Chapter One: Hurtful Memories
Arissa remembers the day that she came to Lord Celeborn's house her delicate body severely beaten. Dark bruises covered her once flawless skin; blood soaked her gown from the enormous wound on her stomach. Her once full body length hair cut short, so that it then only reached her mid-back. Lady Galandriel became hysterical and screamed for justice. Her husband Lord Celeborn gave it. Their niece had no right to been beaten so badly that Arissa had fallen into a coma state for over a week. With the elven healers constantly checking on her and her aunt Lady Galandriel never leaving her side, she came out of it feeling better than ever. However, the wound inflicted on her stomach healed but the scar would remain on her body for the rest of her life.
After the murder of her mother Arissa's father Darrion started to abuse her, his drinking of wine became more of a habit. Moreover, if she angered him enough the little girl would often find herself in the arms of her mother's nurse with her father profusely apologizing telling her that it would never happen again. Nevertheless, it always did, in fact with each beating his anger and, rage became worse causing the injuries he inflicted on her body to become bigger. Arissa learned to hide her bruises as best she could but her aunt knew of the beatings and did everything she could to help her young niece. When Arissa's aunt found her tremendously beaten and her father on the floor passed out, Lady Galandriel demanded justice. Lord Celeborn banished Darrion from the city of Lothlorien never to return he forebode Darrion to send any type of word to Arissa. In mortal age Arissa was only about eight years old in elven she was eight-hundred years old, she is now seventeen in mortal age and about seventeen-hundred years old.
"Arissa darling are you ready? Lord Celeborn is in dire need of your presence" Antoinette knocked her voice in a panic.
"Coming I'll be there as soon as I can" Arissa buttoned her dress and combed her hair running out of the room. The poor child never could be early.
"Hurry child you're already late enough as it is!" Antoinette said rushing the little elven maiden down the hall.
"I know today is the day that I meet Prince Garren, oh my uncle is going to kill me if I'm late again" Arissa said running into the meeting hall barely making it, and just in enough time to arrive before the young prince.
"Oh here she is Arissa I would like you to meet Prince Garren he is Lord Elrond's son and Lady Arwen's brother. Well Prince Garren meet my niece Princess Arissa Lynthiel," Lord Celeborn said leaving the two younger royalties to themselves.
"It gives me pleasure to meet you Lady Arissa I have heard of your beauty but none of the tales do you justice, it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance" The young prince bowed and kissed her hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Prince Garren" Arissa curtsied and smiled. "Shall we adjourn for the garden hall I would love to show you the palace gardens?" Arissa said walking ahead.
The young elven prince smiled, it is not the first time that either of them has met, although it has been a very long time. Their first meeting was at the wedding of Lady Sariela and Lord Orion, the young prince's aunt and uncle. They were only mere children then, both of them were sworn to each other, as the princess and prince grew older they wondered to themselves, how do I marry a person that I don't even know? They had written to each other over the years and occasional visits were arranged but nothing to extravagant, to where they got know each other.
As the prince stares at Arissa, he begins to realize that it is very easy to fall in love with someone that you have only known for less than five minutes.
"Oh and these I planted last year they've blossomed beautifully don't you think?" Arissa turns to the prince and notices that he is staring at her with a blank expression. "Prince Garren, your highness?"
"You'll have to excuse me Princess Arissa I was merely taken away with your beauty, I do believe that our family wishes us to be married and with your permission I would like to ask for your hand in marriage?" The prince bowed down pulling out a beautiful white gold ring.
"Oh dear Prince Garren I'm so sorry I cannot marry you, because I do not love you. I do not know you well enough and it would be a lie to say that I did. So please give me time, now if you'll excuse me I think I should leave thank you for understanding," Arissa kisses his cheek and walks away.
Oh, why did I say that? Well part of it is true the other part is my family what would he say if he ever found out that my mother was murdered by her lover and my father beat me as a young child? What am I to tell him? I cannot shake the feeling that he is not the one for me; another is out there that I am to meet soon, and maybe he will be the one. Arissa thought to herself.
Making her way back to the palace she enters her room and finds a small satin box on her nightstand. Opening it she finds a sterling silver band with leaves around the band and a large diamond being the center of it. A small note goes along with it.
Dear Arissa,
I may not be the prince that you seek but I will always love you amin mela lle Garren
Sighing Arissa places the ring back in the box, a knock is the next thing she hears at her door. Lady Galandriel enters and smiles brightly at her niece. For some reason Arissa is much darker than all elves in fact the reason for the color of her skin is unknown most the elven maidens are fair skinned the only race that has the darker skin are mortals. However, Arissa is full-blooded elf, but now on to more important matters.
"Hello Aunt Galandriel how do you fair this morning?" Arissa smiled.
