🌟 Request for

Word Count: 3,724

Translation(s): ada (father), naneth (mother), 'law lîn síla sui ithil (your radiance shines like the moon), elo (stars {similar to wow, but more poetic}), hannon le (thank you), guren linna gen cened (my heart sings to see you), amman gwanna o Mirkwood (why depart from Mirkwood), goheno nin, naethen (I'm sorry, forgive me)

Summary: Princess Aradel was determined to escape an agreement made between two kingdoms centuries ago. Long before her birth, a pact was made between King Thranduil - who was new to kingly duties and easily swayed - and the experienced King Círdan to wed their firstborn children when they came of age. As time had it, Prince Legolas was born and Princess Aradel, seeing as Círdan was not married, was found along the treeline of his palace. They were the jewels of each mighty kingdom. As centuries passed on, the deal was spoken in hushed tones, but never forgotten. Soon enough, both heirs to the throne had matured, the plan being put into action much to the children's dismay. After the news had spread, Aradel vowed that she would ruin the union. Who would know what was to happen next?

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"Aradel, please, you're being unreasonable! Hush, before the whole kingdom is alight with rumors." Your father cried from across the dining table.

You growled beneath your breath, an animalistic tone held within it to showcase your rage.

"I am being unreasonable?" You hissed with venom between every word. "Let those few have their talk! This is insanity! Ada, do you not understand that as a young child my naneth told me find what, or who, I truly love just as she had. Never, in all of the ages, would I choose to be betrothed to a stuffy prince!"

Grumbling, your father abruptly stood from the table, slamming his palms down. You jumped back in your seat, clutching yourself close, as if your father's glare would melt you into a puddle.

You were most certainly not expecting this from such a collected man. You knew that you had truly vexed him. Although, with the news of your soon-to-be union, you almost thought nothing of it.

"Do not bring your mother into this, Aradel. She abandoned you as a young elfling, of that you know. You were helpless. Her words of wisdom shall not be spoken in my presence, not when it was I who raised you," he sat back down, smoothing his robes. "Not to mention, Thranduil is a good man, a bit rough around the edges - I do concede - but his son must only be the finest of elves."

You glowered at your hands resting in your lap, the hands that would soon hold the Prince of the Greenwood. You felt disgusted in your kingdom, in yourself, and at your own father for being so cruel, and for what? Legolas was most certainly not your love. The tales you had heard of him had proven that to you. You craved air and time to think about your approaching departure.

You sent daggers in your father's direction, finding that if you spoke one more word your head would be on a silver dining platter. He never had much patience for you. After all, his heart lay with the ocean - his truest love - and not with the family shoved upon him. You knew he loved you, but it hurt when he brought up your mother. The subject, in its entirety, made you miserable.

You stormed from the dining hall with your gown clenched in your cold grip. Immediately, you made your way to your chambers, devising a plan of monstrous proportions. Although it wasn't gauged toward your father, but kept in mind for a certain Elven prince.

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Your eyes trailed along the great halls of the kingdom called Mirkwood. You had to admit, despite yourself, that it was breathtaking. It felt warm and looked unlike any other kingdom you had seen in all of your days. The soft brown and green hues of the long dead tendrils of wood fought for dominance against one another, curving and moving in waves, as if trying to reach much needed water from decades ago. It smelled of the musk of dirt, the scent heavily wafting throughout the thickened branch walls.

Though, one thing was obviously wrong with the kingdom, and it weighed in the back of your mind, growing stronger and louder with your every footstep.

This was the home of Legolas.

You couldn't allow yourself to be enchanted by Mirkwood's feral beauty. You were here strictly to be wed, or more so, to wait until you had successfully abolished the wedding.

Approaching double doors with your guard, enormous in size, you marveled. There was no doubt in your mind that you'd soon be in the presence of King Thranduil. Slightly nervous your plan wouldn't work, you smoothed your dress and hair. After all, first impressions were the beginning step.

