Three weeks had passed since the little Princess' birth; however, the air that reigned over the White Castle wasn't one of joy and happiness. Instead, it was an air of melancholy and pessimism.

Rhircyn let out a deep sigh of despair as he made his way through the corridors of the citadel during his morning routine of inspecting the security of all the checkpoints of the castle. Although the King hadn't said it clearly, it was evident to all the guards that there was a threat to the lives of Prince Consort and the little Princess. Feeling the danger looming over their rulers, the Elite Royal Guards vowed to do anything to protect them. Rhircyn couldn't help but wonder how they could do it without knowing whom they were against. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, the Captain sighed in relief as he finally finished inspecting the last checkpoint. After giving the guards his instructions, he returned to the royal wing, eager to be present when the King and the Prince would leave their chambers to attend to their royal duties. He had to be there when the two royals left the royal wing, ensuring the guards assigned were there to escort them.

As soon as he reached the wing's entrance, he asked one of the guards, "Have their Majesties left the wing?"

"No, sir," the guard replied. "The servant just left with their breakfast trays. I think they are getting ready to leave the quarters now."

Rhircyn nodded, relieved that he had reached them before their departure. Entering, he made his way with utmost haste to the King's chambers. There, he saw two guards, in addition to those who guarded the chambers' doors, standing in attention, waiting for the King and his spouse.

The Captain nodded in self-satisfaction upon seeing the waiting escort. The two guards were among the best among the Elite Group of royal guards.

"Are their Majesties inside?" he asked no one in particular, certain that he would be answered.

"Yes," one of the guards standing at the doors replied. "They've just returned from the dining room."

"Were there guards standing while they had their breakfast?"

"Yes, sir," the second of the waiting guards replied. "Two stood at the entrance, and we stood inside the room."

Rhircyn nodded in approval.

Suddenly, the large door opened, and Aragorn appeared in full attire.

"Good morning, Rhircyn," the King greeted.

"Good morning, Sire," the Captain replied with a bow before looking up, awaiting his orders.

"Legolas will attend the Council in three hours," Aragorn informed him. "I expect he'll be well-guarded while out of the royal wing."

"Of course, my Liege."

"I don't know if Lady Gwîneth will take the Princess out for a stroll today, but I want you to ensure that an escort will be provided if she decides to do so."

"Certainly."

Nodding his appreciation, Aragorn strode away without another word. He knew the Captain would do everything possible to ensure his orders were carried out perfectly.

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Legolas gently stroked Míreth's cheek as the little Elfling slept peacefully in her cradle. Her flesh still felt hot under his touch, but he could do nothing to reduce it. His little daughter was suffering from a fever wave for two days without apparent cause. Lord Elrond had assured him that all babies, Humans and Elves, endured such fevers, but Legolas still couldn't shake the fear that filled his heart for his daughter.

The Prince sighed, looking down at his napping infant. Míreth had been sick for quite some time now. Merely two days after her birth, she developed a fever but recovered shortly due to Lord Elrond's potions. However, after that, her health swung between healthy and sickness, almost sending him mad with fear. Aragorn also seemed to share his terror. The man went nearly hysterical every time Míreth's health failed. He had insisted that she slept in their bedchamber when she became ill for the first time. Another issue that worried him was that his daughter wasn't gaining weight. Legolas had been feeding her per Elrond and Dior's instructions. Also, the Lord of Imladris had been giving her special nourishment, but she remained small and tiny, like the day she was born. Legolas bit his lower lip as anxiety rose in his heart. Since Míreth got ill for the first time, the Prince feared that Míreth's premature birth would affect her health and growth. He was snapped from his thoughts when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, his eyes met with Gwîneth's reassuring smiling face.

'Don't worry, Legolas. Míreth will be fine,' she assured. 'Her temperature had decreased since last night. The potion Lord Elrond had given her is working.'

Legolas smiled weakly at the Elleth but said nothing. He looked down at his slumbering daughter.

"When are you going to give her again?" he asked.

