A/N: Yo! Thanx sooo much for all ur awesome reviews!!! I love u guys! I'm
so sorry that I havn't posted in a while...but my comp has a habbit on
flucking up on me!!!...yeah, needless too say...I pretty much hate it. But
n e who! I hope you enjoy dis chap! B/c I enjoyed writing it! Keep up da
awesome reviews! They motivate me and make me happy! ::smiles:: Enjoy!
Chapter 3
Meeting The King
Moreliniel's heart began to beat faster as the realization of whom she was about to meet came to reality.
She was going to meet the king of all Mirkwood himself. Her king. Her husband's father. HER father.
She let out a shaky, nervous breath and glanced over at her husband.
He looked every bit the prince he was. And walked with grace and pride. Like a warrior who has seen many battles, and conquered many as well. His gaze was set straight ahead with his head held high. Quite handsome.
Moreliniel cast her sight to the floor.
Who was she to win such a prize? Or was it indeed a won prize? Could she call it that since it had been forced upon her? Nay...for it was just as much forced upon him as it was her.
He was the prince of Mirkwood...a lot was expected from the prince. He was to find the woman he loved, who would marry him and give him as many heirs as he needed. She would love him tenderly and affectionately until the day she past to the havens.
That's what this prince really deserved. But now she was expected to play that role. It wasn't that she thought she was incapable of it, she simply did not believe she acquired the grace for it.
She felt the grip he had on her hand tighten. She looked at their hands, then up at him.
He smiled at her.
Moreliniel saw the compassion and the acknowledgment of her nerves in his eyes, and they seemed to tell her that all would be well.
She managed to release a small smile, and then once again cast her gaze to the floor.
.:**:.
Legolas frowned. She seemed to avoid looking at him.
He did not blame her, but for some reason the longing, to look at her dear face, grip him.
He however shook these thoughts from his head as they neared his fathers dinning chambers.
He leaned down to whisper into her ear.
"We have come now Moreliniel. Do not fear my father...I have explained everything to him. He understands, and wished merely to meet his new daughter."
Moreliniel closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. Not from fear, but from the power Legolas' voice seemed to have over her. Her whole body tingled as his warm breath swept over her bare shoulder as he whispered into her ear.
She managed to nod and acknowledge him speaking just as they came to a door and Legolas stopped.
He raised his hand and knocked loudly.
"Enter!" A strong yet soft voice called out.
Legolas smiled at her one last time before he pushed open the grand oak door.
Moreliniel's deep green orbs searched the room.
Twas massive and could be intimidating...if it were not for the smiling figure who rose from a grand table filled with the rarest foods of the land.
"Ah Legolas!" Thranduil walked hastily over to his some and embraced him.
Moreliniel could not help in noticing the strong resemblance between father and son.
Thranduil had the same golden locks of hair and the same depth in his blue eyes.
He bore a gold circlet upon his brow, in perfect resemblance as Legolas' silver one.
And when he turned to Moreliniel and smiled...she saw the same compassion in that smile that seemed to say that he wanted to make everything in his kingdom right.
"Moreliniel." He said as if he had taken time in preparing on how he should say the name, but she said nothing. Only smiled and bowed as he took her hand.
He bent down and kissed it softly.
When he straightened his smile was broad and full.
"Come...my feast is ready in your honor." He lead her over to the table and set her down.
Legolas followed and sat in the chair that was placed next to hers.
"Thank you my lord..." She said more to the tablecloth then the actual being it was meant for. "...But I do not deserve your honor." She finished humbly.
Thranduil exchanged glances with Legolas.
"My dear child...you are my son's wife. Though perhaps you are right. I think this feast would better suite for Legolas' honor...for I can see that HE is honored in winning such a catch."
Moreliniel glanced up in shock from the praise. It had indeed caught her off guard.
Thranduil smiled kindly at her, and she returned it.
"Come now child...you need to relax yourself. I do not bite, and though others may protest against it...Legolas does not himself." He teased. He winked at Legolas and Moreliniel laughed. The first true laugh to leave her lips in what felt like years.
She then felt at home.
Legolas laughed himself. He knew his father's words were not an insult against him, but merely words to make Moreliniel feel at home. And it seemed to be working.
Soon servants entered with vases and even more trays of food.
A tall Elf filled Moreliniel's cup with shimmering clear wine.
She raised her crystal cup to her lips and drank thankfully.
