It was only weeks before the wedding and the whole of Lothlorien was in uproar. The seamstresses were running this way and that in order to complete the bride's dress on time and the lord Celeborn was trying to prepare his speech for the great feast that was to be held after the ceremony.
Visitors and envoys from all areas of Middle Earth were gathering in Lothlorien to celebrate the union of the two realms. Even the Elven king was rumoured to be making an appearance. For this wedding was not for who you may think. Astariel and Thranduil had become estranged, they had not spoken since he so rudely demanded her leave of his kingdom. No, this wedding was between lord Celeborn's daughter, Celebrian, and the lord of Rivendell, Elrond Peredhel.
"Astariel, what do you think of the veil? Do you think it shimmers enough in the light?" Astariel was asked by her cousin, the bride-to-be, Celebrian.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42joeoBlC5
"I think it is lovely, Celebrian. As is the rest of the dress. And the table decorations, and your shoes, and your vows and everything you are concerned about!" She laughed "It will be a magnificent day!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRFo3uqB1b
"I am still a little concerned for the table decorations! Do you truly think they are enough? I wouldn't wish the guests to think we had stinted on the expense!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIajE7JiNn
Astariel laughed again. "My dear cousin, they won't be looking at the table decorations, they will be too busy looking at the bride herself! You will dazzle them all!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZV6SmyUFX
Her cousin smiled at her, but the worry was still clear on her face.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS23OQoXKSO
"Oh you are a great comfort to me. I do not know what I would do if I did not have you here, Astariel! I am in half a mind to take you with me when I go to Rivendell, for I surely could not do without you! I don't know how I ever coped all those years when you were in Greenwood!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4fshgvyqJ
At the mention of the Greenwood, Astariel's face darkened and her cousin quickly put her hands over her mouth.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLiNvM5j4z
"Oh I'm so stupid. I know you don't like talking about it." Her cousin said, sitting down next to her. Her silk dress billowed as she sat and made her appear the image of grace and beauty. "I do wonder, though, why it is you will not discuss it. Oh, will you not share it with me? Your cousin, your kinswoman, nay, your closest friend?!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3mzGEQFXd
"Celebrian, there is nothing to tell. He asked me to leave because my friendship was becoming too much of a distraction. He was rather rude about it too. That is all I wish to say on the subject."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLS3G7eoZh
"Your friendship? Cousin, you did not believe him?" Celebrian asked, clearly amused.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFX3VMpr7a
"Why shouldn't I? It is true that we were always great friends." Astariel replied with a shrug.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBHk64Ktqn
"Friendship isn't that much of a distraction! No cousin, I think it was something much stronger that was the distraction." She said, smirking. Astariel laughed.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTrDxxuJlC
"Just because you are in love does not mean everybody else is! Trust me, he had grown tired of our friendship. That is all." She said, and Celebrian smiled and let it go. Astariel had to admit, however, that the thought of seeing the king within mere weeks was enough to both make her stomach turn and her fists clench in anger.
When the Elvenking arrived, much to Astariel's annoyance, her uncle had demanded that the entire family line the path leading to the gate in order to welcome him. Specifically, he had told her to be polite and to remember her manners. She vowed instead that she would merely stay silent and stay standing at the rear of the group, contrary to tradition. It was customary that the ladies would stand in front, with the males behind. In this case, Astariel chose to stand in the back and blend into the shadows that the trees gave her.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwmXXfyhye
Of course, it was no use. He noticed her before he noticed any of the others, despite her efforts to evade his gaze.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZh36wuzxm
"My lady." He said, and inclining his head in a show of respect. She kept her lips closed tightly and did not say a word. She held his gaze and remained standing. He was shocked, to say the least. He was used to people throwing themselves to the ground in a deep bow to respect his status as king.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCByPy8PMbg
"Astariel," Her uncle chided. "Show the king some respect."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeIcOE2e5s
"Forgive me uncle, but he is not my king and so I am therefore disinclined to show him respect, as her certainly does not deserve any from me!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU5Jrjz95G
Her uncle's jaw dropped. He had never heard her speak in such a manner, and especially regarding a king of such noble stature.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNcVyeB5eh
"Such insolence I see you breed here, Celeborn." Thranduil smirked. He was more amused than annoyed. Amused that she had the nerve to disprespect him so publicly.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObiZhBZDbY
"I do not know what has come over her. Be sure that it will not happen again." Celeborn assured Thanduil, his gaze darkening. Thranduil waved a hand and the matter was dismissed.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp7740LMxw
"Let us speak no more of it. I believe we have more important things to discuss. I believe the new envoy you appointed to my realm is doing a rather poor job."
