DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. Please don't sue.
Authoress's Notes: Well, now Legolas is in big trouble. Is this problem too big to fix? We shall soon see...
A little while later, Lalaith and Elen stood outside the entrance to the King's dining room, a cart laden with sumptuous dishes beside them.
"All right, Elen, you go in first and see who's there, and tell me where they're sitting, then I'll go in and I'll just see if it's him."
Elen nodded. "But wait, if it's not him, that's all good and well, but if it IS him what are you going to do?"
Lalaith bit her lip. "I'll...I don't know, Elen, I've been so busy trying to convince myself it's not him that I haven't had a chance to think about it."
"Well, all right. Don't make a fool of yourself, though. Hand me that tray."
Lalaith handed the silver tray to her friend and waited impatiently for her return. "Well?" she asked when Elen finally reappeared.
"King Thranduil is at the head of the table, of course. The only others there are the Prince and the Dwarf, and surely you know which is which?"
Lalaith glared at her friend. "Of course. I'm not THAT naïve. The Dwarf has the thick red beard, right?"
Elen nodded.
"This does not bode well, he told me today that he was expected to be at dinner with the King. If it is only the King, the Dwarf, and the Prince..."
Elen frowned. "You're right, that's not a good sign. But you'll never know until you look."
Lalaith nodded, took a deep breath, picked up the second tray, and walked into the room.
Thranduil and the Dwarf were sharing a hearty laugh, and the other person at the table, his back to her, was saying, "Really, Father, Gimli did not win by that much."
That was the Prince. Lalaith's heart was skipping beats, the voice was that of her Legolas, but surely not, surely not...
She walked to the table and kept her head bowed as she set down the tray. After it was safe from being dropped, she looked over at the Prince and instantly choked back a scream. "Legolas!" she cried.
The attention of all three of the men at the table was instantly on her. "How dare a serving-girl speak so familiarly to my son?" Thranduil demanded.
"Let her be, Father," Legolas said. "Lalaith, I can explain..." He reached out his hand to take hers, but she jerked away.
"No! No, you can't!" She backed away slowly. "I can't believe it..."
"I was going to tell you, Lalaith, I swear. Tomorrow morning, in fact..."
"Why did you not tell me from the first?" Lalaith's voice had risen to a sharpness that came only with holding back angry tears.
"Well, I..."
"I don't even want to hear it!" she cried. She took a step backward, and then another, and suddenly turned and fled from the room.
The three men were left staring at the doorway.
Gimli spoke first. "Well, laddie, you were right, she is very pretty."
Legolas turned and sat back down. "You were right as well. I should have told her."
"What is happening here?" Thranduil finally asked. "I do not like disturbances in my household."
Legolas looked up at him and tried to think of how to say it. "I have spoken with the girl, and I'm ashamed to admit I pulled a very mean trick on her. I will set things right first thing tomorrow morning, Father. Don't trouble yourself over it."
"I should not need to," Thranduil said, pressing his lips tight in an attempt to curb words he would regret if spoken aloud.
Lalaith passed a troublesome night. As soon as she had run away, she had headed for the room she shared with Elen and flung herself on her bed, sobbing.
By the time Elen had finished her duties for the evening--including difficultly holding her tongue as she moved trays in and out of the dining hall--the tears had quieted and softened. Elen had been extremely nice and gentle, knowing that Lalaith was hurting. She had come in, hugged Lalaith, and let her cry into her shoulder for hours.
"How could he do this to me?" Lalaith asked. "Why didn't he tell me?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he was going to..."
"He said he had meant to...but why did he lie?"
"I don't know. But maybe he really does love you. You don't have long conversations about traveling and things if you're just leading someone on."
"Really? You think?"
Elen nodded.
"But even if he does, he can never marry me, I'm not a courtier or anything, I'm just a serving-girl, I'm not good enough for him!"
"There's no law that says he has to marry someone of the same station as he is, Lalaith."
"Not a written one," Lalaith countered.
At last Lalaith cried every tear she could and completely exhausted herself. Elen covered her with a light sheet and then went to bed. Morning would bring what it would.
Legolas wasn't much better off. His dreams tormented him. Lalaith was in every one of them, and always, always, just as he got close enough to touch her she would disappear, except once when she turned on him and slapped him right across the face. But then, he was sure he deserved nothing less. He had lied to her, plain and simple. He only hoped that he could make her understand. If she refused his explanations, then both their hearts would be broken. He knew that he had already hurt her, he couldn't stand the thought of that being how she remembered him. He just had to convince her that his intentions had been good the whole time.
His father's presence had prevented him from running to catch Lalaith, or trying to explain right then and there. But really, it was his own fault. He should have been honest...but if he had been honest, would Lalaith have been so open?
At last he could take it no more. Two hours remained before the sun would rise, but he could no longer deal with lying in bed, dreaming cruel dreams and agonizing over the whole fiasco. He dressed and made his way to the stream.
He sat on his tree bench with his back to the stream, facing the east and the soon-to-rise sun, watching the royal house for any sign of Lalaith's approach. After a time, the sun began to tint the small clouds, and at last it appeared.
Lalaith was nowhere to be seen.
Legolas sat, patiently, thinking that perhaps she had been trapped with duties and couldn't get away. He waited until the sun had been up for an hour before he realized what she had done.
She had intentionally skipped their meeting.
He couldn't understand. He had been sure that she would at least show up and demand an explanation. He sighed. Where to look for her? He supposed he'd start in the kitchen. He'd miss breakfast but he could explain to his father and Gimli later. Right now he was on a mission.
Legolas didn't frequently enter the kitchen, or any other part of the royal house dominated by servants. It wasn't an issue of snobbery, it was simply that his father got upset and the servants usually chased him out, anyway. He heard the chatter of women as he came through the door. He cleared his throat.
"Your Highness! Can we help you?" asked one of the older women. "Is there anything we can get for you?"
Legolas hated that kind of attention, but ignored it this time because he had more important things to think about. "No thank you, Maikachil. I was hoping someone could direct me to Lalaith, or failing that to Elen."
Maikachil frowned. "I don't know where Lalaith is. Elen came in this morning and said that she wanted to work alone for a day or two. Elen probably knows where she is, though, true enough, and Elen herself is cleaning in the library today."
Legolas smiled courteously. "Thank you, Maikachil. You've been most helpful." And with that, he strode through the kitchen to a staircase that led to the main halls.
In a matter of minutes he was in the library. He walked among the bookcases, spotting various servants dusting the shelves and reshelving books. At last he found Elen, squatted down, dusting one of the bottom shelves.
"Excuse me, Elen--"
When Elen recognized who it was she was up to her feet in an instant. "Well, if it isn't His Highness the Deciever."
Legolas blinked, startled. "I suppose Lalaith has told you everything, then."
She rolled her eyes. "If it wasn't for me, she would still be completely in the dark. It's a good thing she told me before things got any farther. She's extremely upset as it is, I can only imagine what might have happened had this gone on for any length of time--" Elen had a lot more to say, but Legolas had advanced and put his hand over her mouth. Elen's eyes widened but he'd surprised her enough to let him talk.
