The prophecy of the elvish warrior

Family

It was the day before Legolas and my wedding. After months of sneaking around and several more to explain the unusual relationship, Legolas was finally allowed to marry me. His father had luckily put his foot down to stop the rumors from spreading, but it was already too late. The whole elven realms were in knowledge of what was happening and if I were to believe Gimli, even the outside world had heard word of this.

The weeks before our wedding where pure stress, I didn't remember I had with Haldir. Apparently, in Mirkwood things seemed to be a bit different... And the closer the date was approaching, the more agitated I became, to the point where I would snap at Haldir and Legolas for the smallest things. They took it with grace, calming me down rather than fueling my anxiety. Both assuring me several times, that things would be fine, but it wasn't helping much.

That's why I assumed the elven king wanted to speak to me. We hade travelled to Imladris to hold our wedding, as Legolas didn't feel comfortable marrying in his homeland, where people didn't seem to accept our constellation too much. Thranduil tried his best to reason with his people, but the fear of Legolas ending the bloodline of the throne by marrying me sat deep.

Above all Haldir and Legolas had been partially distant the last few days, leaving me wondering what was going on. So, naturally when the three of us walked towards Lord Elronds Garden, my head was spinning with worry. Had they decided that it wasn't working? Was there something wrong?'Maybe Legolas had given in to the pressure of his people? Or maybe Haldir couldn't handle sharing me anymore and wanted to end things?

Question after question forced itself through my mind and I grew more and more anxious, the closer we got. When we entered the restricted area of the garden, I was surprised to not only find Lord Elrond and king Thranduil in there, but also Lady Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. I took a seat on one of the benches, waiting nervously for someone to break the news to me. Lady Galadriel was the first to speak: "I sense worry in your being." I looked at her with a half-hearted smile. "Would you expect otherwise in my position?"

She smiled one of her wise smiles, tilting her head slightly to watch me more intent. "There is no need to worry, child. Nothing bad is in your close future. Only love and happiness." As per usual her words only made sense to her. I had given up a long time ago to question her, leaving it to her will of what she wanted me to know. But this time it was different. Something deep inside of me stirred to dig deeper. "May I ask as to why I have been called here?"

"You may." Was her short answer, as she seemed to look towards something behind my head. I fought the urge to look behind me. Surely it was only one of her visions that struck here. What I didn't expect to hear, was a name that I haven't been called in a very long time.

"Princess."

My head snapped around and I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Geralt!" I yelled, jumping from my seat, and rushing towards him, only to stop dead in my tracks, only inches away from him. Not sure of how to react, I stared at him, trying to figure out whether he was real or not. He sighted deeply. "Get your ass over here you menace of a girl." Growling deeply, he pulled me in one of his very rare bear hugs he only reserved for special occasions. As soon as he hugged me, it was as if the floods of all waters had been opened. I started crying in his arms. It wasn't a sad crying. But definitely an ugly, snodder running down my nose crying.

Geralt patted my back with his large hands, unsure about how to properly console me. He gave me my time, silently accepting me destroying his armor and shirt underneath. After I had finished crying and was somewhat able to talk, I asked: "What are you doing here?"

He just let out one of his many huffs, shrugging his shoulders. "I received word you are getting married. To a second man I might add." Nothing in his words held an accusation, but I couldn't help but sheepishly smile. "Yeah a lot has happened..."

"I have been told." He mumbled. "Must have been some eventful two years then, huh?" His words made me furrow my brows. "Two years? It have been over 60 years since I last saw you."

He stopped for a few moments, taking in what I said, trying to make sense of what I said. "60 years..." Then he grabbed me by my shoulders, holding me at arms length while inspecting me. "And you haven't aged a day."

"You know why I don't." I answered quietly, not daring to face his eyes.

"I sure do..." He growled. "And I still think it was a stupid idea... What on gods forsaken earth where you even thinking? Do you actually have one ounce of an idea of what could have gone wrong?" Scolding me, he let go of me, walking in circles, while reprimanding me further. "Not even 10 years of magic and you are doing one of the most dangerous rituals."

"Well technically it was Yennefer who did it..." I interrupted him, regretting it instantly as that only seemed to agitate him further: "It was your body that changed!"

"Nothing happened. Can we not discuss this? We already had a fight over it. I think you scolded me enough for it." I said, only sharp of being able to hide my anger. Geralt on the other hand did not hide his frustration at all: "And you don't seem to have learned one thing! You could have died!"

"I could have died every day since living with you! I had the nilfgaardian king set a bounty on my head. Worked as a mercenary, killing beasts and criminals to make a living! If it weren't for you I wouldn't have made it past my 10th birthday anyway!" I was now nearly yelling, throwing my hands in the air. Geralt spun around, eyes fixated on me with a predatory look. "And that's your reason for risking your life?"

"If it keeps me by my family, yes." I retorted, raising my chin, while not breaking eye contact. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his fingers twitch, knowing very well, I overstepped a line. Geralt hated it when I endangered my life, but what he hated even more was me doing it for him. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, his hands gripping his belt to ground himself. When he looked at me again, his gaze had softened a bit, a hard smile on his lips. "I have raised you to be too much like me, as it seems."

Seeing as the ice was broken, I let out a small giggle. "I think you did a pretty good job, dad."

"Don't call me that!" He groaned, but I ignored it. "Then don't behave like one." Geralt just huffed again, letting his gaze wander to the people behind me. "So, this is middle earth?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.