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


51. 
 
Elenath watched in horror as the worst possible of all scenarios 
unfolded before her. Mirkwood’s armies came upon the orcs at 
the same moment the dragon attacked from above, spewing hot 
flame from its mouth. 
 
Gandalf quickly cast an anti-burning spell on the Elves and their 
armies, but the heat from the blast was intense to the point that 
Elenath feared that her human friends might pass out. In 
desperation she nocked an arrow and aimed it heavenward, firing 
two rapid shots at the horrible beast. They bounced harmlessly 
off of the dragon’s scales and Legolas shouted over the din of the 
battlefield, “Do not waste your arrows! They will not pierce 
dragon flesh.” 
 
“Where is Galadriel and her magic arrows?” asked the princess as 
a wave of orcs attacked from all sides. 
 
The answer was lost in the mêlée that followed. She prayed 
fervently for her young honor guard, that God would guide their 
swords and arrows, and looked heavenward, waiting for the 
dragon’s next attack. An orc battled its way through her honor 
guard’s protective circle and Elenath drew her sword with a 
slicing motion that took the horrible creature’s head off. 
 
The moment her hand touched the sword, it spoke to her with 
the voice of rushing waters. “You do well to place your trust in 
God instead of solely in your weapons. “ 
 
She shouted to her Heavenly Father as another orc broke 
through her guard, “In you I place my trust, O God! Do not let 
me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me (Psalm 
22:5)!” 
 
The sword continued to speak even as she slew the second orc. 
“When you are afraid, trust in God. In God whose word you 
praise, in God you must trust. You should not be afraid. What 
can your enemies do to you?” 
 
“I will trust and not be afraid,” she answered, surprised to hear 
most of her honor guard shouting with her. “The Lord, The Lord 
is my strength and my song; He will be my salvation (Isaiah 
12:2)!” 
 
Elenath tried to take in the big picture while staying focused on 
her mission: to slay the dragon. She somehow needed to get 
close enough to the beast to use the only weapon she possessed 
that could harm it, and that was her sword. Taking a quick look 
around, she saw that Elrond and Thranduil were contemplating 
the same thing and that Gandalf seemed to be in the middle of a 
particularly difficult spell. Where was Galadriel? Perhaps she was 
having trouble breaking though the lines to meet them. 
 
“The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective,” said 
the sword as a sudden volley of arrows flew at them. Raising 
their shields, they deflected all, but were certainly not out of 
trouble. It seemed that every orc within range of them had 
suddenly realized Elenath’s whereabouts, and all were attacking 
her group. 
 
“Death to Elenath!” they cried, “Kill the princess! Revenge will be 
ours!” 
 
“Jesus help us!” entreated Susan, nocking arrow after arrow and 
letting fly as quickly as she could. Each one hit its target. 
 
“God save us!” shouted Marcus, and Elenath cried out in a similar 
manner. Though they fought bravely it appeared that they would 
soon be overcome. Soon Elenath’s entire honor guard was asking 
God for His help, even Legolas, and that was when a miracle 
happened. 
 
The dragon appeared once again, swooping low for another pass 
and breathing a steady stream of fire as it did so. The heat was 
unbearable. In fact, Elenath truly expected to find herself 
mortally burned by the attack, but when she checked herself, she 
was not. Gandalf’s magic did seem to be wearing off, however. 
She and her guard had to put out a few small fires on their 
clothing after the dragon had passed. 
 
When they all looked up, their hearts were cheered, for it 
appeared that the fire had taken out about one third of the orkish 
army and confused the remaining creatures enough that King 
Thranduil’s army was able to force them away from the dragon 
slayers. 
 
The feeling of elation did not last long, however. In the brief 
moment of silence that followed, Elenath watched in dismay as 
Legolas slid from his horse, landing on the forest floor in a pool 
of his own blood, an arrow protruding from his side. 
 