The massive doors swung open and upon the throne sat King Thranduil, lounging upon it lazily. He cast an upward glance, catching your gaze and spying the hoard of guardsman that stood nearby. Immediately, he perked up, a proud look resting on his face.

"Greetings," he called as he descended the stairs, almost floating on air. "Aradel, my, how you have grown. Law lîn síla sui Ithil! I'm sure you will make the finest princess for Mirkwood." He sighed.

You were slightly taken aback, seeing as you did not recognize Thranduil, but he did you. Despite that, you gave him a small, yet fake, smile, holding a hand to your heart and then extending into a curtsy. Quickly, you regained eye contact.

"My king, what a pleasure it is to be here. I must say, your kingdom is beautiful." You forced.

He nodded, his lips ever so slightly turning at the corners, something that looked rare for his character. Silently, he turned to the guards, waving them off as you did with your own.

"Legolas should be joining us at any moment now. I sent a maid to fetch for him immediately." As if on cue, the mighty doors once again swung open, revealing the swaggering step of none other than Legolas.

He sent a deadpan gaze in your direction, emotionless. It irked you on an unbelievable level.

"Legolas, this is Aradel of Líndon, daughter of Círdan." Thranduil introduced.

I smiled warmly, keeping up looks before the King. Legolas, however, didn't share that sentiment.

"Ada," he spoke, ignoring me to look at his father, "I do believe the contract stated I marry a princess, not an orphan."

You were stunned, to say the least. Your eyes grew wide and watery, did everyone feel so strongly about your family? First, it was your mother who took the liberty to abandon you, then your ada. Now, it was Legolas.

You felt yourself go weak in the knees, and the need for fresh air clawed at your lungs. You couldn't run away though. No, that would fuel Legolas. You wouldn't let him know that his remarks got to you.

Regaining your composure, you said, "I do believe that is no way to greet a lady - most certainly not the daughter of the Lord of the Grey Havens or your future wife."

His face remained stoic and you could've sworn he was about to yawn, that is, if Thranduil hadn't chimed in.

"Legolas, I believe you will get used to the company of Lady Aradel. Please, show her to her chambers. It will be good for you both."

He reluctantly complied, pushing past the doors without so much as a word to you. You said farewell to Thranduil and quickly caught up.

You spat, "the smallest amount of hospitality wouldn't kill you. Believe me, I plan on being here for as short a time as possible. I'm certainly not thrilled about this union, just as you so rudely appear to be."

He casually glanced back, a smirk playing on his face. He stopped before a door not long after - presumably yours - continuing his belittling act.

"Fine. Enough with the pleasantries then, let me settle one restless thought. The last thing I want to do with my life is to marry someone as asinine and incompetent as you. While I thank you for leading me to my chamber, I do believe that this is the end of my niceties and the beginning of a far greater vice. Farewell." You snapped, the prince's mouth hanging slightly open in disbelief.

He cleared his throat. "Goodbye to you as well, Lady Aradel."

"Ah, yes, well it does speak," you teased, slamming the oaken door closed.

"The nerve of some royals," you groaned, leaning your back against the wooden door and waiting for the steps of Legolas to fade from your elven ears.

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You had officially been in Mirkwood for three months now and your wedding was quickly approaching. You felt absolutely hopeless. Already, you had put into play copious amounts of trickery to get Legolas in trouble with his father, or better yet, to ultimately have the union be cancelled.

First, you had snuck into the elf's room and stolen a small pendant, dropping it near the scene of the massacre of an ancient vase. Granted, you felt horrible for smashing it as it was completely on accident (it happened as you fussed around the deepest halls of Mirkwood in a rage caused by none other than Legolas), but you took your opportunities as they came. While King Thranduil was furious, Legolas was forgiven.

