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.

~At Rivendale~

Legolas watched the little hobbit stir and sat up as he woke. Frodo looked around and sat up quickly, looking at the elf.

'Who are you?'

'I am Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I was very much concerned when I heard of the fate of the ring bearer. How strange it is too see someone so small carrying such a burden. I am used to seeing Bilbo travel, but not many other hobbits. Tell me, are you a Baggins?'

'I am. But why are you here?'

'I am here to represent my people at the council of Elrond. There is great fear surrounding your ring and my people are frightened just as you are. I hope you do not mind my intrusion.'

'I do not. I understand now why you are here. Tell me, who else is going to be present at this council?'

'All beings in middle earth. I represent just a portion of the elves. Elrond is elf king and is also there to represent us. Gimli, son of Gloin, shall represent the Dwarves. Of the men, there is Aragorn, son of Arathorn of whom you know as Strider and Boromir also. Then there is Gandalf and you for the hobbits.'

Frodo made his way over to the balcony and sat down on one of the chairs, watching the soft sunshine shine on to this peaceful place. Legolas followed him and soon they heard the sounds of horses' hooves. Frodo and Legolas looked down to see whom it was who was approaching at such haste.

'Who is that?' Frodo asked as the pair came into view.

'That is Boromir, guard of Gondor and, and Lorien, princess of Gondor. I do not know why she is here, but my heart is both glad and full of sorrow at the sight of her.'

'You know her?'

'She is the fairest; most gentle creature you will ever meet. Her voice is that of an elf, her hair is as black as the rocks of the misty mountains. She has the courage of a Man but the heart of a softer being. Her beauty is beyond all words.'

'You are in love with her. Who would have thought, an elf in love with someone of Man folk.'

'I do not see that she is of them, I see her as she is Lorien, the beautiful Lorien named after the sacred and magical elf kingdom of Lothlorien. My heart does indeed belong to this wonderful creature and it is she who gave me this broach, for she loves me back. I have not seen her for many a year and have had to use memories to recall her beauty, but now she is here and a fear that evil may be heading towards Gondor for her father would never have sent her out this far otherwise.'

'And you can now touch the one that means so much to you, my nosey little elf.' Legolas turned to see Lorien standing at the door. She walked over to him and they hugged tightly.

'And you must be Frodo. What a brave and courageous hobbit you are. I thank you for taking such good care of a ring that is so evil. It is a burden that a little one like yourself should not have to carry and I hope that this council may rid you of that burden. The dark shadow is quickly passing and I am afraid of what the future does hold.'

'We shall see. But now, my fair and beautiful lady, please go and rest, for the council will be difficult for us tomorrow. I shall be a long in a while, for it is a long time since I heard your soft voice on its own.'

Lorien left and Legolas turned to Frodo who was still staring after her.

'She is a beautiful sight to behold indeed and she means well. You should go and tend to your lady as the time any of us have together is known to no one, not anymore.'

'Your journey has made you wise Frodo. I shall see you tomorrow at the council.'

Legolas bowed and bid Frodo goodnight before heading towards Lorien's chamber. He was not sure of how he found his way there, but he soon came to her door and knocked softly on it. Lorien invited him in and he looked around in splendour at her room. He then looked at her, taking in her beauty once again.

'It has been a long time Legolas.'

'I know and how I wished to see you, but with the growth of the dark shadow and the threat of the king's return, my people have needed me elsewhere.'

'I understand, but it didn't stop me needing you too. I often wondered if you had forgotten about me.'

'I could never forget you; you are the first and only love of mine. I could never love another as I love you.'

'I often wanted to leave Gondor and travel to Mirkwood to see you but my father forbade me, he said it was too dangerous.'

'And he is right. The journey there would have been full of danger and the enemy would have captured or killed you in your attempts to find me. Your father did well in forbidding you to travel. But tell me, why has he sent you here with Boromir?'

'He wanted me to sit in on the council, Boromir has been a great servant but my father does not fully trust him. Also, my father feels I shall be safer here. He says that with the threat of the enemy growing, I need to be safe, and what safer place than Rivendale. But Rivendale can't hold off the threat forever.'

'It shall not come to that and your father was wise in sending you here. I as well as he shall be able to rest easy knowing that you are here, safe among the elf folk.'

'Legolas, promise me that, if it is not necessary for you to travel on to dangerous lands tomorrow that you will not go. You may live many a lifetime, but you are not immortal and I could not bear to live my life without you. I fear though, in my heart of hearts that something shall be decided tomorrow and that you shall be needed in one way or another.'