"At lunchtime," Gwîneth replied. 'I'll be taking her out today when you leave. Lord Elrond said that she needs sun and fresh air for her body to fight off the illness.' Her voice held a hopeful tone, sending a slight shudder through Legolas' body for no reason. He didn't know why, but the last three weeks had been very stressful, and everything around him felt melancholy and gloomy.

'I should go and prepare myself for the council,' he said suddenly as he stood up. As much as he wanted to stay by his daughter's side, he knew a critical meeting awaited him to attend with the council. Whenever their daughter was ill, Aragorn usually participated in those meetings alone. Still, Legolas was required in today's meeting since the Lords would discuss the possibility of furthering Gondor's relationship with Mirkwood. He had to be there to talk on behalf of Mirkwood's Court. The blond Prince glanced at his sleeping baby before he turned around and left.

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'Are you certain you don't want to come with me to visit Legolas and Míreth?' Mallorn asked his lover for the tenth time as he dressed up.

Elrohir looked at the Mirkwood Prince and shook his head in response.

The blond Elf frowned deeply. His lover had been acting strangely for almost three weeks, treating him indifferently and coldly. The Peredhel had stopped following him everywhere he went, pestering him whenever Mallorn flirted with another maiden, and stopped arguing with him now and then. The dark-haired Elf wasn't even talking to him unless it was necessary. Mallorn wondered about the sudden change in his lover's behaviour and suspected that Elrohir had a change of heart towards him. But the half-Elf hadn't said a word about ending their affair or what was bothering him, no matter how much Mallorn insisted on knowing what was happening with him.

'As you wish,' the Mirkwood Prince finally said, not knowing what else he should say. After kissing his lover softly on the cheek, Mallorn left their chambers.

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Mortardur was on his way to the meeting hall when his eyes caught a hooded shadow lurking in one dark corner, waiting. The man's heart almost stopped as he realized who it was. He looked around to ensure no one was around before he marched to the shadowed figure.

"What in Mordor's name are you doing here?" he hissed as soon as he was near the Elf. "Someone may see you!"

Shadow snorted.

"No one would see me unless I wanted them to see me, Human."

"Your arrogance knows no limit, Elf!"

"Neither does yours, my Lord," Shadow sneered back.

"What do you want?" the young Lord hissed, losing his patience.

The last weeks were more than a bit straining for everyone. The alert state in the castle was driving everyone to their limits, with all the questioning, searches, and security around the royal family. He had often expected the soldiers to burst into his house, accusing him of attempting to murder the Prince Consort and the Princess or that they would somehow arrest Shadow and link the Elf to him.

"Relax, Lord Mortardur. I'm here to see how Legolas and the little Princess are faring." Shadow smiled, sending shudders down the man's spine. "I saw you coming and thought I should at least greet you."

"They are both fine. Will you please go?" the young Lord urged impatiently. "Soon, the rest of the Lords will be coming this way."

Shadow shook his head, completely ignoring the Lord's last sentence.

"They are not fine," he said. "The little Princess has been sick with fever for some time, and Lord Elrond has been practically sleeping in the royal chamber for two days."

"All babies get sick, and then they get better," the Lord retorted before realizing something. "How do you know all of this?"

Shadow smirked strangely at him but said nothing.

"Speak, Elf! How do you know all of this?" the Lord hissed.

"Go your meeting, my Lord. I would hate to delay you any further," Shadow said before walking past Mortardur and disappearing into the shadows, leaving the bewildered Lord behind.

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"Here I am!" Pippin exclaimed happily at Míreth's face as he revealed his face from behind his hands.

The young hobbit, along with Merry, Mallorn, Gwîneth, Glorfindel, and, of course, Míreth, were sitting under a massive tree in the Elven garden. The hobbits and the two Elves had joined Gwîneth and the Princess on Míreth's daily walk. They were all seated under a huge tree, enjoying the sunny weather.

"It's my turn now," Merry protested, shoving his cousin away and taking his place before the little Princess.

Glorfindel laughed at the Halflings' antics before his gaze travelled to the Lady holding the baby. A warm smile graced the ancient Lord's face as he stared admiringly at the beautiful maiden. He still couldn't believe how the Mirkwood Lady had captured his attention from the first moment of their meeting. Gwîneth had a strong, yet kind, personality, and despite her young age, she had a wise and intelligent mind that surpassed her 5,383 years.

