Disclaimer: Every place and character belongs to Tolkien, I just mess around with them. Except for Laurelin, Helenna, Andrahil, Ivrinereth, and Tarsil are all mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, stuffed into this dress, I sat pouting on the huge bench that sat before my vanity. I had always used masses of pillows to see myself but now I had dispose of a few, I was getting too tall to use them. Enna noticed this and smiled sadly.

The way Laurelin was growing she would be married before she knew it. Right now she could be dressed as bride. She was wearing an exquisite gown of the deepest blue, setting off her eyes with near magical force. While Enna was busy doing her hair, Laurelin inspected her appearance in the mirror. She had to admit that she did look good. Her hair was being done into a circlet of gold, the rest of her hair fell in a cascade down her back. The circlet looked almost like a crown, for she would never wear one herself. She was only given protection by the King, he did not adopt her. Laurel was actually glad because she hated the thought of being related in anyway to that rotten prince.

She was devoid of any other ornament, for none would suit her in this dress. Her eyes were all the ornament she needed Enna thought. She was beautiful. She will have no problem finding a husband. She would stun some of her little friends tonight. It was a long time since Enna managed to get her so fancy. Laurelin was still of an age where boys had not yet caught her eye. But soon, no one really knew Laurelin's age but she appeared about 300. Right before elvish puberty. The next hundred years would be a test for Laurelin and for how well Enna could stand it. She suddenly heard a knock on the door. "Enter." The door opened to reveal a dressed up Legolas looking very uncomfortable. Both because of his clothes and the situation.

He did not advance past the door. From there he could not see her clearly plus she did not turn to face him. Before he could say anything, she did. "Sorry about your hair." Still not turning around.

His eyes flamed and still approached no further. She did it again. He mumbled out, "Apology accepted. Sorry about your doll." He turned and starting to shut the door before he heard her returning 'apology accepted'. The door closed and Legolas stormed away.

Enna made sure that the door was closed before turning back to the girl. To her surprise Laurelin was near tears again. "Why does he hate me so? They all hate me. Why? The only friend I have is Ivrinereth and she is off in Lothlorien." Enna looked down and her heart almost broke. Laurel had never had an easy time of it. The other little ones were snobs and did not like that no one knew who Laurel's parents are. If she was not a proven noble she was not allowed into their group. Unfortunately those were the only children in the palace. And they teased Laurel unmercifully about everything Ivrin was her only true friend but she was visiting her grandparent in Lorien. Enna knew the only way for Laurelin to survive was if she could find a way to fit in. And archery may just might be that in. Laurelin had wanted to learn for years and that would give her some common ground with the others, unwomanly as it might be. She must speak with the King after dinner.

Enna now pulled Laurelin into her arms. Just as before her tears threatened but never fell. "Hush child, everything will be alright. I promise." She leaned back and looked down into those blue eyes. "I have never broken a promise to you. Have I not?"

Laurel smiled and replied. "No, you have not."

Enna pushed her too her feet and smiled. "Good, now I want a smile on that pretty little face before we go to dinner." Laurel tried and came up with a charming smile. How well this girl could hide her emotions. I would be very worried if she did not break down every now and then. "Alright, it time to go. Aren't you hungry?"

"I'm famished, I missed the noon meal today." Laurelin replied as she lead the way out the door. Enna, laughing, was right behind her. Laurelin forced herself to walk, instead of run. When we got to the staircase that led down to the great hall. I paused, there were more than Mirkwood elves there. I saw many guests sitting at the King's table. I hoped I would remain unnoticed. It wasn't meant to be. As I stepped forward a noticeable hush fell over the hall. My cheeks started to burn as I began my descent. It seemed like an eternity that I had to endure the stares. I finally made it to the ground floor and went to take my place at the very end of the high table.

"No child, over here." Thranduil beckoned me. I looked up in surprise. I had never sat near the King. Nevertheless I turned and walked to the empty seat. I bowed to the King and sat down. The noise was finally back to normal but I could still feel everyone looking at me.

Suddenly I noted who the guests at the table were. The King continued and introduced me to the strange elves. There were four adult elves, and three younger ones. The young ones all looked alike, except one was a girl. But the other two must have been twins. The King introduced first the adults. "Laurelin, I would like you to meet the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn of the Golden Wood of Lothlorien. My Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, this Laurelin of Mirkwood."

I bowed to the couple "Mae govannen nin hiril, nin hir." {Welcome my Lady, my Lord}

"Mae govannen hina laurea." {Well met, Golden Child} The Lady replied to me. I could hear her voice inside my head as well. Clouded is your past. Do not let that ruin your future. You and you alone can shape the rest of your life. Make your decisions well. Hannon le nin hiril. {I thank you my Lady} The others seemed unaware of this silent exchange. And the King continued the introductions.

"I now present the Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian wife of Lord Elrond, and daughter of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn." I bowed to this couple as well. They smiled at me kindly. I offered the same courtesies to this couple as I had to the first.

