Queen Naehlara (LOTR, Legolas love story)

Chapter 2

Aragorn and the three hobbits safely arrived to Imiladris in the late afternoon. Arwen having met them at the stone archway leading into the city. Escorting each one to their chambers to wash up and get ready for dinner. Though Sam insisted on seeing Frodo before doing anything else.

Frodo was still asleep and no one, not even Elrond knew when he was going to wake up. The moment after healing Frodo, Lord Elrond sent out ravens to the Kingdoms of Mirkwood, Erebor and Lothlorien. Requesting council members to come to Imiladris for a council meeting about a dark threat returning to Middle Earth. He did not write about the One Ring but pressed the urgency of the matter, to ensure all will come.

A week has passed since the ravens were sent and Frodo had arrived. Starting today and over the next week guest should start arriving if they don't run into any issues on there travels. Since arriving Aragorn is almost always on the training fields or with Arwen. While Naehlara was trying to busy herself either spending time with Mithrandir learning more about the war with Sauron many years ago or out on the training fields. Some nights Naehlara even found herself in the company of Samwise out in the gardens, listening to him talk about his garden in the Shire.

Today, Naehlara was livid. Storming her away across the valley of Imiladris searching for Aragorn. She had been with Pippin and Merry who were questioning her about her past and the kingdom of Doriath. She had nearly forgotten that Aragorn had told the hobbits of her heritage until then. The more questions they asked, the more frustrated she was getting before eventually standing up and leaving to her chambers to grab her weapons.

Entering the training fields she immediately spots Aragorn out in the fields practicing with his bow. Silently walking up behind him, she waits for him to notice her presence. When he doesn't turn around clears her throat causing him to jump and turn to her, bow raised and arrow notched. "You should not sneak up behind someone with a weapon." Aragorn sighs, lowering the bow and sliding the bow on to his back. He could see the anger in her eyes. Unsure what had caused it, he moved away from her and towards the target, removing the arrows and placing them into his quiver.

"Let's duel." She states, watching as Aragorn slowly turns to her. Eyebrows crunched together assessing her.

"You are angry with me. Why?" Aragorn questions as he leaves the shooting range.

"You should know why. Estel." Crossing her arms over her chest she follows him through the training grounds.

"I do not wish to battle you, Lady Naehlara. Last time you had me on the ground before I could even raise my sword." He says, though he knows she won't take no for answer.

"You trained with a Woodland elf. You are faster I'm sure it will last longer this time."

"How do you know of my travels?" Aragorn questions turning to Naehlara.

"Arwen told me about your travels. I'm sure you trained with him while traveling even if it was just to pass the time. Just one duel." She says, walking backwards as she watches him follow her to the dueling grounds. Her lip tilts up, an almost evil smirk and a glint to her eye. Even though he hadn't vocally agreed, he is joining her to the dueling field meaning he would.

As soon as Naehlara reaches the middle of the field, she reaches back unsheathing one of her long daggers. "If we are doing this. It's one sword each." Aragorn says, taking his bow and quiver off and standing by the side of the dueling area. Shaking her head Naehlara puts the dagger back into its sheath. Walking to the edge of the field and removing the two daggers from her back and setting them on the ground.

As both Aragorn and Naehlara move to the center of the dueling ring, neither noticed the elves that stopped their own training to watch. Many have witnessed Naehlara's battle strength and would rather not duel her but Aragorn was nearly a legend in the dueling ring having only ever lost against Elrond after a two hour long duel. As both unsheathes their swords, the elves start whispering to each other, some even running off to go get their friends.