DISCLAIMER: I of course own nothing of Middle Earth or Tolkien's world and characters. I write this fanfic for my own pleasure so I have chosen to omit sections of the stories which do not pertain to the lead characters, as is my preference as a fic reader. This fic is my first and is not suitable for anyone who does not have at least a good understanding of the events of Lord of the Rings. It follows (roughly) the narrative of the books rather than any deviations in the films. I make up my own characters in some places and I have deviated from what is written about the Beornings, in particular, to suit the needs of my narrative. I write mostly from Legolas' perspective and do not include many passages that do not contain either him or my (OC) heroine. I hope you enjoy it!*

"Love is the great unifier of both light and darkness. Aren't the luminaries beautiful? I choose to walk with the brighter one to unveil the mysteries of the darker one." ―Patricio Telman Chincocolo

Chapter 1

Legolas awaited the council meeting with excitement and trepidation, both in equal measure. Long had it been since he had journeyed beyond the Greenwood borders, and never so far as now. His father had always wished him close by to ensure his safety as well as keeping his focus on their kingdom, as Legolas was the heir.

For his first thousand years, this environment had held Legolas' interest and adoration beyond all else, but as the long years of his life flowed past in a constant cycle of seasons; his eyes (and heart) began to look to beyond their borders. He wished for adventure; a purpose beyond his people, though it shamed him to think it, even to himself.

When the terrible event of losing their entrusted captive had come to pass, Legolas had taken the opportunity without question, venturing to journey to Imladris (or Rivendell, in the common toungue) to announce their loss and folly. Though not a prideful task, indeed; upon arrival he had seen immediately that it was no coincidence of timing. Many had gathered there for differing purposes from across lands and races.

The council was called.

Legolas observed with interest the varied beings who made up the council circle. Elves, men and dwarves, not commonly together in company (especially the two non-human races who held each other in deep distaste). Elrond, the wise, sat on a small dias at the clear head of the circle, if a circle could have a head. Four chairs remained empty and Legolas pondered on whom they must be waiting.

It was not long before he had an answer. He heard an exclamation from on of the dwarves who sat in sight to the courtyard entrance. Looking that way, Legolas found his own exclamation barely withheld, for a woman had stepped into the stone courtyard. Never before had a woman been present for such a meeting, and never a being so unexpected, for Legolas could not immediately tell her race.

She stood at least as tall as a human woman although perhaps closer to that of an elf, but not quite. Her clothing was a simple traveling style, not quite as well made as anything his kin would wear, although of a similar colour pallet; her long tunic dress a moss green with long sleeves and a high, modest neck. Her lower legs were clothed a rough brown material as if she wore some kind of trousers underneath, and her feet were clad in crude leather boots, seemingly made by someone without much skill in the art.

All of this, however curious, was not what held his focus. Crowning her head and falling in thick, shaggy curls was the brightest and most vibrant hair he had ever seen on a creature who walked on two legs (and probably any who walked on four). It was as if the sun set on her head, so strong was the burnt orange colour. He had seen men with warmer hues to their locks than had the elves; but never a colour which rivalled copper for it's cheer and potency.

Beneath her tangles of hair was a certainly pretty face, not as refined as elven features nor so blunt as men or dwarves. Her features seemed as if an elven face had been rounded, the sharp lines softened until smooth. Beyond her strange hair and un-placable features, the woman had the most unusual eyes he had ever seen. Wide and almond shaped, her eyes were captivating by shape alone, but the colour was most remarkable. Like her hair, the colour of her eyes seemed somehow unearthly in it's strength and warmth. A rich, amber colour which spoke of rich honey and the golden rays of anār. Legolas felt as if he had been transported to the city of Valar, before the great trees were destroyed; for surely nothing but the golden tree Laurelin could be such a colour.

Elrond, hearing the mutters from the gathered circle, looked up to see the new arrival. He beckoned her to come to him which she obeyed, moving with a type of grace which was not entirely like that of the elves, who are often said to look like they danced or glided walking; but grace nonetheless, for her gait had an almost prowling look to it, like that of a ranger who is tracking their quarry, or a predator it's prey.

Elrond gave a welcoming smile as she approached, turning to the company to introduce her. "I ask you to welcome to our number, Amber, daughter of the Beornings, who has business which we shall address at this council". Legolas understood immediately her namesake, unusual though such a name was.

This produced a loud murmer among the gathered party. Many had heard of the Beornings and of Beorn, the great black bear who could become a man at will and had fathered their kind; now deceased. His homeland had been ever on the western border of Mirkwood, between the trees and the great river, Anduin. Beorn's heir, Grimbeorn, had taken over the cheiftency of their people; or so Legolas had heard it, for they kept to themselves and so he had not yet met one of their kind. He gazed in wonder at the strange woman, seeming so unlike a bear that he could not fathom her relation to those beings.

