Special, Just Like Everyone Else
Author: Icy
Ch.1
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The Marchwarden attempted to get a clearer view of the approaching group. Nudging his horse into a quicker gait, he squinted at the crowd. The short distance between the two stunned the Marchwarden, how could they have gotten so close without alerting him? There was no possible way that orcs could use such stealth. As the distance between them shrank the other party became clearer. It was a fairly large group, not as large as the last group of orcs but they seemed to be more organized. Instead of approaching in a mob, this crowd was following in neat and orderly lines. Gazing over the rows he spotted a banner carrier, looking up the pole he peered at the strip of cloth. The banner looked familiar, but it was too detailed to be the work of orcs.
"A Mirkwood party advances."
"As I thought if you would be so kind Marchwarden." Celeborn turned to his Lady, smiling softly at her. Noticing the stare she looked to her partner, returning his smile, she blushed lightly and looked down.
The parties were in viewing distance when the leader of the group moved forward. It was a tall blonde; several notches on his uniform marked him as a general. The Marchwarden moved forward to intercept the general.
"I do hope your travels have been peaceful." The phrase seemed more of a prayer than a statement and made the Lothlórien elf feel bitter. They indeed had not had a peaceful journey, and had hardly been prepared to take on orcs. If not for the barrage of hopeful suitors that traveled with the Lord and Lady, it is doubtful the orcs would have lost. He turned from the general sulky.
"Our arrival was heralded by orcs," the silver haired Marchwarden continued cynically, "it seems that the Mirkwoods were not as safe as we were told. I do hope not all we heard follows the same continence, general."
The general seemed taken back from the reply. The thinly veil disgust in the Marchwarden's statement was not often shared in first meetings. Elves were not perfect, they had their faults, similar to every other race but it never occurred to the general why elves were looked upon as prideful, that was until he met this elf. Arrogance poured off him in waves, the conceited attitude would dismay a lesser elf easily but the general was no simple solider. No, he was Tathar Calmcacil, sixth son of King Thranduil. He had been sent by his father to guide the Lórien assembly, incase orcs tried to attack. His father would not be pleased to hear that his band had reached them after an attack. Things were already off to a bad start, trying to salvage the situation he smiled winningly at the group.
"Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel it is a pleasure to meet you at long last. King Thranduil welcomes those of Lórien, he has arranged for your party, but if it would be possible to collect any petitioners for the hand of the King's youngest to send forward their submissions to my lieutenant," he gestured to another male elf, who stared icily at the Lórien elves.
He looked regretfully as the slips of parchment came to him. Lord Celeborn demounted his steed and gracefully stepped over to the lieutenant, handing her a rather large parchment. The elf eyed him questionably, switching his gaze between Celeborn and his Lady but received no answers. A hand landed on his shoulder and he turned to Tathar and saw his soothing smile.
"Do not worry for him, this shall be yet a drop in the ocean." This seemed to have the desired effect, as the elf bowed to the Lord and Lady before remounting. Turning he gave a cry and broke from the group. His steed raced forward, surging into the distance.
"Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel our path is but a few hours journey from here."
"Then let us tarry no longer, lead the way General…" "Tathar Calmcacil, lord." "General Calmcacil. My Lady grows weary of this passage."
Tathar turned his horse around and gave orders for his elves to surround the Lórien party. As they moved forward the Mirkwood elves searched the woods for any sign of an ambush. It was not uncommon for a league of orcs to send a portion of their soldiers ahead and then to catch their prey off guard with a second wave of attacks. It was oddly complicated strategy, for orcs. Their intelligence wasn't their strong point, and so any use of wits was oddly suspicious. It had been whispered around the barracks of late that an old enemy of the Wood-elves had come to extract revenge from the latest king and the orcs were merely his pawns. Upon mention from the King, anyone caught "whispering" these things was sent to the dungeons for a decade. Nonetheless the damage was done. Seeds of fear had settled in the minds of the of the Mirkwood populace. As a member of the royal family, Tathar was not allowed to participate in the discussions of this rumor, especially after his father strictly forbade it.
One did not cross the King; since the death of his mate his temper had taken a turn for the worse. His foul rage was absent only with his youngest son's presence. Legolas Greenleaf was the youngest son of Thranduil, and the only thing that remained of his Queen. Little Greenleaf was without a doubt his father's favorite child. It wasn't without reason then that his Little Leaf was protected around the clock by the fiercest of creatures.
