Part IV
Arrival of Elf
It was Feb 8 in Mirkwood, and though it was not as gay as the Shire, it was an irreplaceable haven for all who sought solemnity. It seemed that only the sun's purest light filtered through the trees' foliage in soft beams, flecking the ground with odd lighting and shadows. The solemnity was overwhelming. An outsider might have mistaken the extreme serenity of the location with depression or melancholy, but the Elf silently moving through the woods knew better. It was his favorite place to dream and think. Both of which he was doing at the moment. He was dreaming of his home before the Shadow had returned. It had been called Greenwood the Great! Now all that would remind one of its former glories was its treasury; which the King was keeping very well. It had been light and happy. 'But,' the Elf reflected, 'the cold times have turned the King's heart cold as well.' The Elf noticed a movement in the brush near-by. Using all of the stealth he could he walked over to the brush, and was rewarded with a small Elfling popping from the brush! "Belegceleb Mightysilver!" the Elf exclaimed as the Elfling ran and hid behind him. "What is the meaning of this?" "Shh!" Belegceleb exclaimed, pressing a small finger to his lips in a serious manner, "Legolas, they're after you again!" He whispered. "What did you do?" Legolas asked, putting a hand to his head and shaking it. "I told Araeln Highstar and LaurÑanga Goldgift that you were walking in the forest..." Belegceleb admitted hesitantly. "You told them both that I am in the woods?" Legolas asked shocked, "At the same time?" He was obviously immensely surprised, and a note of worry was in his voice. "Yes..." Belegceleb answered almost inaudible, obviously ashamed that he had behaved so. "Oh, no..." Legolas moaned. "How long ago did you tell them that I was here?" He asked. "Um, it was not long ago...perhaps three minutes." Belegceleb said, running his fingers through his hair. Legolas sighed exasporatedly, "By the Valar I don't know how I could be related to you!" Legolas caught his brother, and quickly, despite his protests, tucked him under his arm. "If you told them were I was once, I doubt you would hesitate to do it again." They had not run a quarter of a league when Legolas heard a high-pitched voice that had a slight whine to it that made one want to cringe calling: "Legolas? Oh, Legolas! Where are you?" Legolas scowled, then headed off at a 45 degree angle. That had been Araeln Highstar. Both she and Laurëanga were after his affections, and neither was doing very well. "Legolas, darling!" A voice just in front of Legolas and his brother yelled. "Nauko!" He whispered in disgust. Belegceleb was just about to tell Legolas that Atar didn't let him say that word, when Legolas clapped a hand over his mouth, and sprung up a tree. The two feminine voices drifted closer together, but Legolas remained as silent and unmoving as a part of the tree, and thanks to he green-hued clothes, blended into the backdrop of foliage perfectly. Belegceleb simply hung limply from Legolas' arms. He had been carted about in such a manner many times, and knew that it was best not to protest until there was a chance that Legolas would release him. Just a few feet before they would have met, the two Elves turned away, each to look for the prince in another part of the large forests. As soon as the voices were out of hearing range, Legolas jumped down from the tree and released his hold over his brother's mouth, who immediately burst out laughing. Legolas cupped his hand over his brother's mouth again, a look of aggravation covered his face. "Are you ready for me to release you?" Legolas asked quietly, measuring each word. Belegceleb nodded fervently, and wriggling though he knew there was no way he could get loose from those two strong arms that had been shooting arrows for over two thousand years. "Will you laugh again, or will you go immediately home?" Legolas questioned, voice low and every word pronounced as clearly as any could say them. Belegceleb cried something indistinguishable, that Legolas took for 'immediately home', and released him. "I could not breathe!" Belegceleb yelled at Legolas. Legolas shrugged. His brother had been hoisted around under his arm before. "Are you dead?" Legolas asked sarcastically, crossing his arms. To him the word 'death' held little meaning. "No" Belegceleb muttered. "Then you've no reason to complain." Legolas continued, walking away, a slight smirk playing upon his lips. "I'm still telling Atar!" Belegceleb threatened angrily as he plunged into the underbrush towards the entrance to the city of Mirkwood. Legolas shrugged again, Atar would not be very angry. After all, Belegceleb was most certainly sill alive. Legolas then jumped back into the trees, walking