'Is something the matter, my Lord? You've been staring at me,' Glorfindel cursed himself mentally as Gwîneth looked at him expectedly. He never thought he would be caught staring at someone before.

'Umm... Would you kindly join me on a walk, Lady Gwîneth?'

'I'd be honoured, my Lord. But what about Míreth?'

'I'm sure Prince Mallorn wouldn't mind holding his niece for a while. Do you, Prince Mallorn?' the Lord gave the Mirkwood Prince a pointed look as he gently took the baby from Gwîneth and placed her in the Prince's lap before he could object. Smiling, Gwîneth accepted Glorfindel's hand as he helped her stand up before interlocking her arm into his and walking away from the group.

Mallorn stared after Gwîneth and Glorfindel until they disappeared behind a large bush, feeling hurt at how the Balrog Slayer had so effortlessly snatched his chance with the Lady.

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Legolas let out a sigh of relief as he stepped out of the Meeting Hall. The air that hovered over the meeting was so thick he was sure he would've been suffocated by it if the meeting went any longer. As he walked through the corridors leading to his chambers, his mind went through the meeting. He couldn't put it into words, but something strange happened between Aragorn and the Lords of his council. The usually loud and disagreeable Lords had been quiet and meek for quite a while now. He hadn't attended many meetings after Míreth's birth, but he noticed that the Lords' behaviours had changed dramatically in those he had. They stopped arguing with his husband entirely. In fact, they wouldn't say a single word if they could help it. They would merely nod their agreements to whatever their King suggested, and when they were forced to talk, they talked in low, submissive tones. They acted as if they feared their King and didn't wish to evoke his anger.

Aragorn, on the other hand, treated them formally and coldly. When he looked at them, his eyes spoke of buried anger and resentment. It was as if he distrusted them for some reason.

Legolas wondered if this change in the Lords' behaviour was linked to the new security measures his husband had enforced in the castle. Thinking of this, the blond Consort heaved another sigh. He thought all his worries would be over after Míreth's birth, but he was proven wrong. A mysterious melancholy and gloom hung over the castle and their lives. He wasn't blind to the tension that resided between Aragorn and the Lords of his council, nor was he unaware of the changes around them: the tight security that his husband had ordered around him and his daughter, not to mention the Elven servants who replaced all the original servants. He had asked Aragorn about the necessity of those changes, but the man avoided answering him or giving vague answers each time. None of the others seemed to know the reasons or wished to give him a satisfying answer. Legolas stopped suddenly in his tracks, feeling unseen eyes watching him. He looked around the vast corridor, but his eyes couldn't find anyone except for the guard following him. An unexplained apprehension filled his heart suddenly at the sense of being watched.

"Your Highness, is something wrong?" the young soldier behind him asked.

"Nothing is wrong," Legolas said in an even voice. "I just thought I felt something..." Despite what he said, he still couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him from the shadows.

"Legolas!"

Legolas flinched in fright as a hand was suddenly placed on his shoulder. His right hand quickly pulled the small dagger he always carried between the folds of his tunic and turned around, ready to defend himself, when his eyes met Aragorn's surprised face.

"Aragorn, is that you?" he breathed deeply, returning the dagger. "You scared me to death."

The man raised an eyebrow at his Elf.

"Now that's a first," he commented. "I've never seen anyone sneak up on an Elf before, especially if that Elf is you."

Legolas frowned.

"I was lost in my thoughts," he said sharply. "I didn't sense you coming, even through our bond."

"Obviously, or else you wouldn't be standing in the middle of the corridor like this."

At that, Legolas blinked several times, gazing around him. He was indeed standing in the middle of the corridor without any reason. He looked at the young guard following him, wanting to ask how long he had been standing, but then dismissed it.

"Do you want to tell me what you were thinking, Meleth?"

His husband's voice brought back the Elf to reality.

"It's nothing," he said, shaking his head. "I'm just worried about Míreth."

"How was she when you left her?" Aragorn asked anxiously.

