Chapter 10

Emdiril and Legolas arrived in the throne hall, where they would be feasting today. A large table was set up in the middle of the spacious room and a few elves were still hurrying around to decorate the table with flowers and candles. A band of elves were located in one of the corners of the rooms, playing beautiful melodies and creating a peaceful atmosphere.

One elf moved to stand in front of the pair, bowing to his prince, "King Thranduil wished for me to tell you that he will arrive not too long from now."

The group of elves then hastily left the hall – it almost seemed as though they were afraid of their king and it made Emdiril feel uneasy. Although the Elvenking had been nothing short of polite to her as of late, she still remembered their first formal encounter and how uncomfortable it had made her feel. Under no circumstances did she want this to happen again. Especially considering he probably already knew everything she knew anyway – most of what she had learnt was stood in his library's books after all.

Legolas had sensed her unease and stood in front of her, extending a hand with a charming smile on his face. The elf wanted the woman to enjoy her time here and he hoped that she would not regret He did not mutter a word, but his apparent happiness made Emdiril feel better. The redhead placed her hand in his, a soft smile adorning her face. She raised a brow questioningly as the elf pulled her closer to his body and placed his arms around her waist.

"Dance with me?" The elf used one hand to guide Emdiril's hands on his shoulders, before placing it back around her wait. Emdiril tilted her head to the side, watching the elf – he had a somewhat playful glint in his eyes and the way he asked for a dance made it sound like it was the simplest task in Middle Earth. She nodded her head, a wider smile tugging at the edges of her lips. Emdiril averted her gaze and looked downwards as Legolas watched her. Together they swayed to the music the other elves played, but to Legolas it did not even feel like they had company. His focus was solely on her. The way her nose wrinkled when she laughed, the way she returned his gaze, the touch of her hands on his shoulders, making him feel like his skin was burning through his tunic – All of these things, they made him feel different. It made him feel like a part of him had always been missing and that part was now finally here, right in front of his eyes. That part was beautiful, intriguing and extraordinary and he never craved learning more about someone like he did her.

"This is possibly the first time I have ever seen a strand of your hair not perfectly in place." Emdiril laughed and she proceeded to lift one of her hands, to tuck a strand of hair behind the elf's ear while he simply watched her. Her fingers brushed his ears just a tad and it proved too much for the elf for he closed his eyes in an instant and a low groan rumbled through his chest.

Blushing, Emdiril pulled away from their dance and cleared her throat. She had not anticipated such a reaction.

"I forgot how sensitive Elven ears can be. My apologies." She had learnt about the elves sensitivity. After all she had grown up amongst them.

Legolas opened his eyes, and his lips parted slightly. Emdiril found that the playful glint had vanished and had been replaced with another; one she did not recognise.

"Do not apologise…" Legolas whispered as he quickly moved to close the space between them. His hands cupped her face and his lips found hers in a sudden, but passionate kiss. The elf did no longer possess a single ounce of self-control when it came to the shorter, red haired woman. He could no longer control how he felt about her, he did not even care how she hesitated when his lips found hers. It just felt so right to him. The blond elf proceeded to pull her body against his as she wrapped her arms around his neck, now fully returning the kiss with as much passion as she could muster. Her actions made him smile against her lips and Legolas could have sworn he had never felt so whole.

"LEGOLAS! By the Valar!" Thranduil's voice felt like an arrow through Legolas' heart. He pulled away from Emdiril, who could not even bear to look at the King. The prince was glad that she did not spare his father a glance – what he found was disturbing. He would have expected his father to be shocked, but Thranduil looked angrier than anything. It puzzled the prince as it was the King's idea to invite Emdiril for a meal. Legolas had thought Thranduil had been accepting of her which has pleased him. Though his initial thoughts seemed to be false.

"Legolas, leave." Thranduil said lowly, his icy gaze throwing daggers through Emdiril's head. Legolas stood in front of her to guard her.

"Father, she did not - "

"I said leave!" Thranduil repeated louder, authority taking over. No one dared to speak back to the Elvenking, not even his son.

Legolas' nostrils flared as he stared at his father in disbelief. He motioned to grab a hold of Emdiril's hand but his movements were interrupted by his father's words.

"She is to remain in here, with me." The Elvenking seemed to be calmer now, however his facial expressions told Legolas that his father was infuriated. The younger elf glanced at the woman, whose eyes widened. She did not wish to be alone with Thranduil, especially when angered. Legolas frowned sadly at her before walking towards the entrance where Thranduil stood. He narrowed his eyes in an almost threatening manner at his king before he departed. The last thing the blond elf heard was his father say: "Emdiril, come."

