Chapter One
"We humbly accept your thanks, gracious lord, and beg for a private audience."
Silanenya snuck a look at Haldir, who knelt by her in front of Thranduil's throne, and smiled. It had taken them two weeks of traveling to finally arrive at the palace, the journey having been lengthened due to Legolas's injuries. Once they had managed to get back to the palace, however, Legolas was spirited away by the palace staff to his father's chambers, and Silanenya and Haldir were taken to their rooms so they could dress in ceremonial garb and appear at Thranduil's court later that day. Silya's father wanted to thank Haldir publicly for saving Legolas's life. She smiled. At least it was a good point in his favor; he would greatly need it later this afternoon, when he asked for her hand in marriage. She only hoped that this and Haldir's status as Marchwarden were enough to console her father; Thranduil had had great plans for his daughter, some involving a certain one of Elrond Peredhil's twin sons at Rivendell.
"Certainly, Haldir of Lothlorien. I believe that a private meeting would be well in order."
Silanenya stared at Thranduil suspiciously. How much had her brother guessed on the journey back to the palace? And, if he had guessed anything, what had he told their father? Legolas Thranduillion was no fool, and she would be surprised if he had not surmised that something was afoot between Haldir and his little sister. But Legolas was also rather discreet, and she had never known him to tell anyone something that he thought was only Silanenya's business. Oh well. What was done was done, and all she could do was pray that Eru would intercede on her behalf. ~*~*~
"Is there anything else you deem it necessary that we should discuss?" Thranduil rose from his seat, slightly stretching, looking intently at Haldir.
Silanenya sighed slightly and glanced at Legolas and Haldir, who were seated on either side of her, out of her peripheral vision. For the last four hours, she and Haldir had told Legolas and her father of the orc patrols they had observed on their journey. Following their statements, all four elves would discuss the best way to hit the orc parties, where defense stations should be placed, and where flets for elves who lived near or in endangered areas should be erected. Legolas and Thranduil had thought they were finished, but Haldir hesitated, as if he wanted to tell Thranduil something else. Haldir was unconsciously toying with his engraved dagger hilt, legolas was sitting forward in his chair, obviously interested in what Haldir would say next, and Thranduil was staring at Haldir suspiciously.
Haldir finally met Thranduil's gaze. "My Lord, with your permission, there is one more thing I should like to discuss with you."
Thranduil sat back down gracefully. "And what should that be? Some orc patrol that escaped your mind earlier? Or perhaps a message from the Lady of the Golden Wood?"
Haldir laughed nervously and looked to Silanenya for support; perhaps he found it in the smile she gave him. "My Lord, it is of a personal matter that I would speak." He shifted in his seat nervously.
Thranduil raised his eyebrows and muttered a small 'oh,' but gave no other indication that Haldir's request surprised him any.
"My Lord Thranduil, Silanenya and I met, if you remember, twenty-one years ago at this palace during the festival of the warrior's return from patrol, when I was but a messenger for the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn, if I remember correctly." In truth, Haldir's first meeting with the beautiful elf maiden at his side was engraved upon his memory as if on solid stone. "We had not seen each other since, until the Lady Silanenya journeyed to Lorien four months ago. We encountered each other often during the early weeks of her stay, and I soon gained permission from Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, as acting Lord and lady in your stead, to court your daughter. Since then, however, I have received my position as Marchwarden, and I. . ." here he glanced at legolas, who's carefully schooled face betrayed nothing, and who had the good grace to gracefully excuse himself and quietly leave the room. "I realize that it would be impossible to court Silanenya across such a wide space of both land and time, so, with your permission, I. . ." he looked at Silanenya once more, and this time she reassured him with a nod of her head and a grasp of her hand. "I would like to ask for your daughter's—for Silya's—hand in marriage." ~*~*~
Silanenya stared at her rother suspiciously as she stepped out into the hallway: Legolas was standing twenty feet away from the door, polishing his bow, an innocent look on his face; because of this, Silya knew that, if she had been outside in the hallway during her conversation, she would have seen some very un-elf-like behavior being exhibited by the Crown Prince of Greenwood. To be more specific, Silanenya Thranduiliell knew that, as of two minutes ago, her brother had been standing nonchalantly next to the door, calmly using his elvish hearing abilities, which had been greatly heightened by his work as a warrior, in order to listen in on as much of the three elves' private conversation as possible.
Good thing we were speaking quietly, she thought. Legolas might be 2,335 years old, but he still acted like an elfling every once in a while. Silanenya smiled and remembered the last time she had been at the palace, approximately eight months previously: Legolas had opened this same door after an eight-hour meeting with his father only to find his sister sitting slumped against the wall, her eyes glazed; she had fallen asleep while trying to listen to the conversation. Thinking about the incident gave her pause to think: when Legolas had come out of the room, he had not been loud enough to wake her, and he knew that, if their father were to find her sitting there, he would be angry with her, and perhaps do something unreasonable. Silanenya had just also come in with another home patrol, however, and Legolas did not want to wake her, so, tired and battle-weary as he had been, having just come in from another defense patrol, he had picked her up and carried to her room, where he knew that her ladies-in- waiting would care for her.
