Chapter 4

Legolas had managed to escape the suffocating reception and found himself in the well-tended gardens of the queen. Of course, no queen had walked here for many years, but her son still visited often.

He sat on the ground and leaned back against a cold stone statue, reflecting on the events of the day. He knew it was impolite of him to have left, but he was certain his new bride would already have made plenty of new acquaintances, including his dear sister, to occupy her time.

He knew very little about her and he now felt keenly aware that it had been a mistake to avoid getting to know her before the ceremony. He had done it in an attempt to forget about his fate, and yet, he would have been much better prepared for tonight if he had put the time to better use.

What he did know was that she was not at ease; while she had tried to hide it, he had felt the tension in her steps, seen the apprehension in her grey eyes. He wondered at it. His father had assured him that she was eager to come to Greenwood, but perhaps the reality was overwhelming her now, or she had fears about the night ahead, or it was something else entirely.

He would have to go back into the hall. The reception was dispersing, many guests were leaving to go back to their homes or out to the merrymaking circles. Legolas would not find it in his heart to go to the merrymaking circles on this night.

Before leaving the gardens, he asked for guidance from his mother, hoping somehow that his words would reach her.

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Narinya was feeling lost. She hoped it was not painfully obvious to the rest of the partygoers. Heat rose to her cheeks under their apparent scrutiny, and even though she had little interest in her new husband, she wished he would not leave her alone in the midst of all these elves she did not know. Did he know how out of place she felt here?

Lindethiel approached her. She was disappointed in her brother for his actions and felt she needed to make some excuse for him, "Lady Narinya…"

"Hello, Princess Lindethiel." Narinya was grateful that the princess had observed her situation and made an attempt to rescue her.

"I know not where my brother is, but I must apologize for his absence. He has not been himself of late, but I assure you he is an honorable ellon." Despite Lindethiel's attempts to reassure her, Narinya was not convinced.

She nodded but said nothing in return, not wanting to offend her new friend. She had plenty of colorful things to say about the prince's behavior, but knew it would not achieve anything to speak her mind.

Her father, Arandion, had just finished discussing matters with the king and found his daughter. "Narinya, please walk with me."

Lindethiel nodded and said farewell. Narinya smiled after her and then turned to her father, "Father, where is Prince Legolas? At least I am making an effort this evening."

"I know not where the prince is, but I'm sure he has good reason for his absence." After a pause, he continued, "My daughter, I cannot thank you enough for being so cooperative today. I sincerely hope you do not resent me for what I have done, but I simply cannot bear to stay for very much longer. I plan on sailing after you have settled in to your new home."

Tears stung at Narinya's eyes at the thought of her father leaving. She knew one day she would see him again in the Undying Lands, but she had a great many years yet to live in Middle-earth and could not imagine him not being a part of them.

"Do not weep, my daughter. I will be far happier knowing that you and your sister are safe, and I am free again." He held her against him for a few moments before breaking their silence, "Now, I think it is about time you get to your new bedchambers. Perhaps the prince waits for you there."

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Narinya heeded her father's words. She was remorseful, and in front of her father she would do everything she could to make him think she was accepting of the situation.

She was led to the chambers of the prince by Melda. She entered the room with some hesitation, but was relieved to find it empty.

She had thought her temporary quarters were lavish, but these chambers were even more so. The main entrance opened into a seating area with a large stone hearth, cold and dark, and an expansive bookcase. She continued onward into the bedroom, the ceiling there high, with a large bed covered in what looked to be quite luxurious tapestries. She was surprised to see her belongings had already been moved here by unseen hands at some point during the busy day.

Melda assisted her out of her wedding dress before quietly taking her leave.

Now alone, the overwhelming emptiness of the large room was closing in around the newly crowned princess. Uncertain what exactly she was supposed to do now, she climbed onto the large bed. She looked down at the ornate and somewhat revealing white chemise she now wore, an article Melda had left for her for this important evening.

She sighed. Now that she was alone and away from the party, she was glad the prince was not with her. She wondered what the night ahead would be like, and if she should feign sleep now before he arrived. Despite her brief and inebriated experience with Calanon, she really did not know what her new husband might expect of her or what it would be like, and she still had doubts that he was happy with her as his bride at all.

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Legolas was used to freely entering his own bedchamber, but remembered to knock on the door this night. When he received no answer, he opened it and stepped inside. He was met by Narinya's stare from across the room.

"My lady, I am sorry for my absence and the late hour. I found the festivities a bit suffocating."

Narinya continued staring at him, her arms folded across her chest, partly to express her disapproval, and partly to hide her body from him, despite his nuptial rights.

He sat down on the other side of the large bed, "I am afraid we have not started off as well as my father would have liked us to, and that is largely my doing."