"Her temperature had dropped, but not very much," Legolas replied. "I have left her with Gwîneth."

"Let's go and see our daughter, Meleth."

Smiling slightly, Legolas nodded before wrapping his arm around his husband's and heading back to their chambers.

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'I'm still unconvinced that it's a good idea, Elladan,' Elrohir grumbled as he paced in front of the fireplace in his brother's chamber.

Elrond's oldest son rolled his eyes in annoyance as he continued to pack his belongings.

'Ignoring Mallorn is driving me crazy, and it's not improving our relationship. I'm giving him a good reason to go and trifle with Lady Gwîneth all day!'

Elladan took a deep breath to keep his temper in check. Elrohir had been whining about the same matter for two weeks, ever since Elladan had suggested that he change his attitude towards Mallorn and how he handled his lover's flings. The Rivendell heir started thinking that offering his advice was a huge mistake. He shouldn't have tried to meddle between Elrohir and Mallorn; each was a synonym for trouble. But then again, this suggestion wasn't his idea in the first place. Elrohir didn't know, but Elladan's advice to ignore Mallorn's inconsiderate flirting with every maiden within his sight was, in fact, Gwîneth's.

FLASHBACK

'You want me to stay away from Mallorn, my Lord?' Gwîneth asked, almost sarcastically, as she stared coolly at Elladan.

'Yes,' he replied solemnly. 'Your presence between my brother and Mallorn is causing him deep grief. I want you to stay away from them.'

Seeing how his brother suffered from Mallorn's insensitive behaviour, Elladan came to Míreth's bedroom to remove Gwîneth from his brother's path. But the blonde maiden wasn't an easy person to scare off. Instead, she smiled cheekily at the young Lord before walking to him.

'I stand between no one, my Lord,' she said, standing in front of Elladan and staring at him challengingly. "Mallorn is my closest friend before anything else. You can't expect me not to ignore his presence when we've known each other our whole lives.'

The two stared at each other momentarily, neither one willing to withdraw.

'If you are in love with him, then why did the two of you relinquish your affair?' he suddenly asked.

'Oh, I see,' Gwîneth said, smiling. 'You think that I'm trying to seduce Mallorn or steal him away from your brother? Rest assured, my Lord, I'm not trying such a thing.'

'You flirt with him openly in front of everyone,' Elladan snapped, his temper reaching its limits with the Lady's coy attitude.

The Elleth sighed deeply, looking away from the Peredhel.

'I'm only trying to help Mallorn to find his happiness,' she said earnestly. Upon seeing Elladan's questioning look, Gwîneth smiled. 'Lord Elladan, allow me to talk to you openly. Mallorn is not as simple as you may think of him. Please, do not be fooled by his cheerful and reckless attitude, for underneath it lays a different and more complex person.'

'I've known Mallorn for three thousand years,' Elladan protested. 'I think I knew him well enough.'

'Is that so?' Gwîneth asked challengingly. 'Then pray tell me, why do you think that Mallorn is flirting with me while he is supposed to be your brother's lover?'

'It's obvious that Mallorn doesn't love Elrohir. But my brother is so in love with him that he's refusing to give up. I think your Prince likes to play with others' hearts before he tosses them away like old clothes.'

'You're wrong,' Gwîneth said sharply. 'Mallorn would never hurt someone on purpose, and he never tossed anyone away. You do not know Mallorn well if that was your opinion of him.'

Elladan felt his cheeks heating up as he pressed his lips into thin lines, feeling embarrassed at his own accusation. He knew very well that Gwîneth was truthful about Mallorn. It wasn't like his blond friend hurting or using anyone in any way. But Elladan couldn't find any other explanation for his behaviour regarding his relationship with Elrohir.

Gwîneth looked at Elladan sternly before turning around and walking to the nearby couch. Upon making herself comfortable, she looked up at him.

'Mallorn and I aren't lovers and never will be. Those flirts, as you call them, are merely acts of jest between the two of us. I don't blame your brother for his jealousy, but if he continues behaving like a spoiled child around Mallorn, he'll lose Mallorn's interest very soon.'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean that Lord Elrohir is playing into Mallorn's hands,' she said. 'Mallorn is flirting with me and others merely to find an excuse to end his involvement with your brother. One day, he'll tell your brother he's weary of fighting and wishes to end their affiliation.'

