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...
~The family secret is about to be revealed. Can Legolas' and Lasriel's newfound marital bliss survive it?~
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~♕~
"If there's any chance to set things right, I simply got to try."
Cinderella
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35. Parent
His hair was shorter than she remembered, and he wore it in a human cut, but it was him, she was certain. How was it even possible? There was no way back from the Undying Lands.
The ferry stopped and Lasriel hurried out, but the waiting elf had not noticed her. He went straight to Legolas and bowed in a human greeting.
"You must be Prince Legolas. At last you are here! My master has sent me out to watch the ferry every day for the past weeks. Welcome to Tolfalas."
"Thank you. It is a pleasure to–"
"Don't you recognize me?" Lasriel interrupted.
He looked surprised, but then all color drained from his face. "L-lasriel?"
"Ada!" Her lips began to tremble. It was really him, after so long.
He opened his arms and she fell into them. His scent was the same, and his voice as he mumbled "Lasriel" over and over was the same too. It made her feel small like an elfling again.
Until now, she hadn't fully comprehended how severely she had missed her father. His absence had been a continuous sore spot in her heart, so deeply rooted she had gotten used to it.
Gently holding her at an arm's length, he looked her over. "My baby." His voice teemed with emotion. "A grown elleth already! I knew you would become beautiful."
Tears welled from Lasriel's eyes. There was so much she wanted to ask, so much she wanted to say. And not all of it was positive. Why had he betrayed her mother and her? Had the Valar forgiven him now, and was that why he had returned? But her chest was too full and she found no words.
Her father spoke all the more, in a rather nervous tone. No wonder, at that.
"As soon as I heard the news you were in Ithilien, Legolas, I wanted to meet you again after all these years and apologize for, well, the past. I had no idea Lasriel would be with you, but of course I should have known. I mean, after all, I was one of those who matched you two when you were elflings, haha!" His short laugh sounded forced. "And I see you brought your mellyn."
Galion dipped his head. "My lord, I–"
"Hush, hush." He looked over his shoulder, and then whispered: "I am not really Lord Ereb's servant – I am him. It is my alias, so to speak, and therefore I had rather not draw too much attention and risk exposure. I live nearby, so if you follow me there we can talk openly."
