Running From Destiny
By:
Arythiel
Disclaimer: Tolkien was a literary genius. I am not. Therefore, I own nothing.
Summary: After the One Ring is destroyed, the Fellowship departs. Upon returning to his homeland of Mirkwood, Legolas finds that the predicament he has been running from has finally caught up with him. Marriage. But is he the only one dreading this forced matrimony?
~*~**~***~**~*~
Chapter One: They Meet
~*~**~***~**~*~
~Lothlorien~
"Aryth! Come down here this instant, you'll surely catch your death!" Arwen Evenstar cried.
The young elf maiden Arythiel Telluthien, also known as the foster-daughter of Galadriel laughed with glee as she watched the frantic Arwen from her branch high in the mallorn trees of Lorien. "Arwen, I am agile and yet very young. Not to mention I am immortal. I won't fall!"
"Arythiel, please come down! You known how much your mother disapproves of such behavior." Arwen frowned, looking up at the elf that was supposed to be her aunt. "Not to mention, you'll ruin your new dress! The council is tonight! Please Arythiel, for the love of Earendil, please come down!"
The girl sighed, "Very well!" She slid down the smooth, white bark of the tree and landed swiftly upon her feet. Arwen looked in disdain at the youth. "Your hair is in a mess, your dress is frayed, and-" She licked her thumb and wiped off a smudge of dirt on Arythiel's face, "you have dirt on your nose!"
Arythiel grimaced, "Please don't do that, you are not my mother. Speaking of which, why is she holding a council here anyway? I thought we would be traveling to Imladris for such a thing." She began walking back to her treetop bedroom.
Arwen knew the answer to Arythiel's question, though it was a secret to be concealed until such a time as was appropriate. "That I don't know, however I do know that the council is starting at sunset and you are expected to be looking absolutely regal and ethereal."
Arythiel scoffed, "I cannot look always like my mother. Galadriel is the High Queen of the Elves, and a ring-bearer. I am her foster-daughter, not even a blood relation! I cannot be expected to be like her. I thought she had Celebrian for that."
Arwen looked at her sternly, "My own mother was her blood-daughter, she was never used as a puppet in Galadriel's figure. Arythiel, I know you wonder about your situation, but you should at least have the respect to not think lightly of the dead. Now come, I have little time to get you cleaned up before we are expected."
~*~**~***~**~*~
~Legolas~
Legolas Greenleaf, elven prince, heir to the throne of Mirkwood rode among his royal escorts on the way to Lothlorien. He felt a sinking feeling of despair with every step closer. 'I am to marry.' He mused to himself. The thought itself seemed unnatural.
They soon saw the white and gold trees of Lorien in the distance. He muttered to himself, "I would be better off dying on the quest." His father's words rang through his mind.
~*~**~***~**~*~
Flashback
~*~**~***~**~*~
"Legolas, my son. You are now what, almost three thousand years old? It is time for you to wed. I have arranged for you to see your bride-to-be."
Legolas gasped, "Bride-to-be? I have never met anyone I would wish to marry! How can I have a bride-to-be?"
Thranduil sighed, "Legolas, this should not startle you. Did you think that you would remain unmarried your entire life upon Middle Earth? You have been betrothed to this girl even since you were two hundred years old. You will ride out at once to meet her."
"I cannot believe you decided to wait until now to tell me this! Who is she? What is she like? How can you choose whom I will spend the rest of eternity with?" Legolas raged.
Thranduil took no heed of his son's emotions; "She is foster-daughter of Galadriel. I cannot answer your second question, because I have never met her. She keeps to herself as far as I know."
Legolas looked upon his father in disbelief, "How could you make me hate you so?"
~*~**~***~**~*~
END FLASHBACK
~*~**~***~**~*~
Legolas had not spoken to his father since. He still had possessed the hateful feelings. His companion Elrohir as though sensing his emotions said, "Your father wanted what was best for you. Do not hate him for trying to make you happy."
Legolas sighed, "Elrohir, my friend. He has made me anything, but happy." He then looked hesitantly at the son of Elrond, "Have you met her, Elrohir?"
He smiled, "I myself, have not. In fact very few even among us elves have met her. Elladan has seen her though; he told me she is...quiet. Depending on how well you know her, she can either be a solemn, quiet elf. Or, she can be the most kindred of spirits you will ever meet."
