A/N: It ain't mine. Don't sue.
To Deceive the Father
One blissful year had passed since Legolas and Arathia's chance meeting in Mirkwood. And since then so many wonderful things had happened. Arathia and Legolas had built a home within the realm of the Wood Elves. Arathia lived there with Legolas coming and going as he pleased. Mostly coming. When he did have to leave it was only for short periods of time.
Arathia had become aquatinted with many of the other Elves of Mirkwood. She found them to be cold at first to her. But after awhile they treated her as one of their own. In fact, many of them believed her to be an elf from some other realm. More then likely Lothlorien. And Arathia did nothing to change this belief. When she was with them she went by Anorwing and she always made sure that her ears were covered up. And as Anorwing, Arathia went about the Elves of Mirkwood, learning to love it as much as they did. She often went with Legolas when she did go to Amon Thranduil where many of the Elves lived. She even went with them on their fantastic parties in the forest.
Although many of the Elves lived in Amon Thranduil, there were some lived in the open forest like Arathia. Her closest neighbor was Calawen *, Legolas' sister-in-law by his elder brother Firithlas. ** Calawen was also one of two other elves in Mirkwood who knew that Arathia was a mortal. The other was Thalionsul ***, Legolas childhood friend and the Captain of the Guard of Mirkwood. They also knew of the love Legolas and Arathia shared and unlike most Elves, they were delighted for the couple.
Now Arathia had seen Legolas' father Thranduil several times, but she had never actually met him. And Arathia wanted to. The only kin of Legolas she had met was Calawen. But Legolas had objected.
"What if he can tell that you're mortal? He's very old and very wise Arathia. I fear what he might do if he discovered your true identity."
"Don't worry A'maelamin! **** I'll keep my ears covered and act as elf like as possible. Everyone else in Mirkwood thinks I'm an elf except those we have told. There is nothing to worry about!"
Legolas was still doubtful, but he relented and sought a private audience with his formidable father. When the day had finally come Arathia was all ready. She wore her best dress of elven gray and she hid her treasonous ears under a bright headband of yellow. She waited in her home for Legolas to come and get her. When he finally did he still seemed uneasy.
"Are you still nervous?" Arathia asked.
Legolas nodded. "I told him that I wished for him to meet someone very special to me who has as of late come to dwell in our wood."
"Well, that's a nice introduction. Let's go!"
Arathia was excited to finally meet her beloved's father, but as they came closer to the throne room deep within Amon Thranduil, she became nervous. What if Legolas was right and Thranduil could tell that she was mortal? And wasn't it wrong to deceive such a great Lord of Elves? Well, it was too late to turn back now. They were at the doors of the throne room.
"You wait here my darling. I will announce us." Legolas placed one of his this-is-the-reason-for-life kisses (as Arathia called them) upon his beloved's forehead before going into the throne room. He was just as nervous as she was. Arathia could tell. Legolas reappeared after a moment.
"He's ready for us." Legolas took Arathia's hand and led her into the throne room.
It was vast and at the moment empty of all save Legolas, Arathia, and King Thranduil. The room was carved in the likeness of the forest. The pillars were like trees and the walls had a myriad of animals and frolicking elves carved into them. The ceiling was painted to look like a spring sky. The floor was like the carpet of the forest and just as green. Arathia wondered if it was real. She and Legolas were walking upon a brown carpet meant to be like a forest path so she could not tell. But the crowning glory of the room was the throne itself. If one looked at it one way it appeared to be a great tree with a seat grown into it. If it was looked at another way it was like a great spout of water coming from the sea that carried a great lord of the Elder Days upon it. It was a perfect harmony between the ocean that would call all the Elves and the forest that they loved so dearly.
Thranduil rose to greet his son and Arathia as they approached the stunning throne. Arathia could immediately see where Legolas received his magnificent features. Thranduil had the same golden hair as his son and blue eyes. But his seemed to pierce and there was a depth in them that made it seem there was no bottom. The years did not show themselves, but Thranduil's face was stern as one who has seen much sorrow and loss. The King was dressed in burnt orange robes and a crown of autumn leaves graced his high head. Unlike his son he was fearsome (but not frightening) to behold. The King of Mirkwood was truly a formidable Elf. But at the moment a smile graced his stern face.
"My Lord, may I present Lady Anorwing of Imladris," Legolas introduced Arathia.
"My Lord." Arathia said as she curtseyed deeply to the King.
