Note: Hey guys! I'm back. Here's chapter 16 and please re read chapters 14 & 15 for better context!

Chapter XVI

Aranion continued to meet up with Eruanna. Everytime he went out on solo trips, he went forth to Eryn Galen, longing for a lover's embrace. There, he would meet Eruanna in secret and she would paint vivid images of Middle-Earth for him with many details and her melodic voice. She was so tender and gentle. Aranion grew to love her fiercely. He also became well acquainted with her dragons who always let Eruanna know when he was coming.

Eruanna's constant trips to the forest didn't alarm her parents at first until her father heard she had been sneaking out instead of telling him. Legolas had always been protective of his only child but Hiriel would soothe his thoughts, saying that in Valinor no more harm could come to Eruanna.

Legolas had taken a few companions with him to walk around the forest. The forest was even more lively then Eryn Lasgalen had been and in Valinor, there was not a speck of darkness looming over it. They walked through the forest talking and every once in a while, glancing at an animal scurrying past. Just then, a beautiful tune floated towards their ears.

"Do you hear that?", Legolas asked. One of his companions nodded.

"Aye. It seems that it is coming from a flute. But your daughter only comes out to sing and dance. She has never taken much interest in playing instruments", he said.

"There is someone else in this forest", another one said."But, I've never known any minstrels to come out here and play. They prefer to delight elves with their music in court."

"I'm going to look", Legolas said. With that, he and his companions followed the musical tune.

They hid behind a group of bushes. Upon a glade of green grass and colorful flowers, Eruanna Úlumiel, daughter of Legolas and Hiriel, the Dragon Princess of the Forest, danced. Her arms moved gracefully, her dress following her movements. The Dragoness's deep blue eyes were closed in bliss. Her black hair was woven with white flowers, held back by a golden circlet, and she was dressed in blue and gold. Her feet were bare and her skin was white as pearls, smooth and flawless. With Lúthien Tinúviel and Arwen Undómiel choosing a mortal life, the most beautiful of the elves was the descendant of the former and niece of the latter, Eruanna herself.

The notes were from the Lay of Leithian, the song of Beren and Lúthien, Eruanna's favorite song. Whoever was playing the flute had remarkable talent as there was not a single flaw in the notes. The flute player was concealed from the view of Legolas and his companions but the notes rang out and delighted the trees.

The song ended and Eruanna stopped dancing.

"You are as talented with the flute as you are with the bow", she praised the flute player whom Legolas and his companions still couldn't see. "Who taught you?"

"The Vanyarin minstrels delight in all sorts of music, Úlumiel", came a smooth, masculine voice.

Legolas absently clenched his fists upon realizing his daughter was with an ellon. What was a minstrel doing here? Why was he speaking of the Vanyar? "I learned from them", the voice came again.

Finally, the ellon who was speaking came out from wherever he was hiding. Legolas and his companions stared at him in awe. They now knew that this was indeed no minstrel, but a man of noble standing. He was tall, taller than the Dragoness. His long hair was of deep gold and held back by a circlet similar to Eruanna's. His eyes were a starlit gray. He wore a tunic with shades of white, gold and blue as well as gray pants and brown boots. His mantle was a darker shade of blue, rimmed with gold. The man was young and certainly around Eruanna's age.

"Who is that?", Legolas hissed, placing a hand on the hilt of his dagger.

"Easy, mellon nin", one of his companions said with a small laugh. "I'm sure he means no harm."

"My parents met through music", Legolas and his companions looked back at the noble elf who continued speaking to Eruanna. "My father was an advisor back then but he took pleasure in the flute. My mother first met him when the tunes from his flute drew her to him as he played his flute in the royal courtyards."

"How lovely", sighed Eruanna.

"Like you, Úlumiel", the ellon said.

Eruanna blushed.

"You think I am lovely?"

"Eru save me", Legolas muttered. His companions giggled.

"I thought that way from the moment I first saw you, Úlumiel", the ellon responded.

"What is he doing here?", Legolas hissed."Coming in without King Oropher's permission? And if he's a Vanyar, why is he in a forest that belongs to Sindarin and Silvan elves? What does he want?"

"Come now, mellon. He seems entirely harmless. Eruanna's charm has gotten to him", one of his companions jested.

