LEGOLAS
TITLE:Elenath
AUTHOR:Emily Kinsman
RATING:PG
FEEDBACK: emilyk@apptechnc.net 
DISCLAIMER:The characters from Lord of the Rings, their wonderful 
world, and the Elf-lore are all borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. I wish he 
were 
alive to see the LOTR pandamonium! The plotline and all other 
characters are copyright 2002 Emily Kinsman. 'Nuff Said
SUMMARY:I don't want to ruin any surprises, but an Elf-babe is 
abandoned in our world (through a nexus of sorts) to be raised by a 
human 
woman. This is the story of her return to her true home.
FEEDBACK: Please Please, Pretty Please tell me what you think! I'm new 
at this.
ARCHIVE: YES

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27. 
Legolas and Raion gave Elenath so many tips and pointers during her archery 
lesson that she thought her brain would explode from information overload. She 
got so flustered that she missed her target completely for the first half of practice. 
At least she hadn't shot anything out of the sky, though, and she had to admit 
that the bow felt good in her hand. She could feel the power of the weapon in the 
taught bowstring when she pulled it back to aim, and she loved the whishing 
sound that the arrow made as it cut through the air.  
After a time she began to ignore the bulls-eye-shooting Elves on either side of 
her and started to enjoy herself even though Kara, seated off to the side, 
watched her warily.  
Elenath could vaguely hear Legolas trying to correct her stance as she raised her 
bow once more, pulled back, and let fly on Thorondil's command. 
*Thonk!* What a beautiful sound! It hit the target! Not anywhere near the center, 
but at least it was something. Kara looked shocked and proud at the same time, 
and Legolas and Raion stood with their mouths hanging open. 
"Well, then…" amended the Prince. "Whatever works for you. I suppose every 
archer has his own way of doing things." 
She looked over at him. "Or in my case, her own way of doing things." 
"Forgive me," he said with a nod and a smile. 
His smile sent her stomach into flights of butterflies and she turned away quickly 
as not to lose her focus.  
They broke for lunch at midday and everyone was shown to their new quarters in 
the caves. They weren't nearly so dark or dank as Elenath had feared. In fact, 
they were quite beautiful. The rock walls had been smoothed to a shine and 
carved, giving the underground palace the look of a cathedral. Precious stones 
were embedded in the walls and skylights were abundant, at least in the upper 
chambers. The Great Hall's skylight was the largest of all, and was covered in 
huge diamonds that sent rainbows shimmering all about the room. Elenath loved 
the underground stream that flowed through the Great Hall and the Hot Spring 
that bubbled up into hers and Legolas' room. 
"What do you think?" Legolas asked her as she looked around their new 
residence. "Do you remember this place?" 
"I don't," she said, "But I like it. It's beautiful." She dipped her hand into the 
steaming water of the hot spring and smiled. "Were these our rooms before?"
He nodded. "This is where I brought you when we finally arrived in Mirkwood. 
You looked around at that time and said, 'I will suffocate in here.'" 
"Was I really so rude?" 
"Rude?" asked the Prince. "No. You had lived for a thousand years without ever 
seeing a solid wall. This was quite a shock for you. Besides, you were born and 
raised a Royal and you knew the rights and privileges your position gave you. 
You knew what you liked and what you needed. If Raion had spoken to you in 
the way that he did at practice today, you would have demoted him from his rank 
and possibly kicked him off the Guard." 
She sighed. "So I was a stuck-up snob." 
Legolas laughed. "Far from it, My Love. Raion's behavior was completely 
unacceptable today. I should have put a stop to it far sooner than I did. Your 
human friends were not behaving themselves in a way fit for court, either, but 
they do not know any better. Come. I would like to show you something." 
She followed him down the long, torch-lit corridors holding his hand. Up and up 
they seemed to go until Elenath could see white light filtering into the darkness 
from far ahead. Sunlight. 
"Another entrance?" she asked. 
"Just a courtyard of sorts," he replied, leading her to it and sighing contentedly. It 
was just as he had left it. Three trees swayed in the breeze, surrounded by steep 
rocky walls that grew thick with flowers of every description. In the center of the 
trees was a statue made of marble. 
Elenath was drawn to the statue at once. It was in the likeness of a female Elf, 
taller than herself, with a curvy, powerful build. She was fair of face and her eyes 
seemed to hold a far-off gaze, but her presence was regal, demanding respect. 
At her waist the artist had carved a sword – an exact replica of the one Elenath 
now carried - and at her feet were many smooth stones of the size that would fit 
into her palm. Each of these was carved with Elvish characters. "Who is this?"  
