Author's Note: I know that Mary Sue stories do not appeal to many people. I also know that I am flying in the face of both book and movie canon. I mean no disrespect to any of the characters that Tolkien created. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story. For the ones who do not like my story I respect your opinions. Please respect my right to create my story as I like. I know that she is a Sue, and believe me she'll stay a Sue to the very last chapter. For the ones who like this story, please continue reading, and I hope you continue to like it.

Note: Elvish translations

Nndengina ho- don't kill him

Sere si lirimaer- rest now lovely one

Chapter 5 Yesel and Legolas Fend Off Orcs

Time went by as it always does. Yesel and Legolas served their punishments, then headed off to Rivendell, where they promptly pulled another prank, with Aragorn and the twins help, and were sent back to Mirkwood. After another month of punishment, the two of them settled down and played no more pranks on the general populous of Mirkwood or Rivendell. Instead, they spent all their time together. They'd roam through the forest, or play in the pool by the waterfall. They'd have archery competitions between themselves. Yesel took to spending time with the children of Mirkwood. She discovered that she enjoyed being with them, and they in turn came to love her as well. She and Legolas began teaching them basic archery skills, and she gave them demonstrations of swordsmanship. She liked all the children, bur her favorite quickly became a young orphaned elf named Elisel. As for Legolas, he was amazed to find that he also liked being with the children. He enjoyed instructing them in using a bow, and was pleased to discover that several of them had real talent, and would grow up to become fine archers. The children quickly overcame their shyness about being around the prince although they all continued to address him as Prince Legolas. It wasn't all practice though. A lot of time was spent in playing games. It became part of their daily routine. Anyone who looked out into the courtyard from the palace would see Yesel and Legolas surrounded by children.

One morning, about five years after they had arrived, Legolas came into the courtyard and looked for Yesel. He found her sitting by the fountain braiding Elisel's hair.

"Hi Yesel," he said as he sat down across from her. "Good morning Elisel," he added to the girl. Yesel looked up at him and smiled.

"You're up late this morning Legolas. Lazy," she teased him.

"Why don't you call him by his title, Yesel," Elisel asked her. "Shouldn't you show him respect by calling him Prince Legolas." Yesel laughed gently and shot Legolas an amused glance.

"I suppose I should call him Prince, but you see, I think of him as a friend first and as a prince last. I was taught you can refrain from using a title and still show respect." She looked at him innocently and finished braiding Elisel's hair. She then stood up and grabbed her bow.

"How do you show him respect," Elisel asked her. She gave Elisel a quick hug and whispered in her ear, "Watch the prince's reaction. It will be funny." Yesel looked at Legolas again, then said "I let him beat me at archery sometimes," and she ran into the forest. Elisel looked at the thunderstruck look on Legolas' face and burst out laughing. He looked at her and she stopped laughing. She couldn't tell if he was angry or not. Legolas realized he had scared her so he gave her a hug and a smile and followed Yesel out into the forest. Elisel stood there then turned to go into the palace. She met Thranduil and Largolas and quickly dropped her king a curtsy.

"Elisel have you seen Legolas and Yesel this morning?"

"Yes. He was chasing her into the forest."

"And why was my son chasing her?"

"I asked Yesel how she showed the prince respect because she didn't use his title, and she said that she showed him respect by letting him beat her at archery sometimes." She watched the two of them start laughing. Thranduil saw her looking at them and explained, "she was just teasing him. They were playing with each other. Close friends often tease each other."

"Oh," she said looking confused.

"It is something you will understand when you are older Elisel," Thranduil told her. She curtsied again and went into the palace.

Legolas chased Yesel through the forest, and finally caught up to her by the bridge. She was sitting on the riverbank. He came over and dropped down beside her.

"So you let me beat you sometimes do you?" She giggled.

"Yes, Prince Legolas." she answered, stressing the prince part. They laughed.

"You know Elisel is really fond of you," Legolas told her.

"I know. She reminds me of myself at that age. She's a good girl." They stood up and crossed over the bridge, talking about the children. They turned a corner and came face to face with a band of orcs. Legolas drew his bow while Yesel unsheathed her sword. The orcs quickly did the same thing. There were seven of them. six males and a female. Five of the males had swords. One had a bow. The female appeared to be unarmed. One of the orcs laughed.