The weeks passed and it was the day of the wedding. Celebrian was beyond nervous, barely being able to stand without shaking.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp09WXfUI8o
"Fetch her some wine. The strongest we have, and in a large glass." Astariel demanded of one of the servants.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfqJRv1cki
"Yes my lady. We have some strong Dorwinion wine that the lord Thranduil brought with him for the wedding celebrations. I shall fetch a large goblet of that."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjTzwqI46M
Astariel grimaced. She was reluctant to accept anything that he had donated and yet she knew it was indeed the strongest wine in the kingdoms and would be sufficient enough to calm her cousin's nerves. She was right, of course, and when Celebrian had drank the entire goblet, her nerves were subdued and there was more colour in her cheeks.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUAngSydSN
"What on earth would I do without you Astariel?" She said, fixing a loose strand of hair that had escaped its clip.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bggja6kod
"Indeed, what would we all do without you?" Her mother said, entering the room with a sweeping of motion. It was obvious where Celebrian had gotten her grace from.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEkTIYKmcM
"Aunt Galadriel" Astariel smiled.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyysJXcG2Kn
"My husband is still rather angry with you, I must say. He still seeks to bring the Greenwood under Lorien regulation, he fears that king Thranduil will have no more to do with us after your outburst. I, on the other hand, think it was marvellous. You are well within your rights. It is true, he is not your king." She smiled. Out of both of her guardians, Astariel had always liked Galadriel more than Celeborn. She was kind and generous but did not allow her children to become spoilt or selfish. She had mastered the balance between kindess and discipline. She had come to escort her daughter downstairs and begin the wedding, and so the two of them left the room, with Astariel walking behind the bride, holding up her silken train.
Thranduil's wine was especially potent, and it had been so long since Astariel had tasted the Dorwinion that it went straight to her head. The wine was notorious for it's strange addictive quality. Once one had drained one glass, one instantly desired another. It was infamous for it's intoxication, and on this particular night, Astariel had fallen victim to its potency.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU2QEUuiDE
"I do believe you to be drunk." She heard the familiar voice before she turned to see him standing behind her. She had escaped the party to stand on a balcony in the fresh night air and was not expecting anybody to notice her absence.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVC34xmu1n
"What is it you want Thranduil?" She said rudely.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCHZ6RlGf8
"You have let your manners slide since you arrived home, I see."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMmkQAvEfM
"No, I just see no reason to be polite to you. Even if you are a king." She hissed.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4UfZFPTTa
"I want you to know, it was not my choice to send you away." He said quietly.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZTHYDGlDq
"You told me it was. You said it wasn't your council."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aFoW97EU5
"Then I lied." He replied bluntly.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjfe1PCfly
"Then your manners are no better than mine. Gentlemen don't lie."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNxy9RHKsY
"I am no gentleman. I am aware that you detest me, and I do not blame you in the slightest. I did what I had to do to ensure the support of my council – who, by the way, I have had fired. My kingdom must always come first, Astariel. Please, understand that. I will not say I am sorry, because I am not. I did my duty as king and for that I shall not apologise. What I am sorry for, is the loss of your friendship. You are sorely missed in the Greenwood."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8IRQwxEL9
"I suppose that's sort of an apology." She said. Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps it was his merciless charm, but she felt herself forgiving him already. "Especially for someone who has no way with words." She smirked.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbvU8dPy1h
"Am I forgiven, then?" He asked, looking at her from beneath his eyelashes.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnfjC4QOl0
"No. Not yet."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEzDT1na6y
"Yet? It's a start then?" He said, not masking the hope in his tone.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSX2xwsQ4C
"Yes." She replied. "Yes it's a start."
