Disclaimer: Everything ( characters and settings) are Tolkiens, and Tolkiens alone. The settings, events and characters that are unfamiliar to you are my own creations.

This is my first fic. I have to thank Arandil13. Because if it wasn't for her words, " Just keep writing", this story probably wouldn't be up here now, and probably never would.

Italicized words indicate thought.

Here We Go

Chapter 1: Surprising Finds

It was early morning, the golden hue of the light still making its way known in the area around King Thranduil's stronghold.

In the King's palace servants were busying themselves with the daily tasks involved in the care taking of the palace that was located in a cave. All because it was in a cave didn't mean in anyway that it wasn't warm and beautiful. Once you entered the palace it didn't seem like a cave anymore. The ceilings were all realistically painted to represent the canopy of Mirkwood's forest, before the shadow crept in. There were many corridors leading to the throne room, kitchens, guest chambers, the Kings family's chamber, so on and so forth. When you enter the cave, you come to the wide expanse of the Great Hall, where the elves of Mirkwood come to celebrate the winter feasts.

Already there were elves from settlements, waiting by the throne room to speak with their King.

In the Kings family quarters, Thranduil's niece Armeliel, was already awake and rummaging through her dresser for the pair of leggings she kept at the very bottom. Her room was large and was furnished in ebony wood and colors of green, gold, and burgundy. She had a four poster bed with silk off white sheets. There also was a desk and chair with burgundy velvet seating. A fire place was to the right of it. And on the right wall lead to the bathing chambers, and an adjourning door that lead to the prince's room.

Armeliel's mother was the sister to Thranduil's wife. Her family lived in the forest, and they were on their way for a visit to the palace when Armeliel was 21 years of age. They were caught unawares by the spiders. Both parents were dead by the time the border patrol got to them, but Armeliel was not killed. She was brought into the care of her uncle, and has lived with his family ever since. Armeliel was now 46 years old. She was not yet an adult, and her height proved it when her action's didn't. She stood at five feet and five inches.

" Ai!" She cried as she searched through her dresser, yet again for the brown pair of leggings. She stood up from her menstruations and frowned. ' where could I have put them? Then again I do recall putting them there the last time I went out. Oh! Oroalphien must of taken them again!' Oroalphien was her part time nanny ever since she came here 25 years ago. She took care of Armeliel when the royal family couldn't. She was also Legolas' part time nanny when he was younger.

She thought fondly on her nanny. Oroalphien had hair the color of gold and eyes that were the clear blues of water with specks of silver in certain places. She was small for an elf, standing only an inch taller than her charge, but she was graceful with everything she did. Armeliel was about to go to Oroalphien to get her leggins when she stopped and smiled slowly. She turned around in her room and stared at the door that connected her room to that of the prince's room, her cousin, Legolas.

Still clad only in her silk thin sleeping garments she slowly walked to the door and pressed her hands and ear against it. She waited to hear any sort of activity going on, but heard none with her sharp elven hearing. She smiled and opened the door. The room was still dark, with only a few candles to give light. His room was the same size as her own, and furnished much in the same way, with a door leading to her room and his parents room.

Armeliel silently crept to the side of the bed and looked down at her sleeping cousin. His hair was fair and his eyes were of the deepest, clearest blue you could find. He was the heart of every maidens fancy. He was 122 years older then her, but they still got along well. He was the one who taught her archery and swords play when no one else would, and in return, she would manage to sneak him off with his friends at feasts and formal gatherings.

She turned around and walked over to his dresser. She knelt down and opened the very bottom, where she knew he kept old outfitted leggings and tunics. When she came upon a pair of brown leggings that would fit her perfectly, she picked it up and held it with arms outstretched; a smile of triumph gracing her features. Just as suddenly- her smile faltered as the garment was taken from her.

She looked up bewildered into the face of Legolas. His face remained impassive, but his eyes gleamed in amusement as he crossed his arms over his chest, still holding tight to the leggings. His hair was unbraided and his sleeping garments consisted of loose fitting navy blue leggings and a soft silver colored nightshirt.

" My I ask for the reason as to why you are so delighted with my breeches?" He asked, his azure eyes twinkled with barely constrained mirth.

Armeliel scrunched up her nose and narrowed her eyes for a brief second before leaning back on her heels. Legolas chuckled at her expression. "Why, my fair Legolas, I was planning on going into the forest this morning, but it seems that Oroalphien has taken my own pair hostage... again."

With her explanation, Legolas laughed outright, unable to contain the amusement any longer. He then helped his dear cousin up from the floor and lead her to his bed, still holding tightly to the said leggings. " Now Armel," Armeliel smiled at the old nickname as they sat down, " You really shouldn't go out into the forest alone, it isn't safe." Concern was clearly written in his eyes. He did worry for her, he wouldn't know what he would do if something happened to her.