"Listen to me, Elen. I never meant her any harm. I know you'd like for me to stand here and listen to all your chastisement, but right now I would like to find Lalaith and explain myself. Can you tell me where she is?" He lifted his hand away from her face so she could answer.
She pouted. "I don't think I should tell you."
Legolas frowned. "I think you should."
"But you--"
"Want to apologize. I care very much about Lalaith and I can't stand the thought of her being hurt." Legolas' voice got husky and he turned away from her for a second, but then met her gaze head-on, begging. "Please, Elen..."
Elen had a bad feeling about it, but finally relented. "She's in the back garden, tending to the elanor seedlings she planted yesterday."
Legolas smiled. "Thank you very much." He bowed slightly and strode away.
Legolas tried to be silent as he walked to the back garden's gate. It was easy to slip past Dwarves and Men and even Hobbits, but Elves had heightened hearing. He held his breath as he pushed the gate open.
He saw Lalaith kneeling on the ground, digging around one of the seedlings. He smiled at the sight. He started walking towards her, but he had barely gone three steps when she caught sight of him. Her eyes widened and all she could do was stare.
"Lalaith..." he said unsteadily.
She stood. "My lord..." She took a step back.
"Lalaith, I wanted to talk to you..."
There were tears in her eyes. "No..."
"Please..."
She took one last look before she turned and ran out the back gate. Legolas sprinted after her.
He caught up with her by their stream, near their spot with the tree bench. He caught her wrist in his grasp and made her face him. "What have I said or done to gain your scorn, Lalaith? I know I was not honest with you, but I was going to explain everything this morning. I only kept it from you because of the formalities we both hate so much."
Lalaith bit her lip. "Do you not understand, my lord?" He didn't answer except to let go of her wrist. At last she was speaking to him again. "I cannot speak it plain for you, my lord, it is not my place."
"Not your place, Lalaith? How can you say that? And why am I suddenly your lord again?"
She lowered her gaze from his face to the leaf-strewn ground. "My lord...you are the Prince of Mirkwood. I am but a servant in your house. I have no right to be here with you now, much less to feel what I do, and certainly no right to speak of it."
His eyes softened. "Lalaith..." He lifted her face and read the emotions behind her eyes. Yet again the perfect words escaped him. "I..." He wisely trailed off and gave up trying. He took both her hands in his and pulled her closer. He closed his eyes and bent his head to hers, softly kissing her. She stood still, eyes closed, not kissing back but not fighting it, either. When he broke the kiss, he placed his arms around her waist and held her close, his face near to hers while he spoke.
"I know what you think about that night, about all the time we've spent together. You think that you greatly erred by speaking to me, that you were foolish not to realize who I am, and that I was insincere because of your station. But none of that is true, Lalaith." He sighed deeply. "I would have fallen in love with you if you had been one of the highest queens of Elvendom or one of the lowest commoners. The reason I didn't tell you I was the prince is because I knew this would happen. I knew that the moment you found out who I was, you wouldn't be yourself with me anymore. The reason we met in the first place is because I was trying to get away from being treated like this. You know I don't care about station and formalities. I care about you, and I must know...Prince of Mirkwood aside, what are your feelings towards Legolas Greenleaf?"
Lalaith bit her lip. "My lord, I...I dare not say it..."
"Please, Lalaith...I swear no harm will come to you."
Her storm-blue eyes pooled with tears again. "I have very...deep...feelings, towards..." She haltingly inhaled, half-holding her breath. "I can't..."
Legolas smiled softly. "I love you, Lalaith. I haven't changed my mind. That's all there is to it. Please tell me."
She averted her eyes and said, barely above a whisper, "I love you...Legolas." She tried to pull out of his embrace, tried to run away again, but he would not let her go.
He smiled widely at her admission. "Do you really? If this is true, I can count myself the most blessed of all Elves."
Lalaith finally looked into his eyes. "My lord...?"
"None of that. It's Legolas, if you really love me. And if that's so, I want you to be my bride."
She was barely able to catch her breath. "Le...Legolas..." At last a smile began to form on her lips. "Am I not to be...disciplined?"
"What for?" Legolas asked, not understanding.
"For being so brash...I have no right to love you..."
"You have every right. I'm the prince, and I say so." He smiled softly, hoping she would laugh at that. "I know I misled you about my station, but everything else was absolutely true. I knew I was the prince the whole time. Why did you think that things were changed just because you finally found out?"
Finally, it began to dawn on her. He could see the understanding in her eyes. She laughed out loud. "I don't know. I have been silly, haven't I? And terribly cruel to you, as well...can you ever forgive me, Legolas?" She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Of course, though I also need to beg forgiveness. I did decieve you, and I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
She smiled. "Completely. I see why you did it. In fact, I'm glad you did it, because you're right, if you hadn't have done it we never would have fallen in love."
He sighed in relief. "Now everything's perfect, love."
That made Lalaith go weak in the knees, and she was glad that he had not let go of her yet. He bent his head again and they shared a real, true kiss.
When their lips finally parted, he smiled teasingly at her. "You never responded."
"To what?" she asked, knowing for a fact that he wasn't referring to the kiss.
"My proposal."
She blushed furiously. "You meant that, too?"
"Of course I did, with all my heart. After these past hours I can't imagine ever living without you. Marry me, Lalaith." His ice-blue eyes implored her to answer quickly.
"Yes. Yes! A thousand times yes! Although I fear many of the courtiers will be heartbroken."
Legolas laughed. "They'll be all right. Come, we must tell Father..." He took her wrist and pulled her along.
"King Thranduil?" she queried as they sprinted towards the royal house. Her eyes were wide. Resolving matters with Legolas was one thing. Serving King Thranduil his meals was one thing. Suddenly being introduced to the King as Legolas' chosen was quite another.
"Who else?" Legolas asked back. "Don't worry. He will approve of any choice I have made."
"But look at this dress! I've been in the gardens all morning!"
"You're fine," Legolas said, remembering the day before and making her laugh.
The pair entered the house and the throne room, approaching Thranduil slowly. He sat majestically on his carved wooden throne, observing Legolas and the delicate young creature he had by the hand.
"Legolas...you have quite a lot to account for, my son, both last night and this morning--"
Legolas cut him off. "Father, I would like for you to meet someone."
Thranduil appraised the girl holding his son's hand, the girl who had caused the upset at dinner the night before. She seemed very nervous to be in his presence.
"Father, this is Lalaith Silverflow...my betrothed."
Thranduil rose to his feet. "Indeed?" He walked towards the pair and extended his hand toward Lalaith. She raised her own hand, and Thranduil took it and kissed it, which made her blush furiously. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady." He turned to look at Legolas. "But I do not understand why the honor of meeting you formally has come so late in my son's relationship with you."
"It is a long story, Father," Legolas said. "Please forgive me for not informing you sooner. But also, rest assured that I have found true love." He gave Lalaith's hand a squeeze.
"I am certain of that," Thranduil said. He turned back to Lalaith. "And the lady desires this, also?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord king," she said softly. She looked toward Legolas for encouragment, and his gentle eyes assured her that she could say as she wished. "I love your son deeply."
Thranduil smiled. "This pleases me, my lady, beyond all that I could have hoped for my son. Legolas?"
"Yes, Father?"
"While this means that there are a great deal of plans to be made, I am certain there are other people to whom you would like to announce your betrothal...?"
