Running From Destiny

By: Arythiel

Summary: 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?

Author's Note: Okay, to my one and only reviewer. I have to say I feel your pain, having read many cliche Legomance fics. I can't quite understand some of the rambling but I got the basic gist. I can assure you, this is not a Mary-Sue, cliche, and in fact, it probably won't even be a Legomance. That's all I have to say. Oh, thanks for the review!

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Chapter Two: Denying Love ~*~**~***~**~*~

~Lothlorien: Arythiel~

Walking among the great trees near the borders of Lorien, Arythiel thought on and on about marriage. The thought had never before bothered her, as she had other things to plague her mind. Now, it was all she could think about. She thought of the times before she was fostered in Lothlorien.

"May it be, an evening star shines down upon you.

May it be, when darkness falls your heart will be true.

You walk a lonely road, oh how far you are from home." The song rang from her lips, brimming with memory of her real family, her real home.

"Mornie utulie, Believe and you will find your way. Mornie alantie, A promise lives within you now.

May it be, the shadows call will fly away

May it be, your journey on to light the day

When the night is overcome, you may rise to find the sun.

Mornie utulie, Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantie, A promise lives within you now.

A promise lives within you now..." Arythiel closed her eyes to prevent tears. She jumped at the sound of clapping behind her. Elrohir had heard her song. "Oh, it's only you." She said angrily.

"You say that like it's a bad thing, Lady Telluthien." The son of Elrond smiled, "Tell me, what were you singing about?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"It wouldn't do any harm."

"My mother taught it to me, my real mother. Whenever I feel troubled, that song makes me feel better." She stated.

"Where exactly are you from?"

She smiled, "I hail from an elvish tribe in the forests of Eryn Vorn. My mother and sisters are sages there. I don't know who my father was. You see, my mother and Galadriel were once great friends. When orc/elf wars were raging in Southern Eriador, my mother sent me to be with Galadriel." Then seeing into his eyes she said, "But that is not what you wished to speak with me about, is it?"

"No, it is not. I fear for the predicament you have put Legolas and yourself in." Elrohir sighed.

"I have put us in? Elrohir, there is no us! Legolas and I are not in love, we do not even know each other! I have done nothing but express my feelings in this excruciatingly pending situation. I am not at fault." Arythiel flared.

Elrohir sighed, looking downcast. "You could at least try to befriend him, at least try to be a little optimistic."

"I am sorry Elrohir, I am a born pessimist."

"Arythiel! Listen, unless something very big comes up, you will marry Legolas. I have been as discreet about it as possible but my patience has worn thin. There is no way out of this marriage. It has been predetermined for centuries."

Arythiel began to leave, but Elrohir grabbed her arm. She faced him as a single tear slid down her face. He gasped and let go as she ran away. 'What have I done?'

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I have to get out.

I must leave this place.

But if I cannot belong here, where then can I go? ~*~**~***~**~*~

While returning to his quarters, Elrohir met Arwen. "How did it go?" She asked anxiously. He shook his head, "I think I have done more harm than good." The daughter of Elrond sighed, "Why must this be so difficult? How can we force two very stubborn elves to love each other?"

"I do not know, but I am sure if they are meant to be, we will find a way." Arwen nodded, "I hope so. I will speak to Galadriel, maybe she can shed some of her light upon this situation."

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Arwen searched and found her grandmother looking into her mirror. She cleared her throat, announcing her presence. Galadriel turned and smiled, "Hello, Arwen. I've been expecting you."

Arwen smiled, "Of course. Grandmother, I've been worrying about Aryth and Legolas. I fear they will never give love a chance. At least Arythiel seems that way."

Galadriel changed her gaze back to her mirror. "Arwen, there is no council I can give you except that if they are meant to be, then it will happen. If they aren't, we've already done everything we can do."

Arwen bit her lip, "You've seen what will happen, haven't you? They won't make it, will they?"

"The mirror has shown me naught but vague images. None, however, are good."

"May I look into the mirror?"

