Better Late Than Never

"Are you all right, dear? You seem to be looking ill this morning?"

Legolas smiled. "No, mother, just tired."

"Well, if you start to feel ill, I want you to go to the Houses of Healing and ask for some herbs and medicine. All right? You have a long day ahead of you and you must keep up with your appearances."

"Yes, mother, I know. Do not worry," the elf-prince assured her.

"Very, well," she said and glanced at Keldir before leaving to her son's side. Keldir smiled politely and then glanced at Legolas after her back was turned to them. Legolas kept his focus on the gate while trying to keep his grin from showing.

Lord Yulor and his daughter finally appeared beside them. "Good morning to all," he greeted.

Reylien stood next to Legolas with her head slightly bent down. The prince turned his head to her. "Good morning..." he whispered. Her head slowly lifted, revealing the same pale look on her features that many of them had that morning. Legolas couldn't help but smile as he had never seen her in that kind of state before.

"Good morning..." she whispered back.

"How was your night?" he asked curiously.

She saw the smirk on his face that made her glare at him. "Inah told me what you said. I only returned home less than an hour ago! I was lucky to be in my room before my father came to wake me."

The prince kept the smile on his face. "I honestly do not know what your friends had in store for you. But whatever they did, I hope you had fun." A smirk slowly formed on her own lips as she thought back to last night. "Well?"

The elf-maiden changed her smirk into a full smile. "Yes..." she laughed softly, "I did actually."

"What kind of mischief did you ladies get into?"

Her eyes widened with guilt. "I am not going to tell you!" she quietly hissed. Their parents and a few of the guards turned in her direction. Reylien bent her head down again and spoke more quietly. "What did you do last night?"

Legolas sighed. "Well...I suppose it would do us no harm if we kept our individual merriments last night a secret," he chuckled.

"Exactly," she eyed him. She already knew he wasn't going to tell her what they did and if he ever did, only then would she reveal the things her and her friends got themselves into...maybe.

The queen gave Reylien's party permission last night to use her gazebo for the evening, provided that they didn't disturb those around them. Their little celebration also involved the elven liquor, which opened up many topics about Legolas that made Reylien blush the entire time. They couldn't help but giggle at everything as the miruvor seeped into their thoughts.

One of her friends also got the brilliant idea of taking a nightly swim in the Forest River located in the Northern part of Mirkwood. Many of them complained how uncomfortable it was in the gazebo and wanted to cool off somehow.

Reylien was hesitant on the idea but her friends dragged her anyway. The laughter continued as they all ran barefoot in their dresses toward the river. Since they couldn't control the volume of their merriment, they were heard throughout the areas they passed.

As they got closer to the river's edge, the elf-maidens stripped out of their skirts and corsets and plunged into the water without any garments on whatsoever. When their fun at the river was over, they tried to quietly sneak back to the gazebo with their dresses draped around the front of their bodies like towels. Some of the elf-maidens were still softly giggling as they ran tip-toed back to the garden.

It was Reylien's last nights of being a single elf-maiden before she was married in a few days, crowned as the Princess of Mirkwood, so she got the courage to do something exciting for herself before then. She will hold the title of Queen after Legolas's parents set sail for the Straight Road back to the Blessed Realm.

The idea of the Woodland Elves looking up to her as their queen was a bit overwhelming and wasn't something she was fully prepared for. But she loves Legolas and would do her best to be a good ruler. Legolas brought out the best in her and being by his side, she knew she could handle the responsibility.

When she got back home, she found her servant asleep on the couch in the living room waiting for her return. She was startled by Reylien's appearance when she woke her, the elf-maiden placing a finger over her lips, telling her to keep her voice down. Knowing how important that morning was the servant did her best to make her mistress look as presentable as possible before her father found her in her current condition. She did what she could...the rest was up to Reylien.

"The first sets of carriages are arriving, Your Highness," a guard informed the king. "They appear to be from Lothlórien."

Keldir inspected his guards, making sure they all looked presentable. Some of them who were out last night for Legolas quickly straighten their postures as their captain passed by. He gave them all a knowing look to not let last night affect their duties.

