AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey everyone! I know the first few chapters are not much in the way of suspense/romance/action, but it will get to that soon, I promise. I'm only building up the characters before they start getting into trouble. I would also like to say that although I am a BIG Legolas fan, I am not an expert on the customs of the Mirkwood elves. Tolkein does not really say much about them, so a lot of this stuff is of my own making. If you cannot accept a few discrepancies between LOTR and this fanfic, then maybe this is not exactly your cup of tea. In later chapters, I will have to invent some elves and establish some relations that never existed. Well, I guess that's all for now, so read and review and enjoy!
The Arrival:
As Kika and Legolas grew closer to his dwelling, a disturbing and embarrassing thought came to Kika. "Legolas? I was wondering if you know of a nearby spring or creek where I could bathe before we arrive. I must look like a wretch with my dirt-streaked face and tattered traveling clothes". Legolas smiled.
"I can do even better; I will have one of the servants heat you some water when we reach my home. The waters are likely frozen solid in this weather, and if they are not, you would be by the time you finished bathing! I would have to pull you out and defrost you!" Kika laughed at this.
"Yes, I suppose so. Thank you. I have been on my own for so long, I believe I have quite forgotten how to live in civilization!"
"While your water is being heated, I have a friend I would like you to meet." Kika laughed nervously.
"While I look like this? I have no other clothing to change into, but I could at least wash-" She was cut off by Legolas's laughter.
"I do not think any amount of dirt could daunt this particular friend! And do not worry about clothing, I will make sure that that is taken care of". This puzzled Kika, but she said nothing. Off in the distance, she was just able to see the backside of what appeared to be a simple house. As they drew nearer, however, she was able to see it and some other houses better, and saw that while they blended in to their woody surroundings, they were all also very graceful and beautiful. Some were close to the ground, while others seemed to rise into the treetops. On every home, there was what seemed like an outdoor room, similar to the flets of Lorien, only they were smaller. There was a kind of dark, mysterious beauty to this place. The sunlight streamed through the treetops, breaking the shadows in ornate patterns that splayed against the picturesque scene. Vines snaked up most of the homes, making them look as if they belonged there as much as the trees. As they grew closer, they began to meet other elves. Kika kept her face down, unwilling that anyone should see her in her rather unkempt state. Even with her face the ground, she noticed how the elves revered and respected their prince.
"Good to see you, Prince Legolas".
"Afternoon, Prince".
" 'Tis a nice day, is it not, Prince Legolas?"
" Legolas! You are late, lad! Ye were supposed to meet me." the voice continued ranting and raving as Kika searched for the owner. Who would speak to their prince in this manner? She spied the lecturer marching towards them. Legolas was laughing.
"Gimli, Gimli! Calm yourself! Yes, I am late, but I have good reason. This is Kikania, an.. old friend of mine from Lothlorien. She is visiting, and I met her in the woods. I was unaware that she was coming, or I would have told you sooner. This is Kikania, Kikania, this is my good friend Gimli" Kika said nothing about the 'old friend' statement, for she caught a sideways glance from Legolas. While they were speaking, Kika studied Legolas's strange friend. He was a dwarf, naturally short of stature and robust. It seemed strange to her that a dwarf would befriend an elf, much less live among them, but she said nothing.
"Ah, I see. A pleasure to meet you, milady", said the dwarf as he bowed low. "Now, enough of formalities. Forgive me, lass, but I am not as proper as ye elves tend to be. Legolas here was quite standoffish when I met him, but I tend to be more open." Kika smiled. She already liked this strange character.
"I am glad, sir, for I, too, sometimes appreciate disregarding formalities. Since we agree on that, there is no need for you to tire yourself with my tiresome name; you may call me Kika." The dwarf smiled his agreement.
"Now that you two are acquainted, neither Kika or I have had luncheon, so if you would excuse us, Gimli?" Gimli nodded and Legolas guided Kika past him.
"He was very friendly", said Kika. Legolas smiled.