Thranduil came to Arathia and took her hand. As Arathia rose she saw the King smiling at her. The smile did not seem to suit his face. Too much sorrow was in his eyes to do such a happy action. But a faint glimmer was in them as he looked upon Arathia and then back to Legolas. Did he guess their love?
"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Anorwing of Imladris. Tell me, how long have you dwelt in my kingdom?" Thranduil asked as he released Arathia's hand to return to his seat upon the throne.
"Just over a year My Lord," Arathia replied.
This type of questions by Thranduil and answers by Arathia continued for nearly an hour. Thranduil seemed to be evaluating Arathia. More than likely seeing if she was worthy of his son's love. Of this much Thranduil could see. Had he not also been young and fallen in love? But not once did he guess that Arathia was of the Secondborn. Finally the audience ended.
"It has been wonderful to speak with you Lady Anorwing. I am pleased in my son's... choice of lady friends." As he said this last part he looked at Legolas who in turn blushed and looked down. Thranduil continued. "I wish you many happy years in my realm. Namarie." With these words Thranduil came down from his throne and, to the surprise of Arathia and Legolas, took Arathia's hands and kissed her upon her right cheek like a father would.
"I hope to see you again soon Lady Anorwing of Mirkwood." With that Thranduil dismissed Arathia and his son.
When Legolas and Arathia were nearing Arathia's home they were brimming with delight.
"He didn't guess who I am!" Arathia exclaimed.
"And even better he likes you!" Legolas said with joy. "I'm so happy Arathia! Maybe there is a... a happy ending to our love." Those last words Legolas said in just barely a whisper.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it darling." Arathia gently squeezed Legolas' hand as he gave her a sad smile.
Arathia and Legolas had often thought of the dooms that separated them and how they would overcome it. Arathia did not want Legolas to give up his immortality and suffer her fate. But at the same time she could not dream of life without her love.
"I do not fear death my love. I only fear a life without you," Legolas replied.
The couple had come to Arathia's house. They paused just outside the threshold.
"I must leave you now A'maelamin. I will return before you miss me."
"I miss you each moment I am not with you." Arathia replied with a smile.
With that the lovers sank into a farewell kiss and then Legolas departed.
*Calawen = Maiden of light
**Firithlas = Autumn leaf
***Thalionsul = Strong wind
****A'maelamin = My beloved
To Deceive the Father
One blissful year had passed since Legolas and Arathia's chance meeting in Mirkwood. And since then so many wonderful things had happened. Arathia and Legolas had built a home within the realm of the Wood Elves. Arathia lived there with Legolas coming and going as he pleased. Mostly coming. When he did have to leave it was only for short periods of time.
Arathia had become aquatinted with many of the other Elves of Mirkwood. She found them to be cold at first to her. But after awhile they treated her as one of their own. In fact, many of them believed her to be an elf from some other realm. More then likely Lothlorien. And Arathia did nothing to change this belief. When she was with them she went by Anorwing and she always made sure that her ears were covered up. And as Anorwing, Arathia went about the Elves of Mirkwood, learning to love it as much as they did. She often went with Legolas when she did go to Amon Thranduil where many of the Elves lived. She even went with them on their fantastic parties in the forest.
Although many of the Elves lived in Amon Thranduil, there were some lived in the open forest like Arathia. Her closest neighbor was Calawen *, Legolas' sister-in-law by his elder brother Firithlas. ** Calawen was also one of two other elves in Mirkwood who knew that Arathia was a mortal. The other was Thalionsul ***, Legolas childhood friend and the Captain of the Guard of Mirkwood. They also knew of the love Legolas and Arathia shared and unlike most Elves, they were delighted for the couple.
Now Arathia had seen Legolas' father Thranduil several times, but she had never actually met him. And Arathia wanted to. The only kin of Legolas she had met was Calawen. But Legolas had objected.
"What if he can tell that you're mortal? He's very old and very wise Arathia. I fear what he might do if he discovered your true identity."
"Don't worry A'maelamin! **** I'll keep my ears covered and act as elf like as possible. Everyone else in Mirkwood thinks I'm an elf except those we have told. There is nothing to worry about!"
Legolas was still doubtful, but he relented and sought a private audience with his formidable father. When the day had finally come Arathia was all ready. She wore her best dress of elven gray and she hid her treasonous ears under a bright headband of yellow. She waited in her home for Legolas to come and get her. When he finally did he still seemed uneasy.
"Are you still nervous?" Arathia asked.
Legolas nodded. "I told him that I wished for him to meet someone very special to me who has as of late come to dwell in our wood."
