An arranged marriage could solve everything: Legolas' post-war melancholy, Lasriel's dream of freedom and a family, her mother's exile, King Thranduil's dark secret. But turning childhood friendship into love is not as easy as they thought - and nei...
~Lasriel arrives at her new home, which isn't quite what she expected... But at least now she can be alone with Legolas again.~
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"The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability."
– Remy, Ratatouille
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12. Colony
Traveling was wonderful, especially the first part when it was just the three of them. Lasriel marveled at the many new sights: the wide Anduin river; the snow capped mountains; the herds of grazing deer and flocks of water fowls; the magical golden trees of Lothlórien. And she would never get tired of sleeping beside her husband, feeling his strong arm around her and his scent filling her nostrils, while listening to him singing or humming to himself in a soft baryton so beautiful her chest ached.
Her only complaint was that he still had not kissed her again, but figured he was probably shy to do it in company. Soon they would arrive at their new home and everything would change.
After the five volunteers joined them in Lothlórien the journey became less enjoyable. There were still amazing sights, such as the gigantic Argonath statues, the mind-boggling Falls of Rauros and the endless stair beside them, but Legolas became less friendly and more inclined to shut her out – and he no longer held her in his arms at night. During the ride he spoke almost exclusively to the new acquaintances, and he changed in a way Lasriel didn't like at all. As if he had gone from his normal self to a stiff business persona who did all he could to impress his companions.
And then there was Nellas to worry about, the old elf maid who had recognized Lasriel. She had not said anything else since their first meeting, but the fear she might spoil everything at any given time made Lasriel on edge and tense whenever she was near. Now was not a good time to reveal the truth about their parents to Legolas, especially not with him acting all official and anxious to get the others' respect.
But soon it was apparent Lasriel's worry was unfounded; Nellas seemed disinclined to talk at all, and spent most of the journey curiously gazing at the surroundings with a dreamy smile on her lips. The secret was safe.
Lasriel mostly rode in silence as well, only occasionally exchanging a few words with Gimli, while she hoped they would finally arrive in Ithilien soon so things could go back to normal between Legolas and her.
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During the final part of the journey the company rode along a jagged mountain range. Awed, Lasriel looked up at the border to Mordor where once Sauron had ruled in darkness. It didn't look dangerous now, just normal cliffs, but she noticed not much grew there yet. No trees and hardly anything else either, only coarse grass, brambles and heather. She was glad Legolas would soon restore the area to a lush forest again and felt a little surge of pride that it was her husband who had been chosen for the task.
