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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Chapter 9

"WHAT?" Demanded David. Much to Elenath's amusement, there was a great 
deal of relief evident in the Sensei's face, along with the surprise.

She laughed. "Even you can't hide how relieved you are, David. 
Sometimes I think that you take your self-imposed duty a little bit too 
seriously. You don't want to get married any more than I want to eat a 
big 'ol 
bowl of lima beans."

He looked sheepishly up at her and shrugged. "Well, if I had to get 
married, I would want you to be my wife."

She motioned to his chair, "I'll take that as a compliment from you. 
Have a seat, and I'll tell you everything."

"First of all I want to know if you're happy and who you've married," 
he said, settling back in his chair and shaking his head. "You've only 
been here for a couple of days. What was it, an arranged marriage?"

Elenath looked over at the Prince and smiled. "Yes, I am very, very 
happy. David, please meet my husband, Prince Legolas, heir to the 
throne 
of Mirkwood." She smiled and motioned to the Elf who had only just 
recovered from the shock of watching someone propose to his wife.

David was mortified. His head dropped into his hands. "I tried to kill 
your husband. Then I proposed to you right in front of him. Summer, I 
am so sorry. Prince Legolas..." He could do nothing but shake his head. 
"Please accept my apology."

Legolas would have forgiven almost anything at that moment, having 
heard Elenath's declaration of happiness. He shook his head. "You 
thought 
that Elenath was in danger, and you wanted to protect her. I would have 
done the same."

"What is that you just called her?" asked David.

"Elenath. Among the Elves, her name is Elenath. It means..." he thought 
for a moment. "The closest translation would be 'night sky' or 'the 
stars.'"

David looked over at Elenath for a long moment. He had never seen her 
look so beautiful, the roses matching the slight blush in her cheeks; 
her skin seeming to shimmer in the sunlight that streamed into the 
chamber. "Elenath..." he chuckled. "I wish that jerk who stood you up 
for the 
prom could see you now."

She just laughed. "Me too, I must admit." And she spent the next two 
hours explaining everything she had learned since her arrival in 
Mirkwood.

"I always knew you were a fairy princess," David said when she had 
finished.

"Elven princess," she corrected him with a grin.

At that moment a maidservant appeared in the doorway of the chamber and 
spoke softly, "The one called Kara is awake."

Elenath leapt to her feet. "Excuse me," she bowed to David and reached 
out her hands to the Prince. "I will return to the feast as soon as I 
am able."

They watched her leave the room, her step hurried and full of concern 
for her friend.

David turned to Legolas. "You are one very lucky Elf," he said, 
merriment in his eyes, "I hope that you're worthy of her."

"I hope so too." Legolas was dead serious. "Thank you for looking after 
her on the other side of the Gate."

"It was my honor," replied David, "and my pleasure. In fact, I plan to 
continue looking after her, and if you ever do anything to hurt her - 
Your Highness - so help me, I'll kill you." With that he bowed and 
walked away, smiling as the Prince's laughter echoed down the corridor. 
They 
understood each other very well, it seemed.

***

Kara was out of bed dressed in an Elven gown when Elenath arrived at 
her chamber. The swelling in her face had gone down considerably and 
the 
bruises were barely visible. In her three years of nursing at the local 
hospital, Elenath had never seen anything like it.

"Elvish medicine must be powerful stuff," she said softly and her 
friend spun around and launched herself at her, hugging her so tightly 
she 
could not breathe.

"Summer? Look at you!" she exclaimed. "You're wearing a dress!"

Elenath laughed. "That's the same thing David said when he saw me. I 
didn't realize how shocking that would be to you guys."

"You look absolutely radiant," she added, sitting down on the bed.

"You don't look half bad yourself," replied Elenath. 

Kara looked into a mirror and shook her head. "So what is this place? 
Are we in Heaven?"

"I wondered the same thing when I woke up here. No, we're not in 
Heaven."