Legolas nodded. "We must tell Gimli!"
"And Elen!" Lalaith cried suddenly.
Thranduil smiled. "After that is done, we will begin making arrangements for the formal announcement before the kingdom. Now go, Gimli is in his chambers right now, likely sharpening his axe."
"Thank you, Father." Legolas and Thranduil exchanged a smile, and Legolas led Lalaith off to find Gimli.
The library was on the way to Gimli's chambers, and Legolas halted by the door. "Elen's in there, do you want to tell her first?"
Lalaith paused. "She will be confused. This morning I was heartbroken."
Legolas smiled. "I had to ask her where to find you, and she already tried to rebuke me once."
Lalaith smiled. "She is passionate, if nothing else. She's not afraid to push boundaries. Come, let's tell her." Lalaith pushed the door open and ran ahead, looking for her friend.
When Legolas found them, Lalaith was hugging her friend, a broad smile on her face. "Lalaith, what is going on?" Elen was asking. Then she caught sight of Legolas and her eyes widened. Elen pushed Lalaith off of her to study her at arm's length. "You two worked things out?" she asked.
Lalaith grinned and said in a sing-song voice, "We're getting married!" She and Elen began squealing at the same time.
"When?" Elen asked excitedly.
"I don't know yet," Lalaith said. "He just asked me half an hour ago."
"The sooner the better," Legolas said, hugging Lalaith from behind and pressing a kiss to her cheek. She giggled. "I hope you're not still angry with me, Elen."
"Not if she's not," Elen said. "But later you are going to tell me everything that happened," she told Lalaith.
Lalaith smiled. "In detail."
"And you are invited to dine with us tonight in celebration," Legolas offered. "But right now, I would like to share the news with my best friend, as well..."
Elen nodded. "Go! By all means! We can talk all night, right, Lalaith?"
"Of course! I'll see you at dinner."
After that, Legolas led Lalaith to the door of Gimli's chambers.
"Wait a moment...this is the Dwarf's room," she said.
Legolas smiled. "That's right. Prince of Mirkwood, Dwarf guest in the Woodland Realm, surely you've heard about that..."
Lalaith laughed. "Of course. I'm just still getting used to the whole idea of you being Prince. I've never met a Dwarf..."
"He's a little rough around the edges, but he's a good man in spite of all that. Just don't let him know how highly I think of him, all right?"
She laughed. "Of course not."
Legolas knocked and Gimli let the pair in.
"Gimli, I'd like for you to meet Lalaith. Lalaith, this is Gimli, of late the talk of the Woodland Realm."
Gimli nodded. "So...this is the lass that's so captured your attention? It's nice to finally meet you, missy, without witnessing an argument."
Lalaith laughed. "And you as well, Master Dwarf. I hope I didn't embarrass myself too much last night."
"Not any more than was understandable," Gimli said generously.
"Gimli, we wanted to tell you right away," Legolas said. "We're getting married."
Gimli's eyes widened. "Married?"
Legolas nodded, smiling.
"Well...I...my..." Gimli stammered. "Congratulations, laddie!"
"Many thanks, my friend. I don't know exactly how long it will be yet, but I'm inviting you to stay here at least until the wedding."
"Of course, of course. Couldn't miss that, now could I?"
"Good. I was hoping you'd think so. And I hope you'll find my betrothed as wonderful as I do."
Gimli appraised Lalaith. "Well, she's not quite so beautiful as the Lady Galadriel, but I suppose she'll do."
Lalaith laughed. "I will take that as a compliment, Master Dwarf. Now, we have time on our hands, so I want you to tell me about the Glittering Caves..."
The conversation filled the remainder of the morning, as well as lunch with Thranduil. After that, Legolas and Lalaith finally had some time alone. They headed for their tree bench.
Legolas straddled the branch and leaned his back against the trunk of the tree. Lalaith sat facing the stream and leaned back against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"We have a lot of planning to do, and not just the wedding," he said.
"Like what?"
"Well, knowing how Father thinks, you won't work in the kitchens any more. You and Elen can move up into the main house, and he'll probably grant Elen some kind of title so she doesn't have to work anymore, either. Then we have to inform your parents about us...do you think they'll approve, love?"
Lalaith giggled. "What possible objections could they have to me marrying a prince?"
"All right, all right. But I'm sure it will still be a shock to them."
"They'll be happy. I should tell you now, though, that I do have a lot of brothers and sisters."
"How many?"
"Three of each...and I'm right in the middle."
Legolas laughed. "That'll get interesting." He paused, then spoke softly in her ear, "How long do you want to wait before we get married?"
She smiled. "I don't. We could go right now if I had my wish."
"Father will insist on a fancy ceremony. I would like to marry you right now, but truthfully I would also like for my friends to be here."
"Speaking of which, now that I know about you being Prince, that explains a lot about your friends and all the traveling you've done. The Hobbit friends you spoke of so fondly were the Ringbearer and his relatives, weren't they?"
"Yes. Frodo and Merry and Pippin, and Frodo's gardener Sam. They'll all want to be here, and Sam will likely bring his family, and Aragorn will want to be here, too."
"Aragorn? You mean, King Elessar of Gondor? And his Queen, Arwen Undomiel?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes. Aragorn. Sometimes known as Estel to those of us who knew him from childhood."
Lalaith laughed. "So that's what it means to be Prince, you CAN abandon some formalities."
"Outside the Elven kingdoms, yes. Father prefers the old ways, though."
"Weren't you one of nine in the Fellowship?" Lalaith suddenly asked.
"Yes."
"You only named six, counting yourself. I'm assuming Gimli was one."
"Yes. We lost Boromir of Gondor in an attack of Uruk-hai--dreadful creatures, I'll spare you the details. He died nobly, defending Merry and Pippin...it's a very long story, though, one best saved for another day. The last member of the Fellowship was Gandalf the Grey, or White as he is these days...perhaps better known to you as Mithrandir. He'll be here, too."
"Mithrandir...an Istari! And to think I'll get to meet all these people."
Legolas kissed her hair. "They'll like you."
She smiled. "After we're married, can we travel right away?"
"Wherever you want to go, whenever you care to depart."
"Anywhere?" she asked.
"Anywhere."
"There are so many places...I wouldn't know what to choose."
"Well, first we either need to go to the Shire so you can see what Hobbit hospitality is like, or we could go to Minas Tirith and you can see the grandness of the White City. Then someday we can go with Gimli to the Glittering Caves. And we can visit King Eomer in Rohan, and we really ought to go to Rivendell, too..."
Lalaith laughed. "You can't make up your mind, either."
"I know. It's just...I've seen all these places, and they were each beautiful in their own way, but now I feel like I haven't really experienced them because I haven't shared them with you. Yet."
She turned in his arms and kissed his cheek. "That was beautiful."
He smiled. "You're beautiful."
They spent the remainder of the afternoon just talking, dreaming, planning. At last dinner rolled around and the pair made their way to Thranduil's dining hall. Thranduil, Gimli, and Elen were waiting.
"There is much to discuss," Thranduil said. "As pleasant as Master Gimli's portrayal of the Glittering Caves at luncheon was, it did not leave much time for plans."
