-KEEP IN MIND THAT IM AN ARTIST, AND IM SENSISITVE ABOUT MY SHIT.
-ERYKAH BADU-
It had been exactly 4 weeks. Today Brittani was going to meet her father. She was nervous. She didn't know how he would react to seeing her. Would he be glad? Or would he be angry? Needless to say she was a big ball of nerves. Over the course of these 4 weeks her language lessons had been going pretty well. So well, in fact the she wasn't allowed to speak the common tongue and no one was allowed to speak it to her. They figured she would learn faster through immersion and she was.
Iman was currently having her final fitting for the coming of age ceremony they were having in her honor. All noble Elves from all over Middle Earth were invited. So not only was she going to meet her father. She was also going to meet everyone who was anyone tonight. She had been confined to her chambers for the past 3 days because her mother and Lord Elrond didn't want her mingling with any of the guest. So fucking stupid. She thought. They wanted everyone to see her for the first time at the ceremony. She hated it. She felt like a caged bird.
When the dress maker's finally took their leave Iman stepped out onto the Balcony. It was midafternoon and she was bored. She hated being cooped up. It was almost like she was being treated like a child. Rolling her eyes she laid down on the stone bench and used her arm to Shield the sun from her eyes.
"Look at you lazing about like you haven't a care in the world"
"Ugh not now Legolas I'm resting can't you go find someone else to...harass?"
"Now why would I want to do that? When you are right here? Perfectly capable of receiving my harassment." He replied with a sly grin.
Rolling her eyes and sitting up she looked up at the prince. He was wearing a white tunic and black pants with brown riding boots. She quirked an eyebrow at him.
Over the course of these 4 weeks. Brittani and the prince had become the best of friends. Brittani or Iman rather (since everyone insisted on calling her by her true name) didn't really have any friends where she grew up. She and Legolas was inseparable. He had taught her how to ride a horse and how to swim, He was even teaching her how to use a bow and arrow, to which she was learning very fast. She had even began to display some signs of having power over the elements. Nothing major. Just the occasional wind gust when she let her emotions get the better of her.
Some nights they would even sit upon the roof and gaze at the stars. Legolas would tell her about the legends and beliefs of their people. While Iman would tell him the myths and legends of where she grew up. Most nights would end with her falling asleep in his arms. Sometimes Iman would even wake up in the middle of the night after having a nightmare about Joey. With Legolas' room being across the hall she would sneak over into is room and lay down with him. It was never sexual. It was just a friend helping another friend. Legolas knew what bad memories did. He himself had suffered for a while with memories from the war.
There had been whispers about when the prince and princess would announce their engagement but it wasn't like that. Iman had been at her lowest when she arrived in Middle Earth and Legolas was there to help her pick up the pieces. Of course the 2 of them didn't even realize that there were in fact some romantic feelings developing. Well Legolas did. Iman did not. She was just very much happy that Legolas didn't treat her like a fragile piece of glass. Or bowed whenever she walked passed. She had even tried making friends with the women her own age but they to treat her like a priceless timepiece.
Standing up and smiling at the prince Iman knew he was up to something. "Why are you wearing your riding boots?"
Pressing his lips into a hard line a sly grin appeared onto his face. "I thought that we could go out for a ride to relax you my dear princess? Legolas replied giving her a mock bow.
Scoffing Iman gave him a light shove and told him she would be right back. No less than 2 minutes later Iman was in her own tunic and pants. She was also wearing her very own pair of riding boots. "So how are we escaping?" she asked Legolas with a devious grin painted on her face.
"Well we are going to simply climb down and walk through the brush to the stables. I already have 2 saddled horse waiting." He said giving her a rough pat on the back. Before Iman could respond Legolas hopped over the edge and was gone out of site.
Legolas and Eve had raced their horse to their favorite swimming spot. Eve had won even though Legolas tried to cheat. The pair came to a stop laughing and getting off their horses.
"You know Legolas we have a saying where I come from."
"Oh and please do tell what this saying is." He countered tying up their horses to a tree.
