The sun was high in the sky, but in the depths of the forest of Mirkwood, the sun had forsaken the ground. Darkness reigned supreme here, remnants of an age and oppressor long removed to darker realms. I drew my cloak tighter around my body, taking heed to stay on the path. Stray not from the path, they had said, or you'll be prey for the Mirkwood spiders. Giant, fell beasts as large as carthorses that would eat an unsuspecting human like myself for dinner. I could just see the stands of mammoth spider webs glistening with dew in the half-light form the ivory path.

Bones littered the forest floor, a gruesome reminder of the danger of straying from a path that disappeared the moment you stepped off it. The trees were so close here, forming a barrier between those wary few who would wander in Mirkwood, and the spiders.

The air here was close, and cold. An eerie wind whistled through the trees, and a few leaves blew across my feet, causing me to start at the sensation. I drew in a breath, calming myself. The air smelled of pine needles, and rain, the ground still damp with the previous night's downpour. I froze at the sound of rustling leaves, and whispered Sindarin. That meant one thing- I had found who I was looking for: The elves of Mirkwood. But it would appear that they had found me.

Several bodies dropped from the trees, lithe and sinewy. Cloaks pulled around their faces, all held bows, nocked at my head. Their leader stepped forward, putting down his bow and opting for his knife, pointing it at my throat.

"What business brings you to Mirkwood, stranger? Why do you trespass upon these lands?" I recognized the voice- my brother's. Why hadn't he recognized me, his playmate for so many years?

" I come from Lórien, and as you would do well to remember, brother, I am a daughter of the king, so sheath your knife." The elf was taken aback. Sheathing the blade, he pulled back his hood. Peering into my face, he stared in astonishment.

"Gabrielin?" He finally asked.

"Legolas." I evenly replied.

" You are home so soon. I had feared you for dead. Father would not tell me where you had gone until I could not follow."

" He wanted me to be made marriageable material. But the Lady gave up after two years. Even she does not have the patience to work with me for that long. But she was a little satisfied with my progress, so bade me go home. Legolas, may we get home soon? The forest is not a place to linger. I have tidings I must share with Father." My older brother had forgotten we were in the middle of Mirkwood, not at the Great Palace. He took my hand, clasping my slender fingers in his larger, calloused ones. The other members of the guard took their leave of Legolas, going back up into the trees from which they kept watch.

My brother guided me down paths I had not seen in what seemed like eternities. I could just see the white towers of the Great Palace as we neared the gates to the city. The elves at the gate bowed respectfully to Legolas and I, the son and daughter of their king. We walked up the hills and through the untainted trees to the palace. Another set of gates opened before us, and we were let in without question.

I clung to my older brother's hand as we entered the throne room. Would my father be the same, stern man I remembered, cold, calculating, commanding? I bowed, and waited.

"Is this my daughter I see before me?" His voice boomed out from the throne at the center of the hall. "Is this Gabrielin? Surely not, for my daughter would have leaves in her hair and clothes coved in mud. No, this is a grand lady, to be dressed in such finery. Rise, so that I may see what my kinswoman has done." I got to my feet, looking into my father's ageless face. His eyes were still that green, the color of a new leaf, and his long hair the color of soft fire. I bowed my head. It pained me to look at him for too long. His eyes were boring into me, just like they always did, ready to fathom any wrongdoing out of my brother and I.

"Cousin Celeborn sends his greetings, as do Galadriel and Haldir." My voice was merely a whisper.

" I have no time for greetings, daughter. When I sent you to Lórien, I sent away a girl elf and they gave me back a woman. It is good to see my daughter attired thus, in gown and mantle, and not your brother's clothes." His voice boomed, and I blushed at the thought. My kinswoman had wrung my old habits out of me, and now they seemed childlike.

" But you are weary. I see it in your eyes, and in your face. I will let you rest, and you and your brother can talk before dinner." I bowed, and let myself out of the great hall, Legolas in close pursuit.

" So, what has my brother been up to?" I asked when he caught up to me. " Patrolling the Outer Rim. Very boring. Though I can't say that much for Girion. He's having the time of his life." I scowled at the sound of my younger brother's name.

"What has he done now?"

"It is not now, but every night, carousing till dawn, and in the day makes shameful advances on our people. His behavior is more like to a man than an elf."

