DISCLAIMER: OTHER THAN LORIEN, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY, THEY ALL BELONG TO THE FANTASTICALLY TALENTED J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND I HAVE MERELY BORROWED THEM FOR THE SAKE OF A STORY. I, MYSELF, COULD NOT COME UP WITH A STORY SUCH AS LORD OF THE RINGS OR CREATE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS WITHIN THESE STORIES, SO I DO NOT PRETEND TO OWN ANY OF THEM. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AND AGAIN, ONLY LORIEN IS MY CHARACTER.

Legolas sat quietly, thinking about the journey ahead of him. He was on his way to Rivendale to represent his people, the elf-folk of Mirkwood. He knew the journey to Rivendale would not be perilous, others did not know of his business or why he was going to Rivendale. As he rode his great white horse, he thought of the journey that may come after Rivendale. That road would be perilous and harsh, danger lurking on every corner and beast, plants and enemies all waiting to catch unsuspecting innocents. There was a great danger lurking over middle earth. The dark king had risen again and was after his ring, the one ring that would rule all creatures in middle earth and take them into darkness. Legolas felt a shiver flow through him and shivered slightly before shaking his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts he was having.

He thought back to a journey to Gondor, when his people had been close to the Men that lived there. He remembered seeing the most beautiful creature ever. She was princess of Gondor. Her name was Lorien, named after the magical elf kingdom of Lothlorien. Just like Lothlorien, she was beautiful and magical and Legolas had fallen for her from the moment he laid eyes on her. She had a soft, flowing voice. The sort of voice that could comfort the listener no matter what state they were in. Legolas had fallen in love with her and he knew she felt the same, she had told him so before he left. But it had been a long while since he had seen her. His people and the folk of Gondor had long since lost their trust of one another. He wished that he could see her again, even for one second, just to see her beauty as it was and to hear her soothing voice one last time. Legolas hoped that maybe, after the dark peril had been stopped that he would be able to see her again and that he maybe able to tell her of his love. With the thought of Lorien in his head, he rode quickly on, wanting to reach the safety of Rivendale quickly.

~FLASHBACK~

Lorien sat looking out over the green of Gondor, humming a soft song she had once heard on a trip to Rivendale. It was an elf song, the softest kind of song from the softest kind of folk known to middle earth. It was a love song, although Lorien did not know why she sung it. Lorien had never been in love, although she dreamt of it. She had never found anyone who touched the deepest part of her heart.

'Miss Lorien? Your Royal Highness, Legolas, elf Prince of Mirkwood is here to speak with your father. I have told him that the King is away on business but he wishes to speak with someone.'

'Very well Boromir, show him to my fathers main room and I will be there in a short while.'

Boromir left and Lorien sighed. She had heard many things of Legolas, especially of his stubbornness. She pulled on a white veil and headed to her fathers quarters.

Legolas heard the door open and gasped as he watched the beautiful princess enter the room. She was dressed in white, like so many of his folk did. She had her face covered but Legolas was sure that it would be as beautiful as her presence suggested. He watched as she slowly pulled off the veil and drew a quick breath in. Never had he seen such beauty or innocence ever before, not even in his people. He bowed low as she walked towards him.

Lorien was shocked at the sight she saw before her, a tall, handsome elf with golden hair and blue eyes. She let him bow and in turn curtsied in respect for someone of such being. She had always held a high thought of the elf folk, as they all seemed so perfect.

'I am Lorien, daughter of the King and Princess of Gondor. Tell me Prince of Mirkwood what it is that brings you thus far?'

'Princess of Gondor, I am Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I have come to speak with your father about a matter of great urgency.' His voice was soft and fair, like that of many elf folk. He spoke fluently and clearly and Lorien was impressed and astounded at the beauty of this elf. She felt her heart flutter in a way it never has before.

'My father received urgent news from Gandalf the Grey and has gone to visit him in haste. Tell me Legolas, what is your business as I am more than able to help deal with such things.'

'I do not doubt that you can. The King is great and teaches well and you certainly take after him. My people have heard rumours that Mordor is again becoming active and our ring is beginning to be powerful once again.'

'Alas, poor Legolas, your journey is wasted although the people of Gondor do appreciate your concern. This is but the matter for which my father has gone to visit Gandalf. Our rings to have started to become all powerful and I, for one am fearful of what this means. I'm not sure if our people or any other beings on middle earth could stand another rise of the king.'

'We must locate the one ring and destroy it at once before everything is lost. Or, if I may say so, your beauty is one thing of many that the enemy should not be able to touch.'

'And it will not my dear elf friend. I have faith in my father and the company he keeps that all will be well, if the ring is found. My father should be back in a few days time. I would like to invite you to stay with us awhile and await his return, for he will be both touched and thankful of your concern when such dark times loom over every being in middle earth.'

'As thanks to your kindness, I shall like to accept your offer with greatest appreciation for my journey was long and tiring and I would really like to speak with your father. He has taught you well though and when the time comes, you will make a great Queen.'

'So it will be, you will stay here until he returns.'

Legolas did stay and soon both he and Lorien became very close. Lorien knew she had fallen for this great elf and that he may be the first she had loved. Her father did return and Legolas soon departed.

'I hope that I shall be able to set my eyes upon your beauty again one day soon, maybe when times are lighter and I have more time.'

'I should like that very much, but until that time, I want you to take this and carry it wherever you go. It is to show that my heart follows you wherever you may be for, if I have not misread the signs, you feel for me as I feel for you.'

'And what is that?'

'What a nosey elf you may be, but as you ask, it is love, love of the purest kind and it will not falter. You are a great being, the greatest elf I have ever met and I hope that one day, we can be together.'

'You have not read the signs wrong and I too hope for the day when I can be with you. Until that day, I leave you with this.' Legolas kissed Lorien softly on the lips before placing her heart shaped broach over his heart.

'Now I must go but I will be back and we shall be together.'

However, that was the last time they saw each other and the dark shadow had grown over middle earth and beings were beginning to flee in terror.