Mirkwood was silent in the pre-dawn light, speckled grey in the fading light of the paper moon. I knew that shortly it would be bathed in the fiery red light of the rising sun, but until then all was still in the Elven kingdom that had been my home for the past couple of seasons.

My husband, Prince Legolas, was lying in our bed resting. Soon, we would be departing for the place of my birth, the mighty Minas Tirith of Gondor, where my father, King Elessar resided with my Elven mother and his Queen Arwen. I had not returned to Gondor since I married Legolas, and I feared my father's reaction. He had not approved of my relationship with Legolas, who was also Elven, as I was only a mere mortal, a child in the eyes of most elves. But Legolas…he was different. We fell in love quite quickly, and fought tooth and nail for our right to be together.

Legolas assured me that my father had given his blessing after our marriage. Sure enough, we received many a wedding gift from the White Tower, and many lands across Middle Earth. Mayor Samwise Gamgee, a hobbit friend of Legolas who had been among the nine wanderers in the Fellowship Of The Ring, sent many barrels of the finest ale and smoking leaf, which Legolas particularly enjoyed. My grandfather, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, sent us many old heirlooms of Elfish history, like old books of language and Numenorian Legends, and weapons that he knew I would take great joy in. But the finest gift was from Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien. She sent Legolas a finely crafted set of long knifes, and for me, a dress.

I had many dresses, but none like this. It looked like it had been sewn by the Lady of Light herself; so delicate was the embroidery upon the lacy bodice. It was adorned with patterns of flowers in bloom, and was of the palest white. The skirt was a long beaded one, flowing past my feet and trailing along the floor. I loved it dearly, and I would never forget the stunned look upon Legolas' handsome, youthful face when he saw me in it.

The sun rose slowly above the horizon, and I washed and dressed. Legolas dallied about, as was his custom most mornings. I went downstairs for breakfast, and sat at the long table beside King Thranduil, Legolas' father.

"Good morn my fair lady. I trust this day has found you well?" He smiled at me, and I touched his hand while smiling back.

"It has, my noble Lord."

"Pray tell child, are the arrangements made for your travel this day?"

"Yes, I believe they are, although I am not certain of the numbers leaving with Legolas and I." I replied thoughtfully.

"Twenty I do believe was the final number."

"As great an number as that my Lord? Why so?" I leaned forward to listen closely to his answer. It was indeed strange for such a large number to accompany royal travellers on such an occasion.

"My dear, has my son not informed you of the purpose for your return to Minas Tirith?"

"I believe it was to visit my father. Is this not so?"

"No, I'm afraid not. A band of orcs has been massing in the mountains. Your father believes as soon as they are ready, they will attack Gondor. It is his desire to hold a meeting in Minas Tirith of both men and elves to decide the best course of action to take. It may end in battle."

My stomach lurched, and I let my fork drop with a clatter. King Thranduil noticed my reaction, and touched my arm.

"My dear, it will not end that way. Your father will deal with this before it comes to such measures. Fear not for Legolas." He said softly, trying to soothe me. But he did not succeed.

"I do fear for him my Lord. I fear for him all the time." I murmured, and unable to eat, or continue the conversation, I excused myself and walked slowly outside into the warming morning air and the woods of Mirkwood.

Legolas seldom ate breakfast. Instead, he preferred to enjoy the morning in the forest of his home, which he loved dearly.

From a couple of yards off, he heard the delicate footsteps that he recognised as the steps of his wife and world, Vanwaithilien. But she was angry, and he could guess why.

She stopped beside him, and touched his arm softly. It was a sign of her affection, and although she was apparently displeased with him, she always showed him her love that she had fought so hard for. And he appreciated it every moment of every day.

"Why didn't you tell me Legolas?" She asked softly, tucking a strand of his blonde hair behind his pointed ear.

"I know I should have, but things were just so perfect. I didn't want to ruin it for you when it's already been so hard." He replied, not looking at her eyes in which he knew he would find her sadness.

"You could never ruin this. But you have to tell me these things Legolas." She smiled gently, and that one smile tore down the mask of her anger with him and was replaced by her undying affections.

"I will, I promise." He touched her cheek, still amazed by her beauty as he had been the first second he saw her.

"Come, we must prepare to leave." She turned to walk away, but he gently took her hand.

"Lets just stay here, for a little while?" He kissed her tenderly, and she responded to him.

"Just for a little while."

And they lay together in the soft moss of the forest floor, in each others arms safe and happy, calming themselves for the storm ahead.

For unknown to them, the orcs were multiplying faster than ever before. And they had their beady little eyes fixed on Gondor, the land they would soon be calling home.