DISCLAIMER: We've written this purely for our own and our readers' entertainment. We make no money whatsoever and we don't own anything (apart from the plot and our student debts, and you're more than welcome to take the latter if you so wish).

A/N: This is another story set in the 'Dawnstar' universe. It runs concurrently with 'Dawnstar and Friend', which is published by gaia caecilia, and then beyond. It isn't necessary to have read 'D&F', but you should maybe read my one-shot, sort-of prequel 'In the spring becomes the rose', which may give you a bit more of a feel for the characters as well as an understanding of one or two references in this story.

A/N 2: I will be trying to publish this as well as the promised sequel to my story 'Tangled Webs' whilst also doing my Uni work, so the updates may not be all that regular, but I will do my best and I can promise that both will be completed, as I hate reading incomplete fics – you may just have to wait awhile.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Co-written with gaia caecilia.

CHAPTER 1

Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and his uncle, Prince Adindel, crept closer, their light, elven footsteps making no sound in the undergrowth around this strange clearing. There! There she was, the Dawnstar, second daughter of High-King Turgon – the High-Princess of legend, who had been sent away to this other world for her own protection at the fall of Gondolin.

The two Princes watched as the Dawnstar went about the process of setting-up camp, her young face completely belying her true age. They marvelled still more as they studied her face in its humanised form; truly, they considered, her sister Idril had worked wonders when she transformed her infant sister into looking like a Daughter of Men – even the Elves couldn't tell where false pictures met true ones.

But she wasn't alone, the Dawnstar had a companion, a true Daughter of Men, and, judging by the way they laughed and joked together, they were great friends. This was a complication, although it was not unexpected, and would in fact help King Thranduil's plan, for the Dawnstar was more likely to co-operate if one of her friends was also there.

FLASHBACK

"Time is running out, brother, word has reached me that Elrond is making plans to send his own Mage, Maedhren, to retrieve his lost Great Aunt. I fear that if we do not reach her first, then all hope will be lost, for the Shadows are growing and I have no ring of power to protect my lands. If we keep the Dawnstar safe, here in Mirkwood, Elrond will be honour-bound to send better troops all the more quickly should we ever have need for reinforcements."

Adindel, who was watching as his brother paced nervously in front of the hearth, looked a little unsure.

"But are you certain that this is the correct course of action? Surely Elrond will send troops whether his Aunt was here or not."

"Yes, but if she was here, the troops would be of the best quality." Thranduil sighed heavily, the burden of his present plight shining in his eyes. "Believe me, Adindel, it gives me no pleasure doing this, but the safety of my people has to come first. Adar gave his life for this kingdom, I won't dishonour his memory by letting it fall without a fight. If keeping Elrond's Aunt here gives us a fighting chance, then by Elbereth, I will keep her so."

Adindel sighed resignedly, for he knew that tone in his brother's voice and that nothing could be done to change the King's mind.

END FLASHBACK

Legolas and Adindel watched as the two girls settled down to sleep. Silence filled the clearing. Eventually, the two Elves deemed it safe to approach. Light from the moon shone fully upon the girls, illuminating their equally creamy skins. Whilst his nephew kept his gaze upon the Dawnstar, Adindel felt compelled to study her companion. The girl wasn't any different to the young women he saw in Lake-Town, and yet... and yet. All of a sudden, she turned and kicked out slightly. Adindel stood there, transfixed at the sight before him: the sleeping girl in her squashy, bed-cocoon, with her unclothed chest now exposed to the outside world. The image sent a flame of desire flashing through him.

In all his life, Adindel's head had only ever been turned once, but Myrwen had chosen his brother instead and then after that fateful day nearly fifty years ago, when she had so tragically travelled to the Halls of Mandos, he had sworn that he would never ever look at another elleth again, for the pain of Myrwen's memory was too much. And yet, here he was, staring down at this topless girl at a complete loss as to what to do or say.

A sudden hand on Adindel's shoulder jolted him back to his senses. It was Legolas, who had evidently seen what his uncle had already seen, for he knelt down and re-covered the girl before putting his hand on her forehead and whispering some soothing words in Sindarin. The girl's fitful movements stilled and she now rested peacefully.

Legolas looked back up at his uncle.

"Come, Uncle, we need to prepare for the Transportation Spell. We can't allow anything to distract us from our mission. Adar is depending on us." This seemed to sway Adindel, for he shook himself before tearing his eyes away from the girl.

He then strode purposefully to the edge of the clearing and began to prepare himself for – as was his power and privilege as an Elf-Mage – the spell which would transport him, his nephew, and their sleeping companions back to Arda and the court of King Thranduil.

TBC.