A Rose By Any Other Name

A.N: Now for the Thank yous!!! Sorry I didn’t get to it in the last chapter.

Margaret Longstreth: Thank you so much for the feedback! Yeah, I love our pain-in-the-ass Marchwarden too! He’s right up there with Legolas on my list. And the arrogance can be kinda cute too. ^^ LOL As for Galadriel’s reasons for welcoming her home, you won’t find that out for a VERY long time! So keep reading ne?!

MarzBar: ^^ You’re quite welcome! Also, thank you for pointing out that blooper, my mind goes so fast that my fingers don’t always keep up, and words just seem to get left out. I fixed it though! And feel free to nitpick. Like I said, I don’t always catch all the mistakes and neither does the computer. ^^ So tell me what you think of her confrontation with Thranduil ne?! Also, I’m glad you remembered what Ascadholiel’s name means! That really means so much to me!

jasmine: Exactly. And LOL! Yes! I enjoyed writing that part. I could just see Elrond and Celeborn falling over anime style as Galadriel calmly walks out of the room without another word!

jw: And last, but most certainly not least, my dear jw. This is to both of your last reviews. Thank you so very much for your concern! It means more to me than I can say that you care! As for Asca loosing the baby, I’ve had it happen, and I hate writing it. I could have that happen to her again. ^^ I think Legolas would kill me too! Though what a way to die ne?! And in the realm of the Lady Galadriel… women shall always have a say through the men’s bullshit!!! MWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! Ok, *giggles* so enough of that.

Onto the story!!!

~~~A Rose By Any Other Name~~~
Chapter Twenty-Four

That night, Ascadholiel slept surprisingly well, all things considering, taking Elrond’s advice and trying not to worry about finally meeting Thranduil. She awakened that morning to the sound of Arwen and Naurwen outside her door. She rose slowly and donned the usual robe that Legolas had worn and called for the two elleths to come in.

The door opened and the two walked in, both greeting her warmly as she did them. Arwen then took her by the hand and ushered her into the bathing room. Celeborn had told his granddaughter that it would be better for her to speak in Sindarin as Ascadholiel thought it better to learn through total immersion, and so she spoke thusly again now. “*Come now. We must get you clean and dressed in your best gown so you might impress Legolas’ atar. Are you nervous?*”

Ascadholiel slipped out of the robe and into the warm, not hot water, as it would not be good for the baby, with a sigh. “*Oh you have no idea just how nervous! I know he’s not going to like me one bit.*”

Arwen scooped up water from the pool in a wide pitcher and poured it over Ascadholiel’s head as the human leaned it back. Her voice was ever light and encouraging as she began to work the lather through the silken strands. “*Then make him like you. Show him you are not scared of any criticism. Show him that you are not here for the title, but for his son’s happiness. Legolas chose very well and anyone who takes the time to get to know you will see that.*”

Ascadholiel smiled and nodded her head before leaning it back again so Arwen could rinse the soap out. She vaguely wondered why Arwen was the one assisting her in bathing, but said nothing as the elleth had started it on her own. She also felt much better now with Arwen’s reassurances. “*Thank you Arwen.*”

Arwen smiled and walked around so that Ascadholiel could see her without twisting. “*You are very welcome my friend.*”

They then talked companionably about various things while Ascadholiel finished washing with lavender and lily scented soap, one of Legolas’ favorite combined scents. Arwen then went back to the bedroom where Naurwen was waiting while Ascadholiel dried off.

After she was done the young human walked back into the other room to join the two. Naurwen was holding up a beautiful gown made of shining silver silk and gold embroidery around the edges. Ascadholiel gasped and touched it with trembling fingers. She thought to herself that she really should stop being surprised by all these things, but they just keep getting greater and greater. “*I have never seen anything so fine, save for the gowns I have seen Galadriel wear.*”

Arwen smiled again, standing beside the two. “*My Lady Grandmother made this for you for this very day. The embroidery is crafted in the royal crest of Mirkwood. Everyone here knows that you have the right to wear it, and Thranduil will have to acknowledge that right.*”

Ascadholiel nodded and then donned the beautiful gown, pulling her pendant, with Legolas’ hair ever tucked safely inside, out to hang above her heart for all to see. The mythril crest etched into it seemed to glow more brightly than all the rest, and Legolas hair shone just as clearly inside the crystal.