"I am glad you like him; some elves are not quite as accepting of his race". They continued walking and soon approached the home that by far surpassed all the others in beauty and size. Kika was more than slightly intimidated by the manor's grandiose and splendor. Two guards stood at the double doors, and opened them as they approached. They eyed Kika suspiciously, but said nothing as she was accompanied by the prince.
When they entered, to their left was a downward staircase, and an upward staircase was to their right. Directly in front of them was a hallway that split several ways. Legolas led her straight down the hallway, and then turned right. They approached another hallway that turned right and Legolas stopped. "You may wait here, if you wish. I will make sure your room is made ready and your bathwater heated." Kika nodded and waited in the hall as Legolas turned down the hallway. While she waited, she had a chance to examine her surroundings. The halls were lighted with candles that were placed on the walls in elaborate silver candleholders. The walls were a rich green, and the floors a polished wood that was mostly covered by thick rugs. As she was looking, a stern looking guard rounded the corner.
"Maid! What are you doing standing in the hallway? Do you have nothing better to do, for if that is so, I am sure your supervisor could find you something quite easily. Go find some work." Kika was so startled she was speechless for a moment.
" But I am not-" she began, before being cut off by the rude guard.
"Do you dare dispute what you have been told? I am a guard, your superior, and I believe that is insubordination!"
"Do you dare speak to a guest of mine in such a manner?", said a cool, calm voice behind Kika, She turned to see that Legolas had returned. " I am the prince, your superior, and I believe you should be at your post. If you have none, I am sure that I, as your supervisor, could find you one." The guard's face seemed drained of all blood the instant he realized who was reprimanding him. He fumbled for words before bowing low, then snapping to attention.
"I apologize, Your Highness! I mistook your guest for someone else, and I..ahh..am returning to my station immediately."
"See that you do", replied Legolas. The guard hurried around the corner. Kika's eyes studied the floor, for she was embarrassed to have caused trouble.
"I am sorry", she said. "I appear to be causing more trouble than I am worth!"
"Nonsense!", replied Legolas. "You have been of no trouble. That guard is a troublesome one, anyway. He deserved to be frightened". He chuckled. "I know this sounds positively heinous, but when it comes to situations like that and elves like him, being prince has its advantages." Kika grinned.
"Yes, I can see how that could be true."
"Oh, about what I said to Gimli earlier, about us being old friends, I said that because it would save a lot of explanations, to him and everyone else." Kika nodded.
"Yes, I suppose explaining that you found me in the woods and brought me here would be quite difficult."
"Besides, I feel like I have known you for a long time anyway," said Legolas. Kika, not knowing what to say to this, was silent. Although she did not say so, she, too, felt this way. Legolas was easy to talk with, and she felt more at ease with him than she had felt with any elf in a long time. He led her back down the hallway and up the stairs, where he turned right, then left. After passing two short hallways, he turned right on the third one. It was not really a hall, being as how it had only two doors, directly across from one another. He opened the door on the right and waited for her to pass through.
"This is your room. Is it suitable?" Kika was still taking in the elegant room she was standing in. It was huge, by her standards. It had a door on the other side of the room that opened to a balcony, and her own bathing room with a bathtub on silver legs, and a washbasin. Large windows graced two walls of the room and sunlight spilled in, lighting the large bed and mahogany vanity and wardrobe.
"Yes, it is beautiful!" Legolas smiled at her obvious delight.
"I am glad you are pleased with it", he said. "Your bath should be drawn already, and a maid should arrive with some clean clothes soon. He gestured to a door she had not noticed. "This door leads to my room; Also the door across the hall. I am afraid the latch is broken on this door, but the one leading out into the hallway is fine. Do not worry, I will not barge in on you", he said, grinning.
"I have been living in the wild for the past thirty years; I am sure a broken latch is not a problem", Kika replied, laughing. Legolas nodded and entered his own room. As he closed the door behind him, Kika took one more look around the impressive room before heading for the bathtub.
