Hello everyone! I am so sorry I have been gone so long. Life has been beyond crazy and I started working on some other stories on Wattpad and got distracted with them...add a bad case of writers block... well you know how life is.
But I am glad to be back in the swing of the story.
I had a real hard time since there is a lot of dialogue in this section and even after seeing the last hobbit movie, Thranduil is still a very hard character to write.
Anyways without further day here his is the big announcements.
Chapter 11: Joyous Return (Appropriate Title Right? ^.^)
The next morning I woke to the sounds of movement throughout the palace as it readied for the feast this evening. I sat up in bed and shook my head, tonight my betrothal to Legolas would be announced to the people of Mirkwood. I never felt nervous as I did this morning, well maybe meeting the King for the first time, but I feared the people's reaction. I am to be their princess in less than three moons' time. I took a deep breath and fell back on my bed.
No sooner did I do this, I heard a knock on my door. I sighed before rising to answer it. I cracked the door and it was pushed open I saw a flash of red and two bodies pass by me. I turned to see Raina and Tauriel smiling ear to ear. Raina held a dress in her hands.
"Is that my dress for tonight?"
"It is…" Rain said grinning as she hid the fabric behind her back.
"But first we must blindfold you while we make sure it fits!"
"What?! It's my dress if I want to see if before I walk out to meet my betrothed's kingdom for the first time, I will!"
"Is that a challenge Princess?" Tauriel asked raising an eyebrow with that all-knowing stare of hers. It was getting annoyed with her calling me princess. I was a Lady of Gondor and not her princess. Yet.
Sadly, it was a battle I would lose. Soon, the captain had a strip of cloth wrapped around my head to shield my vision.
"Arms up, my lady." Raina asked kindly distracting me from my thought. I felt a soft silky material slide over my arms and then fit around my waist and body. I could feel her tug the sleeves down my arms.
"It is almost perfect. I need to take the waist in just slightly, but I can do that here in the palace. You will look so beautiful my lady." Raina said pulling slightly on the material around my middle.
"Alright, Tauriel, take her to breakfast then have her go bathe. It will take a couple hours to finish my alteration."
"Of course Raina." Tauriel said smiling. They gently took the dress back and I heard my door open and close announcing the seamstress was gone. I sighed, reaching up to take the blindfold off my face.
We did as we were told and I spent a good hour bathing. It felt nice to have the hot spring to myself for once. By order Thranduil and Legolas no one was to enter the royal side of the palace until tomorrow morn after the feast. I know it was just so no one would see the mysterious elleth from Lorien that everyone was curious about. According to Tauriel, there were whispers going through the kingdom that the prince had indeed returned and brought a beautiful elleth from Lorien with him to make his bride.
"I love how the people still believe it is just whispers. I mean it is all true is it not?" She said as she brushed out my hair.
"You haven't been feeding the fire have you? Legolas and Thranduil wanted the announcement to be a grand surprise. They also didn't want them to know Legolas was injured."
"I didn't but we weren't exactly subtle on our trip into the palace either." She said using a towel to continue to dry my long locks.
"I'm nervous about tonight. I mean what if they don't like me! I'm only a half elf!"
"They have no opinion. Legolas loves you; that is all that should be of concern. But if that is not enough, Thranduil holds you in high regards! I mean you are of a noble mortal line if they would question your lineage. The king was by far the most important person to convince and you did it easily. You are a warrior and a lady. Show the confidence you had in the White City after the war. Be the woman that Las loves and the elf that has come to be my friend over the past months. Show them you are the princess they have been waiting for." Tauriel was definitely good with words and motivation. I must make sure she is with me on my wedding day.
As I was allowed to look in the mirror, I almost cried. Raina did an amazing job with the dress that was on my body. It was mainly red silk with gold accents along the top and edges of the sleeves. The dress clung to my bust and waist before flowing loose around my hips and legs. The sleeves went to my elbows before splitting and freely hanging.
"Thranduil is making the announcement of Legolas' return and he will walk in and then Legolas will start to introduce you as a Lady of Lorien, the adopted daughter of the Lady. Then Thranduil will speak of your betrothal. Although, soon as you walk in people will know why you are being introduced after him."
"Why? What is so special about red and gold?"
