TITLE: ELLIE'S CHOICE 

AUTHOR: A.K.  

RATING: NC-17 (or R) for sexuality (Chapters 6 and 9) 

DISCLAIMER: I own my original characters Elanae and Jamie, the Ilissans, and 
Ravenwood and Ravenskeep. Everything else belongs to Tolkien.  

FEEDBACK: Most welcome (akolluri@msn.com)! But please be kind--this is my first 
ever fanfiction. Thank you!  

CHAPTER SEVEN: The Journey Onward 

A much calmer Ellie returned to the campsite just before dawn. The others were asleep, 
but Legolas was not. He was sitting perfectly still, as if frozen, with his head bent back 
against the rock wall and his long legs stretched before him. She went and stood by his 
side, and because she couldn’t stop herself, she softly traced his chiseled jaw with one 
finger. The Elf closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then turned his head to meet her 
eyes. For a long moment, the two of them studied each other in silence. Then he smiled 
tenderly at her. 
Ellie was relieved. “You are not angry with me anymore?” she whispered, as she sat 
down next to him. 
The Elf shook his head. “I had no right to get angry with you in the first place. The truth 
is, I was not angry for long. You were honest with me, Ellie, and I appreciate that. And I 
respect you for holding true to your beliefs, even if I cannot agree with them.” 
Ellie smiled sadly. Never before had her “beliefs” weighed so heavily on her heart. But 
she had sworn after her mother had died that she would remain faithful to her Ilissan 
heritage, and she would not break that vow—not for Legolas, not even for Jamie if and 
when the time came for them to part. And then, because she felt she owed him this much, 
she said, “I want you to know, Legolas, that I understand what you were trying to tell me. 
I understand.” She laid her hand on his arm and looked up at him, “And I thank you for 
understanding me.” 
As Legolas looked down at her solemn face, he silently vowed that he would never allow 
himself to be alone with Ellie again. For he knew that he would not be able to resist 
making her his, whatever the consequences.  
 
  
 
 
The journey of the Fellowship became even more perilous in the days that followed. For 
just as they were about to set out that morning, a flock of crebain spies darkened the sky. 
Gandalf now knew that their planned route was being watched. So he decided to lead the 
travelers over the frozen mountain pass on Caradhras instead. 
The climb to the pass was a difficult one. Ellie and Legolas were unaffected by the cold, 
but the others in the group were not so fortunate. The hobbits and Jamie in particular 
were in real danger of freezing to death. Ellie did what she could to radiate her heat into 
the young boy’s body as she held him closely, but even with the Elf at her side trying to 
help, she could do nothing to prevent them from sinking into the deep snow with every 
step they took. For although she was as light on her feet as Legolas, she was unable to 
carry the boy, and the Elf alone could not keep Jamie warm enough. Finally, after an 
avalanche buried them all before they were able to reach the pass, Gandalf admitted 
defeat and the Fellowship turned back. They decided to try to go through the Mines of 
Moria next. 
The Fellowship did not arrive at the outer walls of Moria until after dusk. It was a bleak, 
forbidding place, and a strong sense of foreboding began to invade Ellie’s mind as they 
made their approach around a large, murky lake. There was great danger here—both 
inside the mines and in the water. Ellie could feel it. 
“Legolas…” she began fearfully. 
“I know, little one, I feel it too.” 
She grabbed hold of Jamie’s hand and moved them both closer to the Elf’s side. When 
Aragorn set Bill the pony free, Ellie couldn’t help wishing that she could leave this place 
with him. 
Her fears were well founded, for no sooner had they stepped inside the mines than they 
found the floor littered with the remains of dozens of dwarves. Then, just as they began to 
back out, a beast from the lake attacked Frodo, and they were forced back into the 
dreadful mines again, only to be trapped there by a rock-slide. They had no choice now 
but to travel through the dark heart of Moria, and Ellie’s spirits plummeted. Legolas 
found a couple of short swords amid the dwarven remains and handed them to her. “For 
you and the boy, should the need arise.” Something told her that it would. 
Later that night they made camp at the top of a long, steep flight of stairs. As Jamie 
settled his head on Ellie’s lap, he asked her to sing him to sleep—something he hadn’t 
done since he was a very young boy. Ellie’s feelings were bittersweet as she recalled 
those nights of long ago, and cradling his head tenderly, she began to sing in a clear, but 
soft voice that would not carry far. She sang of a mother’s love and the innocence of 
childhood, of friendship shared and simple joys. And as she sang and lulled the boy to 
sleep, her heart and soul were bared for all to see. 
When she fell silent, Gandalf spoke for everyone, “That was beautiful, Ellie.” 
She raised wistful eyes to his. “My mother used to sing those songs to me when I was a 
child.” 
“You must have been very lonely after she passed away,” the wizard replied. 
“Lonely for my own kind, yes. There were no other Ilissans in Ravenwood. But I was 
never alone. I have had good friends.” She looked down at the sleeping boy and her 
wistful eyes became sadder. “It is a difficult thing, watching people you care about grow 
old and die.” 
Legolas spoke up, “In Lothlorien you will be among your own kind too—and Elves don’t 
die.” 
Ellie turned to him, a surprised look on her face, as his words reminded her that she was 
probably half-Elven. She nodded slowly. “Yes…that is so…” 
“You are almost certain to meet your father, if he is a Lothlorien Elf,” he continued. 
“And it was your mother who sent you there,” he added with a pointed look. 
The girl’s eyes grew wide at his implication that her mother would deliberately have sent 
her to her father. That thought had simply not occurred to her before. “He may not 
remember my mother,” she finally whispered. “It was so long ago.” 
Legolas snorted in a most un-Elflike way. “If she was anything like you, he’ll 
remember.” The others chuckled.  
 