Hey everyone! I know the first few chapters are not much in the way of suspense/romance/action, but it will get to that soon, I promise. I'm only building up the characters before they start getting into trouble. I would also like to say that although I am a BIG Legolas fan, I am not an expert on the customs of the Mirkwood elves. Tolkein does not really say much about them, so a lot of this stuff is of my own making. If you cannot accept a few discrepancies between LOTR and this fanfic, then maybe this is not exactly your cup of tea. In later chapters, I will have to invent some elves and establish some relations that never existed. Well, I guess that's all for now, so read and review and enjoy!
The Arrival:
As Kika and Legolas grew closer to his dwelling, a disturbing and embarrassing thought came to Kika. "Legolas? I was wondering if you know of a nearby spring or creek where I could bathe before we arrive. I must look like a wretch with my dirt-streaked face and tattered traveling clothes". Legolas smiled.
"I can do even better; I will have one of the servants heat you some water when we reach my home. The waters are likely frozen solid in this weather, and if they are not, you would be by the time you finished bathing! I would have to pull you out and defrost you!" Kika laughed at this.
"Yes, I suppose so. Thank you. I have been on my own for so long, I believe I have quite forgotten how to live in civilization!"
"While your water is being heated, I have a friend I would like you to meet." Kika laughed nervously.
"While I look like this? I have no other clothing to change into, but I could at least wash-" She was cut off by Legolas's laughter.
"I do not think any amount of dirt could daunt this particular friend! And do not worry about clothing, I will make sure that that is taken care of". This puzzled Kika, but she said nothing. Off in the distance, she was just able to see the backside of what appeared to be a simple house. As they drew nearer, however, she was able to see it and some other houses better, and saw that while they blended in to their woody surroundings, they were all also very graceful and beautiful. Some were close to the ground, while others seemed to rise into the treetops. On every home, there was what seemed like an outdoor room, similar to the flets of Lorien, only they were smaller. There was a kind of dark, mysterious beauty to this place. The sunlight streamed through the treetops, breaking the shadows in ornate patterns that splayed against the picturesque scene. Vines snaked up most of the homes, making them look as if they belonged there as much as the trees. As they grew closer, they began to meet other elves. Kika kept her face down, unwilling that anyone should see her in her rather unkempt state. Even with her face the ground, she noticed how the elves revered and respected their prince.
"Good to see you, Prince Legolas".
"Afternoon, Prince".
" 'Tis a nice day, is it not, Prince Legolas?"
" Legolas! You are late, lad! Ye were supposed to meet me." the voice continued ranting and raving as Kika searched for the owner. Who would speak to their prince in this manner? She spied the lecturer marching towards them. Legolas was laughing.
"Gimli, Gimli! Calm yourself! Yes, I am late, but I have good reason. This is Kikania, an.. old friend of mine from Lothlorien. She is visiting, and I met her in the woods. I was unaware that she was coming, or I would have told you sooner. This is Kikania, Kikania, this is my good friend Gimli" Kika said nothing about the 'old friend' statement, for she caught a sideways glance from Legolas. While they were speaking, Kika studied Legolas's strange friend. He was a dwarf, naturally short of stature and robust. It seemed strange to her that a dwarf would befriend an elf, much less live among them, but she said nothing.
"Ah, I see. A pleasure to meet you, milady", said the dwarf as he bowed low. "Now, enough of formalities. Forgive me, lass, but I am not as proper as ye elves tend to be. Legolas here was quite standoffish when I met him, but I tend to be more open." Kika smiled. She already liked this strange character.
"I am glad, sir, for I, too, sometimes appreciate disregarding formalities. Since we agree on that, there is no need for you to tire yourself with my tiresome name; you may call me Kika." The dwarf smiled his agreement.
"Now that you two are acquainted, neither Kika or I have had luncheon, so if you would excuse us, Gimli?" Gimli nodded and Legolas guided Kika past him.
"He was very friendly", said Kika. Legolas smiled.