“Oh, Jesus,” she breathed, her body going completely numb as 
she dismounted and rushed to his side. She could hear one of the 
lower-ranking Elves galloping over to them. “Oh, Melamin…” She 
took Legolas in her arms and kissed his forehead, relieved that 
he was still conscious, though barely so. “Legolas… don’t you 
dare leave me.” Her tears splashed onto his face. 
 
“Amin hiraetha (I’m sorry),” he whispered, “Amin mela lle (I love 
you), Elenath. Fear not. Fear not for me and fight well, My Love.” 
 
His face looked peaceful and without pain, though she knew that 
he must be in agony. It almost shamed her to know that she 
wore her own pain and worry plainly on her face. “I will not let 
you down, My Prince,” she replied and kissed him gently, 
determination creasing her brow. As she said a quick prayer, the 
Elf who had ridden to their aid lifted Legolas across his saddle 
and galloped away toward the palace at break-neck speed.

*********************
Chapter 52
Elenath was livid. Here she had finally found something she 
thought she would never have – a husband who loved her and 
who she loved dearly. She had found happiness in Legolas’ arms, 
and now these… creatures had quite possibly taken him from her. 
Her eyes narrowed. She certainly was not going to stand idly by 
and let them get away with it. They would pay and pay dearly! A 
determined, all-encompassing peace settled around her and she 
became even more bent on destroying the dragon no matter 
what the cost. 
 
It was almost a blessing that the unthinkable had happened and 
Legolas had fallen. Now she did not have to worry about him. His 
life was out of her hands, and although her heart cried out in 
prayer for him, she was able to put her mind to the task at hand. 
 
The Eagles had arrived and dropped heavy stones into the fray, 
knocking out orcs left and right while screaming their battle cries. 
 
“You all right?” asked Kara briefly as Raion galloped in to take 
the Prince’s place as point guard. Elenath nodded her thanks to 
him and he nodded back, his eyes full of compassion for her. 
 
“Not all right,” replied Elenath, “but I will not stop ‘til this blasted 
dragon and every foul beast on this field are defeated!” 
 
There was a loud cheer as the Lorien armies finally broke through 
the orkish line, their standards flying proudly. They, especially 
Galadriel, momentarily entranced the princess. All of Lorien’s 
warriors seemed to glow with some kind of inner light, but 
Galadriel shimmered with it. 
 
A cry of rage rose from the orcs as the glittering queen raised 
her bow and shot off three of her white arrows in quick 
succession. Each hit its target dead on and the dragon 
plummeted toward the earth, its wings crippled. 
 
Rivendell’s warriors were not far behind, and they fell at once to 
the task of beating back the orcs. 
 
As the dragon fell, one of the Lorien Elves raced to Elenath’s side 
with a bundle of Galadriel’s white arrows in hand. “You are the 
Princess Elenath?” he asked, eyeing the sword in her hand. 
 
“I am,” she replied. 
 
“I am Haldir, the captain of Galadriel’s guard. My Lady asked me 
to present these to you with her welcome and well wishes. Use 
them wisely, Princess.” 
 
She nodded and took them, but before she could thank him he 
had already galloped away, swiftly returning to the Lorien 
contingent, shouting commands to them as he went. 
 
Elenath briefly met the gaze of Lady Galadriel and mentally 
thanked her even as the dragon finally crashed to earth in a 
writhing, angry mass of black scales, red eyes, and sharp teeth. 
Its huge clawed feet stomped with such force that the ground 
shook and its spiked tail flung crazily about, knocking both Elves 
and orcs from their horses. 
 
“You are welcome, Princess Elenath,” a soft yet powerful 
feminine voice echoed in her mind. She looked up at Galadriel 
who nodded toward the dragon. “Our time has come now, Child. 
Take up your sword and do that which you were born to do.” 
 
“How do you talk in my mind?” she shot back. 
 