"It is you, Elenath," replied the Prince, stooping to pick up a large crystalline rock 
from the pile and handing it to his wife. 
She looked at it. "What is this?" 
"When you died, Elenath, everyone who wished to pay tribute to you wrote 
messages on stones which were placed here at the feet of this statue. The stone 
that you hold in your hand is my tribute." 
"What does it say?" 
"It says, 'I will never truly live again until I hold you in my arms once more. May 
the Valar grant you a safe and swift return.'" He pulled her close, kissing the top 
of her head. "My prayer was answered." 
Elenath gazed at the statue, pulling away from him and gently placing the stone 
at its feet again. She had changed so dramatically in appearance. The statue had 
a sturdy, almost voluptuous build, and she herself was small and… well… 
delicate-looking. Her grandmother had said she looked like a china doll, though 
looks in this case were deceiving. She proved that in her martial arts training. 
"Legolas… are you disappointed in how I have changed?" 
He smiled at her. "No. I am very pleased." 
***
Weeks passed, and then a month. Summer turned to autumn, and as the leaves 
turned to gold and brown, the orcs grew restless. Scouts returned with reports 
that the monsters could be heard late into the night talking of an attack on 
Northern Mirkwood. But always these discussions ended with the observation 
that they would have a far better chance if they waited for the Elves to come to 
them. 
It was during an intense day of battle training that the Lord of the Eagles flew into 
Mirkwood and perched at Thranduil's side. To her surprise, Elenath fully 
understood the exchange between the two Kings. 
"Ho, King Thranduil! I see that you are in a bit of trouble. Your borders blocked by 
orcs." 
"You see rightly, my friend," replied King Thranduil. "What brings you so far from 
your home?" 
"Rumors of this very thing. I have come to offer the assistance of my fellow 
Eagles. Though we have never allied ourselves with Elves or any other creature, 
the orcs are many and they must not be allowed to thrive." 
"I am honored by your offer," replied the King with a nod to the bird. "Would you 
be willing to take messages to the armies of Rivendell, and to the Lady Galadriel 
and Celeborn of Lothlorien? For we are in need of help from our Elven brothers." 
"It will be as you say," agreed the Eagle. "What shall be the date of the battle?" 
Thranduil thought for a long moment. "Two weeks from now is the full moon. A 
month from that day, on the next full moon, we will engage the orcs in battle to try 
to open the road to Rivendell. All who wish to join us should be ready at sunup 
on that day." 
"I will pass the message personally, King Thranduil, and I and my subjects will 
join you in battle." 
"We will be forever in your debt," replied the King. "Godspeed, my friend." 
With that the Eagle took off, circling high in the air before heading in the direction 
of Rivendell.  
28. 
Elenath sank down into the hot springs with a long sigh. Her muscles ached and 
her skin glistened with the sweat of a hard workout. But it wasn't just her muscles 
that she was trying to soothe with a hot bath. Her heart also ached, for Legolas 
had grown distant from her since his father had set a date for the battle. She had 
scarcely seen him for two weeks. He trained hard all day and sat in council with 
military advisors late into the night. The princess had gotten into the habit of 
taking her meals with Kara and David, all the while trying to pretend that Legolas' 
absences did not bother her in the least. 
But they did bother her. What happened to the days when he would refuse the 
summons of his father to spend just a few extra moments with her? What 
happened to the times when he would stop to kiss her hand as he walked by with 
the royal advisors?  
She sighed and ducked her head under the hot water and stayed there for a long 
moment, enjoying the warmth and the silence before coming up for air. 
Elenath knew that Legolas was distracted and worried. Still, it hurt to see him 
walk by and not even notice her. It hurt when he sank into bed late at night so 
preoccupied that he could hardly return her kisses. 
"Quel kaima (Sleep well)" she would say with a sigh at times like that, resting her 
head on his chest, her tears unnoticed by him. 
"Not now, Melamin," he would frequently say when she asked for a moment of 
his time. "Soon, I promise." 
Sometimes she would return from an afternoon archery lesson to find him 
emerging from the hot spring. Always when this happened, she would greet him 
happily and retrieve his towel from the nearby rack. Lovingly she would wrap it 
around him and begin to dry him off, but invariably he would gently take the towel 
from her hand with a murmured apology and quickly finish the job himself. Then 
he would dress and leave the room with hardly a word spoken. 
That was what had just happened a few minutes ago. Only this time as Legolas 
left, Elenath had whispered, "Amin mela lle (I love you)," but he was either in too 
much of a hurry to reply or he hadn't heard her. 
