Prologue-The First Meeting

The blistering sun rained down on the city. The streets were empty, the people having long since retreated into the relative shelter of their houses. The palace guards, forced outside by duty, sought refuge in whatever shadows had survived the relentless heat. Gondor had seen no rain for nearly two months. The air was dry, and the streets were dusty. Not a hint of green now remained in the city.

Inside the palace was cool and pleasant. A beautiful young maid with long flaxen hair sat in the library, looking out upon the deserted city from a window set into the thick stone wall. She wore a blue cotton gown, light and practical for such conditions. She was the daughter of one of the palace cooks, and had dwelt there all her life.

She heard light footsteps in the passage outside, and turned to see a tall elf enter the library. His hair was blonde, and his garments were green and brown.

She had always been curious about the elf. His name was Legolas, she knew, and he was a friend of the king. Since the fall of Sauron nearly a year ago, he had stayed in the palace by invitation of the king. He often came to the library, though he had never yet spoken to her. Now, her heart pounded as he approached her. He was- there was no other word for it- beautiful, yet there was nothing feminine about his beauty. A faint fresh scent hung about him, like a forest glade after a rainfall.

"May I sit down?" He asked. His voice was soft and melodious. She smiled and nodded her assent.

Legolas surveyed the young woman across from him with keen eyes. He had never spoken with her before, though he had noticed her and been captivated by her beauty. For several weeks now, he had come to the library almost every day in the hope of speaking to her, but always his courage had failed him. Now, today, he had finally summoned up the nerve to approach her.

"What is your name?" He enquired at length.

"Camille, daughter of Bruna," she replied. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

He smiled. "You seemed a little lonely." He shrugged. "I certainly have need of fresh company. These long days trapped inside are tiring, and the dwarf is a dull companion."

Camille laughed lightly. "Indeed, dwarves are peculiar folk. But why are you trapped inside? I thought that elves were not bothered by the weather."

"It is true that we are more resilient than mortals," he replied, "but we are not immune. Perhaps if there were more trees it would be bearable. As it is, there is little to be seen outside the palace even if I were to brave the heat."

"That is true," she sighed. "It is a shame that you must see our city in such a state. This weather is by no means common. Usually it is a beautiful place to behold, and the streets echo with laughter and merriment. Rarely is it so barren and ugly as now."

"I do not doubt it," said the elf.

Before either could utter another word, the library doors were flung open by a stout dwarf. His beard reached down to his waist, and he wore a heavy shirt of mail despite the heat.

"There you are, you accursed elf!" He cried. "I have been all over the palace in search of you! You're wanted in the throne room, though why I do not know. Come, now!"

Legolas rose gracefully to his feet. "Very well," he said. "Camille, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance." With that, he followed the dwarf out the door.

The next few days, Legolas found his thoughts drifting almost constantly to Camille. He saw her whenever he closed his eyes, heard her voice echo in his head in the silence. None of the most beautiful elf-women could out-shine her in his eyes. If Gimli noticed his friend's distraction, he did not speak of it. He merely kept quiet and allowed the elf to dwell on his feelings for the mortal woman. Though duty kept him from the library for many days, he was determined to meet with her again soon.