 
The next few days passed without incident, as the wary travelers quietly walked and 
climbed through the dark corridors of Moria and remained undetected by the foul 
creatures that inhabited its cavernous depths. But on the fourth day they were viciously 
attacked. 
Trapped inside Balin’s Tomb in the great dwarf city, the eleven companions had to face 
an army of bloodthirsty Orcs and one enraged cave troll. Ellie and Jamie had never been 
this close to living Orcs before, let alone a troll, and they were both disgusted and terribly 
frightened by the ugly, putrid-smelling creatures. But Jamie, as a young prince, had been 
taught to wield a sword and Ellie, although untrained, was quick on her feet and had 
excellent reflexes. Gandalf had ordered them to hide near some columns at the back of 
the room, and there they effectively fought off the handful of attackers who were able to 
reach them—until Ellie came face-to-face with an Orc with pierced ears. Up until that 
moment, she had believed that only Ilissans pierced themselves, and to see something so 
unique to her family being practiced by such a hideous creature was an abomination to 
her. Caught off guard, Ellie faltered, and the Orc’s blade sliced across her right shoulder. 
He might have killed her—for Ellie was unable to maintain her grip on her sword—if 
Legolas had not shot him dead with an arrow from somewhere across the room. 
By the time the battle was over, the eleven companions were bloody and bruised. But 
Ellie was unable to heal anyone, for no sooner had the fighting stopped, than they heard 
another troop of Orcs approach. The Fellowship fled into the Great Hall, and as she ran, 
Ellie pressed one healing hand on her shoulder to stem the bleeding from her wound. But 
no matter how fast they ran, they could not get away from the horde of screeching Orcs 
that descended upon them. Within minutes they were completely surrounded—and there 
was no hope for escape. A horrified Ellie recalled the tales she had heard about the fate of 
women and children captured by Orcs, and her heart despaired for the young boy beside 
her. But then she saw Legolas exchange a look with Aragorn, and she knew that they 
would never allow her and Jamie to be taken alive. She hugged the boy fiercely and 
pressed his face to her chest, as the grim Elf met her eyes and reached back for his long 
knife, and the dark-haired man took a step toward them, sword in hand.  
At the last moment Ellie’s courage failed her and she shut her eyes. A terrible roaring 
filled her ears, and she thought she might actually swoon before the merciful deed was 
done. But instead of a cold blade and Death, she felt Legolas’ strong arms wrap tightly 
around her and Jamie, and his warm lips press against her temple. “They’re fleeing, 
Ellie!” she thought she heard him say. And the girl opened incredulous eyes to find that 
this was true. 
But their respite was short-lived. For the Orcs had fled from something even more evil 
and terrible than they—a Balrog, an ancient demon of fire and shadow. Ellie had never 
heard of such a creature before, but Gandalf and Legolas had. And the sudden elation she 
had felt at finding herself still alive quickly dissipated as she sensed the growing terror 
inside of the wizard and the Elf. 
The companions were on the run again, the evil Balrog in pursuit. Through many 
corridors, down countless stairs, they ran toward the narrow bridge that offered their only 
means of escape from the Mines of Moria. All the while, Orcs kept shooting arrows from 
ledges up above them, with Legolas’ and Aragorn’s bows providing their only defense. 
Gandalf knew they could not outrun the Balrog. He ordered the others across the bridge, 
but did not follow them. At first his companions did not realize that he meant to take a 
stand against the demon. By the time they did, it was too late. The Balrog was mere yards 
away from the old wizard. And seconds later, both fell down a seemingly endless chasm. 
Frodo’s anguished scream echoed through the corridors as the remaining ten companions 
sped out of the mines. Once outside, they were overwhelmed with shock and grief. Frodo 
walked aimlessly away with tears trailing down his face. Jamie and the other hobbits sank 
to the ground and sobbed. Gimli tried to run back inside to continue fighting but was 
stopped by a grief-stricken Boromir. And Legolas held a badly shaken Ellie closely, his 
sorrow at Gandalf’s loss compounded by the horror he still felt at having almost taken the 
girl’s life. Only Aragorn maintained his composure and, assuming control of the 
Fellowship, he urged his companions to move on. 
But then something extraordinary happened. As her initial shock started to wear off, Ellie 
listened to her heart and instead of the silence she expected to find where Gandalf’s heart 
had been, she felt a strong, steady heartbeat. 
“He’s alive!” she yelled, her eyes suddenly wild, as she pushed away from Legolas and 
turned toward the mines. But before she could take another step, the Elf grabbed her by 
the shoulders and looked at her, a puzzled frown on his face. 
“Legolas, Gandalf is alive! His heart is beating strong inside of mine!” she exclaimed, 
and when he would not let go of her, “We need to go back for him!”  
“Ellie, we can’t,” he said quietly, “it is too dangerous. We would not be able to reach 
him.” 
But Ellie was not listening. She was desperate to go back for Gandalf—frantic not to lose 
his heartbeat as she had lost so many others. And when Legolas still would not let go of 
her, she began to struggle in earnest, pummeling his chest with her fists and trying to 
push away from him. He tightened his grip on her shoulders and then pulled her hard 
against his body, trapping her hands between them. 
“Ellie, stop it! I don’t want to hurt you.” But Ellie did not stop.  
Aragorn approached them, and the girl now turned her face toward the dark-haired man 
and pleaded with him, even as she continued to struggle with Legolas, “He is alive, 
Aragorn, he is ALIVE. We must rescue him!” The others gathered around and stared at 
Ellie, hope rekindling in their hearts. 
But Aragorn shook his head sadly and, understanding the reason for her anguish, gently 
said, “Legolas is right, Ellie. We would never be able to reach Gandalf, not where he has 
fallen. It would be folly to try. Nor would he want us to. This place will soon be crawling 
with Orcs. We cannot remain here.” And then he reminded them all, “We must see Frodo 
and the ring safely to Mordor. That is our mission.” 
At last Ellie went still in Legolas’ arms, for she realized that what Aragorn had said was 
true. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to the Elf, and he tenderly kissed the top of her head. 
Aragorn announced that they would be reaching the woods of Lothlorien before nightfall. 
And as he walked passed Frodo, he squeezed the hobbit’s shoulder in reassurance. “Don’t 
lose hope, Frodo. Gandalf is a great wizard and may yet find a way out.” 
CHAPTER EIGHT: A Lothlorien Elf 
The woods of Lothlorien were lovely and deep, and painted in hues of gold and orange in 
the late afternoon when the Fellowship arrived. Jamie was brimming over with 
excitement; and, despite some apprehension at what might await her, Ellie too found her 
spirits rising as she beheld the beauty and majesty of the ancient forest. Legolas walked 
silently beside her, reverently studying the stately trees. 
The travelers did not immediately encounter any Elves, but Ellie could sense watchful 
eyes follow their every move inside the woods. And then, without warning, the 
Fellowship was surrounded by Elven archers, bows drawn and arrows ready. Ellie was 
too struck by their ethereal beauty to be afraid. For they were fair and tall like Legolas, 
with a proud bearing and a languid grace. The girl stared at them in awe. 
Ellie heard Aragorn address someone named Haldir, whom he obviously knew, but she 
could not see that Elf from where she was standing. When Haldir replied, however, a 
chill went up Ellie’s spine and her body startled. The sound of his voice touched a chord 
deep inside of her and ignited a spark of recognition in her heart and soul; she felt an 
instant affinity with this unseen Elf. Disregarding the arrow pointed at her breast, the girl 
stepped forward slowly. And at the same moment Ellie saw the Elf for the first time, 
Haldir noticed her. His fair face lost what little color it had, and the bow and arrow he 
held fell unheeded to the ground. On legs that suddenly felt too weak to sustain him, 
Haldir of Lorien moved toward the small girl. 
“Naia,” he whispered, shock and disbelief in his handsome face. 
For a moment Ellie could not react, as she stared back at the Elf who she now 
instinctively knew to be her father. Then she shook her head. “I am not Naia. I am 
Elanae, her daughter.” 
“Her daughter?” he asked, confused, still reeling from his initial shock. 
Ellie nodded. And then, because she felt he should know, she quietly told him, “My 
mother passed away almost 200 years ago.” 
Haldir closed his eyes briefly, and then said, more to himself than to her, “Of course. She 
was mortal after all.” Then he started, as he realized that Naia’s daughter must be 
impossibly old by human standards. That could only mean that she was part-Elven. And 
the thought suddenly came to him that she might be his. 
“How old are you?” he asked, his attention riveted once again on the girl, his eyes 
intense. 
Ellie hesitated for just a moment. “I am 285.”  
 
