With only two of us traveling, the trip was uneventful. We did not draw enemies towards us for we rode quietly and were illusive through the trees.

It tool us little more than a week to arrive in Mirkwood, and still it took us a day and a half to arrive at the borders of Northern Mirkwood.

Orophin led the way as we waved through the trees.

"Daro!" A commanding voice sliced through the air.

I reigned in Lomion and Orophin followed suit. A man jumped down from one of the lower branches of one of the trees.

"I am Daekano, Commander of the Guards of Northern Mirkwood. Who are you and what business do you have with my people?"

Daekano. Words couldn't do this man justice. His eyes were a sparkling, deep sapphire. His dark brown hair fell just past his shoulders, lying gently on his traditional brown and green Mirkwood garb.

His eyes met mine and I tore my eyes away, blushing madly. He smiled gently, and turned to Orophin, awaiting an answer.

"This is the Lady Luinuial, fiancée to your prince, Commander Daekano."

Daekano turned to me, surprised. "You are the woman who is going to marry Prince Legolas."

I glared at him. "If you wish me luck, commander of Mirkwood, I shall have to hurt you."

The soldier laughed and looked from me to Orophin, than back. "I won't wish you luck milady. I wouldn't want you to have ideas that our prince is a bad man."

I sighed in relief. With all of this luck-wishing, I had thought.well, I shalln't go into what I had thought.

"He's just a bit stubborn at times." He continued.

"Luckily, she is too." I glared at Orophin as he and Daekano laughed at my expense.

"Milady, Sentry Orophin of Lothlorien, come with me." Daekano took placed a hand on Lomion's neck, whispered a phrase in his ear, and began walking. Lomion followed closely, as if on a lead line.

We moved through the forest, heading for the center of Northern Mirkwood. We were silent- Orophin beside me, the commander leading us while still leading Lomion.

Daekano turned to look at me. "Nervous, Milady?"

"Hmm?" I responded, shocked by the question but not showing it.

"Are you nervous about meeting your husband, Lady Luinuial?"

"Nervous? Of course I am not. Why would I be nervous?"

He grinned. "There is no reason, of course. I was only asking because we are here."

My eyes widened as we cleared the trees and came upon a large hill, into which was carved the halls of the Palace of Mirkwood. The forest was open around it to show the stars, shining with a purple light, as like amethyst stones embedded on a field of black satin. Daekano looked up at the stars, then turned to me with an expression that seemed to be.regret.

"Milady. I'll take your horse to the stables." My eyes flashed from the Royal Hall's doors to the stable doors.

"No. I will bring Lomion into the stable. He is not well behaved."

Daekano looks at Lomion, who is standing patiently waiting for me to get off.

"- without a rider on him." I add, to make my tale more believable.

Daekano sighs, and then nods. "Alright. You should be the one to settle your horse in."

I turn to my friend. "Orophin, will you tell the king that I will be in shortly?"

"Yes, Luinuial." He nods a farewell to Daekano and leaves.

We walk into the majestic stables of Mirkwood. There had to be a hundred horses in the aisle, at the least. Daekano showed me the stall in which I was to put Lomion. I lead the horse in and he went willingly. The commander handed me a brush, and I began to groom the gray stallion.

"That is a beautiful animal you have there, milady." The commander leaned on the stall door.

"He is, isn't he?" I smiled at the commander, and then turned back to Lomion, running a hand down his face. "He was a gift to me from the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. He was given to me when I learned I was to leave my home."

I stopped my story and turned to look at the commander, who was now standing behind me. I felt his take my chin in his callused hand, and his lips brush gently against mine.

"Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo" he whispered.