***Everything in italics is spoken in Elvish; in this chapter and in all of the future ones.***

          As a young girl growing up in Rivendell and Lothlorien, I had a lot to learn about the world outside. Not that I was sheltered in anyway; Arwen and I were both brought up by her father and my uncle Elrond and I often visited aunt Galadriel in Lorien. It was on one of these journeys when I was barely more than a young adult that I met Haldir. He became my best friend, my confidant, and a bothersome older brother if you will. We grew together and when it was time to train and learn the art of the elves, it was Haldir who helped me learn how to fight.

Sadly, I was not as good of an archer as just about every elf in both lands. However, I compensated for it by showing extreme swordsmanship. One day, Haldir was taunting me while I was practicing with my sword which aunt Galadriel had given to me called Altherial (I named my beautiful and brave daughter after that sword). Needless to say, I was not happy with Haldir and in one fell swoop, I cut his bow in half. He was so stunned by my speed and precision that he never came after me again. I was very proud of myself indeed. I was only a little frightened that aunt Galadriel would be cross with me for that but she smiled, shook her head, and in no uncertain words, said that he deserved it. From then on, I had much more confidence in myself and my skills with my sword.

Next came horse training. Most elves rode white horses but one day walking around the outer wood of Lorien, I spotted a midnight black horse with blue eyes that was bucking against the sky and sunset. Our stable caretakers realized that that was the horse I wanted but they could not get close to him. He was beautiful. So I walked closer to him, taking measured steps until I was inches away from him. I stopped and put my hand out waiting patiently. Haldir was shouting something in the background along the lines of it being too dangerous but I paid him no mind.

The horse reared and bucked a few more times and then to the surprise of everyone, he came slowly closer to me until he poked his nose into my outstretched hand. I waited a little while and then our eyes met and that was it; the connection was made. He came close enough for me to brush his full mane with my hands and hug him. As we stood there against the setting sun, that is what I decided to call him; Sunset.

What made the situation comical was that Sunset did not let anyone near him except me. It took forever for our stable caregivers to earn his trust while it took me a very short time. We had an instant bond; from that time on, he was the only horse I ever rode on. I learned how to ride him both with a saddle and bareback, the latter being a feat that very few female elves even attempted. Arwen was very proud; I loved my cousin very much. We spent a lot of time growing up together. One day, in Rivendell as I was getting ready to visit Lorien again, I saw her speaking to a man who was not an elf. He was different from anyone I have ever seen her with before. Later on I learned his name was Aragorn and he was supposed to be the heir to the throne of Gondor. Regardless, it was obvious both were very much in love but uncle Elrond was not sure Aragorn was ready to be with his daughter yet, so he sent him on his way to find himself.

I always wondered after that day whether I was destined to meet my soul mate. As luck would have it, fortune favored the brave. I would in fact meet him very soon after. One day, Haldir and I had ridden our horses far away from both Lorien and Rivendell and ended up on the outskirts of yet another forest. It looked very mystical, but not like my two homes. Just as I dismounted from Sunset, a woman with red hair emerged from a doorway deep inside. As she approached, I looked up at Haldir and asked:

"Where are we?"

"This is the home of the Mirkwood elves led by king Thranduil."

"How come we do not know much about them?" I asked puzzled as we both watched the red head get closer.

"Your uncle knows them well but they prefer to keep to themselves for the most part." He explained still sitting on his mount. Just as the red head reached us, we heard a male voice yell from behind her:

"Tauriel!"

She turned to look back as a blonde male appeared from that same doorway. As he saw us he paused briefly then continued toward us. He had long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that were a lot like mine own. When he got to us before he even set eyes upon Haldir and myself, he addressed the red head who we now knew as Tauriel.

"The king wishes to speak with you. Please go to him." She nodded but did not move. That is when he finally looked at Haldir and then his eyes landed on me and that is where they stopped. I felt my heart begin to pound faster and faster as his eyes got slightly wide and he smiled. Just before we were to make the introductions, I let go of Sunset's reigns and the horse took off. I gasped, slightly embarrassed, as Haldir rolled his eyes.

"Haldir, can you please bring him back?"

"Me? He is your steed!"

"Correct, but you are the only one left with a horse. And do not forget to bring my saddle as well. The journey is too long to make on bareback. Thank you." Haldir nodded tersely and took off after my wild stallion.

I then turned my attention back to the two elves still standing there watching with light amusement. That is then that the exquisitely handsome blonde elf finally introduced himself:

"I am Legolas, son of Thranduil."

"You are the king's son?" I said surprised.

"Yes I am. And you are?" He said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile.

"I wish my name was easier to say and explain but I am Hedraliel Anorithilian of Rivendell and Lothlorien."

"How does that work?" Tauriel who was still there asked with raised eyebrows.

"Well Elrond is my uncle on my maternal side and Galadriel is my aunt from my paternal side. My mother passed away and my father sailed away to the Undying Lands when I was still a child. I have been primarily raised by my uncle." I explained matter-of-factly as their eyes got wide.

"So that means that you are a princess just like Arwen, Lord Elrond's daughter?" Tauriel said in awe.

"I guess that is the official version of things, though I do not consider myself as a royal though. I am just lucky with the family that I do have." I shrugged.

"And is he your betrothed?" Tauriel asked nodding in the direction Haldir took off after Sunset. I looked that way and laughed before answering.

"Haldir? Goodness no! He is of Lorien and we have practically grown up together. He is like a bothersome older brother. We are not blood but we are as close as two siblings could be." I explained as I saw Legolas' face relax at my explanation or was I just imagining things?

I saw Tauriel look past me and I tore my eyes away from the beautiful gaze of the prince of Mirkwood to see what she was looking at. Haldir was astride his own steed, leading Sunset with his saddle all ready for the journey back to Lorien. I shook my head trying to hide a smile but failed. Legolas was still staring at me like he was seeing the sun for the first time. I blushed and looked away. Then he startled me with his next question; I had forgotten that I had even mentioned it.

"You ride bareback?" He said with that same smile.

"Yes I do, just not on far journeys like this one." I cocked my head to one side and looked at him.

"I am impressed. Not many elves male or female can do that."

"Well I am not your average elf." I said with a knowing smile.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw both Haldir and Tauriel frown. She then said goodbye and went back inside. The sun was setting and it was time to go home. Legolas held out his hand which I thought he wanted me to shake but when I put my hand in his, he brought it up to his lips and kissed it. I blushed again and smiled.

"Safe journey back home for both of you." Legolas acknowledged Haldir who just nodded stiffly.

"Thank you." I said and mounted Sunset with ease. The horse did not budge; he knew his owner was back.

"Till we meet again, princess." Legolas said softly in Elvish his eyes full of some form of emotion I could not pin point.

In response, I reared up Sunset onto his hind legs as he then saluted the prince of Mirkwood and we rode off catching up to Haldir. I looked back only once to see him still standing there watching us disappear from view. I did not say a word on the way home as I just smiled peacefully and let Sunset guide us home.