"Quiet well thank you Arissa I have come to tell you that King Thranduil and Queen Seraena wish to have you visit, they wish for you to meet their younger son Prince Thieles who is around your age and wishes to find a bride. So they have arranged for the both of you to meet. You leave right now, your bags have already been packed and Goliath is waiting for you. Why you insist on riding a dog I will never know, but oh well I guess you'll never learn to ride a horse" Galandriel sighed.
"I beg your pardon dear aunt he is not a dog is he is a wolf and a magic one at that who can transform into a wolf puppy and then a full grown wolf at his will. Besides Gandalf gave him to me when I turned thirteen-hundred remember. Well I guess I better go change." Arissa goes behind the stand up wall and changes into her tan colored skirt and champagne blouse, the sleeves reach her elbows and flow out from there, her matching champagne colored boots reach her knees.
"Be safe little princess and I'll send word for you soon alright, and oh yes your weapon is also waiting for you. Again why you insist on using a bone as a weapon is beyond me"
"Once more, dear aunt Gandalf gave it to me for birthday and it was made from the bone of an Oliphant you don't see many of them any more."
"Yes but it is so heavy and bulky why not carry a bow and arrows or one of our daggers?" Lady Galandriel asked.
"Because I like my, what did Gandalf call it again? Oh yes a boomerang and its not heavy, well I better leave aunt I'll be sure to kiss Uncle Celeborn goodbye before I leave" Arissa kissed her aunts cheek and rushed out.
Running through the hallways, she sees Garren and smiles, to him. "I'll be leaving now for Mirkwood Garren thank you so much for the beautiful ring I love it, excuse me for being so rude but I have to leave. I'll write to you to let you know I'm alright." Arissa said placing a tender kiss on his cheek.
Arissa traveled for about five hours before reaching the gates of Mirkwoods palace it is only late noon and the young prince along with his mother, father and older brother are there to greet her. Arissa is pleased to meet them all but the one the catches her attention is Thieles's older brother Legolas his cerulean eyes are captivating. His strapping body is also very noticeable; his lips are a beautiful blush color, and his hair the color of honey. Thieles is strong in built with his cinnamon hair, and his olive eyes make him gorgeous looking, but there is something more about Legolas that catches Arissa's attention.
"It is lovely to meet you all, your highness King Thranduil and Queen Seraena, Prince Thieles and Legolas. Please you must forgive me for my clothing traveling in a gown is not as easy as it looks. I assure you I do not always dress as such this is my tunic," Arissa curtsied and smiled, now it was Legolas's turn to blush.
What is it about this maiden that fascinates me so? To bad, that she is here to meet my brother. The older brother thought to himself.
"Oh what a polite maiden you are dear child there is no need to apologize why if I could I would wear my tunic all day long," Queen Seraena laughed. "Come I will have Thieles show you to your room so that the both of you can become better acquainted," Queen Seraena pushed Arissa along next to her youngest son.
Walking into the palace Arissa is breathless at all she sees. The palace columns are as tell as the trees in the forest, with small delicate leaves carved into the wood. The king and queens thrown beautiful adorned with gold and green leaves. The floor made of green marble, candles and curtains by each window. To the west of the room, a large balcony overlooks the city. Thieles leads her down a long corridor, with paintings of elders of the elven race. Stopping before to large double doors, with golden leaves painted all over forming an archway. He opens the door and reveals a large room lit with candles and sunlight, a golden glow is all around the room. Arissa walks in and once more is breathless.
Setting her bags down she hears the door slam, and the prince headed towards her. Wrapping his arms around her body and kissing her neck, Arissa finds him repulsive, her voice pleads with him to stop be he continues tears stream down her face, Goliath and can be heard outside growling and barking rocking the door back and forth but he is unable to brake it down. The elder of the brothers Legolas hears the commotion and runs towards the barking wolf, stopping at Arissa's room to hear her pleas for help.
"Stop it get off of me! Please just stop it!" She screams, Legolas becomes enraged kicks the door open with Goliath at his side. He sees his younger brother on the bed with Arissa against her will, running at full force he tackles his brother to the ground, leaving Arissa on the bed to cover up.
"What are you doing?" Legolas demands.
"What we were just getting acquainted like mother told us to, what's your problem anyways?" Thieles said in between his heavy breathing.
"She said to stop! If you ever touch her again I'll kill you myself!" Legolas said. "Now get out of here before I tell father what shame you have brought to our family!" He throws his little brother out of the room. Legolas shuts the door and looks at Arissa. Slowing walking towards her, he sees that her blouse ripped and her hair is a mess.
He moves to take off his tunic coat reaching for Arissa's face, she whimpers and pulls away. "It's alright I won't hurt you I promise, here take this" Legolas hands her his coat. She wraps it around her body and smells cologne his sweet rustic scent puts a smile on her face.
