Chapter 3: Winds of Change.
The prince of Mirkwood crouched low, his bow in front of him; a sharp arrow was strung and ready to be fired. He glanced over to his right and left, nodding to the two other elves that he hunted with, who moved closer to the young prince, all glared at their prey with keen eyes.
They crept ever-closer to the unsuspecting prey, (a stag) on feet that could walk across a leaf-covered path without making a sound. Legolas stood rigidly, pulling his powerful arm back causing the bowstring to tighten and tense.
With a zinging noise, the arrow was released, making swift contact with the hide of the beautiful stag, which fell to the ground, never knowing what had hit him.
The three elven hunters emerged, surrounding the stag.
'Come, let's get him back to my father's hall for the servants to ready for the feast tonight.' Legolas slung his bow over his back and lifted the stag by its front legs.
Malneir and Falneir, both brothers, assisted the prince; Falneir helped Legolas carry the stag while Malneir led the way back home.
As they emerged from the forest and carried the stag up the steps, they could see many of the invited guests arriving. Legolas hated these sorts of parties, he knew that his father would be playing matchmaker (As usual) for his son. Not that he had to, the young elven women were always throwing themselves at his feet, he wasn't attracted to any of them. They were all beautiful, that was no argument, but they all seemed so shallow, so. prissy. Not at all like she was.
Legolas stopped himself. She? He certainly didn't mean. No, he tried to block her out of his head. He hated her; she was rude to him. He would never be with her. He hadn't seen her in 600 years; there was no way he had any feelings what so ever for her.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he did even realize that they were now in the kitchen.
'Here you are Arniel, the best stag of the wood for the best Elven cook in all of Mirkwood to prepare.' Malneir said patting the dark haired elf on his back.
'Aye, a very fine stag indeed. Thank you, Thranduil and the guests will be most pleased.' Arniel replied smiling.
Legolas dismissed himself from the kitchen and his friends to go up to his room to prepare for the feast. He climbed the steps slowly, entering into his room and swiftly closing the door. He took off his bow and arrows and placed them gently on a table.
He pulled off his green jerkin to reveal a beautiful silver tunic underneath. He flung himself face first onto his soft bed, sighing and rolling over onto his back. He stared at the ceiling for a time, the sky was darkening outside, he could hear the merry laughter of guests as they arrived below.
He turned his head to his balcony, a few stars were showing their bright faces in the purple sky, and he could see the silver crescent moon slowly creeping up from behind the trees. He rolled over back onto his stomach, closing his eyes.
There came a sharp knock on his door, and a voice soon followed. 'Legolas? Are you alive in there my son? You had best get up and prepare yourself, the guests have all arrived and the feast will soon begin.' Thranduil's voice was muffled through the door.
Legolas's only response was a groan that sounded like an 'okay' but it was hard to tell because his face was buried deep in his pillow.
He pulled his body up from the mattress slowly, sliding his legs over to land on the stone floor. He blinked and stretched, stood, and walking to the table he lit a few candles in the swiftly darkening room. He went to his closet and pulled off his silver tunic, pulling on a fresh one the color of deep blue that matched his eyes perfectly.
Legolas opened his door and walked down the hall, he stood at the top of the stairs, looking down, they curved down and around in a spiraling pattern. He could see orange light crawling up from below; and the sharp sound of elvish laughter mixed in with the clanking of plates and cups and chairs being scooted across the stone floor as elves were being shown to their seats.
'Here we go' he muttered to himself as he descended down the stairs.
The chatter around him was almost overwhelming, he just could not get into the merry spirit of everyone around him, and he was more than happy when the feast was over and they all moved into the great hall. Soothing and beautiful elvish music was playing; many of the elves danced and sang. Those who did not dance stood on the sides against the wall or by the refreshment table talking and laughing in groups.
Legolas stood in a far corner, chatting with Haldir of Lorien and the two brothers Malneir and Falneir.
'I'm telling you Haldir, the swiftest horses I've seen in my years are those that come out of Rohan.' Malneir argued with the lorien guard
'I have to say that I whole-hartedly disagree Malneir, while the horses of men are magnificent in their own right, they are still men's horses. The fairest and most magnificent horses I have ever seen are those that come from the valley of Rivendell.' Haldir took a sip of the wine he held in his hands.
'Speaking of Rivendell, did you hear about that group of Mares that were taken from Lord Elrond's own stables?' Falneir commented.