from one bough to the other, and enjoying this time of freedom. He did not usually get time out for himself, and hardly ever was free to roam as he was now. After a few hours he realized that it was getting dark. It was not normally a problem for an Elf, but there had been too many Orc raids recently, and no one was allowed to be outside after midnight. Legolas began bounding from tree-to-tree so quickly, that some might have thought him a shadow from a bird passing overhead. He was only a few trees away from the main gate, when his pointed ears caught the sound of something. After listening for a moment, Legolas realized that it was the sound of air rushing around something. He looked up just in time to catch sight of an object hurtling towards him before it hit him with such force, that it knocked him out of the tree, and onto the ground! For a moment he lie stunned, then he rolled the thing off him and had a good look at it. "A maiden?" Legolas exclaimed, shocked. The girl groaned, then sat up. "What happened?" She wondered aloud, putting a hand to her head. She was wearing a deep green sleeveless dress that was obviously fashioned by Elves, her dark brown hair that reached down to her waist had a portion of it elegantly braided then pinned up on top of her head in Mirkwood fashion, and her feet were shod in black slippers. It was Kristy who had fallen from the sky onto the Prince, though she remembered not her name nor her history. "Where am I?" She asked Legolas firmly, trying to sound brave, though her eyes pleaded for assistance. "You are in Mirkwood, Talantwen." Legolas scoffed, a bit angry that she had sent him sprawling across the forest floor in a most undignified manner. Kristy stared at Legolas for a moment. Why had she understood the final remark? Somehow she knew 'Talantwen' meant Fallen-Maiden in Elfish, but she could not remember ever having learned it! She simply knew! "Wha-" She gasped, then began breathing rapidly in panic, "How do I understand you? What am I doing here? Where am I? WHO am I?" Legolas stared at her in surprise. Did she seriously not know who she was, or was she putting on an act? "To answer your first question," Legolas began, "you understand the Elven tongue, because you are of the Elven race! And secondly—" "Woah! Wait! Freeze!" Kristy interjected slicing her hands through the air, "An Elf?!" Legolas looked at her, one eyebrow raised higher than the other, and his lips pursed together. His look plainly said: 'No duh' Kristy looked about bewildered. Why hadn't she noticed before that she could hear the squirrel chirping on that tree a half a league away? Or that she could clearly see the plumage of that purple finch in the sky? She sat up straight. How did she know what a purple finch was anyway? 'Ok,' She mentally told herself, 'I'm an Elf. I can't remember anything, so why should I be so surprised?' "Ok," Kristy said, nodding tying to calm herself, though she knew that her heart was pulsating far too quickly for her to be calm, "Now, do you know who I am? Or what I'm doing here?" "Your hair," Legolas said gesturing towards Kristy's hair, "you hair would suggest that you are from Mirkwood, so most likely, you live in Mirkwood." Kristy blinked numbly, trying to absorb the suddenness of everything. "Do you know who I am?" "No," Legolas said, "But I—" Legolas looked suddenly up at the sky. It was now very dark, and festooned with glittering stars. "Nauko!" Legolas shouted in disgust for a second time that day. Kristy peered at him questioningly for a moment before Legolas caught her by the wrist and began running through the forest towards the gates of Mirkwood. "You will be called Feaelena," Legolas commanded as he sprinted over a log, "until your true name be found out." "Spirit of the stars..." Feaelena repeated, admiring her new name in the common tongue. Legolas and Feaelena arrived at the gate just as the gate-watchers were closing them. "Well, someone was out late tonight." The first guard laughed, he had gotten to know Legolas well by helping him sneak out several times. "Yes, a certain brother of mine-who shall remain nameless-decided to allow me an hour of running from two female elves-who shall also remain nameless." Legolas halfheartedly laughed. "And who is this?" The second guard asked, coming forward and kissing the back of Feaelena's hand. Feaelena curtsied naturally, as though she had always had her hands kissed, though Kristy had only ever shaken hands. "This is Feaelena," Legolas explained, "I must take her to my father. There is a pressing matter I must speak about with him." The two gate-keepers looked at each other for a moment, then turned grinned at Legolas and Feaelena. "No!" Legolas protested, "It's nothing like that!" The two guards shrugged, then waved them on.
