Chapter Three
Legolas was wandering the halls early the next morning. He felt especially happy and peaceful this day. He passed a room with the door open slightly. From within, he heard voices and metal.
"Take that!" Celemirë said.
There was a whoosh, then the sound of two swords connecting. Eldarion gave a small cry. Something fell to the ground with a clang.
"Oh, Eldarion, are you alright?"
Legolas walked in to find Eldarion clutching his hand and wincing, moaning softly. Celemirë dropped her sword and ran to him, asking to see his hand. Eldarion lunged playfully at his sister. She stepped backwards, but did not notice Legolas behind her. The Elf Prince and Celemirë fell to the floor, with Celemirë landing on top. Their eyes locked.
"I apologize, Prince Legolas." Celemirë said, rising quickly.
Eldarion smirked. Celemirë put out her leg as he passed. She laughed as he went sprawling to the floor.
"Let that teach you not to meddle with an Elf!" she said.
Eldarion rose slowly, then embraced his sister.
"I will remember," he whispered as he walked out.
"Here, let me help you, Legolas." Celemirë said.
Legolas took hold of her hand. It was warm and soft. A tingling sensation coursed through his body.
"Thank you." he said, when he was on his feet.
"Glassen, Legolas." Celemirë told him.
She bent down and picked up the two swords she and her brother had used. Legolas recognized one of them.
"Narsil, or Anduril!" he said.
"Yes it is." Celemirë said. "Father gave it to me."
Legolas helped her place the swords in their sheaths. They were locked safely away.
"This is out family armory. Eldarion and I use it mostly. We practice with our swords here, and our knives." Celemirë said. "I also have a bow. Archery is my favorite form of fighting."
She took down an Elvish bow from the wall and handed it to Legolas. It was carved from ivory and had an intricate design made from mithril. Jewels flashed on the matching quiver.
"My uncles Elladan and Elrohir gifted it to me this summer when I turned seventeen. I love it very much." Celemirë said.
"It is very beautiful, Celemirë. I have not seen your uncles for some time." Legolas said. You are seventeen? How young you are!"
"Yes, more so when compared to you."
"Yet you have wisdom and knowledge beyond your years. You speak with wisdom and act wiser, such as any elf-maiden would do."
Celemirë blushed slightly. Then she said:
"I must thank you for the wonderful night we had yesterday. I enjoyed it very much."
Legolas looked at her.
"We will do it again, I promise." he told her softly.
Celemirë looked down at the floor. Legolas brought his hand under her chin and lifted her head. She shied away.
'She desires to be an Elf so much…Perhaps you can keep her company, Legolas.'
Eldarion's words came back to Legolas.
A trumpet sounded from outside. Legolas saw Celemirë look somewhat saddened.
"It is the lady Eldarion is courting, Siana. She has come with her parents. I believe they plan on becoming betrothed this day." Celemirë said. "It has come."
She went to a window and looked down. Eldarion was helping a brown-haired woman. King Elessar and Arwen were greeting Prince Imrahil and his wife. Legolas saw Celemirë bow her head slightly.
"Hiril nín, I have decided to stay and teach you Elvish, if you do not mind." Legolas said.
The Princess' head went up, and she turned to face Legolas. In her face, great joy was written.
"Why should I mind? My greatest dream will be fulfilled!" she cried. "I can not find words to express my feelings."
Celemirë went before Legolas. She looked at him briefly before kissing him softly on his cheek. Then she went to the door.
"Come now, let us go and greet Prince Imrahil and his family." she told Legolas.
Legolas found he was not able to speak or move. She had kissed him! He caressed his cheek lovingly.
"Let us go, then, Celemirë," he said.
He offered her his arm, which she took without hesitation. She directed him to the entrance hall, where they found King Elessar and Prince Imrahil, and their families.
"Greetings, Siana!" Celemirë said.
"Celemirë! How wonderful to see you once more! Who is the fair one who accompanies you? Your beau?" Siana exclaimed.
Celemirë blushed.
"Nay, he is not my beau, but Legolas Greenleaf, a dear friend of my sire. He is my Elvish mentor." Celemirë replied shyly.
Siana apologized.
Prince Imrahil's eyes lit up.
"Legolas, we meet again!" he said.
The Elf Prince smiled warmly and bowed to him.
King Elessar and Arwen led everyone to the dining hall. Celemirë and Legolas were together; the Elf Prince had offered her his arm again.
"Well, well!" a loud voice sneered.
It was Moddyn. He was standing next to the dining hall door, watching everyone pass. His dark eyes were narrowed in anger.
"Good morning, Moddyn." Legolas told him coolly.
Moddyn snorted.
"Good morning? How can my morning be well with you here?" he asked. "Curse you, you damned Elf!"
Celemirë looked angrily at her riding mentor.
"Moddyn, apologize!" she yelled at him, eyes flashing.
Her mentor laughed coldly, then went away.
"I apologize, Legolas. I fear he will do something." Celemirë said.
"You are not the one to apologize. If he attempts anything, I will show him who is truly damned." Legolas told her, controlling his anger.
Breakfast was peaceful. Celemirë and Siana talked about many things. Eldarion and Gimli noticed Legolas watching Celemirë.
"He is in love." Gimli grunted.
"Celemirë has never been happier since you came, Legolas." Eldarion said.
Legolas looked at Eldarion.
"I told her I would teach her Elvish," he said.
"That would make her very happy. She will be very grateful to you and will not know how to repay you." Eldarion told Legolas.
"Repayment I want not from her. Her happiness is all I desire." Legolas replied.
After breakfast, the two royal families moved into the sitting room Legolas and Gimli were in the previous day. Legolas went with them. He spoke with Gimli, for the Dwarf was leaving Minas Tirith.