"Mae govannen Laurelin." Lord Elrond replied. "May I also introduce you to our children. This is Elladan, Elrohir, and our daughter Arwen." He indicated the first twin, then the second. They both stared at me and made me feel like running away. But Arwen smiled at me kindly, I could guess that she was only a few years older than me. However, the twins were about a hundred years older than I was and fairly handsome I had to admit. Both had their father's dark hair, but Elladan had his mother's light blue eyes, and Elrohir had his father's dark blue eyes. They both had pale skin and strong features. They were already beginning to fill out their lanky limbs into fit forms.

I offered them a simpler greeting. "Mae govannen Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen." That snapped the twins out of their stare much to the amusements of their parents and grandparents. Elladan grinned shyly, "It is nice to meet you." It was echoed by his brother. Arwen was a little shy and managed a hello. As the introductions had ended and the adults started to converse among themselves, I asked Arwen what brought them to Mirkwood. She brightened up and began to explain just as the food arrived.

We talked and talked over dinner. I noticed the twins staring at me again and I started to squirm a little in my seat. "Do your brothers always stare?" I asked Arwen in a whisper. She shook her head and giggled. "I think they've taken a fancy to you!" Thankfully in a whisper as well. This I could not fathom. No boy ever took a fancy to me, they couldn't stand me.

"I don't think so. Maybe I have food in my teeth or something." Arwen rolled her eyes and shook her head. I laughed, but I was serious as well.

"Nobody has taken a fancy to me and no one will." I said sadly. Arwen looked at me in surprise. I just shook my head to tell her to don't ask. Unfortunately she didn't take the hint.

"That's silly, there will be many who take a fancy to you." Arwen said kindly but unfortunately Legolas, who had been sulking all through the meal heard her and snapped.

Before I knew what was happening Legolas joined in the conversation. "You should believe her Arwen, nobody likes her, because she is mean and has no parents and turns people's hair green!" Legolas said in a low voice. Arwen, Elladan, and Elrohir turned to stare at the prince.

I looked around, what did I ever do to deserve this cruelty? King Thranduil got up from his chair and glared at Legolas. I looked from the King to Arwen to Legolas and turned and ran out the door.

The King watched Laurelin fly out the side door and then turned his wrath on his son. Legolas still smoldered with fury yet cringed under the heated glare of his father. The King ordered Legolas to meet him in his study. Reluctantly the boy stomped off. Thranduil dispatched a servant to look for Laurelin then excused himself from the hall, biding them to continue their feast. He also apologized to the guests. The Lords and Lady's nodded knowingly, they've all had experience with difficult children. However Elladan and Elrohir looked angry, and Arwen was about to cry on Laurel's behalf.

The King left the hall and met with his son in his study. It is fortunate that the hall was on the opposite end of the palace, for the shouting of the enraged King penetrated far. "You would disobey my command and disregard the courtesy of my halls! You have hurt Laurelin's feelings again! You should be ashamed of yourself! You will start to act like a prince. You will be polite and courteous at all times. You will not dishonor my name nor my halls. Do you understand me?"

By now Legolas was in tears as well, "Yes, father." Thranduil began to calm down.

"You will confine yourself in your room until further notice, is that clear?" Thranduil was now towering over his son.

Legolas cowered down a bit more, "Yes, father." He managed in an even smaller voice. Then the little prince ran out of the room. A servant had a message for Thranduil so he sent a guard along to make sure Legolas went to his room. After the guard was dispatched, he turned back to the servant.

The girl looked very worried. "My Lord, I cannot find Laurelin."

The King just sighed. It would take some doing to patch this up. He walked back to the hall to fetch Helenna. She would be the one with the best idea of where Laurelin was. Inside the hall he resumed his seat and the merriment began to pick up. Before he addressed his guests he sent for Helenna.

"My Lord, why are they so mean to her?" Elladan asked. Elrond frowned at the forwardness of his son. But their host just sighed again.

"Because young one, she is a mystery. Fifty years ago I was out on a hunt, my party and I came across this shivering creature huddled under a torn cloak. It turned out to be an elven child as gold as the rays of the sun." Galadriel started at the last comment but said nothing. Thranduil did not noticed and continued with his story. "She did not remember how she got there, where she was from, who her parents were, she did not even remember her own name. And so I took her in and gave her the name Laurelin for indeed she shines with the beauty of the sun. I raised her for these past years with the help of Helenna, her nanny. But the other children are suspicious of what they do not know. From the very beginning the other children have taken a dislike to her. She only made one good friend, Ivrinereth, daughter of one of my chief counselors. When he was killed in an orc attack she went to live with her mother's kin in Lorien. And since that time it has only gotten worse for her." The twins had a solemn look on their faces and Arwen's eyes were only filled with pity. By this time Helenna had answered he Lord's summons and asked what he requested of her.

"Helenna, Laurelin has disappeared. The servants cannot find her anywhere, do you have any idea where she might be?" As Helenna pondered this, a guard came rushing up.

He bowed and breathlessly told his news. "My Lord, the Lady Laurelin was seen fleeing into the forest, to the South of the palace. She eluded the guards and we know not where she might be." Thranduil snapped his head up. The forest was a dangerous place at night. The orcs had swarmed into the forest with more frequency as of late. He feared for his golden child.

"Assemble some men to search for her. We cannot let her run about the woods alone!" The guard snapped to attention and rushed out of the room.