Legolas sat in his room, alone. "Take it to Galadriel." He mumbled. Why couldn't he have thought of that. But then, to turn up at the lady's door and ask her to repair the bow she had in-trusted into his keeping?! He sighed and moved from the bed where he sat to stand by his bedroom window. Staring out at the court yard he saw something move in the darkness. "Got her!" He mumbled and sped from his room and out of the castle.
Valia had been to see her favourite horse at the stables. She was on her way back to the bushes, via the court yard, when she felt strong arms wrap around her. She shrieked as they lifted her and whilst struggling to free herself, attempted to reach for her dagger, but her arms were pinned tightly to her sides. She was roughly thrown aside and her head came in hard contact with the cobble stone flooring. Dazed, she sat up and opened her eyes. Prince Legolas loomed over her. "Hello." He hissed. "Revenge isn't something only you can perform." She didn't know what to do. Move was a bad idea as he had a sword now, and talking probably wasn't wise either, so she remained silent and still.
Legolas stared down at the girl, she seemed helpless now, not dangerous as he had first thought. He could see now that her eyes were green and that she indeed was wearing skin clothes. "You're a wild elf. Do you speak the tongue of man?" he asked. She seemed to become angered at this comment. "Of course I do." She hissed. He crouched down so that he was eye level with her. "And why did you ruin my bow?" He also asked. "I told you how to fix it didn't I?" She stated. "That's another question. If you ruined it for revenge, then why did you see fit to tell me how to fix it?" He stared her straight in the eye.
Valia stared back at the Prince. "I don't... I don't know." She stuttered. The prince stood once more. "If I ever catch you in my quarters again there will be serious repercussions." And without knowing why, he set her free.
The next day passed with ease and by the afternoon Valia and Mae had managed to gather about 40 females to learn to sword fight. She had also found Fáin Lightning-Slinger, who was willing to be their teacher. "Now," Fáin said walking back and forth in front of the females. "I happen to be one of the best swords men in the land. So I have crafted you all the best swords. They lye in front of you. By the time I'm through with these 2 months you shall all be able to fight to the best of your ability. Everyone is different."
Mae, who was wearing one of her brothers old battle suits tailored to look feminine and fit her, noticed that during the groups' first lesson, Valia picked it all up very easily. After the lesson was over she approached Valia. "You are a sword fighter." She stated. Valia turned to face her. "And you are an archer. I'll keep your secret if you keep mine." She smiled and headed off towards the bush. "Wait!" Mae called. Valia stopped and turned once more. "Why don't you join us for dinner tonight. You can stay over at the palace if you wish too." "Wearing this!" Valia laughed. "I don't think so." She turned to leave but Mae held her back. "You can wear one of my dresses. You can use my shower and I will do your hair and makeup. You shall look like a different person." The Princess demanded. Valia stared at the Princess for a moment thinking of Legolas and his command. "Alright then." She sighed. Mae smiled at her success. ''Ok, I'm showered." Valia called from Mae's bathroom. "Ok, put this dress on when you're dry." Mae handed Valia a red velvet dress with black frilly trimmings through a crack in the door. "Oh my god it's heavy." Valia called a moment later. "Yea, don't worry, you'll get used to that." The door to the bathroom opened and Valia stepped out. Mae smiled at her handy work. "It looks perfect." "I feel like a Christmas tree ornament." Valia mumbled. "And I can't see my toes." She said looking down at the floor. "Oh here." Mae handed her a pair of black high heels. "Much better." Mae muttered to herself. "Now sit here and I'll do your hair and face." Mae pushed Valia into a chair in front of a large mirror.
"I hear the Princess has a guest tonight." Gimli addressed Legolas, who was in much higher spirits due to the fact that he had learnt his bow could be mended. "Yes, her name is Valia, I have not met her yet." The group was making their way to the dining hall. When they entered Legolas' father was already present. Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn took their seats. "Now remember what I told you?" Mae asked Valia as they paused at the door to the dining hall. "Yea, yea. Don't talk to your father unless addressed. Call everyone by their titles and not their names. Sit up straight, act polite and eat in small bites." Valia sighed. "Ok, here goes nothing then." Mae pushed the door open.
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas stood so as a sign of respect and to welcome the Princess into the room. She was with a tall dark haired female elf. She wore a flowing red velvet dress and her hair was done up in a bun on the top of her head. The faintest signs of makeup were on her face. "YOU!" Legolas yelled. Mae turned to her brother. "Legolas, be polite!" She cursed him. "Son, do you know this girl?" The King asked. Legolas stared hard at Valia and she stared back, neither of them blinking. "No, I thought she was someone else. I'm sorry Mae." Legolas took his seat and so did the rest of the guests.
During the meal the King addressed Valia. "So, Valia, I hear you were the brains behind letting females fight." Valia finished her small bite, very glad at that moment that it was not a large one. "Well, I just took the first step, I'm sure some females have always had the desire to fight." She smiled at the King. "Yes, you're not wrong there." He laughed. Mae glanced around the table. "Where is Lord Éomer?" She asked. "Obviously not here." Legolas snapped. The King turned to his daughter. "He wished not to be present. Didn't say why, looked quite down actually." Mae glanced at Valia who was already looking at her. She coughed lightly and the two returned to eating their food.
After dinner, Mae took Valia to one of the spare rooms. "There is a change of clothes for the next day, and night gear. See you in the morning." She smiled and left Valia.
Valia shut the door behind her and looked around the room. She had always dreamed of living like this, but now that she was here, it all felt to fake.
Mae knocked lightly on Éomer's door. "Enter." He spoke from within. She eased the door open slowly and stepped in. "Princess!" he said in a shocked voice. "Um, hello." He stood. "I missed you at dinner and I think we need to talk." Mae said taking a seat beside him on his bed. "I, am an elf Princess, and you, are a mortal Lord. Can you not see why that would not work?" She stared Éomer in the eyes. "No, and yet yes." He said sadly, stroking her face with his thumb. "I only asked for one night though, didn't I?" He whispered. "One night…" Mae trailed off. "One night." He leant in closer to her and brushed his lips on hers in the barest whisper of a kiss. Mae swallowed a lump which had gathered in her throat. Why did this mortal make her feel this way?! She was an elven Princess, she was destined to marry an elven lord! By the time she had finished her war of thoughts, Éomer had fully unbuttoned her night shirt and was slipping it off of her shoulders. It seemed, that he was in a trance, hypnotised by her neat and thin physique. "Wait.." She whispered, when she had managed to find her voice. "One night." He repeated as he lowered her down onto the soft sheets, kissing her passionately. One night, her mind and body agreed.