When getting Legolas in trouble for misconduct didn't work, you tried relentlessly to let the King overhear how he spoke to you. You would go out of your way to interfere with the King's schedule, meandering around halls he would arrive in, but alas, it was to no avail.

Legolas remained as intact and as unscathed as your plans to be wed.

You were at your wits end. If you could not destroy the wedding with your almost full proof plan, then you would simply escape. If, for Eru's sake, you couldn't abolish the marriage, you'd run far away and abandon all you knew from your many centuries in Middle Earth. You would not - no, you couldn't stand around and let yourself be united with Legolas.

So, there you stood, planning your daring escape. Hurriedly, you shoved a spare tunic in a small bag along with other essential you'd need, such as your blades (of which you were skilled in using). However, a knock on your door interrupted your thoughts. You grumbled, hiding the bag beneath your pillow and throwing the door open.

None other than Legolas stood there, looking particularly odd for such a cocky character. He sheepishly scuffed his foot on the floor and kept his typically intimidating gaze to the ground. The scene almost shocked you so much that, for a moment, you felt compassion for the elven prince. You pushed it away as quickly as it came though. You couldn't be making friends with him now, not before your departure.

"Legolas, it's odd to receive a visit from you at this hour... or, let alone, any hour." You stated snidely, leaning against the hefty wooden frame of your chamber.

His expression changed slightly, taking on a look of self doubt. He rolled his lips while maintaining his nervousness.

"Ada, I-I mean King Thranduil, has organized a moonlit picnic for us," he trailed off hesitantly. "Alone."

A picnic? How ridiculous.

You reasoned that this must be a ploy to get revenge on your misdeeds and you couldn't allow yourself to agree, you were no fool. You then debated - if that weren't the case - Legolas would expect you. The Mirkwood guards would be sent to find you immediately. There'd be no chance of escape.

You weighed your options, knowing it'd be much more likely that you'd find your way out of the Greenwood after the meal. If something bad were to happen, it would only fuel your feelings towards escape. So, you looked him up and down momentarily.

"Are you silently judging me?" He hastily questioned, causing the smallest of smiles to graze your lips.

"Of course not, if I'm to judge someone, I'll make sure they hear me," you teased.

Soon after, however, a thickening silence followed your small banter. You give him your final answer in hopes of breaking the tension.

"Very well," you sighed, "I shall meet you in the gardens within the hour."

He nodded ever so slightly, almost giving a small, giddy grin. What is bothering this elf tonight, you questioned, closing the door. After finishing your packing and tidying yourself with one last look in the mirror, you exited your home.

As you arrived, you noticed Legolas sitting on a bench, tracing patterns on the stone, illuminated by candlelight from a picnic a mere few feet away.

"Evening," you mumble, sitting beside him.

He looked up awkwardly, something that looked odd on his usually glaring face.

"Aradel," he greeted, making his way towards the meal.

"A bit odd that the King would order such an extravagant gesture to be held at night." You coughed, the tension thick in the air.

You'd never been in such an informal situation with Legolas, nor had you ever even remotely had a kind conversation with him. You were uncomfortable, to say the least.

You went to open your mouth again, but Legolas' smooth voice cut you off.

"I apologize for how I've been acting lately, Aradel." He cleared his throat, continuing. "I've been quite rude, and I sincerely am sorry for how I've behaved. I realize that this union will happen no matter our protests and I would like to start it off in good company." He rushed, scratching the back of his neck. It was a nervous (but cute) habit.

You blushed at the sudden apology (and at the thought that your brain had mentioned how cute he looked), but you couldn't stop yourself from having enough questions to wash the thoughts away.

"While I forgive you, you will most certainly have to gain my respect again. Though, I cannot help but wonder why you are so supportive of this wedding all of a sudden? You surely know that it's not in our stars?" You questioned, seating yourself across from Legolas hesitantly.

He looked down, pondering. You couldn't but admire him in this moment. You noticed the way his face contorted as he sat deep in thought and how it caused small wrinkles to deepen on his youthful face. Quickly, you looked away, unable to believe yourself for thinking this way.