" I can protect myself," Armeliel said stubbornly, " Besides, you, the greatest archer in Mirkwood, perhaps the whole of Arda has trained me. I am wiser then I appear sometimes. You know that very well..." When Legolas still hesitated on handing the leggings over, Armeliel gave a sigh and said, " I will not be going with a dress on, and what will you do with those?" She indicated to the breeches he held. " They are far to small for you cousin," Armeliel smiled softly, "I'll be back before evening meal."

Legolas reluctantly handed the garment over to her. " Will you come for morning meal?" He asked. Armeliel shook her head no and replied " I've already eaten."

"Thank you, Legolas" Legolas said Armeliel as she got up and headed to the adjourning door. She turned back, smiled that brilliant smile that was made for a queen, and left with a "Farwell." Once Legolas heard the soft click of the door being closed, he sighed softly and leaned back till he rested completely on the bed. He knew today would be eventful. After a moment or two he got up and started his bath. He walked back out of the bathing chamber, and went to get the clothes he would wear today. As he walked back to the bathing chamber; he striped off his clothing and went into the bath with a content sigh.

When Legolas emerged from the bathroom clean, he put on the selected clothes, which were a green tunic and black leggings, and headed to the families private dining room. His father was already there by the time he arrived. The dining room table was a golden brown with green and yellow leaves painted on the legs and along the rim. The chairs were in such a fashion also, with gold velvet seating.

"Good morning Adar." Legolas said cheerfully as he took his seat to the left of his father. His mother, Aireheruwen, had died when he was 14 years of age. She and her guards were killed by orcs on their journey to Lorien. Legolas was too young when she passed to remember her, but he treasured the knowledge he had learned over the years.

" Good morning, my child," His father replied. When the servants silently placed the food in front of them and then left just as silently, he asked, " Where is Armeliel?"

" She decided to go into the forest this morn, Oroalphien had taken her breeches so she came and took my own." Thranduil chuckled.

" Ai, my star is truly a wood elf . Though sometimes I think she has grown up from an elfling far to quickly."

" Aye," agreed Legolas. And so continued their meal until Thranduil put on his crown of gold and green leaves intertwined with each other and then left for the morning of petitioners. Legolas headed out of the dining room and to the exit, smiling greetings to servants and guards as he went. He walked down the road to the training fields. As he walked, maidens stared at him with longing. To the onlookers, it would seem that he didn't notice, but in truth he did. How could he not? Everywhere he walked he would be the one the maidens fancied. His best friends, Tinrou and Imeldawen always teased him about it, though it didn't make anything better.

They were all friends since they were babes. Tinrou, like Legolas, was awarriors. By three years, Tinrou was the oldest. The second oldest was Legolas, and the youngest by five years is Imeldawen. She was training on being a healer, and would in a few years, head to Imladris to study under Lord Elrond.

Legolas arrived at the training fields to find Tinrou waiting for him. He had a knowing smile on his fair face, showing straight white teeth. " The elleths?" It wasn't a question for he knew. " Ai! Do not worry so, Legolas, you are a fair prince, the jewel of this realm as some say. Of course you will be fancied by every available maiden." Now he was teasing Legolas.

"Indeed," Said a fair voice behind them. They turned around to see Imeldawen standing there with an apron draped over her arm. "I do admit, my dear prince, that you are beautiful, even for an elf. But do not worry so, I do not think of you that way." She laughed and made a face. "Nor do I hope I will. It would be strange." They all laughed. Legolas walked over and gave Imeldawen a hug and a kiss on the temple. " Not working in the healing house, today?"

Imeldawen shook her head. " No, I was on my way there. I saw you two and thought I'd say good morning."

"It's a shame, " Said Tinrou as he walked over and hugged and kissed her hairline, " I would enjoy your company, Imel." She smiled, her emerald eyes sparkling. " I will see you later." She said as she turned around gracefully and made her way to the healing house.

Tinrou and Legolas headed to the shed were there were blunted blades for training. They pickedup the bluntedblades and tested them to seeif they would work for that day. They then headed a little ways out to practice.

Once they got to the destined spot, the turned to each other and got ready for the first attack. Tinrou made the first move with a feint attack from the left with one knife, but attacking from the right with the last knife. Legolas easily blocked both moves and made a move of his own, which was also blocked. Their movements were lightning fast, it was a deadly dance, even with blunted blades. Legolas' golden blonde hair and Tinrou's dirty blonde mane blended together into a blur. It soon attracted an audience from the training novices and the masters. It ended as a draw with the even bigger crowd cheering wildly for them.