'If I do not have to go on, I shall not. I fear of losing you again and that fear is great, but the one thing I desire more than a life with you is peace in middle earth. Only when there is peace shall we be able to live our life together and I shall be willing to give up my name of elf so I can live my life with you.'

'But do not give that word to me yet. I need to know you are safe and in some way protected, by making yourself mortal now, I shall not rest through worry of what the future will bring.'

'I intended to give you my heart in this way, but what you say makes sense and I know that by staying safe, I will, at least, have a chance in being with you.'

'You are a great elf and never did I believe that it would be an elf that I fell for.'

'Why so surprised? I had heard of your kindness, gratitude and awe for my people before, so is it so strange that it was one of my people you fell for?'

'Now you mention those things, it does not come as a surprise as such.'

'I am only glad that my king and queen chose me to run the errand to Gondor so I could first set eyes on you.'

'If they had not, I am sure our paths would have met, for I am sure that our fortunes intended for us to be together. Now, let us stop talking so much of dark things and speak of other things, happier times in our lives, although, I cannot think of any that can surpass the happiness I felt when I heard you tell me that you loved me, only, perhaps, the day that I met you.'

'For a being of such courage and bravery, you really do have the softest heart of all creatures on this earth and I love you more with every beat of both your heart and mine.' With this Legolas stepped forward and kissed Lorien passionately. She responded to the elf's lips and soon became desperate for more. She gasped softly as Legolas pulled her close and the undeniable sign at his groin infuriated her passion further. Legolas pulled away and looked at her.

'I know what my body wants and I am willing to give to you all that I have kept inside, but I need to know if you are ready, for it does not matter what I want as long as you are happy in being with me.'

'My body wants this moment too and I am ready to give to you the innocence that I have kept for one to take.'

'If you are sure.' Legolas watched as Lorien nodded her head. He stepped forward and kissed her again, the passion had been pushed to its limits. Lorien's soft hands began to gain confidence and soon they were heading to the pressure he felt in his groin area. He turned her around and pushed her softly on to the bed. There they made soft, sensual love, each giving their body and soul to the other and cementing their love for each other in the most affectionate way. Legolas could hardly believe how soft her skin was; it felt like hot velvet under a midday sun's rays. Lorien softly stroked the golden hair that flowed down from his head and was in awe of its beauty. They fell asleep in each other's arms and had the soundest nights sleep that they had done since the night before Legolas left Gondor.

The next morning Legolas woke to feel soft, innocent skin next to him. He looked at his sleeping beauty and watched her breathe softly. He felt complete love yet his heart was heavy. Something told him that he would have to leave her again soon and the thought broke his heart. He wondered if there would ever be a time when they could be together and spend more than one night together. He ran one of his hands through her soft hair and over her skin. He felt the similar stirring at his groin as he had done the night before. His lips met her shoulder and he kissed her smooth, perfect skin with the softest of kisses. He felt her stir and watched as she woke up and looked at him.

'Not only are you my nosey elf, you are now my impatient elf. How rude to wake a lady when she is sleeping!'

'Forgive me my fair beauty but I could not wait. The house shall be awake shortly and I should like to have the pleasure of your body be…before the house awakes.' Legolas moaned softly as he felt her hand on the part of his body that needed it the most. Lorien smiled at Legolas.

'Very well Legolas, your wish shall become reality but I shall show you what my people are best known for.'

'I know they are known for overly enjoying the pleasures of the flesh.' Legolas replied breathlessly.

'That they are.' Lorien answered before she kissed him. Her mouth left his and continued down his smooth, firm chest. Her lips and tongue tickled each inch of flesh in return and Legolas moaned loudly as he felt her mouth on his most sensitive organ. Legolas was enjoying pleasures that he did not know existed. Suddenly Lorien stopped and Legolas moaned in disbelief. Lorien smiled wickedly and shuffled up the bed.

'What's wrong with you my little elf?' In reply Legolas rolled them over so he was on top and soon his mouth was heading down her body, his tongue licking every part of breast and flesh. He was soon driving her into a frenzy and stopped suddenly. Lorien rolled them back over and sat down before beginning to move slowly. Legolas sat up and held her in his arms as they made love, kissing her mouth, eyes, neck and breasts. Lorien felt his release and called out before looking into his eyes.

'I love you Legolas, I really do.'

'I love you too.'

Later that morning Boromir had come to Lorien's room and seemed more than shocked to find Legolas in her bed next to her.

