𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝PROLOGUE❞

▌𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬' 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 well known place in the world of middle earth. Inside of Rivendell was a girl with hopes and dreams, desires and wants. Ellaria was the princess of Rivendell, an older sister to Arwen and the daughter to Lord Elrond. She could be seen walking around, letting her worries melt from her shoulders as she explored the nearby woods, groomed her white mare, and talked with the citizens. She stayed out of her home as long as she could, basking in the sunlight and pushing aside her father's constant droning of how she should and should not act.

The simple matter was, Ellaria simply did not care. She did not follow by any persons rules, she did not care what other people thought about her. She could smile politely at those who criticized her, help those that had once said to her face how grateful she should be to have a title. All Ellaria ever wanted in life was to live. She wanted to take her horse and gallop halfway across the world, explore unknown territories, discover hidden treasures. She wanted to be set free.

She stood in the garden, welcoming the hopping bunnies with open arms as they came to her, bouncing to her like she was their own mother. One jumped in her arms and she held it, gently rubbing her hand along its soft white fur before letting it hop away. Her long brown hair was over her shoulders, her soft brown eyes were dancing with life. Being outside made her come alive, like she'd been awoken from a deep sleep.

Soft, delicate footsteps approached her, making the elven girl turn her head. "Father wishes to see you." Arwen, her younger sister, stood there. Her eyes had a knowing look to them, one that made Ellaria sigh in discontent. She stood, brushing the dirt from her chest and walking to her sister, linking their arms as they walked together. "He has discovered your secret escape to the Mirkwood forest. I must warn you, he is not happy."

Ellaria glanced at her sister, an amused look dancing on her face. "Is he ever happy with me?"

Arwen hummed in agreement. "Well, you do put this on yourself."

"You are not wrong." Ellaria nodded. "But, it does become quite exhausting."

They entered the home, making their way up to their fathers study before Arwen let go of her sister, whispering a soft good luck before turning and walking away. Ellaria straightened her shoulders, holding her chin up high before entering the study. "You wished to see me?"

Elrond glanced up at his oldest daughter, standing as he strode towards her. "Were you going to tell me you left for the Woodland Realm at all?"

"No."

Elrond sighed. "Ellaria, it is too dangerous for you to be traveling in those woods alone."

"It is, if you don't know where you're going. Need I remind you father, I have traveled those woods for a long time."

"Yes, ever since you met Thranduil's son."

"His name is Legolas, you know that." Ellaria pushed, trying her best not to let the anger into her woods. Legolas was her best friend, she saw him often. Either she was going to his realm, or he was traveling to hers. She knew her father knew his name, not addressing him as such was seen as disrespectful to Ellaria.

"Yes, Legolas." Elrond said. "Ever since you met him, he has done nothing but cause you trouble."

"He has done no such thing!" Ellaria cried. "He is my friend. He is someone who doesn't look at me and expect me to act proper and like a princess." She stared at her father, her mouth set into a thin line. "If you do not like him, that is your own opinion. However, he is my best friend, and I will travel to see him as much as I please. If that does not suit you to your likings, then you may make me leave."

Elrond's shoulders straightened at the suggestion. "I do not wish you to leave."

"Then what do you wish?"

"To keep you safe."

"I am safe with him. He wouldn't let me get hurt." Ellaria shook her head, confused. "Why do you not trust him?"

"It is not him that I do not trust. It is his father."

Ellaria couldn't argue with that. She knew of Thranduil's questionable decisions, but he was a king whom of which she dared not defy. "He has never had any ill intent towards me. Thranduil has always welcomed me in with open arms. Even if I am not from his realm." Ellaria stood there after a moment of silence, glancing around the room for a moment before looking at her father once more. "Is there anything else you needed?" Elrond gave the slight shake of his head and with a nod she left.

Little did her father know, she had plans to meet up with Legolas that very night. She stood in the woods of her home, listening to the trees and awaiting her friends presence. Before he even made it to her, she knew he was there. She turned her head, a wide smile blooming on her face when she spotted him. Legolas made his way towards her, a smile of his own playing on his lips. She ran to him, pulling him into a hug.

She pulled away, her brown eyes meeting his soft blue ones. "It is safe to say my father has discovered what I do in my spare time. I assume a guard told him."

"I'd assume he gave you a lecture."

Ellaria nodded. "Though, he did not stand his ground for long. I think I'm finally wearing him down."

Legolas chuckled. "It only took a thousand years."

"If not more." Ellaria smiled. They began walking. "I discovered why he does not like my trips all that much."

Legolas looked at her, raising a brow. "Oh?"

"He does not like your father."

A hint of amusement crossed the blonde elf's face. "I see. Well, I cannot say I blame him."

Ellaria inhaled the forest air, smiling as her lungs filled with relief. "One of these days my dear Legolas, you must take me on a real adventure that isn't your home."

Legolas turned his head to look at her, a smile on his lips. "One of these days, I assure you, I will."

Ellaria beamed at him, hooking her arm with his. "Good. I will hold you to that, Prince of Mirkwood."

Legolas let out a soft laugh. "I expect nothing less."