"I am glad you like him; some elves are not quite as accepting of his race". They continued walking and soon approached the home that by far surpassed all the others in beauty and size. Kika was more than slightly intimidated by the manor's grandiose and splendor. Two guards stood at the double doors, and opened them as they approached. They eyed Kika suspiciously, but said nothing as she was accompanied by the prince.
When they entered, to their left was a downward staircase, and an upward staircase was to their right. Directly in front of them was a hallway that split several ways. Legolas led her straight down the hallway, and then turned right. They approached another hallway that turned right and Legolas stopped. "You may wait here, if you wish. I will make sure your room is made ready and your bathwater heated." Kika nodded and waited in the hall as Legolas turned down the hallway. While she waited, she had a chance to examine her surroundings. The halls were lighted with candles that were placed on the walls in elaborate silver candleholders. The walls were a rich green, and the floors a polished wood that was mostly covered by thick rugs. As she was looking, a stern looking guard rounded the corner.
"Maid! What are you doing standing in the hallway? Do you have nothing better to do, for if that is so, I am sure your supervisor could find you something quite easily. Go find some work." Kika was so startled she was speechless for a moment.
" But I am not-" she began, before being cut off by the rude guard.
"Do you dare dispute what you have been told? I am a guard, your superior, and I believe that is insubordination!"
"Do you dare speak to a guest of mine in such a manner?", said a cool, calm voice behind Kika, She turned to see that Legolas had returned. " I am the prince, your superior, and I believe you should be at your post. If you have none, I am sure that I, as your supervisor, could find you one." The guard's face seemed drained of all blood the instant he realized who was reprimanding him. He fumbled for words before bowing low, then snapping to attention.
"I apologize, Your Highness! I mistook your guest for someone else, and I..ahh..am returning to my station immediately."
"See that you do", replied Legolas. The guard hurried around the corner. Kika's eyes studied the floor, for she was embarrassed to have caused trouble.
"I am sorry", she said. "I appear to be causing more trouble than I am worth!"
"Nonsense!", replied Legolas. "You have been of no trouble. That guard is a troublesome one, anyway. He deserved to be frightened". He chuckled. "I know this sounds positively heinous, but when it comes to situations like that and elves like him, being prince has its advantages." Kika grinned.
"Yes, I can see how that could be true."
"Oh, about what I said to Gimli earlier, about us being old friends, I said that because it would save a lot of explanations, to him and everyone else." Kika nodded.
"Yes, I suppose explaining that you found me in the woods and brought me here would be quite difficult."
"Besides, I feel like I have known you for a long time anyway," said Legolas. Kika, not knowing what to say to this, was silent. Although she did not say so, she, too, felt this way. Legolas was easy to talk with, and she felt more at ease with him than she had felt with any elf in a long time. He led her back down the hallway and up the stairs, where he turned right, then left. After passing two short hallways, he turned right on the third one. It was not really a hall, being as how it had only two doors, directly across from one another. He opened the door on the right and waited for her to pass through.
"This is your room. Is it suitable?" Kika was still taking in the elegant room she was standing in. It was huge, by her standards. It had a door on the other side of the room that opened to a balcony, and her own bathing room with a bathtub on silver legs, and a washbasin. Large windows graced two walls of the room and sunlight spilled in, lighting the large bed and mahogany vanity and wardrobe.
"Yes, it is beautiful!" Legolas smiled at her obvious delight.
"I am glad you are pleased with it", he said. "Your bath should be drawn already, and a maid should arrive with some clean clothes soon. He gestured to a door she had not noticed. "This door leads to my room; Also the door across the hall. I am afraid the latch is broken on this door, but the one leading out into the hallway is fine. Do not worry, I will not barge in on you", he said, grinning.
"I have been living in the wild for the past thirty years; I am sure a broken latch is not a problem", Kika replied, laughing. Legolas nodded and entered his own room. As he closed the door behind him, Kika took one more look around the impressive room before heading for the bathtub.
