Legolas sat at his desk, his hands trembling ever so slightly at the thought of the woman in the room directly across the courtyard. From where he sat, he could see the young elf preparing for bed. But even as he caught repeated glances of bare skin, he scarcely noticed. He was set to marry her the following morning and his utter lack of anticipation caused him to laugh ever so slightly.
"Odd. I'd not have thought that the accounts of the southern guardsmen would be all too amusing," said a voice to his left. "The wonders of this world never cease to amaze and astound."
At the sight of the girl, the Prince leapt from his chair, causing it to clatter to the floor. "Aranelphia,"
She smiled, not moving from the window ledge. "So you have not forgotten me. It has been nearly six hundred years Prince Legolas, has being away from me for so long faded your memory? Forgotten your one last adventure so that you can settle down into mediocrity like all those who came before you? 'Tis a true pity."
He backed away from her, his heart in his throat. "I thought you died. In fact, I was certain of it."
"Well clearly I've not yet decided to cease living, or else I'd not be here." She sat down upon the ledge and stretched her legs out across the marble floor. All those years had passed and she'd scarcely changed. Her skin was still a most unusual iridescent gold and her long dark hair still hung at the exact length it had when he'd seen her last. But it was her eyes that deceived her, her deep blue eyes. The years that had passed floated around and in them he could see the wisdom of the entire world and still the murderous and mischievous glint still shone.
"Why have you come back?" He demanded, finally backing into his bed.
The girl rose, the dozens and dozens of buckles that adorned her leather pants jingling as she drew nearer. "You called for me sweet Prince, and of course I answered. Do you seek adventure?" she narrowed her eyes suggestively. "Or perhaps romance? Or even better yet- Do you seek to finally be rid of this hell you have chosen to surround yourself with?"
He found himself laughing despite himself. "I did no such thing and I've no time for any of your foolishness. Tomorrow I am set to be married. My days of adventure have ended."
"You, my lord, are a complete liar. You'd not have called upon me had you not in some way requested my services." She jumped onto the bed, pulling him down as she went. "Now tell me, what do you need?"
Slowly, he sat up. The shock which her sudden arrival had brought was beginning to fade and he found in its place confusion. "I do not know of what you speak. I can assure you, I made no such request."
"Perhaps you made it, and just failed to realize you'd done so. Now, hold still so I can see what it is your heart so desires." She put her hands on his shoulders in an attempt to study his eyes, but he knew her tricks well and brushed her aside. The small fairy sat back up. "You are afraid to touch me because there is another in contention for you heart. That does not please me Legolas. But do not fear I will happily remedy the situation."
Legolas grabbed her as she made to leave. "Aranelphia, leave Raeillia alone. She has done you no harm."
"Oh, but she has!" She smiled, kissing the hand he'd used to restrain her. "She has tied you to the land that you would otherwise be free of and she has tried to steal your heart with her most unholy of magic. She is an enchantress. As long as she draws breath from this world, no one will be safe." Quickly, she leapt to her feet and kissed his forehead. "Now, I must go put yet another evil to rest and help to better the world."
"Aranelphia, stop," He called as she climbed back onto the window sill.
She turned and smiled. "Catch me if you can."
With that, she was gone and Legolas made for the door to his chambers, desperate to reach Raeilla's rooms before Aranelphia could. It was a race he knew he would not win.