She had not had a good cup of wine in centuries.
Legolas smiled when he heard a soft 'mmm' escape her lips.
They ate in silence. Moreliniel seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.
Soon they were through with the meal, and the wine fillers filled their glasses once more.
Thranduil took a gulp of his, and then eyeed Legolas and Moreliniel as they sipped theirs.
He noticed his son's brief glances her ways. And it was understandable. Legolas felt responsible for her safety and whereabouts.
"You know...we need to discuss the matter at hand." He tried at last.
Both Moreliniel and Legolas looked up at him.
"Father?" Legolas questioned.
"Well, I mean a ceremony. Doest thou wish for one? So the kingdom will know of the binding of you two? It will finalize the whole thing. A little backwards I know, but better late then never at all."
Moreliniel gazed down into her half empty wine glass.
Aye it was a custom for a ceremony before the actual binding. And it was a little backwards, but yet wasn't everything else in her life?
But there was this still small feeling deep inside of her that cried out for the freedom she had but a day ago. She knew she dared not listen to it. For it would only bring out the sorrow in the situation. It was done...it could not be changed.
"Moreliniel?"
Moreliniel looked up at the sound of her name that flowed from the lips she now recognized as her husbands. The way he said her name felt as if it were meant to flow from his lips. His voice made it sounds so elegant so...beautiful. She wished to ask him to say it again, but then realized why he had said it at all.
"Oh yes...I am sorry my lord. My mind is it's own. I know not how to tame it."
Both Legolas and Thranduil laughed at this.
Oh heaven! If only she could make him laugh again.
"A ceremony would be fine." Was what came out instead.
"Legolas? What do you think on the matter?"
Legolas looked up from his glass.
"I think that if it is well with Moreliniel...then tis fine with me as well."
Thranduil smiled and clapped his hands.
"Good! Then it shall be done! I shall have news sent out that my son is to be wed, and make the arrangements for the day next. I do say Legolas, a great many maidens will turn green at the news." Thranduil chuckled to himself as he stood in his own excitement.
Legolas only smiled.
The words however had a slightly bigger impact on Moreliniel. If indeed there were so many maidens so infatuated with him, then how did it come to pass that she had gotten him?
She did not know if she could stand to look into the faces of a great many maidens that could make Legolas happier then she ever could.
All her thoughts however came crashing down at the feel of his hand taking her.
She looked at him and his eyes were filled with concern.
"I am well my lord." She said before he could ask her anything.
"But I tire and wish for permission to decline to my chambers."
Legolas nodded. "Aye, I shall escort you." Moreliniel stood.
"No need my lord." She wished to go without the temptations of him, but the prince was persistent.
"Nay, for you do not know these halls well enough. I shall escort you...no need to argue with me." Moreliniel caught the hint of a smirk on his handsome face, and felt something new spark in her. But she quickly doused it with water and smiled instead.
"Aye...as you wish." She held out her arm to him, and legolas took it with a laugh.
They both turned to Thranduil, who watched them with a never fading smile, and bowed.
"Thank you father, for the fabulous meal. I daresay I shall never eat again, but never is a long time." Thranduil laughed at his son.
"Sleep well my dear boy. And you daughter, I pray upon thee pleasant sleep."
"And upon you my lord." Moreliniel replied with a curtsy.
Legolas then led her out the door.
They walked slowly and lazily down the hall in silence.
"Your father is lovely." Moreliniel said once they reached her door.
Legolas smiled.
"Aye, he is indeed a great Elf."
His smile faltered as he gazed down at her.
Moreliniel's breath caught in her throat.
Legolas leaned down and touched her lips with his in a sweet chaste kiss.
When he pulled away he smiled at her.
She still had her eyes closed and looked as if she were drinking the moment in.
When she finally opened them, she blushed and looked down.
"Goodnight my lord." She said then quickly turned and went into her room, closing the door behind her.
Legolas leaned against the wall and placed a hand upon the grand oak door.
He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes as the sound of her sobs meat his ears.
"I promise to you Moreliniel...I shall restore to you your brokenness. Never again will another being harm you. Not as long as you are my wife, by force or not. I will love you." He whispered to himself as if he needed to hear the words spoken to let the feelings that grew so deeply inside him escape.
He kissed his fingers and laid them upon her door before he turned and declined to his chambers.