Now, sitting in the hot spring and washing the dirt from her body, she whispered 
those words again: "Amin mela lle, Legolas…" and began to cry silently. 
"God," she prayed, "I don't know what I'm doing wrong here. Please help me!" 
"Amen," said Kara, and Elenath jumped, looking up at her friend with wide eyes. 
"Kara" 
"Hey, girl," she said, lifting her skirts and sitting down, dangling her feet into the 
water. "I came to see how you're holding up under all this pressure." 
"Not so good," said Elenath in a trembly voice. 
"I thought not," replied Kara. "That's more than just bath water dripping down 
your face." 
"Yeah," she whispered, splashing idly.  
"So tell me all about it. What's bothering you?" 
The two of them ended up sitting on the bed, Elenath wrapped loosely in 
Legolas' robe and bawling in her friend's arms. 
"I don't know what to do," she sobbed. "I can't get him to stand still long enough 
to tell him how I feel. Even if he would stop to listen, I would feel guilty for pulling 
him away from his duties." 
"Guilty?! Elenath, you're his wife!" 
"But he's a prince," Elenath sniffled. "He has responsibilities… duties…." 
"He's also your husband." 
"It hasn't seemed like it in about two weeks," replied the princess. 
Kara was silent for a moment, offering Elenath a handkerchief. She took it 
gratefully and dabbed at her eyes. "Am I doing something wrong?" 
Kara shook her head. "This isn't your fault…. You know when I went though all 
that premarital counseling with Pastor Mike he said something to me that might 
be helpful." 
"What's that?" 
"If he won't come to you, then go to him." 
***
David knew that something was not right. Though Elenath tried to hide it, he 
could see it in her eyes. His fears were confirmed that afternoon as he passed by 
her chambers and overheard the whole sad story of what was going on. Fuming, 
he went in search of the Prince. 
He found Legolas alone in the stables, grooming his horse with a gentle hand. "I 
beg a word with you, Your Highness." 
The Prince did not even turn around. "Not now, my friend. I am busy." 
David stepped forward and placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Alright then. I 
DEMAND a word with you, and I'll have it even if I have to tie you down to get it." 
Legolas sighed. "This is the one time each day that I have a moment of peace 
and quiet. And you want to fill it with words." 
"I would not press the issue if it was not important." 
"Fine," said Legolas. "What is it?" 
"Your wife is not happy." 
A surprised look crossed the prince's face. "She seems so to me." 
"Open you eyes, Legolas. She tries to hide it, especially from you, but she's 
dying inside." 
"How do you know this?" 
"I heard her talking to Kara – Weeping in her arms is more like it. She says 
you've hardly spoken to her in two weeks and she wonders what she has done to 
displease you." 
Legolas turned back to his horse and began to braid its mane. "I have a busy 
schedule." 
"Then you need to change it," said David. 
"But-" 
"Look at yourself!" said the Man forcefully. "You give that horse more attention 
than you give your own wife!" 
"That's not true," said Legolas as he realized that it was. 
That was the last straw. David took the prince by his collar and backed him firmly 
against the wall. "I threatened you once, Prince Legolas. Don't make me carry 
out that threat."  
With that, David turned and walked out.
29. 
"If Legolas won't come to me, then I should go to him?" Elenath repeated. 
"Yes," said Kara. "Just sort of show up wherever he is." 
"But Kara, you don't just 'show up' at a war council uninvited. I mean, the only 
person they let in there, aside from the participants, is the maidservant who 
serves their meal." 
"You're the Princess. You should be invited. Even David sits on the council." 
sulked Kara. 
She shrugged. "Maybe I am invited and I just don't know it. I just never asked 
and they've never requested my presence. Still, I don't think it would be a good 
idea to just waltz in there and sit in Legolas' lap, you know?" 
Kara's eyes sparkled. "Aw, why not? That might be fun. And it would certainly 
make a point now, wouldn't it?" 
"I won't do it," said Elenath resolutely. "I'm trying to get Legolas to notice me, not 
to shock the court. But surely there must be some way…" 
"I've got it!!" exclaimed Kara, drawing her friend close and whispering in her ear. 
Elenath collapsed on the bed laughing. "Kara, you're a genius!" 
***
Legolas charged after David like a bull toward a red cape. Grabbing the Man's 
shoulder, he turned him around and said, "You do NOT threaten a member of the 
royal household in a time of war, David. Whose side are you on, anyway?" 
"Whoah, Princie! I don't like those ugly critters any more than you do. But no one 
– and I mean no one – plays Elenath like that. Not while I still draw breath." 
