Naher cantered over the ancient stone bridge, now finally arriving at the legendary home of the elves; Rivendell. The angelic atmosphere of the home was enlightening and Princess Lihua Zhang truly felt honoured to finally be at one of the three Elvish Kingdoms. Rivendell was more magical than the Elvish Empire. It's stone was pure white like the layers of the moon. The whole Kingdom seemed to have been blessed with beauty by the moon God, Yang which could be a possible explanation of its enchantment.
Lihua dismounted her horse and pulled off her cloak, revealing her beautiful summer clothing that was not the colour red. She scanned her eyes over the architecture of Lord Elrond's home and for the first time, she found herself genuinely smiling. That was until she saw him here. She glared at his black whilst he was greeted by an older looking elf which in her eyes, seemed to be Lord Elrond himself. Legolas then passed him, going onto a higher platform, presumingly taking a seat up there with his three followers. Elrond turned his head and he appeared shocked upon seeing the Eastern Princess at his home. His messenger had told him that the Elvish Empire would not be attending, but Elrond let out a small smile of his; glad that at least there was someone within the Empire willing to set aside differences.
"Princess of the Elvish Empire. You surprise me by entering Rivendell, going against the Emperor's decision"
Lihua stepped towards him with a fair expression on her face showing no threat nor remorse. "My father is blinded by his own selfish desires. I wish to no longer be apart of it."
Elrond bowed his head to the Princess. "The meeting is about to start. I bid you thanks upon coming, Lihua Zhang" He opened his arm out towards where the meeting was being held. Lihua bowed her head to him and trotted up the steps. Once she walked upon the stone, she saw there were elves, dwarves, men, a hobbit and an old wizard. Lihua was no surprised about the diversity for the ring was a very important matter, yet she did wonder why so many were here. She took a seat next to the halfling, the only seat unoccupied. Frodo Baggins turned his head ever so slightly, looking at the she-elf who had sat next to him. He had seen a fair few amount of elves, but seeing how Eastern looking she was; he was almost astonished that such elves existed.
The council meeting begun, Elrond explaining that the ring must be destroyed at Mount Doom to finally end the evil spreading over all the lands. Lihua found out a fair few things from this meeting by simply listening. She even learnt the names of most at the meeting. The men and dwarves questioned about you also and Elrond had no choice but to explain who you were. Boromir, the man with autumn coloured hair spoke.
"An elf from the Eastern Empire? I have only heard stories. I did not think they were true. Not only that... but a Princess blessed by the God, Yin?" All looked at him whilst he spoke and they all turned their heads to Lihua, properly noticing her now. Lihua's eyes connected to Boromir's pale ones as he stood up. The expression upon his face was that of disbelief, showing he was infatuated by the Princess. "... it's unreal" He spoke, suddenly receiving goosebumps from his charming choice of words. She felt no feelings towards him, she only felt charmed for now.
Legolas, seeing Boromir's words actually having a positive affect upon her, suddenly got out from his seat, stepping towards Boromir. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond said? The ring must be destroyed!" He declared, changing the subject drastically.
The dwarf raised his voice. "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?"
Lihua frowned at the dwarf, well aware of the past elves have had with them. Boromir exclaimed. "And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Gimli, the outspoken dwarf, leapt to his feet. "I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!"
This broke Lihua's patience in half and she got to her feet finally, joining the current trend amongst the council. "How dare you speak of elves in such a way!" Everyone broke out into argument, loud murmurs filling everyone's ears. Lihua's eyes glaring right through Gimli. He glared right back at her.
"Never trust an elf!" The arguing did not die down. Everyone had their hearts set on proving their points on the opposing side. This continued until the halfling stood up, raising his voice to make himself noticed.
"I will take it!" Everyone went silent; looking at the hobbit in enlightened disbelief. "but I do not know the way" That was when the Wizard told Frodo he would gladly be by his side during the journey, and even the heir of Isildur offered Frodo his help.
"... you have my sword"
Lihua smiled down at the extraordinary hobbit named Frodo Baggins. "You shall have my strength of Yin, young Frodo"
Legolas stepped forward along with Gimli following behind. "You have my bow"
"And my axe"
Boromir finally stepped forward, offering the hobbit his help also. Then out popped three more hobbits. The Princess blinked at this, never seeing such lively spirit to help a friend.
"Anyway... you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission... quest... thing" The one named Pippin said and Merry, the one beside him replied.
"Well, that rules you out, Pip" Lihua found herself laughing very quietly at the humour between the two.