 
His daughter. Haldir could scarcely believe it even as his heart recognized the truth, for 
he too felt the same affinity toward Ellie that she felt toward him—a strong pull that had 
nothing to do with Naia, and everything to do with the blood they shared. As he led the 
Fellowship deeper into Lothlorien, he was aware of her every step behind him, of her 
every breath. And whenever he glanced over his shoulder, he would find her dark, 
enigmatic eyes studying him. Did she suspect the truth? 
When Naia had left him without a word all those years ago, Haldir had not known she 
was with child. Nor did he know where she went, for she left behind no traces, her 
disappearance from Lothlorien as much a mystery as her arrival had been. He never knew 
she was Ilissan, although there were others among the Elves who did. All Haldir knew 
was that he had loved her more than he had ever loved, and would ever love, another 
being and she had betrayed that love, abandoning him and shattering his heart. And now, 
Naia’s daughter—his daughter—walked but a few feet behind him through the woods of 
Lothlorien. He wanted to cry out his pain; he wanted to sing out his joy. He wanted to 
embrace the girl and never let go of her. There was so much he wanted to tell her, so 
much he needed to know…But now was not the time. 
Ellie could sense the intense emotions roiling inside the Elf, for in many ways his 
emotions mirrored her own. Despite Legolas’ warning a few nights before, she had been 
unprepared for this encounter, and she found herself at a total loss. Ellie was surprised 
and bewildered by the depth of her feelings for Haldir, having only just met him. And she 
did not know what to do, what to say to him, now that she was sure that the Elf knew she 
was his daughter. As an Ilissan, she had been destined never to know her father. Indeed, 
she had not missed having a father, never had yearned for one, and she had not thought to 
ask her mother questions about his identity—even when it became clear to her that she 
was more than a mortal human. When Naia told Ellie to seek refuge in Lothlorien, she 
must have known that this meeting might take place. The girl felt a sudden surge of anger 
against her mother for never having warned her. 
Ellie looked at Legolas walking beside her and met his sympathetic gaze. He too had 
guessed that Haldir was her father. And he, more than anyone else, understood what she 
was going through. She could not help but recall the words he had spoken that morning 
after their lovemaking, “…you ask too much of me, Ellie. You expect me to give you a 
child—my child—and then walk away and have nothing more to do with you or her. My 
daughter would never know me, would not even know my name.” Ellie’s heart filled with 
compassion for Haldir the Elf, and all the faceless, nameless others who had fathered 
Ilissan daughters.  
 