On the other side of the door, Moreliniel leaned against it in tears. She had heard the almost silent promise he had made to her.
And she reasoned again within herself that she did not deserve him.
She peeled her tired body from the door and walked to her bed.
And there she threw herself upon it and cried herself to sleep.
Chapter 3
Meeting The King
Moreliniel's heart began to beat faster as the realization of whom she was about to meet came to reality.
She was going to meet the king of all Mirkwood himself. Her king. Her husband's father. HER father.
She let out a shaky, nervous breath and glanced over at her husband.
He looked every bit the prince he was. And walked with grace and pride. Like a warrior who has seen many battles, and conquered many as well. His gaze was set straight ahead with his head held high. Quite handsome.
Moreliniel cast her sight to the floor.
Who was she to win such a prize? Or was it indeed a won prize? Could she call it that since it had been forced upon her? Nay...for it was just as much forced upon him as it was her.
He was the prince of Mirkwood...a lot was expected from the prince. He was to find the woman he loved, who would marry him and give him as many heirs as he needed. She would love him tenderly and affectionately until the day she past to the havens.
That's what this prince really deserved. But now she was expected to play that role. It wasn't that she thought she was incapable of it, she simply did not believe she acquired the grace for it.
She felt the grip he had on her hand tighten. She looked at their hands, then up at him.
He smiled at her.
Moreliniel saw the compassion and the acknowledgment of her nerves in his eyes, and they seemed to tell her that all would be well.
She managed to release a small smile, and then once again cast her gaze to the floor.
.:**:.
Legolas frowned. She seemed to avoid looking at him.
He did not blame her, but for some reason the longing, to look at her dear face, grip him.
He however shook these thoughts from his head as they neared his fathers dinning chambers.
He leaned down to whisper into her ear.
"We have come now Moreliniel. Do not fear my father...I have explained everything to him. He understands, and wished merely to meet his new daughter."
Moreliniel closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. Not from fear, but from the power Legolas' voice seemed to have over her. Her whole body tingled as his warm breath swept over her bare shoulder as he whispered into her ear.
She managed to nod and acknowledge him speaking just as they came to a door and Legolas stopped.
He raised his hand and knocked loudly.
"Enter!" A strong yet soft voice called out.
Legolas smiled at her one last time before he pushed open the grand oak door.
Moreliniel's deep green orbs searched the room.
Twas massive and could be intimidating...if it were not for the smiling figure who rose from a grand table filled with the rarest foods of the land.
"Ah Legolas!" Thranduil walked hastily over to his some and embraced him.
Moreliniel could not help in noticing the strong resemblance between father and son.
Thranduil had the same golden locks of hair and the same depth in his blue eyes.
He bore a gold circlet upon his brow, in perfect resemblance as Legolas' silver one.
And when he turned to Moreliniel and smiled...she saw the same compassion in that smile that seemed to say that he wanted to make everything in his kingdom right.
"Moreliniel." He said as if he had taken time in preparing on how he should say the name, but she said nothing. Only smiled and bowed as he took her hand.
He bent down and kissed it softly.
When he straightened his smile was broad and full.
"Come...my feast is ready in your honor." He lead her over to the table and set her down.
Legolas followed and sat in the chair that was placed next to hers.
"Thank you my lord..." She said more to the tablecloth then the actual being it was meant for. "...But I do not deserve your honor." She finished humbly.
Thranduil exchanged glances with Legolas.
"My dear child...you are my son's wife. Though perhaps you are right. I think this feast would better suite for Legolas' honor...for I can see that HE is honored in winning such a catch."
Moreliniel glanced up in shock from the praise. It had indeed caught her off guard.
Thranduil smiled kindly at her, and she returned it.
"Come now child...you need to relax yourself. I do not bite, and though others may protest against it...Legolas does not himself." He teased. He winked at Legolas and Moreliniel laughed. The first true laugh to leave her lips in what felt like years.
She then felt at home.
Legolas laughed himself. He knew his father's words were not an insult against him, but merely words to make Moreliniel feel at home. And it seemed to be working.
Soon servants entered with vases and even more trays of food.
A tall Elf filled Moreliniel's cup with shimmering clear wine.
She raised her crystal cup to her lips and drank thankfully.
She had not had a good cup of wine in centuries.
Legolas smiled when he heard a soft 'mmm' escape her lips.
They ate in silence. Moreliniel seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.
Soon they were through with the meal, and the wine fillers filled their glasses once more.