"Ten companions... so be it" Elrond said, thoughtfully whilst observing the group. "You shall be the 'Fellowship of the Ring'" And that was the diverse unity created that day to go on the life changing quest upon Middle-earth thus changing their lives, forever.
Later than day, near the end of dusk, a feast was held for all the Fellowship. A celebration of their unity before they head out on their quest. They all sat at a long elvish table in the shape of a rectangle. The Princess sat across the elvish Prince of Mirkwood, minding her own business as she ate. She simply listened to the conversations around her.
"And so then I was like "you can't tell me what to do, I'm hungry and I want to eat your sprouts"" Pippin happily told Gimli who was opposite him, Merry being beside himself and the other two hobbits sat either side of the dwarf.
"Sprouts? How can you eat such nasty wee things?" Gimli replied.
"I just eat whatever's on the ground, really"
"Pippin." Merry put his hand on his friend's shoulder, giving him a serious look. "You're getting deep and personal now. Don't expose your weaknesses"
Pippin shrugged as he swallowed his mouthful of lettuce leaves, turning his head to Lihua. "So, Princess Lihua" He spoke in his Irish accent which the Princess found to be an admirable quirk of the halflings. She looked at him, swallowing her own small mouthful. "..." Pippin paused, thinking of something to say to her. He found her Eastern beauty to be very captivating, almost making him lose his sense of speech. "w-what's..." he cleared his throat, making a sly recovery. "What's your weakness?"
Merry blinked at his friend. "Pippin. You can't just ask someone what their weakness is."
Princess Zhang smiled, shaking her head as she took another mouthful of green, not bothering to answer the question. "I believe I know what her weakness is" The voice belonged to Legolas. The hobbits and the dwarf turned their heads to him, wanting to know the answer. Lihua's head snapped up, looking at him in question but he gave her the faintest of smirks and a knowing look which suggested himself being her weakness. Noticing what Legolas was implying, Lihua went red with anger, enclosing her fists tightly. Aragorn noticed also in the corner of his eye what was going on whilst he talked to Boromir and Gandalf. Tension was growing slowly.
"M-miss Zhang? Are you okay?" Samwise Gamgee questioned politely in concern or perhaps in fear of her suddenly silenced status. She spoke plainly, grabbing smoothly the rim of her silver plate.
"Yes, young Samwise Gamgee" She closed her eyes, turning her head to the hobbit, looking like she was about to make conversation with him. Lihua let out an obvious fake smile. "I am fine" Suddenly she threw her plate of food at Legolas. "Whoops, sorry. My hand just slipped" She exclaimed as it hurled towards him but before it could hit him, Legolas grabbed his own plate and held it up, blocking her plate from hitting him; thus causing lettuce leaves to go over the floor and table. Lihua looked at him in disbelief whilst he smiled with his eyes shut too.
"Sorry. My hand slipped" He opened his eyes, revealing a much rarer shade of grey now.
Lihua restrained herself from growling so she calmly stood up, speaking through gritted teeth. "I shall be retiring to my room now" Without her wishing to hear another word being said, she lifted her dress up slightly and made her way to where her room was, two elvish maidens escorting her there. When they had led her to her room, she nodded to them in thanks and walked in, shutting the doors firmly behind her.
Legolas was currently outside, scanning the elvish statues. He successfully managed to identify every single one of them, proving he paid attention to his ancestors and kin.
"Legolas" Aragorn called out to the Prince, soon joining him under the night sky. Legolas turned his head to face him.
"Mani naa ta?" ("What is it?")
Aragorn paused, looking back to the interior of where the feast was being held and back at Legolas. "Le ar Lihua" ("You and Lihua") Aragorn gave his friend a questioning look. The elvish Prince just smiled to himself, looking away.
"You noticed."
Aragorn found himself staring at his friend for a few seconds before soon smiling himself.
"You like her"
"She interests me. He vanimle sila tiri" ("She interests me. Her beauty shines bright") He turned his head to his friend. "And she is different" Aragorn nodded, agreeing with it completely.
"Of course. I do not think I've ever seen a woman act like that before"
Legolas looked up to the stars, noticing each individual twinkle of them. He seemed more distant now, deep in thought. The breeze lightly brushed through his moon-kissed hair. "... She's ill-tempered."
Aragorn noticed Legolas seemed troubled by this fact. He put his hand out. "She'll come around, Legolas. Do not lose hope so easily. Not when there is already a flame between the both of you"
The Prince of the Woodland Realm smiled. "You are right... and I tend to make the flame burn bright." Legolas looked up to the sky once more, his eyes shining bright as he thought to himself. 'Aranel... amin lakilea lle óre' ('Princess... I shall win your heart')