Title:
Greenleaf

Written By:
LegolasLover2003 aka Ashley

Timeline:
Post-ROTK.
Not long before Aragorn's death in 1541 S.R. (Shire Reckoning)

Genre:
Romance/Drama

Rating:
PG-13.
For some Adult Situations, Themes, and/or References.

Note:
This story is a play off of the story of "Lanval", written by Marie De France (the story originally known as "Lais" in French) in or around 1180. The translated version that I am working with, was translated into English in 1947 by Alfred David. It comes from my British Literature textbook entitled; "The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Seventh Edition, Volume I".

The story was originally about Lanval (better known as Lancelot). Within the text, Lanval is visited by the most beautiful woman (thought to be a faerie) and they become secret lovers. However, Guineveire, Queen of Camelot and King Arthur's wife, is in love with Lanval. She professes that love to him, but Lanval rejects her. She accuses him of loving her husband (Arthur) more than any woman, to which Lanval becomes angry and tells Guineveire of his secret lover. However, that lover had made him promise to tell no one, least she leave him forever. Brought before the court, Lanval is charged with, basically, trying to force himself onto the Queen. His love comes to his rescue however and they leave Camelot forever, traveling to the island of Avalon, from whence his love came.

This story, when we talked about it and read it in class, mirrored "Lord of the Rings" characters so much, that I decided to do a story in parallel to "Lanval", save for fanfiction and make it about Legolas who, for the purpose of this story, will be called Greenleaf (just as Lancelot, the more common name, was called Lanval, Legolas will be called Greenleaf, which is the translation (basically) of his actual name).

This fanfic maybe a bit AU, but trust me... no one dies or anything. And, it will most likely be a couple of chapters long. "Lanval" is only about 10 pages long and in poem format. This story WILL NOT be in poem format because I want to go more into depth of what is going on. Also, it would be rather boring to simply do everything exactly like the original, right?

Also, 'Day of Joy' was a title that I myself invented and occurred on March 25. I could not find a title that signified the day of Sauron's fall in the "Appendices" or in all of "Lord of the Rings". If anyone does know what this day is called (if it truly has a name) then please e-mail me and tell me. I would like to know.

I would also like to add that the name of Lanval's Lover is never mentioned. For the purpose of this story, Greenleaf's Lover is also unnamed. For an explanation of who she is, I am associating her closely with Melain, the Maia who fell in love and married Thingol. This Lover, is also a Maia, which would explain her beauty, her power, and her wealth. For this story, she will be called Meleth. Though she went unnamed and was only referred to as Amie in "Lanval". Amie is the French word (in feminine form) for 'friend' but, was also used as a term of endearment for a lover. Thus, Meleth, being Sindarin for Love, will be how Greenleaf address this mysterious woman.

As a small note, I would like to point out that this chapter (which is just a journal entry) takes place after the events of the story within. So, from chapter 2 onward, it is occurring sometime before the journal entry, but in the same year. If that makes sense...

Lastly, anything that is in Italics is Elvish (most likely Sindarin) and it's translation will be, like this, (In Italics) and at the end of the sentence. Here will follow a list of words that I WILL NOT be translating because everyone basically knows what they mean.

Commonly Used Elvish Words:
Mellon nin - My friend
Meleth nin - My love
Hannon le - Thank you
Mae Govannan - Well Met (Hello)
Caun - Prince
Hir - Lord/King

Character Parallels:
Prince Greenleaf (Legolas) - Sir Lanval (Lancelot)
King Elessar - King Arthur
Queen Arwen - Queen Guinevere
Gimli - Sir Gawain
Meleth - Amie

Other Parallels:
Minas Tirith - Carlisle (Camelot)
Southrons - Scots
Easterlings - Picts
Valinor - Avalon
Day of Joy (Anniversary of Saruon's Fall) - St. John's Day

Disclaimer:
I do not own any of the characters in this tale. Nor do I claim to own "The Lord of the Rings" or any of J.R.R. Tolkien's works for that matter. I also do not own the concept of the story, for that was, as stated, the story "Lanval" which was created by Marie De France (wether by myth, legend, or even historical fact). I am just expanding on both stories and trying to bring a bit of Anglo-Saxon British Literature to those who may never think to read it. Thank you, and happy reading!


Greenleaf


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Chapter 1: My Destiny


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The year 3019 of the Third Age held a special meaning for us all, far more than simply Sauron's downfall and the Ring of Power's destruction.

It started us all down the path to the destinies which each of us was born to fulfill.

For Aragorn, Dunadan of the Westmen, he was crowned the King of Gondor and Arnor in Lothron and later, on Midsummer's Day, married Arwen Undomiel in 3019 of the Third Age. (May)

For Gimli, son of Gloin, he became the Lord of Aglarond, the Glittering Caves, shortly after Barad-Dur's great fall.

For Gandalf, he bore the Elven Ring of Power Narya, the Ring of Fire, to Valinor in Invanneth 3021 of the Third Age. (September)

For Frodo, son of Drogo, he became the most famous of all Hobbits, and was given the honor of sailing to Valinor with Gandalf.

For Samwise, son of Hamfast, he married Rose Cotton in Lothron 3020 of the Third Age and later, became the Mayor of the Shire in 6 of the Fourth Age. (May)

For Meriadoc, Esquire of Rohan, he married Estella Bolger and later, became the Master of Buckland in 11 of the Fourth Age.

For Peregrin, Guard of the Citadel, he married Diamond of Long Cleeve and later, became the Took and Thain in 13 of the Fourth Age.
For Eomer, son of Eomund, he became the King of Rohan in Norui and later, married Lothiriel, daughter of Imrahil. (June)

For Faramir, son of Denethor and brother of Boromir, he became the Steward of Gondor and later, married Eowyn, sister of Eomer, and became the Prince of Ithilien, dwelling near the Emyn Arnen.

I myself, am the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen, newly named and restored to it's former glory. I settled a colony of my kin within the depths of Ithilien, to heal the forest of the lingering shadows of the Dark Lord. I am a close comrade of Aragorn, now known as King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor. I am among the last of my kind in this Middle-earth.

My own destiny however, had yet to be revealed.



-Caun Greenleaf
120 of the Fourth Age


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TBC...