"I like your sword", Aranion said, nodding to Angoruinë. Eruanna smiled and took the sword in her hands. "My maternal grandfather had it forged for me", she responded.

Aranion took out his own sword. "This is Carnil. The Red Star. My ancestor, Ingwion, eldest son of Ingwë, wielded it in the War of Wrath. It was said to glow red when creatures of evil intent are near."

"House of Ingwë", Legolas murmured.

Just then, Eruanna and the mysterious ellon looked their way. "Did you hear that?", he asked.

"I did", Eruanna said.

The ellon took out his sword, dropping his flute in the process. "Who goes there?", he asked, getting in front of the Dragon Princess, protectively, nocking an arrow and pointing it at the group of bushes.

Legolas was about to show himself but his companions grabbed him and bolted away.

Word came to King Oropher who was intrigued to hear that his great-granddaughter had caught the attention of the member of the House of Ingwë. Word came to King Oropher of the trespasser and he ordered for Aranion to be brought before him. His guards went out after Eruanna and came upon Aranion Ingwhil. They asked for the Dragon Princess to bring the Vanyarin Prince to her great-grandfather.

Aranion and Eruanna strode into the great hall of the palace. The court chatted about but when they entered, surrounded by guards, the court grew silent. Aranion looked around, in awe of the place that the Sindar and Silvan elves had built. It was an earthy palace, with plants and flowers growing in separate beds and vines dangling from the roof of the building. None could match the splendor of Taniquetil, home to the Vanyar, but the palace was far from plain in Aranion's eyes.

"Why are we being brought here?", Aranion asked Eruanna. She glanced at him.

"I do not know", she admitted. "Possibly, they have caught wind of our meetings", Eruanna looked solemn. "I'm so sorry."

Aranion gave her a slight smile and squeezed her hand, comfortingly. "You have no reason to be sorry, Úlumiel", he spoke to her.

"Our love cannot remain secret for much longer anyways. And we do not even know what this is about yet. Surely it cannot be all that bad."

King Oropher and his wife, Queen Mereneth, sat upon their mighty thrones, carved into a great Hilorn tree. The King had long ago been restored to life by Mandos and the Queen had sailed from Middle Earth much before. Oropher was a Sindarin elf, a man of pride. He had long, silvery hair and piercing blue eyes. In his hair was a crown of woodland flowers and his robes were forest green. Queen Mereneth had a flower crown of her own in her platinum blonde hair. She also possessed blue eyes and was a fair Sindarin maiden, clothed in robes of green and gold. Both were crowned with years of strife yet their faces looked young, as if they had not aged a single day in thousands of years.

Eruanna had told Aranion a great deal about the House of Oropher, her paternal family, and the House of Elrond, her maternal family. However, from what he understood, the House of Elrond would have more understanding people. Aranion was not entirely sure what to expect.

Eruanna raised her voice. "Great-grandfather, what is the meaning of this?", she questioned him.

Oropher glanced at his great-granddaughter.

"Your father informed me that he has suspicions about this elf", he nodded to Aranion who stood there stunned.

"What!?!", Eruanna cried out. "Suspicions? Aye Elebreth!"

Oropher sighed. "Goheno nin, Úlumiel, but he has...", Oropher glanced at Aranion. "Forgotten to do something."

"And what did I forget which was so important I am forced to come here under the guise of a criminal?", Aranion asked, mindful about his tone. Usually he did not care for his tone but Oropher was very much respected and he dared to not anger the elves, especially the silvan elves, who were known for carrying a generally suspicious attitude towards anyone who was not one of them.

"Whoever comes into my Kingdom cannot wander freely. You have come into my lands unbidden and thus, that can count as trespassing", Oropher explained. "What have you to say? Who are you?"

Aranion's eyes widened but he kept his composure. He felt Eruanna Úlumiel wringing her fair hands in anxiety. Glancing back at her reassuringly for a brief moment, he then looked at Oropher.

"I have a hunch regarding who you are but I need to know for sure", Oropher said, giving him an encouraging nod.

"My Lord, I am Aranion Ingwhil, Crown Prince of the Vanyar. I am a student of Oromë and Tulkas. Long has Ingwë, my great-great-grandfather ruled over all elves under the throne of the King of the Valar, Manwë!", Aranion spoke.