It was not long after, when Legolas burst into the Chamber Room, and demanded to speak with his father. All of the Elves who had been drifting aimlessly about immediately picked up their fineries, and left. When they had all gone, Legolas approached his fathers' throne, still dragging Feaelena behind him, and told him of all that had happened. "And what would you have me do?" The king asked testily. "Perhaps you could tell me what do with her." Legolas replied, just as testily. Feaelena could feel herself bristling up. They spoke of her as though she were some burden for them to store away as best they could. She was about to tell them both that they needn't worry about her, that she would find a place for herself, when a voice from just beside the throne called out: "As a guest to Mirkwood, she shall stay in the palace, of course." An Elf that looked only a bit older than Legolas stepped from beside the throne. His hair was not light like Legolas', but nearly black, as was Belegceleb's. He was robed in a forest-green cloak, and under the cloak he wore black leggings, along with an extremely dark maroon shirt. Unlike Legolas, he also had a slender mithril band across his forehead, apart from his position next to the king, the only suggestion of his high situation. He smiled kindly at Feaelena, (a bit too kindly, Feaelena thought,) then introduced himself as Beleglas Mightyleaf, brother of Legolas and Belegceleb, eldest son of Thranduil, king of Mirkwood. "I am Feaelena," She curtsied, "At least, I suppose I am." "I suppose you may stay in the palace," Thranduil relented, "We have room enough." "Thank you, you highness." Feaelena curtsied again, then, along with Legolas, backed out of the chamber. As soon as they were both out of the room, Thranduil spoke slowly to Beleglas: "I suppose you think her very pretty." "Yes," he replied hastily, "Is she not beautiful?" "I suppose." Was Thranduil's grudging reply, "Wooing her will give you something else to do besides standing around and making decisions for me." There was almost a smile on the king's lips...almost...
Arrival of Elf
It was Feb 8 in Mirkwood, and though it was not as gay as the Shire, it was an irreplaceable haven for all who sought solemnity. It seemed that only the sun's purest light filtered through the trees' foliage in soft beams, flecking the ground with odd lighting and shadows. The solemnity was overwhelming. An outsider might have mistaken the extreme serenity of the location with depression or melancholy, but the Elf silently moving through the woods knew better. It was his favorite place to dream and think. Both of which he was doing at the moment. He was dreaming of his home before the Shadow had returned. It had been called Greenwood the Great! Now all that would remind one of its former glories was its treasury; which the King was keeping very well. It had been light and happy. 'But,' the Elf reflected, 'the cold times have turned the King's heart cold as well.' The Elf noticed a movement in the brush near-by. Using all of the stealth he could he walked over to the brush, and was rewarded with a small Elfling popping from the brush! "Belegceleb Mightysilver!" the Elf exclaimed as the Elfling ran and hid behind him. "What is the meaning of this?" "Shh!" Belegceleb exclaimed, pressing a small finger to his lips in a serious manner, "Legolas, they're after you again!" He whispered. "What did you do?" Legolas asked, putting a hand to his head and shaking it. "I told Araeln Highstar and LaurÑanga Goldgift that you were walking in the forest..." Belegceleb admitted hesitantly. "You told them both that I am in the woods?" Legolas asked shocked, "At the same time?" He was obviously immensely surprised, and a note of worry was in his voice. "Yes..." Belegceleb answered almost inaudible, obviously ashamed that he had behaved so. "Oh, no..." Legolas moaned. "How long ago did you tell them that I was here?" He asked. "Um, it was not long ago...perhaps three minutes." Belegceleb said, running his fingers through his hair. Legolas sighed exasporatedly, "By the Valar I don't know how I could be related to you!" Legolas caught his brother, and quickly, despite his protests, tucked him under his arm. "If you told them were I was once, I doubt you would hesitate to do it again." They had not run a quarter of a league when Legolas heard a high-pitched voice that had a slight whine to it that made one want to cringe calling: "Legolas? Oh, Legolas! Where are you?" Legolas scowled, then headed off at a 45 degree angle. That had been Araeln Highstar. Both she and Laurëanga