'I don't understand,' Elladan said. 'If he truly loves Elrohir, why would he do that?'

Gwîneth sighed deeply. She knew she was betraying the confidence and trust that her Liege had put in her, but at the same time, she had to do something before the Elves, whom she considered her family, destroyed themselves with their pride and past pain. She gestured to the young Lord of Rivendell to sit beside her on the couch.

'Mallon is afraid of falling in love,' she began as Elladan sat beside her. 'Just like the rest of his family.'

'What?'

'King Thranduil's love for Queen Aarien was unimaginable. He loved her more than life itself, and her untimely death had shocked him to no end. Many Elves believed that if it weren't for the presence of his sons, he would've faded shortly after her death. Nevertheless, the shock was too great for him to bear. Aredhel and Mallorn witnessed their strong and seemingly unemotional father collapse under the pressure of his grief. This left them with deep scars towards love. Aredhel shut himself and his heart off long before the Valar blessed him with Lady Tarawiel. He was lucky to find her and fall in love with her. As for Mallorn, he dealt with the matter differently. He had never gotten involved with anyone long enough to fall in love with them; even our short affair was some sport for him. Despite being with your brother, he flirts with every maiden he sees because he wants an excuse to end this affair before it gets too deep. If Lord Elrohir truly wishes to win Mallorn's heart, he should change how he treats Mallorn.'

'How so?'

'First, he shouldn't always run after Mallorn with jealous rampages,' she advised. 'Mallorn will try to evoke Elrohir's anger to insight a fight between them, but your brother shouldn't fall into it so easily. He might even find that ignoring Mallorn for a few days would be helpful. Mallorn likes to be the centre of attention; he would run after Elrohir to gain his attention if your brother withdraws his attention.;

"Wouldn't that work the other way around, and Mallorn break up with Elrohir?'

'Not if your brother knew when to pull and push,' Gwîneth said.

'Why haven't you stayed together if you knew him so well?' Elladan asked.

'I told you we weren't truly in love, my Lord,' Gwîneth replied. 'Our relationship was a silly notion we wanted to indulge in for a while. Besides, Mallorn's childish personality doesn't attract me. I don't want to spend my days spoiling him.'

END OF FLASHBACK

'Elladan, are you listening to me?'

Elrond's oldest son took a deep breath in an attempt not to lose his already thin temper.

'Elrohir,' he began slowly and carefully. 'If you're not pleased with not fighting with Mallorn all the time, then by all means, go back into pestering him about everything he does until he ends your relationship, which would be bliss considering that it has brought me nothing but a severe headache!' By the end of his sentence, Elladan's voice had turned into annoyed hissing.

Elrohir blinked several times at his brother, surprised at his tone. Elladan had never spoken to him with such hostility before. Shaking his head, the younger twin decided not to evoke his brother's anger further.

'Why are you packing?' he asked, trying to change the subject.

'Ada told me to return to Imladris,' Elladan replied, taking a deep breath as he returned to his packing. 'It seems that Lord Cَlellon is having trouble fulfilling Adar and Lord Glorfindel's place for such a long period.'

'I see,' his twin said softly. 'When are you leaving?'

'In the morning.'

'I wish you a safe journey, brother,' Elrohir said softly.

Sighing, Elladan put whatever was in his hands down and turned around, facing his brother. 'Listen, Elrohir,' he said gently. 'I know it's not easy to pretend that you don't care about Mallorn's flirting with others, but you must also learn not to be obsessive. Mallorn is unsure of his feelings, and you must attract him to you, not scare him away. Give him some space to decide.'

'I understand, Elladan,' Elrohir said gently, nodding. 'And I promise I'll try my best to win his heart.'

Smiling, Elladan took his brother into a tight embrace.