"I am Rotziggy, leader of the orcs. We have you outnumbered elves. Prepare to die." He gave a signal and they attacked. Legolas fired and the orc with the bow fell. Before he could fire again though, two orcs were on top of him. He drew his knives and quickly dropped another one. Yesel had killed one and was battling the other one when she was pierced with an arrow in her shoulder. She cried out, but managed to keep her feet. She took out the other orc who was on top of her. Legolas had heard her cry out but had been unable to reach her. He killed the other orc then turned towards Yesel. He saw and arrow sticking out of her shoulder. He heard an arrow being fired and saw it hit her in the stomach. She collapsed to the ground. He wheeled around and saw the female had gotten a bow. She aimed at Yesel again, but before she could fire, Legolas had fired. Leoglas' arrow hit her square in the throat. Rotziggy screamed.

"You will pay for killing my mate elf. Mark my words. I will have my revenge upon you." He grabbed her body then turned to enter the woods. Legolas aimed but was stopped from firing by Yesel.

"Nndengina ho, Legolas. He can do us no more harm." Legolas knelt down beside her.

"You need to get back to the palace to have your wounds attended to." He picked her up and headed back to the palace.

Thranduil and Largolas were sitting on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. They looked down when they heard Legolas yell, "Father." They saw Legolas carrying Yesel and they saw the shafts of arrows. They ran down to the courtyard. Largolas took his daughter from Legolas and carried her to her bedroom. Thranduil went with him, calling for a servant to get the healer. A worried Legolas followed behind them. He was prevented from entering her room by Thranduil. He sat outside and waited. An hour later he felt a small hand touch his shoulder. He looked up and saw Elisel.

"Prince Legolas, my friend said that Yesel got hurt. Is she going to be alright?" Legolas smiled at her.

"The healers are in with her right now. She'll be fine," he said with a confidence that he didn't feel. "Why don't you sit here and wait with me." Elisel sat down. Neither one said anything else, but each drew comfort from the other knowing they were both concerned for Yesel. Finally, the door opened and Thranduil and Largolas came out. Legolas jumped up.

"How is she? Can I see her?" "She'll be fine my son. You'd better wait until the healers come out, she may be asleep. What happened?" Legolas took a breath.

"We were walking in the woods when we came upon a band of seven orcs. They attacked. We killed six of them. One got away. Yesel didn't want me to kill him." The door opened and several elves emerged. One of them smiled at Legolas.

"She's asking to see you my Prince. Don't stay too long, she needs rest." Legolas nodded. He put his arm around Elisel's shoulders and led her into the room with him, closing the door behind them.

Legolas approached the bed and looked down at Yesel. There was a bandage on her shoulder, and she was a bit paler than normal, but otherwise looked fine. Legolas sat down next to the bed and took one of her hands in his. She smiled at him.

"Are you alright," she asked him.

"I'm fine. Not a scratch. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better, but it's not too bad. The healers said I'll be completely back to normal in a few days."

"I'm glad to hear that. I've brought a friend for you to see," he beckoned to someone. Yesel's smile widened when she saw Elisel.

"Hi honey," she said as she held out her arms. Elisel threw herself into Yesel's embrace.

"Eissiang told me you were hurt bad, and I was afraid you were going to die like my parents, and Legolas said you'd be fine, and I'm so glad you're ok," the girl said in a rush as she started crying. Yesel rubbed her back comfortingly.

"Hush, it's going to be alright Elisel. I'm fine." Legolas watched her comforting the child. She met his eyes over her head, and he realized for the first time exactly how much she meant to him. Elisel stopped crying and sat up, wiping her eyes.

"Can I come back and see you," she asked.

"Of course you can. I'd be hurt if you didn't." Elisel smiled at her and got up. She went to Legolas and said, "Thank you for bringing me in to see her Legolas." She kissed him on the cheek then left the room.

"So, you're just Legolas now hmmm," Yesel said. Legolas sat back down next to her.

"I'm sure it won't last. She was just upset about you being hurt." He took her hand in his again.

"I know how she felt. I hate the thought of you being hurt. I felt so helpless." Yesel reached up with her free hand and brushed back a lock of his long blond hair.

"I'm fine though. The healers said the only reason is because you got me back here so quickly. I owe you my life." They looked up as the door opened. Thranduil came in and said, "You must leave now my son. She needs her rest." Legolas nodded and Thranduil left.

"I'll be back later to see you," Legolas told her as he bent down and kissed her forehead. "Sere si lirimaer," he whispered to her, then left.