"I want to go home I do not wish to stay here anymore please forgive me for my sudden change of heart but I must leave" Arissa said as one glistening tear fell down her face.
"My dear lady I am the one who should be asking for your forgiveness not you for mine. I do not know what has come over him." Legolas said looking down.
"It's alright but I better get going before it gets any later," Arissa reaches for her own jacket letting go of Legolas' to reveal the scar on her stomach. Seeing this Legolas stops her touching the scar, Arissa shudders in fright and becomes scared.
"That's a nice one want to see mine?" Legolas smiled at her she did not respond but he pulled up his shirt to reveal his washboard stomach with an ugly scar. "I got this last year when I was battling an orc sliced right throw my stomach, and almost got all my insides," He said proudly and smiled.
"Mine was from my fa" she stopped not wanting to reveal her hidden past. "When I was little I was messing around with my uncle's swords and knocked over a shelf full of them, one of the swords caught my stomach. Well I better get going it's getting late and night has already come." Walking away Legolas could not stand to see her leave this way he reaches for her hand, feeling his touch Arissa's soul jumps for joy.
"Just stay for tonight please it's late and I would not want you to leave alone" Legolas said his face sincere. "I'll send for food and have you moved to a different room, and I'll watch over you for tonight" Arissa could not resist is innocent voice and plea, so she agreed.
"Alright Legolas, but just for tonight show me to the room" She smiled a half way smile but there was still one there. "Where am I to be staying now?" Arissa asked as Legolas picked up her things.
"My room it's on the other side of the palace where my brother is not allowed, I assure you that I will not try anything with you. I only mean to keep you safe," Legolas said and without hesitation, Arissa smiled and followed his lead still holding his hand.
Summoning palace guards to follow close behind them Legolas has done everything in his power to insure Arissa's safety. It was not like Legolas to be so protective of a maiden he had only met; in fact, the only elven girl that he is protective of is Sultana his godchild. However, there is something different about Arissa, he feels obligated to protect her. Something deep down inside of him yearns for her touch, her love, a glance of her smile and a simple wisp of her hair. Except the dear prince has never longed for a love so why does he yearn for one now? He has always been so quiet so reserved, never socializing like his younger brother. Keeping to himself was his way of life, always letting his actions speak louder than his words. Never in his life had he been so bold towards anyone let alone a maiden so why now? What makes Arissa so different?
The prince leads Arissa down a small candle lit pathway out to the gardens and to a large cottage like house. Legolas opens the door and reveals a enormous room with a king size bed. A bath area in another room, a wardrobe, desk and small table fill the room of his, with a painting of small elven children with their father and mother.
"Here is will you will be staying for tonight, I hope this is suitable?" Legolas asked showing her around.
"It is more than enough thank your highness for being so kind to me," Arissa curtsied once again giving him a sweet smile, his heart jumped and he suddenly smiled, something that he does not do often. "Well I'm going to go and change thank you again your highness,"
"Legolas," the young prince said.
"Thank you Legolas" His name flowed from her lips as gently as the water flows down stream. She turned around, then back once more, and planted a small kiss on his cheek, turning a flush color she made her way into the bathing quarters. Legolas smiled and touched his cheek feeling his face turn a shade of pink. Changing into her nightgown Arissa throws her hair up once more into a nice and neat ponytail. She walks out to find Legolas preparing food.
"I thought you might be hungry so I had the servants bring up food for you it isn't much kitchen is closed but," Arissa interrupts him.
"No it's perfect thank you I am hungry." Sitting in silence Arissa nibbles at the food slowly and then finally finishes the bread, wine and small piece of fruit. Taking the last drink of her wine she starts to cry and Legolas goes to her side.
"What's wrong are you alright?" His voice calm and concerned.
"I feel so awful I have turned you against your brother, and now my uncle is going to wonder why things went so wrong. What am I to tell him, I cannot say that he attacked me it would be wrong" Arissa's sobbing grows stronger.
"Listen to me you have done nothing wrong, my brother hurt you and I promise you this if anyone ever touches you again I will kill them myself. I will never let anyone hurt you again Arissa I promise!" His declaration of security has her amazed.
"Why would you do all this for me? You don't even know me." Curiosity getting the best of her, his handsome looks and sweet heart melt her own heart.
"I don't know Arissa you make me feel different, never have I been so protective of a maiden like yourself, I" Legolas stopped himself not wanting to out right pour out his heart to her. Nevertheless, all the feelings that he is having right now are unGoliathable.
"I like you Legolas; will you come back with me and Goliath when we travel back to Lothlorien? I wish for my aunt and uncle to meet the prince that has captivated my soul," Arissa said walking to the bed and lying down. "Good night sweet Prince of Mirkwood" she said before closing her eyes.
"Good night melamin" the last word left his lips like the air from his lungs.