Legolas nodded, seating Lalaith next to his regular chair. "I'm sorry, Father. Lalaith has never seen them and she was enjoying the description so..."
"No matter. But now we have to make decisions. Lalaith, I am certain you realize that as of this morning your serving duties were terminated?"
Lalaith nodded. "I don't mind working until you find a replacement for me, though."
"Nonsense," Thranduil said. "The servants have alread been informed and are already searching for another girl. Don't feel guilty, you've opened up a wonderful opportunity for someone else."
"Father," Legolas said. "I think it might be best if Elen did not work any more, either."
Elen looked up. "It doesn't bother me--"
"I need you to help me plan my wedding," Lalaith said. "You won't have TIME to keep working."
Thranduil nodded. "Of course. Elen, you are to assist Lalaith however she sees fit, and after the wedding you shall be one of her ladies-in-waiting."
"I get ladies-in-waiting?" Lalaith questioned, wide-eyed.
"Of course. You will, after all, be our Princess."
"Of...course..." She shook her head. "Forgive me, my lord king, but it is quite a lot to take in so suddenly."
"I understand. Now, Legolas, Master Gimli has informed me that you have invited him to stay until the wedding?"
"Of course," Legolas said.
"All right. That leads me to my next question, then. Just when will that be?"
Legolas and Lalaith turned and looked at each other. Legolas spoke for both of them. "Well, Father, as far as we're concerned, the sooner the better."
Thranduil nodded. "I suspected as much. I have put some consideration into the matter, and taking into account time to prepare and for all your guests to travel here...what do you think of three months from now, in the middle of autumn?"
Legolas had known it would be at least two months, because any less than that was not "proper". He looked at Lalaith, who nodded, shrugging. It couldn't be helped. Legolas had told her that they would never be able to talk Thranduil into less time than he originally decided.
"All right, Father. Three months. We must send word to Gondor, Rohan, Rivendell, and the Shire as soon as possible."
"I shall send forth my fastest messengers first thing in the morning," Thranduil said. "As soon as we have finished our meal I want you to make a list of all who must be notified."
"Of course."
"Now, Lalaith, what of your family?" Thranduil asked.
"If you don't mind, sire, I should like to inform them myself. They live but an hour away."
"We could ride and be there in half that time," Legolas said.
"You two can't go alone," Thranduil reminded him. "But Elen may go with you."
Elen nodded. "I'll finally get to meet your family, Lalaith, that'll be nice."
"All right, then, you three shall make that journey one week from today, and bring your family back here with you, Lalaith."
"Thank you, sire, but I would like for them to be the next people to know."
"My messengers won't reach even the Shire that quickly. You have nothing to worry about," Thranduil assured her. "Now, there is one last matter that requires our immediate attention. I suppose you'll be all right tonight, but tomorrow, Lalaith, you and Elen will move up into the main house. You two can share any suite in the western wing."
"I told you," Legolas said, smiling.
"Thank you, sire," Lalaith breathed. She had cleaned those rooms often enough that she was well aware of their beauty. "Elen, what do you think of the northernmost suite?"
Elen nodded. "That's fine." She knew what Lalaith was thinking--that was the room in the western wing closest to Legolas'.
Thranduil nodded. "All right, then. Everything is settled. Tomorrow the preparations begin in earnest."
After dinner, there were a few more precious hours that Lalaith and Legolas could spend together without verging on being improper, at least so long as they stayed in the house. They went to the library, often abandoned in the hours after dark. Legolas led Lalaith to a table near a window where the moonlight streamed in over everything, and they sat on benches across from each other.
Lalaith stretched her arms over her head and sighed. "Three months seems like such a long time, but there's so much to do, it seems like we can never get it done in three months..."
"I know. And like Father said, the preparations haven't even begun in earnest."
Lalaith smiled, leaning forward, her elbows on the table. "It'll be worth it."
Legolas leaned in as well. "Worth every minute." They shared a quick kiss. "But from the moment we rise in tomorrow morning until the moment the celebrations end on our wedding night, there won't be a moment's peace." He shook his head. "Father...Father is just..."
"Father-like?" Lalaith tried.
"Yes. Exactly."
"I know, my father will have more than his share of input. But tomorrow will bring what it will. Let's not think about it now. Let's think about when things will calm down."
Legolas raised an eyebrow.
"I think I want to see Minas Tirith first."
He smiled. "Of course. We can do that. We'll see everything together."
She rose from her spot and came around the table to sit next to him. She leaned back against him. "Everything," she repeated as she felt him wrap his arms around her waist. She closed her eyes and just took in the moment, appreciating the warm, secure feeling of being in his arms. "I love you," she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. "When I think of what I did, of how close I came to losing you..." He sighed deeply. "That would have been the worst thing that ever could have happened to me."
She placed her hand over his, tracing her finger along one of his. "Don't think of that," she said. "That's over now. We're together now."
"I love you, too," he finally said.
She smiled. "And that, love, is the only thing that matters anymore."
A/Ns that remind one of DVD extras...
Awww! So kawaii! Of course there's going to be a sequel...starting with the wedding plans...I haven't really written any of it yet, though, so it may be a month or so before that gets posted. I'll want to finish it before I put it up.
Honest confessions: Originally, I was going to end this with the wedding and be done with Lalaith, but like so many of my characters she refuses to be relegated to just one fic...
As for where I got the ideas...okay. I was reading an LotR fanfic about various descendants of the Fellowship and I had Pirates of the Caribbean playing, and somewhere amidst the cuteness of said fic and watching Orlando Bloom kissing Kiera Knightly (unlike most fangirls, that does not make me want to shoot Kiera Knightly 'cause I'm too busy thinking "Way to go, Orlando! At least he gets to have a girl in this movie!") I suddenly had urges to WRITE ABOUT LEGOLAS. Which, despite previous urges (fulfilled, I assure you) to DRAW Legolas, caught me by surprise. But seeing as said fanfic was on my laptop and therefore my laptop was on anyway...I wrote some scenes and saved the file and by that time it was 4 AM so I really didn't know what I was going to do with it. The next night I read it over and decided it was worth turning into an entire fic....and the rest is history.
For the record, the original scenes that I wrote were Legolas' big apology and him introducing Lalaith to Thranduil. In those original scenes, the reason Lalaith did not know he was prince was because he never told her his name, but I was all like, "She wouldn't fall for a guy whose name she didn't know, and he wouldn't give her a fake name." So I changed that, but that's really the only deviation from my original idea.
OH!!! There are two references to Pirates of the Carribbean written into this story (no hints as to what chapter(s) they're in). To the first reviewer who spots them both: I'll write you a one-shot. Just keep your request within reason: PG-13 or less, no slash, all that. It doesn't HAVE to be LotR, but it does have to be something I'm a fan of. (PotC, Sonic the Hedgehog, Digimon, Early Edition...or I may have forgtten something else, so it won't hurt to ask.)
Thanks for reading! Now review! If you don't know what to say, just do me this favor and quote your favorite lines from this story back to me, anything that struck you as funny or poignant or just plain sweet, so I know what I'm doing right. (I must have done SOMETHING right or you wouldn't have gotten this far, right? Right?) And if you have questions, ask them, as I will be adding a chapter of review responses to this in the near future, in which I will announce the winner of the one-shot!
