I would first like to thank those of you reading who took the time to review, no matter what you said to me. It's appreciated!

Secondly, I'm going to have to ask that you bear with me, I'm not going to explain why Marie was changed to Arianell just yet...but I promise it's coming (beyond the obvious, Lothien's hoping to collect her dowry).

Thirdly, Elzar is not really an elf...the 'snap of the fingers' trick is only outward appearance...Arianell had to go through a LOT more (the burning feeling, passing out and awaking in ME, the sore ears, feeling lightheaded) for her transformation -although all Lothien can manage is illusions.

As for the rest of the questions, I will address as many as plot allows in this chapter, the answers to the rest will come later. I also apologize (gee I do that a lot) for the way the paragraphs were broken up, that is not the way they were orginally. I didn't notice that change when I uploaded.

The room was silent except for the steady rythm of his feet, almost as if the walls were awaiting his decision like he knew the crowds downstairs were.

"Why" he muttered to himself "Why must it be like this? Why can I not choose an elleth of my own liking?"

But in his many years who had he ever liked? Legolas paused in his pacing and looked at the sunset, the very sunset Arianell had been gazing at moments before.

"Of course it's the same sunset you orc brain! By the Valar there's only one sun."

He grinned wryly and continued his pacing...downstairs he knew his father would be waiting but for now he would let him wait.

Although she had been told he wouldn't be there Arianell could not help but wish for Legolas' kind face, no one gave her more than a passing glance and she could hear whispered words.

'Who does she think she is?' 'She's supposed to be betrothed to him.' 'Where is she from' 'Not our Kind.'

Arianell was about ready to grab someone by the throat and demand who he was when King Thranduil stood on the raised Dias. Sharply intaking breath she smoothed her hands against her dress and waited.

"How bad could it be?"

The voice in Legolas' head was talking again

"You'll have to get married eventually, why not to her?"

He thought back to that night in the woods, why not her? Maybe because he had no idea who she was.

"And you'd have any idea who your Father's next choice would be?"

The annoying voice did have a point.

Arianell looked at Thranduil as he gazed over the crowd, welcoming various delegations and noble-elfs. She seriously contemplated running...but where too? As far as she knew Lothien was her only way back 'home' and from he had said everyone back home thought she was dead. Marie shuddered as she remembered the figure on the floor.

"Illusion" Lothien had grinned one night over the campfire

"My specialty. We know you're not dead but they don't know that. They couldn't know that, for all the testing they'll do, all the bloodwork and DNA. For all the identification and dental records they'll all say that bloody heap is you."

Marie gasped at him

"I can see it now Love. 'College Student Stabbed in Campus Housing' or 'Robbery Attempt turns to Murder'."

"But..." Marie's mouth opened but nothing would come out.

"But what, Love? How'd I do it? Told you before, Illusion. Quite simple really. Elzar and I orb into your apartment, leave the body and take you...no sign of entry, no messy details to straighten up."

He had stirred his soup

"But why, Marie, why would we do something like that? Hmm. Well you see this particular Elf has been looking for a soulmate for some time and has just recently offered a generous reward for the perfect Elleth. Granted he might not have ment an elleth for himself."

Lothien grinned wickedly

"A little divination led me to you. Strange the Valar would join someone from different dimensions but who am I to argue with fate?"

Lothien laughed, a sound that made Marie ill

"A few spells, including the one that made you an elf and you're ready to meet your husband."

"Ready to meet your husband"

The words echoed in Arianell's head as she stared at King Thranduil. Her husband.

She was afraid she might be ill but Lothien had already found her, already threatened her with what he would do if she ran. First he said he would reverse the spell, surely earning her imprisonment in Mirkwood's infamous dungeons. Then he said he would go after everyone she knew and loved; from her family at home to her college professors.

"Only this time the bloody heaps won't be illusions. You'd better learn to love it here Marie, you'll be here for an eternity."

As Arianell blanched King Thranduil began to speak.

"Would the Lady Arianell please come up here?"

At first Arianell could not get her legs to move but a shove from Lothien caused her to start walking forward stiffly, the crowd moving aside to create a path for her.

"Please stand to my left"

Thranduil was smiling brightly, something that looked very unnatural on him as Arianell did what she was commanded.

"As you all know we are gathered here to Celebrate the betrothal of Lady Arianell and my Son."

The crowd, who apparently didn't know, gasped in shock as Arianell's mind raced; he had a son other than... "Legolas"

At the King's commanded Arianell could hear soft footsteps from the door behind her. With a quiet cough the presence came to stand directly behind her and she wondered if she'd lose her footing.

"This is a joyous Day in Mirkwood" the King smiled as he kissed her on both cheeks.