"Hair and complexion was as bright as the sun…"

CHAPTER I

******The words that are italicized means that the person is thinking of spoken thoughts within their minds!******

******I definitely want to hear your guys' opinions of this, and exactly what I should make what a main focus, whether it's adventure, or more romance, or equality in both in which I am striving for! Thanks for reading I really appreciate it!******

The rays of the morning sun sprayed into Aeroneil's room. The young elven woman slightly opened her eyes her hand reaching to cover her eyes from the brightness. She heard the soft conversation between her parents and quickly got up to the window near her bedside. Her father exited the house with his two blades and bow in gear. She sighed at the thought, what does he even do? Why is it such a secret in my life… The thought quickly went away as her mother opened the bedroom door. "Good morning my Evenstar, what causes you to wake up so early today?"

Aeroniel took a step back from the window and sat back down on her bed. "My body just told me it was time to wake I guess." Her mother smiled and nodded closing the door. She slumped back onto her bed looking at her ceiling. I'll find out sooner or later. She threw on her practice gear, picked up her bow and casket of arrows and headed down the stairs.

"Going somewhere?" Her mother asked picking dishes up from the table. Aeroniel arched her eyebrow in surprise.

"Yeah.. I'm going to the training grounds, as usual?" Her mother shook her head no and threw a folded piece of paper at her. Aeroneil caught it, opening it.

"You can go after you're done with some errands, yes?"

Aeroniel sighed dropping her gear. "Of course. I'll be on my way." She folded up the paper, shoved it in her back pockets, and walked out of the front door.

In the enchanted forests of Mirkwood, ruled by the well respected King Thranduil, lay a small but decent amount of Silvan elves, enough to protect these enchanted lands. Eroborn Fefalas, was the King's most trusted guardian and friend. Wherever the king moves, he moves. Along with Eroborn, was Legolas, his most trusted kin, and son, matter of fact. He was the Elven Prince of Mirkwood making him Thranduil's rightful heir. There was not much "evil" known to the Silvan kind because their lands were so sacred and blocked off from the rest of Middle-Earth. But there was a part of the lands which were marked off as 'forbidden' due to the evil spreading, which added to Thranduil's worry for his people. The one thing that Thranduil treasured most about Eroborn was the love he has for his family. His lovely wife, Ireth and his daughter, Aeroniel who was as pure as light, much of the Evenstar itself.

Thranduil feared that Legolas will not find a lover or any sort of romantic interest that will bear him a son, another heir to the throne. Speaking of his problems to Eroborn, Eroborn thought of a maybe not possible, but logical solution.

"Introduce Legolas to your daughter?" Thranduil looked at his friend with a puzzled look.

"It is possible. Age is not a problem because the two are blessed with immortality, and she is strong enough to protect her people as well." Eroborn replied with a hopeful smile. Thranduil got up from his throne and paced around the semicircle of his court.

"Aeroniel is worthy of her name… and she is truly of beauty, one that hold the pure light of the Evenstar." Thranduil nodded still pacing around his court. "But do you really expect my son to be with your daughter who has no royal blood running through her veins?"

"Do not reject her because of the blood that runs in her veins, my lord, but accept her because she has so much to give to Legolas and your kingdom." Eroborn argued. "My daughter will not put shame to the Silvan elves or to your throne." Thranduil nodded in agreement and stopped in front of his friend.

"You always have a way with your words Elessar. The hardest part of this deal, however is to make sure that the two actually want to be together however. I will not force an unrealistic love to my only son." He said slowly looking at Eroborn. "Have the two even met before?"

"I believe not. Aeroneil does her own will, she is either tending to her mother's errands or practicing her bow skills in the training grounds." He responded tapping his chin.

"Well we will arrange a meeting. If the two agree to be with each other, these worries will be lifted from my mind." Eroborn nodded and knelt on one knee.

"I will not disappoint you Thranduil." He replied bowing to the King, before leaving his court.

"Mother! I have finished all your errands you asked me to do today, Napolde and I are going to the training grounds! Don't wait on dinner for me." Aeroniel yelled, picking up her bow and arrows.

"Be careful, and come back at a considerable time Aero." Ireth responded quietly.

Aeroniel stepped into the sunlight and the beautiful beams strayed across her new bow her father gave to her. Her father said it was a gift from someone very special. She always wondered if it was her grandfather's or someone along their bloodline. She whistled a harmonious tune and within seconds a beautiful steed holding the coat of white galloped her way.

"Ah, Lenwe…" She spoke softly, stroking the horse's mane. She climbed on its back and started to ride to the practice fields. Mirkwood was a beautiful place, filled with green lands and tall, ancient trees that spoke to you whenever looked upon. The grass was tall enough that when the wind would brush over top of them, the grass would dance. The air was pure and sweet and the sky was always clear and blue even when the land needed water and rain has come upon the lands.

"Neile!" A familiar voice came out. She looked across the fields and with her keen elven eyes, she spotted her great friend, Napolde.

"Hey Napolde!" She giggled as she galloped closer to Napolde.

"You're late. As usual. Come on, let's get practicing, our training exam is coming up soon!" She rolled her eyes getting off her horse, who was name Balkistar, representing its sleek black coat.

"A queen is never late, everyone is simply early." She snickered getting off Lenwe. She gave Napolde a gentle push, while the two laughed and headed toward the practice grounds.

The two elves began shooting their regular routines, when Napolde soon got bored. She sighed and dropped her bow, which landed on the ground with a loud "thud".

"C'mon Nana, just a few more shots and we'll be on our way home." Aeroniel said aiming straight at one of the practice targets, shooting it right on the bulls eye.

"I'm not being impatient. I'm just rather bored." She responded playing with one of her braids.

"Bored of what? This? How so?"

"Everything is so still, it's unlife-like." Napolde looked at her friend getting up.

"What do you mean, 'unlife-like'?" Aeroniel asked puzzled.

"I want to shoot at real things! Like those great armies who serve under King Thranduil! Our goal is to be one of them, how else will we be able to shoot orcs, if we practice on these silly things?" She gestured towards the round targets.

Aeroniel shook her head. "No Napolde. We do not shoot living things on our lands, unless it is not of our own and they show danger to our people. You know that."

"I know that Neile, but come on, let us go venture out somewhere, let us-" Napolde looked at the forest and paused for a second. The look of adventure drove Aeroneil to look at where she was looking and her eyes widened in realization of what it was.

"No. We are not going into the deep forest. That is the forbidden areas Napolde." Immediately shutting off the idea.

"Why not? There must be some animals in there that do not seek good." She argued.

"Because Nana, we have never been in there before, and it's not a good idea." Aeroneil said grabbing her friend by the shoulder. "We don't know what's going to be in there."

"Seriously Neile? You're always worked up and you never have fun! I thought you wanted to be the best elven warrior there was then become the queen or Mirkwood's guardian that can protect her people. This is practice! It seems like such a good idea to me! You can practice on things that are more realistic, and it'll just make the test all the more easier if we practice on more advanced objects!" She persuaded.

Aeroneil looked at her friend sincerely. She picked up her bow and arrows and looked at her once more. "I honestly have no idea what were about to do, but let's go. You better be right. These practice rounds aren't helping me either." She whispered something to both of the horses which sent them galloping their way back to the village. Napolde smiled at her friend, gathered her things and the two ran off into the forest.

"My lord!" The young elven prince bursted into Thranduil's keeping. "One of our warriors said they saw two young elven women make their way to the deep forest-the forbidden areas. There has been sighting of those wretched spiders recently. More and more keep coming. What shall we do?"

Thranduil turned around with Eroborn following him closely. "Take your strongest men and go. Save the women and return them safely to their homes." The prince nodded at his father bowing as he left. "And Legolas-" He turned and looked at his father.

"Be safe."

Legolas nodded at his father and made his way toward the gates.

"We go north! To the deep forests." He shouted signaling his guards to follow.

"This place is kind of creepy…" Aeroneil said trying to not step on anything that would ruin her shoes. Napolde was running in front of her amused by everything in the forest.

"This part of the forest I have never set my eyes upon… it's beautiful…"

"Hey don't leave with out me!" Aeroniel yelled running after Napolde. As she was running towards her friend, she heard a slight swoosh sound. She stopped immediately turning her head looking around for anything strange.

"Napolde stop." She called out to her friend. Napolde turned around and looked at her annoyingly.

"What is the problem? Nothing out here is SO dangerous Neile!"

"Napolde…" Aeroniel whispered her eyes widening as she reached back feeling her arrows with the tip of her fingers. She slowly pulled one out, hitching it on her bow.

"What?" Napolde slowly turned around and was greeted by a humongous black spider who was gleaming its sharp fangs at her.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Aeroniel shot the spider directly in between its eyes. Napolde leaped out of the way and grabbed a hold of one of her arrows and shot it at another spider that was appearing on Aeroneil's side.

"These spiders are coming out of no where Neile!"

"Where the hell did they come from?! MOVE!" She shot a triple arrow and let it fly at one of the spiders, leaped up on the tree and jumped down on top of its head, shooting an arrow straight at the center of its head causing the spider to fall immediately.

"We have to get out of here before more co-" Napolde screamed as a spider out of nowhere pushed Aeroneil down. She reached for an arrow as quickly as she could as the spider crawled near to her when suddenly it stopped dead in it's tracks –literally dead in it's tracks. As the spider fell to the ground, behind it appeared a young elven warrior whose hair and complexion was as bright as the sun that gleamed across Mirkwood.

"Are you alright?" The golden warrior asked. Aeroniel was still astounded by his beauty she could barely get up on her two feet. As he reached down onto her there eyes locked and Aeroneil became lost in his eyes almost forgetting where she was. She shook herself back together as he picked her up.

"Oh my valar, Neile are you alright?!" Napolde ran towards her friend checking to see if she was alright.

Aeroniel turned her view upon her and gave her a straight look. "And where was your bow when needed Napolde?" Napolde flushed in embarrassment and flipped her hair.

"I was about to when this man came out of no where with his men and shot everything, hmph." Napolde turned to point at the elf. Her eyes grew with curiosity as she has never laid eyes on him before.

"I have never seen you before… what is your name?" She asked with a puzzled look.

The golden warrior turned to face them after searching for any more spiders and responded, "My name is Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. My father ordered me to save you from these wretched creatures. What brings you to this place?"

Legolas… what a beautiful name for such a beautiful being… Wait. Prince? Thranduil has a son? Aeroneil thought to herself.

"We came here to practice for our test that is coming up."

Legolas shot her a look, "Are you two from the Mirkwood Academy? Prestigious academy I heard, though I have never attended myself.

"How are you such a good bowman then?" Napolde asked adding a flirtatious sneer. Legolas caught her act and looked at her up and down cautiously. Is this Silvan elf really trying to admire me...

Legolas ignoring her said, "I am the son of King Thranduil. I do not need to have basic training. My father is one of the best bowman in this kingdom, actually, he is the best." Napolde nodded in fancy, as she was talking to an elven prince and was astounded by his beauty. Legolas couldn't help but notice Aeroneil who was looking straight at the ground.

He walked in front of her, "Do you not speak?" She looked at him blankly.

"I do speak. Real question here is why are those forbidden creatures on our land?"

"Prince, we must leave. I can hear more coming." A warrior whispered into Legolas ear. Legolas looked around the perimeter once more and signaled his men to lead the way.

"We do not have much time. We must leave. There is a reason why this part of the forest is forbidden. Evil is spreading. I assume you would know as you two are becoming warriors of Mirkwood." He said making the way back into safe lands.

"How can evil allow such things go on our lands?" Aeroniel asked looking around the forest.

"Real question is, why are you two on forbidden lands? Were you purposefully trying to kill yourselves?" Legolas asked bluntly.

Aeroniel rolled her eyes, "We were trying to find more advanced targets to practice on. Is that such a crime?"

"In the eyes of King Thranduil it is. He is trying to keep everyone safe, however those like you who do these actions refrain him from doing that." Legolas shot back. The group walked out of the forest until they saw the first house in the Mirkwood Village. Nightfall has already reached the village. Aeroniel panicked a little knowing her mother would be worried about her whereabouts.

"It is my father's words that I escort you both to your homes. My guards will escort you" Legolas nodded at Napolde, "And I will escort you." Legolas turned and looked at Aeroniel who in return gave him a cold look.

"Personally? Why me. This Prince is actually being rather odd."

The group separated and Aeroniel began to walk the pathway to her home with Legolas following slowly behind her.

"Why haven't I seen you around here before? I have noticed your friend before, but not you." Legolas asked curiously. Aeroniel made her way up to the upper Northern Banks near Thranduil's kingdom. Legolas looked at the area confused. The Northern Banks were strictly given to his father's most prestigious guards.

"Your father is a guard?

She turned and looked at him. "Huh? Guard? Maybe you haven't seen me before because I always practice at the practice fields. No one in this village really sees me but Napolde and her family."

"I see." Legolas nodded as Aeroniel nodded and turned her back on him, walking up the steps to her house.

"If it doesn't cause an nuisance… may I know your name?" He asked slightly smiling. The young elf turned and faced the elven prince.

"What a beauty he is… But no less of a creeper…" Aeroniel thought to herself as the moonlight gracefully appeared over Legolas's strong face.

"Aeroniel. My name is Aeroniel." She gently smiled and opened the door, shutting it behind her.

"Aeroniel… A true sight of the Evenstar…" Legolas found himself still at her front door steps and quickly managed himself together from his thoughts and made his way back to the kingdom. It has been the first in thousands of years where he felt like something has struck his heart.

"Just coming in now? I was worried, you were gone for a while Aero." Ireth said as Aeroniel walked in the door.

"I know, I am sorry. This test has gotten me all worked up, that's all." She responded taking her arrow casket off and placing it near the door. "Ada hasn't returned back yet?"

Ireth shook her head no. "He works hard to keep us and the people safe Aero… his job is very serious. It is an honor on his behalf."

"What does Ada even do?" Aeroniel asked curiously playing with one of her braids.

"His job is of secrecy. Not everyone can know." Her mother responded. Aeroniel scoffed in disbelief.

"And I cannot? I am his daughter. Family should be able to know." She argued.

Ireth wrapped her hands over Aeroneil's. "Such things you do not need to worry of. Now go, wash up, you look like you have been working yourself to death all day."

Aeroniel sighed in defeat thinking about everything she has encountered today. "You'll never guess what…"

"The women were escorted safely to their homes ada." Legolas said walking into his father's court. Thranduil looked up along with Eroborn getting up from his post to bow to the prince. Legolas nodded in return and walked towards his father.

"And they are safe?" Thranduil asked looking at him.

"Of course they were." Legolas replied causing Thranduil to smile at him, clasping his hand on his shoulder.

"What would my kingdom be without you Legolas?" Legolas smiled at his father's affection and bowed.

"What are of those elven women Legolas? Any whom you would like to have as your own?" Thranduil jokingly teased. Legolas thought and went back to his meeting with Aeroneil. He couldn't keep his mind off the thought of her and how she shone in the sun and in the moonlight.

"Actually…" He started. Thranduil surprised, turned around.

"Out of the two, one had the most beautiful brown hair and her complexion was as bright as the Evenstar. Her eyes shone of the most purest thing imaginable..." Thranduil took notice of the word 'Evenstar' as did Eroborn, both thinking, could it be Aeroniel? Legolas caught the look on Boromir's face and flushed in embarrassment. He was speaking of his interests to others not just his father.

"What is her name? This women?" Thranduil asked curiously stroking his chin.

Legolas sighed, smilingly, "Her name is Aeroniel."

Both Thranduil and Eroborn looked at each other in surprised until Thranduil began to chuckle softly.

"She has a way with her bow. She protected herself and her friend from those spiders ada. She took down possibly four before my men and I came. For a Silvan elf with only basic training, that is rather quite impressive." Legolas spoke highly of her, thinking of her beautiful face and her bright eyes shining upon him as he first laid his eyes on her in the deep forests.

Thranduil studied his son carefully and the way he spoke of her. He turned his attention to Eroborn who looked back at him with a slight smile without Legolas noticing.

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