Turning around to face Iman he noticed that she wasn't there. That's when he noticed a splash in the lake. Smiling to himself he walked over to the edge and waited for Iman so reemerge. He waited and he waited. He started to panic. He had taught her how to swim but she wasn't exactly the best yet. Legolas was just about to jump in when he heard a smooth voice behind him say. "Cheaters never win." Iman tried to push Legolas in and she did manage to. Not before he grabbed her arm and pulled her in with him.
Both coming to the surface of the lake with smiles on their faces.
"You almost got me." Legolas beamed
"You know one of these days I will be as good as you and it won't be an almost." Iman said treading the water.
"When my mother finds out I'm gone she is going to flip her shit"
"Yea I don't think she is going to flip shit, but she will be upset."
Splashing Legolas in the face Iman shouted "The ever proper prince."
"You say it like having manners is a bad thing."
Iman began to swim away towards the shoreline. She knew where the conversation was headed and she was not interested in hearing Legolas lecture her. She was a princess and here in Middle Earth you had to carry yourself a certain way. You have to act a certain way. You had to say and not say certain things. She was slowly being smothered and was desperately trying to come up from air.
Legolas followed her. He knew he had brought up a sore subject but he wanted her to succeed. He wanted her to come into her powers and be a great ruler. The prince would never tell a soul but he was falling in love with her. She was everything he wasn't. Complete opposites but they got along so well. He never pushed the boundaries of their friendship because Iman was still clearly hurt over the last man who had held her heart.
Stepping out of the water Legolas laid down next to Iman.
"I know what you're thinking." He said Brushing a stray hair out of her face.
"You have no idea what I'm thinking" Iman said Propping herself up onto her elbow and resting her head in her hand. Mirroring her same position Legolas went to respond "You think that I am just being difficult on you and siding with everyone else but I'm not. I want good things for you for you are my friend. However Middle Earth is your home and you have duties to fulfill. It is a part of who you are. "
Legolas always knew the right thing to say to Iman. She could never stay mad at him for long. Smiling and laying on her forearm she conceded.
"You are right Legolas. I just feel overwhelmed. This" she said motioning around her "is still a lot to take in. I don't know what I would do if you and I hadn't become friends."
"I am always right Iman." He said with extreme sarcasm.
"Annnd their goes me questioning why I'm your friend in the first place." Iman said getting up. Only to be pulled back down by Legolas. "Ughhh Legolas we need to get back its getting late and I need to get ready. So do you. You can't look a hot mess you're my escort."
"We will leave but first there is something that I want to give you, wait right here."
Iman watched Legolas walk over to his horse and retrieve a small package wrapped in brown paper. Walking back over To Iman Legolas handed her the parcel. "I wanted to have this. It is tradition for any man who escorts a woman to a ball that he give her a gift. Seeing as you are one of my dearest friends I thought of no other who could take better care of this and it matches your eyes." Legolas said the last part just above a whisper but Iman had heard him.
Quickly she unwrapped the package and gasped at what she saw. It was a white gold bracelet and it had 3 bands that were all interconnected. On the parts where the bands connected were white stones. Then turning the bracelet over was a green emerald in shape of a leaf. Iman looked at Legolas and she was speechless. She didn't know what to say. Of course she was thinking of saying thank you but the words wouldn't come out of her mouth. Legolas broke the silence. "Well do you like it?"
"Yes Legolas it is beautiful. Thank you so much. I shall wear it tonight." She said with a smile.
"Here let me show you how to put it on." Legolas grabbed her right wrist and fastened the bracelet onto it. Smiling he helped Iman up. "Let us get going. You have to look your best and we both know it's going to take a long time for that." He said with a laugh. Iman punched him and rand over to her horse untying him from the tree. Legolas was right beside her. "You know this time I won't let you win."
"Pshhh maybe I'll go easy on you old man." Iman said and hopped on her horse taking off.
Legolas being the gentleman that he was let her get a little head start then he took off after her.
"Where have you been?" A very angry and very pregnant Arwen yelled at her daughter as she stepped into the bath.
"I went out." Was all Iman replied.
"You went out? I specifically told you to remain in your chambers did I not?"
"Fucking Christ I'm not a little girl. I went out. No one saw me okay. So just chill." Iman yelled at her mother. Not caring to notice the look of hurt on her face from her harsh words.