Authoress's Notes: Well, now Legolas is in big trouble. Is this problem too big to fix? We shall soon see...
A little while later, Lalaith and Elen stood outside the entrance to the King's dining room, a cart laden with sumptuous dishes beside them.
"All right, Elen, you go in first and see who's there, and tell me where they're sitting, then I'll go in and I'll just see if it's him."
Elen nodded. "But wait, if it's not him, that's all good and well, but if it IS him what are you going to do?"
Lalaith bit her lip. "I'll...I don't know, Elen, I've been so busy trying to convince myself it's not him that I haven't had a chance to think about it."
"Well, all right. Don't make a fool of yourself, though. Hand me that tray."
Lalaith handed the silver tray to her friend and waited impatiently for her return. "Well?" she asked when Elen finally reappeared.
"King Thranduil is at the head of the table, of course. The only others there are the Prince and the Dwarf, and surely you know which is which?"
Lalaith glared at her friend. "Of course. I'm not THAT naïve. The Dwarf has the thick red beard, right?"
Elen nodded.
"This does not bode well, he told me today that he was expected to be at dinner with the King. If it is only the King, the Dwarf, and the Prince..."
Elen frowned. "You're right, that's not a good sign. But you'll never know until you look."
Lalaith nodded, took a deep breath, picked up the second tray, and walked into the room.
Thranduil and the Dwarf were sharing a hearty laugh, and the other person at the table, his back to her, was saying, "Really, Father, Gimli did not win by that much."
That was the Prince. Lalaith's heart was skipping beats, the voice was that of her Legolas, but surely not, surely not...
She walked to the table and kept her head bowed as she set down the tray. After it was safe from being dropped, she looked over at the Prince and instantly choked back a scream. "Legolas!" she cried.
The attention of all three of the men at the table was instantly on her. "How dare a serving-girl speak so familiarly to my son?" Thranduil demanded.
"Let her be, Father," Legolas said. "Lalaith, I can explain..." He reached out his hand to take hers, but she jerked away.
"No! No, you can't!" She backed away slowly. "I can't believe it..."
"I was going to tell you, Lalaith, I swear. Tomorrow morning, in fact..."
"Why did you not tell me from the first?" Lalaith's voice had risen to a sharpness that came only with holding back angry tears.
"Well, I..."
"I don't even want to hear it!" she cried. She took a step backward, and then another, and suddenly turned and fled from the room.
The three men were left staring at the doorway.
Gimli spoke first. "Well, laddie, you were right, she is very pretty."
Legolas turned and sat back down. "You were right as well. I should have told her."
"What is happening here?" Thranduil finally asked. "I do not like disturbances in my household."
Legolas looked up at him and tried to think of how to say it. "I have spoken with the girl, and I'm ashamed to admit I pulled a very mean trick on her. I will set things right first thing tomorrow morning, Father. Don't trouble yourself over it."
"I should not need to," Thranduil said, pressing his lips tight in an attempt to curb words he would regret if spoken aloud.
Lalaith passed a troublesome night. As soon as she had run away, she had headed for the room she shared with Elen and flung herself on her bed, sobbing.
By the time Elen had finished her duties for the evening--including difficultly holding her tongue as she moved trays in and out of the dining hall--the tears had quieted and softened. Elen had been extremely nice and gentle, knowing that Lalaith was hurting. She had come in, hugged Lalaith, and let her cry into her shoulder for hours.
"How could he do this to me?" Lalaith asked. "Why didn't he tell me?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he was going to..."
"He said he had meant to...but why did he lie?"
"I don't know. But maybe he really does love you. You don't have long conversations about traveling and things if you're just leading someone on."
"Really? You think?"
Elen nodded.
"But even if he does, he can never marry me, I'm not a courtier or anything, I'm just a serving-girl, I'm not good enough for him!"
"There's no law that says he has to marry someone of the same station as he is, Lalaith."
"Not a written one," Lalaith countered.
At last Lalaith cried every tear she could and completely exhausted herself. Elen covered her with a light sheet and then went to bed. Morning would bring what it would.
Legolas wasn't much better off. His dreams tormented him. Lalaith was in every one of them, and always, always, just as he got close enough to touch her she would disappear, except once when she turned on him and slapped him right across the face. But then, he was sure he deserved nothing less. He had lied to her, plain and simple. He only hoped that he could make her understand. If she refused his explanations, then both their hearts would be broken. He knew that he had already hurt her, he couldn't stand the thought of that being how she remembered him. He just had to convince her that his intentions had been good the whole time.
His father's presence had prevented him from running to catch Lalaith, or trying to explain right then and there. But really, it was his own fault. He should have been honest...but if he had been honest, would Lalaith have been so open?
At last he could take it no more. Two hours remained before the sun would rise, but he could no longer deal with lying in bed, dreaming cruel dreams and agonizing over the whole fiasco. He dressed and made his way to the stream.
He sat on his tree bench with his back to the stream, facing the east and the soon-to-rise sun, watching the royal house for any sign of Lalaith's approach. After a time, the sun began to tint the small clouds, and at last it appeared.
Lalaith was nowhere to be seen.
Legolas sat, patiently, thinking that perhaps she had been trapped with duties and couldn't get away. He waited until the sun had been up for an hour before he realized what she had done.
She had intentionally skipped their meeting.
He couldn't understand. He had been sure that she would at least show up and demand an explanation. He sighed. Where to look for her? He supposed he'd start in the kitchen. He'd miss breakfast but he could explain to his father and Gimli later. Right now he was on a mission.
Legolas didn't frequently enter the kitchen, or any other part of the royal house dominated by servants. It wasn't an issue of snobbery, it was simply that his father got upset and the servants usually chased him out, anyway. He heard the chatter of women as he came through the door. He cleared his throat.
"Your Highness! Can we help you?" asked one of the older women. "Is there anything we can get for you?"
Legolas hated that kind of attention, but ignored it this time because he had more important things to think about. "No thank you, Maikachil. I was hoping someone could direct me to Lalaith, or failing that to Elen."
Maikachil frowned. "I don't know where Lalaith is. Elen came in this morning and said that she wanted to work alone for a day or two. Elen probably knows where she is, though, true enough, and Elen herself is cleaning in the library today."
Legolas smiled courteously. "Thank you, Maikachil. You've been most helpful." And with that, he strode through the kitchen to a staircase that led to the main halls.
In a matter of minutes he was in the library. He walked among the bookcases, spotting various servants dusting the shelves and reshelving books. At last he found Elen, squatted down, dusting one of the bottom shelves.
"Excuse me, Elen--"
When Elen recognized who it was she was up to her feet in an instant. "Well, if it isn't His Highness the Deciever."
Legolas blinked, startled. "I suppose Lalaith has told you everything, then."
She rolled her eyes. "If it wasn't for me, she would still be completely in the dark. It's a good thing she told me before things got any farther. She's extremely upset as it is, I can only imagine what might have happened had this gone on for any length of time--" Elen had a lot more to say, but Legolas had advanced and put his hand over her mouth. Elen's eyes widened but he'd surprised her enough to let him talk.
"Listen to me, Elen. I never meant her any harm. I know you'd like for me to stand here and listen to all your chastisement, but right now I would like to find Lalaith and explain myself. Can you tell me where she is?" He lifted his hand away from her face so she could answer.