Narinya observed him, studying his features. He was wearing the formal tunic from the earlier ceremony. She watched as he first pulled his boots off, tucking them neatly at the foot of the bed, and then carefully removed the circlet from atop his head, resting it on the nearby side table. He turned to face her once again. He had expected some response to his apology, even if it wasn't an immediate pardon.

"My lady, please excuse my ignorance, but, it did not seem like you were enjoying yourself today, yet, I thought that you wanted this."

She tried to mask her surprised indignation but did not succeed, "I never desired this pairing nor this marriage. How conceited to assume that I did."

Legolas was taken aback by her words, "Forgive me, I was told that you agreed."

"I reluctantly agreed, and even then, it was only for my father's sake."

Legolas was not sure who to be angry with. Perhaps her, but that did not seem exactly fair, and it was possible that his own father had truly thought that she wished to enter into this marriage. Had he known that she had not wanted this any more than he had, he certainly would have done more to put a stop to it instead of resigning himself to it.

Narinya remembered then that she would need to improve at holding her tongue if she were going to act the part of a princess; it would not do to speak so brashly to or about any of the royal family. But, there was more she needed to say to her new husband.

"If I may speak freely," she paused expectantly, and Legolas nodded in response, "…I was surprised you have been so absent these past weeks and today."

"I had no haste or desire to be wed, either. But, that does not excuse my rudeness."

They sat in silence for some time. Narinya let her hands fall to her sides, now caring less if he gazed upon her form. He would not be the first to have her, and that gave her some small bit of satisfaction.

However, his eyes never left hers as he spoke, "I do not wish to make this any more difficult for either of us - should you not wish to consummate this tonight, we can wait."

In the back of his mind he contemplated if by not consummating the marriage, there might be a way to reverse it entirely.

She regarded him with surprise evident in her expression as he continued, "I know we must share my chambers as we are expected to do, but there is no need for us to take the next step on this night."

She was grateful. He was certainly very fair of face, but she was hardly in the mood for such things, and she truly wasn't eager to experience it again, after the last time, "I appreciate that, my lord."

"You may call me Legolas, if you wish."

She turned from him and laid her head on the soft pillow. The feeling of relief and the scent of lavender washed over her. It was clear that Melda had spent a good deal of time in preparing the prince's marriage bed.

"Goodnight then, Narinya," Legolas said, leaving her alone while he exchanged his formal tunic for a lighter linen shirt. When he arrived back to the bed, he was careful to leave plenty of space between their bodies. They both lay awake for some time, contemplating what they had just learned about one another and their situation.

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The next morning Narinya awoke rather late. She turned to find the bed empty, and while she should have felt slighted, she was quite glad that the prince was gone. She felt increasingly nauseous, a feeling she had never really experienced before. She tried to sit up and steady herself.

Melda entered the room and saw Narinya looking paler than usual, "Milady, is something wrong?"

"I feel… ill. I think."

Melda knew perfectly well that elves did not simply fall "ill." In fact, they did not fall ill at all.

Narinya took a few deep breaths.

"Milady, what is amiss?"

Narinya could not tell Melda that with each day, her suspicion of pregnancy was being confirmed, so she tried to feign wellness, "I am fine, just a passing episode due to my nervousness, I suppose."

Melda shook her head, not entirely knowing what to think, but not pressing the matter. Narinya rose from the bed and changed, glad to exchange the revealing chemise for a proper dress. Melda went about organizing the room and then began making up the bed, "Did you have a good evening, milady?"

Narinya nodded, not picking up on the subtle implication of the question, "Yes. The bed is very comfortable. I thank you for all of your assistance."

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Narinya had much to adjust to as the new Princess of Greenwood. She was expected to learn a great deal about not only the Woodland Realm but also the rest of Middle-earth, so she devoted much of her time to studying. She was still resentful of her situation, but she did feel grateful that her husband did not expect her to perform all of her duties.

Legolas spent much of his time apart from Narinya. His friends sympathized with him and took his mind off of his marital status, and thus, were good company. He returned to his bedchambers late each night, usually finding his wife already asleep, or at least acting as if she were.

That afternoon, Riniel was finally arriving to visit Narinya in her new home. Now that Arandion had returned to Lake-town, Riniel was free to travel to Greenwood with her betrothed and acquaint herself with Narinya's new family.

Narinya met her sister happily at the gates of the elvenking's hall, "Rin! I have missed you!"

"It has only been a few weeks since you have been wed."

"It seems to me to have been years."

"Is it that bad, Narinya?" Riniel did not wish for her sister to be unhappy.

"It is not terrible. I am not mistreated. I just feel… alone."

"Is that not what you wanted?"

The words hit Narinya hard. It was true. She had wanted to be alone, hadn't she?

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