Chapter 6
The next day the fellowship set out again, leaving Manquárë behind. Legolas had convinced her that it was for her own safety that she remain in Lothlorian.
"I will be back I promise melamin" (my love) Legolas told her.
"Until then a'maelamin" Manquárë said.
"Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au" (My heart shall weep until it sees thee again) Legolas told her.
They shared one last kiss then he was gone. Manquárë watched the fellowship go until she could see them no longer. Returning to her quarters she offered up a quick prayer for Legolas' safety then sat and brushed her hair until it shone.
The next few weeks seemed to pass very slowly and Manquárë longed for news of Legolas. Finally one day an elf arrived bearing news. It seemed that war had indeed erupted and Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli were in the thick of it. Manquárë's heart sank.
"Is Legolas ok?" she asked.
"How should I know?" the elf asked rather rudely.
"Please, I have to know. I'm his intended," she said sensing he knew more than what he had said.
"He's fine and killing lots of Orcs, my lady" The elf said, suddenly reverent.
Manquárë couldn't understand his change of attitude but then it hit her. Legolas was a prince therefore she was to become a princess when they married. Manquárë's heart soared to hear that Legolas was ok.
Lothlorian remained a place of tranquility and Manquárë found she was very happy there. Finally 3 months later Legolas returned. Manquárë had seen him coming and had run out to meet him. The two of them had flown into each other's arms and hugged and hugged, kissing for all they were worth. Finally they came up for air.
"Manquárë, a'maelamin it's so good to see you" Legolas said.
"Comamin lindua ele lle" (My heart sings to see thee) Manquárë said softly.
She lifted her head and found his lips with hers and they shared another kiss.
"It's over maelamin, Frodo was successful and the war is over" Legolas said.
"Really? That's wonderful. Shall we get married now a'maelamin?"
"Soon soon" Legolas promised.
He went in to speak to Celeborn and Manquárë freshened up while he did so. Finally he returned to her and the two of them went for a stroll.
"Tell me all your adventures please Legolas" Manquárë said.
"Where shall I start? Ok we left here and went by river someway. Eventually Frodo decided he couldn't trust us so set off alone. Aragon, Gimli and I made our way to where the Free Peoples were gathering and joined the army there. The next day there was the most terrific battle. I must have killed dozens of Orcs including those who hurt me in Mordor. It was a glorious battle though and we were victorious. It took me three weeks to make my way back here as I got ambushed several times. I fought my way though each one and here I am.
"Oh Legolas you're so brave" Manquárë said.
They had reached a clearing and were completely alone.
"Oh Manquárë, I've missed you terribly. How have you been and what have you been doing while I've been gone?" Legolas asked.
Manquárë reiterated her activities of the past 3 months.
"I thought about you constantly melamin and wondered what you were up to"
"As did I," Legolas said.
Legolas suggested they sit in the shade of a large tree in the clearing for a while. Manquárë was agreeable so they lowered themselves to the ground and relaxed. Legolas casually draped an arm around Manquárë's shoulder and she rested her head against his chest.
"Oh Manquárë a'maelamin, (my beloved) it gladdens me to know that soon we shall be husband and wife. What are your thoughts on having hini?"(children)
"Amin mela lle Legolas ar' amin naa valin a'cael lle hini" (I love you Legolas and I am happy to have your children) Manquárë said, gently caressing his cheek.
"Oh Manquárë you don't know how happy that makes me feel" Legolas said his lips inches from hers.
"Well we have to produce an heir to the throne that will one day be yours don't we a'maelamin?" Manquárë said tapping Legolas gently on the nose.
"True" Legolas said.
He kissed Manquárë and then they just sat there and looked at the scenery for a while. Eventually it began to grow late so they made their way back to the dwellings.
The next day Legolas wished to begin the journey back to Mirkwood. Galadriel and Celeborn wished them well on their journey and gave them gifts for Thranduil. After farewelling Celeborn and Galadriel they set out, Manquárë in front of Legolas on his horse. Their journey was an uneventful one and 3 weeks later they reached Mirkwood.
"Ah it's good to be home," Legolas said softly to Manquárë.
"Aye it is" Manquárë said.
They dismounted and hurried inside. Legolas was keen to see his father so they hurried straight into his dwelling. Thranduil was delighted to see that Legolas had returned.
"How goes it my son?" Thranduil asked.
"I am very well father" Legolas said,
"And you Manquárë?" Thranduil asked.
"I am well" Manquárë said.
"Father, I have chosen the one whom I wish to marry" Legolas announced.
"And who is this elf you intend to marry"
"It's Manquárë. I love her very much and have asked her to marry me," Legolas declared slipping his arm around Manquárë's shoulders.
"What did I tell you my son? I told you that you and she would make a good couple. Did you give her your mother's ring?"
"Of course father" Legolas said.