'Stolen?' Legolas questioned. 'From Rivendell? No human, elf, dwarf, or halfling could ever make such a burglary.'
'Aye, they could not, nor did they, the culprit was no human, nor anything resembling; it was a black stallion, a Nazgul's steed. Probably escaped Baradur and has been living wild in the wilderness for many years.' Falneir replied, taking a sip of his own drink.
'Wild Nazgul steeds running about? I wonder what other dark creatures are lurking in the fair lands of Middle earth.' Haldir said. 'Did they ever find the missing mares?'
'Yes, they found all but one, Annun Fennias, one of the Lord Elrond's favorite, the Stallion would not giver her up easily. They thought it best and safest to leave her be.' Falneir replied.
Two beautiful dark haired elven women approached, interrupting the conversation between the four elves.
'Pardon us gentlemen,' the tallest one said. 'But would any of you care for a dance?'
'Of corse My Ladies!' replied Malneir and Falneir in unison.
The brothers winked at Legolas and Haldir and escorted their partners onto the dance floor.
Legolas turned to continue talking with Haldir, but the elf was already moving across the dance floor, taking the hand of a dark blonde elven woman, who stood talking to a beautiful golden blonde elf. His eyes widened for he recognized the woman as Princess Aireromen of Lothlorien. How she had grown, she was now a beautiful woman of 900 and if it were at all possible, she looked even more beautiful than the first time he had laid his eyes upon her.
She hadn't noticed him, which gave him the opportunity to move closer to her, slowly dodging the crowd to get to her. He watched her move to a group of older male elves, he recognized them as the Lords of the great elven cities; Celeborn of Lothlorien, Elrond of Rivendell, and his father Thranduil of Mirkwood.
She was speaking with her father, and did not see him sneak up behind her.
Elrond turned his green eyes to the young prince. 'Ah! Prince Legolas! Come here and greet me formally.' The Lord of Rivendell smiled.
Aireromen turned around to see him standing very close behind her, so close that she could feel him brushing against her. She glared at him and returned to face the Elven lords. She had not forgotten him.
Legolas moved and embraced Elrond in a warm hug. 'Good evening Lord Elrond, how are you?' He glanced over to Aireromen who was trying to pretend that he wasn't there.
'You two should go and dance' Celeborn said smiling at his daughter.
Aireromen wanted to protest in the worst way, but she did not wish to embarrass her father.
'A splendid idea!' Elrond replied
Before Aireromen could say a word the three elven Lords literally pushed them both onto the dance floor.
Legolas was not as reluctant as Aireromen was, and he placed his hands upon her waist gently.
'It is good to see you again Princess' Legolas grinned.
'I don't believe that Prince Legolas' Aireromen shot back, she was not about to forget about what he had said to her in Lothlorien.
'No, I mean it, we can't possibly stay mad at each other forever' he replied.
'Can we not?' she glared.
'I am trying to apologize to you for the last time we met and you are not even giving me a chance.' Legolas said looking into her lucid blue eyes.
'Then apologize and don't keep beating around the bush' Aireromen smiled slightly despite herself.
The prince smiled. 'I am truly and deeply sorry for what I said to you, I was deserving of your wrath against me. I just hope that you will forgive me, it is better to have as few enemies as possible and I certainly don't wish to have the princess of Lothlorien as a foe.'
Aireromen laughed and nodded her head. 'All is forgiven Prince Legolas' Her doubts about him were slowly fading away, maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
They danced together for a few more songs before parting, Aireromen went to find Siril who was still dancing with Haldir, he found the two together by a window and sat down to join them.
The night wore on and the guest began to depart for the long trip home, Thranduil and Legolas and those who lived in Mirkwood bid their friends from Lothlorien and Rivendell fairwell.
Legolas found Aireromen and wished her a good night. He watched her and the other elves of Lothlorien slowly ride away into the early morning darkness.
'I think I shall retire now my son, I think you should do the same, you look rather worn out.' Thranduil pat his son on the shoulder and wished him good night.
Legolas climbed the long stairs swiftly, more than ready to fall onto his bed and sleep. He slid on a night robe and some comfortable leggings, Legolas stared out at the forest for a while before turning to his bed. He smiled, his mind was in a daze, and the only thing that he thought of as he drifted off to sleep was the fair and beautiful face of Princess Aireromen.