Ascadholiel looked at herself in the mirror and was awed. “*It’s so beautiful!*” She twisted and turned, her eyes lighting up like a little girls on her birthday, while the elleths watched in amusement.

Finally Naurwen patted the chair of the vanity and Ascadholiel walked over, sitting down. Naurwen brushed her hair until it was dry and shining, the three talking easily and joking around. The two braided her hair beautifully and intricately, adding again the crown of flowers with accents of gold and mythril clips and leaves as was befitting a princess of Mirkwood. They dusted the young woman’s skin with a powder that shimmered in any light. They chose for her, slippers that matched the gown perfectly.

Finally Ascadholiel stood before her two friends, looking almost as if she had part of the beauty of the elves to her, while still being quite human. She held herself regally as Galadriel had taught her while Arwen and Naurwen surveyed their work and smiled their approval. Ascadholiel smiled at this in return and then hugged them both. “*Thank you! I don’t think I have ever looked so beautiful!*”

Arwen smiled wider and hugged her back gently. “*Thranduil will have to be impressed, even if he doesn’t outwardly show it. You have nothing to worry about.*”

They all laughed then as Ascadholiel’s stomach growled. Ascadholiel caressed her belly gently and looked down. “*Well, are you hungry little one?*” She laughed again joyfully as her stomach growled as if on cue. She looked at her friends with glittering eyes and bliss on her features. “*I think that means yes. Shall we head off to breakfast now my friends?*”

Naurwen smiled and shook her head. “*I have already broken my fast Lady Ascadholiel. You go on ahead.*”

Ascadholiel smiled at her again and nodded her assent. She thanked her again as she and Arwen walked out onto the paths headed for breakfast, while Naurwen stayed to tidy up the rooms a little.

*****

Ascadholiel fidgeted nervously. She had not had any good experiences with her own father, and now she was to meet her father in law, who was not fond of humans in the least on normal circumstances. She forced herself to calm down though, reminding herself that not all fathers are as hers was. Elrond, Father to three, one of them her new friend, was wonderful. Also, Celeborn, who was father to Elrond’s wife Celebrian, who had crossed over the sea already, was more than wonderful.

She just had to stay calm. Galadriel, since breakfast, had been refining and reminding her of the lessons she had been given through out her time here. Now the time had come to put all those lessons to the test.

She waited just outside the reception area, where she and the fellowship had stood to first meet the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. Only now, she was waiting on the other side, for the arrival of Ascadholiel’s father-in-law, Thranduil, King of Mirkwood, with Celeborn, Galadriel, Elrond, and Arwen.

Haldir came in a few moments later and announced that King Thranduil awaited them.

Arwen and Galadriel gave smiles of encouragement towards the human. They were visibly proud when they witnessed Ascadholiel square her shoulders, her face confident, the scar peaking out from the top of her gown in plain sight for any who glanced her way, a testament of the danger she had faced with the fellowship in Moria. That was a story that had also reached Mirkwood by reputable source. Of how she had been injured in the act of saving Legolas’ life… in a sense.

Celeborn and Galadriel joined hands and walked out, followed by Elrond on the right, Arwen in the middle and Ascadholiel on the left of them. That’s when Ascadholiel got her first look at the elven king.

He stood tall and regal that the base of the stairs, looking almost impatient. His body was that of a strong warrior, his countenance fair and young as with all of the Firstborn.

Ascadholiel had to catch her breath, for he looked so much like her Legolas that it took her breath away and made the dull ache in her heart, hurt just a little more. His hair, which fell to his mind-back, was a shade lighter than his son’s, but the piercing blue eyes and the chiseled look of his face was the same, though Legolas’ face had slightly softer angles, and his eyes held far more warmth.

Thranduil wore splendid traveling clothes, tunic and leggings in tans and forest greens, the crest of the royal family of Mirkwood, tooled around clothing with gold and silver threads. A gold and diamond coronet, in the shape of weaving vines, leaves and a flower or two, knotted intricately in his hair, graced his high brow.