"Elves, Summer? You went off to search for Elves..."

"I know it must have sounded crazy to you-"

"You went off searching for Elves and you left me behind?!"

Elenath smiled at her friend. "I did, and it's one of the stupidest 
things I've ever done. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you."

"Well, have you found them?"

"Yes. This is their king's palace." Elenath took a deep breath. "Oh, 
Kara, what happened to you? Who gave you those bruises?"

She shook her head bitterly. "My husband did."

"Kyle?!"

"Yes, Kyle. The jerk. I can't believe it. He was so nice before we got 
married... Then on the honeymoon cruise he started getting weird. Our 
first night back home I was so tired and I didn't want to... and he 
did... and he beat the crap out of me." She bravely choked back a sob. 
"But 
I held my own. I'm still alive anyway."

Elenath's heart went out to her friend. Kyle had seemed like a perfect 
gentleman. Every girl's idea of a knight in shining armor. "Oh, 
Kara..." She held her friend in a comforting hug.

"I ran out of the house and got in the car - Thank God we only have one 
- and came right over to your Grandma's houuse. I was pretty sure you'd 
be there and not at your apartment since she's been so sick." Kara's 
tears were really flowing now. "I... I'm sorry to hear that she died," 
she said and broke down sobbing.

"Shhh.... Kara, it's okay. You're safe now..."

"I found your note there and just passed out right on the kitchen 
floor. That's where David found me the next morning."

A stab of guilt seared through Elenath's heart and she also began to 
cry. "Oh Kara, I'm so sorry. After all of the times you've been there 
for 
me and the one time you need me I've run off looking for Elves!"

With that, the girls looked at each other and laughed through their 
tears. "Elves!"

"I thought you'd lost your mind for sure," Kara hiccupped.

"I think I did there for a while. How else could I have left the way 
that I did?" sniffled Elenath. "But then I found myself here... and... 
it's so wonderful. Please tell me you'll stay here forever with me. 
Kyle 
can't find you here and David has already agreed to stay."

"Are you kidding?" she asked, "You think I'd leave the Garden of Eden 
to go back to that pit we came from? Of course I'll stay." 

"You seem to think that Middle Earth is a perfect paradise," came a 
quiet voice from the doorway.

"Uncle Thorondil!"

He smiled a little sadly, holding a sheathed sword in his hand. "The 
realm of Northern Mirkwood is indeed a wonderful and beautiful place, 
and 
you are safe here. However, beyond the borders, there are many dangers 
and much evil. We never leave Thranduil's kingdom unarmed. Indeed it is 
wise to carry a weapon any time you leave the palace."

"Legolas told me about the orcs," said Elenath, trying to hide her 
tears, wiping them away. 

"He was wise to do so. There are orcs and there are other creatures who 
will kill anything they can get their hands on. Here." He handed her 
the weapon in his hand. "You proved this morning that you have at least 
a 
basic knowledge of sword technique, even without remembering all of the 
years that you trained with me. Keep it at your side at all times."

She pulled the blade from its sheath and was in awe of its beauty. It 
shone brighter than silver or gold and had swirling patterns engraved 
on 
the hilt. "It's beautiful, and light as a feather. Is it strong?"

"Much stronger than the weapon you arrived with, and much sharper. It 
will do until the sword that really belongs to you can be retrieved 
from 
Rivendell."

She looked at him, questioning. "Rivendell?"

"The place of your birth. Prince Legolas sent our fastest riders out 
this morning. They should be back in four weeks' time if they are not 
attacked or held up. And if your Grandfather Lord Elrond does not 
insist 
they stay for a time. He is renowned for his hospitality. One day soon, 
we shall take you to visit him."

With that he stood up and left the room, leaving Kara gaping at the 
doorway. "That's your Uncle?"

Elenath nodded.

"He doesn't look any older than me!" she said.

"He's about five thousand years old," smiled Elenath and began to 
explain everything she had just told to David. 

