond nodded. "My point exactly. Merethiel knows that she is no match for those creatures, and so would not venture out without an escort. She would be safe and protected by Thranduil's guards in Mirkwood. But Elenath is far too independent. She would never consent to being guarded and could easily fall into danger there. No. I cannot allow her to go. I wish that there were a way to allow the Prince of Mirkwood to stay here with us."

"There must be some way to keep them together," said Airedolas. "This is breaking her heart!"

Thunder crackled again, and with another strong gust of wind, Gandalf arrived. "You called for me, Elrond?"

"Indeed, Mithrandir. What think you of this afternoon's… display?"

"I think," said the Wizard, sitting down, "that you are a stubborn old fool and if you do not change your ways, you will be the death of the very one whom you love so much."

Elrond's brow creased, but his eyes twinkled. "I can always trust you to state your mind," he said. "Now, what of this storm? For I have the distinct feeling that it is not a natural one."

Gandalf closed his eyes and held tightly to his staff, remaining silent for a long moment. He shook his head and sighed. "Dimnarion. It seems he has found a new form and seeks to destroy Elenath."

"But she killed him!" Elrond burst out, standing quickly to his feet.

"You should know, my friend. Wizards do not die so easily as that. This is certainly the work of Dimnarion. The only question is who and what is he now?"