She pouted. "I don't think I should tell you."
Legolas frowned. "I think you should."
"But you--"
"Want to apologize. I care very much about Lalaith and I can't stand the thought of her being hurt." Legolas' voice got husky and he turned away from her for a second, but then met her gaze head-on, begging. "Please, Elen..."
Elen had a bad feeling about it, but finally relented. "She's in the back garden, tending to the elanor seedlings she planted yesterday."
Legolas smiled. "Thank you very much." He bowed slightly and strode away.
Legolas tried to be silent as he walked to the back garden's gate. It was easy to slip past Dwarves and Men and even Hobbits, but Elves had heightened hearing. He held his breath as he pushed the gate open.
He saw Lalaith kneeling on the ground, digging around one of the seedlings. He smiled at the sight. He started walking towards her, but he had barely gone three steps when she caught sight of him. Her eyes widened and all she could do was stare.
"Lalaith..." he said unsteadily.
She stood. "My lord..." She took a step back.
"Lalaith, I wanted to talk to you..."
There were tears in her eyes. "No..."
"Please..."
She took one last look before she turned and ran out the back gate. Legolas sprinted after her.
He caught up with her by their stream, near their spot with the tree bench. He caught her wrist in his grasp and made her face him. "What have I said or done to gain your scorn, Lalaith? I know I was not honest with you, but I was going to explain everything this morning. I only kept it from you because of the formalities we both hate so much."
Lalaith bit her lip. "Do you not understand, my lord?" He didn't answer except to let go of her wrist. At last she was speaking to him again. "I cannot speak it plain for you, my lord, it is not my place."
"Not your place, Lalaith? How can you say that? And why am I suddenly your lord again?"
She lowered her gaze from his face to the leaf-strewn ground. "My lord...you are the Prince of Mirkwood. I am but a servant in your house. I have no right to be here with you now, much less to feel what I do, and certainly no right to speak of it."
His eyes softened. "Lalaith..." He lifted her face and read the emotions behind her eyes. Yet again the perfect words escaped him. "I..." He wisely trailed off and gave up trying. He took both her hands in his and pulled her closer. He closed his eyes and bent his head to hers, softly kissing her. She stood still, eyes closed, not kissing back but not fighting it, either. When he broke the kiss, he placed his arms around her waist and held her close, his face near to hers while he spoke.
"I know what you think about that night, about all the time we've spent together. You think that you greatly erred by speaking to me, that you were foolish not to realize who I am, and that I was insincere because of your station. But none of that is true, Lalaith." He sighed deeply. "I would have fallen in love with you if you had been one of the highest queens of Elvendom or one of the lowest commoners. The reason I didn't tell you I was the prince is because I knew this would happen. I knew that the moment you found out who I was, you wouldn't be yourself with me anymore. The reason we met in the first place is because I was trying to get away from being treated like this. You know I don't care about station and formalities. I care about you, and I must know...Prince of Mirkwood aside, what are your feelings towards Legolas Greenleaf?"
Lalaith bit her lip. "My lord, I...I dare not say it..."
"Please, Lalaith...I swear no harm will come to you."
Her storm-blue eyes pooled with tears again. "I have very...deep...feelings, towards..." She haltingly inhaled, half-holding her breath. "I can't..."
Legolas smiled softly. "I love you, Lalaith. I haven't changed my mind. That's all there is to it. Please tell me."
She averted her eyes and said, barely above a whisper, "I love you...Legolas." She tried to pull out of his embrace, tried to run away again, but he would not let her go.
He smiled widely at her admission. "Do you really? If this is true, I can count myself the most blessed of all Elves."
Lalaith finally looked into his eyes. "My lord...?"
"None of that. It's Legolas, if you really love me. And if that's so, I want you to be my bride."
She was barely able to catch her breath. "Le...Legolas..." At last a smile began to form on her lips. "Am I not to be...disciplined?"
"What for?" Legolas asked, not understanding.
"For being so brash...I have no right to love you..."
"You have every right. I'm the prince, and I say so." He smiled softly, hoping she would laugh at that. "I know I misled you about my station, but everything else was absolutely true. I knew I was the prince the whole time. Why did you think that things were changed just because you finally found out?"
Finally, it began to dawn on her. He could see the understanding in her eyes. She laughed out loud. "I don't know. I have been silly, haven't I? And terribly cruel to you, as well...can you ever forgive me, Legolas?" She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Of course, though I also need to beg forgiveness. I did decieve you, and I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
She smiled. "Completely. I see why you did it. In fact, I'm glad you did it, because you're right, if you hadn't have done it we never would have fallen in love."
He sighed in relief. "Now everything's perfect, love."
That made Lalaith go weak in the knees, and she was glad that he had not let go of her yet. He bent his head again and they shared a real, true kiss.
When their lips finally parted, he smiled teasingly at her. "You never responded."
"To what?" she asked, knowing for a fact that he wasn't referring to the kiss.
"My proposal."
She blushed furiously. "You meant that, too?"
"Of course I did, with all my heart. After these past hours I can't imagine ever living without you. Marry me, Lalaith." His ice-blue eyes implored her to answer quickly.
"Yes. Yes! A thousand times yes! Although I fear many of the courtiers will be heartbroken."
Legolas laughed. "They'll be all right. Come, we must tell Father..." He took her wrist and pulled her along.
"King Thranduil?" she queried as they sprinted towards the royal house. Her eyes were wide. Resolving matters with Legolas was one thing. Serving King Thranduil his meals was one thing. Suddenly being introduced to the King as Legolas' chosen was quite another.
"Who else?" Legolas asked back. "Don't worry. He will approve of any choice I have made."
"But look at this dress! I've been in the gardens all morning!"
"You're fine," Legolas said, remembering the day before and making her laugh.
The pair entered the house and the throne room, approaching Thranduil slowly. He sat majestically on his carved wooden throne, observing Legolas and the delicate young creature he had by the hand.
"Legolas...you have quite a lot to account for, my son, both last night and this morning--"
Legolas cut him off. "Father, I would like for you to meet someone."
Thranduil appraised the girl holding his son's hand, the girl who had caused the upset at dinner the night before. She seemed very nervous to be in his presence.
"Father, this is Lalaith Silverflow...my betrothed."
Thranduil rose to his feet. "Indeed?" He walked towards the pair and extended his hand toward Lalaith. She raised her own hand, and Thranduil took it and kissed it, which made her blush furiously. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady." He turned to look at Legolas. "But I do not understand why the honor of meeting you formally has come so late in my son's relationship with you."
"It is a long story, Father," Legolas said. "Please forgive me for not informing you sooner. But also, rest assured that I have found true love." He gave Lalaith's hand a squeeze.
"I am certain of that," Thranduil said. He turned back to Lalaith. "And the lady desires this, also?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord king," she said softly. She looked toward Legolas for encouragment, and his gentle eyes assured her that she could say as she wished. "I love your son deeply."
Thranduil smiled. "This pleases me, my lady, beyond all that I could have hoped for my son. Legolas?"
"Yes, Father?"
"While this means that there are a great deal of plans to be made, I am certain there are other people to whom you would like to announce your betrothal...?"