She returned to the Greenwood, but this time it was not as the Lothlorien envoy between realms. On the contrary, she returned as the Queen. Time had passed since her cousin's wedding and the two had much reconciled themselves. He had asked her uncle for her hand, and her uncle was pleased to oblige. Astariel herself was shocked at the proposal, but said yes regardless and the wedding was held that summer. Her cousin and her husband Elrond had attended, already they had conceived children – two tiny twin boys that could barely stand. Thranduil looked upon them with a smile on his face and a glint in his eyes. His heart had truly been melted by them.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxuRwYJkBC
She had been crowned on mid-summer's eve, and a beautifully carven throne had been added in the throne room. The king threw giant celebrations every night for the first three weeks, and after that, there was at least one feast per week, followed by a large celebration underneath the trees. The wine was ever flowing and the food in endless supply. The queen never had a single moment when there was not someone waiting on her, waiting to fill up her glass should it become empty. That was, of course, until she stopped drinking wine altogether. She simply smiled and declined the wine. She began wearing loose fitted gowns and there was an extra gleam in her eyes and her hands constantly rested protectively on her stomach. She was with child, of course, and the kingdom was in a perpetual state of celebration.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRudAdezbh8
One morning in mid Spring, the king was practising his archery outside in a green clearing, when one of the queen's hand servants came rushing out into the green plain.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGHKgecJXp
"Your highness, it is the queen." she said, rather breathless and clutching her side.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zNqOOOUZ7
"The queen? What is wrong? Is it the child?" Thranduil asked, worry etched across his face.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYuk51F8wj
"It is the child, majesty, but it is not bad news that I bear to you. It is good! The queen has reached her time early; the child is on its way!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTDTYX8aIt
Thranduil immediately dropped his bow and arrow and raced back to the palace. He was told to wait outside and so nervously he paced the corridor for what felt like weeks. At last, one of the queen's hand servants emerged, wiping her brow with the back of her hand.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOf9QQ1yiw
"Your highness, your wife has given you a son." She said, smiling, but Thranduil could see there was something else she was concealing.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow68dIL3LA
"And the queen? How is she?" He asked. Her moment of silence was enough to make him barge into the room, where the queen lay tired and exhausted on the four-poster bed, with a tiny bundle in her arms.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepBh9df405
"Husband, your son." She said, her voice cracked and her face was pale. He placed a hand on his forehead and withdrew immediately, for her temperature was enough to almost burn his fingertips.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8MPiNzzzE
"He shall be my Legolas. Our Legolas." He said, and she forced a small smile to spread across her face. It pained him to see her this weak and knew in his heart that something was not right.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35FsVrMZD6
"My darling Astariel, know that I love you more than anything in this world." She smiled again, closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1x0ZgjgL1
She remained bedridden for a further two weeks, and it was on the second day of the third week that she passed. The king was entirely inconsolable. At night, a heart wrenching wailing could be heard from his chambers and many began to think that the king would never recover. He locked himself away until the funeral, and event then he could not find the will to speak, not even to look at his son. He looked down at his son and saw her eyes and her hair and her nose, and it made the grief intensify to the point at which he felt that he was about to faint.