Legolas laughed in spite of himself, "So, my father has married me to a two-faced elvish brat. Is that what you are telling me?"
Elrohir shook his head, "Legolas, you are giving up on the idea of your relationship before you two even meet. Your father had this happen because he does not want you to go alone to Valinor, as he will. Sometime in your life, you will look back upon this and thank him. Legolas, my friend, do not despair, for you have nothing to despair about."
The prince of Mirkwood hung his head, "You don't understand, any one does."
The company then reached the woods of Lothorien, where Haldir and many others greeted them. "Follow us, Prince Legolas." There he was taken to his quarters. "You will make yourself presentable and meet with the lady and lord at dusk. Farewell, and good luck." Elrohir added, before leaving.
Legolas sighed, "Good luck indeed."
~*~**~***~**~*~
~Arythiel~
Arythiel looked at herself in the reflective water of the river Nimrodel. Her reflection wavered in the river's water, mirroring how she felt. She knew that this council must be important, otherwise she wouldn't need to be present.
"Aryth, its time. Come on now." Arwen smiled. Arythiel nodded, and solemnly walked with Arwen in silence.
~Legolas~
The Prince of Mirkwood was settled upon a treetop balcony with the Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, and Elrohir. He was beginning to feel nauseous. Then, Arwen's form became visible over the precipice. She smiled to him, "Legolas, I would like you to meet Arythiel Telluthien. He looked beyond Arwen to see a dark angel. Long black hair fell in deep waves around her shoulders and stopped at her waist. Her snow-like skin seemed to glow in growing dark. She was clad in light, jade green dress that hugged her torso and fell loosely around her arms and legs. The most extraordinary thing about her, however were her eyes. They were a dark silver color; they reflected the emotion of others, instead of showing her own. Legolas was awestruck. 'Of course she is beautiful, but she such a dark, radiant power that it seems impossible to feel otherwise.' He thought to himself.
Legolas quickly jumped from his chair, bowed and said, "It will forever be a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Arythiel."
Arwen quickly guided Arythiel to a seat saying, "This is Legolas Greenleaf, the Prince of Mirkwood."
Arythiel countered emotionlessly, "The pleasure is all mine. Now, will someone please tell me why I am here?" Legolas' eyes widened, 'They haven't told her?'
Celeborn stood and spoke, "Now that you have met each other, I shall tell you the news. Arythiel, Legolas is your fiancée. You two have been betrothed since the first hundred years of your lives."
Arythiel gasped, "Is this some joke?"
"No, my dear, it is not."
"It has to be! I cannot marry him, I do not even know him! I've never met him before in my life! You cannot honestly expect me to spend the rest of my natural life with him!" She shouted, her silent demeanor disappearing. She stood, "How can you make that decision for me?!"
Galadriel said in a quiet voice, "Arythiel, if we thought you could find as good a suitor on your own, we would let you, and Legolas is the best elf for you."
The angry princess turned her wrathful gaze upon Legolas, "Fine! Legolas, what do you think of this?"
He looked at her sighing, "I want this no more than you do."
"Do you see? He does not want this either! Why put both of us through such torture?"
"You could learn to love each other," Arwen suggested.
"Yes, that is a possibility, but what if it turns out we don't love each other? What if it doesn't work out? I refuse to spend eternity with someone I cannot love!" Arythiel cried.
"Calm down, child. You are only saying such things because it comes as such a shock. You will learn to love him, you just need to spend time with him." Galadriel spoke rationally.
Arythiel looked upon the Lady of the Wood with hatred in her eyes, "My real mother would never do this to me." She turned to leave, but Celeborn blocked her, "Don't walk out on this council, on your future husband!"
Tears began to shimmer in her eyes, "Watch me." She pushed him out of the way and ran back the way she came.
Celeborn sighed and turned to Legolas, "I am very sorry for her behavior, I did not expect such a strong reaction."
Legolas smiled weakly, "It is alright, I am sure she will come around." Then, without another word, he too left. This left Arwen, Elrohir, Galadriel and Celeborn with a very imposing dilemma; how to make two elves fall in love.
~*~**~***~**~*~
What do you think? Any thoughts, questions, comments, flames? Please review!
