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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39. 
Elenath could not erase the mental picture of Legolas' lifeless blue eyes or the 
feel of his body as dead weight in her arms. As she lay in bed next to him, she 
drifted off to sleep over and over again, only to wake with a start, grasping for the 
warmth of her husband's hand or the security of his embrace. Each time she 
woke, she found him awake also, watching her, running his fingers through her 
hair, tracing the contours of her body with his fingertips, whispering endearments 
to her, his eyes glowing with love. 
When she jolted awake for the fifth time, he gently wiped her fresh tears away 
and pulled her close, inviting her to rest her head on his chest. "Mani marte, 
Melamin (What happened, My Love)? What did you dream that frightens you 
so?" 
"I dreamed that I went looking for you and Thorondil, and that I found you both 
dead, lying on the forest floor. Every time I close my eyes now I see you that 
way… and when I go to sleep it becomes so real." She shook her head. "I feel 
like a child. It was only a dream, and yet…" 
He hugged her close. "I assure you that I am alive, though that almost was not 
so. I tell you now, I will never take another day of my life for granted. And I will 
treasure each and every moment that I have with you, Amaelamin (My Beloved). 
Now rest. I will be right here sleeping next to you." 
"I will try," she sighed, closing her eyes as Legolas began to sing to her. 
"You are my hiding place
And my strong tower
Protect me from darkness
Save me in your power…" 
Elenath lifted her head and gazed at him. "I used to sing that when I was afraid, 
on the other side of the gate. How do you know it?" 
He kissed her forehead. "I told you, Melamin. Thorondil and I could hear your 
prayers and the songs that you sang for us… And you sang this one many 
times." 
"You're right," she murmured. "I guess I did." 
"Deliver me from my foes," he continued to sing,
That I might exalt your name
Lord God, I will take refuge in you 
And your Son who overcame." 
"I will praise you O Lord 
With all my heart.
I will tell of your great wonders.
The angels rejoice
In your name, O Lord God,
Their voices as loud as thunder.
And I will join
In their songs of praise
As you drive my foes asunder!" 
She finally relaxed as he sang, amazed that he had heard their songs and 
prayers in the darkness of the previous night. How is it possible? She prayed 
silently, How could he have heard us from such a great distance? 
The answer came immediately to her heart. "The prayers of My children reach 
the ears of any angelic creature who wishes to hear. And Legolas wished many 
times throughout the night to hear your voice." 
Pondering this, she sighed and closed her eyes, finally drifting into a peaceful 
sleep. 
*** 
They slept for many hours, finally rising just before dinner was to be served in the 
Great Hall. A special Council had been called directly following that, to discuss 
what Legolas and Thorondil had discovered on their trek.  
Elenath and Legolas were dressing for dinner when Marcus knocked timidly on 
their door. The princess almost did not recognize him, as the Elves had given 
him clean clothing to wear, and none of it was black. He wore green leggings, a 
light-colored linen tunic with a brown leather belt and Elven boots. His dreads 
were pulled back into a loose ponytail, revealing his bright green eyes with an 
intensity the princess had never seen before. She nodded to him with a smile. 
"Lle maa quell." 
"Huh?" 
"You look good," she said. "I like the clothes." 
Marcus looked down at himself and shook his head. "I feel like… well… if I was 
back home, I'd feel pretty stupid, El." 
"But you're not back home." 
He grinned. "Don't tell the others, but I kinda like them." 
Elenath placed Legolas' crown gently on the prince's head. "What can I do for 
you, Marcus?" 
"Actually," he said, "I…" 
Legolas looked up at the young man curiously as Marcus approached him. 
"Actually, Prince Legolas… Your highness or whatever… I came to warn you 
about the dragon." 
"Dragon?" he asked, placing Elenath's crown on her head. 
"Yeah," said Marcus. "The orcs have a dragon. I thought you should know." 
"I already knew," whispered the prince. "That is one of the reasons that Thorondil 
and I were delayed. But you mustn't tell anyone else just yet. We hold council 
tonight on this very topic." 
"Beware the dragon," said Marcus. "It must be slain or Mirkwood will fall." 
Legolas nodded. "Perhaps you should join us for council." 
"Sure," said Marcus. "Whatever you need."
  
 
With that he turned and left the room. 
"How did he know that?" asked the Prince. "I have told no one and Thorondil is 
one of my most trusted advisors." 
She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "Legolas, Marcus just knows things 
sometimes. It is a gift from God. Did he say that the orcs have a dragon?" 