“It matters not, Princess, though I could ask you the same. I 
hear your voice as well, though you do not open your mouth. 
Now, to battle!” The last was spoken as a command that Elenath 
dare not disobey. 
 
Already Elrond and Thranduil had charged forward, and Gandalf 
had stretched forth his hands with a loud cry, releasing a strong 
tendril of light that wrapped itself around the monster’s feet and 
tail, seemingly gluing them to the earth. 
 
The dragon bellowed in rage before spraying fire once again, 
revealing the fact that Gandalf’s anti-burning spell had faded 
completely. Elrond and Thranduil retreated at once, putting out 
fires as they went. 
 
“Forward!” shouted Elenath as she raised her bow and nocked 
one of Galadriel’s arrows. 
 
“We will be burned alive!” protested Raion, and Elenath could see 
fear in the eyes of many of her honor guard. 
 
“We must have faith,” she replied letting the arrow loose, further 
enraging the beast as it slammed home a little off the mark that 
she had aimed for. 
 
“Amen!” agreed Marcus, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!” 
 
Elenath smiled, remembering the story of the three Men in the 
Bible who had refused to bow to an idol that the king had made. 
As punishment, the king had thrown them into a giant furnace 
heated to seven times its normal temperature, but God saved 
them from the flames. They had walked around in the fire for a 
long while unharmed until the king called them out of it. He was 
so amazed that the three Men were not burned that he praised 
their God and decreed that no one should ever say anything 
against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (a/n: this 
story can be found in the Old Testament in the Book of Daniel, 
chapter 3). 
 
“I am afraid,” admitted one of her honor guard. 
 
“As am I,” replied the Princess, “but we must have courage. I am 
not a good enough archer to kill the beast with Galadriel’s 
arrows.” She looked around at her young friends, at Kara, Mike, 
David, and Raion. “Those who have the faith to follow, CHARGE!” 
The last word echoed through the Wood as the party thrust 
forward into the fire. 
 
Elenath had never been so deathly afraid, but she hid her fear as 
the dragon turned toward them with a mighty roar. To her 
surprise, the roar was answered by Marcus and David and then 
joined by the rest of her guard. Had not Israel’s armies leveled 
the walls of Jericho with such a shout? Before she could 
comprehend what was happening, the shout has risen up all 
around them, though the ranks of Mirkwood, her warriors raising 
their weapons against their foes; through the ranks of Rivendell 
who stood proudly in support of Elenath and her guard; and 
through the ranks of Lorien, whose queen watched the dragon 
and waited for the flames to clear so that she could fire her 
arrows once more. 
 
The Elves fell silent when they heard that David had lifted his 
voice above the shout in song, Elenath and the rest of her guard 
joining him, the beats of their horses’ hoofs giving the song a 
pounding rhythm. 
 
“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart 
 
Naught be all else to me save that thou art 
 
Thou my best thought by day or by night 
 
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light. 
 
“Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word 
 
I ever with thee, thou with me, Lord 
 
Thou my great Father, I thy true Son 
 
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. 
 
The little group became fearless in their attack, even as the 
dragon spewed flames at them. Their courage was contagious 
even to Raion who looked about in wonder as the inferno hit 
them. Flames burned the grass beneath their feet and the trees 
around them, but could not touch them or their horses. The 
flames did not burn even their hair or their clothing, and they 
were immune even from its heat. 
 
“Be thou my battle shield, my sword for the fight 
 
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight 
 
Thou my soul's shelter, and thou my high tower 
 
Raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power. 
 
“High King of heaven, after victory won 
 
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun 
 
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall 
 
Still be my vision, O ruler of all!”[pic] 
 
Thranduil and Elrond tried to follow them but were forced away 
with another blast of fire from the dragon’s mouth. They could do 
nothing but stand back and watch in awe as the princess and her 
honor guard rode through the flames as if they did not exist. 
 