On one of the few outings that the Prince had been allowed to take a baby spider was found, abandoned. A friend of the prince snatched up the small spider before the guards saw it and squashed the tiny creature. Later after Legolas received his new pet, "Gwibess" the King had been furious but relented and agreed after negotiating that it must be trained. Thranduil was said to have smiled and mutter something about the Queen always collecting stray animals before patting his cherub youngster on the head. The spider had grown to become the Prince's staunches defender. Legolas, always guarded by his loyal spider was rarely let out of the palace yard, and as extensive as it was to cage an elf so hurt the youngling. Occasionally the young elf escaped from the palace and put the kingdom in an uproar until he was found. Tathar frowned, he was close to his brother, most were due to the Prince's sweet disposition, and it saddened him to have to watch his younger brother yearn for the woods-the trees.
Turning from his depressed thoughts, the general looked upon happier things. Finally his brother would be free. Hopefully this gathering would provide him with a mate and an escape Mirkwood's constant protection. Perhaps he would even move to a more peaceful land. Mirkwood elves were bred to be warriors. They were trained for a century before being permitted to join the army. Upon passing the final tests an elf was aloud to braid their tresses in the traditional warrior's braid. It was a complicated style, with many twists and weaves, leaving many coils and plaits in the hair. It was one of the highest honors an elf could have. Depending on the amount of braids you had, you could marry only certain ranks. To court an elf of the royal family you had to have seven intertwined braids. Each kingdom of course had their own traditions for warriors and marriage rights. Few were as extensive as Mirkwood's. Tathar's thoughts turned to his own mate, his lieutenant.
He had eight warrior braids and was of the Mirkwood kingdom. There had been several tasks and tests that he had to perform in order to court the prince. Niecal had been reluctant to take on the missions but his love for Tathar had beaten his common sense in the end. In order to safe guard those with suitors, anyone who did not complete the set tasks would be executed or exiled. Depending on the rank of the mate. It was indeed harsh but the Mirkwood kingdom was a highly trained bunch and did not need a scorned elf abducting their mate if they failed in completing their missions. Niecal had completed the tasks, as was custom for marriage and had been welcomed into the family. They had been wedded for twelve decades, still the newest couple in the royal family.
They had been traveling quite peacefully for the journey when on the homestretch one elf came up to the general. His horse was tiring as it tried to keep up with the prince's own, the prince, noticing this, slowed his steed to accommodate the elf.
"General, there is something that moves in the bushes. It has followed us for some time. We have not been able to catch this creature."
"Then lead the party. I shall return soon with this disturber."
The general broke off from the party and moved his horse into the nearby brush, probing the forest skies for the creature. Muttering about being not even an hour from home, he scanned the area. A slight rustle to the left caught his attention. A muffled giggle followed it. Tathar's forehead quirked as he closer examined the bush, and saw eight legs sticking out along with an additional two elven feet. Rubbing his forehead in exasperation he tugged the elf out of the bushes.
"How many times, Little Leaf must I tell you not to follow? If father were to find out you ventured from your rooms, on the eve of the celebration-"
"Cease your worry brother, I have not been found. Gwibess merely wanted a look at the foreign elves."
"Ah of course, how could I have been so blind? It was obviously your spider that demanded you come out here and see the foreign elves."
Legolas was at a loss. He couldn't lie; he had dragged his spider out here so he could see the elves. He had heard of their coming while his brother was ordered to be their guide at dinner the previous night. He had begged his father to allow him to accompany Tathar but had been told he was only to leave his rooms under full guard. Dismayed at the thought of being surrounded by guards for any thing save meals, the youngest prince had remained in his room. Escaping the confines of his room after lunch had been difficult. Not only did he have his normal guards but six others. Climbing out his window was his last resort. Gwibess barely let him go, demanding to come as well. A few miles into the woods they set up camp, waiting for the party to cross.
Legolas had never seen so many male elves. He was restricted to having female company or being around family. It was one of the few rules the King did not allow his Little Leaf to break. He had been pleased when his brother Tathar had married Niecal; it meant that his future company possibilities had expanded. Luckily Tathar had married a male, he was afraid he might wed a female. Not that he was against his brother being happy, but it would mean that he would be stuck listening to someone prattle about girly things. Male elves were a rarity for him to talk with. He only had his father and six brothers. Occasionally he was permitted to speak with his father's councilors but only when they were free and he had full guard detail. His guard detail was the only one in the kingdom made up solely of females. Not a single male was allowed to be part of Prince Legolas's sentry.