Silanenya decided she would pretend he had not heard anything; after all, he probably had not heard the most important parts of the conversation. She looked up at him and smiled as he spoke to her.
"So, what did our father have to say?" Legolas asked the question lightly, fingering his bow; to any elf passing who could not hear the question, it would have seemed that he had merely asked her a question about her own set of matching weapons.
"Well," said Silya, edging closer to her brother. Behind her she heard Haldir step out into the corridor. For the first time in months, however, she paid him no heed, focusing only on her sharp-eyed brother. "Well, father was most gracious, and he decided that. . .he decided that Mid-year's day would be a proper time for a royal wedding." She could not help laughing at the expressions that crossed her brother's face: shock, slight joy, and then a complete elation.
Legolas strode up to his sister and clutched her arms in an elf- warrior's embrace. "May Eru touch your life and bless all your days, gwathel nin." He laughed and wiped a tear from her eye. "I do not ask the same blessing on your husband-to-be, dear one, for I know that with you for a wife, hi is already blessed more than any elf alive." Legolas turned around towards Haldir discreetly a Silya threatened to burst into tears completely. Bowing to the Marchwarden, Legolas mad a show of mock ceremony and laid a hand on the other's shoulder. "As I was unconscious, due in part to my sister's healing herbs, during much of our last week together, I believe that introductions are in order: I am Legolas Thranduillion, scout and ranger for the Kingdom of Mirkwood."
Haldir smiled politely and played along with Legolas. "And I am Haldir Rumarillion, Marchwarden and Royal Guard of Lothlorien, in love with the most beautiful elf in Middle Earth, save for the Lady of the Golden Wood."
Legolas smiled politely and did a most un-princely thing: he threw one of his arms over Haldirs shoulders and guided the confused elf, who had to be at least 1,000 years older than him, towards his chambers. "Of course, of course. Now, I do believe, however, that we should have a short. . .discussion. . .regarding Silanenya. Only for the interests of the betrothal, of course."
Silanenya stopped, chagrined, when she saw the innocent, disarming look Legolas threw her way; things, at least for Haldir, were about to become quite. . .interesting.
"We humbly accept your thanks, gracious lord, and beg for a private audience."
Silanenya snuck a look at Haldir, who knelt by her in front of Thranduil's throne, and smiled. It had taken them two weeks of traveling to finally arrive at the palace, the journey having been lengthened due to Legolas's injuries. Once they had managed to get back to the palace, however, Legolas was spirited away by the palace staff to his father's chambers, and Silanenya and Haldir were taken to their rooms so they could dress in ceremonial garb and appear at Thranduil's court later that day. Silya's father wanted to thank Haldir publicly for saving Legolas's life. She smiled. At least it was a good point in his favor; he would greatly need it later this afternoon, when he asked for her hand in marriage. She only hoped that this and Haldir's status as Marchwarden were enough to console her father; Thranduil had had great plans for his daughter, some involving a certain one of Elrond Peredhil's twin sons at Rivendell.
"Certainly, Haldir of Lothlorien. I believe that a private meeting would be well in order."
Silanenya stared at Thranduil suspiciously. How much had her brother guessed on the journey back to the palace? And, if he had guessed anything, what had he told their father? Legolas Thranduillion was no fool, and she would be surprised if he had not surmised that something was afoot between Haldir and his little sister. But Legolas was also rather discreet, and she had never known him to tell anyone something that he thought was only Silanenya's business. Oh well. What was done was done, and all she could do was pray that Eru would intercede on her behalf. ~*~*~
"Is there anything else you deem it necessary that we should discuss?" Thranduil rose from his seat, slightly stretching, looking intently at Haldir.
Silanenya sighed slightly and glanced at Legolas and Haldir, who were seated on either side of her, out of her peripheral vision. For the last four hours, she and Haldir had told Legolas and her father of the orc patrols they had observed on their journey. Following their statements, all four elves would discuss the best way to hit the orc parties, where defense stations should be placed, and where flets for elves who lived near or in endangered areas should be erected. Legolas and Thranduil had thought they were finished, but Haldir hesitated, as if he wanted to tell Thranduil something else. Haldir was unconsciously toying with his engraved dagger hilt, legolas was sitting forward in his chair, obviously interested in what Haldir would say next, and Thranduil was staring at Haldir suspiciously.
Haldir finally met Thranduil's gaze. "My Lord, with your permission, there is one more thing I should like to discuss with you."
Thranduil sat back down gracefully. "And what should that be? Some orc patrol that escaped your mind earlier? Or perhaps a message from the Lady of the Golden Wood?"