Galadriel’s arrows had ceased flying as the queen feared hitting 
those who had plunged into blaze, and Elenath still was not close 
enough to use her sword. She nocked one of the precious arrows 
given her by Haldir and took careful aim at the dragon’s heart. 
Her aim was off once again, and the arrow struck it in the eye. 
Aiming lower the next time, it struck the neck. Then she 
managed to lodge an arrow just beneath its wing. The princess’ 
heart pounded in her chest as fire sprung up all around them and 
she nearly wept with thanksgiving that they could feel neither 
flame nor heat and could not even smell the putrid smoke that 
the dragon fire produced. Pulling her final arrow back, she prayed 
as her honor guard continued to sing. “Careful,” she told herself. 
“Careful…” Finally she let fly and the arrow found its mark. 
 
With a thunderous noise, the great lizard roared, producing even 
more fire as it fell onto its side on the ground, still thrashing 
about wildly. 
 
“How does one put a dragon out of its misery?” thought Elenath, 
loathing to see the great beast suffer so, no matter how evil it 
was. 
 
“Take its head,” came Galadriel’s calm reply in her mind. 
 
That meant getting very near those sharp teeth and the source of 
all the fire. Looking around at her honor guard, she stopped their 
forward march, surprised to see an extra Man on horseback with 
them. For a moment, he was unfamiliar, but then she looked 
closer and dismounted at once, falling on her face before him. 
 
She had forgotten this part of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, 
and Abednego; the part where the Lord walked with them 
through the flames. Yet there he was, riding on a white horse, 
his eyes full of love and of righteous anger. An air of authority 
surrounded him as he addressed her guard. “Flee now before the 
fire begins to burn. Elenath must face this last challenge alone. 
She will slay the dragon.” 
 
“But Lord, we cannot,” said David, “We swore to protect her and 
her weapon even at the cost of our lives!” 
 
“My brave warriors,” he said as the dragon once again sprayed 
them with flame, reigniting the grass and trees around them, 
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for 
his friends. Yet at this time I do not require such sacrifice from 
you. Heed my command and go! You have other work to do 
now.” 
 
They looked questioningly at Elenath who stared back at them in 
disbelief. “GO! If the Lord says go, then go!” 
 
With that they fled, retreating just as the hottest breath yet 
escaped the dying dragon’s mouth. 
 
Jesus turned to the princess and helped her to her feet, sending 
her horse racing also after her honor guard. “Now, Child, go and 
do that which the sword commands even now. It will guide you 
well.” 
 
“Please,” she asked, “Please, My Lord, how fares Legolas?” 
 
He shook his head. “He fades quickly, Beloved. But your friends 
saw me here long before you did, and I told them how they 
might save him. They race to his side even now and I hope that 
they are not too late. Only My Father knows for sure if he will 
live.” 
 
“I did not forget you,” she whispered, “I’ve heard and recognized 
your voice, My Lord, and I-“ 
 
“I know,” he said, embracing her tenderly. “I love you My Child. 
Fear not, for we shall meet again…” 
 
With that he faded away and she gripped the Sword, heeding its 
command to race forward toward the dragon’s snapping teeth 
and smoking nostrils.
***********************
Chapter 53
To Elenath’s surprise, the dragon calmed as she neared, lifting its 
head with the last bit of strength it had. Narrowing its remaining 
beady red eye, it looked her up and down and began to growl 
softly. 
 
“Now there are females slaying dragons, eh? I see you are well 
armed for the task, my beautiful one.” 
 
“I came here to put you out of your misery,” she said, looking 
the dragon in the eye. “Are you prepared to die?” 
 
The dragon chuckled and leered, great clouds of smoke wafting 
from its nostrils. “I have a better idea, my dear Elf. Help me, for 
I know that Elves have great healing powers, and I will see to it 
that Mirkwood is never again disturbed by any foe, beast or 
otherwise.” 
 
“I would no sooner help you than stab myself in the foot,” she 
replied, “I’ll not have my child grow up in a kingdom protected by 
a dragon.” 
 