They opened their gates to let the three carriages inside. The first carriage door opened revealing an old friend of theirs. Keldir held his hand out to assist the next elf out into the open. She smiled at the crowd watching her. "It is pleasure to see you again, King Thranduil of Mirkwood," she tilted her head slightly as she approached him.

"As you, Lady Galadriel," the king bowed his head. "Welcome also Lord Celeborn." The two friends greet each other's forearm with a quick, firm shake.

"The pleasure is all ours," Celeborn replied.

Galadriel and Celeborn also greeted the queen then proceed down the line to greet the rest of the Woodland Elves and stopped where Legolas and Reylien stood. "Legolas...I never thought I would see this day," the Lady of the Golden Wood softly smirked. The prince only laughed quietly at her teasing. She turned to Reylien and said, "It is nice to see you again, my dear. And with the Prince of Mirkwood."

"Thank you, milady, for your warm hospitality while I was in Lórien," she curtseyed. Galadriel only smiled and continued to greet Lord Yulor with her husband next to her.

"Haldir, old friend, nae saian luume'," Keldir greets the guard who followed behind the other two elves.

"Yes, it has, Nikerym," he said.

"Haldir," Legolas smiled. "Creoso, mellonamin."

"Diola lle." The elf bowed his head. "Sut naa lle?"

"Very, well. Thank you."

"Lady Reylien, good morning to you," Haldir also bowed his head to her.

"And to you as well, Master Elf," she curtseyed.

Legolas placed a hand on his shoulder. "Make yourself at home here. When you and your party have settled in, perhaps the three of us could catch up?" The prince looked at Keldir who nodded in agreement.

Haldir looked at Legolas then at the captain. "I would very much like that," he grinned. He said his farewells and joined the rest of the elves who were unpacking their things from the carriages.

I I I

"And how long are we supposed to be out here for?" Legolas whispered to Keldir when they were back to waiting for more guests.

Keldir sighed. "Until all the carriages have arrived, my prince."

Legolas inwardly groaned at his answer until King Thranduil suddenly spoke. "The next few carriages are not due to arrive until closer to noon. You all may leave and go about your day until then."

His words were music to their ears. As soon as the first guests were inside with the other nobles, the guards quickly made a dash for it. Keldir warned them that they better be on time when the other guests arrived or else it was double patrol for whoever was late.

"I think I, too, will retire for a bit," he yawned.

"You better be on time yourself, captain," Legolas chuckled.

"Always..." Keldir stretched his arms out to his sides. "Enjoy your day you two."

They both smiled at the guard until he disappeared into the palace. Reylien took Legolas's hand and seemed nervous about something. "What is it, love?"

"Well...since I barely got any rest from last night, I was thinking of retiring until our other guests arrived as well. I wanted to spend the morning with you but I am just so tired and—"

"Say no more," Legolas kissed her cheek. "A lot of us need to catch up on our sleep and I think that is a good idea, especially if we are to keep up our welcoming appearances."

The elf-maiden smiled. "See you at noon?"

"Yes, milady," he kissed her hand. "Have beautiful waking dreams...about me." She rolled her eyes with a smile and sent him a quick kiss before she left for home. Legolas was alone by himself wondering what Elven Realm the next carriages would hold, Lothlórien again or...Rivendell?

As the day progressed, more and more of their guests started to arrive, almost one after the other. It became a mix of Lothlórien and Rivendell elves. By dinner time, the underground palace was full of occupants.

There was only two days left until the wedding. Legolas tried to avoid most of the guests to get away from talking about politics and what he planned to do once he was crowned king. It wasn't something he wanted to think about at the moment as he had enough to think about on his plate.

Reylien wanted to catch up with her friends from the Golden Wood so Legolas went to his room after dinner to get away from the crowd to relax. He had a hard time napping earlier that morning as his mind and body were too anxious to be still. He looked out his window again to see the market place more alive than it had been before the big gathering began. For some reason he always felt at peace whenever he observed his kin going about their daily routine.

"Prince Legolas?" A servant knocked on his door.

"Yes?"

"The king asked me to inform you that another carriage has arrived."

Legolas opened his door. "What?"

"They had some trouble with their carriage this afternoon but managed to get it fixed. They would have been here earlier if it were not for the mishap, sire."

