Hi! Thanks for checking out this story! I had a thought about how Legolas' parents met and fell in love. Thranduil deserves some happiness too! But there will be some twists and turns before it gets there.
This story is in an alternate universe. I don't own any of LOTR characters.
I'd love some feedback if you have any to spare!
-Edith
"I regret to inform you that your daughter has escaped her bodyguards, again. Her current whereabouts are unknown" Glorfindel told the Lord of Imladris. The trusted advisor's tone held a subtle, amused hint to it. No doubt because this particular conversation had played out many times in the past.
Elrond sighed. No harm had ever befallen his youngest child and daughter. In fact, escaping her ladies-in-waiting and bodyguards were a regular occurrence for Ava. But, like any parent, he worried of the day she might be hurt by one of the various unfriendly creatures in Middle Earth. She'd been escaping since her elfling days, though admittedly, becoming more successful as she got older. She was easily Elrond's most adventurous child, out-doing even her twin brothers in that category. The twins, the eldest of Elrond's four children, had a mischievous side to them as elflings. But after their mother's untimely death, they had grown into serious warriors and trusted advisors. The eldest daughter, Arwen, had been born demure and dutiful. Elrond never worried she'd ever make a mis-step. In fact, he worried that she never made a mis-step, so perfect she was.
When his youngest daughter, Ava was born, his peaceful days ended. She was an energetic and spontaneous elfling. Being the youngest daughter, born after Sauron's destruction, she took full advantage of her parents' full attention. Elrond had to admit to himself he had indulged her, perhaps too much. But it had been borne of guilt. After Lady Celebrian's death at the hands of an orc attack when Ava was still a young child, he had devoted all his energies to becoming a single parent. Ava carried almost no memory of her mother, and Elrond had been left with the responsibility of bringing her up. He had not tried very hard to cultivate her lady-like demeanor, being unwilling to suppress her spontaneity. She clearly disliked royal protocol and usually dispensed with them. She was his wife's last gift to him and he treasured her dearly, though there were many days he wondered if Celebrian was having a good laugh watching him trying to parent their youngest child.
Unfortunately, it was also readily apparent to Ava (as well as the rest of Elvendom) that she had her father's favor and she used it to her full advantage.
"What happened this time?" Elrond asked, by now unsurprised at the Ava's creative ways to elude her bodyguards- elven warriors tasked to ensure her safety and her father's peace of mind.
"No one is entirely sure" Glorfindel answered. The warrior elf was Elrond's closest friend and advisor. He had seen his old friend through much, including the dark days of grief after Celebrian's death. He had seen each of their children grow, and Ava was certainly the most challenging. Because Ava, of all the children, was most like her mother. Glorfindel chuckled inwardly, when thinking about the force of nature Celebrian had been in her own childhood – the resemblance was uncanny.
"Must she do this today of all days, when she knows we have visitors!" Elrond exclaimed. Rivendell was due to host King Thranduil of Mirkwood that day.
"Thranduil is a friend, a good friend. He will not mind the distraction. Besides, he could use some lightness in his life. The King only knows how to be a warrior and a ruler. Much like you were before Celebrian" Glorfindel reminded him.
Elrond nodded in agreement. Thranduil had been a close friend and invaluable ally in the last and final defeat of Sauron. The two elves had known each other for millenia. In fact, Thranduil had introduced Elrond to his future wife. The King of Mirkwood had not visited for centuries, as of late, taking a hands-on approach to ruling his realm after Sauron's fall. Elrond knew that the death of his father, King Oropher, had hit Thranduil hard. And Thranduil was born with a deep sense of duty – when he ascended to the throne, he had sworn to serve and protect his people and realm.
"I don't think Thranduil has ever met Ava. If I remember correctly, he last visited before she was born. We sent an announcement of the birth and he had sent his congratulations" Elrond murmured.
The King of Mirkwood travelled with his closest advisor, lord Wyrran and a company of soldiers from his personal guard. The visit would be one of pleasure, it had been ages since he was last in Rivendell. His advisors had persuaded him to take a much needed break. They had of course, also reminded him that elven alliances needed to be maintained with periodic visits, no matter how friendly they were. As the party approached the valley, Thranduil thought of his old friend. Secretly, he had always envied Elrond. The lord of Imaldris seemed to have it all, a wife and beautiful family who seemed to bring joy to the endless work of ruling a realm. Thranduil had desired a family of his own at one time, but his father had never permitted courting while he was still in army training. Then, the war with Sauron and his father's death thrust the crown upon him.