Enough, Aradel. You cursed internally, mentally giving yourself a reminder that you're to leave tonight.

"I suppose," Legolas spoke up, breaking you from your conflicting thoughts, "that, how do I say this? Well, I'm not - I think I've - elo, this is difficult." He grumbled aimlessly in frustration.

Compelled, you rested your hand upon his, asking "Legolas, what is it?"

He faintly shook his head, placing his lips on yours.

You nearly gasped, but found yourself slowly melting into the kiss. How could this be? Why were you letting this happen?

You pushed away at that, seeing the pain in his eyes. "Legolas, I-I-I - Please, leave me to rest in my chamber."

In an instant, you found yourself racing towards your room, conflicting emotions and intense thoughts running through your mind.

He couldn't of just kiss me?  You thought, reaching your room and hastily slamming the door.

You changed, grabbing your satchel and tossing it over your shoulder. Swiftly, you found yourself halfway out of your window, reminiscent of your room as you look back one last time.

"Farewell," you choked, throwing your other leg over the sill and disappearing under the inky night sky.

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Shivering, you poked the small fire with a twig and pulled your cloak closer to your body.

"I'm famished," you quietly groaned to yourself, regretfully thinking back to the meal that was sat out at your picnic.

You knew how to hunt, though being in Mirkwood's forest so late at night left an unsettling feeling in your stomach. The eerie sense of being watched was inescapable and caused the hairs on the back of your neck to stand. Every small movement within earshot left you weary.

As if on cue, a stick snapped from behind you. You bolted to attention, fishing your blades from your bag.

"Who goes there?" You wearily asked, creeping towards the area the mysterious sound came from.

Your breathing increased as you took small, light steps. Another twig snapped behind you, causing a lump of fear to form in your throat as you quickly glanced back. Swallowing, you raised your blades higher in anticipation for the worst. As you peered around the tree the noises came from, you sighed with relief.

You let your weapons rest at your sides, almost laughing at yourself for getting into such a fuss. You turned to head back to camp, but the sight of two burly, disgusting creatures stopped you dead in your tracks.

They had to have been two of the most vomit inducing brutes you'd ever seen. They wreaked of flesh and they're sick smiles showed their stained, gnarly teeth. You nearly gagged at the slivers of meat that sat wedged between their canines.

"What's this," the first one howled with mockery, "a pretty she-elf?"

The second cackled, his beady eyes holding contempt, "she'd make a nice prize, wouldn't she?"

You stiffened your sweaty grip on your blades, instinctively lunging at the first orc with a battle cry. Swinging, you managed to impale the foul being in the shoulder, while successfully delivering a swift kick to the gut.

It cried in pain, readying it's sword to fight just as the other grabbed for you. You managed to narrowly escape its grasp, stabbing it in the thigh as you slid between its legs to safety.

"Mat, ukhe parar!" They cried in Black Speech, both of the orcs ripping your blades from themselves and throwing them.

You squeaked, feeling doomed as you dodged their bulky swords and large bodies. The smallest of the two swung it's heavy metal weapon at you, narrowly missing you, but not before the other managed to catch your shoulder with its blade.

You seethed in pain, faltering momentarily. As quickly as it came, you regained your stance just in time to grab a large branch and stop the Orc's sword from delivering a fatal blow. You struggled against the beasts strength, crying out in pain as you used all your might to toss it away.

Your heart raced as stood head to head with the Orcs. Hopeless and without a weapon, you shuddered, knowing this could be the end.

They charged for you within seconds. You parried the beasts attacks, using rocks and branches alike to protect yourself. Your shoulder stung with pain and every movement ached, but you couldn't allow yourself to falter so easily. The Orc brought its sword's hilt into your side, the feeling so powerful it knocked you to the ground.