"Yes," he replied with a sigh. "A dragon has allied itself with them. This battle will 
be much more difficult than we expected." 
"But surely there is hope?" 
"There is always hope," replied Legolas, "Even in darkest despair." 
"What do you mean?" 
"Elenath, I am loathe to tell you this, but the orcs had your mother, Llilwen. They 
must have captured her as she rode to Rivendell. We tried to rescue her but it 
was a trap. I still cannot tell you how we escaped. Your God must have answered 
your prayers. One moment the hideous beasts were all around us and the next 
we were riding swiftly for home." 
"But what of my mother?" she asked. "Was she well?" 
Legolas shook his head, rare tears beginning to form in his eyes. "She was badly 
injured, Melamin. We managed to bring her body home for proper burial…" The 
princess looked at him with such pain in her eyes that he practically crumpled to 
the floor on his knees. "I am sorry. I… I swear I did everything that I could do. I 
would have given my life to allow Thorondil to bring her back to you alive." 
40.  
Elenath sank to her knees in agony, her heart bursting with pain. "They've killed 
my mother? Llilwen is dead?" 
"Amin hiraetha," whispered Legolas again, his tears spilling over. "I am sorry. If 
only I could have-" 
She met his clouded eyes and exclaimed, "It's not your fault, Legolas! It's not 
your fault. Please don't take that burden upon yourself." 
His head dropped into his hands. "I just… My heart aches within me, Elenath. 
They've killed your father and mother, both of them in my presence." Tears 
coursed down his face. "All I want is to protect you from the evil in this world; to 
keep you safe from harm and shield you from this kind of pain. And I have failed. 
I have failed miserably. What kind of a husband am I? What kind of a father will I 
be?" 
Her emotions were raw with this newest loss, and she finally let go of them, 
sobbing uncontrollably even as she tried to comfort her husband. "…Impossible 
to keep me safe from all of this… Not your fault… You'll be a wonderful father… 
Soon this will all be over…" 
Fifteen minutes later, Thorondil knocked on their door. When there was no 
answer, he quietly entered, finding the Prince and Princess still weeping, now 
silently, into each others' arms on the floor. He said nothing, but knelt next to 
them, gathering them both up into his arms.  
"Have courage," he whispered. "You must have courage. Dry your tears as I 
have dried mine. We have much work to do." His throat constricted at the pain he 
saw in the Royal Couple's eyes. "Do not despair. I feel that Llilwen will return to 
us quickly." 
***
Kara had taken charge of the teenagers that day, along with David who could 
only help occasionally as he was called away to help with battle preparations. 
The Woman had been present when Llilwen's body was brought in to be 
prepared for burial. 
"Who is that?" asked Susan, her eyes wide with fear. "And what happened to 
her?" 
Kara choked back the sob that threatened to rise in her throat. "She is an Elf. 
Llilwen. Elenath's mother." 
"She was murdered by the orcs," said one of the maidservants bitterly. 
"El's mom?" 
Kara's face crinkled into tears as she nodded. "Elenath will be heartbroken when 
she finds out. Her father was killed just shortly after our arrival here."  
"I fear for the princess's life," added the servant. "So much grief can be deadly for 
an Elf. Even a pregnant Elf." 
Susan ran her fingers through her purple hair and bit at her tongue ring as was 
her habit when she was thinking. Her blue eyes narrowed and she sighed. Why 
not? she thought to herself. Now more than any time in my life I know that miracles 
can happen. God has used me to heal many. Why not this Elf? She opened her mouth 
before even stopping to think and was as surprised as everyone else at what 
came out. "Why's everyone so upset? Llilwen is not dead. She's just asleep! Let 
me wake her." 
For a moment, the Elves who had gathered there looked at Susan as if she had 
lost her mind. Then, one by one, they seemed to remember how Elenath had 
brought King Thranduil back from the dead and stepped back to allow Susan 
access to their fallen sister. "Please," said the servant. "Do whatever you can." 
"You trust me?" asked Susan. "Just like that?" 
"If you are a friend of Elenath's, then perhaps you have some of her powerful 
magic. Only a week after her arrival here, King Thranduil was slain and she 
brought him back to life." 
"It's not magic," said Susan. "Not really." Then, lifting a silent prayer heavenward, 
she reached out and took Llilwen's hand. 
***
Elenath and Legolas finally managed to pull themselves together enough to be 
led through the palace to the room where Llilwen's body was being prepared for 
burial. 
