Disclaimer: All things to do with Lord of the Rings or anything associated with it is the property of JRR Tolkien.

Chapter 40: A Tour Of Eryn Lasgalen

The next day, when Celebfaer got up, she went to see Mildred and found that he was ready, so they walked down to the stables together to meet Legolas for the tour.

On the way down, Celebfaer spoke to Mildred. "Today I shall see the king and hopefully we shall not have to walk around cloaked and hidden as we do now." She said and Mildred nodded.

"If it makes you happy." He said and she smiled.

"I am always happy Mildred." She said, and he sensed a tinge of sadness in her voice, but by then they were at the stables.

Legolas was already there and he had brought their three horses out and he smiled when he saw the two of them.

"Celebfaer, Mildred." He said, inclining his head slightly. "Ready for a tour of my home?"

"Indeed we are." Mildred said, then he led Celebfaer over to her horse and helped her mount, before mounting his own horse.

Legolas was about to mount his horse when suddenly Felawin came running up.

"Legolas, you cannot leave on a tour or Eryn Lasgalen without me! Your father would not approve, besides, I know of a few places that you do not." She said and he nodded, then requested the stable elf to bring out a horse for Felawin.

So, the four of them rode out of the city on a tour of all the beautiful places of the wood of Greenleaves.

Felawin spent most of her time fusing over Legolas and making a big show of everything he said. Whenever he told Mildred and Celebfaer of places where great battles were fought, Felawin would interrupt and tell them the part that Legolas had played or she would find some way to talk about Legolas. Soon, Felawin's constant bragging about Legolas started to annoy Celebfaer. So, when Felawin started talking, Celebfaer smiled and nodded and pretended to listen. She did not care about anything that either Felawin or even Legolas said anymore, so she enjoyed the scenery and pretended to be interested.

Halfway through the morning, Mildred pulled his horse up near hers then he took her hand in his.

'What ails you Celebfaer?' He sent to her and she looked at him then smiled.

'Nothing. It is a pleasant day and my wings are cleansed.'

'Yet still your face is sad.' Mildred replied. 'I think that it has something to do with that she-elf.' He added and she laughed.

'Why would I be upset over that? Mildred I am promised to you when we arrive back at the dwelling and I intend to keep that promise.' She replied then she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and he gave a start. She had never done anything like that to him before.

Mildred had always been the first to make a move and even then he never did it often as he had sensed that she did not want affection from him. But as Celebfaer had kissed him, he was a little shocked and knew for certain that the she-elf was affecting Celebfaer more than she was willing to let any know.

Legolas turned around to tell them both something, when he saw Celebfaer lean forward and kiss Mildred. The action confused Legolas as well, for he had thought that Celebfaer had pledged herself to him.

So, Legolas turned his attention back to Felawin, who had dismounted from her horse and was running through the forest, like a silly child. Fearing that she would be shot by Orcs or kidnapped by the spiders before he could do anything to prevent it, he urged his horse forward, chasing after her.

"Felawin!" Legolas called, slightly irritated, then he rode up to where she had stopped and was looking at him, then he pulled her up onto his horse so that she was sitting in front of him. "Felawin, the woods are not entirely safe." He said and she laughed, then hugged Legolas, as he rolled his eyes.

"Legolas, you are too good a warrior to be tied down to marriage." She said suddenly, looking deep into his eyes and Legolas gave a start at her comment, then his face softened over as he looked at her.

"We shall see Felawin. We shall see." He said, then he rode her over to her horse and let her mount it again.

Mildred and Celebfaer had watched the ordeal, not hearing any of the words, but seeing enough to make Celebfaer's heart rip to shreds, never to be put back together again.

'Mildred.' She sent and he looked at her.

'Yes?'

'I am glad that you are here with me.' She said, and she squeezed his hand. 'I shall go and see the King, when we get back and we shall hide no longer.'

So, once the tour was finished and they were back at the stables, Celebfaer and Mildred bowed to Legolas.

"Thank you for a pleasant day my lord." Celebfaer said and Legolas nodded.

"The pleasure was all mine." He said and then Felawin dragged him off somewhere else. She literally dragged him too, as Legolas was looking back to see what Mildred and Celebfaer were doing, but Felawin was insistent that he come with her.

Mildred went back to his rooms, and Celebfaer went in search of the king.

She found him in his study, sitting at his desk and looking a little troubled at the papers that he was going through.