Haldir laughed nervously and looked to Silanenya for support; perhaps he found it in the smile she gave him. "My Lord, it is of a personal matter that I would speak." He shifted in his seat nervously.
Thranduil raised his eyebrows and muttered a small 'oh,' but gave no other indication that Haldir's request surprised him any.
"My Lord Thranduil, Silanenya and I met, if you remember, twenty-one years ago at this palace during the festival of the warrior's return from patrol, when I was but a messenger for the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn, if I remember correctly." In truth, Haldir's first meeting with the beautiful elf maiden at his side was engraved upon his memory as if on solid stone. "We had not seen each other since, until the Lady Silanenya journeyed to Lorien four months ago. We encountered each other often during the early weeks of her stay, and I soon gained permission from Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, as acting Lord and lady in your stead, to court your daughter. Since then, however, I have received my position as Marchwarden, and I. . ." here he glanced at legolas, who's carefully schooled face betrayed nothing, and who had the good grace to gracefully excuse himself and quietly leave the room. "I realize that it would be impossible to court Silanenya across such a wide space of both land and time, so, with your permission, I. . ." he looked at Silanenya once more, and this time she reassured him with a nod of her head and a grasp of her hand. "I would like to ask for your daughter's—for Silya's—hand in marriage." ~*~*~
Silanenya stared at her rother suspiciously as she stepped out into the hallway: Legolas was standing twenty feet away from the door, polishing his bow, an innocent look on his face; because of this, Silya knew that, if she had been outside in the hallway during her conversation, she would have seen some very un-elf-like behavior being exhibited by the Crown Prince of Greenwood. To be more specific, Silanenya Thranduiliell knew that, as of two minutes ago, her brother had been standing nonchalantly next to the door, calmly using his elvish hearing abilities, which had been greatly heightened by his work as a warrior, in order to listen in on as much of the three elves' private conversation as possible.
Good thing we were speaking quietly, she thought. Legolas might be 2,335 years old, but he still acted like an elfling every once in a while. Silanenya smiled and remembered the last time she had been at the palace, approximately eight months previously: Legolas had opened this same door after an eight-hour meeting with his father only to find his sister sitting slumped against the wall, her eyes glazed; she had fallen asleep while trying to listen to the conversation. Thinking about the incident gave her pause to think: when Legolas had come out of the room, he had not been loud enough to wake her, and he knew that, if their father were to find her sitting there, he would be angry with her, and perhaps do something unreasonable. Silanenya had just also come in with another home patrol, however, and Legolas did not want to wake her, so, tired and battle-weary as he had been, having just come in from another defense patrol, he had picked her up and carried to her room, where he knew that her ladies-in- waiting would care for her.
Silanenya decided she would pretend he had not heard anything; after all, he probably had not heard the most important parts of the conversation. She looked up at him and smiled as he spoke to her.
"So, what did our father have to say?" Legolas asked the question lightly, fingering his bow; to any elf passing who could not hear the question, it would have seemed that he had merely asked her a question about her own set of matching weapons.
"Well," said Silya, edging closer to her brother. Behind her she heard Haldir step out into the corridor. For the first time in months, however, she paid him no heed, focusing only on her sharp-eyed brother. "Well, father was most gracious, and he decided that. . .he decided that Mid-year's day would be a proper time for a royal wedding." She could not help laughing at the expressions that crossed her brother's face: shock, slight joy, and then a complete elation.
Legolas strode up to his sister and clutched her arms in an elf- warrior's embrace. "May Eru touch your life and bless all your days, gwathel nin." He laughed and wiped a tear from her eye. "I do not ask the same blessing on your husband-to-be, dear one, for I know that with you for a wife, hi is already blessed more than any elf alive." Legolas turned around towards Haldir discreetly a Silya threatened to burst into tears completely. Bowing to the Marchwarden, Legolas mad a show of mock ceremony and laid a hand on the other's shoulder. "As I was unconscious, due in part to my sister's healing herbs, during much of our last week together, I believe that introductions are in order: I am Legolas Thranduillion, scout and ranger for the Kingdom of Mirkwood."
Haldir smiled politely and played along with Legolas. "And I am Haldir Rumarillion, Marchwarden and Royal Guard of Lothlorien, in love with the most beautiful elf in Middle Earth, save for the Lady of the Golden Wood."
Legolas smiled politely and did a most un-princely thing: he threw one of his arms over Haldirs shoulders and guided the confused elf, who had to be at least 1,000 years older than him, towards his chambers. "Of course, of course. Now, I do believe, however, that we should have a short. . .discussion. . .regarding Silanenya. Only for the interests of the betrothal, of course."
Silanenya stopped, chagrined, when she saw the innocent, disarming look Legolas threw her way; things, at least for Haldir, were about to become quite. . .interesting.