Chapter Two: The tale of Lúthien and Beren

"Legolas!" King Elessar swept towards Legolas, his arms out in embrace.

"Estel," Legolas hissed as he was crushed against the man's chest. The prince detested public signs of emotion and Estel knew it. He just chose to ignore it. "Let go!" Legolas finally fought his way out of the King's arms and stood back.

"I'll not sing," he said stubbornly.

"Oh, Legolas, how could you deprive us of your voice?" Estel asked a smile on his unmasked face. Somehow the monarch had a loophole that allowed him to go around without a mask.

"Because you know I don't like crowds," Legolas replied and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Is someone a bit grumpy?" Estel asked in the patronising tone you would use to a child.

"I am not a toddler!" the prince snapped. "So stop treating me like one!"

The King frowned. "Arwen, I do believe he won't do it. And you know as well as I that Legolas is the most stubborn creature on this earth!" he called back.

Arwen glided towards them. Her white dressed just swept above the floor and made her look like she was levitating. It hung around her slender frame well and highlighted her pale skin. The swelling of her stomach also looked beautiful on her. Arwen was in her sixth month of pregnancy with the second child of Estel's. "Legolas," she said in friendly acknowledgment.

"Arwen," he answered.

"Please Legolas, will you begrudge us one song?" she asked softly.

There was one person that Legolas could not refuse to: and that was the Evenstar. Her beguiling eyes and soft tone was magical. Besides Legolas had known her for millennia.

Sighing in resignation, Legolas went to the small platform that the band were playing on and waited for everyone's attention.

Finally he got it and opening his mouth, he let forth one of the most beautiful elven voices heard. Legolas sang quietly, but captured everyone's attention as he sang:

"Farewell sweet earth and northern sky, For ever blest, since here did lie, And here with lissom limbs did run, Beneath the Moon, beneath the Sun, Lúthien Tinúviel, More fair than mortal tongues can tell. Though all to ruin fell the world And were dissolved and backwards hurled Unmade into the old abyss, Yet were its makings good, for this- The dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea- That Lúthien for a time should be."

There was rapt silence for a second while Legolas held the final note and then when he finally ended it, everyone in the hall started clapping.

"Applause for the bard of Mirkwood!" he heard a familiar voice cry out. Legolas groaned as prince Eldarion started whistling loudly.

Bowing quickly to the audience, he walked quickly off stage and back outside. "Was that meant to mean anything?" Estel asked.

The King was sat on a bench, his arms folded in a business like manner.

"Nay," Legolas answered sitting next to his friend. "Why should it?"

"The story of Lúthien and Beren is one very close to that of mine and Arwen's, and you know it," he replied quietly.

"I am sorry if I caused offence, but it was not done deliberately," Legolas stiffened slightly. "You know that I wouldn't pass judgement over your relationship! W-what did you think I was blaming you for something?" he asked in a more frosty manner than normal.

"I merely thought that it was some kind of message," Elessar finally said. "Legolas, I am as worried about Arwen as you are, if not more so!"

"Obviously you aren't. Lúthien died because she gave her love to Beren. The same will happen to Arwen. You will die and she will grow old on her own. Just a remnant of the fading glory of the elves. Then mortality will finally take its toll on her and she will finally fall into eternal slumber." Legolas stood up and away from the man.

"Legolas, I never knew you felt so strongly about this," Aragorn said, astonished.

"Well I couldn't tell you," Legolas gave a bitter laugh. "Whatever I say will not make the slightest bit of difference. Elrond could not deter Arwen from loving you, what choice do I have? And I can do nothing now. What is done cannot be undone. Arwen has chosen her fate."

The elf started walking away from Estel.

"Legolas?" he asked.

"What?" Legolas replied with a sigh. He did not turn around.

"I am sorry for what I have done. I'm sorry for what I have done to Undomiel. But by the time I realised and tried to stop Arwen..." Elessar have a loud sniff. "It was too late."

Legolas turned around, a pained look on his face as the man started sniffing again. "Oh.... Estel," he said softly and padded back to the man, then opening his arms wide, wrapped them around him as he sat next to Estel. "I am sorry for my harsh words. I am a rash and foolish elf."

Estel nuzzled into Legolas' golden hair and whimpered. "No, you were only telling me the truth. Something Arwen and I avoid so often."

Finally he sat back and the prince wiped a tear from the King's cheek and gave a rare smile. "Come on Strider," he said using Elessar's nickname. "Back to the banquet. If you stop crying, I will sing something for you."

The King grinned and taking his friend's arm, they walked back into the hall.