To wander freely through the woods was the most wonderful of feelings I could think of, moving soundlessly through the brightly coloured trees covered in yellow and green moss whilst the birds sang their songs. I wandered the forest paths and climbed the tallest trees, raced the fastest of deer and watched each sunrise and sunset. In the times when I was not out in the forest, I was inside the city where Thranduil would sit with me in his study, the both of us reading in peace and tranquillity or talking of great length about a great many things. After the battle, Thranduil kept me close to him as often as he could having welcomed me home with open arms like a long lost daughter, embracing me before placing a circlet of silver flowers upon my head, suiting my features perfectly as the roses wrapped around my brow and the back of my head in an elegant design with my hair falling loosely around my shoulders. When I was not wandering the woods alone or communing with my father, I was with Legolas. In the times that he was not securing the borders or hunting any orc packs that had escaped the battle, we found one another in close company and in private where he would take me by the hand and lead me away somewhere. I cherished my days here, finally at peace with all that I loved and underneath the stars, Legolas whispered those words of love to me that I had envisioned many years ago.
My heart wept with gladness as he pledged me his love and his heart, the two of us standing in the bough of the tallest tree in the forest so high above the others that we could almost walk among the starlight. I had known all along that he would love me, that he did love me, so as he took my hand and tilted my chin towards him, I had smiled knowingly as he spoke. "Le annon veleth nîn, Asta Eleniel. It is yours forevermore until the ending of all things." He said with utter sincerity, gazing upon me with unhidden love and devotion as I smiled with fullest of emotion that presented itself in glistening tears.
"I know." Arching an eyebrow Legolas looked to me strangely before then smiling broadly, releasing a laugh that filled my soul with song as my hands rested upon his waist.
"Of course you did, my little starling, you knew long before I did." He agreed, voice softening once more as he tilted his face closer. "If you must stray from my side, know that my heart shall go with you no matter how far you walk, meleth nîn."
"Legolas." I chided him quietly, lifting a hand to touch his face with gentle fingers, shaping his cheek and brow as my gaze never wavered. "Even if I were to walk to the farthest reaches of Middle-Earth, nothing would stop me from coming back to you. My heart and soul are with you for all time and I love you with everything that I have. I have always loved you, in my own small way when I was a child and it grew with me each passing day." Leaning forwards I whispered into his ear, the elvish oath that I was his and no other's making him draw closer to me under the glimmering stars and brightened moon, however nothing distracted us from our pledge until a kiss sealed our oath.
With no one to interrupt us, Legolas did not allow any feeling to go unfelt, kissing my lips with a gentle passion that entwined our very hearts until I was vacant of breath but still I did not wish to pull away. His lips were soft and matched against my own almost perfectly in shape, the sweet warmth of his breath fanning against my face as he exhaled with content. We did not return that night, resting in one another's arms underneath the stars without another word being shared between us.
Before long the week had passed and Thranduil prepared to return to the mountain to honour the coronation of the king as well as celebrate the victory of our allied forces against the orcs. He swept forwards with robes of the darkest of blues which flowed elegantly as I waited beside Legolas. We were both in formal attire and I had changed into a dress of deep red with long flowing sleeves that fell down my arms and opened from the front, allowing me full movement of my arms whilst wearing my crown of roses. I wore no other adornment as I was not one for flamboyancies, so with our escort prepared we made for the mountain where only select guests had been given permission to enter though in Dale, their own celebrations were taking place with beautiful fireworks bursting into the sky with vibrant colours.
My mouth dropped open as I saw fireworks for the first time, watching them boom in sky and sparkle brilliantly whilst the people celebrated their victory and new life. I watched the skies until we were entering the mountain, being greeted by a royal guard of dwarves with Thorin upon his throne, the Arkenstone returned to its place above his head in the throne which had been rebuilt, though as I observed it I noted how it was smaller and now cut differently than before, now diamond shaped instead of oval. I still did not like the stone very much, however its grief bringing days were over and I foresaw it being laid upon Thorin's breast after his death to be buried with him in many years to come. "Welcome Thranduil-King." Thorin greeted, rising from his throne and bowing his head. I sent a smile to Fili and Kili who stood either side of their uncle, quick grins being sent in return as Mithrandir and Bilbo also stood with him. All the company slowly gathered, however as Balin approached I noticed how he was carrying a chest in his arms. Thranduil lifted his head where he had greeted Thorin formally, watching as the dwarf king approached him. "In times of peace, I seek to restore good faith between our people and amend the wrongdoings of my grandfather. Let there be no more animosity between us, Elven King."
As Thorin spoke Balin opened the chest lid to reveal the gems of Lasgalen set upon mithril. Thranduil's body stiffened slightly, gazing upon the gems that he had intended to give to his wife before she passed away, slowly reaching out towards the necklace that had been crafted into such a beautiful design that I could not help but blink in awe at the glimmering gems. They truly did look like stars. "A token and offering of peace." Thorin finished, extending his hand and Balin stepped forwards, offering the necklace to Thranduil who lifted it up gradually from a bed of crystal gems, staring in awe and I looked to Legolas secretly as he frowned slightly at his father.