 
They arrived at the woodland city of Caras Galadhon the following day. That evening, 
after a brief meeting with the Fellowship, the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn 
welcomed Ellie and Jamie to Lothlorien. The Elven couple remembered Naia well, and 
had known of her Ilissan heritage when they had offered her sanctuary almost three 
centuries earlier. Now they were pleased to have her gifted, half-Elven daughter make her 
home among her relatives in the Golden Wood. 
The other eight companions were taken to guest tents that had been set up at the base of a 
great mallorn tree. Ellie and Jamie had been offered a room of their own high among the 
branches, but instead they chose to remain with their friends, who would be staying only 
one more day in Lothlorien.  
The two, however, did not decline the offer of a bath and new clothes. After more than 
three months in the wilderness, wearing the same ragged dress, with few opportunities to 
wash, Ellie was ecstatic at the thought of being clean again. An Elf maiden led them to a 
secluded bathing pool. And with her help, Ellie unwove her many braids and slipped out 
of her dress. 
“Thank you. You can burn this!” she laughed, as she handed over the filthy garment. And 
then she hurried to join Jamie in the warm, spring-fed pool, where the boy was merrily 
splashing away.  
 
 
“Ellie, you look like a noble Lady again!” exclaimed Jamie when the girl was finally 
dressed and groomed. Indeed, she felt like one. For she smelled clean and fresh like 
spring rain. And she wore a fine silk gown of iridescent white that clung becomingly to 
her soft curves and made her pale skin shine even brighter. The Elf maiden had tied the 
hair around her face with a ribbon, but the rest of it hung thick and wet down her back. It 
would curl once it began to dry, but for now it was as smooth as a raven’s wing, 
shimmering blue in the moonlight. Ellie had never looked more beautiful. 
It was this lovely vision of his daughter that filled Haldir’s eyes when the girl and boy 
finally appeared. The Elf had been standing amid the darkling trees, waiting for a chance 
to speak with her. But he found himself unable to utter a word when he beheld her 
beauty—at once pale and dark—and so heartbreakingly similar to Naia’s. Although she 
could not see him, Ellie sensed his presence and paused, facing the hidden copse where 
he stood. Giving himself a mental shake, Haldir the Elf stepped out of the shadows. 
“Elanae…Ellie…may I walk you back?” 
The girl nodded. “Yes Haldir. I would like that.” And she told Jamie to go on ahead 
without her. 
The Elf approached her and for a moment the two of them stood face to face, without 
saying a word. Then he asked, “Do you know who I am?” 
“Yes,” she replied, then walked to his side and tentatively placed her arm in his. The Elf 
gasped at the heat that surged through his body at her touch. His daughter’s skin burned 
just like her mother’s! But now he knew the reason, for earlier that evening the Lady 
Galadriel had told him the truth about Naia. 
“I loved your mother very much, Ellie. And I want you to know that of all the gifts Naia 
could have left me, the gift of a child is the greatest one of all. You cannot imagine what I 
feel, knowing who you are and having you here with me.” 
Ellie was deeply moved by Haldir’s words, and she didn’t have the heart to tell him that, 
as an Ilissan, Naia had had no intentions of leaving her daughter to him. But then the girl 
remembered that her mother had, in fact, done just that when she bade her to go to 
Lothlorien to seek refuge. 
Ellie was puzzled. Why had her mother broken her vows?…The surprising answer came 
to her as she looked up at the handsome Elf who was her father. Because she had loved 
him. She was sure of it now. And Naia must have known that, sooner or later, her 
daughter would be compelled to go. 
As they slowly made their way back to the others, sometimes stopping along the way, 
Haldir answered Ellie’s questions about his life in Lothlorien and about her Elven family. 
He spoke of Naia and the time they had spent together. And since he was curious to know 
everything about Ellie, she told him about growing up in Ravenwood with her mother, 
and about her life after Naia’s passing. She spoke of her closeness to Jamie and their 
escape into the wilderness. Finally, she told him about their journey with the Fellowship 
and, although she did not mention her feelings for Legolas, her eyes and her voice 
nevertheless betrayed her love for the Elven prince whenever she spoke of him. Haldir 
smiled to himself as the girl continued with her tale. 
“…And that is how we came to be here, Haldir,” Ellie concluded. 
The Elf suddenly stopped and turned to face his daughter, cupping her chin with one 
hand. “I am your father, Ellie. Will you not address me as such?” he asked her. 
Ellie stared at him, her throat constricting as she saw the tenderness and longing in his 
eyes. She owed him so much, this Elf who was her father, for it was from him that she 
had received some of her greatest gifts. And the two of them shared one more thing—an 
all-important thing to Ellie—and that was their love for Naia. 
“Yes, Father,” she whispered, and hugged him. 
CHAPTER NINE: Legolas’ Choice 
As she and Haldir approached the tents, Ellie’s pulse quickened when she caught sight of 
Legolas in shirtsleeves, without his jerkin. He stood with his back to them, talking quietly 
with Aragorn and Boromir. The thin, shimmery silk of his long shirt hugged his beautiful 
body, stretching tightly over muscled shoulders, arms and back, before flaring at the hips. 
To Ellie he was perfection itself. Her face lit up with love and desire, and she felt slightly 
breathless, as a delicate blush spread throughout her body, making her shine all the more 
bright. Walking arm in arm with her, a bemused Haldir felt Ellie’s arousal to the very 
core of his being. 
Boromir was the first one to notice the approaching pair, and he abruptly stopped what he 
was saying to gape at the beautiful girl. Seeing his reaction, a curious Legolas turned 
around…and was stunned. He had always thought her lovely, even with her tattered 
clothes and bedraggled state, but he never imagined her beauty to rival that of the fairest 
Elves. Yet his eyes did not deceive him now. Ellie was exquisite. And just like her father 
before him, Legolas was rendered speechless. The girl and the Elven prince stared at one 
another, mesmerized, and for a moment the world ceased to exist around them. 
So he loves her too Haldir noted, with some trepidation, as he recalled what had 
happened with Naia, but also with genuine joy that Ellie’s affection was returned. 
After sharing an amused look with Boromir, Aragorn finally broke the silence. “Lady 
Elanae, you are a vision to behold.” Then he gallantly bowed to the girl. 
Suddenly self-conscious, Ellie giggled, and then went on to formally introduce Haldir—
as her father—to Legolas, Aragorn, and Boromir. While they exchanged pleasantries, she 
looked around for the first time since arriving and noticed that, except for Legolas, the 
two men and Frodo, everyone else was asleep.  
The little hobbit was sitting off to one side looking forlorn and lost in thought. Ellie’s 
heart ached for him because she knew he was thinking of Gandalf. Seeking to comfort 
him—for she still felt the wizard’s heartbeat inside of her—she excused herself from the 
others and went to join Frodo at the base of the mallorn tree. Thinking that perhaps the 
Elves might want to talk about the girl now that she was out of earshot, the two men 
likewise excused themselves. 
Haldir and Legolas had been acquainted with one another for hundreds of years (indeed, 
Legolas was the older of the two by at least a millenium), but this was the first time the 
two had faced each other as a father and a would-be suitor. Legolas eyed the younger Elf 
coolly, with a closed _expression on his face, and waited. 
Haldir returned his cool stare, then shrugged and nodded his head in Ellie’s direction. 
“One would think that being half-Elven, she would have our ears or, at the very least, our 
height,” he chuckled. “Instead she is the very image of her mother…” And then—just for 
a second—his eyes took on a wistful, faraway look, but the other Elf caught it. 
“Do you think of her often?” Legolas asked, referring to Ellie’s mother. 
“Often enough. But whereas in the beginning my heart was filled with pain and bitterness 
at Naia’s betrayal, it has for many years now also been filled with the warmth of 
remembered love.” 
“Do you regret loving her, Haldir?” Legolas now asked, his eyes intent on the other Elf’s 
face. 
“No,” Haldir replied without hesitation. “Even without Ellie, given the opportunity to do 
things over, I would still choose to love Naia—to possess her—if only for a moment.” 
Legolas nodded thoughtfully. 
And as Ellie made her way back to them, Haldir pressed his shoulder and gave him a 
sympathetic smile, for he understood the other Elf’s ambivalence. “Ellie is worth it, 
Legolas. She is her mother…and also much more…”  
 
