A/N: I hope you like it!!
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Melenia was out in the woods for a long time and got in very late at night, so naturally she slept in that morning.
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The morning was truly beautiful. The birds sang and a certain cheer was in the air. Melenia could feel the presence of others in the room as she came out of her dreams. Fear gripped her very being as memories quickly flashed before her eyes and put her into a state of panic. She managed to clear her mind, but no further action had to be taken on her a part because she heard an ever familiar yet seldom heard voice.
"Good morning my lovely princess," came the voice.
"Father!" she jerked up. "You're here already?!"
He chuckled, "It is good to see you as well!" With a leap from her bed she jumped into his arms.
"You old elf, I missed you," she said as she hugged him. She then realized that the other figure in the room was silently smiling at them. "Good morning mother," Melenia said as she turned and smiled for this was a good morning, except for the little start she had earlier. Realizing that she had really slept in she ran over to her closet and started rummaging. Her parents just stood staring at her with bewildered looks on their faces.
"Daughter, pray tell, what are you doing?" Cassia asked sounding a bit amused.
"I am looking for clothes so father and I can go. I have already delayed us enough," she said not looking out of her closet.
"Melenia I think you should sit down. Your mother and I have something to talk to you about." Telodan said matter-of-factly.
"Oh no! Not again!" groaned the princess as she tumbled back and sat on her bed.
"Now, now darling your father and I just wanted to let you know that we are going to become official," Cassia said with a smile. There was a moment of silence in the room as Melenia tried to assimilate what had just been said.
"Wait, does that mean…are you two…you're getting married?" she asked as her eyes widened with surprise.
"Yes my little bird," her father answered. "We will wed and I shall take the throne next to your mother." He took Cassia's hand into his, "We wanted you to be the first to know." The princess just looked down at the ground and said nothing for what seemed to be an eternity. The she looked up at them with a huge smile and within an instant she had her arms wrapped around them both.
"It's about time!" she exclaimed. They embraced her back and all three just savored the moment knowing that love doesn't always flow so openly. The first one to break off the embrace was Cassia.
"Now that you know, you must get dressed quickly and have breakfast. You must be present when we announce it to the people today. There will also be messengers ready to take the news back to all the kingdoms of Middle Earth," Cassia had gone back into her queen state-of-mind for a lot had to be done.
"Yes mother," Melenia knew that official tone of voice and she dared not contradict it although inside she was just dying to run around, dance, sing and do cartwheels down all the palace halls. She was as giddy as a five year old.
"Addela will be in shortly to help you prepare," she said as she walked towards the door. Before she was almost completely out the door she turned with a smile, "We have a wedding to plan as well as a twenty-second birthday celebration. Happy Birthday darling."
"Thank you mother," returned Melenia.
"I must be going as well," said Telodan after placing a kiss on her forehead." I will see you soon Aiwe," he called by her by the nickname very few knew of; she loved it because it meant "little bird" in elvish. He also left the room and closed the door behind him. Melenia just plopped herself back onto her bed and basked in the joy of the moment. The peace lasted for but a moment. She heard the door open and within seconds Addela was hovering over her.
"Princess! I can not believe you are still in bed!" She pulled Melenia up and started ushering her toward her bathroom, "You must bathe this instant and dress quickly and eat even faster. We have a full day ahead of us Melenia."
"I'm going, I'm going…" Melenia said with a sigh as she proceeded to go take her bath.
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The rest of the world seemed to share Melenia's happiness over her parents' nuptial. The people of Aèrogar seemed to be happier than she was. They rejoiced and merriment could be heard in the streets for days after the announcement. Already messengers were on their way to proclaim to all of Middle Earth the news. Queen Cassia and the future king Telodan had cordially invited many to their wedding banquet and the ball in honor of their daughters twenty-second birthday. The messengers went from Rohan to Gondor to Lothlórien to Mirkwood….
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King Thranduil smiled to himself as he finished reading the letter that had arrived from Aèrogar that morning. "Ah, Telodan, old friend it took you long enough," he said smiling to himself. He became lost in thoughts and memories but he was abruptly awoken by a knocking in the door. "Yes Legolas come in," answered Thranduil. Legolas walked in wearing his usual green and brown breeches and tunic. His bow and quiver full of arrows were strapped to his back.
