Authors note: Hey every body! I finally decided to write this little love story, although I've had it in my mind for quite a while. Those of you, who are complete LotR fans, please forgive me if I state something wrong, but I don't consider myself a pro, and most of this comes from my mind. Please Review, review, review! Any ideas and comments will be greatly appreciated! I hope you enjoy it!

Oh, and before I forget, (yeah you saw it coming) I do not own Legolas (I wish I did, but I don't) or any other characters or places such as Mirkwood that were in the book. So please don't sue. Keep this in mind for every chapter please.  On with the story!

Note: Italics indicate thoughts.

 
           "Do you think he speaks the common speech?" Legolas was very surprised to learn from the voice that his captor was a woman. From the strong kick on the head by which he was captured, he was sure it was a man. Legolas had awoken from his unconsciousness a while back, but decided not to show it by remaining still and keeping his eyes closed (as elves do only in their unconsciousness) in order to learn more about the situation. The voice that spoke was very clear and beautiful, yet strong in some way. He right away figured out that there was at least one more person in the boat. Well, either that, or his captor was talking to herself. He realized that they were in a boat a while back because of the constant rowing he heard.

A relatively low voice of another woman answered the first with more than a bit of obvious anger and sarcasm. "Well, we would know that if he was not asleep now would we not?"

"I am sorry Nithem. It is just that I am worried. We do not know what an elf is doing by himself in the forest. The only explanation I can think of is that evil is near by." Legolas was happy that he had learned one of the names. He already learned a lot from this small conversation. Nithem was apparently the stronger one, while the other, most likely still very young, depended on her greatly. He decided to wait even longer before letting them know he awoke, for he wanted to know what had happened to Middle Earth while he was gone.

Legolas drifted off, ignoring his captors' conversation for a bit in order to think back and try to remember what had happened to him. His memory was fuzzy, and some things he could not recall, as hard as he tried. He recalled however his voyage over the sea with Gimli. Since then, long has it been that he has seen his dear friend. The voyage was a very exciting trip, especially after the War of the Ring. Why he came back and did no stay across the sea with his friend he did not know. Something drew him back. Perhaps it was the responsibility to become what he should have become a long time ago: The King of Mirkwood. Perhaps it was to try, although he was not sure he wanted to, find a wife.

He remembered sailing back by himself, on a ship he had to build. When he finally landed on earth he should have recognized, he found that it was not how he left it. The scene he left behind was completely gone. A fire, as he could tell by the burnt marks on the ground, destroyed the welcoming grass and flowers that he saw on his departure. With a saddened spirit, he made his way towards his beloved forest of Mirkwood, only to find himself lost in the newly made paths and tunnels. After only 3 hours of searching aimlessly for anything he could recognize he was struck on the head from behind by an amazingly strong kick that sent the young elf into unconsciousness. The next thing the young Prince remembered was awakening in this boat with bags full of sand, or food, or...well, he really didn't know what it was that was holding him down.

Legolas decided to try to listen once again to the conversation his captors were leading. He had to wait a while before the younger one finally spoke words that actually made the young elf hold his breath. With a giggle she quietly said, "You know, he is really handsome. I wonder how old he is...You know, he looks really wise too...And..." The girl was cut off by Nithem's laughter.

"Oh Alinne" Nithem could barely say the words in between outbursts of laughter. "You do not even know him!  For all you know he could be a messenger from Him." She suddenly seized her laughter and her voice took on a caring but very serious tone. " Alinne, but what about Nerodel...Why do you keep your head in the clouds? He is offering all that you could ever need, his love, a house, a respectable name, and protection." She sighed and waited for Alinne to provide an answer, if there indeed was one worth mentioning.

"Nithem, I told you already, I just do not care for him..." She paused for a bit and thoughts of sadness and loss filled her head.  Why do I not? He is respected, and Nithem is right, he is willing to offer everything I could ever want...but.... Ugh!!!! What is it?! What is wrong with me?! Why do I not seem drawn to him?  Her thoughts were interrupted by Nithem's voice.

"You need to figure this out soon. Alinne, you need to find a husband, or we both know what will happen..."

"But if I cannot choose, I should trust my parent's pick. They will pick the best husband possible..." given a surprised and confused look her friend, Alinne quickly changed what she had said to a more truthful confession. "Yes, I know. I could never trust their choice! They do not know love! I have no idea why they got married themselves! All they do is fight!" The girl put her hand up to her forehead, and breathed in deep, slow, breaths trying to calm herself down.

Legolas finally let his breath go, not even realizing that he held it for so long.

"He is awake" he heard Alinne say this with a cautious voice. In his head, he cursed himself for not being quieter.

"How long do you think he has been listening?" asked Nithem quietly as the young prince finally let his eyes open. What he saw were 2 pairs of eyes staring into his. He realized that he could not figure out which one was Nithem, and which was Alinne. If he had been well, instead of dizzy from the blinding light, he could probably guess by remembering where the voices came from, but his head was suddenly spinning with fatigue and a terrible headache.

Legolas noticed that both were elves. One turned around and continued to paddle, while the other finally said, "Are you all right?". Legolas was relieved to finally figure out that it was Nithem who turned around and Alinne who once again repeated her question, still not receiving an answer except for the elf's stare towards her.

"Where are you from?" The elf saw it wise not to reveal anything about himself yet, so he turned his gaze away from her eyes and observed the things around him. Alinne and Nithem were wearing similar outfits. A green skirt (that was very short, probably in order to accommodate women in running, hunting and horseback riding), a small brownish-greenish shirt that matched exactly to the color of an oak in autumn, and a cloak that made them look like if they had lain down on the ground, a mouse would have passed them by.

The boat rode onto the shore, and knowing that they have reached their destination, Legolas finally looked up to what fortunes he was heading.



Authors note: Please review and tell me what you think. Also, don't worry, it gets much more exciting in the next chapters. I just had to start it off somewhere.