were after his affections, and neither was doing very well. "Legolas, darling!" A voice just in front of Legolas and his brother yelled. "Nauko!" He whispered in disgust. Belegceleb was just about to tell Legolas that Atar didn't let him say that word, when Legolas clapped a hand over his mouth, and sprung up a tree. The two feminine voices drifted closer together, but Legolas remained as silent and unmoving as a part of the tree, and thanks to he green-hued clothes, blended into the backdrop of foliage perfectly. Belegceleb simply hung limply from Legolas' arms. He had been carted about in such a manner many times, and knew that it was best not to protest until there was a chance that Legolas would release him. Just a few feet before they would have met, the two Elves turned away, each to look for the prince in another part of the large forests. As soon as the voices were out of hearing range, Legolas jumped down from the tree and released his hold over his brother's mouth, who immediately burst out laughing. Legolas cupped his hand over his brother's mouth again, a look of aggravation covered his face. "Are you ready for me to release you?" Legolas asked quietly, measuring each word. Belegceleb nodded fervently, and wriggling though he knew there was no way he could get loose from those two strong arms that had been shooting arrows for over two thousand years. "Will you laugh again, or will you go immediately home?" Legolas questioned, voice low and every word pronounced as clearly as any could say them. Belegceleb cried something indistinguishable, that Legolas took for 'immediately home', and released him. "I could not breathe!" Belegceleb yelled at Legolas. Legolas shrugged. His brother had been hoisted around under his arm before. "Are you dead?" Legolas asked sarcastically, crossing his arms. To him the word 'death' held little meaning. "No" Belegceleb muttered. "Then you've no reason to complain." Legolas continued, walking away, a slight smirk playing upon his lips. "I'm still telling Atar!" Belegceleb threatened angrily as he plunged into the underbrush towards the entrance to the city of Mirkwood. Legolas shrugged again, Atar would not be very angry. After all, Belegceleb was most certainly sill alive. Legolas then jumped back into the trees, walking from one bough to the other, and enjoying this time of freedom. He did not usually get time out for himself, and hardly ever was free to roam as he was now. After a few hours he realized that it was getting dark. It was not normally a problem for an Elf, but there had been too many Orc raids recently, and no one was allowed to be outside after midnight. Legolas began bounding from tree-to-tree so quickly, that some might have thought him a shadow from a bird passing overhead. He was only a few trees away from the main gate, when his pointed ears caught the sound of something. After listening for a moment, Legolas realized that it was the sound of air rushing around something. He looked up just in time to catch sight of an object hurtling towards him before it hit him with such force, that it knocked him out of the tree, and onto the ground! For a moment he lie stunned, then he rolled the thing off him and had a good look at it. "A maiden?" Legolas exclaimed, shocked. The girl groaned, then sat up. "What happened?" She wondered aloud, putting a hand to her head. She was wearing a deep green sleeveless dress that was obviously fashioned by Elves, her dark brown hair that reached down to her waist had a portion of it elegantly braided then pinned up on top of her head in Mirkwood fashion, and her feet were shod in black slippers. It was Kristy who had fallen from the sky onto the Prince, though she remembered not her name nor her history. "Where am I?" She asked Legolas firmly, trying to sound brave, though her eyes pleaded for assistance. "You are in Mirkwood, Talantwen." Legolas scoffed, a bit angry that she had sent him sprawling across the forest floor in a most undignified manner. Kristy stared at Legolas for a moment. Why had she understood the final remark? Somehow she knew 'Talantwen' meant Fallen-Maiden in Elfish, but she could not remember ever having learned it! She simply knew! "Wha-" She gasped, then began breathing rapidly in panic, "How do I understand you? What am I doing here? Where am I? WHO am I?" Legolas stared at her in surprise. Did she seriously not know who she was, or was she putting on an act? "To answer your first question," Legolas began, "you understand the Elven tongue, because you are of the Elven race! And secondly—" "Woah! Wait! Freeze!" Kristy interjected slicing her hands through the air, "An Elf?!" Legolas looked at her, one eyebrow raised higher than the other, and his lips pursed together. His look plainly said: 'No duh' Kristy looked about bewildered. Why hadn't she noticed before that she could hear the squirrel chirping on that tree a half a league away? Or that she could clearly see the plumage of that purple finch in the sky? She sat up straight. How did she know what a purple finch was anyway? 