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CHAPTER 9- The Return of the Prince
Luinil walked through the woods one day. She learned that there was to be an archery tournament in one week's time. The beautiful elf-maiden decided to enter, since she had been very bored lately, especially since her husband still had not returned from his quest... and also since she was quite good with a bow.
A week passed. Luinil arrived with her trusty bow, Veamarthien. Her son A'maelelen, fathered by none other than Legolas Greenleaf, sat on the side and watched. First to shoot was Thranduil, to open the competition. He, of course, hit the target dead center. Suddenly an arrow came from behind Luinil, past her right shoulder, and split Thranduil's arrow in two. Luinil was amazed, and wondered who could have made such a shot. She turned around and exclaimed, "Ai na vedui!!!" She jumped into the arms of the man behind her, the father of her child for whom she had waited an entire year in Eryn Lasgalen.
"Vedui, melamin!!! Amin mela lle, amin mela lle..." He was suddenly silenced by the pressing of Luinil's lips against his. He kissed her back, and then pulled away. "Luinil, where is A'maelelen? I miss my son!"
Luinil brought him over to A'maelelen, who was now a healthy young one-year old. His hair had darkened in color from the light brown it was at birth to the color of Luinil's: a beautiful deep brown. "Vedui, my son! How is my boy?" To this A'mael gave a sweet coo and a smile that could melt anyone's heart. Legolas took him up then, smiled at him, and began to walk through the forest, and Luinil came after. The beautiful family walked through Eryn Lasgalen, saying hello to those who Legolas had not seen for some time. They walked until they came to Thranduil's dwelling, and entered. "Vedui, Hallalomeiel, is my father busy, or may we see him?"
The female servant replied, "He has been waiting for you. You may enter."
The three entered, and Thranduil stood up to greet them. "Vedui, my son!" He went to Legolas and embraced him, along with A'mael. Legolas spoke then to his father. "Father, my journey was long and difficult. I am weary with much toil. I shall recount my entire journey to you later, and there should be a scribe there to take the story down, for it is of epic proportions. Right now, though, I should like to go to our brethil and rest."
"That is perfectly fine, Legolas! You certainly deserve it."
"Diola lle." With that Luinil and Legolas walked out with A'maelelen, in the direction of the brethil that they called home. Legolas turned suddenly towards a nimbreth tree. "Legolas," said Luinil, wondering why he had turned, "This is not our home...this is Astaldolotwen's, remember?"
"Of course I do. I remember quite well. She is the one who we trusted to look after A'mael."
"Yes, but why...don't you want to spend time with your..." Suddenly a ray of light visited her confused mind. "Oh. I see why...Legolas, I thought you were weary!" She said, in a half-mocking tone.
"I was. But I rested for some time already, and now I am not weary, I am wanting. I missed you, Luinil."
"And you think that I did not miss you? But you'll have to work for it, melamin!" And with that, Luinil took off at a run for their brethil. She ran quickly and gracefully over the grassy paths of the forest, and her white dress flowed behind her, and her dark hair streamed out like a banner in the wind. Legolas took after her, and though he was swift, he could not catch his beloved. So he just ran after her, and when he reached the brethil, he climbed up, expecting her to tease him and refuse for some time because she had beaten him to the tree. Instead, she was laying on their bed, ready to remind him of their love life before the war...