Legolas stood alone in a safe part of his father's woods as he wanted to see the star light. Many things had transpired this day and it was clear his father was not happy with him. This did not mean he regretted his actions by any means. Never before had he felt so whole and fulfilled, his heart had been dancing in his chest and he felt similar feelings radiating of Emidiril.

His heart broke slightly at the thought of the woman. Or should he say something else? He did not know. She was a child of the earth and for that, there was no other label. What had he expected to happen when he kissed her? He shook his head slightly at the thought, wishing it to go away. His father would never accept her as his daughter in law. He would not allow it. The great king of the Woodland Realm had made it clear that he accepted no less than an elf to become his son's wife. Legolas still had his father's look of disapproval on his mind. Not only had Thranduil caught them, but he also beckoned Emdiril to follow after him straight away; the poor prince had had no chance to explain himself to her or his father for that matter.

Legolas' body tensed as he heard soft footsteps approach. He knew it would be the woman his heart had chosen. Yet they could not be. It was forbidden. The elf kept his sight firmly in front of him, not wanting to look at the fiery red-haired woman. Too deep his embarrassment was.

Emdiril however did not stop walking at the lack of recognition. She approached him, tears sparkling her eyes. Thranduil had not been nice to her, even banished her from his woodland. No one dared to get this close to his only heir without his knowing or permission. Thranduil had been curious of her and her powers, but not at the cost of his son. Whatever his son thought he felt for this creature, it could not be real. It was not real to the king. He had never met anyone quite like her. For the elf-king was concerned, she could be dangerous, and he would not lose another loved one.

Emdiril came to a halt a short distance behind Legolas and fiddled with the sleeves of her dress. Her green eyes stared at the back of Legolas, wishing for him to look at her. Did he regret his actions?

"About what did my father speak with you?" Legolas' voice broke the silence. His tone was soft though his eyes remained ahead as stubbornness fronted.

Emdiril shifted uncomfortably, her eyes settling on a trunk beside her. She too did not wish to look at him, knowing what she had to do. "He does not wish for me to remain here, I shall depart now with Arwen and Galadriel to Lothlorien," she answered the prince's question, her voice cracking with emotion.

She had been caught off guard by Legolas' actions and she simply had not had enough time to think about everything concerning the elf. This all seemed so sudden to her and she felt as though the ground was crumbling beneath her. One moment she was truly happy and then it was taken from her. Legolas' head turned slightly at this revelation, his eyes closing for a moment. The elven prince knew his father well and so he was not surprised by his actions. Circumstance had made the great ruler of this realm cruel and cold. A soft sigh escaped his lips. He wished for his father to understand his love for this incredible being behind him. Legolas couldn't bear to see her leave for his heart sang for her. Never had he felt like this for any elleth. After releasing another deep breath, Legolas turned to his side to see her. She stood there, her beautiful eyes shining with tears and her head low. Her usual happiness was replaced with sorrow and sadness. Part of the elf wanted to approach her, hold her and make her forget her worries. He wanted to take her pain and replace it with love. However, the other part knew he could not. Emdiril looked up after a while when she had noticed him turning around and her eyes found his. Amazement filled her, never would she forget those striking blue eyes. Yet, he would forget hers soon enough.

"I shall try and convince him otherwise. I do not wish for you to leave and- "

"No, you cannot. It's your king's command for me to leave." Emdiril cut in, her emerald eyes still on his blue ones. Legolas suddenly approached her, taking large quick steps towards her. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and gazed down at her. His thumb caressed her cheeks gently, wiping away the tears that had escaped her eyes. "No. I cannot have you leave." He shook his head ever so slightly to prove his point. Emdiril squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see the intensity and love his own held.

"Can you not see?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. His tone of voice was so soft, he almost sounded vulnerable and for that reason Emdiril opened her eyes to gaze at him. "Can you not see what you do to me?"

His eyebrows were knitted together, his striking blue eyes searching hers. Her breathing became heavier and increased, she did not know it was possible for her heart to beat as fast as it did. She mirrored his expression, as one of his hands reached down to grab hers. Her eyes flickered to their hands for only a second before her eyes found his again and he placed her hand over his chest. She felt his heartbeat, his heart was too pounding heavily and quickly. "Can you feel what you do to me?" He asked then. Emdiril opened her mouth to speak but could not muster any words. "I…" she drifted off again as she tore her eyes away from the beautiful elf in front of her. Legolas released a soft sigh. How could he possibly think that someone as extraordinary as her would love him? His jaw clenched he looked above her head. He started to pull away from the woman but she grabbed onto his tunic, keeping him in place. He looked downward again, confusion etched across his handsome face.