She had just finished telling Kara about Legolas with many blushes and 
giggles when the Prince arrived at the door with an apologetic look on 
his face.

"I am sorry to intrude," he said, "But if you do not object my father 
requests your presence in the great hall. Many are asking after their 
Princess. And... David and I have a gift for you, Kara."

Elenath stood up. "Yes, of course. We'll be right there. I'm sorry I 
was gone so long."

He smiled and took her hand. Brushing his lips across the back of it he 
sighed, "Lle naa vanima, merilamin," before taking his leave.

To her surprise, she understood him and a deep blush crept into her 
cheeks.

"What did he say?" whispered Kara when he had gone.

Elenath just sighed.

"You'd better tell me or else I'll ... I'll do something horrible to 
you in the middle of the night!"

She laughed. "Okay, okay. He said, 'You are beautiful, My Rose.'"

Kara sighed. "So... um... does this Prince of yours have a brother?"

Elenath shook her head. "Come on. Let's go... You won't believe the 
party that's waiting for us."


************************************************

Chapter 10.

Elenath felt that life could not be any more perfect. She swept into 
the Great Hall with her best friend at her side, laughing at Kara's 
description of David's reaction to being taken captive by Elves.

"Really, it was hilarious," she said. "He was like, 'What is this? 
Don't point that thing at me pretty boy! Where is Summer? I demand to 
see 
Summer!"

Their bubbling laughter echoed though the Hall as Legolas and David met 
them at the entrance and escorted them to their seats at the great 
banqueting table. 

Kara's eyes grew large. "Wow! This really is like heaven. You know... 
like that Bible Verse about the banquet hall..."

Elenath nodded, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Song 
of Songs Chapter 2 Verse 3... 
'Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest
is my lover among the young men.'"
She looked up into Legolas' eyes. "'I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
He has taken me to the banquet hall, 
and his banner over me is love. 
Strengthen me with raisins,
refresh me with apples,
for I am faint with love.'" 

"You will have to sing this Song of Songs for me," Legolas whispered in 
Elenath's ear, so quietly that only she could hear him. 

"I will... sometime," she answered equally softly. The memory of the 
waterfall became clearer at his whisper.

He smiled as Kara swatted her. "I only meant the part about the banquet 
hall! You love-sick thing you!"

Elenath was not in the least bit surprised when Legolas handed her both 
apples and raisins during the feast.

After they had eaten, the merriment began anew as a small group of 
Elven craftsmen presented Kara with the most beautifully ornate guitar 
she 
had ever seen. 

Elenath was so excited that she jumped up and down and clapped. "It 
will be just like old times!"

Kara could only thank the Elves again and again and was otherwise 
speechless. She set about tuning it at once.

"David showed us how to make it," they said. "A most interesting 
instrument. Will you play for us?"

She nodded. "If you like, I'll play a song from where I was born." 
Grinning, she added, "Elenath will dance."

"I'll what?" she asked. "No way!"

Kara played a bar or two of lively Mexican music, stopping to fine-tune 
the strings. The guitar had a bit of an other-worldly resonance to it 
but the intonation and quality of sound were perfect. "Yes you will. 
Ever since I taught you Flamenco, you have said you wanted to dance it 
for 
your husband one day. Well, today is the day!"

She looked down at herself. "I can't Flamenco in this!"

"Sure you can." She set the guitar aside and got up to assess the 
situation. "The skirt is plenty full enough. Look." She took the 
silver-flecked overskirt and held it out to demonstrate. "All you need 
is..." She 
gently removed the roses and took the hair tie out of her own hair, 
using it to put Elenath's hair in a loose bun, revealing the smooth 
curves 
of her neck and shoulders. The Elves looked on, intrigued. "And 
maybe..." Kara stepped back for a moment and looked. "Just a little..." 
Reaching forward with a sly grin, she slid the loose straps of 
Elenath's 
dress just barely off her shoulders.