They began to close in on you as you wiped sweat and blood from your eyes. With what little strength you had left, you scrambled backwards, almost certain you had twisted your ankle. Just as you were positive that you were about to parish, an arrow came from far beyond in the distance.

The beasts fell one by one, landing heavily in a heap beside you. Tears sprung to your eyes as you couldn't believe you had survived. You'd forgotten the soreness of your body, hugging yourself with tears of joy.

"Aradel!" You heard an awfully familiar voice yell as they dashed towards you.

"Legolas, I c-can't believe it." You choked, throwing yourself onto the Prince in a bone crushing embrace.

You grasped his tunic with as much power as you could muster, tucking your head into his shoulder. You sobbed uncontrollably, unable to process that you were safe.

"Hannon le," you cried, pulling away from your savior and grabbing his cheeks. "Thank you so much. Guren linna gen cened."

He genuinely smiled, pulling you close once again.

"I was so worried, Aradel. You had escaped Mirkwood and whispers of Orcs in the forest had been flourishing about the kingdom. I had to find you." He rushed, the both of you finally calming down.

"Amman gwanna o Mirkwood?" He questioned quietly, almost sad as he tried to help you stand.

"Goheno nin, naethen.... I was scared. No, frustrated, in fact. I didn't think that it was possible to marry you." You replied, immediately wary upon standing and feeling your pain as the adrenaline subsided.

"You're injured." He breathed painfully, taking in your limp and bleeding shoulder caked with dirt.

You nodded, letting him whisk you away to Mirkwood once more. Although, this time, you did so willingly.

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You groggily opened your eyes, unaware of you surroundings. Groaning, you sat up on your elbows, hissing at the searing pain coming from your shoulder.

"Aradel, please, rest." You heard a voice, presumably Legolas, say as he urged you to lay down.

You blinked, your vision finally clearing. You were in Mirkwood's infirmary, and mere feet away stood Legolas. You gave him a sheepish smile, despite your pain, and quickly sat up, moaning at your bruises.

"How stubborn of you." He playfully groaned, reciprocating your smile.

A comforting silence settled across the room as the two of you smiled at one another. His blue eyes searched your face, as yours did his. You were unable to believe he saved you. You had no clue how your feelings had changed from absolute hatred to wanting to grin every time you thought of him.

You finally decided to break the silence. "Legolas, how did you find me?" You questioned thoughtfully.

Completely changing from his bubbly mood to a serious tone, he replied. "After you'd fled the gardens - which I also do not blame you for doing Aradel, do understand. I felt absolutely guilty. I'd been far too forward, I realize that now. I wanted to, yet again, apologize for my behavior."

"When I reached your chambers, I knocked, and to my surprise, you did not answer. I waited, and within half an hour you hadn't opened the door. Now, it's my princely duty to ensure all of Mirkwood's residents safety, but I was genuinely worried for you. So, I let myself in and you were nowhere in sight. In my gut, I knew you had run away, so I rushed to search for you."

"I was about to give up when I heard the commotion. Low and behold, it was you, wounded and fighting off Orcs. As dire a situation as it was, you have no idea how relieved I was to see you, Aradel." He placed his hand upon yours lovingly as he finished, intertwining your fingers. 

"Well, without the hysterics this time, I do thank you from the bottom of my heart." You said.

"And, from the bottom of my heart, I'll apologize for myself once more and say that I love you, Aradel, and am quite thankful for this arrangement of marriage," Legolas announced, his breath hitching in his throat as he squeezed your hand.

You feverishly blushed, warily stating, " I love you too, my fiance," as you shared yet another kiss, this one full of passion and hope for a marvelous future together.

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This is the longest one so far! Wow (or should I say elo)! I sincerely apologize for taking so very long to write this.... I was mysteriously logged out of my account for a while, unbeknownst to me. I hope you enjoy it. Personally, I loved writing this one. Let me know what you think.

-Raine