By:
Arythiel
Disclaimer: Tolkien was a literary genius. I am not. Therefore, I own nothing.
Summary: After the One Ring is destroyed, the Fellowship departs. Upon returning to his homeland of Mirkwood, Legolas finds that the predicament he has been running from has finally caught up with him. Marriage. But is he the only one dreading this forced matrimony?
~*~**~***~**~*~
Chapter One: They Meet
~*~**~***~**~*~
~Lothlorien~
"Aryth! Come down here this instant, you'll surely catch your death!" Arwen Evenstar cried.
The young elf maiden Arythiel Telluthien, also known as the foster-daughter of Galadriel laughed with glee as she watched the frantic Arwen from her branch high in the mallorn trees of Lorien. "Arwen, I am agile and yet very young. Not to mention I am immortal. I won't fall!"
"Arythiel, please come down! You known how much your mother disapproves of such behavior." Arwen frowned, looking up at the elf that was supposed to be her aunt. "Not to mention, you'll ruin your new dress! The council is tonight! Please Arythiel, for the love of Earendil, please come down!"
The girl sighed, "Very well!" She slid down the smooth, white bark of the tree and landed swiftly upon her feet. Arwen looked in disdain at the youth. "Your hair is in a mess, your dress is frayed, and-" She licked her thumb and wiped off a smudge of dirt on Arythiel's face, "you have dirt on your nose!"
Arythiel grimaced, "Please don't do that, you are not my mother. Speaking of which, why is she holding a council here anyway? I thought we would be traveling to Imladris for such a thing." She began walking back to her treetop bedroom.
Arwen knew the answer to Arythiel's question, though it was a secret to be concealed until such a time as was appropriate. "That I don't know, however I do know that the council is starting at sunset and you are expected to be looking absolutely regal and ethereal."
Arythiel scoffed, "I cannot look always like my mother. Galadriel is the High Queen of the Elves, and a ring-bearer. I am her foster-daughter, not even a blood relation! I cannot be expected to be like her. I thought she had Celebrian for that."
Arwen looked at her sternly, "My own mother was her blood-daughter, she was never used as a puppet in Galadriel's figure. Arythiel, I know you wonder about your situation, but you should at least have the respect to not think lightly of the dead. Now come, I have little time to get you cleaned up before we are expected."
~*~**~***~**~*~
~Legolas~
Legolas Greenleaf, elven prince, heir to the throne of Mirkwood rode among his royal escorts on the way to Lothlorien. He felt a sinking feeling of despair with every step closer. 'I am to marry.' He mused to himself. The thought itself seemed unnatural.
They soon saw the white and gold trees of Lorien in the distance. He muttered to himself, "I would be better off dying on the quest." His father's words rang through his mind.
~*~**~***~**~*~
Flashback
~*~**~***~**~*~
"Legolas, my son. You are now what, almost three thousand years old? It is time for you to wed. I have arranged for you to see your bride-to-be."
Legolas gasped, "Bride-to-be? I have never met anyone I would wish to marry! How can I have a bride-to-be?"
Thranduil sighed, "Legolas, this should not startle you. Did you think that you would remain unmarried your entire life upon Middle Earth? You have been betrothed to this girl even since you were two hundred years old. You will ride out at once to meet her."
"I cannot believe you decided to wait until now to tell me this! Who is she? What is she like? How can you choose whom I will spend the rest of eternity with?" Legolas raged.
Thranduil took no heed of his son's emotions; "She is foster-daughter of Galadriel. I cannot answer your second question, because I have never met her. She keeps to herself as far as I know."
Legolas looked upon his father in disbelief, "How could you make me hate you so?"
~*~**~***~**~*~
END FLASHBACK
~*~**~***~**~*~
Legolas had not spoken to his father since. He still had possessed the hateful feelings. His companion Elrohir as though sensing his emotions said, "Your father wanted what was best for you. Do not hate him for trying to make you happy."
Legolas sighed, "Elrohir, my friend. He has made me anything, but happy." He then looked hesitantly at the son of Elrond, "Have you met her, Elrohir?"
He smiled, "I myself, have not. In fact very few even among us elves have met her. Elladan has seen her though; he told me she is...quiet. Depending on how well you know her, she can either be a solemn, quiet elf. Or, she can be the most kindred of spirits you will ever meet."
