The first thing Thranduil did next morning was to see his son. Legolas had just bathed and was about to dress himself when his father entered his chambers. Eyeing his son's body, Thranduil was pleased to see that the years of war and struggle had bestowed Legolas a more muscular build. He might still not be compared to his father's stature, yet he looked much more like a warrior now.
Moreover, Legolas had inherited his father's good looks. That was definitely to their advantage. Thranduil smiled with satisfaction. Legolas felt slightly uncomfortable under his father's stare. He felt the urgent need to cover his body and walked quickly over to his wardrobe to get some clothes. Thranduil stopped him.
"Legolas, you will wear this today!"
Legolas turned around and only then did he notice that his father had brought some clothes with him. He walked across to his father and looked at them. There was a pair of black leggings and a silver tunic. The prince glanced at his father's satisfied face.
"I do believe that you had them made especially for this occasion, am I right?"
Thranduil smirked at his son before his expression became stern.
"You're going to get dressed to impress. You have to make a good impression on the lady I have chosen for you. Go and get dressed and don't forget to wear your silver circlet."
Legolas frowned. He felt uncomfortable in the role of the prince who was obliged to impress someone he had never met. And this was exactly what his father wanted. Legolas ought to flatter an elleth he did not even know. Who could tell if he would even like her? There were some days when Legolas wished that he had stayed in Ithilien after the war. Today was one of those days. He got dressed and left his chambers with his father. They walked to the large dining hall which, for the next month, would be crowded with elves who hoped to find a partner. Legolas shuddered at the thought of being one of them, although he himself had actually no choice in regard to his spouse. His father had already chosen a bride for him.
They ate their breakfast with all the others while Thranduil led a lengthy conversation with Elrond and Celeborn. Legolas, terribly bored, let his eyes wander across the dining hall while he played around with his fork. There were many pretty ellith around him, however none of them seemed to impress the prince. He sighed and made an effort to listen to his father's conversation. Legolas had attended festivals of that kind in the past, only to depart after a few days. This time it would not be possible for him to run away as the festival was held in his father's halls. And his father would surely not tolerate his disobedience. He could not just run away from Imladris and Lothlorien as he had done before. Legolas sighed and dropped the fork onto the table. The elleth his father had chosen for him had apparently not yet arrived. He was glad about that. Secretly he wished that she would stay away. He had other things on his mind than marriage.
After their breakfast Legolas walked with his father to the main gate. Thranduil seemed greatly disappointed when the guards informed him that there was still no news of Lord Belegur. Despite his father's obvious dissatisfaction, Legolas himself felt relieved and smiled. He suspected that it was Lord Belegur's daughter that his father had chosen for him. They spent the rest of the morning together, dealing with special requests from certain guests until it was time for lunch. Thranduil was greatly annoyed by the requests and the multitude of questions during the past hour.
In the afternoon, Legolas found some spare time while his father was meeting with Elrond and Galadriel. He went back to his private chambers where he removed the circlet from his head and tossed it on his settee. He fell face first onto his bed and tried to relax. He turned around and lay on his back, massaging his temples, before he closed his eyes and enjoyed the quietness. The palace was filled up to the brim with elves. And it was unlikely that this would change for the next month. Legolas sighed and decided to remain in his chambers until his father called him. He deeply inhaled the fresh breeze which entered his bed chamber and thought about the long journey he had undertaken.
Thranduil was utterly annoyed. Lord Dogion was not pleased with his accommodation and had requested more suitable chambers for him and his wife. Elrond had talked for a long time to the king until he finally gave way. Now Lord Dogion was accommodated near the king's corridor. It was close to the chambers that had been prepared for Lord Belegur and his family. That was too close for Thranduil's liking. He had to make some changes. If their father stayed here, it meant that Dogion's sons would be around too and they would sooner or later find their way to lady Tinnueth's chambers.
He groaned out with annoyance and sent a guard to fetch his advisor, Galion. Thranduil poured himself a glass of wine and enjoyed the rich flavour while he watched the sunset over his forest. There was no other way. He would have to change Belegur's accommodation. He was glad that he had not yet arrived. Otherwise he would have to explain his motives. Belegur was not aware of the true reason behind his invitation. Thranduil wanted his daughter for his son. It did not take long until Galion arrived in the king's chambers.