Legolas nodded. "We must tell Gimli!"
"And Elen!" Lalaith cried suddenly.
Thranduil smiled. "After that is done, we will begin making arrangements for the formal announcement before the kingdom. Now go, Gimli is in his chambers right now, likely sharpening his axe."
"Thank you, Father." Legolas and Thranduil exchanged a smile, and Legolas led Lalaith off to find Gimli.
The library was on the way to Gimli's chambers, and Legolas halted by the door. "Elen's in there, do you want to tell her first?"
Lalaith paused. "She will be confused. This morning I was heartbroken."
Legolas smiled. "I had to ask her where to find you, and she already tried to rebuke me once."
Lalaith smiled. "She is passionate, if nothing else. She's not afraid to push boundaries. Come, let's tell her." Lalaith pushed the door open and ran ahead, looking for her friend.
When Legolas found them, Lalaith was hugging her friend, a broad smile on her face. "Lalaith, what is going on?" Elen was asking. Then she caught sight of Legolas and her eyes widened. Elen pushed Lalaith off of her to study her at arm's length. "You two worked things out?" she asked.
Lalaith grinned and said in a sing-song voice, "We're getting married!" She and Elen began squealing at the same time.
"When?" Elen asked excitedly.
"I don't know yet," Lalaith said. "He just asked me half an hour ago."
"The sooner the better," Legolas said, hugging Lalaith from behind and pressing a kiss to her cheek. She giggled. "I hope you're not still angry with me, Elen."
"Not if she's not," Elen said. "But later you are going to tell me everything that happened," she told Lalaith.
Lalaith smiled. "In detail."
"And you are invited to dine with us tonight in celebration," Legolas offered. "But right now, I would like to share the news with my best friend, as well..."
Elen nodded. "Go! By all means! We can talk all night, right, Lalaith?"
"Of course! I'll see you at dinner."
After that, Legolas led Lalaith to the door of Gimli's chambers.
"Wait a moment...this is the Dwarf's room," she said.
Legolas smiled. "That's right. Prince of Mirkwood, Dwarf guest in the Woodland Realm, surely you've heard about that..."
Lalaith laughed. "Of course. I'm just still getting used to the whole idea of you being Prince. I've never met a Dwarf..."
"He's a little rough around the edges, but he's a good man in spite of all that. Just don't let him know how highly I think of him, all right?"
She laughed. "Of course not."
Legolas knocked and Gimli let the pair in.
"Gimli, I'd like for you to meet Lalaith. Lalaith, this is Gimli, of late the talk of the Woodland Realm."
Gimli nodded. "So...this is the lass that's so captured your attention? It's nice to finally meet you, missy, without witnessing an argument."
Lalaith laughed. "And you as well, Master Dwarf. I hope I didn't embarrass myself too much last night."
"Not any more than was understandable," Gimli said generously.
"Gimli, we wanted to tell you right away," Legolas said. "We're getting married."
Gimli's eyes widened. "Married?"
Legolas nodded, smiling.
"Well...I...my..." Gimli stammered. "Congratulations, laddie!"
"Many thanks, my friend. I don't know exactly how long it will be yet, but I'm inviting you to stay here at least until the wedding."
"Of course, of course. Couldn't miss that, now could I?"
"Good. I was hoping you'd think so. And I hope you'll find my betrothed as wonderful as I do."
Gimli appraised Lalaith. "Well, she's not quite so beautiful as the Lady Galadriel, but I suppose she'll do."
Lalaith laughed. "I will take that as a compliment, Master Dwarf. Now, we have time on our hands, so I want you to tell me about the Glittering Caves..."
The conversation filled the remainder of the morning, as well as lunch with Thranduil. After that, Legolas and Lalaith finally had some time alone. They headed for their tree bench.
Legolas straddled the branch and leaned his back against the trunk of the tree. Lalaith sat facing the stream and leaned back against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"We have a lot of planning to do, and not just the wedding," he said.
"Like what?"
"Well, knowing how Father thinks, you won't work in the kitchens any more. You and Elen can move up into the main house, and he'll probably grant Elen some kind of title so she doesn't have to work anymore, either. Then we have to inform your parents about us...do you think they'll approve, love?"
Lalaith giggled. "What possible objections could they have to me marrying a prince?"
"All right, all right. But I'm sure it will still be a shock to them."
"They'll be happy. I should tell you now, though, that I do have a lot of brothers and sisters."
"How many?"
"Three of each...and I'm right in the middle."
Legolas laughed. "That'll get interesting." He paused, then spoke softly in her ear, "How long do you want to wait before we get married?"
She smiled. "I don't. We could go right now if I had my wish."
"Father will insist on a fancy ceremony. I would like to marry you right now, but truthfully I would also like for my friends to be here."
"Speaking of which, now that I know about you being Prince, that explains a lot about your friends and all the traveling you've done. The Hobbit friends you spoke of so fondly were the Ringbearer and his relatives, weren't they?"
"Yes. Frodo and Merry and Pippin, and Frodo's gardener Sam. They'll all want to be here, and Sam will likely bring his family, and Aragorn will want to be here, too."
"Aragorn? You mean, King Elessar of Gondor? And his Queen, Arwen Undomiel?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes. Aragorn. Sometimes known as Estel to those of us who knew him from childhood."
Lalaith laughed. "So that's what it means to be Prince, you CAN abandon some formalities."
"Outside the Elven kingdoms, yes. Father prefers the old ways, though."
"Weren't you one of nine in the Fellowship?" Lalaith suddenly asked.
"Yes."
"You only named six, counting yourself. I'm assuming Gimli was one."
"Yes. We lost Boromir of Gondor in an attack of Uruk-hai--dreadful creatures, I'll spare you the details. He died nobly, defending Merry and Pippin...it's a very long story, though, one best saved for another day. The last member of the Fellowship was Gandalf the Grey, or White as he is these days...perhaps better known to you as Mithrandir. He'll be here, too."
"Mithrandir...an Istari! And to think I'll get to meet all these people."
Legolas kissed her hair. "They'll like you."
She smiled. "After we're married, can we travel right away?"
"Wherever you want to go, whenever you care to depart."
"Anywhere?" she asked.
"Anywhere."
"There are so many places...I wouldn't know what to choose."
"Well, first we either need to go to the Shire so you can see what Hobbit hospitality is like, or we could go to Minas Tirith and you can see the grandness of the White City. Then someday we can go with Gimli to the Glittering Caves. And we can visit King Eomer in Rohan, and we really ought to go to Rivendell, too..."
Lalaith laughed. "You can't make up your mind, either."
"I know. It's just...I've seen all these places, and they were each beautiful in their own way, but now I feel like I haven't really experienced them because I haven't shared them with you. Yet."
She turned in his arms and kissed his cheek. "That was beautiful."
He smiled. "You're beautiful."
They spent the remainder of the afternoon just talking, dreaming, planning. At last dinner rolled around and the pair made their way to Thranduil's dining hall. Thranduil, Gimli, and Elen were waiting.
"There is much to discuss," Thranduil said. "As pleasant as Master Gimli's portrayal of the Glittering Caves at luncheon was, it did not leave much time for plans."
