After we said our goodbyes, Legolas and I headed off to Mirkwood. For the last few days, my stomach has been giving me trouble. Like right now. The carriage ride wasn't helping either. 

"Stop!" I yelled before hopping out of the carriage and running to the bushes to puke. I felt my hair being pulled back as I vomited. When I was finished, I looked over to see a worried Legolas. 

"I'm fine," I said before he could say anything and crawled back into the carriage. 

*** 

It seemed like forever, but finally we made it to Mirkwood. I had only heard stories from my mom and from what she said; it was dreary, dark, and dangerous. 

Legolas helped me out of the carriage before leading me into a large hall. Sitting in a chair sat a tall blonde haired elf that had a strong resemblance to Legolas. 

"My son has come home a hero," he said before hugging him. When they broke apart, Legolas put his arm around my waist. 

"Father, this is Arietta, daughter of Adalia. We're together." 

"The daughter of Thorin," he said in disgust. 

"Yes, the daughter of the noble Thorin Oakenshield." He kept glaring at me.

"Jetta," Thranduil called. "Take Arietta to Legolas's room. Legolas and I need to chat alone." A woman with long white hair led me down a hallway and into a massive room. Jetta took my hand and sat me down onto the bed. 

"I know that you are with child," she said, placing her hand onto my growing stomach. I knew that was why I was sick so often but I was just going to ignore it until I couldn't anymore. 

"Do you think that Legolas has suspected anything?" 

"Honey, I think he knows. It is beginning to really show." I put my head into my hands. If Legolas knows... 

Legolas busted into the room with a pained look on his face. 

*** 

Legolas's P.O.V. 

"Legolas, I don't want you to marry someone like her," my father said as we walked through the hall. 

"But I love her," I replied. 

"You can't." 

"Well, it's too late because she's carrying my child," I spat before walking away. 

*** 

Thranduil and I managed to avoid each other for a week until he called me into the hall. Oh great. I walked into the hall and stood silently in front of him. 

"I want you to explain something to me." I nodded and waited for him to continue. 

"How did Legolas fall in love with you?" 

"He didn't. I fell in love with him," I said, trying to keep my patience. 

"Oh really." 

"Yes really. Why can't you accept the fact that we are together?" Pain flashed through his eyes for some odd reason. 

"Legolas is the heir to the throne and my only child. I can't lose him," he said quietly. 

"Why would you lose him? Just because he's with someone doesn't mean he's leaving." Thranduil studied me for a minute. 

"I'll give you my blessing if you promise not to take Legolas or my grandchild away." I nodded, stunned before practically skipping back to my room. 

*** 

For the next month, we planned a wedding for Legolas and I. Thranduil seemed nicer to me since the day that he gave his blessing. As we speak, a dress maker was sewing me a dress that was white with green around the elbow and on my chest. 

Legolas walked in and laid down beside me. 

"In two days, we'll be officially married," I said happily to him. 

"Looks like our future has turned out okay." I nodded and rested my head onto Legolas's chest. 

*** 

I walked down the aisle with a white lily bouquet and my hair in loose curls. Legolas was waiting for me in the front, smiling. When I finally reached the front, Thranduil started the ceremony. It all went by in a blur. Ending the ceremony with a kiss, a new journey began.

 *

The Good Witch and Errant King

copyright 2011 by jon gutmacher

There was a king

in far off land

a godly man

as religions stand

who said his prayers

never took things light

but thought, too much

that he was

right

A bishop did

come fore him once

and told of witches

an evil hunch

that they were damned

and caused all harm

and thus incited

a great

alarm

The king prayed long

for an answer true

and then took knights

and witches slew

and those who hid

and those who fled

were the only witches

who

were not dead

"And now I've rid them

from the land

The crops will grow

all witch be damned!

the bishop smiled

the people prayed

at last

from nothing

they were saved

and the witches who

once roamed the land

doing good

by spell and hand

were few and far

and secret, too

so very few

the people

knew

Then Evil came

with good witch gone

and took the land

and smote it on

and drought and cold

and disease ran thru

the kingdom suffered

as no one

knew

And bishop came

to castle gate

and then

at throne

could hardly wait

to cast more blame

who did not pray

it was – Them

who caused

this blackened

day

And so King passed

several laws

And threw in chains

some hundred more

and tortured those

who would not pray

so each could see

their Evil way

And now the people

were truly sad

too many laws

that made them mad

but nothing did protect the land

the pestilence

still, was out of hand

"Oh, Bishop – what is

left to do?

I have listened twice

to only you

my kingdom dies

the livestock low

the people sick

the crops

won't grow

The Bishop shook his head

but twice

he didn't know

had no advice

could only pray

could only bow

would nothing stop

the pestilence now?

And then the Queen

came down with pain

a sickly look

like ashen rain

the joy she was

it was

the church bells rang

her death

at store

The King so low

despondent now

for all got worse

no fields to plow

and then a dream

came on one night

it lit the room

it set him right

"Tomorrow we go

into the wood!

A dream has told

of witches good

that they are not the evil

that we thought

but heal the land

What have I wrought?"

And on that morn

the King, one knight

they braved thick forest

to get it right

and there so deep

and there so dark

a simple cottage

the King did hark

"I mean no harm

No harm will come

A dream did show . . .

Please, do not run!

And all this time . . .

I've been so wrong

you've hidden here

too long

too long

And then the witch

came into view

so fair and kind

he surely knew

what Bishop told

was ah, so wrong

his laws were bad

his people wronged

"I am no witch as

witch you know

I heal the sick

in rain

or snow

you killed my kind

as witches go . . .

but I will heal your queen!"

And with a wave

of magic hand

a change did come

across the land

and all the sick

and all the blight

did vanish in

a stroke

of light

The King bowed down

a humbled man

and said the words

as best he can:

"I've done you wrong

"I've killed your kind

"While all through time

"You were so kind

"I revoke the laws

"I restore your place

"I open my kingdom

"I accept disgrace

"And never will this happen twice

"Forgive me, please

"Give your advice

And then she smiled

and flowers grew

twelve fairies appeared

and then He knew

that the Land needed magic

for it to stay

for it was magic that kept

the evil

away

And from that time

no witch was burned

for hence there was

a lesson learned

that those with Power

are mainly good

they're sheltered deep

in thickest wood

They protect the land

Protect the peace

Keep pestilence out

beyond Evil's reach

And those who dwell

are only good

if They, you need

go deep

in wood

For if your heart

is straight and true

then only good

will

witches do