Destiny

Manquárë ran through the bush exhausted. She had been running for days trying to escape a band of Orcs that had attacked her village but they had been determined to catch her and were still on her trail. Desperate to hide from them she darted into a grove of trees and ran smack into another elf. He grunted as her head connected solidly with his middle and putting out a hand steadied her so that she didn't fall.” Steady on there fair maiden, what's all the hurry" he said. "Orcs, they're chasing me," she said. Just at that moment the band of Orcs appeared. The elf pushed Manquárë behind him and quick as lightning had readied his bow to shoot and had had taken out the nearest Orc. He continued to methodically kill each Orc as she fumbled for her own bow and arrows. Finally she had notched an arrow to her bow and had joined him in defeating the band of Orcs. By the time the Orcs had been defeated both elves were breathing heavily and the other elf had almost exhausted his supply of arrows. He walked amongst the bodies and retrieved his arrows from them as well as taking the arrows from their quivers. Then he retrieved Manquárë’s arrows and turning around saw that she was standing there silently watching him.” You’re a fine archer," she finally said.
"You aren't too bad yourself fair maiden" he said.
"My name is not fair maiden. It's Manquárë," she said angrily.” And I am Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood" he said. "Legolas, an unusual name" she said.”” As is Manquárë “Legolas said. The two of them just stared at each other then burst out laughing.” You know what, I like you" Legolas said to her.” You’re very forward" she said surprised.” I mean as a friend idiot," he said. You're the idiot" she shot back at him but he knew she was joking. They sat down under the shade of a tree and talked.” So Manquárë, where are you from anyway?" he asked. She gave him a rough idea of the place and he nodded. "Well as you know I'm from Mirkwood and my father is the King there” So are you betrothed to any one" she asked, and then kicked herself for doing so. He raised an eyebrow at her before telling her that he had refused to participate in any arranged marriage and instead wanted to marry for love.” I haven't found that love yet so I'm content to wait," he said.
"That's so sweet" she said. "Thank you" he said. After awhile Legolas got to his feet.” I guess I'd better escort you back to your village" Legolas said.” I guess so," Manquárë said. The truth was that she didn't really relish going back as her family and arranged for her to marry a male elf her own age who resided in the village. As they walked along she kept darting looks at Legolas. She realized that he was very good looking and realized that he was the sort of elf she wanted to marry one day. She knew that she didn't stand a hope of him actually being interested in her that way as she was an ordinary elf but she couldn't help imagining the two of them together. At the same time Legolas was gazing at her wondering if she was involved with anyone. He told himself to forget about her, as he doubted if anything would happen between them. However he felt that she was very beautiful.
They finally reached the outskirts of her village and he bade her goodbye.
"Wait Legolas, you have to come in and have something to eat. Why you must be starving. I know I am"
"Why thank you Manquárë” Legolas said.
She went on ahead of her and suddenly he heard her screaming in anguish. Running up the hill he saw that the Orcs had razed her village to the ground. She was on her knees weeping in anguish. Taking her hand he drew her to her feet.
"I think you're going to have to come back to Mirkwood with me Manquárë "
"But my family, my friends everyone I ever knew lived here. They can't be dead can they?" she screamed at him.
"No I don't think they are dead but you wouldn't like to know what has become of them because it's not pleasant to talk about"
"Tell me darn you Legolas" she cried.
Heaving a sigh he told her what she wanted to know. She screamed and clung to him crying piteously. He raised her head so she was looking into his eyes.