"You have called for me, my king? How can I serve you?"
Thranduil turned around to face him and gave his command.
"Lord Belegur has not yet arrived. I wish their accommodation to be rearranged. Get them accommodated closer to my private chambers and make sure that more guards will be positioned at the entrance to my hallway. I do not wish to have any unwanted visitors near my private chambers during this month."
Galion was confused by the king's command. "My lord, if you wish to avoid unwanted visitors in your hallway, why do you want to accommodate them closer to your chambers? This will surely cause disturbances for you. More guards will not help you in this case."
Thranduil stepped closer to Galion. "Who said that they are unwanted visitors? They are my guests! I want to prevent Dogion's sons from disturbing them. That is my point. I want to keep them away from Belegur's daughter. I want his daughter for my son!"
Galion nodded and instantly left the king's chambers to fulfill his command. He would arrange for the changes to be done as quickly as possible.
Thranduil hoped that this change would prevent Dogion's sons from seeing Lady Tinnueth more often than necessary. Apart from this, she would be closer to his son's chambers and that was exactly where Thranduil wanted her.
Before nightfall, the king finally received the long awaited news. Lord Belegur had arrived. He sent a guard to fetch his son from his chambers and walked with long strides in the direction of the main gate. Belegur was overjoyed to meet his old friend again. They embraced each other with joy and when they finally let go of each other they could not stop smiling. Even though he would not admit it, Thranduil had missed Belegur greatly. They had relied on each other for their survival for many years during the war. Belegur pulled Thranduil to the side and pointed at a beautiful elleth dressed in purple.
"This, my dear friend, as you might remember is my beloved wife Riniel."
Thranduil greeted her with respect before Belegur continued to speak.
"Here we have my eldest son Barhador and next to him stands his younger brother Tuven."
The two brothers bowed to the king with respect. Thranduil welcomed them with a warm embrace. They looked very much like their father. Belegur then pointed at another elf that was standing nearby.
"I am aware that you know each other but here is our good friend Istor and his wife Galliel."
Thranduil hugged Istor and greeted his wife. The king felt restless. It seemed that Tinnueth had not been a member of their travel company. Istor asked his sons to come closer.
"My king, these are my sons Amathon and Celegon. They both are brave warriors."
Belegur stood behind Thranduil and Istor and laid his arms on both elves' shoulders.
"Dear Istor, I hope you do not mind my interruption. My king, I wish to introduce our daughters to you."
He turned them around into the direction of the stables and Thranduil was elated. Two young ellith were walking towards them. It was instantly clear to Thranduil which one of them was Belegur's daughter. Just like her mother, she stood not as tall as other ellith but her hair was silver-blond like her father's. Her clear blue eyes sparkled beautifully in the light of the lanterns. She was wearing a dark blue dress which hugged her slender figure and she looked youthful and lovely.
The elleth next to her had slightly darker hair and green eyes, wearing a beautiful red dress. But she was not in Thranduil's plans. He had chosen Tinnueth for his son.
Belegur spoke. "This over there on the right is lovely Esteleth, Istor's daughter. And next to her stands my shining star, Tinnueth".
Both ellith bowed low before the king. They had heard the tales describing his vigor in battle and his heroic deeds during the dark war. Mesmerizing tales of bravery and sacrifice, endurance and pain, but still none of the stories did justice in describing the great king of the Sindar.
Thranduil was greatly pleased that they had finally arrived. Now he had to make sure that Legolas would win Lady Tinnueth's heart. Thranduil had to keep the Dogion's sons away from her and, even better, out of the picture. It would be an easy task. He smiled confidently.
Legolas walked reluctantly to the main gate. His father was already there. Legolas saw him embracing an elf. He searched around the hall for his potential bride. His eyes fell on the most beautiful elleth he had ever seen. He felt a shudder in his heart which began to beat faster. He halted abruptly and stood absolutely still, enchanted by her beauty and grace. Legolas' heart was jubilant and he knew that fate was on his side. He gathered all his courage and approached the elves while not for a moment taking his eyes off the young elleth with the green eyes in that lovely red dress.
She had captured his heart.