They talked for a long time in the cave. Dawn came and they went back to the castle. On the way, they saw Sealeaf. "King Thranduil has sent armed forces to the castle. They are going to try to take Legolas back. Aragorn isn't going to stop them. I have a letter from Thranduil to Legolas. Here." Sealeaf gave Legolas the letter. Legolas read it aloud. "Legolas, you are to return to Mirkwood immediately. Your disobedience is a disgrace to our family. I have found a suitable wife for you. She awaits your return, as do I. The wedding is planned for Midsummer's Day. I will not tolerate any further disobedience from you. Signed, Thranduil." Legolas crumpled the letter and threw it to the ground. "He will not command me! He's probably got some other King's daughter waiting for me. She'll be one of those maidens he knows I will refuse. I'm not going back." Terrico put her hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps you should. I will go with you. You can tell Thranduil that you are going to marry me. I know my father will approve of you, so if he doesn't accept us, we can go to Greenhorn." Legolas sighed. "Yes, perhaps it is better this way. I have done a lot to upset him. We should go back to the castle now." As they walked, Terrico held Legolas's hand. She looked at him. He walked without his normal dignified stance. He seemed sad, defeated. He knew he could no longer fight his father's will. They returned to the castle to see a very large band of elves. They had on battle armor and held swords and longbows. Legolas walked past them without a word. He gathered their things from the turret and said his farewells to Aragorn and Arwen. They were sad to see him leave in such a way. Thranduil's soldiers surrounded Legolas. When Terrico tried to get to him, they blocked her. "We were told to take Legolas back alone. We were told to keep you away from him." Terrico was shocked. Legolas was angry. He tried to get to Terrico, but the soldiers held him back. "No way, Prince. You are going back to Mirkwood." Two of them produced rope and tied Legolas up. Terrico looked at Legolas with tears in her eyes. "I will not allow this. I will got the Thranduil himself and he will not defy me." Sealeaf looked at Legolas. There was no way to rescue him. Sealeaf lowered himself so Terrico could climb on. They took off and headed towards Mirkwood.
Thranduil sat in his throne room. Servants brought him a letter from the group of soldiers he had sent to Aragorn's castle. He smiled as he read it. "I knew I could trust Aragorn to be reasonable. Now I can finally control that wayward elf. He is so independent. Not for long." Thranduil laughed. He was startled, however, when a wide-eyed servant ran in. "There's a dragon in the court! It carries a Mage who wants to see you." Thranduil stood up. The huge doors to his throne room were thrown open. Terrico stormed in. "Thranduil! I will have words with you!" Terrico's staff glowed with a deep red glare. Her stance as she stood in front of the king made her look very strong and very angry. Thranduil stared at her. To him, she looked like everything he'd ever heard Legolas say he wanted in a wife plus power. He was impressed, but did not show it. "Who are you? What is your business storming into my court without permission?" Terrico glared. "I am a Sorceress from Greenhorn. You should know who I am. Your soldiers had to tie up Legolas to get him to follow them. If you do not know me now, why should I tell you?" Thranduil thought for a moment, and then remembered the note Aragorn had sent him when Legolas had been captured, "A goblin-mage plans to hold Legolas hostage so an elven mage, whom Legolas was involved with, will allow him to use her to bring back Sauron." He studied her for a moment. "You're Terrico." She nodded, and bowed. "And you have won his heart in many battles, I have heard. You helped protect the Shire, as well as Aragorn's home. Perhaps I will rethink the other proposal. We won't get that much out of it, really." Thranduil turned to see one of the soldiers that he'd sent to Aragorn's castle come in. The soldier walked up to Thranduil and bowed. "The Prince is in the room as you requested, with guards at all exits." Thranduil looked at Terrico. "I will think about this more. In the meantime, perhaps you should go and see Legolas. He is probably quite irritated and will need someone to calm him down." The soldier motioned for Terrico to follow him. He took her to a small room not far from the throne room. It had a thin window that had a few bars to keep people from getting in or out. There was only one door, a single bed, chair, and a small washbasin and mirror. Legolas laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He turned when he heard the door open. "Terrico!" He called out happily. They embraced. "My father wants me to marry some other elf. I can't. I don't want to." Legolas mumbled into Terrico's shoulder. Terrico soothed him, holding him close. "Your father is rethinking his decision. He may accept me, but I'm not sure. He seemed impressed when I came in." Legolas sighed heavily. "I don't want to be without you." Terrico smiled. "You won't be, my love. I promise I'll do everything I can to keep us together." Terrico got Legolas to lie back down on the bed. She sat beside him, holding his hand. One of the guards came in with a tray containing two plates of food, two cups, and a small pitcher of wine. He set it down on the small table and left. "I'm guessing that it is time for dinner." Terrico said, smiling. Legolas laughed as he got up. Despite being held like prisoners in Legolas's own home, they shared a nice meal and laid together in the bed, enjoying each other's presence in case it was the last time they were together.
***
Author's Note: Although I didn't write it, when Terrico stormed into Thranduil's court, she was a sight that would scare a Balrog, even the one that Gandalf killed. An angry sorceress is NOT a sight you can see and not be scared, or impressed. Thranduil is no exception. All of his past thought about Terrico were that she was a simple village witch with fairly powerful magic. He doesn't see her as being worthy of Legolas until he meets her. Then again, when I envisioned her arrival into the court, it greatly resembled Galadriel when Frodo offered her the Ring. Add rage and less negative-image coloration, and you've got Terrico's grand entrance. Also, nothing happened between Legolas & Terrico in the last part of the above chapter. I realize that my writing may sound like it, but really, would you do it in a prison room with guards everywhere and his father contemplating allowing the marriage within earshot? It's not a good idea.