'What are you doing here?'

'He is sharing my bed, as lovers do.'

'But he's an elf!'

'And the greatest you shall meet! Do you have a problem Boromir?'

'No, but your father will.'

'My father knows about my love for Legolas and he is fine about it. Now, what is the reason for you barging in here?'

'The council will be called shortly.' With that, Boromir left and slammed the door shut.

'Why has he taken it so badly?'

'He was hoping to marry me. I heard him ask my father for my hand in marriage.'

'What was your father's reply?'

'He told Boromir 'If she loves you too, you can indeed marry her, but I shall not force her to marry someone she does not love. Do you have proof of her feelings for you?' Boromir said he didn't and my father let him go.'

'Your father is a great man. Did you tell him about you and I?'

'No, he guessed. Once you had gone, I went back up to see him. 'You have given your heart away daughter.' He said. I instantly knew what he was on about. That broach you wear was from my mother and she told me to give it to the man I loved beyond anything. 'You are certain that you love this elf?' he asked me. 'Yes father, I am sure, for I never had these feelings before and they run too deep for me to have them again for anyone else.' My father thought for a second whilst looking me and then replied 'Very well then, I have no bother with your choice. Legolas is indeed a kind and great elf and I know he will look after you. I also know you will be happier with an elf than with any man that middle earth has to offer. I sometimes believe that you should have been born to an elf, not to me and I know that there will be many men out in Gondor who will be saddened by the news that you love another. But I am satisfied and shall let you be.''

'He really is a great man. We must get ready for the council.'

'I wonder what heartache it is that shall be decided today?'

'We will not know unless we attend. Let us go and hear all that is to be said.'

Legolas and Lorien arrived at the council and seated themselves next to each other. Around them sat the others and in the middle sat Elrond and his daughter Arwen. Everyone bowed before the council began. They were discussing what should happen to the ring and soon they were arguing. Lorien noticed that Frodo seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly he stood up and her heart sank and she could see that so did Gandalf's. They both knew what it was the Frodo was about to say.

'I shall take the ring.' Everyone was silenced and looked at Frodo.

'But I do not know the way.' Lorien's head hung as she saw Legolas step forward and offer to help him. Soon others stepped forward and there were eight who were to travel and one more was needed.

'If I may and Boromir does not mind, I would like to nominate him to travel with you also. He is a great warrior and good to have around in times of trouble. It is my kind's fault that the ring is still active and if I could go myself, I would. It is but one of the things that my people can do to show you how grateful we are.'

'There we have it then, the nine fellows of the ring. You shall soon have to be on your way. Rest now as the road ahead is unpredictable and dark.' Elrond let the council go and spoke to the nine in private. Lorien walked to a bridge surrounded by green trees and the stream that ran underneath it flowed softly and quietly and birds sang softly. Lorien reached out a hand and a bird flew on to her arm. She sang softly to it, she sang the love song she had heard in Rivendale long ago.

'With the voice of an angel and a touch so gentle, the birds approach you, not caring to think what danger may be at hand as whilst they are in your shadow, no harm should come to them.' The bird flew off and Lorien turned to her elf.

'Legolas, I knew that this would happen, as soon as we sat down at the council but it makes things no easier for me to bear. I had been getting used to seeing you again.'

'You should know not to take things for granted in these times. I shall return, I promise you or if I don't, I would rather burn in Mordor than be without you. These times are dark, but there is a light visible at the end of it all. Keep your heart and your head and everything shall be as it should be. We still have some time together and we should make the most of it.' Legolas kissed Lorien softly before taking her into his arms. There they stayed until dinner was called in the evening.

Soon the day for Legolas to leave arrived and Lorien felt heavy and sad. She had woken early that morning and watched him sleep. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about the journey ahead of the fellowship and tried to stop them falling. She saw her elf, as he was, naked, innocent and young. Too young to have to face the troubles ahead. She desperately wanted to keep him in Rivendale with her. She snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Legolas stir. At first she thought he was waking, then smiled when she watched as his hand felt it's way down to his lower regions. She watched as his hand started to move up and down his hard member and could feel the pleasure building up inside of her. She walked over to the bed and softly kissed Legolas on the lips. He woke, but neither said a word to each other. He kept his hand on his member as she kissed her way down his chest. She stopped at a nipple and tickled it with her tongue. Legolas moaned softly and began to move his hand faster. Lorien continued to kiss her way down his chest and abdomen before reaching his hard member, its tip glistening with his pleasure. Lorien slowly rubbed her tongue over his tip and the hand that had been on his own member flew to her head, grabbing hold of her hair. Lorien's tongue continued to tickle the whole length before she took him into her mouth. Legolas cried out loudly and began to thrust softly into her mouth. Soon he felt his climax approaching and warned Lorien, but she did not stop. Instead she intensified her actions until Legolas released himself into her mouth. She kissed her way back up his body and kissed him, letting him taste himself. Still they kept silent and Legolas rolled them over, determined to show her just as much pleasure. He was about to kiss his way to her chest when Lorien stopped him.