  
 
 
That night when Ellie lay down in her usual place beside Jamie, Legolas surprised her by 
placing his pillow next to hers. She turned to face him with puzzled eyes, even as her 
heart started to race. 
“Our time together will soon be over, Ellie…and I just wanted to be near you,” he 
whispered, as he reached over to caress her cheek. 
The girl snuggled close to the Elf and a delicious heat enveloped them both. And then, 
because she had to share it with him, she whispered, “Legolas, my mother loved my 
father. I know that now.” 
“Is that so surprising?” 
“It is not our way,” she reminded him. “Such love is forbidden to Ilissans because there is 
no future in it.” 
“Your mother left him…” 
“Yes. She tried to stay true to her vows. And yet, right before she died, she faltered. She 
told me about Lothlorien.” 
“Because of Haldir,” he guessed. 
“Yes. Because she loved him,” she asserted. Then Ellie pressed her face against his neck, 
and said in a voice so muffled that even his keen ears had to strain to understand her 
words, “Just as I love you…” 
Legolas wrapped his arms tightly around her slender body and buried his face in her 
thick, curling hair. “Ah, little one,” he sighed, “I fear this thing between us is going to 
end in heartache for both of us.” Ellie said nothing and he pulled back a little so that he 
could watch her face closely, “Tell me, Ellie, if I leave you with child and survive the 
Fellowship’s quest, will you still expect me to stay away? Or, can there be a future for 
us?” 
“I don’t know,” she whispered, “I just don’t know anymore.” And truly she didn’t. 
Traditions that she had been brought up to believe in, and hold sacred, had been swept 
away in a matter of days. For not only had she discovered that she was in love with 
Legolas, but also that her own mother had been in love with Haldir and had set in motion 
the means by which Ellie could be united with him. And now Ellie had a father who 
would henceforth be a part of her life—something unheard of among the Ilissans—and 
something she was delighted about (to her surprise). But could she take the final step and 
accept Legolas as a mate who would remain a part of her life and that of her daughter? 
Unlike Naia, Ellie would not die and leave her daughter alone in the world. If she were to 
accept a future with Legolas, it would mean a repudiation of her Ilissan heritage and 
sisterhood, a breaking of the vow she had made to her dead mother…And she was not 
sure she could take that step, no matter how much she loved the Elf. 
Legolas somberly watched as Ellie’s eyes filled with tears, and he took pity on her, for he 
was well aware of the depth of her torment. “Forget that I asked you this, Ellie. Just go to 
sleep here in my arms.” 
But Ellie did not sleep—at least not right away—for he covered her face and her lips with 
feather-light kisses, and caressed her hair and her back with gentle hands. On and on he 
soothed her in this manner, until she completely melted away. Blissfully cocooned in 
Legolas’ strong arms, she felt cherished and safe and finally at peace. As if nothing could 
ever hurt her again. And with a dreamy smile on her lips, Ellie eventually fell asleep. 
For Legolas sleep did not come at all. He had thought he could control his body’s 
reaction to her nearness, for they were not alone and his heart was heavy with sorrow at 
the thought of their parting. But, to his surprise, he found himself consumed by the same 
raging fire, the same intense craving as that time on the mountain. The feel of her small 
body lying next to his was nothing short of torture, and yet there was no other place that 
he would rather her be. And so, he continued to hold her closely, and pet her and kiss her, 
but was careful not to press his hips against her lest she become aware of just how 
aroused he was. 
Later, he watched over her as she slept peacefully in his arms. She looked incredibly 
young and vulnerable, her lush hair draped over her body like a blanket, and her skin so 
translucent that he could see the vein throbbing in her temple. He envisioned her in years 
to come, loving him but choosing the solitary life of an Ilissan, having to seek another 
mate to give her a daughter. Would she choose Jamie? Or would she choose another Elf 
to secure her child’s immortality? Either way, the thought of her lying with another was 
unbearable to him. For that night Legolas came to realize that he loved Ellie dearly, more 
than he could ever have imagined loving someone. He decided he would love her 
completely on their last day together. And perhaps—just perhaps—by making her his, he 
would be able to bind her to him for all time. And she would ask him to return.  
 