“Ah, but my dear, you do not yet realize what all I can do for 
you! Dragons are quite magical. I can make you queen over all of 
the Elven realms – the most powerful Elf in all of middle earth. 
How would you like that?” 
 
She glared at the beast. “I do not desire power, Worm. Not from 
you.” 
 
The beast snaked its head around. “Then what is it you do 
desire? To be my queen perhaps?” He licked his lips. “I believe 
you would be… quite … tasty.” 
 
Elenath’s stomach turned. “You flatter yourself,” she said. 
 
“Ah, but there is one who you love. One who is in mortal danger 
even now. I can fix that for you, my dear; bring him back from 
the brink of death with just a single drop of my blood.” 
 
Her eyes widened. “You could save Legolas?” The Sword burned 
in her hand. 
 
“I could save him and see to it that no harm ever befall him or 
you… or your child.” 
 
She thought of her husband fighting for his life back in the 
palace. What would he want? To live and see his child grow up 
with the threat of dragon attack or to die knowing that the 
dragon had been slain. If it were her… well, the choice was 
obvious, and echoed by the shouts of her sword. “The dragon is a 
liar! Do not listen to him!” 
 
“No more of your worthless offers, Dragon,” she said, stepping 
forward. “I will not help you.“ 
 
The beast bared its ugly teeth and took a rasping breath. “Even 
your pregnancy cannot protect you from my fire.” 
 
“Perhaps not, but my Lord can! Let’s get this over with. I would 
like to be able to say goodbye to my husband if indeed his cause 
is so hopeless.” 
 
She lunged forward, slashing furiously as the dragon tried once 
again unsuccessfully to barbeque her. It was a fierce battle, but 
the dragon was already near death and the sword almost seemed 
to fight for the exhausted princess. When she finally slit its throat 
and decapitated the beast, she was so fatigued that she could 
barely stand. 
 
With sheer force of will, she emerged from the patch of burning 
forest to find the ragged remnants of the orkish armies scattering 
in confusion, routed by brave Elven warriors. The battle was won! 
For that, tears of joy mingled with those of worry for her 
husband. But where was her horse? Shrugging away her 
weariness, she started toward the palace, stumbling and tripping 
all the way until Raion came upon her on the road. 
 
“Your Majesty!” he exclaimed, dismounting and lifting her into his 
strong arms. “You were believed dead. Mirkwood mourns for you 
even now! Are you wounded?” He took in the sight of her, 
covered in dragon blood and grime. 
 
“No, Raion, I am not wounded. And I assure you that I am very 
much alive. What of Legolas?” 
 
“He needs you,” said the warrior simply, gently placing her on his 
horse and swinging up behind her. She leaned back into him, 
barely able to hold her head up. 
 
“Forgive me,” she whispered. “I have never been so exhausted.” 
 
The Elf tightened his grip around her with one arm and took off 
at full speed toward the palace. 
 
*** 
 
Legolas lay pale and weak upon one of many beds that had been 
set up in the Great Hall, surrounded by Elenath’s honor guard 
who stood around him singing at the top of their lungs, their 
hands gently resting upon his cool skin. The arrow had been 
removed and the bleeding stopped, but he still teetered on the 
line between life and death. They protected him fiercely from 
what they knew must be the false rumor of Elenath’s death, 
knowing that even that could force his health in the wrong 
direction and they could lose him forever. 
 
“What news of my wife?” he whispered once when his eyes 
flickered open. “My wife and child… are they well?” 
 
“She has not yet returned, Your Highness,” answered David, “But 
yes, I believe they are well.” 
 
He nodded. “Wake me, my friend. Wake me when she arrives. 
Please.” 
 
“Of course,” replied David as an Elf distraught with worry 
approached them. 
 
“Is it true? Please tell me that it is not. Tell me that Elenath is 
not dead!!” 
 