"We must hold a banquet to celebrate and you and her will be the guests of honor"
That night Manquárë and Legolas arrived at the banquet hand in hand. All the elves there that had gathered cheered as they entered the hall. They were delighted that their prince had chosen himself a wife. After a delicious meal the elves shared songs and poetry. Legolas announced that he had composed a new song. Getting to his feet he proceeded to sing it. Manquárë listened carefully and to her delight the song was about her. As she listened to the song she was inspired to compose a poem about Legolas. She shared her poem at the conclusion of Legolas' song and he was delighted with it. Then the two of them relaxed and listened to other poetry and songs. Even Thranduil contributed a song of his own. During a lull in the sharing, Manquárë asked Legolas about his mother.
"Oh she's gone to the undying lands. Father wanted to go but I was too young to take the throne. Once we're married he plans to go and leave us to rule Mirkwood.
"You mean I'll be your queen?"
"Yes and a beautiful one at that" Legolas told her.
After the banquet the elves retired to a communal area and conversed. Legolas and Manquárë began discussing wedding arrangements. Legolas explained to her that it was the custom for Mirkwood elves to be wed in the traditional way. Since Legolas' father was King it was he who would wed them.
"I think you'd look lovely in white," Legolas told her.
"I'd been planning to wear white as it happens" Manquárë told him.
She and Legolas chatted for a while longer then socialized with the other elves around them. Everyone wanted to congratulate them on their betrothal and promised to attend their wedding. It seemed that everyone felt they were a good couple and meant for each other. Manquárë beamed as the elves gave her compliment after compliment.
Later that night, Manquárë went for a stroll along the paths of Mirkwood. She was lost in a world of thoughts and didn't notice an elf approach her.
"Hello Manquárë" the elf said, jolting her out of her thoughts.
Manquárë had never been more surprised in her life to hear that voice, as she had not expected to hear it again. It was the elf she had been betrothed to before the Orcs had destroyed her village.
"I thought the Orcs got you Lhundol" Manquárë said.
"Nah I hid from them as I wanted to be sure you were ok. You may not love me but I love you and it would have broken my heart to find that the Orcs had killed you"
"Well as you can see I'm still very much alive"
"So Manquárë we can marry then as arranged"
"Actually no we can't. I'm betrothed to another," Manquárë told him.
"What? But you can't. You're betrothed to me remember" Lhundol said indignantly
"I thought you were dead" Manquárë retorted.
"Well I'm not so you'd better tell your so called intended that you don't want to marry him after all"
"Atua miqula orqu" (Go kiss an Orc) Manquárë said angrily, "I love Legolas and I am going to marry him. I don't love you"
"So that's his name. I'll have to go and see him then and explain the situation to him if you won't"
"Leave Legolas out of it" Manquárë said.
Lhundol just smiled at her and walked off.
"What?" Legolas said in amazement.
"He wasn't killed as I thought he was" Manquárë said.
"How long have you known?" Legolas asked her a hint of anger in his voice.
"I only found out today honest" Manquárë said.
"Really?" Legolas asked sarcastically.
"Yes really. Legolas, it is you I love not him. I have never loved him," Manquárë said.
"Well, melamin I think it is time I met this Lhundol for myself" Legolas told her.
Manquárë smiled and took Legolas' hand in hers.
"Shall we a'maelamin?" Manquárë asked.
"Lets" Legolas said smiling.
Lhundol was in a communal area and talking with some elves when he saw Manquárë enter hand in hand with a handsome male elf.
'So this is Legolas' Lhundol thought.
"Hello Lhundol" Manquárë called out.
"Manquárë, melamin it is so nice to see you again and this is?"
"My name is Legolas and Manquárë is melamin not yours" Legolas snapped.
"Oh really? For your information we've been betrothed since before the Orcs destroyed our village"
"It was an arranged marriage of which I wanted no part," Manquárë snapped.
"Oh I'm so sorry a'maelamin," Lhundol snapped.
"Manquárë is a'maelamin!" Legolas snarled.
"Oh really? Says who?" Lhundol sneered.
"I do and I am a prince so am to be respected"
" Lle naa htaren nauselle" (You are prince in your imagination) Lhundol snapped.
"Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina" (You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny) Legolas snarled.
"Lle holma ve' edan" (You smell like a human) Lhundol shot back at him.
"C'mon let's go" Legolas said to Manquárë, determined to keep his temper in check.
They turned and began walking away only to have an arrow whistle past Legolas' head.
He spun around instantly his bow drawn an arrow notched to it. Lhundol was holding his bow and it was obvious that he had fired at Legolas. Legolas was furious and marched back to him.
"Care to enlighten me as to why you just tried to kill me nadorhuan (cowardly dog)" he said in a dangerously quiet voice.
"I'm just fighting to defend what's rightfully mine" Lhundol snarled.
Legolas saw red.
"For the last damn time Manquárë is not interested in you bonehead" he said, then putting his bow away punched Lhundol so hard he sent him flying across the room. He returned to Manquárë who was smiling.
"Diola lle" (Thank you) she said, "he wouldn't listen to me when I said I wasn't interested in him"
They left, Legolas' arm around Manquárë's shoulders, Lhundol unconscious on the ground across the room.
Chapter 7