Thranduil absent mindedly brushed away a stray strand of hair, thinking of his crown. It was of course, not worn during travels or routine work, but it perpetually sat on his head. A weight he would never shed, the weight of responsibility and duty to his realm and his people. That had always come at the cost of his personal happiness.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sensed a moving figure. To the right, an elven horse, bearing a hooded rider, sprinting swiftly by and then passing them. He could tell the rider, though demurely dressed in elegant riding clothes, bore a regal posture and presence atop the horse. A errant branch snapped at the rider, causing the hood of the cloak to fall off and scratching her cheeks along with it. A head of light blond hair, simply and neatly pleated, was revealed. The elleth hardly flinched and leaned forward, urging her horse forward with greater speed. She was in a hurry indeed.
"Does Elrond allow elleths to ride so carefree this close to the valley?" Wyrran observed.
"By the looks of it, I do not think the elleth cares what Lord Elrond's rules are" Thranduil answered, the rider had a carefree and confident air about her. He could tell she was not one to be constrained by pesky rules. He smiled, such a philosophy must be wonderfully freeing.
Ava silently cursed as the branch whipped her cheek, causing a mild sting in the process. She was running late. Her father may forgive her for escaping her guards, again, but he would likely punish her for not being present to receive their guest. Who was it again? King Thranduil, she remembered. A close friend of her parents apparently, she'd never met him but he was just another in an endless parade of dignitaries who visited the realm.
She arrived in Rivendell without a moment to spare. After patting her horse appreciatively for his haste and giving him an apple for a reward, she threw the reins to the waiting stable boy. She cast off her riding cloak and quickly took her place beside her siblings. The party of Mirkwood entered the front gates of the realm just as Ava took her palace in the receiving line. Luckily, she had snuck in a side entrance. Ava disliked receiving lines, knowing that her presence while appreciated really made no difference to the visit. Her twin older brothers were the heir and spare, and her older sister was the perfect host. Feeling like the extra was liberating, she preferred to pursue the sporting pasttimes. But she also knew her place, and whether she liked it or not, she was born a royal. The station of her birth dictated she perform royal duties, such as receiving lines, feasts, celebrations.
The party from Mirkwood slowly trotted their horses into the main courtyard just off the front entrance of the realm. Ava looked at the leader, whom she presumed to be king, carefully. He was tall and well built, rode his horse in an undeniably regal manner. She stood perfectly still and poised, with a non committal smile on her face. After the party dismounted, Thranduil strode towards their hosts. Elrond embraced his old friend and comrade warmly, welcoming him to the visit.
"May you find rest and joy during your stay, my friend" Elrond beamed.
Thranduil smiled, knowing Elrond to be an attentive host. "Thank you, Elrond, I believe respite is what I need."
Elladan and Elrohir stepped forward and bowed to the King. Arwen curtsied and the King reciprocated by taking her hand and kissing it. Ava stepped forward and executed a perfect curtsy, the King took her offered hand but halted before he could bring it to his lips. Thranduil's eyes widened slightly in recognition.
"You must be Lady Ava, it was you flying past my party on your steed just outside of Rivendell was it not? Your reputation of a free spirit precedes you." Thranduil said with a smile. The smile, brought on by the memory of Elrond's youngest daughter, riding her horse so intensely in the valley, was a rare occurrence for the King. This did not go unnoticed by his advisor. The elleth intrigued the King. Unlike her elder siblings who shared Elrond's dark hair, Ava's complexion was reminiscent of the Lorien elves from which her mother descended: light blond hair, pale skin and blue eyes. To Thranduil, she was simply stunning.
"Ava, you know you are not supposed to be riding alone outside of the borders!" Elrond admonished. By the way she was glaring at him, for outing her, Thranduil guessed she had inherited her mother's temperament also.
"Sorry Ada, I could not pass up a chance for a ride today – the weather was so nice" Ava said sweetly, looking at her father with pleading eyes.
"You may show Lord Thranduil to his quarters, and accompany him on a walk before dinner" Elrond said. It was her punishment, she knew. Arwen would have been a much better companion.
"Of course Ada" Ava grumbled. She threw the King of Mirkwood another glare, before politely gesturing towards the direction of the guest houses, "shall we, your highness?"
Thranduil had to admit, the Lady had spirit. She practically stalked her way to the guest houses, without saying a word to him. He had followed, amused and fascinated by her. Ava opened the doors to his guest house and stepped inside. The quarters were sunny and elegant, he knew he would have a restful stay in Rivendell.
Ava looked at the King silently, as he took in the space. He was quite a bit taller than her and certainly built stronger. Yet, his eyes showed a gentleness she had not been expecting. He looked at her and smiled softly.
"Lady Ava, I apologize for getting you in trouble with your father. I simply meant to pay you a compliment" Thranduil said kindly. Since when did his heart hammer at such a fast pace when addressing a Lady? For the first time in centuries, he was bashful.
"No need, my lord. I did disobey Ada after all" Ava said simply, she was not the type to hold grudges.