  
 
 
Ellie woke up to find her head pillowed on Legolas’ shoulder, and his arms wrapped 
tightly around her. For several minutes she didn’t move, enjoying the feel of his hard 
body so close to hers, but he sensed that she was awake. 
“Good morning, love,” he finally whispered against her hair, and lifted her chin with one 
hand so that he could kiss her, and Ellie felt great joy to know that she was loved and 
cherished by the beautiful Elf. 
But her joy did not last. Already Jamie was stirring beside them, and as Ellie finally 
became aware of her surroundings, a profound sadness settled in her heart—for it was the 
last day the Fellowship would be in Lothlorien. And the pain of their imminent departure 
–particularly Legolas’—cut her deeply. 
Just as the last of the hobbits awoke, Haldir and his brothers (her uncles!) arrived, laden 
with food trays that they set down beneath the great mallorns. They greeted Ellie warmly, 
touching her face in the Elven manner, before inviting the others to join them for 
breakfast. As they ate, the group discussed the challenges that lay ahead for the 
Fellowship. Together they plotted strategies and planned routes, and although Ellie and 
Jamie spoke little, they remained at their friends’ side the entire time. Legolas’ brilliant 
eyes often met her gaze, and she noticed that they too were now tinged with sadness. 
As the morning slipped into afternoon, Ellie was increasingly troubled for another reason. 
A terrible sense of foreboding was steadily growing inside of her. She believed that the 
Fellowship was headed for disaster. And when Boromir approached her to talk, she knew 
it for a fact—for when she looked into his pale gray eyes, she had clear visions of trust 
betrayed, honor redeemed in combat…and death. The Fellowship would be broken and 
the valiant lord of Gondor would not survive the quest. Overcome with sorrow, Ellie 
suddenly hugged the man fiercely, shocking them both, as well as Legolas, who was 
standing nearby and who raised his brows enquiringly. But Ellie lowered her head and 
walked away from them both. 
After exchanging a puzzled glance with Boromir, Legolas followed the girl. Neither 
spoke at first, but when they were some distance away from the others, the Elf grasped 
her arm, stopping her, and turned her to face him. He could feel her distress.  
“What is it, Ellie?” 
The girl raised tumultuous eyes to him, but she was unable to speak of her vision. It was 
too painful, and Ellie knew it could not be undone. And as she looked into Legolas’ 
concerned eyes, a cold, numbing fear filled her heart and mind—a fear that something 
terrible would happen to him too. Still, as the seconds passed, no such premonition came, 
and yet, not surprisingly, this gave her little comfort. For the Sight had failed her once 
before, to tragic consequences. 
“It is better never to love at all!” she blurted out harshly, shocking him again, as she 
turned to run back to the others. Legolas frowned. 
The Elf knew that much more than their impending separation was troubling Ellie, but as 
long as she refused to confide in him, he was powerless to help her. Legolas was worried. 
Not only did she purposely ignore him for the remainder of the afternoon, but when the 
Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel requested another audience with the Fellowship—this 
time to present them with parting gifts—Ellie chose to stay behind. And when Jamie and 
the eight companions returned to their tents, she was nowhere to be found. 
After putting down his new bow and quiver (princely gifts from the Lady Galadriel) by 
his things, Legolas set out in search of the girl. He might have had to search for the better 
part of the night if it had not been for Haldir. Ellie’s father had sensed his daughter’s 
growing distress throughout the day and had seen her walk away in tears earlier that 
evening. 
“Come, Legolas, I will show you where she is,” he said quietly, as he intercepted the 
other Elf. 
Haldir led him in silence to the very edge of Caras Galadhon, where the great mallorn 
trees gave way to gently sloping meadows. There, Legolas found Ellie sitting atop a 
moonlit hill. She looked so forlorn that the Elf’s heart gave a painful lurch as he 
approached and sat down beside her. 
“Were you going to let me leave without as much as saying goodbye, Ellie?” 
The girl raised wide, wet eyes to his and shook her head in denial, even as she admitted, 
“I don’t know…” And then she leaned against his shoulder and told him about Boromir, 
crying quiet tears for the doomed man. 
“Legolas, I can do nothing. And I am afraid, so afraid, for you. That is why I behaved the 
way I did. I am sorry.” 
The Elf looked down at her for a long moment, and then extended a hand to her face. And 
as he caressed her wet cheeks, he softly said, “I have been alive a long time, Ellie. 
Several thousand years, in fact. And although in life there are no guarantees, I do not 
believe I will be dying anytime soon. But even if I do, it is only to be re-born again. Elves 
are immortal. You and I are immortal.” 
The girl nodded, for she realized that what he said was true. And then he totally surprised 
her by saying, “I will lay with you, if you still will it.” 
Ellie drew in a deep breath and stared at him in disbelief. “You mean to give yourself to 
me freely, without commitment?” 
The Elf nodded back, with just a hint of a smile. 
“Buy why?” she asked, stunned, as her eyes lit up with renewed hope and joy—where 
seconds before there had been only fear and sorrow. She knew it was selfish of her, but 
she wanted his daughter. 
Legolas turned his face away, and as she stared at his chiseled profile, he replied, 
“Because, despite what I have told you, I would rather leave here having known you 