"Well, that's a nice introduction. Let's go!"
Arathia was excited to finally meet her beloved's father, but as they came closer to the throne room deep within Amon Thranduil, she became nervous. What if Legolas was right and Thranduil could tell that she was mortal? And wasn't it wrong to deceive such a great Lord of Elves? Well, it was too late to turn back now. They were at the doors of the throne room.
"You wait here my darling. I will announce us." Legolas placed one of his this-is-the-reason-for-life kisses (as Arathia called them) upon his beloved's forehead before going into the throne room. He was just as nervous as she was. Arathia could tell. Legolas reappeared after a moment.
"He's ready for us." Legolas took Arathia's hand and led her into the throne room.
It was vast and at the moment empty of all save Legolas, Arathia, and King Thranduil. The room was carved in the likeness of the forest. The pillars were like trees and the walls had a myriad of animals and frolicking elves carved into them. The ceiling was painted to look like a spring sky. The floor was like the carpet of the forest and just as green. Arathia wondered if it was real. She and Legolas were walking upon a brown carpet meant to be like a forest path so she could not tell. But the crowning glory of the room was the throne itself. If one looked at it one way it appeared to be a great tree with a seat grown into it. If it was looked at another way it was like a great spout of water coming from the sea that carried a great lord of the Elder Days upon it. It was a perfect harmony between the ocean that would call all the Elves and the forest that they loved so dearly.
Thranduil rose to greet his son and Arathia as they approached the stunning throne. Arathia could immediately see where Legolas received his magnificent features. Thranduil had the same golden hair as his son and blue eyes. But his seemed to pierce and there was a depth in them that made it seem there was no bottom. The years did not show themselves, but Thranduil's face was stern as one who has seen much sorrow and loss. The King was dressed in burnt orange robes and a crown of autumn leaves graced his high head. Unlike his son he was fearsome (but not frightening) to behold. The King of Mirkwood was truly a formidable Elf. But at the moment a smile graced his stern face.
"My Lord, may I present Lady Anorwing of Imladris," Legolas introduced Arathia.
"My Lord." Arathia said as she curtseyed deeply to the King.
Thranduil came to Arathia and took her hand. As Arathia rose she saw the King smiling at her. The smile did not seem to suit his face. Too much sorrow was in his eyes to do such a happy action. But a faint glimmer was in them as he looked upon Arathia and then back to Legolas. Did he guess their love?
"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Anorwing of Imladris. Tell me, how long have you dwelt in my kingdom?" Thranduil asked as he released Arathia's hand to return to his seat upon the throne.
"Just over a year My Lord," Arathia replied.
This type of questions by Thranduil and answers by Arathia continued for nearly an hour. Thranduil seemed to be evaluating Arathia. More than likely seeing if she was worthy of his son's love. Of this much Thranduil could see. Had he not also been young and fallen in love? But not once did he guess that Arathia was of the Secondborn. Finally the audience ended.
"It has been wonderful to speak with you Lady Anorwing. I am pleased in my son's... choice of lady friends." As he said this last part he looked at Legolas who in turn blushed and looked down. Thranduil continued. "I wish you many happy years in my realm. Namarie." With these words Thranduil came down from his throne and, to the surprise of Arathia and Legolas, took Arathia's hands and kissed her upon her right cheek like a father would.
"I hope to see you again soon Lady Anorwing of Mirkwood." With that Thranduil dismissed Arathia and his son.
When Legolas and Arathia were nearing Arathia's home they were brimming with delight.
"He didn't guess who I am!" Arathia exclaimed.
"And even better he likes you!" Legolas said with joy. "I'm so happy Arathia! Maybe there is a... a happy ending to our love." Those last words Legolas said in just barely a whisper.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it darling." Arathia gently squeezed Legolas' hand as he gave her a sad smile.
Arathia and Legolas had often thought of the dooms that separated them and how they would overcome it. Arathia did not want Legolas to give up his immortality and suffer her fate. But at the same time she could not dream of life without her love.
"I do not fear death my love. I only fear a life without you," Legolas replied.
The couple had come to Arathia's house. They paused just outside the threshold.
"I must leave you now A'maelamin. I will return before you miss me."
"I miss you each moment I am not with you." Arathia replied with a smile.
With that the lovers sank into a farewell kiss and then Legolas departed.
*Calawen = Maiden of light
**Firithlas = Autumn leaf
***Thalionsul = Strong wind
****A'maelamin = My beloved