"A token that is accepted with gratitude…and many heartfelt thanks…" Thranduil murmured before turning his body, looking directly to me. "Come forward, Eleniel." He ordered so I did so, moving to his side but before I could ask what it was he needed he stepped behind me, careful of the train of my dress to then slip his arms over my head and draped the necklace against my neck, making my eyes widen as he carefully secured the clasp so that the gems of starlight gleamed upon my chest. "Am le henig nîn. It would be the wish of my beloved wife that you wear these in her stead." He murmured to me and I looked to him with a slight quiver in my lip, overwhelmed by the gesture of giving me these precious gems that he was willing to go to war for.
"Bring forth the wine! Open the doors to the feasting halls, there is much to celebrate!" Thorin declared and there was a collective cheer from the dwarves which echoed throughout the mountain as Thorin bowed and held out a hand towards me, making me smile as I quickly placed a kiss upon Thranduil's cheek which earned a momentary smile before I took the hand of the king and walked with him to the grand hall where the most impressive of feasts were laid out. The moment I was inside Thorin brought me to a seat upon the high table where Thranduil joined him, though I did not stay long.
Legolas disappeared to find himself a drink and somewhere to observe whilst I flit among my friends, smiling and laughing as the infectious atmosphere of merriment soon flowed through me with the wine. There was music, there was laughter, there was joy and song. The wonderful array of sights, sounds and smells filled my sensations as we celebrated for days at a time. I danced with all my beloved friends, even coaxing Bilbo out of his shell to guide him through a slower dance with me which he soon found himself to enjoy. Several times Legolas came to me, touching a hand to my waist and whispering a soft word into my ear before disappearing again into the throng of merrymakers. Sometime later, Thorin himself came to me and asked if I would walk with him, so we left the grand hall and the noise dulled to a gentle hum of atmospheric joyfulness. It was cooler away from the fires of the hall and when together we stepped out onto the battlements and into the moonlight, the gems clasped around my throat shone with a brighter intensity as did the rose crown upon my head, the small gems of crystal glittering. "You were right." Thorin murmured to me softly as we walked side by side together.
"About what, Thorin?" I asked him and a slight smirk touched his lips.
"That you and I would one day become friends." My memory cast back to the first time I entered these halls and I gave a musical laugh.
"Yes, I knew it from the moment I set eyes upon you that our paths would cross and be entwined for a great many years." Coming to a slow stop we gazed out upon the battlefield which was still being treated of its wounds, though I could foresee it becoming a rich and fertile land in a decade or so.
"If I asked you a question, would you answer me truthfully?" Thorin inquired and after a brief pause I looked at him, my smile softening with understanding as my clear eyes gazed into his without hesitation.
"There will be no more suffering of Dragon Sickness upon your mind, or upon the minds of your descendants. The cycle has been broken and a new order of things is beginning to rise." Reaching out my hand I placed it comfortingly upon his shoulder as he exhaled a breath he had been holding in trepidation for my answer, relieved to hear these words. "And I would not speak anything to you but the truth, dear friend."
"That is a comfort unlike any other. I feared that this hoard would be the ruin of my people." Nodding my head I drew back my hand, the both of us turning back to the moon as I spoke.
"Caution is still a wise choice for otherwise we all shall be overcome by our fears, yet temptation can be resisted, as you have very well proven. It took you a great deal of strength and no lack of courage, but the worst is behind you. Be assured Thorin, you may look ahead to your coming years as days of plenty and a time where your people return to their former strength. Beware, however, I see a famine some thirty years from now and it shall be dark days for you should you be unprepared and ill equipped to feed your people, as well as the people of Dale. Do not forget them in this time, I beseech you."
"I shall heed your words, do not fear." He assured me so I relaxed, glowing with approval as I lifted my face upwards as the clouds rolled back and once more I was bathed in the moonlight. "Come, there is something that I would show you." Offering me his arm I took it gently and let him lead me away from the balcony and back into the grand halls of Erebor. We spoke in soft tones but still our whispers filled the open spaces around us as our voices carried though no more than a murmur until finally I was brought to a hall I had not seen before. It was long and to my astonishment the floor was completely made of gold and it shone with a radiant glow. "This was the Hall of the Kings where we attempted to trap Smaug under the weight of this gold, however we were unsuccessful." Thorin began to explain to me as we walked the entire length together. "We are able to rebuild what was damaged or destroyed easily enough, however I have ordered that a memorial be built right here, filling the entire wall." As we came to the centre of the hall, Thorin bid me stand and wait a moment before he continued all the way to the end where he grasped the sweeping canopy of cloth that hung over the wall before with a firm tug, ripped it down.
