Hear Them Speak

Half Elf

A few days later

"You are nervous, Aredhel" there was no hiding my inner feelings from a lady's intuition that I'd never known before, as long as I could remember - our grandmother had always known what we were hiding even if we never breathed a word "there's no need to be afraid - you're only meeting after all" I couldn't help but smile at her humour, but I'd rather have been in her situation...where she married who she chose, for love

"How can I not be? I not know this elf nor have I ever met his company, yet I am to be wedded to him...'for the good of the kingdoms' as father would say" her hands cupped my cheeks as if I were about to shatter in her palms "How did you put down your sword so easily?" A look of sorrow overtook her expression as her hands moved into mine, as if she could absorb my pain - but she couldn't save the lives I'd lost over the years

"There will come a time, when you feel you're able to - come see me when that day comes and we will breathe in the new peace together" it was rare for her to ever speak of her troubles after the war, but I'd heard the stories of the great commander of north...her heroism days were not too long in the past for the lifetime of an elf - how I wish I could've seen her back then, spoken to my father when he was more of a politician in his youth

She brought me over to the balcony and pointed down by the river "Take a look, they came through the hidden valley" my eyes followed to where her finger led, two noble elves on horseback surrounded by guards, all dressed from head to toe in white silk - it had to be them! The younger of the two seemed to have a kind face but I'd like to be acquainted first, for all I knew - his personality could be one of a fool

"So how is it that I was requested?" Usually when asking for elves to be joined in marriage, lords and kings leaned towards that of full elven descendants...my line was of half elf which usually would rule us out for this kind of thing - it was equivalent to being a common elf outside the crown...not worthy of marriage to a high elf line in any century

"King Thranduil's hopes for his son's bride to be is that whoever she was, came from a high noble family - Lord Elrond and he know of each other well" so it was by acquaintance, I was a simple peace offering - somehow thinking of it that way made me feel a little more calmer about the situation, like it would bring an end to a raging conflict or a noble sacrifice of some kind

After a little while, my father came to collect me from the comfort of the balcony - every step made it harder to keep moving forward "I hope you know, you're under no obligation to say yes - all I ask is you meet" he held out his arm for me to take, which I gladly did. I think I would've fallen if my father wasn't here to support me physically

"King Thranduil, Prince Legolas...may I present my last born - Aredhel" I curtsied lowering my head in respect as the prince mirrored my behaviour momentarily forgetting he had a higher status than I "Let us walk, we'll take the riverside path" before I knew what was happening, my arm was through the prince's and our fathers were slowly wandering behind

"So I hear you come from Mirkwood, I hope your travel was safe?" The elf began to gesture with his free hand the route they came winding through the air as he described the hills and rivers. Truth be told - neither of us knew what to talk about, it wasn't like with little children when you leave them alone and they'll be best of friends in the blink of an eye

The stiff small talk soon turned to playful laughter and bumping into each other - maybe marriage wouldn't be so bad? I could learn to adore him the way a wife would, he was so sweet and generous. Legolas had such a way with words, it was impossible for an elleth such as to not be charmed! And the way he looked at me, with those stunning eyes - I doubt I'd ever tire of it

I wouldn't put down my blade just yet for him, but when I was ready to do so - he could have it without argument. "You're a bowman, fascinating...but you have wielded a blade before - not often but it's happened" I handed realised I was holding his palm so close to the light "oh- forgive me, my prince! I'm an artificer in training, the calluses on your hands tell me the types of weapons you have experience in"

For a brief moment, he had a face of pure fascination which shifted into confusion and what I could've mistaken for admiration. He then questioned my battlefield experiences "father says I shouldn't, but I'm more experienced in blades, I rescue nearby travellers in the forests when I can" I cleared my throat pretending nothing was said to which he responded with a chuckle

"You're not what I expected you to be like, that is for certain" if not for the bright smile, I might've been insulted. It was clear he hadn't meant it that way just as a small confession that he was surprised, it made me curious as to what my father had really let on to our guests - how he'd convinced them to come...maybe he was expecting a princess doused in gems and commanding her every whim - I'm glad I wasn't her

"Am I not?" What was it that he was hoping to greet? Did he think I'd have no mannerisms because I wasn't a wood elf? Had he met any other kind of elf before? There was no way to be sure, if he were from any other kingdom - I would've assumed so since he'd likely been alive for so long but Mirkwood...they stayed within their borders and only crept out when they had to

Out of nowhere, I felt something pull my hair away from my ear "you are a half elf, are you not?" As soon as those words left the king's mouth, it was confirmed that I'd not be getting married anytime soon. I knew better than to get my hopes up, Arwen had warned me last night so why had I allowed myself to become attached to the elf who'd never be my husband?

His son looked confused as to why this was such a problem for his father, Legolas hadn't realised that once a half elf was within the family tree, all of the following children could be considered half elves as well which could lower the purity appearance of the bloodline. It was like mixing a mutt with a purebred...there would always be that stain of something other than full wood elf in their veins

I turned to gaze at my father with concern in search of comfort "Am ni vamme ana n- vest-? (Am I not to be wed?)" his hand waved slightly signalling that this situation could still be resolved, but I had my doubts. Although Legolas had to be the one to say 'yes', his father was the person who'd control whether this was allowed at all regardless of whether I was liked

"N- polda, titta er (Be strong, little one)" my fingers pushed my hair back behind my ears as the secret was already out "yes Thranduil - my children are of half elf heritage, as am I" vexation seemed to fill those old steel blue eyes at an alarming pace before he stormed away calling his son after him whom was still puzzled but slightly irritated with his father's behaviour towards my ears

We stood there watching in shock as they mounted up with their guards and began to charge down the same path we still waited on "I cundu indóme vamme n- as a perina moriquende...lala er indóme (the prince will not be with a half elf...no one will) he didn't need to say the rest of what he thought for me to know - I could kiss this marriage goodbye...all due to the shape of my ears

In his eyes, I was worth no more than an orc or worm in the dirt. My lifespan must've seemed so short in comparison to his own, of course I'd seem insignificant - a mere infant still learning to walk. The glare that lingered didn't break even as he vanished out of sight with his son following close behind, only asking questions when he thought he was out of earshot...

but elves weren't so different...