Iman may have been an adult but she was still Arwen's daughter. She still had a certain obligation to her daughter and as far as she was concerned Iman still had rules and guidelines that needed to be followed. Arwen was well aware of the hard life Iman had endured. She was trying to make up for it now. Couldn't Iman see that? She thought things were going well between the two of them. That is up until a week ago when she had just became harder to deal with. Iman had even stopped taking her meals with her mother. She was going to put a stop to this right now.
"I do not know why you speak to me the way that you do. You will do well to remember that I am your mother and you are my child no matter how long you have been away from me. You will respect me Iman. After your bath you will remain in this room until it is time for you to come out." Arwen turned her back and walked away.
"Vanya, stay here with her and make sure she does not leave again." Arwen stormed out of the bathing chamber.
Iman sunk back down. She knew she was wrong for the way she had spoken to her mother. She couldn't help it. Over the past few weeks of getting to know more about her and her people she started to resent her mother. She was mad that she would only have a limited amount of time with her. She after all had chosen a mortal life. She was jealous. She felt like Arwen had chosen Aragorn over her. She knew that they loved each other deeply she just felt blind sited. Who was to say she was going to get along with her father. What if she didn't? Who would she have until the end of time? Who would be there for her here?
"My lady, please lean your head back so I can wash your hair." Vanya asked lightly bring Iman out of her thoughts.
Iman adjusted her position so Vanya could continue her ministrations on her head. She would apologize to her mother when she came back tonight. She couldn't keep harboring resentment. Her time with her was limited and she needed to make the most of it.
Iman sat in front of her vanity while Vanya and another elleth (whose name she cared not to remember) styled her hair. Her mother had yet to come back and it was almost time for her to be brought to her father. She wanted to make things right before then.
It was time to put on her dress. It was Beautiful. The top part and her sleeves where made of lace. The lace went to right down to her bosom and buttoned in the back. Her mid back was completely open. From there it was pure silk. It was cinched at the waist and then flared out. The dress was yellow and then faded to black towards the bottom. The color represented her father's kingdom. Her shoes were simple slippers seeing as her dress went down to the floor. Her hair had been half pinned up with some braids on the side. The back of her hair had been left down and it was as gloriously curly as ever. On her arm was the bracelet that Legolas had given her.
Soon her chamber doors opened and in walked her mother. She was dressed in a lavender dress, her pregnant belly protruding from her middle. In her hand she carried a Tierra.
"Iman I have something for you…"
"Mother!" Iman exclaimed rising quickly from her seat. She rushed over to her mother and embraced her.
"I am very sorry for the way that I spoke to you earlier, it was uncalled for. I had no right. I have had a pressure cooker of emotions and I just haven't had the ability to confide in you what has been bothering me. So instead of coming to you I took it out on you I am sorry and I love you. Please don't be angry with me." Iman was on the verge of tears. She looked at her mother with pleading eyes.
Arwen grabbed her hand and led her over to the bed and sat down and pulled her down as she sat.
"I am not angry with you. All is forgiven. I know all of the things I require of you may be challenging and you don't understand them. I realize that I need to be a bit more explanatory in the things that I ask of you. So for that I am sorry. You are my only daughter and I love you. We can talk tomorrow about what has been bothering you, hmm?
The 2 women embraced. There was a knock on the door. Iman jerked her head towards it.
"It is time." Arwen said grabbing her hand. "This was given to me by my father at my first social event as an adult. I want you to have it" She gently fastened the Tierra on Iman's hair.
"Do not fear him, for he loves you." Iman nodded her head. All she could do was nod.
Arwen motioned for Vanya to open the door and she stood next to her daughter, grabbing her hand to calm her nervousness.
Shadow-blade was nervous. When he received word that his daughter had been found he did not know how to take the news. He felt indifferent. He did not at first believe what he was reading in Lord Elrond's message until he spoke of the necklace. Then he felt sadness. Sadness because he knew what was to come for his daughter and how hard he would have to be on her. Then he felt happiness because through everything that they were to prepare for he got his daughter back. A chance to get to know her and see the beautiful woman she had become. To see her eventually be married and one day rule.