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Mallorn was in a very foul mood. He glared in annoyance at Gwîneth and Lord Glorfindel, who were strolling around the garden while engaged in a seemingly exciting conversation. Mirkwood's second Prince rolled his eyes, huffing in irritation. He had been trying to be alone with his childhood friend for quite some time, but it seemed that the Valar was determined to keep them apart, no matter how much he tried to be alone with her. Always, there had to be someone standing between them; if it wasn't Míreth, then it was Legolas, the two hobbits, Elrohir, Elladan or Lord Glorfindel.

Thinking of the Lord, Mallorn's cheeks felt suddenly hot. He had noticed how Imladris' first advisor had been showering the Elven Lady with his attention since her arrival in Gondor. It was true that he hadn't openly courted her, but it was obvious that he had always sought her company. Plus, there were those moments when his hands accidentally would brush against hers.

Mallorn's chest heaved in anger at those thoughts. What made things worse was that Gwîneth accepted the Lord's flirts with smiles and laughs while her behaviours towards Mallorn's advances were swinging between cold and warm. At times, she would return his dallying with flirting of her own, but sometimes, she would ignore him altogether. At other times, she would coldly reject him, reminding him he already had a lover. Mallorn had never felt so neglected and humiliated in his entire life. He hoped talking with Gwîneth today would ease the foul mood hovering over his soul for the past few days.

Elrohir suddenly became indifferent regarding their relationship; the dark-haired Elf had stopped following him everywhere and stopped making a fuss every time Mallorn flirted with a maid or looked at one. At those times, he merely would glare at him before looking away as if nothing had happened. Strangely, this annoyed Mallorn for some reason. He was getting bored with fighting Elrohir every time he was caught flirting, but knowing that his actions had no effect on Elrohir whatsoever was equally annoying. His heart clenched upon thinking that Elrohir had stopped loving him, but he shook the thought out of his head. No, Elrohir was still in love with him, he assured himself. Yes, Elrohir couldn't fall out of love with him! Right?

Suddenly, Mallorn wasn't sure.

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Lord Glorfindel continued to relate to Gwîneth one of his adventures as the two walked around the gardens. The Elven Lady smiled as she listened attentively. She was genuinely enjoying the company of the blond Lord. He was wise, gentle, kind, captivating, and had a wicked sense of humour. Gwîneth had never felt anything like this towards anyone before.

'You've been through so much, my Lord,' she said as the Lord concluded his tale. 'I wish I could go on such an adventure.'

'Why would you want that?' he asked.

'I simply yearn for a change from the life in courts,' Gwîneth replied, swinging around to face the Lord.

'Then you'll need someone to protect you in such a journey,' he said, stepping closer to her.

Taking a step back, Gwîneth smiled shyly.

'I require no protection, my Lord. I can defend myself.'

'Really?' he asked, taking another step towards her and making her lean on the trunk of a nearby tree. 'A delicate flower such as you couldn't possibly face Yrch or Uruk-Hai by herself. I'll protect you,' he whispered the last sentence as he leaned down to kiss her, but he suddenly stiffened as a sharp object was pressed against his stomach.

'Even a delicate flower has thrones, my Lord,' Gwîneth whispered, pressing her small knife against the Lord's torso. 'And I'm a Mirkwood Elleth, trained to face the foulest creatures in Middle-Earth.'

'So I keep forgetting,' he said, pulling away a little with a teasing smile. 'But, I do love a challenge.' With a swift move, Glorfindel grabbed Gwîneth's wrist, twisting it up and pressing her knife against her neck.

The Lady smiled as the sharp blade touched her flesh.

'Your road is filled with more than Yrch, Uruk-Hai, spiders or even Balrogs, my Lord,' she whispered seductively as her other hand suddenly seized the Lord's hand and twisted it, forcing him to release her wrist. 'I dare say that you may face King Thranduil himself.'

Glorfindel smirked, gazing at her with an evident admiration.

Feeling a little shy of her boldness, the Elven Lady released a soft laugh before she leant forward and planted a quick kiss on the blond Elf's cheek. Then, she dashed towards the rest of their company just as Aragorn, Legolas, and Lord Elrond appeared, heading towards them.

Smirking, Glorfindel followed.

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Hate...

That was all he could feel at the moment...black, destructive hate.