They said there thanks and greetings as they moved to the watering hole by the weapons shed. " I think we made quite a show, my friend." Legolas said after taking a long drink of water.

" Indeed." agreed Tinrou..

Nilfalath, the swords play master, walked up to them."Greetings Tinrou, Legolas, I do hope you know that you have the young ones excited by that performance." They both grinned. " I hope that was not your aim? For you do know that they will be asking to learn that, or worse yet, try it on there own." Nilfalath said with a smile. Out of all the masters in training, he was the most easy going. He studied each of his novice's intently to find there strengths and weaknesses. If you got onto his bad side, well... he wasn't very easy going anymore.

The pair of friends both adopted innocent looks and big sad eyes as Legolas replied, " Why, Master Nilfalas! We would never do such a thing. How could you think that?" Nilfalath laughed. His eyes twinkled merrily.

" Alas! How could I? I must be sorely mistaken. Then again I do recall you two being quite a handful." His smile turned into a serious expression. " You both have grown into fine warriors and I'm proud to say I've had a say in it. You two certainly made the lessons an eventful one." They all laughed.

" How have you been, Master Nilfalath?" Asked Tinrou. " The novices today aren't any worse then we were, true?"

Nilfalas replied, " I am well. And no, there are no novice yet under my command that are a handful like you two." After a few minutes of catching up, the swords play master left for the afternoon lessons.

"Well Legolas, what should we do now? Want to go over to the healing house? It should be time for Imel's break." Tinrou asked as the pair slowly made there way off of the field and onto the less crowded shortcut that led to the healers.

"Why not?" The prince replied with a shrug. When they arrived, the found Imeldawen rushing out of a room and into another. And then emerging from that room with a couple of towels and a small vial. The sounds of someone saying comforting words to another could barely be heard from the room. A few minutes later, Imeldawen came out of the room with towels with stains of blood and black.

" What happened, Imel?" Tinrou asked.

Imeldawen spun around in surprise. She had not heard them approaching. She replied, " A little elleth was behind her cottage collecting flowers in the forest and was bit by a spider. Poor child. The spiders seem to be coming ever closer to us." She said with a sigh as she placed the spoiled towels in a little hamper by the door.

" Armeliel went into the forest this morning. She can defend herself, I know, but not against a group of spiders. I do hope she has the antidote package." Legolas said with worry evident in his voice. Imeldawen's head shot up. She was fond of the cousin of Legolas.

"Let us hope it does not come to that." She said.

Armeliel walked casually in the forest. Her fingers coming up now and then to lovingly caress the tree's bark. Her arrows, bow, and knives were all at the ready if the need should arise.

At a giant tree with its smooth ebony bark, and many roots, Armeliel sat down to eat the snack of cheese and bread she brought with her. When she was finished, she leaned into the tree's embrace, silently enjoying the company. The tree also rejoiced at the presence of the elf. "You have my love... forever" she murmured sleepily to the living things around her. Everything got awfully quit for the woods of the eleven kings realm. The tree's emotions were all mixed, to jumbled to sort out. But Armeliel was able to listen to one emotion loud and clear. Danger.

Then she knew. She quickly covered up the barely visible tracks she left and climbed up into the tree to nestle onto the branches. She got her bow out but made no move to notch an arrow yet. She was unable to see them yet for the forest was dark and thick, but she could hear them with her keen hearing. She didn't have to wait long.

She saw one, then two, then three more orcs pop into view. They all stopped in the small clearing, arguing over something in their own foul language. All together, they made a total of 15 orcs.

She grimaced; her grey eyes scanning the group again to see if she had mistaken in her count. Unfortunately she did not.The orcs were getting bolder to actually dare come this far into the elvenkings realm. She silently stood upon the branch, notched an arrow, fired and quickly moved to another tree. The arrow killed the orc, straight threw the neck. The orcs were puzzled. All the sudden another arrow killed another orc from another direction. The 13 remaining orcs notched their own arrow and fired. But their's hit naught but wood, for Armeliel was not there. She would aim and fire and quickly jump to the other tree. The orcs were confused, but by the time the thought of running even entered their minds; they were dead.

Armeliel made sure they were all dead and that none more were lurking in the underbrush. She then piled the bodies and burnt them, so the remains wouldn't attract spiders and more orcs. She then shouldered her bow, leaped lightly onto a branch, and ran through the trees to the king.

A/N

ok so just so your not confused... the ages:

14 years for an elf is equivalent to 3 years in human

21 is about 8 in human.

46 is about 17 in human.

Ages 100 and up don't really make a difference.

And please review, because this is my first story and I wanna know what you guys think about it.