So here he was stepping into the room with His best friend Sendhil. Upon stepping into the room Shadow gasped. She was every bit as beautiful as her mother if not more. She had warm brown skin and bright green eyes just as he remembered her. She had definitely grown into a woman. Her hips were flared more than her mothers and she was almost as tall as her.
"Iman?" He asked with curious eyes. She stepped forward.
"Is it really you?" He asked looking at Arwen. Arwen smiled. "It is her Shadow."
He was speechless. Oh how the Gods had blessed him with such a beautiful daughter. He reached out and pulled Iman into and embrace. She hugged him back. It seemed like hours passed by before Shadow released her.
Iman didn't know what to say. She was speechless. She had been waiting for this moment all of her life. It was one thing to find her mom but both parents! It was like Christmas morning for her. Everything she had wanted in life was standing right before her. Say something. She was a little intimidated for he did not look like the High elves here. He was tall at least 6'7 and very muscular. His skin was a little darker than hers. Not by much though. His hair wasn't that long either. It was as dark as ink and came to his shoulders. His eyes were shaped like Almonds and his teeth where as white as the stones in her bracelet.
"…" She opened her mouth but no words came out.
"It's okay. I know you must feel overwhelmed. Let me introduce you to someone." Shadow said stepping to the side. He gestured for Sendhil to come forward.
"This is my best friend Sendhil. He was your bodyguard when you were younger."
Sendhil stepped forward. She was absolutely breathtaking. The little girl that he once defended with his life and who called him uncle was anything but a little girl.
"Hi." Was all she said as she embraced him. Pulling away from it did not get past Iman that he was gorgeous. He unlike her father looked like and elf. He was the tall and lean. He had a narrow nose and his hair was long. His skin was the same shade as her fathers.
"I take it you do not remember me?" He asked breaking the silence and the semi-awkward silence that permeated the air.
"I'm sorry I don't. I do not remember any of you." Iman replied looking down.
"No need to be ashamed. We will make new memories." Her father said grabbing her hand.
A wave of relief washed over her. His eyes were so kind and his words kinder. She had been fretting this entire time of pleasing him and here he was accepting her.
"I'm sure Sendhil had plenty of stories to share with you though. You 2 were quite the little trouble makers."
Iman laughed. "I would like that very much."
"We should get going now. I'm sure Legolas is waiting for you." Arwen said interrupting the reunion.
"Oh that's right. We have a party to get to." Iman said hastily.
Legolas waited patiently by the fountain for Iman. He wanted so desperately to tell her how he felt tonight but he couldn't. How would Shadow blade feel about his only daughter falling in love with him and getting married so suddenly? That's even if she felt the same about him. Which he did not even know. More importantly how would his father feel? He started pacing back and forth. It was just best if he didn't say anything. Maybe he should just find another woman to occupy his thoughts.
Laughter broke Legolas out of his thoughts. He turned around to see Iman and her father's second in command walking together arms intertwined. For a moment he was jealous and then he realized how divine she looked.
All he could do was stare at her. As she got closer she looked into his eyes and smiled.
"Well you clean up nice." Legolas joked.
Iman rolled her eyes. "I wish I could say the same my dear prince."
"That wounds me." Legolas said putting his hand over his heart feigning hurt.
"Nothing could wound you ice king."
"Me, ice king?" He questioned.
"Yea, you ice king."
"Alright you two that's enough. Legolas you have a job to do and Iman. More lady like please. No curse words or crass jokes." Arwen said fussing over her. Iman inwardly cringed. She wanted to give her mom attitude then she remembered she needed to do better. So she simply bowed her head and said "Yes mother."
"Arwen Leave the girl be. One does no simply change who they are for one stupid party." Shadow blade said, defending his daughter.
"Shadow, I am not asking her to change. I am simply asking her to be more like the royalty she is. Her behavior is unrefined and…"
"Enough." Shadow said interrupting her with annoyance in his voice.
"Iman you have no one here to impress but yourself." And with that Shadow Blade walked through double doors not giving Arwen a chance to respond. There was clearly some unresolved issues between the two of them.
"Ahem." Sendhil said clearing his throat. "Arwen I will escort you inside if you like?"
"Sure." They to walked through the double doors.
