Chapter 1 The queen looked through her hood, clutching her precious bundle amidst the drizzle. The party trotted on. Suddenly a bloodcurdling yell was heard. It was the yell of an Orc band, a sound which drove fear into the heart of man and beast alike. The head guard shouted "Milady what are we to do?" The queen's heart pounded as she screamed, "On to Greenwood." * * * * * "What is that sound?" thought the young Legolas. Being the curious little Elf he was, Legolas decided to go and investigate. The sound led him to the room of the guest who had arrived late last night. He knew this only because all the servants were ablaze with talk of their midnight flight. He peeked in through the crack of the open door to see a majestic woman holding a little bundle and singing to it. The lady looked over to the door and said, "Come in little one, what is your name?" "My name is Prince Legolas of the Great Greenwood, Milady. Milady why are you singing to that bundle?" asked a very perplexed Legolas. The Lady, Celebrian, wife of Lord Elrond, chuckled to herself and said, "Come, prince, and see my wonderful little 'bundle'." Little Legolas clamored on the bed and looked down at the "bundle". A look of wonder passed over his young face. For what he saw was a small Elfin face, with little rosy cheeks, bright blue eyes, and a perfect miniature red mouth. "Her name is Estelbain" (In Elvish Estelbain means 'beautiful hope') Lady Celebrian declared proudly. "Would you like to hold her?" "Yes." Legolas wiggled with excitement as little children often do. Lady Celebrian gently set Estelbain in Legolas' arms. As she did, the baby awoke from her slumber, gazed up at the boy who was holding her, and giggled as only a truly happy baby could. "I think she likes you," Lady Celebrian said kindly, yet she thought, "How strange it is, for Estelbain lets no one hold her. I can barely leave her with any one of the maids except for Oivorondaer, let alone some strange boy she has never seen or met." Then Estelbain yawned a tiny yawn, snuggled closer to Legolas, and returned to dreamland once more. Just then, one of Legolas' many friends burst through the door and said, "Legolas, there you are, we have been looking all over for you." As if on cue, Estelbain awoke with a start and began to wail as babies often do when they are startled. "Shush, shush it's all right, go back to sleep little Estelbain," Legolas comforted her. And that’s just what she did. * * * * * (Many years and visits later) "Lord Elrond, Lady Celebrian, Lord Ellandan, Lord Elrohir, and Lady Estelbain, how good to see you again," King Thranduil proclaimed. "Father, may I be excused to go play," asked an eager Ellandan "Of course my sons, and you too Estelbain," Lord Elrond said cheerfully. The boys ran off together with Estelbain right behind them. When they reached the archery field, they stopped. Elrohir turned to his sister and said, "You'd better run along, this isn't a sport for children, and girls at that!" "That's not true and you know it. I can shoot an arrow almost as well as you can!" retorted his sister. Legolas just looked on in amusement, as always. "I know how to settle this, I challenge both of you to a competition, and may the best archer win!" They began shooting and it didn't take long for Legolas to take the lead. Then suddenly, "Estelbain come here at once! What on Middle Earth are you doing?! You'll ruin your dress, wait till I tell you mother." Lady Beruthiel, second in command of Estelbain's household, had crept up on the group. Estelbain rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "May a toad find its way into your soup!" "Estelbain!!" Legolas remarked Then, to add to it all, Lady Beruthiel grabbed Estelbain by her pointed ear and began to drag her away. "Hey, hey, wait, I'll come, just please let go of my ear!" Estelbain pleaded. "You heard her, let go of the princess' ear!" Legolas boomed. He startled Lady Beruthiel so much that she did. The Lady got an even more evil look in her eyes and said, "Why don't you come along too little princeling. I'm sure your father would love to hear what you just said!" "Legolas, what were you thinking?" Ellandan asked. "I don't know what came over me." Legolas answered, just as puzzled. * * * * * Later that night, while all the children slept, Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian discussed within their chambers what was to become of their beloved daughter. "I'm worried about Estelbain. She seems so… boyish sometimes, and yet at others, she can be a little angel. And have you seen her around Legolas?" " I know, I know," Said Lord Elrond with a great sigh. "There is definitely something there. And you know the prophecy, she must not see him again till she is of age, you know as well as I do what the mirror foresaw." The images came back to Lady Celebrain. "With great longing comes great love" those words had floated atop the mirror. It had shown a beautiful young she-elf ridding on white horse down a winding path. Along that path were many evil things and many good things. Along the way two paths joined and that she-elf was no longer alone. She walked along her path happy. Then the mirror spoke. "Two star crossed lover of gold were reborn, on paths that one day meet, A bond fashioned by longing and searching, Protector and ward, Forever to hold and long till meet, Apart they shall be till time and its forces can no longer keep them apart, Then a love true and strong will ascend all the hardships that pure hearts yet face…" Lady Celebrian shook her head "You are right, as always my dear." And with that, Lady Celebrian laid her head on Lord Elrond's chest and let the matter trouble her no more. Little did she know what circumstance would bring her to Greenwood again.