Something in him reminded her at once and strongly of Haldir.

He spoke in a slightly hard, and very stern, deep voice. “*Celeborn. What is this I hear about my son leaving his bonded here?*”

She almost nodded to herself as she thought, ‘Ah yes. There it is. The “I’m-better-than-you, I’m-polishing-a-gem-and-sharpening-a-stick-with-my-ass-cheeks,” attitude.’ She thanked the Valar that Legolas must have taken after his mother attitude wise.

Galadriel’s voice popped into her head at her thoughts on Thranduil. //Behave Ascadholiel.// But the human could feel the laughter in Galadriel’s mind-voice. She looked over briefly as well at Arwen when the elleth started shaking a little, and saw that she was struggling to hold in her laughter. She knew then that Galadriel had shared her thoughts with her friend as well. This had the effect of lightening her mood, which she knew then was why Galadriel had done it.

Celeborn simply nodded to Thranduil, standing regally beside his wife as Elrond, Arwen and Ascadholiel stepped off to their left side.

Ascadholiel also noticed that Thranduil’s eyes glanced at her curiously and briefly for a moment before returning to Celeborn.

Celeborn spoke levelly. “*Legolas did indeed leave his bonded here, in our protection, while he continued on the quest. He would not have been able to bear loosing her after almost doing so in the Mines of Moria when she almost died saving his life.*”

Ascadholiel blushed at this, but no one noticed.

Thranduil’s face hardly changed at all as he said, “*So that is true then. I may yet approve of my son’s choice then. Where is she, so I might appraise her?*” He said, speaking as if she was one of his jewels.

Galadriel spoke then as she motioned to Ascadholiel, who stepped forward calmly on cue to stand at the Lady’s side and face Thranduil. “*She is here Thranduil. I present Lady Ascadholiel, bonded wife to Prince Legolas.*”

Thranduil stared hard at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he laughed almost cruelly, something that made Ascadholiel raise an eyebrow the way she had seen Haldir do sometimes. He spoke then, disgust in his voice. “*Surely you jest! Take that emblem and crown off of her! It is insulting to see them on a human.*” He spat the word like it gave him a bad taste in his mouth.

Ascadholiel curbed her tongue, though her voice and eyes were furious. “*I will not take them off!*”

Galadriel spoke next, her deep voice calm as ever. “*It is her right to wear them.*”

This was said while Thranduil was still gaping that a human such as her could be so fluent in his native tongue. Finally though he snapped out of it, all mirth gone from his being. “*I will not honor this bonding! It will be annulled before my foolish son returns from this foolish quest of his!*”

Lord Elrond stepped forward then. “*The option for annulment has long passed, Thranduil King. She bears within her wound the child of your son’s loins, Mirkwood’s heir. I have borne witness to this myself.*”

Ascadholiel stood a little straighter and spoke with confidence in her tone, her words fluent and not at all stumbling, much to her delight. “*My name is Ascadholiel, and I am the bonded wife of Prince Legolas Thranduilion, mother of his children. No one will come between us and our love! Not even his atar. This he swore to me when he gave me this.*”

Ascadholiel opened the crystal pendant around her neck and held out the silken, golden braid that was so obviously from the prince. When all had seen it, Thranduil’s eyes flashing wide for just a second, she kissed it and tucked it safely back into the pendant. Then she went on, her voice still strong as Thranduil seethed, not given the chance to interrupt due to his temper starting to flare again. “*Not only that, he gave me his heart in exchange for mine, which I gave him more than willingly.*”

Thranduil looked about ready to pop a vein, and he bellowed, “*I will not accept this! It is an outrage! You would damn my son to a death he was never born to know! And for what, just so you may say that you have his heart? How could my son be such a fool and choose such folly? I did not raise him to be such an empty-headed fool!*”

Ascadholiel was shocked that the revelation that Legolas was die because of his lover for her, but she hid it perfectly, thankful for Galadriel’s training. She merely raised her head higher and said, “*I will not hear my husband slandered so, not even by his own atar. If I have your blessings My Lord, My Lady, I will take my leave.*”

The two nodded and Galadriel added, “*You may go. Arwen, please go with her*”

Arwen nodded and the two princesses left, heading back to Ascadholiel’s room. They didn’t speak, except for Arwen, once they were out of ear-shot, to say, “*You did very well Ascadholiel. The way you handled yourself will really give Thranduil something to think on.*”

They just reached Ascadholiel’s room and the human’s control broke as soon as she shoved the door open, and she spoke in common again. “Well he’s certainly given me something to think about.”