"I've had enough of death to last five lifetimes," whispered Elenath. 
Legolas squeezed her hand. "So have I." 
As they turned a corner, Elenath heard Susan's proclamation coming from a side 
room a little further down the hall, "Llilwen is not dead but asleep." The princess' 
breath caught in her throat and she dashed ahead, just in time to see the young 
Woman leaning over her mother's still, lifeless form and taking her hand saying, 
"Llilwen, wake up!" 
There was a moment of silence before Elenath's mother slowly opened her eyes 
and blinked a few times at the purple-haired young Woman before her. Color 
returned to her face, her wounds miraculously healing before their eyes. It was 
not long before Llilwen was sitting up and laughing, beckoning her daughter to 
come near. "I was just in the most amazing place!" 
"What place?" asked Elenath as she embraced her mother, amazed at what had 
just happened.  
"I was on a path, near a golden city… There was a Man there… A great Prince. 
When I asked him his name, he said, 'Immanuel!'" 
"What else did he say?" asked Elenath. 
"He said many things. He asked if I would follow him and I said yes, even if it 
meant going back to the orcs. Such was the wonder of this Prince. Looking into 
his eyes I felt I would happily do anything for him!" 
Legolas came up beside Elenath, then, his face a beacon of joy. "Llilwen! Have 
you returned to us so soon? The Valar must be very pleased to allow you to 
return so swiftly." 
She laughed again. "I did not see the Valar. But this Prince told me to return, that 
someone named Susan was calling me back to Mirkwood and that my daughter 
needed me." 
Poor Elenath had dissolved once again into tears, but this time they were happy. 
"I do need you, Llilwen, more than you know. What mother-to-be does not long 
for her own mother to guide her through the trials of giving birth and raising a 
child?" 
The light of understanding flooded Llilwen's eyes and she pulled her daughter 
near, looking at her carefully. "Is it true? It is! Oh, Elenath, I am so happy!"
***
Dinner that evening was a bittersweet event. The return of Llilwen brought an 
almost celebratory flavor to the evening, but the announcement that the orcs had 
a dragon struck fear into the hearts of even the bravest Elves. 
Despite her fear and uncertainty about the battle ahead, Elenath had to laugh at 
the sight of her young friends dressed in Elven clothing. The ladies especially 
were distraught over having to wear the beautiful gowns. Though they valiantly 
tried to act like ladies and gentlemen, words never before heard in Mirkwood 
drifted over the tables. Legolas listened to the kids with great interest, figuring out 
that if something was bad, it was actually good; and if something was sick, well, 
that meant it was excellent.  
Elenath almost lost it when Marcus handed Legolas a basket of fruit. "Here you 
go, dude." 
Legolas didn't skip a beat. "Thanks, dude. Here, have an apple. They're wicked 
good." 
Marcus just smiled. "You're alright, man. I have to admit I was worried at first but 
I'm stoked that you and El hooked up." 
Legolas looked over at his beaming wife. "Me too." 
At that moment, the hall fell silent as one of the Palace guards entered, 
accompanied by a messenger from the Eagles who settled by the King and Lord 
Elrond with a slight nod of his feathered head.  
"What news?" asked King Thranduil, worry clouding his eyes. 
The Eagle looked about the hall and then turned to the King. "I crave a word with 
the Royal Household and its advisors. In secret." 
Thranduil nodded. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Or do you wish to convene the 
Council at once?" 
"I have flown far and I am famished, but my news is quite urgent, King Thranduil. 
Please convene the Royal Council and then you can see to my needs." 
"Members of the Council, please assemble in the Council Chambers at once." 
With that, he stood up and left the room, the Eagle and Lord Elrond by his side.  
41.  
It was to be a council of twelve that met this time: the original ten plus Elenath 
and Marcus who had been invited by Legolas. The Eagle's presence made 
thirteen, so to avoid the unlucky number, Mike was also invited to attend. Sitting 
around the Council Table, all fourteen of them awaited the Eagle's report. 
The majestic bird waited until he was sure that all were present and got right to 
the point. "Rivendell and Lorien were greatly distressed by the news of the siege 
on Mirkwood. Their warriors were dispatched at once and already Lorien has 
arrived at the outskirts of the forest. They are ready for battle. Rivendell's 
contingent remains three days hard march away, but they also desire to hasten 
the battle. The leaders of both armies sent me to ask if you are ready to fight. 
There was an uncomfortable silence at the table until King Thranduil finally 
spoke. "Are they aware of the dragon?" 