As the cloth fell with a rustle, my eyes took in the overwhelming beauty and magnitude of the scene before me. It was made from the purest marble, shining white with silver running almost like the finest of veins, catching the light of the golden floor to bring depth and texture. It was depicting the Battle of the Five Armies and all could be seen present, as well as a colossal depiction of Smaug being slain by Bard who stood atop a tower with his bow. I could name each and every face of the dwarves, their likenesses striking me instantly with Thorin standing at the forefront with Orcrist in his hand, though he was dressed in more kingly attire than what he had been wearing during the actual battle. He was standing upon a rock, sending his army forth into battle and there next to him was Bilbo with Sting, not to be forgotten.
What took my attention, however, was the fact that as well as Thranduil and his army, I was also featured in the scene. They had carved my likeness with such perfection that it were as if she were about to come to life and leap off the wall and draw breath. Her hair was rising upon the breeze, shaped like an unfurled banner with sword in hand and frozen in time as she leaped amongst the dwarves. It was all so breath taking. "There is one more. Follow me." Barely able to draw my eyes away, Thorin walked me over to another entranceway which swept upwards with a huge arch and when he opened the door, I was dazzled by the green jade pillars and glowing lanterns of bright amber. This hall was not as wide but still grand and the high roof was decorated with intricate carvings, inlaid with gold, silver and crystals so that everything glittered like a dream. "Long ago this was once the Hall of Queens, but in the time of my grandfather it was moved elsewhere. Now it depicts moments of our history, my ancestor's legacy and you are the first outside our kin to see what is hidden here. We call it the Walk of Memory, to remind us of our heritage." Thorin told me as I slowly walked forwards, looking at each painting, statue and artefact with fascination and reverence. "Our most recent history has been added here." Turning my gaze, I once more was left speechless with my lips parted in breath.
There was a painting of the Company, including Bilbo and Mithrandir as they hiked over hills and vale with the mountain in the distance, however what Thorin had truly wanted me to see was the statue and painting in the alcove next to the depiction of the Company. The painting which stood proudly above the statue's head with exquisite detail and skill, showing myself and Thorin in several different scenes. One where I was a child and he a young prince meeting for the first time as I chased a thrush, another of us meeting again in Rivendell, my stand against Azog as I shielded Bilbo and Thorin outside the goblin kingdom, and several more until finally I stood upon a lake of ice. My back was all you could see as well as my hair as it tumbled, Thorin lying wounded in the foreground as I faced down an entire army alone with two swords in hand.
The painting would have been enough to touch my heart and move me to tears, however the statue was something that left me in a quiet silence that I could not rise from for a long while. It was unmistakable, the craftsmanship was both Elf and Dwarfish by nature. I could see both hands working upon this statue of my own likeness. The smooth stone showed me robed in pure white with silky folds which rippled across my slender form as my palms turned towards us and held slightly outwards as if I were greeting someone. It was beautiful beyond compare. The elven face matched my own entirely, however caught in such a trance she looked even more beautiful and as her hair tumbled down under a hood, I saw that they had wrought a silver crown upon my head and a replica of the gems of Lasgalen sat upon my chest. What made this statue of myself so significant, however, was the fact that among the moonstones that decorated my head and throat were also bright gems which glowed and shone with an outpour of delicate colour, so I stepped closer and sure enough, I recognised the Arkenstone. "You…you cut the Arkenstone…"
"Yes. It was time to let go of that which my people coveted most. What remains is now entrusted upon my throne to continue to be a symbol of the king, however these shards were crafted to be wrought into this piece, a symbol of the unity of Dwarves and Elves that I hope to forge into a strong friendship, from now on." Thorin said to me as he placed his hand upon the statue, running his hand over the smooth stone. "This is undoubtedly now the most precious treasure that we possess, but not because of its material or the jewels. It is precious because of what it represents, what you helped to build and preserve." Turning to face me, Thorin took one of my hands in his as I felt silent tears trickle down my cheeks. "You saved my life, Eleni, as well as the lives of my nephews. That makes you a hero among my people and we shall honour your memory for as long as our race endures. Always shall you be welcome in these halls, even after I am gone." Trembling with emotion I bowed my head for a moment, trying to compose myself.
"I am grateful then, that such a time will not come for many years yet. Not for a long time." I said to him, taking deep breaths before I lifted my gaze and placed my hand over us. "You will be greatly beloved and hailed as a hero among your kin, Thorin Oakenshield, and I do not need my gifts to know it. Just know that when your time does come, I shall be with you, as will those that you cherish. There will be no pain, no coldness, so do not fear what is to come as I will stay by your side and watch over you, and should I find your soul among the stars, I shall be overcome with joy." Giving me a grateful smile Thorin nodded his head, clasping my hand a little more tightly before suggesting that we return to the festivities.
Even as I left those halls my statue stood at the forefront of my mind. It was the greatest honour and I knew what it meant for dwarves to create such a treasure, so I made sure to always preserve the bonds that we were forging at this very moment, vowing to guard over all of Middle Earth so that one day, we might all feel happiness and peace such as this.