Susan grabbed the Elf and dragged her away, cursing as she 
went. “You fool! The prince lingers on the brink of death waiting 
for news of his beloved. He has no desire to live if she does not. 
You may have just killed him!” 
 
“Dead?” asked Legolas, his eyes flying open. “Dead?” 
 
“No!” said Marcus, “She lives. I can feel it.” 
 
Tears formed in the prince’s eyes. “Elenath… I cannot go on 
without you… Life is meaningless without you in it…” 
 
“Dude, listen to me!” he shouted. “She lives! I swear it!” 
 
Legolas’ head fell over to one side, his breath faltering a little. “I 
only want to be where she is…” 
 
“Legolas! Dude, don’t you dare leave us! Do you want her to 
come back here and find you dead? You made it this far. Fight! 
Don’t do this to her!” He shook the prince by his shoulders. 
 
Legolas’ eyes flickered open. “I am so weary of life,” he 
whispered, “Weary of the pain. Weary of the uncertainty. I 
cannot face it without my wife.” 
 
“Look,” said Marcus, “Legolas, hang on, okay? Sing with us a 
while. It will make you feel better, and your wife will be here 
before you know it.” 
 
The young Man was taken aback by how childlike the Elf looked 
at that moment. Legolas blinked up at him. “Can you give me 
your word on that?” 
 
/Anything,/ thought Marcus. /Anything to keep the prince alive./ 
“Yes. I give you my word.” 
 
The prince nodded and softly joined in the song that Elenath’s 
honor guard was singing. 
 
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 
 
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; 
 
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 
 
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; 
 
So shall I be saved from my enemies. 
 
“The pangs of death surrounded me, 
 
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. 
 
The sorrows of hell surrounded me; 
 
The snares of death confronted me. 
 
In my distress I called upon the Lord, 
 
And cried out to my God; 
 
He heard my voice from His temple, 
 
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears…” 
 
This went on for a few minutes until the prince’s strength 
seemingly gave out and his lips stopped moving. 
 
“Legolas?” asked David, leaning near. “Legolas?” 
 
The Prince did not respond. His breathing had grown very shallow 
and his lips were beginning to turn blue. 
 
At that moment, Raion burst though the doors with Elenath in his 
arms, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Prince Legolas, I have 
your wife and she lives! She lives, Your Highness!!” 
 
That got a response from the Prince. His eyes flickered open and 
he fought to draw a full breath. Letting it out he croaked, 
“Elenath?” 
 
She struggled from Raion’s arms, tossing bits and pieces of her 
armor aside as she stumbled toward her husband. She needed to 
feel his warmth next to her; needed to feel the shape of his body 
against hers, so the armor had to go. It made horrendous 
clashing noises as it hit the floor. Finally all that remained were 
her long tunic and breeches. They were stained with dragon 
blood and soaked with sweat, but she didn’t care. She broke 
through the circle of her young friends and gathered Legolas into 
her arms, smothering him in kisses and practically drowning him 
with her tears. “Tell me you’re still alive,” she whispered, 
“Please, Legolas, tell me I’m not too late.” 
 
“Somebody said you were dead,” he whispered. “Oh, Elenath. I 
lost all hope, but your friends… they begged me to hold on…” His 
hand came up to rest on her belly. “Cormamin lindua ele llie (My 
heart sings to see you both).” 
 
The princess smiled. “Oio naa elealla alasse (Ever is your sight a 
joy), Legolas.” 
 
Elrond and his honor guard clamored into the room at that 
moment, and he came at once to Legolas’ bedside, embracing 
both the prince and princess at once and speaking words of 
healing over them. “Was the arrow poisoned?” asked the Lord of 
Rivendell, concern showing bright in his eyes. 
 
“It was not, My Lord,” replied one of the healers who had tended 
the prince’s wound. “In fact,” she produced the arrow from a 
nearby shelf. “This was one of our own arrows.” 
 
