Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
AN: I'm being disappointed by the amount of reviews coming in…not just for this story. I'm trying not to be discouraged, and I will keep writing, but some more reviews would help. I do partially blame myself because I haven't been updating regularly for the past couple of weeks. I'm sorry, I'll try to do better next time. Just be sure that if you read my story and like it, please review! I really read them all and appreciate your comments, even if I don't have the time to reply to them.
((((((((((((((Chapter 7))))))))))))))))))))))
Eressa looked up at the green canopy over her head. She hadn't seen any sign of Mirkwood spiders yet. But they had only entered the forest half an hour ago. The girl sighed and wiped away the drops of sweat that were forming on her forehead. It was hot here. She looked over at Legolas, who was riding beside her in silence. The heat didn't seem to bother him.
But cold doesn't bother him either…She concluded.
Legolas felt his lover's gaze on him and turned his head. Eressa blinked and then smiled her brightest.
"Are you doing alright?" He asked kindly, returning her smile.
Eressa nodded. "Yes, I suppose. The heat is a little uncomfortable."
Legolas turned his head up and let the sunshine wash down his face. "Mirkwood has one of the most extreme climates in Middle Earth." He explained. "Our summers are very hot and our winters are very cold."
"I noticed." Eressa replied, looking up at the trees once more. "Legolas…I don't see any signs of giant spiders like you said lived here."
Legolas's bright face darkened. "You never see any signs." He said. "That is why we must be alert."
Eressa realized what he was saying. Of course she didn't see any signs of spiders. If the creatures left webs everywhere, then no one would dare enter the wood. Then how would the monsters hunt their prey, if there was none?
"They don't come close to where you live, do they, Legolas?" She asked warily.
"No, they don't." He said, turning back to her, smiling. "Don't be so worried, Eressa. The spiders don't usually hunt in the daytime."
Eressa nodded. "I'm not worried. I just…I sort of want to see one."
Legolas made a face. "I don't think so."
Eressa chuckled. "I do too!" She retorted. Then, she added: "But from a distance, of course."
Legolas's smile cracked open, and he let out a soft laugh. But he said nothing. He remembered when he had first seen a giant spider of the forest. He was merely an elfling, traveling to Rivendell with his father and brother, on this very road. Legolas remembered looking to one side and seeing eight red eyes flash out at him from the treetops. He had screamed, but once he told his father what he had seen, the creature was long gone.
I had nightmares for a week after that…He thought sheepishly. Yet Eressa actually wants to see one of them. The curiosity of humans amazes me.
The company rode on into the forest. It was not long before the trees began to grow taller, their girths wider. There were also more calls of birds and the normal animals of the forest. Eressa heard a loud screech above them and jumped. Then a large black shape emerged out of the trees and swooped above them.
"Legolas!" She cried out, but the elf was not alarmed.
"A hawk, Eressa." He said to her.
Eressa furrowed her brow and looked up at the black shape again. It had wings and a large, powerful beak. Legolas was right. It wasn't a monster, just a bird.
"Is everything alright back there?" Elladan called from up in front.
Legolas nodded to his friend. "Yes!" He shouted back. "Eressa just saw a hawk, that's all."
The company continued their trek into the forest of Mirkwood. As Eressa sat atop Agoroth, she took in the scenery as best she could. The different kinds of trees, the animals, the paths.
This is what I'll be living with for the rest of my life…She thought to herself. Such a beautiful place.
Looking up at the rising canopy, she observed the leaves of some of the trees. Some were as big as her hand. Other trees had not leaves at all, but needles of green in their place. Eressa looked at Legolas and saw that he was also looking around in wonder.
It's been so long since he was last here…She thought. He must be so glad to see all of this.
Suddenly the front of the company came to a halt, as Lord Elrond held up his right hand. Legolas blinked and leaned out to see what the reason was.
"Lord Elrond?" He called.
The elf lord didn't so much as move a muscle. "I think we are being watched." Was all he said.
Eressa gasped in fear. Spiders. Spiders. She thought. It had to be them.
She watched carefully as Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel all drew their bows. Legolas wanted to draw one as well, but he hadn't been given one upon their leaving of Rivendell. Lord Elrond had given him a longsword instead. It hung at his horse's side. Gripping the handle, he slowly pulled the blade out.
Lord Elrond heard the rattle of weapons behind him. He turned, an amused look on his face. "Now, I never said we needed those, did I?"
Elladan frowned. "What?"
Legolas lowered his sword. He was about to ask Lord Elrond what he had seen, but before he could, two green-clothed bodies leapt out of the treetops and landed near them.
Legolas blinked. They were elves. But they were not guards of the King as he had expected would meet him. They were simple youths, barely old enough to begin courting. (AN: In other words, teenagers.)
The two youths looked at Lord Elrond in joy.
"Lord Elrond!" One cried. "You've arrived so soon!"
"Where is the Prince?" The other one asked. "We have come to give him his first welcome back!"
Lord Elrond smiled at the young elves and nodded to the back of him. The two boys politely greeted Elrond's sons and foster son before they made their way back to Legolas and Eressa.
