As I look out the window, I realize how beautiful Mirkwood really is. I never stopped to look at the forest before... It's so green and bright. It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining high in the sky, and the sounds of birds gliding along softly with the breeze. I stand up and smooth my green dress, and begin to braid my hair. Weaving strands in and out into a tiny, intricate design. I finish with two red braids framing my pointed ears and a long braid down the back of my head, just like my love's. I finish it with my own touch, two rose braids intertwining with the back braid.
I hear a quiet knock on the door. And then his voice, "May I come in?"
"Yes, dear."
He enters, his flowing white-blonde hair framing his face perfectly, as it always does. He's in his usual attire, and of course, his quiver is strapped over his shoulder, and his bow in his hand. He shuts the door and takes off the quiver. He lays it down next to his bow on the table.
"Legolas. You're early." I smile
"I know, Tûrwethiel." He smiles and places a hand on my cheek, "what shall we do on this fine day?"
"It is beautiful outside, I'd love to go sit out in the courtyard if that is allowed." I say as I gesture towards the window.
"I am not sure. We should probably ask my father... I mean the king."
"Alright. And I know who you are referring to, darling. No need to say the king when he is your father. You are the prince after all."
"Yes that is true." He smiles lightly.
I rest my hand on his face and he kisses me.
"Come on, let's go." I take his hand and pull him out of the room. We walk the intricate paths and tunnels of the cave that makes up the Mirkwood kingdom.
As we approach Thranduil, Legolas calls out, "Ada! I need to talk to you."
"Yes, what is it, ion?" He steps off of his throne and towards us.
"Would it be alright if Tûrwethiel and I went outside for a few moments?"
"Of course. It seems safe for today. As a matter of fact, the spiders haven't dared come past the edges of the forest since you have returned."
"Oh. That's interesting. Thank you, Ada."
"Anything for my ion," he glances at me, "and his love."
Legolas smiles. His smile is so beautiful, it just warms me up inside every time.
"Thank you." I nod at Thranduil.
We turn and weave our way through the passages to the cave's entrance. Grand doors standing at least a hundred feet high open as we approach. We stop and wait for them to open. Legolas looks at me and smiles. I smile back and grip his hand tighter.
Brilliant sunshine comes through and we walk outside. Legolas leads me past a little garden, and to the grassy courtyard. We sit on the cool grass and then lay down.
"Legolas, when did you first notice me?" I asked. I had always been curious of this.
"To be honest I noticed you long before I left. But I didn't realize my feelings towards you until I came back." He pauses, "Love, when did you notice me?"
"I have always been interested in you, ever since I was a young elleth, I watched you and thought you were mysterious, a good warrior, but also very kind and gentle. I love that about you." I smile, thinking of how I used to marvel at him when I was young.
"That is quite a long time. I'm flattered at your compliment, my dear."
"Flattery is the most sincere form of admiration." I reply, remembering when he first said this to me, quite some time ago.
"Ah, yes. I wasn't sure you had remembered that remark."
"Of course I did." I pause for a moment "Le melin, Legolas."
I laugh a little, I am so happy to be here with him. He is such a blessing in my life.
Soon he speaks, "Gellon ned i galar i chent gin ned i gladhog."
"Le fael, Legolas."
He smiles in return, and embraces me in his arms. His arms are so strong, so warm, so comforting. I feel safe with him. I lean over and kiss him softly.
Our moment is broken when we hear a loud scream. Legolas jumps up, his bow drawn. I stand, startled from the screech. It came from the woods, but not very far in...
"What is it?"
"I do not know." Worry crosses his face.
It dawns on me that that scream sounded very familiar. I clap my hand over my mouth. I can't hold myself back. All I can do is run to the forest. I bolt as fast as my legs will carry me, taking out my dagger that was sheathed on my hip.
"Tûrwethiel, no!" Legolas cries. I hear him running behind me.
At the very edge of the forest I halt. There is a body, face down. It is an elf. I turn it over and see it is that of my dearest friend, Vanmoriel. Blood is streaming from her mouth and is caked into her long brown hair. I fall to my knees and cry over her. She can't be dead, she can't.
"Tûrwethiel?"
Legolas slides to his knees next to me. I lean into him and sob into his shoulder.
"What did this, Legolas? What killed her, my closest friend?" I say through tears.
"I don't know." He holds me against him. But I can tell he is looking for the murderer.
The guards must have warned the king, as I look up I see him running out, sword in hand.
"ADA!!!" Legolas cries.
"Legolas? What has happened?!"
"It's Vanmoriel. She's... She's dead."
Thranduil kneels next to us and I can see tears shining in his eyes as he sees the damage. "I-I am so sorry, my dear. I know... how much she meant to you." He embraces me. I can't help but cry into his shoulder as I did to Legolas. The both of them are so comforting. Thranduil is like the father I never had. My father died when I was very young. I barely remember him.
The guards approach us and take her body away.
"Legolas." Thranduil whispers to his son.
"Yes, Ada?"
"I feel it is no longer safe. I fear the spiders are coming. I can sense it."
As if on cue, one jumps out of the shadows and onto me. I scream, thrashing and jabbing my dagger blindly. All I can see is fangs snapping at my face.
"LET HER GO!" Legolas screams.
I hear a whirring sound as his arrow flies through the air. It hits it right in the head and it falls to its side, squealing and squirming. Legolas helps me up and pulls me into his arms.
He looks deep into my eyes, "Tûrwethiel, are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine."
"Here, take this."
He hands me his sword, a long elvish blade. "To protect you."
"Legolas, go! Take her and go!" Thranduil yells. Arrows are flying everywhere as more spiders jump out of the forest.
"I'm not leaving without you, Ada!"
"Legolas, you must. There is no other way. You won't survive here! Take the river. I will meet you where ever your journey may take you. Please, ion." A look of despair crosses his face. I can tell he doesn't want to lose Legolas again. Especially since he has already lost so much in his lifetime.
"Goodbye, Ada. We will find you. I promise."
"Goodbye, my ion. Gi melin."
He embraces Legolas, kisses my forehead and we flee back into the kingdom. Flying down flights of stairs and through long twisting corridors, we go until we find the cellar, and go out to the river. Where it will take us is unknown. All we can do is trust it.
"Are you ready?" Legolas looks at me.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
We climb into a small boat and enter the river, rowing out into the rushing white rapids. Fate will take us where we may go, we do not know where we will end up. All that matters is that we are safe and we are together. I take one last look at the kingdom, I do not know it now, but it is the last time I will ever see it.