So many years had passed, and most of them had been happy. Thranduil had never minded that Maegwen seemed unable to bear children. They had spent a thousand years trying on nearly a daily basis, especially when Elrond and Celebrían had managed three of their own within the first forty years of their marriage.

Every year the King and Queen of Mirkwood visited the Lord and Lady of Imladris to celebrate the Winter Festival, when both couples had met. Often Celeborn and Galadriel would join them as well in order to visit with their daughter and grandchildren. Secretly Maegwen had brought her problem to Galadriel, for she wished more than anything to bear Thranduil a child. Galadriel always smiled and told her not to worry, that it would happen when the time was right, but after two and a half millennia Maegwen has lost hope.

Still, she counted her blessings. She had a husband who adored her. She had come to love Mirkwood, as dark and gloomy as it could be. The people had joyously accepted her as their queen, and she had made many friends. She was able to spend as much time as she liked composing songs, which were performed by the Elves with the most beautiful voices in the King's court. She had all the riches she could desire, and though she desired none at all, Thranduil gifted her with beautiful jewels and elegant gowns.

He never tried to keep her a prisoner. When she wished to see Celebrían, he provided her with an armed escort to Imladris. If his schedule permitted, he accompanied her, but it was difficult for him to get away more than once a year. She could have stayed a century in Imladris if she liked, but she found herself missing Thranduil too badly when they were parted.

She adored Celebrían and Elrond's children. Maegwen watched them all grow from beautiful babies into precocious and strong young adults. The children came to Mirkwood in their turn and adopted Maegwen and Thranduil as surrogate parents during their visits. This did much to stop Maegwen's longing, but the ache in her heart never truly went away.

Then, finally, it happened. It was the night of the summer solstice, and Thranduil held a large festival for his people, to celebrate the change of seasons. There was much food and wine and dancing beneath the light of the full moon. Maegwen cast an inviting look at her husband, inviting him to chase her into the deep of the wood. As they made love on the forest floor, Maegwen looked up past Thranduil's shoulder, through the green leaves that made a canopy above her, and saw a shooting star.

She knew in that moment, and her heart soared.

Legolas was born one year later to the day. Thranduil could not have been more pleased by his small son. Celebrían, Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn all came to Mirkwood for the baby's birth. Erestor and Glorfindel accompanied the Rivendell party, along with Arwen, Elladan and Elrohir. Maegwen was glad that the two councilors had finally chosen each other as life mates. They were both much happier and much more pleasant now.

Haldir and his brothers, Orophin and Rúmil, accompanied Galadriel and Celeborn. They were the three most highly respected Elves of the Galadhrim guard in Lothlórien, and Haldir had been made Marchwarden of the Golden Wood. The distance between them had caused Maegwen and Haldir to forget their previous antagonism and to become friends at last.

The year following her son's birth was the best of Maegwen's life. She had everything she had ever desired. Thranduil was the happiest she had ever seen him. Together they planned Legolas' future. He was a sunny, happy baby, beautiful and intelligent. On his first birthday Maegwen brought him to Lothlórien to visit with Galadriel. Thranduil escorted his wife and son through the wood, but he was forced to return to Mirkwood after leaving them in the care of the Lord and Lady of Light. Celebrían was coming from Imladris to visit as well, and Maegwen looked forward to seeing her.

Galadriel bade Maegwen bring the baby into her Mirror Glade, and together they sought to learn what the future held for the Prince of Mirkwood.

"Much darkness lies ahead for the Eldar," Galadriel warned her, "But Legolas will be a light in that darkness. Your son is destined to change the fate of Middle-earth."

"Will he be happy, my lady?" This was Maegwen's one true concern.

Before Galadriel could answer, Haldir burst into the grove looking pale and serious.

"What is it, Marchwarden?"

"Celebrían—"

Maegwen's dearest friend had been taken by Orcs. Tormented, tortured, nearly killed. Elrond and their sons rode to rescue her and brought her to Lothlórien, and Maegwen and Galadriel stayed by her side for the many weeks she lay in a nightmarish coma. When finally she awoke, she grasped Maegwen's hand, looking desperately into her eyes.

"Never leave me again, Maegwen," Celebrían whispered. "Do you remember? You swore."

Maegwen's blood ran cold in her veins, but she understood. She nodded, and promised.

"Send for my husband," she told Haldir.

Maegwen had never seen Thranduil beg before. He got down upon his knees before her, tears streaming down his face.

"How can you do this, Maegwen? For my sake—For Legolas'. Do not leave us."

"I was hoping to take Legolas," she whispered.

"No."

She did not argue with him, because he was right. It was not fair. And she could not ask him to leave, not now. He had responsibilities. He had a kingdom to rule. It was the same with Elrond… but Celebrían could not rest. She had less to lose, Maegwen thought. Her children were grown. Legolas would never know her. He would never know who she was, or how much she loved him, and always would.

And yet an oath was an oath. Celebrían was determined to leave Arda, and Maegwen would sail with her into the West. She could only hope that one day she would be united with her husband and her son. Thranduil refused to escort her to the Grey Havens, from whence the ship would depart. Elrond and his children would travel with them. Arwen begged to sail with her mother, but Celebrían bade her stay. She would take only Maegwen with her to Valinor, to a land where they might reside with the Valar and at last know peace.

Maegwen made love to Thranduil for the last time in Lothlórien. All night he held her tenderly and whispered his forgiveness.

"I will never let our son feel unloved. I understand why you must go. And one day, at the end of my time as ruler of Mirkwood, I will hand my scepter to Legolas and join you there. I promise that he will know you, and that he will understand."

Tears streamed down her face. "I have been lucky in my life with you, Thranduil. I will always love you."

And she always did.

[end]