"My lord." Celebfaer said, bowing deeply and he looked up then smiled at her.

"Celebfaer I trust you had an entertaining tour of the wood." He said and Celebfaer nodded.

"Eryn Lasgalen is surely as beautiful as the Golden Wood itself." She replied. "But I come to ask a favour of you." She added.

"Anything you desire, if it is in my power to give it to you, then you shall have it as a reward for returning Legolas to the realm safely."

"Your gifts are too great and too many already my Lord. I merely wish to ask if it could be allowed for the kingdom to know of what race Mildred and I are."

Thranduil paused slightly before he answered. "Why do you ask this of me Celebfaer?"

"I believe it is time for us to come out of hiding. Fairies and Elves I hope will one-day be able to live alongside each other in harmony. When I return to the Fairy Realm, I shall request that my mother travel out of the Realm and let it be known to all that Fairies are indeed real, and not mythical." She said and Thranduil looked at her for a minute before answering.

"Among the Elves your people will be accepted easily, but among the mortals you will be feared."

"That is why I wish to start with the Elves." She said.

"Then it shall be done." The King said and she bowed once more.

"Thank you my Lord. Your generosity will be heard of among all Fairies." She said and the King smiled.

"Tomorrow you shall be able to walk around as you do in your Realm." He said and she bowed once more.

"I cannot thank you enough." She said, then she left the room and went to look for Mildred.

When she got to his room, she was told to enter, so she did.

"Mildred. Tomorrow we no longer travel hidden as we one did." She said and he nodded, then she took her cloak off, revealing her wings. "I am no longer ashamed of being a Fairy Mildred. We are on equal terms with the Elves and deserve to be treated as equals, not as lesser beings." She said Mildred laughed then walked towards her and hugged her, being careful not to damage her wings.

"You are going to make one hell of a Queen one day." He said and she smiled.

**********************

The next day, the King called a court for as many of the kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen to attend as could be arranged. When all were present he made a short speech in which he ended with the announcement that Fairies, who were thought to be mythical did actually exist.

"In fact two Fairies dwell here in Eryn Lasgalen as I speak these words." He said and Legolas looked at his father as though he had gone crazy. "They are honored guests and I now present them to the kingdom, as they wish to hide from the peoples of Middle Earth no longer. So it is with great pleasure that I present to the kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen the Lady Celebfaer, first-daughter of the Queen Asura and her companion Lord Mildred, of the Queen's Guard." He said and he mentioned for them to stand up and remove their cloaks.

So, Celebfaer and Mildred did exactly that, they stood up and removed their cloaks, revealing their beautiful wings. It was a day that would have been talked about for many centuries afterwards, as all the Elves present started at the wings of the Fairies, amazed at the beauty of such things.

And that was when the questions started.

So, it was many hours later that Mildred and Celebfaer were finally able to leave the court, after promising many Elves that they would meet with them later and answer any more questions that they might have. After they finally left the court, Mildred and Celebfaer walked through the gardens, glad for the peace and quiet, when Legolas came up towards them, alone for a change as Felawin was off elsewhere.

"Celebfaer, what is the meaning of this?" He asked and Celebfaer smiled.

"We do not want to hide any longer Legolas. Fairies will one day be allowed to walk Middle Earth freely without the protection of a cloak to hide what we are." She said and Legolas shook his head.

"The mortals believe that if you catch a Fairy and cut off its wings it will be their slave forevermore." Legolas said harshly. "Do you want them to now hunt you so that they can make you all slaves? Is that what you want for your people?" Legolas asked and she shook her head.

"The mortals are no match for a Fairy Legolas and neither are Elves that believe they know everything!" She said and Legolas looked at her in shock, as did Mildred. She was starting to lose her patience with Legolas.

"Celebfaer........" Mildred started, but she put her hand up, silencing her companion.

"How would you like it Legolas, if you had to hide for almost 2500 years, never knowing who your family was or where you really lived? Or what if people frowned at you when you walked by because you were merely a Scholar, but in high favour of the Lady of Wood, which many could not figure out why? I was considered strange because I was not at all like an Elf, despite if the Lady claimed I was or not. None of the Elves thought I would ever account to everything and I became ashamed to call myself a Fairy, merely because Elves seemed to have everything any being would ever want. The Elves despised me for they believed that I was a lesser Elf, but the Lady of the Wood held me in very high favour. And those that knew the truth, feared me for they did not know what to make of me!" She said and Legolas looked straight into her eyes, determination in his eyes.