"Why ride outside the borders? Rivendell has plenty of scenic trails" Thranduil inquired.
"I enjoy the expanse of the valley, one can feel so constrained in Rivendell" came the answer. Ava felt constrained in her royal station, a role she could not shed but riding outside her father's borders gave her a temporary escape from it.
"Did you know both my parents? My naneth also?" Ava inquired curiously. She had heard Thranduil was an old friend and precious few people spoke of her mother in Rivendell, whose mere mention grieved her father.
"Yes, I knew her. You have taken after her, in both your beauty and spirit" Thranduil said honestly.
A smile tugged on Ava's lips. She liked the thought of being like her mother. "I'm supposed to take you for a walk before dinner" Ava remembered.
"You do not have to, if you don't wish it" Thranduil said quickly, he wanted her to like him. Valar, she was lovely. She was also Elrond's daughter, he reminded himself.
"But I would like to see your horse, you must have a powerful steed to be able to out- run my horses" Thranduil complimented.
"You like to ride my lord?" Ava asked, her interest piqued.
Thranduil nodded. Ava's smile widened further. She took his offered arm and guided him to the stables. She proudly showed him her horse and in turn he showed her his trusted companion, who had been with him through war and so much more. Ava listened intently as Thranduil told her the stories of his horse's bravery in battle, and the King of Mirkwood felt triumphant he was holding the attention of the elleth in front of him. He felt like he had just defeated Sauron himself. He happily watched as Ava brushed the mane of his horse, allowing it to nuzzle in the crook of her neck.
"Your highness, it's time to change for dinner-" Wyrran, the advisor said as he walked into the stables, interrupting the moment.
Ava straightened her posture, and curtsied to her guest. "I shall see you at dinner, my Lord," and excused herself.
Thranduil glared at his advisor and thought of several ways to banish the elf from his kingdom.
The affectionate way the King was gazing at Rivendell's youngest princess was not lost on Lord Wyrran. He had known the King for many ages, grown adept at peering past the cold, indifferent expression to read his private his thoughts. He was one of few in the entire realm who could challenge the King, so trusted was his opinion.
"Was I interrupting something, your majesty?" Wyrran asked carefully.
"No, I was just showing the Princess my horses" Thranduil answered, clearing his throat in an awkward manner.
"You were showing off your horses" Wyrran corrected, earning himself another glare. Thranduil began to plan to build dungeons, to throw the advisor in.
The dinner was an elaborate affair. Elrond lavished hospitality befitting of a reigning monarch, friend and comrade. As Thranduil entered the formal ballroom, the assembled guests stood waiting for the Mirkwood delegation. The lord of Imladris clasped the King of Mirkwood's shoulders warmly and showed him to the seat of honor at the head table with Elrond's children. Thranduil's heart soared as he saw Lady Ava was seated next to him. A smile tugged at her lips as she curtsied to him. After speeches of welcome, dinner was served.
"I must thank you, Lady Ava for showing me the stables today" Thranduil remarked. He wanted to speak to her, about anything, the sound of her voice was enchanting.
"Well, it was not the worst punishment Ada had ever given me" Ava replied.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow. "And what was the worst punishment Elrond has doled out?"
Ava smirked, "he once forced me to reorganize his library."
Thranduil understood that must have been a dull task. Elrond was known to have thousands of tomes. "What did you do to deserve such punishment?"
"I enjoyed a day in the mortal lands without permission…or my bodyguards…or telling anyone. When Ada found out, he cursed the valar and all of arda" Ava recalled fondly.
"Your Ada worries for your safety" Thranduil reminded her. Ava was fearless. She was beautiful. A dangerous combination. Thranduil understood Elrond's desire to shield his child from the evils of the world, he had fought enough of them.
For a moment, Ava's eyes saddened. "Ada carries the burden of naneth's death, so he worries about everything."
Without thinking of royal protocol, the King touched Ava's arm gently, to comfort her. At his touch, she smiled brightly.
"Would you like to dance, Lady Ava?" Thranduil asked. He could've kicked himself. He was sure he had been too forward.
The dinner plates had been taken away. Music was now flowing and couples were heading to the dancefloor.
Ava's smile brightened and she took his offered hand as he led her to the dancefloor. Surprised glances followed them, but neither noticed. As they went through the intricate dance, Ava wore an easy smile and giggled when she made a misstep, almost tripping over the King. Her genuine joy made Thranduil smile as he quickly put an arm around her waist and steadied her. He only had eyes for her. All too soon for Thranduil, the song ended and he reluctantly let go of Ava's hand. She curtsied properly and excused herself. He was expected to greet the various other dignitaries of Elrond's court. Thranduil's eyes followed Ava as she walked away to mingle with the crowd.