Galadriel nodded, "If that is what you wish, then I will grant it." She stepped away. Arwen hesitated, then walked up to the basin. At first, she saw nothing but her reflection in the clear water. Then, another image came.

She saw Arythiel as a young elf, running amongst black trees that grew not in Lorien. She was laughing. She was happy.

An elf that looked much like Haldir was revealed. Except that elf was wearing blackish-green clothing and had long black hair.

Then, she saw the elf-maiden in the same forest, surrounded by orcs.

The next image was of Legolas riding a horse through a snowstorm, he looked very weary. He fell, and did not get up.

Then she saw an elf-woman with long white hair and deep silver eyes. She was speaking to someone, though Arwen could not tell who.

She saw her father, Lord Elrond locked in a prison.

Haldir, the real one was shown. He was speaking with the current Arythiel. They were both very angry.

Arythiel was shown, with a single tear streaming down her face.

Next, Arythiel was running through a very old forest, fear was shown in every particle of her being. There was a scream and dangerous black eyes looked back at her through the mirror. The images faded.

Arwen slowly looked up, with shock in her eyes. "Dear Elbereth, is this what will happen?"

Galadriel looked uncertain, "It either has already happened, or will happen."

"There is no way we can stop it?"

"No, fate will have its way."

Arwen nodded, then began to leave. "Arwen," Galadriel called, "Do not try to avert their fate. It will only make matters worse."

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Legolas walked among the great white trees with many thoughts plaguing his mind. He guessed it was somewhere near midnight. He was not in fear of attack, as he had his bow and arrows. Not to mention Lorien was as safe a place as one could hope for. 'She must hate me.' He thought to himself. Suddenly, as if saying something of assurance to himself he sang:

The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say.

He smiled in spite of himself. "Not bad, for a Mirkwood elf." A voice behind him drawled. He turned to see a familiar elf behind him. "Haldir, my friend what brings you out so late?"

He smirked mischievously, "I heard your relationship with the Lady Telluthien is less than perfect." He sat himself against a tree.

"Does everyone in Lorien know about this?!" He exclaimed. Haldir nodded, "Just about." Seeing the look on Legolas' face he said, "Do not let it trouble you, my friend. Aryth has never liked surprises. I am sure that once she has time to cool down and sort her thoughts she will be open to the idea."

Legolas shook his head, "I do not think so. This is marriage we speak of, this is not some simple thing. One choice can bind us forever. Haldir, I do not want this marriage any more than she does. You say there is hope in this situation, but I cannot see it."

"Let not your heart be troubled. I am sure Arythiel will come around, though at this point, I fear she may do something drastic."

Legolas' eyes perked up at a far away sound. "Haldir, there is someone about. They do not seem friendly." The Lorien-elf nodded, "I will rouse some archers to the task." He left swiftly.

In the meantime, the Mirkwood-elf slowly crept towards the source of the sound. He came to a clearing where a black horse with a white mane and tail was tethered. A figure clad in an elvish cloak of Lorien was setting bundles on its back. 'Who could this be?' Legolas wondered. He scooted forward, a twig broke under his foot.

The figure stood to attention. The horse neighed impatiently. "Hush, Epellwyn." Legolas recognized the voice, though he could not match it to anyone. Slowly, he drew his arrow from the quiver and leapt into the clearing. The figure drew and arrow just as quickly. They both stood inches from fatality, the hood of the cloak slid off to reveal long black hair and dark silver eyes.

"Arythiel?" Legolas gasped.

If the elf-maiden was surprised, she did not show it. Slowly, she lowered her bow. "Hello, Prince Legolas." She returned to packing her things.

Then, Legolas understood. "You're running away." It wasn't a question.

She slowly nodded, then said. "I am sorry. We do not love each other, not to mention there is so many other things I want to do before I settle down. There is no other way." She mounted the horse and said, "Please don't tell anyone of my departure until morning. I want to be well away, out of everyone's grasp." With that, she sped away. Where she was going, no one knew. Not even Arythiel herself.

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