"Red silk is only to be worn by royals are formal events. Red and gold is a sign of a royal engagement. It was tradition of the Doriath. Legolas's grandfather, Oropher was the first of that line to come to Greenwood, bringing his practices with him when he married his bride and became a lord here, and eventually dubbed king. Thranduil and Alywen continued the tradition when they bonded and he requested that you carry it on"
"So that is why Raina knew right away."
"Yes. Now, let's get you to Legolas, the feast will be starting soon and you can't be late for your own betrothal announcement." She said dragging me through the palace.
We came to a stop just outside of the main hall where just hours ago, the servants and maids were preparing for the feast of the century. Hundreds of chairs and tables were in place set with finery that mortals could not fathom. The doors were closed but the noise of conversation and laughter could be heard through. I saw Legolas and his father walking down from their chambers in their royal garb. Thranduil was dressed in his typical green and gold, while Legolas wore a red silken tunic with gold embroidery. They met us and I bowed gently to the royals.
"Are you ready to meet the people of Greenwood, my dear Maethriel? For I know I could not be more joyful about the announcements I am about to make." Thranduil asked kindly with a sincere smile on his face.
"More than ready, my king."
"Indeed. Now, please remain out here until Legolas introduces you, but stay within this vicinity it will not take long." He said motioning for us to take a few steps back to be out of sight. Then the guards by the door opened them and the king entered the hall. The room fell quiet as he made his way to the head table where there were three seats.
"My people of Mirkwood in the past weeks many of you have heard of the tale of the nine walkers that left the realm of Rivendell on a journey to destroy the One Ring of power that belonged to the Dark Lord Sauron. It is with great contentment that I officially announce the defeat of the Dark Lord Sauron once again! May Middle Earth forever be freed of his evil and darkness!" The room erupted in applause and cheers. But it quieted once more.
"Most of you have noted the absence of my son in these dark months. He was not with the rangers of the north as he liked to in the past. It is unfathomable pride, which I announce my son was counted among the nine and served as the group's archer. He was at the battle of the black gate when the ring of power was thrust into the fires of Mount Doom!"
"I am happy to finally announce his return to our realm! My people, your prince and hero of Mirkwood, Legolas!" I nodded as Legolas entered the hall to be met by his people.
"I am more than overjoyed to be home after not being under our trees for nearly two years! It brings me happiness to know I was well missed. But I am not the only hero here tonight. I have someone who I befriended on my journey." At first I thought he was talking about Gimli but the dwarf refused to attend such an event. He was at the celebration in Minas Tirith and that was enough for him. He was leaving soon now that Legolas was healed and would not be caught dead at an elvish feast no matter how much liquor we tempted him with.
"She was among the walkers for most of the journey and fought alongside us until the end even after injuries. Everyone speaks of the nine walkers that left Rivendell, but the stories leave out a brave tenth walker who met us just outside of the gates of Elrond's home. People of Mirkwood, I give you Maethriel of Lorien, a true daughter of battle and an adopted daughter of Galadriel, the Lady of Lorien!" I took this as my cue to enter and the room did not erupt in applause instead I felt everyone's eyes on me as I walked towards the two royals.
"I was hoping for a little better reaction." I whispered to Legolas as I took my seat next to him.
"They will come around, just wait until my father's announcement."
"Let us raise our glasses to our two heroes!" Thranduil said raising his goblet of wine. The elves followed their king's actions.
"Now for the announcement that we are all gathered here for!" He said standing once more with a true smile on his face.
"I have been waiting since Legolas came of age to do this! I am proud to announce the betrothal of Legolas and Maethriel! I have not seen a love so strong since I first met Alywen and I bless their union and hope it will be fruitful. He and Maethriel were betrothed in Minas Tirith nearly six moons ago and they will wed under the first moon of autumn. Gandalf the White will oversee their vows of bonding. I am excited to soon have Maethriel as a daughter, for I see how happy she has made my son. May they forever be happy!" Thranduil said raising his goblet to toast once more.
This time the crowd did respond with applause, cheers, and whistles. Legolas took my hand and intertwined our fingers. I could accept this. I am going to be spending eternity next to this elf and I couldn't help the smile that found my lips as a result.