Eruanna breathed a small sigh of relief. Oropher would surely keep himself and his house in check now. Ingwë was the most powerful King and all the nobility, including Oropher himself, greatly respected him. Now that Aranion had announced himself as Ingwë's heir and a student to two of the Valar, Oropher would not dare cross the line with him. Eruanna herself was a student of Varda, Yavanna and Nienna.

The court broke out into shocked whispers and this time, Oropher and Mereneth were stunned. Oropher's suspicions had been confirmed. Aranion was well renowned for his skills in hunting and had earned great love from the Vanyar as well as many Kings and Lords who knew him.

Eruanna's parents, Legolas Thranduillion and Hiriel Elrondiel had arrived on the scene, looking speechless.

Oropher looked at Aranion who stood tall and proud. "A Vanyar elf in Greenwood. Ingwë's heir no less", Oropher mused.

"My mother is the Vanyarin Princess, Rianiel. My father is a Noldorin elf", Aranion elaborated.

The Sindar elves broke into whispers and Aranion could feel the looks of mistrust that the Silvan elves were giving him. He knew from Eruanna that Oropher had been a Prince of Doriath in his youth, an Elven Kingdom in the Elder days destroyed by the Noldor who were once exiled from Valinor.

Oropher looked troubled. "A noldo", he murmured, loud enough for Aranion to hear. "My father's ancestors slayed no kin and swore no oaths", Aranion reassured the King.

"Do you really think we have kind thoughts about Fëanor the Mad and his sons?", he asked. "No. What they did will never be mended nor forgiven I doubt."

"A man of your word are you?", Oropher asked.

"All I ask hir nin, is that you do not judge me based on the blood in my veins if you still hold such contempt for the Nodlor, which you surely cannot since your own great-granddaughter is part noldo", Aranion continued.

Oropher licked his lips and Mereneth squeezed her husband's hand. Both husband and wife knew that if they were to offend Aranion, they would anger High King Ingwë, something no one dared to do.

"All I ask is what are you doing in my realm? What do you seek? Though maybe, you can give your answer to my grandson since he has informed me of your unannounced visits", Oropher said, nodding to Legolas, who stepped forward, Hiriel dutifully behind him.

Eruanna couldn't take it any longer. "Adar!", she raised her voice. Legolas looked at her and Hiriel gave Eruanna a look of pity. The Dragon Princess continued. "I am told that you had Aranion brought before the throne under the guise of a trespasser!", the anger in her voice was clear.

"No one enters or leaves but by the King's consent", Legolas responded. "This may be Valinor and not Middle Earth, Eruanna, but the rule still stands!"

He then eyed Aranion closely. Legolas had a piercing stare, his icy blue eyes ripping into Aranion's grey ones, but the Vanyarin Prince was not daunted.

"Have you been spying on us, my Lord?", Aranion asked.

"I thought nothing of it at first", Legolas said.

"But when I realized you were coming unbidden into these lands, I had to tell my grandfather, the King. Tell me, what have you been doing with my daughter?"

So that's what this is about. Aranion let a sort of smile go across his face, but he knew of Legolas's deeds and the great renown the Prince had won. Aranion had a reputation for being very clever with his words and it was about to come into great use.

"I am no trespasser, my lord", Aranion said, truthfully.

"I meant no harm to your Kingdom, nor to the Dragon Princess, your daughter. It was a mere oversight, a misunderstanding. I did not intend to trespass nor arouse suspicions and for that I am very sorry", Aranion spoke like the noble Prince he was.

"Every time I have seen you in our woods, it was always with my daughter. What exactly are you doing with my daughter?", Legolas questioned.

Oropher sighed. "Legolas, was this about trespassing or your protectiveness getting the better of you? From what my lady wife and I have deduced, the boy has done no harm", the King reasoned.

Upon hearing the King's words, Aranion felt that a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. The King at least would not convict him of any wrongdoings.

Aranion felt a rush of boldness run through his veins and he looked at Legolas.

"That is the same thing I wonder. My, you must be a very overprotective father considering you have brought me here, believing me to be a trespasser simply because you caught me in the forest with your daughter. Merciful Manwë! I would rather you questioned me right then and there but I am no father so I guess cannot judge you."

