a/n: means that this particular elvish term will be translated the bottom of the page.
1 September, Year 478 of the Second Age of Middle Earth
It was cold for September. That much I remember. I was on a journey and had nearly reached the end when the cold came, quite early for that time of year.
My name is Legolas Cúthalion, member of the Cassiline Brotherhood, although my birth name was Lasgalen Thranduilion. I have been a Cassiline Brother for nearly four centuries.
Some time ago, my Prefect received a letter from the Lord of Eregion in Ost-in-Edhel, the City of the Elves. Celebrimbor had need of a bodyguard and called upon the Cassiline Brethren, for they were the highest order of personal security money could buy. And so, I received the honor of serving the Lord of Eregion, embarking on a journey that took nearly three months.
A cold wind blew as I entered the city. Its inhabitants hardly spared me a glance. I was simply another traveler cloaked in the chill, albeit a wealthy journeyman from the fine horse I rode. I approached the fortress on its imposing hill, gaining entrance from the guards.
Celebrimbor himself met me at the door. He was tall and raven-haired, and had piercing green eyes. Clad all in black, there was an austere air about him which dissipated somewhat when he smiled in greeting.
"Friend Cassiline," he said, offering his hand. "I am Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion." I clasped my own hand in his and bowed my head.
"Im Legolas. I protect and serve, my lord," I intoned.
He smiled. "Good."
When he didn't move, I looked at him curiously. "Perhaps," I said hesitantly, "my lord could show me what my duties are to be?"
He smiled again, although this time his eyes looked slightly wary. "Of course. If you will follow me, I will introduce you to your charge."
I started, surprised. "I apologize, Lord Celebrimbor, but I was under the impression that I was to be guarding you."
He looked slightly sheepish. "Actually, friend Legolas, you will be guarding my young cousin. I am afraid that she is quite strong-willed, not to mention free-spirited, and I have worried for her safety of late." He eyed me. "She is quite capable of defending herself, I assure you, but she tends to wander without bound, and I would be very much relieved if I knew she had a capable companion beside her."
My eyebrows rose at this. "My lord, a Cassiline brother is a bodyguard, not a boon companion. I protect and serve, but in order to do so I cannot become attached to my charge." Little did I know, that would fly out the window very quickly.
"I understand your role, Brother. Your watchfulness is exactly why I feel confident in placing the Lady Tinúviel's life in your hands."
I stopped, and Celebrimbor continued on several paces before he realized that I was no longer beside him.
"My lord, perhaps I heard you incorrectly. Did you say that my charge will be Lúthien Tinúviel?" I stared at him, not caring that I was being rude. Her name was infamous. The bards regarded Maglor's daughter as the most beautiful Child of Ilúvatar ever to grace the earth since her namesake, millennia in the past. She possessed perhaps the noblest heritage of any lady in Middle Earth. I did not relish being in the company of a spoiled brat for the next century.
He looked me straight in the eye. "There have been several attempts on my cousin's life in the past several years, Brother Legolas. I want you to make sure that no future attempts succeed." He sighed. "I do warn you, however, that she is very independent, and she will try, perhaps successfully, to lose you or rid herself of you in other ways. Do you wish to continue?"
I looked into his eyes and saw concern and worry warring with a very faint spark of hope. With a silent farewell to my sanity, I nodded. "Yes, my lord. Let us continue."
Legolas- greenleaf, literally "leaf of green"
Cuthalion- strongbow
Lasgalen- another translation of greenleaf
Thranduilion- son of Thranduil
Im- I, I am
Maglor- golden hand, second son of Feanor
Luthien- flower
Tinuviel- daughter of twilight, a poetic name for the nightingale