AN: Thank you to Pyro-Misa, MistressOfImladris, and victoria for your reviews.

I know this chapter is basically the same as the original. I am working very hard to make sure I change this up so it is not a repeat of my original. I already have some changes in store for the later chapters. I hope you enjoy this all the same!

Estella's POV

A few days had now passed since my arrival at the Mirkwood Palace, and I still had no idea who anyone was aside from a few Elves.

I had already met Innor, the head healer, whom I had come to be good friends with. Innor had given me a unique herb which helped me sleep at night since nightmares about my mother's death still plagued me. He assured me they would soon pass; however, it might help if I were to open up to someone about them.

I had also met Legolas Greenleaf and quickly learned he was the crown prince of Taur-nu-Fuin, making him next in line to the throne. I was beginning to like him enough that soon I felt I could open up to him about my dreams and other problems. I knew I probably could tell him now, but I did not wish to burden him with more of my issues than I already have.

The third Elf I had already met was Legolas' father, King Thranduil, who I was not quite sure about yet. He was a very mysterious Elf who kept to himself most of the time. He seemed to delight in riches, and a wine called Dorwinion. But the first thing I quickly learned was the temper of the Elvenking. After witnessing firsthand his anger to a poor unsuspecting maiden who had accidentally dropped a glass of wine, I made a note to myself to stay away from him unless Legolas was with me. However, I did learn one positive thing about the king and that was although he did not trust people very quickly, when he did start to open up to you, it meant he cared deeply for you.

Finally, the last person I already knew was my handmaid Raiwen. Legolas insisted I needed one even though I was adamant I could take care of myself. But after Legolas kept pushing me on the matter, I finally accepted. Raiwen was a shy elleth of no older than eight hundred years. I quickly became dear friends with her, after learning that the young Elf-maid also lost her mother when she was about my age during an Orc attack. Her father had sailed West when she reached her majority, leaving his daughter to fend for herself. Fortunately, Thranduil offered her a position on his staff, helping the other maids with the royal housework.

Mist was swirling around the dampened tree trunks that morning when Raiwen broke me from my reverie. "Prince Legolas insists you get out and meet the residents here. It will not do you any good to live among us and not know your way around."

I was not entirely sure I wanted to leave my quarters, but I knew she and Legolas were right, so as I sat, soaking in a warm bath, waiting for Raiwen to come back with dresses, I allowed my mind to wander abroad until my bath water started to get cold. As I finished rinsing my hair, there was a soft knock.

"Who is it?" I asked softly, as I had learned very fast Elves had very acute hearing, something which I was still getting used to among my now perfect eyesight.

"It is I, Raiwen, my lady. May I come in?"

I hastily stepped from my bath and wrapped a soft plush towel around me. "Yes, you may come in."

Raiwen was laden with at least a dozen dresses, and other, various clothing. She laid them down neatly on my bed and smiled sweetly at me. I must have had a look of shock on my face for Raiwen softly laughed.

"These are all for me?" I asked in awe. "They are so beautiful; I have never had such nice clothing before."

Raiwen smiled gently at me. "Yes, Lady Estella, they are for you, and if you need more, Lord Legolas said all you need to do is ask." She took some bands from around her slender wrist. "These are for your hair, and," she produced a crown from her dress pocket. "A circlet as well. Since you are a royal guest, you must be treated as such."

"I do not know what to say. Thank you Raiwen." I turned back to the dresses, choosing one that was a beautiful light green with white trimming on the sleeves. When I finished getting into my gown, Raiwen helped me with my hair and then turned me around to appraise me.

"There my lady, you are perfect. Legolas will be here any minute to take you on that tour. Now if there is nothing else you will be needing, I will be on my way to help the other servants finish up laundry."

I shook my head no and smiled. "I'm fine, thank you, Raiwen."

"You are very welcome my lady. I will be back later to help you get ready for dinner. You will be eating with the royal family tonight." Raiwen left, leaving me waiting for Legolas to show up.

Sitting on my bed, I played with the pendant which had belonged to my mother. I never took it off as I felt close to my mother when I wore it. Tears sprang to my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away when I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." Hearing the door open. I stood up to meet Legolas's bright blue eyes. "My lord…"

"Please, just Legolas," he cut me off gently. "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, I am, my lor...I mean Legolas," I rapidly corrected myself.