"Well that wasn't at all awkward." Iman said to Legolas.
"Let's just head inside and get this over with." Legolas held out his elbow for Iman to grab onto. Just before the double doors opened Legolas gently whispered in her ear "I wasn't kidding when I said you clean up nice. You are absolutely ravishing in that dress." But before Iman could respond the doors to the banquet hall opened.
Legolas had left her wondering just exactly which direction had their relationship turned.
Iman was currently being led out onto the dance floor by Legolas' dad. She was nervous. He had a resting bitch face and the only words he asked or more like demanded was dance with me. She had been avoiding him like the plague. She had heard rumors how he never left home and he was a bit of a shut in. He only cared about his people never bothering to meddle in the affairs of others. So she was curious as to what made him travel this far just for a party for her. It's not like he couldn't have requested for her to come and visit his Kingdom. In fact she was sure that Legolas had been corresponding with him about it. So she was sure the king had some other intentions besides partying. She wasn't going to just come out and ask him. So she did in fact let him lead her out onto the dance floor to see exactly what his deal was.
"So nice to meet the girl who has kept my sons attention." Thranduil whispered into her ear has he brought her body closer to his. Iman smiled. She could hear the sincerity in his voice despite the fact his face was stone cold emotionless. "I am sure you have heard that I do not ever leave my kingdom unguarded." He paused so Iman could nod so she understood the importance of his words. "However I just had to come and see you for myself." This time he smiled. Meeting his gaze Iman smiled too.
"How lucky I am that the ever elusive woodland king decided to come see me. I feel like I've just seen big foot." She said with a nervous chuckle.
"What is a big foot?" Thranduil asked with extreme interest.
"I keep forgetting I'm not in Kansas anymore… ugh you know what never mind. Big foot is a creature that is a legend. Few people have claimed to see it but no one has ever had proof. People usually plan trips to go and hunt for him or her or it…" She trailed off but continued. "So I used the reference because you sought me out, yet you are also elusive. Does that make any sense?" She said in one breath.
Thranduil started laughing. Actually laughing. Several of the party goers stopped and observed the king and the princess. One of them being Legolas. He looked at his father. Then Iman. It had been years since he heard his father laugh a real laugh. It had been years since he saw his dad enjoy himself. Anyone who was watching could tell that Thranduil was in fact having a good time dancing with Iman.
A deep blushed creeped its way across Iman's face.
"Oh do not be embarrassed it's just that you are so flustered and you have no reason to be. I just couldn't help but laugh."
The music picked up in tempo and Thranduil started to move a little bit faster. Iman tightened her grip on his shoulder so she could keep up with Thranduil's lead. Grabbing her wrist to spin her, he clutched her bracelet. Looking down he recognized it. He was a little taken aback. If she was wearing this bracelet it truly meant his son was harboring some sort of feelings for this girl. Despite his adamant denial earlier. He wondered if she knew. Spinning her and bringing her back in close. He decided to get the ball rolling a little.
"That is a very lovely bracelet you are wearing. How thoughtful of my son to give it to you."
"I know it is really pretty. I have never… hey wait a minute how did you know Legolas gave it to me?" Iman asked with much more enthusiasm than she wanted.
"So he did not tell you where he got it or whom it belonged to?"
Iman shook her head no. Thranduil lightly nodded his head and smiled. He pulled Iman in closer to him so his next words could remain between the two of them.
"It was his mothers. He requested that I bring it with me when I came to Rivendell. I had no idea he planned on gifting it to you. It was a gift to my late wife as a wedding present. It was her favorite piece of jewelry."
Iman's mouth dropped. She had absolutely no idea. She assumed Legolas had it made for her. She didn't know how to feel. He had given her a family heirloom. With his earlier statement and now this new piece of information Iman had absolutely no idea what the prince was getting at. It did make her smile inwardly though. She had never received such a gift before. Sure Joey had spoiled her when it came to clothes, shoes and purse. He took her around the world. Spent countless of thousands of dollars on her. He had never gave her a gift that he thought out. It was kind of over whelming.
The song was coming to an end and Iman was relieved. She needed some air. Kissing Thranduil on his cheek. She thanked him for his dance and promised to come visit him soon. She quietly ducked out of the banquet hall and stepped onto the balcony.