Elenath looked closely at it. “One of my arrows?” 
 
“It appears to be so,” replied Elrond, “Though it could not have 
been shot by you.” He checked the Prince’s wound gently. “You 
rode behind Legolas and this entered from the side. Did you fire 
any of your own arrows, Granddaughter?” 
 
She nodded. “Two. I panicked and shot them at the dragon, but 
they were deflected.” 
 
“Lucky you did,” said Elrond. “Some orc must have picked it up 
and fired it instead of one of their own. If Legolas had been 
poisoned… well… it would all be over.” 
 
Elenath gave her husband a little hug. He was still weak and 
listless in her arms, though he gazed up at her with such joy that 
it was easy to forget he was wounded. “Will he be okay, 
Grandfather?” 
 
Elrond finished examining the wound and looked into the Prince’s 
eyes, checking his pulse. Finally he smiled. “Yes. It will take a 
few days, but Legolas is going to be just fine. Now if you’ll 
excuse me, there are others who need my help.” 
 
“What happened to you, Melamin?” asked Legolas after a 
moment as he gazed happily into her eyes. “It looks like you’ve 
been fighting a dragon or something.” 
 
She chuckled tiredly. “Yeah. Something like that. The crazy beast 
tried to talk me into marrying him.” 
 
He grimaced with a sudden wave of pain and relaxed when it 
passed. “Never talk to a dragon,” he said. 
 
“I won’t,” she promised. “Never again. Now let’s get you back to 
our chambers. You’ll be more comfortable there and I can take a 
long bath.” 
 
“Let me help,” offered Estel with a smile, seeming to appear out 
of nowhere with the warriors from Rivendell and Lothlorien. “I am 
overjoyed to see you both alive.” He picked Legolas up from his 
bed and followed Elenath slowly down the corridor. 
 
“Were there many casualties, Estel?” she asked hesitantly. 
 
“Many wounded,” he replied, “None mortally.” 
 
“Dead?” 
 
The Man actually laughed. “Not one has been reported dead, My 
Lady. Not even one.” 
 
Breathing a sigh of relief, she looked heavenward and whispered, 
“Diolla lle, Yeshua (Thank you Jesus).” 
 
*** 
 
Early the following summer, Elenath gave birth to a healthy baby 
girl at Rivendell. So great was their joy that the prince and 
princess of Mirkwood named their daughter Lalaithwen which 
means “laughter.” They fell in love with the child at once, 
especially Legolas who marveled at the baby’s bright blue-green 
eyes and tiny pointed ears. He never missed an opportunity to 
show his daughter off to anyone who would look. 
 
All of the princess’ young friends had returned home through 
Andotempla, and throughout the years, the guards of Mirkwood 
often found curious packages there bearing strange foods, 
photographs, and letters. Once they had even found a piece of 
wedding cake with a photo tucked into an envelope underneath. 
Elenath had wept tears of joy when she opened the envelope to 
see a picture of Marcus and Susan on their wedding day. When 
she showed it to the king, he called for a grand feast to celebrate 
the joining of these two great heroes. 
 
David and Kara were married five years after Lalaithwen’s birth, 
with Pastor Mike performing the ceremony. He had settled in 
Mirkwood with his wife and daughter. 
 
Princess Elenath slowly remembered all of her previous life and 
fell more in love with Prince Legolas every day. As for the Prince, 
his feelings grew even stronger than he had ever believed 
possible, both toward his wife and his daughter. He was so joyful 
that it was more common to find him singing than to find him 
silent. 
 
For many years, the wood was safe from orcs. The trees grew 
and sang in the breezes, and the road to Rivendell was well 
traveled by all sorts. It was not until many years later when 
some of the former darkness returned to Mirkwood that a Hobbit 
named Bilbo Baggins wondered into the wood. 
 
But even then, Legolas and Elenath lived happily ever after, for 
they had one another. 
 
THE END.