LEGOLAS FAN FICTION

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 (emi_kins@yahoo.com)

45.

Elenath awoke with the dawn the next morning and sighed as she contemplated rising from bed to face the new day. The scent of roses hung heavily in the air, and at first she thought it was but a dream. Her eyes told her otherwise. Strewn about her chamber, indeed upon the floor, the bed, and even the pale skin of her arms, were a thousand red rose petals. Like silk beneath her fingertips and upon her sleep-cooled cheeks they were, and she thought at once of Legolas.

The princess had wondered when this would happen. The scattering of rose petals marked the beginning of the deep courtship that occurred just before marriage. Legolas would be waiting for her now in his chambers; waiting for her to wake him with a song of love, to tell him that she accepted his courtship. And though her voice was not as fair or fine as most Elven voices, she had secretly anticipated this moment since she came of age almost five hundred years earlier. She had even composed a song, which, as she lay in bed and went over the words, was just not suitable. Nay. She would have to compose another.

She let her hair hang wild about her face, brushing it as smoothly as she could and weaving a wreath of roses to wear. Her gown was the deep green of the forest just before a rainstorm and she wore no shoes, wishing to tread as lightly as possible to her beloved's chambers.

To the surprise of the princess, his doorway was guarded by two of the warriors from Mirkwood who had arrived with King Thranduil. They came to attention and bowed to her as she peered in through the door. Rats. She had not wanted an audience.

Legolas lay asleep on his bed, his eyes gazing into nowhere and his hands folded peacefully upon his chest. The most contented of smiles curled the corners of his mouth. Elenath was reluctant to wake him, so serene was his slumber, but she opened her mouth and began to sing.

"Arise now and wake, love

Greet thou the new day

The sun rises gladly

O darkness away

Across the green forests

Across the blue seas

Flies swiftly O swiftly

The darkness away."

The song, like her voice, was unpracticed but sweet, like a new mother's song to her child. Legolas smiled and blinked a few times before daring to look over at her.

"Arise now and wake, heart

Greet thou the new day

My prince scatters petals

O darkness away

Across the green forests

Across the blue seas

Flies swiftly O swiftly

The darkness from me.

"My love has awakened

Springs forth a new day

My heart e'er grows lighter

O darkness away

Across the green forests

Across the blue seas

I'll follow thee always

And ne'er go astray."

Legolas sat up in his bed, his eyes never straying from Elenath's face. "If I were allowed but one possession in all the wide world, Elenath, I would choose you."

She smiled at him and turned away, blushing at the smiles of the guards and walking quickly down the corridor toward breakfast.

***

"Elrond, I am not so cold and heartless as you believe me to be." Thranduil set aside his steaming cup and stood up to circle the council chambers, meeting the gazes of all who had gathered there: four of the king's advisors from Mirkwood, and four from Rivendell who knew Elenath well. Thorondil, Llilwen, Airedolas, and Gandalf.

"It seemed so to me at the time," replied Elrond. "The first letter that I sent was very clear. Legolas and Elenath have a bond. An unbreakable bond. I informed you of that fact, yet you replied with the mandate that your son be sent home at once with Merethiel as his bride."

The king sighed and sank back down into his chair. "Tell me," he said, "Truthfully. What you would have done if you sent your son away to meet his betrothed: a well-mannered, mild-tempered Lady of the Court; both beautiful and kind. But instead a fierce and wild warrioress charmed him and stole his heart."

"That is not how it-"

"Allow me to finish. You must understand. I heard nothing of this; absolutely nothing of my son's courtship, or lack thereof, for half a year. He wrote home and told of Rivendell's wonderful hospitality, and of her wondrous beauty. Never once did he mention Merethiel. Never once did he mention Elenath. Then suddenly I received your letter. Lord Elrond, I do not know your granddaughters. Of Elenath, I only knew rumors come from far away battlefields. A warrioress, fierce and wild. 'She has killed ten thousand Orcs! She has slain five thousand Wargs! She rides and fights and acts just like a male!' That is all I knew of Elenath. Is that the kind of wife a king would choose for his only son?"

"Well I – "

"Nay! Of course you do not understand. You have many sons; many daughters; many grandchildren. But I… I have only one, and he is the hope of Mirkwood."

"Elenath is not a savage beast."

"Yes! I realize that now. Imagine my surprise when she greeted me as she did. Her courtly manners are perfect; there is nothing coarse about her."

"Than it is settled?" Elrond leaned forward in his chair. "You will allow your son to wed her?"

Thranduil shook his head. "She is still a warrior. I can see it in her. The way she moves; the light of courage that shines forth from her eyes. It is in her heart just as much as Legolas is in her heart! Can I ask her to put aside the Sword? To promise never to ride into battle? You know her better than I, Elrond. What would she say to such a condition?"

"I know not what she would say, King Thranduil, for her love for your son is pure and strong. But I would not allow it. It would destroy her."

"Then we are at an impasse," sighed the king.