'Ok,' She mentally told herself, 'I'm an Elf. I can't remember anything, so why should I be so surprised?' "Ok," Kristy said, nodding tying to calm herself, though she knew that her heart was pulsating far too quickly for her to be calm, "Now, do you know who I am? Or what I'm doing here?" "Your hair," Legolas said gesturing towards Kristy's hair, "you hair would suggest that you are from Mirkwood, so most likely, you live in Mirkwood." Kristy blinked numbly, trying to absorb the suddenness of everything. "Do you know who I am?" "No," Legolas said, "But I—" Legolas looked suddenly up at the sky. It was now very dark, and festooned with glittering stars. "Nauko!" Legolas shouted in disgust for a second time that day. Kristy peered at him questioningly for a moment before Legolas caught her by the wrist and began running through the forest towards the gates of Mirkwood. "You will be called Feaelena," Legolas commanded as he sprinted over a log, "until your true name be found out." "Spirit of the stars..." Feaelena repeated, admiring her new name in the common tongue. Legolas and Feaelena arrived at the gate just as the gate-watchers were closing them. "Well, someone was out late tonight." The first guard laughed, he had gotten to know Legolas well by helping him sneak out several times. "Yes, a certain brother of mine-who shall remain nameless-decided to allow me an hour of running from two female elves-who shall also remain nameless." Legolas halfheartedly laughed. "And who is this?" The second guard asked, coming forward and kissing the back of Feaelena's hand. Feaelena curtsied naturally, as though she had always had her hands kissed, though Kristy had only ever shaken hands. "This is Feaelena," Legolas explained, "I must take her to my father. There is a pressing matter I must speak about with him." The two gate-keepers looked at each other for a moment, then turned grinned at Legolas and Feaelena. "No!" Legolas protested, "It's nothing like that!" The two guards shrugged, then waved them on.
It was not long after, when Legolas burst into the Chamber Room, and demanded to speak with his father. All of the Elves who had been drifting aimlessly about immediately picked up their fineries, and left. When they had all gone, Legolas approached his fathers' throne, still dragging Feaelena behind him, and told him of all that had happened. "And what would you have me do?" The king asked testily. "Perhaps you could tell me what do with her." Legolas replied, just as testily. Feaelena could feel herself bristling up. They spoke of her as though she were some burden for them to store away as best they could. She was about to tell them both that they needn't worry about her, that she would find a place for herself, when a voice from just beside the throne called out: "As a guest to Mirkwood, she shall stay in the palace, of course." An Elf that looked only a bit older than Legolas stepped from beside the throne. His hair was not light like Legolas', but nearly black, as was Belegceleb's. He was robed in a forest-green cloak, and under the cloak he wore black leggings, along with an extremely dark maroon shirt. Unlike Legolas, he also had a slender mithril band across his forehead, apart from his position next to the king, the only suggestion of his high situation. He smiled kindly at Feaelena, (a bit too kindly, Feaelena thought,) then introduced himself as Beleglas Mightyleaf, brother of Legolas and Belegceleb, eldest son of Thranduil, king of Mirkwood. "I am Feaelena," She curtsied, "At least, I suppose I am." "I suppose you may stay in the palace," Thranduil relented, "We have room enough." "Thank you, you highness." Feaelena curtsied again, then, along with Legolas, backed out of the chamber. As soon as they were both out of the room, Thranduil spoke slowly to Beleglas: "I suppose you think her very pretty." "Yes," he replied hastily, "Is she not beautiful?" "I suppose." Was Thranduil's grudging reply, "Wooing her will give you something else to do besides standing around and making decisions for me." There was almost a smile on the king's lips...almost...