The child had grown much in the years that passed. He ran happily along the stream, brandishing a small bow with tiny arrows that had been a gift from his father. His maid followed close behind, her heart stopping when he strayed too close to the stream's edge.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ5VrgNHh6
"Come now Legolas, your father wanted you back by midday. If we do not leave now you shall be late." She said and the child, obedient as ever, came running back and ran right past her in the direction of home. The child had grown and every day, he looked more and more like his mother. The king doted on the child, absolutely adored him, and all the boy had to do was look at his father with his big round eyes and the king would bend to his will. He was utterly spoilt – but he had been taught and raised well. He was obedient and polite and unselfish and most well behaved child in the entire kingdom.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4sbo1b7Fr
"My son!" Thrandul said, kneeling down and opening his arms for his son. Legolas ran into his fathers arms and was raised up and swung around in the air.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BmtpZfitX
"Ada, put me down!" The boy giggled and his father laughed. It had been such a rare sound over the past few years and it was only recently that the king had started hosting the weekly feasts again. The child had well and truly healed the hole that was in his heart.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQLvp6SbM1
"Ada can we go down by the stream?" The child asked.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIhJpt6fAQ
"You've just been down by the stream, my son, surely you do not wish to go back so soon?"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YgCe0dGVb
The curiosity burned in his son's eyes.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlhdqsd8za
"But Faranna would not let me near the edge and I would like to see the fish!"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXUayq41uz
Thranduil looked towards the maid. "She is right not to let you near the edge, it is dangerous for one so little as you."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk4jQu73o1
"I am not little! And I am brave, ada, danger does not scare me!" The child said. His father was sure to give in eventually, and eventually he did, leading his son to the stream by the hand and ordering all his afternoon council meetings to be cancelled.
"Tell me about naneth, ada." Legolas said, dangling his tiny feet into the stream and marvelling at the multi-coloured fish that gathered around his toes. Thranduil had told his son the story a thousand times, but was happy to tell it again. Through his son, he found he could remember his beloved wife and continue her memory. She truly did live on in Legolas. He had her big, round eyes and her adorable button nose and her fine white-blonde hair. He had her curiosity, her stubbornness and her eagerness to learn. He had her kindness and her generosity and Thranduil could never have been prouder of his son.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ebwvFO45Q
"You are like her in almost every way, my son. She, like you, was profoundly curious and had me wrapped around her little finger." He laughed, looking lovingly at his son making ripples in the water by splashing his toes. "She would be immensely proud of you." He ruffled his sons hair and sighed heavily. "We should return before the both of us get in trouble from the kitchen staff! They will not be best pleased if the dinner shall grow cold before we return!" He said and his son stuck out his bottom lip. "Come, I shall ask them to make you an apple pie for desert, and you can return to the stream tomorrow."728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5RwCASQON
His son stood up and dried his feet on the grass. He walked beside his father with Thranduil placing a hand on the back of his son's head. The boy truly was the only source of happiness in the king's life, and the entire kingdom thanked the stars for the joy he brought the realm.
"Ada you cannot leave me here! I want to come with you! Please!" Legolas begged as his father saddled up the elk he was planning to ride to Erebor. The elves had received news that a dragon was burrowing its way into the dwarf kingdom and Thranduil, feeling a desire to aid his allies, rallied his people and prepared to march to the mountain.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LwJHdCeJ1
"My son you are too young. Besides, I need you here. I need you to look after the kingdom whilst I am gone." Legolas was just slightly younger than Thranduil himself had been when his own father had gone to war. He did not want his son to experience war just yet, he told himself. And so he made a great many excuses to convince his son that he was needed in the realm.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVPViU2PT1
By human standards, Legolas was perhaps thirteen or fourteen, and so was entirely too young to go with his father, but was old enough to believe himself that he was. His mother's stubbornness certainly began to irk Thranduil now.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMLcFC5OF9
"Son, you cannot come with me. I need you here." He said, sighing. "You are incessantly stubborn. I shall not thank your mother for giving you that! Please, stay here where I know you are safe." He said, and eventually Legolas gave way and stalked back to the palace. In time, Thranduil thought to himself, he will learn that this is for the best.
When the elves reached the mountain, Thranduil saw that the dragon had already gone deep inside the mountain. He did not have the forces to kill the beast, and it would be a suicide mission to go any further. He held up one hand to signal a halt to his forces.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDtVwoQjjy
"Retreat." He sad quietly.728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCesC9DQID
"Pardon, my lord?" Said an elf close to his side. "I thought we were helping the dwarves?"728Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAGfMbhnWg
"The dwarves are beyond our help now. There is nothing more we can do. Head back home." He said grimly. The dwarves would surely detest him for this, he thought, but it was for the best. He had witnessed his father lead forces unwisely into battle and gotten himself and the majority of the forces killed. Thranduil refused to do the same to his people. He would not leave his son without either of his parents.
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