"Tathar! I've never seen foreign elves. I just wanted to-"
"Enough of that, you are to be wed soon and do what pleases you soon enough. Until then, you are not to come out and see male elves, especially suitors."
"Yes, Tathar."
"Come along then, I still have to bring these Lórien elves to the palace."
"You mean I can-" His brother shushed him by placing a finger over his lips and nodding. Leaping into the saddle with his brother he wiggled in excitement. Gwibess looked hurt at being left behind and beseechingly stared at the princes.
"I will not bring a spider on my horse. The Lórien elves have already run into orcs. I need not bring a spider to their presence."
"Ahh but Tathar, Gwibess is not a spider spider. And what do you mean when you say they have run into orcs?"
Not answering, he moved his horse forward and into a run. He needed to catch up with the party. If they felt slighted by his disappearance there was no telling what his father would do. His steed sensed his urgency and picked up the pace. Legolas, forgetting about orcs and Gwibess, leaned forward and spread his arms. Rarely was he allowed to ride his own horse. His father did not allow him to take up 'dangerous hobbies', even though every other elf in the kingdom rode. Not all elves, the pregnant ones were not allowed near the horses or the forests. They were much too precious. Some of the older warriors did not ride either; the same was true of many scholars. Legolas frowned, so not all elves rode, but everyone he talked to seem to!
So caught up in his pondering, Legolas did not notice when Tathar's horse caught up with the Lórien party. Not until the murmurings started. "Who is it that rides with the General?" "Where has that elf come from?" "Was he not alone before?"
Tathar ignored the whisperings about his brother. In a few minutes his brother would be back at the palace and he was not about to get him in trouble by mentioning his name in front of these elves. They might mention they had seen him and then King Thranduil would be in a rage. He was testy enough with the celebration coming up. His councilors had been forced to find and create the hardest tasks for the suitors to go through. The king was taking no chances with his youngest. There would still be seven tasks, but for some reason they would be spaced out over weeks instead of the customary months or in some cases years. Tathar felt his father was being ridiculous in his time; no one would recover in the week they would be given. Niecal had pointed out that was probably his purpose. Thranduil was terribly possessive of his Little Leaf and felt that anyone suitors were not worthy.
"We are about to arrive home, Little Leaf," whispered Tathar in his brother's ear.
"Aww, how about you lead them through the forest a bit longer Tathar?"
"Father would not be pleased with my antics, young one."
The Marchwarden gazed at the general. Who was that elf with him? He had disappeared for a number of minutes only to appear later with a new passenger, quite a beauty at that. They seemed very familiar with one another. He shook his head; it should have been obvious that the general would marry high in the hierarchy of Mirkwood. Look at the two who rode at his sides he sighed.
'Perhaps my brothers were not wrong when they said I should look for a mate. This Tathar's is very striking, perhaps my bride shall come from Mirkwood.'
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How was that? Thank you everyone who reviewed! I was so excited when I saw people liked this! I fixed my elf/elve problem, I thought I did it wrong but couldn't tell.
Farflung: Oooh I know, I love that fic. I'm glad you like my Haldir! *grins* Everyone gets a malicious kick out of making men suffer with pregnancies, it's just to funny to pass up!
Jaque: Thank you soooo much for finding that for me! I wasn't sure what the correct one was! ^.^;; *hugs*
Angel From Hell: Glad you think so!
Aj: Thankie!
Rae: Oooh do you know anymore of them besides this one and the one I got the idea from? I know there is one on aff.net, but beyond that I haven't a clue.
Angelbird12241: Thanks! *passes slice of ice-cream cake*
Steph: *hugs* Wow thanks! I just love them together too! *sighs* They're just so perfect! *smiles*
Haldir's Heart and Soul: I love that one too! I wonder if it's been updated yet *wanders off to check on fic*
Legolas19: Danke! Happy you liked!
Thank you everyone who reviewed, and wished me a happy b-day! *smiles* I was so hyper when I saw people liked my story! I hope this chapter pleases! *scampers off to start next chapter* Oh any questions feel free to ask in a review or email!
Later yo,
Icy