The prince of Mirkwood crouched low, his bow in front of him; a sharp arrow was strung and ready to be fired. He glanced over to his right and left, nodding to the two other elves that he hunted with, who moved closer to the young prince, all glared at their prey with keen eyes.
They crept ever-closer to the unsuspecting prey, (a stag) on feet that could walk across a leaf-covered path without making a sound. Legolas stood rigidly, pulling his powerful arm back causing the bowstring to tighten and tense.
With a zinging noise, the arrow was released, making swift contact with the hide of the beautiful stag, which fell to the ground, never knowing what had hit him.
The three elven hunters emerged, surrounding the stag.
'Come, let's get him back to my father's hall for the servants to ready for the feast tonight.' Legolas slung his bow over his back and lifted the stag by its front legs.
Malneir and Falneir, both brothers, assisted the prince; Falneir helped Legolas carry the stag while Malneir led the way back home.
As they emerged from the forest and carried the stag up the steps, they could see many of the invited guests arriving. Legolas hated these sorts of parties, he knew that his father would be playing matchmaker (As usual) for his son. Not that he had to, the young elven women were always throwing themselves at his feet, he wasn't attracted to any of them. They were all beautiful, that was no argument, but they all seemed so shallow, so. prissy. Not at all like she was.
Legolas stopped himself. She? He certainly didn't mean. No, he tried to block her out of his head. He hated her; she was rude to him. He would never be with her. He hadn't seen her in 600 years; there was no way he had any feelings what so ever for her.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he did even realize that they were now in the kitchen.
'Here you are Arniel, the best stag of the wood for the best Elven cook in all of Mirkwood to prepare.' Malneir said patting the dark haired elf on his back.
'Aye, a very fine stag indeed. Thank you, Thranduil and the guests will be most pleased.' Arniel replied smiling.
Legolas dismissed himself from the kitchen and his friends to go up to his room to prepare for the feast. He climbed the steps slowly, entering into his room and swiftly closing the door. He took off his bow and arrows and placed them gently on a table.
He pulled off his green jerkin to reveal a beautiful silver tunic underneath. He flung himself face first onto his soft bed, sighing and rolling over onto his back. He stared at the ceiling for a time, the sky was darkening outside, he could hear the merry laughter of guests as they arrived below.
He turned his head to his balcony, a few stars were showing their bright faces in the purple sky, and he could see the silver crescent moon slowly creeping up from behind the trees. He rolled over back onto his stomach, closing his eyes.
There came a sharp knock on his door, and a voice soon followed. 'Legolas? Are you alive in there my son? You had best get up and prepare yourself, the guests have all arrived and the feast will soon begin.' Thranduil's voice was muffled through the door.
Legolas's only response was a groan that sounded like an 'okay' but it was hard to tell because his face was buried deep in his pillow.
He pulled his body up from the mattress slowly, sliding his legs over to land on the stone floor. He blinked and stretched, stood, and walking to the table he lit a few candles in the swiftly darkening room. He went to his closet and pulled off his silver tunic, pulling on a fresh one the color of deep blue that matched his eyes perfectly.
Legolas opened his door and walked down the hall, he stood at the top of the stairs, looking down, they curved down and around in a spiraling pattern. He could see orange light crawling up from below; and the sharp sound of elvish laughter mixed in with the clanking of plates and cups and chairs being scooted across the stone floor as elves were being shown to their seats.
'Here we go' he muttered to himself as he descended down the stairs.
The chatter around him was almost overwhelming, he just could not get into the merry spirit of everyone around him, and he was more than happy when the feast was over and they all moved into the great hall. Soothing and beautiful elvish music was playing; many of the elves danced and sang. Those who did not dance stood on the sides against the wall or by the refreshment table talking and laughing in groups.
Legolas stood in a far corner, chatting with Haldir of Lorien and the two brothers Malneir and Falneir.
'I'm telling you Haldir, the swiftest horses I've seen in my years are those that come out of Rohan.' Malneir argued with the lorien guard
'I have to say that I whole-hartedly disagree Malneir, while the horses of men are magnificent in their own right, they are still men's horses. The fairest and most magnificent horses I have ever seen are those that come from the valley of Rivendell.' Haldir took a sip of the wine he held in his hands.
'Speaking of Rivendell, did you hear about that group of Mares that were taken from Lord Elrond's own stables?' Falneir commented.