Legolas chuckled, a glint in his eyes. "Then let us be off." He held a hand out to me, and as I took it, we left. "By the way, you look beautiful my lady."

I turned her head and smirked up at Legolas. "Aha! If I cannot call you my lord, you cannot call me my lady."

Legolas laughed. "As you wish, Estella."

The first place Legolas took me was the kitchens. The first thing I noticed was the aroma of many different foods cooking. The smell was so delicious; it made my stomach grumble in anticipation for tonight. "Here are the kitchens. As you can see, the staff is busy preparing the evening meal for tonight," he said. Although he never said anything, I knew he had heard my stomach, and I felt my cheeks redden slightly in embarrassment.

Then, Legolas introduced me to a tall, slender, red-haired elleth who stopped dressing the bird she was making for dinner and bowed to Legolas. "Here is the head cook, Beririel, who makes the best fruit pie in Arda."

Beririel blushed though a smile hovered around her face. "My lord, you should not make such comments." The Sindarin words rolled off her tongue easily. Then she turned to me and bowed as a sign of respect. "You must be Lady Estella. Word of your arrival has spread swiftly."

I looked at Legolas for him to translate and after he had told me, I smiled blushing. "Please, just Estella," I corrected. I was finding it quite difficult to accept people treating me like royalty.

Beririel shook her head no, and Legolas explained to me while he could refer to me as Estella, the rest of Mirkwood had to refer to me as 'my lady.' I knew there was no point in arguing, so I sighed and told her it was nice to meet her.

When we left the kitchen, Legolas then took me to the pantry where the wine was kept. "Here is where the best of my father's wine is stored and where my father's personal messenger Feren, and Galion, my father's butler can be found."

No sooner had he finished speaking when two ellyn appeared. They were both dark-haired and tall, although one had his hair pulled back and had what looked like a clipboard in his hands.

"Ah," Legolas exclaimed. "As I said, they are here. I would like to introduce you to Feren and Galion. Right now, Galion is busy taking inventory to make sure my father is not short on wine. It is never a good thing if he is."

Feren and Galion bowed to us, causing me to be taken aback as I felt I did not deserve such royal treatment. Galion noticed the look on my face but chose not to comment; instead, he spoke to me warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Feel free to visit us here; we can always open a bottle of the king's wine for you to taste." I laughed. I noticed Legolas shake his head at the words of his father's butler as he translated, but apparently, the prince did not mind his antics. With a few simple words, Galion made me feel welcome.

After our stop in the wine cellars, Legolas took me to the training grounds where I met Lethuin, the king's best hunter, and Cabrion, the head stable hand. Also, Haerelion, the head trainer, who Legolas informed me was the one who trained Thranduil, and himself, was there, his sword dancing in skillful lines across the sky as he seemed to be going through a challenging training routine. Some recruits were watching him from the sidelines, mesmerized by the craftsmanship he showed with the weapon. Legolas decided not to interrupt the older ellon, instead ushering me back into the palace.

When we finished taking the tour, it was time to head to the dining halls where Legolas and I would meet Thranduil for a private dinner. I never had such different variety of food which consisted of fruit, fish, bread, cheeses and what I had been told was quail they got by trading with the Men of Laketown. I had even been introduced to the Dorwinion wine Legolas told me about earlier, which was his father's favorite. It was a very rich but strong wine, and I could only take a few sips before feeling slightly affected by it.

When we finished eating the main course, dessert had been brought to us. It was the famed fruit pie Beririel made, and after only one taste, I knew why the prince so highly praised the pie.

After dinner, dessert, and an evening of socializing with Legolas and Thranduil about how I was getting along here and a little about where I had come from, I was tired, and Legolas led me back to my rooms.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself today Estella," Legolas said. "If there is anything else I can do to make you feel at home here, please tell me. Sleep well."

I smiled softly. "I did enjoy myself tonight Legolas, thank you."

Legolas smiled back and left to return to his quarters. I exhaled deeply and after changing into my nightgown got into bed. I said a prayer to my mother and fell sound asleep while holding the pendant in my hands.