once, than never having known you at all. But, Ellie, you must understand,” he said, 
looking at her once again, “you still might not conceive. Such a thing does not happen 
every time.” 
Ellie grabbed hold of his hand and smiled—a sweet, knowing smile that left him 
suddenly breathless. “With your seed inside of me, I can make it happen. If you lay with 
me, Legolas, you will give me a daughter.” Then she kneeled in front of him, her face 
level with his, and fervently kissed his cheeks and mouth and chin and nose and forehead. 
The Elf spread his legs and prodded her forward until her small body rested against his. 
Ellie entwined her hands with his long blonde hair and continued to kiss him. 
“Thank you, Legolas, thank you,” she breathed against his mouth. 
The Elf pulled back a little and cupped her face. “Do you have any idea what you do to 
me? What I want to do to you? Do not thank me yet, Ellie!” he warned her with a wicked 
grin, and he buried his face in her neck. As he feverishly kissed and sucked on her tender 
skin, his hands moved underneath her hair to the hooks on the back of her dress. He 
desperately wanted Ellie naked in his arms.  
Legolas undid the top hooks and pushed the garment off her shoulders, as he gently 
massaged them. Then he traced her fragile collarbone with his tongue and pressed his lips 
to the pulse beating wildly at the base of her throat, biting down softly. Ellie gasped at the 
feel of his teeth, as a searing heat settled in her belly.  
Then the Elf lowered her dress to her elbows, imprisoning her arms, and exposing her 
small breasts. His hands caressed the tender mounds, before his fingers ruthlessly 
squeezed the rosy tips. Ellie moaned—loudly—and bright red blush—visible even in the 
moonlight—spread throughout her body. Legolas raised dangerous, amused eyes to her 
face, then took her mouth captive. His lips were teasing, warm and moist, making her 
body quiver with delight. But before long, his kiss deepened into something darker, more 
demanding as he ravaged her soft lips and plundered the inside of her mouth with his 
tongue. Ellie slid her arms out of the sleeves of her dress, and raised her hands, burying 
her fingers in his scalp while she passionately kissed him back. 
She didn’t stop kissing him even when he lowered them both to the ground. And as they 
lay side by side on the soft, fragrant grass, Legolas finished unfastening the hooks of her 
gown. Ellie impatiently wriggled out of the filmy garment. Her pale skin glowed snow-
white in the moonlight, contrasting sharply with the darkness of her long hair and the 
triangle at the apex of her legs. Legolas grabbed the girl’s shoulders and moved back 
from her so that he could get a better look. She took his breath away. “You are so 
beautiful, Ellie.”  
By now Ellie had been reduced to an almost-mindless, throbbing lump of flesh, and her 
slender hips arched brazenly toward him without her even being aware of it. Legolas 
smiled wickedly and met her startled gaze as he gently cupped her crotch. She felt as if a 
lightning bolt had struck her insides and she leaned into his hand. He began to rub her 
back and forth, his fingers gently probing, until Ellie exploded, throwing her arm around 
him and shuddering violently against him. Legolas held her tightly until her tremors 
subsided. Then he tenderly kissed her mouth and stood up. 
At first Ellie couldn’t utter a word, couldn’t even move, for her senses were reeling from 
the intense pleasure he had given her. Now his blazing eyes bore into hers once again as 
he slowly undid the clasps of his shirt and removed it, dropping it on the ground next to 
her dress. It was now Ellie’s turn to be mesmerized by his beauty. 
Legolas was lean and sinewy, and his fair skin seemed as smooth as the silk shirt he had 
just discarded. Ellie stood up on shaky legs, for she couldn’t resist touching him, and he 
shuddered at the feel of her small hot hands softly exploring his bare chest. She finally 
found her voice. “Legolas, you are perfect,” she whispered in awe, “ and…I want to see 
all of you too.” 
The Elf was more than happy to oblige, for he was so painfully aroused, that he did not 
think he could endure much longer without burying himself inside the girl’s body. 
Legolas bent over to unlace his boots and Ellie went down on her knees to help him. As 
she pulled first one and then the other boot from his feet, he unfastened his pants, and she 
came face to face with his erection. Ellie sat back, mouth agape, and for a moment had 
second thoughts about the whole affair. As Legolas stepped out of his pants, she raised 
slightly panicky eyes to his face. 
“Legolas, this isn’t going to work. We will never fit…” 
He laughed and knelt down in front of her. “We’ll fit perfectly, Ellie,” he reassured her, 
then tenderly kissed her. And once he lay her back on the soft grass and started to woo 
her again with his warm lips and his knowing, roving hands and his beautiful body, 
Ellie’s apprehension was swept clear away. And before too long she knew the exquisite 
pain and rapture of having Legolas sheathed deep inside of her. 
It was like nothing either had experienced before. There was fire, yes, and mindless 
pleasure, and deep satisfaction, but, above all else, there was a sense of utter belonging, 
of having found their niche in the world, of being right where they were supposed to be. 
For that moment in time, they were no longer two separate beings, but rather two halves 
of a whole, and their souls rejoiced.  
“I love you, Legolas,” she told him later when their bodies had calmed and she lay 
quietly nestled in his arms under the moonlit sky. 
Legolas tightened his arms around her. “I love you too, little one.” And silently his heart 
begged Ellie, my love, do not tear us apart.  
 