"Kara!" Elenath was bright red. 

"Well," Kara defended herself, "You can't Flamenco with your shoulders 
all covered up like that. Ruins the whole mood. Okay, ready!" She 
clapped her hands as if she were a dance instructor lining her pupils 
up for 
recital.

Elenath reluctantly assumed the starting position for the dance she had 
done so many times in the privacy of her own apartment over the past 
few years. She took a deep breath.

The music started and she stepped forward toward the Prince, 
immediately losing herself in the rhythm. The music seemed to move her. 
The sweep 
of her skirt, punctuated clapping of her hands, and flirtatious glances 
into Legolas' eyes as she danced around him combined to awe both the 
Elves and Kara who had never seen her friend dance like this. 

As Legolas stood watching her, he had to fight for control of himself. 
This was a dangerous dance - a dance full of passion. No wonder she had 
saved it for her husband and no one else. Elenath had not even touched 
him. Not even once. Yet his skin felt as if it were on fire and he 
longed to take her in his arms. He was at once relieved and 
disappointed 
when the music ended and she stopped in a symphony of cheers and shouts 
for more from the Elves. 

Legolas put that to a stop, however, saying a bit shakily, "I think... 
that is enough of that... for now."

The hall filled with laughter and he drew her close and kissed her 
gently. "Diola Lle (thank you) Elenath. Lle sana thulamin odamin (You 
take 
my breath away)."

"Ta nae amin seasa (It was my pleasure)," she replied.

"You are remembering our language," he said. "Soon you will remember 
me."

"There is no need for remembering, Legolas. You have already captured 
my heart."
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Chapter 11.

Scarcely a week had passed since the celebration of Elenath's return to 
Mirkwood. A week spent in learning about the new world around her, 
taking moonlit walks with her mother and father, and starlit walks with 
Prince Legolas. She began to learn the Elven arts of war and to teach 
Thorondil a few things about Jui Juitsu. And she watched the Prince; 
indeed 
she could not take her eyes off of him. It did not matter if he was in 
council with his father and his advisors, singing merry songs with his 
friends, helping with everyday Palace tasks, taking his own lessons 
with Thorondil, or simply resting beneath a tree. He was exquisite... 
beautiful in spirit and in body. Often she would wake in the middle of 
the 
night to hear him singing to her, though he always remained out of 
sight. He sang of the love they had shared, the places they had been, 
the 
sweet passionate secrets they had learned in one another's arms. Though 
her mind remembered none of it, she knew that her spirit must. For 
whenever he came near, her heart warmed. When he was away, she longed 
for 
him and especially for his sweet kisses, which he gave in plenty 
whenever they found a moment by themselves.

"My Beloved," he called her, "My love, my beautiful princess, my 
life..." The passion in his eyes was unmistakable, yet each night he 
left her 
at the door to her room with a gentle kiss and the same request, "Seek 
me out when you wake, my love. I shall count the moments until I see 
you again."

A mere week it had been since she first saw him, yet she could not 
imagine her life without him. Her prince, her beloved, her life. She 
laughed as she walked through the wood that morning thinking of the 
looks on 
the King's advisors' faces yesterday when Legolas left them 
mid-sentence to present her with a particularly lovely wildflower. He 
had 
whispered something outrageous in her ear before taking his leave and 
she had 
blushed. What had he called her? Oh, yes. "Lothamin; My Flower." He had 
whispered, "I could not have created one more perfect than you, 
Lothamin," as he let his eyes roam over her body. She blushed again 
just 
thinking about it.  

Her life in Mirkwood was like a wonderful dream. Only one thing ever 
troubled her and that was her confusion regarding her faith. It was 
this 
confusion that had woken her this morning and driven her out of the 
safe haven of Thranduil's kingdom. She was beginning to come to terms 
with 
the fact that she was not human, not a descendent of Adam and Eve. Who 
then was she? What was her place in God's Kingdom? Did Jesus die for 
the Elves too, or were Elves beyond the need for such a sacrifice? The 
only thing she knew for sure in her heart was that God created 
everything 
and that He still reigned over all. She clung to that knowledge and 
often quoted the Psalmist who said, "Let everything that has breath 
praise 
the Lord." 