Eressa watched as they approached, their eyes growing wider with each step. They approached from her side, but looked past her at her lover, who was almost as surprised to see the other elves as they were.
"Lord Legolas!" One of them gasped. "You…I mean—I, Uthendor, son of Athedil—give you a most heartfelt welcome back home."
Legolas's surprised expression slowly melted into a smile. "Thank you, Uthendor."
The other young elf stepped forward. "And I, Naurduil, son of Hardil, welcome you as well." He smiled, as if relieved. "Your people have waited long for your return."
"Thank you, Naurduil." Legolas answered. "I am most grateful for your personal welcome."
"My lord, please allow us to escort you back!" Cried Uthendor. "It would be a great honor."
"I accept." Legolas said, turning his eyes for a moment away from the youths and towards Eressa. "But I would like you to meet someone first."
The boys blinked and for the first time seemed to notice Eressa. They looked her over and Eressa knew they must be confused because she was human. Not to mention pregnant. Had Estel not told Mirkwood's people about her as well?
"Who is she?" Asked Naurduil.
Eressa rolled her eyes. I guess not.
Legolas smiled warmly at the young elves. "She is my fiancé."
Upon hearing those four words, both boys' mouths dropped open. One of them…Naurduil, Eressa thought…blinked his eyes at her as if he thought he was seeing things.
"This is most unexpected!" Uthendor said once he regained the use of his tongue. "But I congratulate you! What is the fair lady's name?"
Eressa looked at the youth and smiled shyly. "My name is Eressa." She answered.
Legolas grinned and leaned over to grasp her hand, which was nervously fumbling with Agoroth's mane. "It will be Princess Eressa soon."
Naurduil finally seemed to snap out of his stuper. "Lord Legolas, Lady Eressa…welcome…a thousand times, welcome."
"Thank you." Legolas and Eressa said in unison.
"Now could you kindly escort us to the palace, as you promised?" Legolas asked, giving the boys a wink. Their eyes lit up.
"Of course, Prince Legolas, of course!" They cried. "Our horses are right over here!"
((((((((((((((((
The youths lead the company the rest of the way into Mirkwood, excitedly chattering about everything on their minds as they did so. Eressa quite enjoyed listening to them. They seemed very friendly. She hoped all elves in Mirkwood would accept her as Legolas's fiancé as quickly as these two did.
Suddenly, there were sounds of voices in the distance. Fair voices they were, and just as excited as the boys that lead them. It wasn't long before Eressa got a peek of what awaited them through the trees.
She saw the biggest door she had ever seen. It was carved right into the stone in the ground, as if a cliff had been hollowed out. There were many elves waiting at the gate. They were dressed in beautiful, colorful armor, and each had a spear, decorated with the feathers of a bird.
All the excited chatter ceased once the company came into view, and the elves in armor quickly lined up neatly. But as the company reached them, one of the elves ran forward. He was very handsome—blonde hair like Legolas had—only his was longer since Legolas had had his cut. He wasn't dressed as the other elves were. While the other armored guards were dressed in silver armor and black leather, this one had magnificent bronze armor with no leather. And while the other elves had green capes thrown over their shoulders, this one had a cape of a beautiful red. Eressa watched as his steady jog over turned into an all out sprint.
Suddenly, Legolas cried out. "Hathol!"
Eressa jumped at the sudden outburst and watched as Legolas leaped off his horse and ran to the armored elf. They practically collided with each other.
"Valar bless you, Legolas!" Cried the elf as he gripped Legolas in a huge bear hug. "Only they know how relieved I am to see you!"
"I'm relieved to see you as well, Hathol!" Legolas answered.
Eressa slowly began to smile as her love and Hathol laughed and continued to hug each other. She suspected that they were very good friends. She got her answer when Legolas lead Hathol over to greet her.
"Eressa, this is the leader of Mirkwood's armies after myself, and my very good friend, Hathol." Legolas introduced. "Hathol, I would like you to meet Eressa…she is my fiancé."
Hathol seemed genuinely surprised, but he offered his hand to Eressa nonetheless. "It is a great honor, Lady Eressa." He said kindly.
"It is for me as well." Eressa replied as best she could.
Hathol stared at her for a moment longer. Then he seemed to remember something. "Come, come!" He cried to Legolas and the others. "The King is waiting!"
Eressa watched as the huge stone gates suddenly groaned and slowly swung open, revealing a beautifully lighted cavern inside. It wasn't just a cavern, it was carved into the very stone…a large hall, with marble pillars and decoration. Eressa gasped. She had never seen such a thing.
Legolas helped Eressa down from Agoroth and lead her toward the entrance of the palace.
"This is where you live?" She asked in disbelief. "A cave-palace?"
"It is a palace." Legolas nodded. "But it is hardly a cave."
They walked inside, and Eressa grew more and more excited as she heard her own footsteps echo off the great hall's stone walls. The floor was tiled with many different stones—some were wonderfully colorful.
"It must be wonderful to be back, eh?" Asked Hathol, who was leading the others behind him.
"Yes, it is." Legolas whispered. He was beside himself as well. He realized that he had taken everything he had for granted before. Now he felt so completed now that he was home.
Lord Elrond stepped up beside them. "I have been told the King is on his way."
