The History Of Legolas – Thranduil and Almwen

Author’s Note: First off, The Lord of the Rings and all associated characters belong to Tolkien and his estate. I am not making any profit off of this story, save the enjoyment I had making it.



It had been many years since the establishment of Greenwood the Great. The elves of Emyn Duir had been living together happily under the new rule of Oropher, and the cultures of the Silvan and Sindarin elves seemed to be coexisting peacefully, save for two elves who had never gotten along from the start…

Almwen was sitting under a tree next to stream reading quietly, enjoying the beautiful day. She had sent her attendants away, wishing to find some peace and quiet to meditate and be to herself.

She brushed her long, ebony hair from her dark eyes and peered out from behind the pages of her book to look at the laughing stream that ran between it’s banks. Almwen sighed contentedly as she listened to the water and the songs of the birds in the branches of the tree above her. The Silvan maid closed her eyes and let the sounds flood her ears.

“What a glorious day!” She sighed happily.

The water in the stream called to her, and deciding that a nice refreshing swim sounded like a good idea, she looked around to see if there was anyone to spy on her. Once Almwen had decided that she was alone, she put her book down and began to undress.

~

Meanwhile, not far away, Thranduil was strolling among the fir trees, not particularly paying attention to anything. He had grown accustomed to the firs of Greenwood, and had actually come to like them, as he had come to like most things in Greenwood these days – even the Silvan elves.

Nearby, he could hear the sounds of a stream lapping in its bed. He knew the stream well – when he had just arrived in Greenwood, he spent many a day there exploring its banks like a curious elfling.

Feeling a sudden urge to visit the stream again, Thranduil changed his path to the east and navigated himself to where he knew the stream widened and deepened – a good swimming place.

As he neared it, he heard a splashing noise that was made by a creature entirely too large to be a jumping fish. Curious, he proceeded cautiously through the thick woods until he came to where the splash had come from. He peered out of the trees to see an elven maiden with her back to him, waist-deep in the water.

Thranduil gulped, not entirely sure if he should turn tail and run or stay and watch. Suddenly, the woman turned her face slightly so he could see her profile. Realizing that he was peeping on Almwen, the prince of Greenwood gasped and stepped back onto a twig, causing it to snap.

Almwen was immediately aware of his presence and covered herself as she turned.

“AI!” She shrieked as she submerged herself until only her shoulders and head protruded from the water.

“I’m sorry, my lady!” Thranduil said as he covered his eyes “I did not mean – OW!” He cried as something extremely hard collided with his head. The prince looked to his feet to see a wet stone next to his shoe.

“That should teach you to spy on maids in the woods! If you were not the crowned prince of Greenwood, I would certainly throttle you!” She spat at him.

“I was not spying!” Thranduil said, turning his back to the pond. “I was coming this way to swim myself, and I heard a splash and wondered what it was!”

Another rock shot through the air and pelted him in the back.

“What was that for?!” He shrieked, rubbing the spot where the rock had hit.

“For good measure!” Almwen said as she got out of the water to collect her clothes. She went behind the tree where she had folded her blue dress and began to ponder how she was going to dry off in a hurry when suddenly, Thranduil’s outer tunic fell at her feet.

“And what’s this for?” She asked, staring at Thranduil, who’s back was still turned.

“For you to dry yourself with. You can’t walk back to Emyn Duir with wet clothes, can you?”

Almwen sighed. “Don’t think that this means I owe you a favor.” She said.

“I didn’t say it would.”

The ebon-haired elleth dried herself off with Thranduil’s outer tunic and then slipped back into her sky-blue dress and pulled her hair back into a braid so it would not be so obvious that she had been wet. When she turned around, she realized that the prince was still standing there.

“Why are you still here?” She asked with an annoyed tone ringing in her voice.

“You have my tunic.” Thranduil answered simply. Almwen picked it up off the ground and threw it to the prince so that it landed on his head.

“Thank you,” he chuckled as he peeled the wet garment from his head and flapped it out, letting the water drops fly before he put it back on. When he finally turned around, he realized that Almwen was walking away.

“Where are you going?” He called after her as he jogged to catch up.

“I can walk myself back to Emyn Duir, thank you very much.” She said, turning her face from him.

“I am aware that you are perfectly capable of arriving there unharmed, but would you like some company anyway?” Thranduil asked.

“No thank you.” Almwen said, giving him an icy glare.

Thranduil sighed. “My lady, why is it that when I am in your presence you always seem as though someone has placed a needle on your chair?” he asked.

“My dear prince, are you really that dense?” Almwen replied.

“Have I not apologized time and time again for what I said that night?” Thranduil asked, frustrated.

“You have. But that does not mean that I have to like you, my lord. The first impression is usually the lasting one.” Almwen said, speeding up her pace. Thranduil stopped for a moment, letting her gain distance. He took a moment to contemplate before running to catch up to her again. This time, he passed her and stopped right in her path.

“Then, my lady, can we start over?” he asked. Almwen looked at him, skepticism in her eyes.

“My lord, we cannot simply start over.” She sighed, walking around him.

“Why not?” He asked, continuing to walk with her.

“Because…” Almwen paused, thinking of a good excuse, but she could not find one. “You were spying on me! And I do not want to!” She said, walking off. Thranduil stopped and frowned.

“Why must you be so difficult?!” He sputtered.

“Why must you be so dim-witted?!” Almwen shouted back.

“I am merely asking for a second chance! Is that too much for you to give?” Thranduil questioned. Almwen turned around, glaring a terrible glare, and sighed. She was defeated.

“No.” She said flatly.

“Then will you give me a second chance? Please.” Thranduil requested, walking towards her. Almwen let her shoulders sink as she rolled her eyes.

“Yes.” She said. Thranduil smiled and straightened his posture and cleared his throat, making it appear as if he was about to deliver a speech. Almwen’s brow raised, wondering if he was jesting or if he was serious.

“My lady, allow me to introduce myself.” He said. “I am Thranduil, son of Oropher, the king of Greenwood the Great. In our realm, there are Silvan elves and those of Sindar descent, and I find that I love both.”

Almwen blinked in confusion. “And why do you love the Silvan elves?” she asked skeptically.

“For I have met one of their descent who is kind and forgiving, and fair as the stars that shine in the night sky.” He said, taking her hand and kissing the top of it.

Startled, Almwen stared at him, wondering if his words were true, or merely trying to get her to stop glaring and speaking crossly to him. Letting her outer defenses down for a moment, she smiled and said:

“And I care for the Sindar, for I have met one of their descent who I believed to be a stubborn brute, but who turned out to be a caring soul, and a true prince. Not to mention, quite the flatterer.” She teased.

Thranduil beamed, pleased that Almwen had finally let him get a word in. He offered her his arm and held his head high as he asked her;

“May I escort you back to Emyn Duir?”

Almwen giggled and took his arm. “I would happily be escorted by a friend.”