#legolas greenleaf reader insert

   The setting sun poked through gaps in the leafy tree branches and shed rays of golden light onto the forest floor.  One of the rays fell just inches from where a slender yet strong hand grasped yours as the other tenderly applied an ointment.  Your eyes traveled past the hand, up the sleeved arm, and gazed at the face of the one who tended to you.  It was framed by a curtain of blonde hair that draped over his shoulders.  His expression walked the line between concentration and concern, lips pressed firmly together as his eyes were trained on the task of wrapping your wounded hand.

   “Really, I am alright.  It is just a scrape.”

   Those blue eyes of his flickered up to meet your gaze briefly.  “You should be more careful.  It is no pleasure to see you in pain.”

   “I’m not in pain,” you said, though you were cut off by a wince as Legolas carefully closed the bandage.  “It is a minor injury.”

   His eyes softened at your reaction.  “Here.”  He gave your wrist a small kiss.  “All better.”

   You held up your hand, admiring his work, and smiled.  “Thank you.”

   Legolas mirrored your smile.  “Of course, meleth nin. “  He took your other hand and lifted you to your feet before gathering his bow from a nearby log.  “We should return shortly before night falls.”  Your eyes followed him as he started walking back toward Rivendell.  It wasn’t long until he realized you weren’t following.  Turning to face you at the top of a slope, his eyes found yours inquisitively.

   But you didn’t move an inch.  You merely smiled and watched as orange rays of the last light of day fell on his pearly skin.  Little fuzzy seeds floated in the warm, breezy air, surrounding the two of you.  It was a picture of serenity.

   “I find it fascinating that you happened to be on patrol in this direction,” you said.  “I distinctly remember you saying you’d be heading northeast today.”

   He chuckled softly, twining his fingers with yours.  “Perhaps I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”

   “You believe in me so little?” you teased.  “You don’t think I can handle myself on a simple walk?”

   “On the contrary,” Legolas countered, lifting his brows.  “I do think you can handle yourself…So, imagine my surprise when I arrived to find you trudging through the woods clutching an injured hand.”

   Warmth flooded your cheeks at his point.  “It wasn’t that bad,” you muttered under your breath.  But of course, he always heard you loud and clear with his keen ears, so he chuckled again.  The sound made your heart flutter.

   To those on the outside, it was rather strange to see a prince of Mirkwood and a woman from a kingdom of men to be so familiar…But for you, it didn’t feel strange.  It felt comfortable.  Safe. Happy.  You were simply in love.

   As the two of you neared Imladris, the gentle notes of an elvish song could be heard once more.  Legolas gave your hand a squeeze, urging you onto the stone path that led straight to the entrance.  The golden sun sank behind the treeline, concealed from where you stood in the valley.  Before long, the sky fell into shades of darker blue.

   You separated from your mate to get changed into a gown for the evening rather than walk about in your outdoor wear.  The dress was pale green and silky soft, the sheer sleeves draped over your arms as light as air.  Legolas was waiting for you on a stone bridge, where the two of you usually met.  His eyes were focused on the starry sky before him as you approached.

   “It’s a beautiful evening,” you murmured, sliding an arm around his waist.  He reciprocated the gesture, his thumb and forefinger grasping a little bit of your dress material idly.  Being from Mirkwood, it was no surprise that he was still so enchanted by starlight.  Legolas met your eyes and smiled softly.

   “It is,” he agreed.  “And I am so glad to be sharing it with you.  You look lovely.”

   “Thank you.”  Your heart began a canter when he leaned in and pressed an affectionate kiss to your lips.  It was gentle and warm like embers.  Legolas had a tendency to be tender with you at first.  He really did believe in you and realized you could stand on your own two feet, but in the quiet moments between you, he still treated you with such care, as if you were some precious, delicate thing.  You weren’t weak and fragile- just very dear to him.

   You took it upon yourself to deepen the kiss, prompting him to lift a hand to touch the side of your face.  He brushed his lips against your temple and pulled away, keeping his arms around you.  Both of you gazed down into the silver reflection of the starry sky in the water below the bridge.

   The night had grown colder.  The air was like a fresh drink from a cool spring, and it was time for you to part ways.  Legolas gave you one last kiss, holding both your hands in his.  “Sleep well,” he whispered.

   “You too,” you murmured back.

   “I’ll only dream of you.”

   Your fingertips brushed one last time before you separated.  As you followed the mossy, stone path that led back to your quarters, you smiled.  Part of you was always sad when you had to retire for the evening, but Legolas’ seemingly endless patience was starting to rub off on you.  The inhabitants of Rivendell lived very differently than the people in your village.  Things moved slower, more peacefully.

   Crickets chirped outside your room, and a gentle breeze ruffled the curtains.  You changed into nightclothes and curled up under the covers, breathing in the sweet scents of spring flowers that began to sprout on the balcony.  You saw glimpses of Legolas’ face when you closed your eyes.  You saw golden sunlight.  Green leaves.  Glittering streams.