Before Amber had taken a seat as indicated by lord Elrond; a voice rose above the mutters. "You bring not only a woman, but a beast into this council?" this, from the man from Gondor, looking to Elrond with incredulity.

One of the dwarves spoke up "Having met The Great Beorn before his time was ended, I would advise you not to insult one of his kin". The dwarf looked aged, grim amusement creasing his lined face as he spoke.

Laughter came from the corner at this, and Aragorn, who had thus far kept himself quiet and unnoticed by many, stood, striding across the circle towards the woman in question. As he strode he spoke aloud "Any that know she, would not wish you to put yourself in such danger for the sake of your fear, Boromir of Gondor". He then embraced Amber, as old friends might, and held her arms as he stepped back. "You are looking well my friend!" he said to her.

"And you are looking thin" she replied, her teeth glinting at him, eyes sparkling with humour. Legolas tipped his head, curious at the interaction as well as taking in the sound of her voice which was both richer and slightly deeper than the voices of elven and human women he had heard speak. Something in the sound warmed him, as if he had sipped from strong elven wine, odd though this seemed.

Aragon laughed at her comment, speaking low to her so that only she and elven ears could hear, "I cannot keep myself fat, in case you consider me for a meal!"

She replied, not keeping her voice low as he had, "Worry not, my friend, it is not you who I should choose to eat". Her gaze flicked from Aragorn to the man, Boromir, who flinched at her acknowledgement of him. Laughing still, Aragorn patted her on the arm before returning to his seat, and Amber sat, one leg underneath her as if she were used to sitting atop the ground rather than a chair.

Elrond, who had watched the exchange between men, dwarf and woman without comment, spoke then, "For any who confuse shape-shifters with mere beasts, it may be of interest to know that this Beorning is born of the great bear Beorn and his elven wife, Anariel of the Greenwood, who he married after his sons had been born and their mother had passed. The legend undoubtedly has been told in many parts of our Middle Earth, so I trust that I need not repeat it here. Suffice it to say that we half-elven are not so strange as many might consider us".

"Nin nos!" * my kin!* Legolas cried, jumping to his feet in surprise and staring at Amber. Her golden eyes flicked to him, first studying his face before trailing down his form. He felt the observation as keenly as if a predator had come across his path and was deciding how much he would fill her belly. When she reached his leather-clad feet, her eyes travelled back up to rest, although rest it was not, as intense was her gaze, on his own eyes. Deeply she seemed to look into him, not blinking. Legolas felt his breath catch as she stared.

"Indeed she is your kin, Legolas Thranduilion" spoke Elrond, "much though your father might wish to forget it". At this, Legolas frowned slightly, looking over at Elrond. His father indeed had told him once of an elf maiden who had 'gone mad into the arms of a beast' as his father had so bluntly put it. He always had disapproved of cross-race bonds, preferring to keep the Mirkwood elves close and insular. At the time, Legolas had found it a shocking tale; but now, with her golden eyes still upon him, he could not fathom such an adverse reaction. He looked back to her, confusion and sadness suddenly swirling inside him for his own kindred's rejection of the poor elf girl who had given her heart to the great Bear, Beorn. He bowed his head and sat back into his chair, awash with shame for his own lineage.

After a long pause in which no one spoke again; Mithrandir, the grey wizard (called Gandalf by many) entered the courtyard followed by two curiously small beings who seemed as if they were from legends, not the current day. Legolas had, of course, heard about the hobbit Bilbo (for surely this must be their race) who had accompanied the party of dwarves who came to his homeland some years ago; however, as he had been on a scouting trip to investigate some of the darker reports from deep in the Greenwood (or Mirkwood, as it was now called); at the time, he had not seen the hobbit with his own eyes.

The younger of the hobbits seemed troubled, fidgeting with the front of his clothing near to his collar and casting nervous glances at the taller beings around the circle. They must seem intimidating, Legolas supposed, for one so small.

Elrond spoke, introducing the younger hobbit thusly "Here, my friends, is the hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent". He then beckoned the hobbit to sit beside him, a place of great honour, surprising Legolas immensely. He wondered of what Elrond spoke, and how a hobbit had come to have 'urgent errands' pertaining to the elves; for he could not see why else such an errand would have brought him to Imladris.

As Gandalf, the hobbit Frodo and his older companion all took their seats, Legolas chanced a glance towards the half-elven Beorning. To his surprise. She still watched him, though as their eyes met, she averted her gaze, focusing on lord Elrond as many others now did; waiting for the council to begin. Legolas allowed his look to linger a moment longer, taking in the woman's soft profile and cascading knotted curls, wondering again why he felt as if mesmerised by her strange features and subtle movements. He had to recall his reason for coming today, to pull his gaze from the woman, Amber, and looked finally to Elrond for him to begin.

Additional Elvish translations:

Anār = Sun