Legolas laughed in spite of himself, "So, my father has married me to a two-faced elvish brat. Is that what you are telling me?"
Elrohir shook his head, "Legolas, you are giving up on the idea of your relationship before you two even meet. Your father had this happen because he does not want you to go alone to Valinor, as he will. Sometime in your life, you will look back upon this and thank him. Legolas, my friend, do not despair, for you have nothing to despair about."
The prince of Mirkwood hung his head, "You don't understand, any one does."
The company then reached the woods of Lothorien, where Haldir and many others greeted them. "Follow us, Prince Legolas." There he was taken to his quarters. "You will make yourself presentable and meet with the lady and lord at dusk. Farewell, and good luck." Elrohir added, before leaving.
Legolas sighed, "Good luck indeed."
~*~**~***~**~*~
~Arythiel~
Arythiel looked at herself in the reflective water of the river Nimrodel. Her reflection wavered in the river's water, mirroring how she felt. She knew that this council must be important, otherwise she wouldn't need to be present.
"Aryth, its time. Come on now." Arwen smiled. Arythiel nodded, and solemnly walked with Arwen in silence.
~Legolas~
The Prince of Mirkwood was settled upon a treetop balcony with the Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, and Elrohir. He was beginning to feel nauseous. Then, Arwen's form became visible over the precipice. She smiled to him, "Legolas, I would like you to meet Arythiel Telluthien. He looked beyond Arwen to see a dark angel. Long black hair fell in deep waves around her shoulders and stopped at her waist. Her snow-like skin seemed to glow in growing dark. She was clad in light, jade green dress that hugged her torso and fell loosely around her arms and legs. The most extraordinary thing about her, however were her eyes. They were a dark silver color; they reflected the emotion of others, instead of showing her own. Legolas was awestruck. 'Of course she is beautiful, but she such a dark, radiant power that it seems impossible to feel otherwise.' He thought to himself.
Legolas quickly jumped from his chair, bowed and said, "It will forever be a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Arythiel."
Arwen quickly guided Arythiel to a seat saying, "This is Legolas Greenleaf, the Prince of Mirkwood."
Arythiel countered emotionlessly, "The pleasure is all mine. Now, will someone please tell me why I am here?" Legolas' eyes widened, 'They haven't told her?'
Celeborn stood and spoke, "Now that you have met each other, I shall tell you the news. Arythiel, Legolas is your fiancée. You two have been betrothed since the first hundred years of your lives."
Arythiel gasped, "Is this some joke?"
"No, my dear, it is not."
"It has to be! I cannot marry him, I do not even know him! I've never met him before in my life! You cannot honestly expect me to spend the rest of my natural life with him!" She shouted, her silent demeanor disappearing. She stood, "How can you make that decision for me?!"
Galadriel said in a quiet voice, "Arythiel, if we thought you could find as good a suitor on your own, we would let you, and Legolas is the best elf for you."
The angry princess turned her wrathful gaze upon Legolas, "Fine! Legolas, what do you think of this?"
He looked at her sighing, "I want this no more than you do."
"Do you see? He does not want this either! Why put both of us through such torture?"
"You could learn to love each other," Arwen suggested.
"Yes, that is a possibility, but what if it turns out we don't love each other? What if it doesn't work out? I refuse to spend eternity with someone I cannot love!" Arythiel cried.
"Calm down, child. You are only saying such things because it comes as such a shock. You will learn to love him, you just need to spend time with him." Galadriel spoke rationally.
Arythiel looked upon the Lady of the Wood with hatred in her eyes, "My real mother would never do this to me." She turned to leave, but Celeborn blocked her, "Don't walk out on this council, on your future husband!"
Tears began to shimmer in her eyes, "Watch me." She pushed him out of the way and ran back the way she came.
Celeborn sighed and turned to Legolas, "I am very sorry for her behavior, I did not expect such a strong reaction."
Legolas smiled weakly, "It is alright, I am sure she will come around." Then, without another word, he too left. This left Arwen, Elrohir, Galadriel and Celeborn with a very imposing dilemma; how to make two elves fall in love.
~*~**~***~**~*~
What do you think? Any thoughts, questions, comments, flames? Please review!