"Which might not be for much longer," said the Prince, his eyes narrowing. 
"Oh, now you're threatening me, are you? Well that's all right YOUR 
HIGHNESS." He bowed in mock respect. "You're a prince. You can threaten 
anyone you wish, can't you? And you can use any girl you want for your pleasure 
and then toss her aside when you've no time for her. Is that it, Legolas? You're 
despicable. Amin feuya ten lle. You disgust me." 
"How dare you say that I use her! I love her more than life itself." 
"Well you're sure not showing her that, are you?" 
"I'm doing the best that I can," growled the Prince, "She understands. She's an 
Elf and a princess and deep down she understands why I must be this way for a 
time. Not like a mere mortal who blows things out of proportion and longs for a 
woman he cannot have!" 
That was it. David could take no more. He launched himself at Legolas in blind 
fury, screaming every foul word he could think of as his fists connected with the 
Prince's face. 
Legolas fought back with all of the pent up anger and frustration he'd felt over the 
last two weeks. His kingdom and his people were in danger. The things that he 
loved, even the trees and the woodland creatures, were surrounded by orcs. And 
he stood the chance of losing everything. To make it worse, everyone looked to 
him for answers because he was much more accessible than his father. 
"Will we survive this?" they asked. "Have we the troops to defeat them?" 
Above all, he worried about his wife. Night and day, she was all he thought of as 
he trained for battle and laid out plans to defeat the orcs. She would not be taken 
from him again. He would not allow it. 
"You've got it all wrong!" the prince bellowed as he hammered David's face and 
torso with his fists. "I do everything for her. Not a moment goes by that I'm not 
thinking of her." 
David blocked and lunged and socked Legolas upside the head, "I don't even 
know why I bother. Stuck-up snotty royals! Elenath deserves better than you!" 
Legolas laughed at the hilarity of it all. "What? Like you? Frail creatures that men 
are, do you think she could ever love you?" 
His laughter was silenced by David's well-placed kick to his solar-plexus, but he 
took the Man down with him and the two of them rolled around on the ground, 
caking themselves in dirt. 
"You toad! You –" David spewed off a string of words that would have made a 
sailor blush as he sat on Legolas' stomach and reared back to hit him. 
The Prince saw it coming and launched him about ten feet into the air, yelling, 
"Auta miqula orqu (Go kiss an orc)! Lle holma ve edan (You smell like a 
human)!" 
David landed headfirst in a huge haystack. All that stuck out were his feet and his 
muffled cry came from within: "Oh, yeah! Well, Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina 
(You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny)!"
*** 
Kara helped Elenath to dress in a low-cut gown the colors of autumn leaves 
flecked with gold. She sprinkled her friend's skin and hair with gold dust and 
crowned her gently with a garland of burgundy autumn flowers. "Beautiful," she 
said, "You really look like a princess now." 
Elenath laughed and twirled around, revealing her soft golden slippers. "Shall we 
depart for the kitchens?" 
"Yes, YOU shall," replied Kara. "This is a one-servant deal, remember? They 
won't let me in. No way. But you'll have two things going for you. You're the 
Princess and you'll have their dinner." 
"Like I said, Kara. You are a genius." 
"Do you mean it?" asked her friend with a mischievous grin.  
"Absolutely!"
***
Legolas cracked a broad smile. He couldn't help it. The fact that the Man had 
learned just enough Elvish to tell him that his mother dressed him funny made 
him shout with laughter, and he collapsed against the haystack, under David's 
wriggling feet. "My mother dresses me funny!" he hooted, unable to stand up.  
Deep within the haystack, the prince could hear that David was laughing too. 
"Help me out of here!" he cried through his mighty guffaws.  
The Elf took firm hold of the Man's boots and gave a mighty tug, the two of them 
toppling over together in another fit of laughter. 
"Who taught you how to say that?" asked Legolas, giggling uncontrollably. 
David shook with mirth. "I'll tell you if you show me how you threw me into that 
haystack." 
They finally stopped laughing and looked at each other. Their hair was tangled 
with hay and their torn clothes were a mess of dirt. Together they sported two 
black eyes, one split lip and various highly visible scratches and bruises. Not only 
that, but they both realized at the same time that they were about to be late for 
the council. 
"Ed iear ar elenea (by the sea and stars)! We're late!" shouted Legolas. "My 
father will have our heads!" 
With that, they scrambled to their feet and half-ran and half-limped as fast as 
they could toward the palace, not pausing even to clean themselves up before 
clamoring into the already-full council chamber.