"I never feared you Celebfaer."

"Do not lie Legolas. I saw the look in your eyes when I killed that cave troll! You were as scared as Aragorn, Gimli and Boromir." She said and then they heard someone call Legolas' name.

A few seconds later, Felawin appeared.

"Legolas I have been looking for you!" She said smiling and Legolas tore his eyes away from Celebfaer, then looked at Felawin.

"And now you have found me." He said, his voice irritated at the interruption and angry because of what Celebfaer had said to him, but Felawin just laughed, oblivious to whatever had happened.

Celebfaer rolled her eyes then turned and walked off, Mildred knew she needed time alone, so he went up to her room, hoping that he could talk to her later when she got back.

Celebfaer was in a foul mood. She did not know what had happened, Legolas did not deserve to be yelled at like that. He was not the reason for her anger and he should not have been told off. But he had no right to come up to her and tell her she was a fool for revealing her true self. She was sick of hiding away from the world and she wanted him to understand that.

Eventually she calmed down then she headed back to her room, to find Mildred there waiting for her return.

"Celebfaer, do not do this to him, or to you." Mildred said, when she entered, but she glared at him in response.

"It makes it easier to leave Mildred. If he hates me then he shall not be heart broken when I leave with you." She said and Mildred sighed.

"You will hurt the one you love merely for duty. You are no Fairy then Celebfaer........" Mildred started and she glared at him again. Her temper was flaring now.

"You should be happy! You get your wish, I shall wed you and then you shall be King!" She said, then she turned her back and Mildred looked at her then shook his head, sadly.

There was no use in arguing with her.

Mildred walked out of her room, heading for his own, knowing that Celebfaer would not be budged on this matter and he cursed her for it. She was wrong about him, he merely wanted to see her happy, he did not care about being King. Seeing her happy would be enough for him and he knew that she would be happier with Legolas than she ever would be with him.

So the next two weeks, Celebfaer made sure that Mildred was with her almost all the time and they were rarely seen without the other. Every time Legolas saw the two of them together, his heart was broken even more, he loved her but it was obvious that she would once again deny the love that she felt for him. He did not want her to leave Eryn Lasgalen, but he knew that she eventually would, no matter what he did to stop her. But he refused to let her leave without letting her know that she would be missed.

Legolas did not get to talk to Celebfaer by herself until four days before she and Mildred were due to leave Eryn Lasgalen. They had been in the kingdom for almost a month and Celebfaer was getting restless. She wanted to be back in the Fairy Realm and married to Mildred before she had a chance to talk herself out of it.

Legolas went to her room and knocked lightly on the door. He had been thinking about what she had said to him that day and he realised that in order for her to accept him, he would first have to show her that he accepted her the way she was. Wings and all, he needed to show her that he knew and accepted the fact that she was a Fairy and that it did not change his opinion of her.

"Celebfaer?" He called through and she opened the door, her cloak was off, as it always was these days, showing her beautiful wings.

"Legolas. What a surprise, what brings you to my room?" She asked and he smiled. She had felt bad about telling him off that day, but had not seen him since, so she had assumed that he was too angry at her to talk to her. But she had wanted to apologise before she left and it appeared that now would be the perfect opportunity.

"You of course." He replied and she frowned.

"What about Felawin?"

"Felawin? She is from Rivendell. A friend of Arwen's and she refuses to leave me alone."

"Are you sure? I have never seen the Elf before and I have been in Rivendell for long periods of time as well."

"She has relatives in Mirkwood so she stays here for centuries on end, then goes back to Rivendell. Although now that Arwen is no longer in Rivendell and that Rivendell is now governed by Celeborn, she does not stay there often." He replied then he paused. "Did you think that we......?" He asked and she laughed.

"Well, it matters not, for I do have something to tell you." She said.

"But we aren't." Legolas said, still on his own train of thought. "I am just showing her around and making her feel welcome because I am the heir and because Arwen sent a message with her telling me to look after her. Though my father thinks and hopes that I may one day take her as my wife, he could not be further from the truth. I do not want her as my wife." He said and Celebfaer nodded.

"It does not matter Legolas. I am returning to my people in four days time, with Mildred. I am an heir and I must keep true to my promises." She said and he looked at her, wondering if he had just heard right.