Legolas nodded, seating Lalaith next to his regular chair. "I'm sorry, Father. Lalaith has never seen them and she was enjoying the description so..."
"No matter. But now we have to make decisions. Lalaith, I am certain you realize that as of this morning your serving duties were terminated?"
Lalaith nodded. "I don't mind working until you find a replacement for me, though."
"Nonsense," Thranduil said. "The servants have alread been informed and are already searching for another girl. Don't feel guilty, you've opened up a wonderful opportunity for someone else."
"Father," Legolas said. "I think it might be best if Elen did not work any more, either."
Elen looked up. "It doesn't bother me--"
"I need you to help me plan my wedding," Lalaith said. "You won't have TIME to keep working."
Thranduil nodded. "Of course. Elen, you are to assist Lalaith however she sees fit, and after the wedding you shall be one of her ladies-in-waiting."
"I get ladies-in-waiting?" Lalaith questioned, wide-eyed.
"Of course. You will, after all, be our Princess."
"Of...course..." She shook her head. "Forgive me, my lord king, but it is quite a lot to take in so suddenly."
"I understand. Now, Legolas, Master Gimli has informed me that you have invited him to stay until the wedding?"
"Of course," Legolas said.
"All right. That leads me to my next question, then. Just when will that be?"
Legolas and Lalaith turned and looked at each other. Legolas spoke for both of them. "Well, Father, as far as we're concerned, the sooner the better."
Thranduil nodded. "I suspected as much. I have put some consideration into the matter, and taking into account time to prepare and for all your guests to travel here...what do you think of three months from now, in the middle of autumn?"
Legolas had known it would be at least two months, because any less than that was not "proper". He looked at Lalaith, who nodded, shrugging. It couldn't be helped. Legolas had told her that they would never be able to talk Thranduil into less time than he originally decided.
"All right, Father. Three months. We must send word to Gondor, Rohan, Rivendell, and the Shire as soon as possible."
"I shall send forth my fastest messengers first thing in the morning," Thranduil said. "As soon as we have finished our meal I want you to make a list of all who must be notified."
"Of course."
"Now, Lalaith, what of your family?" Thranduil asked.
"If you don't mind, sire, I should like to inform them myself. They live but an hour away."
"We could ride and be there in half that time," Legolas said.
"You two can't go alone," Thranduil reminded him. "But Elen may go with you."
Elen nodded. "I'll finally get to meet your family, Lalaith, that'll be nice."
"All right, then, you three shall make that journey one week from today, and bring your family back here with you, Lalaith."
"Thank you, sire, but I would like for them to be the next people to know."
"My messengers won't reach even the Shire that quickly. You have nothing to worry about," Thranduil assured her. "Now, there is one last matter that requires our immediate attention. I suppose you'll be all right tonight, but tomorrow, Lalaith, you and Elen will move up into the main house. You two can share any suite in the western wing."
"I told you," Legolas said, smiling.
"Thank you, sire," Lalaith breathed. She had cleaned those rooms often enough that she was well aware of their beauty. "Elen, what do you think of the northernmost suite?"
Elen nodded. "That's fine." She knew what Lalaith was thinking--that was the room in the western wing closest to Legolas'.
Thranduil nodded. "All right, then. Everything is settled. Tomorrow the preparations begin in earnest."
After dinner, there were a few more precious hours that Lalaith and Legolas could spend together without verging on being improper, at least so long as they stayed in the house. They went to the library, often abandoned in the hours after dark. Legolas led Lalaith to a table near a window where the moonlight streamed in over everything, and they sat on benches across from each other.
Lalaith stretched her arms over her head and sighed. "Three months seems like such a long time, but there's so much to do, it seems like we can never get it done in three months..."
"I know. And like Father said, the preparations haven't even begun in earnest."
Lalaith smiled, leaning forward, her elbows on the table. "It'll be worth it."
Legolas leaned in as well. "Worth every minute." They shared a quick kiss. "But from the moment we rise in tomorrow morning until the moment the celebrations end on our wedding night, there won't be a moment's peace." He shook his head. "Father...Father is just..."
"Father-like?" Lalaith tried.
"Yes. Exactly."
"I know, my father will have more than his share of input. But tomorrow will bring what it will. Let's not think about it now. Let's think about when things will calm down."
Legolas raised an eyebrow.
"I think I want to see Minas Tirith first."
He smiled. "Of course. We can do that. We'll see everything together."
She rose from her spot and came around the table to sit next to him. She leaned back against him. "Everything," she repeated as she felt him wrap his arms around her waist. She closed her eyes and just took in the moment, appreciating the warm, secure feeling of being in his arms. "I love you," she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. "When I think of what I did, of how close I came to losing you..." He sighed deeply. "That would have been the worst thing that ever could have happened to me."
She placed her hand over his, tracing her finger along one of his. "Don't think of that," she said. "That's over now. We're together now."
"I love you, too," he finally said.
She smiled. "And that, love, is the only thing that matters anymore."
A/Ns that remind one of DVD extras...
Awww! So kawaii! Of course there's going to be a sequel...starting with the wedding plans...I haven't really written any of it yet, though, so it may be a month or so before that gets posted. I'll want to finish it before I put it up.
Honest confessions: Originally, I was going to end this with the wedding and be done with Lalaith, but like so many of my characters she refuses to be relegated to just one fic...
As for where I got the ideas...okay. I was reading an LotR fanfic about various descendants of the Fellowship and I had Pirates of the Caribbean playing, and somewhere amidst the cuteness of said fic and watching Orlando Bloom kissing Kiera Knightly (unlike most fangirls, that does not make me want to shoot Kiera Knightly 'cause I'm too busy thinking "Way to go, Orlando! At least he gets to have a girl in this movie!") I suddenly had urges to WRITE ABOUT LEGOLAS. Which, despite previous urges (fulfilled, I assure you) to DRAW Legolas, caught me by surprise. But seeing as said fanfic was on my laptop and therefore my laptop was on anyway...I wrote some scenes and saved the file and by that time it was 4 AM so I really didn't know what I was going to do with it. The next night I read it over and decided it was worth turning into an entire fic....and the rest is history.
For the record, the original scenes that I wrote were Legolas' big apology and him introducing Lalaith to Thranduil. In those original scenes, the reason Lalaith did not know he was prince was because he never told her his name, but I was all like, "She wouldn't fall for a guy whose name she didn't know, and he wouldn't give her a fake name." So I changed that, but that's really the only deviation from my original idea.
OH!!! There are two references to Pirates of the Carribbean written into this story (no hints as to what chapter(s) they're in). To the first reviewer who spots them both: I'll write you a one-shot. Just keep your request within reason: PG-13 or less, no slash, all that. It doesn't HAVE to be LotR, but it does have to be something I'm a fan of. (PotC, Sonic the Hedgehog, Digimon, Early Edition...or I may have forgtten something else, so it won't hurt to ask.)
Thanks for reading! Now review! If you don't know what to say, just do me this favor and quote your favorite lines from this story back to me, anything that struck you as funny or poignant or just plain sweet, so I know what I'm doing right. (I must have done SOMETHING right or you wouldn't have gotten this far, right? Right?) And if you have questions, ask them, as I will be adding a chapter of review responses to this in the near future, in which I will announce the winner of the one-shot!