"While I yet have breath," she sang, "I will praise the Lord..."
Her song was disrupted by the sound of hoof beats in the wood that grew 
rapidly nearer. She looked around and realized how far from home she 
was, but before she had time to even think about hiding, three Elven 
riders galloped by, followed by a fourth rider - a Man - who somehow 
managed to reach down and take hold of her as he raced past, hauling 
her up 
and slinging her over his saddle. Dirt kicked up by the horse's hoofs 
smacked her in the face as the trees streaked by.

"Let go of me!" she shrieked. "Who do you think you are?"

The rider said nothing but held onto her tightly so she would not fall. 
She struggled in his grip.

"Be still!" he commanded in a gruff voice.

For five minutes, she bounced around on the saddle, her ribs screaming 
their protest. Finally, he reigned his horse sharply in the Palace 
courtyard, dismounted, and set Elenath gently on her feet.

She spun around in a rage, catching him across the face with a backhand 
that sent him reeling for a moment. Staggering back, he reached for 
her. "Stop! I-"

"Don't you touch me!" she shouted as a large group of Elves came 
running.

"But I-" he tried to reach for her again and she kicked him sharply in 
the shin. 

"I'm warning you!"

Finally, he got the hint and stood back, staring at her.

She regarded him with a mixture of contempt and curiosity. His 
shoulder-length brown hair was a mess, one of his eyes already 
beginning to 
blacken from her strike. Unshaven and a little ragged, he appeared to 
be 
somewhere between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five. It was hard 
to tell. He stood there with his hands up, staring at her.

"Stand down, Elenath," chuckled Legolas as he came up behind her. 
"Estel will not harm you."

"Elenath?" spoke the Man. "This is Elenath?" He stepped forward again 
but stopped dead at one glance from her.

"Don't even think about it," she said.

Estel chuckled. "If what Lord Elrond has told me is true, then she 
hasn't changed a bit, Prince Legolas."

The two shared a short embrace.

"What happened?" asked the Prince.

"We were being pursued by a band of orcs," he said, "And were almost to 
the safety of your realm when I saw this vision of beauty standing in 
the wood." He turned his attention to Elenath. "You should not wonder 
outside the borders of Northern Mirkwood alone or unarmed, My Lady. I 
couldn't just leave you there-"

"So you yanked me off the spot where I stood with no explanation or 
apology," she said. "Look, Estel, or whatever your name is, I don't 
know 
who you are or where you come from-"

He bowed. "Forgive me, Princess. My name is Aragorn; known to the Elves 
as Estel. I rode out three weeks ago from Rivendell under the authority 
of Lord Elrond."

"On what business?" she demanded.

"To bring you this." He held out a sword sheathed in a scabbard so 
ornate that she knew it must be worth more than her grandmother's whole 
house. Bedecked with stunning metalwork and precious stones, it glinted 
in 
the sun and seemed to whisper her name. It was almost like seeing a 
long lost friend. She reached out her hands to take it, but Legolas 
stopped her.

"Now is not the time, My Love. Trust me." He took the blade and put it 
carefully aside. "Estel, how did Elrond hear of the Princess' return?"

"Gandalf felt that she would soon come home. They sent me out from 
Rivendell at once, Prince Legolas. Princess Elenath is in grave danger 
and 
she must have her weapon at her side."

Legolas pulled her possessively nearer to himself, brushing his fingers 
lightly through her hair. "What do you mean?"

Estel sighed. "The orcs have learned of her return and have chosen a 
new leader. A great band of them pursued us to the edge of your 
kingdom. 
They cried her name in rage when they saw us, Legolas. They have only 
one thing on their mind, and that is revenge."



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