CHOICES IN LOVE

Disclaimer: The title LOTR and it's brilliant characters belongs to the great mind of J.R.R Tolkien. As for the others, Miya (Mee-yah) and the rest, they're part of my hyperactive imaginative mind.

Chapter 8 - It's Been a Long Time

Wearing his best tunic made of silver threads, Legolas walked into the receiving room feeling like a caged animal. The feeling wouldn't dissapate and it was making him troubled and helpless about the sitauation. It was the fortnight after Thranduil to him that he was going to be king and yet it still weight heavily in his mind and heart. He knew that it took more than having royal blood to rule a land and he was lacking in most departments such as experience and wisdom. Erstwhile, his friends, upon hearing about it and were overjoyed for him. That was until they found out that he didn't actually like the idea of being king.

But aside from his father passing on the crown to him, his mind was also trying to come into terms with getting married to someone he didn't know. He didn't have an inkling of how she looked or what her disposition would be like. All he could do was just hope for the best that his father had in mind his preferences when he chose her. Thranduil was beside him when the sounds of pounding hooves entered the pavement of the castle. For the life of Legolas, he didn't know why his father had an insanely happy smile on his face. It bothered him endlessly.

He forced a smile on his face as they waited for their guests to arrive. With years of training under his belt on receiving dignitaries from all over Middle Earth, it was easy to put himself into an auto-pilot mode to be congenial and gracious. But Legolas was surprised when he saw Arwen Evenstar dismount from her white horse with Aragorn beside her. A frown was now on his face when Elrond came into view. These were elves from Rivendell?

Four more horses entered and Legolas didn't actually take a good look at the new arrivals for he was already exasperatedly talking to Aragorn and Arwen about his impending doom. "It looks like our wedding will be both held on midsummer, Legolas," Arwen said with a serene smile on her lips, ignoring her friend's apparent scowls. "Oh do smile Legolas, you might be surprised. And it is nice to see you well dear elf," she was caught by Legolas on his arms in a tight hug.

Legolas released Arwen and gave Aragorn a one-arm hug. "It is good to see you well Legolas. I was very surprised to hear about your engagement."

"Believe me Aragorn, I was surprised so myself," Legolas said dryly. "I see that Elrond had decided to come too," he remarked, observing the elf lord who was talking in a hushed but excited tone to his father. Excited? Why are they excited about this?! the prince thought irritatedly to himself.

"Father received a message from Thranduil ten days ago to inform him of your decision. Apparently, your father had already chosen your queen long before you came back. I have to tell you the truth though Legolas, your fiancée won't be very happy to see you," Arwen said, pausing for a while, trying to grasp the apt word to describe the girl. "In fact, she is quite enraged," she confessed.

"Enraged? Why?" Legolas asked, frowning upon the description of the Evenstar.

"Previous engagement—" Arwen started.

"I'm telling you Master Elf, I don't exactly envy your position," Aragorn interrupted, giving his beloved a look of warning. Legolas still didn't have a clue as to which his queen would be and Aragorn wanted to see his reaction fully when he sees her.

But before Legolas could ask them who the elleth was, his father formally welcomed their guests.

"Honored guests, you will all be escorted to your rooms now so you can take a rest before the banquet tonight," Thranduil said jovially announced. The Rivendell party walked up the stairs and that was when Legolas finally had the chance to inspect the newcomers fully. Two had their hoods over their heads while the other two didn't. The two who didn't wear their hoods was a male and a female elves, both with honey blonde hair. At least he knew his bride was a blonde. Legolas sighed and went back inside.

Two hours before the banquet, Legolas wandered into the castle gardens wanting to clear his head from the finality of the matter. He was in deep thought at the moment, thinking about how easily he had succumbed to his father's wishes. He could have objected but maybe it was also his will to settle down deep inside. A thought that made him uconsciously conjure the thought of Miya.

It would be nice to have her come to my wedding and tell her all about the things I'm going through right now... he thought melancholically as he walked towards his favorite tree.

The party who came were all from Rivendell and he couldn't help but think of her, wishing that she was with them to at least accompany him. If there's one person he knew he could rant about anything, it would be Miya. In his heart he was still not sure about himself being king. If his best friend was there, Miya would make his resolve sure to be king for Miya put duty above all else and believed in him. Although he wasn't sure she would be telling all that to him before spewing fire on his face to make him pay. He chuckled at the thought. He knew that this woman was just someone with a beautiful birthright but can he at least learn to respect her? Miya would tell him that Mirkwood will need an heir and this blonde elf would give him that.

Climbing up the old oak tree near the arbor of the gardens, he looked up the sky and continued to think. His train of thoughts were interrupted though by a soft scratching of a quill towards parchment. His keen sense of hearing made sure that it really was that sound. Now who would be in the arbor right this moment instead of getting ready for the feast? he aske himself. Quietly looking down, he saw someone in the arbor writing something. It was an elleth and if he wasn't mistaken, it was someone part of the Rivendell party because of the green cloak that she was wearing was the still the same.

Climbing down, he walked up quietly to where she was, hoping to see whatever she was writing and to see who she was. Maybe she can give him some information about the blonde girl who was to be his wife. A few more paces was all he needed when he was stopped short by her voice.

"Try walking more quietly Legolas if you wish to startle me," the woman said ominously to him, not bothering to turn around and face him.

That voice... Legolas thought to himself with a frown, stopping his trek towards the figure. He watched as she stood up and remove the hood to her cloak. Dark brown hair spilled down her shoulders as she turned herself to face him fully.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you, your highness," she greeted him with a haughty voice, her eyebrow arched dangerously to him before bowing slightly.

"Miya!"