His heart suddenly quickened its beat. "From which Realm is the carriage from?"

"Imladris, sire. Your father wishes for you to hurry. He also says that Lady Reylien will not be there to greet them, therefore you must go without her. You are the only one left who is not at the front gates."

He rushed out of his room, taking quick steps until he got outside. Once there, the elf-prince froze. There was something in him that stopped him from moving forward. He felt...nervous for some strange reason. He tried to shake himself out of it, telling himself that it was just another carriage like the others that arrived this afternoon. Legolas took a few deep breaths and walked casually where everyone else awaited.

Since it was finally dark out, the guards held up lanterns so the elves could see better in the dark. Legolas stood by the entry way, just before the opening that led out to a wide opening at the front gates. He stayed hidden in the shadows as he saw the carriage. Legolas saw his cousin, Elenia, with her husband and son talking animatedly with his mother. He subconsciously took a step forward revealing his presence in the light of the moon.

Elenia quickly noticed him. "Legolas!" she waved. It was too late now for him to turn back. He smiled and waved in return. The only thing left to do was to greet them head-on.

"It is good to see you, cousin," he hugged her.

"You as well, dear Legolas." She flashed him a genuine smile to show that there were no ill feelings between them. "You remember my husband, Tolas, and my son, Darion?"

"Of course I do," he smiled at them both. He greeted her husband and placed a hand on her son's head. "Are they teaching you archery over there in Rivendell?" Darion nodded. "Maybe we can shoot a few targets before you leave? What do you say?"

"That would be great!" Darion smiled widely. "Is that all right, Nana?" he looked at his mother for permission.

"I think it is a wonderful idea," she smiled. She appreciated that Legolas took an interest in doing something with her son. He didn't want to hold any type of grudges against his family as they had nothing to do with Adanion's behavior. Plus, Legolas barely knew the rest of his younger relatives in Rivendell and saw this as a good opportunity.

Suddenly, another young elf-boy steps out of the carriage. Hesitantly, he looked around at his foreign surroundings. "Come on out, Adamar." Darion rolled his eyes. "This is his first time out of Rivendell," he whispered to Legolas. The prince wondered who the elfling was. He didn't know Elenia to have another child. Adamar had sandy-blonde hair and brown eyes, a few years younger than Darion.

The boy stepped down the small ladder and turned to face the door of the carriage as if he was waiting for someone else to get out. Legolas straightened his posture and felt a sudden wave of nervousness enter his body. Tolas walked to the door and extended his arm out for support for the elf whose hand was now holding onto it. The female elf stepped down cautiously with their head still bent to the ground. Legolas's throat was suddenly dry.

As soon as the female elf had both feet on the ground, she straightened her posture. Her eyes immediately fell on Legolas. She had dark, loose, curly locks that flowed down to the small of her back and a green cloak draped around her. Everyone fell silent as the two stared at each other. The other elves looked back and forth between them, waiting for one of them to speak.

"Good evening..." Legolas finally managed to get out.

"Good evening, Prince Legolas," she half-smiled.

"Nana, my tummy is hungry," Darion looked at his mother with pleading eyes.

"Me too!" Adamar added.

"Come children, follow me," the queen took their hands. "As a matter of fact, everyone follow me. You all must be famished from your long journey. I will see if Dalorien can make us something." Then she looked at the female elf still standing by the carriage. "I am sure your mother will be pleased to see you as well, Le'ariel. Welcome home."

"Thank you," she half-smiled. Adamar let go of the queen's hand and ran to Le'ariel and grabbed her hand instead, dragging her inside. Le'ariel let him tug her willingly. "Adamar, dear, slow down." Legolas heard her say.

The prince was still having an out-of-body-experience and couldn't move. The king stayed behind with him as the rest of the group entered the Underground Kingdom. The elven-king placed a gentle hand on his son's shoulder. "Legolas, my boy, think positively." He didn't wait for Legolas to respond as he followed inside as well.

Legolas's body turned numb again.

Translations:

nae saian luume' = It has been too long

Nikerym = Captain

Creoso, mellonamin = Welcome my friend

Diola lle = Thank you

Sut naa lle? = How are you?