"I must go back and prepare for the wedding for Lord Eomer's son." Gimli said. "There is much to do."
"I will send Prince Faramir a letter informing him that the King will arrive in a fortnight." Legolas said.
"You are not returning?" Gimli asked, with a small smile.
"I have decided to teach Celemirë Elvish."
Gimli's eyes twinkled.
"I will return, though." Legolas added quickly.
Soon afterwards, the Dwarf asked permission to leave. King Elessar and Prince Imrahil sent their well wishes to Eomer with Gimli.
"Until we meet again, my friends!" Gimli cried as he departed.
Preparations for the betrothal ceremony for Eldarion and Siana began as soon as the Dwarf left. Siana, her mother, and Queen Arwen disappeared. Celemirë silently watched them as they left the room.
"Are you going to join them?" Legolas asked her.
"Not yet." she answered.
Prince Imrahil and King Elessar began speaking with Eldarion. Legolas and Celemirë felt that they should leave.
"What do you want to do?" Celemirë asked Legolas when she had closed the door of the sitting room behind her.
"I wish to ride." Legolas said.
Half an hour later, the Elf Prince and Celemirë were racing across the Pelennor Fields. Celemirë proved to be an excellent rider.
"You ride well." Legolas told her.
"Due to Moddyn, the only thing I thank him for," she replied.
They rested under a tree. Celemirë lay down on the ground and closed her eyes, basking in the sunlight.
"You are beautiful." Legolas told her.
Celemirë's eyes fluttered open. Legolas was sitting beside her. She watched him place his hands on either side of her. She became tense.
"Sly Elf," she whispered, and slid out from underneath his arms.
Legolas placed his hands on her shoulders. He smiled down at her as he leaned forward.
"Sly?" he said, ever so softly.
"Yes, sly." Celemirë replied.
She saw Legolas' face come closer. Then, without warning, he placed his mouth on top of hers. His tongue slipped onto her lips, trying to force them open. Celemirë was not sure what to do. A fiery sensation coursed through her body, something she had never felt before. She moaned softly, unsure of whether to give in to her desire. Legolas slipped his arms under her, around her waist. At last, she parted her lips.
Legolas' tongue found hers, and Celemirë's eyes widened. Her taste was like sweet fire to Legolas. He delved in the sweet recesses of her mouth. She moaned softly again.
"Legolas…" Celemirë whispered when they finished.
She ran her hands over his chest. A lust for him welled up inside her, but she controlled it. Her hands found his face, and she traced it carefully with her fingertips, memorizing each detail. She gently nipped his pointed elvish ears.
Legolas laid her on the ground. She looked up at him with her gray eyes. He ran his hand over her face, her stomach, and down onto her thighs. He traced her soft feminine curves with his hands. Celemirë's back arched, and she let out a slight gasp.
Once more, Celemirë found Legolas' blue elvish eyes upon her. He was watching her chest at each breath. He desired to make love with her.
"Legolas, I must go. My turn has come to prepare for the betrothal ceremony." Celemirë said, rising from the ground.
"Prepare? You are already beautiful." Legolas whispered, urging her to lie down again.
Celemirë smiled.
"I must go." she told him. "They will look for me if I do not go now."
They rose together to their feet. They mounted their horses and rode back to Minas Tirith. Once inside the Citadel, Celemirë rushed away. Legolas went to his room and prepared himself.
Two hours later, a great horn was blown. The Citadel was emptied. All of the people of Minas Tirith were headed to the Gardens of the Houses of Healing. The betrothal ceremony was to be held there.
Legolas walked with Eldarion and King Elessar. His heart was light, and a smile was upon his lips. All who saw him marveled at his fair face and the light that shown clearly from it. Legolas searched for Princess Celemirë.
He found her at last, standing by the White Tree. She was donned in a silver mantle, and in her hair were silver jewels. A small tiara was upon her head.
"Celemirë…her name means silver jewel. How very fitting her name is." Legolas thought to himself.
He went swiftly towards her and placed his arm around her waist, planting a kiss on her neck. Celemirë laid her head on his shoulder.
"Meleth nín," she whispered.
Legolas smiled.
"You have said my love in Elvish!" he told her.
"I know."
They sat together during the ceremony. Celemirë wept silently when Eldarion and Siana were betrothed. Legolas held her close.
A great feast was held after the ceremony ended. Celemirë and Legolas congratulated Siana and Eldarion. Gifts were brought to Siana. Celemirë gave her a silver bracelet encrusted with diamonds.
Minstrels played soft music. Eldarion and Siana danced first, as their parents watched them with fierce pride. Then, King Elessar and Queen Arwen joined them, followed shortly by prince Imrahil and his wife, Therassa. Everyone else looked on.
"Do you care to dance?" Legolas asked Celemirë.
She was about to reply when Moddyn appeared suddenly from between the crowd. He grabbed her hand and dragged her away from Legolas. Celemirë struggled with all her might, but Moddyn held her fast.
"What do you think you are doing?"
King Elessar had seen what had happened.
"Dancing with her, my lord." Moddyn replied.
"Interesting way of dancing." Aragorn told him coldly.
Celemirë rushed back to Legolas. The Elf Prince took her gently into his arms and danced with her. Celemirë kept her gaze lowered.
Night came. Legolas and Celemirë were alone in the Gardens. The Princess laid her head on Legolas' chest.
"Celemirë, I have a gift for you." Legolas said softly.
He held out a necklace of fine mithril. Celemirë took it with shaking hands. She found no words as she looked up at Legolas.
"It is extremely beautiful, Legolas." she whispered.
"Gerich veleth nín, Celemirë." Legolas told her. "You have my love."
Sindarin Translations-
Glassen: my pleasure (equivalent to you're welcome)