One of her hands reached up to touch his face. She could feel her own cheeks burning as a blush crept onto her face. Was this what love felt like? For so long she had been lying to herself, telling herself he was a companion, a friend when in reality he had always been a little more. The first time she had placed her eyes on him there was something about him that pulled her towards him. Emdiril felt as though she had never met such a pure elf, she adored him. His own eyes were filled with surprise and love. A small smile tugged onto the corners of his lips. Words couldn't describe how happy her words made him – his heart was singing with joy. His eyes flickered between her lips and her eyes and everything around them was lost. His heart urged him to lean down and kiss her, so he slid one of his hands on her back, while the other cupped her cheek. He leaned in and hesitantly brushed his lips against hers. Emdiril's eyes fluttered closed and she returned the tentative kiss. After a brief moment, Legolas pulled away and pressed his forehead against hers. His eyes opened and searched her face – This time when he kissed her she didn't look shocked. She looked content and this gave him the confidence to kiss her again, this time more passionately. She returned his kiss with everything she had and circled her arms around his neck, pulling him closer against her body. Nothing else mattered; the two were lost in each other's warmth and passion. Legolas' arm wrapped around her waist, kissing her like he never thought he would kiss anyone. Love had been important to elves and the feeling had been explained to him, but he had always seen it as surreal. He felt it was impossible to feel so happy and whole but this moment, this kiss and this woman proved otherwise. His thumb trailed small circles on the fabric of her gown as he slowly pulled away for breath. Emdiril felt disappointment wash over her at the loss of his lips against hers, but she too was out of breath. She wasn't going to complain.

"Le melithon anuir" he spoke softly to her. It was a promise. No matter what or who tried to get between them, no matter what they would go through and what obstacles they would encounter, he would love her. The elf knew in his heart that she was the one for him and he trusted his heart. He would love her forever.

"No." His eyes snapped open as she pressed both her hands firmly against the sides of his head. She knew what she had to do – they were not permitted to be together - it would have never worked out. An elf and... whatever she was? Never. Emdiril did not want him to suffer heartbreak. So she had to do the next best thing, she had to make him forget about her. Emdiril never liked using her powers to influence someone's mind, but she felt as though this was necessary. "You will not remember me, or your love for me." Tears were streaming down her face as she said those words. Her heart was shattering into a million pieces as she revisited the memories they had together in his mind and erased them. His stare turned blank as he could not control what was going on. "However, you will keep this pendant," Emdiril stated, reaching around her neck and loosening one of her parents' pendants. Elrond had told her that these were used as a gift of love. She had promised herself that she too would give one to her loved one. And it was him. It would always be him. It had to be – she had never seen anyone look at her this way before. She reached out and hung the crystal around his neck and tucked it beneath his tunic. "For it is a token of love."

Legolas stood still, his face void of any emotion. He hadn't moved when she started her magic on him. Emdiril pressed her lips against his cheek, clenching her eyes shut. Her heart was breaking more each second that passed – it was true; he would not remember her, but she would remember him. After lingering a few seconds, she turned on her heel and left the woods. She got her horse and left Mirkwood for good. Arwen and Galadriel and the few Lothlorien guards had been waiting for her not too far away. Emdiril offered them a small, forced smile before the group made their journey for Lothlorien. A single hand grasped her remaining pendant and she squeezed it in her hand. She had not anticipated that she would give one of them away so soon. Part of her wondered whether she had made the right decision but no one made her feel the way Legolas had. He accepted her fully, embraced her powers, took her for who she was and loved her regardless. Tears were filling her eyes as they rode their horses along the path, her lips still tickling from their bittersweet last kiss. She would always remember it, even if he did not. His heart was safe of heartbreak, he would not remember and he would not have to feel this pain. Just that fact alone gave Emdiril a sense of relief. Only one of them had to live with this pain.

Legolas snapped out of his trance a mere few moments later. He shook his head, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What was he doing here? He entered his father's hall a short while after.

"Legolas." His father's deep voice called out. He was sitting on his throne like a statue, barely moving his face to see his son.

"Ada." Legolas replied, watching his father. He did not look amused or happy.

"Our last guest has left now." Thranduil said slowly, carefully watching Legolas' reaction. Legolas merely nodded his head once, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"Aye." Legolas nodded his head again and then departed towards his chambers. Who was this guest his father was talking about?

Le melithon anuir – "I will love you forever"