Chapter 26

It had taken a small battalion of Faye's to escort the Prince and Princess out of The Glade of Tarasara, and past the trees in which the Wargs resided. They had had an encounter with six Wargs, but thankfully everyone had made it through unharmed. They bid the warriors farewell as soon as their horses hooves touched onto the road, and it had taken four rainy days for Legolas and Adrianna to reach the trees of Mirkwood.

Adrianna shivered; something she always did when first riding into the boarders of Mirkwood. Persephone and Arod slowed their gallop to a trot, and Legolas pulled on his reins until Arod stopped fully. "Adrianna." He called.

The Faye stopped Persephone and turned in her saddle to look at the elf, "What is it?" She asked.

"The spiders are drawing near." He stated, "I can hear their movements in the trees."

She nodded, "I can feel them." The Princess waited for him to catch up before gently kicking Persephone into a trot to keep up with the elf.

Despite the wary feelings about the spiders, Adrianna loved the forest of Mirkwood. Although it was dark, golden sunlight occasionally broke through the tops of the trees to illuminate their path. Toadstools and Mushrooms covered the trunks of the old trees and bluebells dotted here and there along the path. Small silvery cobwebs hung from the branches of the trees and raindrops hung like crystals and gems from the thin threads of the webs. She had never been very fond of spiders in her youth, but she knew the spiders occupying the small webs were harmless, it was the bigger ones she was frightened of.

She noted that Legolas was riding with his bow in his left hand, so that he was ready to draw an arrow at any moment and fight anything that came at them if it were dangerous.

The horses crossed a wooden bridge to get to the other side of the black stream of water, and Adrianna shivered again. Legolas gently took her reins and pulled Persephone to a halt, "They're coming closer." He whispered.

Adrianna frowned at him, "If this is to scare me, I don't think you're being very funny." He didn't reply, which signified that he wasn't playing a trick on her.

It wasn't much longer until Adrianna could hear shuffling as well, from the direction of the bushes. It was as though many pairs of feet were crunching the dry leaves underneath them, growing closer and closer towards the two Royals.

"Let's go!" Legolas spoke in Elvish to both the horses, and it wasn't long until they were both galloping through Mirkwood. Firelight danced in the distance through some of the trees, and Legolas charged towards it. As they broke through the shrubbery, they joined merry-making elves in the forest.

Then the spiders found them. They were huge, dark navy and black creatures with huge pincers and many shiny, black, beady eyes.

Suddenly, the lights went out and they were plunged into darkness. Adrianna felt Persephone move from underneath her, and she had to cling onto her white mare's mane when she found she could not find the reins.

They were in the dark for no longer than five minutes before the lights flickered back on again, and Adrianna was relieved to see that it had been Legolas to take Persephone's reins and not a spider. Speaking of which, the spiders were nowhere to be seen.

Legolas turned in his saddle to face the Faye, his eyes relieved to find her still on her saddle, "Are you alright?" He asked in concern.

The chestnut haired Princess smiled up at him, "Yes, thank you."

He handed her back her reins before apologising to the company of elves for disturbing them and as they both left the merry makers in peace, they spotted the King's Gate just ahead of them. They cantered across the bridge before they heard calls of, "Open the gate!"

They rode into Mirkwood, and Adrianna looked around the beautiful elven structured city. White paved roads and paths lead to each individual cottage and market stall. Trees towered above all the elves and elf maidens as they made their ways home for the evening.

They rode their white horses towards the stables, and Legolas dismounted before holding out his arms for Adrianna as she also dismounted. They handed their reins towards the stablehand who welcomed them back to the Kingdom.

Arm in arm, the two left the stables and ascended a beautifully carved stone staircase towards the magnificent Hall at the top where the King was standing, as he had just been informed of their arrival.

"Welcome home, Legolas." He smiled at his son before his gaze rested on the Faye, "It is wonderful to see you in Mirkwood again, Adrianna. I trust you are well?"

Adrianna smiled back at the King and nodded her head, "It is wonderful to be here again, my Lord."

"Father," Legolas began. "We need more guards patrolling the boarder, I'm afraid we may have been captured by the spiders on our way through the forest."

"Of course," Thranduil replied, nodding in understanding as he turned to lead them both inside the Grand Hall. "Now, you are both probably incredibly tired and hungry from your journey. I will call to have some food prepared for you when you're ready."

They thanked the King before leaving the Hall through a small oak door towards the left of the hall, which led them towards a flight of stairs. They ascended them, and when Adrianna moved to go down the beautiful corridor on the left towards the chambers, Legolas placed his hand on the small of her back and steered her in a different direction.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To the library," Legolas replied, smiling at the Faye. "You entrusted me with your stargazing point, I am entrusting you with mine."

They stepped into the library, which was just how Adrianna remembered. Books showered the tall oak shelves, in an array of crimson, gold, mauve and jade coloured spines. A large, gold chandelier hung overhead, lit with ten candles. There were a few cushioned chairs sat by a flaming hearth of scarlet, a beautiful forest green rug embroidered with gold leaves lay before them as they made their way towards an oval balcony.

Legolas climbed onto a large oak tree just beside the white balcony railings and gestured for Adrianna to follow him. She formed into her fairy size before flying after him.

The Prince came to a stop when he reached a curved shaped branch, and sat himself down on the thick wood. Adrianna perched onto his shoulder and gasped when she looked over the top of Mirkwood forest. She squinted into the distance, and found that she could barely see the giant birds nest from her own lookout in The Glade of Tarasara.

"It is better in the sunset on a summer's night, but anytime is always beautiful." The elf stated, the reflection of the stars dancing in his clear blue eyes.

"It's beautiful." Adrianna whispered in awe. "Thank you for sharing this with me." She placed a tiny kiss upon his cheek before turning back to look at the magnificent scenery before her. "I would love nothing more than for us to be married under the stars."

"I would love that." Legolas smiled at her before frowning, "But I know my father will want us to marry in Mirkwood...and yours for us to wed in The Glade of Tarasara."

Adrianna flew from his shoulder and onto the branch beside him before forming into her elleth size. "Both realms are under a beautiful array of stars." She stated, "But it would make sense for us to marry here in Mirkwood." She stated, "You're the Prince, and this will be your kingdom."

"Adrianna, we cannot pick one Kingdom over another."

She thought for a second, but when nothing came to mind she sighed, "Well then," She began. "Where do you suggest?"

A/N: Yes, my lovely readers! Where do you think they will be getting married? I have writers block at the moment! :O Legolas is about to speak to his father about where they shall wed...how would you like the conversation to go? Please help! Remember that they are marrying in neither Kingdom...

Also, I'm sorry it's a shorter chapter, but it seemed like a good place to stop...I do, however, apologize that it is a cliffie!

Please review xx