"He's alright?" Legolas asked. "But he is still recovering, is he not?"
Eressa looked up at her fiancé, concerned. She looked ahead of her. At the back of the grand hall, there stood four thrones. Two were place on a higher pedestal than the other two, which were smaller. These were rested on either side of the pedestal. The thrones were cushioned with soft velvet seats, and they were carved from very dark, beautiful wood. Set atop each throne was a golden headpiece, carved into the form of leaves and branches curling down the back of each chair.
Legolas turned away from his conversation with Lord Elrond and saw Eressa observing his family's thrones.
"The one to our left on the pedestal is the King's." He explained. "My mother's is the one to his left, my brother's to his right, and mine is the furthest one on our right side."
"Oh…" Eressa marveled. "They are beautiful."
"They were made by the finest craftsmen in Mirkwood." Legolas said. "They will make one for you once we are married."
Eressa blinked. "I'll have a throne?"
Legolas nodded and smiled at her. "You will be a princess, after all, Eressa."
Eressa couldn't believe what she was hearing. For the first time, she actually realized that she was going to become royalty. "Oh my goodness."
Legolas began to chuckle, but his laugh was cut short when a few figures stepped out from one of the halls that opened up to either side of the thrones. Legolas gasped, and Eressa looked that way.
There was an elf that looked to be about Lord Elrond's age standing there, a few servant's behind him. He was dressed, like most of the other elves, in green. A long cape fluttered behind him, and he had a band of gold decorating his brow. In the center of the band was a beautiful green stone…an emerald. It glittered as if all the stars in the sky were inside it.
"Father." Legolas whispered.
Eressa looked at her lover, and then back at the older elf. Indeed, he was dressed like a king, and he shared many features with Legolas. He smiled as he slowly approached them. Legolas began to step forward as well. Eressa, unsure of what to do, followed from behind him.
Legolas and the King halted when they were three feet away from each other. The King smiled again and reached out a hand to touch Legolas's arm.
"And so you come home, my son." He said with a voice filled to the brim with emotion. "I have missed you so."
Eressa looked at Legolas and realized he was shaking. She heard a sob come from him.
"Ada…" The Prince whispered in elvish before falling into the arms of his father. The two embrace for many minutes, while the company looked on and smiled.
"Ada, I'm sorry…" Legolas said. "I'm sorry I made you worry. I'm sorry for everything…"
The King was close to tears, as was his son. "I am alright, Legolas, now that I know you are safe."
They parted then, and the King looked past his son and at the girl behind him. Eressa froze once his eyes found her. Legolas turned back and smiled as they stared at each other.
"Father," Legolas said, reaching back and taking Eressa's hand. "I would like you to meet someone."
The King nodded, and Legolas smiled nervously at him. "Father, this is Eressa. She's my…" Legola's breath caught in his throat right then, and he couldn't seem to get the rest of the sentence out.
Finally, he managed to speak three words: "I love her."
The King reacted with surprise but handled it better than his subjects behind him. They announced their shock with a chorus of gasps and then a soft roar of whispering.
"We wish to be married, Father." Legolas continued. "If you would give us your blessing."
The King's face grew bright and warm. He turned his eyes on Eressa again. "Lady Eressa…Legolas…you have my blessing as well as my most warm welcome."
Eressa watched as both Legolas and his father's eyes turned on her. She was unsure what to do, so she did what she thought was appropriate for the moment. She curtsied.
"Pleased to meet you, your Majesty." She mumbled.
To her surprise the King laughed, leaned forward and grasped her hands. He pulled her up. "My dear Eressa…you may call me Thranduil."
Eressa smiled weakly. "Thank you…Thranduil."
Legolas stepped forward. He swallowed nervously. "Father…you may have noticed…but Eressa and I will be having a child as well."
The King blinked, and then set Eressa's hands free, looking at her belly. "By the Valar's blessing…" He exclaimed, laughing. "I hadn't noticed!"
"It's true, Father." Legolas continued. "You'll have a grandchild soon."
The King shook his head chuckled. He laughed, but there were tears in his eyes. Eressa watched as he embrced his son again, this time holding him in his grasp longer than before.
"Legolas, my son…congratulations. This was most unexpected, but I am also most overjoyed." The King beamed.
Legolas smiled softly at Eressa and then his father. "As am I."
"How soon, may I ask?"
"You'll have a grandchild by the end of the summer, Thranduil, my friend." Lord Elrond cut in, motioning towards Eressa. "I've been tending to her."
"Then I must thank you, Elrond." The King replied. "And I must thank you for finding my son."
"There is no need to thank me, Thranduil. Legolas is like a son to me as well." The elven Lord answered.
The ElvenKing smiled at his old friend, nodded, and then placed a strong hand on each of his son's shoulders.
"We will have a feast tonight." He announced in a strong, stone voice. "A greater feast than has ever been seen before. In honor of my son's engagement and his glorious return."
((((((((((((((((((((Personal thing))))))))))))))))))))))
That was nine pages. I hope it was long enough. Sorry if it's not! Well, now I promised to take my sister and her friend out for ice cream and a movie, so see ya later!