"You wanted to see me father?" he inquired.
"Yes my son how are you this morning? Off to archery practice with Aragorn so early?"
"Yes father. Aragorn and I just wanted to get an early start on our day. He doesn't visit often as you know so we are trying to make the most of our time." Legolas answered.
"You are still planning that hunting trip, are you not?"
"Yes, it is planned for the end of this week," suspicion was now growing in Legolas' voice. He had a feeling his father was up to something ever since he was told that he had been asked for this morning. It was his turn to ask the questions, "Why do you ask father?"
"Well it seems that Telodan is getting married," he answered with amusement in his voice.
"Married? To whom?" asked Legolas in shock.
"His love and the mother of his daughter, Queen Cassia of Aèrogar." Thranduil replied with a smile.
"Well it's about time!" replied Legolas excitedly.
Thranduil chuckled, "That is exactly what I said," the chuckle turned into a hearty laugh.
"When will the wedding be? I would very much like to be there."
"We leave for Aèrogar at the end of this week," replied Thranduil slowly.
"The same time I leave on my hunting trip…"
"Yes, and I was just wondering if you could perhaps pass this one by?"
"But I father I cannot. I have promised Aragorn and I will hold true to my word," he said strongly.
" I know, I know my boy but Telodan would be so disappointed. He is very fond of you; he loves you as he would his own son. I also wanted you to meet….. Oh never mind," he ended sounding somewhat dejected. "I am sure you will visit him later, won't you?"
"Of course I will… who is it that you wanted me to meet?" his voice full of intrigue.
"Oh no, no one, don't worry about it I was just pleading with you for Telodan's sake." But Legolas knew his father all too well, there must be something behind all this.
"It can't be 'no one' or you would not have mentioned it, please tell me."
"I had just wanted you to meet princess Melenia, their daughter. Along with the wedding banquet there will also be a ball in celebration of her birthday. I just thought it would be proper if the prince of Mirkwood was there with his father." Legolas thought hard upon hearing that name. "Melenia" it echoed in his mind. Then it came back to him; many of his friends had mentioned her to him before. They said she was a lady of remarkable beauty that outshone that of many of the most beautiful elven maidens. "The Ice Princess" is what they called her as well, for she refused all male elves at social gatherings and balls and she was known to be very rude to mortal men. "Interesting…." he thought to himself. He had to admit his curiosity had peaked at hearing that one so fair could be so cold and had often wanted to see this princess that they all spoke of.
"Ah yes, the infamous Princess Melenia," Legolas replied after some time it wasn't too long of a time but it was long enough for Thranduil to see that the gears in his son's mind were turning.
"So you have heard of her?"
"Only bits and pieces here and there from friends," he replied still lost in his thoughts of curiosity.
"And what have they told you?" Thranduil was now smiling.
"Only that she is a lady of incredible beauty but a heart that would be won by no man of elf for that matter. Nothing else."
"Yes that is all I know about her as well," he lied. Telodan had told him much about "the joy of his life". He did not tell the truth now because he wanted to heighten his son's interest. Legolas did not speak for a moment and looked like he was deep in thought.
"Then maybe I will go with you after all, and see this mysterious princess for myself," he said with a smile.
"Good then it is agreed, we leave at the end of this week!" Thranduil almost shouted with excitement. Legolas was already heading out the door but turned around at this comment.
"I never said I was going father. I only said MIGHT go. You shall just have to wait until the end of the week to see," and with that he was out the door and down the hall as quick as lightening.
Thranduil was just left sitting there. "Ah, my dear boy," he said to himself, "you are just impossible. How will I ever find you a wife?" This thought has been plaguing Thranduil for some time now. His son needed someone to rule by his side when he assumed the throne, and Thranduil had been thinking of relinquishing that power unto him for some time now, but his son just paid no attention to the issue of finding a mate. He dabbled with several maidens here and there but he never thought much of any of them or a took relationship seriously. His interest in a particular maiden lasted no more than a week, and this worried Thranduil very much. "My son what shall I do with you? I only hope that you do come to Aèrogar with me…" he said with as much hope as he could muster in his voice.
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A/N: So How did you like this one??? Let me know!!! Leave a review!!! I appreciate every single one!!!