He hated those who denied him what he had desired for very long years. He even had the audacity to feel hatred towards him, his own brother, for having the privilege to be the blond Prince's lover. The desire to claim the Prince's beauty was more powerful than his compassion towards his own kin.

Shadow took a deep breath as he observed the group gathering under the tree, having lunch and talking merrily. They were Legolas' family and friends who stood between him and Legolas for so long. Now, they all had the nerve to sit and enjoy themselves as Legolas bounded himself to a mere human.

Shadow snorted.

They had given one of the Firstborns to a mortal while denying him the right to court the beautiful Prince. He wouldn't have minded if Arwen had wedded the Human King. Despite her high status, she was a Peredhel, half-elven and not of pure Elven blood. But Legolas was one of the Firstborns and shouldn't have given to a mere mortal, even if he was the King.

Shadow had loved the Prince for centuries and had tried countless times to woo him but to no avail. Now, the Prince had finally wedded, and he felt nothing but bitter resentment towards the blond Elf. Shadow remembered how angry and raged he was when the announcement of Legolas' marriage to Elessar was made. But this would change now. He would make sure of it. He had thought of it thoroughly.

The first step to get to Legolas was to get rid of his little mixed-blooded spawn. It would be challenging to abduct Legolas and leave Gondor unnoticed in his current state. The young Prince of Mirkwood had a strong will, and Shadow doubted that he could beat him as he had once, especially after he had gone through a great war such as the War of the Ring and emerged from it a hero. So, Shadow must first lower Legolas' defences. And what better than grief to break an Elf's will, especially a parent's grief over their child?

After managing to kidnap the blond Prince, Shadow could take him to some isolated place where he could break him in peace until Legolas became entirely his.

Carefully and silently hopping from branch to branch, Shadow walked through the gardens until he reached his destination. Luckily for him, the guests' quarters were at a lower level of the castle. It wasn't trouble for him to climb up on the climbing plants that ran up the walls until he reached a particular balcony. Jumping soundlessly on the terrace, Shadow peeked inside the chamber before gently pushing the doors open and entering. He smirked upon seeing the vial that was placed on the small table. Lord Elrond felt so secure that he left the potion he would give the little Princess in plain sight. After all, no one could enter his chambers without his direct permission according to the King's orders, or so they all thought. Taking a small pouch from between the folds of his tunic, Shadow uncapped the vial, poured the golden powder into it, and then recapped it again. With a satisfied smile, Shadow left the chambers the same way he had entered it.

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Legolas rested his head on his husband's shoulder as the two lay in bed that night, sighing deeply. For some reason, he felt so distant from his Aragorn despite being together. His husband had changed a lot since the birth of Míreth; he'd become more reserved and secretive than before. The man simply refused to confide in him on whatever bothered him, no matter how much he asked. Legolas thought that after their shy love declaration, they would be more open to each other regarding their feelings and thoughts. But, it was ultimately the opposite. The man was more open to him when they were just friends.

"Brooding again, Coramin (My heart)?" the King asked as he planted a soft kiss upon the blond head, snapping Legolas from his thoughts.

"Bad habits die hard, Aragorn. You should know that better than anyone." The blond Elf laughed softly.

"Indeed. What were you thinking of? Míreth?"

"Among other things," Legolas replied, looking up at his husband.

"Other things? What other things?"

"You, for instance."

Aragorn gave him a teasing smirk.

"I'm vastly honoured," he said. "For being the occupant of His Royal Highness Prince Legolas Greenleaf's deep thoughts."

"Is it farfetched that I would be thinking of my husband?" the blond Elf asked, playing along with the man's teasing.

"No," the King replied, tightening his embrace around the Elf's waist. "I just like the concept of me being the centre of your undivided attention." He slowly closed the gap between their mouths as he continued to whisper. "I don't want you to think of anything or anyone but me and me and me..."

Legolas felt his heartbeats racing as Aragorn's hot breaths caressed his lips. His eyes were unconsciously closed as he was pulled into a deep kiss.

🧝🏻‍♂️🤴🏻🧝🏻‍♂️🤴🏻

To Be Continued...