'Stolen?' Legolas questioned. 'From Rivendell? No human, elf, dwarf, or halfling could ever make such a burglary.'
'Aye, they could not, nor did they, the culprit was no human, nor anything resembling; it was a black stallion, a Nazgul's steed. Probably escaped Baradur and has been living wild in the wilderness for many years.' Falneir replied, taking a sip of his own drink.
'Wild Nazgul steeds running about? I wonder what other dark creatures are lurking in the fair lands of Middle earth.' Haldir said. 'Did they ever find the missing mares?'
'Yes, they found all but one, Annun Fennias, one of the Lord Elrond's favorite, the Stallion would not giver her up easily. They thought it best and safest to leave her be.' Falneir replied.
Two beautiful dark haired elven women approached, interrupting the conversation between the four elves.
'Pardon us gentlemen,' the tallest one said. 'But would any of you care for a dance?'
'Of corse My Ladies!' replied Malneir and Falneir in unison.
The brothers winked at Legolas and Haldir and escorted their partners onto the dance floor.
Legolas turned to continue talking with Haldir, but the elf was already moving across the dance floor, taking the hand of a dark blonde elven woman, who stood talking to a beautiful golden blonde elf. His eyes widened for he recognized the woman as Princess Aireromen of Lothlorien. How she had grown, she was now a beautiful woman of 900 and if it were at all possible, she looked even more beautiful than the first time he had laid his eyes upon her.
She hadn't noticed him, which gave him the opportunity to move closer to her, slowly dodging the crowd to get to her. He watched her move to a group of older male elves, he recognized them as the Lords of the great elven cities; Celeborn of Lothlorien, Elrond of Rivendell, and his father Thranduil of Mirkwood.
She was speaking with her father, and did not see him sneak up behind her.
Elrond turned his green eyes to the young prince. 'Ah! Prince Legolas! Come here and greet me formally.' The Lord of Rivendell smiled.
Aireromen turned around to see him standing very close behind her, so close that she could feel him brushing against her. She glared at him and returned to face the Elven lords. She had not forgotten him.
Legolas moved and embraced Elrond in a warm hug. 'Good evening Lord Elrond, how are you?' He glanced over to Aireromen who was trying to pretend that he wasn't there.
'You two should go and dance' Celeborn said smiling at his daughter.
Aireromen wanted to protest in the worst way, but she did not wish to embarrass her father.
'A splendid idea!' Elrond replied
Before Aireromen could say a word the three elven Lords literally pushed them both onto the dance floor.
Legolas was not as reluctant as Aireromen was, and he placed his hands upon her waist gently.
'It is good to see you again Princess' Legolas grinned.
'I don't believe that Prince Legolas' Aireromen shot back, she was not about to forget about what he had said to her in Lothlorien.
'No, I mean it, we can't possibly stay mad at each other forever' he replied.
'Can we not?' she glared.
'I am trying to apologize to you for the last time we met and you are not even giving me a chance.' Legolas said looking into her lucid blue eyes.
'Then apologize and don't keep beating around the bush' Aireromen smiled slightly despite herself.
The prince smiled. 'I am truly and deeply sorry for what I said to you, I was deserving of your wrath against me. I just hope that you will forgive me, it is better to have as few enemies as possible and I certainly don't wish to have the princess of Lothlorien as a foe.'
Aireromen laughed and nodded her head. 'All is forgiven Prince Legolas' Her doubts about him were slowly fading away, maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
They danced together for a few more songs before parting, Aireromen went to find Siril who was still dancing with Haldir, he found the two together by a window and sat down to join them.
The night wore on and the guest began to depart for the long trip home, Thranduil and Legolas and those who lived in Mirkwood bid their friends from Lothlorien and Rivendell fairwell.
Legolas found Aireromen and wished her a good night. He watched her and the other elves of Lothlorien slowly ride away into the early morning darkness.
'I think I shall retire now my son, I think you should do the same, you look rather worn out.' Thranduil pat his son on the shoulder and wished him good night.
Legolas climbed the long stairs swiftly, more than ready to fall onto his bed and sleep. He slid on a night robe and some comfortable leggings, Legolas stared out at the forest for a while before turning to his bed. He smiled, his mind was in a daze, and the only thing that he thought of as he drifted off to sleep was the fair and beautiful face of Princess Aireromen.