"You're what?"

"I am leaving."

"I knew that, but Celebfaer I hoped that I might be able to entice you to stay........" He started, a smile on his face as he started walking closer to her and she put her hand up to stop him.

"Do not come any closer," She said and Legolas looked at her, but stopped all the same. "Before I go, I do want to tell you that I am sorry for the way I treated you a few weeks ago. You were just looking out for my safety and I attacked you for no reason."

"Do not be sorry melamin." He said and she looked at him, wondering if he had just said what she though he had said. "I am glad you told me actually, because now I know that in order to win you, I have to accept you for what you are and see you as an equal. Which I do, melamin."

"Don't call me that Legolas. I will leave in four days and there is nothing you can do........" She started and he looked at her, a little hurt at what she had just said.

"Why can't I call you that melamin? It is no secret that I love you." He said softly.

"I love you too Legolas, but one must do what has to be done." She said. "We are of two different races and to mix those races could be disastrous for all of Middle Earth. Legolas, I am an heir to the throne of the Fairies and to that I must honor. Mildred and I are of the same race. We understand each other's needs and wants without having to ask. Elves are far too different to Fairies for anything between us to work."

"Yet you are more Elven than you seem. Your years in Lothlorien have not left you and you still act as though you were an Elf in the Golden Wood. Maybe it would not be so sinful."

"Either way I am still a Fairy......."

"....... and I an Elf! Take off your wings and you would be an Elf, give me wings and I would be a Fairy. It matters not Celebfaer. You belong where you feel most comfortable. I love you Celebfaer, I meant it when I said it and I still mean it."

"And I love you Legolas. Nothing will ever change that but the Valar works in strange ways. If we were meant to be together then the Valar would have brought you back to me in time to stop me from leaving Lothlorien. Legolas, you cannot change my decision, I will return to the Fairy Realm with Mildred when we depart from Eryn Lasgalen in four days. Once I get back there, he and I will be wedded." She said.

Legolas could find no words to argue with for he knew that she would not change her mind no matter what he said. So, he simply turned and walked off going into the forest, wanting to get away for a while.

Celebfaer stood where she was for many hours, wishing that she had not just done what she did, but knowing that it had to be done.

*************************

Four days later, Celebfaer and Mildred were down in the stables, readying their horses for the journey back to the Fairy Realm.

The King was there to see them off, but Legolas was not. He refused to see her off, but surprisingly Felawin was there. She was dressed in a riding dress and had demanded her horse.

"Felawin, you are leaving Eryn Lasgalen?" Celebfaer asked her a little shocked and she nodded.

"Something has come to my attention and I must seek advice from a dear friend of mine." Felawin said with a smile, then she turned to the King as her horse was brought out. "My Lord, I do not know how long it will be until I am back, so I bid you a fond farewell." She said and the King nodded.

"As always you are welcome in the land of Eryn Lasgalen. May the Valar bring you back as soon as he wills it." Thranduil said, then Felawin mounted her horse and rode off.

Mildred and Celebfaer were nearly ready, and Thranduil walked over to where they stood. "Celebfaer, if ever any of your people are in this wood, they are more than welcome in the halls of Eryn Lasgalen. And let them no longer ride hidden as they once did. Fairies shall now be accepted and welcomed in my kingdom." He said and she bowed.

"We thank you for your generosity and the kindness you have shown us. All shall know you name in our Realm and all shall know of the kind nature of the Elves that dwell here." She said and he nodded.

"May you ride safe and may the Valar protect you in your journey home." He said and then she and Mildred mounted their horses. "I wish my son were here to see you off."

"We have already said our good byes to your son, my Lord." Celebfaer said. "We shall miss his company for he is a great warrior and a dear friend." She added and then she nodded. "Farewell King Thranduil, may the Valar always bless your halls and keep them safe." She said, then she and Mildred rode off on their journey back to the Fairy Realm.







A/N: I by no means believe myself to be a master of the Elvish language, but I thought that seeing as that 'melamin' is one of the few words I have picked up from reading other fics, I decided to put it in. It means 'my love' for any of you that were wondering. Sorry if I confused you.

And please don't hate me, I still have more plans for this fic, and the big plan shall be revealed in the next chapter. So calm down as it is sad that she left Eryn Lasgalen and Legolas, but be assured that everything will turn out right. I hope!