 
They parted many hours later, just as the moon began to set, for Ellie wanted privacy to 
bring her child into being. And so, when Legolas rose to return to Caras Galadhon, she 
chose to stay behind. He looked down at her with troubled eyes. 
“The Fellowship will depart at dawn,” he reminded her. Ellie nodded, but did not promise 
that she would be there, nor did she ask him to return once the quest was over, as he had 
hoped. Legolas’ heart was threatening to break.
He abruptly grabbed her shoulders and kissed her roughly, before turning and walking 
away. She did not see the tears welling in his eyes, but she sensed them. And as Ellie 
stared at his retreating form, she whispered, too softly and too late for him to hear, “My 
heart will be with you always, even if I am not.” 
After he disappeared into the trees, Ellie sat down and placed her hands over her womb, 
calling to his seed, and directing her cells to make the daughter she yearned for—the one 
who would continue her Ilissan line. She could see this daughter—tall and slender, 
possessing all the grace and beauty of the Elves, with brilliant blue eyes and dark silky 
hair, and, yes, she could just make out pointed ears! Ellie smiled. But even as her body 
began to respond to the call of her hands, Legolas’ face came unbidden into her mind, 
and her smile faltered. 
Suddenly, she was assaulted by images of Legolas. She recalled that first day, when his 
cold beauty had taken her breath away even as she threatened him with his knife, then 
later in the forest when he lay on top of her after their struggle and stared into her eyes, 
his flawless face marred by her nails. She saw his eyes fill with wonder when he realized 
she was a touch-healer. She remembered his tender smiles and genial laughter during 
their long conversations when they were starting to get to know each other. She recalled 
how he looked and felt that night on the mountain, when he was overcome by lust, and 
later by concern and regret and anger. She saw him in the Mines of Moria, as he wielded 
his weapons with deadly precision and savage beauty in defense of the Fellowship, and 
she recalled his grim look when he meant to take her life to spare her the horror of 
captivity. Finally, she remembered his face as she had seen it earlier that evening and the 
night before—a face that mirrored his intense love and longing for her—a face that could 
not veil his sorrow at their parting. 
Before the task in her womb could be completed, Ellie stayed her hands.  
 
 
CHAPTER NINE: Partings and New Beginnings 
Legolas did not sleep that night for his emotions were in turmoil and a small part of him 
still hoped that Ellie would return. But she did not. In the pre-dawn hour, the rest of the 
Fellowship, including Jamie, arose and joined him for an early breakfast. Legolas 
remained outwardly calm and impassive as he spoke with his companions, but they were 
all well aware of the Elf’s attachment to Ellie and were worried by the girl’s continued 
absence and his seeming indifference. Even Jamie could sense that something was 
terribly wrong. 
As night waned and became day, the eight companions loaded three Elven boats with 
supplies and prepared to depart. Many came to bid them farewell, among them the Lord 
and Lady of Lorien, Haldir and his brothers, and the boy Jamie, who had scarcely left 
their side since their arrival in the Golden Wood and had helped them with the packing 
and the loading. But of Ellie there was no sign. Each time Legolas and his companions 
scanned the faces of those gathered along the riverbank, hers was nowhere to be seen. 
Although he did not show it, Legolas was overcome with pain and grief. He had made 
Ellie his. He had gambled and given her what she had wanted. And now he had lost her 
forever. It was too much to bear… 
But then, just as he turned toward his boat, he heard a cry: “Legolas!” And as he looked 
back, Ellie was suddenly there, running out of the forest. His heart leaped up as the girl 
jumped into his arms. 
“Legolas,” she said, trying to catch her breath, “I want you to know…I wanted to tell 
you…that I’ll be waiting.” She gave him a wobbly smile. “When all is over and your 
mission completed…if you want to return to me…I’ll be right here waiting for you!” 
Legolas searched her face, hardly daring but desperately wanting to believe what she was 
saying. And what he saw was the glowing face of a young girl happy and in love. 
“I’ll wait for you,” she repeated.  
And he gave her a beautiful smile, tenderly placing a hand over her womb. “You and our 
daughter,” he softly said. 
But Ellie shook her head and his smile was replaced by a puzzled frown. Then Ellie 
laughed merrily and wrapped her arms around his neck. 
“Not our daughter, Legolas—our SON.”  
 
  
 
 
THIS IS NOT REALLY THE END. IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING.