Feä Bond (Legolas x OC)

The evening star

Three days later, Frances found herself stuck in a vice grip. The radiant queen of Gondor had barely managed to refrain a squeal before dragging the young lady into her private chambers and hugging her to death. Frances did not fare much better; it had been more than three years that she had said her farewell to Arwen in Rivendell, and she had missed her wedding altogether. There was much to catch up for, and both ladies disappeared from the world for many hours.

Arwen's happiness was so absolute so radiant that Frances's pain started to fade away. They were now both married ladies of high rank, one a queen, another a princess, and yet, they could not refrain from giggling like schoolgirls at sharing their respective stories. An elf maiden with a man, and a human girl with an elf. What a mess they had got themselves into! A pang of sadness went through Frances when she realised that Legolas's father, akin to Lord Elrond, would have wished the reverse match. Frances with Aragorn, and Arwen with Legolas would have ensured the wood elf's happiness, as well as the Evenstar's. But no heart could ever be tamed.

The ladies joined the men for dinner, and Arwen could not help but dress Frances in a brilliant gown of bluish green that made her hair stand out. Filled with awe, the young lady joined her elf husband at the table, her seat directly beside Aragorn in a sign of welcome. Her cheeks heated as she realised that, no content to be his friend, the King of Gondor also displayed his esteem of her in the most blatant way. Beside her, Legolas beamed with pride such was the beauty and the renewed glow on Frances' face. It was up to him, now, to help her find her place in this new world, and he vowed to do everything for her to be happy. The memory of Helm's deep crashed through his mind, the image of Frances' armoured body marching to the wall as he vowed to keep her in sight, and keep her safe. He had spectacularly failed that day, and dearly hoped to be more successful. By his side sat Gimli, his face a little weary from the hard work of the day, yet satisfied.

This night, Legolas shared his plan to build a colony in Ithilien to help the land regain its splendour. Aragorn's joy danced in his grey eyes; his great friend would be but a few hours" ride from the capital of Gondor. Gimli wanted to settle in the Gliterring caves, and would hence be in reach. Frances' heart danced at the prospect of seeing more of them all, and even further at the idea of being in range of Dol Amroth.

"We will need to gather some people in the woodland," stated the prince as his hand covered his wife's.

Frances peeked at him curiously, feeling some nervousness flowing through their bond.

"If you so accept, meleth nin, I would love for us to travel to the Eryn Lasgalen to meet my people, and I shall present you as my wife"

Frances' breath caught in her chest. That was it, the point of no return. As Legolas' searched her hazel eyes, he caught the fear that inhabited them. He knew her beloved to be quick-minded, and the subject of her indecision remained private as no one mentioned King Thranduil. Yet they both knew what his request meant. Confrontation. Very soon though, resolve settled on her face.

"Then it is decided. You will guide me to your childhood home."

Gimli's grunt was the only witness to the thoughts of all, albeit none could ignore that the meeting that was about to take place in Greenwood the Great would be worth watching. Frances was nor impolite, nor rash, but she wasn't one to back down either. And regarding Legolas, that was no battle she would fight more fiercely than their right to be together, especially after what they had been through. Her practical mind, though, travelled down another path.

'should I not harbour an elvish name as a princess of Greenwood?" she asked, startling her companions.

Legolas frowned, his heart uneasy. He knew that his father, for one, would be spooked by her human name, but he could not let those who thought the same to strip his beloved from her inheritance.

"I would never ask you to change your name, meleth. My people should be able to accept you no matter what."

Frances shook her head, the reddish curls bouncing about her face.

"And still, overlooking my origins will be impossible for them, and a human name can only be a reminder. A reminder that will be spoken in every single sentence"

Elladan leant across the table, his grey eyes intense as he followed her line of thoughts.

"I mean no offence, Frances, but no eldar can ever forget that you are human, no matter what name you bear."

"This is not my intends."

Frances searched for Aragorn's gaze. His face was pensive, his eyes guarded, as if he considered all the political implications of her suggestions. Beside her though, Arwen's radiant face harboured a smile, as if she knew something that no one else did.

"Help me there!"

Arwen's musical laugh rang, her grey eyes mischievous as her ageless gaze roamed across the table.

'she is right, my friends. Do not fear changing her, for she is already changed. The lady Frances you have known has stayed behind, and will continue serving the Valar. But here, another lady was born, a lady that has sworn herself to middle earth, and belongs in Arda."

And so, many days were spent in Minas Tirith where names were listed on a parchment as Elladan, Elrohir Aragorn and Legolas all rocked their mind to find a suitable replacement for Frances. In the meantime, the young lady walked around with her husband and Gimli, gaping at the tremendous amount of work that the dwarves had done to restore the great city to its former gory, and their sheer talent when it came to stone carving. Legolas and Gimli joyously bantered, and Frances marvelled at their closeness born from many months travelling together. Never before had she seen such a strong a refreshing friendship, its existence was enough to lighten her heart.

Minas Tirith was akin to a Gruyère from Switzerland, a maze of alleys and little passages carved in white stone, a wonder to the eyes even if it felt a little overcrowded. As much as Frances enjoyed being dragged from shop to shop to replenish her trousseau – Arwen's idea – she started to feel bad from the lack of nature around her. At least, from their chambers in the citadel, she could see beyond the walls and dream of the trees. Gimli mocked her more than once, stating that she was turning into a wood elf and blaming Legolas for their Feä bond, but they both knew better. Frances had always felt the call of nature, and researched the solace of trees to flee the bustles of cities. Maybe that Legolas was right, maybe that her soul was tainted by a spark of the eldar. It made sense, then, that the Valar would have chosen her if she retained a little of their first born into her core.