"You do not speak of the lord Estel?" Legolas looked shocked.

" We must remember to call him Aragorn now. He is by rights the Heir to the throne of Gondor, and should be called by his proper name. And I would not presume to speak of the blood of Númenor in such a manner. I meant common men, those not of noble blood. But the lord Aragorn, did you see him?"

"I was in Lórien, not Rivendell. I did see, and spend much time with the Lady Arwen."

"Is she still raven haired and beautiful, sister of mine?" I laughed.

"There is a woman you love more than I, your sister? You swore you'd never marry unless I was already thus attired with the cloth of matrimony." I was playing with him. He laughed. " Yes, and now has a new name, so shines her beauty. Undómiel."

"The Evenstar? It is fitting. And tell me, what have you thought of Haldir's suit?" I had forgotten the march warden of Lórien was seeking to marry me. "I refused to see him."

"Why? Father wishes you to marry. Why not to a man of your choosing, one who would not make you hang up your bow?"

"Father wants grandchildren. Why do you not take a wife?" Legolas thought about this for a moment.

" I have not found the right woman. Besides, many elves here have no use for another son of Thranduil in their beds."

" Why does not Girion take a wife?" I asked exasperatedly, knowing the answer full well.

" He cannot abide a woman for that long. As soon as her belly swells, she has reached her full purpose in Girion's eyes." My brother scowled at the thought.

"Girion thinks himself a stud horse? Let him sleep in the stables with the other stallions, then." My brother laughed.

"But what of a husband for you? Why do you not marry? Any elf in Mirkwood, or Lorien, for that matter, would give up Valinor for you."

"You jest, surely."

"I do not! After our illustrious kinswomen Galadriel, and Arwen, I have heard many say that my sister is the most beautiful creature in Middle Earth."

"You lie! Who says these things?"

" Lôrmir, and Arafaroth." Girion's friends. No small wonder. "I want to be loved, not just be a hunting partner, or bearer of children. I will not give up my freedom until I find a man that is truly worth giving it up for."

"Like the Lord Aragorn?"

"I could no sooner marry him than ask the stars to fall from the sky. He is Lord Elrond's foster son, but he is no Elf. Besides, Galadriel sees greater things for him than the daughter of the king of Mirkwood. And more than that, any fool can see he loves the Lady Arwen, who, as you yourself said, is much more beautiful than me."

" What of his newest conquest? After wresting the Lady from her father, of course."

" He rides to Rohan. To seek service with their king, Thengel. He will come this way in several days. I think 'tis to keep his mind and heart from milady Arwen."

"Elrond forces him to go?"

" No, but Aragorn is a man of honor, and I think he feels he must go." My maidservant entered the room with a sharp knock on the doorframe.

"Milady Gabrielin, 'tis time for the feast. And you are not dressed! Milord Legolas." She bowed as my brother got up, kissed my cheek and left.

" We must get you ready! The word at the kitchens is, milord King expects an important guest." I sighed.

" Not another marriage proposal! I tire of being shown off like a piece of livestock. I have been home nigh on an hour and already I have become property again. Something plain, please. I do not wish to inspire more proposals."

After a fight with my chamber maid over what I would wear, I appeared in the Hall of Feasting just in time for the first course. I had chosen or rather, my maid had, to wear a light, pastel blue dress with a consistency like film. I didn't like it one bit. Sitting down next to my father, he grasped my hand in a fatherly way, as if to reassure me.

" You will steal many hearts tonight, Gabrielin. Only hope that I may chose the right elf to keep yours." I kept my face calm, and unbiased. A lady must always obey her father.

" Who is our guest tonight? I have heard 'twill be someone of importance."

"I won't spoil the surprise, though he is known to you. Attend; there is our lordship now." I watched with growing dread at whom this man might be. But when he approached the head of the hall, I could see clearly whom it was my father had been so keen to see.

Lord Elrond, together with his two sons and foster son, Aragorn, bowed to my father.

"King Thranduil."

" Lord Elrond. Mae govannon, kinsmen."

"Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo, Thranduil. And Gabrielin! You have changed much for the better!" I could remember the last time I had seen Lord Elrond, and it had not been pretty. I had been out hunting with Legolas, and was covered in mud, not to mention wearing men's clothes. Elrond and my father had not been pleased. As it was, they were discussing a possible marriage, between Elladan and me, as I rightly recall, and Elrond dropped the subject politely at the slightest hint I wasn't as lady like as my father told him I was. I blushed at the thought, and downcast my eyes.

" I thank you for your kind words, lord Elrond."

Elrond took the place of honor next to Legolas on Thranduil's right, and Aragorn sat down next to me. He was still very young, in the eyes of the elves, but I could see his heart had many burdens. His face brightened from the solemn look he had set there when I smiled at him.

" I don't bite, you know, Aragorn. You may sit down, if you wish." He pulled in his chair.

" So, how go things in Rivendell?" My father was asking Elrond. I turned to my dinner companion as the first course was brought in- wood boar, a Mirkwood specialty.

" You leave for Rohan soon?"

" Yes, in a fortnight. I hear your father seeks to wed you off?"

"Surely you do not wish to put in a plea for me yourself?" I said this laughingly.

"Good heavens, no! You are more like to a sister than a wife."

" Good. Besides, your heart is already given to another." Aragorn's face fell at the mention of Lord Elrond's daughter.

"Elrond would have me marry you instead. I love you, Gabrielin, but my love is like that of a brother."

" As is mine to that of a sister. We have been friends in childhood, and I know you very well, Aragorn. But I could not take what rightfully belongs to my kinswoman." We sat for several moments in silence. Finally he spoke.

" The gown becomes you well." I panicked.

"Do not let father hear you say that! Else he shall want us to be alone for the rest of the night, a wish neither you nor I want to happen." Aragorn's eyes opened wide at the thought.

"He would do that?"

"He would. So, tell me, of what nature is this king, Thengel, of whom you wish to seek service?"

"He is a goodly man, but it will be nothing like home. Elrond wishes me to have earned the right to marry his daughter, and so I go forthwith to Rohan, so as to keep my heart on Gondor."

"Elrond wishes for you to become king, then, before you wed the Lady Undómiel?"

"Yes."

"Well, you run a very good chance of marrying her, then. You will make a fine king, Aragorn." I chanced a glance over my shoulder to see my father peering at us intently.

"Aragorn" I hissed. " Say something in my ear. I need flirting material." Aragorn looked at me strangely, but he got the message, and whispered in my ear.

"My ladyship looks lovely tonight." I giggled nervously.

"Thank you, Lord Aragorn, for your kind words. You are enjoying Mirkwood?"

"All the more with your presence, milady." Now he was the one flirting.

"You would like a walk in the gardens, milord? The flowers are just beginning to bloom." "Only if it should be accompanied by yourself." He got up, and offered me an arm. Even my father did not notice as we crept out of the hall to find someplace more private to talk.

The gardens were quiet, with the occasional cricket song stifling the air. I sat down on a bench.

"It is a conspiracy of fathers. I do not want marriage, but at least you can escape it. Go to Rohan, Aragorn. Go now, if you so wish. Varda bless you in your travels." Aragorn turned to go to the gate, but stopped, pondering something.

'Come with me. Come with me, Gabrielin. We can go to Rohan together. You have skill with a spear, and a bow. You can disguise yourself as a man, and stay with me."

"How could I get away with being with you all the time?"

"Say that you are my squire. You are somewhat smaller than me, and will pass for a boy easier than most." I thought about this. It just might work.

It was an empty and littered hall the next morning that heard the anguished cries of an angry father.

"My daughter is GONE?"

"She rode off sometime in the night, milord. The lord Aragorn, too, is missing." Thranduil growled.

"If that man does anything to my daughter, he shall pay with his life." Elrond walked in, face set in an angry line.

"Where is my foster son?"

"Out eloping with my daughter!" Elrond's eyebrows shot up.

"Aragorn would never do something like that."

"He just did!" "Father, Gabrielin would never do that. I am sure she just ran off with Aragorn so as not to be trapped in marriage to a man she cannot love as a husband."

Legolas was determined to be the voice of reason here.

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This is my first story, so if the formatting is wrong, or messed up, forgive me. I reposted this after one very not so nice person (not mentioning any names) told me the formatting sucked. So.here it is. And I really don't care what you put in your reviews. Tell me it's been done, it's overrated, it totally stinks, I don't care.