It was a nice night. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. She was truly enjoying herself tonight. Leaning forward over the edge Iman picked a flower. Bringing it to her nose she inhaled the sweet fragrance and her eyes closed in pleasure.
"So this is where you ran off to."
She stiffened. It was Legolas. She hadn't spoken to him sense his little come on before the party started.
Legolas came and stood next to Iman. It was taking a lot not to grab her and kiss her right there. No one had ever earned the approval of his father. He hadn't even earned the approval of his father. She had. He did not know how nor did he care. Iman was special. From the minute that he first laid eyes on her in the woods he had not been able to stop thinking about her. He had not been able to stay away from her. Despite the threats from her uncles Elrohir and Elladen.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Iman asked breaking Legolas from his thoughts.
"Tell you what exactly?" He countered, sounding very confused.
"Really Legolas! Now is not the time for jokes!"
Legolas looked at Iman's face. Her eyebrows were knitted together and her mouth was pressed into a hard line. Her nose was scrunched. She was upset. Gently grabbing her shoulders and looking into her eyes Legolas told her he had no idea what she was talking about.
Iman scoffed. Holding up her right wrist she asked him. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. That's all she was fretting over.
"I am assuming you mean why didn't I tell you it was my mother's?" He asked with a grin plastered on his face.
"Yes."
"I did not tell you because you would not have accepted it. I wanted you to have it. It is precious to me just like you."
Iman gulped. Oh shit, oh shit. Shit is getting real. Legolas is laying it on thick tonight. Iman thought.
"Legolas clearly you've had way too much spiced wine tonight." She responded. Turning away from him to leave. Legolas grabbed her arm and pulled her into him.
"It is not the wine talking. All night I have had to watch you dance and laugh with everyone. I've had to watch as your mother introduced you to potential suitors. I have loved since I first laid eyes on you. I love you. I love the way your eyes shine brightly when you are happy. I love the way they cloud over when you are upset. I love the way your skin feels in my hand. The brief moments that I touch you. I love the way your hair curls. I especially love the way it looks in the mornings. I love when you let me hold you when you are scared. I love the way you fall asleep in my arms. .You."
By the end of her declaration Iman had tears in her eyes. Never in her life had a man expressed his love for her the way Legolas did. Never had someone been there unconditionally for her without expecting anything in return. How badly she wanted to return his love. How desperately she wanted to accept his love. She was afraid. She couldn't. She could barely live up to the standards her mom had put on her. How could she live up to Legolas'? She panicked.
"Legolas you do not mean such things. We are friends. You are a High Elf prince and I and a dark elf princess. Do you honestly think people will let a union like ours be? Besides I enjoy having you as a friend. I don't want to ruin it by forming something more than that. I ruin everything I touch. I don't want that to be you."
Legolas felt his heart ping. His biggest fear had come true. She had rejected him. She did not feel the same way about him as he did for her.
Iman noticed the hurt flash across his features. Just as she was about to say something her mother stepped out onto the balcony and beckoned her inside. Iman turned to face Legolas.
"It's all right go on ahead. I will be inside shortly." He said to her with a forced smile.
Legolas watched Iman walk away with her mother. He was angry. No he was hurt. He couldn't believe he had just poured his heart out to her and she had just dismissed his feelings as if they weren't real. He would not let her see this moment of weakness. So Legolas did the only logical thing a man in his situation would do after facing such humiliation. He went and sought out the first elleth that was to bat an eye at him. He would drown his sorrows between her legs tonight.
A/N: So usually I write the authors note at the beginning. I decided to start writing them at the end. Here is chapter 4! I am so sorry it has taken me awhile to update. I promise I have been writing my ass off. I currently have 3 more chapters that I am brushing up on. We will finally get into what's Morathi's deal. We will find out what she wants with Iman…. As well as tons of other plot information. Like what's the deal with Shadow blade snapping at Arwen… did she deserve it? I think he may be harboring some resentment. So hopefully chapter 5 will be up by the end of next week. Hopefully. Anyway thanks for all of those who have read this story! Review, follow and favorite! Until we meet again
-Germancutie88