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.

A/N: I LOVE Legolas, not Orlando Bloom. BIG, VERY BIG, difference. Ya'll can have O.B. for all I care, just let me have Legolas.

Chapter 10

It was eight in the evening and the banquet had already started. From where he was seated, Legolas surveyed the fairly large, diverse group of elves coming from Mirkwood, Rivendell and Lorien. That was what surprised him, there were elves from Lorien; his father told him that out of politeness, they had been invited.

But that wasn't the only thing that aroused curiosity in him. Not to mention, worry. Miya wasn't anywhere to be found. From his former knowledge, he knew that she had gone to fix herself for the banquet two hours ago. He wished to speak to her sorely, to apologize and to make things right. At the back of his mind, he knew that it would be no easy task for she wasn't the she-elf that he used to know. Behind the green eyes was a core of steel that would seem impossible to penetrate. There wasn't much hope for forgiveness for him from her. She made that clear with what she said in the arbor that afternoon.

To say that he didn't miss Miya would be a very big lie. But things were very different; she hated the very core of his being, not that he can blame her. He wanted to set things right, he needed her back. Especially at the time like this when he was in the middle of some whirlwind that he cannot control. With her by his side to counsel him, he could go through it in a calmer manner. And she would constantly remind him of his duty. Duty, Legolas thought. That was the foremost thing in Miya's mind all the time. Duty before anything else.

Now that he can think of it better, he frowned when he was reminded of how little time could do to her. When she left Mirkwood, she looked soft and very young. At the arbor was an all together a different woman, take note, a woman! Her hair, well, he couldn't discern how long it was now but her eyes, oh her glorious eyes! It was still the deep green of a pine tree, despite of the time, he couldn't stop admiring the winged brows that framed her eyes. Though far too much hate radiated from them.

"Welcome favored guests of Mirkwood. I am not a big believer of long speeches and flowery words so I will deliver to you news that might not be new to anyone in this room. I am merely going to say it out of formality. Mirkwood will soon have a new ruler, my son, Legolas. And with this title comes a queen that Elrond, King of Rivendell and I have chosen carefully. I know great numbers of fair maidens were distraught at the news," he joked but immediately cleared his throat. "This maiden elf will be the one who will be the other half of my son for all eternity. May I present to you, the future Queen of Mirkwood," Thranduil gracefully swept his hand to the elaborately carved doorways wherein two servants opened simultaneously.

Legolas didn't know how to react at the time like this so he looked expectantly at the door, his hands clasped at his back. He had seen Niccola and she wasn't very hard to look at, he just hoped that she had half the brains of her beauty. A smile came to his lips when he saw the blonde elf walk in gracefully but frowned when she didn't look at him. True, she didn't look enraged as what Miya, Arwen and Aragorn had said beforehand, more like fidgety and worried. He couldn't deny that she looked grand in her deep purple dress and plaited hair. Then she looked at the head table, not directly at him but to Elrond who just nodded serenely.

Something's not right, Legolas thought with confusion as he watched Niccola step to the sides with two other Rivendell elves.

"Lady Almiya Starwen, daughter of the late Mariama Gwenlian and Nimrodel Starwen, Lord and Lady Starwen, the future Queen of Mirkwood," Niccola said with a revered tone, sweeping her own arm as a dark-haired elf walked into the room, escorted by a male elf.

Legolas' breath was caught in his throat. First, from the shock of hearing Miya's name as the Queen of Mirkwood and secondly, her appearance. Gone was the green cloak and trousers that she wore two hours ago but a deep blood red gown embellished by spangles of golden thread. Very simple but was carried off elegantly by Miya. Placed on top of her head was a simple tiara, her hair in flowing waves behind her back. He began to look at Miya then to Niccola, confused as to why Miya led him on that Niccola was his bride.

But he didn't have time to react much to the shock for another blow was sent to his heart. He couldn't hear the applause of the guests that filled the room to the rafters or the cheers or his father's glee. All it took for him to be deaf from the world was that one look that Miya sent him. If hatred was her look a couple of hours ago, now it was of pure loathing and despise. Her green eyes darker than the usual and her cheeks heightened with color, full of anger. Only Legolas knew how hard it was for the elleth to keep her anger in check.

If Legolas' knew it, Miya was close to tears if not for the restraint she showed. She would not let them have the satisfaction that they had cornered her once more. They had cornered her once more for they knew that she placed duty above all else and so she was persuaded to come to Mirkwood and accept the title, Queen of Mirkwood. Legolas, the man she hated with all her heart, was to be her husband. Giving him one last look of hate that made him shrink to his seat, she broke the gaze and walked into the room with a dazzling smile. Playing the part of a happy, soon-to-be-queen role for everyone.

"Ah, my son! This is my surprise! Almiya will soon be the queen of this land," Thranduil said with a happy smile, patting Legolas' shoulder. "A spitfire indeed, you asked! And here she is, she has finally come home,"

But he wasn't paying attention. He heard what he said all right but shock was overwhelming him that even at that moment, he didn't mind Aragorn and Arwen gaping at the usually composed elf's behavior.

As for Miya, if what they did to her wasn't enough, they tortured her even more by giving her the seat next to Legolas. He looked at her meaningfully, still a bit shocked at the revelation. She didn't even so much as glance at him until Elrond caught her gaze and gave her a warning look. That was it, a command. And so, she leaned a little bit next to Legolas and pretended to whisper to him with a smile. Now Legolas was really confused at her actions. But not for long.

Whispering back, he said, "You look really beautiful tonight Miya."

She gave him one of her blinding smiles and leaned to him so she can whisper back, her lips barely moving. "Traditionally I would say thank you. But now in this horrifying circumstances, all I want to say to you is burn in the fires of Mordor, Legolas Greenleaf, for all eternity. That I think is more graphic than saying I hate you." Then she pulled away, still a smile on her face, even though she can say that it was almost her gritting her teeth to regain composure.

Legolas stared at her in disbelief, his eyes wide. He knew that it was going to be a long night.

But Legolas wasn't the only one staring at someone. For as Legolas' studied Miya's face, a dark-haired male elf was staring at him openly, with his intentions clear.... for no one, NO ONE, steals someone else' fiancée. Even if that someone is an Elf King.