Queen Naehlara (LOTR, Legolas love story)

Chapter 38

Naehlara walked down the halls of the Greenwood kingdom taking everything in. After washing up and changing into the gown Thranduil had sent for her, she left to explore. Not wanting to be cooped up in the room given to her. The dress flowed around her legs, trailing behind her as she walked. Much more elegant and regal than the dress Eowyn had given her, the dress from Edoras was very beautiful but hard to breathe in and not easy to move in.

Exiting outside, a garden surrounded her. Beautiful flowers surrounding the edges, with a small pond in the middle that shimmered against the sunlight. A small smile grew across Naehlara;s face, as she admired the garden. Slowly walking through it, smelling the flowers as she went and sitting down next to the small pond. Small fish swimming around it, it was so peaceful and calming after the months on the road and the battles they have fought.

Thranduil walked down the halls, thinking about his son that is on his way to Gondor. And the Queen, she had awoken, he didn't know when or where she had been since awakening in Lothlorien. Pausing at the open door to the garden. He watched as Naehlara sat next to the small pond,m eyes closed and looking more relaxed than he has seen her since arriving. Though it probably didn't help when Lythandir had thrown her in the dungeons.

Stepping out into the gardens, he slowly approached her not wanting to scare her. "I see you found the garden." He spoke softly.

Naehlara's head snapped up, looking to the King. She hadn't heard him approach and she wan't sure if it was because she was off guard or because he actually walked that quietly. "It's very beautiful."

"My wife spent many years caring for these plants, helping them grow and later on building that pond. Though it was my son that put the fish in there." Thranduil spoke softly, remembering the day Legolas came home with a bucket full of fish from the river. Naehlara's smile grew, imagining a small Legolas trying to carry a large bucket of fish to this garden. She turned back to the pond, watching the fish swimming around, no care to the world going on around them. "I believe dinner is about ready. Will you walk with me to the dining hall?" Thranduil asked, not wanting to ruin her piece but they did need to talk.

Naehlara stood from the pond, taking one last look towards the serene garden. Leaving with Thranduil, she let him lead since she had no clue where they were within the kingdom. They walked quietly, no sound heard from the either of them, not even their footsteps. Naehlara debated whether she should bring up that she should be leaving, to head to Minas Tirith, but she needed to try and convince him to send soldier with her.

Together they entered a large room similar to the throne room, with a large table that could probably fit 20 elves. But as they sat down and food was brought to them, no one else came to join them at the table. Her nerves grew as they silent ate, her drinking her wine more quickly than she normally does. "You may ask if you would like." Thranduil stated, having watched her anxiously drink her wine and push the food around her plate.

Naehlara bit the inside of her cheek, before turning to look at him. Out of all the Lords, Kings and Queens she had met he was the only one to cause her to feel smaller than him, lesser than him. "If you will not send elves to aid Minas Tirith I should leave. I will not leave the people of Rohan, Gondor or my friends to fit that battle by themselves." She stated, setting her fork down. Her appetite had grown smaller over there travels and just the amount of food on her plate caused her to feel sick.

"Who does my son travel with now, if you are here?" Thranduil questioned, not answering her.

Naehlara repressed a groan, "Legolas travels with Aragorn, son of Arathorn and Gimli, son of Gloin. They will be taking a different path into Gondor if the stories I had been told by Lord Elrond is correct. They will find more help in the mountains for this battle." Naehlara stated, picking up her cup and sipping at the little wine still in it. Thranduil's eyebrow crunched together recognizing the name of Gloin but unable to place where he could have known such a name.