Hiriel went to Queen Mereneth and whispered council into her ear. Aranion noted how similar Hiriel and Eruanna looked, as both of them had black hair and a similar slim, tall build. The only difference was that Hiriel had grey eyes whilst Eruanna had deep blue ones. Mereneth nodded and gracefully intervened.

"And what is it you desire from us?", Mereneth asked, smiling gently at Aranion.

Aranion considered his answer, carefully crafting his words in his head. "That is very benevolent of you, hiril nin", he finally responded. "But I desire only one thing of you and this fair domain", he stopped to glance at Eruanna.

"I sought no treasure, nor power, nor throne, but the treasure I have found here is beyond imagination. The treasure I speak of, my one and only desire, is to bind myself to Princess Eruanna Úlumiel of Eryn Galen. She is the strongest, most compassionate, most intelligent and most beautiful of all maidens. But as is expected of any other Prince of the Elves, I wish to be granted the opportunity to court her properly at Taniquetil and if she wills it, I will take her to wife and love her for all eternity."

The court fell deadly silent, everyone was baffled by the Prince's request.

"What?", the Vanyarin Prince demanded, slightly annoyed."Have I said some insults? Why do you all look upon me as if I have threatened to slay your King when I have only asked to bind myself to Eruanna?", Aranion demanded.

Eruanna herself was stunned. Yes, they had grown to love each other and she loved Aranion deeply. But she did not expect him to demand such a thing and she dreaded her father's answer. Most elves would be flattered to no end if Aranion asked to court and marry a daughter of theirs but Legolas was not most elves.

Legolas was too stunned to speak at first but then he snapped out of his trance and looked at Aranion, who stood calm but firm. Hiriel went to her husband.

"Careful with your words!", she cautioned him. "He is a Prince of great importance!"

But Legolas' eyes were on his daughter. Eruanna looked at him, her body slightly trembling. She came forth and her hands held onto Aranion's arm.

"Why did you ask for such a thing? Do you not remember that I told you my father is a stubborn man?", she asked in a low whisper.

"I love you, Eruanna. I want you as my wife", came the response.

"And I would take you as my husband but my father…"

"Will not get in our way. I shall not allow it", saying that Aranion went to face Legolas. "What say you to this?", he asked. Legolas looked at him. Aranion's piercing eyes demanded an answer.

"You come into our Kingdom without asking and now you demand me to hand my only child over to you?", Legolas asked. With the succession crisis, the Vanyar court was becoming dangerous.

"It is a request not a demand. If I were to demand such a thing from someone as esteemed as you, that would be disrespectful", Aranion responded. Legolas' blue eyes widened and Aranion smiled.

"Tales of your deeds are not far from my ears", Aranion said.

"You move me… to an extent", Legolas said. Oropher and Mereneth exchanged worried glances.

Aranion raised an eyebrow, showing that he was not daunted.

"Should I give you my permission for this, you will be taking away the Jewel of Eryn Galen", Legolas said.

"I understand and know very well that you and the Kingdom must cherish her deeply. But we are all elves fated to love only once. Will you deny me my heart? Will you deny your daughter her heart?", Aranion reasoned.

"Do you even know what rests in her heart?", Legolas asked.

Eruanna walked up to her father.

"I do want this Ada", she responded.

"You come into a forest without asking anyone and leave with their most prized possession", Legolas shook his head.

"Eruanna is a person not a possession" , Aranion countered.

"This is what you want?", Legolas asked.

"How many times must I tell you? All I want is to court and wed Úlumiel", Aranion snapped back, finally becoming irritated.

"I do not see anything wrong with it", Oropher responded. Legolas looked at his grandfather. "Come now, Legolas. He hasn't done anything", the King responded. In reality, the thought of his great-granddaughter being courted by the most desired bachelor intrigued him. Not only would it bring her happiness, it would bring them some sort of benefit.

He hadn't seen anything yet.


Elvish:

Goheni nin - Forgive me

Note: In Valinor, there's politics. Ultimately, some will want more power. Also, those of you concerned about my characterization of Legolas: Eruanna is his only child and he's protective of her. So the moment he sees Eruanna with Aranion, he becomes suspicious. Did he overreact a little? Yes. But he was trying to protect his daughter because she's never been in a relationship and she's been through a lot already. (Also I wanted more Beren and Luthien vibes LOL)