"They are," replied the Eagle. "Their leaders carry the weapons of old and are 
ready to fight and die if necessary." 
The King cast his glance around the room. "What thinks the Council on this 
matter?" 
Legolas was the first to respond. "Our warriors are well-trained, Father, and 
ready for battle. I believe that we are ready to reclaim Northern Mirkwood." 
Thranduil nodded his approval and waited for any other comments.  
"If I may," David spoke a little timidly, "I would like to know more about this 
dragon." 
"Horrible beast," said the Eagle. "Scales so strong that most weapons will only 
glance off of them. It breathes fire, and dragon's fire burns through the best 
armor and penetrates all but the most powerful of magic." 
"What about Elenath?" asked David, "Will she be safe from the dragon's fire?" 
The King's advisors all cast questioning glances at one another. 
"We do not know," said Thorondil at last. 
Marcus spoke then, surprising them all. "It doesn't matter. I'm telling you this and 
I know it's true. The dragon must be slain at any cost. If it's not, well, dudes, 
Mirkwood is toast." 
"At any cost?" asked Estel. "Even at the cost of Elenath and her unborn child?" 
Deep pain shown in the young Man's eyes. "At any cost," he repeated, closing 
his eyes and dropping his head into his hands as Elenath touched the hilt of her 
sword. 
"The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?" Elenath looked up at 
Marcus as he spoke along with the sword, and she joined him along with Mike 
and David. "The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? 
When the wicked come against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and 
my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my 
heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be 
confident." 
The four gazed at each other for a long moment before turning their attention 
back to the Council. 
"I do not fear death," said Elenath, "Though I cannot choose it for my child." 
"Our child," said Legolas, taking her hand. 
"Mirkwood's child," corrected Thranduil. "Heir to the throne after its father. It will 
be the Council's decision whether or not you will fight in this battle, Elenath." 
"Can someone else bear the Sword Calmacil in battle?" asked Legolas. 
"Weapons that can pierce dragon flesh are rare. We will need the Sword to give 
us the best chance possible." 
"Calmacil may choose a new bearer at any time," replied Lord Elrond. "But it is 
the Sword that chooses. If Elenath does not fight, then more than likely, Calmacil 
will not either." 
"I am at a loss," said the King with a sigh. "We do not know if Elenath's defences 
can stand against dragon fire. If yes, then she will be invaluable on the field. If 
no… well… that puts two Elves in danger. Two Elves who are every precious to 
me and to this Kingdom. 
"It is too great a risk," concluded Thorondil. 
Raion shook his head. "I have watched Elenath's skill improve. She has become 
a formidable opponent. Frankly, we need her, and certainly the dragon cannot be 
defeated without the Sword that rests now at her side." 
"But what of the child?" asked Estel. 
Raion answered, "If the greatest Elven Kings and Queens of Middle Earth are 
going to risk their lives to slay this dragon, then why not the future heir to 
Mirkwood's throne?" 
"But they have a choice," argued Estel. "The child does not." 
Elenath stood up. "Do not discuss me or my child as if we were not here. Have I 
no say in this matter?" 
Legolas stood next to her, drawing her near. "No, Melamin. You do not. At least 
not any more than the rest of us do." 
Marcus stood then as well. Coming up next to the princess, he pulled her gently 
aside and placed his right hand on her belly, whispering in her ear for a long 
moment as she steadily dropped her defensive stance. Finally she stepped back 
from him in an attitude of humility, meeting the young Man's eyes and gently 
squeezing his hand. 
"Forgive me," she said to the council, "I am sorry. Whatever you decide, I will 
comply. I leave your decision in God's hands." 
She sat back down next to her husband as the King stood up. "Obviously this 
decision cannot be made tonight. But what we must decide is if we are ready to 
fight when Rivendell's warriors arrive." 
The Eagle nodded. "Both armies await your answer." 
"We have no choice," said Thorondil. "Such large armies cannot be hidden for 
long, even from orcs." 
There was a nod of agreement around the table. 
"Right," said the King. "One week from now, then. We will attack one week from 
tomorrow at sunrise." 
"I will relay the message," said the Eagle, "if you would be so kind as to bring 
refreshment to me, I will be off first thing in the morning." 
"Of course," said Thranduil. "And as for the matter of our Princess and her child, I 
ask for twenty-four hours to ponder my decision. You are all my advisors, so if 
you have anything you would like to say to me on this matter, please see me 
privately in my chambers." He paused. "This meeting is hereby adjourned."