'I need you, inside me now.'

'But?'

'Please Legolas.' Legolas looked into her eyes. His hand drifted up the inside of her leg and inside of her. He felt how excited she was and smiled. Then he slowly entered her, letting them both feel his full length inside of her. As Legolas began to move, he couldn't believe the feelings he was having. Pure, unadulterated passion that felt as natural to him as firing an arrow from his bow. Their bodies moved together in harmony and soon Lorien was beginning to arch her back. This signalled for Legolas to move faster, driving into her with a new found passion. Soon he was clinging tightly, begging for release and as he felt Lorien's body begin to shake, he let himself go and lay quietly on top of her, kissing her softly as he regained his breath. He looked into her eyes and saw tears begin to fill them. He watched as the tears fell down her cheeks and finally he spoke.

'Please don't cry Lorien.'

'Forgive me Legolas, but I cannot help it. I want you to be here with me instead of going on this terrible journey. My mind leads me to think of everything terrible and I do not know what I should do if anything happens to you.'

'Don't think about such things, instead, think of when this is all over and we are free to be together, to have our own family and live together until the end of our days. If it is anything, it is this thought that is pushing me to complete this task and rid middle earth of the terror for good. I want to live my life with you, without fear or terror.'

'You are a brave elf, and you are my brave elf and nothing in this world will stop me from loving you. Now, comfort my tears by telling me about the first time we met, as that always manages to make things seem brighter, no matter how dark the day.'

'If you so wish. I had ridden to Gondor knowing of the mystery that surrounded you. I had heard many things; all saying that you were beautiful beyond description and that any being that laid their eyes on you fell in love instantly. I wondered if it would be true with me and tried to convince myself that it would not. When I saw you enter that room, my heart fluttered like the wings of a butterfly. Although you had your face covered, I knew you would be beautiful. As soon as you revealed your perfect face, I knew I had fallen for you. But it wasn't until I heard you speak that I was sure of what I felt for you. Your voice sang like the happiest birds in the trees and in these dark times, it brought a joy to my heart. I knew from that instant that I was very much in love with you and that I would never love another.' Lorien smiled as Legolas finished his tale and then kissed him softly. Soon it was time to go and Lorien accompanied Legolas to the others. There she found them all waiting, with Elrond talking wisely to them. They bowed as Lorien approached and she smiled.

'Please do not do that, I wish to speak with you as equals. The journey you face is dangerous and many creatures will be willing to sacrifice you to the dark lord to save themselves. Be careful of whom you trust whilst on this journey, as it will not be clear who is friend or enemy. Now, I do not have presents for all and my powers are not as strong as some but for you, Frodo, what a dear and brave hobbit you are. For so long now, my folk as well as others have forgotten about the importance of the hobbits. Many see you as worthless, interested in your own good, but that has become true of all beings on middle earth. I wish that this burden was not yours to carry, but we cannot change what must be. So, I have developed a special potion for you. It is specially made for the ring bearer and will not work for any others. It will keep you strong and bold and in times of great danger, it will keep you out of harms reach. May it be of use to you. For the rest of you, I give you a similar potion, it will keep you strong and warm and alert. Only drink it when you have to. For my dear elf Legolas, I have already given you the greatest gift I possess and that is my heart, and as long as there is a middle earth and heaven, that shall belong to you. I also give you this, a bow. I have blessed the string myself and the arrows are feather light and travel at frightening speed through the air. I know you shall need them and I hope they are of some use. Finally, I give you this, a bird. A white, pure bird and all of those that belong to his family. He will be near you at times and shall bring news to both you and I. His family shall look after you and try to protect you from the eyes of the enemy, for birds can see things that not even elves can see. Use him wisely and he will serve you well.' Legolas and the company all looked at the bird. He was fairly large and brilliantly white. He nipped Legolas affectionately before sitting on Lorien's shoulder. Legolas bowed and kissed her hand.