Ascadholiel flopped down on the edge of the bed, her elbows resting on her knees as she sighed. She stayed silent for a moment and then raised her head to look with uncertain eyes at Arwen, who had closed the door and now stood before her. “Is it true Arwen? Will Legolas die because of his lover for me? Tell me. I need to know if I have doomed my love to death.” And finally her voice broke on the last sentence her face crumbling.

Arwen knelt before her, petting her hair gently and trying to calm her as she cried. She put her fingers under Ascadholiel’s chin and raised her face to meet her eyes. “Shh… Do not loose heart. It may be that when you die, Legolas will find the strength to live. Your children will help him as my brothers and I helped our atar when our naneth sailed to the Undying Lands. Though it may also be that when you die, Legolas’ heart might break and he would soon follow you.”

Ascadholiel gasped a little as her fears were confirmed, her sobs getting a little stronger, though she still listened. “But how… why would he do that?!”

Arwen smiled sadly. “For the same reason I will follow Aragorn when he passes from this world. Our love is so strong that we, Legolas and I, would rather spend one lifetime with the ones we love, than spend all the ages of this world alone. That is why.”

Ascadholiel whispered brokenly, “But I don’t want him to die. Not for me. Not for any reason.” And she broke down sobbing again.

Arwen rose and then sat down beside her on the bed. She pulled Ascadholiel into her arms to give comfort only she, being in a like situation, could give. “He may not die mellon nin. As I said, the children you give him may help him carry on. Only when the time comes will that choice be made. Either his heart will break, or he will find the strength to live on, but wither way, he will always love you, and what is done, is done and cannot be undone.”

Even though Arwen gave comforting and truthful words, Ascadholiel still cried. She cried for hours, but not just for the knowledge that Legolas might fade, but also because she was still mourning her beloved friend Boromir, though they had just barely begun to know each other. Her emotions were just so mixed up right then that she just broke down completely.

Ascadholiel missed all of the fellowship, and more than ever now she needed Legolas there to comfort and reassure her. That thought then brought up the reminder that Legolas was most possibly racing to his death in Rohan if there was no help sent.

Ascadholiel cried for a long time, shifting position only enough to lay her head in Arwen’s lap. The elleth stroked her hair gently, humming a sweet song to her as she finally cried herself to sleep.

Arwen stayed like this a while longer until Galadriel knowingly appeared in the doorway, closing the door silently behind her as she entered the room.

Together, the two silently got Ascadholiel dressed down and her hair brushed out, setting the flowers from her coronet in a vase beside the bed. They tucked her sleeping form under the cover and walked to the door.

Arwen looked back and whispered, “He has hurt her badly. I do not think Legolas wanted her to know about his possible death yet. She was not ready for it and it has caused her so much grief that I fear for their child.”

Galadriel nodded as she gazed at her young charge as well. “Thranduil still does not know that he has revealed something unknown to her. He has been reprimanded strongly and has been warned that hers if a delicate pregnancy. He knows that she has suffered much heartache in her small time, and he has been warned against causing more.”

Galadriel turned and guided her daughter’s daughter out of the room, shutting the door again silently. “She is strong. She will be able to handle him, worry not.”

**********

A.N.: Wow! I actually got this one out in decent time! Go me! So, what did you think? Yeah, the meeting with Thranduil was kind of tame, but then again, this wasn’t in his realm. And yeah, I know the spelling errors are again numerous. Now let’s see if I can get the next chapter out in an orderly fashion, though I warn you, maybe not. That doesn’t mean to stop poking me though! Thankies much! Namarië!

~Celesta Hellewise Harman