Thranduil took a gulp of his, and then eyeed Legolas and Moreliniel as they sipped theirs.
He noticed his son's brief glances her ways. And it was understandable. Legolas felt responsible for her safety and whereabouts.
"You know...we need to discuss the matter at hand." He tried at last.
Both Moreliniel and Legolas looked up at him.
"Father?" Legolas questioned.
"Well, I mean a ceremony. Doest thou wish for one? So the kingdom will know of the binding of you two? It will finalize the whole thing. A little backwards I know, but better late then never at all."
Moreliniel gazed down into her half empty wine glass.
Aye it was a custom for a ceremony before the actual binding. And it was a little backwards, but yet wasn't everything else in her life?
But there was this still small feeling deep inside of her that cried out for the freedom she had but a day ago. She knew she dared not listen to it. For it would only bring out the sorrow in the situation. It was done...it could not be changed.
"Moreliniel?"
Moreliniel looked up at the sound of her name that flowed from the lips she now recognized as her husbands. The way he said her name felt as if it were meant to flow from his lips. His voice made it sounds so elegant so...beautiful. She wished to ask him to say it again, but then realized why he had said it at all.
"Oh yes...I am sorry my lord. My mind is it's own. I know not how to tame it."
Both Legolas and Thranduil laughed at this.
Oh heaven! If only she could make him laugh again.
"A ceremony would be fine." Was what came out instead.
"Legolas? What do you think on the matter?"
Legolas looked up from his glass.
"I think that if it is well with Moreliniel...then tis fine with me as well."
Thranduil smiled and clapped his hands.
"Good! Then it shall be done! I shall have news sent out that my son is to be wed, and make the arrangements for the day next. I do say Legolas, a great many maidens will turn green at the news." Thranduil chuckled to himself as he stood in his own excitement.
Legolas only smiled.
The words however had a slightly bigger impact on Moreliniel. If indeed there were so many maidens so infatuated with him, then how did it come to pass that she had gotten him?
She did not know if she could stand to look into the faces of a great many maidens that could make Legolas happier then she ever could.
All her thoughts however came crashing down at the feel of his hand taking her.
She looked at him and his eyes were filled with concern.
"I am well my lord." She said before he could ask her anything.
"But I tire and wish for permission to decline to my chambers."
Legolas nodded. "Aye, I shall escort you." Moreliniel stood.
"No need my lord." She wished to go without the temptations of him, but the prince was persistent.
"Nay, for you do not know these halls well enough. I shall escort you...no need to argue with me." Moreliniel caught the hint of a smirk on his handsome face, and felt something new spark in her. But she quickly doused it with water and smiled instead.
"Aye...as you wish." She held out her arm to him, and legolas took it with a laugh.
They both turned to Thranduil, who watched them with a never fading smile, and bowed.
"Thank you father, for the fabulous meal. I daresay I shall never eat again, but never is a long time." Thranduil laughed at his son.
"Sleep well my dear boy. And you daughter, I pray upon thee pleasant sleep."
"And upon you my lord." Moreliniel replied with a curtsy.
Legolas then led her out the door.
They walked slowly and lazily down the hall in silence.
"Your father is lovely." Moreliniel said once they reached her door.
Legolas smiled.
"Aye, he is indeed a great Elf."
His smile faltered as he gazed down at her.
Moreliniel's breath caught in her throat.
Legolas leaned down and touched her lips with his in a sweet chaste kiss.
When he pulled away he smiled at her.
She still had her eyes closed and looked as if she were drinking the moment in.
When she finally opened them, she blushed and looked down.
"Goodnight my lord." She said then quickly turned and went into her room, closing the door behind her.
Legolas leaned against the wall and placed a hand upon the grand oak door.
He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes as the sound of her sobs meat his ears.
"I promise to you Moreliniel...I shall restore to you your brokenness. Never again will another being harm you. Not as long as you are my wife, by force or not. I will love you." He whispered to himself as if he needed to hear the words spoken to let the feelings that grew so deeply inside him escape.
He kissed his fingers and laid them upon her door before he turned and declined to his chambers.
On the other side of the door, Moreliniel leaned against it in tears. She had heard the almost silent promise he had made to her.
And she reasoned again within herself that she did not deserve him.
She peeled her tired body from the door and walked to her bed.
And there she threw herself upon it and cried herself to sleep.