'We much appreciate your gifts and I again tell you that I love you more than anything on middle earth and I not only do this to save middle earth, but so I can be with you. We shall see each other again and when we do, that will be the happiest day of my life. Until that day comes, remember what I said and keep your head held high and your heart in tact. I shall return, I promise you that.' Legolas kissed her hand again softly before following the others out of the gates. Lorien watched until she could no longer see him before following Arwen and Elrond back up to the palace.

As Legolas walked, he sang softly. He sang of love and beauty and all who listened felt a slight joy in their heart despite the journey that lay ahead of them. As his song finished, Aragorn walked beside him.

'You are in love with Lorien are you not?'

'That I am Aragorn, as you are with Arwen, if I am not mistaken.'

'No, you speak true of my heart. It is hard to leave behind those you love the most, but be careful, I too had fallen for the beauty of Lorien before I met Arwen, there seems to be a spell surrounding her.'

'Do not speak of what you do not know! Lorien is the most loving being in middle earth and there is no evil in her heart. She wishes no ill on Legolas for anyone can see that she dearly loves him and if you speak of her like that again, I shall kill you.' Boromir boomed.

'Please let us not argue. My heart is mine to give to whom I choose, and both it and I chose Lorien. I take heed of your words Aragorn, but I would have known by now if she meant any harm to me or to any others here. She seemed to be one of the only ones unaffected by the ring. Her heart is good, I know it.'

'Yet there are things you do not know about her. Did you know she had the powers of a witch?'

'I did not know that, but I do know that Gandalf had been giving her lessons. Her father told me so when I visited Gondor, which was when I first laid eyes on her. She has been taught these tricks for a purpose and I feel they will be needed at some time or another.'

'You also do not know this, Lorien is of elf origin. Her real parents were elfish and were close to the mighty King of Gondor. Some evil force killed them and the king promised to raise her among his people, hoping that her beauty and her good will should pass to others who were among her company. She, like you Legolas, will lead a long life, which is why, if I believe rightly, why she did not want you to make yourself mortal. You shall both be together and maybe, the elves shall soon be prosperous again.'

'I heard a legend about an elf girl being bought up as among the men, but I did not believe it. How is it that she never told me of such a story?'

'Why should you believe her? It is a far-fetched story and few would believe it, if any did. She would have told you, in time, but it takes a great amount of trust to tell people of such things. I tell you now only because it is to do with your heart and we need you here Legolas, not back in Rivendale. For although your body may be here, your heart and head most certainly are not!'

'Forgive me Gandalf. My heart is settled now. Is this why none of you seemed surprised when we declared our love?'

'Lorien is indeed beautiful and any being would fall in love with her, but I was not surprised, no. I was more surprised when I heard that Arwen had given Aragorn something incredibly special. Now, let us get on. Time is pressing and we must reach the mountains before nightfall.'

The friends walked fast and soon came to a rocky hill near the base of the mountains. Their snowy white tops glistened in the sun and as the others sat down to rest, Legolas looked out over the country. His eyes were capable of seeing further than any other being among the fellowship. In the distance he could see a great black cloud approaching quickly.

'What is that?' Legolas asked Aragorn.

'I do not know but it is moving too fast to be a cloud.'

'Quick, hide, it is the crows of Sarumon, out to tell tales on the movement of the ring.' They all dived under rocks and hid. Suddenly a great cry came from the opposite direction and before the black mass reached them, a great white flock of birds flew passed at a startling pace. There was a great noise, squawking and singing, Legolas rose to his knees and saw the black cloud flying back in the direction in which it came.

'They have gone, we are safe.'

'What was that that saved us?' Frodo asked. As if answering him, a white bird came and landed on Legolas's shoulder.

'Lorien!' Gandalf said gladly.

'She sent us her birds to drive off the enemy. Go, tell my lady that we are thankful and that we are safe for the time being.' The bird flew off and the rest of the white flock followed it. Legolas stood up and watched the others slowly crawl out of their hiding place.

'She gave us her word that they would help us in times of need, now I wish to keep my word and return to her as quickly as possible. Let us head forth to the mountains.'

'Very well Master Legolas! We must remember to give thanks to your lady if we have the pleasure of seeing her fair face again.'

Soon the company reached Caradhas and they tried in vain to pass over the mountains. But the power of Saruman, for the moment at least was too strong and the mountain became too dangerous. After asking which way Frodo wished to go, the company retraced their footsteps to the mines of Moria.